Zhuang Yiyun fell asleep quite late and even when kicked by Yan Yan, he didn’t immediately wake up. In a half-dreaming state, he reached out to rub the sore spot and mumbled, “Good morning.”
Yan Yan directly pulled the blanket off. Regardless of who acted first, he preemptively questioned, “Who allowed you to hug me?”
“This bed is only one and a half meters wide. “ The implication was that the bed was too narrow, and it was normal to end up squeezed together while sleeping.
As Zhuang Yiyun spoke, he turned over and lay flat. The sudden big lump in the blanket made Yan Yan’s eyelids twitch.
“Why did you poke me then?”
Zhuang Yiyun squinted his eyes, fully awake now. He stopped his leg-patting motion and turned his head to look at Yan Yan, who was sitting beside him. He was dressed in pure white pajamas that were soft and light, so he appeared a bit softer. If it weren’t for his fierce tone, he almost looked like his past self, when he was pretending to be well behaved.
“How did I poke you?”
Zhuang Yiyun’s tone was casual. Even though he was lying down while Yan Yan was sitting, he exuded a sense of control from a higher position. His gaze slid from Yan Yan’s face to his waist and hips, then he asked, “Where did I poke you?”
Yan Yan’s heart beat wildly under his gaze, and he glared at him fiercely. If he had dared to say such things in the past, he would have tackled him right then and there. But in the past, he had chosen not to say such things. Now that he had given up on him, this man seemed to have become strangely provocative. It made him wonder if he was a straight man fishing without knowing it.
Yan Yan chanted a Buddhist mantra and recalled the last time Zhuang Yiyun had called him “husband”… Forget it, this guy could even call him “husbands” and act unfazed.
“Get lost.”
Even after being kicked, Zhuang Yiyun didn’t get angry, and being scolded seemed normal. He even smiled faintly, then sat up and started changing his clothes nonchalantly.
Yan Yan: “…”
He couldn’t lose, could he? It was just a morning routine for men. No need to make a fuss.
So, Yan Yan got up without a word and began changing his clothes as if nothing had happened. Since they were back to back, Yan Yan didn’t notice that while he was taking off his pajama pants, Zhuang Yiyun, who was fastening his belt, turned and looked at him for quite a while. His gaze was both chilly and scorching, like a lion licking its lips while eyeing its prey.
The house was small, and as soon as the two of them stepped out of the room, others in the house could hear them. Yan Ximing was busy setting up dishes on the dining table, and Qian Ruqing was bustling around in the kitchen. After exchanging greetings, the two of them were about to go and wash up when they were stopped by Yan Ximing.
“Qingqing, the children are awake, take a break for now.”
Qian Ruqing responded, turned off the stove, and emerged from the kitchen. She took off her apron and draped it over a dining chair. Then, she took out two red envelopes from her pocket and handed one to each of them.
“Be brave and move forward in the New Year, don’t be timid, don’t look back. Mom and Dad will love you always. As you two start your journey together, remember to support each other.”
Zhuang Yiyun was a bit stunned. The red envelope in his hand still carried the warmth from Yan Yan’s mother. It was not thick, but it felt warm, like something he had longed for countless times but never received—a touch of maternal warmth.
Yan Yan took the envelope, said, “Thank you, Mom. Happy New Year,” and proceeded to open it, just like every year. His mother would put an auspicious number inside, and he wanted to see what it was this year.
Seeing that Zhuang Yiyun hadn’t taken his envelope yet, Qian Ruqing stuffed it into his hand and said, “Xiao Yun, take it too, it’s your New Year’s money.”
“ I get one too?”
“Even though you’re an adult, your still a child in your parents’ hearts.” Qian Ruqing smiled warmly.
Although Zhuang Yiyun hadn’t called her “Mom” yet, it didn’t stop her from feeling closer to him with each passing day. It was strange. Despite his usually aloof temperament and lack of childishness, he gave her a sense of pure and genuine admiration like that of a child.
Zhuang Yiyun took the red envelope and tucked it away in the corner of his damaged and incomplete heart. This was the second time he was receiving New Year’s money in his life. The first time was when he was five, from his grandmother. After his grandmother passed away, no one had given him New Year’s money.
The atmosphere was warm, and Zhuang Yiyun was about to say something when Yan Yan chimed in, “999? Mom, do you hope your children have everlasting love or that they start dating early in life?”
He held up the opened red envelope, and the banknotes inside fanned out like a peacock’s tail. He even shook it in his hand and laughed playfully.
“You brat…”
“Hey, you can’t say bad things on the first day of the New Year.”
Zhuang Yiyun laughed along, wondering who had told him to get lost earlier.
“Mom, you’ve changed. You used to be against early dating.”
“When did I say I was against it? I never interfered with your dating life.”
Mother and son bickered in a friendly manner. Zhuang Yiyun suddenly interjected, “Yan Yan, did you date early when you were in school?”
“Of course. Someone like me, with so many people chasing after me back then…”
“Don’t brag. You only dated Xiao Yun after twenty-one years, and now you’re here showing off.”
Yan Yan’s attempt to show off was instantly foiled. “That’s because I have high standards! Many people wanted to date me, I just didn’t agree!”
Zhuang Yiyun stood nearby, smiling ambiguously. Qian Ruqing looked at the accomplished Dr. Zhuang and nodded, “The standards are indeed high.”
Yan Ximing also nodded in agreement. “Very high.”
With that, Qian Ruqing and her husband turned and headed towards the ancestral shrine. Giving out red envelopes was one thing, but it was crucial to pay respects to heaven, earth, and their ancestors on the morning of New Year’s Day.
Yan Yan felt frustrated. His own father and mother had shattered his image in front of Zhuang Yiyun! Since he’d lost at home, he’d redeem himself on an away game. He couldn’t afford to act disgracefully in front of his ancestors’ tablets.
In the living room of the Yan family, there was a traditional ancestral shrine hanging on the wall, displaying the portraits of Yan Yan’s grandparents and the memorial tablets of Yan family ancestors. On days when they needed to pay respects, they would set up a small table beneath the shrine, place incense burners, light candles, and prepare offerings for their ancestors.
Zhuang Yiyun had never witnessed such a scene before. He wasn’t even responsible for paying respects to his own grandmother, let alone his ancestors. Being pulled along to participate was quite novel for him.
As he lit incense, Yan Ximing stood beside him and introduced, “This is Yan Yan’s partner, Zhuang Yiyun. It’s Xiao Yun’s first year with our family, so may our ancestors bless him with good health and a successful career.”
Qian Ruqing added, “And may they bless Yan Yan and Xiao Yun with a harmonious and loving relationship, and may they grow old together.”
“Well, I will take good care of Yanyan.” Zhuang Yiyun responded nonchalantly. His tone even sounded casual, even though the occasion was solemn. However, his gaze was very sincere.
Yan Yan was left somewhat speechless. He wanted to tease him, but then he heard Zhuang Yiyun add, “For the rest of my life.”
Zhuang Yiyun bowed, offered incense, and placed it into the burner. His expression was serene and somewhat solemn.
Yan Yan’s words were stuck in his throat, and his heart was in turmoil. What’s going on with this guy? He was acting like he was in a drama, and even acted for real. It gave him goosebumps.
Qian Ruqing paid her respects repeatedly and then invited the two to get ready for breakfast.
Afterward, they each went to freshen up. Yan Yan didn’t speak to Zhuang Yiyun throughout the process. He couldn’t even find the words to curse, let alone anything to say, so he simply stayed quiet. When they returned from freshening up, breakfast prepared was already on the table.
Each of them had a small bowl of noodles. The noodles were tender and white, garnished with fresh green scallions and a bit of minced meat stir-fried with sour green beans, making them very appetizing. In the center of the table were two large plates of sweet pastries, along with three small dishes of chili sauce, pickled radish, and minced meat for accompaniments.
Each of Qian Ruqing’s sweet pastries was baked to a size larger than the face. They were golden and soft, with the sweet aroma of eggs and milk, and smeared with home-made wheat chili sauce, which had a sweet and salty blend and a great flavor.
Yan Yan couldn’t resist taking a jab at Zhuang Yiyun as he sat down to eat. “Dr. Zhuang, you asked for noodles, and look how hard my mom worked, preparing all of this so early in the morning.”
Zhuang Yiyun nodded, smiled at Qian Ruqing, and said, “Thank you for the hard work. Let me help you with lunch.”
“With your cooking skills, you want to help? Do you mean helping with washing dishes?”
“Yan Yan, what’s gotten into you? Xiao Yun can learn if he doesn’t know.”
“Yes, cooking is an essential life skill. I’ll learn it seriously.”
Qian Ruqing was extremely satisfied with her son-in-law’s attitude, compared to Yan Yan who was being unreasonable. She gave her son a stern look, as if to say, “Look at yourself. Why are you acting like a fighting cock? Your husband doesn’t seem to be bullying you.”
Yan Yan returned the glare. Why did his mother believe that guy’s nonsense?
Qian Ruqing winked, and Yan Yan fell silent. Yan Ximing acted oblivious, Zhuang Yiyun didn’t know what was going on, and the four of them ate breakfast in harmony.
After finishing their meal, the two of them started to help clean up the dishes. However, Qian Ruqing stopped them, saying, “You don’t need to clean up, go home and pack your bags.”
“What?”
Yan Yan was puzzled, and Zhuang Yiyun didn’t understand the meaning behind this either.
“Xiao Yun, you have time off for the New Year, right?”
“I have until the tenth. There are several foreign members in our group, and they often work overtime, so when we have time off, it’s usually for an extended period.”
“That’s good, then there are no scheduling problems.”
As soon as Yan Yan heard this, he had a bad feeling.
“Mom has booked a tour for you both. Since you have time off, enjoy a good vacation together and relax.”
“What are you saying, Mom? A tour? What tour?” He knew this prelude meant trouble.
“Yes, you’re married now, and you shouldn’t stay with your parents. It’s unreasonable. I’ve arranged a tour for you. Yan Yan, reflect on yourself.”
“But…” Yan Yan wanted to say, “Who would want to travel with a fake husband?” But seeing the hopeful look on his mother’s face, and because this was an auspicious day of the Lunar New Year, he swallowed his words.
“At least, ask us what we think first. How can you just book a tour without asking us?”
“Does that matter? When two people are together, anywhere they go is a paradise!” Qian Ruqing waved her hand. “Hurry up, go back, pack your bags, and go for seven days. The flight is this afternoon.”
“But…”
“What ‘but’? Your dad and I will go with you, we haven’t been to your place yet. We’ll cook lunch at your house, and after we eat, your dad will drive you to the airport.”
It was like there was a stampede of a hundred million wild horses galloping through Yan Yan’s mind. He didn’t even have a chance to say a single word of refusal before his mother blocked all possible escape routes, including but not limited to “escaping before boarding the plane” and “I couldn’t find my ID.”
The look in his parents’ eyes was so earnest. Yan Yan suddenly thought of the more immediate problem. He and Zhuang Yiyun were sleeping in separate rooms. How could he explain that if his mother found out?!
“Mom, for lunch, I’d like something hearty…something like seafood. Please go to the market and check. We’ll go back and pack our things first. Once you’ve bought everything, let us know, and I’ll send you our location.”
After saying this, Yan Yan grabbed Zhuang Yiyun’s hand and hurried away. As soon as they left the house, Yan Yan began scolding him, “What’s wrong with you? Why can’t you act more like a scumbag? Do you have to act so perfect? Now, if my mom finds out we’re sleeping in separate rooms, she might even break my legs on New Year’s Day!”
“Then repeat the reason you gave my mother last time.”
Yan Yan dragged Zhuang Yiyun into the elevator, moving so hastily that they almost collided with the elevator doors. Zhuang Yiyun reached out and pulled him back, then whispered in his ear.
“What?” Yan Yan didn’t react immediately.
“I am too rough and unrestrained, so we’re sleeping separately for now.”
His voice was low and mellow, and he spoke so closely to Yan Yan’s ear that it seemed as though he wanted to bite his earlobe while speaking.
Yan Yan’s mind was struck by a sudden thunderbolt, and his face turned bright red.
The explicit nature of the words “too rough” caught him off guard. Once he applied these words to the two of them, the car suddenly became a maglev train with a speed that he couldn’t keep up with.
lol