Yan Yan was the kind of person who doesn’t care about fairness. As long as he can win, he doesn’t care whether its through external help or not. Moreover, he sees it clearly: he’s a younger generation, and a man at that. No matter how fierce or aggressive he is, his capabilities are limited. In his view, the best choice to deal with Zhuang Xian is his mother.
Both are women, mothers and old classmates. Each with their own backgrounds. So, when he said he had to make a call about speeding up the delivery of his gift, he actually called his mother. Over the phone, he briefly explained the situation. Qian Ruqing was skeptical until she arrived and saw the situation; she couldn’t believe her eyes.
Yan Yan didn’t come for the birthday dinner. Instead, a handsome young man, who was not a relative nor a close friend was invited. Qian Ruqing looked the young man up and down and was furious. But every injustice had its own debt, so she took one look and turned her attention to Zhuang Xian.
“Zhuang Xian, who is he?”
“My assistant. What’s the matter?”
“Oh,” Qian Ruqing drawled, and sneered, “You specially invited your son for a birthday meal and brought this assistant along separately. That’s quite an honor, isn’t it?”
“Do I need your permission to invite someone for a meal, Qian Ruqing? Whose face is bigger here? I value him, what’s wrong with that?” Zhuang Xian was not willing to tarnish her image in the group of classmates but since Qian Ruqing started the mockery, she couldn’t back down. Moreover, she had disliked Yan Yan for quite some time. This was not unrelated to Qian Ruqing.
“In laws are like one’s own family. Although that’s what they say, I’m not so shameless that I’d meddle in your family affairs. But this matter is different. You brought a handsome young assistant for dinner and introduced him to Xiao Yiyun, are you trying to introduce him as Xiao Yiyun’s stepfather? Since he is a future relative, can’t this old classmate and in law offer some advice?”
As Qian Ruqing spoke, even Yan Yan took a breath and immediately looked at Zhuang Yiyun’s reaction. Zhuang Yiyun’s father was the biggest landmine, and his mother had stepped on it!
Zhuang Yiyun’s reaction was flat, almost non-existent, and even a bit mocking. On the other side, the young man’s face was red with shame and he seemed completely at a loss in this situation. As for Zhuang Xian, she was seething with anger.
Qian Ruqing didn’t care how angry she was. Did she ever consider how the children would feel?
“Qian Ruqing!” Zhuang Xian gritted her teeth, the sound of her high heels clattering with each step as she came over to slap Qian Ruqing.
“Auntie Zhuang, don’t.” Yan Yan didn’t have time to warn her; Zhuang Xian’s hand had already swung out. As soon as she moved her hand, Qian Ruqing’s fist landed on her face. She staggered and would have fallen if she hadn’t caught the back of the nearby chair.
Yes, Qian Ruqing used her fists. It was something she had learned during her daily exercises in the park. Zhuang Xian’s fighting style was typical of a woman, while Qian Ruqing’s approach was entirely that of a man, and one punch had left her dazed.
“Hiss…” Yan Yan winced at the sight.
Zhuang Yiyun subconsciously stepped forward, but then he retracted his foot. He reached out and held Yan Yan’s hand tightly. Yan Yan responded with a slight movement of his fingers.
“You hit me!” Zhuang Xian was astonished and furious.
Her “assistant” wanted to help her, but was frightened by Qian Ruqing’s fierce glare. Qian Ruqing might be just an elementary school teacher, but she had been a class teacher for many years and had a strong, intimidating presence.
“Yes, I hit you. So what?! Do you want me to pull your hair and tear your skirt?” Qian Ruqing stepped forward, grabbing Zhuang Xian’s cashmere shawl. The elegant, icy façade of the glamorous female boss shattered; her hair was disheveled, her face was cut, and the air of nobility was gone.
“Think about whether you deserve this hit. I haven’t vented my anger yet!” Qian Ruqing said and raised her fist again.
This was the first time Zhuang Xian had experienced such a brutal fight. She was still in shock, and subconsciously turned her head to avoid the punch. After hiding, she felt embarrassed and turned back to glare at Qian Ruqing.
“Do you dare!” Zhuang Xian bluffed, but the fear was evident beneath her bravado. However, this fear only made her angrier. How could she, Zhuang Xian, be suppressed by Qian Ruqing?
Qian Ruqing didn’t have Zhuang Xian’s complex thoughts. She was motivated by her love for her children, and this gave her boundless protective instincts and courage.
“See if I dare! I never hit you before because I didn’t know you were so shameless. Do you look like a mother? You disgust the children. Yan Yan is my son; even if you don’t care, do you not care about Xiao Yiyun, whom you gave birth to? You’re causing all this trouble, did you ask them if they agreed?!”
“Yes, I know Yan Yan’s conditions are not comparable to Yiyun’s, and he might be reaching beyond his grasp. But this situation was started by you. Even if you regret it, how can you just introduce a mistress directly? You still say I shouldn’t dare to hit you? You deserve it! You’re disrespectful and are morally corrupt!”
“I’m not a mistress…” the young man tried to defend himself.
“Get lost. This is a matter between our two families. Do you have the right to speak?” Qian Ruqing pointed at the door without looking at him.
The young man still refused to leave, so Yan Yan looked at him: “Do you want me to invite you out?”
He didn’t speak.
Yan Yan sneered at him and asked, “Didn’t you read my profile? Doesn’t it say I have a bad temper and like to fight?” Yan Yan raised his hand as he spoke.
Qian Ruqing let go of Zhuang Xian, and the two of them simultaneously rolled up their sleeves, ready for a fight. The young man cast a pleading look at Zhuang Yiyun, but seeing him as steady as Mount Tai, he finally fled.
Yan Yan wanted to taunt them a bit more, but Qian Ruqing spoke first. “Both of you, leave. This is an adult matter; you don’t need to hear it.”
“Mom, you calm down…” Yan Yan wanted to mediate a bit, but seeing Zhuang Xian’s expression, he lost the last bit of pity.
But before he could finish his sentence, Qian Ruqing shouted, “Shut up, get out!”
Seeing the situation, Zhuang Yiyun pulled Yan Yan out.
Once they were out, Qian Ruqing and Zhuang Xian immediately started fighting. Qian Ruqing was more powerful, so Zhuang Xian took advantage of an unguarded moment and pounced on her. They fought like shrews, pulling hair and pinching arms. The two fifty-year-old women rolled on the floor and were soon covered in dust.
No one spoke. In the heat of the moment, Zhuang Xian stopped moving and sat on the ground, crying.
“Do you know how people online were cursing us? They said my son is just a sycophant of an internet celebrity, that he doesn’t deserve to do research, that he’s just hype, that he only wants fame… All because of who? All because of your son, Yan Yan! Zhuang Yiyun has never been this humiliated in his entire life!”
Qian Ruqing spat, trying to get the hair out of her mouth. After struggling without success, she stroked her hair absentmindedly and said, “Yes, it is because of Yan Yan, but it’s what Yiyun wants too. Money can’t buy genuine affection. Have you seen how happy your son is now? And did you only see criticism? There are plenty of praises for him online too, saying he’s a real man, and is very manly. Why don’t you mention that?”
“He’s doing scientific research. Does he need these irrelevant praises?”
“He’s doing scientific research. Does he need to bother with these nonsensical insults?”
The two women exchanged a glance, each rolling her eyes.
“He has always been perfect since childhood, flawless in his life, except for Yan Yan!” Zhuang Xian added.
“Perfect? Whose life is truly perfect? That’s just your perception. Ask Yiyun how he feels. Do you know what kind of life he led in my home? I gave him a red envelope on New Year’s Day, and he looked like he was about to cry. Even when he helped me with cooking or cutting fruits, he radiated happiness.”
“Let me tell you, Zhuang Xian, if you don’t want your son, fine. If you don’t, I do! I won’t treat him as a tool; I just want him to be happy. When I said Yan Yan isn’t on par with Yiyun, it was me being modest. Even if my son is not as intelligent as Yiyun, there’s no lack of compatibility. My son is optimistic, cheerful, honest, kind-hearted, he knows how to have fun, how to play, and how to live. He’s handsome, sensible, and smart. Do you think someone like him can be easily found on the street?”
The flow of people outside the private room gradually decreased, and Zhuang Yiyun and Yan Yan who were standing at the door heard their conversation.
“You couldn’t find him even if you searched with a lantern. I patiently guided him out step by step. As for you, think about it. Apart from his intelligent brain, what have you provided for your son? I feel sorry for him. I can’t fathom what kind of life he has led from childhood to now yet he has a mother. How can he be treated like a weed?”
Zhuang Xian was questioned but refused to admit her faults. After hesitating for a moment, she said, “Education, status, a respectable job, comfortable lifestyle. Isn’t that enough? He has a bright future…”
“But he’s not happy at all,” Yan Yan opened the door and interrupted, both mother and son speaking in unison.
Zhuang Xian raised her head and looked outside, subconsciously searching for Zhuang Yiyun. However, all she saw was his silhouette. He didn’t turn back, didn’t even glance her way, as if he didn’t want to look at her. She suddenly felt panicked, realizing she had lost something precious.
Zhuang Yiyun had many things he didn’t want to express, but he rarely showed his feelings. Upon reflection, he not only didn’t reveal his disgust, but he hardly expressed affection either. He seemed like a calm pool of water, his surface undisturbed.
Zhuang Xian suddenly remembered the time before Zhuang Yiyun and Yan Yan got married. She had asked him about his blind date, and what he thought of Yan Yan. She still remembered his words.
—“He’s quite well-behaved, kind of cute.”
Back then, she had been so angry that she had smashed a lot of things. His previous apartment had been in a mess because of her. Glass shards had cut his neck but he didn’t react at all.
But now… he smiled at Yan Yan, served him food and even called him ‘baby’.
Zhuang Xian touched her face and found that tears were streaming down.
“Why did you open the door? Get out. You and Yiyun go home first. I’ll send Auntie Zhuang back.” Qian Ruqing chased Yan Yan away and then took some tissue to wipe Zhuang Xian’s tears.
“You were everyone’s goddess when you were in school, you know? It wasn’t just the boys who liked you, us girls liked you too. You were smart, beautiful, good at studying. There was nothing wrong with you except for being a bit arrogant. Now, you’re someone we all look up to, according to our old classmates. But raising a child is like building a career, you can’t just charge forward. Sometimes you need to take a step back. And you need to be comprehensive. Did you only care about his academics?”
Zhuang Xian hesitated and nodded.
“I knew it when I saw him. Did you rely on a nanny to cook for him normally? You didn’t even make his meals?”
Zhuang Xian nodded again.
“Were you overly harsh about teenage relationships?”
This time, Zhuang Xian shook her head. “He has never had any early romance.”
“Oh. Let me tell you, raising a child isn’t about being strict. It’s in their nature to enjoy life. The more you suppress them, the fiercer they’ll explode later. Can he still listen to you now? Is he willing to communicate with you?”
Zhuang Xian shook her head again, her expression pained. After hesitating for a long time, she said softly, “I’m afraid he’ll take the wrong path and get fooled by appearances like me.”
“Let me ask you, with your excellent conditions, why stay single? You’re busy managing your son’s marriage; why not find someone for yourself? Hey, I’m not mocking you, I’m serious. Phoenix men and pretty boys won’t work, you can enjoy them if you’re willing to support them, but don’t let your heart be carried away.”
Zhuang Xian looked utterly confused, not understanding how the conversation had turned to this topic.
Qian Ruqing helped her up, and they sat on the cool floor to calm down. She arranged Zhuang Xian’s hair, fixed her shawl, and without further ado, led her out.
“Do you have a car? I’ll drive you home. Let’s reminisce about the old times at your place!” Qian Ruqing said boldly. Zhuang Xian didn’t know how she ended up agreeing, but she personally drove Qian Ruqing back home. It was quite amusing- Yan Yan, her future son-in-law hadn’t even entered the household, yet the prospective in-law had arrived first.
That night, they chatted until very late, had a bit of alcohol, and talked about everything under the sun. It was so late and they both got hungry so Qian Ruqing made them a midnight snack. While eating, Qian Ruqing looked at her encouragingly and nodded. After some contemplation, Zhuang Xian decided to follow her advice. She messaged her secretary, asking him to schedule an appointment with a psychologist.
“Do you think Xiao Yiyun will still acknowledge me in the future?” Zhuang Xian asked after sending the message. After they had fought and talked so much, she had let go of all her burdens and could talk about anything. Even her term of address had been influenced by Qian Ruqing. Considering all these years, Zhuang Yiyun didn’t even have a nickname. She indeed had never expressed maternal love.
“I don’t know about that. You can’t force him or morally pressure him. If you want to change, it has to start from here. He’s twenty-seven years old, it’s not about whether you give him freedom or not, you just can’t control him anymore.”
“Alright,” Zhuang Xian took a deep breath, suppressing the surge of emotions triggered by those words and nodded.
Even though the in-laws had grown closer, Zhuang Yiyun and Yan Yan remained silent on their way back home. Yan Yan understood that Zhuang Yiyun must be feeling a mix of emotions. He wanted to say something several times but ended up keeping quiet, letting Zhuang Yiyun have some quiet time to himself.
He had wanted Zhuang Yiyun to be silent, but not for the whole night!
After returning home that day, Zhuang Yiyun remained silent. He went to take a shower, and Zhuang Yiyun was still lost in thought on the balcony. Earlier, he had said he(Yan Yan) should come back early for a punishment, but what did he find? He found a little vixen flirting with his husband and a husband who had put his phone on silent mode?
That was unacceptable. Yan Yan refused to endure this injustice.
When Zhuang Yiyun’s phone rang, he was surprised to see “Yan Yan” displayed on the screen. He couldn’t understand why Yan Yan would call him when they were in the same house. Turning around, he noticed Yan Yan wasn’t in the living room. So, he answered the call.
“Gege, come to the dressing room. There’s a piece of clothing I can’t find,” Yan Yan said.
Zhuang Yiyun was bewildered. He didn’t understand why Yan Yan would ask him for help with his clothes. He had never managed Yan Yan’s wardrobe, so he was utterly confused. Despite this, he got up immediately and went to the dressing room.
The door to the dressing room was slightly ajar. He pushed it open and saw Yan Yan standing in the middle. Yan Yan had been leaning against the accessories display cabinet in the center of the dressing room. When he heard the door open, he turned his head, staring straight at Zhuang Yiyun and said, “Gege, there’s a part I can’t fasten.”
He motioned toward the strap on his leg. That simple gesture felt like a direct hit to Zhuang Yiyun’s heart.
He was only wearing a white shirt that was obviously too big, and whose shirt it was didn’t need to be said. There was a black shirt clip on his legs, which looked particularly seductive against his fair skin. With such an oversized shirt, how could the shirt clip hold it in place…
While talking, Yan Yan’s crossed legs then shifted to one side, and he lowered his leg towards Zhuang Yiyun, revealing more of the scenery to Zhuang Yiyun.
He was not wearing anything underneath!
With a bang, the complicated feelings, the birthday dinner and everything else vanished from Zhuang Yiyun’s mind. He felt a throbbing ache and walked over in large strides to cover Yan Yan’s hand that was playing with the strap.
Yan Yan shook his head at the sight, pushing Zhuang Yiyun away with his other hand.
“Gege isn’t behaving today. Attracting flies and annoying me, then ignoring me once he came back. He needs to be punished.”
“How do you want to punish me?” Zhuang Yiyun’s voice was hoarse it didn’t sound like his own.
“Put this on for me to see. Also, today, gege can only look, not touch.”
Zhuang Yiyun didn’t respond immediately. His gaze followed Yan Yan’s finger. He was pointing at… black sleeve bands, and an armed belt.
Zhuang Yiyun chuckled lightly, then reached out to pick them up. He could wear, but not touch? Let him be naive for awhile longer. Zhuang Yiyun looked at Yan Yan calmly.
Example of a shirt clip
Cough cough cough.. hoho ~