chapter 46 – meeting parents again

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tw: suicide mention in the beginning

 

Zhuang Yan felt the urge to smoke again.

 

He touched his pocket and asked Ji WenBin, “Do you mind if I smoke a cigarette?”

 

“Feel free.” Ji WenBin seemed to smile and said, “I can’t smell smoke from over here anyways.”

 

Zhuang Yan lit a cigarette and took a deep drag on it before his mind was able to slowly calm down.

 

He was silent for a long time, with the cigarette pinched between his fingers, trembled a little, and said, “I’ve never seen him thinking of committing suicide.”

 

“His attitude towards life might be a little passive and goes with the flow, but according to my observation, he…shouldn’t have any suicidal tendencies right now.”

 

Dr.
Ji didn’t refute him.
“That’s why I said in the past.”

 

Zhuang Yan became silent again.

 

His thoughts tangled with the past that Xie Ning avoided talking about, slowly streamlined, and finally fixated on the tattoo on his wrist.

 

Xie Ning said birds meant freedom and being unrestrained.

 

Then what was he restrained by in the past?

 

Ji WenBin finished taking notes, and suddenly asked, “I’d like to presumptuously ask, are you two a couple?”

 

Zhuang Yan paused and responded, “Right now, we’re not yet.”

 

Ji WenBin smiled again.
“This is a very interesting answer.”

 

Zhuang Yan, however, was very confident.
“We will be one day.”

 

Ji WenBin said, “Then I should wish you good luck.”

 

The cigarette in Zhuang Yan’s hand burned to the bottom.
“Thank you.”

 

Ji WenBin asked again, “Then can you chat with me about his other situations? For example, his past, family, friends, etc.”

 

Zhuang Yan replied, “Actually, you should ask Yan Xi about these.
He would probably know more.”

 

Ji WenBin said, “I will listen to observations from all parties.”

 

Zhuang Yan thought about it.
“I don’t know much.
For family…his relationship with his grandfather should be quite good.”

 

“Grandfather?” Ji WenBin paused and asked, “Then what about his parents?”

 

Zhuang Yan pinched the cigarette to put it out.
“I haven’t met his parents before…he used to always live alone.”

 

Ji WenBin didn’t really think this meant anything.
“With financial support, it’s quite common for an adult to live alone elsewhere.”

 

Zhuang Yan slowly recalled, “He’s only mentioned his mother to me a couple of times, but they didn’t seem to be very harmonious to me.
His mother always arranged blind dates for him, ignoring his wishes, and he was very upset by this, even finding a boyfriend as a shield to refuse these blind dates.”

 

Ji WenBin’s tone became a little strange.
“Ah, it’s like that?”

 

Zhuang Yan explained, “It’s something that happened in the past.
I’m not that shield.”

 

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Ji WenBin let out a sound of affirmation.
“So you’re saying that his relationship with his grandfather is quite good, but his relationship with his parents isn’t very harmonious, and his mother…her personality would probably be considered the strong type.
What about his father?”

 

Zhuang Yan thought about it for a while.
“I haven’t heard him mention him before.”

 

Ji WenBin asked himself, “Not mentioned before…a silent persona?”

 

In terms of family, that’s all Zhuang Yan knew.

 

“Making friends…” Zhuang Yan lit another cigarette, “He doesn’t like to socialize with others and his social circle isn’t large.
The only one who can be called and considered a friend is Yan Xi.”

 

Since Yan Xi was mentioned, he couldn’t help but ask, “I heard Yan Xi introduced you to Xie Ning.”

 

Ji WenBin said, “Yes.”

 

Zhuang Yan then repeated what he said earlier.
“Then you should be more familiar with Yan Xi.
For these things, I think Yan Xi can provide more information than I can.”

 

Ji WenBin laughed a little.
“But I want to hear your views and opinions more.”

 

Zhuang Yan paused.
“Mine?”

 

“Right.” Ji WenBin’s voice was as gentle as ever when he said, “Because you’re someone special to Xie Ning.”

 

“In other words, in Xie Ning’s heart, you’re different, so I think your words may be more significant as reference.”

 

He’s special.

 

Zhuang Yan thought that he’d heard Yan Xi say this to him as well before.

 

……

 

He chatted with Ji WenBin for a few hours and didn’t get much from him, but he did smoke a couple of cigarettes.

 

Zhuang Yan threw the cigarette butts into the trash can, cleaned up, and went to the bathroom to take a shower to wash off the smell of smoke and hot pot together.

 

He didn’t know if it was because he was in a good mood since he found inspiration or because he enjoyed eating hot pot for dinner, but Xie Ning was able to fall asleep easily and slept sweetly in the blue whale plushie’s company.

 

But Zhuang Yan was hiding something in his heart; he tossed and turned for a long time before falling asleep, and woke up twice intermittently.

 

When early morning came, Zhuang Yan frowned and got up to wash his face and brush his teeth since he really couldn’t sleep.

 

Xie Ning wasn’t awake yet.

 

Since it was the weekend and Zhuang Yan woke up so early, there was no need to rush to the office.

 

He went outside, ran for a while, and came back with a thin layer of sweat on his body.
He went to the bathroom and took a shower before going downstairs to prepare breakfast for Xie Ning.

 

Who knew that when he walked to the top of the stairs, he saw an upright figure sitting in the living room.

 

He looked at the time.
It was only a little after 8.

 

The person was drinking a cup of water, saw him come downstairs, and put the cup on the table.
They turned around and lightly said, “You’re awake?”

 

Zhuang Yan made a sound in response, and said a little helplessly, “It’s only 8, and it’s the weekend.”

 

“Yes, I thought I would have to wait here for at least a couple of hours before you came downstairs.
I didn’t think you’d wake up so early today.”

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Zhuang Yan walked over from the stars and rubbed his forehead, saying, “Mom, why didn’t you tell me earlier that you wanted to come?”

 

Madam Qiao sat on the sofa and raised her eyebrows when he was finished speaking.
“What? I’m not welcome?”

 

Zhuang Yan smiled.
Even if she wasn’t welcome, it was impossible for him to actually show it.
“How could that be?”

 

Madam Qiao said frostily, “Looking at your expression, it doesn’t look like you’re welcoming me either.”

 

Zhuang Yan said, “Then should I clap my hands for you?”

 

“That’s not necessary.” Madam Qiao said, “I came here so early today that I haven’t eaten breakfast yet.
If I’m truly welcome here, then make a meal for me.”

 

Zhuang Yan chuckled.
“It feels like you’re here to freeload a meal.”

 

Madam Qiao furrowed her brow and looked at him.
“So you’re saying that a meal is worth me coming all this way over?”

 

Zhuang Yan didn’t really have any objections, since he was about to make breakfast for Xie Ning anyways.
It was just an extra portion.

 

But Madam Qiao’s reason for coming concerned him a little.

 

The Zhuang family is open-minded, and his parents didn’t interfere with his affairs after he became an adult.

 

Going abroad was fine, becoming a director and filming movies that nobody really watched was okay too; as long as he didn’t become a criminal, the Zhuang family let him do whatever he wanted.

 

There were some people who snuck up to Madam Qiao and taunted her for having a son with such a bad temperament but not having much to back it up.

 

Madam Qiao would just raise her eyes and smile faintly.
“There’s not some sort of throne to inherit in our family.
As long as he films some movies to make a little money and live a comfortable life, that’s fine.
It’s better than some other people, who spend time and effort using their connections to report things to the police station during New Year’s.”

 

The person, upon hearing this, choked a little, and stopped trying to poke her.
Instead, they turned and told others that this mother-son duo had a temper that was carved from the same mold.

 

Hard to please, and can block others’ mouths from speaking with a couple of words from their own mouth.

 

Later on, Madam Qiao told Zhuang Yan about this as a joke.
“Her son is promising, isn’t he? He’s a puppet president at his own family’s company, and the family has been arguing about inheriting property so much that they’ve become a laughingstock, but they don’t even know it.
There’s also a nephew who’s not very skilled but still wants to wiggle into the business circle.
Last year, he finally smuggled himself in with connections until he got to your grandpa, and they think I don’t know.”

 

……

 

Zhuang Yan poured a cup of water for himself as well and asked, “Is there something you need since you’ve come here to visit and block me? Or did someone tattle on me to you?”

 

Madam Qiao said calmly, “I heard others say that you’re hiding someone in your golden castle.”

 

Zhuang Yan was drinking water, and nearly choked when he heard this.

 

He wiped the corners of his lips with a napkin, and frowned, asking, “Who…did you hear this from.”

 

Madam Qiao said slowly, “Who told me isn’t important.
I’m just curious, so I came to take a look.
Seeing you like this, does that mean you really are hiding someone here?”

 

Zhuang Yan felt helpless, but knew that it was impossible to hide this from his mother.

 

Inside the house at Lakeside Villa, besides Auntie Chen, there were gardeners who came regularly, and he would occasionally use a chauffeur.

 

Anyone could have mentioned it to Madam Qiao with just a sentence.

 

Additionally, he originally didn’t plan to hide the matter between him and Xie Ning from his family.

 

It just wasn’t the right time yet.

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So he didn’t really hide it.
“There is someone who lives here, but it’s different from what you’re thinking.”

 

“Oh?” Madam Qiao became curious.
“How is it different? Or are you going to say that you two are innocent, that nothing happened, and they’re just staying here?”

 

From a certain perspective, there wouldn’t be anything wrong if he said it like that.

 

Zhuang Yan couldn’t help but smile bitterly in his heart a little.

 

Madam Qiao, looking at his expression and seeing how he didn’t say anything, said, “Speaking of which, you’re almost thirty.
You haven’t brought anyone home in so many years, so it’s impossible for your father and I to not be worried.
If I try to hurry you, you’d find it annoying, so I tried to not mention this matter.”

 

Zhuang Yan muttered, “There’s still two years before I’m thirty.
I’m still not that old, right?”

 

Madam Qiao wasn’t swayed by his topic change.
“You’re not someone who likes to play around.
Since you’ve already brought them here to live with, there should be some sort of explanation.”

 

She said, “Your father and I are going overseas in two days.
If you’re not being serious and are just playing around, I’ll just pretend to not know anything and say I came here to say goodbye to you.”

 

Zhuang Yan was silent for a few seconds and said seriously, “Then I’ll explain to you that I’m serious.”

 

Madam Qiao sat up straight.
“Oh? You’re willing to talk now?”

 

“Keep your voice down, please.” Zhuang Yan smiled helplessly.
“He’s still sleeping upstairs; I’m afraid to wake him.”

 

Madam Qiao laughed out loud.
“Protecting them so tightly?” {t/n: at this point, Madam Qiao doesn’t know if it’s a man or a woman, but pronouns in Chinese sound the same!}

 

Zhuang Yan said, “You’ve already said it like that, and I don’t want you to misunderstand him.
Towards him…I’m not playing around, I seriously want to be together.”

 

He said earnestly, “I like him in the way where I want to talk about marriage and spend the rest of my life together with him.”

 

Madam Qiao digested this news for a little, then raised her eyes to look at him.
“I heard it’s a guy?”

 

“Yes, a guy.”

 

Madam Qiao didn’t speak for a few seconds, and finally said, “It’s been so many years, but I never thought that you’d bring a man home in the end.”

 

Zhuang Yan used her own past words to stop her.
“I don’t have any sort of throne to inherit anyways.”

 

Madam Qiao: “…”

 

They really were a mother and her son.

 

Madam Qiao was speechless for a moment, then asked, “Then tell me, what sort of person is he?”

 

Zhuang Yan smiled, “You’ll know what kind of person he is later when you see him.”

 

Madam Qiao raised her eyebrows.
“You’re willing to let me see him now?”

 

Zhuang Yan said, “If you don’t see him, will you leave? And it’s not that I didn’t want to let you see him…I’m afraid of scaring him.”

 

Madam Qiao asked, “What will you do if I don’t like him?”

 

Zhuang Yan wasn’t worried at all.
“You’ll definitely like him.”

 

Madam Qiao raised her eyes to look at him.
“So confident?”

 

Zhuang Yan was calm and composed.
“Yes.”

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He put his cup down as he was talking and stood up.
“He’s probably almost awake now and I still have to make breakfast.”

 

Madam Qiao stood up with him.
“Since that’s the case, should I meet his parents once before going overseas?”

 

Zhuang Yan paused, and quietly asked, “Meet them?”

 

Madam Qiao hesitated and said, “To…set the wedding date?”

 

Zhuang Yan: “…”

 

He rubbed his forehead.
“You’re in too much of a hurry.”

 

Madam Qiao said coolly, “Who was the one that just talked about discussing marriage and spending the rest of their life with him?”

 

Zhuang Yan looked at her and said, “We’re not at that point yet…when you see him later, don’t talk nonsense.”

 

Madam Qiao could tell something wasn’t right, and looked at him calmly.
“Why do I feel like there’s something you’re hiding from me?”

 

Zhuang Yan was silent for a while and told the truth.
“He hasn’t agreed yet.”

 

Madam Qiao thought about what he said for a little, and finally looked at him with an indescribable expression in her eyes.

 

“You’re saying…you’re here talking about discussing marriage and spending your life with him, and he hasn’t agreed to be with you yet?”

 

Zhuang Yan couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
“Otherwise, I would have brought him to you long ago.”

 

Madam Qiao laughed out loud.
“Amazing…then you should tell me clearly what I should say when I meet him later.”

 

……

 

When Xie Ning woke up, he heard faint voices coming from downstairs.

 

He thought that Zhuang Yan was talking to Auntie Chen, so after he brushed his teeth and washed his face, he went down the stairs in a daze, still in his pajamas.

 

He only found out something was wrong after reaching the living room.

 

He looked at the dignified and elegant Madam Qiao sitting at the dining table, widened his eyes, and subconsciously moved to go back up the stairs.

 

The two of them, however, had already heard his movement and turned their heads towards him.

 

When Madam Qiao saw Xie Ning, she was also startled, and an unexpected expression flashed through her eyes.
“NingNing?”

 

She turned her head forcefully towards Zhuang Yan and used her eyes to ask why he didn’t mention it earlier.

 

Zhuang Yan slowly replied, “You came here early in the morning to give me a surprise, so I should return the surprise to you no matter what.”

 

Madam Qiao was stunned.

————————————–

Author’s Note: Madam Qiao: Ah, my son.

ZhuangZhuang: Ah, my mother.

 

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

Congratulations to ZhuangZhuang for coming out on Valentine’s Day!

Congratulations to NingNing for meeting parents on Valentine’s Day!