The Long Road Ahead - Chapter 31

Chapter 31








Lu Yan sprung to his feet in shock.

Lu Yan hung his head low, his gaze fixing on the spoon laying next to the serving of curry rice sitting before for a long, long time. Lifting his head suddenly, he then stated simply, "I'm going to head back first."

In an instant, that crappy feeling had practically enveloped Lu Yan's entire being, leaving him feeling both weakened and frustrated. It was as if the most important part if his life had been suddenly thrown into chaos, as though everything had collapsed. And despite him wanting to pick up the pieces, he had no idea where to even start.

Soup

Even Xiaohei was awake and pawing at his master's leg while meowing to announce its hunger.

After he left, only then did Xiao Ning remember that they hadn't decided how soon it would be before they head back to their home town, or when it was he wanted to meet Shan Haiming. What exactly was going on with Lu Yan? Forget about today, as of recent, nothing about him had been as they usually were. Before it was always Xiao Ning who took the initiative to call him, and it was a toss up on whether Lu Yan would even answer. But now, it was the complete opposite, and to be frank, Xiao Ning was very unaccustomed to this sort of situation.

In an instant, that crappy feeling had practically enveloped Lu Yan's entire being, leaving him feeling both weakened and frustrated. It was as if the most important part if his life had been suddenly thrown into chaos, as though everything had collapsed. And despite him wanting to pick up the pieces, he had no idea where to even start.

"Meet who?" After asking this, Xiao Ning felt foolish. Who else could it be?

Xiao Ning thought he would storm off in a huff, but surprisingly, after taking a moment to hold himself together, he sat back down. With an unstable expression on his face, Lu Yan then pulled into a smile. "So when am I going to meet that guy?"

Twirling a fork of pasta, Xiao Ning thought these circumstances were remarkably strange. Then with a vibration from his phone, he picked it up and saw a message from Shan Haiming:

Afterwards, a somewhat joyful, somewhat troubled look emerged on his face. Then, for a moment, a different sort of meaning was held within his eyes. Stuffing the note in his pocket, he picked up the thermos in one hand and the potted plant in the other, using his elbow to push open his door, he finally walked into his apartment.

Xiao Ning had not the slightest clue what was going on between Lu Yan and Xia Li. Anyhow, since he had moved somewhere closer to his company, he had a lot more free time after work. But when it came to him cooking, that was only when Shan Haiming wasn't busy and had the time to come over. After eating, he would just stay over at Shan Haiming's to watch a movie, and because Shan Haiming liked small animals, he would take Xiaohei along with every time. As a result, Shan Haiming would happily play with Xiaohei, teasing the little creature until its hair stood on end. Making it so that every time Xiao Ning brought it back home, it would throw the world's biggest tantrum in protest and make Xiao Ning feed it a lot of dried fish and stroke its fur a few times to console it once more. It was quite tiring.

"Meet who?" After asking this, Xiao Ning felt foolish. Who else could it be?

He finally succeeded in capturing Xiao Ning's gaze. "Is he gay?"

At around 10 a.m., Shan Haiming walked out the elevator.

At that time, with a graceful smile, Wu Yi asked, "Xiao Ning-ah, there's no need for you to be so formal. So let me spend my money on you, okay?"

In an instant, that crappy feeling had practically enveloped Lu Yan's entire being, leaving him feeling both weakened and frustrated. It was as if the most important part if his life had been suddenly thrown into chaos, as though everything had collapsed. And despite him wanting to pick up the pieces, he had no idea where to even start.

Because of his family situation and his natural temperament, whether it be living with, or communicating with, it was very simple with Xiao Ning; and because there was no one else, Lu Yan was his most important person, in addition to those two elders of the Lu family. This fact wasn't something Lu Yan thought about often, neither was it something he would tell a soul, but it was something he had deeply relished.

Xiao Ning thought of Shan Haiming at the question, and a smile spread on his face unconsciously as a result. "Why would you even ask that? If he wasn't gay, would he even be with me?"

Lu Yan sprung to his feet in shock.

After hearing his reply, Lu Yan also said, "Who else could it be? I'm talking about that boyfriend of yours."

At around 10 a.m., Shan Haiming walked out the elevator.

Lu Yan snapped out of his thoughts, his brows knitting together. What am I even doing?

"Yes, but I feel bad that you also had to pay for Haiming's." Wu Yi then naturally took Xiao Ning's hands into her own. "So are the two of you living together now?"

Now looking at the untouched curry rice across from him, Xiao Ning thought to himself: What a coincidence.

Lu Yan snapped out of his thoughts, his brows knitting together. What am I even doing?

Xiao Ning thought he would storm off in a huff, but surprisingly, after taking a moment to hold himself together, he sat back down. With an unstable expression on his face, Lu Yan then pulled into a smile. "So when am I going to meet that guy?"

Yet at current, Xiao Ning was before him smiling and telling him about his partner—a person who could be closer to Xiao Ning than himself. It was also resoundingly clear to Lu Yan that Xiao Ning's feelings for this person were sincere, and because they were sincere, just thinking about it made Lu Yan feel like shίt.

He finally succeeded in capturing Xiao Ning's gaze. "Is he gay?"

But Xiao Ning only swiped his card and took all their bags, replying, "I'm not being formal, it's just, how can I let my Aunt spend her money?"

Xiao Ning thought of Shan Haiming at the question, and a smile spread on his face unconsciously as a result. "Why would you even ask that? If he wasn't gay, would he even be with me?"

Then, if Shan Haiming wasn't free, he would also often be in contact with Wu Yi, who would call and hat with him for ages. It seemed as though rich wives had a lot of time on their hands, because she could stay on the phone with him and talk for hours without stoppingiana: That's more of a mom thing than it is a rich wife thing (￣▽￣). She would ask Xiao Ning more about his own matters than she would about Shan Haiming's too. Even when Xiao Ning would rack his mind to say something about any of Shan Haiming's recent developments, she would say "who cares about him" then steer the conversation back to Xiao Ning. All that enthusiasm had made it seem as if Xiao Ning was her own son as well, as though Shan Haiming was a buy one get one free deal.

"Yes, but I feel bad that you also had to pay for Haiming's." Wu Yi then naturally took Xiao Ning's hands into her own. "So are the two of you living together now?"

Under the hazy lights of that restaurant, Xiao Ning's smile seemed quite mild, but to Lu Yan, the entire display was nothing but an eyesore. As he thought this, he also couldn't help but wonder when the last time he properly looked at Xiao Ning had been.

So when to took Xiao Ning to a men's clothing store to buy clothes, the eyes all around them from the employees would be filled with surprised and the words "oh... we understand"T'n: they think our boy's a sugar baby (T^T could practically be seen written in them. The embarrassment was so much for Xiao Ning, that when the time to pay came, he stole the chance to pay for his own stuff.

Because of his family situation and his natural temperament, whether it be living with, or communicating with, it was very simple with Xiao Ning; and because there was no one else, Lu Yan was his most important person, in addition to those two elders of the Lu family. This fact wasn't something Lu Yan thought about often, neither was it something he would tell a soul, but it was something he had deeply relished.

Xiao Ning was never a person who lived delicately, needing more than the basic necessities to live, so everything he had at home was enough, and didn't anything else. But Wu Yi was obviously someone who found joy in living life, so she suggested some green plants that could help improve one's health and mood and picked out a couple pots and asked Xiao Ning take one back for himself and Shan Haiming.

N/A

Under the hazy lights of that restaurant, Xiao Ning's smile seemed quite mild, but to Lu Yan, the entire display was nothing but an eyesore. As he thought this, he also couldn't help but wonder when the last time he properly looked at Xiao Ning had been.

But what is it that I regret so much? Was the question Lu Yan posed to himself. It must be because I hadn't paid attention to Xiao Ning for too long, and it made that kid go down the wrong path. That has to be it, I must just feel responsible.

He recalled their schooldays, and the skinny little kid who would always trail behind him. That scrawny boy wasn't much to look at, but how could he have grown up in such a flash? His immaturity has been shed, his figure had developed, but it was hardly enough to take anyone's breath away. However, Xiao Ning was a person who follows a regular schedule, balancing his work and life; in addition, he neither smokes nor drinks, so his skin was exceptionally nice. Couple that with his gentle and well-suited features, his looks became all the more pleasing.

Xiao Ning was never a person who lived delicately, needing more than the basic necessities to live, so everything he had at home was enough, and didn't anything else. But Wu Yi was obviously someone who found joy in living life, so she suggested some green plants that could help improve one's health and mood and picked out a couple pots and asked Xiao Ning take one back for himself and Shan Haiming.

So patting Xiaohei's head, he then turned to scoop a steaming hot portion of this LaohuoT/n: It's a staple of Cantonese cuisine that has really good cooling effects when the weather gets spicy. soup for himself, and ate it with a piece of plain toast. Xiao Ning then placed another share into a thermos and wrote a note. On his way to work, he put the thermos and the flower pot in front of Shan Haiming's door before going on his way.

iana: Aw... the note. Looks like a Realisation did a one-two combo against two people this chapter.

At around 10 a.m., Shan Haiming walked out the elevator.

Lu Yan hung his head low, his gaze fixing on the spoon laying next to the serving of curry rice sitting before for a long, long time. Lifting his head suddenly, he then stated simply, "I'm going to head back first."

An uncomfortable feeling welled within Lu Yan's chest, it was the same kind of feeling from that day he smashed his phone against the wall in belated shock. He wasn't even conscious of it back then. And even after he got a new phone and was setting up his messages and contacts, he got so irritated once more, he almost smashed that new phone into the wall as well.

Now looking at the untouched curry rice across from him, Xiao Ning thought to himself: What a coincidence.

Irritated, hollow, and a tinge of regret.

Afterwards, a somewhat joyful, somewhat troubled look emerged on his face. Then, for a moment, a different sort of meaning was held within his eyes. Stuffing the note in his pocket, he picked up the thermos in one hand and the potted plant in the other, using his elbow to push open his door, he finally walked into his apartment.

Lu Yan hung his head low, his gaze fixing on the spoon laying next to the serving of curry rice sitting before for a long, long time. Lifting his head suddenly, he then stated simply, "I'm going to head back first."

After he left, only then did Xiao Ning remember that they hadn't decided how soon it would be before they head back to their home town, or when it was he wanted to meet Shan Haiming. What exactly was going on with Lu Yan? Forget about today, as of recent, nothing about him had been as they usually were. Before it was always Xiao Ning who took the initiative to call him, and it was a toss up on whether Lu Yan would even answer. But now, it was the complete opposite, and to be frank, Xiao Ning was very unaccustomed to this sort of situation.

Now looking at the untouched curry rice across from him, Xiao Ning thought to himself: What a coincidence.

So when to took Xiao Ning to a men's clothing store to buy clothes, the eyes all around them from the employees would be filled with surprised and the words "oh... we understand"T'n: they think our boy's a sugar baby (T^T could practically be seen written in them. The embarrassment was so much for Xiao Ning, that when the time to pay came, he stole the chance to pay for his own stuff.

But what is it that I regret so much? Was the question Lu Yan posed to himself. It must be because I hadn't paid attention to Xiao Ning for too long, and it made that kid go down the wrong path. That has to be it, I must just feel responsible.

In an instant, that crappy feeling had practically enveloped Lu Yan's entire being, leaving him feeling both weakened and frustrated. It was as if the most important part if his life had been suddenly thrown into chaos, as though everything had collapsed. And despite him wanting to pick up the pieces, he had no idea where to even start.

"Oh... okay? But you haven't touched your food..." At the moment, his words and actions were so spontaneous that Xiao Ning honestly couldn't keep up.

—Bring back some food.

Now looking at the untouched curry rice across from him, Xiao Ning thought to himself: What a coincidence.

Now looking at the untouched curry rice across from him, Xiao Ning thought to himself: What a coincidence.

To Lu Yan, Xiao Ning was—without a shred of doubt—being led astray. After all, he was such a pure and simple person, so he must've surely been caught in a trap by one of those player-like bastards spewing a bunch of sweet talk so as to sponge off him. Wasn't that obvious? Because if Xiao Ning had always liked men all along... No, that was impossible! Because he couldn't have not seen it over all those years—he never even once considered the possibility. Back when he was a student, he was never scared about Xiao Ning knowing about his sexuality because he figured that even if Xiao Ning thought two men being together was strange, he would just get used to it for Lu Yan's sake. But if he knew abut Xiao Ning being gay in those days, then he'd...

But when he climbed out of bed and went to open the lid for that soup the next morning, the rich scent of it had hit him all at once. It was the kind of flavour that not only aroused your sense of smell, but it also excited your taste buds. It was like a slow melody that satisfies your lazy appetite to kick off your day. It was so good that Xiao Ning was simply taken aback for a moment.

"Oh... okay? But you haven't touched your food..." At the moment, his words and actions were so spontaneous that Xiao Ning honestly couldn't keep up.

Even Xiaohei was awake and pawing at his master's leg while meowing to announce its hunger.

But what is it that I regret so much? Was the question Lu Yan posed to himself. It must be because I hadn't paid attention to Xiao Ning for too long, and it made that kid go down the wrong path. That has to be it, I must just feel responsible.

Lu Yan snapped out of his thoughts, his brows knitting together. What am I even doing?

Even Xiaohei was awake and pawing at his master's leg while meowing to announce its hunger.

Lu Yan sprung to his feet in shock.

Lu Yan snapped out of his thoughts, his brows knitting together. What am I even doing?

With a wave, Lu Yan turned and walked away with a long face.

Xiao Ning took a big whiff of his soup, filling his chest with a scent that could only be understood and never explained. He then turned to placate Xiaohei, pouring a bowl of chicken flavoured cat food. "Is it yummy?"

Lu Yan sprung to his feet in shock.

He no longer followed that train of thought, he always found it to be terrifying. Xiao Ning and him were good friends—good buddies even. His parents both consider Xiao Ning as another son of theirs, and they've practically always been together.

Exceptionally shίtty.

Because of his family situation and his natural temperament, whether it be living with, or communicating with, it was very simple with Xiao Ning; and because there was no one else, Lu Yan was his most important person, in addition to those two elders of the Lu family. This fact wasn't something Lu Yan thought about often, neither was it something he would tell a soul, but it was something he had deeply relished.

"Oh... okay? But you haven't touched your food..." At the moment, his words and actions were so spontaneous that Xiao Ning honestly couldn't keep up.

Yet at current, Xiao Ning was before him smiling and telling him about his partner—a person who could be closer to Xiao Ning than himself. It was also resoundingly clear to Lu Yan that Xiao Ning's feelings for this person were sincere, and because they were sincere, just thinking about it made Lu Yan feel like shίt.

Xiao Ning was embarrassed to mention all this to Wu Yi, so after he and Wu Yi parted ways, he went to the market to buy an electric cooker and a thermos. On Sunday morning, he looked up the recipe for duck soup and went to buy the ingredients. Then that evening, he put the soup into the crock pot to stew all night. The electric cooker was very convenient for Xiao Ning, there was no way he could make the time to constantly get up and adjust the flame when cooking, cooking couldn't be recreational for him.

Because of his family situation and his natural temperament, whether it be living with, or communicating with, it was very simple with Xiao Ning; and because there was no one else, Lu Yan was his most important person, in addition to those two elders of the Lu family. This fact wasn't something Lu Yan thought about often, neither was it something he would tell a soul, but it was something he had deeply relished.

Upon hearing this, Wu Yi looked as though she was bewildered, lost in thought for a moment, but then as if her thoughts had been cleared up, she smiled. "Oh, so that's how it is. Are you all settled in at your new place? Is there anything you need? If there is, I can buy you basic appliances, if you'd like?"

To Lu Yan, Xiao Ning was—without a shred of doubt—being led astray. After all, he was such a pure and simple person, so he must've surely been caught in a trap by one of those player-like bastards spewing a bunch of sweet talk so as to sponge off him. Wasn't that obvious? Because if Xiao Ning had always liked men all along... No, that was impossible! Because he couldn't have not seen it over all those years—he never even once considered the possibility. Back when he was a student, he was never scared about Xiao Ning knowing about his sexuality because he figured that even if Xiao Ning thought two men being together was strange, he would just get used to it for Lu Yan's sake. But if he knew abut Xiao Ning being gay in those days, then he'd...

He finally succeeded in capturing Xiao Ning's gaze. "Is he gay?"

Exceptionally shίtty.

He figured that no matter how wilful Shan Haiming might be, he would still have to show courtesy while entertaining others at work, and more than a few times, Xiao Ning had seen Shan Haiming return after staying out late. What's more, doing that will definitely do damage to your stomach. It wouldn't be noticeable when you're young, but if you never pay proper attention to it, too much iron will accumulate and it would become an issue. So it's clear some nourishing food would be a good way to help.

He recalled their schooldays, and the skinny little kid who would always trail behind him. That scrawny boy wasn't much to look at, but how could he have grown up in such a flash? His immaturity has been shed, his figure had developed, but it was hardly enough to take anyone's breath away. However, Xiao Ning was a person who follows a regular schedule, balancing his work and life; in addition, he neither smokes nor drinks, so his skin was exceptionally nice. Couple that with his gentle and well-suited features, his looks became all the more pleasing.

Upon hearing this, Wu Yi looked as though she was bewildered, lost in thought for a moment, but then as if her thoughts had been cleared up, she smiled. "Oh, so that's how it is. Are you all settled in at your new place? Is there anything you need? If there is, I can buy you basic appliances, if you'd like?"

So when to took Xiao Ning to a men's clothing store to buy clothes, the eyes all around them from the employees would be filled with surprised and the words "oh... we understand"T'n: they think our boy's a sugar baby (T^T could practically be seen written in them. The embarrassment was so much for Xiao Ning, that when the time to pay came, he stole the chance to pay for his own stuff.

So patting Xiaohei's head, he then turned to scoop a steaming hot portion of this LaohuoT/n: It's a staple of Cantonese cuisine that has really good cooling effects when the weather gets spicy. soup for himself, and ate it with a piece of plain toast. Xiao Ning then placed another share into a thermos and wrote a note. On his way to work, he put the thermos and the flower pot in front of Shan Haiming's door before going on his way.

Then, if Shan Haiming wasn't free, he would also often be in contact with Wu Yi, who would call and hat with him for ages. It seemed as though rich wives had a lot of time on their hands, because she could stay on the phone with him and talk for hours without stoppingiana: That's more of a mom thing than it is a rich wife thing (￣▽￣). She would ask Xiao Ning more about his own matters than she would about Shan Haiming's too. Even when Xiao Ning would rack his mind to say something about any of Shan Haiming's recent developments, she would say "who cares about him" then steer the conversation back to Xiao Ning. All that enthusiasm had made it seem as if Xiao Ning was her own son as well, as though Shan Haiming was a buy one get one free deal.

He finally succeeded in capturing Xiao Ning's gaze. "Is he gay?"

In an instant, that crappy feeling had practically enveloped Lu Yan's entire being, leaving him feeling both weakened and frustrated. It was as if the most important part if his life had been suddenly thrown into chaos, as though everything had collapsed. And despite him wanting to pick up the pieces, he had no idea where to even start.

Even Xiaohei was awake and pawing at his master's leg while meowing to announce its hunger.

Under the hazy lights of that restaurant, Xiao Ning's smile seemed quite mild, but to Lu Yan, the entire display was nothing but an eyesore. As he thought this, he also couldn't help but wonder when the last time he properly looked at Xiao Ning had been.

Soup

He finally succeeded in capturing Xiao Ning's gaze. "Is he gay?"

To Lu Yan, Xiao Ning was—without a shred of doubt—being led astray. After all, he was such a pure and simple person, so he must've surely been caught in a trap by one of those player-like bastards spewing a bunch of sweet talk so as to sponge off him. Wasn't that obvious? Because if Xiao Ning had always liked men all along... No, that was impossible! Because he couldn't have not seen it over all those years—he never even once considered the possibility. Back when he was a student, he was never scared about Xiao Ning knowing about his sexuality because he figured that even if Xiao Ning thought two men being together was strange, he would just get used to it for Lu Yan's sake. But if he knew abut Xiao Ning being gay in those days, then he'd...

Xiao Ning took a big whiff of his soup, filling his chest with a scent that could only be understood and never explained. He then turned to placate Xiaohei, pouring a bowl of chicken flavoured cat food. "Is it yummy?"

Xiao Ning had not the slightest clue what was going on between Lu Yan and Xia Li. Anyhow, since he had moved somewhere closer to his company, he had a lot more free time after work. But when it came to him cooking, that was only when Shan Haiming wasn't busy and had the time to come over. After eating, he would just stay over at Shan Haiming's to watch a movie, and because Shan Haiming liked small animals, he would take Xiaohei along with every time. As a result, Shan Haiming would happily play with Xiaohei, teasing the little creature until its hair stood on end. Making it so that every time Xiao Ning brought it back home, it would throw the world's biggest tantrum in protest and make Xiao Ning feed it a lot of dried fish and stroke its fur a few times to console it once more. It was quite tiring.

Lu Yan hung his head low, his gaze fixing on the spoon laying next to the serving of curry rice sitting before for a long, long time. Lifting his head suddenly, he then stated simply, "I'm going to head back first."

To Lu Yan, Xiao Ning was—without a shred of doubt—being led astray. After all, he was such a pure and simple person, so he must've surely been caught in a trap by one of those player-like bastards spewing a bunch of sweet talk so as to sponge off him. Wasn't that obvious? Because if Xiao Ning had always liked men all along... No, that was impossible! Because he couldn't have not seen it over all those years—he never even once considered the possibility. Back when he was a student, he was never scared about Xiao Ning knowing about his sexuality because he figured that even if Xiao Ning thought two men being together was strange, he would just get used to it for Lu Yan's sake. But if he knew abut Xiao Ning being gay in those days, then he'd...

But when he climbed out of bed and went to open the lid for that soup the next morning, the rich scent of it had hit him all at once. It was the kind of flavour that not only aroused your sense of smell, but it also excited your taste buds. It was like a slow melody that satisfies your lazy appetite to kick off your day. It was so good that Xiao Ning was simply taken aback for a moment.

Xiao Ning thought he would storm off in a huff, but surprisingly, after taking a moment to hold himself together, he sat back down. With an unstable expression on his face, Lu Yan then pulled into a smile. "So when am I going to meet that guy?"

Yet at current, Xiao Ning was before him smiling and telling him about his partner—a person who could be closer to Xiao Ning than himself. It was also resoundingly clear to Lu Yan that Xiao Ning's feelings for this person were sincere, and because they were sincere, just thinking about it made Lu Yan feel like shίt.

During the weekend, Shan Haiming still had no free time, he had to head to a small town on the outskirts of A-City for a project, and would return until Monday. But Wu Yi didn't seem to worry about one bit, because she happily pulled Xiao Ning along with her on a shopping trip instead. But this made Xiao Ning quite stressed. Because even though Wu Yi wore no expensive gold or silver jewellery, the glass-like jadeiteT/n: There are two types of Jade: nephrite (the common one found everywhere) and jadeite (the rarer expensive one that can be translucent and looks more gem-like) bracelet she wore made it known to everyone who saw her she was a rich woman; and because the two shred no resemblance, making it clear they were neither mother and son, nor an older sister and brother.

"Oh... okay? But you haven't touched your food..." At the moment, his words and actions were so spontaneous that Xiao Ning honestly couldn't keep up.

Lu Yan sprung to his feet in shock.

With a wave, Lu Yan turned and walked away with a long face.

So when to took Xiao Ning to a men's clothing store to buy clothes, the eyes all around them from the employees would be filled with surprised and the words "oh... we understand"T'n: they think our boy's a sugar baby (T^T could practically be seen written in them. The embarrassment was so much for Xiao Ning, that when the time to pay came, he stole the chance to pay for his own stuff.

Under the hazy lights of that restaurant, Xiao Ning's smile seemed quite mild, but to Lu Yan, the entire display was nothing but an eyesore. As he thought this, he also couldn't help but wonder when the last time he properly looked at Xiao Ning had been.

Xiao Ning had not the slightest clue what was going on between Lu Yan and Xia Li. Anyhow, since he had moved somewhere closer to his company, he had a lot more free time after work. But when it came to him cooking, that was only when Shan Haiming wasn't busy and had the time to come over. After eating, he would just stay over at Shan Haiming's to watch a movie, and because Shan Haiming liked small animals, he would take Xiaohei along with every time. As a result, Shan Haiming would happily play with Xiaohei, teasing the little creature until its hair stood on end. Making it so that every time Xiao Ning brought it back home, it would throw the world's biggest tantrum in protest and make Xiao Ning feed it a lot of dried fish and stroke its fur a few times to console it once more. It was quite tiring.

But when he climbed out of bed and went to open the lid for that soup the next morning, the rich scent of it had hit him all at once. It was the kind of flavour that not only aroused your sense of smell, but it also excited your taste buds. It was like a slow melody that satisfies your lazy appetite to kick off your day. It was so good that Xiao Ning was simply taken aback for a moment.

But when he climbed out of bed and went to open the lid for that soup the next morning, the rich scent of it had hit him all at once. It was the kind of flavour that not only aroused your sense of smell, but it also excited your taste buds. It was like a slow melody that satisfies your lazy appetite to kick off your day. It was so good that Xiao Ning was simply taken aback for a moment.

After he left, only then did Xiao Ning remember that they hadn't decided how soon it would be before they head back to their home town, or when it was he wanted to meet Shan Haiming. What exactly was going on with Lu Yan? Forget about today, as of recent, nothing about him had been as they usually were. Before it was always Xiao Ning who took the initiative to call him, and it was a toss up on whether Lu Yan would even answer. But now, it was the complete opposite, and to be frank, Xiao Ning was very unaccustomed to this sort of situation.

◈◇◈

Xiao Ning took a big whiff of his soup, filling his chest with a scent that could only be understood and never explained. He then turned to placate Xiaohei, pouring a bowl of chicken flavoured cat food. "Is it yummy?"

Lu Yan snapped out of his thoughts, his brows knitting together. What am I even doing?

Twirling a fork of pasta, Xiao Ning thought these circumstances were remarkably strange. Then with a vibration from his phone, he picked it up and saw a message from Shan Haiming:

He no longer followed that train of thought, he always found it to be terrifying. Xiao Ning and him were good friends—good buddies even. His parents both consider Xiao Ning as another son of theirs, and they've practically always been together.

Xiao Ning didn't notice at all Wu Yi had also just picked out clothes for Shan Haiming as well, and he couldn't explain anything at that time, so he could only cover his head and admit, "N-no... I live next door."

An uncomfortable feeling welled within Lu Yan's chest, it was the same kind of feeling from that day he smashed his phone against the wall in belated shock. He wasn't even conscious of it back then. And even after he got a new phone and was setting up his messages and contacts, he got so irritated once more, he almost smashed that new phone into the wall as well.

But seeing how much Shan Haiming loves it, Xiao Ning thought it was all worth it in the end.

Xiao Ning was both confused and amused by these developments, as Wu Yi was the complete opposite of Chen Shuyun. His situation fully embodied the differences between being "the son's friend" and "the son's partner." And Xiao Ning thought that if he was a woman, Wu Yi would've decided to take him to the beauty salon for a spa-day or something of the like.

—Bring back some food.

After hearing his reply, Lu Yan also said, "Who else could it be? I'm talking about that boyfriend of yours."

With a wave, Lu Yan turned and walked away with a long face.

"Meet who?" After asking this, Xiao Ning felt foolish. Who else could it be?

Because of his family situation and his natural temperament, whether it be living with, or communicating with, it was very simple with Xiao Ning; and because there was no one else, Lu Yan was his most important person, in addition to those two elders of the Lu family. This fact wasn't something Lu Yan thought about often, neither was it something he would tell a soul, but it was something he had deeply relished.

He no longer followed that train of thought, he always found it to be terrifying. Xiao Ning and him were good friends—good buddies even. His parents both consider Xiao Ning as another son of theirs, and they've practically always been together.

Irritated, hollow, and a tinge of regret.

Looking at the thermos in his hand, a laugh suddenly escaped Shan Haiming. His brows had turned upwards, and the youthful joy that left him was the kind hated to be concealed. After such a reaction he looked around him in all directions, seeing no one about.

Now looking at the untouched curry rice across from him, Xiao Ning thought to himself: What a coincidence.

Upon hearing this, Wu Yi looked as though she was bewildered, lost in thought for a moment, but then as if her thoughts had been cleared up, she smiled. "Oh, so that's how it is. Are you all settled in at your new place? Is there anything you need? If there is, I can buy you basic appliances, if you'd like?"

Twirling a fork of pasta, Xiao Ning thought these circumstances were remarkably strange. Then with a vibration from his phone, he picked it up and saw a message from Shan Haiming:

He finally succeeded in capturing Xiao Ning's gaze. "Is he gay?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Yi looked as though she was bewildered, lost in thought for a moment, but then as if her thoughts had been cleared up, she smiled. "Oh, so that's how it is. Are you all settled in at your new place? Is there anything you need? If there is, I can buy you basic appliances, if you'd like?"

Xiao Ning was both confused and amused by these developments, as Wu Yi was the complete opposite of Chen Shuyun. His situation fully embodied the differences between being "the son's friend" and "the son's partner." And Xiao Ning thought that if he was a woman, Wu Yi would've decided to take him to the beauty salon for a spa-day or something of the like.

Xiao Ning had not the slightest clue what was going on between Lu Yan and Xia Li. Anyhow, since he had moved somewhere closer to his company, he had a lot more free time after work. But when it came to him cooking, that was only when Shan Haiming wasn't busy and had the time to come over. After eating, he would just stay over at Shan Haiming's to watch a movie, and because Shan Haiming liked small animals, he would take Xiaohei along with every time. As a result, Shan Haiming would happily play with Xiaohei, teasing the little creature until its hair stood on end. Making it so that every time Xiao Ning brought it back home, it would throw the world's biggest tantrum in protest and make Xiao Ning feed it a lot of dried fish and stroke its fur a few times to console it once more. It was quite tiring.

Yet at current, Xiao Ning was before him smiling and telling him about his partner—a person who could be closer to Xiao Ning than himself. It was also resoundingly clear to Lu Yan that Xiao Ning's feelings for this person were sincere, and because they were sincere, just thinking about it made Lu Yan feel like shίt.

But seeing how much Shan Haiming loves it, Xiao Ning thought it was all worth it in the end.

During the weekend, Shan Haiming still had no free time, he had to head to a small town on the outskirts of A-City for a project, and would return until Monday. But Wu Yi didn't seem to worry about one bit, because she happily pulled Xiao Ning along with her on a shopping trip instead. But this made Xiao Ning quite stressed. Because even though Wu Yi wore no expensive gold or silver jewellery, the glass-like jadeiteT/n: There are two types of Jade: nephrite (the common one found everywhere) and jadeite (the rarer expensive one that can be translucent and looks more gem-like) bracelet she wore made it known to everyone who saw her she was a rich woman; and because the two shred no resemblance, making it clear they were neither mother and son, nor an older sister and brother.

Then, if Shan Haiming wasn't free, he would also often be in contact with Wu Yi, who would call and hat with him for ages. It seemed as though rich wives had a lot of time on their hands, because she could stay on the phone with him and talk for hours without stoppingiana: That's more of a mom thing than it is a rich wife thing (￣▽￣). She would ask Xiao Ning more about his own matters than she would about Shan Haiming's too. Even when Xiao Ning would rack his mind to say something about any of Shan Haiming's recent developments, she would say "who cares about him" then steer the conversation back to Xiao Ning. All that enthusiasm had made it seem as if Xiao Ning was her own son as well, as though Shan Haiming was a buy one get one free deal.

"Meet who?" After asking this, Xiao Ning felt foolish. Who else could it be?

After hearing his reply, Lu Yan also said, "Who else could it be? I'm talking about that boyfriend of yours."

The little cat busy stuffing its mouth obviously ignored him at this point.

N/A

But when he climbed out of bed and went to open the lid for that soup the next morning, the rich scent of it had hit him all at once. It was the kind of flavour that not only aroused your sense of smell, but it also excited your taste buds. It was like a slow melody that satisfies your lazy appetite to kick off your day. It was so good that Xiao Ning was simply taken aback for a moment.

The little cat busy stuffing its mouth obviously ignored him at this point.

Upon hearing this, Wu Yi looked as though she was bewildered, lost in thought for a moment, but then as if her thoughts had been cleared up, she smiled. "Oh, so that's how it is. Are you all settled in at your new place? Is there anything you need? If there is, I can buy you basic appliances, if you'd like?"

During the weekend, Shan Haiming still had no free time, he had to head to a small town on the outskirts of A-City for a project, and would return until Monday. But Wu Yi didn't seem to worry about one bit, because she happily pulled Xiao Ning along with her on a shopping trip instead. But this made Xiao Ning quite stressed. Because even though Wu Yi wore no expensive gold or silver jewellery, the glass-like jadeiteT/n: There are two types of Jade: nephrite (the common one found everywhere) and jadeite (the rarer expensive one that can be translucent and looks more gem-like) bracelet she wore made it known to everyone who saw her she was a rich woman; and because the two shred no resemblance, making it clear they were neither mother and son, nor an older sister and brother.

Xiao Ning thought of Shan Haiming at the question, and a smile spread on his face unconsciously as a result. "Why would you even ask that? If he wasn't gay, would he even be with me?"

Lu Yan hung his head low, his gaze fixing on the spoon laying next to the serving of curry rice sitting before for a long, long time. Lifting his head suddenly, he then stated simply, "I'm going to head back first."

An uncomfortable feeling welled within Lu Yan's chest, it was the same kind of feeling from that day he smashed his phone against the wall in belated shock. He wasn't even conscious of it back then. And even after he got a new phone and was setting up his messages and contacts, he got so irritated once more, he almost smashed that new phone into the wall as well.

Under the hazy lights of that restaurant, Xiao Ning's smile seemed quite mild, but to Lu Yan, the entire display was nothing but an eyesore. As he thought this, he also couldn't help but wonder when the last time he properly looked at Xiao Ning had been.

The little cat busy stuffing its mouth obviously ignored him at this point.

So when to took Xiao Ning to a men's clothing store to buy clothes, the eyes all around them from the employees would be filled with surprised and the words "oh... we understand"T'n: they think our boy's a sugar baby (T^T could practically be seen written in them. The embarrassment was so much for Xiao Ning, that when the time to pay came, he stole the chance to pay for his own stuff.

Irritated, hollow, and a tinge of regret.

At that time, with a graceful smile, Wu Yi asked, "Xiao Ning-ah, there's no need for you to be so formal. So let me spend my money on you, okay?"

"Yes, but I feel bad that you also had to pay for Haiming's." Wu Yi then naturally took Xiao Ning's hands into her own. "So are the two of you living together now?"

But Xiao Ning only swiped his card and took all their bags, replying, "I'm not being formal, it's just, how can I let my Aunt spend her money?"

Because of his family situation and his natural temperament, whether it be living with, or communicating with, it was very simple with Xiao Ning; and because there was no one else, Lu Yan was his most important person, in addition to those two elders of the Lu family. This fact wasn't something Lu Yan thought about often, neither was it something he would tell a soul, but it was something he had deeply relished.

Lu Yan hung his head low, his gaze fixing on the spoon laying next to the serving of curry rice sitting before for a long, long time. Lifting his head suddenly, he then stated simply, "I'm going to head back first."

But what is it that I regret so much? Was the question Lu Yan posed to himself. It must be because I hadn't paid attention to Xiao Ning for too long, and it made that kid go down the wrong path. That has to be it, I must just feel responsible.

But what is it that I regret so much? Was the question Lu Yan posed to himself. It must be because I hadn't paid attention to Xiao Ning for too long, and it made that kid go down the wrong path. That has to be it, I must just feel responsible.

Upon hearing this, Wu Yi looked as though she was bewildered, lost in thought for a moment, but then as if her thoughts had been cleared up, she smiled. "Oh, so that's how it is. Are you all settled in at your new place? Is there anything you need? If there is, I can buy you basic appliances, if you'd like?"

"Yes, but I feel bad that you also had to pay for Haiming's." Wu Yi then naturally took Xiao Ning's hands into her own. "So are the two of you living together now?"

Under the hazy lights of that restaurant, Xiao Ning's smile seemed quite mild, but to Lu Yan, the entire display was nothing but an eyesore. As he thought this, he also couldn't help but wonder when the last time he properly looked at Xiao Ning had been.

Xiao Ning was embarrassed to mention all this to Wu Yi, so after he and Wu Yi parted ways, he went to the market to buy an electric cooker and a thermos. On Sunday morning, he looked up the recipe for duck soup and went to buy the ingredients. Then that evening, he put the soup into the crock pot to stew all night. The electric cooker was very convenient for Xiao Ning, there was no way he could make the time to constantly get up and adjust the flame when cooking, cooking couldn't be recreational for him.

The little cat busy stuffing its mouth obviously ignored him at this point.

Xiao Ning didn't notice at all Wu Yi had also just picked out clothes for Shan Haiming as well, and he couldn't explain anything at that time, so he could only cover his head and admit, "N-no... I live next door."

It took him one look to see there was something blocking the entrance to his apartment, and as he walked closer, he could make out it was a thermos, along with some sort of unknown plant. Bending down, he picked up the note that had only one sentence written on it: "Duck. —from your next door neighbour."

But Xiao Ning only swiped his card and took all their bags, replying, "I'm not being formal, it's just, how can I let my Aunt spend her money?"

Lu Yan snapped out of his thoughts, his brows knitting together. What am I even doing?

Upon hearing this, Wu Yi looked as though she was bewildered, lost in thought for a moment, but then as if her thoughts had been cleared up, she smiled. "Oh, so that's how it is. Are you all settled in at your new place? Is there anything you need? If there is, I can buy you basic appliances, if you'd like?"

During the weekend, Shan Haiming still had no free time, he had to head to a small town on the outskirts of A-City for a project, and would return until Monday. But Wu Yi didn't seem to worry about one bit, because she happily pulled Xiao Ning along with her on a shopping trip instead. But this made Xiao Ning quite stressed. Because even though Wu Yi wore no expensive gold or silver jewellery, the glass-like jadeiteT/n: There are two types of Jade: nephrite (the common one found everywhere) and jadeite (the rarer expensive one that can be translucent and looks more gem-like) bracelet she wore made it known to everyone who saw her she was a rich woman; and because the two shred no resemblance, making it clear they were neither mother and son, nor an older sister and brother.

Upon hearing this, Wu Yi looked as though she was bewildered, lost in thought for a moment, but then as if her thoughts had been cleared up, she smiled. "Oh, so that's how it is. Are you all settled in at your new place? Is there anything you need? If there is, I can buy you basic appliances, if you'd like?"

Xiao Ning had not the slightest clue what was going on between Lu Yan and Xia Li. Anyhow, since he had moved somewhere closer to his company, he had a lot more free time after work. But when it came to him cooking, that was only when Shan Haiming wasn't busy and had the time to come over. After eating, he would just stay over at Shan Haiming's to watch a movie, and because Shan Haiming liked small animals, he would take Xiaohei along with every time. As a result, Shan Haiming would happily play with Xiaohei, teasing the little creature until its hair stood on end. Making it so that every time Xiao Ning brought it back home, it would throw the world's biggest tantrum in protest and make Xiao Ning feed it a lot of dried fish and stroke its fur a few times to console it once more. It was quite tiring.

He finally succeeded in capturing Xiao Ning's gaze. "Is he gay?"

Lu Yan sprung to his feet in shock.

—Bring back some food.

Exceptionally shίtty.

To Lu Yan, Xiao Ning was—without a shred of doubt—being led astray. After all, he was such a pure and simple person, so he must've surely been caught in a trap by one of those player-like bastards spewing a bunch of sweet talk so as to sponge off him. Wasn't that obvious? Because if Xiao Ning had always liked men all along... No, that was impossible! Because he couldn't have not seen it over all those years—he never even once considered the possibility. Back when he was a student, he was never scared about Xiao Ning knowing about his sexuality because he figured that even if Xiao Ning thought two men being together was strange, he would just get used to it for Lu Yan's sake. But if he knew abut Xiao Ning being gay in those days, then he'd...

iana: Aw... the note. Looks like a Realisation did a one-two combo against two people this chapter.

Xiao Ning was never a person who lived delicately, needing more than the basic necessities to live, so everything he had at home was enough, and didn't anything else. But Wu Yi was obviously someone who found joy in living life, so she suggested some green plants that could help improve one's health and mood and picked out a couple pots and asked Xiao Ning take one back for himself and Shan Haiming.

Soup

So patting Xiaohei's head, he then turned to scoop a steaming hot portion of this LaohuoT/n: It's a staple of Cantonese cuisine that has really good cooling effects when the weather gets spicy. soup for himself, and ate it with a piece of plain toast. Xiao Ning then placed another share into a thermos and wrote a note. On his way to work, he put the thermos and the flower pot in front of Shan Haiming's door before going on his way.

So when to took Xiao Ning to a men's clothing store to buy clothes, the eyes all around them from the employees would be filled with surprised and the words "oh... we understand"T'n: they think our boy's a sugar baby (T^T could practically be seen written in them. The embarrassment was so much for Xiao Ning, that when the time to pay came, he stole the chance to pay for his own stuff.

It took him one look to see there was something blocking the entrance to his apartment, and as he walked closer, he could make out it was a thermos, along with some sort of unknown plant. Bending down, he picked up the note that had only one sentence written on it: "Duck. —from your next door neighbour."

The little cat busy stuffing its mouth obviously ignored him at this point.

Xiao Ning was both confused and amused by these developments, as Wu Yi was the complete opposite of Chen Shuyun. His situation fully embodied the differences between being "the son's friend" and "the son's partner." And Xiao Ning thought that if he was a woman, Wu Yi would've decided to take him to the beauty salon for a spa-day or something of the like.

After he left, only then did Xiao Ning remember that they hadn't decided how soon it would be before they head back to their home town, or when it was he wanted to meet Shan Haiming. What exactly was going on with Lu Yan? Forget about today, as of recent, nothing about him had been as they usually were. Before it was always Xiao Ning who took the initiative to call him, and it was a toss up on whether Lu Yan would even answer. But now, it was the complete opposite, and to be frank, Xiao Ning was very unaccustomed to this sort of situation.

Now looking at the untouched curry rice across from him, Xiao Ning thought to himself: What a coincidence.

Xiao Ning was embarrassed to mention all this to Wu Yi, so after he and Wu Yi parted ways, he went to the market to buy an electric cooker and a thermos. On Sunday morning, he looked up the recipe for duck soup and went to buy the ingredients. Then that evening, he put the soup into the crock pot to stew all night. The electric cooker was very convenient for Xiao Ning, there was no way he could make the time to constantly get up and adjust the flame when cooking, cooking couldn't be recreational for him.

But Wu Yi was a remarkable conversationalist, and she got quite close to Xiao Ning. She asked him why he hadn't gotten his driver's permit, then she talked about how Shan Haiming was someone who body ran a bit hotT/N: In TCM your body constitution is either hot or cold, it was mentioned before than Xiao Ning was on the cold side.. And her saying this, had made the idea to buy a pot to make soup blossom in Xiao Ning's mind.

Xiao Ning didn't notice at all Wu Yi had also just picked out clothes for Shan Haiming as well, and he couldn't explain anything at that time, so he could only cover his head and admit, "N-no... I live next door."

Xiao Ning took a big whiff of his soup, filling his chest with a scent that could only be understood and never explained. He then turned to placate Xiaohei, pouring a bowl of chicken flavoured cat food. "Is it yummy?"

He no longer followed that train of thought, he always found it to be terrifying. Xiao Ning and him were good friends—good buddies even. His parents both consider Xiao Ning as another son of theirs, and they've practically always been together.

Xiao Ning was both confused and amused by these developments, as Wu Yi was the complete opposite of Chen Shuyun. His situation fully embodied the differences between being "the son's friend" and "the son's partner." And Xiao Ning thought that if he was a woman, Wu Yi would've decided to take him to the beauty salon for a spa-day or something of the like.

At around 10 a.m., Shan Haiming walked out the elevator.

He figured that no matter how wilful Shan Haiming might be, he would still have to show courtesy while entertaining others at work, and more than a few times, Xiao Ning had seen Shan Haiming return after staying out late. What's more, doing that will definitely do damage to your stomach. It wouldn't be noticeable when you're young, but if you never pay proper attention to it, too much iron will accumulate and it would become an issue. So it's clear some nourishing food would be a good way to help.

N/A

Soup

But Wu Yi was a remarkable conversationalist, and she got quite close to Xiao Ning. She asked him why he hadn't gotten his driver's permit, then she talked about how Shan Haiming was someone who body ran a bit hotT/N: In TCM your body constitution is either hot or cold, it was mentioned before than Xiao Ning was on the cold side.. And her saying this, had made the idea to buy a pot to make soup blossom in Xiao Ning's mind.

An uncomfortable feeling welled within Lu Yan's chest, it was the same kind of feeling from that day he smashed his phone against the wall in belated shock. He wasn't even conscious of it back then. And even after he got a new phone and was setting up his messages and contacts, he got so irritated once more, he almost smashed that new phone into the wall as well.

Xiao Ning was embarrassed to mention all this to Wu Yi, so after he and Wu Yi parted ways, he went to the market to buy an electric cooker and a thermos. On Sunday morning, he looked up the recipe for duck soup and went to buy the ingredients. Then that evening, he put the soup into the crock pot to stew all night. The electric cooker was very convenient for Xiao Ning, there was no way he could make the time to constantly get up and adjust the flame when cooking, cooking couldn't be recreational for him.

Xiao Ning was embarrassed to mention all this to Wu Yi, so after he and Wu Yi parted ways, he went to the market to buy an electric cooker and a thermos. On Sunday morning, he looked up the recipe for duck soup and went to buy the ingredients. Then that evening, he put the soup into the crock pot to stew all night. The electric cooker was very convenient for Xiao Ning, there was no way he could make the time to constantly get up and adjust the flame when cooking, cooking couldn't be recreational for him.

iana: Aw... the note. Looks like a Realisation did a one-two combo against two people this chapter.

To Lu Yan, Xiao Ning was—without a shred of doubt—being led astray. After all, he was such a pure and simple person, so he must've surely been caught in a trap by one of those player-like bastards spewing a bunch of sweet talk so as to sponge off him. Wasn't that obvious? Because if Xiao Ning had always liked men all along... No, that was impossible! Because he couldn't have not seen it over all those years—he never even once considered the possibility. Back when he was a student, he was never scared about Xiao Ning knowing about his sexuality because he figured that even if Xiao Ning thought two men being together was strange, he would just get used to it for Lu Yan's sake. But if he knew abut Xiao Ning being gay in those days, then he'd...

But what is it that I regret so much? Was the question Lu Yan posed to himself. It must be because I hadn't paid attention to Xiao Ning for too long, and it made that kid go down the wrong path. That has to be it, I must just feel responsible.

Xiao Ning had not the slightest clue what was going on between Lu Yan and Xia Li. Anyhow, since he had moved somewhere closer to his company, he had a lot more free time after work. But when it came to him cooking, that was only when Shan Haiming wasn't busy and had the time to come over. After eating, he would just stay over at Shan Haiming's to watch a movie, and because Shan Haiming liked small animals, he would take Xiaohei along with every time. As a result, Shan Haiming would happily play with Xiaohei, teasing the little creature until its hair stood on end. Making it so that every time Xiao Ning brought it back home, it would throw the world's biggest tantrum in protest and make Xiao Ning feed it a lot of dried fish and stroke its fur a few times to console it once more. It was quite tiring.

iana: Aw... the note. Looks like a Realisation did a one-two combo against two people this chapter.

To Lu Yan, Xiao Ning was—without a shred of doubt—being led astray. After all, he was such a pure and simple person, so he must've surely been caught in a trap by one of those player-like bastards spewing a bunch of sweet talk so as to sponge off him. Wasn't that obvious? Because if Xiao Ning had always liked men all along... No, that was impossible! Because he couldn't have not seen it over all those years—he never even once considered the possibility. Back when he was a student, he was never scared about Xiao Ning knowing about his sexuality because he figured that even if Xiao Ning thought two men being together was strange, he would just get used to it for Lu Yan's sake. But if he knew abut Xiao Ning being gay in those days, then he'd...

—Bring back some food.

But when he climbed out of bed and went to open the lid for that soup the next morning, the rich scent of it had hit him all at once. It was the kind of flavour that not only aroused your sense of smell, but it also excited your taste buds. It was like a slow melody that satisfies your lazy appetite to kick off your day. It was so good that Xiao Ning was simply taken aback for a moment.

Xiao Ning thought he would storm off in a huff, but surprisingly, after taking a moment to hold himself together, he sat back down. With an unstable expression on his face, Lu Yan then pulled into a smile. "So when am I going to meet that guy?"

Xiao Ning was never a person who lived delicately, needing more than the basic necessities to live, so everything he had at home was enough, and didn't anything else. But Wu Yi was obviously someone who found joy in living life, so she suggested some green plants that could help improve one's health and mood and picked out a couple pots and asked Xiao Ning take one back for himself and Shan Haiming.

Xiao Ning was both confused and amused by these developments, as Wu Yi was the complete opposite of Chen Shuyun. His situation fully embodied the differences between being "the son's friend" and "the son's partner." And Xiao Ning thought that if he was a woman, Wu Yi would've decided to take him to the beauty salon for a spa-day or something of the like.

Xiao Ning was embarrassed to mention all this to Wu Yi, so after he and Wu Yi parted ways, he went to the market to buy an electric cooker and a thermos. On Sunday morning, he looked up the recipe for duck soup and went to buy the ingredients. Then that evening, he put the soup into the crock pot to stew all night. The electric cooker was very convenient for Xiao Ning, there was no way he could make the time to constantly get up and adjust the flame when cooking, cooking couldn't be recreational for him.

Lu Yan sprung to his feet in shock.

In an instant, that crappy feeling had practically enveloped Lu Yan's entire being, leaving him feeling both weakened and frustrated. It was as if the most important part if his life had been suddenly thrown into chaos, as though everything had collapsed. And despite him wanting to pick up the pieces, he had no idea where to even start.

Yet at current, Xiao Ning was before him smiling and telling him about his partner—a person who could be closer to Xiao Ning than himself. It was also resoundingly clear to Lu Yan that Xiao Ning's feelings for this person were sincere, and because they were sincere, just thinking about it made Lu Yan feel like shίt.

Even Xiaohei was awake and pawing at his master's leg while meowing to announce its hunger.

Looking at the thermos in his hand, a laugh suddenly escaped Shan Haiming. His brows had turned upwards, and the youthful joy that left him was the kind hated to be concealed. After such a reaction he looked around him in all directions, seeing no one about.

At around 10 a.m., Shan Haiming walked out the elevator.

Lu Yan snapped out of his thoughts, his brows knitting together. What am I even doing?

—Bring back some food.

Looking at the thermos in his hand, a laugh suddenly escaped Shan Haiming. His brows had turned upwards, and the youthful joy that left him was the kind hated to be concealed. After such a reaction he looked around him in all directions, seeing no one about.

Xiao Ning took a big whiff of his soup, filling his chest with a scent that could only be understood and never explained. He then turned to placate Xiaohei, pouring a bowl of chicken flavoured cat food. "Is it yummy?"

He recalled their schooldays, and the skinny little kid who would always trail behind him. That scrawny boy wasn't much to look at, but how could he have grown up in such a flash? His immaturity has been shed, his figure had developed, but it was hardly enough to take anyone's breath away. However, Xiao Ning was a person who follows a regular schedule, balancing his work and life; in addition, he neither smokes nor drinks, so his skin was exceptionally nice. Couple that with his gentle and well-suited features, his looks became all the more pleasing.

Xiao Ning thought of Shan Haiming at the question, and a smile spread on his face unconsciously as a result. "Why would you even ask that? If he wasn't gay, would he even be with me?"

At that time, with a graceful smile, Wu Yi asked, "Xiao Ning-ah, there's no need for you to be so formal. So let me spend my money on you, okay?"

Under the hazy lights of that restaurant, Xiao Ning's smile seemed quite mild, but to Lu Yan, the entire display was nothing but an eyesore. As he thought this, he also couldn't help but wonder when the last time he properly looked at Xiao Ning had been.

But seeing how much Shan Haiming loves it, Xiao Ning thought it was all worth it in the end.

After hearing his reply, Lu Yan also said, "Who else could it be? I'm talking about that boyfriend of yours."

—Bring back some food.

The little cat busy stuffing its mouth obviously ignored him at this point.

Lu Yan snapped out of his thoughts, his brows knitting together. What am I even doing?

Looking at the thermos in his hand, a laugh suddenly escaped Shan Haiming. His brows had turned upwards, and the youthful joy that left him was the kind hated to be concealed. After such a reaction he looked around him in all directions, seeing no one about.

Twirling a fork of pasta, Xiao Ning thought these circumstances were remarkably strange. Then with a vibration from his phone, he picked it up and saw a message from Shan Haiming:

Irritated, hollow, and a tinge of regret.

iana: Aw... the note. Looks like a Realisation did a one-two combo against two people this chapter.

At that time, with a graceful smile, Wu Yi asked, "Xiao Ning-ah, there's no need for you to be so formal. So let me spend my money on you, okay?"

Xiao Ning was never a person who lived delicately, needing more than the basic necessities to live, so everything he had at home was enough, and didn't anything else. But Wu Yi was obviously someone who found joy in living life, so she suggested some green plants that could help improve one's health and mood and picked out a couple pots and asked Xiao Ning take one back for himself and Shan Haiming.

So patting Xiaohei's head, he then turned to scoop a steaming hot portion of this LaohuoT/n: It's a staple of Cantonese cuisine that has really good cooling effects when the weather gets spicy. soup for himself, and ate it with a piece of plain toast. Xiao Ning then placed another share into a thermos and wrote a note. On his way to work, he put the thermos and the flower pot in front of Shan Haiming's door before going on his way.

An uncomfortable feeling welled within Lu Yan's chest, it was the same kind of feeling from that day he smashed his phone against the wall in belated shock. He wasn't even conscious of it back then. And even after he got a new phone and was setting up his messages and contacts, he got so irritated once more, he almost smashed that new phone into the wall as well.

With a wave, Lu Yan turned and walked away with a long face.

After hearing his reply, Lu Yan also said, "Who else could it be? I'm talking about that boyfriend of yours."

Then, if Shan Haiming wasn't free, he would also often be in contact with Wu Yi, who would call and hat with him for ages. It seemed as though rich wives had a lot of time on their hands, because she could stay on the phone with him and talk for hours without stoppingiana: That's more of a mom thing than it is a rich wife thing (￣▽￣). She would ask Xiao Ning more about his own matters than she would about Shan Haiming's too. Even when Xiao Ning would rack his mind to say something about any of Shan Haiming's recent developments, she would say "who cares about him" then steer the conversation back to Xiao Ning. All that enthusiasm had made it seem as if Xiao Ning was her own son as well, as though Shan Haiming was a buy one get one free deal.

After he left, only then did Xiao Ning remember that they hadn't decided how soon it would be before they head back to their home town, or when it was he wanted to meet Shan Haiming. What exactly was going on with Lu Yan? Forget about today, as of recent, nothing about him had been as they usually were. Before it was always Xiao Ning who took the initiative to call him, and it was a toss up on whether Lu Yan would even answer. But now, it was the complete opposite, and to be frank, Xiao Ning was very unaccustomed to this sort of situation.

But what is it that I regret so much? Was the question Lu Yan posed to himself. It must be because I hadn't paid attention to Xiao Ning for too long, and it made that kid go down the wrong path. That has to be it, I must just feel responsible.

Afterwards, a somewhat joyful, somewhat troubled look emerged on his face. Then, for a moment, a different sort of meaning was held within his eyes. Stuffing the note in his pocket, he picked up the thermos in one hand and the potted plant in the other, using his elbow to push open his door, he finally walked into his apartment.

At around 10 a.m., Shan Haiming walked out the elevator.

So patting Xiaohei's head, he then turned to scoop a steaming hot portion of this LaohuoT/n: It's a staple of Cantonese cuisine that has really good cooling effects when the weather gets spicy. soup for himself, and ate it with a piece of plain toast. Xiao Ning then placed another share into a thermos and wrote a note. On his way to work, he put the thermos and the flower pot in front of Shan Haiming's door before going on his way.

—Bring back some food.

iana: Aw... the note. Looks like a Realisation did a one-two combo against two people this chapter.

It took him one look to see there was something blocking the entrance to his apartment, and as he walked closer, he could make out it was a thermos, along with some sort of unknown plant. Bending down, he picked up the note that had only one sentence written on it: "Duck. —from your next door neighbour."

But Wu Yi was a remarkable conversationalist, and she got quite close to Xiao Ning. She asked him why he hadn't gotten his driver's permit, then she talked about how Shan Haiming was someone who body ran a bit hotT/N: In TCM your body constitution is either hot or cold, it was mentioned before than Xiao Ning was on the cold side.. And her saying this, had made the idea to buy a pot to make soup blossom in Xiao Ning's mind.

Looking at the thermos in his hand, a laugh suddenly escaped Shan Haiming. His brows had turned upwards, and the youthful joy that left him was the kind hated to be concealed. After such a reaction he looked around him in all directions, seeing no one about.

The little cat busy stuffing its mouth obviously ignored him at this point.

Exceptionally shίtty.

"Yes, but I feel bad that you also had to pay for Haiming's." Wu Yi then naturally took Xiao Ning's hands into her own. "So are the two of you living together now?"

Xiao Ning thought of Shan Haiming at the question, and a smile spread on his face unconsciously as a result. "Why would you even ask that? If he wasn't gay, would he even be with me?"

At around 10 a.m., Shan Haiming walked out the elevator.

Afterwards, a somewhat joyful, somewhat troubled look emerged on his face. Then, for a moment, a different sort of meaning was held within his eyes. Stuffing the note in his pocket, he picked up the thermos in one hand and the potted plant in the other, using his elbow to push open his door, he finally walked into his apartment.

Xiao Ning was both confused and amused by these developments, as Wu Yi was the complete opposite of Chen Shuyun. His situation fully embodied the differences between being "the son's friend" and "the son's partner." And Xiao Ning thought that if he was a woman, Wu Yi would've decided to take him to the beauty salon for a spa-day or something of the like.

Yet at current, Xiao Ning was before him smiling and telling him about his partner—a person who could be closer to Xiao Ning than himself. It was also resoundingly clear to Lu Yan that Xiao Ning's feelings for this person were sincere, and because they were sincere, just thinking about it made Lu Yan feel like shίt.

Exceptionally shίtty.