Times of Our Lives - Chapter 41

At the end of April, when spring was in full bloom, Mo Suyuan called. Her motherly voice was as lively as ever on the other end.

“Busy lately?” Mo Suyuan seemed to be in a tea house, and Ji Qinyang could hear the background music of “A Beautiful Jasmine Flower.” “You don’t come home, so what money are you sending? We’re not short of money here.”

Ji Qinyang laughed, “I’ll come back once I finish this busy period.”

Mo Suyuan pretended to be unhappy, “Why come back? It would be better for us to visit you.”

Ji Qinyang was taken aback, “You and Dad… are coming to Beijing?”

“Yes,” Mo Suyuan said casually, “We’ve booked flights for next week. We’ll come to visit and stay for a few days. By the way, is Xie Meng still with you? I’ve brought some Biluochun tea for both of you.”

Ji Qinyang: “…”

Xie Meng bent down to take clothes out of the washing machine, shaking them out and hanging them up. He stretched out his arms, his shoulders firm and well-defined. Without turning around, he said calmly, “If your parents come, should I move out?”

Ji Qinyang leaned against the balcony door, one foot propped up on the ground, “Where would you go?”

Xie Meng glanced at him.

Ji Qinyang shook his head with a smile, “You.” He went to grab the wet clothes, but Xie Meng gently stopped him.

“Don’t touch it,” Xie Meng said, “I’ll do it.”

Ji Qinyang took his hand, “You’re overthinking things and being too reserved. How would I know you’re unhappy if you don’t say anything?”

Xie Meng didn’t speak. Ji Qinyang’s hand was slender and white, with clean, rounded fingers. The simple act of holding hands made Xie Meng feel as though his heart was gently held by Ji Qinyang.

“I’m not angry,” Xie Meng stroked the back of Ji Qinyang’s hand and looked up into his eyes. “I’m just worried that you’re not ready to tell them about our relationship. Understand?”

Ji Qinyang furrowed his brows, his expression unusually serious.

“Don’t you trust me?” he asked.

Xie Meng sighed and kissed the tips of Ji Qinyang’s fingers, “It’s not that I don’t trust you.” He smiled and added, “I just don’t want to put you in a difficult position.”

Although Xie Meng had obtained his driver’s license the year he graduated, he had never considered buying a car. Firstly, Ji Qinyang was a SOHO worker, and secondly, Xie Meng had always been frugal with himself.

So, when Xie Meng asked Chu Kanglin to help him look at cars, his boss was quite surprised.

“It’s rare,” Chu Kanglin said as he sat in the car Xie Meng had chosen. “What made you decide to buy a car?”

Xie Meng replied, “It wasn’t a sudden decision. I entered the lottery for a license plate over six months ago, and it just came through recently.”

Chu Kanglin raised an eyebrow, “Buying it as a gift?”

Xie Meng candidly admitted, “Something like that.”

Chu Kanglin smiled and didn’t ask more. He watched Xie Meng talk with the sales manager and finalize a two-year installment plan.

“You’re making such a big purchase right away. You’ll have to work hard to pay off the debt,” Chu Kanglin lit a cigarette, took a puff, and suddenly said, “I’ll probably be moving to another district as a branch manager next year. Are you interested in this position?”

Xie Meng didn’t expect this sudden offer and was at a loss for a moment.

Chu Kanglin patted him on the shoulder, “Young man, be steady and work hard, you’ll definitely have a bright future.”

On the day of picking up Mo Suyuan, Xie Meng handed the car keys to Ji Qinyang. Ji Qinyang was taken aback, “When did you buy this?”

“As a birthday gift for this year,” Xie Meng pulled Ji Qinyang’s head in for a kiss. “Let’s go pick up your mother.”

“…” Ji Qinyang was amused and bewildered, “This isn’t how it was supposed to go. You were supposed to be taken care of by me!”

Xie Meng replied, “Buying the car is just a way to contribute to the household. When did I ever fight you over the rent?”

Ji Qinyang held the car keys and, after a moment of speechlessness, said, “Then you’re coming with me to pick them up.”

Xie Meng looked at him with an expression of “Are you sure?”

Ji Qinyang put his arm around Xie Meng’s shoulder, “Don’t be shy. The ugly daughter-in-law has to meet the parents.”

Xie Meng: “…”

Mo Suyuan and Ji SShanrong didn’t bring much luggage. When they got in the car, they weren’t surprised to see Xie Meng. Mo Suyuan greeted warmly, “Xie Meng, it’s been a while.”

“Hello, Auntie,” Xie Meng helped her sit down. “I hope you’re doing well too.”

Mo Suyuan waved her hand casually, “Doing well? I’m getting old.”

Ji Qinyang glanced at his mother through the rearview mirror, “Are you staying with us?”

Ji SShanrong coughed and disapproved, “There’s no reason to squeeze in with the young ones. Your mother and I have already booked a hotel, so we’ll just go there.”

Xie Meng was about to say something but was interrupted by Mo Suyuan, “Go to the hotel, drop off the luggage, and then I’ll cook for you. It’s been a long time since we had a family meal together.”

“You two,” Mo Suyuan complained, “You’ve neglected the family for your careers. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have money; the family can afford it.”

Ji Qinyang and Xie Meng exchanged a glance and both laughed.

“I’ll go buy groceries later,” Ji Qinyang said, steering the car. “Mom, what do you want to eat?”

Mo Suyuan replied energetically, “Ask Xie Meng what he wants to eat. I can cook as much as needed; don’t leave any leftovers.”

Ji SShanrong’s wine didn’t break during transport. Mo Suyuan took over the kitchen and wouldn’t let Xie Meng help. In the end, Xie Meng had to sit at the kitchen door, picking vegetables, while Ji Qinyang had nothing to do. He helped his father open the wine and they sat in the living room, enjoying a few drinks.

“You’ve improved your drinking ability,” Ji SShanrong praised his son. “I remember you couldn’t handle a glass in your first year of college.”

Ji Qinyang couldn’t stand it and said, “I’m much older now. It’s impossible to get drunk so easily.”

Ji SShanrong took another sip of wine, was quiet for a moment, and sighed, “Yes, it’s been six or seven years in the blink of an eye.” He looked at Ji Qinyang and smiled, “My son has grown up.”

Ji Qinyang raised his hand, made a gesture, and finished his drink.

Xie Meng watched the two of them. When he turned around, he saw Mo Suyuan watching too. Their eyes met, and Mo Suyuan’s smile was gentle and charming as she looked at Xie Meng’s hands. “You take good care of Ji Qinyang.”

Xie Meng felt a bit embarrassed, “He takes care of me too…”

Mo Suyuan shook her head and smiled without saying anything.

When the meal was served, the four of them were finally able to sit around the table together. Mo Suyuan raised her glass and toasted each person. She said, “No matter how busy you are, you should come home. If you’re not comfortable, come home to stay. Your parents are here.”

Ji Qinyang extended his hand without saying a word and just hugged his mother.

Since Ji Qinyang had been drinking, Xie Meng had to drive Mo Suyuan back to the hotel. He waited for the couple to enter their room. Just as he was about to leave, Mo Suyuan ran out and handed him a tea bag.

“Almost forgot,” Mo Suyuan’s gentle gaze fell on Xie Meng’s face. “It’s this year’s new Biluochun tea. I know you love it.”

Xie Meng opened his mouth but was at a loss for words.

“Oh, and,” Mo Suyuan sighed and suddenly smiled, “Aren’t you supposed to call me ‘Mom’ now?”

That night, as Ji Qinyang was about to fall asleep, he vaguely felt Xie Meng crawl into bed and hug him from behind. He instinctively turned around and embraced Xie Meng, only to feel his partner’s face wet with tears.

“?!” Ji Qinyang fully woke up, “What’s wrong?” He reached for the light, but Xie Meng grabbed his arm.

“It’s okay,” Xie Meng’s voice was hoarse and nasal. “Don’t turn on the light.”

Ji Qinyang held his face, “…Did you cry all the way back?”

Xie Meng shook his head in his arms. He kissed Ji Qinyang’s lips in the dark, took off his clothes, and straddled Ji Qinyang.

Ji Qinyang was surprised by Xie Meng’s initiative. His lower body was already fully erect. Xie Meng bent down to give him oral s–ex, reaching behind to lubricate himself. Ji Qinyang lowered his head slightly and, by the faint moonlight coming through the window, saw the tear stains at the corners of Xie Meng’s eyes.

The riding position was difficult to penetrate, and Xie Meng exerted great effort to fully take Ji Qinyang inside. They interlocked fingers, moving their hips slowly.

Ji Qinyang came quickly due to the stimulation. He held Xie Meng and caressed his sweat-drenched neck. Xie Meng looked up at him.

“What’s going on?” Ji Qinyang’s lips were against Xie Meng’s forehead.

“Nothing,” Xie Meng said, “I just wanted to thank you.”

Ji Qinyang smiled, “So nice… What are you thanking me for?”

Xie Meng kissed him, “Thank you for giving me a family.”

“?” Ji Qinyang replied naturally, “Of course we’re family. I’m your husband.”

Xie Meng: “…”

Ji Qinyang looked at Xie Meng seriously, “Shall we get married? How about we go abroad to get married once we save up enough money?”