26

Li Xuan went into the bathroom to wash up.

Su Xingchuan went to the balcony and called his mother. He Ning only picked up after half a minute. Su Xingchuan took the initiative to ask, 'Mom, how are you feeling today? Does your head still hurt?'

He Ning had said the day before yesterday that she cried so much at home she got a headache.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end, then she said slowly, 'It doesn't hurt anymore. Yesterday Li Xuan's mother came to see me.'

Su Xingchuan was stunned.

'We didn't argue, just chatted,' He Ning paused a few seconds, then said, 'Xingchuan, you're not a teenager anymore. You're twenty-seven years old. You're responsible for your own life.'

Su Xingchuan was very surprised. He hadn't expected He Ning's thinking to change so quickly. He had thought this would be a protracted tug-of-war.

'As for your sexual orientation, your father and I still can't accept it, but it doesn't change anything. To destroy our family's happiness just to force you into some conventional happiness, turning you against your parents—there's no need for that.'

Su Xingchuan wanted to say something but hesitated. He Ning said helplessly on the phone, 'So be it, Xingchuan. Just live your life well.'

She still wasn't willing to say, Mom and Dad hope you'll be happy.

Because she didn't believe Li Xuan could bring Su Xingchuan happiness, didn't think two men in love could have a good ending like a normal couple.

Su Xingchuan quickly said before He Ning hung up, 'Mom, thank you for understanding, but what you said to Li Xuan back then...'

He wanted his mother to apologize.

He Ning was silent for a long time, then said, 'I understand.'

After hanging up, he turned around and saw Li Xuan standing behind the glass waiting for him, probably guessing he was calling his parents, so his face was full of anxiety, looking at him eagerly.

Su Xingchuan walked over to where Li Xuan was through the glass, and made a crying face at Li Xuan.

Li Xuan immediately panicked, and the corners of his mouth turned down too.

Su Xingchuan then put on a smile.

The smile held both teasing and relief.

Li Xuan froze for a moment, then wrinkled his nose and snorted.

Su Xingchuan pulled open the glass door and wrapped Li Xuan into his arms. 'My mom gave in.'

Li Xuan also breathed a sigh of relief.

'We have to thank your mom. She went to see mine.'

The two suddenly fell silent. Li Xuan rested his face on Su Xingchuan's shoulder and said, 'My mom is amazing. You'll know once you spend time with her. And... my uncle is great too.'

Su Xingchuan smiled and said, 'I'll get along well with them. What else is Xuanxuan still worried about?'

'I'm not very good at getting along with elders.'

'No worries, you don't need to do much. If it's really necessary, I'll be in the middle to help you. Don't be afraid.'

'Mm.' Li Xuan always trusted Su Xingchuan.

As soon as Su Xingchuan said 'don't be afraid,' he stopped worrying about anything.

Just that...

That wrong thing he said this morning didn't seem to have been made right yet. He tugged at the hem of Su Xingchuan's clothing, hesitated for a moment, and said in a muffled voice, 'I wasn't going to look for a young handsome guy.'

Su Xingchuan pretended not to hear clearly. 'What?'

Li Xuan quickly said it again, 'I won't look for a young handsome guy.'

Su Xingchuan was naughty and still pretended not to hear.

Li Xuan got so annoyed he refused to say any more.

Although there was a little awkwardness, the two still snuggled together and spent a warm and comfortable morning.

There was a hanging hammock chair on Su Xingchuan's balcony. He lay on it, and Li Xuan lay on top of him. They basked in the sun together. At first Su Xingchuan was chattering away, and as he talked Li Xuan began responding, telling him about his study abroad life, the people he met, the things he experienced. He spoke slowly, leaving nothing out. Every now and then he mentioned some male classmate, and Su Xingchuan would pinch his butt. Li Xuan turned his face away. 'You're the one who told me to talk.'

Su Xingchuan smiled and said, 'Keep telling.'

'Not that interesting.'

'I want to know.'

So Li Xuan kept telling, and as he told, he fell asleep again.

Su Xingchuan placed him on the hammock, covered him with a blanket, then got up and went downstairs to the neighborhood supermarket to buy groceries.

At last he had fulfilled his old wish.

To personally cook and make a lavish meal for Li Xuan.

While he was cooking, Li Xuan sat at the kitchen entrance watching, and when he came close, he seized the chance to untie his apron strings.

Su Xingchuan shot him a glance. He played innocent, hugging the chair back and not making a sound.

Su Xingchuan had thought Li Xuan would pretend his hand was hurt, acting pitiful like before to make him feed him, but after three dishes and a soup were set on the table, Li Xuan obediently sat at the table, holding his chopsticks, waiting to eat.

'Eat. Try my cooking.'

Su Xingchuan put a piece of fish into his bowl, then ladled him a bowl of steaming chicken soup.

Li Xuan held the bowl, sipping the soup one mouthful at a time.

Su Xingchuan glanced down. Sure enough, Li Xuan's legs were swinging back and forth in small alternating motions.

Su Xingchuan suddenly felt that even the finest delicacies meant nothing. Just watching Li Xuan eat made him feel incredibly happy.

.

After the weekend, Su Xingchuan returned to work at Zhongjin.

Unlike the worried expression from a few days ago, today the Secretary said as soon as she saw him, 'Hey? Manager Su, you're in great spirits today. What's up, don't tell me you're in love?'

Su Xingchuan's eyes could barely hide the joy. He said, 'Something even better than that.'

'What is it?' the Secretary asked curiously.

'Getting back with an ex.'

The Secretary suddenly understood. 'Then the person Mr. Xu was going to introduce you to has no chance now?'

Just then the elevator doors opened, and Xu Zhengdong walked out. Hearing the Secretary's words, he laughed and said, 'Indeed no chance. I really took a big loss.'

Su Xingchuan looked embarrassed.

He followed Xu Zhengdong into the office. Xu Zhengdong took off his jacket and sat down. Su Xingchuan stood by the desk and said, 'Mr. Xu, I was out of my mind a while back, saying a bunch of nonsense.'

Xu Zhengdong's eyes were full of teasing. He raised his chin, gesturing for Su Xingchuan to continue.

'Xiao Xuan and I have officially gotten back together.'

'I heard from my sister. Didn't go home last night.'

Su Xingchuan felt even more embarrassed.

'Alright, that's not to needle you,' Xu Zhengdong dropped his casual demeanor and said with uncharacteristic seriousness, 'It's not easy to meet someone you truly like. Take good care of my little nephew.'

'Understood. I will.'

As Su Xingchuan turned to leave, Xu Zhengdong suddenly called out to him, 'In private, you can change the way you address me.'

Su Xingchuan cleared his throat, ready to call him 'Uncle.'

But it stuck in his throat.

It seemed... he couldn't quite get it out.

First, Xu Zhengdong was only ten years older than Su Xingchuan; second, whenever he saw Xu Zhengdong, he'd remember the awkward scene from a couple of days ago.

The two stared at each other, eyes locked, for half a minute.

Su Xingchuan: '...'

Xu Zhengdong: '...'

Finally Xu Zhengdong said, 'Forget it. Get out, quick.'

Su Xingchuan felt as if granted a great pardon and turned to leave.

.

After work, he drove to the hospital entrance to pick up Li Xuan.

He sent Li Xuan a message, but Li Xuan didn't reply.

Li Xuan had been staying in the inpatient department because of a patient's sudden situation. He only saw Su Xingchuan's message from half an hour earlier when he got back to the office. He slung his backpack on and rushed out of the office.

Scared a passing young nurse,

The young nurse asked a colleague, 'Just now, just now who was that?'

'Was that Dr. Li?'

The nurse immediately shook her head. 'No way.'

'But besides Dr. Li on this floor, where else is there a young handsome guy?'

'Dr. Li actually got emotional!'

The emotionally stirred Dr. Li rushed all the way out of the hospital. Afraid Su Xingchuan had been waiting anxiously, he had even rehearsed a small apology in his head, ready to apologize to Su Xingchuan. But when he got to Su Xingchuan's car, he found no one inside—the car was pitch black.

He panicked for a moment and immediately called Su Xingchuan.

No one answered.

Li Xuan stood on the steps, looking around. An indescribable panic surged up.

He was so afraid of losing Su Xingchuan again.

'Baobei.'

Su Xingchuan's voice came from behind. Li Xuan immediately turned around. Su Xingchuan was walking over, holding two roasted sweet potatoes.

A winter evening always slips away in a flash. Behind Su Xingchuan was the last strip of afterglow. He was wearing a dark brown coat, walking toward Li Xuan, his hair tinged with orange-red sunset light.

'Look what I bought?'

Before he finished speaking, Li Xuan had already dashed over.

Dashing over, hugging Su Xingchuan.

He tightly hugged Su Xingchuan's neck, his voice cracking, 'Why didn't you answer the phone?'

Su Xingchuan was a bit surprised and immediately replied, 'You called me? I didn't hear it. There were too many people here, and my phone was in my pocket, I—'

Li Xuan interrupted him, 'I'm sorry, I didn't see your message. A patient kept arguing with me about fees and wouldn't listen no matter how I explained. I only saw your message when I got back to the office. I made you wait half an hour, I'm sorry.'

Su Xingchuan paused, not understanding why Li Xuan was apologizing.

'Because I'm afraid the moon waxes only to wane. If I keep just enjoying how good you are to me, one day you'll get tired.'

'Because I'm not very good at being in a relationship. When you spoil me, I turn into a kid and can't consider your feelings at all.'

'Also... what I said the morning before last wasn't what I really meant.'

Su Xingchuan suddenly curved his lips upward, encircling Li Xuan's waist.

Li Xuan leaned against Su Xingchuan's shoulder and said plaintively, 'Why aren't you angry? Before you would pretend to be very angry. Why are you so casual now, as if you didn't hear? I don't like this.'

'Then what do you want me to do?'

Li Xuan said, 'Don't hold back what's in your heart, don't make the mistake I made seven years ago.'

The look in Su Xingchuan's eyes suddenly shifted from pleasure to heartache.

Seven years had also changed Li Xuan.

He had gone from carefree to anxious about losing what he had.

Li Xuan said, 'I won't look for a young handsome guy. I was only joking. And I won't always make you take care of me. If one day we're both old, we'll take care of each other.'

Su Xingchuan stroked Li Xuan's hair. 'But I just want to keep taking care of Maomaotou until we're old. What then?'

'You really aren't angry?'

'Because of that one sentence?'

'Mm,' Li Xuan slowly let go of Su Xingchuan's neck, sniffled, and stood in front of him. 'You won't feel hurt?'

'Why would I feel hurt?'

Su Xingchuan leaned in slightly and said in Li Xuan's ear, 'I don't think I'm any worse than when I was twenty.'

Li Xuan caught on a beat late.

He suddenly remembered what Su Xingchuan had said when they reunited: What if I can't? Does the doctor offer after-sales service? Can I test with the doctor?

And indeed, only little Dr. Li could test that.

Su Xingchuan glanced at the Men's Health Hospital sign, leaned in close to Li Xuan, and said, 'Dr. Li, I'm going to use action to bust the myth that men go downhill after twenty-five.'

Li Xuan hooked a button of Su Xingchuan's coat. 'Oh.'