The Long Road Ahead: C17
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This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)
Xiao Ning found an hourly worker to go by and clean the apartment the following day and also went online to buy some electrical appliances he needed. He figured they would arrive at the door around evening time a couple of days later, and such a time frame was alright. In addition to those electrical appliances, Xiao Ning bought a lot of household ones too, his expenses adding up to quite a considerable sum. But it was fine as well, as long as he focussed on how useful they would all be in the future.
Right then, Xiao Ning stood as well, sending a placating smile in Xia Li's direction while he said, "We'll only be gone for a short while, so play on your phone in the meantime."
The other person he was speaking to should be Lu Yan. Because the person on the line was immediately switched, and Lu Yan's voice when heard sounded more than a little angry. "So now even being invited out for a meal was something you can't do?"
"Nothing!" Xiao Ning was afraid Lu Yan and Xia Li would fight because of that matter, so he quickly added, "It was because of your carelessness so don't try to blame others. Anybody looking in can see it clearly, and I'm also not blind."
"It was great, incredibly funny." Xia Li looked up from the menu, just itching to chime in. "Especially the beginning. I laughed so much I thought I would die."
N/A
It honestly felt a bit strange. He clearly had only rented a house, and even though his feelings couldn't be described as that of rebirth, it did indeed feel as though that life of his which had lain stagnant for too long had finally begun moving forward.
Right now, he may not be able to change it for a while.
Xia Li then stared at his departing shadow, his lips parting before he began chewing on them.
N/A
After he spoke, he did not wait on Xiao Ning and took the lead to turn, then walked out on his own.
"It seems like he's doing well. I can rest easy now." Chen Shuyun then asked, "Has he been busy recently?"
Of course, even then, Lu Yan had yet to have contacted him. Xia Li calls him every day, however, regarding Xiao Ning as his "bestie". One he told of all the places went to entertain themselves, what they had eaten, or what good thing they had watched.
But when asking Xiao Ning, even he didn't know. So putting together the bits and pieces of what Xia Li had told her, he replied to Chen Shuyun.
Xia Li then stared at his departing shadow, his lips parting before he began chewing on them.
After saying a few more words of concern for the two elders, Xiao Ning ended the call, a trace of worry for the two entering his mind. If Lu Yan is really serious about Xia Li...
"But what about us is there to raise any doubts?" Lu Yan looked into the shop with an inconceivable expression. "We've purely been just brothers over all these years. If we wanted to be together, we would've been together earlier. So why would we wait for him to come intervene?"
爱屋及乌: love the house and its crow. Is an idiom similar to "Love me and my dog."
They were like a pair of enthusiastic young, the kind that renders the 'single dogs' amongst them blind with their brilliance.
"Nothing!" Xiao Ning was afraid Lu Yan and Xia Li would fight because of that matter, so he quickly added, "It was because of your carelessness so don't try to blame others. Anybody looking in can see it clearly, and I'm also not blind."
Xiao Ning was not good at brushing off that excitable boyfriend of Lu Yan's, so with each he received he would only listen patiently, as well as adding a few words to encourage that child-like boyfriend to continue speaking.
爱屋及乌: love the house and its crow. Is an idiom similar to "Love me and my dog."
There were also a few times he had received calls from, Lu Yan's mother, Chen Shuyun too, with her asking how Lu Yan was doing recently and nothing more. Such calls were a result of Lu Yan finding it too much of a pain to answer his parents' calls, so Chen Shuyun developed the habit of phoning Xiao Ning to ask what Lu Yan was up to.
"How will..." Xiao Ning regretted greatly he had not said he would be working overtime earlier. As now if he said it, it would be too obvious he was trying to avoid them.
Xia Li then stared at his departing shadow, his lips parting before he began chewing on them.
"It seems like he's doing well. I can rest easy now." Chen Shuyun then asked, "Has he been busy recently?"
But when asking Xiao Ning, even he didn't know. So putting together the bits and pieces of what Xia Li had told her, he replied to Chen Shuyun.
Lu Yan asked him to call...
"It seems like he's doing well. I can rest easy now." Chen Shuyun then asked, "Has he been busy recently?"
"Oh, okay." Xia Li then looked down and chose some dishes from the menu, asking Lu Yan for his opinion from time to time and ordering them a lot of fresh food. Turning his head, Lu Yan asked, "You've been enjoying yourself quite a bit these days, haven't you? You haven't even called once."
But Lu Yan wore a look of his top being blown to high heaven as he blurted out, "Then come back to live with me."
Xiao Ning thought to himself that it would be troublesome to say he was still playing around all over the place. "Yes, because the company picked up a new project. So it possible he'll be busy for a while."
◈◇◈
"It's really inconvenient, seriously so." Helplessly and meekly, Xiao Ning then added, "And before, your bed... your partners had a time limit, so each time I would think I'd just be staying there for a short time and would just endure the inconvenience when I left. But I think it's possible Xia Li will be staying with you for a long time, so I just thought about renting my own place that's close by."
Xiao Ning thought to himself that it would be troublesome to say he was still playing around all over the place. "Yes, because the company picked up a new project. So it possible he'll be busy for a while."
They were like a pair of enthusiastic young, the kind that renders the 'single dogs' amongst them blind with their brilliance.
Xiao Ning thought to himself that it would be troublesome to say he was still playing around all over the place. "Yes, because the company picked up a new project. So it possible he'll be busy for a while."
After he spoke, he did not wait on Xiao Ning and took the lead to turn, then walked out on his own.
"Oh... Then please tell him to take care of himself on my behalf, as well as, um..." Chen Shuyun's voice was reduced to a whisper, "When will you two return for a visit? By plane, it will take just a couple of hours."
The words he spoke were according to reason, and there was no need to move Shan Haiming to block Lu Yan's firm hold.
Lu Yan asked him to call...
"Listen to me, even if you buy one now, the renovations and delivery would also take a few years, right?" Xiao Ning laughed hopelessly. "So don't worry about it. Oh, I almost forgot, since I met up with you today, can you give me a lift back to your place so I can get my stuff?"
"Okay, I'll tell him what you said, along with returning to see you guys one day." Xiao Ning's heart softened at this. In his childhood years, his parents' relationship was quite awful, and neither cared about him in the least. After some time he found himself orphaned by both parents. Due to this, the leftover love[1] and care Lu Yan's parents gave to him was the closest thing to family Xiao Ning had ever known in his entire existence. "You and uncle should take care of yourselves too. Does the medicine I sent to you guys before still work?"
Xiao Ning thought to himself that it would be troublesome to say he was still playing around all over the place. "Yes, because the company picked up a new project. So it possible he'll be busy for a while."
"Oh, okay." Xia Li then looked down and chose some dishes from the menu, asking Lu Yan for his opinion from time to time and ordering them a lot of fresh food. Turning his head, Lu Yan asked, "You've been enjoying yourself quite a bit these days, haven't you? You haven't even called once."
Xiao Ning wrinkled his brows, also not knowing what was wrong with that young master.
Saying this, looked at Lu Yan. I'll be taking this call, so you can go back in first, okay?
"Okay, I'll tell him what you said, along with returning to see you guys one day." Xiao Ning's heart softened at this. In his childhood years, his parents' relationship was quite awful, and neither cared about him in the least. After some time he found himself orphaned by both parents. Due to this, the leftover love and care Lu Yan's parents gave to him was the closest thing to family Xiao Ning had ever known in his entire existence. "You and uncle should take care of yourselves too. Does the medicine I sent to you guys before still work?"
◈◇◈
From the other end of the line, Shan Haiming asked, "How enthusiastic... What's wrong, is there someone beside you?"
Chen Shuyun replied gratefully, "Ah, yes, it does. Your uncle used it to soak his feet and his rheumatism has improved a lot."
Suddenly, Lu Yan stood up. "Xiao Ning."
"Oh. It's just that the place I was staying at before was too far from my work, so I asked my friend to find me a closer place." Xiao Ning didn't look up, didn't look at the ones across from him, as he explained to Xia Li in an effort to sidestep Lu Yan's questioning. "So the new place is close and only has one stop between it and my company. It's really convenient. I can even get some more sleep in the morning time."
Xiao Ning was not good at brushing off that excitable boyfriend of Lu Yan's, so with each he received he would only listen patiently, as well as adding a few words to encourage that child-like boyfriend to continue speaking.
"Listen to me, even if you buy one now, the renovations and delivery would also take a few years, right?" Xiao Ning laughed hopelessly. "So don't worry about it. Oh, I almost forgot, since I met up with you today, can you give me a lift back to your place so I can get my stuff?"
"Got it." Shan Haiming then said simply, "I told my parents."
I sliver of dread flashed within Xiao Ning's mind, from which he quickly awakened. This was nothing serious, it couldn't be. What was I even thinking?
Xiao Ning was not good at brushing off that excitable boyfriend of Lu Yan's, so with each he received he would only listen patiently, as well as adding a few words to encourage that child-like boyfriend to continue speaking.
Xiao Ning was relieved. Uncle Anguo's rheumatism was quite severe. It hurt when it swelled up so high he couldn't say anything, he couldn't even walk. It left him constantly worried. He looked far and wide to find doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine to prepare medicines for him. So upon hearing the ones he sent were useful, Xiao Ning felt relieved. "I'll send you both some more then next time. You can use it to soak your feet when the weather turns cold, Aunty. It'll be good for your health."
But at present, this habit has already grown far too tiresome.
After saying a few more words of concern for the two elders, Xiao Ning ended the call, a trace of worry for the two entering his mind. If Lu Yan is really serious about Xia Li...
"Hey, that doesn't matter. It's not like you're an outsider anyhow." Xia Li's laugh was now away from the receiver. "Xiao Ning said he's afraid of disturbing us."
Those two elders having their hearts broken, or Lu Yan being put in a difficult position... Neither of those things was something Xiao Ning wanted to see.
"Okay, I'll tell him what you said, along with returning to see you guys one day." Xiao Ning's heart softened at this. In his childhood years, his parents' relationship was quite awful, and neither cared about him in the least. After some time he found himself orphaned by both parents. Due to this, the leftover love and care Lu Yan's parents gave to him was the closest thing to family Xiao Ning had ever known in his entire existence. "You and uncle should take care of yourselves too. Does the medicine I sent to you guys before still work?"
But once Lu Yan saw how he hurried to answer the call, along with his cheerful tone, and the smile he wore when her answered; for no reason at all, his chest tightened, and without knowing why, he didn't want to leave. So he stood there with arms folded over his chest.
Suddenly, Lu Yan stood up. "Xiao Ning."
"Oh... Then please tell him to take care of himself on my behalf, as well as, um..." Chen Shuyun's voice was reduced to a whisper, "When will you two return for a visit? By plane, it will take just a couple of hours."
Xiao Ning listened with all smiles, but then Lu Yan interrupted. "Xia Li, let's order first."
◈◇◈
On Thursday, Xia Li called as usual. "We're close to your company, so let's have dinner together!"
◈◇◈
Without thinking, Xiao Ning smiled. "You two should go eat as a couple. I'll just be a third wheel if I come along."
Xia Li then stared at his departing shadow, his lips parting before he began chewing on them.
Just let it be, alright? Thinking about it is fine but insisting on making him go hang back and watch was just too much.
There were also a few times he had received calls from, Lu Yan's mother, Chen Shuyun too, with her asking how Lu Yan was doing recently and nothing more. Such calls were a result of Lu Yan finding it too much of a pain to answer his parents' calls, so Chen Shuyun developed the habit of phoning Xiao Ning to ask what Lu Yan was up to.
"Hey, that doesn't matter. It's not like you're an outsider anyhow." Xia Li's laugh was now away from the receiver. "Xiao Ning said he's afraid of disturbing us."
Xia Li let out a light chuckle at this, sending Xiao Ning a wink when Lu Yan wasn't looking his way.
Tossing the menu to Xia Li, Lu Yan casually asked, "How was your Monday?"
They were like a pair of enthusiastic young, the kind that renders the 'single dogs' amongst them blind with their brilliance.
The other person he was speaking to should be Lu Yan. Because the person on the line was immediately switched, and Lu Yan's voice when heard sounded more than a little angry. "So now even being invited out for a meal was something you can't do?"
But Lu Yan paid no mind to why Xia Li had laughed and was not one bit moved by Xiao Ning's statement at all. His voice as he responded was full of reproach. "You're all happy and go-lucky, aren't you? All smiles when you meet someone new but when you meet someone old you're all tears!"
Xia Li let out a light chuckle at this, sending Xiao Ning a wink when Lu Yan wasn't looking his way.
"Hey, don't go accusing me wrongly. I've just been busy recently because I'm moving." After Xiao Ning spoke, he lowered his gaze, fixing it upon the simple and unadorned teacup.
But Lu Yan paid no mind to why Xia Li had laughed and was not one bit moved by Xiao Ning's statement at all. His voice as he responded was full of reproach. "You're all happy and go-lucky, aren't you? All smiles when you meet someone new but when you meet someone old you're all tears!"
Xia Li then stared at his departing shadow, his lips parting before he began chewing on them.
"How will..." Xiao Ning regretted greatly he had not said he would be working overtime earlier. As now if he said it, it would be too obvious he was trying to avoid them.
Right as Xiao Ning was again about to persuade Lu Yan, his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was Shan Haiming and didn't dare not immediately answer. "Hello? Why are you calling right now?"
Those two elders having their hearts broken, or Lu Yan being put in a difficult position... Neither of those things was something Xiao Ning wanted to see.
Xiao Ning wrinkled his brows, also not knowing what was wrong with that young master.
"So are you coming or not? Who do you even know? Acting so grumpy all of a sudden." Lu Yan tossed the phone to Xia Li after he was speaking. "Hello? Xiao Ning, it's mainly because it's been so long since we've seen you, okay? There's no other meaning, so you can relax. I'm not that stingy."
"Hey, don't go accusing me wrongly. I've just been busy recently because I'm moving." After Xiao Ning spoke, he lowered his gaze, fixing it upon the simple and unadorned teacup.
"Got it." Shan Haiming then said simply, "I told my parents."
Tossing the menu to Xia Li, Lu Yan casually asked, "How was your Monday?"
Knowing he was only joking, Xiao Ning let a smile spread on his face. "Alright then. It'll be my treat, so you two decide on the place and send me the address after you get there."
"It seems like he's doing well. I can rest easy now." Chen Shuyun then asked, "Has he been busy recently?"
Xia Li sputtered out a chuckle. "Let Lu Yan be the one to treat. He's the one who made me call you out. Okay then, see you in a bit."
From the other end of the line, Shan Haiming asked, "How enthusiastic... What's wrong, is there someone beside you?"
But Lu Yan wore a look of his top being blown to high heaven as he blurted out, "Then come back to live with me."
Before, he never could help himself from thinking about Lu Yan, insisting on thinking up some kind of possibility looming in that sort of impossible situation, making him happy for a long time, as he again would tuck it away like something precious—something he would look back on when he grew too weary, so everything would seem as though it was worth it.
Xiao Ning was relieved. Uncle Anguo's rheumatism was quite severe. It hurt when it swelled up so high he couldn't say anything, he couldn't even walk. It left him constantly worried. He looked far and wide to find doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine to prepare medicines for him. So upon hearing the ones he sent were useful, Xiao Ning felt relieved. "I'll send you both some more then next time. You can use it to soak your feet when the weather turns cold, Aunty. It'll be good for your health."
Those two elders having their hearts broken, or Lu Yan being put in a difficult position... Neither of those things was something Xiao Ning wanted to see.
The other person he was speaking to should be Lu Yan. Because the person on the line was immediately switched, and Lu Yan's voice when heard sounded more than a little angry. "So now even being invited out for a meal was something you can't do?"
Xiao Ning looked at him with little regard, saying, "Lu Yan, are you kidding me right now? You and your partner are living together as a couple, and I am an outsider. Are trying to piss off me or piss off Xia Li?"
Lu Yan asked him to call...
Of course, even then, Lu Yan had yet to have contacted him. Xia Li calls him every day, however, regarding Xiao Ning as his "bestie". One he told of all the places went to entertain themselves, what they had eaten, or what good thing they had watched.
I sliver of dread flashed within Xiao Ning's mind, from which he quickly awakened. This was nothing serious, it couldn't be. What was I even thinking?
Xia Li sputtered out a chuckle. "Let Lu Yan be the one to treat. He's the one who made me call you out. Okay then, see you in a bit."
Before, he never could help himself from thinking about Lu Yan, insisting on thinking up some kind of possibility looming in that sort of impossible situation, making him happy for a long time, as he again would tuck it away like something precious—something he would look back on when he grew too weary, so everything would seem as though it was worth it.
Xiao Ning was relieved. Uncle Anguo's rheumatism was quite severe. It hurt when it swelled up so high he couldn't say anything, he couldn't even walk. It left him constantly worried. He looked far and wide to find doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine to prepare medicines for him. So upon hearing the ones he sent were useful, Xiao Ning felt relieved. "I'll send you both some more then next time. You can use it to soak your feet when the weather turns cold, Aunty. It'll be good for your health."
"Okay, I'll tell him what you said, along with returning to see you guys one day." Xiao Ning's heart softened at this. In his childhood years, his parents' relationship was quite awful, and neither cared about him in the least. After some time he found himself orphaned by both parents. Due to this, the leftover love and care Lu Yan's parents gave to him was the closest thing to family Xiao Ning had ever known in his entire existence. "You and uncle should take care of yourselves too. Does the medicine I sent to you guys before still work?"
"It's really inconvenient, seriously so." Helplessly and meekly, Xiao Ning then added, "And before, your bed... your partners had a time limit, so each time I would think I'd just be staying there for a short time and would just endure the inconvenience when I left. But I think it's possible Xia Li will be staying with you for a long time, so I just thought about renting my own place that's close by."
N/A
Right as Xiao Ning was again about to persuade Lu Yan, his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was Shan Haiming and didn't dare not immediately answer. "Hello? Why are you calling right now?"
Knowing he was only joking, Xiao Ning let a smile spread on his face. "Alright then. It'll be my treat, so you two decide on the place and send me the address after you get there."
"Nothing!" Xiao Ning was afraid Lu Yan and Xia Li would fight because of that matter, so he quickly added, "It was because of your carelessness so don't try to blame others. Anybody looking in can see it clearly, and I'm also not blind."
Right now, he may not be able to change it for a while.
Just let it be, alright? Thinking about it is fine but insisting on making him go hang back and watch was just too much.
But at present, this habit has already grown far too tiresome.
爱屋及乌: love the house and its crow. Is an idiom similar to "Love me and my dog."
But at present, this habit has already grown far too tiresome.
The other person he was speaking to should be Lu Yan. Because the person on the line was immediately switched, and Lu Yan's voice when heard sounded more than a little angry. "So now even being invited out for a meal was something you can't do?"
Lu Yan didn't utter a word, no different than a kid who had his toy stolen, his face covered in unwillingness.
"But what about us is there to raise any doubts?" Lu Yan looked into the shop with an inconceivable expression. "We've purely been just brothers over all these years. If we wanted to be together, we would've been together earlier. So why would we wait for him to come intervene?"
Xia Li and Lu Yan chose a Japanese restaurant again, a self-service one, costing three hundred a person. The two sat side by side and Xiao Ning sat facing them. He had no appetite to speak of, but ultimately still ordered a Japanese-styled meatball hotpot and sea salt grilled shrimp.
Xiao Ning found an hourly worker to go by and clean the apartment the following day and also went online to buy some electrical appliances he needed. He figured they would arrive at the door around evening time a couple of days later, and such a time frame was alright. In addition to those electrical appliances, Xiao Ning bought a lot of household ones too, his expenses adding up to quite a considerable sum. But it was fine as well, as long as he focussed on how useful they would all be in the future.
"Oh. It's just that the place I was staying at before was too far from my work, so I asked my friend to find me a closer place." Xiao Ning didn't look up, didn't look at the ones across from him, as he explained to Xia Li in an effort to sidestep Lu Yan's questioning. "So the new place is close and only has one stop between it and my company. It's really convenient. I can even get some more sleep in the morning time."
Suddenly, Lu Yan stood up. "Xiao Ning."
Tossing the menu to Xia Li, Lu Yan casually asked, "How was your Monday?"
"Oh. It's just that the place I was staying at before was too far from my work, so I asked my friend to find me a closer place." Xiao Ning didn't look up, didn't look at the ones across from him, as he explained to Xia Li in an effort to sidestep Lu Yan's questioning. "So the new place is close and only has one stop between it and my company. It's really convenient. I can even get some more sleep in the morning time."
"It's really inconvenient, seriously so." Helplessly and meekly, Xiao Ning then added, "And before, your bed... your partners had a time limit, so each time I would think I'd just be staying there for a short time and would just endure the inconvenience when I left. But I think it's possible Xia Li will be staying with you for a long time, so I just thought about renting my own place that's close by."
Xiao Ning thought to himself that it would be troublesome to say he was still playing around all over the place. "Yes, because the company picked up a new project. So it possible he'll be busy for a while."
N/A
"Hey, that doesn't matter. It's not like you're an outsider anyhow." Xia Li's laugh was now away from the receiver. "Xiao Ning said he's afraid of disturbing us."
"It was great, incredibly funny." Xia Li looked up from the menu, just itching to chime in. "Especially the beginning. I laughed so much I thought I would die."
"Hey, that doesn't matter. It's not like you're an outsider anyhow." Xia Li's laugh was now away from the receiver. "Xiao Ning said he's afraid of disturbing us."
"It was fine." Xiao Ning then calmly and collectedly brought up the topic: "How was your play?"
Before, he never could help himself from thinking about Lu Yan, insisting on thinking up some kind of possibility looming in that sort of impossible situation, making him happy for a long time, as he again would tuck it away like something precious—something he would look back on when he grew too weary, so everything would seem as though it was worth it.
But when asking Xiao Ning, even he didn't know. So putting together the bits and pieces of what Xia Li had told her, he replied to Chen Shuyun.
"It seems like he's doing well. I can rest easy now." Chen Shuyun then asked, "Has he been busy recently?"
Right as Xiao Ning was again about to persuade Lu Yan, his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was Shan Haiming and didn't dare not immediately answer. "Hello? Why are you calling right now?"
N/A
"It was great, incredibly funny." Xia Li looked up from the menu, just itching to chime in. "Especially the beginning. I laughed so much I thought I would die."
On Thursday, Xia Li called as usual. "We're close to your company, so let's have dinner together!"
To this, Xiao Ning then added, "Furthermore, Lu Yan, have you seriously not noticed it? Xia Li has been suspicious of our relationship from the get-go, so if you act like this, even if I jump into the Yellow River, I wouldn't be able to wash myself clean. Am I wrong or not?"
Turning his body around, Xiao Ning said with a smile, "Yep."
Xiao Ning pulled his lips into a smile. "Right... But we understand that, however, Xia Li does not. He also likes you a lot—like, a whole lot."
It honestly felt a bit strange. He clearly had only rented a house, and even though his feelings couldn't be described as that of rebirth, it did indeed feel as though that life of his which had lain stagnant for too long had finally begun moving forward.
Xiao Ning listened with all smiles, but then Lu Yan interrupted. "Xia Li, let's order first."
Xia Li and Lu Yan chose a Japanese restaurant again, a self-service one, costing three hundred a person. The two sat side by side and Xiao Ning sat facing them. He had no appetite to speak of, but ultimately still ordered a Japanese-styled meatball hotpot and sea salt grilled shrimp.
"Oh, okay." Xia Li then looked down and chose some dishes from the menu, asking Lu Yan for his opinion from time to time and ordering them a lot of fresh food. Turning his head, Lu Yan asked, "You've been enjoying yourself quite a bit these days, haven't you? You haven't even called once."
Confused, Xia Li looked up at Lu Yan, but Lu Yan didn't look back at him, because his towering gaze was trained on the top of Xiao Ning's head. "Let's step out for a moment."
"It was fine." Xiao Ning then calmly and collectedly brought up the topic: "How was your play?"
Xia Li was startled by Lu Yan's sudden outburst. "Why, what's wrong?"
Knowing he was only joking, Xiao Ning let a smile spread on his face. "Alright then. It'll be my treat, so you two decide on the place and send me the address after you get there."
After he spoke, he did not wait on Xiao Ning and took the lead to turn, then walked out on his own.
Xiao Ning looked at him with little regard, saying, "Lu Yan, are you kidding me right now? You and your partner are living together as a couple, and I am an outsider. Are trying to piss off me or piss off Xia Li?"
Xia Li sputtered out a chuckle. "Let Lu Yan be the one to treat. He's the one who made me call you out. Okay then, see you in a bit."
"Aren't you used to this, though? When you fall in love, I disappear out of sight." Xiao Ning raised his brows, his hands moving to pour tea for all three of them. "Don't irritate a single guy like me, okay?"
Notified
"Listen to me, even if you buy one now, the renovations and delivery would also take a few years, right?" Xiao Ning laughed hopelessly. "So don't worry about it. Oh, I almost forgot, since I met up with you today, can you give me a lift back to your place so I can get my stuff?"
Confused, Xia Li looked up at Lu Yan, but Lu Yan didn't look back at him, because his towering gaze was trained on the top of Xiao Ning's head. "Let's step out for a moment."
Xia Li let out a light chuckle at this, sending Xiao Ning a wink when Lu Yan wasn't looking his way.
Xiao Ning listened with all smiles, but then Lu Yan interrupted. "Xia Li, let's order first."
But when asking Xiao Ning, even he didn't know. So putting together the bits and pieces of what Xia Li had told her, he replied to Chen Shuyun.
"It's really inconvenient, seriously so." Helplessly and meekly, Xiao Ning then added, "And before, your bed... your partners had a time limit, so each time I would think I'd just be staying there for a short time and would just endure the inconvenience when I left. But I think it's possible Xia Li will be staying with you for a long time, so I just thought about renting my own place that's close by."
But Lu Yan paid no mind to why Xia Li had laughed and was not one bit moved by Xiao Ning's statement at all. His voice as he responded was full of reproach. "You're all happy and go-lucky, aren't you? All smiles when you meet someone new but when you meet someone old you're all tears!"
I sliver of dread flashed within Xiao Ning's mind, from which he quickly awakened. This was nothing serious, it couldn't be. What was I even thinking?
Xia Li then stared at his departing shadow, his lips parting before he began chewing on them.
After he spoke, he did not wait on Xiao Ning and took the lead to turn, then walked out on his own.
"Hey, don't go accusing me wrongly. I've just been busy recently because I'm moving." After Xiao Ning spoke, he lowered his gaze, fixing it upon the simple and unadorned teacup.
Those two elders having their hearts broken, or Lu Yan being put in a difficult position... Neither of those things was something Xiao Ning wanted to see.
But Lu Yan paid no mind to why Xia Li had laughed and was not one bit moved by Xiao Ning's statement at all. His voice as he responded was full of reproach. "You're all happy and go-lucky, aren't you? All smiles when you meet someone new but when you meet someone old you're all tears!"
"It seems like he's doing well. I can rest easy now." Chen Shuyun then asked, "Has he been busy recently?"
"Moving?!" Lu Yan was shocked, so much so, forgot himself, asking with a shout, "You're moving?"
Ignoring that question, Lu Yan licked his lips, a way in which he displayed his anxiousness. "It's not like it's the first time you've stayed there, so haven't you always stayed there without any issues? What's wrong with it now?"
But at present, this habit has already grown far too tiresome.
Xia Li sputtered out a chuckle. "Let Lu Yan be the one to treat. He's the one who made me call you out. Okay then, see you in a bit."
"So are you coming or not? Who do you even know? Acting so grumpy all of a sudden." Lu Yan tossed the phone to Xia Li after he was speaking. "Hello? Xiao Ning, it's mainly because it's been so long since we've seen you, okay? There's no other meaning, so you can relax. I'm not that stingy."
Without thinking, Xiao Ning smiled. "You two should go eat as a couple. I'll just be a third wheel if I come along."
"Oh, okay." Xia Li then looked down and chose some dishes from the menu, asking Lu Yan for his opinion from time to time and ordering them a lot of fresh food. Turning his head, Lu Yan asked, "You've been enjoying yourself quite a bit these days, haven't you? You haven't even called once."
Xiao Ning was relieved. Uncle Anguo's rheumatism was quite severe. It hurt when it swelled up so high he couldn't say anything, he couldn't even walk. It left him constantly worried. He looked far and wide to find doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine to prepare medicines for him. So upon hearing the ones he sent were useful, Xiao Ning felt relieved. "I'll send you both some more then next time. You can use it to soak your feet when the weather turns cold, Aunty. It'll be good for your health."
Xia Li was startled by Lu Yan's sudden outburst. "Why, what's wrong?"
"Listen to me, even if you buy one now, the renovations and delivery would also take a few years, right?" Xiao Ning laughed hopelessly. "So don't worry about it. Oh, I almost forgot, since I met up with you today, can you give me a lift back to your place so I can get my stuff?"
"Oh. It's just that the place I was staying at before was too far from my work, so I asked my friend to find me a closer place." Xiao Ning didn't look up, didn't look at the ones across from him, as he explained to Xia Li in an effort to sidestep Lu Yan's questioning. "So the new place is close and only has one stop between it and my company. It's really convenient. I can even get some more sleep in the morning time."
Without thinking, Xiao Ning smiled. "You two should go eat as a couple. I'll just be a third wheel if I come along."
The atmosphere at the table fell into a silence, a silence which made one feel uneasy.
"Moving?!" Lu Yan was shocked, so much so, forgot himself, asking with a shout, "You're moving?"
"Moving?!" Lu Yan was shocked, so much so, forgot himself, asking with a shout, "You're moving?"
"Aren't you used to this, though? When you fall in love, I disappear out of sight." Xiao Ning raised his brows, his hands moving to pour tea for all three of them. "Don't irritate a single guy like me, okay?"
Suddenly, Lu Yan stood up. "Xiao Ning."
Xiao Ning walked out of the restaurant, just in time to be showered by Lu Yan asking: "What do you mean by this?"
Ignoring that question, Lu Yan licked his lips, a way in which he displayed his anxiousness. "It's not like it's the first time you've stayed there, so haven't you always stayed there without any issues? What's wrong with it now?"
Xia Li was startled by Lu Yan's sudden outburst. "Why, what's wrong?"
Just let it be, alright? Thinking about it is fine but insisting on making him go hang back and watch was just too much.
Notified
Confused, Xia Li looked up at Lu Yan, but Lu Yan didn't look back at him, because his towering gaze was trained on the top of Xiao Ning's head. "Let's step out for a moment."
"So are you coming or not? Who do you even know? Acting so grumpy all of a sudden." Lu Yan tossed the phone to Xia Li after he was speaking. "Hello? Xiao Ning, it's mainly because it's been so long since we've seen you, okay? There's no other meaning, so you can relax. I'm not that stingy."
Just let it be, alright? Thinking about it is fine but insisting on making him go hang back and watch was just too much.
"But what about us is there to raise any doubts?" Lu Yan looked into the shop with an inconceivable expression. "We've purely been just brothers over all these years. If we wanted to be together, we would've been together earlier. So why would we wait for him to come intervene?"
After he spoke, he did not wait on Xiao Ning and took the lead to turn, then walked out on his own.
Lu Yan remained silent for a moment, seeming to give the matter serious thought, but then suddenly shouted, "No—you're not moving away! That's what we were discussing, right? Or... or how about I just buy you a house in this neighbourhood?
"Suspicious?" Lu Yan froze, his brows frowning in irritation. "What did he say to you?"
But at present, this habit has already grown far too tiresome.
Right then, Xiao Ning stood as well, sending a placating smile in Xia Li's direction while he said, "We'll only be gone for a short while, so play on your phone in the meantime."
The atmosphere at the table fell into a silence, a silence which made one feel uneasy.
Xia Li then stared at his departing shadow, his lips parting before he began chewing on them.
N/A
Xiao Ning pulled his lips into a smile. "Right... But we understand that, however, Xia Li does not. He also likes you a lot—like, a whole lot."
Ignoring that question, Lu Yan licked his lips, a way in which he displayed his anxiousness. "It's not like it's the first time you've stayed there, so haven't you always stayed there without any issues? What's wrong with it now?"
◈◇◈
Xiao Ning walked out of the restaurant, just in time to be showered by Lu Yan asking: "What do you mean by this?"
Xia Li was startled by Lu Yan's sudden outburst. "Why, what's wrong?"
"What do I mean?" Xiao Ning then asked with a strange expression, "You just left Xia Li on his own in there, I should be asking you what you mean by that. Why are you treating your boyfriend like this?"
Saying this, looked at Lu Yan. I'll be taking this call, so you can go back in first, okay?
Ignoring that question, Lu Yan licked his lips, a way in which he displayed his anxiousness. "It's not like it's the first time you've stayed there, so haven't you always stayed there without any issues? What's wrong with it now?"
"But what about us is there to raise any doubts?" Lu Yan looked into the shop with an inconceivable expression. "We've purely been just brothers over all these years. If we wanted to be together, we would've been together earlier. So why would we wait for him to come intervene?"
"It's really inconvenient, seriously so." Helplessly and meekly, Xiao Ning then added, "And before, your bed... your partners had a time limit, so each time I would think I'd just be staying there for a short time and would just endure the inconvenience when I left. But I think it's possible Xia Li will be staying with you for a long time, so I just thought about renting my own place that's close by."
After he spoke, he did not wait on Xiao Ning and took the lead to turn, then walked out on his own.
Chen Shuyun replied gratefully, "Ah, yes, it does. Your uncle used it to soak his feet and his rheumatism has improved a lot."
"Oh, okay." Xia Li then looked down and chose some dishes from the menu, asking Lu Yan for his opinion from time to time and ordering them a lot of fresh food. Turning his head, Lu Yan asked, "You've been enjoying yourself quite a bit these days, haven't you? You haven't even called once."
The words he spoke were according to reason, and there was no need to move Shan Haiming to block Lu Yan's firm hold.
"Aren't you used to this, though? When you fall in love, I disappear out of sight." Xiao Ning raised his brows, his hands moving to pour tea for all three of them. "Don't irritate a single guy like me, okay?"
Lu Yan remained silent for a moment, seeming to give the matter serious thought, but then suddenly shouted, "No—you're not moving away! That's what we were discussing, right? Or... or how about I just buy you a house in this neighbourhood?
爱屋及乌: love the house and its crow. Is an idiom similar to "Love me and my dog."
But Lu Yan wore a look of his top being blown to high heaven as he blurted out, "Then come back to live with me."
"Oh... Then please tell him to take care of himself on my behalf, as well as, um..." Chen Shuyun's voice was reduced to a whisper, "When will you two return for a visit? By plane, it will take just a couple of hours."
Before, he never could help himself from thinking about Lu Yan, insisting on thinking up some kind of possibility looming in that sort of impossible situation, making him happy for a long time, as he again would tuck it away like something precious—something he would look back on when he grew too weary, so everything would seem as though it was worth it.
They were like a pair of enthusiastic young, the kind that renders the 'single dogs' amongst them blind with their brilliance.
Xiao Ning looked at him with little regard, saying, "Lu Yan, are you kidding me right now? You and your partner are living together as a couple, and I am an outsider. Are trying to piss off me or piss off Xia Li?"
◈◇◈
To this, Xiao Ning then added, "Furthermore, Lu Yan, have you seriously not noticed it? Xia Li has been suspicious of our relationship from the get-go, so if you act like this, even if I jump into the Yellow River, I wouldn't be able to wash myself clean. Am I wrong or not?"
Xiao Ning was unwilling to get tangled up with him over this matter, so he changed the topic. "Your mother called me today. You should give Aunt a call when you have the time, she and Uncle miss you a lot. You should also go back to visit them sometime in the near future."
Xiao Ning thought to himself that it would be troublesome to say he was still playing around all over the place. "Yes, because the company picked up a new project. So it possible he'll be busy for a while."
"Nothing!" Xiao Ning was afraid Lu Yan and Xia Li would fight because of that matter, so he quickly added, "It was because of your carelessness so don't try to blame others. Anybody looking in can see it clearly, and I'm also not blind."
"But what about us is there to raise any doubts?" Lu Yan looked into the shop with an inconceivable expression. "We've purely been just brothers over all these years. If we wanted to be together, we would've been together earlier. So why would we wait for him to come intervene?"
爱屋及乌: love the house and its crow. Is an idiom similar to "Love me and my dog."
"Suspicious?" Lu Yan froze, his brows frowning in irritation. "What did he say to you?"
Knowing he was only joking, Xiao Ning let a smile spread on his face. "Alright then. It'll be my treat, so you two decide on the place and send me the address after you get there."
Xia Li let out a light chuckle at this, sending Xiao Ning a wink when Lu Yan wasn't looking his way.
"Suspicious?" Lu Yan froze, his brows frowning in irritation. "What did he say to you?"
"Nothing!" Xiao Ning was afraid Lu Yan and Xia Li would fight because of that matter, so he quickly added, "It was because of your carelessness so don't try to blame others. Anybody looking in can see it clearly, and I'm also not blind."
It honestly felt a bit strange. He clearly had only rented a house, and even though his feelings couldn't be described as that of rebirth, it did indeed feel as though that life of his which had lain stagnant for too long had finally begun moving forward.
◈◇◈
Tossing the menu to Xia Li, Lu Yan casually asked, "How was your Monday?"
"But what about us is there to raise any doubts?" Lu Yan looked into the shop with an inconceivable expression. "We've purely been just brothers over all these years. If we wanted to be together, we would've been together earlier. So why would we wait for him to come intervene?"
Xiao Ning looked at him with little regard, saying, "Lu Yan, are you kidding me right now? You and your partner are living together as a couple, and I am an outsider. Are trying to piss off me or piss off Xia Li?"
Of course, even then, Lu Yan had yet to have contacted him. Xia Li calls him every day, however, regarding Xiao Ning as his "bestie". One he told of all the places went to entertain themselves, what they had eaten, or what good thing they had watched.
Xia Li and Lu Yan chose a Japanese restaurant again, a self-service one, costing three hundred a person. The two sat side by side and Xiao Ning sat facing them. He had no appetite to speak of, but ultimately still ordered a Japanese-styled meatball hotpot and sea salt grilled shrimp.
Xiao Ning pulled his lips into a smile. "Right... But we understand that, however, Xia Li does not. He also likes you a lot—like, a whole lot."
Lu Yan didn't utter a word, no different than a kid who had his toy stolen, his face covered in unwillingness.
"Aren't you used to this, though? When you fall in love, I disappear out of sight." Xiao Ning raised his brows, his hands moving to pour tea for all three of them. "Don't irritate a single guy like me, okay?"
"It was fine." Xiao Ning then calmly and collectedly brought up the topic: "How was your play?"
◈◇◈
Xia Li sputtered out a chuckle. "Let Lu Yan be the one to treat. He's the one who made me call you out. Okay then, see you in a bit."
Xiao Ning thought to himself that it would be troublesome to say he was still playing around all over the place. "Yes, because the company picked up a new project. So it possible he'll be busy for a while."
The other person he was speaking to should be Lu Yan. Because the person on the line was immediately switched, and Lu Yan's voice when heard sounded more than a little angry. "So now even being invited out for a meal was something you can't do?"
Lu Yan remained silent for a moment, seeming to give the matter serious thought, but then suddenly shouted, "No—you're not moving away! That's what we were discussing, right? Or... or how about I just buy you a house in this neighbourhood?
Chen Shuyun replied gratefully, "Ah, yes, it does. Your uncle used it to soak his feet and his rheumatism has improved a lot."
Having mentioned this, Lu Yan's attention immediately changed, a face saying, spare me the trouble. "We'll discuss it later."
"Oh. It's just that the place I was staying at before was too far from my work, so I asked my friend to find me a closer place." Xiao Ning didn't look up, didn't look at the ones across from him, as he explained to Xia Li in an effort to sidestep Lu Yan's questioning. "So the new place is close and only has one stop between it and my company. It's really convenient. I can even get some more sleep in the morning time."
"Suspicious?" Lu Yan froze, his brows frowning in irritation. "What did he say to you?"
Xia Li let out a light chuckle at this, sending Xiao Ning a wink when Lu Yan wasn't looking his way.
Xiao Ning listened with all smiles, but then Lu Yan interrupted. "Xia Li, let's order first."
They were like a pair of enthusiastic young, the kind that renders the 'single dogs' amongst them blind with their brilliance.
"Listen to me, even if you buy one now, the renovations and delivery would also take a few years, right?" Xiao Ning laughed hopelessly. "So don't worry about it. Oh, I almost forgot, since I met up with you today, can you give me a lift back to your place so I can get my stuff?"
Turning his body around, Xiao Ning said with a smile, "Yep."
Lu Yan didn't utter a word, no different than a kid who had his toy stolen, his face covered in unwillingness.
"It's really inconvenient, seriously so." Helplessly and meekly, Xiao Ning then added, "And before, your bed... your partners had a time limit, so each time I would think I'd just be staying there for a short time and would just endure the inconvenience when I left. But I think it's possible Xia Li will be staying with you for a long time, so I just thought about renting my own place that's close by."
爱屋及乌: love the house and its crow. Is an idiom similar to "Love me and my dog."
Before, he never could help himself from thinking about Lu Yan, insisting on thinking up some kind of possibility looming in that sort of impossible situation, making him happy for a long time, as he again would tuck it away like something precious—something he would look back on when he grew too weary, so everything would seem as though it was worth it.
"Hey, that doesn't matter. It's not like you're an outsider anyhow." Xia Li's laugh was now away from the receiver. "Xiao Ning said he's afraid of disturbing us."
Right now, he may not be able to change it for a while.
Without thinking, Xiao Ning smiled. "You two should go eat as a couple. I'll just be a third wheel if I come along."
"So are you coming or not? Who do you even know? Acting so grumpy all of a sudden." Lu Yan tossed the phone to Xia Li after he was speaking. "Hello? Xiao Ning, it's mainly because it's been so long since we've seen you, okay? There's no other meaning, so you can relax. I'm not that stingy."
Xiao Ning was unwilling to get tangled up with him over this matter, so he changed the topic. "Your mother called me today. You should give Aunt a call when you have the time, she and Uncle miss you a lot. You should also go back to visit them sometime in the near future."
Tossing the menu to Xia Li, Lu Yan casually asked, "How was your Monday?"
Confused, Xia Li looked up at Lu Yan, but Lu Yan didn't look back at him, because his towering gaze was trained on the top of Xiao Ning's head. "Let's step out for a moment."
"Oh... Then please tell him to take care of himself on my behalf, as well as, um..." Chen Shuyun's voice was reduced to a whisper, "When will you two return for a visit? By plane, it will take just a couple of hours."
It honestly felt a bit strange. He clearly had only rented a house, and even though his feelings couldn't be described as that of rebirth, it did indeed feel as though that life of his which had lain stagnant for too long had finally begun moving forward.
◈◇◈
Xia Li and Lu Yan chose a Japanese restaurant again, a self-service one, costing three hundred a person. The two sat side by side and Xiao Ning sat facing them. He had no appetite to speak of, but ultimately still ordered a Japanese-styled meatball hotpot and sea salt grilled shrimp.
I sliver of dread flashed within Xiao Ning's mind, from which he quickly awakened. This was nothing serious, it couldn't be. What was I even thinking?
Having mentioned this, Lu Yan's attention immediately changed, a face saying, spare me the trouble. "We'll discuss it later."
"It was fine." Xiao Ning then calmly and collectedly brought up the topic: "How was your play?"
Right as Xiao Ning was again about to persuade Lu Yan, his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was Shan Haiming and didn't dare not immediately answer. "Hello? Why are you calling right now?"
After saying a few more words of concern for the two elders, Xiao Ning ended the call, a trace of worry for the two entering his mind. If Lu Yan is really serious about Xia Li...
Saying this, looked at Lu Yan. I'll be taking this call, so you can go back in first, okay?
"What do I mean?" Xiao Ning then asked with a strange expression, "You just left Xia Li on his own in there, I should be asking you what you mean by that. Why are you treating your boyfriend like this?"
But once Lu Yan saw how he hurried to answer the call, along with his cheerful tone, and the smile he wore when her answered; for no reason at all, his chest tightened, and without knowing why, he didn't want to leave. So he stood there with arms folded over his chest.
"Suspicious?" Lu Yan froze, his brows frowning in irritation. "What did he say to you?"
Xiao Ning wrinkled his brows, also not knowing what was wrong with that young master.
Xiao Ning was not good at brushing off that excitable boyfriend of Lu Yan's, so with each he received he would only listen patiently, as well as adding a few words to encourage that child-like boyfriend to continue speaking.
Right then, Xiao Ning stood as well, sending a placating smile in Xia Li's direction while he said, "We'll only be gone for a short while, so play on your phone in the meantime."
But Lu Yan paid no mind to why Xia Li had laughed and was not one bit moved by Xiao Ning's statement at all. His voice as he responded was full of reproach. "You're all happy and go-lucky, aren't you? All smiles when you meet someone new but when you meet someone old you're all tears!"
Ignoring that question, Lu Yan licked his lips, a way in which he displayed his anxiousness. "It's not like it's the first time you've stayed there, so haven't you always stayed there without any issues? What's wrong with it now?"
Right as Xiao Ning was again about to persuade Lu Yan, his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was Shan Haiming and didn't dare not immediately answer. "Hello? Why are you calling right now?"
From the other end of the line, Shan Haiming asked, "How enthusiastic... What's wrong, is there someone beside you?"
"It was great, incredibly funny." Xia Li looked up from the menu, just itching to chime in. "Especially the beginning. I laughed so much I thought I would die."
Chen Shuyun replied gratefully, "Ah, yes, it does. Your uncle used it to soak his feet and his rheumatism has improved a lot."
Xiao Ning found an hourly worker to go by and clean the apartment the following day and also went online to buy some electrical appliances he needed. He figured they would arrive at the door around evening time a couple of days later, and such a time frame was alright. In addition to those electrical appliances, Xiao Ning bought a lot of household ones too, his expenses adding up to quite a considerable sum. But it was fine as well, as long as he focussed on how useful they would all be in the future.
◈◇◈
But Lu Yan wore a look of his top being blown to high heaven as he blurted out, "Then come back to live with me."
"Hey, that doesn't matter. It's not like you're an outsider anyhow." Xia Li's laugh was now away from the receiver. "Xiao Ning said he's afraid of disturbing us."
"Oh. It's just that the place I was staying at before was too far from my work, so I asked my friend to find me a closer place." Xiao Ning didn't look up, didn't look at the ones across from him, as he explained to Xia Li in an effort to sidestep Lu Yan's questioning. "So the new place is close and only has one stop between it and my company. It's really convenient. I can even get some more sleep in the morning time."
Turning his body around, Xiao Ning said with a smile, "Yep."
"Got it." Shan Haiming then said simply, "I told my parents."
Xiao Ning wrinkled his brows, also not knowing what was wrong with that young master.
"Suspicious?" Lu Yan froze, his brows frowning in irritation. "What did he say to you?"
Xia Li was startled by Lu Yan's sudden outburst. "Why, what's wrong?"
Lu Yan asked him to call...
But at present, this habit has already grown far too tiresome.
I sliver of dread flashed within Xiao Ning's mind, from which he quickly awakened. This was nothing serious, it couldn't be. What was I even thinking?
"Got it." Shan Haiming then said simply, "I told my parents."
To this, Xiao Ning then added, "Furthermore, Lu Yan, have you seriously not noticed it? Xia Li has been suspicious of our relationship from the get-go, so if you act like this, even if I jump into the Yellow River, I wouldn't be able to wash myself clean. Am I wrong or not?"
Those two elders having their hearts broken, or Lu Yan being put in a difficult position... Neither of those things was something Xiao Ning wanted to see.
Just let it be, alright? Thinking about it is fine but insisting on making him go hang back and watch was just too much.
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