The Long Road Ahead: C19
Found Out
This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)
The meals were already placed on the table, yet Xia Li hadn't moved his chopsticks, nor did he play on his phone. All he did was sit there wearing a blank expression on his face.
His tone did not sound good, the young master's temper seemed on the verge of breaking loose. But, fortunately, he recalled he and Xiao Ning had made up not too long ago, so he stiffly allowed a smile to bloom on his face instead. "Hey, hey, hey. You're not being nice at all, are you? Like, who the heck are you, huh? Acting so secretive and whatnot. You know every single one of my friends, so why are you keeping this buddy of yours tucked and hidden away so tightly, hm?"
Xiao Ning felt a great deal of guilt towards Xia Li, so regardless of how much Lu Yan and Xia Li's behaviour was out of his control, the person at the centre of this matter was still him at the end of the day.
Nevertheless, Xiao Ning still explained in a gentle tone, "I need to go to someone's house. So it is inconvenient, okay?"
"Sorry, I got a call just now, from an old classmate. Lu Yan knew them too, so we all talked together for a bit." Xiao Ning looked at Lu Yan, whose attitude towards him wasn't exactly kind, nonetheless, he said nothing to refute Xiao Ning's words.
Looking on at Lu Yan from the sidelines, he unconsciously grew anxious, unwilling to think of how he seemed more like a man interrogating his own boyfriend he suspected of cheating, Xia Li's grip on his chopsticks tightened, before he finally couldn't help but spit out, "Could you be heading to your boyfriend's place, maybe?"
This was the first time he had ever seen Lu Yan's face so unsightly. It was so unsightly he was completely confused. Why does he look so incredibly mad?
It has to be because Xiao Ning never told me something this big. When have I ever kept a partner a secret from him? Is our brotherhood just something used for show?
Xia Li said nothing about it, not smiling, only stiffly saying, "Let's eat."
Xia Li never looked at Lu Yan, however, only grinning happily as he poured more tea for Xiao Ning and himself. "This is a good thing. So when are you going to bring him over so we can meet? Maybe we can even go on a double date. I've always wanted to try one so bad."
Is this anger?
Until the car stopped at the entrance of the apartment building, because the headlights of the cars were so bright and dazzling, Xiao Ning had laid his forehead on the glass of the window borrowing its cold. His gaze was aimed at the pillar of the entrance, where there was a person crouched there hugging their knees. "Stop the car!"
。
Xia Li said nothing about it, not smiling, only stiffly saying, "Let's eat."
Thanking him, Xiao Ning then scratched his nose and replied, "Let's do it next time. I still have to go over to his family's house, and I have no idea if it's going to be a Red Wedding or not."
Looking on at Lu Yan from the sidelines, he unconsciously grew anxious, unwilling to think of how he seemed more like a man interrogating his own boyfriend he suspected of cheating, Xia Li's grip on his chopsticks tightened, before he finally couldn't help but spit out, "Could you be heading to your boyfriend's place, maybe?"
First, Xiao Ning sent Xiao Ning a smile, then when he turned his head to do the same to Lu Yan his smile could not hold up.
All the words he had prepared earlier as excuses, in that very instant, had become forgotten.
Xiao Ning shot Lu Yan a look, meaning for him to see his sin and quickly coaxed him.
"Why is it such a big deal?" Lu Yan let out a few sneering laughs. "You really don't see me as a friend, Xiao Ning."
"Xiao'Ning, this weekend I have another appointment." However, Lu Yan directed the topic towards him. "So hang out with him again then."
"...even though I had always seen you date other people of the same sex, and not caring about something like that, when it came to me, I... I still found myself scared to say anything to you." Xiao Ning felt he really wasn't cut out for telling lies. Once you tell one single lie, just to keep it all intact, you have to tell more and more lies. He was tired. "I wanted to figure it out myself first before telling you."
When that person heard Xiao Ning calling, he lifted his head, and who could it be if not Xia Li? When he saw Xiao Ning rushing over to him, and before Xiao Ning could squat down or pull him up, Xia Li suddenly stood up, raised his hand and sent a fist towards Xiao Ning.
Not knowing what to do, Xiao Ning pulled out his phone to call Xia Li, but unsurprisingly, his phone was turned off.
"Sit back down!" Lu Yan roared to a shocked Xiao Ning, the entire restaurant brought to an instant silence by his growl. Sensing many prying gazes were being sent their way, Xiao Ning awkwardly looked to his left and right and had no choice but to sit down, before he whispered, "Lu Yan, you need to calm down, why is this such a big deal anyhow? What are you even so mad about?"
It has to be because Xiao Ning never told me something this big. When have I ever kept a partner a secret from him? Is our brotherhood just something used for show?
Lu Yan always had a way of sweet-talking people—even if he didn't say a word, as long as he kept smiling at the other person, eventually that person would have their anger quelled just by his smile alone. Sure enough, not long after, Xia Li began chatting and smiling at him again.
Xiao Ning shot Lu Yan a look, meaning for him to see his sin and quickly coaxed him.
Xiao Ning lowered his head and ate his food, acting as if he saw nothing, and trying his best to shink his presence.
"Woah!" Xia Li cried out, shocked to the extreme. He no longer cared for nursing his irritation, as his eyes were now pulled wide like a cat's. "You're meeting his parents! He's taking you to meet his parents?! Oh my god! He came out?!
A slam sounded, the just-poured tea swaying in its cup wildly.
Thanking him, Xiao Ning then scratched his nose and replied, "Let's do it next time. I still have to go over to his family's house, and I have no idea if it's going to be a Red Wedding or not."
"Xiao'Ning, this weekend I have another appointment." However, Lu Yan directed the topic towards him. "So hang out with him again then."
He was then hit by a sudden burst of inspiration, "Is he the reason for you moving out?"
With a smile, Xia Li asked, "What's wrong with you?"
This was the first time he had ever seen Lu Yan's face so unsightly. It was so unsightly he was completely confused. Why does he look so incredibly mad?
The entire table was now silent.
With a smile, Xia Li asked, "What's wrong with you?"
"Why is it such a big deal?" Lu Yan let out a few sneering laughs. "You really don't see me as a friend, Xiao Ning."
But monstrous billows of anger covered Lu Yan's heart in a searing pain. It felt strange—too strange. He felt betrayed, hurt, disappointed...—he felt it to the point of wanting to flip over the table!
A slam sounded, the just-poured tea swaying in its cup wildly.
N/A
Ignoring the odd sentiment in his words, Lu Yan motioned to Xiao Ning with his chin. "Say that to him. Hurry up and ask you Xiao-ge to take you around."
Xia Li lifted a cup, wishing from the bottom of his heart, "Congratulations."
Xiao Ning felt a great deal of guilt towards Xia Li, so regardless of how much Lu Yan and Xia Li's behaviour was out of his control, the person at the centre of this matter was still him at the end of the day.
"What I'm going on about? Xiao Ning stood up. "We need to go find Xia Li and bring him back first. He's in a place he doesn't know and he just ran out of here, what are you going to do if he gets lost!"
But... only for the time being.
After saying this, he rose from his seat and rushed out of the restaurant.
Xiao Ning swallowed the food in his mouth, releasing a hard internal sigh, replying slowly, "I'm sorry, but it's inconvenient."
Was Xiao Ning really speaking nonsense, though? There was still a sliver of reason in his mind. Aren't the one who cares the least about these things? What do time and falling for someone have to do with each other?
When that person heard Xiao Ning calling, he lifted his head, and who could it be if not Xia Li? When he saw Xiao Ning rushing over to him, and before Xiao Ning could squat down or pull him up, Xia Li suddenly stood up, raised his hand and sent a fist towards Xiao Ning.
With a smile, Xia Li asked, "What's wrong with you?"
"What I'm going on about? Xiao Ning stood up. "We need to go find Xia Li and bring him back first. He's in a place he doesn't know and he just ran out of here, what are you going to do if he gets lost!"
Did this guy eat dynamite? Why is he so mad? Only thinking of calming Lu Yan down, Xiao Ning replied carefully, "You were the one who once said that time doesn't matter for things like this.
Never expecting him to refuse, Lu Yan asked in return without thinking, "Inconvenient? Why is it inconvenient?"
After the shocking anger that blew over him as a violent surge of wind passed, Lu Yan felt his entire chest tremble, shaking as though he had exerted his strength. And now, little by little, that hole was being filled with water that was ice-cold. "Your... boyfriend?"
His tone did not sound good, the young master's temper seemed on the verge of breaking loose. But, fortunately, he recalled he and Xiao Ning had made up not too long ago, so he stiffly allowed a smile to bloom on his face instead. "Hey, hey, hey. You're not being nice at all, are you? Like, who the heck are you, huh? Acting so secretive and whatnot. You know every single one of my friends, so why are you keeping this buddy of yours tucked and hidden away so tightly, hm?"
After saying this, he rose from his seat and rushed out of the restaurant.
Not one bit of Xia Li's expression looked any better, as he cast a ridiculing look towards Xiao Ning from the corner of his eye, then flicked his head away. "You two should talk. I'm leaving first."
He was a little scared of what Lu Yan would think of him. "Anyhow, something like this isn't something another person can influence me into doing in any way, it's all natural. You should be able to understand that as well. So please hurry and call Xia Li, alright?"
Forget about Xiao Ning who knew him well enough, even Xia Li could hear the rage contained in his words, the sound of it alone enough to cause goosebumps to rise. Lu Yan's entire body gave off an imposing aura, the kind that stabbed a person right through. From his seat right beside him, Xia Li could not bear it, so after letting out a dry laugh, he planned on saying a few teasing words to ease the atmosphere. "Lu Yan—"
They both smiled at each other with no gaps between them. At the same time, Xiao Ning was relieved and used the cover of taking a drink to spy on Lu Yan from the corner of his eyes. Lu Yan looked as though he was knocked on the head by a hammer flying from the sky, his face completely frozen stiff.
"Xiao'Ning, this weekend I have another appointment." However, Lu Yan directed the topic towards him. "So hang out with him again then."
Xiao Ning felt a great deal of guilt towards Xia Li, so regardless of how much Lu Yan and Xia Li's behaviour was out of his control, the person at the centre of this matter was still him at the end of the day.
His tone had unconsciously carried a bit of flattery, tugging a smile out of Xia Li, a sincere one this time, as if he was watching a good show.
This time, even if Xiao Ning didn't want to, he had to get into whatever this matter was, so he urged, "I was wrong for keeping this from you, but you need to understand that this matter also has a significant impact on me as well. You're also dating Xia Li right now, so how could it be good for me to go disturbing you guys?"
The way he looked at Xiao Ning was completely different now. Apart from his shock, there was now a great deal of admiration and envy. Someone who made their sexuality public to their family and inner circle is not someone who was honestly in the same class as him at all.
Lu Yan's mind was a mess, too much of a mess to care about Xia Li. He thought about a lot of things with not much sense or order. Things he thought he understood as clear as day before, but were now all suddenly incomprehensible. His thoughts felt as though they were weightless, floating, having no place where they could land. In a state of panic, he cast his gaze towards Xiao Ning, asking, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Xiao'Ning, this weekend I have another appointment." However, Lu Yan directed the topic towards him. "So hang out with him again then."
The hotpot before him now bubbled, and Xiao Ning's heart resembled one of those balls of meat boiling inside it, tumbling and rolling around with no end in sight. He then reached for one of the shrimp balls, dipping it in a sauce before replying, "I'm meeting his parents."
Nevertheless, Xiao Ning still explained in a gentle tone, "I need to go to someone's house. So it is inconvenient, okay?"
Xiao Ning was speechless. He was the one who prepared that entire excuse, and here Lu Yan was putting it together on his own, proving there was some commonality in imagination with regard to such matters. "A part of it is, but it was mostly because of the distance from my job."
Did this guy eat dynamite? Why is he so mad? Only thinking of calming Lu Yan down, Xiao Ning replied carefully, "You were the one who once said that time doesn't matter for things like this.
"Sorry, I got a call just now, from an old classmate. Lu Yan knew them too, so we all talked together for a bit." Xiao Ning looked at Lu Yan, whose attitude towards him wasn't exactly kind, nonetheless, he said nothing to refute Xiao Ning's words.
Xiao Ning was speechless. He was the one who prepared that entire excuse, and here Lu Yan was putting it together on his own, proving there was some commonality in imagination with regard to such matters. "A part of it is, but it was mostly because of the distance from my job."
Within Lu Yan's eyes, the signs of a storm were brewing. "What are you going on about? You need to explain yourself to me clearly right now."
"Someone's house?" The subject of the conversation Xiao Ning had with that other person not long ago did not sound like one for a simple get-together. Lu Yan began forming a vague idea of what it could be, but it was simply too unimaginable. He did not want to think of it, however, with the unexpected situations occurring he felt he had to ask for further clarification. "Why are you going over to some person's house?"
Found Out
Not knowing what to do, Xiao Ning pulled out his phone to call Xia Li, but unsurprisingly, his phone was turned off.
Looking on at Lu Yan from the sidelines, he unconsciously grew anxious, unwilling to think of how he seemed more like a man interrogating his own boyfriend he suspected of cheating, Xia Li's grip on his chopsticks tightened, before he finally couldn't help but spit out, "Could you be heading to your boyfriend's place, maybe?"
Xia Li didn't have any identification on him, nor did he carry a lot of money. He didn't have any family or friends in A-City either, so the odds of him having some sort of mishap were high.
Is this anger?
Looking on at Lu Yan from the sidelines, he unconsciously grew anxious, unwilling to think of how he seemed more like a man interrogating his own boyfriend he suspected of cheating, Xia Li's grip on his chopsticks tightened, before he finally couldn't help but spit out, "Could you be heading to your boyfriend's place, maybe?"
Forget about Xiao Ning who knew him well enough, even Xia Li could hear the rage contained in his words, the sound of it alone enough to cause goosebumps to rise. Lu Yan's entire body gave off an imposing aura, the kind that stabbed a person right through. From his seat right beside him, Xia Li could not bear it, so after letting out a dry laugh, he planned on saying a few teasing words to ease the atmosphere. "Lu Yan—"
The meals were already placed on the table, yet Xia Li hadn't moved his chopsticks, nor did he play on his phone. All he did was sit there wearing a blank expression on his face.
But... only for the time being.
Looking on at Lu Yan from the sidelines, he unconsciously grew anxious, unwilling to think of how he seemed more like a man interrogating his own boyfriend he suspected of cheating, Xia Li's grip on his chopsticks tightened, before he finally couldn't help but spit out, "Could you be heading to your boyfriend's place, maybe?"
They both smiled at each other with no gaps between them. At the same time, Xiao Ning was relieved and used the cover of taking a drink to spy on Lu Yan from the corner of his eyes. Lu Yan looked as though he was knocked on the head by a hammer flying from the sky, his face completely frozen stiff.
In the end... this could no longer be avoided.
Lu Yan stopped the car out of instinct, and without waiting for it to come to a full stop, Xiao Ning opened to door and ran over. "Xia Li!"
After saying this, he rose from his seat and rushed out of the restaurant.
The way he looked at Xiao Ning was completely different now. Apart from his shock, there was now a great deal of admiration and envy. Someone who made their sexuality public to their family and inner circle is not someone who was honestly in the same class as him at all.
The hotpot before him now bubbled, and Xiao Ning's heart resembled one of those balls of meat boiling inside it, tumbling and rolling around with no end in sight. He then reached for one of the shrimp balls, dipping it in a sauce before replying, "I'm meeting his parents."
But the flames of Lu Yan's rage were far too heated, so much so, that they had most likely burned his personable instincts to a crisp, making him not concerned about anything—making him spit out a "shut up" to cut Xia Li's words short, evoking a cold smile that made Xiao Ning confused. "You're quite the capable one aren't you, Xiao Ning? Coming out? Meeting the parents? I've been living with you in the same house for so long, yet I never had the slightest clue at all."
But the flames of Lu Yan's rage were far too heated, so much so, that they had most likely burned his personable instincts to a crisp, making him not concerned about anything—making him spit out a "shut up" to cut Xia Li's words short, evoking a cold smile that made Xiao Ning confused. "You're quite the capable one aren't you, Xiao Ning? Coming out? Meeting the parents? I've been living with you in the same house for so long, yet I never had the slightest clue at all."
Lu Yan's mount began moving, his words spoken slowly, but his tone was low and deep. "This has to be a joke."
He was then hit by a sudden burst of inspiration, "Is he the reason for you moving out?"
Did this guy eat dynamite? Why is he so mad? Only thinking of calming Lu Yan down, Xiao Ning replied carefully, "You were the one who once said that time doesn't matter for things like this.
"Woah!" Xia Li cried out, shocked to the extreme. He no longer cared for nursing his irritation, as his eyes were now pulled wide like a cat's. "You're meeting his parents! He's taking you to meet his parents?! Oh my god! He came out?!
Lu Yan's mind was a mess, too much of a mess to care about Xia Li. He thought about a lot of things with not much sense or order. Things he thought he understood as clear as day before, but were now all suddenly incomprehensible. His thoughts felt as though they were weightless, floating, having no place where they could land. In a state of panic, he cast his gaze towards Xiao Ning, asking, "Why didn't you tell me?"
Although coming out did not mean a couple would be able to be together either, bonds of marriage between different sexes can also end in divorce. But being able to make such a step was not easy, and he, himself, had no intention of doing so for the time being.
"He turned off his phone." Xiao Ning drew his brows into a knit, turning to look up at Lu Yan, who had yet to have returned to his senses, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "What are you still thinking about, we need to leave now, we have to hurry up and find your boyfriend. Who can relax when a kid is running about who knows where?"
Xiao Ning lifted his gaze, a smile lining his eyes as he looked at Xia Li. In response, Xia Li held his mouth, coughing twice, before a slight blush tinged his entire face. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... I was just so shocked, you know? Coming out to one's family is just..."
Not knowing what to do, Xiao Ning pulled out his phone to call Xia Li, but unsurprisingly, his phone was turned off.
Thus, he shook his head the replied wearily, "Later, let's keep looking first."
A slam sounded, the just-poured tea swaying in its cup wildly.
"Is it really that serious? It's not like he's a three-year-old child. How can someone get abducted in just one night?" Because of the matter with Xiao Ning, Lu Yan was in a piss-poor mood. Never in his life had he been so tolerant of another person's capricious behaviour. He had been busying about until such a late hour yet no sign of the person could be seen, so once more his anger rose. "He has no sense at all."
But... only for the time being.
The way he looked at Xiao Ning was completely different now. Apart from his shock, there was now a great deal of admiration and envy. Someone who made their sexuality public to their family and inner circle is not someone who was honestly in the same class as him at all.
With a smile, Xia Li asked, "What's wrong with you?"
。
Xiao Ning was so worried he was on the verge of getting upset. "If we don't spot him let's head to the police station to report him missing."
Although coming out did not mean a couple would be able to be together either, bonds of marriage between different sexes can also end in divorce. But being able to make such a step was not easy, and he, himself, had no intention of doing so for the time being.
"Xia Li!" Xiao Ning was taken aback. He never expected the situation to take such a sudden turn for the worse. He predicted that Lu Yan wouldn't be all that happy, because the young master Lu Yan had always been irritated whenever he got close to anyone else. But the scale of his reaction being this large went far beyond his expectations. "Lu Yan, you need to hurry up and go after Xia Li!"
But... only for the time being.
"Xiao'Ning, this weekend I have another appointment." However, Lu Yan directed the topic towards him. "So hang out with him again then."
After saying this, he rose from his seat and rushed out of the restaurant.
After saying this, he rose from his seat and rushed out of the restaurant.
Xia Li lifted a cup, wishing from the bottom of his heart, "Congratulations."
Xiao Ning lifted his gaze, a smile lining his eyes as he looked at Xia Li. In response, Xia Li held his mouth, coughing twice, before a slight blush tinged his entire face. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... I was just so shocked, you know? Coming out to one's family is just..."
Xia Li lifted a cup, wishing from the bottom of his heart, "Congratulations."
This matter had impacted him greatly, it was something Xiao Ning could imagine. After all, Lu Yan was angry with him before for not being transparent, so according to Lu Yan's logic, this matter was akin to high treason.
To which, Xiao Ning smiled, and said in return, "Thank you."
Thanking him, Xiao Ning then scratched his nose and replied, "Let's do it next time. I still have to go over to his family's house, and I have no idea if it's going to be a Red Wedding or not."
His tone had unconsciously carried a bit of flattery, tugging a smile out of Xia Li, a sincere one this time, as if he was watching a good show.
It has to be because Xiao Ning never told me something this big. When have I ever kept a partner a secret from him? Is our brotherhood just something used for show?
Xiao Ning shot Lu Yan a look, meaning for him to see his sin and quickly coaxed him.
Closing his eyes, Lu Yan did his best to calm himself down. Upon opening his eyes, he seemed to have sobered up, again going on to ask, "When did you bend?"
They both smiled at each other with no gaps between them. At the same time, Xiao Ning was relieved and used the cover of taking a drink to spy on Lu Yan from the corner of his eyes. Lu Yan looked as though he was knocked on the head by a hammer flying from the sky, his face completely frozen stiff.
"Stop spouting nonsense!" Lu Yan's fists clenched tightly on top of the table, unable to slam them onto to table once more.
But monstrous billows of anger covered Lu Yan's heart in a searing pain. It felt strange—too strange. He felt betrayed, hurt, disappointed...—he felt it to the point of wanting to flip over the table!
Xiao Ning was so worried he was on the verge of getting upset. "If we don't spot him let's head to the police station to report him missing."
This matter had impacted him greatly, it was something Xiao Ning could imagine. After all, Lu Yan was angry with him before for not being transparent, so according to Lu Yan's logic, this matter was akin to high treason.
He was a little scared of what Lu Yan would think of him. "Anyhow, something like this isn't something another person can influence me into doing in any way, it's all natural. You should be able to understand that as well. So please hurry and call Xia Li, alright?"
Xia Li never looked at Lu Yan, however, only grinning happily as he poured more tea for Xiao Ning and himself. "This is a good thing. So when are you going to bring him over so we can meet? Maybe we can even go on a double date. I've always wanted to try one so bad."
Within Lu Yan's eyes, the signs of a storm were brewing. "What are you going on about? You need to explain yourself to me clearly right now."
Thanking him, Xiao Ning then scratched his nose and replied, "Let's do it next time. I still have to go over to his family's house, and I have no idea if it's going to be a Red Wedding or not.[1]"
Although coming out did not mean a couple would be able to be together either, bonds of marriage between different sexes can also end in divorce. But being able to make such a step was not easy, and he, himself, had no intention of doing so for the time being.
A slam sounded, the just-poured tea swaying in its cup wildly.
Lu wasn't scatterbrained enough to neglect taking responsibility in this situation. In any case, Xia Li was still special to him, so he drove Xiao Ning around A-City like a headless chicken looking every and which way. But it wasn't until three in the morning before Xia Li was spotted.
But monstrous billows of anger covered Lu Yan's heart in a searing pain. It felt strange—too strange. He felt betrayed, hurt, disappointed...—he felt it to the point of wanting to flip over the table!
"Sorry, I got a call just now, from an old classmate. Lu Yan knew them too, so we all talked together for a bit." Xiao Ning looked at Lu Yan, whose attitude towards him wasn't exactly kind, nonetheless, he said nothing to refute Xiao Ning's words.
The entire table was now silent.
First, Xiao Ning sent Xiao Ning a smile, then when he turned his head to do the same to Lu Yan his smile could not hold up.
First, Xiao Ning sent Xiao Ning a smile, then when he turned his head to do the same to Lu Yan his smile could not hold up.
"Someone's house?" The subject of the conversation Xiao Ning had with that other person not long ago did not sound like one for a simple get-together. Lu Yan began forming a vague idea of what it could be, but it was simply too unimaginable. He did not want to think of it, however, with the unexpected situations occurring he felt he had to ask for further clarification. "Why are you going over to some person's house?"
This was the first time he had ever seen Lu Yan's face so unsightly. It was so unsightly he was completely confused. Why does he look so incredibly mad?
Ignoring the odd sentiment in his words, Lu Yan motioned to Xiao Ning with his chin. "Say that to him. Hurry up and ask you Xiao-ge to take you around."
。
It has to be because Xiao Ning never told me something this big. When have I ever kept a partner a secret from him? Is our brotherhood just something used for show?
"Xia Li!" Xiao Ning was taken aback. He never expected the situation to take such a sudden turn for the worse. He predicted that Lu Yan wouldn't be all that happy, because the young master Lu Yan had always been irritated whenever he got close to anyone else. But the scale of his reaction being this large went far beyond his expectations. "Lu Yan, you need to hurry up and go after Xia Li!"
This matter had impacted him greatly, it was something Xiao Ning could imagine. After all, Lu Yan was angry with him before for not being transparent, so according to Lu Yan's logic, this matter was akin to high treason.
All the words he had prepared earlier as excuses, in that very instant, had become forgotten.
Lu Yan's mind was a mess, too much of a mess to care about Xia Li. He thought about a lot of things with not much sense or order. Things he thought he understood as clear as day before, but were now all suddenly incomprehensible. His thoughts felt as though they were weightless, floating, having no place where they could land. In a state of panic, he cast his gaze towards Xiao Ning, asking, "Why didn't you tell me?"
All the words he had prepared earlier as excuses, in that very instant, had become forgotten.
Never expecting him to refuse, Lu Yan asked in return without thinking, "Inconvenient? Why is it inconvenient?"
The bubbling hotpot began to simmer, its pale steam no longer rising high but instead scattered into nothingness.
Xia Li said nothing about it, not smiling, only stiffly saying, "Let's eat."
"Why is it such a big deal?" Lu Yan let out a few sneering laughs. "You really don't see me as a friend, Xiao Ning."
He waited for a while, only peering at Lu Yan's face, a face seeming astounded to where he appeared to be driven out of his wits. Making him wonder: What about this is worth you being startled to such a degree?
Lu Yan's mount began moving, his words spoken slowly, but his tone was low and deep. "This has to be a joke."
But... only for the time being.
To which, Xiao Ning smiled, and said in return, "Thank you."
He was a little scared of what Lu Yan would think of him. "Anyhow, something like this isn't something another person can influence me into doing in any way, it's all natural. You should be able to understand that as well. So please hurry and call Xia Li, alright?"
"Xiao'Ning, this weekend I have another appointment." However, Lu Yan directed the topic towards him. "So hang out with him again then."
All the words he had prepared earlier as excuses, in that very instant, had become forgotten.
Xia Li said nothing about it, not smiling, only stiffly saying, "Let's eat."
"Stop spouting nonsense!" Lu Yan's fists clenched tightly on top of the table, unable to slam them onto to table once more.
Forget about Xiao Ning who knew him well enough, even Xia Li could hear the rage contained in his words, the sound of it alone enough to cause goosebumps to rise. Lu Yan's entire body gave off an imposing aura, the kind that stabbed a person right through. From his seat right beside him, Xia Li could not bear it, so after letting out a dry laugh, he planned on saying a few teasing words to ease the atmosphere. "Lu Yan—"
"...even though I had always seen you date other people of the same sex, and not caring about something like that, when it came to me, I... I still found myself scared to say anything to you." Xiao Ning felt he really wasn't cut out for telling lies. Once you tell one single lie, just to keep it all intact, you have to tell more and more lies. He was tired. "I wanted to figure it out myself first before telling you."
But the flames of Lu Yan's rage were far too heated, so much so, that they had most likely burned his personable instincts to a crisp, making him not concerned about anything—making him spit out a "shut up" to cut Xia Li's words short, evoking a cold smile that made Xiao Ning confused. "You're quite the capable one aren't you, Xiao Ning? Coming out? Meeting the parents? I've been living with you in the same house for so long, yet I never had the slightest clue at all."
Closing his eyes, Lu Yan did his best to calm himself down. Upon opening his eyes, he seemed to have sobered up, again going on to ask, "When did you bend?"
N/A
"Someone's house?" The subject of the conversation Xiao Ning had with that other person not long ago did not sound like one for a simple get-together. Lu Yan began forming a vague idea of what it could be, but it was simply too unimaginable. He did not want to think of it, however, with the unexpected situations occurring he felt he had to ask for further clarification. "Why are you going over to some person's house?"
Not one bit of Xia Li's expression looked any better, as he cast a ridiculing look towards Xiao Ning from the corner of his eye, then flicked his head away. "You two should talk. I'm leaving first."
When that person heard Xiao Ning calling, he lifted his head, and who could it be if not Xia Li? When he saw Xiao Ning rushing over to him, and before Xiao Ning could squat down or pull him up, Xia Li suddenly stood up, raised his hand and sent a fist towards Xiao Ning.
Xia Li never looked at Lu Yan, however, only grinning happily as he poured more tea for Xiao Ning and himself. "This is a good thing. So when are you going to bring him over so we can meet? Maybe we can even go on a double date. I've always wanted to try one so bad."
"Sit back down!" Lu Yan roared to a shocked Xiao Ning, the entire restaurant brought to an instant silence by his growl. Sensing many prying gazes were being sent their way, Xiao Ning awkwardly looked to his left and right and had no choice but to sit down, before he whispered, "Lu Yan, you need to calm down, why is this such a big deal anyhow? What are you even so mad about?"
Xia Li didn't have any identification on him, nor did he carry a lot of money. He didn't have any family or friends in A-City either, so the odds of him having some sort of mishap were high.
Although coming out did not mean a couple would be able to be together either, bonds of marriage between different sexes can also end in divorce. But being able to make such a step was not easy, and he, himself, had no intention of doing so for the time being.
After saying this, he rose from his seat and rushed out of the restaurant.
"What I'm going on about? Xiao Ning stood up. "We need to go find Xia Li and bring him back first. He's in a place he doesn't know and he just ran out of here, what are you going to do if he gets lost!"
This matter had impacted him greatly, it was something Xiao Ning could imagine. After all, Lu Yan was angry with him before for not being transparent, so according to Lu Yan's logic, this matter was akin to high treason.
"Xia Li!" Xiao Ning was taken aback. He never expected the situation to take such a sudden turn for the worse. He predicted that Lu Yan wouldn't be all that happy, because the young master Lu Yan had always been irritated whenever he got close to anyone else. But the scale of his reaction being this large went far beyond his expectations. "Lu Yan, you need to hurry up and go after Xia Li!"
Nevertheless, Xiao Ning still explained in a gentle tone, "I need to go to someone's house. So it is inconvenient, okay?"
"Stop spouting nonsense!" Lu Yan's fists clenched tightly on top of the table, unable to slam them onto to table once more.
"Xia Li!" Xiao Ning was taken aback. He never expected the situation to take such a sudden turn for the worse. He predicted that Lu Yan wouldn't be all that happy, because the young master Lu Yan had always been irritated whenever he got close to anyone else. But the scale of his reaction being this large went far beyond his expectations. "Lu Yan, you need to hurry up and go after Xia Li!"
Nevertheless, Xiao Ning still explained in a gentle tone, "I need to go to someone's house. So it is inconvenient, okay?"
All the words he had prepared earlier as excuses, in that very instant, had become forgotten.
The meals were already placed on the table, yet Xia Li hadn't moved his chopsticks, nor did he play on his phone. All he did was sit there wearing a blank expression on his face.
Xiao Ning felt a great deal of guilt towards Xia Li, so regardless of how much Lu Yan and Xia Li's behaviour was out of his control, the person at the centre of this matter was still him at the end of the day.
The meals were already placed on the table, yet Xia Li hadn't moved his chopsticks, nor did he play on his phone. All he did was sit there wearing a blank expression on his face.
Lu Yan's mount began moving, his words spoken slowly, but his tone was low and deep. "This has to be a joke."
All the words he had prepared earlier as excuses, in that very instant, had become forgotten.
Within Lu Yan's eyes, the signs of a storm were brewing. "What are you going on about? You need to explain yourself to me clearly right now."
"He turned off his phone." Xiao Ning drew his brows into a knit, turning to look up at Lu Yan, who had yet to have returned to his senses, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "What are you still thinking about, we need to leave now, we have to hurry up and find your boyfriend. Who can relax when a kid is running about who knows where?"
He was a little scared of what Lu Yan would think of him. "Anyhow, something like this isn't something another person can influence me into doing in any way, it's all natural. You should be able to understand that as well. So please hurry and call Xia Li, alright?"
But the flames of Lu Yan's rage were far too heated, so much so, that they had most likely burned his personable instincts to a crisp, making him not concerned about anything—making him spit out a "shut up" to cut Xia Li's words short, evoking a cold smile that made Xiao Ning confused. "You're quite the capable one aren't you, Xiao Ning? Coming out? Meeting the parents? I've been living with you in the same house for so long, yet I never had the slightest clue at all."
He was then hit by a sudden burst of inspiration, "Is he the reason for you moving out?"
"Xiao'Ning, this weekend I have another appointment." However, Lu Yan directed the topic towards him. "So hang out with him again then."
Closing his eyes, Lu Yan did his best to calm himself down. Upon opening his eyes, he seemed to have sobered up, again going on to ask, "When did you bend?"
Seeing the person across from him was finally willing to speak properly, Xiao Ning finally relaxed himself somewhat. "That's not important."
"What I'm going on about? Xiao Ning stood up. "We need to go find Xia Li and bring him back first. He's in a place he doesn't know and he just ran out of here, what are you going to do if he gets lost!"
"Look, look, look! He's the one that wanted to run off! Whatever happens to him will serve him right, we're heading back right now!"
They both smiled at each other with no gaps between them. At the same time, Xiao Ning was relieved and used the cover of taking a drink to spy on Lu Yan from the corner of his eyes. Lu Yan looked as though he was knocked on the head by a hammer flying from the sky, his face completely frozen stiff.
A slam sounded, the just-poured tea swaying in its cup wildly.
Xiao Ning felt a great deal of guilt towards Xia Li, so regardless of how much Lu Yan and Xia Li's behaviour was out of his control, the person at the centre of this matter was still him at the end of the day.
"Xia Li!" Xiao Ning was taken aback. He never expected the situation to take such a sudden turn for the worse. He predicted that Lu Yan wouldn't be all that happy, because the young master Lu Yan had always been irritated whenever he got close to anyone else. But the scale of his reaction being this large went far beyond his expectations. "Lu Yan, you need to hurry up and go after Xia Li!"
Xiao Ning shot Lu Yan a look, meaning for him to see his sin and quickly coaxed him.
This time, even if Xiao Ning didn't want to, he had to get into whatever this matter was, so he urged, "I was wrong for keeping this from you, but you need to understand that this matter also has a significant impact on me as well. You're also dating Xia Li right now, so how could it be good for me to go disturbing you guys?"
"Sit back down!" Lu Yan roared to a shocked Xiao Ning, the entire restaurant brought to an instant silence by his growl. Sensing many prying gazes were being sent their way, Xiao Ning awkwardly looked to his left and right and had no choice but to sit down, before he whispered, "Lu Yan, you need to calm down, why is this such a big deal anyhow? What are you even so mad about?"
Is this anger?
"Someone's house?" The subject of the conversation Xiao Ning had with that other person not long ago did not sound like one for a simple get-together. Lu Yan began forming a vague idea of what it could be, but it was simply too unimaginable. He did not want to think of it, however, with the unexpected situations occurring he felt he had to ask for further clarification. "Why are you going over to some person's house?"
Was Xiao Ning really speaking nonsense, though? There was still a sliver of reason in his mind. Aren't the one who cares the least about these things? What do time and falling for someone have to do with each other?
Thanking him, Xiao Ning then scratched his nose and replied, "Let's do it next time. I still have to go over to his family's house, and I have no idea if it's going to be a Red Wedding or not."
The bubbling hotpot began to simmer, its pale steam no longer rising high but instead scattered into nothingness.
"Why is it such a big deal?" Lu Yan let out a few sneering laughs. "You really don't see me as a friend, Xiao Ning."
It has to be because Xiao Ning never told me something this big. When have I ever kept a partner a secret from him? Is our brotherhood just something used for show?
"Why is it such a big deal?" Lu Yan let out a few sneering laughs. "You really don't see me as a friend, Xiao Ning."
In the end... this could no longer be avoided.
But monstrous billows of anger covered Lu Yan's heart in a searing pain. It felt strange—too strange. He felt betrayed, hurt, disappointed...—he felt it to the point of wanting to flip over the table!
This matter had impacted him greatly, it was something Xiao Ning could imagine. After all, Lu Yan was angry with him before for not being transparent, so according to Lu Yan's logic, this matter was akin to high treason.
Looking on at Lu Yan from the sidelines, he unconsciously grew anxious, unwilling to think of how he seemed more like a man interrogating his own boyfriend he suspected of cheating, Xia Li's grip on his chopsticks tightened, before he finally couldn't help but spit out, "Could you be heading to your boyfriend's place, maybe?"
Until the car stopped at the entrance of the apartment building, because the headlights of the cars were so bright and dazzling, Xiao Ning had laid his forehead on the glass of the window borrowing its cold. His gaze was aimed at the pillar of the entrance, where there was a person crouched there hugging their knees. "Stop the car!"
This time, even if Xiao Ning didn't want to, he had to get into whatever this matter was, so he urged, "I was wrong for keeping this from you, but you need to understand that this matter also has a significant impact on me as well. You're also dating Xia Li right now, so how could it be good for me to go disturbing you guys?"
N/A
"...even though I had always seen you date other people of the same sex, and not caring about something like that, when it came to me, I... I still found myself scared to say anything to you." Xiao Ning felt he really wasn't cut out for telling lies. Once you tell one single lie, just to keep it all intact, you have to tell more and more lies. He was tired. "I wanted to figure it out myself first before telling you."
His tone had unconsciously carried a bit of flattery, tugging a smile out of Xia Li, a sincere one this time, as if he was watching a good show.
"Look, look, look! He's the one that wanted to run off! Whatever happens to him will serve him right, we're heading back right now!"
。
"Me and Xia Li?" Lu Yan clearly did not get the point that Xiao Ning wanted him to get, causing his anger to grow the more Xiao Ning spoke. "How long were you to together then? How long was it for you to be coming out and going to meet his parents?"
They both smiled at each other with no gaps between them. At the same time, Xiao Ning was relieved and used the cover of taking a drink to spy on Lu Yan from the corner of his eyes. Lu Yan looked as though he was knocked on the head by a hammer flying from the sky, his face completely frozen stiff.
Is this anger?
This matter had impacted him greatly, it was something Xiao Ning could imagine. After all, Lu Yan was angry with him before for not being transparent, so according to Lu Yan's logic, this matter was akin to high treason.
First, Xiao Ning sent Xiao Ning a smile, then when he turned his head to do the same to Lu Yan his smile could not hold up.
Xia Li didn't have any identification on him, nor did he carry a lot of money. He didn't have any family or friends in A-City either, so the odds of him having some sort of mishap were high.
The way he looked at Xiao Ning was completely different now. Apart from his shock, there was now a great deal of admiration and envy. Someone who made their sexuality public to their family and inner circle is not someone who was honestly in the same class as him at all.
Was Xiao Ning really speaking nonsense, though? There was still a sliver of reason in his mind. Aren't the one who cares the least about these things? What do time and falling for someone have to do with each other?
Did this guy eat dynamite? Why is he so mad? Only thinking of calming Lu Yan down, Xiao Ning replied carefully, "You were the one who once said that time doesn't matter for things like this.
Xia Li didn't have any identification on him, nor did he carry a lot of money. He didn't have any family or friends in A-City either, so the odds of him having some sort of mishap were high.
Xiao Ning was so worried he was on the verge of getting upset. "If we don't spot him let's head to the police station to report him missing."
In the end... this could no longer be avoided.
"Stop spouting nonsense!" Lu Yan's fists clenched tightly on top of the table, unable to slam them onto to table once more.
Seeing the person across from him was finally willing to speak properly, Xiao Ning finally relaxed himself somewhat. "That's not important."
His tone had unconsciously carried a bit of flattery, tugging a smile out of Xia Li, a sincere one this time, as if he was watching a good show.
The way he looked at Xiao Ning was completely different now. Apart from his shock, there was now a great deal of admiration and envy. Someone who made their sexuality public to their family and inner circle is not someone who was honestly in the same class as him at all.
Xia Li never looked at Lu Yan, however, only grinning happily as he poured more tea for Xiao Ning and himself. "This is a good thing. So when are you going to bring him over so we can meet? Maybe we can even go on a double date. I've always wanted to try one so bad."
The entire table was now silent.
Within Lu Yan's eyes, the signs of a storm were brewing. "What are you going on about? You need to explain yourself to me clearly right now."
Xiao Ning swallowed the food in his mouth, releasing a hard internal sigh, replying slowly, "I'm sorry, but it's inconvenient."
Was Xiao Ning really speaking nonsense, though? There was still a sliver of reason in his mind. Aren't the one who cares the least about these things? What do time and falling for someone have to do with each other?
All the words he had prepared earlier as excuses, in that very instant, had become forgotten.
This time, even if Xiao Ning didn't want to, he had to get into whatever this matter was, so he urged, "I was wrong for keeping this from you, but you need to understand that this matter also has a significant impact on me as well. You're also dating Xia Li right now, so how could it be good for me to go disturbing you guys?"
He was then hit by a sudden burst of inspiration, "Is he the reason for you moving out?"
But monstrous billows of anger covered Lu Yan's heart in a searing pain. It felt strange—too strange. He felt betrayed, hurt, disappointed...—he felt it to the point of wanting to flip over the table!
Did this guy eat dynamite? Why is he so mad? Only thinking of calming Lu Yan down, Xiao Ning replied carefully, "You were the one who once said that time doesn't matter for things like this.
The hotpot before him now bubbled, and Xiao Ning's heart resembled one of those balls of meat boiling inside it, tumbling and rolling around with no end in sight. He then reached for one of the shrimp balls, dipping it in a sauce before replying, "I'm meeting his parents."
Nevertheless, Xiao Ning still explained in a gentle tone, "I need to go to someone's house. So it is inconvenient, okay?"
It has to be because Xiao Ning never told me something this big. When have I ever kept a partner a secret from him? Is our brotherhood just something used for show?
In the end... this could no longer be avoided.
But the flames of Lu Yan's rage were far too heated, so much so, that they had most likely burned his personable instincts to a crisp, making him not concerned about anything—making him spit out a "shut up" to cut Xia Li's words short, evoking a cold smile that made Xiao Ning confused. "You're quite the capable one aren't you, Xiao Ning? Coming out? Meeting the parents? I've been living with you in the same house for so long, yet I never had the slightest clue at all."
Did this guy eat dynamite? Why is he so mad? Only thinking of calming Lu Yan down, Xiao Ning replied carefully, "You were the one who once said that time doesn't matter for things like this.
Closing his eyes, Lu Yan did his best to calm himself down. Upon opening his eyes, he seemed to have sobered up, again going on to ask, "When did you bend?"
His tone had unconsciously carried a bit of flattery, tugging a smile out of Xia Li, a sincere one this time, as if he was watching a good show.
First, Xiao Ning sent Xiao Ning a smile, then when he turned his head to do the same to Lu Yan his smile could not hold up.
The meals were already placed on the table, yet Xia Li hadn't moved his chopsticks, nor did he play on his phone. All he did was sit there wearing a blank expression on his face.
"Is it really that serious? It's not like he's a three-year-old child. How can someone get abducted in just one night?" Because of the matter with Xiao Ning, Lu Yan was in a piss-poor mood. Never in his life had he been so tolerant of another person's capricious behaviour. He had been busying about until such a late hour yet no sign of the person could be seen, so once more his anger rose. "He has no sense at all."
Xia Li didn't have any identification on him, nor did he carry a lot of money. He didn't have any family or friends in A-City either, so the odds of him having some sort of mishap were high.
Lu wasn't scatterbrained enough to neglect taking responsibility in this situation. In any case, Xia Li was still special to him, so he drove Xiao Ning around A-City like a headless chicken looking every and which way. But it wasn't until three in the morning before Xia Li was spotted.
With a smile, Xia Li asked, "What's wrong with you?"
Seeing the person across from him was finally willing to speak properly, Xiao Ning finally relaxed himself somewhat. "That's not important."
To which, Xiao Ning smiled, and said in return, "Thank you."
He was then hit by a sudden burst of inspiration, "Is he the reason for you moving out?"
He waited for a while, only peering at Lu Yan's face, a face seeming astounded to where he appeared to be driven out of his wits. Making him wonder: What about this is worth you being startled to such a degree?
"Me and Xia Li?" Lu Yan clearly did not get the point that Xiao Ning wanted him to get, causing his anger to grow the more Xiao Ning spoke. "How long were you to together then? How long was it for you to be coming out and going to meet his parents?"
To which, Xiao Ning smiled, and said in return, "Thank you."
"Sorry, I got a call just now, from an old classmate. Lu Yan knew them too, so we all talked together for a bit." Xiao Ning looked at Lu Yan, whose attitude towards him wasn't exactly kind, nonetheless, he said nothing to refute Xiao Ning's words.
All the words he had prepared earlier as excuses, in that very instant, had become forgotten.
He was a little scared of what Lu Yan would think of him. "Anyhow, something like this isn't something another person can influence me into doing in any way, it's all natural. You should be able to understand that as well. So please hurry and call Xia Li, alright?"
The bubbling hotpot began to simmer, its pale steam no longer rising high but instead scattered into nothingness.
Closing his eyes, Lu Yan did his best to calm himself down. Upon opening his eyes, he seemed to have sobered up, again going on to ask, "When did you bend?"
Xiao Ning shot Lu Yan a look, meaning for him to see his sin and quickly coaxed him.
Xia Li said nothing about it, not smiling, only stiffly saying, "Let's eat."
"It was you who left him alone in the restaurant without thinking, and then you still went on to yell at him. He's younger than you, and since you love him, you should concede to him more." Xiao Ning was a person with a regular sleep pattern, and since he had turned twenty-five, staying up at late hours had become more of a challenge. They had been looking since before it was eight in that night, and it was currently almost four in the morning, so his nerves had constantly tensed up and now his temples were throbbing with pain. He couldn't stop rubbing them, and he couldn't speak in nothing but a hushed tone.
The way he looked at Xiao Ning was completely different now. Apart from his shock, there was now a great deal of admiration and envy. Someone who made their sexuality public to their family and inner circle is not someone who was honestly in the same class as him at all.
Xia Li didn't have any identification on him, nor did he carry a lot of money. He didn't have any family or friends in A-City either, so the odds of him having some sort of mishap were high.
Lu Yan's mind was a mess, too much of a mess to care about Xia Li. He thought about a lot of things with not much sense or order. Things he thought he understood as clear as day before, but were now all suddenly incomprehensible. His thoughts felt as though they were weightless, floating, having no place where they could land. In a state of panic, he cast his gaze towards Xiao Ning, asking, "Why didn't you tell me?"
The hotpot before him now bubbled, and Xiao Ning's heart resembled one of those balls of meat boiling inside it, tumbling and rolling around with no end in sight. He then reached for one of the shrimp balls, dipping it in a sauce before replying, "I'm meeting his parents."
Xiao Ning was speechless. He was the one who prepared that entire excuse, and here Lu Yan was putting it together on his own, proving there was some commonality in imagination with regard to such matters. "A part of it is, but it was mostly because of the distance from my job."
He was then hit by a sudden burst of inspiration, "Is he the reason for you moving out?"
"...even though I had always seen you date other people of the same sex, and not caring about something like that, when it came to me, I... I still found myself scared to say anything to you." Xiao Ning felt he really wasn't cut out for telling lies. Once you tell one single lie, just to keep it all intact, you have to tell more and more lies. He was tired. "I wanted to figure it out myself first before telling you."
Xiao Ning lowered his head and ate his food, acting as if he saw nothing, and trying his best to shink his presence.
"Xia Li!" Xiao Ning was taken aback. He never expected the situation to take such a sudden turn for the worse. He predicted that Lu Yan wouldn't be all that happy, because the young master Lu Yan had always been irritated whenever he got close to anyone else. But the scale of his reaction being this large went far beyond his expectations. "Lu Yan, you need to hurry up and go after Xia Li!"
Nevertheless, Xiao Ning still explained in a gentle tone, "I need to go to someone's house. So it is inconvenient, okay?"
Within Lu Yan's eyes, the signs of a storm were brewing. "What are you going on about? You need to explain yourself to me clearly right now."
Lu Yan always had a way of sweet-talking people—even if he didn't say a word, as long as he kept smiling at the other person, eventually that person would have their anger quelled just by his smile alone. Sure enough, not long after, Xia Li began chatting and smiling at him again.
After the shocking anger that blew over him as a violent surge of wind passed, Lu Yan felt his entire chest tremble, shaking as though he had exerted his strength. And now, little by little, that hole was being filled with water that was ice-cold. "Your... boyfriend?"
。
The meals were already placed on the table, yet Xia Li hadn't moved his chopsticks, nor did he play on his phone. All he did was sit there wearing a blank expression on his face.
This matter had impacted him greatly, it was something Xiao Ning could imagine. After all, Lu Yan was angry with him before for not being transparent, so according to Lu Yan's logic, this matter was akin to high treason.
"What I'm going on about? Xiao Ning stood up. "We need to go find Xia Li and bring him back first. He's in a place he doesn't know and he just ran out of here, what are you going to do if he gets lost!"
Xiao Ning felt a great deal of guilt towards Xia Li, so regardless of how much Lu Yan and Xia Li's behaviour was out of his control, the person at the centre of this matter was still him at the end of the day.
He was then hit by a sudden burst of inspiration, "Is he the reason for you moving out?"
A slam sounded, the just-poured tea swaying in its cup wildly.
His tone had unconsciously carried a bit of flattery, tugging a smile out of Xia Li, a sincere one this time, as if he was watching a good show.
After the shocking anger that blew over him as a violent surge of wind passed, Lu Yan felt his entire chest tremble, shaking as though he had exerted his strength. And now, little by little, that hole was being filled with water that was ice-cold. "Your... boyfriend?"
N/A
Ignoring the odd sentiment in his words, Lu Yan motioned to Xiao Ning with his chin. "Say that to him. Hurry up and ask you Xiao-ge to take you around."
All the words he had prepared earlier as excuses, in that very instant, had become forgotten.
Lu Yan's mind was a mess, too much of a mess to care about Xia Li. He thought about a lot of things with not much sense or order. Things he thought he understood as clear as day before, but were now all suddenly incomprehensible. His thoughts felt as though they were weightless, floating, having no place where they could land. In a state of panic, he cast his gaze towards Xiao Ning, asking, "Why didn't you tell me?"
Xiao Ning was speechless. He was the one who prepared that entire excuse, and here Lu Yan was putting it together on his own, proving there was some commonality in imagination with regard to such matters. "A part of it is, but it was mostly because of the distance from my job."
But monstrous billows of anger covered Lu Yan's heart in a searing pain. It felt strange—too strange. He felt betrayed, hurt, disappointed...—he felt it to the point of wanting to flip over the table!
Did this guy eat dynamite? Why is he so mad? Only thinking of calming Lu Yan down, Xiao Ning replied carefully, "You were the one who once said that time doesn't matter for things like this.
Although coming out did not mean a couple would be able to be together either, bonds of marriage between different sexes can also end in divorce. But being able to make such a step was not easy, and he, himself, had no intention of doing so for the time being.
With a smile, Xia Li asked, "What's wrong with you?"
Although coming out did not mean a couple would be able to be together either, bonds of marriage between different sexes can also end in divorce. But being able to make such a step was not easy, and he, himself, had no intention of doing so for the time being.
He waited for a while, only peering at Lu Yan's face, a face seeming astounded to where he appeared to be driven out of his wits. Making him wonder: What about this is worth you being startled to such a degree?
鸿门宴: hóng mén yàn: (lit.) Feast at Hongmen. (Fig.) banquet set up with the aim of murdering a guest. Like the Red Wedding in Game of Thrones. It refers to a famous episode in 206 BC when future Han emperor Liú Bāng (刘邦) escaped attempted murder by his rival Xiàng Yǔ (项羽).[]iana: ಠಿ_ಠ I'm not even going to say anything, because it'll just be cussing.
Not knowing what to do, Xiao Ning pulled out his phone to call Xia Li, but unsurprisingly, his phone was turned off.
"Me and Xia Li?" Lu Yan clearly did not get the point that Xiao Ning wanted him to get, causing his anger to grow the more Xiao Ning spoke. "How long were you to together then? How long was it for you to be coming out and going to meet his parents?"
N/A
The meals were already placed on the table, yet Xia Li hadn't moved his chopsticks, nor did he play on his phone. All he did was sit there wearing a blank expression on his face.
Within Lu Yan's eyes, the signs of a storm were brewing. "What are you going on about? You need to explain yourself to me clearly right now."
After saying this, he rose from his seat and rushed out of the restaurant.
"He turned off his phone." Xiao Ning drew his brows into a knit, turning to look up at Lu Yan, who had yet to have returned to his senses, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "What are you still thinking about, we need to leave now, we have to hurry up and find your boyfriend. Who can relax when a kid is running about who knows where?"
He waited for a while, only peering at Lu Yan's face, a face seeming astounded to where he appeared to be driven out of his wits. Making him wonder: What about this is worth you being startled to such a degree?
Xia Li didn't have any identification on him, nor did he carry a lot of money. He didn't have any family or friends in A-City either, so the odds of him having some sort of mishap were high.
Lu Yan was used to being a night owl, so he was still quite energetic. But seeing Xiao Ning look so ill, he said, "How about you head back to my place first with me and get some sleep? You still have to work tomorrow."
"It was you who left him alone in the restaurant without thinking, and then you still went on to yell at him. He's younger than you, and since you love him, you should concede to him more." Xiao Ning was a person with a regular sleep pattern, and since he had turned twenty-five, staying up at late hours had become more of a challenge. They had been looking since before it was eight in that night, and it was currently almost four in the morning, so his nerves had constantly tensed up and now his temples were throbbing with pain. He couldn't stop rubbing them, and he couldn't speak in nothing but a hushed tone.
Lu Yan's mind was a mess, too much of a mess to care about Xia Li. He thought about a lot of things with not much sense or order. Things he thought he understood as clear as day before, but were now all suddenly incomprehensible. His thoughts felt as though they were weightless, floating, having no place where they could land. In a state of panic, he cast his gaze towards Xiao Ning, asking, "Why didn't you tell me?"
Was Xiao Ning really speaking nonsense, though? There was still a sliver of reason in his mind. Aren't the one who cares the least about these things? What do time and falling for someone have to do with each other?
"Sit back down!" Lu Yan roared to a shocked Xiao Ning, the entire restaurant brought to an instant silence by his growl. Sensing many prying gazes were being sent their way, Xiao Ning awkwardly looked to his left and right and had no choice but to sit down, before he whispered, "Lu Yan, you need to calm down, why is this such a big deal anyhow? What are you even so mad about?"
Lu wasn't scatterbrained enough to neglect taking responsibility in this situation. In any case, Xia Li was still special to him, so he drove Xiao Ning around A-City like a headless chicken looking every and which way. But it wasn't until three in the morning before Xia Li was spotted.
The entire table was now silent.
Xiao Ning was so worried he was on the verge of getting upset. "If we don't spot him let's head to the police station to report him missing."
The meals were already placed on the table, yet Xia Li hadn't moved his chopsticks, nor did he play on his phone. All he did was sit there wearing a blank expression on his face.
Looking on at Lu Yan from the sidelines, he unconsciously grew anxious, unwilling to think of how he seemed more like a man interrogating his own boyfriend he suspected of cheating, Xia Li's grip on his chopsticks tightened, before he finally couldn't help but spit out, "Could you be heading to your boyfriend's place, maybe?"
Xia Li lifted a cup, wishing from the bottom of his heart, "Congratulations."
In the end... this could no longer be avoided.
Seeing the person across from him was finally willing to speak properly, Xiao Ning finally relaxed himself somewhat. "That's not important."
But monstrous billows of anger covered Lu Yan's heart in a searing pain. It felt strange—too strange. He felt betrayed, hurt, disappointed...—he felt it to the point of wanting to flip over the table!
Did this guy eat dynamite? Why is he so mad? Only thinking of calming Lu Yan down, Xiao Ning replied carefully, "You were the one who once said that time doesn't matter for things like this.
"Is it really that serious? It's not like he's a three-year-old child. How can someone get abducted in just one night?" Because of the matter with Xiao Ning, Lu Yan was in a piss-poor mood. Never in his life had he been so tolerant of another person's capricious behaviour. He had been busying about until such a late hour yet no sign of the person could be seen, so once more his anger rose. "He has no sense at all."
Xiao Ning lifted his gaze, a smile lining his eyes as he looked at Xia Li. In response, Xia Li held his mouth, coughing twice, before a slight blush tinged his entire face. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... I was just so shocked, you know? Coming out to one's family is just..."
Looking on at Lu Yan from the sidelines, he unconsciously grew anxious, unwilling to think of how he seemed more like a man interrogating his own boyfriend he suspected of cheating, Xia Li's grip on his chopsticks tightened, before he finally couldn't help but spit out, "Could you be heading to your boyfriend's place, maybe?"
When that person heard Xiao Ning calling, he lifted his head, and who could it be if not Xia Li? When he saw Xiao Ning rushing over to him, and before Xiao Ning could squat down or pull him up, Xia Li suddenly stood up, raised his hand and sent a fist towards Xiao Ning.
Lu Yan's mind was a mess, too much of a mess to care about Xia Li. He thought about a lot of things with not much sense or order. Things he thought he understood as clear as day before, but were now all suddenly incomprehensible. His thoughts felt as though they were weightless, floating, having no place where they could land. In a state of panic, he cast his gaze towards Xiao Ning, asking, "Why didn't you tell me?"
He waited for a while, only peering at Lu Yan's face, a face seeming astounded to where he appeared to be driven out of his wits. Making him wonder: What about this is worth you being startled to such a degree?
"It was you who left him alone in the restaurant without thinking, and then you still went on to yell at him. He's younger than you, and since you love him, you should concede to him more." Xiao Ning was a person with a regular sleep pattern, and since he had turned twenty-five, staying up at late hours had become more of a challenge. They had been looking since before it was eight in that night, and it was currently almost four in the morning, so his nerves had constantly tensed up and now his temples were throbbing with pain. He couldn't stop rubbing them, and he couldn't speak in nothing but a hushed tone.
Thus, he shook his head the replied wearily, "Later, let's keep looking first."
In the end... this could no longer be avoided.
"It was you who left him alone in the restaurant without thinking, and then you still went on to yell at him. He's younger than you, and since you love him, you should concede to him more." Xiao Ning was a person with a regular sleep pattern, and since he had turned twenty-five, staying up at late hours had become more of a challenge. They had been looking since before it was eight in that night, and it was currently almost four in the morning, so his nerves had constantly tensed up and now his temples were throbbing with pain. He couldn't stop rubbing them, and he couldn't speak in nothing but a hushed tone.
When that person heard Xiao Ning calling, he lifted his head, and who could it be if not Xia Li? When he saw Xiao Ning rushing over to him, and before Xiao Ning could squat down or pull him up, Xia Li suddenly stood up, raised his hand and sent a fist towards Xiao Ning.
Not one bit of Xia Li's expression looked any better, as he cast a ridiculing look towards Xiao Ning from the corner of his eye, then flicked his head away. "You two should talk. I'm leaving first."
Lu Yan was used to being a night owl, so he was still quite energetic. But seeing Xiao Ning look so ill, he said, "How about you head back to my place first with me and get some sleep? You still have to work tomorrow."
Not one bit of Xia Li's expression looked any better, as he cast a ridiculing look towards Xiao Ning from the corner of his eye, then flicked his head away. "You two should talk. I'm leaving first."
This was the first time he had ever seen Lu Yan's face so unsightly. It was so unsightly he was completely confused. Why does he look so incredibly mad?
The way he looked at Xiao Ning was completely different now. Apart from his shock, there was now a great deal of admiration and envy. Someone who made their sexuality public to their family and inner circle is not someone who was honestly in the same class as him at all.
Did this guy eat dynamite? Why is he so mad? Only thinking of calming Lu Yan down, Xiao Ning replied carefully, "You were the one who once said that time doesn't matter for things like this.
The entire table was now silent.
Xiao Ning was so worried he was on the verge of getting upset. "If we don't spot him let's head to the police station to report him missing."
It has to be because Xiao Ning never told me something this big. When have I ever kept a partner a secret from him? Is our brotherhood just something used for show?
Xiao Ning felt a great deal of guilt towards Xia Li, so regardless of how much Lu Yan and Xia Li's behaviour was out of his control, the person at the centre of this matter was still him at the end of the day.
Lu Yan always had a way of sweet-talking people—even if he didn't say a word, as long as he kept smiling at the other person, eventually that person would have their anger quelled just by his smile alone. Sure enough, not long after, Xia Li began chatting and smiling at him again.
With a smile, Xia Li asked, "What's wrong with you?"
Did this guy eat dynamite? Why is he so mad? Only thinking of calming Lu Yan down, Xiao Ning replied carefully, "You were the one who once said that time doesn't matter for things like this.
First, Xiao Ning sent Xiao Ning a smile, then when he turned his head to do the same to Lu Yan his smile could not hold up.
Xia Li never looked at Lu Yan, however, only grinning happily as he poured more tea for Xiao Ning and himself. "This is a good thing. So when are you going to bring him over so we can meet? Maybe we can even go on a double date. I've always wanted to try one so bad."
Looking on at Lu Yan from the sidelines, he unconsciously grew anxious, unwilling to think of how he seemed more like a man interrogating his own boyfriend he suspected of cheating, Xia Li's grip on his chopsticks tightened, before he finally couldn't help but spit out, "Could you be heading to your boyfriend's place, maybe?"
"Woah!" Xia Li cried out, shocked to the extreme. He no longer cared for nursing his irritation, as his eyes were now pulled wide like a cat's. "You're meeting his parents! He's taking you to meet his parents?! Oh my god! He came out?!
Thus, he shook his head the replied wearily, "Later, let's keep looking first."
Lu Yan's mount began moving, his words spoken slowly, but his tone was low and deep. "This has to be a joke."
Thus, he shook his head the replied wearily, "Later, let's keep looking first."
"He turned off his phone." Xiao Ning drew his brows into a knit, turning to look up at Lu Yan, who had yet to have returned to his senses, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "What are you still thinking about, we need to leave now, we have to hurry up and find your boyfriend. Who can relax when a kid is running about who knows where?"
After saying this, he rose from his seat and rushed out of the restaurant.
Lu Yan always had a way of sweet-talking people—even if he didn't say a word, as long as he kept smiling at the other person, eventually that person would have their anger quelled just by his smile alone. Sure enough, not long after, Xia Li began chatting and smiling at him again.
Closing his eyes, Lu Yan did his best to calm himself down. Upon opening his eyes, he seemed to have sobered up, again going on to ask, "When did you bend?"
"Xiao'Ning, this weekend I have another appointment." However, Lu Yan directed the topic towards him. "So hang out with him again then."
"Look, look, look! He's the one that wanted to run off! Whatever happens to him will serve him right, we're heading back right now!"
"Is it really that serious? It's not like he's a three-year-old child. How can someone get abducted in just one night?" Because of the matter with Xiao Ning, Lu Yan was in a piss-poor mood. Never in his life had he been so tolerant of another person's capricious behaviour. He had been busying about until such a late hour yet no sign of the person could be seen, so once more his anger rose. "He has no sense at all."
"Look, look, look! He's the one that wanted to run off! Whatever happens to him will serve him right, we're heading back right now!"
"Someone's house?" The subject of the conversation Xiao Ning had with that other person not long ago did not sound like one for a simple get-together. Lu Yan began forming a vague idea of what it could be, but it was simply too unimaginable. He did not want to think of it, however, with the unexpected situations occurring he felt he had to ask for further clarification. "Why are you going over to some person's house?"
Nevertheless, Xiao Ning still explained in a gentle tone, "I need to go to someone's house. So it is inconvenient, okay?"
After the shocking anger that blew over him as a violent surge of wind passed, Lu Yan felt his entire chest tremble, shaking as though he had exerted his strength. And now, little by little, that hole was being filled with water that was ice-cold. "Your... boyfriend?"
It has to be because Xiao Ning never told me something this big. When have I ever kept a partner a secret from him? Is our brotherhood just something used for show?
His tone had unconsciously carried a bit of flattery, tugging a smile out of Xia Li, a sincere one this time, as if he was watching a good show.
Until the car stopped at the entrance of the apartment building, because the headlights of the cars were so bright and dazzling, Xiao Ning had laid his forehead on the glass of the window borrowing its cold. His gaze was aimed at the pillar of the entrance, where there was a person crouched there hugging their knees. "Stop the car!"
The way he looked at Xiao Ning was completely different now. Apart from his shock, there was now a great deal of admiration and envy. Someone who made their sexuality public to their family and inner circle is not someone who was honestly in the same class as him at all.
。
"What I'm going on about? Xiao Ning stood up. "We need to go find Xia Li and bring him back first. He's in a place he doesn't know and he just ran out of here, what are you going to do if he gets lost!"
A slam sounded, the just-poured tea swaying in its cup wildly.
But... only for the time being.
"Look, look, look! He's the one that wanted to run off! Whatever happens to him will serve him right, we're heading back right now!"
He was a little scared of what Lu Yan would think of him. "Anyhow, something like this isn't something another person can influence me into doing in any way, it's all natural. You should be able to understand that as well. So please hurry and call Xia Li, alright?"
Lu Yan stopped the car out of instinct, and without waiting for it to come to a full stop, Xiao Ning opened to door and ran over. "Xia Li!"
Xiao Ning felt a great deal of guilt towards Xia Li, so regardless of how much Lu Yan and Xia Li's behaviour was out of his control, the person at the centre of this matter was still him at the end of the day.
Ignoring the odd sentiment in his words, Lu Yan motioned to Xiao Ning with his chin. "Say that to him. Hurry up and ask you Xiao-ge to take you around."
"Look, look, look! He's the one that wanted to run off! Whatever happens to him will serve him right, we're heading back right now!"
"Stop spouting nonsense!" Lu Yan's fists clenched tightly on top of the table, unable to slam them onto to table once more.
All the words he had prepared earlier as excuses, in that very instant, had become forgotten.
When that person heard Xiao Ning calling, he lifted his head, and who could it be if not Xia Li? When he saw Xiao Ning rushing over to him, and before Xiao Ning could squat down or pull him up, Xia Li suddenly stood up, raised his hand and sent a fist towards Xiao Ning.
"Sit back down!" Lu Yan roared to a shocked Xiao Ning, the entire restaurant brought to an instant silence by his growl. Sensing many prying gazes were being sent their way, Xiao Ning awkwardly looked to his left and right and had no choice but to sit down, before he whispered, "Lu Yan, you need to calm down, why is this such a big deal anyhow? What are you even so mad about?"
But the flames of Lu Yan's rage were far too heated, so much so, that they had most likely burned his personable instincts to a crisp, making him not concerned about anything—making him spit out a "shut up" to cut Xia Li's words short, evoking a cold smile that made Xiao Ning confused. "You're quite the capable one aren't you, Xiao Ning? Coming out? Meeting the parents? I've been living with you in the same house for so long, yet I never had the slightest clue at all."
Until the car stopped at the entrance of the apartment building, because the headlights of the cars were so bright and dazzling, Xiao Ning had laid his forehead on the glass of the window borrowing its cold. His gaze was aimed at the pillar of the entrance, where there was a person crouched there hugging their knees. "Stop the car!"
Xia Li lifted a cup, wishing from the bottom of his heart, "Congratulations."
Xiao Ning lifted his gaze, a smile lining his eyes as he looked at Xia Li. In response, Xia Li held his mouth, coughing twice, before a slight blush tinged his entire face. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... I was just so shocked, you know? Coming out to one's family is just..."
"Me and Xia Li?" Lu Yan clearly did not get the point that Xiao Ning wanted him to get, causing his anger to grow the more Xiao Ning spoke. "How long were you to together then? How long was it for you to be coming out and going to meet his parents?"
With a smile, Xia Li asked, "What's wrong with you?"
Author's Note:
Notes:
iana: ಠಿ_ಠ I'm not even going to say anything, because it'll just be cussing.
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