The Long Road Ahead: C30

Chapter: 30 | Let's Talk

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Let's Talk

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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￣)

_{Seeing he was not seriously asking, Xiao Ning let out a sigh of relief and put on a pretence of displeasure as he replied, "Mr. Lu, you have gotten yourself so many boyfriends, so have you, yourself, ever considered me?"}
Even though it hadn't been more than a few days since Xiao Ning had last seen Lu Yan, when he met up with him again, Xiao Ning was flooded with the sense that something had gone wrong.

Seeing he was not seriously asking, Xiao Ning let out a sigh of relief and put on a pretence of displeasure as he replied, "Mr. Lu, you have gotten yourself so many boyfriends, so have you, yourself, ever considered me?"

_{But, just how they were before?}
Lu Yan said nothing, nor did he smile. In fact, as he looked at Xiao Ning, it was almost as if there was bitterness in his eyes.

But, just how they were before?

_{"Xiao Ning." Lu Yan expelled a long sigh. "Let's talk."}"We're talking about you. Why are you dragging me into this?" Lu Yan tapped the table with his fingers. "It's impossible for a man and another man to be together, at most all they can do is date behind people's backs. They can't get married and their families will never accept them, so what future can doing that have?"

"Xiao Ning." Lu Yan expelled a long sigh. "Let's talk."

_{After saying this, Lu Yan seemed conflicted for a moment before saying, "You know what, forget it. I'm tired of him anyhow, so I might as well just break up."}
The air felt stagnant, then with a smile, and a frown, Xiao Ning asked, "What's wrong? Did you not sleep well?"

After saying this, Lu Yan seemed conflicted for a moment before saying, "You know what, forget it. I'm tired of him anyhow, so I might as well just break up."

_{Lu Yan palmed his face "Are you even listening? You never acted this difficult when you were with me. Are you like this now because of your damn boyfriend?"}
He asked this because Lu Yan looked drained. Lu Yan did not have his usual self-confident air, and upon close inspection, a small bruise could be seen on his cheek. It looked like he was scratched by something.

Lu Yan palmed his face "Are you even listening? You never acted this difficult when you were with me. Are you like this now because of your damn boyfriend?"

_{Xiao Ning said nothing.}They were different.

Xiao Ning said nothing.

_{Those words revealed the degree of his scoundrel-like behaviour, and with his face stuffed with rice until his cheeks were bulging, while unable to swallow, he couldn't help but lift his head to stare down Lu Yan with condemnation.}iana: Xia Li basically got deleted, like a file. That's harsh.

Those words revealed the degree of his scoundrel-like behaviour, and with his face stuffed with rice until his cheeks were bulging, while unable to swallow, he couldn't help but lift his head to stare down Lu Yan with condemnation.

_{Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Xiao Ning's first thought was about one person, and he couldn't stop himself from asking, "Then what about Xia Li...?"}
"Xiao Ning." Lu Yan expelled a long sigh. "Let's talk."

Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Xiao Ning's first thought was about one person, and he couldn't stop himself from asking, "Then what about Xia Li...?"

_{{After Shan Haiming gets his fill from playing around, he'll just pat me on the ass and ditch me...}}Lu Yan palmed his face "Are you even listening? You never acted this difficult when you were with me. Are you like this now because of your damn boyfriend?"

After Shan Haiming gets his fill from playing around, he'll just pat me on the ass and ditch me...

_{After coughing for a while, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Xiao Ning replied, "What are even saying? I was born like this, what does it have to do with you? What you just said almost scared the life out of me."}"That's not the same!" Lu Yan raised his voice.

After coughing for a while, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Xiao Ning replied, "What are even saying? I was born like this, what does it have to do with you? What you just said almost scared the life out of me."

_{So that's what this is about...}
Xiao Ning hesitated for a few seconds before replying, "Sure. It's almost time so how about we have dinner."

So that's what this is about...

_{{Lu Yan's mood probably has something to do with this.} But this was not something Xiao Ning could easily ask, so he could only act as if he knew nothing. It had been proven that the more mixed up he got in Lu Yan and Xia Li's business, the more he got mistaken.}"I like men." Even Xiao Ning was surprised by his lack of hesitation as he said this, and once he did, his entire being felt relaxed, he felt freed. So, now, while wearing a light smile, he added, "It's true that I am different from you because unlike you, I can only like men."

Lu Yan's mood probably has something to do with this. But this was not something Xiao Ning could easily ask, so he could only act as if he knew nothing. It had been proven that the more mixed up he got in Lu Yan and Xia Li's business, the more he got mistaken.

_{Xiao Ning spat out the juice in his mouth, the shock causing him to cough thunderously. With a frown, Lu Yan handed him a napkin, his lips sealed shut.}
They were in a bustling business district, so naturally, there was no shortage of places to eat at. Seeing Lu Yan had no interest in eating, Xiao Ning chose a coffee shop that served simple meals, then ordered a kiwi fruit juice and alcohol-free mojito respectively.

Xiao Ning spat out the juice in his mouth, the shock causing him to cough thunderously. With a frown, Lu Yan handed him a napkin, his lips sealed shut.

_{Those words were so lethal that it made Lu Yan mute, but Lu Yan quickly found another angle, "So what if they accepted you, would other people accept you? Will the law accept you? His family might only be saying all that because they think he's playing around. You're putting your entire heart into this, but after he gets his fill from fooling around, he can just pat you on the ass and ditchT/n: It's used to reference someone taking no responsibility.}Xiao Ning felt that things were different.

Those words were so lethal that it made Lu Yan mute, but Lu Yan quickly found another angle, "So what if they accepted you, would other people accept you? Will the law accept you? His family might only be saying all that because they think he's playing around. You're putting your entire heart into this, but after he gets his fill from fooling around, he can just pat you on the ass and ditchT/n: It's used to reference someone taking no responsibility. I kept it literal for the line below. you, then you'd have gained nothing in the end."

_{{That kid really is too impulsive. All he had to go on was a guess yet he went making trouble over it.} Xiao Ning looked down and covered his eyes. "If I was plotting to make moves on you I would've done so a long time ago. Why would I wait for him to go tell you?"}After coughing for a while, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Xiao Ning replied, "What are even saying? I was born like this, what does it have to do with you? What you just said almost scared the life out of me."

That kid really is too impulsive. All he had to go on was a guess yet he went making trouble over it. Xiao Ning looked down and covered his eyes. "If I was plotting to make moves on you I would've done so a long time ago. Why would I wait for him to go tell you?"

_{Xiao Ning stared at Lu Yan like he didn't recognise the person before him. Despite knowing for a long time Lu Yan had zero intention of coming out of the closet to his family, he never expected Lu Yan's thoughts on the subject would be so decisive and resolute—without an ounce of hesitation.}
During their time together, Lu Yan answered the phone a few times, all the calls being work-related.

Xiao Ning stared at Lu Yan like he didn't recognise the person before him. Despite knowing for a long time Lu Yan had zero intention of coming out of the closet to his family, he never expected Lu Yan's thoughts on the subject would be so decisive and resolute—without an ounce of hesitation.

_{"Does Xia Li feel this way too?" Xiao Ning couldn't help but ask.}
"Have you been busier at work these days?" Xiao Ning recalled Lu Yan had taken on a new project at work recently and had been quite busy.

"Does Xia Li feel this way too?" Xiao Ning couldn't help but ask.

_{{After Shan Haiming gets his fill from playing around, he'll just pat me on the ass and ditch me...}}"That's true." But in a moment of confusion, Lu Yan had an idea and asked, "But... you like men, right? So why were you never interested in me?"

After Shan Haiming gets his fill from playing around, he'll just pat me on the ass and ditch me...

_{Pointing at his face, he continued, "He was super jealous of how we brothers get along better than him. He even scratched my face, you see? Haa.. Now is a good time. So when I go back I'll just break up with him. So are you happy now?"}
In response, Lu Yan gave an impatient nod the placed his phone on the table.

Pointing at his face, he continued, "He was super jealous of how we brothers get along better than him. He even scratched my face, you see? Haa.. Now is a good time. So when I go back I'll just break up with him. So are you happy now?"

_{Lu Yan drew his lips into a hard line, quietly observing Xiao Ning's movements. "Is it because of me?"}
Seeing him do this, Xiao Ning noticed that despite the phone on the table being the same model, it was new. Turning his gaze to Lu Yan, who looked agitated but said nothing, Xiao Ning broke the awkward silence. "Did you get a new phone?"

Lu Yan drew his lips into a hard line, quietly observing Xiao Ning's movements. "Is it because of me?"

_{Xiao Ning felt that things were different.}In response, Lu Yan gave an impatient nod the placed his phone on the table.

Xiao Ning felt that things were different.

_{Those words revealed the degree of his scoundrel-like behaviour, and with his face stuffed with rice until his cheeks were bulging, while unable to swallow, he couldn't help but lift his head to stare down Lu Yan with condemnation.}
"The original fell." After saying this, Lu Yan's phone rang again, but this time the melody was unlike the ones from earlier, instead it was one of a popular love song.

Those words revealed the degree of his scoundrel-like behaviour, and with his face stuffed with rice until his cheeks were bulging, while unable to swallow, he couldn't help but lift his head to stare down Lu Yan with condemnation.

_{Seeing him do this, Xiao Ning noticed that despite the phone on the table being the same model, it was new. Turning his gaze to Lu Yan, who looked agitated but said nothing, Xiao Ning broke the awkward silence. "Did you get a new phone?"}They were different.

Seeing him do this, Xiao Ning noticed that despite the phone on the table being the same model, it was new. Turning his gaze to Lu Yan, who looked agitated but said nothing, Xiao Ning broke the awkward silence. "Did you get a new phone?"

_{Seeing he was not seriously asking, Xiao Ning let out a sigh of relief and put on a pretence of displeasure as he replied, "Mr. Lu, you have gotten yourself so many boyfriends, so have you, yourself, ever considered me?"}Seeing he was not seriously asking, Xiao Ning let out a sigh of relief and put on a pretence of displeasure as he replied, "Mr. Lu, you have gotten yourself so many boyfriends, so have you, yourself, ever considered me?"

Seeing he was not seriously asking, Xiao Ning let out a sigh of relief and put on a pretence of displeasure as he replied, "Mr. Lu, you have gotten yourself so many boyfriends, so have you, yourself, ever considered me?"

_{{Not everyone could be like Shan Haiming it seems.}}So for Lu Yan, everything was nothing more than fooling around? But what difference is there in fooling around with someone casually and doing it seriously?

Not everyone could be like Shan Haiming it seems.

_{Seeing him do this, Xiao Ning noticed that despite the phone on the table being the same model, it was new. Turning his gaze to Lu Yan, who looked agitated but said nothing, Xiao Ning broke the awkward silence. "Did you get a new phone?"}
Lu Yan cut off this call directly.

Seeing him do this, Xiao Ning noticed that despite the phone on the table being the same model, it was new. Turning his gaze to Lu Yan, who looked agitated but said nothing, Xiao Ning broke the awkward silence. "Did you get a new phone?"

_{"Yes." Xiao Ning admitted, then asked jokingly, "Is it that surprising?"}During their time together, Lu Yan answered the phone a few times, all the calls being work-related.

"Yes." Xiao Ning admitted, then asked jokingly, "Is it that surprising?"

_{Xiao Ning hesitated for a few seconds before replying, "Sure. It's almost time so how about we have dinner."}"That's not the same!" Lu Yan raised his voice.

Xiao Ning hesitated for a few seconds before replying, "Sure. It's almost time so how about we have dinner."

_{"Does Xia Li feel this way too?" Xiao Ning couldn't help but ask.}So he really did say it.

"Does Xia Li feel this way too?" Xiao Ning couldn't help but ask.

_{Lu Yan cut off this call directly.}
Xiao Ning looked at him curiously, wondering: Did something happen? Did he fight with Xia Li?

Lu Yan cut off this call directly.

_{Pointing at his face, he continued, "He was super jealous of how we brothers get along better than him. He even scratched my face, you see? {Haa..} Now is a good time. So when I go back I'll just break up with him. So are you happy now?"}Xiao Ning didn't know if he was hearing it wrong, but he felt as though everything Lu Yan said was through gritted teeth. "I'm not being difficult with you, I'm just being honest, that's all. Besides, even if he and I break up right now, I still wouldn't be able to marry a woman because I am gay. Is there anything wrong with that?"

Pointing at his face, he continued, "He was super jealous of how we brothers get along better than him. He even scratched my face, you see? Haa.. Now is a good time. So when I go back I'll just break up with him. So are you happy now?"

_{{Lu Yan's mood probably has something to do with this.} But this was not something Xiao Ning could easily ask, so he could only act as if he knew nothing. It had been proven that the more mixed up he got in Lu Yan and Xia Li's business, the more he got mistaken.}He asked this because Lu Yan looked drained. Lu Yan did not have his usual self-confident air, and upon close inspection, a small bruise could be seen on his cheek. It looked like he was scratched by something.

Lu Yan's mood probably has something to do with this. But this was not something Xiao Ning could easily ask, so he could only act as if he knew nothing. It had been proven that the more mixed up he got in Lu Yan and Xia Li's business, the more he got mistaken.

_{Xiao Ning had divorced himself from this a while back and was simply listening to Lu Yan's repeated explanations. But now, he was confused. "Why would the two of you breaking up have anything to do with me being happy? Am I getting a commission from your break-up fee?"}Seeing him do this, Xiao Ning noticed that despite the phone on the table being the same model, it was new. Turning his gaze to Lu Yan, who looked agitated but said nothing, Xiao Ning broke the awkward silence. "Did you get a new phone?"

Xiao Ning had divorced himself from this a while back and was simply listening to Lu Yan's repeated explanations. But now, he was confused. "Why would the two of you breaking up have anything to do with me being happy? Am I getting a commission from your break-up fee?"

_{Not everyone could be like Shan Haiming it seems.}
Lu Yan's mood probably has something to do with this. But this was not something Xiao Ning could easily ask, so he could only act as if he knew nothing. It had been proven that the more mixed up he got in Lu Yan and Xia Li's business, the more he got mistaken.

Not everyone could be like Shan Haiming it seems.

_{Xiao Ning said nothing.}"Have you been busier at work these days?" Xiao Ning recalled Lu Yan had taken on a new project at work recently and had been quite busy.

Xiao Ning said nothing.

_{Holding his hands, and resting them on the table, he said with an ordinary expression, "If you're going to break up, then break up. But I never said anything about wanting to break up."}"Does Xia Li feel this way too?" Xiao Ning couldn't help but ask.

Holding his hands, and resting them on the table, he said with an ordinary expression, "If you're going to break up, then break up. But I never said anything about wanting to break up."

_{He asked this because Lu Yan looked drained. Lu Yan did not have his usual self-confident air, and upon close inspection, a small bruise could be seen on his cheek. It looked like he was scratched by something.}
"So what do you want to talk about?" Xao Ning gently initiated the conversation, it wasn't as if the two could sit there all night.

He asked this because Lu Yan looked drained. Lu Yan did not have his usual self-confident air, and upon close inspection, a small bruise could be seen on his cheek. It looked like he was scratched by something.

_{Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Xiao Ning's first thought was about one person, and he couldn't stop himself from asking, "Then what about Xia Li...?"}"You're not my type, and besides, we're way too familiar with one another. What point in there in using the left hand to hold the right?" Lu Yan then relined in his seat, his tone softening as he did so. "You never even fought with me before now and it was honestly unpleasant. I seriously never expected something like that."

Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Xiao Ning's first thought was about one person, and he couldn't stop himself from asking, "Then what about Xia Li...?"

_{In response, Lu Yan gave an impatient nod the placed his phone on the table.}
Lu Yan closed his eyes. "You having a boyfriend, is it true?"

In response, Lu Yan gave an impatient nod the placed his phone on the table.

_{{So that's what this is about...}}"Have you been busier at work these days?" Xiao Ning recalled Lu Yan had taken on a new project at work recently and had been quite busy.

So that's what this is about...

_{He asked this because Lu Yan looked drained. Lu Yan did not have his usual self-confident air, and upon close inspection, a small bruise could be seen on his cheek. It looked like he was scratched by something.}Lu Yan cut off this call directly.

He asked this because Lu Yan looked drained. Lu Yan did not have his usual self-confident air, and upon close inspection, a small bruise could be seen on his cheek. It looked like he was scratched by something.

_{This sort of change in opinion was a part of Lu Yan's cycle Xiao Ning had long been familiar with, but this time he found it especially unacceptable. "Just as you said, Xia Li is young, so can't you just be a bit more patient with him?"}
"Yes." Xiao Ning admitted, then asked jokingly, "Is it that surprising?"

This sort of change in opinion was a part of Lu Yan's cycle Xiao Ning had long been familiar with, but this time he found it especially unacceptable. "Just as you said, Xia Li is young, so can't you just be a bit more patient with him?"

_{Lu Yan said nothing, nor did he smile. In fact, as he looked at Xiao Ning, it was almost as if there was bitterness in his eyes.}
"How could you like men?" When Lu Yan asked this question, just as before, he wore an expression revealing his lack of acceptance. "When did you realise you did?"

Lu Yan said nothing, nor did he smile. In fact, as he looked at Xiao Ning, it was almost as if there was bitterness in his eyes.

_{{You're talking as if you're not dating yourself.}}"The original fell." After saying this, Lu Yan's phone rang again, but this time the melody was unlike the ones from earlier, instead it was one of a popular love song.

You're talking as if you're not dating yourself.

_{{Who was it that said it was true love, again?}}"Yes." Xiao Ning admitted, then asked jokingly, "Is it that surprising?"

Who was it that said it was true love, again?

_{Seeing he was not seriously asking, Xiao Ning let out a sigh of relief and put on a pretence of displeasure as he replied, "Mr. Lu, you have gotten yourself so many boyfriends, so have you, yourself, ever considered me?"}"Break up?" His saying such a thing so easily after it not being long since he opened up to Xiao Ning, was such a difference of night and day that Xiao Ning was taken aback. "With Xia Li?"

Seeing he was not seriously asking, Xiao Ning let out a sigh of relief and put on a pretence of displeasure as he replied, "Mr. Lu, you have gotten yourself so many boyfriends, so have you, yourself, ever considered me?"

_{"That's true." But in a moment of confusion, Lu Yan had an idea and asked, "But... you like men, right? So why were you never interested in me?"}
Thinking about it, Xiao Ning countered, "You have dated men yourself. So when did you realise it?"

"That's true." But in a moment of confusion, Lu Yan had an idea and asked, "But... you like men, right? So why were you never interested in me?"

_{"That's not the same!" Lu Yan raised his voice.}
"That's not the same!" Lu Yan raised his voice.

"That's not the same!" Lu Yan raised his voice.

_{"Yeah, or what? I'm not in the habit of straddling two boats. Plus, I'm seriously worn out this time, and he's caused a lot of trouble for you and me both.}
Taking a sip of his juice, Xiao Ning then asked curiously, "What's different about it?"

"Yeah, or what? I'm not in the habit of straddling two boats. Plus, I'm seriously worn out this time, and he's caused a lot of trouble for you and me both." As he spoke, the middle of Lu Yan's brows wrinkled into faint lines, but when he turned his gaze towards Xiao Ning, he smiled and added, "And I know that you're not still angry about being punched in the face, the truth is, I was upset about it. I told him that much after the fact. But you just said nothing and moved out. That was to show you were angry with me, right? Then when I called you, you even vented your anger on me, which made me a bit angry in turn. What's more, you suddenly got a boyfriend and didn't even tell me. So I need you to understand that I was just a bit mad back then, alright?"

_{"The original fell." After saying this, Lu Yan's phone rang again, but this time the melody was unlike the ones from earlier, instead it was one of a popular love song.}
Lu Yan drew his lips into a hard line, quietly observing Xiao Ning's movements. "Is it because of me?"

"The original fell." After saying this, Lu Yan's phone rang again, but this time the melody was unlike the ones from earlier, instead it was one of a popular love song.

_{The air felt stagnant, then with a smile, and a frown, Xiao Ning asked, "What's wrong? Did you not sleep well?"}
Xiao Ning spat out the juice in his mouth, the shock causing him to cough thunderously. With a frown, Lu Yan handed him a napkin, his lips sealed shut.

The air felt stagnant, then with a smile, and a frown, Xiao Ning asked, "What's wrong? Did you not sleep well?"

_{They were different.}Apart from the Spring Festival where he will make sure to go visit his family, Lu Yan usually spends any vacation time he gets going out to enjoy himself. So Xiao Ning was already preparing to say "Then, I'll deliver the things you'll send to them for you" but then he heard Lu Yan say, "No, so I'll go back with you."

They were different.

_{During their time together, Lu Yan answered the phone a few times, all the calls being work-related.}
With shock and horror, Xiao Ning looked at him, his heart practically a surging storm. His decades-long unrequited love had already come to an end, and in this world, apart from himself, the only one who knew was Shan Haiming, and that was enough.

During their time together, Lu Yan answered the phone a few times, all the calls being work-related.

_{"Are you really a man?" Lu Yan's expression was so ugly it was frightening. "Xiao Ning, you and I are not the same. It's far too easy for you to take things too seriously."}Holding his hands, and resting them on the table, he said with an ordinary expression, "If you're going to break up, then break up. But I never said anything about wanting to break up."

"Are you really a man?" Lu Yan's expression was so ugly it was frightening. "Xiao Ning, you and I are not the same. It's far too easy for you to take things too seriously."

_{Lu Yan closed his eyes. "You having a boyfriend, is it true?"}
He never had any intention of letting the target of those feelings of his ever being made aware of it. Was it Xia Li who said something? But from his perspective, isn't it nothing but a groundless accusation? Did he really go as far as telling Lu Yan?

Lu Yan closed his eyes. "You having a boyfriend, is it true?"

_{"Yes." Xiao Ning admitted, then asked jokingly, "Is it that surprising?"}"You're not my type, and besides, we're way too familiar with one another. What point in there in using the left hand to hold the right?" Lu Yan then relined in his seat, his tone softening as he did so. "You never even fought with me before now and it was honestly unpleasant. I seriously never expected something like that."

"Yes." Xiao Ning admitted, then asked jokingly, "Is it that surprising?"

_{That kid really is too impulsive. All he had to go on was a guess yet he went making trouble over it. Xiao Ning looked down and covered his eyes. "If I was plotting to make moves on you I would've done so a long time ago. Why would I wait for him to go tell you?"}
"Am I the one who gave you this bad idea?" Lu Yan asked.

That kid really is too impulsive. All he had to go on was a guess yet he went making trouble over it. Xiao Ning looked down and covered his eyes. "If I was plotting to make moves on you I would've done so a long time ago. Why would I wait for him to go tell you?"

_{iana: Xia Li basically got deleted, like a file. That's harsh.}"How could you like men?" When Lu Yan asked this question, just as before, he wore an expression revealing his lack of acceptance. "When did you realise you did?"

iana: Xia Li basically got deleted, like a file. That's harsh.

_{Xiao Ning spat out the juice in his mouth, the shock causing him to cough thunderously. With a frown, Lu Yan handed him a napkin, his lips sealed shut.}In response, Lu Yan gave an impatient nod the placed his phone on the table.

Xiao Ning spat out the juice in his mouth, the shock causing him to cough thunderously. With a frown, Lu Yan handed him a napkin, his lips sealed shut.

_{He asked this because Lu Yan looked drained. Lu Yan did not have his usual self-confident air, and upon close inspection, a small bruise could be seen on his cheek. It looked like he was scratched by something.}Xiao Ning had divorced himself from this a while back and was simply listening to Lu Yan's repeated explanations. But now, he was confused. "Why would the two of you breaking up have anything to do with me being happy? Am I getting a commission from your break-up fee?"

He asked this because Lu Yan looked drained. Lu Yan did not have his usual self-confident air, and upon close inspection, a small bruise could be seen on his cheek. It looked like he was scratched by something.

_{"Xiao Ning." Lu Yan expelled a long sigh. "Let's talk."}
So that's what this is about...

"Xiao Ning." Lu Yan expelled a long sigh. "Let's talk."

_{iana: Xia Li basically got deleted, like a file. That's harsh.}"Xia Li?" Lu Yan looked as though something that gave him a headache was mentioned. "He was talking about telling his parents about us and was even thinking about going back with me to visit my parents too. I have no idea what he was even thinking, but he's young."

iana: Xia Li basically got deleted, like a file. That's harsh.

_{Xiao Ning stared at Lu Yan like he didn't recognise the person before him. Despite knowing for a long time Lu Yan had zero intention of coming out of the closet to his family, he never expected Lu Yan's thoughts on the subject would be so decisive and resolute—without an ounce of hesitation.}Xiao Ning stared at Lu Yan like he didn't recognise the person before him. Despite knowing for a long time Lu Yan had zero intention of coming out of the closet to his family, he never expected Lu Yan's thoughts on the subject would be so decisive and resolute—without an ounce of hesitation.

Xiao Ning stared at Lu Yan like he didn't recognise the person before him. Despite knowing for a long time Lu Yan had zero intention of coming out of the closet to his family, he never expected Lu Yan's thoughts on the subject would be so decisive and resolute—without an ounce of hesitation.

_{Lu Yan said nothing, nor did he smile. In fact, as he looked at Xiao Ning, it was almost as if there was bitterness in his eyes.}"Am I the one who gave you this bad idea?" Lu Yan asked.

Lu Yan said nothing, nor did he smile. In fact, as he looked at Xiao Ning, it was almost as if there was bitterness in his eyes.

_{"How could you like men?" When Lu Yan asked this question, just as before, he wore an expression revealing his lack of acceptance. "When did you realise you did?"}
After coughing for a while, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Xiao Ning replied, "What are even saying? I was born like this, what does it have to do with you? What you just said almost scared the life out of me."

"How could you like men?" When Lu Yan asked this question, just as before, he wore an expression revealing his lack of acceptance. "When did you realise you did?"

_{They were different.}
"Are you really a man?" Lu Yan's expression was so ugly it was frightening. "Xiao Ning, you and I are not the same. It's far too easy for you to take things too seriously."

They were different.

_{They were different.}Lu Yan closed his eyes. "You having a boyfriend, is it true?"

They were different.

_{Even though it hadn't been more than a few days since Xiao Ning had last seen Lu Yan, when he met up with him again, Xiao Ning was flooded with the sense that something had gone wrong.}Xiao Ning felt himself overwhelmed. Oftentimes, Lu Yan was very much a bastard, but he did regard himself as a good friend, and that was genuine. It was just that his brain had a missing string that was lost forever.

Even though it hadn't been more than a few days since Xiao Ning had last seen Lu Yan, when he met up with him again, Xiao Ning was flooded with the sense that something had gone wrong.

_{"Yes." Xiao Ning admitted, then asked jokingly, "Is it that surprising?"}
Xiao Ning was taken aback. "You... were you not serious about Xia Li?"

"Yes." Xiao Ning admitted, then asked jokingly, "Is it that surprising?"

_{In response, Lu Yan gave an impatient nod the placed his phone on the table.}N/A

In response, Lu Yan gave an impatient nod the placed his phone on the table.

_{"This way you can move back in with me." It was clear Lu Yan was now feeling better. "You're going to break up, I'm going to break up, so things can just go back to how they were before."}But, just how they were before?

"This way you can move back in with me." It was clear Lu Yan was now feeling better. "You're going to break up, I'm going to break up, so things can just go back to how they were before."

_{"Are you really a man?" Lu Yan's expression was so ugly it was frightening. "Xiao Ning, you and I are not the same. It's far too easy for you to take things too seriously."}
Who was it that said it was true love, again?

"Are you really a man?" Lu Yan's expression was so ugly it was frightening. "Xiao Ning, you and I are not the same. It's far too easy for you to take things too seriously."

_{iana: Xia Li basically got deleted, like a file. That's harsh.}After Shan Haiming gets his fill from playing around, he'll just pat me on the ass and ditch me...

iana: Xia Li basically got deleted, like a file. That's harsh.

_{Let's Talk}"Have you been busier at work these days?" Xiao Ning recalled Lu Yan had taken on a new project at work recently and had been quite busy.

Let's Talk

_{Even though it hadn't been more than a few days since Xiao Ning had last seen Lu Yan, when he met up with him again, Xiao Ning was flooded with the sense that something had gone wrong.}
"We're talking about you. Why are you dragging me into this?" Lu Yan tapped the table with his fingers. "It's impossible for a man and another man to be together, at most all they can do is date behind people's backs. They can't get married and their families will never accept them, so what future can doing that have?"

Even though it hadn't been more than a few days since Xiao Ning had last seen Lu Yan, when he met up with him again, Xiao Ning was flooded with the sense that something had gone wrong.

_{They were different.}Lu Yan drew his lips into a hard line, quietly observing Xiao Ning's movements. "Is it because of me?"

They were different.

_{"Haven't I been patient enough? If it was anyone else I would've already broken up with him. He's more difficult than any of the ones before, but you wouldn't know anything about that since you never had to cater to him.}
Xiao Ning stared at Lu Yan like he didn't recognise the person before him. Despite knowing for a long time Lu Yan had zero intention of coming out of the closet to his family, he never expected Lu Yan's thoughts on the subject would be so decisive and resolute—without an ounce of hesitation.

"Haven't I been patient enough? If it was anyone else I would've already broken up with him. He's more difficult than any of the ones before, but you wouldn't know anything about that since you never had to cater to him." Lu Yan lifted his brows and looked at Xiao Ning. "Then there's you. You're upset with me too, right? It's a good thing I never brought any of the boyfriends and girlfriends I had before around you, otherwise, they would've all pestered me to death! Did you know that last night Xia Li told me you had dirty intentions and were plotting to make a move on me, or some other foolishness?"

_{Let's Talk}
So for Lu Yan, everything was nothing more than fooling around? But what difference is there in fooling around with someone casually and doing it seriously?

Let's Talk

_{This sort of change in opinion was a part of Lu Yan's cycle Xiao Ning had long been familiar with, but this time he found it especially unacceptable. "Just as you said, Xia Li is young, so can't you just be a bit more patient with him?"}Xiao Ning felt that things were different.

This sort of change in opinion was a part of Lu Yan's cycle Xiao Ning had long been familiar with, but this time he found it especially unacceptable. "Just as you said, Xia Li is young, so can't you just be a bit more patient with him?"

_{Thinking about it, Xiao Ning countered, "You have dated men yourself. So when did you realise it?"}
"Does Xia Li feel this way too?" Xiao Ning couldn't help but ask.

Thinking about it, Xiao Ning countered, "You have dated men yourself. So when did you realise it?"

_{Thinking about it, Xiao Ning countered, "You have dated men yourself. So when did you realise it?"}Lu Yan said nothing, nor did he smile. In fact, as he looked at Xiao Ning, it was almost as if there was bitterness in his eyes.

Thinking about it, Xiao Ning countered, "You have dated men yourself. So when did you realise it?"

_{They were different.}"This way you can move back in with me." It was clear Lu Yan was now feeling better. "You're going to break up, I'm going to break up, so things can just go back to how they were before."

They were different.

_{Taking a sip of his juice, Xiao Ning then asked curiously, "What's different about it?"}
"Xia Li?" Lu Yan looked as though something that gave him a headache was mentioned. "He was talking about telling his parents about us and was even thinking about going back with me to visit my parents too. I have no idea what he was even thinking, but he's young."

Taking a sip of his juice, Xiao Ning then asked curiously, "What's different about it?"

_{Holding his hands, and resting them on the table, he said with an ordinary expression, "If you're going to break up, then break up. But I never said anything about wanting to break up."}During their time together, Lu Yan answered the phone a few times, all the calls being work-related.

Holding his hands, and resting them on the table, he said with an ordinary expression, "If you're going to break up, then break up. But I never said anything about wanting to break up."

_{"Am I the one who gave you this bad idea?" Lu Yan asked.}
Xiao Ning said nothing.

"Am I the one who gave you this bad idea?" Lu Yan asked.

_{"So what do you want to talk about?" Xao Ning gently initiated the conversation, it wasn't as if the two could sit there all night.}"We're talking about you. Why are you dragging me into this?" Lu Yan tapped the table with his fingers. "It's impossible for a man and another man to be together, at most all they can do is date behind people's backs. They can't get married and their families will never accept them, so what future can doing that have?"

"So what do you want to talk about?" Xao Ning gently initiated the conversation, it wasn't as if the two could sit there all night.

_{"Why are you bringing him up?" Lu Yan wrinkled his brows in shock. "Are you still hung up about that time he punched you? Didn't he apologize to you?"}
"Exceptional." Originally, Lu Yan was worthy of having such a word used to describe him, but now, for the first time in his life, Xiao Ning found Lu Yan to be disappointing.

"Why are you bringing him up?" Lu Yan wrinkled his brows in shock. "Are you still hung up about that time he punched you? Didn't he apologize to you?"

_{iana: Xia Li basically got deleted, like a file. That's harsh.}Xiao Ning had divorced himself from this a while back and was simply listening to Lu Yan's repeated explanations. But now, he was confused. "Why would the two of you breaking up have anything to do with me being happy? Am I getting a commission from your break-up fee?"

iana: Xia Li basically got deleted, like a file. That's harsh.

_{Lu Yan wasn't planning on letting him off the hook, however, saying, "Are you just not going to listen? You have a good life, why do you need to date?"}You're talking as if you're not dating yourself.

Lu Yan wasn't planning on letting him off the hook, however, saying, "Are you just not going to listen? You have a good life, why do you need to date?"

_{{Who was it that said it was true love, again?}}"Are you really a man?" Lu Yan's expression was so ugly it was frightening. "Xiao Ning, you and I are not the same. It's far too easy for you to take things too seriously."

Who was it that said it was true love, again?

_{Using some juice to help wash everything down, Xiao Ning did his best to change the subject, saying, "I'm planning to head back to C-City on Labour Day to visit your folks. Do you have anything planned?"}
Not everyone could be like Shan Haiming it seems.

Using some juice to help wash everything down, Xiao Ning did his best to change the subject, saying, "I'm planning to head back to C-City on Labour Day to visit your folks. Do you have anything planned?"

_{Maybe he was amused by Xiao Ning's appearance resembling that of a small animal because, for the first time that evening, Lu Yan wore a happy expression and his tone also relaxed. "What's with the rush? Did you skip lunch today?"}"Xia Li?" Lu Yan looked as though something that gave him a headache was mentioned. "He was talking about telling his parents about us and was even thinking about going back with me to visit my parents too. I have no idea what he was even thinking, but he's young."

Maybe he was amused by Xiao Ning's appearance resembling that of a small animal because, for the first time that evening, Lu Yan wore a happy expression and his tone also relaxed. "What's with the rush? Did you skip lunch today?"

_{Xiao Ning didn't know if he was hearing it wrong, but he felt as though everything Lu Yan said was through gritted teeth. "I'm not being difficult with you, I'm just being honest, that's all. Besides, even if he and I break up right now, I still wouldn't be able to marry a woman because I am gay. Is there anything wrong with that?"}"That's not the same!" Lu Yan raised his voice.

Xiao Ning didn't know if he was hearing it wrong, but he felt as though everything Lu Yan said was through gritted teeth. "I'm not being difficult with you, I'm just being honest, that's all. Besides, even if he and I break up right now, I still wouldn't be able to marry a woman because I am gay. Is there anything wrong with that?"

_{"I like men." Even Xiao Ning was surprised by his lack of hesitation as he said this, and once he did, his entire being felt relaxed, he felt freed. So, now, while wearing a light smile, he added, "It's true that I am different from you because unlike you, I can only like men."}"We're talking about you. Why are you dragging me into this?" Lu Yan tapped the table with his fingers. "It's impossible for a man and another man to be together, at most all they can do is date behind people's backs. They can't get married and their families will never accept them, so what future can doing that have?"

"I like men." Even Xiao Ning was surprised by his lack of hesitation as he said this, and once he did, his entire being felt relaxed, he felt freed. So, now, while wearing a light smile, he added, "It's true that I am different from you because unlike you, I can only like men."

_{"I like men." Even Xiao Ning was surprised by his lack of hesitation as he said this, and once he did, his entire being felt relaxed, he felt freed. So, now, while wearing a light smile, he added, "It's true that I am different from you because unlike you, I can only like men."}
With his thoughts now on Shan Haiming, Xiao Ning found himself thinking all the more his conversation with Lu Yan was pointless.

"I like men." Even Xiao Ning was surprised by his lack of hesitation as he said this, and once he did, his entire being felt relaxed, he felt freed. So, now, while wearing a light smile, he added, "It's true that I am different from you because unlike you, I can only like men."

_{Xiao Ning hesitated for a few seconds before replying, "Sure. It's almost time so how about we have dinner."}
"Stop making this about me. You're scaring me, alright?" Lu Yan then worriedly and solemnly added, "I was in the wrong, too. I've been ignoring you for too long. So hurry up and break up with that boyfriend of yours and I find you a nice girl to marry."

Xiao Ning hesitated for a few seconds before replying, "Sure. It's almost time so how about we have dinner."

_{Let's Talk}"Exceptional." Originally, Lu Yan was worthy of having such a word used to describe him, but now, for the first time in his life, Xiao Ning found Lu Yan to be disappointing.

Let's Talk

_{"That's not the same!" Lu Yan raised his voice.}Xiao Ning was taken aback. "You... were you not serious about Xia Li?"

"That's not the same!" Lu Yan raised his voice.

_{{Not everyone could be like Shan Haiming it seems.}}Lu Yan drew his lips into a hard line, quietly observing Xiao Ning's movements. "Is it because of me?"

Not everyone could be like Shan Haiming it seems.

_{"This way you can move back in with me." It was clear Lu Yan was now feeling better. "You're going to break up, I'm going to break up, so things can just go back to how they were before."}
"I like men." Even Xiao Ning was surprised by his lack of hesitation as he said this, and once he did, his entire being felt relaxed, he felt freed. So, now, while wearing a light smile, he added, "It's true that I am different from you because unlike you, I can only like men."

"This way you can move back in with me." It was clear Lu Yan was now feeling better. "You're going to break up, I'm going to break up, so things can just go back to how they were before."

_{"Am I the one who gave you this bad idea?" Lu Yan asked.}After Shan Haiming gets his fill from playing around, he'll just pat me on the ass and ditch me...

"Am I the one who gave you this bad idea?" Lu Yan asked.

_{Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Xiao Ning's first thought was about one person, and he couldn't stop himself from asking, "Then what about Xia Li...?"}"That's true." But in a moment of confusion, Lu Yan had an idea and asked, "But... you like men, right? So why were you never interested in me?"

Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Xiao Ning's first thought was about one person, and he couldn't stop himself from asking, "Then what about Xia Li...?"

_{He never had any intention of letting the target of those feelings of his ever being made aware of it. Was it Xia Li who said something? But from his perspective, isn't it nothing but a groundless accusation? Did he really go as far as telling Lu Yan?}
"Xiao Ning!" Lu Yan's temper exploded. "Are you trying to piss me off? I'm doing this for your own good!"

He never had any intention of letting the target of those feelings of his ever being made aware of it. Was it Xia Li who said something? But from his perspective, isn't it nothing but a groundless accusation? Did he really go as far as telling Lu Yan?

_{"Xiao Ning!" Lu Yan's temper exploded. "Are you trying to piss me off? I'm doing this for your own good!"}Lu Yan closed his eyes. "You having a boyfriend, is it true?"

"Xiao Ning!" Lu Yan's temper exploded. "Are you trying to piss me off? I'm doing this for your own good!"

_{Imagining Shan Haiming in such a scene was really funny, so much so, that Xiao Ning almost laughed out loud. "I'm not with him to gain something. Am I supposed to expect half his assets after marriage?"}"I know you're doing this for my own good." Xiao Ning smiled calmly as he spoke. "But my boyfriend's family have already accepted me."

Imagining Shan Haiming in such a scene was really funny, so much so, that Xiao Ning almost laughed out loud. "I'm not with him to gain something. Am I supposed to expect half his assets after marriage?"

_{"The original fell." After saying this, Lu Yan's phone rang again, but this time the melody was unlike the ones from earlier, instead it was one of a popular love song.}After coughing for a while, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Xiao Ning replied, "What are even saying? I was born like this, what does it have to do with you? What you just said almost scared the life out of me."

"The original fell." After saying this, Lu Yan's phone rang again, but this time the melody was unlike the ones from earlier, instead it was one of a popular love song.

_{Xiao Ning was taken aback. "You... were you not serious about Xia Li?"}
"I know you're doing this for my own good." Xiao Ning smiled calmly as he spoke. "But my boyfriend's family have already accepted me."

Xiao Ning was taken aback. "You... were you not serious about Xia Li?"

_{Xiao Ning didn't know if he was hearing it wrong, but he felt as though everything Lu Yan said was through gritted teeth. "I'm not being difficult with you, I'm just being honest, that's all. Besides, even if he and I break up right now, I still wouldn't be able to marry a woman because I am gay. Is there anything wrong with that?"}
Those words were so lethal that it made Lu Yan mute, but Lu Yan quickly found another angle, "So what if they accepted you, would other people accept you? Will the law accept you? His family might only be saying all that because they think he's playing around. You're putting your entire heart into this, but after he gets his fill from fooling around, he can just pat you on the ass and ditchT/n: It's used to reference someone taking no responsibility. I kept it literal for the line below. you, then you'd have gained nothing in the end."

Xiao Ning didn't know if he was hearing it wrong, but he felt as though everything Lu Yan said was through gritted teeth. "I'm not being difficult with you, I'm just being honest, that's all. Besides, even if he and I break up right now, I still wouldn't be able to marry a woman because I am gay. Is there anything wrong with that?"

_{"Yeah, or what? I'm not in the habit of straddling two boats. Plus, I'm seriously worn out this time, and he's caused a lot of trouble for you and me both.}Xiao Ning felt himself overwhelmed. Oftentimes, Lu Yan was very much a bastard, but he did regard himself as a good friend, and that was genuine. It was just that his brain had a missing string that was lost forever.

"Yeah, or what? I'm not in the habit of straddling two boats. Plus, I'm seriously worn out this time, and he's caused a lot of trouble for you and me both." As he spoke, the middle of Lu Yan's brows wrinkled into faint lines, but when he turned his gaze towards Xiao Ning, he smiled and added, "And I know that you're not still angry about being punched in the face, the truth is, I was upset about it. I told him that much after the fact. But you just said nothing and moved out. That was to show you were angry with me, right? Then when I called you, you even vented your anger on me, which made me a bit angry in turn. What's more, you suddenly got a boyfriend and didn't even tell me. So I need you to understand that I was just a bit mad back then, alright?"

_{"I know you're doing this for my own good." Xiao Ning smiled calmly as he spoke. "But my boyfriend's family have already accepted me."}
After Shan Haiming gets his fill from playing around, he'll just pat me on the ass and ditch me...

"I know you're doing this for my own good." Xiao Ning smiled calmly as he spoke. "But my boyfriend's family have already accepted me."

_{"Are you really a man?" Lu Yan's expression was so ugly it was frightening. "Xiao Ning, you and I are not the same. It's far too easy for you to take things too seriously."}"How could you like men?" When Lu Yan asked this question, just as before, he wore an expression revealing his lack of acceptance. "When did you realise you did?"

"Are you really a man?" Lu Yan's expression was so ugly it was frightening. "Xiao Ning, you and I are not the same. It's far too easy for you to take things too seriously."

_{Xiao Ning felt that things were different.}
Imagining Shan Haiming in such a scene was really funny, so much so, that Xiao Ning almost laughed out loud. "I'm not with him to gain something. Am I supposed to expect half his assets after marriage?"

Xiao Ning felt that things were different.

_{"Yeah, or what? I'm not in the habit of straddling two boats. Plus, I'm seriously worn out this time, and he's caused a lot of trouble for you and me both.}"This way you can move back in with me." It was clear Lu Yan was now feeling better. "You're going to break up, I'm going to break up, so things can just go back to how they were before."

"Yeah, or what? I'm not in the habit of straddling two boats. Plus, I'm seriously worn out this time, and he's caused a lot of trouble for you and me both." As he spoke, the middle of Lu Yan's brows wrinkled into faint lines, but when he turned his gaze towards Xiao Ning, he smiled and added, "And I know that you're not still angry about being punched in the face, the truth is, I was upset about it. I told him that much after the fact. But you just said nothing and moved out. That was to show you were angry with me, right? Then when I called you, you even vented your anger on me, which made me a bit angry in turn. What's more, you suddenly got a boyfriend and didn't even tell me. So I need you to understand that I was just a bit mad back then, alright?"

_{"Brothers are like hands and feet, other people are all just clothes. See, I'm still looking at you." Lu Yan sent him a wink. "I made a huge mistake this time and it won't be like this in the future, okay? Any partner I find, I'll let you appraise them first, and if you don't like them, I'll kick them to the curb—just like that."}
Lu Yan palmed his face "Are you even listening? You never acted this difficult when you were with me. Are you like this now because of your damn boyfriend?"

"Brothers are like hands and feet, other people are all just clothes. See, I'm still looking at you." Lu Yan sent him a wink. "I made a huge mistake this time and it won't be like this in the future, okay? Any partner I find, I'll let you appraise them first, and if you don't like them, I'll kick them to the curb—just like that."

_{Apart from the Spring Festival where he will make sure to go visit his family, Lu Yan usually spends any vacation time he gets going out to enjoy himself. So Xiao Ning was already preparing to say "Then, I'll deliver the things you'll send to them for you" but then he heard Lu Yan say, "No, so I'll go back with you."}He never had any intention of letting the target of those feelings of his ever being made aware of it. Was it Xia Li who said something? But from his perspective, isn't it nothing but a groundless accusation? Did he really go as far as telling Lu Yan?

Apart from the Spring Festival where he will make sure to go visit his family, Lu Yan usually spends any vacation time he gets going out to enjoy himself. So Xiao Ning was already preparing to say "Then, I'll deliver the things you'll send to them for you" but then he heard Lu Yan say, "No, so I'll go back with you."

_{This sort of change in opinion was a part of Lu Yan's cycle Xiao Ning had long been familiar with, but this time he found it especially unacceptable. "Just as you said, Xia Li is young, so can't you just be a bit more patient with him?"}Xiao Ning felt that things were different.

This sort of change in opinion was a part of Lu Yan's cycle Xiao Ning had long been familiar with, but this time he found it especially unacceptable. "Just as you said, Xia Li is young, so can't you just be a bit more patient with him?"

_{Lu Yan wasn't planning on letting him off the hook, however, saying, "Are you just not going to listen? You have a good life, why do you need to date?"}"I like men." Even Xiao Ning was surprised by his lack of hesitation as he said this, and once he did, his entire being felt relaxed, he felt freed. So, now, while wearing a light smile, he added, "It's true that I am different from you because unlike you, I can only like men."

Lu Yan wasn't planning on letting him off the hook, however, saying, "Are you just not going to listen? You have a good life, why do you need to date?"

_{"We're talking about you. Why are you dragging me into this?" Lu Yan tapped the table with his fingers. "It's impossible for a man and another man to be together, at most all they can do is date behind people's backs. They can't get married and their families will never accept them, so what future can doing that have?"}
Xiao Ning didn't know if he was hearing it wrong, but he felt as though everything Lu Yan said was through gritted teeth. "I'm not being difficult with you, I'm just being honest, that's all. Besides, even if he and I break up right now, I still wouldn't be able to marry a woman because I am gay. Is there anything wrong with that?"

"We're talking about you. Why are you dragging me into this?" Lu Yan tapped the table with his fingers. "It's impossible for a man and another man to be together, at most all they can do is date behind people's backs. They can't get married and their families will never accept them, so what future can doing that have?"

_{Lu Yan's mood probably has something to do with this. But this was not something Xiao Ning could easily ask, so he could only act as if he knew nothing. It had been proven that the more mixed up he got in Lu Yan and Xia Li's business, the more he got mistaken.}
Lu Yan dropped his hand, revealing an expression of refusal before he spoke. "I disapprove."

Lu Yan's mood probably has something to do with this. But this was not something Xiao Ning could easily ask, so he could only act as if he knew nothing. It had been proven that the more mixed up he got in Lu Yan and Xia Li's business, the more he got mistaken.

_{"So it was you that made him call me." Xiao Ning shook his head in frustration. "Didn't I tell you from the start that I wasn't angry about that? Why did you make that kid apologise to me, huh? It'll just cause you guys unnecessary trouble."}
Then, what else is there to say? Xiao Ning had nothing else he could add, and just then their food was served, so he poured all of his attention into eating his meal.

"So it was you that made him call me." Xiao Ning shook his head in frustration. "Didn't I tell you from the start that I wasn't angry about that? Why did you make that kid apologise to me, huh? It'll just cause you guys unnecessary trouble."

_{{Who was it that said it was true love, again?}}"Have you been busier at work these days?" Xiao Ning recalled Lu Yan had taken on a new project at work recently and had been quite busy.

Who was it that said it was true love, again?

_{Using some juice to help wash everything down, Xiao Ning did his best to change the subject, saying, "I'm planning to head back to C-City on Labour Day to visit your folks. Do you have anything planned?"}Xiao Ning stared at Lu Yan like he didn't recognise the person before him. Despite knowing for a long time Lu Yan had zero intention of coming out of the closet to his family, he never expected Lu Yan's thoughts on the subject would be so decisive and resolute—without an ounce of hesitation.

Using some juice to help wash everything down, Xiao Ning did his best to change the subject, saying, "I'm planning to head back to C-City on Labour Day to visit your folks. Do you have anything planned?"

_{iana: Xia Li basically got deleted, like a file. That's harsh.}
Lu Yan wasn't planning on letting him off the hook, however, saying, "Are you just not going to listen? You have a good life, why do you need to date?"

iana: Xia Li basically got deleted, like a file. That's harsh.

_{"Stop making this about me. You're scaring me, alright?" Lu Yan then worriedly and solemnly added, "I was in the wrong, too. I've been ignoring you for too long. So hurry up and break up with that boyfriend of yours and I find you a nice girl to marry."}Those words were so lethal that it made Lu Yan mute, but Lu Yan quickly found another angle, "So what if they accepted you, would other people accept you? Will the law accept you? His family might only be saying all that because they think he's playing around. You're putting your entire heart into this, but after he gets his fill from fooling around, he can just pat you on the ass and ditchT/n: It's used to reference someone taking no responsibility. I kept it literal for the line below. you, then you'd have gained nothing in the end."

"Stop making this about me. You're scaring me, alright?" Lu Yan then worriedly and solemnly added, "I was in the wrong, too. I've been ignoring you for too long. So hurry up and break up with that boyfriend of yours and I find you a nice girl to marry."

_{This sort of change in opinion was a part of Lu Yan's cycle Xiao Ning had long been familiar with, but this time he found it especially unacceptable. "Just as you said, Xia Li is young, so can't you just be a bit more patient with him?"}"The original fell." After saying this, Lu Yan's phone rang again, but this time the melody was unlike the ones from earlier, instead it was one of a popular love song.

This sort of change in opinion was a part of Lu Yan's cycle Xiao Ning had long been familiar with, but this time he found it especially unacceptable. "Just as you said, Xia Li is young, so can't you just be a bit more patient with him?"

_{Who was it that said it was true love, again?}
You're talking as if you're not dating yourself.

Who was it that said it was true love, again?

_{Apart from the Spring Festival where he will make sure to go visit his family, Lu Yan usually spends any vacation time he gets going out to enjoy himself. So Xiao Ning was already preparing to say "Then, I'll deliver the things you'll send to them for you" but then he heard Lu Yan say, "No, so I'll go back with you."}
Those words revealed the degree of his scoundrel-like behaviour, and with his face stuffed with rice until his cheeks were bulging, while unable to swallow, he couldn't help but lift his head to stare down Lu Yan with condemnation.

Apart from the Spring Festival where he will make sure to go visit his family, Lu Yan usually spends any vacation time he gets going out to enjoy himself. So Xiao Ning was already preparing to say "Then, I'll deliver the things you'll send to them for you" but then he heard Lu Yan say, "No, so I'll go back with you."

_{"Exceptional." Originally, Lu Yan was worthy of having such a word used to describe him, but now, for the first time in his life, Xiao Ning found Lu Yan to be disappointing.}
Maybe he was amused by Xiao Ning's appearance resembling that of a small animal because, for the first time that evening, Lu Yan wore a happy expression and his tone also relaxed. "What's with the rush? Did you skip lunch today?"

"Exceptional." Originally, Lu Yan was worthy of having such a word used to describe him, but now, for the first time in his life, Xiao Ning found Lu Yan to be disappointing.

_{Using some juice to help wash everything down, Xiao Ning did his best to change the subject, saying, "I'm planning to head back to C-City on Labour Day to visit your folks. Do you have anything planned?"}This sort of change in opinion was a part of Lu Yan's cycle Xiao Ning had long been familiar with, but this time he found it especially unacceptable. "Just as you said, Xia Li is young, so can't you just be a bit more patient with him?"

Using some juice to help wash everything down, Xiao Ning did his best to change the subject, saying, "I'm planning to head back to C-City on Labour Day to visit your folks. Do you have anything planned?"

_{Lu Yan palmed his face "Are you even listening? You never acted this difficult when you were with me. Are you like this now because of your damn boyfriend?"}Holding his hands, and resting them on the table, he said with an ordinary expression, "If you're going to break up, then break up. But I never said anything about wanting to break up."

Lu Yan palmed his face "Are you even listening? You never acted this difficult when you were with me. Are you like this now because of your damn boyfriend?"

_{{That kid really is too impulsive. All he had to go on was a guess yet he went making trouble over it.} Xiao Ning looked down and covered his eyes. "If I was plotting to make moves on you I would've done so a long time ago. Why would I wait for him to go tell you?"}Xiao Ning didn't know if he was hearing it wrong, but he felt as though everything Lu Yan said was through gritted teeth. "I'm not being difficult with you, I'm just being honest, that's all. Besides, even if he and I break up right now, I still wouldn't be able to marry a woman because I am gay. Is there anything wrong with that?"

That kid really is too impulsive. All he had to go on was a guess yet he went making trouble over it. Xiao Ning looked down and covered his eyes. "If I was plotting to make moves on you I would've done so a long time ago. Why would I wait for him to go tell you?"

_{After Shan Haiming gets his fill from playing around, he'll just pat me on the ass and ditch me...}
Using some juice to help wash everything down, Xiao Ning did his best to change the subject, saying, "I'm planning to head back to C-City on Labour Day to visit your folks. Do you have anything planned?"

After Shan Haiming gets his fill from playing around, he'll just pat me on the ass and ditch me...

_{"You're not my type, and besides, we're way too familiar with one another. What point in there in using the left hand to hold the right?" Lu Yan then relined in his seat, his tone softening as he did so. "You never even fought with me before now and it was honestly unpleasant. I seriously never expected something like that."}"Exceptional." Originally, Lu Yan was worthy of having such a word used to describe him, but now, for the first time in his life, Xiao Ning found Lu Yan to be disappointing.

"You're not my type, and besides, we're way too familiar with one another. What point in there in using the left hand to hold the right?" Lu Yan then relined in his seat, his tone softening as he did so. "You never even fought with me before now and it was honestly unpleasant. I seriously never expected something like that."

_{"Xiao Ning!" Lu Yan's temper exploded. "Are you trying to piss me off? I'm doing this for your own good!"}Lu Yan palmed his face "Are you even listening? You never acted this difficult when you were with me. Are you like this now because of your damn boyfriend?"

"Xiao Ning!" Lu Yan's temper exploded. "Are you trying to piss me off? I'm doing this for your own good!"

_{"Xia Li?" Lu Yan looked as though something that gave him a headache was mentioned. "He was talking about telling his parents about us and was even thinking about going back with me to visit my parents too. I have no idea what he was even thinking, but he's young."}"This way you can move back in with me." It was clear Lu Yan was now feeling better. "You're going to break up, I'm going to break up, so things can just go back to how they were before."

"Xia Li?" Lu Yan looked as though something that gave him a headache was mentioned. "He was talking about telling his parents about us and was even thinking about going back with me to visit my parents too. I have no idea what he was even thinking, but he's young."

_{With his thoughts now on Shan Haiming, Xiao Ning found himself thinking all the more his conversation with Lu Yan was pointless.}
Apart from the Spring Festival where he will make sure to go visit his family, Lu Yan usually spends any vacation time he gets going out to enjoy himself. So Xiao Ning was already preparing to say "Then, I'll deliver the things you'll send to them for you" but then he heard Lu Yan say, "No, so I'll go back with you."

With his thoughts now on Shan Haiming, Xiao Ning found himself thinking all the more his conversation with Lu Yan was pointless.

_{With his thoughts now on Shan Haiming, Xiao Ning found himself thinking all the more his conversation with Lu Yan was pointless.}"I know you're doing this for my own good." Xiao Ning smiled calmly as he spoke. "But my boyfriend's family have already accepted me."

With his thoughts now on Shan Haiming, Xiao Ning found himself thinking all the more his conversation with Lu Yan was pointless.

_{{So he really did say it.}}"Xiao Ning." Lu Yan expelled a long sigh. "Let's talk."

So he really did say it.

_{Xiao Ning felt himself overwhelmed. Oftentimes, Lu Yan was very much a bastard, but he did regard himself as a good friend, and that was genuine. It was just that his brain had a missing string that was lost forever.}
Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Xiao Ning's first thought was about one person, and he couldn't stop himself from asking, "Then what about Xia Li...?"

Xiao Ning felt himself overwhelmed. Oftentimes, Lu Yan was very much a bastard, but he did regard himself as a good friend, and that was genuine. It was just that his brain had a missing string that was lost forever.

_N/A"Why are you bringing him up?" Lu Yan wrinkled his brows in shock. "Are you still hung up about that time he punched you? Didn't he apologize to you?"

N/A

_{Xiao Ning didn't know if he was hearing it wrong, but he felt as though everything Lu Yan said was through gritted teeth. "I'm not being difficult with you, I'm just being honest, that's all. Besides, even if he and I break up right now, I still wouldn't be able to marry a woman because I am gay. Is there anything wrong with that?"}Holding his hands, and resting them on the table, he said with an ordinary expression, "If you're going to break up, then break up. But I never said anything about wanting to break up."

Xiao Ning didn't know if he was hearing it wrong, but he felt as though everything Lu Yan said was through gritted teeth. "I'm not being difficult with you, I'm just being honest, that's all. Besides, even if he and I break up right now, I still wouldn't be able to marry a woman because I am gay. Is there anything wrong with that?"

_{Holding his hands, and resting them on the table, he said with an ordinary expression, "If you're going to break up, then break up. But I never said anything about wanting to break up."}
"Why are you bringing him up?" Lu Yan wrinkled his brows in shock. "Are you still hung up about that time he punched you? Didn't he apologize to you?"

Holding his hands, and resting them on the table, he said with an ordinary expression, "If you're going to break up, then break up. But I never said anything about wanting to break up."

_{They were in a bustling business district, so naturally, there was no shortage of places to eat at. Seeing Lu Yan had no interest in eating, Xiao Ning chose a coffee shop that served simple meals, then ordered a kiwi fruit juice and alcohol-free mojito respectively.}
"So it was you that made him call me." Xiao Ning shook his head in frustration. "Didn't I tell you from the start that I wasn't angry about that? Why did you make that kid apologise to me, huh? It'll just cause you guys unnecessary trouble."

They were in a bustling business district, so naturally, there was no shortage of places to eat at. Seeing Lu Yan had no interest in eating, Xiao Ning chose a coffee shop that served simple meals, then ordered a kiwi fruit juice and alcohol-free mojito respectively.

_{Those words were so lethal that it made Lu Yan mute, but Lu Yan quickly found another angle, "So what if they accepted you, would other people accept you? Will the law accept you? His family might only be saying all that because they think he's playing around. You're putting your entire heart into this, but after he gets his fill from fooling around, he can just pat you on the ass and ditchT/n: It's used to reference someone taking no responsibility.}Imagining Shan Haiming in such a scene was really funny, so much so, that Xiao Ning almost laughed out loud. "I'm not with him to gain something. Am I supposed to expect half his assets after marriage?"

Those words were so lethal that it made Lu Yan mute, but Lu Yan quickly found another angle, "So what if they accepted you, would other people accept you? Will the law accept you? His family might only be saying all that because they think he's playing around. You're putting your entire heart into this, but after he gets his fill from fooling around, he can just pat you on the ass and ditchT/n: It's used to reference someone taking no responsibility. I kept it literal for the line below. you, then you'd have gained nothing in the end."

_{With shock and horror, Xiao Ning looked at him, his heart practically a surging storm. His decades-long unrequited love had already come to an end, and in this world, apart from himself, the only one who knew was Shan Haiming, and that was enough.}Xiao Ning was taken aback. "You... were you not serious about Xia Li?"

With shock and horror, Xiao Ning looked at him, his heart practically a surging storm. His decades-long unrequited love had already come to an end, and in this world, apart from himself, the only one who knew was Shan Haiming, and that was enough.

_{With shock and horror, Xiao Ning looked at him, his heart practically a surging storm. His decades-long unrequited love had already come to an end, and in this world, apart from himself, the only one who knew was Shan Haiming, and that was enough.}
"I was just hoping he'd be a bit more sensible. He's been nothing but a headache all day and night." Lu Yan then impatiently added, "Those young ones who just entered the workforce are really high-spirited."

With shock and horror, Xiao Ning looked at him, his heart practically a surging storm. His decades-long unrequited love had already come to an end, and in this world, apart from himself, the only one who knew was Shan Haiming, and that was enough.

_{Xiao Ning looked at him curiously, wondering: Did something happen? Did he fight with Xia Li?}
This sort of change in opinion was a part of Lu Yan's cycle Xiao Ning had long been familiar with, but this time he found it especially unacceptable. "Just as you said, Xia Li is young, so can't you just be a bit more patient with him?"

Xiao Ning looked at him curiously, wondering: Did something happen? Did he fight with Xia Li?

_{Maybe he was amused by Xiao Ning's appearance resembling that of a small animal because, for the first time that evening, Lu Yan wore a happy expression and his tone also relaxed. "What's with the rush? Did you skip lunch today?"}
"Haven't I been patient enough? If it was anyone else I would've already broken up with him. He's more difficult than any of the ones before, but you wouldn't know anything about that since you never had to cater to him." Lu Yan lifted his brows and looked at Xiao Ning. "Then there's you. You're upset with me too, right? It's a good thing I never brought any of the boyfriends and girlfriends I had before around you, otherwise, they would've all pestered me to death! Did you know that last night Xia Li told me you had dirty intentions and were plotting to make a move on me, or some other foolishness?"

Maybe he was amused by Xiao Ning's appearance resembling that of a small animal because, for the first time that evening, Lu Yan wore a happy expression and his tone also relaxed. "What's with the rush? Did you skip lunch today?"

_{"Break up?" His saying such a thing so easily after it not being long since he opened up to Xiao Ning, was such a difference of night and day that Xiao Ning was taken aback. "With Xia Li?"}Xiao Ning had divorced himself from this a while back and was simply listening to Lu Yan's repeated explanations. But now, he was confused. "Why would the two of you breaking up have anything to do with me being happy? Am I getting a commission from your break-up fee?"

"Break up?" His saying such a thing so easily after it not being long since he opened up to Xiao Ning, was such a difference of night and day that Xiao Ning was taken aback. "With Xia Li?"

_{So for Lu Yan, everything was nothing more than fooling around? But what difference is there in fooling around with someone casually and doing it seriously?}
So he really did say it.

So for Lu Yan, everything was nothing more than fooling around? But what difference is there in fooling around with someone casually and doing it seriously?

_{Using some juice to help wash everything down, Xiao Ning did his best to change the subject, saying, "I'm planning to head back to C-City on Labour Day to visit your folks. Do you have anything planned?"}With shock and horror, Xiao Ning looked at him, his heart practically a surging storm. His decades-long unrequited love had already come to an end, and in this world, apart from himself, the only one who knew was Shan Haiming, and that was enough.

Using some juice to help wash everything down, Xiao Ning did his best to change the subject, saying, "I'm planning to head back to C-City on Labour Day to visit your folks. Do you have anything planned?"

_{"So what do you want to talk about?" Xao Ning gently initiated the conversation, it wasn't as if the two could sit there all night.}
That kid really is too impulsive. All he had to go on was a guess yet he went making trouble over it. Xiao Ning looked down and covered his eyes. "If I was plotting to make moves on you I would've done so a long time ago. Why would I wait for him to go tell you?"

"So what do you want to talk about?" Xao Ning gently initiated the conversation, it wasn't as if the two could sit there all night.

_{You're talking as if you're not dating yourself.}
"That's true." But in a moment of confusion, Lu Yan had an idea and asked, "But... you like men, right? So why were you never interested in me?"

You're talking as if you're not dating yourself.

_{They were different.}So he really did say it.

They were different.

_{"That's not the same!" Lu Yan raised his voice.}Xiao Ning looked at him curiously, wondering: Did something happen? Did he fight with Xia Li?

"That's not the same!" Lu Yan raised his voice.

_{"I was just hoping he'd be a bit more sensible. He's been nothing but a headache all day and night." Lu Yan then impatiently added, "Those young ones who just entered the workforce are really high-spirited."}
Seeing he was not seriously asking, Xiao Ning let out a sigh of relief and put on a pretence of displeasure as he replied, "Mr. Lu, you have gotten yourself so many boyfriends, so have you, yourself, ever considered me?"

"I was just hoping he'd be a bit more sensible. He's been nothing but a headache all day and night." Lu Yan then impatiently added, "Those young ones who just entered the workforce are really high-spirited."

_{"Yes." Xiao Ning admitted, then asked jokingly, "Is it that surprising?"}With shock and horror, Xiao Ning looked at him, his heart practically a surging storm. His decades-long unrequited love had already come to an end, and in this world, apart from himself, the only one who knew was Shan Haiming, and that was enough.

"Yes." Xiao Ning admitted, then asked jokingly, "Is it that surprising?"

_{"The original fell." After saying this, Lu Yan's phone rang again, but this time the melody was unlike the ones from earlier, instead it was one of a popular love song.}Xiao Ning spat out the juice in his mouth, the shock causing him to cough thunderously. With a frown, Lu Yan handed him a napkin, his lips sealed shut.

"The original fell." After saying this, Lu Yan's phone rang again, but this time the melody was unlike the ones from earlier, instead it was one of a popular love song.

_{Xiao Ning said nothing.}
"You're not my type, and besides, we're way too familiar with one another. What point in there in using the left hand to hold the right?" Lu Yan then relined in his seat, his tone softening as he did so. "You never even fought with me before now and it was honestly unpleasant. I seriously never expected something like that."

Xiao Ning said nothing.

_{"We're talking about you. Why are you dragging me into this?" Lu Yan tapped the table with his fingers. "It's impossible for a man and another man to be together, at most all they can do is date behind people's backs. They can't get married and their families will never accept them, so what future can doing that have?"}Seeing him do this, Xiao Ning noticed that despite the phone on the table being the same model, it was new. Turning his gaze to Lu Yan, who looked agitated but said nothing, Xiao Ning broke the awkward silence. "Did you get a new phone?"

"We're talking about you. Why are you dragging me into this?" Lu Yan tapped the table with his fingers. "It's impossible for a man and another man to be together, at most all they can do is date behind people's backs. They can't get married and their families will never accept them, so what future can doing that have?"

_{Lu Yan drew his lips into a hard line, quietly observing Xiao Ning's movements. "Is it because of me?"}Those words revealed the degree of his scoundrel-like behaviour, and with his face stuffed with rice until his cheeks were bulging, while unable to swallow, he couldn't help but lift his head to stare down Lu Yan with condemnation.

Lu Yan drew his lips into a hard line, quietly observing Xiao Ning's movements. "Is it because of me?"

_{iana: Xia Li basically got deleted, like a file. That's harsh.}"You're not my type, and besides, we're way too familiar with one another. What point in there in using the left hand to hold the right?" Lu Yan then relined in his seat, his tone softening as he did so. "You never even fought with me before now and it was honestly unpleasant. I seriously never expected something like that."

iana: Xia Li basically got deleted, like a file. That's harsh.

_N/A
After saying this, Lu Yan seemed conflicted for a moment before saying, "You know what, forget it. I'm tired of him anyhow, so I might as well just break up."

N/A

_{Xiao Ning felt himself overwhelmed. Oftentimes, Lu Yan was very much a bastard, but he did regard himself as a good friend, and that was genuine. It was just that his brain had a missing string that was lost forever.}"This way you can move back in with me." It was clear Lu Yan was now feeling better. "You're going to break up, I'm going to break up, so things can just go back to how they were before."

Xiao Ning felt himself overwhelmed. Oftentimes, Lu Yan was very much a bastard, but he did regard himself as a good friend, and that was genuine. It was just that his brain had a missing string that was lost forever.

_{Xiao Ning felt himself overwhelmed. Oftentimes, Lu Yan was very much a bastard, but he did regard himself as a good friend, and that was genuine. It was just that his brain had a missing string that was lost forever.}"How could you like men?" When Lu Yan asked this question, just as before, he wore an expression revealing his lack of acceptance. "When did you realise you did?"

Xiao Ning felt himself overwhelmed. Oftentimes, Lu Yan was very much a bastard, but he did regard himself as a good friend, and that was genuine. It was just that his brain had a missing string that was lost forever.

_{Lu Yan closed his eyes. "You having a boyfriend, is it true?"}Let's Talk

Lu Yan closed his eyes. "You having a boyfriend, is it true?"

_{"Have you been busier at work these days?" Xiao Ning recalled Lu Yan had taken on a new project at work recently and had been quite busy.}
"Break up?" His saying such a thing so easily after it not being long since he opened up to Xiao Ning, was such a difference of night and day that Xiao Ning was taken aback. "With Xia Li?"

"Have you been busier at work these days?" Xiao Ning recalled Lu Yan had taken on a new project at work recently and had been quite busy.

_{Xiao Ning didn't know if he was hearing it wrong, but he felt as though everything Lu Yan said was through gritted teeth. "I'm not being difficult with you, I'm just being honest, that's all. Besides, even if he and I break up right now, I still wouldn't be able to marry a woman because I am gay. Is there anything wrong with that?"}"Xiao Ning!" Lu Yan's temper exploded. "Are you trying to piss me off? I'm doing this for your own good!"

Xiao Ning didn't know if he was hearing it wrong, but he felt as though everything Lu Yan said was through gritted teeth. "I'm not being difficult with you, I'm just being honest, that's all. Besides, even if he and I break up right now, I still wouldn't be able to marry a woman because I am gay. Is there anything wrong with that?"

_N/ABut, just how they were before?

N/A

_{Xiao Ning felt himself overwhelmed. Oftentimes, Lu Yan was very much a bastard, but he did regard himself as a good friend, and that was genuine. It was just that his brain had a missing string that was lost forever.}N/A

Xiao Ning felt himself overwhelmed. Oftentimes, Lu Yan was very much a bastard, but he did regard himself as a good friend, and that was genuine. It was just that his brain had a missing string that was lost forever.

_{Those words were so lethal that it made Lu Yan mute, but Lu Yan quickly found another angle, "So what if they accepted you, would other people accept you? Will the law accept you? His family might only be saying all that because they think he's playing around. You're putting your entire heart into this, but after he gets his fill from fooling around, he can just pat you on the ass and ditchT/n: It's used to reference someone taking no responsibility.}
"Yeah, or what? I'm not in the habit of straddling two boats. Plus, I'm seriously worn out this time, and he's caused a lot of trouble for you and me both." As he spoke, the middle of Lu Yan's brows wrinkled into faint lines, but when he turned his gaze towards Xiao Ning, he smiled and added, "And I know that you're not still angry about being punched in the face, the truth is, I was upset about it. I told him that much after the fact. But you just said nothing and moved out. That was to show you were angry with me, right? Then when I called you, you even vented your anger on me, which made me a bit angry in turn. What's more, you suddenly got a boyfriend and didn't even tell me. So I need you to understand that I was just a bit mad back then, alright?"

Those words were so lethal that it made Lu Yan mute, but Lu Yan quickly found another angle, "So what if they accepted you, would other people accept you? Will the law accept you? His family might only be saying all that because they think he's playing around. You're putting your entire heart into this, but after he gets his fill from fooling around, he can just pat you on the ass and ditchT/n: It's used to reference someone taking no responsibility. I kept it literal for the line below. you, then you'd have gained nothing in the end."

_{After coughing for a while, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Xiao Ning replied, "What are even saying? I was born like this, what does it have to do with you? What you just said almost scared the life out of me."}
Pointing at his face, he continued, "He was super jealous of how we brothers get along better than him. He even scratched my face, you see? Haa.. Now is a good time. So when I go back I'll just break up with him. So are you happy now?"

After coughing for a while, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Xiao Ning replied, "What are even saying? I was born like this, what does it have to do with you? What you just said almost scared the life out of me."

_{So he really did say it.}
Xiao Ning had divorced himself from this a while back and was simply listening to Lu Yan's repeated explanations. But now, he was confused. "Why would the two of you breaking up have anything to do with me being happy? Am I getting a commission from your break-up fee?"

So he really did say it.

_{Using some juice to help wash everything down, Xiao Ning did his best to change the subject, saying, "I'm planning to head back to C-City on Labour Day to visit your folks. Do you have anything planned?"}Lu Yan's mood probably has something to do with this. But this was not something Xiao Ning could easily ask, so he could only act as if he knew nothing. It had been proven that the more mixed up he got in Lu Yan and Xia Li's business, the more he got mistaken.

Using some juice to help wash everything down, Xiao Ning did his best to change the subject, saying, "I'm planning to head back to C-City on Labour Day to visit your folks. Do you have anything planned?"

_{"Does Xia Li feel this way too?" Xiao Ning couldn't help but ask.}"Why are you bringing him up?" Lu Yan wrinkled his brows in shock. "Are you still hung up about that time he punched you? Didn't he apologize to you?"

"Does Xia Li feel this way too?" Xiao Ning couldn't help but ask.

_{Imagining Shan Haiming in such a scene was really funny, so much so, that Xiao Ning almost laughed out loud. "I'm not with him to gain something. Am I supposed to expect half his assets after marriage?"}
"Brothers are like hands and feet, other people are all just clothes. See, I'm still looking at you." Lu Yan sent him a wink. "I made a huge mistake this time and it won't be like this in the future, okay? Any partner I find, I'll let you appraise them first, and if you don't like them, I'll kick them to the curb—just like that."

Imagining Shan Haiming in such a scene was really funny, so much so, that Xiao Ning almost laughed out loud. "I'm not with him to gain something. Am I supposed to expect half his assets after marriage?"

_{"Xiao Ning." Lu Yan expelled a long sigh. "Let's talk."}iana: Xia Li basically got deleted, like a file. That's harsh.

"Xiao Ning." Lu Yan expelled a long sigh. "Let's talk."

_{Xiao Ning said nothing.}Not everyone could be like Shan Haiming it seems.

Xiao Ning said nothing.

_{"Stop making this about me. You're scaring me, alright?" Lu Yan then worriedly and solemnly added, "I was in the wrong, too. I've been ignoring you for too long. So hurry up and break up with that boyfriend of yours and I find you a nice girl to marry."}
"What kind of appraisal skills do I have?" At a loss, Xiao Ning added, "Do I look like some mother-in-law to you?"

"Stop making this about me. You're scaring me, alright?" Lu Yan then worriedly and solemnly added, "I was in the wrong, too. I've been ignoring you for too long. So hurry up and break up with that boyfriend of yours and I find you a nice girl to marry."

_{Lu Yan wasn't planning on letting him off the hook, however, saying, "Are you just not going to listen? You have a good life, why do you need to date?"}
"This way you can move back in with me." It was clear Lu Yan was now feeling better. "You're going to break up, I'm going to break up, so things can just go back to how they were before."

Lu Yan wasn't planning on letting him off the hook, however, saying, "Are you just not going to listen? You have a good life, why do you need to date?"

_{"Xia Li?" Lu Yan looked as though something that gave him a headache was mentioned. "He was talking about telling his parents about us and was even thinking about going back with me to visit my parents too. I have no idea what he was even thinking, but he's young."}
Xiao Ning felt himself overwhelmed. Oftentimes, Lu Yan was very much a bastard, but he did regard himself as a good friend, and that was genuine. It was just that his brain had a missing string that was lost forever.

"Xia Li?" Lu Yan looked as though something that gave him a headache was mentioned. "He was talking about telling his parents about us and was even thinking about going back with me to visit my parents too. I have no idea what he was even thinking, but he's young."

_{"This way you can move back in with me." It was clear Lu Yan was now feeling better. "You're going to break up, I'm going to break up, so things can just go back to how they were before."}Taking a sip of his juice, Xiao Ning then asked curiously, "What's different about it?"

"This way you can move back in with me." It was clear Lu Yan was now feeling better. "You're going to break up, I'm going to break up, so things can just go back to how they were before."

_{Lu Yan wasn't planning on letting him off the hook, however, saying, "Are you just not going to listen? You have a good life, why do you need to date?"}Seeing him do this, Xiao Ning noticed that despite the phone on the table being the same model, it was new. Turning his gaze to Lu Yan, who looked agitated but said nothing, Xiao Ning broke the awkward silence. "Did you get a new phone?"

Lu Yan wasn't planning on letting him off the hook, however, saying, "Are you just not going to listen? You have a good life, why do you need to date?"

_{"You're not my type, and besides, we're way too familiar with one another. What point in there in using the left hand to hold the right?" Lu Yan then relined in his seat, his tone softening as he did so. "You never even fought with me before now and it was honestly unpleasant. I seriously never expected something like that."}
But, just how they were before?

"You're not my type, and besides, we're way too familiar with one another. What point in there in using the left hand to hold the right?" Lu Yan then relined in his seat, his tone softening as he did so. "You never even fought with me before now and it was honestly unpleasant. I seriously never expected something like that."

_{{Who was it that said it was true love, again?}}"Am I the one who gave you this bad idea?" Lu Yan asked.

Who was it that said it was true love, again?

_{Xiao Ning said nothing.}After coughing for a while, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Xiao Ning replied, "What are even saying? I was born like this, what does it have to do with you? What you just said almost scared the life out of me."

Xiao Ning said nothing.

_{"Break up?" His saying such a thing so easily after it not being long since he opened up to Xiao Ning, was such a difference of night and day that Xiao Ning was taken aback. "With Xia Li?"}
Xiao Ning felt that things were different.

"Break up?" His saying such a thing so easily after it not being long since he opened up to Xiao Ning, was such a difference of night and day that Xiao Ning was taken aback. "With Xia Li?"

_{{Lu Yan's mood probably has something to do with this.} But this was not something Xiao Ning could easily ask, so he could only act as if he knew nothing. It had been proven that the more mixed up he got in Lu Yan and Xia Li's business, the more he got mistaken.}But, just how they were before?

Lu Yan's mood probably has something to do with this. But this was not something Xiao Ning could easily ask, so he could only act as if he knew nothing. It had been proven that the more mixed up he got in Lu Yan and Xia Li's business, the more he got mistaken.

_{Using some juice to help wash everything down, Xiao Ning did his best to change the subject, saying, "I'm planning to head back to C-City on Labour Day to visit your folks. Do you have anything planned?"}"Xia Li?" Lu Yan looked as though something that gave him a headache was mentioned. "He was talking about telling his parents about us and was even thinking about going back with me to visit my parents too. I have no idea what he was even thinking, but he's young."

Using some juice to help wash everything down, Xiao Ning did his best to change the subject, saying, "I'm planning to head back to C-City on Labour Day to visit your folks. Do you have anything planned?"

_{Xiao Ning didn't know if he was hearing it wrong, but he felt as though everything Lu Yan said was through gritted teeth. "I'm not being difficult with you, I'm just being honest, that's all. Besides, even if he and I break up right now, I still wouldn't be able to marry a woman because I am gay. Is there anything wrong with that?"}With shock and horror, Xiao Ning looked at him, his heart practically a surging storm. His decades-long unrequited love had already come to an end, and in this world, apart from himself, the only one who knew was Shan Haiming, and that was enough.

Xiao Ning didn't know if he was hearing it wrong, but he felt as though everything Lu Yan said was through gritted teeth. "I'm not being difficult with you, I'm just being honest, that's all. Besides, even if he and I break up right now, I still wouldn't be able to marry a woman because I am gay. Is there anything wrong with that?"

_{Then, what else is there to say? Xiao Ning had nothing else he could add, and just then their food was served, so he poured all of his attention into eating his meal.}
They were different.

Then, what else is there to say? Xiao Ning had nothing else he could add, and just then their food was served, so he poured all of his attention into eating his meal.

_{Maybe he was amused by Xiao Ning's appearance resembling that of a small animal because, for the first time that evening, Lu Yan wore a happy expression and his tone also relaxed. "What's with the rush? Did you skip lunch today?"}So he really did say it.

Maybe he was amused by Xiao Ning's appearance resembling that of a small animal because, for the first time that evening, Lu Yan wore a happy expression and his tone also relaxed. "What's with the rush? Did you skip lunch today?"

_{"How could you like men?" When Lu Yan asked this question, just as before, he wore an expression revealing his lack of acceptance. "When did you realise you did?"}The air felt stagnant, then with a smile, and a frown, Xiao Ning asked, "What's wrong? Did you not sleep well?"

"How could you like men?" When Lu Yan asked this question, just as before, he wore an expression revealing his lack of acceptance. "When did you realise you did?"

_{"Xiao Ning!" Lu Yan's temper exploded. "Are you trying to piss me off? I'm doing this for your own good!"}
Holding his hands, and resting them on the table, he said with an ordinary expression, "If you're going to break up, then break up. But I never said anything about wanting to break up."

"Xiao Ning!" Lu Yan's temper exploded. "Are you trying to piss me off? I'm doing this for your own good!"

_{Let's Talk}After Shan Haiming gets his fill from playing around, he'll just pat me on the ass and ditch me...

Let's Talk

_{"Break up?" His saying such a thing so easily after it not being long since he opened up to Xiao Ning, was such a difference of night and day that Xiao Ning was taken aback. "With Xia Li?"}"Why are you bringing him up?" Lu Yan wrinkled his brows in shock. "Are you still hung up about that time he punched you? Didn't he apologize to you?"

"Break up?" His saying such a thing so easily after it not being long since he opened up to Xiao Ning, was such a difference of night and day that Xiao Ning was taken aback. "With Xia Li?"

_{They were different.}Lu Yan said nothing, nor did he smile. In fact, as he looked at Xiao Ning, it was almost as if there was bitterness in his eyes.

They were different.

---

Author's Note:

N/A

Notes:

iana: Xia Li basically got deleted, like a file. That's harsh.

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