Unlike Huo Yunchuan, who came from a wealthy family, Lawyer Chen Chu was a self-made scholar; among his three close friends, Chen’s family background was only modestly wealthy. However, his family had been scholars for generations, and they could be considered a family of literary distinction.
He was the same age as Huo Yunchuan, 31 years old, soon to be 32.
Lawyer Chen’s girlfriend was a colleague, two years younger than him. Their backgrounds were similar, making them seem well-matched.
An Wuyang followed Huo Yunchuan into this cozy little villa and discreetly observed Chen’s girlfriend, inwardly marveling at her beauty.
She had the demeanor of a capable and elegant older sister.
Chen introduced his friends to his girlfriend, Fang Rou, one by one. When he introduced An Wuyang, he smiled and specifically emphasized to Fang Rou, “Although I’m a few months younger than Yunchuan, Wuyang is much younger than you, so he should call you ‘sister’.”
This made not only him laugh but everyone around them as well.
It was a kind-hearted laughter.
“Fang Rou, sister,” An Wuyang called out straightforwardly, though he still felt shy due to his personality in such situations.
“Hello, I’ve heard about you for a long time,” Fang Rou said with a smile, extending her hand. “Even when Lawyer Chen and I were just colleagues, your story was no secret.”
“Eh?” An Wuyang was initially puzzled but then realized she was referring to his news stories. He smiled understandingly and said, “Brother Chen is a very good person.” Speaking seriously in front of everyone, he added, “When I first met the four of them, Brother Chen was my favorite.”
This was the absolute truth.
“Haha,” Fang Rou’s eyes sparkled with genuine amusement.
Chen Chu also lowered his head and laughed, casting a subtle glance at Huo Yunchuan. “Wuyang’s words put Brother Chen in a tough spot, but I’m honored.” He raised his champagne glass, smiling elegantly, exuding a scholarly aura.
“It’s alright, we’re all well-acquainted, he won’t be jealous,” An Wuyang said, raising his glass as well. However, before taking a sip of champagne, he obediently asked the man beside him, “Can I drink this?”
Ji Mingjue quickly interjected, “Drink it, it’s just champagne.”
It’s not even alcohol, really.
As an outsider, he felt that Huo Yunchuan was overly strict with An Wuyang.
An Wuyang still looked at Huo Yunchuan, quietly waiting for his decision.
After glancing at the little angel, Huo Yunchuan nodded, “Go ahead, it’s fine.”
So An Wuyang finished the champagne in his glass. It was a small amount, with a subtle taste that was different from anything he had had before, but it wasn’t particularly remarkable.
Looking at these friends and thinking about things from over a year ago…
“Isn’t it surprising how things turn out?” Jiang Shaofei remarked. “I initially thought that among the four of us, Chen Chu would be the first to get married. I never expected it to be Yunchuan.” They were the most unexpected.
“That’s right,” Chen Chu said. “Now Yunchuan even has a child, and I just started dating.”
“That’s nothing,” Ji Mingjue said. “By the time you all have a second child, I might still be single.” He joked self-deprecatingly, “I might end up being a godfather for life.”
Everyone knew he was a typical playboy.
Settling down was indeed very difficult.
What kind of extraordinary woman could possibly tie down Ji Mingjue?
An Wuyang shook his head, not wanting to worry about this for Xiao Ming.
“What about Shaofei?” Huo Yunchuan asked, showing rare concern.
Jiang Shaofei said, “No rush.”
He then kept quiet, focusing on peeling fruit for the little angel.
Everyone was used to Huo Yunchuan’s silence. At gatherings, it was usually the other three who talked more.
They admired An Wuyang for being able to interact with Huo Yunchuan, who was so reserved—it wasn’t easy.
“Thank you.” The way the fruit was handed over was so natural, as if at home, that An Wuyang accepted it without noticing and ate it.
The onlookers stifled their laughter, feeling a bit slapped in the face.
In fact, someone as unexpectedly innocent and carefree as An Wuyang was probably the most suitable match for Huo Yunchuan.
Every time they saw them together, it seemed unbelievable but extremely harmonious, creating a comfortable feeling.
After the gathering, the winter break was coming to an end.
An Wuyang was about to start school, so before that, they returned to the apartment with Dun Dun, who had become more demanding since learning to walk.
Considering Aunt Zhang’s age, Huo Yunchuan had arranged for a nanny to help with her work during the day.
This way, he would have ample time to go out during the day.
An Wuyang didn’t understand business matters, but he knew that someone like Huo Yunchuan couldn’t spend all day at home taking care of the child.
So, after school started again, Huo Yunchuan told him that he would be on a business trip abroad for about a week, and An Wuyang remained calm.
“I can’t help you with your business matters, but I will take good care of the house and Dun Dun,” An Wuyang said as he took out a suitcase and began packing Huo Yunchuan’s clothes, shoes, and socks.
“The most important thing is to take care of yourself,” Huo Yunchuan said, sitting on the bed and watching him.
“Of course,” the young man replied, leaving his reluctance behind as he put the clothes into the wardrobe. “By the time you come back, I’ll definitely be chubby and healthy.”
Huo Yunchuan said with a hint of disdain, “If a week is enough to make you chubby and healthy, are you a pig?”
An Wuyang folded one of his pants and placed it inside the suitcase, smoothing it out with his hand. “Dream on. If a week could fatten up pigs, everyone would be raising pigs.”
The man laughed slyly. “So, you’re saying that taking care of you is more cost-effective than raising pigs?”
“…” An Wuyang swatted at his wool vest, clearly annoyed. “Hmph.” Then he continued folding clothes and reminded him, “Eat well, sleep well, take care of yourself, and come back early. I’ll miss you.”
Huo Yunchuan watched him silently and finally couldn’t take it anymore. He got up and hugged him.
“What are you doing? I’m folding clothes…” An Wuyang struggled.
“No rush, I’ll fold them later,” Huo Yunchuan said, taking the clothes from An Wuyang’s hands and casually placing them in the suitcase. “Can’t you just look at me? Why are you always avoiding me?”
As he spoke, An Wuyang felt strong fingers gripping his chin.
He was used to this kind of forceful dominance, but this time, instead of feeling embarrassed, he felt scared.
His eyes were already red, and if Huo Yunchuan saw, he’d probably get teased.
Unexpectedly, when Huo Yunchuan saw the little angel’s reddened eyes, he felt a pang in his chest and even had a bit of trouble breathing. “Silly.” He bent down and kissed An Wuyang’s lips, trying to comfort him in this way.
“…” The young man, who originally had no significant issues, became overwhelmed by emotions and kept rubbing his head against the chest of the man he loved.
“Stop being so spoiled,” the man who would be leaving for a week held him tightly, unable to bear it. “You’re making me reconsider.”
“No.” An Wuyang pulled away from Huo Yunchuan’s embrace and decisively refused. “Go do what you need to do. I’ll continue packing.”
He turned away and added firmly, “We’re not doing it tonight.”
Huo Yunchuan: “…”
In reality, An Wuyang knew that Huo Yunchuan had a big need. His refusal was just for show.
Soon they would be parting ways, and it wasn’t just the other person who felt reluctant.
However, unexpectedly, Huo Yunchuan really didn’t touch him that night. Instead, he just held him, chatting and talking about various things.
They talked about the current trip, future plans, and that little rascal, Dun Dun.
An Wuyang was particularly puzzled and had forgotten to ask a question that had been on his mind. Remembering it tonight, he asked, “Why do Chen Ge and the others always say you’re dull?”
He didn’t think Huo Yunchuan was dull at all; in fact, he was quite talkative.
When the little angel said something, Huo Yunchuan knew exactly what he meant. “It’s true that I’m a bit dull, but I’m afraid you might feel lonely.”
“…” An Wuyang was momentarily stunned, feeling warm inside, and leaned closer to him.
“Sleep,” Huo Yunchuan said.
His gentle fingers softly stroked the little angel’s hair.
The next morning, Huo Yunchuan didn’t have to rush to catch a flight.
So he had time to have breakfast with An Wuyang and then take him to the university gate.
“Are you going straight to the airport?” An Wuyang asked.
“Yes.” The suitcase was already in the car.
With a flight at noon and over an hour needed to get to the airport, it worked out just fine.
“Goodbye.” An Wuyang waved and turned with his backpack to enter the school gate.
The man in the car didn’t dawdle either. He started the car and merged into traffic, heading for the capital airport.
Over the past year, to take care of the pregnant little angel and their young son, Huo Yunchuan had postponed many business affairs.
At that time, he genuinely felt that An Wuyang and Dun Dun couldn’t manage without him.
Now that Dun Dun was healthy and lively, and growing up well, and An Wuyang was doing fine at school with friends and participating in sports he liked, Huo Yunchuan took this opportunity to start dealing with the accumulated work.
At 8 a.m. local time, he made a phone call home and then immersed himself in work.
It was mid-March, and Beijing’s weather was still cold, with a significant temperature difference between day and night.
Compared to other cities, it rarely rains in the spring here.
However, it often winds strongly, blowing dust-filled gusts.
An Wuyang always wears a mask, scarf, and hat when going out, wrapping himself up tightly like a rice dumpling.
This is a common sight among the people of this city.
Today, the wind was blowing again. Aunt Zhang was very worried and insisted on getting An Wuyang a cab.
“The distance is so short,” An Wuyang thought, half-amused, as if Aunt Zhang had become even more attentive to him after Huo Yunchuan left.
What he could normally rely on, now required several reminders.
In fact, after Huo Yunchuan left, An Wuyang felt that his life hadn’t changed much.
It was just that there was no one to have dinner with at home and he had to sleep alone at night.
While at school during the day, he received a call from Huo Yunchuan.
Due to the time difference, it was challenging to find a suitable time for both sides to have a longer conversation.
This made An Wuyang, upon seeing the incoming call, involuntarily calculate what time it was there.
After doing some mental and finger calculations, he felt a bit foolish—why not just ask?
“Hello, what time is it there?”
As soon as Huo Yunchuan answered the phone, he heard his spouse’s question.
Having just attended an event, he was still dressed in a suit, and hadn’t had time to take off his watch. He glanced at it, expressionless, and reported the time: “XX time, 22:05.”
1TL: YSIAD “You can support me if you like my translations by leaving a comment below, or by sending me a Ko-fi. Thank you and Enjoy reading! ❤️”
