Today’s bonus chapter is sponsored by Ches~ Thanks for the Ko-fi~
The assistant was silent for a while, trying to push the question back: “Boss, since you are going to meet Mr. Xu’s parents, you should ask Mr. Xu what to buy. After all, Mr. Xu is the one who knows his parents best and will know what they like.”
Jing Yicheng glanced back at Xu Chenghao in the office: “No way, Hao Hao finds me annoying.”
Assistant: “…”
He found him annoying too!!!
However, no matter how annoying, he could only endure it. While Xu Chenghao’s blatant dislike was met with affection, if he dared to dislike… he might lose his job.
The assistant could only take on the task at hand, doing his best to come up with a perfect plan for meeting the parents. He even circled “polite” and “modest” with a big red marker: “Your reputation in the circle hasn’t been great, so you need to be careful. At least for the first meeting, you need to create an impression that the rumors are exaggerated and false.”
Jing Yicheng listened seriously. After discussing the plan, he still needed to choose gifts and even dress himself up. Jing Yicheng took it very seriously, nitpicking even over a brooch: “Is this tassel too flashy? I need something simple, elegant, yet sophisticated.”
Assistant: “…”
So annoying.
After all this fussing, by the time Xu Chenghao got off work and came out of the office, they still hadn’t finalized anything. Xu Chenghao found it strange and stood behind them quietly for a while. When he heard Jing Yicheng rejecting a blue suit as too informal, black as too dull, silver-gray as too frivolous, and brown as not grand enough, he finally understood.
Xu Chenghao suddenly covered Jing Yicheng’s mouth from behind and teased: “Jing Yicheng, do you want a multicolored black?”
This was exactly what the assistant didn’t dare to say out loud. However, the same words had different effects depending on who said them. For instance, Jing Yicheng wouldn’t get angry at Xu Chenghao’s teasing and would even explain aggrievedly: “Maybe because I’m nervous, nothing seems right.”
Xu Chenghao took a look for him: “Wear navy blue, I like this one.”
Jing Yicheng: “Okay.”
Xu Chenghao: “My dad likes tea and porcelain, and my mom likes beauty products and jewelry. Choose gifts according to their preferences… There’s still a month to prepare, no rush.”
Jing Yicheng: “Okay.”
Xu Chenghao continued reading and unexpectedly found a section in the plan about ‘how to win back a lover if the parents disapprove,’ which almost made him burst out laughing. Amused and exasperated, he said, “Don’t worry, as long as you don’t do anything wrong, I won’t abandon you.”
Jing Yicheng frowned, “What do you mean by doing something wrong?”
Xu Chenghao: “Something like cheating, I suppose.”
Jing Yicheng immediately let out a sigh of relief, kissed his hand, and assured him, “I definitely won’t cheat.”
Xu Chenghao felt that saying such things now was meaningless and changed the topic, “Well, now that everything is more or less ready, let’s go home and eat.”
Jing Yicheng closed the computer and agreed readily, “Okay.”
The assistant who had been silent throughout: “…”
If only the boss had been this straightforward earlier, it would have been so much better. The preferential treatment is really too obvious!
However, Jing Yicheng didn’t care about anyone other than Xu Chenghao. He eagerly followed Xu Chenghao home for dinner, feeling a strong sense of belonging whenever he was invited, which warmed and satisfied him inside.
Watching TV after dinner to digest was a routine activity. Xu Chenghao leaned on the sofa, chatting with Li Nian. Looking at Li Nian’s travel photos and his quickly darkening skin, he teased enviously, “You’ve really tanned three shades darker. Any more sun, and you’ll turn bronze.”
Li Nian: “Isn’t that good? It adds manliness.”
Xu Chenghao: “I’m mainly worried that when you come back, no one will see you in a suit at work.”
Li Nian: “…”
Li Nian: “If you keep attacking my skin tone, I’ll retaliate!”
Xu Chenghao: “I’m full, I fear nothing.”
Unconvinced, Li Nian sent over a dozen beautiful photos: “How about now?”
Xu Chenghao: “I think I understand why you’re so tired from traveling and haven’t lost any weight.”
Li Nian: “Hearing that, I don’t know whether to be happy or angry for a moment [polite yet awkward smile.jpg].”
Xu Chenghao: “I’m complimenting you. You picked great travel spots. When you get back, make me a travel guide. I want to go too.”
Li Nian: “Yeah, right. What about the company if you go on a trip?”
Xu Chenghao: “If you don’t give it to me, I’ll have Jing Yicheng cut off your funds.”
Li Nian: “… Fine, fine, I give up! I surrender!”
Xu Chenghao: “Seems like you’re really enjoying using Mr. Jing’s unlimited card.”
Li Nian: “Of course, it feels great to be living a big man’s life!”
Xu Chenghao: “I’m actually a bit jealous…”
Li Nian: “??? Don’t be rash. What are you thinking?”
Xu Chenghao: “Thinking of ending your vacation early.”
Li Nian: “Oh no, my jet lag isn’t over yet. My head hurts. I’m going to sleep. We’ll chat later!”
Xu Chenghao: “…”
This trick never fails.
Xu Chenghao, both amused and helpless, looked at the food photos again, then suddenly turned to Jing Yicheng.
Jing Yicheng was eating fruit. Noticing Xu Chenghao’s gaze, he immediately offered the fruit to Xu Chenghao: “Want some?”
Xu Chenghao shook his head.
Jing Yicheng asked carefully, “Then what’s up? What were you chatting about just now?”
Xu Chenghao rested his chin on his hand, observing him: “I was wondering if you’ve ever traveled… Given your job and personality, probably not, right?”
Jing Yicheng was surprised by the question, then nodded in acknowledgment: “No, actually, the research institute wasn’t here before. I used to be in City B for over twenty years.”
Xu Chenghao: “Oh, you moved here for An Rouyu?”
Jing Yicheng held back for a moment: “… But now, I’m also very glad I moved here so I can be with you.”
His attempt at sweet talk was barely passable, so Xu Chenghao didn’t press further and continued, “So you’ve only lived in two cities. Next time I travel, I’ll definitely take you with me.”
Jing Yicheng nodded happily, then asked, “Hao Hao, are you concerned about me?”
Xu Chenghao: “What else?”
Jing Yicheng said, “Hao Hao, you’re the first person to care about my past.”
Xu Chenghao paused, looking at his smile and feeling a sudden pang of heartache: “You’re making it impossible for me to back out of taking you now.”
Jing Yicheng: “I’m looking forward to it.”
This involuntary display of vulnerability was the most lethal, making it impossible to harden one’s heart. Xu Chenghao always gave in to this side of him and could only silently remember this promise, so he wouldn’t carelessly forget and end up making Jing Yicheng sad.
After silently adding this note to his reminders, Xu Chenghao stood up and said, “I’m a bit sleepy, going to bed now.”
Jing Yicheng stood up too: “Hao Hao, is your leg feeling better?”
Xu Chenghao immediately understood his implication and calmly replied, “I can walk, but too much activity makes it hurt.”
Jing Yicheng instantly deflated: “Oh.”
Xu Chenghao: “Good night.”
Jing Yicheng: “… Good night.”
Jing Yicheng watched Xu Chenghao return to his room and close the door, then sat in the living room, routinely coveting Xu Chenghao’s bed… Once Hao Hao’s leg gets a bit better, he definitely plans to move in!
Maybe right after meeting the parents~~
With this thought, Jing Yicheng became even more excited about meeting the parents. Of course, he was also looking forward to Ruan Chenxuan’s child’s full-month celebration, as it coincided with the day to meet the parents!
While things were sweet and cozy here, the person Jing Yicheng was thinking about had just arrived at the hospital. As he got out of the car, he sneezed, thinking it was just from the cold wind, and hurried straight to the hospital room.
When Ruan Chenxuan reached the room, the doctor was just administering a sedative to An Rouyu. The woman, dressed in a hospital gown, looked even worse than before, her pale face streaked with tears. The room looked like it had been ransacked by robbers, with everything shattered into pieces, completely unrecognizable from its previous state.
Ruan Chenxuan stood outside the hospital room, frowning, and asked, “What happened?”
The nurse replied helplessly, “This patient left the room by herself tonight and was found unconscious in the hallway by the duty nurse. It was a struggle to bring her back and start treatment, but she became extremely uncooperative, treating us as enemies. Mr. Ruan, you should try to persuade her. Her mental state is very poor, and the initial diagnosis suggests postpartum depression. If she continues to refuse treatment, the consequences could be very serious.”
Ruan Chenxuan asked, “Is the postpartum depression because the child isn’t with her?”
The nurse responded, “The initial assessment points to social and psychological factors. The patient’s personality traits, lack of psychological preparation before childbirth, poor postpartum adaptation, early postpartum emotional disturbances, and even marital discord can all be triggers.”
Ruan Chenxuan: “What is the usual treatment? Do whatever it takes to treat her.”
Nurse: “Ideally, psychological therapy is recommended, but she is hostile and defensive towards us, making it impossible to reach her. Therefore, Mr. Ruan, your cooperation may be needed during the treatment period.”
Ruan Chenxuan replied calmly, “Seeing me might cause her even more emotional turmoil than seeing you.”
The nurse was silent for a few seconds: “Then the only options left are medication and physical therapy.”
Ruan Chenxuan, after hearing about physical therapy, said directly, “Choose medication.”
Nurse: “Alright.”
After discussing it, the nurse turned to inform the doctor. Ruan Chenxuan continued to stand outside the room, watching as the woman inside gradually calmed down and fell asleep. Only then did he sigh and turn to leave.
He got back into his car and drove from his grandfather’s residence, the Ruan family’s old house, to his own villa, but his annoyance grew heavier, and he didn’t want to go back to any of these places.
Going to his grandfather’s place would mean being scolded for not visiting An Rouyu; returning to the Ruan family’s old house meant dealing with the farce surrounding the illegitimate son, and going back to his own quiet home would only make him feel more exhausted and desolate…
As he drove around, he realized he had no place to belong. He felt like a leaf floating aimlessly in the air, without a home or direction, unable even to control his own body, drifting along with the current.
Time slipped away during his aimless driving, and when Ruan Chenxuan came to his senses, he found he had parked in a familiar neighborhood. Even in the dark, he could see clearly—it was here that Jing Yicheng suddenly returned and disrupted the peace of his life. It was like a pause button had been released, and countless troubles once again weighed down on his shoulders, turning him into the person he was now.
He leaned wearily against the seat, staring at the building’s floors, trying to distinguish between his and Xu Chenghao’s apartments in the darkness. Unknowingly, he fell asleep until a car horn woke him up in the morning.
It was Xu Chenghao’s car!
Ruan Chenxuan quickly woke up, instinctively starting his car to follow. When he saw Xu Chenghao get out of the car at the company entrance, ready to leave, instead of going to the underground garage, he suddenly swerved and blocked Xu Chenghao’s path.
T/N: I pity amnesiac Ruan Chenxuan but he’s too forceful~
