DPPM Chapter 66.1 – Forgive (1)

|| Future male host

Later in life, whenever Xia Zhiye recalled this birthday, he would feel that he was not buried in the winter of that year because Song Yan really loved him.

Upon hearing Song Yan utter the words “Let’s die for love,” Xia Zhiye’s heart sank. He felt that if there wasn’t a bit of bloodshed this time, things might not be easily settled.

However, right after that, he saw Song Yan lift his hand expressionlessly. He lightly tapped three times on the wooden furnishings beside him and soullessly muttered “pui” three times. “Forget it, saying such things on your birthday is inauspicious. Let’s temporarily retract that.”

His voice was as fragile as a strand of silk, and his gaze remained dull and lifeless, devoid of vitality.

It seemed that in that brief moment just now, his soul had experienced a death, and now it was only lingering in the world, sustained by the last remnants of his love for Xia Zhiye, holding on to the final shreds of goodwill and sanity.

Seeing him like this, Xia Zhiye felt even more self-reproachful and guilty. Just as he was about to comfort him, Xia Yu’s voice sounded again from outside the door, “Xia Zhiye! It’s 7:50! Come out quickly to cut the cake!”

Her knocks on the door were very loud and disruptive. 

And so, Xia Zhiye could only lightly pet Song Yan’s hair. “Let’s go cut the cake first, and I’ll kneel down on the keyboard when I get back, okay? You can choose between blue switches, red switches, or brown switches, and we can even go with durian if you want.”

“Go and cut your cake.”

Song Yan slapped Xia Zhiye’s hand, and said in a tired and weak voice, “But give me the scarf first.”

Hearing this, Xia Zhiye’s heart immediately tightened.

Does Song Yan want to take back the gift he gave him and then break up with him?

Busy pressing on the scarf, his tone was very serious. “No, what you gave me is mine, how can you take it back?”

It’s just an ugly scarf, but Xia Zhiye looked like a baby who was afraid of being robbed. 

Song Yan said angrily, “Who cares about your shitty scarf? I’ll just borrow it for a bit. I’ll give it back when I’m done.”

“Why would you borrow it?”

Xia Zhiye still looked like a baby who was holding on to the scarf and refused to let go.

Song Yan finally couldn’t hold back and shouted. “Because I feel embarrassed, okay?!”

This very irritable and angry remark made Xia Zhiye pause, and then he noticed that Song Yan’s ears and cheeks had turned completely red at some point. It dawned on him how thin Yanyan’s little face could be.

A soft laugh spilled from his lips. “It’s not impossible for you to borrow, but… are you sure you’ll just use it and give it back to me later?”

“Nonsense!” Song Yan lost the last thread of his patience, “Isn’t one such ugly scarf enough?”

That implied he still plans to have a matching, couple scarf. 

As long as Song Yan didn’t ask for a break up, he’ll agree to anything. 

Xia Zhiye smiled with satisfaction.

Taking a step closer, he removed the scarf and draped it around Song Yan, saying, “Who said our scarf is shitty and ugly? The scarf our Yanyan gave me is the most beautiful and stylish scarf in the whole world.”

“Are your aesthetic… mhp.”

“So bad?” this last phrase was left unsaid. Song Song Yan saw the person in front of him lowering his head and gently touching his lips.

Even though it wasn’t the first time, that soft and subtle sensation left Song Yan momentarily stunned.

When he finally realized that he had been blindsided, just as he was about to burst into anger, that shameless person who stole a kiss had already lifted the edge of the scarf, then, with those charming peach blossom eyes bent, looked at the only pair of eyes left visible on Song Yan’s face. He smiled in a way that was both inviting and tender, saying, “So beautiful. My aesthetic sense is indeed the best in the world.”

It’s unclear whether Xia Zhiye was talking about the scarf, or the person wearing the scarf. 

In the end, all the words Song Yan had in mind to scold Xia Zhiye were suddenly jumbled into a bunch of gibberish nonsense. All that remained were his erratically thumping heart and an absurd thought—

‘—Xia Zhiye, this big dog, is indeed a Huli jing. He even knows how to use seductive enchantment.’

While Song Yan was so charmed that his emotions were oscillating between two extremes, an urgent knocking on the door and Xia Yu’s anxious voice promptly snapped him out of it. “Hurry up, Grandpa and Uncle Song are coming over.”

Song Yan’s consciousness returned to the cage with a huge sense of shame.

Thinking about the person outside who could make him die of embarrassment on the spot, the chaotic little deer in Song Yan’s heart crashed into a wall, blackening into a vengeful spirit. He kicked Xia Zhiye away with one foot, saying, “Scram. We’ll settle this score later.”

After saying that, he opened the door of the lounge.

Elder Xia and Song Minghai who happened to bump into Xia Zhiye came over.

Song Minghai immediately noticed the ugly red scarf wrapped around Song Yan’s nose at a glance. He furrowed his brows slightly and said, “What do you look like wearing someone else’s scarf? Show some manners. Take it off quickly.”

Before Song Yan could speak, Xia Zhiye, who had just picked up the forgotten dagger, wrapped his arms around his shoulders from behind and said, “Uncle Song, don’t be so stern. I asked Song Yan to wear it. He suddenly started coughing, and I was worried he might catch a cold, so I had him use it as a shield. Besides, this scarf was originally his gift for me, so it’s okay for him to wear it.”

His languid and cheerful voice, his warm and reliable arms… both were Song Yan’s support. 

Song Yan simply lifted his eyelids and looked at Song Minghai coldly, not giving him any good looks at all.

As for Song Minghai, he didn’t know what he had done to provoke this precious grandson of the Xia family. Right from the start, he had been relentlessly teasing him, but he couldn’t retort due to the presence of Elder Xia. Old Xia. He could only pretend to be a reasonable and understanding elder, forcing a smile as he said, “Oh, so that’s how it is. It seems I misunderstood Song Yan.”

On the other side, Elder Xia also gave face to the two youngsters. He intentionally scolded Xia Zhiye with a reproachful look, “Why didn’t you say so earlier? Xiao Yan gave you a scarf and a dagger, and here we are without any return gifts. That’s quite impolite.”

“Exactly.” Xia Zhiye clearly intended to vent all of Song Yan’s frustration. He embraced Song Yan, looked at Elder Xia, and made a regretful expression, “Actually, Xiao Yan had prepared a gift earlier, almost spending all his living expenses on it. I really, really liked it. Unfortunately, it was accidentally broken by Uncle Song. Such a pity.”

“You broke it?”

Elder Xia looked at Song Minghai with equal parts surprise and doubts. 

The onlookers also focused their questioning gazes into him. 

Song Minghai was a bit confused at first, but when he met Song Yan’s indifferent gaze, he realized that the Little Prince watch was actually prepared by Song Yan for Xia Zhiye.

And Song Yan, with a poker face, spoke, “Oh, forgot to tell you, the watch you threw out of the car last time was meant to be a gift for Xia Zhiye. I thought you didn’t approve of me getting too close to him, considering how you tossed it away.”

Elder Xia looked at Song Minghai. His gaze became accusatory. “So that’s what happened?” 

Song Minghai gritted his teeth hard.

If he knew at that time that the watch was meant to be a gift for the Xia family’s precious grandson, he wouldn’t have done that. 

Now that it’s been revealed, his business proposal might be in jeopardy.

However, in such a public setting, especially in front of Elder Xia, he couldn’t say much. He could only force a smile and say, “It was indeed my fault at that time. The watch accidentally slipped from my hand and fell under the car, but it was definitely not intentional. After all, for a talented child like Xia Zhiye to be friends with Xiao Yan, how could I possibly object? I’ve already instructed my assistant to buy another watch, and it will be delivered to Xiao Yan tomorrow.”

There was nothing wrong on the surface.

He managed to handle the situation on the spot.

However, Elder Xia has lived this long. How can he not see the truth beneath that lie? 

So, his smile softened a bit, and his tone, though not overly friendly, slowly said, “Minghai, you are a good person, but you tend to be too strict with your child. He’s grown up now, with his own thoughts and ideas. At this age, he’s still pure and values friendship the most. Therefore, for some matters concerning the younger generation, those of us who are more experienced should refrain from meddling too much. Let these relationships remain simple. Don’t you agree?”

The meaning of his words couldn’t be more obvious.

Song Minghai was afraid of leaving an impression of being unkind and overly concerned with personal gain due to this incident. He then quickly expressed humility and said, “You’re right, Elder Xia. I’ll keep that in mind and be more considerate of the younger generation in the future.”

“Just pay attention, that’s enough. Alright, it’s not a big deal. Come on, Xiao Yan, go cut the cake with Grandpa. Other guests are still waiting,” Elder Xia said with a smiling face, one hand supporting his cane and the other gesturing for Xia Zhiye to join him.

Cutting the cake was usually done together as a family affair. Song Yan didn’t feel like joining in the crowd, so he quickly moved away from Xia Zhiye, who had his arm around his shoulder.

Xia Zhiye originally wanted to bring Song Yan with him, but he saw Song Yan’s eyes that seemed to scream: “If you dare to bring Laozi to the public, Laozi will kill you.” 

He decided to say, “Then you can wait for me. We’ll eat cake together.” 

After speaking, he looked at Xia Yu, and when Xia Yu gave him an OK gesture, he followed his grandfather to the ten-story cake tower in the middle of the banquet hall. 

Song Minghai wanted to win over Elder Xia, so he naturally followed with a smile.

As for Song Yan, who was finally able to calm down by himself, he was finally left alone. He took a deep breath, turned his head and prepared to walk in the opposite direction of the crowd.

As soon as he turned around, he faced Xia Yu who was looking at him with a smile. He was so embarrassed his toes felt like digging the ground¹if you’re embarrassed, you feel like your toes are curling. Song Yan is so embarrassed that his toes are curling so far it can dig the ground.. “That um… rich lad– I mean, Jie.. um…. Young Lady Xia.” 

Song Yan stumbled as he tried several appellations, and finally settled on “Young Lady Xia”, making it sound like there was nothing wrong.

Even with his face covered, one could sense the uneasiness and constraint from those momentarily widened phoenix eyes.

Xia Yu had heard from Xia Zhiye that his little boyfriend was cute – however, she never expected that Song Yan would be this cute. She was happy because of her guilty pleasure of teasing beautiful young men. 

She replied, showing an ambiguous, mysterious smile, “No need to be so polite. Since you and Xiao Ye have that kind of relationship, then you can just follow him and call me Jiejie.”

‘T-that kind of relationship?’

‘In other words, Xia Yu knows what my relationship with Xia Zhiye is?!’

Song Yan stood there blankly for a moment, unable to say a word.

Thinking about how in the afternoon, this young boy had maintained a cold, aloof, and arrogant demeanor, but now, with just a couple of sentences, he blushed and even his hands started turning red. Xia Yu was completely charmed by this real-life gap moe. 

It seems that there really are such innocent young men in this world, Xia Zhiye really found a treasure, ah.

Unable to resist taking a step forward, Xia Yu – with those peach blossom eyes that clearly ran in the Xia family, just like Xia Zhiye’s – noticed that the youth nervously took a step back. She was about to tease him too. 

Then, with a calm tone that sounded forced, he quickly said, “Jiejie, I’m not feeling well, so I’ll have the driver take me back first. Can you please thank Xia Zhiye for the evening and say goodnight and goodbye for me?”

Speaking without a pause or any punctuation, he turned around and ran off. By the time Xia Yu reacted, there was only an empty corridor in front of her.

“…？”

In less than two seconds, his figure disappeared from view?

Is his skin that thin? 

Tsk, it seems that Xia Zhiye is suffering.

With her ten-centimeter high heels, Xia Yu leisurely and somewhat gleefully made her way back to the banquet hall.

Xia Zhiye dealt with his grandfather’s thank-you speech, cut the cake, and held the cake with the most carefully selected ingredients. He then looked around, he realized that the whole venue was without that lovely little figure.

He spotted Xia Yu walking slowly with a sway, no one at her side. He stepped forward and asked, “Where’s Song Yan?”

“Oh, he’s not feeling well. So he went home first. Hmm…” Xia Yu picked up a cake and said frankly, “But maybe it’s not entirely because he was feeling unwell.”

Hearing this sentence, Xia Zhiye immediately understood.

Xia Yu’s personality was well known to him. Even someone as shameless as him often found himself speechless under Xia Yu’s teasing. It was even more so for someone like Song Yan – he had such thin skin.

With that fact, he actually entrusted Song Yan to Xia Yu, perhaps thinking that Xia Yu could handle Song Yan’s personality well.

Xia Zhiye couldn’t physically beat his own cousin, so he quickly put down the cake and said, “Tell Grandpa about the traffic jam today, so Song Yan and I are afraid we won’t make it in time for bed check. We’re heading back first.” Then, he hurriedly ran outside.

Xia Yu hurriedly stopped him. “The banquet is not over yet, what are you worried about? It’s snowing outside and today’s Christmas Eve, you can’t get a taxi if you go out now.”

‘It’s not your boyfriend who is running away, of course you are not in a hurry.’ He inwardly complained.

But what Xia Yu said was right, he would definitely not be able to get a taxi if he went out now.

So, he turned to look at Xia Yu, disregarding any sibling affection, and spoke coldly and heartlessly, “If I lose my boyfriend today, you’ll lose a little brother who can help you gain points.”

“…”

After a brief silence, Xia Yu realized the seriousness of the matter and silently put down the cake, “As the best sister in the world, I should definitely drive you back.”

However, reality does not bend to human will. 

Even Xia Yu’s incredibly flashy supercar could only be stuck, unable to move, in the crowded streets of Nanwu City on the snowy Christmas Eve.

The distance was about 10 km or so, and yet, it took more than two hours.

When they finally arrived in the vicinity of No. 3 Middle School, they were completely stopped still by the bad traffic conditions caused by the terrain.

Xia Zhiye sent numerous WeChat messages to Song Yan, but none of them received a reply. 

He refreshed the chat again and again. But no reply came. He glanced at the clock on the upper left corner – it was 22:43.

The dormitory would be locked in less than twenty minutes.

If the dormitory door was locked, he wouldn’t be able to go back. If it’s too late to coax Song Yan, Song Yan would have to sleep alone in the dormitory with anger, and he would definitely have nightmares again.

Glancing at the steadily falling snow outside the car window and the unmoving traffic, Xia Zhiye made up his mind and unbuckled his seatbelt. “Jie, you don’t need to wait. I’ll run back by myself.”

“No.” Xia Yu was shocked, “It’s nearly 2 kms from here to your dormitory, and it’s still snowing outside, are you crazy?”

“I’m not. The dormitory will be locked soon, and it will be too late to get there by car.” After saying that, he opened the car door, walked through the gap between the congested vehicles, stepped on the sidewalk, and ran quickly towards the dormitory.

He was only wearing a coat over his formal suit, and with the heavy snow falling and the biting wind blowing, running back would be quite a challenge, not to mention how far he had to go.

Xia Yu glanced at her dear brother’s back in the snow, and couldn’t help to let out a “tsk tsk” sound. 

Sure enough, even in the year of 2020, the plot of the runaway wife is still so exciting – it’s a timeless classic for a reason.

What a lovely young couple in love.

If you can, please support me by donating on my ko-fi~ For every 2 ko-fis, I’ll release an additional chapter ^^

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  if you’re embarrassed, you feel like your toes are curling. Song Yan is so embarrassed that his toes are curling so far it can dig the ground.