RED Chapter 88

Rong Jin: “…”

Rong Jin didn’t know how to describe his feelings at that moment. It was like waking up suddenly from a fairy tale.

He instantly realized that the script he was holding was not the “Deep Feelings between Senior and Junior Brothers” series, nor the “My Lover Can Cook” series, but rather the special edition of “The Cinderella Meeting the Father-in-Law.”

Chi Feiran had already officially met one side of his parents after they confirmed their relationship. Rong Jin had learned a bit about the other side, which he hadn’t officially met yet.

In the few previous encounters, they were mostly work-related. Given Rong Jin’s status, Chi Jun naturally didn’t chat much with him—just a nod and a generic “the young man is not bad.” The last meeting was on Chi Feiran’s birthday when he was introduced as a friend, but with many distinguished guests present, he couldn’t say much either, especially since he was feeling guilty.

Chi Jun was almost never in the public eye. Although few in China didn’t know of him, apart from being the current head of the Chi family, little else was commonly known.

True elite families are very private, and the media knows which lines not to cross, as it could cost them their jobs. The people around Chi Jun were even tighter-lipped, making it difficult for Rong Jin to gather information.

Among the sources, news from Chi Feiran’s side was the least reliable. A father’s attitude towards his son and the one who took his son away wouldn’t be the same…

Still, Rong Jin pieced together an image of his future father-in-law from the information he had. He felt he should be grateful to his boyfriend for his support, or he might not have survived this long.

Moreover, from Chi Feiran’s occasional hints, Rong Jin could sense the different attitudes of his two parents. This made him even more nervous about this meeting compared to the last one.

Chi Jun chose to meet his “daughter-in-law” on Children’s Day, June 1st.

Rong Jin wondered if there was any special meaning behind this. Was his future father-in-law implying that their relationship was just child’s play?

When Rong Jin saw Chi Feiran’s message asking if there was any hidden meaning, he felt embarrassed and replied: “No, it’s just a day I spend with my dad.”

This was the result of Edmond and Chi Jun dividing all the holidays. After Chi Feiran explained this, Rong Jin relaxed a bit.

Chi Jun watched his son fiddling with his phone, his face quite expressive. It was obvious who he was chatting with…

Is this what it feels like when a son grows up and can’t be held back?

Chi Jun’s feelings were complicated. Suddenly, Chi Feiran looked up and smiled at him, saying, “Dad, Rong Ge is almost here. We’ll make something delicious for you.”

His unreserved smile made Chi Jun feel his complicated feelings were petty. But still, this wasn’t something that could be easily resolved, so he just nodded and said, “Alright.”

Chi Feiran knew his dad still had reservations but appreciated that he was trying to be an understanding father, which made him feel warm inside.

In the car, Rong Jin took a deep breath and told himself, “Even an ugly daughter-in-law has to meet the in-laws.” Besides, his advantage was that he wasn’t ugly!

Before he could finish his mental pep talk, the villa’s gate automatically opened, and Chi Feiran waved at him from the front door.

There was no turning back now. Rong Jin drove in, parked in the garage, and his boyfriend was right there when he opened the car door.

Chi Feiran smiled and whispered, “Don’t be nervous. Dad’s actually more nervous than you are.”

He reassuringly squeezed Rong Jin’s hand, as if to lend him some courage.

Rong Jin wasn’t the type to be timid. Pre-meeting nerves were one thing, but he could handle the actual meeting. He followed Chi Feiran into the villa.

Chi Jun sat in the living room, watching them walk in shoulder to shoulder. He debated whether to stand up and greet them. Not standing might seem too unwilling, but standing might be too formal.

Chi Jun had never been so conflicted, not even when signing billion-dollar contracts. In the end, he chose a middle ground, greeting them and inviting them to sit while instructing the housekeeper to get Rong Jin a drink.

Rong Jin, maintaining proper decorum, greeted Chi Jun before sitting down and only asked for plain water.

The conversation with the future father-in-law wasn’t as terrifying as he had imagined. Beneath the exterior of a powerful man, Chi Jun was just an ordinary father, though a formidable one when not ordinary…

Chi Feiran mostly listened during their conversation, rarely interjecting.

He rested his chin on his hand, watching his father awkwardly extend goodwill to his boyfriend, who responded earnestly.

Chi Jun asked Rong Jin, “Does your family know about this?”

Rong Jin nodded, “They all know. They really like Feiran. Given my family’s situation, which you probably know, it’s hard to gather everyone. When the time is right, I’ll bring Feiran home. They all want to meet him.”

Chi Jun, having already thoroughly investigated Rong Jin’s family, felt more comfortable hearing this. If their family accepted his son, it would be upsetting if Rong Jin’s family were picky about his son. Fortunately, they weren’t, so his son wouldn’t be wronged.

After some more casual conversation, Chi Feiran checked the time and said, “Dad, Rong Ge and I will cook now. We can chat more over dinner, okay?”

Chi Jun nodded and reminded him, “Be careful not to hurt yourself.”

Chi Feiran proudly replied, “I’m quite skilled now!”

Chi Feiran felt he had finally made notable progress in his culinary skills recently. So, taking advantage of his dad’s rare day off, he wanted to cook a meal for him and bring Rong Jin along to make a good impression.

Chi Feiran knew his dad might still hold old-fashioned views but was also worried about their future together.

He wanted to use this opportunity to show his dad how well they got along.

This time was different from the previous meetings. Chi Feiran was the head chef, with Rong Jin assisting him diligently. While Chi Feiran cut the vegetables, Rong Jin prepared the dishes.

At first, Chi Jun waited patiently, but soon, he couldn’t help but go check on them.

Chi Jun stood at the kitchen doorway, watching Chi Feiran and Rong Jin working together. This was a rare, domestic scene for him to witness.

The atmosphere was full of the scent of cooking, and both Chi Feiran and Rong Jin were clearly enjoying themselves. They didn’t talk much, but the information conveyed through their body language was direct and telling. Just standing side by side, each focused on their tasks, a sense of harmony and mutual understanding naturally emanated from them.

Chi Jun didn’t want to admit it, but he couldn’t find it in himself to say that these two were incompatible.

Chi Feiran wasn’t making anything too fancy. Being a novice, his main effort went into his knife skills, so he was preparing simple dishes. With Rong Jin, who could cook, helping him, they moved quickly.

Including dessert and soup, they made eight dishes, a mix of meat and vegetables.

When Chi Jun started eating, Chi Feiran watched him eagerly, waiting for his reaction. After Chi Jun chewed and swallowed, Chi Feiran couldn’t wait any longer and asked, “Dad, how is it? Is it good?”

Chi Jun kept praising the food. Though it couldn’t compare to the skills of their hired chefs, no chef could be compared to his own son. His son’s concern for his reaction made Chi Jun quite happy.

Then he saw his son serve a piece of fish to that Rong kid…

Chi Jun: “…”

Chi Feiran then served him a little dessert, saying, “I made this sweet just for us. We love sweets, unlike him.”

Chi Feiran said this while looking at Rong Jin, with a proud look as if he had done something worth celebrating.

Rong Jin remembered his previous claim of not liking sweets and gave him a helpless look.

The meal was full of laughter and conversation. While Chi Feiran’s culinary skills were not extraordinary, Rong Jin was not picky, and Chi Jun wasn’t eating for the taste but for the effort. Both men valued the person who cooked the meal more than the food itself.

Finally, Chi Jun made a decision and said, “Xiao Rong, the apartment next to Ranran’s is yours now. Someone will bring you the keys and documents later.”

Before Rong Jin could respond, he continued, “Don’t refuse. Just take it. It’ll be more convenient for you to meet Ranran this way.”

Properties at Tianyun Feiran were not just available for purchase by anyone with money. Rong Jin had thought about buying a nearby place but hadn’t been able to. Though he had a place of his own, moving Chi Feiran there wouldn’t sit well with Chi Jun. Plus, it was no secret that the place was under his name, which would create complications.

Now that his future father-in-law was solving this big problem for him, Rong Jin felt immensely grateful. Though he would have been even more grateful if he could move into Chi Feiran’s home directly, he knew that was just a daydream and wisely let it go.

Chi Jun interrupted Rong Jin’s attempt to express his gratitude, saying, “Don’t thank me. Just treat Ranran well and both of you be happy, that’s enough.”

Chi Feiran held his father’s hand, softly calling him, “Dad…”

Chi Jun patted his hand reassuringly, “This road is tough, but don’t be afraid. I’m here. You’re my son, Chi Jun’s son, and there’s nothing to fear.”

These weren’t the first time Chi Jun had said these words, but the feelings behind them were different now. His eyes turned to Rong Jin with a sharper look.

Rong Jin met his gaze without flinching, knowing these words were both an expression of fatherly love and a warning. But he felt no fear because his intentions were clear and sincere.

He wanted to spend his life with this person, growing old together.

Unfortunately, although Chi Jun had given him the apartment, Rong Jin couldn’t move in right away. Starting in June, the major promotions for “Heroic Bones” were kicking off, and as the lead actor, he couldn’t laze around at home. Fortunately, his boyfriend would be busy working with him.

The third trailer had already been released in late May. On June 12, the theater posters were officially released. At that time, Rong Jin and Chi Feiran were recording a segment for China’s most popular variety show with the “Heroic Bones” production team. The show would reveal the final trailer and the theme song for the movie, sung by Rong Jin.

When Chi Feiran found out that Rong Jin refused to sing live, he was surprised and quietly asked, “Why not sing live?”

Rong Jin’s expression was serious, but his words were anything but, “I only plan to sing live for you at night.”

Chi Feiran: “…”

For some reason, he felt like he was being teased.

Then he heard Rong Jin chuckle softly, followed by a gentle ruffling of his hair.