I have to say, some parts of this story seems so predictable. Many of you made very accurate assumptions throughout, hence my lack of comment response, as I wouldn’t know what to say without revealing too much.

  The next morning YanMingXiu was still asleep when ZhouXiang woke up.

  He needed to meet up with someone today from the TV studio that YanMingXiu had introduced to him to for a series of preparations before shooting. The movie requires him to practice horse riding and also lose some weight to fit the image of the protagonist so he got up early to get ready to go.

  After he came out from taking a shower, YanMingXiu seemed to have woken up. He rolled over and even stretched his hand to pull onto something (referring to subconsciously grabbing onto ZhouXiang).

  Seeing his movements, ZhouXiang felt that it is especially funny.

  In the next second, YanMingXiu opened his eyes and looked around the bed. After seeing ZhouXiang, wrapped in a bath towel standing at the door, he finally felt relieved.

  ZhouXiang smiled, “Your sleeping is really lewd.”


  YanMingXiu turned over, “Not comfortable……”


  “Who told you to drink?” ZhouXiang poured a glass of water and pulled him up, “Have some water, even your voice is hoarse……”


  YanMingXiu didn’t reach out for it but instead bit the edge of the glass so ZhouXiang could only feed it to him.

  After drinking the water, YanMingXiu reached out and grabbed his waist. The fragrant smell of the body wash on ZhouXiang is very good. YanMingXiu couldn’t help but moved close to smell him as he mumbled, “You need to go out?”


  “Yah, I’ve to leave after eating. You can just heat it up to eat when you get up.”


  "Where you going?"

  "The studio people called me to go over to do some preparations for the movie, saying that I need to learn how to ride horses and also need me to lose some weight. I think that I’m already thin enough but they need an even leaner look." ZhouXiang smiled helplessly. He patted YanMingXiu’s head, “Let go, I have to leave.”


  YanMingXiu rubbed his short, stubble chin on ZhouXiang’s warm and bare abs, and then reluctantly let go.

  ZhouXiang especially wanted to laugh. He felt that he is not even like this when he was 24 years old.

  “Remember to eat, if it cold then just heat it up.” He changed into his clothes and left.

  —–


  After meeting the people in the studio, he was taken to a racecourse where a professional trainer is to train him on horse-riding. For this role, he would also have to do some dangerous stunts while on a horse. The scene is said to be only three to four minutes of the entire movie, but it is especially important. The studio people requested that he must practice.

  ZhouXiang had ridden on horses with his colleagues in KangXi grasslands before but it was merely for fun. At that time, his salary was not high and he felt that this activity was too expensive so he came down after ten minutes. Before, he didn’t feel that it was that tiring sitting on the horse’s back. When he was sitting, he didn’t feel much. He didn’t expect that after sitting for half an hour, both of his legs couldn’t stand straight and he could hardly walk.

  Fortunately, the trainer didn’t make it hard for him. He arranged a training schedule for him, giving him enough time to adjust.

  ZhouXiang spent the entire afternoon in the racecourse. It wasn’t until after 5pm that a studio employee took him home.

  When ZhouXiang got out of the car, he realized that a large Jeep with a military license plate was parked downstairs. It is particularly eye-catching. He felt that this jeep looked familiar.

  The jeep’s window is suddenly rolled down and a head wearing a military cap poked out from the driver’s position. This driver glanced at him and then shrank his head back. Following, the man got out of the car and marched toward him, "Are you comrade ZhouXiang?”


  “Yes.” ZhouXiang remembered this was the vehicle he saw when he went to YanMingXiu’s house last time. Although he didn’t remember the license plate number, the car definitely looked like this.

  “Chief wants to see you.”


  ZhouXiang’s heart tightened. He looked toward the vehicle but couldn’t see anything, "Which…… which one?”


  This officer headed to the back of the car and opened the door to quickly tell the person inside something.

  After a while, the person inside the car stepped out. It is YanMingXiu’s father. ZhouXiang didn’t know what the intent is on this day. He had checked his (YanMingXiu) father’s news on the Internet and found his name in a bunch of dazzling military merits. His name is YanFei.

  ZhouXiang’s hand in his pocket started sweating. He really wanted to call YanMingXiu to quickly come back but the other party will definitely not give him this chance. Otherwise, he (YanFei) would not have come looking for him when YanMingXiu is not here.

  This is directed at him.

  Of all the people that ZhouXiang’s had come in contact with in his life thus far, the highest is President Wang. He had never dealt with anyone from the military. And looking at YanFei’s serious and rigid face, thinking about his attitude towards this matter, ZhouXiang is somewhat terrified.

  He calmed himself down a bit then politely bowed to YanFei, “Yan……”
ZhouXiang thought that this is YanMingXiu’s father after all. Addressing him too formally didn’t seem quite right but too endearingly is inviting trouble for himself.

  YanFei waved his hand and didn’t give him time to think about it, "Bring me upstairs, I want to take a look.”


  "Upstairs?"

  “Yes, the place that you live with him.”


  ZhouXiang is dumbfounded. He remained stiffened in place for a few seconds before gripping the keys in his pocket tightly and led the way.

  After YanFei entered the condo, he stood at the entrance and glanced around the home, “You guys live here?”


  ZhouXiang didn’t care whether or not he was satisfied with this place. It wasn’t like he was the one living here. He nodded frankly.

  “It’s doable, it’s good to be a bit simple.” YanFei took a step into the living room but suddenly remembered that he was still wearing his shoes so he took a step back to put on a pair of slippers before stepping into the home.

  "Have a seat."

  When ZhouXiang was gesturing for him to seat, YanFei had already sat down. His eyes were still looming around. It seems that he could not believe his son would live here.

  ZhouXiang poured two cups of hot water and put it on the table before sitting next to YanFei.

  YanFei glanced at him, "How old are you this year?”


  "27."

  “You’re four years older than MingXiu?”


  ZhouXiang thought……

  YanFei shook his head, “I really don’t know what young people are thinking these days. Following a fashionable trend? Looking for excitement?”


  ZhouXiang faintly responded, “We are just like any ordinary people, looking for a significant other, falling in love.”

  “Nonsense, how can two men be considered a couple? Can fall in love? If that is possible, the human race would have been extinct long ago.”


  YanFei’s volume is not loud but it is particularly profound and powerful, seeming to carry some kind of invisible intimidation. His few words have made ZhouXiang’s scalp go numb.

  He forcefully smiled, “Yan…… Uncle Yan, no matter how absurd you find this to be, it is also a choice we have made through countless pressures. I don’t believe that in your eyes, you would believe that we are merely following a fashionable trend or seeking excitement. You know that MingXiu is serious, I …… I am too.”


  YanFei snorted, “Two men together. Do you know how shameful that is? How are you guys going to have children?”


  ZhouXiang very uncomfortably rubbed his hands, “If we have that thought in the future, we could adopt one……”


  “Adopt one? Is our Yan family not able to have children? Why the need to adopt one? After the adopted child grows up, will it really care for you, take care of you in old age?”


  ZhouXiang took a deep breath, “If you have something to say, just say it directly.”


  “Hearing what you said, it’s obvious that MingXiu had not told you.”


  ZhouXiang’s lips trembled a bit, “Told…… told me what? ”


  “He promised me that he would get married and give me a grandchild.”


  The light on the top of YanFei’s head is very bright, but in front of ZhouXiang’s eyes, it is turning black.

  ZhouXiang’s voice shook, "This, I really didn’t know.”


  "I reckon he didn’t dare to tell you. Mnn, cowering…… not like a man.” YanFei lucidly responded, “This is my biggest concession toward you guys. As long as he gets married, I won’t care about this between the both of you. To carry on the Yan family’s lineage is his responsibility as a descendant of the family. If you know your place, you should know what to do.”


  ZhouXiang revealed a pale smile, “I know.”


  "Good." YanFei nodded with satisfaction and then asked, "You’re also an actor?"

  "Yes."

  "Messing around for a few years in your youth is enough. Your field of work is just a profession that lasts as long as a person’s youth. When it’s time to settle down in the future, you can help MingXiu take care of some matters in and out of the home. Don’t be too flamboyant with your identity."

  ZhouXiang has been numb to the point where he couldn’t feel anything. He automatically nodded. After all, whatever YanFei said is meaningless to him because there is nothing that he could do to make him satisfied. He might as well not even do any of it.

  It had always been very difficult for him to be with YanMingXiu. It was hard to overcome his own psychological obstacles. It was also hard to overcome the obstacles from the outside world. He didn’t expect that this is even much more difficult than he imagined.

  Having been living this carefree illusion for three days, he is reminded head on that reality had never changed and it is useless to even evade.

  After all, he still had to face many of the troubling, worrisome and perhaps even retreating issues.

  For example, everything that is happening right now in front of him.

  If YanMingXiu had been truthful at the time in letting him know that the price of his freedom was his promise to his father that he would get married, he definitely would have turned and leave. But YanMingXiu did not tell him. He didn’t even mention a word.

  If his old man didn’t personally come to look for him, when would he find out? On YanMingXiu’s wedding day? This has got to be the biggest comedy. He would be the most ridiculous clown in this comedy.

  Seeing that he is almost finished with what he needed to say, YanFei stood up, “I’ve said this much, since you’re both in such a relationship, you guys need to discuss this carefully. If you really must be with MingXiu, our family won’t treat you unfairly." After he finished, he turned and walked out the door.

  ZhouXiang stood up and escorted him a little distance. Although he is overwhelmed by various emotions, he still remembered this basic common courtesy.

  After YanFei left, ZhouXiang flopped on to the sofa and suddenly felt that he had exhausted all the strength in his body.

  End of the chapter

  YanMingXiu’s Promise To His Father

  ZhouXiang received a text message from YanMingXiu in the evening informing him that he had to leave for a business trip at the last minute. It was quite urgent and he was already on a plane ready to take off. He would call him tomorrow and tell him to go to bed first.

  ZhouXiang stared at the phone’s screen for a long time, then automatically slid his fingers over the keys to respond with one word, ’okay.’


  Then he turned off his phone.

  After ZhouXiang took a shower, it was already 11pm when he laid on the bed. The home is dark. Besides him, there is no one else breathing deeply. It was too quiet. All the ideal conditions for sleeping are there but he couldn’t sleep at all.

  It seems that ever since he had awakened in his body till now, it had been more than eight months but there was not a day that goes by when he could just fall asleep without thinking or worrying about something. He thought to himself, although he had earned a few years being reborn again, he had so many worries that on the contrary, would have shortened his life.

  He really wanted to cast all these troubling matters aside, to not think and be bothered by it anymore. But he knew that this dark cloud had been floating above his head. Whether or not he cast it away, he will have to face it sooner or later.

  Finally, ZhouXiang can’t lay down anymore so he got up from the bed and sat in the living room without turning on the lights. He started to smoke in succession. In the beginning, he was more awake the more he smoked. But later on, he became more and more dazed. Finally, he fell asleep on the sofa.

  The next morning, he was awakened by sound of the phone ringing. He didn’t react at first and then suddenly awakened to realize that it was the sound of the home’s phone. Since he had moved back home, this phone had never rang. He had completely forgotten that it even existed.

  He climbed to the other side of the sofa and picked up the phone, “Hello?”


  "ZhouXiang?" CaiWei’s voice came from the other line with a hint of excitement.

  “Wei Ge? Why didn’t you call my cell phone?”


  "Your cell phone is turned off."

  "Ohh." ZhouXiang only now remembered.

  “I haven’t called this number in a long time. I was guessing the number and surprisingly I still remembered.”


  ZhouXiang is a little moved, “You use to dial it all the time.”


  "Not true, hey, now is not the time to talk about this. Tell you some gossip news, guaranteed to make you thrilled."

  "What gossip?"

  “I accompanied President Wang to dinner with some guests last night and heard that WangYuDong and his dad seemed to be in some trouble. Some people said that they were doing illegal fundraising. The people who got cheated exposed this. And now, it’s said that there is judicial involvement with evidence being collected as we speak."

  ZhouXiang immediately woke up, “Illegal fundraising? Isn’t his old man very wealthy?” WangYuDong’s old man has at least two listed companies as well as shares in large energy companies overseas. And even WangYuDong’s himself, his own business has always been doing well. Why would they need to raise funds illegally?"

  “The wealthier, the greater the risk. When we make mistakes in our jobs, the most we lose is our wages. When they run into problems with their businesses, they could easily lose tens to hundreds of millions. The international climate is not good in the last two years. They must have been affected. Oh, hey, I think back luck will befall on this surname Wang this time. The few people who had dinner with President Wang yesterday wouldn’t talk indiscriminately if they’re not sure.”


  ZhouXiang doesn’t know how to describe his current mood, more or less like watching a good show.

  WangYuDong’s public’s reputation is not bad in the circle but he does flaunt a bit. Especially after becoming the ideal son-in-law of the Yan family, his social status of course would naturally rise as a result. So there are many people who are jealous of him. At this time, people who want to watch good show are definitely everywhere. Only ZhouXiang would be gloating over WangYuDong’s misfortune while feeling a bit worried. Because he faintly felt that this matter involved YanMingXiu. WangYuDong had asked YanMingXiu for help some time ago, most likely due to some hardship with his business. That wasn’t too long ago and now with the breakout story of the illegal fundraising, this is kind of dubious no matter what he thinks.

  Could it be that WangYuDong was forced to take desperate measures resorting to illegal fundraising because YanMingXiu refused to lend him money? This is not quite right. Despite the fact that he had never been involved with matters relating to business, to really have to raise funds, one can’t possible say that they need money today and someone would be giving it the next day. Moreover, according to what CaiWei said, the people who have been cheated only seemed to have reacted recently. Then this had probably started a long time ago. With WangYuDong and his dad’s prestigious reputations in Beijing, no one would even presume that they would be involved in illegal fundraising. It is reckoned that these investors have long felt that they are making investments rather than being ’conned’.

  Such big matter that even gossip is out; YanMingXiu should have known it already but didn’t even mention a word……

  ZhouXiang also asked CaiWei some of the specifics but CaiWei didn’t know much. He just called to share this news with him. After all, CaiWei also didn’t particularly liked WangYuDong because of ZhouXiang’s matters.

  After hanging up the phone, ZhouXiang realized that it was only 8am.

  He turned on his cell phone and realized that YanMingXiu had sent him two text messages, asking if he had gotten up and whether or not he had breakfast.

  ZhouXiang returned with a text, “When are you coming back?”


  YanMingXiu quickly replied, “Tomorrow evening.”


  ZhouXiang had just received his text when YanMingXiu’s phone call came. After ZhouXiang connected, the voice from the other line softly smiled, “Xiang Ge, do you miss me?”


  ZhouXiang resisted the conflicting emotions from hearing his voice at the moment and asked in a low voice, “What are you doing?”


  “In a meeting. I snuck out for a while. I miss you,” YanMingXiu seems to be in a good mood as he gently laughed, “I bought you a lot of delicious food.”


  ZhouXiang said expressionlessly, “I have something to ask you. We’ll talk when you return.”


  "What is it?"

  "Concentrate on work first. It’s not convenient to say on the phone."

  YanMingXiu’s breathing became unsteady, “Xiang Ge, what is it? Your tone doesn’t sound right.”


  ZhouXiang is silent for a moment, “We’ll talk when you get back.”


  "Xiang Ge……"

  ZhouXiang hung up the phone.

  He took a deep breath with his brain buzzing. His entire person lay on the sofa, not wanting to move at all. He remained like that for ten full minutes before his heart steadied from the chilliness all over his body. He stood up and got dressed, planning on going to the hospital.

  He wanted to bring ChenYing home today. ChenYing had called him every day, telling him that she doesn’t want to stay in the hospital anymore. She wanted to come home. All her examinations should have been completed. Aunty Wang had also returned from her hometown. It is time to take her home.

  In the past two days, he had been using YangMingXiu’s car, but when he habitually grabbed the car keys, he didn’t know why, he remembered the words YanFei said,

  "

  sounding as if he is a girl.

  Men are usually not bothered by such trifles, using each other things, at times they won’t even bother with asking. Moreover, he and YanMingXiu are a couple. But after hearing YanFei’s words, and thinking that he still owed YanMingXiu so much money, it just made him very uncomfortable.

  He dropped the car keys and decided that he would go buy a used car immediately, one that is in line with his status, that he can drive feeling at ease.

  He hailed a taxi to the hospital and took ChenYing home. After settling down, he went to the racecourse and continued with his training. He had intended to go back home to have dinner with ChenYing at night. But after his training was over, YanMingXiu’s call came. ZhouXiang beat his sore leg lightly with his fist as he connected the phone, “Hello?”


  “Xiang Ge, where are you?”


  “At the racecourse.”


  “I’m home.”


  “Didn’t you say…… forget it, I’m coming back now.”


  “I’ll come pick you up. I see that you didn’t drive.”


  “No need, just wait for me." ZhouXiang gloomily hung up.

  After he got home, YanMingXiu had prepared a table of food. Upon entering the door, ZhouXiang saw YanMingXiu peeking out of the kitchen wearing an apron; the sky-blue apron obviously with oil stains all over, not looking a bit out of sorts. One can only say that anyone looking like YanMingXiu would look good even wearing a gunny sack.

  ZhouXiang didn’t have much time to appreciate this handsome man because YanMingXiu don’t necessarily belong to him. When he thought of this, he wasn’t in any mood.

  YanMingXiu smiled at him, “Tired? Seeing you look like you’ve trained all afternoon. Go take a shower and come out to eat.”


  “Don’t need to.” ZhouXiang, who usually loves to be neat and tidy, but at this time, he didn’t even bother hanging up his jacket. He just threw it on the back of the sofa.

  The smile on YanMingXiu’s face stiffened, noticing an unusual atmosphere in the air. He felt a burst of nervous tension because he’s guilty.

  ZhouXiang took out a cigarette from his coat’s pocket. While lighting it, he asked, “I just want to ask you. When are you planning on telling me that you need to get married? Are you going to personally give me an invitation?”


  YanMingXiu’s expression changed instantly, “Who told you that?”


  "Your dad came to look for me. Why are you so surprised? You really think you can hide this? YanMingXiu, I just don’t understand. Even if I’m that stupid, do you think I can happily watch you get married, that I can watch you holding your wife in one hand and your child in the other, bringing honor to your ancestors? Am I your fucking underground lover?!” ZhouXiang pointed at his nose, furious, “Don’t think that your surname Yan is all that great, who the hell are you treating as a dumb fuck?!”


  “Xiang Ge, calm down. Let me explain, ok?"

  ZhouXiang took a smoke vigorously; the pungent heat burned his throat making it itchy, "What do you want to explain? You want to persuade me to accept-”


  "No!" YanMingXiu quickly interjected, "This is just temporary measures, I’m just……"

  “You’re just lying to your dad? Leading your dad on? Let you marry and play for a while, deceive him for a while and then divorce?” ZhouXiang’s voice is a bit piercing, “I really want to know, what plans do you have in mind that will satisfy both sides!"

  YanMingXiu’s expression paled, “Xiang Ge, I don’t want to marry anyone.”


  “You can’t even change his mind on the things that you didn’t promise him…… not to mention you promised him now.” ZhouXiang said hoarsely, “Do you really think that your dad is an idiot? YanMingXiu, is this the good days that you had envisioned for us? Is this what you said by going back to the past? In fact, take a look, nothing has changed. What you’re actually thinking in your heart, I can guess. If you really had no intentions to get married, you would have told me right at the beginning. But you didn’t tell me. You kept hiding this because you are guilty. What is it that you really want…… ask yourself? You wanted to solve this problem without me knowing about it? You want ……you really thought of getting married?" ZhouXiang lift his head and looked at him quietly.

  His eyes seemed to be two deep pools. YanMingXiu felt that he can’t evade under that expression. He had thought of many ways. He really had thought about (marriage)…… YanMingXiu guiltily bowed his head.

  ZhouXiang was actually still expecting YanMingXiu to have a better reason to refute. At least, this fact, he didn’t want to know. However, YanMingXiu still have not spoken, which in essence is agreeing tacitly.

  At this moment, ZhouXiang really wanted to cry. He felt an overwhelming exhaustion that he had never felt before.

  There are a many homosexuals in the world, for all kinds of pressures and reasons would chose to marry a person of the opposite sex whom they absolutely had no interest in to evade public scrutiny. Although ZhouXiang didn’t agree to these things, he is helpless to it. But it doesn’t mean that he could accept it. He absolutely can’t accept YanMingXiu marrying a woman, yet also wants to maintain this relationship with him.

  No fucking way.

  ZhouXiang could no longer feel heartache. If these rash thoughts materialized, his heart would have long been like a strainer and probably got another scar.

  He pointed to the door, “Leave, I really don’t want to see you right now.”


  YanMingXiu took off the apron and said resolutely, “Xiang Ge, I admit that I really thought about this approach. I’m under too much pressure. I have to find a way to balance this. But the reason I didn’t tell you is certainly not because I wanted to make this decision secretly. I just don’t want you to worry. My ultimate choice is definitely not to marry anyone but to be able to get my dad to compromise. Xiang Ge, trust me……”


  “I don’t trust you, fuck off.” ZhouXiang sat down on the sofa, so tired he didn’t even want to move his fingers, "Being with you is too exhausting; really, tell me what I’m hoping for?”


  YanMingXiu’s face is white like paper. His voice shaking, “Xiang Ge, you can’t kick me out. At this critical moment, you can’t give up on me.”


  “Which critical moment? YanMingXiu, tell me how should I believe you? Should I fucking lie to myself for you until the day that I get your wedding invitation?!" ZhouXiang said tiredly, “Just leave, really, go, I really can’t fucking stand it anymore.”


  YanMingXiu took a step back and didn’t move any more. He was as stiff as a stone standing in place, feeling his heart bleeding.

  End of the chapter