TYAM Chapter 102 (end)

The divorce process went smoothly.

Jiang Wang stood quietly behind Du Wenjuan the entire time, hands in his pockets, like a gentle shadow.

When Chang Hua arrived at the civil affairs bureau, he avoided eye contact completely, quickly signed his name with a grim face, and the final stamp was slammed down with a ”thud”, marking the official end of it all.

He didn’t even bother opening the divorce certificate to glance at the contents, hurrying off with a panicked, disheveled figure.

Jiang Wang stayed by Du Wenjuan’s side, and as he watched Chang Hua leave, a thought crossed his mind, ‘Humans are still animals at their core. Even in a society with rules and laws, many people, once given an opportunity, reveal their animalistic greed and shamelessness — for a piece of meat, a reachable bank card — forgetting everything else.’

But when they’re faced with real power, real deterrence, they suddenly remember all the principles they ignored, quickly pulling themselves together to act like “a decent person.” Jia Hui was like that. Chang Hua was even more so.

Unlike Chang Hua, Du Wenjuan was looking down at her divorce certificate, flipping it open and shut, carefully reading every word. Her entire body seemed relaxed, completely freed.

She ran her fingers over the words [Divorce Certificate], then looked up and chuckled, “I hope this didn’t affect you.”

“Even though… I really have no eye for people… I always pick the wrong one. Still, love and marriage are beautiful things,” she said with a touch of self-mockery. “But I probably don’t have much credibility saying that.”

Jiang Wang realized she was being considerate of him. After a few seconds, he said, “I’m getting married.”

Du Wenjuan’s eyes widened. She instinctively asked, “Is it—?”

“It is,” Jiang Wang smiled. “We hope you’ll come to the wedding.”

“Really?!” Du Wenjuan said in surprise, “You’re holding it here? That’s great! I’ll definitely bring you a big red envelope!”

Ji Linqiu had picked up Yinyin, and after a short break, they began discussing the move.

Du Wenjuan worked in accounting. Even though she had a comfortable job at her current company, she was more inclined to move to Yuhan to take care of Xingwang.

“Our company is actually in urgent need of a senior accountant like you,” Jiang Wang smiled. “Of course, if you’re not comfortable working directly with me, I can refer you to a friend’s company instead.”

“Either is fine!” Du Wenjuan said quickly. “Just being able to get through the divorce so smoothly and raising Xingwang up to now, I’m already very happy.”

In the end, they didn’t bring much with them, just packed a few clothes and toys for Yinyin and booked their tickets. Xingwang was brought to the airport by the young assistant. When he saw them, it felt like a dream.

“Mom… are you really moving to Yuhan?”

“Mom has left Uncle Chang,” Du Wenjuan knelt to hug him tightly, “From now on, I’ll only take care of you and Yinyin.”

“Good boy, Mom will always be with you now, watching you grow up, okay?”

Peng Xingwang didn’t answer right away. He rubbed his eyes and glanced at Jiang Wang and Ji Linqiu, then whispered, “I feel like my head is smoking.”

“Is… is this really happening?”

“I can’t believe it! My mom is going to be with me for a long, long time?!”

Everyone laughed and cried, taking turns hugging and kissing him. No one knew how else to show their love.

Although Jiang Wang had already bought seven or eight properties in Yuhan, Ji Linqiu’s parents had yet to visit, so their other homes remained empty.

After some thought, Jiang Wang bought a ground floor unit next door with a small yard — not too far, just a few steps away. It made it easy to have dinner together or go on evening walks.

Although Du Wenjuan knew he was wealthy, she still insisted on paying rent from her savings, at the standard quarterly rate. Fortunately, the new job paid well, so she’d make it back soon.

The night before Peng Xingwang was to move in with his mom, Jiang Wang and Ji Linqiu called him into the living room. The three of them sat down to have a proper talk.

The first topic was about living arrangements.

“Actually… if someone has money, they can have many houses. But whether they can have many homes, that depends on their heart,” Jiang Wang said calmly. “Your dad’s place, your grandparents’, your mom’s, and your brother’s… those are all your homes.”

“No matter where you live, Xingxing, just remember, we are always behind you, always ready to face life with you.”

“Growing up isn’t always joyful, but Xingxing, we still want to wish you a happy growing up,” Ji Linqiu said with a smile, raising his glass to clink gently with Xingwang’s.

“Happy growing up.”

Ever since the boy had come to live with them, they’d always treated him as an equal. Now, hearing those words, he nodded maturely, eyes slightly red. “I still can’t bear to leave you…” 

Jiang Wang smiled, then continued, “The second thing is… Teacher Ji and I are getting married.”

When he told his younger self this, he was calm and steady, his heart like a snow-covered plain, peaceful and quiet.

Peng Xingwang nodded rapidly. “I heard that! When I was eating on the third floor! Teacher Ji said it super loudly!”

Ji Linqiu blushed. “I was a little tipsy that day…”

Jiang Wang couldn’t help laughing and got a light smack from Ji Linqiu. “Don’t laugh!”

“So… do you have any questions about your brothers falling in love or getting married?” Ji Linqiu, as a teacher, had always worried about how their relationship might affect the boy. He’d even considered waiting until Xingwang was grown before saying anything.

But after the drama with his family and a few too many drinks, things had slipped out anyway.

“…at first, it felt a little weird,” Peng Xingwang scratched his head. “I didn’t think one brother would like another brother, and not a sister or aunt or something.”

“But then I realized… no sister-in-laws at home! I’m very happy! Just brothers? That’s awesome!”

Jiang Wang thought, ‘This kind of logic really is my style’, and took a sip of tea.

After thinking for a moment, Ji Linqiu decided to explain everything slowly.

He talked to the boy about different sexual orientations, their history, the challenges, and the present-day situation.

Peng Xingwang listened in awe, then suddenly asked, “So… like, can aunties like other aunties too?!”

“Of course,” Ji Linqiu said, “That’s a very natural kind of feeling.”

“But in some places where the culture is more conservative, people hide it. They don’t dare hold hands in public.”

He paused, then said seriously, “No matter what, your brothers hope that one day, whether you like a boy or a girl, you can experience the joy of loving someone and grow something good from it.”

“We’ll always respect your choice.”

Peng Xingwang’s eyes sparkled. After a moment of hesitation, he asked, “Then, can I like Zhou Yinxin?!”

Jiang Wang blanked. “Who? Zhou who?”

“That girl who plays piano and got me into violin,” Ji Linqiu said, laughing. “Of course you can like her, but remember to be respectful, okay? Keep your little feelings to yourself and don’t make her uncomfortable.”

“Of course!” Xingwang said proudly. “She said I have big eyes and fair skin. She called me cute!”

Jiang Wang thought he saw something budding, but didn’t press it. Kids’ friendships can easily fade with school changes or moving, so it’s best not to overthink it.

After Peng Xingwang moved out, the house became noticeably quieter. No more slipper sounds of a child running around.

But that loneliness was soon drowned out by the joyful chaos leading up to the wedding.

Ji Linqiu had a gentle nature and said he didn’t mind whether the wedding was Western or Chinese, just that it shouldn’t be too flashy.

After much thought, Jiang Wang decided to go with a traditional Chinese wedding. He even invited a designer friend who had participated in the Guochao Fashion Week to design their wedding outfits personally.

Ji Linqiu stood quietly to the side while being measured, with Jiang Wang beside him carefully gesturing.

“There has to be a red veil,” Jiang Wang said, “best if it’s gold and red with some pearls or something like that – has to feel like nobility, you get what I mean?”

The designer patiently replied, “Got it, I’ll take that into consideration.”

“And the robe shouldn’t be too complicated—we don’t want it all tangled together—but the hem should be flowing, makes it feel more ceremonial.”

“Okay, understood.”

“And the waist can be a little tighter, I totally trust Mr. Ji’s waist. Also, don’t add—”

The designer smiled and tossed Jiang Wang out of the room.

“We’re still measuring here. How about you go have a glass of champagne?”

As the door shut with a “bang”, Ji Linqiu laughed helplessly.

The designer took down the measurements for shoulder length and waist width, secretly amazed at the proportions.

Then turned and asked, “Of course we’ll prioritize the bride’s — no, your — opinion. What kind of outfit would you like?”

“As long as he likes it, I’m happy,” Ji Linqiu said gently. “But… he’s a bit slow. If he gets drunk on the wedding day, and the outfit’s too complicated, he might not be able to undo the buttons. You know what I mean?”

The designer immediately caught on. “Crystal clear.”

The wedding was set for August 24th, which was also Ji Linqiu’s birthday[mfn]just a note, Chinese people tend to prefer having their wedding day during a festive day (esp if they’re an auspicious date too)! So like, birthdays, Valentines, Qixi, etc. [/mfn].

That day, the sun was dazzling, cicadas chirped nonstop, and swallows flew across the sky.

Many neighbors poked their heads out to look; on the street was a red sedan chair, gongs and drums resounding, gardenia petals and peach blossoms were thrown into the air like snow, filling the street with fragrance as if spring had returned in full bloom.

The groom arrived at the Ji household, waiting for Ji Linqiu’s parents to bring out their beloved child.

Many children had gathered to watch the lively scene. They saw a slender and graceful figure step out slowly, adorned in gold and jade, noble and radiant without arrogance.

“So pretty!!”

“There are real gold pearls on the red veil, are they real?!” 

“Ahhh this is so dreamy!! Mom, come look!!”

He took his hand, and the two bowed to their parents before entering the sedan chair together.

As evening fell, all the guests gathered in the courtyard to witness the ceremony.

“First bow—to Heaven and Earth!”

He still held his hand tightly, unwilling to let go.

Ji Linqiu moved slightly, but in the end allowed this small stubbornness. In front of all their friends and family, they held hands and knelt down together.

“Second bow—to the parents!”

Ji Linqiu’s parents sat in the place of honor, smiling peacefully.

Du Wenjuan and Peng Jiahui stood to the side, and as Jiang Wang’s living relatives, they too received a bow. They watched the young couple with warm eyes, quietly blessing them with lifelong happiness.

“—Husband and wife, bow to each other!”

Jiang Wang thought he’d finally have to let go of his hand now, but Ji Linqiu still wouldn’t release it. They simply stepped apart a little, still holding each other’s hand as they bent in a bow.

It was both endearingly childish and deeply affectionate.

The officiant grinned. “Groom, you can unveil your bride!”

The crowd burst into cheers.

“Finally, it’s the unveiling part!!”

“Teacher Ji looks absolutely stunning today!!”

“Ahhh I’m gonna cry, I can’t believe I’m actually at their wedding—”

“Unveil the veil! Unveil the veil! I’ll bring the wedding wine!”

With deep affection in his eyes, Jiang Wang held his breath and gently lifted the red veil heavy with gold and pearls.

Ji Linqiu lowered his gaze, golden dust on his lashes, a red flower sticker on his forehead setting off his fair skin and pink lips. He looked hundreds of times more stunning than usual.

When their eyes met, they were both stunned for a moment.

Then Jiang Wang leaned in and kissed him.

The lipstick had a faint sweetness to it. Or maybe it was just the joy in his heart that made everything taste sweet.

The crowd was stunned.

“Brother Jiang, you’re not playing by the rules!! But damn, nice move!!”

“You haven’t even drunk the wedding wine and you’re already kissing him? Foul play!!”

“Damn damn, Teacher Ji looks so good today, even I’d kiss him!! If you don’t kiss him, are you even human?!”

The wedding wine was soon brought over. Arms entwined, they looked into each other’s eyes and drank in one gulp amid the cheers.

It was probably the happiest day of their lives. Even the heat of the wine sliding down their throats felt like petals flying through a hallway. Beautiful, but not enough.

The wedding favors were all elegant gift boxes tied with golden roses. The food was first-class—every delicacy imaginable was served. Jiang Wang drank several rounds with the guests, then discreetly signaled to Peng Xingwang to sneak off later for some fun on the swings.

When the party was in full swing, the two slipped off to a quiet corner of the courtyard, swinging under grapevines lit like starlight.

“Did you eat enough?”

“Totally! The durian pastry and lava buns were super yummy!”

“You didn’t eat more meat though,” Jiang Wang chuckled. “As long as you’re happy.”

“Big Brother, did you bring me over here to ask something?”

Jiang Wang paused for a few seconds, as if it took a lot of courage to say it.

“Xingxing, you’ve watched me step by step over these years… If I’m what your future might look like, would that make you happy?”

Peng Xingwang blinked and put down his bun, answering seriously, “I’d be super duper happy!”

“But, Big Brother, I think I’ll be someone awesome in my own way!”

“Maybe I won’t be as fast as you, and maybe I’ll be a bit clumsy in business. But I’ll grow up brilliantly in my own way. Brother Wang, would you be happy for me?”

Jiang Wang nodded firmly and hugged him tightly. “I really love you.”

‘This journey — maybe it was through learning to love you, that I slowly learned how to love myself, and to love everyone else.

You may not be me anymore, but you’ve long since become the brightest little star[mfn]”Xing” in Xingwang means star![/mfn] in my world.’

-The End-

T/L:

And that’s the end of this series! Thank you for reading, I hope you like it just like Jiang Wang loves his little Xingxing! With this series ending, all my current projects are finished, and I’m going to rest for a couple months. I’m still going to translate in the future! Don’t worry about that!!

See you later ( ˶˘ ³˘)♡