“Mmm,” Meng Ting responded, slightly lifting his face. Their eyes met and locked together again, the affection between them impossible to hide. Meng Ting lowered his head and once again captured Yan Sui’s lips, while Yan Sui’s hand slid to Meng Ting’s cheek, gently cradling it.
Their lips and tongues collided, and their breaths quickly became erratic. The rhythm of their chests subtly quickened. Meng Ting held Yan Sui even tighter, his eyes gradually narrowing until all he could see in his peripheral vision was Yan Sui’s gentle gaze, so tender, so utterly captivating.
As Meng Ting’s affection deepened, so did the intensity of their kiss. What began as a soft, tender exchange soon turned fervent. They kissed for what felt like an eternity before finally pulling apart, breathless and utterly consumed by the lingering passion as always.
Meng Ting leaned against Yan Sui’s chest, silent, gently tugging at Yan Sui’s clothes as he waited for their bodies to calm down.
They held each other like that for a while, until Meng Ting stopped playing with Yan Sui’s clothes and looked up at him, a hint of frustration in his voice. “Why aren’t you better yet?”
His cheeks were probably only a little warm, but Yan Sui’s reaction remained strong, making him feel restless.
Yan Sui gave a helpless look, then flipped Meng Ting onto the bed. He reached out to caress Meng Ting’s cheek, his tone both resigned and doting. “How can I calm down when you’re lying on top of me?”
With the person he loved most in the world pressing against him, and after such an intense kiss, both his thoughts and his body were beyond his control.
Meng Ting’s expression grew even more innocent. “But I just want to hold you…”
Did he have to roll far away just to let their reactions subside?
As he spoke, Meng Ting wrapped his arms around Yan Sui’s neck, leaning in to peck his lips and nuzzle against him. His voice was soft as he murmured, “Maybe we should get up a little later…”
Before he could finish, Yan Sui kissed him again. Meng Ting had wanted to suggest that he could help with his hands, but Yan Sui, already stirred to this point, was beyond the soothing touch of Meng Ting’s hands.
Unsurprisingly, Yan Sui and Meng Ting got up late again that day. By now, no one in the household was surprised by this.
Meng Ting’s flushed cheeks were slow to fade, but it only made him look even more alluring. It was easy to understand why Yan Sui had undergone such a transformation. Since ancient times, how many people could resist the allure of beauty? Yan Sui was no exception.
After breakfast, Meng Ting ran to the backyard and cut a bouquet of flowers for Yan Sui. Just as Yan Sui finished speaking with Uncle Xiao and Nanny Wang, he was handed the flowers.
“For you. Happy birthday,” Meng Ting said, likely planning to wish Yan Sui a happy birthday countless times throughout the day. Whenever he felt it was appropriate, he would solemnly remind Yan Sui again. The sparkle in his eyes, in Yan Sui’s view, surpassed all the beauty in the world.
Yan Sui accepted the flowers with a smile, then pulled Meng Ting close and kissed his forehead. “Thank you.”
“Mm,” Meng Ting felt the warmth on his forehead and smiled. Today was Yan Sui’s birthday, and he was happier than Yan Sui, happier than anyone else.
Uncle Xiao, Nanny Wang, and the other servants nearby were once again dazzled by the sweet couple. By the time Yan Sui led Meng Ting away, they were still dazed.
Uncle Xiao turned his gaze away from the retreating figures of Yan Sui and Meng Ting, his expression serious as he addressed the servants. “Alright, we have a lot of guests today. Be efficient, but also stay alert. If you notice anything unusual, report it to Zhao Bing immediately.”
“Yes,”
***
The family was very busy, and even on Yan Sui’s birthday, he still had a lot of things to handle. Meng Ting didn’t insist on sticking to him all the time. Instead, he found Yan Manjia and joined her in doing some tasks that were within their capabilities and wouldn’t cause any trouble.
“Ah, little ancestor, why are you following me? Go back upstairs.”
Yan Manjia’s cooking skills had improved significantly recently. She was helping out in the kitchen, where there were knives and fire everywhere. It was too dangerous for Meng Ting to stay there, and it made her very nervous just watching him.
Meng Ting looked at Yan Manjia with a pout but didn’t argue. He puffed out his cheeks and, instead of going upstairs, took Dahuang and Maoqiu to visit He Yue.
He and Yan Yu had moved to the side building, upstairs from Gu Li. Yan Sui originally intended to formally introduce them at his birthday party, but Yan Yu decided to decline. He wanted to wait until He Yue’s leg was better before considering such matters. As a result, he and He Yue couldn’t attend the birthday banquet as Yan Sui’s fathers.
However, their room was on the first floor, and with so many people coming and going that day, it would be too chaotic and easily disturb He Yue, who had just returned from the basement ward and was still quite weak. So, they decided to move to the side building and live with Gu Li and Bart, which also made it more convenient for them to take care of He Yue’s leg.
During breakfast, He Yue and Yan Yu had come over specially to give Yan Sui gifts and wish him a happy birthday, thus congratulating him. In the evening, there were too many people who knew Yan Yu, therefore, under normal circumstances, he and He Yue wouldn’t show up again.
Meng Ting brought Dahuang and Maoqiu over to entrust them to He Yue and Yan Yu. With so many guests, there might be people who were afraid of cats or dogs. It wouldn’t be good if they got scared, or if Dahuang or Maoqiu got hurt by someone who was frightened.
“Dad He, are you feeling better today?”
Meng Ting sat on the sofa next to He Yue and asked. He didn’t avoid asking He Yue such questions. If he was better, he was better; if not, they would just ask Gu Li and Bart to think of a solution.
“Much better,” He Yue replied, reaching out to take Maoqiu and smiling at Meng Ting.
“Mm, Dad He, you will definitely get better,” Meng Ting affirmed again, lowering his head to pet Maoqiu in He Yue’s arms. “Maoqiu, be good. You’ll stay with Dad He and Dad Yan today, and I’ll come to pick you up tomorrow.”
“Meow,” Maoqiu responded, nuzzling Meng Ting’s hand, who then patted its head again.
Meng Ting’s gaze shifted to Yan Yu, who was coming downstairs with He Yue’s clothes. He added, “Dad, I’m entrusting Dahuang to you. Dahuang has gotten heavier, so you can’t let him press on Dad He. And of course, you can’t hit him either.”
Yan Yu looked at the two pets that Meng Ting treated as family members, his expression turning helpless. He nodded. He had already figured out how to communicate with Meng Ting. Some things just needed to be agreed upon. With Yan Sui and He Yue protecting Meng Ting, if he didn’t agree, he would likely end up being lectured.
Meng Ting continued to sit with He Yue and Yan Yu in the small living room of the side building for a while longer. It wasn’t until Yan Sui sent someone to fetch him that he left.
“This kid, sometimes he’s really hard to handle,” Yan Yu muttered as he stroked Dahuang’s head. Dahuang was now familiar with both Yan Yu and He Yue, lazily lying on the ground, letting Yan Yu pet him. He barely even lifted an eyelid.
“But he’s also quite adorable, isn’t he?” He Yue responded with a smile.
Yan Yu looked at He Yue’s smile and was momentarily stunned. He then whispered, “It seems coming back was the right decision. You smile much more than before.”
Yan Yu knew that returning to their hometown was part of it, but Meng Ting and his pets also played a significant role. He Yue’s previous calmness was largely a facade he put on for Yan Yu, but now it was genuine peace and gentleness.
He Yue suddenly realized this and nodded, raising his hand slightly. Yan Yu automatically moved closer, allowing He Yue to lean on him. They didn’t speak anymore, just leaned against each other. Although He Yue’s leg hadn’t fully recovered, his heart was truly at peace.
***
Meng Ting returned to the second floor, and Yan Sui came out of the study. Meng Ting immediately quickened his pace and walked over. “You were looking for me?”
Yan Sui took Meng Ting’s hand and nodded gently, leading him towards the bedroom. “Let’s change our clothes. Granduncle from Licheng has arrived, and we need to go see him.”
Xu Shumin, the head of the Xu family in Licheng, hadn’t traveled in years. This time, he came to Licheng for Yan Sui’s birthday, which was quite unexpected. However, their itinerary wasn’t made public, otherwise, the high society and media from both sides would have been rife with speculation.
“He is my grandmother’s elder brother. You can also call him Granduncle.”
“Mm,” Meng Ting nodded, feeling no need to be nervous. With Yan Sui by his side, he didn’t feel afraid.
It was Yan Sui’s birthday, so Meng Ting naturally wanted to dress well. Although it was still a suit, the tailored fit and coordination made it look different. Yan Sui still exuded an imposing aura, and Meng Ting standing beside him perfectly matched his presence.
He held Yan Sui’s hand and said with certainty, “We still look so good together. We’ll be a perfect match for a lifetime.”
Hearing this, a hint of a smile appeared in Yan Sui’s eyes. He lifted Meng Ting’s chin and kissed him on the lips before leading him out.
He timed it perfectly. As they reached the entrance, Xu Shumin’s car also arrived.
Yan Sui continued to hold Meng Ting’s hand as they walked over. Xu Shumin stepped out of the car, dressed in an old-style deep blue long robe, resembling the scholarly elders Meng Ting had seen on TV. He looked quite gentle.
“Granduncle,” Yan Sui greeted him, meeting Xu Shumin’s gaze. He then looked at Meng Ting beside him and introduced, “This is Meng Ting, my wife.”
“Hello, Granduncle,” Meng Ting immediately greeted, sensing Xu Shumin’s scrutinizing gaze. There was no malice, but it wasn’t exactly comfortable either.
“Mm, I came to see you on your birthday. It’s been years since I last visited Haicheng.”
The last time he came was when his sister Xu Shuyin passed away. The older one gets, the harder it is to bear the pain of parting. The deaths of Old Master Yan and Xu Shuyin had hit Xu Shumin hard, and he hadn’t left Licheng in years.
“Cousin!” Two more people got out of the car, a boy and a girl around fifteen or sixteen years old, with similar features, likely fraternal twins.
“This is Siheng and Siya.”
Xu Shumin gave a brief introduction to Yan Sui and Meng Ting. After turning eighteen, Yan Sui rarely visited Licheng. Even when he did come, it was usually just to see Xu Shumin and then leave. Even if Yan Sui had met the twins before, they were only six or seven years old at the time. Now, even if they bumped into each other face to face, Yan Sui wouldn’t recognize them.
Yan Sui nodded and gestured inward with his hand, “Let’s go inside and talk.”
Xu Siheng and Xu Siya supported Xu Shumin on either side as they walked in. Their curious eyes wandered over Yan Sui and Meng Ting. Though they were polite, their keen interest was hard to miss.
Meng Ting tightened his grip on Yan Sui’s hand slightly, but he didn’t show his nervousness. The term ‘childhood sweethearts’ was something he had only recently come to understand through Xiao Huimin and Ning Zhou. He and Yan Sui were not childhood sweethearts.
However, considering the significant age gap between Yan Sui and the twins, they probably couldn’t be considered childhood sweethearts either, right? With this thought, Meng Ting felt a bit more at ease.
[dropdown title=”List of Idiom in Chapter 078.1″]
氣喘吁吁 (qì chuǎn xū xū): to pant or gasp heavily; to be out of breath; to gasp for breath; be out/short of breath; be breathless/winded; gasp/pant for breath; puff and blow/pant; huff and puff; breathe heavily; the state of a person who is extremely tired, or describes the person’s rapid breathing and heavy panting.秀色可餐 (xiù sè kě cān): lit. a beautiful countenance that can be eaten; a feast for the eyes (idiom); (of a woman) extremely attractive; breathtakingly beautiful; gorgeous; graceful; be ravishingly beautiful; (of scenery) beautiful; From a line in the poem 《日出東南隅行》 by Lu Ji (陸機), 鮮膚一何潤，秀色若可餐。, Her skin, soft and tender, and her beauty, deliciously desirable.
力所能及 (lì suǒ néng jí): as far as one’s capabilities extend (idiom); to the best of one’s ability; within one’s power; within one’s ability; to the best of one’s ability.
心驚膽戰 (xīn jīng dǎn zhàn): lit. heart alarmed, trembling in fear (idiom); prostrate with fear; scared witless; to tremble with fear; to shake with fright; terrified; scared; frightened; alarmed; panicked; to be extremely frightened. Anagram of 膽戰心驚 (dǎn zhàn xīn jīng).
生離死別 (shēng lí sǐ bié): to be parted forever by death; separated in life and death; to part forever; be parted in life or separated by death—part never to meet again; separation is like farewell to the deceased. It refers to a separation that is difficult to see again or a permanent separation.
興趣盎然 (xìng qù àng rán): full of interest; with intense interest; to be very interested in something or a problem.
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