In the bustling airport, reunions and separations take place every day, and the short separation is just for a better reunion.
“Zuo Gu, you have to take good care of yourself while you’re abroad, okay? If you miss me, I’ll definitely come. Even if you don’t, I’ll still come to see you.” Luo Qing Ye, the old father, began to worry about his Omega son again, terrified that he might get lost while traveling abroad. Before boarding, he kept nagging: “House, car, driver, aunt, Daddy has prepared everything for you. You can study there comfortably. If you need anything, just tell me.”
…
Fathers’ nagging is long and detailed.
Luo Pan Zhi said he’d arrive later because he had a competition.
Chu Gu Zhi nodded, but his mind was elsewhere.
He held his boarding pass in his hand and looked up at the sunset outside the airport window. Large patches of pink and purple blended together, as gentle as a warm-toned oil painting.
He felt a sense of resentment.
He had everything, yet he couldn’t get what he wanted.
This isn’t what it means to be a winner in life.
“What’s wrong? You seem absent-minded.”
He tilted his head at his father’s call and shook his head obediently: “Nothing.”
“Zuo Gu, growing up comes at a price.” Chu Yi Qiao’s eyes were gentle beneath his glasses. Time seemed to have left no trace on his face, but it had etched a more dignified aura. He looked at his child: “Sometimes you feel sorry for losing something, but if you think about it, losing it means it doesn’t belong to you.”
Chu Gu Zhi, as if struck by a thorn in his heart, lowered his eyes to hide the disappointment in them. He looked at the check-in time on his air ticket:
“I know.”
Only 1 hour left, and he had to check-in 40 minutes in advance.
He was leaving.
He thought he could forgot, but why? That meant pheromones had nothing to do with it.
He subconsciously reached for his pocket, and his expression froze when he realised he hadn’t brought his things.
Where’s the perfume? Didn’t he take it?!
“But maybe he just doesn’t belong to you right now.” Chu Yi Qiao opened his palm, revealing a bottle of perfume: “Are you looking for this?”
Chu Gu Zhi’s eyes lit up instantly, and he quickly took the perfume from his father’s hand as if he had found a treasure: “Yes.”
“He smells just as good as this perfume, doesn’t he?” Chu Yi Qiao asked with a smile.
Luo Qing Ye heard his Lao Po saying this to the child again and leaned over to Chu Yi Qiao’s ear and whispered: “Don’t say that again. If Zuo Gu doesn’t leave the country, he’ll chase after him.”
Chu Gu Zhi’s ears flushed at the whisper, and he clenched the perfume in his hand. “……I’m not that unambitious.”
After being rejected once, was he still trying to curry favor with someone who hadn’t given him the chance?
Luo Qing Ye’s old father’s face was indescribable as he watched his son, holding a bottle of perfume as his lover, is that what you call ambition?
Chu Yi Qiao glanced at Luo Qing Ye indifferently.
Luo Qing Ye obediently shut his mouth, nodding his head to indicate he understood.
“Ge, don’t be sad, Er Ge and I will help you keep an eye on him. If he dares to mess with anyone else, we’ll kill him!” Luo Yu Chu leaned over and said.
Chu Gu Zhi’s gaze fell on the airport gate, but then, realising it was impossible, he withdrew sadly.
“Yan Lu belongs to the country now, so now isn’t the best time.” Chu Yi Qiao patted his son’s head and said gently.
Chu Gu Zhi looked at his Daddy: :…….What do you mean?”
“Not everyone is naturally so proud. When an ordinary person falls in love with a proud person, they become inferior. There are usually two ways they react: one is to retreat, and the other is to improve.” Chu Yi Qiao smiled: “I think the second is what he wants to show you. Once he’s achieved what he wants, if you still want him, then he’s yours. If you don’t want him, he won’t regret it, because he tried his best.”
“Improve?” Chu Gu Zhi pondered. What did Yan Lu want?
……World championship? Does he have to reach this point to feel worthy of him?
“I don’t think he needs to—”
“Zuo Gu, you can’t assume that just because you have everything, others don’t need it.” Chu Yi Qiao felt that he and Luo Qing Ye loved Zuo Gu too much, giving the child the impression that everything was within his grasp: “Everyone has their own ideals, and you can’t stop them from pursuing them.”
Chu Gu Zhi looked down at the perfume in his hand, his eyelashes fluttering. His fingertips stroked the bottle, and he muttered softly: “…..I didn’t stop him, I just thought he could agree to continue pursuing his ideals later. That wouldn’t be a hindrance, right?” Luo Qing Ye looked at his Omega with a pitiful look, patting his head with a loving touch: “It’s okay, Bao Bao[mfn]baby[/mfn]. Big Daddy’ll keep an eye on him for you!”
Chu Gu Zhi’s ears flushed at hearing Big Daddy call him that again: “I’m grown up now, stop calling me that. It’s embarrassing if others hear.”
“Wait?” Chu Yi Qiao asked: “I think he should be able to get it soon. If he wants it, he can get it quickly, and he’ll do his best. He just wants to be by your side as an excellent person. I think Yan Lu is a great kid, just like your Big Daddy.”
Luo Qing Ye smiled to himself at his Lao Po’s praise, almost saying “hateful” shyly.
Chu Gu Zhi thought, why wait? How long would he have to wait? How would he know when Yan Lu would get it—
“Chu Gu Zhi!”
A familiar voice came from behind him, accompanied by hurried footsteps and panting.
Chu Gu Zhi froze, turning his head in astonishment.
Not far away, Yan Lu, wearing the red national team jersey, could be seen. He might have run over, his chest heaving.
This appearance was particularly striking at the airport.
Yan Lu had already started closed-door training with the national team at the end of last semester, so he hadn’t seen him in a long time. The last time they met was when Yan Lu said he was leaving for training, and he was still angry at the time, so he didn’t get to see him one last time before training.
He felt a little regretful, but it was hard to take back what he had said.
Yan Lu ran up to Chu Gu Zhi, breathless. He quickly took the gold medal from his neck and handed it to her, staring intently at the person he had been thinking about day and night.
“A gold medal from the Swimming World Cup, my first world championship medal. For you.”
Chu Gu Zhi stared blankly at Yan Lu, feeling a bit surreal. How could he suddenly……
Appear?
“Like I said, I’m not worthy of you yet, but I’ll work hard. Olympics, World Championships, Asian Games, National Games, I’m going to win the Grand Slam.” Yan Lu’s eyes grew red as he looked at Chu Gu Zhi, whom he hadn’t seen in a while: “……I’ll get it soon. Can you wait for me?”
The gold medal before him seemed to glow in the light.
It was as if Yan Lu’s eyes were filled with anticipation and passion.
“……Is that okay?” Yan Lu asked cautiously, handing over the medal, his eyes reluctant to leave Chu Gu Zhi’s face. He hadn’t seen Chu Gu Zhi in months.
If he hadn’t begged Luo Pan Zhi, he might not have seen Chu Gu Zhi for years.
This look was nothing like the Yan Lu who had just been on a killing spree at the World Swimming Competition.
Luo Pan Zhi approached slowly from behind, rubbing his shoulder: “This can’t be all in vain. I drove 6 hours to bring him from the training gym. My shoulder’s almost broken. No, 12 hours to be exact, for a round trip.”
Chu Gu Zhi looked at Luo Pan Zhi in surprise: “Didn’t you say you were going for the competition?”
“You just believed me?” Luo Pan Zhi sat down next to his father, leaning back in his chair exhausted. “Oh, if it weren’t for someone who looks so miserable every day, practically singing ‘Red beans are the most nostalgic[mfn]红豆最相思: to express a longing for love. It comes from a poem from the Tang Dynasty about lovesickness (相思) written by Wang Wei. You can read more about the poem on Baidu[/mfn]’, and if it weren’t for someone begging me to pick him up, I’d be so lazy.”
Yan Lu rubbed his head sheepishly: “I begged him.”
“What did you use to beg Luo Pan Zhi?” Chu Gu Zhi glanced at Luo Pan Zhi, a little surprised. Hadn’t this guy always hated Yan Lu the most? Why was he helping Yan Lu now?
“I used the rest of my life to marry only you to beg him.” Yan Lu felt even more embarrassed at this.
Luo Pan Zhi raised an eyebrow and glanced at big-eyed Big Daddy: “I’ll have Yan Lu marry into the family. Any future children will have the surname Chu, bringing honor to the family.”
Luo Qing Ye gave his son a thumbs-up: “Nice[mfn]this was in English[/mfn]!”
Chu Gu Zhi’s eyes rippled, his emotions suddenly becoming complicated: “You can even promise this, why didn’t you tell me that day? Is that why you won’t accept me?”
“How could I dare not accept you? I just feel I’m not worthy of you. You’re so talented, and……so good looking. I was thinking for you to like me when I become outstanding.” Yan Lu thrust the gold medal directly into Chu Gu Zhi’s hands and said eagerly: “Just take it. I swam so hard.”
“I’m tired from driving too.” Luo Pan Zhi added some gas.
This undoubtedly gave the proud Chu Gu Zhi a perfect way out. At least he didn’t have to dwell on getting rejected.
At least—
It wasn’t a broken heart.
Chu Gu Zhi took the gold medal. It was warm, burning his hands and his heart. As if figuring things out, he looked up at Yan Lu with a smile.
“Then I’ll wait for your Grand Slam. Don’t make me wait too long.”
Yan Lu stepped forward and pulled Chu Gu Zhi into his arms, his eyes filled with ecstasy, even happier than if he had won the gold medal. He held him tightly, all the affection he wanted to express melting into the intensity of the embrace.
He whispered softly in Chu Gu Zhi’s ear:
“Chu Gu Zhi, I will become your world champion. I’ll wait for you to come back.”
Soon after, the boarding announcement for the flight sounded. Chu Gu Zhi could only say goodbye to his family one by one, and finally, with a deep look at Yan Lu, he went through the boarding pass check.
The group exited the airport.
Yan Lu looked up at the plane overhead, which passed through the clouds, leaving a trail in the pink and purple evening light.
Just like a heartbeat, there are traces of it from the very beginning.
So every chance encounter after that was a calculated one.
He first saw Chu Gu Zhi at the opening ceremony of his freshman year. Chu Gu Zhi looked like a little prince, dressed in a white suit and playing the violin. He knew it was beyond comprehension, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Chu Gu Zhi.
Then, thanks to Jian Wen Xing, he was able to see Chu Gu Zhi again.
And then, on the day Chu Gu Zhi differentiated into an Omega, Jian Wen Xing rushed to him, saying that Chu Gu Zhi needed him to help him take a bite.
From then on, it was truly unstoppable.
He liked Chu Gu Zhi, really liked him so much.
“That’s enough, the corners of your mouth are about to fall off.”
Yan Lu subconsciously touched his mouth when he heard Luo Pan Zhi say this, and couldn’t help laughing again. Glancing at Chu Gu Zhi’s fathers beside him, he suddenly remembered that he hadn’t greeted them yet, so he immediately walked over to them and bowed gently.
“Hello, Uncles. My name is Yan Lu. I’m so anxious and didn’t greet you two earlier. I’m really sorry.”
Luo Qing Ye naturally had no fondness for the boy who had stolen his Omega son. He had just dared to hug Zuo Gu in front of him. His expression was very serious: “Are you the Alpha who bit my Zuo Gu?”
Yan Lu lowered his head guiltily: “I’m sorry Uncle. It’s……my fault.”
“Okay, don’t scare the child.” Chu Yi Qiao glanced at Luo Qing Ye helplessly, then said gently to Yan Lu: “Don’t be so nervous. I like you very much.”
Yan Lu’s eyes lit up at this, happy but also a little embarrassed. He raised his hand to touch his head: “I was worried you wouldn’t like me.”
“You’re getting into character quickly.” Luo Pan Zhi said coolly: “Do you really think of yourself as a son-in-law who marries into the family? Nothing has even started yet.”
Yan Lu was stunned: “Huh? Didn’t you acknowledge me? Otherwise, why would you come pick me up?”
Luo Pan Zhi glanced at Yan Lu coldly: “What do you care about? I’m too idle.”
“Enough, both of you.” Luo Yu Chu stepped between them, acting as a peacemaker. She took their hands and held them together: “From now on, we’ll be a loving family.”
Luo Pan Zhi pulled his hand away with a look of disgust: “Who’s family with him? Did I agree?”
“Ge Ge agreed, so who cares if you agree or not? Anyway, I agree.” Luo Yu Chu forcefully grasped Luo Pan Zhi’s hand and shook it amicably with Yan Lu. Seeing Luo Pan Zhi’s look of disdain, she said: “Don’t be so disgusted, Er Ge. This is the hand of a champion. Shake it to share in the joy.”
Luo Pan Zhi was immediately annoyed: “I have plenty of gold medals. Using his one gold medal? What a joke.”
“……I’ll have many more in the future.” Yan Lu whispered.
***
Three years later—
“Congratulations to Yan Lu for winning the first gold medal in swimming at this year’s Olympics!! Once again, a swimmer has achieved the Grand Slam of gold medals in Chinese swimming, and at only 19 years old. Truly a formidable young talent!”
A reporter at the live Olympic broadcast interviewed Yan Lu after he won the gold medal.
“Yan Lu, how do you feel now that you’ve won your first gold medal in the event?” the reporter asked.
Yan Lu waved his gold medal at the camera and said: “Very happy.”
“Then do you have anything to say about everyone saying you’re the swimmer with the best figure in the world?”
Yan Lu thought for a moment and said: “En……even this body has an owner.”
The reporter instantly smelled gossip.
Yan Lu smiled and said: “I can go to his house for a meal tomorrow.”
Jing University Conservatory of Music—
Chu Gu Zhi came down from the music building with his violin. As he stepped down, he saw Luo Pan Zhi waiting for him under a tree. He walked over and asked: “Don’t you have classes this afternoon?”
“No.” Luo Pan Zhi took the violin case from him: “Xiao Yu and Yuan Nai are already home. Now they’re waiting for you and Yan Lu.”
“Yan Lu? What are they waiting for?”
Luo Pan Zhi looked at him in surprise: “Didn’t Luo Yu Chu tell you?”
“Tell me what?” Chu Gu Zhi looked bewildered.
“Taking a family photo.” Luo Pan Zhi was speechless: “I shouldn’t have told that stinky brat. She must have forgotten to tell you.”
“But Yan Lu is still competing abroad, so he shouldn’t be back soon, right?” Chu Gu Zhi pulled out his phone to check for messages, but found none. They had a video call last night, and they were ecstatic for a long time about Yan Lu’s gold medal win.
He was naturally looking forward to what was coming next.
Because that was what Yan Lu had promised him.
Yes, he had studied abroad for 2 years and was now back in China as an exchange student for another 2 years. And the truth was, he simply liked Yan Lu. Even after 2 years away, he still liked him. It had nothing to do with pheromones.
He was back now because he couldn’t hold it back, and thankfully Yan Lu kept his promise.
But Yan Lu hadn’t told him he would be back today.
And……
“Why did you call Yan Lu for a family photo?”
Luo Pan Zhi took out his car keys and unlocked the car. Hearing Chu Gu Zhi’s words, he glared at him coldly: “Are you asking me? Ask yourself, why do we need to call Yan Lu?”
Chu Gu Zhi pursed his lips and smiled: “He won the Olympic gold medal. He’s completed the Golden Grand Slam.”
Seeing Chu Gu Zhi asking him knowingly yet still being shy, Luo Pan Zhi felt a pang of frustration. Cursing silently, he opened the passenger door and angrily barked: “Get in!”
Then he walked around to the driver’s seat.
Just as Chu Gu Zhi closed the car door, a voice called out from behind him.
“Zhi Zhi[mfn]I wonder how LPZ feels about this nickname since his name also has Zhi in it 😂[/mfn]!”
Chu Gu Zhi whipped his head around, his eyes filled with surprise and delight when he saw who it was.
It wasn’t anyone else calling, but Yan Lu.
Yan Lu got out of the car and ran to Chu Gu Zhi, excitedly holding out the gold medal he’d been clutching: “I’m back! I’m back with the gold medal. Zhi Zhi, I like you. Can we be together?”
Chu Gu Zhi was stunned by Yan Lu’s sudden appearance and confession. “You……you’re back so soon?”
“I missed you.” Yan Lu’s eyes reflected Chu Gu Zhi’s surprise: “I wanted to be with you, so I couldn’t wait to come back and tell you I’m the world champion. I’m your world champion.”
He placed the gold medal around Chu Gu Zhi’s neck and said with a shy smile: “I’m giving myself to you.”
Luo Pan Zhi, who was in the driver’s seat holding the steering wheel, peeked out: “Yan Lu, do you understand what ritual means? With you confessing like that—”
“I want you.” Chu Gu Zhi stood on tiptoe, cupped Yan Lu’s face, and kissed him.
Luo Pan Zhi: “……” Heart attack, Da Ge can’t stay[mfn]the original 女大不中留 means that when a woman grows up, she shouldn’t stay home or can’t be kept at home for a long time, meaning that she should get married.[/mfn].
At home—
The photographer found a spot with the best lighting and had the staff set up the scene.
“Why haven’t my Ge and the others returned yet?” Luo Yu Chu stared anxiously outside.
Yuan Nai, from behind, was helping Luo Yu Chu tie her hair: “It’ll be soon, Da Ge just texted me saying they’ll reach in five minutes.”
Chu Yi Qiao and Luo Qing Ye, the two heads of the family, naturally relaxed on the sofa, sipping tea.
“They’re back!” Luo Yu Chu exclaimed happily upon seeing a figure at the door: “Oh, I see the world champion is here too! Hey Yan Lu! No, I should call him brother-in-law!”
Then Chu Gu Zhi and Yan Lu walked in side by side, followed by Luo Pan Zhi.
“Back?” Chu Yi Qiao looked up and smiled when he saw Yan Lu: “Great ah, world champion, so you won the Golden Slam?”
Yan Lu rubbed the back of his head sheepishly: “En, I did.”
Chu Yi Qiao glanced at his son, Chu Gu Zhi, and smiled knowingly: “With a new family member, we need to change the family portrait. Let’s take a picture ba.”
The family portrait was taken in the living room. Just like last year, the fathers sat in front of the sofa, and the children stood behind it.
The only difference from last year was that there were 5 children behind them instead of 4.
Also different was that this year, Luo Pan Zhi, still single, took the center position among the children, the lonely center position, flanked by companions.
The photographer snapped away, and when he caught Luo Pan Zhi’s expressionless face, he looked up from the camera: “Young Master Luo, you look like you’re here for a fight. Smile.”
Luo Pan Zhi felt deeply distressed. What had gone wrong to bring him to this state of loneliness? He forced a smile and curled his lips.
“It’s okay, You Pan. Daddy will arrange a blind date for you. Don’t worry.” Luo Qing Ye soothed him kindly.
Luo Pan Zhi couldn’t smile anymore: “Thank you.”
“Come on, let’s take one last picture. 3, 2, 1, smile!”
With a click, the camera captured the family’s happiness.
Soon after, the family portrait was hung on the wall.
From the original family of 5, to a family of 6, and now a family of 7.
Chu Yi Qiao looked up at the new family portrait, his eyes full of smiles. He whispered: “Mr. Luo.”
“Hmm?” Luo Qing Ye brought the freshly brewed hot milk to Chu Yi Qiao.
“Do you think we’ll have a new member next year?” Chu Yi Qiao asked.
Luo Qing Ye leaned close to Chu Yi Qiao’s ear: “Should we have another one?”
Chu Yi Qiao gave him a quiet glance.
“Just kidding, just kidding.” Luo Qing Ye held the milk in front of him: “Drink it first.”
Chu Yi Qiao walked out: “I won’t drink it.”
“Ai ya, this is for preventing osteoporosis.”
“I’m not old!”
“Ai ya, this is for eternal youth!”
Sunlight streamed into the room, gently enveloping the two of them. Years passed, but they forever left behind a peaceful, gentle, and romantic memory.
They are Chu Yi Qiao and Luo Qing Ye.
They,
will be forever happy.
Author’s words:
Chu Yi Qiao: Goodbye.
Luo Qing Ye: Goodbye.
Zuo Gu, You Pan, Xiao Yu: Goodbye.
–We will be fine, and you will be fine too. Thank you all for your love.
—End of Extra Story—
melon: We’ve reached the end of the story! Hope you guys enjoyed it! 😁
I probably won’t take up a new project anytime soon, maybe just some short stories or pick up ongoing ones that has been dropped by other translators. If you have any in mind, you can post it in our discord and if anything catches my eye, I may pick it up.
Also, do check out some other projects I translated if you haven’t already: 😆
Completed:
The Tang Family’s Seven Os (CN BL, 189 chapters)
Running Away With The Nemesis’ Cub (CN BL, 30 chapters)
Remarriage (CN BL, 27 chapters)
Like Me A Little Longer (CN BL, 12 chapters)
Ongoing:
When The Flowers Falls, I’ll See You Again (CN BG, 10/47 chapters translated, currently on hiatus)
![After the Deception [BL]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/themes/lightnovel/assets/images/noimg165px.png "After the Deception [BL]")
Aww, Pan Zhi didn’t get a love story.
Thanks for translating!