ABSTIWTVMST Chapter 130

Father Xu, who felt a bit lonely, coughed twice and said sternly, “Did you find the teacups I asked for?”

Xu Chenghao pushed a box forward. “Let’s use this set today.”

Father Xu glanced at it and saw a neatly arranged set of celadon porcelain cups in the open box, completely different from the blue-and-white Linglong cups he specifically requested. “You brat, you got the wrong ones. What I wanted were the blue-and-white Linglong cups.”

Xu Chenghao: “How would I know all that… It doesn’t matter; Jing Yicheng won’t care about what kind of cups we use.” As he said this, he turned to the person beside him. “Right?”

Jing Yicheng cooperatively nodded: “Right.”

Father Xu: “…”

Judging by this behavior, he became even more convinced that this brat had hastily grabbed something random just to come back. This was really a case of favoring an outsider before marriage.

And this Jing Yicheng—why does he have two faces? Just a moment ago, he didn’t seem so agreeable, did he?

Father Xu scrutinized Jing Yicheng and deliberately asked, “Mr. Jing, do you know how to make tea?”

Jing Yicheng honestly shook his head. “I don’t.”

Xu Chenghao immediately followed up. “That’s perfect! My dad’s tea-making skills are top-notch. You should learn from him.”

Jing Yicheng: “Alright.”

Father Xu: “…”

Did I say anything? Did I agree to this? I was trying to make things difficult for you two, wasn’t I?!

Father Xu felt so stifled that he was practically hurting himself, feeling like calling them to the study wasn’t about making things hard for them but for himself instead.

Ah, he was so furious his heart and liver ached.

In the battle of the study, Father Xu was completely defeated by the joint forces of Xu Chenghao and Jing Yicheng, an utter rout. He fled back to the living room in a hurry before Mother Xu even called them for dinner, deciding that during lunch, he would drink the other party under the table to reclaim his honor.

Jing Yicheng’s drinking capacity wasn’t so bad that he’d collapse after one glass, but it also wasn’t enough to compete with Father Xu, who had weathered countless banquets. After three or five rounds, Jing Yicheng’s eyes glazed over, and he could only stare blankly at Xu Chenghao.

Xu Chenghao, feeling that it was enough, intervened. “Dad, that’s enough. Jing Yicheng is already out of it. If you still want to drink, I’ll keep you company.”

Father Xu smugly said, “Why would I bother drinking with you? Today is Mr. Jing’s first visit to our home, so of course, I have to give him a proper welcome.”

Xu Chenghao: “What’s wrong with drinking with me? What if Jing Yicheng and I team up and manage to get you drunk?”

“Ridiculous!”

“Who’s being ridiculous? Last time, you got so drunk at my place that my mom had to take care of you the whole night… Isn’t that right, Mom?”

Faced with her son, Mother Xu immediately abandoned her husband. “That’s right. You were so drunk that night! I nearly wore myself out changing your clothes and wiping your face. Try saying you’ve forgotten it, I dare you!”

Father Xu didn’t dare utter a word of denial. He quickly said, “I haven’t forgotten… I haven’t forgotten… Wife, you’ve worked so hard. Here, eat more to nourish yourself.”

Mother Xu was satisfied: “That’s more like it.”

Successfully diverting his parents’ attention, Xu Chenghao took the opportunity to nudge Jing Yicheng. “Eat up. After dinner, I’ll take you to check out my room.”

Jing Yicheng didn’t respond and continued staring at him. On closer inspection, his gaze seemed a bit dazed.

Xu Chenghao leaned back slightly, and Jing Yicheng’s eyes followed him. Xu Chenghao tilted his head forward, and Jing Yicheng mirrored him, tilting his head too, with a blank and innocent expression that was so cute that it was almost explosive.

It was rare to see such an expression on the usually expressionless Jing Yicheng. Xu Chenghao felt like he’d struck gold and found it endlessly amusing. He played the back-and-forth game of leaning and tilting for quite a while. It wasn’t until Father Xu scolded him that he finally behaved, though he couldn’t stop laughing. “This is the first time I’ve seen Jing Yicheng drunk like this.”

Father Xu couldn’t help but feel proud. “He still needs more practice.”

“No need.” Xu Chenghao glanced at the dazed Jing Yicheng and smiled with his lips pursed. “He’s fine like this.”

Mother Xu chimed in, “Do you think everyone’s as greedy for alcohol as you are?”

Father Xu, hit by two arrows, fell completely silent.

Taking advantage of the situation, Xu Chenghao picked up some food with his chopsticks and placed it in Jing Yicheng’s bowl, resting his chin in his hand as he watched him eat. When drunk, Jing Yicheng was just too obedient. Whatever Xu Chenghao picked for him, he ate without complaint.

Xu Chenghao deliberately selected some carrots, which Jing Yicheng typically avoided. To his surprise, Jing Yicheng merely frowned slightly before consuming them.

Oh my, he’s so good.

Xu Chenghao was almost overwhelmed by how adorable he was. If his parents weren’t right there, he would have loved to pull Jing Yicheng into a hug and kiss him. Just as he was lost in his thoughts, the handsome face before him suddenly zoomed closer and before he could react, he was kissed. Startled, Xu Chenghao quickly glanced at his parents and whispered, “What are you doing?”

Jing Yicheng: “You wanted a kiss.”

Xu Chenghao denied it immediately. “I didn’t.”

Jing Yicheng followed suit seamlessly: “Oh, then I wanted a kiss.”

Xu Chenghao: “…”

This guy is really drunk—does he not remember where he is or who he’s eating with?!

Xu Chenghao silently sat up straight, not daring to meet his parents’ eyes. He randomly ate a few bites and then tried to slip away with Jing Yicheng. But just as he started to get up, he was pushed back into his chair. Jing Yicheng frowned and said seriously, “Eat.”

Xu Chenghao: “I’m full.”

Jing Yicheng glanced at his bowl, confirmed otherwise, and insisted, “You’re not. Eat.”

Xu Chenghao felt a bit hopeless. Before he could even respond, Jing Yicheng stuffed a mouthful of rice into his mouth. “Ah—”

Xu Chenghao: “…”

Forget it. What’s the point of arguing with a drunk? Might as well give up.

Expressionless, Xu Chenghao was fed until he’d eaten his usual amount. Only then was he finally able to escape, dragging Jing Yicheng back to his room in a hurry.

The Xu parents, who had been watching the whole time: “…”

They suddenly felt too stuffed to eat anymore.

However, this incident left Mother Xu very satisfied. “They say a person’s true nature is revealed when drunk. Who would’ve thought Jing Yicheng, even when drunk, would still remember our son’s usual portion sizes and know what he likes to eat? I just saw—the dishes he picked were all Chenghao’s favorites.”

Father Xu, sounding sour, said, “What if he’s just pretending?”

Mother Xu: “Even if he is, that’s still better than you drinking yourself into a dead pig.”

Father Xu: “…”

He had no comeback.

Upstairs, Xu Chenghao was looking for a towel to wipe Jing Yicheng’s face to help him sober up. Jing Yicheng trailed behind him like a shadow, following his every move. If Xu Chenghao walked, Jing Yicheng walked; if he stopped, Jing Yicheng stopped. Back and forth they went, Jing Yicheng tireless, perfectly embodying the concept of “not leaving even half a step away.”

Xu Chenghao felt a bit helpless. Turning around, he said, “Can’t you just sit down and rest for a bit?”

Jing Yicheng stared at him intently. After a moment, he suddenly stepped forward, pressing Xu Chenghao against the sink with two steps, his hands braced on either side of Xu Chenghao’s waist. He leaned in for a kiss.

Xu Chenghao promptly smacked the towel onto Jing Yicheng’s face. “Sober up! We’re still in my house!”

But Jing Yicheng, guided by sound, didn’t pause at all and kissed him anyway. As the tipsy warmth of his tongue entered, Xu Chenghao couldn’t help tasting it for a moment—hmm, 52-proof baijiu.

That little response was all it took to flip a switch in Jing Yicheng. His hand cupped the back of Xu Chenghao’s head, pulling him closer with a demanding kiss. His other hand encircled Xu Chenghao’s waist and lifted him slightly, placing him directly on the sink counter.

The towel fell between them, kicked aside by Jing Yicheng’s advancing steps. He pressed in even closer, pinning Xu Chenghao against the mirror until he had no defenses left. All Xu Chenghao could do was whimper and bury his head in Jing Yicheng’s shoulder. In the mirror, the man’s eyes glimmered with light, and he chuckled lowly, leaving a kiss on Xu Chenghao’s back.

The commotion lasted several hours. By the time they were done, Xu Chenghao was completely spent and resolved never to let Jing Yicheng touch alcohol again. If Jing Yicheng got drunk, it was Xu Chenghao who ended up suffering… How infuriating! Why was he the one who had to bear the brunt of it?!

Reaching the limit of his patience, Xu Chenghao swatted away Jing Yicheng’s wandering hands and started getting dressed.

After taking a shower, Jing Yicheng looked noticeably more sober. He approached Xu Chenghao, speaking softly in an attempt to placate him. “Haohao, don’t be angry. It was my fault.”

Xu Chenghao gave him a sidelong glance. “What exactly was your fault?”

Jing Yicheng, with utmost seriousness, replied, “I shouldn’t have been unable to resist the allure of such beauty.”

Xu Chenghao: “…”

Xu Chenghao couldn’t help grinding his teeth. “I don’t care. I’m not going home today. You can go back by yourself.”

Jing Yicheng was most afraid of this tactic. He quickly helped Xu Chenghao put on his clothes, rubbed his waist, peppered him with kisses, and unleashed a full arsenal of sweet words. Only after coaxing Xu Chenghao into a better mood did he pitifully say, “Haohao, don’t scare me on purpose. Come home with me, okay?”

Xu Chenghao said, “But I need to stay and test the waters, see what my parents think of you.”

Jing Yicheng hooked their pinkies together and said in a low voice, “But I don’t want to be away from you…”

“This is my house. It’s just a ten-minute drive away.”

“That’s so far.”

“Far? Seriously?”

“Even when we sleep in separate beds, I feel like it’s far.”

Xu Chenghao: “???”

“You pervert! Get lost!”

Jing Yicheng clung to him tightly and refused to let go. “I won’t leave. I want you to come back with me.”

Xu Chenghao dismissed him with disdain, “Go away.”

Not only did Jing Yicheng refuse to leave, but he also stole several kisses.

Xu Chenghao had no way to deal with him. Only after making Jing Yicheng promise not to do anything that night did he agree to go back with him.

After the two reached an agreement, they left the room and went downstairs. Fortunately, when they were saying goodbye, the Xu parents didn’t ask what they had been up to. Instead, they brought up Ruan Chenxuan, saying, “Old Master Ruan got so upset he fell ill and still hasn’t recovered. Since you both attended the banquet, you should go visit him—it’s the polite thing to do.”

Xu Chenghao nodded in agreement. After confirming his parents had nothing else to say, he quickly left with Jing Yicheng, sparing them the awkwardness of anyone noticing the kiss marks.

Later, no opposition came from the Xu family, making it seem like they tacitly approved of their relationship.

Jing Yicheng, feeling that their relationship had now been officially acknowledged, became quite smug. Not only did he post about it online to show off, but he also left a message: “Feeling good today, so I’ve decided to take an old order. First come, first served.”

Everyone: “!!!”

What did “old order” mean? It meant that Jing Yicheng was willing to take on his original munitions business! This was a huge deal! The fact that a happy Jing Yicheng could bring such perks was absolutely mind-blowing!

Suddenly, everyone went wild:

“I me me me! Am I first?”

“Me!!!”

“Mr. Jing, ahhhhhhh!”

“I want to place an order!! Mr. Jing, you’re finally accepting jobs again! I’m so touched I could cry!”

Among the many frantically fast responses, a certain message from an old acquaintance stood out. The sender wrote: “Mr. Jing, I’m slow at typing and have too much to say. I might not be the first, but when I saw your message, I just really wanted to congratulate you and Mr. Xu—congratulations on successfully meeting the parents and on taking a step closer to a life of unrestrained happiness together. I hope you both remain joyful and blessed.”

When Jing Yicheng saw it, he realized it was from Zuo He. So, he tagged the sender in his reply: “Although you weren’t the first, you know how to speak well. I’ll choose you.”

Everyone competing to be first: “???”

What the hell?! How is this playing favorites?! Zuo He, leave your tonsils here as compensation, will you?!

 

The author has something to say:  Zuo He: Flattery always works, jpg.

T/N: Merry Christmas 🤶 to you all 😘