DCISBS chapter 84

During this somewhat drawn-out autumn season, Lu Nanyang made his first phone call to Lu Yunyao in two years.

The day he made that call was an utterly ordinary morning.

Xie Quan had just finished showering and was using the new vacuum cleaner to clean the living room floor. Lu Nanyang pushed open the bedroom window, letting the morning sunlight and cool breeze drift in. A sparrow landed on the outdoor unit of the nearby air conditioner, tilted its head, and chirped.

That was when the call connected, and Lu Yunyao’s gentle and pleasant voice came through the receiver: “Hello?”

At that moment, all of Lu Nanyang’s earlier tension seemed to dissipate like mist, and he relaxed completely.

“Hi, Mom,” he said softly. “It’s me, Nanyang.”

Lu Yunyao chuckled. “Of course I know it’s you. Why are you up so early on a weekend?”

“Xie Quan insisted on doing a deep clean today. Started messing with that vacuum cleaner at the crack of dawn,” Lu Nanyang said. “Made it impossible to sleep.”

“Listen to yourself,” Lu Yunyao laughed. “He gets up early to do housework and you’re complaining? That’s not right.”

“No, no,” Lu Nanyang chuckled. “I’m going to help him in a bit.”

“Now that’s more like it.”

Lu Nanyang lowered his head and exhaled lightly. “Mid-Autumn Festival is coming up. I was thinking… I’d like to bring Xie Quan home with me. Is that okay?”

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line—one or two seconds—but it made Lu Nanyang’s heart leap to his throat. Then came Lu Yunyao’s bright laughter.

“Silly child, don’t mind your father and his stubborn streak. The Lu family home is your home. You can come back whenever you want, and bring whoever you want. What does he like to eat? Any dietary restrictions?”

…

When Xie Quan walked in, this was what he saw: Lu Nanyang leaning against the windowsill, smiling while talking on the phone. The sunlight fell across his face, making his features appear even sharper and more defined.

“Okay, okay. I got it. See you then,” Lu Nanyang said before hanging up. He exhaled deeply, then looked up at Xie Quan with a smile.

Before Xie Quan could react, he was pulled into an embrace.

“Thank you,” Lu Nanyang murmured. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have had the courage.”

“…Silly,” Xie Quan replied, gently patting his back.

…..

The Lu family villa was located in the coastal suburbs of Yuncheng City. As they drove, Lu Nanyang looked out the window at the familiar yet slightly unfamiliar scenery.

Back when he was in school, he had traveled this road countless times. Whenever there was a big exam, Lu Yunyao would personally pick him up from school. On the way home, she would ask about his grades, whether the teachers were good, and if anything had upset him.

Sometimes, if he didn’t do well, he’d get scolded along this very road. He’d pretend to be innocent and gaze out the window, letting her words go in one ear and out the other.

Later, when they began picking up Lu Zhanlei, they still used this same route.

Back then, the whole family’s attention was on the younger boy, who would chat excitedly the entire way. Lu Nanyang couldn’t get a word in, so he’d just smile appropriately in the wind.

But now, things were different.

The once familiar yet now slightly strange scenery seemed transformed by Xie Quan’s presence.

“The view near your home is really nice,” Xie Quan said, rolling down the window and looking out. The breeze swept through his hair and tickled his long eyelashes.

“It’s a villa area. Of course the view’s nice,” Lu Nanyang grinned, eyes squinting with amusement. He pointed outside. “Xie Quan, look! The sea!”

Xie Quan was startled and looked toward the distance. The hills gradually receded, revealing a sliver of blue at first, then the entire view opened up. The vast sea glittered under the sunlight, sea breezes carried a hint of salt, and seagulls circled above, occasionally diving to stir small waves below.

Lu Yunyao stood at the villa entrance in a light teal dress. As the car slowed to a stop, she smiled and waved at the window.

Lu Nanyang stared at her for a long time, feeling like she had changed so much—and yet not at all. She still looked exactly like she did in his memories.

As he looked on, his eyes grew misty. He stepped forward and hugged her.

Lu Yunyao patted his back and gently touched the top of his head. She smiled, “Alright now, come in and eat. The food’s going to get cold.”

Lu Nanyang nodded and took a deep breath, then smiled.

The housekeeper rushed forward to open the door for them, her eyes glued to Lu Nanyang like she hadn’t seen enough of him. Smiling, she said, “It’s been years, young master. You’ve grown taller—and more handsome too.”

“That’s not all. He even knows how to flatter his old man now,” came a voice from inside.

Lu Hongzhen stood on the stairs in a formal suit, his hair slicked back with gel, giving off the vibe of an old-school Shanghai gentleman. He slowly made his way down the stairs.

It was the first time Xie Quan had seen this well-known Yuncheng City entrepreneur in real life instead of in photos or videos. He looked older in person, with noticeable gray at his temples. His sharp features matched those in the pictures, exuding a commanding presence.

“That was my idea—it had nothing to do with Lu Nanyang,” Xie Quan said with a wink. “You’ve always had vision and grace. You’re a celebrated entrepreneur in this city. I was just telling the truth.”

Lu Hongzhen gave him a thorough once-over, making Lu Nanyang’s heart lurch as he debated whether to step in between them. But then Lu Hongzhen suddenly laughed and nodded.

“Well said. No wonder you’re the one my son picked—impressive.” He turned to Lu Yunyao and mock-complained, “You see this? The kid’s a natural. Might actually steal our family business someday.”

“Oh, please. That again?” Lu Yunyao walked over and pressed on his shoulder, guiding him toward the dining table. “Like anyone cares about your so-called empire. Sit down and eat already.”

Lu Hongzhen laughed and said, “Alright, alright,” then took his seat.

The dining table was filled with a lavish spread of delicious food — just the sight of it was enough to make one’s mouth water. Lu Yunyao warmly welcomed the two young men, frequently reaching out with her chopsticks to put food into Xie Quan’s bowl.

Xie Quan had thought this meal would be awkward, but in reality, the atmosphere was warm and homely — as if Lu Nanyang had never left this house.

Lu Yunyao had a naturally kind and approachable demeanor; when she smiled, it felt like all barriers vanished into thin air.

Lu Zhanlei did not appear at the dinner table that night. Lu Nanyang couldn’t help but ask about him, but Lu Yunyao gently cut him off.

“Give him some time,” she said. “I believe that one day, he’ll understand you. Understand us.”

Lu Hongzhen skillfully avoided any potentially tense topics and spent the whole meal happily sharing stories about his early entrepreneurial experiences and Lu Nanyang’s embarrassing childhood moments. He was thoroughly enjoying himself. Xie Quan played along perfectly — laughing when appropriate, gasping when needed — which made Lu Nanyang’s ears turn red in embarrassment, nearly prompting him to storm off from the table.

Xie Quan thought Lu Hongzhen would pull him aside for a private chat after dinner, but that moment never came. When he asked one of the housekeepers, he learned that Mr. Lu had gone straight back to the office after the meal, without even saying goodbye.

This high-ranking business tycoon of a father didn’t seem interested in revealing his true thoughts. He simply vanished with an ambiguous, unreadable attitude.

After a night of constant smiling, Xie Quan’s face felt stiff. He pulled open the curtains and stood at the window, gazing out.

The Lu family’s villa was enormous. The room they gave him was twice the size of the master bedroom in his old rental. The sheets and bedding were brand new, yet Xie Quan found it hard to fall asleep.

Even though he had known from the beginning that Lu Nanyang was the Lu family’s young master, this was the first time he had truly felt the vast difference in their backgrounds.

Probably the cost of a single Lu family toilet could buy the entire house left behind by Xie Yuanqiang.

And yet, he had just had dinner with this kind of family — as their son’s boyfriend.

It felt surreal, almost dreamlike, but he couldn’t stop the corners of his lips from lifting into a smile.

At that moment, a short honk sounded from downstairs. Instinctively, Xie Quan looked out and saw a flashy red convertible sports car parked in the garden below.

He opened the window, and the car honked again. In the driver’s seat, Lu Nanyang raised his arm and shouted, “Xie Quan! Come down!”

The garden’s fountain reflected the villa’s lights, casting a glow on Lu Nanyang’s side profile and outlining his sharp features. Mist from the fountain turned the light into a hazy, dreamlike backdrop. In that romantic blur, only the face of the man in the car was crystal clear.

Handsome. Romantic. And a little bit ridiculous.

Whether he was the Lu family’s pampered heir or just Lu Nanyang, whether he lived in a rental or a mansion, he was always the same — that grinning, silly, yet charming guy.

Xie Quan shut the window, grabbed his jacket, and hurried downstairs.

It was already past midnight. Lu Yunyao had gone to bed, and only a few housekeepers were still cleaning up.

Xie Quan stepped out the front door and saw Lu Nanyang sitting in the car, one hand on the steering wheel, the other casually resting on the window. He had even somehow produced a pair of sunglasses and was now wearing them — then whistled in a roguish way.

“Hey handsome, need a ride?” Lu Nanyang pulled his sunglasses down slightly.

“Wearing sunglasses to drive at night? I bet you won’t make it past the front yard without crashing into a tree,” Xie Quan mercilessly teased.

“Xie Quan!” Lu Nanyang dramatically pulled off his sunglasses. “I finally get a chance to act cool and you just have to ruin it. Too much!”

Xie Quan laughed, cupping Lu Nanyang’s face in his hands.

“No need. My boyfriend doesn’t have to act cool — he’s already the most handsome man in the world.”