TBS Chapter 31

After Xu Miao submitted his resignation notice, Xia Jingzhou kept him on for the full 30 days under the excuse of “work handover” and “finding a replacement.”

The colleague who felt the most reluctant about Xu Miao leaving was Yan Zhiting. They had joined the company at the same time, been promoted almost in sync, and even when Xu Miao’s position later surpassed his, he had never felt jealous.

Because as a friend and as a superior, Xu Miao was flawless.

Yan Zhiting suspected Xu Miao’s resignation was related to that team-building gathering. He had sensed the subtle atmosphere between Xu Miao and Xia Jingzhou back then, but dismissed it and didn’t take it seriously.

With regret, he glanced at Xu Miao:
“If only that day, before I left, I had helped you contact your boyfriend. I was in a rush with something urgent, so I didn’t manage to.”

“He’s not just my boyfriend anymore, we’re married,” Xu Miao said with a good mood that completely betrayed no signs of the gloom of quitting. He even looked more alive than when he was working. “He’s clingy. Me resigning and taking a break now is just perfect—I can spend more time with him.”

Whether that was true or simply a graceful excuse, Yan Zhiting felt relieved. He laughed:
“What can I even say to you? Then I’ll just wish you a lifetime of happiness. And if you hold a wedding, don’t forget to invite me. I’ll bring a fat red envelope.”

Xu Miao smiled and agreed, even telling him the wedding date was approaching, reminding him to be prepared.

Moving to a new city should have been troublesome—Xu Miao had a lot to consider. The most exhausting part was moving. Since the apartment was rented, once he didn’t renew the lease, everything had to be packed and moved out.

But Xie Ge didn’t let him worry long. Behind Xu Miao’s back, he bought the apartment outright, and only put Xu Miao’s name on the deed.

Xie Ge had thought it would be a surprise that earned him at least a kiss, but instead Xu Miao turned on him:
“Didn’t you say you gave me all your money? Then where did the money for this apartment come from? If I remember right, someone once swore he’d never lie to me again.”

His attempt at “borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha” flopped completely. Xie Ge had no choice but to confess honestly:
“I just said moving would be a hassle, so my parents gave me the money to buy it for you. They said it’s a meeting gift for you.”

“I didn’t lie to you, I really did give you all my money. Right now, the only money I have on me is the five hundred yuan you gave me last night.”

To prove it, he even sent Xu Miao a screenshot of his balance.

531.62 yuan. He wasn’t lying.

Before Xu Miao could say anything, Xie Ge added awkwardly:
“But… can we maybe discuss one thing? Could you not give me pocket money after… y’know, that… every night? It makes me feel really cheap.”

At first Xu Miao didn’t catch what he meant by “that.” Once he understood, he felt half exasperated, half amused:
“It’s not even every night. We’ve barely seen each other this month.”

“Calls and video count too,” Xie Ge muttered softly. “Every day is fine, I’m not saying I don’t like it. I do. But giving me money that way… makes it seem like our relationship is… impure.”

But how pure is “pure”? And how impure counts as “impure”? Xu Miao didn’t want to think about it—he always found ways to make “pure” things sound not so pure.

—

Early December. The temperature had dropped, and rain poured endlessly.

By the time Xu Miao’s plane landed, it was already 9 p.m. He crossed the bridge, grabbed his luggage, and texted Xie Ge while heading toward the exit: I’m almost there.

Unlike Xu Miao’s habit of surprise appearances, Xie Ge’s version of a surprise was straightforward, fiery, impossible to miss at first glance.

Xu Miao’s luggage was simple—everything fit into a 24-inch suitcase. The moment he reached Xie Ge, the boy grabbed it out of his hand and shoved a thermos cup into the other.

One hand pulling the suitcase, the other just about to slip into Xu Miao’s hand—then Xie Ge suddenly remembered Xu Miao wouldn’t be able to open the cup with only one free hand. So he retracted his fingers and stuffed his lonely hand into his icy coat pocket.

But after walking only a little while, seeing Xu Miao still holding but not drinking, Xie Ge couldn’t help urging:
“Drink some hot water, yeah? I tested it, the temperature’s just right.”

Xu Miao wasn’t thirsty, but still answered with a soft “Mm,” opened it, sipped a mouthful, then praised:
“You’re so thoughtful.”

Xie Ge beamed with pride:
“Of course. I studied hard for this.”

“But compared to drinking hot water, I’d rather hold your hand,” Xu Miao deliberately copied Xie Ge’s pitiful tone. “When I wanted to hold yours just now, you dodged me. You even hid your hand in your pocket. Are you upset about the pocket money thing, so you won’t even let me hold your hand?”

Xie Ge turned his head, incredulous:
“When did I ever dodge you? And I’m not upset about pocket money. Why’re you wronging me like this?”

Xu Miao bowed his head, hiding his smile. Then, in a subtle voice:
“Fine, just pretend I was overthinking.”

Unable to win by words, Xie Ge proved himself with action—he instantly grabbed Xu Miao’s hand, fingers lacing tightly between his, showing clearly that not letting him hold hands was nonsense.

They reached the parking lot, found the car. Xu Miao automatically walked to the driver’s side, hand reaching for the door, but Xie Ge blocked him:
“I’ll drive today. You take a rest.”

Xu Miao nodded, let go of his hand, and went to the passenger seat.

Xie Ge’s driving was steadier than Xu Miao expected. The music playing was Xu Miao’s favorite style. The window was cracked open; the breeze came in, cool but not too cold.

After a while, while Xu Miao hummed along softly, Xie Ge suddenly said:
“My school housing is kinda far from the airport. If we go there now, it’ll be too late. If you don’t want to meet my parents right away… how about staying in a hotel tonight?”

“Mm,” Xu Miao replied casually while scrolling on his phone. “Hotel’s better. Showing up empty-handed to your parents isn’t polite. I’ll prepare tomorrow.”

Twenty minutes later, Xie Ge checked them into a hotel.

Xu Miao showered first and laid on the bed. When Xie Ge came out drying his hair, Xu Miao happened to be on a call. After he hung up, he went to the door and retrieved a small package from the delivery robot.

The bag was tiny. Xie Ge, towel over his head, blinked suspiciously:
“Did they deliver it wrong? I ordered double portions of food—it shouldn’t be this little.”

Xu Miao said blandly:
“No mistake. I ordered it. The hotel’s ones are too small for you to use. If I didn’t order, you’d just end up whining later, saying it was tight and hurt.”

…What kind of thing was that to say in that tone?!

Xie Ge’s face was burning. He yanked the towel lower to cover his face, shuffled timidly toward the bed, and quickly dove under the blanket, hiding completely.

Xu Miao still didn’t quite get his shyness. Once might be understandable. But this was the… who-knows-how-many-th time, and still Xie Ge turned into a blushing mess.

But shy or not, it didn’t stop him from tormenting Xu Miao the whole night. Luckily it was a weekend: the student had no 8 a.m. class, the unemployed one no job.

They didn’t wake up until noon. The untouched double meal sat cold on the table. After a quick wash, they checked out, ate lunch at a restaurant, then Xu Miao dragged Xie Ge to a mall. Based on Xie Ge’s hints, he picked gifts for his parents—and for his younger brother, Xie Min. Only Xie Ge himself was left out, until he whined and Xu Miao prepared one for him too.

By dinnertime, when they stood at the doorstep of his home, Xu Miao was actually nervous. He pressed his lips, trying to look calm and composed.

Xie Ge squeezed his hand, leaned close to whisper by his ear:
“My parents adore you. They said you’re super handsome, and that me managing to ‘marry’ you is like hitting the jackpot.”

“Don’t worry, it’s just dinner. And I came earlier on purpose—we still have half an hour before they’re home. If you feel uncomfortable with them, we can just stay elsewhere, meet them another day. It’s fine. I’ll listen to you.”

Xu Miao gave his fingers a squeeze:
“I’m not worried.”

They changed shoes at the door and entered the living room—only to see someone sitting on the sofa.

Xie Ge’s face instantly stiffened.

It was Liang Dong.

Completely unfazed by Xie Ge’s sour expression, Liang Dong smiled politely, kindly:
“Long time no see, cousin.”

Then his gaze turned to Xu Miao. The smile still lingered, but a flicker of complicated emotion hid in his eyes.

“Long time no see, Miao Miao.”