UNCLTRD chapter 34

After coming out of the bathroom, Yang Shao wasn’t in the mood to eat noodles anymore. He even ignored Yang Tao, who was hovering in front of him, and sat down on the edge of the bed with a heavy sigh.

“Daddy, what are you thinking? Your noodles are going to get all soggy,” Yang Tao tilted his head, looking at his dad’s face.

Yang Shao’s mind was in turmoil. He just wanted some peace and quiet, so he stood up and pushed Yang Tao out of the room. “Go play, Daddy has something to do.”

The door was shut without mercy. Yang Tao stomped his foot in anger but decided to go play. He went to find his grandfather.

The warm sunlight filtered through the glass window, casting light on the wooden floor. The reflection from the floor seemed warm, and it was a rare sunny day in late winter. However, Yang Shao leaned against the door, too distracted to enjoy the sunlight.

He forced himself to focus on the purpose of coming to the Chen family. Chen Qiusu had asked him to marry him as compensation. His ultimate goal was to get Chen Qiusu to pay for his support.

There was only money between him and Chen Qiusu. He wouldn’t even tell Chen Qiusu about Yang Tao’s identity.

Even though he had thought it through, it didn’t make him feel any better. He felt like something had changed.

….

Over the next few days, the atmosphere between them was a bit awkward. Chen Qiusu didn’t intentionally avoid Yang Shao, and they still stayed in the same bedroom. Chen Qiusu would sometimes work in the room at night and occasionally talk to Yang Shao naturally. But the subtle tension between them was something only they could feel, though neither of them addressed it.

Fortunately, at the end of the year, Chen Qiusu’s company was busy, so he left early and returned late. At least for an entire day, Yang Shao didn’t have to run into him.

After Chen Qiusu left for work, Yang Shao wouldn’t stay in bed either. He didn’t want to act like a spoiled child in someone else’s house, so after washing up, he would head downstairs.

That day, the aunt was busy in the kitchen, but neither Mrs. Chen nor the grandmother was around. Yang Tao was outside in the garden with his grandfather, planting flowers.

Chen Shiliang only needed Yang Tao to be there to keep him company, but since Yang Tao couldn’t sit still, he helped dig the soil and move the flowerpots.

It was just the grandfather and grandson in the garden. Chen Shiliang had completely let go of his usual serious demeanor in front of Yang Tao. “This pot is for Yang Tao, let’s carve his name on it.”

Yang Tao, who was always happy to accept any gift, smiled. “Thank you, Grandpa. Can you plant one for Daddy and Uncle Chen too?”

When he heard Yang Tao still calling him Uncle Chen, the smile on Chen Shiliang’s face froze. He adjusted his glasses and was about to talk to Yang Tao, but just then, Yang Tao happily called out, “Daddy.”

Chen Shiliang turned his head, and Yang Shao was standing awkwardly at the top of the stairs.

“Good morning…”

Chen Shiliang’s expression softened a little but was less warm than when facing Yang Tao. He nodded in acknowledgment.

Both father and son of the Chen family had a way of making others fall silent. Yang Shao thought that if he just casually sat on the sofa, it might seem rude, so he awkwardly walked into the garden to watch the grandfather and grandson plant flowers.

The flowers had mostly been transplanted, and only a little soil needed tidying up. Since Chen Shiliang was older, he couldn’t squat for long without his back and legs hurting. Yang Tao, with keen eyes, moved a chair closer to his grandfather.

“Grandpa, sit down. I’ll finish this. Next time, I’ll plant one for Daddy and Uncle Chen.”

Yang Tao cleaned up the remaining soil, got himself dirty, and Chen Shiliang smiled and asked Aunt to take him upstairs to change.

When Yang Tao left, Yang Shao had a vague feeling that Chen Shiliang wanted to talk to him. Sure enough, after washing his hands by the sink, Chen Shiliang invited him to the yard for tea.

The tea poured from the teapot was a translucent green with a faint, refreshing fragrance. Chen Shiliang personally moved the cup in front of Yang Shao.

“Thank you, Uncle.”

Without looking up, Chen Shiliang seemed to understand that Yang Tao’s persistent way of addressing Chen Quisu stemmed from Yang Shao’s influence.

“Are you getting used to things here?”

At first, Yang Shao found it unfamiliar, but fortunately, Chen Qiuxu’s parents were easy to get along with. With someone to help with Yang Tao, Yang Shao could eat well, sleep well, and live comfortably. What was there not to get used to? He nodded.

Chen Shiliang didn’t mind Yang Shao’s silence and continued speaking. “You raised Yang Tao alone before this, and it must’ve been tough. But you’ve done a great job—he’s not spoiled and even enjoys chatting with us older folks.”

It wasn’t just older folks; Yang Tao could talk to anyone or anything—even a tree—and he’d keep the conversation going. If anyone felt annoyed, it wouldn’t be him; it’d be the other way around.

Yang Shao gave an awkward smile. “He’s just too talkative. I was worried you’d find him annoying.”

Chen Shiliang’s normally calm expression broke into a laugh. “Yang Tao does talk a lot, but he’s lively and full of energy. We actually enjoy listening to him. After missing out on five years of his life, we want to make up for it in every way we can.”

“Yang Tao is a bit like Qiuxu in that way.”

Yang Shao was taken aback. Was Chen Qiuxu talkative too?

As if reading his thoughts, Chen Shiliang clarified, “Not talkative like Qiuxu, but nagging like Qiuxu.”

The two shared a knowing glance and laughed, easing the atmosphere considerably.

“To be honest, as elders, we try not to interfere too much in you young people’s affairs. But I imagine you still resent Qiuxu in some way.” After all, there must have been a reason for their long separation. Whatever emotional issues there were, they belonged to the two of them. Even as a father, Chen Shiliang couldn’t say too much.

“But since you’ve chosen to be together again, if there are conflicts, make sure to sit down and talk them through. Don’t bottle things up. Qiuxu might be a bit reserved and overly cautious, sometimes even more rigid than an old man like me, but he’s serious. He’s not the type to be careless or irresponsible.”

Yang Shao’s throat tightened, and he instinctively looked away, unable to meet Chen Shiliang’s eyes.

Just then, a commotion came from outside, and Yang Tao, having changed his clothes, came bounding down the stairs. From his high vantage point, he exclaimed excitedly, “Grandma and great-grandma are back! And there’s a small truck too!”

When Chen Shiliang got up, Yang Shao quickly followed to greet them. The brand-new truck hadn’t even been registered yet, and the cargo box hadn’t been secured.

Chen’s mother took the keys from someone nearby and handed them to Yang Shao. “The truck finally arrived. Although I paid for it, Qiuxu picked it out. I originally liked a different one—a cute green pickup truck—but Qiuxu said it wasn’t practical. I figured you’d be in a hurry to transport goods, so we can buy that one later.”

Yang Tao couldn’t contain his excitement and begged his grandmother to let him sit in it. No matter the type or price of the truck, Yang Tao was thrilled. He climbed from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat, poking his head out of the window.

“Uncle Chen chose this. Daddy will definitely like it. I like it too.”

Chen’s mother reached out to hug Yang Tao. “You’re still too young for a car. If you like, Grandma will buy you a toy car to drive around the yard.”

“Thank you, Grandma!”

Yang Shao didn’t know how to feel. For some reason, he blurted out, “Thank you, Mom.”

Chen’s mother turned in surprise, looking at Yang Shao, then at Chen Shiliang. Her eyes glistened, and an uncontrollable smile spread across her face.

Seeing her reaction, a wave of guilt washed over Yang Shao. He had deceived Chen Qiuxu’s family, as well as Yang Tao. Fear began to creep in—fear that he wouldn’t be able to explain things to the Chen family a year later, or even to Yang Tao. Worst of all, it felt like Chen Qiuxu wasn’t on the same page as him.

He really needed to have a proper talk with Chen Qiuxu.

After accepting this gift, filled with the Chen family’s hopes, Yang Shao spent the entire day feeling dazed. It felt like something he shouldn’t have accepted. While the truck might not be particularly valuable to the Chen family, it was meant for Qiuxu’s partner.

Later that night, the door creaked open quietly. Chen Qiuxu, who had been coming home late recently, entered the room. Normally, Yang Shao would already be asleep by this time.

“Still awake?”

Yang Shao jumped out of bed. “Chen Qiuxu, your mom had the truck delivered today.”

Chen Qiuxu took off his coat and hung it on a nearby rack. “I know.”

“I don’t want it.”

Chen Qiuxu turned to look at him, confused. Why didn’t he want it now? Hadn’t he already been persuaded earlier?

“My mom gave it to you, and what I give you—”

Yang Shao cut him off abruptly. “It’s different!” Everything Chen Qiuxu gave him now felt different.

Qiuxu began to sense something was off. Since Yang Tao’s birthday, things between them hadn’t felt right. This was the result of pent-up emotions.

“Chen Qiuxu,” Yang Shao called his name seriously. “What are you thinking?”

The question, out of nowhere, left Qiuxu momentarily stunned. His eyes flicked to Yang Shao’s face, which seemed to see right through him. Yang Shao probably remembered what had happened that night.

What had kept Qiuxu at a distance these past few days wasn’t shyness—it was shame. He prided himself on being above taking advantage of someone. Even if he had feelings, he wanted things to happen when Yang Shao was fully conscious. Acting otherwise felt sneaky, beneath him, and he couldn’t help but despise himself for it.

But when it came to emotions, he was also cowardly. He didn’t know how to approach Yang Shao because their shared, painful past remained unresolved in both their hearts.

“You remember, don’t you?” Since Yang Shao had already recalled it, there was no point in hiding anymore. “Yang Shao, I…”

“When people drink too much, their actions and words are beyond their control. Whatever they do or say doesn’t count. Do you understand?”

Chen Qiusu stared intently at Yang Shao, his jaw tightening as if he were silently processing Yang Shao’s words over and over again. After a long while, he exhaled deeply.

“I understand. You should rest early.” Unable to fully adjust his emotions, Chen Qiusu quickly lowered his gaze, his disappointment still evident.

He entered the bathroom as usual, closed the door, and turned on the faucet, watching as the bathtub slowly filled with water.

A voice in his heart told him that Yang Shao had just rejected him.