UNCLTRD chapter 35

In truth, Yang Shao understood better than anyone why he was so eager to clarify things with Chen Qiusu, even rushing to speak first. It was because he was starting to waver.

He was a straightforward man who had always believed that a partner was just someone to share a life with. Love and passion, in his mind, would inevitably fade into familial affection. He had never experienced wholehearted love or the thrill of being passionately pursued.

He both thought Chen Qiusu was a scoundrel and felt deeply moved by him. Even if it was just a way of making amends, Chen Qiusu had been gradually and silently treating him with genuine kindness.

Yang Shao was well aware of his own shortcomings, both emotionally and materially. A person who lacks love tends to get swept off their feet even by the smallest gestures of kindness.

If it weren’t for that unexpected event, the two of them would have had no connection at all. Chen Qiusu had the family background, the time, and the resources to play at love, but Yang Shao didn’t. He couldn’t even afford himself the chance to make a mistake.

The sound of running water from the bathroom was piercing, making it hard to sleep. Yang Shao pulled the blanket over his head, forcing himself not to overthink.

Chen Qiusu came out of the bathroom after a quick towel-dry, wearing a bathrobe. Scanning the bedroom, he noticed Yang Shao wasn’t in bed but had moved to the sofa again. Hesitating briefly, he approached Yang Shao quietly.

The single-seater sofa was not ideal for sleeping; Yang Shao’s legs were curled up awkwardly, unable to stretch out. Half the blanket had fallen to the floor, and his brows were furrowed, even in sleep, as if annoyed.

Chen Qiusu couldn’t help but press his fingers gently against Yang Shao’s brow. He felt as though he’d messed things up. If only he had been a little more restrained. Yang Shao clearly didn’t like him—perhaps this was karma for his greed.

The sleeping man seemed to sense Chen Qiusu’s presence. Hugging the half-dropped blanket, he turned over, facing the inside of the sofa.

Chen Qiusu quickly withdrew his hand and tucked the blanket back over Yang Shao before quietly leaving to take care of other matters.

…

The new truck registration process was surprisingly fast. Even without the official plates, the temporary ones were enough for use around the city. Yang Shao, however, didn’t dare ask Chen Qiusu how the shop renovations were progressing. He simply went back to his old line of work.

Since it was a new truck, Yang Tao constantly begged his father to take him along. He hadn’t accompanied him to work in ages and was determined to tag along.

Yang Shao, always averse to trouble, found ways to leave Yang Tao at home, sneaking out when Yang Tao wasn’t paying attention. Their little game of cat and mouse always ended with Yang Shao, who had a few more years of education under his belt, outsmarting his son. Frustrated, Yang Tao would run off to complain to his Uncle Chen.

One Saturday morning, Yang Shao left the house early, and when Yang Tao went looking for him, only Uncle Chen was there.

Disappointed, Yang Tao slumped against the door handle. “Ugh… Uncle Chen, Daddy ran off again…”

Since he didn’t need to work that day, Chen Qiusu hadn’t gotten up early either. He knew Yang Shao had been leaving the house earlier than usual recently, though he wasn’t sure if it was to avoid him or Yang Tao.

He beckoned to Yang Tao. The boy, still pouting, came over. “If your dad won’t take you, come with me instead.”

Yang Tao had been prepared to shed a couple of tears to win Uncle Chen’s sympathy, but hearing this, he quickly wiped his face and perked up. “Where are we going?”

“To buy some things. You can help me choose.”

Shopping and getting to make choices for others? That was Yang Tao’s favorite thing! He completely forgot about being abandoned by his dad and eagerly nodded.

Without a driver that day, it was just the two of them on a solo outing. They went from one home goods store to another, with Chen Qiusu buying everything Yang Tao liked.

Uncle Chen really listened to his opinions—unlike his mean dad!

After paying, Chen Qiusu made arrangements to have the purchases delivered to an address.

“Aren’t we taking them home?” Yang Tao asked.

“No, not home.” Chen Qiusu thought for a moment. “Let’s spend the next few days out and about together.”

That sounded great to Yang Tao. Though his grandparents and great-grandmother kept him company at home, it was still fun to go out and explore. The family house was so far from the city, after all.

“Okay!”

Chen Qiusu buckled Yang Tao into his seatbelt. “But you have to promise me something: wherever we go and whatever we do, you can’t tell anyone—especially not your dad. It’s a secret between us.”

Yang Tao pursed his lips, looking up at Chen Qiusu as if searching his face for something. After a few seconds, his eyes gleamed mischievously. “Okay!”

Keeping secrets from Dad and having a private adventure with Uncle Chen? That was thrilling!

…..

When Yang Shao returned home just in time for dinner, neither Chen Qiusu nor Yang Tao was there. Chen’s mother explained, “Yang Tao went out with Qiusu. They just called and said they’d eat out tonight, so we don’t need to wait for them.”

Yang Shao merely acknowledged with an “oh,” thinking to himself that those two really knew how to enjoy themselves, sneaking off for dinner without the rest of the family.

Shortly after dinner, Chen Qiusu and Yang Tao returned. The boy was still brimming with excitement, bouncing and skipping about. Covered in grime, with paint-streaked hands, he was whisked off by the housekeeper for a long bath to get cleaned up.

Yang Shao casually asked, “Where did you two go?”

Unexpectedly, Yang Tao immediately quieted down, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked behind the sofa, suppressing a grin while trying to look serious.

“I’m talking to you,” Yang Shao said again.

“Not telling you.” At that moment, Chen Qiusu came out of the bathroom, and Yang Tao ran to hide behind him, bashfully saying, “It’s a secret between me and Uncle Chen.”

Yang Shao glanced at Chen Qiusu, who turned his face away with an innocent expression, clearly unwilling to reveal anything. What was this? Fine, don’t say anything—who cares? Secrets are for five-year-olds, anyway. Yang Tao better not even think about tagging along with him tomorrow morning.

To his surprise, the next morning, Yang Tao really didn’t pester him. He rubbed his sleepy eyes, sat down at the dining table, ate breakfast, and obediently said goodbye.

Great, the little tagalong was finally growing up. However, in the days that followed, Yang Tao kept going out with Chen Qiusu, returning home only in the evenings.

After their nightly routines, instead of bothering Yang Shao, Yang Tao would sit with Chen Qiusu at the desk, drawing and writing. But every time Yang Shao approached, Yang Tao would immediately hide the drawing paper.

Watching this pair of mischievous, aggravating father and son, Yang Shao’s face darkened. He kept telling himself he didn’t care, that whoever wanted to see their drawings could go ahead.

The next morning, Yang Shao deliberately left later than usual and caught Yang Tao getting up. Over breakfast, he casually asked, “I’m heading to the mountains today. Do you want to come?”

The mountains were a huge temptation for Yang Tao. He stopped chewing and seriously considered it for a few seconds before rejecting him. “I don’t want to go. Daddy, you be safe on the road.”

Something was up. Normally, Yang Tao would insist on going even if he was told not to. Yet today, when asked directly, he was suddenly so composed?

“You’re really not coming along?”

Yang Tao blinked. He did want to go—he loved playing in the countryside—but he had plans with Uncle Chen that day. They’d been so busy lately!

Seeing Yang Tao hesitate, Yang Shao tried to tempt him. Just as he was about to speak, Chen Qiusu came downstairs, forcing Yang Shao to clamp his mouth shut.

The moment Chen Qiusu appeared, Yang Tao was reminded of his mission for the day. “I’m not coming along.”

Infuriating! Fine, come or don’t—it’s your choice.

Fuming, Yang Shao stuffed two spoonfuls of porridge into his mouth. The way he looked at Chen Qiusu could almost set him on fire. Was this guy trying to win over Yang Tao because he’d been rejected? What now? Planning to use the child against him? Not a chance!

Seething, Yang Shao finished breakfast and left the house, simmering in anger all the way to work.

Even though he had been annoyed leaving home, business was surprisingly good that day. A group of elderly tourists bought all the grapefruits off his truck.

He got off work a little earlier than usual and couldn’t bring himself to call Chen Qiusu. Thankfully, Yang Tao hadn’t forgotten about him and called first.

“Daddy, Uncle Chen and I aren’t coming home for dinner tonight.”

Yang Shao cursed under his breath. So they were just informing him now? Frustrated, he replied, “Fine. Have fun with Uncle Chen.”

The call ended quickly, leaving Yang Tao feeling a little guilty. He still had so much to tell his dad.

“What do we do, Uncle Chen? Daddy’s mad.” Yang Tao looked pitifully at Chen Qiusu. “Maybe we should invite him to join us. Otherwise, he’ll think we’re leaving him out.”

Although their surprise wasn’t ready yet, Yang Tao believed his dad would enjoy being included.

Chen Qiusu ruffled Yang Tao’s hair with paint-stained hands. Agreeing, he called Yang Shao, who answered as if he’d been provoked. “What do you want?”

“Where are you? We’ll come pick you up.”

“No need. I still have to go home for dinner.”

Hearing the words “go home,” Chen Qiusu felt a strange tug at his heart but softened his tone. “Are you upset? Yang Tao called you because he wanted to invite you to dinner. You scared him.”

Reflecting, Yang Shao realized he was being childish. He wasn’t mad at Yang Tao—he was mad at Chen Qiusu. He didn’t want to have dinner with him.

Sensing that Yang Shao probably hadn’t returned home yet, Chen Qiusu coaxed, “Just come to the shop, okay?”

Hearing this, Yang Shao’s anger wavered. Cautiously, he asked, “What are you doing at the shop?”

“You’ll see when you get here.”

Moments ago, Yang Shao had been fuming. Now, he felt deflated. He had a sneaking suspicion that Chen Qiusu and Yang Tao were secretly “up to no good” at the shop. Maybe it was better not to go.

Despite these thoughts, he found himself turning his truck around at the next intersection.