UNCLTRD chapter 39

The shop’s renovations were completed on schedule. Following Grandma’s beliefs, they even had the opening date calculated by someone, and it was set to take place after the two held their wedding ceremony.

With the new year approaching, Yang Shao wasn’t in a rush. After all, it was just a fruit business, and the shop could be idle for a while—just airing it out before they opened.

He hadn’t taken a break and was still working, staying busy to avoid being too lazy. However, Chen Qiusu had to go on a business trip, attending a meeting in a neighboring province before the New Year. Yang Shao decided to see him off.

The luggage was all packed by the housekeeper. Yang Tao, curled up inside the suitcase, eagerly saying to Chen Qiusu, “Uncle Chen, can you pack me in the suitcase so I can go with you?”

Yang Shao lifted Yang Tao out of the suitcase. Most of Chen Qiusu’s luggage consisted of suits and shirts, and with the way Yang Tao was rolling around, it would all end up wrinkled. How would Chen Qiusu present himself like that?

“You just want to follow him everywhere like a shadow, don’t you?”

Chen Qiusu chuckled at Yang Tao’s antics. Noticing Yang Tao sweating a little, he grabbed a tissue and wiped his face. “Next time, after the New Year, we’ll go out again. Didn’t you want to see snow?”

See snow? Yang Shao didn’t recall Yang Tao ever mentioning that. He eyed Chen Qiusu suspiciously. When had these two started planning things behind his back?

“See snow? What’s that about?”

“I promised Yang Tao last time.” Chen Qiusu lightly tapped Yang Tao on the nose. “Right, Yang Tao?”

Yang Tao jumped with excitement. “Yes! It’s the wish I told Uncle Chen about, and he’s going to make it come true!”

Yang Shao sighed. “You just agree to everything he says. What if he asks to go to the sky next?”

Chen Qiusu actually considered it seriously. “Then we’ll take a plane.”

“Yay! Uncle Chen is the best!”

Clearly, Chen Qiusu hadn’t learned his lesson about indulging kids since the parent-child day fiasco.

Thinking about this, Yang Shao hesitated again. He was torn over whether to reveal Yang Tao’s true parentage to Chen Qiusu. He didn’t know why he was hesitating—maybe because he’d lied in the first place and was now preoccupied with covering it up, unable to figure out how to come clean.

It wasn’t just about how to tell Chen Qiusu but also how to tell Yang Tao. As the bond between the two grew closer, Yang Shao found himself reluctant to disrupt their harmonious relationship.

“Time to go,” Chen Qiusu said, noticing Yang Shao lost in thought and staring at his face.

Yang Shao, his mind wandering far, responded with a confused “Huh?”

Not knowing what Yang Shao was thinking, Chen Qiusu used one hand to cover Yang Tao’s eyes and the other to cup the back of Yang Shao’s head, leaning in for a quick kiss.

Yang Tao only saw darkness and something flickering. He pulled Chen Qiusu’s hand away, but by then, the moment had passed. “What was that? I want it too!”

The soft sensation lingering on his lips left Yang Shao flustered. Chen Qiusu was reserved yet affectionate in these matters—reserved in his restraint, yet never shy about stealing kisses.

“You want everything. Would you eat dog poop too?” Yang Shao turned away, not daring to meet anyone’s eyes.

Yang Tao, of course, didn’t believe it was dog poop. If his dad ate it, he’d eat it too.

Unlike Yang Shao, who was awkward about it, Chen Qiusu took it all in stride. Sensing Yang Shao’s embarrassment, he didn’t press further. Instead, he bent down and kissed Yang Tao’s cheek. “Uncle’s leaving now.”

What’s this? Got addicted to kissing?

“Get going already. Don’t keep the driver waiting,” Yang Shao muttered, trying to usher him out.

Yang Shao’s tsundere nature was showing again. Only when cornered would he open up. After having the driver load his luggage, Chen Qiusu carried Yang Tao downstairs.

“Uncle Chen, come back soon.”

“Remember to call me and Daddy.”

“We’ll pick you up when you return.”

“I’ll miss you.”

Following behind them, Yang Shao felt embarrassed on their behalf. Yang Tao had inherited this uninhibited expressiveness from Chen Qiusu. The two of them could openly declare their longing without hesitation, while Yang Shao could barely stand listening. Shameless father and son duo.

Great-Grandma had gone to play cards with her friends, leaving only Chen Qiusu’s parents at home. Since business trips were routine for him, they just reminded him to return home early.

After they finished speaking, Yang Tao suddenly said, “Uncle Chen, you kissed me and Daddy, so shouldn’t you kiss Grandpa and Grandma too?”

What?!

If Yang Shao wasn’t so level-headed, he might have cried out on the spot. He wanted to grab Yang Tao and flee from the first floor, but unfortunately, Yang Tao was still in Chen Qiusu’s arms, and he didn’t want to draw attention to himself.

Chen’s parents exchanged glances. Chen’s father said nothing, his face unreadable as he focused on tending to his flowers. Chen’s mother let out an “Oh dear,” scooped Yang Tao up, and said, “Sweetheart, go play by yourself.”

Chen Qiusu remained unfazed, merely smiling at Yang Tao without the slightest trace of awkwardness.

By the time Chen Qiusu finally got into the car, Yang Shao hurried upstairs without looking back. The one who couldn’t face others wasn’t Chen Qiusu—it was him.

….

Chen Qiusu’s schedule was packed. Upon arriving at his destination, he attended a dinner, followed by meetings and more social engagements. Even though he rarely drank, these occasions required at least a little alcohol for the sake of courtesy.

Late at night, back at the hotel, he leaned against the headboard and, remembering Yang Tao’s instructions, called Yang Shao.

The dial tone echoed in his ears, strangely making his mouth dry. Chen Qiusu closed his eyes, loosened his tie, and undid two buttons at his collar.

After just a few rings, Yang Tao’s voice came through. “Uncle Chen!”

In the background, Yang Shao’s voice sounded distant. “Who is it?”

“Daddy! It’s Uncle Chen!”

Knowing that his Uncle Chen wasn’t home, Yang Tao had begged to sleep in their room with his dad. Despite publicly embarrassing his dad during the day, the forgiving Yang Shao had allowed it.

Fresh from the shower, with his hair still damp, Yang Shao sat on the bed, roughly toweling off his hair. “Put it on speaker.”

Clearing his throat, Chen Qiusu said, “Just got to the hotel.”

“If you hadn’t called, Yang Tao would’ve been the one calling you.” Yang Shao hadn’t let Yang Tao call earlier, worrying that he’d disturb a busy Chen Qiusu. Noticing something off in his voice, he asked, “Did you drink?”

“A little.”

Business dinners made it inevitable. But knowing Chen Qiusu’s “a little” could mean anything, Yang Shao remained unconvinced.

Yang Tao couldn’t stand being ignored and chimed in, “Uncle Chen, Daddy didn’t tell me a bedtime story tonight.”

“You were practically asleep already. What story do you need?” This troublesome kid was actually tattling now.

The alcohol’s discomfort seemed to ease as Chen Qiusu listened to their banter. Just hearing their voices—Yang Shao’s sharp remarks and Yang Tao’s playful complaints—felt oddly comforting.

With his dad, he got scolded; with Uncle Chen, he acted spoiled. Hugging the phone, Yang Tao made a request, “Uncle Chen, tell me a story.”

Yang Shao thought that Chen Qiusu, having had some alcohol, should sleep early, but Chen Qiusu readily agreed to Yang Tao’s request. “Sure.”

Fine, let him tell the story. If both are willing, no one can stop them—respect and blessings all around.

With someone to put Yang Tao to bed, Yang Shao shoved him under the blanket, placed the phone by his head, and went to the bathroom to dry his hair.

By the time Yang Shao came out with his hair dry, Yang Tao had already fallen asleep, but Chen Qiusu was still dutifully telling the story.

Chen Qiusu’s voice was naturally deep, and with the hoarseness from alcohol, it sounded even more soothing. His slow, measured speech had a hypnotic quality, no wonder Yang Tao had fallen asleep so quickly.

Yang Shao took the phone. “He’s already asleep. Why are you still talking?”

Over the phone came a sigh from Chen Qiusu. Had Yang Shao not interrupted, he might have forgotten where he was in the story. He had just been reading one line after another from the text on his phone.

Just listening to Chen Qiusu’s voice made one feel tired. Yang Shao wanted to urge him to sleep, but Chen Qiusu suddenly called his name, “Yang Shao.”

That one call seemed to pull at Yang Shao’s soul. The words he had planned to say stuck in his throat.

The truth was, Chen Qiusu had been focused on calming the child, and the two of them hadn’t had a proper conversation. As for who was more reluctant to hang up, both knew the answer in their hearts.

Afraid of waking Yang Tao, Yang Shao took a pillow and blanket, lay on the sofa, and lowered his voice to speak with Chen Qiusu. “I keep telling you not to spoil him so much. Isn’t it tiring to deal with kids?”

“What’s tiring about it? Yang Tao is so easy to please. He hasn’t even asked me for a rainbow yet.” Maybe it was the alcohol, but Chen Qiusu’s words were more indulgent than usual.

Yang Shao wanted to crawl into a hole right then and there. Was Chen Qiusu waiting to bring this up?

“If you’ve got nothing else to say, just go to sleep!”

Chen Qiusu chuckled. “If only you were more like Yang Tao—saying what’s on your mind.”

“What do you want me to say?” Honestly, who could be as straightforward as those two? They kept nothing to themselves.

“I miss Yang Tao, and I miss you too.” This wasn’t his first time going on a business trip, but for the first time, he found himself missing home so much within just half a day. “And you?”

“Me? I’m not as thick-skinned as you two.” Yang Shao feigned impatience, though his heart felt warm and soft.

In the past, Chen Qiusu seemed driven by a sense of compensation—marrying him without minding Yang Tao’s origins. But now? Chen Qiusu had never inquired about his previous partner, and Yang Shao wasn’t sure what he thought about it all.

“Chen Qiusu, aren’t you curious about my previous partner?”

There was a momentary pause on the other end of the line. Clearly, Chen Qiusu hadn’t expected this question. “You mentioned before that he passed away.” He hadn’t brought it up because he didn’t want to touch on Yang Shao’s painful memories.

Yang Shao was at a loss for words. He had completely forgotten he’d made up that story. And yet, Chen Qiusu had taken it as truth.

Where should he even begin to explain?

“Are you asking if I care that Yang Tao isn’t biologically mine?” Chen Qiusu chuckled softly. “You forget, Yang Tao and I knew each other before. If he weren’t your child, he’d be my friend. Since he is your child, he’s mine too. If I’ve made you feel uncertain, then I haven’t done enough.”

No! Chen Qiusu had done too much, even making Yang Shao feel it was unfair. Yang Tao didn’t need “love by association” from Chen Qiusu—everything Chen Qiusu gave Yang Tao was deserved.