YPHC Chapter 92

Jiang Nan’an said he wanted to go to Beijing with him, and Yan Jie was naturally a hundred times willing.

 

He also understood what Jiang Nan’an hadn’t said-

 

Take him to Beijing to meet his family.

 

Therefore, Yan Jie immediately booked tickets for the next day, and early in the morning took Jiang Nan’an to Beijing. First, he coaxed him into drinking a bowl of authentic old Beijing douzhir (fermented mung bean juice), earning himself a fist as big as a sandbag, then took him around nearby attractions, and finally went shopping for some gifts, rushing home in time for dinner.

 

Jiang Nan’an knew Yan Jie’s family was wealthy, but hadn’t imagined they could be this rich.

 

It was one thing when, while touring attractions in the morning, Yan Jie suddenly pointed to a nearby siheyuan (traditional courtyard house) and said it was his home. But when they actually arrived at where his family lived, he discovered it was actually a small estate.

 

To have an estate in a place like Beijing where land is so precious…

 

Jiang Nan’an looked down at the ordinary set of fruit, milk, and supplements in his hands…

 

“Maybe we should wait a bit.”

 

Jiang Nan’an hesitated as they were getting out of the car.

 

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

 

Yan Jie took off his sunglasses and set them aside, raising an eyebrow as he glanced sideways.

 

He saw his Teacher Jiang looking at the scenery outside the car window, then looking down at the gift box in his arms, saying gravely:

 

“These will probably be thrown out as trash, right?”

 

“?”

 

“I should go buy something else…”

 

“No need.”

 

Yan Jie was truly amused by him:

 

“If you hadn’t said Sister Hong taught you to always bring gifts when visiting, I would have just skipped this part for you. You’re coming to my home, baby, my home is your home, why bring gifts to your own home? Isn’t that being too formal? Besides, gifts like these are all about the thought. Not to mention these were carefully selected by you-even if you just picked up a random stone from the roadside, my mom would direct my dad to place it prominently on the treasure shelf.”

 

Yan Jie stroked his face with the back of his finger:

 

“Okay? Don’t overthink it, let’s go.”

 

Although Yan Jie said it was fine, Jiang Nan’an still felt a bit uncomfortable.

 

He looked down at the items in his hands, but before he could think through the pros and cons, he caught sight of a white ball of fur lunging toward him.

 

Jiang Nan’an was startled for a moment, looked up, and saw it was a scruffy little dog wagging its tail.

 

Dunbu (the dog) had probably heard sounds outside the door early on, so as soon as the door opened a crack, it shot out like lightning and pounced on Jiang Nan’an.

 

Before Jiang Nan’an could recover from the canine missile, he heard another voice:

 

“Oh my, Nan Nan is here!”

 

Jiang Nan’an looked up in confusion and saw a lady standing in the doorway.

 

This was probably Yan Jie’s mother, Ms. Qin Xueru.

 

This was his first time experiencing such a situation, and he was momentarily at a loss, his mind blank, not knowing how to respond. He could only formally bow slightly to her:

 

“Hello, Ms. Qin.”

 

After saying this, he saw Yan Rulü standing beside Qin Xueru, and also gave him a slight bow:

 

“Hello, Mr. Yan.”

 

“?”

 

This ceremonious, formal, official demeanor-this posture didn’t seem like meeting parents, but more like coming to apologize, leaving the two elderly people a bit confused.

 

Qin Xueru had done her homework with Yan Jie in advance, knowing that Jiang Nan’an’s personality might not be accustomed to this kind of situation. Not wanting him to feel uncomfortable or scrutinized, she had resolved to appear extremely relaxed and friendly today, to make the child feel as if he were returning to his own home.

 

But in this situation, she suddenly didn’t know how to express all the warm words she had prepared.

 

The atmosphere became a bit awkward until Yan Jie chuckled:

 

“Nan Nan, just call them Uncle and Auntie.”

 

Jiang Nan’an looked at him, finally realizing this possibility, so he nodded and tried again:

 

“Hello, Uncle and Auntie.”

 

“Yes, yes, yes, hello to you too, Nan Nan.”

 

Qin Xueru immediately regained her composure, and everything proceeded according to plan:

 

“Look at this child, so handsome, so lovable! I’ve watched your TV shows and programs, Nan Nan, you’re even more handsome in person! Oh my, you didn’t need to bring anything, just coming is enough. Chen Ma, take these inside. Wow, milk! How did you know that your Uncle Yan and I like to drink high-calcium milk in our spare time? The fruit you bought is also especially nice, look how beautiful they are, they must be very sweet! Let’s have the staff wash them and we’ll eat them together later!”

 

“Mm…”

 

“Nan Nan, knowing you were coming today, your uncle and auntie were so happy! We really like you and welcome you, we’ve prepared many dishes, all your favorites.”

 

“My favorites?” Jiang Nan’an was a bit surprised.

 

“Yes, yes, Auntie asked Yan Jie what you like to eat, like spare ribs, oil lettuce… we made them all! We also took the liberty of adding a few Beijing dishes, you try them later, and if you like them and they suit your taste, come to your uncle and auntie’s place often. But if your profession keeps you busy and you don’t have time to visit, then let Yan Jie learn how to make them. Once he learns, he can cook for you! Don’t worry about troubling him, it’s no big deal for him to go to some trouble. The sons of the Qin and Yan families should know how to take care of people! They should make their partners comfortable, otherwise why would anyone want to live with them, right?”

 

“Yes…”

 

“Oh my, your first visit has made Auntie so happy! You know, for a young man like you, your Uncle Yan and I didn’t know what would be appropriate to give you. After thinking about it, we decided on a brooch. I saw you walking the red carpet, wearing that outfit that looked so good, and thought a brooch would be useful for such occasions in the future, so we had one custom-made. I’ll give it to you later to see if you like it. Oh, for your first visit to our home, I want to give you everything, everything seems good. Look around later, if there’s anything you like, Auntie will pack it up for you to take home!”

 

“Thank you…”

 

“Such a good boy, oh I like you more and more. Come, come, Nan Nan, let’s go in and sit down, we’ll eat soon… Oh, Yan Jie! Don’t change your shoes yet, go out and walk the dog first before coming back!”

 

Qin Xueru’s enthusiasm was almost exaggerated, leaving Yan Jie quite stunned.

 

Soon, Qin Xueru warmly led Jiang Nan’an inside, with Yan Rulü following, leaving only Yan Jie and Dunbu unattended, man and dog standing at the door staring at each other.

 

He spread his hands at Dunbu.

 

And Dunbu turned around, showing his backside, and bounced off to the garden by himself.

 

Although today was Yan Jie’s birthday, the focus of this meal was clearly not on this event.

 

After all, Qin Xueru and Yan Rulü had raised their son for thirty years, and hadn’t made a big deal of his birthday since he turned eighteen. With this coinciding with Jiang Nan’an’s visit, the two elderly people were even less likely to remember him, spending the entire meal revolving around Jiang Nan’an, asking this and that, being extremely warm.

 

But Yan Jie himself didn’t care much about such things; for him, this day was no different from any other ordinary day. If it weren’t for Jiang Nan’an suggesting they return home together, he probably wouldn’t have bothered with it at all.

 

And today, although he didn’t appear to be the main character, this was undoubtedly his best birthday in nearly ten years.

 

They chatted while having the family dinner, and by the time the meal ended, it was already very late.

 

Yan Jie had originally planned to take Jiang Nan’an back to his place and show him around tomorrow, but Qin Xueru insisted they stay at home for the night.

 

Yan Jie asked for Jiang Nan’an’s opinion, and since Jiang Nan’an was willing, he naturally had no objection.

 

Later that evening, Qin Xueru called Jiang Nan’an to the study, saying she wanted to show him photos of Yan Jie as a child.

 

With nothing else to do, Yan Jie lay alone in bed waiting for his boyfriend to return. He was almost falling asleep when the door was finally knocked on and opened.

 

Yan Jie yawned, lying in bed with his head propped up, looking at Jiang Nan’an.

 

They had decided to stay at home on short notice today, and Jiang Nan’an hadn’t brought a change of clothes, so now he was wearing Yan Jie’s pajamas.

 

Jiang Nan’an was thin and had a small frame, so Yan Jie’s clothes hung loosely on him, with sleeves that were half a length too long, covering half of Jiang Nan’an’s palms when they hung down.

 

“You’re back, baby?”

 

Yan Jie reached out to him, pulling him into his arms:

 

“What embarrassing stories did my mom show you about me? After seeing them, you won’t leave me, will you?”

 

“Mm. She said when you were little, you played house with Fat Fish using urine and mud, and even insisted he eat it. It’s fine, as long as you don’t make me eat it, I won’t leave you.”

 

“Oh no-”

 

His own mother really didn’t spare him.

 

Yan Jie was helpless and quickly changed the subject:

 

“How did you feel today? Tired?”

 

He knew Jiang Nan’an wasn’t used to such intense social interaction, but because these were his parents, he had to try, had to persist.

 

“…It was okay.”

 

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Nan’an added:

 

“It seems, not as difficult as I thought.”

 

“That’s good.” Yan Jie kissed the top of his head:

 

“I was afraid you’d feel forced.”

 

Jiang Nan’an didn’t respond, just lay quietly with Yan Jie for a while.

 

He smelled Yan Jie’s scent and felt secure. While reflecting on everything from tonight, he hesitated, then softly called out:

 

“Yan Jie.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

Yan Jie was holding him, the atmosphere was so peaceful that he was almost falling asleep. Hearing this, he raised his eyebrows slightly, opened his eyes, and responded.

 

Then he heard him say:

 

“Happy birthday.”

 

Oh?

 

Yan Jie chuckled:

 

“What made you think of saying that?”

 

“Today is your birthday.”

 

“Good, thank you baby. You should be happy too, not just on birthdays, but every day.”

 

Yan Jie felt a warmth spreading in his heart and was about to ask Jiang Nan’an for a kiss, but before he could lean in, Jiang Nan’an suddenly propped himself up and left his embrace.

 

“?” Yan Jie didn’t say anything, just watched to see what he was doing.

 

Jiang Nan’an got up from the bed, found his shoulder bag on the sofa, rummaged through it for a while, gripped something in his hand, and then returned to Yan Jie’s side.

 

Seeing this, Yan Jie realized what was happening and sat up to look at him.

 

“For you.”

 

Jiang Nan’an was holding a small velvet box. Without saying anything fancy, he simply extended his hand to give the box to Yan Jie, and that was the gift-giving done.

 

From the shape and size of the box, Yan Jie actually guessed what was inside.

 

But even though he was prepared, he still involuntarily held his breath when he opened it.

 

“This…”

 

The box opened to reveal a white gold ring with a rose thorn pattern engraved on its surface, looking very exquisite.

 

“…”

 

Yan Jie stared at the ring, speechless for a long time.

 

Finally, he looked up at Jiang Nan’an, unable to hold back a smile:

 

“Are you proposing to me, baby?”

 

“?” Jiang Nan’an had been observing his expression to guess whether he liked it or not, and was taken aback by the question. He answered honestly:

 

“No.”

 

“Oh-”

 

Hearing Yan Jie’s voice, which seemed to convey a bit of disappointment, Jiang Nan’an explained:

 

“In this country, men can’t marry men, can’t get marriage certificates. The law doesn’t allow it.”

 

Yan Jie had originally wanted to tease him, but couldn’t help laughing first: “I know.”

 

“This is a birthday gift.”

 

“Mm.”

 

“…I’ve never given gifts to people before, didn’t know what to give, asked Xiao Sun, and Xiao Sun said I could give a ring, so I bought one.”

 

Actually, Jiang Nan’an also felt that the meaning represented by a ring was too special, so:

 

“If you don’t want it, give it back to me, I’ll exchange it for something else.”

 

“That won’t do. Once it’s given to me, it’s mine. Where’s the logic in taking back a gift?”

 

Yan Jie took out the ring and put it on his finger.

 

It fit perfectly.

 

Yan Jie’s heart melted completely. He reached out to hold Jiang Nan’an in his arms and kissed the tip of his ear:

 

“Thank you, Nan Nan, I really like it.”

 

After a pause, he spoke again, asking softly:

 

“Baby, in your view, what’s the meaning of marriage?”

 

This wasn’t difficult for Jiang Nan’an:

 

“A legal act establishing a spousal relationship, with the purpose of permanent cohabitation, generating a series of rights, obligations, and responsibilities to protect the interests of both spouses?”

 

Very good.

 

This answer was very Jiang Nan’an, very official.

 

Yan Jie couldn’t help but laugh:

 

“That’s right. So if we can never get married, are you willing to live with me permanently? Just continue dating like this.”

 

Jiang Nan’an raised an eyebrow slightly, not seeing anything special about it:

 

“Apart from not being legally recognized and protected, our current relationship isn’t much different from marriage, is it?”

 

“So you’re willing?” Yan Jie stepped on the key point.

 

“…” Jiang Nan’an lowered his eyes slightly, paused for a moment, and then responded very softly:

 

“Yes.”

 

Yan Jie chuckled, stroking Jiang Nan’an’s back:

 

“Then I’m too fortunate.”

 

“…”

 

Jiang Nan’an pressed his lips together without speaking.

 

Thinking of something, he lowered his eyes, as if silently making some kind of decision. He remained quietly in Yan Jie’s embrace for a long time before finally opening his mouth:

 

“Yan Jie…”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“I…”

 

“Want to say something?” Yan Jie heard his hesitation and comforted him:

 

“Take your time when you’re ready, no rush.”

 

“I just…”

 

Jiang Nan’an gently gripped Yan Jie’s clothes. The three words turned on his tongue for a very long time before finally finding a way to be spoken:

 

“…love you.”

 

I love you.

 

Upon hearing these three words, Yan Jie was stunned.

 

He thought he was dreaming, and it took him a long time to realize that it was all real.

 

He was stunned for a long while, then finally released Jiang Nan’an, held his face, with joy evident in the corners of his eyes and eyebrows:

 

“What did you say?”

 

Jiang Nan’an didn’t understand what love was; he had emphasized this many times, and Yan Jie had experienced it many times.

 

So, although he had done many, many things with Yan Jie, he had never told Yan Jie that he “liked” or “loved” him.

 

Yan Jie had originally thought that he would have to wait a very, very long time for these words, but unexpectedly, his dream came true so suddenly.

 

“I said, I love you.”

 

After saying it the first time, the second time became much easier.

 

Jiang Nan’an looked into his eyes:

 

“Can you feel that I love you? I don’t know how to do that, but if I have such a thing, if I have to give it away, I would definitely give it to you first.”

 

These words sounded a bit silly, but they were incredibly sincere.

 

Jiang Nan’an was very seriously expressing himself to Yan Jie, hoping he would understand his thoughts.

 

How could Yan Jie not understand?

 

So Yan Jie looked at him and smiled.

 

In the dim light, his eyes were slightly, imperceptibly red.

 

“It’s worth it, baby.”

 

Before, he always felt that the portrayal of love in TV dramas was too exaggerated, always about life and death, as if life had suddenly undergone a bout of rampant inflation when it came to love.

 

But at this second, just at this second.

 

He closed his eyes and kissed the corner of Jiang Nan’an’s lips.

 

Really…

 

Even death would be worth it.

 

#

---

 

 (advanced chapters available on kofi)