Extra 3

Ke-Bian Lunar New Year Special

Jiu’an Group went on holiday on the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, but by the 29th, Ke Mingxuan was still abroad, on a business trip in Paris. He Sheng Media had taken on a global advertising campaign for a prestigious international luxury brand, leaving everyone utterly swamped. When Bian Yiqiu asked him when he would be home, Ke Mingxuan only replied that he’d definitely be back in time for New Year’s Eve dinner. Annoyed, Bian Yiqiu hung up and took their son to He Xu’s house to mooch a meal.

As the only bachelor left among their group of friends, Lawyer He’s cooking skills had improved drastically over the years. When he received a call saying that the Boss was bringing the Young Master over for dinner, he immediately announced in their group chat that he’d be making Chaozhou beef hot pot that evening. “Let’s just call it our makeshift New Year’s Eve dinner,” he said.

Two hours later, Old Meng and his wife were the first to arrive, bringing along their toddler daughter, who had just learned to walk. Old Meng’s wife, being Cantonese, even brought a few bags of handmade Chaozhou beef balls, claiming they were made by her uncle and were wonderfully chewy and flavorful when added to the soup.

Ye Zhen arrived next. Despite being six months pregnant, she didn’t look the slightest bit bloated, wrapped in a loose wool coat and lightly made-up, still exuding charm and elegance.

He Xu asked why her husband wasn’t with her, and Ye Zhen rolled her eyes. “You’ll have to ask President Ke about that. It’s almost Lunar New Year, and he’s still making people work overtime. Is he even human?”

Ye Zhen’s husband, Qu Shao’an, was the Investment Director of He Sheng Media. Back when He Sheng and Jiu’an had arranged a cross-shareholding deal, it was Qu who had spearheaded the negotiations. Their first interaction over the phone had been far from pleasant, because Ke Mingxuan insisted on the cross-shareholding, while Bian Yiqiu adamantly demanded a buyback.

Qu was always polite to Ye Zhen, but she never showed him a kind face. Ye Zhen wasn’t sure if Qu had a masochistic streak, but the more she snubbed him, the more persistently he pursued her. After two years of relentless effort, he finally won her heart.

He Xu took Ye Zhen’s coat and hung it on the rack, unable to suppress a grin. “Everyone at He Sheng, including Ke Mingxuan himself, is a workaholic. He is still in Paris right now.”

“If I were Bian Yiqiu, I’d divorce him—”

“Then I’d marry you after the divorce?”

Before Ye Zhen could finish her sentence, a familiar voice cut in from behind. Turning around, she saw Bian Yiqiu, tall and imposing, casually holding his five-year-old son in one arm, looking effortlessly dashing.

The father and son duo were dressed in matching trench coats, and Bian Yiqiu’s faintly amused gaze was mirrored by Ke Yichen’s tilted head and cheeky grin. Ye Zhen felt like she was being blinded by the combined radiance of their good looks.

Sometimes, she genuinely wondered, how did time make Bian Yiqiu look younger?

Truly, the power of love was miraculous.

Ke Yichen reached out, making grabby hands for Ye Zhen to hold him. Bian Yiqiu stopped him. “You’re a big boy now. Auntie Ye can’t carry you anymore.”

Before Ke Yichen could pout in protest, Old Meng’s toddler daughter, Yaya, came toddling over excitedly, calling out “Ge-ge” in her adorably garbled speech.

In an instant, Young Master Ke transformed into the responsible older brother. He wriggled free from Bian Yiqiu’s arms, landing gracefully on the floor, and, with an air of exaggerated authority, called out, “Hey, hey, hey, slow down! You’ll trip—”

The words barely left his mouth when little Yaya tripped over her own feet, landing face-first on the thick carpet.

Ke Yichen sighed with the weight of an older sibling’s responsibilities, walking over to help her up. The little girl, unbothered, didn’t cry; instead, she giggled, revealing her toothless grin. A trail of drool gleamed as it stretched from her mouth to Ke Yichen’s arm.

The young master wiped his arm with her tiny neckerchief and gallantly took her hand, leading her off to play.

Bian Yiqiu and Ye Zhen stepped inside. Old Meng, just returning from a phone call on the balcony, saw them come in. His wife was busy in the kitchen helping He Xu with the soup base. With nothing better to do, the three of them dug out a deck of cards from under the coffee table and sat down for a game of blackjack.

Half an hour later, the fragrant aroma of beef bone broth began to waft through the apartment. Bian Yiqiu, now feeling a bit hungry, kept glancing at the dining table as he drew cards.

He Xu brought the pot of simmering broth to the induction cooker and returned to the kitchen to prepare the rest of the ingredients. Corn and white radish had already been added to the soup for flavor, and the warm, inviting smell soon enveloped the room.

Just as He Xu finished bringing all the food and drinks to the table, the doorbell rang once more.

Zuo Cheng entered, bringing a gust of winter chill with him as he changed his shoes at the door. He Xu glanced down the hallway and asked, “Where’s Officer Gu?”

“Busy with a case,” Zuo Cheng replied as he headed straight for the dining room.

Ke Yichen waved his arms enthusiastically and called out, “Zuo Zuo!” Bian Yiqiu, in the middle of putting freshly blanched beef slices into Ke Yichen’s bowl, gave a half-hearted correction, “Call him Uncle.”

“No way! Zuo Zuo sounds much cuter.”

Zuo Cheng: “…”

What exactly do you mean by calling a grown man pushing thirty ‘cute,’ you little brat?

Zuo the bodyguard couldn’t be bothered to correct him—it wouldn’t stick anyway. Instead, he sat down next to Ke Yichen and seamlessly took over the task of tending to the young master, freeing up Bian Yiqiu to enjoy his meal in peace.

Though today’s gathering was only complete for Old Meng family trio, with the other guests arriving solo, at least they all had a partner. Only the host, He Xu, was as unattached as ever.

Not that He Xu seemed to mind. Perhaps handling too many divorce cases had dulled his interest in marriage altogether. Despite being surrounded by a variety of stunning women, none had managed to make the leap from casual to meaningful for him.

As the saying goes, the emperor is never as worried as his eunuchs. While He Xu remained unconcerned, Old Meng and Ye Zhen fretted enough for him. Over the years, they had covertly and overtly set him up on countless blind dates. No matter the initial topic of conversation during any gathering, it would inevitably circle back to his lack of a significant other.

To avoid any matchmaking conversations this time, He Xu brought out his stash of fine wine before the meal, effectively silencing everyone. Faced with his generous hospitality, the group reluctantly set aside their enthusiasm for matchmaking and turned their attention to enjoying the beef.

After dinner, they stayed to play cards. Bian Yiqiu, having lost all the cash he brought with him, asked if he could leave his son as collateral.

He Xu gave Ke Yichen a long, conflicted look before decisively declaring, “No.”

Ke Yichen pouted, looking thoroughly wronged. “Uncle He, you don’t want me?”

He Xu rolled his eyes so hard they nearly disappeared. “Spare me, young master. Last time you stayed at my place for two days, you broke two of my computers, three model cars, and a drone. Your dad hasn’t even paid me back yet!”

Hearing this, Ke Yichen immediately turned and flung himself into Bian Yiqiu’s arms, pitifully whining, “Daddy, I’m sleepy. Let’s go home.”

“Alright,” Bian Yiqiu smoothly put down his poker cards and picked up his son, ready to head home for bed.

He Xu: “…”

Could you two not make it so obvious?

He Xu was utterly dumbfounded by this father-son duo’s flawless performance.

Just as Bian Yiqiu turned to leave with Ke Yichen slumped on his shoulder, the little one suddenly called out, “Wait, Daddy! They haven’t given me red envelopes yet!”

“…”

By the time they left He Xu’s house, Ke Yichen’s pockets were stuffed with several thick red envelopes. The money inside not only made up for his dad’s gambling losses but left them with a hefty profit.

Back home, Bian Yiqiu first helped his son take a bath. Wrapping the little one snugly in a big towel, he tossed him onto the bed like a burrito. After finishing his own shower, he came out to find Ke Yichen already engrossed in a video call with Ke Mingxuan.

“Yeah, Daddy’s card skills are so bad. He can never guess what cards others have. I couldn’t help him either. I was busy playing with Yaya. And then, poof, Daddy lost everything! He’s such a spendthrift. Ouch!”

Bian Yiqiu gave the little rascal a smack on the butt. “Brat, who are you calling a spendthrift?”

Ke Yichen clutched his rear and turned around, his face, a miniature version of Ke Mingxuan’s, beaming brightly. He held up the tablet and snuggled into Bian Yiqiu’s arms. “I didn’t mean it! I love Daddy the most!”

Completely disarmed by his son’s antics, Bian Yiqiu could only ruffle his hair affectionately before taking the tablet from him.

On the screen, Ke Mingxuan was speaking to his assistant. When Bian Yiqiu’s face appeared, he quickly waved off his assistant to handle other tasks and stole a moment to chat.

Neither of them were the overly affectionate type, and with their son present, the conversation remained fairly tame. Ke Mingxuan shared updates about his work in France, while Bian Yiqiu recounted the highlights of He Xu’s New Year’s Eve dinner.

When the topic turned to the poker game, Bian Yiqiu declared righteously, “As the boss, how could I shamelessly win money from my subordinates during the New Year? Obviously, I had to lose a few rounds on purpose to make them happy, right?”

Ke Mingxuan held back a smile, the corners of his lips barely curling. “Mhm, exactly.”

Satisfied with the response, Bian Yiqiu offered to pick him up at the airport the next day. After ending the call, he carried his sleepy son to his own room, tucking him in for the night.

Ke Yichen, half-asleep as he was carried, rubbed his eyes groggily and murmured, “Daddy.”

Bian Yiqiu responded softly, “I’m here.”

Ke Yichen burrowed deeper into his arms, muttering again, “Papa.”

Bian Yiqiu leaned down to plant a kiss on his forehead and chuckled, “I’m here too.”

Finally content, the little one quieted down. Once tucked into his bed, he settled into a deep, peaceful sleep.

—

The next day, after lunch, father and son headed to the airport to pick up Ke Mingxuan. Unfortunately, due to the heavy Spring Festival travel season, international flights were experiencing delays. They ended up waiting over an hour, and there was still no sign of the family’s big boss.

Just as Bian Yiqiu was about to suggest heading back to the car to wait, the boy perched on his shoulders suddenly yelled excitedly, “Papa!”

Bian Yiqiu quickly steadied the flailing legs to prevent him from tumbling off. Following his son’s gaze, he spotted Ke Mingxuan amidst the bustling crowd.

Even from dozens of meters away, and despite the sea of people, Ke Mingxuan’s smile was unmistakably clear, radiating warmth as it reached Bian Yiqiu.

Ke Yichen squirmed, eager to get down. Bian Yiqiu lifted him off his shoulders and placed him on the ground. The moment the boy’s feet touched the floor, he shot off like a little rocket.

Ke Mingxuan crouched down and caught his son mid-sprint, lifting him high into the air with a hearty laugh. He planted a big kiss on the boy’s cheek and asked, “Did you miss Papa?”

“I did!”

Ke Mingxuan grinned and followed up, “Did Daddy miss Papa too?”

Ke Yichen’s reply was even louder, “Daddy missed you too!”

“Good boy.” Still holding the little one, Ke Mingxuan walked toward Bian Yiqiu.

Bian Yiqiu stayed where he was, hands casually tucked in his pockets, watching the approaching pair with an effortless smile that had long become second nature.

When Ke Mingxuan reached him, he adjusted their son in one arm and pulled him close with the other. Without a word, he leaned in and kissed Bian Yiqiu, utterly unbothered by the potential uproar their public display of affection might cause in the bustling airport.

Behind them, the assistant pushing the luggage cart seemed completely immune to the boss’s public displays of affection, maintaining a calm attitude. He greeted Bian Yiqiu and the little young master before sensibly getting into the company-arranged car.

By the time the family of three arrived home, it was nearly six. Feng Shuxian had already called multiple times to urge them to hurry. Bian Yiqiu reassured her they had just returned from the airport and promised they’d shower, change, and be there within an hour. Only then did she hang up, satisfied.

The festive atmosphere in the compound was unmistakable. Strings of red lanterns, each the size of a fist, hung from the lush green trees. Twinkling LED lights adorned the bushes along the paths, transforming them into shimmering ribbons of starlight. The streetlights were decorated with bright red lanterns and fluttering national flags, swaying gently in the breeze.

As Bian Yiqiu drove past the Lin family’s house, he spotted two familiar figures. Qian Ying was busy putting up spring couplets, while Lin Jiayan stood nearby giving instructions. He chuckled to himself and turned his attention back to the road, parking steadily in the driveway of the innermost three-story villa.

Inside, Feng Shuxian was cooking with the help of a housekeeper, timing it perfectly so the dishes were served hot as they walked through the door.

Ke Yichen, ever the charmer, greeted his grandparents with a cheerful “Happy New Year!” and was rewarded with two hefty red envelopes. Following his lead, Ke Mingxuan and Bian Yiqiu also wished them a happy new year, earning themselves red envelopes as well.

“Thank you, Mom,” Ke Mingxuan said.

“Thanks, Mom,” Bian Yiqiu echoed.

Feng Shuxian, clearly pleased, smiled and said, “Go wish your dad a happy new year too.”

Although the Ke family patriarch, Ke Zhenshen, remained as stoic and distant as ever with Bian Yiqiu, out of respect for his elders, Bian Yiqiu had no choice but to follow Ke Mingxuan to greet him.

He sat sternly on the couch, his expression unreadable. However, he still handed out two red envelopes.

Caught off guard, Ke Mingxuan quickly accepted his and said, “Thank you, Dad.”

Bian Yiqiu hesitated for a moment before taking his. “Uh… thank you, Commander Ke.”

Ke Zhenshan’s sharp gaze immediately bore into him, accompanied by a disdainful snort.

Bian Yiqiu froze. What? Even calling him ‘Commander’ isn’t acceptable?

Ke Mingxuan gave him a well-timed nudge with his foot. “Call him Dad.”

Bian Yiqiu blinked, his expression screaming, Are you trying to get me kicked out?

Ke Mingxuan responded with an insistent look: Do it.

Resigned to his fate, Bian Yiqiu took a deep breath. Fine, if he was going to die anyway…

Fine, if I die, I die.

The fearless Boss Bian steeled himself, deliberately raising his voice and enunciating each word clearly. “Thank you, Dad.”

Ke Zhenshen let out another cold snort, but Ke Mingxuan noticed that his expression looked noticeably better than before.

Even after finishing the New Year’s Eve dinner and returning home, Bian Yiqiu was still stuck in a dreamlike state.

Commander Ke actually allowed him to call him “Dad”? That old man actually got upset because he didn’t call him “Dad”? What’s going on here? After so many years, has he finally accept him as his daughter-in-law?

No, who the hell is the “daughter-in-law” here? Ke Mingxuan is clearly his “wife”! Either way, after all these years of “suffering humiliation for the greater good,” he’d finally earned Commander Ke’s recognition.

In a burst of happiness, Bian Yiqiu had a couple more drinks. By the time he came out of the shower and flopped onto the bed, the room was still spinning.

After coaxing their son to sleep, Ke Mingxuan returned to find him shirtless. He turned on the air conditioner and reminded him to pull up the blanket.

Bian Yiqiu rolled over from his stomach to his back, spreading out on the bed in a carefree sprawl. He smugly declared to Ke Mingxuan, “Even Grandpa Bian has a dad now.”

Ke Mingxuan walked to the bedside, kneeled on one knee, and propped himself over Bian Yiqiu, his hands on either side of him. With those mesmerizing, soul-stealing peach blossom eyes filled with a tender warmth, he looked down at him and asked, “Shouldn’t we celebrate this?”

Bian Yiqiu lazily narrowed his eyes. “How do we celebrate?”

“By having some steamy fun to kick off the new year.”

Ke Mingxuan’s voice lowered, and as his words fell, he leaned down and captured Bian Yiqiu’s lips.