ABOES 101: You Were Getting Impatient

It wasn’t easy to come up with a good excuse, especially at such an awkward time.

First of all, Chi Yunxing’s university hadn’t started yet. Second, he didn’t have any upcoming work—his only scheduled job was the film Scapegoat, and filming for that wouldn’t start for another half a month.

He could say he was going out to meet friends, but the entire family knew he wasn’t the type to be gone overnight just for a casual hangout.

What was he supposed to do? Go out tomorrow, then drag his aching body home in the middle of the night after sleeping with Duan Zhiyan?

Just thinking about it made his ears burn.

So what excuse could he use?

Chi Yunxing was stumped.

The seventh day of the new year had passed, and both Chi Xiwen and Chi Ling had returned to work.

Tan Yao had work too, but not much so she mostly stayed home to keep Chi Yunxing company.

The whole day passed and Chi Yunxing still hadn’t figured anything out.

By the end, he was nearly ready to give up. He was just about to blurt out to Tan Yao that he planned to visit Duan Zhiyan tomorrow, when—

“Yunxing, do you want shrimp wontons for breakfast tomorrow?” Tan Yao beamed at him. “The housekeeper bought some fresh river shrimp today, I think they’d make great wontons.”

The words that had reached his throat were swallowed down in an instant. What came out instead was, “Sure.”

Tan Yao looked pleased. “Great, then I’ll prepare the shrimp now. It’s best if I start simmering the broth tonight.”

“This early?” Chi Yunxing was a little surprised. “Do you want help?”

“No, no, you go keep Grandma company,” Tan Yao said, setting her phone down and heading to the kitchen.

Chi Yunxing could only flop back down on the sofa and sigh.

What now?

What he didn’t know was that his every little move had been noticed by Grandma Chi.

The next morning, Chi Ling and Chi Xiwen had breakfast and left for work as usual.

Before heading out, Chi Ling suddenly turned to him and asked, “Yunxing, are you getting bored staying home every day?”

Chi Yunxing hadn’t expected the question. He was about to shake his head, then paused as something occurred to him. His expression shifted slightly. “…It’s alright, I guess.”

Chi Ling didn’t think much of it. “If you’re feeling cooped up, I can try to take a day off soon. Maybe go out with you and Grandma.”

Tan Yao nodded in agreement. “Yeah, Yunxing’s going to be heading into production soon so we should spend some time with him while we can.”

Chi Yunxing: “…”

Not like he needed to be watched every single day.

Of course, he couldn’t say that. He just smiled.

Chi Ling and Chi Xiwen soon left, leaving only Tan Yao, Grandma Chi, and Chi Yunxing at home.

His phone vibrated from inside his coat. It was a message from Duan Zhiyan.

[Duan Zhiyan: I’m on the way to the airport.]

[Chi Yunxing: What time’s your flight?]

[Duan Zhiyan: 11 o’clock. I’ll land around 12:30. Are you heading straight to Lakeside?]

Chi Yunxing didn’t respond right away. He pocketed the phone.

Grandma Chi had gone out to her garden. She liked watering her flowers herself every morning. Tan Yao was in the home gym, probably doing yoga.

Both of them were busy. If he snuck out now, they probably wouldn’t notice for a while.

But what if they found out later? What excuse would he give?

Just as Chi Yunxing was hesitating, Grandma Chi unexpectedly returned from the garden.

Seeing him standing there in the living room deep in thought, she asked, “Yunxing, got something on your mind?”

Chi Yunxing looked up, surprised. “You’re back already? Weren’t you watering the flowers?”

Grandma Chi raised a brow and smiled. “I decided I didn’t feel like it today. Had the housekeeper do it for me.”

Chi Yunxing hurried over, concerned. “Are you feeling unwell? Should I help you lie down? Or maybe we should go to the hospital…”

Grandma Chi sighed and waved him off. “I’m not unwell. I just didn’t feel like it today.”

Relieved, Chi Yunxing said, “Alright. Let me help you to the couch.”

She nodded and didn’t resist.

Once she was settled, Chi Yunxing poured her a glass of warm water and turned on the drama she’d been following lately.

With a drink and a show, she quickly got absorbed but Chi Yunxing was still on edge.

After an episode ended, Grandma Chi turned to him and smiled. “Yunxing, isn’t Zhiyan coming back today?”

Chi Yunxing hadn’t expected the question. He nodded. “Yeah, he is.”

Grandma Chi gave him a knowing smile. “Well, since he’s coming back, why are you still here? Not going on a date?”

Even though Chi Yunxing had gotten used to being teased, his face still flushed at the mention of what else they’d be doing today. “I—I am…”

“What time does he land?” she asked casually.

He told her.

She glanced at her tablet. “That’s soon. Why haven’t you left yet?”

Chi Yunxing hesitated. “I…”

Before he could finish, she cut him off, smiling, “You’ve been cooped up in the house for days. You should go out, let Zhiyan keep you company for a bit. Go on.”

Chi Yunxing stared at her, stunned.

She chuckled, “Go. What, need the driver? Or haven’t packed yet?”

He was full of disbelief. “Grandma, I…”

“Go on,” she said, giving him a gentle push. “You’ve been sitting around here so long you’re going to grow mold. I’ll let your parents know.”

She’d said everything already. If he still didn’t leave, he’d be the one making things awkward.

Chi Yunxing ran upstairs, grabbed his suitcase, and came back down. Grandma Chi was still on the sofa and waved at him.

“I’ll be back in a few days,” he said, a bit moved.

She nodded with a warm smile.

As Chi Yunxing rolled his suitcase out toward the garage, she looked toward the bright blue sky and softly murmured, “You saw that, didn’t you, old man? We’ve brought Yunxing to meet you this year. You know that, right?”

“Now that you know, you can rest easy.”

She wasn’t in the mood to watch TV anymore. She hit pause and slowly made her way back to the garden.

The housekeeper saw her coming and was surprised. “Ma’am, you’re back out again?”

She smiled and took the watering can from him. “Things are handled now, so I’m back.”

Just then, a car slowly pulled out from the garage. The housekeeper looked over and instantly understood.

“Young Master’s going out on a date?”

Grandma Chi nodded. “See? Even you can tell, but that silly child still thought he could hide it from us.”

The housekeeper grinned and added, “Well, at least the Master and Young Master haven’t figured it out yet.”

Grandma Chi burst into laughter.

Hearing the car, Tan Yao emerged from the gym upstairs. Hearing the laughter from the garden, she leaned over the banister. “Mom, did Yunxing leave?”

“He left,” Grandma Chi replied.

Tan Yao smiled and came downstairs, walking into the garden. “Then what should we have for lunch? Just us two—let me make a little couples’ meal.”

Grandma Chi didn’t hold back and named several dishes.

Tan Yao agreed to all of them.

The housekeeper, however, was still curious. “So when the Master and Young Master get home tonight, what do we tell them?”

Grandma Chi’s smile didn’t waver. “What’s there to explain?”

Tan Yao, helping to water the flowers, nodded firmly. “Why explain anything? Those two have done nothing but meddle in Yunxing’s love life—so annoying!”

Both Grandma Chi and the housekeeper laughed.

…

Chi Yunxing had no idea what was happening back home. He was currently on his way to the Lakeside Villa.

Duan Zhiyan was already on the plane, so they couldn’t contact each other.

Chi Yunxing figured he’d probably be hungry after landing, so he called the housekeeper ahead of time to have fresh fruits and vegetables delivered.

By the time he got there, the delivery had already arrived.

Their taste in food was different. Duan Zhiyan liked spicy, while Chi Yunxing preferred mild.

After eating with him so often, Chi Yunxing had gradually learned to handle more spice.

But—

It’s probably better to eat light before doing… that kind of thing.

With that thought, he put the chili peppers back in the fridge, his face burning.

He had to take several deep breaths to calm down before he started washing vegetables and preparing the soup.

Duan Zhiyan still had an hour to go after landing, so Chi Yunxing went to shower.

As soon as he stepped out, his phone rang—it was a video call from Duan Zhiyan.

He answered without hesitation. “Zhiyan Ge!”

Duan Zhiyan had just gotten into the car. He glanced down at his phone screen and immediately lowered the divider between the front and back seats.

He You, who was about to climb into the back, quickly turned and got into the passenger seat instead.

Seeing Duan Zhiyan say nothing, Chi Yunxing asked, “What are you doing?”

Once the divider was up, Duan Zhiyan relaxed slightly and put on his earbuds.

Chi Yunxing had just showered. His long, curled lashes were still damp, and the robe he wore was a bit oversized. Droplets of water traced down his neck and disappeared beneath the edge of the fabric. Through the screen, all Duan Zhiyan could see was smooth, fair skin and an exquisitely defined collarbone.

Duan Zhiyan’s breath hitched. He inhaled sharply before speaking in a low, raspy voice, “Yunxing.”

Chi Yunxing blinked, puzzled. His moist eyes were full of confusion. “What is it?”

Duan Zhiyan’s lips curved into a slow smile, his eyes narrowing. His voice dropped even lower, “You were getting impatient, weren’t you?”

“Huh?” Chi Yunxing froze, not quite following.

Duan Zhiyan didn’t explain. He just stared at him through the screen.

As their eyes met, Chi Yunxing suddenly understood the hunger burning behind his gaze that barely concealed the desire to devour him whole.

Realization struck, and Chi Yunxing’s face turned scarlet.

“Duan Zhiyan—have some shame!”

With that, he hung up the call.