ABOES 35: Chi Yunxing

Ever since his rebirth, Ye Xinian had never been comfortable with overly intimate physical contact. What surprised even him was how completely he didn’t reject Chi Xiwen’s embrace.

Maybe it was because of what Chi Xiwen had just said.

Or maybe it was simply because the hug was too warm.

Just being gently pulled into Chi Xiwen’s arms made Ye Xinian feel exceptionally at ease. Like he suddenly had a solid support behind him, no longer needing to fear sudden attacks or harm.

So he didn’t want to pull away.

His heartbeat thudded so loudly, it felt as if it echoed right beside his ears.

Ye Xinian couldn’t stop replaying that one sentence from Chi Xiwen—

“Come home with your brother.”

He said home.

That word was too tempting.

In his past life, he struggled his entire life and never found a place he could call home.

But now, everything is different. Now, he had a home and it was within reach.

Just as he was trying to figure out how to respond to Chi Xiwen, his phone suddenly rang.

Chi Xiwen had also composed himself by now and let go of Ye Xinian at just the right moment.

Ye Xinian lowered his eyes and saw the caller ID.

It was Yu Jun.

“I… I need to take this call,” Ye Xinian said hoarsely.

Chi Xiwen smiled gently and patted his shoulder. “Go ahead. I’ll go let our parents know you’re out. Officer Wang just called them into the office, so I was the only one waiting for you.”

Ye Xinian knew he was telling him this so he’d know. His family really was waiting for him.

He nodded, phone in hand, and walked out.

Chi Xiwen watched him until his figure disappeared, then turned to Xie Yi. “Thanks for everything today. You should go rest. As for the online stuff…” He paused, then continued, “We’ll hold off for now. I’ll talk to Xinian about it later. Whether we respond publicly—it’s up to him.”

Xie Yi gave a slight nod. Since Chi Xiwen had said that, she had nothing more to add.

She turned and went to another office, picked up a fast-asleep Chu Wen, and left.

…

Ye Xinian cleared his throat before answering the call. “Hello, Ms. Yu.”

Yu Jun finally breathed a little easier at the sound of his voice. “Xinian, you finally picked up.”

“Sorry,” Ye Xinian said with a small and apologetic smile. “Something came up today, and I’ve been dealing with it.”

“I know what happened,” Yu Jun said calmly. “That’s why I called.”

Ye Xinian wasn’t surprised. There was no hiding it from Yu Jun.

Without hesitation, he said, “Ms. Yu, you don’t need to worry. I’ll handle it.”

“How?” Yu Jun knew how strong-willed he was. He’d rather shoulder everything himself than speak a word of grievance.

That’s exactly why she stepped forward today to speak on his behalf.

She sighed lightly and began telling him what had happened.

“…At first, I planned to contact our class president and have him organize a few other classmates to help record a video. I figured I could compile everything together. But later, seeing how vicious people were online—I just couldn’t wait. The longer we delayed, the filthier the comments got. So I acted alone.”

After a pause, she added, “Xinian, I do owe you an apology. I didn’t get your permission beforehand…”

“You don’t need to apologize,” Ye Xinian interrupted, throat tightening. His eyes reddened again. “I know you did it for my sake. You stepped up to help me.”

Since entering the interrogation room, he had been busy giving his statement, and hadn’t had time to look at what was happening online.

Yu Jun had nothing to apologize for. If anything, he owed her thanks.

“Thank you, Ms. Yu,” Ye Xinian said solemnly. “You’ve helped me again.”

Yu Jun paused, then laughed. “Silly. Why are you thanking me?”

Ye Xinian’s eyes were still red, but his lips lifted into a small smile.

Yu Jun thought for a second, then asked, “By the way, did you meet your biological parents? After everything that happened today, did they…”

Suddenly, a woman’s anxious voice echoed in Ye Xinian’s ear, drowning out Yu Jun’s last words.

“Xinian’s outside on the phone?”

“Thank goodness…”

Ye Xinian turned slightly and spotted Tan Yao through the glass door not far away, standing beside Chi Xiwen.

Tan Yao didn’t notice him looking. Chi Xiwen was next to her, whispering something. Then another low voice floated over—

“Good, I was really scared just now. I thought he left…”

Ye Xinian’s pupils contracted slightly.

So Tan Yao… had been worried he would leave.

“Xinian?” Yu Jun’s voice brought him back.

“I saw them,” Ye Xinian finally said, drawing his gaze back, his voice trembling just slightly—only noticeable to himself. “Not only did I see them… they asked me to go home with them.”

“Really?” Yu Jun sounded even more excited than he did.

Ye Xinian nodded. “Mm.”

“That’s wonderful!” Yu Jun was genuinely happy for him.

Ye Xinian’s lips curved gently.

Yu Jun laughed for a long time before suddenly remembering something. She calmed down and asked, “So, what do you think, Xinian?”

Before he could reply, she added, “Actually, I told you this before. Anyone who keeps looking for you for over ten years clearly has you in their heart. But I also know it’s not as simple as that. It’s not a few months or a year we’re talking about—it’s seventeen years.”

“Seventeen years is enough for a child to grow up. It’s enough to change a person’s life entirely. The only thing that won’t change with time… is the fact that you’re their family.”

“Xinian,” she said with a smile, “Why don’t you try going home?”

Ye Xinian’s breath caught. He looked out at the city street lit by summer dusk.

Even at 7pm, night hadn’t fully fallen.

The street was dotted with scattered lights; only the roadside lamps glowed early.

The red light lit up. Pedestrians began crossing.

A young mother walked by, one hand holding groceries and a school bag, the other tightly gripping a bouncing little boy.

The boy tilted his head up, talking excitedly to her. They both laughed, eyes crinkled.

More people crossed. The boy and his mother soon disappeared into the crowd.

Then the light turned green. Cars flowed forward again, heading home under the warm glow of city lights.

A breeze drifted past—just enough to blow away the final hesitation in Ye Xinian’s heart.

“Okay,” he whispered. “I’ll try.”

Yu Jun smiled again, she was truly happy for him.

“Alright then, go take care of things. I’ll stop bothering you now.”

After the call ended, Ye Xinian stood by the door for a while.

Finally, he drew a deep breath and walked back into the police station.

He had just approached when he heard Chi Ling’s voice—

“…No rush. We just met Yunxing again, it’s too soon to ask him to come home. What if it makes him uncomfortable?”

Tan Yao nodded. “Xiwen, you were too hasty. If Yunxing doesn’t want to come back, we can’t force it.”

“I don’t ask for much,” she added softly. “I just want him to be happy. If he’s doing well, I’m content.”

Chi Xiwen had calmed down too. He rubbed his aching temples and hoarsely muttered, “It’s my fault… I was just so angry after watching that video. How could they treat Yunxing like that?!”

The mere mention of the video made Tan Yao and Chi Ling’s expressions darken.

Even though they were mentally prepared, learning the full truth still brought them to tears.

“It’s our fault…” Tan Yao choked. “Our fault for not watching him better when he was little. If only we’d found him sooner…”

Ye Xinian couldn’t bear to listen anymore and walked in.

The three of them looked up at the same time.

Tan Yao hastily wiped her tears with her sleeve. The pressure made her skin red.

Ye Xinian only now realized, he inherited that trait from her.

One rub and his skin flushed.

Chi Xiwen and Chi Ling were calmer, though their eyes were red too.

Seeing him come in, Chi Xiwen stood first and smiled. “Xinian…”

Ye Xinian drew a breath and looked at the brother who so resembled him. He asked, “Just now, were you calling me Yunxing? That was my name before, wasn’t it?”

Though his eyes were on Chi Xiwen, he was really addressing all three of them.

Tan Yao hadn’t expected him to overhear. She glanced at Chi Ling, then nodded. “Yes. Your name used to be Yunxing.”

Ye Xinian had seen the file from Officer Wang. He looked down and asked, “As in ‘ling jin yunxiao ke zhai xing’—clouds near the heavens, stars within reach?”

Tan Yao stared at him, then nodded again. “Yes.”

He turned to Chi Xiwen. “Yunxing Entertainment—is it from the same Yunxing?”

Chi Xiwen’s Adam’s apple bobbed. His deep eyes suddenly glistened with tears. He smiled through the mist and nodded. “Mm. That Yunxing.”

Ye Xinian’s nose stung.

After a long moment, he asked softly, “Then… Can I change my name back?”

He seemed to summon all his courage just to say, “I don’t want to keep using a name that never belonged to me.”

The room fell silent.

When the meaning of his words fully sank in, Tan Yao’s tears fell again. She bit down hard, trying not to sob.

Chi Ling looked stunned. He glanced from Chi Xiwen to Tan Yao, then turned to Ye Xinian, unsure if he’d heard right.

Only Chi Xiwen understood immediately.

His face lit up with joy. “Xinian—no, Yunxing—you can! Of course you can. That was your name to begin with!”

“Wait here. I’ll go talk to Officer Wang now… and fix your ID too…”

With that, Chi Xiwen dashed out of the office.

Tan Yao finally recovered. She stepped forward, voice trembling. “Yunxing… you’re really willing…”

Her voice broke before she could finish.

Ye Xinian—no, Chi Yunxing—nodded through red eyes.

Afraid she didn’t see it clearly, he rasped, “Mm. I want to change my name.”

He had used “Ye Xinian” for almost forty years over two lifetimes.

While that name wasn’t solely to blame for his past, every time he heard it, it brought back bitter memories.

He didn’t want it anymore, not even for another day.

“Wu—”

Tan Yao couldn’t hold back. She rushed forward and pulled Chi Yunxing into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

“My Yunxing… Mommy’s Yunxing… I finally found my baby…”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry… It’s all my fault. I should’ve found you earlier. I’m so sorry…”

Her cries tore from her throat as she clutched him tighter.

“I’m sorry… we were wrong… we let you suffer all those years…”

A hot tear rolled from Chi Yunxing’s eye. Then another. And another.

His vision blurred.

The hand hanging by his side slowly rose and rested gently on Tan Yao’s back.

“Don’t cry…” he whispered, a tear slipping into the corner of his mouth—bitter and salty.

Suddenly, a strong arm wrapped around them both.

Chi Ling’s voice came from above his head: “Let’s change your name, Yunxing. Once we do, let’s go home. Okay?”

The man’s voice was low, almost pleading.

And now, Chi Yunxing couldn’t say no.

“Okay.” He choked out, “I’ll go home with you.”

Back to the home that had waited seventeen years.

Back to the place where someone finally loved him.