ABOES 77: Taking You Home

By the time Chi Xiwen turned around, Duan Zhiyan had already stood up, but from the angle, their posture still looked extremely intimate.

Chi Xiwen’s eyelid twitched, and his face darkened. “What are you doing?”

Duan Zhiyan didn’t answer. He simply pulled something from his coat pocket and placed it in Chi Yunxing’s palm.

Chi Xiwen’s sharp eyes immediately caught what it was, a ring. A ring identical to the one Duan Zhiyan wore on his finger.

Chi Xiwen took a deep breath before saying, “Duan Zhiyan, hurry up.”

Duan Zhiyan hummed in response and began walking toward him.

Chi Yunxing hesitated, but still spoke up, “Ge, don’t fight.”

Chi Xiwen looked at him like he was hopeless. They’d only just gotten together—literally a day ago—and he was already picking Duan Zhiyan over his own Ge?

If it was like this now, what about later?

Chi Xiwen had originally planned to have a calm talk with Duan Zhiyan, but after that comment, he just wanted to beat him up.

He didn’t say that out loud. Swallowing his irritation, he forced a light smile. “Don’t worry.”

How could Chi Yunxing not worry?

The study door shut with a bang. Chi Yunxing slipped the ring back onto his left hand and, without thinking, rushed to the study door, ready to barge in at the first sign of trouble.

…

The moment they entered the study, Chi Xiwen grabbed Duan Zhiyan by the collar and shoved him against a nearby bookshelf. His voice was ice-cold. “When did it start?”

Duan Zhiyan was caught off guard and hit his back hard, grunting softly. Yet surprisingly, he didn’t fight back. He just furrowed his brow and answered, “We got together yesterday. If you’re asking when I started liking him, I already answered that in the car.”

Chi Xiwen froze. “You weren’t lying before?”

Duan Zhiyan gave a slight smile. “Yunxing was there. I could lie to you, but not to him.”

Chi Xiwen was still seething, but that answer seemed to ease him a little. He finally let go of Duan Zhiyan’s collar and stepped back, leaning against the desk, eyes cold. “So what, you just went and seduced my brother?”

Duan Zhiyan straightened his clothes and gave a faint smile. He raised his hand, showing off the ring. “You should know what this means.”

“Like hell I do!” Chi Xiwen’s voice rose. “If I’d known you were thinking that way about him back then, I would’ve—”

Duan Zhiyan cut in calmly, “I’ve always had those thoughts. I just didn’t realize it myself.”

Chi Xiwen immediately caught the implication. “You mean…”

“Yeah,” Duan Zhiyan nodded. “Because of my illness, I didn’t understand how I really felt. But after the last episode, once I woke up, I knew.”

Mentioning the illness made Chi Xiwen fall silent.

Though Duan Zhiyan and he had both told Yunxing the illness had nothing to do with him, they both knew the truth that it had everything to do with him.

“What about your illness…” Chi Xiwen asked again.

“It’s cured,” Duan Zhiyan said. “The doctor still recommends regular checkups.”

Chi Xiwen finally let out a breath. Then another thought struck him. “When did you go to the hospital?”

“A while ago.”

Chi Xiwen looked stunned. “That half-month when you said you were busy?”

Duan Zhiyan nodded. “I didn’t want to get involved with Yunxing unless I was completely healthy.”

Chi Xiwen couldn’t hold back his curse. “Fuck. So you’ve been after my brother for that long?”

Duan Zhiyan rubbed his sore back and chuckled softly. “It wasn’t just me. Yunxing had his eye on me too.”

Chi Xiwen had just one word. “Get out!”

Duan Zhiyan didn’t argue. He sat down calmly on the couch.

Chi Xiwen glared. “Are you serious about this?”

Without hesitation, Duan Zhiyan said, “Yes. If Yunxing agrees, I’ll register our marriage any time.”

“…Who the hell asked that?”

Duan Zhiyan didn’t reply. He just twirled the ring on his finger with a smile.

Chi Xiwen followed the movement and finally noticed the intricate cloud and star design. It was so obvious, yet he hadn’t picked up on it before.

Still, it did show Duan Zhiyan was serious.

Realistically speaking, even if Yunxing weren’t with Duan Zhiyan, he’d still fall in love sooner or later. It was better for him to be with someone they knew—someone they could trust.

They’d grown up with Duan Zhiyan. Chi Xiwen knew what kind of person he was, knew his background, and his mother adored Yunxing. If they really did end up getting married, Yunxing wouldn’t be treated badly.

Still… even knowing all that, Chi Xiwen was pissed.

Really pissed.

His baby brother had just come home! They hadn’t even had time to spoil him yet, and now someone else had swooped in and taken him away?

Chi Xiwen couldn’t swallow that.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. He glared at Duan Zhiyan and growled, “Let’s fight.”

Duan Zhiyan blinked. Then he calmly asked, “Here?”

He even glanced at the door, clearly implying Yunxing might hear.

Chi Xiwen remembered Yunxing and calmed slightly. After a moment of thought, he named a time and place.

“What do you say?”

Duan Zhiyan didn’t hesitate. “Sure.”

…

While they were calmly setting up a fight, Chi Yunxing was pacing outside the study in a panic.

He had been standing there for nearly twenty minutes, but hadn’t heard a single sound.

Had they fought? If they were arguing, there should be noise, right? Or was the study too well soundproofed?

Chi Yunxing got more and more anxious. He regretted his impulse to come clean to Chi Xiwen.

He should’ve listened to Duan Zhiyan and waited a little to pick a better time, maybe when the whole family was present. If nothing else, Mom would’ve stopped them from fighting.

The more he thought, the more he panicked. Just as he was about to burst in, the door opened.

Chi Xiwen walked out first. Seeing Yunxing’s anxious face made guilt well up inside him. He started mentally kicking himself for being too harsh earlier.

All this fuss just because Yunxing was dating? What was there to be mad about?

His expression softened, and he offered a rare, gentle tone. “It’s fine, Yunxing. Don’t worry.”

How could Yunxing not worry?

When Duan Zhiyan followed him out, looking perfectly fine, Yunxing finally relaxed.

“Really okay?” he asked, glancing between them.

Duan Zhiyan smiled and took his hand. “Yeah, really.”

Chi Xiwen saw the way they held hands. It was still a bit of an eyesore but he didn’t want Yunxing to worry more. He nodded too. “Relax. We just talked.”

Relieved, Yunxing was about to speak when Chi Xiwen said, “Yunxing, come with me.”

Yunxing knew Chi Xiwen had something to say, so he followed him back into the study.

The way someone looks at the person they love is impossible to hide.

Chi Xiwen might’ve had doubts before, but when he saw the concern in Yunxing’s eyes as he stared at Duan Zhiyan earlier, everything suddenly clicked. Yunxing truly liked Duan Zhiyan.

Back when he didn’t understand their relationship, he’d wondered why the two got along so well. Now that the truth was out, all the things that hadn’t made sense started falling into place.

Chi Xiwen sighed first, then looked at the slightly nervous Chi Yunxing. “You really like him?”

Chi Yunxing didn’t expect such a direct question. He pressed his lips together, but didn’t hesitate. “Mm. I do.”

Chi Xiwen sighed again. “Since when?”

“About a month ago.”

Chi Xiwen frowned. “Weren’t you still filming then? Don’t tell me it was because of…”

“No,” Chi Yunxing cut him off immediately. His expression grew a little awkward, but he continued, “Actually, most of the time during filming, I wasn’t even in character. I knew I was falling for him not because of the role, but because I already liked him.”

He didn’t mention the kiss scene because there’s no need to rile Chi Xiwen up again.

Chi Xiwen didn’t say anything after that.

He furrowed his brows and stayed quiet for a long time before finally saying, “Yunxing, I’m not against you dating. I’m just worried you’ll get hurt.”

Considering what had happened with Xia Huaiming not long ago, his concern was valid.

Chi Yunxing’s heart warmed.

“I know, Ge. You don’t have to worry.”

Chi Xiwen stepped closer and ruffled his hair. “It’s fine. I don’t think Duan Zhiyan would dare hurt you but if he ever does, I’ll beat the crap out of him even if I have to chase him to the ends of the earth.”

Chi Yunxing chuckled and defended him in a small voice, “He’s actually really good to me.”

Chi Xiwen snorted, “He better be. If he isn’t, our whole family won’t let him off.”

Chi Yunxing smiled even wider, but then remembered something. “Oh, Ge—can we maybe not…”

“Tell Mom and Dad yet?” Chi Xiwen instantly got what he meant.

Chi Yunxing’s ears reddened. He nodded. “We only just got together, after all.”

“Then why’d you tell me?” Chi Xiwen asked curiously.

Chi Yunxing hesitated for a second, then answered honestly, “Because I didn’t want you two fighting over me anymore.”

Chi Xiwen: “…” So in the end, it’s still him picking Duan Zhiyan’s side.

Chi Xiwen had to take a few deep breaths to keep his face from twitching.

At that moment, he made a firm decision that when he and Duan Zhiyan fought, he absolutely wouldn’t hold back.

“I got it,” Under Chi Yunxing’s hopeful gaze, Chi Xiwen couldn’t bring himself to say no. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep it from Mom and Dad for now. Anyway, they probably don’t have the time to deal with us right now.”

“Besides, me and Duan Zhiyan fighting isn’t just because of you. We’ve been fighting since we were kids. I’m used to it.”

Chi Yunxing smiled, then thought of Tan Yao and Chi Ling, and grew worried again. “Ge, do you think Mom and Dad will make up?”

“They will,” Chi Xiwen reassured him. “They still care about each other. You saw how anxious Dad was the other day. Does that look like a man who doesn’t love her?”

Chi Yunxing nodded, relieved. “I hope they reconcile soon.”

“They will.”

The two chatted a bit longer before leaving the study.

Chi Xiwen still didn’t look too friendly toward Duan Zhiyan, but his tone had clearly softened.

He had things to handle at the company, so he didn’t stay long. Before leaving, he told Yunxing to come with him.

Duan Zhiyan said, “I’ll drive Yunxing back.”

Chi Xiwen’s face immediately soured again, but he didn’t argue. He only reminded, “No more driving and if you do, don’t speed like that again.”

Chi Yunxing nodded earnestly. “Okay.”

After Chi Xiwen left, Duan Zhiyan looked at Yunxing. “Your Ge didn’t badmouth me, did he?”

Chi Yunxing grinned. “What bad things could he say?”

Duan Zhiyan thought for a second. “Like, saying I wet the bed when I was seven?”

Chi Yunxing blinked. “Really?”

Duan Zhiyan raised an eyebrow. “That was your Ge.”

Chi Yunxing: “Pfft.”

…

Time flew, and it was already mid-October. Today, the whole family was going to pick up Grandma Chi from the hospital.

Chi Yunxing hasn’t been home much lately. Not that he didn’t want to, but every time he did, he ended up walking in on his parents being lovey-dovey.

After talking with her doctor, Tan Yao had gradually let go of her resentment. Once she accepted her feelings for Chi Ling, she took the first step.

Chi Ling, who had never stopped loving her, obviously responded.

Chi Yunxing and Chi Xiwen were both happy about it, but at the same time, they silently agreed to stay away from home more to give their parents space.

Of course, Yunxing had another selfish reason.

After taking on a new variety show thanks to Xie Yi, he had less time to spend with Duan Zhiyan.

Since they’d only just gotten together, he wanted to be with him as much as possible.

Going home every weekend would mean they’d only get half a day together.

Now that their parents were in their honeymoon phase again, it was a perfect excuse.

That morning, Yunxing woke up early. The moment he opened his eyes, he saw a message from Duan Zhiyan asking if he was awake.

Though he was still half-asleep, Yunxing forced himself up and replied. 

[Chi Yunxing: Awake, getting out of bed now! Are you coming to the hospital directly or swinging by my place first?]

Right after he sent it, he heard a knock at the door.

Yunxing froze. “Who is it?” he called.

Another message popped up.

[Duan Zhiyan: Open the door.]

Yunxing stared at the message for two seconds, then shot out of bed and raced to the door.

“Zhiyan—”

Before he could say “Ge,” Duan Zhiyan’s kiss came down hard.

While kissing him, the man pulled him back into the room. One hand wrapped around Yunxing’s waist, the other reached behind to close the door.

He pinned Yunxing against the door and deepened the kiss.

They’d been together for a while now. Yunxing had gotten used to his kisses. Though he was still a little dazed, he responded instinctively.

The scent clinging to Duan Zhiyan’s body was familiar and warm, like aged red wine, intoxicating and lingering. Yunxing found himself craving more.

When the kiss ended, Yunxing’s face was red down to his neck. He belatedly realized something. He was reacting.

His pajama pants were thin. If Duan Zhiyan lowered his head, he’d see everything.

Yunxing panicked and backed up quickly.

Before he could escape, Duan Zhiyan grabbed him again and said in a hoarse voice, “Where are you running off to?”

Yunxing’s ears burned. His eyes were flushed red with embarrassment.

The proximity made Duan Zhiyan notice something. His eyes darkened, and he glanced down.

Yunxing: “!!!”

He started struggling wildly. “L-let go of me!”

Duan Zhiyan wasn’t prepared and got pushed away.

Yunxing bolted into the bathroom like his life depended on it.

Duan Zhiyan stood frozen for several seconds before breaking into quiet laughter.

He didn’t bother hiding it. Yunxing heard him clearly from inside.

“Quit laughing!” he yelled, mortified.

Duan Zhiyan swallowed his laughter but still said, “It’s normal, Yunxing. Totally normal.”

Yunxing looked at his own blushing reflection and grumbled, “Stop talking! I don’t want to hear your voice! You’re so annoying!”

Duan Zhiyan’s smile turned helpless. Still, he respected his wishes and left the room. Before that, he laid out clean clothes on the bed.

Once Yunxing heard the door close, he peeked out, face still flushed, and saw the neatly folded clothes.

“…Was I too mean just now?”

Yet the next second, he remembered something and his face turned even redder.

Wait—did Duan Zhiyan not… react at all?

Chi Yunxing’s expression darkened.

…

As Duan Zhiyan left Yunxing’s room, he ran into Chi Xiwen, who was also stepping out of his.

The moment Chi Xiwen saw him, his eyes widened. “Why are you coming out of Yunxing’s room?!”

“I came to wake him up,” Duan Zhiyan said calmly.

Chi Xiwen narrowed his eyes. “Since when do you need to wake him up? Where is he?”

“Showering.”

A while back, Duan Zhiyan had fought Chi Xiwen as promised.

Only after that fight did Chi Xiwen finally ease up a little—though just a little. So now, Duan Zhiyan didn’t bother saying much. The more he said, the more Chi Xiwen would think he was covering something up.

Duan Zhiyan brushed past him and headed downstairs.

Chi Xiwen quickly followed, still skeptical. “You really just came to wake Yunxing up?”

“And to pick up Grandma,” Duan Zhiyan added, then suddenly turned and gave him a small smile. “But think about it, if I really wasn’t here just to wake him up, do you think I’d still be standing here chatting with you? Would I let you catch me coming out of Yunxing’s room?”

Chi Xiwen froze for a second.

Duan Zhiyan lowered his voice and said almost as an afterthought, “If I really had bad intentions… wouldn’t I be showering with him right now?”

Chi Xiwen’s face turned green. He cursed, “Do you have no shame?!”

Old pervert!

Duan Zhiyan ignored him and quickened his pace.

Downstairs, Tan Yao and Chi Ling had been up even earlier. Tan Yao was in the kitchen making breakfast, and Chi Ling was helping out. Their light laughter occasionally drifted out from the kitchen.

It had been a while since Duan Zhiyan saw them. He had often heard Yunxing talk about their progress, but seeing it in person still felt refreshing.

He couldn’t help but lower his voice and say to Chi Xiwen, “Grandma’s going to be really happy when she sees this.”

At the mention of Grandma, Chi Xiwen smiled too. “Definitely. One of her biggest wishes was for Mom and Dad to reconcile.”

The two of them sat down in the dining room, being considerate enough not to interrupt.

Soon after, Chi Yunxing came down, freshly showered and dressed. When he caught sight of Duan Zhiyan on the couch, his expression stiffened slightly.

Duan Zhiyan noticed him first and waved. “Yunxing.”

Yunxing had no intention of going over.

Then he saw Chi Xiwen sitting there too and didn’t want to arouse suspicion, so he forced himself to walk over, pretending to be calm.

Chi Xiwen was watching Yunxing closely and caught that momentary awkwardness on his face. He was just about to ask about it when Tan Yao walked out of the kitchen carrying breakfast.

When she saw all three of them, her smile lit up. “Come eat!”

Chi Yunxing sighed in relief and immediately went over to help her, avoiding Duan Zhiyan entirely.

Duan Zhiyan watched with a helpless smile. Guess he’s going to be shy for a while again.

After breakfast, the family headed to the hospital together.

Grandma Chi already knew she was being discharged today. She had dressed early and was sitting on her hospital bed, waiting.

The moment she saw her whole family walk in, she couldn’t hide her joy.

Chi Yunxing rushed up first and helped her up with a bright smile. “Grandma, we’re here to bring you home!”

Grandma Chi beamed and nodded. As she smiled, her eyes began to well with tears.

“Yes, yes… let’s go home.”