ABOES 90: Sooner or Later, We Have to Meet

Yu Qiu was silent for a long while before she finally spoke. “It’s not that we can’t…” She paused, then said with a guilty look, “I just don’t know how to face Yaoyao anymore…”

Duan Yu let out a long sigh.

Yu Qiu sighed as well.

The couple stood in cold wind, each holding a broken phone, speechless.

How did their idiot son manage to run off with the Chi family’s precious son?!

At that moment, both Yu Qiu and Duan Yu thought the same thing—Shameless!

“So shameless!” Yu Qiu couldn’t help muttering.

Duan Yu nodded in agreement, then added, “Then what should we give as a meeting gift tomorrow? Should I ask the lawyer to draft a share transfer agreement?”

Yu Qiu smacked him on the back and glared at him. “Yunxing hasn’t even agreed to marry that brat yet! You’re giving shares already? Are you trying to scare him off?”

Duan Yu quickly realized his mistake and muttered, “Well… probably not much longer now.”

Yu Qiu didn’t argue with that.

After all, they had already bought a diamond worth over 500 million. The engagement ring was already in the works.

She knew Duan Zhiyan. He wouldn’t have made a move without at least 80% certainty.

Now not only had he designed the ring, he even told them about it. That meant he was fully confident. It was just a matter of time now.

“Sigh—” Yu Qiu glanced toward the villa. At some point, Duan Zhiyan and Chi Yunxing had already gone inside.

“Let’s head back too,” Duan Yu said. “I’ll call Old Chi later and invite their whole family for dinner tomorrow.”

u Qiu nodded in agreement, then said, “Why don’t we just invite their whole family to our place? I’ll cook for them myself.”

Duan Yu nodded. “Sounds good.”

With tomorrow’s plan decided, the couple left.

…

As the sun set and evening approached, Chi Yunxing and Duan Zhiyan finally sat at the table to eat their first meal of the day.

After messing around all afternoon, both of them were starving. They quietly shared a rare, peaceful dinner.

After eating, Chi Yunxing leaned against Duan Zhiyan, licking his lips contentedly.

Duan Zhiyan had just put down his utensils. He turned to look at him and was about to kiss him, but Chi Yunxing instinctively pulled back.

“No!” Chi Yunxing said seriously. “My lips are already a bit swollen. I still have to go home!”

Duan Zhiyan paused, then chuckled. “You can’t stay?”

Chi Yunxing shook his head. “It’s almost New Year. My parents are home these days, and so is my Ge.”

Duan Zhiyan didn’t push him. “Then I’ll drive you back?”

Chi Yunxing still declined. Even though he wanted to spend more time with Duan Zhiyan, he didn’t want him to be any more tired.

After flying for over ten hours, Duan Zhiyan was already exhausted. They’d spent the entire afternoon messing around…

Just thinking about it made Chi Yunxing’s ears turn red.

“You’ve already had a long day. Go get some rest. I’ll drive myself. If you’re really worried, I can call the driver,” Chi Yunxing said, leaning in to kiss his lips. “How about I come see you again tomorrow?”

Duan Zhiyan pulled him into his arms, breathing in his scent with a trace of longing.

“But I don’t want you to leave yet,” he murmured in Chi Yunxing’s ear.

Chi Yunxing wrapped his arms around Duan Zhiyan’s neck and said a bit aggrievedly, “You think I do?”

A smile flickered in Duan Zhiyan’s eyes.

Chi Yunxing sighed internally, then stood up and tugged on Duan Zhiyan’s arm. “Come upstairs with me.”

Duan Zhiyan didn’t know what Chi Yunxing wanted to do, but he didn’t object and followed him upstairs.

After all the chaos earlier, they had only taken a quick shower. The wrinkled sheets had been left untouched.

As soon as they entered the room and saw the messy bed, Chi Yunxing’s face flushed again but he quickly swallowed his embarrassment and began changing the sheets.

Duan Zhiyan quickly caught on and came over to help.

Once the bed was made, Chi Yunxing pushed him onto it.

“You sleep first. I’ll stay with you. Once you’re asleep, I’ll go home,” Chi Yunxing said.

Duan Zhiyan chuckled softly. There was no way he could say no to that.

Of course, it’d be even better if Chi Yunxing stayed the night but Duan Zhiyan knew that it wasn’t time yet.

As Duan Zhiyan lay down, Chi Yunxing climbed in from the other side and lay beside him, turning slightly on his side.

Duan Zhiyan looked at him sleepily.

Chi Yunxing gently covered his eyes with his hand and switched off the light. His voice was soft. “Sleep.”

Duan Zhiyan’s lips curved into a smile. He closed his eyes and lightly took Chi Yunxing’s hand, kissing his fingertips.

Chi Yunxing flinched a little, but quickly steadied himself and let him hold on.

Not long after, Duan Zhiyan’s breathing evened out.

Chi Yunxing whispered his name.

Still steady breathing.

Chi Yunxing smiled, leaned in, and kissed his lips.

“Good night.”

He got up and took one last look at Duan Zhiyan. Then, after thinking for a second, he left the nightlight on and quietly went downstairs.

Chi Yunxing didn’t bother calling the driver—he drove himself.

He drove slowly, and by the time he got home, it was already 8 PM.

Walking into the living room, he found that everyone else was home.

“Yunxing’s back,” Grandma Chi said first.

Chi Yunxing smiled. “Mm, I’m back.”

Tan Yao asked, “Have you eaten? If not, I’ll cook something.” She stood up as she spoke.

Chi Yunxing quickly said, “No need, Mom. I already ate. Sit down.”

He changed his shoes and walked over to the sofa, greeting Chi Xiwen and Chi Ling with a smile.

Chi Ling, still working, gave a quick response and went back to his laptop.

Chi Xiwen gave him a long once-over before asking, “Which friend were you seeing?”

Chi Yunxing’s smile froze slightly. He inhaled, glanced at Chi Xiwen beside him, and began debating whether to lie or tell the truth.

Before he could answer, Chi Xiwen added, “I heard Uncle Duan’s family came back today?”

He glanced meaningfully at Chi Yunxing.

Chi Yunxing: “……”

Okay. He got it now—Chi Xiwen had done that on purpose!

Tan Yao looked up from the TV and nodded. “Yes, Yu Qiu messaged me today. They just got back.”

Chi Ling looked up too. “Old Duan just called me. He invited us to dinner at their place tomorrow.”

Grandma Chi asked, “At their house?”

Tan Yao gave Chi Ling a thoughtful look.

Chi Ling nodded while replying to an email. “Yeah, no idea why they’re making a big deal of it. It’s just a meal, but we have to go to their house.”

He paused, then chuckled. “He even said he and Yu Qiu are cooking themselves to show how much they care. I mean, we’re already so close. Why the fuss?”

Tan Yao: “……”

Grandma Chi: “……”

Chi Xiwen: “……”

Grandma Chi gave Tan Yao a look that clearly said: You still haven’t told him?

Tan Yao glanced at Chi Yunxing and shook her head subtly.

Grandma Chi: Zhiyan’s parents already know, and his own dad still doesn’t? Ridiculous!

Tan Yao: You know how clueless he is about this stuff.

Grandma Chi sighed.

Chi Ling didn’t notice any of this. “Honestly, I might just book a private room instead of going to their place. What do you think?”

He looked to Tan Yao for her opinion.

Tan Yao was about to say, “That won’t work.” If they didn’t go, Yu Qiu and Duan Yu might take it the wrong way.

Before she could speak, Grandma Chi said, “Why go to a restaurant? It’s the 28th already. Let’s just go to the Duan’s,” she paused, then added, “Besides, I haven’t had Yu Qiu’s cooking in ages.”

Chi Ling smiled. “Alright then.”

Tan Yao breathed a sigh of relief and sneaked a glance at Chi Yunxing. Seeing no change in his expression, she finally relaxed.

But what she didn’t know was that Chi Yunxing wasn’t calm—he was nervous.

With the whole family there, he couldn’t show it. He had to keep a straight face to hide how he felt.

The last time he saw Yu Qiu was on Duan Zhiyan’s birthday. Back then, he liked Duan Zhiyan, but they weren’t together yet.

Now it was different. They were together. Visiting the Duan family now means it was basically meeting the parents.

Just thinking about it made Chi Yunxing tense.

That night, he tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.

Finally, he pulled out his phone and messaged Duan Zhiyan.

[Chi Yunxing: QAQ Zhiyan Ge, did you know my family’s coming to your place for dinner tomorrow?]

Duan Zhiyan didn’t reply. He was probably still asleep.

Chi Yunxing knew he wouldn’t get a reply, but he had to say something to someone. So he kept texting.

[Chi Yunxing: I’m kind of nervous… I don’t even know how to explain it. I just am. I’ve met Aunt Yu before, but it’s different now. We’re together. What if she finds out?]

[Chi Yunxing: Oh right, I haven’t met your dad either.]

[Chi Yunxing: Ugh, I’m nervous, but I’m also kind of happy since I get to see you again tomorrow.]

…

He didn’t remember when he fell asleep. The next morning, Chi Xiwen’s knock woke him up.

“Yunxing, get up. We’re leaving soon.”

Chi Yunxing opened his eyes briefly, stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, then yawned. “Okay, I’m getting up.”

After washing up and changing clothes, he remembered to check his phone to see if Duan Zhiyan had replied.

Duan Zhiyan had sent a message two hours ago.

[Duan Zhiyan: I just found out.]

[Duan Zhiyan: Do you want to see them?]

[Duan Zhiyan: If you don’t, I can cancel it.]

Reading those, Chi Yunxing couldn’t help but smile.

[Chi Yunxing: But even if we cancel, our families are still going to visit each other for New Year, right?]

Duan Zhiyan replied instantly.

[Duan Zhiyan: Right.]

[Chi Yunxing: …]

[Chi Yunxing: Forget it. Sooner or later, we have to meet.]

Duan Zhiyan sent a smirking emoji.

Even through the screen, Chi Yunxing could feel his amusement.

[Chi Yunxing: I’m off to eat!]

After sending that, Chi Yunxing ignored him.

After breakfast, the family rested for a while, then set off for the Duan home.

Chi Yunxing was already very familiar with the area but soon after they set out, he realized they weren’t headed toward Duan Zhiyan’s usual villa.

Tan Yao noticed his confusion and smiled. “We’re going to the Duan family’s old estate this time. You haven’t been there before, but it’s not far. We’re almost there.”

Sure enough, not long after she spoke, Chi Ling drove into a quiet estate.

After five minutes of driving inside, the car stopped in front of a villa.

As soon as the car stopped, the Duan family’s butler opened the door, and Duan Zhiyan came out first.

Chi Yunxing’s eyes lit up when he saw him.

Following closely behind Duan Zhiyan were Yu Qiu and a man who looked very much like him.

Chi Yunxing quickly recognized him—Duan Yu, Duan Zhiyan’s father.

Chi Ling got out first and helped Grandma Chi out of the car.

Duan Yu and Yu Qiu smiled and greeted her. Then, both of them looked over at Chi Yunxing.

Chi Yunxing opened the car door. Just as he was about to step out, a familiar hand reached toward him.

He looked up and met Duan Zhiyan’s smiling eyes.

Mindful of others, Chi Yunxing didn’t take the hand, only whispered, “I can get out myself.”

Duan Zhiyan didn’t insist. He just stood aside. Once Chi Yunxing got out, he closed the door for him.

Yu Qiu and Duan Yu took it all in and exchanged a glance—now they were sure.

“This is Yunxing, right?” Duan Yu smiled warmly.

Chi Yunxing looked at him shyly, nodded, and greeted him. “Uncle.”

Yesterday, from a distance, Duan Yu hadn’t gotten a good look. Now, seeing Chi Yunxing up close, he studied him carefully, his eyes growing slightly red.

“You look a lot like your mom. And a bit like your dad—especially the nose,” Duan Yu said with a smile.

Tan Yao nodded. “Yeah, only the nose looks like his dad.”

Chi Ling smiled helplessly.

Duan Yu burst into laughter.

But before he could laugh too much, Yu Qiu gave him a slap—her eyes saying clearly: Do you want your son to stay single forever?

Duan Yu immediately fell silent, cleared his throat, and smiled at Chi Ling. “Old Chi, don’t be mad!”

Chi Ling chuckled. “You’re just telling the truth. Why would I be mad?”

Duan Yu let out a sigh of relief.

Tan Yao saw all this and realized Yu Qiu must already know. She gave her a smile.

Yu Qiu frowned in mock annoyance. “You couldn’t have told me earlier?”

Tan Yao gave a helpless smile.

Grandma Chi spoke up, “Let’s go inside.”

Duan Yu quickly stepped forward and offered Grandma Chi his arm. “Aunt Liu, let me help you.”

She handed him her arm and led the group inside.

Chi Ling and Tan Yao followed. Yu Qiu glanced at her son, who was already glued to Chi Yunxing, and shook her head slightly.

Chi Yunxing and Duan Zhiyan followed behind. While no one was looking, they leaned close and secretly hooked their pinkies.

Even though they’d seen each other just yesterday, being together again today, neither could hide the affection in their eyes.

Duan Zhiyan leaned in, his lips almost brushing Chi Yunxing’s forehead—

Suddenly, Chi Xiwen squeezed between them and completely separated them.

And as if nothing had happened, he wrapped an arm around each of their shoulders and smiled, “Let’s go in together.”

Chi Yunxing: “……”

Duan Zhiyan: “……”