ABOES 91: Family Dinner

Duan Zhiyan peeled Chi Xiwen’s arm off his shoulders and muttered under his breath, “Childish.”

Chi Yunxing didn’t say anything, but for once, he actually nodded in agreement.

Chi Xiwen’s expression changed immediately. He shot Duan Zhiyan a glare and was just about to say something when Yu Qiu suddenly turned her head.

“Hurry up, it’s cold out here,” she said.

Duan Zhiyan answered, “Coming.”

He turned to Chi Xiwen. “What were you just about to say?”

Chi Xiwen gave a cold snort. “I was saying I’m doing this for your own good. What if someone notices your relationship with Yunxing?”

As he said this, he glanced over at Chi Yunxing.

Chi Yunxing said nothing and only looked quietly at Duan Zhiyan.

Duan Zhiyan just smiled and asked back, “And what if they do?”

Chi Xiwen’s face changed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“This thing between Yunxing and me—we’re going to tell them sooner or later,” Duan Zhiyan said in a low voice. “You still don’t get it, future brother-in-law?”

Chi Yunxing almost choked on his own spit and turned away, coughing hard several times.

Chi Xiwen was visibly stunned by that line. He froze in place, eyes wide, completely disbelieving—if you looked closely, there was even a trace of hidden panic in his expression.

Chi Yunxing’s coughing was loud enough that everyone ahead of them turned around.

“Yunxing, what’s wrong?” Tan Yao asked with concern. “Are you catching a cold?”

She started walking back toward them as she spoke.

Chi Yunxing quickly straightened up and waved his hand. “I’m fine! My throat just got a little scratchy all of a sudden.”

Yu Qiu came over too. She glanced at Duan Zhiyan before speaking to Chi Yunxing. “I’ll make you some ginger tea later. It’s almost New Year—you can’t get sick now.”

Chi Yunxing wasn’t sick at all, but there was no good way to explain, so he just nodded. “Okay, thank you, Aunt Yu.”

“Don’t mention it,” Yu Qiu said with a smile. She was already certain Duan Zhiyan had just been arguing with Chi Xiwen. As for what about—she didn’t really care. She stepped forward and gently took Chi Yunxing’s arm. “Come on, come inside with us first.”

As for Chi Xiwen and Duan Zhiyan, if they wanted to argue, let them.

Once Yu Qiu linked arms with Chi Yunxing, Chi Xiwen had no choice but to let go and watch as she led him inside.

Tan Yao waited until the two had gone in before asking, “What’s going on with you two again?”

Chi Xiwen didn’t answer. He was still in shock from that “future brother-in-law” and hadn’t recovered.

Duan Zhiyan gave a light laugh. “It’s nothing. We argue all the time.”

Tan Yao wasn’t really worried, she was only concerned about Chi Yunxing. Seeing Duan Zhiyan so relaxed, she didn’t press further. “Alright, then you two come inside. It’s getting windy.”

“Okay,” Duan Zhiyan nodded.

After she walked off, Duan Zhiyan glanced at the dazed Chi Xiwen. “How long are you planning to stand out here? If you want to stay in the wind, I won’t keep you company—brother-in-law.”

At that last part, Chi Xiwen stiffened again. Duan Zhiyan noticed it and saw him glare even harder.

Finding it amusing, Duan Zhiyan decided not to tease him any further and turned to head inside.

It was a good while before Chi Xiwen finally stepped into the house with a dark face.

Seeing this, Chi Yunxing couldn’t help but give Duan Zhiyan a questioning look.

Duan Zhiyan walked over and sat next to him. While everyone else was distracted, he gave Chi Yunxing’s hand a gentle squeeze.

Duan Zhiyan’s hands were warm, and his grip easily wrapped around Chi Yunxing’s. Skin to skin, surrounded by both families, the secret intimacy made tiny beads of sweat break out on Chi Yunxing’s nose.

Even so, he couldn’t bring himself to pull away. Instead, he sneaked out a finger and lightly traced Duan Zhiyan’s palm, like a feather brushing by.

Duan Zhiyan tightened his grip slightly, stopping him from messing around further.

Chi Yunxing’s lips curved into a faint smile and simply let the man hold on.

It wasn’t until Yu Qiu called them in for dinner that the two quietly let go of each other’s hands.

As soon as they sat at the dining table, Chi Ling commented, “Dinner’s kind of extravagant tonight.”

Duan Yu and Yu Qiu exchanged a glance before Duan Yu laughed and said, “What, Old Chi, you don’t like the food tonight?”

Chi Ling was caught off guard. “Why would you think that? I really meant it—it’s a feast.”

Duan Yu finally relaxed. “Good, good.” He patted his chest and let out a relieved sigh.

Chi Ling looked a little puzzled and was just about to ask when Yu Qiu interrupted, “Alright, alright, let’s eat before the food gets cold.”

Tan Yao nodded. “Yes, let’s eat.”

Grandma Chi picked up her chopsticks first and tried the dish nearest her. She smiled. “Yu Qiu’s cooking is still amazing!”

Yu Qiu laughed. “As long as you like it, Aunt Liu!” Then she turned to Chi Yunxing beside her. “Yunxing, just help yourself to whatever you like or if you can’t reach, let him help you.”

She pointed at Duan Zhiyan sitting next to him.

Chi Yunxing had been smiling, but that last line made his expression stiffen for a second.

“Alright, thank you, Aunt Yu,” he quickly said with a smile.