ABOES 94: The Son’s Debts, The Father Repays

“I don’t agree! I absolutely will not agree!” Chi Ling roared, his anger flaring as he snatched up the rattan cane in front of him and hurled it to the floor. Glaring at Duan Yu, he practically shouted, “Duan Yu! You’re the worst!”

The sudden outburst made Duan Yu flinch hard. He knew this was coming!

But could he really be blamed? He shot a helpless look toward Duan Zhiyan and sighed silently.

Who told that little brat to go after Yunxing?! Everyone knew the youngest of the Chi family was the family’s treasure. If Chi Ling actually agreed to this, that would’ve been a real shocker.

“Hey, hey, Old Chi, calm down!” Duan Yu said with a forced smile. This was his own son they were talking about so for the sake of his future happiness, Duan Yu had to keep trying. “That’s why we’re here today—to talk things over with you, right?”

Chi Ling’s expression twisted as the realization hit. He let out a cold laugh. “No wonder. I was wondering what made you suddenly invite our whole family over for dinner. So this is what you had planned!”

“I’ve lost my appetite!” Chi Ling’s eyes were bloodshot. “One meal and you think you can snatch my son away? Dream on! Yunxing, we’re going home!”

Chi Yunxing had been frowning the entire time. Unable to hold back anymore, he started, “Dad—”

Before he could finish, Grandma Chi cut in. “Who’s going home with you?”

She’d already finished eating and was sitting off to the side watching TV. Now, she slowly stood up and walked back toward the table. As she passed Yunxing and Duan Zhiyan, she gently patted their shoulders and whispered, “It’s alright. Don’t worry.”

Chi Yunxing’s heart warmed. He murmured, “Grandma…”

Grandma Chi gave Duan Zhiyan a meaningful glance. He understood instantly.

“Should we step outside for now?” Duan Zhiyan asked quietly.

Chi Yunxing shook his head.

Duan Zhiyan said no more.

Grandma Chi sat down next to Chi Ling, making her position clear.

Chi Ling was fuming but knew better than to lash out at her. Instead, he settled for another furious glare at Duan Yu.

“Yunxing just got home,” he said through clenched teeth. “And now you people can’t wait to drag him away from us? You…”

His chest heaved violently, the rest of his words dying in his throat.

Tan Yao also stood up and gently said, “Don’t get too worked up. Let’s just talk this through.”

“What is there to talk about?” Chi Ling’s eyes were still red, but at least he sat down—though he turned his head stubbornly away from Duan Yu and Yu Qiu.

Duan Yu rubbed his nose and gave Grandma Chi and Tan Yao a grateful smile.

Chi Yunxing quietly watched the scene unfold and pressed his lips together. Suddenly, he understood why his father was so angry.

Ever since he started dating Duan Zhiyan, Chi Yunxing had thought many times about how his parents might react when they found out.

He figured that even if they didn’t fully approve, at the very least they’d be reassured. After all, Duan Zhiyan was someone they knew and trusted.

Yet now, seeing Chi Ling react this strongly, Chi Yunxing realized he’d been completely wrong.

He glanced at Tan Yao and Grandma Chi, then looked at Chi Xiwen sitting nearby with a cold, indifferent expression. The sourness in his chest deepened.

Chi Ling’s reaction now was exactly like Chi Xiwen’s back then.

At the time, Chi Yunxing had thought Chi Xiwen was just being petty toward Duan Zhiyan but now he realized that wasn’t the case at all.

Whether it was Chi Xiwen back then or Chi Ling today—they just didn’t want him to leave them so soon. They didn’t want to lose him again.

Chi Yunxing had thought that coming home meant the rest of the family would quickly move past the grief.

The truth was, only he had moved on so fast.

Because he had gained something—he had started fresh. It was easier for him to adapt.

But the rest of the family had gone through loss, then recovery. That emotional whiplash wasn’t something you just got over.

Especially after what happened with that scumbag Xia Huaiming.

So it made sense that Chi Ling and Chi Xiwen were afraid. Afraid he’d get hurt again. Afraid he’d be taken away.

Realizing this, Chi Yunxing relaxed completely.

The dining room had fallen into silence again. Just as Yu Qiu was about to speak, Chi Yunxing suddenly took Duan Zhiyan by the hand and walked over to Chi Ling.

“Dad,” he called softly.

Chi Ling was furious, but the anger was really aimed at Duan Yu. Even toward Duan Zhiyan, he hadn’t truly shown a harsh face. Now, seeing the two boys walk over, Chi Ling’s scowl eased a little. “What is it?”

His eyes were still red, either from the alcohol or the leftover rage.

Seeing him like this made Chi Yunxing’s nose sting but at the same time, his heart felt warm.

Only people who truly care get angry like this.

Chi Yunxing took a quiet breath, then glanced at Duan Zhiyan. Releasing his hand, he lifted the bouquet of sunflowers he had been holding and presented it to Chi Ling.

“Dad, what do you think of these flowers?” he asked with a smile.

Chi Ling had no idea what this kid was trying to pull. He’d been ready to firmly reject everything, but when he looked into Yunxing’s hopeful eyes, he swallowed those words and said instead, “They’re alright,” He paused, then asked, “Aren’t sunflowers a summer flower? Where’d you get these?”

He remembered that Yunxing had just gone out for a walk with Duan Zhiyan. Where the hell did that kid have time to buy flowers?

Then he realized that the flowers were from Duan Zhiyan.

Chi Ling’s face darkened again.

Unaware of this train of thought, Chi Yunxing beamed. “Zhiyan Ge grew them himself. He took me to see the whole patch just now. When he saw I liked them, he cut them for me and wrapped them himself. I love them.”

His eyes sparkled as he looked at Chi Ling, still smiling.

Tan Yao was genuinely surprised to hear Duan Zhiyan had grown them himself. She couldn’t help glancing at him.

Duan Zhiyan didn’t notice. His focus was entirely on Chi Yunxing and Chi Ling. Normally composed and reserved, it was easy to see how tense he was right now.

Chi Yunxing had made it so clear—how could Chi Ling not get the message?

His face darkened further. “Actually,” he said, changing his tone, “now that I look at them, they’re kind of average.”

Chi Yunxing didn’t mind. In fact, he nodded in agreement. “Fair enough. Everyone has their own preferences. Like, if you give the same bouquet to someone who loves flowers and someone who doesn’t, you’re going to get two very different reactions.”

Grandma Chi chuckled. “Yunxing’s right. I love flowers, but every flower has a different meaning. Like, the flowers Yunxing gave me feel very different from ones others give me,” She tapped her chest. “They carry a different weight.”

Everyone present could see what Chi Yunxing was doing—gentle persuasion.

Chi Xiwen let out a cold snort and interjected, “If you like homegrown flowers so much, I’ll plant some too. I’ll fill our whole backyard with them!”

Tan Yao shot him a glare. “No one’s stopping you from being quiet.”

Chi Xiwen opened his mouth to argue, but Grandma Chi spoke just in time. “Zhiyan grew those flowers for someone. Who are you growing yours for? Your company staff?”

Chi Xiwen: “……”

She wasn’t done. “Tsk, if you did that, I’m sure you’d hit the trending topics by the end of the day.”

Yu Qiu couldn’t help laughing. “She’s probably right.”

Chi Xiwen sulked and turned away, saying nothing more.

Grandma Chi, satisfied, added cheerfully, “Sunflowers are beautiful. I love them too. I remember your grandfather gave me some once and told me the flower’s meaning was admiration and passion.”

Yu Qiu nodded. “I’ve heard that too. I really like sunflowers.”

“Hmph,” Chi Ling grunted, clearly annoyed. “So what if you all like them? I don’t!”

Chi Yunxing finally spoke again. “But Dad, I like them. Zhiyan Ge gave me these, and that’s enough for me.”

“You’re still young,” Chi Ling said sharply. “You haven’t even graduated college. How do you know these sunflowers are the best you’ll ever get? What if there’s something better?”

Chi Yunxing smiled. “Didn’t you make your choice in college too?”

Chi Ling: “……”

Couldn’t argue with that.

Tan Yao let out a quiet laugh.

Chi Yunxing continued, “Besides, even if I meet better sunflowers, they can’t compare to this bouquet. Growing flowers takes time—from seed to sprout to bloom. It’s a long and complicated process. I don’t think anyone else would have the kind of patience Zhiyan Ge has.”

Chi Ling drew a deep breath, staring at him. “So you’ve really made up your mind?”

Duan Zhiyan, standing nearby, unconsciously tensed.

Chi Yunxing didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he turned to Duan Zhiyan, then reached out his hand.

A flicker of confusion crossed Duan Zhiyan’s face, but he didn’t hesitate. He took Chi Yunxing’s hand and clasped it tightly.

Chi Yunxing’s smile grew brighter. Holding Duan Zhiyan’s hand, he turned back to Chi Ling and said, “Dad, I was the one who chased Zhiyan Ge. From the very beginning, I already knew—he’s going to be part of my future.”

Chi Ling’s jaw clenched. His fists tightened on the table.

Tan Yao felt a complex rush of emotions, but having known the truth for longer, she was calmer than Chi Ling.

Chi Xiwen, however, was annoyed again. He stood up, kicked his chair back, and stormed out of the room.

Grandma Chi shot him a glare.

Now, the only truly delighted people in the room were Duan Yu and Yu Qiu.

If it weren’t such a serious moment, Duan Yu would’ve picked up Yu Qiu and spun her in circles.

God, their son really came through! They didn’t even have to lift a finger, and they were already halfway to victory!

He was definitely giving shares—extra shares!

Yu Qiu felt the same. Even if she was a little reluctant to give up Yunxing to their brat, she figured no one else would be good enough anyway. So despite the grumbling, she was mostly just happy.

Chi Ling, meanwhile, remained silent.

Chi Yunxing didn’t push him. He waited patiently.

After a while, he noticed his hand was feeling a little damp. Turning to look, he was surprised to see sweat trickling down Duan Zhiyan’s temple.

Chi Yunxing blinked. “Zhiyan Ge, you…”

“Hmm?” Duan Zhiyan turned quickly, his voice low. “What is it?”

Chi Yunxing licked his lips. He’d known Zhiyan was nervous but he hadn’t expected this level of tension.

Something inside his chest felt soft and warm. He shook his head and said nothing, just reached out and gently wiped the sweat away.

Yet that small, intimate gesture—so natural and affectionate—was the final trigger for Chi Ling.

He shot up from his seat and glared fiercely at Duan Zhiyan.

Chi Yunxing’s heart skipped a beat. Just as he instinctively stepped in front of Duan Zhiyan, afraid his dad might lose it and throw a punch—

Chi Ling turned to Duan Yu and yelled.

“You Duan bastard, get outside and fight me!”

Duan Yu blinked, confused. “…Huh?”