Chapter 16

Chen Ang’s good mood didn’t last long. The weekend had arrived, and he had to go home for dinner.

The Chen family home was in a villa area halfway up the mountain, a property Chen Zhengde had bought when he retired. By the time Chen Ang stepped through the door, Chen Jing had already arrived and was in the living room arguing with Zhou Cheng’an. Even their fights were cold and composed, like blades wrapped in silk, cutting back and forth. Chen Ang, worried about making things awkward, lingered in the entryway and didn’t dare step in.

Chen Jing said, “We talked about this before we got married. Do you even understand how long I’ll have to put things on hold if I get pregnant?”

Zhou Cheng’an replied, “Yes, we talked about it. But we never said we’d never have children. If we wait a few more years, you’ll…”

Chen Jing let out a cold laugh. “Won’t be able to conceive anymore, right? Then why don’t you go find someone younger?”

Zhou Cheng’an’s tone turned sharp. “Chen Jing, this is ridiculous. Do you even want this marriage anymore?”

Chen Jing leaned back on the sofa, face expressionless. “Zhou Cheng’an, think about it. If you hadn’t married me, you’d still be a nobody working as a clerk in the district office.”

Chen Ang had heard enough. The conversation was getting out of hand. He acted like he didn’t know anything and walked in to interrupt them. “Sister, brother-in-law, you two came early? Where are Mom and Dad?”

Zhou Cheng’an’s face was tight with anger. He gave Chen Ang a stiff nod and went upstairs.

“They went out for a walk,” Chen Jing said. She pulled a pack of cigarettes from her coat pocket, took one out, and was about to light it.

Chen Ang quickly said, “Don’t smoke inside. If Dad smells it later, he’ll give you an earful.”

Chen Jing clicked her tongue in annoyance, got up, and said, “Come on, let’s go outside and smoke.”

The two siblings went to the study’s balcony. Chen Jing lit her cigarette and took a long drag. She usually wore full makeup, but today her face was bare. Chen Ang thought she looked more worn out since getting married and couldn’t help but try to talk sense into her.

“Stop fighting all the time. Can’t you two just try to get along?”

Chen Jing ruffled her hair and let out a short laugh. “Xiao Ang, do you think your life is any better than mine?”

“…” Chen Ang paused. “It’s alright, I guess. Just getting by.”

Chen Jing said, “Isn’t life just something you muddle through? You get by day after day until one day it’s all behind you. What’s supposed to be interesting about that? You’ll understand eventually.”

Her expression was layered with things she didn’t say. Chen Ang was about to respond when their parents, Chen Zhengde and He Wan, returned. The moment they stepped into the courtyard, they spotted the two siblings standing on the balcony. Chen Jing quickly stubbed out her cigarette and waved down at them.

Chen Ang followed suit, waving. “Don’t let them catch on.”

Chen Jing didn’t care. “You think they don’t already know?”

Dinner was surprisingly peaceful. He An was there too, which helped. Chen Zhengde had always looked down on things like music and painting, calling them frivolous pursuits. But since He An wasn’t his son, he couldn’t say much. Zhou Cheng’an stayed silent the entire meal. Chen Jing and Chen Ang tossed a few jokes back and forth. Their mother, He Wan, was as soft-natured as always. She liked He An a lot and kept piling food onto his plate. The meal passed with laughter and chatter.

Afterward, Chen Ang gave He An a ride. On the way, he couldn’t help but ask.

“How did you meet Xu Heng?”

He An gave him a quick glance. The two had grown up together and even studied abroad around the same time. They didn’t run in the same social circles anymore, but they knew each other well enough.

“At a bar,” He An said. “Pretty sure it was his first time there. He looked totally clueless. I just started talking to him.”

Chen Ang didn’t respond. His face was blank, lost in thought.

He An added, “He’s a good kid. If you’re just messing around, then don’t drag him into it. Walk away before it gets ugly…”

Chen Ang suddenly slammed the brakes. The jolt yanked He An forward, the seatbelt catching hard across his chest. He winced, confused, and turned to look at him.

Chen Ang said calmly, “You’re home.”

He An hesitated, looked like he wanted to say more, then gave up. He unbuckled and got out.

Chen Ang rolled down the window. “When are you going back to France?”

“In a few days. Gonna spend a little more time with my mom.”

Chen Ang gave a nod. “Then get going already.”

He An didn’t reply.

Chen Ang turned the car around and started driving home. But when he hit a red light at an intersection, he changed his mind. At the next turn, he veered off and headed toward Xu Heng’s place.

Parking in the old part of town was a nightmare. Chen Ang circled the block several times before finally finding a spot. He got out and walked the rest of the way. On the way, he passed a flower shop that was just about to close. He bought a bouquet of hydrangeas.

The shop owner said, now that it was autumn, this would be the last batch of the year.

Standing downstairs from Xu Heng’s apartment, Chen Ang pulled out his phone and started a voice call on WeChat. It didn’t take long for Xu Heng to pick up.

“Hello—” Xu Heng’s voice still carried a bit of congestion.

Chen Ang asked, “You free right now?”

“Sort of. Why?”

“Didn’t you say you’d treat me to a meal?”

“Now?”

Chen Ang chuckled. “Buy me some pudding cake.”

Xu Heng clearly hesitated for a moment. “How about tomorrow?”

Chen Ang dropped the smile, playing it up on purpose. “Then I’ll leave.”

“You’re already here?”

“Yeah.”

“Then… wait a bit,” Xu Heng said.

He was serious about treating Chen Ang to a meal. While still on the call, he ordered takeaway pudding cake and slipped on a pair of slippers, making soft pattering sounds as he hurried downstairs to open the door. The moment he opened it, Chen Ang shoved a bouquet into his hands. Xu Heng looked flustered, mumbling a shy thank-you before leading Chen Ang upstairs.

As soon as Chen Ang stepped into the apartment, he spotted the old bridal bouquet from last time. Xu Heng had dried the flowers and placed them in a glass jar beside the TV. It actually looked really nice. Xu Heng took the dried bouquet out, trimmed the stems on the new one, and arranged it in fresh water.

He must have been doing something just now. The table was a mess, with several books scattered around. Chen Ang’s eyes landed on one in particular, Intro to Japanese, tucked under a pile of vocabulary cards.

Xu Heng quickly stuffed everything into a drawer.

Chen Ang asked, “You’re into this? If you really want to learn, it’s better to take a proper class.”

Xu Heng didn’t say much. “Just browsing.”

Chen Ang didn’t push. They weren’t that close, not enough to have deep conversations, and trying would only make things more awkward. Still, the silence between them now felt uncomfortable in its own way. They sat facing each other, waiting. The food hadn’t arrived yet, and they had never really talked before. Neither of them knew how to start.

Chen Ang broke the silence. “Your livestream…”

Xu Heng responded with some embarrassment. “Ah, that. Please stop tipping me.”

Chen Ang looked curious. “I’ve seen other streamers. None of them act like you do. You never respond to tips.”

Xu Heng asked, “Respond how?”

“Like this…”

Chen Ang opened his phone and randomly pulled up a stream by a pretty girl. Just as someone sent her a tip, she struck a cutesy cat pose and said sweetly, “Thank you for the gift, big brother, meow~”

Chen Ang looked at Xu Heng. “Like that.”

Xu Heng stared at him. “…”

Chen Ang leaned in. “Want to try?”

Xu Heng gave him a look. “You’re insane.”