TT Chapter 47. Finale

Early the next morning, Chen Ting and Pei Yiyao rushed back to campus for class. They planned to head into the city for lunch together afterward.

Chen Su, still thinking about the ducks and geese back home, insisted on leaving and had already booked an afternoon high-speed rail ticket. Ruan Xin could not change her mind, so she gave in, but reminded her half-jokingly that next time, she had to stay for a few more days, otherwise she might as well not come at all.

It turned out that a pair of lifelong best friends, no matter how old they got, could still behave like middle schoolers whenever they were together.

The three men present were reduced to little more than background props. At least Chen Ting and Pei Yiyao could still form a CP, but poor Pei Anqing, aside from peeling shrimp for his wife, he served no other function.

Pei Yiyao followed his father’s example and peeled shrimp for Chen Ting as well.

But Chen Ting was quick on the uptake. Just as Pei Yiyao was about to drop the shrimp into his bowl, Chen Ting stopped him, picked up one of the shrimp himself, popped it in his mouth, and moments later spat out a nearly perfect shell.

See? No need to peel it at all. Piece of cake.

Pei Yiyao was genuinely impressed by his boyfriend. Without missing a beat, he dropped the shrimp into Ruan Xin’s bowl instead, and was immediately praised by Chen Su.

Chen Ting sat nearby, quietly chewing his shrimp with a look of perfect innocence, as if completely unaware of what Cool Guy was trying to pull. A short while later, five neatly arranged shrimp shells had appeared on his plate.

He leaned in and whispered to Pei Yiyao, “I’m really good at peeling crab too. I’ll peel one for you next time.”

Since the high-speed rail station was far from N University, Chen Su insisted Chen Ting not come along to see her off. Ruan Xin and Pei Anqing went instead. Before leaving, Chen Su pulled Chen Ting aside and slipped five hundred yuan into his hand, telling him to save it for food.

“Mom, didn’t I tell you I’m working now? I have money.” Chen Ting tried to give it back.

“I’m not short on money either. You’ve been eating more lately, haven’t you? Don’t go hungry.” Chen Su patted his head. No matter how wounded his expression looked, she still managed to tuck the money into his pocket in the end.

And then, as always, she asked, “Have you been happy lately?”

Chen Ting nodded over and over. With his round, rosy cheeks, the answer was more convincing than any words.

Chen Su smiled and nodded back. But for some reason, she seemed unusually sentimental today. Her gaze held a softness that hinted at something unspoken.

“Next time you have a break, bring Yiyao home with you,” she said.

Chen Ting froze for a moment. It felt like she had seen right through him. He nodded, but couldn’t manage to say a word. Even after Chen Su got into Pei Anqing’s car and waved goodbye, he was still a little dazed.

If Chen Su had surprised him, it was the kind of surprise that came like a gentle tide brushing over a riverside beach, leaving behind a field of seashells, and a tiny crab standing among them, waving its claws and blowing bubbles.

“My mom definitely figured it out!” The little crab clung to his boyfriend’s arm and draped most of his weight onto him.

Pei Yiyao steadied him with one hand. “Really?”

Chen Ting blinked. “Of course really. She even said I should bring you home next time.”

A wave of relief swept through Pei Yiyao’s chest, followed by a new wave of anxiety. Chen Su’s attitude seemed promising, and coming out might actually be possible. But it was precisely because of that hope that he felt it needed to be done with care.

“Why are you frowning?” Chen Ting frowned too. “Don’t want to come home with me?”

“I’m not.” Pei Yiyao pulled him into a hug and buried his face in the crook of his neck, taking a deep breath. “I was just thinking about what gift to bring.”

“Anything’s fine,” Chen Ting said. Then, as if something occurred to him, he added, “Just don’t bring another chicken.”

Pei Yiyao could hear the subtle complaint in his tone and sighed softly as he reached up to ruffle his hair.

Chen Ting didn’t resist. His dark eyes darted around the people nearby as he whispered, “Everyone’s staring at us. You want to let go?”

“No.”

“Oh.”

“Afternoon classes are about to start,” Chen Ting reminded him.

“…Let’s go.” Pei Yiyao finally released him, but still kept his hand in his.

Chen Ting thought to himself, He really does love school more than me.

---

By now, it was June. Only a month remained before summer break. Time flew by. That last month passed in the blink of an eye. Once everything was ready, Pei Yiyao drove his Hummer to pick up Chen Ting, and the two of them set out for home.

To Yang Shulin, it felt like sending a daughter off to get married. He escorted Chen Ting to the school gate with endless reluctance, waving for a long time, moved by his own sentimentality.

The three of them were not exactly being discreet. Pei Yiyao’s Hummer drew far too much attention. With summer vacation just beginning, people were coming and going in waves at the gate. The gossip-loving crowd watched the whole scene with great interest. A few who knew Yang Shulin went over to ask about it.

“Saint Laurent, where’s our campus heartthrob taking Chen Ting this time?”

“Right? Other campus idols are always with pretty girls, and he’s always with Chen Ting. Tsk, tsk. Can I ride in that car just once…”

“Out, out!” Yang Shulin waved them off in disgust. “You think those are beauties? Our Ting Ting is the real deal. I’ll have you know they’re going to meet the parents, you ignorant commoners.”

“Pfft! Meet the parents? Are you serious?”

“Wow, what an imagination.”

“…Right.”

Yang Shulin threw up his hands. He was telling the truth, but nobody believed him. Who could he blame? This generation of college students has no imagination at all.

Before long, the small crowd began to scatter. Some hauled their luggage into taxis, others left in groups aboard rented buses, and couples who could not bear to part clung to each other by the roadside. In the classroom buildings, the bell for the final exam had just rung. The semester was over.

One wave of students after another left the school grounds, carrying with them either joy or sadness. Yang Shulin dragged his luggage toward the station, listening as the students around him chatted about the new semester.

“In another two months, there’ll be a fresh batch of new students. Do you think it’ll cause as much of a stir as last year?”

“You mean someone like Pei Yiyao?”

“You think good-looking guys grow like crops?”

“Please, no more Cool Guy 2.0. If someone like that shows up again, send him off to date boys…”

“That’s not any better. My girlfriend keeps shipping CPs all day long, and now even I think Ting Ting is kind of adorable.”

“…Damn.”

“Damn.”

“Damn.”

“Don’t look at me like that. I have a girlfriend, alright?”

“…”

In the taxi, Yang Shulin rolled down the window and looked back at the front gate of N University one last time. A wave of hope suddenly filled his heart. A new semester meant more cute junior girls. This time, he was going to succeed.
And if not… well, he would accept his fate as a lifelong bachelor.

Elsewhere, Chen Ting and Pei Yiyao had merged onto the highway and made good time. They arrived at Chen Ting’s home just before sunset. As always, they stopped first at his house onshore to settle in, then headed over to the boat house for dinner.

Pei Yiyao would be going abroad again that summer, so they only had three days to deal with “the relationship talk.”

Chen Ting, however, remained as easygoing as ever. In his mind, the fact that Pei Yiyao had made time to come home with him was more than enough. What he admired most about Pei Yiyao was not just how capable he was, but how he kept striving for what he believed in.

By the time they stepped onto the boat house, the sun had just set. The glow of evening shimmered over the water. Two large white geese came chasing after a duck, honking loudly as they darted past the side of the boat and disappeared into the reeds.

“That one’s Pirate Pegleg, and the other is Governor.” Chen Ting introduced his noisy family members. The arrogant one running in front was Pirate Pegleg, named for his habit of stealing food. The clumsy one chasing behind was Governor, which in the local dialect sounded a lot like “fool.”

Pei Yiyao smiled and paused to glance at them, as if greeting them. Then he turned and looked toward the boat house. A lotus lantern hung under the eaves, gently glowing. Beneath it stood Chen Su, waiting for them.

Chen Ting dashed ahead, curls bouncing in the evening breeze. “Mom, I’m home again!”

Chen Su smiled gently and patted his head. Her gaze moved past him to Pei Yiyao. “Yiyao, you’re here too. Come in, the food’s ready.”

“Hello, Auntie.” As soon as he saw her, the tension crept back into Pei Yiyao’s chest. But maybe it was the warm light at the door, or the familiar smell of home cooking drifting through the curtain. By the time he stepped inside, he found himself slowly starting to relax.

“Wash up and come eat,” Chen Su called, pulling a bottle of Coke from the cabinet, one she had bought just for Chen Ting. She accepted the gift Pei Yiyao had brought with the same easy grace, setting it aside in the same cabinet without asking what it was worth or caring how expensive it might be.

Because she received it so naturally, Pei Yiyao relaxed even more. When he glanced over and saw Chen Ting chugging Coke, he reached out to stop him.

“That’s enough.”

Chen Ting clearly disagreed. “It’s not like I’m drinking alcohol. Who cuts people off from Coke?”

“Yiyao’s right. Coke’s not good for you if you drink too much,” Chen Su chimed in, siding with Pei Yiyao. Under the combined gaze of the two, Chen Ting reluctantly put the bottle down and picked up his chopsticks to eat.

Chen Su ladled out a bowl of chicken soup and passed it to him. As she handed it over, she gave his face a long look and hesitated. “Ting Ting, have you put on weight again?”

“Cough—cough—” Chen Ting almost choked on the soup.

Pei Yiyao gently patted his back, only to get a fierce glare in return. Chen Ting had definitely gained more than three and a half pounds by now. Before leaving campus, he’d stepped on the scale again. He had gained five whole pounds.

“It’s just a little water weight, Mom.”

Chen Ting stuck to his story. Neither Chen Su nor Pei Yiyao exposed him. They were afraid too much talk might make him cry. But even so, Chen Ting did not eat any less that meal. He didn’t believe in losing weight by starving himself. And anyway, Pei Yiyao was going abroad for the next two months.

Without Pei Yiyao around, there would be no one to fatten him up.

After dinner, the two younger ones helped Chen Su clean the table. When everything was done, it was just past seven. Chen Ting and Pei Yiyao exchanged a look and made their decision. It was time to come clean.

“Mom, have a seat. There’s something I want to tell you.” Chen Ting held his mother’s arm and guided her to the sofa. He and Pei Yiyao then stood in front of her, side by side, looking proper and solemn. The setup was full of ceremony.

The lighting in the room was warm but not too bright. Under its soft glow, the two young men stood still. One with striking features and a cool demeanor, the other cheerful and sweet. Even their heights matched perfectly.

Chen Ting took a deep breath and grasped Pei Yiyao’s hand. “Mom…”

“Yes,” Chen Su replied immediately.

“Huh?” Chen Ting froze.

Chen Su realized she had answered too soon and gave a slightly sheepish smile. “Weren’t you two about to make it official? Of course Mom’s fine with it.”

Mom, that’s not ‘making it official,’ that’s called coming out. Maybe lay off the celebrity gossip for a while…

“Auntie, I really do like Chen Ting,” Pei Yiyao said, finally finding his chance to speak. “I hope I can have your blessing.”

As soon as he spoke, both Chen Ting and Chen Su turned to look at him.

“I’ll do my best to make him happy. Even though we’re both guys, happiness has nothing to do with gender. I know I’m still young, but you and my parents… you all know the kind of person I am. So please, give me a chance.”

Chen Su’s smile softened. She turned to Chen Ting and asked, “And what about you?”

Chen Ting had just been moved to the point of tearing up. But being asked something so direct by his own mother made him instantly want to defend his dignity as a liberal arts student. He almost launched into a heartfelt speech. Almost. But in the end, the embarrassment was too much. His instincts kicked in, and instead of answering, he hugged Pei Yiyao tight. Then he turned back to look at his mom with bright eyes and flushed cheeks.

“Alright, alright. I get it,” Chen Su said, suddenly feeling like she couldn’t even look at them anymore. She waved it off and stood up, giving them their space. “I’ll leave you two to it.”

Chen Ting was still hanging on Pei Yiyao. The hug had come from impulse, but now that he was attached, letting go felt like a real problem.

“How long are you planning to hold on?” he murmured. Back at home, he slipped into his local dialect again. His voice turned soft and lilting, with a faint note of playful complaint.

“Just a little while,” Pei Yiyao replied, rubbing his cheek against Chen Ting’s. He had no intention of letting go.

“Your ‘little while’ is not the same as anyone else’s,” Chen Ting muttered. But in that moment, his feelings were so full that he did not want to pull away either. They stayed like that, wrapped around each other, holding on for a long time.

Like a pair of fools.

“Alright, let go. I want to show you something,” Chen Ting finally coaxed him free. Once he had him loose, he led Pei Yiyao quietly out of the boat house, though they did not go far.

Not far from the boat house was a small dock, where the Chen family kept a little wooden boat.

Chen Ting led Pei Yiyao aboard and began rowing slowly down the river, heading in the direction of the moon. Before long, they drifted into a wide patch of reeds.

“Here we are.” Chen Ting stopped, clearly excited. He patted the spot beside him. “Lie down and look up. We can see the stars from here, way better than in N City. And if we’re lucky, we might even see fireflies.”

Pei Yiyao lay down just as he was told. He stretched out one arm so that Chen Ting could rest his head in the crook of it.

The little boat drifted gently, the soft ripples of the water tapping against the wooden boards beneath their backs. Crickets chirped, and a wild duck called out from somewhere in the reeds. All of it mingled with the evening breeze, like a lullaby from a grandmother’s house.

Above them was a night sky the city could never offer, deep and full of stars, so quiet it made everything else fade away.

“What a shame. There seem to be fewer stars than there used to be.” Chen Ting had not looked up at his hometown sky like this in a long time. Even the scent of the reeds carried something distant, something forgotten.

But he still remembered what his father had once told him: a man should look up at the stars often. That way, he would not cry so easily.

“They haven’t gone anywhere,” Pei Yiyao said softly.

“You never saw them before,” Chen Ting retorted, flipping over to lie on his stomach, propping himself up to look at Pei Yiyao. “Be honest. Even when you’re sweet-talking someone, you still have to follow the basic laws of decency.”

Pei Yiyao met his gaze, the starlight mirrored in his eyes. His lips curved upward, but he said nothing.

Chen Ting blinked. Then he blinked again. And at last, it dawned on him what Pei Yiyao meant.

It was unbearably sweet.

He leaned down to give a gentle kiss, but Pei Yiyao pulled him in and kissed him even deeper.

That night, with reeds swaying gently all around them, the wild ducks drifted farther into the dark, and a small hedgehog peeked out from the riverbank. On the little wooden boat, Chen Ting and Pei Yiyao lay together, arms wrapped around each other. Their noses brushed. Their lips met again and again, each kiss soft and warm.

The wind stirred, as if flowing backward through time. It rippled across the water and stretched the night a little longer. Long enough—

That they could go everywhere they wanted, and do everything they dreamed of, hand in hand.