“Dad…” Xia Zichen called out to Xia Yuze. He didn’t know when his father had been standing there, and his face immediately grew hot with embarrassment.
Looking at his son’s awkward expression, Xia Yuze’s smile carried a hint of helplessness. He had originally locked the car and was about to head upstairs, but when he turned around, he saw his son kissing another man. The lighting there was very dim and most people wouldn’t have noticed it, but this was his son—he could recognize him even from just a silhouette.
“Go home first,” Xia Yuze gestured for Xia Zichen to follow him upstairs.
Xia Zichen obediently followed behind his father and went home with his head lowered. He didn’t think he had done anything wrong, he was just a bit embarrassed. After all, anyone would feel awkward being seen by a parent in a situation like that. If anything was a mistake, it was that he hadn’t told his father earlier.
After returning home, Xia Yuze didn’t rush to ask questions. Only after both of them had showered and changed into home clothes did he call Xia Zichen over.
“Have you thought about how you’re going to say it?” Sitting on the sofa with a cup of coffee, Xia Yuze asked.
“When were you standing there?” Xia Zichen pressed his lips together and asked instead.
“When were you hoping I was standing there?” Xia Yuze countered.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hide it from you.” Xia Zichen apologized first for keeping it from him. Although this wasn’t a big issue between father and son, for Xia Zichen—who had only ever had his father by his side—it still made him feel guilty.
“I’m not angry about that,” Xia Yuze looked at his slightly downcast son and smiled. “Dad just wants to know who that person is.”
“Mm.” Xia Zichen nodded. Since childhood, Xia Yuze had never lost his temper with him. Even when he made mistakes, his father always reasoned with him. “His name is Gu Xu. Our meeting is a bit complicated… he met me when I registered for university, and I met him in a game…”
After that, Xia Zichen told Xia Yuze everything about how they met, in full detail, including how he had gone to Gu Xu’s company earlier that day. However, he omitted the part where the Gu family had once considered hiring Xia Yuze and had investigated him. That detail made him uncomfortable when he heard it, and he didn’t want his father, the person involved, to feel the same.
Xia Yuze listened carefully. Xia Zichen was usually quiet, and father and son hadn’t sat down like this in a long time, with Xia Zichen doing almost all the talking.
As Xia Zichen spoke, especially when mentioning Gu Xu, his eyes lit up with happiness. He looked genuinely joyful, despite the slight awkwardness in front of his father. It was clear how serious and invested he was in this relationship.
“If I hadn’t run into you today, when were you planning to tell me?” Xia Yuze asked after listening to everything, taking a sip of coffee.
“Actually, before the holiday he already mentioned wanting to meet you, but I didn’t know how to bring it up… so I kept delaying it,” Xia Zichen explained.
“You…” Xia Yuze sighed helplessly. “Dad can see you really like him. I was worried you’d stay single forever, so I’m glad you’ve found someone. But as for what kind of person Gu Xu is, I still need to observe him properly.”
As a parent, he naturally thought more deeply and saw further than young people.
“As for how far you two can go, I won’t interfere. After all, it’s your relationship,” Xia Yuze said, patting Xia Zichen’s hair. “But no matter what happens, I hope you learn how to manage a relationship, understand love, and keep a calm mindset while cherishing what you have.”
“I understand, Dad,” Xia Zichen nodded seriously.
Although his father’s own relationship had been unsuccessful, the wisdom in his words was not wrong. After stepping out of that failed relationship, his father had quickly adjusted and started a new life. That was something Xia Zichen admired deeply.
“Then let’s have him come over for a meal one day,” Xia Yuze said.
“Okay.” Xia Zichen agreed immediately. “I’ll call him later.”
After that incident, Gu Xu hadn’t brought up meeting his father again, likely not wanting to pressure him. Even though today’s encounter had been awkward, it also pushed things forward.
When Gu Xu returned home, he received Xia Zichen’s call and heard about what had happened. After learning that Xia Yuze wanted to meet him, Gu Xu agreed without hesitation. They quickly set a time for the following weekend.
Although there were still a few days before the meeting, Gu Xu had already started asking about Xia Yuze’s preferences. Xia Zichen was somewhat overwhelmed by the questions.
When it came to his father’s likes, Xia Zichen honestly couldn’t say much. His father had lived a difficult life before and never really had the luxury to develop hobbies. He had spent most of his time simply trying to survive. Now that life had improved, he still didn’t have many particular preferences—he didn’t smoke or drink, and he wasn’t picky with food. At most, he had started to enjoy life a little more, watching movies or listening to music when he had time. But calling those “hobbies” felt like a stretch.
During this time, the company officially opened. Xia Zichen didn’t attend the opening day, but the next evening they had dinner together to celebrate and discuss the meeting with his father.
Xia Zichen rested his chin on his hand, watching Gu Xu ask questions one after another, and eventually came to a conclusion—Gu Xu was nervous.
Of course, he didn’t say it out loud, in case it hurt Gu Xu’s pride. But seeing him like this, Xia Zichen found it genuinely cute—responsible in a very endearing way.
On Saturday noon, Gu Xu arrived carrying gifts. Xia Zichen had just gotten up not long ago and was wandering around the house in pajamas. Xia Yuze, slightly dizzy from watching him drift around, went into the kitchen to check the soup.
The doorbell rang. Xia Zichen quickly went to open the door and saw Gu Xu in casual clothes, smiling.
“You’re early,” he said.
The appointment was for lunch, so Gu Xu was neither early nor late.
“You just got up?” Gu Xu asked, looking at his slightly messy hair.
“A while ago,” Xia Zichen said, letting him in. “Didn’t I say you didn’t need to bring anything?”
Last night, Xia Yuze had said Gu Xu didn’t need to bring gifts. It seemed like his father had a bit of a mischievous side—making Gu Xu struggle over choosing gifts, only to say at the last moment that it wasn’t necessary. Xia Zichen suspected this was intentional.
“Just a small gift for uncle. It’s my first visit, I shouldn’t come empty-handed,” Gu Xu said as he changed into slippers he had prepared in advance.
Hearing the voice, Xia Yuze came out of the kitchen. “You’re here?”
Last time it had been too dark to see clearly, but today in proper light, his first impression of Gu Xu was quite good.
“Hello uncle, I’m Gu Xu,” he said politely, handing over the gift. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I picked something on my own. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Didn’t I tell Zichen you didn’t need to bring anything yesterday? It’s just a simple meal,” Xia Yuze said, taking the gift and glancing at Xia Zichen.
“It’s fine. I bought it earlier anyway.”
He opened it and saw a beautifully crafted coffee set and some high-quality ground coffee beans. Although Xia Zichen couldn’t clearly define his father’s preferences, from the small details he had mentioned, Gu Xu guessed that he was someone who enjoyed life quietly. People like that often enjoyed making coffee for themselves.
Xia Zichen poured coffee and brought fruit water, then naturally retreated to the kitchen to cook, leaving the father and guest to talk alone.
“You can eat some fruit first,” Xia Yuze said.
“No need to be so formal,” Gu Xu replied. He could already smell the aroma of soup from the kitchen—it was clear the meal had been prepared with care.
“Today Zichen is cooking. We’re just waiting to eat.”
“He cooks?” Gu Xu glanced toward the kitchen.
“If he’s in a good mood, he can cook a full table of dishes. If he’s not, he might just give you a bowl of plain noodles,” Xia Yuze said with a smile. “Has he ever cooked for you?”
“Just instant food,” Gu Xu replied honestly.
“Then eat more today.”
Their conversation gradually turned to family matters. Gu Xu explained his background clearly—his family, the Gu Corporation in N City, and his current independent game company.
After hearing the name “Gu Corporation,” Xia Yuze understood immediately. As a lawyer specializing in commercial cases, he knew the N City business circle very well.
“Your family agreed to your relationship with Zichen?” he asked.
“They’re fully supportive. They’ll return around November to meet him,” Gu Xu replied calmly. “Zichen won’t be wronged in my family.”
After further conversation, Xia Yuze gradually relaxed. He could tell Gu Xu was steady, thoughtful, and not arrogant. More importantly, he always considered Xia Zichen’s feelings first.
Finally, he nodded. “When your parents return, let’s have a meal together.”
“Alright,” Gu Xu agreed.
From start to finish, both men felt that the relationship between the two young people was sincere. And for Xia Zichen, that was perhaps the best kind of future.