Looking at the neatly prepared spread of home-cooked dishes on the table, Xia Yuze looked up and said, “I didn’t expect you to know how to cook.”
Qiao Chuqin pulled out a chair for him and said modestly, “I don’t know that many dishes. I only learned the ones you like. Try them and see what you think.”
He had learned some of these dishes after noticing what Xia Yuze always ordered whenever they ate out together when they first met. The rest came from the information Gu Yan had helped him gather.
Xia Yuze picked up a bite with his chopsticks, tasted it, and nodded.
“It’s delicious.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
Only then did Qiao Chuqin finally relax.
Throughout the meal, they didn’t talk much, yet everything felt exceptionally peaceful and comforting.
The word home had taken on a new meaning for both of them.
That night, Xia Yuze stayed over.
They talked late into the night about everything that had happened during the years they had been apart.
Both of them desperately wanted to know what the other had gone through.
It was a heartfelt exchange, opening themselves completely to each other, and a way of accepting one another back into their lives.
The feelings they had once forced themselves to suppress had now been released.
Instead of fading, they burned even brighter, more passionately, and more completely than before.
Waiting for over ten years had been far too long.
So long that neither of them was willing—or brave enough—to wait any longer.
So they simply chose to love.
To love without reservation.
To savor every moment of a life that included the other.
That, in itself, was happiness.
After lunch, Xia Zichen walked out of the university gates.
He planned to spend some time at a café before his afternoon classes.
Not long after leaving the entrance, a black Hummer suddenly pulled over in front of him.
At first, he thought he had run into trouble.
Then the passenger-side window rolled down, revealing Qiao Chuqin’s face.
Only then did Xia Zichen realize it was someone he knew.
Although they had only met once, Qiao Chuqin’s mixed-race features were unforgettable.
“Could I borrow a little of your time?” Qiao Chuqin asked. “I’d like to talk to you about your father.”
Though his appearance leaned heavily toward Western features, his Mandarin was perfectly fluent.
Only then did Xia Zichen remember.
When they had met at the company and talked about hot chocolate, Qiao Chuqin had indeed mentioned his father.
Things had been so busy afterward that they never met again, and he’d almost forgotten about it.
He nodded and got into the vehicle.
Qiao Chuqin didn’t drive far.
Instead, he found a quiet café, requested a private booth, and the two sat down.
“You’re probably still unfamiliar with me,” Qiao Chuqin began. “And I doubt your father has ever mentioned me.”
“That’s true,” Xia Zichen admitted. “I only learned your last name from Gu Xu.”
“I see.”
Qiao Chuqin nodded.
“Let me introduce myself properly.”
“My name is Qiao Chuqin.”
“I met your father when he was a sophomore in college.”
“But because of certain circumstances, we lost contact afterward.”
He looked seriously at Xia Zichen.
After a brief pause, he continued,
“I asked to meet you today because I want to tell you that I intend to propose to your father.”
“I hope you won’t oppose us.”
“Otherwise, Yuze will be caught in the middle.”
Xia Zichen nearly choked on his hot coffee.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
His father had led a very simple life these past several years.
Aside from work, everything revolved around taking care of him.
He had never objected to his father finding someone he loved.
But his father had never mentioned anyone.
Now, out of nowhere, a man had appeared and calmly announced that he planned to propose to his father.
No matter how composed Xia Zichen usually was, he couldn’t help being shocked.
This involved the person most important to him.
Seeing his reaction, Qiao Chuqin smiled.
“When you’re surprised, you make exactly the same expression Yuze does.”
“He also opens his eyes wide like that.”
Xia Zichen quickly composed himself.
Whenever this man spoke about his father, there was always a warm tenderness in his eyes.
As the younger generation, Xia Zichen actually felt embarrassed watching it.
He couldn’t help wondering what kind of expression his father wore whenever he looked into those eyes.
Even without seeing it himself, he could imagine how happy his father must have been.
Qiao Chuqin then told Xia Zichen everything.
How he and Xia Yuze had met.
Everything that had happened afterward.
And why they had lost each other.
After all, Xia Zichen was Xia Yuze’s son.
Once he and Xia Yuze became a family, Xia Zichen would become his son as well.
Before meeting Gu Xu, Xia Zichen had never held many fantasies about love.
But ever since they had fallen in love, many of his views had changed.
His own life had become peaceful and happy.
Naturally, he wanted his father to be happy too.
Listening to their story, Xia Zichen couldn’t even find the words to describe how he felt.
He couldn’t blame Qiao Chuqin for coming back so late.
After all, the man had only returned after making absolutely sure it was the best thing for his father.
Although his father had suffered greatly during the years they were apart…
If Xia Yuze had never once been involved with Lei Xin…
…then Xia Zichen himself would never have become Xia Yuze’s son.
Everything seemed destined.
Fortunately, destiny had eventually turned toward happiness.
His father had adopted him.
Their lives had slowly improved.
He himself had met Gu Xu.
Gu Yan had always looked after his father.
And now…
Qiao Chuqin had returned.
At last, everything felt complete.
Compared to the happiness still waiting ahead, all the hardships in the middle suddenly seemed insignificant.
After a long silence, Xia Zichen finally spoke.
“If my dad likes you, then I won’t object.”
“But whether I truly accept you…”
“I’ll have to observe you first.”
“If you ever treat my dad badly…”
“Even if you’re Brother Gu’s friend…”
“I won’t go easy on you.”
Qiao Chuqin smiled and nodded.
“I understand.”
“Don’t worry.”
Setting down his coffee cup, Xia Zichen lifted his chin.
“If you want to date my dad…”
“You’ll have to bribe me.”
“Of course.”
Qiao Chuqin nodded seriously.
“What would you like?”
“I don’t really need anything.”
“But I think my dad should replace his computer.”
Nowadays, everyone used lightweight laptops or iPads.
Only his father still stubbornly used his old desktop.
It wasn’t because he couldn’t afford a new one.
He was simply used to it.
Xia Zichen had wanted to buy him one for a long time.
But if he bought it himself, his father would only complain that he was wasting money.
If Qiao Chuqin gave it to him, however…
His father would definitely accept it.
Because Qiao Chuqin wouldn’t know that he had been refusing to replace it.
It would simply look like a thoughtful gift.
“No problem.”
Qiao Chuqin nodded.
“What else does your father like?”
Xia Zichen shrugged.
“My dad doesn’t really have any special hobbies.”
“As long as it’s something practical that he can actually use, he’ll like it.”
“He doesn’t like flashy things.”
“Good.”
Qiao Chuqin agreed.
“I’ve been wondering what I should use to propose.”
“After hearing you say that…”
“I think the simplest approach is probably the best.”
Xia Zichen nodded.
“If it’s too elaborate, my dad will only feel uneasy.”
“It wasn’t easy for the two of you to get back together.”
“He doesn’t need grand promises.”
“He doesn’t need expensive gifts.”
“The important thing is making him feel that the two of you have truly settled down.”
“That he finally belongs somewhere.”
“I think that’s more important than anything else.”
Sometimes, he understood his father’s heart surprisingly well.
It was like his own relationship with Gu Xu.
Even though they hadn’t legally married yet…
Gu Xu had introduced him to his family.
He had also given him that watch that symbolized love at first sight.
That alone made him feel secure.
Nothing else mattered.
“I understand.”
“Thank you for telling me all this.”
There had been a long gap in his relationship with Xia Yuze.
No one knew Yuze better than Xia Zichen.
So Xia Zichen’s advice was both the most important…
…and the most useful.
That afternoon over coffee, the two talked for a long time.
Despite their age difference, there was no generation gap between them.
After all…
They only had one topic.
Xia Yuze.
After reuniting with Qiao Chuqin, Xia Yuze’s life became much richer.
His old routine of simply going between home and work now made room for dates with Qiao Chuqin.
Although Qiao Chuqin remained extremely busy, whenever Xia Yuze had free time, he would do everything possible to clear his own schedule.
Sometimes they went out together.
Sometimes they simply stayed home talking.
Ever since meeting Xia Zichen, Qiao Chuqin had finally put his mind at ease.
At least Xia Zichen didn’t oppose their relationship.
That meant there were no more obstacles between them.
He hadn’t yet told Xia Yuze that he had privately met with his son.
He felt it would be better if Xia Zichen told him himself.
Soon, it was Xia Yuze’s birthday.
It happened to fall on a Saturday.
Qiao Chuqin had gone on a business trip the day before and hadn’t asked Xia Yuze out.
As for Xia Yuze…
He had forgotten his own birthday entirely.
Friday night, Xia Zichen called him.
He invited his father to come over the next day.
He and Gu Xu wanted to celebrate his birthday together.
Only then did Xia Yuze remember.
Truthfully…
He hadn’t celebrated his birthday in many years.
Back when life was difficult, they simply couldn’t afford birthday celebrations.
Later, he became so busy that every year, whenever Xia Zichen wanted to celebrate with him…
Work always got in the way.
His son could only cook him a bowl of longevity noodles and wait for him to come home from overtime.
Things were different now.
He no longer worked nearly as much.
Weekends were free.
Since his son and Gu Xu had kindly arranged everything, there was no reason to refuse.
At noon on Saturday, Xia Yuze drove to Gu Xu and Xia Zichen’s apartment.
Xia Zichen answered the intercom and unlocked the building entrance.
After going upstairs, Xia Yuze noticed the apartment door was already open.
Thinking nothing of it, he walked inside.
But strangely…
He didn’t see his son anywhere.
He called out once.
No answer.
Seeing the slippers neatly waiting by the entrance, he changed into them and walked farther inside.
Just as he reached the living room…
The bedroom door opened.
He expected Xia Zichen.
Instead…
Qiao Chuqin walked out, smiling.
“Why are you here?”
According to the schedule, Qiao Chuqin should still have been out of town.
Even if he had returned…
Why would he be in his son’s apartment?
Qiao Chuqin didn’t answer.
He walked straight toward Xia Yuze.
Then…
He knelt on one knee.
Taking out a ring box, he smiled gently.
“Yuze…”
“Marry me.”
The unexpected proposal left Xia Yuze completely stunned.
Scene after scene of their time together flashed through his mind like a movie.
There was no sadness.
Only happiness.
Rare…
Yet undeniably real.
Qiao Chuqin didn’t rush him.
Still kneeling there, he softly said,
“I want to build a home with you.”
“I want us to grow old together peacefully.”
“After a while, let’s go choose a house together.”
“You can decide everything about the renovation.”
“But before all that…”
“I want to ask you first.”
“Marry me.”
“Will you?”
A long time passed.
Then…
A smile slowly appeared on Xia Yuze’s lips.
He nodded.
“Yes.”
It was something he had never even dared dream about.
But because it was Qiao Chuqin…
It felt real.
It felt safe.
Qiao Chuqin’s smile deepened.
He carefully slipped the ring onto Xia Yuze’s finger.
Xia Yuze then picked up the other ring and gently placed it on Qiao Chuqin’s left ring finger.
Qiao Chuqin stood up.
Wrapped him tightly in his arms.
And kissed him.
The midday sunlight streamed into the living room.
The elegant men’s diamond rings sparkled brilliantly beneath the sun.
Standing outside the door, watching his father immersed in happiness…
Xia Zichen couldn’t help smiling too.
Looks like…
I really did help the right person this time.
Gu Xu came up behind him and wrapped his arms around his waist.
“Let’s go.”
“We’ll wait for them at the restaurant.”
To surprise Xia Yuze, Qiao Chuqin had deliberately chosen Xia Zichen’s apartment as the place to propose.
He had also reserved a private room at a restaurant.
The whole family would celebrate Xia Yuze’s birthday there afterward.
Xia Zichen nodded.
Holding hands, he and Gu Xu took the elevator downstairs.
Inside the living room…
Qiao Chuqin finally released Xia Yuze after kissing him until he was nearly breathless.
Then he pulled him tightly into another embrace.
At that moment…
That space belonged to the two of them alone.
At last…
Qiao Chuqin had brought the only person he had ever loved back into his life.
And Xia Yuze had finally found the happiness that truly belonged to him.
The road ahead was still long.
So was their happiness.
Like fine wine…
It would only grow richer with time.
[End of Extra Story]
Author’s Note:
This concludes all of Xia Yuze and Qiao Chuqin’s extra chapters.
If you still want more, don’t worry—they’ll appear again in Gu Yan’s story.
There will also be extra chapters featuring Gu Xu and Xia Zichen.
Thank you all for your continued support.
See you in their extras.