Ye Mingxuan was exceptionally cheerful today, bringing Le Le a pile of snacks which she spread out on the table.
Le Le’s twin ponytails bounced like rabbit ears. “Wow, so many yummy treats!”
“Mingxuan, are you feeling really happy today?”
Ye Mingxuan couldn’t tell any adults about this, but he dared to tell Le Le.
It was also because he’d wanted someone to confide in for a long time, yet never had anyone to talk to.
Le Le knew nothing about his background or the complicated ways of adults. She simply thought Ye Mingxuan hadn’t seen his dad in a long time: “Does your dad never come home?”
Ye Mingxuan: “He went to a place far away. It’s hard to see him.”
Lele: “Oh, so he came back today.”
Ye Mingxuan pursed his lips and smiled softly: “I guess you could say that.”
Lele: “Big Brother Mingxuan is so handsome. Big Brother Mingxuan’s dad must be handsome too.”
At this topic, Ye Mingxuan perked up: “Of course! My dad used to have a nickname—the construction site pretty boy.”
Lele: “Ah…”
Ye Mingxuan: “He was the fairest and most handsome guy on the site. Though… though he got sick later and gained some weight, he was still the best-looking.”
Le Le furrowed her delicate brows, biting her little braid. “What kind of illness did he get?”
Ye Mingxuan choked, his dark eyes dimming. He swallowed hard. “It was from exhaustion—we should get back to class.”
Le Le wailed, “I don’t wanna go to class! I don’t wanna study! I wanna go out and play!”
Ye Mingxuan was unusually stern: “No. You must study.”
Le Le pouted, “Why…”
“Why?” Ye Mingxuan opened her homework notebook to the latest unit. “So you can buy little crowns later.”
The mention of little crowns instantly straightened Le Le’s posture. “I want to buy little crowns and princess dresses!”
Ye Mingxuan handed her the pen: “Write. Your little crown and princess dress are waiting for you.”
Lele: “Okay!”
Lele obediently picked up the pen and wrote. Ye Mingxuan watched the tip of the pen swiftly moving across the paper, lost in thought.
Lele’s words made him realize a problem that had been forgotten in the corner for a long time.
He had once aimed to get into A University to earn money to support himself and his mother. But after actually getting in, he found his path ahead still shrouded in uncertainty.
Originally, he planned to focus on finishing college first. Yet fate intervened: he ended up marrying Tan Sizhe in place of Ye Yufan, then became pregnant. He’d jumped from one pitfall into another, feeling even more lost.
Now he felt like a headless fly, darting aimlessly without knowing where to go.
Ye Mingxuan sighed as he watched the gladiolus swaying outside the window.
…
That evening, Ye Mingxuan finished showering quicker than usual. By the time Tan Sizhe entered the room, he was already lying down.
Tan Sizhe raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly.
Usually, his little wife slept in the corner of the bed, facing away from the center. Today was different. Though still in the corner, Ye Mingxuan lay on his back, his eyes closed in peaceful repose.
Tan Sizhe closed the door and walked over, sitting down at the bedside. Wearing a loose-fitting nightgown, he bent over, revealing a large expanse of his chest and abdominal muscles.
He leaned his body toward Ye Mingxuan, his voice low and hoarse: “Why are you sleeping so early today?”
Ye Mingxuan puckered his rosy, jelly-like lips. “Shh, sir. I need to sleep early today. Someone’s coming to find me.”
Tan Sizhe’s affectionate gesture froze. “…Who?”
Ye Mingxuan: “Someone I haven’t seen in a long time.”
Tan Sizhe fell silent for two seconds. “Here?”
Ye Mingxuan: “In my dreams.”
Tan Sizhe glanced around the familiar surroundings. After living here so long, it felt chilly for the first time.
He couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. He pulled Ye Mingxuan to the center of the bed. Ye Mingxuan let out a soft “Mm,” and Tan Sizhe tucked the blanket around him. “Now behave yourself and sleep.”
Ye Mingxuan buried half his face in the covers, blinked his moist eyes, murmured a soft “mhm,” and closed them to rest.
Tan Sizhe stretched out his long arm, switched off the light, and lay down.
The room was filled with their alternating breaths, gradually synchronizing.
In the middle of the night, Tan Sizhe suddenly felt a tightness in his chest, struggling to breathe. He opened his eyes and switched on the nightlight. After his eyes adjusted to the light, he realized Ye Mingxuan’s arms and legs were draped across him.
The youth wore a short-sleeved shirt and shorts. His slender, pale arm was wrapped around Tan Sizhe’s waist, his dewy cheek pressed against his chest muscles.
And his little pregnant belly, soft and warm.
He’s getting bolder and bolder, Tan Sizhe thought.
He reached out to brush the youth’s bangs aside, gazing at his peaceful sleeping face and wondering if he was dreaming of his father.
Tan Sizhe had intended to turn off the light, but decided to leave it on so his father-in-law wouldn’t get lost.
Truthfully, he didn’t believe in such things. Tan Sizhe was a staunch materialist, but rules were occasionally meant to be broken.
To avoid disturbing Ye Mingxuan’s sleep, he dimmed the lights to the faintest glow, like a solitary firefly guiding its way home in the darkness….
The next day, Ye Mingxuan sat despondently by the windowsill.
He hadn’t dreamt of anything last night!
As Ye Mingxuan sighed, Tan Sizhe entered. Hearing the sound, Ye Mingxuan turned:
“Mr. Tan.” Sir.”
“Did you sleep well last night?”
Ye Mingxuan pressed his lips together: “Mhm.”
Though he hadn’t dreamt of his father, he’d slept better than ever before.
Seeing Ye Mingxuan’s expression, Tan Sizhe already guessed. He reached out and ruffled Ye Mingxuan’s hair: You’ll dream of him someday. No rush.”
Tan Sizhe’s gentle, deep words drifted into Ye Mingxuan’s ears as his hair was tousled. A pang of emotion welled up inside Ye Mingxuan. Not knowing what to say, he just stared blankly at Tan Sizhe.
“Staring off into space?” Tan Sizhe tapped his forehead.
Ye Mingxuan snapped back to reality and shook his head. “Thank you for your comfort, sir.”
Tan Sizhe: “Let’s go downstairs for breakfast.”
Ye Mingxuan: “Okay.”
…
The school’s disciplinary actions against Ye Yufan and Wang Zilu were announced.
“Public reprimand: Ye Yufan and Wang Zilu, students of Oil Painting Class 1, Academy of Fine Arts, are warned for intentionally damaging others’ property and administering laxatives to classmates, causing severe negative impact. They must compensate for damages, receive a formal warning recorded in their files, and face expulsion for any repeat offenses.”
Lin Jiale finished reading the announcement and drew a long breath. “Serves him right! Hmph, Ye Yufan will definitely be walking around with his tail between his legs now.”
Zhang Shushu: “More than just tail between legs—everyone knows about this. He’s been mocked to death.”
Lin Jiale: “Wonder if he’ll seek revenge behind the scenes. Mingxuan, you better watch your back.”
Ye Mingxuan walked beside them, nodding: “Mm.”
During PE class today, Ye Mingxuan sat in the bleachers as usual, watching Lin Jiale and Zhang Shushu juggle a soccer ball.
The weather was cool, so everyone wore thicker clothes. After sweating, they took off their jackets. Since Ye Mingxuan wasn’t doing anything, everyone asked him to watch their jackets.
The clothes piled up beside Ye Mingxuan formed a small mountain.
Zhang Shushu kicked the ball for a while, then turned to see several girls approaching Ye Mingxuan to ask for his WeChat. He felt a wave of envy wash over him: “That jerk’s got it made.”
“We’re suffering here, drenched in sweat and stinking to high heaven, while Ye Mingxuan hasn’t broken a sweat once. Sitting there attracting all the girls—it’s just not fair!”
Zhang Shushu tremblingly held out his hand: “And he actually turned down that beauty! Good heavens, he’s got no idea how lucky he is!”
Lin Jiale: “…”
Considering Zhang Shushu didn’t know about Ye Mingxuan’s pregnancy, he held back his anger.
Lin Jiale packed up the soccer ball and walked over: “Let’s take a break.”
Ye Mingxuan looked up as they approached, raising his water cup: “Here, you guys!”
Zhang Shushu grabbed his own mineral water bottle and flashed what he thought was a dashing smile at the beauty. The young lady tugged at the corner of her mouth, awkward yet polite, and pulled her friend away.
Zhang Shushu: “It’s not fair!”
“Ye Mingxuan, what’s wrong with your foot? Why hasn’t it healed after so long?”
Ye Mingxuan: “Well…”
Lin Jiale interjected: “You wouldn’t understand. Some foot injuries have lasting effects—you can’t do intense exercise.”
Zhang Shushu flopped onto the grass: “Someone come crush me.”
Ye Mingxuan: “Alright, I’ll treat you all to lunch.”
“Really?!”
“Really.”
“Ye Mingxuan, you’re so kind!”
Ye Mingxuan smiled, glancing at his phone. “Wait here a moment, I need to step out.”
Lin Jiale: “Okay.”
He watched as Ye Mingxuan picked up the bag beside him and walked toward the playground exit. Bright sunlight streamed through the doorway, where a familiar figure was waiting.
“Brother Yu Sen.” Ye Mingxuan jogged up to Yu Sen, looking sheepish. “Sorry to have you come all this way personally.”
Yu Sen: “I happened to be nearby. You called, so I came.”
Ye Mingxuan handed him the bag. “Brother Yu Sen, this is the formal wear you lent me. I’m truly grateful, but I’ve already paid you back. I really can’t accept this. Please take it back and return it.”
He added, “The original bag outside got torn, so I found another one to repack it.”
Yu Sen felt a bit disappointed that Ye Mingxuan wouldn’t accept his help, but he wasn’t pessimistic. He smiled and said, “Alright, but you promised to treat me to a meal.”
Ye Mingxuan nodded. “Yeah! Definitely.”
Yu Sen took the bag. After Ye Mingxuan said goodbye, he went back to find Lin Jiale.
Lin Jiale: “What did you give Yu Sen?”
Ye Mingxuan told him.
Lin Jiale: “Oh… so that’s how it is. I remember Ye Yufan and Yu Sen came together to the alumni gathering. Back then, I thought they were birds of a feather. Who knew Yu Sen turned out to be such a decent guy.”
Ye Mingxuan smiled.
Meanwhile, Yu Sen walked toward the parking lot carrying the tote bag. He opened the passenger door to place it inside when he suddenly caught sight of the bag’s logo.
Ye Mingxuan, unfamiliar with brands, assumed it was just an ordinary bag. But Yu Sen, coming from a wealthy family, recognized it immediately.
This brand was high-end luxury. Given Ye Mingxuan’s family background, even working multiple part-time jobs wouldn’t afford him such items. Plus, Ye Mingxuan was extremely frugal—he’d never splurge on such things.
But how did Ye Mingxuan end up with a luxury brand shopping bag?
