Lan Xingchen froze for a moment, then couldn’t help but laugh.
“Yeah, that’s definitely not just words,” he said, laughing.
Pei Qingjian watched him, shoulders shaking from laughter. “What are you laughing at?” he asked.
Lan Xingchen shook his head.
He hadn’t expected Pei Qingjian to actually think about what “encouragement” meant, nor had he anticipated that Pei Qingjian’s initiative would be so strong—he had already been in the car but rushed back because of it.
Lan Xingchen found him utterly adorable, both cute and considerate.
He raised his hand and pressed it gently against the back of Pei Qingjian’s head, placing a soft kiss on his lips.
“It’s this late already. Don’t go yet. I’ll leave work early in a bit, and we’ll go home together.”
Pei Qingjian glanced at his watch. True enough, it was already 3:30. He could wait a little for Lan Xingchen.
“Okay,” he agreed.
He stayed in Lan Xingchen’s office, playing on his phone for a while. Close to five o’clock, they left the company together.
The sweater Cao Jie had gifted Lan Xingchen was in Pei Qingjian’s car. As soon as they got in, he handed the paper bag over.
Lan Xingchen looked at the black sweater inside and picked it up, feeling the soft yarn. It made his heart feel warm as well.
Pei Qingjian watched him quietly, once again genuinely sensing his gentleness.
Lan Xingchen tried the sweater on when he got home.
Cao Jie had been attentive to him ever since he was born. After Lan He left, she had worried that Wen Yuan, as a single man, might not care enough for the child, so she had often bought him clothes, shoes, and accessories.
Because of this, she had always known Lan Xingchen’s size, and the sweater fit perfectly.
“It looks really nice,” Pei Qingjian praised. “Xu Ya’s mom is really skilled.”
“She’s always been good with her hands,” Lan Xingchen said. “Cooking, knitting—she even knitted bags for us when we were kids.”
By “us,” he naturally meant himself and Xu Ya.
Pei Qingjian watched him turn and twist in front of the mirror, clearly enjoying the sweater. Or perhaps, enjoying the person who had knitted it.
So many of his loved ones had left him, which made those remaining all the more precious.
“The weather’s starting to get cold, so it’s perfect timing to wear it,” Pei Qingjian said.
“Mm,” Lan Xingchen replied.
Looking at the sweater in the mirror, memories rushed back, and he also thought of the meal Cao Jie had always wanted to share with him—the one they were supposed to have when Xu Ya returned.
She was genuinely gentle. She had asked once; when he said he was busy with work, she didn’t bring it up again. But she probably still wanted that meal.
The smile on Lan Xingchen’s face slowly faded.
Noticing the change, Pei Qingjian asked sensitively, “What’s wrong?”
Lan Xingchen turned to look at him. After a long pause, he seemed to reach a decision.
“Tomorrow, you tell Xu Ya that I’ll go to their place for dinner this Saturday. He’ll just have to find a way to avoid it himself.”
Pei Qingjian nodded. “Oh.”
Wait—Pei Qingjian suddenly realized, “Why am I the one saying it?”
“Of course, because I don’t want to,” Lan Xingchen replied.
He walked over, lifted the sweater off, and continued.
“Before, when Xiao Yi and Shao Kang weren’t around, I said I was busy and didn’t have time to meet them. Xu Ya’s parents wouldn’t think much—they’d just feel sorry for me and wouldn’t want to bother me. Now that both of them are back, if I say I’m busy, they’ll definitely notice something.”
“When my parents were alive, they treated me really well. Now that they’re gone, they feel even more responsible. No matter what happens between Xu Ya and me, they won’t let me go.”
“If I were ruthless, I could ignore it all and cut off ties with them,” Lan Xingchen said in a low voice.
“But you’re not ruthless,” Pei Qingjian said softly.
Lan Xingchen turned to meet his eyes. “I’ve thought about it. That’s why I told Xu Ya to inform his parents about us and declined his mother’s suggestion to have dinner together.”
“But it’s impossible.”
“Even if Xu Ya tells them, even if they know everything, they won’t just ignore me. To them, I’ve always been more than just Xu Ya’s friend—I’m the son of their best friend. They might allow me not to interact with Xu Ya, but they’ll never accept not interacting with me.”
This was an elder’s love for the younger generation—unrelated to Xu Ya, but deeply tied to his parents.
Even before Xu Ya came into the picture, he had already been his parents’ child. And that was the root of everything.
Pei Qingjian listened quietly, then finally said, “I understand.”
He looked at Lan Xingchen and smiled. “Your parents are lucky to have two such good friends.”
Lan Xingchen agreed. Many friendships fade with time, but theirs had endured, remaining strong and genuine.
“Mm,” he said. “They’re enviably close and truly wonderful.”
“So, you don’t need to overthink it,” Pei Qingjian said gently. “They like you, you like them—just continue as before.”
“I know Xu Ya is their child. Being around them, you can’t avoid Xu Ya. But Xu Ya’s mistakes shouldn’t be paid for by his parents—or by you.”
“If avoiding them makes you happy, then sure, cut off contact. But if you actually want to see them and force yourself not to, then the unhappiness becomes yours. The punishment falls on you.”
“That’s not right, and it shouldn’t be.”
“Xu Ya can be unhappy because he wronged you. But you can’t be unhappy—you’ve never wronged anyone.”
Lan Xingchen felt as if he had grasped a reed floating in the water—a reed that would allow him to move forward.
Of course, he missed Cao Jie and Xu Yang. But Xu Ya stood in the middle. Xu Ya was their biological child. He thought that since he had already decided to no longer interact with Xu Ya, he shouldn’t have any entanglement with Xu Ya’s parents either.
Lan Xingchen kept talking to himself, persuading himself.
Even though in his heart he didn’t want to lose these two elder-like figures, he still forbade himself from turning back.
Yet in his subconscious, perhaps he also hoped someone would tell him it was okay—that he didn’t need to be so strict with himself.
And now, Pei Qingjian handed him that “reed.”
He allowed him to turn back. He said, You can go see them.
In that instant, Lan Xingchen glimpsed a light at the end of the tunnel.
“Go,” Pei Qingjian said with a smile.
Lan Xingchen looked at him, feeling his mood lighten. “You’re letting me go.”
Pei Qingjian nodded without hesitation, taking full responsibility. “I’m letting you go.”
He continued, “Whether you want to go or not, just go. I’ve already decided. So this Saturday, I don’t want to see you at home.”
Lan Xingchen raised an eyebrow. “Don’t want to see me? Who do you want to see then?”
“Why can’t I not want to see anyone?” Pei Qingjian said with self-righteousness. “I’ve got too many people to meet lately. I need a break.”
“This Saturday, the grand Pei Qingjian meet-and-greet will be on pause—seeing no one.”
Lan Xingchen laughed.
He leaned close to Pei Qingjian and whispered, “Okay, if you won’t see anyone, then you just stay home and rest this Saturday.”
Pei Qingjian nodded. “Mm-hmm.”
Lan Xingchen looked at him with tenderness in his eyes.
Pei Qingjian felt a little shy under his gaze, about to change the topic, when unexpectedly Lan Xingchen leaned in and kissed him.
The kiss was gentle, precise, lingering. Pei Qingjian opened his mouth, allowing himself to be kissed.
Lan Xingchen kissed him for a long while, then rested his head on Pei Qingjian’s shoulder, holding him tightly.
He hugged him firmly and gave a playful kiss to his cheek.
He wanted to say thank you, but felt a little embarrassed.
Luckily, Pei Qingjian already understood. He rubbed his face against Lan Xingchen’s and silently thought, No need to thank me.
He pressed his lips gently against Lan Xingchen’s ear and whispered sweetly, “Encouragement for you.”
Lan Xingchen’s smile grew brighter, and he tightened his embrace.
“Do you want to come with me?” he asked.
Pei Qingjian: ???
“To do what?”
“To meet Aunt Cao and Uncle Xu.”
Pei Qingjian: ……
He refused. “Forget it, I don’t know them. It’d be too awkward.”
“And I already have so many people I need to meet. I told you—the grand Pei Qingjian meet-and-greet is resting this Saturday. Seeing no one.”
Lan Xingchen looked at Pei Qingjian’s pouting face, thought about it, and reluctantly nodded.
He knew Pei Qingjian didn’t know them, and it would be awkward—but he really wanted him to go.
He wanted him to stay by his side.
Under Pei Qingjian’s gaze, he sent a WeChat to Cao Jie:
“The sweater fits perfectly and looks great. My partners are back recently. Aunt, ask Uncle if he’s free Saturday—if he is, I’ll come see you.”
Cao Jie replied promptly:
“Yes, yes, yes. Don’t worry, if you come, he’ll definitely be free.”
Lan Xingchen smiled. “Then see you Saturday.”
“Okay.” Cao Jie agreed.
Xu Yang had just returned home when he heard his wife speak to him: “Are you free this Saturday? If you have plans, you can reschedule.”
“What’s up?” Xu Yang asked. He had a client to meet Saturday.
“Lan Xingchen said he’s coming,” Cao Jie said happily. “His partners are back, and he finally has some rest. He wants to come see us.”
Xu Yang nodded. He hadn’t seen Lan Xingchen for a while and had been thinking about him.
“You know, this kid really takes after his mom. Busy with work, focused, just like her,” he said softly.
“That’s great,” Cao Jie said with a smile. “If little He could see him now, she’d be so happy.”
Xu Yang fell silent for a moment, then whispered, “If Lu Yinkong could see him, he’d be happy too.”
Later, when Xu Ya returned from working late, he found his mother eagerly planning Saturday’s dinner.
“Xiao Ya, you’re back.” Seeing him, Cao Jie waved him over to ask how he liked her menu.
Xu Ya, always supportive, said, “Looks good. But why are you suddenly cooking on Saturday again?”
“Because Lan Xingchen is coming,” Cao Jie explained, putting down the paper filled with dishes and reconsidering if any adjustments were needed.
Xu Ya was surprised. He hadn’t expected Lan Xingchen to come Saturday.
What did this mean? Was he finally willing to come to his home? Did he finally want to see him again?
A wave of excitement and relief swelled in Xu Ya’s heart.
However, the next day at noon, Pei Qingjian ruthlessly punctured that bubble.
“He said he’s going to your house Saturday to see your parents. He already told them, so you just avoid him as you see fit,” Pei Qingjian said. After lunch and their brief nap, he went specifically to Xu Ya’s floor to call him out.
Xu Ya froze, and his mood immediately collapsed.
Yet this was real, tangible, not the fragile, almost illusory feeling from last night.
“I understand,” he said. “Thanks.”
“No need.”
Pei Qingjian had only passed the message. Once done, he was ready to leave.
Xu Ya called after him, asking, “You’re an actor, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then do you know Xue Ming?”
Pei Qingjian shook his head. “Who’s that?”
“He’s a director. I have some connections with him, so I wanted to recommend you—but I wasn’t sure if you’d be interested.”
Pei Qingjian: ???
“What are you doing?”
Xu Ya didn’t quite understand. They weren’t close enough for this, right? Or maybe they weren’t even the kind of people who could recommend each other.
“I just want to thank you,” Xu Ya said.
From the moment he met Pei Qingjian, he hadn’t acted very well. Wanting to make amends, he thought he could help in places Pei Qingjian might need it.
Pei Qingjian didn’t think it was necessary. “Whether I came to see you or to talk to you, it was all for Lan Xingchen.”
“If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have met you at all. So you don’t need to thank me.”
“I know,” Xu Ya said, “but still, thank you.”
“Then you should thank him instead,” Pei Qingjian said.
He didn’t accept Xu Ya’s kindness and turned toward the elevator.
Xu Ya stared at his back, then silently walked away.
Two days later, Pei Qingjian went to meet Xiao Yi and Shao Kang as promised.
The dinner was set at a hotel near Lan Xingchen’s company. The four of them arrived in two groups—Shao Kang had already taken Xiao Yi ahead, while Pei Qingjian and Lan Xingchen arrived a little later.
Xiao Yi didn’t talk much. He only spoke up when it came to professional matters or technical fields; most of the time, he just listened.
Compared to him, Shao Kang talked a lot.
“Little Pei, how old are you this year? What do you do for work? How did you meet Xingchen?”
Pei Qingjian: ……
Lan Xingchen glanced at Shao Kang. “You talk too much.”
“Curiosity, isn’t it? You hide things so well. If we hadn’t come back, we wouldn’t know a thing!”
He then looked at Pei Qingjian. “Don’t just sit there, eat something.”
Pei Qingjian smiled and nodded. “Okay.”
Lan Xingchen helped him serve some dishes into his bowl and said, “Ignore him, he just talks too much.”
“I’m just concerned about you.”
“You’d better worry about yourself,” Lan Xingchen said with a hint of disdain.
Shao Kang: ……
Shao Kang turned to Pei Qingjian. “Ever since he got you, he’s been single, and in our group chat, he’s getting more and more arrogant.”
Pei Qingjian chuckled lightly. “So you’re still single?”
“Who’d be blind enough to like him?” Lan Xingchen said without mercy.
Shao Kang: ???
“If your boyfriend weren’t here today, I’d have taken my chance—you’d be doomed.”
Lan Xingchen scoffed. “Sounds like you could beat me or something.”
Shao Kang: ……
Shao Kang ate his meal with tears in his eyes.
After lunch with Shao Kang and Xiao Yi, Pei Qingjian and Lan Xingchen went to meet Fang Junhao and the others in the evening.
Compared to Shao Kang and Xiao Yi, Pei Qingjian was more familiar with Fang Junhao and the others—they had been interacting in the group chat for over three months.
Fang Junhao and the others had only seen Pei Qingjian in photos before. Seeing him in person now, they were a little awed.
“Little Pei, you’re even better-looking than in the photos!”
“I always said, no wonder Lao Lan moved in with you at first sight. Indeed, all this love at first sight is all based on looks!”
“Love at first sight?” Pei Qingjian asked, confused.
“Didn’t he tell you?” Xie Siqi got excited. “When he first met you offline, he fell for you at first sight!”
“Offline meet?” Pei Qingjian was even more confused.
“Yes, when you were playing games together, he already liked you. Later, when you met in real life,” Xie Siqi clapped, “he completely went crazy for you.”
Pei Qingjian: ???
Completely went crazy for him?
Pei Qingjian glanced at Lan Xingchen. You’re just advertising yourself like this in front of your friends?
Lan Xingchen: ……
He tactically drank some water, avoiding Pei Qingjian’s gaze.
Pei Qingjian: …Your guilty look is really obvious!