Chapter 92

After a few more waves of relatives had come and gone, Jiang Luo asked Huo Zongzhuo, “They’re all relatives—don’t you all celebrate the New Year together?”

Huo Zongzhuo explained, “My dad isn’t from Su City, so none of his relatives are here. My mom is an only child, and my grandmother was an only child too, so there aren’t many relatives. We keep in touch normally, but we don’t spend the New Year together.”

Jiang Luo nodded, showing his understanding.

Not long after, another relative arrived with New Year gifts. After chatting idly with Huo Zongzhuo’s mother for a bit, she looked at Jiang Luo in surprise and exclaimed, “This young man looks so lively! Really handsome!”

“How old are you? Are you working already?”

When she heard that he was already working, the woman immediately said, “Do you have a girlfriend? I’ve got a few nice young girls—real beauties. Want me to introduce you?”

Huh?

Jiang Luo was stunned.

Where did this topic even come from?

His mother hurriedly spoke to the woman in the local dialect, asking her not to say things like that.

Huo Zongzhuo also said to her, “He’s still young.”

After the woman left, Jiang Luo thought of something and burst out laughing. He opened his mouth and said, “Our President Huo is so rich—a big boss. I’m definitely marrying him in the future. Why even ask?”

He even leaned over to his mother. “Right, Mom?”

His mother knew Jiang Luo was just clowning around and smiled quietly to herself.

Huo Zongzhuo looked at Jiang Luo with gentle eyes, his expression carrying a hint of helpless but indulgent affection.

Over in Haicheng, Zhao Mingshi had been having the time of his life these past few days—so much so that he’d basically stopped using his brain altogether. His thoughts were entirely below the waist.

After endless cajoling, he had managed to get his girlfriend to stay with him all the way until noon on New Year’s Eve.

After lunch, his girlfriend left, and only then did Zhao Mingshi take his time getting dressed.

Who would’ve thought that not long after, Zhao Shuo showed up.

The moment Zhao Mingshi opened the door and saw Zhao Shuo, his brain finally came back online.

His body stiffened as he realized the room was a total mess—and he hadn’t cleaned up at all.

But it was too late. Zhao Shuo had already walked in.

As soon as Zhao Shuo entered, he caught the smell in the room. Realizing what it was, he stared at Zhao Mingshi in disbelief.

“Bro.”

Feeling guilty, Zhao Mingshi went to open the window to air out the room.

Zhao Shuo’s face darkened. He went into the bathroom and, sure enough, saw two toothbrushes on the sink. There was also a faint fragrance, like the scent of a girl’s face cream.

Coming back out, he lifted the blanket on the bed. The sheets were mottled and stained—some spots hadn’t even dried yet.

Then he kicked the trash can. Looking inside, he saw several used condoms.

“Zhao Mingshi!”

Zhao Shuo couldn’t believe it. He pointed at the trash can. “You’ve been staying alone in a hotel and this is what you’ve been up to?!”

“How old are you?!”

“Bro!” Zhao Mingshi hurriedly said. “It was my girlfriend. She insisted on coming to see me.”

He explained, half defending himself. “I’m already a sophomore in college. Having a girlfriend is normal, right?”

Zhao Shuo was furious, so angry his head started spinning.

He raised a hand to his forehead. “Mingming! Dating is dating—sleeping together is sleeping together!”

“You’re nowhere near talking about marriage yet. How can you… how can you…”

In Zhao Shuo’s worldview—or really, in most people’s—sex was something that definitely had to wait until after marriage.

Who jumps into bed just because they’re dating?

Was this generation really that open?

Put bluntly, only people with loose morals would—

“Zhao Mingshi!”

Grinding his teeth, Zhao Shuo pointed at him, both angry and helpless. “If Mom and Dad—and my dad—found out…”

“You really are—!”

“What if she gets pregnant? You can’t possibly get married and have a kid while you’re still in college!”

What Zhao Mingshi said next nearly made Zhao Shuo explode.

Zhao Mingshi blurted out, “How could that happen?”

“I’m just dating her. I never said I’d marry her.”

“She’s from out of town, her family doesn’t have any background. How could I possibly marry her?”

“Being pretty doesn’t count either.”

“You—!”

Zhao Shuo couldn’t believe his ears. He stared at him. “Is that something a college student should be saying?!”

“That’s your level of thinking?!”

Only then did Zhao Mingshi realize he’d exposed himself. He quickly said, “She looked down on me first!”

“When she found out my parents were leaders, she actively tried to hook up with me.”

“Later, when she learned I was switched at birth and that my real parents were just silk factory workers, her attitude immediately changed.”

“She’s the one who said she was just sleeping with me and wouldn’t marry me.”

Zhao Shuo’s head throbbed. He thought to himself: are college students these days really like this?

Zhao Mingshi pleaded, “Bro, don’t tell Mom and Dad, okay?”

“I—I was just impulsive for a moment.”

“She came over, kissed me, hugged me. I couldn’t hold back.”

Zhao Shuo said coldly, “Mingming! I’m not stupid. I’m a man too!”

“If you didn’t have feelings for her, how could you end up in bed together?”

“Don’t push all the blame onto someone else!”

Zhao Shuo was genuinely disappointed. “Zhao Mingshi, after the New Year you’ll only be nineteen. You’re still in school, still a student. How could you do something like this?”

Originally, Zhao Shuo had come to take Zhao Mingshi home to celebrate the New Year together.

Over the past couple of days, he’d been coaxing Zhao Guangqian nonstop. On New Year’s Eve, all the relatives were there, persuading Zhao Guangqian to accept Zhao Mingshi again—praising him for this and that, saying he had a good personality, was smart, well-educated, and would definitely amount to something in the future and be filial. Zhao Guangqian had been swayed and didn’t want to make a scene during the holidays, so he finally relented.

But who could’ve known…

True to being a Zhao, Zhao Shuo carried the same streak as Zhao Guangqian and Zhao Guangyuan. Seething, he immediately said, “You’re not coming home for New Year’s Eve! Stay in the hotel by yourself and reflect!”

“Or go back to your biological parents’ place!”

“Bro!”

Zhao Mingshi panicked.

Zhao Shuo turned and walked away.

“Bro!”

Zhao Mingshi was anxious, angry, and full of regret—regret that he hadn’t cleaned up the room before Zhao Shuo arrived.

He shouted, “Bro! You’ve always doted on me the most!”

Zhao Shuo glanced back, his footsteps never stopping. “You didn’t use to do things this absurd. You used to be my good little brother too!”

With a bang, the door slammed shut.

Grinding his teeth, Zhao Mingshi turned around in fury, grabbed the cup on the table, and smashed it onto the floor.

At the old house in Su City, Jiang Luo, Huo Zongzhuo, and Mother sat together, raising their glasses. Inside them was Su City’s specialty—osmanthus wine.

“Happy New Year’s Eve!”

They clinked glasses and happily began their reunion dinner.

In a small county town in northern Jiangsu, Mo Wanzhen was having a reunion dinner with her family. She’d prepared red envelopes and, as soon as they sat down, handed them out—to her younger siblings and to her parents. Everyone was delighted, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.

Over in Haicheng, Zhang Ningfu was also with his family. Though Old Man Xue was alone, he didn’t shortchange himself—his table had meat, fish, and a bottle of good liquor.

Wang Chuang was at his grandparents’ place with his parents, eating with relatives. These days, Wang Chuang’s family had really turned things around, and he spoke with far more confidence than before. His uncles and older relatives looked at them in a new light, praising Wang Chuang and saying Wang Junwei and Bai Ting had raised a fine son.

Jiang Jianmin and Zhang Xiangping didn’t manage to wait for Zhao Mingshi. Instead, they went on their own to Old Master Jiang’s place and spent the New Year with two of Jiang Jianmin’s brothers. At the dinner table, Jiang Jianmin couldn’t stop talking about “my son at Fudan,” bragging endlessly.

The eldest of the Jiang family asked, “Where’s Jiang Luo? Back with his biological parents?”

Jiang Jianmin snorted disdainfully. “Ungrateful brat. He’s not my biological son anyway—if he wants to go back, let him. I’ll just pretend I raised a dog all those years.”

At the Zhao household, naturally, everyone was gathered together for a cheerful reunion as well.

The difference was that most of the Zhao relatives were doing pretty well for themselves—either holding small leadership positions within the system like Zhao Guangyuan, or running businesses like Zhao Guangqian, though none on Zhao Guangqian’s scale.

At the dinner table, people chatted about work, about everyday trivialities, and eventually about Pudong and real estate.

Someone said, “I saw that some buildings in Gubei are finished now. Really beautiful—no wonder they call it an international community, even selling to foreigners.”

“I saw them too. They’re gorgeous. Must be expensive.”

“Is your family buying?”

“We’ll see when the time comes. If the buildings are nice and the apartments are good, we’ll definitely buy.”

As they chatted, someone asked Su Lan, “Zhao Shuo isn’t young anymore. Is he still seeing the girlfriend he was dating before?”

“You’re buying a place for him to get married, right?”

“Gubei really is nice—planning to buy there?”

Because Zhao Mingshi wasn’t around, and also because of Jiang Luo, Su Lan wasn’t in the best mood. She forced herself to respond, “We’ll go take a look first. Hard to say.”

“I personally think a townhouse is better—one floor for dining, one for resting. No interference.”

A relative laughed. “Zhao Shuo, your mom’s buying you a townhouse for marriage.”

Zhao Shuo smiled faintly, not really in the mood.

Zhao Guangyuan sat with Zhao Guangqian, the brothers chatting quietly about the situation in Pudong as they ate.

Zhao Guangyuan said, “Those plots of land—their intended use was decided long ago.”

“The people buying them are all extremely powerful bosses and big companies.”

“You know Huo Zongzhuo, right?”

“He sold airplanes before—made the news.”

Zhao Guangqian said, “I know him.”

“He has very strong ties with several coal bosses over in Shanxi.”

“I’ve had dinner with him before.”

“He can even sell coal from Shanxi up to Beijing for others—he definitely has connections there.”

Zhao Guangyuan thought of something and lowered his voice. “Zhao Shuo once happened to see Boss Huo having dinner with Jiang Luo. And the last time Boss Huo came over, he also said he had a good relationship with Jiang Luo.”

It would’ve been better not to mention it. Once he did, Zhao Guangqian got angry. “See?! If we’d brought the kid back earlier, he could’ve already formed connections with someone like Huo Zongzhuo!”

“Idiots!”

Zhao Guangqian snapped, “No matter what, you bring that kid back to me! If he won’t come willingly, tie him up and drag him back!”

As the meal drew to a close, the Spring Festival Gala was playing boisterously on TV.

Mother went upstairs for something. Huo Zongzhuo watched the gala, while Jiang Luo leaned back in his chair, holding his brick phone as he took a call from Accountant Xue, laughing as he chatted. “Your son didn’t come back again, huh?”

“Forget it—waiting for him is worse than waiting for me to come back and be filial to you.”

Huo Zongzhuo heard this and turned to glance at Jiang Luo, his gaze gentle.

Jiang Luo then received a call from Wang Chuang. As he lowered his eyes and poured osmanthus wine into his cup, he laughed into the phone, “Well, well, Boss Wang—already drunk? You can’t even talk straight.”

“Mm, you too. Happy New Year’s Eve. Have a good year.”

He hung up just as Mother came downstairs.

She was holding two bright red envelopes, smiling. One went to Huo Zongzhuo, the other to Jiang Luo. “Here, these are for you. Take them.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Huo Zongzhuo said as he accepted his.

Jiang Luo stood up, walked around the table, and opened his arms to hug Mother, dragging out his words. “Tha~ank~ you~ Mooom~”

“Mom~ is~ the~ be~st~”

Mother knew he was just playing around and smiled to herself.

Huo Zongzhuo also took out a red envelope and handed it to Jiang Luo with a smile. “This one’s from me.”

As soon as Jiang Luo saw it, he went over too, bent down, and hugged Huo Zongzhuo. “Tha~ank~ you~ Big~ bro~”

“Big~ bro~ is~ the~ be~st~ too~”

Lowering his voice, he added, “Right, Dad?”

Huo Zongzhuo laughed under his breath, tapped Jiang Luo on the head with the red envelope, then exchanged a knowing smile with Mother.

Mother looked at them with loving eyes.

Suddenly, crackling sounds came from outside the courtyard—someone was setting off fireworks in the alley.

Jiang Luo went out to look, and Huo Zongzhuo followed. They saw fireworks flashing along the stone-paved road.

The bursts were colorful, dazzling—fun and beautiful.

More people gathered in the alley, along with lots of children.

Jiang Luo and Huo Zongzhuo stood together watching the fireworks. Someone set off firecrackers, and with a loud bang, one exploded high in the air.

Standing beside Jiang Luo, Huo Zongzhuo raised a hand and covered Jiang Luo’s ears.

Jiang Luo turned his head and smiled at him. “I really am your son—you even cover my ears for me. Such a good dad.”

Huo Zongzhuo pinched Jiang Luo’s ear with the hand covering it. Jiang Luo jabbed him with his elbow.

When they went back inside, Mother continued watching the Spring Festival Gala. Huo Zongzhuo and Jiang Luo cleared the table together, carrying the dishes into the kitchen.

Huo Zongzhuo turned on the tap, preparing to wash the dishes. Jiang Luo came in holding bowls and chopsticks and said, “Why do I feel like I married into your family?”

Huo Zongzhuo chuckled, rolling up his shirt sleeves as he cast Jiang Luo a slow glance.

Jiang Luo looked at him. “What kind of look is that?”

Huo Zongzhuo said calmly, “If you were my wife, you wouldn’t need to step into the kitchen.”

“That good, huh?” Jiang Luo said.

He set the dishes down by the sink and turned to leave—but then came back, sidling up close to Huo Zongzhuo with an obviously mischievous look, eyes bright. “Husband.”

After saying it, he darted away, laughing wildly, afraid Huo Zongzhuo would kick him.

Huo Zongzhuo laughed helplessly and called out toward the door, “If you keep this up, get back in here and wash the dishes!”

“You wash them—that’s your good fortune!” Jiang Luo called back. “I’ll wipe the table and watch TV with Mom!”

Smiling at the corner of his mouth, Huo Zongzhuo turned back to washing dishes.

His hands were in icy water.

But his heart was warm.

Out in the living room, Jiang Luo watched TV with Mother, then casually flipped open the red envelope Huo Zongzhuo had given him.

Seeing the stack of U.S. dollars inside, Jiang Luo smiled.

He thought that whoever ended up marrying Huo Zongzhuo in the future would live an unbelievably comfortable, blissful life.

Then Jiang Luo remembered that in his previous life, Huo Zongzhuo still hadn’t married even as he approached forty.

Jiang Luo flipped through the bills at the mouth of the envelope, musing: Could it be that he really doesn’t work down there?

Jiang Luo decided that someday he’d look up some folk remedies for that area for Huo Zongzhuo.

A man had to be hard, no matter what!

Su City’s osmanthus wine was sweet and mild, with very little alcohol. Jiang Luo drank it like sweet syrup, downing quite a bit. When he left the old house, his face was flushed red, like he was drunk.

Mother specifically reminded Huo Zongzhuo, “He might’ve had too much and gotten tipsy. Keep an eye on him—don’t let him trip and fall into the river again.”

“Okay,” Huo Zongzhuo replied.

After seeing Jiang Luo off, Huo Zongzhuo walked back alone, finding it hard to pin down exactly how he felt.

Happy? Of course. And deeply satisfied too—his heart felt full, in a way no big business deal could ever compare to.

It was different. Far better than all of that.

To him, Su City was different from any other city, big or small.

This was his root, the place where he was born and raised, his home. His mother was here too.

Bringing Jiang Luo here felt like opening a private door just for him—letting Jiang Luo step into a world that belonged solely to Huo Zongzhuo. It was like a tired bird returning to its forest, or an old cat carrying a kitten back to its nest—marking Jiang Luo with his own unique imprint and presence.

Huo Zongzhuo understood clearly that, compared to anyone else, Jiang Luo was an extraordinary and singular existence to him.

At the same time, he also knew that no matter how he viewed Jiang Luo or treated him, in the end, Jiang Luo and he were different.

Jiang Luo was a normal man.

He was gay.

Huo Zongzhuo didn’t need to analyze or think deeply about this. Reality was simply reality, laid bare before him.

He could like Jiang Luo—there was no problem with that. That was his own business, his own freedom.

But could he so easily reveal those feelings?

Walking along the stone-paved path, his blurred shadow clustered at his feet.

When he returned to the old house, Mother was waiting under the corridor again.

After closing the courtyard gate, Huo Zongzhuo went over. Mother spoke gently, “Is that child alright? His face was so red when he left. That’s my fault—I shouldn’t have let him drink so much osmanthus wine.”

“He’s fine. He’s not a child,” Huo Zongzhuo said.

This wasn’t the first time he’d said that.

Mother followed him inside. “He still is. After the New Year, he’s only nineteen.”

Huo Zongzhuo was about to escort Mother upstairs to rest, but she stopped him, holding his hand in the living room. “I know what you’re thinking.”

“Do you feel that you’re different from him?”

“Zongzhuo.”

She comforted him gently. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it—the times will change.”

“Just wait and see. Maybe it won’t be many years before society becomes different, more accepting.”

“Just like how women used to bind their feet and follow the Three Obediences and Four Virtues. Now women are liberated and can hold up half the sky.”

“I know,” Huo Zongzhuo said, not wanting to say more or worry her.

Mother patted his hand again. “Luckily, he’s still young. He won’t get married right after the New Year.”

“And you said it yourself—his mind is all on business, and there aren’t any girls around him.”

“Don’t worry.”

Knowing how much his mother cared for him, Huo Zongzhuo reassured her instead. “I’m a grown man, my age is what it is. I won’t end up making a complete mess of myself just because I like someone.”

“Mom, you know me. I always have my own way.”

Mother headed toward the stairs, shaking her head with a helpless smile. She knew perfectly well. “You’re comforting me. I know.”

“You don’t want me to worry.”

“Don’t worry—I won’t.”

“Your path is yours to walk.”

Then she added, “Bring that child back often in the future. Come home whenever you have time.”

“It’s not really about seeing me. There’s nothing to see—just an old woman.”

“It’s mainly for you. The closer you two are, the happier you’ll be.”

“As long as you’re happy, anything is fine.”

“And don’t think too far ahead.”

“In the end, living isn’t about the past or the future—it’s about the present, the here and now.”

“If you live the present well, happily and smoothly, that’s better than anything else.”

…

Dressed in his sleepwear, Huo Zongzhuo stood on the balcony of his bedroom, drinking a cup of hot water.

He thought of what his mother had just said—that he shouldn’t worry about the future, shouldn’t feel sad just because he and Jiang Luo were different and might not have a future together.

Of course he wasn’t sad.

With Jiang Luo, the road ahead was far too clear—crystal clear. Or to put it bluntly, it was his road, his emotional path, entirely foreseeable. Where was there room for sorrow?

From the moment he realized he liked men, he had known exactly what he would have to bear.