Chapter 37
Ye Yixing was horrified as soon as he heard it. His mother and Chu Wenxing belonged to the same type of creatures! These people spoke so sharply, every sentence hitting the key points!
Hiding things from his mother was absolutely suicidal. With just a glance from his mother, Ye Yixing’s secrets would be sniffed out, and with a word, she would have him cornered. In this phone conversation, the tone was filled with ups and downs, and there was no way to sell any lies in front of the queen…
So Ye Yixing obediently replied, “Um…”
His mother said, “You’re twenty now, it’s about time. Have you found a girl? Bring her home to meet us soon.”
As a mother, she knew her son’s character the best. Ye Yixing’s mother had a clear understanding of the situation. If it was just a normal friend, her son wouldn’t be so concerned, nor would he be so open with her.
In today’s society, it was quite normal for university students to date and hold hands. Even if Ye Yixing found a girlfriend to accompany him now, it wouldn’t be considered a big deal. What was surprising was that this boy was taking it seriously!
Despite Ye Yixing’s charming and seemingly nonchalant exterior, he was actually quite traditional in his values, and he was also stubborn and single-minded…
Ye Yixing looked at He Yanlu, who was lying unconscious on the bed, feeling uneasy. That wasn’t a girl, but a boy!
He stammered, “Mom… He’s a bit thin-skinned, let’s take it slow.”
His mother remained composed on the surface, but inside, she couldn’t help but smile. This was quite remarkable. Nowadays, young people casually date and hold hands, but her son was taking it seriously!
She thought to herself that her son would definitely be a “henpecked husband” just like her husband, if he ended up with this girl!
His mother said, “Then handle it yourself. Let us know when you bring her home, so that Uncle Fu can prepare a delicious meal.”
Uncle Fu was the private chef of the Ye family. He had been the runner-up in the first S City Chef Championship over ten years ago. He was skilled in making soups and stews. After winning the competition, he was directly hired by the Ye family as their private chef.
This was also the main reason why Ye Yixing called home: “Is Uncle Fu there?”
His mother asked, “Why?”
Ye Yixing secretly clicked his tongue. What was wrong with his mother today? Usually, she would only exchange a few words before handing the phone over to Aunt Liu. Now, how should he coax Uncle Fu to cook a nourishing soup for his future wife? He couldn’t say it now. What if his mother, that fierce lady, found out that his wife-to-be was a man and immediately burst into a killing rage?
No, no. He had to suppress it for now. He would drop some hints when he went back. If the old lady became a bit more open-minded, it would be considered a proper marriage! If the two old stubborn minds were not enlightened, he would have to wage a long guerrilla war…
“I want to drink the soup made by Uncle Fu…” Ye Yixing gritted his teeth.
“What kind of soup do you want?” His mother teased, while also calling Uncle Fu, who was sitting in the hallway reading the newspaper.
Uncle Fu had a benevolent smile on his face. He had been quietly listening since Ye Yixing’s mother answered the phone. Over the past ten years, he had been the one who took care of Young Master Ye’s diet from childhood to adulthood. Needless to say, his health was excellent. Ever since Ye Yixing’s mother arranged for him to live outside when he started university, he hadn’t seen him for a week and was already missing him.
At this moment, with just a glance from Ye Yixing’s mother, he immediately put down the newspaper and his eyes turned into slits. He took the phone excitedly and said, “Xiao Ye, when are you coming back? Uncle Fu will prepare a feast for you…”
From a young age, Ye Yixing had been taught by his mother to treat everyone around him without pretense, especially without regard to social hierarchy. He sweetly called out “Uncle Fu” and then anxiously started arranging things for He Yanlu, “He’s weak, what kind of soup would be good for him? It needs to take effect immediately, and the most important thing is to replenish blood, like a tonic soup or something. Can Uncle Fu make it?”
Uncle Fu was shocked when he heard this. Unless someone had a particularly weak constitution or had just recovered from a serious illness, drinking that kind of soup would be equivalent to losing blood. He had been responsible for Young Master’s diet since he was a child, and his health was beyond doubt. What was going on that he needed a tonic soup like that? “Xiao Ye, have you been eating unhealthy food at school in the past six months? I told you not to eat unclean things outside…”
“No, no,” Ye Yixing hurriedly interrupted him. He knew Uncle Fu cared about him, but he couldn’t stand his nagging. “I haven’t been eating anything bad. I just… I just want to nourish my body!”
Uncle Fu suddenly understood and covered his mouth as he laughed. “Hehe, I understand, I understand. It’s for your friend, right?”
Uncle Fu didn’t mention the word “girlfriend,” and Ye Yixing understood his meaning. He just went along with it.
Then Uncle Fu carefully inquired about the condition of his friend’s health.
Ye Yixing said, “Long-term irregular meals, malnutrition, low blood pressure when waking up, probably a bit anemic…”
Uncle Fu sighed repeatedly, thinking, which girl from what family would mistreat herself like this? Thankfully, Young Master Ye knows how to take care of people…
“Let’s start by stewing some tremella and black chicken soup. If he’s going to stay with us, we need to nourish him from head to toe…”
Ye Yixing felt something was off when he heard that. Black chicken? Wasn’t that the black chicken and white phoenix pills advertised on TV, meant for women?
“Um, Uncle Fu… what are the benefits of tremella and black chicken soup?”
Uncle Fu replied in a calm voice, “Nourishing yin and replenishing blood.”
Ye Yixing coughed and said, “Is there something that can nourish yang?”
Uncle Fu asked, “Why does a girl need to invigorate yang?” Could it be that Young Master thinks he’s not enough like a wife… um, he shouldn’t say that out loud…
Helpless, Ye Yixing knew it wasn’t easy to fool Uncle Fu in matters of gender. Otherwise, who knew what kind of strange soup he would end up making. So he could only say, “My friend is a man.”
That should be straightforward enough! Look at this old guy still thinking too much! I’m loyal to my bros!
“Oh~” Uncle Fu looked at Mrs. Ye pretending not to be interested in the distance but clearly eavesdropping. He lowered his voice with meaningful implications, “So, young master’s partner is a man…”
What the hell is this! Is society really that open-minded now? Even a chef in his fifties can accept same-sex love? Dammit, a while ago, I was still a bit conflicted about He Yanlu being a man and almost missed my true love!
Ye Yixing was about to retort when Uncle Fu interrupted him, “Then we’ll make a kidney-tonifying soup, right?”
So he could only respond with a gloomy face and added, “Don’t tell my dad!”
His mother’s side was temporarily fine, but if his dad found out, it would be a disaster!
Ye’s father was definitely the most curious person in the world, still acting like a kid!
When he was in elementary school, he used to secretly read his diary and call him innocent and cute. In middle school, he loved sitting on the couch together watching Ultraman. In high school, he played online games together and even formed brotherhoods!
That old rascal claimed it was a father’s way of understanding his son…
Ye Yixing knew it was definitely an excuse, a result of being oppressed and enslaved by his mother for a long time. With nowhere to vent, he could only play around with his son!
…
Although subconsciously he felt that his father would support him and stand on his side, he still had to let him prepare and be honest with the other person first. Otherwise, if his dad found out about He Yanlu before he came out, his dad probably had already dug up three generations of He Yanlu’s family background and innocently claimed he didn’t know!
Thinking this way, Ye Yixing found it a bit funny. How did he end up with two dads for kids!
He gently touched He Yanlu’s waist and licked his lips. This one should just obediently stay in his arms as his wife…
After all the chattering, it was finally time to hang up the phone. Uncle Fu said, “I’ll start preparing now. Come to the old mansion before 3 pm to pick it up.”
“Before that, what should he eat? It’s better… if it’s something that can moisturize the intestines,” Ye Yixing became coy again, “Does milk work?” He remembered the milk that He Yanlu prepared for him on his first day at his house, gently stroking his hair. It made Ye Yixing feel sweet.
“Based on what you said just now, this kid’s stomach is definitely not good. Don’t drink milk! Cook some plain congee for him.”
“Thank you, Uncle Fu!” Ye Yixing happily touched the face of his sleeping lover and smiled with raised eyebrows.
“I see that Xiao Ye also needs some nourishment. Your voice is not as vigorous as before. But be careful not to only indulge in pleasures and neglect your health…”
“…” Uncle Fu, you’re wise! Truly a seasoned chef of thirty years! You’re the best!
After Uncle Fu finished speaking with a smile, he hung up the phone and met Mrs. Ye’s inquiring gaze. He covered his mouth and smiled slyly, saying, “Madam, our Xiao Ye has found himself a lover!”
×××
He Yanlu was dozing off, feeling sore all over and having a headache.
But never before had he felt so at ease when he was sick because there was someone by his side.
That person fed him water, gave him medicine, and even when he fell asleep, that person would come and tell him where they were going and when they would be back. They would occasionally kiss and comfort him, whispering by his side.
Subconsciously, he knew all of this.
As He Yanlu drifted in and out of consciousness, time seemed to pass quickly. There was no need for thinking or daydreaming; time simply flowed swiftly.
In his hazy state, he caught a whiff of the aroma of rice. It had been so many years, or perhaps he had never experienced this feeling of being taken care of before.
Ye Yixing lifted He Yanlu from the bed and placed a large pillow behind his waist, letting him half lean in his embrace. He fed him spoonfuls of porridge, one after another.
Even in his dazed state, He Yanlu obediently opened his mouth to eat, his eyes clearly lacking awareness while his body remained in a state of semi-sleep. He instinctively accepted each spoonful, licking it clean.
Unable to resist, Ye Yixing fed him a mouthful with his own mouth, taking advantage of the opportunity to indulge in their intimate moments. He Yanlu only made soft murmuring sounds, his dazed expression allowing Ye Yixing to have his way with him.
Ye Yixing touched He Yanlu’s forehead, which was still alarmingly hot. He wasn’t sure if the fever-reducing pills he bought from the pharmacy downstairs had any effect. If not, he might have to contact Grandfather Feng.
Grandfather Feng was the designated physician and nutritionist for the Ye family. He was an elderly practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine. However, he usually only made regular visits for check-ups and prescribed various vitamins and nutrients. The Ye family had been relatively healthy, with no major illnesses requiring hospital visits as far as Ye Yixing could remember.
However, the more people involved from the Ye family, the more people would become aware of He Yanlu’s existence. Ye Yixing didn’t want to risk letting others interfere with their free life together.
So, he decided to assess the situation first…
At 2 pm in the afternoon, Ye Yixing returned to the Ye residence to collect the soup. Uncle Fu had prepared a large thermos flask filled with a mild and nourishing broth. He had only added simple medicinal herbs that wouldn’t affect the taste.
Ye Yixing briefly greeted the housekeeper, Aunt Liu, but didn’t see his parents. Aunt Liu mentioned that they had gone to attend a charity event, and Ye Yixing didn’t pay much attention. It would be troublesome if they caught him.
He also rummaged through Uncle Fu’s large kitchen and gathered some miscellaneous snacks before leaving.
When he returned to the Xingyue Garden, He Yanlu was just starting to regain consciousness and felt the need to use the bathroom. As soon as Ye Yixing went upstairs, he saw He Yanlu leaning against the wall, trembling in his waist and legs, while breathing heavily with closed eyes.
He quickly approached, and as soon as he held He Yanlu, the latter went limp like a noodle, completely relying on him for support.
Ye Yixing laughed like a big bad wolf, “You trust me so much…”
The soup that Uncle Fu stewed was pure and not greasy, with an enticing aroma. Ye Yixing couldn’t resist and drank half a bowl before he couldn’t help but feed He Yanlu as well.
However, He Yanlu didn’t seem to like it very much. He wrinkled his nose and frowned at the spoon that was held close to his face, resembling a child who didn’t get any candy. Ye Yixing pulled out a prepared chocolate from his bag and coaxed him with a mix of persuasion and temptation, successfully getting him to finish the bowl before allowing him to continue his drowsy sleep.
The soup in the thermos flask would last for two days, and he had already made arrangements with Uncle Fu to retrieve it later.
He Yanlu’s body couldn’t afford to go unattended any longer. Ye Yixing didn’t want a situation where every time they were intimate, the other person would end up bedridden for several days. It was too tormenting…
He retrieved a number from his phone and contacted the domestic services company responsible for his little nest. He informed them to tidy up the house, clean it, and then made the final call for the day.
“Hello, this is Tiancheng Moving Company. How may I assist you?”
“Next Friday at noon, 16 Xingyue Garden, moving to 18 Cloud Mist Residence.”
“Alright, please let me know the service level you require and your contact number.”
“Level A, this is the contact number.”
“No problem. Level A requires an upfront deposit…”
…
Old man, I’m going to run away with my lover like a rolling bale, and you’ll be left dumbfounded in an unfinished house. Hahaha!
