Chapter 45
While the Xiao family had largely accepted the relationship between the two, Fu Yu’s side was still unresolved. He had subtly asked his parents about their thoughts on his younger cousin Ling Tian being in a relationship with a guy. His parents found it difficult to understand, but since Ling Tian’s parents had approved, they had no standing to say anything.
It was evident that Fu Yu’s parents had some reservations about same-sex relationships, and it could lead to unpredictable consequences if they brought it up directly. Fu Yu had always valued his family and didn’t want to burden them with his issues or cause them any distress, so he planned to take it slow.
On the weekend, when he visited his parents’ home, Fu Yu brought Xiao Yi with him. Xiao Yi had taken special care to dress up, and his natural handsomeness was accentuated by his attire. Fu Yu’s mother, Chen Fang, was thrilled when she opened the door and saw Xiao Yi, her eyes lighting up. She couldn’t stop complimenting Xiao Yi, saying how much he had grown more handsome.
In front of the elders, Xiao Yi completely concealed his true nature and appeared as a well-mannered and modest young man. Besides, he had often visited Fu Yu’s home during high school, so he was already familiar with Fu Yu’s parents.
Chen Fang complained, “Fu Yu, he asked you why you weren’t coming over, and you didn’t tell him. Now, you suddenly brought him here. I received his call and quickly tidied up the house. Why didn’t you inform me earlier?”
Xiao Yi knew the reason why Fu Yu hadn’t disclosed it before, but those were things of the past. He smiled and said, “Aunt, you’re making me feel uncomfortable. If I had known, I wouldn’t have said anything.”
Chen Fang laughed, “You’re quite the smooth talker. Otherwise, I’d be worried about coming here in the future.”
Fu Yu, who had just come out of the kitchen with the dishes, heard this and shouted helplessly, “Mom.”
Xiao Yi noticed Fu Yu in an apron, which was clearly his mother’s, in a wine-red color with floral patterns. Fu Yu already had fair skin, and with his sleeves rolled up, he revealed part of his forearms. The top button of his shirt was undone, showing a glimpse of his skin and the faint outline of his collarbone. The wine-red apron only made his fair skin look even more radiant.
Xiao Yi was momentarily stunned by the sight, and his mind began to wander with some impure thoughts. He quickly made an excuse to go to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face to cool down.
Dinner was a joyous affair, and during the meal, Fu Yu’s father, Fu Donghai, casually asked about where Xiao Yi was currently working. Xiao Yi truthfully replied, “I’m at Xiao Group.”
Fu Donghai nodded with approval, “Xiao Group is quite a formidable conglomerate. Work hard, and you will surely have a successful career there.” Fu Yu’s parents didn’t know about Xiao Yi’s family background but assumed that he was well-off based on his ability to attend that private high school.
Xiao Yi grinned, “I think I don’t have much room for growth in Xiao Group anymore. The positions above me are taken by my brother and my grandfather. One is the chairman, and the other is the heir. I don’t want to compete for their positions.”
Both Fu Donghai and Chen Fang put down their chopsticks and were momentarily surprised. They scolded Fu Yu, “How could you not tell us such a significant thing? Did you even properly thank him?”
Xiao Yi quickly seized the opportunity and spoke, “Yes, yes, Fu Yu is well-behaved and appreciative. Isn’t that right?”
Fu Yu felt the mischievous glint in Xiao Yi’s eyes, realizing what he was referring to. He blushed slightly and averted his gaze.
After dinner, Xiao Yi went upstairs to Fu Yu’s room. After a while, Fu Yu brought up some drinks and fruits.
Fu Yu’s parents had a much larger house compared to Fu Yu’s apartment near his workplace, situated in a peaceful and beautiful environment. Fu Yu’s bedroom was spacious and neat, with a row of bookshelves because he loved to read. Xiao Yi pulled Fu Yu to sit beside him on the soft and comfortable floor, backed against the bed with a plain, thick carpet.
He gently squeezed Fu Yu’s hand and asked, “Did your parents say anything?”
“They told me to make sure to thank you properly and cherish you as a friend,” Fu Yu replied honestly.
Xiao Yi’s lips curled up, and he teased, “So, how are you going to thank me?”
Fu Yu thought for a moment and said seriously, “I’ll read you a poem.”
“Ah?” Xiao Yi was still perplexed, but Fu Yu had already stood up, taken a book from the shelf, and returned to sit by his side. He opened a page with a bookmark and began to read a poem in fluent and melodic English in the quiet room:
「I love you，
Not for what you are，
But for what I am
When I am with you.
I love you，
Not only for what
You have made of yourself，
But for what
You are making of me.
I love you
For the part of me
That you bring out;
I love you
For putting your hand
Into my heaped-up heart
And passing over
All the foolish， weak things
That you can’t help
Dimly seeing there，
And for drawing out
Into the light
All the beautiful belongings
That no one else had looked
Quite far enough to find.
I love you because you
Are helping me to make
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern
But a temple;
Out of the works
Of my every day
Not a reproach
But a song.
I love you
Because you have done
More than any creed
Could have done
To make me good
And more than any fate
Could have done
To make me happy.
You have done it
Without a touch，
Without a word，
Without a sign.
You have done it
By being yourself.
Perhaps that is what
Being a friend means，
After all.」
After finishing the poem, Fu Yu closed the book and looked at Xiao Yi with bright eyes. He said, “When I used to read this poem, I couldn’t grasp the author’s emotions, and I didn’t know if it was praising love or friendship. But now, I think I understand.”
Xiao Yi, completely enamored, gazed at Fu Yu with infinite tenderness and softly said, “I love you too.”
Fu Yu was taken aback for a moment, suddenly realizing that he had said “I love you” multiple times while reading the poem. He felt a bit embarrassed and said, “Did you only hear that part? I read many other lines…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Xiao Yi kissed him without hesitation. Their hands, intertwined, conveyed a gentle and affectionate kiss between their lips and teeth, exceptionally sweet and moving.
After the kiss, Xiao Yi didn’t want to pull away from Fu Yu’s lips. In a soft, murmuring tone, he said, “Yu Yu, there’s something I need to confess to you. Please don’t be angry…”
Fu Yu half-opened his eyes, slightly puzzled. Xiao Yi affectionately rubbed his nose against Fu Yu’s and whispered, “Once, I came to your house, and you were sleeping while reading. You were lying in the same spot we are now. I couldn’t resist and gave you a kiss… Well, maybe not just one kiss. You were sleeping so soundly, and the bolder I got, the more I touched you…”
Xiao Yi tried to downplay it, worried that Fu Yu might get angry. In reality, he had been incredibly bold at the time, which led to countless dreams of that moment filled with heat and embarrassment. Additionally, after learning about what Chen Shaoguang had done, he had never dared to tell Fu Yu about this, fearing that he might find him perverse.
Fu Yu was a bit surprised but not angry. He saw the anxious and hesitant look in Xiao Yi’s eyes and comforted him gently, saying, “It’s okay. We’re already together, so what’s the difference between kissing earlier or later?”
Xiao Yi knew that Fu Yu had a straightforward and logical way of thinking, and these words had no deeper meaning. However, he always found himself repeatedly ignited by them.
Constrained by their surroundings at Fu Yu’s parents’ home, Xiao Yi had merely made Fu Yu blush, and he spoke in a soft and shallow voice, “I’ll come to find you tomorrow night, and then we can continue.”
