Chapter 103
Su Bin had known for a long time that Yang Chengzhe’s father was a professor in the finance department at a prestigious university, and his mother was also an expert in the field. So, initially, Su Bin was extremely respectful toward them, feeling like a student meeting his teachers.
However, they were so affable that they didn’t make anyone feel uncomfortable. Especially Yang Chengzhe’s father, just by listening to him talk, one could sense his profound knowledge, humor, and friendly demeanor, making everyone feel at ease.
When Professor Yang learned that Su Bin was studying finance, he engaged him in a discussion about various interesting finance cases. Su Bin was excited and had stars in his eyes, wishing he could also call Yang Chengzhe’s father “dad.”
“I heard that you originally attended the provincial university. Why did you suddenly decide to drop out and study at M University?” Although the Yang family had helped Su Bin with his affairs, they didn’t know the real reason for his dropping out. Professor Yang, while chatting with Su Bin, naturally asked about it.
Su Bin was taken aback by the question and looked to Allen for help. Allen was sitting beside him and gave his leg a light pat before answering on Su Bin’s behalf, “This was my idea.”
In fact, when Yang Chengzhe first learned of this news, he was also shocked. At first, he thought Allen’s interest in Su Bin was just a young person’s curiosity. Su Bin had caught Allen’s attention, and Allen wanted to keep Su Bin around for a while longer. However, when he learned that Allen had come to China for Su Bin and personally handled these matters, Yang Chengzhe realized that Allen’s involvement seemed to be much deeper than he had imagined.
During their phone conversation about Su Bin’s dropout, Yang Chengzhe had asked Allen a question: “By intervening in Su Bin’s life like this, what kind of role do you want him to play in your future, just because of your interest?”
Yang Chengzhe didn’t know Allen’s true background, but he could tell from some details that Allen had significant influence in Country B, and he had the qualifications to be willful. The series of teasing and bullying before could be considered as a little game between the two, harmless and playful. But “dropping out” involved someone’s future and life. If Allen treated this matter lightly, Yang Chengzhe would definitely refuse to help.
At that time, Allen had said one sentence, “He is a part of me now.”
— Not a part of my life, but a part of me as a person.
Yang Chengzhe had only heard foreigners say something similar in one situation: when introducing their “partner” to others, they would say, “This is my better half.” This meant that Allen didn’t consider Su Bin a passing figure in his life but rather his significant other.
This answer surprised Yang Chengzhe, but it also satisfied him. So, without further ado, everything proceeded smoothly.
At this moment, Allen was calmly responding to Professor Yang’s questions. He explained that Su Bin wanted to develop his career in Country B, so instead of waiting to graduate and then applying for a master’s program back in China, it was more time-efficient to drop out and apply directly for further studies in Country B, allowing him to prepare adequately for his future career.
Professor Yang praised him, “Very good, many young people in China today are too bound by degrees, especially in prestigious universities. There are few who dare to make such bold decisions… In fact, waiting for graduation can also be a form of complacency and self-numbing. Little did they know, sometimes, the key to success lies in taking action.”
Allen also expressed his gratitude again for the help he had received earlier. Professor Yang waved it off, saying, “Don’t mention it. My son received a lot of help from you in Country B. In China, we call it repaying favors.”
After a while, Mrs. Yang invited everyone to the dining room to have dinner. She said, “These are just some common home-cooked dishes. I hope you like them.”
Taking a look, they saw a table full of dishes, including shredded pork with garlic sauce, mixed vegetables, Peking duck, moo shu pork, and sweet and sour pork.
Yang Chengzhe chuckled, “Mom, you should say that these were specially prepared for us. We don’t usually eat this kind of home-cooked food!”
The attitude of Chinese people and foreigners is different when hosting guests for dinner. Chinese people tend to downplay their offerings to show modesty, while foreigners emphasize careful preparation to show the importance of their guests. Saying things like “the dishes aren’t that good” can make foreigners feel underserved.
Mrs. Yang was momentarily surprised but immediately laughed, “I almost forgot that you have a foreign friend among you… Our nanny is still in the kitchen making soup and dumplings. You don’t often come back to China, so consider this an early New Year’s Eve dinner that Uncle and Auntie prepared for you. Eat more!”
Mr. Yang added, “Yes, tomorrow is New Year’s Day. Come on, let’s raise our glasses and wish each other a Happy New Year!”
When Su Bin heard this, his eyes welled up. It had been so many years since he had eaten such a sumptuous New Year’s Eve dinner! His grandmother had passed away early, and since his grandfather’s death and his parents’ separation, Su Bin had not experienced such a festive New Year’s Eve dinner.
He did have an uncle, but because of conflicts between his father and him, Su Bin was not close to them. He only remembered going to his uncle’s house for New Year’s dinner when he was a child. His aunt had cooked steaming hot rice cake soup for him and his cousin. The taste of it, Su Bin still remembered to this day!
Later, only he and his father were left. His father wouldn’t be so heartless as to leave him alone at home on New Year’s Eve. They would buy some wine and snacks, light a fire at home, and turn on the TV. Although the lively Spring Festival Gala contrasted with the loneliness of the father and son, Su Bin still enjoyed it. At least, that night was warmer than usual.
At this moment, everyone raised their glasses, and everyone was so happy and enthusiastic. Mr. Yang, as the head of the family, expressed his thoughts, “The French poet Rimbaud once wrote a lively poem called ‘Living Elsewhere,’ which is beautiful, tempting, and lonely, making people suffer… You three young foreigners living ‘elsewhere’ in Country B met Allen, and Allen brought you to China. First, I welcome the arrival of such a medieval gentleman with the aroma of fine wine…”
Everyone burst into laughter; Mr. Yang was so humorous. Su Bin thought, it turns out I’m not the only one who thinks Allen is like a time traveler!
Mr. Yang continued, “No matter what your initial reasons for coming together were, meeting is fate, and living together makes you family. Uncle hopes that you four ‘living elsewhere’ young people can take care of each other like family, love and cherish each other… No matter where you go in the future, remember this beautiful moment.”
Everyone raised their glasses and shouted, “Happy New Year!”
… Su Bin really wished that time could stop at this moment!
When they returned to Jin Fei’s house in the evening, Su Bin tidied up first and anxiously waited for Allen to finish washing up and come back.
As soon as Allen lay down, he felt the person next to him moving slowly toward him, like a bug crawling. Su Bin touched Allen’s hand under the blanket, uncertain if Allen had forgiven him.
Allen didn’t move, so Su Bin nervously held his hand.
Finally, Allen held his hand back and pulled him out from under the blanket, placing them face to face. “What’s wrong?” Su Bin stuttered, unable to find the words.
Allen raised an eyebrow, looking at him. Su Bin bit his lip and, in an attempt to appease Allen, leaned in to kiss him.
Allen took the opportunity to roll on top of him, biting his lips. After a passionate kiss, he let go and said, “I remember I said that pleasing me requires doing it like this…”
Su Bin was dumbfounded. “Ah?”
Allen had already lain back down. “I was just demonstrating. Do I need to teach you again?”
Su Bin hesitated for half a second, his face turning red. Then, he crawled over slowly, his head held high, and pressed his lips against Allen’s to show his willingness to make amends.
Allen took advantage of the situation, flipped Su Bin over, and held him down. After a deep kiss, he released him and said, “I remember I said that pleasing me requires doing it like this…”
Su Bin was stunned. “…Huh?”
Allen had already lain back down. “I was just demonstrating. Do I need to teach you again?”
Su Bin was stunned for half a second, and his face turned red. Then, he looked at Allen, who had an attitude of “I won’t forgive you unless you take the initiative,” and he instantly felt helpless.
Summoning his courage, he slowly crawled over, clung to Allen’s body like a gecko, and the two of them stared at each other with wide eyes.
“…”
Allen reached out and hugged his waist, giving him some encouragement.
Su Bin gritted his teeth. Well, he had kissed Allen before, no need to be so fussy. He suddenly lowered his head, and Allen let out a muffled groan. Su Bin felt a sense of achievement, thinking, “Haha, Allen used to do all sorts of things to me, and now it’s finally my turn!”
He nibbled on Allen’s lips for a while, then used his tongue to pry open Allen’s teeth. “Mmm, ah!” His tongue was bitten!
“Hehe…” Allen grinned at him mischievously, and his hand moved lower, patting gently. His voice was husky as he said, “Again…”
“Don’t bite me!” Su Bin, feeling a little annoyed, lowered his head again and attempted to kiss Allen. This time, it went more smoothly, but Allen’s tongue was incredibly agile, and he couldn’t seem to catch it no matter what he tried. He licked here and there, all while recalling how Allen used to kiss him in the past and experimenting on Allen’s body.
Feeling Allen’s arms tightening and his chest heaving more violently, Su Bin began to struggle for breath. It should be almost enough, right? Just as he was about to pull back, his tongue was suddenly sucked in!
“Ugh! Mm, uh, hmm…”
Allen’s assertiveness caught Su Bin off guard, and he quickly turned into a puddle of mush on top of Allen. When he was released, he felt out of breath, and his lips and tongue were burning hot…
o////o W-waaah~
Allen kissed his chin and finally laughed genuinely.
“…Are you still mad at me?” Su Bin seized the opportunity to ask.
Allen replied, “What do you think?”
Su Bin couldn’t quite figure out what Allen was thinking, so he reassured him, “I will trust you and try to be good to you.”
“What do you mean… ‘be good to me’?” Allen squinted his eyes. “Were you not good to me before, or are you hiding something from me?”
“No, no, no!” Su Bin hurriedly explained, “What I meant was, you’ve done a lot for me… coming to China for me, enduring the pain of flying for me, giving up your own country’s Christmas for me, being there for me when I was at my lowest, buying me clothes, helping with my dropout, and preparing to open a restaurant… so much. But I’ve done very little… I feel like it’s not right, so in the future, I will try to be good to you, even though you said I can’t be financially independent and can’t buy you gifts… but I will still try to be good to you.”
Allen silently looked at Su Bin for a long time. Before Su Bin could worry that he had said something wrong again, Allen murmured, “I’m not mad anymore.”
Su Bin hugged him tightly. “Really?”
Allen nodded. “Mm, but you don’t have to hurry to ‘be good to me.'”
“Why not?” Su Bin asked.
Allen looked at him tenderly and said, “In our relationship, the most fundamental things are obedience and trust. Just promise to do those, and that’s enough.”
Su Bin didn’t quite understand Allen’s logic. They might have encountered another communication issue, but Su Bin didn’t want to dwell on it. His determination to be good to Allen was a personal decision, unrelated to what Allen said. Allen talked about obedience and trust, and he would also strive to achieve that.
“I promise,” Su Bin said earnestly.
