Chapter 41

Editor: SleepyMango123

Proofreader: Lore

“It seems like you’re now busier than me.”

It was eleven o’clock in the evening. Han Cheng urged Xia Tian to go to bed several times, but the young man had refused. Han Cheng stood beside him and calmly said, “Everyday, being diligent and working hard¹(Actual words: 勤勤恳恳) Describe hard work and practicality. Also describes a diligent look. 日理万机 Describes busy government affairs and hard work.… I really envy the late Chairman Xia. Xia family has you, so they won’t need to worry about the end of a great cause.”

A month had passed. Xia Tian smelt chickens and danced²Describe people with lofty ideals who work hard. every morning, gouged the walls and stole the light³Originally refers to the Western Han Dynasty Kuang Heng chiselled through the wall to lead neighbours to read by candlelight. It was later used to describe the items of a poor family and studying hard. at night. On weekends, he would only go out when there was an important occasion where he had to show up. For the rest of the time, he would spend his time reading in his room. He was much more hardworking compared to Han Cheng who had more than a dozen projects in progress at the same time.

Xia Tian responded helplessly, “The term is about to end. This time, I want to fight and achieve…”

Achieve the second from last place.

However, this goal might not be achievable. Xia Tian was afraid that he would not be able to do it after saying it and may have his face slapped in the future. He changed his wording, “I want to have better results.”

Han Cheng frowned slightly. He wondered about Xia Tian’s thoughts and gently said, “Don’t worry, I’m considered to be of a high position on our family’s side. When visiting relatives and friends during the New Year, no one would dare to ask about your results and achievements.”

Since childhood, being asked by everyone about his results every new year evoked Xia Tian’s unpleasant memories. Xia Tian asked in horror, “I’m married… Will anyone still ask about my results?!”

“No.” Han Cheng simply replied.

In fact, Han Cheng was not sure if his elders would suddenly ask such a question. But since he expected it, he would mention it to everyone before the New Year to avoid this minefield.

This was Xia Tian’s first time spending the New Year with him, it was better not to leave such a black mark.

Xia Tian felt a little relieved. He put the test papers that had just been sorted by the wrong questions into the folder and continued, “I still can’t relax. There will be a parent meeting next year… You go to bed first, I want to read again for a while.”

“The examinee hasn’t slept yet. If I rest first, it doesn’t seem appropriate.” Han Cheng got up. “I’ll cut an apple for you… At the latest, read till 11:30. If you don’t sleep by then, I’ll pull the switch.”

Without waiting for Xia Tian to bargain, Han Cheng continued, “If you don’t mind the cold, you can wear a down jacket and go out to read by the street lamp. I won’t stop you.”

Han Cheng kindly reminded him, “This afternoon the Meteorological Bureau issued a cold weather warning, and there will be a drastic drop in temperature tonight.”

Xia Tian was speechless and nodded honestly. “If it’s 11:30, so be it… I won’t go out. If by chance, I get photographed by a paparazzi who is working overtime, I won’t be able to clear…”

“Heir to the Xia Group, married to the Han Family for less than a year, was driven out of the house by the head of the Han family in the middle of the night, and was sleeping on the streets.”

“Xia Family’s young master appeared in the garden area in the middle of the night, suspected to be expelled from the house by Han Cheng. The Han and Xia married couple, who used to be the envy of others, now it seems dynamics may have changed.”

“Starting from Mr. Han’s wife, there is an increasing number of wealthy couples who have turned against each other in recent years.”

“Young Master Xia was kicked out of the house late at night. In the cold wind, he borrowed a street lamp to check the map and find his way home. Rich marriages are full of sob stories.”

Several headlines popped up in Xia Tian’s mind, and he didn’t dare to think about it anymore.

Han Cheng chuckled and said, “Scared you with a sentence, do you still dare to go out? Read your book here.”

Rubbing his forehead, Xia Tian concentrated on his reading.

Han Cheng went downstairs, picked an apple, thought about it and took an orange and kiwi as well.

There seemed to be a lot of people who have caught colds recently, so it was always better to add more vitamins.

Han Cheng peeled and cut the fruits into small pieces. He then placed them in a large glass bowl, and squeezed out a bit of sweet salad dressing.

Xia Tian originally thought that Han Cheng was just peeling an apple for him, but he didn’t expect the fruit to be made in such a sumptuous manner, so he hurriedly ate it and vaguely said, “There are still oranges at home? I didn’t know.”

Xia Tian pushed the glass bowl towards Han Cheng. However, Han Cheng shook his head. “I don’t want to eat. I cut a bit too much. Leave it if you can’t finish them.”

“How can I just leave it like that?” After taking a few bites, Xia Tian thought about it and said, “You just said people might be asking me about my grades during the Chinese New Year… Do I have to meet many people during the Chinese New Year?

Han Cheng nodded slightly. “In the past, it was originally possible to find a reason to avoid them, but now…”

Xia Tian understood. Both of them were in an agreement and would be together forever. There was no need to put up a pretence.

“I think I should visit your relatives, as well as the family from your mother’s maternal family.” Han Cheng pondered, “Chairman Yan side… No need to visit them, right?”

Xia Tian hurriedly replied, “No need.”

“Actually, I should go. It’s not because she isn’t blood-related to you, but because she didn’t treat you well, that’s why I’m too lazy to deal with it.” Thinking of this, Han Cheng went on with a thoughtful tone, “Speaking of which, she had threatened you with the inheritance before… Forget it, let’s not mention this, sooner or later there will be an argument.”

Without waiting for Xia Tian to speak, Han Cheng continued again, “But there is something I need to tell you in advance. During the New Year… We have to live at my mother’s house for a few days. One year at my mother’s house, the next year at your mother’s.”

Xia Tian nodded. “Okay. What’s the matter?”

“My mother lives at the main house…It could be considered an old house? During the Chinese New Year, not only my mother, but my uncle, and cousin will also go.” Han Cheng lightly stated the point, “When the time comes, we can no longer sleep in separate rooms.”

Xia Tian swallowed the fruit in his mouth and his ears slowly turned red.

Han Cheng smiled faintly. “What’s the matter? Previously you asked me to go to your room. Now, you’re scared?”

“No, I’m not afraid…” Xia Tian laughed dryly, “What’s so terrifying, just… how many days?”

“It’s not possible if it is only one day. Before and after… at least three days and two nights.” Han Cheng asked, “Can you accept it?”

Xia Tian avoided Han Cheng’s gaze, cleared his throat, and gently nodded.

Han Cheng smiled. “What should I do? Suddenly I’m starting to look forward to the New Year.”

Xia Tian’s heart was pounding, and he almost jumped up when he heard the words. He responded bitterly, “I couldn’t continue to study anymore and yet you still teased me…”

“Then don’t look at it, it’s already half-past eleven.” Han Cheng cleared up the textbooks on the table for Xia Tian, so that he wouldn’t be irritated tomorrow morning. “You have a thicker quilt in your room, right? Change it. In the middle of the night, the temperature should start to drop. The indoor constant temperature system may not be that sensitive. Don’t get cold.”

Xia Tian nodded. He got up to pack his school bag with Han Cheng. Thinking about it, he said, “Um… I was just surprised that we have to stay overnight. It was a bit unexpected. I actually don’t mind it, after all, we’re really together.”

Han Cheng raised his eyebrows and said, “No need to explain, I know.”

Han Cheng walked Xia Tian back to his room as usual. It was not known if he was bewildered by the upcoming room arrangements, but Xia Tian’s whole body floated a bit. Before entering the room, the young man whispered, “Then… Isn’t there any good night kiss?”

Han Cheng smiled and was about to kiss Xia Tian on the forehead when he suddenly anxiously stopped him. “Don’t kiss my head! There’s cooling oil on it!”

Han Cheng was stunned. He didn’t think much about it. Now that he was getting closer, he did smell a faint scent of mint, and he started laughing. “Why did you apply it on your whole head?”

Xia Tian replied, “To refresh my mind and increase my concentration.”

Han Cheng smiled at the corner of his mouth and asked, “Where is it not applied?”

Xia Tian coughed. His cheeks flushed and after a while, he whispered, “On my lips… I didn’t apply any there.”

Han Cheng smiled.

In all fairness, Xia Tian’s talent up to this point was not even at an entry-level, but somehow Han Cheng could always be tempted.

One thing drops one thing.⁴(Actual words:一物降一物)It is a metaphor for the existence and restraint of all things in the universe, and their endlessness. If there is one thing, there will be another thing to subdue it.

Han Cheng had a smile in his eyes and softly said, “You shouldn’t have applied on the inside of your lips, right? Baby… I don’t like the mint smell. Don’t hurt me.”

Han Cheng looked at Xia Tian gently and continued, “Did you apply some on the inside?”

Xia Tian, “…”

The flames on his face could cook pancakes!

The old gangster saw that his lover was shy, while becoming confused and slowly retracted his supernatural powers. Without forcing Xia Tian to answer, he gently pressed him against the corridor wall and gave him a deep kiss.

……

…

“Fortunately, it tastes of fruit.” A few minutes later, Han Cheng let go of Xia Tian and smiled, “Don’t play with your phone anymore, lie down and sleep, remember to cover yourself with a thick quilt.”

“Good night.”

• 1
  (Actual words: 勤勤恳恳) Describe hard work and practicality. Also describes a diligent look. 日理万机 Describes busy government affairs and hard work.
• 2
  Describe people with lofty ideals who work hard.
• 3
  Originally refers to the Western Han Dynasty Kuang Heng chiselled through the wall to lead neighbours to read by candlelight. It was later used to describe the items of a poor family and studying hard.
• 4
  (Actual words:一物降一物)It is a metaphor for the existence and restraint of all things in the universe, and their endlessness. If there is one thing, there will be another thing to subdue it.