edited, April 22, 2024
When Xia Wan came back, Xia Chengzhang was reading in the living room wearing his reading glasses.
Upon hearing the sound of the door opening, he raised his head while holding his reading glasses and asked, “Why are you coming back so late today?”
Xia Wan greeted his father with a smile, then suddenly turned his head toward the door and gestured, “Come in.”
Xia Chengzhang was a little confused when he heard Xia Wan’s invitation and raised his hand unconsciously, adjusting his glasses.
Xia Wan explained, “Dad, Huo Yu happened to be free today, so I brought him to meet you.”
“Let him come in quickly,” Xia Chengzhang said, staring at the door, feeling a little nervous.
With that, Xia Wan stepped aside to allow a tall and handsome young man to enter. Huo Yu greeted Xia Chengzhang with a warm smile,”Dad.”
Xia Chengzhang was still feeling a bit shocked, and responded with a bit stiffly “Hey”
When Huo Yu greeted him. He couldn’t help but stare at the impressive young man standing before him. Huo Yu’s appearance exceeded all expectations. He was tall and had a strikingly handsome face, much more attractive than Xia Chengzhang had imagined from seeing him in Xia Wan’s photos on his phone.
Especially his demeanor…
Xia Chengzhang couldn’t help but notice the casually stylish clothes Huo Yu was wearing, which seemed a world apart from his modest surroundings.
When Huo Yu called out “Dad,” Xia Wan had just placed his schoolbag and was turning around to take the gift in Huo Yu’s hand.
Hearing this, his eyes widened a bit, but when he looked up, he only saw Huo Yu’s smiling eyes. His unease began to dissipate.
Huo Yu’s eyes, which are usually mysterious, now looked sincere and made Xia Wan feel relaxed. Before Huo Yu came over, Xia Wan was a bit worried.
Their home was old, Xia Chengzhang had mobility issues, and Huo Yu was known for his cleanliness.
He thought it would be nice if Huo Yu could just call Xia Chengzhang “uncle.”
But now, Huo Yu actually called him “Dad.”
Xia Wan’s eyes flickered with surprise and a hint of gratitude as he looked at Huo Yu. He was unable to conceal his emotions.
Huo Yu smiled and gently patted Xia Wan’s head, then walked over to place the gifts on the dining table.
“Where is Auntie?” He asked as he came over, helped Xia Chengzhang out of the wheelchair, grabbed a new sofa cushion, and then gestured for Huo Yu to join him on the sofa.
“Xiao Zhang went to buy groceries,” Xia Chengzhang said with a smile. “I just got back from playing chess with Lao Li and the others.”
He tapped Xia Wan on the shoulder and said, “Go and get a glass of water for Xiaoyu.”
“Okay.” Xia Wan stood up, washed the cup she used every day, and poured a glass of water for Huo Yu.
“My family, Wanwan, grew up in a small town and didn’t get to see much of the world. I spoiled him very much since he was little.” “My kid, Wanwan, grew up in a small town and didn’t get out much. I spoiled him a lot when he was little,” Xia Chengzhang shared with Huo Yu as he passed him the water glass. “He’s been pretty sheltered and hasn’t had many life experiences. Since you’re a bit older, please keep an eye out for him. And please ignore any mistakes he makes.”
“Wanwan is very good,” Huo Yu said earnestly, his expression gentle yet serious as he placed the water glass down. “It’s a blessing for me to have met him.”
Upon hearing Huo Yu’s words, Xia Chengzhang felt a surge of happiness and relief wash over him.
“Ohh, I got so caught up in the moment, I forgot about it,” he said, turning around to grab his phone. “I need to ask Xiao Zhang to buy some more vegetables.”
Hearing that, Xia Wan hurriedly flashed a smile and squeezed Xia Chengzhang’s hand, saying, “Dad, no worries, Huo Yu has been really busy lately. He won’t be joining us for dinner tonight.”
Xia Chengzhang commented, “No matter how busy life gets, you still need to eat, right? You’re young, and maybe you haven’t fully realized the importance of looking after your health.”
Xia Wan felt a bit helpless. He glanced at Huo Yu and subtly winked at him.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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Huo Yu glanced at Xia Wan and flashed a warm smile. He acted as if he didn’t quite grasp the meaning behind his subtle clues.
He smiled and told Xia Chengzhang, “Dad’s right. I’ll stay and eat with you before I go.”
Xia Chengzhang smiled and nodded, then he accused Xia Wan, “You’re still young and don’t quite understand how to care for others yet.”
Xia Wan: “…”
After Xia Chengzhang ended the call, Huo Yu also took a sip, finishing half a glass of water.
“Dad,” Huo Yu inquired, “Is it inconvenient for you to go out in your current health?”
“Yes,” Xia Chengzhang said with emotion, “Back in my hometown, I had a yard, making it easy for me to come and go as I pleased. Now, in the city, I rely on Xiao Zhang’s help to go out or return home.”
He continued with a smile, “But Wanwan is currently searching for a house. If we find a suitable ground-floor place, we’ll move out.”
Huo Yu had never realized how busy Xia Wan was; he had been searching for an aunt previously, and now he was hunting for a house.
And Xia Chengzhang’s legs…
He glanced at Xia Chengzhang’s pants hanging over his wheelchair and then shifted his gaze back to Xia Wan’s face.
When he didn’t know, Xia Wan’s life might not have seemed as easy as it appeared. He felt heartless.
Xia Wan, unaware of what Huo Yu was thinking, smiled as he picked up a piece of watermelon and brought it to mouth Xia Chengzhang.
Xia Chengzhang protested, “Dad has a broken leg, not a broken hand.”
“I want to feed you,” Xia Wan replied, his expression softening, revealing a childlike side that Huo Yu had never seen before.
“This child,” Xia Chengzhang sighed, taking another bite of the fruit, “You should also share some with Xiaoyu.”
“Oh,” Xia Wan drawled, “Dad seems to like Huo Yu more than me now. He doesn’t even tell me to eat a little first.”
Xia Chengzhang was thoroughly amused by Xia Wan’s playful antics, “This child.”
Though Xia Wan said it, he still grabbed a fresh fork.
Xia Wan, obediently, switched to a new fork and extended it towards Huo Yu, offering the fruit.
He picked up a piece of apple and offered it to Huo Yu with a smile. Playfully, he pressed the fruit against Huo Yu’s lips and joked, “Here you go, Eldest Master. Enjoy.”
Huo Yu couldn’t resist the temptation and parted his lips to accept the apple. As he tasted the fruit, a smile slowly spread across his face, unable to suppress his enjoyment of the moment.
“This child,” Xia Chengzhang chuckled, “is quite unconventional.”
“Huo Yu seems to like it,” Xia Wan stated confidently, then turned to Huo Yu and asked, “Don’t you, Eldest Master?”
Huo Yu pressed his lips together and offered a gentle smile before saying to Xia Chengzhang, “He can do whatever he prefers.”
Xia Chengzhang affectionately ruffled Xia Wan’s hair, remarking, “You can’t spoil him too much; he might become unruly.”
“I’m your own,” Xia Wan conceded, no longer interested in arguing, “I’ve told you that you favor Huo Yu, but you still don’t believe me.”
Xia Chengzhang laughed once more and continued to appease, “Alright, alright, whatever you say is right.”
Huo Yu sat quietly beside Xia Wan, his lips curling up involuntarily as he watched.
Though Xia Wan’s home wasn’t grand. It was small, dark, and the decor was outdated.
Yet sitting there, Huo Yu felt warmth for the first time in a while. It reminded him of how his home used to feel a long time ago.
It was as if he had traveled back in time to his own childhood. Just like this he was also a very coquettish child. He also had a loving family.
Unconsciously, Huo Yu shifted closer to Xia Wan.
“When you mentioned earlier that you were looking for a house,” Huo Yu began once the father and son had finished their playful banter, “How’s the search going? Do you need any help?”
“No,” Xia Wan replied with a smile, “I’ve checked out a few similar places. Once I compare them, I should be able to make a decision.”
“Alright,” Huo Yu nodded, “If you ever need help in the future, just let me know.”
“These are minor issues,” Xia Chengzhang added, “They’ll be sorted out soon enough. You have more important things to focus on, so don’t let these small worries bother you.”
Huo Yu chuckled and replied, “I can still spare a bit of time for this.”
Xia Chengzhang breathed a sigh of relief and added, “Wan Wan has been a bit timid since he was young. If you can really lend him a hand, I’ll feel more at ease.”
Huo Yu glanced at Xia Wan upon hearing this. After spending several days together, he had noticed many different qualities about Xia Wan, but “timid” wasn’t one of them.
As they chatted, Aunt Zhang returned from her shopping trip. She wheeled a small cart filled with colorful vegetables, fruits, as well as meat, milk, and eggs. Sweat glistened on her forehead.
Upon seeing this, Xia Wan quickly got up to help, while Huo Yu rearranged the chessboard and resumed playing chess with Xia Chengzhang.
“Ah, Wanwan, you’re back,” Aunt Zhang said, stealing a glance at Huo Yu as she packed up. “Mr. Huo is quite handsome, isn’t he?”
“I’m not handsome?” Xia Wan teased her playfully.
“I think he’s better looking than you,” Aunt Zhang replied with a smile.
Hearing her comment, Xia Wan couldn’t help but sneak a discreet glance at Huo Yu. Those well-defined eyebrows, the high nose, and those thin lips…
“Although Mr. Huo is good-looking, I still like you the most,” Aunt Zhang continued before Xia Wan could respond she quickly added, “Mr. Huo doesn’t seem very approachable.”
This made Xia Wan wonder what Aunt Zhang really thought about Huo Yu.
Aunt Zhang worked quickly in the kitchen, using two gas stoves, and an electric rice cooker. Soon, she had a table full of dishes ready.
At the dining table, Xia Wan had bought a pair of serving chopsticks. He quietly observed Huo Yu’s movements and occasionally used the serving chopsticks to pick up a piece of food for him.
He didn’t know if it was because he hadn’t eaten lunch, but Huo Yu enjoyed the meal. He almost finished every bite of the food that Xia Wan put in his bowl.
Once the meal was finished, Xia Chengzhang waved his hand and headed back to his room.
Xia Wan was momentarily stunned before she understood his intention, which was to give the young couple some space to be alone together.
Amused by this, Xia Wan quietly tugged at Huo Yu’s sleeve and led him to his bedroom.
Xia Wan’s bedroom was small, with only a bed and a small desk. The desk had a bookshelf stacked with books. Since there were no extra chairs, Xia Wan asked Huo Yu to sit at the desk while he sat on the edge of the bed.
“Thank you, eldest master,” Xia Wan said, his eyes lighting up with a smile. “My dad is really pleased today.”
“Of course,” Huo Yu replied, a slight smile tugging at his lips, “Can’t you tell? I’m making an effort to please you.”
“To please me?” Xia Wan looked puzzled and uncertain.
Indeed, compared to Huo Yu’s usual reserved and cold demeanor, he was unusually cooperative today.
“Why are you trying to please me?” Xia Wan looked at him, a hint of wariness beginning to show in his eyes.
Huo Yu found Xia Wan’s reaction rather endearing, like a wary cat with round eyes and sharp claws that could strike at any moment.
He looked at him for a moment, with a gentle and easy smile. “My uncle is visiting next week, and I want you to come with me to meet him.”
“Oh,” Xia Wan breathed a sigh of relief but then remembered another important detail.
“What day is it next week?” he asked.
Xia Chengzhang’s surgery was scheduled for next Monday. He would surely be in the hospital on Monday and Tuesday.
Fortunately, Huo Yu said, “Wednesday.”
Although, according to the book’s plot, Huo Yu’s uncle was entirely on his side, Xia Wan still wanted to clarify, “Eldest Master, when your uncle is around, how would you like me to act?”
“Should I be more affectionate or more reserved?” Xia Wan pondered for a moment. “Or maybe your uncle already knows about our true relationship, so it’s okay to behave as we normally do?”
Huo Yu had never concealed his true relationship with Xia Wan from Yan Rui.
But for some reason, as he looked into Xia Wan’s questioning eyes, Huo Yu unconsciously said, “Be more affectionate.”
“Oh?” Xia Wan chuckled. “Then the young master should make an effort to please me.”
“How should I please you? Tell me.” Huo Yu asked. He looked at Xia Wan with a meaningful gaze.
Such a look made Xia Wan’s heart skip a beat, and he inexplicably felt a sense of panic. It left him slightly flustered for a movement.
Then he suddenly remembered that he had received money from another party.
This is what he should do if he accepts money from other party he has to do things for Huo Yu.
Logically speaking Huo Yu doesn’t need to please him at all.
“This should be enough for today,” Xia Wan murmured, his lips forming a thin line. He lowered his head and started to tidy up his belongings.
“Oh,” Huo Yu said, though he was curious about Xia Wan’s sudden change in demeanor, he didn’t say anything.
Xia Wan remained silent, focusing intently on his task as if he were determined not to be distracted any longer.
Huo Yu leaned back in the wooden chair, which wasn’t particularly comfortable, and silently observed Xia Wan doing his work.
The window was open, and the breeze was blowing, causing Xia Wan’s hair to fly around.
It seemed a bit bothersome, so Xia Wan raised his hand to smooth down his hair, carefully tucking the stray strands behind his ears.
Underneath those stray locks, Xia Wan’s hair was snow-white and slender, like a swan’s neck. It looked stunningly beautiful but also very delicate.
A sudden rush of desire surged through Huo Yu, and he had the urge to reach out, to touch or trace that delicate neck, to feel its warmth.
Unconsciously, he tapped his fingers on the table.
Xia Wan diligently counted his paints, bending over as he retrieved a storage box from under the bed and carefully placed the paints inside. He then fetched another box and selected a few sheets of oil painting paper.
His body was slightly bent forward, his eyelashes fluttering slightly. The corners of his lips, shaped like a diamond, looked very soft in the light, and for some reason, they had a natural, healthy red color. The urge to touch Xia Wan’s delicate neck gradually faded, leaving behind only the pleasant feeling brought by his presence.
It was a feeling of peace and contentment, like the gentle happiness that only quiet times could bring.
After many years, in the simple old rental house, Huo Yu finally felt the sense of “home” again.
Thank You for the new chapter (⸝⸝⍢⸝⸝) ෆ
Home is where the heart is.
Now you find your home
Thank you for your translation ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
I melted into a puddle here 😭💕