Xia Wan had a busy day until the evening. Later, he had a little barbecue with the studio people. After having lots of fun, they happily took a taxi back home.
It wasn’t surprising to see the lights on at home. Usually, Xia Chengzhang would wait for him to come home on weekends, and they would chat for a bit before resting. So, Xia Wan typically didn’t come back too late.
Unexpectedly, the light was also on in his own room.
Maybe Xia Chengzhang couldn’t sit still and decided to clean up his room again.
Xia Wan’s eyes unconsciously rolled up, and he reached out to touch the packed pork liver porridge for Xia Chengzhang. Through the packaging, he could feel the warmth inside.
He stood in front of the door, reaching into the side pocket of his backpack to get the key. With the key in hand, he inserted it into the keyhole, and simultaneously, the door opened from the inside.
Light slipped out through the door, creating a glow that outlined Huo Yu’s tall and straight shape.
Huo Yu wore a dark blue sweater that was broad at the shoulders and narrow at the waist, giving him a strong and secure feeling when he wore it.
Startled, Xia Wan jumped forward and, with surprise on his face, he quickly wrapped one hand around Huo Yu’s waist. Looking up at him, he asked, “Eldest Master, why are you here?”
He leaned near Huo Yu’s ear, a mischievous smile on his face, and asked, “Did you get addicted to sleeping with me after just one time? How about we share a bedroom when we go back?”
This is Xia Wan’s way of responding to what he (HY) said last night.
Huo Yu lifted his hand, gently holding the back of Xia Wan’s head, pulled him close into his arms, and softly responded with a “hmm.”
Xia Wan looked up at Huo Yu, bit his lip, and grinned like he was the happiest person ever.
Whether Huo Yu surprised him by showing up unexpectedly or agreed to share the same bedroom, Xia Wan was filled with joy and excitement either way.
Walking in together, Xia Wan placed the packing bucket carefully on the coffee table. Meanwhile, Huo Yu took his coat and hung it up.
Xia Wan gently knocked on Xia Chengzhang’s door and opened it slightly, peeking in with his eyes. He inquired, “Dad, are you still awake? I brought you some supper.”
Xia Wan turned his head to Huo Yu and said, “If I knew the young master was coming, I would have brought something for you too.”
“It’s okay if you didn’t bring anything,” Huo Yu smiled. “Just take things out of your backpack and room, it will be more than enough.”
“That’s just a sample,” Xia Wan emphasized, making sure to highlight it.
He then lowered his voice and continued, “But if you want to eat, I can give you some.”
Huo Yu looked at Xia Wan, a gentle smile playing in his eyes, and then softly uttered, “Yeah.”
They were both looking at each other when Xia Chengzhang’s door opened. Huo Yu calmly turned his gaze away.
Xia Chengzhang had freshened up and didn’t appear haggard like before. However, upon opening the door, his eyes instinctively flicked towards Huo Yu first.
Huo Yu’s gentle smile conveyed reassurance to Xia Chengzhang. In response, Xia Chengzhang seemed to find a sense of comfort, and the noticeable lines of tension on his face relaxed somewhat, creating a more eased expression.
Though their actions and expressions were subtle, Xia Wan swiftly sensed that something wasn’t quite right.
“What’s going on between you two?” Xia Wan asked with a smile, then added, “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
“No,” Xia Chengzhang responded, his hands gently rubbing together. Quickly he changed the topic, “What did you bring me?”
“I got spinach and pork liver porridge,” Xia Wan happily shared. He wheeled Xia Chengzhang to the table and opened the box. “I’ll get the spoon for you,” he added.
In the afternoon, after seeing off the Xue couple, Huo Yu was concerned about Xia Chengzhang’s health and hesitated to leave.
He also told Aunt Zhang not to come over through a phone call, and she didn’t come all afternoon.
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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Xia Chengzhang wasn’t really in the mood to eat, but to avoid worrying Huo Yu, he reluctantly ate up just one egg.
The porridge Xia Wan brought was just right. The pork liver porridge was fragrant, still steaming with heat.
As Xia Chengzhang glanced away from Xia Wan’s back, he couldn’t help but ponder again. His gaze shifted to Huo Yu.
Huo Yu smiled at him reassuringly and said, “Don’t worry.”
However, deep down, he lacked confidence.
Regardless of who tries to handle or present the situation, the impact of the matter cannot be hidden.
Especially concerning the elders on both sides, whoever attempts to reveal the truth to Xia Wan will likely lose their composure, which is a harsh and unavoidable situation.
He was in the middle position. He was capable of skillfully easing those emotions. And he also has the responsibility to share the burden with the elders.
At such a crucial moment, he firmly believes that his priority should be staying by Xia Wan’s side.
Quickly grabbing the tableware, Xia Wan rushed back. When he returned, Huo Yu took the tableware from him and said, “I’ll do it.”
“Okay,” Xia Wan obediently replied, then sat down next to him.
Huo Yu divided the porridge into bowls and handed one to Xia Chengzhang. Just as he sat down, Xia Wan subtly hooked his little finger with his (HY), affectionately flirting while discreetly using the coffee table as cover.
“Is work going well?” Huo Yu asked as he saw Xia Chengzhang lowering his head to sip the porridge.
“Yeah, but I’m so tired,” Xia Wan replied, deliberately elongating his voice and making a coquettish gesture.
Huo Yu glanced at him, and unconsciously, he remembered Xia Chengzhang’s comment about how coquettish Xia Wan used to be when he was a child.
However, Xia Wan was no longer as coquettish as he used to be.
Huo Yu turned around instinctively, his palm gripping Xia Wan’s hand firmly.
Xia Wan bit his lip, grinned happily, and continued shaking their hands that were tightly held together.
But then, he began to do it more slowly.
Xia Chengzhang ate the food very slowly. Almost like it was hard for him to swallow it down.
“Isn’t it yummy?” Wan leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with curiosity as he eagerly.
Xia Chengzhang seemed a bit lost in his thoughts, not catching what Xia Wan said right away. After a moment, he snapped back and noticed that Xia Wan was asking him about the food.
“Um… it’s good… delicious,” he replied.
Xia Wan stayed silent, but his eyebrows frowned slightly.
After Xia Chengzhang finished eating, Xia Wan looked after him, helped him wash up, and then stayed until he got into bed before going back to his room.
Huo Yu was taking a shower in the bathroom, and there was a slight sound of water coming from inside.
Xia Wan moved back and forth with a bit of unease, his steps a bit quick and scattered. Eventually, he decided to sit on the bed but his demeanor still showed signs of discomfort and restlessness.
Xia Chengzhang seemed troubled about something.
At first, everything looked okay, but because Xia Wan knew Xia Chengzhang so well, he quickly noticed even tiny changes. This made him start wondering about things, and then he started paying close attention to every little detail, even the small stuff that seemed normal before.
Firstly, his actions seemed much slower than usual. Secondly, his eyes had a hint of sadness; they looked like he had been crying. They were a bit red at the edges, and there were tiny red lines all over his eyeballs.
The really big thing was that his eyes seemed kinda dodgy or like he was avoiding looking at something.
Sitting there, Xia Wan pondered silently, and as his thoughts deepened, a sense of panic started to grow within him. Almost instinctively, he reached for his phone, fingers unlocking it without much conscious thought. The intention was clear – he wanted to call Xia Chengzhang’s doctor.
Right when he tapped the address book on his phone, the bathroom door swung open, and warmth and steam spilled out into the room.
When Huo Yu came out of the bathroom, he only had a towel on and his upper body was bare. Xia Wan could see the strong and smooth lines on his tummy, and water droplets were sliding down from following his mermaid line. He had wrapped the towel around his lower abdomen and walked out. While wiping his hair with one hand.
Xia Wan stopped with his phone in hand and gulped without thinking.
“I forgot to bring my bathrobe,” Huo Yu said, quickly putting it on. Then, he tossed the damp towel to Xia Wan, asking, “Can you help me dry my hair?”
“Sure,” Xia Wan agreed. As he walked over, he noticed that Huo Yu had already tightly wrapped himself up in the bathrobe as he always did.
Huo Yu had black hair that was thicker and tougher than Xia Wan’s. When it got wet, it appeared a bit messy, making him look younger and even more attractive than usual.
Usually, Xia Wan might find it hard to resist the temptation, but today, he only shifted a bit before regaining composure and resisting the urge.
“Huo Yu!” After putting down the towel, Xia Wan called Huo Yu’s name directly, something he didn’t usually do.
Huo Yu shifted his gaze, looking up at Xia Wan.
Xia Wan pursed his lips, took a deep breath, and after a brief pause, gathered the courage to speak, “My dad, he…”
He clenched his fists, blinked rapidly, and asked with concern, “Did he have a relapse.”
Huo Yu paused for a moment, then quickly shook his head, reassuringly, “No.”
“Then why was he crying?” Xia Wan wasn’t sure if his dad really cried like he thought, so he asked again, “Did he actually cry?”
Huo Yu pursed his lips, not denying it.
“He probably got sick again, didn’t he?” Xia Wan’s heart raced, and he leaned in, gripping Huo Yu’s shoulders tightly.
If the illness comes back, the chance of survival rate becomes much lower.
Even when Xia Chengzhang got sick, he didn’t cry. He faced the painful treatments with a positive attitude. Xia Wan couldn’t imagine anything that could make him break down and cry.
Huo Yu glanced up at Xia Wan, his lips unconsciously tightening.
With his hair still wet, his sharp facial features stood out. The way he pursed his lips seemed like agreement to Xia Wan.
In an instant, Xia Wan felt a chill in his heart.
His grip on Huo Yu’s shoulder suddenly weakened, and his entire body slumped as if all his strength had vanished.
“Xia Wan,” Huo Yu said, pulling him close. “No, there’s no sign of the sickness coming back,” he reassured in a deep, comforting tone.
“No?” Xia Wan hesitated for a moment before gathering the courage to ask again, “Are you sure there’s really no relapse?”
“Yes,” Huo Yu said firmly, emphasizing his response.
“If not, then why was he crying?” Xia Wan furrowed his brow, still puzzled by his father’s tears.
Xia Chengzhang had never cried, no matter how tough things were. Now that life was improving, Xia Wan couldn’t fathom any reason for his father to break down in tears.
“Xia Wan,” Huo Yu said, gently taking Xia Wan’s hand and meeting his gaze calmly. His voice, deep and steady, carried a serious tone as he spoke softly, “There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
His tone had a calming effect without even trying. With determination in his heart, Xia Wan blinked slowly and gave a subtle nod in agreement.
Huo Yu tightened his lips, his expression growing more serious.
He spent the whole afternoon thinking about different ways to say it, trying to find gentle ways to minimize the impact that would happen on Xia Wan, but in the end, he knew he had to talk about the main thing directly.
Huo Yu, without realizing it, tightened his grip on Xia Wan’s hand, unintentionally causing him slight pain due to the pressure.
And his normally calm eyes appeared somewhat dark and gloomy at that moment.
“Why are you acting strange?” Xia Wan asked, feeling puzzled. He couldn’t resist guessing, “Is it because my dad is remarrying someone?”
“No,” Huo Yu said directly, “After we left today, Uncle Xue and Aunt Wen came here.”
Xia Wan frowned, looking very confused. “Huh?” he exclaimed, then asked, “They came to my house?”
“Yes,” Huo Yu nodded, gently raising his hand to touch Xia Wan’s cheek.
Having recently taken a shower, Huo Yu’s fingertips still retained a slight dampness, yet their warmth provided an inexplicable sense of comfort as he gently touched Xia Wan’s cheek.
Huo Yu took a moment and then spoke, “Pay close attention to what I’m about to say. If you have any questions, feel free to stop me, okay?” His words carried a tone of seriousness.
“Yeah,” Huo Yu’s words made Xia Wan anxious again. She momentarily forgot about why Uncle Xue and Aunt Wen had come earlier. In his mind, Xia Chengzhang’s red eyes and Huo Yu’s very serious expression were the only things left.
Xia Chengzhang is usually really tough. He only cries when he’s by himself. But now, seeing what’s happening, it seems like Huo Yu might be involved in this too.
Xia Wan’s tiny Adam’s apple moved with a slow roll, and a sudden realization struck him. Shockingly he asked, “Am I your brother?”
Huo Yu stayed silent, lips tightly pressed together. After a moment, he spoke with a deep voice, “Nonsense.”
Xia Wan sensed that he might have gone too far, and he sheepishly bit his lip. “Yes, you just mentioned that Aunt and the others came to the house,” he said.
Huo Yu glanced at him for a moment, and the serious expression on his face softened a bit.
After that, he turned his head away. Slowly, the corners of his mouth lifted into a silent smile.
“Xia Wan,” Huo Yu spoke softly, his fingers gently rubbing the back of his neck.
The tender touch brought a sense of relaxation and comfort to Xia Wan, soothing any lingering tension.
“You and I aren’t siblings,” Huo Yu stated, looking at Xia Wan. “But your brother is Xue Wenxuan.”
“Huh?” Xia Wan paused for a moment before understanding what Huo Yu meant.
Xia Wan stopped talking because he suddenly remembered Su Tang talking about his lost cousin. In fact, it is known that the young master of the Xue family was missing.
He blinked, finding it hard to believe, but memories of the Xue family’s love and care for him flashed through his mind. He also remembered the building logo on the Xue family’s building, which looked exactly like his real-world home.
From the start, Destiny dropped hints, but he failed to interpret the correct answer.
“You mean…” he mumbled as if he was lost in a dream.
“Yeah,” Huo Yu softly replied, nodding in acknowledgment.
Huo Yu’s actions and tone seemed casual, but the intensity in his eyes as he closely observed Xia Wan betrayed the nervousness he felt inside.
“Xia Wan,” Huo Yu said, “The Xue family wants to recognize you.”
Now he knows the truth!
Thank You for the new chapter -ω(´•ω•｀)♡
So Huo Yu dropped rhe bomb…At least they all care about what impact it would have on Wan Wan!
I know it’s supposed to be a serious moment but I can’t help laughing at Xia Wan’s guesses. 🥲
“Are we siblings?” Dammit, my boy. You watched too many telenovelas.
‘Are we brothers?’ HAHA NO THIS ISN’T KINNPORSCHE WANWAN