These past two days, Jiang Muping deliberately made time to return home. After dinner, the whole family gathered in the living room to watch TV, and Jiang’s mother sat down next to Jiang Muping, holding her phone.
Seeing that there were no further developments regarding the tattoo artist introduced by Li Sizhi, Jiang’s mother started arranging to introduce other people to Jiang Muping.
“Muping, did things not work out between you and the tattoo artist Li Sizhi introduced to you?” Jiang’s mother unlocked her phone screen and opened her photo album. “Yesterday, a girl in the design institute introduced someone to me. Take a look, will you?”
Li Sizhi leaned back on the sofa, eating pineapple, and looked at Jiang’s mother upon hearing her words. She jokingly said, “Auntie, are you trying to steal me away?”
Jiang’s mother chuckled and gave her a teasing look. “The more you live, the less you know how to talk.”
Jiang’s mother raised her phone in front of Jiang Muping. “Take a look, he looks energetic. He’s a bit younger than you and just returned from studying abroad after completing her Ph.D. this year.”
Li Sizhi leaned closer, with a piece of pineapple in her mouth. “He must be several years younger than Muping.”
“Twenty-nine is still fine. He’s studying medicine and currently doing an internship at the hospital, which happens to be your uncle’s hospital.”
Li Sizhi took another bite of pineapple and carefully observed the person in the photo. Hia appeared decent, but compared to Cheng Yan, he still fell short by quite a bit.
Though she had such thoughts in her mind, Li Sizhi knew she couldn’t say them out loud. She couldn’t possibly disrespect the elder.
“He looks quite decent.”
“Yes, I also think he looks good,” Jiang’s mother swiped the screen and continued scrolling. “However, he falls a bit short compared to the child you introduced.”
Li Sizhi laughed. “Are you referring to Cheng Yan?”
“Yes,” Jiang’s mother turned her head towards Li Sizhi. “That child is beautiful, like a celebrity. I think the problem is that the child’s appearance is too outstanding, and that’s why Muping doesn’t like it.”
“Not at all, Muping likes that type,” Li Sizhi glanced at Jiang Muping with a meaningful look. “Auntie, you really don’t understand your son.”
Jiang’s mother indeed didn’t understand her son’s preferences. Subconsciously, she always thought that Jiang Muping liked boys who were conventional, proper, and straight-laced, rather than someone like Cheng Yan. Cheng Yan not only had outstanding looks but also dressed meticulously and had the charm of a beautiful man who took care of his appearance.
It was a show dominated by the two women, and Jiang Muping hadn’t had a chance to interrupt until now.
Jiang’s mother shifted her gaze towards Jiang Muping. “Is that so?”
Jiang Muping nodded. “Yes, I like someone like Cheng Yan.”
Jiang’s mother held the phone, stunned, and looked at the photo on the screen, feeling somewhat torn. She hesitated and said, “But then…”
Jiang’s father, who was nearby, spoke up. “If you haven’t interacted with him, how would you know you don’t like him? I think this child is quite good. Comes from a good family, has a high level of education…”
“Mom, Dad, there’s something I want to tell you.”
Jiang’s father nodded. “Go ahead, tell us.”
“I’m planning to marry Cheng Yan.”
The living room fell into an immediate silence. Both Jiang’s father and mother were left stunned, and Li Sizhi dropped the piece of pineapple she had just picked up into the fruit tray.
In that moment, there was no expression on the faces of Jiang’s father and mother. It took Jiang’s father a while before he finally spoke, his voice trembling, “What did you say?”
“I plan to marry Cheng Yan, the tattoo artist Li Sizhi introduced me to,” Jiang Muping reiterated.
“Am I hearing you correctly, Jiang Muping?” Li Sizhi was utterly astonished. “What has happened these past few days? Did I miss something?”
Jiang’s mother’s emotions slightly calmed down. “Muping, you’re not joking with your father and me, are you?”
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.
“No, I wouldn’t joke about something like this. I came today to seek your opinions as well,” Jiang Muping replied earnestly.
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“Yes, I have. If you don’t have any objections, we can start preparing for the wedding immediately.”
“I…” Jiang’s mother glanced at Jiang’s father. “I don’t have any objections. If you have thought it through, then it’s fine.”
Li Sizhi leaned in beside Jiang Muping, poking his arm and laughing. “Not only late marriage, but also a quick wedding. You have really surprised me, Professor Jiang.”
Li Sizhi suddenly guessed another possibility. She leaned close to Jiang Muping’s ear and lowered her voice, asking, “You didn’t have a moment of impulse and get involved with someone, and now you’re getting married just to take responsibility, right?”
Li Sizhi’s question made Jiang Muping find it quite amusing, as if he were so despicable yet upright.
“We’re adults now, does having a relationship necessarily mean we have to get married?” Jiang Muping also lowered his voice and responded to her.
“Muping,” Jiang’s father called out, standing up. “Come with me to the study.”
“Alright,” Jiang Muping also stood up.
In the study, the father and son sat face to face.
Jiang’s father spoke first, “What do you think about this matter? You know your mother and I are not in a hurry for you to find a partner, nor do we insist that you must settle down and start a family.”
“I know.”
“Now that you’re not young anymore, your mother worries that you might end up alone in your old age, which is why she’s eager to introduce potential partners to you,” Jiang’s father said with a serious tone. “In the future, we will all depart from this world, and she’s concerned about what will happen to you. Your mother doesn’t really care whether or not you find a partner; she’s only thinking about your future.”
“There’s nothing wrong with living alone. After all, you can support yourself. Your mother and I have no objections to whatever decision you make,” Jiang’s father replied.
“You don’t need to sacrifice your own marriage to fulfill your parents’ expectations.”
“Dad, I know,” Jiang Muping felt a heaviness in his heart. He was well aware that he had been taking advantage of his parents’ tolerance and indulging himself for many years.
Most of his peers of the same age had already gotten married and started families, with children of their own. While everyone had their own way of living, the impact he had on his parents seemed to be one blow after another. Coming out as gay during his youth had infuriated his father. Even though his parents had come to accept the reality and same-sex marriage policies had been passed, he had reached this age without settling down.
His father and mother had never put pressure on him, and he hoped they understood that he had never been bound by familial obligations or constrained by their love. Because of them, he lived freely.
However, expressing his love for his parents became increasingly difficult as he grew older.
“Dad, actually, before this, I never thought about getting married,” Jiang Muping confessed.
Jiang’s father furrowed his brow. “What do you mean? I told you before, your mother and I never intended to force you into anything.”
“When I turned thirty, I had a plan for my future, but now my perspective has changed. I want to incorporate Cheng Yan into my life,” Jiang Muping explained.
“What’s your reason for that?” Jiang’s father asked.
Jiang Muping remained silent. In truth, he didn’t have any particularly compelling reasons. He just couldn’t forget the look of loneliness and confusion in Cheng Yan’s eyes as he watched Lin Weijing walk away from the venue that day. Cheng Yan seemed to need a home, and he could provide that home for him.
“I don’t have a definite answer for now, but I believe I’ll find it after we get married,” Jiang Muping replied.
“This is nonsense,” Jiang’s father objected.
“Do you disagree with us getting married?” Jiang Muping asked.
“We won’t interfere with your decision. Just make sure you don’t regret it,” Jiang’s father pondered for a moment and said, “You should meet and get to know each other. Set up a time.”
“Okay,” Jiang Muping agreed.
On that day, Cheng Yan was working in his workshop when he suddenly heard Zhu Yu calling him from outside, “Lǎoshī.”
Cheng Yan ignored it, but Zhu Yu walked into the room and knocked on the door, whispering, “Lǎoshī, that professor is here.”
Cheng Yan turned his head, and Zhu Yu added, “His surname is Jiang, Professor Jiang. He’s the one you’re going on a blind date with.”
“Oh,” the client lying on the bed responded, turning his head. “Boss, you have someone now? I wanted to introduce my buddies to you.”
Zhu Yu chuckled, “Lǎoshī and him haven’t even started dating yet, just a blind date.”
“Really?” The client perked up. “Then it seems my buddies still have a chance.”
Cheng Yan glanced at Zhu Yu and spoke in a deep voice, “Stop joking around. Where is he?”
Zhu Yu continued to smile, “You mean Professor Jiang? He’s waiting outside.”
“Tell him to wait for me for another ten minutes. I’ll be there soon,” Cheng Yan instructed, his hands skillfully tracing lines.
“Alright.”
After finishing the tattoo, Cheng Yan handed over the follow-up work to his assistant. He took off his latex gloves, removed his mask, tidied up his slightly messy hair, and walked out of the workshop.
Jiang Muping was sitting on the sofa, looking at his phone. Cheng Yan approached him and asked, “What brings you here?”
Jiang Muping looked up, noticing the fine sweat beads on Cheng Yan’s forehead and the slight redness of his nose. There was a faint mark on Cheng Yan’s cheek where the edge of the mask had pressed against it.
Jiang Muping stood up and walked towards Cheng Yan. He took a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped the sweat from Cheng Yan’s forehead. Cheng Yan’s body stiffened, and he instinctively took a step back.
Jiang Muping’s hand paused in mid-air as he said, “After we get married, this kind of thing may happen frequently. You need to adapt to it in advance.”
“There are many people watching,” Cheng Yan’s face couldn’t help but blush.
Jiang Muping glanced around and indeed noticed that the people in the shop were eagerly observing them. Fortunately, their conversation was low in volume. Otherwise, if the other tattoo artists in the studio heard words like “marriage,” Cheng Yan would likely have a hard time finding peace today.
“So, are you going to wipe it yourself?” Jiang Muping didn’t expect Cheng Yan’s face to be so thin-skinned and couldn’t help but want to laugh.
It was still the beige handkerchief from before, and this time Cheng Yan noticed the embroidered character “Ping” on it. As he took it over, he couldn’t help but purse his lips.
“Do you have some time recently? My parents want to meet you.”
Cheng Yan was taken aback. “Did you tell them?”
“Yeah, it’s time to meet the parents.”
Cheng Yan paced back and forth a couple of steps, showing a hint of anxiety in his stride. “Let’s talk in my office.”
Cheng Yan closed the door to his office, blocking out the noisy sounds from outside. He asked Jiang Muping, “What did they say?”
“They have no objections. They said they want to meet you.”
Cheng Yan nodded absentmindedly and asked, “What do your parents like?”
“No need to buy anything, they don’t lack anything.”
“It’s a matter of courtesy.”
Cheng Yan’s words made sense, and Jiang Muping chuckled. “I don’t know what they like either.”
“You’re quite the son…” Cheng Yan couldn’t help but laugh. “Does your dad like to drink alcohol?”
“My dad doesn’t drink alcohol. He’s a doctor and has always abstained from it. My mom likes it though, she enjoys having a drink before bed.”
Cheng Yan nodded. “How about I buy some tea for your dad? Does he enjoy drinking tea?”
“Okay.”
“Are you taking Lin Weijing with you?” Jiang Muping asked.
Cheng Yan shook his head.
“Why not?”
Cheng Yan spoke with a flat tone, saying words that went against his true feelings. “Strictly speaking, he can’t be considered as my family.”
Jiang Muping could probably guess why Cheng Yan always maintained a lukewarm attitude towards Lin Weijing. Zhu Yu resembled Lin Weijing to some extent, both in appearance and personality, and Cheng Yan was closer to Zhu Yu than he was to Lin Weijing. These were things that could be observed openly, but as for what Cheng Yan truly thought, only he himself knew.
“I was the one who abandoned him in the first place. I have no right to negotiate with Lin’s family, and I don’t want to interfere in their current life.”
The Lin couple treats Lin Weijing well and is polite to Cheng Yan as well. It is precisely because of this that Cheng Yan is even more reluctant to step into Lin Weijing’s life. For the Lin couple, he will always be an outsider, and no one would want an outsider to take away their child’s love.
“You’re always like this, it’s unfair to him,” Jiang Muping said.
Cheng Yan looked up at him.
“I feel like he knows everything. He’s a good kid.”
Cheng Yan lowered his head, took a deep breath, and his eyes suddenly became teary. “But I haven’t been a good brother.”
Jiang Muping gently patted his head. “A bad brother wouldn’t have supported him to study until university.”
Jiang Muping had detailed information about the students’ family backgrounds, and he married Cheng Yan, so it was unlikely that he would wholeheartedly enter the “cage” of marriage without knowing anything.
He knew what he was doing.
According to Jiang Muping’s understanding, Lin Weijing’s foster parents are not in a good financial situation. His father is a chef, and his mother used to work as a primary school teacher but had to quit early due to illness and hasn’t worked since. From middle school to high school, Lin Weijing attended well-known private schools in the local area. Considering the limited income from his father’s job as a chef and the expenses for his mother’s medical treatment, it is almost impossible for them to afford the tuition fees for Lin Weijing to attend these schools.
During this period, it is evident who has been silently providing him with financial support.
Cheng Yan’s hair was soft, and as he lifted his head to gaze into Jiang Muping’s eyes, his expression was gentle. Jiang Muping’s hand relaxed slightly and moved slowly to the side of Cheng Yan’s head, gently caressing his hair.
The base of Cheng Yan’s ears seemed warm, and the heat transmitted to Jiang Muping’s palm through his slightly curly hair.
Cheng Yan’s expression appeared somewhat unnatural, but he remained obedient and motionless. He asked, “Do I need to change my hairstyle before meeting your parents? I feel like this current style seems a bit informal.”
Cheng Yan indeed tends to give off an impression of being less serious, primarily because of his exceptionally good looks. He also enjoys grooming himself, giving off the vibe of a charming and experienced playboy. However, Jiang Muping knows that deep down, Cheng Yan is actually quite serious—just like now, where Cheng Yan is stiff as a mummy.
“It’s alright.” Jiang Muping released his hand. “My parents aren’t that rigid.”
“Mmm.” The mummy finally relaxed, feeling a sense of reprieve.
Thanks for the chapter!!
I can’t wait to read their married life 😁💐
How it can happen, I can’t believe in this relationship, it’s full of unplanned things I’m curious what will happen next
Thank you for your translation 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍
They are just so lovely! Muping adores Cheng Yan so much 🥹
Thank you for this chapter 💕
They’re already so adorable together! Married life let’s go go go~
Thank You for the new chapter ♡(ӦｖӦ｡)
Thanks for the translation ❤️