30. Take me with you
There had been a lot of gossip circulating in B city’s No. 2 High School, but the most famous one in their year was that the prospective topper of the college entrance examination couldn’t wait to confess to the second rank holder following the exams.
“Qu Yao, do me a favor.” Tang Miao gasped and called out to Qu Yao, who was immersed in the sea of exams.
“What?”
Tang Miao gritted his teeth, “I remember you saying your older brother is studying computer science.”
“Yes.” Qu Yao gave a nod.
“Please help me in locating this IP address.”
Qu Yao swiftly nodded. There was an email address on the paper.
“This is…”
Tang Miao recalled the message he received three nights before his college entrance examination—
“Happy Birthday, MiaoMiao. Take me with you and let’s attend A University together.”
Qu Yao didn’t say anything else when she saw Tang Miao’s expression. “All right… I’ll keep it a secret.”
31. Not bad
Tang Miao returned home and dried his hair. It was a downpour outside.
“How was your exam?” Tang Zhan inquired, concerned.
“Not bad.”
Tang Zhan laughed in spite of himself, and Mama Tang also couldn’t help but shake her head, “You child.”
Tang Miao’s “Not bad” earned him first place in the college entrance examination in B city that year, admission to the best major at A University, and a four-year national scholarship.
Everyone expected Tang Miao to continue his studies or to study overseas, but he chose to start his own business. Tang Miao’s parents had no choice but to let him. Tang Miao had more and more plans after the college entrance examination.
Sometimes, Mother Tang wondered if the child who used to be a little crying bag was her own son.
Whenever Mama Tang said this, Tang Zhan would remain silent and then assist Tang Miao block a flood of blind dates by saying, “The most essential thing is that the child likes it.”
“How do you want to celebrate your birthday? Do you want to invite your classmates to play at home?” Mother Tang inquired. Tang Miao was taken aback. It turns out it’s my birthday tomorrow. He shook his head in refusal, saying “I’ll just eat at home.”
“What about your peers, ah? Why not invite them to dinner?” Mother Tang remembered Tang Miao frequently taking Qi Ming home. She was aware of Qi Ming’s matter, but she didn’t have the faintest idea about the inside story.
“Come on, let’s eat.” Tang Zhan gave Tang Miao a dish. “When the child is mature, he is free to live as he wishes.”
“Thank you.” Tang Miao bent his head and ate a mouthful of rice.
Tang Miao accompanied his parents to watch the news after dinner. Mother Tang asked as she often did: “You’re sure you don’t want to take the police academy exam? After all, your second cousin and father can assist you.” The Tang family’s current status allowed them to do more than merely help.
Tang Miao’s smile had faded significantly, and his mood had become indecipherable. “No. Mom, I’m a little tired. I’m going upstairs.”
Tang Zhan sighed, his eyes dark and gloomy.
32. Stop crying
Tang Miao stayed up all night, staring at the computer without blinking an eye. He refreshed his mailbox several times, but no new messages appeared.
He felt a vague discomfort in his heart, a dull pain.
Why had Qi Ming stood him up?
Tang Miao actually didn’t know anything. He only knew that every year on his birthday, he will receive a strange email, which he can never reply to…
Happy birthday, Tang ShuiShui.
Qi Ming, you bastard!
Tang Miao bit his lips and stifled all of his emotions. In the first year or two, Qi Ming would greet him with a Happy Birthday, MiaoMiao. I miss you terribly or wait for me to return.
But now it had turned into Tang ShuiShui…
Tang Miao recognized the distinction. Qi Ming wished him to forget about himself.
Forget about crossing the line that night.
Qi Ming! You’re a complete asshole!
If…you wish me a happy birthday, you can call me whatever you want. I won’t cry.
It could only be argued that Qi Ming was better at coaxing Tang Miao than he imagined, even from afar.
Tang Miao finally received an email from Qi Ming at the last minute of the day—
Happy birthday, Tang Shuishui.
And there was another statement at the very end of the e-mail, seen only after a lot of scrolling down-
MiaoMiao, I miss you terribly.
Tang Miao went to bed feeling relieved. He hadn’t shut his eyes in 36 hours.
Qi Ming, I miss you too.
Although you are an asshole, who can see it down there?!
33. Mountain climbing
“Where’s my little brother? On a date?” Tang Suhuo cracked a joke as soon as he stepped into the house.
“Will the mountain be blocked due to the heavy snow?” Mama Tang peered out the window anxiously at the weather.
“He has gone mountain climbing again? What a hobby! He went mountain climbing on Valentine’s Day?”
“What Valentine’s Day?” Tang Zhan inquired.
“Uncle, can you not be so old-fashioned? Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14 in western society.”
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.
“Mfygejgs 14…” Lbk mbeiv Kjcu Itjc qbrrlyis obgufa? Pa kjr fjgis wbgclcu bc Njifcalcf’r Gjs atja tf rlucfv atf jggfra kjggjca. “Pa aegcfv bea ab yf Njifcalcf’r Gjs…”
Lf uijcmfv bea atf klcvbk ja atf tfjns rcbkojii rbwfktja njmjcais.
“P’w cba regf Wljb Zljb mjc wjxf la obg vlccfg.” Zjwj Kjcu rlutfv, “P lcnlafv uefrar.”
Tang Zhan stood up and stated, “Cancel it.”
“What?” Mama Tang exclaimed, stunned.
“I said cancel it.” Tang Zhan was unmistakably issuing an order.
“What do you mean, Tang Zhan?” This time, Mama Tang couldn’t help but refute. “Xiao Miao has grown up but there is no girlfriend to speak of. Every time, he says he wants to focus on his career before starting a family. He’s made a name for himself now. Xiao Miao is 25, isn’t it time to start thinking about marriage? Even if he doesn’t want to marry, he should find a girlfriend first.”
Tang Zhan had no idea how to explain the situation, but he couldn’t bear the thought of his son’s heart getting stabbed again on this day.
Tang Suhuo shrugged helplessly, having only a vague understanding of the circumstances. “Uncle, it’s too late. They’re already downstairs.”
[T/N: OMG! Tang Miao’s father is an absolute gem. Why is the mother so clueless?! Ah… ]
34. Begging well-being
“Benefactor, due to the severe snow today, the Daoist temple cannot be opened.” A child apprentice opened the door and stuck his small head out.
“Is it?” Tang Miao was at a loss. “Thank you.”
After a long time, the small apprentice opened the door and stared at Tang Miao, who was still standing where he was. He had closed his umbrella because he wanted to enter the shrine. Seeing him blanketed in snow at the moment, the child couldn’t bear it: “Benefactor is sincere. Come along with me.”
“Thank you, little priest.”
The small Taoist boy’s ears were a little flushed with shyness.
Tang Miao knelt respectfully. He didn’t ask for anything. Every year, he just asked for one person’s well-being.
“Benefactor, I heard it’s Valentine’s Day today.”
“Really?” Tang Miao was taken aback. Only now did he recall it as the day Qi Ming left.
How many years had it been? Seven years, right. The War of Resistance took eight years to win. Tang Miao wasn’t sure how much longer he could wait for Qi Ming.
“How about requesting marriage, benefactor? The Yuelao Temple behind the main hall is very effective…”
Actually, Tang Miao had been there. He had sneaked away to worship Yuelao in his sophomore year of high school. Qi Ming had been furious with him.
Back then, he prayed that the person in his heart would admire him as well. He hadn’t returned to pay his respects after the request had been granted.
This time, he begged not to make him wait too long, even though he was willing to wait for as long as it took.
“Would you like a red rope, Benefactor?”
“I’ve already asked for one,” Tang Miao said with a smile.
Tang Miao went with the child priest after donating the merit money. While shutting the door, the Daoist boy inquired curiously, “Is that red rope effective?”
“Effective.”
At the time, he had greedily wished himself and Qi Ming to live to a ripe old age in conjugal bliss.
“Fool, you can’t ask for this kind of thing for yourself.”
35. Loving madly
“What did you say?” Tang Miao regained his senses.
The good-tempered girl repeated, “What are your future plans? Will you settle in B city?”
“Xiao Miao hasn’t lived outside B city in his life,” Tang Suhuo replied with a smile.
“That’s why I want to give it a shot, isn’t it? Second Brother?” Tang Miao continued the subject. “I’m still young. Don’t try to bind me. I know you’re envious of me. It is such a pity, Officer Tang.”
Tang Suhuo ground his teeth. Did he not know he was introducing him to the girl?
The girl’s face changed and she asked, “Where do you want to develop in the future?”
“Abroad.” Tang Miao calmly stated, “My second brother is more steady than I am. You don’t have a girlfriend, do you, Second Brother?”
Tang Suhuo: “…” He hasn’t played enough yet!
“Xiao Miao, you… ” Mama Tang was a little panicked. She discovered that she no longer understood her son, who had been squeamish since childhood, as he grew older.
“Are you going abroad?” Tang Zhan spoke solemnly.
Tang Miao gave a nod. “In recent years, I’ve almost made enough money. When the moment comes, I’ll sell the company and go abroad for a trip.”
Tang Zhan examined his son once again. It turned out he had such an idea from the beginning…
“Dad, don’t look at me like that. It hasn’t been decided yet. I need to know where my first stop abroad is.”
Qi Ming, this bastard, had not leaked even a word to him. Every time, his IP address was from a different country.
He surmised that he had sent an email and then fled to another country. One motive was for security, and the other was because he didn’t want to be found.
Qi Ming was a jerk of the highest order, but he was madly in love with him.
36. Quit
“Xiao Huo, send this to your brother.” Tang Zhan lit a cigarette.
“Xiao Miao?”
“Yes, now go.”
“Uncle, this is still in the encryption stage!” Tang Suhuo was anxious.
“Think of it as a father giving him a little compensation.”
Tang Suhuo was speechless. Naturally, the dinner that day ended in dissatisfaction. Tang Miao was polite and acted properly, but everyone was restless in their hearts.
Tang Miao spoke vivaciously after dinner, but passed out directly on the sofa. He began to speak incoherently due to the high temperature of 40℃. Others were unable to hear him clearly. Only “Qi Ming” was plainly heard over and over.
Tang Zhan finally disclosed the details of the matter openly. It’s unclear whether Tang Miao was aware of it. In short, after that, his marriage was no longer discussed in the family.
“What is this?” Tang Miao glanced at the rare guest at home.
“Your dad requested that I bring it to you.”
Tang Miao shook his head as he gazed, stunned, at the TOP SECRET label on the folder. “Take it back. I never blamed him from the start.”
“Oh wow, Xiao MiaoMiao has truly grown up.” Tang Suhuo rubbed his hair, joking, “Second Brother really misses your sniveling.”
Tang Miao pursed his lips: “I stopped crying a long time ago.”
“I know, I know.” Tang Suhuo waved his hand, “Then I’ll go back to work, but Xiao Miao, you’re too uninteresting. You caused me so much trouble last time, and you didn’t even want to treat me to some candy.”
Tang Miao’s fondness for sweets was probably an entertaining anecdote known to the entire family.
Tang Miao glanced helplessly at his second brother, who was getting livelier by the minute. “I haven’t had candy in a long time.”
“Are you being tricky again?” Tang Suhuo made fun of him.
“I quit.”
He truly gave up. He was worried that other sweets would mask the taste of that candy and he feared he would never again remember the sweetness of Qi Ming’s kiss.
37. To wait until
The arrest warrant had been revoked.
Tang Zhan examined the documents presented to him and had a sense of ‘bitterness has finished, sweetness has begun‘.
The subordinates were perplexed as to why Minister Tang was so happy about a misjudged case. Back then, he was the Chief of Public Security Bureau for B city. Despite the fact that he had fought for a long time and demanded a re-investigation, this was an important case with an incorrect conviction, and he would be held accountable.
They were also aware that there were too many conflicts of interest in the case that year, such as the genuine perpetrator who had recently been sentenced; Yao Lin, who left a confession written in his blood before committing suicide in prison; witnesses who gave false testimony, and covert factional disputes…
“Minister Tang, please sign the documents.”
“Sign? Of course, yes, sign.”
Tang Zhan’s eyes were glistening with tears.
38. Italy
HongMiao’s employees sensed that their boss was unhappy every single day.
Of fact, it wasn’t so much that he was cranky as he had drooping eyes and appeared melancholy.
Of course, they only dared to think about it. After all, their boss was really fierce…
It was the type of ferocity that made you break out in a cold sweat when he smiled.
“Boss, there is a collaboration going on, and the other party wants you to come forward.”
“What collaboration?” Tang Miao didn’t even raise his head.
“It’s that Italian company. The other party is quite picky and the collaboration plans have gone through multiple revisions.”
“Did their boss come forward?”
“The other party declined.”
Tang Miao sneered, “Ask Qu Yao to come forward.”
“Sister Qu is still on vacation…” the secretary reminded him weakly.
“Actually, it would be nice if you showed up.”
“I’m not free. I have an exam that day.”
Secretary: “…” Can you leave us mortals a way to survive?
Tang Miao had taken the TOEFL and IELTS since college, although he had only taken the examinations. As soon as the score validity deadline arrived, he took it again. But Boss did not appear to have any ambitions to study overseas or immigrate. Of course, Miss Secretary assumed he only took the exam for the sake of taking the exam and despised them – the study slackers.
Tang Miao, who had just concluded the exam, dashed into his second brother’s office after receiving a phone call. “Did you find him?”
“He’s been living in Italy for two years.”
Tang Miao clenched his teeth as he realized that none of the emails he had received in the previous two years had come from Italy.
This bastard.
“Thanks.”
“Xiao Miao, now that everything’s been resolved, bring him back when you find him.”
Tang Miao simply smiled. He wouldn’t force Qi Ming if he didn’t want to.
Italian shouldn’t be difficult to learn, right?
39. Criminal underworld
“Your Highness.”
Tang Miao was in a pleasant mood and could joke naturally, “You’re excused.”
“I beseech your highness to save the show. Sister Qu didn’t finish finalizing the agreement last time. This time is more challenging.”
“They’re all so tall and strong, dressed in black and wearing black sunglasses, like they’re from the criminal underworld.”
“Actually, the underworld people are not scary,” Tang Miao mumbled to himself, recalling how they discreetly stuffed pornographic videos at him behind Qi Ming’s back, and also listened to his speech on legal system and institutions.
He was actually waiting for the email. Today was his birthday, but Qi Ming, that bastard, had stood him up again.
“I don’t speak Italian either, Boss. You’re learning Italian, aren’t you? Go ahead and try it.”
“And their boss is here, saying that if you don’t go, he will leave in half an hour.”
In truth, this collaboration was a win-win situation. The other party sought to open the home market through them, and Hong Miao hoped to use this collaboration to enter the international market as well.
It just happened to be when their unhappy boss was happy, so the other party was sure to be out of luck.
“Let’s go.”
The little secretary was finally saved. Like a fox exploiting the tiger’s might, she followed Tang Miao.
The man in the conference room appeared to be a force to be reckoned with. He was attractive, but he appeared impatient. When he answered the phone, she heard his clenched fist, which was wrapped in a faded red rope, creaking loudly. It was strange and terrifying.
40. Everybody out
Tang Miao had gathered all of his emotions and was thinking about how to greet in Italian, and how to collect the debt for making his secretary tremble in fear before he pushed the door open.
Tang Miao looked at the three men in black standing inside, exactly as described by the little secretary, and also noticed the impatient man sitting in their middle. Suddenly, he found himself wanting to laugh and cry all at the same time.
“Get out,” Tang Miao said, his lips quivering.
“BOSS?”
“Everybody out. I can talk about the business on my own.”
The man on the seat sprang up abruptly, his mouth slightly opened, and the whites of his eyes gradually turned red.
Tang Miao thought, except for that evening, he had never seen such a foolish Qi Ming again.
“Everybody, out,” Qi Ming said in a dumb voice.
Despite their amazement, the people in black all left obediently, carrying the young secretary with them as well.
So the small secretary was embarrassed to discover that they all appeared to be Chinese, albeit a little taller and muscular, and resembling the criminal underworld a little.
41. Missing you
“Qi Ming!”
Qi Ming caught Tang Miao, who had thrown himself at him, and let him tear his collar. He bit into the shoulder with old tooth marks, smearing it with tears and snot.
“Tang ShuiShui, your crying is still so powerful.”
Qi Ming’s mouth was teasing, but his arms tightly imprisoned Tang Miao, and he tried to keep his choked sobs from escaping his lips by clenching his teeth.
In truth, none of them was qualified to say who was crying. Qi Ming’s eyes were as tearful as Tang Miao’s.
“Qi Ming, I miss you.”
Tang Miao’s lips quivered, his voice breaking with sobs.
“Tang! Shui! Shui! If you cry again…”
“I’ll cry.” Tang Miao gnawed at his neck at will, “You are an asshole.”
“If you cry again, I’ll kiss you.” Qi Ming’s eyes were red, but his lips were raised.
Tang Miao was startled. Five seconds later, Tang Miao’s wailing could be heard outside the door.
The little secretary’s eyes opened wide and was just about to rush in, when the three men in black beside her quickly grabbed her. Was she insane? That indifferent man with drooping eyes simply appeared unhappy. But if their boss was unhappy, he would make all of them unhappy.
“What’s going on?” Qu Yao asked, her brows raised.
“Sister Qu, Boss was talking business with their boss, but now Boss is crying.” The little secretary was on the verge of crying as well. She had worked for Tang Miao for more than two years and he hadn’t shed a single tear. To sob so uncontrollably now, how much was he being bullied?
“Did you say Tang Miao was crying?” Qu Yao repeated incredulously.
“Yes, listen.”
Qu Yao suddenly laughed, so much so that her tears were about to fall. “It’s great he can cry.”
The third year of senior high school was over, but they still had a lifetime ahead of them. It was fantastic.
“Don’t hang around here. Get off work early today.”
“Wh… Why?”
Qu Yao thought for a moment, “Because Boss is happy.”
42. I love you
“My little ancestor…” Qi Ming kissed the lips that he could only fantasize about in his nightly dreams.
“It’s not too dirty.” The handsome face was stained with tears.
“Are you avoiding me?” Tang Miao’s look conveyed, ‘Even if you ignore me, I won’t let go’.
“I’m not avoiding you. I like you to death.” Qi Ming kissed his tears away one by one.
… …
“You still owe me a sentence.”
Qi Ming had intended to surprise him tonight, but he had not expected to surprise himself, “MiaoMiao, Happy birthday.”
“Is there anything else?” Tang Miao blinked at him, eyes on the prize.
Qi Ming touched his pocket, pulled out a candy from inside, peeled it, and this time, he ate it himself. Before Tang Miao could protest, he bowed his head and reached out for his mouth, “Is it sweet?”
Tang Miao nodded desperately as he chased his tongue and the pieces of candy.
This sweetness seemed to have filled in all the bitterness of the past.
“MiaoMiao, I love you.”
I owe eight years of love letters, eight years of yearning, eight years of candy, and eight years of crying. I will replenish all of it for you from now on.
THE END.
Translator:
Happy ending! All’s well that ends well. No?
There are two extras!
Too sweet! Thank you for sharing this beautiful story with us. The heart feels fluffy-stuffed full now 🙂
Reunited at last.. 😭😭
Miaomiao is a force to be reckoned with,,, all he needed was an ip address what a badass lmfao
Thanks for the chpater <3
Miaomiao have the power! Lol.
So sweet❤️❤️❤️❤️. Thanks for the translation.
Reunited!!!! YAY!!!
😭😭😭😭😭
I‘m crying ahdksjs even though I‘m happy they’re reunited, I‘m still SO SO SAD THEY WERE APART FOR 8 YEARS AKDKKSAN 😭😭😭😭😭 but still, wonderful reunion! Sweet sweet love…
Awww loved this short sweet story. 🥰
Chapter 1: ME: This shou always cry hard. Even a small thing, he cries.
Chapter 3: ME: I’m not crying, someone around me is cutting onions.
Chapter 4: ME: Shamelessly crying. Geez! And here am i, crying hard than the shou.
Such a beautiful story 🥰
My heart
How sweet. All the tears I spilt weren’t for nothing
Thanks for the translation
My eyes are bit sour now. 🥹