T/N: I’ll be taking a break from posting next week, as I got a sudden business trip abroad…
TT-TT. See you then~
Until he was led by Zhong Yao to go for a check-up, Lin Zhu still couldn’t stop wondering what other uses a necktie could possibly have.
If it could really be used for something…
Who cared whether he could still read minds or not!
Lin Zhu walked along excitedly, gripping Zhong Yao’s hand as he strode forward with great vigor, having long since forgotten about the fear of the darkness before his eyes.
Sensing faintly that his agent had once again slipped into that little “bandit” aura, Zhong Yao raised his brows slightly, glanced down at him, and a faint smile couldn’t help but surface in his eyes.
“Ge, is your family’s farm fun?”
Once Lin Zhu got excited, he couldn’t stop talking. Thinking of Zhong Yao’s earlier plan, he couldn’t help but feel full of anticipation. “What do you raise there? Is there good food? Do we have to farm ourselves…?”
There wasn’t much going on before filming started anyway. They had been working nonstop for over half a year; taking a month or two off wouldn’t be a big deal.
Lin Zhu didn’t want to go home for New Year, nor for his birthday, and the program team still planned to follow them for a month. He had already been worrying about how to arrange things.
Now, suddenly, they had a place to go, and it was Zhong Yao’s family farm. Lin Zhu immediately got excited, even imagining riding a big pig around.
Zhong Yao chuckled, helping him sit down in the waiting area and ruffling his hair. “It’s a semi-mechanized farm. My parents started it after retiring. There are quite a few good things to eat, but not many animals…”
He patiently explained, and Lin Zhu listened carefully, his heartbeat suddenly speeding up.
Lin Zhu opened his mouth, unconsciously sitting straighter, both hands neatly placed on his knees. “Uncle… and Auntie are also there?”
Images immediately flashed through his mind of his own past imagination.
Proper upbringing, prestigious family, the son marrying someone of equal status, lavish dowries, tea ceremonies for the elders of the house. If it wasn’t done properly, he wouldn’t even be allowed through the door…
The more Lin Zhu thought about it, the more he felt his current “just fought someone” appearance wasn’t very appropriate.
“They are, but—” Zhong Yao responded casually, about to continue, when his gaze fell on his suddenly well-behaved and nervous agent, and his eyes lit up with amusement.
Taking advantage of the fact that Lin Zhu couldn’t see and couldn’t protest, Zhong Yao deliberately teased him, leaning down with a smile. “What’s wrong?”
Lin Zhu suddenly didn’t know where to put his hands, his back straight and legs together. He cleared his throat. “Am I… am I not being good enough like this? Should we wait a bit more before going? I didn’t prepare any gifts, I—”
He stammered, his face gradually flushing red.
Zhong Yao looked at him, the smile in his eyes fading slightly, a faint ache rising in his chest.
He still remembered the first time Lin Zhu came to his home, dragging an oversized suitcase like he was running away from home. The young agent had lost all his usual sharpness, following behind him like a small tail, cautious and careful, even remembering to bring gifts when entering the house…
So obedient it made one’s heart soften.
At the time, Zhong Yao hadn’t understood why Lin Zhu was so nervous. Only later did he vaguely realize what “home” meant to him.
Not wanting to tease him anymore, Zhong Yao rubbed his already reddened ear gently and said softly, “We’re just going home to see my parents. You don’t need to prepare anything.”
That sentence made Lin Zhu sit up abruptly. “That won’t do!”
Only now, when he was about to meet parents, did he suddenly realize how valuable his mind-reading ability was. Lin Zhu grew anxious, all his earlier confidence forgotten, even wanting to take off his blindfold to check if his ability had been affected.
At this moment, light would still irritate his eyes. Zhong Yao quickly held his hand, as if guessing his thoughts, and pulled him gently into his arms.
“My parents like you very much.”
Holding him, Zhong Yao slowly soothed his tense back. “Very, very much. Besides probably being tired of hearing my ‘repetitive and vocabulary-lacking praise,’ they often ask me for your photos and keep urging me to bring you home…”
Lin Zhu lifted his head in shock, his heartbeat quickening.
He swallowed and asked carefully, “Uncle and Auntie already—”
Zhong Yao nodded. Thinking of how Lin Zhu couldn’t see, he stroked his soft hair gently twice. “They know. When I was filming before, I had nothing much to do…”
During that period of time difference, without his agent around and with no one else on set to talk to, Zhong Yao had been extremely idle when he had no scenes.
And in that extreme boredom, he ended up coming out to his family.
The Zhong family was highly independent, with an educational style completely different from Lin Zhu’s. They adopted a laissez-faire approach to their children. His mother specialized in history and literature research, his father worked in cultural relic restoration and spent years abroad recovering lost artifacts. Among the three siblings, only Zhong Yao stayed in the domestic entertainment industry, while the others had their own careers unrelated to it.
Unless necessary, the family rarely contacted each other.
Their open-minded environment meant they had no real issue with Zhong Yao’s sexuality, just mild annoyance at his sudden “romantic enthusiasm.”
Because of blood ties, he wasn’t immediately blocked. Instead, he persistently “promoted” his relationship for over half a month, gradually making his family interested in the adorable and very out-of-place young man.
Completely unprepared for the fact that Zhong Yao would be bored enough to come out to his family, Lin Zhu was stunned by one piece of shocking news after another. Leaning on Zhong Yao’s arm, he asked quietly, “So… I don’t have to kneel and cry, or secretly sleep in the attic, or run in the rain trying to prove our love to your parents?”
Zhong Yao: “……”
It seemed necessary to have PR clean up the forum rumors again.
Knowing exactly what “parents” meant to Lin Zhu, Zhong Yao tightened his hold slightly and looked down patiently. “Really. My parents already know about you. They like you a lot. They’ve been urging me to bring you home.”
Lin Zhu’s breathing quickened. He leaned into Zhong Yao’s familiar embrace, his eyes gradually welling with moisture.
He opened his mouth, his voice slightly hoarse. “Ge… tell me carefully, what do Uncle and Auntie like about me? I’ll try to maintain it… I’ll be even more obedient, I can help more, I’ll definitely listen…”
A faint ache rose in Zhong Yao’s heart. “They… are the same as me,” he interrupted softly.
Lin Zhu froze slightly.
Zhong Yao smiled and gently lifted the blindfold, carefully wiping away the moisture from his eyes. “They like everything about you…”
He lowered his head, voice soft. “They like you very much.”
Lin Zhu looked up in disbelief, his chest rising and falling.
Then his lips were gently touched. Instinctively, he opened his mouth, and a faint sweetness spread across his tongue. “You should eat more sweets.”
Zhong Yao curled his finger and pressed it lightly against his lips. “Come home with me… okay?”
Lin Zhu, still holding the candy, slowly curved his lips into a smile and nodded firmly.
When the check-up results came out, neither of them had any serious injuries. Lin Zhu had taken most of the blows from the thugs and had a few bruises, but nothing major. They would fade in a few days.
Only then did Zhong Yao finally relax, leading him out of the hospital.
But the moment they stepped outside, they were immediately surrounded by a swarm of reporters.
Street fight, two against ten, Chinese people, kung fu, local police incompetence—
These keywords were enough to excite the media. Before Zhong Yao’s identity was even revealed, reporters had already swarmed them.
Worried that Lin Zhu might get hurt again, Zhong Yao didn’t force his way out. Instead, he gave brief responses to a series of questions and finally managed to break through with the crew’s assistance, getting into the car waiting outside.
News could not be contained. Once the American media photos were released, the internet in China exploded.
The production crew, intending to capture sweet moments between the two, had turned on their cameras at just the right time, and unexpectedly recorded the entire intense street fight.
After coordinating with Zhong Yao, they quickly posted it on Weibo, and within moments, the views surpassed a million.
“Zhong-laoshi’s first overseas headline… is actually in the crime section…” The PR manager couldn’t help but sigh in admiration as they smoothly managed the public sentiment, while also checking on the injured agent who had been working for them.
“Lin-laoshi, how is he? Is the injury serious?”
Lin Zhu was sitting on the carpet, feeling around as he folded clothes. “Not serious, but I probably won’t be able to handle you guys for the time being.”
After finally figuring out how to operate the phone’s voice guidance system, Lin Zhu took advantage of a moment when Zhong Yao was downstairs discussing arrangements with the filming crew to quickly contact the domestic team.
The doctor had said he needed at least a week of rest without intensive eye use, which would definitely affect work efficiency. Lin Zhu tried reading a few replies via voice, but the robotic narration mixed with endless “ahhhhh what is going on” responses made him so annoyed that he simply turned off Weibo.
There wasn’t anything urgent recently anyway. Taking a break wouldn’t be a big problem.
So Lin Zhu simply handed everything over to the core team who had followed him here.
“I’ll leave it to you guys. I’m going back home with Zhong-laoshi for a vacation. No need to contact me too often for the time being…”
The PR team had also seen the photos and knew Lin Zhu had injured his eyes, so they readily agreed.
“Don’t worry. It’s almost New Year anyway. The paparazzi are too lazy to stir trouble. Nothing big will happen. We’ll keep an eye on things.”
Lin Zhu carefully rolled up a new pair of wool socks and put them into a storage bag without replying.
“Lin-laoshi? Is there anything else?”
“That’s it?”
Lin Zhu couldn’t help asking, “Aren’t you going to ask which home I’m going back to with Zhong-laoshi?”
He couldn’t go bragging to his older brother, and the director had been busy discussing filming plans with Zhong Yao all day. Lin Zhu had been holding it in so long he was almost going crazy.
“For example, where we’re going for vacation, whether we’re going back to meet his parents, whether his parents like me, how long we’re staying, how we’re spending New Year’s…”
Feeling very professional about himself, Lin Zhu picked up his phone, cheeks slightly red, and coaxed them earnestly, “In case some blind tabloid makes up rumors again, like I eloped with Zhong-laoshi, you can use the facts to shut them down properly…”
The PR team: “……”
The PR manager who had already sworn never to fall into the same pit twice again took a deep breath. “Which tabloid has nothing better to do than make up that kind of nonsense?”
“Human intentions are unpredictable. You never know.”
Lin Zhu replied seriously, “I’m just telling you in advance so you won’t be caught off guard. I’m going back home with Zhong-laoshi. His parents already like me; like me in the sense that I don’t need to do anything for them to like me. You understand, right? I mean—”
The PR manager decisively hung up on the injured agent.
Listening to the call disconnect tone, Lin Zhu sighed in disappointment.
Sigh, no one could share his joy…
There really wasn’t anyone left he could talk to.
Suppressing his excitement, Lin Zhu carefully folded Zhong Yao’s shirt along the seams and placed it into the suitcase. If typing weren’t so inconvenient, he would have posted on Weibo already.
Zhong-laoshi’s parents liked him!
Lin Zhu had never once doubted Zhong Yao’s words. If Zhong Yao said they liked him, then they must really like him.
He had never received this kind of treatment before. He was so happy that he couldn’t sit still all day, obediently cooperating even when applying medicine. Even when the eye drops stung so badly his face turned pale, he didn’t move at all, afraid his condition wouldn’t be good enough when he went back home with Zhong Yao.
It didn’t matter if no one else understood. He already had people who liked him.
Humming softly, Lin Zhu cheerfully pulled out another shirt and continued folding it diligently.
Outside the door, the on-site director — who had been worried all day about Lin Zhu’s injuries — wanted to check on him, but stopped when he saw Zhong Yao standing there.
“Zhong-laoshi—”
Zhong Yao made a gesture. “Shh.”
The director quickly fell silent, handed over a medical kit specially prepared by the crew, and quietly retreated downstairs.
Zhong Yao silently thanked him and looked down, resting a hand on the railing.
He listened to the sounds inside the room, his heart softening completely.
Even when he made that promise, he never expected Lin Zhu to be this happy about it.
Zhong Yao always wanted to treat him better, but his agent probably just didn’t get enough sweetness when he was young. Every little bit of kindness made him happy enough to bloom like a flower.
After listening to Lin Zhu finish rehearsing all his “meeting the parents” scenarios, Zhong Yao finally pushed the door open.
He caught the agent who immediately lunged toward him, and held him steady in his arms.
The overwhelming news coverage also had a side effect.
The day after the news broke in China, Lin Song dropped everything and flew urgently to the United States. He grabbed Zhong Yao by the shoulders and nearly shook him into a concussion.
When he arrived, it was already late at night. Lin Zhu had already gone to sleep because he had been resting early these days. If Zhong Yao hadn’t checked his phone before bed, he wouldn’t have known Lin Song had flown over.
“He’s recovering well. He can already tolerate a bit of light and see somewhat. He still needs eye drops daily and should avoid overusing his eyes for the next few days.”
Zhong Yao had been staying home with Lin Zhu these past two days, explaining everything in detail.
“I’ve confirmed repeatedly with the doctors. They guaranteed there will be no damage to his vision.”
Lin Song frowned as he listened and reviewed the medical report again, finally letting out a relieved breath. “That’s good… that’s good…”
After a moment, Zhong Yao hesitated, then spoke. “Can I ask something?”
Now reassured that his brother was fine, Lin Song leaned back casually in the car. “What is it?”
Zhong Yao held up the medical report. “The doctor said Xiao Zhu’s eyes have been injured more than once.”
Lin Song’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Zhong Yao carefully put the report away. “I’m a bit concerned. If it’s inconvenient, you don’t have to tell me. I won’t ask him.”
“It’s not that it’s inconvenient… it’s just that I didn’t expect it to still be an issue now.”
Lin Song smiled bitterly and rubbed his temple. “Actually, even if you asked him directly, he probably wouldn’t hide it from you.”
Zhong Yao shook his head and handed him a cigarette.
Lin Song took it but didn’t light it, just bit it between his lips. “You know our parents don’t really accept his eyes.”
He exhaled slowly, then began explaining, “When Xiao Zhu was a teenager, they once tried to persuade him to undergo surgery. Corneal transplant if possible, or even remove the eye if necessary. They believed that as long as he lost that ability, he could live like a normal, happy person.”
“He was a very obedient child. He thought it was all his fault. He believed that if the eyes were gone, everything would be fine.”
“The more he thought like that, the more, when he lost control under emotional stress…”
Lin Song gave a bitter smile. “I only found out about this much later. By then, so many years had already passed.”
“He’s been afraid of the dark since he was little. Extremely afraid. He always needed lights on, never allowed anyone to cover his eyes, and had to sleep with a light on.”
Lin Song took a deep breath. “Luckily… he’s afraid of the dark.”
He didn’t say more, but the meaning was clear enough to send a chill down the spine.
Zhong Yao fell silent.
After a long while, he finally said softly, “If I had been there back then… it would’ve been better.”
The car drove through the night, streetlights flashing past.
Neither of them spoke again until they arrived home.
When they pushed open the bedroom door, they saw Lin Zhu sitting up sleepily.
Seeing his brother, he blinked in confusion. “Dage? Why are you here?”
