“Hello, may I ask who you are?”
The video doorbell chimed. Outside the door, a young man heard a voice he didn’t recognize. He set down the basket of fruit and health supplements in his hands, eagerly pulled out his phone, and opened his chat with Huo Weiran from the night before.
“I’m an old friend of Huo Weiran’s—Xiang Lang.”
On the chat screen, there was only one reply from Huo Weiran, the rest were long blocks of green messages but enough to prove they did know each other.
Nian Le recalled how his younger brother had claimed yesterday that he didn’t have WeChat. For a second, he’d actually believed him.
The door opened. Xiang Lang lifted the gifts and greeted Nian Le with a bright smile, revealing nine perfect white teeth.
“I’ve heard that Huo Weiran has an older brother, but I didn’t expect him to be this good-looking.”
He instantly noticed the elegant, composed young man before him—handsome and refined, his soft amber eyes carrying a calm detachment and quiet nobility.
What surprised Xiang Lang even more was that this refined young man was wearing an apron and holding a spatula, yet he somehow made it look like a piece of art. Warm and serene he was absolutely the kind of son-in-law any mother-in-law would love!
Nian Le realized the man had mistaken him for Huo Weiran’s brother. He was about to correct him when a cold voice came from behind.
“He’s not.”
Huo Weiran stood on the stairs, his expression sharp as he looked down from above.
Sunlight streamed in through the doorway, highlighting his flawless, mixed-race features. Under the light, he looked like a sculpture from ancient Rome. His slightly tousled curls caught the glow, and the plaster cast on his right arm was particularly striking.
“Huo Weiran, my man!” Xiang Lang’s eyes lit up the moment he saw him. Forgetting all about the gifts, he fished out a notebook and pen and hurried forward.
“The following questions are purely out of personal concern they have nothing to do with my position at the TV station and will absolutely not appear in any article!” he rattled off quickly before raising his pen, excitement written all over his face.
“How’s your recovery going? Do you think you’ll be able to compete in this year’s World Rally Championship?”
Expressionless, Huo Weiran stepped down the stairs.
“What about Formula Two?” Xiang Lang followed close behind, jotting down notes. “I heard before the accident you got a test-drive opportunity with the Blue Eagle F1 team. Has their management followed up with you since then?”
Ignoring him, Huo Weiran sat down at the dining table, faintly regretting replying to his message last night.
They had known each other since childhood, though they hadn’t met often. Still, they’d kept in touch over the years. Back before he became a journalist, Xiang Lang had never been this talkative.
Seeing him remain silent, Xiang Lang couldn’t help asking again.
“I’ve read so many reports saying the accident was suspicious, something to do with your co-driver. Could you share a little just as a favor to an old friend?”
“Breakfast is ready,” Nian Le interrupted, setting aside the gifts and fruit. His gaze briefly passed over Huo Weiran’s tightly clenched fist before he returned to the kitchen to bring out the dishes.
Huo Weiran looked up at him for a moment, then turned his gaze away.
“Sorry,” Xiang Lang said awkwardly, putting away his notebook and smiling sheepishly. “Occupational habit. I’m a reporter—I just can’t help asking questions.”
“Would you like some water?” Nian Le asked casually, taking a bottle of mineral water from the fridge and setting it before him.
“Thanks,” Xiang Lang said, unscrewing the cap. After all those rapid-fire questions, his throat was dry. This guy was really considerate!
Just as he was about to say something else, the young man began speaking to Huo Weiran.
“I’m short on time, so I can’t wait until you’re done eating. After the meal, remember to put the dishes in the dishwasher. If the dish soap runs out, it’s in the third cabinet from the left, second shelf remember to refill it.”
Across the table, Huo Weiran ate quietly and gave a simple nod.
Before Xiang Lang could speak again, Nian Le continued, “I’m not sure what time I’ll be back tonight. If I’m late, just wait for me.”
Having been interrupted repeatedly, Xiang Lang forgot what he’d wanted to say. But as an observant sports reporter, he quickly caught on the young man didn’t want him bringing up the past again.
Protective, huh.
Xiang Lang blinked, switching topics to some harmless gossip. This time, the young man didn’t interrupt.
Huo Weiran ate slowly with his left hand, while Nian Le put his own bowl into the dishwasher and bid them goodbye before leaving.
Watching his retreating figure, Xiang Lang turned back to see his old friend also staring in that direction. Realizing he’d been caught, Huo Weiran quickly looked down and continued eating.
“Who’s that?” Xiang Lang asked, curiosity burning. “How come I’ve never seen him before?”
Huo Weiran didn’t answer.
Glancing around the house, Xiang Lang began deducing aloud. “Your housekeeper and maids are all off today, right? It’s just you and him here.”
“He was giving you instructions just now, and you didn’t argue so he’s clearly not a servant. But he doesn’t seem like just a friend, either…”
He rubbed his chin, then his eyes suddenly lit up as he came to what he thought was the perfect conclusion.
“I’ve got it!” he exclaimed, looking at Huo Weiran with a knowing grin.
Thinking of his mother’s attempts to control his marriage, Huo Weiran’s lips tightened. He didn’t respond.
“He must be your brother’s new partner—your sister-in-law!” Xiang Lang clapped his hands, eyes shining with triumph. “Come on, admit it!”
Hearing that, Huo Weiran immediately looked up, for the first time feeling just how stupid his childhood friend could be.
“He. Is. Not.”
Huo Weiran emphasized each word, staring directly at him.
“Not?” Xiang Lang looked confused. “Then who is he?”
“He’s…” Huo Weiran paused, gripping his chopsticks as his gaze dropped to the plate in front of him.
“He’s my fiancé.”
“Your fiancé?!” Xiang Lang nearly jumped from his seat, his face full of disbelief.
“No way! I’m always up to date on your news. I even knew about that supermodel in California who tried to hit on you and got rejected how could I have missed this? You already have a fiancé?!”
Huo Weiran was silent for a moment. Seeing his reaction, Xiang Lang suddenly seemed to have an epiphany.
“Don’t tell me… this was your mom’s idea?”
He asked carefully, and when Huo Weiran didn’t deny it, Xiang Lang immediately knew he’d guessed right.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Xiang Lang exclaimed, utterly baffled. “It’s the modern age who still arranges marriages like it’s ancient times?”
Huo Weiran’s left hand tightened around his utensils as he quietly took another bite of his now-cold breakfast.
Xiang Lang’s gaze fell to the plaster cast on Huo Weiran’s right arm. His eyes flickered, and an awful realization hit him.
Normally, Aunt Huo would never rush such an important decision, especially when her son was only eighteen, gifted in racing, and full of promise.
And that accident six months ago. For a fracture, two months in a cast should’ve been enough, but Huo Weiran’s arm was still in plaster, which could only mean one thing: something had gone wrong.
As he pieced it together, Xiang Lang felt a pang of sorrow.
His friend’s injury, it was likely permanent.
Otherwise, Aunt Huo wouldn’t have been so desperate to arrange a marriage, to find someone to stay with him for the rest of his life.
He’s only just become an adult, Xiang Lang thought bitterly. He just reached the qualifying age for F1, his brightest years should’ve been ahead of him. And yet, they’re already over.
Forcing back the ache in his chest, Xiang Lang pretended he hadn’t figured it out, gulping down water with a strained smile.
“You don’t seem to like him much,” he said gently. “I get that your mom might mean well, but she’s being too controlling, don’t you think?”
He rubbed his face. “Anyway, you two aren’t legally married yet. I can still introduce you to some people until you find someone you actually like, alright?”
That’s all a brother can do.
“No need,” Huo Weiran said flatly. “I don’t believe in marriage.”
“I remember you saying that before.” Xiang Lang nodded, recalling the old days when a bunch of half-grown boys sat around flipping through magazines and talking about their dream partners.
Some said they liked elegant people, others blushed and said they wanted someone beautiful with a great figure, and a few said they longed for a soulmate. But Huo Weiran had been the odd one out, he’d said he wanted freedom, and even set himself a firm rule: no marriage, no kids.
“I get it now,” Xiang Lang said with a serious nod. “You can’t send him away because of your mom, right? Don’t worry I’ll think of something. I’ll make sure he never wants to see you again!”
Huo Weiran’s hand froze midair, his chest tightening with an inexplicable discomfort.
There was no need for Xiang Lang to plan anything.
Once he found out the truth about his injury, he’d never want to see him again anyway.
×××
At the Go tournament, a little girl leaned forward to peek at the game on the table ahead. The high school boy opposite her thought hard before finally placing a stone and pressing the timer.
She glanced at the board, the move was just as she predicted. Swiftly, she picked up a black stone, launched a ko fight, captured one of his pieces, and hit the timer in a smooth motion before shifting her gaze back to the “big brother” sitting a few tables ahead.
This was the third round. Her grandpa had said that if he won four games in a row, she’d get to keep a set of agate stones as a prize.
The “big brother” had already won the second round with exactly the same score difference as the first. This time, his opponent was a boy about his age. The girl widened her eyes, seeing the boy sweating nervously while the older boy remained calm and composed. She could tell he was definitely going to win again.
Then, just as she was watching, her opponent played another move—a double ko.
In Go, each stone has four “liberties.” Once they’re surrounded, the stone “dies” and is removed.
A ko fight happens when both sides are capturing each other’s stones repeatedly in the same shape, leading to an endless cycle so the rules forbid immediate repetition of the same board state.
But a double ko means both sides are locked in two such cycles simultaneously—a chaotic, endless battle.
The girl, Xueqi, immediately became serious. Her opponent had been at a disadvantage, but with this double ko, he suddenly had the chance to force a draw or even turn the tables.
He relaxed slightly, thinking he had a chance until Xueqi abruptly abandoned that area and took the initiative elsewhere.
She gritted her teeth, watching as her opponent captured her stones in the ko area, but she continued building new formations across the board.
What should have been a two-hour match stretched to five before the result was finally decided.
Xueqi won by just half a point.
Her high school opponent scratched his head, looking at the little girl in front of him with genuine admiration.
“You’re so young, yet you play so well. That’s amazing.”
If it were before, Xueqi would’ve puffed up with pride at such praise and started bragging about her grandpa and dad. But after her recent experiences, she simply bowed politely instead.
“I still have a lot to learn. Thank you for the compliment, big brother. Next time I play, I won’t let my mind wander again.”
Watching the high school boy leave, Xueqi realized quite some time had passed surely the other game had ended by now. But when she looked over, she noticed the older boy was gone, while his opponent still sat there.
“Hi, handsome,” Xueqi called out, tilting her bun-shaped head cutely, immediately catching the boy’s attention.
“Can I ask who won your match?” she blinked innocently.
The boy drew a deep breath, full of regret.
“If only I’d seen that one spot—I could’ve taken the game for sure!”
So he lost.
Xueqi lowered her head to jot it down. “Pretty boy, how much did you lose by?”
“Six and a half points,” the boy said, eyes full of sorrow. “I could’ve won!”
[mfn] If you enjoy my translations, you can show your support by leaving a comment or donating to my Ko-fi. It will be much appreciated. Thank you! [/mfn]
