Chapter 102 – This Tragic Movie Emperor – “You keep your word!” (07/08)
Yan Qing’s home wasn’t far, just two bus stops away. The car stopped in front of his building.
Xie Chenyang turned off the engine. “Go on up.”
Yan Qing remained still. “Uncle, would you like to come in for a visit?”
Xie Chenyang replied knowingly, “No, better not. You head on in.”
Alone like that, he feared he might succumb to temptation. Yan Qing got out of the car, expressionless.
He hurried upstairs, then stood at the balcony railing watching the car drive away. He pulled out his phone and dialed Yu Zhang’s number.
Yu Zhang’s lazy voice answered, “What’s up? Did you give her the chocolates? Did she[mfn] Not a typo, in Mandarin ‘He’ and ‘She’ are pronounced the same when speaking. They are written differently. 她/ tā/ she 他/ tā/ he[/mfn] like them?”
Yan Qing: “He accepted it.”
“I told you girls love this stuff. So, you won her over?”
Yan Qing didn’t correct his gender assumption. “Yeah, he said he’d wait for me. I told him I’m not of age for another four months. He said he’d wait.”
Yu Zhang was a bit confused. “Oh, I see. That’s a good kid—no early romance. Wait until you’re of age.”
Yan Qing: “He actually walked me home just now…”
“Hold up.” Yu Zhang looked utterly baffled. “Shouldn’t you be the one walking her home?”
“We just came over from his place.”
“…Alright, I don’t really get you young people these days. I take you home, then you bring me home, then… Hmm. Never mind, that’s not important. I’m curious about something else.”
“What?”
“How did you become interested in her? I mean, what made you want to pursue her?”
“I wanted to kiss him.”
——– ——- ——
The video was irrefutable proof.
Shen Yangfan, once an acclaimed actor, had his reputation destroyed by Ke Ming’s slander. He withdrew from the entertainment industry, suffering immense losses.
Following the court ruling, Ke Ming had to compensate Shen Yangfan with nearly all his current assets. His reputation had now plummeted even lower than Shen Yangfan’s was back then.
Whereas Shen Yangfan still had some supporters, a few die-hard fans who believed in him, and some industry insiders who voiced their support, Ke Ming became a universally reviled figure.
Neither insiders nor outsiders could tolerate his behavior.
The bar had been publicly exposed, and Xie Chenyang promptly sold it off.
Contacts in the entertainment industry began reaching out to him, and many fans returned, calling out, “Brother, you’ve been wronged!” They started rewatching his past dramas.
Topics like “The Fallen Film Emperor’s Comeback,” “Fans Apologize,” and “Pleas for the Idol’s Return” dominated online discussions for days. Xie Chenyang posted a clear message: “Not coming back. Stop asking.”
Xie Chenyang’s follower count skyrocketed as apologies and pleas for his return flooded social media. Yet he never once responded.
—— —— ——
New Year’s Eve.
Xie Chenyang brought Tao Xiaosong across town to the Shen family home. When they arrived, Tao Xiaosong’s parents were already there.
Mrs. Shen and Sister Shen were chatting while watching TV on the sofa. Their eyes crinkled when they smiled after Xie Chenyang appeared.
Sister Shen teased, “Oh my, our big star finally deigned to come back?”
The room was warm with the heater on.
Xie Chenyang untied his scarf, his voice tinged with resignation. “Sis, I’ve already retired from the industry.”
“You’re all over the internet these days. Even though you’re out of the industry, folks still talk about you,” Sister Shen said, peeling an orange with a slight smile. “Even some of my coworkers are your fans.”
Tao Xiaosong sat down beside Mother Shen. “Some of my classmates are too.”
Sister Shen shot him a sideways glance. “What are you doing? Go help your dad and grandpa in the kitchen.”
Xie Chenyang: “I’ll go—”
Sister Shen: “Sit down.”
Tao Xiaosong pouted and got up to go to the kitchen.
Under Sister Shen’s gaze, Xie Chenyang sat down between them with a small frown. “Mom, Sis.”
Shen’s mother’s eyes were slightly reddened. “Oh! Your dad made your favorite garlic tofu tonight.”
He replied softly, “I’ll finish it all. I haven’t had it in ages.”
Though Shen’s father said nothing and wore a neutral expression, Xie Chenyang could clearly sense his joy.
After dinner, Sister Shen and her family of three announced they’d be staying. Xie Chenyang’s room had already been prepared.
He received a phone call. Glancing at the people gathered around the TV, he stepped out onto the balcony to take it.
“A-Qing?”
“Uncle… Not home?”
The moment that question left Yan Qing’s lips, Xie Chenyang sensed something. He chuckled softly. “I’ll be back soon. What’s up?”
Yan Qing paused for a moment. “I’m downstairs at your place.”
“It’s cold outside. Find somewhere to shelter from the wind. I’ll be there shortly.” After hanging up, Xie Chenyang tucked his phone into his pocket, returned to the living room, and picked up his scarf. “Dad, Mom, Sister, Brother-in-law, I have something to attend to. I need to head back.”
Mr. Shen frowned. “On New Year’s Eve? What could possibly be so urgent?”
“Why couldn’t there be something?” Mrs. Shen smiled. “Go ahead, Xiao Fan. Will you come tomorrow?”
Xie Chenyang: “I will.”
——– ——– ——
As Xie Chenyang approached his building, he spotted Yan Qing standing below. It was New Year’s Eve, and most people were indoors. The streets were deserted. Yan Qing stood there, looking pitifully abandoned. Xie Chenyang parked quickly and rushed over. He pulled Yan Qing into an embrace, then ushered him inside. “Have you eaten? There are dumplings in the fridge. I’ll cook them for you.”
Yan Qing slipped his arms around Xie Chenyang’s waist and buried his face against his chest.
Xie Chenyang ruffled his hair. “Alright, once we get home, you can be as clingy as you want.”
Yan Qing mumbled, “…I wasn’t being clingy. I just got tired from standing too long.”
“Right, right.”
As the elevator doors opened, Xie Chenyang lifted him up and walked out.
“Remember the code?” He tapped the door with a foot. Yan Qing kept one arm wrapped around Xie Chenyang’s neck while he entered the code to unlock the door.
Once inside, Xie Chenyang walked straight to the sofa and set him down. “Rest if you’re tired. I’ll make something for you to eat.”
Yan Qing closed his eyes, resting for a moment before opening them again. His phone buzzed with notifications of well-wishes from classmates and friends.
Yan Qing didn’t reply to any of them, skipping them all. When he saw Tao Xiaosong’s message, he paused, opened it, and replied with, “Happy New Year’s Eve,” and a red envelope.
Tao Xiaosong: [???]
Tao Xiaosong: [Holy crap, I never thought I’d get a red envelope from someone my age! Are you okay, bro? Did your hand slip?]
Yan Qing: [It’s for you.]
Tao Xiaosong burst out laughing, then sent him a red envelope in return. Yan Qing didn’t accept it, yet felt inexplicably cheerful.
Xie Chenyang’s dumplings were soon cooked.
Yan Qing sat quietly eating them while Xie Chenyang casually opened his screen and projected the Spring Festival Gala.
After finishing, Yan Qing washed the dishes and sat beside Xie Chenyang to watch the gala together. “Tonight is New Year’s Eve. Aren’t you going home, Uncle?”
Xie Chenyang smiled at him. “Can’t guess?”
Of course he could guess.
When Yan Qing stood downstairs, gazing at the dark windows of Xie Chenyang’s apartment, he knew he must have gone home for New Year’s Eve.
A sensible person might not have disturbed him. But Yan Qing still made that call, believing he would come.
“Whenever you need me, no matter where I am, I’ll come running.”
Yan Qing’s fingertips twitched slightly, shifting closer to him.
Xie Chenyang caught the small gesture, his eyes crinkling with amusement as he reached out to take his hand.
Yan Qing paused, then nestled his head into Xie Chenyang’s embrace. “I’m from a single-parent family.”
Xie Chenyang pulled him tighter. “Mhm.”
“My mom… she has a new partner. She went to his place for dinner today, and I… slipped out midway.”
He felt terribly out of place there.
Xie Chenyang never imagined he’d one day have to prepare his lover for emotional challenges, address family issues, and navigate psychological concerns… It felt rather novel.
“Did you tell your mom you were leaving?”
“I did.” He told his mom he was going to see Yu Zhang.
Yu Zhang used to be their neighbor, practically watching him grow up. He often took him out to play, so Yan Qing’s mother felt at ease. The Spring Festival Gala was still playing. Yan Qing stayed in Xie Chenyang’s embrace, saying nothing more.
Xie Chenyang also quieted down, his fingers unconsciously patting his shoulder lightly.
Yan Qing’s heart began to race, recalling what Yu Zhang had said that day.
Want to kiss? Just go for it.
His heart raced faster with each thought.
After much mental preparation, he lifted his head, one hand gripping Xie Chenyang’s shirt. “Uncle, I—”
Yan Qing felt a bit speechless.
Xie Chenyang’s eyes were tightly shut. He was leaning back on the sofa, already asleep.
Yan Qing: “…Forget it.”
He lowered his head again, nestling into his embrace, and continued watching the Spring Festival Gala.
You Huang: “You’re putting on quite the act.”
[He didn’t notice.]
“What are you afraid of?”
[If we can’t go further, then we can’t. He’s almost an adult. I can wait.]
“Oh? Then be conscious of your actions. Understand that you shouldn’t get carried away? Your lower half is pixelated.”
[Seriously, what kind of system is this? I’m wearing so many layers!]
“Calm down. I’m going to rest.”
Time passed, and Yan Qing began to feel drowsy.
After an unknown period, just as his consciousness was fading, he was held tightly. A deep, gentle voice murmured in his ear, “Happy New Year.”
He mumbled back, half-asleep, “Happy New Year.”
Then, his consciousness plunged into darkness.
New Year’s Day.
Yan Qing woke up in Xie Chenyang’s bed. After confirming his location, his brow furrowed slightly.
Had he slept that soundly last night? Not a single sensation.
Was Xie Chenyang sleeping here too? How did he sleep?
Did he hold him while falling asleep?
He dressed and left the bedroom. Xie Chenyang sat on the sofa, his back to Yan Qing. One hand held the phone, the other clutched a cigarette.
“Got it. I’ll be over shortly. Yeah, Mom, I’ll bring a little friend along later. Is that okay? I don’t feel right leaving him home alone. Yeah, I know. Alright, see you soon.”
Yan Qing hadn’t heard the entire conversation. He retreated back into the bedroom, carefully closing the door as quietly as possible.
Was that what he meant?
He… wanted to bring him to meet his family?
Strangely… he didn’t feel anticipation or excitement. Instead, it felt almost expected.
Yan Qing fell deep in thought. So why did he possess the confidence that no matter what, Xie Chenyang would stand by his side?
Xie Chenyang’s voice sounded outside the door.
Yan Qing wouldn’t do something foolish like burrowing back under the covers. He opened the door.
“Awake? Go wash up, then have breakfast. We’re going to pay New Year’s visits later.”
Yan Qing gave a slight nod, a hint of a smile touching his lips. “Okay.”
[Dad, please pinch me. I want to kiss him.]
Two fingers materialized behind Xie Chenyang, sharply pinching his lower back.
Xie Chenyang’s expression shifted slightly.
Yan Qing: “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Go wash up.”
Edit: Krone
Proofread: Choux_choux
