Old Mai’s appearance completely overturned Yan Xuming’s imagination.

Previously, although he had heard that Mai Dong’s father dabbled in antiques, combined with the professions of other members of Mai Dong’s family and their family conditions, he imagined that Old Mai should also be neatly dressed. Saying he dabbled in antiques, he might be an elite figure who frequented major auction houses.

After all, there had been a misunderstanding about Mai Dong’s grandfather before. Everyone said Mai Dong’s grandfather collected garbage, but in fact, he was an artist.

Unexpectedly, Old Mai was wearing a tattered black cotton jacket, with a pack of cheap cigarettes in his mouth, and the rough skin on his hands was visible when he lit a cigarette.

Of course, it couldn’t be said to be sloppy; it could only be said that he looked like a very ordinary middle-aged man, probably because Old Mai in Yan Xuming’s imagination was too elite.

Yan Xuming maintained a dignified attitude, “Uncle, I am Yan Xuming, I am Mai Dong’s… classmate.”

Old Mai squinted his eyes and took a puff of smoke, his demeanor and tone resembling that of a ruffian. “Oh, a classmate, huh? Look, isn’t this a misunderstanding? I thought you were Mai-zi’s boyfriend.”

Yan Xuming immediately corrected himself, “Boyfriend.”

Mai Dong was like a timid quail, huddled in the corner without daring to speak.

Old Mai snorted coldly, “So, are you classmates or boyfriends? Have you two discussed it or not ah?”

Yan Xuming was completely unafraid, speaking calmly, “Boyfriends. I was afraid that introducing myself as Mai Dong’s boyfriend right away might offend you.”1Polite form of you.

Old Mai seemed satisfied. He glared at Mai Dong and muttered softly, “Quite sensible.”

Mai Dong felt secretly proud in his heart, of course!

Old Mai was purely acting; he wasn’t like this usually. He just wanted to assert dominance over Yan Xuming. Seeing that his verbal intimidation didn’t faze the other party, he pushed the tea set in front of him with his cigarette still in his mouth. “Drink tea?”

Yan Xuming silently sat across from Old Mai. “Not much of a tea drinker, but the adults at home occasionally make some.”

Old Mai nodded, “Oh, that means you know a little bit, make a pot?”

Mai Dong couldn’t help but speak up, “Dad, he’s still a student. Why are you doing this ah?”

Old Mai instantly felt displeased. How could his son, who was both a boyfriend and a biological child, side with his boyfriend and not know to side with his own father? Old Mai’s dissatisfaction manifested in his discomfort towards Yan Xuming. He sat there without saying a word, pushing the tea leaves canister towards Yan Xuming again.

Forget about Yan Xuming being just a college student; even if he had been in society for several years, he might not necessarily know how to brew tea.

Yet Yan Xuming smiled. His movements were unhurried. When the tea leaves canister was pushed towards him, he didn’t reach for it but instead stretched his arm to reach for the hot water kettle on the other side, using the boiling water to rinse the tea cups and utensils before opening the tea leaves canister.

He seemed somewhat surprised and offered Old Mai a well-placed compliment, “Uncle, I may not understand tea leaves very well, but judging from the aroma and appearance, they seem quite exquisite. You are quite knowledgeable.”

After saying this, he scooped out three spoonfuls of tea leaves with a small tea spoon, poured hot water into the teapot, and quickly poured out the water used for steeping the tea.

The expression on Old Mai’s face was indescribable, a mix of displeasure and satisfaction. He suddenly reached out and grabbed the teacup, interrupting Yan Xuming’s actions impatiently, “Alright, stop messing around with it, don’t spoil my tea leaves.”

Old Mai took over the tea-steeping task and casually inquired about Yan Xuming’s family background, “What do your parents do ah?”

Yan Xuming replied, “Both of my parents work in the field of chemical materials. My mother teaches, and my father works in a research institute.”

Although Yan Xuming’s words were humble, Old Mai could tell that it meant his mother was a university professor and his father was a researcher. Alright, this aspect should be suitable for Mai Dong. The satisfaction bar in his mind rose a bit higher, but the higher it rose, the more dissatisfied he felt. He had to find something to put this kid in his place.

So, Old Mai launched another attack, “Do your family members know about you and Mai Dong?”

Unexpectedly, Yan Xuming nodded, “They just found out. I haven’t been with Mai Dong for long, I only had the chance to tell my family during winter break.”

Old Mai sadly realized that his level of “satisfaction” had risen a bit again. “What’s their attitude ah?”

Yan Xuming replied, “I dare not lie to you. It will take time for my parents to accept, but I can handle it.”

Old Mai immediately felt a surge of dominance, even straightening his back slightly. “Oh, so your family doesn’t accept it yet? If you can’t even convince your own family, why should we, Mai-zi’s family, accept you?”

Yan Xuming lowered his eyes respectfully. “You’re right, it’s my problem. I will make the utmost effort to resolve this matter. You…”

Old Mai cut off Yan Xuming’s words, waving his hand dismissively. “Men are good at flowery words. I’m a man too. You don’t need to use that on me.”

Mai Dong was getting anxious. He was already worried about what would happen after Yan Xuming talked to his family, but he hadn’t had the chance to ask in detail. He grabbed Yan Xuming’s wrist suddenly, “Are you okay? Was today’s outing about this? Did Aunt scold you? Did she hit you!”

Old Mai’s face really darkened.

He took a deep drag of his cigarette, thinking, this isn’t right, isn’t he the one who gave birth to a son? Why does he feel like he has the mentality of marrying off a daughter? It’s like the feeling of someone stealing your precious cabbage, a feeling that silently pains Old Mai’s heart.

Yan Xuming patted Mai Dong’s hand gently and shook his head lightly.

Mai Dong was anxious, “What? Tell me. Don’t worry about my dad. He’s just trying to scare you. He’s not like this normally. So annoying!”

Yan Xuming couldn’t help but smile but didn’t dare to look at Old Mai’s expression. It was probably even darker than before. He didn’t want Mai Dong to worry, so he spoke truthfully, “It’s nothing. I told you I’ll handle it. My mom is just worried that this path might be difficult, but she doesn’t have any objections towards you. Don’t worry.”

Mai Dong finally felt a bit relieved but still felt jittery, unwilling to let go of Yan Xuming’s wrist.

Old Mai had an appointment to pick up some goods in the afternoon, so he had asked Mai Dong to come and watch the store.

He left around three, leaving Yan Xuming and Mai Dong alone in the shop. Yan Xuming only relaxed and leaned back in his chair after he heard the sound of Old Mai’s car starting.

Mai Dong teased, “Are you nervous?”

Yan Xuming sighed, “Can you not be nervous?”

Mai Dong comforted him, “My dad is very pleased with you. The more displeased he looks, the more satisfied he is inside. He’s always been a man of few words but more actions. He’s willing to let you stay with me, which means he’s quite satisfied with you.”

Yan Xuming nodded, “I can see that. Uncle doesn’t seem like the type to make things difficult for others, and his acting skills aren’t that great either.”

Mai Dong realized, “So, you were just playing along with his act earlier ah?”

Yan Xuming thought for a moment, “Yes and no. I was genuinely nervous, but I also wanted to perform well.”

Pride filled Mai Dong’s voice, “You did great, you passed the test with my dad!”

Yan Xuming looked at him, “What about you?”

Mai Dong was momentarily puzzled, “Huh?”

Yan Xuming smiled and asked, “What about you? You’re my examiner here, Teacher Mai Dong. Did I pass?”

With the upcoming New Year, Mai Dong’s family was always busy during this time.

Although Grandma had retired, she had many apprentices. During the New Year, they didn’t dare disturb Grandma, so they came to Mai Dong’s house to bring gifts to Madam Du and buy some nutritional supplements for Grandma through Madam Du.

At first, they insisted not to accept, but they found that these people would just leave the items at the door and run away, or even directly ask the security guard to deliver them to Mai Dong’s house.

Old Mai was getting older, and the antiques market was tricky. He had quite a few proud disciples, including Madam Du, who had many students as well.

These days, Mai Dong had been hiding in his room on the second floor, not daring to step out of his room.

Yesterday, he sneaked out to meet Yan Xuming and got hold of Yan Xuming’s diary for the past few days. Luckily, he had this pastime. Whenever he had spare time, he would open it up and see what his boyfriend had been up to at home.

January 24, 2024. Sunny

Question for Student Mai Dong: Do you know what day it is today? Although we haven’t met much these days, it’s actually the one-month anniversary of our official relationship, which is worth celebrating. But because you went out to the neighboring city for an exhibition today, I didn’t have the chance to invite you for dinner, which is a bit regrettable.

It’s only a little over two weeks until the Chinese New Year. My family mentioned gathering together for a meal during the New Year’s holidays. I think it’s a bit too soon, so I refused without asking for your opinion. Originally, I didn’t plan to tell you, but after some thought, I decided to write it down in the diary.

Let’s wait a bit longer. Personally, I feel that eating together now might make our relationship seem more like friends in their eyes. In another two years, can we formally introduce our families and meet as partners?

The food at home is better than at school. I suspect I’ve gained some weight, so I got a gym membership downstairs this afternoon. I hope that after school starts, I’ll be able to lift you with one hand. This wish should be easy to fulfill.

January 26, 2024. Overcast

Mai Dong, I’m giving you a serious warning. It’s been four days since you last met your boyfriend, and I need a valid reason. Before the winter break, I celebrated for many days, grateful that we wouldn’t end up in a long-distance relationship no matter what. Now I admit I was a bit naive.

At noon, I went out with my family to have Hunan cuisine, which tasted good. Coincidentally, it was just two streets away from your house. I sent you messages while sitting in the private room, asking if you were home. Two hours later, when I returned home, you replied to me.

Words lack tone; I hope you can understand my meaning through my sparse words, Xueba.

I’m a bit grumpy today, I don’t feel like reporting any unnecessary things.

January 28, 2024. Light Rain

When I woke up this morning, my throat was sore, probably from catching a chill coming out of the gym yesterday. I drank a hot cup of cold medicine, and around ten o’clock, I started running a fever. There weren’t many people at home; my mom was busy with her research project and wouldn’t be able to rest much during the Chinese New Year, and my dad was nowhere to be seen.

At noon, Auntie saw me lying in bed looking pitiful, so she made me a bowl of bland clear noodle soup. While eating the noodles, I really missed the Hunan cuisine from the other day, but unfortunately, that day I was too focused on waiting for your reply and didn’t eat much

I took some fever-reducing medicine and slept until evening; when I woke up, the fever had subsided.

I also received four missed calls from my boyfriend. It’s a pity; you said if I didn’t answer one more call, you would come to my house. At that moment, I thought it really wasn’t the right time to wake up. But I was also afraid that if you did come, I might infect you. In the evening, I started to have some appetite, with Hunan cuisine filling my mind. My boyfriend scolded me harshly for half an hour, saying that I had just recovered from the fever and shouldn’t mess around with my body carelessly.

It’s the first time I’ve seen my boyfriend scold someone. Handsome, and cute, it’s likely to increase my frequency of being unreasonable in the future (just kidding).

Alright, goodnight.