Suo Yang encountered his lover’s parents completely unprepared, making it impossible for him to remain calm.
But no matter how turbulent his heart was, he had to remain composed outside.
Suo Yang followed Shen Huiming into his father’s car, and as soon as he got in, he obediently greeted, “Hello, Uncle.”
Shen Huiming’s father smiled back, nodded to him, and asked, “Huiming’s friend, right?”
Shen Huiming’s mother answered the question, “Suo Yang! Huiming mentioned it!”
Her voice was very low, and she even patted Shen Huiming’s father as she spoke.
The two looked at each other as if they were exchanging secret signs. Shen Huiming’s father said ‘Oh’ as if he had suddenly realised and then looked back at Suo Yang, who was sitting perfectly straight.
Suo Yang smiled sincerely and said, “Hello.”
Shen Huiming sat aside, holding back a smile as he watched the two.
“Ah, hello, hello.” Shen Huiming’s father said. Having seen enough, he turned back to start the car.
“Mom, where are we going to eat?”
“Your Uncle Xu’s Japanese restaurant has opened a branch again, so we’re going there to try it.” Shen Huiming’s mother turned to look at Suo Yang and asked softly, “Xiao Suo, do you like Japanese food?”
“Yes,” Suo Yang originally thought that he would just sit quietly and accompany them, but he was suddenly called upon. He quickly gathered himself and answered, “I quite like Japanese food.”
Shen Huiming could tell that both of them were nervous as they chatted.
After his mother turned back, Shen Huiming gently squeezed Suo Yang’s thigh, leaned into his ear and whispered, “Relax, they like you very much.”
That being said, it was really difficult for Suo Yang to relax.
At this time, even someone with strong mental resilience would find it hard to relax.
However, what Suo Yang knew best was ‘getting along with people’. He was a flight attendant, so he knew how to satisfy the other party.
On the way to the restaurant, Shen Huiming chatted with his parents, and occasionally, the conversation would turn to Suo Yang. Each time, Suo Yang responded very gracefully. He didn’t talk much but performed well.
Shen Huiming hoped that he could relax, but he also understood.
If he was the one who met Suo Yang’s parents by chance today, his performance might not be comparable to Suo Yang’s.
When the four of them arrived at the restaurant, a friend of Shen Huiming’s parents specially reserved a private room for them. As soon as they entered, they were taken upstairs by the waiter.
Upstairs, they met ‘Uncle Xu’.
Shen Huiming’s family greeted Uncle Xu politely, and the other party glanced at Suo Yang. Shen Huiming’s father said, “My son’s good friend, we happened to meet, so we came together.”
Suo Yang smiled obediently and also greeted Uncle Xu.
When they were walking towards the private room, Shen Huiming’s father came over to explain to Suo Yang, “Xiao Suo, please don’t mind it.”
He didn’t say clearly, but Suo Yang knew what he meant.
“Uncle, why would I mind?” Suo Yang said, “We’re already very happy that you and Auntie understand.”
Shen Huiming’s father patted Suo Yang on the back and didn’t say much.
Suo Yang could actually sense that Shen Huiming’s parents were being cautious with him as well.
Perhaps it was because they didn’t know how to interact with their child’s gay partner, much like he didn’t know how to interact with his lover’s parents.
In this aspect, they were all beginners and had to learn slowly.
But he could feel that Shen Huiming’s parents were gentle people. They took care of Suo Yang’s emotions during the conversation and actively introduced him to others, even if it was just as ‘their son’s good friend’, and that was enough for him.
Suo Yang didn’t expect more because he already got a lot.
Four people entered the private room and sat down in pairs.
When ordering food, Shen Huiming’s mother began to tentatively ask Suo Yang some questions that she was concerned about.
“I heard from Huiming that you’re a flight attendant!” Shen Huiming’s mother picked up the small teapot, and Suo Yang hurriedly took it and poured water for her and Shen Huiming’s father first, “Isn’t it very busy and tiring?”
“It’s manageable,” Suo Yang poured water for them, then for Shen Huiming, before finally picking up his own teacup, “When you’re doing a job you love, it doesn’t feel tiring at all.”
Shen Huiming’s mother smiled, “Huiming also said the same thing two years ago, but it’s true, young people like you should work hard and experience some hardships. If you don’t go through challenges while you’re young, you won’t learn about life.”
“Mom, why are you giving people a lecture again?” Shen Huiming laughed and complained to his mother, “I remember you’re not a teacher either, so you really got into the wrong profession in the first place.”
Shen Huiming’s mother gave him a playful look, “I’m chatting with Xiao Suo here, don’t interrupt!”
Shen Huiming nodded helplessly, sat there obediently drinking water, and waited for the food to be served.
“Between you and Huiming, who is older?”
“Huiming is three years older than me,” Suo Yang said, “I am twenty-seven this year.”
“Very good, you two are close in age. You both are past the time of being impulsive and reckless.”
As a parent, they would still worry about their children no matter what. They feared that their children would fall in love on the spur of the moment, and when they broke up, they would have a bad time.
Of course, the best outcome was not to break up, but until the story reached its conclusion, who could guarantee anything?
“Xiao Suo, are your family from around here?”
“Mom, are you checking his family background?” Shen Huiming interrupted again with a smile.
“Oh dear, I’m just showing concern!” Shen Huiming’s mother turned to Suo Yang and said, “Xiao Suo, don’t be annoyed by Auntie. After all, this is the first time we have met. Huiming mentioned you before, but he didn’t say much. Since we coincidentally met today, I thought I’d ask a few more questions.”
Suo Yang could understand, as a parent, they must be concerned.
He pinched Shen Huiming’s leg, implying that the other party that he was okay.
“My family is from the same province, but not from this city,” Suo Yang said, “I came here to study at the University of Foreign Languages, and I stayed here after graduation.”
“Oh, that’s nice,” Shen Huiming’s mother said. “Living and working here on your own must not be easy.”
Suo Yang smiled, “It’s okay.”
Shen Huiming’s parents liked Suo Yang very much. After all, he was good-looking and behaved in an educated manner.
When parents assessed the partners their children brought home, they typically considered factors such as qualifications and character. Suo Yang had many favourable attributes–good looks, a solid educational background, a good job, and excellent manners. It could be said that there was hardly anything to criticize.
Shen Huiming’s parents were very satisfied. During the meal, Shen Huiming’s father suddenly asked, “Xiao Suo, how do your parents feel about all this?”
Suo Yang’s hand holding the chopsticks suddenly paused. The two parents on the opposite side didn’t notice this subtle movement, but Shen Huiming did.
“Oh my, you really are doing a background check, huh?” Shen Huiming took over the conversation calmly, “Speaking of which, today is your wedding anniversary. Shouldn’t we have a toast?”
“You can drink,” Shen Huiming’s father’s conversation was hijacked by his son, “but I have to drive today, so your mom is in charge of drinking.”
Suo Yang looked at Shen Huiming with a smile, “I’ll be the designated driver on the way back today. You can enjoy a few drinks with your mom.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Huiming’s mood improved significantly. He didn’t hesitate to put his arm around Suo Yang’s shoulder and called over a server to order two bottles of wine.
As they started drinking, the atmosphere changed immediately
The conversation became more relaxed, and Shen Huiming skillfully took over all the questions Suo Yang wasn’t sure how to answer.
After the meal, Shen Huiming’s parents seemed to have accepted Suo Yang. When they parted ways, Shen Huiming’s mother even suggested they come home for dinner another day.
Suo Yang was very moved and grateful. He helped Shen Huiming’s mother into the car, making sure she was comfortably seated in the front passenger seat.
With the parents gone, it was just the two of them left.
The sky had grown dark, and Shen Huiming watched the car’s taillights as he let out a long sigh of relief.
“Are you exhausted today?” Shen Huiming squeezed Suo Yang’s hand gently.
“Uncle and Auntie are really nice,” Suo Yang replied. “I get a bit nervous when I’m with them, but I’m genuinely happy.”
Shen Huiming still remembered Suo Yang’s reaction from earlier. He turned around and looked at the other party, torn between wanting to ask and not wanting to touch on Suo Yang’s sensitive spot.
It was a sensitive topic for Suo Yang; he could tell.
“Let’s go, we can still make it to the movies,” Shen Huiming said. “When we get to the cinema, I’ll use the alcohol as an excuse to give you a passionate kiss.”
Suo Yang looked at him and smiled, raising her hand to straighten his hair, “It’s not like you’re not allowed to kiss. Why do you need to force a kiss?”
“Just for some excitement,” Shen Huiming stretched lazily. “Let’s go.”
The two of them took a taxi to a private cinema. In the car, Shen Huiming held Suo Yang’s hand the whole time, but he never asked the question he wanted to ask.
As they exited the car and walked towards the cinema, Suo Yang suddenly grabbed Shen Huiming and said, “I haven’t gone back to see my parents for several years.”
Shen Huiming slowed his pace and turned to look at Suo Yang.
“In my second year of work, during the Chinese New Year, they wanted to introduce me to a girl,” Suo Yang said. “I refused and decided to come out to them.”
On the side of the road at night, street lights watched them, pedestrians passed by them, and the evening wind lingered around them, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.
Suo Yang said, “It was quite an unpleasant scene then. I returned here overnight and spent New Year’s Eve on the train.”
Shen Huiming frowned slightly.
“At that time, I felt miserable and couldn’t understand why my parents, who had loved me for so many years, stopped loving me just because I’m gay.” Suo Yang breathed a long sigh of relief, “Now I can actually understand them. If I had been more careful with my words and considered their feelings when I came out to them, maybe things wouldn’t have turned out so badly.”
Shen Huiming suddenly didn’t know how he should comfort the lovers in front of him. He could only hold each other’s hands despite the eyes of passers-by.
“Later, I tried to reach out to them. Maybe they were still angry. They said they didn’t want to see me anymore and that we have nothing to do with each other anymore.” Suo Yang said, “Although I know this may not be what they truly feel, all these years, I’ve been too afraid to go back, fearing that if I did, I would find out that they really do think that way.”
Suo Yang lowered his head, looked at Shen Huiming, who was holding his hand, and said, “I was really happy when I had dinner with Uncle and Auntie today. If possible, I would also like to introduce my lover to my parents.”
“Suo Yang,” Shen Huiming pulled him into his arms, and the two big men hugged each other on the side of the road like that, “Take your time, don’t rush… In fact, they might be waiting for you too.”
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Thanks to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated nutrient solution during 2020-05-26 15:12:38~2020-05-27 06:16:38~
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