Month: September 2023 (Page 7 of 10)

Chapter 16: Working the night shift 

On Christmas Eve, Tan Xilu happened to have no classes, but the dessert shop was still open for business. Xu Huaiming prepared breakfast in the morning and then headed to the dessert shop. Tan Xilu woke up later and had a hasty meal.

This winter was colder than usual, with half a day of snow after the first snowfall. The snow hadn’t melted yet, as if it was meant to create a picturesque scene for Christmas. In the teachers’ group chat, several teachers were sharing videos of students having snowball fights, having a great time.

Someone suddenly brought up the topic of where they were planning to go for the year-end holiday. Some teachers responded, “Oh, where’s the money coming from? My child is about to enter college, and it’s a hefty expense.”

The other person said, “I haven’t decided yet. But I’ll definitely spend it with my parents.”

“I haven’t thought about it. I have to help some students with their projects.”

“I don’t want to fuss during the New Year. I just want to relax in bed.”

“… “

Someone unexpectedly shifted the conversation to Tan Xilu, “Teacher Tan, what about you? Your recent open class performance was excellent, and your year-end bonus must be substantial. You’re not going to spend another holiday alone at home, are you? Won’t you go out and have some fun?”

“Yeah, Teacher Tan, being alone is so lonely. How about I introduce you to someone?”

“I’ll do the introduction. I have a niece who just graduated from grad school this year…”

Tan Xilu: How did I get caught in this?

Tan Xilu sighed and rubbed his forehead. In the end, he was only twenty-eight years old. Indeed, it was the age to consider settling down, but his career had just started, and there was no need to rush.

In the past, he would have pretended to be busy or declined by saying he had a hectic work schedule. But now he had Xu Huaiming, and these teachers didn’t know about Xu Huaiming, so they assumed he was still single.

After a brief pause, Tan Xilu responded in the chat, “Dear colleagues, don’t worry about my personal life. It’s already sorted out!”

The chat went silent for about a minute, and then a flurry of messages came in, mimicking chicken clucking.

“Teacher Tan, you’re not being fair. How could you keep a relationship secret from us?”

“Oh, Teacher Tan is really focused on major matters, could it be that next year we’ll find out about children coming into the world?”

“That’s right!”

“… “

“No,” Tan Xilu typed and sent, “I just wanted to stabilize things before telling everyone.”

He hesitated for a moment and decided not to mention that the person he was dating was actually a boyfriend. After all, the situation with Tan Xilu and Qin Sizhe had caused quite a stir recently, and it might not be the best time to share this information.

“Then you must introduce them to us properly!”

“Yes, introduce them, and treat us to a meal!”

“Exactly, treat us to a nice meal.”

Tan Xilu smiled helplessly and replied, “Alright, no problem.”

Tan Xilu thought that when things settled down a bit, he would introduce Xu Huaiming to everyone.

After chatting for a while in the group, Tan Xilu suddenly realized that it was almost two o’clock.

He casually tidied up the dining table and planned to change his clothes before going to the dessert shop.

It was still snowing outside, and he was about to grab an umbrella when someone knocked on the door.

Tan Xilu walked over and opened the door. Outside, Lin Changyu was holding a plate of clean apples and smiling at Tan Xilu. “Teacher Tan, I bought too many apples the other day, and Lin Xiaozhi and I can’t finish them all. I’ve brought some for you. It’s Christmas Eve tonight, so let’s eat some apples and make wishes for peace.”

“Ah!” Tan Xilu was a bit surprised. He didn’t usually celebrate these holidays, and he realized that the things he used to enjoy when he was younger now seemed childish.

Back when he was together with Xu Huaiming, they had celebrated a few holidays together. But because of those holidays and the strange little romantic gestures that Xu Huaiming had done, he couldn’t forget them. So during the days when Xu Huaiming was missing and during these holidays, Tan Xilu preferred to lock himself in his room, reminiscing about every moment they had shared.

Time was a terrifying thing; it could steal away memories. Tan Xilu realized that he was starting to forget what they had done together back then, and these holidays had become just like ordinary days.

Tan Xilu accepted the apples and thanked Lin Changyu.

Lin Changyu waved his hand. “Don’t mention it, Teacher Tan!”

After saying that, Lin Changyu turned and left. Watching Lin Changyu’s figure disappear into the opposite door, Tan Xilu suddenly felt a familiar sensation in his heart. He couldn’t remember where he had seen the clothes Lin Changyu was wearing, but it seemed like something he had seen before, although he couldn’t quite recall it.

Outside the dessert shop, the little Christmas tree figurines were all gone, leaving only the colored lights on the tree. Arlene added a few more figurines, suddenly remembering something, she turned and called out to Xu Huaiming inside, “Xu Ge, is your little surprise ready?”

Xu Huaiming replied with an “Ah” and somewhat embarrassedly came out, saying, “Keep your voice down…”

“Oh, okay,” Arlene quickly covered her mouth and laughed. “It’s my first time witnessing this kind of thing, so I’m a bit nervous.”

“The cake is in the oven, just five more minutes,” Xu Huaiming said. “The strawberries are also washed, and in another half hour, everything will be ready.”

“Wow,” Arlene exclaimed, “that’s great! What about the ring? Is it ready too?”

Xu Huaiming took out a red velvet box from his pocket. “I’ll put it in once the cake is done.”

The surprise that Arlene had helped plan earlier was a “proposal.”

Before, no. 7 had prepared many surprises, and Xu Huaiming knew this. His programmed memories were deeply ingrained. However, due to no. 7’s many concerns, these surprises could only be considered small, and they had never gone beyond that. So something as significant as a proposal had never even crossed no. 7’s mind because it was simply impossible.

But Xu Huaiming was different.

Thanks to no. 7, he could even fulfill all of Tan Xilu’s requests within his capabilities. And because the previous surprises had become a thing of the past, Xu Huaiming thought that the only way to truly surprise Tan Xilu and make it unforgettable was with a more romantic proposal.

When he returned to the shop, the cake had just finished baking. Xu Huaiming took it out and hollowed out a portion of the center of the cake, where he would hide the ring.

It was a deliberately small cake, just the right size for Tan Xilu to finish. When he ate halfway through, he would feel something hard and discover the ring.

Then, Xu Huaiming would propose.

He had seen this proposal idea on TV. After going through countless trials and tribulations in their relationship, the male lead proposed by hiding the ring in a small cake that the female lead loved. The result was that the female lead almost chipped her tooth, and although this method was a bit clichéd and funny, Xu Huaiming thought it might be the best surprise he could give to Tan Xilu.

He was not very skilled in romance; he lacked no. 7’s understanding of it. He knew that even if this proposal were successful, in Tan Xilu’s eyes, he would still be the same Xu Huaiming as before, the one from no. 7’s time.

It took Xu Huaiming thirty minutes to prepare the cake, adding plenty of strawberries that Tan Xilu liked. He decorated it in a beautiful cake box, ready for Tan Xilu to open and discover the surprise.

The electronic clock in the shop chimed on the hour, and it was already 4 PM. Earlier in the morning, Xu Huaiming had sent a message to Tan Xilu.

[Let me know before coming to the dessert shop.]

This was to ensure that he could prepare the surprise without being discovered. However, it was already 4 PM, and Tan Xilu still hadn’t replied.

Xu Huaiming frowned and dialed his phone.

After a long ringing, Tan Xilu finally answered. Before Xu Huaiming could speak, Tan Xilu apologized.

Xu Huaiming uttered an “Ah” and listened as Tan Xilu said, “I’m sorry, Xu Huaiming, something came up at my school. I might not be able to make it to the dessert shop today.”

Xu Huaiming was taken aback, and disappointment crept into his tone. “Is the school matter really that urgent? Can’t you spare some time to come to the shop?”

“It’s quite urgent, I’m really sorry, Xu Huaiming. How about I make it up to you tonight when I get back? We can do whatever you want. Huh?” Tan Xilu’s voice became soft and affectionate, a clear attempt to soothe Xu Huaiming.

“Alright, you go ahead and take care of your business,” Xu Huaiming replied. “Then you…”

Tan Xilu abruptly hung up without waiting for Xu Huaiming to finish his sentence, not even giving him a chance to say, “Come back soon.”

Xu Huaiming stared at his phone, dumbfounded, and eventually told Arlene, “Tan Lu won’t be coming; he’s busy with school.”

“Ahh!” Arlene was surprised. “Why does he have something to do at this hour?”

Seeing that Xu Huaiming’s expression didn’t look good, she quickly comforted him, “It’s okay, we can do it tomorrow. It’s Christmas after all. Or you can take the cake home in the evening. You don’t have to propose in front of a crowd; you can do it in private.”

Xu Huaiming gave a resigned “Hmm” and said, “I guess that’s the only option.”

Xu Huaiming was starting to dislike the word “waiting.” It no longer held the same joy it used to, especially when waiting for a replica of no. 7.

T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you like 🙂 I love reading them!

Chapter 15: Sweet and Spicy

Li Xuandie finished the last bite of her cake but didn’t wait for Tan Xilu’s response. Her beautiful eyelashes blinked, and she looked at Tan Xilu. “So, Teacher Tan, instead of dwelling on this, it’s better not to meddle in everything. What does it matter who Qin Sizhe was kissing? After all, the matter is settled now. ‘Don’t work, don’t get in trouble.’ I think you understand this better than us.”

Tan Xilu had always known that this girl, Li Xuandie, was quite formidable. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sought her help. However, he hadn’t expected her to be so uncooperative when he tried to approach the subject indirectly.

Li Xuandie raised an eyebrow and added, “Teacher, you and your boyfriend are really a great match. When are you going to introduce him to us?”

“Well…” Tan Xilu choked for a moment and subconsciously glanced at Xu Huaiming. After a while, he lowered his gaze and said, “Next time, next time I’ll invite you all to have some cake.”

“Thank you, Teacher Tan.” The girl smiled, stood up, and said, “I’ll leave now.”

Watching Li Xuandie’s departing figure, Tan Xilu’s expression darkened.

“Alright, you’ve done your best,” Xu Huaiming said as he placed a triangular piece of cake in front of Tan Xilu. He handed him a fork and said, “Come on, have a piece of cake.”

“Didn’t you tell me not to eat, saying I’d get fat?” Tan Xilu looked at Xu Huaiming.

“Who said you look so downcast?” Xu Huaiming reached over and ruffled Tan Xilu’s hair. “Eating sweets can improve your mood. So, I’ll allow it this once.”

Although he said that, Tan Xilu didn’t have much of an appetite for cake at the moment. Li Xuandie was right; he was meddling too much. But this was at Professor Qin’s request, and he couldn’t just ignore it.

Sometimes, interpersonal relationships could be so complex. If he could, Tan Xilu would prefer not to be a teacher, and he would stay at home. Xu Huaiming wouldn’t need to run a dessert shop either. They could just live a quiet life at home, making desserts together, and spend their days that way.

But that was impossible.

Tan Xilu leaned against Xu Huaiming, feeling suddenly tired.

The dessert shop closed at 9 PM, and Arlene left early for some reason, leaving only Tan Xilu and Xu Huaiming to tidy up.

Tan Xilu wore disposable gloves and picked up the used napkins from the tables, throwing them into the trash can. Sometimes, the girls who visited the shop accidentally spilled their drinks, whether it was cola or orange juice. When that happened, the white tablecloths on the tables would get dirty and needed to be sent for cleaning.

Tan Xilu removed the tablecloth from the table in front of him. He turned to Xu Huaiming and suggested, “Changing tablecloths every time is quite wasteful.”

Xu Huaiming handed him a new tablecloth and said, “Arlene also mentioned this. I plan to close the shop for two days and renovate it a bit. Add some decorations, paint some patterns on the glass tables, and stop using tablecloths.”

“Sounds good.” Tan Xilu spread the new tablecloth.

By the time they finished cleaning, it was almost 10 PM.

At this time, the night market was just beginning. Their dessert shop was located near a night market street, and it was always bustling, especially on weekends. As they walked toward the night market, Tan Xilu saw several familiar students, but they didn’t notice him. Tan Xilu didn’t initiate any greetings; after all, he was here to relax, and it would be awkward to meet students outside of school.

The snack street was bustling, and Christmas was just around the corner. Each stall was adorned with colorful Christmas lights, and some of the shopkeepers’ employees were dressed as Santa Claus, standing in front of their shops to attract customers.

Xu Huaiming was almost pulled into one of the shops by a Santa Claus, but Tan Xilu reacted quickly and pulled him back, apologizing to the shopkeeper and explaining that they weren’t interested.

Tan Xilu led Xu Huaiming to an empty barbecue stall and said, “You should learn to say no. This isn’t like the dessert shop where your good looks can attract customers. These stall owners are aggressive in pulling people in, and if you feel bad and enter, you might end up wasting money on something overpriced and not tasty.”

“I see,” Xu Huaiming glanced at Tan Xilu and remarked, “You seem to know a lot about this.”

“Not really,” Tan Xilu blushed slightly and admitted, “It’s because I’ve made mistakes before.”

Tan Xilu used to avoid junk food, especially spicy barbecue and hotpot. However, after Xu Huaiming went missing and he fell into a period of depression, he started indulging in unhealthy eating habits. This food street had been a place where he had lost quite a bit of money, and he even ended up in the hospital once after consuming something unclean from one of the stalls. But the few places he frequented were clean and safe, so he still visited them occasionally.

The shop owner, upon seeing Tan Xilu’s surprised reaction, came over and said, “A rare guest today, Teacher Tan.”

Tan Xilu smiled and replied, “Yes, it’s been a while. Today, I’m craving some food.”

The shop owner chuckled and said, “Teacher Tan, when you have cravings, you should enjoy yourself. Same as always?”

Tan Xilu looked at Xu Huaiming and asked, “Do you have something you’d like to eat?”

Xu Huaiming hesitated for a moment and then said, “Ah,” while his gaze drifted toward the meat skewers on the table next to them. His mental alert system went off like an alarm, and he quickly shook his head, saying, “What do you want to eat? I’m not hungry.”

“You’re not eating?” Tan Xilu looked a bit disappointed. He turned to the shop owner and said, “Alright, same as usual, then.”

“Sure thing,” the shop owner placed the order on his phone, then looked at Xu Huaiming again, not noticing his expression, and asked, “Teacher Lin is here today too. Teacher Tan, it seems like you haven’t brought your boyfriend to eat barbecue for a long time. Doesn’t Teacher Lin like cold beer? Not having any today?”

“Hmm?” Tan Xilu looked at Xu Huaiming, and suddenly, it dawned on him. His face changed instantly, and he hastily said, “Boss, you’ve got it wrong. This isn’t Teacher Lin.”

“Ah?” The shop owner was momentarily surprised and then looked at Xu Huaiming more carefully. He finally wore a somewhat embarrassed smile and said, “Oh, it’s really not Teacher Lin. My apologies, I got confused.”

Xu Huaiming remained expressionless on the surface, his icy demeanor not revealing any reaction. However, only he knew that his heart was in turmoil.

If it weren’t for him, Tan Xilu might have been in a relationship with someone else. If he hadn’t returned, Tan Xilu might have met someone better. Tan Xilu wasn’t limited to loving only him; he could love others too.

He wasn’t the only one.

But Xu Huaiming desperately wanted to be the one and only. He was grateful that he had returned in time. He was grateful that Tan Xilu had loved him enough to break up with Lin Zhiyuan.

However, there were too many uncertainties. Xu Huaiming had already started to fear what might happen in the future. What if one day, Tan Xilu realized that he wasn’t the same “Xu Huaiming” as before? How disappointed would he be when he discovered that the person he longed for had already died, and how would he react?

Xu Huaiming didn’t dare to think about it. He didn’t want to think about it.

He could sense danger approaching, and Tan Xilu was filling up more and more space in his heart. For an AI, this wasn’t a good sign.

The barbecue arrived, covered in various condiments and smelling incredibly delicious. Tan Xilu seemed ravenous and immediately picked up a skewer to eat, with bits of food sticking to his lips.

He no longer talked about Lin Zhiyuan, as if he had sensed that Xu Huaiming didn’t want to hear about it.

“Grilled chicken wings, they’re delicious. Give them a try,” Tan Xilu picked up a grilled chicken wing and held it up to Xu Huaiming’s mouth.

Xu Huaiming looked at him, hesitated for a moment, and then opened his mouth, taking a bite of the chicken wing.

The ice-cold beer arrived, and the waiter poured it into glasses. The amber liquid was topped with white foam, emitting a slight fizzing sound, reminiscent of a vintage brand.

T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you like 🙂 I love reading them!

Chapter 14: Sakura leaves

As Christmas approached, the streets became lively. Arlene had already placed a Christmas tree at the front of the shop, and customers who came to enjoy desserts could receive a small plush toy as a gift.

It was a weekend, and Tan Xilu had also come to the shop in the morning. He was sitting at the bar counter, holding a small reindeer plush toy. Weekends tended to be busier, and the cake that Arlene had improved and turned into a Christmas special was selling quite well.

Xu Huaiming was preparing a hot milk tea for Tan Xilu. Tan Xilu had a sweet tooth, especially for the new cakes that Xu Huaiming had been making recently. Despite their high sugar content, Tan Xilu couldn’t resist them. He had already indulged in them several times, and today he came for more. However, Xu Huaiming refused, saying, “You can’t have more. Eating too much will make you gain weight.”

“Weight gain” was a forbidden term for Tan Xilu. In reality, he was quite thin. Even when Xu Huaiming had first returned and cuddled with him at night, he felt like he was holding onto bones. However, after being nourished by Xu Huaiming over these days, Tan Xilu had indeed gained some weight. But nutrition needed to be balanced, and excessive consumption of sweets could lead to various health issues. So Xu Huaiming controlled Tan Xilu’s dessert intake.

Therefore, to satisfy Tan Xilu’s cravings, Xu Huaiming made him a milk tea with a lower sugar content.

The milk tea still had plenty of pearls in it, served in a bowl. Tan Xilu was eating while looking at messages on his phone.

Although it was a weekend, Tan Xilu wasn’t truly taking a break. The incident with Qin Sizhe had caused some negative effects on the school. He had been caught with someone else in the office, and it happened to be witnessed by a student who had conflicts with him. This student didn’t immediately report to the teacher; instead, he took pictures of them kissing and posted them on the school forum before reporting it to the teacher.

By the time the teacher arrived, the entire school had heard about the incident. Although Tan Xilu wasn’t Qin Sizhe’s academic advisor, he was his mentor, and since Qin Sizhe’s academic advisor was away on a business trip on the day of the incident, the responsibility fell on Tan Xilu.

As Qin Sizhe was still in the hospital, the school had no choice but to mediate the situation with Tan Xilu and Qin Sizhe’s parents. In the end, they received a disciplinary warning, which would be posted on the bulletin board next week.

Qin Sizhe’s grades were already borderline, and he had a basketball tournament scheduled for next month. Winning the tournament would earn him extra credits, but now he was not only facing a disciplinary warning but also a broken leg, rendering him ineligible for the competition. As a result, he was likely to fail the finals. However, if the other person involved in the incident would come forward and speak up, Qin Sizhe might receive a lighter punishment, even if it was just a warning.

What puzzled Tan Xilu was the other key figure in this incident. From start to finish, he had no idea who the person Qin Sizhe had kissed in the office was. He wasn’t even sure if this person was a student at their school.

The student who took the photos was unclear, saying, “I don’t know who it is. I didn’t see their faces. The person had their back to me, but I can tell it was a guy with short hair and a slim waist. They had a pretty nice butt.”

Tan Xilu had asked Qin Sizhe, but Qin Sizhe had avoided answering, seemingly intent on protecting the person involved.

With the other person not coming forward and Qin Sizhe refusing to reveal their identity, the situation became difficult to handle. Qin Sizhe was likely to fail the semester.

However, Qin Sizhe seemed to have given up, saying, “It doesn’t matter. I’ll just go back and inherit the family business.”

Tan Xilu was taken aback by his words.

Tan Xilu wasn’t one to meddle in other people’s business, especially when the person involved didn’t care about it. However, Professor Qin had asked him to help.

Professor Qin was Tan Xilu’s advisor from undergraduate to graduate school. Their relationship was more like friends than teacher and student. Now they were colleagues, and Professor Qin had heard about the incident when he was on a business trip with Qin Sizhe’s academic advisor on the day it happened.

Professor Qin wasn’t biased towards Qin Sizhe; he just wanted to know who the person Qin Sizhe was protecting was. The incident had become quite a scandal, and if the two could be together, Professor Qin at least wanted to see what his supposed future niece-in-law looked like.

The coincidence was that the surveillance cameras in the office building were under maintenance that day, and there was no footage available. With no leads to follow, Professor Qin had given Tan Xilu a challenging task.

Tan Xilu could only start by approaching the students who were close to Qin Sizhe.

“Ding dong!” The doorbell rang, and a girl entered the shop. She looked around and, upon spotting Tan Xilu sitting at the bar, waved with a smile. “Teacher Tan.”

Tan Xilu looked surprised to see her. He hadn’t expected Li Xuandie to arrive so quickly.

Li Xuandie had a good relationship with Qin Sizhe, and Tan Xilu had attended several gatherings organized by their student group. These two seemed to be childhood friends, more like close buddies. Unfortunately, Qin Sizhe was gay; otherwise, their relationship might have turned romantic.

Li Xuandie walked over to the seat opposite Tan Xilu and casually took a seat. She asked, “Teacher Tan, do you need something from me?”

“Yes, there’s something.” Tan Xilu smiled and poked Xu Huaiming, saying, “Do we have any cake left? Give some to my student.”

Xu Huaiming looked at the girl opposite him, nodded silently, and plated a piece of blueberry cake he had just cut. He placed it in front of Li Xuandie.

“Wow.” Li Xuandie looked at the cake and said, “It looks really good.”

She had a gossipy expression on her face and whispered to Tan Xilu, “Teacher Tan, is this your boyfriend?”

Tan Xilu blushed but didn’t deny it.

“I’ve heard Qin Sizhe say that Teacher Tan’s boyfriend often shows affection in front of him. I’ve never had the chance to see him until today. He’s really handsome.” Li Xuandie had a starry-eyed expression. “He can also make desserts, which is amazing.”

Tan Xilu knew Xu Huaiming was good-looking, but hearing Li Xuandie praise him like this made him feel quite pleased. After all, it was a source of pride to have such a handsome man as his partner. However, today was not about compliments; he had business to discuss.

Tan Xilu stirred the pearls in his bowl and asked Li Xuandie, “Has Qin Sizhe been getting closer to anyone recently?”

“Teacher Tan is asking me about this?” Li Xuandie shrugged, nonchalantly picking at her cake with a fork. “You want to know about the incident with Qin Sizhe, right?”

Tan Xilu let out an “Ah” in acknowledgment. Since she already knew, he decided to get straight to the point. “Who was Qin Sizhe with in the office that day?”

Li Xuandie smiled but her expression had changed. Her tone wasn’t as friendly as before. “Teacher, how could I possibly know about something like that? You should ask the people involved.”

Tan Xilu was taken aback. He thought, “If the people involved were willing to speak up, would we need to ask you?”

“This is because Qin Sizhe didn’t tell me. You have a good relationship with him, and I thought you might have some information. If Qin Sizhe fails the semester because of this, Professor Qin will be furious. What if he gives you assignments as payback? Then you’ll be the ones at a disadvantage.” Tan Xilu pursed his lips. He wasn’t a strict teacher. Outside the classroom, he was more like a friendly senior, so even when he was trying to persuade someone, it sounded more like coaxing.

“Teacher Tan, you don’t need to worry about this.” Li Xuandie looked up at Tan Xilu and said, “Qin Sizhe has indeed been acting strange recently. I really don’t know about the office incident. I know he has a crush on someone, but I’m not sure who it is. It’s definitely not the person from the office. I think instead of dwelling on this, you should try to understand Qin Sizhe’s feelings. It’s better not to push him into trouble.”

Tan Xilu furrowed his brow, catching onto her words. “Qin Sizhe has been acting strange recently?”

The girl took a bite of the soft cake, savoring the endless blueberry sweetness. She nodded and said, “It seems like the person he likes has gotten into a relationship with someone else. He hasn’t been attending our gatherings lately, and he even stopped going to the basketball court.”

“In a relationship with someone else!” Tan Xilu’s eyes flashed with surprise, but when he thought about Chi Ye Xing’s appearance that day, he shouldn’t have been surprised. With a face like that, countless people would be attracted to him, and even Qin Sizhe, who used to be a typical basketball player, had fallen for him.

“Oh, and…” Li Xuandie put her fork down, licked her bright pink lips, and smiled with a touch of coldness. “Teacher, the student who took the photos definitely has issues too. I don’t understand why the school chose to protect him. He was the one who blew the incident up on the forum, leading to all the subsequent problems. He seems very determined to ruin Qin Sizhe. It’s quite difficult to fathom. Now he’s taken Qin Sizhe’s place in the team, and I’d like to ask, why?”

Tan Xilu opened his mouth but couldn’t utter a word for a while.

Why would the school protect that student?

It wasn’t protection; it was because the photos he took were evidence.

Because in this world, not everything is fair.

To bury the incident, the school needed to identify the main culprit.

T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you like 🙂 I love reading them!

Chapter 13: The Difficulty of Love

It wasn’t yet time for the central heating to be turned on, so the hospital’s radiators were still cold. The advantage of a multi-bed room was that it wouldn’t be too cold with so many people, but it also meant that it was noisy due to the crowd.

On the side, an elderly man who was ill was using the restroom, and an elderly lady was holding a urine pot for him, emitting a nauseating odor in the air. However, Tan Xilu seemed numb to it all, sipping his porridge as if he couldn’t smell anything.

The rice porridge in the porcelain bowl was still warm. He scooped up a spoonful and put it in his mouth. The porridge had soybeans simmering inside, and when he chewed, there was a soft crunch in his mouth.

Sitting next to him, Tan Xilu was peeling an orange, meticulously removing the white fibers from the orange segments.

After taking the last sip of porridge, Tan Xilu grabbed a piece of tissue and wiped his mouth clean. Then he leaned comfortably against the hospital bed, looking at his elevated leg. He suddenly sighed, “I have to say, that guy is really ruthless.”

Tan Xilu glanced at him and placed the orange he had been peeling into Tan Xilu’s hand. “You, you just won’t give up. Now look, your leg is fractured.”

“Yeah, maybe it’s because he really dislikes me,” Tan Xilu replied, putting a slice of orange into his mouth. The orange was a bit sour, and the juice in his throat was a bit stimulating, but it didn’t make him hoarse. He gritted his teeth and swallowed it. Then he exclaimed, “Tan Lao Shi, where did this orange come from? It’s so sour.”

“It was given to me by the auntie at the entrance just now. It’s free, so don’t be picky,” Tan Xilu said, peeling another orange and placing it by the bedside.

“Oh,” Tan Xilu replied, pursing his lips. He asked, “Hasn’t anyone come to see me since I was admitted to the hospital?”

Tan Xilu shook his head.

Tan Xilu remained silent for a while with lowered eyes, then finally spoke, “I can imagine.”

Tan Xilu could understand why Tan Xilu was feeling so low. The love of a young person was hidden in their eyes. When they saw someone, the stars in their eyes shone brighter than the ones in the sky. However, that person was destined not to be moved, so no matter how bright the stars were, they couldn’t illuminate that person’s heart.

Tan Xilu reached out and gently touched Tan Xilu’s head, comforting him, “Don’t think too much for now. Let’s focus on healing your leg.”

When he was brought to the hospital, his pants had to be pulled down to reveal his knees, which were covered in bruises. Fortunately, Tan Xilu had only suffered a fracture and hadn’t damaged the bones inside, but he would still need several months to recover.

Tan Xilu bit his lip, feeling disheartened. Who didn’t understand the logic behind this? But “liking” was a complicated thing, not something he could control. The heart in his flesh and blood would be moved by someone, and he didn’t want to like him, but he couldn’t help it.

He liked Chi Yexing, and he knew it was impossible.

But he still liked him.

Perhaps it was the sour aftertaste of the oranges, as a sour sensation surged up in his nasal cavity, and his eyes began to tingle. He felt like he was about to cry, but he was a man, how could he cry?

“If you can’t hold it back, just cry. Have a good cry and then sleep, maybe everything will be fine,” Tan Xilu said, feeling a bit sorry for him. In matters of love, unrequited love was the most heartbreaking.

Perhaps because he had touched on Tan Xilu’s innermost feelings, he really couldn’t hold back and began to cry. The big young man might have never cried like this before, and the sound was so unpleasant that the crying child brought by a patient’s family member also started wailing. Suddenly, the entire ward was enveloped in cries.

Tan Xilu: “…”

He wished he hadn’t let him cry.

After crying, came sleep. After seeing Tan Xilu take a shallow breath, Tan Xilu covered him with the blanket and then left the room.

He had been out all day and hadn’t called Xu Huaiming. He didn’t know if Xu Huaiming was worried. He sighed and went to a quieter stairwell to call Xu Huaiming.

Yesterday, Arlene had said she wanted to buy a Christmas tree, and today at noon, she had it moved to the store.

Xu Huaiming was decorating the tree with Arlene. Arlene had bought many star-shaped lights, as well as copper bells and figurines. When they were hung on the tree and the lights were turned on, the tree looked gorgeous.

Arlene hung a Santa Claus figurine on the tree that could sing. It started singing as soon as she pressed the button. Just as Santa Claus had sung only one line, Xu Huaiming’s phone rang. He quickly took out his phone and saw that it was Tan Xilu’s number. He answered the call.

Xu Huaiming asked, “How’s it going? Is everything resolved?”

Tan Xilu replied with an “Hmm,” “It’s resolved, but it was a difficult situation. I’m in the hospital now, so I might be a bit late getting back.”

“In the hospital?” Xu Huaiming’s voice on the other end suddenly changed, and there was a loud clattering noise. Then came Xu Huaiming’s anxious voice, “Are you injured? Which hospital are you in?”

“I’m fine, it’s one of my students who’s injured, and I’m just here to accompany him. You should remember him; he’s the one we saw at the school gate before,” Tan Xilu explained.

“Oh, him.” Xu Huaiming’s voice gradually softened. He was feeling a bit unhappy about the unfamiliar man from yesterday and now this student today. It seemed like Tan Xilu didn’t really lack people around him and didn’t need him.

“Ah, Xu Huaiming, look outside, it’s snowing,” Tan Xilu said as he saw the snow starting to fall. He opened a window slightly and extended his hand. It was the first snowfall of the year, and the white snowflakes fell into his palm. The warmth from the radiator was replaced by the cold of the snowflakes, creating a strange sensation.

Upon hearing Tan Xilu mention the snow, Xu Huaiming had just picked up a plastic bottle that had fallen on the ground. He then walked out of the store. It was indeed snowing, and many pedestrians on the street had stopped to take videos or photos. Xu Huaiming wasn’t particularly interested in snow or anything else, but as long as Tan Xilu liked it, he felt he should like it too. So he said, “Yes, it’s snowing. It’s beautiful.”

A girl nearby was talking on the phone with her boyfriend, probably in a long-distance relationship. She complained, “The first snow should be watched with the person you love the most. You can’t come today, so I have to be alone.”

The boyfriend said, “I’ll definitely come back to be with you on Christmas. Don’t be upset, darling.”

Xu Huaiming didn’t hear what the girl said afterward; he was asking about the hospital where Tan Xilu was.

Without an umbrella, the snow was getting heavier. The streetlights emitted a dim yellow glow, and the falling snowflakes made everything hazy. The road leading to the hospital was lined with pine trees, where green met white, and the world was a blend of black, green, and white.

Xu Huaiming couldn’t wait to see Tan Xilu. On the first snowy night, he wanted to be with the person he loved the most. He thought that Tan Xilu would surely appreciate this little romantic gesture. He ran all the way, grateful for his AI body, which didn’t tire out and was full of energy.

Passersby would probably never understand why the man running happily on the road seemed so ecstatic.

And at that moment, Xu Huaiming didn’t understand either. It would take a long time, much later, for him to realize that what he was feeling was called love. It was the yearning and eagerness to see someone. He had actually fallen for Tan Xilu long ago; he had just been slow to react, and he understood this truth too late.

When he arrived at the hospital, the ground was already covered with a layer of snow. Many children from the hospital had run outside to play with snowballs. As Xu Huaiming passed by them, he got accidentally hit.

Xu Huaiming brushed the snow off his clothes and called Tan Xilu again. He said, “I’m downstairs.”

A few minutes later, a familiar figure rushed out of the building. Tan Xilu looked worried, thinking that Xu Huaiming must be cold since he didn’t know that he had run all the way. He touched Xu Huaiming’s face, which had turned pale from the cold, and said, “Didn’t I say I’d be back later? The parents of my student are coming soon, and once they’re here, I can leave.”

“I know,” Xu Huaiming replied, looking at him, feeling a bit uncertain whether he had misread the situation. Tan Xilu didn’t seem to appreciate this little romantic gesture, and he continued, “Don’t you want to see me?”

“How could that be? I just thought it wasn’t necessary since we’ll be able to see each other soon anyway. But I’m really happy you came,” Tan Xilu said, tilting his head to give Xu Huaiming’s lips a gentle peck. “It’s so cold outside. Did you get cold?”

Xu Huaiming’s hand was pale and felt ice-cold. He was always cold, and his body temperature was consistently low. Sometimes, Tan Xilu would wake up in the middle of the night and touch Xu Huaiming’s hand, which would be so cold that it startled him. He would have to hold it against his own warm body to heat it up before they could sleep again.

Tan Xilu took the opportunity to warm Xu Huaiming’s hand with his own.

Xu Huaiming felt that something was off. Did Tan Xilu really not like this kind of small romantic gesture? He didn’t seem particularly excited, and Xu Huaiming furrowed his brow, feeling puzzled. “When I was on the phone earlier, I overheard a girl nearby saying that on the first snowy night, you should be with the person you like. So, I came here. But you don’t seem to have much of a reaction.”

Tan Xilu was momentarily taken aback, then suddenly burst into laughter.

In his student years, he would have certainly found this romantic, but now that he was approaching thirty, he found it somewhat childish. However, seeing Xu Huaiming, who had come to see him with such innocent and awkward intentions, did warm his heart with a touch of sweetness.

“Who said I didn’t react?” Tan Xilu grabbed the collar of Xu Huaiming’s clothes with both hands, forcing him to lower his head.

Xu Huaiming’s lips were as cold as his hands and feet, but that didn’t matter. Tan Xilu was warm, and he took the initiative to kiss him.

Before coming down, Tan Xilu had eaten oranges, and the sour taste lingered on his lips and teeth.

T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you like 🙂 I love reading them!

Chapter 12: Clouds and Seas

The dimly lit hallway in the dark night was eerily quiet, and the sound of footsteps echoing in the serene space was rather unsettling. With a heavy heart, Xu Huaiming climbed to the second floor.

He had long memorized the password for the digital lock. A press of his fingers on the familiar numbers, and the door swung open.

Tan Xilu had told him the code shortly after he arrived here. It was during those days when Tan Xilu had gone missing, which was the source of his suffering.

Xu Huaiming had suggested changing the password, but Tan Xilu had refused, saying, “I’ve already gotten used to it.”

Xu Huaiming thought that was true. He had become accustomed to Tan Xilu’s absences, which is why he felt a surge of excitement when he returned. But once that excitement passed, everything would become calm again. Since he had grown accustomed to Tan Xilu’s departures, it meant that if he didn’t return someday, someone else would eventually fill the void beside Tan Xilu.

Xu Huaiming thought Professor Bowen was right. Human emotions were fickle. One moment, someone could say they loved you, and the next, they might be extremely annoyed with you. Therefore, he couldn’t allow himself to develop feelings for a human. He had never imagined that Tan Xilu would lie to him because of another man.

Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open.

The TV was on in the living room, playing a soap opera from several years ago. Tan Xilu was sitting on the couch, watching it attentively.

Hearing the door, he turned his attention away from the TV and asked Xu Huaiming, who was changing his shoes in the hallway, “Back so soon?”

“Yeah.” Xu Huaiming slipped on his slippers and entered the kitchen to put the bags of salt down. He then walked back and said, “There weren’t many people at the supermarket at this time of night.”

Tan Xilu nodded and made room for Xu Huaiming on the couch.

Xu Huaiming took the opportunity to sit down and reached out to pull Tan Xilu into his arms.

Tan Xilu had a faint scent of men’s cologne on him, a subtle fragrance that he probably couldn’t even smell himself, but Xu Huaiming could. It was exactly the same as the person he had encountered earlier that evening.

Xu Huaiming furrowed his brows and covered Tan Xilu with a blanket, attempting to mask the discomfort he felt from that familiar scent.

Originally, Tan Xilu had been leaning on his shoulder, and after the blanket was placed over him, he seemed to find it more comfortable. He even reached out and wrapped his arm around Xu Huaiming’s waist. Xu Huaiming always had a slightly lower body temperature, making him feel different from a regular person. Every time they kissed, Xu Huaiming felt that his lips were unusually cold, while the person he kissed was as cold as ice.

But people had different body temperatures, and Tan Xilu wouldn’t question it because of that.

However, Tan Xilu’s passiveness, or rather, his honesty after lying, made Xu Huaiming uncomfortable. His thoughts were entangled, and even though he knew his place as just a companion to Xu Huaiming, and that he wouldn’t be one for much longer, he couldn’t help but ask, “Was the parent who gave you a ride back a man or a woman?”

His hand, which was holding onto Xu Huaiming’s waist, tightened slightly, and he looked up at Xu Huaiming with a somewhat evasive gaze. “A woman.”

Xu Huaiming fell silent for a moment, then made a soft “Hmm” sound and didn’t ask any further questions. But Tan Xilu felt a heavy atmosphere emanating from Xu Huaiming.

He opened his mouth, wanting to confess, but Xu Huaiming suddenly hugged him tightly, pressing his lips against Tan Xilu’s collarbone and teasingly grazing his teeth along it. A tingling sensation spread through Tan Xilu.

Feeling Xu Huaiming’s movements pause for a moment, Tan Xilu looked up at him, but the next second, Xu Huaiming covered his lips with his own.

Xu Huaiming was aggressive, with a wolf-like hunger. Tan Xilu felt like his mouth was slightly bloody by the end, and he was almost out of breath.

When it was over, the soap opera on the TV had already finished, and Xu Huaiming carried him to the bathroom. Tan Xilu was on the verge of falling asleep, and in a half-dream, half-awake state, he thought he heard someone whispering in his ear, “Let me stay by your side a little longer.”

However, whether that was a dream or a fantasy, he didn’t remember the next morning.

Tan Xilu was awakened by a phone call from Qin Sizhe. He had originally had a day off after the open class, a precious opportunity to sleep in, but his sweet dreams were interrupted. Nobody would be pleased by such a disruption, so he reluctantly answered the phone.

To his surprise, it wasn’t Qin Sizhe on the other end but a stranger’s voice.

Two minutes later, Tan Xilu rushed out of his bedroom, wearing a serious expression. He grabbed his coat and said to Xu Huaiming, who was preparing breakfast, “There’s an urgent matter at school, I have to leave.”

“So suddenly?” Xu Huaiming had just picked up a sandwich he had made for Tan Xilu to eat on the way, but before he could turn around, he heard the sound of the door closing.

He paused for a moment, standing still in silence. Ten minutes later, he turned around and put the sandwich into the refrigerator.

However, that momentary daze and desolation that passed through his heart suddenly caused him a sharp pang of pain.

Tan Xilu had stayed at his alma mater to teach two years ago. After graduating from graduate school, his advisor had a great opportunity for him to go abroad, but Tan Xilu had declined, saying he wanted to stay at the university.

His advisor knew that Tan Xilu had a boyfriend who had been missing for years. For the sake of that boyfriend, Tan Xilu gave up a guaranteed spot at a prestigious university and willingly settled for teaching at the local university. Now, he was even choosing to remain there.

His advisor shook his head, thinking this kid was really stubborn. However, he knew Tan Xilu’s temperament well. Once he made up his mind, it couldn’t be changed. Later on, his advisor’s nephew got into the same university, and his advisor sent him to Tan Xilu.

His nephew’s name was Qin Sizhe, the same student Xu Huaiming had seen holding hands with Tan Xilu when they came out of the closet.

Although the office wasn’t large, there were quite a few people inside, including teachers, students, and parents. Tan Xilu, facing the gaze of everyone, arrived late, panting as he entered the office. His rapid breathing had not yet settled when a hand forcefully grabbed his arm and pulled him aside. A sharp female voice said, “Teacher Tan, please help resolve this matter.”

Tan Xilu, sweating profusely, raised his head. The first thing he saw in his line of sight was a pair of legs wearing sneakers. As he looked up, he recognized Qin Sizhe’s familiar face. Qin Sizhe was tilting his head defiantly, as if he were dissatisfied. But behind him, a man grabbed his neck from behind, forcing him to lower his head.

Then Tan Xilu heard Qin Sizhe’s voice, loud enough to echo through the office, “I like men, what’s wrong with it? I’m gay!”

Five seconds later, the man behind him kicked his legs from behind, and Qin Sizhe knelt on the ground with a heavy thud. It was a hard landing, and the impact between his body and the hard floor sounded like bones breaking. However, Qin Sizhe bit his lip and didn’t make a sound.

Tan Xilu took a sharp breath, rushed over to help Qin Sizhe up, but was stopped by the woman who had spoken first. “Teacher Tan, although homosexuality is legal now, having Qin Sizhe and Teacher Tan engaging in inappropriate behavior in the school does affect the school’s image. You need to do something about it.”

“Where’s Professor Qin? Hasn’t he come?” Tan Xilu lifted his eyelids to look at the woman. “Ms. Zhang, I’m not Qin Sizhe’s advisor. If something has happened to him, you should first contact his advisor.”

Ms. Zhang choked, her voice faltering as she said, “But isn’t Qin Sizhe close to you, Teacher Tan?”

“They’re all my students; I treat everyone equally.” Tan Xilu removed Ms. Zhang’s hand from him and looked at the man behind Qin Sizhe. He frowned and asked, “Are you Qin Sizhe’s brother?”

“Sort of.” The man said, “My name is Chi Yexing. I’m Qin Sizhe’s apartment mate. His mother asked me to take care of him like a brother since I’m older.”

“Well, Mr. Chi, regardless of the child’s mistakes, resorting to violence is not the solution.” Tan Xilu looked at him. “Moreover, being gay is not a mistake.”

Chi Yexing made a cold snort from his nose, and he turned to look at Qin Sizhe, who was still struggling to stand up. He sneered, “Qin Sizhe’s family situation is special. In his family, no one is gay except him. Not to mention he brought someone to the school to mess around.”

“Just because I am Qin, does that mean I can’t control myself? Because of one woman’s one-sided words saying that I brought someone to the school to mess around, you’re going to believe it?” Qin Sizhe suddenly let out a furious roar, but his voice was hoarse. “Chi Yexing, when will you believe me? Will you ever stand by my side and speak up for me once?”

Qin Sizhe, who was a tall young man over 1.8 meters, whom Xu Huaiming often saw sprinting on the basketball court, when had he ever seen him looking so wronged, like a trapped, red-eyed little beast on the verge of tears?

Tan Xilu felt moved in his heart, wanting to help him up, but Chi Yexing suddenly kicked Qin Sizhe again before picking up his suit and dusting it off. He turned and walked away.

“Chi Yexing.” Qin Sizhe called out to him before he left.

But this time, Chi Yexing didn’t look back, and he left decisively.

“Chi Yexing.” Qin Sizhe called out to him once more.

But this time, Chi Yexing didn’t look back either, and he left without turning around.

T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you like 🙂 I love reading them!

Chapter 11: More blooming feelings

Xu Huaiming didn’t see Tan Xilu at the entrance of the shop, which puzzled him. Tan Xilu wasn’t the type to leave without notice if something came up. He asked the fruit shop auntie nearby and learned that Tan Xilu had received a phone call at the entrance and hurriedly left.

With concern, Xu Huaiming dialed Tan Xilu’s number, but to his surprise, Tan Xilu immediately hung up.

Xu Huaiming was taken aback and dialed a few more times, but each call was consecutively declined. It was clear that Tan Xilu didn’t want to answer his calls. Sighing, Xu Huaiming thought that something must have come up with Tan Xilu.

He returned to the shop and told Arlene, “Let’s purchase more ingredients for tomorrow. Business has been good these days, and we might run out of supplies.”

“Alright,” Arlene agreed, then added, “Christmas is coming soon. Xu Ge, why don’t you make a special Christmas dessert?”

“Christmas?” Xu Huaiming asked.

“Yes, it’s just a week away,” Arlene smiled and took out a few Christmas stickers from behind the bar. “I bought these stickers yesterday, planning to put them on the door. Unfortunately, we’re still missing a Christmas tree. Xu Ge, you know…”

Xu Huaiming fell into a momentary silence. This was probably what it meant to like someone. 7 had to be replaced with something new here. In other words, he could also become outdated. As long as Tan Xilu didn’t like him anymore, got tired of him, someone new would come to replace him.

When Xu Huaiming called, Tan Xilu had just placed the hot water on the coffee table. He had wanted to answer, but his mother gave him a stern look. In the Tan family, there was an unwritten rule that when guests were present, you couldn’t rudely answer phone calls. So, Tan Xilu had to repeatedly hang up the call.

He thought Xu Huaiming would probably understand. He could explain it to him later in the evening.

“Xiao Li, my son’s job is quite stable now. He’s a university professor, just like me. It’s a family tradition. Our work isn’t too busy most of the time, except when students graduate and work on their theses. Your dessert shop, on the other hand, is busier during holidays and special occasions. It complements each other. With this arrangement, there will probably be fewer conflicts after marriage. Xiao Li, my son is easy to get along with. Even if he gets angry, just be patient with him, and if it really doesn’t work out, come to me, his mother, and I’ll talk some sense into him.”

“Mom… what are you saying?” Tan Xilu almost sprayed the water out of his mouth. They had just met, and she was already talking about marriage. Even a matchmaker wouldn’t be this hasty.

“What am I saying?” Tan’s mother rolled her eyes at him. “I’m just taking care of your lifelong matters.”

“Auntie, it’s okay. Xiao Lu seems very pleasant, how could I bear to get angry with him?” Li Zhao smiled and looked at Tan Xilu.

For some reason, Tan Xilu felt that Li Zhao’s gaze was somewhat teasing, making him feel uncomfortable.

“See, Xiao Li knows how to talk. My son is a bit tongue-tied. You’ll have to be more understanding in the future,” Tan’s mother laughed heartily. Suddenly, she exclaimed, “Oh, I almost forgot, I have a date with my friends later. You two can chat for now, and I’ll leave first.”

Tan Xilu was stunned and shouted, “Mom…”

Tan’s mother patted Tan Xilu’s shoulder with a smile and said, “I’ll leave you two to chat. Mom will be going now.”

Tan Xilu knew that his mother was giving them some alone time. There might be something she couldn’t say with her present. After all, this was a matter of the younger generation’s lifelong happiness, and she could only play the role of a matchmaker. Whether it worked out or not would depend on them.

“Then, Auntie, please take care and be safe. Do you want me to escort you?” Li Zhao stood up, ready to accompany her.

“No need, no need. I’m not suffering from dementia. Can’t I find my way?” Tan’s mother pressed her hand on Li Zhao’s shoulder and motioned for him to sit back down. “You two chat properly.”

With her departure, the atmosphere in the room immediately became awkward. Li Zhao lost his initial friendly expression, and the look he gave Tan Xilu became more provocative. “Auntie told me that your ex-boyfriend was also in the dessert business. I’m a bit curious. If we get married, would you treat me as a shadow of your ex?”

Staring at Li Zhao, Tan Xilu was momentarily slow to react. After a while, he replied, “No.”

He paused and added, “I won’t marry you.”

“Oh? Is it because you already have a partner?” Li Zhao leaned back on the sofa lazily, raising the corner of his mouth.

Tan Xilu was caught off guard and blushed. “You know…”

“Yeah,” Li Zhao smiled, sat up, and reached out to pinch Tan Xilu’s chin. He leaned closer and said, “You look pretty obedient. I can’t imagine what you’re like in bed.”

“You…” Perhaps he had never heard such a frivolous remark, and Tan Xilu was at a loss for words. He widened his eyes and quickly moved away from Li Zhao. “You shameless.”

Li Zhao couldn’t help but laugh again. “You’re quite interesting. You’re in a relationship and yet here you are on a blind date. Does your partner know? Or is it that you don’t really care about him? What does he do? Is he also in the dessert business, just like your ex-boyfriend? Are you playing the role of a stand-in again? Or maybe, you only look obedient, but you’re actually a little wildcat.”

“Why is that any of your business?” Tan Xilu was flushed with anger. What kind of person had his mother set him up with? He felt like he was on a date with a hooligan.

Li Zhao clicked his tongue. “I was just asking. Do you have to be so angry?”

The clock on the wall struck seven, and Xu Huaiming would be returning soon.

“That’s enough,” Tan Xilu stood up abruptly. “I’m not in the mood to continue this conversation. You should leave.”

“You’re kicking me out so urgently?” Li Zhao squinted his eyes. “Is it because your partner is coming back soon?”

Tan Xilu was taken aback by how Li Zhao had guessed the truth. He hesitated for a moment and mumbled, “It’s late, and if I don’t leave now, when will I leave?”

“Alright, I’ll leave then. Why are you in such a hurry? We’re not having an affair.” Li Zhao laughed.

While Li Zhao had been teasing Tan Xilu throughout their conversation, he left quite abruptly. He even closed the door behind him when he left.

Tan Xilu wasn’t good at chatting with strangers, especially those he didn’t know well. His few previous blind dates had ended because of his awkwardness. His excuses to his mother had included, “He’s too quiet and just daydreams all the time,” “He got overly emotional when talking about his past relationships,” and “I don’t think we’re compatible, and he’s not warming up to my conversations.” Tan Xilu knew he had his flaws, but he was naturally clumsy. Perhaps it was because he had been pampered by Xu Huaiming for too long, and everything had been initiated by him. He had never needed to think about these things.

As Tan Xilu slowly tidied up the cups on the table, he thought about it. He should try to keep the blind date a secret from Xu Huaiming. His partner was so sensitive, and he would definitely be upset. Besides, he wouldn’t have any more dealings with someone like Li Zhao in the future.

Today, the shop wasn’t very busy. Perhaps it was because of the cold weather and the fact that it wasn’t the weekend. After bidding farewell to the last customer, Xu Huaiming packed up and prepared to close the shop. He told Arlene, “You can use some money to buy a Christmas tree yourself, and we’ll add it to the budget later.”

“No problem, Xu Ge,” Arlene replied. “Oh, by the way, if you have any questions about the little surprise, you can ask me.”

“Sure,” Xu Huaiming said. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. In the future, Xu Ge should give me a raise,” Arlene joked.

“Sure,” Xu Huaiming replied.

Xu Huaiming rushed to catch the last bus back to his residential area. When he got on the bus, he called Tan Xilu again, and this time, Tan Xilu answered. Tan Xilu sounded somewhat apologetic, “I’m sorry about earlier. When I was at the entrance, I received a call from a student’s parent, and I had to go back to school to resolve it. Later, the parent gave me a ride back home since it was on the way. I had to hang up when you called. I hope you’re not upset.”

“I’m not upset. As long as you’re okay,” Xu Huaiming reassured him.

Tan Xilu responded with a soft “Okay,” feeling a bit guilty. “Are you on the bus now? You should be almost back.”

“Yeah, I’m on the bus. I’ll be back soon,” Xu Huaiming confirmed.

“Great. It seems we’re out of salt at home. Could you pick up a bag from the supermarket on your way back?” Tan Xilu asked.

“Sure, I got it,” Xu Huaiming replied.

They chatted affectionately for a while and hung up the phone just as Xu Huaiming was arriving at his destination. He got off the bus through the rear exit and, noticing the newly stocked strawberry-flavored condoms on the supermarket shelves, hesitated briefly before grabbing two boxes.

Inside the residential area, as Xu Huaiming walked, he encountered a man who glanced up at him. Although they didn’t exchange words, Xu Huaiming felt a strong sense of hostility emanating from the man. He paused for a moment, but the man continued walking forward without turning back.

Xu Huaiming’s senses were overly sensitive, and he could still smell the man’s presence in the air. He could discern that this man carried the scent of Tan Xilu.

He also realized that Tan Xilu had lied to him. There was no such thing as a parent of a student who needed his attention. Instead, it seemed that this stranger had given him a ride home, or perhaps, he had given him more than a ride home after all.

T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

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Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

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