36 (Final Chapter)

In a stylishly decorated Western restaurant, Shen Hai was having dinner with Xiao Jian.

"Brother Shenhai, I...can I ask you a question?" Xiao Jian was someone who couldn't keep things to himself. He felt that no matter what, he had to find out the relationship between Shenhai and Wang Ning. Maybe he wanted to encourage Shenhai, or maybe he wanted to encourage himself.

"What question? Go ahead and ask. Your brother Shen Hai always answers every question," Shen Hai replied with a smile.

"You... what exactly is your relationship with my brother Wang Ning?" Xiao Jian's voice was a little soft, and you could tell he was very nervous.

"Colleagues, friends, and lovers."

Shen Hai answered easily, which made Xiao Jian unsure how to proceed. He thought Shen Hai would try to dodge the question with another topic, but to his surprise, Shen Hai's answer was simple and clear: they really were a couple.

"What? Scared out of your wits?" Shen Hai said nonchalantly, as if he were talking about someone else, not himself. His demeanor and tone were so natural, without the slightest embarrassment or tension.

"No, no, I just felt something was off, so I asked." Xiao Jian took a sip of water, trying to calm his tense nerves, and said.

“You can look down on me because of this, but I don’t want to ruin Wang Ning’s image in your heart. I didn’t actually want to tell you this. I think you might not be able to accept it. Wang Ning is no longer here. I want him to leave you with a good impression. Do you understand what I mean?” Shen Hai finally looked serious.

"No, Brother Shenhai, you, you've misunderstood. I didn't, I didn't, I really didn't look down on you, really, you have to believe me, I..."

"Haha, you're stuttering? It can't be that bad, can it? I've mentioned Xiao Jian to Wang Ning a long time ago. He's honest, kind, and simple. When I first met you, I thought you were a bit silly, but a cute kid. Now it seems... you really are silly! Hahaha!" Shen Hai laughed loudly, attracting many stares.

Xiao Jian was even more at a loss after Shen Hai's words, so he quickly picked up the quilt again and took a sip of water.

After laughing, Shen Hai continued, "Alright, I believe you. There's no point in lying about this kind of thing. If you were looking down on us, I would have seen it long ago. Since you already know, can I ask you why you're so curious about our relationship?"

Xiao Jian put down his water glass, looked at the food on his plate, and said sincerely, "Brother Shenhai, actually, I've also fallen for a boy."

Shen Hai was taken aback at first, then his smile faded, and he waited for Xiao Jian to continue.

“From childhood to adulthood, I never imagined I would fall in love with someone of the same gender as myself. I've never been moved, and I don't even know what love is. I just studied hard, hoping to make my mom's life better and more comfortable in the future. My family has already worried a lot about my university education, but my parents wouldn't let me work, afraid it would affect my studies. So I secretly set up a pancake stall, and every time I went home, I would quietly slip the money I saved into my mom's purse so she wouldn't find out. I always told myself that the worst thing I could do was to let my parents down, but ever since I met him, I… I feel like my life has been completely messed up. Why would I fall in love with a boy? I spent my days in a state of inner conflict, trying not to think about it, but my mind wouldn't listen to me, it just kept thinking about it endlessly. In the end, I accepted it. I knew I was destined to let my parents down. I couldn't give them a grandchild, I couldn't let them enjoy their golden years. Shenhai, tell me, am I an unfilial bastard?”

Xiao Jian's voice choked up as he spoke, and Shen Hai sighed deeply as he looked at Xiao Jian's solemn face.

"Xiao Jian, I envy you."

Xiao Jian was somewhat surprised. He looked up and watched Shen Hai light a cigarette, then listened to him continue.

"Children today take their parents' love for granted. Yes, their parents should love them the most, but they neglect their responsibility and obligation to reciprocate with love. They demand more and give less, and this unbalanced love is becoming more and more frequent in families. This is wrong. You are very sensible and know how to care for your parents, but I think you have also overlooked another point, which is that all parents in the world, no matter how hard or difficult their lives are, have only one wish: that their children can be happy."

Xiao Jian didn't reply, and Shen Hai knew what he was thinking.

"Perhaps you think this statement isn't very convincing, but it's the truth. You don't want to get married, you don't want children, and you've even fallen in love with a boy. This must be a devastating blow to them. They might try all sorts of methods to stop you, they might try to persuade you with harsh words, they might even cry, make a scene, or hit you. But you're still their son, and they won't really bear to see you miss out on happiness. I'm not saying all this because I want you to tell your parents that you've fallen in love with a boy. On the contrary, I think you should keep it a secret for as long as possible, preferably for your whole life. I'm saying all this so that you can understand that all parents feel the same way: if their children are doing well, they're at ease. You're not unfilial, you're not a jerk. As long as you're happy, you're a filial son. Now, do you understand what I mean?"

"Hmm...hmm." After a long while, Xiao Jian nodded.

"After telling you all this, I feel like I'm getting old. Let's not talk about it anymore. Come on, let's have a drink!" Shen Hai poured Xiao Jian a drink, and the two of them drank it all in one gulp.

After finishing their drinks, neither of them mentioned the incident again. They chatted casually for a while, and then left the restaurant.

"Hey kid, where are you going? I'll give you a ride. Back to school?" Shen Hai asked.

Xiao Jian smiled somewhat embarrassedly: "No, I...I want to go find him."

"Haha, let's go, get in the car!"

Shen Hai dropped Xiao Jian off at Li Muqing's dormitory building, said goodbye, and drove home. Xiao Jian saw that the light was still on in Li Muqing's dormitory window and suddenly felt a warm, sour feeling in his chest. He rushed up to the eighth floor, stood at the door of Li Muqing's dormitory, and knocked on the door while panting.

Li Muqing opened the door, looked at Xiao Jian who was looking rather disheveled at the door, and cursed, "I'm sleeping, what the hell are you yelling about!"

That time, Xiao Jian unexpectedly didn't reply. Instead, he hugged Li Muqing tightly, smelling the fresh scent of his body after his bath and feeling his burning body temperature, unable to let go for a long time.

"Xiao Jian? Are you...are you alright? What happened?" Li Muqing was a little worried that Xiao Jian might have run into some trouble, seeing his reaction.

"No, I'm fine, I'm okay, Li Muqing, I... I really like you." After saying that, Xiao Jian hugged her even tighter.

“Xiao…Xiao Jian…I…I…you…” This time, it was Li Muqing’s turn to stammer.

"You like me too, right?" Xiao Jian asked boldly, surprisingly.

"You...I...I...you..."

"No need to say anything, I understand..." Xiao Jian hugged Li Muqing's somewhat thin body tightly, his face beaming with joy.

"Ouch!" Li Muqing stomped hard, and Xiao Jian quickly released her, falling to the ground and starting to rub his feet.

"Damn it, I'm suffocating! Are you trying to suffocate me? If you squeeze me into a pancake, I'll see who you confess to then!" Li Muqing said breathlessly, panting slightly.

"If you're a pancake, you're mine alone! You're only allowed to eat you!" Xiao Jian laughed.

"All you do is eat all day, you pig!" Li Muqing laughed out loud.

That night, Li Muqing truly became Xiao Jian's pancake, sweating profusely as he cooked her. At the climax, both Li Muqing and Xiao Jian called out each other's names.

“Firm…”

"clear……"

“Firm…”

"clear……"

This is love, like a fried crepe, a symbol of enduring affection.