Chapter 39: Warmth
Because we were at my house and my mother, who had a very powerful aura, lived next door, although we were very affectionate last night, Lin Yan and I didn't dare to do anything out of the ordinary. We just kissed, hugged, and slept in each other's arms (mainly because he was strangling me so hard that I could hardly breathe).
The next day, I woke up to sunlight streaming in through the gaps in the curtains. I rubbed my eyes and walked out of the bedroom, ready to wash up, but was stopped by the noise and fragrance coming from the kitchen.
When I walked to the kitchen door, I saw a strange scene that would be recorded in my family history.
Lin Yan, the boss who usually only feeds me, was wearing my mother's floral apron! He was standing at the stove, expertly stirring the wok, which was filled with glossy, sizzling stir-fried pork! And my mother, Teacher Chen, who usually exudes an icy aura, was standing next to him for the first time, holding a seasoning box. The two of them seemed to be whispering something to each other!
"A little salt...the heat is just right..." Lin Yan's voice was gentle and professional.
"Yeah." My mother responded and handed over a handful of chopped green onions.
The two of them work together so well... there's an eerie sense of tacit understanding?!
My jaw nearly dropped, thinking I was still half asleep. When did Lin Yan finally become a culinary genius? And even started talking to my mom? What kind of magical realism plot is this?
"Awake?" Lin Yan heard the noise, turned around and saw me, a bright smile with a hint of "seeking praise" on his face, and tied the apron belt tighter (the floral apron looked particularly incongruous and funny on his tall body). "Go wash up quickly, dinner will be served soon. Come and help serve the dishes."
I was still in shock when I was assigned my task. I washed up in a daze and returned to my job as a waiter. During this time, Lin Yan and I inevitably had some small, affectionate interactions—he wiped the toothpaste from the corner of my mouth, I secretly pinched his apron-covered waist... These subtle gestures were all seen by my mother.
She remained silent, her cooking seemingly pausing for a moment as she glanced at us before continuing as if nothing had happened. But the invisible, tingling sense of scrutiny seemed to have faded considerably.
Finally, an incredibly sumptuous lunch was served. Braised prawns, steamed sea bass, stir-fried pork, garlic broccoli, and a pot of steaming mushroom soup... the food was so delicious and mouthwatering!
My father came back just in time for dinner. As soon as he entered the door, he was shocked by the scene. He sniffed and looked surprised: "Wow! What good day is today? Such a sumptuous meal?" He looked at the dishes on the table, then at Lin Yan who was wearing an apron (which he had taken off), and then at my mother who seemed to have softened her expression. His eyes were full of question marks.
The four of us sat around and ate together. This feeling... was so unfamiliar. It was no longer a cold silence. My dad was obviously talking more because of the good food and wine, although it was still about family matters. Lin Yan responded to the conversation just right, and occasionally made a joke to make my dad laugh. Although my mom was still quiet, she also picked up a few of Lin Yan's dishes. She even took the initiative to pick up a piece of fish belly meat for Lin Yan and said, "You made it, try it."
I looked at the steaming dinner table before me, the people chatting and laughing (mostly my dad and Lin Yan), and the almost unseen, subtle smile on my mom's face that could be described as "satisfied." A strange, warm feeling of happiness bubbled up from the depths of my heart. Is this... is this the legendary feeling of "home"? Although the composition of the family is a bit strange...
My dad became happier the more he drank. He took out his treasured wine and insisted on pouring it for Lin Yan: "Xiao Lin! Come! Drink with uncle! I'm happy today!"
I was just about to speak up to defend Lin Yan (he doesn't usually drink much), but Lin Yan had already raised his glass with a smile: "Okay, uncle, I'll drink with you."
"Xiao Rui, would you like some too?" My dad looked at me.
"He can't," Lin Yan replied immediately, his tone as natural as if stating a fact. "My stomach has been feeling uncomfortable lately, and the doctor told me to stop drinking and eating spicy food." He even added seriously, "I made this dish light on purpose today."
Me: “…” Oh my goodness! Lin Yan, you’re such a liar! My stomach is fine! You’re so brave to lie like that in front of my parents? You’re getting more and more outrageous!
Lin Yan kicked me lightly under the table and signaled with his eyes: Shut up and cooperate.
I could only eat my meal in silence, cursing this bastard a hundred times in my heart.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was cheerful and cheerful. My father and Lin Yan chatted over cups and drinks, enjoying a pleasant conversation. Although my mother remained silent, her gaze lingered on Lin Yan for noticeably longer, and she even began to proactively inquire about his situation.
"Xiao Lin, what do your parents do?"
"Auntie, my family runs a small business."
"Oh. So what are your plans for the future?"
"My current plan is to pursue a master's degree in the intersection of artificial intelligence and automation. Several companies have expressed interest, and I'm still considering it. However," Lin Yan paused, his eyes landing on me naturally with a smile, "it all depends on Chen Rui's plan. We can work together."
My mother followed his gaze and glanced at me. She said nothing, just a "hmm." But I always felt that her eyes seemed to see through everything. Lin Yan, this guy, just had "Don't worry about leaving your son to me" written on his face!
After three rounds of wine and five dishes, my dad was clearly drunk and was helped back to his room by my mom to rest. Lin Yan had also drunk quite a bit, a light blush on his fair face, his eyes a little hazy, but he was still quite sober.
I helped him back to my room. As soon as I closed the door and helped him sit down on the bed, this guy suddenly turned over and, with a strong smell of alcohol, pushed me down on the bed! His hot lips fell on me without a word, eagerly kissing me all over my face and neck, mumbling incoherently: "Rui Rui... Wife..."
"Hey! Lin Yan! Are you crazy? You reek of alcohol!" His kiss made me feel itchy and numb, so I pushed him hard.
He raised his head, his eyes wet with strong desire and grievance, like a large dog that couldn't get a bone. His voice was hoarse and low, with the frankness and insolence of drunkenness:
"Wife... I miss you so much... I want to fuck you so much..." He said while rubbing me restlessly.
My face suddenly turned red! Feeling embarrassed and anxious, I lowered my voice and yelled, "Lin Yan! Wake up! This is my home! My parents are next door!" This bastard is so bold!
Lin Yan was stunned by my yelling, then deflated like a popped balloon. He turned over sullenly, his back to me, and wrapped himself tightly in the quilt like a giant silkworm chrysalis, with only a few wisps of messy black hair showing.
"..." I looked at the giant silkworm chrysalis on the bed, which exuded the aura of "I'm unhappy", and almost laughed out loud. This contrast is too cute!
I suppressed my laughter and leaned over to poke the "silkworm chrysalis": "Hey...are you angry?"
The "silkworm pupa" squirmed a little and ignored me.
"Okay, okay," I softened my voice and coaxed him, "Just bear with it for a few more days. We'll go back after the New Year, okay?"
The "silkworm chrysalis" squirmed again, and a muffled voice came from under the quilt: "...Then give me a kiss."
I had no choice but to move closer and give him a loud "smack" kiss on his exposed forehead.
"Not enough..." He pushed further, half of his flushed face poked out from under the quilt, looking at me with sparkling eyes, a bit coquettish, "...call me 'husband'..."
I:"!!!"
Normally, it's fine when he forces me to scream in bed, or when we're playing around. But now he's asking me to do it so seriously... while I'm sober... It's so fucking humiliating! I feel like the tips of my ears are burning!
Looking at his expectant eyes, and the look that said, "If you don't call me, I'll just stay wrapped in the quilt and shut myself up," I gritted my teeth and called out quickly, like a thief, in a mosquito-like voice:
"…husband…"
The sound was so quiet that it was almost inaudible, but Lin Yan's eyes lit up instantly! As if they were filled with stars. He smiled contentedly and was about to lift the quilt to pull me in when there was a sudden knock on the door!
“Knock knock knock—”
I was so scared that my soul was about to burst out of my body! I instantly jumped up from the bed and stood at attention, my heart almost jumping out of my throat!
The door opened. It was my mother. She held a cup of steaming honey water and her gaze swept calmly across the room. I was standing by the bed like a punished elementary school student, my face flushed red. Lin Yan sat wrapped in the quilt, her hair disheveled, a suspicious blush on her face and a silly smile...
The air froze for half a second.
My mother's face remained expressionless, but her eyes lingered between us for a fleeting moment, so fleeting that it was hard to grasp. She walked in, placed the cup of honey water on the bedside table, and spoke in a calm tone:
"Honey water, it helps you get rid of hangovers. Drink it and go to bed early." After saying that, she didn't even look at us again, turned around and walked out, closing the door behind her.
The moment the door closed, my tense muscles suddenly relaxed, and cold sweat broke out on my back! In that moment, I felt like I'd been caught in a premature relationship by the dean! My heart was still pounding!
"I was so scared... so scared..." I patted my chest, still feeling scared.
Lin Yan also crawled out from under the quilt, with a bit of fear on his face, but then he showed a silly smile that seemed to have survived a disaster, and picked up the cup of honey water: "Auntie... you still care about me?"
Looking at his expression and thinking about the frightening scene just now, I felt angry and wanted to laugh.
This winter vacation...is destined to be restless!
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