Chapter 93

Chapter 93

Loving someone is like nurturing flowers. Yu Jingmo spent half a day at home with Tian Ruan, watching movies, eating fruit slices, and massaging his waist.

While watching the movie, Tian Ruan felt the urge to snack but was too embarrassed to ask outright. Instead, he kept glancing toward the snack cabinet—his happy place.

Yu Jingmo noticed twice. The third time, he got up to fetch him something. "Chips or sticks?"

Tian Ruan’s eyes sparkled. "Chips, and grab a Coke too. There should be two buckets of popcorn on the far right—bring one."

Yu Jingmo brought over all the snacks. "Just tell me what you want."

This was the second time Tian Ruan had heard Yu Jingmo say that. He thought for a moment. "I also want chicken-flavored puffs."

"No."

"…" Then why even offer?

Yu Jingmo said, "Eat more vegetables, fewer snacks. Liu Ma, wash a plate of cherry tomatoes."

Liu Ma not only washed the cherry tomatoes but also two Persian cucumbers, neatly arranging them on a white porcelain plate. "Red and green—energizing and festive."

Tian Ruan picked up a cherry tomato, thinking about the Christmas outfit he hadn’t worn. "Yeah."

Yu Jingmo, however, picked up a cucumber, shooting Tian Ruan a knowing look before smirking.

Tian Ruan: "..."

Yu Jingmo popped a cherry tomato into his mouth, eyes on the big screen.

Tian Ruan stared at him. "What were you just thinking?"

Yu Jingmo replied calmly, "If you insist on knowing, I’d say it reminds me of your size."

Tian Ruan snatched up the cucumber, protesting, "I’m way bigger than this."

Yu Jingmo’s lips curled as if stating a fact. "I’ve handled it more than you have."

"..."

"I know your size better than you do."

Tian Ruan turned red and threw a pillow at him.

Yu Jingmo caught it easily with his large hand, his veiny hand right in Tian Ruan’s face.

Tian Ruan remembered how that hand had mapped every inch of him… His ears burned hotter, and he turned away, biting into the cucumber with a loud crunch, as if that could erase his shame.

Yu Jingmo set the pillow aside and leaned closer, shifting the pillow under Tian Ruan’s waist so he could get more comfortable. His warm breath tickled Tian Ruan’s face as he whispered, "I love you exactly as you are."

Tian Ruan instantly softened. "Really? What if I were bigger and broader than you?"

Yu Jingmo raised a brow. "Impossible."

"I said *if*."

"Then I’d get to load and fire with a bang."

"…" That mental image was too wild. Tian Ruan couldn’t handle it. "Never mind. I’ll stick with this."

But he asked again, "Have you ever fired a cannon?"

Yu Jingmo replied, "I handled one during military drills when I was a soldier."

"How did it feel? Was it cool?"

"I was terrified—one wrong move could wipe out the whole platoon."

"You get worried too?" Tian Ruan had always thought Yu Jingmo was a natural-born strategist, fearless from the start—even after losing his father as a child, he'd seemed like a young bull unafraid of tigers.

Yu Jingmo chuckled. "I'm human—I have feelings too. Of course I worry."

Tian Ruan took his hand and said, "Mr. Yu, you're amazing, but you don’t have to be amazing all the time. I like you no matter what."

"Hmm."

The butler stepped in, catching the tail end of this sweet exchange. Beaming, he sidestepped and whispered to Madam Du, "The master and his husband are still as lovey-dovey as ever."

When Tian Ruan saw Madam Du’s graceful, gentle face, he hurried to sit up—but twisted a nerve in his waist, wincing in pain as he collapsed back onto the couch. "Mom..."

Madam Du rushed forward. "Oh dear, don't move! You've pulled your back. Just lie still."

"Mom, have a seat," Tian Ruan pointed to the sofa. "Merry Christmas! Help yourself to some fruit."

With the help of her butler, Madam Du sat down. "I’d hoped you’d join us for Christmas. We even prepared a stuffed turkey."

"Turkey?"

Madam Du paused, thinking about the Chinese translation. "Big roasted fire chicken."

Yu Jingmo corrected gently, "Flame-roasted stuffed turkey."

Madam Du smiled awkwardly. "I’ve been abroad too long. We also have Christmas ham, oyster chowder, and tamales."

Yu Jingmo explained to Tian Ruan, "Tamales are steamed corn dough filled with meat and spices—not fried vegetables."

Tian Ruan nearly drooled. "That sounds amazing. I’m starving!"

"But you can’t move."

Madam Du suggested, "We’ll have the food brought here so we can all share."

Tian Ruan clapped. "Yes! And Mom loves Liu Ma’s cooking. Liu Ma, how about sweet-and-sour fish and Kung Pao chicken (spicy stir-fry)?"

Liu Ma laughed. "Two dishes? That’s not nearly enough! We’ve got freshly dug lotus roots—so I’ll make crispy sweet-and-sour lotus root, glutinous rice-stuffed lotus root, and lotus root and red date broth."

Dew hurried off to have the servants bring the food over, and also sent word to Du Danren and Du Henbie, specifically telling Du Henbie, "Young Master, bring Mr. He with you."

Du Henbie nodded. "He’s already here with me."

As Du Danren stepped through the manor gates, Du Henbie and He Lansi arrived too. Seeing both carrying gifts while he had nothing, Du Danren muttered, "...Henbie, give me your present."

Du Henbie gaped. "Dad, you’re seriously stealing my gift?"

"I’m not stealing," Du Danren clarified. "I’ll deliver it for you."

Just discharged, Du Henbie looked radiant—love clearly agreed with him. Love makes you dumb; he missed his father’s meaning entirely. "I’ll give it myself. You should rest, Dad. No heavy lifting."

[Silence.]

Upon entering the main house, Du Henbie put on a flawless, charismatic smile and said, "Merry Christmas!"

In contrast, He Lansi, dressed in his usual loud style, opened his mouth to speak but let out a big yawn instead, tears nearly welling up.

Tian Ruan eyed He Lansi's blinged-out casual fit—clearly a last-minute outfit—with champagne-colored hair thrown into a messy little bun at the back.

"Merry... Christmas," He Lansi got out between yawns.

Tian Ruan asked, "Didn't sleep well?"

"Nah."

Tian Ruan gazed admiringly at Du Henbie. "Big bro, you're already this energetic right after being discharged? That's badass."

Du Henbie: "..."

He Lansi gave a hollow smirk. "It's the holidays, so I won't scold you."

Madam Du interjected, "We're all family here—some bickering means we're close. Christmas is an important occasion for the Du family, and being able to celebrate together is a real blessing."

Dew added, "Indeed."

The butler nodded, "Indeed."

Du Danren echoed, "Indeed."

"..."

Madam Du shot her husband an exasperated look before taking a gift from Dew and handing it to Tian Ruan. "Xiao Ruan, this is your Christmas present."

Tian Ruan unwrapped it on the spot—a small golden lucky cat—and beamed. "Thank you, Mom! I love it."

Du Henbie and He Lansi handed over their gifts next: Du Henbie gave a pair of matching couple's ties, while He Lansi offered some loud threads.

Tian Ruan thanked each of them warmly, expressing his delight.

Then he turned expectantly to Du Danren, eyes lit up with excitement, clearly eager for his father's gift.

Du Danren started sweating bullets but, quick on his feet as always, quickly improvised. "I'll wire you a fat red envelope."

Tian Ruan: "Oh..."

"Three grand."

"Thanks, Dad!" Tian Ruan grinned brightly.

With some time still left before dinner, Yu Jingmo swept Tian Ruan up without hesitation in front of everyone and announced, "His back needs a hot compress and massage. Please excuse us, in-laws."

Madam Du smiled. "Go ahead."

Tian Ruan turned red but played it cool, adding, "See you at dinner."

---

Seizing the massage opportunity, Yu Jingmo took the chance to play with Tian Ruan's "pink gemstone" and "mutton-fat jade"—both in quotes as euphemisms.

Though well aware of the soundproofing, Tian Ruan still let out soft whimpers, not daring to cry out too loudly, eventually chomping down on Yu Jingmo's hand, making the bite mark worse from the night before.

Yu Jingmo chuckled. "You're like a cat—you always biting." Tian Ruan arched up and shot a glare over his shoulder, looking just like a cat with its fur puffed up.

Yu Jingmo petted his fur, stroking all the way down to the base of his tail before flicking the snowy tip. “Admiring plum blossoms in the snow really sets the mood.”

“…”

Tian Ruan blushed but thought, *Oh well, it’s not like this is the first time he’s seen me.*

At lunchtime, the whole family sat together for a meal. The only downside was that Yu Shang and Lu Qiuyan weren’t there. Missing them dearly, Tian Ruan opened WeChat to check for messages.

As usual, Yu Shang sent two videos—Principal Li’s speech and the homeroom teacher’s lecture.

*So boring.*

What Tian Ruan wanted were clips from the school’s Christmas event!

Luckily, Lu Qiuyan came through. Still serving as the student council’s roving observer, he moved between clubs, sending videos and photos of the activities.

What really caught Tian Ruan’s eye was that very Christmas tree he’d fallen from.

In the video, over a dozen students gathered around the tree. The lower gifts had already been taken, leaving many still hanging in the middle and near the top.

Lu Qiuyan, using his height, grabbed a gift and opened it for Tian Ruan.

Lu Qiuyan: *Pretty good. It’s a sports watch.*

Tian Ruan: *Sweet! What else did they get?*

Lu Qiuyan: *Mostly stationery and toys.*

Tian Ruan: *I hope there’s still a thong up there so they can get equally embarrassed.*

Lu Qiuyan: *Yeah.*

Then someone tried climbing the tree, slipped halfway, and fell. But no risk, no reward—the students below kept climbing without fear.

With boldness came disaster, and soon a whole crowd tumbled down.

Lu Qiuyan laughed out loud while filming.

Watching the pile of groaning students on the ground, Tian Ruan laughed without pity. At least he wasn’t the only one getting hurt—so many other students were sharing the pain.

*"I got something!!"* A boy clinging to the tree shouted excitedly.

The kids on the ground: *"Open it!"*

Right there on the tree, the boy tore open his prize—a peach-pink lace thong waving in his hand. *"What is this?"*

He pulled it over his head. *"Is it a hat?"*

The crowd below: *"…………"*

That’s where the video cut off.

Tian Ruan collapsed into Yu Jingmo’s arms, laughing uncontrollably. *"Hahaha—"*

Yu Jingmo put down his chopsticks. *"We’re eating."*

Coming to his senses, Tian Ruan tried to sit up—but from laughing too hard, his back spasmed. *"Ow! Mr. Yu, I can’t get up. Help me."*

Yu Jingmo moved him mechanically, like adjusting a mannequin, and sat him upright in the chair.

Under the watchful eyes of his parents, big brother and sister-in-law—some concerned, some confused—Tian Ruan shared his joy. “Look, this is absolutely hilarious.”

After watching the video, He Lansi was laughing so hard he fell into Du Henbie’s arms. “I can’t get up either. Help me.”

Du Danren got a bright idea and flopped onto Madam Du’s lap. “Madam, I can’t get up either. Help me.”

Madam Du instantly stopped laughing and stared fixedly at Du Danren.

An uncomfortable silence settled over the dining table—the awkwardness stretching on—

Tian Ruan: “Mom, please be merciful and help Dad up. With his creaky old joints, it’s not easy for him.”

Du Danren: “….”

Madam Du helped her husband to his feet. “Young people fool around, and you follow suit? Aren’t you ashamed?”

Du Danren didn’t make a peep, barely even breathing, his form growing translucent like a specter. When it was time to leave, Madam Du had to call out to him before he seemed to return to human form, echoing meekly, “Xiao Ruan, rest well. I’ll head back now.”

Of course, Yu Jingmo had prepared Christmas gifts for them too. The butler brought them out—each person receiving a box of wedding sweets—and said, “These are belated wedding favors since you weren’t able to attend our master and madam’s wedding.”

He Lansi: “I was there. There weren’t any sweets back then.”

The butler smiled. “Affection deepens over time.” He then presented luxury custom gift boxes.

Tian Ruan eyed the wedding sweets eagerly. “Any more? I haven’t had any yet.”

Yu Jingmo looked at him with a smile. “Isn’t the sweetest treat right here before you? Feel free to have a taste anytime.”

Tian Ruan: “….”

He Lansi clicked his tongue. “Gross. I’m outta here.”