Chapter 66

Chapter 66

Shang Xueyan swiftly sidestepped a couple of steps, blocking his mother's line of sight, then suddenly erupted into a fit of coughs, "Cough, cough, cough, cough."

His parents' attention was instantly drawn to Shang Xueyan. Su Qingrong stopped surveying the living room and frowned, "What's wrong, A Yan?"

"Cough, cough," Shang Xueyan managed, "Choked on my spit," he coughed again. "I'll go get some water."

Keeping his body angled to block their view of the chocolate-colored coffee table, Shang Xueyan quickly walked over to it. Using the action of picking up a water glass as a cover, he swiftly snatched the condom and clenched it in his palm.

He took a couple of sips of water for show, then placed the cup back on the chocolate-colored coffee table. Just as Shang Xueyan was about to stand up, his gaze swept over the nearby trash can. On top was unmistakably a used, bulging condom.

His Adam's apple bobbed. He quickly pulled out two tissues, wiped his mouth for show, then swiftly threw them to cover the used condom.

He stuffed the unopened condom into his pants pocket and walked towards his parents as if nothing had happened.

The elevator arrived at the third floor. Shang Xueyan pushed the luggage into the room, "Dad, Mom, you'll be staying in this room for now."

"Alright."

His parents began to unpack. Shang Xueyan went to open the room's window. This bedroom's window happened to face the large iron gate in front of the garden downstairs. Seeing a black Maybach drive in, Shang Xueyan hurriedly said, "Dad, Mom, big brother is back. Let's go downstairs quickly and surprise him."

The Maybach drove into the garage. Shang Xianwang pulled the car door open and got out. Taking long strides, he walked along the corridor to the security door. The door wasn't shut tight. He reached out and pulled it open, but the face he saw wasn't the most familiar one.

It had been ten years. He felt a slight sense of unfamiliarity with these two faces, but after all, they were the parents who had raised him for many years. What he felt more was a strong sense of familiarity, along with a sudden, overwhelming shock.

He closed his eyes slightly. When he opened them again, Su Qingrong and Shang Mingde were still right in front of him. Shang Xianwang said hoarsely, "Dad, Mom."

Before he could even finish saying "Mom," he was pulled into a tight hug by Su Qingrong and Shang Mingde.

Shang Mingde's eyes were reddened, filled with endless emotion, "Our family of four is finally all together again."

"Right?" Shang Xueyan appeared behind the two, saying cheerfully, "Big brother, surprised? It's a huge surprise, isn't it? Mom and Dad have also crossed over."

Shang Xueyan's surprise was intense, unconcealed, completely joyous.

Shang Xianwang's Adam's apple bobbed. He lowered his gaze and responded, "Mhm."

"You've grown up," Shang Mingde looked Shang Xianwang over carefully, saying emotionally, "More mature and steady now."

Hearing this, Shang Xueyan suddenly chuckled for no apparent reason.

"What are you laughing at, you child?" Su Qingrong turned her head and said.

Shang Xueyan cleared his throat, "Big brother's body is twenty-nine now. Dad, Mom, you're only about ten years older than big brother now. It feels a bit strange. Big brother, how about from now on, you don't call them 'dad' and 'mom' anymore? Call them brother and sister instead?"

Su Qingrong raised her hand and smacked Shang Xueyan's forehead, "Nonsense."

"Dad and Mom will always be dad and mom," Shang Mingde said, "But from now on, we probably shouldn't call them 'dad' and 'mom' anymore. Modern people don't call them that. We should follow local customs."

Shang Xueyan promptly changed how he addressed them, "Dad, Mom."

Shang Xianwang didn't take Shang Xueyan's two teasing sentences to heart. Looking at Shang Mingde and Su Qingrong, he said in a solemn tone, "Dad, Mom."

Shang Xueyan stood in front of Shang Xianwang, both hands stretched out. One hand extended from in front of himself, the other moved horizontally to Shang Xianwang's chest, reaching out from his chest towards his parents, "Dad, Mom, the name-change fee."

Shang Mingde burst out laughing.

Shang Mingde couldn't help but laugh, "Before we returned to China, we attended the wedding of this body's good friend's son in America. After his son and daughter-in-law got married, his son also stretched out both hands like this, asking his parents for the name-change fee."

Shang Xueyan suddenly felt a bit guilty and abruptly retracted his hands.

Because today was very happy—a great day of family reunion—Shang Xueyan was treating everyone to dinner at a restaurant.

"Dad, Mom, let me tell you, there are so many delicious foods a thousand years later. Hot pot, skewers, seafood... Our China is vast and rich in resources. The food you had in America this past year wasn't great, right? From now on, I'll take you to taste delicacies from all over the country." After dinner, Shang Xueyan sat in the passenger seat of the Maybach. Shang Mingde and Su Qingrong sat in the back seat. Shang Xueyan turned around, his chin resting on the back of the seat, speaking excitedly to his parents.

Shang Xueyan had talked much more than usual tonight. As Shang Xianwang drove, he glanced at him. He was visibly happy and excited.

"Alright, your dad is counting on you," Shang Mingde also talked a lot tonight, "From now on, it'll be the four of us eating together."

Driving back home, today was the second happiest day of his life. The first happiest was reuniting with big brother. Returning home, their parents went upstairs to wash up and rest. Shang Xueyan hummed a little tune, walking with a light step back to his room. He went into the bathroom to shower first.

After washing up and changing into pajamas, big brother still hadn't come to his room. Shang Xueyan pulled open his door and walked straight into the room diagonally opposite.

Shang Xianwang had just finished showering and came out of the bathroom to see someone lying on his bed. Shang Xueyan's legs dangled over the edge of the bed, his upper body lying on Shang Xianwang's bed, playing on his phone.

"A Yan, playing with your phone like that is bad for your eyes," Shang Xianwang walked to the bedside and took the phone from his hand.

Having his phone taken away by Shang Xianwang didn't anger Shang Xueyan. He lay on the bed, looking up at Shang Xianwang with curved eyes.

Shang Xianwang lowered his head, his shadow falling over him.

"Big brother, I'm so happy! Mom and Dad have also crossed over!" Mom and Dad wouldn't have to spend the long remainder of their lives grieving the loss of their son. They were reunited with him again.

"Mhm, I can tell," His lips hadn't stopped smiling all night.

Shang Xueyan chuckled twice.

Outside the window, it was silent. Under the soft overhead light, he looked at Shang Xianwang's handsome, refined face, his Adam's apple gently moving.

He couldn't be bothered to move either, so with a red face, flushed and eager, he issued an order, "Hurry up, kiss me."

The corner of Shang Xianwang's mouth lifted almost imperceptibly. He placed one hand beside Shang Xueyan's body and slowly leaned down. His lips had just touched Shang Xueyan's, and Shang Xueyan hadn't even had time to stick out his tongue, when a knocking sound suddenly rang out. Immediately after, the unexpected sound of a door being pushed open creaked.

The bodies of Shang Xianwang and Shang Xueyan, pressed together, jolted simultaneously.

Shang Mingde pushed open Shang Xianwang's room and walked in, "A Heng... Shang Xueyan, why are you in your brother's room?"

Shang Xueyan stood by the bed, coughed once, and said, "I have something to discuss with big brother. Dad... Dad, it's so late, what did you need big brother for?"

"Just came to see if you and your brother were asleep. It's so late, you should rest early," Shang Mingde said.

"Mhm, mhm, big brother and I know."

"Then I'll go upstairs to sleep."

"Go on, go on quickly."

Shang Mingde took two steps, then stepped back, frowning and asking, "What about you? Are you still going to disturb your brother's rest?"

Shang Xueyan's gaze tangled with Shang Xianwang's for a moment before he said to his father with a straight face, "I'll leave in a bit. I haven't finished discussing things yet."

"Don't bother your brother too much."

"I know, hurry up and go to sleep," Shang Xueyan urged impatiently.

Shang Mingde left. Perhaps thinking Shang Xueyan would be leaving soon, he didn't close the door, leaving it wide open.

After his father left, Shang Xueyan waited a while, making sure he had gone upstairs. Then he quickly moved to the door, shut it tightly. This time, he carefully locked the door.

There used to be a housekeeper at home, but Aunt Wang knew about their relationship and wouldn’t casually open his or his big brother’s doors, so the two never developed the habit of locking doors.

Returning to Shang Xianwang’s side, their eyes met—this was a kiss that felt like surviving a catastrophe, with the thrill of something forbidden.

Shang Xueyan was pinned to the bed by Shang Xianwang, their lips meeting and tongues entwining, their bodies growing increasingly heated. After Shang Xianwang pulled back slightly, Shang Xueyan gazed at his swollen, red lips, breathing heavily with flushed cheeks, and hoarsely remarked, "You male fox spirit."

He considered it a very accurate and objective assessment.

Hearing his husky, breathy words, Shang Xianwang’s chest trembled slightly, and he murmured tenderly, amusement in his voice, "A Yan, you’re the only one who says that about me."

Lying trapped in Shang Xianwang’s arms, Shang Xueyan raised an eyebrow lightly: "I think I’m absolutely right."

As he spoke, Shang Xueyan’s dark eyes were moist, the corners of his eyes tinged red. Shang Xianwang’s Adam’s apple bobbed lightly, his tone so soothing it could calm a wild animal: "Baby, whatever you say is right."

His dark eyes seemed deep enough to hold all the stars of the night sky, the vast expanse of the universe, yet they held only Shang Xueyan.

The young man’s body gradually warmed, a heat rising from the depths of his soul. He often felt intoxicated by Shang Xianwang’s gaze, his will controlled, completely surrendering as his prisoner.

Yet he never felt fear—fear of this love that made his soul tremble—instead, he found it thrilling and more beautiful than anything he'd ever known.

Because this was Shang Xianwang.

"Big brother," Shang Xueyan gazed into his focused, gentle eyes.

"Hmm."

"Mom and Dad just got here. After some time, I’ll tell them about our new relationship."

"A Yan." Shang Xianwang’s voice caught.

"Hmm?"

Shang Xianwang held his gaze persistently and intently, countless fears spreading endlessly within him. What if their parents didn’t approve of them being together? What if they objected no matter what?

Shang Xianwang lowered his head, placing a feather-light kiss on his forehead, serene and precious.

"Wanna stay with me tonight?" Shang Xianwang asked.

"No." Shang Xueyan stared into his eyes, drawling his refusal with a smile.

Shang Xianwang chuckled. He got up and turned off the ceiling light, leaving only the soft glow of the bedside lamp. Shang Xueyan scooted under the covers, and when Shang Xianwang lifted the blanket to join him, Shang Xueyan threw an arm over his shoulders in a particularly guy-ish way. After two seconds, feeling the position was somewhat uncomfortable, he let go of Shang Xianwang.

Shang Xianwang reached out an arm, encircling his waist. Their noses brushed against each other, and in the dim, quiet night, they curled up together, limbs entwined, whispering close, before eventually falling asleep together.

The next day, his parents accompanied Shang Xueyan to the film set while he filmed, and Shang Xianwang went to work alone at the company.

After parting ways with Shang Xueyan, Shang Xianwang first sent a message to the housekeeper at home, telling her not to mention his and Xueyan’s romantic relationship to Shang’s parents.

Shang Xueyan drove the Rolls-Royce, with his parents seated in the back. He first informed them of one thing: "By the way, Mom and Dad, I told my big brother that I fell into the water and fell ill on June 2nd while boating with Cui An and Zhu Peng. After two months of treatment, I died on August 3rd. Please remember, it was August 3rd. Don’t slip up around Big Brother."

Having been in a state of extreme excitement yesterday, Shang Xueyan woke up this morning remembering that he had forgotten to remind his parents about this secret. During breakfast, he was on edge, worried that his parents might accidentally reveal the truth. Fortunately, the topic never came up.

Now that Big Brother wasn’t around, Shang Xueyan quickly reminded his parents.

Su Qingrong and Shang Mingde were momentarily stunned, though it shouldn’t have been too surprising. These two children seemed destined to be brothers. From the first day Shang Xianwang arrived at the Shang household, he had adored Shang Xueyan, and from the very first day A Yan saw Shang Xianwang, he latched onto his leg, even insisting on sleeping with him at night, blowing off his own father whom he hadn’t seen for months.

And when Heng’an learned the true cause of Xueyan’s death, he would undoubtedly be devastated and guilt-ridden.

Shang Mingde looked somewhat serious: "Don’t worry, your mother and I won’t slip up."

"Thank you, Mom and Dad." Shang Xueyan kept his eyes on the road ahead. After a while, they encountered a red light. Shang Xueyan stopped the car and spotted, out of the corner of his eye, a man kissing another man in the adjacent Audi. He paused for a second.

Suddenly, he realized this was a good opportunity. His heartbeat quickened, and he exclaimed with fake surprise, "Mom, Dad, look at that Audi next to us. Two men are kissing."

His parents turned to look at the Audi. The light turned green, and the Audi started its engine, driving into the lane ahead.

Shang Xueyan swallowed, asking, trying to sound casual, "Mom, Dad, I heard that gay couples can get married in the United States. You were there for a year—did you ever meet any married gay couples?"

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Author's note: Don’t worry, it won’t be a plot where the parents absolutely refuse to let them be together. Goodnight, sweethearts, mwah.