Chapter 46

Chapter 46

The harmonious scene of the old and young together as one family was heartwarming.

Upon receiving the news that Bian Jiacheng was on his way home, Fang Wenjun’s worries melted away. She arranged for Bian Zeming to bring over an armful of red gift boxes, the largest of which was given to Jiang Jining. “Here, child.”

“Thank you, Grandpa.”

Jiang Jining liked this amiable elderly couple.

Fang Wenjun watched as he carefully opened the box, fastened a gold lock onto the yellow-and-white kitten in his arms, and set it down. She then said, “Let Grandma help you.”

Bian Han had a natural talent for raising pets.

Every kitten she raised was very attached to people.

Since it was just family today, the housekeeper, following instructions, opened all the doors to the glass cat room. As more people gathered, the kittens gradually came over. A few mischievous ones running amok were caught by Bian Han, who scooped them up one by one and brought them over to try on the accessories.

Bian Zeming compared which kitten suited the fortune plaque and which suited the peace buckle. Soon, a batch of fresh “lucky cats” was ready. “Look, they’re instantly different.”

Fortunately, they had bought enough.

The last time they saw their daughter, there were only five cats.

Fang Wenjun guided Jiang Jining's hand as he tried on the new bracelet and peace lock. As she removed his original one, she praised, “This one is truly beautiful.”

Jiang Jining immediately said, “My father had it specially made.”

Fang Wenjun heard him say it was a pair but not fully worn. Smiling, she put the bracelet back on his wrist and placed the one she bought on his other empty wrist. “With such fair skin, wearing one on each wrist looks just as lovely.”

The elderly woman’s hands were warm, dry, and reassuringly steady. Jiang Jining felt no resistance at all; it felt comfortable to have his hand held like this, as if he had returned to his grandmother’s embrace in his childhood.

After dinner—

Everyone gathered to make mooncakes together.

Jiang Jining had also brought back the ones made by Xi Wang. There were many flavors, and he deliberately saved a few for Uncle Lu, Aunt Tao, and Fu Yuze to taste. He still had more than half of his own left. While playing with the pastry dough, he took some out to share with the others.

Bian Han took a bite and tasted the flowing egg yolk and the richly textured improved pastry crust. It wasn’t greasy at all and truly tasted like the craftsmanship of a master baker. “Wow, this is so fragrant…”

Bian Zeming even specifically asked, “Which brand is this from?”

“My friend made it himself.” Jiang Jining kept two carefully stored away and shared the rest, box and all, with his grandparents. The two of them didn’t stand on ceremony with their grandson.

The next day was Mid-Autumn Festival.

Bian Han took Jiang Jining back to her parents’ home for the holiday.

The two-story villa had each floor at just over 300 square meters, with a courtyard filled with various green plants. The family’s housekeeper had also planted some easy-to-grow vegetables and green onions in a corner of the yard. Upon entering the house, there was a large American-style brick fireplace straight out of a storybook, and floor-to-ceiling antique wooden glass display cabinets filled with family photo frames and out-of-print cameras.

Bian Zeming and Fang Wenjun were among the first entrepreneurs in Jingzhou. Both were busy with their careers and had modest material desires. They married early but had children late, raising only one daughter, Bian Han, whom they cherished as if she were their life.

Fang Wenjun got up early to supervise as the housekeeper tidied up.

She directly arranged Jiang Jining’s room next to her daughter’s.

Through their actual interactions, she grew increasingly fond of this grandson who came into their lives unexpectedly. He had a simple personality and a pleasant way of speaking. If not for her husband stopping her, she would have seriously considered having Jiang Jining, who had no parents or relatives to rely on, transfer his household registration to their family.

Although the child was now an adult, which made things a bit more complicated, with their substantial family assets, it wasn’t a big issue. Bian Zeming’s main point in persuading his wife was regarding the relationship between Jiang Jining and Bian Han.

Their daughter affectionately called him “little one” all the time.

Formalizing other family ties through procedures might be awkward.

After all, Jiang Jining couldn’t suddenly change from their grandson to their son, could he? That would indeed be rather laughable.

Fang Wenjun usually enjoyed cooking herself. She discussed ingredients and methods with the housekeeper in the kitchen and came out to find the two children huddled together, chattering excitedly about the photos.

Even during the holiday, Bian Han wasn’t idle.

She had her assistant send all her work home in advance.

A pile of unsigned white endpapers lay beside her legs. While Jiang Jining flipped through the photos, she scribbled away at them one after another, stamped them with her exclusive seal, and moved on to the next batch.

Jiang Jining observed her work for a while.

The characters Bian Han drew were also flowing and elegant—not her two-character real name, but what appeared to be a very graceful ‘fish’ character. The stamp she used also featured fish elements.

“Do all of these need to be drawn?”

Jiang Jining glanced at the small mountain of papers.

“Yes.” Bian Han was as proficient as if she had done it countless times, moving from one sheet to the next without pause. “They need to be sent to the printing house the day after tomorrow. Baby, could you help me stamp them?”

Jiang Jining happily joined in.

He hadn’t been working for ten minutes when Fu Yuze’s call came through. He had to kneel on the carpet, stamping while chatting. Seeing that Bian Han could still eavesdrop while working, he felt a bit embarrassed and quickly found an excuse to hang up.

As soon as he hung up, his watch buzzed again.

Fu Yuze: 「I’ll come pick you up in a bit.」

Wasn’t he supposed to come in the evening? Jiang Jining didn’t know what to say. Ever since meeting Fang Wenjun and Bian Zeming, he had been so busy that he hadn’t had much time to feel sad about his boyfriend not being by his side.

Fu Yuze seemed afraid he would forget and kept reminding him endlessly.

Before lunch, new guests arrived.

Jiang Jining wasn’t surprised to see Bian Jiacheng and his parents—after all, they were family. What surprised him was seeing Xi Wang. The moment their eyes met, the air grew somewhat quiet.

“This is my partner, Xi Wang.”

Bian Jiacheng introduced him this way to Fang Wenjun and Bian Zeming.

Xi Wang couldn’t help but feel tormented.

Bian Jiacheng had only told him to come out temporarily to help.

He hadn’t expected it to be a gathering of both families, where he would even see Jiang Jining and Bian Han.

For him, it felt like a form of excruciating torture.

It was utterly ridiculous.

Bian Jiacheng, with his silver tongue, finished exchanging pleasantries with the elders, put an arm around the absent-minded Xi Wang, and led him to the sofa area where only Jiang Jining and Bian Han were sitting.

“Have some fruit, Wangwang.”

Bian Han proactively pushed two large plates of freshly cut fruit toward him.

Then, with unruffled composure, he glanced at his brother, who was always up to something.

"Please don't expose me, you two. My parents are keeping quiet for now." Bian Jiacheng crossed his long legs, casually resting his hand between Xi Wang and the back of the sofa—a posture typical of someone in a relationship.

Jiang Jining could only process what he had just heard and was now seeing. "You two..."

"He gave me a lot of money." Xi Wang couldn't bring himself to lie in front of Jiang Jining and confessed everything. "Yesterday, I went with him to his home to put on a show like this too. We don’t have that kind of relationship."

Would Jiang Jining believe him?

Would he think he had misjudged him?

Xi Wang felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him from head to toe.

The unwarranted help and kindness Jiang Jining had shown him in the past now felt like thorns in his back. Seeing Jiang Jining lost in thought, Xi Wang instinctively grabbed Bian Jiacheng’s hand. "Please help me explain."

Bian Jiacheng thought his request was delivered with such conviction.

But when he looked up, he met Xi Wang’s helpless, slightly reddened gaze.

Xi Wang’s eyes were already big and round, with long, upturned lashes. If he had a tail, it would probably be drooping by now.

"That’s exactly the kind of thing he’d do."

Bian Han’s words drifted into everyone’s ears: "Bian Jiacheng, I really don’t want to expose you. You can’t bear to leave, yet you still care about saving face. You have to take advantage of the situation to make your uncle accept that you like men. What will you do when Wangwang stops playing along with your act later?"

Bian Jiacheng instinctively thought, *We can just fake a breakup*.

Just then, Fang Wenjun walked over wearing a red-and-white apron. Seeing a room full of lovely young people lifted her spirits. "Don’t eat too many snacks or fruit. We’ll start cooking soon."

"Let me help you."

Xi Wang was never one to sit idle at home.

Faced with a respected elder, it was an instinctive reaction.

Fang Wenjun smiled and patted his shoulder. "No need."

After she left, Xi Wang crouched down and said to Jiang Jining, "Can I explain everything to you later?"

From start to finish, Jiang Jining hadn’t felt angry or displeased. He had just never seen this kind of "fake relationship" before and found it fascinating. Seeing how nervous Xi Wang was, he smiled and agreed. "Okay."

Xi Wang felt as if he had been granted a pardon.

In the kitchen, Fang Wenjun stood beside the housekeeper. When she saw the young man come in again, she glanced at the ingredients and asked about the dishes to be prepared. Xi Wang immediately said, "I can handle all of it."

After some polite refusals,

Fang Wenjun could no longer stop him from showcasing his skills.

When lunch was served—

Everyone took their seats, except for Bian Jiacheng, who had never lifted a finger for housework. He stayed by Xi Wang’s side in the kitchen, putting on a good show.

Even though Xi Wang didn’t need his help at all.

Bian Han came in to wash her hands and happened to see Bian Jiacheng staring at Xi Wang’s trim waist, cinched tightly by the apron strings. She deliberately stood in front of him and said, "Is he yours to stare at?"

Bian Jiacheng replied without thinking, "I paid for it."

"Why didn’t you say that earlier?" Bian Han crossed her arms and lowered her voice. "Your uncle has been watching from outside, you know? Don't wait until they've fully accepted Xi Wang and then just call it off with a 'we broke up.' You’re already so old, yet you’re still upsetting your parents. Can’t you learn from someone like Fu Yuze? What a coward."

Bian Jiacheng: "..."

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

"Do you like him or not?" Bian Han tapped his left chest with her glossy manicured nail. "If you do, go after him. If not, find an excuse to tell your uncle and aunt that Xi Wang is worried you’re too fickle and doesn’t plan on a long-term relationship with you. Think about it yourself."

Bian Han finished washing her hands and left.

Just then, Xi Wang finished cooking the last dish. He casually wiped down the stovetop, including the range hood, leaving almost no major cleanup for the housekeeper after preparing a whole table of dishes.

Bian Jiacheng carried away the perfectly plated dishes. "Come eat."

Xi Wang didn’t follow him out.

As he untied the apron behind his back, Bian Jiacheng came back in.

Walking up behind him, Bian Jiacheng loosened and removed the apron in a few quick motions, then took his hand and said, "Thanks for your hard work."

"It’s nothing." Knowing he was just playing his part, Xi Wang didn’t refuse. Passing by the storage shelf, he took out a deodorizing spray and spritzed himself a few times before taking Bian Jiacheng’s hand. "Let’s go."

Bian Jiacheng felt the hand in his palm—not soft or smooth, a bit rough, but very warm.

*

Xi Wang’s cooking skills received praise from everyone.

Fang Wenjun and Bian Zeming’s parenting philosophy emphasized encouragement—praising what was good and seeing room for improvement where it wasn’t. They praised him so sincerely, and Bian’s mother was equally generous. Compared to Bian’s father, who was more reserved toward Xi Wang, the others more than made up for it with their admiration.

Jiang Jining finished a whole bowl of rice.

Bian Han, like a proud mother, was so moved she almost wanted to take Xi Wang’s hand and press it to her forehead in gratitude. Just as she was about to praise both of them, she noticed Jiang Jining’s gaze fixed elsewhere and followed it—

Not far away, there was a guy wolfing down a huge bowl of rice.

For the first time in his life, Bian Jiacheng ate quietly, without chatting or seeking attention, steadily finishing two large bowls of rice.

"You're not choking, are you?"

Xi Wang couldn’t help but notice him either.

He considerately picked up a glass of fresh juice and handed it to him.

Bian Jiacheng naturally held his wrist and drank two-thirds of it in one go.

Bian Han, who had been watching this tiger-like feast: "..."

She probably knew Bian Jiacheng’s answer now.

After lunch, Xi Wang only wanted to explain everything to Jiang Jining. The two of them stayed in the living room, whispering: "I chose Shishu because there was no room for salary growth at my previous job. The nursing home where my father lives has good living conditions and medical care, so it’s more expensive. I couldn’t really refuse Mr. Bian."

Hearing about his difficulties for the first time, Jiang Jining opened his watch’s payment QR code and said, "Let me give you some money, okay?"

Xi Wang knew he didn’t mean it as charity. After several interactions, he could genuinely feel Jiang Jining’s pure-heartedness. Smiling, he declined and specifically told him, "Mr. Bian has given me plenty."

Last night, he had received five hundred thousand.

He truly felt guilty about it.

Bian Jiacheng had somehow gotten his phone number and asked him to help again today. Xi Wang had agreed without hesitation, not even considering whether he would receive any payment.

"Alright then." Jiang Jining mentally calculated having Bian Jiacheng give him more later.

"Mom, Ningning is leaving soon."

Bian Han suddenly put down her phone to inform Fang Wenjun, who immediately asked, "Where's he going during the holidays?"

Bian Han was quite direct: "Fu Yuze is coming to pick him up to spend a few days."

Fang Wenjun had heard from her daughter about Jiang Jining's relationship yesterday and asked further, "Where's he taking Xiao Ning?"

Seeing her mother's subtle worry and protectiveness, Bian Han smiled and said, "To his own place."

Not long after, the doorbell rang.

Fu Yuze followed the housekeeper inside, set down an armful of gifts, greeted each elder with grace and propriety—not missing a single name—then took Jiang Jining's hand as he sat on the rug and asked, "Did you eat well today?"

Jiang Jining said, "A lot."

Xi Wang nodded to confirm for him.

Fu Yuze had spotted early on the person who shouldn't be there. Exchanging a glance with Bian Jiacheng, he got a fairly clear answer, thinking to himself he wondered who had become the stumbling block in Xi Wang's job search.

Bian Jiacheng was chasing after someone without a hint of guilt.

"Xiao Ze, when did you start dating?"

Bian Jiacheng's father was far more accepting now.

As long as it wasn't his own son kissing a man, he found it perfectly fine.

To be honest, he preferred Xi Wang's personality; if he were a girl, regardless of background, he'd have proposed on the spot.

But what was good about Jiang Jining was his exceptionally good looks—stunningly beautiful—and sitting next to Fu Yuze, they were truly a delight to look at.

Fu Yuze was very frank: "Over two months now."

"What do your parents say about it?" Bian's father didn't bother with formalities when speaking to the younger generation. "I remember you moved out on your own a few years ago? Was that related to this?"

Firstly, the Fu family never publicized such matters.

Secondly, Bian Jiacheng didn't actively disclose his friends' private lives to his parents, only having let it slip once about sharing the same orientation.

Bian's father could only read between the lines based on experience.

"Not much, it's fine."

Fu Yuze noticed Jiang Jining leaning against him somewhat boredly, his delicate chin resting on his shoulder, his body soft and warm, the scent he exuded making Fu Yuze utterly fond. Secretly holding that seemingly boneless hand, he looked at Bian's father and replied, "At that time, I was more focused on opening the new restaurant. Xieting's location is more convenient than the old estate for both Shishu and the Fu Corporation."

"My parents, brother, and sister-in-law have all met Ningning before."

Grasping the small to release the big, very skilled at shifting focus.

Bian Han had long known Fu Yuze was a shrewd one.

Her naturally naive cub was exactly lacking such a partner!

Fu Yuze couldn't possibly miss the deeper signal of seeking common ground from Bian's father. He didn't give what the other wanted, only discussed partial facts, shielding everyone involved including Jiang Jining, Bian Jiacheng, and even Xi Wang.

Jiang Jining wasn't the type to enjoy publicly discussing his own affairs; it made him feel insecure, and he didn't want outsiders knowing too much.

Fu Yuze was good at protecting privacy.

"Look how sleepy Ning Zai is." Bian Han timely spoke up to remind him, "Then you should take him there early."

Fu Yuze shot her a grateful look.

He specifically bid farewell to Fang Wenjun and Bian Zeming; the elderly couple were much older than his own parents.

Bian Han accompanied her parents walking Jiang Jining out to the car. Fang Wenjun held his hand and said, "If there's nothing going on usually, come directly to Grandma and Grandpa's place to play."

Jiang Jining nodded repeatedly.

Before he could withdraw his hand, two brick-thick cloth red lucky envelopes were stuffed into it.

Seeing Bian Zeming's look, Fu Yuze cooperated even more, giving a gentle tap on the gas so Jiang Jining had no chance for polite refusal. In fact, his pampered kitten raised in wealth since childhood didn't know the meaning of formal politeness.

On the road, Jiang Jining opened and counted them.

Two hundred thousand yuan.

After explaining to Fu Yuze, Jiang Jining handed them over: "Help me transfer this to Bian Jiacheng on your phone, have him give it to Xi Wang. Remember, absolutely don't say it came from me."

Fu Yuze felt tenderhearted at the kitten's pure sincerity. After returning to Xieting, he casually wrapped them back up—this was the elders' most selfless goodwill. What he promised Jiang Jining, he would accomplish separately.

No afternoon nap today.

Jiang Jining had just changed into pajamas when he was kissed all over. When things were about to get heated, he dazedly pushed Fu Yuze away, blushing as he accused him, "What are you doing..."

Fu Yuze guided his hand to where it should go.

Jiang Jining: "!"

Although he had a little reaction himself.

He still didn't understand why Fu Yuze always got so excited like this.

His mind whirling, he asked what he felt was illogical: "...Do we have to do this on regular days too?"