As if his words had been a straight-up confession, innocent as could be. Calling him out would just make He Siheng seem dirty-minded.
He Siheng shot him a fierce glare and turned to storm off in frustration.
Tan Jing followed close, lips pressed to stifle a laugh.
The He Family villa sat right by the sea, far from downtown but with unmatched views—nestled between blue ocean and sky. The second floor’s seaward side featured floor-to-ceiling glass, offering unobstructed panoramas from home.
Tan Jing’s flight landed in the afternoon. By the time they drove to the He house, Shu Qiu and He Yunlang were both home.
He was always polite and proper, especially with elders. Upon entering, he greeted them and offered the gift box he carried.
Shu Qiu had heard about Tan Jing from He Siheng the night before and already felt deep sympathy for the boy. She hadn’t expected him to be so thoughtful with gifts despite his situation.
She took it quickly, chiding lightly, “You didn’t need to bring anything—just showing up is enough. So formal.”
Tan Jing didn’t mention the tea was specially picked by Tan Cong for the in-laws. “It’s only right. Thank you for taking me in, Auntie, Uncle.”
He Yunlang snorted from the side. “Smooth talker.”
He’d been furious the night before when He Siheng mentioned Tan Jing coming for New Year’s. But He Siheng had brought up how Tan Jing helped big-time during Shu Yichen’s Differentiation last time—this was just repaying the favor.
The more He Yunlang disliked the Tan Family, the less he wanted ties. Hearing they owed Tan Jing? Had to pay it back pronto.
Shu Qiu shot him a glare. “You’re the elder—can you set an example and speak nicely?”
He Yunlang deflated and shut up obediently.
Shu Qiu smiled at Tan Jing. “You and Heng Heng are old friends. Treat this like your own home—relax.”
Tan Jing’s eyes curved. “Thank you, Auntie.”
The more well-mannered he was, the more fondly Shu Qiu looked at him. What a great kid—why force him into blind dates?
He Yunlang sulked silently nearby. He Siheng watched, numb.
Father and son exchanged no words or glances but synced up perfectly in their thoughts for once.
The Tan Family sure knows how to play nice.
Shu Qiu ordered He Siheng to play host and show Tan Jing to the guest room.
Tan Jing’s room was on the second floor, next to He Siheng’s—similar layout, with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the sea and plenty of sunlight.
Once inside, Tan Jing set down his suitcase and exhaled softly, as if finally relaxing.
He Siheng found it odd and surprising. “You get nervous too?”
Tan Jing didn’t deny it. “The order got totally flipped.”
He Siheng frowned. “What order?”
Tan Jing turned to him, smile playing on his lips. “Dating and meeting the parents.”
“…”
He Siheng’s face heated. “Wh-what meeting the parents? Who said we’re there? Unpack your stuff—I’m out!”
He left, but paused at the door to add, “Your room doesn’t have an en-suite bath. The shared one’s at the end of the left hall. Go explore. And don’t bug me unless it’s important.”
Tan Jing tilted his head. “What if it is important?”
“…Like you have any real business!”
He Siheng bolted, not looking back this time.
He walked fast, like hiding something, but his flushed ears didn’t escape the guy behind him.
Tan Jing watched him huff off, then chuckled softly to himself.
After dinner, Shu Qiu and He Yunlang went for a seaside stroll to digest. He Siheng didn’t want to third-wheel, so he headed to his room to game.
Remembering his mom’s hospitality lecture, he stopped, hesitated, and asked Tan Jing, “I queued up with Zhou Yu and Wang Yizhou. Wanna join?”
“I’ve never played,” Tan Jing admitted openly that he was a gaming newbie. “Can Teacher He teach me?”
The “Teacher He” made He Siheng float. “Hurry up and log in!”
Gaming was indeed Tan Jing’s weak spot. He didn’t even have an account for this hot game among high schoolers. He Siheng figured registering and buying skins on the spot was a hassle, so he logged in with his own and coached from the sidelines.
The moment they logged on, Zhou Yu messaged: Heng Bro! So slow! Waiting on you!
He Siheng replied: Teaching a friend today. Not playing myself.
Wang Yizhou perked up: Friend? Guy or girl? Bringing a girl to game?
He Siheng: …
He’d deliberately omitted Tan Jing’s name to keep Zhou Yu’s big mouth from knowing Tan Jing was at his place for New Year’s. But Wang Yizhou, corrupted by Zhou Yu, was gossiping too.
He Siheng’s ellipses made Wang Yizhou assume it was a girl. He hopped on voice chat, pitching his voice into a cutesy broadcaster lilt: “Sis, hop on mic and say hi to the bros~”
He Siheng burst out laughing—not just at the affected voice, but because Wang Yizhou was flirting with Tan Jing.
Grinning, he turned to see Tan Jing’s reaction, expecting embarrassment. But the flirted-with guy showed no resentment, his voice laced with amusement: “Bro, control your friend. He’s hitting on me.”
“……”
How is this guy still in character!*
He Siheng once again witnessed Tan Jing’s thick skin, the corner of his eye twitching. “Was the Great Wall built with your face skin?”
Tan Jing replied smoothly, “You can feel it if you want.”
He paused, then added seriously, “Use your mouth to feel it. The experience is even better.”
He Siheng: “……”
No thanks—he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to resist using his fist to “feel” it.
Unable to out-flirt him, He Siheng held back his frustration and started the game. He briefly explained the basics, the hero’s skills, and then let Tan Jing operate on his own.
However, he hadn’t expected himself to be so bad at teaching, especially in competitive games. Once the game started, he grew impatient and restless. His guiding commentary never stopped, his rapid-fire words even faster than Tan Jing’s keyboard tapping.
Despite his barrage of instructions, Tan Jing didn’t mind. He patiently followed along with good temper, though it was his first time, so he wasn’t very skilled.
He Siheng had originally dragged over a chair to sit on his left and watch, but he gradually stood up. In the end, he couldn’t hold back. He leaned over, snatched the keyboard and mouse, and said, “Let me do it, let me!”
Desperate for victory, he even grabbed Tan Jing’s hand that was on the mouse and operated it himself.
Tan Jing glanced at the hand covering his, raised an eyebrow, then looked at the guy fully focused on the game. “Isn’t standing like this tiring?”
“Don’t talk—the base is about to get wiped!”
He Siheng was entirely focused on turning the tide, shaking off Tan Jing’s hand on the mouse and swiftly maneuvering, while his other hand hammered the keyboard with clattering sounds.
Tan Jing smiled silently and wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him closer.
He Siheng naturally sat down on his lap, staring intently at the screen, completely oblivious to anything wrong with their position.
Tan Jing didn’t look at the screen. He propped his right cheek on his hand and quietly watched He Siheng’s clean profile. The screen’s glow reflected in those eyes like translucent amber, with long, dense lashes as thick as a baby’s.
His pretty lips parted and closed as he muttered, and occasionally, a glimpse of his bright red tongue flashed in view.
The game’s sound effects drowned out the sound of swallowing. Tan Jing lowered his gaze and looked away.
Letting He Siheng sit on his lap didn’t seem like a good decision.
This conclusion was quickly proven.
The game ended, and He Siheng had successfully turned the tide. He turned his head to Tan Jing, smugly boasting, “Did you see that godlike play I just—”
Halfway through his words, He Siheng snapped back to reality from the game world and met the guy’s deep gaze. He suddenly realized their current position—and the uncomfortable pressure from somewhere.
His brain short-circuited like a fried circuit board. He Siheng’s eyes widened slightly in bewilderment.
With his mind blank, he blurted out, “Uh…”
“Y-you’re poking me…”
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