Chapter 24
Before the kiss could happen, they heard approaching footsteps.
Lu Xuefeng quickly came to his senses, creating some distance between them.
He turned to see Xiao Yue hurrying towards them.
She hadn’t seen their intimate moment and seemed slightly flustered as she reached the rehearsal room door.
Lu Xuefeng, his expression calm, asked, “Did you forget something?”
Xiao Yue smiled sheepishly. “Yes, I left my water bottle. Director Lu, you haven’t left yet?”
Lu Xuefeng nodded. “We were just about to.”
He turned to Song Muqing. “Wait for me; I’ll get my coat.”
“Go ahead.”
Song Muqing didn’t follow him inside.
Xiao Yue glanced at Song Muqing.
She had heard about Director Lu’s marriage, and seeing them together, she assumed this was his husband.
After all, Lu Xuefeng had never brought anyone here before.
As Lu Xuefeng retrieved his coat, Xiao Yue held her water bottle and whispered, “Your husband is so handsome, Director Lu.”
Lu Xuefeng looked at Xiao Yue, then glanced back at Song Muqing.
He was indeed eye-catching.
He asked, “How did you know he’s my husband?”
He hadn’t introduced them, and apart from Lan Xin, no one else should have met Song Muqing.
“It was obvious,” Xiao Yue revealed. “While you were coaching us, he kept looking at you, his gaze never wavering.”
He had waited patiently, not looking at his phone, just watching Lu Xuefeng.
It was endearing.
Xiao Yue had noticed his gaze.
Lu Xuefeng paused as he put on his coat, surprised that Song Muqing had been watching him the entire time.
Then Xiao Yue added, “You two look so good together.”
“Thank you,” Lu Xuefeng smiled faintly.
“Oh no, I have to go now, Director Lu.”
Xiao Yue had received a message from her friend and couldn’t chat any longer.
Lu Xuefeng walked towards Song Muqing. “What were you talking about?” Song Muqing asked, having noticed Lu Xuefeng glance back at him.
“She said you’re handsome.”
Song Muqing raised an eyebrow, knowing it couldn’t have been just that. “And?”
Lu Xuefeng, realizing he was determined to find out, simply said, “She also said we’re well-matched. Are you satisfied now, Professor Song?”
Song Muqing played along. “Very satisfied.”
Lu Xuefeng glanced at his phone. It was still early, so he suggested taking Song Muqing to the cafe on the second floor.
Song Muqing considered this, then asked, “Could I have a tour?”
He was interested in Lu Xuefeng’s work environment.
Lu Xuefeng hesitated for a moment, then agreed. “Alright, I’ll show you around.”
“Okay.”
There wasn’t much to see. Lu Xuefeng simply showed him around the backstage area and the studios.
It was quiet without any performances.
The theaters were the same.
They encountered a few dancers along the way, who greeted Lu Xuefeng politely.
Lu Xuefeng nodded in response.
This was where Lu Xuefeng worked, a place closely connected to his passion for dance.
Song Muqing listened attentively as he gave a brief explanation.
It was like stepping into Lu Xuefeng’s world, imagining his daily routine.
Lu Xuefeng had never brought anyone here before.
So, he was slightly surprised by Song Muqing’s interest in his work.
That was why he had hesitated earlier.
“Why did you want to see my workplace?” Lu Xuefeng asked.
“I like seeing you at work,” Song Muqing replied, his gaze turning to Lu Xuefeng.
“…Hmm?”
“You’re very focused,” Song Muqing explained, recalling the scene of him coaching the two dancers. “And captivating.”
Song Muqing delivered these compliments effortlessly, but Lu Xuefeng couldn’t handle them as easily.
“You always say such nice things,” Lu Xuefeng asked. “Are you deliberately trying to flatter me?”
“Are you flattered?”
Song Muqing countered, looking into his eyes, seeking an answer.
“A little,” Lu Xuefeng replied, walking ahead, feeling the warmth in his face subsiding.
Having seen most of the theater, he was about to take Song Muqing to the cafe when they encountered Jin Hong emerging from the break room.
This was Jin Hong’s first time meeting Song Muqing face-to-face.
Song Muqing had picked up Lu Xuefeng at night before, and they had only seen each other from a distance.
They were formally introduced now.
Jin Hong initially invited them for dinner, but they both said they had to leave soon to pick up his grandmother from the hospital.
So, he offered them coffee, and they sat and chatted for a while.
Jin Hong found Song Muqing to be a pleasant and engaging conversationalist.
They seemed to have a lot in common.
Lu Xuefeng, seeing them getting along so well, couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction.
It was as if Song Muqing had fully entered his life, both professionally and personally.
After leaving the theater, Song Muqing and Lu Xuefeng went directly to the hospital to collect his grandmother’s belongings and complete the discharge procedures.
Sister Xu was also leaving today, but she waited until everything was packed in the car before saying goodbye.
She had cared for his grandmother diligently for months, rarely taking any time off, efficient and hardworking.
She had a good attitude and was easy to get along with.
Lu Xuefeng appreciated her work ethic and paid her generously.
Xu Li was genuinely happy to see his grandmother recover.
“Sister Xu, thank you for your hard work these past few months. Go home and get some rest.”
“Yes, I definitely need some rest,” Xu Li replied with a smile.
She gathered her belongings, bidding farewell to his grandmother, urging her to take care of her health, and offering to stay in touch.
Xu Li was thoughtful; she gave his grandmother her phone number in case she needed someone to talk to.
His grandmother readily accepted.
Then she looked at Lu Xuefeng and Song Muqing.
She had a strong impression of them.
Same-sex couples weren’t common in her life.
Initially, she hadn’t been entirely accepting.
But Mr. Lu was a good person, and so was his husband.
So, she didn’t mind and respected their choice.
Over the past few months, she had come to realize that as long as there was love and happiness, it didn’t matter whether it was a same-sex or heterosexual relationship.
“Mr. Lu, Mr. Song, you’ve given me a new perspective on many things.”
Xu Li was older than both of them, but she had still learned from them.
“We might not have many opportunities to see each other again. I wish you both happiness.”
“Thank you for your blessings, Sister Xu.”
“We will.”
They responded, and Xu Li smiled with satisfaction, then left.
They had almost finished packing his grandmother’s belongings, everything they needed already in the car.
His grandmother gave away some items to her fellow patients, and the rest were discarded.
A few nurses seemed reluctant to see them go; they had often admired the two handsome men during his grandmother’s stay.
They would miss seeing them.
As they passed the nurses’ station, they were given warm farewells.
Lu Xuefeng didn’t pay much attention to this. He and Song Muqing helped his grandmother into the elevator and then into the car.
They drove directly to her apartment.
It had been empty for a while, but since Lu Xuefeng had only taken his personal belongings and clothes, it looked much the same.
Still a cozy little home.
But his grandmother’s mood was different now.
Her wish for Xuefeng to settle down had been fulfilled, and her long-standing illness was being treated. She had no more burdens or regrets.
Lu Xuefeng and Song Muqing tidied up the apartment briefly, and it was time for dinner.
But there was no food at home; the refrigerator was empty.
They decided to go grocery shopping together, telling his grandmother to rest.
Having just been discharged, she needed to eat light, bland food, so a few simple home-cooked dishes would be sufficient.
The supermarket downstairs was nearby, and they also bought some fruit on their way back.
His grandmother was about to start cooking when Lu Xuefeng stopped her. She had just recovered from major surgery; she needed to rest.
Deng Yuzhen felt slightly embarrassed. “Xiao Song is here for the first time, and I haven’t been a good host, even making you cook.”
“Don’t mention it, Grandma. You just rest; we’ll handle this.”
“Grandma, go and sit down.”
Lu Xuefeng led her to the sofa.
She reluctantly agreed.
Lu Xuefeng followed Song Muqing into the kitchen, offering to help, but Song Muqing only gave him the simplest tasks, efficiently preparing the ingredients and starting to cook.
Lu Xuefeng had nothing to do.
He stood there, watching Song Muqing cook, and couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you so good at cooking?”
“Perhaps because I often watched my parents cook when I was young. I became familiar with it.”
Lu Xuefeng knew Mu Ting and Song Hongfan were both good cooks, so it was possible.
But he was more inclined to believe it was a natural talent.
“I don’t mind cooking. I enjoy trying new recipes when I have time,” Song Muqing added.
Lu Xuefeng nodded; that seemed like the more likely reason.
He wouldn’t be able to learn to cook even if he tried.
“You’re very patient,” he remarked.
Song Muqing looked at him. “You could learn too if you wanted to, but I don’t think you need to. I can cook.”
Song Muqing didn’t have such expectations for his partner.
Lu Xuefeng didn’t seem to enjoy cooking, so he wouldn’t force him.
To avoid waste, Song Muqing didn’t make too many dishes, which was also his grandmother’s preference.
Three dishes and a soup were sufficient for their dinner.
They sat together comfortably, the heater on, the room warm and cozy.
But the warmth they felt came from within.
His grandmother tasted the food and praised Song Muqing’s cooking skills.
Song Muqing accepted the compliment modestly.
“Our Xuefeng isn’t very good at cooking. I’ve always worried about him not eating properly when he’s alone. He’s lost weight.”
Song Muqing glanced at Lu Xuefeng. “He is a bit thin.”
Lu Xuefeng was puzzled. “I don’t think so.”
He had always been this build.
His grandmother disagreed. “You still say no?”
“It seems I’ll have to cook more delicious food for you, to fatten you up,” Song Muqing said with a smile.
As the end of the year approached, he remembered his mother’s words and said, “By the way, Grandma, let’s celebrate Chinese New Year together this year.”
It was a thoughtful gesture, and his grandmother, enjoying lively occasions, readily agreed. “That sounds wonderful. It’ll be more festive, but I don’t want to trouble you.”
“We’re family, no trouble at all.”
Song Muqing then turned to Lu Xuefeng. “So, it’s settled?”
“Yes.”
Lu Xuefeng had no objections.
Chinese New Year was about family reunions.
Especially since they had just gotten married, they should celebrate with family.
His grandmother reminisced, “In the past, it was just Xuefeng and me, so quiet. We haven’t had a proper New Year celebration in years.”
Her tone was filled with regret, as if she had wronged Lu Xuefeng.
But Lu Xuefeng had never felt that way.
“Grandma, I didn’t mind. As long as I have you, it’s enough.”
“You always say that.”
His grandmother knew he would say that. “Of course, I want you to have a better life.”
…Not burdened by her.
She didn’t say it aloud, knowing Lu Xuefeng wouldn’t like it.
But her hospitalization and surgery had cost him a lot of money and energy.
She felt guilty.
Xuefeng had lived with her since he was young; she had raised him, but she always felt that having him in her life was her greatest blessing.
“From now on, every New Year will be lively,” Song Muqing said.
“Yes,” his grandmother replied, looking at them, feeling relieved.
After dinner, she sat in the living room for a while, then took her medication and went to bed.
“Xuefeng, Xiao Song, stay here tonight. No need to go back; it’s too much trouble.”
Song Muqing looked at Lu Xuefeng, seeking his opinion.
Lu Xuefeng agreed.
After his grandmother went to bed, they had nothing to do.
The small potted plants on the balcony were thriving, and Lu Xuefeng brought them inside.
Song Muqing washed a plate of strawberries and brought them over, asking Lu Xuefeng, who was watering the plants, “Would you like some?”
Lu Xuefeng stopped, turning around.
Before he could answer, Song Muqing popped a strawberry into his mouth.
Lu Xuefeng was taken aback, then bit into it.
The sweet juice filled his mouth.
“There’s still half left,” Song Muqing waited for him to finish.
“I can do it myself.”
Lu Xuefeng reached for the plate, but Song Muqing didn’t let him.
He had to open his mouth and take the remaining half.
His lips brushed against Song Muqing’s fingertip.
Song Muqing looked down, seemingly not noticing, not saying anything.
Lu Xuefeng didn’t pay much attention to it either.
After finishing the strawberries, Song Muqing put the plate away.
Lu Xuefeng went to the kitchen to wash his hands.
Song Muqing followed him, and Lu Xuefeng, seeing they had nothing else to do, suggested they go to bed, as they had work tomorrow.
“Okay,” Song Muqing agreed. “I’ll take a shower first.”
“I’ll get you some pajamas.”
Lu Xuefeng dried his hands and headed towards the bedroom.
He hadn’t brought all his clothes when he moved, but he should have some pajamas left here. He just wasn’t sure if they would fit Song Muqing.
After all, they weren’t the same build.
Song Muqing’s shoulders were broader, and he was taller; he needed looser clothing.
Lu Xuefeng was still mentally searching his closet when Song Muqing took his hand, stopping him.
“We can find them later.”
As he spoke, Song Muqing placed his hands on either side of him, closing the distance between them.
Lu Xuefeng leaned against the counter, slightly stunned.
“…?”
“I’d rather kiss you now.”
His words were followed by a kiss.
