Chapter 34
On the weekend, the whole family went to a farm for a day trip.
Mu Ting had been looking forward to this. It had been postponed due to Xuefeng’s fever, then Qingming Festival, and their trip back home. Finally, they had time for a family outing.
The weather was warm and sunny after the holidays, perfect for a trip.
The night before, Mu Ting and Song Hongfan reminded them to pack a change of clothes and toiletries.
They would be spending the night at the farm.
Mu Ting mentioned that Yao Yao’s family would be there too, making it a lively gathering.
It wasn’t a formal occasion, so they could dress casually. Song Muqing, while packing his own clothes, asked Lu Xuefeng what he wanted to bring.
Lu Xuefeng was busy reviewing a character analysis sent by one of his dancers and said anything comfortable would be fine.
Everything in his closet was coordinated.
“Then I’ll choose for you?” Song Muqing offered.
Lu Xuefeng, without looking up, agreed, leaving it to him.
Song Muqing packed two sets of clothes and their toiletries in a backpack.
The next day, they picked up his parents, who were already waiting downstairs with Ollie.
They were both wearing athletic clothes, Mu Ting with a sun hat, looking relaxed and youthful.
Lu Xuefeng noticed their outfits were matching.
Mu Ting smiled. “We bought them together. I liked the style, so I got a set for myself too.”
Lu Xuefeng complimented them. “They look good.”
The four of them, plus Ollie, fit perfectly in the car. Ollie, knowing they were going on a trip, wagged his tail excitedly.
The farm was located in the suburbs, a two-hour drive.
The roads were clear, the scenery along the way pleasant.
Their moods were light and cheerful.
Mu Ting mentioned that the farm owner was a friend of Song Hongfan’s, having developed it into a tourist attraction.
It had been operating for several years, with good facilities and service.
They had visited once before and enjoyed the experience.
She said they should bring Lu Xuefeng again during the spring or summer when the scenery was even more beautiful.
The family and pet event had already ended, so there weren’t many tourists, and the accommodations were readily available, creating a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
Shortly after they arrived, Lin Yue’s family also arrived.
Yao Yao, as excited as Ollie, jumped out of the car and greeted Lu Xuefeng and Song Muqing.
They went to their accommodations first to drop off their belongings.
There were various types of accommodations, and Lu Xuefeng and Song Muqing had booked a unique A-frame cabin with two floors.
It had a modern Japanese minimalist design, clean and stylish, with large windows overlooking the vast green fields.
The first floor had a living room and a bathroom, decorated with small, thoughtful touches. The second floor had a tatami mat and bedding, looking soft and comfortable, with a better view.
After unpacking, they joined the others.
Lu Xuefeng observed the layout of the farm, which was divided into several areas: reception, accommodation, dining, and activities.
There was a large grassy area in front of the cabins, and beyond that, a wooded area.
Yao Yao was feeding the lambs with a handful of grass.
A flock of fluffy white lambs were grazing in a nearby enclosure, looking adorable.
Yao Yao, clearly fond of them, chatted with them as they ate, as if they understood her.
Lu Xuefeng sat on the grass, enjoying the sun.
The weather was perfect, sunny and warm, but not too hot.
He looked up at the clear blue sky, a gentle breeze blowing.
Song Muqing brought two glasses of juice, handing one to him.
“Where did you get these?” Lu Xuefeng asked.
“From the dining area.”
There were snacks and drinks available, and there would be a buffet dinner later.
Song Muqing sat beside him, enjoying the rare moment of leisure.
They sat in comfortable silence, the warm air enveloping them.
After a while, Yao Yao came running with a fluffy white rabbit, eager to show them.
Lu Xuefeng petted the rabbit; its fur was soft.
But as Yao Yao was talking to them, the rabbit wriggled free and hopped away. “Oh no!” she cried, chasing after it.
Song Muqing turned to Lu Xuefeng. “Shall we take a walk?”
“Okay.”
They set their glasses down and strolled around the farm, not having a specific destination in mind.
They visited the animals, then walked towards a small irrigation canal near the wooded area.
Small stones lined the edges of the canal, wildflowers blooming along the banks, the sunlight reflecting off the water’s surface.
Walking along the path felt refreshing.
“We can water the plants here,” Song Muqing said, looking at a sign.
There was a long hose with a sprinkler attached, for watering the grass and fruit trees.
“I want to try.”
Lu Xuefeng picked up the hose, turning it on, a fine mist spraying out.
He raised it higher, the water jetting further.
He moved slowly, trying to water the area evenly.
He was enjoying himself, about to call out to Song Muqing, when the hose slipped slightly, the spray turning towards him.
Fortunately, Lu Xuefeng reacted quickly, adjusting the hose, but not before Song Muqing got slightly wet.
Song Muqing, his shoulder damp, his glasses slightly fogged, looked down at him.
Lu Xuefeng, suppressing a smile, apologized. “Sorry, Professor Song.”
Song Muqing didn’t speak, seeing the amusement in his eyes.
He walked towards Lu Xuefeng, his expression unreadable.
Lu Xuefeng, sensing a hint of mischief, stepped back, laughing. “It wasn’t intentional.”
The more he retreated, the closer Song Muqing came, his long strides quickly closing the distance.
Lu Xuefeng couldn’t escape.
Song Muqing pulled him into a hug, his arm around his waist, a playful glint in his eyes.
“Not intentional? Hmm?”
The warmth of his hand on his waist made Lu Xuefeng squirm slightly, trying to pull away. “…Really.”
But Song Muqing didn’t let him go.
They stood there, embraced, playfully wrestling for a moment, laughter in their eyes.
The water sprayed in a graceful arc, falling on the grass, creating a faint rainbow in the bright sunlight.
Finally, they stopped, still holding each other.
Lu Xuefeng felt the warmth of Song Muqing’s chest against his.
The smiles in their eyes lingered.
Lu Xuefeng rarely looked so carefree and happy, his smile radiant.
Even more captivating through his slightly fogged glasses.
Lu Xuefeng reached up, removing Song Muqing’s glasses, wiping the water droplets off the lenses and his face.
Song Muqing held his hand, gazing into his eyes.
Just as he was about to kiss him, Lu Xuefeng vaguely heard Yao Yao calling his name in the distance.
He leaned back slightly, trying to turn around. “I think I hear Yao Yao calling me.”
“No,” Song Muqing leaned down and kissed him. “You’re hearing things.”
Lu Xuefeng, lost in the kiss, didn’t pay attention.
Yao Yao, dragging Ollie along, had seen them and was running towards them, then stopped abruptly, a short distance away.
She blinked, then turned and ran back, pulling Ollie along.
The uncles were kissing!
Do not disturb!
That evening, they all had dinner together.
The setting sun cast a warm, golden glow through the dining room windows, creating a cozy atmosphere.
The meal was warm and enjoyable.
After dinner, Lu Xuefeng heard music and singing from outside.
He went out and saw a group of young people gathered on the grass, playing guitars and singing, bathed in the warm light of the setting sun.
Lu Xuefeng didn’t approach them, simply sitting on a nearby swing, watching the sunset and listening quietly.
Yao Yao came over and sat beside him on the swing.
She had a handful of candies and offered him two.
Lu Xuefeng took one and popped it into his mouth; it was sweet.
They sat together on the swing, bathed in the last rays of sunlight.
Song Muqing, seeing them, didn’t disturb them.
He took out his phone and snapped a photo.
Yao Yao told Lu Xuefeng she had been taking dance classes and eagerly dragged him to the grassy area, wanting to show him a dance.
The little girl, confident and lively, danced gracefully, attracting the attention of the young people singing nearby.
They were university students, a group of friends enjoying their vacation.
They teased Yao Yao, asking her age and praising her dancing, even providing musical accompaniment.
Lu Xuefeng and Song Muqing sat together, watching her dance.
Lu Xuefeng commented that she was quite good.
It was now evening, dusk approaching.
The sky turned a deep blue, the sun setting, and faint stars appeared overhead.
Yao Yao, slightly embarrassed by the praise, ran over and hugged Lu Xuefeng, then asked him to dance as well.
Lu Xuefeng hadn’t expected this request.
Yao Yao looked at him expectantly, her eyes wide, and it was hard to refuse. The others also seemed to be looking forward to it.
Lu Xuefeng looked at Song Muqing, realizing he had never seen him dance.
He hadn’t danced formally in years; his occasional demonstrations during rehearsals didn’t count.
Moreover, his status was different now; no one in the dance world would dare to ask him to perform on a whim.
But this wasn’t the dance world.
Lu Xuefeng was an experienced dancer and never got stage fright. Even though he rarely performed now, he still practiced privately; it was a passion he couldn’t let go of. His muscle memory was still there; he could improvise a dance easily.
“No,” Song Muqing said, refusing for him.
“Aw…” Yao Yao was disappointed, whining. “No one asked you, Uncle Song!”
She shook Lu Xuefeng’s leg, pleading, “Little Uncle, Little Uncle…”
Lu Xuefeng chuckled, but Song Muqing was firm. “He’s not dancing. Even if you beg him, it’s no use.”
Yao Yao, sulking, retorted, “You can’t decide for Little Uncle!”
She turned to Lu Xuefeng. “Don’t listen to him, Little Uncle.”
Lu Xuefeng was surprised by Song Muqing’s seriousness.
He patted Yao Yao’s head, saying gently, “Listen to your Uncle Song.”
Yao Yao, resigned, accepted his decision. “Okay, Little Uncle.”
Song Muqing looked at her smugly, a hint of triumph in his eyes.
“Uncle Song is mean.”
Lin Yue called her, and Yao Yao ran off to find her parents and Ollie.
After she left, Lu Xuefeng turned to Song Muqing. “Are you being childish, Professor Song?”
Song Muqing chuckled.
“I apologize on Yao Yao’s behalf,” he said.
“Hmm?”
“It’s impolite to ask a dancer to perform on the spot.”
Song Muqing knew Lu Xuefeng was not only a choreographer but also a dancer.
Lu Xuefeng didn’t mind. “It’s fine.”
“But I also have ulterior motives,” Song Muqing’s gaze deepened. “I only want you to dance for me.”
The evening breeze was cool and gentle.
But Lu Xuefeng felt warm.
Song Muqing’s words were so direct, his gaze intense, a mixture of possessiveness and restraint.
Lu Xuefeng’s heart pounded.
“It’s getting chilly. Let’s go back,” Song Muqing stood up.
Lu Xuefeng followed him inside.
There was a projector on the first floor. They turned off the lights and drew the curtains, choosing a movie. A partially watched foreign film was already playing.
Having nothing else to do, they continued watching.
It was a film with two male leads.
The plot was already well underway.
Lu Xuefeng, wrapped in a soft blanket, sat on the fluffy white carpet near the sofa, Song Muqing beside him.
The film was engaging, and they watched attentively, not speaking much.
Soon, a kissing scene appeared.
The two male leads started kissing.
It was a beautifully filmed, intimate scene.
It wasn’t unexpected, and Lu Xuefeng thought it would be over soon.
But this was a pivotal moment in the film, their relationship intensifying.
So, intimate scenes were inevitable.
Western films were more explicit in their portrayal of intimacy, not shying away from such scenes.
The director seemed skilled at filming such scenes, creating a sensual and romantic atmosphere.
It was hard not to be affected.
Lu Xuefeng felt his face warm, recalling Song Muqing’s earlier words, a subtle provocation.
The sounds of heavy breathing and moans from the film made him feel restless.
He glanced at Song Muqing.
Song Muqing was watching the screen, his expression calm, seemingly unaffected by the scene.
After the intimate scene ended, the film drew to a close.
When it was over, Song Muqing commented, “It was good, but it’s a shame they didn’t end up together.”
Lu Xuefeng hadn’t been paying much attention to the plot.
“Yes,” he replied.
Song Muqing looked at him in the dim light from the screen. “You seem distracted.”
“No.”
Lu Xuefeng thought for a moment. “The music was nice.”
Song Muqing didn’t press him. “I’m going to take a shower,” he said, standing up.
As he was about to leave, Lu Xuefeng held his hand, stopping him.
The room was dim, illuminated only by the faint light from the projector screen.
“What’s wrong?” Song Muqing leaned closer, gently touching his face.
Lu Xuefeng looked up at him. “Didn’t you feel anything?”
“Feel what?”
“…Watching that intimate scene, didn’t you feel anything?”
They were both adults; there was no shame in asking such questions.
He wanted to know, so he asked.
Song Muqing replied calmly, “No.”
Lu Xuefeng was silent.
“Are you…” he hesitated. “…Asexual?”
Song Muqing’s expression darkened slightly.
He had been so patient and restrained, yet this was the impression he had given.
He felt both frustrated and helpless.
“What do you think?”
He moved closer to Lu Xuefeng, their breaths mingling in the dim light.
Although he couldn’t see his face clearly, Lu Xuefeng could sense the intensity in his eyes.
Lu Xuefeng placed his hand on the carpet, about to say he didn’t know.
But he couldn’t say it.
Because Song Muqing’s expression didn’t suggest a lack of desire.
Song Muqing pulled him into a hug.
“Whether I’m asexual or not, you can find out yourself.”
