Chapter 7
As soon as Song Muqing returned to his parents’ house, he was surrounded by a large white dog, wagging its tail excitedly.
At the same time, he received an inquiring look from his mother, Mu Ting. Although she didn’t speak, Song Muqing already knew what she was thinking and what she was about to ask.
“You’re back? I didn’t prepare dinner for you.”
Song Muqing squatted down to pet Ollie’s head, replying, “It’s okay, I’ve already eaten.”
Hearing his tone, Mu Ting feigned surprise, teasing with a smile, “I almost forgot, my son went on a date today.”
Song Muqing carefully corrected her. “It wasn’t a date.”
“If it wasn’t a date, then what was it?”
“Just dinner, to let the other person get to know me.”
Song Muqing thought it hadn’t reached the level of a date yet. If it were a date, it wouldn’t have been so simple and rushed.
“So, how did you do?”
“It went well,” Song Muqing recalled his mother’s instructions. “I didn’t scare him away.”
He walked over, Ollie obediently following beside him.
“What kind of talk is that?” Mu Ting glanced at him. “What was his attitude towards you?”
“Quite good.”
Mu Ting considered this, feeling it sounded promising. Her son’s expression didn’t seem disappointed; he seemed to be in a good mood.
Song Muqing’s family knew about his sexual orientation. They were open-minded and understanding, so they didn’t have any objections. After he turned thirty, still without a suitable partner, she and Song Hongfan began to consider his marriage prospects.
Homosexuals were still a minority in society, making it harder to find a partner.
Mu Ting had intentionally or unintentionally introduced him to a few people over the past two years, but nothing had come of it.
Once, she had even gone to the matchmaking corner in the park to try her luck.
When Song Muqing found out, he dissuaded her, saying he would find someone himself.
Mu Ting had assumed it was just like his previous reassurances, just words, not actual action.
She knew he was very picky when it came to relationships.
Then, a few days ago, her son had suddenly asked her what he should pay attention to when having dinner with someone for the first time.
When Mu Ting asked who it was, he wouldn’t say.
He seemed quite confident, and Mu Ting sensed a potential development, so she was curious.
“Is there hope for further development?”
They had only had one meal, just getting to know each other, and she was already talking about further development.
It seemed his mother was even more eager than he was.
Song Muqing smiled faintly. “Mom, do you expect me to get married tomorrow?”
Mu Ting gave him a helpless look. Of course not that fast.
That wouldn’t be a serious relationship, just a way to appease his parents.
She had just put down the magazine she was reading when Ollie jumped onto the sofa, resting his head on her lap.
He had just been bathed and was clean, so he was allowed to be spoiled and roam around on the sofa.
Song Muqing remembered when they first adopted Ollie, he had severe skin problems and injured legs. With their care, he had fully recovered, his fur now soft and thick, a proper chubby dog.
“You didn’t like the people we introduced, and you said we shouldn’t worry, that you would find someone yourself, so your father and I didn’t interfere. But I don’t want you to just find someone to appease us.”
Mu Ting stroked Ollie’s fur. “That’s not what we want.”
“I know.”
Song Muqing understood perfectly.
“Actually, it doesn’t matter if it works out in the end. If it’s not suitable, we shouldn’t force it.”
“Yes,” Song Muqing nodded. “I have my own plans.”
Seeing this, Mu Ting didn’t say more.
Song Muqing didn’t reveal too much to his mother. He changed the subject, asking, “Isn’t Dad home?”
“He went out again after walking the dog. Probably playing chess with Old Li downstairs.”
Song Muqing suggested, “You should go out more too, get some fresh air.”
“I don’t need you to worry about me.”
Mu Ting usually went out shopping with her friends; she just hadn’t made any plans recently.
“By the way, when you have time, go to the hospital and pick up some medicine for your father,” Mu Ting reminded him.
With age, Song Hongfan’s health wasn’t as good as before. He had some minor ailments, but he was reluctant to go to the hospital for check-ups, always requiring Song Muqing to take him.
Mu Ting saw that he was almost out of medicine, and since it seemed effective, and the doctor had recommended another course of treatment, she reminded him.
“Alright.”
Song Muqing agreed, spending some time with his mother before going to his room to shower and change into his pajamas.
With nothing else to do, he planned to read some research papers.
A new message arrived on his phone. Song Muqing glanced at it; it was about a gathering in the group chat.
A close colleague at the university, whom they usually called Old Zhou, was about to celebrate his birthday.
He had also recently moved into a new house, a double celebration. He was inviting everyone to dinner for his birthday.
He asked about everyone’s availability, as they needed to arrange a time that worked for everyone.
Song Muqing had no reason to decline and said he would attend.
The conversation quickly turned to Old Zhou’s new house.
The university provided faculty housing, and they often stayed there when busy at school. Song Muqing also had his own apartment in the Lanyuan district, purchased and newly renovated in the past two years.
The residential complex had a pleasant environment and a good location.
When he bought the apartment, Song Muqing hadn’t envisioned sharing it with anyone, intending to live alone.
His parents had said he was of age and would eventually need it when he started a family. Such material conditions were essential, and they supported him, saying that if he was going to buy one, he should buy a good one.
Song Muqing rarely stayed there. He lived a simple life and usually went home to spend weekends with his parents. The apartment felt somewhat empty, lacking a lived-in atmosphere.
There were still many things that needed decorating and attention.
He just didn’t know if it would meet someone else’s expectations.
Although Lu Xuefeng had agreed to meet again, he hadn’t had the time since then.
He had gone on a business trip to discuss costume designs with an independent studio. He needed to handle the negotiations personally for clear communication, a gesture of sincerity for the collaboration.
He had asked Jin Hong to look after his grandmother, and Jin Hong had readily agreed, telling him not to worry.
So, Lu Xuefeng and Song Muqing only maintained infrequent contact through messaging.
They were both busy with work and often couldn’t reply instantly, but neither felt bothered. They chatted normally, replying when they had time, sharing everyday trivialities.
What they had eaten, the weather, or a casually taken photo of the scenery.
These conversations were usually initiated by Song Muqing, who would then steer the topic towards Lu Xuefeng’s life.
He almost always replied.
Before this, Lu Xuefeng had never shared the small details of his life with anyone.
Things he considered mundane, Song Muqing responded to appropriately, showing interest in his life.
It was a new experience.
On the third day, the collaboration was finalized, and Lu Xuefeng had dinner with the studio manager. It was quite late when he returned to the hotel.
The business trip was over, and he had a moment to relax, but Lu Xuefeng didn’t feel at ease, only slightly tired.
So, after returning to his room and hanging up his coat, he collapsed onto the bed and lay quietly for a while.
The room was silent.
Lu Xuefeng stared at the ceiling, the overhead light glaring.
For a moment, he thought of Song Muqing, the glint of light reflecting off his silver-rimmed glasses as he looked at him.
He was surprised to find himself thinking of the other man.
Perhaps it was because they had been chatting these past few days.
After a while, he reached for his phone. There was a new message.
“Back at the hotel yet?”
It was from Song Muqing, sent more than ten minutes ago.
Lu Xuefeng shifted to his side and typed: I’ve been back for a while.
“Good. It’s getting late. Rest well.”
The reply was instant.
Lu Xuefeng glanced at the time displayed at the top of the screen. It was quite late, and the other party hadn’t slept yet.
He typed and deleted a few times, not sending the question.
“What do you want to ask?”
Song Muqing seemed to sense his hesitation.
Lu Xuefeng thought for a moment and replied: I’m just a little surprised you replied so quickly.
Song Muqing: I was waiting for you.
Lu Xuefeng looked at these four words, unable to articulate his feelings.
He didn’t know how to respond.
Song Muqing didn’t expect a reply, sending another message.
Song Muqing: Can I ask when you’re coming back?
Lu Xuefeng: Why?
He assumed Song Muqing had something to discuss, perhaps about their next meeting.
But there was no further message.
Lu Xuefeng waited for a while, thinking the other party wouldn’t reply, and prepared to wash up.
Just as he got up, a new voice message arrived.
Lu Xuefeng clicked on it, holding the phone to his ear as he walked towards the bathroom.
“Perhaps it’s because when you’re not in Wu City, I miss you a little.”
Lu Xuefeng stopped abruptly, Song Muqing’s low, familiar voice in his ear.
In the quiet of the night, despite the distance between them, his heart felt a strange tingling sensation.
