Chapter 76: A Tacit Confession
The fourth public performance of “Shining Boys” ended successfully. Min Zhi flew over for the recording, then immediately returned the next day, bringing the latest news to Xi Leng.
Rong Xingyi was currently ranked eighth, entering the debut spots for the first time, securing a place in the finals.
The finalists would be announced next week, and the final live broadcast would be the week after next, the last day of the Lunar New Year holiday, the sixth day of the new year.
Although his debut seemed imminent, Min Zhi, after thinking for a moment, still told Xi Leng honestly, “Xiao Yi will definitely be in the finals, but his chances of debuting are slim. A little manipulation of the votes can easily push him out. He might just miss the cut.”
Rong Xingyi’s current ranking was already an unexpected surprise.
Even if he missed the debut, Xi Leng said: “He’s grown up now, he’ll be able to accept it, whatever the outcome.”
Min Zhi said: “I’m just worried he’ll cry and bother you.”
Xi Leng chuckled: “Then just scold him.”
“Hm? Weren’t you supposed to be his doting older brother?”
“I never said that.” Xi Leng said indifferently. “I’m just fulfilling my responsibilities as a guardian.”
Having not officially confirmed their relationship after so many days, Min Zhi, preoccupied with this matter, naturally wouldn’t miss this verbal advantage, “Hm, then I should also discipline him.”
Xi Leng smiled.
The gaze opposite him immediately focused on him, and he instinctively tried to suppress his smile, but reason quickly stopped him, his lips twitching slightly in the struggle.
Min Zhi was amused by his changing expression, chuckling softly.
“…Min Zhi.”
He had intended to feign annoyance, but he couldn’t help but smile, infected by Min Zhi’s laughter.
As the two were being lovey-dovey, with the “Shining Boys” finals approaching, the internet was flooded with news about the show.
And rumors about Mentor Min’s mysterious partner also spread like wildfire.
Min Zhi ignored the rumors, giving perfunctory responses, but the wealthy and powerful Jiang family wouldn’t let it go. Two days before New Year’s Eve, he was summoned by his grandfather.
Xi Leng stayed at Cloudtop One, called his stepmother, Ye Nan, and invited her to watch Rong Xingyi’s performance in the finals.
The program team, having profited handsomely from these young trainees, generously covered all expenses for two family members of each trainee to travel to Nandao for the finals.
After carefully confirming that the program team would be paying, not Xi Leng, Ye Nan breathed a sigh of relief, happily agreeing, then casually asked him about his New Year’s plans.
Xi Leng said: “The same as usual.”
Ye Nan, knowing his personality, didn’t pry, only reminding him, “Okay, it’s New Year’s, eat something nice, you’re earning money now, don’t be frugal, Auntie wishes you a Happy New Year in advance.”
Xi Leng politely thanked her.
After hanging up, only he and Ban Li were left at home.
He wasn’t in the habit of talking to the cute little cat, and Ban Li was even more interesting, a very introverted cat, spending most of her time eating and sleeping, occasionally ignoring him when she was in a bad mood.
Even a random cat had a similar personality to him.
With nothing better to do, Xi Leng took out his suitcase early, thinking he could pack slowly, to avoid forgetting anything when he went to Nandao.
Ban Li, who was sleeping on the cat tree, suddenly jumped down, like a flash of lightning, and into his suitcase. The chubby, black, yellow, and white ball of fur, even curled up, took up half the space, refusing to leave.
Xi Leng tried several times, but he couldn’t get her out.
“Meow, meow, meow!” The usually silent cat even started meowing, probably anticipating that he was going on a trip with the suitcase.
“…” Xi Leng gave up, letting her stay in the suitcase for now.
He then went upstairs to organize his paintings, neatly stacking them. No longer used to being alone, Xi Leng took out his phone and found the new “A1.”
It was Min Zhi’s main account. He had changed the pretentious “Zhengzhu” to “A1.”
Leng: 【Are you going to the Jiang family for the New Year?】
Or spending the New Year with me?
Min Zhi could always understand his unspoken words, even overinterpreting them, but this time…
A1: 【I have to go back】
Leng: 【Okay】
A1: 【Not even trying to stop me?】
Leng: 【…They’re your family, you should go back】
Min Zhi replied with an “okay,” his tone unreadable.
Even painting felt less enjoyable during the New Year’s period.
It was too noisy outside, children playing and shouting since before the New Year, even the tenth floor couldn’t escape the noise, the view from the duplex was nice, unobstructed, the brightly lit cross-river bridge visible in the distance.
Fireworks bloomed on the bridge at night, colorful and dazzling.
On New Year’s Eve morning, a call from Qiao Yusen came in.
Perhaps a New Year’s greeting? Xi Leng answered.
Unexpectedly, Qiao Yusen asked, “Is Min Zhi with you?”
Xi Leng was stunned, “No.”
Qiao Yusen let out a long “ah,” his tone slightly worried, “Don’t tell me his grandfather put him under house arrest… his grandfather is very traditional, and his phone might also be confiscated, I can’t reach him.”
Xi Leng calmly hung up and tried messaging and calling Min Zhi, indeed, no response, the usually quick-replying Min Zhi was truly unreachable.
He opened Min Zhi’s Weibo, the latest post was a repost from a week ago promoting the “Shining Boys” finals, he hadn’t posted anything new. Fans were wishing him a Happy New Year in the comments section.
Xi Leng rubbed his temples.
Min Zhi’s grandfather was indeed traditional. In the novel, the old man was a huge obstacle in the protagonists’ relationship, repeatedly creating trouble for the protagonist shou, trying to make him give up. But the protagonist gong didn’t care about the Jiang family and didn’t realize the protagonist shou’s predicament, which led to a lot of misunderstandings between them, dragging on for tens of thousands of words.
But the novel didn’t mention Min Zhi being put under house arrest, and with Min Zhi’s personality, he wouldn’t be easily controlled by that old man.
After thinking for a while,
if he wanted to find out the reason, going there directly was the most effective method.
He was used to spending the New Year alone, but his years of routine had been disrupted by Min Zhi, there was no going back.
He called Qiao Yusen, briefly mentioning it, and Qiao Yusen, enthusiastic as always, offered to drive him to the Jiang family’s residence, to see if Min Zhi was dead or alive.
Qiao Yusen was naturally joking. When he picked up Xi Leng, however, he saw how worried he looked.
“…Don’t worry.” Qiao Yusen belatedly added, “He won’t die.”
Xi Leng didn’t respond, his calm gaze fixed on the scenery outside the window.
Qiao Yusen drove to an old villa area, the Jiang family’s residence the most luxurious and imposing one there.
With the young master of the Qiao family leading the way, it was smooth sailing.
The person currently involved in a scandal with Min Zhi was here, this news reached Jiang Bing’ang’s ears as soon as they entered the complex.
By the time Xi Leng stepped into the villa, the old man was already waiting.
Qiao Yusen, after delivering him, stopped at the door, asking Xi Leng, “Can you handle this yourself?”
Xi Leng countered with a question: “Did Min Zhi arrange this?”
Qiao Yusen smiled without saying a word.
Xi Leng sighed softly, “Then you can go back.”
“Are you sure you can handle this alone?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Qiao Yusen left. Xi Leng stood calmly opposite the old man, another silver-haired elderly person beside him, presumably Min Zhi’s grandmother, she didn’t have Jiang Bing’ang’s aggressive aura, but she didn’t greet the young guest either.
Thankfully, before Xi Leng had to face them both alone, Min Zhi, seemingly released from his confinement, hurriedly came downstairs.
Jiang Bing’ang then looked up, his cold gaze fixed on his most beloved grandson.
“I’ll be frank, I don’t agree.” Jiang Bing’ang’s expression was serious, his tone brooking no argument. “Failing to continue the family line is the greatest act of disobedience, I can’t believe you, becoming more and more outrageous, messing with a man now? I won’t say more, I can indulge you in everything else, but not this.”
Xi Leng remained silent.
Min Zhi tugged at his hand, “Sit.”
The two squeezed onto a single-person sofa, their every subtle movement revealing their familiarity.
Jiang Bing’ang opposite them naturally understood, these two had probably already… done everything behind his back.
Xi Leng lowered his gaze, recalling the novel’s plot.
Min Zhi didn’t expect him to be eloquent and spoke first, “We’re not here to ask for your permission, just to inform you—”
Xi Leng interrupted, “I have something to say.”
All eyes turned to him.
In the novel, the death of Min Zhi’s father was actually quite suspicious, a car accident caused by the driver’s negligence, not completely an act of God. There was more to the story behind those two words, “negligence.”
And Jiang Bing’ang’s extreme favoritism towards his younger son could easily provoke jealousy from those whose interests were threatened.
So Xi Leng casually asked: “Was the death of Min Zhi’s father truly an accident?”
Jiang Bing’ang’s gaze darkened instantly, realizing that this was an accusation against his eldest son. He immediately snapped: “What do you mean? Trying to sow discord in my family?”
“Just say it, how much do you want?”
Jiang Bing’ang was very practiced at saying this, perhaps having said the same thing to Min Zhi’s mother over twenty years ago.
Xi Leng shook his head, pulling Min Zhi back as he was about to confront his grandfather, and said calmly,
“I just want to tell you, Min Zhi doesn’t owe you anything, you gave him a lot of money, but that’s only because he’s your grandson, the Jiang family needs an heir, If it weren’t for you, his parents might not have separated, they might not have died so young…”
Jiang Bing’ang was furious, pounding his cane heavily, “Nonsense! Without me, where would your son and grandson be!?”
Xi Leng was unmoved, his eyes lowered as he finished calmly, “You’re the one who owes him.”
Min Zhi was stunned, staring at him, his mouth slightly agape.
Grandma Jiang, putting down her tea set, hurriedly came over to mediate, soothing the fuming Jiang Bing’ang.
She spoke to the two kindly, “Xiao Zhi, you should leave first, go back and think about this carefully, don’t anger your grandfather anymore.”
“Did you hear that?” Min Zhi, however, seemed even more defiant, grabbing Xi Leng’s hand, their fingers intertwining, then saying to Jiang Bing’ang, “Even Grandma wouldn’t do this for you.”
Ignoring the old man’s anger, he continued, “I’m going to marry him.”
Xi Leng froze slightly, while Jiang Bing’ang chuckled humorlessly.
“Then try it, have him sign a prenuptial agreement, not getting a single cent from you, let’s see if he still agrees.”
“Fine, you said it, we’ll sign it and then get married.”
“…”
Having his words used against him, Jiang Bing’ang almost fainted from anger.
“Min Zhi!”
Even the mediating grandmother was pushed aside. Jiang Bing’ang furiously grabbed his whip, lashing out at Min Zhi without a second thought.
Crack!
The whip stopped inches away from Min Zhi, who hadn’t even flinched, when an arm suddenly appeared, taking the blow.
Min Zhi froze for a few seconds, his disbelief mixing with distress, he grabbed Xi Leng’s shoulders and shouted, “…What are you doing? Why did you block it? He wouldn’t actually hit me! Even if he did…”
Xi Leng’s expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn’t just used his arm to block the whip, saying calmly, “I’m not afraid of being hit.”
Min Zhi, ignoring the two stunned elders, angrily dragged Xi Leng out of the villa, fuming silently throughout the journey.
He slammed the car door shut, his hands still trembling slightly as he gripped the steering wheel.
Xi Leng’s arm was still throbbing faintly, thankfully, he was wearing thick clothes in the winter, and it was just one lash, nothing compared to the beatings he endured as a child.
He looked at the silent Min Zhi, tentatively asking, “…Are you angry?”
“Mm-hmm.” Min Zhi slammed his foot on the accelerator pedal as if venting, his voice slightly muffled, “Angry at myself.”
Xi Leng asked: “Why?”
“If I really wanted to leave, they couldn’t stop me.” Min Zhi confessed. “But I wanted you to come rescue me, to tell them how much you like me, and then to make my stance clear, to prevent them from troubling you in the future.”
Xi Leng smiled faintly: “I figured.”
Min Zhi was still angry. He looked at Xi Leng for a while, stopped the car, lifted his sleeve to examine the red welt, and muttered, “Idiot.”
Xi Leng responded, “Mm-hmm.”
Min Zhi was completely exasperated.
“I won’t sign a prenuptial agreement.” After a long silence, Min Zhi suddenly spoke.
Xi Leng paused for a few seconds, then asked: “Isn’t marriage a bit too… soon?”
This was clearly an excuse, a reluctance to get married.
“Even if it’s not about marriage,” Min Zhi, truly exasperated, said helplessly, “then what are we now? An ambiguous, unofficial… friends with benefits situation?”
Xi Leng belatedly shook his head: “…No.”
“What kind of person do you think is suitable for me? Xi Leng.” At a red light, Min Zhi turned to him, asking word by word, “Can’t you, for me, become the kind of person you think is… better?”
Xi Leng smiled wryly, this person truly was unreasonable.
“Forget about that.” Min Zhi sighed, trying to calm down, “I just want to know, what place do I hold in your heart? Tell me the truth.”
“Am I even less important than Luo Jiayan?”
Xi Leng hurriedly shook his head.
But he still didn’t know what to say.
The lessons of two lifetimes, he understood perfectly well, he didn’t need anyone to save him, silently drowning in his own world was just fine, but Min Zhi always barged in forcefully.
Until he became a frog boiled in warm water, used to the feeling, unable to break free, drowning in the addictive depths.
If he couldn’t paint, how could he express these feelings?
They arrived at their destination. Min Zhi had booked their New Year’s Eve dinner at a Chinese restaurant, just the two of them. The red door frame, festive and grand.
There was no underground parking nearby, so Min Zhi parked by the roadside, calling out casually: “Let’s go.”
After Xi Leng got out of the car, Min Zhi suddenly said “right,” then went back inside, taking out a gift bag.
Inside was a milky white cashmere scarf.
“Put this on?”
“Okay.” Xi Leng removed the striped scarf he was wearing.
“It’s New Year’s, you should get a new scarf.” Min Zhi tied it for him neatly, smiling as he praised, “Mm-hmm, looks good, as expected of me, I personally picked it.”
“Or perhaps you look good, and the scarf enhances it.”
Min Zhi muttered to himself.
Xi Leng, as usual, listened patiently, not missing a word.
Suddenly,
“I love you.”
Xi Leng froze.
Amidst the falling snow, he looked at the man’s serious expression for a long time, then finally spoke, “Min Zhi.”
Min Zhi raised his eyes slightly, not expecting any sweet nothings from those lips.
Xi Leng, after struggling internally throughout the journey, finally choked out, “You are my A1.”
The first letter of the alphabet, the first Arabic numeral.
He looked at Min Zhi, saying seriously: “Min Zhi, you are my first.”
