Chapter 55
Life, after doing a split and taking a detour, was back on track.
After Song Jingmo’s return, their cohabitation resumed its familiar rhythm.
Song Jingmo, a not-quite-top-tier violinist, continued his leisurely life of composing, practicing, and sunbathing, with occasional concerts.
And Xie Zhang, the CEO, maintained his 9-to-5 schedule, plus overtime in his study on weekends.
However, Xie Zhang’s books now adorned Song Jingmo’s music room shelves, and Song Jingmo’s comfy beanbag chair, perfect for admiring beautiful men, had found a place in Xie Zhang’s gym.
And certain… supplies, which had previously been a one-time purchase, now dwindled at a steady rate, replenished weekly.
Song Jingmo had a bad habit of… vocalizing… certain phrases from his reading material during their… intimate moments, often leaving Xie Zhang speechless, wanting to bury him under the covers.
But Xie Zhang indulged him. After all, Song Jingmo’s knowledge in this… area… was far more extensive than his own, years of dedicated research giving him an undeniable advantage.
However, one time, after indulging Song Jingmo’s… suggestion, Xie Zhang’s inexperience had resulted in Song Jingmo developing a fever and spending several days in bed.
Since then, Xie Zhang had become more… discerning… in his acceptance of Song Jingmo’s requests.
…
Song Jingmo, his face buried in the pillow, checked the time on his phone.
Unlike Xie Zhang, with his rigid schedule, he always slept until he woke up naturally.
But unlike before, his sleep schedule was no longer… nocturnal. He now woke up at 8:30 am, just in time for breakfast with Xie Zhang.
—He had no choice. His nights were now fully occupied by Xie Zhang, leaving his days free.
He went downstairs, still half-asleep, and, as usual, bumped into Xie Zhang in the kitchen.
He nuzzled against Xie Zhang’s back, then, noticing his damp hair, asked: “Why didn’t you dry your hair?”
He didn’t ask why Xie Zhang was showering so early; such questions were too strenuous for his lazy self.
After all, the energetic CEO usually finished his morning run, workout, breakfast, and shower before Song Jingmo even woke up.
Xie Zhang, who had heard him coming and was preparing breakfast, was using tongs to arrange steamed buns: “I came home late last night.”
“Oh? Something happened?” Song Jingmo helped him set the table, his fingers playfully tugging on the bow of his apron.
“…Xu Yi came by,” Xie Zhang’s expression was slightly odd. “He’s taking a vacation.”
“Huh? Who? A vacation?” Song Jingmo turned around, surprised.
“Xu Yi.” Xie Zhang had been too stunned to ask any questions, and Xu Yi had already left.
He placed a plate on the table: “He’s using all his accumulated vacation days.”
Song Jingmo sat down, chewing on his chopsticks, mentally calculating, then offering Xie Zhang a silent prayer: “So… at least three months?”
Xie Zhang looked at him, his expression thoughtful.
“Wait, is it just Secretary Xu?” Song Jingmo suddenly realized something. “Your new CEO didn’t… quit… did he?”
“No,” Xie Zhang replied calmly. “But he doesn’t have a fixed schedule. As long as he gets his work done, his presence isn’t required.”
Song Jingmo giggled, thinking of something.
But even so, it shouldn’t have taken that long…
His question was answered as he walked past the living room after breakfast.
He stopped, staring, then turned to Xie Zhang, bewildered: “What is that?”
“A Call duck,” Xie Zhang replied.
“I know it’s a Call duck! Why is it in our living room?!”
Song Jingmo wasn’t sure if he was allergic to duck down, so he kept a safe distance from the white duck perched on the sofa.
“It’s fine. You had a full checkup after you left the hospital, including an allergy test, remember?” Xie Zhang took his hand.
Song Jingmo remembered, relaxing slightly.
He’d had allergy tests as a child, but Xie Zhang had insisted on another one after his… recovery.
And he’d practically memorized the list of allergens.
Memorized it.
Even when half-asleep, Xie Zhang could recite them flawlessly.
Song Jingmo had been so touched, he’d offered him a perfectly peeled orange.
He’d been sleepy, but who could resist a perfectly peeled orange?
And after the orange, there had been… other activities… leaving him with sore knees and completely dependent on Xie Zhang’s care for an entire day, confined to the bed.
“Xu Yi is taking care of it while he’s on vacation. He asked us to look after it.”
The duck had disrupted Xie Zhang’s morning routine.
“Oh, okay, I’m free,” Song Jingmo said, cautiously approaching the duck.
The small, white duck, unafraid of strangers, puffed out its chest proudly, letting Song Jingmo pet its head and chest, its demeanor almost regal.
“Wow, so this is what duck down feels like!”
Song Jingmo, captivated, petted the duck, his hand practically glued to its soft, white feathers. He even picked it up and nuzzled it.
He’d never encountered an animal that didn’t immediately dislike him.
Even monkeys at the zoo had thrown things at him as a child.
“What’s its name?” he asked.
Xie Zhang paused, then replied: “Duck.”
“Huh?” Song Jingmo looked up at him, his lips twitching. “He just calls it… Duck?”
Xie Zhang nodded.
Seeing them getting along, Xie Zhang went upstairs to change, ready for work.
Passing by Song Jingmo, he ruffled his hair playfully.
“I’m going to work.”
Song Jingmo, engrossed in petting the duck, his hair sticking up, waved absently: “Mm, if you’re busy, just call me. I’m always happy to be your secretary.”
Xie Zhang didn’t reply.
Song Jingmo looked up, meeting his gaze, raising an eyebrow.
Xie Zhang coughed, covering his mouth.
Song Jingmo grinned: “Okay, when you get home tonight, your secretary will be waiting.”
“Which version do you prefer? The shy, inexperienced newbie, or the smooth, efficient… Mr. Xie? Mr. Xie~?”
Xie Zhang, who had a meeting that morning, hurried out of the house, looking like he was escaping a… compromising… situation.
Later, Xu Yi, his vacation interrupted by… certain events, returned to collect his duck.
After careful consideration, Song Jingmo and Xie Zhang chose an auspicious date and visited several pet stores, finally bringing home a Call duck of their own, naming it Bai Bai (White White).
They raised the fluffy little creature together, its status in their household quickly rising to number one, followed by Momo, with CEO Xie trailing behind, cleaning up the endless fluff.
Later, they returned to the old town in Yunnan.
But this time, they brought Song Jingmo’s father’s ashes with them.
His father’s former captain had personally handed them over.
Even in times of peace, some heroes continued to fight their battles, unseen, unknown.
Neither the Song family nor Song Jingmo inquired about the details of his mission; sometimes, knowledge was a dangerous thing.
Time had lulled their enemies into a false sense of security, and the brazen attack on Song Jingmo had provided the police with a breakthrough.
Years later, the long and complex investigation finally concluded, the shadows of the past lifting from the Song family.
Song Jingmo buried his father’s ashes beneath the wishing tree, next to his mother.
Standing on the mountaintop, looking at the sea of clouds, he noticed that the tree faced the border of Yunnan province.
He paused, then smiled.
Looking at the colorful clouds, he took Xie Zhang’s hand and asked, smiling: “Want to make a wish?”
Xie Zhang, looking at the clouds he’d once chased in his youth, a smile on his face, replied:
“My wish has already come true.”
A gentle breeze ruffled their intertwined fingers, the red strings on their wrists swaying gently.
It was getting late. They walked hand-in-hand down the familiar path.
“You’re so unromantic! That was the perfect moment for some… suggestive banter… like… wanting to see bunny ears…”
“Mm, I want to see.”
“…Xie Zhang! Are you doing this on purpose? You’re such a tease…”
