Chapter 59
Side Story 3
At the beginning of the new year, the temperature hadn’t risen, but instead dropped to zero. Thick snow covered the community in silver, and the cold wind howled.
Inside the apartment, however, it was warm, thanks to the central heating installed by the previous owner.
The phone on the sofa lit up, a message from Guan Jiu: Have you registered your relationship with Shao Sui? It’s best if you do, it’s a form of protection and also a ritual.
An arm reached out and turned off the screen without replying.
Mimi was on the floor playing with a jigsaw puzzle, a puzzle piece clutched in his hand. He glanced at the balcony. Shao Sui was by the window, talking on the phone, looking relaxed.
Relationship experts said that when your partner starts taking phone calls away from you, you should be wary, they might be seeing someone else.
Mimi coldly pressed the puzzle piece into place.
Shao Sui walked over, squatted down, and said, “That’s the wrong piece, the edges don’t match, are you forcing it?”
“We also don’t seem to match.” Mimi said, heartbroken. “You also always force yourself inside me, even when it doesn’t fit.”
“…” Shao Sui took off his shoes, sat down, and pulled Mimi onto his lap. “What nonsense are you talking about? We’re a perfect match.”
Mimi said unhappily, “Then why don’t you let me listen to your phone calls?”
He would rather go to the cold balcony than cuddle with him.
Honestly.
Shao Sui chuckled, “It was my grandparents, no one else.”
Mimi’s ears twitched, “Why? New Year’s is over, did they ask you to go home? Or ask you to break up with me? Are they offering me five million yuan?”
There were many such scenarios online, Here’s five million yuan, leave my son alone!
Or rather, grandson in Shao Sui’s case.
Although it was the 21st century, most people, especially parents, weren’t very accepting of homosexuality, and might even try to break them up.
And Mimi wasn’t just a man, but a male cat spirit.
If they didn’t accept homosexuality, how could they possibly tolerate a human-cat relationship?
Shao Sui asked, “What if they really offered you five million to leave me?”
Mimi said without hesitation, “I would take it, then kidnap you, lock you in a small dark room, spend a hundred yuan a day, five million is enough for fifty thousand days, by then we’ll both be dead.”
Shao Sui asked, “Doesn’t buying a small dark room cost money?”
Mimi thought this made sense, “Hmm…”
The little cat spirit, deep in thought, looked incredibly cute. Shao Sui couldn’t resist nibbling on his cheek, “Your skin is so good.”
“Because I just became human…” Mimi kicked his legs, struggling to sit up. “I know now, I’ll spend one million on a small house in a remote area, four million to take care of you, that’s enough for forty thousand days!”
“Then what if I want to go out and play?”
“Oh my god, locked in a small dark room and you still want to play?” Mimi said, surprised, “Kidnapped people don’t have freedom.”
Shao Sui said reluctantly, “Fine. My grandparents don’t have five million, but you can work hard and earn it, then kidnap me.”
Having experienced the harsh realities of the internet and nine years of compulsory education, Mimi was no longer optimistic.
He said sadly, “I can’t even understand geometric shapes, I definitely won’t be able to handle high school, then I won’t be able to go to university, get a master’s degree, find a good job, I’ll just end up waiting tables at a restaurant, five thousand yuan a month, five million would take…”
Mimi looked up at a 45-degree angle, calculating for a long time, then gave up, “See, I can’t even figure that out.”
Shao Sui’s laughter shook his chest, “Junior high math is already defeating you?”
Mimi said angrily, “Chinese is also awful, so many different interpretations! Physics is even worse! So many formulas! And English, I’m a Chinese cat, why do I have to learn a foreign language!?”
Making a kitten learn these things was indeed a bit much. Like the Pythagorean theorem the other day, even with the formula, Mimi couldn’t understand it, why did the sum of the squares of two sides equal the square of the third side?
Why!?
Did triangles even know what shape they were?
The only subject Mimi was interested in was history, he had a good memory and could easily remember things he was interested in.
“Even if I sold myself, I wouldn’t be able to earn five million.” The little cat spirit sighed sadly.
“Our Mimi is priceless, not something money can measure.” Shao Sui kissed Mimi’s forehead. “Waiting tables is fine, many university graduates can’t even earn five thousand yuan a month.”
“Is that so…”
Mimi felt a bit more confident, feeling he wasn’t that bad after all, “Then what did your grandparents call about?”
Shao Sui said, “To ask me to bring a partner home, otherwise, they’ll set me up on blind dates.”
Mimi responded with an “ah”: “Aren’t I your partner?”
“Yes.” Shao Sui nuzzled Mimi’s nose. “So I refused them.”
The older generation always had poor boundaries. They weren’t close to him growing up, didn’t even take care of him, and now they barely saw each other once a year, yet they were always concerned about his personal life.
Mimi asked, “Are you going to come out to your family?”
Shao Sui chuckled, “You even know the term ‘come out’?”
“I’m learning so much online.” Mimi said, “I’m not a gay cat, I just like you.”
Shao Sui’s heart skipped a beat, and he couldn’t help but kiss Mimi, “Baby is good at sweet-talking.”
Mimi mumbled, “I’m not sweet-talking…”
The Great Meow King was just stating facts, he didn’t understand why humans got so excited.
Shao Sui, reluctantly releasing Mimi, took out his allergy medication and swallowed it, then asked, “Do you want my relatives to know about you?”
Shao Sui thought carefully,
His relatives, including Shi Yingjie, didn’t even know which school he worked at, let alone his previous rental apartment, and now that he had bought his own place, they shouldn’t be able to bother Mimi.
Even if they did, Shao Sui didn’t care.
Precisely because he didn’t care, he hadn’t considered coming out before. His life, his partner, it didn’t need to be shared with irrelevant people.
But Mimi clearly wanted to, though he had some concerns, fidgeting with his fingers, “Will they hit you? Lock you up and not let you see me?”
Shao Sui said, “They don’t have that kind of power.”
Mimi was still worried, “What if they threaten to kill themselves?”
Shao Sui held the little cat spirit’s hand and coaxed, “No one can threaten me, except for our baby.”
“I’m a good cat, I don’t threaten people.” Mimi muttered. “It’s up to you, if you want to come out, then come out, I won’t force you.”
After saying this, he peeked at Shao Sui, gauging his reaction.
Shao Sui said casually, “Then I won’t come out.”
“…Okay.”
Mimi’s agreement was reluctant.
Shao Sui, suppressing a smile, pulled Mimi into his arms and kissed him thoroughly, he couldn’t let the allergy medication go to waste.
After a period of desensitization therapy, Shao Sui’s allergy had improved considerably. He might even be able to stop taking the medication soon.
Mimi, unhappy about not being acknowledged publicly, said, “Stop kissing… mmmph.”
Shao Sui said, “I’m taking you to see my father tomorrow.”
Mimi, pushing against Shao Sui’s kisses, his eyes wide, asked, “Really? Do I need to prepare anything?”
Shao Sui said, “Just bring a fruit basket.”
He actually wanted to bring nothing, just to spite Shi Yingjie, but he didn’t want others to think Mimi was ill-mannered.
The next morning, they went to the fruit store near their apartment.
During the New Year period, the fruit store had many gift baskets on display. The owner recognized Shao Sui and Mimi, they often came here to buy fruit, looking like brothers or a young couple, quite close. The younger one loved durian and found the smell of mandarin oranges repulsive, so strange.
“This one is 158 yuan, this one 288, and that one 388.”
Mimi hesitated, then said, “We’ll take the most expensive one.”
The owner showed him the QR code, “Please pay here.”
It was cold, and Mimi was bundled up in a scarf, gloves, and short fur-lined boots. Struggling with his bulky attire, Mimi clumsily took out his phone, unable to swipe the screen with his gloves on, so he handed it to Shao Sui, “You do it!”
Shao Sui chuckled softly. Mimi had insisted on paying himself before they left.
“Who’s carrying it?”
“Me.”
“Okay, I won’t help you then.”
Shao Sui took Mimi to the subway station. Driving in snowy weather wasn’t safe.
By the time they went through security and got on the subway, Mimi was sweating, his nose red from the cold. Many migrant workers had returned home for the holidays, so the subway wasn’t very crowded.
Mimi sat in a corner, the fruit basket on his lap, occasionally sliding off due to his bulky clothes.
Shao Sui stood beside him, “Wouldn’t it be better to put it on the floor?”
“It’s dirty.” It was Mimi’s first time on the subway, and he felt a little self-conscious. “Please hold it for a bit, okay?”
Shao Sui: “Didn’t you say you wanted to carry it yourself?”
The manipulative kitten said, “Because I want Daddy to know I bought it, but you can hold it for now, I’ll take it back when we get to the hospital.”
Shao Sui asked, “What if I don’t want to?”
Mimi, a cool boy, said with a straight face, holding up one finger, “I’ll give you a hundred yuan!”
Shao Sui had to remind him cruelly, “Baby, do you even have that much money?”
Mimi fell silent, “Just deduct it from my next month’s allowance.”
Shao Sui was just teasing him, but it seemed Mimi really didn’t have any money left. He did some mental calculations, he had given Mimi 6600 yuan for New Year’s, even after buying the gold lock, there should be some left.
But he didn’t ask, just took the fruit basket, “Thank you for the generous tip.”
“You’re welcome.” Mimi, unburdened, started looking around.
The subway, like a long worm, snaked through the tunnel, its belly filled with humans, and one cat.
Normally, cats weren’t allowed on the subway, but he wasn’t a normal cat.
Shao Sui said, “Just accept it if he offers you money later.”
Mimi nodded seriously, “Okay, I won’t be polite.”
The hospital was close to the subway station, just a two-minute walk. Shao Sui handed the fruit basket back to Mimi when they reached the elevators.
Shi Yingjie was a scumbag, but he had some money, hiring a private caregiver and staying in a single room.
Shao Sui walked in, “Dad.”
Shi Yingjie said perfunctorily, “Just come, no need to bring anything…”
He looked at Mimi, why did he look so much like a boy? Was it the short hair? Quite tall. Then he took out the red envelope he had prepared, a thick stack of cash, “This is Xiao Mi, right…”
“I’m not Xiao Mi.” Mimi was a little unhappy, why insult him right off the bat? [Xiao Mi (小秘) sounds like “little secretary,” which can also be a euphemism for a mistress. Mimi (觅觅) is his actual name.]
Shi Yingjie was stunned. Definitely a male voice!
He looked at Shao Sui – didn’t you say you were bringing a woman?
“I thought you were bringing your girlfriend, turns out it’s a friend.” Shi Yingjie, having already taken out the red envelope, couldn’t very well put it back, and to improve his relationship with his son, he reluctantly handed it over. “Happy New Year, a little something from your uncle, take it.”
Mimi placed the fruit basket on the bedside table, accepted the red envelope with both hands, and bowed deeply, “Daddy, I wish you a speedy recovery.”
“Mm… mm!?”
The entire room fell silent.
The caregiver, who had just entered, silently retreated, pretending she hadn’t heard anything.
Shi Yingjie asked shakily, “What did you call me?”
“He called you Dad.” Shao Sui was peeling an apple. “Let me introduce you, my boyfriend, Shao Mimi.”
Shi Yingjie’s body trembled with rage, “You, you’re dating a man!?”
Shao Sui handed the apple to Mimi. Shi Yingjie’s outstretched hand froze in mid-air, and he punched the bed angrily. “How can you do this to your mother? She was so angered by your homosexuality that she killed herself!”
Mimi said unhappily, “Your wife died before Shao Sui even met me.”
Shi Yingjie: “Shut up!”
Mimi, feeling aggrieved, looked at Shao Sui.
Shi Yingjie’s anger intensified, “What are you looking at him for? Wanting him to defend you? A young man like you, why would you—”
Shao Sui stuffed another peeled apple into Shi Yingjie’s mouth, his tone relatively calm, “You shut up too.”
“I bear a great responsibility for my mother’s suicide, not being able to detect her emotional distress, but who caused her emotional problems, don’t you know?”
Shi Yingjie froze, “We’ve been divorced for years…”
Shao Sui looked at Mimi, “Want to go for a walk in the hallway?”
Mimi hid behind Shao Sui, whispering, “I’m not going, I’m afraid he’ll hit you.”
Shao Sui chuckled, “He has a fracture, he can’t beat me.”
“…” Shi Yingjie took a deep breath. “Are you trying to kill me too with anger?”
Shao Sui got straight to the point. “I brought Mimi here today to tell you, he’s the person I’ll be spending my life with. Your blessings are welcome, but it’s not a big deal if you don’t offer them. Just stop nagging me about marriage, don’t interfere with my life.”
Shi Yingjie felt his blood pressure rising, “I’m your father!”
“Did you remember you were my father when you were enjoying yourself outside?”
“Can’t we just forget about the past? I’ve broken up with that woman! I just want to be a good father to you now, see you get married and have children, you’re my only son, my inheritance…”
Shao Sui interrupted, “Spare me the platitudes, don’t worry, I’m a law-abiding citizen, I’ll take care of you whether you have money or not, as for who I’m with, that’s none of your business.”
Shi Yingjie opened his mouth, looking at Shao Sui, then at the seemingly well-behaved Mimi, unable to utter the harsh words brewing inside him.
He knew Shao Sui’s personality, cold and unfeeling, the promise of taking care of him was already unexpected.
“Two men, how can you have children? Who will take care of you in your old age?”
Mimi interjected, “I’m nine years younger than Shao Sui, I’ll take care of him.”
Shi Yingjie almost had a heart attack, exclaiming angrily, “Nine years younger? Shao Sui, is this your student? You’ve truly gone off the deep end!”
Shao Sui watched him coldly.
Shi Yingjie continued ranting, “Aren’t you embarrassed? People will gossip about you forever! Same-sex marriage isn’t even legal, no legal protection, how can your relationship last?”
Shao Sui said, “Did all those years of marriage to you give my mother any protection?”
Shi Yingjie said righteously, “If she hadn’t asked for a divorce, wouldn’t she be living comfortably… and if she hadn’t instigated you to change your surname, I wouldn’t have left her penniless.”
Hopeless.
Shao Sui realized some people never reflected on their own actions, only now that he was older, abandoned by his mistress, did he think of mending his relationship with his only son, hoping for someone to care for him in his old age.
Shao Sui stood up and took Mimi’s hand, “I won’t see you off, contact me if anything comes up, and deal with our relatives, if they call again about marriage, I’m coming out.”
“Don’t you know your grandparents are in poor health!?”
“That’s why I’m telling you now.” Shao Sui smiled, “If you handle it well, they won’t know your son is gay.”
Shi Yingjie’s blood pressure soared, but there was nothing he could do, forced to watch them leave.
Outside the hospital, bathed in sunlight, Mimi’s skin looked rosy and tempting. He mumbled, “I should have chosen the cheapest fruit basket.”
Shao Sui chuckled, “Didn’t you get a big red envelope? We profited.”
Mimi angrily stuffed the red envelope into Shao Sui’s hand, “He doesn’t like me, I don’t want it!”
“Unhappy?” Shao Sui pinched Mimi’s hand. “Only money is universally liked, him not liking you means he’s bad, has poor taste.”
Mimi was still sad, “But experts say relationships without parental blessings can’t last.”
Shao Sui, following his train of thought, said, “Mom’s blessings are enough.”
Mimi didn’t understand, “How did she bless us?”
Shao Sui said, “She came to me in a dream during New Year’s, hoping we’ll be happy together, she’ll bless us from above.”
Mimi: “Really?”
Shao Sui: “Really, as long as you don’t change your mind, we’ll be together forever.”
“I won’t change my mind.” Mimi hesitated, then asked, “Shao Sui, will you marry me?”
This stumped Shao Sui.
He said, “I do, but same-sex marriage isn’t legal here yet, we could have a wedding ceremony…”
“Actually, your father is wrong, we can also have legal protection, we can register our marriage with the association.” Mimi stopped walking, looking up at the sun, a ring suddenly appearing in his hand, shimmering in the light. “Shao Sui, will you be with me forever?”
“…Are you proposing?” Shao Sui was speechless.
“Yes.” Mimi grabbed Shao Sui’s hand, hurriedly trying to put the ring on his finger.
Shao Sui took out a small box with his free hand and said, amused, “What a coincidence, I also bought a ring.”
