Ji Yunzhang spoke with such gravity that Jing Li couldn’t help but freeze for a moment. He wanted to ask why, but on second thought, he figured he understood and saw no need to voice it.
To everyone else, they had already gotten their marriage certificate and were deeply in love. Elder Yu was an elder he respected like family, so of course it made sense to put on a good show in front of family and win their approval.
But the fact that Ji Yunzhang was so nervous he’d lost sleep over it? That was kind of adorable.
Jing Li grabbed a throw pillow, propped his elbow on it, and rested his chin in his palm, beaming. “If that’s what you’re worried about, you’re overthinking it. Teacher’s definitely going to like you.”
Seeing the puzzled look on Ji Yunzhang’s face, Jing Li tilted his head in that endearing way of his. “Love me, love my dog. Teacher dotes on me.”
He looked just like a smug little kid showing off.
Ji Yunzhang chuckled and ruffled his soft hair. “And what about you? Why aren’t you asleep?”
“Can’t sleep either?”
Jing Li nodded honestly, shifting into a new position. He planted his feet on the sofa, rested his hands flat on his knees, and pillowed his cheek on his arms. “Probably the weather change. Going from freezing cold to hot all of a sudden—I haven’t adjusted yet.”
J Province’s Snow Mountain was still twenty degrees below zero, but M City was sweltering. Today had been especially brutal, peaking at twenty-seven degrees during the day and still hovering around twenty at night.
Ji Yunzhang asked, “Want to watch a movie?”
Jing Li’s eyes lit up. “Yeah!”
Ji Yunzhang loved Jing Li’s eyes. They were the truest reflection of a person’s character—pure and clear, always crinkling with a smile when they looked at someone. They sparkled with joy or curiosity and rarely clouded over.
Gazing into eyes like that put anyone at ease.
Ji Yunzhang smiled faintly, picked up the remote, and turned on the TV. His voice grew even gentler in the hush of the night. “Which one?”
“Fair Wind and Sunny Days.”
It was an old movie about a gentle story. After losing his parents and grandmother, the protagonist leaves his hometown for the city, encountering all sorts of people who help him along the way.
They were fathers and mothers, children, brothers and sisters—ordinary folks of every stripe.
The story matched its title perfectly. By the end, viewers felt like the weather was fair, the skies clear and bright.
Jing Li said, “I really like this movie.”
Ji Yunzhang told him, “Me too.”
The film was best watched in dim light, so Jing Li switched off the living room’s main lamp and turned on the wall sconces. Then he dashed into the bedroom, dragged out the quilt, and wrapped himself in it before sharing half with Ji Yunzhang.
Ji Yunzhang had never tried watching a movie bundled in a quilt like this. He eyed Jing Li, who grinned and flapped the quilt invitingly. “It’s super comfy.”
Ji Yunzhang scooted closer.
The quilt was plenty big for one, but a little snug for two.
Their shoulders pressed together, leaning into each other.
Neither spoke. Ji Yunzhang and Jing Li watched in silence, but maybe it was the movie’s cozy warmth that relaxed them completely, or maybe it was the simple comfort of being so close—either way, the two insomniacs both drifted off to sleep.
Ji Yunzhang woke first because of his awkward position. The movie had reached its end, cutting to a lingering shot of blue skies and fluffy clouds, the screen bright and serene.
He was the first to stir. Jing Li was still out, head on his shoulder, sleeping soundly and peacefully.
Turning his head, Ji Yunzhang borrowed the glow from that empty sky shot to gaze down at Jing Li, tenderness spilling from his eyes into the night.
…
Jing Li woke the next morning.
He hadn’t drawn the bedroom curtains, so sunlight streamed in through the window. A few cheeky rays crept up the foot of the bed and kissed the patch of ankle peeking out from under the quilt.
He blinked, sitting up. When had he fallen asleep? And how had he ended up back in bed?
He grabbed his phone from the nightstand and checked the time—nearly half past nine. Hurrying out of bed, he freshened up, dug a spring outfit from his suitcase, changed into it, and stepped out of the room.
“You’re up.” Ji Yunzhang turned from the sofa at the sound of his footsteps.
Jing Li nodded, then noticed the book from last night still in his hands. The page hadn’t advanced much from where they’d left off—he must have just picked it up again.
Even so, Jing Li asked, “Did you get any sleep last night?”
“Yeah.” Ji Yunzhang set the book aside and stood. “I’ve only been up a little while myself.”
He poured Jing Li a glass of warm water and waited for him to finish it before saying, “I ordered breakfast. We’ll head out after we eat.”
“Sure.”
After breakfast, they set off. Strolling the streets of M City, the place where he’d grown up, Jing Li suddenly found it unfamiliar. Just four years away, and it seemed to have changed completely.
“There used to be this amazing barbecue joint here—great flavors, cheap prices. Teacher took me once.” Jing Li pointed at a shiny new high-rise on the left and told Ji Yunzhang.
“That spot was a Xinhua Bookstore before.”
“And over there—a movie theater.”
“Breakfast shop.”
“Milk tea shop.”
They reached the end of the street, and Jing Li turned back, gazing at the road behind them. He sighed wistfully. “This street holds so many of my memories.”
“Would you care to share them with me?” Ji Yunzhang asked.
Jing Li pulled his eyes away and looked at him. “Sure.”
“That neighborhood up ahead is Teacher’s house.” Jing Li pointed across the street to the residential complex and began slowly. “Teacher often brought me to this street. He said my piano playing lacked emotion and didn’t sound like a child’s at all. He told me to first understand life, experience it, and learn to enjoy it.”
“Teacher was always so good to me. When I was little, those were the only two places I could escape to from home—one was school, and the other was Teacher’s house.”
“At his place, I could act like any normal kid. I could throw tantrums, eat snacks, play games. He’d take me to the movies, out for walks, or to the park to chat and play chess with people.”
“I didn’t have to worry about rankings or how to come in first. It felt so free.”
Jing Li spoke of Elder Yu with a warm, affectionate tone, the way one might talk about family. Ji Yunzhang watched him quietly and gave his hand a gentle squeeze, careful not to interrupt.
“After the college entrance exam, I left home with nowhere else to go, so I stayed at Teacher’s house for two months until A University opened for the semester.”
“Teacher knew about my orientation. Unlike my parents, he didn’t think I was sick or that it was shameful. He told me there was nothing wrong with liking someone of the same sex—it was just like liking the opposite sex. It was simply a feeling, and feelings aren’t right or wrong.”
“He’s always worried about me, always fussed over me. When he found out I’d gotten married to you, he wanted to meet you.” That was the reason Jing Li had brought Ji Yunzhang to see Elder Yu. “I want Teacher to rest easy and know that I’m doing well—really well, in every way.”
The day after getting their marriage certificate, once Jing Li had gotten his phone back, he’d called Elder Yu and introduced Ji Yunzhang over the phone.
They crossed the street and reached the neighborhood entrance. The security guard recognized Jing Li right away and greeted him warmly. “You’re back!”
The guard glanced at Ji Yunzhang. He wasn’t the type to chase celebrities—didn’t have the time, and he rarely watched movies, sticking mostly to TV dramas.
Ji Yunzhang looked familiar, tall and strikingly handsome, but the guard couldn’t quite place him. He just figured he was Jing Li’s friend.
“Brought a friend to visit?” he asked.
“Yeah.” Jing Li’s eyes crinkled in a smile. “I brought him to see Teacher.”
“Great, great. Elder Yu’s been missing you.” The guard opened the gate for them, logged their information as required, and waved them through.
“Thanks, Uncle Zhang.”
The guard waved him off. “Go on ahead.”
The neighborhood was spacious, with high-rise apartments and villas scattered throughout. Jing Li led Ji Yunzhang along for about ten minutes before they arrived at Elder Yu’s villa.
He rang the doorbell.
The electric wrought-iron gate swung open moments later, and a lively young woman dashed out. She wore a floral maxi dress topped with a denim jacket, looking fresh and casual.
“Jing Li!” She stopped in front of him, beaming with delight. “What a surprise! Grandpa’s going to be thrilled to see you.”
A second later, her gaze landed on Ji Yunzhang. Her eyes went wide, and she jumped in place. “Ji, Ji…”
“Teacher Ji,” Jing Li supplied, adding with a grin, “Your idol.”
“Yeah!” She took a deep breath, steadying her excitement.
Jing Li smiled faintly as he introduced her to Ji Yunzhang. “She’s Teacher’s granddaughter, Xie Ying—the Ying from ‘crystal.’ We’re the same age. She’s working on her master’s.”
“I’m three months older than you!” Xie Ying said with a playful grin. “Call me Sis.”
“You always pull this.” Jing Li sighed in mock exasperation. “Sis.”
Xie Ying practically glowed with satisfaction and patted his shoulder. “Good boy.”
She stepped aside to make room. “Come on in.” She glanced at Ji Yunzhang again, and he smiled back at her, offering the gift in his hand. “A little meeting gift. I hope you like it.”
Jing Li had given Ji Yunzhang a quick rundown of Elder Yu’s family beforehand. His wife had passed away ten years ago, and his only daughter had divorced her husband. But the father and daughter were close, and they lived together with her daughter—Elder Yu’s granddaughter.
Ji Yunzhang had prepared three gifts accordingly: a Planet bracelet from A House for Xie Ying; a necklace from a different collection for her mother; and for Elder Yu himself, an Ink Landscape Painting.
Xie Ying opened the box and lit up at the sight of the bracelet. She slipped it on right away and turned to Ji Yunzhang. “Thank you!”
“You’re welcome.”
They chatted as they walked, crossing the neatly tended courtyard and entering the house. Elder Yu was just coming down the stairs from the second floor.
Elder Yu was seventy-five this year, but his body was still robust and full of vigor. The moment he saw Jing Li, he broke into a warm smile and beckoned to him affectionately. “Come here, let me have a good look at you.”
Jing Li walked right up to him and said obediently, “Teacher, I’m back.”
“Are you staying a few days? I’ll have A Wen tidy up the room you used to use.” A Wen was the family’s live-in housekeeper, who had been with the Yu household for nearly twenty years.
“No need. We’re heading out tomorrow—we’ve got a show to record the day after that.”
Elder Yu didn’t try to keep them longer. He gave Jing Li another careful once-over and smiled. “You’ve shot up taller, and you’re even more handsome now.” Then he shifted gears. “But you’re way too skinny.”
“Eat more,” he admonished. “Being that thin isn’t healthy.”
Jing Li nodded. “I know.”
“Oh, right, Teacher.” He glanced back and called out to Ji Yunzhang. Once Ji Yunzhang was at his side, he announced brightly to Elder Yu, “This is my partner, Ji Yunzhang.”
Ji Yunzhang comported himself with the easy respect one shows family, all his usual edge tucked away as he stood there simply as a junior. “Elder Yu, hello.”
Elder Yu eyed him appraisingly and praised with a smile, “Handsome and capable—a real standout.”
Jing Li lifted his chin with pride. “Has to be. My standards are sky-high.”
Elder Yu chuckled. “Yes, yes—you’ve got the best eye around.”
“Everyone, sit down.” He directed A Wen to brew some of their finest tea.
Jing Li called out to her as Aunt Wen. She gave him a gentle smile, nodded cordially to Ji Yunzhang, set down the fruit platter and snacks, and headed off to prepare the tea.
Xie Ying rested her chin in her hand, her eyes glued to Jing Li and Ji Yunzhang. The more she watched, the more convinced she was that their bond was rock-solid.
Her two favorite people were together!
It was perfect!
The four of them settled into the living room for a chat. Jing Li hadn’t returned to M City in years, and Elder Yu knew the reasons why—he was nothing but understanding.
He inquired about Jing Li’s work and learned he’d cut ties with Kerry and signed on with Ji Yunzhang’s Studio. Ji Yunzhang laid out his detailed plans for Jing Li’s future, and Elder Yu nodded in approval.
Elder Yu certainly had connections, but they lay in a different realm. Ever since his wife’s passing, he’d lived quietly and reclusively, far outshone these days by his own disciples.
He’d tasked them with looking out for Jing Li, and they’d made introductions on his behalf. But as a rookie, with Kerry keeping him on the sidelines and barely nurturing him, directors had given him face mostly in the form of bit parts or pretty-face vase roles—barely any screen time.
Elder Yu had worried endlessly that Jing Li’s brilliance would gather dust, his potential squandered for too long. But now, hearing Ji Yunzhang’s vision, he could finally breathe easy.
Jing Li’s future was looking bright.
They stayed at the Yu house until evening, shared a dinner, and then Jing Li and Ji Yunzhang took their leave.
Before they went, Elder Yu asked Jing Li to play a piece on the piano. As the notes filled the air—brimming with pure joy, unburdened freedom, and carefree spirit—Elder Yu smiled with deep contentment.
These past years, Jing Li had truly thrived. He was savoring life to the fullest.
Seeing them to the entryway, Elder Yu took Jing Li’s hand and placed it in Ji Yunzhang’s. “Be happy. Stay joyful. Live well together—understand each other, support each other.”
He paused, then turned to Ji Yunzhang. “I’m entrusting Jing Li to you.”
Ji Yunzhang clasped Jing Li’s hand without missing a beat, his voice grave with promise. “I’ll make sure he’s happy and fulfilled.”
