Chapter 72
Old Ning clutched his chest and took a deep breath. Nothing was more shocking than seeing his son kissing a strange man on the street.
Ning Zhixia and Audrow, their heads lowered, stood hand in hand under the streetlight like high school students caught dating.
“Dad… he’s not some random delinquent…” Ning Zhixia nudged Audrow out of the direct light and said loudly, “This is my boyfriend, his name is Audrow!”
Old Ning glared: “Audrow, Oreo, I don’t care!”
He rubbed his eyes, unable to see the man’s face clearly, and grumbled, “I introduced you to so many eligible bachelors, all successful and well-educated, and you’re messing around with some shady… silver-haired stranger!”
“Mr. Ning…”
The driver’s hesitant voice came from behind him.
Old Ning pounded his chest and waved at the driver impatiently, “Don’t try to stop me, I know what I’m doing, no need to plead for him!”
“But sir…” The driver held up his phone. “There’s a three-minute parking limit here… we just received a message…”
“…Ah!”
Old Ning’s face paled, he straightened his tie, scrambled back into the car, and urged, “Let’s go, let’s go!”
The black car sped away—
“Stay home tomorrow, I’ll deal with you after I’m done with work!”
The car window rolled down, his voice echoing, and the car disappeared.
“O-okay…”
Ning Zhixia watched the car’s retreating figure, waving his hand blankly, “Bye, Dad…”
“Oh dear, oh dear…”
Back at the shop, Qu Banqing, hearing about the incident, perked up, feeling vindicated, and sprawled on the sofa, his feet up. “Just wait until your parents arrive, we’ll see what happens then!”
“My parents? My mom is coming too?” Ning Zhixia asked, stunned.
Audrow, his chin resting on his hand, took Ning Zhixia’s hand and played with the ring on his finger.
“Of course.”
Qu Banqing showed him the call log on his phone, his head held even higher, glancing at Audrow from the corner of his eye, “Even ugly daughters-in-law have to meet their in-laws.”
The finger toying with the ring paused, and Audrow looked up, his cold gaze meeting Qu Banqing’s smug look.
Qu Banqing shrank back: “I’m just reminding you to prepare yourself…”
“What’s there to prepare for?” Ning Zhixia said dismissively, snuggling closer to Audrow and reassuring him, “Don’t worry, Xiao Ao, they’re not like those in-laws in dramas.”
The key word triggered something in Audrow’s mind, and he stared at Ning Zhixia, his light-colored eyes unreadable.
After a moment of silence, he nodded thoughtfully, “Qu Banqing is right, we should prepare.”
Ning Zhixia paused: “What?”
Audrow snapped his fingers, and a doorway appeared.
“I’m going out for a while, you can go to sleep if you’re tired.”
He kissed Ning Zhixia’s forehead, grabbed his coat, and before Ning Zhixia could react, he had disappeared through the doorway.
Qu Banqing asked, “Where is he going?”
“I don’t know…” Ning Zhixia muttered, hoping he wouldn’t bring back a giant clam as a meeting gift for his parents.
No one expected him to be gone for most of the night. Ning Zhixia, feeling an arm around him in bed, opened his eyes blearily and saw that it was past three in the morning.
He was turned over, and he saw Audrow’s silver-gray head nestled against his chest. He moved his hand, gently stroked the soft hair, and fell back asleep.
The next day, the house was being thoroughly cleaned, even the kittens were groomed and placed neatly on the cat tree, ready for inspection.
“It’s almost noon, why aren’t they here yet?” Ning Zhixia, having hidden his inappropriate manga and replaced them with classic literature, checked the time on his phone.
Audrow pointed at the window: “They’re here.”
Ning Zhixia looked over and saw a familiar black car parked across the street.
“Let’s go, Lao Ning.”
Mrs. Lu, elegant and composed, rubbed her temples and said impatiently, “You won’t look like a CEO from a drama no matter how long you wait here, you’ll only get a parking ticket.”
“No rush, no rush… how can you intimidate them without putting on airs?” Old Ning, his arms crossed, leaned back in his seat, his eyes closed.
Mrs. Lu thought for a moment and nodded: “You have a point.”
“But sir…”
The driver couldn’t help but say, “Young Master seems to be waiting eagerly.”
“Hmm?”
They both looked out the window and saw Ning Zhixia waving enthusiastically at the doorway.
Mrs. Lu’s eyes welled up: “Wuwuwu, my son is so welcoming!”
“Hmph, at least he has some conscience.” Old Ning’s expression softened, and he was about to respond when Ning Zhixia yelled even louder—
“Dad, move your car! The traffic police are coming!”
They were startled, hurriedly got out of the car, grabbed the free-range chickens and ducks from the trunk, and hurried across the street, like they had just returned from a market.
Qu Banqing was the most delighted to see the parents arrive.
He pushed Ning Zhixia and Audrow aside and rushed forward enthusiastically, “Uncle, Auntie, you’re finally here, I’ve missed you so much!”
“Xiao Qu, come here.” Mrs. Lu pulled him closer, looked him up and down, then whispered, glancing at the man standing beside her son, “Is that Ning Ning’s boyfriend? He looks a bit cold.”
“Exactly!” Qu Banqing clung to her shoulder and whispered like a scheming advisor, “Look at his arrogant demeanor, you have to teach him a lesson!”
Audrow, no longer hiding his appearance, stood before them, ignoring the slander.
His hair was neatly tied back, the light-colored cardigan making him look gentle and approachable. He bowed slightly and said apologetically, “Hello, I’m Audrow, I apologize for not arranging this meeting sooner.”
Qu Banqing stared at him, incredulous, suspecting the fish had been replaced.
Mrs. Lu’s eyes flickered, suddenly understanding why her son had fallen for him, anyone would be mesmerized by that face: “It’s understandable for young people.”
Audrow shook his head: “No, I apologize for making you and Uncle Ning worry.”
“Not at all, it’s almost New Year’s, it’s time for a family reunion.”
Mrs. Lu’s smile widened, and she walked towards Audrow, “Xiao Ao, you’re mixed-race, right?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, tell me how you and Zhixia met.”
Mrs. Lu tossed the chicken to Old Ning, pulled Audrow towards the living room, and gave Ning Zhixia and Qu Banqing a look, telling them to follow.
Ning Zhixia paused: “What about these…”
“Silly child,” Mrs. Lu smiled kindly, “Doesn’t your father have two hands?”
“Oh.” Ning Zhixia put down the things and followed Qu Banqing.
Old Ning snorted, took the chickens and ducks to the kitchen, dusted himself off, and returned to the living room.
Audrow poured him a cup of tea.
Old Ning didn’t drink it, his gaze scrutinizing as he started his interrogation: “I heard you’re living here, is it because you haven’t bought a place in China yet?”
“I have assets, I just want to see Zhixia every day.” Audrow went to the storage room and returned with a box, placing a stack of property deeds and financial documents on the table like he was dealing cards.
Qu Banqing was stunned. Ning Zhixia knew Audrow always came prepared and nudged his father playfully, “Daddy, he’s not some poor nobody!”
Old Ning, exasperated, swatted his arm.
They chatted for a while, mostly the parents asking questions and Audrow answering, his answers seemingly well-prepared, leaving no room for criticism.
From a good family, working for a foreign company, physically fit, and he could even bake cookies!
Mrs. Lu was smitten, and Old Ning was increasingly annoyed.
Glancing at his beaming ex-wife, Old Ning thought that temporary alliances were unreliable and cleared his throat, asking about Audrow’s parents, “What do your parents do? Have you told them about Zhixia?”
“Ah, about that…”
Ning Zhixia fidgeted, and Qu Banqing also fell silent. Audrow lowered his gaze, thinking that digging up bones wasn’t appropriate, and he wasn’t sure if bringing the golden orb would work.
Silence filled the room.
Mrs. Lu, looking at their expressions, suddenly realized something and elbowed her ex-husband repeatedly.
Old Ning winced, then, seeing her meaningful look, suddenly understood, and excused himself to the bathroom.
As the sound of flushing water echoed, he slapped himself.
Ah, I’m such an idiot!
After returning from the bathroom, Old Ning’s attitude softened considerably. During dinner, after a few drinks, he started talking about marriage with Audrow.
“Xiao Ao, you’re still in the honeymoon phase, everything seems perfect, but love is easy, staying together is difficult, you have to be tolerant and understanding…”
Ning Zhixia knew his father became sentimental and talkative when he drank, and afraid Audrow wouldn’t be used to it, was about to interrupt.
Audrow’s eyelashes trembled slightly, and he replied patiently, again and again, “I know, I’ll love Ning Zhixia well.”
Ning Zhixia blushed and focused on his food.
Mrs. Lu, seeing through everything, chuckled softly.
After dinner, they stayed for a while, then prepared to leave. Ning Zhixia planned to stay in Yucheng for the New Year, and they didn’t object, only hugging him before leaving.
Mrs. Lu said softly, “Although Dad and I aren’t together anymore, we both love you very much.”
Old Ning wiped his eyes, “If you need money, just ask, don’t overwork yourself!”
“Okay, I know!” Ning Zhixia smiled brightly, and as he saw them off, a cold snowflake landed on his nose, and he looked up at the falling snow.
“What are you looking at?” Audrow came over and put a knit hat on his head.
“Time flies, it’s snowing already.” Ning Zhixia paused, then turned and smiled, “This is our first year together!”
Audrow nuzzled his head: “And many more to come.”
Ning Zhixia chuckled and, without replying, kicked the snow on the steps with his foot.
He used to spend New Year’s with his parents separately, each with their new families, never feeling the same sense of belonging as when he was young.
This year was different. Ning Zhixia planned to have a hot pot feast at home, inviting his friends from other planes.
But before that, he planned to take them to Biluo Mountain to offer incense, since it wasn’t peak season yet.
The old Taoist priest, seeing him, quickly covered the fortune stick container. Ning Zhixia chuckled, not planning to draw one this time.
The old priest, seemingly forgetful, asked again, “Staying in Yucheng?”
Ning Zhixia nodded: “Yes.”
“That’s good.” The old priest nodded, handed the container to another visitor, and didn’t say anything else.
Ning Zhixia didn’t ask further and went to the Hall of the God of Fortune, praying devoutly.
Qu Banqing went to the market to buy New Year’s goods. Ning Zhixia, finding the crowd too bothersome, took Audrow to a quiet spot under a tree to eat rice cakes.
“Like cat litter.” Audrow picked one up with a toothpick, his brow slightly furrowed.
Ning Zhixia nudged him with his head as he chewed, “Stop it, give it to me if you don’t want it.”
“On second thought…” Audrow popped it into his mouth.
Red ribbons and wooden plaques hung from a banyan tree in the distance, swaying and clattering in the wind, the crisp sounds interspersed with moans and gasps.
Ning Zhixia paused his chewing, thinking he had misheard, then listened carefully and, his face burning, abruptly stood up, staring at the shaking bushes in the distance.
The leaves rustled, and he, his face flushed, grabbed Audrow’s hand and quickly left.
After they stopped, Audrow gently patted his back and asked, “Why are you blushing?”
“Didn’t you hear it?” Ning Zhixia, catching his breath, whispered, “Someone was doing that.”
Audrow raised an eyebrow: “That? I don’t understand.”
Pretending?
Ning Zhixia put on a serious face and snorted, “Don’t tell me you want a demonstration?”
“No need, I’m smart.”
Audrow pinched his face, leaned closer, and whispered, “Just a kiss, Teacher Ning.”
Finally, Ning Zhixia, his lips red and slightly swollen, met up with Qu Banqing, who sighed, unfazed, and started loading the car trunk.
They drove down the mountain, their car filled with local specialties, before the traffic picked up.
A few days later, perhaps due to the cold weather, Ning Zhixia suddenly fell seriously ill, burning with fever, unresponsive to medicine or injections.
Qu Banqing panicked, and Maureen wanted to brew a potion for him.
However, Audrow shook his head: “His time is up.”
“What?” Qu Banqing, remembering the short-life prophecy, felt his heart clench. “Then what, are we just going to watch him die?”
“Fate cannot be changed.”
Audrow was unusually calm. He looked down at the unconscious young man, picked him up, and turned to leave.
“Where are you taking him?” Qu Banqing, knowing that mermen were prone to extreme acts of love, rushed to stop him.
Audrow glanced at him like he was an idiot, stepped through a doorway, and disappeared.
Ning Zhixia felt like he was lying in a small, rocking boat, countless images flashing before his eyes, stopping at a summer day when his grandfather had taken him to the Taoist temple, his expression somber as they returned.
“Zhixia, remember to come back.”
“Okay!”
The boy, munching on watermelon, had readily agreed, and his grandfather, patting his head, had sighed, his emotions unclear.
The blurry image faded, and an ethereal melody echoed with the waves. Ning Zhixia sat up in the boat, a thick fog lifting from the dark sea.
Seabirds chirped, pink dolphins surfaced, and a whale created a gentle wave, pushing the boat forward.
The moonlight revealed a handsome face, and the merman waiting on the reef softly sang a haunting melody.
The waves lapped against the boat, a gentle rhythm, carrying Ning Zhixia towards him…
“Gasp—”
Ning Zhixia opened his eyes, the familiar furnishings of his room coming into view.
“Awake?”
The person sitting by his bed, his eyes filled with tenderness, helped him up and leaned him against his shoulder, gently stroking his back.
“Am I dead?” Ning Zhixia, still slightly delirious from the fever, had heard his and Qu Banqing’s conversation and was afraid Audrow had burned the house down with him in it.
Audrow seemed to know what he was thinking and blinked: “You died, and then you lived again.”
Ning Zhixia paused: “Huh?”
“Ning Zhixia, the human, would have died according to fate.”
Audrow paused, then continued, “And then, as the owner of 19, you joined the Dimensional Management Bureau.”
Could that even happen?!
Ning Zhixia’s eyes widened in disbelief, then he grinned, “So I can open shops in many planes now?”
“Indeed.” Audrow nodded. Number 19 wouldn’t necessarily be connected to the human world anymore, it would change according to Ning Zhixia’s will.
Ning Zhixia chuckled, surprised by this unexpected turn of events.
“But your grandfather clearly didn’t want you to be involved with us.”
Audrow leaned closer and asked softly, “Will you regret being bound to non-human beings forever, unable to escape?”
“Regret what?” Ning Zhixia kissed his cheek and smiled at his slightly stunned lover, “Didn’t I say, my life will be exciting!”
Audrow chuckled softly and intertwined their fingers.
Mermen hated separations, even brief ones were torture, and Audrow was incredibly grateful to the Lord God for making this possible, for allowing Ning Zhixia to become a permanent mark on his soul.
The clock on the wall struck 7:28 pm, and the downstairs gradually became lively.
The fox cubs chased Fu Fu, dodging the centaurs’ legs and almost knocking over a flower sprite. Cui Ying gave his nail clippings to Maureen and received a bag of gold coins. Popokula, using all eight tentacles to pet the cats, had turned into a soft jelly, becoming Su Qiushui and Yin Fuliu’s personal cushion.
Qu Banqing, carrying a hot pot, came out of the kitchen and almost stumbled when Fatty Orange bumped into him, but a few vines reached out and steadied him.
“Thank you…” He thanked Lu Huai, who nodded politely and continued typing on his laptop.
The bedroom door opened and closed, and everyone stopped what they were doing, looking towards the stairs.
The owner of the house, his hair messy, stood beside his lover, grinning shyly.
Qu Banqing knew that for many years to come, these two would be a constant presence in their lives.
Ah, so annoying.
Qu Banqing pouted and called out, “Walking the red carpet? So slow! Hurry up and come down for dinner!”
Bathed in the warm light, Ning Zhixia’s smiling eyes were brighter than the stars, and he pulled Audrow towards his friends—
“Coming!”
-End of Main Story-
