Chapter 48
Jing Ciying froze, equally stunned. Pei Songji recovered first, releasing him and calmly picking up the fallen bag, offering to carry her other bags, but she flinched, avoiding his touch.
Jing Ciying rushed forward, giving Pei Songji a pointed look, silently urging him to leave, and took the bags from his aunt.
“Aunt, what are you doing here?” he asked, still glancing at Pei Songji.
But Pei Songji didn’t leave, following them inside.
Jing Ciying’s mind screamed, This is a disaster!
And it was about to get worse. His aunt immediately noticed the changes in his apartment.
Two pairs of men’s shoes by the door, two sets of chopsticks on the dining table, a new wardrobe in the living room, its door slightly ajar, revealing expensive clothes that clearly weren’t his. She glanced at Pei Songji, then closed her eyes, as if trying to erase the image from her mind.
She usually bustled around the apartment, but today, she simply sat down on the sofa, as if needing a moment to process everything.
After a long silence, she opened her eyes and looked at them.
He hadn’t told her about his relationship with Pei Songji, hadn’t expected her to see this… this… domestic scene. He couldn’t imagine how shocking it must be for her.
“Aunt…” he started to explain, but he didn’t know what to say. Admitting the truth would probably be too much for her, but denying it would be pointless. Their earlier embrace had been… unambiguous.
Normal friends didn’t hug like that.
Before he could come up with an excuse, his aunt interrupted him. “Is this why you haven’t been home? Why you wouldn’t let me visit?”
Her words triggered a memory.
He had hidden his illness from her, not wanting her to worry.
He hadn’t even gone home for her birthday, just sent a gift.
She had suspected something, wanting to visit, but he had always refused, claiming he was too busy with work.
She must have become suspicious and decided to come unannounced, walking in on… that.
He was speechless, caught red-handed.
He quickly weighed the relative shock value of revealing his illness versus revealing his relationship. He chose the latter.
“Yes, Aunt,” he admitted. “I’m… in a relationship.”
Although she had suspected as much, hearing him confirm it was still a blow. She pressed her hand to her forehead, as if feeling dizzy, then took a deep breath.
“Don’t people usually find girlfriends? Why… why a boyfriend?”
“There’s no rule that says I have to find a girlfriend, right?” he said, trying to lighten the mood.
But she ignored him, turning to Pei Songji. “You’re the man who came to ask me for my congee recipe. I thought you were such a good friend, going to all that trouble. Turns out you’re… this kind of friend.”
“Aunt,” Jing Ciying said, seeing her anger directed at Pei Songji, wanting to intervene.
But she was furious. “Am I talking to you? Why are you defending him?”
It was the first time she had ever raised her voice at him. She had always been kind and loving. She instantly regretted her harsh words, but she knew she couldn’t back down now. She took a deep breath, composing herself, then turned to Pei Songji.
“Since you two are… involved, you must know about his family situation. He’s all alone now. Why are you doing this to him? Why can’t you let him live a normal life?”
Pei Songji, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. “I understand you’re upset, and I know what you want for Xiaoying, but ‘normal’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘happy.’ I’m sure you want him to be happy, not just… ordinary.”
“Happy? Can you make him happy? You’re a man! You can’t even have children! What happens when the love fades? What will he do then? Can you promise you’ll love him forever?”
“I can,” Pei Songji said, his gaze unwavering.
As if fearing she didn’t believe him, he repeated himself, “I can.”
“You can? Just because you say so? Empty words!”
“Aunt,” Jing Ciying interrupted, fearing the situation would escalate. “He has to go to work. He’ll be late. Can we talk about this later, when he gets back?”
He tried to usher Pei Songji out, but Pei Songji hesitated, looking at him with concern.
Jing Ciying mouthed the words, “Don’t worry,” and gently pushed him towards the door.
Pei Songji understood. He couldn’t stay, but he didn’t want to leave Jing Ciying alone with his angry aunt. “Are you sure you’ll be alright?”
Jing Ciying smiled. “It’s my aunt. She’s not going to eat me alive.”
Pei Songji still looked worried.
“She’s just… surprised. I’ll talk to her. Don’t worry.”
“But…”
“No buts. You’ve convinced your family; now it’s my turn to convince mine. I can handle this.”
“Okay,” Pei Songji said, a sad smile touching his lips. “If you need help, just call me. We’ll figure it out together.”
“Don’t worry.” He waited until Pei Songji had left the building before closing the door.
His aunt was still sitting on the sofa, her chest heaving, her anger palpable.
He poured her a glass of water and sat beside her, gently rubbing her back.
He knew how to appease her. He softened his voice. “Aunt, please don’t be angry. It’s my fault. I should have told you sooner.”
She was about to take a sip of water, then put the glass down forcefully. “It’s not about telling me sooner! It’s about…” she trailed off, turning away, unable to articulate her feelings.
He knew this would take time, so he remained silent, giving her space to process her emotions.
She finally spoke, her voice low, filled with a deep, almost unbearable, sadness.
“Why?” she whispered, her gaze fixed on the window, as if asking the world, or perhaps herself.
Jing Ciying wasn’t sure what she was asking.
Why had her brother and sister-in-law died so young? Why had her niece suffered such a cruel fate, lying motionless in a hospital bed for years, only to die so young? Why had her nephew chosen such a… unconventional path?
He understood her pain, her confusion, but he couldn’t agree with her unspoken judgment of his relationship.
He loved Pei Songji. It wasn’t a tragedy; it was a blessing.
“It’s not like that, Aunt,” he said softly. “I’m with him because I love him. I’m happy with him. Truly.”
“Love?” She wiped her eyes, turning to face him, her voice filled with disbelief. “How can a man love another man? Is he forcing you?”
He knew it was difficult for her to comprehend, but he shook his head firmly. “No one is forcing me.”
“You… you…”
She was speechless, then she waved her hand dismissively. “I’ll just… unpack these things.”
She took the grocery bags to the refrigerator and opened it, surprised to find it full, neatly organized, unlike its usual empty state.
It finally looked like a home.
Normally, she would have been pleased, but seeing the evidence of another person’s presence in Jing Ciying’s life, she felt a strange mix of emotions, unable to feel any joy.
Jing Ciying took the bags from her. “I’ll do it.”
“Okay.” She handed him the bags and went to Jing Cijun’s room.
He sighed, watching her go, understanding her need to grieve, to process her emotions. He couldn’t follow her; he had to be strong. He started unpacking the groceries.
A knock came at the door. It was the housekeeper.
He couldn’t let her in with his aunt here, so he apologized and sent her away.
He washed the breakfast dishes, then prepared a simple lunch of noodles.
He took a bowl to his sister’s room, finding his aunt sitting on the bed, looking at old photos of him and Jing Cijun, tears silently streaming down her face.
She quickly wiped her eyes, standing up as he entered. “I lost track of time. You’ve already made lunch. I should have done that. I wanted to make you something you liked.”
“You can cook dinner. Let’s eat this for now.”
“Okay.” She took the bowl of noodles and sat at Jing Cijun’s desk.
He looked at the photos on the bed. “Aunt, are you telling my sister about me?”
“Of course not!” she said quickly. “I just… I miss her. I wanted to talk to her. This photo… it reminds me of when you were children. You were so cute.”
“You mean I’m not cute anymore?” he teased, sitting beside her.
She didn’t smile. “No, you’re not.”
He hugged her, his voice playful. “You don’t love me anymore just because I like men?”
She put down her chopsticks and hugged him back. “Of course I love you! You and your sister… you’re both like Ruoruo to me. I just… I worry about you, Xiaoying. This path… it’s not easy.”
“I know,” he said, resting his head against her shoulder.
“You know, but you’re still doing this? Are you stupid?”
“Perhaps,” he admitted.
She sighed, then asked, “How long have you two been together?”
“Not long. Less than two months.”
Her eyes lit up, as if grasping at a lifeline. “Not long? Then your feelings can’t be that deep, right?”
He felt a sudden dread. “Aunt, what are you saying?”
“If it’s not serious, then breaking up won’t be that painful. You’ll forget about him soon. A few months… it’s nothing.”
“Aunt…” he tried to interrupt her.
But she didn’t give him a chance. “Xiaoying, break up with him.”
