Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 98

The mother came knocking at the door, and Gu Jie felt that the likelihood of a misunderstanding was slim, especially given how certain she seemed. Sometimes, when one side is assertive, the other can easily become flustered and unsure…

But this wasn’t some small, trivial matter to be blamed for inadvertently; this was a huge accusation!

“Auntie,” Gu Jie began with difficulty. “Please think carefully again. Did Lu Yiyao really say it was me? Did he tell you himself that he was involved with me?”

Fan Li, seasoned by years in the business world, prided herself on being able to discern truth from lies. The bewilderment on the young man’s face in front of her didn’t seem feigned. Moreover, if he truly were in a relationship with Lu Yiyao, he should have shown some heartache at the suggestion of breaking up or persuading Lu Yiyao. Even if he could mask it on his face, what about his eyes? Unless he had no real feelings for Lu Yiyao, it was impossible not to show any sign.

But all she saw in him was “shock”, and this shock didn’t contain any hint of guilt or worry over a secret being discovered but rather complete perplexity. Besides that, the only thing he had shown was reassurance and consolation to her, a grieving mother, including holding her hand continuously to offer warmth and strength.

“He told me himself.” Fan Li decided to bluff one last time, watching Gu Jie’s face intently for any microexpressions.

She witnessed the entire transformation of Gu Jie from shock to bewilderment, from bewilderment to perplexity, and from perplexity to despair.

Finally, Gu Jie sighed deeply, his face becoming more troubled as his brows knitted tightly. “I don’t know why he would say that. As a friend, I support him unconditionally, whether he likes men or women. But personally, I really can’t respond to these feelings… Auntie, there are some things I’m not at liberty to discuss, but since you came today, could you convey my stance to Lu Yiyao? Even a hint would do. I don’t want to lose this friend, and it might be easier coming from you…”

“Wait a second,” Fan Li interrupted him, feeling the need to calm down and think things through.

She had come here intending to persuade this man to leave her son, but how had it turned into something like a matchmaking conversation, and why was he solemnly rejecting?!

Something was definitely amiss.

Fan Li quickly reviewed the events from last night, when Lu Yiyao confessed to her, to this morning’s departure, trying to reconstruct every detail as accurately as possible. She quickly identified the pivotal moment—it was Lu Yimeng!

She had extracted the information from her daughter, but the more she thought about it, the more credible Lu Yimeng’s slip-up seemed.

But “credible” depends on whether Lu Yimeng’s perceived “truth” is indeed true. What if her daughter had been mistaken?

She had assumed Lu Yimeng’s “knowledge” came from Lu Yiyao and concluded that Lu Yiyao didn’t involve his sister in his confession to avoid her wrath. However, what if Lu Yimeng’s “knowledge” didn’t come from Lu Yiyao at all? What if her son didn’t even know his sister was aware? That would make more sense why he chose to confess alone. After all, with an overly reactive Lu Yimeng present, who knows if the conversation could have proceeded smoothly?

Another critical point was Gu Jie’s obvious lack of romantic interest in Lu Yiyao. She knew her son well enough to know he wouldn’t force anyone into a relationship. During his confession, Lu Yiyao’s demeanor was clearly of someone who believed the other party reciprocated. If the other party hadn’t given any indication, even remotely, or was as completely unaware as Gu Jie seemed to be, then her son wouldn’t have acted that way.

Fan Li didn’t want to admit she had been misled into a huge blunder by her daughter, but that was the only explanation that made sense.

Gu Jie watched as Fan Li’s eyes flickered with intense thought, clearly pondering over a crucial and complex issue. He waited patiently, not daring to interrupt, fearful that even a cough might disrupt her concentration.

“Why are you so sure you can’t reciprocate Lu Yiyao’s feelings?” Fan Li spoke again, the previous aggressive demeanor and manipulative softness fading, replaced by rational calm. “Is there something about him you find unsatisfactory? His looks? Body? Personality? Family? Or us as his parents…”

“Gender.” Gu Jie knew it wasn’t polite to interrupt, but with his reputation at stake, he got straight to the point to prevent any further misunderstandings. “No need to consider aspects like looks or personality; first and foremost, his gender isn’t suitable.”

Fan Li bluntly asked, “You like women?”

Gu Jie sincerely replied, “Auntie, to tell you the truth, in all my years, you’re the first person to doubt my orientation.”

Obviously, her misunderstanding was firmly established now, and it was a big one at that.

For the first time in her life, Fan Li experienced what it felt like to desperately want to crawl into a hole and disappear. But as embarrassed as she felt inside, she couldn’t let it show; otherwise, it would be too humiliating.

Although Gu Jie wasn’t involved with her son in that way, he was still a friend, or even a close friend, which was beyond doubt. Her son didn’t have many close friends, so Fan Li found herself involuntarily thinking from her son’s perspective about today’s events and Gu Jie’s reactions—

“Have you ever considered that Lu Yiyao saying he’s with you might just be a way to use you as a shield, to protect the person he’s really involved with? And your words today are essentially dismantling his cover.”

Gu Jie was puzzled. “Are you suggesting I should collude with Lu Yiyao to deceive you?”

Fan Li didn’t answer directly but said, “I just think that since you’re friends and he’s asked you to cover for him, it wouldn’t hurt to help him out a bit.”

Gu Jie’s brows, which had begun to relax with the clearing up of the misunderstanding, furrowed again. For the first time since meeting Fan Li, he showed a look of disagreement and even displeasure, something that hadn’t happened even when Fan Li was accusing him earlier.

Fan Li noticed the change in his emotions, somewhat surprised, but remained composed on the surface.

Gu Jie had already started speaking, his voice calm yet assertive, displaying an utterly serious attitude. “Auntie, I’m a straightforward person and I speak my mind. Please don’t take offense…”

Fan Li knew that usually, when someone starts with such a preface, what follows tends to fall into the “definitely not going to like hearing it” category.

Gu Jie continued without pausing, “I consider Lu Yiyao a friend, and I’d take a bullet for him if he needed. But in this matter, I don’t think he should use me as a shield. Using me doesn’t help solve the problem. In essence, it’s just delaying tactics. But how would delaying a few days change anything? Would you change your mind and accept him? It’s just evasion. So using me as a shield is wrong, and not even telling me about it goes against the principles of friendship…”

Fan Li was taken aback by Gu Jie’s bluntness. It seemed she inadvertently put her son in the line of fire and was about to explain when Gu Jie cut her off again—

“Auntie, please let me finish,” Gu Jie insisted, looking directly into Fan Li’s eyes with an open and honest gaze. “I don’t just disagree with Lu Yiyao’s approach; I also disagree with yours. Not to mention anything else, you came here first asking me to persuade him, and when you found out I wasn’t the person you were looking for, you felt I wasn’t helping Lu Yiyao enough, like I wasn’t a good enough friend. From start to finish, you’ve only considered things from your perspective. Have you considered mine?”

Gu Jie is the type who won’t stop once he starts talking, aiming for complete clarity. However, once he finished, he realized that Mother Lu’s expression was… not too favorable.

Gu Jie was at his wit’s end. His entire Gu family favored speaking the harsh truth, disliking any form of sugar coating or beating around the bush, including his mother with her straightforward and fiery temper. Gu Jie dreaded such scenarios where tact was required. “I mean, Auntie, I’m just saying. I didn’t mean to criticize you. I just feel that…”

“Sorry,” Fan Li suddenly interjected.

Gu Jie stopped mid-explanation, stunned.

Fan Li wasn’t someone who couldn’t listen to reason, especially now that she realized she had targeted the wrong person, leaving her without any animosity towards Gu Jie and feeling rather apologetic. Indeed, Gu Jie’s words might have made her lose face, but instead of defending herself and making things worse, she chose to apologize frankly, acknowledging that she had acted impulsively by coming here and unfairly making Gu Jie carry the blame. If she were in Gu Jie’s shoes, she might not have remained as calm as he had.

“It’s okay…” Gu Jie said awkwardly, scratching his head, unsure how else to respond.

But Fan Li shook her head. “Not just for barging in without understanding the situation, but also for deceiving you.”

Gu Jie, puzzled, sat up straighter, waiting to hear the “truth”.

“Lu Yiyao didn’t use you as a shield. He only told me he liked men, not who it was.” Fan Li thought admitting such a mistake would be embarrassing, but once she said it, she found it easier than expected, perhaps due to the atmosphere or being influenced by Gu Jie’s directness.

However, honesty is indeed a balm for the soul.

For the first time since last night, Fan Li felt a bit of relief. Though she was far from feeling entirely unburdened and her heart was still heavy, at least there was a small corner where she could relax, not having to hold back or restrain herself, and speak some heartfelt truths—

“It was my daughter who told me, saying that her brother and you were involved. I assumed Lu Yiyao had told her. Now it seems more likely that she deduced it herself from what she perceived as clues.”

Gu Jie looked into Fan Li’s sincere eyes, willing to believe her words this time, but asked, “Is your daughter a police officer?”

Fan Li was momentarily puzzled. “No.”

Gu Jie heaved a sigh of relief. “That’s good. Otherwise, there would be so many more miscarriages of justice in this world.”

Fan Li couldn’t help but laugh, then felt a touch of melancholy.

Gu Jie, coming back to his senses, remembered the shock of learning about Lu Yiyao’s orientation. They had been friends for so long, and he hadn’t noticed any hints. Lu Yiyao had hidden it too well!

Initially, when she realized it was a misunderstanding, Fan Li wanted to glean some clues from Gu Jie. But now, seeing him even more clueless than herself, she found it somewhat amusing yet frustrating.

Perhaps it was because Gu Jie was as baffled as she was that Fan Li felt a subtle sense of camaraderie with her son’s friend. Facing Gu Jie, she unconsciously relaxed, no longer feeling antagonistic but rather empathetic due to their shared astonishment.

“Coming in full of steam and leaving with my tail between my legs.” Fan Li was rarely self-deprecated. “This must be the most unsuccessful negotiation in my life.”

As she got up to leave, she heard Gu Jie say, “I think it was a very successful conversation.”

Fan Li looked at him, puzzled, and sat back down. “How so?”

Gu Jie explained, “Because if you hadn’t come to me today but had found the person Lu Yiyao really likes, you would have completely failed.”

Fan Li narrowed her eyes, a subconscious gesture of defense. “What do you mean?”

Gu Jie pondered for a moment, then said, “Auntie, everything I’m about to say is the truth. Please don’t take offense…”

“Do you have anything I’d like to hear?” Fan Li was already wary of this young man’s preamble.

Gu Jie fell silent.

Seeing his struggle to find the right words, Fan Li softened again. “Just say what I might not like to hear.”

Gu Jie exhaled, prepared himself, and faced Fan Li squarely. Without considering anything else, he spoke his mind, hoping to offer some insight to his friend’s mother. He might not understand loving men, but the trope of mothers trying to persuade their children to break up with undesired partners was all too common in dramas and news stories. Every time he saw it, he wanted to offer his two cents—

“Auntie, Lu Yiyao was honest with you, so why do you ignore him and try to persuade the person he likes to break up instead? Because you don’t want to confront your son, you think it’s easier to deal with an outsider than your own son… Right?

It had been many years since anyone spoke to Fan Li in such a manner. In the business world, everyone maintains layers of decorum, never revealing their true thoughts directly, preferring to beat around the bush. Her children, of course, are frank with her, but out of filial piety, they rarely point out her faults, and even when they do, they choose a gentle and indirect way.

Being bluntly called out on some of her darker thoughts was hard to bear.

But Gu Jie wasn’t being critical. It seemed he just preferred to be clear to the maximum extent, eliminating any ambiguity to ensure his thoughts are transmitted to the listener as accurately and undistorted as possible.

Such straightforwardness is disarming, yet not offensive. It even carries a certain charm that makes you want to listen more.

“But you’re wrong, Auntie. If you had found the right person today, not only would you not be able to avoid confronting Lu Yiyao, but it would also strain your relationship with him even more. I think Lu Yiyao didn’t want to tell you the person’s name because he wanted to protect him, not wanting him to bear the brunt of the storm. Yet, you’ve done exactly what Lu Yiyao least wanted to see. Do you think this is solving the problem, or is it exacerbating the conflict?”

Fan Li: “Maybe I would have been able to persuade that person to leave Lu Yiyao.”

Gu Jie: “And then, would Lu Yiyao not be heartbroken?”

Fan Li: “Heartbreak heals.”

Gu Jie: “What about the hurt caused by his own mother?”

Fan Li frowned, staring at Gu Jie.

“I’m just putting myself in his shoes; I might not be right,” Gu Jie continued. “But I think Lu Yiyao was honest with you about his feelings for men because he trusts you, respects you. Otherwise, he could have just not married for life and kept a secret affair. He knows you won’t immediately accept it, so why would he come out and ask for trouble? Because you’re important to him. He wants your approval because he wants a completely honest relationship with his family. But by respecting you this way, did your approach respect him? If you had found the person he likes today, then the hurt your words would cause that person would essentially all be inflicted on Lu Yiyao.”

Fan Li felt a pang in her heart. Everything Gu Jie said made sense, and she started to consider what if she had found the right person today, what would the aftermath be once Lu Yiyao found out the truth…

“So, there’s no solution to this. If Lu Yiyao informs me, I just have to accept it, right?” Fan Li felt trapped, unable to move forward, unwilling to step back, and eventually turned to Gu Jie with a sour smile. “You’re a good advocate, but no matter what you say, I can’t accept my son liking men.”

Gu Jie shook his head without hesitation. “Persuading you to accept a man loving another man is something Lu Yiyao should do, not me. I won’t take his place in persuading you. Besides, I can’t do it; this is also an unknown territory for me.”

Fan Li was taken aback, confused. “Then what was all that you just said…”

“I wanted you to understand, regardless of the final outcome, you should communicate and resolve it with Lu Yiyao, not seek others,” Gu Jie stated. “Because the root of the issue is Lu Yiyao liking men—it’s irrelevant who he likes.”

Fan Li’s face showed genuine sadness. This wasn’t feigned; Gu Jie’s words had truly affected her. “Why does it have to be like this? It’s abnormal. Men should like women. Why can’t he just…”

“I can’t explain this matter clearly, but he’s not an exception. Homosexuality has existed since ancient times. There’s a saying, ‘If it exists, it’s reasonable’…” Gu Jie faltered, realizing he was out of his depth. “But one thing I know, he really loves you, so he doesn’t want to deceive you.”

Fan Li looked down, and Gu Jie couldn’t see her face but clearly saw a tear drop onto her leg and disappear into the dark fabric.

“If he really cared for me as his mother, how could he bear to make me suffer so much?”

Gu Jie heard her say.

After a long silence, Gu Jie said, “He can’t bear it. I remember my mother always willing to tell me, son, no matter what big trouble you encounter, don’t carry it alone, tell me. Even if I can’t help, just listening is sharing the burden. I haven’t actually shared any troubles with my mother, fearing it’d make her sad. But if I were in Lu Yiyao’s situation, I would choose to tell my mother too, because it’s you parents who make us believe that a parent’s love can encompass everything.”

Gu Jie blinked, suppressing the warmth in his eyes, feeling a bit homesick and melancholic.

Fan Li remained head down, her shoulders shaking slightly.

Gu Jie leaned over to pat her back, his heart filled with sorrow.

It was a while before Fan Li finally looked up, her face marked by tears but otherwise plain and not too obvious. What surprised Gu Jie was her quick recovery—venting silently and calming down swiftly.

Gu Jie inwardly marveled, ‘Truly Teacher Lu’s mother.’

“Thank you for not holding it against this middle-aged woman and being willing to talk so much.” Fan Li exhaled, looking sincerely at Gu Jie. “Though I still can’t accept it… like you said, the root lies with Lu Yiyao. It’s an internal family matter, and bothering others is pointless.”

Having seemingly persuaded Fan Li gave Gu Jie a huge sense of accomplishment. Without a second thought, he grabbed her hand and raised it, as if they were about to arm wrestle, “Don’t worry, Auntie. I won’t say a word about today’s visit to Lu Yiyao, as if it never happened!”

Fan Li was momentarily stunned, then realized.

If Gu Jie told Lu Yiyao, he would undoubtedly be angry with her for taking matters into her own hands. Then all that Gu Jie mentioned about “exacerbating the conflict” and “hurting Lu Yiyao” would probably all come true.

Looking back, Fan Li realized that what she did was not only impulsive and poorly considered, but also quite foolish and illogical. She always thought the wives beating up the mistresses in the news should be confronting their husbands instead. Yet, when it came to her own situation, she reacted just as irrationally.

“Thank you.” Fan Li didn’t know what else to say. She was grateful that she had found the wrong person today, and even more grateful that the wrong person was Gu Jie. Her son didn’t have many friends in the entertainment industry, but if they were all like Gu Jie, a few would be enough.

Fan Li, now with a shifted perspective on solving the problem, was truly ready to leave this time.

Gu Jie offered to escort her downstairs, but she declined, so he only walked her to the door and watched as she entered the elevator before closing the door and returning inside.

However, once back inside, he went to the window to look down, and before long, he saw Lu Yiyao’s mother leaving the building.

Her car couldn’t enter the residents’ underground parking, so it was parked in an open-air spot in the complex.

Gu Jie watched her walk away with mixed feelings. Coming out is torturous enough to think about, and it’s bound to be a long battle. He didn’t think he had the power to turn the tide, but the least he could do was help Teacher Lu bring his mother home, preventing the battlefield from spreading and involving the innocent. As for how to continue solving the problem behind closed doors, he could only send his best wishes to Teacher Lu.

This was the first time in his life he had spoken so much in one go. Though he felt somewhat drained, he thought it was worth it for a friend.

With that thought, Gu Jie closed the window, turned, and went back to his bedroom, keeping his deeds to himself.

……

Dai Chu was driving while glancing at his boss in the rearview mirror. Since she left Gu Jie’s place, she hadn’t said a word and was just staring out the window, seemingly lost and bewildered. This wasn’t the Fan Li he knew, lacking her usual sharpness, composure, and determination, instead appearing somewhat vulnerable.

He didn’t know what had happened at Gu Jie’s house, but perhaps the crux wasn’t there. Since seeing Fan Li that morning, she seemed struck by something.

Having worked with Fan Li for years, Dai Chu rarely saw her like this. Even when she was occasionally emotionally agitated or even lost her composure, it usually had something to do with Lu Guoming, her ex-husband. A few harsh words, and it was mostly over—just anger. But this time was different.

“Not going back to the office,” Fan Li suddenly broke her silence, decisively stating. “Just drive around this area for a bit.”

Dai Chu was confused but saw his boss regaining her usual demeanor and didn’t ask further, driving the car in circles around the neighborhood.

In the backseat, Fan Li picked up her phone and dialed a number.

No one answered the call, and Fan Li’s expression grew darker.

She tried again and again, and finally, on what seemed like the umpteenth attempt, the call was answered, but clearly not by the person she wanted—

“Oh… In a meeting. I see. Then please tell him that Fan Li is looking for him… Yes, right now.”

Dai Chu wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but human curiosity is a fatal weakness.

The words “Fan Li is looking for him” seemed effective because soon enough, Dai Chu heard Fan Li engaging in a conversation—

“I need to see you, right now… What, you’re not in Beijing? When are you coming back? Oh, uncertain… You don’t care if something happened to our son?!”

Dai Chu was startled, sensing something significant as Fan Li seemed to have gained the upper hand—

“Fine, tomorrow at noon. I’ll wait for you at XX.”

Dai Chu now believed something monumental had occurred because Fan Li, who had sworn never to deal with her ex-husband, had initiated a call to him. If this got out at the company, it would provide enough gossip for the old employees for a year.

 ……

Lu Yiyao’s original plan was to go home for the weekend, but just two days later, he received a call from his sister. “Brother, you need to come back, something has happened at home!”

Lu Yiyao’s breath hitched, immediately fearing the worst about his mother, with himself as the likely culprit after coming out. “Don’t panic. Tell me clearly. What happened?”

Lu Yimeng: “Dad’s here!”

Lu Yiyao’s mind blanked.

Not because his sister made “Dad’s here” sound as ominous as “the wolf is coming,” but because “Dad’s here” in itself was alarming enough.

“Dad’s… where?” Lu Yiyao’s heart pounded, fearing a false alarm.

“Dad’s at our place… No, he’s come to where mom and I are!” Lu Yimeng, eager for clarity, not only chose her words carefully but added more description. “He’s sitting in the living room right now, and mom even made him brew his own tea!”

“Mom didn’t make him tea?”

“How could she? She didn’t even let the housemaid make it for him, and insisted he do it himself.”

“That’s good then…” Lu Yiyao steadied his heartbeat. “The situation can still be controlled.”

“The situation between them can be controlled, but I’m afraid once you come back, it won’t be.” Lu Yimeng sounded grave.

“Me?” Lu Yiyao didn’t catch on immediately.

“Of course, you,” Lu Yimeng said exasperatedly. “What else could make two enemies who haven’t seen each other for sixteen years sit together for tea?”

“What enemies…” Lu Yiyao frowned involuntarily. “That’s dad and mom.”

“Yes, dad and mom.” Lu Yimeng sighed. “They both asked me to tell you to drop everything you’re doing and come home for a lecture.”

Lu Yiyao glanced at the time; it was already five. He decisively said, “Okay.”

Having both parents together had always been Lu Yiyao’s dream, whether studying in the UK or starting his career back home. Occasionally, in the quiet of the night, he would revisit this desire under the moonlight. But as the years went by and his parents remained apart, his hope faded until he nearly accepted the reality that they might never reunite.

Now suddenly being told his father was sitting in his mother’s living room, even if the purpose was to jointly scold him, he couldn’t control his excitement, speeding home just shy of getting a ticket.

As he approached home, the sky was darkening. Lu Yiyao parked the car and walked to the front door, his steps light, not like he was about to face the storm of coming out but more like anticipating a joyful family reunion.

“I’m back—” Lu Yiyao announced as he entered the hallway, looking into the living room.

“Cough—” As if to ensure his presence was noted, a cough came from the living room.

Unable to contain his buoyant mood, Lu Yiyao quickly changed his shoes and headed to the living room. Lu Yimeng was the first to greet him. Lu Yiyao handed his sister his coat and then eagerly looked towards the sofa. Indeed, both his dad and mom were sitting there!

Although they were each at one end of the sofa, as if the Milky Way separated them, Lu Yiyao was still overjoyed. His voice almost sang as he greeted them, “Dad, Mom.”

Lu Yimeng, holding her brother’s coat, stayed on a dining stool a safe distance away, not wanting to get caught in the storm. Yet, seeing her brother return so happily, she couldn’t help but feel a bit eerie. Was this some new strategy for coming out?

“Don’t grin like that!” Lu Guoming, seeing his ex-wife not initiating the conversation, decided to assert his paternal authority with a stern voice. “What’s going on? Your mother told me… cough, that you’re suddenly into men?”

“Yeah.” Lu Yiyao moved a single sofa to face his parents directly, then sat down. His gaze hadn’t left them for a second, even as he arranged the furniture. Once settled, he didn’t even blink.

Lu Guoming felt a bit unnerved under his son’s direct gaze. Ever since that night with the fishbone incident, he felt his authority as a father wane. Now, being stared at by Lu Yiyao, he felt the last bit might crumble too.

His son had matured, and he had aged. The intellectual development of the son and the waning authority of the father seemed to progress in tandem. Though somewhat melancholic, Lu Guoming didn’t find it too hard to accept. He even felt his relationship with his son became more harmonious post the “fishbone era”—less authority, more warmth.

But now, his wife—or rather, his ex-wife—needed his authority, so he had to bravely face up. “Hmm? Just a ‘yeah’?”

Lu Yiyao smiled, not sure why, but his lips curled upwards uncontrollably. “It’s not that I want to like men; I’ve just always liked men. Think about it, have I ever dated a girl from childhood to now?”

Lu Guoming frowned. “How do you know you don’t like women if you’ve never dated?”

Lu Yiyao firmly replied, “Then how did you know mom was the one you wanted to marry as your first love?”

“So we divorced, right?” Fan Li finally found a flaw in her son’s argument. “It’s precisely because we had no experience before dating that we thought we were right, but it all turned out to be wrong.”

“That can’t be said for certain…” Lu Guoming didn’t fully agree.

Fan Li glared at him.

Lu Guoming was about to retort but remembering the rare occasion of sitting together on the same couch for a united front, he backed down.

Lu Guoming was in a somewhat elated state when his ex-wife approached him, which lasted until he was informed about his son’s homosexuality. It took him a while to gather his thoughts and understand what his ex-wife meant.

Unlike his ex-wife’s vehement rejection, Lu Guoming, though surprised and subconsciously repulsed, wondered if it was another act of rebellion, like when Lu Yiyao chose acting over business studies. Was it just to spite him?

So, after listening to his ex-wife’s complaints, his first question was whether she had been pushing Lu Yiyao into blind dates recently.

Then, the ex-wife exploded.

Lu Guoming didn’t want to recall the “passionate” afternoon teatime that followed. Ultimately, when he came to believe Lu Yiyao was sincere, the impact was somewhat lessened due to the back and forth.

Although he didn’t understand the LGBTQ+ community well, having dealt with various people in business and keeping up with news and social media, he had a rough idea about homosexuality.

It was hard to accept emotionally, but logically, he knew it couldn’t be changed. He understood his son was not one for frivolous acts. Even when Lu Yiyao chose to study acting to defy him, he pursued it earnestly, and upon returning home, he diligently worked on his career, never slacking due to the initial rebellious choice.

So, if Lu Yiyao was open about liking men, it must be a well-considered decision. Lu Guoming wasn’t open-minded enough to accept it without any barriers, but years of rationality and calm made him realize that, like it or not, he’d have to force himself to accept it.

But he couldn’t tell his ex-wife that.

His only role now was to share her indignation. If it was found out he had any sympathy for the situation, he’d be ousted immediately.

Lu Yimeng watched the family dynamics from afar, confused about the currents within the storm. Her mom scolding her brother was expected; her dad aiding the scolding seemed right, but her dad’s attitude was subtly nuanced, and his attention was divided between her mom and brother, not fully committed to the scolding. And her brother, well, he seemed to ignore everything said, smiling foolishly at his parents from start to finish.

Lu Yimeng had initially planned to rush in and defend her brother at an opportune moment. Seeing that might not be necessary, she continued to fiddle with the phone she’d snatched from her brother’s coat pocket.

Her brother’s phone lock screen password had always been a sore point for her. It was just four numbers, and he liked using memorable dates. Despite her intelligence, she had failed to crack it countless times, which was a disgrace to her name as a sister and fan!

Click.

The screen unlocked.

Lu Yimeng was stunned, incredulously staring at the unlocked phone screen. What had she just tried…?

She took a deep breath, shut the screen, and then turned it on again to re-enter the numbers—0602.

The screen obediently lit up.

Indeed.

Lu Yimeng wanted to laugh but couldn’t muster it, wanting to criticize her brother but felt an odd pang of sympathy.

The first time she attempted to sneak into her brother’s phone, she tried their parents’ wedding anniversary.

It wasn’t until today that she remembered to try their parents’ divorce anniversary.

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Kinky Thoughts:

I need a man like Gu Jie.

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