Excitement

Why make such a fuss over something so minor and part on bad terms?

"All right, all right, you have the final say," Zou Yan coaxed him, stroking the back of his fluffy head. "Get up, Xiaobai. It's almost time to eat."

Chapter 38: Excitement

Early the next morning, Zou Yan flew home to see his parents.

Ever since he was little, whenever he did something wrong, he would always drag Sheng Ke along to take the fall with him. This time was no exception.

Sheng Ke was treated like a prince from another country in his home: he came as a guest but enjoyed the privileges of a member of the household, standing on equal footing with Zou Yan while enjoying the privilege of being beyond discipline.

Their own son could be beaten at will, but they couldn't bear to lay a finger on someone else's. That was how Zou Yan's parents were.

So Zou Yan had learned to be clever. Whenever he was about to be scolded or beaten, he brought Sheng Ke along to help cover his lies and plead on his behalf. That was how they went through fire and water and took knives in the ribs for each other.

After he got off the plane, Sheng Ke drove to the airport to pick him up, then took him along to his parents' house for a meal.

Zou Yan had never kept anything from the close friend he had spent over twenty years seeing day in and day out, but he was too embarrassed to bring up what had happened the night before.

Yet Sheng Ke mentioned it first. "You went to the set to keep him company while he was filming, and the photos made the headlines. Now everyone knows you're giving him your full support. It's only natural for your parents to ask about it, so don't butt heads with them when you get home. Talk things through."

Zou Yan said woodenly, "If I'd known, I would've had that girl blur me out. Look at the fuss this has caused. It even got my parents worked up, and it's not like I did anything outrageous. Did they ask you anything?"

"No."

"Then if they ask later, don't say anything either."

"Mm." Sheng Ke pressed him. "So did you get what you wanted?"

"What do you mean, get what I wanted? Why are you asking?"

"Just asking."

Zou Yan said, "Stop asking about things that are none of your business."

Wasn't that as good as a confession? Sheng Ke figured that, given Zou Yan's personality, if he had gotten his wish, he would have been whistling and strutting about, eager to tell the whole world. So most likely he had failed again, which was why he was so downcast.

Two men couldn't make a baby, and there were none of the interests tied up in marriage involved. If it hadn't happened, one of them must have been unwilling. And what other reason could there be for that? He didn't like him and didn't feel anything for him.

But Sheng Ke had said the same thing too many times. Zou Yan wouldn't listen, so what could he do?

Before he had said a word, Zou Yan spoke again. "That's not what I'm after. I really do like him."

"Mm." Sheng Ke couldn't be bothered trying to persuade him anymore. He wasn't willing to repeat himself, whether the words were pleasant or harsh.

"But I really can't accept it."

"Why can't you accept it?"

Zou Yan rolled down the window and, knowing exactly where to look, found the cigarettes and lighter in Sheng Ke's car. He cupped the flame to light one, took a deep drag to ease his gloom, and said, "Because I've put a lot into this. Who could accept getting nothing in return?"

Sheng Ke said, "You did all that willingly. It's not like he asked you to."

"But he responded to me. If we both want it, he can't just keep stringing me along forever."

"I told you long ago he was fishing for you, but you wouldn't believe me."

"Is fishing for me the same as stringing me along? He can fish all he wants, haven't I taken the hook? The question is, where's the bait?" Zou Yan stuck his hand out the window and flicked off the ash, catching sight of his own face in the rearview mirror. "I'm not ugly, am I? Why is he so resistant?"

"It has nothing to do with looks. The feelings aren't there yet," Sheng Ke reassured him. "Wasn't that rich second-generation heir you fought good-looking? He didn't get back together with him just because of his face."

"Mm, Xiaobai isn't so shallow that he only cares about looks." Zou Yan smoked as he recalled it. "Last night really was very...you know. I could barely stand it, but I still held back. With that kind of self-control, I deserve to be called a true gentleman at the very least."

Sheng Ke said dismissively, "That Xiaobai of yours has quite a few tricks up his sleeve. If you play the gentleman, I'm afraid you'll be the one to lose out."

Zou Yan came to his defense. "Don't speak ill of him. He's very innocent. At worst, I'll just wait a bit longer."

"Love brain."

"What the hell do you know?"

Zou Yan's parents lived on the outskirts of the city, in a detached house with its own courtyard, backed by mountains and beside the water.

Sheng Ke parked beneath a willow tree outside the courtyard. Before locking the car, he took a bag from the back seat containing books he had brought for the elders.

Zou Ruoqing came into the courtyard to welcome his two sons. His wife, Cheng Qi, stood by the door. She ignored Zou Yan when he called her Mom, but when Sheng Ke called her "Auntie Cheng" right after him, her face lit up.

"Xiao Ke, you're here! Oh, Auntie missed you so much."

Zou Yan was already glaring in anger before he'd even entered the house. He simply ignored her and talked only to his father.

His father was cooking today, and every dish was a favorite of theirs. Sheng Ke wasn't picky, so whatever Zou Yan liked, Sheng Ke liked too.

The family of four washed their hands and sat down at the table. Zou Yan said nothing, just picked up his chopsticks and dug into his rice. His mother gave him a sour look but smiled warmly at Sheng Ke as she personally picked up some food for him. "Here, sweetheart, try this fish. Your uncle caught it today. It's nice and fresh."

Chicken, duck, and fish all tasted the same to Sheng Ke, but after trying it, he obliged her by saying, "Mm, it's delicious."

"You're still living alone? Why don't you hire a housekeeper to cook? Xiao Ke, if you're busy, just say the word. Auntie will take care of things for you. How can your body hold up when you eat that bland food all day?"

"I'm in very good health. Thank you for your concern, Auntie." Sheng Ke kept eating and didn't engage further. He didn't like having other people in his home, and there was really no need to hire someone for basic chores like cooking and cleaning.

Zou Yan gloated, "Worrying over nothing all day long. Look, does he even appreciate it?"

Cheng Qi's expression changed, and she slammed down her chopsticks. "You little brat, you still dare open your mouth? Just look at the outrageous things you've been doing out there! You've made your parents lose all face! Good heavens, did I hear that right? Fighting-how old are you? You got into a fight out there!? Zou Yan, have you gone crazy? Your head didn't get squeezed when I gave birth to you."

Zou Ruoqing tried to smooth things over. "Hey, hey, hey-talk to him calmly. Don't get worked up."

"I'm worked up? Am I the one getting worked up? Look at the fine son you raised! He's almost thirty! And he's still fooling around out there with those disreputable people! Zou Yan! Don't think you're so great. How many eyes are watching everything you do? You-"

"Shut up," Zou Yan shouted. "Say another word and I really will lose my temper!"

Sheng Ke took the opportunity to pick up the chopsticks and hand them back to Cheng Qi. "Auntie, let's eat."

Seeing that a hard approach wouldn't work, she took the chopsticks and put them down, wiping away tears in distress. "You have time to keep those people out there company, but have you ever thought of coming home to see your father and me? Zou Yan, we don't ask anything else of you. We just hope you'll take care of yourself and drink and socialize less. The family doesn't need the money you earn. Even if you loafed around your whole life, we could afford to support you. We won't interfere with whom you like, whether it's a man or a woman. We just want you to find someone dependable and settle down. Give us a straight answer today: how much longer do you plan to keep fooling around?"

Seeing his wife in a fury and his son distracted, the husband stepped in to smooth things over. "Oh, young people all like to have fun. Why get so angry? If he likes it, just let him be. Once he's had enough fun, he'll naturally settle down."

"Fun, fun, fun! He learned to be like this from you and those wretched movies of yours!" Cheng Qi said, pressing a hand to her heaving chest. "No, it's not the movies' fault. Are all filmmakers like you and your son? Xiao Ke makes movies too, so why doesn't he fool around? Xiao Ke is a top director. Surely actors throw themselves at him too? How does he manage to stay true to himself? I raised both boys, yet they're more different than cows and sheep!"

Sheng Ke seized the opening to draw some of her fire. "Auntie, please don't be angry. It's all my fault. I didn't keep a good eye on Zou Yan. I was wrong, so please calm down."

Zou Yan wanted to let things cool off and kept eating as usual, but when he reached into a dish with his chopsticks, he only stirred the food around and couldn't pick anything up. He slammed his chopsticks on the table and burst out, "I give up! Did you really give birth to me? You love Sheng Ke so much, have him change his surname to Zou! Oh, no, have him take your surname, Cheng. See if he's willing! Your son is accomplished and capable, but you can't see any of that. All you see are those petty little things! Let me make this clear: I'm serious this time! None of you had better even think about meddling in my private life! Anyone who dares oppose my relationship will have me to deal with!"

Sheng Ke backed him up. "Yes, Zou Yan is especially serious this time. He isn't just fooling around. Uncle, Auntie, don't worry. I'll help him make sure this person is suitable. He just has a love brain. Once he falls in love, he forgets the whole world, but his nature hasn't changed. He's still someone who considers the bigger picture."

Zou Yan had completely lost his appetite. He stood up and said, "I'm full."

"Sit down!" his father scolded him. "You've really gotten big for your boots, and you have less and less respect for the rules! Who said you could leave the table?"

Zou Yan didn't leave the table, but he didn't sit down either. He stood there and retorted, "Then what other advice do you two have for me?"

His mother knew full well that venting her emotions wouldn't bring him to heel, so she changed tactics and said calmly, "If you're serious and you've made the relationship official, bring this person home for a meal. Let your father and me see what kind of character and temperament they have."

Sheng Ke said unexpectedly, "That might be a little difficult."

"Why would it be difficult?" Cheng Qi grasped the deeper meaning in his words. Her voice rose sharply and her face twisted. "Zou Yan! Don't tell me you're throwing yourself at him? Our family doesn't have enough face for you to keep losing! Are you really going to throw the face and reputation your father spent most of his life building onto the ground and trample on them?"

"That's right, I'm throwing myself at him! I'm shameless! You gave birth to me!" With that, Zou Yan strode out. "Sheng Ke! Are you fucking coming or not? Do you really think this is your home?"

Sheng Ke said goodbye to the aunt and uncle who had helped raise him. "Uncle, Auntie, I'll keep an eye on him, so he doesn't get upset and run off drinking again. Please enjoy your meal. We'll come back to visit another time."

While things were in an uproar on Zou Yan's side, Xie Yibai finished lunch on set. During the break, he took out his phone to sneak a look at whether the items he'd ordered the night before had shipped.

Because everything he'd bought was too embarrassing to be seen, he switched screens with the utmost care, as if walking on thin ice. If someone peeked at his screen and secretly photographed the evidence, he might as well take Little Biscuit in his arms and throw himself into a river.

Xie Yibai didn't find it strange or excessive that Zou Yan had made that kind of request the night before. In fact, by the usual progression, they should have done it long ago. It was just that he couldn't accept doing it on set. He was afraid of danger on all sides, and his only wish was to finish filming safe and sound.