15. Return Home

The sky was crystal clear, a pure shade of blue without a trace of impurities. Two young men were strolling by the lakeside, their shadows merging with the scattered clouds reflected in the lake.

One of the young men suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned to the other, asking, “Is Uncle Mingtian coming to pick us up tomorrow?”

The one being asked also halted and ruffled the other’s hair before pinching his cheek lightly.

“Yes, my dad said he’ll come to pick us up tomorrow. We just need to pack our things.”

The first young man, whose hair was now disheveled, didn’t get upset. He hesitated for a moment and asked, “Do I really not need to get them anything?”

Zuo Jiayi, looking at the messy hair, couldn’t help but chuckle. While fixing it, he replied, “No need. They’ve emphasized that if they see you bringing anything back, they’ll kick me out.”

Cheng Shu looked puzzled. “Why would they kick you out?”

Zuo Jiayi’s hands didn’t stop as he answered, “Because they’d think I’m a freeloader if you buy them gifts.”

Cheng Shu furrowed his brows. “You’re not. It’s just that going to your house empty-handed doesn’t seem right. Besides, our relationship is already confirmed…”

Zuo Jiayi gently adjusted Cheng Shu’s last few strands of hair and, once they obediently fell into place, he continued, “Alright, don’t worry about that stuff anymore! Don’t you know my family? They’ll be happiest when you go there. I’ll take care of the gifts; consider them New Year’s presents.”

Cheng Shu allowed himself to be pampered as Zuo Jiayi was fixing his hair. His words came out a bit muffled, “Alright… then I want to choose with you…”

“Sure, sure, let’s go.” Zuo Jiayi withdrew his hand and spread one in front of Cheng Shu. “We’ll have plenty of opportunities in the future.”

Cheng Shu naturally handed his hand over for Zuo Jiayi to hold. 

Ever since Zuo Jiayi found out that before, Cheng Shu had held his hand not just because of the cold but because he wanted to, he had always been the first to reach for Cheng Shu’s hand before he could. 

Cheng Shu watched their tightly clasped hands and couldn’t help but let a smile curve his lips.

Boyfriend indeed was a clingy term.

After leaving the school gate and after carefully choosing presents for Zuo Jiayi’s family, they had dinner outside. With the short winter days, the sky was already dark by the time they finished eating. They planned to take a stroll before heading back.

They had driven there, and the gifts were in the car. They had chosen a restaurant with an underground parking lot, which made it convenient to access their vehicle.

As they walked the streets, they could feel the festive atmosphere of the upcoming New Year. Shops on both sides of the road were adorned with colorful decorations, and signs for holiday promotions were everywhere. Pedestrians on the street discussed holiday-related matters, as if competing to see who could make the atmosphere even more lively.

As they leisurely walked together, Cheng Shu suddenly slowed down. Following his gaze, Zuo Jiayi noticed an elegant flower shop across the street.

“Do you want to buy flowers?” Zuo Jiayi gently pinched Cheng Shu’s hand and, although he was asking, he was already heading in that direction.

“Yeah.” Cheng Shu replied, allowing himself to be led and continued, “My sister-in-law gave me flowers before, saying it’s a tradition in your family…”

“What’s this…” Zuo Jiayi’s words were cut off as he was yet again met with Cheng Shu’s cheek being pinched.

“So soon, you’re calling her sister-in-law? Do you want to become a part of my family that badly?” Zuo Jiayi looked at him with eyes full of laughter.

“Wouldn’t you want that too?” Cheng Shu retorted, not feeling embarrassed by his words.

“Of course, anyone would dream of that!” Zuo Jiayi pulled him along towards the flower shop.

As they walked, he suggested, “If you want, you can order in front of them. Since it’s almost New Year’s, we can give them some lucky money and a ‘changing your address’ fee. That red envelope should be quite generous, right?”

Cheng Shu chuckled. “You’re quite clever.”

“Of course, how could I have won over my wife if I weren’t?” Zuo Jiayi sounded a bit smug, completely forgetting his previous silly posts.

Cheng Shu didn’t tease him about it, and they arrived at the flower shop.

Because they were holding hands, the saleswoman quickly understood their relationship.

“What kind of flowers would you like to buy?” The saleswoman smiled, her mind already running through several flower bouquet options.

Cheng Shu asked, “What kind of flowers are suitable for giving to our elders?”

Hearing that the flowers weren’t for a romantic partner, the saleswoman was a bit surprised but quickly introduced several options enthusiastically.

In the end, with the saleswoman’s guidance, they chose a mixed bouquet. After it was neatly wrapped, Cheng Shu was about to scan the payment code. But Zuo Jiayi, who had been looking at other flowers in the back, suddenly rushed forward and pressed his phone.

“What’s wrong?” Cheng Shu blinked, puzzled.

Zuo Jiayi fumbled for his phone and scanned the code while muttering, “Why do you insist on paying when I’m not looking? Why won’t you listen? If there’s anything that needs money, just let me know…”

Cheng Shu retrieved his phone and stood quietly, holding the flowers. “But this isn’t a big deal…”

“There will be plenty of opportunities in the future,” Zuo Jiayi coaxed. “Be good and wait for me outside.”

“Alright.”

Cheng Shu obediently went outside, not dwelling on why it took so long for Zuo Jiayi to pay.

After waiting for two to three minutes, Zuo Jiayi emerged from the store.

One hand was behind his back, and the other was extended in front of Cheng Shu’s face. “Hold this.”

Cheng Shu didn’t refuse, and he obediently handed over the bouquet. As soon as his hand was free, he was given a bright rose.

Cheng Shu was pleasantly surprised, and his eyes lit up as he asked, “Were you buying this just now?”

“Not only that,” Zuo Jiayi pretended to be exaggerated, “I also got the saleswoman’s WeChat!”

Cheng Shu looked at him somewhat perplexed. “Why?”

“Because I want to establish a long-term business relationship with their store! I owe my boyfriend flowers from before, so I need to make up for them all!” Zuo Jiayi lifted his chin slightly and indicated the rose in Cheng Shu’s hand. “Originally, I was planning to buy a little extra this time, but we’re leaving tomorrow, and it wouldn’t be easy to take them back. When we come back after school starts, I’ll have fresh flowers for you every day!”

Hearing his words, Cheng Shu felt a warm sensation in his heart but retained some rationality. “Don’t waste them. You don’t have to do it every day. A well-cared-for bouquet can last quite a while.”

Zuo Jiayi shifted the flowers to one hand and held Cheng Shu’s hand with the other, leading him back. “Alright, I’ll listen to my wife.”

The next morning, Uncle Zuo arrived early. After helping both of them load their luggage into the car, he drove them back home.

As they chatted with Cheng Shu, the conversation gradually shifted towards Zuo Jiayi.

“Xiao Shu, this kid hasn’t been causing you trouble, has he?” Uncle Zuo glanced at Cheng Shu through the rearview mirror and asked amiably.

Cheng Shu smiled. “Uncle, don’t worry. He won’t make me angry; he’s very good to me.”

Father Zuo put on a stern expression. “Xiao Shu, don’t spoil him. He caused you a lot of distress with what he did before!”

Zuo Jiayi felt guilty and didn’t dare to speak. He just played with Cheng Shu’s hand.

Cheng Shu felt a bit embarrassed. “I was wrong too. I assumed things and didn’t know he would black out when he drank. Besides, Yi-ge has been really good to me, and I haven’t suffered much.”

After hearing Cheng Shu’s words, Father Zuo snorted but still gave his own son some face and didn’t bring up the matter again.

They arrived home not long after, and the whole family was there, even the eldest brother who was usually a workaholic.

“Xiao Shu is here! Come, let me have a look. It’s been so long.” As soon as Cheng Shu got out of the car, Mother Zuo warmly pulled him over.

“Mom, didn’t you and my sister-in-law visit Cheng Cheng not long ago? It hasn’t been that long,” Zuo Jiayi said, somewhat helpless.

“You still dare to say that! If we hadn’t gone to see Xiao Shu, we wouldn’t have known what you did,” Mother Zuo scolded him with a glare.

“Auntie, don’t blame him. I haven’t suffered,” Cheng Shu said.

Cheng Shu felt touched by how much his boyfriend’s family cared for him, especially after witnessing Zuo Jiayi being scolded multiple times. However, he couldn’t help but speak up for him.

“In light of you bringing Xiao Shu home for the holidays, I won’t argue with you for now,” Mother Zuo said, ending this matter.

After a while of chatting and discussing school matters, they began to catch up on family matters.

Cheng Shu had visited Zuo Jiayi’s home before, so he was already familiar with his family. There was no awkward adjustment period, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

After chatting for a while, they decided that this holiday would be for Zuo Jiayi to take Cheng Shu around and have fun.

In the evening, after getting Cheng Shu’s opinion, they decided to let him stay in Zuo Jiayi’s room.

Zuo Jiayi held his wife and slept soundly. Starting the next day, he took Cheng Shu around to play, vowing to explore all the fun places in the province.

After playing for about half a month, it was almost time to return for the New Year. Zuo Jiayi could only express his regret, saying, “Xiao Yi Guide is here to serve you wholeheartedly. I look forward to your next experience.”

Cheng Shu couldn’t help but laugh.

Zuo Jiayi, is he really treating himself like a voice assistant?

“Xiao Yi, I want to drink hot milk tea.”

Zuo Jiayi understood his thoughts and changed his tone slightly. “Received, Xiao Yi will purchase it for you right away.”

As they strolled with their milk teas, something began to gently fall from the sky. They looked up and saw snowflakes.

People around them started chatting and some even took out their phones to take pictures and post on social media.

“Ge, it’s snowing!” Cheng Shu was excited. People from the south tend to get happy when they see snow.

Zuo Jiayi wiped away the snowflakes that had landed on Cheng Shu’s eyelashes. “Yes, are you happy? If it snows harder, we can build a snowman.”

“Yes, I haven’t seen snow in so long,” Cheng Shu replied.

They continued walking, and Zuo Jiayi took a sip of his milk tea. “It’s snowing this year, so enduring the cold is worth it. If Cheng Cheng likes snow, how about we go to the north next year?”

“The snow in the north is different from the snow in the south…”

“In that case, how about spending a warm winter in Hainan?”

“We don’t even know if we’ll have the time next year.”

“Then let’s see. Cheng Cheng, do you want to go anywhere else?”

“No, let’s go back. We’ve been playing for so many days.”

“Alright, then let’s take Cheng Cheng home for the New Year.”