Chapter 58: Traveling Frogs

Jian Mingzhou returned home around six o’clock.

He opened the door, called out, changed his shoes, and walked inside. “Xiao Jing, I’m back. What are we doing tonight?”

He paused his steps, and his voice abruptly stopped.

In the spacious and bright living room, he saw Xie Jing standing silently to the side. Two large frogs were sitting on the sofa, and a bunch of frog sons were piled on the floor next to them. On the coffee table, there was even a toy gun.

Two frog headgear had already been pushed back, and the two were sipping tea.

Jian Mingzhou’s pupils shook violently.

What the hell…

How did his parents end up here?

And why were his parents in frog costumes!?

In that moment of stupefaction, the two people on the sofa turned to look at him, and then they jumped up in surprise.

“Son—!”

A muffled sound.

Jian Mingzhou continued to tremble: Mom! Your headgear hit, Xie Jing!

After a few seconds, the two of them had reached him.

His mom was still reaching behind to grab the headgear, and his dad lifted his hand to put the headgear back on him! Both of them opened their arms together:

“Surprise!!”

After saying that, they rushed forward, hugging him.

“…”

The two frog costumes hopped over, and Jian Mingzhou breathed a sigh of relief in the overwhelming affection, looking towards Xie Jing.

Why is Xie Jing so calm?

The silent gaze from the other side transmitted: I’ve already seen it twice.

Jian Mingzhou widened his eyes. What happened…

Before delving into it, he took a deep breath first, pushed the two frog costumes away,

“Parents, loosen up a bit. What is this thing?”

They let go, and the headgear was lifted.

“Traveling frogs~”

Qiao Shu shook his long hair stylishly, gathered it up, and playfully flicked his slightly curled ear hair. Then, from somewhere inside the costume, he pulled out a camera, happily showing,

“We took pictures for you on our trip!”

Jian Mingzhou looked at the person shedding his shell and said, “Not bad… Such a perfect cosplay!”

He praised, “Very authentic, but take off the costume first.” It was so hot.

The two frog costumes went, “Oh,” and began to shed their shells.

The three of them were still standing in the hallway.

Jian Mingzhou was watching them shed their shells when Xie Jing came over and took the groceries from his hand.

“Give it to me first; you guys can chat on the sofa. What do you want to eat tonight? I can cook.”

He subconsciously grabbed Qiao Shu’s arm and said, “No, there are four people for dinner tonight. Let’s go out to eat later, or I can cook with you.”

Qiao Shu glanced sideways and said, “Oh, is Xiao Jing cooking?”

Jian Mingzhou paused, and his mom was still so casual.

Xie Jing said, “Sometimes Uncle cooks too. But his job is too tiring, so I’ll do it.”

Qiao Shu exclaimed, “Wow…”

Jian Mingzhou felt his heart warming, inexplicably feeling a bit guilty. Just as he was about to say something, his dad spoke up:

“Alright, let’s go to the sofa.”

Jian Chaoxing had already stepped out of the frog costume.

On his handsome and unrestrained face, there was a casual taste that came with the passage of time. With a stride, he hung his sunglasses on the collar of his shirt and raised his hand casually.

Dragging the two frog costumes, he walked towards the living room.

Everyone, “…”

…

They all sat in the living room.

Jian Mingzhou’s parents sat together, and tea had already been poured on the table. Jian Mingzhou happened to buy some snacks, so he took them out and placed them on the coffee table.

He bent down to unpack the snacks.

Suddenly, an arm reached over and moved the steaming water aside for him. Xie Jing’s voice came low.

“Uncle.”

Jian Mingzhou turned his head and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Xie Jing leaned in, pursed his lips, and conveyed with his eyes: The manga, I haven’t had a chance to put it away.

He reacted after two seconds and said, “It’s okay; my parents know what I do.”

Xie Jing blinked and smiled. “Oh, that’s good.”

“Talking about manga?”

A light voice came from behind.

Jian Mingzhou turned his head and saw his mom flipping through the camera, her side profile clear and cheerful.

“Although I was a bit surprised when I first found out, as long as it’s something you love, just do it.”

Qiao Shu said as she put down the camera, looking gently,

“We’re not a wealthy family, and because of work, we often travel. Mom can’t give you anything else.”

Jian Mingzhou’s heart moved slightly. “Mom, it’s…”

Qiao Shu sighed softly. “I can only give you a beautiful appearance.”

Jian Mingzhou and Xie Jing exchanged a glance:

…She’s praising herself.

Beside him, Jian Chaoxing lightly tapped his arm, reminding him, “And a part of our intelligence.”

—Still teasing him!

Both of them fell silent for a while.

Qiao Shu turned her head and tenderly pulled Jian Chaoxing’s hair. “So I can only give you this little.”

The two said, “…”

His dad, “…”

–

They sat for a while, and it was almost time for dinner.

Xie Jing stood up to prepare dinner in the kitchen.

Jian Mingzhou was about to follow when he heard Qiao Shu flipping the frog costumes and saying,

“Oh, by the way, we brought you a gift from our trip. Should I put it in your room?”

“Oh, okay…”

He casually replied but suddenly stopped. The front, where Xie Jing had already paused, turned his head to look over.

Wait, room? Those two pillows—

Jian Mingzhou’s heart suddenly sounded a warning bell!

Qiao Shu had walked a few steps to the bedroom door; he couldn’t care about anything else. He slid sideways and stopped in front of the bedroom door.

“Mom…!”

Qiao Shu was startled, leaning back. “Son?”

Jian Mingzhou’s heart was pounding, his breath uneven, trying to show a natural and expectant look.

“…I’m so looking forward to it. I can’t wait to see what it is.”

Qiao Shu gave him a surprised look, then put the things in his arms and said, “Then take your time to look at them.”

She finished speaking and turned back to the living room.

Jian Mingzhou breathed a sigh of relief, and the next second, he heard his dad and mom talking loudly:

“The son has grown up; don’t rush into his room.”

“Oh, right. Shh…”

“Shh…”

Jian Mingzhou’s fingertips trembled; his dad might as well not say anything!

…

After dealing with the crisis, he returned to the kitchen.

Xie Jing had already organized all the ingredients.

Seeing him come back, Xie Jing’s gaze fell, seemingly nervous and amusing. Are you okay?

Still able to laugh…

Jian Mingzhou stared at him and said, It’s all because of your big pillow.

Xie Jing lightly laughed and hooked his hand gently while picking up things: My bad.

Jian Mingzhou curled his fingers, his heartbeat accelerating.

Forget it. Admitting a mistake—what’s so cute about it?

They prepared dinner on this side.

Qiao Shu was playing with the camera over there, taking a few still lifes in the living room. She looked towards Jian Mingzhou.

“It’s been a long time since I took pictures of my son. Come and smile for Mom~”

Jian Mingzhou cooperatively raised his head and smiled.

He and Xie Jing stood very close. Qiao Shu raised the camera and asked, “Xiao Jing, do you mind being in the picture?”

Xie Jing’s fingertips seemed to tighten, then he casually pursed his lips and said, “I don’t mind, Aunt.”

Jian Mingzhou turned his head to look at him, and his eyes were shining.

It wasn’t just that he didn’t mind; he even wished his mom would take a few more pictures.

Qiao Shu suddenly laughed joyfully. “Oh, good, good, good, handsome, and generous; Aunt likes to take pictures of handsome guys!”

Jian Chaoxing said, “Huh?” and stepped forward, opening his arms.

“There’s really no way; let Auntie take a few shots.”

“Hehe… Move away, old handsome guy.”

In front of the sink, Xie Jing was cutting vegetables.

The voice that could only be heard by two people said, “Uncle, finally, you know why your inner world is so rich.”

Jian Mingzhou, who could read minds, became alert and glanced sideways.

Xie Jingwen spoke softly, “In just a few minutes, my psychological activity has grown geometrically.”

Jian Mingzhou, “…”

He choked for a moment, unable to refute.

After a while, he gently changed the topic, “You don’t seem nervous at all?”

I still had time to observe and tease.

“Not nervous?” Xie Jing turned towards him, smiled, and said, “…Uncle, I’m almost nervous to death.”

Really? Jian Mingzhou’s gaze fell, and he saw that the winter melon on his cutting board was unevenly sliced and the knife edge was crooked.

He was immediately stunned. “How did you…”

Xie Jing put down the knife, walked around him to wash his hands, and whispered,

“After all, it’s the first time meeting the parents.”

In the front, Qiao Shu was happily taking pictures with the camera raised. The slanting sunset spilled over the potted plants under the balcony.

Jian Mingzhou slightly widened his eyes, and his earlobes suddenly felt warm.

–

By the living room balcony.

Qiao Shu sat on Jian Mingzhou’s small sofa, flipping through photos, and Jian Chaoxing bent over.

“Let me see, besides me, which handsome guy is in your camera?”

Qiao Shu smiled. “There’s also our son~”

Jian Chaoxing teased, “Nonsense! Clearly, there’s another handsome guy.”

Qiao Shu giggled, said, “You’re crazy,” and then looked at the photo album again.

The photos were just taken, the light and shadow were well captured, sunlight fell, and white smoke lingered.

Pressing the page-turning button, the photos were flipped one by one.

The two stood behind the kitchen counter.

Jian Mingzhou stood tall and gentle, tilting his head to say something. Xie Jing, taller than others, looked down at him with smiling eyes.

In the tranquility, there seemed to be an atmosphere that made it hard to intervene.

Flipping through the photos, it stopped at the latest one.

Xie Jing walked past him from behind, and his tall silhouette was outlined against the background. Jian Mingzhou lowered his head, his earlobes slightly red.

Qiao Shu squinted slightly and looked up. Hmm…

After a while, dinner was ready.

Xie Jing served the meal, and Jian Mingzhou called, “Miss Qiao, Mr. Jian, please come to the table.”

Jian Chaoxing stood up gratefully, went to wash his hands,

“Well said; continue next time.”

Qiao Shu turned off the camera and put it aside. She looked up at Xie Jing handling fruits and asked, “What is Xiaojing still doing?”

Jian Mingzhou turned his head and said, “Making juice.”

Qiao Shu stood up naturally and said, “Tell your boyfriend not to bother; just get some iced tea.”

“Okay.” Jian Mingzhou also responded naturally.

He turned and took two steps, and suddenly his steps stopped!

…Wait a minute, his boyfriend?