Did My Wife Break Up With Me Today? - Chapter 84

Chapter 84: Xu Jingmo Likes Floor-to-Ceiling Windows Best

Chen Kongqing listened, stunned. “Go… go home?”

“Mhm. My parents just returned recently; they’re in our hometown with my grandfather. It’s about a two-hour drive from Kun City to Huaicheng. We’ll drive there ourselves, how does that sound?” Xu Jingmo asked softly, his palm stroking the back of the rabbit’s head.

His palm brushed against soft hair. The rabbit’s hair was naturally tinged with a chestnut hue, looking especially beautiful under outdoor sunlight—like colors left behind after being washed by the sun. It also carried a faint scent of herbs.

Chen Kongqing let his head be held and didn’t pull away. His willow-leaf eyes were sparkling. “Is it really okay?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Xu Jingmo curled his lips, pressing the youth’s face down slightly.

Chen Kongqing: “Will it scare them?”

“No,” Xu Jingmo answered decisively, comforting the little rabbit on his lap. “My family is indeed a traditional, large family, but they are traditional, not bigoted.”

Chen Kongqing originally lacked confidence and was quite worried. But Xu Jingmo’s actions, words, and gaze each transmitted courage to him. They all told him that none of this was a problem.

Chen buried his face into Xu Jingmo’s warm, broad chest. “Okay, let’s go back this weekend.”

“Good.” Xu Jingmo stroked his back, a rhythmic, gentle caress.

By his ear, the little cat let out a soft meow. Chen Kongqing had just started feeling so happy and warm. But the next second, the large hand on his back slid downward and gave a pat to the rabbit’s soft, fleshy bottom. The force was neither too light nor too heavy.

Chen Kongqing: “…”

Xu Jingmo met the rabbit’s little glare. “Cursing me in your head again?”

“It hurts…” Chen Kongqing complained in a small voice.

“It hurts?” Xu Jingmo raised an eyebrow. Instead of moving his hand, he gave a firm squeeze.

If he were standing behind him right now, with Chen Kongqing [redacted] in front of the bed, his eyes would reflect the sight of snowy-white flesh being wantonly kneaded in a palm. The soft, white skin would be covered in his palm prints, gradually flushing pink. Then, that pink would turn into a deep crimson, leaving behind red marks.

“This place is Xiao Man’s sturdiest part, how can it hurt?” Xu Jingmo said this with a perfectly straight face.

Hearing this, Chen Kongqing’s ears instantly turned red, followed by his entire face. “You…”

The rabbit was thin everywhere else, but he had grown a few ounces of “meat” on his backside—round, like a peach.

Chen bit the man’s shoulder through his clothes, his teeth closing shut. Xu Jingmo seemed to have no sense of pain, continuing to squeeze him as if nothing were happening. “What about me then? When are you taking me home?”

“Mhm…” Chen released Xu’s shoulder, thinking for a few seconds. “In a while. My mom started working at the factory recently; she doesn’t have much free time.”

“Alright.” Xu Jingmo was as gentle as ever in speech, and as forceful as ever in action.

…

The events following that require a “light-out” (fade to black).

Chen Kongqing didn’t know why, but lately, he and Xu Jingmo always ended up in bed for no apparent reason. Sometimes it wasn’t even the bed—it could be the bathroom, the sofa… The rental apartment was only so big, so they had tried almost every corner.

Xu Jingmo still felt it wasn’t enough and would sometimes pull him to his own apartment. Xu’s apartment was, of course, much larger. It had floor-to-ceiling windows and a large bathtub. Xu Jingmo seemed to like floor-to-ceiling windows the most. If the rabbit didn’t lose his footing, it felt like Xu could press him against the window until dawn.

Consequently, Chen Kongqing became reluctant to go there. Of course, not going didn’t mean he could escape it.

That night, Chen was exhausted from the exertion and slept heavily. After tucking him in, Xu Jingmo got out of bed quietly and walked to the balcony. After closing the balcony door, he dialed Jiang Wenshu’s number.

A few seconds later, the call connected. A gentle female voice came through: “Jingmo, why aren’t you resting yet?”

“Mom, you haven’t rested either, right?” Xu Jingmo said.

Jiang Wenshu: “No… your father and I just got back; we’re still unpacking.”

“Okay.” Xu Jingmo pursed his lips. “I’m coming back tomorrow.”

Jiang Wenshu: “That’s great. Can you get away from the hospital?”

“Mhm…” Xu paused. “Mom, this time, I won’t be alone.”

The female voice on the phone hummed for a few seconds, teasing, “Oh? Finally learned how to be in a hurry, have you?”

“It’s not being in a hurry; it’s that I’ve found him.” As Xu spoke, he looked through the balcony glass toward the bed. The rabbit on the bed was curled into a small, obedient ball, his sleeping face exquisite. The feeling was indescribable.

“Tsk tsk, how cheesy.” This was Xu Pingqing’s voice. “You’re on par with those Americans who call people ‘sweetheart’ and ‘baby’ all day.” Faint laughter from the two of them came through the phone.

“It’s a boy,” Xu Jingmo said after a few seconds of silence.

Xu Pingqing and Jiang Wenshu, though older, were not backward-thinking. They were well-educated and modern. Furthermore, Xu had mentioned before that he wasn’t sure of his orientation, so they hadn’t pressured him into blind dates or marriage. The open-minded couple hadn’t meddled further.

However, Xu Jingmo wasn’t sure what their attitude would be upon being notified so suddenly. But regardless of their attitude, he had to handle it well.

The laughter on the phone faded, and there was a long silence.

Xu Pingqing: “This… are you serious, son?”

“Yes.” Xu Jingmo looked up at the moon in the night sky, which was missing a small piece. “Serious. For a lifetime.”

Xu Pingqing paused for two seconds. “Well, that’s fine too. A boy can be a ‘sweetheart’ or a ‘baby’ as well.”

Perhaps because Xu Jingmo had given them “preventative shots” in the past, the two elders accepted it quite quickly. Jiang Wenshu chimed in from the side: “What does your sweetheart like to eat? I need to prepare.”

Hearing this, the heart that had been hanging in the air finally settled. Xu Jingmo stared at the moon and whispered, “Thank you, Mom and Dad.”

Jiang Wenshu laughed. “Don’t be so polite, silly child…”

At that moment, the rabbit on the bed was half-asleep, reaching out to the space beside him. No one… Chen Kongqing huffed and tossed around in the quilt for a bit, let out a few grumbles.

Outside on the balcony, Xu Jingmo turned around and saw this. He said to the elders on the phone, “Sweetheart is awake. I’m hanging up now.”

The elders: “…”

…

On Friday night, Chen Kongqing didn’t let Xu Jingmo mess around, wanting to save his energy. Xu Jingmo didn’t plan to do anything either; after all, the drive on Saturday would be tiring.

Huaicheng is a famous historical town in China. In recent years, tourism has developed rapidly, and city construction has improved. It is a rich and fertile land. Many of the preserved ancient Huizhou-style residences were left behind by the Xu family’s ancestors. Chen Kongqing only found this out later.

The Xu family members in their hometown had all moved into the ancestral home, which was not open to the public. A pure black Mercedes stopped in front of the ancient, elegant gates of the manor.

Xu Jingmo got out and opened the car door for the drowsy Chen Kongqing. Jiang Wenshu and Xu Pingqing had been waiting at the door early on. Chen rubbed his eyes, still a bit dazed. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he saw two middle-aged people with outstanding temperaments.

“This must be the ‘sweetheart,’ right?” Xu Pingqing said with a smile. “No, it should be the ‘sugar baby.'” His American accent was very standard.

Chen Kongqing rubbed his eyes wide, still somewhat confused. Looking at the student-like Chen Kongqing before her, Jiang Wenshu asked with concern, “How old are you, child?”

“I’m twenty this year,” Chen Kongqing blinked, answering after a few seconds’ delay.

He was originally very nervous, worried that Xu’s parents wouldn’t like him, but he didn’t expect them to be so warm.

“Twenty?” Jiang Wenshu was clearly shocked. Her brow furrowed, but not at Chen Kongqing—it was at Xu Jingmo.

Xu Jingmo, carrying various bags, followed them inside, still somewhat out of the loop. “Let’s talk inside; the sun is strong now.”

Xu Pingqing also looked like he wanted to say something but ultimately kept quiet, leading them in.

This was the first time Chen Kongqing had seen a “home” like this. It was like the ancient manors in TV dramas. Within the walls, there wasn’t just a front yard—the backyard even had a rockery and a pond. He didn’t remember Xu Jingmo’s family being this well-off when he was a child. Back then, however, the Xu family lived in a small Western-style house too.

The couple initially didn’t seem to know he was the “Xiao Man” from Zijin Town. It was only after a few of them sat down and chatted for a while that the elders found out, and they were visibly startled again.

“You’re Xiao Man? You’ve grown so much…” Jiang Wenshu said, a realization dawning on her. “Oh god, you’re still so young. Child, maybe you should reconsider. You see, you’re still so young, and Jingmo is almost thirty…”

The couple worked as translators and lived abroad for many years, so they occasionally used a “dubbed movie” style of speaking as a joke.

Xu Jingmo, who was peeling an orange: “…”

Chen Kongqing hadn’t expected to encounter this kind of problem and didn’t know how to answer for a moment.

Xu Jingmo: “Don’t scare him. I’m nowhere near thirty.”

“Isn’t twenty-eight basically thirty?” Jiang Wenshu exposed him, taking Chen Kongqing’s hand. “Child, do you really not mind? You’re still so young; in the future, you’ll surely meet…”

Xu Jingmo’s face turned black.

Chen Kongqing looked at the frustrated Xu Jingmo and licked his lips. “Auntie, I don’t think age is a problem. Please rest assured, I don’t mind at all.”

“As long as you don’t mind. I’m just worried you’re young and might lose out,” Jiang Wenshu said, placing a large platter of pre-cut fruit in front of him. “Here, have some watermelon. You’re allergic to anthocyanins, right? None of these fruits contain anthocyanins. I have carrot and beef brisket stewing in the kitchen; Jingmo said you love it.”

Chen looked at the platter—watermelon, pear, sweet orange… many fruits, but indeed none that contained anthocyanins. It turned out remembering his allergy wasn’t that difficult.

“Thank you, Auntie.” He felt a warmth in his chest.

Xu Jingmo held a piece of peeled orange to his lips. “Eat this first; if you eat it later, it’ll taste sour.”

“Okay.” Chen originally wanted to take it with his hand, given the elders were there. But Xu Jingmo insisted on stuffing it into his mouth.

“Tsk tsk…” Xu Pingqing teased. “Old woman, you feed me a piece of watermelon too.”

“Who are you calling ‘old woman’?” Jiang Wenshu pouted and ignored him.

Xu Pingqing: “Alright, alright… My honey.”

When Xu Pingqing spoke English, he had a certain charm. Sure enough, Jiang Wenshu smiled, and though her movements were still a bit “disdainful,” she forked a piece of watermelon for him.

Chen Kongqing suppressed a laugh and looked at Xu Jingmo. Xu was carefully picking the white pith off the orange meat for him, very focused, as if performing surgery. Chen didn’t know how to describe it, but he just felt a warmth all over.

This wonderful atmosphere lasted until Xu Qingyang appeared.

Xu Qingyang was eighty years old. His hair was already white, and his face was deeply wrinkled, but his expression was still sharp, and his back was very straight. He naturally carried the aura of a patriarch.

The couple must have told the old man that Xu Jingmo was bringing someone back, and that this person was a boy. Such a thing might be easy for the couple to digest, but for an eighty-year-old man, it was indeed a bit difficult.

Thus, during the meal, Xu Qingyang appeared very cold, maintaining a serious face and not communicating much with the others. However, he still showed grace by arranging a table full of delicacies. He didn’t make things difficult for Chen Kongqing; when their eyes met, he even gave a nod. But he didn’t speak.

After the meal, Chen Kongqing wanted to find a chance to ask Xu Jingmo if he should talk to his grandfather, but Xu Jingmo was taken away by Xu Qingyang.

“The grandfather and grandson probably need to talk. Kongqing, sit with me and watch TV,” Xu Pingqing said, noticing his tension and unease. “It’s fine. The old man is a bit traditional, but he’s not an old fossil.”

Jiang Wenshu wore a gentle smile, her jade-like hand lightly resting on the youth’s shoulder. “It’s okay. Come and have some snowflake crisps.”

Chen Kongqing forced himself to focus and nodded. “Okay…”

At that time, in front of the Xu family’s large ancestral hall, an old man and a young man stood.

Xu Qingyang looked up at the ancestral tablets and let out a long sigh. “Jingmo, you are my favorite junior, and a role model for your generation and the next.”

Xu Jingmo lowered his eyes, remaining silent.

“Since you were a child, you’ve been an excellent student, outstanding in every way, and steady in character. You’ve never done anything out of line.” Xu Qingyang held his hands behind his back, appearing as if he couldn’t understand. “How could you… be gay?”

Xu Jingmo finally spoke: “Grandfather…”

“Your parents say this is normal, that I should learn to accept it.” Xu Qingyang paced back and forth. “When your father insisted on studying translation and going abroad, they told me to accept that too. I could somewhat accept that, but this…” Xu Qingyang’s tone was full of helplessness. His affection for Xu Jingmo was deep, so even in this situation, he couldn’t bring himself to make Xu Jingmo kneel.

“I’m sorry, Grandfather, for upsetting you,” Xu Jingmo said solemnly, looking at the old man’s back.

“Or… maybe you just like men right now.” Xu Qingyang turned back suddenly, painting a blueprint for himself. “Maybe in two years, you’ll still like women, then you’ll marry and have children…”

However, before the old man could finish his description, he was ruthlessly interrupted.

“No, Grandfather,” Xu Jingmo said, his tone very calm. Then, he bent his knees and knelt in front of the ancestral hall, in front of the old man.

Xu Qingyang couldn’t bear it and instinctively reached down to help him up. But Xu Jingmo knelt firmly, as if he had to. “Grandfather, I like Chen Kongqing very much. In this lifetime, I will only ever like him. It’s no longer possible for me to fall in love with anyone else, whether a woman or a man. I’m sorry to have disappointed you.”

“Then have you thought about the day you’ll grow old?” Xu Qingyang’s tone grew a bit agitated, and his pacing became hurried. “What will you do then? You have no children. When you two are old and gray, who will take care of you?”

“That won’t be a problem, Grandfather,” Xu Jingmo said firmly, though his heart trembled slightly. “I will make arrangements. I will take care of him.”

“And yourself?” Xu Qingyang let out a breath.

“I will take care of myself too.” Xu Jingmo looked up. “Only by taking care of myself can I take care of him properly.”

Xu Qingyang: “…You like him that much?”

“Yes.” Xu Jingmo nodded.

“Have it your way then!” Xu Qingyang irritably ran his hands through his hair and sighed repeatedly. “I won’t be around to see it anyway. Have it your way!” With that, the old man walked toward the door in a huff.

Xu Jingmo remained kneeling on the ground.

When Xu Qingyang reached the door, he suddenly stopped his hurried steps. “Still kneeling? If you ruin your knees, who are you going to take care of?”

“Grandfather, does this mean you agree?” Xu Jingmo wasn’t in a hurry to get up. Instead, he used it as leverage, though his tone was well-disguised and sounded pitiful. “If you don’t agree, I don’t have the face to get up.”

Xu Qingyang gave a heavy huff. “Are you threatening me?”

“No, Grandfather, I’m apologizing.” Xu Jingmo lowered his head.

“Hmph.” Xu Qingyang huffed again and put his hands behind his back. “Then keep kneeling. Kneel until that ‘baby’ of yours gets worried!” With that, the old man left excitedly.

Xu Jingmo then stood up, a smile he couldn’t hide on his face.

The grandfather and grandson had actually talked for a long time. By the time Xu Jingmo returned from the ancestral hall, Chen Kongqing was already waiting for him in the bedroom.

Chen had finished showering and was lying on the large bed with clean sheets, but his heart was pounding. He didn’t know how Xu Jingmo was doing. He had seen news stories where people came out to their families and were locked up… Xu Jingmo wouldn’t be locked up by his grandfather, would he? He wouldn’t be beaten, would he? Had he known, he wouldn’t have brought up the idea of meeting the family.

Chen Kongqing let out a long sigh, tossing and turning on the bed. Finally, the door was pushed open. Xu Jingmo stepped slowly into the bedroom.

Hearing the movement, Chen Kongqing sat up abruptly. “Mmh, are… are you okay?”

Fortunately, the man looked normal, not like he had been beaten.

“What could happen to me?” Xu Jingmo smiled at him and walked toward the bed. “Is the mattress too hard? The beds in the ancestral home are old and not that comfortable.”

Chen Kongqing shook his head repeatedly, his eyes scanning the man up and down. “Did Grandfather… make things difficult for you?”

“No, aren’t I perfectly fine?” Xu Jingmo still stood by the bed, his palm stroking the rabbit’s fluffy hair.

“Then what did he say? Is it that he can’t accept it?” Chen asked. He completely understood if Xu Qingyang couldn’t accept it, and would even feel sorry for the old man.

“He said to have it our way.” Xu Jingmo sat down slowly on the edge of the bed. In his ears, the old man’s interrogation suddenly echoed.

[“Then have you thought about the day you’ll grow old?”] [“What will you do then? You have no children. When you two are old and gray, who will take care of you?”]

A flicker of gloom passed through the man’s phoenix eyes.

Chen Kongqing noticed it, of course. He leaned against Xu Jingmo. “It’s okay if he can’t accept it.”

“No, he accepted it,” Xu Jingmo answered, his gloomy gaze slowly falling on Chen. He pursed his lips. “Xiao Man, it’s true that I’m nearly thirty. I’m… not exactly young. Is all of this too selfish?”

Chen Kongqing didn’t quite understand and tilted his head in confusion. “What’s selfish?”

“I will grow old. So old that I won’t be able to take care of you.” As Xu spoke, he felt a dryness in his throat. “But I’m still selfish enough to ask you for a lifetime.”

At this point, Xu Jingmo paused for several seconds. “You still have a chance to refuse me, Chen Kongqing.”