The Young Master's Live-In Nanny - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The Graduation Banquet — “Uncle, I’m going to Luohai City with A-Ze…”

At high noon, on a construction site with absolutely no shade, the sun-scorched rebar reflected a blinding white light.

The air was thick with the smell of cement dust. It was currently break time, yet a lone figure continued to move back and forth under the blazing sun.

The man bent over, gripping the two corners of a cement bag. The muscles in his arms tightened as he steadily hoisted the hundred-pound bag onto his shoulder, walking step by step toward the mixer.

His rubber boots, caked in gray dust, were stripped of their original color. The coarse woven bag rubbed against the back of his neck; the mixture of cement dust and sweat stung his skin painfully, but he didn’t even flinch, as if long since accustomed to it.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated in his trouser pocket. The man set the cement bag down, wiped the dust from his palms onto his clothes, and pulled out the phone to answer: “Hello.”

“Brother, I passed! I got in!” The voice on the other end was thick with irrepressible excitement.

The man’s hand, which was about to wipe away sweat, froze in mid-air. He couldn’t help but confirm: “You got in?”

“I really did! The admission info is out.”

“Understood.” The man’s expression didn’t change much as he let the sweat slide down his jaw, but his sharp, cold features softened slightly. “I’ll pick you up later; we’re going out to eat.”

…

Nanlin Village

The August sun had been vicious since morning, making the concrete road at the village entrance shimmer with heat.

There was hardly anyone there. A black local dog stood in the shade of a tree by the roadside, tongue lolling out, when it suddenly began wagging its tail in excitement.

Before long, the roar of an engine approached as an old motorcycle entered the village, trailing a cloud of murky exhaust.

The black dog immediately began barking, “Woof, woof, woof!” joyfully chasing after the bike.

Xu Qiushi parked the motorcycle in front of his house, took off his helmet, and carried two large bags of groceries inside.

“Brother, you’re back.” A clean-cut, handsome youth met him, reaching out to help.

“The bags are dirty, don’t touch them.” Xu Qiushi pulled back slightly, avoiding his brother’s clean hands, and went straight to the kitchen to take out the ingredients and wash them.

“Brother, let me do it,” Xu Qiuze followed behind his brother like a little tail.

This time, Xu Qiushi didn’t refuse, merely reminding him to put on an apron.

The little black dog circled anxiously at their feet, panting heavily with a fawning expression.

“Xiao Hei, you’re here again.” Xu Qiuze couldn’t free his hands, so he used a foot to tease the dog.

Xu Qiushi casually tossed a scrap of meat over. Xiao Hei leapt up, caught it precisely, and happily devoured it.

Xu Qiuze couldn’t help but laugh. “He knows there’s meat to eat if he follows Brother. Such a greedy dog.”

Xiao Hei smacked his lips, unsatisfied, and continued wagging his tail for more. He was the Village Chief’s dog—smart enough to know that after eating well here a few times, he should follow Xu Qiushi home whenever he saw him.

Xu Qiushi glanced at Xiao Hei and said calmly, “No more. Wait until tonight.”

“Whine~” As if understanding, Xiao Hei let out a whimper and walked to the eaves to lie down lazily.

Today was the day of the banquet for Xu Qiuze’s university acceptance. Xu Qiushi hadn’t invited many people, calling it just a simple meal. He didn’t plan on accepting gifts and only intended to set up two tables.

Even so, cleaning the ingredients took several hours. The brothers took a quick break for lunch and started working again in the afternoon.

The kitchen in the old house used a traditional earth stove. After the prep was done, the task of tending the fire fell to Xu Qiuze.

The fire in the hearth burned brighter and hotter, raising the temperature in the kitchen significantly.

Wearing a tank top, Xu Qiushi stood before the stove, quickly stir-frying the ingredients in the iron wok. His arm muscles bulged in perfect curves with every movement of the spatula, his tanned skin shimmering with a layer of sweat from the heat.

He wiped the sweat from his brow. His hair had just been trimmed, revealing a broad forehead, high brow bones, and deep-set eyes. His lips were pressed together in concentration, making him look spirited and sharp.

Though he said he’d just make “a few things,” Xu Qiushi prepared ten dishes: cold-dressed pig’s head meat, braised chicken feet, red-braised ribs, steamed sea bass, preserved vegetable with braised pork (Meicai Kourou), oil-braised prawns, stir-fried yellow beef, soybean pig trotter stew, stir-fried seasonal greens, and mushroom chicken soup.

Fortunately, the stove could hold two woks, and there was a coal burner for the soup. The brothers worked in perfect harmony, like a multi-threaded processor, moving efficiently.

As the sun set, Xu Qiuze looked at the pot on the coal burner and asked, “Brother, the soup is done, right? I’ll take it out first.”

“Wait, let me season it.” Xu Qiushi lifted the lid. A thick, fresh aroma billowed out. The chicken soup was clear and golden with oil. The seasoning only required a simple sprinkle of salt; MSG wasn’t needed at all.

Xu Qiuze swallowed his saliva at the scent, portioned the soup into two bowls, and carried them to the tables set up in the courtyard.

Soon, guests began to arrive. Most were Xu Qiushi’s coworkers from the construction site. Being close friends, they didn’t stand on ceremony; they immediately started helping bring out dishes, set the table, and arrange stools.

One man with a head of dyed yellow hair squeezed in next to Xu Qiushi, clamoring to help him cook.

“Qiang-zi, can you even do it? Don’t get in Brother Shi’s way,” the others outside teased. “Brother Shi, Qiang-zi is just here to steal your skills. He wants to find a wife.”

Qiang-zi turned and shouted back, “What do you know? My grandma said a man has to know how to cook! Men who cook well are popular with women. Someone like Brother Shi never has to worry about finding a wife, right, Brother Shi?”

“Stop talking nonsense. Wait outside,” Xu Qiushi said expressionlessly, shooing him out of the kitchen.

“Qiang-zi, don’t blame me for being honest—the gap between you and Brother Shi isn’t just in the kitchen. Most importantly, it’s the face. Do you understand? The face.”

“Go to hell! You can’t get anything good out of a dog’s mouth!” Qiang-zi cursed, rolling up his sleeves.

The group around the table burst into laughter as they scattered. “What a temper! He gets mad over a few words. He’ll probably pick fights with his wife too! Hahaha!”

“Who’s getting a wife? You monkeys, I could hear you from miles away.” The Village Chief led another group into the yard. Seeing Xiao Hei wagging his tail, he laughed and scolded, “I wondered why you didn’t come home for dinner. Turns out you’re here freeloading again.”

Qiang-zi spotted what the Chief was carrying and asked curiously, “Uncle, what did you bring?”

The Chief set several gourds of wine on the table. “Homemade sweet potato liquor. You’ve got a sharp eye, kid.”

Seeing this, Xu Qiuze went inside to get some disposable paper cups he had bought.

The Chief looked at them with disdain. “What are those? No, no. This wine has to be drunk from a bowl to taste right.”

Qiang-zi complained, “Uncle, disposable stuff is convenient. You just throw it away after eating, no washing needed.”

“You brat, would washing a few bowls kill you? Lazy bum, you think you can get a wife looking like that?” The Chief flicked Qiang-zi’s forehead, prompting another round of laughter.

Night fell, and the few scattered streetlights along the village path flickered on, casting a warm yellow glow over the Xu family’s front yard.

The sound of drinking games and laughter was clear in the silent night. Fortunately, Nanlin Village was sparsely populated and the houses were far apart, otherwise, they might have been accused of disturbing the peace.

Xu Qiushi brought out two bottles of Fenjiu he had specifically bought. He was about to open them when the Village Chief stopped him. “The sweet potato liquor I brought is enough. These guys have weak tolerances; don’t open those. Return them tomorrow.”

Xu Qiushi knew the Chief was trying to save him money. Ever since his parents passed away, the Chief had been the one who helped the brothers the most. He kept that in his heart. Raising his wine bowl, he said sincerely, “Uncle, thank you for all these years. I toast you.”

“Don’t talk about ‘thanks.’ You help me with chores all the time. In the blink of an eye, you’ve both grown up. Now that A-Ze has gotten into a good university, you don’t have to work so hard anymore,” the Chief said, patting Xu Qiushi on the shoulder.

“A-Ze has always been hardworking,” Xu Qiushi said, draining his bowl. His hands were covered in thick calluses, his knuckles large—the hands of someone who had labored for years.

Hearing this, Xu Qiuze thought of the past. His nose felt prickly. He lowered his head and shoveled rice into his mouth, his tears falling into the bowl. Suddenly, a chicken leg was dropped into his rice. He looked up to see his brother’s slightly upturned lips: “Eat more. Nourish yourself.”

Xu Qiuze wiped his tears secretly and gave his brother a bright smile. “Thanks, Brother. You eat too.”

“A-Ze, your brother loves you so much. You must be filial to him in the future.”

“I know, Uncle. I definitely will. When I graduate and earn money, I’ll be filial to you, too.”

“Hahaha! Good, good! You’re a smooth talker, unlike your brother who’s like a ‘sawed-off gourd’ (tight-lipped).” The Chief laughed heartily at Xu Qiuze’s words.

After several rounds of drinks, the other young men, envious of Xu Qiuze going to university, crowded around him to ask questions.

The Village Chief sat next to Xu Qiushi, tapping his old tobacco pipe. “Shi-tou (Stone), don’t think I’m nagging, but you’re not getting any younger. It’s time to think about your own marriage.”

Xu Qiushi’s hand paused as he reached for food. He said uncomfortably, “No rush.”

“What do you mean ‘no rush’? Look at the Wang family’s boy—he was in your class, and now his kid can already run and jump.” The Chief’s tone held a hint of frustration, then he changed the subject: “What do you think of the Lin family’s eldest daughter? She’s good-looking and has a great character. Her parents asked me to look for a match for her, and I thought of you immediately.”

“Uncle… with my conditions, I shouldn’t burden her,” Xu Qiushi said, looking down.

The Chief slapped the table. “Burden? Your family debts are paid off, A-Ze is through to university—it’s time to plan for yourself! The girl is hardworking, and you are steady. Are you afraid you won’t live a good life?”

Xu Qiushi fell silent.

The Chief assumed he wasn’t interested in that particular girl and added, “Then tell me, what kind of person do you like? I promise I’ll find someone who suits your heart.”

Xu Qiushi knew the Chief wouldn’t give up. After a long silence, he said, “Uncle, I’m going to Luohai City with A-Ze.”

“What? A-Ze is a grown man, are you afraid he’ll get lost? Just drop him at the station,” the Chief waved it off.

Xu Qiushi explained, “No, I want to find work in Luohai. That way, A-Ze and I can look out for each other.”

The Chief hadn’t expected this at all. He was stunned for a moment, not knowing how to respond.

Xu Qiushi silently refilled the Chief’s wine.

The Chief picked up the bowl, set it down heavily, took two deep drags of his tobacco, and finally nodded. “Young people should go out and see the world. It’s better than being trapped in this small place forever.”

Xu Qiushi gave a soft “Mm.” Looking at the Chief’s weathered old face, he felt a pang of guilt.

Actually, he hadn’t fully decided to go to Luohai until today. It was the Chief’s words that rang the alarm.

He didn’t like women. In a closed-off, conservative, and backward village like this, such a thing was far too shocking.

How could a man like another man? Men must marry wives, women must have children—these were the unspoken rules. Anyone who stepped outside them would be treated like a monster and condemned by everyone.

Xu Qiushi knew he would never marry or have children. He had first looked up the term “homosexual” in an internet cafe long ago. He could accept his orientation, but he didn’t want the people around him to have their spines poked (be gossiped about) because of him.

If he stayed in the village, there would eventually be endless rumors. It was better to leave for a place where no one knew him—a permanent solution.

Late at night, everyone had eaten and drunk their fill. Several drunken men were swaying, yet they still insisted on helping Xu Qiushi clean up the yard.

Xu Qiushi picked up two of them, one in each hand, and ordered: “Qiang-zi, you and Da Mao take them home. I don’t need help here.”

“Alright, we’re leaving then.” Qiang-zi and the other sober young men supported the drunks and stumbled out.

Xu Qiushi packed a bag of leftovers and walked the Chief to the main road. He handed the bag to him, telling him to give it to Xiao Hei.

When the Chief reached out to take it, he realized there was a gift bag containing the two unopened bottles of wine. He immediately tried to refuse: “What are you doing? Take it back, I don’t want it.”

“No one at home drinks it. It’s a waste to let it sit,” Xu Qiushi pushed it back.

“Didn’t I tell you to return them?”

Xu Qiushi’s tone was firm: “I already bought them. Please take them.”

“You… sigh, really…” Knowing he couldn’t win, the Chief sighed and asked, “When are you leaving? What about the house? If you need anything, just ask. Don’t be polite with me.”

Xu Qiushi thought for a moment. “In about half a month. I’ll spend these few days tidying up. I’ll have to trouble you to keep an eye on the house.”

The Chief waved him off and called for Xiao Hei. The shadows of the man and the dog stretched long under the streetlights as they faded into the distance.

Xu Qiushi returned home and began cleaning the yard and kitchen with his brother, working until the middle of the night.

While washing dishes, Xu Qiuze pulled a red envelope from his pocket. “Brother, this is for you.”

The Chief had stuffed it into his pocket when Xu Qiushi wasn’t looking. Qiang-zi and the others had tried to give money too, but Xu Qiuze had used his brother’s name to decline. However, the Chief wouldn’t take no for an answer, so he had to accept it and hand it to his brother.

Xu Qiushi opened the envelope. There was 500 yuan—exactly the cost of the two bottles of wine. He helplessly tucked the money back in. “It’s for you. Keep it, but remember the kindness shown to us.”

Xu Qiuze nodded. “I remember.”

“Mm.” It was late, so Xu Qiushi urged his brother to bathe first. He finished washing and drying the borrowed tableware; it had to be returned tomorrow.

The weather was hot, so they usually bathed with cold well water. Since the night air had turned cool, Xu Qiushi boiled some hot water for his brother to mix with the well water.

When Xu Qiuze came out, it was his brother’s turn. Xu Qiuze sat in the yard, playing with his new phone.

It was a graduation gift from Xu Qiushi—the first smartphone of his life. He cherished it deeply, afraid to even scratch it.

His current SIM card didn’t have much data, so he couldn’t use online features for long, but he was still very satisfied. After all, his brother was still using a second-hand feature phone (brick phone) that Xu Qiuze had outgrown.

Xu Qiushi walked toward the laundry sink with a basin of clothes, pausing to warn, “Don’t look at it too long, you’ll ruin your eyes.”

Xu Qiuze immediately put the phone away. “Brother, let me wash the clothes.”

“No need.” Xu Qiushi stood there like a mountain, unmoving.

So Xu Qiuze waited by his side, taking each washed item to hang it on the line.

To Xu Qiuze, this was just a normal, pleasant night spent with his brother.

After sending his brother to bed, Xu Qiushi sat in the yard and lit a cigarette. Thinking of the decision he had made tonight, he wasn’t sure what he was feeling.

He looked up. His eyes reflected the sky full of stars. Beneath that starlight, there was a hidden mixture of uncertainty and expectation for the future.