Half an hour later, Song Jianchu finally finished the girl’s game.
Mother Mu brought sliced pineapples and noticed the guests’ red ears on the sofa. She asked, “Is it too hot inside? Why are Jianchu’s ears so red?”
Song Jianchu closed his eyes and adjusted the collar of his round-neck sweater, calmly saying, “It’s a bit hot, but it’s fine.”
Mu Mu looked over and said, “Brother’s ears are so red, so cute. They look so touchable.”
Afraid that the little girl’s hand would actually reach out, Song Jianchu discreetly moved aside.
“Mu Mu, be good. Don’t bother your brother anymore,” said Mother Mu, sitting down on the sofa.
She noticed Song Jianchu’s nails and immediately apologized as she stood up, saying, “I’m sorry, did my sister bother you? Let me remove the nail polish for you.”
Song Jianchu’s hand was clenched unnaturally all the time, and he quickly said, “No need, it’s not urgent.”
Mu Ye suppressed his laughter and rubbed Song Jianchu’s shoulder, saying, “Leader, you’ve worked hard.”
Afraid that Mu Ye would habitually hug him, Song Jianchu naturally moved aside, maintaining a safe distance from this sibling pair.
Coming to have a meal was already risky; he absolutely couldn’t let Mu Ye’s family suspect anything.
After all, being kept by someone was not something to be proud of.
However, the person being kept showed no signs of avoidance.
“Why are you sitting so far away?” Mu Ye waved his hand displeasedly, “Come back.”
Mother Mu was puzzled, “Yes, why did Jianchu sit over there? Can you reach the fruits?”
“It’s cooler over here,” Song Jianchu naturally found an excuse, “I’m already full.”
Mu Mu said regretfully, “Brother, I grew the strawberries. They’re delicious.”
“Jianchu, come over and have a taste,” Mother Mu said, “We planted the strawberries together with Mu Mu. We just picked them yesterday.”
Song Jianchu hesitated for a moment and said, “I’ll eat them later.”
“If you don’t come, I’ll come to you,” Mu Ye said.
Song Jianchu had no choice but to move back.
Mu Ye happily fed the person next to him with strawberries, saying, “Try it, Mu Mu’s brand strawberries.”
Song Jianchu politely said, “Thank you, I’ll take them myself.”
Mu Ye had already brought the strawberries over, saying, “Open your mouth.”
Song Jianchu instinctively bit into the offered strawberry and calmly finished eating it.
Mu Mu watched with envy and said, “Mu Mu also wants someone to feed her strawberries. Mu Mu also wants to show affection.”
Song Jianchu covered his mouth, turned his head, and coughed, almost choking.
Mu Ye patted his back.
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Mother Mu lightly tapped Mu Mu’s head, “That’s your brother’s leader. If your brother wants to show affection, it’s with his future sister-in-law.”
Mu Mu hesitated and said, “But the couples on TV show affection like that.”
Song Jianchu’s expression became stiff, and he took a big gulp of water from a bottle.
“Don’t listen to your brother’s nonsensical talk,” Mother Mu disapprovingly said, “Your brother is just trying to flatter his leader. He doesn’t know how to behave properly.”
Song Jianchu: “…”
Song Jianchu’s tense expression gradually relaxed.
Mu Ye sensed Song Jianchu’s discomfort and didn’t want to stay any longer.
He stood up and said, “If there’s nothing else, we’ll go back.”
Song Jianchu hesitated for a moment, then stood up.
Mother Mu became anxious, “Why leave so soon? It’s rare for you to come back. Stay for a night before going back. Your dad hasn’t even seen you yet.”
Saying that, Mother Mu looked at Song Jianchu and said, “Jianchu, why don’t you stay for a day? Celebrate the festival and then leave. You don’t have any urgent matters, right?”
Mu Mu said sadly, “Brother, don’t leave. Stay with Mu Mu for one more day, okay?”
Song Jianchu hesitated for a few seconds.
If he went back, Mu Ye would definitely go with him. It would be better to spend the festival as a family.
Song Jianchu said, “No urgent matters.”
Mother Mu persuaded, “Then stay.”
Mu Ye thought for a moment and asked softly, “How about staying for one more night?”
Song Jianchu had no objection and said, “That’s fine.”
Upon hearing that the brothers wouldn’t leave, Mu Mu cheered happily, “That’s great!”
Mother Mu went upstairs cheerfully, saying, “I’ll go tidy up the guest room.”
Mu Mu also took the family’s elevator upstairs, saying, “I’ll help too.”
When the living room was empty, Mu Ye held Song Jianchu’s hand and said worriedly, “Don’t force yourself. I can come back anytime.”
“I won’t.” Song Jianchu saw the surveillance cameras in the house and cautiously withdrew his hand, saying, “You should stay at home for another day. It doesn’t matter where I stay.”
Mu Ye’s gaze lingered on his face for a few seconds, and he chuckled softly, saying ambiguously, “Don’t lock the door tonight, I’ll come find you.”
“Don’t.” Song Jianchu stopped him in advance and calmly said, “Let’s sleep separately tonight.”
Mu Ye’s expression clearly showed his reluctance. After thinking for a moment, he frowned and said, “Forget it, I’ll go back. It’s a waste of a day when we can’t hug or kiss.”
Song Jianchu: “…”
In fact, Song Jianchu was also conflicted.
He had already been sleeping with Mu Ye for so many days, and he didn’t really want to sleep separately.
But he also didn’t want Mu Ye to come back with him and disappoint Mu Ye’s family.
Song Jianchu remained silent for two seconds, nervously looked towards the direction of the stairs, leaned closer to Mu Ye’s face, and whispered, “Wait for my message.”
“Good idea.” Mu Ye looked forward to it and glanced at him playfully, saying, “Or it could be from Chu Chu.'”
Song Jianchu: “.”
Mu Ye quickly pecked his cheek and smiled, saying, “Waiting for your signal.”
That night, Father Mu packed up a table full of delicious food to take home and warmly entertained their esteemed guest. After finishing their meal, the mother and daughter went to the living room to watch a drama, while the three men continued drinking and chatting.
“Thank you, Leader, for always taking care of my son,” Father Mu raised his glass.
Song Jianchu politely clinked his juice glass with Father Mu and said, “No, it’s all thanks to Teacher Mu for taking care of me.”
Father Mu counted and sighed, “Even his manager has never been to our house. Mu Ye must really like you, my little brother. How about becoming my godson?”
Song Jianchu’s mind went blank for a moment, and he stood there dazedly.
“Dad, when will you stop the habit of adopting godsons when you drink too much?” Mu Ye lazily propped his chin and held his wine glass, speechless. “You’ve adopted all the sons of your old friends, right? How many unseen brothers do I actually have?”
Father Mu silently finished the drink in his glass and cleared his throat. “I can’t even see my own son a few times throughout the year, and now you won’t let me be affectionate with my godsons?”
Mu Ye poured a drink for his father and said calmly, “You can adopt as many godsons as you like, but not this one.”
Song Jianchu lowered his eyes and quietly drank his juice.
Father Mu smiled knowingly and chuckled, “What’s the matter? Are you afraid that I’ll forget about you once I have adorable godsons?”
Mu Ye nodded.
“At twenty-five years old, you still have such a strong sense of jealousy,” Father Mu felt a warm feeling in his heart as he raised his glass and clinked it with his son’s. “You just never grow up. No wonder you’re still single and can’t even find a partner. What good is it to only have a pretty face?”
Mu Ye sighed, “Dad, I’m not just a pretty face. I’m also a singer.”
“You still have the audacity to bring that up to me?” Father Mu sneered. “You promised to debut and then come back to inherit the family business after two years. Empty words!”
“Yes, fortunately, I didn’t listen to you,” Mu Ye played with the hem of Song Jianchu’s clothes under the table and casually said, “Otherwise, your company would have gone bankrupt more than twice. There wouldn’t be any chance of going public or being listed.”
Father Mu held back his anger, his face flushed with alcohol as he uttered three words, “Unfilial child!”
Song Jianchu pursed his lips to suppress a smile.
Mu Mu mysteriously called from the living room, “Brother, come here for a moment!”
Song Jianchu turned his head at the sound.
Mu Ye grabbed the back of his neck and gently said, “Go ahead, you don’t need to accompany us. My dad can be annoying when he’s drunk, I’ll stay with him.”
“Are you really blaming me?” Father Mu frowned. “Your drunken antics have made headlines several times. I’ve been embarrassed enough.”
Song Jianchu stood up and said politely, “Uncle, you all enjoy your drinks. I’ll take my leave.”
Father Mu amiably said, “Go ahead, you’re such a good kid.”
The father and son were strong drinkers. Song Jianchu sat with them for three hours, and his back became stiff from sitting too long. He felt sleepy, his eyelids fighting to stay open.
Rubbing his eyes, Song Jianchu sluggishly walked to the living room. Mu Mu beckoned to him while holding a large photo album and whispered, “Brother, come here! I want to show you my brother’s photos!”
Mu Ye’s photos?
Song Jianchu immediately became alert, walked over, and sat next to Mu Mu. He saw childhood pictures of Mu Ye in the album, and his eyes lit up.
He had known from the internet that Song Jianchu was Mu Ye’s number one fanboy.
Mother Mu smiled knowingly and decided to give him some fan benefits, whispering, “See if there are any photos you like. We have pictures from kindergarten to university. Pick a few to take with you.”
Song Jianchu’s expression briefly showed surprise, and he couldn’t resist asking, “Is it okay?”
“Of course,” Mother Mu smiled, her eyes narrowed. “Quick, choose some. Don’t let Mu Ye see them. There are many embarrassing moments for him in there. He himself never dares to look at them.”
Song Jianchu originally wanted to restrain himself a bit and not show too much interest in someone else’s embarrassing moments.
But he couldn’t resist the temptation and focused on flipping through the photo album.
Seeing the mischievous and trouble-making pictures of Mu Ye in kindergarten, Song Jianchu felt a sense of wonderment filling his heart, and his lips couldn’t help but curve up slightly.
Mu Ye’s fanboy was too adorable. Mu Mu couldn’t take her eyes off him and couldn’t help but giggle.
Mu Mu leaned closer, propping herself up on the couch, and asked quietly, “Brother, do you really like my brother?”
Song Jianchu hesitated, unsure which photo to choose, and paused when he heard the question. He lightly touched the photo of Mu Ye receiving an award at a piano competition in elementary school and said, “Mhm.”
“I like him too,” Mu Mu said happily. “My brother is the best person in the whole world.”
Mother Mu gently stroked Mu Mu’s hair with affection.
Song Jianchu smiled lightly and said, “Indeed.”
Mu Mu asked anxiously, “Brother, will you keep liking him? Will you come to our house again?”
Song Jianchu nodded, “Mhm.”
Mu Mu, who adored Brother too much, couldn’t help but continue questioning, wanting to get a definite answer, “How long will you like him?”
Song Jianchu looked up and locked eyes with Mu Mu, but he remained silent.
Mother Mu pulled her daughter back into her arms and said, “Alright, don’t bother Brother while he chooses the photos.”
Mu Mu regretfully pursed her lips.
Song Jianchu carefully took out a photo of Mu Ye when he was seventeen years old.
The young man in the photo appeared even younger than him.
If the current Mu Ye was a perfectly aged wine, exuding a rich and enticing aroma from within, then the seventeen-year-old Mu Ye was like freshly crushed and vibrant grape juice, bright and beautiful, yet to ferment and lose its sweetness.
“Do you want this one?” Mother Mu asked. “I’ll find an envelope to put it in for you.”
Just as she was about to get up, Mother Mu noticed that Song Jianchu had put the photo back into the album.
“Why did you put it back?” Mother Mu asked. “Don’t you like any of them?”
Song Jianchu shook his head and replied, “Every photo is precious.”
Mother Mu looked at him, unable to understand.
“I won’t take it with me. I’ll leave it here,” Song Jianchu said contentedly as he closed the photo album. “If there’s a chance, I’ll come and see it again.”
Mu Ye hadn’t returned home in a long time, keeping his father company until midnight. Song Jianchu couldn’t resist his sleepiness any longer and went upstairs to the guest room to sleep.
At some unknown hour, Song Jianchu heard the vibration of his phone. He groggily reached for his phone and saw that it was a WeChat message from Mu Ye.
[MY: Waiting.]
Song Jianchu furrowed his brows and struggled to open his eyes, realizing it was already two in the morning.
He pondered for a moment but chose not to reply.
It was too late, and he decided to pretend he was asleep and hadn’t seen the messages.
He held his phone and closed his eyes again.
After a while, the phone vibrated in his hand once more.
Song Jianchu wearily lifted the phone.
[MY: Waiting waiting.]
Just two words, but Song Jianchu could already tell that the person must be drunk, afraid of causing a scene, and it further dissuaded him from letting anyone into the room.
He continued to pretend he hadn’t seen it.
Before he could put down his hand, the phone vibrated several more times.
[MY: Chu Chu]
[MY: Baby]
[MY: Little rabbit]
[MY: [Sad face emoji]]
[MY: Baby, I forgot, can you remind me?]
Song Jianchu’s tired expression gradually turned perplexed, “?”
Staring at the series of messages he couldn’t comprehend, Song Jianchu almost couldn’t resist replying: Remind me of what?
The person on the other side, unwilling to give up, tried several times with the previous messages. Judging by the increasingly rapid frequency, it seemed like they were getting a bit anxious.
Song Jianchu sat up and analyzed for a while, vaguely forming a conjecture.
The next second, his room door was lightly scratched from the outside.
[MY: What’s the password?]
[MY: The password from when we first met [Pouting face emoji]]
Song Jianchu: “…”