Mother Mu’s affection is hard to refuse. Song Jianchu stayed at Mu Ye’s house to recuperate for a few days.
In the morning, Song Jianchu got up to bid farewell to Mother Mu as he was about to leave. Mu Ye was still lazing in bed.
Mother Mu was humming a song and watering the flowers in the garden. She heard his footsteps and smiled, casually leaning to the side, resembling a young girl.
“Chu Chu, come and see. The yard is about to bloom,” Mother Mu warmly beckoned.
Song Jianchu walked over and carefully observed the shy and blooming purple flower buds. “The flowers must be beautiful when they bloom.”
“All the flowers and plants in the yard were planted by my own hands, including the grape trellis over there. In the summer, you can sit under it and pick grapes with your hand,” Mother Mu couldn’t help boasting. “Mu Ye always comes home most frequently during the summer, craving the grapes at home. I won’t send them to him so that he can come home more and spend time with me.”
Song Jianchu looked at the beautiful grape trellis and smiled. “They must be delicious.”
“Stay for a longer period this summer,” Mother Mu’s expression was hopeful as she envisioned a bright future with new family members. “It happens to be Mu Mu’s summer vacation, and we can go on vacation together. When Mu Mu goes to school, I can only go out during the winter and summer vacations.”
Song Jianchu opened his mouth several times but couldn’t find the right moment to say goodbye.
“Chu Chu, it’s great that you’re here,” Mother Mu warmly held his arm. “Mu Ye doesn’t like to come home once he grows up, but he will definitely stick around when he goes out to play this year. It’ll be fun for the family to go out together.”
Song Jianchu spoke up, “Auntie, I…”
“By the way, what do you want to eat today?” Mother Mu suddenly remembered. “I’ll go buy groceries later. If you have any dishes in mind, quickly tell Auntie. You’re still growing, and you need proper nutrition.”
Song Jianchu closed his mouth again, unable to bring himself to dampen Mother Mu’s mood. He could only smile and nod, “Okay.”
Mu Ye, wearing pajamas, came to the yard, moving his shoulders and asking, “Did you say it?”
Mother Mu was puzzled, “Say what?”
Song Jianchu looked hesitant, “Auntie, today I…”
Mu Ye came over and leaned on Song Jianchu’s back, lazily saying, “I’m going back today.”
“Say it again?” Mother Mu patted Mu Ye’s back three times and pinched his arm, “If you want to go back, go back. Chu Chu, you’re not allowed to leave! I bought a book on nourishing soups and have only made it to the third page. There are still over fifty soup recipes that I haven’t cooked for you.”
Song Jianchu immediately blocked Mu Ye, saying, “I’ve already disturbed you for too long. I’ll come again next time.”
Mother Mu’s smile instantly turned sad. She looked at the two of them with a pained expression, as if deeply hurt. With teary eyes, she softly said, “Next time… you’re always so busy. I don’t know when the next time will be. I wanted to show you the flowers in the yard and share many things with you. I bought a new apron yesterday and haven’t had a chance to show it to you…”
Song Jianchu said hesitantly, feeling a strong sense of guilt, “Auntie, how about…”
Mother Mu glanced at him lightly, “Hmm?”
Song Jianchu said, “I’ll stay a few more days.”
“That’s right. Mu Ye can’t take care of you properly when you go back. It’s best for you to rest here,” Mother Mu happily held his arm again. “Go inside and have breakfast. The porridge is getting cold. Chu Chu, you must eat two bowls.”
Song Jianchu followed Mother Mu inside.
Mu Ye remained in his spot and muttered, “…”
Watching his boyfriend being taken away, Mu Ye was stunned for a while, then laughed in frustration.
And so, he stayed for a few more days.
Mu Ye was initially happy to bring his boyfriend home, but his expression gradually became gloomy.
After Song Jianchu’s arrival, everything revolved around him at home.
Mu Ye had gone back to the studio for work and when he returned home at night, he saw his boyfriend sitting in the middle of the sand with Mother Mu and her daughter.
“Chu Chu, do you like this hat?” Mother Mu held up a pad and approached him. “You’ll look super handsome wearing this hat, even the models can’t compare to how good-looking you are.”
“You don’t have to spend money,” Song Jianchu immediately opened the wang shopping app and handed his phone to her. “Auntie, add whatever clothes you like to the shopping cart, and I’ll buy them for you.”
“What good fortune do I have?” Mother Mu said, touched. “Just having this statement is enough. Auntie has too many clothes, and there’s no space at home for them all.”
Song Jianchu lowered his head. “Have you been having lower back pain recently? I’ll buy you a massage chair.”
“Brother Little Bunny,” Mu Mu handed him her electronic homework on the pad. “I don’t know how to solve this problem.”
Song Jianchu took the tablet and used a stylus to write down the standard algorithm. “Does it make sense if you do it like this?”
“It does. It’s so easy to do it this way,” Mu Mu praised him and patted his shoulder. “Brother Little Bunny is amazing!”
“Are there any other questions you don’t understand?”
“This one, and this one,” Mu Mu pointed to two problems and said, touched, “Brother Little Bunny, please don’t leave. Let my brother go by himself and stay here with me.”
Father Mu came over with a brand new set of golf clubs. “Jianchu, did you exchange these clubs for me?”
Song Jianchu nodded. “Yes, it’s time to change your clubs.”
Father Mu smiled contentedly. “I was just thinking about changing them. This child really… Nephew, don’t be polite. Just tell me what you want.”
“I don’t lack anything,” Song Jianchu replied.
Mother Mu leaned closer again. “Chu Chu, do you like this jacket? This brand has great spring designs. Pick a few more, and I’ll have them delivered tomorrow.”
“Brother Little Bunny, I’ve finished all of Mu Mu’s homework. Can you check it for me?”
“Jianchu, look at Uncle’s swing. Isn’t it cool?”
Mu Ye said, “…”
Mu Ye stood at the doorway for a while without noticing him.
Mu Ye closed his eyes, took a deep breath a few times, and when he opened his eyes, a hint of darkness could be seen. He said softly, “Chu Chu.”
Song Jianchu stood up. “Teacher Mu.”
Mu Mu smiled. “Brother is back! Brother Little Bunny is so amazing. He can solve any problem!”
“Why did my son come back so early?” Mother Mu said. “We saved some food for you. Go and eat. Chu Chu and I have already eaten.”
Father Mu smiled. “Jianchu, sit down and look at Uncle’s swing.”
“Uncle and Auntie,” Song Jianchu said. “I’ll go eat with him.”
Mu Ye dragged him into the kitchen and pressed him against the fridge. He started to nuzzle and rub his face and neck possessively.
Song Jianchu pushed Mu Ye’s shoulder and looked toward the kitchen door, whispering nervously, “Teacher Mu, someone might see.”
“What if someone sees?” Mu Ye continued rubbing and said softly, “I can’t even cuddle my own boyfriend?”
Song Jianchu looked helpless and comfortingly stroked Mu Ye’s back. “You’ve been working hard.”
How did he end up being jealous even within his own family?
Song Jianchu found it amusing in his mind but didn’t dare to say it, afraid of causing more irritation.
Mu Ye sighed, leaned on him, and said, half-seriously, half-jokingly, “Chu Chu, when are you going to make my dream come true? Can we do it now?”
It was impossible for him to retire at such a young age, and Song Jianchu wouldn’t agree to it either.
He patted his back reassuringly. “In another thirty years?”
“Thirty years?” Mu Ye said reluctantly, “I won’t be able to move by then.”
“It’s possible,” Song Jianchu encouraged. “Believe in yourself.”
Mu Ye kissed his face all over and appeared slightly happier. “Join me for dinner, and you have to eat too.”
“Let’s eat quickly,” Song Jianchu sat next to him at the dining table. “I haven’t eaten much, so I can eat a little more with you.”
Mu Ye moved a chair next to him, with his arm against him, and happily said, “Chu Chu is the best.”
Not wanting the elders to see this “embarrassing” scene, Song Jianchu discreetly shifted a little to the side, and Mu Ye cast a resentful glance at him. “Chu Chu, I’m just consoling myself.”
“…”
Song Jianchu silently sat back in place.
Father Mu came to the kitchen to get some water and saw the couple eating closely together. He chuckled.
Song Jianchu had a calm expression on his face, his smile becoming a little forced, and his gaze momentarily empty.
Mu Ye acted very naturally, picking up food for Song Jianchu.
Father Mu held the water cup and paused for a moment, unable to help but take a few more glances. He sighed with a smile and said, “Young people in love are so affectionate. They eat together so closely, can you even move your hand to pick up the food?”
“And what about me and your mom?” Mu Ye retorted with indifference. “Wasn’t she happy when she used to sit on my lap and eat?”
“… “
Father Mu coughed a couple of times to cover up his laughter and left with the water cup.
After finishing dinner, Mu Ye pulled him back to the room to take a shower together.
Song Jianchu had been going through these past few days like this, getting used to the routine, and the clinginess felt natural.
Mu Ye, just like the previous days, pressed his shoulder and made him sit down. “Let me help you wash.”
“No need,” Song Jianchu said. “I just showered in the morning.”
Mu Ye’s expression softened, and he said softly, “I’m consoling myself.”
Song Jianchu handed him the shower gel. “Thank you.”
Mu Ye focused attentively on lathering foam on him, his movements careful as he gently massaged and grabbed his hair, gradually easing his expression.
Song Jianchu observed his reflection in the mirror behind him.
Lately, he noticed that, in addition to being clingy, this seemed to be a new way Mu Ye had found to relieve stress.
While blow-drying his hair, Mu Ye looked at the boy next to him in the mirror, his gaze very gentle. He hooked his lip and said, “You’ve grown a bit taller, and your hair has also grown.”
I don’t know if it’s because Mother Mu’s nourishing soup really works, but during Song Jianchu’s stay here, he has started to grow taller. He has gained back some of his physique, looking even better than before. Although his abs are still not well-defined and lack the same masculine strength as Mu Ye, he now exudes a noticeable youthful vibe.
Song Jianchu wrapped himself in a bathrobe, blowing his hair in disarray, lazily saying, “I want a little more.”
Mu Ye’s movements paused, raising an eyebrow. “Do you want to be like me?”
Song Jianchu replied, “Is it not allowed?”
Mu Ye silently helped him dry his hair, turned off the hairdryer, and hugged him tightly for a long time.
Lying in bed before sleep, Mu Ye pulled Song Jianchu into his embrace, feeling the subtle changes in their hug. Suddenly, he felt a bit emotionally down.
Just as Song Jianchu was about to close his eyes, he heard Mu Ye’s voice sounding sorrowful. “Chu Chu, it feels like you’ve evolved.”
Song Jianchu looked puzzled. “Huh?”
Evolved?
Mu Ye anxiously held him tight and asked softly, “Will you still act spoiled with me in the future?”
“…?”
When did he act spoiled before??
“I’m not a kid anymore, Chu Chu,” Mu Ye continued in a soft voice. “Will you still secretly snuggle into my arms at night, blushing and asking Teacher Mu for kisses and hugs?”
“???”
Did these things really happen?
“You were willing to share those little troubles that you couldn’t put into words, and you needed Teacher Mu’s comfort to feel better?”
“???”
When did all this happen??
“When you felt lonely and bored, would you still cling to Teacher Mu and say you love me?”
Song Jianchu’s eyes gradually filled with confusion.
Mu Ye let out a soft sigh, affectionately caressing him. “Chu Chu, let me think about it. Can you slow down growing up a bit more?”