Lack of Love

Since that time when the Yan’s mother went out, her attitude had changed. It’s as if she let go of her stubbornness and no longer ignored Zhong Qiran or mocked him.

Zhong Qiran noticed the change in her and considered it unexpected yet reasonable. However, he still sensed the stiffness and awkwardness in her conversations with him. It wasn’t easy to immediately transition from their previous strained relationship.

Coincidentally, this week, a longtime friend of Yan’s father was getting his daughter married, so they invited the whole family for a feast.

In the past, it would have been impossible for Zhong Qiran to attend such an occasion since being a son-in-law of the Yan’s would only make him a laughingstock.

Zhong Qiran didn’t want to make things difficult for them and took the initiative to speak first, “I have work that day.”

Yan’s father didn’t say anything, but the mother spoke up, “Let’s go together. This circle is small, and everyone will eventually find out. How long do you plan on hiding it?”

Yan’s  mother’s tone was somewhat confrontational. After all, she had clashed with Zhong Qiran for a long time, and it was difficult for her to change this habit all of a sudden. After she said it, she seemed to realize it wasn’t quite right and wanted to explain something, but she didn’t know how to say it.

However, Zhong Qiran didn’t mind and smiled, saying, “Okay.”

On the day of the wedding banquet, the family of four arrived on time, with Yan Hao and Zhong Qiran wearing the same style of suits. Everyone present understood what this meant without saying a word.

The women who had given Yan’s mother some bad advice were also present. When they saw Zhong Qiran, they immediately pulled her aside to talk.

“Oh, why did you let this fox spirit of a man come?”

“Don’t you see everyone gossiping?”

“What? Didn’t the method I taught you work? I heard that the person you brought was also driven away by the fox spirit of a man?”

Thsoe women gossiped without any restraint, casually calling Zhong Qiran a fox spirit, and their voices were not low. It was as if they were deliberately stirring up trouble. Although Zhong Qiran was standing far away, he could still hear some unpleasant words.

Yan’s mother felt somewhat embarrassed but didn’t want to say much at such a festive occasion. She simply said, “I invited him.”

Those sisters not only failed to understand what she meant but also continued to criticize.

“You can’t be like this. If you let that fox spirit of a man take control, there won’t be any good days ahead.”

Although strict mother was the one who initially called him a fox spirit, she felt so annoyed by that name and the content of their words. She began to wonder whether she had displayed such irritating demeanor when she used to despise Zhong Qiran. Suppressing her inner displeasure, she advised, “Stop talking about this. Don’t bring it up on such a joyful day. We can talk privately later.”

“No, it won’t work. If you accept this time, he will become even more arrogant in the future.”

“Listen to me, when dealing with such cunning individuals, you can’t be soft-hearted. Even if you don’t want to, you have to display the authority of a mother-in-law on the surface, make him suffer, and give him a hard time. My uncle’s daughter handled her daughter-in-law the same way, making her obedient and not daring to defy a word.”

When Yan’s mother heard the last sentence, she could no longer bear it and suddenly exclaimed, “Shut up!” the women were startled and fell silent.

Yan’s mother continued, “What’s wrong with having a son-in-law? You really enjoy criticizing others, why don’t you go find yourself someoneto complain to all day long, You think just because you have money, you can disregard others.”

One of the women immediately felt wronged and said, “Why are you being so harsh? Didn’t you say you disliked him yourself? That’s why we came up with ideas to help you, and now you blame us.”

“That’s right, no one is as unreasonable as you.”

“We were just trying to be kind, and yet you speak ill of us like this.”

Yan’s mother’s imposing manner didn’t weaken at all as she sharply replied, “Your kind intentions are just to laugh at other people’s misfortunes and come up with all sorts of chaotic ideas. I don’t need this kind of kindness, I can’t bear it.”

“What kind of potion did your son-in-law give you? Now you’re defending him.”

“If you don’t like it, don’t associate with us.”

“You act as if you’re so noble and considerate. It was you who started it in the first place, and yet you have the audacity to blame us…”

In the end, the group of people dispersed unhappily, and they probably won’t have any further contact in the future. Yan’s mother stood in place, not feeling any regret in her heart, but rather an indescribable sense of relief.

Zhong Qiran had been standing nearby, watching the whole time. He finally walked over.

Yan’s mother’s face turned red and pale alternately when she saw Zhong Qiran approaching her. She couldn’t figure out whether she felt embarrassed or shy. She was certain that Zhong Qiran had heard their conversation just now, heard her speaking ill of him, and heard her defending him. Her heart was filled with uncertainty about how Zhong Qiran would perceive her, whether he would think her change of attitude was too sudden, or that she was being artificial and pretentious.

However, Zhong Qiran didn’t bring it up at all. He just put his hand on her shoulder and said, “Mom, let’s go sit over there.”

The wedding banquet was lively, and not many people noticed this little episode. Most of them were engaged in lively conversations, immersed in the joyful atmosphere.

Zhong Qiran happened to sit next to Yan’s mother and whispered, “Mom, thank you for speaking up for me just now. I’m happy, and I didn’t expect…”

Yan’s mother was moved and finally spoke, “I used to dislike you, that’s true, but now… things are different…”

Yan’s mother was feeling awkward, unable to find the right words to tell him.

However, Zhong Qiran understood, “I know.”

Neither of them looked at each other’s faces, as if having such a heartfelt conversation would go more smoothly that way. Yan’s mother suddenly found the courage to confess, “You’re a good kid. I was wrong before. Even if I can’t fully accept it, I shouldn’t have treated you that way.”

“It’s okay, it’s all in the past.” Zhong Qiran paused and said again, “What happened in the past doesn’t matter. From now on… we’re one peaceful family.”

“Yes.” Yan’s mother nodded, finally relieved, “We’re family now.”

A few heartfelt words resolved the previous misunderstandings between the mother-in-law and son-in-law.

Yan’s father was in a very cheerful mood that day. He had a few extra drinks and took the opportunity to tease Yan’s mother, “Didn’t you used to dislike him?”

Yan’s mother gave him a glare and forcefully piled food onto his plate, creating a small mountain, and said, “Shut your mouth and eat.”

Zhong Qiran couldn’t drink alcohol, so he poured tea into his wine cup, pretending it was wine. This was the first time he appeared at such an event as a member of the Yan family, so naturally there were many people going to find out the truth.

Yan Hao helped him ward off a lot of toasts without changing his expression, but he seemed a little tipsy.

After a group of people who came to toast finally left, Yan Hao said, “I’ll go to the restroom.”

Zhong Qiran noticed that he was swaying a bit as he stood up and said, “Wait, I’ll go with you.”

The banquet was only halfway through, so there weren’t many people in the restroom at this time.

Zhong Qiran followed Yan Hao into the men’s restroom but  Yan Hao was feeling naughty so he suddenly pushed him into a cubicle and kissed him.

Zhong Qiran slightly pushed him and said, “You’re being a rogue again.”

Yan Hao stared at the color of Zhong Qiran’s lips,  “I already told you before, this is how I express my love for you.”

Zhong Qiran looked at him, still very clear-headed. “You’re lying to me.”

Yan Hao pretended to be more drunk and said, “No, I’m drunk.”

He used his thumb to stroke his soft pink lips and then kissed him again. This kiss carried a strong scent of alcohol, and Zhong Qiran, feeling a bit intoxicated, couldn’t help but embrace Yan Hao’s neck.

“No, we can’t…” Zhong Qiran whispered softly, taking a step back, only to be pressed against the cubicle door by Yan Hao. “We’ve been away for too long, your parents might find out.”

“What should we do then?”

Yan Hao sat on the toilet seat and had Zhong Qiran straddle him. He undid their pants, pulled down their underwear, and Zhong Qiran said, “Don’t go inside…”

“Don’t make any noise.” Yan Hao loosened his tie and kissed Zhong Qiran’s neck before using his hand to stimulate both of them..

Meanwhile, people came in and out of the restroom, footsteps and conversations could be heard, and toilets were being flushed, but no one noticed the activity in the last cubicle.

Yan Hao was finding it hard to restrain himself. His erection trembled in his hand, growing even larger. “I want to go inside…”

Zhong Qiran shook his head urgently, “No, not here…”

Yan Hao repeated, “Let me go inside you….”

Zhong Qiran was clearly wavering, about to say “okay,” but before he could speak, someone rushed into the restroom from outside and forcefully opened the door to the adjacent cubicle, slamming it shut.

Then a loud fart sound broke the atmosphere, ruining the mood completely.