CoP 42

Actually, the first time they went out on a date, Sui Cannong had also used the word “offend” before asking if he could kiss Ji Ling.

That time was by the river, a somewhat awkward and tentative kiss on the cheek.

But this kiss seemed to carry a lot more weight. They were kissing, yet it felt like they were silently communicating something deeper through the kiss.

Their hands had unconsciously intertwined, and when Sui Cannong lifted his eyes, he noticed Ji Ling’s breathing had become erratic, his gaze hazy.

After a while, Sui Cannong asked, “So now, do you think you’ve succeeded in pursuing me?”

Ji Ling looked up at Sui Cannong, his expression initially a bit relaxed.

Sui Cannong just smiled and asked another question, “I haven’t had the chance to ask you yet, what color scarf do you like?”

Ji Ling had never had a strong preference for colors; his usual clothing was mostly black and white, easy to match.

But after some thought, Ji Ling told Sui Cannong, “Orange is fine.”

Later, the scarf Ji Ling knitted for Sui Cannong was of very high quality. Every morning before work, Sui Cannong would wear it over his coat.

As for the scarf Sui Cannong knitted for Ji Ling, it was safe to say he had done his best.

Sui Cannong ended up with a lopsided square, barely suitable even as a kitchen rag.

The Spring Festival was approaching quickly.

Teaching at an international school was always something to look forward to, as it seemed like they were either on holiday or about to go on one.

Though it was an international school, with about fifty percent of the students being Chinese, the Spring Festival was still a major holiday. Before the break, the school usually held a cultural performance in the theater.

Shirley and Cindy sang on stage, and Thomas performed “Good Luck” on the saxophone this year.

Although Thomas’s breath control was lacking, causing him to hit several wrong notes, he beamed throughout the performance, and the audience erupted in applause at the end.

February seemed to have a magical effect, making the atmosphere lively no matter where you were.

But Ji Ling wasn’t particularly fond of the Spring Festival.

The Spring Festival meant reunion. Unlike others, family didn’t play a significant role in Ji Ling’s life. His parents had divorced early and had moved on to new lives.

During past Spring Festivals, Ji Ling would occasionally call them, but on the other end of the line, he could only feel estrangement and awkwardness.

But this year’s Spring Festival felt different. Ji Ling really wanted to ask Sui Cannong if he would like to spend the holiday together.

But he thought about it and decided that Sui Cannong probably needed to go back to his own family, so he never brought it up, not wanting to put Sui Cannong in an awkward position.

The Spring Festival wasn’t just one day; it was a period. Ji Ling felt that if Sui Cannong could spare the last two days of the holiday to spend with him, eating dumplings and watching TV, it would be enough.

But one evening while they were watching TV together, Sui Cannong asked, “Do you have any plans for the Spring Festival break? How about we go on a trip?”

Ji Ling looked up sharply, staring at Sui Cannong’s face.

“Don’t you need to go back to your parents?” he asked.

Sui Cannong smiled. “I already visited them during Christmas. They said they have their own plans for this Spring Festival. So, are you unwilling to go—”

Before Sui Cannong could finish his sentence, Ji Ling quickly said, “I’m willing.”

The entire trip was planned by Sui Cannong.

Two days before New Year’s Eve, they arrived in a southern city with a mild climate and plenty of rain.

After getting off the plane, Sui Cannong gave the taxi driver a destination. Ji Ling realized they weren’t heading to a hotel.

“Are we not staying at a hotel?” he asked.

Sui Cannong smiled. “Staying at a hotel seems a bit boring. I know this place well. How about we stay at a homestay this time?”

Ji Ling had no objections. He nodded and said, “Sure.”

As Ji Ling gazed out the window at the passing scenery, he heard Sui Cannong say, “So, when you said you wanted to go back to London to see your school and reminisce about your study abroad days, was it really because you missed those days, or was it—”

Ji Ling turned to look at Sui Cannong.

After a moment, he said, “Missing those days is true, but it only accounts for one percent.”

Ji Ling paused and continued, “The main reason was that I wanted to travel with you and for you to get to know me better.”

Sui Cannong looked into his eyes and nodded after a moment.

The taxi finally stopped in a suburban villa area. After getting out, Ji Ling looked around and felt something was off.

Homestays were usually located in bustling city centers for convenience. This place was clearly more secluded, and it was unusual for a homestay to be in a villa area.

Ji Ling followed Sui Cannong to one of the villas and rang the doorbell. As they waited, Ji Ling couldn’t help but ask Sui Cannong.

Sui Cannong answered naturally, “It’s not a traditional homestay. The owners of this house are a couple, and they are my… acquaintances.”

“They’re about to go on a trip, so the house will be empty for a while,” Sui Cannong explained. “We’re close, so you don’t need to worry.”

Ji Ling nodded.

Ji Ling always felt that staying in someone else’s house was a bit strange, but he sensed that Sui Cannong had his reasons.

The door opened.

The owners were a middle-aged couple. The woman was well-preserved and had a warm smile. The man was a round-bellied middle-aged man, also smiling warmly.

The couple had a large dog, a very cute Samoyed, who tilted its head and stared at Ji Ling, grinning foolishly.

This family gave Ji Ling a feeling of perpetual happiness.

Then they had lunch together.

Ji Ling couldn’t help but feel that the couple was overly enthusiastic, and their gazes seemed a bit off.

Especially the woman, who would occasionally turn away and take a deep breath, as if suppressing some uncontrollable emotion.

Stranger still, Sui Cannong acted as if he were at home, shoveling large portions of food into Ji Ling’s bowl without any hesitation.

Finally, Sui Cannong busied himself for a while and placed a plate of peeled chestnuts in front of Ji Ling. “I peeled them for you. Eat them while they’re hot.”

It was a large plate of chestnuts from the table, but Sui Cannong had peeled them all himself. Ji Ling thought Sui Cannong’s behavior was a bit too impolite.

Moreover, to outsiders, they looked more like traveling companions, but peeling chestnuts was a rather intimate gesture. Ji Ling didn’t think Sui Cannong was the type to act so rashly.

Ji Ling was thinking of a way to subtly hint to Sui Cannong when he heard Sui Cannong say to the couple, “See this scarf around my neck?”

The woman said, “It’s a beautiful color.”

Sui Cannong nodded and pointed to Ji Ling. “He knitted it for me.”

The woman praised Ji Ling’s craftsmanship, and Ji Ling lowered his head, feeling his cheeks burn.

Ji Ling couldn’t tell if he was being too cautious in social situations or if Sui Cannong was too relaxed.

Ji Ling never knew how Sui Cannong and the couple had met, and he never had the chance to ask.

Strangely, Sui Cannong seemed like the more approachable one, and he and the couple were clearly acquaintances, yet the conversation always centered around Ji Ling.

It was as if Sui Cannong, standing beside Ji Ling, was completely transparent, and Sui Cannong seemed to not mind at all.

The couple was very friendly, asking Ji Ling about his work and hobbies in a comfortable manner. Ji Ling found himself talking to them more than he intended.

After lunch, Ji Ling went to the bathroom. When he opened the door, he saw the goofy Samoyed sitting outside, tongue lolling, looking at him curiously.

Ji Ling had always liked dogs. He hesitated for a moment and tentatively reached out his hand.

Ji Ling gently petted the Samoyed’s face and ears, enjoying the softness, and then secretly touched its tail.

Ji Ling decided to ask the dog’s name.

But when he returned to the dining room, the couple was gone.

Sui Cannong said, “They went to catch their flight.”

Ji Ling was taken aback. “They didn’t take their dog with them.”

“Traveling with a dog isn’t very convenient,” Sui Cannong said casually. “I noticed you like dogs. We can take care of it for a few days.”

Ji Ling was a bit stunned. He had a vague feeling that something was off, but he still agreed.

Sui Cannong noticed Ji Ling’s expression and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Ji Ling hesitated. “But we… didn’t ask the dog’s name.”

Sui Cannong smiled and stood up from the sofa.

Sui Cannong called to the Samoyed, “Sui Xiaoxiao, come here.”

Ji Ling saw the Samoyed’s ears perk up.

The dog wagged its tail and approached Sui Cannong. Ji Ling watched as Sui Cannong turned, opened a cabinet, and skillfully took out a bag of dog food.

Ji Ling blinked in confusion. This wasn’t Sui Cannong’s house, yet he knew exactly where the dog food was, as if he were familiar with every cabinet and its contents.

And the dog’s name…

Sui Cannong poured the dog food into his hand, and the Samoyed happily bit into it, crunching away.

Ji Ling finally realized what was happening. He took a deep breath. “This is—”

Sui Cannong laughed. “You finally figured it out.”

Ji Ling’s expression was blank. He stared at Sui Cannong’s face for a moment, feeling like he was missing something important.

After a while, Ji Ling struggled to speak. “So, the couple earlier—”

Sui Cannong’s eyes curved into a smile.

“Yep,” he said. “They’re my parents.”