"Auntie... Liang Sunian is not at home. He just went out to buy something..."
Xie Jiaran never expected that he would meet his parents in such a sudden situation. He could not go forward or backward. He could only stand there at a loss, not knowing where to put his hands.
"I'll call him for you and ask him to come back early..."
"No, no, I already called him when I came up."
Nian Xuelan probably saw his awkwardness and took the initiative to show him what she was holding: "It's the holiday season, so Auntie brought you some delicious food."
"Auntie, let me do it."
Xie Jiaran took it and helped her carry it in.
"Hey be careful, it's a bit heavy."
"It's okay, Auntie."
"Hey, good boy."
Nian Xuelan approached and her eyes fell on his face, smiling: "Thank you."
“It should be.”
"He always tells me how pretty you are, and every time he says it in such an exaggerated way that I thought he was joking, but I didn't expect he was serious about every word."
Nian Xuelan praised generously: "Of course, she is really pretty."
Xie Jiaran put down the bag and his hands were free. Faced with Nian Xuelan's straightforward praise, he didn't know where to put his hands. He could only say no with red ears.
Nian Xuelan suddenly frowned: "Why is your face so pale? Are you feeling unwell? Are you sick or have a cold?"
Xie Jiaran couldn't tell anyone about her thirsty skin disease, so she just nodded and said, "Yes, I have a slight cold, but it's okay, Auntie. I'm almost well now."
Nian Xuelan sighed, "Niannian, what's wrong? You were not feeling well, and I left you alone at home."
"... Auntie, he just went out to buy food."
"Then you can order takeout. He's just like his dad, and his brain is always stuck. Ranran, please stop speaking for him."
Nian Xuelan took the initiative to hold Xie Jiaran's hand: "Let's go sit down first. If you don't feel comfortable, don't stand all the time."
It was the first time that Xie Jiaran was held by an elder like this. He didn't feel repulsed. Instead, he almost didn't know whether to take the left foot or the right foot first when walking.
She sat down on the sofa obediently, and then she looked at the empty cup on the coffee table and suddenly stood up and said quickly, "Auntie, please sit down first. I'll go get you some water."
After saying that, without waiting for Nian Xuelan to stop him, he stood up as quickly as possible and poured a cup of warm water and placed it in front of Nian Xuelan.
I didn't notice that the neckline was wide, and as I leaned forward, the red marks on the skin exposed had not yet disappeared, and were more obvious against my fair skin.
Nian Xuelan accidentally saw it and was stunned for two seconds, then quickly retracted her gaze, reached out to pick up the water cup, and said with a smile: "Thank you, Ranran."
"Auntie, you don't have to be polite to me. It's my duty."
Xie Jiaran really doesn’t know how to chat or find topics to talk about. Fortunately, Nian Xuelan is good at dealing with this kind of situation: “Ranran, are you used to living in your new home?”
Xie Jiaran didn't know what Liang Sunian had said to his mother, and felt a little strange about the word "new home", but he still nodded obediently: "It's good."
"You'll get used to it."
Nian Xuelan said, "We bought the house in a hurry and the decoration is ready, so there are many details that we haven't had time to perfect. We have to work on it slowly. If there is anything missing, tell auntie and she will help you."
This time, both the tone and the content were obvious.
Xie Jiaran was a little stunned, but he was not sure if it was what he guessed.
Nian Xuelan: "By the way, I heard from Nian Nian that you are studying painting, right?"
Xie Jiaran nodded: "Yes, Auntie."
"Hey, it's good to study art."
Nian Xuelan said cheerfully: "It's a good thing to have an artist in the family. Nian Nian and his father are both science students. Their train of thought often makes me laugh and cry. It's good that you're here. You can finally neutralize their straight and dry thinking."
"... ..."
Xie Jiaran unconsciously clenched his palms, and it became difficult for him to speak: "Auntie..."
Nian Xuelan responded with a smile and reached out to help him straighten his collar: "Of course, it's easy to get sick in the cold winter, so you have to keep warm. Even at home, remember to wear more clothes."
"If he bullies you every year, just tell your auntie and she will help you deal with him. Remember, I will always stand by you, okay?"
Gentleness and consideration are always the sharpest weapons that can break people's hearts.
A sour taste suddenly surged into my nose, stinging my eyes and making them red.
Xie Jiaran looked at Nian Xuelan, opened his mouth but no sound came out, even the single syllable "okay" seemed extremely difficult to utter.
Nian Xuelan pursed her lips and sighed imperceptibly.
He rubbed the top of Xie Jiaran's head like he always rubbed his son's head, and said softly: "Auntie doesn't know what you like to eat, so I bought some. The shelf life of cakes is short, so remember to eat them early."
... ...
As soon as Liang Sunian opened the door, he heard the Queen Mother's uncontrollable laughter.
Nian Xuelan was holding Xie Jiaran's hand and she didn't know what she was talking about. Not only was she laughing happily, but Xie Jiaran also smiled with his lips pursed and his eyebrows curved.
"Mom, are you performing stand-up comedy for Ranran?" Liang Sunian changed his shoes and walked in.
"Maybe?" Nian Xuelan said, "I was telling you about a miser who saw your dad lose money playing mahjong when he was a kid, so he climbed up the trouser legs onto the card table to mess up."
"Mom." Liang Sunian was really helpless: "It happened so many years ago, can you please give me some face?"
Nian Xuelan: "What face do you need? Don't I know how thick-skinned you are?"
"Okay, okay, you are right."
Liang Su Nian smiled, holding a fragrant bag in his hand: "You guys chat, I'll go in and pack the food first."
"Let me do it."
Xie Jiaran stood up and went to take the bag: "Brother, you talk to Auntie, I'll do it."
The bag was a little hot, and Liang Sunian was hesitant to give it to Xie Jiaran, fearing that he would get burned. Just as he was about to say he didn't need it, he was poked twice on the back of his hand.
Xie Jiaran turned his back and whispered, "Brother, let go quickly. Your wife needs an excuse to go into the kitchen and calm down."
Liang Sunian couldn't help laughing and let go obediently.
Xie Jiaran hid in the kitchen to calm down. Liang Su Nian smiled and walked to the living room to sit down: "Mom, why did you come so suddenly? Without saying hello in advance?"
"You were reluctant to go home on New Year's Day, and your dad asked me to pick him up after get off work. I saw that I could stop by on the way, so I bought some things for you and brought them over, and visited Ranran while I was at it."
Nian Xuelan teased him: "Why, are you afraid that I will scare your baby?"
"Um."
Liang Su Nian nodded and said, "So I rushed back so fast that I even forgot to buy some drinks."
"It hurts so much, so how can you have the nerve to bully someone when they are sick?"
"?" Liang Sunian raised his eyebrows: "No?"
"Don't admit it. I saw it all."
Nian Xuelan said in a reproachful tone: "Ren Ranran just recovered from her cold and her complexion hasn't even recovered yet, and you're bullying her. You have no rules or discipline. Do you want to get beaten?"
Liang Sunian looked back towards the kitchen, thought for a while, and seemed to understand what his mother meant.
I couldn't help but hold back my laughter and nodded: "Yeah, yeah, you're right, it's all my fault, I promise I won't do it again."
"Don't just promise nicely..."
"Meow~"
The meow of a cat interrupted the conversation between mother and son.
Xie Xiaonian was not shy at all. He squatted on the ground and looked at Nian Xuelan for a while, then jumped onto the sofa and continued watching.
Liang Su Nian picked him up and handed him to Nian Xuelan: "Mom, let me introduce you to your grandson Xie Xiaonian. Do you want to hold him?"
"Ranran, I haven't even held him yet, and you want me to hold my grandson?" Nian Xuelan scolded, but still took Xie Xiaonian and held him in her arms.
Liang Sunian pulled Xie Xiaonian's tail and asked proudly, "How is it, Mom? I'm exaggerating with you, is Ranran very likable?"
"Indeed, you are much cuter." Nian Xuelan: "You have good taste."
This is true. He would be proud of having Xie Jiaran as his boyfriend for ten thousand years without saying anything more.
"You must bring Ranran home early during the holidays this year, otherwise your dad and I will be very bored at home. I have prepared the recipes, and I guarantee you will like them."
"Okay." Liang Sunian said, "Mom, remember to help me clean the piano."
Nian Xuelan: "I polish it every day. What? Are you planning to have a family concert for our whole family during the New Year?"
"Yes and no." Liang Sunian said with a smile: "Ran Ran should want to hear it."
"Okay, I've got it all in mind."
Nian Xuelan picked up her bag and stood up: "By the way, Ranran knows how to play mahjong, right? If not, remember to teach her, otherwise your cousins will quarrel and empty your wallets together, and mom will be helpless to help."
"OK."
Xie Jiaran had finished plating the dishes when he vaguely heard the sound of a door opening and closing. He turned around to see what was happening and ran into Liang Sunian who was leisurely strolling in.
"Mom said she brought a lot of cakes."
Liang Sunian asked: "Ranran, have you eaten it? How does it taste? Is it delicious?"
Xie Jiaran was about to say that the cakes were still in the refrigerator, but Liang Sunian said, "Forget it, I'll try it myself."
After saying that, he lowered his head and kissed her, his movements flowing smoothly.
"... ..."
Xie Jiaran's hands were still stained with oil and he didn't dare to touch him. He could only stand frozen in mid-air helplessly, looking up to accept a long kiss.
However, I soon remembered that some parents were still outside!
Xie Jiaran opened his eyes wide and tried to push him away but failed. In desperation, he just bit the nearby
—On the tip of your boyfriend’s tongue.
He let out a hissing breath.
Liang Sunian obediently withdrew from the invaded territory and said aggrievedly: "Ranran, why did you bite me?"
“The cake is in the fridge and I haven’t eaten it yet!”
Xie Jiaran said angrily: "Besides, Auntie is still outside, let's not stay in the kitchen for too long, it's not good."
He urged Liang Sunian to bring out the dishes quickly, but Liang Sunian said there was no rush: "My mother has already left."
"ah?"
Xie Jiaran was stunned: "Why so soon, isn't Auntie going to stay and have dinner with us?"
"She was just passing by. She had to pick up my dad from get off work. The driver was waiting downstairs."
"But I haven't said goodbye to my aunt yet."
"It's okay, we'll see each other again soon during the Chinese New Year."
Liang Su Nian smiled and said, "My mother asked me to take you home as soon as possible during the holiday. She has already prepared the recipes for the New Year's Eve dinner."
"... ..."
Xie Jiaran suddenly fell silent.
After a while, he whispered, "Brother, you told Auntie about us, right?"
"Yes, I told you on the first day."
Liang Sunian recalled: "You were still lying in the ward with an IV drip and sleeping."
Xie Jiaran was surprised: "So... early?"
"It's okay, dating is a good thing, why hide it?"
Liang Su Nian smiled and said, "Besides, my mother and I have similar tastes. If I like something, she will definitely like it too."
After he finished speaking, he paused and continued, "It turns out that my mother really likes you. Before she left just now, she complained to me that she didn't have a chance to hug you. She came here only to hug Xie Xiaonian, which was a bit of a loss."
Xie Jiaran stared at him for two seconds, then immediately turned around and washed his hands: "How long has Auntie been gone? Can I still catch up with her if I go downstairs now?"
The smile in Liang Su Nian's eyes deepened.
"I'm afraid not. My mother is probably in the car and has driven a few hundred meters away by now."
He pulled out a piece of paper towel and carefully dried his hands: "Don't worry, I'll definitely do it next time, okay?"
Xie Jiaran said seriously: "I like Auntie too."
Liang Sunian curved his lips and said, "Yeah, I know."
Xie Jiaran: "I must bring a gift when I go to see my aunt during the Chinese New Year."
"good."
Liang Sunian crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it into the trash can, then touched his ear: "But before that, can you meet my brother first?"
The New Year's Day in Jincheng will push the bustle to a new climax.
The streets are crowded with people, grand and splendid festive decorations are everywhere, neon lights are flashing and bright, and the New Year atmosphere is everywhere.
Liang Sunian expected that today would be extremely lively, and the hot pot restaurant was the most popular dining spot in Jincheng, so he booked a seat at the hot pot restaurant in advance.
The antique decoration, semi-open booths and the wafting fragrance are all reasons why this store is widely praised.
Xiao Chi likes this kind of place the most, which looks high-end but tastes down to earth. As soon as he entered, he excitedly dragged Liu Maomao to the booth like a monkey.
"Brother Liang is still my Brother Liang, as generous as ever."
Liang Su Nian asked Xie Jia Ran to sit on the inside, and he sat down next to him on the outside: "You're welcome."
"No, no, no, even though we are all brothers, we still have to be polite to each other~"
The group happily ordered the dishes. While waiting for the pot to boil, Chen Wenyao asked Liang Sunian, "Why did Brother Liang suddenly want to treat us to a meal?"
Xiao Chi sighed, "Classmate, your question is a bit rude, isn't it? Isn't it enough that Brother Liang has treated us?"
Chen Wenyao: "That's not what I meant. I just feel that today's event is quite grand. Everyone is here, and it's quite formal, like the prelude to the announcement of a major event."
Xiao Chi was a bit nervous: "How do you know if a hot pot restaurant is formal or not? Besides, it's a holiday, isn't it more lively when there are more people?"
Litang and Shen Xuehao, two people who knew the truth, looked at each other tacitly, then looked at Xiao Chi and smiled meaningfully.
Xiao Chi: "Why are you two laughing so hard?"
Shen Xuehao: "Young man, I forgive your temporary ignorance."
Li Tang: "I hope you won't laugh louder than me later."
"???"
Xiao Chi was confused. He looked at Chen Wenyao, then Liu Maomao, and finally turned his gaze to Liang Sunian.
Just as he opened his mouth, a little girl suddenly ran over and stopped beside Liang Sunian, and said crisply: "Brother, can you add WeChat?"
The little girl was no more than seven or eight years old. She looked like a snow doll in her white woolen hat. The mobile phone she was holding was obviously not hers. It was obvious that she was a little puppet controlled by her elder sister.
"Oh, sure, Brother Liang, your charm has reached the point where it appeals to people of all ages?"
"Of course, don't you see who our Brother Liang is? Do you think the title of Tsinghua University's campus hunk is fake?"
"Come on, stop talking nonsense in front of the kids."
Liang Sunian looked at the little girl and raised his mouth lazily: "Sorry, little friend, my brother has a boyfriend, so I can't just give him my WeChat."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Chi burst out laughing: "Brother Liang's excuses are not as outrageous as yours, right?"
Liang Su Nian smiled and didn't rush to refute.
Instead, Chen Wenyao and Liu Maomao looked at each other silently, and unexpectedly, they discovered the same thing in each other's eyes.
The little girl failed but didn't leave. She whispered, "It's okay, it's okay. Auntie said there's another one." Then she walked around Liang Su Nian and ran to Xie Jia Ran: "Brother, can you give me your WeChat ID?"
“That’s not possible.”
Xie Jiaran didn't say anything, Liang Sunian spoke again: "This brother also has a boyfriend."
"... ..."
"... ..."
"... ..."
The little girl failed to live up to her aunt's expectations and ran away with a pout.
Xiao Chi, who finally realized something at this moment, had his smile gradually frozen on his face.
With his mouth half open, he mechanically turned his head to look at Liang Sunian, then at Xie Jiaran, and then at Liang Sunian again.
"... ..."
"woc... ..."
"you... ... "
"For real...???"
The author has something to say: Here I come~