Chapter 138 (1/2)
The Complete Guide to the Use and Care of a Personal Assistant
Translator: Jury
Editor: NomNom, Cien
First Published on Chaleuria
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Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-eight
“No matter how much you try to convince me, I won’t agree to them!” Ling Miao’s dad yelled. “How can a man be with a man? Ling Miao, if you still acknowledge me as your father, cut off all contact with him!”
Su Yuyang steadily watched Ling Miao, who looked into Su Yuyang’s eyes. Su Yuyang’s face was calm, his eyes bright. Ling Miao held Su Yuyang’s hand and smiled coldly at his father. “These last few days, I’ve thought about it a lot. I figured you wouldn’t agree to me and Su Yuyang no matter what. Since you’ve said so yourself, then I’ll do as I‘ve been thinking. Su Yuyang, let’s go.”
“Ling Miao!” His father’s low voice was full of anger, but Ling Miao seemed to not have heard him. Holding Su Yuyang’s hand, he didn’t look back as he left the room.
In the car on the way back, Ling Miao leaned on Su Yuyang’s shoulder and didn’t speak. With worry written on his face, Su Yuyang kissed his lover’s hair. “I thought we could leave leisurely,” Ling Miao choked out. “But, now that we’ve left, there’s a weight in my heart. I feel like I can’t breathe.”
Su Yuyang’s arm circled Ling Miao’s back, and he gently rubbed at his arm. “All things have a turning point, right?” Su Yuyang comforted him.
“But…”
“Alright, alright.” Su Yuyang’s mom couldn’t take it any more. “Since you’ve made your decision, just keep moving forward. What’s the point in thinking about all this now? Are you planning to go back and wait for your father’s blessing before you’ll be with Xiao Yu? To me, it looks like if you go back you’ll be driven crazy by your father or tormented to death by your stepmother.”
“I’m not going back.” Holding Su Yuyang’s hand, Ling Miao resolutely declared, “I believe my decision was right.”
Everything seemed to become calm once again. Ling Miao and Su Yuyang passed their days slowly, but their peace was soon broken by a phone call. When Su Yuyang took the call, Feng Ji’s curses came through the receiver, “Hey, Su Yuyang, you’re back now! Come and take a shift!”
Su Yuyang switched the phone to his other ear and put a finger in his traumatized ear. “What’s the hurry? When I finish writing Massacre, I’ll take over the work.”
“Fuck, you’ve gotta be joking with me! It’ll be next year by the time you finish Massacre!” Feng Ji complained with dissatisfaction. “I’m going to take Xiao An and go on vacation right away!”
“If you really can’t wait, then close the shop,” Su Yuyang suggested, ruffling his hair. He really, really didn’t want to mind the shop!
Feng Ji was furious now. He slammed the table and complained more loudly, “One whole year?! If the shop closes for a year, what will I eat? Do you think I’m a successful author like you and have income even if I don’t write?” As Feng Ji spoke, he began sobbing.
“Stop! I’ll head over, alright?” Su Yuyang was thoroughly defeated by Feng Ji. “Xiao Miao, Feng Ji wants us to come over.” Su Yuyang stretched lazily and hummed.
“Just a minute; I have two hundred words left.” Ling Miao’s voice was muffled around the lollipop in his mouth.
Su Yuyang scooted over behind Ling Miao and hugged him. He kissed Ling Miao’s ear and said, “It’s been three hours. How are you still on this chapter?”
Ling Miao turned and slapped Su Yuyang’s head. He rubbed the offended spot gently and said helplessly, “Writer’s block.” Ling Miao’s forehead creased. His wry and dispirited gaze inexplicably made Su Yuyang smile.
Su Yuyang pressed several keys on the keyboard, shutting down all the processes. “What are you doing?” Ling Miao asked, panicked.
Su Yuyang tenderly reasoned, “Let’s go out for a walk and change your mood. Looking at you these last few days, you’ve been either writing or playing games. You even wanted me to cook.” Sigh.
Ling Miao pulled aside the curtains and looked out the window. The sky was dark, as if it would rain at any time. Above the sidewalk, the leaves on the trees swayed slightly. It seemed there was a wind blowing, as well. “It’s windy. Remember to put on a jacket.” Ling Miao reminded Su Yuyang.
He was just buttoning up the last button of his shirt. Hearing Ling Miao’s words, Su Yuyang stopped, then smiled. “The temperature’s not that low today. A little wind’s nothing.”
A little wind? On the way home, Ling Miao glanced at Su Yuyang who was shivering uncontrollably. Ling Miao pulled at Su Yuyang’s hands and said reproachfully, “I told you to wear a jacket, but you were stubborn. Now you’re cold?” Su Yuyang smiled and didn’t say anything, but his hand tightened around Ling Miao’s.
Hand in hand, the two leisurely walked to W&S. On the road, they encountered many curious gazes but the sweetness in both their smiles didn’t falter. Feng Ji saw the couple laughing and talking as they entered. They seemed intent on displaying PDA¹ for an audience, and Feng Ji couldn’t help but tease, “When did you become conjoined twins? Even when you’re walking, you’re together.”