Chapter 04 – Flustered

He Rong had a moment of respite and picked up his phone to text Xiang Ning: Are you free on Thursday morning?

Xiang Ning was startled by the ringtone and picked up his phone, staring at it in confusion. After a long pause, he cautiously replied:

Who is this?

He Rong couldn’t help but chuckle. They had clearly exchanged numbers, and Xiang Ning had messaged him just a few days ago. How could he have forgotten so quickly?

He Rong didn’t tease him and simply sent his name.

It took another two minutes before Xiang Ning replied:

I’m sorry, Mr. He. I forgot to save your number and didn’t recognize it. I apologize for the inconvenience!

It’s fine. Don’t you have the message history?

I have a habit of clearing my messages.

He Rong couldn’t hold back a low laugh. Xiang Ning hurriedly saved President He’s name and then replied to the first message:

I’m free.

He Rong didn’t respond.

—

On Thursday, He Rong knocked on Xiang Ning’s door. A head peeked out from the crack. Xiang Ning blinked and held up his phone:

I’m not quite ready yet. Can you wait a moment?

He Rong nodded. No rush.

Ten minutes later, Xiang Ning rushed out, his cheeks flushed as he approached He Rong, signaling that he was ready.

He Rong looked up and smiled.

Xiang Ning was puzzled, and then he saw He Rong stand up and reach out his hand. Xiang Ning was startled and instinctively took a step back, realizing it was impolite, he forced himself to stand straight.

He Rong lowered his hand. Did I scare you? I just wanted to help you tidy up.

Xiang Ning shook his head, his face still red, indicating it was fine.

He Rong’s hand went back up and felt a layer of gel in Xiang Ning’s hair.

He Rong chuckled.

Xiang Ning’s face turned even redder. He felt a mix of embarrassment and frustration, his head moving slightly, like a kitten caught in a hand, wanting to resist but not daring to, only able to weakly scratch.

He Rong looked at his clothes. A black-gray suit, a red tie, and a white shirt, neatly buttoned. The suit seemed a bit ill-fitting, making him adjust his neck from time to time.

At that moment, Xiang Ning looked like an exemplary student from the 1990s, about to attend an award ceremony, hastily putting on his father’s suit and meticulously combing his hair with oil, all to make a good impression in front of the entire school.

He Rong twirled a strand of his hair, finding the young man increasingly interesting. He patted his shoulder. You don’t need to be so formal. Just be yourself.

Xiang Ning, clutching his sleeve, stood there, his face flushed with embarrassment.

You look good in a regular shirt, and your hair looks better down.

Xiang Ning nodded, his face turning even redder.

Seeing how hot his face was, He Rong kindly asked, Do you want to wash your hair? I’ll go buy some breakfast.

Xiang Ning wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but he had nothing to write with, so he just nodded.

What if He Rong wanted to eat something?

He Rong returned with a pile of breakfast items and knocked on Xiang Ning’s door. Time to eat.

Xiang Ning emerged from his room, his hair now neat and his clothes simple, looking like a college student who hadn’t graduated yet. He Rong then remembered that Xiang Ning was indeed still a student.

After breakfast, He Rong drove Xiang Ning to the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Since the legalization of same-sex marriage a few years ago, the bureau had added a new window, but the process was similar to the heterosexual one—fill out forms, take a photo, and get the certificate. The staff were mostly middle-aged women.

The woman took their forms and gestured for them to take a photo. He Rong saw Xiang Ning’s nervous expression and patted his back. Xiang Ning smiled awkwardly, took a small breath, and sat up straight.

Get closer, and you, little one, smile a bit. Xiang Ning forced a stiff smile.

Forget it, just be natural. The photographer teased, You’re nervous, aren’t you? Don’t worry, I’ve been doing this for twenty years. I guarantee the photo will look good.

He Rong whispered, If you don’t want to smile, you don’t have to.

Xiang Ning shook his head, his fingers tightening, and managed a small smile.

The photographer snapped the photo and laughed. That’s perfect. No need for editing. You both look great.

He Rong nodded in thanks.

The photo indeed turned out well. The man sat upright, his expression serious yet gentle. The young man’s lips were slightly upturned in a shy smile, his body leaning slightly towards the man, looking incredibly harmonious.

The woman at the registration desk looked up. Congratulations. You two are a perfect match.

Thank you. He Rong nodded, taking the hand of the young man who was hiding behind him. Let’s go.

Xiang Ning, once outside, gently moved his hand, which was still in He Rong’s. He Rong kindly released it and put his hand in his pocket to get the keys. Xiang Ning, a step behind, awkwardly rubbed his red ears.

Want to eat something? It’s almost noon. He Rong asked while driving.

Xiang Ning shook his head. He was a bit hungry, but he could eat when he got home.

He Rong didn’t insist and turned the car towards home.

Passing by a supermarket, He Rong stopped but didn’t turn off the engine. He adjusted the air vent and said to Xiang Ning, I’ll buy some things. I’ll be back soon.

Before Xiang Ning could react, He Rong got out of the car, leaving Xiang Ning to wait obediently inside.

He played with his phone, occasionally looking out the window to see if anyone was coming. After about fifteen minutes, Xiang Ning started to wonder if he should go check, but then thought it would be impolite to make He Rong wait if he missed him.

What was He Rong buying?

Another ten minutes passed before Xiang Ning saw a familiar figure. He Rong was carrying two plastic bags, the contents unclear.

He Rong put the bags in the trunk and got back in the car. Sorry, that took a while.

Xiang Ning shook his head, indicating it was fine, and the car fell silent. He Rong wasn’t a particularly talkative person, and Xiang Ning couldn’t speak at all.

When they got home, Xiang Ning saw what He Rong had bought from the supermarket—a bunch of ingredients. He realized He Rong was going to cook again.

His face slowly turned red. He walked up to He Rong, almost snatching one of the bags, and quickly opened the door, his face beet red as he wrote a message and showed it to He Rong.

He Rong had a good idea what Xiang Ning was thinking. He watched as Xiang Ning fumbled with his phone, which read: I’ll cook today.

He Rong didn’t insist. He could sense Xiang Ning’s embarrassment and nervousness, so he nodded in agreement. Just make a little less.

He then turned and went to the study, giving Xiang Ning the space to cook.

Xiang Ning breathed a sigh of relief and started taking the ingredients out of the bag. Most were already prepared, no need to pick through them, and the ribs were already cut into pieces. He pouted, unpacking them one by one and noticing the prices.

…

Why are mushrooms so expensive…

He looked again, rinsed the small mushrooms he had discarded, and put them back on the plate. After hesitating for a while, he took out his phone and asked He Rong:

What do you want to eat?

Anything is fine, you decide.

Xiang Ning stared at the ingredients on the table, unsure what to do.

An hour later, the study door was knocked on. He Rong responded and came out. Ready?

Xiang Ning nodded, tugging at his clothes and pointing to his room, indicating he wanted to change.

He had been in the kitchen the whole time, still wearing his shirt and trousers, and the smell of cooking oil clung to him. He glanced at He Rong, who probably found it unpleasant…

He Rong nodded and went downstairs.

Xiang Ning had been living on his own for years, so cooking was no problem. The stir-fried asparagus was bright and had a subtle garlic aroma; the mushroom and meat slices were fragrant, the meat tender and coated in sauce; the clay pot, when opened, released a warm steam, revealing a winter melon and rib soup.

He Rong got the rice and chopsticks and sat at the table, waiting for Xiang Ning.

Xiang Ning changed quickly and came downstairs a few minutes later. Seeing He Rong waiting at the table, his face turned red again. He quickened his pace, but stumbled as he approached the table, almost bumping into it.

He Rong caught him in time, and Xiang Ning straightened up, his face flushed as he awkwardly tugged at his clothes, almost bowing deeply.

He Rong pretended not to notice, picked up his bowl, and sat down, reaching for the asparagus.

Xiang Ning lowered his head and shuffled to the other side of the table. Before he could sit down, he heard He Rong’s voice:

Watch your step, or you might trip again.

Xiang Ning looked up sharply. He Rong was looking down at his plate, but his lips were curved into a smile.

His face, which had just returned to a normal temperature, turned bright red again.