869.

I remained silent until I took my seat in the booth. Without uttering a word, I bit my lip and used my eyes to send a subtle signal to Gu Yiliang.

For no apparent reason, I had a suspicion that he was planning to switch allegiances to Lao Huang.

Why else would he dress so similarly to Lao Huang and insist on sitting in the back seat next to him?

He seemed completely ignorant of my murderous glares. His attention was fixed firmly on Lao Huang.

Was he oblivious to my disapproval? He had quite the audacity, didn't he? Father and son, boldly spreading their wings? Defiantly puffing up? Aiming to fly?

 

870.

It appeared that Gu Yiliang had undergone a transformation on the way here. He confidently raised his hand and announced, "Who dares to challenge me?"

He didn't even pick up his chopsticks and instead raised his hand toward Lao Huang, saying, "Aren't you going to ask?"

I raised an eyebrow and quipped, " Foshan Huang FeiHong (NT: Huang means Yellow Huang Fei Hong is the main character and the name of a martial arts series), perhaps?"

Lao Huang, who was engrossed in an old martial arts drama, played along and laughed, "Yellow Dragon!"

Gu Yiliang: "..."

Gu Yiliang: "Actually, I'm Gu Yuzhen." (NT: Yu Zhen is a Chinese actor who acted in martial art dramas)

Me: "…………………………"

Not the Qianlong you had in mind! Is it the Qianlong from the Qing Dynasty?! (NT: Emperor Qianlong, 1711 – 1799. qiǎn means light color (yellow) and lóng means dragon.)

What's going on with Gu Yiliang today? Why is he acting so out of character?

Is this some new strategy to gain the Chief's attention?

 

871.

Lao Huang seemed completely oblivious to any wrongdoing and didn't give me a chance to explain. He smiled and praised, "What a great name! So much character! I'm feeling lucky today."

I thought to myself, "You actually believe him?"

I attempted to signal Gu Yiliang, breaking my vow of silence, and said, "He's not really called-"

But Gu Yiliang didn't pay any attention. He turned the rotating table and confidently said, "Bring on the soup."

Me: "…………"

Lao Huang smiled and obliged. He took the soup bowl. Gu Yiliang turned the table again and confidently said, "Bring on the pig's head meat."

Me: "…………"

Lao Huang used his chopsticks to serve a portion, and Gu Yiliang turned the table once more, confidently declaring, "Bring on the wild pheasant."

Me: "…………"

 

872.

Lao Huang shot me a knowing look and said, "See, I told you this kid is sensible." He condescendingly signaled the waiter to bring Gu Yiliang a glass of wine.

Me: "Don't-"

Gu Yiliang gleefully raised his glass for a toast, and the two of them clinked glasses. Gu Yiliang raised his glass even higher.

Lao Huang looked puzzled and raised his glass higher.

Gu Yiliang cockily elevated his glass even more.

Lao Huang, bewildered, raised his glass all the way up.

Gu Yiliang stood up and, at the highest point, clinked glasses with Lao Huang.

What kind of toast was this turning into? !

As the glasses reached the ceiling, I couldn't take it anymore. I grabbed Gu Yiliang's clothes and exclaimed, "Gu--"

It was at that moment that Lao Huang realized what had happened. He took a sip from his elevated glass and exclaimed three times, "Sesame blossoms, the festival is high!"

Me: "Is your logic even consistent anymore?"

Why wasn't I given a chance to participate at all? Was I invisible? It was supposed to be a three-person outing, but did I not even get a mention? !

 

873.

The scene unfolding before my eyes was so bizarre that I felt like forgotten in the corner, lost in a whirlwind of questions. Lao Huang set down his wine glass and returned to his seat. He smiled and handed me a dish with a pair of chopsticks. "Try these four-up balls."

Though he still hadn't given me the chance to speak, he had finally acknowledged my presence! I gratefully bit into the dish, but before I could swallow, another pair of chopsticks appeared, offering me a different dish.

Gu Yiliang looked at me and said, "Taste this, softly cooked."

I thought to myself, "Isn't this a death stare?" I obediently took a bite.

Lao Huang was clearly pleased with our interaction. He nodded and added another dish to my bowl with his chopsticks. "Salt Crisp Chicken."

I ate.

Gu Yiliang, with his chopsticks, fed me another dish. "Sweet and crispy meat."

I ate.

Lao Huang: "Honeycomb corn."

Gu Yiliang: "Shrimps."

Lao Huang: "Fried in oil."

Gu Yiliang: "Prawn in oil."

Me: "Is this a naming challenge now?"

I spat out the peeled shrimp and repeated my question, "What's with the obsession with naming dishes?! Are you testing me or something?!"

 

874.

Lao Huang looked at me disapprovingly. "Can you not swear? Just apologize to Xiaozheng!" (NT: little Zheng; remember Gu ‘Yuzhen’)

I thought, "Is my elbow lost in space, traversing the galaxies outside our solar system? Who is Xiaozheng?!"

With great effort, I shifted my gaze to Gu Yiliang, who had a stern expression. He handed me a dish and said, "I'm sorry."

Gu Yi smirked, facing me but looking at Lao Huang. "I genuinely apologize. He remembers that I like this dish."

Lao Huang and Gu Yiliang exchanged smiles, a sense of fatherly pride evident in Lao Huang's demeanor. "He's very considerate. Every time we dine out, he remembers my preferences and avoids dishes I don't like."

Gu Yiliang chimed in, "Yes, he remembers my favorite dishes too. Whenever we go out, he ensures there are more of the dishes I love."

Lao Huang continued, "He even bought me clothes."

Gu Yiliang added, "He got me shoes."

Lao Huang: "He said to me..."

Gu Yiliang: "He mentioned to me..."

 

875.

The pace of their conversation accelerated, words firing off like a rapid ball play. They listed numerous acts of kindness and affection I apparently showered upon them, competing to emphasize who I cared for more. Lao Huang's eyebrows widened with intensity, while Gu Yiliang's furrowed in a playful challenge.

And there I sat, utterly bewildered, as they painted me as the most filial offspring. I couldn't help but think that this was shaping up to be a real-life version of ‘Two Dads.’

Their words became progressively more intense, the atmosphere growing a tad sticky.

Lao Huang, in a heartfelt tone, said, "Well, there was that one time when you helped me wash my feet."

Gu Yiliang nonchalantly responded, "Oh, just yesterday, you also helped me take a shower."

I: "………………………………"

Lao Huang: "…………………………"

Lao Huang's expression turned subtly complex. He leaned in close, placed a hand on my shoulder, and whispered in my ear, "Who are you?"

I cleared my throat and murmured, "Dad--!!"

At the same time, Gu Yiliang exclaimed in amazement, "Yellow Dragon!"

 

876.

Lao Huang's expression transformed from shock to disbelief as he looked at me. His lips quivered a few times, his eyes grew misty, and they started to redden. His voice trembled as he said, "You... you called me..."

Gu Yiliang chimed in, "Oh, he called me something last night-"

I quickly covered Gu Yiliang's mouth.

 

877.

Lao Huang grabbed a piece of tablecloth and wiped his eyes. He looked up and said, "Twenty years, more than 20 years! I finally heard this-"

I: "………………………"

Gu Yiliang was clearly shocked.

Lao Huang blinked back tears, reflecting on his life's journey, muttering about the trials of marriage and the dreams of his youth. He even brought up my mother a few times, but it couldn't alleviate the knot in my heart.

Lao Huang continued, "Today, I finally got what I wanted!"

I: "………………………………"

 

878.

Lao Huang was lost in his reverie about his life's story, and I pulled Gu Yiliang to the corner of the booth. I grabbed him and asked through gritted teeth, "What the heck are you doing today?!"

Gu Yiliang met my gaze, his voice barely above a whisper, "...he's your father?"

The obstacles in my heart didn't require daily contemplation. I had grown up not recognizing Lao Huang as my father because my mom had forbidden it. I was used to it.

But the words had already slipped out, and Lao Huang was overjoyed. I clenched my teeth and retorted, "Is he still your father?!"

Gu Yiliang struggled, "...Step-dad?"

I couldn't handle these bizarre questions! My patience snapped, and I shook him by the shoulders, exclaiming, "Step-dad! He's my father, flesh and blood, accompanied my mother's pregnancy for nine months – well, not literally, but you get the point. He's my biological dad who raised me! My old man!"

Gu Yiliang's expression gradually turned blank.

Me: "Blank! Are you giving me a blank look? Didn't you hear Lao Huang call me his son? We're not the kind of father-son duo who wonders if there's enough money or discusses work and schedules. You don't need to worry about these things."

I: "……"

I: "…………………………"

I scrutinized his blank expression and slowly narrowed my eyes.

 

879.

Me: "Do you realize that your concept of relationships is way too one-dimensional?"

Me: "You ask the weirdest questions, and they're a pretty big problem."

Me: "Oh, I finally understand that you're not exactly thrilled."

Me: "It's a perfect wrap-up for your commitment issues."

Me: "You still won't give me a chance to speak."

Me: "Hey, Lao Huang is almost done, you can handle it from here."

 

880.

Lao Huang took a moment to compose himself and sniffled. He then apologized to Gu Yiliang, saying, "I'm sorry, my emotions got the better of me, and I laughed."

Gu Yiliang replied, "No, it's fine..."

Lao Huang questioned him, "Yes, but what did you just call me?"

Gu Yiliang remained silent.

I, too, turned to look at him, curious for the answer.

Gu Yiliang's blank expression gradually transformed, his eyes refocused, and his emotions seemed to shift from the Big Bang to the extinction of the dinosaurs to the dawn of human civilization.

In a mere blink of an eye, his entire life's trajectory unfolded before his eyes.

Gu Yiliang finally stammered, "Well, Huang, Huang Qianlong..."

Lao Huang inquired further, "Well?"

 

880.

Gu Yiliang continued, "Although this name is grand and memorable, it's also somewhat odd. How about just calling you Huang Pa?"

 

881.

I: "…………"

That's a bit too much! Way too much!

Gu Yiliang, with his gentle and unique qualities, gazed at Lao Huang earnestly.

Lao Huang smiled and chuckled, "You can't deny this child has quite the sense of humour. Very good!"

I: "…………"

Lao Huang patted my forehead, "You should learn a thing or two from him."

I: "…………"

 

882.

Gu Yiliang seemed unfazed and had a starry glint in his eye, and a crescent-shaped smile on his lips. He confessed, "Actually, my name is Gu Yiliang."

Lao Huang, without a trace of doubt, asked, "Oh, that's your name?"

Gu Yiliang replied, "It's my name."

I: "……"

Lao Huang clapped his hands, "Destiny, it's all about destiny! Come on, let's have a drink!"

I: "Haven't you noticed that this name seems to suit you better than me? Or is it just me?"

Gu Yiliang raised his glass, his gaze determined, and declared, "Tonight, we won't get drunk!"

Lao Huang, brimming with enthusiasm, pounded the table and cheered, "Good! This young man is full of spirit!"

I: "?"

 

883.

How could I forget that Gu Yiliang was a bonus at the drinking table?

 

884.

Gu Yiliang kept toasting, alternating between left and right, showing his respect to the past and the present. With every sip, he invigorated Lao Huang's spirits, showering him with praises and compliments.

Lao Huang, fueled by the wine and the compliments, looked at Gu Yiliang with appreciation and even helped him to servings of various dishes.

Lao Huang declared, "Have a chicken wing and soar to the skies!"

Gu Yiliang responded, "Please, try this goose and aim high!"

Lao Huang cheered, "Marvelous! Come, have a duck neck and make a blockbuster!"

Gu Yiliang urged, "Please, taste this fish, the golden scale dragon!"

I: "Are they not done yet? When I called you 'Ama,' did you think I was impersonating a Chinese opera character?"

Lao Huang laughed, "Let's have a drink, and our journey will be filled with flowers!"

Gu Yiliang raised his glass, "A sip of wine, and the world is in my hands!"

I: "Are they still at it?"

 

885.

I realized that no matter whether Gu Yiliang was trying to outwit Lao Huang or just toying with him, once they started their golden-worded banter, there was no room for me to intervene.

The two of them, dressed up as glamorous ladies, continued their banter. Holding wine glasses in one hand and dishes in the other, they exchanged idioms and metaphors at lightning speed. I sat there, forgotten and bewildered, like a footstool.

But I wasn't truly forgotten.

Gu Yiliang, while raising toasts and discussing dishes, gradually shifted closer to me. He didn't skip a beat in serving dishes, ensuring I got my fair share. Finally, he sat right beside me, his expression radiant. He reached out to put his arm around my shoulders, wiped my mouth with a napkin, and even fed me dishes. Towards the end, Lao Huang not only allowed this but watched us with delight, lifting his glass to toast Gu Yiliang and me several times.

I – I couldn't even muster an ellipsis. They kept urging me to drink, and my stomach was filled with the dishes they had fed me earlier. Now, they were pouring several pounds of wine into me. Is this a story of stone and sand? I finally understood it today.

 

886.

Lao Huang was delighted, slapping my shoulder, and couldn't stop laughing. "You! You've truly gained something in the entertainment industry!"

I replied, "Yes, meeting him is my blessing."

Lao Huang agreed, "Isn't it!"

Me: "…"

 

887.

Shortly after, Gu Yiliang excused himself to the bathroom, and his departure seemed to drain the energy from the room, leaving it quiet. I leaned forward and backward in my chair, my mind a whirlwind. Finally, I plucked up the courage to speak, my voice heavy with emotion, "Lao Huang..."

Lao Huang, his face and brow creased in thought, looked at me, and after a moment, he sighed and said, "Oh, my boy..."

Me: "Please go on."

Lao Huang sighed, his face transformed, and he patted his chest. "It's my fault for not paying enough attention to you. I didn't notice the change in your orientation. When did you... um, start to like men?"

I felt a warmth in my heart and quickly sat down to explain, "It's nothing sudden. It all happened this month."

The creases on Lao Huang's face disappeared, and he patted his chest again, saying, "Oh, I see. I'm relieved now. Just tell me, how can I support you better?"

Me: "…"

 

888.

It seemed he was completely misunderstanding my orientation. It was time to switch gears and confront the issue head-on.

I composed myself and addressed him with a serious tone, "Dad-"

Lao Huang: "Hey!"

Me: "Father?"

Lao Huang: "Ah!"

Me: "…No, Dad, please listen to me…"

Lao Huang: "Ah, truly a beautiful tie. How much more do I need to listen to?"

I: "…"

I grabbed his tie and said, "Yellow Dragon, I'm trying to talk to you!"

Lao Huang protested, "Don't wrinkle it. Adjusting this tie isn't easy. You said you wanted to talk!"

 

889.

I released Lao Huang's tie, readjusted my mindset, and sat up straight. With a serious expression, I explained, "Gu Yiliang isn't just some small-time star I'm supporting."

"He's not a minor celebrity; he's an actor, and you know he's an actor."

"We have a connection, and although there are some misunderstandings we need to resolve, we're pretty certain about our feelings."

"So I thought it's time to introduce him to you. What do you think? We had a meal together, and you seem to like him, right?"

"Of course, if you disagree…"

Lao Huang interrupted, "No need to say any more. I’m fine with it. We get along well."

"It's not a spur-of-the-moment decision. I've thought about this seriously."

"Today's society may not be very accepting of our kind, and many same-sex relationships can be unstable and complicated. We're public figures, and we have fans, but that doesn't matter."

"After all, our love life is our own business. If we're stable and happy, what does it matter what society, the public, or the fans think? We're in love, and that's what's important."

"Of course, I understand that this road may not be easy. No one knows what the future holds. But for now, we love each other, and that's enough. We don't need to care about others. If we like each other, that's what matters."

"Maybe my thinking is naive, but he indulges my innocence."

"He's really great."

"So, that's it. I want to be with him, and I hope I can have your blessing."

 

890.

Due to my inebriation, my declaration was quite different from my well-organized prepared speech. Now, I was swaying and barely coherent, staring at my tie with a melancholic expression and fumbling with the folds on Lao Huang's suit. At least I managed to get my message across in some form.

Lao Huang asked, "Is that all?"

I nodded, "Yes."

Lao Huang said, "I'm glad you're willing to share this with me. Life is short, and there's enough suffering. We should treasure the moments of happiness. Above all, I'm always concerned about your happiness, and I'm afraid that you'll be unhappy."

I picked up the crab leg cracker and gently tapped it on the table, saying, "You can put down the tie now."

Lao Huang complied, "Alright."

Lao Huang continued, "Little Gu is a good kid."

I nodded, "Yes."

Lao Huang added, "If he's the right one, I'd even consider him as a son."

I replied, "Um."

Lao Huang said, "Actually, even if you didn't tell me, I could see the connection between you two. How could the two youngsters hide their feelings in front of me? It doesn't affect you, and it adds some fun to your lives."

I remarked, "You saw through it without even seeing it."

Lao Huang's eyes twinkled with mischief, "You're all grown up, and your life is your own. I can't control you, and I don't need to. Whether I agree or not, whether I bless you or not, it's your own path. Take care of yourself!"

I said earnestly, "Thank you, Dad."

Lao Huang: "Hey!"

I: "…"

 

891.

When Gu Yiliang opened the door, I was grinning from ear to ear, facing Lao Huang and making exaggerated cheers. Lao Huang responded with a playful grin and clinking glasses with me once again.

892.

Gu Yiliang closed the door.

Gu Yiliang opened the door.

 

893.

I was sitting with Lao Huang, sipping on some hangover tea, and I looked at him with a puzzled expression, asking, "Why did it take you so long?"

 

Translator : DarNan