Hidden Love

Qian Fei had always been on the heavier side, and after getting married, nourished by love, he expanded horizontally at a visibly rapid pace. He took a deep breath, pointed a finger at him, then lowered it again.

As if thinking he should just endure it.

This sentiment lasted less than three seconds before Qian Fei raised his hand again, pointing at him a second time and roaring, "How the hell do you know my exact weight?!"

"Did I actually guess right?" Sang Yan said coolly. "And I deliberately guessed low too."

Unable to accept such humiliation, Qian Fei looked at Duan Jiaxu. "Old Xu, do I really look that fat?"

Duan Jiaxu: "No."

These words promptly soothed Qian Fei's emotions.

His anger subsided somewhat, but his tone toward Sang Yan remained furious. "You dog bastard, from today onward, don't contact me anymore. Otherwise, I'll beat you up every time I see you! Get lost!"

Three seconds of silence.

Duan Jiaxu chuckled softly and added, "I thought you'd already hit two hundred. If it's only one-eighty-six, that doesn't seem too bad actually."

Qian Fei: "..."

In an instant, Qian Fei's anger gained traces of sorrow. He looked at Duan Jiaxu as if gazing at a heartless scoundrel. "Why are you attacking me along with him? You used to love me the most."

"What nonsense are you talking," Duan Jiaxu said. "What if my girlfriend misunderstands?"

"..."

"Besides," Duan Jiaxu propped his chin, his gaze resting on Sang Yan as he smiled extremely tenderly, "this is my own brother-in-law. How could I not side with family?"

Meeting his eyes, Sang Yan's temple twitched. "Why do you become so disgusting when you're in a relationship?"

Qian Fei also switched camps. "I can't stand it either, really."

Duan Jiaxu remained very good-natured, letting them mock him.

"To be honest, when he didn't have a girlfriend, it was still somewhat tolerable," Qian Fei said. "But now that he has one, he's like a male peacock, flaunting himself all day long. I really don't know how your sister puts up with it."

"..." Duan Jiaxu found this amusing. "Is it that exaggerated?"

"You should look in the mirror more often when you have time," Qian Fei kindly advised based on his own experience. "Young girls these days don't like such clingy boyfriends. If you keep this up, you'll hit the boredom phase within a year."

Hearing this, Sang Yan looked at Duan Jiaxu with a thoughtful expression.

Before Duan Jiaxu could say anything, his phone on the table rang. It was a video call from Sang Zhi. The corners of his lips lifted as he picked up the phone, saying leisurely, "You don't mind, do you?"

Qian Fei: "I do mind."

Duan Jiaxu thought for a moment, hung up, and sent a voice call back instead. Picking up his water glass, he pressed the phone to his ear while saying, "Seeing how none of you are getting any calls, I actually feel a bit embarrassed answering."

"..."

"But my girl has quite the temper," Duan Jiaxu laughed. "I have to answer."

The next moment, the call connected.

Sang Zhi's voice came through: "Are you still out?"

"Yeah, just chatting with your brother and Qian Fei," Duan Jiaxu replied gently after taking a sip of water. "Are you back at the dorm?"

"Back," Sang Zhi said conscientiously. "Then I won't bother you. Have fun with them, I'm going to take a shower."

"I'll call you when I get back."

"Okay."

As if remembering something, Duan Jiaxu explained with laughter in his voice, "Don't worry, there's nothing going on between me and them."

Qian Fei: "..."

Sang Yan: "...""What did you s—" Before finishing, Sang Zhi swallowed her words and fell silent. Soon she spoke again, her voice raised slightly, "Are they with you right now?"

Duan Jiaxu hummed in acknowledgment.

Sang Zhi immediately hung up.

Duan Jiaxu raised an eyebrow and put his phone down. He chuckled to himself, then asked, "Where were we just now?"

Qian Fei: "Why do I find you so annoying lately."

Sang Yan sent him the phone number and pointed toward the bar entrance: "Take it and get lost."

Sang Zhi also sent him a message on WeChat: 【You! What! Are! You! Doing!】

Sang Zhi: 【Don't say anything in front of them!!!!!】

Duan Jiaxu held back laughter as he replied with a few placating messages to calm her down. He put his phone away, leaned back in his chair, and said lazily, "You two keep excluding me, yet you're always calling me out?Qian Fei's expression turned subtle as his gaze shifted between them: "Why are you two so similar?""

Sang Yan: "?"

"I remember before," Qian Fei said, "you also told your sister that our entire dorm was lining up to hit on you? Don't you find that disgusting, saying something like that?"

Duan Jiaxu said lazily, "Bro, that's your problem."

Sang Yan didn't care at all, his tone extremely punchable: "As for me, with my qualities in every aspect, I attract both men and women."

As he spoke, he looked the two up and down: "Just look at the way you're staring at me, like wolves eyeing meat. How could I not be wary?"

"..."

Sang Yan looked at Duan Jiaxu and changed the subject: "When are you going?"

Duan Jiaxu: "Hmm?"

"To see my parents."

"Probably sometime soon," Duan Jiaxu said. "Why?"

"Nothing." Sang Yan said with great interest. "Just want to watch the show."-

After getting the number, Duan Jiaxu found a suitable time and made the call.

After two rings, the other end picked up, and Sang Rong's voice came through: "Hello, who is this?"

"Uncle, hello, this is Duan Jiaxu," Duan Jiaxu said politely, lightly licking his lips. "I've recently returned to Nanwu for work and haven't contacted you until now. I wanted to wait until I was settled before paying a visit."

Sang Rong's tone remained as amiable as ever: "Are you planning to settle in Nanwu?"

Duan Jiaxu: "Yes, I plan to develop my career here."

"Mm, that's good."

Regarding this matter, Duan Jiaxu still felt somewhat uncertain. He lowered his eyes and said seriously, "Last time was rushed, and I didn't have the chance to explain my situation to you in detail. So I wanted to ask when you might be free—I'd like to discuss that matter with you again."

Silence fell on the other end of the line.

Even though only about ten seconds passed, it felt like being slowly tortured.

Sang Rong chuckled: "I'm free on weekends. Come over on Saturday evening, and have dinner here with us. A friend recently gave me a bottle of wine, but that brat A-Yan isn't coming back, so I can't find anyone to share a few drinks with."

Duan Jiaxu let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief and smiled: "Alright, I'll be there on time. Sorry to trouble you and Auntie."-

On Saturday, Duan Jiaxu brought some fruit and tea he had bought and arrived punctually at Sang Zhi's home.

Li Ping came to the door, smiled at him, took the things from his hands, and said, "Next time you come, don't bring so many things, alright? Have a seat first and wait a bit. Dinner will be ready soon."

Duan Jiaxu took off his shoes and offered proactively, "Let me help you.""No need, it's almost done," Li Ping said. "Have a seat, you must be tired from coming all this way. Sang Yan, pour him some water—what are you just sitting there for?"

Duan Jiaxu instinctively glanced toward the sofa.

There sat Sang Yan, slumped lazily as if boneless, chewing gum. He tilted his chin toward the coffee table and said casually, "Help yourself."

It really did seem like he was just there to watch the show, just as he'd said that day.

Duan Jiaxu's eyelids twitched slightly.

Seeing that Li Ping seemed about to lose her temper, Duan Jiaxu quickly interjected, "It's fine, Auntie, I can pour it myself."

Li Ping stared at Sang Yan for a long moment, as if finding fault with everything about him. She didn’t say anything more, just nodded and returned to the kitchen to help Sang Rong. Duan Jiaxu followed her in, greeted Sang Rong, and then came back out.

Shortly after, Duan Jiaxu sat down on the sofa and asked, "What brought you here?"

"Heard from my sister that my parents aren’t too fond of you?" Sang Yan asked, as if amused by the idea. "True or false? Tell me about it—cheer me up a bit."

"Just watch the show," Duan Jiaxu replied, not joking around as he usually would. "Try not to say much later."

Sang Yan shot him a glance and quickly lost interest. "Who wants to get involved in your business? My sister begged me to come help, so I figured I’d just drop by for a meal."

Duan Jiaxu gave a faint smile. "No need for help."

Noticing his unusual demeanor, Sang Yan raised an eyebrow. "Dude, are you really this nervous over something so trivial? You know what my parents are like—it’s not like they’d actually stand in your way."

Duan Jiaxu chuckled but didn’t respond.

Just then, Li Ping called out, "Time to eat!"

At the dinner table, the conversation was sparse. Occasionally, Sang Rong would ask a question or two, and Duan Jiaxu would answer earnestly before silence fell again. Most of the time, they just ate.

It felt as if they were adhering to the rule of not speaking during meals, or perhaps the presence of an extra person had created an awkward atmosphere.

After the meal, while Duan Jiaxu was in the bathroom, Li Ping repeatedly hinted that Sang Yan should leave as soon as he was done eating.

Sang Yan was baffled. "Mom, what’s going on with you? Weren’t you saying just the other day that you missed me? I come back for one meal, and before I’ve even warmed my seat, you’re kicking me out?"

"Come back another day."

"Today’s the only day I’m free," Sang Yan said. "I won’t have time any other day."

"I don’t care when you’re free—even if you’re never free again in your life, I don’t care," Li Ping said firmly. "Just go back now."

It was as if they were hiding some earth-shattering secret.

The more mysterious they acted, the more Sang Yan’s rebellious side kicked in. He didn’t budge. "I’ll sit a while longer."

Seeing Li Ping’s expression darken further, Sang Yan cleared his throat. "Mom, it’s been weeks since I last saw you. Can’t I spend a little more time with you, chat for a bit?"

"Where was this sentiment when you didn’t come home for months?"

"..."

Sang Rong spoke up then. "Let him stay. It’s not like it’ll change anything."

Sang Yan: "..."

Soon, Duan Jiaxu returned from the bathroom.

Except for Sang Yan, the other three began making small talk. After a while, Duan Jiaxu steered the conversation to the main point. "I’ve thought over the concerns you mentioned last time.""I want to clearly explain the situation to you." Duan Jiaxu spoke slowly, recounting all the past events in an understated tone. "After my father's accident, the victim's family—initially their relatives—would come to cause trouble. But after my mother passed away, such incidents became rare. Only the victim's daughter, Jiang Ying, remains."

The living room fell silent, the other three people present didn't speak.

"This matter wasn't handled well by me," Duan Jiaxu said. "After graduating and returning to Yihe, I've been busy with work and didn't have the energy or time to deal with Jiang Ying's persistent harassment. Since I was alone there, I wasn't worried about her affecting others, so I didn't mind much."

"I heard from Sang Zhi that Jiang Ying went to find her. This was unexpected and shows my lack of consideration." Duan Jiaxu's voice paused, his Adam's apple moving slightly. "Because of my issues affecting Sang Zhi and making you all feel uneasy and worried, I deeply apologize."

Sang Rong sighed. "No, this has nothing to do with you."

"After this incident occurred, I clearly told Jiang Ying I would resolve it through legal means," Duan Jiaxu said. "She appeared a few times, and I reported it to the police each time. After that, the occurrences decreased, and I haven't seen her for some time."

"Moving to Nanwu was something I've been considering since last year. After working these years, I've saved some money. In the coming period, once my studio stabilizes, I'll start looking at properties. When I find a suitable one, I'll purchase it under Sang Zhi's name."

"Sang Zhi still has over two years until graduation. During this time, I'll continuously update you on my situation." Duan Jiaxu's lips curved slightly. "Regarding my father—out of responsibility and duty—I can't neglect him. But my current financial situation is sufficient to cover his medical expenses."

Unable to discern if their perspectives had changed, Duan Jiaxu's throat felt dry. "I can't change my family background. What I possess isn't much—"

"But I will use everything I have to treat Sang Zhi well for a lifetime."

Except for those unspeakable parts.

Everything he possesses now, and everything he will possess in the future.

All of it, he wants to give to her.