Dark Fire chapter 57
Extra 1: New Year’s Eve (Part 1)
After finishing his last engagement, Ling Zhuo packed his luggage and prepared to return to his hometown in the south. His flight was early the next morning. Lu Chixie got up with him for breakfast, and Yang Ming came to help carry his luggage downstairs. Before getting into the car, Ling Zhuo reminded Lu Chixie, “You should go back to your parents’ house too. It’s almost New Year’s Eve. See you after the holidays.”
Lu Chixie looked at him, “Anything else?”
Ling Zhuo smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. Yang Ming, who was in the car, coughed lightly, embarrassed to interrupt them. “Zhuo Ge, let’s go, or we’ll be late.”
Ling Zhuo got into the car and waved at Lu Chixie, “Go back now.”
As the car drove away, Lu Chixie leisurely sent a message before heading back upstairs.
At the airport, there were many fans seeing Ling Zhuo off. He was in a good mood since he was going home and smiled a lot, giving his fans a lot of attention. A fan asked him why he was so happy today. Ling Zhuo smiled and replied, “Of course, I’m happy to go home. I haven’t been home for a long time.”
A fan asked, “Aren’t you happy working outside?”
Ling Zhuo said, “It’s not that. I’m quite happy here too.”
He glanced at his phone and saw a WeChat message from Lu Chixie a few minutes ago, asking him to let him know when he arrived. Ling Zhuo smiled to himself. Since meeting Lu Chixie, he had been happy most of the time.
While queuing for security, a fan who often traveled with him quietly reminded him, “Ge, you should get a privacy screen for your phone.”
Ling Zhuo was a bit surprised. The fan pointed at his phone but said nothing more. Ling Zhuo looked down at his phone screen and realized that someone might have seen his wallpaper. It was a selfie they took together while filming a perfume commercial abroad at the high school where Lu Chixie studied. He put his phone back in his coat pocket, thinking he should definitely get a privacy screen later. What a hassle.
After more than two hours, the plane landed.
Ling Zhuo’s home was in the capital city of a southern province. His mother, Chen Meixue, came to pick him up. After getting in the car, Ling Zhuo greeted her. His mother looked him up and down and said with satisfaction, “You’ve gained a little weight since last time. That’s good.” The car drove off.
Once the fans following them were out of sight, Chen Meixue slowed down the car and noticed her son constantly looking down at his phone, messaging someone. She asked, “Who are you messaging that’s making you so happy?”
Ling Zhuo put away his phone, “A friend.”
He planned to tell his parents about his relationship with Lu Chixie this time, but he was waiting for the right moment.
Chen Meixue asked, “Which friend? Lu Chixie?”
Ling Zhuo was surprised, “Mom, you know?”
Chen Meixue chuckled, “I may not pay much attention to my son’s affairs, but others tell me. Didn’t you participate in some variety show before? A colleague of mine watched it and asked me if you rented or bought that house. That’s how I found out my son lives in a mansion and cohabits with someone.”
Ling Zhuo blushed, “Mom, how did you know I was cohabiting? I didn’t tell you…”
Chen Meixue said, “Do I need you to tell me? I gave birth to you. Can you fool me? I watched that episode later. You and that Lu Chixie are in a relationship, right? It’s obvious it’s his house.”
Ling Zhuo didn’t know whether to be surprised by his mother’s keen insight or her casual question about his relationship with another man. He didn’t think coming out to his parents would be difficult, but being seen through so easily was unexpected.
Ling Zhuo said, “I’m in a relationship with him. Will you and Dad object?”
Chen Meixue replied, “That depends on whether you’re serious or just playing around.”
Of course, it was serious.
Ling Zhuo thought for a moment and decided to talk to his parents later.
At four-thirty in the afternoon, Chen Meixue started preparing dinner. She made a lavish meal for her son’s first dinner back home. Ling Zhuo helped out and received a message from Lu Chixie, asking for the exact location of his home.
Ling Zhuo replied, “What for?”
Lu Chixie said, “I just landed here and rented a car. I’m leaving the airport now. Send me the location.”
Ling Zhuo was surprised, “You’re here?”
Lu Chixie replied, “Yes.”
Ling Zhuo quickly told his mother, and Chen Meixue nodded and opened the fridge to prepare two more dishes for the guest.
Ling Zhuo hesitated, “Mom, you’re really not against it?”
Chen Meixue said, “Let’s talk when he gets here.”
At ten to six, Ling Zhuo went downstairs and met Lu Chixie in the underground parking lot. Lu Chixie was dressed the same as in the morning, in a simple gray down jacket, dragging a carry-on suitcase. He didn’t look like a rich young master or a big star, just someone who had flown a long way to visit and have a meal.
“If you were coming, why didn’t you tell me this morning?” Ling Zhuo complained but was happy as he took the suitcase.
Lu Chixie didn’t let him, “Wanted to surprise you.”
Ling Zhuo said, “Surprise? More like a scare.”
Lu Chixie had come by private jet to avoid fans finding out. He hadn’t told Ling Zhuo to surprise him.
“I would have liked to come with you, but would you have agreed?” Lu Chixie asked with a smile.
Ling Zhuo didn’t mind but was worried about the hassle. Fans tracked his every move. If he brought Lu Chixie home for New Year, it would cause a stir.
Ling Zhuo said, “Let’s not talk about it. Let’s go upstairs.”
They went upstairs and rang the doorbell. Ling Zhuo’s father answered. He had been out all day and just returned. This was the first time Ling Zhuo saw him that day.
Lu Chixie greeted Ling Zhuo’s parents politely, calling them uncle and auntie. His usual lazy demeanor was gone, replaced by a respectful and earnest attitude.
Dinner was ready. Chen Meixue invited them to the table. During dinner, Ling Zhuo’s father took out some liquor and asked if Lu Chixie could drink. Lu Chixie said he could, so Ling Zhuo’s father poured him some white liquor.
Ling Zhuo wanted to drink too, but Lu Chixie stopped him, “No way. You get drunk on beer.”
Chen Meixue agreed, “Yes, you can’t handle it, Xiao Zhuo. Have juice with me. Let your dad and Chixie drink.”
Ling Zhuo reluctantly agreed and quietly told Lu Chixie, “You drink less too.”
Lu Chixie squeezed his hand under the table to reassure him.
During dinner, Ling Zhuo’s father asked about Lu Chixie’s family. Lu Chixie answered honestly. It seemed Ling Zhuo’s father was a bit apprehensive about his wealthy background.
Ling Zhuo interjected, “Dad, don’t be so old-fashioned. What’s wrong with being in business? Not everyone in his family is a businessman. His grandfather was mom’s teacher.”
Lu Chixie was a bit surprised. He hadn’t heard this from Ling Zhuo before.
Ling Zhuo looked at him and nodded, “Your mom told me.”
Chen Meixue sighed, “I knew you were my teacher’s grandson. I visited your grandfather when he passed and met your mom. I didn’t expect you and Xiao Zhuo to have such a connection. You two even met when you were kids. I took Xiao Zhuo to visit my teacher when he was three or four, and you played with him all afternoon. You probably don’t remember.”
Ling Zhuo’s father asked, “Is that true?”
Chen Meixue laughed, “Yes, it is.”
After the initial surprise, Lu Chixie was calm and said confidently, “Since auntie knows my grandfather and mother, I won’t say much more. I just want you to trust that I’m serious about my relationship with Ling Zhuo. I’ll cherish it and hope you believe me.”
He raised his glass to toast Ling Zhuo’s parents. Ling Zhuo’s father looked at his son and then at Lu Chixie, saying, “Xiao Zhuo is quite pampered and not the type to take care of someone. If he brought home a girl, I’d be surprised. So your relationship doesn’t shock us.”
Ling Zhuo’s father continued, “But to be honest, I do have some bias against people from your family background. However, since you’re the child of Ling Zhuo’s mother’s teacher, that bias is offset. But I’ve heard that in your profession, breaking up and getting back together is common, and that doesn’t seem meaningful to me. I won’t ask about your future plans, because what you say now might not matter later. I just hope that since you said you cherish him, you’ll do just that. Ling Zhuo, you too. Don’t come back next time with someone new.”
Ling Zhuo muttered quietly, “How could I be that kind of person?”
Lu Chixie said, “Uncle, don’t worry. I promise I’ll do what I say.”
Chen Meixue tried to smooth things over, “Xiao Zhuo’s dad is used to lecturing students as a teacher, so he might sound a bit harsh. Chixie, don’t take it to heart. As parents, we just hope you both will always be well.”
Lu Chixie responded, “I understand, Auntie. Don’t worry. We will definitely always be like we are now.”
Ling Zhuo quickly nodded in agreement.
After that, the atmosphere became much more relaxed. Lu Chixie continued drinking with Ling Zhuo’s father, and the meal didn’t end until after 8 PM.
Ling Zhuo’s father was in charge of washing dishes and wiping the table, while Chen Meixue hurried Ling Zhuo to take Lu Chixie back to his room to rest. Ling Zhuo, feeling embarrassed, asked his mother if he should prepare the guest room. Chen Meixue replied, puzzled, “You two are living together and not sleeping together?”
Embarrassed by his mother’s words, Ling Zhuo’s face turned red. He quickly pulled a mischievously smiling Lu Chixie back to his room.
Once inside, Lu Chixie locked the door and pressed Ling Zhuo against the wall, leaning in to kiss him.
Drunk and strong, Ling Zhuo couldn’t break free and eventually responded by kissing back, wrapping his arms around Lu Chixie’s waist.
When they fell onto the bed, Lu Chixie’s breathing was heavy. Ling Zhuo pushed against his chest and turned his face away to ask, “Does your head hurt?”
Lu Chixie closed his eyes. He could hold his liquor well but rarely drank strong liquor, and this time it had really affected him.
Ling Zhuo sat up straight against the headboard, holding Lu Chixie’s head against his chest and massaging his temples to make him feel more comfortable.
With his eyes closed, leaning against Ling Zhuo, Lu Chixie murmured, “Did you know we met when we were kids?”
Ling Zhuo replied, “Yes.”
“Why didn’t you mention it before?”
“I wanted to surprise you.”
Lu Chixie chuckled, “Surprised indeed.”
Ling Zhuo lowered his head to touch Lu Chixie’s lips, then opened a drawer and pulled out a toy car with a worn exterior. He handed it to him and said, “I spent the afternoon digging this out from the attic storage. Fortunately, my mom didn’t throw it away. This is the toy you gave me when we were kids.”
Lu Chixie squinted at the toy in his hand for a moment, “You were so young then, do you remember?”
Ling Zhuo asked him back, “Do you remember?”
“When your mom mentioned it, I vaguely remembered. I didn’t expect that the little kid with the baby voice back then was you.”
Ling Zhuo said with some regret, “I really don’t remember. I had to ask my mom to find out that this was the toy you gave me.”
After a moment of silence, Lu Chixie put the toy aside and suddenly flipped over, pinning Ling Zhuo down, gazing intently at him with an emotion in his dark eyes.
Ling Zhuo raised his hand to lightly touch Lu Chixie’s eyebrow, “What’s wrong?”
“Ling Zhuo,” Lu Chixie called his name.
“Yes?”
“I was the first to meet you, before anyone else.”
Ling Zhuo was stunned for a moment, then smiled, “Is that so? That’s why our mothers said we were destined.”
Lu Chixie’s breath grew heavy, and he leaned close to Ling Zhuo’s ear, “Ling Zhuo, do you know what you used to call me when you were little?”
Ling Zhuo hesitated, “What?”
“You called me ‘Chixie Gege.'”
“Really?” Ling Zhuo’s face instantly turned red, “You’re lying to me, aren’t you?”
Lu Chixie said, “I’m not lying. You really called me that, just to get me to let you play with my toys. You kept calling me that until I got annoyed and gave you the toy.”
Ling Zhuo was at a loss for words. He felt that Lu Chixie was deliberately teasing him with this story.
Lu Chixie laughed near his ear, “Ling Zhuo, try calling me that again.”
Ling Zhuo hesitated, “I won’t.”
Lu Chixie rubbed his sensitive side, “Just once.”
Ling Zhuo breathed heavily, his throat moved, and he finally murmured, “Chixie Gege.”
Lu Chixie laughed even more, and once again covered Ling Zhuo’s lips with his.