P.S. I added the first paragraph that was supposed to be in this part to the last part instead because someone mentioned that the split was kinda awkward and I agree. Also, I will be releasing the extra chapters over the next few days since we’ve reached the donation goal!
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“…” Father Qi stared at him. “My head was filled with the operation. How would I have had the time to care about this? In pa.s.sing, I just… After that, I wiped it up with a tissue.”
“Oh, I don’t know about this.” Qi Le said, “Alright then, let’s just skip this. Early one morning when I was ten, you suddenly got excited and wanted to take me fishing in the park. But there were people playing chess and a group of young girls happened to be there, so you left me and ran away…”
“This has nothing to do with the girls.” Father Qi interrupted and said, “They were both experts.”
“I don’t care what the reason was. Anyway, you left me alone which led to a skater in the park b.u.mping into me. I ended up falling into the river. Although you saved me in time, I still swallowed two mouthfuls of water and got frightened.”
Father Qi looked guilty. “The boy who was roller skating went too fast at the time. Even if Dad was by your side, I wouldn"t be able to prevent it.”
“Then you could always pull me back so I wouldn"t fall in,” Qi Le said, looking at him. “Don’t argue. Even if you argue, you can"t change the fact that you didn’t care about me. When you brought me home, Mum punished you by making you kneel on the washboard for two hours. When I was 12…”
Father Qi covered his mouth with his hand. “That"s enough, you unfilial son. If you continue, your old man is going to lose all dignity.”
Qi Le stared at him, sobbing as he struggled.
“I believe you. This time, I really believe you!” Father Qi hugged him and rubbed his head. Clearly, his nose was tingling earlier, but now, because of this rascal, his tears had disappeared.
Qi Le froze, then jumped into his arms again. “Wuwuwu… Dad …”
“Mmm, mmm.”
Gu Bai, “…”
Gu Bai had been leaning against the door. Even though he had seen how they were with each other for a long time, he was still a little uneasy after listening to so many past secrets. He looked over and really wanted to hug his wife and caress him but he had to endure.
“Okay, okay.” Father Qi affectionately patted his son on the shoulder, then paused slightly when he saw the yellow thread on his nape. He couldn’t help asking, “What is this?”
“…Eh?” Qi Le took a look. “Oh, an amulet.”
Father Qi took a second to respond before quickly taking it off. “What are you wearing it for? You reincarnated into someone else"s body. What if your soul moves on huh?”
“…Don"t worry, it’s fake.”
“Why are you wearing it if it"s fake? Don’t wear this nonsense in the future.” Father Qi instructed, turned to look for a garbage can and threw it away. When he saw Gu Bai from the corner of his eye, he quickly adjusted his worried expression. He looked solemn as he asked kindly, “Have you both eaten, Xiao Bai? If not, uncle will take you to get something.”
Gu Bai said, “…Not yet, Xiao Le said he would like to eat with you.”
“My son is filial.” Father Qi said with great relief. “Come, let’s go down.”
They found a nice high-end restaurant. Father Qi sat down happily and looked at them. “Does Xiaoying know about this?”
They both frize at the same time. Qi Le blinked innocently. “No.”
Pray for the father to understand and nod: “Are you afraid of scaring her?”
“…Mmm.”
“It’s okay. Explain to her when you get the chance. Your looks aren"t any worse than before. If it really doesn"t work, you can pursue her again.” Father Qi encouraged. “Dad supports you.”
Qi Le opened his mouth to speak but remembered that Gu Bai had told him to take one step at a time. For the time being, he had to nod and swallow his words.
Father Qi looked at him and felt that his little gestures and expressions were exactly the same as before, thinking to himself that his son was indeed back. He thought for a moment and pulled out his cellphone. “I have to tell your mother about this.”
Qi Le froze and looked at him solemnly. He saw his father speak into the microphone, “Wife, our son is still alive. I’ll tell you the details later. I"ll let him have say a few words to you first.” He put it on hands-free and placed his cellphone on the table.
Qi Le was immediately excited and was about to speak when he heard a familiar voice from the other end. “Are you drunk again? Didn’t I tell you not to drink so much? Why don’t you listen? Xiao Le also told you to drink less before his operation. How disappointed would he be if he knew that you broke your promise?”
“…” Father Qi said, “Wife, it’s not what you think.”
“Then what can it be?” The person on the other end said angrily, “I’ll settle scores when you get back. You better kneel on the washboard for me…”
Father Qi immediately hung up and looked at them solemnly. “It"s better if I go back and talk to her about this. According to your mother’s temper, if she knew, she would definitely fly over immediately. She wears a jade amulet. I’m afraid it would be bad for you. I’ll ask her to come over after I’ve removed all those things she wears on her. Okay, let"s eat. The food"s about to turn cold.”
Gu Bai, “…”
“…” Qi Le said, “You just don’t want me to hear the words "kneel on the washboard"…”
Father Qi quickly served him some food and said lovingly, “It"s all your favorite food. Be good, have some. See how much Laozi spoils you.”
Qi Le, “……”
After a pleasant meal, Father Qi went for another business meeting. He cancelled his hotel room and went back to chat and sleep with his son. He also asked about this body. Qi Le told him the truth and then specifically added the part where this body was gay. Father Qi immediately asked if he had any diseases and Qi Le refuted him. Only then was Father Qi a.s.sured. They continued to chat but from Qi Le"s quiet observation, he found that the result wasn"t very good. They spoke for a while and soon fell asleep.