Jing Mian stared blankly, as if pondering, and repeated, “Like?”
Doctor Pei said, “Yes, did you marry your husband because you like him?”
Jing Mian seemed a bit flustered.
He lowered his gaze, then slowly shifted his eyes back, asking in a hesitant, soft voice, “What does it mean to like someone?”
Doctor Pei was momentarily at a loss for words.
He carefully chose his words and explained to Jing Mian, “It’s… you trust your partner, want to spend your life with them, want to share your difficulties with them, miss them even when they’re not around, and perhaps often feel a sense of heart-pounding.”
“Liking someone… perhaps it can’t be simply summarized in words, but it’s precisely because it can’t be accurately described that it’s called liking.”
Jing Mian might have understood the literal meaning at first, but as it went on, he became increasingly confused.
Struggling to convey the right meaning, Doctor Pei hesitated for a few seconds and said, “For example, liking someone might mean they’re irreplaceable to you, Xiao Jing… do you feel that way?”
Jing Mian’s eyelashes fluttered, the candy wrapper in his fingers changing shape from crumpled to flat, and he whispered, “Mr. Ren doesn’t find me irreplaceable.”
“If it were someone else, he would still treat them well.”
Doctor Pei: “…”
Suddenly, he found himself speechless.
Who said he didn’t understand?
In fact, he understood everything.
Sometimes, being too clear-headed makes it easier to accept misfortune.
Doctor Pei clicked his pen cap, closed his notebook, and forced a smile, saying, “Don’t think like that, it will trap you in a mental dead end. Your lover might treat others well too, but he met you, so just cherish the present.”
The two fell silent for a few seconds.
Doctor Pei asked, “Xiao Jing, what about you?”
Jing Mian pondered for a moment.
The warmth from the air conditioner gradually enveloped him, warming his hands and feet.
The candy wrapper was clutched in his palm, and his voice was flat, just a bit hoarse, “If liking Mr. Ren means I won’t be easily discarded, and it’s easier to maintain a long-lasting marriage…”
Jing Mian pursed his lips, inexplicably dry, and said, “I can try.”
“I can try to make Mr. Ren irreplaceable.”
Jing Mian looked up and said softly.
Doctor Pei’s expression turned to one of surprise.
His Adam’s apple bobbed, and a sense of discomfort welled up in his heart, likely out of pity for the child he had watched grow up.
Doctor Pei put down his pen and quickly said, “No, you don’t have to…”
“You… should follow your own feelings, go with your intuition, don’t force yourself to do anything, and don’t be afraid of the future. Even being alone isn’t that scary. Even without marriage or family, you’re still Jing Mian.”
Doctor Pei sighed softly, his voice gradually calming, and said solemnly, “The road is still long, Xiao Jing, you might not be a drifting duckweed.”
When Jing Mian left the hospital, he caught a glimpse of the intense sunlight pouring down, the shadows of the leaves interweaving in the shade, swaying gently.
Being alone wasn’t scary.
Before meeting Mr. Ren, Jing Mian had always thought so.
But he carried his luggage, followed the man into Maple Leaf, entered the password, and stepped into a completely unfamiliar territory. There, he had a spacious bedroom, matching toothbrush cups, notes reminding him to eat… even a small potted plant he had bought on a whim.
Perhaps, starting from that oversized black coat, Mr. Ren had already unknowingly entered his life.
Jing Mian felt a bit lost.
He didn’t know how long it would take for him to adapt to being alone again if, one day in the future, he had to withdraw from such a life.
At four in the afternoon.
Jing Mian arrived at the Jing family’s doorstep on time and knocked.
He faintly heard hurried footsteps inside, and the door soon opened. The housekeeper, wearing an apron, smiled warmly at Jing Mian and said joyfully, “Young master is back!”
Jing Mian was slightly taken aback.
After all, the housekeeper was usually close to Li Qiao and took care of Jing Luo daily, rarely interacting with him, not even exchanging a word or showing any expression.
Today, however, she was unusually enthusiastic.
Jing Mian, puzzled, softly acknowledged with a “Hmm.”
Before Jing Mian could step into the entrance, a series of rapid footsteps came from behind the housekeeper, and soon, Jing Mian’s leg was firmly hugged.
The sudden little appendage stretched out its small hands, wrapped around Jing Mian’s waist, and with a nasal voice, called out, “…Brother!”
Jing Mian bent down, cupping the little face buried in his leg, and then paused, noticing the child biting his lip, tears streaming down his cheeks, his nose slightly red as he looked up at him.
Jing Mian picked up Jing Luo and asked the housekeeper, “What’s wrong?”
The housekeeper smiled, “He’s going to kindergarten tomorrow.”
Jing Mian: “…” So these were tears of school.
Hearing the commotion, Li Qiao walked over from the living room. The woman was graceful and dignified, her voice carrying a smile, “So MianMian is back. I was wondering why the usually quiet house suddenly became so lively.”
“Jing Luo, you always turn to your brother when you’re upset.” Li Qiao sighed, lifting the child from Jing Mian’s neck, “When your brother officially starts a family, will you still cling to him like this in front of your sister-in-law?”
“MianMian, it’s cold outside, right?” Li Qiao smiled, “Come in, take off your coat, and warm up.”
The housekeeper chimed in, “Madam personally cooked today, making your favorite lotus root and pork rib soup.”
That… wasn’t his favorite, Jing Mian thought.
But he still said softly, “Thank you.”
Jing’s father appeared not far behind.
Seeing the scene before him, like a happy family weekend, warm and lively, his mood improved considerably compared to usual, and he greeted, “Jing Mian, there’s a lot of your favorite dishes today. If you don’t have anything urgent in the evening, don’t go back to the dorm, stay at home for the night.”
Jing Mian was slightly startled.
Only then did he remember that Jing Guozhen didn’t know about his cohabitation with Mr. Ren.
But Jing Mian hadn’t planned to tell him, so he said, “I have an early class tomorrow, so I won’t stay out.”
Jing’s father hesitated, wanting to persuade him, but seeing Jing Mian’s calm, almost indifferent expression, he ultimately swallowed his words.
The housekeeper wiped her hands and smiled, “There’s fruit on the coffee table, young master. Have a little, watch some TV. The last soup is almost ready.”
Jing’s father, unusually, sat down and chatted with Jing Mian about recent events, school, exams, adapting to the new semester, and whether he needed anything.
Jing Mian answered one by one, and in Jing’s father’s eyes, there was nothing he needed to worry about.
Li Qiao lowered her eyes, peeling two oranges for Jing Mian and placing them on a small plate.
Dinner was soon ready, a full table that looked quite sumptuous and appetizing, with the soup still steaming.
They sat down at the dining table, Jing Luo needing a booster seat due to his height.
After picking up their chopsticks, Li Qiao served Jing Luo several of his favorite dishes, piling them into his bowl. Jing’s father, seeing this, paused, then reached out with his chopsticks, placing a pork rib into Jing Mian’s bowl.
Jing Mian wasn’t used to such an atmosphere, or the overly warm and harmonious concern, so he picked up a vegetable and ate it along with the pork rib.
Jing’s father ate in silence for a while, then suddenly spoke, as if making casual conversation, “Your wedding with the Ren family’s son is in four days. He must have told you, since you need to try on the attire.”
“He did,” Jing Mian paused, “…we’ve already tried them on.”
Mentioning the attire inevitably reminded him of the kiss Mr. Ren had shared with him in the study yesterday.
Jing Mian’s lips pressed together slightly, and as he focused on his meal, perhaps due to the gravity of the situation, his ears inexplicably felt warm.
Jing’s father, unusually, showed a look of relief, “It seems you two are getting along well.”
The young man’s brow twitched slightly.
“Originally, when your Aunt Qiao first brought it up, I was strongly opposed. In my impression, two men getting married, what kind of propriety is that?”
Jing’s father’s tone calmed somewhat, now able to narrate the event as if recalling it, “But later, the country also introduced many protective policies, and my investor’s son also married someone of the same sex… I thought, perhaps I hadn’t kept up with the times, appearing a bit old-fashioned.”
“Moreover, I looked into it and heard that even for same-sex couples, modern technology can allow you to marry and have children normally.” Jing’s father sighed, murmuring, “Thinking about it, it’s not much different from a conventional marriage.”
Jing Mian looked down at the food in his bowl, unsure how to respond.
Jing’s father said with relief, “After you get married, you can consider having a child early.”
“The Ren family must be like me, eagerly awaiting the arrival of a grandson or granddaughter.”
Jing Mian’s chopsticks paused, as this question seemed familiar. A week ago, the aunt had also asked them when they planned to have a baby.
It was an awkward yet blush-inducing question for newlyweds. Although Jing Mian hadn’t thought about it, subconsciously, he wasn’t opposed to the idea, just that it was still too early.
He and Mr. Ren hadn’t even had their wedding yet.
He had heard that if same-sex couples wanted to have a child, technology could make it possible without the need for marital intercourse.
He wasn’t sure if intercourse was part of the marital obligations.
But if they could skip that step and still successfully have a baby, it would also relieve a lot of pressure for Jing Mian.
Wait, he seemed… to be considering this too early.
Whether Mr. Ren wanted a child was another matter.
After all, the man exuded an aura of ‘keep away,’ and allowing himself into his life was already a step out of his comfort zone.
Just then, Li Qiao’s hand, which was serving Jing Luo, suddenly froze.
She looked up, unable to hide her stiffness, and smiled softly, “Two boys, can they raise a child well? Let them enjoy their couple life for a few more years.”
Jing’s father didn’t agree, saying firmly, “Why not? Raising a child isn’t about gender. As long as it’s your own, nurturing and caring for it is natural.”
“Xiao Luo’s dad, you misunderstood me.” Li Qiao put down her chopsticks and smiled, “I just meant that it’s too early to talk about this now. MianMian is only twenty, and this is a family alliance. The wedding hasn’t happened yet, and the marriage certificate hasn’t been issued. Bringing up children now would scare MianMian.”
Jing’s father frowned slightly, this time speaking more softly, “They’re adults. Marriage and children are inevitable. What’s there to be scared of?”
Li Qiao’s smile slowly spread, her voice gentle, “Who says so? Even if our MianMian is obedient and doesn’t have rebellious thoughts, your constant pushing would scare him into not wanting to get married.”
Jing’s father seemed to think there was some truth to that, so he didn’t continue the topic.
Jing Mian, as if an outsider, listened to the two discuss his future with almost calm indifference, without any fluctuation.
He certainly knew why Li Qiao was subtly but strongly opposed. After all, Jing Luo was only four, and he was the son of Jing Guozhen’s ex-wife. If another child with the Jing surname were born, Li Qiao would naturally see it as a threat.
Suddenly, a piece of crispy pork was placed in his bowl.
Right in the center, on top of the rice.
Jing Mian noticed it was Jing Luo beside him, clumsily picking it up with his small hands, saying, “Brother, your favorite crispy pork.”
Jing Mian was slightly startled.
Then he said, “Thank you, Luo Luo.”
“You’re welcome.”
Jing Luo leaned in closer, whispering in his ear, “Brother, are you going to give me a sister?”
Jing Mian: “…”
Jing Mian said, “It’s not the brother who gives birth, and it’s not necessarily a sister.”
Jing Luo listened seriously, his eyes wide, “Is it the sister-in-law who gives birth?”
Jing Mian was somewhat choked.
His Adam’s apple moved, and he said, “…The sister-in-law can’t give birth either.”
Jing Luo seemed to ponder, not quite understanding, and looked up, “Then how do you two plan to solve this problem?”
Jing Mian’s brain short-circuited, completely at a loss for words.
Jing Luo asked again, “Will the sister-in-law try hard?”