Coming Out in One Chapter Part 2

Ding Erhe, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. "After Eldest Uncle beat you, he left the door open for us to come take care of you. His anger will probably subside in another couple of days."

Ding Hanbai lowered his eyes. How could it be that easy? Did he think a mere beating could win his parents' compromise? He had never entertained such a fantasy. But he had long considered the worst-case scenario—from when he forced Ji Shenyu to be with him, to the morning he pleaded with Ding Yanshou during their exercises... and to the moment he lifted Ji Shenyu down from the ladder.

He wasn't flustered, nor was he afraid. Not for a moment had his head been clouded.

Ding Hanbai hadn't told his family about his antique dealing, feeling it was better to tell them later rather than sooner, because the Antique City hadn't opened yet and he hadn't made a name for himself. But this matter was different. This was more serious than anything else. Sooner was better than later. He and Ji Shenyu could have hidden it for five or ten years, but by then his parents would be old. Could they still withstand it?

They probably wouldn't even have the strength to administer this kind of family punishment.

The magpies leaving the branches, the cat jumping on the window—how could he not have noticed the approaching footsteps? This earth-shattering discovery had pushed emotions to their peak. After that, whether it was beating or killing, it was all part of the comedown.

Ding Hanbai had prepared for everything. He only wanted to know if Ji Shenyu regretted it.

After a moment of silence, he gave his instructions in a low voice. "Second Brother, you and Second Uncle have always been in charge of the Jade Pavilion's Second Shop. From now on, if the First and Third Shops get busy, help out more." Before the other could reply, he instructed his third brother, "Tonight, make a trip to the Chongshui Old District for me. Find a blind old man. Be polite, don't go empty-handed."

Arranging things bit by bit, his wounds began to bleed again. Ding Hanbai paused. "Meeting adjourned. Fourth Brother, make me a cup of tea." When the tea was brought, only the two of them remained in the room. He said, "Fourth Brother, although you're loud, you're the closest to Shenyu. Besides, he was the one who pulled you into making jewelry for the Third Shop. Even if you have issues with him now, you can't be ungrateful."

Jiang Ting'en was utterly conflicted. "My mouth is full of ulcers from trying to persuade him! What can I do!"

All he did was urge them to break up or separate. Ding Hanbai cursed and slammed down the teacup. He stared at the dark bloodstains on the carpet and said, "If he doesn't eat enough, you stuff it in his mouth. If he's not dressed warmly enough, you drape something over him. If he's worried about me, you make up some nice things to tell him. If he starts to waver, you... you..."

Jiang Ting'en cried again, "You what?"

Ding Hanbai said, "You tell him for me that wavering or regretting is useless. A teacher for a day is a father for life, right? Well, if we're a couple for one night, then he's mine for this entire lifetime."

The words weren't particularly forceful, but it was as if they were spoken through gritted teeth, chewed up and swallowed with blood.

It was deep into the night. In the three-courtyard residence, only the small courtyard was lit. Ji Shenyu sat at the stone table drinking water, the moon reflected in the cup. After midnight, it would be the fifth day. The exposure, the confession, the house arrest, and today, the family punishment. Was it over? What would the outcome be?

Ding Hanbai refused to break up with him. Was he going to be locked in the study for the rest of his life?

He got up and went back to his room, dragging out a suitcase and folding a few items of clothing. Jiang Ting'en arrived in a night raid, completely shocked. "What are you doing? Big Brother is half-dead and still thinking about you, and you're going to abandon him!"

Ji Shenyu crouched on the floor. Ding Hanbai wouldn't abandon him, and he wouldn't abandon Ding Hanbai either. But Ding Hanbai couldn't be locked in the study forever. He put the bookmark and the amber pendant into the inner pocket and said, "We definitely can't keep living together. I'm moving."

He couldn't sleep. He tidied up the North and South Rooms and watered every plant. Jiang Ting'en followed him like a shadow, repeating the same old lines. Finally, when the birds and trees were quiet, he deflated. "Forget it. Big Brother said if you've been a... a couple for one night, you're his for this lifetime."

Ji Shenyu froze. He could imagine the look on Ding Hanbai's face as he said that. A couple of tears rolled down his cheeks, but he slowly smiled.

Before the sky was bright, before the breakfast stalls on Sha'er Street had even opened, Ding Hanbai got up and left the study. He washed up at the water pipe in the courtyard, fed the fish, swept the yard—he did all of Ding Yanshou's morning chores.

Then he just stood there, stood in the center of the courtyard, silent, head held high, back straight.

After sunrise, it grew bright. Ding Yanshou and Jiang Shuliu got up, followed by Jiang Caiwei. The family from the East Courtyard also came over one by one. The crowd gathered at the entrance to the living room—angry, worried, disappointed... all with different expressions.

Ding Yanshou said, "I haven't even called for you, yet you're already standing here on your own."

A filial son is born under the rod, but even a broken feather duster couldn't suppress a scoundrel like Ding Hanbai. Perhaps he had grown accustomed to the pain, or perhaps being pushed to the limit had unleashed his potential. He stood there full of vigor, with an air of fearing neither heaven nor earth.

When Ji Shenyu came over, the two of them stood together. Whether it was shameless or reckless, they stood shoulder to shoulder, facing this entire family of elders and relatives.

Jiang Shuliu's heart was filled with infinite resentment. She asked them if they knew they were wrong.

Ding Hanbai said, "Since you all think we're wrong, then we're wrong. But I can't change."

Ding Yanshou roared, "Can't change? I'll break your legs and lock you up for life, let's see if you can change then!" He then turned his fire. "Shenyu, whether he forced you or you went astray, it doesn't matter anymore. I'll only ask you this: didn't you say you liked him? Well, if he becomes a cripple, will you still like him?!"

Ji Shenyu was heartbroken. "I will. I'll take care of him for the rest of my life." He was so ashamed he could have bitten his teeth to pieces.

It had been five days. Five days of pressure and punishment had led to this result. Ding Yanshou took a step forward in anger, his face flushed and his tiger-like eyes wide. "One isn't afraid of pain, the other won't abandon him. What kind of heart-wrenching drama are you two performing! You have no shame, but I am ashamed of the disgrace you bring to the Ding family's name!"

He laughed in his extreme anger and turned to ask Jiang Shuliu, "We raised such a beast. Is there any use in keeping him?"

Everyone heard the implication and instantly panicked. Cries of "Big Brother," "Eldest Uncle," and "Brother-in-law" filled the air. Ding Houkang and Jiang Caiwei shouted almost simultaneously, telling Ding Hanbai and Ji Shenyu to quickly admit their mistake and agree to separate.

Under the clear, bright sky, Ding Hanbai said, "I was the one who fell for him first, and he fancies me too. Right or wrong, we're already in love. A white jade pendant, a pearl cufflink—we've exchanged our betrothal gifts. Living together in the same small courtyard, this beast that I am couldn't hold back. You saw us kissing that day, but behind your backs, we've even consummated our union."

He swore an oath, "I'll bear the consequences of this, but as long as I have a breath left in me, don't even think about making me bow my head."

Ding Yanshou was on the verge of madness. "...Good, good! My son really has guts!" He didn't ask Jiang Shuliu anymore, shrugging off Ding Houkang's restraining arm. "You think a good beating can get the family to agree? No such good deal! From this day on, you, Ding Hanbai, will get the hell out of this house!"

The words were like nails. Everyone was stunned. Jiang Shuliu looked as if she would collapse, sobbing on Ding Yanshou's shoulder. The second uncle and the younger generation tried to persuade and pull them apart, and for a moment, it was a chaotic mess. Ji Shenyu swayed. He never expected it would lead to a complete rupture between father and son. Him, their love... was it worth such a sacrifice from Ding Hanbai?!

Ding Hanbai said, "Dad, Mom." The veins on his neck bulged, but he confirmed calmly, "You really don't want me anymore?"

Ding Yanshou cursed, "Pack your things and get out! It's been twenty years. Your mother and I will just pretend we raised an ungrateful wolf for twenty years! From now on, you are forbidden from going to the Jade Pavilion, and you are forbidden from ever stepping through this gate!"

Ding Hanbai shouted back loudly, "From this day forward, I am leaving the Ding family to start my own household. If I succeed, I'll have the cheek to say I'm your son, Ding Yanshou. If I fail, I'll tuck my tail between my legs and never bring shame to the Ding family."

He didn't struggle at all. If there was no way out, then he would leave with his head held high. He would take a gamble—without his family business, without his parents, what kind of life could he make for himself?

Just then, Ding Yanshou said in a heavy voice, "You get out. Shenyu stays."

Ding Hanbai's eyes flew wide. He had only remembered Ding Yanshou's righteousness, but he had forgotten his shrewdness. Let one go and keep the other—he was dead set on separating them. Ji Shenyu was even more surprised. He stared blankly at Ding Yanshou, then dropped to his knees with a thud. "Master, let me go with Senior Brother! I'm begging you!"

Ding Yanshou said, "If you walk out that door with him, I'll stab myself in an artery with the next step. I'll go see Fangxu, and I'll have to admit my mistake to him for ruining his good son!"

Ji Shenyu was dumbfounded. In the heat of the moment, he dared not plead anymore, terrified of causing an irreversible catastrophe. He knelt there, trembling. In his vision, Ding Yanshou was also trembling, and Jiang Shuliu had long since cried herself unconscious.

This father had been modest his whole life, proud only of his son. He had been self-disciplined and diligent his whole life, indulging and spoiling only his son for twenty years, yet now he couldn't even get a single act of obedience in return. Ding Yanshou's hands dropped. He felt like he would scream his lungs out, scream out hot tears— "You wicked son! From now on, I have no son like you!"

Ji Shenyu was about to break. If one of them had to be betrayed, then let it be him. He got up and shook Ding Hanbai. "Senior Brother..." As he trembled, a slip of paper fell out. It was his answer from that night.

Ding Hanbai bent down to pick it up. He unfolded it. It read—As long as you don't regret it, I'll follow you for a lifetime.

That was enough, more than enough. Stepping out of this gate today, even if the past was glorious and the road ahead was rough, he didn't care. Parents, brothers, family business... he didn't want any of it anymore!

Ding Hanbai said, loud and clear, "Ji Shenyu, there are many things that hold me back, but none of them can compare to your weight in my heart. You are the most important one, so nothing else matters. I'll say this right here: even if I end up destitute, I will never give in or bow my head."

Ding Hanbai knelt once to the heavens, the earth, and his parents, then rose nimbly, still impossibly arrogant at this moment. The Ding family's motto: One's word is one's bond, one's action must bear fruit.

He added one more line—"Better to be a shattered jade than an intact tile."