"Shutiao, you're allowed to go to the kitchen for a yogurt." You Si still had her usual smile, and after Shutiao ran off, she said to Shen Duoyi, "Team Leader Shen, we all know now, Shi'an was forced to tell by Zhang Yiming."

Zhang Yiming said: "How was I forcing him, he proudly told everything himself, about meeting ten years ago, reuniting ten years later, making eyes during meetings, chatting during meals, one story after another."

Shen Duoyi turned his head to glare at Qi Shi'an: "You're just showing off."

Qi Shi'an said: "These two came early to gossip, so I satisfied them, anyway you're going to introduce me to your friends too."

These people's time was all very precious, finishing up one second of friend updates, the next second they were discussing foreign exchange markets. You Si went to the kitchen to check on the child, surprised to find Shutiao had taken the initiative to drink up a whole row of yogurts.

Shen Duoyi went to help clean up, and Shutiao took the chance to run to the corridor to continue playing with toy cars. After everything was cleaned up, You Si put straws in the remaining two yogurts and handed one to Shen Duoyi.

The two of them walked to the side hall, and Shen Duoyi spoke first: "Miss You, I'm sorry."

You Si shook her head: "That night didn't I say he couldn't possibly like me, because I've known for a long time that he likes men." Seeing Shen Duoyi's surprise, she nodded again, "He must have told you, from when he was in middle school."

Shen Duoyi suddenly understood: "He mentioned it."

"So you see, I knew back then. But he's quite the scoundrel, he wasn't serious at all about his first love back then, so he didn't even know I found out." You Si finished her yogurt, "Team Leader Shen, I'm very happy he's with you, because you're really excellent, and besides being excellent, you're also very kind, Shutiao really likes you."

Footsteps came rushing over, Shutiao came running: "Who called me?"

Shen Duoyi deliberately said: "I finished your yogurt."

Shutiao was very generous: "It's okay, uncle will buy me lots more."

Around eight or nine o'clock, the weather got brighter and brighter. Zhang Yiming and You Si took Shutiao to the amusement park, leaving only Qi Shi'an and Shen Duoyi at home. Qi Shi'an kept checking his watch, as if there was something important, and Shen Duoyi couldn't help asking: "Do you have something to do? Or did you make plans with someone?"

Qi Shi'an said: "No, my birth mom made plans to meet my dad."

Shen Duoyi immediately tensed up: "Can uncle handle auntie?"

Qi Jingtang couldn't handle Kong Yinhong, so he didn't go.

The street-side teahouse was classically elegant. Kong Yinhong still wore her business suit, looking serious and shrewd. She walked upstairs in her high heels and immediately spotted Huo Xin sitting by the window.

Huo Xin wore a modified qipao, her hair up in a bun, looking much more graceful than usual. Her outfit was too plain, so instead of her jade bracelet, she wore a twisted gold chain on her wrist.

The two middle-aged women with vastly different styles sat facing each other, neither thinking much of the other.

"Why are you here? Where's Jingtang?"

"We're both mothers, it's more appropriate for us to talk."

Kong Yinhong directly denied this: "It's different, I'm his birth mother."

Huo Xin was even more direct: "A birth mother who makes things difficult for her child - even I as a stepmom can't stand to watch."

"If you can't stand it then keep it to yourself, don't try to play the good person." Kong Yinhong's expression was cold as she picked up her tea and drank half a cup. Huo Xin took up the teapot and refilled it, causing the ice in her furrowed brow to melt slightly.

"Shi'an dated a boy in middle school, that's when he confirmed his orientation." Huo Xin stopped arguing, "He's twenty-eight or twenty-nine now, and it took over ten years to find someone he likes - do you think he's not serious about this?"

Kong Yinhong said: "He may be serious, but the other person might not be."

Huo Xin gave her a look: "You have some nerve to say that after scolding him in public. Is this the quality you professors have?" She continued without pause, "Duoyi lost his parents at seven, he's lived all these years with just his grandfather, who's already eighty and in poor health. How do you expect him to tell his family? If he doesn't tell them he's 'despicable', if he does tell them and it makes his grandfather ill, will you compensate him for his only remaining relative?"

Kong Yinhong was stunned, nearly knocking over her teacup: "I didn't know... that child didn't say."

"He wanted to tell you, but you wouldn't let him explain." Huo Xin leaned against the sofa armrest, every bit the young madam, "Actually, what does it matter if you can't accept it? Make them break up? Have Shi'an stay single forever? You even got divorced and found someone new - why should my son have to stay alone?"

Kong Yinhong angrily emphasized: "He is my son, mind your words."

Huo Xin spoke as if reluctantly: "He is your son, that's true. Every year he eagerly celebrates your birthday despite your cold face. Now that he's found someone he loves, you want to tear them apart."

"To be honest, I really envy you, truly." Huo Xin looked out the window, "Such a good man as Jingtang, you met him first. Such a good child as Shi'an, you gave birth to him. I've always been getting leftovers, but I'm not resigned to it."

This time Kong Yinhong poured the tea, looking at the spout as she said: "Jingtang suits you better, and Shi'an is happier with you too. You've done better than me."

Huo Xin turned to face her: "The first time I met Shi'an, he was just a few years old. He loved reading and spoke very logically - he was the smartest child I'd ever met. I was so relieved then, thinking I wouldn't have to worry about his studies. If he hadn't been successful, people would have said I was a negligent stepmother."

"But I don't even pay much attention to my own children, because I never demand that they achieve anything. I've only ever had one requirement for Shi'an - that he lives happily."

"Even if he hadn't gotten into a good university or become successful in his career, it wouldn't matter. I never demanded those things from him. Life is just a few decades long, gone in the blink of an eye. I just want him to be happy every day."

Kong Yinhong's eyes flickered as she pressed her lips together. She had spent most of her life busy with her career and research, and she knew her child was equally excellent. But that was all - that was all she had pursued, she had never thought about anything else.

Huo Xin's nose stung: "Regarding him and Duoyi, it was hard for me to accept too, but after thinking about it for several nights, I finally had an epiphany. What right do I have to not accept it? When parents love themselves, they oppose and obstruct based on their own ideas. But when parents love their children, they only consider which outcome will give their child the greatest happiness."

Kong Yinhong covered her eyes with her hand, finally crying.

Huo Xin was crying too, laughing through her tears: "You're crying? I'm the one who should be upset. I've already had several wedding dresses made to order, they probably won't get to be worn now. Want one?"

Kong Yinhong laughed through her tears: "Then I'll treat you to this pot of tea."

Qi Shi'an and Shen Duoyi were still curled up on the sofa, staring blankly at real-time trading data, neither really taking it in. Just as the screen was about to go dark, an incoming call simultaneously woke them both.

The name "Kong Yinhong" flashed, making Shen Duoyi nervous.

Qi Shi'an answered: "Mom?"

"It's me." Kong Yinhong's voice was a bit hoarse, "Could you give me your friend's contact information?"

Qi Shi'an didn't understand: "My friend?"

Kong Yinhong said: "Duoyi's."

Qi Shi'an was somewhat surprised: "He's right next to me."

He put the phone to Shen Duoyi's ear, while wrapping his arm around him from the side. Shen Duoyi's heart was pounding as he anxiously spoke: "Auntie, this is Shen Duoyi, were you looking for me?"

There was silence for a moment, then came an "I'm sorry."

"That day I didn't understand the situation, please don't take it to heart." Kong Yinhong's voice was very low, "Another day, I'd like to invite you and Shi'an to dinner, so we can have a good chat."

After the call ended, Shen Duoyi was still in a daze. Before he could recover, Qi Shi'an captured his lips in a kiss. Instinctively embracing him back, they felt an enormous joy born of disbelief.

"Can't breathe..."

The long, deep kiss ended at Shen Duoyi's plea. Qi Shi'an sighed contentedly and asked: "Are you happy?"

Shen Duoyi nodded: "Happy." After answering, he still felt it wasn't enough, so he held Qi Shi'an's face and emphasized loudly once more, "Happy!"

A long-worried problem had been resolved, and the stone in his heart finally dropped. Shen Duoyi stood up to adjust his clothes, then put his backpack on again. Qi Shi'an looked up at him, asking amusedly: "Little one, going on a trip?"

Shen Duoyi reached out to pull him: "I was originally going to take you to meet two people today, hurry and change your shoes."

Qi Shi'an grabbed his wallet and headed out, cooperatively wearing extremely casual clothes, trying to return to eighteen alongside Shen Duoyi. The black Volkswagen was parked on the street outside the apartment. Shen Duoyi walked with light steps, and for the first time on the road, he hummed along with the music.

After more than an hour, they had already left the city center. Qi Shi'an finally sensed something was off and couldn't help asking: "Where are we meeting them?"

Shen Duoyi said: "We're almost there."

Half an hour later, Qi Shi'an saw the cemetery gates and finally realized who Shen Duoyi was taking him to meet. He finally understood why Shen Duoyi had worn all white.

The car stopped, and Shen Duoyi said happily: "Mr. Qi, I'm taking you to meet my parents. You need to perform well, make me look good."

Qi Shi'an was stunned, unable to describe his feelings.

"Though it doesn't matter if you don't perform well." Shen Duoyi added, "Because I've decided on you anyway, and no one can change that."