Old people always like lively atmospheres, that's why so many empty-nesters feel unhappy. Grandpa Shen enjoyed when Shen Duoyi brought friends or colleagues home. In the past, Meng Ping came often, but recently, Qi Shi'an had been appearing more frequently.

Grandpa Shen always called out "Xiao Qi, Xiao Qi," as if they were particularly familiar and close.

"Grandpa, you're taking advantage of your age, always ordering people around," Shen Duoyi said, wearing that annoying apron. "The food is heated up, the housekeeper made quite a feast."

Qi Shi'an put down his brush and ink, helped Grandpa Shen walk to the dining table to sit down, and said, "Grandpa was looking at my birth chart."

Grandpa Shen humbly said, "I'm just guessing. There are several fortune tellers in the park, I learned from watching them."

Shen Duoyi sat down across the table: "One of these days I'll buy you a pair of sunglasses. Take your cane and pretend to be blind, you'll definitely get more business than the others."

"Go on, stop making fun of me." Grandpa Shen became embarrassed. He picked up some fish for Qi Shi'an, "Xiao Qi, our Duoyi is close to you, you often come to visit, don't mind that I'm old and confused and troublesome."

Qi Shi'an said: "Grandpa, having an elder at home is like having a treasure. I especially enjoy chatting with you."

After dinner, Qi Shi'an left, as staying too late wouldn't be appropriate. Shen Duoyi walked him to the apartment entrance, then agreed on tomorrow's meeting time. After returning home and cleaning up the dining table, he found Grandpa Shen almost asleep on the sofa when everything was done.

"Grandpa, let me help you to the bedroom to sleep."

Grandpa Shen opened his eyes drowsily and took a measured breath: "I'm really getting old, falling asleep earlier and earlier, wanting to close my eyes right after putting down my chopsticks."

Shen Duoyi said: "It's autumn, everyone gets tired easily." He knew that Grandpa Shen wasn't just sleeping earlier, but also waking up earlier. At two or three in the morning, it wasn't just getting up to use the bathroom—he was simply awake.

"Duoyi," Grandpa Shen stared straight into the air, "I feel your relationship with Xiao Qi is good, but different from your relationships with Fei Yuan, Lulu, and Meng Ping. Whether it's chemistry or something else, I can't quite explain it."

Shen Duoyi felt his chest tighten with a rush of nervousness, and managed to say with difficulty: "It is a bit different."

Grandpa Shen wiped his face with his withered hand: "It's a good thing, as long as you're happy together."

In the dead of night, Shen Duoyi curled up on the sofa, lost in thought. Grandpa Shen had already gone to bed, and he dared not explore whether there was any deeper meaning in his words. After sitting there for half the night, he was too lazy to move and simply lay down and closed his eyes.

The next day, they had agreed to have dinner. Qi Shi'an picked up Kong Yinhong first, then the three met at the restaurant. Kong Yinhong rarely wasn't wearing her usual business suit, but her clothes were still in serious dark colors. At least her pearl necklace and earrings made her look somewhat gentler.

When Shen Duoyi arrived, he was dressed neatly, carrying a gift and holding a bouquet of carnations. In the quiet private room with just the three of them, he walked up to Kong Yinhong and offered the flowers, politely and carefully saying: "Auntie, these are for you, I hope you like them."

Kong Yinhong stood up to accept them: "Thank you, but carnations are for teachers."

Shen Duoyi paused for two seconds: "They're also for mothers."

Qi Shi'an suddenly felt his eyes and nose sting. He raised his hand to put it on Kong Yinhong's shoulder, his intention already quite clear. Kong Yinhong was also quite surprised, and after collecting herself, lowered her head to smell the flower petals.

"They smell lovely, I'll put them in a vase when I get home."

The three sat down, with Qi Shi'an in charge of pouring tea. He had already ordered dishes that Kong Yinhong and Shen Duoyi liked. The atmosphere was now gentle, suitable for casual conversation.

"I heard from Shi'an that you two met when you were teenagers?" Kong Yinhong broke the silence.

Shen Duoyi answered: "Yes, I met him when I was working part-time." As he spoke, he became afraid to continue, not knowing if Qi Shi'an had told her they met at a nightclub.

What if he hadn't, and he let it slip?

Someone as strict and proper as Kong Yinhong would definitely dislike such places.

After considering a host of questions, Shen Duoyi changed course and said: "Auntie, my work is very stable now, and I tried talking to my family about it the other day, but I need to take it step by step, it might take some time."

Qi Shi'an spoke up first: "What did you say? About us?"

"Mm, I just hinted at it a little at first, I can't guarantee when I'll explain everything." Shen Duoyi looked apologetic, but his gaze was particularly sincere. "My grandpa is eighty years old, I don't dare take too many risks."

Qi Shi'an rarely showed such urgency. He had never intended to let Grandpa Shen know, but before he could voice his objections, his mother intercepted. Kong Yinhong turned slightly in her seat to face Shen Duoyi and said: "Actually, the main purpose of inviting you both to dinner today was to apologize in person. I didn't understand your family situation before and said some hurtful things from my perspective. I'm sorry."

She was always serious, but now showed rare gentleness.

Shen Duoyi raised his teacup to Kong Yinhong in respect: "It's alright. Auntie, thank you for understanding."

Kong Yinhong drank her tea and analyzed clearly: "Because Shi'an told his family about your relationship, and because of what I said before, you also want to tell your family. Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, I take back what I said, and I suggest you don't tell your grandfather."

"Your grandfather is elderly, and to say something practical but cruel, seventy to eighty percent of people don't live to ninety, eighty is already a long life. Even if someone that age is healthy, this kind of thing would be quite shocking. Why make an elderly person endure such a thing, right?"

Shen Duoyi felt grateful in his heart, but even more guilty. Qi Shi'an had been sitting on Kong Yinhong's side, but seeing this, he immediately got up and sat next to him, grabbing Shen Duoyi's hand: "I'm not suffering at all, and you've already taken me to meet your parents, that's the biggest acknowledgment."

Kong Yinhong was somewhat surprised, and after brief contemplation asked: "Duoyi, has Shi'an taken you to the military retirement home?"

Shen Duoyi answered honestly: "Yes, it was to tutor his brother, before we were together."

"So you haven't formally met his parents there?" Kong Yinhong's expression didn't change much, but looking carefully, she seemed to be smiling. Sure enough, she picked up her chopsticks and added: "I'm his birth mother, it's right that you met me first."

Shen Duoyi almost burst out laughing. He finally knew who Qi Shi'an's nonchalant smugness resembled—it was exactly like Kong Yinhong.

"Let's talk about something else, I'm already bored enough, this is even more boring," Kong Yinhong put a shrimp each on Shen Duoyi and Qi Shi'an's plates. "Or you two can chat and ignore me, I'd like to see... how two boys... interact."

The two men in their twenties suddenly became shy and could only eat quietly. Later, Kong Yinhong received a call from the research institute and had even less attention for them.

After hanging up, Shen Duoyi asked: "Auntie, do you do geological research?"

"Yes, I just returned from a survey in Dabie Mountains that night." Kong Yinhong said, looking down. "This field is very dry and extremely tiring. When I was younger, I often went to various places for surveys. And we can't disclose maps and specific locations, it's classified."

She recalled: "Shi'an's father works in military engineering design, he also travels frequently, leaving with packed bags at a moment's notice, not knowing where he's going or for how long, also classified."

Kong Yinhong turned to look at Shen Duoyi, showing a rare smile: "We're like two special agents, quite boring."

Too many people spend half their lives wandering before finding the person most suitable for them, experiencing separations and reunions, experiencing times when there's nothing left to say. There are also too many people who never find the most suitable person in their entire life, getting by with making do, their expectations and fantasies gradually depleted and worn away.

Shen Duoyi looked at Qi Shi'an, and Qi Shi'an looked at Shen Duoyi.

They were fortunate after all.

After finishing the meal, they stood on the steps outside the restaurant to say goodbye. Kong Yinhong held the carnations and then reached out with a paper bag. Shen Duoyi took it and found a bottle of calming perfume inside.

"Put it on your desk, it will last a long time."

"Thank you, Auntie." Shen Duoyi watched Kong Yinhong get into the car and leave, waiting until the tail lights disappeared down the street before daring to release all his suppressed joy. Qi Shi'an held him as they walked down the steps, saying leisurely: "This mom is rather cold, but it's okay, there's another warm mom."

Shen Duoyi said very happily: "I like both moms, and I love their son the most."

Qi Shi'an's heart was clearly blooming with joy, but after the joy came seriousness. Standing by the street, he raised his hand to grab Shen Duoyi's shoulder and said very solemnly: "Duoyi, don't tell Grandpa about us, really, don't take any risks at all."

The best outcome would be if the elderly person accepted it, but they didn't want to see even a hint of sadness from him. Qi Shi'an gripped Shen Duoyi's shoulder: "Grandpa not knowing isn't our flaw. On the contrary, letting him spend his later years always happy is our happiness."

Shen Duoyi leaned forward to hug him: "Don't be so good."

Qi Shi'an stroked the back of his head, pretending: "Am I good? I think I'm just okay, could still improve."

The two walked in the garden near the restaurant, talking about many things. Qi Shi'an told some interesting stories about his parents, Shen Duoyi shared some jokes from the neighborhood, and finally, they inevitably turned to work topics.