Sweet Nostalgia of the 80s

”Nothing’s going on.” Since Yan Huan hasn’t clearly expressed her feelings, Ji Chuan decided to respect her wishes.

For now, they’ll just call each other friends.

”Don’t lie to me.” Meng Qingmei didn’t believe Ji Chuan, ”Just look at the way you look at her.”

”It’s nothing like that.” Ji Chuan laughed involuntarily.

”Nothing? You think I don’t know what’s on your mind?” Meng Qingmei patted Ji Chuan’s chest, ”Just say what’s on your mind, why hide it?”

”Mom—” Ji Chuan was soaked and the water kept dripping down, ”Can you let me finish my shower?”

”No way. Until you spill it out, you can’t go.” Meng Qingmei didn’t believe she couldn’t get useful clues from her son.

”Qingmei, let him go. It’s the same afterward. Look at him half-naked, it’s indecent!” Ji Shuanglin said.

”Yeah, mom! Let me go.”

”Alright. When you’re out, you’d better explain in detail.” Only then did Meng Qingmei relent.

When Ji Chuan came out of the bathroom, Yan Huan was already up, and his parents were preparing breakfast in the dining room.

”How are you? You okay?” Ji Chuan asked, towel-drying his wet hair.

”I’m fine.” Yan Huan said, a bit awkwardly, ”Explain to your parents in a bit.”

”I know. Don’t worry.” Ji Chuan laughed, ”No need to be so anxious! Just be yourself like always! No need to feel awkward! You’re the daughter of a deputy commander of the military district! Haven’t you seen big scenes? At my house, it’s just a few people, and you’re worried?”

”I...” Yan Huan thought, indeed, she’s witnessed all sorts of scenes, but her emotions felt all wrong at Ji Chuan’s house. Why is there a feeling of being restrained and unable to let go?

”Go wash your face and have breakfast.” Seeing her frozen in place, Ji Chuan urged her.

Yan Huan walked a few steps, turning back three times with each step.

Ji Chuan stood still, smiling at her, ”What’s wrong?”

”Will your parents dislike me? Will they think I’m that kind of girl?” Yan Huan still asked.

”No, they won’t. I’ll explain to them. Don’t worry!”

Meng Qingmei had breakfast ready, just waiting for the family to sit together and eat.

While Yan Huan wasn’t there, Meng Qingmei grabbed Ji Chuan to return to the earlier question: ”Honestly, what’s your relationship with this Yan Huan?”

”Friends.” Ji Chuan finished speaking, then deliberately added, ”Just friends.”

”Don’t play tricks on your mom. Look at how you look at her.”

”I look at you the same way.” Ji Chuan refused to admit, ”You’ve really got it wrong. She heard you weren’t feeling well, so she came with me to see you. She’s the sister of Yan Ye whom I mentioned to you. You know Yan Ye, right?”

”Stop changing the subject! Not talking, huh?”

”It’s not that I’m not talking. It’s really not like that.” Ji Chuan was at his wit’s end, ”He knew this would come up. He really wants to introduce Yan Huan to the parents, but Yan Huan still has some little issues.”

”Alright then.” Seeing her son not admitting, Meng Qingmei stopped pressing him, she smiled slightly, but the next words made Ji Chuan’s back feel cold, ”I was worried earlier! Now that you guys have no relationship, I can relax.”