I Can Still Salvage It

 The relationship between the Shen family and Yu Lian was very close, yet they were still separated for the Spring Festival. Pei Zhiyi accompanied his mother to his grandparents’ house and would go see his grandfather later in the evening. Everyone was busy.

The Shen family always mobilized the entire family for the celebration Although Shen Changhe was the only one who knew how to cook, everyone else had their responsibilities of cleaning the living room and making rice balls.

Shen Mian wore a small floral blue apron and made rice balls together with Shen Yu. Neither of them inherited their father’s cooking skills, and the ones they made were far from perfect. Luckily, they were eating them among family, and no one complained.

Shen Mian was lost in thought as he made the rice balls. He remembered that when Pei Zhiyi was young, he had spent every celebration at their house.

They would also make rice balls that time. Pei Zhiyi was only slightly taller than the table , and after making them, he would secretly tell Shen Mian that he had made markings on the rice balls which he planned to serve them to Shen Mian later.

However, when the rice balls were cooked, Pei Zhiyi was dumbfounded because all the markings disappeared.

As Shen Mian thought about it, he couldn’t help but laugh. Shen Yu, who was beside him, observed for a while and couldn’t help but ask, “Brother, what are you thinking about that’s making you laugh so sheepishly.”

Shen Mian quickly restrained his smile and joked, “I’m just thinking if you could be a bit cuter next year, so I can actually experience the joy of being an older brother.”

Shen Yu shrugged and sneered at her brother.

The two of them spent over an hour making tangyuan (glutinous rice balls). Around 8 o’clock, the whole family sat down together for dinner. Both grandparents were present, and they chatted and criticized the Spring Festival Gala while enjoying the meal. At midnight, the kids and elders were sent off to sleep, leaving only Shen Changhe and Su Ying in the living room to keep watch.

Back in his room, Shen Mian didn’t immediately go to sleep. He knew that Pei Zhiyi might not have time to chat with him that night. Nevertheless, he sent a message to Pei Zhiyi.

“Brother, happy Lunar New Year.”

After thinking for a moment, he added another message.

“I want to spend every year with you from now on.”

After sending the messages, he felt a bit cheesy and buried his face in his arm, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

As expected, Pei Zhiyi didn’t immediately reply like he used to. Shen Mian wasn’t in a hurry, but he felt a bit sleepy.

Luckily, just as he was about to fall asleep, his phone vibrated. Pei Zhiyi had replied, with a simple two-word message that made Shen Mian smile.

“Me too.”

Shen Mian and Pei Zhiyi didn’t have a chance to meet until the sixth day of the Lunar New Year. The Pei family had many acquaintances with whom they had to visit, so Pei Zhiyi had no choice but to be dragged out to meet those people.

He was mature and composed, with appropriate manners, and his attractive appearance drew extra attention from anyone who had a daughter. Even the young girls had no reservations and openly chatted with him, asking if he was single or dating.

Pei Zhiyi had little patience for others and almost wanted to wear a sign that said, “Taken, do not disturb.”

But he couldn’t expose his relationship with Shen Mian, so he simply smiled, behaving like an infatuated person, and said, “I have someone I like and I’m pursuing them. I’m not considering anyone else.” He said it with confidence. If he saw that the other person hadn’t given up yet, he would add, “The person I secretly love really hates players and two timers, so I need to maintain my integrity to win their heart.”

The girls: “…”.

That is not a crush, you’ve been brainwashed.

However, since the conversation reached that point, no one bothered to pursue it further. Everyone had emotional and intellectual intelligence and had no shortage of suitors. There was no need to be fixated on one person.

Pei Zhiyi and Shen Mian had been apart for several days. But finally, Pei Zhiyi appeared at Shen Mian’s doorstep once again.

He came to visit with Yu Lian, wearing a black coat and a scarf that Shen Mian had knitted for him. He had shed his previous reserved and cold demeanor, and his smile was gentle and bright.

Shen Mian saw him from the window and immediately stopped playing the game in his hands. He bounced out in two or three steps, not even having time to say hi to Yu Lian before jumping into Pei Zhiyi’s embrace.

Under the watchful eyes of their parents, the two could only embrace each other and couldn’t do more. Pei Zhiyi’s hand tightened briefly on Shen Mian’s back before he forced himself to let go.

The two of them went from being a reunited couple to good friends.

Shen Mian took a deep breath and turned to call out, “Auntie.”

Yu Lian smiled in response and pulled the two of them towards the living room.

While the parents were chatting, Shen Mian and Pei Zhiyi sat together, seemingly listening but their minds were elsewhere.

Shen Mian secretly used his little finger to brush against Pei Zhiyi’s wrist while maintaining a smiling conversation with Yu Lian.

Occasionally, they exchanged a glance with a mischievous look in their eyes, transformed into little devils by days of long-distance longing.

Pei Zhiyi exerted maximum self-control to not show any hints. He chatted with Shen Changhe about the books he had recently read, but in his mind, he thought about how to undress and take his son into bed. He had bought a red scarf for Shen Mian, who had fair skin and would look good lying on it.

After dinner, Pei Zhiyi and Shen Mian finally found an opportunity to go back to their room.

Meanwhile, the parents were sitting downstairs in the living room, unaware of their whereabouts, while they were hiding behind the door, kissing.

That red scarf indeed complemented Shen Mian. Whether it was spread beneath him or draped around his waist, it accentuated his skin, making it appear smooth and delicate. The bright light flowed over his milky-white skin like water that would drive anyone crazy.

Shen Mian was afraid of attracting the attention of the parents and didn’t dare to make a sound throughout.

But Pei Zhiyi, in his ear, asked, “Mian Mian, does this count as an affair?”

Shen Mian’s waist softened at the question, but he couldn’t speak because he was biting his lip. He could only turn his head and give Pei Zhiyi a glare.

Fortunately, they didn’t have to hide for long. Shen Changhe, Su Ying, and Yu Lian planned to go out together to meet friends. It was likely that they would be away for two days. Shen Yu was taken away by her cousin to play, so only Pei Zhiyi and Shen Mian were left behind.

Shen Mian almost burst into laughter. It was the first time he enthusiastically sent his parents out, causing Su Ying and Shen Changhe to mutter halfway on the road, wondering if their son had finally entered the rebellious phase and didn’t care about them anymore.

“What a little rascal,” Su Ying scolded with a smile. “I guess I’m not as important to him as Pei Zhiyi.”

Shen Changhe chuckled beside her. “That’s how it goes. When he starts a family, he won’t even remember us.”

While the couple chatted and joked behind, Yu Lian, who was driving in the front seat, remained silent.

She looked at the traffic ahead, her face lost in thought.