Chapter 1298 1298: END OF THE FIRST DAY

"SO, did anyone from your family try to contact you over the weekend?" Luo Yan finally asked after a moment of comfortable silence, getting to the point that had been on his mind.

Shen Ji Yun paused with his cup of Americano halfway to his lips. He slowly put the cup back down on the table. "No, no one contacted me."

This came as a surprise to him. He had honestly expected to get an angry phone call, or maybe even a summons to the main house. But he had gotten nothing at all. Even Uncle Yi Mu hadn't mentioned anything. It could only mean one of two things—either Shen Xin hadn't told the family patriarch what he saw, or the old man just didn't care. Either way, it was convenient for him, so he wouldn't complain.

"Really?" Luo Yan said, feeling a genuine wave of relief. "I was actually worried they'd drag you into some kind of drama. Look, if that ever does happen, you have to tell me, okay? I'm your partner. Whatever insults they try to throw your way, I should be there to hear every single one of them. And then we can throw them right back."

Shen Ji Yun stared at Luo Yan's serious expression, his cheeks puffed out a little with indignation. It was cute. "Okay," he agreed, his voice softening. "If it happens, I'll tell you. I promise."

Luo Yan took a slow sip of his matcha latte. He set the cup down. "Do you think maybe your cousin just never told your grandfather about seeing us?"

"Yeah, I think that's probably it," Shen Ji Yun said. "Shen Xin most likely didn't want to be the reason our grandfather ended up in the hospital again. Not that I think I'm important enough to the old man to actually give him a heart attack just because he found out I'm gay."

He wasn't his uncle. When Uncle Yi Mu came out of the closet to his grandfather, the old man had almost had an actual heart attack. It was only because his eldest uncle was right there with medication that it was stopped in time. In their grandfather's eyes, there was no way Shen Ji Yun was as important as his own son. So there was also no way the old man would have anywhere near the same reaction just because Shen Ji Yun was gay.

"Whatever his reason for keeping quiet, he should just stick to minding his own business," Luo Yan said. "But if he does end up telling your whole family about us later, then we'll deal with them together."

Shen Ji Yun let out a soft chuckle. His eyes were warm. "You and me against the world, is that it?"

"More like 'you and me against the Shen family', but yeah," Luo Yan said playfully. He ate another bite of the cheesecake. Then he cut a piece and stretched his fork out towards Shen Ji Yun again. "Come on, let's finish this together."

Unlike earlier, when the unexpected gesture had made his cheeks warm for a moment, Shen Ji Yun showed no hesitation now. He simply leaned forward and ate the cheesecake from Luo Yan's fork. A small, comfortable smile on his lips as he did.

***

Luo Yan's first day back was a mix of the familiar and the new. The campus and the classes were the same, but experiencing them with his current knowledge made everything feel different. He found he was actually enjoying himself, which was a surprise. He had expected to be bored, since he had technically already learned all this before. Of course, spending time with Shen Ji Yun in the quiet cafe was a big part of why the day felt so enjoyable.

After his last class, the Bai family's driver picked him up. Both Bai Ze and Shen Ji Yun still had classes later in the afternoon, so he didn't want to bother either of them for a ride home. Now, after taking a shower, Luo Yan was just lounging on his bed to rest for a little while. He planned to go spend some time with his grandpa later.

As he sat on his bed, he thought about calling Luo Jin. He still didn't know what had happened after his talk with Su Yuqi over the weekend. He wanted to check in and see if she had actually gone and contacted his brother or not.

He looked at the clock on his wall. Classes at Guizhu Academy should be finished by now. He opened his phone, found Luo Jin's contact, and sent a video call request.

It didn't take long for his brother to accept the call. Luo Jin's face appeared on the phone screen. Luo Yan raised his brow. His brother looked completely different from the last time they talked. If last time he had looked annoyed and tired, now Luo Jin's expression was as clear and bright as a sunny day. He was even grinning. It was like he had been completely rejuvenated.

"I'm guessing Sister Yuqi talked to you?" Luo Yan asked, a knowing smile already forming. "And I'm also guessing it was a very, very good talk?"

Luo Jin's grin widened even more, lighting up his whole face. "Yeah," he said, his voice full of happiness. "It wasn't just a simple talk, either. Yuqi, she... she actually flew all the way to S City to see me in person. This time we talked with our heads on straight. We came to a really good agreement."

Luo Yan blinked. What had he just heard? Su Yuqi had actually flown to S City? After their talk at the cafe, had she gone straight to the airport? That was... honestly, that was pretty unexpected.

He just stared at the screen for a second, his mind catching up. He hadn't thought she would move that fast or be that direct. It showed a level of seriousness he hadn't fully expected. A slow, impressed smile spread across his own face.

"So," Luo Yan asked, his curiosity fully piqued. "What kind of agreement did you two end up coming to, exactly?"

Luo Jin was quiet for a moment. His mind went back to what had happened two days ago.

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