You Are Deep in The Stars

At five o’clock in the afternoon, Aunt Li called and said that the master and madam had ended their vacation early and were on their way home from the airport.

Bai Xi was surprised, “Why so soon?”

“Madam said she wants to treat Mr. Han to dinner tonight and asked me to prepare it at home,” Aunt Li explained. “She sounds very happy.”

“I see,” Bai Xi replied. “We’ll be home in half an hour.”

“Where are you off to?” Yu Jiong inquired upon hearing this. “Aren’t you joining us for hot pot?”

“My parents just got back,” Bai Xi stood up, “Let’s eat together some other time.” He picked up a piece of fruit from the plate and playfully stuffed it into Liu Chunchun’s mouth. Affectionately, he cautioned, “Listen to your brothers. Dad will come to see you another day.”

“Yes,” Liu Chunchun replied, looking shy.

Yu Jiong and Wang Xiaosen collectively leaned against the wall, feeling queasy. Bai Xi chuckled and gave Yu Jiong a pat, “Alright, I’m heading out.”

.

“You guys have a tight bond,” Han Zhuo remarked as they waited for the elevator. It wasn’t a question, but a statement of fact.

“Brother,” Bai Xi nodded, sighing, “The accident involving Chunchun was also my fault. I was driving on graduation night and we had an accident in the tunnel.”

Han Zhuo reached out to hold the elevator door and motioned for him to enter first.

“My mother seems to really like you,” Bai Xi hesitated, “And I trust you too.”

Han Zhuo smiled, “Mrs. Bai has always been very kind to me.”

Bai Xi glanced at him and said nothing.

When they arrived home, Aunt Li had prepared a feast. She seemed pleased to be back in charge of the kitchen and had cooked up a storm.

“You’re back,” Mrs. Bai greeted them with a smile.

“Mom,” Bai Xi embraced her, “Welcome home. How was the island for vacation this time?”

“Same old,” Mrs. Bai replied nonchalantly, breezing past her son with a waft of fragrance.

Bai Xi raised an eyebrow.

“Xiao Han, are you feeling tired?” Mrs. Bai took his hands, lamenting, “Look at Xiao Bai, not even letting you rest on the second day after returning home. Where did you go?”

Bai Xi cleared his throat uncomfortably.

“I just went for a stroll,” Han Zhuo replied softly, “And Mr. Bai took me shopping for clothes.”

“Just call him Xiao Bai at home. ‘Mr. Bai’ is his father, remember?” Bai Xi’s mother whispered to Han Zhuo.

Han Zhuo smiled and nodded, “Of course.”

In the living room, Bai Xi filled up his father’s tea cup and handed it over with both hands. Bai Boyang, the true head of Huanchen Group, looked up.

“Where did you run off to this time?” Bai Boyang inquired.

“I went to the hospital to check on Chunchun,” Bai Xi replied, “He’s much better.”

Bai Boyang nodded and inquired, “What about Xiao Han?”

“Him?” Bai Xi pondered for a moment, “I took him somewhere yesterday. He mentioned wanting to try noodles in an alley in the east of the city, but it was quite far, and the owner of that shop was quite shady.” He conveniently omitted his heroic intervention to avoid being scolded.

Bai Boyang set down his tea cup, “How’s your relationship with Xiao Han?”

“So far, so good,” Bai Xi answered.

Mrs. Bai affectionately linked arms with Han Zhuo as she entered, remarking, “I heard you made soft-boiled eggs for Xiao Bai this morning? He usually can’t stomach them and ends up vomiting.”

Han Zhuo’s expression froze as he turned his gaze to Aunt Li in the kitchen—was she seeking retribution?

Aunt Li, the 20-year veteran housekeeper, gold-medal nanny, chef extraordinaire, top-notch floor cleaner, inventor of quick storage, and meticulous knitter, glared back at him with an icy demeanor.

Mr. Han was rendered speechless and acquiesced.

.

The family gathered around the dining table. Mrs. Bai raised her glass first, extending a warm welcome to Han Zhuo. They then continued to serve each other food and engage in lively conversation, treating him as if he were their biological son.

Bai Xi poked at his rice with a hint of melancholy.

“Xiao Han,” Bai Boyang suddenly set down his wine glass with a heavy sigh, “From now on, my son is officially entrusted to you.”

Bai Xi was taken aback, nearly choking on his soup.

“Oh dear, why are you in such a rush to eat?” Mrs. Bai hurried over to pat his back.

However, Han Zhuo remained composed. He nodded and affirmed, “I’ll take good care of Xiao Bai.”

Bai Xi’s face flushed as he dabbed at his tears with a tissue. The previous bodyguard was undoubtedly more imposing and taciturn, like a sturdy black tower that instilled a sense of security. His parents seemed more satisfied with him, but now they were solemnly entrusting him to Han Zhuo at the dinner table.

However, Bai Xi knew deep down that Han Zhuo must have a special background; otherwise, his father wouldn’t have plucked him from some remote mountain village up north and assigned him as his bodyguard. It was all rather peculiar and suspicious. Yet, he refrained from probing further, as his father would likely remain tight-lipped, and his mother would surely deflect the conversation elsewhere. It was better to investigate discreetly on his own.

“What are you thinking about?” Han Zhuo inquired.

“Huh?” Bai Xi glanced up, “Oh, nothing, the mandarin fish tonight was delicious.”

“What are your plans for tomorrow?” Bai Boyang interjected, setting down his chopsticks.

“I have a meeting with two clients in the morning,” Bai Xi responded, “And in the afternoon, I’ll be at the head office for a report.”

Bai Boyang nodded, “Wherever you go from now on, Xiao Han must accompany you, including when you go to see… your associates.” Perhaps out of respect for Mr. Han, he refrained from saying “father and mother” at this time.

Bai Xi agreed and lowered his head casually, but there was a large piece of plump mandarin fish in the bowl.

“The thorns have been picked out.” Han Zhuo smiled gently, “Eat it.”

Note: Han Zhuo’s parents… a bit complicated. That’s probably why Mr. Bai hesitated to say the word father and mother.