"No need to help me. You can just sit," she said.
"It’s okay, aunty," Shen Li said and continued helping her and added. "Aunty should not work after having surgery recently."
"It’s nothing much. I’m fine now. If I keep resting, I’ll feel even sick," she countered.
Xiao Min went to the kitchen too, "Mother, I’ll do it. You can rest."
"It’s almost done," she said, and Xiao Min frowned, "Why don’t you let servants do this all?"
"Because my other son is home after so long and wished to cook for him," she replied, looking at Shen Li.
"Thank you, aunty, but Xiao Min and I will do the rest," said Shen Li.
Xiao Min agreed and held his mother at the shoulder from her backside and guided her to leave to the kitchen, "Now just rest."
Smiling, she agreed and went to the room. The atmosphere in the kitchen turned silent though the two tall figures were busy working. Xiao Min acted as if no one was in the kitchen.
Shen Li peeked at the upset guy frequently who looked adorable in his home clothes, casual grey T-shirt and pants, and his hair pointed towards the forehead.
They were used to seeing each other in the suits only where they are always so particular about everything.
Xiao Min was taking the dishes and bowls out from the stand to carry it to the dining table, and Shen Li went to him, "Let me help you."
"I can do it," came the cold reply from Xiao Min, and he turned to face his back on Shen Li, holding a stack of dishes and bowls over it.
Holding Xiao Min’s arm tightly, Shen Li stopped him and made him look at him.
Xiao Min was about to say something angrily, but before that, Shen Li started to arrange the bowls in the dish properly in the stack and commented, "You will break them."
"It’s better than breaking someone’s heart," Xiao Min said coldly as he tightened the grip on the stack of dishes.
It didn’t affect Shen Li, and he replied calmly, "I know, and I will try to fix it."
"No need. Just remember you are here for my mother, so just talk to her and leave as soon as possible," Xiao Min warned.
"Do you guys need any help?" Mrs. Xiao asked while sitting in the chair around the dining table.
"No mother," Xiao Min left the kitchen while Shen Li followed him holding food pots.
Xiao Dong helped them, too, and they sat for dinner. As Shen Li and Xiao Min served the food, Mrs. Xio commented, "I have two lovely sons to take care of me. What would I need more?"
"I was not even around for long, so only Xiao Min deserved to get this phrase," She Li commented.
"That doesn’t matter. I know you were busy with work but from now on, make sure to be here, or will you wait for me to get hospitalized again, and only then will you visit me?"
"Good," said the lady as she smiled and then looked at her silent son, "Why are you so quiet, Xiao Min?"
"I think one talkative person is enough while eating," Xiao Min commented, his words directed at a certain someone.
Shen Li smiled while Mrs. Xiao asked, "Did you two fight?"
"No."
"Yes."
Both talked at the same time. Xiao Min said No, while Shen Li said Yes.
Xiao Dong didn’t pay attention and continued eating silently while Mrs. Xiao looked at the two, "What happened?"
"Nothing, mother," Xiao Min replied while Shen Li spoke honestly, "I hurt him."
Xiao Min glared at Shen Li, who sat beside him, "Why are you so blunt today? Can’t you be quiet the way you are like always?"
"I was always quiet, and that was the problem, so I have decided to do otherwise," She Li replied calmly, looking back at Xiao Min.
"I prefer you to be quiet," Xiao Min instructed.
"Then you should talk more so I can be quiet," said Shen Li, smiling lightly as he enjoyed this bickering with his junior. It was a rare moment to argue with upset Xiao Min.
"Both of you, stop it and tell me what happened," Mrs. Xiao interrupted their argument.
Xiao Dong was ready to see his wife’s reaction if these two revealed the secret. Not that he minded it as one day she would know it.
"Mother, let’s have dinner quietly," Xiao Min suggested.
Mrs. Xiao looked at Shen Li to know what happened, so Xiao Min spoke again, "We should not trouble our guest with unnecessary questions."
Seeing her son unusually cold, she stopped and looked at Shen Li helplessly.
Shen Li signaled her, saying everything is fine. Xiao Min never acted like this. His favorite person, his senior, was there whose presence always made him smile, but him acting like this made his mother suspicious of these two must have fought.
The dinner ended up nicely, and they spent some time while chatting in the living room.
"It’s late. Seniors should leave," Xiao Min instructed.
"Shen Li is staying here," Mrs. Xiao said, and Xiao Min felt surprised.
"Mother, it’s not too late to go back home," Xiao Min added.
But I have called him to stay over here," Mrs. Xiao informed.
Xiao Min looked at his father, who didn’t look at him as if he was not aware of it. Xiao Min then looked at Shen Li, who offered him a smile and signaled him to look at the small luggage bag kept near the sofa.
Xiao Min frowned and said sarcastically, "Looks like mother missed him so much."
"True," Mrs. Xiao ignored Xiao Min’s annoyance and informed, "As the other room is not prepared, he will be staying with you."
"What?" Xiao Min exclaimed, but the next moment controlled himself, "I mean, he doesn’t like to share things with others. He can sleep in the living room. Our sofa is comfortable."
"Yes, but it’s summer, and he would need an AC, or he will boil here in the night," Mrs. Xiao argued and sighed, "Why are you like this, Xiao Min? I’m feeling like you are that same stubborn five-year-old kid who turned good only after meeting Shen Li."
Xiao Min realized his mother was right and said, "Do as you feel good," and left to go to his room.
Mrs. Xiao smiled awkwardly, looking at Shen Li, but he assured, "Xiao Min must be tired."
She agreed and said, "He is not good these days. I hope he will tell you everything because that’s why I called you here. You are the only one he shares his things with."
"Hmm," Shen Li agreed and spoke, "Aunty, I need to tell you something."
"Yes," she said.
"It’s too late to talk about anything. Don’t you and Xiao Min have an office tomorrow?" Xiao Dong interrupted before Shen Li could say a word.
Mrs. Xiao looked at the wall clock and agreed, "Uncle is right. You should go to sleep."
Shen Li didn’t insist on what he was up to and stood up, agreeing with the elders. "Good night."
"Good night," said Mrs. Xiao as she stepped towards her room while Xiao Dong stayed back.
Shen Li waited for Xiao Dong to say something as it was clear he wished to say something.
"Were you going to tell her about you and Xiao Min?" Xiao Dong asked.
Shen Li nodded, "As I said before, I don’t wish to hide it, and she is the one who should know it first. I know I must have angered you, uncle, but this time I won’t listen and won’t step back."
Xiao Don sighed, "Xiao Min should be the one to tell his mother first."
Feeling surprised over Xiao Dong’s words, Shen Li stared at him questioningly.
"Don’t look at me like this," Xiao Dong said and averted his gaze to look the other way, "It’s still difficult for me to accept it, but anything for my son."
Saying coldly, Xiao Dong left, but Shen Li could see Xiao Dong was not angry with him, and he had accepted the relationship. Now the only thing left was to win the heart of the upset guy.
Xiao Min was easy going, but if he was upset about something and decided to be stubborn, trying to reconcile with him was like the most difficult task one could ever get. It will either get you closer to him or get you away from him forever.
Shen Li went to Xiao Min’s room, where Xiao Min had arranged the pillow and quilt for Shen Li on the room’s couch.
Shen Li put his small bag on the chair and said, "I need to get a shower before I sleep."
"Do whatever suits you," said Xiao Min coldly and sat in the chair of the worktable, pretending he was working on the laptop.
Shen Li knew about Xiao Min’s habits even more than him, so he smiled, looking at the guy who was trying his best to avoid him.
"I need a towel," Shen Li informed, unbuttoning his white shirt.
Xiao Min stood up. Annoyance was written on his face as if Shen Li was disturbing him and his work to a great extent. Pulling out the fresh towel from the cupboard, Xiao Min threw it on Shen Li, which he caught.
"I need a set of undergarments too. I forgot to bring it," said Shen Li putting the towel around his neck as he was done unbuttoning.
Frowning, Xiao Min turned around and opened the cupboard again.
Throwing the pack towards Shen Li to catch it, Xiao Min was about to go back to his place, but Shen Li spoke again as he stared at Xiao Min intently, "One more thing."
Xiao Min gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, angrily, "What do you want now?"
"You."