IBKAWB Chapter 33

**Chapter 33: “Meeting the Parents”**

Re-translated by: Namizaki

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Chi Zhongqiao wasn’t fully awake. His eyes were half-open, and he instinctively nuzzled toward the warm heat source just centimeters away.

His cheek, slightly cool, pressed against Lu Yuzhou’s neck, his damp, warm breath ghosting across the skin. His dark eyes, half-veiled by lowered lashes, shimmered with a sleepy, watery sheen.

When he received no response, Chi Zhongqiao repeated, “What’s wrong?”

Lu Yuzhou: “…Nothing. Go back to sleep.”

He lowered his head, Chi Zhongqiao was too close—so close that Lu Yuzhou felt a dizzying illusion of their temples brushing.

Chi Zhongqiao obediently closed his eyes and drifted back into his half-finished dream.

Lu Yuzhou softened his breathing. The car’s heater warmed Chi Zhongqiao’s cheeks to a faint blush as he slept soundly. Watching him, Lu Yuzhou felt the softest part of his heart sink.

The atmosphere in the car suddenly softened. Zhong Yin clutched his head, his teary eyes fixed on Chi Zhongqiao. Thank you, Brother Qiao, for saving my dog’s life.

Just as Zhong Yin began to relax, Lu Yuzhou suddenly looked up. “We weren’t finished earlier. Continue.”

Zhong Yin: “……” How can I make you believe me? Brother Qiao really wasn’t wronged. He nearly drove Xu Xingzhou mad! The one in your arms is a little devil!

But he dared not say such things. Under the young CEO’s icy gaze, he tremblingly summarized the entire “drunken rant” incident again.

Lu Yuzhou’s expression turned subtle as he listened. He recalled the time Chi Zhongqiao had caught him smoking and given him a lecture. Though not a lengthy tirade, it had still been headache-inducing.

Zhong Yin said dryly, “So, Brother Qiao didn’t lose out. Even drunk, he’s a top-tier drunkard.”

Lu Yuzhou glanced down at the deeply sleeping Chi Zhongqiao and reluctantly agreed with this assessment.

After the chaotic scene last night, both parties had forgotten about it. But the next day’s trending searches sent a cold sweat down their backs.

Chi Zhongqiao spent over ten minutes staring at his phone, trying to recall what he had done the previous night. Ignoring the time, he immediately called Zhong Yin.

“Hey, Zhong Yin.”

Zhong Yin, still half-asleep, replied, “Hey, Brother Qiao, I’m here.”

Chi Zhongqiao practically leaped out of bed when he saw the trending article. Flipping through it, he asked, “Did Xu Xingzhou and I do anything… out of line last night?”

Zhong Yin snapped awake. “We got caught? Nothing much happened. You two just talked about life ideals and values.”

Chi Zhongqiao: “……”

After finishing the article, his tense body relaxed. The piece only contained photos, no videos or audio recordings—meaning the situation could still be salvaged.

The article featured just four photos: two showing Xu Xingzhou stumbling toward him, one of Chi Zhongqiao pressing Xu Xingzhou’s head down, and one of them squatting together. From the images alone, it was impossible to guess what they were actually doing.

The article itself didn’t attempt to stir up drama or gossip about their relationship. It simply noted that the two actors from <Empress of the World> had gotten drunk and acted silly, suggesting they were quite close.

Chi Zhongqiao finally breathed a sigh of relief. He clicked into the comments section and found the top comment:

[ PearIsn’tChestnut: OMG, I’m dying of laughter! What were these two even doing? Brother Qiao pressing his head down is so cute! Though he does look a bit goofy. ]

Chi Zhongqiao switched off his phone, his face expressionless. You’re the goofy one, he thought.

**********

The Lunar New Year was just a few days away. Chi Zhongqiao was returning to the Chi Family the next day, so he began packing his luggage today.

“Brother Qiao, are you really leaving tomorrow?” Lu Yuzhou asked, his back turned to Chi Zhongqiao as he expressionlessly packed Chi Zhongqiao’s small bag. Determined not to show his disappointment too clearly, he tried to keep his tone as neutral as possible.

Chi Zhongqiao detected the faint, well-concealed disappointment in Lu Yuzhou’s voice and sighed. He didn’t want to go back either; he’d been dragging his feet all day, lacking the motivation to pack. The thought of this poor, vulnerable boy returning to the Lu Family to face irresponsible parents and a scheming older brother filled him with unease. Only Old Master Lu genuinely cared for Lu Yuzhou.

Chi Zhongqiao nearly threw his suitcase down and refused to go anywhere.

He picked up his favorite jacket and quietly approached Lu Yuzhou from behind, suddenly stuffing it into his arms.

Lu Yuzhou hugged the jacket. “Brother Qiao?”

Chi Zhongqiao smiled. “Since I can’t stay, I figured I’d leave you something to remember me by.”

Chi Zhongqiao had worn the same niche men’s cologne for years—subtle and understated. This jacket, being a frequent favorite, seemed to carry a faint trace of that scent, radiating Chi Zhongqiao’s familiar presence as Lu Yuzhou held it close.

A soft, familiar scent that brought instant relaxation and warmth.

Surrounded by this gentle, affectionate scent, Lu Yuzhou felt an overwhelming reluctance to part. Even before Chi Zhongqiao had left, he already missed him terribly.

But leave he must; the flight wouldn’t wait.

*********

The next day, Lu Yuzhou drove Chi Zhongqiao to the airport. “Brother Qiao, remember to come back soon.”

“I will,” Chi Zhongqiao replied with a smile. “I’ll come back as soon as I can.”

Lu Yuzhou continued with his detailed reminders: “Don’t eat too much cold food when you get there. Wear warmer clothes when you go out…”

Chi Zhongqiao nodded, his smile unwavering.

When Lu Yuzhou ran out of things to say, the two stood in silence, looking at each other. Lu Yuzhou murmured, “So, are you leaving now, Brother Qiao?”

Chi Zhongqiao spread his hands, smiling. “How can I leave if you don’t give me my luggage?”

Despite all his fussing, Lu Yuzhou had been holding onto the black suitcase the entire time. Only when Chi Zhongqiao pointed it out did he finally hand it over.

As Chi Zhongqiao took the suitcase, he suddenly leaned in and hugged Lu Yuzhou. “Happy New Year in advance. I’m off now.” The shoulders beneath his hands no longer felt like the angular frame of a boy; he felt a pang of bittersweet satisfaction.

Chi Zhongqiao murmured, “You’ve grown as tall as me now.”

Lu Yuzhou responded with a soft hum.

Chi Zhongqiao hugged Lu Yuzhou briefly before letting go.

Lu Yuzhou said, “Brother Qiao, safe travels. If you have a moment, remember to think of me.”

Chi Zhongqiao smiled, picked up his suitcase, and left.

Only after Chi Zhongqiao’s figure had completely disappeared from sight did Lu Yuzhou pick up his buzzing phone. “Grandpa?”

“Yuzhou, we’ve decided to return to our hometown for the Lunar New Year this year.”

Lu Yuzhou frowned instinctively. “Go back to our hometown?”

Old Master Lu confirmed, “Yes, to celebrate the New Year. It’s been too long since we last visited. We should pay respects to our ancestors. I imagine you’d rather stay here—those relatives back home can be a handful, and you don’t enjoy seeing them. My suggestion is you stay here. Since most of the Family will be gone for the holiday, and while the company is officially closed, we can’t leave it completely unattended. If you stay, I’ll have your office moved to the Headquarters.”

Though the old man’s words were vague, Lu Yuzhou immediately understood.

Old Master Lu was getting older and preparing to relinquish control, but he couldn’t simply abandon his responsibilities. For years, his greatest concern had been his Grandson Lu Yuzhou. Father Lu and Mother Lu were too partial to the elder Grandson, who lacked neither love nor money. Only the old man cared for the younger Grandson. How could he not worry?

Since Father Lu and Mother Lu were so unreliable, he had no choice but to favor Lu Yuzhou even more. Lu Zhuo had already received more parental affection, so the Old Master compensated Lu Yuzhou in other ways.

After all, in terms of capability, Lu Yuzhou far surpassed Lu Zhuo, who always took the crooked path.

Lu Yuzhou gazed at the bustling airport, then said after a moment of silence, “Alright, I understand. I won’t be coming home this year.” He understood the Old Master’s intentions perfectly. As the Old Master’s energy waned, he worried about being unable to protect Lu Yuzhou in his old age. So, while he still had the strength to maintain appearances, he steeled his heart and forced Lu Yuzhou to take on the burden.

Old Master Lu, a military man through and through, had always been tough. But when it came to the Grandson he had raised with his own hands, he couldn’t bear to part with him. “Yuzhou,” he said, “Grandpa knows how hard you’ve worked all these years. But that’s just how life is—we always carry our burdens forward…” The Old Master, who had never been one for comforting words, struggled to find something tender to say. He could only force out some dry, uninspiring platitudes that no one wanted to hear.

Lu Yuzhou replied softly, “I understand everything.” He knew the Old Master’s sacrifices all too well.

Old Master Lu cleared his throat twice. “Then… then that’s good. Take care of yourself. We’ll be back after the New Year. Brother Chen isn’t going home this year either. He’s already at the company and will be working with you.”

Chen Han was the Old Master’s right-hand man. The fact that he wasn’t given leave this year but instead assigned to assist Lu Yuzhou made it clear that the Old Master was determined to put Lu Yuzhou in charge.

Lu Yuzhou leaned into the Maybach and replied, “Alright, I’ll go to the office this afternoon.”

The Old Master, feeling both pained and at a loss for words, stammered a few comforting phrases before hanging up.

Lu Yuzhou tossed his phone aside, leaned back in his seat, and closed his eyes to rest.

The driver asked, “Mr. Lu, shall we…?”

“Head home first,” Lu Yuzhou replied.

Though he knew a mountain of work awaited him at the office, he couldn’t muster the energy to face it. Even during his most grueling work stretches, he had never felt this drained. It wasn’t physical exhaustion, but a profound sense of apathy that dulled his interest in everything.

The driver silently turned the car around.

Lu Yuzhou opened the door. The house felt half-empty, despite only one person being missing.

He lowered his gaze, tossed his keys aside, and went straight to the bedroom. When he came out, Chi Zhongqiao’s coat was draped over his arm.

He hadn’t planned to rest anyway. With the house empty, there was no one to make him want to stay.

*********

By the time Chi Zhongqiao came out from the airport, it was already dark. The cold wind outside was biting, and he was bundled up tightly. Passersby glanced at him, but no one recognized him.

He checked the time—7:30 PM. Chi Zhongqiao exhaled and pressed the power button on his phone. Less than a second later, the screen lit up again.

It was a call from Lu Yuzhou.

Chi Zhongqiao answered immediately, “Hello, Yuzhou, I’ve arrived.”

Lu Yuzhou stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, the city’s myriad lights spread out beneath him like a glittering carpet. “I figured you’d be off the plane by now, Brother Qiao. Are you hungry? Grab something to eat before heading back.”

Chi Zhongqiao hailed a taxi. “I ate on the plane. What about you? Are you at home or the office?”

Lu Yuzhou: “Still at the office. I haven’t had dinner yet.”

Chi Zhongqiao sounded genuinely concerned. “Honestly, how can you forget to eat on time at your age? What do you want? I’ll order it for you right now.”

Lu Yuzhou: “It’s just… without you here to remind me, I get so busy I forget.”

Though separated by miles, Chi Zhongqiao could hear the hint of melancholy in Lu Yuzhou’s voice. He chuckled softly, suppressing his amusement. “Such a little attention-seeker.”

Lu Yuzhou turned to look at the coat rack in his office. Chi Zhongqiao’s jacket hung there, just a few steps away, a silent companion during his long, solitary days.

“Go eat,” Chi Zhongqiao said. “I’m hanging up now.”

Lu Yuzhou murmured in response.

Chi Zhongqiao waited a few minutes, but Lu Yuzhou still hadn’t hung up. He could hear soft, steady breathing on the other end. Steeling himself, Chi Zhongqiao finally disconnected the call.

He closed his eyes and mentally rehearsed every possible scenario for when he entered the house later, devising over a dozen plans. Suddenly feeling confident, he stood up, but the moment he reached the apartment building, his courage faltered.

Clutching his massive suitcase, Chi Zhongqiao gazed up at the third-floor lights for a long moment, hesitating before shuffling forward step by step.

During the few minutes it took to climb the stairs, his chest felt like it was housing a restless hamster, constantly scurrying up and down. When he finally stood before the door, Chi Zhongqiao pulled out his phone and glanced at the dark screen, where his tightly furrowed brows were reflected.

Lowering his mask, he smoothed his expression into a relaxed smile before knocking.

Chi Tingyu opened the door.

The teenager hadn’t seen his Older Brother in person for over a year. At first glance, he didn’t even recognize him. “…Ge?”

Chi Zhongqiao smiled.

Chi Tingyu quickly stepped aside. “Come in! Mom, Gege’s back!”

Chi Zhongqiao changed his shoes and entered the house, finding everything strangely unfamiliar.

“Ge, hurry and put your suitcase down,” Chi Tingyu said. “I’ll get you some water.”

Without waiting for Chi Zhongqiao’s response, he darted into the dining room.

Guided by faint memories, Chi Zhongqiao found his bedroom door and pushed the suitcase inside. The room had clearly been vacant for a long time, but the bedsheets and blankets were freshly changed, and there wasn’t a trace of dust.

Someone had clearly been airing it out regularly.

Chi Zhongqiao sighed. The original owner of this body really did have a happy family.

He stepped out of the bedroom. Father Chi, who had been in the study earlier, was now sitting on the living room sofa, holding a book he’d barely opened.

“Dad,” Chi Zhongqiao greeted.

Father Chi grunted in response.

Feeling awkward, Chi Zhongqiao turned toward the kitchen.

Father Chi glanced up and noticed Chi Zhongqiao was about to leave. He cleared his throat loudly. “Come back here.”

Chi Zhongqiao silently turned around.

“Sit,” Father Chi ordered.

Chi Zhongqiao chose a seat neither too close nor too far away.

Still holding the book, Father Chi drawled, “Tell me what you’ve been up to this past year.” He glanced at Chi Zhongqiao intermittently.

As a Senior Official in a public institution, Father Chi had always carried himself with the stern demeanor of a school Principal. Even the usually obedient Chi Tingyu felt intimidated by him, let alone the original owner of this body, who had never gotten along with his Father.

Chi Zhongqiao sat up straight, not afraid of his Father, but worried about saying something that might seem off and arouse his Father’s suspicion. “When I started my internship this year, there was a problem with my dorm, so I’ve been staying at Grandpa Lu’s house…”

Father Chi gradually lowered his book, fixing Chi Zhongqiao with a stern gaze. After he finished speaking, he asked, “Did you at least tell Grandpa Lu you were coming back? Did you greet Uncle Lu and Aunt Lu?”

Chi Zhongqiao nodded.

Father Chi’s expression softened considerably. “Good. Now, call Young Master Lu.”

Chi Zhongqiao’s head snapped up. “Huh?”

Father Chi’s face darkened. “He’s younger than you but always takes care of you. You’re so clueless! As your Father, I need to properly thank him.” You’ve only acted in two dramas, and both were secured by Young Master Lu! You’re a grown man with no independence whatsoever!

Father Chi swallowed the last part, not wanting to drive away his Son, who had finally come home after so long.

Chi Zhongqiao dialed Lu Yuzhou’s number and silently handed the phone to his Father.

Father Chi took the phone. The call was answered after only two rings, and a gentle, deep voice came from the other end: “Brother Qiao?”

Father Chi replied warmly, “Yuzhou, it’s me, Zhongqiao’s Father.”

Chi Zhongqiao blinked beside him.

Lu Yuzhou looked up, gesturing for Qi Chuyan to leave the room. “Who is this?”

“I’m Zhongqiao’s Father,” Father Chi said.

The pen Lu Yuzhou was holding clattered onto the desk. He felt a surge of panic—Brother Qiao’s Father? He wasn’t ready for this.