Chapter 37

After waking up inthe morning, Tong Yan laid in bed for a while, his eyes struggling to open.

Xuan Gui came inand spun around his bedside: “Good morning, Sir said you should getup.”

Before, Zhuo XiangMing always came to wake him up, Tong Yan rolled up the quilt and turned over, asking,“Where’s Zhuo Xiang Ming?”

Xuan Gui played atune called “Radiant Morning” and said, “Preparing breakfastdownstairs.”

Tong Yan:“Isn’t that your job?”

Xuan Gui: “Moreaccurately, that’s the job of the housekeeping robot. I’m only responsible forissuing orders.”

”Oh….” TongYan said lazily, “Then why aren’t you issuing orders today? My goodmorning kiss is gone.”

”Sir said he woulddo it today.”

It moved to the bedsideand pulled open the curtains, Tong Yan immediately buried his face in hispillow: “Xuan Gui!”

Xuan Gui was heartbroken:“Can’t you call me by my new name? Dudu is so much cuter ah.”

Thinking about it,he realized that Zhuo Xiang Ming was certainly too ashamed to see him because oflast night’s excessive behavior. Tong Yan turned over again, wondering if hewas too expressively inexperienced while saying pitilessly: “You leavefirst, I want to get out of bed.”

Xuan Gui askeddoubtfully: “Is there a conflict?”

Tong Yan said, asif it was commonsense: “I’m now somebody with a boyfriend. As the sayinggoes, when giving or receiving an item, men and robots should not touch eachother. I’m a small boy in the prime of my youth, you’re an AI. Don’t youunderstand the principle behind “avoid doing anything that may arouse suspicion”?”

Xuan Gui walkedaway broken-heartedly, but before it left, it still warned Tong Yan about the dangersof love brain syndrome: “Love brain really isn’t a good thing.Really, whether it’s in terms of career, studies or interpersonal relationships,all will be adversely affected. It has an especially significant impact on interpersonalrelationships, for example, if you currently have love brain, your relationshipwith your butler robot could…”

Towards its hint, TongYan asked: “Why haven’t you closed the door yet?”

”…” XuanGui said, “Ah, this feeling of heartbreak, surely it must be an illusioncaused by my dying batteries.”

Tong Yan was indeedvery sleepy, he lazed around in bed for a while before getting up.

He didn’t feel sogood. If Zhuo Xiang Ming came to wake him up and saw how sleepy he was, atleast he could enjoy a few gentle coaxes. The feeling of being kissed out of yourquilt and crawling out by yourself shouldn’t differ so much. Tong Yan decidedthat next time, he should act a bit wild, or at least shouldn’t cry again, makingZhuo Xiang Ming overly cautious, underestimating him.

After washing up,he first went to look over his homework, which showed a submission time of 2:46AM.

Zhuo Xiang Mingwrote very seriously, and his handwriting wasn’t as fancy as when he signed documents.He finished the Chinese and English papers according to Tong Yan’s writing habit,and wrote two summaries for chemistry and physics.

He carried hisschoolbag downstairs. Zhuo Xiang Ming was in the kitchen. Tong Yan put down theschoolbag and walked up to his side, silently standing next to the sink.

”Stillsleepy?” Zhuo Xiang Ming was holding a ladle he had just tasted from, afterasking this, he ladled some congee, blew on it, then fed it to Tong Yan, “Howis it?”

Tong Yan’sexpression was blank, his mood undetectable. He opened his mouth to accept the food,then said: “I slept enough, just right.”

”Ok.” Helooked at Tong Yan again, then, after adjusting the fire, rolled up his sleevesto his elbows. He washed his hands first, then took a few leaves of lettuce andrinsed them under the tap, pretending not to notice anything wrong, “Justwait two minutes, it’s almost done.”

Tong Yan hummed, butdidn’t move aside, still standing beside him.

Zhuo Xiang Mingmade two sandwiches and steamed egg custard for Tong Yan; the congee needed towait a while. Whether he moved that way to take a plate or moved this way tolook for a saucer, Tong Yan followed closely behind him with a deadpan expression,like an awkward small tail. Zhuo Xiang Ming turned around and held Tong Yan’sarms with his wet hands, hugging him. Putting his chin on top of his head andrubbing against him, he said, “Go and sit for a while if you’re stillsleepy.”

Tong Yan alsopassively hugged Zhuo Xiang Ming’s waist, but he didn’t speak.

Zhuo Xiang Ming lightlyrubbed his waist with his wrist: “Mmm? Should I carry you there?”

Tong Yan said: “I won’t let you carry me.”

”Stillangry?” Zhuo Xiang Ming chuckled. He kissed Tong Yan’s hair, not releasinghis hold, letting Tong Yan lean into his embrace, “Don’t be angry, I waswrong.”

”Don’t let XuanGui wake me up next time.” Tong Yan said resentfully, “Waking me up isyour job, making breakfast is Xuan Gui’s job.”

Xuan Gui came in, thenXuan Gui silently left again.

Zhuo Xiang Ming laughedagain. With a smile in his eyes, he hugged Tong Yan tighter this time:“You said that you wanted to eat steamed egg, I was afraid it couldn’t makeit right.”

Tong Yan asked again:“Why am I angry?”

Zhuo Xiang Mingcarefully asked: “Why are you angry?”

”I don’t know.”Tong Yan said intentionally.

Zhuo Xiang Ming bowedhis head to look at his expression, wanting to confirm if he was really angry:“I was too excessive last night.”

Tong Yan: “Yes,too excessive.”

Zhuo Xiang Ming:“Yeah …”

Tong Yan: “Thenyou know that you did wrong?”

Zhuo Xiang Mingnodded: “I know.”

Tong Yan raised onehand to his shoulder, his chin poking Zhuo Xiang Ming’s chest as he looked upat him: “Next time, will you make the same mistake?”

Zhuo Xiang Ming looked at the paper tiger, not answering immediately. When Tong Yan asked the question again, Zhuo Xiang Ming suddenly lowered his head even more, grabbing the back of Tong Yan’s head and kissing him. Finding it strenuous, he dragged Tong Yan over to the refrigerator and pressed him against the door with a kiss, ambiguously saying: “Next mistake will be even more excessive.”

After the kiss, TongYan laughed. Zhuo Xiang Ming felt a little mystified, but since Tong Yan was laughing,he must be feeling okay, so he couldn’t help but hug him for a while, kissinghim. Tong Yan languidly stood to kiss him.

The congee was ready,they couldn’t keep being lovey-dovey. Tong Yan solemnly said: “Next time, don’tlet Xuan Gui wake me up!”

Zhuo Xiang Mingalso agreed, very solemn: “I’ll remember.”

He said he wasn’tsleepy, but on the way to school, Tong Yan still couldn’t hold himself up,falling asleep.

The temperature todayhad risen somewhat, the sunshine felt very good, and the sky was also a brightblue. Tong Yan had changed into a black windbreaker, while sleeping, he pulledhis hood down, facing Zhuo Xiang Ming, curled up in his seat. He held abottle of warm banana milk, only showing half his fingers through his sleeve.

Zhuo Xiang Mingwanted to let him take a nap, so he tried to drive the car as steady aspossible, and turned up the air conditioner.

After a particularlylong red light, Tong Yan woke up when the car started again. Covering his face withhis hands, he asked Zhuo Xiang Ming: “Brother, are we almost atschool?”

Zhuo Xiang Mingreached out to pull his hood down, helping him block the sunlight, his hand slippingover to caress his face: “Still a while away, about ten minutes. Don’t fallback asleep, wake up.”

Tong Yan seemed tobe unable to control his strength, seemingly using all his energy to nod, rubbinghis cheek into Zhuo Xiang Ming’s palm.

Zhuo Xiang Minglooked at his drowsy eyes, saying: “Next time, don’t go out with Tong Yangduring the week, how about letting him choose a weekend day?”

After saying this,Zhuo Xiang Ming felt a little regretful, feeling that he was being a bitcontrolling. But unexpectedly, Tong Yan didn’t hesitate, he murmured inagreement, then held Zhuo Xiang Ming’s hand to his face to continue coveringhis eyes, appearing fearful of the bright light, like a small animal. He wasvery obedient, and not very imposing, making people want to poke his belly.

Zhuo Xiang Ming seizedthe opportunity to make another request: “Then, will you still go to themovies with your classmates tonight? What time will it end?”

Last night, TongYan told Zhuo Xiang Ming that a Lego themed movie was premiering today. Both heand Chai ManMan were Lego fans, so they made arrangements to go see the movietogether, and Zhuo Xiang Ming agreed.

Zhuo Xiang Ming againfelt that he was being a bit despicable, but when he heard Tong Yan said disappointedly,“Can’t go, I need to go to bed early tonight”, he still felt inappropriatehappiness while he consoled Tong Yan: “I’ll take you to see it thisweekend.”

Tong Yan hummed,then said: “Okay. Two other classmates agreed to go, so it shouldn’tmatter too much if I don’t go today…although I’ll be scolded by ChaiMan.”

Zhuo Xiang Ming finallyrealized that when Tong Yan told him about his plans last night, he also saidthat a total of four people were going, but he only remembered Chai ManMan. Hereflected on that for a moment.

Fortunately, TongYan was completely awake when they arrived at the school. After a very shortnap, his spirits improved a lot. Zhuo Xiang Ming handed him his schoolbag and pulledhis warning card out from his windbreaker pocket: “Wear it on the outside.”

Tong Yan has alwaysbeen quite rebellious when this thing was involved. It was a kind of subtle rebelliousness,only noticeable after a long time. Zhuo Xiang Ming was afraid he would feel depressed,so he said in a deliberately mild tone: “When the weather’s cold, pheromonesbecome unstable, just wear it for some insurance.”

This was advice directlyfrom the doctor, it needed to be worn when the temperature was below fivedegrees, Tong Yan also knew that.

Stress disorderaside, Tong Yan’s sex gland itself was relatively fragile. In the end, it wasstill related to the lack of soothing pheromones while he was growing up, afterhis mother’s death.

”Are you goingto the company?” Tong Yan asked Zhuo Xiang Ming, passively tugging at thewarning card.

Zhuo Xiang Ming:“Yes.”

Tong Yan: “You’renot going to take a rest?” He looked at Zhuo Xiang Ming, somewhat embarrassed:“You went to sleep so late yesterday.”

Zhuo Xiang Ming pushedand pulled Tong Yan’s forehead fringe: “I have a place to rest in my office.”

”Okay.” TongYan nodded, then he looked at Zhuo Xiang Ming one more time before opening thedoor and getting out, “I’m leaving.”

Zhuo Xiang Ming lowered the window to say goodbye: “See you this afternoon.”

Tong Yan waved:“See you this afternoon.”

Zhuo Xiang Ming wasabout to leave when he stopped again. He looked at Tong Yan, and Tong Yan alsowalked over. He opened the car door, leaned in, and touched Zhuo Xiang Ming’s lips.Zhuo Xiang Ming pinched Tong Yan’s soft earlobe, then it was a true goodbye.

Tong Yan rarely woreblack clothes. Girls paid more attention to this aspect, as soon as Chai ManMansaw him, she asked, “Your coat’s pretty sweet, what brand is it?”

When Tong Yan pickedout clothes that morning, he just happened to see it. After telling Chai ManManthe brand, she thought about it, then asked: “Can you buy that brand in Jiangdu?I feel like I haven’t seen that store.”

After sitting down,Tong Yan unzipped his jacket a little bit, saying while putting down his schoolbag,“That I don’t know, but I think I bought it myself.”

More precisely, he thoughthe bought it with Lin Yue Hua the last time they went shopping.

Chai ManMan tilted herhead and sized him up for a moment. She touched his jacket hood to feel thefabric, then urged Tong Yan: “Quickly think about where you bought it.”

Thinking about it, TongYan really remembered: “It should be from Los Angeles. He went there for abusiness trip last week; he brought back a lot of things.”

”Who did?”Chai ManMan asked.

Tong Yan looked ather and, using an “You asked for this” expression, said: “Myhusband.”

”…”

”Okay.”Chai ManMan said, “Let me copy your homework.”

Tong Yan wasalready used to this. He fished out his tablet and handed it to her. After receivingit, Chai ManMan immediately began to write, a moment later, she let out a strangesound.

Tong Yan was in themiddle of memorizing source materials for an argumentative essay, very focusedand unresponsive. Chai ManMan had no choice but to shove the tablet in front ofhis face: “What’s this?”

In the physicspaper’s name box, “Zhuo Xiang Ming” was written in neat strokes.

Tong Yan glanced atit, his face first instinctively turned bright red, then a moment later, hetried to calmly say, “Just this once, I was too sleepy, so he wrote it forme.”

”??????”Chai ManMan exclaimed in alarm, “Tong Yan! I just thought you wrote thewrong name because of your dangerous case of love brain! How unexpected!”

Tong Yan was evenmore embarrassed, he grabbed the tablet: “Don’t copy me.”

Chai ManMan rebutted:“I need to copy the homework written by my idol.”

As if nothing had happened,Tong Yan continued memorizing source materials. After memorizing a shortparagraph, he asked Chai ManMan, confused: “Who’s your idol?”

”Zhuo XiangMing ah.” Chai ManMan said.

Tong Yan asked:“Why?”

”This stillneeds to be asked?” Chai ManMan said as she copied, “He’s so awesomeah, he’s every rich second generation’s idol.”

Rich secondgeneration Chai gave Tong Yan a small lesson about some old news about Zhuo XiangMing’s awesomeness that he was unaware of. Looking at her gushing and endlesslyadmiring expression, Tong Yan felt a little displeased for some reason, but healso felt that he was behaving abnormally. After thinking about it, he said toChai ManMan: “Don’t make him your idol.”

Chai ManMan asked:“Why not?”

Tong Yan said very solemnly:“Actually, he’s not that smart. I asked him to build a small piece of the TajMahal’s tower, and he couldn’t even finish it.”

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T/N:

when giving or receiving an item,men and robots etc…- pun on some Confucian proverbabout how men and women shouldn’t directly touch each other. TongTong replaced ‘woman’with ‘machines’.

paper tiger- Wikipedia “The term refers to something or someone that claims orappears to be powerful and/or threatening, but is actually ineffectual andunable to withstand challenge.”

hood- lit.“hat on top of clothes”. Seriously confused me for a bit. I guess there’s noChinese word for hood? idk

You asked for this- lit. “It’s not me who wants this”. Seems to be some phrase. I thinkit’s said sarcastically here.

Really TongTong? lol