His Honey Chapter 6

Chapter 6

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Xiao Yichi decided not to look at the sky in the morning, he followed the old man downstairs to the small park to do the radio gymnastics for the elderly.

The movements of the gymnastics were simple and not fast-paced. Xiao Yichi learnt them very quickly, and he also became a little teacher for the new students, teaching them with great joy.

Not only did he work as a teacher for the elderly, he also took an invitation letter from a local university and applied for a job in a suit with a briefcase.

The interview was just a formality. After he came out of the university office, he passed by the soccer field and stopped for a while to watch the young men sweating on the pitch. When they took a break for halftime, he walked over to them and introduced himself.

The suit was inconvenient after all, and he only played for about ten minutes before leaving the field, but the students were enthusiastic, leaving each other their contact information and promising to meet again at the field one day.

Xiao Yichi's hair was wet, but he felt happy. He hung his suit jacket over his arm and whistled cheerfully as he walked out of the school gate and caught a taxi to leave.

Yu Zhinian put the photo down and concluded: this person's ability to entertain himself is quite strong.

On the day of the appointment with the psychiatrist, Yu Zhinian came to pick up Xiao Yichi, who was surprisingly quiet in the car, apart from a smile and a greeting when he got in.

Yu Zhinian turned on the radio and the symphony's harmonious playing echoed in the car.

Xiao Yichi said, "Can I change the station?"

"Mhmm." Yu Zhinian turned the steering wheel.

Xiao Yichi eventually tuned to a channel that was playing rap. "How about this one?" Xiao Yichi looked at Yu Zhinian.

"Suit yourself."

Xiao Yichi sat back and gently tapped his fingers on his thighs to the rhythm.

Yu Zhinian was bombarded with strong beats and fast lyrics all the way there.

Xiao Yichi was a little afraid of seeing a psychiatrist.

It is not an easy thing to reveal one's heart, especially the pain within; it is worse than exposing one's flesh.

The car eventually stopped in front of a small house halfway up a mountain.

Large bougainvillaea climbed over the fence and drooped down. Their colours were bright, adding a touch of brightness to the blue and white tones of the small house.

Yu Zhinian walked to his side, "Go inside. For the first time here, you need an acquaintance to take you to the doctor."

They had just walked into the small courtyard when the door of the townhouse opened from the inside, and a woman in her forties wearing a long soft dress smiled at them.

"Dr. Feng," Yu Zhinian walked over and pressed his cheek against hers. "this is the Xiao Yichi I told you about."

"Yichi, hello." Dr. Feng opened her arms towards him, and Xiao Yichi greeted her with a smile.

"No calling me doctor here, you can call me Dr. Feng, or Xilin."

"Then, Xilin, hello."

The small townhouse was decorated in a very cosy manner, and it didn't look like a clinic at all.

"Zhinian, leave the rest to me. If you're busy, you can leave first." Xilin said thoughtfully.

Yu Zhinian looked at the time and then at Xiao Yichi.

"I can just order a car myself to leave when the time comes. You go get busy, thanks for today." Xiao Yichi said.

Yu Zhinian nodded.

Xilin then took Xiao Yichi up to the second floor.

Since it was the first time they met, this consultation lasted almost two hours.

When Xilin sent Xiao Yichi to the ground floor, she saw that Yu Zhinian was still there and smiled in surprise, "Were you here the whole time, or did you go and come back?"

Yu Zhinian raised his head and put away his laptop while saying, "The hand-ground coffee you have here tastes great, Assistant Anan brewed me a cup, so I just sat around for a long time."

Xilin smiled, "Thank you for the compliment."

Xiao Yichi's gaze fell to the coffee cups on the table and then towards Yu Zhinian.

"It just so happens that our first heart-to-heart talk is over, so why don't you drop Yichi off on your way back." Xilin walked over to open the door for them, "Yichi, I'll see you next time."

"Okay."

The two of them got into the car.

Yu Zhinian put on his sunglasses, "I'll send you the location, next time you can come by yourself."

Xiao Yichi was well-behaved, "Okay."

Not long after, Xiao Yichi asked, "Lawyer Yu, can I sing?"

Yu Zhinian didn't even think about it, "No."

Yu Zhinian dropped Xiao Yichi off at a small garden near the neighbourhood, pretending to be in a hurry, but actually trying to avoid the aunts' radar.

Xiao Yichi was not aware of this and thought that he had upset Yu Zhinian again, but he did want to quarrel because he was in a good mood.

Xiao Yichi walked a distance, then stopped and looked back, Yu Zhinian's car had left.

Is it possible... that Yu Zhinian perceived his uneasiness, so he let him fuss around on the way there, and also stayed at Xilin's place for two hours to wait for him?

Xiao Yichi scratched his head, this was just his feeling and not reliable. After all, Yu Zhinian didn't know him well and shouldn't be so keen as to notice a difference.

Talking with Xilin was very comfortable, but seeing Yu Zhinian still there was an unexpected surprise.

Regardless of whether the other party did it intentionally or not, Xiao Yichi felt happy.

When Yu Zhinian returned to the office, he received a message from Xiao Yichi: Thank you for today.

There were no flashy pictures to go with it. Yu Zhinian raised an eyebrow, it seems to be sincere.

Nan Jing sent him the adjusted schedule, because of this three hour round trip delay, some meetings needed to be postponed, it seems that he will have to work overtime again tonight.

Yu Zhinian reflected that he shouldn't be spending too much time with Xiao Yichi without intending to develop any relationship. So he raised his hand and called the person watching him to stop the operation.

Just as he was about to get into work, someone inside called to ask him to go to the senior partner's office.

Nan Weiping, the first Asian senior partner at Fangda, was in his sixties and still full of energy.

"Lawyer Nan, you called me?" Yu Zhinian knocked on the ajar glass door, where Nan Weiping was reading the financial evening news.

"You're here? Sit." Nan Weiping folded up the newspaper and smiled.

When Yu Zhinian took a seat, he got straight to the point, "How's Ye Er's side doing these days?"

"Ye Er" was short for the Ye family's second faction, who were one of Fangda's important clients in the city.

"Elder Ye's health is currently stable, and the various factions are at peace for the time being." Yu Zhinian said, picking up the purple clay teapot on the desktop and pouring a cup of hot tea into Nan Weiping's cup.

"That's good, just work harder and help them out more."

"Understood."

Nan Weiping took a sip of tea and put down the teacup, "This year, Fangda's senior partner quota is limited, there is only one position in the Asia-Pacific region. I was thinking of pushing you, but the competition is fierce, you have to make sure Ye Er's side is okay."

Yu Zhinian smiled and said nothing.

"Zhinian, you can't put all your eggs in the same basket. Although Ye Er is powerful, the more helpers you have, the better. Now that same-sex marriage has been liberalised, aren't you going to find a good partner?"

Elder Nan had more than once hinted that Yu Zhinian should broaden his network of resources through marriage, and today he was considered to have broken through the window paper. Yu Zhinian saw this and responded frankly, "Elder, I don't intend to do this."

Nan Weiping hated the fact that iron cannot become steel, "The essence of all marriages is the recombination of resources, your conditions are so good, you seriously won't consider it?"

Only with marriage, Yu Zhinian would never give in. The one that could make him willingly kneel down to propose must be someone he loved deeply from the bottom of his heart.

"Elder, I understand your expectations of me. I will measure up, don't worry."

Nan Weiping sighed. He himself had made a class leap through marriage. In this world, there was no lack of powerful people, only a lack of sufficient opportunities. Marriage allowed him to make a big splash and level up, and he deeply appreciated the importance of a strong helping hand. He did like Yu Zhinian quite a bit, otherwise he wouldn't have let his grandson follow him. He wanted to give him a hand, but the other party had his own sacred ground that could not be trampled on, and he could not be shaken.

Yu Zhinian wisely poured him another cup of tea, as an apology and comfort.

"Okay, okay, go out and get to work."

"Okay."

After working overtime until ten o'clock at night, Yu Zhinian received a call from Ye Zhaolin to go to the old place for a drink.

Ye Zhaolin looked quite happy, and Yu Zhinian knew why. The daughter of another big family in this city, the Han family, had agreed to Ye Zhaolin's marriage proposal. This explosive news would be reported throughout the city in the next few days.

Although the Han family and the Ye family were both big families, they didn't have deep relationships, and now that the two families were combining, it was bound to set off a round of power shuffling in high society.

"Congratulations." Yu Zhinian raised his glass in congratulations.

"Thanks."

Ye Zhaolin had been interested in pursuing Miss Han for a long time, and Yu Zhinian had offered him advice.

Why didn't many people know about this news? It's all because rich people fall in love with rich people, and they either take a helicopter to another city to have a meal, or charter a plane to another country to watch the sunrise. It's romantic enough and also private enough to ensure that the paparazzi can't catch up with them.

"This matter, it's both for the sake of arranging a joyous event for Grandpa, as well as for the sake of our faction taking the main position." Ye Zhaolin clinked glasses with Yu Zhinian, "Congratulations to you too, victory is in sight for you as senior partner. As I said, I'll support you to the top."

"Thanks."

Ye Zhaolin smiled, "I'm quite happy now, why don't I also introduce you to someone?"

"Don't start this."

"What? Do you still have Bai Yueguang in your heart from back then?"

Yu Zhinian didn't say anything.

"You really have a long-lasting love." Ye Zhaolin finished his drink. "You don't want to talk about feelings, so let's talk about something else. The Ye family can make you a senior partner of Fangda, but if you want to get into their global management committee, you need a 'higher level' of assistance to do so. After all, Fangda is a multinational law firm, so if you don't have the upper echelon's care, you'll have a hard time getting an entry ticket."

"Let's talk about this another time." Yu Zhinian put down his wine glass. He had three meetings in one sitting today, and he didn't have any energy left in him now.

Ye Zhaolin poured him a drink, "The chef has been in great shape lately, our restaurant's new menu is very popular, thanks to you and Mr. Xiao. In a few days I plan to have a party on the yacht, will you and Mr. Xiao come and join in the fun?"

"I don't mind those fox friends of yours, but spare Xiao Yichi."

"Mr. Xiao has travelled all over the world, he has seen a lot of things, so he might be able to have more fun than you. Bring him along, I'll protect him. If he stays in the area for a long time, it'll be good for him to get to know some people."

This was not unreasonable. Today, Xiao Yichi's face looked good after talking to Xilin, so he guessed that things were going well. A top psychiatrist like Xilin is a scarce resource, and it's hard to get in touch without a connection. Listening to Auntie Pan, Xiao Yichi's parents died early, he is by himself in the country and it's inevitable that he will need help sometimes. It's rare for Ye Zhaolin to open his mouth, so why not go with the flow.

"Alright, I'll ask him."

Inside the hotel room.

Xiao Yichi had just put his T-shirt on when the English beauty attached himself from behind and asked in half salty Chinese, "Yichi, let's have a serious relationship, okay?"

The beauty's term was up and he had to leave soon, but if he and Xiao Yichi became a couple, he was determined to stay.

Xiao Yichi turned to look at him with a serious expression, "Derek, I am so so sorry."

The beauty bit his lip and slumped his shoulders in dismay. "I understand."

It wasn't the first time he confessed to him, and the ending was the same.

Xiao Yichi opened the taxi door for Derek, who wrapped his arms around his neck for a kiss, and Xiao Yichi complied.

"Last kiss." Derek let go of him, his eyes red and his voice gentle, "I hope you can't find anyone better than me."

Xiao Yichi smiled helplessly and watched the other party get in the car and leave.

Over the years, it's not that no one has confessed to him, but it always felt a little bit wrong.

What exactly this "a little bit" is and how it's measured, Xiao Yichi himself can not say.

After experiencing the death of his parents, he did not dare to think of love at first, because he felt unworthy; after encountering many people and things, he gradually became aware of love. Now, he understands what he needs.

He wants to walk through the world, drink the spiciest wine, sleep with the person he loves the most; he wants a love so saturated and hot that even his fingertips tremble; he will make heaven and earth, he will tear and pull, he is willing to fall on his knees and beg for peace, he wants to be out of touch with reality, he wants to suffer the most excruciating pain, he wants to taste the sweetest honey.

So far, he had not met anyone who could make him feel the urge to be so unrestrained and savage.

If he had, he was sure he would have been his honey and his ruin. And vice versa.

If you don't meet that one person in your life, then just live well by yourself.

If you have love, live for love. Since he didn't have love, he lived for himself, he took the medicine prescribed by Xilin, and his sleep improved a little during the night. Early in the morning, Xiao Yichi got up and stretched.

Today, Xiao Yichi had to continue the onboarding process, and also had to reply to all kinds of emails – Xiao Yichi's email inbox was like Pandora's Box, once it was opened, he couldn't help but face it.

One of the important emails was the reply from "Beautiful Earth".

"Beautiful Earth" is a non-profit organisation that aids children in impoverished mountainous areas in China, and Xiao Yichi once applied to be a volunteer. As far as relationships were concerned, women and children were the two parties that Xiao Yichi had no relationship with in his life. These two parties are vulnerable in many aspects of society. If possible, Xiao Yichi would like to establish a foundation to help them. In fact, there are many similar organisations in the world with mature management that can ensure that the recipients get help in time, and if their experience can be used locally, the development of domestic aid organisations may be able to take a big step forward.

Xiao Yichi intends to learn about the domestic operating model first, and see where he can be of use in the future.

Just dealing with emails, half of the day passed.

Xiao Yichi took a nap in the middle of the day, and just after he woke up, he received a call from Auntie Mai. He pressed the answer button, "Hello beautiful, what can I do for you?"

Auntie Mai laughed on the other end, "Auntie Pan and I just came back from dance practice, and we are now in front of the neighbourhood. I have a meeting with some of my old friends, can you give Auntie Pan a ride home?"

This excuse for meeting was created blatantly and logically, a patent of the aunts.

Xiao Yichi saluted, "As you command!"

He quickly put on his clothes and rushed downstairs.

Arriving at the door, Auntie Pan was waiting for him, while Auntie Mai was nowhere to be seen.

Xiao Yichi squinted and smiled, "Auntie Pan, let me book you a ride, okay?"

Auntie Pan didn't have heavy make-up covering her face this time, her eyebrows were soft and the corners of her mouth were curved, she had a gentle and kind face. She looked at Xiao Yichi with a smile, "It's expensive to book a car, let's wait for a taxi here and have a chat on the way?"

"Okay." Xiao Yichi readily accepted the offer and put away his cell phone.

"Xiao Xiao, is Zhinian a bit difficult to get along with?" Auntie Pan raised a bombshell question right off the bat.

Xiao Yichi smiled, "It's alright."

A taxi happened to pass by, he waved and stopped it, and the two of them got in.

Auntie Pan gave her address and then continued, "He's actually cold on the outside and warm on the inside, so he'll be nice to you once you're familiar with each other."

This "familiar" standard seemed to be very difficult to achieve ah.

"Of course, I don't agree with all of his ideas, for example, he especially values physical appearance."

Xiao Yichi thought for a moment, "Is there any reason for him to think this way?"

Auntie Pan smiled bitterly and didn't say anything. Perhaps it wasn't convenient to talk about personal matters in a taxi, so Xiao Yichi didn't pursue the matter and turned to other things, such as his new job.

The taxi stopped at the intersection of Puyuan Road and the two of them got out.

Compared to other streets, Puyuan Road was quiet and relaxed. Auntie Pan led the way while continuing the conversation from the taxi, "Actually, Zhinian isn't my nephew, I'm his family's nanny."

Xiao Yichi listened quietly.

"His family... is quite complicated, and I can't tell you everything without Zhinian's knowledge. His mother is a model and his father's family are jewellers, very rich. There are a lot of dog blood stories in the middle of this, his mother gave birth to him but couldn't enter the house, and then... Zhinian grew up a bit, his appearance was outstanding. He sort of improved his father's family's ordinary appearance genes, and thus he was accepted... It was at this time that I started to take care of him. That year, he was about seven years old."

Xiao Yichi followed her down the quiet walkway. "Auntie Pan, thank you for telling me this."

In the middle of the conversation, they reached their destination.

"Here we are, this is my home."

"Then... Auntie Pan, my escorting job is done. You should hurry in and take a rest." Xiao Yichi said goodbye.

Auntie Pan laughed, pulling up Xiao Yichi's hand, "What are you saying silly child, since you're here, come in and sit down before leaving. I'm the only one in the house, stay with me for a while longer."

Auntie Pan's hand was warm. Xiao Yichi softened, "Okay."

"These are the flowers I planted, I tend to them when I have time." Auntie Pan introduced him to the villa inside and out.

Finally, they went to the backyard, where all the vegetables were planted, it was a vegetable garden. "This is Zhinian's exclusive area, he usually does the watering, weeding, getting rid of insects and what not."

Xiao Yichi's gaze fell on the wooden rack in the yard, where a straw hat and a pair of labour gloves were drying outside.

He raised his eyebrows and imagined Yu Zhinian wearing a straw hat and gloves, squatting and labouring in the field.

Pfft, the image was so beautiful that he practically burst out laughing.

Auntie Pan seemed to see through his thoughts and chimed in, "Sometimes I find it hard to believe that he's the usual suited and groomed elitist when he's toiling away."

Xiao Yichi stifled a laugh, "It's a good hobby."

Auntie Pan opened her heart, "Sometimes, we as elders are quite selfish. What we are powerless to change, we want others to do it. I can't change Zhinian's bad attitudes, so I'm counting on someone else to change them. Everyone has their own difficulties, and getting along is even more of a learning curve. I like you very much, so I want you to be with Zhinian even more. If Auntie is putting pressure on you, I'm here to apologise. Fate is predestined by heaven, if you can only be friends, then just be friends, I hope you can keep talking to Zhinian."

"It's a blessing for him to have you to worry about him."

"If the child I lost that day was still alive, he would be the same age as Zhinian now. I think of Zhinian as my own child. His first love hurt him deeply, so maybe I'm being vindictive, hoping he'll find someone better and live a more fulfilling life."

"His first love..."

Before Xiao Yichi finished his question, there was a movement from the other side of the doorway, followed by Yu Zhinian's voice, "Auntie, I'm back. I'll cook tonight."

"Ai," Auntie Pan responded, pulling Xiao Yichi towards the door to greet Yu Zhinian, "that's great, Yichi is also eating here tonight, so he can taste your handiwork."

"..." Xiao Yichi opened his mouth before closing it.

Upon hearing this, Yu Zhinian, who had changed his shoes, looked up and looked at Xiao Yichi. He asked, "Why are you here?"

Auntie Pan blocked for Xiao Yichi, "He sent me home today, it's only natural for me to keep him for a meal."

Yu Zhinian narrowed his eyes, as if saying to Xiao Yichi, you really have the nerve to stay?

"Thank you Auntie Pan, I'm looking forward to this meal, thank you for your hard work tonight, Lawyer Yu." Xiao Yichi gave Yu Zhinian a bright smile, as if responding: if I want to stay, what can you do?

‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵

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Translator Notes

Please feel free to comment any mistakes I made so I can improve and do better as I go through the book.

Translated: December 24, 2023