“What was that just now?” Wang Ning’an asked. The brothers were sitting in the departure lounge, waiting to board, with more than twenty minutes until takeoff. He was not as observant as Wang Cheng, but he had noticed how abruptly his brother switched places with him, and there had been something strange about the man who passed them.
“I suspect he belongs to the same group that tried to steal the jade pendant. He wanted to grab your luggage. It looked planned. Once I switched places with you, he couldn’t make his move, so he gave up,” Wang Cheng said.
“Looks like we’re being watched.”
Wang Cheng nodded. “I think so too. That pendant must be terribly important to them. I doubt this will be the last attempt.”
Because of that little incident, the brothers became much more cautious. The people watching them did not yet know how alert the brothers had become.
Their tickets were first-class. Half the seats were occupied when they entered the cabin, and passengers were busy stowing their bags. The brothers were traveling light, with only one small suitcase containing local specialties Mama Wang had insisted they bring.
Their seats were next to each other. Wang Cheng let his big brother take the inner seat first. Just as he was about to sit down, a woman hurried up behind him and accidentally bumped into him. When Wang Cheng turned, she immediately apologized.
“I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to bump you.”
Wang Cheng glanced at her. “It’s all right. Just be more careful next time.”
“Thank you. I really am sorry.”
The woman apologized again, then looked as though she wanted to say something.
Wang Cheng pretended not to notice.
Finally she spoke. “Sir, could I possibly ask you two a favor?”
“What kind of favor?”
The woman glanced at Wang Ning’an, already settled with his eyes closed. “You see, I get airsick. I usually feel better when I sit by the window, but I don’t have a window seat this time. Would your older brother mind swapping seats with me?”
Something unreadable flickered through Wang Cheng’s calm eyes. Under the woman’s hopeful gaze, he answered, “Sorry, no. My older brother gets airsick too.”
The woman seemed to choke on the response. She could barely maintain her smile. “I see. Never mind, then.”
After hesitating for five or six seconds, she turned and left.
“That woman was suspicious.”
Wang Ning’an opened his eyes as he spoke.
“Very. And not terribly bright. They probably thought sending a woman would lower our guard, but she gave herself away the moment she opened her mouth.” Wang Cheng gave a mocking chuckle. Bumping into him might have been an accident, but he had not called Wang Ning’an “Big Brother” once since boarding the plane. Yet the woman had immediately identified him as Wang Cheng’s brother. Clearly, she knew about their relationship beforehand. “I’d bet she’s a pickpocket.”
“How do you know?”
“When she bumped into me, I felt her hand brush my pocket. She was quick. Probably a professional. I’m getting more curious about what that jade pendant is for. Whoever’s after it just won’t quit.”
“Whatever happens, put your safety first.”
Wang Ning’an was worried the people behind this might resort to increasingly desperate methods.
“Relax, Big Brother.” Wang Cheng waved a hand dismissively. “Once we reach the capital, we’re on my turf. If they’ve investigated us, they know who I am. They won’t dare approach us so openly there. Besides, you know what I can do. Even five or six men together wouldn’t be a match for me.”
“You can never be too careful. No matter how good you are in a fight, can you outrun a bullet? Stay alert.”
“All right. I’ll be careful.”
When the plane landed, Wang Cheng and Wang Ning’an left the airport without anyone else approaching them. Perhaps afraid of alarming their targets further, the people behind the scheme seemed to have withdrawn. There was nobody suspicious in sight.
Chu Yifeng drove over personally to collect them.
“Sorry to trouble you, Mr. Chu,” Wang Ning’an said politely.
“We’re family. It’s no trouble.”
Chu Yifeng’s casual response left Wang Ning’an momentarily speechless.
Although Wang Ning’an knew about his brother’s relationship with Chu Yifeng, he had never discussed it openly with the man himself. His impression of Chu Yifeng came mostly from rumors. Even knowing the two were together, he could not immediately become friendly with him. Besides, he had always imagined Chu Yifeng was cold and intimidating.
“Big Brother, we’re all family now. Don’t stand on ceremony with him.” Wang Cheng spoke while struggling to hide a smile.
Wang Ning’an glared at him. Was this really his little brother? How could he say such things without the slightest embarrassment?
Chu Yifeng dropped Wang Ning’an off at his apartment building. Wang Cheng waited until he saw him go upstairs before leaving. On the drive back, he called both sides of the family to let them know he had arrived safely. By the time he hung up, they had reached the apartment at Binhai Garden.
Wang Cheng did not feel like cooking that evening, so Chu Yifeng ordered takeout.
“Has there been any movement from my aunt’s side lately?” Wang Cheng finished his last mouthful of rice and served himself another bowl. The restaurant used premium rice that was wonderfully soft and fragrant. That was one reason he liked ordering from them. He had even bought the same variety himself, but his homemade rice never tasted quite as good. Eventually he discovered the restaurant used a special cooking method.
“Your grandfather is keeping a very close watch on things. Nothing for the moment.” Chu Yifeng put a generous helping of celery in Wang Cheng’s bowl. Wang Cheng could not dodge in time and had to eat it. “This celery is really crisp. You should try some too.”
He promptly transferred a large helping to Chu Yifeng’s bowl. After tasting it, Chu Yifeng found nothing especially crisp about it and gave Wang Cheng an amused look. “Since you like it so much, the rest is yours.”
Wang Cheng kept a perfectly straight face. “Good things are meant to be shared.”
“I don’t eat vegetarian food.”
Wang Cheng fell silent for a moment. “What a coincidence. Neither do I.”
Chu Yifeng flicked his forehead. “Once you’re well fed and comfortable, it’s only natural to turn to lust. Consider this advance warning.”
Wang Cheng: “…”
After dinner, Wang Cheng tried to act as though he had forgotten the whole conversation. But Chu Yifeng finished washing the dishes, caught him and hauled him upstairs. Wang Cheng claimed he needed a bath. In the end, Chu Yifeng dragged him into the bathroom for a bath together. They washed each other thoroughly, inside and out. By the time they were done, Wang Cheng was almost rubbed raw.
The following morning, just as they were going out, Wang Cheng received a call from Yuan Xia.
“What did he say?” Chu Yifeng asked.
Wang Cheng put away his phone, his eyes shining. “That was Yuan Xia. His procedure was successful. He’s under observation in the hospital now.”
Chu Yifeng knew what he was thinking and smiled. “That’s wonderful. Want to go see him?”
“Of course.”
When they reached the hospital, they headed directly to the relevant building. Yuan Xia’s case was unusual, so he had been placed there to recover. Several other expectant fathers were in the building too, some of them attending regular checkups.
Eric was explaining precautions to one of the expectant fathers when he spotted Wang Cheng. His blue eyes lit up. He asked his patient to wait a moment and strode over.
“Dear Mr. Wang! How wonderful to see you again. Does this mean you’ve agreed to let me perform the IVF procedure for you?” Eric enthusiastically stepped forward for a hug, only to be stopped halfway by an outstretched arm. Turning, he found a tall, handsome man with striking features. In Eric’s professional opinion, the man was an extraordinary specimen.
Wang Cheng smiled and shook the doctor’s hand instead. “Dr. Eric, it’s good to see you too, but I’m here to visit my friend this time.”
Eric had already guessed as much and was not particularly disappointed. He knew it was difficult to persuade a man who had never considered such a thing to undergo the procedure. Most expectant fathers who came to their hospital did so because circumstances gave them little choice.
“That’s all right. I can wait. And may I ask who this gentleman is?”
Eric was very interested in the man accompanying Wang Cheng. From his appearance alone, he seemed to be in superb physical condition.
Seeing Eric’s eyes sparkling as he looked at Chu Yifeng, Wang Cheng suspected the doctor had begun imagining another perfect expectant father. The thought left him speechless. “He’s my partner, Chu Yifeng.” Eric promptly seized Chu Yifeng’s hand, looking almost ready to weep with joy. “Mr. Chu, what a pleasure!”
Chu Yifeng frowned.
“I knew Mr. Wang’s partner must be an outstanding man, and you’re everything I imagined. You look every bit as healthy and physically capable as Mr. Wang. If I could create one perfect specimen in my lifetime, I would have no regrets. I beg you, if you ever consider it, please come to me.” Eric was so excited that he was almost incoherent.
Chu Yifeng smiled. “If my partner agrees, I have no objection.”
Eric immediately turned to Wang Cheng. “Mr. Wang…”
“Stop.” Wang Cheng cut him off, overwhelmed by the implication that saying no would somehow be letting the doctor down. “We can discuss that another time. Which room is Yuan Xia in? We’d like to visit him.”
Eric looked disappointed, but he realized he had become too eager. Regaining his composure, he said, “Mr. Yuan is in Room 302 on the fifth floor. His condition is stable, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Thank you. We won’t keep you any longer.” Wang Cheng nodded politely and went upstairs with Chu Yifeng. Several other expectant fathers were on the fifth floor, some alone and others accompanied by their partners. Every face wore a radiant smile. For many same-sex couples, having children was something they had thought impossible, and that made the opportunity all the more precious.