Qi Ming had never studied so hard as he did in the second term of his sophomore year, but felt it was all worth it when he saw his results in the first mock exam - 10th place and Tang Miao's extraordinarily joyful smile.
He evaluated his score and concluded that admission to A university would not be a problem, but it would be tough to pursue the same major as Tang ShuiShui.
Work stolen from https://chipoholictranslations.blogspot.com
He decided that when the time came to fill out the college application form, he would keep a close eye on Tang ShuiShui and assure him that being in different majors wouldn't stop them from being together everyday.
As for why they should be together every day...
Qi Ming, who had never thought of this topic in depth, rolled his eyes. Why so much nonsense? Are you looking for a fight?
22. No experience
"Qi Ming, it's February 14 next week." Tang Miao poked Qi Ming, who was answering a question.
"Yes, we have the final mock exam." Tang Miao's persistence surprised Qi Ming. Last Valentine's Day, he forgot about the love letter. Fortunately, it coincided with Chinese New Year, so Tang Miao did not create a ruckus, but New Year was early this year, and as a result, school started early as well.
"Qi Qiming." Tang Miao looked at him.
Tang Miao's 'about to cry' expression was the one that frightened Qi Ming the most. He had the impression that his temper was growing better and better. He swiftly lifted his hands and bowed his head: "Aren't I just inexperienced? I've never read any of those people's love letters, so I'll have to think about it, okay?"
Tang Miao's droopy eyes crinkled into a smile, not at all discouraged. He stated sweetly, "Oh, I had completely forgotten about it. I simply wanted to remind you of the third mock exam and encourage you to review for it."
Tang Miao added another sentence as Qi Ming grinded his teeth, "But since you still remember, don't forget to give it to me after the exam."
Qi Ming: "..." I. Want. To. Hit. Someone!
However, he couldn't fight the instigator. Qi Ming was unhappy.
23. Who do you like?
One day of exams was over, but there was still one day left. Tang Miao went to Qi Ming's examination room to review with him and as a result, the grade's topper was promptly surrounded by a slew of challenging questions.
Qi Ming snorted unhappily as he looked on. He met Qu Yao, who was still in their class and memorizing her lessons, while he was raging in the corridor.
Qu Yao pushed up her glasses: "Did you not prepare a gift for him for the festival tomorrow?"
"I bought him handmade chocolates, but this brat's picky..." Qi Ming suddenly stopped and glared at Qu Yao, "Why should I prepare a gift for him?!"
"But didn't you already prepare one?"
As heat surged to his ears, Qi Ming was unable to argue, "Tang Miao and I are not..."
"Not what?" Qu Yao was not convinced. She was short-sighted, not blind.
Qi Ming kept trying to make an excuse but couldn't. He was well aware that he and Tang Miao were not lovers, but he suddenly felt very unwilling.
Why aren't we lovers?
Qu Yao displayed an unusual curiosity: "My roommate...forget it… When I asked Tang Miao he stated that he liked someone. I really can't guess who he likes if it's not you."
"Tang Miao likes..."
Qi Ming was stuck once more, and a sea of vinegar(jealousy) churned at the bottom of his heart. Why would Tang Miao like someone else but me?!
"Tang! Shui! Shui!"
Tang Miao looked up, puzzled. He knew Qi Ming was fuming again when he saw his expression. He hastily tossed all the textbooks aside and ran out the door.
As a result, Tang Miao was dragged to the 'No-man's Zone' by Qi Ming as Qu Yao looked on with a knowing smile. It was a holy area for couples because there were no surveillance cameras, no patrols, and no streetlights. It was just that all of the students were in class revising that day, thus the place was totally deserted.
"What's the matter?"
Qi Ming was blunt as always, "Tang ShuiShui, do you have someone you like?!"
Tang Miao was flustered and reflexively uttered, "Yes...Yes."
Qi Ming clenched his teeth, convinced that Tang Miao had infected him as his eyes stung with tears: "Who do you like?!"
"No… I won't tell you." Tang Miao lowered his gaze to his toes.
"Who is she? What do you like about her?!"
Who would have guessed that Tang Miao would lose his cool? He raised his head and yelled: "What's wrong with him?! He's fantastic! He is handsome, tall, can fight, and excels in school and sports. He also gives me sweets, coaxes me when I cry, and has always stood up for me when I was bullied since I was a child. Except for being a little inconsiderate, a little slow, and a little fierce, He! Is! Absolutely! Perfect!" [T/N: the pronoun 'ta' can refer to both a 'he' and a 'she'. I've used the one they mean.]
This roar made Qi Ming's ears ring. He held Tang Miao foolishly to keep him from becoming overly excited, and asked in a trembling voice: "Tang ShuiShui, who…who do you like?"
Tang Miao snorted, almost making him cry: "Think about it yourself."
Qi Ming was dull, not stupid. He soon understood what Tang Miao meant. He reddened unexpectedly and was at a loss for words. He pulled a candy from his pocket, peeled it, and shoved it into Tang Miao's mouth as per his MO. Before Tang Miao could say anything, he quickly kissed him on the lips, "Cough, I just wanted to see if the candy I bought is good."
Tang Miao watched Qi Ming flee, then suddenly laughed and yelled at him, "Uncle Qi said you guys are gangsters, not hooligans." He was delighted to see Qi Ming stumble.
Tang Miao smiled as he tasted the candy on his tongue; it was truly sweet.
24. To MiaoMiao
Qi Ming returned to the examination room, where everyone was studying independently. He took out a blank paper. He'd finally found inspiration for the love letter he'd been unable to write before.
He was determined to write a draft—
To Miaomiao:
I like
The pen nib came to a halt, and Qi Ming couldn't help but scoff. Wasn't he being too unromantic? But no other words could describe his current state of mind.
Qi Ming's phone rang just as he was ready to start writing again.
When Qi Ming realized it was his old man, he blocked the draft with a book and crept into the corridor to answer the phone.
"Hello? What did you say?... Mom suddenly fainted? Okay, I'll be right back," Qi Ming said, his face changing. He didn't bother grabbing his things. He leaped over the wall and rode a taxi home. He'd never heard his father sound so worried in his life.
He only remembered to inform Tang Miao once he was in the car. Otherwise, that guy would worry himself to death.
He finally sent this message after revising and editing—
"MiaoMiao, my mother has a fever and there's no one home, so I have to rush back. I'll go straight to the exam tomorrow morning. You can focus on your revision. I promise to give you the love letter tomorrow."
That kid will surely feel shy when he sees the words "MiaoMiao." I hope he doesn't cry. He wasn't good at coaxing MiaoMiao from afar.
25. Wait for me...
Tang Miao called Qi Ming as soon as the self-study session ended. He was indeed shy, but he was also worried about Aunt Qi's condition. With so many servants in the Qi household, how could they possibly ask Qi Ming to go back at this vital juncture? It couldn't be anything serious, could it?
Qi Ming took a long time to answer the phone.
"Hello?"
"Is Aunt okay, Qi Ming?"
"Nothing major, it's just her chronic issue. Do you want to speak with her?"
"Yes." Work stolen from https://chipoholictranslations.blogspot.com
Qi Ming passed the phone to his mother and listened as she advised Tang Miao to take care of his health, make more friends, and eat more because he was too thin...
Qi Ming took the phone back: "...MiaoMiao."
"Mn?" Tang Miao's surroundings were chaotic. He probably would have heard Qi Ming's voice trembling otherwise.
"Nothing, I..." Qi Ming looked down in embarrassment to hide his reddened eyes from his parents. "Wait for me to come back."
"You're acting weird... Qi Ming, you're really not hiding anything from me?" Tang Miao sensed something was awry.
"What could possibly be wrong with me? It's… it's because that candy was too sweet." He was afraid he would never be able to eat such sweet candy again.
Even Mother Qi's eyes grew red as he hung up the phone, and she patted his hand, saying, "Xiao Miao is such a thoughful child, it's a shame..."
"Have you made up your mind?" Father Qi's expression was solemn.
Qi Ming choked up and a painful sob escaped his throat. His fingernails dug into his palms fiercely. At this point, only the pain could keep him awake.
"I know that your relationship... is very good, but that's exactly why I'm suggesting that you..." In the end, Father Qi didn't cruelly define their relationship at this moment.
"I've made up my mind." Qi Ming abruptly raised his head, then closed his reddened eyes again, "...I'll leave with you."
26. Trust me
Tang Miao had a restless night's sleep and woke up before five o'clock in the morning. Qi Ming had texted him on his phone with only two words - MiaoMiao.
Tang Miao dialed Qi Ming's number, but his phone was turned off.
His phone vibrated after he completed answering a major question. Tang Miao never imagined he'd do something so out of the ordinary one day. He not only brought his phone into the examining room, but he also set it to vibrate. Tang Miao surreptitiously took it out the moment it vibrated and found it was merely a short text message - Trust me.
Qi Ming clenched his teeth and broke the SIM card in half. He was scared that if he kept texting, he would text something he shouldn't. He was both sorry and relieved that the love letter had not been completed.
For the first time in his life, Qi Ming hoped for the efficacy of the gods. He hoped that his MiaoMiao would get into A university and live the life he desired safely and smoothly.
Tang Miao's heart missed a beat. He didn't even bother to turn in his test paper before dashing out the door. The teacher called him from behind, saying that there were still ten minutes to turn in the test paper and that he shouldn't be in such a rush.
He received a text message from his mother just as he got into a taxi - Xiao Miao? Mom made some soup for you. Come home for lunch.
No, something's wrong. Just as Qi Ming's mother would not call him back if she had a minor cold, his mother would never call him back knowing he was taking an exam and had another subject in the afternoon just for a bowl of soup.
"Driver, change the address."
Tang Miao noticed police cars driving towards the Qi residence as he approached it. He had a flashback to the police officer who had passed him as he exited the school gate. At the time, he felt it was to keep order in the examining room, but now he realized it was just a mock exam, so how could police be there?!
Tang Miao's heart was thumping rapidly as he gritted his teeth to keep from crying. What was the point of crying at a time like this?
"Mom..."
"Why are you here so quickly?" Mother Tang exclaimed when she saw him, obviously flustered.
Tang Miao smiled reluctantly, "I turned in my paper early."
Mother Tang was understandably very confident in her son's grades. "That's fine, uh... Mom will go check on the soup in the kitchen." She felt a little self-conscious. In truth, she had no idea why Tang Zhan wanted their son to return home immediately.
"Is dad home?" Tang Miao asked, looking at the briefcase on the sofa.
"Yes, he is changing on the second floor."
The phone in the briefcase rang at this point, and Tang Miao yelled, "Dad, you have a call!" and took out the phone to answer it. As a result, he noticed a scrap of paper in the briefcase.
Tang Miao's eyes were bloodshot as he clutched the paper and examined it several times.
Qi Tian. It was a common name, but Tang Miao knew it wasn't by chance that Qi Ming's father bore the same name. He'd contacted Uncle Qi numerous times. The photo appeared to overlap with the person who mentioned to him the previous time they met, "In truth, Uncle is quite open-minded."
Tang Zhan. His father's name was written on the red seal in the lower right corner.
"Xiao Miao?" Tang Zhan raced downstairs, knowing it was too late.
"Is this true?" Tang Miao bit his lower lip and inquired.
"It's true. It was just handed to me this morning."
Tang Miao knew his father always honored his promises, so it had to be genuine.
It was an arrest warrant.
27. For you.
Three days later, Tang Miao was sitting at the dining table with his father again.
"Your friend..." Tang Zhan hesitated to begin.
Tang Zhan's heart twisted in a mess as he looked at Tang Miao's red and swollen eyes, "... did it for your own good."
"... I know." Tang Miao said quietly as he nodded. Just like his father called him home for his own safety, worrying that he would act rashly when questioned by the police.
"Qi Ming is a good kid, but there are some things..." Tang Zhan was also helpless. Of course, Qi Ming was innocent, but if Qi Tian fled without Qi Ming, everyone would simply question him. The stakes were too high, involving assassination of a senior official. If Qi Ming had stayed behind, it would have just made things more difficult for him. And, if Qi Ming was having difficulties, could Tang Miao be okay? In addition, the Tang family would also be implicated given Tang Miao's sensitive identity...
Naturally, Tang Zhan knew Qi Ming quite well. Despite the fact that the two families avoided meeting due to their differing positions, Qi Ming was someone he had known since he was a child. Tang Zhan was fully aware of what was going on between Qi Ming and his son.
Tang Zhan had previously only thought to take it one step at a time. But when the bureau mentioned Qi Ming and Tang Miao's calls and messages yesterday, he felt for the first time that Qi Ming was a man, and for the first time, he truly understood Qi Ming and Tang Miao's relationship.
Sometimes the best way to help each other was to leave.
If Qi Ming had revealed anything to Tang Miao that day, Tang Miao would not be able to sit at home comfortably right now.
"I'd like to return to school." Tang Miao stood up after only a few bites of the meal.
"Tang Miao."
"I'm not going to do anything dumb. I still have to take his portion of the college admission exam. After all, Qi Ming isn't dead, is he?"
Tang Miao later noted that he was arguably the most calm and direct guy to come out of the closet.
Qi Ming - these two words became a taboo subject in the Tang family from then on.
28. Big liar
"Drink some water."
Tang Miao was momentarily dazed. He looked up, but it wasn't the person he was thinking of. It was Qu Yao.
Qu Yao thought for a moment: "He wouldn't want you to be like this."
Tang Miao remained mute. He was now working on Qi Ming's workbook, not his own. He was clutching a piece of paper he'd found tucked at the back. "To MiaoMiao: I like…"
Qi Ming, you liar, you promised to give me the love letter...
Tang Miao took a sip of the warm water, swallowed all the grievances, heartache, joys and sorrows in his stomach, glanced at Qu Yao, and muttered, "Thank you."
Tang Miao sent a text message to his father after Qu Yao left—
Dad, I'm perfectly fine. You can work comfortably.
Tang Miao addressed his father as "Dad" for the first time since Qi Ming's incident.
Tang Zhan fell into a momentary trance in his office when he received this text message. His Xiao Miao had grown up, but the price he paid was far too high.
"Chief Tang?"
"Continue to look for Qi Tian's whereabouts and alert the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as soon as he is located."
"Yes, I will make the necessary arrangements right away."
"... Hold on! Re-interrogate Yao Lin to see if there are any discrepancies in his testimony."
"Yes."
29. It's over
Class 3-1 of senior high school was unusually silent as the college entrance examination approached since one student was absent.
Tang Miao used to be a Study God, but he now appeared to be a Study God who had forgotten to eat and sleep.
Work stolen from https://chipoholictranslations.blogspot.com
Qu Yao, who had risen to second place in the grade, sighed. She probably had no expectations she'd be the first in her life. Unless, as in the previous mock exam, Tang Miao fell off the top 100 list for the first time. Others, though, weren't particularly happy. What was there to be proud of compared to someone who had taken one less subject?
"Tang Miao, happy birthday!" someone exclaimed briskly three days before the college entrance exam.
"Thank you," Tang Miao suddenly realized.
Qu Yao watched Tang Miao become calmer and calmer - he could smile but no longer cry. She suddenly found herself missing the scenes of crying and cranky explosions from the past.
She wished she could relive those moments someday.
However, their senior year of high school was already over.
"I bought him handmade chocolates, but this brat's picky..." Qi Ming suddenly stopped and glared at Qu Yao, "Why should I prepare a gift for him?!"
"But didn't you already prepare one?"
As heat surged to his ears, Qi Ming was unable to argue, "Tang Miao and I are not..."
"Not what?" Qu Yao was not convinced. She was short-sighted, not blind.
Qi Ming kept trying to make an excuse but couldn't. He was well aware that he and Tang Miao were not lovers, but he suddenly felt very unwilling.
Why aren't we lovers?
Qu Yao displayed an unusual curiosity: "My roommate...forget it… When I asked Tang Miao he stated that he liked someone. I really can't guess who he likes if it's not you."
"Tang Miao likes..."
Qi Ming was stuck once more, and a sea of vinegar(jealousy) churned at the bottom of his heart. Why would Tang Miao like someone else but me?!
"Tang! Shui! Shui!"
Tang Miao looked up, puzzled. He knew Qi Ming was fuming again when he saw his expression. He hastily tossed all the textbooks aside and ran out the door.
As a result, Tang Miao was dragged to the 'No-man's Zone' by Qi Ming as Qu Yao looked on with a knowing smile. It was a holy area for couples because there were no surveillance cameras, no patrols, and no streetlights. It was just that all of the students were in class revising that day, thus the place was totally deserted.
"What's the matter?"
Qi Ming was blunt as always, "Tang ShuiShui, do you have someone you like?!"
Tang Miao was flustered and reflexively uttered, "Yes...Yes."
Qi Ming clenched his teeth, convinced that Tang Miao had infected him as his eyes stung with tears: "Who do you like?!"
"No… I won't tell you." Tang Miao lowered his gaze to his toes.
"Who is she? What do you like about her?!"
Who would have guessed that Tang Miao would lose his cool? He raised his head and yelled: "What's wrong with him?! He's fantastic! He is handsome, tall, can fight, and excels in school and sports. He also gives me sweets, coaxes me when I cry, and has always stood up for me when I was bullied since I was a child. Except for being a little inconsiderate, a little slow, and a little fierce, He! Is! Absolutely! Perfect!" [T/N: the pronoun 'ta' can refer to both a 'he' and a 'she'. I've used the one they mean.]
This roar made Qi Ming's ears ring. He held Tang Miao foolishly to keep him from becoming overly excited, and asked in a trembling voice: "Tang ShuiShui, who…who do you like?"
Tang Miao snorted, almost making him cry: "Think about it yourself."
Qi Ming was dull, not stupid. He soon understood what Tang Miao meant. He reddened unexpectedly and was at a loss for words. He pulled a candy from his pocket, peeled it, and shoved it into Tang Miao's mouth as per his MO. Before Tang Miao could say anything, he quickly kissed him on the lips, "Cough, I just wanted to see if the candy I bought is good."
Tang Miao watched Qi Ming flee, then suddenly laughed and yelled at him, "Uncle Qi said you guys are gangsters, not hooligans." He was delighted to see Qi Ming stumble.
Tang Miao smiled as he tasted the candy on his tongue; it was truly sweet.
24. To MiaoMiao
Qi Ming returned to the examination room, where everyone was studying independently. He took out a blank paper. He'd finally found inspiration for the love letter he'd been unable to write before.
He was determined to write a draft—
To Miaomiao:
I like
The pen nib came to a halt, and Qi Ming couldn't help but scoff. Wasn't he being too unromantic? But no other words could describe his current state of mind.
Qi Ming's phone rang just as he was ready to start writing again.
When Qi Ming realized it was his old man, he blocked the draft with a book and crept into the corridor to answer the phone.
"Hello? What did you say?... Mom suddenly fainted? Okay, I'll be right back," Qi Ming said, his face changing. He didn't bother grabbing his things. He leaped over the wall and rode a taxi home. He'd never heard his father sound so worried in his life.
He only remembered to inform Tang Miao once he was in the car. Otherwise, that guy would worry himself to death.
He finally sent this message after revising and editing—
"MiaoMiao, my mother has a fever and there's no one home, so I have to rush back. I'll go straight to the exam tomorrow morning. You can focus on your revision. I promise to give you the love letter tomorrow."
That kid will surely feel shy when he sees the words "MiaoMiao." I hope he doesn't cry. He wasn't good at coaxing MiaoMiao from afar.
25. Wait for me...
Tang Miao called Qi Ming as soon as the self-study session ended. He was indeed shy, but he was also worried about Aunt Qi's condition. With so many servants in the Qi household, how could they possibly ask Qi Ming to go back at this vital juncture? It couldn't be anything serious, could it?
Qi Ming took a long time to answer the phone.
"Hello?"
"Is Aunt okay, Qi Ming?"
"Nothing major, it's just her chronic issue. Do you want to speak with her?"
"Yes." Work stolen from https://chipoholictranslations.blogspot.com
Qi Ming passed the phone to his mother and listened as she advised Tang Miao to take care of his health, make more friends, and eat more because he was too thin...
Qi Ming took the phone back: "...MiaoMiao."
"Mn?" Tang Miao's surroundings were chaotic. He probably would have heard Qi Ming's voice trembling otherwise.
"Nothing, I..." Qi Ming looked down in embarrassment to hide his reddened eyes from his parents. "Wait for me to come back."
"You're acting weird... Qi Ming, you're really not hiding anything from me?" Tang Miao sensed something was awry.
"What could possibly be wrong with me? It's… it's because that candy was too sweet." He was afraid he would never be able to eat such sweet candy again.
Even Mother Qi's eyes grew red as he hung up the phone, and she patted his hand, saying, "Xiao Miao is such a thoughful child, it's a shame..."
"Have you made up your mind?" Father Qi's expression was solemn.
Qi Ming choked up and a painful sob escaped his throat. His fingernails dug into his palms fiercely. At this point, only the pain could keep him awake.
"I know that your relationship... is very good, but that's exactly why I'm suggesting that you..." In the end, Father Qi didn't cruelly define their relationship at this moment.
"I've made up my mind." Qi Ming abruptly raised his head, then closed his reddened eyes again, "...I'll leave with you."
26. Trust me
Tang Miao had a restless night's sleep and woke up before five o'clock in the morning. Qi Ming had texted him on his phone with only two words - MiaoMiao.
Tang Miao dialed Qi Ming's number, but his phone was turned off.
His phone vibrated after he completed answering a major question. Tang Miao never imagined he'd do something so out of the ordinary one day. He not only brought his phone into the examining room, but he also set it to vibrate. Tang Miao surreptitiously took it out the moment it vibrated and found it was merely a short text message - Trust me.
Qi Ming clenched his teeth and broke the SIM card in half. He was scared that if he kept texting, he would text something he shouldn't. He was both sorry and relieved that the love letter had not been completed.
For the first time in his life, Qi Ming hoped for the efficacy of the gods. He hoped that his MiaoMiao would get into A university and live the life he desired safely and smoothly.
Tang Miao's heart missed a beat. He didn't even bother to turn in his test paper before dashing out the door. The teacher called him from behind, saying that there were still ten minutes to turn in the test paper and that he shouldn't be in such a rush.
He received a text message from his mother just as he got into a taxi - Xiao Miao? Mom made some soup for you. Come home for lunch.
No, something's wrong. Just as Qi Ming's mother would not call him back if she had a minor cold, his mother would never call him back knowing he was taking an exam and had another subject in the afternoon just for a bowl of soup.
"Driver, change the address."
Tang Miao noticed police cars driving towards the Qi residence as he approached it. He had a flashback to the police officer who had passed him as he exited the school gate. At the time, he felt it was to keep order in the examining room, but now he realized it was just a mock exam, so how could police be there?!
Tang Miao's heart was thumping rapidly as he gritted his teeth to keep from crying. What was the point of crying at a time like this?
"Mom..."
"Why are you here so quickly?" Mother Tang exclaimed when she saw him, obviously flustered.
Tang Miao smiled reluctantly, "I turned in my paper early."
Mother Tang was understandably very confident in her son's grades. "That's fine, uh... Mom will go check on the soup in the kitchen." She felt a little self-conscious. In truth, she had no idea why Tang Zhan wanted their son to return home immediately.
"Is dad home?" Tang Miao asked, looking at the briefcase on the sofa.
"Yes, he is changing on the second floor."
The phone in the briefcase rang at this point, and Tang Miao yelled, "Dad, you have a call!" and took out the phone to answer it. As a result, he noticed a scrap of paper in the briefcase.
Tang Miao's eyes were bloodshot as he clutched the paper and examined it several times.
Qi Tian. It was a common name, but Tang Miao knew it wasn't by chance that Qi Ming's father bore the same name. He'd contacted Uncle Qi numerous times. The photo appeared to overlap with the person who mentioned to him the previous time they met, "In truth, Uncle is quite open-minded."
Tang Zhan. His father's name was written on the red seal in the lower right corner.
"Xiao Miao?" Tang Zhan raced downstairs, knowing it was too late.
"Is this true?" Tang Miao bit his lower lip and inquired.
"It's true. It was just handed to me this morning."
Tang Miao knew his father always honored his promises, so it had to be genuine.
It was an arrest warrant.
27. For you.
Three days later, Tang Miao was sitting at the dining table with his father again.
"Your friend..." Tang Zhan hesitated to begin.
Tang Zhan's heart twisted in a mess as he looked at Tang Miao's red and swollen eyes, "... did it for your own good."
"... I know." Tang Miao said quietly as he nodded. Just like his father called him home for his own safety, worrying that he would act rashly when questioned by the police.
"Qi Ming is a good kid, but there are some things..." Tang Zhan was also helpless. Of course, Qi Ming was innocent, but if Qi Tian fled without Qi Ming, everyone would simply question him. The stakes were too high, involving assassination of a senior official. If Qi Ming had stayed behind, it would have just made things more difficult for him. And, if Qi Ming was having difficulties, could Tang Miao be okay? In addition, the Tang family would also be implicated given Tang Miao's sensitive identity...
Naturally, Tang Zhan knew Qi Ming quite well. Despite the fact that the two families avoided meeting due to their differing positions, Qi Ming was someone he had known since he was a child. Tang Zhan was fully aware of what was going on between Qi Ming and his son.
Tang Zhan had previously only thought to take it one step at a time. But when the bureau mentioned Qi Ming and Tang Miao's calls and messages yesterday, he felt for the first time that Qi Ming was a man, and for the first time, he truly understood Qi Ming and Tang Miao's relationship.
Sometimes the best way to help each other was to leave.
If Qi Ming had revealed anything to Tang Miao that day, Tang Miao would not be able to sit at home comfortably right now.
"I'd like to return to school." Tang Miao stood up after only a few bites of the meal.
"Tang Miao."
"I'm not going to do anything dumb. I still have to take his portion of the college admission exam. After all, Qi Ming isn't dead, is he?"
Tang Miao later noted that he was arguably the most calm and direct guy to come out of the closet.
Qi Ming - these two words became a taboo subject in the Tang family from then on.
28. Big liar
"Drink some water."
Tang Miao was momentarily dazed. He looked up, but it wasn't the person he was thinking of. It was Qu Yao.
Qu Yao thought for a moment: "He wouldn't want you to be like this."
Tang Miao remained mute. He was now working on Qi Ming's workbook, not his own. He was clutching a piece of paper he'd found tucked at the back. "To MiaoMiao: I like…"
Qi Ming, you liar, you promised to give me the love letter...
Tang Miao took a sip of the warm water, swallowed all the grievances, heartache, joys and sorrows in his stomach, glanced at Qu Yao, and muttered, "Thank you."
Tang Miao sent a text message to his father after Qu Yao left—
Dad, I'm perfectly fine. You can work comfortably.
Tang Miao addressed his father as "Dad" for the first time since Qi Ming's incident.
Tang Zhan fell into a momentary trance in his office when he received this text message. His Xiao Miao had grown up, but the price he paid was far too high.
"Chief Tang?"
"Continue to look for Qi Tian's whereabouts and alert the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as soon as he is located."
"Yes, I will make the necessary arrangements right away."
"... Hold on! Re-interrogate Yao Lin to see if there are any discrepancies in his testimony."
"Yes."
29. It's over
Class 3-1 of senior high school was unusually silent as the college entrance examination approached since one student was absent.
Tang Miao used to be a Study God, but he now appeared to be a Study God who had forgotten to eat and sleep.
Work stolen from https://chipoholictranslations.blogspot.com
Qu Yao, who had risen to second place in the grade, sighed. She probably had no expectations she'd be the first in her life. Unless, as in the previous mock exam, Tang Miao fell off the top 100 list for the first time. Others, though, weren't particularly happy. What was there to be proud of compared to someone who had taken one less subject?
"Tang Miao, happy birthday!" someone exclaimed briskly three days before the college entrance exam.
"Thank you," Tang Miao suddenly realized.
Qu Yao watched Tang Miao become calmer and calmer - he could smile but no longer cry. She suddenly found herself missing the scenes of crying and cranky explosions from the past.
She wished she could relive those moments someday.
However, their senior year of high school was already over.
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