Chapter 62

Yun Duo called her mother to make peace. It was quite easy to cajole her mother back into good spirits. She said, "Mum, don't be mad. I forgot to tell you. I have a boyfriend now."

Mama Yun's attention was successfully shifted to a different track. She fired off questions like bullets, "Really? Where's he from? How old is he? What does he do for a living? What's his monthly salary? What does he look like? Is he tall? Do you have a photo?"

She asked all these questions in one long breath, leaving Yun Duo in a daze. "Mum..."

Mama Yun was a little rueful. "Duoduo, you didn't go out and find a random boyfriend just to reassure me, right? You don't have to do that."

"Mum... what are you thinking of..." Yun Duo was really impressed by the strange twists of her mother's mind. "I'll send you his photo so you can take a look for yourself."

"Okay!"

Yun Duo found a charming shot of Tang Yi-Bai and sent it over, and she then immediately received a call from her mother.

Her mother bellowed over the phone, "This is Tang Yi-Bai! I remember him. You said you liked him last time, but he's a superstar, a champion! He's your boyfriend just because you say he is? You think I'm an idiot? He said he has no girlfriend in his interview."

Mum, he really is my boyfriend. That interview is outdated."

Mama Yun's voice became filled with worry and concern. "Duoduo, why don't you go see a psychologist? What if..." What if she was delusional?!

Yun Duo looked for another picture and send it to her mother. It was the photo she took together with Tang Yi-Bai at the gymnasium of his university.

Her mother still did not believe her even after seeing the photo. "This photo can't prove anything. You're a reporter, so it's not strange for you to have a photo or two with Tang Yi-Bai."

Mum, why are so sharp?

Yun Duo could only say, "The next time I see him, I'll send you another photo."

"Hehe, I'll be waiting."

At 8 o’clock that night, Yun Duo gave Er-Bai a bath. Making him become a true "dog in water"{落水狗: I kept this translation pretty literal since I couldn't think of anything else which would make sense in context. This Chinese phrase is used to refer to someone down on their luck.}. Er-Bai did not like baths, but he did not dare fight back when Yun Duo held him down to bathe him. He only whined piteously, eliciting sympathy. But no matter how pitiful he was, he still needed a bath!

Afterwards, Yun Duo used a hair dryer to dry his fur. As she was finishing up, Madam Lu knocked on the bathroom door. "Yun Duo, there's a call for you. It's from Doudou," she said, passing her a cell phone.

"Oh? Thanks, Auntie!" Yun Duo took the phone and turned off the hair dryer. "Hello?"

"Yun Duo, what're you doing?"

"I'm blow-drying Er-Bai's fur. He's being a good boy." Yun Duo scratched Er-Bai on the neck. "Right, Er-Bai?"

Er-Bai turned his head away: No!

"Come out for a bit."

Yun Duo was confused. "What?"

"Come out, I'm right outside."

Yun Duo did not ask anything more, pushing Er-Bai aside to go out.

Tang Yi-Bai was standing under a street lamp and he watched as Yun Duo ran towards him. Under the pale-yellow light of the street lamp, his gaze was as gentle as the calm flow of a river.

Yun Duo ran up to him, and just as she was about to brake and stop, Tang Yi-Bai took a step forwards, just in time for her to crash into his arms.

Yun Duo, "..." How did it turn into leaping into his arms just like that?!

Tang Yi-Bai embraced her gently, stroking a hand over her hair, chuckling softly. His laughter was as sweet as violin music to the ears.

"Cough." Yun Duo blushed and tried to break free, but he suddenly tightened his arms so she did not manage to escape.

"Why are you here?" she asked.

All of his worries, all of his concerns, were condensed into three simple words at this moment: "I missed you."

Yun Duo felt her heart warm. She hugged him back and rubbed her face gently against his chest. Frankly, no matter how strong and independent a girl was, she would always yearn for an embrace like this which she could lean on. I don't expect you to give me anything. As long as I can draw a little warmth and strength from you, that's enough.

She called his name softly. "Tang Yi-Bai."

Her voice was soft and sweet — Tang Yi-Bai's heart felt like it was melting. He bowed his head to kiss her on her fringe, giving a deep "hn" in response.

"I missed you too," she said.

Tang Yi-Bai smiled. He lifted her chin, and with almost no pause, he pressed in to kiss her. Unlike the rush and tension during their first kiss, this time he eased back on his strength, carefully savouring her soft and fragrant lips, gently rubbing and teasing them. Yun Duo was consumed by his tenderness, letting him do as he liked. Her face was terribly hot, and her body felt hot as well with nerves. Her legs were already weak, so she could only lean against his body for support. She wanted to cooperate with him, but she just did not know what to do. She had barely moved her head when he suddenly locked her in place with a hand behind her head.

Tang Yi-Bai put more force into the kiss, his teeth gently grazing her lips — a rebuke, but also a request. The arm on her waist tightened unconsciously, and the two of them were drawn closer to each other until no space was left between them. Even through their clothes, he could feel her body, how hot, how soft, how... full.

It was not enough. Like a piece of coal thrown into the fire which only wanted to burn in full, how could this little bit of intimacy be enough? There was inexplicable throbbing rushing through his body, making him agitated and anxious. His hands unconsciously rubbed across her body, intending to try and relieve this feeling, but the more he touched her, the worse it became. He closed his eyes, his breathing laboured and chaotic. Almost instinctively, his tongue slipped pass his lips to gently trace her lips, trying to pry pass her lips to probe deeper for a hidden sweetness.

Feeling the pressure from his tongue, Yun Duo felt like she was burning up. Her heart pounded wildly, and thoroughly embarrassed, she turned her head away to escape.

Tang Yi-Bai licked his lips, wishing for more, and looked down at her. His eyes were as deep as the oceans under a night sky.

Yun Duo did not dare meet his eyes, gently breaking out from his arms with her head down.

Tang Yi-Bai did not dare to press too far and so he let her go, and she took a step back to put some distance between them. He put his hands in his pockets, his gaze lingering on her the whole time, quietly appreciating his girlfriend's shy appearance.

After a stretch of silence, Yun Duo asked awkwardly, "Don't you have training tonight?"

"I did. I just came out from the pool. I snuck out."

Yun Duo looked up in surprise. Sure enough, his hair was darker than usual, and was rather messy and fluffy. She raised a hand to run her fingers through his hair, and found that the roots were still a little wet.

Tang Yi-Bai kept still and let her touch as she wanted, but then he laughed and said, "Don't tease me. I can't take it."

Yun Duo drew back her hand. Right then, she was a little moved but also a little concerned. "Running out when your hair is wet. What if you catch a cold?"

"It's fine. I'm very healthy."

Yun Duo shook her head. "Don't do this next time. Besides, what if your coach discovers you snuck out?"

"It's fine. At most, I'll get a beating."

Can you not speak so casually about getting a beating...? Yun Duo was left rather speechless. She saw that Tang Yi-Bai's jacket had a hood, so she stood up on her tiptoes to help him pull it up. "Keep your head covered so it's not blown by the wind."

Tang Yi-Bai smiled brightly, letting her pull up the hood. He even bent his head to make it easier for her, like an obedient child.

When she was done, Yun Duo asked him curiously, "Why didn't you come inside? Specially wanting to talk here."

"There are too many 'lightbulbs'{i.e. interfering presences.} at home."

... fine. Yun Duo suddenly recalled something, so she said, "Tang Yi-Bai, can you do me a favour?"

Tang Yi-Bai smiled. "I can do you as many favours as you want. Tell me."

"It's like this. My mum doesn't believe you are my boyfriend. Can you record a short video to tell her you really are?"

"Okay."

Yun Duo turned on the recording function on her cell phone and Tang Yi-Bai waved at the camera. He said, smiling, "Father-in-law, mother-in-law, hello. I am really Yun Duo's boyfriend."

"Stop!" Yun Duo stopped the recording, her face red. "Change the way you address them."

"To what? Mom and dad?"

"...you!"

Seeing her gnashing her teeth, Tang Yi-Bai quickly soothed her by petting her head. "Okay, okay. Just kidding. Come."

The recording began again, and Tang Yi-Bai said to the camera, "Uncle, auntie, hello. I'm Tang Yi-Bai, Yun Duo's boyfriend. Yun Duo is a good girl. I will treat her well, caring for her and protecting her. I'm also from City-N, so we share the same hometown. I hope I'll have a chance to visit you all some time."

Done. Yun Duo saved the video and then sent it to her mother.

Her mother did not respond immediately, so Yun Duo asked Tang Yi-Bai, "Hey, now, do you want to go home to see your mum and dad?"

Tang Yi-Bai nodded. The two of them were just about to go in when a shadow streaked out from behind a tree. Yun Duo jumped, but when she settled and looked closer, it was actually Er-Bai?

Tongue out, tail wagging, Er-Bai came towards Yun Duo. Yun Duo wondered out loud, "Er-Bai, why are you here?"

Of course, Er-Bai could not answer her. Tang Yi-Bai saw the leash around Er-Bai's neck and with some realisation, he said towards the shadows of the trees, "Dad, mum, what're you two doing?"

Madam Lu and Daddy Tang stepped out. Yun Duo's jaw dropped. Even though she was caught red-handed eavesdropping, Madam Lu still acted like a proud peacock. She strutted up to them and said, "Spying, eavesdropping, and secretly taking photos."

"You... was it fun?" Tang Yi-Bai was resigned.

"Not particularly. Let's go."

Madam Lu commanded, and Daddy Tang left with her, dragging along the troublesome Er-Bai who had exposed them. If he had not carelessly loosened his hand and let Er-Bai run out, they would definitely not have been discovered, thought Daddy Tang, somewhat regretfully.

Tang Yi-Bai and Yun Duo walked behind them, listening to the discussion of the two elders.

Daddy Tang: "You're still better at taking photos. All the ones I took are blurry... This one is very pretty. Send it to me. I want to make it my phone wallpaper."

Madam Lu: "Okay."

Daddy Tang turned back to ask Tang Yi-Bai, "Doudou, do you want it? This photo is really nice, like a movie poster."

Tang Yi-Bai gritted his teeth. "No thanks!"

"Yun Duo?"

"No..."

"You two sure? Don't decide so quickly. Take a look first," said Daddy Tang, passing the phone over.

Tang Yi-Bai looked at the photo. The street lamps cast a pale-yellow light, and the trees cast graceful shadows. He and Yun Duo were locked in an embrace, kissing under the street lamp. Under the light, their faces were hazy, and the asphalt road stretched out behind them like a bright yellow ribbon. There was no one else on the road but for them.

It was indeed a lovely photograph. Tang Yi-Bai nodded. "Send me a copy."

Yun Duo was speechless. "You changed sides so quickly?!

Tang Yi-Bai stroked her head, "As a souvenir."

However, when the four of them got home, Tang Yi-Bai really could not stop himself and set this "souvenir" as his wallpaper.

Thus, the whole family of three ended up with the same mobile wallpaper.

Yun Duo wished she could dig a whole and bury herself in it, but Tang Yi-Bai shamelessly persuaded her to change her wallpaper as well. In the end, Yun Duo did change her wallpaper, but she used a photo of her with Er-Bai. In the photo, Yun Duo's smile was radiant, and the spot where a boyfriend should be was occupied by a husky with his tongue sticking out.

Tang Yi-Bai was green with envy. Staring at her phone, he really wished he could scrape that dog's face off of it.

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Next: Chapter 63

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