Chapter 9: White_009

Translator: Abo Dammen

That day, He Ruifeng floated in good spirits. Though it was a weekday evening, it still qualified as a fine day. First, he had nearly finished drafting the sports meet proposal, needing only to proofread for typos and polish the phrasing before submitting it to his boss. Second, he had asked Deng Chengning if camping interested him, and Deng Chengning had agreed to give it a try.

He felt their hobbies meshed perfectly. Deng Chengning never dampened enthusiasm; any activity He Ruifeng suggested, even unfamiliar ones, Deng Chengning would willingly attempt.

Once, after a weekday movie, He Ruifeng had dragged Deng Chengning to a hotpot restaurant. When they exited, He Ruifeng noticed only the greasy smell clinging to Deng Chengning’s suit and realized the hotpot had permeated the expensive fabric.

Yet Deng Chengning didn’t complain. He simply noted the suit needed dry cleaning anyway.

Deng Chengning’s personality was truly wonderful.

[Jia Bei: I’ll scout locations. Once the weather clears, find a nearby campsite with stargazing potential. Leave Saturday morning, return Sunday.]

[DCN: Sounds good.]

He Ruifeng had camped with friends before, pitching tents and cooking outdoors, so the logistics posed no challenge. He just needed to wait for crisp autumn weather and locate a scenic spot with a beautiful night sky.

Elated, He Ruifeng quickly emailed the finished proposal and scrolled through his Moments.

Specifically, he scrolled through Deng Chengning’s Moments.

Deng Chengning’s previously barren feed now hosted two entries: one about the Guardians premiere event, and another featuring a photo of badminton rackets captioned “Getting some exercise.”

The badminton post displayed three likes, all from classmates in their first-year high school homeroom. Apparently, their mutual friends numbered exactly three.

These three had all commented.

“Wow, legend, you finally posted something.”

“Where’s the academic god working now?”

“God Ning works at Huacheng Securities here in the city in asset management. Didn’t you guys know?”

“Huacheng? I heard even the lowest management bonus last year hit seven figures. Envy.”

“God Ning, let’s play badminton sometime. I’m a member at a court in the southern district.”

So Deng Chengning really hadn’t posted before, it’s not that he blocked He Ruifeng.

Friend [Winter Snow] invited you to a group chat.

Winter Snow was He Ruifeng’s mother.

He Ruifeng wondered, ‘What now? Another discount group where inviting people gets you deals?’ He tapped into the newly joined chat and his vision dimmed.

His mother had created a group containing their three family members, plus Deng Chengning and his mother.

The group name: “Happy And Joyful Every Day.”

He Ruifeng: “…”

He quickly messaged her privately.

[Jia Bei: What are you doing??? Why a group???]

She ignored him.

Deng Chengning’s mother soon sent a voice message. He Ruifeng played it.

“Good evening, everyone. A friend of mine manages a resort hotel at Nanyuan Mountain. They’re running a promotion and gifted me two complimentary vouchers—a two-day, one-night stay, two suites for free. It’s perfect for both our families to go together. How does that sound? I’ll share the hotel info in the group, take a look.”

He Ruifeng scanned the materials.

A five-star resort nestled in Nanyuan Mountain, boasting lush forest vegetation and fresh air. Numerous activities: hiking, strolling along mountain paths, cable car sightseeing, hot springs, open-air barbecues.

The vouchers covered two forest-view suites with terrace stargazing opportunities.

Actually, it looked fantastic.

The hotel was famous and expensive. Why waste free vouchers? Predictably, Lai Xuefen responded instantly. “Oh, Chengning’s mother, thank you so much! We’re in, Old He and I. It just depends on the kids’ schedules. Let’s ask them.”

Lai Xuefen started @-ing He Ruifeng in the group while Zhao Wanyi pinged Deng Chengning.

With Deng Chengning silent, He Ruifeng dared not reply.

The mothers pressed on regardless, passionately discussing what to pack, what activities to do, the best time to visit.

Half an hour produced over a hundred messages.

Eventually, Deng Chengning must have surfaced and contacted his mother, because Zhao Wanyi abruptly stopped chatting. Lai Xuefen finally remembered to reply to He Ruifeng.

[Winter Snow: Why can’t I create a group? It’s my freedom. If you don’t like it, you leave.]

He Ruifeng was speechless. If he left, his mother would charge over and discipline him personally. She sent a voice message, saying that Chengning’s mother had warmly invited them all on a trip that’s why she’d made the group for convenient planning. Then she asked if he wanted to go. Hadn’t he mentioned wanting to camp recently? This mountain hotel offered beautiful scenery and fresh air, perfect for him and Chengning to unwind together.

“I hear from Chengning’s mother that his work stress is enormous. He needs a vacation, to relax and have fun. What’s the problem? If you two don’t want to tag along with us old folks, we can do separate activities! Seize this chance to deepen your connection with Chengning!”

Unsure how to respond, He Ruifeng could only type ellipses.

He sensed their parents were deliberately manufacturing opportunities. His mother lobbied him here, and Chengning’s mother likely worked equally hard on her end. He worried Deng Chengning might argue with her, and given his concern for her health, his mood might sour.

The thought nagged at him. He messaged Deng Chengning.

[Jia Bei: Chatting with auntie? Don’t let it upset you, she means well. My parents are thrilled.]

After a pause, Deng Chengning replied.

[DCN: I’m sorry.]

He Ruifeng sighed. Apologizing again? He called directly.

“You okay?” He Ruifeng asked.

Deng Chengning’s voice came muffled. “I’m sorry.”

“Why apologize?”

“…For troubling you.”

Fearful Deng Chengning might cry again like that night, He Ruifeng rushed to reassure him. “None at all.”

“My mother… she’s too presumptuous…” said Deng Chengning. “But ultimately, this is my fault. If I hadn’t asked for your help, I wouldn’t have caused all this trouble, wasted so much of your time.”

“Stop. Don’t talk like that. Do you consider me a friend or not?”

“…Mn.” The sound barely registered.

“Our family, including me, loves outings. The hotel looks fun, and I’m free. If you want a getaway, let’s go together as families. If it’s inconvenient, I’ll make up an excuse to decline. Don’t stress, and don’t fight with auntie over it.”

“…Mn.”

“You want to go?”

“…Yes.”

The joint family trip to Nanyuan Mountain materialized quickly.

Proposed Tuesday, they departed by weekend.

It was a ninety-minute drive from the city to Nanyuan Mountain. From the mountain base to the mid-slope hotel, towering trees lined both sides of the road, their canopies eclipsing the sun, bursting with lush greenery.

Lai Xuefen marveled, “What a beautiful environment!”

He Yongkang perked up. “I hear there’s mountain spring water. Some rooms have streams running past them.”

He Ruifeng couldn’t resist a warning. “You two, please don’t say anything inappropriate and embarrass them. Nothing’s set in stone yet, so don’t—”

“Oho!” Lai Xuefen cut him off. “A couple planning a camping trip together, and you’re worried about embarrassment? You’re not eighteen, you’re thirty!”

He Ruifeng choked, the wheel slipping as he nearly veered into oncoming traffic. “What?! Don’t talk nonsense! What’s wrong with camping? Camping isn’t, isn’t—”

It wasn’t booking a hotel room!

But he couldn’t force those final words out.

Only then did he grasp their parents’ misunderstanding.

When he said camping, he meant sharing a tent, with everyone in their own sleeping bags. To their parents, it sounded like the two of them sneaking off for a private overnight.

He never imagined his thinking was so innocent, while his parents’ so convoluted. Now they probably believed the relationship had accelerated dramatically.

A sense of foreboding crept over He Ruifeng.

At the hotel front desk, his premonition materialized.

Lai Xuefen and Zhao Wanyi handled check-in. They returned with one set of key cards, handing another set to He Ruifeng. Immediately, a hotel staff member collected their luggage and politely ushered everyone onto a shuttle.

The shuttle ambled along, past lovely greenery and tall trees. The hotel offered various room types; theirs were standalone suites.

When they reached the first unit, Lai Xuefen and He Yongkang disembarked. He Ruifeng started to follow, but Zhao Wanyi stepped out first, announcing, “We two sisters will have a good chat tonight.”

Lai Xuefen laughed. “Right, we’ll share a suite and let Old He have his own.”

The three retrieved their luggage from the accompanying staff and prepared to depart.

He Ruifeng hurriedly called after his parents. “You three are sharing a suite?”

Lai Xuefen explained, “It has two bedrooms.”

He Ruifeng’s face froze in shock.

Lai Xuefen added, “What are you young people afraid of? You two can share a room. We’re not old fuddy-duddies!” She waved and disappeared inside.

He Ruifeng stood paralyzed, then returned to the shuttle, unable to even glance at Deng Chengning. Beside him, Deng Chengning remained utterly silent. They rode in mutual stillness to the second suite.

He Ruifeng refused the staff’s assistance, shouldering his backpack and grabbing Deng Chengning’s small suitcase as he exited. When He Ruifeng swiped the card and pushed open the door, despair consumed him.

This suite was an entire floor—a sprawling, open-concept layout.

Living room, bedroom… it was completely exposed. A massive white bathtub sat by the floor-to-ceiling windows. A two-meter bed dominated the center, facing the beautiful green mountain vista outside.

“This…” He Ruifeng had no words. Embarrassment prickled across his scalp. “I could talk to the front desk… request a different room type…”

He trailed off, turning to Deng Chengning for confirmation.

Beside him, Deng Chengning kept his head slightly lowered, avoiding eye contact. From ears to cheeks, a deep flush bloomed.

He Ruifeng stared, transfixed. 

“…Mn.”

Finally, Deng Chengning squeezed out a single, quavering syllable, approving He Ruifeng’s suggestion.

Author’s Feed:

Sorry, busy with the holiday, today’s update is late >_<

Might be irregular going forward… but I’ll make sure to keep updating…