Chapter 176 I’m Checking In—Let’s See If My Boyfriend’s Behaving

At five in the morning, a faint pale light began to spread across the eastern sky.

The cold wind carried a biting frost, rattling the bare branches in the yard with a rustling sound.

Yin Siyao carried two metal buckets, filling them with water to start cleaning.

“Siyao, why are you up so early?”

Father Yin came out of the house wrapped in a military coat, holding a broom. “You’ve been busy nonstop since you got back these past few days. Why not sleep a bit more?”

Yin Siyao carried the buckets inside. “Big cleanup today. Better to finish it early.”

Leng Keyan had already arrived in K City last night, and he had come together with Bai Youyu.

Bai Youyu’s feelings for Leng Keyan were practically an open secret in the hospital.

“Siyao, are you going into the city today?”

After sweeping the yard, Father Yin came over to help move a ladder. “Perfect timing—we haven’t finished buying the New Year goods yet. Your mom was talking about it all night and even made a list.”

Mother Yin came out of the house with a piece of paper in hand, densely filled with items: two sets of Spring Festival couplets, five strings of firecrackers, five jin each of candies and melon seeds…

“Oh right, buy a live fish too. We’ll need it for the New Year’s Eve dinner.”

She handed the list to her son and carefully reminded him, “And get some fruits too—apples and oranges. It’s for good luck.”

Yin Siyao took the list, folded it, and put it into his pocket. “Mm.”

Mother Yin stared at him for a moment, then suddenly lowered her voice. “Siyao, are you in such a hurry to go into the city today because the person you like is here?”

Father Yin also looked up in surprise. “What? Siyao has a girlfriend? Since when? Why didn’t you tell us?”

“Your son gets up before dawn every day to work. If it’s not to see someone he likes, then what is it?”

Mother Yin spoke with complete confidence, her eyes gleaming with gossip. “Siyao, did I guess right?”

“Leng Keyan’s uncle is filming in K City, so he came along to stay for a few days.”

“Leng Keyan?”

Father Yin thought for a moment. “The intern you’re mentoring? The kid who helped out at the mall last time?”

“Mm.”

Mother Yin’s eyes instantly lit up. “That kid is great! Sensible, polite, and hardworking. I heard her uncle is a celebrity? Do I know him?”

“Lu Er.”

The air fell silent for three seconds.

The couple exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other’s eyes.

They often saw that young man on TV—handsome like a painting. He had acted in quite a few dramas and even won some kind of award last year.

“My goodness…”

Mother Yin murmured, wiping her hands on her apron. “That child’s background is that good?”

Father Yin frowned. “Siyao, will this really work? Our family’s conditions… and she’s from a celebrity family…”

“I’ll bring her back.”

Yin Siyao interrupted. “You can see for yourselves then.”

Mother Yin opened her mouth, then finally sighed. “If you truly like her, treat her well. Our family may be poor, but we’re decent people.”

Yin Siyao responded with a quiet “Mm” and said nothing more.

He only hoped that when he brought him back, his mother would still say the same.

—

At 1:27 p.m., a five-star hotel in K City.

Leng Keyan was woken up by the ringing of his phone.

Still half-asleep, he fumbled beside his pillow and answered without even opening his eyes. “Hello…”

“Still sleeping?”

A familiar voice came from the other end—low and gentle.

Leng Keyan’s mind went blank for three seconds before his eyes flew open, his heart pounding uncontrollably.

“Dr. Yin?”

He shot upright in bed, his voice still hoarse from sleep. “Y-you… why are you calling?”

“I can’t call you?”

There was a hint of a smile in Yin Siyao’s voice. “What were you doing last night? Why are you still asleep at this hour?”

“N-nothing…”

Leng Keyan rubbed his eyes, his voice muffled. “Just… sleeping at the hotel.”

“Until now?”

“I was a bit tired, so I slept longer.”

“Have you had lunch?”

“Not yet…”

“Then get up and eat.”

Yin Siyao’s tone was natural. “Go get something to eat. Don’t go hungry.”

Holding the phone, the last traces of drowsiness in Leng Keyan’s mind had already faded.

Yin Siyao suddenly called him just to wake him up and tell him to eat?

That didn’t seem like him.

“Dr. Yin…”

Leng Keyan’s voice was still soft from just waking up. “You… where are you?”

“In the city, buying New Year goods.”

The answer was brief.

“Oh…”

Leng Keyan wanted to ask when he would return to A City, wanted to ask why he hadn’t been replying much these past few days—but the words circled on his tongue a few times before shrinking back timidly.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end.

Just when Leng Keyan thought Yin Siyao was about to hang up, the screen suddenly switched—a video call request popped up.

Flustered, Leng Keyan hurriedly accepted. Yin Siyao’s face immediately appeared on the screen.

Behind him was a bustling crowd and shops decorated with red lanterns.

Yin Siyao wore a black coat, its collar turned up to cover half his face. But the part that was visible looked especially sharp under the winter sunlight.

“Come closer.”

Yin Siyao spoke, his voice coming through the speaker.

“Huh?” Leng Keyan was confused.

“Let me see.”

His tone was calm. “Let me check if you’re fully awake.”

Leng Keyan: “…”

He stiffly leaned closer to the camera.

A sleepy face with messy hair immediately filled the screen, his eyes still slightly swollen.

Yin Siyao stared at the screen for a few seconds, his brows faintly furrowing. “You really were sleeping?”

“What else would I be doing…” Leng Keyan muttered softly.

“Alone?”

“Mm.”

“Turn your phone around and show me.”

Yin Siyao smiled brightly. “Just checking in—seeing if my boyfriend is behaving.”

Flattered and delighted, Leng Keyan obediently spun the phone around.

On the other end, Yin Siyao finally relaxed. “Go wash your face and eat. Don’t eat anything too greasy.”

“Got it?”

“Got it.”

Leng Keyan nodded obediently.

“Mm.”

Yin Siyao responded, his gaze lingering on the screen for a moment before he said, “I’m hanging up.”

The video call ended.

Leng Keyan stood there, staring at the darkened screen, not moving for a long time.

The grievance and unease he had built up over Yin Siyao’s recent coldness were suddenly kicked far, far away.