Chapter 179 Even If You Want to Run, You Can’t Escape

“Take you home for the New Year.”

Yin Siyao said it casually, but to Leng Keyan, it hit like a thunderclap out of nowhere.

“W-what?”

Leng Keyan’s voice changed pitch. “G-go to your home? For New Year?”

“Mm.”

Yin Siyao didn’t even look up. “My mom wants to meet you.”

“Your mom wants to meet me?!”

Leng Keyan’s voice rose another notch. “W-why?”

Yin Siyao lifted his head and glanced at him. “Aren’t you my boyfriend? What’s wrong with bringing my boyfriend home for New Year?”

Leng Keyan: “……”

The logic made sense.

But… but wasn’t this way too fast?

How long had they even been together?

They hadn’t even… even done that, and now he was going to meet the parents?

“I… I…”

Leng Keyan stammered, “Isn’t this… too sudden? M-maybe… next year?”

“Next year?” Yin Siyao raised a brow. “You won’t be nervous next year?”

“I…”

“What’s the difference between going this year and next year?”

Yin Siyao stepped closer, looking at him. “Or… you don’t want to go?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to!”

Leng Keyan immediately refuted. “I just… just…”

He was just scared.

Scared that Yin Siyao’s parents wouldn’t like him.

Scared he’d say or do something wrong.

Scared that this not-yet-stable relationship wouldn’t survive the test of meeting the parents.

All those thoughts swirled in his mind, finally converging into one strong impulse.

Run.

Yes—run first, think later.

“Leng Keyan!”

Yin Siyao’s voice came from behind, clearly startled.

Leng Keyan didn’t turn back—he ran even faster.

Ten minutes later, in the alley behind the hotel—

Leng Keyan crouched in the corner, gasping for breath.

Yin Siyao stood at the entrance of the alley.

Dressed in a long black coat, the straight hem accentuated his tall, upright figure.

Polished black leather shoes stood firmly on the rough concrete.

One hand tucked in his coat pocket, he looked down at the person curled up on the ground, his presence overwhelmingly oppressive.

Instinctively, Leng Keyan shrank back, pressing tightly against the cold wall.

After a long moment, Yin Siyao spoke.

His voice wasn’t loud, but it reached Leng Keyan’s ears clearly: “If you dare run again, then we…”

He didn’t finish the sentence, but the threat was already obvious.

Leng Keyan curled up even tighter, like a small animal cornered with no escape.

Yin Siyao walked toward him step by step. The sound of his leather shoes hitting the ground felt like it was pounding on Leng Keyan’s heart.

With each step, his heartbeat quickened.

Head lowered, Leng Keyan stared at the polished shoes in front of him—and the neatly pressed trouser legs above them.

Yin Siyao lifted his foot and lightly—but not gently—kicked his calf with the tip of his shoe.

His voice carried clear anger. “Why’d you stop running? Weren’t you pretty good at it?”

“Hiss—”

Leng Keyan sucked in a breath from the pain but didn’t dare move away.

Looking down, he saw a clear gray shoe print stamped onto his white sneakers.

Tears welled up instantly.

“I won’t run anymore…”

His voice trembled with a sob. “I won’t run anymore…”

Yin Siyao stared at him for a few seconds, then crouched down.

The motion startled Leng Keyan—he thought he was about to be hit, and instinctively squeezed his eyes shut.

But the expected pain never came.

Instead, Yin Siyao reached out and gently wiped away the tears at the corner of his eyes with his thumb.

“What are you afraid of?”

Yin Siyao’s voice softened. “I’m not even afraid—what are you afraid of?”

“I… it’s not that I don’t want to go to your home…”

Leng Keyan sniffed. “I just… I’m just nervous.”

“Nervous about what?”

“I’m afraid your parents won’t like me. Afraid I’ll say something wrong, afraid I’ll embarrass you.”

His voice grew quieter and quieter. “I’m afraid…”

Afraid you’ll start to dislike me.

Yin Siyao raised a brow. “What, are you afraid my house doesn’t have a toilet? Or no hot water? Or that you won’t like my mom’s cooking?”

Leng Keyan flushed. “No…”

“Leng Keyan.”

Yin Siyao looked at him seriously. “My family is poor. We’re from the countryside—our conditions aren’t as good as your uncle’s.”

“But my parents are honest people. They won’t look up to you just because you’re from the city, nor will they flatter you because your uncle is rich.”

“They’ll only look at one thing—whether you treat me well.”

Leng Keyan froze.

“So, you only need to do one thing: treat me well. Don’t overthink the rest.”

“Th-then… what if your parents think I don’t treat you well?”

“Then work hard to make them think you do.”

A faint smile tugged at Yin Siyao’s lips. “For example, right now—come with me to buy New Year goods.”

4:30 PM, K City Film Studio.

Song Jingmo checked the time—there was still half an hour before Lu Er wrapped up filming.

Bai Zhi greeted him with a smile. “Doctor Song, you’re here! Brother Lu is still filming the last scene—why don’t you wait in the car?”

“Alright.”

Song Jingmo got into the RV.

The interior was spacious, with a sofa, a small dining table, and a simple bed.

Several scripts were scattered on the table, and Lu Er’s coat was draped over the sofa.

Song Jingmo sat down, picked up a script, and flipped through it.

There were many highlighted marks, and notes filled the margins. The handwriting was a little messy, but very earnest.

After a few pages, he put it down.

He took out his phone, opened the chat with Lu Er.

The last message had been sent two hours ago—“Almost done filming, wait for me.”

Song Jingmo typed a few words, then deleted them.

In the end, he only sent: “I’m waiting in the car.”

After sending it, he leaned back against the sofa, his mind drifting to the image of Lu Er curled up in his arms that morning, sleeping soundly.

A faint smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.

After who knew how long, the car door was pulled open.

Cold wind rushed in, followed by Lu Er’s voice:

“Jingmo!”

Lu Er still had his makeup on; under the lights, his features looked especially refined.

“The last scene took eight takes. The director just wasn’t satisfied—I’m exhausted.”

Song Jingmo reached out and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “Hungry? I’ve already booked a restaurant.”

“Hungry!”

Lu Er nodded immediately. “I want hot pot—spicy.”

“No.”

Song Jingmo rejected him mercilessly. “Your throat’s a bit hoarse. Eat something light.”

Lu Er pouted. “Cantonese food again?”

“Japanese. There’s a new omakase place—good reviews.”

Lu Er’s eyes lit up. “Alright then. Let me remove my makeup and change first.”

Half an hour later, the two came out of the RV.

Lu Er wore a simple black turtleneck sweater and jeans, with a matching black down jacket like Song Jingmo’s.

His face was clean—no makeup—but his skin practically glowed.

They walked side by side toward the parking lot.

Occasionally, staff passed by, recognizing Lu Er and greeting him warmly.

“Teacher Lu, finished work?”

“Mm, everyone worked hard!”

“Is this Doctor Song? Your boyfriend?”

Lu Er nodded openly. “Yes, my boyfriend.”

Song Jingmo tightened his grip on his hand.

After getting into the car and fastening his seatbelt, Lu Er asked, “Where’s Keyan?”

“With Siyao.”

Song Jingmo started the car. “Siyao came to K City.”

“To take him home to meet the parents?”

“Mm.”

Song Jingmo’s eyes carried a hint of amusement. “I heard Siyao wanted to take him back to his hometown for New Year—he got so scared he ran away.”

“Hahaha!”

Lu Er laughed so hard he nearly doubled over. “And then? Got caught?”

“Yeah.”

Song Jingmo said, “Siyao texted me—said he found him. They’re buying New Year goods now.”

Lu Er laughed until tears came out. “This kid, why run? Honestly…”

Song Jingmo glanced at him. “Didn’t you run before too?”

Lu Er’s laughter abruptly stopped.

He turned and glared at Song Jingmo. “Th-that’s different! I had… my reasons back then…”

He huffed and turned his head to look out the window.

But after a few seconds, he turned back, leaned close to Song Jingmo’s ear, and whispered:

“But I came back now… and I won’t run ever again.”

Song Jingmo glanced at him sideways.

Lu Er’s eyes sparkled, filled with warmth and affection.

“Mm.”

Song Jingmo said softly, “Even if you want to run—you won’t be able to.”