Chapter 183 Sooner or Later We’ll Do It Anyway, So It’s Not a Lie

After a long while, he finally forced a few words out through clenched teeth: “Then change jobs.”

“Change jobs?”

Yin Siyao looked like he’d just heard a joke. “Dad, Kangren is the best private hospital in the country. My current salary is five times what I’d earn back home.”

“And every year there are bonuses worth hundreds of thousands. If I change jobs, where am I supposed to find something with benefits like this?”

“It’s only there that I can earn enough for Mom’s medical treatment and keep this family from falling apart.”

“If my income gets cut in half, when the family needs money, what am I supposed to use to fill the gap?”

Those words struck right at Father Yin’s sore spot. His lips trembled, but he couldn’t say a single word.

The room fell into silence again.

After finishing a cigarette, Father Yin asked hoarsely, “So… you’re determined to… messing around with this boy?”

“Not ‘messing around,’” Yin Siyao corrected. “We’re together.”

He put down his chopsticks and leaned back, his posture relaxed, but his gaze serious. “Dad, Mom, I’m already thirty.”

“With our family’s situation, what kind of girl do you think would be willing to be with me? Even people in our village think we’re poor—let alone outsiders.”

“And you know how being a doctor is. When I’m busy, I don’t even know day from night. What girl would want a boyfriend who’s both poor and never around?”

Mother Yin’s eyes reddened again. She lowered her head and wiped her tears with her apron.

“Rather than being alone my whole life, I’d rather find someone who doesn’t mind me.”

Yin Siyao’s voice softened, but every word was clear. “As for whether it’s a man or a woman, it doesn’t matter. As long as they treat me well and don’t look down on me for being poor or busy, that’s enough.”

The words were too blunt, too real.

Father Yin wanted to argue, but realized he had nothing to say.

It was true—his son wasn’t wrong.

With their family’s conditions, they weren’t even considered well-off in the village, let alone in a big city like A City.

What girl would willingly marry into hardship?

Leng Keyan quickly spoke up, “Uncle, Auntie, I may be young, but I will definitely treat Teacher Yin well.”

“I don’t mind that he’s poor or busy. My family is doing okay. If money is ever needed in the future, I can…”

“Yanyan.”

Yin Siyao cut him off, his tone carrying a warning. “That’s enough.”

Leng Keyan bit his lip. “I’m serious. I’ll help share his burden. I won’t let him be so tired…”

Looking at Leng Keyan’s young and sincere face, Mother Yin’s tears fell again.

She thought about all the sacrifices her son had made for the family over the years, about how her long-term illness had dragged him down, about how he was already thirty and still didn’t even have a proper partner…

“Old Yin,” she choked out, “it’s our fault for being incapable… for not having money to buy him a house or a car. We’ve held Siyao back. It’s not the child’s fault…”

Father Yin let out a heavy sigh, as if he’d aged ten years in an instant.

He looked at his crying wife, then at his determined son, and finally at Leng Keyan, whose eyes were red.

“Enough,” he waved his hand, his voice weary. “Finish your meal… then leave quickly. Don’t stay in the village and make a spectacle of yourselves.”

The words were harsh, but Yin Siyao knew his father had already compromised.

Mother Yin grew anxious. “Leave? At this hour? It’s not safe to drive at night! If anything, they should leave tomorrow.”

She quickly picked up her chopsticks. “Eat, eat. Try this fish—I bought it early this morning. It’s fresh!”

Leng Keyan let out a sigh of relief and hurriedly picked up his chopsticks.

The rest of the meal was quiet and awkward.

Mother Yin kept putting food into Leng Keyan’s bowl, muttering “eat more” and “don’t be shy.”

Father Yin barely ate, only occasionally sipping some soup.

Yin Siyao, however, ate calmly.

After dinner, Mother Yin cleared the table.

Leng Keyan wanted to help, but she stopped him. “No need, no need. You’re a guest—just sit.”

He had no choice but to sit back down.

Father Yin lit a cigarette and went out into the yard.

After a while, Mother Yin called out, “You two go wash up first. I’ll make the bed. Keyan, is it okay if you share a room with Siyao?”

Leng Keyan nodded quickly. “Of course, Auntie. Sorry for the trouble.”

Mother Yin went into the inner room.

Soon, she came out carrying a brand-new quilt.

The cover was bright red, embroidered with dragons and phoenixes—a clear sign it was something precious she’d kept stored away.

“This quilt is new. I’ve never had the heart to use it.”

She handed it to Leng Keyan. “It’s cold at night—use something thicker.”

Leng Keyan took it. It was heavy, carrying the scent of sun-dried cotton.

His heart warmed, and his nose tingled. “Thank you, Auntie…”

“What are you thanking me for?”

Mother Yin looked at him, her expression complicated. In the end, she patted his shoulder. “Go wash up. The water heater’s ready.”

Yin Siyao stood up and led Leng Keyan to the bathroom.

They took turns showering, and when they returned, the bed had already been made.

The bright red quilt stood out sharply under the dim light.

Yin Siyao closed the door, and the room fell silent.

It was a small, simply furnished room.

One bed, one desk, one wardrobe.

The walls were covered with certificates of merit—all belonging to Yin Siyao.

Sitting on the bed, Leng Keyan finally relaxed and let out a long breath.

“That scared me to death…” he whispered. “When your dad slammed things earlier, I thought he was going to hit me.”

Yin Siyao held his hand. “He wouldn’t. He has a bad temper, but he doesn’t hit people.”

“Then… do they… still not accept us?”

Yin Siyao was silent for a few seconds. “Give them time.”

“Teacher Yin…”

Leng Keyan asked softly, “Do you really… not regret it?”

“Regret what?”

“Being with me.”

Leng Keyan lowered his head. “Facing so many troubles…”

Yin Siyao turned to look at him, his gaze gentle yet firm. “Leng Keyan, listen carefully. I never regret my decisions. Once I choose something, I accept it—even if it turns out wrong.”

After a pause, his voice softened. “As for you, it’s not too late to regret it now.”

Without hesitation, Leng Keyan said, “I won’t regret it!”

Yin Siyao smiled slightly and ruffled his hair. “That’s more like it.”

Leng Keyan thought—this must be what love is.

It makes you afraid, yet also makes you brave.

Yin Siyao pulled the still-dazed Leng Keyan into his arms and pinched his soft cheek. “Sorry for putting you through this—getting scolded with me, even being kicked out during the New Year.”

Leng Keyan shook his head and leaned on his shoulder. “I’m not wronged. It’s just… Teacher Yin, how can you lie so calmly without even blushing?”

Yin Siyao replied without changing expression, “I didn’t lie. I just added a bit of artistic embellishment.”

“But we clearly didn’t do anything—we just slept. So how could you…”

“We’ll do it sooner or later anyway. That’s not a lie.”

Leng Keyan’s face flushed red. He nuzzled into Yin Siyao’s arms.

In a small voice, he asked, “Then… are we really leaving tomorrow?”

“Mm.”

Yin Siyao nodded. “My dad cares about appearances. If we stay here, it’ll only make him uncomfortable.”

“Then where are we going?” Leng Keyan asked. “Back to A City?”

“Yeah.”