9 - The Extra Chapter That Was Promised

That winter, Su Yimin brought Gu Hao back home for New Year’s.

Secretly, Gu Hao thanked the heavens that he was already looking the part of a stellar student before meeting the other’s parents. Similarly, Su Yimin’s parents had also prepared mentally. As a result, instead of the usual expected awkwardness ,when they met, surprisingly, they clicked instantly.

Su Yimin’s parents were welcoming towards him; however, it was even more evident in his mum, who was also a doctor.

Of course, Gu Hao had no way of knowing that Su Yimin took advantage of his mother’s maternal instincts, telling her all about the struggles and hardships that Gu Hao had to overcome.

Much like her son, Mrs Su. also had a Healer’s Heart, and it didn’t take long for her to have a soft spot in her heart labelled “Gu Hao”, and vowed to shower him with affection whenever he would visit. Gu Hao also had a good heart, making Mrs. Su like him even more.

Mr Su seemed strict at first glance, lacking the enthusiasm of his wife. On the contrary, the truth was, his bark was way worse than his bite. He treated Gu Hao well, and wouldn’t embarrass him or put him on the spot.

It was after the harmonious New Year’s family dinner, when Su Yimin stood up.

“Dad, Mum, I’m bringing Gu Hao out for a walk. It helps with digestion.”

”Ah! Okay!” Mrs. Su smiled, her grin reaching from ear to ear.

”Careful on the roads, it’s slippery because of the snow.” Mr. Su reminded them as well.

With the two of them reaching the door, a thought popped into Mrs. Su’s head.

“Minmin, Little Hao, Wait!”

”I almost forgot! I knitted two scarfs for both of you the other day.” From the room, Mrs. Su brought out two large red knitted scarves, a smile on her face. Coming closer, she wrapped the scarf around Su Yimin’s neck, then helped Gu Hao tie his scarf properly.

“It’s windy outside! Don’t catch a cold!” Mrs. Su reminded once again.

Taken by surprise, Gu Hao reached for the warm material of the scarf, eyes twinkling. “Thank you, Mrs. Su.”

Gu Hao was a grateful boy, extremely appreciative of all his relationships, and Mrs. Su knew this. She also could tell that he genuinely liked the gift, and so a bright grin appeared on her face.

“Are you still calling me Mrs. Su?”

A blush creeped onto Gu Hao’s face as he whispered. “Mum…”

Beaming at both of them, Su Yimin pulled the pair into his embrace.

Mr. Su sat on the sofa, glancing at the arm Su Yimin had wrapped around Gu Hao’s shoulder. Truth be told, he was still not used to it. However, he didn’t say a word, and with a slight frown on his face, he returned his gaze to his newspaper.

When they finally made it out the door, the falling snow had stopped, and what was left was the thick blanket of snow covering the ground, making a crunching sound with every step.

Feeling the warmth of the scarlet scarf around his originally empty neck, Gu Hao sighed, evidently moved by the other’s parents’ actions.

“Your parents are great.”

”They just have more accepting personalities.” Su Yimin smiled. “When I came out, they lost their temper at me. I was reflecting on myself and my decisions after that, but my mum beat me to it. She felt guilty, saying that I didn’t have a choice for my own sexuality, that I was already under a lot of pressure, and that they couldn’t cause me to be more upset than I already was. My dad came around soon after.”

Gu Hao smiled, feeling happiness for Su Yimin bloom in his chest.

That’s right, only such an environment could nurture the ray of sunshine that was Su Yimin.

Remembering something, Su Yimin turned back to Gu Hao, and gently stroked his ear.

”Back then, why didn’t you tell me before coming out to your parents?”

“I wanted to be responsible to you too.” Those earnest words came from Gu Hao’s mouth.

After Su Yimin left him, he came out to his parents. Then, mentally prepared, he went to seek out Su Yimin.

”But you should have told me!” It was rare that Su Yimin got upset, but still couldn’t bring himself to berate Gu Hao, so he just sighed. “Don’t do this again,okay?”

Eyes filled with both guilt and tenderness, Su Yimin’s hand found the back of Gu Hao’s head, stroking it gently.

“Your dad was too harsh, causing such a scar on his own son’s head..”

”It’s fine.” Gu Hao didn’t think much of it, but didn’t want Su Yimin to feel guilty, so he continued. “He would beat me even harder when he was drunk, don’t worry about it.”

”If he wasn’t your dad, I would shred his arm into eight pieces.” The usually prim and proper Su Yimin was so mad that vulgarities were coming out of his mouth, and asked.

“Are your parents still unwilling to contact you?”

”Not anymore.” A breath of white fog escaped Gu Hao’s mouth, before he continued, indifference evident in his voice. “They have their own families anyways.”

Su Yimin looked at Gu Hao for a long time, before saying, gently and softly.

“You have your own family too, Gu Hao.”

……

.

”Little one, here’s big brother’s hand, hold it and don’t get lost now.” Su Yimin stretched out his hand, a teasing tone in his voice

”Who’s the little one?” Gu Hao laughed, playful annoyance in his voice.

But still, he looked down, watching as Su Yimin stretched out that long, beautiful hand. Slowly, Gu Hao extended his own hand, and intertwined their fingers together in a warm embrace.

The two of them walked, leaving nothing but footprints in the snow covered path.

“Su Yimin.”

”Yeah?’

”I love you too…”

Really, really love you.