Peony fluttered its wings and flew up to a branch, standing high and calling out randomly, like a soldier standing guard. Grandpa Huo reclined leisurely in his lounge chair and said: "Duoyi, I had a chat with your grandpa at the hospital that day. Your grandpa is very open-minded."

Shen Duoyi said: "After experiencing life's great sorrows, if one doesn't completely give up, they'll definitely become more open-minded about things."

Just as he finished speaking, a whistle came from the doorway. Peony reacted fastest, flapping its wings and flying over. Qi Shi'an leaned against the marble pillar by the door, one hand in his pocket, the other raised to let the parrot perch.

He had just woken up and rushed out after a quick wash, his hair still slightly messy. In his view, Shen Duoyi sat in the courtyard holding the empty birdcage, Grandpa Huo's chair swaying gently, the old and young forming a scenic picture.

Grandpa Huo was particularly perceptive, waving his hand saying: "Standing there without a sound, obviously wanting someone. Go play with him."

Shen Duoyi didn't stand on ceremony either, standing up directly: "Grandpa, I'll leave the cage here then."

With a lift of his finger, Qi Shi'an sent Peony away, then went inside and upstairs with Shen Duoyi. He had made do with the guest room for a night - the unfamiliar large bed hadn't treated his muscular frame well. Now closing the door and hugging Shen Duoyi from behind, he sighed: "Finally feeling alive again..."

Shen Duoyi was pressed forward: "Sleeping until almost noon and still complaining about the bed."

"I'm tired. That bastard Zhang Yiming went traveling with You Si and Shutiao, dumping a pile of work on me." Qi Shi'an sniffed Shen Duoyi's collar. "How's grandpa, is he home alone?"

"Went to Maomao's house." Shen Duoyi answered, "He was with Maomao coming back from the park when he had the episode that day. Maomao's grandpa feels guilty, so the two old men are getting together to celebrate the holiday."

Just as they were talking, Qi Shi'an’s phone rang. Seeing it was You Zhe, he picked up. “Happy National Day. What’s up, calling at this time?”

Shen Duoyi casually picked up a magazine to read, overhearing You Zhe ask if he was free for a drink that evening.

“Not tonight,” Qi Shi'an replied. He had planned to meet You Zhe for a drink earlier, intending to tell him about his relationship with Shen Duoyi. Among his friends, only You Zhe was still in the dark. Deciding there was no reason to delay, he said, “My partner is coming over for dinner tonight. Unless the sky falls, don’t bother me.”

There was a brief silence on the other end before You Zhe asked, seeking confirmation, “You’re in a relationship?”

“Already met my mom. If it weren’t for certain policies, we’d already have a marriage certificate,” Qi Shi'an replied cheerfully.

Sitting on the sofa, Shen Duoyi glanced at him with a warning look, cautioning him not to show off. Qi Shi'an obediently toned it down and said into the phone, “We’ll meet in a few days, and I’ll tell you everything. My treat. Gotta go.”

In the arid northern autumn, it had barely rained for nearly a month, but a light shower began to fall that afternoon, much to everyone’s delight. Grandpa Huo donned a raincoat to tend to his peach tree, while the parrot on the second-floor terrace squawked excitedly.

The skies darkened early, and by four or five in the evening, it already felt like night. Dinner was set up ahead of schedule. As thunder rumbled outside, Huo Xin suddenly leaned on the table and started laughing.

Curious, Shen Duoyi asked, “Auntie, what’s making you so happy?”

Huo Xin smiled. “When your uncle and I got married, Shi'an was only four or five years old. As a new stepmother, I was clumsy and carefree, so I constantly reminded myself to be attentive to him.”

Qi Shi'an interjected, “You asked me if I was hungry 80 times a day. My appetite increase was all your fault.”

“Be quiet,” Huo Xin said, continuing her story to Shen Duoyi. “One time, during a heavy thunderstorm, I asked him if he was scared. Secretly, I hoped he would be, so I could take him to sleep with me and bond. Instead, he crawled under the blanket to play games and impatiently said, ‘It’s just a noisy weather phenomenon. What’s there to be scared of?’”

Shen Duoyi laughed for a long time, turning to Qi Shi'an as he chuckled. Ignoring him, Qi Shi'an uncorked a bottle of red wine, poured everyone a glass, and officially began the meal.

The family sat around the table in a warm and relaxed atmosphere, with none of the usual tension or formality of a "meeting-the-family" dinner. Shen Duoyi raised his glass solemnly. “Grandpa, Uncle, Auntie, let me propose a toast.”

Qi Shi'an lowered his eyes with a smile, everyone could see how happy he looked.

Representing the family, Grandpa Huo said, “Duoyi, this is your first holiday with us. We already see you as one of our own. I won’t say anything too blunt to embarrass you, but from now on, this is your home, and we are your family.”

Shen Duoyi tipped back his glass, finishing the wine in one go. “Thank you, Grandpa. Thank you, Uncle and Auntie.”

Outside, the wind and rain howled, and the temperature plummeted, but inside, the house was brightly lit, filled with warmth and care. Suddenly, the landline phone rang. Auntie Li answered and soon came back. “The guards at the gate said a Mr. You is here and wants to know if he should be let in.”

“You Zhe?” Qi Shi'an paused mid-bite. “Let him in and set an extra place.”

A lone wolf by nature, You Zhe was notorious for working tirelessly, even during holidays. With his parents away, and his sister off traveling, he was left with little company.

Within minutes, the sound of brakes joined the wind and rain. Auntie Li opened the front door, and Qi Shi'an went to greet him. You Zhe stepped out of his car, umbrella in one hand and a kraft folder in the other, crossing the courtyard.

“Feeling lonely and restless, coming out in the rain?” Qi Shi'an teased from the doorway. “We’ve just started dinner, so no drinking if you’re driving.”

Leading him into the sitting room, Qi Shi'an noticed the folder. “What’s in there? Don’t tell me you’re here to talk business during the holidays.”

Inside, You Zhe glanced toward the dining table, hesitating. “Team Leader Shen?”

Shen Duoyi stood and greeted him, while Huo Xin and Qi Jingtang waved for him to sit. As Qi Shi'an set an extra place, he noticed You Zhe’s stern expression, as if something was weighing on his mind.

“Grandpa, Uncle, Auntie, I apologize for showing up unannounced,” You Zhe said, standing at the table, neither sitting nor moving. “I’m here because there’s something I need to discuss with Shi'an, but I think you all have the right to know.”

Qi Shi'an stood by his seat. “What’s going on?”

You Zhe’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he seemed to muster his resolve. “It’s a private matter. Honestly, I’m still debating whether to say it.”

Qi Shi'an quickly caught on to You Zhe’s hesitation—clearly because Shen Duoyi was present. Deciding to lay it all out, he said, “It’s fine. Duoyi can stay. Actually, the partner I mentioned earlier is him.”

Shen Duoyi watched as You Zhe’s composed expression shifted to shock, and then to anger. His face darkened with frustration as his calm demeanor crumbled. Qi Shi'an noticed as well and began to explain, “I know this might seem sudden. Let’s talk in detail after dinner, but as you can see, tonight’s dinner is about meeting the family—”

Before Qi Shi'an could finish, You Zhe threw a punch. Both Qi Jingtang and Huo Xin shouted at the same time, while Shen Duoyi immediately stood, pulling his chair back.

“What the hell are you doing?!” Qi Shi'an barely dodged the blow, though his chin caught a graze from You Zhe’s knuckles, turning red instantly.

Grandpa Huo interjected, “You Zhe, I understand you’re upset, but throwing punches is unacceptable.”

Ignoring him, You Zhe grabbed Qi Shi'an by the collar, his eyes blazing with fury. “You’re saying you like men? Then what about You Si?!”

A chill ran through Shen Duoyi’s heart as he realized something uncontrollable was about to unfold.

“What does You Si have to do with this?” Qi Shi'an frowned.

“She’s liked you since she was a teenager!” You Zhe bellowed. “Maybe you didn’t know or didn’t feel the same, which is fine—these things require mutual affection. But when you and Zhang Yiming founded Ming’an, do you know how much she helped? After everything settled, she left everything behind and went to Sydney. You think she wanted to run a gallery? She went to have a child!”

Grandpa Huo stood abruptly, nearly knocking over his chair. “What child?! What does this have to do with Shi'an?!”

Qi Shi'an stared at You Zhe in disbelief. “A child? Shutiao is You Si’s kid?”

Veins bulged on You Zhe’s forehead as he spoke with barely contained rage, his strength both overwhelming and draining. Slowly, he released Qi Shi'an’s collar, enunciating every word. “You Si came back with Shutiao but refused to reveal who the father is. I know she doesn’t want to use the child to trap you. Both she and I prepared to raise the child alone. But after that phone call today, I’ve had enough. While my sister sacrifices for her child, you’re off dating someone else. How is that fair?!”

“You grew up with You Si. I treat you like a brother. No matter how much resentment I have, I wanted to explain this calmly. But then you told me you like men. What were you doing to You Si back then?!”

Qi Shi'an, stunned, grabbed You Zhe and dragged him to the table. “I knew nothing about You Si or the child, and I have nothing to do with it. Right now, in front of my parents, grandparents, and my partner, you better explain yourself.”

Shen Duoyi’s mind was blank, but he still spoke up. “Mr. You, is there some misunderstanding?”

You Zhe shook off Qi Shi'an’s grip, glaring at him. “You know damn well if it’s a misunderstanding!” He bent down, picked up the folder, and pulled out a sheet of paper.

“I’ve had this DNA report for a month. Check it yourself to see if I’m wrong.”

The storm outside had stopped, but in Shen Duoyi’s ears, it felt like thunder roared again.