[Free] The Years We Missed

Chapter 13

At the dining table, Zi Yu picked up a piece of meat and placed it into Tian Xu Ning’s bowl, watching him eat before asking expectantly,

“Well? Is it good?”

The corner of Tian Xu Ning’s lips curved slightly, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

“Not bad. You’ve improved.”

That was obviously not the answer Zi Yu wanted to hear. He shot him a glare and snapped,

“Not just not bad! Do you know how many people would kill to eat the food I cook and never get the chance? Stop being so arrogant!”

Hearing that, Tian Xu Ning immediately set his chopsticks down on the table and asked in a low voice,

“Who the hell have you been cooking for, other than me?”

Zi Yu was honestly at a loss for words. Helpless, he said,

“You’re focusing on the wrong thing. The point is, you’re supposed to praise me.”

“I’m not wrong,” Tian Xu Ning replied. “Answer me, other than me, who else have you cooked for?”

That petty streak of Tian Xu Ning’s hadn’t changed in all these years. Zi Yu could only soothe him,

“Only you. No one else.”

As for the times Zhuo Yang and Jiang Rui had dropped by to freeload a meal, he conveniently left those out.

Tian Xu Ning narrowed his eyes slightly and pressed,

“Really?”

“Well… when we went on company outings and I grilled meat for everyone, does that count?” Zi Yu said.

Although he was still a little bothered deep down, Tian Xu Ning didn’t want Zi Yu to accuse him of being petty. In the end, he could only nod reluctantly.

“Fine.”

And so, the rest of the evening passed in quiet peace.

After cleaning up, Zi Yu curled back into Tian Xu Ning’s arms on the sofa. He rested his head against the man’s chest, listening to the steady heartbeat beneath the thin fabric. Each rhythmic thump slowly chased away the anxiety and unease that had weighed on him all day.

Tian Xu Ning took Zi Yu’s hand, gently rubbing and kneading each fingertip with tender patience.

For a moment, time seemed to rewind four years, back to when they would cling to each other on the sofa after meals, talking about everything and nothing, from the heavens above to the trivial things of daily life.

The warmth and quiet comfort of the moment slowly soothed Tian Xu Ning’s restless heart.

For a fleeting second, he even felt that if life could stay like this forever, it would already be enough.

Suddenly, he said,

“Yu Yu… move in with me. This place isn’t safe.”

Zi Yu froze for a moment, a trace of unease flashing through his chest.

Wasn’t this… moving a little too fast?

But when he thought about it, they weren’t strangers to living together.

Still… there was a vague, lingering worry weighing on him, one he couldn’t easily ignore.

After hesitating for a bit, Zi Yu lifted his head and looked at him. His voice was soft, cautious.

“But… would your family mind? Us being like this.”

Tian Xu Ning chuckled softly and shook his head, his voice low and gentle.

“Don’t worry. My parents have never interfered with my life.”

Zi Yu lowered his gaze, hiding the flicker of unease in his eyes. After a brief silence, he spoke again, cautiously,

“If… I mean, just hypothetically… if your parents didn’t approve and forced you to break up with me, said they’d make you leave the entertainment industry otherwise… would you be able to handle it?”

Tian Xu Ning laughed again, reached out, and lightly pinched Zi Yu’s cheek.

“How many melodramatic novels have you been reading lately? My parents have always supported my career. That kind of thing isn’t going to happen.”

He paused for a moment, then continued,

“And even if they did, it wouldn’t be a problem. No one can force me to do anything.”

“Really?” Zi Yu looked up at him, eyes full of cautious hope.

“Of course.” Tian Xu Ning smiled, gently ruffling his hair. “My family may have some money, but their reach doesn’t extend into the entertainment industry.”

Four years ago, back when he was still an unknown actor, he might have worried about his family interfering.

But things were different now. He had established himself, he had fame, proven achievements, a loyal fanbase, and, most importantly, solid financial independence.

As long as he didn’t break the law, no one could easily shake Tian Xu Ning’s position in the industry anymore.

“So? Feeling reassured enough to move in with me now?”

He lightly pinched Zi Yu’s nose, his tone gentle and teasing.

Zi Yu smiled and nodded, only to be immediately teased again by Tian Xu Ning,

“Already worrying about meeting your in-laws? Someone’s really thinking ahead, what a thoughtful wife.”

Zi Yu pouted.

“The hell you mean ‘wife’?”

Tian Xu Ning raised an eyebrow.

“If not my wife, then what are you?”

Zi Yu grinned and shot back without hesitation,

“Your husband. Go on, call me ‘husband,’ let me hear it.”

“You really got a death wish, huh?” Tian Xu Ning growled, before his large hands started mercilessly tickling Zi Yu’s sensitive waist.

For a moment, the living room was filled with nothing but their playful scuffling, and Zi Yu’s bright, uncontrollable laughter.

***

Time slipped by almost unnoticed. In the blink of an eye, Zi Yu had already been living with Tian Xu Ning for two months.

Four years ago, Zi Yu had left without a word, disappearing quietly and leaving nothing behind but an unfinished sentence in their relationship. And now, just the same, neither of them said much as they found their way back to each other, as if those four years of separation had never existed, as if all the unresolved history between them had simply vanished.

Of course, that was only how things looked on the surface.

In truth, there was still an invisible barrier standing between them. They could both feel it, clear and undeniable, yet neither was willing to bring it up, and neither dared to be the one to break it.