Chapter 33: The Culinary Tycoon

Confession

Originally, Chang Le’s attention was still caught up in the excitement of finding Yu Qingze. However, upon hearing Yu Qingze’s words, he suddenly realized that Yu Qingze was holding his hand. His face instantly flushed, and his left hand instinctively wanted to pull back.

Anticipating his reaction, Yu Qingze held on tightly and quickly added, “I almost couldn’t find you just now. The crowd was so dense. Let’s not get separated again. Who knows how long it will take to find each other next time.”

Speaking of getting separated, Chang Le immediately recalled his own panic and anxiety when he couldn’t find Yu Qingze earlier. With so many people around, it was indeed easy to lose each other. If they held hands, they wouldn’t have to worry anymore.

As Chang Le looked at the hand holding his, his heart raced uncontrollably. Yu Qingze’s palm was broad, much larger than his own, and warmer in temperature. Being held by him felt so warm and reassuring.

The tiny bud in his heart, which had emerged only to be brutally suppressed before, seized the opportunity and stretched upward with all its might. The originally shy and tender bud suddenly stood tall, breaking open into two delicate seed leaves.

Chang Le was deeply moved. He could feel the undeniable excitement and anticipation in his heart when they held hands. Such evident joy and longing were not deceiving, and he couldn’t ignore them.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

After a moment of contemplation… If two unmarried people holding hands like this could easily be misunderstood by others. Then what should we do? It might affect Brother Yu finding a wife later.

Pressing his lips together, Chang Le suppressed his foolish impulses and discreetly observed the people around them. Seeing that nobody had noticed them, he quickly gestured with his right hand, indicating for Yu Qingze to let go of his hand, afraid that someone might misunderstand.

Yu Qingze led Chang Le to a secluded corner behind a small stall, released his hand, and held his shoulders with both hands. He looked into Chang Le’s eyes intently and asked, “Misunderstand what? Misunderstand that we’re getting closer to each other?”

As the large palm holding his left hand suddenly withdrew, Chang Le felt a pang of disappointment. He curled his left hand slightly, brought it back and lightly clenched it, then covered it with his right hand.

Upon hearing Yu Qingze’s words, he nodded gently.

“I wish that misunderstanding were true,” Yu Qingze said softly.

Chang Le suddenly looked up, his expression filled with confusion and astonishment as he gazed at Yu Qingze.

Yu Qingze glanced around the small corner, sighed, and realized that his plan to find a beautiful and atmospheric place, choose the right moment, and confess properly had been disrupted.

He reached out and brushed the hair beside Chang Le’s cheek to the back, then looked into Chang Le’s eyes and said, “Brother Le, when I held your hand just now, it wasn’t because I was really afraid of getting separated. Do you know why?”

Chang Le’s heart skipped a beat, and he looked at Yu Qingze with a complex gaze, feeling as if Brother Yu was about to say something extraordinary.

Yu Qingze locked his gaze onto Chang Le’s eyes and said meaningfully, “Because I wanted to. I want to hold your hand and watch the lanterns together, watch the acrobatics together, stroll around the stalls hand in hand, buy snacks, play games together, and then, hand in hand, release lotus lanterns by the dock. And also, hold hands together for the rest of our lives.”

Chang Le’s heart thumped, the sound going from a baby’s tambourine to the beat of a large drum that embraced them both!

What was Brother Yu saying? What does he mean? Was it the same meaning he had in mind? No, no, no, how could he have that meaning? He must be overthinking! He must be!

But his words sounded so wonderful, and the content was so desirable…

His mind buzzed like thousands of bees flying at once. Chang Le couldn’t find the right expression or response, and he could only stare blankly at Yu Qingze’s mouth, losing the ability to think clearly.

After finishing his words, Yu Qingze waited for Chang Le’s reaction but found him staring blankly, not knowing what he was thinking.

“Brother Le?” He waved his hand in front of Chang Le’s eyes and asked, “Did you hear what I said?”

Chang Le suddenly snapped out of his daze, realizing he had embarrassed himself once again. His face turned red, and he gestured with his hand, asking Yu Qingze how he could think that way.

This guy had made it so obvious, how could he still not understand!

Yu Qingze chuckled and flicked Chang Le’s nose, looking at his blinking eyes, and straightforwardly said, “Because I like you. Brother Le, I like you!”

Chang Le froze once again.

Brother Yu said he likes him? And he said it twice?

Brother Yu said he likes him!

His heartbeat instantly transformed from a folk drum to a war drum!

Dong! Dong! Dong dong dong…

It felt as if thousands of soldiers were charging, and Chang Le inexplicably felt his legs go weak, taking a stumbling step.

Seeing this, Yu Qingze quickly caught him and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Using Yu Qingze’s arm for support, Chang Le stood up straight, taking a step back until he almost leaned against the wall. His mind was in a complicated state, shocked and anxious, not knowing what expression to use to face Yu Qingze. He lowered his head to try and sort out the jumble of thoughts in his mind.

Brother Yu likes him, and he felt both surprised and happy, ecstatic even. So, Yu Qingze also likes him. However, the accumulated self-doubt over the years made him instinctively deny and question himself. How could Yu Qingze possibly like him? He was simply not worthy of him.

He wanted to laugh from happiness but was torn to the point of tears. He couldn’t comprehend it at all. In all these days of turmoil, he had never considered even the slightest possibility that Yu Qingze might like him.

Perhaps he had fantasized about a life together before, but that was based on a fantasy of their current life, not on the foundation of Yu Qingze liking him.

How could he believe it? In his heart, Yu Qingze, who was so good, could like someone so… flawed like himself?

But Yu Qingze didn’t give him much time.

Seeing him instinctively lowering his head again, Yu Qingze decided to press him against the wall, holding Chang Le’s face in his hands and lifting it, not allowing him to escape.

“Brother Le, what do you think? Can you accept me? Do you also like me?”

Despite the bustling lantern festival around them, it had turned into a vibrant backdrop, creating a tranquil world for the two of them in this small corner.

Chang Le raised his eyes, his eyes slightly red. He looked at Yu Qingze, and in the misty shimmer, his gaze was somewhat pitiful.

“Why are your eyes red? Did I scare you?” Yu Qingze extended his thumb to gently stroke the corner of Chang Le’s eye.

Chang Le vigorously shook his head and lifted both hands, trembling slightly as he made a gesture.

Chang Le: You said you already like someone?

Yu Qingze softly said, “The person I like is right in front of me.”

Chang Le’s heart trembled. So, the person Brother Yu liked was himself?

Overflowing with joy, he couldn’t contain it, and a beautiful smile curved at the corner of his mouth.

After a while, Chang Le regained his composure and pursed his lips, making a gesture: But I can’t speak.

Yu Qingze smiled and said, “I can understand most of your gestures, and with a little more time, I’ll be able to understand all of them. Don’t worry, this won’t become a barrier in our communication.”

Chang Le anxiously touched his forehead, where the prominent scar was so visible.

His eyes dimmed, and he lowered his head, gesturing: “I’m ugly.”

Yu Qingze gently took his hand down, reaching out to brush aside Chang Le’s bangs. Chang Le turned his head to avoid it, but Yu Qingze’s other hand blocked him, preventing him from dodging.

Yu Qingze lightly touched the scar, carefully examining it. His thumb followed the scar from the middle of the eyebrow to the hairline, tracing it with his gaze.

Chang Le’s eyes flickered. It was the first time a member of the opposite sex had scrutinized the scar on his forehead like this, and it made him feel embarrassed and uncomfortable. He instinctively wanted to lower his head, but Yu Qingze lifted it again.

Yu Qingze knew the unease in his heart and said seriously, “Brother Le, a person’s beauty is not solely determined by their appearance. What matters more is their heart and character. The person I like is someone who can love and support me, someone with whom I can build a harmonious family, not just an empty shell with good looks. This scar may not look pleasing, but don’t let it define you. Brother Le, you are not ugly, you are handsome, do you know that?”

Chang Le was somewhat moved, but this had been a long-standing issue for him, and it wasn’t easily resolved.

Seeing this, Yu Qingze asked him, “Do you think the scar on my shoulder is ugly?” His shoulder wound had only recently healed, leaving a scar that was about ten centimeters long and looked quite fierce.

Chang Le decisively shook his head. He didn’t find Yu Qingze’s scar ugly; it only made him feel distressed.

Yu Qingze said, “So you see, I don’t think your scar is ugly either. I only feel heartbroken for the injuries you have endured.”

A glimmer of light appeared in Chang Le’s dim eyes. He twisted his fingers and mustered the courage to gesture again: “I, I might not be able to have children.”

Upon understanding the gesture, Yu Qingze couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Seeing him laugh, Chang Le felt even more embarrassed and upset, hanging his head in silence. There was no man or father who wouldn’t care about this issue.

Yu Qingze, noticing the situation, quickly stopped laughing and explained, “Brother Le, I’m sorry. I’m not laughing at you. It’s just that I’m happy. Even before we’re married, you’re already thinking about having children in the future. Doesn’t that indicate that you also like me and want to have children and spend your life with me, hmm?”

Hearing this, Chang Le suddenly realized, his eyes widening in surprise, his cheeks turning red, and he vigorously shook his hand. He hadn’t thought that far ahead, he was only talking about his own physical condition! How did Brother Yu come to that conclusion!

Chang Le felt utterly embarrassed!

Seeing Chang Le in a flustered state, desperately trying to explain, Yu Qingze chuckled lightly. He reached out and grabbed the hand that was frantically gesturing in front of him, then thought for a moment before speaking earnestly, “Brother Le, I never thought about having biological children before. I always believed that I would never be able to get married and have children in this lifetime. It was only after meeting you that I started to consider the idea of marriage.”

For a pure gay like him, considering his past circumstances, it was indeed impossible for him to have children. As for marriage, it wasn’t even legal in their country yet. Same-sex couples who wanted to get married had to go abroad to register their marriage. However, Yu Qingze couldn’t even find a partner, let alone think about getting married.

Upon hearing Yu Qingze’s words, Chang Le looked at him curiously and hesitantly asked why.

Yu Qingze paused for a moment and said, “Brother Le, have I ever told you about my family? My d-… my father, well…”

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Thingyan (Translator ordinaire): FINALLY CONFESSED. How many chapter has it been? Do you read another novel on our website: Busy Farming In The Last Days? In that novel, the ML already stole the MC’s underwear in like chapter 2 or 3.🤦‍♀️