After lunch, which the whole family ate in silence, they were all sitting in the living room, drinking tea and talking, when Yibo's father turned to him and asked him to accompany him to his office. Now Yibo would find out, did his parents agree to his moving out or not? Would they let him go, thus giving him a chance to have a place to see Zhan undisturbed?

Yibo entered the office together with his father. His father sat down on the big office chair behind the desk and Yibo sat down on the small chair in front of it. This also clearly showed how the power relations are in this family, if you couldn't already tell by the fact that Yibo's father looked so much bigger and more powerful on his chair than Yibo did on his small chair.

By the look on his father's face, Yibo couldn't tell what the decision was. His father always had the same grim, meaningless expression on his face, perfect for poker nights. But not when, like Yibo, you're anxiously waiting to see how the decision turned out for something Yibo cares about.

"So Yibo, I think it's time we have a frank talk." Began his father.

Yibo immediately guessed that it wasn't just about him possibly moving out. Tense, he sat up straight in the chair and nodded. "Okay dad." He replied almost faintly.

"I know you keep secrets from me and your mom and that's okay. But it's time to talk about an open secret now."

"What open secret dad?"

"The secret about you liking men and showing a lot of interest in your new personal assistant. You know you have nowhere to go where you could be alone. And that's why you want to move into the city apartment. That's the real reason."

"Uh Dad, that's..."

"Let me finish Yibo. I've known you were gay for a hell of a long time. And you know how I feel about gays. I just didn't say anything until now because there was no reason to. But now you're interested in Xiao Zhan, and I think we should clear something up."

"Like what?"

"Watch out. I don't care what you do with him, as long as no one overhears. But don't presume that I'm going to accept this relationship. You're welcome to have your fun with him. But that's all. And I only allow you to do it so that you don't do it secretly and start lying to me. And one more thing. I don't want your mother to know about your affinities. So make sure she never finds out."

"And what if I love Zhan? If I want to be with him?"

"Love? That can hardly be love. You're both men! Love only exists between a man and a woman. Everything else is just the lust for sex."

"That's not how it is, though, Dad. Homosexual couples love each other just as much as a man and a woman. Love is not gender dependent."

"I don't see it that way. And I'm not going to discuss that with you right now. So, how does it look? Did you understand what I told you? You can do whatever you want with him. But when I say enough then it' s over!"

"Yes, I understand dad." Replied Yibo. What else could he say? So at least for now he has the okay from his father to meet with Zhan. And that gives him time to come up with something to get his parents to accept this relationship, with Zhan.

"Your mom and I talked and with a little bit of insistence, I got your mom to agree to your moving out as well. We don't expect you to spend every weekend here. But we do want you to come for lunch on Sundays. For breakfast would be nonsense because you'd have to drive an hour here for a 20-minute breakfast. That would be totally sense free."

"Okay."

"I don't care if your lover moves into the apartment with you. Just don't ever get caught. Because then it's going to be very uncomfortable for you."

"Dad?"

"What?"

"Why are you allowing me to do this if you're against it?"

"I already told you. So you won't do it secretly and start lying to me. And that way you can sow your wild oats, too."

*(A/N: To sow one's wild oats is a figure of speech for those who want to really sow their oats before getting involved in something serious and lasting).

"My... never mind. Thanks Dad."

"But like I said, it's over when I say it's over. And better not let your mother find out about it. You know how she is."

"Yeah dad. I'll be careful."

"I hope so. Now give me your hand." Replied Yibo's father. Yibo got up from his chair and extended his hand to his father. They shook hands in what seemed like a contract.

When Yibo went to his room afterwards, he sat down at his desk and wondered how his father knew he was gay. Even though he said he had known for a long time, Yibo didn't believe it. After all, Yibo wasn't exactly open about it and was always very careful. He didn't believe that his brother betrayed him, because he wouldn't dare to do that. But he had another suspicion.

For a while now, it seems to Yibo that his sister-in-law is spying on everything he and his brother do. If, however, she found out that Yibo was gay and had a crush on Zhan, it could have been her who revealed it. After all, Zhan was and is the only one he is interested in.

Before and after Zhan, there was never anyone else. He once thought this one guy from the youth club was quite cute, but he never came back there after an accidental kiss between the two of them. Yibo assumed that this guy was too embarrassed. Yet it had just been an accident.

Yibo stumbled for some reason and fell against this guy. The two of them then fell to the ground together and that's when that accidental kiss happened. It wasn't even a real kiss. More like a little peck. But Yibo was so amazed by it that he hurriedly ran away. He was amazed because he liked it.

Even in the days before, he had noticed this guy, whose name he still doesn't know, again and again in those summer vacations 10 years ago in the youth club. He thought he was kind of cute and often tried harder, especially at sports, to get the guy's attention. But that didn't work out as well as Yibo hoped, because the guy hadn't approached him. This guy was also the one who made Yibo realize that he was gay.

Except for him and his best friend, no one knows since when and through whom Yibo knows that he is gay. He didn't tell anyone else. And his brother only knew about this one night with Zhan because he was also in the club at that time. Otherwise, his brother would never have known that Yibo likes men.

Therefore, no matter how much Yibo thought about it, he couldn't think of anyone other than his sister-in-law who might have told his father. After all, his brother and wife get along very well. Several times Yibo's brother had told that there was a close friendship between him and his wife after they both had to get married. Perhaps he had confided it to her and she then immediately told Yibo's father.

Either way, Yibo got nowhere when he pondered and decided to visit Zhan. He knew the address now, after all, and it's only a few miles away from him. So he went to the bathroom, showered, brushed his teeth and got dressed. Then he went to Zhan's parents' house, hoping that Zhan would have time to talk with him.

When Yibo arrived at the house of Zhan and his parents, he was impressed. Because the house is even bigger than his own parents' house. There were two cars parked in front of the house. Yibo knew the two brands and knows that they are very expensive and even bulletproof. "I guess a chief justice like that doesn't always have it easy either." Murmured Yibo as he walked past the two cars.

Arriving at the front door, Yibo took another deep breath in and out, his heart and pulse really racing so nervous he was. Then he rang the doorbell and shortly after heard footsteps. An older man opened the door and looked questioningly at Yibo. Just a second later, just as Yibo was about to introduce himself, the man grinned and asked, "Are you Wang Yibo?"

"Um, yes sir." Yibo replied in amazement.

"And you're here to see my ZhanZhan?"

"Yes sir."

"Then come on in my boy. Make yourself at home here. I'll go and get my son." Said Mr. Xiao and hurriedly ran off.

Yibo stared after him thoughtfully for a moment and then looked around a bit. In the hallway of the house hung many pictures of Zhan and his parents. In each picture they looked like a happy family. Laughing, fooling around, playful. In one picture, Zhan was standing in the middle, his parents to his right and left, kissing his cheeks while Zhan stuck out his tongue with a grin. Proof of how great the love is in this family and how much fun they have together.

After two or three minutes, Zhan's father came back. He had a big grin on his face and said, "ZhanZhan will be here soon. He's still getting dressed up for you. His mother is helping him, so it will take a moment."

"Oh haha." Replied Yibo shyly.

"Don't be shy my boy. Zhan has already told me so much about you that it seems like we've known you forever."

"You know about Zhan and me?"

"Yes. Our son has no secrets from us."

"And you're not against it?"

"No, why should we? If ZhanZhan is happy, so are we."

"I wish my parents felt that way."

"Maybe that will come."

"I hardly think so. They only think about themselves and their company."

"That's really too bad."

"Yes, it is. But..." Yibo didn't speak further because Zhan came downstairs and Yibo was speechless when he saw him. His hair was styled cheekily and cutely, he was wearing tight black jeans and a wide blue embroidery sweater. Moreover, he was smiling shyly.

Yibo was suddenly so excited and nervous that he didn't even know what to say or do. But Zhan took it from him by hugging Yibo in greeting. "I'm glad you're here." Said Zhan.

Zhan's mother also came and extended her hand to Yibo with a smile. "It's nice to meet you." She said and led Yibo into the living room.

There were two small sofas in the living room. Zhan and Yibo sat down side by side on one, with Yibo holding Zhan's hand after Zhan slipped his hand into Yibo's hand. And Zhan's parents sat down across from them on the other small sofa.

"So Yibo, tell us then. Surely you're not here just to see our son are you?" Mr. Xiao asked.

"Well, I wanted to talk to Zhan about something. About my family." Replied Yibo.

"Okay, do you mind if we hear it too?" Asked Zhan's mother.

"No, not really." Said Yibo and began to explain how his parents feel about homosexuality and the conversation he had with his father just about two hours ago. But also that Yibo plans to convince his parents about Zhan and the relationship with him.

Zhan himself did not say anything about it for the time being. But instead, Zhan's father had something to say. "Phew, so what your father is saying is really intense. Very backward and absolutely out of line. So, as Zhan's father, I'm okay with your relationship. Like I said, as long as Zhan is happy, I'm happy."

"Exactly. I'm also okay with your relationship. I think it's good that you're thinking about how to get your parents to accept Zhan. However, I'm sure it won't be easy. People like your parents are hard to convince to open up to other things. Well, be that as it may, we are behind you. If there is anything, you can talk to us and we will try to help you to the best of our ability." Said Zhan's mother.

Zhan looked at Yibo thoughtfully and finally said, "I don't really want to worry about your parents yet. Yes, I realize that this is important. But let's get to know each other properly first and see if this really works out between the two of us. And then we can still think together about how we can get your parents to accept our relationship."

Zhan's parents and Yibo completely agreed with Zhan on this. Yibo even felt a little relieved. Because with what Zhan said, it reminded him of what he had overlooked. Namely, that they need to get to know each other properly and make their relationship work before they can make any far-reaching plans.

So they agreed to tackle one problem at a time and start by getting to know each other better. And that evening, they start by going on a date. First eating at a restaurant and then going to the cinema. And Zhan's parents offered Yibo, if he would like, when he brings Zhan home, he could stay the night too. Yibo wasn't totally against the overnight offer. But first, he wanted to have his date with Zhan.