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After Tang Xizhou’s episode of “The People Around Us” aired, he happily browsed through online comments and highlights for several days. Eventually, even Deputy Lin couldn’t bear it anymore and said to him, “Old Tang, stop being disgusting, alright? Can you be a bit more humble? I’ve never seen anyone drool over their own pictures before. It’s too creepy...”
“Do you even know what ‘creepy’ means before using it?” Tang Xizhou turned off his phone, wiped the smile off his face, took a sip of water, but then remembered the compliments from the girls online and started chuckling again.
Deputy Lin shivered, “That’s just plain perverted.”
But trouble came soon enough. Starting from the morning meeting, Tang Xizhou’s phone rang non-stop with several unfamiliar numbers from out of town. Some didn’t speak when he answered, some giggled, until one bold caller rattled off a string of words before Tang Xizhou realized—his contact information had been leaked.
All the callers were young girls, probably around Jiang Beibei’s age. Tang Xizhou was caught between laughter and tears. He spent half a day interrogating the bold one and vaguely guessed that his phone number had leaked from someone’s friend circle.
After hanging up on the audacious girl who boldly invited him for a night of passion, Tang Xizhou received a call from Jiang Beibei.
Jiang Beibei: “Brother Two, your phone number and workplace have been leaked online.”
“Who did it?”
“...I don’t know who posted it on Weibo, but judging by the source of the picture... it was your mom.”
“...” Tang Xizhou hung up and immediately checked his friend circle. Sure enough, he saw the picture posted by his own mother.
“Tang Xizhou: Phone number 188xxxx0731, Workplace: xx City Public Security Bureau, Captain of the xx Criminal Investigation Brigade, First-Class Inspector, good benefits, honest and reliable. [Pray] If any family has a suitable girl, please help introduce her to my son.”
Tang Xizhou covered his mouth with his hand, falling into silence.
Below, his mom replied to someone, saying, “Not sure about his exact height, but he’s not short. He’s taller than his dad, who is 178 cm with shoes. It’d be best to find a tall girl.”
“Yes, he’s 33 this year.”
“What’s Weibo? I don’t know how to use it. You youngsters do. Help Auntie spread the word.”
Tang Xizhou: “...” The truth was revealed. One of his relatives must have reposted his mom’s matchmaking post from her friend circle to Weibo.
This was a disaster.
Tang Xizhou clutched his phone, took several deep breaths, and called Yan Qingming.
“Big Brother, are you busy?”
“Go ahead.”
“Are you busy today?”
Yan Qingming asked suspiciously, “Normally busy, regular work hours, no surgeries. What’s your plan for today?”
“...Good, as long as you’re busy.”
Tang Xizhou feared Yan Qingming would see the Weibo post. As long as Big Brother was busy, he definitely wouldn’t have time to browse Weibo.
However, a minute later, Tang Xizhou remembered the fastest and best source for doctors to get information. He slumped in his chair and silently prayed, “Please, let no nurse or patient mention me...”
That was impossible.
Almost as soon as Yan Qingming hung up, he heard a nurse say, “This is too much. They reposted something from someone’s friend circle...”
“It’s trending now. Hey, have you read the comments? Many girls are calling him ‘future mother-in-law’ online, hahaha, so funny.”
“Are people really going to act on it?”
“Some definitely will. There’ll definitely be calls.”
Yan Qingming: “What news is this?”
The nurse smiled, “Oh, it’s about your younger brother. Which one was he again?”
“The second. It was mentioned in the show.”
“Xizhou?” Yan Qingming asked with a smile, “What’s everyone saying online?”
“They’re matchmaking for him! His phone number’s been leaked.”
Big Brother’s smile disappeared. When he tried calling Tang Xizhou again, the phone was already off.
“You little devil...” It felt like an overnight spring breeze, with thousands of peach blossoms blooming!
In the afternoon, real girls showed up, though they didn’t find the right place, only lurking suspiciously around the entrance of the Public Security Bureau.
Suspicious behavior anywhere easily raises suspicion, but if you add the label “suspicious” in front of the Public Security Bureau, it’s even easier to be questioned.
Upon questioning, they found out the girls came to see Tang Xizhou.
Colleagues sent the girls away, half-amused, half-sympathetic. Not long after, they spotted a few more loitering at the entrance.
The bureau gave Tang Xizhou a half-day leave and issued a public announcement via their official account. Huang Yuanbao, upon learning about this, urgently contacted the program team to issue a notice. After communicating with several Weibo accounts that posted the full information, they deleted the posts. The comments shifted, urging everyone not to repost personal information and to protect police privacy. Some bloggers exaggerated the potential consequences if a detective’s privacy were exposed, using both persuasion and scare tactics. Finally, the heat died down somewhat.
Tang Xizhou, too afraid to turn on his phone, slumped on the sofa and said to Jiang Beibei: “I’m doomed.”
Jiang Beibei was optimistic and replied: “It’s already good that Auntie didn’t leak your address.”
“Being too much in the spotlight isn’t good...” Tang Xizhou flipped over, shaking his head. “I’ve never been someone who can stay calm. Our bureau just transferred in a new deputy chief who directly oversees criminal investigations, my immediate superior, and our ways of doing things are different—he already disapproves of me... Now this will only make him think worse of me. It’s all nonsense. I think the hardest hurdle in my life is my mom. I must have owed her family a debt in my past life...”
“Nonsense.” Jiang Beibei said, “These should be considered separately. When we were filming, the bureau valued it so much, wanting to build a positive image and promote the bureau. The feedback now proves it was effective. The bureau should commend you!”
“Oh, and give me a certificate and some bonus money, right?” Tang Xizhou laughed sarcastically and threw a pillow at her. “What kind of dream are you living in!”
After a pause, he asked: “Any movement in the group chat?”
“Only Big Brother hasn’t spoken.”
Tang Xizhou: “I’m really doomed.”
“Aiyah, it’s not that scary. It wasn’t you who posted the matchmaking ad—it was unavoidable. My only concern is that after this, girls might harass you at work.”
“You’re worrying about the wrong thing. I’m a cop. Stalking and harassment are grounds for detention.” Tang Xizhou said, “I’m more worried about Big Brother being jealous.”
“Jealous of what? I’m not even jealous.” Jiang Beibei said, “I can already predict the effects of the upcoming episodes. But I’m not jealous at all. Brother Two, this is a good thing. There’s a saying: Good things can’t be perfect, or else something bad will follow. So when good things happen, they often come with minor troubles to cushion the blow, so you don’t need to worry about something terrible happening afterward. You, Brother Two, being handsome and suave, have done excellent positive publicity for us cops. This is a great thing. Having a few small troubles now isn’t bad—it’s better than having something terrible happen.”
Tang Xizhou laughed at her naivety: “You little one, how do you come up with so many crooked theories in your head?”
In the evening, Yan Qingming came to pick up Tang Xizhou. Jiang Beibei followed them out to check their expressions; both looked relaxed, not like they were going to argue, so she breathed a sigh of relief.
After sending off the two brothers, Chu Yao returned.
Chu Yao carried a paper bag and walked over with a smile: “Waiting for me in the yard?”
“I knew you’d come back, telepathy.” Jiang Beibei asked, “What’s in the bag?”
“Study materials.” Chu Yao opened the bag to show her, then reached inside again. “And something for you—I saw it on the way back.”
He took a rectangular box tied with a ribbon from the bag.
Jiang Beibei carefully peeled open the box along the edges and gasped in surprise.
From home to work, there was a stretch of road lined with small shops on both sides. Since there were no parking spaces, Jiang Beibei rarely stopped there. But every time she waited at a red light, she would glance at the trinkets displayed in the shop windows at the street corner.
From her position, she could see two resin cats sitting on a bench in the display window—one wearing blue overalls playing a guitar, the other in a pink dress playing an accordion.
And now, those two cats were in the box.
Jiang Beibei: “Do you have mind-reading powers?”
“It’s happened several times. Every time we pass that intersection, you always look at them.” Chu Yao said, “Actually, to avoid buying the wrong ones, I also bought the rabbit next to them.”
Chu Yao took another box out of the bag: “The rabbit holding a carrot. Looks like I guessed right—you like these two cats. Do you want the rabbit?”
“...Yes!” Jiang Beibei said, “Give it to your mom.”
“Remove the ‘your’ part.”
“...” Jiang Beibei whispered, “Greedy jerk.”
“What did you call me?” Chu Yao smiled, “Greedy? That’s right.”
Somehow, everything he said seemed to carry… a double meaning.
“I’m traveling to a neighboring city tomorrow for a two-day exchange program.” Chu Yao said, “Want to come with me?”
Jiang Beibei immediately raised her head: “Are you sure you want to take me?”
“I’ll only attend the exchange sessions in the morning; I’m free in the afternoon.” Chu Yao said, “So if you come, I can take you shopping in the afternoon.”
“Who wants to go shopping?! If you’re taking me, I’ll claim my prize right away!”
“Hmm?” Chu Yao bent down, looking at her with a teasing smile, softly asking, “What prize are you claiming?”
Jiang Beibei covered his head with the box, shy but bold, saying: “Your virginity!”
Chu Yao’s lips curved into a smile: “That’s exactly what I hoped for.”
Still smiling? Jiang Beibei placed her hands on her hips: “We’ll settle this in bed!”
Chu Yao burst out laughing.
Tang Xizhou didn’t ask Yan Qingming where they were going, but twenty minutes later, he realized something was off—the direction… clearly heading back to Dongshan!
Tang Xizhou had to ask: “Lao Yan, what are you doing?”
“Going home.”
“Home… whose home? What are you going there for?!” Tang Xizhou exclaimed, “I thought you were taking me out for fun. I spent the whole ride thinking about R-rated stuff, and now you tell me we’re going home?”
“Taking you out of the closet.”
“...Fuck, are you trying to die?” Tang Xizhou laughed angrily, “You want to come out of the closet... If my parents don’t kill you, I won’t be called Tang!”
“Tell your parents.” Yan Qingming said, “Otherwise, what else can we do? Let your mom post your picture and name on the matchmaking corner, and have girls coming over every day?”
“That’s still better than having my picture and name engraved on a tombstone. Wake up, Big Brother—don’t let anger cloud your judgment.”
“I’m afraid if we delay any longer, she’ll knock you out and throw you into a girl’s bed.”
“Damn, boss, please. I beg you. My mom wouldn’t do that… Can we turn back?” Tang Xizhou tried to negotiate.
“What are you afraid of?”
“I’m afraid my parents will beat you! I’m afraid that if they beat you, I’ll be damned whether I help you or not! I’m afraid my parents will faint from anger! Most of all, I fear that if your dad finds out, he’ll shoot you dead!”
Tang Xizhou couldn’t control himself anymore: “Yan Qingming, are you fucking stupid? Who said we wouldn’t say anything and just keep going like this? What the hell got into you to make you act like this!”
“Because of you.” Yan Qingming said, “Listen up. Today, I’m betting my life. Whether it works out or not, I’m going to say it. Worst case scenario, they’ll shoot me! Even if I die, I’ll be your lover, not your neighbor!”
At dinnertime, the doorbell rang at Tang’s house.
Mother Tang opened the door and saw her son and Yan Qingming walking in with black faces, both with bruised eye sockets, injuries on their faces, and disheveled clothes.
Mother Tang was shocked: “What happened? Did you get into a fight?”
Tang Xizhou clicked his tongue and sneered: “Someone has something to tell you. Go ahead, I don’t care about my life anymore—I’ll bet with you!”
Yan Qingming closed the door, bowed to Mother and Father Tang, and said: “Uncle and Aunt, I have a request.”
“Tang Xizhou and I—we’ve been lovers for seven years as of the 27th of this month.” Yan Qingming said, “I don’t want Auntie introducing girls to him, and I don’t want him marrying anyone else. I want to be with him. I don’t expect you to bless us, but I hope you won’t tear us apart.”
Mother Tang collapsed dramatically, textbook-style swooning like in TV dramas.
“Mom!!”
Yan Qingming stepped forward and pinched her philtrum, whispering: “It’s okay.”
When he looked up, Father Tang’s cigarette had fallen from his hand, his face frozen in shock and bewilderment.
On March 19th, Yan Qingming impulsively came out of the closet due to jealousy.
There was chaos in both families, as expected.
But fortunately, neither Tang Xizhou nor Yan Qingming was shot dead by their parents. Afterward, Tang Xizhou said: “Thank the country for banning guns, thank my parents for still treating me as their biological son, and thank ‘The People Around Us.’”
The price of coming out was just two beatings—a dreamlike happy ending.
Afterward, Jiang Beibei asked Yan Qingming for his thoughts. He said: “Jealousy is too destructive. I won’t play around like this ever again—it’s once in a lifetime... North North, remember this: Never make any decisions while you’re jealous.”
Jiang Beibei: “Alright, got it.”
Of course, the biggest sacrifice was Yan Qingming’s dining table.
After the coming-out fire spread from Tang Xizhou’s home to Yan Qingming’s, Yan Qingming’s father, unable to find a gun, grabbed a knife to attack his son—but ended up taking out his frustration on the table instead.
Jiang Beibei continued to ask: “So, Big Brother… Does this mean you and my second brother don’t have to sneak around anymore?”
“We still need to be low-key…” Yan Qingming said, “Better safe than sorry.”
But they could quietly start wearing the matching rings they had bought before.
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