Chapter 1.9

After escaping, she formed a heart with her hands and gestured to Zhou Xu.

This time, the host was not afraid of him. Zhou Xu looked angry and anxious.

The award-presenting guest asked Zhou Xu to say a few words. Zhou Xu thought for a moment and said, "I am very lucky."

After that, he took a deep bow. The audience waited until he straightened his body and bursting into a loud applause. 

After the applause died down, Zhou Xu and the award-presenting guest stepped down together. However, Zhou Xu went back on stage after two steps. The host looked at him, and Zhou Xu said to the host with a tinge of embarrassment, "Can I say another word?"

How could the host refuse, this was being broadcast live after all. "Of course."

Zhou Xu went to the microphone again and said, "Grandpa, Dad, Brother, I love you. Let me act, I really like it."

The audience was quiet for a moment, and after a few seconds, there was another round of applause. Zhou Xu blushed and returned to his seat. 

Then there was the competition for Best Actress and Best Actor. This was the most important moment of the awards ceremony. And because of that, Zhou Xu knew that the camera would not pay too much attention to him.

When people weren't looking, Zhou Xu's lips curled up into a sneer. He knew how many fans he would gain, and his family would become more supportive of him. Now it was time to take the next step.

As for Han Zikui, he watched Zhou Xu with amusement, and he did not miss Zhou Xu's evil expression. But he liked Zhou Xu and Zhou Xu liked him, and Zhou Xu would be his boyfriend after today, and so Han Zikui was feeling good.

Like Han Zikui predicted, this year's Best Actress was Sun Yue, and Best Actor was Song Hui, who had already taken the title of film emperor And so, the Jinmei Award Ceremony ended on a good note.

There was another reception at the end of the ceremony, which was a cocktail party only open to relevant personnel, but neither Zhou Xu nor Han Zikui participated. The two left in the same car. When the car reached a certain location, they got off and got into Han Zikui's car.

While driving, Han Zikui jokingly asked, "Am I a good tool?"

Zhou Xu was not surprised, because he was using Han Zikui to achieve his goals. For example, at the award ceremony, he glared at Han Zikui, which he only did when the camera was filming him.

"Then you will let me use you?" Zhou Xu replied in the same teasing tone. 

The two have known each other for more than a year. Although they had little contact and only occasionally went out for a meal, Zhou Xu knew how smart Han Zikui was, so he didn't bother acting in front of Han Zikui.

At the ceremony, when the camera swept over, he intentionally said something in Zhou Xu's ear. Zhou Xu naturally took advantage of this opportunity to express himself.

"Haha, yes, I would be willing."

"Don't worry, I'd love to." Zhou Xu looked at Han Zikui who was driving, and repeated word by word, "I! Would! Love! To! This is my answer to your remark." 

Han Zikui's Adam's apple bobbed slightly and he suddenly jerked the steering wheel. The car pulled up to the side of the road, the sound of the brakes being slammed abruptly irritating Zhou Xu's ears.

"Why, was it too much to bear?"

Han Zikui stared at Zhou Xu with burning eyes. With a low voice. he answered, "Yes."

Zhou Xu's lips were immediately occupied by Han Zikui's. For the first time, Zhou Xu felt a lot of pleasure as Han Zikui's tongue ravaged his mouth, and Zhou Xu was willing to admit defeat in this battle. 

After he gave in, Zhou Xu gasped and said, "Good technique. Did you practice it?"

Han Zikui laughed, sat up straight, and then the car went on the road again.

Zhou Xu subconsciously touched his lower lip. A moment ago, Han Zikui's passionate frenzy had made Zhou Xu infatuated.

"I've been waiting for our first kiss. Do you want to do some more?" Han Zikui abruptly said. 

Zhou Xu laughed. "Yes."

Han Zikui turned his head and he saw a young boy in the passenger's seat laughing, with no hint of arrogance, scheming, or acting.

Han Zikui eventually sent Zhou Xu home. It wasn't because the two didn't want to stay together, but it was just that today was not a good day. Zhou Xu still had one more thing left to do.

The night breeze was cool. Zhou Xu, dressed in formal attire, said goodbye to Han Zikui. The wind ruffled the silver sequins on his collar, which faintly glimmered in the night. However, Han Zikui felt that nothing could have been more brilliant than Zhou Xu's dazzling smile. 

As Zho Xu pushed open the door to his home, the lights on both sides of the garden lit up at once. A soft sound of admiration escaped from Zhou Xu as he walked along the lights.

His garden was not very big. It was only 20 meters away from the villa. Zhou Xu had only taken three steps when he heard soothing music being played. This was his brother Zhou Yang's piece. Zhou Xu recognized it because the player missed the note in the first measure, which was a mistake that Zhou Yang always makes when he plays this song.

Zhou Xu took a few more steps. The villa lit up, the glow from the lights outlining the building.

As Zhou Xu moved forward, a row of bright words appeared on the villa: You are our pride.         

Zhou Xu finally reached the door to his house. The gardener and several aunties bowed respectfully and said, "Welcome home, Master Zhou."

Dumbfounded, Zhou Xu said to them,  "When did you start to call me Master Zhou and bow? Are you stupid? Why don't you go to bed?"

Several servants looked at Zhou Xu with a smile and wanted to go and rub his head, but they didn't dare.

In the living room, Zhou Guo and Zhou Qiang stood in front of the sofa in formal attire. When Zhou Xu came in, they both extended their arms. Zhou Guo said, "Xiaoxu, congratulations." 

Zhou Qiang also said, "Xiaoxu, you should act. Dad will definitely support you."   

Zhou Xu was stunned and his eyes were red in an instant. When Zhou Qiang saw his son like this, he felt guilty for a moment. He was really stupid. As long as his son was happy, he could do anything  he wanted.

However Zhou Xu didn't move or come forward. He didn't say anything for a long time. In the silence, Zhou Guo and Zhou Qiang panicked, and Zhou Yang's piano stopped.

The living room was so quiet that you could hear a needle drop. 

Zhou Xu sobbed, and his sobs gradually turned into loud crying The other three people in the family were panicking. One by one, they embraced, comforted and reassured Zhou Xu.

As a result, Zhou Xu unexpectedly cried even more, sounding broken-hearted. When they weren't paying close attention, Zhou Xu suddenly kneeled down, and he even slammed his head to the ground with a "bang!". This frightened them, because Zhou Xu's forehead reddened, and he looked like he was slightly bleeding.

"Xiaoxu, what's the matter?" Zhou Guo asked worriedly.

"Grandpa, Dad, Brother, I have something to say to you. I hope you won't abandon me when you hear it, but I am very afraid, because it's a serious matter. I'm afraid you may even deny me because of it." Zhou Xu tried very hard to suppress his crying. He said it so seriously and sincerely that they wondered where Zhou Xu with the bad temper went. In his place was the Zhou Xu who was afraid. 

They were worried about the child, but they didn't know that, in fact, Zhou Xu's heart, at the moment, was yelling. Knocking his head was really painful

"Xiaoxu, you get up quickly, then come and sit down," Zhou Guo had Zhou Xu stand up and sit next to him. He took Zhou Xu's hand and said, "Why would we deny and abandon you? You can tell me. Whatever it is, Grandpa will support you. Don't worry, if your father dares to do anything, I won't recognize him."

Zhou Xu was still in tears and he didn't have much faith, but some hope returned to him and he said, "Really Grandpa? You promise me that no matter what, you'll still like me? I'm really scared, but Grandpa, I tried to change, but I couldn't change anything. For so many years, I've been afraid that you will find out. And when I think about that, I'm afraid you'll leave me."

Zhou Guo embraced his grandson and raised his hands to pledge to the heavens. Zhou Xu then threw the boulder into the calm lake. He did not know whether the stone would cause ripples in the lake or set off huge waves. 

"Grandpa, I, I'm gay, I don't like women."

Silence…

Silence…

Dark pupils stared nervously at Zhou Guo, waiting for the verdict. Zhou Xu silently shed tears which dripped down his face, but he didn't dare to make a sound. He just kept watching until Zhou Guo finally sighed. 

"Well, Xiaoxu, you really can't change it?"

"Um."

Then Zhou Yang whispered, "Grandpa, my brother is not sick. I'll show you some information tomorrow. Anyway, whether Xiaoxu is straight or gay, he is still Xiaoxu. If you don't want him, you don't want me."

Zhou Qiang pulled Zhou Yang aside, then wiped Zhou Xu's tears and looked at him gently. "Xiaoxu, have you been afraid for so many years?" There's nothing to be afraid of. How can Dad not want you? And Dad knows what homosexuality is. It's OK. You can find a companion and adopt a child." 

"Go away, it's time to show off. Xiaoxu, come here, Grandpa has a gift for you. Congratulations on your award."

"Dad also has one, Dad has a gift for Xiaoxu."

"Haha, Older Brother has prepared one too, but I don't know if you will like it or not."   

Zhou Xu trembled and asked, "I'm gay. Are you really not going to scold me and drive me away?" 

With that, Zhou Xu's tears fell again.

Holding his little grandson in his arms, Zhou Guo said,