PTCQT Chapter 25

People in the same circle can easily sense similarities. Having a meal with a superior was nothing unusual, but perhaps it was the shift in tone, Xie Baiyuan suddenly paused, sensing something was off. “Manager, sorry, but I’m still a student.”

Going to places like that would definitely damage his reputation.

His tone was a bit cold and firm. Wang Zecheng chuckled and said, “Xiao Xie seems so mature and composed, I actually forgot you haven’t graduated yet. Let’s reschedule for another day.”

“Alright,” Xie Baiyuan replied.

They had lunch in the staff cafeteria, sitting across from each other. Xie Baiyuan kept his eyes straight ahead, saying nothing unnecessary. Wang Zecheng, on the other hand, had already sized him up several times, visibly intrigued.

It wasn’t that he had any intention of bullying a younger man, there just weren’t many quality options in this circle. Someone like Xie Baiyuan, with the right physique, bearing, and competence, was a rare match. Too many people in the scene played too hard and wore themselves out. So when a fresh graduate with promise came along, anyone with sense wouldn’t let that slip by.

But rushing things would ruin the fun. He was a bottom, after all, he couldn’t exactly force himself on Xie Baiyuan.

Withdrawing the gaze that had made Xie Baiyuan feel like he was sitting on pins and needles, Wang Zecheng began to consider how to proceed in the future. After Wang finished his meal, Xie Baiyuan promptly excused himself and left.

…

After sending Xie Baiyuan off, Shen Chun returned home. He’d been running around constantly these past few days. Though it could be chalked up to post-holiday partying, being away from home for too long was bound to raise suspicion.

Just as Xie Baiyuan had worried, before meeting the parents, it really wasn’t wise to leave a bad impression on them.

His car came to a stop outside the villa complex, waiting for the gate to lift, when someone tapped twice on the window. Shen Chun looked over at the person standing outside, clicked his tongue, and rolled the window down.

“Young Master Shen, long time no see.” The man standing outside wore an open overcoat, his hair tousled by the wind. The scent of hair product was carried into the car, making Shen Chun’s brows twitch slightly.

“Long time no see,” Shen Chun replied with a faint smile. “What brings Young Master Liang to my place today?”

“Fuck, the way you talk sounds like a madam greeting a client,” Gao Liang leaned against his window and said. “Of course I’m here for something, I heard that the company you invested in is doing pretty well.”

“Thinking of getting a piece of it?” Shen Chun asked with a smile.

“Hey, come on, I’m not that heartless. We’re brothers, aren’t we?” Gao Liang said with a slight hiss. “I just landed a new project with huge potential returns down the line. I figured I couldn’t leave you out, so I came to pull you in. But this isn’t really the place to talk about it.” He leaned in a little closer. “How about we head to that bar we always go to and talk it over?”

The Gao family had money too, they built their fortune in construction materials. While they weren’t exactly a big name in the vast city of A, it was still more than enough to ensure a lifetime of luxury and comfort.

As the Gao family’s only son, Gao Liang had dabbled in just about everything; eating, drinking, women, gambling. Shen Chun’s original self had at least drawn the line somewhere and stayed away from the latter two, but under Gao Liang’s influence, he’d still gotten a taste of more than a few things.

Fair-weather friends, they come together for profit and part ways just as quickly. There was never any real loyalty. The original Shen Chun had been underage at the time, his grades in school a complete mess. If he’d actually understood anything about investing, it would’ve been a miracle. The money he threw around usually led to more losses than gains. But as the young master of the Shen family, he didn’t care about that kind of money. Wins and losses, either way, it was enough to keep up appearances.

But Shen Chun wasn’t stupid. After analyzing the whole process, it was clear the other party just saw him as an easy mark. “My family’s strict. I’m not going.”

“Aww, come on,” Gao Liang clung to the edge of his window. “Just because you got into University A, don’t tell me you’re turning your back on your old pals. Everyone knows your dad’s been letting you off easy lately. I swear, this time you’ll make money.”

Shen Chun’s gaze slid over the hand gripping his car window before he looked up at him and said, “I’m not going.”

His tone was cold and firm, enough to make Gao Liang’s face twitch stiffly. “What, so now that Young Master Shen’s gotten into University A, you’ve cleaned up your act and think you’re too good for your old friends? Yeah, I get it. You’re basically a campus celebrity now, so many innocent girls chasing after you. Of course the likes of us must seem filthy to you now, right? We can’t even hold onto your coattails anymore.”

Better to offend a gentleman than a petty man, because a petty man, once offended, will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Of course, Shen Chun understood this well. But he was no gentleman himself. Since he had already declined and the other party was still pressing the issue, there was no need to keep being overly polite.

Gao Liang’s words were clearly laced with sarcasm, as if he was ready to tear off the mask of civility. Shen Chun gave a faint smile and said, “If that’s how you want to twist it, there’s nothing I can do. Move your hand, or it might get caught.”

As Shen Chun rolled the window up, Gao Liang withdrew his hand, grinding his teeth. “Fine. You’ve got guts. Let’s see how this plays out.”

Shen Chun ignored him, turned on the air purifier, and drove straight into the villa complex.

Even during winter break, University A’s forum on school heartthrobs remained lively. Most of the posts were just about sharing interesting stories or updates on new school policies. Add in a bit of admiration for top students, and the atmosphere was usually quite harmonious.

But one day, several highly disruptive posts suddenly appeared. The account that posted them was newly registered, and the content was full of slander and filth, targeting none other than Shen Chun.

Title: A Deep Dive into University A’s New Campus Heartthrob’s Dirty Past

The post laid it all out, nothing new, just the usual drinking, partying, womanizing, and gambling. A few alt accounts jumped in to bump the thread, and before long, the post was trending with a ton of attention.

“Wasn’t Shen Chun underage back then? How’d he even get into bars?”

“This has to be fake, right? If he was really out drinking and messing around like that, how’d he get into University A? That school’s supposed to be elite.”

“The post lays it out pretty clearly. With the Shen Family being so loaded, you really think Shen Chun kept it in his pants? He probably got bored playing around in those kinds of places and came to University A—the holy land—to reel in some fresh ones.”

“Who’s he supposedly seducing? Huh? Who?! He’s never had anything shady going on with anyone, okay?”

“LMAO, you got a crush on him or what? Look at you jumping to his defense when the guy himself hasn’t even shown up. Loyal lapdog much?”

“Pics or it didn’t happen. You can’t just make up random crap and try to ruin someone’s name. Even paparazzi need evidence, you know.”

“Don’t be so quick to dismiss it. Go ask around at the Orange-Red Club, Young Master Shen’s name is legendary there. He’s practically a regular.”

The noise from all sides was chaotic, but Shen Chun felt nothing but boredom as he scrolled through the arguments. He had guessed that Gao Liang might pull something like this, and sure enough, he had.

Things had reached this point not because there was some deep grudge between them, but simply because once someone was mired in the mud, it became hard to stomach watching someone else rise from the same filth untouched.

[I’m so mad, Host! I’m going to go hack that post down right now!] 521 fumed furiously.

[Wouldn’t that violate the system manual?] Shen Chun asked with a smile.

Systems generally weren’t allowed to interfere too blatantly in the mission world, especially when it came to censoring speech or shutting down discussions.

[It would,] 521 admitted hesitantly. [But the punishment’s only… a tiny bit.]

[Taking down the post won’t solve the root problem,] Shen Chun said, rubbing his thumb thoughtfully as he smiled. [The real issue is the person trying to stir up trouble. Too bad this isn’t one of those worlds where murder goes unpunished.]

Even within the mission world, the host was still bound by that world’s native rules. In some worlds, killing wasn’t a crime, like in the apocalypse or in cultivation realms. One lacked law entirely, while the other upheld strength as justice. In those settings, the host was just like any other person, with one caveat: random slaughter was forbidden, but evildoers could be eliminated without consequence.

But in this relatively peaceful world, everything was governed by law. Acting recklessly wasn’t just illegal, it was also forbidden by the Origin World itself.

Shen Chun’s words were casual, his face even carried a faint smile, but something in that smile made 521’s mechanical heart give an unexpected shudder. The host’s killing intent… seemed just a little too strong. [So… what do we do now?]

[Undermine the source,] Shen Chun said with a faint smile.

In a world like this, money wasn’t all-powerful, but it was powerful enough for situations like this. Leverage one force against another. Since the other party had made the first move, they shouldn’t blame him for playing rough in return.

The rumors about Shen Chun continued to simmer. The posts were still spreading, but since they were all just written accusations with no photos or actual proof—not even surveillance footage—the waves they stirred on the surface weren’t huge. Still, the undercurrents were strong enough to catch Father Shen’s attention.

“Is someone targeting you specifically, or the Shen Family?” Father Shen’s expression was grim.

He knew that some parts of the post were true, but the more serious accusations were outright slander. He knew his own son well enough: Shen Chun would never get involved in things like prostitution or gambling.

Now that Shen Chun was at University A, away from his old environment, his future was full of promise. If his reputation got ruined at a time like this, and he really ended up being expelled, then that stain would stay on his record forever.

“They’re targeting me, and the Shen Family,” Shen Chun said as he looked at his father. “Dad, the Shen Family has kept a low profile for years. This time… don’t you want to go big?”

Father Shen frowned at his son’s composed demeanor. “What do you mean?”

“The posts were made by Gao Liang from the Gao Family. He tried to rope me into an investment and I turned him down, so now he’s pulling this stunt,” Shen Chun said. “Right now it’s just rumors, but once real ‘evidence’ starts to surface, the situation will explode. If we want him to back off, we need to make him afraid.”

“What are you planning to do?” Father Shen asked.

The money he earned now would eventually belong to his son anyway. While he was still capable, letting his son gain some experience, under his watch, would be a good thing.

Of course, he could’ve stepped in as the elder and had a word with the Gao family. That alone would be enough to make them back off. But this wasn’t some childish squabble, and the consequences couldn’t just be brushed aside.

“This is the plan,” Shen Chun said, handing a folder to his father.

After completing so many missions, there were things Shen Chun simply chose not to do, not because he couldn’t. In a world where outright force was restrained, borrowing someone else’s expertise was only natural. Power could crush a hundred clever tricks, and that truth held anywhere.

Father Shen flipped through the proposal. At first, his expression remained calm, but the deeper he read, the more shaken he felt. It wasn’t his son’s ambition that shocked him, it was the layered, escalating precision of his strategy. Each step was tightly linked to the next, and the plan, if executed well, could swallow the entire Gao Family whole.

Decisive. Clean. Ambitious. His son already possessed the most essential traits of a successful man.

Father Shen hadn’t intervened in Shen Chun’s past investments, he only knew his son had been doing quite well. Now, it was clear that real-world experience truly shaped a person.

“Dad, do you think it’ll work?” Shen Chun asked.

“It will,” Father Shen replied. “Just refine a few details, and it’ll be solid.” He closed the folder and gave Shen Chun’s shoulder a firm pat. “You’ve got guts—and you’ve learned a lot. But remember, when dealing with people, it’s wise to leave them a way out. If you push someone to the brink, and they strike back from desperation, you might be the one who gets hurt.”

“Got it, Dad,” Shen Chun said with a smile.

Of course, the plan wasn’t flawless. At his current age and level of experience, producing something perfect would only raise suspicion. What mattered was that he had drive, and the ruthlessness to follow through.

The Shen Family’s wealth ranked among the top in A City. Back in their rise to power, they had swallowed countless small businesses. In recent years, they’d kept a lower profile, focusing more on external partnerships and rarely making enemies. But when this plan was brought before the board, it received unanimous approval.

There was no mystery to it, the profit was immense. Every move targeted the Gao Family’s weaknesses. And most importantly, they had struck first.

With Father Shen’s absolute controlling stake, the plan was ready to be set in motion, just as Xie Baiyuan came across the posts.

He rarely browsed the university forums, and lately, his attention had been focused entirely on work, especially matters at the company. Shen Chun hadn’t said a word to him about it. He only found out because Du Xin shared the link with him.

“What happened on your end?” Xie Baiyuan asked from the window.

“It’s nothing serious. The target is really the Shen Corporation,” Shen Chun replied with a smile. “No need to worry. How are things going at your company?”

“There’s nothing wrong on my end. Is there anything I can do to help you?” Xie Baiyuan asked.

“President,” Shen Chun said with a smile.

“What?” Xie Baiyuan looked at him.

“Don’t you have anything else you want to ask?” Shen Chun said lightly.

Some of the things that had surfaced online—those unsavory stories—were, after all, facts from the original Shen Chun’s past. They couldn’t be denied.

But Shen Chun… Shen Chun was truly a good person. They had been together for half a year now. Everything his lover did made it hard to imagine him being involved in those kinds of things. And yet, Shen Chun had once said he wasn’t as good as Xie Baiyuan thought he was. Then… what exactly wasn’t good about him?

Nothing was certain yet. Xie Baiyuan didn’t want to listen to anyone else’s version of the story, he only wanted to hear what Shen Chun had to say. But now wasn’t the time to ask.

“I believe you,” Xie Baiyuan exhaled slowly. “Whether it’s true or not, I want to hear it from you. Handle your matters first. If there’s anything I can help with, just say the word.”

Xie Baiyuan’s tone was naturally cool, yet it carried the steadiness of a grown man. His shoulders were broad enough to bear the weight of many things.

So even without anything happening between them yet… was he already being cast as the gong just like that?

Shen Chun paused in thought for a moment, then smiled. “Alright. Whatever the president wants to know, I’ll tell you. Let’s talk about the New Year first. Do you need me to suggest some ideas for the gifts you’ll be bringing when you visit?”

Xie Baiyuan’s expression softened slightly. “I do.”

“My dad likes tea, Qimen black tea is the best. I’ll recommend you a shop,” Shen Chun said with a smile. “As for my mom, she loves branded handbags. Just get her the latest model.”

“Or we can go shopping together this weekend.”

“Alright,” Xie Baiyuan replied.

There was a knock at the door. Xie Baiyuan responded casually, “Come in.”

“Team Leader Xie, Manager Wang wants you to come over for a moment,” the assistant who entered said.

“Alright, I understand. Thank you,” Xie Baiyuan said coolly. After the assistant left, he turned to Shen Chun and said his goodbye. “I’ve got something to take care of here. Let’s talk after work.”

“Okay.” Shen Chun’s gaze darkened slightly, but his tone remained the same. “President, how about a goodbye kiss?”

Xie Baiyuan froze for a moment, uncertain whether to hang up or not, caught in a tangle of emotions. “Shen Chun…”

“Just teasing you. Hanging up now.” Shen Chun chuckled.

“Mm.” Xie Baiyuan let out a faint laugh, but by the time he began tidying up his things, not a trace of a smile remained on his face.

He was never one to smile easily, and his subordinates held a certain respectful distance from him. The ring he wore warded off any admirers from making a move, but Wang Zecheng seemed completely immune to his cold demeanor.

Xie Baiyuan had no interest in having any interaction with him beyond work. Yet Wang never crossed any explicit boundaries, nor did he cling; instead, he would occasionally extend invitations outside of work, and his words of praise and encouragement often carried a subtle, ambiguous undertone, making them difficult for Xie Baiyuan to outright reject.

But people like that were everywhere. Even back in school, there had been those who tried to get close to him under the guise of friendship. He’d always refused them, and in time they would lose patience and give up. This sort of minor nuisance wasn’t something worth troubling Shen Chun about. He could handle it himself.

As the New Year approached, the pace in many companies began to slow, and people grew increasingly restless. Yet, at this moment of widespread complacency, the Shen Corporation launched a silent but powerful strike against the Gao Corporation.

By the time the Gaos realized what was happening, their capital chain was already in trouble.

“The Shen Family has always kept to themselves, never interfering with the Gaos, why would they suddenly make a move?!” Gao Liang’s father slammed the stack of documents off the table, his brows tightly furrowed.

No matter when the Shen Family made their move, under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t have caused such a serious impact on the Gao Family. Unfortunately, it happened just as they had taken on a major construction project, disrupting their cash flow. If the chain snapped completely, the losses could be significant.

“President Gao, we looked into it. Apparently, it was Young Master who sent someone to smear Young Master Shen’s reputation,” the assistant said quietly.

“You mean that son of Master Shen who studied hard for a year and got into University A?” Father Gao frowned. “Why would he go out of his way to provoke Shen Chun?”

The assistant hesitated, but still replied, “Young Master took over a stalled real estate project and needed funding. After Young Master Shen entered University A, he stopped associating with him and refused to get involved. Young Master couldn’t accept that.”

“You bastard!” Father Gao slammed his hand hard on the table, pacing a few steps before growling, “His usual nonsense is one thing, but Master Shao only has one son, he treasures him like his own eyes! Ruining someone’s future is no different from killing their parents. Go get him back for me and have him apologize to the Shen family in person!”

The Gao Family was under Father Gao’s control, and most of Gao Liang’s wealth came from him. Being summoned back left him with no real choice but to obey.

What followed was a full hour of scolding, every word like a knife to the head. Gao Liang responded with a blank face, but inside, he was burning with anger.

“Did you understand what I said?” Father Gao finally asked.

“I understood,” Gao Liang replied stiffly.

“If you understand, that’s good,” Father Gao said coldly. “When the time comes, I don’t care if you have to crawl or kneel, whatever it takes, you make sure the Shen Family swallows their anger. If you still want to keep living your lavish life, then you better apologize properly.”

Gao Liang obediently left the office, but the moment he reached his car, he lashed out, kicking the door with full force. The sharp blare of the horn echoed through the underground parking lot. He flung himself into the driver’s seat, slammed the door, and immediately called someone. “Fuck! Shen Chun actually went crying to my dad. I swear I’m going to ruin that bastard.”

“What are you planning to do?” the person on the other end asked.

“Zhao Ke is pregnant, isn’t she? And she’s desperate for someone to support her,” Gao Liang said with a sneer. “Give her some money and send her over. Let’s see how that bastard keeps his place at university once his girlfriend finds out he knocked up a bar hostess.”

…

“My mom will definitely like this bag,” Shen Chun said as he helped Xie Baiyuan choose gifts for a New Year visit.

The endless variety of designer handbags made Xie Baiyuan’s head spin, but Shen Chun was able to pick out the latest model with ease, even though, to Xie Baiyuan, it looked pretty much the same as all the others.

“Then let’s go with this one,” Xie Baiyuan said. “Are you sure she’ll like it?”

“Absolutely,” Shen Chun replied with a smile.

He handed over the bag, and the store clerk began wrapping it up. Xie Baiyuan let out a quiet breath of relief, while Shen Chun chuckled softly and said, “Good thing the president happens to like men.”

“Oh?” Xie Baiyuan raised an eyebrow. “Why do you say that?”

“Someone like you probably can’t even tell different lipstick shades apart,” Shen Chun said with a grin.

Xie Baiyuan froze for a moment, then admitted defeat: “Yeah.”

Not only could he not tell them apart, he genuinely didn’t understand why anyone needed so many tubes of what looked like the exact same color. But confusion aside, he was never one to comment on other people’s choices.

“The president is really cute,” Shen Chun said, giving him a once-over.

Xie Baiyuan glanced at him but didn’t argue. In his eyes, his lover was just as adorable.

“Boyuan, what a coincidence. I didn’t expect to run into you here.” A refined voice interrupted the moment of harmony.

When Xie Baiyuan saw who it was, his fingers tensed slightly. Shen Chun, on the other hand, looked at the newcomer with a thoughtful gaze.

He appeared to be around twenty-seven, dressed tastefully and exuding sophistication. He wore cologne, but there was nothing effeminate about him. Still, one look at his eyes was enough to guess his orientation, and the interest he had in Xie Baiyuan.

“Manager Wang, good day. You can just call me Xiao Xie,” Xie Baiyuan said, standing tall and straight, his tone unmistakably cold.

“It’s not working hours now, no need to be so formal,” Wang Zecheng said with a smile, his eyes casually scanning Xie Baiyuan. “Buying a handbag for your girlfriend? How thoughtful.”

“No,” Xie Baiyuan replied. “It’s for an elder.”

“Truly filial,” Wang Zecheng chuckled. “Not many young people nowadays are as considerate as you.”

After some small talk with Xie Baiyuan, Wang Zecheng turned to Shen Chun, intending to speak casually. “And this is your friend? Aren’t you going to introdu—”

His words came to an abrupt halt the moment he got a proper look. His gaze froze on Shen Chun, unable to shift away.

The young man sitting there was undeniably striking. Even seated, his long legs gave the impression that they had nowhere to rest, his broad shoulders and slender waist adding to his magnetic presence. That faint, unreadable smile on his face only heightened his allure, no matter how you looked at him, he was captivating.

Xie Baiyuan’s looks were by no means inferior, but his cold demeanor and consistently distant attitude had long worn down Wang Zecheng’s patience. And now, in front of him stood someone even more dazzling. There was still a trace of youthful inexperience to his face, but it was precisely that touch of rawness that elevated him to something exceptional.

Xie Baiyuan’s eyes swept from Wang Zecheng to Shen Chun, and a deep sense of discomfort surged within him, something sticky, revolting. He had always been indifferent to the man’s advances, no matter how persistent, but the moment he sensed Wang Zecheng setting his sights on Shen Chun, it made his skin crawl with disgust.

“Manager Wang,” he said, voice cold, “this is my classmate, Young Master of the Shen family—Shen Chun.”

The Shen family’s name carried serious weight in A City, and in that instant, Wang Zecheng was flooded with regret. Still, he couldn’t help himself, he extended his hand. “Young Master Shen, a pleasure.”

Someone like that… he probably couldn’t even dream of getting close.

“Manager Wang,” Shen Chun replied with a polite smile, extending his left hand.

Wang Zecheng chuckled, but as he grasped Shen Chun’s hand, his fingers brushed against something cold. He glanced down, and immediately noticed the ring on Shen Chun’s finger. A ring identical to the one Xie Baiyuan wore.

The handshake was firmer than expected. Shen Chun’s smile was dazzling, but his voice was light and composed: “A City is a nice place. I hope Manager Wang can stay here for a long, long time.”

He released the hand slowly. By then, the shop assistant had finished wrapping the purchase and brought it over. Shen Chun accompanied Xie Baiyuan to the counter to pay. When Xie Baiyuan passed by and saw the strange look on Wang Zecheng’s face, he paused for a second, but quickly dismissed it.

As the two of them left to the shopkeeper’s chorus of “Please come again,” Wang Zecheng exhaled deeply. His left hand, hanging at his side, throbbed faintly with pain and even trembled a little.

He had navigated the business world long enough to know how difficult it was to climb to his current position in the company. He had met many powerful people before. But never had he felt, even for an instant, as if he were standing on the edge of a cliff, until he met the gaze of that young man. It was terrifying.

“Sir, are you all right?” the shop assistant came over and asked with concern.

“I’m fine. Just need to sit and rest for a bit,” Wang Zecheng replied as he sank into the sofa. Only then did he realize that his back was already soaked with sweat.

Xie Baiyuan’s lover was Shen Chun, not some girlfriend like he’d assumed. If he had known that earlier, he never would’ve dared to make a move on someone like that!

No matter how blinded he had been by lust, someone at his level knew better than to overstep when the stakes were that high.

Shen Chun and Xie Baiyuan left with the gift bags in hand, riding quietly in the car. The silence lingered until they stopped at a red light. Shen Chun chuckled and said, “That Manager Wang seemed pretty friendly with you. Takes good care of you at the office?”

Xie Baiyuan took a deep breath. “Yeah.”

If you were willing, he’d be even friendlier.

Shen Chun laughed. “President, your luck with admirers is impressive. Even with the flower already claimed, people are still trying to pick it.”

Xie Baiyuan’s heart tightened slightly as his gaze fell on Shen Chun’s left hand, now adorned with the matching ring. He hadn’t been wearing it earlier, he must have put it on just now. “You knew all along?”

“I could tell right away he was interested in you. But the two of you don’t seem like a good fit,” Shen Chun said as he started driving when the light turned green.

“What do you mean?” Xie Baiyuan asked.

“He’s obviously a bottom,” Shen Chun replied.

Judging from his gait and aura, it was highly unlikely that he was a top. Xie Baiyuan used to be the top, but unfortunately, he’d since switched roles. Clearly, the man had a poor radar.

Xie Baiyuan opened his mouth to speak but choked on his own saliva, coughing a few times before he finally recovered. “So by that logic, he should’ve been interested in you instead.”

Shen Chun’s smile deepened. “So sour. Don’t worry, President, starting today, he won’t bother you again. When you run into someone from the same circle, there’s no harm in putting the ‘boyfriend’ title to good use.”

Xie Baiyuan was indeed a little jealous, but the slight bitterness in his heart gradually melted into sweetness as he listened to Shen Chun’s words. “Aren’t you afraid he’ll spread rumors?”

“He’s someone who knows how to read the situation. He wouldn’t risk offending the Shen family and losing everything,” Shen Chun said calmly.

That’s the good thing about people who know when to yield. But those who don’t… sometimes, they really do bring disaster upon themselves.

As Lunar New Year’s Eve approached, both sides of Shen Chun’s parents’ families gathered at the Shen residence. They hadn’t told the elders much about Shen Chun’s sexual orientation; they only said that Shen Chun would be bringing a classmate home for the holiday.

The elders were a bit puzzled at first, but Shen Chun’s mother vaguely mentioned the situation of Xie Baiyuan’s family and spoke highly of his outstanding qualities. This praise made several elders like Xie Baiyuan even before meeting him.

“Chun Chun really should associate with someone who looks like such a good kid. If he keeps this up, it’ll only get better,” Grandma Shen said warmly.

“That boy is really hardworking and ambitious, a good match. He should be making friends like that,” Grandpa Shen also agreed.

“That boy is really handsome, too,” Mother Shen added, embellishing the story as she handed over a photo.

“Oh my, how could the parents even bear to let him go?”

“They’re really close, huh…”

Listening to them occasionally making baseless remarks with their eyes wide open, Father Shen thought to himself, “Wait until you find out he’s not just a classmate, but… the grandson-in-law, then see if you can still praise him.”

When Xie Baiyuan arrived at the door, he had expected to see only Father and Mother Shen. The large villa matched his imagination, servants were visible everywhere. From what TV dramas showed, such families were usually not very harmonious; the parents were always busy with work. Especially for someone like Chairman Shen, often appearing in financial newspapers, he imagined the man to be very imposing.

However, when he followed Shen Chun inside and faced six pairs of eyes staring at him, he was momentarily stunned.

“Baiyuan’s here. Since you’ve come, you might as well bring some gifts, really,” Mother Shen said as she came forward.

“It’s just a small token,” Xie Baiyuan took a deep breath, telling himself to stay calm. But with the whole room full of elders—all of whom were Shen Chun’s elders—Xie Baiyuan was so nervous he nearly stumbled.

“Grandma, grandpa, grandma (maternal), grandpa (maternal), mom and dad, this is Xie Baiyuan, my friend,” Shen Chun said with a smile as he introduced him, then placed the gift boxes he was holding down. “These are all gifts from the president. You should take a look.”

“Really, such a good boy, you’ve gone to so much trouble,” Grandma Shen said, looking at Xie Baiyuan. “Next time, you mustn’t bother with gifts.”

“All right, Grandma,” Xie Baiyuan replied earnestly.

“Chun Chun has made such a good friend this time. I heard he’s even the president,” Shen Chun’s grandmother said as she took a seat on Xie Baiyuan’s other side.

The elders, having nothing much to do, liked to chat idly. Xie Baiyuan, receiving their warm inquiries, could only respond repeatedly, a faint blush of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. He occasionally glanced at Shen Chun, hoping to be rescued, but his usually perceptive lover acted as if he hadn’t noticed, leaving him stranded among the elders.

The Shen family’s New Year celebration was lively. After tidying up on New Year’s Eve, the servants gradually left, leaving the fridge fully stocked, giving Mrs. Shen plenty of room to work her magic.

Xie Baiyuan tried to help, but was gently pushed aside by Grandma Shen: “Children should be playing during the New Year, not causing trouble in the kitchen.”

Xie Baiyuan tried to explain that he wasn’t causing trouble and that he could cook, too, but before he could say more, Shen Chun had already pulled him away.

The sky had darkened. The colorful lights and lanterns in the Shen family garden looked like a river of stars scattered across the sky. Inside, the kitchen was bustling, while in the living room, the two elders were playing Xiangqi (Chinese chess). Shen Senior had other matters to attend to and was busy with a video conference.

The wind outside was a bit chilly but enough to clear the stuffiness inside. Xie Baiyuan took a deep breath and said, “I really feel bad making your grandma so busy.”

“My grandmother and the others have a more traditional mindset, they believe men shouldn’t enter the kitchen, but it’s only for one day. Just let them be,” Shen Chun said, standing beside him with his hands casually in his pockets.

“Your family… is really nice,” Xie Baiyuan said, turning his head to look at him. In the icy cold air, his breath formed a faint mist, warming the space between them. Only a warm family like this could raise someone so warm-hearted.

Xie Baiyuan reached out his hand. Shen Chun’s fingers paused for a moment, then took his hand and slipped it into his pocket. “Cold?”

“Not cold,” Xie Baiyuan said, looking at him.

His heart felt warm, as if he didn’t feel any cold at all.

Their eyes met, and Xie Baiyuan felt a subtle, delicate hope stirring inside him. Shen Chun leaned in slightly, and just as their breaths mingled, a loud boom erupted in the sky, fireworks bursting, filling nearly the entire sky with dazzling colors beyond imagination.

“Mom, come see the fireworks!” Shen’s mother’s voice called out, making Xie Baiyuan’s heart tighten. But before he could react, Shen Chun pulled his hand and led him away from where they stood.

In the dark, the way was hard to see. As Shen Chun climbed the stairs, he said softly, “Be careful.”

Their footsteps echoed softly on the wooden stairs before they reached the terrace above.

The higher they stood, the closer the fireworks seemed to be. Downstairs, the door opened and Shen’s mother’s voice came, full of excitement: “These fireworks are really something…”

Boom after boom swallowed up the voices below, illuminating the couple standing on the terrace, locked in a tender kiss.

In his peripheral vision, Xie Baiyuan could see the fireworks exploding behind Shen Chun, beautiful like a painting. But the next moment, his lips tingled slightly as the man he was kissing gently pulled away and said, “President, you’re not paying attention.”

“Now I am,” Xie Baiyuan replied, gripping his shoulders.

The sound of their heartbeats seemed to blend together; strong, steady beats one after another. His heart, once immersed in icy water, felt as if it had been lifted by warm hands and placed somewhere cozy. He had been alone, and now he had a lover. He had no home before, but this person gave him a warm home.

“Where are Shen Chun and Baiyuan?”

“Who knows where they went off to this late at night.”

“Maybe watching the fireworks. It’s fine for boys to be a little wild.”

Faint voices drifted up, and Xie Baiyuan instinctively tightened his grip. Shen Chun pulled away slightly and pressed his nose against Baiyuan’s, whispering, “They definitely don’t know we’re upstairs.”

“Grandma and the others still don’t know, right?” Xie Baiyuan asked softly.

The fireworks muffled their voices a bit, but they both understood the meaning. Shen Chun smiled and said, “I’ll tell them gradually. Ideas need to seep in slowly. They’re older, so we can’t rush it.”

“I understand.” Xie Baiyuan felt that even now, it was already enough.

“But no matter what, I will never leave you,” Shen Chun said with a smile.

“Mm.” Xie Baiyuan’s eyes curved into a smile. “Me neither.”

The fireworks went on for a long time, so long that the marks left by their kisses on each other’s lips and faces had faded away, before they finally returned inside.

The New Year’s Eve dinner was lively, and the elders’ cooking was excellent. After the meal, people tended to feel sleepy. The Shen family didn’t have the custom of staying up all night; with the fireworks continuously lighting up the sky, there wasn’t much time for a truly restful sleep.

When the first day of the Lunar New Year arrived, before any guests came to pay their respects, Shen Chun and Xie Baiyuan both received red envelopes from their elders.

“I can’t accept this, I’m already working now,” Xie Baiyuan politely declined.

“You may be working, but you’re still not married and still a child. Take it,” Grandma Shen said. “Look, even Shen Chun accepted his.”

“President, just take it. If you don’t, I’ll feel embarrassed to accept it myself,” Shen Chun said matter-of-factly, showing no hesitation.

Xie Baiyuan glanced at him, then had no choice but to accept. “Thank you.”

After all these years, this was the first time he had received gifts from elders other than his own grandparents, and it made him quietly happy.

On the first day of the lunar new year, the four elders left by car. Many other business people came to pay their respects. Xie Baiyuan didn’t intend to cause any disturbance, but Shen Chun showed no sign of leaving. Whenever someone came over, he would introduce Xie Baiyuan, and along the way, they collected quite a few business cards. It wasn’t until almost evening that they finally took a break.

“Uncle Shen, I should be going now,” Xie Baiyuan said to Father Shen.

“What day do you start work?” Father Shen asked Xie Baiyuan.

“On the sixth day of the new year,” Xie Baiyuan answered seriously.

“Stay at home for a few days then, there’s plenty of space,” Father Shen looked at Shen Chun and sighed. “That way he won’t be running off all the time these few days, with nowhere to call home.”

Xie Baiyuan’s face flushed slightly. Indeed, Shen Chun hadn’t lied to the elder. “Sorry about that.”

“You’ve handled things pretty well. There have been many visitors these past few days, so you’ve gotten to know more people. That will help your career,” Father Shen said.

Although the Shen family didn’t care much about status, young people often need shared values to go far. Since he’s joining the Shen family, they’re willing to give him some support.

“Thank you,” Xie Baiyuan replied gratefully.

“Mm.” Father Shen responded, then glanced at Shen Chun, who was lounging lazily nearby. “And you, stop slouching like that. Learn from Baiyuan.”

Before Shen Chun could say anything, Mother Shen spoke up first: “Don’t start picking on my son just because you’re free. This is your own home; sit however you want. Even if he lies down on the floor, I’ll still like him.”

Shen Chun said helplessly, “Mom, I’m not lying on the floor.”

“You say that, but you were really mischievous when you were little. Whenever you didn’t get something, you’d roll on the floor, from one end of the living room to the other. Nobody could pick you up…” Mother Shen started reminiscing.

Shen Chun cleared his throat to remind her, “Mom.”

Mother Shen noticed Xie Baiyuan standing nearby and quickly stopped talking, smiling as she said, “Oh, Auntie must have been mistaken, it wasn’t Shen Chun.”

Her son was grown up and cared about his pride. That was a disaster.

Xie Baiyuan imagined little Shen Chun rolling all over the floor and, surprisingly, held back his laughter until it hurt inside. “Yeah, I know.”

He hadn’t expected that this person could be so stubborn sometimes.

Though he didn’t smile outright, there was laughter hidden in the corners of his eyes and brows. Shen Chun sighed, feeling that this misunderstanding could no longer be explained away.

521 pressed the small camera button, inexplicably feeling quite satisfied.

 

 

 

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