The exterior of the Cen family’s villa was luxurious, and the tea room alone was much larger than Chu Lai’s one-bedroom apartment. Sitting across from Xuan Rongqing, Chu Lai didn’t initiate any conversation, patiently listening to her.

Marriage had never been part of Chu Lai’s original plan, but dating was. The thought of being in a relationship had started during a high school New Year’s performance. After the curtain call, he hugged the class president—a thin but strong embrace, warm enough to leave a lasting impression. It was the first time Chu Lai realized that the hugs he longed for might be replicable in this way.

After graduating high school, Chu Lai never got the chance to confess his feelings, nor could he figure out whether his rapid heartbeat that day was due to love or the simple thrill of a warm embrace.

In his third year of middle school, Chu Lai’s father passed away in a car accident. Then, during the summer of his first year in high school, his mother told him she was remarrying and moving to another city. She said that her future didn’t include Chu Lai.

She had said, “Lai Lai, Mom also wants to pursue her own life.”

Chu Lai didn’t try to stop her, nor did he attend her wedding. For the next two years, he lived with his grandmother, but during the summer after his third year of high school, his grandmother’s illness relapsed, and she passed away as well.

When it came time to fill out his college applications, Chu Lai chose a local university, deciding to stay in the city where he had grown up. More than his ongoing loneliness, what Chu Lai had to focus on was his tuition and living expenses. He didn’t plan to sell the house his father had left him—it was small and remote, almost like living in a tiny nest. Renting it out didn’t cross his mind either, and he left it untouched, never thinking of moving back in.

Student loans covered his tuition for the time being, but he had to earn his living expenses on his own. His plan for dating was pushed aside, and it wasn’t until his second year of college that he finally had time to breathe again.

Liu Yuan, his dorm mate, always thought Chu Lai’s glasses diminished his looks. Otherwise, Chu Lai’s face would perfectly fit everyone’s ideal first love from their youth—matching a summer evening breeze and the pop of a soda can opening.

Chu Lai himself didn’t feel much about it, but his ex-boyfriend had specifically mentioned this when he confessed. He had said, “When I saw you take off your glasses in the library, you had no idea how good you looked.”

Chu Lai thought it was an exaggeration, but who doesn’t like compliments? It had been so long since he’d received any, and maybe that’s why he accepted Shen Quanzhang’s confession.

The relationship plan proceeded smoothly, and after same-sex marriage was legalized, marriage became a natural choice for many. Chu Lai enjoyed a stable, unchanging life. His plan was to pay off his student loans, adopt a dog, live alone without roommates, and save up for a small house of his own.

Unfortunately, Chu Lai was the only one who liked stability.

The part of his plan where he intended to marry at 26 was completed ahead of schedule. At the age of 25, he registered for marriage with a stranger he had met only twice. On their third meeting, they registered the marriage, and now he was sitting across from that stranger’s mother, listening to her talk about his legal husband’s past.

Xuan Rongqing’s long hair was pinned up with a hairpin, and although Chu Lai didn’t know what she did for a living, her style reminded him of his own mother. Perhaps it was the warm family atmosphere that made Chu Lai feel a rare sense of warmth, and he listened carefully.

Xuan Rongqing’s voice was gentle, but the content was far from gentle—filled with shame, heartbreak, and betrayal.

She said, “Ah Wei’s father died in front of him.”

Chu Lai held the tea cup in his hands, staring at the floating tea leaves. He knew he didn’t need to say anything at this moment.

The woman began to recount the story of her and Cen Wei’s father. They had been young lovers, deeply in love, much like a television drama. But unfortunately, that love couldn’t withstand the changes of the human heart.

People in relationships often notice the warning signs, but Xuan Rongqing had refused to believe them. In the end, her husband’s affair was discovered at a banquet, where the other woman’s spouse—an influential figure—stormed into the private room, leading to a confrontation.

Cen Wei had been there that day too, accompanying his mother while she socialized with others. He had left midway to fetch a cake. As he passed under the windows of the private room, his father fell from the window, landing right in front of him as he emerged with the cake.

Chu Lai frowned as he listened to this part of the story.

He and Cen Wei had entered into an agreement—a marriage of convenience, where one needed physical intimacy and the other needed a title. Having only met three times, they were far from being close enough to share such personal stories. This was far too private, so private that it made Chu Lai feel like running away.

At that moment, an inexplicable premonition stirred within him, as if his entanglement with Cen Wei wouldn’t simply end with their contract marriage.

While Chu Lai longed for a peaceful life with consistent meals, he feared being caught up in the storm of family drama. But now, there was nowhere for him to escape. The woman in front of him continued her story in a calm tone, but her eyes turned red despite her efforts to maintain composure.

Chu Lai handed her a tissue and said, “From what I’ve seen of Cen Wei…”

He paused, thinking of how Cen Wei acted around him. “He seems like a very gentle person.”

Although Cen Wei’s first impression was that of an elite professional, there was something down-to-earth about him, especially when Chu Lai remembered how indecisive he was in front of the barbecue stand. Sitting at the plastic table, drinking and chatting, he felt approachable and warm.

In their social circles, Chu Lai was known for being emotionally stable. His ex-boyfriend, Shen Quanzhang, had even complained to others, saying that even if Chu Lai caught him cheating in the act, he wouldn’t react.

Chu Lai was the kind of partner who could be both frustrating and endlessly reassuring. Though the idea of staying loyal might sound outdated or old-fashioned, Chu Lai truly lived by that principle.

Xuan Rongqing wiped away her tears, shaking her head as she softly apologized, “I’m Ah Wei’s mother, but I’ve realized… I don’t really know him.”

“After his father passed away, the family business was run by his grandfather. We never forced Ah Wei to continue in the same industry, but he chose to take it on anyway.”

“He never used to date. Sometimes, I even wonder if his last relationship was just to put his grandfather at ease.”

Though she claimed not to know her son well, the concern in her words was undeniable, and it made Chu Lai feel a twinge of envy.

Then she asked, “Xiao Chu, do you really have feelings for him?”

In that moment, the woman’s soft demeanor took on a sharp edge.

Chu Lai hummed in response. He glanced at Xuan Rongqing, thinking back on his few encounters with Cen Wei. They weren’t familiar with each other yet.

Still, it was time to put on a convincing act. Feeling a bit ashamed, Chu Lai met her gaze earnestly and said, “I really like his body.”

Xuan Rongqing nearly spilled her tea in shock, unable to believe how blunt Chu Lai’s answer was. She thought, How can this delicate-looking young man be so…

Her tongue tripped over itself, unsure how to respond. Chu Lai clarified, “Cen… Ah Wei’s embrace is very warm. I like it a lot.”

His words were sincere, but he wasn’t someone who sought out grand romantic gestures or declarations of love. His last relationship had started with his ex-boyfriend’s confession, and all Chu Lai had to do was nod.

Now, sitting with his head slightly lowered, Chu Lai’s pale skin made his blush even more noticeable.

Suddenly, Xuan Rongqing found herself wanting to laugh.

She wiped away the last of her tears and nodded, “That’s good.”

Chu Lai, still feeling awkward, said, “Don’t worry, he’ll be happy.”

It was a simple, empty reassurance, and even Chu Lai delivered it with some awkwardness. After all, this was his first time meeting a partner’s parents, and no matter how calm he appeared, he felt as if the mother in front of him could see right through him.

Everything had to match the image of newlyweds—love at first sight, being head over heels. Chu Lai thought, This job isn’t easy; I should ask for a raise.

Xuan Rongqing then asked, “What about your family? Could you tell me a bit about them?”

Meanwhile, in another part of the house, Cen Wei was feeling increasingly uneasy after being left behind.

It was the first time Cen Jiansun had seen his grandson so restless, and he let out a hearty laugh. “So, even you have moments like this? I thought you were just finding someone to fool me, but it seems you actually like him.”

Cen Wei was more concerned about Chu Lai getting annoyed. Even though this was only their third meeting, he had already come to understand Chu Lai’s preferences quite well.

Chu Lai hated trouble, excessive enthusiasm, and intimacy. This kind of “chat” clearly fell into the category of too much intimacy. While Cen Wei wasn’t worried about Chu Lai being exposed, he was concerned about making him angry.

Cen Jiansun’s comment struck him like a blow to the head. He looked down at the Go board in front of him and thought, Why am I so worried about him getting angry?

Isn’t this just a contract relationship? I’m not withholding his payment.

Then he remembered that his payment was, in fact, physical intimacy…

Seeing him daze off, the old man turned to his wife and said, “Look at him, lost in thought, as if he’s worried that A’Rong is bullying his wife.”

Grandma Hong glanced up toward the tea room, where the floor-to-ceiling glass windows allowed her to see Xuan Rongqing and Chu Lai still deep in conversation.

From this distance, the young man’s refined features gave off a pleasant vibe.

The old lady smiled and said, “That’s how it is when you like someone, isn’t it?”

Unable to listen any longer, Cen Wei stood up, just as Chu Lai descended from the tea room, walking side by side with Xuan Rongqing. They appeared to have gotten along well, and when Chu Lai left, he was loaded with gifts.

Once they got in the car, Chu Lai let out a deep breath and checked the time on his phone’s lock screen.

Cen Wei exhaled as he drove out of the neighborhood, glancing sideways at Chu Lai, who seemed lost in thought. He quietly apologized, “Sorry about that.”

Chu Lai turned to him, still processing everything he had learned about Cen Wei’s past. As he listened earlier, he had distanced himself, but now, his head was full of details.

He hated this feeling of being overwhelmed by someone else’s story, so he responded with a hum, “You should be sorry.”

His words were accompanied by a small huff, clearly expressing his displeasure.

Cen Wei had expected him to be more polite, but instead, he found himself chuckling, “I’m sorry. I should’ve warned you about my family’s personalities earlier.”

He thought about how pleased his grandparents were, and the slight redness around his mother’s eyes when she walked downstairs with Chu Lai.

It wasn’t hard to guess what Xuan Rongqing and Chu Lai had talked about.

Feeling a bit awkward, yet still smiling, Cen Wei said, “They really like you.”

Though it was a contractual marriage, a joke proposal followed by a casual agreement, the family introduction had turned out to be unexpectedly serious for both of them.

As he finished speaking, Cen Wei was reminded of the complaints he’d heard from colleagues about their marriages during group dinners. Back then, he had nodded along, outwardly agreeing, while inwardly rejecting the idea entirely.

At this moment, he should’ve said “thank you” but instead, he found himself caught in the flow of the strange atmosphere between them. His thoughts were interrupted as he turned the car and cast a deep look at Chu Lai.

The young man in the passenger seat was slim, with a box of cake in his arms.

Grandma Hong, having heard that Chu Lai liked blueberry cake—just like her—had gifted him a cake made by the pastry chef earlier that day.

The cake was beautifully packaged, with little decorative lights wrapped around the box.

Chu Lai leaned back against the seat, one hand resting on the cake box while the other tapped at his phone, seemingly replying to messages.

This quick glance was enough for Cen Wei to catch a glimpse of the dimple that appeared when Chu Lai’s lips curled up into a small smile.

As the car passed along the lakeside road, fireworks were being set off on the other side. In that moment, Chu Lai’s face, framed by the flickering fireworks, entered Cen Wei’s view.

He thought back to what Xuan Rongqing had whispered to him before they left: “Xiao Chu seems very lonely.”

Xuan Rongqing had always been the elegant and refined type, her relationship with Cen Wei’s father having been one of equal standing. It wasn’t a marriage of convenience; she had loved him.

Despite the betrayal, she had never severed her ties with the Cen family.

Perhaps it was also because her parents had passed away early, and she was an orphan herself.

Her voice had been filled with heartache as she lightly pinched Cen Wei’s arm, much like how she used to remind him as a child when he didn’t wear his coat properly.

“You have to treat him well.”

“He really likes you.”

Both statements were enough to prove how excellent Chu Lai’s acting was—he had completely fooled Xuan Rongqing.

Cen Wei should’ve brushed it off, but it felt as if he had fallen into the illusion of being in a married relationship, especially with the car packed full of gifts from his family. It felt like they were driving toward an endless future together.

Meanwhile, Chu Lai was checking his home’s surveillance feed, waiting to take his dog out for a walk. He said, “Drop me off at home; I need to walk Dacai.”

Cen Wei replied, “Okay.”

Chu Lai added, “Your mom gave me a card with five million in it. You can have it back.”

He stuffed the card into the pocket of Cen Wei’s coat as he continued, “She even said there was only five million and promised to give me a house. Your family is really generous.”

Cen Wei sighed, “Just keep it.”

But Chu Lai firmly shook his head, “I’m not after your money; I’m after your body.”

He said this so openly, completely unaware that his actions—stuffing the card into Cen Wei’s pocket—made it look as if Cen Wei was the one selling his body.

Cen Wei asked, “Was your ex-boyfriend’s body that bad?”

Chu Lai thought for a moment and replied, “He wasn’t as tall as you, his shoulders weren’t as broad, and he wasn’t as warm.”

He made a small noise, as if remembering something unpleasant, and frowned before muttering, “And he wasn’t good in bed either.”

Cen Wei didn’t know how to respond to that, so he quickly changed the subject, asking, “What exactly did my mom talk to you about? Why did you look like you’d been crying?”

Chu Lai answered, “She told me your last relationship wasn’t great either.”

He paused, hesitating slightly before asking, “Although we don’t have to be physically intimate, can I ask you a personal question?”

Cen Wei thought he was going to ask about his father and nodded.

But instead, Chu Lai seriously asked—

“Are you really… not capable?”