Chu Lai quickly fell asleep, and the next day he woke up in Cen Wei’s arms. Just as he lifted his head slightly, the person holding him asked, “Awake?”

Chu Lai, who had recovered from his fever, still felt sore all over, and his voice sounded different from its usual clear tone, “What time is it?”

Cen Wei reached over to grab his phone from the side. “Almost ten.”

Chu Lai, with his eyes still closed, said, “Da Cai hasn’t been walked yet… Oh, right, it’s not at home.”

Cen Wei hadn’t expected the first thing on his mind to be walking the dog, so he couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you going to ask about me?”

When Chu Lai came home last night, he had already taken half a day off, which gave him enough time to lie down a bit longer. He nuzzled against Cen Wei’s chest and replied with a muffled voice, “You’re here with me. What should I ask?”

After a few seconds, Chu Lai opened his eyes, “Aren’t you going to work?”

Cen Wei replied, “I took the day off to sleep in with you.”

Chu Lai frowned slightly, “That’s not great. You have a lot to do.”

The man let out a low chuckle, “It’s rare for me to take a day off all year.”

The person in his arms had his pajamas buttoned up tightly, but there were still visible red marks on his neck. Chu Lai’s eyes fell on Cen Wei’s half-buttoned shirt, and he reached out to fasten the buttons. “When you say it like that, it makes me feel…”

Cen Wei asked, “Feel what?”

Chu Lai sighed, “Never mind. A big boss who handles countless matters takes a day off just to waste a morning in bed. I feel so guilty.”

His voice still had a raspy quality from the fever, and Cen Wei was easily reminded of the sounds Chu Lai made when he kissed the side of his neck.

Just as he was thinking about it, Chu Lai suddenly pulled the blanket away, leaving Cen Wei feeling cold. The person on the other side turned his back to him and said, “Are you a high schooler?”

Clearly, Chu Lai was pointing out the inappropriate proximity they had just shared. Cen Wei explained, “I wasn’t like this in high school.”

Chu Lai made an indifferent sound, and he was very good at curling himself up like a pretzel, making it feel as if Cen Wei was unwrapping a gift when he pulled him over.

Cen Wei touched Chu Lai’s forehead, “How are you feeling now? Do you still need to go to the hospital?”

Still worried, Cen Wei suggested, “Maybe I should take the afternoon off too.”

Chu Lai had always been a hug addict, but after being with Cen Wei, it seemed to have escalated, spreading to occasional cuddles like now. He instinctively grabbed Cen Wei’s hand, not wanting him to pull away.

Cen Wei didn’t pull his hand away either and simply supported his body, watching Chu Lai.

At exactly ten o’clock, the smart home system announced the time, causing Chu Lai to shift his gaze. “I have to go, or there’ll be a pile of things waiting for me. It’s so annoying.”

He didn’t seem to have the stereotypical overworked look of a salaryman, though this impression might have been affected by his appearance. Having spent time with Chu Lai, Cen Wei had seen his occasional work mode. Even though his tone of voice remained the same, there were subtle changes.

Maybe it was also due to Cen Wei’s state of mind. The more he looked, the more he wanted to take another glance, which led Chu Lai to turn his head back with a slightly puzzled expression. The man just shook his head, signaling him to continue.

“Okay.” The bed was still covered with plushies Chu Lai had brought from his old apartment, arranged as if they were members of his own world. These things, which had accompanied him through the years, had also moved into their new home with their marriage. “Then let’s eat together. Can I drive you to work?”

Cen Wei had always been a very graceful person, or to put it bluntly, polite and gentlemanly.

Chu Lai used to think Cen Wei treated him the same way, but later he found out that this person wasn’t always what he seemed. Asking “Can I?” was more of a formality, as he had already made the decision.

Chu Lai was still sleepy and mumbled with his eyes closed, “Can I refuse?”

Cen Wei replied, “No.”

“Fine. I don’t really want to squeeze into the subway anyway. It’s more convenient if you drive me.” As Chu Lai spoke, he instinctively snuggled up to the heat source, easily moving closer to Cen Wei. “Hold me.”

It was a command, but Cen Wei didn’t mind at all.

Chu Lai asked, “You didn’t catch my cold, did you?”

Cen Wei replied, “I won’t. I’m in great shape. Want to check?”

The way he said it carried other implications. Chu Lai, remembering that hazy moment after his fever had subsided when he touched Cen Wei in the middle of the night, let out a grunt and thought, So easy to set off for a virgin.

They lay there for a while longer before Cen Wei drove Chu Lai to work. They also agreed that Cen Wei would pick him up after work to take him home, but by evening, Cen Wei received a message from Chu Lai—

No need to pick me up. Liu Yuan and I are together. He’s coming over for dinner. You just focus on your work.

Chu Lai knew very well about Cen Wei’s workaholic tendencies and understood that taking half a day off meant a heavy workload piling up for someone like him, who had a spotless attendance record as a boss.

Chu Lai, who worked for someone else, usually clocked out on time and would try to snag meal allowances if he had to work overtime. His message seemed considerate at first glance, but little did he know that the big boss, who had recently fallen in love, was eagerly wanting to head home.

When Cen Wei finished his postponed morning meeting and opened his unread messages, he couldn’t help but show a bit of excitement that didn’t quite fit his image.

But the moment he saw the content, his face immediately turned cold.

Shen Yangxu, who happened to walk by, unintentionally saw it and commented, “That’s not bad. Not clingy. Makes it easier for you to focus on your career, Mr. Cen.”

Cen Wei was not moved at all and responded, “I don’t spend all day on my career.”

Shen Yangxu raised an eyebrow, “If you’re not a workaholic, then who is? Being married to a workaholic is exhausting.”

They were old classmates, and to Shen Yangxu, seeing Cen Wei in this post-wedding honeymoon phase was like watching a house catch fire—he found it endlessly entertaining and took the chance to tease him, “You used to spend all your time at the workshop. What are you going to do after getting married?”

Cen Wei couldn’t think of a comeback, so after a few seconds, he asked, “Are you going on a date this weekend?”

Shen Yangxu shot him a resentful look, “I would be, if you hadn’t rejected this proposal.”

Cen Wei: “Well, nothing I can do about that.”

Shen Yangxu: “…”

/

After work, Chu Lai met up with Liu Yuan at the subway station, and the two walked back to the apartment together.

Liu Yuan couldn’t help but ask, “Seriously, is it me who got cheated on, or is it you? You’re getting married the day after tomorrow, and yet you still managed to get sick. You really…”

Chu Lai glanced at him, “And you? Did you actually quit?”

Liu Yuan had submitted his resignation a month ago, and a few days prior, he was telling Chu Lai about the handover process. He had been eagerly waiting to embark on the entrepreneurial path with his boyfriend, but things didn’t go as planned. He even ended up in the spotlight when a video of him kicking his ex in a mall went viral.

Liu Yuan didn’t seem too upset, simply nodding, “I quit for your wedding.”

Chu Lai said sarcastically, “That’s so noble of you.”

Liu Yuan replied, “You’ve become even more sarcastic. Are you like this with Mr. Cen too?”

Chu Lai knew how good Liu Yuan was at changing the subject. “We’re talking about your situation.”

Liu Yuan had broken up with his boyfriend after catching him cheating and ended up beating him so badly he landed in the orthopedic ward. No compensation was paid, but Liu Yuan was left emotionally and mentally scarred.

Liu Yuan had a lot of friends, but few close ones. Chu Lai was one of the few. Liu Yuan sighed, “I had included him in my future plans, you know. I was even thinking about starting a business with him.”

Chu Lai knew that Liu Yuan was mostly just going through the motions at his job. As they entered the elevator, he said, “Was it his idea to start a business or yours? Is it something you even enjoy?”

Just as the elevator doors were about to close, someone pressed the button to open them again. Chu Lai looked up and saw Ding Xiulin.

Liu Yuan’s eyes lit up, but the next second, he heard Ding Xiulin greet Chu Lai, “You’re back early today?”

Chu Lai replied, “Took a leave.”

Noticing that Chu Lai didn’t look well, Ding Xiulin asked, “Are you sick?”

Chu Lai nodded, “Yeah, I took a leave because I’m getting married the day after tomorrow.”

Liu Yuan sensed the atmosphere shift. As the elevator continued going up and more people got off, Liu Yuan asked, “Who was that handsome guy? He looks familiar.”

Chu Lai opened the door and said, “Our high school class president. I’ve mentioned him to you.”

Liu Yuan nodded, “He’s pretty good-looking.”

Now that Chu Lai and Cen Wei were officially together, Liu Yuan didn’t make a fuss and continued chatting about work.

It was Liu Yuan’s first time visiting Chu Lai’s new apartment, and it was much larger than the place Chu Lai used to rent. The items from his old apartment fit in perfectly, giving the place a cozy vibe.

Perhaps it was because of how stable and happy Chu Lai’s relationship seemed, but Liu Yuan couldn’t help but feel a bit envious. “You’re definitely in the honeymoon phase.”

“Unlike me. I thought I’d be getting married too, but in the end…”

Chu Lai opened the fridge and asked Liu Yuan, “What do you want to eat?”

Liu Yuan replied, “I’ll cook. You’re still recovering from your cold.”

Liu Yuan’s father was a chef, and Liu Yuan had inherited his cooking skills. After graduating from college, he’d switched between several companies but hadn’t yet found his true calling.

Chu Lai asked, “So what are your plans now?”

Liu Yuan replied, “I’ll help out at my dad’s restaurant for now.”

When he mentioned this, he grimaced, “I feel like my dad’s going to kill me. He’s met Jiang Mingchen before and wasn’t a fan, always pointing out his flaws. I used to praise him to the skies, and now it’s all come back to bite me.”

Chu Lai’s phone buzzed with a message from Cen Wei, reminding him to take his medication before dinner.

Chu Lai stood to the side, took his medicine, snapped a photo, and sent it to Cen Wei. Then he said, “You really went all out with the beating. But it must’ve felt great. If I knew how to fight, I should’ve…”

Liu Yuan laughed, “Scumbags deserve nothing but the worst.”

The ingredients in the fridge had been delivered an hour ago at Cen Wei’s request, and Liu Yuan was hacking away at the ribs with great force. “I’ve come to terms with it. Anyway, Jiang Mingchen’s mom never liked me. Just because same-sex marriage is legal now doesn’t mean everyone is on board with it.”

“She looked down on the fact that my family runs a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. What’s wrong with a hole-in-the-wall? My parents raised me with their hard-earned money.”

Liu Yuan was talkative, and paired with the relatively quiet Chu Lai, he had plenty of room to voice his thoughts.

While Liu Yuan was busy cooking, understanding that Chu Lai was still recovering from his cold, he sent Chu Lai to rest. Chu Lai simply nestled into the couch and messaged with Cen Wei.

Even while working overtime, Cen Wei couldn’t focus, and after finishing his tasks, he was at a loss for whether to stay or leave. In the end, he decided to return to the Cen family home.

Xuan Rongqing asked, “Why are you back? Where’s Lai Lai?”

Petting the dog, Cen Wei hesitated before replying, “He’s having dinner with a friend at home.”

Xuan Rongqing raised an eyebrow, “And you just came back here?”

The disapproving look in his mother’s eyes was obvious, so Cen Wei asked, “What’s wrong?”

Normally gentle, Xuan Rongqing sounded a bit choked up. She had a boyfriend once and now realized her son was a bit clueless when it came to relationships.

With a deep breath, she said, “What are you avoiding? Did Lai Lai tell you to come back?”

Cen Wei shook his head.

Here was a man, tall and not bad-looking at all, being awkward in front of his mother.

Xuan Rongqing sighed, “You’re marrying him, so you should integrate into his social circle. Lai Lai doesn’t seem to have many friends, right? What’s wrong with joining them for dinner?”

“Get to know them better.”

“Be more proactive.”

“You two had a flash marriage, not like those who date for four or five years before tying the knot.”

Not only had he not eaten dinner, but now he was being lectured, so Cen Wei had no choice but to drive back.

Liu Yuan came from a family of chefs, and though it wasn’t on the scale of the century-old Cen family enterprise, the restaurant had been in his family for three generations.

Whether it was soups, stir-fries, or steamed dishes, Liu Yuan had it all down. He’d even gotten his chef’s certification long ago, and during college, he had worked part-time as an in-home chef to earn money for concert tickets.

Chu Lai stood to the side, helping out now and then with some light tasks. Not long after, he received a call from Cen Wei.

No one spoke on the other end for a while, and all Chu Lai could hear was breathing. He couldn’t help but laugh and asked, “Are you done with work?”

Cen Wei made a sound of agreement.

Chu Lai asked, “Have you eaten?”

Cen Wei said no.

Chu Lai found his tone a bit odd and asked, “Where are you?”

In a somewhat muffled voice, Cen Wei replied, “By the river.”

Chu Lai asked again, “What are you doing there?”

Cen Wei explained how he had gone home but hadn’t eaten. Chu Lai chuckled and, knowing it was because of him, said, “Then come back and eat. Liu Yuan made a big feast, and we definitely won’t finish it all.”

He paused for a moment before adding, “But Liu Yuan might open some wine.”

Cen Wei replied, “You can’t drink because of your cold.”

Chu Lai responded with a soft “I know.”

“I’ll be waiting for you at home.”

At home. Waiting for you.

After hanging up, Cen Wei sat in the car for half a minute, letting the words sink in before starting the engine.

At this time of night, many people were out walking by the river, and about six hundred meters away was Jiang Liyong’s hospital. The last time, Cen Wei had been chatting with Jiang Liyong around this area.

As he drove to the next traffic light, he happened to spot Jiang Liyong walking by the roadside.

Lowering the car window, Cen Wei greeted him and asked, “Where’s your car?”

Jiang Liyong replied, “It got rear-ended yesterday. Still in the shop.”

“Have you eaten?” Cen Wei asked.

Jiang Liyong shook his head.

“Hop in.”

When they pulled up in front of the apartment building, Jiang Liyong looked confused. “You brought me to your place? Am I crashing your wedding dinner?”

“My wedding is the day after tomorrow, not today.”

“Oh,” Jiang Liyong said. “So, is this pre-wedding jitters? You need to talk it out with me?”

“No, I’m not afraid of getting married. I just…”

He thought about the still relatively innocent relationship between him and Chu Lai but didn’t say anything more.

As they entered the apartment, Jiang Liyong shared some funny stories about the tattooed guy he stitched up during surgery today. But the moment they stepped inside, they were greeted by the sight of Liu Yuan chugging straight from a wine bottle, which made Jiang Liyong turn around and attempt to leave. However, by that point, Cen Wei had already closed the door behind them.

Chu Lai was also surprised that Cen Wei had brought someone over.

Given how upset Dr. Jiang seemed, Chu Lai glanced at him and asked the man sitting beside him, “You didn’t kidnap him, did you?”

“No, just happened to be on the way.”

Looking at the sobbing and drinking Liu Yuan, and thinking of his half-brother still lying in his ward, Jiang Liyong was momentarily at a loss for words.

Liu Yuan didn’t mind Jiang Liyong and greeted him naturally before offering to pour some wine for Mr. Cen. “Mr. Cen, care for a drink?”

Despite looking a bit of a mess, Liu Yuan wasn’t drunk yet.

Chu Lai wasn’t much of a drinker, but Liu Yuan could really hold his liquor, and having grown up in a chef’s family, Liu Yuan had gone to wash his face and came back to introduce the dishes he’d prepared.

The feast laid out on the table looked like a New Year’s Eve dinner, and even Mr. Cen was impressed.

There were four people at the table, three of whom had been cheated on by their exes, making it feel like a cloud of betrayal hung over the room. Liu Yuan, despite appearing fine on the surface, became very emotional after drinking too much. He clung to Chu Lai while cursing out his ex and even mistook Jiang Liyong for his ex at one point, nearly starting a fight. By the end, it was up to Cen Wei to clean up the aftermath.

While cleaning the kitchen together, Jiang Liyong was visibly frustrated, complaining, “Why am I here cleaning up with you?”

Chu Lai sat on the carpet, his face flushed from the alcohol, feeling a bit dazed. He turned to Liu Yuan, who was sitting beside him, and asked, “Lai Lai, do you like your life now?”

“Mm,” Chu Lai answered softly. “I have a home to return to, food to eat, and on weekends, I can go out with Cen Wei.”

“I like it a lot.”

Liu Yuan sighed, “That’s nice. I thought I’d have that too.”

Chu Lai asked, “Isn’t it you who told me that the next one would be better? I found mine, and you will too.”

Wrapped in a blanket, Chu Lai leaned back on the sofa. The TV was playing an anime that auto-resumed from where he and Cen Wei had last left off.

The apartment was filled with the traces of their life together, with comic books and business magazines stacked side by side. Liu Yuan glanced around and could tell just how close Chu Lai and Cen Wei had become.

Liu Yuan sighed, “That’s what I said, but you know, it’s all about timing.”

“And what about work? Are you doing what you want?”

Chu Lai didn’t know how to answer for a while. After Cen Wei reminded him to drink some water, he finally replied, “No.”

He paused for a moment, “I don’t even know what I want to do. Back then, I just wanted a job that matched my major. Earning a salary and saving half each month was good enough for me.”

“But your streaming is doing well, isn’t that what you want to do?”

Chu Lai shook his head, “That’s just a way to share things.”

Liu Yuan seemed to think of something and said, “I remember you once told me, if you didn’t have to think about the future, you wanted to do something related to your dad’s work.”

Chu Lai was silent for a long time before finally responding, “Mm.”

Passing by the back of the sofa, Cen Wei happened to overhear that last part.

That evening, Dr. Jiang wasn’t on duty, so he took advantage of the situation to grab some wine to take home with him.

Standing in front of the wine cabinet, the two of them began picking out a bottle, but while Jiang Liyong was fully focused, Cen Wei was clearly distracted, eavesdropping on the conversation behind them.

Jiang Liyong noticed and quietly said, “If you’re so curious, why don’t you ask him directly?”

Cen Wei glanced at him, and Jiang Liyong felt as if he’d just been looked down on.

Chu Lai said, “I’d love to, but I don’t have the skills. I wouldn’t know where to start.”

“If I were to do it as a hobby, I’d need space, money…”

“Everything would have to start from scratch. The cost is too high.”

He didn’t continue, but Liu Yuan understood.

He remembered the little wooden dog in Chu Lai’s drawer, which had become so polished from handling that it gleamed. It was something his father had made for him.

Chu Lai found dating troublesome, let alone starting a business. Becoming a woodcarver wasn’t easy, and quitting his current job to chase his dream would require careful consideration of costs.

But Chu Lai wasn’t without a safety net.

By now, Liu Yuan had a good understanding of the kind of person Cen Wei was.

He was willing to bet that when the two had gotten married, Cen Wei had definitely promised Chu Lai some sort of compensation. With the wealth of the Cen family, it would be more than enough to support Chu Lai in pursuing his dream for a long time.

Liu Yuan said, “Maybe you could give it a try. I still have the willow tree carving you gave me for my eighteenth birthday. My mom always comments on how beautiful it is.”

It was a willow wood carving that Chu Lai had spent a long time making, something even Shen Quanzhang didn’t know about.

“Really?” Chu Lai asked.

Liu Yuan lowered his voice, “Mr. Cen has a workshop, right? I looked it up online. His family business might even align with your interests. You’re married now, what’s stopping you from…”

Before he could finish, Liu Yuan’s peripheral vision caught sight of the man who had been standing by the wine cabinet for a long time. He looked over.

Holding a bottle of wine, Jiang Liyong met Liu Yuan’s gaze, then quickly looked away.

So much drinking… terrifying. And so good at fighting… opening a bone clinic wouldn’t be enough to keep up with him.

The next second, Liu Yuan stood up and said, “I’m leaving.”

Chu Lai was surprised, “What?”

Following closely behind Jiang Liyong, Liu Yuan said, “I’ve still got something to discuss with the big guy.”

Just as Jiang Liyong was about to ask who the big guy was, Liu Yuan pushed him out the door.

As the door closed, Chu Lai and Cen Wei exchanged glances. Chu Lai asked, “Are they really that close?”

Shaking his head, Cen Wei asked, “Did you ever give Liu Yuan a wooden carving?”

But immediately realizing the oddity of his question, he corrected himself, “Have you ever given one to Shen Quanzhang?”

That didn’t sound quite right either.

Standing by the wine cabinet, illuminated by the chandelier, the man’s frustration was written all over his face. Chu Lai leaned back against the sofa and said, “Come here.”

And so, Cen Wei came over.

Chu Lai extended his hand, and without hesitation, Cen Wei moved to hug him. It was as if it were a reflex, or perhaps an instinct.

The man, who had loosened his tie after work, had his bangs brushed aside by Chu Lai’s slender fingers. Their noses touched as Chu Lai softly asked, “Are you asking for a gift?”

Instinctively, Cen Wei tried to turn his head away. This action was quite unbecoming for a man his age, but he was held firmly in place by the person before him, unable to move, forced to lock eyes.

Without his glasses, Chu Lai’s eyes were especially captivating. His thick lashes made it easy for anyone to get lost in their depths if they looked for too long.

“No,” Cen Wei murmured.

“Do you want one?” Chu Lai asked directly.

The man was clearly uneasy, his gaze shifting.

In Chu Lai’s heart, Cen Wei’s looks were already beyond the scale of acceptability. Seeing him up close like this was even more pleasing to the eye. Chu Lai wrapped his arms around Cen Wei’s neck, his cheek brushing against Cen Wei’s as he whispered in his ear, “Do you want one?”

Cen Wei held him tightly, overwhelmed by a flood of envy mixed with jealousy—emotions unfamiliar to him. He didn’t just want one thing, he wanted more, so much more.

He wasn’t sure if this kind of obsessive relationship was right or wrong, or if he’d regret that fateful glance in the underground bar, or sharing a drink at the roadside barbecue stand.

But he knew that at nineteen, while he was studying abroad, there had been a moment when he had wanted to break free from the blood-stained curse his father had imposed on him.

Ten years later, he had broken free, only to find himself inevitably caught in another cage.

Desire was uncontrollable. He just wanted to be close to this person, to get inside their heart, to leave an eternal mark on them.

Chu Lai’s lips brushed against his ear as he asked, “Is it me or the wooden carving?”

Pulling him back into his embrace, as if trying to embed him into his very soul, Cen Wei softly asked, “Can I have both?”