Cen Jiansun’s surgery went smoothly. While the family waited for him to wake up, Cen Wei was called away by Grandma Hong for a private chat.

Chu Lai was a little surprised and looked over. Sitting in front of him, Xuan Rongqing was still flipping through the art book Chu Lai had bought.

Xuan Rongqing herself worked in floral arrangement art and was quite famous in the industry. This city was where Cen Wei had studied abroad, and she had visited here before.

As she looked through the art book, she said, “Don’t worry. Grandma just has something to discuss with him. Ah Wei probably didn’t want you to see him getting scolded so badly.”

Chu Lai didn’t quite understand, “Did something happen?”

Xuan Rongqing winked at him, “It’s probably about Grandpa.”

Chu Lai nodded. They were sitting in the hospital café, and outside the window was a well-maintained lawn, with a glimpse of residential houses in the distance.

February in this city was the off-season, so the streets weren’t crowded. Chu Lai felt very relaxed, his whole demeanor particularly laid-back.

Xuan Rongqing asked, “Have you visited the store yet?”

Chu Lai replied, “What?”

He had changed into a new pair of glasses, which Cen Wei had picked out for him. The next day, they were set to fly out, and Chu Lai didn’t have time to get framed glasses in advance. So, he had found a shop to make them after landing.

Cen Wei had done his graduate studies here, and it seemed like his student days hadn’t been much better than his work life. His entrepreneurial spirit had carried him through, and Chu Lai could easily imagine what he looked like walking through the streets back then.

Now, the young man was wearing silver-framed glasses, a style quite different from his previous ones. At first glance, it seemed at odds with Chu Lai’s clean-cut image, but upon closer inspection, it suited him perfectly.

The silver floral patterns on the edges drew attention to his features, making his eyes behind the lenses seem even more captivating.

In fact, after choosing the glasses, Cen Wei had regretted it because the production time would take several days, and in the meantime, Chu Lai had to wear contacts. But his serene demeanor made even sitting on a park bench a heart-stirring sight for Cen Wei.

The family had also praised Chu Lai’s new glasses. Now, as Xuan Rongqing looked at Chu Lai, she couldn’t help but feel that the more she looked, the more handsome he appeared. “Ah Wei’s brand store overseas.”

Cen’s umbrella business had gone the high-end luxury route abroad, frequently collaborating with big brands. Once the brand was stable, Cen Wei returned to China to develop new products. There was a stable team running things overseas, and though there weren’t many stores, one happened to be in the city where he had studied abroad.

Chu Lai shook his head, “I originally planned to go, but didn’t Grandpa have surgery?”

He was quite fond of Cen Jiansun, “I’m really glad Grandpa’s surgery was successful.”

The hot drink in front of Xuan Rongqing was still steaming, and since Chu Lai didn’t dare drink cold beverages around her, he waited until the adults were gone to switch them out.

“Grandma also really didn’t want him to give up on treatment,” Xuan Rongqing paused, then asked, “When you married Ah Wei, did you consider Grandpa’s situation?”

Chu Lai didn’t feel nervous at the question. He could tell that Xuan Rongqing wasn’t blaming him; it was just a casual question.

He nodded, “Ah Wei told me Grandpa didn’t want to take any risks and chose conservative treatment at home.”

Conservative treatment meant staying at home, with a family doctor monitoring daily—essentially just waiting for death.

Young Cen Wei had always had a slight melancholy in his brows, but at his core, he was gentle. The atmosphere in the Cen family was good, so even though he didn’t have a father, nothing felt missing.

Cen Jiansun was also very important to Cen Wei. The old man had long since drawn up a will and handed over the company to Cen Wei, leaving only the days left to count down.

The old man had told Cen Wei that he had no real regrets, though he’d often add, “It would be even better if I could see you start a family before I go.”

The elder’s wish didn’t become a compulsory demand, but Cen Wei, with his strong sense of responsibility, let it evolve into that fateful text message that unexpectedly strung their lives together.

Hearing Xuan Rongqing’s question, Chu Lai thought for a moment and wasn’t surprised. He asked, “Did you see the rumors online that we’re in a contract marriage?”

This rumor had spread along with the anonymous slander from Shen Quanzhang. Chu Lai had never mentioned it to his family, but it had spread far, even to the point where Yu Ruimei had privately asked him about it.

Xuan Rongqing said, “Yes, I saw it.”

In fact, some clients or friends had sent Xuan Rongqing such messages, but the woman just laughed them off. The weather outside was still cold, and she could see kids playing on the lawn in hats. “Do you think I couldn’t tell?”

Chu Lai held his cup, the ring on his ring finger gleaming conspicuously. Xuan Rongqing said, “As long as you two are happy, nothing else matters.”

She chatted with Chu Lai about other things, asking if he really planned to switch to another major and go back to school.

Chu Lai nodded.

Xuan Rongqing said, “That’s wonderful.”

She seemed genuinely happy, which surprised Chu Lai.

The woman then expressed her regret, “Ah Wei went abroad for school, so I never got to experience visiting a child’s school.”

“Not to mention Ah Wei doesn’t like taking photos.”

Chu Lai asked, “Didn’t you visit him here?”

Xuan Rongqing sighed, “He was always so busy, running around like he had a clock strapped to him. I missed him every time, let alone seeing him at school.”

Chu Lai let out a soft “oh,” and in the next moment, Xuan Rongqing turned to Chu Lai, “So if Lai Lai goes back to school, I can finally visit!”

Most universities are open to visitors nowadays, so visiting wasn’t difficult. Meeting her gaze, Chu Lai understood her meaning.

He nodded, though he seemed a bit troubled. “I’m afraid I won’t pass the entrance exams.”

The major was quite technical, and he’d have to study other subjects before the exams. Despite his usual calm demeanor, Chu Lai showed a hint of concern.

Xuan Rongqing reassured him, “Don’t worry, I’ll get you a tutor.”

Before long, Cen Wei returned. He clearly looked like he’d just been scolded, and he exchanged a glance with Chu Lai.

Cen Wei still wanted to have a private word with Chu Lai, but just then, Cen Jiansun woke up, and everyone headed to the hospital room.

Later that evening, back at the hotel, Chu Lai asked, “What did Grandma say to you?”

Cen Wei tapped Chu Lai’s face. Two days had passed, and the red mark had faded. “Lawyer Zhang was unreliable, and Grandma found out after all.”

Chu Lai grabbed his hand, “She must’ve been scared.”

The lighting in the hotel was warm, and outside, the city lights twinkled. Downstairs, someone was playing an accordion.

Amid the music, Cen Wei held Chu Lai’s hand and hummed, “Then I got a huge scolding, with some local dialect mixed in. My head’s killing me.”

His face pressed into Chu Lai’s palm, his voice seemed to roll out from his throat, giving Chu Lai the impression he was acting cute.

Chu Lai responded with an “oh,” teasing, “If your head hurts, why are you rubbing your face on me?”

Cen Wei: …

Is there a cure for romantic allergies?

The next second, Chu Lai’s laughter filled the room. So, Cen Wei pushed him down. The mattress was soft and bounced a little, basically sending Chu Lai right into his arms.

Chu Lai said, “You’re going to squash me.”

His glasses were tossed aside, and Cen Wei had no intention of getting up. He buried his face in Chu Lai’s shoulder and said, “Grandma scolded me.”

Chu Lai chuckled and couldn’t help but pat Cen Wei’s head. “You’ve never been scolded before?”

He suddenly realized that he really held a high status in the Cen family. As he continued to stroke Cen Wei’s hair, his hand wandered down to his back.

Cen Wei hummed, “It’s always Grandpa who scolds me.”

Feeling the strength of the hand on his back, he froze for a few seconds, realizing that Chu Lai was stroking him like he was petting a dog.

Their family had stayed abroad, and the housekeeper Grandpa looked after their dog. Every day, he would send videos to the family group, and before bed, Chu Lai would watch them several times.

Cen Wei highly suspected that if he were on a business trip, Chu Lai wouldn’t miss him as much.

Chu Lai suddenly said, “By the way, I didn’t know you were so violent. Dr. Jiang told me Shen Quanzhang had broken bones, but the injury wasn’t severe enough to require surgery. Did you…train for this?”

The person in his arms was like a large dog that wasn’t allowed in the city, rubbing against Chu Lai’s shoulder as he said, “I was too scared at the time.”

The next moment, Cen Wei asked, “Did I scare you?”

Chu Lai nodded sincerely, “To be honest, yes. If it were me, I’d probably have been completely shattered.”

He occasionally had a knack for making dry jokes. Cen Wei flipped them over and sat up, with Chu Lai sitting in his lap, taking in the scent of him.

Cen Wei said, “I’d only let you shatter in a different way.”

Chu Lai quickly slipped out of his arms, “Not now. I still need to go out.”

Cen Wei asked, “Where are you going?”

Over the past few days, they had already visited many places, and it was rare for Cen Wei to be this relaxed. He naturally reached out to hold Chu Lai by the waist.

Chu Lai pressed his shoulder and met his eyes, “To check out your property.”

Cen Wei said, “Didn’t we say we’d go tomorrow? Why now?”

Chu Lai replied, “I just suddenly felt like going. Besides, Mom asked me about it too.”

When they were together, it was easy to get distracted and do something else. It was still early, and Chu Lai had no intention of wearing himself out ahead of time, so he wrapped his arms around Cen Wei’s neck and whispered, “Can’t we go?”

How could Cen Wei say no to that? He nodded, “Then I’ll carry you there.”

At first, Chu Lai thought he was joking, but when he found himself being carried from the bed to the hotel hallway, he finally panicked, “You don’t have to do this!”

Perhaps because Chu Lai was usually so calm, it was rare for Cen Wei to see him flustered. He laughed and said, “Why not? It’s not illegal, right?”

With a clear difference in strength, Cen Wei, from his height to his build, could easily envelop Chu Lai. Just then, a couple passed by, and seeing them like this, one of them even whistled.

Chu Lai, though usually composed, wasn’t shameless. He buried his face in Cen Wei’s shoulder and bit his neck, “Put me down already.”

Before Cen Wei could move, Chu Lai bit his earlobe, and the man finally let go.

The next moment, Chu Lai darted into the room and shut the door, leaving Cen Wei outside.

Cen Wei: …

He didn’t have the room key.

The man knocked on the door, “Lai Lai, let me in.”

Chu Lai leaned against the door, “No.”

He had indeed become much more expressive than before. At least, now Cen Wei could pick up on his emotions from his words—right now, a bit angry.

Cen Wei immediately apologized, “I’m sorry. I was wrong.”

Chu Lai said, “I’m just changing clothes.”

Cen Wei obediently waited outside. Just then, a video call came in, showing a post-op check-up on Cen Jiansun.

The old man, still hooked up to tubes, was worried about his grandson. He expected to see his grandson on a date with Chu Lai but instead was greeted with the sight of Cen Wei standing alone in the hotel hallway.

Even with a nasal tube, Cen Jiansun couldn’t contain his schadenfreude. The old man let out a smug “Oh ho,” his tone that of someone who had been there, “In trouble?”

Cen Wei: …

He really wanted to retort, “Grandpa, you used to kneel for punishment,” but considering that Cen Jiansun had just had surgery, he didn’t dare.

When Chu Lai finally emerged, having changed his clothes, Cen Wei was still leaning against the wall, waiting.

“Are we good to go?” Cen Wei asked.

Chu Lai replied, “Don’t do that again next time.”

Cen Wei nodded, “I’m sorry.”

Chu Lai added, “You can only do that at home.”

With a smile, Cen Wei asked, “Do what?”

Chu Lai ignored him.

The brand store was a bit far, so they took a taxi.

In the past few days, Chu Lai’s account had gained a massive number of followers thanks to a live stream. Now, many people had noticed his IP address showed he was abroad and were eagerly asking him to stream again.

Even Liu Yuan was envious, urging him to stream on WeChat.

The gaming content creator was temporarily shifting gears to become a travel vlogger. Chu Lai fiddled with his phone, and just as they got out of the car, he started the live stream. After paying, Cen Wei turned around, walking over like a male model.

The chat was flooded with excited comments, and Cen Wei, unaware of the live stream, called out, “Lai Lai.”

[Is this a honeymoon?! The way he says his name makes me melt.]

[I’ve been to this place! Wow, they’re working even on their honeymoon, checking out their own business?]

[You don’t get it. This is the boss making rounds.]

[A high-end umbrella shop! When I traveled there, I didn’t even dare go in. Now I finally get to see it!]

[Laic, when are you going to collaborate on a game again?!]

Chu Lai’s streaming was always casual. Though it seemed like he was doing it for his fans, he quickly handed the phone to Cen Wei and went to browse the display of handcrafted umbrellas.

Feeling a bit helpless, Cen Wei followed him with the phone, “Shouldn’t I be the one doing the introductions?”

Chu Lai nodded, “Go ahead, boss.”

The store clerk clearly recognized who had come in, showing surprise. After glancing at the man who was so close to Cen Wei, they couldn’t help but recall the photos Cen Wei had posted on social media.

Not long after, the store manager came over.

The live stream wasn’t very formal, with Chu Lai mostly listening to Cen Wei talk.

The weather was still cold, and because the forecast predicted rain, there was a bit of night fog, making everything look hazy.

Both Cen Wei and Chu Lai were wearing matching scarves, and on camera, the two men in their woolen long coats looked like a scene out of a painting. Occasionally, one would hold an umbrella and introduce something to the other, or crack a joke. Anyone could see they were a harmonious pair.

The phone was passed around, and eventually, the store clerk was the one holding it.

The official account of Cen’s Lotus Umbrella Business had also received the news. Shen Yangxu pulled the same stunt again, having the staff broadcast Chu Lai’s live stream on the company’s Spring Festival break.

As Chu Lai admired the umbrellas, Cen Wei glanced at the messages, wondering if Shen Yangxu was deliberately egging on people to tease Chu Lai in the comments.

Otherwise, how was it always so spot on?

If you asked how much Chu Lai enjoyed live streaming, even Cen Wei wasn’t sure. At first, Chu Lai had only used it as a channel to share things.

Now…

He suspected that Chu Lai was doing it on purpose, clearly trying to avoid their intimate moments by pulling in a crowd.

Dressed in a fuzzy coat and slightly long pants with the cuffs grazing his shoes, and with thick knitted gloves hanging around his neck, Chu Lai gave off a clear, student-like vibe. He was wearing glasses that perfectly complemented his look, and as he looked up at the high-end handcrafted umbrellas hanging in the display, he appeared as though framed within a painting.

While sending messages, Cen Wei noticed Chu Lai opening a few umbrellas. He discovered that the umbrella products here were different from those in the family’s workshop.

The materials used were more varied; unlike the mostly wood and bamboo ones collected in the Cen family’s workshop.

“Do you want me to introduce them to you? It’s been a while since Cen Wei’s last visit, and he might not have seen the new products,” a man’s voice suddenly sounded by his ear.

Startled, Chu Lai looked over. It was a mixed-race man dressed in the same uniform as the store clerks.

The man had light brown hair, a high nose bridge, and deep-set eyes, smiling brightly. Yet Chu Lai instinctively moved a little to the side.

Holding Chu Lai’s phone, having just finished sending a message, Cen Wei saw the comment section explode.

[Wow, handsome guy!]

[I knew it, all the salespeople at luxury shops are gorgeous.]

[Laic, did you really just take a step back?!]

[It’s so weird. I don’t even find this guy all that handsome, but my eyes are still drawn to Laic next to him.]

[He’s so pleasant to look at, you naturally just want to keep watching him. His outfit and color scheme are really comfy too.]

[@Cee, what do you think of this?]

[Do they really pick salespeople based on looks?]

The store manager here was an old classmate of Cen Wei’s. Hearing his perfect Mandarin, Chu Lai thought he had misheard at first.

It was hard not to think of Zhou Hei Ya, and no matter how handsome he was, the name alone made Chu Lai want to laugh. His eyes fell on the man’s name tag, and he noticed that the English name was quite normal.

Chu Lai shook his head, “Thanks, but no need.”

Even though he was married to Cen Wei now, Chu Lai still instinctively didn’t like being around people who stood out too much, moving away from them by reflex.

As Liu Yuan once said, it was “flash-phobia.” Good-looking people stood out like a glowing light bulb, and Chu Lai was afraid of being caught in the spillover. It was a bit like when a teacher called on students in class—he felt it was better not to sit too close to those who were frequently called on, as it was too easy to get dragged in.

When Liu Yuan first heard Chu Lai say this, he was silent for a long time before summing up Chu Lai’s twisted logic in one sentence:

“You just think good-looking people are unlucky.”

He wasn’t wrong. Most people couldn’t handle it.

Having seen Chu Lai’s half-step back, even Cen Wei laughed, looking at the buzzing comment section. “Of course they pick salespeople based on looks.”

“But my Lai Lai didn’t pick me for my looks.”

That statement sounded a lot like bragging, and the pride in his eyes couldn’t be hidden, shattering the cool exterior he usually maintained when silent.

[If not for looks, then for…]

[That’s not right! Is this the kind of hint he should be dropping?]

[How can a top business owner boast about his skills like this?!]

[But it’s true—he’s got the skills. After all, it’s craftsmanship.]

[I get the feeling the ‘skills’ you’re all talking about aren’t the same thing.]

Just in time, Cen Wei stepped forward, “I’ll do the introductions myself.”

He said, “All new products pass through my hands. Did you forget?”

The store manager, who had come specifically to see the boss and his partner, nodded, “I forgot.”

Chu Lai hadn’t expected the two to be university classmates. After touring the store, he ended the live stream, and the three of them went to a local underground pub.

Everyone knew that Cen Wei had poor alcohol tolerance, but Chu Lai could drink, which surprised Zhou Ya. He joked, “Did you intentionally find a partner who could drink for you?”

In this kind of setting, Cen Wei became the one to stop him from pouring more drinks. He tapped the bottle, recalling how he had been scolded by Xuan Rongqing for ordering cold drinks for Chu Lai, and removed the ice from his glass.

“Of course not,” said Cen Wei, looking at Chu Lai. “It was fate.”

Chu Lai was curious about Cen Wei’s university life, so he asked a few questions. Zhou Ya, with his straightforward personality, laughed and said, “His university life? You basically never saw him.”

“We were roommates,” the man paused, “living over there.”

Through the windows of the sunken pub, the street outside was visible. Across the street was a narrow alley, with lights seemingly leading the way. Following the light, Chu Lai spotted a church in the distance.

“It’s not the church, it’s behind the church. Don’t listen to him,” said Cen Wei.

The brown-haired man hummed in agreement, “Close enough.”

Zhou Ya added, “He was busy in university, regularly going out to negotiate deals. Back then, he was already drafting the brand plans.”

“He’d visited all the local workshops.”

Seemingly remembering the old days, the mixed-race man laughed, “When the air conditioner broke, I was the one who called for repairs, and he forgot to pay me.”

That last sentence sounded like a bit of public revenge. Cen Wei quickly explained to Chu Lai, “I paid him back.”

Chu Lai sipped the local mint liquor and nodded. He could drink the strongest of alcohols, yet still ordered a side of children’s fries, which piqued people’s curiosity.

Zhou Ya asked, “Is there anything else you want to know? Like, about his love life.”

He also complained, “Cen Wei didn’t even invite me to his wedding.”

“I sent gifts to all the branch employees,” replied Cen Wei.

Zhou Ya, shaking his head, said, “I still remember when we attended Gris’s wedding. We asked you about marriage. What did you say back then?”

Chu Lai had also attended a wedding with Liu Yuan, though it was for a teacher at school. A lawn wedding, with no need to chip in for a gift, right in the season of cherry blossoms—many girls had been envious.

Liu Yuan had been envious too, asking Chu Lai what he thought and if he would do something like that in the future.

Chu Lai had shaken his head. He thought of marriage as a path to a stable life and had said, “There’s nothing much to it. Just get the paperwork done, right?”

Liu Yuan had called him out for speaking too confidently.

Looking back, it did seem that way. So, biting into a fry, Chu Lai curiously asked, “What did he say?”

The alcohol here had a bit of a spicy kick to it. Chu Lai took another sip of mint lemonade, sitting closely with Cen Wei, their body language intimate—something that shocked Zhou Ya, who had been around during the early days of the brand’s founding.

Many people who had seen the photos from their wedding had been astonished at first, with some even assuming it was an old-fashioned business marriage between ancient Chinese families.

But after some digging, they learned that the person Cen Wei had married had no background and was just an ordinary working man.

While the video of them walking together in the snow went viral in China, it didn’t make much noise abroad. But those who knew the couple would often tease Cen Wei by sharing it.

The brown-haired man glanced at Cen Wei, who then turned to Chu Lai, hesitating to speak. Still, his classmate showed no mercy, mimicking Cen Wei’s old tone and expression—

“I will never have a marriage or a lover.”

He mimicked it pretty well, though the imitation came off even colder than the version of Cen Wei that Chu Lai had known.

When they had first met, they were both exhausted, working city folk, far different from their student days.

Taking the fry from Chu Lai’s hand, Cen Wei ate it, annoyed. “People change.”

Chu Lai’s gaze settled on him, his eyes holding a teasing look that was hard to ignore. As if reaching to cover his eyes, Cen Wei’s hand was caught and kissed on the back.

Chu Lai said, “I just left an oily mark on your hand.”

But Cen Wei wasn’t angry. He smiled helplessly and said, “Should I put on some lipstick too?”

The two were openly flirting without a care, making it hard for the others to imagine the cold and aloof young man from his university days.

The signature drinks at this bar were much stronger than those at a typical class reunion. When it came time to leave, Chu Lai had drunk a lot. While he seemed fine sitting, the moment he stood up, he wobbled and had to be supported by Cen Wei.

Picking up his coat, the brown-haired man looked at Chu Lai leaning on Cen Wei and sighed, “At first, I thought you got married for some ulterior motive. But now…”

He chuckled, “I wish you happiness.”

“Same to you,” replied Cen Wei.

Remembering something, Cen Wei called out to him, “On the first workday after the New Year, I’ll be holding a meeting. The main office staff…”

The other man nodded, “But right now, it’s vacation time. I came here today just to join the fun.”

The wind outside was strong, and Chu Lai’s face was flushed, as if his eyes were burning with alcohol. He took off the scarf that Cen Wei had just put on him, “I don’t want to wear it. It’s too hot.”

Touching his neck, Cen Wei said, “I already told you—you can only handle one drink. If you have more, you’ll get dizzy.”

Everything outside seemed new to Chu Lai, and the more he saw, the cuter he appeared to Cen Wei. When Chu Lai had asked for a second drink, all it took was a single sweet “hubby” to make him give in, completely unaware of how much his views on marriage had changed since his student days.

Compared to that, Cen Wei’s hand felt cool. When he placed it on Chu Lai’s neck, the man let out a comfortable sigh.

“Can we go back to the hotel now, my Lai Lai?” asked Cen Wei.

Chu Lai hummed in agreement, extending his hand, “Carry me.”

After carrying him for a few seconds, Cen Wei ended up piggybacking him. The misty streets at night, bathed in the glow of street lamps, seemed like a dream.

Just then, a passerby holding a discounted loaf of bread walked by with a short-legged, long-bodied dog. Chu Lai, drunk and tipsy, missed seeing the dachshund he had been so eager to spot.

Watching the dog thoughtfully, Cen Wei chose not to say anything, though he recalled Chu Lai texting him once, saying that stretched-out limos looked like dachshunds. He couldn’t help but chuckle at the memory.

With his broad back supporting him, Chu Lai felt like he was a child again. Back at the hotel, as Cen Wei undressed him, he mumbled in a daze, “Daddy.”

“Who am I?” asked Cen Wei, as he carried the drunk man into the bathtub. He thought to himself, I knew I shouldn’t have let him have that second drink. How are we going to face Xuan Rongqing for breakfast tomorrow? What if we get caught?

Falling into the tub, Chu Lai finally opened his eyes with difficulty. Surrounded by steam, he touched the man’s overly handsome face and said, “So good-looking. Not Daddy.”

Laughing, Cen Wei asked, “Then who am I?”

He thought about how Chu Lai had reacted to Zhou Ya earlier. Normally, people would feel a little jealous, but Chu Lai had never given him any reason to feel that way.

Lazy, not interested in overly handsome people, and uninterested in those with too much money.

All in all, everything about him was the opposite of what would have drawn in someone like Cen Wei. He really must have gotten lucky for Chu Lai to even notice him.

Still tipsy, Chu Lai tugged him into the bathtub, wrapped his arms around his neck, and said, “Mr. Cen.”

How had they ended up back at square one?

The next second, the dazed man gave him a kiss, “My husband.”