“You Want to Move On? Contact Me First”

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Shen Ling was taken back, and before long, he regained consciousness, finding his older brother sitting in front of him on a sofa. His hands were tied.

Shen Ling looked around; clearly, he was no longer on the yacht but at his brother’s house. This place was unfamiliar to him, decorated in dark colors that matched the vibe his brother gave off. Although they were siblings, their relationship was rather distant. Deep down, Shen Ling felt a bit uneasy around his brother.

When his brother spoke, or even when he remained silent, there was a kind of calmness that made Shen Ling’s heart beat faster.

Shen Ling wasn’t crazy; he knew what was real and what wasn’t. He just couldn’t accept what had happened. How could everything have changed so suddenly? One moment, he was the center of everyone’s attention, and the next, everyone around him had left.

Now, it felt like no one was left around him, and people thought he was becoming stranger by the day. Was that his fault? It was all because of Chi Yao, and that dream…

In the dream, he was pregnant. When he went to confirm it afterward, Chi Yao actually admitted it. Could it be fake? Shen Ling didn’t believe so; he was convinced it was from a past life.

Shen Zhong, looking at his brother, noticed Shen Ling was staring at him but was clearly deep in thought. Shen Zhong waited patiently for Shen Ling to gather his thoughts. He knew Shen Ling realized he wasn’t alone; he knew his brother was waiting for an explanation.

If he continued acting out, his brother might actually send him to the hospital.

Shen Ling relaxed and leaned back in his chair, then asked his brother, “Brother, do you believe a man can have a child?”

At this question, Shen Zhong immediately knew what Shen Ling was referring to.

“You mean…that the child was born from a man?” To be specific, that the child was born from Chi Yao, a man.

“I didn’t say anything.” Shen Zhong had guessed it himself. That had nothing to do with him.

“They do look alike,” Shen Zhong noted. There was no doubt the child was Chi Yao’s. He couldn’t imagine any woman who could give birth to such a child for Chi Yao, but if what Shen Ling said was true, then it made sense.

Shen Zhong was the type to take things in stride. Whether it was the idea of a man giving birth or the possibility that his brother had lost his mind, he would handle it calmly.

“So, you don’t want to go to the hospital?” Shen Zhong said, noticing Shen Ling hadn’t completely lost control.

Shen Ling forced a smile. “Of course not.”

“Earlier, I was wrong to act crazy. I’ll control myself from now on.”

“How? By jumping off a boat in front of people again and making a fool of yourself?” Shen Zhong pointed out.

Shen Ling’s face flushed with embarrassment, his lips pressed tightly as he struggled with his words.

“If I told you I found out some things in a dream that I didn’t know before, would you believe me?” Shen Ling didn’t give too many details, afraid his brother would think he was truly insane.

“I believe in facts,” Shen Zhong replied.

Shen Ling continued, “It’s hard for me to let it go. That person used to like me so much, yet he could just turn around and leave me, even ending up with someone else who once pursued me.”

“They hid it from me, brother—they got together behind my back and even have a child now. If this happened to you, could you just ignore it?”

“I don’t care what others think of me; they can say what they want. But this feeling has been torturing me,” he admitted.

“I thought you didn’t care about all this love stuff,” Shen Zhong recalled, thinking about how many people had pursued Shen Ling, both men and women, yet Shen Ling had never seriously cared about any of them.

Now, however, it was as though Shen Ling was experiencing the consequences of playing with others’ affections. Even so, Shen Zhong still saw Shen Ling as his brother, not like the others.

“You’ll go abroad and stay there for six months. Calm down. You can’t come back without my permission,” Shen Zhong instructed.

He wouldn’t let Shen Ling stay in Nancheng any longer. This time he had jumped off a boat—who knew what he might do next? Shen Zhong couldn’t bear to clean up after him again. Shen Ling could afford the disgrace, but Shen Zhong couldn’t. The Shen family couldn’t either.

“But I…”

Shen Ling started to protest, but his brother cut him off.

“You’re bargaining with me?”

Shen Ling feared his older brother more than his parents.

“What are you planning to do?” Shen Ling asked, squinting as he wondered if Shen Zhong intended to deal with Chi Yao and Fu Rong in his absence.

Shen Zhong smiled. “You don’t need to know. Leave tomorrow; I’ll have the ticket arranged.”

Shen Zhong made a gesture, and someone who had been standing by silently came over to untie Shen Ling’s hands.

“He’ll be following you from now on. If you have anything to say, tell him, and he’ll relay it to me.”

Shen Zhong wouldn’t spoil Shen Ling. Shen Ling had fallen apart over one or two people, which made Shen Zhong think he was still too fragile. It would be better for him to be on his own for a while.

Shen Ling was led out of the room, taking a deep breath. In front of his older brother, he couldn’t fight back. This was how things would end.

“He is truly Unwilling, But There’s Nothing he Can Do”

Shen Ling’s phone hadn’t been taken away. He immediately called Chi Yao, and to his surprise, Chi Yao actually answered.

“I thought you’d already blocked me,” Shen Ling chuckled on the other end.

“No need, not necessary.” Although Chi Yao didn’t know Shen Zhong well, it was clear Shen Ling was being handled by him. The Shen family probably wouldn’t allow Shen Ling to run wild anymore.

“I’m leaving the country tomorrow. It seems my brother has quite the interest in you,” Shen Ling laughed.

“Interest? More like curiosity,” Chi Yao corrected him.

“Chi Yao, my brother isn’t like me. When he’s interested in something—or someone—he won’t stop until he gets it.”

Shen Ling subtly warned Chi Yao.

“Thanks,” Chi Yao replied gratefully. He’d already been reborn once; he didn’t believe anything could be an obstacle now. As for Shen Zhong? He was indeed unusual, but now Chi Yao wasn’t alone. He had Fu Rong by his side, and their baby, who gave him endless strength. The baby was Chi Yao’s weakness, but also his source of strength.

“Alright, there’s nothing more between us to discuss. Chi Yao, you really did like me once, right?” Shen Ling asked.

The question was mostly meaningless now, but he still wanted to ask.

“Yes,” Chi Yao admitted. He had liked Shen Ling in his previous life, even until the end. Even knowing Shen Ling’s true nature, he still held a place for him in his heart.

Living again, Chi Yao had gained clarity and moved on.

“That’s enough, then. It’s in the past,” Shen Ling replied. “If, someday, Fu Rong treats you poorly, and you want to move on, can I be the first one you contact?”

After his failed attempt to jump into the sea, Shen Ling seemed calmer. He couldn’t have Chi Yao in his past life, and he couldn’t in this life either.

“There will never be a day like that,” Chi Yao didn’t indulge the thought. He didn’t believe in Fu Rong, but he believed in himself. Fu Rong was a special case; there wouldn’t be another.

“…Alright, goodbye then.” Shen Ling hung up, afraid he might lose control and rush to Chi Yao’s side again.

Chi Yao put down the phone, and Fu Rong, who was standing nearby, seemed to understand who had called, even without the speaker on. He hadn’t interrupted and allowed Chi Yao and Shen Ling to talk.

“He’s leaving tomorrow. This time, it’s likely he’ll be gone for a long time.”

Fu Rong hugged Chi Yao as the baby slept peacefully in a crib nearby. Chi Yao laughed, looking out over the vast ocean. They were still on the island, the waves crashing and rolling.

“But it seems we may have another issue—Shen Zhong.”

Fu Rong understood what Chi Yao was hinting at. Yet, with Chi Yao by his side, no other person or problem could unsettle Fu Rong. For him, Chi Yao’s acceptance was more than enough. As for Shen Zhong, whatever obstacles came, he would handle them.

“Alright,” Fu Rong agreed, taking on any trouble that might arise.

They stayed on the island a bit longer, but they returned home by nightfall, letting the baby sleep in familiar surroundings. The temperature difference might make the baby uncomfortable sleeping outside. Fu Rong now lived at Chi Yao’s house, though still in the guest room, which was already a significant step forward.

Fu Rong believed that, one day, he would stay in Chi Yao’s bedroom. He wouldn’t be alone at night; there would be someone warm and soft beside him.

Shen Zhong hadn’t made any immediate moves, nor had he reached out to Chi Yao. In the meantime, Fu Rong began preparing for their wedding. They planned to keep it private, inviting only a few close friends. The date was set, and Fu Rong informed his parents without going into details. This was his life decision, and he was firm about it.

Fu Rong had Chi Yao’s suit tailored at home, with a tailor taking measurements and noting the specifics. There would be several options for Chi Yao to choose from. As for Fu Rong himself, he didn’t opt for a typical men’s suit but instead chose a bridal gown.

The tailor was visibly shocked when Fu Rong requested a wedding dress, but seeing his serious demeanor, they took the order professionally.