Shen Yuming couldn’t hold back a laugh. “No rush.”

Yu Yan realized he had misunderstood and awkwardly rubbed his face. “Um, I’ll let my mom know. My brother went out, but I’m not sure if he’ll check up on me.”

“He’s out working this time.”

Last time, it was a vacation with plenty of free time, but this time, it was for work, so he probably wouldn’t have time to check on him.

After drafting the message, Yu Yan hesitated for a long time before sending it.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Yuming asked, puzzled.

Yu Yan rubbed his chin. “Do you think my mom will talk to me about this? Like, ask my thoughts on the relationship and give me tips on how to keep a marriage happy?”

If Jiang Mo decided to talk to him, it would mean the whole family would find out. His brother wasn’t nearly as calm and composed; he might even storm over to Shen Yuming’s house.

Shen Yuming thought carefully about the possibility. “Probably not.”

If Jiang Mo wanted to discuss the relationship, she wouldn’t have invited him out today.

Yu Yan felt that made sense and immediately sent the message.

Within seconds, Jiang Mo replied, simply reminding him to stay safe. It was a perfectly normal thing to say, but under the circumstances, it felt a bit different.

Yu Yan decided to turn off his phone and focus on eating.

“After dinner, let’s head to the study to sign the contract,” Shen Yuming explained.

Yu Yan was slightly taken aback. “What contract?”

“For the new movie’s investment.”

“Oh,” Yu Yan responded, then leaned closer to ask, “Ge, does this count as an investment from the company or a personal investment from you?”

Shen Yuming raised an eyebrow slightly. “What’s the difference?”

“There’s a big difference. If it’s from the company, it’s a collaboration between me and the company, and once the movie’s released, I’d have to share the profits with them.” Yu Yan chuckled mischievously and continued, “But if it’s your personal investment, it becomes part of our marital property. We can use it to buy a house and put both our names on the deed. That way, the house becomes our shared home.”

Marital property, buying a house together, a shared home…

These words were too tempting for Shen Yuming. There was no reason for him to refuse. He put down his chopsticks and headed to the study.

“Ge, where are you going?” Yu Yan called out in confusion.

“To get the contract.”

Yu Yan muttered under his breath, “Is it that urgent?” and hurriedly set down his chopsticks to follow.

The contract was something Shen Yuming had prepared in advance; Yu Yan just needed to sign it.

Without even glancing at it, Yu Yan flipped to the last page and signed his name. Just as he was about to put down the pen, Shen Yuming stopped him.

“There’s more.” Shen Yuming opened to another section requiring his signature.

“Didn’t I only have to sign once last time?” Yu Yan asked, his hand continuing to sign.

With a calm expression, Shen Yuming explained, “Last time was for company funding. Personal investments are more complicated.”

“Oh,” Yu Yan said, quickly signing several more places. “All done.”

“Good. I’ll have Zhao Chi transfer the funds to you tomorrow.” Shen Yuming quietly set aside the property transfer agreement and charity foundation agreement in a cabinet, intending to have a lawyer notarize them tomorrow.

Barely half an hour after dinner, the check-in came, albeit a little late. Thankfully, this time Yu Chen didn’t make a video call but simply called.

“Ge, are you just waking up at this hour?” Yu Yan yawned.

“Mm, just adjusting to the time difference. I’m about to meet a friend. He owns a vineyard here and said he’d provide wine for the wedding, so I’m going to pick some,” Yu Chen paused briefly before asking, “Where are you?”

Yu Yan closed his eyes and silently apologized three times in his heart before calmly replying, “At home playing games. I’ll head to the film set in a while.”

“Alright, I’ll bring back some good wine for you,” Yu Chen said without any suspicion.

Yu Yan didn’t drink alcohol, but sometimes it was needed for wrap parties or as a gesture of goodwill, so he didn’t refuse.

“Thanks, Ge, and thank your friend too.”

“It’s nothing, we’ve been friends for so many years.” Yu Chen brushed it off casually.

Yu Chen’s friends all seemed to be quite generous. When he got married, Shen Yuchen gave him a house, and now someone was gifting wine. It was said that Fang Chi gave a painting by a famous artist. As for what the others had gifted, Yu Yan wasn’t sure, but they were unlikely to be cheap.

This inevitably reminded Yu Yan of how, in the original story, Yu Chen was forced to leave Chaoxing and later joined Shen Yuming’s company. Even then, Yu Chen managed to lend a hand to the original Yu Yan, though sadly, the original was a hopeless case.

Thinking of “Shen Yuming,” Yu Yan’s heart immediately leapt to his throat. That man was his brother’s friend, not his. How could he forget the reason he transmigrated into this world in the first place!

Feeling uneasy, Yu Yan asked, “Brother, this friend of yours… did he just go abroad last year?”

“Yes, he went to further his studies. His English name is Eric. I’ll introduce you to him sometime.”

Went abroad last year? That matched!

And only introducing him by his English name, not his Chinese name—was it to avoid Yu Yan finding out?

Yu Yan’s heart raced. “Brother, did your friend… come to our house last year?”

“Yes, he did. Around the time you were sick, he was preparing to go abroad and brought a few bottles of red wine for Dad. But you two never crossed paths, so you probably don’t know him.” Yu Chen didn’t think much of it.

When he was sick? Wasn’t that when he overdosed on pills and had his stomach pumped?

He still remembered wanting to discuss something with Yu Chen in the study but retreating immediately upon overhearing Shen Yuming’s name.

That matched too!

Still holding onto a sliver of hope, Yu Yan asked, “Brother, do you have any other close friends I haven’t met?”

“No, just Eric. The others, like Fang Chi, are already familiar with you.” Yu Chen answered casually.

Confirmed!

Eric was Shen Yuming!

“Brother, forget the wine—I don’t want it anymore. Just… come back soon.” Yu Yan sighed. At least Shen Yuming treated his brother well. Even if he disliked Yu Yan, he probably wouldn’t go so far as to kill him… right?

Yu Chen didn’t know why he suddenly changed his mind but didn’t press the issue. “Eric will return to attend my wedding. I’ll introduce you then.”

“No… no need.” Yu Yan hung up the phone.

That one phone call left Yu Yan completely on edge. He couldn’t even muster the mood to play games or watch movies.

How on earth was he supposed to avoid Shen Yuming?!

Shen Yuming noticed his low spirits and pulled him into an embrace. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s a long story.” Yu Yan let out a long sigh and climbed onto Shen Yuming’s lap, straddling him. Face-to-face, he wrapped his arms around Shen Yuming’s neck and rested his head on his shoulder.

“Brother, if I were being hunted down by enemies, you’d protect me, right?” He suddenly lifted his head, staring at Shen Yuming intently.

The question was entirely unnecessary. Back then, Shen Yuming had ended up hospitalized for so long because of Yu Yan. Still, hearing a clear affirmation would ease Yu Yan’s nerves.

Shen Yuming tightened his embrace. “Of course. Why? Did you offend someone?”

Yu Yan nodded. “Big time.”

The original Yu Yan’s schemes with Shen Muyang were practically dancing on the edge of legality. It was a wonder Shen Yuming didn’t absolutely despise him.

“How did you offend them?” Shen Yuming’s eyes flickered slightly.

“I’ll tell you next time.”

Spending limited time alone with Shen Yuchen, Yu Yan cherished every moment. Wrapping his legs around Shen Yuchen’s waist, he said, “Ge, I don’t want to walk. Carry me back to the room.”

Shen Yuchen didn’t ask further. Supporting him by the hips, he gave him a kiss at the corner of his mouth before carrying him to the bed.

The sound of water trickling came from the bathroom. Yu Yan lay on the bed, legs swinging as he played with his phone, casually opening the group chat “Nothing is Impossible if You Let Go (7).”

Recently, the group had been buzzing about the new movie Shadow. Everyone was pleased with Zhao Han’s finalized costume design, and Yu Yan had already signed the contract with her online.

After hours of silence in the chat, Yu Yan dropped a bombshell.

[Yu Yan]: Good evening, everyone. I’m officially taken.

[Song Yunjing]: Wow~ Congratulations, congratulations!

[He Zhiyu]: That was fast? As expected of President Shen!

…

Amid a stream of congratulations, a smile finally crept onto Yu Yan’s face. Since he couldn’t brag at home, surely he could boast a little in the group chat.

[He Zhiyu]: This historic moment deserves to be celebrated. Xiao Yan Yan, send me your address, and I’ll send you a gift.

[Yu Yan]: You’re too kind. [Address]

[He Zhiyu]: What’s with the formality? When anyone else gets into a relationship, let me know—I’ll prepare gifts for everyone.

[Chen Qingyu (Little Brother He Version)]: I’m not in a relationship, but I’ll thank you in advance, Brother He.

[He Zhiyu]: You’re my little brother, so you get double the gifts!

As the chat remained lively and cheerful, Yu Yan received a private message from Jian Ran—a link.

Having developed PTSD at the sight of links, Yu Yan hesitated to click it right away.

[Yu Yan]: What is this?

[Jian Ran]: A guide.

[Yu Yan]: …I don’t need it for now, but thanks.

Jian Ran’s recommendations were gentler compared to Zhang Cancan’s, often in the form of formal written guides, but Yu Yan really didn’t need this right now!

[Jian Ran]: Are you sure you don’t need it? Then what do you need He Zhiyu’s gift for?

[Yu Yan]: Am I not allowed to accept gifts?

[Jian Ran]: You can, but… never mind. You’ll find out eventually. Yan-ge, stay safe.

What a weirdo!

Yu Yan didn’t dwell on it and continued scrolling through his phone.

The guidelines for male-to-male relationships were much more extensive than for male-to-female ones. As Yu Yan read through the comprehensive advice, his expression alternated between frowning in confusion and sudden enlightenment.

So that’s how it works!

Shen Yuchen came out of the bathroom. “I left your pajamas and towel on the rack.”

Yu Yan gave an OK gesture. “Ge, I ordered bubble tea and cake to celebrate us being together. Don’t forget to grab the delivery.”

“Got it.” Shen Yuchen’s lips curved slightly.

Since his parents’ divorce, he had stopped celebrating even his birthdays. A day worth commemorating like this was a rarity for him.

After showering, Yu Yan walked barefoot from the bathroom to the bedroom without even drying his hair. The entire house, except for the bathroom, was covered with thick carpets, making walking barefoot extremely comfortable.

“Come here, let me dry your hair.” Shen Yuchen sat on the edge of the bed holding a hairdryer.

Yu Yan plopped down cross-legged on the floor, tilted his head back, and gave it a little shake. “Do you think my hair’s getting kind of long?”

Shen Yuchen grabbed a handful. “Not long—just right.”

“Alright. I didn’t bring any tools, or I could’ve trimmed it myself.”

“You know how to cut hair?” Shen Yuchen sounded a bit surprised.

Yu Yan tilted his head proudly. “Of course! I can at least do some basic trimming. Going to the barbershop every month costs 45 yuan. Cutting it myself saves me that money. When I used to live in a youth hostel, I even cut other people’s hair—10 yuan a head. A single haircut could cover my meals for a few days.”

Shen Yuchen’s hands slowed slightly. “That’s impressive.”

“Obviously. They all praised my skills. But I can’t do fancy hairstyles. The hostel owner even asked me if I wanted to learn hairstyling and beauty care—she said she’d pay my tuition.”

Learning a trade wasn’t a simple matter. Besides tuition, there were living expenses, which Yu Yan couldn’t afford.

“What’s a youth hostel?” Shen Yuchen asked.

“It’s kind of like a mix between a guesthouse and a hotel, but youth hostels usually have shared accommodations. It’s like dorm living, with bunk beds in six-person or eight-person rooms. But the rent’s way cheaper—maybe 10 to 20 yuan a day.” Yu Yan explained cheerfully while scrolling on his phone.

A dull ache rose in Shen Yuchen’s chest. He let out a soft “hmm” and didn’t pursue the topic further.

After drying Yu Yan’s hair, the doorbell rang.

Yu Yan rolled lazily on the carpet, clearing a path. “Ge, get the delivery.”

Less than two minutes later, Shen Yuchen returned, carrying a large cardboard box—bigger than a Lego set box.

“What’s this? Did you buy Legos?” Yu Yan asked curiously.

“Pass me the scissors.”

When the box was opened, the words “ultra-thin,” “intense pleasure,” “super smooth,” and “long-lasting” in bold, enlarged text jumped out at them.

An entire box of condoms.

This would last them until the end of time!

“Don’t you think this is a bit much?”

“You bought this many?”

They spoke in unison, staring at each other in shock.

The doorbell rang again—this time, it was the actual food delivery.