Zhou Yi quickly understood what Shang Yichen meant. The other man not only wanted him to clean up the house, but also expected him to pack his things and leave—quietly and swiftly.

It seemed today marked the end of his role as a stand-in. Zhou Yi wasn’t surprised; after all, the real person had returned, and as a substitute, he knew his time had come to an end. This was something he and Shang Yichen had agreed upon from the start.

Zhou Yi placed the brewed coffee and milk on the table in front of them, then nodded without hesitation. “Okay, Mr. Shang, I’ll go clean up now.”

Shang Yichen took the cup of milk, feeling its warmth through the wall of the cup. Zhou Yi still remembered that he didn’t like drinking coffee at night.

As he watched Zhou Yi turn and head toward the room, Shang Yichen felt a strange, suffocating emotion stir within him. There was something about Zhou Yi’s obedient response and the way he walked away that made him feel uneasy.

Gu Shuning noticed the shift in Shang Yichen’s mood, but instead of addressing it, she casually took a sip of her coffee, seeming unfazed.

In the room, Zhou Yi packed the white shirts and black suit pants into a large garbage bag, along with the pheromone eliminators from the bathroom. He planned to take them downstairs and dispose of them later.

After packing his things, Zhou Yi gathered his personal items—a perfume and a watch Shang Yichen had given him. He intended to sell them on the second-hand market.

Zhou Yi packed quickly; despite living in the apartment for over three years, he didn’t have much to his name. His belongings fit neatly into a small handbag. Most of his clothes were the same shirts and trousers that had been in the closet for years. The few items he packed now were the clothes he’d brought back from Liang Xianzhang’s.

After cleaning the room, changing the sheets, and putting away the new quilt covers, Zhou Yi walked out with his packed belongings.

Shang Yichen was sitting alone in the living room. Gu Shuning had disappeared.

Noticing Zhou Yi’s curious glance, Shang Yichen explained, “Shuning is taking a shower in my room.”

Zhou Yi nodded, unfazed. “Mr. Shang, I’ve cleaned up the room and put everything away as you asked.”

Shang Yichen glanced at the bag in his hand and then at Zhou Yi’s face. “Is this all you have?”

“Yes, not much,” Zhou Yi replied.

Shang Yichen reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick stack of money. “You heard that Shuning will be staying here for a while, so you should stay in a hotel for now. Take this money for yourself—buy something. Don’t make it seem like I’m mistreating you. I’ll take care of the rest and contact you after I’ve arranged everything.”

Zhou Yi took the money, careful not to let his smile show. He nodded obediently. “I will follow Mr. Shang’s arrangements.”

Zhou Yi lowered his voice and his head, giving the impression of being somber and resigned.

Shang Yichen watched him for a moment, the sight of his bowed head causing an unfamiliar tug in his chest. He wanted to say something comforting, but the words stuck in his throat. His experience of being in control for so long left him unsure of how to console someone else.

The two of them stood in silence, neither speaking.

Zhou Yi didn’t want to stay any longer, but he knew better than to show his eagerness to leave. He held the money in his hands and continued to act the part.

Just as the silence grew unbearable, Gu Shuning walked out of the room, drying her hair. She saw the two of them standing together and paused mid-sentence, “You two…?”

Shang Yichen’s expression faltered slightly. Zhou Yi quickly seized the opportunity and said, “Mr. Gu, the hair dryer is in the second compartment of the bathroom cabinet.”

Then, turning to Shang Yichen, he added, “It’s getting late. I won’t disturb you two’s rest time. It’s time for me to get off work as well.”

Shang Yichen glanced at him, noting the smile on his lips, the way his eyes curved. For a moment, Zhou Yi looked warm, almost too gentle, and Shang Yichen felt an unexpected emotion rise in his chest. He nodded indifferently.

Zhou Yi, with his usual smile, turned to leave, walking toward the entrance to change his shoes. Shang Yichen watched him go, feeling a strange emptiness, as if the moment Zhou Yi walked out of the door, they would never meet again.

The thought of asking Zhou Yi to stay gnawed at him, but his throat seemed constricted, as if unable to speak.

He watched, helpless, as the door closed in front of him, Zhou Yi disappearing quietly like he always did.

As soon as the door closed, Zhou Yi was met by Liang Xianzhang, who was standing in the hallway, leaning against the open door. He had clearly been waiting for a while, and when he saw Zhou Yi, his gaze darkened, more intense than the night outside the window.

Zhou Yi’s heart tightened, a mix of excitement and nervousness surging within him. He couldn’t pinpoint the exact feeling—perhaps it was both.

With a slight tremble in his voice, he asked, “Are you… waiting for me?”

Liang Xianzhang opened his arms without hesitation, his eyes focused on Zhou Yi. “Come to me.”

Those simple words, paired with his open arms, sent a rush of warmth through Zhou Yi. A feeling of deep emotion surged from his chest, as if something inside him had collapsed, releasing everything at once.

Zhou Yi’s hands shook so much he almost dropped his bag. The bag slipped down his legs, and he nearly stumbled into Liang Xianzhang’s arms, surrendering all his weight to him.

Liang Xianzhang caught him effortlessly, holding him close like a child.

Zhou Yi buried his face in Liang Xianzhang’s chest, breathing in the familiar scent of orange blossom. The warmth from Liang Xianzhang’s embrace made him feel at ease, as if everything was right in the world.

Liang Xianzhang felt Zhou Yi’s cold nose brush against his face, and he tilted his head to match the touch. “I’ve been waiting for you for a long time,” he murmured.

Zhou Yi smiled softly. “I know.”

Liang Xianzhang hesitated for a moment. “You and him…”

Zhou Yi looked up at him seriously and answered, “It’s completely over this time. He’s gone back to China, and I’m packing up. I’m coming out now.”

Zhou Yi sighed and buried his face in Liang Xianzhang’s shoulder. “I’m really unemployed now.”

In that moment, the darkness in Liang Xianzhang’s eyes lifted. He reached out to stroke Zhou Yi’s back, comforting him. “It’s okay. You can rely on me.”

Zhou Yi met his gaze, speechless.

Liang Xianzhang stroked his face again, his voice soft. “Live with me. Rely on me more, okay?”

Zhou Yi looked at him intently. The warmth in Liang Xianzhang’s gaze, the soft pleading, made him realize how much he mattered to the other man.

It was then that the vague feeling of affection Zhou Yi had carried for so long crystallized. He realized he liked Liang Xianzhang, too.

Liang Xianzhang had been there for him time and again when he was struggling. It was also the first time in his life he had ever felt respected, cherished, and treated gently. No one had ever comforted or cared for him in the way Liang Xianzhang did.

The tenderness in Liang Xianzhang’s eyes, the love in his touch—it was all there, waiting for him. Zhou Yi slowly leaned in and kissed him briefly on the lips, his voice soft as he replied, “Okay.”

At the moment of agreement, Zhou Yi could feel Liang Xianzhang’s trembling body, his breath heavy with emotion.

Liang Xianzhang’s voice was filled with quiet intensity. “Honestly, that was probably the most nervous moment of my life.”

Zhou Yi chuckled softly and leaned in to kiss his cheek as if to reassure him.

Liang Xianzhang’s heart fluttered at the touch, and he quickly bent down, picking up the items Zhou Yi had dropped, before carrying him into the house.

Zhou Yi felt a sense of familiarity in the space. It was as though he had finally found a place where he truly belonged, a place where he could feel at home.

Liang Xianzhang looked at him, smiling as he kissed Zhou Yi’s fingertips and then, with a soft whisper, held his hand tightly, “Welcome home, Xiaoyi.”