Chapter 3 – From this moment on, I’m your brother Gangzi

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Song Yan didn’t go straight upstairs after entering the house.

He knew that even if he did, the mother and son would follow him into the bedroom, so it was better to deal with them in the living room.

Sure enough, as soon as Xie Chenyu left, the mother and son outside the door eagerly came in.

Just from that parting glance from Third Young Master Xie, they didn’t need to ask to know that the two of them had gotten along quite well.

The teen suspected it was this outfit that had done the trick. Even though he understood the importance of the engagement, he still couldn’t hold back his temper: “You two had a nice chat?”

Song Yan was impressed.

Given Xie Chenyu’s striking appearance, it was quite something that his cousin, Song Shuo, could still feel jealous.

He simply answered, “It was okay.”

Song Shuo jabbed again, “Then why did you only have a meal? Didn’t go anywhere else?”

Song Yan said, “Because I was tired.”

The Song family knew Song Yan suffered from Pheromone Deficiency Syndrome, but they didn’t know the specifics.

Hearing this, Song Shuo immediately found a point of attack: “Why hasn’t your illness gotten better? Will it affect fertility?”

Song Yan froze for a moment and asked nervously, “I’m not sure either. Should I bring it up with him next time?”

Song Shuo choked.

Of course that couldn’t be brought up. What if the engagement fell through?

The noblewoman secretly glared at her son, then quickly reassured Song Yan: “No need to mention it. I’ve been worried about your illness all these years and specifically consulted a doctor. It won’t affect anything.”

Song Yan secretly chuckled to himself.

His uncle’s family—his cousin had disliked him since childhood, and his uncle and aunt were both opportunists in the same vein.

He had previously adopted a foolish and timid persona to try and avoid the marriage. Now that he and Xie Chenyu had reached an agreement, he couldn’t be bothered to humor them anymore. After a few replies, he went upstairs.

The bedroom was at the end of the second-floor hallway, with a small balcony.

The balcony faced a grove of trees, so it was hard for anyone to see in. Song Yan walked over and sat down in a wicker chair, then opened his communicator to contact his grandfather.

While waiting, he pushed back his somewhat bothersome bangs, revealing his full forehead.

His slightly hunched shoulders straightened, his expression lost its former timidity, and the corners of his mouth held a faint smile. The once eye-catching clothes immediately faded into the background.

A few seconds later, the screen lit up, and a figure appeared out of thin air.

He happened to land on the wicker chair opposite him, and in a sitting posture, looking as if he had been sitting there all along.

Song Yan adjusted the screen to make him fully “sit properly” and called out, “Grandpa.”

Old Master Qin immediately saw Song Yan’s outfit, and wasn’t surprised at all.

He was the one who had arranged this marriage. Song Yan may have agreed verbally, but there was no way he was truly willing. If he didn’t stir up a little trouble, it just wouldn’t be like him.

With a calm face, he asked, “You’ve met?”

Song Yan “hmm”-ed, a hint of awkwardness flashing across his face. He paused before saying, “Just got back from dinner.”

Old Master Qin keenly caught this subtle change in expression and asked, “How was it?”

Song Yan’s expression quickly returned to normal. “It was okay.”

Old Master Qin’s furrowed brow relaxed slightly.

Marriage was no small matter. After making the decision, he had naturally been uneasy, worried that Song Yan wouldn’t be happy. Only now did he feel slightly at ease.

Given Song Yan’s personality, for him to say “it was okay” even after going in with a mindset of resistance and mischief, he probably didn’t dislike the other party. Maybe it really had something to do with that incredibly high compatibility score.

He pressed on: “How was his attitude towards you?”

Song Yan said, “Quite good.”

Old Master Qin’s brow relaxed further: “Then you two can go out and have more fun recently.”

Song Yan shifted his gaze slightly, and replied with as few words as possible: “Mm.”

Old Master Qin, recalling his earlier awkwardness, found it a little amusing.

Song Yan was smart and mature beyond his years, rarely flustered. Now, faced with matters of the heart, he was actually showing a bit of youthful awkwardness and innocence. It was a rare sight.

Looking at his grandson pretending to be calm, he considerately changed the subject: “No one’s giving you trouble over there, right?”

Song Yan met his grandfather’s smiling eyes, knowing that his acting hadn’t faltered and his grandfather believed him.

That was enough.

His illness now had a solution, and the “relationship” showed signs of budding. His grandfather didn’t have to worry about him constantly anymore and could finally enjoy some peace.

The rest was between him and Xie Chenyu. Once he recovered and had the Alpha pheromones in his body cleansed, everything would be settled. By then, even if he confessed to his grandfather, at most he’d get scolded a bit.

Feeling content, he said, “No. They don’t dare trouble me now.”

Old Master Qin knew he wasn’t the type to be taken advantage of, but still felt uneasy. He decided to return to Imperial Capital Star sooner, so he could meet Xie Chenyu in person.

The elders’ thoughts were quite similar.

After Song Yan ended the call and took an afternoon nap, he received a message from Xie Chenyu saying that his family wanted him over for a meal.

He stared at the message box for a couple of seconds before replying: 【When?】

Xie Chenyu: 【Looking at your time, are you free recently?】

Song Yan: 【Yes.】

Xie Chenyu: 【Then come by tomorrow night. Before that, let’s video chat?】

Song Yan: 【?】

Xie Chenyu: 【Practice in advance, I’m afraid you’ll blow our cover.】

Song Yan happened to be free at the moment. Confirming Xie Chenyu was also available, he got up, tidied himself up quickly, and made the call.

The next second, Xie Chenyu’s figure appeared before him.

Both of their dazzling outfits had been replaced with simple loungewear, which, paired with their exceptionally high good looks, made them immediately much more pleasing to the eye. Xie Chenyu realized he was in Song Yan’s bedroom and, without looking around, went straight to the point: “I’ve thought about it. You can just act naturally.”

Song Yan pretended to be confused: “Huh?”

Xie Chenyu said, “You’re shy by nature. Just stick close to me when the time comes—if anything happens, I’ll handle it.”

Song Yan asked, “Then… what if you’re not there or they force me to talk?”

Xie Chenyu replied, “Even if I leave, it won’t be for long. I’ll come back and help you out right away. Just remember to glance at me from time to time—we’re supposed to be love at first sight, remember?”

Song Yan had no objections: “Okay.”

After stating the guiding principles, Xie Chenyu moved to practice: “Come on, give me a shy expression.”

Aside from his inability to control blushing, Song Yan’s other acting skills were barely passable.

There were no beauty filters on the video call—it was the raw, unedited version. He lowered his eyes and gave a bashful little expression.

Xie Chenyu raised an eyebrow, a bit suspicious this was just luck: “Again.”

So Song Yan blushed shyly once more.

Xie Chenyu was quite surprised: “Your acting is good.”

Song Yan nervously fiddled with his fingers, his tone carrying a hint of sweetness: “I… I was just thinking about my brother Gangzi.”

Xie Chenyu immediately showed respect for this love-brained person.

Since Song Yan’s acting was convincing,

After they set a time, Song Yan informed the Song family at dinner.

Song Shuo instantly lost his composure.

They had just met today, and now they were already going to have dinner together at home tomorrow? He really couldn’t understand what Third Young Master Xie saw in Song Yan—was it just because he was good-looking?”

For a moment, he even felt like the shadows of his childhood were returning.

Back then, Song Yan shone brightly—teachers loved him, and family members doted on him. Even Song Shuo’s parents told him to curry favor with Song Yan, as if everyone could only see this one person.

It wasn’t until Song Yan lost both parents and was taken by Old Master Qin to the countryside for recuperation that this shadow gradually dissipated.

So many years had passed, the noble little prince had fallen from his pedestal and become a country bumpkin. Song Shuo thought he had finally won this life, only to have the incredibly well-off Third Young Master Xie suddenly appear.

A marriage alliance is a marriage alliance, but what’s with all this affection?!

He indignantly wanted to hurl a few sarcastic remarks but was stopped by a warning glance from his mother. He could only eat in silence.

The Song couple took this meeting very seriously.

This time, the noblewoman wasn’t careless and personally helped Song Yan pick out his clothes

Remembering Xie Chenyu’s attire, she even chose a patterned shirt that wouldn’t steal the show, aiming to be neither an eyesore nor completely unappealing to Xie Chenyu.

Song Yan didn’t care either way. The next day, dressed neatly, he waited for Third Young Master Xie to arrive.

Xie Chenyu had also changed his style today, though not entirely, making the two of them look like they were wearing couple’s outfits again.

As soon as he entered, his attention was solely on Song Yan, clearly looking like someone who had fallen in love. Song Yan silently thought, good acting. After the Song family loaded the prepared gifts into the car, he set off with Xie Chenyu.

Moments later, the hovercar arrived at its destination.

Unlike the modest Song family villa, the Xie family estate was vast and well-equipped—rumor had it you could even soak in hot springs on the mountaintop behind the house.

On the way, Xie Chenyu gave Song Yan a brief rundown of the family’s situation. Now, as he parked the car, he suddenly remembered something: “If necessary, I might hold your hand or put an arm around your shoulder.”

He had to say this beforehand; otherwise, if this “love-brained” person wasn’t prepared, he might instinctively slap him, and that would be a huge problem.

“Only when necessary. If I don’t have to touch you normally, I absolutely won’t,” he said. “For the future happiness of both our couples, you understand, right?”

Song Yan reluctantly nodded.

So Xie Chenyu got out of the car with him, encouraging him to get into character: “From this moment on, I’m your brother Gangzi, and you’re my Elizabeth.”

Song Yan immediately muttered in a small voice, “You’re not.”

Xie Chenyu replied, “Just go with the feeling.”

He’d never been in a relationship before and could only analyze things logically, offering suggestions: “What does your brother Gangzi usually call you? If I call you that, maybe it’ll help you get into character, make your acting more natural?”

Song Yan replied, “Just my name.”

Xie Chenyu thought about this love-brained look and was somewhat curious: “Don’t you have a nickname?”

Song Yan glanced at him and said, “Yes, call me brother.”

Xie Chenyu stopped walking and looked at him: “…Huh?”

Song Yan bashfully twisted his fingers, a sweet look on his face: “Although my brother Gangzi is very powerful, he sometimes… acts like a spoiled child and calls me brother.”

Xie Chenyu: “……”

You know how to play, sorry to bother you.

The Xie family members inside heard the commotion and came out to see this scene.

The sunset glow was lingering, blurring their figures slightly. The two, dressed in “couple’s outfits,” stood by the car, looking at each other. The one looking up had most of his face exposed, and the shyness on it was crystal clear.

In just one day, the news of Xie Chenyu’s love at first sight for Song Yan had spread throughout the entire Xie family.

His symptoms were particularly obvious, such as “waking up excitedly in the morning and running three laps around the Xie compound,” “giving a goofy smile during meals like having a fit”, “insisting on trimming the greenery into a heart shape”, and “insisting on dragging the neighbor’s dog into conversation,” among others. He seemed deeply smitten.

They had thought he was completely gone for Song Yan, but seeing Song Yan’s appearance now, they realized he wasn’t the only one smitten. Song Yan clearly had a very high regard for Xie Chenyu too.

As expected of 99% compatibility, everyone thought.

A match made in heaven, destined to be together.

True love. No doubt about it!