Been Waiting for You to Escape Marriage for a Long Time

Chapter 25: Price Increase

Shen Shuyi: [ ? ]
Shen Shuyi: [ ^ ^ ]
Shen Shuyi: [ I’m currently lying in the happiest place on Earth. Don’t force me to slap you twice at a time like this ^ ^ ]

Zhao Yuheng: [ … ]

Confirmed. It was Shen Shuyi himself.

Zhao Yuheng paused for a few seconds, then sent another message: [ Why did you suddenly call me “husband”? ]

Wasn’t it “fiancé” before?

Of course, just calling someone fiancé doesn’t necessarily feel right.

When Shen Shuyi called him “husband” so naturally, it made Zhao Yuheng wonder: did he call only him this way, or was he this flippant with everyone?

Shen Shuyi sent a photo showing the inside of a helicopter cabin.

Zhao Yuheng opened it carefully, not seeing Shen Shuyi’s face.

He felt a fleeting, almost unnoticeable sense of regret.

Shen Shuyi: [ How’s this? ? ]

Zhao Yuheng: [ Looks great. So, why call me husband? ]

Shen Shuyi: [ Before my brother gave me gifts, I never asked why he was giving them, and that’s why I got more gifts ? ]
Shen Shuyi: [ So when someone calls you husband, just shut up and listen. Got it? ? ]

Zhao Yuheng was confused: [ Why? ]

He looked at Shen Shuyi’s logic, trying to reason it out: [ So if I don’t ask, you’ll keep calling me husband? ]

Shen Shuyi: [ … ]

Zhao Yuheng didn’t give up: [ So, why? ]

Shen Shuyi: [ … ]

Then Shen Shuyi sent a voice message yelling at him, “Why why why? Are you ten thousand whys? Are you crazy? I want to call you! Do I need a reason? I just want to! Husband husband husband husband husband husband husband husband!!!”

Zhao Yuheng: “ … ”

His Adam’s apple rolled; his breath faltered for a moment.

He paused for a few seconds before speaking, “Shen Shuyi, don’t do this to anyone else in the future.”

Who yells “husband” nonstop every time they get angry?

This wasn’t just throwing a tantrum—it was flirting. If Shen Shuyi did this to another man, it would create a misunderstanding.

Luckily, he wouldn’t—he was straight.

After shouting, Shen Shuyi also felt a little embarrassed.

Typing on WeChat is one thing, but yelling like that at Zhao Yuheng felt… a little odd.

Shen Shuyi complained: “Who else would make me lose my temper besides you?”

Isn’t it everyone who angers you?

Zhao Yuheng kept that thought to himself, wisely deciding not to say it—otherwise, Shen Shuyi would be harder to coax.

After rambling for a while, Shen Shuyi finally remembered his main goal. He got straight to the point, “When are you free recently?”

Zhao Yuheng: “What for?”

Once Shen Shuyi decided to cultivate their relationship seriously, he became very frank, “Didn’t I just tell you on WeChat I missed you? Of course, it means going out on a date!”

…How could Shen Shuyi say such flirtatious things so bluntly?

Zhao Yuheng didn’t reply.

Shen Shuyi then realized they had somehow shifted from typing on WeChat to voice messages.

“Where are you?”

Shen Shuyi muttered, hearing Zhao Yuheng’s breathing—it seemed the call hadn’t been hung up. Pretending to ignore him? Don’t waste time, he had to boost his KPI with his brother.

“Shen Shuyi, whenever you go out to eat with a man, do you call it a date?”

Zhao Yuheng asked calmly.

What kind of question was this?

Shen Shuyi didn’t understand why he was hung up on that.

“Impossible. I only say that when going out with you,” Shen Shuyi answered truthfully. Zhao Yuheng was his fiancé, at least in name, so close enough to a real couple.

Zhao Yuheng was quiet for a moment, then after a few breaths replied, “Got it. How about next Friday?”

He paused, rolling the words around his tongue, then made a firm decision, “Our date.”

After setting the date, Shen Shuyi hung up satisfied.

Dating this “cheap fiancé” had become another form of part-time work.

Payment came from his brother, Shen Lu.

Sometimes it was diamonds, sometimes a luxury car, and sometimes like today, a BELL411 helicopter.

Although Shen Shuyi was born into a top-tier family and had owned all kinds of mansions, planes, yachts, and estates, new luxury items always came every year—like the latest designer handbags or sports cars.

Shen Shuyi wanted not just one-time ownership, but always the newest and best.

Naturally, showing off on social media was mandatory.

The BELL411 was a new design this year, top-tier features, and Shen Lu bought him the fully upgraded version. He was probably the first in Hong Kong—and perhaps all of Asia—to have it.

Shen Shuyi immediately had his uncle Lin help him down, then happily posed in front of the helicopter.

Other staff assisted with lighting, drones, and positioning, ensuring every angle showcased Shen Shuyi’s looks.

After one to two hours, he was satisfied and posted four photos on Moments.

The ultimate level of showing off: no caption, just pictures. Those who understood, understood.

As expected, the post exploded.

Though his circle wasn’t big, rich kids who played with cars and watches immediately recognized the helicopter’s value.

Comments flooded in:

[Sister Lam (Yongchang Jewelry)]: So top-notch! I saw your brother bought a helicopter this morning, turns out it was for you (laugh-cry).

[Kowloon Shipping Master Li]: Damn! Does your brother still need a younger brother? Let me touch it ?.

[Tianxi Real Estate Jayden]: As expected of Master Shen, ordinary people can’t buy this!

[Nanyang Rubber Forest No. 4]: I got scolded by my dad for trying to buy a supercar, jealous cry ???

[Kylin Financial Holdings Angeli]: With Hong Kong traffic, helicopter commute is indeed easier… but your high-profile travel might make headlines (facepalm lol)

The second level of showing off: ignore all comments while maintaining an aloof attitude.

Shen Shuyi drank bedtime milk, scrolling through the comments, quietly amused, making “kikikiki” sounds.

Luckily, at home. Outside, he maintained a composed image, never showing teeth while smiling.

After reading all comments, he was surprised to see Zhao Yuheng had commented: [ Do you have the original of the fourth photo? ]

Shen Shuyi: ? The photo is the original. [ Sent the original, thanks. ]

A second later, Zhao Yuheng replied: [ The one I saved is blurry. ]

Shen Shuyi: ?? Impossible.

He opened Zhao Yuheng’s chat and sent all the original selfies and helicopter photos.

[ How about now? ] Shen Shuyi asked.
[ Okay now. ]

After a moment, Zhao Yuheng: [ You only took four photos? ]

Of course not. The third level of showing off: even if he took 4,000 selfies, only the best four go on Moments; the rest go to other platforms like Little Red Note, X, Instagram, TikTok.

Shen Shuyi: [ Not posting the others. ]
Zhao Yuheng: [ Okay. ]
Zhao Yuheng: [ Send them to me. ]

Shen Shuyi almost rolled his eyes: what kind of straight guy asks that?

He ignored it and browsed other apps, then sent a few more selfies he liked to Zhao Yuheng.

Fine. For the sake of the eighty-million-yuan helicopter, indulge this “cheap fiancé.” ^ ^

Early Friday, Shen Shuyi got up.

He had to complete the “date KPI” with Zhao Yuheng that afternoon. Even if he wanted to sleep in, he reluctantly got up, washed, and did his styling.

The styling team had been waiting an hour.

Lau, the team leader, was always amazed at Shen Shuyi’s face—how could someone’s bare face look like a fashion poster?

Today’s outfit: soft spring-to-summer tones, light blue ensemble. Dark blue tank under a cropped denim jacket, low-rise matching jeans, subtly revealing a sliver of waist when he lifted his arm.

Satisfied, Shen Shuyi sent two photos to Shen Lu.

[Photo]
[1]

Shen Lu, seemingly not in a meeting, replied after two minutes: “Did you pick this yourself? Amazing. This outfit suits you, like a small tree, clean and upright. Brother hopes you grow up like a tree, basking in sunlight, carefree”

Shen Shuyi: [ Switch to human mode. ]
Shen Shuyi: [ (smirk emoji) ]
Shen Lu: [ ? ]

Shen Lu was at the golf course with Mr. Zhang, entertaining a mainland contact.

Shen Lu followed Mr. Zhang’s parenting advice when messaging Shen Shuyi, getting a smile emoji in return.

Shen Shuyi sent a second message: [ Bro, can I fly the helicopter to work during my internship? ]

Shen Lu smiled: [ Sure, you can fly it straight to my grave to see how you drive me crazy ^-^ ]

Finally, normal.

Shen Shuyi then sent these selfies to Zhao Yuheng.

Zhao Yuheng, habitually, instantly replied: [ Nice. ]
Shen Shuyi: [ Too short, praise more ^ ^ ]
Zhao Yuheng: [ Very nice. ]
Shen Shuyi: [ … ]

No need to torture a straight guy.

With hours until their evening date, Shen Shuyi, bored, started teasing Zhao Yuheng on WeChat: [ What are you wearing today? Send me a photo ? ]

He wasn’t really asking—it was a pretext to take a photo together later.

A while later, Zhao Yuheng sent a photo—but technically poor, blurry, only showing cargo pants.

Shen Shuyi blushed, thinking: “Crazy, why send only your lower half? Who takes couple photos of just pants?”

About to ask for a retake, he noticed the floor and a chair in the background—looked like a hospital corridor.

He confirmed via an app—it was the same plastic chair at Marie Hospital in the Peninsula District.

Zhao Yuheng was at the hospital?

Shen Shuyi sent a voice message: “Are you at the hospital?”
[ Yep. ]
“Are you sick?”
[ No. My grandfather is hospitalized; I’m visiting him. ]

He added: [ Don’t worry, it won’t affect dinner tonight. ]

Shen Shuyi: …

He was a bit speechless. Did Zhao Yuheng really think he was that coldhearted?

Visiting a sick grandfather was clearly more important than dinner; he could even accept rescheduling. The KPI was flexible.

Seeing this photo made Shen Shuyi realize he had never truly known Zhao Yuheng—beyond being a “fiancé,” he knew almost nothing about him.

Seeing him in a real-life context, Zhao Yuheng became a living person, not just a title.

Thinking of Zhao Yuheng’s minimal possessions, his humble rented home, and his hospitalized grandfather, Shen Shuyi felt a rare pang of conscience.

[ Angry? ] Zhao Yuheng messaged.
Shen Shuyi slowly replied: [ … No. ]

After hesitating, he made a major decision.

He sent a voice message seriously, “Zhao Yuheng, how about I add two million to you? Right now I’ve given you about four million—how about that?”

Author’s note:
The cat raised the price~~
The helicopter model is fictional, I’ve never bought such an expensive thing.
While writing this chapter, I imagined them as a couple who would video call and DIY things often:

Brother Zhao: Send me a photo
Shuyi baby: ? You’re crazy, I’m at work!
Brother Zhao: Take one in the bathroom
Shuyi baby (looking at the time, noon): This guy’s insane, in broad daylight!
Finally, obediently took the photo.