Been Waiting for You to Escape Marriage for a Long Time – CH26

Chapter 26: The Partner

Adjusting the “maintenance fee” again?

Why this time?

Zhao Yuheng was a bit puzzled and was about to ask Shen Shuyi what was going on.

Beside him, two young girls who had come to visit a friend in the hospital were holding a tablet, lowering their voices as they squealed.

“Oh my god, did you see the latest episode of Love Has a Path but No Return yesterday? Song Qinghan finally discovered the truth from back then! It turns out Lu Beichen didn’t leave her because he didn’t love her—his family went bankrupt! He couldn’t give her a better future! So tragic!”

“Ahhh! I watched it! I’ve been anticipating this reveal since the trailer. It even trended last night!”

“Lu Beichen’s crying scene in the bar last night was acted so well!”

“Yes, yes! OMG, divorced dad, sick mom, brother who needs to study, and the broken him! I really love this poor-but-handsome guy trope!”

Poor-but-handsome guy?

That sounded familiar. Not sure… but it wasn’t his character.

He didn’t have a sick mother, only a hospitalized grandfather.

Zhao Yuheng steadied himself and continued replying to Shen Shuyi.

“Hey, look!” one of the girls whispered to her friend, leaning close: “That handsome guy sitting over there… doesn’t he look a bit like Lu Beichen?”

“OMG, I thought so too! I’ve been staring at him for a while. Yeah, the outfit is kinda similar… but this random handsome guy is even better-looking!”

“I often see him come to the hospital. Seems like he’s taking care of family. Ah, so pitifully adorable!”

Zhao Yuheng: “….”

He didn’t need any extra pity.

[Why suddenly give so much money?]

Finally, Zhao Yuheng sent the message.

Shen Shuyi, hesitating about how to gently reassure Zhao Yuheng, received it and immediately replied:
[Oh… I just thought your grandfather’s in the hospital, maybe he needs medical expenses or something.]

[Sneaky-cat.jpg]

Zhao Yuheng hadn’t expected this to come out of Shen Shuyi’s mouth.

Although his initial purpose in approaching Shen Shuyi had been to get him to pay for his grandfather’s treatment, when it was actually said, Zhao Yuheng felt a faint, almost imperceptible irritation.

If Shen Shuyi really gave such a large sum at once, it could directly cover his grandfather’s medical bills, and they wouldn’t need to meet again.

He wouldn’t need to spend more personal time catering to this difficult young master.

That should be a good thing.

So Zhao Yuheng replied decisively: [No need.]

Zhao Yuheng rejected Shen Shuyi’s money, not because he wanted to stay in touch.

First, Shen Shuyi didn’t actually have that much money.

Second, even if he did, the purpose wouldn’t be to pay off the debt—it would be maintenance.

If this money was for maintenance, Zhao Yuheng wouldn’t accept it.

It was a matter of principle.

Shen Shuyi was genuinely astonished at Zhao Yuheng’s reply.

A man uninterested in money really existed in this world!

Fine.

If he didn’t want it, he didn’t want it. He himself didn’t have the money to give anyway.

Thinking about the 2 million he still owed Zhao Yuheng gave Shen Shuyi a headache.

So stressful. The little cat buried his head and wailed—when would he ever repay this huge sum?

Zhao Yuheng assumed the chat ended there.

After all, he didn’t expect Shen Shuyi, a completely unempathetic rich kid, to offer any comforting words.

But Shen Shuyi sent another message: [Send me the hospital address!]

Imperious as ever.

Zhao Yuheng chuckled. Why should he obey him?

[112 Queen’s Avenue, Hongshan District, Mary Hospital…]

Zhao Yuheng asked: [Why do you need the hospital address?]

[Of course, to come to the hospital.]

Zhao Yuheng paused.

Shen Shuyi quickly added: [Your grandfather’s sick, right? I have lots of experience (sunglasses cool).]

Zhao Yuheng raised an eyebrow: [You know how to take care of patients?]

[No.]

Shen Shuyi humbly replied: [I have lots of experience being spoiled by grandfathers.]

Zhao Yuheng: […]

After deciding, Shen Shuyi felt a second of regret.

He had been impulsive, his mind briefly dazzled by an 80-million helicopter.

Why would he think Zhao Yuheng might be a little sad, might need company?

He was just a ruthless “emotion-leveling” robot, not supposed to feel tenderness toward his cheap fiancé!

Even if he looked like Lu Beichen, the protagonist from the ridiculous drama he’d been obsessively watching, it didn’t count!

Was he projecting his feelings from the actor to Zhao Yuheng because of a resemblance?

Ugh, that made no sense—he should be projecting onto the actor, not the similar-looking ordinary guy.

He rationalized it as just being handsome and kindhearted.

After deciding, Shen Shuyi swapped his date outfit for something more low-key but still neat.

Wrists covered.
Ankles covered.
Waist covered.
Collar buttoned to the top.

All jingling jewelry removed.

When Shen Shuyi went downstairs, Uncle Lin looked slightly surprised.

“Young master?”

Shen Shuyi spun mysteriously and asked: “Uncle Lin, how do you think I look today? Be honest!”

Lin nodded: “Very good. Who are you going to see?”

Dressed so properly. Like meeting a partner’s parents.

“Oh, no one,” Shen Shuyi replied. “Have Xiao Liu prepare the car; I’m heading to Mary Hospital.”

Lin nodded knowingly. “Are you driving yourself?”

Shen Shuyi hesitated.

An hour to Hongshan, tiring to drive himself, but no part-time fee if he doesn’t.

Uncle Lin nodded understandingly, called the driver, Xiao Liu: “Drive Third Young Master to Mary Hospital in Hongshan today, and give him 500 yuan.”

Shen Shuyi: “….”

Not what he meant.

He touched his nose quietly: “Uncle Lin, isn’t it a bit… inappropriate? I didn’t drive for Xiao Liu…”

Lin smiled warmly: “Nonsense. Riding in Xiao Liu’s car is hard work too—playing, checking your phone, waiting at traffic lights, that’s labor.”

Shen Shuyi: “….”

No need to spoil him so much!

Still, Shen Shuyi didn’t dare take Xiao Liu’s 500-yuan tip. He had principles.

At Mary Hospital, Zhao Yuheng sent a message: “Arrived?”

“Here. Come pick me up.”

Shen Shuyi also sent a picture showing the entrance of a supermarket opposite the hospital.

Zhao Yuheng was surprised: “Why are you at the supermarket entrance?”

Shen Shuyi: [Don’t ask, just come!]

Zhao Yuheng didn’t argue; he knew if he said too much, the young master would get angry.

He hurried down, through the lobby, exiting faster than expected, leaving families rushing to the ER behind.

Once outside, Zhao Yuheng noticed his heart racing from walking too fast.

Shen Shuyi had been waiting at the supermarket entrance.

Zhao Yuheng expected him to wear his usual crop-top denim jacket, sweet and spicy, fitting his aesthetic perfectly.

But he was in a creamy-white sweatshirt, neat slim light-blue jeans, and clean sneakers.

No jewelry, no jangling accessories, looking like a polite high school student.

“You staring at me?”

Shen Shuyi broke the silence.

The cheap fiancé’s gaze was intense, almost predatory.

He quickly checked himself in the glass reflection—very handsome.

Shen Shuyi smiled, “I’m buying some things. Come with me.”

Zhao Yuheng recovered and said slowly: “You look very good today.”

Shen Shuyi knew and replied: “Of course. Do you ever think I don’t look good?”

Zhao Yuheng frowned, as if about to question him, then quickly changed the subject: “You’re buying things, right? I’ll come with you.”

Shen Shuyi happily entered the supermarket.

Whey protein, multivitamins, calcium tablets, amino acid drinks…

Shen Shuyi carefully placed each item into the cart.

After the cart was full, Zhao Yuheng realized: “You’re buying these for my grandfather?”

“Otherwise?”

Shen Shuyi examined ginseng powder: “Can your grandfather take ginseng?”

He really could.

Zhao Yuheng was surprised.

Shen Shuyi noticed and thought, “Why that look? Do I seem clueless?”

Zhao Yuheng didn’t speak but his expression betrayed him again.

Shen Shuyi: “….”

Forget it. Not arguing with a patient’s family today.

After filling the cart with supplements and fruits, Zhao Yuheng figured his grandfather couldn’t finish them all in a month.

…There were even durians.

Shen Shuyi was thoughtful, but not excessively so.

Two heavy bags, Zhao Yuheng carried them single-handedly.

Shen Shuyi admired his strong arms for a second.

The cashier scanned everything: “Total 2,325 yuan. Alipay or WeChat?”

Zhao Yuheng looked at Shen Shuyi.

Shen Shuyi stayed still.

Zhao Yuheng looked again.

Shen Shuyi innocently said: “Fiancé, heard me? You pay.”

“Unless I was mistaken…”

Outside, Zhao Yuheng put away his phone. “You bought gifts for my grandfather but charged my Alipay, right?”

Shen Shuyi mumbled: “Count it toward your 2 million debt.”

He was so used to issuing IOUs that he didn’t even explain.

Zhao Yuheng should have been angry but strangely felt comforted by the growing debt.

He was getting psychotic.

“You have money,” Zhao Yuheng said, his tone ironically sharp. “Your ex gave you 70,000, right?”

Shen Shuyi got annoyed.

Damn!

He glared at Zhao Yuheng: “How dare you mention that! Didn’t you tell me not to use his money?!”

Zhao Yuheng paused: “…You really didn’t use it?”

Shen Shuyi: “? Didn’t you say not to?”

“I already returned it to Li Sijia.”

He even unblocked and re-blocked Li Sijia like a lunatic.

Seeing Zhao Yuheng smiling beside him, Shen Shuyi was puzzled.

How could he smile when things were so dire, debts so high?

Zhao Yuheng realized Shen Shuyi was angry when they reached the hospital room.

Shen Shuyi didn’t speak and grabbed the heavy shopping bags.

The plastic straps dug into his pale palm, leaving red marks.

Shen Shuyi gasped. Zhao Yuheng asked: “What are you doing?”

“Don’t want to talk.”

“Shen Shuyi?” Zhao Yuheng called slowly: “You can use sign language if you don’t want to talk. Or I’ll just hit you ^ ^”

Shen Shuyi ignored him, pulled out one box of nutrient drinks, and entered the room.

Zhao Yuheng’s grandfather, Zhao Fuchang, had just woken up after the doctor and nurse’s rounds.

The nurse first noticed Zhao Yuheng, now immune to his handsome face.

Looking at Shen Shuyi, her heart skipped a beat.

Damn. One handsome face behind another.

“The condition is stable. Consciousness is a bit unclear due to nerve compression from cerebral vessels. Normal, will improve in a few days.”

Zhao Yuheng nodded.

Shen Shuyi glanced at Zhao Fuchang. So this was Zhao Yuheng’s grandfather.

The old man was frail, pale, unlike Zhao Yuheng.

He was disoriented but alert.

The old man said: “Aheng…”

Zhao Yuheng sat down, held his hand to reassure him.

Zhao Fuchang looked at Shen Shuyi: “Aheng, who’s this?”

Zhao Yuheng froze, unsure how to introduce him.

Technically, Shen Shuyi caused the hospital chaos. But Zhao Yuheng hesitated to admit it.

Shen Shuyi, seeing Zhao Yuheng silent, sat down himself.

He smiled charmingly, naturally good at acting cute.

“Grandpa, I’m Shen Shuyi,” he said. “Shu as in book, Yi as in strategy.”

He subtly looked at Zhao Yuheng, who seemed confused.

Shen Shuyi: ?!

No one to help me? Fine. “Grandpa, first time meeting, I’m Aheng’s fiancé.”

Zhao Fuchang seemed confused.

Zhao Yuheng whispered: “Shen Shuyi, ordinary people dating don’t use ‘fiancé’.”

Shen Shuyi: “…?”

He mockingly stepped on Zhao Yuheng’s cheap sneakers, leaving a black mark.

Zhao Yuheng sighed inwardly, reintroduced him: “Grandpa, this is Little Shu. My… current partner.”

Author’s Note:

Today, Yu Hengge won’t be stubborn!

Let the little cat date as he pleases! He can choose fiancé, boyfriend, or partner—he’ll get what he wants!

Though he seems rebellious, he actually listens to his husband.

Likes being obedient in bed too. [Poor, poor, poor]