Chapter 27: Checking In
Partner?
Alright, barely passes.
Shen Shuyi smiled faintly at Zhao Fuchang. Zhao Fuchang took Shen Shuyi’s hand, examined him carefully, and said slowly, “So this is your partner? Such a beautiful girl!”
“Ugh!”
Zhao Yuheng was caught off guard and got stepped on a second time.
Shen Shuyi smiled, squeezing out a few words only they could hear: “Say that again.”
Zhao Yuheng looked down at the two dark cat paw prints on his brand-new sneakers and said helplessly, “Grandpa, Little Shu is a boy.”
“Ohhh,” Zhao Fuchang suddenly understood. “Such a beautiful boy-girl!”
Shen Shuyi: “….”
Zhao Yuheng pressed his palm against Shen Shuyi’s thigh, feeling the soft fullness. He hadn’t expected Shen Shuyi’s legs to look long and slender, with thighs that weren’t dry at all where they should have a little flesh.
His mind momentarily went blank, and he quickly turned aside to explain, “The doctor said Grandpa is a bit confused right now. You heard it too, didn’t you?”
Shen Shuyi: “….”
“Later, you can step on me again outside. For now, let’s cool down, okay?”
Shen Shuyi hesitated but decided to take Zhao Yuheng’s suggestion. For the sake of Grandpa Zhao, he chose not to argue.
As he had said on WeChat, Shen Shuyi was indeed good at interacting with elders.
Aside from the initial gender mix-up, he quickly started chatting with Zhao Fuchang. His appearance, which worked well when acting sweet, made Zhao Fuchang laugh without stopping.
The older man liked him more and more, holding his hand kindly and asking, “You and Ah Heng, when did you start dating?”
Holy…
This script hadn’t been rehearsed.
Shen Shuyi’s mind went blank for a second.
Luckily, Zhao Yuheng adapted quickly and immediately gave a date: “February sixteenth.”
Shen Shuyi froze. February sixteenth—he remembered, that was the first time he’d seen Zhao Yuheng. This kid really knew how to improvise.
“Ohhh, that time, huh,” Zhao Fuchang thought for a moment. “I was still sick then. What a pity I didn’t get to see Little Shu.”
The atmosphere in the hospital room grew slightly heavy.
Shen Shuyi glanced at Zhao Yuheng. His poker face showed no emotion, but his mood was clearly gloomy.
Of course. Who could feel happy when their closest relative was bedridden and ill? Especially a grandfather who had raised him since childhood.
Shen Shuyi, inexperienced in comforting others, took the initiative to break the silence and played cute: “Grandpa, no regrets now. It’s not too late to meet. I’m dressed even better today!”
One sentence, and he had the old man smiling again.
The atmosphere returned to normal. Zhao Yuheng, as if waking from a dream, rarely saw Shen Shuyi in this obedient form. His usually sharp, domineering fox-like eyes were now slightly widened, looking pure and innocent. Even his words were gentle and pleasant.
Zhao Yuheng, hoping to benefit from Grandpa’s goodwill, stared closely at Shen Shuyi’s face, studying him.
After a while, the nurse told Zhao Yuheng to go pay the fees. He told Shen Shuyi, “You two keep talking. I’ll be back in ten minutes.”
Shen Shuyi nodded, not feeling awkward being alone with Zhao Fuchang. His social skills were actually very good.
The payment window was just across from the ward, next to the nurse’s station.
As soon as he finished paying, someone patted his shoulder: “Cousin?”
Zhao Yuheng looked over but didn’t speak.
The one who patted him was a boy just over 1.7 meters tall, Zhao Baoshan’s son, his cousin Zhao Cheng.
Zhao Yuheng wasn’t very familiar with Zhao Baoshan’s family. They had moved out of Sanhe Bay when Yuheng was in middle school, supposedly buying a house in the northern part of the city. The area was supposed to become the second economic zone of Hong Kong, but ten years later, not even a hospital was built. Now, to see a doctor, they had to take a one-hour bus to Mary Hospital. Property prices had fallen drastically this year due to the downturn.
Using this as an excuse, Baoshan’s family didn’t contribute a single cent for Grandpa’s hospitalization.
Seeing Zhao Cheng here surprised Zhao Yuheng. He lowered his eyes and noticed the ultrasound report in Zhao Cheng’s hand. Zhao Cheng tried to hide it, but Yuheng’s sharp eyes had already seen it—it was a pregnancy report.
Zhao Cheng chuckled awkwardly. “Cousin, don’t tell my parents. Xiaoyou, my girlfriend, just had an abortion and is still in the hospital.”
Zhao Yuheng said flatly, “Aren’t you getting married? Why not have a child?”
“Ha. Totally unlucky,” Zhao Cheng said. “Our family hasn’t received the relocation compensation yet, so what marriage? And if she got pregnant now, wouldn’t people think she’s after my compensation?”
He asked, “By the way, cousin, my dad said you’re asking the Shen family for compensation. How’s that going?”
Zhao Yuheng ignored him, his tone sharp: “Grandpa is in the hospital too. Aren’t you going to see him?”
Zhao Cheng felt annoyed. Grandpa’s hospitalization costs hundreds per day; including other fees, it’s seven or eight thousand a month. Seeing him would mean paying for Zhao Fuchang. He wasn’t stupid.
“I’m busy today. I’ll visit Grandpa another day.”
Before leaving, Zhao Cheng said: “My dad said he’s setting up a blind date for you—his boss’s daughter saw your photo and wants to meet. He’ll send you her WeChat. Don’t forget to add her!”
Zhao Yuheng’s face turned cold: “I don’t need it.”
“Meeting won’t hurt. If I were as handsome as you, I’d get seventeen or eighteen a day!” Zhao Cheng said bitterly, then left, worried his cold-faced cousin might demand money from him.
Passing by Zhao Fuchang’s room, Zhao Cheng peeked in and saw a stunningly unreal-looking young man beside Grandpa. He noticed the watch on the young man’s wrist—worth at least a million.
Impossible? How could his grandpa know someone so rich?
Zhao Yuheng blocked him, scowling: “Get lost.”
Zhao Cheng left quickly.
When Zhao Yuheng returned, Shen Shuyi asked, “Who were you talking to at the door?”
Zhao Yuheng raised an eyebrow: “Checking in?”
“Checking—”
Yeah, right. Acting like a fiancé now?
Shen Shuyi was about to react, but Zhao Yuheng handed him a bottled water. Shen Shuyi rarely drank previously boiled or exposed water, and he was a bit thirsty, so he took a few sips.
After drinking, he handed the bottle back, and Zhao Yuheng gave him a napkin. Shen Shuyi wiped his mouth, crumpled the napkin, and tossed it back—smoothly, all in one motion.
Zhao Fuchang watched and laughed: “Ah Heng, seeing you and my granddaughter-in-law getting along so well makes this old man leave peacefully.”
Granddaughter-in-law—
Shen Shuyi almost choked on his saliva.
Step, step, step.
Zhao Yuheng sighed looking at his ruined sneakers.
“You grew up alone in Hong Kong, always independent. Now you found someone to take care of you, Grandpa is very happy,” Zhao Fuchang said.
Shen Shuyi felt guilty and quickly retrieved the crumpled napkin from Zhao Yuheng.
Clearing his throat, he muttered: “I’ll throw it in the trash later myself.”
But grew up alone in Hong Kong? Shen Shuyi remembered hearing something off—it didn’t seem right. Hadn’t Shen Lu said Zhao Yuheng’s family was in America? But he was too angry to pay attention back then, maybe he misheard.
Plus, he had never doubted the worth of this fiancé Shen Lu found for him. His brother and grandfather were old-fashioned and frugal—they could very well set him up with a poor fiancé.
As the saying goes: Remember hardship to appreciate sweetness.
Shen Shuyi, who couldn’t handle any hardship, thought: Grandpa loved to say this, but he hated the idea.
He was so deep in thought about being potentially set up with a poor husband, he forgot to act cute.
Zhao Fuchang took the moment to quietly ask Zhao Yuheng: “Ah Heng, could you lend Grandpa a thousand yuan?”
Zhao Yuheng was slightly surprised. Zhao Fuchang seemed shy: “Little Shu came to see me for the first time today and brought so many gifts…”
Zhao Yuheng glanced at the gifts around the bed and chair. He couldn’t tell the old man that all this money was from his grandson.
“Even as an old man, I should give your partner a red envelope when meeting them…”
By the time they left the hospital, it was already 3:30 PM. Dinner was still three hours away, but Grandpa Zhao, who had just woken up, couldn’t stay awake long, and soon fell back asleep. Shen Shuyi didn’t disturb him and left first.
A few minutes later, Zhao Yuheng finished talking with the nurse about Grandpa’s condition and followed him out.
Mary Hospital’s back gate was hidden along a small bridge over an inner river, with artificial groves on both sides. Beyond the bridge was a subway station, and the streets opened up, bustling with traffic.
Shen Shuyi stood on the bridge, staring absentmindedly at the river.
Zhao Yuheng walked over: “Looking at what?”
Shen Shuyi shook his head: “Nothing.”
Zhao Yuheng studied his face. This young master’s emotions were easy to read—clearly, he was in a bad mood.
“Unhappy? Thinking about your grandpa?” Zhao Yuheng guessed, softening his voice.
Shen Shuyi paused, then nodded.
He looked at Zhao Yuheng: “Why is your grandpa in the hospital? Sick, or something else?”
Zhao Yuheng’s breath caught. He hadn’t expected Shen Shuyi to ask directly. He didn’t know, or was pretending not to? He couldn’t answer immediately.
Shen Shuyi misunderstood. After all, this was a private matter for the Zhao family. If someone pried during his own grandfather’s illness, he’d have been furious.
“I’m sorry.”
Shen Shuyi apologized for the first time in his life—a shock. Zhao Yuheng looked up, stunned.
“I didn’t mean to ask about your grandpa,” Shen Shuyi said softly.
Zhao Yuheng’s Adam’s apple moved. His emotions tangled, leaving him speechless for several seconds. Shen Shuyi had actually apologized?
Maybe he shouldn’t be angry anymore. Hearing Shen Shuyi’s attitude made all the resentment and hurt vanish.
Shen Shuyi, seeing Zhao Yuheng’s intense yet restrained expression, was startled. He had already apologized and wasn’t trying to provoke a fight.
“Yuheng?” Shen Shuyi called, trying to calm him. He measured their height and size difference—if Yuheng wanted to fight, he’d only be lying flat.
“…Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Zhao Yuheng’s voice was hoarse.
Shen Shuyi wasn’t sure if he was genuinely fine or pretending, but his curiosity was fleeting. Like a cat distracted by a butterfly, his attention quickly shifted to a fruit stall across the bridge.
Zhao Yuheng noticed him staring seriously at a box of blueberries and couldn’t help smiling: “You want some?”
Shen Shuyi shook his head: “No. They’re cheap.”
Zhao Yuheng looked at the price—30 yuan per box. Cheap?
The vendor hurriedly said: “Handsome, if you think it’s too cheap, you can pay more.”
Zhao Yuheng: …
Shen Shuyi, unconcerned with 30 yuan, could only compare it to something in his life if more zeros were added.
Shen Shuyi asked: “Do you want some?”
Zhao Yuheng: “If you want to buy, buy. But these street blueberries are sour.”
“Then you’ll eat the sour ones.”
Zhao Yuheng sighed and took out his phone to pay, but Shen Shuyi stopped him, confidently: “Wait. I’ll pay.”
Zhao Yuheng froze: “Where did you get the money?”
Then his expression changed—thinking of something, he almost scowled instantly: “Li Sijia sent you money again? Trying to reconcile? You agreed?”
Shen Shuyi: ?
I blocked him, how could he send me money?
And how many times are you going to doubt me reconciling with Li Sijia?
“Agh…” Shen Shuyi was tired of explaining, finally snapping: “If you keep doubting me, I’ll really reconcile with him!”
Zhao Yuheng coldly said: “No more talk.”
Shen Shuyi was satisfied, pointing to the blueberries: “This one, this one, and this one—pack them up.”
The vendor sold four or five boxes at once, smiling so hard his eyes disappeared: “Alright! Total 150 yuan!”
Shen Shuyi paid quickly. Zhao Yuheng handed over the blueberry bags.
He couldn’t resist asking: “Why aren’t you letting me pay?”
Shen Shuyi, considerate: “You’re in a bad mood today, so I’ll treat. Today I’m buying.”
Zhao Yuheng watched as Shen Shuyi opened a box: “Relax, I have money today.”
Shen Shuyi beckoned him closer. Zhao Yuheng bent slightly.
Shen Shuyi had to tilt his head to whisper in his ear. His breath tickled Zhao Yuheng’s ear.
Shen Shuyi whispered mysteriously: “Your grandpa just gave me a thousand yuan red envelope.”
Author’s note:
Little Zhao: ? Okay, okay. The wool comes from the sheep after all!
