Chapter 30: Princess Carry
Of course, Shen Shuyi was lying.
The bar he had chosen was a quiet bar—there weren’t even any men there, let alone male models.
The only person present was a female bartender.
All the pictures Shen Shuyi had sent were just random male internet celebrities from Instagram who liked showing off their muscles.
To make it seem convincing, after sending the images, Shen Shuyi discussed them with Zhao Yuheng while drinking.
“Which one do you think is better?”
Shen Shuyi evaluated seriously: “The first one has a nice body, the second has a nice face… hmm… the third one, everything about him is good ^ ^.”
Heh, such a pretentious guy.
I wonder how long you can keep this up.
“Address,” Zhao Yuheng said, restraining some anger.
“Oh…” Shen Shuyi replied innocently, “You’re coming too? There are nine of us, so if I add you, won’t it be a bit too many?”
Zhao Yuheng: “No. They’ll all leave soon anyway.”
Shen Shuyi: “…”
Oh.
So you’re really domineering, huh?
In the end, Shen Shuyi obediently sent the address to Zhao Yuheng.
Honestly, he didn’t know why, but when he had been in a bad mood earlier, the first person he thought of wasn’t Shen Lu but this Zhao guy.
After deleting those photos of internet celebrities, Shen Shuyi gradually recalled what Lin Jiahao had said.
Yan Chi was returning to China?
Shen Shuyi took a sip of alcohol and took out his phone to text Shen Lu but then decided against it.
…So awkward!
Besides, his older brother didn’t really like Yan Chi either.
Speaking of Yan Chi, one had to mention an old story in the Shen family.
What Lin Jiahao had posted at the banquet today—that “Shen Shuyi had something going on with Yan Chi”—wasn’t entirely true, but not entirely false either.
Back then, Shen Shuyi was too young; he didn’t even know what liking someone meant.
The main branch of the Shen family had two children: Shen Lu and Shen Shuyi.
Technically, Shen Shuyi should have been called “Second Young Master,” but he was called “Third Young Master” because when he was five, Old Master Shen had adopted a child—Yan Chi.
It was said that Yan Chi was the illegitimate child of a close friend of Old Master Shen, and the family had all immigrated to France, leaving Yan Chi alone in Hong Kong.
Seeing how small and pitiful he was, and since Shen Shuyi had no playmates at the time, Old Master Shen kept him like a little pet dog by his side. It didn’t cost much.
Yes.
When Shen Shuyi was young, he actually lived in Hong Kong for two or three years.
In his first year of high school, he even attended an international school there for a semester.
By then, he and Yan Chi were very close—they were close in age and grew up like childhood sweethearts. Shen Shuyi had always been headstrong and willful, and Yan Chi, as his elder brother, indulged and tolerated him in every way.
They played together happily for a while, and Shen Shuyi didn’t think it was odd to grow close to a second brother who wasn’t blood-related.
Until one day, Yan Chi suddenly confessed to him.
This scared Shen Shuyi to death. He panicked and instinctively told Shen Lu about it.
What happened afterward was roughly what the rumors outside said.
Not only did Shen Lu get furious, but Old Master Shen did too. For the Shen family, an adopted son falling for a biological son was an undeniable scandal. Old Master Shen immediately decided to send Yan Chi to Australia.
At first, Shen Shuyi didn’t think it would get so serious. After the incident, he opposed it fiercely.
He cried and threw tantrums at home, not allowing his grandfather to send his best friend away.
A few days later, somehow Shen Shuyi relented.
Not only did he agree to Old Master Shen sending Yan Chi away, but he also no longer wanted to live in Hong Kong himself.
What exactly happened during that time, Shen Shuyi never told Old Master Shen, even until the latter’s death.
Now that he thought back, Shen Shuyi still remembered that Sunday afternoon.
He didn’t want to talk about it because it was a little embarrassing.
Shen Shuyi had always cared deeply about emotions, especially with someone who grew up alongside him like Yan Chi.
He regretted telling Shen Lu about Yan Chi’s feelings for days.
Shen Shuyi knew there was one thing in the world that should never be trampled on or hurt—someone’s true feelings.
Seeing his brother and grandfather determined to send Yan Chi away, Shen Shuyi, perhaps because of teenage foolishness, decided to agree to try something with Yan Chi as a way to compensate for his accidental disclosure.
That afternoon was Yan Chi’s birthday. Shen Shuyi secretly prepared a gift and snuck to the villa where Yan Chi was staying.
Then, he overheard a conversation between Yan Chi and his friends:
“You’re really something. For the Shen family’s wealth, you even dared to confess to Shen Shuyi. Respect.” One friend gave a thumbs-up.
“To be honest, Shen Shuyi is indeed good-looking, but unfortunately a boy.”
“If he were a girl, our Brother Chi would really have become a live-in son-in-law.”
“By the way, hasn’t Shen Shuyi been crying and throwing tantrums so you couldn’t leave? Clever. Once you have him tied down, your parents’ company won’t lack capital. Don’t worry, your old man values your little boyfriend the most. Won’t take long before he lets you stay.”
Yan Chi stubbed out his cigarette. “Enough. Don’t say such nasty things.”
…
Shen Shuyi didn’t even realize how long he had been standing at the door.
Hearing this, fifteen-year-old him was completely flustered.
Of course, he wasn’t the type to sulk for a few seconds and walk away.
Shen Shuyi kicked open the door right then, just like he did today, and in front of Yan Chi, who was surprised, panicked, and slightly guilty, he smashed the birthday cake he had prepared all over his face. Hard.
Not only that, none of the friends escaped.
Shen Shuyi gave each of them a “seven-day hospital injury gift pack,” guaranteeing they would tremble at the sight of his name for the rest of their lives.
As predicted, even years later, whenever Shen Shuyi attended any gatherings in Hong Kong, these people didn’t dare come near him.
The anger from that incident had already been vented, so Shen Shuyi never felt wronged, just a little speechless.
What losers!
Later, he didn’t even want to stay in Hong Kong.
If there was anything left unresolved, it was probably that the scenic cake he bought for Yan Chi that day cost 12,000 yuan, and he didn’t get to eat a single bite. He also forgot to claim compensation for the ruined cake!
Damn it.
Pay up!
The angrier he got, the harder he hit the table.
Afterward, Yan Chi disappeared from his life. Only today, hearing Lin Jiahao mention him, did Shen Shuyi recall these adult memories.
He was briefly annoyed, poured another half glass of whiskey, ready to drink it all.
But the next second, someone took the glass away. Shen Shuyi, about to ask who dared, turned and saw Zhao Yuheng.
He: …
Maybe because Zhao Yuheng, in some ways, reminded him of Shen Lu with his serious demeanor, Shen Shuyi instinctively treated him like an elder. Even when caught drinking, he felt guilty.
Zhao Yuheng sat down, raising an eyebrow. “Where are the male models?”
Shen Shuyi said, “Oh… they went to change. They’ll come keep me company in a bit.”
Zhao Yuheng scrutinized him, his gaze scanning that beautiful, striking face.
Shen Shuyi felt like a large carnivorous mammal was staring at him. He couldn’t take it for long.
“No, no, no, okay.” Shen Shuyi mumbled. “Can you think for a second? I still owe you over two million. Where would I get money to hire male models!”
Zhao Yuheng said coldly, “If you pick them, do you need to spend money?”
Facial recognition—it’s instant.
If money was needed, would he have come here late at night to catch this little pervert?
Shen Shuyi was already tipsy; he didn’t drink well.
Thinking about Zhao Yuheng’s words, the twisted logic beneath it was essentially a compliment about his looks.
Shen Shuyi, easily pleased, said, “Are you saying I’m good-looking? Secretly praising me?”
Zhao Yuheng poured Shen Shuyi’s remaining drink into a new glass silently, not letting him drink more.
After a moment, he replied, “Not praising. You’re already good-looking, no need for praise.”
“Hehehe…”
Shen Shuyi hugged his glass, grinning foolishly.
Zhao Yuheng: …
He pinched his brow. “Shen Shuyi, you’ve had too much to drink.”
“I know,” Shen Shuyi said. “But I’m very sober right now.”
“Drunk people always say they’re sober.”
“Hehehe.”
Zhao Yuheng: …
Sober where exactly?
Looking at the table, two or three glasses were already empty. The bartender was making another drink.
He calmly replaced Shen Shuyi’s drink with lemonade.
Shen Shuyi rarely drank alcohol. Even when they went out to eat, he habitually drank lemonade.
Zhao Yuheng’s intuition about emotions and people was sharp. He instantly noticed Shen Shuyi’s state was off.
As Shen Shuyi took a sip, Zhao Yuheng asked, “Shen Shuyi, are you in a bad mood today? What happened?”
Shen Shuyi drank a sip.
Huh? This doesn’t taste like alcohol… it’s sour.
Holding the cup, he slowly said, “…I hit someone.”
Zhao Yuheng paused—so the young master was indeed in a bad mood.
“Who did you hit?”
Shen Shuyi: ?
Shen Shuyi: !
He complained: “You don’t care about me at all. You only care who I hit. Aren’t you going to ask if I’m hurt?”
Zhao Yuheng had looked him over when he arrived; there was no visible injury.
But following Shen Shuyi’s words, he asked, “Are you hurt?”
Shen Shuyi nodded: “Yes.”
Zhao Yuheng tensed. Really?
He anxiously asked, “Where? Treated it?”
Shen Shuyi pressed his chest, frowning with closed eyes: “My heart!”
Zhao Yuheng was silent for a second.
Shen Shuyi quickly added: “And my hand.”
He handed over his hand, gasping softly: “My hand… someone’s face just hit it.”
Earlier, when Lu Zhiwei said this, Shen Shuyi thought he was exaggerating; he wasn’t a child and didn’t need comfort.
Now it was his turn, and he felt Zhao Yuheng should comfort him.
Seeing Shen Shuyi’s serious expression, Zhao Yuheng couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
Shen Shuyi: ?
Damn. Hard-hearted Zhao.
His hand was hit, and he’s still laughing!
“What should we do?” Zhao Yuheng placed his hand in his own palm. “I’ll call 120 and arrange for 800 doctors. Okay?”
“Tch.” Shen Shuyi pouted. “You’re trying to coo a child. I’m not really drunk.”
Lowering his voice as if truly drunk, Shen Shuyi rested on the table. Zhao Yuheng half-lifted him: “The table is cold and hard. Don’t lie like this; you’ll hurt yourself when you wake up.”
Shen Shuyi: “Oh.”
Zhao Yuheng wanted to find a softer couch, but Shen Shuyi leaned on his shoulder the next second.
Zhao Yuheng stiffened, not moving.
“Shen Shuyi?”
Shen Shuyi murmured, “Zhao Yuheng, do you think homosexuality is… disgusting?”
Zhao Yuheng was taken aback. “No. Why?”
Though he didn’t know much about the group, if Shen Shuyi meant himself, he had no problem with it.
Regardless of orientation, few could resist Shen Shuyi’s charm.
Zhao Yuheng seemed to guess something: “Is today’s hitting related to this?”
Shen Shuyi snorted.
“They said something to you?”
“Mm.”
Shen Shuyi hadn’t wanted to admit it; such things, like children tattling to parents, were embarrassing.
He didn’t even want to tell Shen Lu.
But Zhao Yuheng’s question made him feel a little wronged.
Homosexuality didn’t harm anyone, yet someone came to seduce him and got angry when rejected.
Damn it.
Thinking about it, he was too kind—he should’ve smashed the vase over that idiot’s head.
Zhao Yuheng didn’t expect Shen Shuyi, domineering and overbearing, could care about sexual orientation.
True, even though Hong Kong and the mainland legalized same-sex marriage, prejudice against minorities doesn’t disappear overnight.
Even someone in Shen Shuyi’s position could be affected by rumors.
Zhao Yuheng realized his next words were important.
He had never guided this group before. After careful thought, he said: “Shen Shuyi, homosexuality is like anyone else. Men can love women, women can love women, men can love men. It’s normal.
“Someone who truly likes you loves you, not your gender.”
He gave Shen Shuyi time to think.
After a while, Shen Shuyi didn’t move.
“Shen Shuyi?”
“Zzzzz…”
Zhao Yuheng looked down; Shen Shuyi seemed asleep, though his lashes twitched slightly. His acting skills weren’t perfect.
Awkward.
Shen Shuyi had sobered up a bit just now and already regretted asking that question.
God! Weak Shen Shuyi! He had revealed such a personal thought! Completely out of character!
Zhao Yuheng didn’t know if he noticed the act, but it seemed he had left briefly.
Shen Shuyi squinted to peek; Zhao Yuheng seemed to be paying.
When the man returned, Shen Shuyi quickly closed his eyes, pretending to sleep.
“Still asleep?” Zhao Yuheng pinched his face.
Heh, endure it.
Zhao Yuheng ignored him and picked Shen Shuyi up horizontally.
The sensation of being lifted made him dizzy and his heart race.
Shen Shuyi was startled, wide-eyed, and exchanged glances with Zhao Yuheng in his arms.
Zhao Yuheng raised an eyebrow: “Awake?”
Shen Shuyi played dumb.
Next, he slowly closed Zhao Yuheng’s eyes with his hands, trying to “hypnotize” him: “Little Zhao, you’re hallucinating.”
Zhao Yuheng had long lashes, different from Shen Shuyi’s curled ones. Straight and handsome, less coquettish than Shen Shuyi’s.
Zhao Yuheng smiled: “Shen Shuyi, I can’t walk like this.”
Shen Shuyi hesitated a second, then let go.
“If you’re awake, walk down yourself.”
He looked at the ground, clutched Zhao Yuheng’s jacket, and said quietly: “Whenever I get drunk, my brother carries me home.”
Zhao Yuheng: “I’m not your brother.”
Shen Shuyi: “I know.”
He hesitated: “But at your age, would it be inappropriate to act as my dad?”
Zhao Yuheng: ……
Author’s Note:
Kittens need to be carried around! Who cares if they don’t like walking [pitiful] [pitiful] [pitiful]
Also Brother Zhao: I really don’t understand my wife’s thought process.jpg
