Chapter 45: Lover
By some strange impulse, Zhao Cheng pulled out his phone and secretly snapped a picture of what he saw.
When he came to his senses, cold sweat broke out on his back. He glanced around guiltily—luckily, no one had noticed him.
“Come on, come on, let’s go,” he urged his parents in a low voice. “Don’t just stand here.”
After that, he hurriedly jogged down the emergency stairs and disappeared around the corner.
In the hospital room, Zhao Fuchang had already woken up.
A cough brought Shen Shuyi back to reality—only to realize that he was clinging tightly to Zhao Yuheng’s body.
How completely improper!
He immediately tried to push Zhao Yuheng away—but the man didn’t budge.
“You, Zhao!”
It wasn’t until then that Zhao Yuheng seemed to come to his senses. He loosened his grip, finally putting some distance between them.
Then his gaze drifted down, taking in Shen Shuyi’s outfit of the day—refined yet playful, elegant yet eye-catching.
“You look really good in that,” he said quietly.
Tch. Smooth talker.
As if Shen Shuyi ever looked bad in anything!
“Ah Heng, you’re here,” Grandpa Zhao called from the bed.
Shen Shuyi had been performing the role of “model granddaughter-in-law” for several days now. Hearing that, he immediately poked Zhao Yuheng in the waist. “Grandpa’s calling you—go on!”
Sitting up on the bed, Zhao Fuchang took Zhao Yuheng’s hand. “Haven’t seen you in a long time. While you were away, Little Shu has been taking care of me.”
Shen Shuyi quickly put on a sweet, obedient smile.
Shen Shuyi, you’ve really given your all for this half-formed family of yours!
“You two have your work to do. It’s all my fault—an old man who won’t die and even got sick, making you youngsters run around for me.”
“Don’t say that, Grandpa,” Zhao Yuheng said softly, feeling uncomfortable.
“My health doesn’t matter,” Grandpa Zhao said, pulling Shen Shuyi’s hand into his. “Little Shu is such a filial child. As long as you two are happy, I don’t mind living a few years less.”
Zhao Yuheng, who was never good with emotional words, fell silent.
He didn’t know what to say—only felt bitterness rising in his chest.
Shen Shuyi, on the other hand, was his complete opposite. Upon hearing those words, he instantly said, eyes closed and tone playful, “That won’t do, Grandpa! If you think like that, then when Ah Heng and I get married—who’s going to sit at the main table? Who’ll toast the guests? Who’s going to give me the big red envelope?”
His voice was teasing, half coquettish, half complaining. “And what about the gold bracelets? Without those, how am I supposed to live with Zhao Yuheng, huh? For Ah Heng’s happiness, you have to live at least another twenty or thirty years!”
Grandpa Zhao burst out laughing.
Even Zhao Yuheng glanced at him, lips curling into a small smile.
The topic of death was completely dropped.
Shen Shuyi seized the chance to text Zhao Yuheng: [Well? ?]
When Zhao Yuheng’s phone vibrated, he saw both the message and Shen Shuyi’s smug little grin.
He couldn’t help but chuckle.
[Impressive.]
[This family can’t survive without Master Shen Shuyi.]
Good. You understand. ^ ^
Once the transfer and surgery arrangements were all settled, the weight on Shen Shuyi’s chest finally eased.
The surgery was scheduled for October, and if the recovery went well, Grandpa Zhao might even be discharged before New Year’s—just in time to attend his and Zhao Yuheng’s wedding.
Yes. Wedding.
At this point, Shen Shuyi had fully accepted that fact.
If life insisted on beating him up, then fine—he’d just let himself be beaten gracefully.
So, he decided to make some adjustments to his “luxurious lifestyle.”
He needed to learn how normal people lived, in case marital life turned into a disaster.
These days, he’d been reading novels about “love after marriage,” trying to study how newlyweds fell in love post-wedding.
He even bought a pile of self-help books like “101 Tricks to Save Money,” “My First Saving Diary,” “How to Make Your Husband Praise You Nonstop,” and “The Self-Cultivation of a Newlywed Wife.”
By the time he finished, his brain felt smooth—like all the wrinkles had been ironed out.
How could people write such garbage—and still get published?!
He threw them all into the trash.
Maybe he’d been wrong from the start.
A contract marriage with someone like Zhao Yuheng—what love could come from that? Just muddle through.
In October, a matching kidney donor was found.
The surgery was scheduled for three days later.
Yinghua Group’s private hospital lived up to its reputation—the care was first-class. Within just two weeks, Grandpa Zhao’s condition had visibly improved; he could even walk a bit.
Both Zhao Yuheng and Shen Shuyi finally relaxed.
After all that, Zhao Yuheng couldn’t help but feel something.
When they left the ward, he said, “Shen Shuyi, how much did the transfer and surgery arrangements cost? I’ll reimburse you.”
Shen Shuyi blinked in surprise—then realized what he meant.
“Why would you transfer me money? What’s the point?”
And besides—what was wrong with this man?!
His salary card and credit card were both in Shen Shuyi’s hands—ever since that last date when Zhao Yuheng had shoved them at him.
So now he wanted to “transfer” money? From his own card to his own WeChat?
…Was he bored?
“All your money’s already with me. What are you transferring?”
Shen Shuyi rolled his eyes.
Zhao Yuheng actually fell silent for a few seconds.
“Anyway, that was my brother’s money,” Shen Shuyi said casually. “No need to pay him back. My brother’s loaded—filthy capitalist that he is. Honestly, wasting his money is practically a public service!”
Zhao Yuheng laughed despite himself. Yet for some reason, the thought of Shen Shuyi spending another man’s money—even if it was his brother’s—made him uneasy.
“From now on,” he said, “spend my money.”
“Of course,” Shen Shuyi muttered. “And don’t expect me to go to work after we get married. That’d be torture. You earn lots, give it all to me to spend, and then I’ll be happy.”
Married?
The word tightened something in Zhao Yuheng’s chest.
Shen Shuyi had mentioned marriage a lot lately—but he’d never taken it seriously.
Now, though, his face darkened. Who was Shen Shuyi marrying, exactly?
Meanwhile, Shen Shuyi was lost in his own misery—imagining his downfall from a life of luxury to living in a cockroach-infested apartment.
The pain was indescribable.
Oh well, he sighed inwardly. So be it. Such is fate. Such is suffering.
“Shen Shuyi,” Zhao Yuheng suddenly asked, “who are you marrying?”
“Don’t play dumb.”
Shen Shuyi didn’t even bother to answer—but then a thought struck him. “Hey, Zhao Yuheng, if you really want to thank me, can you promise me one thing?”
Zhao Yuheng didn’t reply immediately.
Lately, Shen Shuyi kept bringing up marriage, but had never once said who his fiancé was.
Who could it be? Li Sijia? That Yan Chi guy? One of those “little X, little Y, little Z” that the tabloids mentioned?
Then what was he—Shen Shuyi’s secret lover?
Ridiculous. The one Shen Shuyi liked was his boyfriend, wasn’t he?
And Zhao Yuheng didn’t care who Shen Shuyi was supposedly marrying. Even if there was someone, there was such a thing as first come, first served.
He’d come first—so Shen Shuyi was his.
Whoever came later—whatever their “status”—had no right to demand he back off.
On the contrary, Zhao Yuheng thought, that so-called fiancé should be the one to step aside.
After all, Shen Shuyi had come to him first.
“Hey! Zhao Yuheng! Are you even listening?” Shen Shuyi cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted right in his ear.
“You’re… really getting married?” Zhao Yuheng asked heavily.
“Yeah,” Shen Shuyi said, a bit confused. “I’ve even bought the rings. Why wouldn’t I?”
“…Then what about me?” Zhao Yuheng looked at him.
“What about you?” Shen Shuyi was completely baffled. You gonna marry me or something?
But his silence looked like hesitation.
Zhao Yuheng nodded slowly. “I understand.”
Understand what, brother?
“I can be your lover.”
…Excuse me?!
Shen Shuyi stared at him, question marks practically flashing above his head.
Speak properly, not in riddles!
While he was still dazed, Zhao Yuheng calmly asked, “What was it you wanted to ask me again?”
“Oh—right.” Shen Shuyi blinked, letting Zhao Yuheng’s previous words slide. “I just wanted to ask if you could take me to see where you live now.”
He’d always had psychological trauma about that “cockroach house.” With the wedding coming up, better to face the pain early—rip off the bandage, get it over with.
If it turned out unbearable, maybe he could still back out… maybe.
“Why?” Zhao Yuheng’s tone cooled slightly.
Ugh, men, Shen Shuyi thought. Totally impossible to read.
“Oh, well, I was just thinking—you can’t always come to my place after we’re married, right?”
That was true enough. After marriage, his fancy apartment would technically be pre-marital property—basically his “maiden home.”
And what kind of newlyweds live in the bride’s family home every day?
But Zhao Yuheng fell silent again.
So Shen Shuyi was already thinking about where they’d secretly meet after he got married?
“Can you or not?” Shen Shuyi pressed, his tone turning soft and a bit spoiled.
Zhao Yuheng closed his eyes briefly, then nodded, resigned. “Fine.”
They set the date for Saturday.
Just thinking about visiting that “cockroach house” made Shen Shuyi nervous.
He thought it’d just be him and Zhao Yuheng.
But when he got into the passenger seat of the Porsche, he froze—Grandpa Zhao was sitting in the back!
He turned immediately to Zhao Yuheng.
“Grandpa said he wants to visit home before the surgery,” Zhao Yuheng explained.
Before Shen Shuyi could respond, Grandpa Zhao said, “Little Shu, don’t blame Ah Heng. I wanted to go home myself. Haven’t been back for months, and with the surgery coming up… I just wanted to see the old place one last time. Who knows if I’ll ever walk out of that operating room again.”
“Grandpa, don’t say that!” Shen Shuyi quickly interjected. “Knock on wood!”
Still, his heart wasn’t steady either.
A kidney transplant at that age wasn’t exactly low-risk—even the best hospital couldn’t guarantee a perfect outcome.
But Grandpa Zhao seemed in good spirits today—dressed neatly, hair combed, looking lively.
Then Shen Shuyi glanced at Zhao Yuheng—and paused.
Zhao Yuheng was wearing something new.
Not his usual tacky jackets, nor the elegant pieces Shen Shuyi had bought him.
It was a casual suit—simple, tailored, effortlessly handsome. His tall frame carried it perfectly: broad shoulders, narrow waist, strong but lean muscles. Like a panther, ready to spring.
The rolled-up sleeves revealed sculpted forearms—and on his ring finger gleamed a platinum band, Chaumet Paris—the very ring Shen Shuyi had chosen for him.
Shen Shuyi’s heart skipped a beat.
Damn.
So handsome.
So lucky, me.
But wait—Zhao Yuheng never wore that ring.
Why today?
Shen Shuyi secretly snapped a few photos and sent them to Lu Zhiwei.
[Well?]
Lu Zhiwei: Who’s that?
Shen Shuyi: My boyfriend ^ ^
Lu Zhiwei: Who allowed you two to be this perfect?! Let me join your family, I’m begging you (kneels x4)
Shen Shuyi grinned.
The Porsche sped smoothly toward the suburbs.
Soon, the skyscrapers disappeared, replaced by factories, then farmland.
After a while, the fields gave way to small, bustling shops:
Mixue Ice Emperor, McDoro, Chewy Duck Necks, Kensheng’s Chicken, King Tea Base, I-Tea Point…
Shen Shuyi rolled down the window, curious about everything.
He’d never been to a place like this before.
So this is where Zhao Yuheng grew up?
He pictured a little Yuheng—elementary school age, backpack on, walking these same streets.
Little poker face instead of big poker face—still adorable.
He snapped a few photos.
And suddenly, his heart ached.
If only I’d met him sooner.
The car reached Sanhe Bay, drove another block, and stopped in front of a middle school.
Down a small lane stood a stone stele reading “Sanhe Bay.” The whole village was an old urban settlement marked for demolition—each house painted with the word “TEAR.”
Most families had already moved out, leaving the area quiet.
Shen Shuyi helped Grandpa Zhao out of the car—he couldn’t break his “model grandson-in-law” image now!
Zhao Yuheng led the way. The first house they reached was the Zhao family home.
A two-story self-built house with a small courtyard.
Shen Shuyi looked around curiously and pushed open the bronze gate. It creaked.
He’d braced himself for the worst—dust, cobwebs, cockroaches—an abandoned dump.
He took a few deep breaths.
But when the door opened—
The courtyard was bustling!
A large round table stood in the center, piled high with snacks, fruit, peanuts, and bottles of liquor.
Children ran laughing in circles, the whole place alive and warm.
When the kids saw strangers, they stopped and stared.
Shen Shuyi was stunned.
“Old Zhao, you’re back!”
A woman in an apron came out of the kitchen, smiling kindly. She looked at Grandpa Zhao, then at Yuheng. “Long time no see, Ah Heng!”
Shen Shuyi blinked in confusion. What is going on?
Zhao Yuheng murmured, “My high school teacher’s wife. Just call her Teacher’s Wife.”
He nodded politely. “Teacher’s Wife. Where’s Teacher Yu?”
“Old Yu went out to buy drinks—he’ll be right back!” she said cheerfully, then turned to Shen Shuyi, looking him up and down with delight.
Shen Shuyi had experienced many kinds of looks—admiring, lustful, appreciative—but this one was… different.
It was the way someone looked at a new daughter-in-law.
What the hell, Zhao Yuheng—are you trying to kill me?!
He glared daggers at Zhao Yuheng.
Unfazed, Zhao Yuheng calmly introduced, “Teacher’s Wife, this is Shen Shuyi.”
“Oh, Little Shu! You’re such a good-looking boy!” she said warmly, eyes lighting up like she’d found a treasure.
Shen Shuyi forced a polite smile. “Hello… Teacher’s Wife.”
“Ah! Even your voice sounds lovely!” she beamed.
Shen Shuyi’s death glare could have cut steel, but Zhao Yuheng acted as if he didn’t see it.
He’d already thought it through.
Yes, he was crossing moral lines.
But with who he was now, there was no way to stand openly beside Shen Shuyi.
He’d never get past Shen Lu, for one thing.
But Shen Shuyi was too good to give up.
So fine—he’d be the “mistress.”
And not just any mistress—he’d make sure he shone brighter than the official partner.
Author’s note:
Being “number one” isn’t as fun as being “number three” ?
Yu Heng here is the type who could outshine the real spouse while being the side piece (even if the “spouse” is technically himself).
Let’s just say—with a moral compass this flexible, he’s destined to win his lover back one way or another…
