Been Waiting for You to Escape Marriage for a Long Time – CH55

Chapter 55: Confession

Inside the glass greenhouse at Shuiwan One, the two of them walked in one after the other.

Shen Shuyi walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked at the lawn outside, not knowing how to start.

Zhao Yuheng had said he wanted to talk to him—but talk about what?

With only the two of them left, the room was painfully quiet.

The openness they once shared in private had been replaced by silence.

“Shen Shuyi… I’m sorry…”

Caught off guard, Shen Shuyi felt someone wrap their arms around him from behind.

A hot male body pressed against his back, the warmth sweeping over him, making him shiver.

Zhao Yuheng held him from behind, his arms stretched across Shen Shuyi’s chest. Due to the difference in their builds, in the reflection on the glass wall, Shen Shuyi appeared almost entirely enveloped in Zhao Yuheng’s embrace.

His first instinct was to struggle, but he quickly abandoned the idea.

He was about to go to the United States. Perhaps this would be the last time he saw Zhao Yuheng.

“…You have nothing to be sorry for.” Shen Shuyi hesitated for a few seconds before speaking. “Actually, the one who should be apologizing to you… is me.”

Zhao Yuheng trembled.

“That day at the hospital, I said a lot of awful things to you. I’m sorry. I was angry at the time and spoke without thinking.”

When Shen Shuyi said this, he was calm—not hysterical, not crying.

During his illness, his hospitalization, his solitary moments, he had thought a lot—mostly about what happened at the hospital that day.

He admitted he had a bad temper. When he heard Zhao Cheng’s words, he didn’t think—they immediately took over his mind, breaking down his mental defenses.

Later, when reviewing the incident, he realized many details had been misremembered.

For example, Zhao Cheng had said Zhao Yuheng seduced him for money.

In reality, Zhao Yuheng hadn’t actively contacted him; it was Shen Shuyi who, due to the misunderstanding about the arranged marriage, repeatedly approached him.

Zhao Cheng also claimed Zhao Yuheng came to him to take revenge because he was upset about his grandfather’s hospitalization.

If that so-called “revenge” meant treating him well, then Shen Shuyi had nothing to say—such revenge didn’t exist.

Everything Zhao Cheng said contrasted sharply with reality.

Shen Shuyi, though headstrong, was not a fool. With careful thought, he could see there might have been a misunderstanding.

But it didn’t matter anymore.

Even if there was a misunderstanding, their relationship had started with a mistake.

There was no need to let his own stubbornness continue it.

Shen Shuyi’s calmness was unexpected for Zhao Yuheng.

He had waited at the gates of Shuiwan One for half a month, imagining all of Shen Shuyi’s possible reactions.

Whether it was crying, shouting, or screaming, Zhao Yuheng would explain everything—they couldn’t just end like this.

But Shen Shuyi didn’t cry or yell. He was calm.

The calmer he was, the deeper Zhao Yuheng’s heart sank. A chill ran through him.

This was unlike Shen Shuyi’s personality—it was abnormal.

If he had hit or scolded him, that would have left room for negotiation.

But such calmness could only mean Shen Shuyi no longer cared.

“Shen Shuyi, don’t apologize. I don’t want you to apologize to me,” Zhao Yuheng muttered. “You can hit me, scold me, do whatever you want—but don’t apologize to me so calmly…”

Shen Shuyi: ?

No.

Bro, are you secretly a masochist?!

Shen Shuyi had made up his mind—it was time to talk properly with Zhao Yuheng.

But being held like a koala… was this really the right atmosphere for a proper conversation?

He tried to push Zhao Yuheng’s arms away—couldn’t budge them.

He struggled—still nothing.

He… gave up.

Fine, they’d talk while being held.

As long as he wasn’t embarrassed, Zhao Yuheng would be.

There’s nobody else around anyway—

Shen Shuyi turned his head and saw Xiaomei, Uncle Lin, Xiao Liu, and Mrs. Li staring at them from behind the door.

Staring.

Shen Shuyi: =.= ?

…Fine.

Let them look.

He felt a pang in his chest. Well, it was the last time he’d see him anyway.

“Zhao Yuheng, I think we really should talk.” Shen Shuyi still couldn’t stand being hugged so clingily. Luckily, Uncle Lin had wisely taken Xiaomei and the others away before Shen Shuyi lost his temper.

“Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere right now.”

Zhao Yuheng hesitated a few seconds, then let go.

Standing face to face, Shen Shuyi finally noticed how haggard Zhao Yuheng looked.

His usual composure and youthful vigor were gone, replaced by exhaustion and sorrow.

That day, Shen Shuyi had bitten him in a moment of loss of control—he could still taste the blood.

Now clothed, Shen Shuyi couldn’t see how Zhao Yuheng’s wounds had healed. He wanted to check, but feared losing control, forcing himself to stay calm.

He feared that caring too much would prevent him from making a decisive choice.

“Zhao Yuheng, listen to me. This may sound ridiculous, but I need to explain.”

Shen Shuyi spoke slowly: “Do you remember the first time you came to Shuiwan One? You came to claim your grandfather’s compensation, right? But I got you wrong—I thought you were my fiancé.”

Zhao Yuheng froze.

The misunderstanding was so dramatic, it could have been a novel plot. But no matter how absurd, it had happened, causing irreparable damage between them.

“I had an engagement with the Zhao family. My grandfather had already chosen my fiancé before he passed. That day, I had just returned from the funeral. My brother told me the Zhao family had arrived. I got out and saw you, asked your name, heard you were also Zhao, and didn’t think much of it. That’s how the misunderstanding started.”

“It was all my fault. I mistook you for my fiancé, which led to everything afterward. So… I’m really sorry.”

“Sorry” that day… he hadn’t meant it, but deep down, he had regretted it for a long time.

“So what are you saying now?” Zhao Yuheng’s uneasy premonition grew stronger. He came to apologize, not to hear the truth.

He sensed the misunderstanding but didn’t care. He just wanted to go back to how things were.

Shen Shuyi clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and said slowly: “Since it all started from a misunderstanding, I think it’s enough to explain it clearly.”

“So…” Shen Shuyi’s voice grew heavy. “Let’s just leave it at that.”

“Leave it?” Zhao Yuheng muttered, then scowled. “Leave it? Just like that? No! I won’t, I don’t agree!”

He grabbed Shen Shuyi’s arm tightly, startling him.

From past experience, Shen Shuyi feared Zhao Yuheng would lift him again.

But Zhao Yuheng only held his arm, staring him down, veins visible in the whites of his eyes: “You came to provoke me! You can’t just leave it at that! You can’t just throw me away!”

If Shen Shuyi let it end like this, how was he different from Zhao’s exes?

Loved, used, then discarded? Zhao Yuheng couldn’t do that. He wouldn’t let go.

“If it’s a misunderstanding, then let’s start over, okay?”

This sentence struck Shen Shuyi.

He shouted: “Start over? How do you expect me to start over?!”

He violently shook off Zhao Yuheng’s hand, his eyes rimmed with red.

“Zhao Yuheng, don’t you understand? I’m telling you, there’s no way for us. No way. Got it?!”

Zhao Yuheng’s hands trembled slightly.

“Why? Because I’m not good enough? Not rich enough?”

“Why? Don’t you get it? It has nothing to do with money! Even when you were poorest, I still wanted to be with you. I can’t accept our beginning being this humiliating misunderstanding. Every time I approached you, thinking you liked me back, it felt like a slap in the face. When we went to see your grandfather at the hospital, how did you see me? A rich second generation who demolished your home? An enemy?”

“Even if you don’t blame me, I can’t accept it. I can’t accept being with you after harming your grandfather. Understand? I can’t pretend none of this happened!”

Shen Shuyi’s chest heaved violently, tears falling uncontrollably.

Zhao Yuheng stared, heart breaking: “Shen Shuyi… I like you.”

The greenhouse was silent, as if a century had passed.

Shen Shuyi’s mind buzzed before he spoke: “…What’s the point of saying this now?”

Zhao Yuheng always acted this way—stoic, acting as if the world owed him.

Shen Shuyi had secretly hoped Zhao Yuheng would one day admit his feelings.

But the confession came at a breakup.

Ridiculous. Painful.

Zhao Yuheng clung to him, burying his face in Shen Shuyi’s neck, voice trembling: “I like you… I like you… Let’s not separate…”

For a moment, Shen Shuyi wavered.

Emotion overpowered reason, and a small, desperate thought flitted through: maybe… just try one more time? What’s one more embarrassment?

But the next second, he saw Shen Lu standing nearby—tired, weary—and clarity returned.

The Shen family empire rested on Shen Lu alone. He was only in his early thirties, managing the family, the company, Shen Shuyi’s messes, and even his romantic troubles.

And Shen Shuyi?

No use. Not as capable as his brother, a pretty gay man—his role was obvious.

Growing up in a wealthy family, Shen Shuyi understood early: even in love and pampering, family ties had a price.

Marriage alliances were the only thing he could offer the Shen family. Sacrificing his feelings was already minimal.

Shen Shuyi forced himself to push Zhao Yuheng away, gritting his teeth: “What use is liking someone? Does liking someone put food on the table? Does it pay for living?”

“Zhao Yuheng, get real! Being with me, then what? Can you buy my bags? My car? My watch?”

Pain flickered across Zhao Yuheng’s face, followed by deep self-doubt.

Shen Shuyi knew these words cut like a knife, so he stopped, turning away to hide his tears.

“Let it go, Zhao Yuheng… really let it go.” Shen Shuyi felt exhausted. He blamed himself—one question could have cleared this misunderstanding, yet they’d wasted half a year tangled up.

It was as if fate had forcibly tied two unrelated people with a red string.

After half an hour, Shen Lu glanced at his watch: “Little Shu, are you done talking? You’ll miss your plane.”

In truth, Shen Lu had arranged a private plane—he just wanted to politely interrupt the bittersweet silence.

Hearing “catch the plane,” Zhao Yuheng went mad, grabbing Shen Shuyi: “Plane? Where are you going?!”

His sharp gaze landed on packed suitcases—Shen Shuyi’s belongings.

Zhao Yuheng panicked. He would stop Shen Shuyi at any cost.

“I won’t let you go! Shen Shuyi, you can’t go!” he screamed, grabbing Shen Shuyi’s wrist.

Shen Lu scowled, shouting: “Guards!”

Six guards surrounded them. Zhao Yuheng, no matter how fierce, couldn’t escape.

Shen Shuyi whispered to Shen Lu: “Don’t let them overdo it…”

Shen Lu sighed: “Got it. Go. This sour display is annoying me.”

Shen Shuyi knew he had to leave.

Love or misunderstanding, he carried the Shen family’s responsibilities. His feelings were trivial.

He glanced at Zhao Yuheng, resolute, and walked out.

Zhao Yuheng chased after him like a madman, toppling guards. Shen Lu was shocked—he hadn’t expected Zhao to be this crazy.

Zhao Yuheng only wanted to stop Shen Shuyi from leaving. He had a premonition—if Shen Shuyi left, they’d never meet again.

“Shen Shuyi! If you leave, I’ll die here!” Zhao Yuheng cried.

Shen Shuyi stopped briefly—but then got into the car to the airport.

Zhao Yuheng went insane, trying to block it physically.

Shen Lu ordered the guards to hold Zhao Yuheng down. He stared at the car like a desperate beast.

“Enough,” Shen Lu said. “Look at yourself!”

“Mr. Zhao, you’re smart, capable, with a future. What are you doing here, dying over a man at my doorstep? Did all your studies go to waste?!”

Zhao Yuheng glared, unmoved.

Shen Lu continued: “My brother is engaged, getting married in the US by year’s end. If your grandfather knew you were having an affair outside, what would he think?”

It was like a slap in the face. Zhao Yuheng’s pride shattered.

Shen Lu sighed: “Your grandfather is in a private hospital under Yinghua. I promised Little Shu his care wouldn’t be cut. Surgery and post-care continue at no cost to you.”

“Regarding Sanhewan, compensation will be paid in ten business days.”

“Mr. Zhao, as I said, you’re smart. Take care of your grandfather.”

…

Zhao Yuheng relaxed. Guards released him.

The gate opened, all luggage packed.

Shen Shuyi sat in the car silently.

“Master, all ready,” Uncle Lin said. “Go back to America. Remember to eat well, okay?”

“…Mm.”

Shen Shuyi worriedly looked out. Uncle Lin nodded: “Mr. Zhao has left.”

He sniffled. “I didn’t ask him.”

Uncle Lin sighed. Shen Shuyi reassured himself: “It’s just a breakup. It’s fine. Really.”

Even though he’d never truly been with Zhao Yuheng: “It’s no big deal. Time will heal it.”

He forced a smile, comforting Uncle Lin.

The Bentley slowly drove away. Passing Shuiwan One, Shen Shuyi remembered it was the first place he met Zhao Yuheng.

Snow rarely fell in Hong Kong; last time had been decades ago. That day, Zhao Yuheng had white snow on his head and shoulders. Shen Shuyi had only felt anger then.

He once hoped to marry Zhao Yuheng, imagining seeing his gray hair decades later.

Yet their first “gray-haired moment” ended the first time they met.

A cursed fate.

Shen Shuyi dozed in the car until Xiao Liu said: “Master, we’ve arrived at the airport.”

He woke. Xiao Liu carried his luggage to the private plane.

Onboard, the Shen family steward poured him a cup of hot water.

While placing his luggage, a ring box fell out, startling the steward.

Shen Shuyi waved it off. Glancing, he was struck—he picked up the box.

Inside was the wedding ring Zhao Yuheng had given him.

The steward asked cautiously.

Shen Shuyi, lips pale: “It’s nothing.”

He closed the box, stomach twisting painfully.

Unable to bear the pain, he buried his face on the table and cried.

The plane took off, heading across the ocean.

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