Chapter 60: Apology
“Zhao Yuheng has gone too far! Even if he hates me, he shouldn’t have laid such a heavy hand on you!”
In one of the lounges inside the Zhao residence, Zhao Ci sat beside Shen Shuyi, staring anxiously at his wrist.
It was covered in bruises—blue and purple blotches everywhere.
Luckily, he had arrived early. If he’d been any later, wouldn’t Shen Shuyi have been covered head to toe in bruises?
“Maybe I should call an ambulance? Let’s go to the hospital?” Zhao Ci suggested.
“Are you poisoned?” Shen Shuyi replied flatly. “Why don’t you call eight hundred doctors and eight hundred nurses for me while you’re at it?”
“Can I?” Zhao Ci’s eyes lit up. “Though it might take a while to find that many people… how about we halve it?”
…You really dare to think big, huh.
Shen Shuyi didn’t want to embarrass himself in the mainland on behalf of Hong Kong.
It was just a few bruises—by the time a doctor even arrived, he’d probably be healed already.
He wasn’t that delicate, okay.
Right now, the only thing Shen Shuyi wanted was to get Zhao Ci out of the room.
Those ten minutes with Zhao Yuheng had drained all his emotional energy.
He didn’t want to stay near the study, but the hotel was forty minutes away. After thinking for a while, he decided to rent a lounge to calm down alone.
But then, Zhao Ci—this dog-skin plaster—stuck to him like glue.
Claiming it was because he was “worried about his injuries.”
Ha. Shen Shuyi saw right through him.
He was just scared of Zhao Yuheng and didn’t want to be alone with him, so he came to bother him instead.
Coward.
Shen Shuyi didn’t even have the strength to insult him anymore.
Since they were still at the Zhao residence, the bruises only looked severe; his skin wasn’t even broken. He couldn’t be bothered to call a private doctor.
He’d always bruised easily—just a light pinch could leave a mark—but it would fade in a day.
It only looked scary.
“I still think he was too harsh—look what he did to your wrist.” Zhao Ci fumed. “Don’t worry, I’ll avenge you!”
“And how are you going to do that?” Shen Shuyi asked weakly.
“I’ll delete him from my WeChat!”
“……”
Shen Shuyi closed his eyes in despair.
“Thanks for that heroic act. Now get lost.”
Zhao Ci looked deeply insulted. “You don’t believe me? No man can just sit there and watch his man get bullied!”
“You’re a dog. Acknowledge your species.”
“Woof woof! Woof woof woof woof woof woof woof!”
(Translation: No puppy could ever watch its friend get bullied!)
Shen Shuyi: “……”
Who could possibly understand Zhao Ci’s “abstract” sense of humor? Whoever does should just marry him already.
“I didn’t fight with Zhao Yuheng. Stop overreacting.”
“Then how did you get hurt?”
It wasn’t that Zhao Ci was overdramatic—it was just that he’d grown up surrounded by rich families.
The Zhao family was actually one of the cleaner ones. He’d seen much worse—physical punishments, secret abuse, all hidden behind wealth and glamour.
He genuinely worried Zhao Yuheng might have done something bad to Shen Shuyi.
After all, he was the one who had stolen Zhao Yuheng’s rightful place. Shen Shuyi was just an innocent fiancé caught in the crossfire of a rich family feud.
“This?” Shen Shuyi raised his wrist casually. “Oh, the watch strap was too tight.”
He wasn’t trying to defend Zhao Yuheng—it was just that Zhao Qing’s words in the study earlier had been clear: he wanted both of his sons to get along.
Shen Shuyi wasn’t stupid. Zhao Yuheng hadn’t actually done much to him. He didn’t want to make things worse just because Zhao Yuheng happened to be his ex.
No need to stir up drama between brothers.
But when he finished, Zhao Ci fell silent.
Shen Shuyi looked up.
Zhao Ci was pursing his lips. “Shen Shuyi! Do you think I’m an idiot?!”
Shen Shuyi looked genuinely surprised.
He didn’t say anything, but his expression said it all.
…Wasn’t he?
Zhao Ci: QvQ!
“Damn it! I only pretend to be stupid to make you laugh, okay? And you actually think I am stupid! You heartless man!”
“First of all,” Shen Shuyi replied calmly, “I am heartless.”
“Second,” he continued evenly, “have you heard the Arab proverb that says, ‘When you’re angry, don’t use your real skills, or people will find out your real skills are actually trash.’”
Zhao Ci: QvQ! QvQ!
“I’m really mad this time! I’m going to give you the cold shoulder for a whole night! The Fake Young Master Avengers is officially disbanded!”
Wait—that thing actually existed?
After saying that, Zhao Ci ran off dramatically, covering his face as if he were about to cry “boohoo.”
At the door, Shen Shuyi called out, “Remember to close the door.”
Bang.
The beagle was gone, and the world fell quiet.
Finally, peace.
All his life, people had been annoyed by him—this was the first time he’d ever been annoyed by someone else.
Thinking about it, he realized Shen Lu really had a hard time raising him.
Lying on the bed, Shen Shuyi transferred 52,000 yuan to Shen Lu.
A little act of filial piety. ^ ^
Late at night, Shen Lu received the transfer and replied with a single question mark.
[You got into trouble again?]
[Is that how you see me?]
[Yes ^-^] Shen Lu replied decisively.
[……] Shen Shuyi fumed. [Give me back my 50,000! And my love! Double!]
Shen Lu sighed in relief.
So it was just his little brother finding creative new ways to ask for pocket money. That sounded about right.
He transferred 5 million to Shen Shuyi’s card—if money could represent love, then his love was tenfold.
The 5 million did wonders to calm Shen Shuyi’s nerves after being frightened by Zhao Yuheng tonight.
But when he thought of Zhao Yuheng again, his hand hovered over the call button, unsure whether to tell Shen Lu or not.
After all, Hong Kong and Beijing had huge information gaps.
The truth about Zhao Yuheng being the real heir hadn’t been made public yet.
Besides, Zhao Qing had said both sons were his legitimate heirs—meaning even if it was made public, Zhao Ci’s engagement to the Shen family would remain valid.
So telling Shen Lu wouldn’t solve anything.
What was he supposed to say—“Brother, I only want to marry Zhao family’s real heir”? Shen Shuyi thought that sounded absurdly feudal.
And when he remembered that the “real heir” was the same man he’d personally broken up with two years ago…
He felt his brother would just die of secondhand embarrassment.
Aaaahhhh!
Why does this kind of thing only happen to me?!
What kind of cursed fate do I have with Zhao Yuheng?!
Shen Shuyi buried his face in the bed and screamed silently.
(cat-holding-head.gif)
Until the door suddenly opened.
Someone came in.
Zhao Ci again?
He didn’t know anyone else in the Zhao household—so naturally, he assumed it was him.
“You said you wanted a cold war, so why are you back? Trying to make up? Hmph, the price is ten designer bags, five private islands, and one astronaut space station!”
As he turned his head while speaking—he came face to face with Zhao Yuheng.
……
The air froze.
“Ten bags and five islands are fine,” Zhao Yuheng said after a pause. “The astronaut station might be tricky, but I can look into it.”
Shen Shuyi: ……
Could you maybe just send me to the space station instead?!
Why was he here?!
Wasn’t he supposed to be downstairs socializing? How did he end up in this remote lounge?
Wait—how did he even find this room? He’d picked it randomly!
“I ran into Zhao Ci. He told me.”
Shen Shuyi’s expression was easy to read.
Oh.
So it was him.
That traitor! When he said the Fake Young Master Avengers was disbanded, he meant it!
Shen Shuyi thought he was joking!
The room fell silent again, awkwardness thick in the air.
He couldn’t stand it anymore. “What are you doing here?”
“Can’t I come?”
?
Hadn’t they had this exact conversation before?
Not just the conversation—the whole situation felt like déjà vu.
Why was he seeing Zhao Yuheng again?
And the scariest part—after all the harsh words they’d exchanged in the corridor, now he was here, calm as ever, like nothing had happened.
Creepy. Very creepy!
Was he a ghost who’d suddenly resurrected?!
Shen Shuyi pressed his lips together, at a loss for words.
Zhao Yuheng walked toward him steadily. Each step made Shen Shuyi’s heartbeat quicken.
When he sat on the edge of the bed, Shen Shuyi instinctively shrank toward the headboard.
“Hand,” Zhao Yuheng said.
“Huh?”
Before he could react, Zhao Yuheng pulled his hand out from under the blanket and rolled up his sleeve.
Shen Shuyi’s skin was pale and delicate, glowing faintly under the light like milk.
Which made the red marks on his wrist all the more glaring.
They were from when Zhao Yuheng had grabbed him earlier.
Just as Shen Shuyi was about to speak, a cool touch spread across his wrist—ointment. Transparent and soothing.
He hadn’t thought the bruises hurt before, but the coolness made him realize how sore they actually were.
And if Zhao Yuheng said just one more gentle word, he might actually start crying.
When Shen Shuyi was little, if he fell and no one saw, he’d quietly get up. But the moment someone comforted him—tears. Endless.
He finally understood—Zhao Yuheng had come to bring him medicine.
He didn’t say anything. The room was painfully quiet.
He stared at their hands instead, not knowing where else to look.
Zhao Yuheng’s skin had darkened over the years—once too pale, now with a faint tan.
His palms were rougher too, calloused from work—so unlike their university days. In contrast, Shen Shuyi’s wrist looked fragile, like it could snap with a touch.
After a long while, when almost his entire arm was covered in ointment, Shen Shuyi tried to pull his hand back.
Tried.
Couldn’t. TvT
What are you doing, Zhao Yuheng?
“…Sorry,” Zhao Yuheng said suddenly.
Shen Shuyi stayed silent.
“I didn’t mean to grab you that hard. I just… lost control for a moment.”
Oh.
Don’t want to hear it.
Ten bags.
“…Sorry,” Zhao Yuheng repeated.
You already said that. Once was enough.
He hadn’t accepted it, sure—but still, there was no need to repeat it. It made him feel like the unreasonable one.
“You already apologized,” Shen Shuyi mumbled finally, voice small and muffled.
He sounded hurt.
“The second one’s for the things I said in the hallway,” Zhao Yuheng said quietly.
…Which things?
You mean the part about dating Zhao Ci being a joke, the whole “brother and fiancé are so loving, why should I interfere,” “you’re scared he’ll find out about our past,” “you chose this,” “love doesn’t feed you,” “you remember every word from two years ago,” “did you think you’d never see me again,” “did I regret it?”
Haha. Shen Shuyi had already forgotten all that.
Totally forgotten. ^ ^
Every single word. ^ ^
“Sorry,” Zhao Yuheng said again.
Shen Shuyi’s heart felt heavy. He pressed his lips together.
“So are you here to apologize, or to make peace?”
“Both.”
Both?
He didn’t know what to say to that.
It was like meeting the right person at the wrong time—then, after separating, meeting the wrong person at the right time.
At least now they could finally talk properly.
“Zhao Yuheng,” Shen Shuyi said quietly, “what you’re saying now… it’s meaningless.”
Zhao Yuheng’s shoulders trembled slightly.
“It’s just… I’m getting engaged to Zhao Ci next month,” Shen Shuyi continued, forcing himself to speak. “He’s actually a good person. If I have any conscience left, I shouldn’t… have anything more with you.”
“Do you like him?” Zhao Yuheng asked.
“No.” The words flew out of his mouth. It was a business marriage—Zhao Ci didn’t like him either. They were basically “marriage partners,” nothing more.
“Do you like me, then?” Zhao Yuheng asked again.
…Don’t want to answer.
“There’s no point in dwelling on that,” Shen Shuyi muttered.
“But your fiancé was supposed to be me, not Zhao Ci.”
“….”
“But right now,” Shen Shuyi said softly, “it’s him.”
Who could he blame?
Fate? Timing? Himself?
“If I’m being honest…” Zhao Yuheng paused. “I don’t want to be your older brother.”
Shen Shuyi’s mind went blank. Then, absurd thoughts started popping up.
If not his brother… then what? His dad? Bit late for that, isn’t it?
Before he could finish that thought, Zhao Yuheng said—
“Can we at least be friends?”
Shen Shuyi: …
That, maybe, could be considered.
But still—after how they’d been sniping at each other earlier in the study, wouldn’t forgiving him this fast make him look too easy?
He decided to stay cool and distant.
Zhao Yuheng didn’t press him.
Push too hard, and the cat would scratch.
He could wait. There was a quiet, steady madness in his eyes.
He already had him—no need to rush.
Shen Shuyi thought the conversation was finally over.
He was even in a good mood now—he just wanted Zhao Yuheng to leave so he could take a nice bath, watch a movie, and sleep.
But then Zhao Yuheng asked, “Zhao Qing said you and Zhao Ci are going to look at the new house soon?”
Uncle Zhao told him that too?
Shen Shuyi was surprised—not only by that, but also by how casually Yuheng called his father by name.
He hesitated. Should he nod? Would that be too cruel?
Zhao Yuheng took his wrist again, gently but firmly. “Can I come?”
—
If Zhao Yuheng were the ex, then no.
If he were the older brother, then yes.
If he were a friend… then also yes.
So, two votes to one—he could come.
Shen Shuyi nodded vaguely. Maybe it was fine?
Though why did he want to come to a house-viewing?
After getting the answer, Zhao Yuheng didn’t stay long.
He told Shen Shuyi “good night,” and left quietly.
Shen Shuyi had one great trait—if he couldn’t figure something out, he just didn’t think about it.
He felt much lighter now. Their reunion had been awkward, sure, but Zhao Yuheng had apologized.
Maybe… he could forgive him.
Cats were softhearted creatures.
To break up yet still stay friends—that was the best, most peaceful ending he could have hoped for.
Humming a slightly off-key tune, he rolled around on the bed, phone in hand, magnanimously giving a “like” to everyone’s posts tonight.
Meanwhile, outside the room, Zhao Yuheng walked out and ran straight into Zhao Ci sneaking around in the hallway.
After their argument earlier, Zhao Ci had felt guilty.
Shen Shuyi was his only ally—how could he let a little fight break them up?
He was a rare gem! If he didn’t hold on tight, someone else would swoop in!
And look—less than half an hour later, his “real prince” brother had already gone into Shen Shuyi’s room. Trying to steal his ally?!
The war between true and fake heirs was truly brutal.
“What are you doing here?” Zhao Yuheng asked coldly.
The tone made Zhao Ci’s prepared lines vanish instantly.
Wait a minute—this was his fiancé’s room. Why couldn’t he be here?
And why did his brother sound like he was catching him cheating?!
“I—I came to bring Little Shu some medicine…” he stammered.
Why did that sound so guilty?
“He’s already applied it. Go back,” Zhao Yuheng said curtly. “Don’t disturb him. It’s his bedtime.”
“Oh…”
Zhao Ci nodded.
“Anything else?”
“Oh!” Zhao Ci suddenly remembered. “Then, uh… give him this medicine for me.”
Another anti-inflammatory ointment.
“Okay.”
“Alright, I’ll go now.” Zhao Ci turned, walked two steps—then froze.
Wait.
He’s Shen Shuyi’s fiancé!
Why the hell was he listening to Zhao Yuheng like an obedient child?!
Author’s Note:
Brother Yu: The behavior of a homewrecker, the attitude of a main wife.
Also!! Reminder!! Little Shu and Littler Ci are purely friends—there’s zero romance line between them!
Their bickering is like a tuxedo cat and a beagle—two adorable chaos creatures.
