Chapter 64: Illness
After Zhao Yuheng uttered that world-shaking, ghost-weeping remark, Shen Shuyi didn’t even have time to punch him before a work call came in on Zhao Yuheng’s phone. With his laptop in hand, Zhao Yuheng went into the study to handle business matters.
That interruption immediately killed Shen Shuyi’s desire to argue. He’d always been the kind to lose interest in three minutes anyway.
The international meeting Zhao Yuheng attended lasted over an hour. By the time he came out, Shen Shuyi was half-asleep. The earlier conflict was thus brushed aside. Zhao Yuheng didn’t bring it up again, and Shen Shuyi pretended it had never happened.
After all—being a homewrecker, what’s there to brag about?
“You’re done with your meeting?” Shen Shuyi rubbed his eyes.
“Yeah. If you’re sleepy, go back to sleep,” Zhao Yuheng said softly.
Shen Shuyi nodded and was about to snuggle back under the blanket. Then he froze.
Why the hell was he listening to Zhao Yuheng’s orders? 😕
Zhao Yuheng had meant to sit on the sofa and quietly watch him sleep. He’d even pulled out his tablet, ready to go through some merger contracts. Seeing Zhao Yuheng’s laptop, tablet, and other office gear all laid out like he planned to move into his hotel room permanently, Shen Shuyi’s temper flared again.
Zhao Yuheng looked up. “Not sleepy anymore?”
“I don’t want to sleep!” Shen Shuyi snapped. “With such a big, live person in the room, who can sleep?”
Honestly, he had already slept too long the night before. He wasn’t a pig; no one sleeps twenty-four hours straight.
“Want to go for a walk, then?” Zhao Yuheng suggested.
“Don’t want to.”
What was there to walk around for in Beijing anyway? The weather was cold, the northern winds biting; half the plants outside were dead and grey. Not a pretty sight. Even photos wouldn’t come out nice.
“And shouldn’t you be the one leaving?” Shen Shuyi reminded coldly. “This is my room.”
Zhao Yuheng fell silent. “If the noise bothers you, I can work in the study.”
Shen Shuyi: “…”
So you never even considered leaving the hotel, huh?!
He felt a headache coming on. He hadn’t expected that after two years, Zhao Yuheng would become this clingy.
Two years ago, Zhao Yuheng still had some pride. Say a few harsh words to him, and he’d quietly leave, dignity wounded. Now? Completely shameless!
“Can you not be so shameless? I have a fiancé now. You staying in my room—is that appropriate?”
“No.”
…Huh?
“Which is why I came here secretly,” Zhao Yuheng said soothingly. “Relax. No one will find out.”
Shen Shuyi: …
You’re not less shameless—you’re more shameless!
Unable to argue, Shen Shuyi turned his back and ignored him. Zhao Yuheng noticed, and calmly moved from the sofa to sit on the bed.
“Baby.”
Shen Shuyi yanked the blanket over his head, voice muffled with frustration. “Who’s your baby? Don’t call me that.”
Zhao Yuheng paused, then dropped it. “If you don’t want to go out, how about a jewelry auction?” he tried again. “Remember the blue diamond from Sri Lanka you wanted? It’ll be there tonight at Poly International. Don’t you want to see it?”
The lump under the blanket shifted slightly—then stilled.
“Shuyi?”
No response.
“Baby?”
“Get out,” came the muffled reply.
Zhao Yuheng’s heart sank; his body went rigid for a moment. So even that didn’t work, huh. Looked like Shen Shuyi was determined not to talk to him.
He took a few seconds to steady himself. Shen Shuyi was always hard to coax. So what if it took longer? After all, he had a lifetime to tangle with this man.
He curled his fingers, voice low. “Okay.”
He left his laptop and tablet behind—perfect excuses to come back later. Just as he reached the door, Shen Shuyi’s voice suddenly came again.
“Where are you going?”
Zhao Yuheng hesitated, unsure how to answer.
“What’s wrong?”
“Close the curtains. I’m changing clothes,” Shen Shuyi said, throwing off the blanket and getting out of bed.
“Changing?” Zhao Yuheng froze.
“What else?!” Shen Shuyi huffed. “You didn’t tell me about the auction earlier, and now this outfit’s all wrinkled from sleeping in it! Ironing is such a pain…”
Zhao Yuheng’s heart, empty just moments ago, suddenly filled again. He turned right around, went back to the sofa, and pressed the remote to close the curtains.
“Zhao Yuheng! Just close the white layer—why make it pitch black!” Shen Shuyi shouted.
“Mm.” Zhao Yuheng replied mildly. “Sorry, too happy. My hand slipped.”
Shen Shuyi: ?
Happy about what? Spending tens of millions later?
…masochist tendencies, clearly.
“Want to shop for clothes afterward?” Zhao Yuheng asked casually.
That was Shen Shuyi’s plan, though he answered grudgingly, “We’ll see. Shopping’s tiring.”
“I’ll carry your bags,” Zhao Yuheng offered. “Maybe dinner afterward?”
“Don’t push your luck,” Shen Shuyi said coldly.
“Okay.” Zhao Yuheng nodded, taking it slow.
A few seconds later came a voice from the dressing room.
“Where are we eating?”
Zhao Yuheng smiled faintly. “Wherever you want.”
Shen Shuyi eventually came out in a black trench coat, belt cinching his slim waist. A single pearl at his collar glimmered brightly—until you saw his face, which outshone it completely.
He sat in the passenger seat of the Bentley; Zhao Yuheng in the driver’s seat leaned over to fasten his seatbelt.
As soon as they started moving, Shen Shuyi said, “Drop me off at the auction. I’ll pay with my own card.”
Zhao Yuheng’s hand froze. “Why?”
“Baby, can’t you use mine? Didn’t we agree—”
“When did we agree?” Shen Shuyi cut him off. “You’re just my driver today. We’ll be sitting separately.”
“We can’t sit together?”
“No. I’d rather not see tomorrow’s headlines screaming: ‘Yinghua Group’s Third Young Master and His Fiance’s Elder Brother Attend Auction Together—Suspected Pre-Wedding Affair!’”
“I can have it censored.”
Maybe deny the affair part first?!
Since Zhao Yuheng was apparently determined to play the homewrecker, Shen Shuyi decided there was no reasoning with someone who had zero moral bottom line.
If he wanted to protect his own reputation—and end Zhao Yuheng’s delusions—he had to draw the line clearly.
He would never let Zhao Yuheng play the third party. And as for reconciliation? Ha. Zhao Yuheng never even properly courted him the first time—what was there to get back to? 😕
The auction lasted over two hours. Shen Shuyi had a clear goal and soon won the Sri Lankan blue diamond. Other exquisite pieces caught his eye, but his budget was capped at twenty million.
Though extravagant, he had recently resolved to spend less—his brother Shen Lu had just gifted him a private island, after all.
Still, every item Shen Shuyi lingered over, Zhao Yuheng bid on and bought. Shen Shuyi didn’t dare ask. If he did, he’d probably find them all delivered to his bedside the next morning.
Zhao Yuheng might be morally bankrupt, but he didn’t want to be accused of pre-wedding infidelity!
Afterward, Shen Shuyi got a message from his stylist: several outfits he’d ordered had arrived, would he like to come by? Better that than return to the hotel—if he did, Zhao Yuheng would just shamelessly follow.
Safer in public than two men alone in a room with one big bed.
In the boutique’s VIP lounge, Shen Shuyi tried on several outfits while the stylist served tea and wine. Shen Shuyi didn’t drink, but Zhao Yuheng sat comfortably on the sofa, watching each look with a critic’s eye.
“Too revealing.”
“Too flashy.”
“This one’s fine, but the pants sit too low—pull them up a bit, you’re showing too much waist.”
Shen Shuyi rolled his eyes so hard they almost fell out.
The stylist made it worse: “Mr. Shen, you and your boyfriend are so close.”
Close, my ass.
“Not boyfriends,” Shen Shuyi said coolly.
The stylist nearly collapsed in horror.
Thankfully, Zhao Yuheng added smoothly, “Not right now.”
“We never were,” Shen Shuyi snapped.
“What about later?”
Shen Shuyi: …
Stop digging holes for me! Later? Later I’ll be your Brother-in-law, thanks! ^ ^
At first he’d been having fun, but Zhao Yuheng’s running commentary dulled his mood. Most of it was praise, sure—but after showing him all the outfits today, wouldn’t Zhao Yuheng have already seen them once? Why give him a preview?
After a moment’s hesitation, Shen Shuyi decided not to try on the rest.
“What’s wrong?” Zhao Yuheng asked. “Don’t like the others?”
“No,” Shen Shuyi said airily. “Too much trouble changing. Just pack them up and send to the hotel—I’ll try them later.”
Zhao Yuheng didn’t argue. He just told the stylist to wrap everything up— and quickly signed a check before Shen Shuyi could swipe his card.
His intentions couldn’t have been clearer.
Shen Shuyi felt conflicted. He could tell Zhao Yuheng truly wanted to reconcile—and wasn’t joking about being the “third party.” It was serious. They needed to talk.
After clothes came dinner. Several times Shen Shuyi tried to bring up the topic, but stopped, not wanting to hurt Zhao Yuheng’s pride. He was still Zhao family’s eldest son—and soon to be Shen Shuyi’s brother-in-law. For the sake of future harmony, he’d have to tread carefully.
He’d already sacrificed so much for this family, TUT.
By the end of dinner, it was eight o’clock. He’d been distracted the whole time.
Outside the restaurant, snow was falling.
He’d seen snow only once before, in Hong Kong—and compared to Beijing’s tonight, that was nothing. Big, thick flakes fell slowly, settling on people’s shoulders without melting. The streets glowed under streetlights; passersby stopped to take photos of the first snow of the season.
Shen Shuyi stared, momentarily dazed. It hit him—the first time he’d met Zhao Yuheng, it had also been snowing like this.
“The first time I met you,” came Zhao Yuheng’s low voice beside his ear, “it was snowing too.”
For a second, Shen Shuyi thought he had said that out loud. Then realization hit—and his heart skipped.
Old memories came flooding back. Once two people met again, all those buried fragments of the past would inevitably resurface.
His heart thumped uncontrollably. He didn’t know what Zhao Yuheng wanted to say. They’d had too many misunderstandings—but also moments of warmth. Any topic between them could so easily turn ambiguous.
What could he even say back?
A bitter smile formed on Shen Shuyi’s lips.
Then Zhao Yuheng said lightly, “Back then, I hadn’t started being anyone’s homewrecker yet.”
Shen Shuyi: …
Shen Shuyi: …………
Shen Shuyi: …………………
AAAAHHHH what kind of lunatic is this man!!!!!
He nearly fainted.
Why had he even been nostalgic a second ago? Expecting Zhao Yuheng to say something meaningful?
Two years later, and he’d turned into a total psychopath!!!
Shen Shuyi could only laugh helplessly. When you’re that speechless, all you can do is laugh. Zhao Yuheng’s deadpan humor had reached god-tier—because he didn’t even think it was a joke.
“What?” Zhao Yuheng asked.
Shen Shuyi took a shaky breath. “Nothing. Just—thank you—for not being anyone’s homewrecker yet.”
Zhao Yuheng blinked. “Not yet? I’ll work on it.”
Put that effort into something normal, please!!!
“Zhao Yuheng!” Shen Shuyi raised his voice.
“Mm.”
Shen Shuyi glared at him; Zhao Yuheng calmly met his gaze. After a while, Shen Shuyi gave up. “You’re doing this on purpose.”
“Doing what?” Zhao Yuheng asked mildly. “Being the third party? Not on purpose. If you don’t want me to be one, then get back together with me. Then Zhao Ci will be the third party.”
Shen Shuyi nearly choked. “No.”
“Why not?” Zhao Yuheng asked. “What are you worried about?”
“What do you think I’m worried about?” Shen Shuyi snapped. “I’m engaged to your brother! If your father finds out I’m seeing you behind his back, what would he think of me?”
Zhao Yuheng was silent for a few seconds. Shen Shuyi thought maybe, finally, something got through to him.
Then Zhao Yuheng said calmly, “You’re worried about that? No need. Whether you’re with me or with Zhao Ci, you’ll still be my father’s son-in-law.”
“…What?”
“And if it bothers you that much,” Zhao Yuheng continued coolly, “I can sever ties with my father and kick Zhao Ci out of the Zhao family. I don’t like him anyway—it wouldn’t take much effort.”
Ten seconds of silence followed.
Only the sound of falling snow.
Shen Shuyi stared at him, horrified. “You—you’re serious?”
Zhao Yuheng met his gaze… then suddenly chuckled.
That smile—youthful, bright, untouched by time—made Shen Shuyi flash back to the college student he’d first fallen for.
“Did I scare you?” Zhao Yuheng grinned. “Relax, I was joking.”
Shen Shuyi pressed his lips together.
“Really scared?” Zhao Yuheng leaned down slightly, voice almost a whisper. “I made it up. I’m not really trying to be the third party, and I won’t do anything to Zhao Ci. Am I really that immoral in your eyes?”
Shen Shuyi: …
You bastard.
You sure acted convincing though!
He had been actually scared!
For a second he thought Zhao Yuheng really might pull a “righteous patricide” move!
“But one thing’s true,” Zhao Yuheng said softly. “I really do want to get back together. Can’t you give me a chance?”
Shen Shuyi’s heart skipped again.
“I…”
Zhao Yuheng watched him intently.
After a long pause, Shen Shuyi muttered, “This thing between us—it’s not that it can’t be handled…”
Zhao Yuheng: ?
“But that doesn’t mean… anything has to happen a certain way. I mean, this is… something that should be… uh, handled properly…”
Zhao Yuheng listened, expression twitching. Why did this sound exactly like the useless filler speeches his father gave?
He let out a helpless laugh—and just then, a sharp pain stabbed through his stomach. It had been bothering him since morning, but now it flared intensely.
He instinctively clutched his abdomen.
Shen Shuyi didn’t notice, still babbling: “Right, so that’s that, we’ll… yeah, okay…”
“Yeah,” Zhao Yuheng managed, forcing a smile. “We’ll… handle it.”
Shen Shuyi practically fled to the car, three steps at a time, shutting himself inside with relief.
Thank god. Useless babble saves lives. Letting a cat solve this kind of emotional mess was impossible.
Avoidance might be shameful, but it worked.
He waited a while, expecting Zhao Yuheng to cool down and follow. Three minutes passed—the car door didn’t move.
Shen Shuyi frowned. What, he’s sulking now?
No reason to be mad! He hadn’t even rejected him outright!
He waited another moment, uneasy. Was Zhao Yuheng really that sensitive?
Finally, with a sigh, he opened the door to go check— and froze in horror.
Zhao Yuheng wasn’t angry. He was collapsed on the ground, slumped weakly against a flowerbed, sweat beading on his forehead, his handsome face tight with pain.
…He couldn’t have been literally sick from anger, right?!
Panic struck Shen Shuyi like lightning. He rushed over and caught Zhao Yuheng in his arms, voice trembling with tears. “W-what’s wrong? Where does it hurt? Don’t scare me!”
“I—I’ll get back together with you, okay?!”
Zhao forced his eyes open, a faint smile curving his lips. “I’m fine… just a bit of stomach pain.”
“Just stomach pain?! You look like you’re dying!” Shen’s hands shook as he pulled out his phone. “I’m calling an ambulance!”
But Zhao Yuheng suddenly grabbed his wrist.
“Before you call,” he rasped weakly, “do me one thing first.”
Shen Shuyi’s eyes were red, terrified. Zhao Yuheng half-closed his, lashes trembling with pain as he whispered:
“That sentence you just said—about getting back together—record it.”
“In case someone decides to deny it later… once I recover.”
