Chapter 67: The Pursuer
“That’s it!”
Shen Shuyi finished speaking and rubbed the tip of his nose.
“Do you have any other questions for me?”
Taking advantage of the fact that I still feel a little guilty toward you, Zhao Cici, Shen Shuyi thought, I’ll patiently answer every question you ask next.
Zhao Ci froze in place for a long moment before speaking, awkwardly: “So… what you said just now, that I looked handsome driving… that was true?”
“?”
Just that?
That’s the question you ask?
“Of course.”
Shen Shuyi’s words were true.
If Zhao Ci weren’t handsome, he wouldn’t have so many female fans.
Shen Shuyi hadn’t complimented him before because his praise was rare, but after watching Zhao Ci in several races, he realized that the person on the track was completely different from the person off it.
As a racer, Zhao Ci was indeed good-looking, exuding strong sexual tension, his Alpha pheromones practically off the charts while speeding on the track.
But after the race, he turned into a bothersome little Beagle.
Shen Shuyi emphasized: “Extremely handsome.”
One extra compliment, as a little compensation for Zhao Ci ^ ^
“Oh… that’s good, that’s good. I thought you were lying to me again.” Zhao Ci sighed in relief, immersed in his own little world.
Hehe, Little Shu actually said I look handsome driving!
Hehe, Little Shu has never complimented me before!
Hehe, I’m so handsome…
The atmosphere was quiet for a few seconds before Shen Shuyi asked: “Anything else? Anything you want to ask?”
Shen Shuyi cleared his throat: “For example, about Zhao Yuheng being my ex-boyfriend.”
Zhao Ci snapped back to reality: “Oh, THAT… my brother is your… ex-boyfriend? What the hell??? What the hell???”
He cupped his face in both hands, transforming into the “Scream” painting pose.
…Figures.
So you didn’t realize it just now?
Shen Shuyi slapped Zhao Ci back to a normal expression. Zhao Ci was stunned, searching the ground as if looking for a head: “When did this happen?!”
“Two years ago,” Shen Shuyi said. “Before I met you… Zhao Yuheng used to live in Hong Kong. We met because of a misunderstanding.”
“What misunderstanding?”
“I mistook him for you.”
Zhao Ci cupped his face again, background distorting, transforming back into the screaming pose.
“My brother was… a stand-in for me?!”
“You’re dramatic.” Shen Shuyi teased. “It’s not what you think. Anyway, just know that he and I had a relationship, then broke up due to some reasons. Currently, from my observation, he probably still has a bit of lingering feelings for me.”
Zhao Ci continued screaming: “Then… do you still have lingering feelings for him too?”
“Lingering feelings…” Shen Shuyi’s face flushed slightly, and he cleared his throat: “Something like that! Mainly, I feel like recently he seems… to be planning… to maybe chase me. If he pursues me for a while, I might also feel a little nostalgic, so I decided to tell you first.”
Shen Shuyi hesitated and added: “I… think you have the right to know. I consider you a friend, so I don’t want to keep you in the dark. That wouldn’t be fair to you.”
Zhao Ci suddenly returned to normal, his ‘dog mode’ instantly lighting up: “We’re friends?”
“What else could we be?” Shen Shuyi thought. Friends, obviously. Not his brother-in-law, puh! Zhao Yuheng hasn’t even successfully pursued me yet.
Zhao Ci’s mood suddenly brightened.
Wow!
Shen Shuyi actually considers me a friend!
I thought he always treated me like a tool!
It’s no wonder Zhao Ci got a little excited—Shen Shuyi’s personality was indeed cold. When he returned to China, he had spoken fewer than fifty sentences to him over two years in America.
Two years!
Suddenly being acknowledged as a friend by Shen Shuyi made Zhao Ci a little thrilled.
It felt like a cat that normally ignores you suddenly rubbing against you one day.
“So what will you do now?” Zhao Ci suddenly realized something and exclaimed in shock: “Oh no! Then our Fake Young Master Alliance will collapse! I thought we were both the villainous supporting males, but in the end, am I the only villain?”
“Wait, this character design… it’s kinda appealing,” Zhao Ci rubbed his chin.
Shen Shuyi: “…”
“Do you want me to pretend to break up the lovers?” Zhao Ci asked beside him.
Shen Shuyi quickened his pace: “No need.”
“Do you want me to be the catalyst for your relationship? I can play that role.” Zhao Ci’s expression changed; he made a gun shape with his hand and said fiercely: “Shen Shuyi! One is your ex-boyfriend, the other is your fiancé! Only one can survive. Who do you choose?”
Shen Shuyi expressionless: “I choose Zhao Yuheng.”
Kidnapper Zhao Ci: “…Do you want to reconsider? We can provide five minutes for hesitation.”
“No. Throw that Zhao Ci into the sea now.”
Kidnapper: “QvQ!”
What a cold man!
Zhao Ci accepted the fact that Zhao Yuheng was Shen Shuyi’s ex-boyfriend without issue.
All the dramatic scenarios Shen Shuyi imagined—“Beagle Rage,” “Beagle Screaming,” “Beagle Howling at the Sky”—never happened.
In fact, thinking about it, Zhao Ci’s easy-going personality could accept being a fake young master, so learning that his fiancé was his brother’s ex was naturally no problem.
This personality also had an advantage.
Because he was so carefree, he didn’t hold grudges, making everyone around him like him even more.
Even after the fake young master identity was exposed, no one in the Zhao family treated him differently; they still treated him like the second young master.
Even Zhao Yuheng, who Shen Shuyi would describe as petty and jealous, calmly tolerated Zhao Ci’s presence and didn’t fuss over decades of stolen identity.
…Perhaps this is the charm of a long “appreciation period.”
Shen Shuyi returned to the hotel, took a bath, and changed clothes. Zhao Ci messaged him on WeChat asking how he met Zhao Yuheng.
Shen Shuyi didn’t want to chat; it was annoying.
But Zhao Ci persisted, and Shen Shuyi still felt a bit guilty, so he briefly told him about the awkward misunderstanding two years ago that almost made him jump off a building.
Strangely, when he realized he had mistaken someone two years ago, the overwhelming shame and humiliation consumed him completely.
Embarrassment, shock, awkwardness, and anger made him think he would never get over that shameful experience.
But today, with Zhao Ci, he told the story without hesitation.
Was it because they were close?
Not at all!
It was because… he clearly felt the other person’s steadfast love.
“So you’re saying, two years ago, you thought my brother was me and treated him like your fiancé. Later, you realized your mistake, broke up with my brother, and came straight to America to find me?”
…Pretty much.
What’s weird is, those few days felt like hundreds of troubles happened, but Zhao Ci made it sound so simple. Just a case of mistaken identity? Two years ago, it felt like the sky was collapsing.
Humans really can’t empathize with their past selves.
“Oh my god!” Zhao Ci sent an emoji pounding the ground, gritting his teeth.
“I really deserve it!”
Shen Shuyi: [No need 🙂 ]
He dismissed Zhao Ci and lay on the sofa playing on his phone.
Actually, there was nothing fun on the phone. Jewelry, diamonds, and clothes to buy had already been checked days ago. Hot news was boring. The rich second-generation showing off on WeChat was always the same two or three things. Shen Shuyi didn’t even glance at it.
Holding the phone felt like waiting for someone’s message.
That “someone” arrived soon.
[Image]
[Doctor said I need another injection.]
Shen Shuyi opened the image. It was Zhao Yuheng’s hand.
Sure enough, the previous injection site had been pricked again.
Shen Shuyi didn’t reply.
Hehe, playing the victim?
He wouldn’t pity him.
[Working overtime.]
Zhao Yuheng sent another photo of his computer, covered with dense English text—probably contracts.
Shen Shuyi glanced, then finally replied: [Aren’t you sick? Why are you working overtime?]
[Busy with work. Want to earn more money.]
Shen Shuyi: ?
[Aren’t you rich enough now?]
[It’s fine. Just insecure.]
[Once dumped by my ex for being poor.]
Shen Shuyi: …
He thought: That ex isn’t me, right? ^ ^
Shen Shuyi stopped replying, but Zhao Yuheng’s shamelessness had grown.
He even called him, showing the other cheek as if daring Shen Shuyi to slap again.
Within thirty seconds, he made a voice call.
Shen Shuyi hesitated but answered.
“What?”
“Coming tomorrow?” Zhao Yuheng asked.
“Where? Hospital. You’ll still be there tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
Shen Shuyi: “Aren’t you suffering from gastritis? Why are you staying in the hospital so long?”
“The doctor said so. I don’t know, maybe it’s serious.”
You little… Stop playing the victim ^ ^
“Then I won’t come.” Shen Shuyi lay on the sofa. “I’m not a doctor; coming won’t cure your illness.”
Zhao Yuheng paused a few seconds.
Shen Shuyi could only hear his breathing, feeling a pang of guilt.
Did I speak too harshly just now?
After all, he is a patient. Sick people tend to overthink.
Shen Shuyi hesitated whether to soften his words, but Zhao Yuheng quickly changed the topic: “Can we go out for a meal the day after tomorrow?”
“Why the day after tomorrow?”
“It’s my birthday.” Zhao Yuheng said boldly.
Shen Shuyi raised an eyebrow, then laughed: “You just decided your birthday? Did you check with the UN this time?”
“Yes. They said the day after tomorrow is fine,” Zhao Yuheng said. “The UN recommends I have dinner with you.”
Zhao Yuheng used to take advantage of having no parents, celebrating birthdays as he pleased.
Shen Shuyi wouldn’t indulge him.
“No.”
“Christmas is coming soon.”
“Two months until Christmas.”
Zhao Yuheng: “I meant last year.”
Shen Shuyi: ?
“Celebrating last year’s Christmas this year?”
“Even the year before is fine.”
They hadn’t spent either year together.
“Get lost!” Shen Shuyi said mercilessly.
“Watching a movie?”
“No. Not interested.”
Zhao Yuheng fell silent again.
Shen Shuyi quickly put the phone away, laughing silently to himself on the sofa, then seriously said: “Can’t think of an excuse? Out of moves?”
Zhao Yuheng realized, somewhat helpless: “Shen Shuyi.”
“Hehe.”
Zhao Yuheng smiled, speaking into the phone: “Asking you out, having dinner, watching a movie… it’s not because of my illness or birthday, nor last year’s Christmas.”
“It’s because I want to pursue you.”
“Can you give me a chance to take you out for dinner, let me show my effort?”
Shen Shuyi still coldly refused Zhao Yuheng.
A joke! Wanting to pursue him is not enough. Those lining up to chase him stretched from Beijing to America.
You, Zhao Yuheng, are special? Can just ask to meet him?
Dream on!
[Cannot!]
[Fine.]
Just two words? Gave up because it’s hard?
[I’ll think of another plan.]
Shen Shuyi snorted.
Knock knock. Two knocks at the hotel door.
He paused. No friends in Beijing—who could it be?
Could it be Zhao Yuheng?!
Such a cheesy move?
Despite thinking it’s cheesy, Shen Shuyi’s heart raced as he opened the door—oh, it’s Chen Fang.
“What is it?” Shen Shuyi said flatly.
Chen Fang was sweating.
Opening the door, Shen Shuyi seemed in a good mood. How did it change in seconds?
“Boss Zhao asked me to deliver these to Third Young Master,” Chen Fang said dutifully.
Even if the boss wants to steal his own brother’s girl, he had no choice but to do his job.
If Zhao Qing doesn’t ask, he won’t say. If he asks, he acts surprised.
Three-character classic works anywhere.
Shen Shuyi turned and saw two people behind Chen Fang, carrying several finely wrapped bags.
He opened them—diamonds Zhao Yuheng bought at a previous auction.
(…)
He knew it.
Shen Shuyi took out his phone and messaged Zhao Yuheng:
[This is your plan? I’m not the type to be moved by a few cheap diamonds 🙂 ]
“I know,” Zhao Yuheng sent a voice message. “This makes up for the past. The ones I didn’t buy two years ago, during our separation, and now—all will be given to you.”
Wow! He’s clever!
Shen Shuyi awkwardly replied: “Oh.”
“Is this pursuit okay?”
What “okay” or not? Asking him before pursuing?
“I don’t know,” Shen Shuyi said. “Feels so-so. Others pursued me like this too.”
“Others?” Zhao Yuheng asked. “I have competition?”
“Of course. Even lining up, you’d be outside the top hundred!”
Zhao Yuheng said nothing.
Shen Shuyi warned: “Giving up because it’s hard?”
“No. Can I cut in line?”
“No :)”
“How many competitors roughly?”
“Over a thousand, maybe two thousand.”
Shen Shuyi counted all his WeChat friends.
After sending this, he ignored Zhao Yuheng’s messages.
Chen Fang placed the gifts in the hotel and left. Shen Shuyi opened the jewelry box.
All were pieces he had looked at several times at the auction.
He thought Zhao Yuheng would buy randomly, but no.
Shen Shuyi tried a few bracelets, then picked up his phone to change Zhao Yuheng’s contact:
Changed to: Pursuer (must defeat 1,500 competitors).
After a few seconds, he thought it might be too many.
Changed to: Pursuer (must pursue for at least one month to be accepted).
Shen Shuyi put down the phone, tried on rings.
After a while, he picked up the phone again.
Changed to: Pursuer…
He paused, then expressionless, finally set the contact as:
[Idiot Boyfriend (wouldn’t succeed without letting me give way)]
