Chapter 75: Big Brother Is Here!
“Uncle Zhao, I’m really sorry,” Shen Shuyi said sincerely. “No matter how angry I was, I shouldn’t have lost control and hit someone. I’ve caused you trouble.”
If his earlier apology had been half-hearted, then this one was completely genuine. In truth, Shen Shuyi had never felt particularly close to Zhao Qing. He respected him as an elder, yes, but to him Zhao Qing had always been a somewhat distant acquaintance.
Still, Shen Shuyi wasn’t the kind of person who couldn’t tell right from wrong. Everyone had seen how Zhao Qing stood up for him earlier. Shen Shuyi was a person who repaid kindness with kindness, and grudges with a vengeance. Since Zhao Qing had protected him, he’d remember it.
Now, speaking to Zhao Qing, the usual cold politeness was gone — replaced by a faint, boyish sincerity.
“It’s fine,” Zhao Qing said gruffly. “I know what that brat Zhao Hui is like. Even if you hit him, he deserved it! Are you hurt anywhere? Ci, go get—”
Before he could finish, Zhao Yuheng had already walked over and bent slightly, inspecting Shen Shuyi’s hands and face.
“Why are your hands red?” he asked. “Did Zhao Hui fight back? Did he touch you?”
“That useless idiot? As if he could even manage that!” Shen Shuyi snorted. “It’s just from the cold.”
Zhao Hui was a full-grown man — shoving him into the fountain had taken some effort. Shen Shuyi’s right hand had splashed into the icy water, and standing outside afterward for ten minutes in the cold hadn’t helped. His fingers were still red from the chill.
A servant quickly handed over a hand warmer. Zhao Yuheng took it and naturally tucked it into Shen Shuyi’s hands.
“Hold this.”
Zhao Qing frowned slightly, something feeling off. Was Yuheng… being too attentive?
Wasn’t this kind of tender care supposed to come from Shen Shuyi’s fiancé, Zhao Ci?
But after a second thought, it made sense — after all, Shuyi had only fought because Zhao Hui insulted Yuheng. It was natural for Yuheng to be concerned.
Seeing no tension between the two, Zhao Qing felt relieved. If Yuheng could get along with Shuyi, it meant he’d truly let go of that broken engagement and accepted Zhao Ci completely.
He was just about to say something when Butler Chen hurried over after answering a phone call, whispering a few words. Zhao Qing’s expression changed. “Shen Lu?”
“Yes, sir. He’s landed in Beijing and is on his way here.”
“Good. Send someone to pick him up immediately.”
Shuyi’s scuffle had just happened — no news had spread yet — and Shen Lu was already on his way. Zhao Qing silently exhaled. Thank goodness Zhao Hui hadn’t actually hurt Shen Shuyi, or the consequences would’ve been disastrous.
Just as he turned to leave, Zhao Yuheng called out, “Dad.”
Zhao Qing paused. “What is it?”
“Nothing much,” Yuheng said, “I just remembered what you told me before. Although… he’s never actually said he loves me.”
He smiled faintly, eyes soft. “But maybe some people love silently. You can’t say it’s not love just because they don’t say it, right?”
Zhao Qing looked at him and chuckled. “You’re right. I’m old — all I said were the lessons of an old man. You young people still have to experience love yourselves.”
Shen Shuyi was moved to a warmer lounge. The private doctor, exhausted from tending to Zhao Hui, now had to check on Shen Shuyi as well. But compared to Zhao Hui’s battered state, Shen Shuyi was perfectly fine — not even shaken.
“Third Young Master is in perfect condition, First Young Master. Please rest assured,” the doctor said respectfully, though sweat beaded his forehead.
Wait… what?
Wasn’t Shen Shuyi Second Young Master’s fiancé?
Why was he reporting to First Young Master now?
Where was Second Young Master?
Meanwhile, Zhao Ci was in the backyard, happily counting his “battle trophies.”
“Achoo! Someone must be thinking about me!”
“Are you sure I’m fine?” Shen Shuyi asked. “I did hit pretty hard. You know, every action has an equal reaction — shouldn’t I be injured too?”
“Your hand’s just a little red, that’s all,” said the doctor nervously. “You’ll be fine without medication.”
“What about internal injuries?” Shen Shuyi asked dramatically. “What if I’ve suffered hidden trauma? Like those people who seem fine after being hit by a car but suddenly cough up blood and die at home—”
“Shen Shuyi.” Zhao Yuheng interrupted helplessly. He knew none of that would happen, but even hearing those words made him uneasy.
“Do you want to get hurt that badly?”
Shen Shuyi pressed his lips together, as if holding something back.
Zhao Yuheng turned to the doctor. “We’re done here. Thank you.”
“Y-Yes, of course. If you need anything else, please call me.” The doctor bowed quickly and left, quietly closing the door behind him.
Click. The lock fell into place.
Shen Shuyi couldn’t hold it in anymore. He suddenly leapt up from the bed and threw himself onto Zhao Yuheng like a koala, wrapping around him tightly.
“Yes! Yes! Yes yes yes yes!!!”
Loud, lively, brimming with energy — clearly fine.
Those endless “yeses” were his answer to Yuheng’s earlier question: “Do you only behave when you’re hurt?”
Supporting him effortlessly, Yuheng asked with a small smile, “What’s that supposed to mean? Is getting hurt fun now?”
“If I don’t get hurt, how will you see Shen Shuyi’s devotion?” he declared proudly. “I was standing up for you!”
Even though Zhao Yuheng already knew this from Butler Chen, hearing Shen Shuyi say it himself filled him with warmth and glee.
“Thank you, baby.”
“You should thank me!” Shen Shuyi sniffed. “If I hadn’t helped you, I’d be bullied by Zhao Hui until I cried in my room every day!”
…Alright, that was some next-level dramatization.
Zhao Yuheng’s gratitude was so over the top it was like he’d die without Shen Shuyi’s protection.
“It’s not that bad,” Shen Shuyi muttered. “But I really did suffer a lot for you!”
Shen Shuyi was the kind of person who’d write every good deed in his diary and read it out loud to make sure everyone knew about it. So of course, he wasn’t going to hide his heroics now.
“Even if the doctor said I’m fine, I think I’ve got internal injuries,” he said solemnly, clutching his chest. “My heart hurts! My kidneys hurt! My spleen and lungs too! Everything hurts!”
He was too adorable — Zhao Yuheng couldn’t help kissing his cheek and burying his face against Shen Shuyi’s neck. “Alright, baby. I’m so happy.”
“Huh?” Shen Shuyi stared. “I’m about to cough up blood and you’re happy? Do you even have a conscience? Who did I fight for?!”
“Because you fought for me,” Zhao Yuheng said gently. “You’re the first person who’s ever stood up to protect me.”
Shen Shuyi froze. What? Was Zhao Yuheng’s childhood that tragic?
He remembered how Zhao Yuheng used to hang around in those rough city villages — wasn’t he always the one fighting for others? Apparently not.
From Zhao Yuheng’s eyes, Shuyi saw the truth: no one had ever stood up for him. Not once.
Even in the slums, where everyone was equally poor, Zhao Yuheng had been the most expendable. A teenager’s life there was worth maybe a few hundred yuan in medical bills — or five thousand if it ended. No one would risk themselves for “five-thousand-yuan Yuheng.”
The room fell silent.
Shen Shuyi’s heart ached. So pitiful! T_T
Little Zhao, what kind of life did you live?
His own childhood had been the opposite. Once, when he got into a fight at his international kindergarten — and won — his older brother Shen Lu had stormed the school with a dozen towering black-suited bodyguards. Parents and teachers had been terrified.
Shen Lu had demanded the other kid apologize, and even the bystanders who hadn’t helped had to apologize too — for their indifference. The kids cried one by one, lined up to bow to him. One timid little boy even dropped to his knees wailing, “Mercy, Your Majesty!”
Little Shuyi had burst out laughing — and soon everyone was giggling too.
Children could fight fiercely but make up quickly. Shen Lu had then paid tens of thousands to treat the entire kindergarten to a Michelin feast. When their grandfather found out, he’d scolded Shen Lu harshly — and then donated several school buildings to apologize.
Years later, those classmates still joked about it. “For a long time,” they said, “I really thought Shen Shuyi was the emperor. What was the difference?”
Honestly, half of Shuyi’s spoiled arrogance came from his brother’s overprotectiveness.
Thinking about how different their childhoods were, his heart ached even more. If only I’d met him earlier, he thought. I’d have made him my empress. Together, we’d have ruled that kindergarten.
“What’s wrong?” Zhao Yuheng asked softly, noticing his silence.
“Nothing,” Shen Shuyi murmured, leaning his head on Zhao Yuheng’s shoulder. “I’ll protect you from now on.”
“Okay.” Zhao Yuheng smiled, eyes curved like crescents. “Then I’ll rely on Lord Shuyi to cover me.”
“Don’t joke! I’m serious!” Shen Shuyi huffed. “Whoever treats you badly, I’ll have my brother beat them up.”
“Alright, thank you, big brother.”
“?” Shen Shuyi pinched him. “Who are you thanking? Shouldn’t you be thanking me for sharing my brother with you?! Zhao Ci asked for him and I didn’t even let him borrow!”
“Okay. Thank you, baby.” Zhao Yuheng kissed him again.
Only then did Shen Shuyi realize he was still clinging to him like a koala. Embarrassed, he mumbled, “Put me down.”
Zhao Yuheng didn’t move. When Shen Shuyi tried to wriggle free, he only held him tighter, like a drowning man clutching a lifeline.
“Zhao…”
“Shen Shuyi,” Zhao Yuheng murmured, “these past two years apart, I kept wondering if you’d found someone better.”
His emotions spilled over — ever since he learned that Shen Shuyi had fought for him, something in him had cracked open.
“At first, I was so happy knowing you hadn’t dated anyone else. But then, I got jealous, anxious, wondering — maybe you just hadn’t found someone better yet. Maybe running into me again just made you feel nostalgic.”
He drew a shaky breath. “But how long can nostalgia last, Shen Shuyi? How long will this freshness stay? I’m scared that to you, I’m just a passing phase — that one day, like two years ago, you’ll get bored and leave.”
He’d never said it out loud before. Some nights, after they reunited, he’d wake from dreams drenched in fear — terrified that all of this was just an illusion. He’d even stood by Shen Shuyi’s bed in silence, staring, needing to confirm that he was real.
He knew it wasn’t normal, but he couldn’t stop. If he couldn’t be Shen Shuyi’s only one, he at least wanted to be the most unforgettable one — even if it was through love, or hate.
Even if Shen Shuyi didn’t love him back, it was fine — as long as he stayed.
If love was a total of one hundred percent, with both giving fifty each — Then Shen Shuyi didn’t have to give at all. Zhao Yuheng would give all hundred.
Just to keep him by his side.
Shen Shuyi stared, dumbfounded. He had no idea that Zhao Yuheng could be so insecure and self-effacing beneath that shameless, teasing exterior. Wasn’t this guy supposed to be made of iron and steel?
And did he think Shen Shuyi was that heartless?
This must be… the “abandoned dog” effect?!
“I’ve never thought that!” Shen Shuyi said firmly. “Who told you this was some whim? You think I have time to rekindle feelings with every ex-boyfriend that shows up?”
“You have other ex-boyfriends?” Zhao Yuheng suddenly asked, eyes narrowing. “Were they as clingy as me?”
“…”
God. So jealous.
“No!”
Shen Shuyi gave up trying to explain. “You— You’re such an idiot!” he yelled, pushing at him, but Zhao Yuheng didn’t let go. They tumbled onto the bed together instead.
Flustered, Shen Shuyi sat up in his arms, face flushed red. “You’re usually so sly — how can you be this slow when it comes to love?!”
“I let you chase me because I like you!”
“I liked you two years ago, and I still like you now. Got it?”
Zhao Yuheng froze.
Shen Shuyi’s face burned, but he pressed on. “All that talk about finding someone better — did it ever occur to you that maybe I already did? That’s why I never looked for anyone else!”
“Even if there are better people out there, I don’t care — because they’re not you.”
The room fell silent. Shen Shuyi’s voice softened. “To me, you’re already the best.”
Zhao Yuheng’s breath caught. He was just about to respond when—
“Shuyi.”
A familiar voice cut through the air.
The door had somehow opened. A tall, handsome man in a perfectly tailored suit stood there calmly, watching the scene inside.
For a moment, Shen Shuyi’s mind blanked — struck like lightning. Then, stiffly, he croaked, “…Brother.”
Shen Lu smiled faintly. “I know it’s bad timing, but I have to ask—”
“Did I travel back two years in time? Because why else would I be seeing such a familiar scene?”
“And unless I’m hallucinating,” he added, his voice still calm but his aura glacial, “you’re hugging that familiar person again… aren’t you?”
The small lounge instantly turned to ice.
Author’s Note:
Big brother’s wrath is about to descend—
Little kitten: extremely obedient now.jpg
(Insecurity and self-doubt are the best dowry for a “bottom No.1.”)
