Chapter 80: Another Reveal!
The atmosphere was awkward.
Shen Shuyi was still holding up his left hand, admiring the Winston ring on his ring finger.
Oh, right. He suddenly remembered—
Not only had Zhao Yuheng overheard him secretly practicing calling him “husband” behind his back… He had now also found out that Shen Shuyi had kept this wedding ring for two whole years instead of throwing it away.
Didn’t that just prove that Shen Shuyi hadn’t forgotten Zhao Yuheng all this time?
“Shuyi?” Zhao Yuheng called.
Shen Shuyi snapped back to reality, then slowly walked up to him, gently pressed his eyes closed, crawled into bed, and muttered, “Little Zhao, you must be hallucinating. Close your eyes, take a nap, and everything will be normal when you wake up.”
Zhao Yuheng turned his head—Shen Shuyi had already buried himself under the blanket, wrapped up tightly from head to toe.
Zhao Yuheng chuckled and sat by the bed. “Shen Shuyi?”
“Zzzzzzzzz.”
“Pretending to sleep won’t make the truth disappear.”
“ZzzzZZzzZzzZzz…”
“Human language can’t communicate with cat purring.”
“……”
Zhao Yuheng leaned down. “I heard it.”
“……”
“Call me again, okay?”
“……”
“Baby?” Zhao Yuheng began to shake him playfully, deliberately teasing, “Baby, baby, baby.”
“You’re so annoying!” Shen Shuyi threw off the blanket. “Fine! Husband, husband, husband! Happy now?!”
“Shen Shuyi! You better stop that right now!”
Shen Lu’s furious roar came from the living room.
Shen Shuyi shrank back, immediately hiding in Zhao Yuheng’s arms.
“Damn, so fierce! I didn’t even call him husband—what’s he mad about? He’s just jealous I found someone before he did!”
“True,” Zhao Yuheng said, taking the chance to pull him closer.
Shen Shuyi shoved him away. “True what? You’re agreeing to nonsense! I haven’t even started being mad at you yet. How could you be so morally bankrupt, sneaking around eavesdropping first thing in the morning?”
“If I hadn’t eavesdropped, I would’ve missed out on this wonderful little bonus,” Zhao Yuheng reasoned smoothly. “Besides, even if I hadn’t heard it now, I’d have heard it someday. So what’s wrong with hearing it early?”
Shen Shuyi actually paused and thought about it—then nodded.
“…You kinda have a point.”
Zhao Yuheng’s gaze fell on Shen Shuyi’s ring finger, his voice trembling slightly despite himself. “You… still kept our wedding ring.”
“Of course!” Shen Shuyi said matter-of-factly.
“Why?” Zhao Yuheng’s voice tightened; it wasn’t hard to hear his nervousness.
“Duh,” Shen Shuyi said, rubbing the ring that sparkled with Winston’s brilliance. “You think I’d just throw away something worth tens of thousands?”
“……”
Well… he wasn’t wrong.
Still, that wasn’t quite the answer Zhao Yuheng was hoping for.
After saying that, Shen Shuyi studied him for a few seconds—then suddenly laughed out loud.
Zhao Yuheng froze, realizing Shen Shuyi was getting back at him.
“Now we’re even,” Shen Shuyi said smugly. “You eavesdropped on me, so I just teased you a bit.”
Zhao Yuheng sighed. “Shen Shuyi.”
“Relax, I’m kidding.” Shen Shuyi grinned. “I’ve got piles of diamond rings worth that much—if I dumped them all together, they could fill a bathtub.”
“The reason I didn’t lose this one,” he added quietly, “is because it was my first wedding ring.”
Even if, by his standards, it was ridiculously cheap.
Zhao Yuheng stared blankly, speechless.
Shen Shuyi frowned at him. “Enough about me—what about yours?”
He reached out.
If Zhao Yuheng dared say he’d lost it, he’d become a breathing corpse on the spot.
“…I wore it on my finger for a while, but people kept asking about it, so I put it on a chain.”
Shen Shuyi blinked, then hooked a finger at Zhao Yuheng’s neck. Sure enough, a thin silver chain appeared.
He had noticed that necklace before—he’d even wondered when that dead-serious straight man had started accessorizing.
He hadn’t expected that, at the end of that delicate chain, hung a plain platinum ring.
That day, when they were choosing the rings, the store’s sales assistant had politely reminded them, “Gentlemen, if you’re choosing wedding bands, these two aren’t a matching set.”
Shen Shuyi had picked up the diamond ring in his hand, hesitated, then sighed. “Fine, I’ll take a plain platinum one too.”
Inside, he’d told himself tearfully: Shen Shuyi, you already have plenty of diamond rings. Even if your wedding ring isn’t one, you’ll still be happy, okay? Okay.
But just as he set it down, Zhao Yuheng picked up the very one he liked. “I want this one.”
Shen Shuyi had stared at him, surprised. “But mine and yours don’t even look like a pair.”
Oh my god—was Zhao Yuheng really going to wear a diamond ring like his?
After thinking about it carefully, well… maybe it wouldn’t look bad.
Zhao Yuheng was a traditionally handsome man—sharp and elegant—but beauty that striking transcended gender anyway. A diamond ring wouldn’t clash; if anything, it might even… enhance him?
Shen Shuyi had accepted that in a second. Who doesn’t love a big diamond, honestly?
“I’ll stick with the plain one,” Zhao Yuheng said firmly.
He hadn’t forced Shen Shuyi to change his mind either.
Years later, after their breakup, Shen Shuyi often thought back on those two mismatched rings—and convinced himself the sales clerk had cursed them.
He should’ve just chosen a matching set. No wonder they didn’t last.
Maybe if he’d given up that glittering diamond back then, they wouldn’t have separated.
Yet after all the years and circles of fate, those two mismatched rings had found their way back to the same place.
Shen Shuyi still hadn’t abandoned his diamonds—still the rarest of treasures in the jewelry case, now worth millions, dazzlingly unreachable.
And Zhao Yuheng—like his plain ring—had been tossed into some quiet, forgotten corner. There were thousands of identical ones out there, ordinary and unremarkable.
But this particular plain ring was different—because it matched with a diamond one.
In everyone’s eyes, these two—so mismatched in background, temperament, and experience—had somehow become a pair.
But so what?
They were destined to be the most mismatched lovers in the world.
Shen Shuyi looked at the ring for a while, then gently placed it back against Zhao Yuheng’s chest.
Actually, he thought, they don’t look so mismatched at all.
To him, they fit perfectly.
“Little Shu, are you ready yet?”
Shen Lu’s voice came from outside again.
“I know, I know!” Shen Shuyi snapped, annoyed, jumping out of bed to change clothes.
Zhao Yuheng caught his hand. “After seeing it, you have nothing to say to me?”
“What do you want me to say?”
“For example—when will Shen Shuyi finally give me a rightful place, so I can wear this ring again openly?”
…That’s a tough one, Little Zhao.
It’s not that Shen Shuyi doesn’t want to. He even made a wish about it yesterday to the “automatic wishing machine.” But that machine hasn’t responded yet.
So for now… he just had to wait. Shen Shuyi was anxious too.
When he didn’t answer, Zhao Yuheng changed the subject. “Go get dressed. And wear more layers. Don’t try to look pretty and freeze yourself.”
Wow.
“You’re getting as naggy as Shen Lu!”
“Little Shu, your brother can hear you from the living room,” Shen Lu’s amused voice called.
“Ah, I mean—he’s naggy because he cares! My brother’s the best brother in the world!” Shen Shuyi immediately shouted back.
“What about me?” Zhao Yuheng asked quietly.
Seriously? Jealous now?
“You too, you too,” Shen Shuyi muttered, “you’re the best boyfriend in the world.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s not enough?”
Zhao Yuheng held him back again. Shen Shuyi, exasperated, glanced at the closed bedroom door—then quickly pecked Zhao Yuheng’s lips when no one was looking.
He’d meant it as a quick kiss, but Zhao Yuheng grabbed the back of his head and deepened it.
The man’s tongue slipped past his teeth, stealing warmth and sweetness before letting go—just in time to avoid Shen Shuyi’s wrath.
Shen Shuyi darted a terrified look toward the living room, then glared back at him.
“Your brother didn’t see,” Zhao Yuheng said with a grin. “Want to do it again? I’m finding this kinda exciting.”
“….”
Shen Shuyi pinched his face hard and stormed off to the dressing room.
Shen Lu’s arrival in Yancheng had been sudden; he hadn’t warned Zhao Qing in advance.
When he’d arrived yesterday afternoon, they’d barely exchanged greetings before parting. Zhao Qing regretted that and insisted on making it up today.
Officially, Shen Lu had come to find out what Shen Shuyi had been hiding lately. The moment he saw Zhao Yuheng, the truth was obvious.
He hadn’t planned a second purpose—but on the way, he’d heard Shen Shuyi had gotten into a fight with Zhao Zhen’s son, Zhao Hui. So he decided to investigate that too.
By rights, that incident had been settled once Zhao Hui was sent to the hospital—but Shen Shuyi’s stance was unusually firm.
“Settled? How?” he’d retorted.
At that moment, they were all together—Zhao Qing had invited Shen Lu golfing in the afternoon, with Zhao Yuheng, Zhao Ci, and the others tagging along.
“Yes, I hit him,” Shen Shuyi said calmly. “But that was righteous justice. Zhao Hui disrespected Zhao Yuheng—why should he get away without apologizing?”
“Shen Shuyi, you already put him in the hospital…” Zhao Ci said weakly.
“So what?” Shen Shuyi shot back. “He’s not dead. If he’s alive, he can apologize. People should take responsibility for what they say! Everyone heard the disgusting things he said that day.”
“Today it’s him publicly insulting Zhao Yuheng. If we let it slide, what’s next? Will every servant in the Zhao house think they can gossip about the eldest young master without consequence?”
By now, Shen Shuyi was visibly angry.
He took the matter seriously—apparently more than anyone else did (even Zhao Yuheng himself!).
Zhao Qing blinked, genuinely taken aback. He’d never thought about it that way.
From the day Zhao Yuheng came home, he’d always seemed composed, steady, unshakable. He didn’t care for petty rumors.
Zhao Qing admired that. Great men couldn’t afford to be ruled by emotions.
But maybe precisely because Zhao appeared so strong, no one ever thought he needed protection.
And yet, Zhao Qing found himself agreeing with Shen Shuyi.
“You’re right, Little Shu,” he said. “I hadn’t considered A-Heng’s position. I’ll have Zhao Hui apologize to him.”
“Uncle Zhao, he should apologize publicly,” Shen Shuyi said firmly. “In front of everyone.”
“Alright.”
Only then did Shen Shuyi nod in satisfaction.
Zhao Qing watched them and couldn’t help but feel comforted. “Little Shu, seeing you stand up for A-Heng like this makes me really happy. He’s lucky to have a brother-in-law like you.”
With a loud thwack, Shen Lu’s golf ball shot into the sky.
For someone of his skill, that kind of miss was impossible.
Zhao Qing blinked. “Littler Lu, what’s wrong?”
Shen Lu rubbed his forehead. “Nothing, Uncle.”
Just… cardiac arrest.
The apology was scheduled for their first day back in Beijing.
Zhao Hui was still in the hospital when he got the news.
“Shen Shuyi beat me up like this, and I’m supposed to apologize to him?!”
Chen Fang, who came to deliver the message, muttered his year-end bonus prayer before speaking carefully: “Mr. Zhao Hui, not to Mr. Shen Shuyi—Mr. Zhao is asking you to apologize to the young master.”
“To—”
“I’ve passed on Mr. Zhao’s words. You’ll be discharged tomorrow evening. I’ll arrange a car to take you home.”
“Fuck!” Zhao Hui roared after Chen Fang left, throwing everything he could reach.
His friends rushed in. “What the hell happened, Brother Hui?”
“Get out! I’m pissed off!”
They all knew who’d provoked him—none other than Shen Shuyi.
“Did your old man say something again?”
“Say my ass! It’s that idiot Shen Shuyi! Now I have to apologize to Zhao Yuheng? I haven’t even settled scores with him yet!”
“Seriously, what’s the deal between them anyway?” one friend said. “You only said a few words about Zhao Yuheng. Why’s he so worked up? If you’d insulted his fiancé Zhao Ci, I bet he wouldn’t even care that much.”
That was odd.
They exchanged looks, unable to pinpoint it.
Then one of the quieter guys—a male influencer who’d also suffered Shen’s wrath that day—spoke up.
He’d gone home fuming and vented online about how the rich got away with anything.
Someone had then told him about an old scandal—
“My friend said there was a rumor two years ago in Hong Kong—something about Shen Shuyi.”
“What rumor?” Zhao Hui snapped.
“He had a boyfriend back then,” the influencer said cautiously. “Apparently… it was Zhao Yuheng.”
“They dated before Zhao Yuheng returned to the Zhao family.”
He quickly added, “I can’t confirm it! The posts got deleted before it blew up. But based on the photos, they looked very close.”
The next afternoon, the group returned to the Zhao estate in Beijing.
After a short rest, news came: Zhao Hui would arrive before dinner to apologize.
Shen Shuyi was surprised—he hadn’t expected someone like Zhao Hui to agree so easily.
Too easy. Something was off.
Still, he wasn’t worried.
Last time, he’d been alone at the Zhao house. But this time—his big brother was here. No fear.
At 8 p.m., Zhao Hui arrived.
Shen Lu had only heard that his brother had hit someone, but seeing Zhao Hui limping in made him realize how hard Shen had hit.
Zhao Zhen came with him. Zhao Hui glared resentfully at Shen Shuyi before Zhao Zhen said,
“Old Chen, go tell Big Brother we’ve arrived.”
“No need,” a calm voice came from upstairs. “I’ve been waiting.”
Zhao Qing descended, with He Shuyuan beside him.
All of the Zhao family’s direct relatives were present. Even Zhao Ci’s aunt had come.
As per Shen Shuyi’s request, the scene was properly grand.
Zhao Qing began, “Since everyone’s here—Little Hui, you know what you did.”
“Yes, Uncle,” Zhao Hui muttered reluctantly.
“You’ve had time to reflect in the hospital. But let me say this—you’re my nephew, and A-Heng is your cousin. He’s just returned home, and before anyone else could gossip, you started spreading talk about him. Don’t you think you owe him an apology?”
“I know I was wrong, Uncle.”
Shen Shuyi frowned.
“Wrong person,” he said coldly. “You sure know how to act respectful when it suits you. Why so polite to Uncle Zhao, but not to your own cousin?”
Zhao Hui glared daggers at him.
Shen Shuyi was ready to argue—but surprisingly, Zhao Hui behaved, turning to Zhao Yuheng.
“Cousin, what I said before was wrong. Don’t take it to heart. I’m sorry.”
“That it?” Zhao Yuheng asked suddenly.
Everyone froze. Shen Shuyi pointed at himself. “Me?”
“Mm.”
Alright then—Shen Shuyi straightened up. “Of course not! Speak up! Where’s your sincerity?”
Zhao Yuheng said mildly, “You heard him. Shen Shuyi says no. Try again.”
Zhao Hui clenched his fists.
“Cousin, I’m really sorry, okay? My fault. Sorry.”
Zhao Yuheng looked at Shen Shuyi again.
“Too sarcastic,” Shen Shuyi said. “Do it over.”
Zhao Hui’s fists trembled. “Sorry, cousin.”
“Louder! There’s a room full of people—who’s apologizing to whom?”
“Shen Shuyi, don’t push it!” Zhao Hui finally snapped.
“Who’s pushing?” Shen Shuyi shot back coldly. “You still don’t sound like you mean it.”
“Why should I apologize to Zhao Yuheng?!” Zhao Hui burst out.
He’d planned to just go through the motions, get it over with—but Shen Shuyi’s aggressive tone drove him over the edge.
Old grudges flared, and Zhao Hui suddenly remembered that influencer’s words from the hospital. Sneering, he said, “I was talking about my cousin—why are you so worked up, Shen Shuyi?”
Zhao Qing frowned, glancing at Shen Lu’s dark expression. “Little Hui, watch your tone. What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Uncle,” Zhao Hui said coldly, “maybe it’s time you learned what’s really been going on—”
Zhao Hui composed himself and looked at Shen Shuyi: “Do you dare to answer the question I just asked you? I was scolding Zhao Yuheng, why are you in such a hurry?”
Shen Shuyi remained silent.
Shen Lu frowned slightly, vaguely sensing that Zhao Hui’s current attitude was somewhat off.
Zhao Hui suddenly said smugly, “What, you don’t dare to admit it?”
Shen Shuyi said calmly, “I dare not admit anything, you tell me.”
“Your relationship with Zhao Yuheng isn’t just a simple brother-in-law relationship, is it?” Zhao Hui sneered. “Isn’t Zhao Yuheng your ex-boyfriend? You two have gotten back together behind Zhao Ci’s back?”
As soon as he finished speaking, the living room fell almost completely silent.
Zhao Qing felt as if he had been hit in the face with a hammer. For a few seconds, he doubted that he had understood Chinese at all!
“Little Ci, what exactly happened?” Zhao Qing immediately went to check on his youngest son’s physical and mental health.
Zhao Ci was also stunned. Being suddenly called out, he jumped up and asked, “What? What’s going on?”
“Is what Zhao Hui said true?” Zhao Qing took a deep breath.
“Dad!” Zhao Ci suddenly realized what had just happened. In the critical moment, he blurted out, “Actually, I, I, I… I’m the third party in this relationship!”
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