Chapter 82: Living Together
Shen Shuyi often felt that he didn’t quite match up with Zhao Yuheng because he wasn’t “twisted” enough.
After hearing Zhao Yuheng’s flirtatious remark, his face flushed, and he didn’t even know how to respond to such a question that had almost zero moral boundary. Before he could reply, Zhao Yuheng couldn’t help but lean in and kiss him.
At this point, Shen Shuyi couldn’t think about anything else and hurriedly kissed Zhao Yuheng back.
Shen Shuyi was pressed against the windowsill for a while. He had already gotten used to opening his mouth when Zhao Yuheng extended his tongue and obediently swallowing some saliva when it came his way.
Being held and kissed felt incredibly comfortable, like basking in the sun, squinting his eyes and humming softly in the arms of a man.
Zhao Yuheng pulled back slightly, licked the corner of his mouth heavily, and leaned to kiss Shen Shuyi’s earlobe.
Shen Shuyi instinctively followed his lips, holding his face, and kissed him passionately. Zhao Yuheng deliberately smiled as he watched him; Shen Shuyi had been licking for a long time, and Zhao Yuheng refused to open his mouth, which made Shen Shuyi bite his face and chin several times in frustration.
“So fierce, baby,” Zhao Yuheng chuckled softly, finally responding by holding his lips and sticking together in a sticky, messy kiss on the windowsill for almost ten minutes.
Shen Shuyi let him kiss every exposed part of his skin and was eventually wrapped in Zhao Yuheng’s arms, tilting his head for pecking kisses.
After a deep kiss, the comforting closeness was essential. Shen Shuyi also enjoyed such tender intimacy.
Their chests pressed tightly together, both able to feel each other’s racing heartbeats.
*
At the villa entrance
A friend of the real estate agent asked, “Are we going up?”
“Not yet.”
“Why?” the friend gossiped. “I remember last time, the handsome guy who came was the fiancé’s older brother…”
“Do you know why I can earn forty thousand a month, but you can only earn four thousand?”
“Why?” the friend was even more puzzled.
The agent pushed up his glasses: “Because I don’t run to ask the boss why he’s interested. And I definitely won’t ask why the person who came this time is the beauty’s older brother.”
Friend: “…”
Shen Lu stayed in Beijing for a week. After handling the crucial decisions for the cross-sea bridge project with the Zhao family, he planned to fly back to Hong Kong.
His trip to Beijing had been sudden. Originally, he intended to catch Shen Shuyi in a misstep, but it evolved into a business trip.
The Yinghua headquarters still needed him to return to handle work; Shen Lu couldn’t stay on a business trip too long.
Thursday afternoon, Shen Lu was packing in his room—though he didn’t really need to, as Zhao Qing had arranged several assistants to help him.
Shen Shuyi lingered in the bedroom. Shen Lu flipped a page in “How to Talk to Children Properly” and said calmly, “Little Shu, haven’t you packed your luggage yet?”
“Oh, oh, uh, hmm, ah, hmm… um…” Shen Shuyi mumbled, “Almost done, I guess.”
Shen Lu put down the book and looked at the bedroom. Clearly, nothing had been packed.
Seeing he couldn’t procrastinate any longer, Shen Shuyi slowly walked to the living room: “Brother, maybe you should go back to Hong Kong first this time. I just remembered I still have something to do in Beijing.”
“What’s the matter?” Shen Lu asked calmly.
“Uh…” Shen Shuyi racked his brain. Ding! He raised his head. “I suddenly remembered, an old friend of mine is about to turn eighty. I might have to stay for his birthday banquet. After that, I’ll return to Hong Kong. Okay, brother?”
That’s pretty old.
“Your old friend… is called Zhao Yuheng?”
Shen Shuyi: “…”
Shen Lu sneered: “Forget it. Pack your luggage immediately and come back to Hong Kong with me. Or else I’ll make sure your friend doesn’t reach eighty.”
Shen Shuyi: “…………”
“Ah, Shen Lu!” Shen Shuyi snapped angrily. “You’re an adult! Can’t you handle things yourself? Why do you have to rely on me? What if I don’t go back to Hong Kong? Can’t you sleep alone at night?”
“Yes,” Shen Lu replied. “Immediately. Go pack your luggage.”
Shen Shuyi was silent again.
“TUT! Brother.”
Shen Lu smiled. “No options left?”
Shen Shuyi hurriedly nodded.
Shen Lu sighed helplessly: “You just started dating. Don’t you know you need to maintain a little restraint, keep some distance? Clinging to your boyfriend all day, careful, Zhao Yuheng might hit the seven-year itch soon.”
“?” Shen Shuyi protested. “What do you mean I cling to him! He clings to me!”
“Fine,” Shen Lu nodded. “You two cling to each other.”
Shen Shuyi thought, that’s more like it.
Shen Lu had long seen that his little “outside-elbowing cat” had already shifted his heart elsewhere.
Shen Shuyi didn’t want to return to Hong Kong, and Shen Lu couldn’t force him. After all, the child was grown and should have his own life.
Shen Lu flipped to another book, “Letting Go and Embracing: When Children Grow Up”, and sighed: “If you don’t want to go back, don’t. Just make sure you get used to living in Beijing.”
Shen Shuyi didn’t expect Shen Lu to relent so quickly, feeling a little reluctant.
“…But I’ll miss you a bit too.”
“Then go back with me?”
“Brother, safe travels. Take care,” Shen Shuyi replied quickly.
Shen Lu: “…”
Even though he said that, the day they truly parted, Shen Shuyi felt very sad.
Shen Lu flew back to Hong Kong on a private plane, with flight plans already applied for by Zhang Jun.
At Beijing International Airport, Shen Shuyi watched him board, a deep sense of reluctance flooding his heart.
“I’ll stay in Beijing for two more months and then return. I’ll be back by New Year.”
“Remember to eat on time and dress warmly. Call me every night on video,” Shen Lu instructed.
Shen Shuyi nodded with red eyes.
Shen Lu sighed, holding him close and patting him. Letting go, Shen Shuyi’s eyes were shiny and wet, like little fried eggs.
“You’re so grown up, and yet you cry at the airport. What about when you really get married?”
“Can I bring you along when I get married?” Shen Shuyi sniffed. “We could live together.”
Shen Lu: “…Unlucky child.”
He waved his hand: “Hurry up. That Zhao guy is probably already at the airport waiting for you.”
Shen Shuyi’s gloomy mood lasted until Zhao Yuheng came to pick him up.
In the car, Shen Shuyi was still listless. Zhao Yuheng fastened his seatbelt and brushed his cheek: “So sad?”
Shen Shuyi was the type who, if not asked, was fine. But once asked, he would really act out, making his eyes redder than before.
“Mm.”
Zhao Yuheng suddenly unbuckled his seatbelt. Shen Shuyi was stunned. Zhao Yuheng got out, and the next second, the right car door opened.
A tall man of 1.89 meters squeezed in and took the passenger seat, immediately wrapping his arms around Shen Shuyi’s waist, holding him close.
Shen Shuyi struggled: “What are you doing?”
“Feeling a little jealous,” Zhao Yuheng said. “You’re so dependent on your brother.”
Shen Shuyi paused, partly laughing and partly crying. His earlier sadness faded: “You’re insane. Jealous of my brother?”
“Your brother tried to split us two years ago.”
…So that’s something you can’t forgive for life.
“Why are you hugging me?”
“Seeing you upset, I wanted to comfort you. Feeling better now?” Zhao Yuheng asked, holding him.
Sigh.
Though simple and blunt, this method worked. Shen Shuyi nestled in his arms and indeed felt a bit better.
“But now it’s my turn to be unhappy,” Zhao Yuheng murmured, “I’m getting jealous. Will Shen Shuyi cry when we’re apart?”
Shen Shuyi: “…”
“I’m twenty-two, not two!” Shen Shuyi actually would, but could he admit it?
“Move over. Too hot, hurry and drive.”
“I don’t really want to,” Zhao Yuheng teased. “You haven’t comforted me yet.”
Shen Shuyi had no choice but to lift his head and kiss Zhao Yuheng.
Zhao Yuheng used this moment to seize his chin and twist their tongues together.
Their breaths tangled; Shen Shuyi wrapped his arms around Zhao Yuheng’s neck and kissed him.
These days, Zhao Yuheng was busy, and with many people in the Zhao household, they rarely had private time.
The confined space gave them intimacy; their kisses were passionate, uncontrollable.
The soft sounds of kissing echoed through the car. Shen Shuyi blushed, opening his mouth to let Zhao Yuheng go deeper.
“Want to touch…” Shen Shuyi murmured.
Zhao Yuheng pinched the back of his neck, teasing lightly. Shen Shuyi squinted in pleasure, trembling slightly. Too much like a cat, Zhao Yuheng thought affectionately.
After a sticky kiss for over ten minutes, Shen Shuyi’s hair and clothes were messy.
Zhao Yuheng had reserved a restaurant for 7 PM, but they had to cancel. Shen Shuyi had to go back to the hotel to redo his look and change clothes.
The restaurant was somewhere Shen Shuyi had wanted to visit for a long time; if he couldn’t take good photos, the meal’s meaning would vanish.
The young master’s preparation took three hours: arriving at the hotel at 4, finishing by 6:30, just in time for dinner.
Shen Shuyi barely ate, but Zhao Yuheng coaxed him into eating more. The rest inevitably ended up in Zhao Yuheng’s stomach.
After dinner, light snow fell again in Beijing.
Shen Shuyi had begun to get used to this northern city; the closer to year-end, the heavier the snow.
It was only nine, so Shen Shuyi didn’t want to return to the hotel.
“Want to go shopping?” Zhao Yuheng suggested, holding his hand. At this moment, they slowly realized they were just like any ordinary couple.
Shen Shuyi’s hand fidgeted in his palm, playing with his fingers. “Don’t want to. What movie?”
They exchanged looks in the snow, recalling the only movie they had seen together: Capital Affairs. Shen Shuyi laughed at a line.
Zhao Yuheng guessed his thought. “Don’t want shopping or a movie? Shall I take you back to the hotel?”
“No. Hotel’s boring.”
“Then home?”
Shen Shuyi thought he meant Zhao’s house, shook his head: “Too many people. Holding hands would draw ten onlookers. Too embarrassing.”
Better to go back to the hotel and kiss.
“Not Zhao’s,” Zhao Yuheng said. “I have another flat in Beijing, just mine. Want to go?”
Shen Shuyi’s eyes lit up. Cockroach Flat Plus! He wanted to go!
He nodded immediately: “Yes, yes!”
Zhao Yuheng asked, “Do you want to pack at the hotel first?”
Shen Shuyi realized: was Zhao Yuheng inviting him to live together?!
The thought of living together made Shen Shuyi nervous.
He packed some personal items at the hotel, filling a large suitcase.
Just the lotions alone filled half the case.
Zhao Yuheng drove him away. Shen Shuyi was restless, unlike visiting Zhao’s house, the wedding room, or the old Cockroach Flat.
Perhaps because their relationship was now official, and it was his first time going to Zhao’s home, Shen Shuyi didn’t know what to expect, yet felt a little scared.
Bentley arrived at a quiet upscale building. Zhao Yuheng parked and opened the door.
Shen Shuyi’s heartbeat rose after getting out.
Zhao Yuheng lived on the 26th floor, one apartment per floor, with a huge viewing balcony.
Shen Shuyi hesitated at the door. Zhao Yuheng raised an eyebrow: “Shen Shuyi, why do you look so nervous?”
“Overthinking. Haha. What would I be nervous about?”
Really! First time going to a boyfriend’s home, now even living together—who wouldn’t be nervous?!
Zhao Yuheng just smiled, not exposing him.
Shen Shuyi’s thoughts ran wild. He imagined adult scenarios.
If they went in, they’d really be alone together, legally as a couple. If something happened… would it be normal?
Better just kisses, he decided.
In the end, nothing happened.
Shen Shuyi’s attention quickly shifted from inappropriate thoughts to touring the boyfriend’s flat.
Zhao Yuheng had urgent contracts to approve, opening his laptop in the living room, but could hear Shen Shuyi rolling on the bed in the bedroom.
Later came the sound of showering and clothes being moved in the closet, with occasional off-key humming.
Zhao Yuheng sat, unable to focus on the contract, his heart burning.
The flat had been empty and cold for over a year. Now, with Shen Shuyi here, it suddenly felt alive—maybe a real home.
Shen Shuyi finished unpacking and took a shower. By 11 PM, snow had turned heavy. Seeing Zhao Yuheng still working, he felt a tinge of guilt.
He obediently sat beside him: “Do you have work left? Want me to help?”
Zhao Yuheng raised an eyebrow: “Sure?”
“What do you mean? Shen Shuyi, even with a business degree, looking at a contract isn’t hard, right?”
Shen Shuyi looked at the dense clauses, then calmly closed the laptop. Paper theory and real contracts are different; why force himself?
“I thought about it. One of us earns money, the other spends, forming a healthy cycle,” he said, pouting skillfully. “What do you think, husband?”
Hearing “husband,” Zhao Yuheng’s eyes warmed, pulling Shen Shuyi to him.
Shen Shuyi jumped: “What are you doing?”
Kissing the corner of his mouth, Zhao Yuheng said, “Nothing. Husband wants a hug?”
“Just a hug?” Shen Shuyi’s eyes doubted.
Zhao Yuheng laughed: “Guess what I really want?”
Shen Shuyi didn’t want to guess. His whole body stiffened.
Sensing his nervousness, Zhao Yuheng kissed him slowly. Shen Shuyi felt light and soft, like he had no bones.
After the kiss, Shen Shuyi relaxed completely.
Zhao Yuheng kissed deeply, like wanting to swallow him whole. His lips, neck, and collarbone were targeted. Zhao Yuheng bit his collarbone lightly and said suddenly:
“Baby, look here.”
Shen Shuyi didn’t understand what he meant at first, until Zhao Yuheng’s hand wandered into his pajamas and headed straight for his target.
Shen Shuyi shuddered as he was touched, letting out a rapid gasp.
“You……”
“That night’s sucking was heavy, a bit swollen? Has it gone down?”
Shen Shuyi blushed: “The swelling has gone down a long time ago.”
“Mm.” Zhao Yuheng’s tone serious. “Could I have it one more time?”
Shen Shuyi hit him, embarrassed: “Aren’t you weaned?!”
Suddenly realizing, Shen Shuyi felt guilt. Did he just say something horrifying?
Shen Shuyi was instantly overwhelmed by guilt and stammered, “Then, don’t bite with your teeth.”
“Won’t.” Zhao Yuheng coaxed. “I’ll be gentle.”
Shen Shuyi couldn’t speak—his pajamas were rolled up to his collarbone, his thin waist held firmly by a large hand.
Shen Shuyi’s eyes clouded, thoughts drifting. Soon he leaned against Zhao Yuheng, soft and only breathing.
Zhao Yuheng touched him, whispering: “Baby, you’re so sensitive, like a little spray bottle.”
