Chapter 84: Before Marriage
That night, Shen Shuyi lay in his arms and said a lot of small things.
Zhao Yuheng had always given the impression of being taciturn and reserved. Shen Shuyi never showed warmth toward strangers either, but when the two of them were alone in private, there was always endless conversation.
Sometimes Shen Shuyi even felt his own words were boring, yet Zhao Yuheng could always pick up on them.
This made him more and more energetic as they talked.
The moments from the past two years that he hadn’t been a part of in Zhao Yuheng’s life seemed to be gradually made up for in the course of that night’s conversation and understanding.
By the time they finally stopped talking, the clock was already pointing to two in the morning.
Zhao Yuheng held Shen Shuyi and gave him a gentle shake. “Still don’t want to sleep?”
“No,” Shen Shuyi rubbed against him in his arms. “I don’t have to work anyway.”
A sudden idea popped into Shen Shuyi’s head. “And don’t you think this is a great deal? If I never sleep, hmm… normally I can only see you for 12 hours a day, but now I can see you for 24 hours! If we keep this up for two years, we can make up for the two years we didn’t see each other!”
“Hmm.” Zhao Yuheng went along with his whimsical words. “Nice thought. Shen Shuyi, but have you considered that if we don’t sleep for two years, those might be the only years of our lives? What about the remaining 78 years?”
Shen Shuyi was stunned—he really hadn’t thought of that.
But his words were nonsense from the start, so he didn’t expect Zhao Yuheng to respond so seriously.
He paused, then couldn’t help but laugh.
A mischievous, kitten-like chuckle escaped from under the covers.
“You’re right. For the sake of the next 78 years, Shen Shuyi will sleep now.”
Zhao Yuheng didn’t believe him and lowered his eyes. “Really sleeping?”
“Zzzzzzzzz.”
Zhao Yuheng chuckled softly and tried to lay Shen Shuyi flat under the covers.
But his sleeping posture was such a mess that the moment he moved, Shen Shuyi woke up and quickly grabbed him.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to the bathroom. Be right back,” Zhao Yuheng whispered.
“Bathroom?” Shen Shuyi was momentarily confused, then suddenly realized… right! The little Zhao issue from earlier still hadn’t been resolved!
Damn.
Zhao Yuheng wouldn’t be holding it in until now, would he?
This was torture.
“You…” Shen Shuyi opened his mouth and blushed. “Do you want me to help?”
“How would you help?” Zhao Yuheng teased.
How could he help?
Shen Shuyi truly didn’t know. Not because he was pretending to be innocent, but because he genuinely had a vague concept of such matters.
Shamefully, in all his years, Shen Shuyi had never had access to observe this adult world—male-to-male learning, as it were. (He’d heard a little about male-female interactions, but could extrapolate from that.)
Shen Lu had been extremely strict!
Even studying in America, he stayed with Old Master Shen every day. The friends he occasionally interacted with were strictly filtered by the old master, always accompanied by assistants and bodyguards, and the gatherings he attended were extremely wholesome.
He only knew fragments, not the whole picture, and had no practical experience.
Now, Zhao Yuheng’s question really caught him off guard.
“This isn’t difficult. Don’t worry, I’m good at it.” But Shen Shuyi wasn’t stupid! He didn’t need instruction—he could figure it out himself!
Zhao Yuheng wasn’t too reassured.
Shen Shuyi had never eaten pork but had seen pigs run. Anyway, he wouldn’t let Zhao Yuheng go, holding him tightly by the waist.
Zhao Yuheng had no choice but to reluctantly state the facts. “Shen Shuyi, I haven’t prepare anything tonight. You’ll get hurt.”
“How could I get hurt? Don’t underestimate me!” Shen Shuyi’s damn competitiveness flared up.
He reached into the covers and grabbed a handful—grabbed a huge handful of QuQ.
…
He looked up; Zhao Yuheng was watching him with a half-smile.
Shen Shuyi: “…”
…
Another silence.
“Okay,” Shen Shuyi admitted, closing his eyes peacefully. “You’re right. I’d die without oil or soy sauce.”
Zhao Yuheng asked softly, “Can I take that as a compliment?”
“Don’t get clever. Get up.”
But inwardly, he felt regret.
Zhao Yuheng was so handsome, with eight-pack abs!
Just lying there next to the “cat”—the cat can see it but can’t touch it, tossing and turning!
“Wait.” Shen Shuyi called him again, eyes sparkling in the snowy night. “Can I touch your abs?”
Let the cat touch! Quick, let the cat touch!
Zhao Yuheng: ?
“I dreamed about it before.”
“A wet dream?” Zhao Yuheng raised an eyebrow.
Shen Shuyi glared at him. “No. I dreamed you were cooking shirtless for me and put two cockroaches in my food to ‘give me protein.’”
“I was mean, huh.”
“Yes!” Shen Shuyi exclaimed. “But we’ll settle that later—let me touch your abs now.”
Ever since that dream, Shen Shuyi had been curious.
For Zhao Yuheng, this was torture.
Shen Shuyi always expressed emotions sincerely, whether love or desire, never hiding anything. Saying such things with such an innocent, beautiful face was lethal.
Zhao Yuheng felt like he had struck gold.
Shen Shuyi finally touched the abs he had longed for—they felt exactly as he imagined.
He traced the muscles in every direction, almost reluctant to let go.
“So hard,” Shen Shuyi commented.
“Want to go lower?” Zhao Yuheng implied. “Even harder.”
Shen Shuyi: …
Think he wouldn’t dare?
But before he could act, Zhao Yuheng pulled him up, into his arms, and kissed him.
Even before confirming their relationship, Zhao Yuheng liked sneaking onto his balcony at midnight to wake him with a kiss.
After confirming the relationship, his boyfriend became bolder, showing off his kissing mania whenever he could.
Shen Shuyi didn’t mind intimate physical contact; in fact, he enjoyed it. After being kissed, he became physically aroused.
He had just showered and worriedly pushed Zhao Yuheng, trying to dislodge his tongue: “No… I have to shower again if you do this.”
“Then we’ll shower together. Okay?”
…Who just said no bathing together?
Shen Shuyi hesitated, his willpower wavering.
Tonight, he had already enjoyed himself; Zhao Yuheng seemed to have held back until now.
Shen Shuyi’s hand grabbed him unexpectedly, feeling a burning heat he couldn’t contain.
Zhao Yuheng chuckled hoarsely, “Baby, if you want to help, let’s try another way.”
“Do you want to ride me a bit?”
Shen Shuyi’s throat went dry, heart racing.
…Where did this dog man learn so many naughty tricks?
“I…”
“It’s okay if you don’t know, baby.” Zhao Yuheng grabbed his waist, hoisted him onto his lap, buried his face in his shoulder, and murmured, “I’ll teach you how to feel good.”
Shen Shuyi ended up taking three showers that night—a miracle. He even suspected he had washed off a layer of skin.
In the following days, Shen Shuyi lived comfortably in Beijing.
After all, a rich heir’s daily life was eating, shopping, and dressing up. With Zhao Yuheng as his “ATM,” Third Master’s reputation spread from Hong Kong to Beijing.
After spending millions on several jewelry auctions at the Poly International, more high-end local venues sought connections with Shen Shuyi.
Meanwhile, Shen Lu finally relented. The originally verbal engagement between the Zhao and Shen families was formalized, and papers even began leaking news.
Some financial magnates familiar with the details were surprised: why had the betrothal switched from Zhao Ci to Zhao Yuheng?
Of course, this minor change didn’t affect Shen Shuyi’s life.
He had known about the marriage for two years but never truly felt it.
Recently, Zhao Qing urged him to pick a wedding date, try on suits, choose an engagement hotel and the wedding island, and decide whether to have a church or seaside ceremony—trivial matters that drove Shen Shuyi crazy.
Since Zhao Qing gradually delegated Zhao family responsibilities to Zhao Yuheng, the old man had nothing to do but worry about the wedding. Shen Shuyi now avoided him whenever possible.
One day, to escape Zhao Qing, he went to Zhao Ci’s place.
“Wow, brother-in-law, isn’t this inappropriate? You’re getting married, yet here you are playing games in my room. Won’t my brother cause trouble if he finds out?”
“It’s you he’ll trouble, not me.” Shen Shuyi lazily dominated Zhao Ci’s sofa, playing games, scrolling short videos.
“Also, do you have a problem with self-awareness? Even if you were naked in front of me, I wouldn’t be interested.”
Damn. Such a sharp tongue.
Why did my brother fall for this little sharp-tongued brat?
“Well… I still have a lot of female fans!” Zhao Ci tried to justify himself.
“That just proves too many women are blind.”
Zhao Ci couldn’t argue, so he switched topics: “But my brother is too much. For such a big wedding, why leave it all to you? Doesn’t he help at all?”
“Blame who?” Shen Shuyi couldn’t blame Zhao Yuheng. “It’s because you’re a useless kid, only playing with your car, helping nothing in the family business, so your brother’s busy!”
Especially recently, Zhao Yuheng returned home only past midnight, which made Shen Shuyi ache with sympathy. Their time together had drastically decreased.
Zhao Ci, tearful: “Shen Shuyi! You’re heartless! Love-brained! I was helping you, and you scold me!”
Shen Shuyi: …
“Just the facts. Anyway, I didn’t scold you. Fine, I’ll let your brother buy you another car. Enough!”
Zhao Ci instantly perked up, hugged Shen Shuyi’s leg, and sighed happily: “That’s why everyone needs a sister-in-law! Without one, life’s tough…”
“Enough! Stop, or I’ll hit you.” Shen Shuyi pushed him away.
Zhao Ci rolled on the carpet twice, but wasn’t angry.
Shen Shuyi had no friends in Beijing. If Zhao Yuheng wasn’t around, Shen Shuyi had to entertain himself.
Until he boredly tossed a bright orange to Zhao Ci.
“Peel it for you?”
“No.” Shen Shuyi, bored, leaned on his chin. “Throw it again.”
Zhao Ci: ?
Confused, but obeyed.
After tossing the orange back and forth a few times, Zhao Ci realized:
Oh crap. I’m a companion dog!
Forget it—thinking about the Maserati his brother bought him… being a dog isn’t so bad. Many men would serve Shen Shuyi; what’s one more? Not shameful.
“So my brother’s been coming home late every night?”
Shen Shuyi had canceled his hotel room and moved into Zhao Yuheng’s apartment in Platinum 21. Zhao Ci knew.
The hotel manager notified Shen Lu in Hong Kong that day. Shen Shuyi waited nervously for a call, ready to be scolded.
Instead, he received a WeChat from his brother: “Remember to use protection. Stay safe.”
Shen Shuyi: …
Shen Shuyi: !!!
He almost dropped his phone in shock. Thinking back, it was still awkward.
What the hell is Shen Lu thinking? They hadn’t even been “intimate” yet!
Zhao Ci was even more shocked. “You mean… you haven’t… with my brother?”
“Enough, kids don’t ask about adult matters.” Shen Shuyi stuffed an orange into Zhao Ci’s mouth.
“No way!” Zhao Ci stared at him. “I don’t believe any man could resist Shen Shuyi—except me, because of my loyalty to my brother!”
He swore the second half of that sentence to prove his innocence.
“…”
Zhao Ci leaned in, seriously: “Have you suggested your brother go to the hospital? Maybe he has a minor issue. Otherwise, I can’t believe you’ve lived together so long with nothing happening.”
“You know, brother-in-law,” Zhao Ci wiped nonexistent tears, holding Shen Shuyi’s hand: “Yesterday, I thought I’d have a nephew by year-end.”
You.
At the wedding, sit with Shen Lu, okay? 🙂
“You’re crazy,” Shen Shuyi said. “Let’s not even talk about whether I can have children.”
“Zhao Ci, there’s only a month to New Year. Do you think I can have a nephew in a month?”
“That’s true.” Zhao Ci touched his chin. “Actually, I prefer a niece.”
Shut up! You weren’t listening!
Shen Shuyi thought, expressionless.
His afternoon chat with Zhao Ci had been just a side story. He forgot about it the next day.
He and Zhao Yuheng had been together less than two months; it was normal not to have slept together.
Why did everyone expect a passionate fireworks display on the day they confirmed their relationship?
Besides, he seemed to notice Zhao Yuheng was a pure love warrior.
One midnight, he woke to find his boyfriend hadn’t slept, just watching him, as if missing a second would make him disappear.
Honestly, being watched like that at night is creepy—Zhao Yuheng is such a male ghost!
But Shen Shuyi understood his unease and didn’t ruin the moment.
His boyfriend was extremely pure, while he constantly thought lewd thoughts. Feeling embarrassed, he eventually forgot about it.
If Zhao Ci hadn’t mysteriously waved at him one day and slipped two small white pills into his hand, Shen Shuyi would have completely forgotten their prior conversation.
“What’s this?” Shen Shuyi asked. “Vitamins?”
Zhao Ci panicked, blocking him. “No! Keep it down. Not vitamins—these are drugs!”
Shen Shuyi twitched. “…What kind?”
Zhao Ci whispered mysteriously: “Takes them, and you go ‘so hot, help me!’ One for “top” makes it hard, for “bottom” makes it… discharge.”
Shen Shuyi: …
God, he wanted to smack Zhao Ci. What the hell is in his head?!
“What do you want me to do with this?!” Shen Shuyi was alarmed. “You’re not trying anything with me, right?”
“Damn! I’m not that kind of person!” Zhao Ci was furious. “Shen Shuyi, can you have some friend loyalty? Getting these drugs wasn’t easy, and I did it for your and my brother’s happiness! And who puts drugs so openly in the victim’s hand?”
“…True.”
“This.” Zhao Ci smiled confidently: “Just give two to my brother; I guarantee even the deadest tree will bloom.”
“Brother-in-law, I’m thinking of your happiness. The ex can only do this.”
He wanted Zhao Ci gone, far away. Shen Shuyi would never give these pills to Zhao Yuheng.
“Where did you get this?”
“Oh, I asked Chen Fang to help!”
…Chen Fang takes this kind of business?!
In any case, Shen Shuyi didn’t intend to use the pills, though he inexplicably pocketed them.
He thought he’d never need them—until the opportunity arrived.
As year-end approached, Shen Yuheng’s workload increased. Though nominally vice president, he handled the chairman’s work. Zhao Qing was training him. He barely returned to Platinum 21.
On the third day, Shen Shuyi couldn’t resist visiting him at work.
Whether two years ago or later, it was his first time at Zhao Yuheng’s workplace.
Shengjing is located in Beijing’s city center. Nearby was the broadcasting building, with busy overpasses. The uniquely curved Shengjing buildings were landmarks.
Shen Shuyi realized that the buildings he had seen in Beijing’s promo videos belonged to the Zhao family.
No wonder his brother said the Zhao family was rich… indeed.
Just as Shen Shuyi appeared at Shengjing, Chen Fang reported it to Zhao Yuheng.
Going upstairs was smooth.
Entering the lobby caused a small stir. CBD workers were used to casual or standard shirts. Shen Shuyi’s flamboyant, model-like attire stood out.
He had been mistaken for a celebrity multiple times. Only when he entered the executive elevator did people realize.
Could he be the boss’s boyfriend?
He seemed untouchable!
In thirty seconds, Shen Shuyi became the talk of the office.
Photos secretly taken spread like wildfire online—handsome face, exaggerated sunglasses, giving off an icy distance.
The office chat went crazy:
“Even from behind, so handsome!”
“Could this be the new boss’s fiancé?”
“So handsome I want to die!”
“Three-meter aura, the lobby feels like a runway…”
Of course, he had no idea.
He was led to the executive office. After Chen Fang left, seeing no one around, Shen Shuyi finally lost his poise, leaping onto Zhao Yuheng, clinging tightly.
He transformed into a playful, spoiled monster.
First, he bared his teeth and bit him aggressively.
“Zhao Yuheng, I’m telling you—you’re about to lose me TUT!! Do you know you haven’t come home for three days?!”
![[Sports] I Really Am Just a Substitute](https://i2.wp.com/panda-translations.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20231215185420_300_420.jpg?resize=151,215 "[Sports] I Really Am Just a Substitute")
