After the performance ended successfully, Yang Tao was thrilled with Uncle Chen’s performance, bouncing with every step he took.
Chen Qiusu’s striking height and good looks, combined with his memorable stage “performance,” meant he continued to draw attention even after leaving the backstage area. Thankfully, holding Yang Tao’s hand kept him grounded, preventing him from walking stiffly in embarrassment. He held his composure until he sat back down in his seat, expecting Yang Shao’s teasing remarks. But even after waiting a while, Yang Shao said nothing.
Puzzled, Chen Qiusu glanced over, only to find Yang Shao lost in thought, frowning slightly as if contemplating something.
“Daddy!” Yang Tao, unable to bear the neglect, threw himself into Yang Shao’s arms. “Did Uncle Chen and I do a good job dancing?”
Startled, Yang Shao instinctively caught Yang Tao, snapping out of his thoughts. His gaze unconsciously shifted between Yang Tao and Chen Qiusu’s faces. Nearby, someone overheard their conversation but misheard what Yang Tao called him, chiming in, “You and your dad were so entertaining!”
Recently, Yang Tao’s grandparents had also been correcting how he addressed Chen Qiusu. Though Yang Tao still slipped up occasionally, he was getting used to it. He even took the stranger’s comment as a compliment and beamed, turning to Yang Shao. “Daddy, you have to do your best in the relay race this afternoon!”
Yang Shao’s heart raced uncontrollably. Were they really that alike? Did even strangers see Chen Qiusu as Yang Tao’s father?
“Are you okay?” Chen Qiusu noticed Yang Shao’s pale expression and asked softly.
Yang Shao turned his head, avoiding eye contact with Chen Qiusu, afraid he might give away his thoughts.
Could Chen Qiusu have noticed the resemblance long ago? Was that why he’d suggested the fake marriage to get both him and Yang Tao into his home? After all, Chen Qiusu’s fabrications to his father were seamless. If that were true, wasn’t Chen Qiusu terrifyingly cunning?
Yang Shao stared hard at Chen Qiusu, hoping to find some trace of scheming in his seemingly sincere expression. Yet… apart from what happened back then, Chen Qiusu was always upright and gentlemanly with him. He’d never pried into Yang Tao’s background, and even in their fake marriage, he treated his uncle and aunt with sincerity.
“Yang Shao?” Chen Qiusu called out.
Swallowing hard, Yang Shao forced his face to relax. Perhaps he was overthinking things.
“Daddy, don’t feel too pressured. It’s okay if you don’t win in the race. Our teacher said it’s all about participation.”
Yang Shao ruffled Yang Tao’s hair. “Remember, you said that.”
….
The kindergarten, thanks to the sponsorship, provided lunch for everyone. Mealtime was Yang Tao’s solo show, as he excitedly shared his thoughts on the parent-child program.
Still unsettled by Chen’s mother’s remarks, Yang Shao barely ate. After excusing himself, he wandered toward the bathroom. His life at the Chen residence had been so comfortable lately that he hadn’t even felt the need to smoke much. But now, weighed down with unease, he fished out a cigarette and lighter from his pocket.
Just as he lit it, footsteps approached from behind. Thinking it might be a child, Yang Shao was about to put out the cigarette when a familiar voice called out.
“Yang Shao?”
Seeing Chen Qiusu, Yang Shao’s mood grew heavier. The two of them instinctively retreated to a small alley beside the restroom.
“What’s wrong?”
What’s wrong? Yang Shao would be thankful if Chen Qiusu didn’t add to his troubles. Could he even count on him for help? How could he discuss with him how to deceive him?
Yang Shao felt guilty, worried that Chen Qiusu might recognize Yang Tao.
No—why should he feel guilty? He was upright and honest, with a clear conscience. He had done nothing wrong to himself, to Yang Tao, or to anyone else.
He couldn’t voice his concerns to Chen Qiusu.
Amid the swirling smoke, Chen Qiusu, who generally disliked the smell of cigarettes, found himself oddly unbothered by the faint scent coming from Yang Shao. Out of concern, he simply said, “Cut back on smoking.”
“Chen Qiusu,” Yang Shao addressed him solemnly, not resenting his meddling, “in a year, I’ll be able to take Yang Tao and the money and leave, right? No matter what, you won’t stop us from leaving.”
Even if he learned Yang Tao’s true identity.
Chen Qiusu froze for a moment. He had no reason to make Yang Shao stay. He knew he wasn’t regarded highly in Yang Shao’s eyes, and he knew Yang Shao resisted him. Yet, it was hard for him to accept how deeply Yang Shao rejected him and how desperately he wanted to leave.
“Of course.”
But Chen Qiusu’s answer didn’t ease Yang Shao’s mind. He thought he glimpsed a flicker of sadness in Chen Qiusu’s eyes. Before he could get a closer look, Chen Qiusu had already turned and walked away.
…..
That afternoon’s relay race saw Yang Shao slightly out of sorts. Coupled with his arm not being fully healed, he and Yang Tao barely managed to secure second place. After the race, Yang Tao eagerly showed off his latest creation.
The kindergarten exhibit was surprisingly well-done. The displayed works were placed in glass cabinets, as if they were precious artifacts.
“Daddy, this is my newest piece. It’s just like the toy gun Great-Grandma bought me.”
Yang Shao, however, was the least enthusiastic about Yang Tao’s creations. “Seen it, seen it. I see it every day at home.”
On Parent-Child Day, Yang Tao was the happiest of all. By the time the event ended and they were heading home, he was so exhausted he fell asleep in Chen Qiusu’s arms.
Yang Shao handed Yang Tao over to Chen Qiusu’s parents while Chen Qiusu accompanied him to take his uncle and aunt back to the hospital.
During the car ride, they barely spoke. His uncle and aunt didn’t notice anything unusual and kept praising Yang Tao for being lively and adorable.
“He’s lively, sure, but sometimes he’s a handful. Now that Parent-Child Day is over, they’ll be on break soon, and he’ll be a little tyrant at home.”
Uncle chuckled. “That’s how kids are.”
“In a few days, after the acupuncture sessions are done, your aunt and I will head back. We’ve imposed on you for too long; it’s really embarrassing.” Uncle specifically addressed Chen Qiusu through the rearview mirror, adding, “When you and Yang Shao have your wedding, we’ll come back. By then, Yang Shao’s younger cousin should be on break too.”
“We’re family; there’s no need to talk about imposing.”
Family… Yang Shao glanced at Chen Qiusu, who stared ahead, his expression unchanged, as if his words to his uncle were more than just pleasantries.
After dropping off Uncle and Aunt, only Yang Shao and Chen Qiusu remained in the car. Chen Qiusu hesitated before suggesting, “I’ll take you home first; I need to make a trip to the hospital.”
Back and forth like this—didn’t he find it exhausting? If he still needed to go near Yang Tao’s school, why bother going out of his way to drop off his uncle and aunt? Couldn’t he just make up an excuse and let them handle it themselves? Chen Qiusu was still as rigid as ever.
“Okay.” Yang Shao casually asked, “You’re always going to the hospital. Can it actually be cured?”
It wasn’t even an illness, so there was no question of whether it could be cured.
Yang Shao had asked just to make conversation. He didn’t want Chen Qiusu to think he cared too much. “You don’t have to drop me off. I don’t want another situation like last time. Just find a random intersection and let me out. I’ll take a cab back.”
This time, Chen Qiusu didn’t insist. He drove into the city center, stopped at a busy bus stop, and only left after watching Yang Shao get into a taxi.
Once in the taxi, the suffocating feeling in Yang Shao’s chest finally eased. He leaned wearily against the door, feeling uneasy about the money coming so easily.
When the taxi jostled, his head bumped against the door. Looking around the car, he couldn’t help but think how quickly he had grown accustomed to luxury. In just a few days, he had gotten used to taking taxis. Before, he would have stretched a dollar as far as possible. Now, he was indulging.
One year, just one year. He resolved to live steadily and responsibly in the Chen household for a year. After taking the money, he would leave with Yang Tao and never see Chen Qiusu again.
At that time, would Yang Tao be willing to leave the Chen family? Everyone in the Chen household adored him. As Yang Tao grew older, he would understand more. How would Yang Shao explain it to him?
It felt unfair to the Chen family, and to Chen Qiusu. But hadn’t Chen Qiusu gained something too? At least he had Yang Tao as his son for a year.
Yang Shao was restless the entire ride home. Even when he arrived at the front door, he hesitated to go inside. It was the housekeeper who heard the taxi pull up and came out to let him in.
“Mr. Yang, why aren’t you coming in?” The housekeeper stepped aside to make way for him. “The young master’s cousin is here.”
Which cousin? Big families always seemed to have so many relatives.
Yang Shao glanced toward the living room and saw a vaguely familiar man sitting on the sofa. Oh… where had he seen him before? At the hospital! The cousin… wasn’t that Chen Qiusu’s older cousin?
Yang Tao was on a mat playing with his paper gun while He Yudong stretched his neck to observe. “What’s the point of messing with that? Call me ‘Uncle.’”
He couldn’t resist pinching Yang Tao’s cheek. His grip must not have been gentle because Yang Tao whimpered in pain and refused to call him.
“Don’t pinch Yang Tao,” said Chen’s mother, who couldn’t bear to watch. She swatted He Yudong’s hand away and pulled Yang Tao close. Looking at his cheek, she saw a red mark. “You’re so heavy-handed!”
He Yudong shrugged it off and lounged on the sofa. “Why is his last name Yang? When he comes back to the Chen family, shouldn’t he change his surname?”
Yang Shao had completely forgotten about that. In a family like Chen Qiusu’s, they would surely expect the child to take their name. Why hadn’t Chen’s parents mentioned it before?
Chen Shiliang, tired of He Yudong’s antics, finally spoke up. “What nonsense are you talking about? A surname doesn’t change the fact that he’s a Chen family descendant.”
The issue of surnames had long been settled. Chen Qiusu had already discussed it with his parents. Yang Tao was already accustomed to his name, and a sudden change would confuse him. As doting grandparents, they didn’t care about the name. What mattered was that Yang Tao was finally with them.
No one noticed Yang Shao had returned until the housekeeper reminded them, “Sir, Madam, Mr. Yang is back.”
“Why are you just standing there? Have you dropped your uncle and aunt off at the hospital?”
“They’re there.” With a guest around, Yang Shao couldn’t just sneak upstairs, so he had no choice but to sit on the couch, even nodding at He Yudong. “My uncle said they’ll head back after completing their acupuncture treatments.”
Chen Shiliang folded up his newspaper. “So soon? They should stay a few more days since they’re already here.”
“They’ve got other matters to attend to back home.”
He Yudong chimed in, “Oh, are relatives suddenly swarming to visit?”
Being Chen Qiusu’s cousin didn’t earn him any favor from Yang Shao. To Yang Shao, He Yudong was a fool who spoke without thinking, and he wouldn’t be smiling at him if he didn’t have to.
Chen’s mother ignored He Yudong entirely and spoke to Yang Shao instead. “Yang Shao, does your uncle drink tea?”
“Yes, he does.”
“Perfect. I haven’t prepared a return gift yet. You probably know what kind of tea he likes. Go with the housekeeper to the storage room and pick something out.”
“I’m not really familiar with tea,” Yang Shao replied reluctantly.
He regretted his honesty—he should’ve just said his uncle didn’t like tea. The gifts his uncle and aunt brought barely covered their medical expenses, so why bother with a return gift?
Yang Shao wandered around the storage room, knowing just from the packaging that these teas weren’t cheap. His uncle usually drank teas bought from the market for a few dozen yuan a pound. Eventually, he picked out an already opened box.
Out of nowhere, He Yudong appeared. “Got an eye for the good stuff, huh?”
Yang Shao felt a strong urge to punch him. Why did this guy keep showing up?
“You claim you don’t know tea, but you sure know how to pick the most expensive ones.”
Yang Shao held his temper. “I really don’t know.”
At that moment, Chen’s mother entered. “Have you picked something?”
“Honestly, Aunt, Yang Shao’s playing coy. He clearly has a knack for choosing the priciest options.”
Yang Shao’s anger flared instantly. The Chen family had treated him decently, and even though his marriage to Chen Qiusu was a business deal, he didn’t want to lose face over something as trivial as a box of tea.
“Why this one, Yang Shao?” Chen’s mother took the tea from his hands. “You can’t give an opened box as a gift. If we don’t have any left, I’ll have someone buy more.”
“Huh?” Yang Shao hadn’t even had time to react before being pulled out by Chen’s mother.
She started talking non-stop. “I’ve also prepared a few things for your aunt. You can take a look and see if they’re okay. Oh, and about your younger cousin…”
…..
To maintain some semblance of normalcy, Chen Qiusu had requested the doctor increase his medication dosage. While it was effective, it came with unavoidable physical side effects that required a week of conservative treatment at the hospital.
“Mr. Chen, may I ask you a few questions if you don’t mind?”
Chen Qiusu, still slightly breathless after treatment, replied, “Go ahead.”
“Have you had any contact with the beta recently?”
Since they lived together, complete avoidance was impossible, but they no longer shared a bedroom at night, and most of the time, there were others present.
“Only normal interactions.”
Uncertain about the nature of his relationship with the beta, the doctor could only make an educated guess. Given that Chen Qiusu had been intimate with the beta, it was clear he had allowed it to happen.
Men of Chen Qiusu’s age rarely admitted to liking someone, often not even realizing it themselves.
“Mr. Chen, you should consider accepting your instincts. The fact that this beta’s pheromones affect you isn’t just a biological response—it’s also a subconscious indication of your feelings. Pheromone compatibility is just a reference value. True emotional connection is the best foundation for finding a life partner, don’t you agree?”
In modern times, compatibility scores had become the ultimate standard for determining a marriage’s viability. But data is just data, a mere guideline. Only individuals themselves truly know what suits them.
Is it really a subconscious indication? Chen Qiusu admitted he cared for Yang Shao—he worried about him and thought about him often. But wasn’t that just a sense of responsibility? A duty-driven concern…
Suddenly, he recalled the fortune he had drawn at the temple. He hadn’t considered the reason behind his concern for Yang Shao, believing it stemmed from responsibility. Not thinking about it allowed his instincts to take over instead.
Yet Yang Shao’s question earlier today seemed to offer an answer. Yang Shao’s only concern was leaving after a year. Asking him anything else would seem presumptuous. After all, their relationship didn’t have the most romantic beginning.
When will MC’s cast be removed ???