Chapter 16

Awakening once more, Shu Shiyun instinctively pressed his head against the pillow, hoping to linger in bed a little longer as usual. But the moment he moved, he noticed the texture felt oddly different.

His usual quilt was soft, yet now he was covered by something fuzzy—comforting, but unfamiliar.

Startled, he abruptly opened his eyes and sat up, staring blankly for a long moment as he took in his surroundings.

“You’re awake.”

A familiar voice sounded nearby, instantly bringing him back to full awareness.

Shu Shiyun rubbed his eyes. The blanket slid down to his waist as he sat in the middle of the sofa, looking somewhat dazed.

“You’re back from your meeting.”

Still groggy, his voice was soft, evoking a tender warmth in the listener’s heart.

Shang Cheng put down his work and said, “There’s hot water on the table.”

At the reminder, Shu Shiyun realized his lips were dry and quickly lifted the cup to drink obediently.

“I slept through the whole afternoon, and it’s just in time for dinner. Shall we eat together tonight?”

Shang Cheng’s voice was gentle, yet Shu Shiyun felt a blush rise to his cheeks.

He hadn’t arranged to meet Shang Cheng in advance today; it was a spur-of-the-moment decision to send a message and come over. Now, taking up someone else’s dinner time made him feel somewhat apologetic.

Out of courtesy, he asked, “Do you have work tonight?”

Shang Cheng didn’t answer but smiled at him—the answer was clear.

Feeling the atmosphere turn slightly awkward, Shu Shiyun set down his cup, pulled on his shoes, and prepared to get up for a walk. But when his gaze landed on the glowing phone screen on the coffee table, he was stunned.

“It’s almost six o’clock? Have I really slept this long?”

He remembered coming over right after lunch and thought it shouldn’t be past two.

Shang Cheng’s voice was low and steady. “Young people need their sleep for their health.”

“I’m not growing any taller anyway,” Shu Shiyun mumbled, standing up. “I can’t sleep properly at home, and my sleep quality is usually poor. I didn’t expect the sofa to be so comfortable.”

Though said in jest, as he walked toward the desk, he noticed Shang Cheng’s expression had turned serious, as if pondering something deeply.

What was going on?

Just as he was about to ask, Shang Cheng inquired, “Do you often have trouble resting at home?”

Shu Shiyun hesitated to reveal this. Though his current sleep schedule wasn’t ideal, it was already better than usual. Perhaps he just hadn’t adjusted yet—there were still many matters to resolve, and things would improve with time.

But after a pause, Shang Cheng said, “I came back from the meeting and saw you sleeping uneasily. Have you been troubled by something lately?”

Upon hearing this, Shu Shiyun’s steps faltered for a moment. The icy, sinking sensation from his dreams surged anew.

His face paled briefly before he forced a smile, his expression resigned: “What troubles could I possibly have? Business is going well, and my mood’s been good.”

Standing before the desk, he ran his fingers over the cold edge and leaned in to look at Shang Cheng’s face.

“I even found someone—am I not winning at life?”

Shang Cheng shook his head, amused but somewhat helpless at his joke. He tidied up the documents and asked, “What do you want for dinner?”

Seeing him deliberately avoid the earlier topic stirred a quiet ache in Shu Shiyun’s heart. Yet he knew he couldn’t press too hard.

After all, he himself was hiding things from Shang Cheng, so it was only fair that Shang Cheng dodged his pursuit.

This fairness still left a small knot in his chest.

Taking a deep breath, he cooperated and pondered, then made a suggestion: “I want something simple and homely. I’ve been keeping up appearances for the fans lately, so now I’m craving some hearty, rustic meat.”

Shang Cheng seemed surprised by the request but consented after a moment’s thought.

“Alright, I’ll take you there.”

Watching Shang Cheng’s focused face, Shu Shiyun gradually let go of his unease.

—

The restaurant’s decor was modest, but the courtyard on either side was planted with various fruits and vegetables. Crossing a small bridge over a pond, the nearby livestock pens were clearly visible.

The server, dressed in traditional attire, led them inside and introduced the evening’s specialties.

“If you’re interested, you can even pick your own ingredients. We have staff to prepare the dishes for guests, and remote selection is also possible.”

Uninterested in the process, Shu Shiyun told them to proceed as they pleased. But when he heard that he could enter the courtyard to pick ingredients himself, he couldn’t help but glance at Shang Cheng, imagining him chasing chickens and ducks.

The image was so amusing that he chuckled quietly, catching Shang Cheng’s attention.

The man seemed to guess his thoughts, a faint smile playing on his lips as he reached out to gently clasp the back of Shu Shiyun’s neck.

The warmth of his palm was soothing, drawing Shu Shiyun closer.

Up close, their eyes met—Shang Cheng’s dark eyes held a complex, obscure emotion that made Shu Shiyun inexplicably nervous.

Perhaps it was the closeness.

Holding his breath, Shu Shiyun dared to study Shang Cheng’s features for the first time so boldly.

Up close, they appeared even more sculpted: a high, straight nose; lips fuller than he had imagined; and deep, profound eyes that seemed to have a calming power when gazed into earnestly.

“Shang Cheng,” he lowered his voice deliberately.

From the corner of his eye, he saw the server in front of them still enthusiastically explaining the day’s specialties with their back turned.

Shang Cheng cooperated, moving his hand from Shu Shiyun’s neck to his waist. From one glance, it seemed intimate, but there was still over half a fist’s distance between them.

Feeling a faint disappointment, Shu Shiyun boldly leaned closer, looking up at him seriously.

“I’ve noticed your eyes are especially beautiful.”

Shang Cheng lowered his gaze, their eyes meeting in the air. Then he sighed softly, a smile blooming in his depths.

“Not as beautiful as yours.”

Shu Shiyun pursed his lips and leaned his shoulder against Shang Cheng’s, a bit dissatisfied.

“Are you just humoring me?”

They passed through a bamboo-lined path, the surroundings silent.

Shang Cheng said, “I wouldn’t lie to you—you’re the most beautiful.”

He complimented without beating around the bush. This straightforwardness made Shu Shiyun blush.

He was confident in his appearance but puzzled why, though Shang Cheng liked him and found him beautiful, there was never any overt expression of it.

Should there be some ritual?

Perhaps a date in a more atmospheric setting, or at home, like when Shang Cheng kissed his forehead last time.

Recalling that moment, he almost felt his heart race again. It seemed unreal, making his mood complicated.

Sighing, Shu Shiyun came back to himself and turned to see Shang Cheng about to say something.

But before he could speak, Shu Shiyun suddenly felt the ground give way beneath his feet.

The arm loosely around his waist tightened abruptly, and faintly, he caught a delicate scent.

“Sir, there are steps here—please watch your step,” the server called out anxiously.

“I’m fine,” Shu Shiyun said dazedly, steadying himself.

Shang Cheng, now very close, frowned sharply. “Watch where you’re going.”

“I was distracted…”

Seeing Shang Cheng’s furrowed brow, seemingly a little angry, Shu Shiyun felt oddly pleased.

Feeling inexplicably confused, he averted his gaze to hide his thoughts, but a glance toward the courtyard entrance caught sight of a tall, sturdy figure standing there.

The man looked familiar, and when another man appeared beside him, Shu Shiyun stiffened.

Shu Yanshen’s eyes met his, and even from a distance, his expression changed noticeably.

Watching Shu Yanshen’s gaze lock onto Shang Cheng, Shu Shiyun felt a chill run down his spine.

“Uncle…”