Chapter 17

Ten minutes later, the four of them entered the same private room. Shuyun felt uneasy as he looked at the elders inside, but Shang Cheng seemed completely at ease with the group, only pausing briefly when he recognized Shuyan Shen.

“I think we should just let them go. The two young ones just can’t see eye to eye with us,” someone said, as if sensing Shuyun’s nervousness and taking the initiative to dismiss them.

Seeing this, although Shuyan Shen’s face darkened and Shang Tingye appeared suspicious, they still let the two leave first.

Shang Cheng had reserved a small room in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by folding screens and greenery outside the glass walls, ensuring privacy.

The dishes were plentiful, and the food arrived quickly. Shuyun, distracted, took out his phone to snap a photo, intending to post it on his social media.

“Want me to take the photo for you?” Shang Cheng noticed his selfie action and asked.

Shuyun was too embarrassed to trouble him and shook his head quickly. “No, just a quick shot is fine.”

Though he said that, when he looked down at the photo and saw the long fingers resting on the table, he felt a little uneasy.

After hesitating, he enlarged the photo and handed the phone over.

“Do you think this one’s good to post?”

Shang Cheng’s eyes lingered on the screen for a few seconds before he said, “Looks good.”

Doubting he really looked carefully, Shuyun pressed his lips and added, “Looks like you’re in the shot.”

“No problem,” Shang Cheng replied.

Taking back his phone, Shuyun swiftly applied his usual filter and, making sure no location was revealed, sent the photo out.

They ate quietly. Shuyun concealed his thoughts but couldn’t help stealing glances at the man opposite him.

Shang Cheng ate with refined manners, yet not slowly. Under the light, his eyelashes were clearly defined when he lowered his gaze, exuding a hint of gentleness.

Truly handsome.

A message notification sounded on the phone on the table.

Shuyun’s eyes widened as he picked up the phone, hastily replying with an emoji before locking it again.

His uncle wanted to meet Shang Cheng, but before Shuyun could tell him, the two had accidentally met.

Great, his uncle’s impression of Shang Cheng would surely worsen.

He sighed quietly. Before he could think of what to say, a bowl of sweet soup with wolfberries was pushed forward.

“Feeling down?”

Hearing Shang Cheng’s question, Shuyun stirred the soup but decided not to interrupt their meeting.

“No.”

Shang Cheng didn’t look at him but ladled a bowl for himself. “You’ve been grim-faced since meeting your uncle. Have you told him everything?”

Surprised that Shang Cheng guessed, Shuyun sighed and told the truth, “I actually already talked to my mom and uncle about you. My uncle suddenly came back and asked a lot about you, said he wanted to meet you, but I hadn’t had the chance to tell you this.”

Throughout, Shang Cheng remained quiet, patiently waiting.

Shuyun felt uneasy. “I was worried you’d think it’s too soon. If you don’t want to meet him, that’s okay.”

The more he spoke, the more he felt he hadn’t arranged things properly.

Since his rebirth, things with Shang Cheng had progressed too quickly. Maybe Shang Cheng felt it wasn’t enough, but if he were in his place... it might feel invasive.

They could count on one hand the number of days they’d been official, yet here they were, meeting family.

Filled with guilt, he grew sadder and decided to decline his uncle’s invitation.

But the next moment, a warm hand covered his on the table.

Snapping out of his reverie, Shang Cheng’s face showed concern. “Why are your hands so cold?”

Shuyun instinctively curled his fingers but feared moving might make Shang Cheng withdraw his hand, so he stayed stiff.

“Maybe I’m underdressed. I just changed clothes casually in the car after the event, and it’s a bit chilly tonight,” he made up a reason.

Shang Cheng looked helpless. “Youth is an asset, but you still need to take care of yourself.”

Feeling like being lectured by an elder, Shuyun grew inexplicably nervous and said nothing.

“Finished eating?” Shang Cheng didn’t press further. “I’ll send you home afterward. We can talk on the way.”

Shuyun nodded quickly, finished his soup, and followed him out, their hands never parting.

His mind felt fuzzy, as if the warm soup had made him drowsy.

The hand holding his was larger and strong, enveloping his palm with a somewhat commanding gesture—but instead of discomfort, it brought comfort.

“Should we say hi to Uncle Shang before we go?”

Shang Cheng looked down at him, a faint smile in his eyes. “No need. He’s probably figured it out by now.”

“Huh?” Shuyun took a moment to grasp his meaning, his cheeks flushing. “Uncle Shang guessed about us?”

Shang Cheng squeezed his hand reassuringly. “It’s okay. My parents are open-minded. I just hadn’t found the right time to tell them; I’ll clear things up tonight.”

Shuyun stumbled slightly and hurriedly said, “Actually, no need.”

He didn’t want to reveal their relationship as some sort of exchange. Maybe Shang Cheng had his own plans, and he didn’t want to interfere.

“I want to tell them,” Shang Cheng said solemnly, his low voice echoing in the empty path. “My parents are quite open, but you won’t have to interact with them in the future, so that’s not important. What matters is telling them about us. I don’t want my mother setting me up with blind dates later and causing misunderstandings.”

He added the last part with a teasing tone.

Shuyun’s cheeks reddened. “I wouldn’t misunderstand you. I know you’re not that kind of person.”

Shang Cheng smiled at his words. “You seem to trust my character a lot.”

Such a simple sentence stirred a different meaning in Shuyun’s mind.

“Could you forget what I said that night...?” His voice was small, tinged with grievance.

This time, Shang Cheng didn’t let him sweep it under the rug. “I can, but you have to tell me why.”

His heart trembled. At the courtyard gate, they saw the car waiting early outside, and he was at a loss for words.

Once inside the car, Shang Cheng told the driver to turn up the heater, then looked at the silent Shuyun beside him.

The road was dimly lit; shadows obscured Shuyun’s delicate features. His beautiful face, troubled in expression, looked pitiful yet stubborn with tightly pressed lips.

Clearly, he had no intention to speak.

Shang Cheng thought of the afternoon when Shuyun curled up under a blanket, his face uneasy even in sleep.

When awake, he was like a little sun, full of energy—but alone, it seemed he was not.

This was something he needed to understand.

His hand was grasped again. Shang Cheng lowered his gaze, meeting Shuyun’s slightly pleading look.

“Do you still think I’m lying to you?”

Shang Cheng pondered less than a second. “That doesn’t matter. There’s no turning back now.”

“What do you mean?” Shuyun was stunned, unsure of the implication.

Shang Cheng turned his hand over, holding Shuyun’s tightly. “Even if you want to break up with me, I won’t agree.”

Their eyes locked, and Shuyun’s heart raced to its peak.

Shang Cheng’s words were so forceful that if anyone else said them, he might have been upset. But now, he couldn’t help but feel joy, even wishing Shang Cheng would be a bit harsher with him.

How baffling!

“I’m not going to break up with you,” he stammered after a long pause.

Shang Cheng smiled at him, still holding his hand.

The atmosphere was pleasant on the way. When they reached the villa, Shuyun wanted to invite him inside but reconsidered, worrying his uncle would return soon and frown upon seeing them together. So he obediently stayed in the car.

The driver got out to buy cigarettes, leaving just the two of them inside.

“Tomorrow’s Saturday. Can I invite your uncle out for dinner?”

“But aren’t we going out with He Musheng and the others in the afternoon?”

“That won’t interfere. If your uncle is free, he can join us,” Shang Cheng said, then hesitated. “I’ll let them know in advance. If not, it’s fine not to go.”

Shuyun thought for a moment and made up his mind. “I’ll tell my uncle. Don’t let his serious look fool you—he actually likes to go out and have fun.”

He had looked up the place He Musheng chose and knew there were many entertainment options, sure to interest his uncle.

With the main matter settled, Shuyun checked the time. Though reluctant, he prepared to go home.

“See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Shang Cheng said goodbye but didn’t let go of his hand.

The stars twinkled faintly above the car, casting a dim, intimate atmosphere.

He said nothing, but Shuyun read his feelings, tensing slightly and leaning closer.

Shang Cheng complied, lowering his head, and a natural kiss fell.

Their lips pressed together, and Shuyun’s mind went blank, feeling the warmth of breath mingling with his.

Inexperienced, his mind replayed videos he’d seen before, imagining what to do next, yet he couldn’t bring himself to continue.

The hand holding his gradually moved up to his wrist, the rough palm pressing firmly against his skin.

The softness of the lips indented slightly under the pressure, and he let out a light hum. His lips parted, and nervously, he tried to lick them, only to touch warm softness with his tongue.

Their breaths grew heavier. Eventually, Shang Cheng pulled away first.

Everything that had just happened felt so unfamiliar. Shuyun’s eyes were unfocused as he looked up to meet Shang Cheng’s dark pupils, which held a deep emotion, even a hint of fierceness.

“Let’s go back,” his hoarse voice said.

He dared not linger, pushing open the car door. The cold wind outside hit him, and his legs felt weak.

Only when he was inside the courtyard did the burning gaze behind him vanish.

Leaning against the door, blushing fiercely, he covered his face with his hands, trying to calm down.

His reaction was too obvious. He was grateful no one was home, giving him time to steady his breathing.

What happened in the car felt like a dream, still unreal when recalled. But now, he seemed certain of one thing.

Shang Cheng probably hadn’t dated before. When they first kissed, he had clearly hesitated, as if unsure how to proceed, just like him.

But after that, he became fierce, and even now, Shuyun could still feel that scorching breath.

He lowered the hand from his face, cheeks burning as he looked up at the light.

Actually, he sensed it—Shang Cheng had wanted to continue right then.