If Shen Zhinan had only been suspicious before, he was now certain: Fu Yanshi was using the pretext of protecting him to secure benefits for himself.
Even the approaching winter couldn’t freeze his restless, spring-like heart.
“Fu Yanshi, look at yourself. Just saying things like that has changed your face,” Shen Zhinan declared with mock seriousness. “Do you realize your eyes are filled with 18+ content?”
“Cut it out,” Fu Yanshi snapped, slamming another clove of garlic onto the counter with a displeased snort. “Little coward.”
Coward?
Was he calling him timid?
“Who are you calling a coward? Fine, I’ll kiss you!” Feeling his masculine pride trampled, Shen Zhinan rolled up his sleeves, cupped Fu Yanshi’s face, and puckered his lips as he leaned in.
Fu Yanshi watched the face magnifying before him. The omega, with his lips puckered and a look of grim determination, looked utterly foolish. He couldn’t help but chuckle. The omega clicked his tongue in annoyance and swatted him. “Be serious.”
This wasn’t just a simple kiss. It was about collecting fragments of the pig cage, and it marked the gradual erosion of Shen Zhinan’s straight-male resolve.
But at that moment, all Shen Zhinan could think about was wealth, wealth, and more wealth.
May Grandpa Lin strike it rich!
“Let’s start over,” Shen Zhinan said, taking a deep breath. He puckered his lips again and leaned closer to Fu Yanshi’s cheek. Just as he was about to make contact.
Knock, knock!
Someone was at the door.
A vein throbbed violently on Fu Yanshi’s forehead. This time, it was his turn to click his tongue in irritation.
Who was ruining the moment?
Shen Zhinan coughed awkwardly. “Go answer the door.”
Who would come looking for him at dinnertime and ruin his plans?
How infuriating.
Fu Yanshi yanked the door open with a scowl. The moment he saw He Yanzhou and the three people behind him, his head began to buzz.
He Yanzhou flashed him a radiant smile. “Old Fu ”
Slam!
Fu Yanshi forcefully shut the door.
“Damn it!” he cursed under his breath. Why were there so many people?
“Old Fu! Open the door!” He Yanzhou pounded on the door from outside. Since Fu Yanshi’s apartment was the only one on the floor, he wasn’t disturbing anyone.
Fu Yanshi was an excellent cook, and He Yanzhou had brought fresh ingredients, leading a small crowd over for a free meal.
Shen Zhinan couldn’t resist asking, “Who is it?”
“The one who called you ‘little bunny,’” Fu Yanshi grumbled. “And three others probably here to mooch a meal.”
“Oh no!” Shen Zhinan was shocked. “Why are there so many people? I’d better hide in the bedroom.”
Fu Yanshi nodded toward the coffee table. “There are biscuits over there. Grab a few to tide you over. I’ll deal with them and call you when they’re gone.”
Shen Zhinan nodded emphatically. “Okay.”
Fu Yanshi waited until Shen Zhinan reached the bedroom door before pulling the front door open again.
Bang!
The moment the door swung open, a loud crash echoed from inside the apartment.
“Hey, you finally decided to ” He Yanzhou’s complaint died halfway as he stared, dumbfounded, in one direction.
The other three Zhou Qi’an, Gu Mingrui, and an unfamiliar red-haired guy followed his gaze, their expressions equally stunned.
Fu Yanshi traced their line of sight to the guest bedroom door, where Shen Zhinan lay sprawled on the floor, intimately acquainted with the hardwood.
Shen Zhinan: or2
Fu Yanshi:
How could someone trip on flat ground!
Gu Mingrui’s eyes lit up, sparkling with gossipy curiosity: “Bro, who’s that?”
He Yanzhou exclaimed in shock: “Damn! Hiding a beauty away in a golden house, huh! No wonder it took you so long to open the door!”
Zhou Qi’an glanced calmly at Fu Yanshi and secretly gave him a thumbs-up.
Fu Yanshi:
Fu Yanshi and Shen Zhinan locked eyes, and Fu Yanshi could read the words “I want to die” written all over Shen Zhinan’s face.
Fu Yanshi said to the people behind him, “Come on in,” then went to help Shen Zhinan up.
Shen Zhinan had been staying up late a lot recently, and just moments ago, he had been hit on the head by a juicer. In a panic, he tried to run into the bedroom, but the floor was too slippery, and before he knew it, he ended up knocking his head against the bedroom door.
Originally, Shen Zhinan only had a bump on the left side of his forehead, but now the right side was swollen too.
The two bumps, one on the left and one on the right, looked like two little horns, making him appear somewhat silly.
Gu Mingrui was the first to change into shoe covers and sidled up to Fu Yanshi, asking curiously, “Bro, introduce us. Who is this?”
He Yanzhou, upon seeing Shen Zhinan’s face, wore an expression of sudden understanding. Leaning on Gu Mingrui’s shoulder, he said mysteriously, “Rui, can’t you smell that strong, sweet scent of love all over your brother?”
Gu Mingrui shuddered, stared at Shen Zhinan with his mouth agape, and exclaimed with deep emotion, “Sis-in-law!”
Shen Zhinan quickly waved his hands: “I’m not, you’ve got it wrong. I’m just staying here temporarily.”
Gu Mingrui: “Mm-hmm, I get it, I totally get it!”
No, what exactly do you get?!
“Those who get it, get it! Who doesn’t have a good roommate!” He Yanzhou chimed in with a cheeky grin.
Shen Zhinan:
He Yanzhou handed the things he was carrying to Fu Yanshi, “I bought a spotted grouper. Show us your skills, Chef Fu! I’ve been craving the steamed spotted grouper in superior broth you made last time!”
“Oh, right.” He Yanzhou wrapped an arm around the red-haired guy’s shoulders and introduced him to Fu Yanshi, “This is my boyfriend, Lin Hong. You can call him Xiao Hong.”
Such a fitting name for that hair color.
Fu Yanshi glanced at Zhou Qi’an, whose face showed no expression, as if he had already become desensitized to it.
Fu Yanshi remembered how Zhou Qi’an used to seek him out to drown his sorrows in drinks, but now his tolerance had clearly been raised.
Xiao Hong murmured, “Mr. Fu.”
His voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz.
He Yanzhou chuckled, “Sorry, he’s a bit introverted.”
Fu Yanshi stared at Xiao Hong’s head.
With hair dyed such a vibrant red, where exactly is the introversion?
“Alright, everyone, come take a seat. I’ll start cooking.” Fu Yanshi carried the spotted grouper and other ingredients into the kitchen.
“It’s been a while since I last came over for a meal. Let me judge whether your cooking skills have improved!” He Yanzhou made himself at home and plopped down on the sofa.
Xiao Hong sat close beside him.
Zhou Qi’an sat the farthest from them, with Gu Mingrui and Shen Zhinan in between.
“Sis-in-law, you don’t look like a local. Where are you from?” Gu Mingrui asked eagerly.
Shen Zhinan forced a smile: “I’m really not.”
Gu Mingrui chuckled softly and clicked his tongue, a hint of playful reproach in his tone, as if to say, “I already know, so stop pretending.”
“Brother Yanshi’s mom is my mom’s elder sister, so we’re cousins,” Gu Mingrui began introducing himself unprompted. “Since childhood, out of all our relatives, I’ve always liked Brother Yanshi the most! Because his New Year red envelopes are always the thickest!”
Gu Mingrui wanted to praise Fu Yanshi properly in front of Shen Zhinan, but ended up getting carried away with his own excitement, letting out a couple of “hehe” laughs.
What a simple and honest reason.
Shen Zhinan played along, saying, “That’s really nice.”
Gu Mingrui continued asking, “Sister-in-law, how old are you? You look so young.”
Shen Zhinan gave up resisting and reluctantly accepted the address, replying, “Twenty.”
“Wow! Cousin is twenty-seven this year.” Gu Mingrui suddenly got excited, clapping his hands and cheering. “The man is seven years older what a perfect match! You two are absolutely made for each other!”
Shen Zhinan:
Gu Mingrui: “This is the first time I’ve ever seen my brother bring someone home.”
Shen Zhinan smiled awkwardly: “Is that so?”
“Sister-in-law, what’s your zodiac sign? What’s your blood type? How long have you been with my brother? Who confessed first? When are you planning to get married? When you meet someone like my brother who cooks so well, you should just marry him! How many kids are you planning to have after marriage? Have you thought of names for them yet…”
Shen Zhinan was nearly overwhelmed by this barrage of questions. He shot up from the sofa and quickly said, “I’m going to go help your brother in the kitchen.”
Watching Shen Zhinan’s retreating back, Gu Mingrui sighed with blissful satisfaction, “Is Sister-in-law really this in love? Can’t even stand being apart for such a short while.”
Fu Yanshi was quite skilled in the kitchen, and in no time he’d prepared six dishes and one soup.
They were all substantial dishes, perfectly appealing in color, aroma, and taste enough to make anyone’s mouth water.
“This is exactly the flavor!” He Yanzhou picked up a piece of star grouper with his chopsticks and couldn’t help but praise, “Old Fu, it really has to be you!”
Gu Mingrui also showered compliments: “Brother, you’re literally my idol!”
“If it’s good, then eat more,” Fu Yanshi said happily. “Want some wine? I’ll open a bottle.”
“Yes, yes, yes!” He Yanzhou quickly responded.
Gu Mingrui: “I’ll have some too!”
Fu Yanshi went to the wine cabinet and brought out a bottle of red wine.
“This wine is called ‘Memories of Roses’,” Fu Yanshi glanced at Shen Zhinan. “I bought it from someone whose father gambles, whose mother is seriously ill, and whose younger sister is still in school.”
Shen Zhinan: ?
Why does that sound so familiar.
Shen Zhinan froze for a moment, then suddenly realized something.
Wasn’t that the backstory he made up when he sold that wine!?
Wait a minute!
Shen Zhinan’s eyes widened.
The person who bought his wine that day was actually Fu Yanshi!
Seeing his reaction, Fu Yanshi seemed to have guessed he remembered. Putting on an act, he poured a glass for Shen Zhinan first: “Have a good taste.”
Gu Mingrui teased: “Ooh la la! Brother, you poured for Sister-in-law first, how sweet!”
Where exactly is the sweetness in that!?
Just forcing the romance, huh!
He Yanzhou started singing: “Sweet as honey, your smiles are sweet as honey ”
While Fu Yanshi was pouring the wine, Shen Zhinan whispered, “That was you that day!?”
Fu Yanshi leaned close to Shen Zhinan’s ear: “The one you hit with the wine bottle was also me. Surprised? Shocked?”
“Damn, why didn’t you say so earlier!”
“Hey, hey, hey! What’s with the whispering!” Gu Mingrui grinned widely. “So sweet!”
You’re forcing the romance again, aren’t you!
Shen Zhinan was exasperated.
If you love forcing things this much, why not become a scientist!
What kind of cursed fate did he and Fu Yanshi have!?
The group was eating and drinking together when, midway through the meal, Gu Mingrui received a phone call and said he had to leave early.
His face was beaming with happiness, and having drunk quite a bit earlier, he turned to Fu Yanshi and Shen Zhinan with a flushed face, slurring his words as he toasted, “Wishing you and your wife a hundred years of harmony and a son soon!”
Shen Zhinan:
What kind of blessings are these?!
He must be so drunk he’s just blurting out whatever comes to mind!
“Silly kid, what nonsense are you spouting?” Fu Yanshi patted his shoulder, frowning seriously. “I’ll give you a big red envelope for the New Year.”
Shen Zhinan: Hah, dreams make everyone extraordinary.
Go ahead and dream if any of it comes true, I’ll admit defeat!