Chapter 14

He Changning sat slouched in the booth, head bowed, feeling completely out of sorts.
It wasn’t that he had anything against two men being together—but only as long as he wasn’t one of them.
And now? He was neck-deep in a situation with no easy exit.
Was he really supposed to become Shang Yushang’s husband?

They were both men. How was this supposed to work?
Sure, it was just for a year, but Shang Yushang’s expectations… he honestly couldn’t meet them.
The thought of doing those things with a man?
It made his chest tight with frustration.

Sensing the storm brewing in Changning’s mind, Shang Yushang didn’t back down.
He had no intention of compromising.
When it came to living together, some things were simply unavoidable.
Better to let the kid start processing now than to have him explode later and ruin their relationship.

Shang Yushang was used to being assertive—forceful even.
He wouldn’t accept any refusal.
Only when Changning opened his heart to connection and acceptance could this marriage have a real future.
He hadn’t agreed to just a one-year arrangement. That was only to make Changning less resistant to the idea of being with him.

“Changning,” Yushang said quietly, “I know this is a lot to take in. But I hope you understand—I didn’t agree to this marriage just to please my grandmother. I agreed… because it was you.”

Changning looked up in surprise.
What did he mean by that? Did he… like him?
No way. That couldn’t be.

Yushang stepped out of the booth and stood in front of him, naturally taking his hand and gently pulling him into his embrace.
Changning struggled instinctively, but Yushang tightened his arms around him.

That deep, magnetic voice hummed softly near his ear.
“Changning, I agreed to marry you because I truly want to treat you well. No matter what we face in the future… please believe me. I married you because I meant it.”

Changning lifted his head from the man’s chest and looked into his eyes.
Was this his way of reassuring him?
Could a marriage born from family politics and money ever really last?
Why should he just believe him like that?

Yushang caught the doubt in his eyes and spoke plainly.
“I’m not going to give you empty promises right now. We’re the ones who’ll be living this life—so just watch, see for yourself.”

Changning looked away.
“I’m not worth all this.”

Yushang’s gaze was steady and deep.
“Forget everything else. I’m just me. Shang Yushang. A man who wants to marry He Changning—nothing more.”
He paused, then smirked.
“And for the record, your head’s spinning with way too many thoughts.”

Changning huffed, sarcastic.
“Well, gee, uncle, maybe that’s because most people don’t get sold off and forced into marriage. Try it sometime.”
The words were sharp, a jab thrown out of sheer frustration.

But Yushang only smiled, amused by the bratty tone.
Then, without warning, he gave Changning’s firm little butt a light smack.
“Do I look that old to you? I’m your man. And don’t talk to me like that.”

Changning instantly flared up, red-faced.
“What the hell’s wrong with you?! Who do you think you are, hitting me? And I warn you—don’t you dare say that whole ‘I’m your man’ crap again!”

Yushang quickly tightened his arms, keeping the squirming guy locked in place.
“Okay, okay. Calm down. I won’t say it anymore.”
He smoothed a hand over Changning’s back.
“Changning, I want you to take this marriage seriously. Maybe it didn’t start perfectly, but we haven’t even begun to live together. Don’t write it off so fast.”

Changning stayed quiet.
Maybe… maybe he had a point.
Since this marriage couldn’t be undone, maybe at least he could try to live it a little more on his own terms.

That thought made Changning feel like he needed to lay down a few rules.
Realizing he was still in Yushang’s arms, his cheeks flushed again.
He pushed lightly.
“Let me go.”

The blush was adorable—Yushang fought the urge to nibble his ear.
But it wasn’t the right moment. If he scared the kid off now, a runaway bride would be a real disaster.
He let go… sort of.
His arm still circled Changning’s waist loosely.

“Changning, we’re getting married soon. You’ll have to get used to some things.”

Changning turned away and pried his hand off.
“Well, I’m not used to it.”

Yushang didn’t push it.
“That’s fine. Take your time.”

He held his hand again, gently pulling him into the same booth.
It was spacious, but with two men both over six feet tall, the space felt tight. Their bodies naturally ended up pressed together.

Changning stiffened. Even through their clothes, he could feel the strength and warmth of Yushang’s body.
It made him uncomfortable.
He stood up.
“I’ll sit on the other side.”

Yushang pulled him back down.
“You’ll sit here.”

Changning muttered curses in his head.
This guy really was a control freak.

The cool expression on his elegant face settled in again.
“You’re really domineering.”

Yushang raised an eyebrow.
“Mm. But I’m reasonable.”

“Define ‘reasonable’.”

Yushang smiled slyly.
“For example… right now,”
He slipped an arm around Changning’s waist.
“We need to build some intimacy. I want you close.”

Changning shot him a full-blown eye roll.
“Worst excuse ever.”

Yushang chuckled and tapped his nose.
“You.”

That intimate little gesture made Changning blush again.
He cleared his throat.
“Let go. Stop being clingy.”

Watching him get flustered was pure joy.
“Changning, yes, I’m overbearing—but I won’t be unreasonable. I hope we can grow closer. We’re going to live together. I don’t want us to glare at each other across the room every day.”
He paused.
“I know it’s hard to accept our relationship right away. You’ve never imagined marrying and living with a man. But you’re not entirely against me, are you? Don’t pretend you were forced into this. From what I know about you, He Changning doesn’t do anything he doesn’t want to.”

“Hmph. Stop acting like you know me,” Changning grumbled.
He hated how accurate that was.
Yeah… no one could force him to do anything.
If he really hadn’t wanted to, he could’ve taken Aunt Qin and disappeared.
But in the end, he agreed.
Maybe because of the last flicker of family ties. Maybe to pay back the debt his mom once owed the Yin family.
Whatever the reason… he’d said yes.

Yushang pulled him closer.
“We’ve got time. We’ll figure each other out as we go.”

Changning tilted his head, eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“You’re not really how the rumors describe you.”

“Stick around,” Yushang said, smirking.
“You’ll see how different I really am.”

He leaned down and placed a feather-light kiss on Changning’s forehead.

Changning froze, his body going rigid as his cheeks flushed scarlet.
He stammered.
“Y-You—what the hell was that for?!”

Yushang laughed—a low, unrestrained sound that hadn’t come from his chest in a long time.
This little guy really was his lucky charm.

Pulling him into a tighter hug, he murmured,
“Don’t be shy, Changning. You’ll have to get used to this.”

Changning, now both angry and embarrassed, started flailing.
“You jerk! Taking advantage of me and still talking like it’s nothing—let go!”

Yushang didn’t budge.
Changning pushed and shoved with what little strength he had, but years of martial arts training weren’t enough to move a man built like a tank.

Only when he was completely out of breath did Yushang loosen his grip slightly, letting him breathe.
But his arms still held him.
“Tired now? Rest a bit.”

Changning could only mutter weakly,
“You bully.”

Yushang didn’t mind.
He could indulge him.
This bright, proud young man had agreed to marry him—was willing to bend, to adapt, to open up.

He smoothed down his hair and rested Changning’s head against his chest.

“Let’s try to get along, Changning.”

And Changning… went quiet.
Resting against Yushang’s broad chest, he could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
Slowly, the irritation faded, replaced by a fragile sense of calm.

After a long while, Changning looked up.

“Haven’t you thought about what it means… to marry me? I’m a man. Aren’t you worried what people will say?”

Yushang looked down at him, gaze steady.
“And you? Have you thought about it?”

Changning blinked.
“Yeah. At first, I thought… if you didn’t want to marry me either, then once I’d repaid the Yin family’s kindness, I’d just disappear. Go somewhere no one knows me. Start over.”
He paused.
“Whether I ever married or had kids… didn’t really matter. I thought maybe I’d just keep living like that.”

Yushang’s chest tightened.
This boy—who looked like he didn’t know the ways of the world—was more clear-headed than anyone.

He always prepared for the worst.
But never once had he shied away from taking responsibility.

He tightened his arms, pressing him closer.
“Changning, please believe me. I can handle the consequences of every decision I make. And I will give you the life you want—the life we want.”