Qiao Hailou didn’t mean to lie to Shen Yuan—he was just naturally mischievous, always looking for ways to trick people for fun.
Especially with someone like Shen Yuan, who usually liked to act clever, it gave Qiao Hailou a special sense of accomplishment. For example, there was an oddly shaped wooden carving in his house. When Shen Yuan asked about it, Qiao Hailou instantly spun a story about doing business in Africa with some obscure tribe and receiving it as a gift—so vivid and detailed that Shen Yuan was completely astonished.
After so many little tricks, Qiao Hailou himself couldn’t remember which lie Shen Yuan was referring to when he got upset. Still, he found Shen Yuan’s little fits adorable.
He decided to appease him first. Following Ceng Chuan’s advice—“to calm a child, follow their lead”—Qiao Hailou hurriedly apologized: “It’s my fault, all my fault. Don’t get upset over a bad uncle like me, okay? Come inside; arguing outside is inappropriate, and it’s freezing. Uncle would be worried about you.”
Shen Yuan was dragged inside, fuming: “You’re not sincere at all! You’re so casual about it, obviously just brushing me off!”
Qiao Hailou couldn’t ask directly what Shen Yuan was angry about—doing so would have made things worse—so he tried to guess delicately.
Shen Yuan was bitter. He was frustrated that Qiao Hailou had tricked him again, and he wondered about that person from Qiao Hailou’s past—the one he’d supposedly eloped with. Surely even a sly old fox like Qiao Hailou had once been young and naive, right? Shen Yuan asked sourly, “Who was it? That person you ran away with in your youth, causing a rift with your family? And you lied to me saying you never seriously dated anyone, that I was your first?”
Qiao Hailou froze, racking his brain over all the tricks he’d played, never expecting this question. Reflexively, he asked, “How did you find out?”
Shen Yuan’s eyes blazed: “So it’s true!” He had clung to the faint hope that Qiao Hailou’s father might have slandered him, but clearly, it was real.
Qiao Hailou finally admitted calmly: “Yes, it’s true.”
Shen Yuan looked crushed, sniffled, and said, “Why are you like this?”
Qiao Hailou took his hand: “Your hands are freezing. It’s true, but when I gave you my house key before, I was honest—this is the first person I ever brought home. If you want to know, that person was Rui Xia, a college classmate I was serious with. Back then, my father found out I was dating a man and beat me severely. Young and rebellious, I ran away with him; we both argued with our families. I held on; he couldn’t and went back to be the good son he was supposed to be.”
He chuckled wryly at the memory.
Shen Yuan listened quietly, slowly calming, and asked half-doubtfully, “You’re not lying to me again, right?”
Qiao Hailou swore to the heavens: “No, really, no.”
He warmed Shen Yuan’s hands, smiling: “Why are you so sour today, my little lemon? Digging up ancient history from seventeen or eighteen years ago just to get sour—you like Uncle Qiao that much? If it bothers you, I can list everyone I’ve dated; you can check each one.”
Shen Yuan blushed: “I don’t have time for that. Those people were different from you. You were honest and kind with them, now it’s my turn to inherit a grumpy old uncle—I feel like I’m at a loss!”
Qiao Hailou grinned: “No, they got a sharp-tongued, impatient, broke me. You get a gentle, considerate, wealthy me—that’s called harvesting the fruits of victory.”
Shen Yuan couldn’t help laughing: “You’re shameless! You’re gentle and considerate?”
Qiao Hailou: “See? You’re smiling already.”
He pulled Shen Yuan close: “Come back, silly. I’m lonely sleeping alone. You’re the kindest; forgive me this once. When you ran away last time, I chased after you and cut my foot on the stones. I haven’t slept well these days, needed sleeping pills. I can’t take it anymore.”
“You call me an old fox, yet I fall for you. Just accept me, okay?”
“You want to marry? We can register abroad. I’ve looked into it—all online application, then we just go to the office. Tell me what wedding you want; I’ll handle it.”
Shen Yuan, flustered, stammered: “I—I—I haven’t thought about marriage, I don’t want to marry.”
Qiao Hailou teased: “Weren’t you always talking about marriage, envying Ceng Chuan and Si Rui? Now you don’t want it?”
Shen Yuan: “But they were 24–25 when they married. I’m only nineteen; isn’t that too early? You beast, I need to think.”
Qiao Hailou: “In two years, when I’m old and decrepit, will you still not want me? You can’t play and not be responsible.”
Shen Yuan hesitated: “No, my brother has exams next year. Last time he saw us at the cinema, he got distracted. I promised him I wouldn’t date anyone until after his exams.”
Qiao Hailou caught the point: “Oh, so we can marry after his exams?”
Shen Yuan, flustered: “No, I mean… I have to go home.”
Qiao Hailou reluctantly let him leave: “It’s late; I’ll drive you.”
Shen Yuan: “I’m not a child.”
Qiao Hailou: “Fine, see you next week. I’ll come to your competition to cheer.”
Shen Yuan: “My uncle and aunt will be there; you coming… might clash.”
Qiao Hailou: “I’m the sponsor. I need to scout talented designers—perfectly reasonable.”
Shen Yuan: “Okay, just don’t show off our closeness in front of others; they might think I only won because of connections.”
Qiao Hailou: “Got it, I’ll listen to you.”
The competition was on Saturday afternoon. Shen Yuan, in his favorite midnight blue suit, neatly groomed, arrived at the venue. He saw other prepared contestants and felt the tension in the air, inspired by their creativity.
When it was his turn, his uncle and family applauded, rallying the audience. Shen Yuan handed his USB to the staff for his presentation—but they were stunned: it was empty.
The audience and judges waited, anxious. The host asked: “Is the system broken?”
Staff: “His files are gone.”
Shen Yuan quickly revealed a backup—actually, he had two. Disaster averted, he began his presentation calmly. His composure and eloquence impressed the judges.
Qiao Hailou, watching, relaxed but frowned slightly, heading backstage. He was curious to see who might have tried to sabotage Shen Yuan.