The atmosphere instantly grew unbearably awkward.
Rui Xia gazed at Hailou with lingering emotion. At this moment, Hailou’s feelings were hard to describe. He had genuinely liked Rui Xia in his youth, back when he wasn’t yet a cunning, ruthless member of society. Everyone has a pure, innocent time in their life, and it was precisely that innocence that made Rui Xia’s betrayal so unbearable. For the past ten or twenty years, he had never contacted Rui Xia, not even wanting to hear the name.
He had imagined reunions with Rui Xia countless times—perhaps a chance meeting on the street, complete strangers passing by. He always thought that, at his age, he should have let go of grudges.
Yet that day, after an argument with Shen Yuan, the memory resurfaced, and he realized he was still angry. Not at Rui Xia, but at himself—at the pure heart he had offered, which had been betrayed. Over the years, he had seen so many people and events, so much abandonment and weakness. After being with Shen Yuan, he had learned to let go; not everyone was as stubborn and fierce as Shen Yuan. Rui Xia’s retreat back then was understandable.
He did not blame the twenty-year-old Rui Xia anymore, but he couldn’t forgive her either. Just let them live separate lives, no more intersections.
Now, encountering Rui Xia unexpectedly, his thought was simply: everyone has grown old. Time flies. There was no anger—only the sense of a stranger.
Books say every man has a “red rose” and a “white moonlight,” hard to weigh. But when he saw Rui Xia, Hailou felt no stirrings at all.
He had no need to weigh anything. He would choose Shen Yuan without hesitation. There was no alternative. This was the most successful investment of his life—finally winning the heart of the best boy in the world. His heart was full now.
Hailou didn’t answer Rui Xia immediately. He was far more interested in Shen Yuan’s reaction. Hailou had felt jealousy for Shen Yuan many times, but Shen Yuan had hardly ever been jealous of him. Last time, learning of Rui Xia’s past with Hailou, Shen Yuan had been a little possessive—this time, Hailou anticipated he would be even more. The thought alone made him giddy.
As expected.
Hailou watched as Shen Yuan stared at Rui Xia, first stunned, then slightly surprised, his eyes widening in anger. He puffed up like a spiny pufferfish, all irritated.
So cute.
Hailou couldn’t help smiling, intrigued by what Shen Yuan would do next. Would he say his usual, “What’s it got to do with you?”
Then Shen Yuan turned to him… and grabbed his arm, storming off.
Hailou froze.
“Xiao Hai?” Rui Xia called out, stopping after a few steps, embarrassed by the surrounding onlookers.
Hailou was dumbfounded. They weren’t going to argue?
They dashed to the checkout, finally slowing down, lining up. Hailou asked, half in shock, half in triumph:
“Not going to make a fuss?”
Shen Yuan ignored him:
“We’re in public. I’ll let you off here; at home, I’ll scold you properly.”
They paid quickly and got back in the car. Shen Yuan, still fuming:
“Don’t talk to me now. I might lose control and argue while driving—too dangerous.”
Hailou, slightly wary, stopped and coaxed him:
“Still mad? Didn’t I tell you about Rui Xia before? I didn’t say a word to him this time. I just watched your expression and acted accordingly. Don’t ruin your mood over some random person.”
Shen Yuan, dripping with jealousy, shot a sarcastic smile:
“Random person? That’s your ex-boyfriend! One of only two who eloped with you! And he spoke so sweetly—reuniting with an old love, such a romantic scene! Is he inviting you to reconcile?”
Hailou found Shen Yuan’s jealousy endearing:
“I didn’t reply to him. I have no intention of getting back with him.”
“Hey, why didn’t you snap at him? You’re sharp-tongued—why let him off?”
“You even dared to scold the Qiao patriarch, twice! Why run off now without saying a word? Just scolding me, huh, so brave only at home. Maybe because people were around? Too proud to argue publicly?”
Shen Yuan glared:
“I’m not scared of him! Why wouldn’t I dare scold him? I have plenty to say!”
“But if we said anything, it would spiral, endless back-and-forth.”
“I won’t give him the chance. Let him stew in pity and sorrow—won’t say a word.”
“And you, too—no words, no glances. Not a single one.”
“You’d ruin my mood for no reason.”
“Anyway, we’re leaving tomorrow. Who cares?”
Hailou thought Shen Yuan had a point—they were leaving, so no need for trouble. Yet he remembered Rui Xia saying, “I… got divorced,” and a sense of unease crept in. Would Rui Xia simply retreat? If so, Hailou’s lack of reply to the message had been a subtle hint—but Rui Xia misread it, thinking it was a misunderstanding.
Did Rui Xia still believe he had lingering feelings? Why?
Unlike Shen Yuan, Hailou thought a clear rejection was in order. But… Shen Yuan was angry. He would do whatever Shen Yuan said.
Shen Yuan, still fuming, asked:
“When did he send you the message? Why didn’t I know? You hid it from me!”
Hailou replied:
“I deleted it to avoid upsetting you. I didn’t respond. Isn’t that what it meant? Just that one, nothing else.”
Shen Yuan asked:
“Really? How did he even get your number? Are you still connected? You said you hadn’t contacted him in years—did you lie?”
“No, I didn’t. I don’t know how he got my number. We were classmates, some friends overlap. It’s easy for him to find out. But I promise—my heart is only yours.”
Their noses touched. Shen Yuan, helpless, softened immediately. Still sulking, he said:
“Feeling proud now? He can do what he wants, but you and I—no talking, no responding, not even a glance.”
Hailou echoed obediently:
“Alright, alright, I’ll do as you say. You’re my little boss, okay?”
Hailou then asked:
“Do you want me to tell you every detail from back then? Full confession?”
Shen Yuan instantly went sour:
“No. Don’t. I don’t want to know. I’ll pretend it never happened.”
Sometimes, Shen Yuan wondered about Hailou’s past romances. With Hailou’s reputation and skills, surely he had experience. But dwelling on it only made him jealous, adding unnecessary stress.
Rui Xia’s appearance reminded him—Hailou still had admirers.
Someone capable of enchanting him, making him shamelessly marry a man old enough to be his father—of course, Hailou would have charm. Without Rui Xia, there would have been Lin Xia, Wang Xia, Zhao Xia…
Shen Yuan quickly added:
“If anyone else shows interest, you ignore them. No talking.”
Hailou agreed wholeheartedly:
“Alright, stop being mad.”
Shen Yuan narrowed his eyes:
“Why are you still smiling? What’s so funny?”
Hailou grinned foolishly, triumphant:
“I’ve always been the jealous one—several times. Now, it’s finally your turn.”
“Done arguing? Can I drive now?”
Shen Yuan:
“We didn’t argue—you’re just being warned!”
Hailou started the car:
“Why worry? You’re young and handsome—he can’t compare.”
Shen Yuan flared:
“You only love me because I’m young and good-looking? Everyone ages. What if I get old—will you just chase some other young man?”
Hailou turned to smile, shaking his head, then suddenly asked:
“If it had been you running away with a penniless me back then, would you have abandoned me?”
Shen Yuan said without hesitation:
“Of course not. Not a child—we’d find work and survive.”
That was why Hailou loved Shen Yuan—both willing to risk everything for each other.
After they left, Rui Xia wandered around but could no longer find Hailou.
Seeing how tenderly Hailou treated Shen Yuan, Rui Xia felt a pang of regret. Back then, he had been weak, giving up Hailou. Just a few more years of persistence, and life would have been easier. Why hadn’t he held on?
All these years, he had never forgotten Hailou, secretly gathering information, learning that Hailou treated people selectively, leaving some behind. He felt guilty, afraid to see him, believing he had ruined Hailou.
He had tried to be a good husband and father by worldly standards, yet his wife had still filed for divorce and taken the child.
Half a year later, he suddenly heard Hailou had married abroad—and to a man.
He could barely accept it…
Now, seeing Hailou’s spouse, he felt almost playful. Such a young man, the same age he had been, innocent and timid, so shy he wouldn’t even speak—grabbing Hailou’s arm and running away.
Hailou had deliberately—or perhaps unknowingly—chosen someone like this to marry, maybe to make up for past regrets.