Qiao Hailou drove a Mercedes to take Shen Yuan to his uncle’s place for dinner. Shen Yuan didn’t want to look flashy in front of his uncle—this was already the cheapest car in Qiao Hailou’s garage.
How should he describe his relationship with his uncle’s family? It wasn’t good, but it wasn’t terrible either. On the surface, they still maintained basic family ties. When his mother passed away, his uncle hadn’t wanted to take him in, so Shen Yuan ended up living with his uncle on his father’s side instead. Back then, that annoying cousin of his had even said to him in private, “Don’t you have a real dad? Even your real dad doesn’t want you, yet you go live with your stepdad? That greedy for vanity, huh?”
That remark hadn’t driven Shen Yuan to go live with his biological father—was he trying to get himself killed? He’d always felt that the only reason his uncle still kept in touch with him was because he’d stayed with the Li family. If custody had gone back to Shen Xuanwen back then, his uncle would’ve cut off contact with him long ago.
Two years ago he’d spent the New Year in the hospital; last year he’d been overseas. Both times, Shen Yuan had only mailed New Year gifts and greeting cards to his uncle’s family to show goodwill, without going in person. As for his relationship with Qiao Hailou, he still hadn’t told his uncle—he genuinely didn’t know how to bring it up.
When he was in junior high and living on campus, his mother had given his living expenses to his uncle to manage. Every weekend when Shen Yuan went to his uncle’s place for dinner to collect the money, it was the most miserable time for him. His cousin would openly give him the cold shoulder, refusing to say a single word, as if Shen Yuan were some uninvited intruder. Shen Yuan truly envied kids who had both parents—kids who’d get praised just for eating a little more. Now he spoiled their Little Peanut exactly the same way.
His uncle was tolerable. It was his cousin he really couldn’t get along with. The cousin was a year younger than him and had never been great academically. He’d only managed to get into a vocational college after the college entrance exam. Ever since Shen Yuan went to live with the Li family, they’d had no contact at all. Even during New Year visits, his cousin would shut himself in his room and play games, pretending Shen Yuan didn’t exist.
Shen Yuan did the math—his cousin, Ye Qingsheng, really was graduating this year.
The cousin was getting married, and that was supposedly why they’d asked him over to “reconnect.” Shen Yuan didn’t believe that for a second.
When Shen Yuan arrived, he was just making a courtesy visit. He hadn’t deliberately dressed up, but these days there wasn’t a single no-name brand in his wardrobe. He didn’t like shopping; Qiao Hailou handled all of it. Or rather, Qiao Hailou didn’t do it personally—he hired a professional buyer who added new clothes to their wardrobes every month. Whenever a bespoke suit shop got new fabrics, they’d notify them and come over to take measurements.
His uncle generally knew that Shen Yuan was doing well now—studying abroad, winning some kind of award, appearing in magazines and on TV, very successful. But he hadn’t expected him to be doing this well. Shen Yuan and his son were only a year apart. Shen Yuan had graduated from a top school and was riding around in a Mercedes. And his own son? Barely graduated after failing courses left and right, then got placed into a company through connections. After making full-time, his monthly pay was only three or four thousand.
Comparisons really could kill.
Even though he’d mentally prepared himself, seeing Shen Yuan pull up in such an expensive car and dressed head to toe in designer brands still made his uncle uneasy. Something felt off. Last time he’d seen Shen Yuan—two years ago—Shen Yuan had still been driving a cheap Volkswagen and hadn’t dressed nearly this well. Did jewelry design really make that much money? And hadn’t Shen Yuan started working before even graduating? Even his mother back then hadn’t made real money until after graduation.
Then he saw Shen Yuan exchange a few words with the driver, and the car drove off. Instantly, his uncle felt better. So it was a friend giving him a ride—this wasn’t Shen Yuan’s car. That made sense. He was still studying abroad; there was no reason he’d keep such a nice car domestically.
As soon as Shen Yuan stepped inside, his uncle asked, “That guy who dropped you off just now—your friend?”
My husband, Shen Yuan thought, and answered vaguely.
His uncle said, “Could you ask him if we could borrow the car? Just for the wedding day—to use it as the wedding car to pick up the bride. Could you help ask?”
Shen Yuan nodded. “Sure. Shouldn’t be a problem.”
The kitchen was bustling, aromas already drifting out.
Shen Yuan took off his shoes at the entrance. His uncle handed him a brand-new pair of slippers. When he walked into the living room, he immediately saw his cousin Ye Qingsheng lounging on the couch with one leg crossed over the other, playing a mobile game. His hair was dyed yellow, his posture sloppy—he looked nothing like someone about to get married.
Shen Yuan quickly glanced around. There was no one else. Weren’t they supposed to be introducing families? Where was the sister-in-law? Not here yet?
His uncle called out, “Qingsheng, your cousin’s here! Still playing games? Come say hello.”
Without even turning his head, Ye Qingsheng replied, “I’ll come after this round. Stop rushing me.”
His uncle went over and scolded him a few more times. Ye Qingsheng slammed his phone onto the couch, irritated. “This is your fault. I died—there goes my rank.”
The uncle looked extremely awkward. Shen Yuan didn’t care in the slightest—he even felt a strange sense of familiarity. After all these years, his cousin was still the same bratty mess, like he’d never grown up.
After finishing the match, Ye Qingsheng finally had time. He turned to look at Shen Yuan and froze. “Holy crap—are you Shen Yuan? What happened to you? Did you get plastic surgery?”
Shen Yuan: “……”
Before Shen Yuan could answer, his uncle smacked Ye Qingsheng on the back of the head. “What nonsense are you spouting? Watch your mouth.”
Ye Qingsheng rubbed his head and sized Shen Yuan up. “Heh, I was just joking. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
Shen Yuan sat down and made awkward small talk. “Uh… finished your thesis yet? I’m working on mine too—my graduation project.”
“Working on it,” Ye Qingsheng said. “I don’t have a rich stepdad who can send me overseas. Otherwise, I’d like to go too.”
Shen Yuan smiled faintly. “I didn’t use my stepdad’s money. I used what my mom left me. Time really flies—you’re getting married already.”
Ye Qingsheng frowned. “What about you? Got a girlfriend yet?”
Shen Yuan paused. “No girlfriend.”
He didn’t have a girlfriend—he had a husband.
His uncle glanced at him. He was one of the few people in the world who knew about Shen Yuan’s condition, so he’d never asked Shen Yuan questions like that.
At that moment, Ye Qingsheng happened to notice the wedding band on Shen Yuan’s ring finger. He froze. “Wait—why are you wearing a ring? Is that a wedding ring?”
Shen Yuan nodded calmly. “Yeah. I’m married. Of course I’m wearing one.”
Now it was his uncle’s turn to be stunned. “You’re married? How come I didn’t know?”
Shen Yuan had planned to explain this anyway. “We registered the marriage, but haven’t had a wedding yet. No rush. I came this time to tell you about it.”
His uncle truly hadn’t expected Shen Yuan to get married—let alone before his own son. His emotions were complicated. “You kid… you’ve always had your own ideas. Even getting married without telling me.”
Shen Yuan was just about to explain about the child when his aunt came out of the kitchen. “Dinner’s ready. Wash your hands and eat.”
After that, a fair, delicate-looking young woman came out carrying bowls and chopsticks. Only then did Shen Yuan realize—the sister-in-law hadn’t been absent; she’d been helping in the kitchen the whole time.
She greeted him shyly. “Hello.”
“Hello,” Shen Yuan replied. From her accent, he could tell she wasn’t local.
They sat down to eat.
His uncle introduced her. “This is your cousin’s wife-to-be. Get acquainted—Yang Xiaojuan, from the north. She and your cousin were classmates.”
Shen Yuan introduced himself. “I’m Ye Qingsheng’s cousin, Shen Yuan.”
Yang Xiaojuan kept sneaking glances at him. Handsome guys had their own kind of gravity—when Shen Yuan spoke to her, her face turned red. Ye Qingsheng noticed and tugged at her. “Why are you blushing? He’s already married.”
“I’m not…” Yang Xiaojuan protested stubbornly. She’d never heard Ye Qingsheng mention this cousin before. When her in-laws brought it up a few days ago, she’d wondered why meeting a cousin required such formality. Now that she saw Shen Yuan’s presence and bearing, she understood—this cousin was either rich or powerful at a glance.
His uncle asked Shen Yuan with concern, “I saw in the newspaper a few days ago that you won some foreign jewelry design award—looked impressive. You’ve really made something of yourself. If your mom knew, she’d be so proud. I don’t have much money, so I just made this meal—consider it a celebration.”
Shen Yuan smiled gently. “Thank you, Uncle.”
After dinner, Ye Qingsheng couldn’t be bothered to entertain Shen Yuan. Using the excuse of going back to his room, he dragged away the wife who’d just added Shen Yuan on WeChat and was trying to keep chatting. His father couldn’t stop him no matter how he yelled.
With no other choice, his uncle swallowed his pride and asked awkwardly, “Xiao Yuan… Qingsheng’s getting married, right? The bride’s family insists on a new apartment before they’ll agree. I’m really tight on money right now… and housing prices are high. Could you lend me some? I’ll definitely pay you back.”
Once his uncle asked that, Shen Yuan felt relieved. So the meal hadn’t been free after all.
Still—when he was little, his uncle might have looked down on him, but Shen Yuan had eaten at his place for years. That debt of kindness had to be repaid. Compared to his father, his uncle was actually a decent person—at least he had some sense of shame.
Shen Yuan asked directly, “How much?”
His uncle hesitated. “However much you can spare. A hundred thousand? I… I had some bad luck with stocks and lost money…”
“Okay,” Shen Yuan said without hesitation. “I’ll transfer it after I get back. Pay me back whenever it’s convenient for you.”
With his cousin gone, it was easier to speak freely. Shen Yuan said plainly, “Uncle, there’s something I need to tell you. Don’t get mad.”
“What is it?”
“I married a man.”
“……”
“And we have a child. He’s one year old.”
“…………”
“You know my situation. I gave birth to the child myself.”
“………………”
Shen Yuan couldn’t even remember how he’d felt the first time he’d explained all this to someone. Vaguely, he recalled intense embarrassment—but now, he was numb to it.
He let out a breath. “If you don’t mind, I’ll bring him to visit you sometime. The person who dropped me off today—that was him.”
His uncle was still stunned. “O-okay… okay…”
His feelings were complicated. He didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t that close to Shen Yuan to begin with, and he had no real standing to scold him for getting married and having a child without telling him.
That stubborn, scrawny little kid from back then had grown up in the blink of an eye. He hadn’t cared much about Shen Yuan in the first place, and now he’d just borrowed money from him—owing him a favor. What could he say?
……………….
While Shen Yuan was talking with his uncle,
Ye Qingsheng went back to his room to play games. Mid-match, he heard Yang Xiaojuan let out a startled cry. Startled himself, he slipped up and lost another game.
Annoyed, he snapped, “What are you yelling for?”
“I looked up your cousin online,” Yang Xiaojuan said. “He actually has an entry! Nearly a million followers on Weibo! No wonder he looked so familiar—I’ve seen him while scrolling before! Oh my god, why didn’t you ever tell me you had a cousin like that?”
Ye Qingsheng curled his lip. “What’s there to say? I’m not close to him. Why bring him up?”
Yang Xiaojuan kept scrolling. Multiple domestic outlets had reported on Shen Yuan’s award, complete with photos. Comparing the pictures to the real person she’d just met, she felt he was even more handsome in person. Then she glanced back at Ye Qingsheng.
Ye Qingsheng clicked his tongue. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
She joked, “How can two cousins be so different?”
That hit his sore spot. Growing up, adults had always compared him to Shen Yuan—always unfavorably. He never got perfect scores, was never class monitor, and his dad constantly used Shen Yuan to stab at him.
“Look at Shen Yuan—first in his grade, no tutoring. And you? I spent all that money on your cram schools and this is all you get.”
Or, “Shen Yuan brought home another Outstanding Student award. What did you bring back? Nothing? Last year you at least had ‘Active in Sports and Arts.’”
Later, in high school, it became: “Look at your cousin Shen Yuan—he got into K University. I don’t expect you to make a top school, but can you at least get into a regular university?”
He’d spent his whole life chasing after Shen Yuan’s shadow, and Shen Yuan was good at everything, making him look pathetic by comparison. Sometimes he even thought—if Shen Yuan didn’t exist, maybe he wouldn’t have collapsed mentally like this.
And his grandfather had been biased too—he knew it. Same bowl of noodles, but Grandpa would secretly add an egg for Shen Yuan. Any good food was saved for Shen Yuan.
It wasn’t that Ye Qingsheng hadn’t wanted to try harder, to do better someday and show Shen Yuan. But every time he came home and got comfortable, he lost the will to struggle.
Back in elementary and middle school, Shen Yuan had been a bookworm. Ye Qingsheng had always thought that someone who studied that rigidly wouldn’t necessarily thrive in society. Yet now, seeing him again, reality was nothing like he’d imagined.
He clearly remembered the last time they met—two or three years ago? Shen Yuan had still looked like a country bumpkin back then. When had he become so strikingly handsome?
He’d always thought his one advantage over Shen Yuan was being taller and better-looking. Shen Yuan had been short and ugly. Had he lost even that last edge now?
Why could Shen Yuan do everything so well? Even his own girlfriend looked starry-eyed when she mentioned him.
As Ye Qingsheng stewed in frustration, his dad knocked on the door. “Hurry up—your cousin’s about to leave. Go see him off.”
Ye Qingsheng flopped onto the bed and pretended not to hear.
Yang Xiaojuan tugged at him. “Go see him off.”
“I’m not going,” he snapped. “If you want to, go yourself. Tell my dad I’m asleep.”
Seeing how hopeless he was, Yang Xiaojuan frowned. “I think your cousin’s a really good person—polite, courteous, clearly going places. Why cling to your pride at a time like this? Keeping in touch with him could only help you later.”
Ye Qingsheng sat up and slapped her hand away. “Why are you so materialistic? If you think he’s so great, go marry him yourself. See if he’d even want you.”
The words were ugly. Sure, she’d glanced at a handsome guy—wasn’t that normal? Did he really have to say it like that?
Yang Xiaojuan fell silent. She thought Ye Qingsheng was petty and narrow-minded. Without another word, she opened the door and went out to see Shen Yuan off.
Downstairs, Shen Yuan waited for a bit. Qiao Hailou came to pick him up.
Seeing the car again—and the man who came to get Shen Yuan—Yang Xiaojuan didn’t even feel jealous anymore. The gap was just too wide.
Earlier, Shen Yuan had only seemed familiar. But the moment she saw Qiao Hailou, she recognized him instantly. The “Peanut Baby” brand was everywhere these days. She didn’t remember his name, but she knew this was Little Peanut’s CEO dad. She loved watching that stuff lately—what girl hadn’t imagined capturing a once-in-a-generation man who doted on his wife and child? She didn’t expect Ye Qingsheng to be that good—even one-tenth of that would count as a decent husband.
And Shen Yuan actually knew someone of that caliber?
Her heart heated up. Ye Qingsheng was strong but stupid—she couldn’t afford to be stupid too. Shen Yuan wasn’t a bad person. Why not build a good relationship?
Shen Yuan said to his uncle, “Uncle, this is my husband.”
The atmosphere was awkward. Qiao Hailou was only two years younger than his uncle, but he took such good care of himself that standing together, they looked like they were from different generations.
Calm and composed, Qiao Hailou greeted Shen Yuan’s uncle. Knowing that this family hadn’t treated Shen Yuan particularly well, he kept his distance. “Hello, Uncle.”
To be honest, he didn’t think much of Li Chen either—and that was only because Li Chen treated Shen Yuan well that he showed him any respect. As for Shen Yuan’s uncle, a nod was already courtesy enough.
The uncle wasn’t online much and didn’t know who Qiao Hailou was. He exchanged a few awkward words. Shen Yuan hadn’t just married a man—this man also looked significantly older than him.
Yang Xiaojuan was completely dumbfounded. She felt like she’d stumbled onto some huge secret and didn’t know whether to be glad she’d forced herself to come out and see them off—or regret it.
Qiao Hailou swept a cool glance her way. She immediately froze, feeling like she’d been stared down by a venomous snake.
Shen Yuan added, “This is my cousin’s wife.”
Qiao Hailou nodded with faint arrogance.
At last, the awkward family visit was over.
Once they were in the car, Qiao Hailou teased, “So? That sister-in-law of yours was looking at you kind of funny. You’re handsome and accomplished—think she’ll go home feeling bitter? Might even dump your cousin on the spot.”
“Don’t mess around,” Shen Yuan said. “They’re already talking marriage… Oh right, my uncle said he wants to borrow this car as the wedding car.”
Qiao Hailou glanced at him, puzzled. “Why are you still so nice to them? You’re pretty clean-cut with your dad.”
Looking out the window, Shen Yuan said, “My uncle isn’t exactly good to me, but not especially bad either. I expected him to ask for help—that’s why he called me over. He borrowed some money, but it wasn’t outrageous. When he met you, he wasn’t overly warm either. My uncle’s always been pretty prideful. I misjudged him.”
“Honestly, if he were really a bad person, he could’ve fought for my custody back then and taken control of my mom’s inheritance. Grandpa left part of the old house to me, and my uncle agreed. He just doesn’t like me—that’s all.”
Shen Yuan laughed self-mockingly. “If I put myself in his shoes, I can’t really blame him. With a dad like mine, I’m the nightmare relative. Anyone connected to me gets unlucky.”
Qiao Hailou said, “It’s fine. I’m a nightmare too.”
Shen Yuan laughed, then added, “You didn’t get to see my cousin today. He really can’t stand me. Probably feels embarrassed—he’s a mess. He’s actually a lot like my uncle temperament-wise.”
“You said he used to bully you when you were little,” Qiao Hailou asked. “Seeing him so useless now—are you happy?”
“Happy, of course I’m happy,” Shen Yuan said without hesitation. “Seeing him unhappy makes me happy. Serves him right for bullying me back then.”
Then he continued, “But seeing him like that suddenly made me worry about our Little Peanut. Honestly, if I’d grown up like that—with both parents around, doting on me—I wouldn’t have had to work so hard. If you can live comfortably, who wants to struggle? Do you think Little Peanut might get spoiled?”
As he spoke, Qiao Hailou somehow ended up getting scolded. Shen Yuan said with conviction, “I definitely won’t spoil the kid. The problem’s you—you dote on him too much. If Little Peanut grows up spoiled, it’ll definitely be your fault. I don’t expect him to achieve anything amazing, but he can’t turn out like my cousin.”
“Old Qiao, don’t go overboard just because you had a kid late in life, okay?”
Qiao Hailou clicked his tongue. “What do you mean ‘late in life’? Watch how you talk.”
“I’m not wrong,” Shen Yuan said righteously.
Qiao Hailou rolled his eyes. “It’s called late marriage and late childbearing, alright?”
Shen Yuan went back to school to work on his graduation project, while also connecting with branding and PR firms and looking at properties, preparing to set up his own studio.
After winning the award, he was riding a wave of publicity. Zhang Meng contacted him, saying they wanted to do another interview feature about his award and would bring a team to shoot him.
Shen Yuan scheduled time for the shoot. After finishing a set of photos, he sat down to rest.
Zhang Meng was scrolling on her phone while drinking coffee. She suddenly sprayed it out and started coughing.
“What happened?” Shen Yuan asked.
Zhang Meng laughed so hard she was almost crying. “You’re really famous now. People are making up all kinds of crap about you. This is insane.”
“Huh?” Shen Yuan didn’t think much of it at first.
Zhang Meng showed him the news on her phone, laughing as she said, “Look—some marketing account says you’re intersex, that you have a kid you gave birth to yourself. Hahaha. Isn’t that ridiculous?”