After the soul-shaking, bone-deep tremor, their rapid breaths gradually slowed.
The heat lingering at his fingertips and chest mellowed.
Shen Yuan closed his eyes, catching his breath, pressed against Qiao Hailou’s chest. He could hear Hailou’s heartbeat—strong, steady, fast—and his own heart beat in time.
This had nothing to do with love, he thought. It was just adrenaline. Yet in this moment, nestled in this warm, solid embrace, it felt good to linger for a few quiet moments.
Shen Yuan leaned closer, teasingly, and ran his fingers lightly over the tattoos on Hailou’s arms.
Qiao Hailou was caught in a strange mixture of pleasure and regret. How had he… how had he let himself lose control like this? He usually found young men’s flattery irritating, but Shen Yuan was different—he was damn cute!
Rationally, he knew he shouldn’t be acting this way. Shen Yuan looked like the type who would push every advantage he could.
But sometimes… there was no explaining the spell the kid cast over him.
Unable to maintain his stern demeanor, Hailou softened, asking gently, “Do you like the tattoo?”
Shen Yuan pressed several kisses against his shoulder.
He nodded, a little envious, and said, “I like it. It’s beautiful.”
Inside, he was actually rebellious, but life left him no choice but to play the obedient role. Nobody knew that he wasn’t truly a good boy at heart.
Hailou said, “Aren’t you worried someone might see you in my car? There are cameras outside.”
Shen Yuan puffed up with pride. “I know. I was careful to avoid them. They shouldn’t have caught me.”
And he’s proud of that too? Hailou half-laughed, half-exasperated, teasing, “So now… are you coming with me so I can take you to a room to continue playing, or are you just leaving like this?”
Shen Yuan kissed him lightly, coaxing, “Qiao-shushu, don’t be naughty. I’ll find you next time. But I have to go now.”
Hailou chuckled despite himself. He wasn’t serious; it was just a passing tease. Shen Yuan, as usual, would leave after enjoying himself, pulling his pants up and pretending nothing had happened.
Today, Shen Yuan’s outfit was expensive. He had carefully removed his jacket and suit pants a moment ago, folded them neatly on the empty passenger seat, and now he slowly put each piece back on.
Hailou watched him. Normally so innocent and fresh, Shen Yuan now carried a surprising air of authority—a young predator in fine clothes. Small as he was, he knew how to survive. Having nothing to rely on, he relied on instinct, learning to disguise himself and manipulate everything around him—including Hailou himself.
Dressed and composed, Shen Yuan turned to him. “Do I look good in this outfit?”
Hailou ran a hand casually over the hem. “Nice. The fabric isn’t cheap.”
Shen Yuan smiled. “My uncle bought it for me. I really like it.”
He knew Hailou didn’t like being used as a substitute for Li Chen—and he said it deliberately to tease him. Hailou rolled his eyes and sneered, “Keep being tricky, and I’ll pin you down all night and make sure you don’t leave.”
Shen Yuan quickly planted a kiss on his cheek, brushing it off, “Hehe, don’t be mad.”
Hailou guessed, a little bitterly, “Rushing to dinner with your uncle?”
Shen Yuan was buttoning his cuffs. “Yeah. It’s my first day at work, and he booked a celebratory table at a hotel.”
Hailou said, “I wonder if your family knows how reckless you are—sneaking off for a quick fling and still managing to act dutiful at home.”
Shen Yuan didn’t even blush. After a few arguments with Hailou, he’d grown bolder, and now smiled slyly, mocking, “Qiao-shushu, if you’re jealous, just say so. I already told you I wouldn’t be responsible, you know that. See you tomorrow.”
Hailou grabbed him. “Aren’t you worried about the scent you’re leaving behind?”
Shen Yuan sniffed himself, hesitated, and said, “Doesn’t seem like it?”
Hailou opened a compartment in the car. Inside was a box of men’s cologne. “Want me to spray some?”
Shen Yuan thought for a moment. To be safe, a little cologne couldn’t hurt. “You’re kind of flashy, huh, keeping all this perfume in your car.”
“What, I’m an old man and can’t dress up?” The bottles were all unopened, bought by Hailou’s assistant—prepared just in case, some would even expire before use. Hailou picked one. “Spray this. Here, it’s yours.”
Shen Yuan looked at the English label: Secret Lover.
Secret lover.
By the time he reached the restaurant, he was perfectly composed.
His uncle had booked the best table by the floor-to-ceiling windows a week in advance. From there, he could see half the city glittering at night.
Li Chen and Li Lin had arrived ten minutes earlier, already waiting.
Seeing his uncle in the candlelight, refined and gentle, Shen Yuan felt a pang of shame. Before, with Qiao Hailou, he hadn’t cared… but now, facing his uncle, a faint sense of decency had returned. Today, he’d been careful: used a condom, sprayed some cologne—hopefully no one would notice.
Li Lin noticed his brother come in, glanced briefly at him, then looked only at their father. A small frown creased his face, and he spoke first: “Brother, you’re here.”
Shen Yuan: “Mm.”
The family sat down.
Shen Yuan felt guilty. He was shameless, quietly undermining the Li family’s reputation, unable to face his uncle.
Li Chen, noticing something was off, asked kindly, “A Ben, what’s wrong? Rough first day at work?”
Shen Yuan: “No, it went fine.”
Thinking he was hiding trouble, Li Chen said, “Your uncle knows you’re hard on yourself. But no one’s perfect. It’s your first job—if you make mistakes, that’s normal. Learn slowly. I believe you can do well. If someone says otherwise, it’s the job’s fault, not yours—quit if you want.”
Finally, Shen Yuan relaxed, smiling wryly. “Uncle, it’s my first day and you’re already telling me to quit?”
Li Chen chuckled. “I just want you and Lin to be safe in my pocket. I don’t expect you to be outstanding. If you’re healthy and safe, I’m happy.”
Shen Yuan felt warmth in his chest, and a twinge of sadness. His uncle treated him—a stepson with no blood relation—truly like family. Yet in the end, that’s all he’d ever be.
The waiter brought the food.
They ate, exchanging occasional words. His uncle methodically taught him some workplace wisdom. Shen Yuan listened carefully, memorizing each lesson in his mind.
Li Lin watched them, frustrated. He wanted to talk to his brother but couldn’t get a word in. As a student, he couldn’t join in workplace discussions. A flash of jealousy struck—he wanted to grow up faster, become reliable, so his brother might notice him more.
When the work talk ended, Li Lin complained: “Didn’t you notice there’s someone else here?”
Shen Yuan laughed. “Adults are talking. Children don’t interrupt. Finally, it’s my turn to say that—others used to tell me that. Now I get to say it to them.”
Li Lin shot back: “Stop treating me like a kid. You’re still shorter than me anyway.”
Height had always been a sore spot for Shen Yuan. He was only 1.75 meters tall. Both of his biological parents were tall, yet he ended up short—probably because malnutrition stunted his growth during puberty. He said lightly, “Only kids care about height.”
The two kids were clearly bickering, yet Li Chen watched them with a fond smile. People only argued when they were close. To him, both were still just big kids, full of childish energy.
After dinner, on the way home…
Shen Yuan received a message from Qiao Hailou: [Baby, your tie pin fell in my car.]
A corner of Shen Yuan’s mouth curved up. He had left the tie pin on purpose, giving himself a reason to see Hailou again. He replied: Thanks, Qiao-shushu. I’ll come by tomorrow to get it.
Shen Yuan sat in the passenger seat, Li Lin in the back, eyes glued to him. He immediately noticed the way Shen Yuan smirked after receiving the message, his gaze changing slightly, stirring a little envy in Li Lin. It was the same look a boy might have when receiving a text from his girlfriend.
Li Lin leaned forward to peek. Shen Yuan quickly hid his phone, but Li Lin still caught sight of the word “Baby.”
Annoyance bubbled in Li Lin’s chest. “Brother, who are you texting? You’re smiling like a flower. You’re secretly dating someone, aren’t you?”
Shen Yuan thought, Good thing it’s dark, or they’d see me blush. He denied it outright: “No, I’m not dating anyone.”
Technically true—just a hookup.
Li Chen noticed the faintly shy expression on Shen Yuan’s face. He had been young once, so he understood… A twinge of realization hit him: had his eldest stepson already reached the age for romance? Shen Yuan is twenty now. In two years, he’d be of legal age to marry.
Li Chen felt a subtle mix of emotions as he looked at Shen Yuan’s youthful, handsome face. Shen Yuan didn’t resemble his mother much—he looked like his biological father. His mother had never been a beauty, though her skin was like white jade. Shen Yuan inherited her complexion, and compared with Li Chen’s own son, he looked more like a pampered little gentleman from childhood.
Who would have guessed he’d endured so much hardship as a child? When Shen Yuan first arrived at their home, he would voluntarily do chores so Li Chen wouldn’t have to, leaving him momentarily at a loss.
Li Chen broke the tension for him: “Stop teasing your brother. Sit properly. Driving is dangerous.”
Li Lin had no choice but to sit back down.
Li Chen’s curiosity was piqued. Was Shen Yuan really dating someone? Lately, the stepson seemed different—less secretive, more openly charming.
Li Lin, unwilling to let it go, prodded again, poking Shen Yuan’s shoulder: “Brother, do you have someone you like? At your age, if you’re not dating, not even crushing on anyone… what, you planning to be a lonely old man?”
Shen Yuan replied, “Why are you asking so many questions, little kid?”
Li Chen turned slightly and noticed Shen Yuan’s ears were red.
He was inexplicably reminded of middle school, when Shen Yuan first came into his life under a hidden identity.
Back then, Shen Yuan had been just chest-high to him, a tiny little kid. One day, blushing, he asked, “Uncle… do you like me?”
Li Chen froze, and then caught a faint, unfamiliar scent drifting from Shen Yuan—what perfume was this? He hadn’t seen Shen Yuan use it before.
It was a strange fragrance. Cool and distant, yet clinging lightly with a subtle, mysterious sweetness.