The next day was Sunday, a day off.
Shen Yuan got up early, cleaned himself up, and went to wake Qiao Hailou. Qiao Hailou could now get himself into his wheelchair, roll over to the bathroom, and handle his own washing. By the time he was done, Shen Yuan had nearly finished preparing breakfast.
Shen Yuan had gotten a good sense of Qiao Hailou’s tastes and cooked a Western-style meal. There were plenty of recipes online; he just followed them.
After breakfast, as Shen Yuan was about to clear the table, Qiao Hailou suddenly said, “No need to make lunch. I’ve called a chef over—should be here soon.”
Shen Yuan didn’t feel slighted at all that his cooking task had been taken away. Instead, he said, “Oh, you can actually have a chef come here? Why didn’t you ever do that before?”
Qiao Hailou replied, “I don’t like outsiders in my home. This time is different—I’ve invited the chef from that Michelin restaurant I mentioned before. You’ll get a live cooking show.”
Shen Yuan’s eyes widened. Eating there is expensive enough, but bringing a chef to your own home? How much money is that? The wealthy really live in a different world. But since it was Qiao Hailou’s money to waste, Shen Yuan didn’t mind. “Oh, okay,” he said casually.
At noon, not only was there a chef, but also professional servers to serve the food.
Shen Yuan had his first real fancy meal at home. Because the staff was there, he didn’t dare chat with Qiao Hailou while eating.
The food was delicious, though the portions were small.
When lunch was over, Qiao Hailou asked, “Good?”
Shen Yuan whispered, careful not to be overheard by the chef: “It’s good, but too little. I’m still hungry. Can I make an egg fried rice after they leave?”
Qiao Hailou paused, then actually had the chef make him some egg fried rice. Shen Yuan felt a little guilty.
After lunch, Shen Yuan helped Qiao Hailou with his rehabilitation, then pushed him in the wheelchair to the small garden for an afternoon stroll.
Qiao Hailou was a man of refined tastes, with flowers all around the yard, carrying a gentle fragrance. Shen Yuan brought some fruit tea and a plate of snacks, crunching happily as he ate.
Qiao Hailou watched him quietly and softly asked, “So good? Want another plate?”
Shen Yuan gave him a suspicious look. “I knew something was off today. Uncle Qiao, you haven’t teased me once… that’s unusual. Are you feeling guilty?”
Qiao Hailou finally spoke normally: “Do you want me to tease you? Me being gentle isn’t a bad thing, is it?”
Shen Yuan scoffed. “Normally I have to scold you first before you show any sense. Today’s weird—you broke something of mine? Or you’re just suddenly treating me to lunch?”
Qiao Hailou rolled his eyes at the ungrateful little brat. “Can’t I be nice to you?”
After learning about Shen Yuan’s childhood, Qiao Hailou felt a deep compassion. No wonder Shen Yuan had grown into someone who seemed outgoing but was actually reserved and cautious—a chameleon, lonely, careful not to let anyone close, pretending to be compliant yet deeply rebellious. His so-called ‘selfishness’ was just self-preservation. And still, he thought himself clever—a little “fool” in Qiao Hailou’s eyes.
Qiao Hailou decided he would do whatever he could to make Shen Yuan happy from now on.
Shen Yuan eyed him skeptically. “What’s your deal? No good deed comes without a catch!”
Qiao Hailou took his hand. “No catch. I like you. I want to be good to you. Is that a crime? Do you really think I have some evil plot?”
Shen Yuan replied without hesitation, “Yeah, you’re a sly old fox. You only move for benefit. You… were trying to coax me the other day in the wheelchair, weren’t you? Now today, too?”
The two went back and forth, teasing each other. Shen Yuan, as usual, refused to give in: “Of course not! Don’t think I owe you just because I ate your food. Not that easy.”
Qiao Hailou chuckled, heart lightened. Such a resilient kid—after all he’d been through, still lively and adorable.
Shen Yuan, sharp-tongued and talkative, enjoyed venting to Qiao Hailou. He had no one else to confide in, and now it had become a habit. Whatever the matter—big or small—he shared it. Qiao Hailou patiently listened, reminded of his nephew Qiao Jun as a child, eager to tell parents every little school detail. Annoying, yet endearing.
Shen Yuan even told him about Lin Zhihui: “Yesterday she told me about some old man playing with young girls but never marrying. I think she was hinting at you being not a good guy.”
Qiao Hailou raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And you think what?”
Shen Yuan: “I think she’s kind. Really cares about me.”
Qiao Hailou: “No, I didn’t ask about her. I asked about me.”
Shen Yuan hesitated. “Uncle Qiao, you’re being nice today. I don’t want to scold you, okay?”
Qiao Hailou’s temple vein twitched.
Shen Yuan laughed lightly. “I think she’s right. We should clarify things. You said you’d break up when you get tired of me. Honestly, you’re soft. Don’t feel embarrassed. I’ve long known our casual relationship will end someday. I’ve said it before: just physical, not love. Don’t take it seriously, or I’d be bothered.”
He’d said this before, but now it felt different—slightly painful.
Better to feel a little now than hope too much and be crushed later. No expectation, no disappointment.
Qiao Hailou froze. Last time he heard this, he felt both ridiculous and angry. Now… same.
Like a little abandoned, abused kitten, no longer trusting anyone. Even if kept close, the kitten might occasionally act cute, but deep down, it trusts no one.
Qiao Hailou thought: If I truly treat him well—does it count as genuinely treating him well? Do I even want to?
Shen Yuan grinned: “What are you daydreaming about? Don’t act pitiful—you know I wouldn’t like you for that.”
“But I’ll probably stay interested for a few years. I like you at this age. When you’re old and can’t move like this, I’ll lose interest.”
Qiao Hailou snapped back, half-amused, half-annoyed: “You’re the one who won’t be able to move! Little brat, enjoy it while I’m still healing. Wait till I’m fully recovered.”
Shen Yuan laughed heartily.
At least in this moment, he was happy. Just a little teasing and bickering with Qiao Hailou felt like sunlight streaming through his heart.
But then Shen Yuan remembered something important—why had he been getting close to Qiao Hailou in the first place?
To find leverage!
Though he guessed Qiao Hailou wouldn’t reveal that he liked him, should he still try? What a perfect opportunity!
Qiao Hailou have any dirt? Like being unfilial to his father? Shen Yuan thought, well, I’m unfilial to my dad too!
The two really were a pair of unfilial father-and-son rebels.
After dinner, Shen Yuan suddenly said, “Uncle Qiao, I’ve changed my mind.”
Qiao Hailou, confused, asked, “Changed your mind about what?”
Shen Yuan’s eyes burned: “I think the wheelchair is fun. Let’s play. You’re going to ‘discipline’ me, right? Then I’ll take the chance to get you a few times while you can’t fight back.”
Qiao Hailou paused, then laughed, playing along: “Come on, let’s see who’s stronger.”
…
Monday came, school awaited. Shen Yuan rubbed his back, yawning, exhausted. “What do you want to eat?”
Qiao Hailou: “Next, noodles.”
Shen Yuan: “Pasta?”
Qiao Hailou: “Just regular noodles.”
Shen Yuan, surprised: “I thought you liked Western food?”
Qiao Hailou glanced at him: “I don’t really. Thought I liked it? Tired of it being made every day.”
Shen Yuan shot back: “You didn’t say! I’m tired of it too.”
He cooked the noodles and ate.
Watching him, Qiao Hailou wanted to pat his head, sighed inwardly. Shen Yuan’s mouth was sharp, yet he still tried to accommodate others. He assumed Qiao Hailou liked Western food, so he experimented. In the future, Qiao Hailou would adapt to Shen Yuan’s tastes too.
Do I want to genuinely treat him well? Qiao Hailou thought again, but let it go for now. At least he wanted to see Shen Yuan happy—eating well, sleeping soundly, returning home with a smile, calling, “Uncle Qiao, I’m back!”
Shen Yuan was happy—so he was happy.
Qiao Hailou, healthy and diligent with rehab, began trying to walk after just over two months.
At school, after submissions for the Tian Gong Awards closed, the teachers first filtered the entries and selected the excellent ones internally before submitting them. They didn’t rank them to avoid conflicts if the national jury had different opinions.
Shen Yuan’s work was naturally chosen among the excellent entries. A teacher confidently told him, “Xiao Shen, I think your work will definitely place.”
Shen Yuan, modest in front of the teacher, then bounced over to Qiao Hailou to boast: “The teacher said my work is great! I might win a prize!”
Qiao Hailou, charmed by his showiness, asked: “If you win, will you take me out for Sha County cuisine?”
Shen Yuan readily agreed: “Sure! If I win, I’ll treat you to a meal.”
Just as Shen Yuan felt that good things had been happening lately, trouble arrived.
Wang Ziqin came to school looking for him.
Shen Yuan had initially avoided him, but Wang had come several times, blocking him at classroom doors. Rumors were starting that a boy was pursuing him, so he needed to make it clear that Wang shouldn’t come again.
Shen Yuan gave him a cold look. “What do you want?”