Chapter 53

“Uncle Qiao’s mad!”

Seeing Qiao Hailou really angry, Shen Yuan immediately remembered the last time he’d gotten a spanking, and the memory sent a phantom pain through him. He immediately cowered, snuggling close, instantly acting obedient. “I was just trying to calm Li Lin down, it wasn’t serious. Don’t be mad, okay?”

Qiao Hailou raised an eyebrow, suppressing his anger. “Oh? Really? Because I feel like those ‘playboy lines’ of yours are the ones that come straight from the heart.”

Shen Yuan tugged at the corner of his mouth, awkwardly smiling, and without thinking, lied: “If I told him straight up that I and Uncle Qiao were pledged to each other for life, Li Lin would freak out. He’d run straight to my uncle and tattle. Then I’d be done for.”

Qiao Hailou snorted. “Shen Yuan, today’s my birthday. You said you wanted to celebrate with me, and barely an hour has passed. And this is the huge surprise you give me? Your gift is basically a confession that you’re cold and heartless toward me, and you’re ready to leave me anytime?”

Shen Yuan turned the car key, starting the engine, and drove home, muttering sulkily: “Uncle Qiao, let’s not argue right now, okay? I don’t even know why you’re so mad. Everything I said was just to placate Li Lin.”

Qiao Hailou got angrier and angrier, arguing the whole way home.

“You’ve got a mouth that lies with impunity.”

“Am I not good enough to you? Yet all you think about is when to leave me.”

‘Not long, huh? How long is that? How long do you think it’ll be? Go ahead, tell me. How long do you think it’ll last?’

“You really are a selfish little brat. How have I wronged you?”

Shen Yuan had initially thought it was his fault—for speaking and letting Qiao Hailou hear it. What he said was half-truth, half-lie, not entirely false but not entirely true either.

He clenched the wheel, anger boiling, unable to argue while driving. Once home, he finally exploded.

“Seeing as it’s your birthday, I wanted to treat you well. Qiao Hailou, don’t push it. Do you even have the right to scold me?”

“You think I’m not sincere? Are you really so serious with me?”

“Do I have to spell everything out clearly? Are you going to be responsible for me?”

“I’m young, without money or power, but must I be trapped in your hand? Am I begging you to treat me well?”

“Ask yourself if you’re really responsible.”

“You ask me how long we’ll be together? I want to ask you the same! When exactly did you get tired of me? You can leave anytime. Why can’t I be ready for that? Isn’t this just playing around?”

Qiao Hailou was stunned by the barrage of questions.

Shen Yuan glared, chest rising and falling like a spooked little cat. He pressed on, “You asked me so self-righteously before, so answer me now! How long are you planning to be with me?”

“You old man, always scheming to trick inexperienced young ones like me. I don’t believe you.”

“Yes, you’re good to me, you’ve helped me so much. I know, I’m grateful. But does that mean I have to fall for you?”

“You think you get to abandon me whenever you want? That when you tire of me, I’ll beg you not to leave? Dream on! I’ll never do that! When it ends, it ends. I won’t beg!”

Qiao Hailou’s chest felt tight. He was suddenly unsure.

He had been angry and speaking without thinking, but Shen Yuan’s words made him realize he didn’t have the right to reproach him.

Shen Yuan asked how long he was prepared for. A year? Two? Five?… A lifetime? Too far off. His longest previous relationship had lasted what, four or five months? And now he’d been with Shen Yuan for what felt like a long time, yet also like no time at all. Time was moving too fast.

Holding back, Qiao Hailou asked in a low voice, “What do you mean by ‘responsibility’?”

Shen Yuan snapped back, “You’re so cunning, now playing dumb with me? Haven’t I told you before? Responsibility for me means marriage! Together for life, until we’re old. Can you give me that? You can’t, right? You say you’re a lifelong singleton. I’m not forcing you. I never expected to change a man who’s been alone for decades. I know my limits.”

“Can you promise me? If not, don’t even say it.”

“I have nothing. I can’t repay you. I only have my worthless youth and my young body. You’re good to me. If you want me to stay with you for a few years, I will. More than that? Forget it. You don’t give, why should I?”

“Let’s just take it day by day.”

“Day by day.”

“I… I don’t want to fight with you either.”

“When it ends, we’ll part amicably.”

Shen Yuan finished venting, catching his breath, no longer hysterical.

Qiao Hailou… could never make the promise of marriage or lifelong companionship. That would be too heavy. He admitted, he’d never met anyone who made him feel so deeply anxious and moved.

But marriage? Impossible.

Shen Yuan watched Qiao Hailou’s reaction closely, hoping he’d keep scolding him in anger, promising responsibility, rather than remaining distant and elusive.

Qiao Hailou treated him well—better than anyone else ever had. With him, Shen Yuan experienced freedom and joy he’d never known. But he feared losing it. Qiao Hailou’s affection could vanish at any moment.

Yes, every day with him was happy, but also insecure.

A playboy remains a playboy—you never know when interest fades.

Previously, Aunt Hui told him not to expect anything. Shen Yuan had tried to convince himself he had no expectations. But of course he did. He couldn’t help hoping Qiao Hailou might fall for him first.

Qiao Hailou’s silence cooled Shen Yuan’s once-racing heart.

Nothing needed to be said.

Shen Yuan, red-eyed, took a deep breath, holding back tears.

He knew no one wanted him.

Indeed, a rogue like Qiao Hailou was unreliable. He should be interested in a stable, dependable man like Uncle.

Seeing Shen Yuan pitiful, Qiao Hailou softened, hugged him, and kissed him.

Shen Yuan glared and pushed him. Qiao Hailou held his hand firmly. “Ah, don’t act up,” he said helplessly.

Shen Yuan’s trembling voice, tinged with tears, shot back: “I’m acting up?”

Qiao Hailou looked at him, eyes full of anger, anxiety, and tenderness, and lowered to kiss his insistent lips.

Pressing him against the wall, Shen Yuan clenched his jaw. Qiao Hailou pinched his chin—Shen Yuan’s cheek ached, his defenses faltered, and Qiao Hailou invaded, inch by inch.

In frustration, Shen Yuan bit him.

Qiao Hailou winced and released him. Seeing Shen Yuan’s flushed face and wide eyes, he felt an unusual irritation—he hated losing control.

Shen Yuan tried to escape.

“Are you trying to force me? You’re disgusting!” he spat.

They’d been together months—never once had it been forced. When he said he hated Qiao Hailou, it hurt him too. If it wasn’t pleasant for Shen Yuan, neither would it be for Qiao Hailou.

Driven by anxiety and provoked repeatedly, Qiao Hailou, losing his cool, said harshly, “I’ve spoiled you so much, you even try to ride over me. You want to leave? You think you’ll get away clean?”

“Shen Yuan, I know your past—your mom abandoned you in the divorce, your dad abused you at six, that’s why you’re so stubborn, refusing to trust others.”

“Why do you never let me see you naked during… us? We’ve slept together so many times. Do you think I’m stupid?”

“You’re a boy, yet your grandparents rejected you. Your family calls you ‘little monster’.”

“All because of… what?”

“I’ve checked your birth report…”

Qiao Hailou coldly exposed every hidden secret, intending to teach Shen Yuan a lesson, to curb his boldness. But seeing Shen Yuan stubbornly maintain a fierce front despite growing pale, Qiao Hailou suddenly felt he might have gone too far.

Shen Yuan didn’t expect him to know, much less reveal it all, each word striking straight at his heart.

Shen Yuan was terrified, trembling all over.

It was the first time Qiao Hailou had seen him so scared, and he was alarmed too.

Unable to bear seeing him like this, he softened, hugged him, and kissed his tears. “Don’t be afraid, Ah Ben. I’m just… I was too angry. I’m only saying this. I won’t tell anyone. Only I know.”

“Uncle apologizes, okay? Don’t be afraid.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

Shen Yuan was genuinely frightened. Qiao Hailou held him tight, kissing his cheek gently.

As they cuddled, things started to feel… different.

Qiao Hailou slipped his hand under Shen Yuan’s shirt. Shen Yuan trembled but didn’t resist. No time for the bedroom, he let Shen Yuan lie on the sofa as he leaned over.

This time, it was different—he was in control. Shen Yuan’s secrets had no place to hide under Qiao Hailou’s relentless gentleness. Shen Yuan still clung to his shoulders, melting in his embrace.

Qiao Hailou wanted to meld him into his very bones, so this troublesome little guy couldn’t escape.

After the flurry passed, they slept pressed together on the sofa.

Shen Yuan still sobbed in short bursts. Seeing his reddened eyes, Qiao Hailou regretted scaring him.

No matter what, he couldn’t frighten the kid like this.

Why had his emotions lost control? That wasn’t like him.

Qiao Hailou stroked Shen Yuan’s smooth back, holding him close. Shen Yuan shivered in his arms.

Feeling tender, Qiao Hailou wondered what to do with this little brat.

Shen Yuan hissed, “You’re so cruel… are you trying to force me?”

Qiao Hailou kissed his forehead, gritting his teeth as if making a huge sacrifice: “…Ten years.”

“What?” Shen Yuan froze, confused.

“Ten years. Ten years with me. If after ten years I still love you like I do now, then we’ll get married.”

Shen Yuan was dumbstruck, disbelief holding his breath, before he snapped back to reality.

He slapped Qiao Hailou. Hard enough that his own palm tingled.

After the slap, Shen Yuan said nothing. He stood, grabbed his pants and clothes, and bolted for the door.

Qiao Hailou, ignoring the pain, hurried after him, half-dressed: “Don’t go!”

Shen Yuan kicked him as he turned, and Qiao Hailou, injured, fell. Any reconciliation today was thanks to Shen Yuan’s willingness. Qiao Hailou had ways to prevent being forced.

Panicked, Qiao Hailou didn’t know whether to chase Shen Yuan or finish dressing. Clothes had to go on—he couldn’t run naked. Hastily, he put on pants, belt loosely fastened, and ran after Shen Yuan barefoot, but Shen Yuan had already driven out.

Qiao Hailou chased as far as he could, but couldn’t catch him.

His injured leg ached. Looking at the dark road Shen Yuan had gone down, he waited in vain.

Finally, he returned home begrudgingly. Seeing blood on the tile floor, he realized he had stepped on a sharp pebble somewhere, cutting his foot.