The car glided smoothly into the underground parking garage of an upscale private club. After getting out, Shang Yushang led He Changning into a private elevator that took them straight to the reserved VIP suite.
The suite was spacious and luxurious, with soft music flowing gently through the air. He Changning lounged lazily in the window booth, legs crossed, posture relaxed. A server stood respectfully nearby, waiting for the guests to order.
After confirming Changning’s preferences, Shang Yushang ordered two coffees and a few light desserts.
Once the food and drinks were served, the server politely exited the room, closing the door behind him.
Changning took a sip of his coffee, then broke the silence with a clear, calm voice.
“Can we talk?”
Yushang gestured—go ahead.
Changning paused for a second.
“I’m straight.”
His voice was steady, but a light flush rose to his cheeks.
Talking to another man about this kind of thing was beyond awkward.
Yushang’s expression remained neutral.
“And?”
Changning blinked and met his eyes.
“If it’s possible, I’d like us to stick to the one-year agreement your grandmother originally set.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re both men,” Changning said plainly, then added, “And you’re the heir of the Shang family.”
“So I need an heir, is that it?”
Changning nodded seriously.
It was always easier dealing with smart people.
Yushang looked at him steadily.
“Why don’t you ask why I’m marrying a man in the first place?”
Changning frowned slightly.
“I don’t make a habit of prying into people’s private lives.”
“Even if it concerns you?”
That made Changning knit his brows.
“Me?”
Yushang nodded.
“Yes. You.”
Changning looked puzzled.
What did the Shang family marrying a man have to do with him?
Seeing his confusion, Yushang explained,
“When I was seventeen, my grandmother went to pray at a temple on Mount Putuo. She asked a master for a reading. He said my birth chart carried a destructive energy—no woman could subdue it. If I ever wanted to get married, it’d have to be to a man.”
Changning’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“You actually believe that kind of thing?”
Yushang smirked. Clearly amused by his reaction. Even his voice lightened.
“I don’t. But my grandmother does.”
Elderly beliefs really were something else.
“And you just… went along with it?”
Yushang took a sip of his coffee, then frowned—it tasted awful.
“She’s my grandmother. She’s nearly seventy. If it makes her happy, I’m not going to argue.”
Changning respected that. He truly did.
Filial piety, he understood.
But that didn’t mean he wanted to be the sacrificial offering.
“But Madam Shang doesn’t seem unreasonable. Isn’t there still room to change her mind?”
Smart kid, Yushang thought.
“She’s reasonable—unless it involves my future happiness.”
Changning mumbled under his breath,
“How does marrying a man qualify as happiness? What does that even mean?”
Yushang gave him a cryptic smile.
“You never know.”
Changning chose to ignore that.
He hadn’t come to dig into the Shang family’s reasons.
He had something more pressing to discuss.
“Mr. Shang—”
“Call me Yushang,” Yushang cut in gently.
“We’re about to become married, after all. Might as well get used to it.”
Changning cleared his throat awkwardly and scratched his nose.
“Right… okay. Mr. Shang—anyway, I asked you here today because I want to discuss something.”
Yushang didn’t press the issue about his name.
Plenty of time for that later.
“What is it?”
Changning’s tone turned serious.
“You know why this marriage is happening. And the only reason I agreed was because of the last bit of family ties I had left. As for how you deal with the Yin family, that’s up to you. I won’t interfere.”
He pressed down on his coffee cup.
“What I hope is that you’ll agree—let’s keep this a marriage in name only. After a year, I’ll leave. I don’t want a cent of what your grandmother gave me. I’ll have a lawyer draft a transfer agreement later.”
Yushang’s brows furrowed.
“Why go to such lengths?”
“You’re marrying me out of respect for your grandmother, and I get that. But your position—your responsibilities—go far beyond this. You need a future. I, on the other hand, never planned on getting married before thirty. Let alone to a man. So for both our sakes, we should just play our parts, honor our families, and then go our separate ways.”
Yushang’s face didn’t move, but a slow fire was building inside.
This little thing’s already planning a divorce and hasn’t even married me yet.
His expression hardened.
Not so fast. Once you enter my door, sleep in my bed… you’re not leaving that easily.
“That’s what you wanted to talk about?”
“Yes. Do you have any suggestions? I’m listening.”
“Aside from the family ties, there’s a reason my grandmother chose you. I didn’t object because I think… we could make this work. As for having children, I’ll handle it.”
Changning’s brain exploded.
What the hell does that mean?
Make this work?
Does that mean he likes men?
And handling the kid thing—what, surrogate? Adoption?
“You… you like men?”
He barely got the words out, his heart racing.
Yushang shook his head, firm.
“No. I don’t.”
Changning let out a slow breath, relief washing over him.
Thank god.
But Yushang wasn’t done.
He looked amused.
“I’ve never been with a man before. So, no—I don’t think I like them.”
He threw in that last line deliberately, just to tease.
Changning’s pulse spiked again.
What the hell is with this guy?
He remembered what his friends had told him:
Shang Yushang has no known lovers, male or female.
Rumors flew—he’s celibate, asexual, maybe even ill, or a total freak.
No one had ever seen him with anyone.
Changning hesitated, then asked,
“You… have had girlfriends though, right?”
A strange glint flashed in Shang Yushang’s eyes.
“No.”
“Huh?!”
That was downright shocking. A man like him—top-tier, golden bachelor—had never dated a woman?
“What? Don’t believe me?”
His tone was calm.
“I’ve always been pretty self-disciplined.”
He Changning silently muttered to himself,
Is he… really clean-living? Or is there something wrong with him? Maybe he’s into something really freaky?
As if reading his thoughts, Shang Yushang kept his expression utterly neutral, but his next words hit like a grenade.
“My body is perfectly normal, and I don’t have any unusual fetishes. If you’re skeptical, we can… explore that properly after we’re married.”
He Changning quickly looked away, cheeks flushing bright red.
He lowered his eyes to hide the embarrassment and anger simmering underneath.
You damn pervert. Who wants to ‘explore’ anything with you? I’m straight—straight. If you think you’re climbing into my bed, keep dreaming.
Shang Yushang’s eyes held a glint of amusement.
Still so young—he wears every thought on that pretty little face. A little straight guy, huh?
Well, he didn’t mind bending him a little.
He’d planned to tease him further, but knew better than to push too far.
If the little guy really blew up, coaxing him back would be a pain.
“Alright,” he said with a chuckle.
“I’ll agree to the one-year term.”
He Changning looked up, eyes searching Yushang’s face.
“But—” Yushang’s voice dropped slightly, deliberate,
“—as my spouse, even if you’re a male spouse, there are still duties and responsibilities you’ll be expected to fulfill.”
He spoke slowly, clearly, giving Changning time to absorb his meaning.
Responsibilities?
Changning’s gut clenched.
Did that mean he really expected him to… sleep with him?
Just picturing himself rolling around in bed with another man made his whole body crawl.
Nope. Couldn’t do it. Not in this lifetime.
“As your spouse,” Yushang continued,
“I will grant you the respect and status due to you. That is my responsibility and duty.”
I don’t want your respect or status! Changning howled internally.
I don’t even want to get married anymore! Is it too late to back out?
“The wedding date is still being finalized,” Yushang said casually,
“but the preparations are already in motion. The guest list is confirmed. Family elders have started arriving. Right now, they’re discussing how to decorate our marital home with Grandmother.”
In other words:
It’s too late to run.
