Thanks to He Changning’s relentless persistence, Shang Yushang finally let go of him—but that didn’t mean He Changning got to leave his side.
He took a moment to gather his thoughts and said, “The marriage… it’s happening no matter what. But I want you to promise me one thing.” He pursed his lips, waiting for Shang Yushang’s response.
Shang Yushang nodded. “Go ahead.”
He Changning’s face, which hadn’t stopped blushing all day, was practically on fire now.
“Well… it’s about that, um, responsibility and obligation stuff… Can we maybe take that… slowly?”
He felt like steam was coming out of his ears. Saying something like that was utterly humiliating—but necessary.
Sure, he’d agreed to the marriage and even to trying to get along. But he really wasn’t ready.
No matter who was on top or bottom, he wasn’t prepared. Not at all.
Shang Yushang, watching the awkward blush and conflict in his expression, felt his mood skyrocket.“So… when do you think you’ll be ready?”
He Changning hadn’t expected such a blunt response. His face turned crimson, and he angled it away, avoiding Shang Yushang’s heated gaze.
“I—how would I know? Just… when the time’s right, I guess…”
To avoid pushing him too far, Shang Yushang decided to back off—for now.
“All right. I’ll agree to that. But don’t make me wait too long.”
Face still buried in his chest from sheer embarrassment, He Changning gave a quick nod.
Their relationship had made a huge leap forward today. Even Shang Yushang’s normally cold face had softened. He patted He Changning’s shoulder and took his hand.
“Come on. Let’s go get lunch. I’ll take you home after.”
They went to one of the luxury suites reserved exclusively for Shang Yushang at a five-star hotel under his family’s business empire. Naturally, it also included a high-end private dining room and rest area.
Once inside, he asked He Changning what he wanted to eat and placed the order accordingly.
He Changning also asked for a glass of milk.
“You like milk?” Shang Yushang asked with a slight smile.
“Mm. It’s a habit my mom gave me when I was a kid. I haven’t been able to shake it.”
He sounded a little sheepish—it felt childish to still be drinking milk with meals as an adult. But he was used to it. It just felt right.
“There’s nothing wrong with that. If you like it, drink it.”
Neither of them were the type to talk much while eating, so the meal was quiet, but warm.
A soft, comfortable atmosphere settled between them.
Shang Yushang occasionally took care of He Changning, passing him food or placing dishes onto his plate. He even peeled shrimp for him and dipped them in sauce before setting them down for him.
He Changning, surprisingly, accepted the gestures without protest.
It all felt… natural.
Like a married couple who had been together for years—comfortable and at ease.
Only when he finished eating did he realize how much he’d accepted Shang Yushang’s care without even thinking about it.
Shang Yushang looked at him with gentle amusement, his gaze soft.
“Full?”
He Changning nodded.
“Yeah.”
He never imagined he’d be able to get along with Shang Yushang like this.
Maybe getting things out in the open had lifted some of the pressure.
Despite the limited number of times they’d met, Shang Yushang seemed surprisingly easy to get along with—very different from the rumors.
After the servers cleared the table and brought over tea, the two of them sat on the couch by the window, sipping tea and enjoying a rare moment of peace.
Leaning back lazily, He Changning glanced sideways.
“How much are you planning to invest in Yin Corp?”
Shang Yushang set down his tea and turned to face him.
“I’m still waiting for their valuation report.”
“Can you share a copy of that report with me when it’s ready?”
“Of course. Why?”
He Changning’s lips curled into a faint, cold smile.
“Because I want to take back what’s mine.”
Shang Yushang’s interest was piqued.
“Oh? How so?”
“I want ten percent of the investment from Shang Group as my dowry. To be safe, I need to know the total amount.”
“You think Yin Corp might manipulate the numbers?”
“Not impossible.”
“Fair enough. I’ll let you know when the time comes.”
“Thanks.”
“There’s no need to thank me. There’s no ‘mine’ and ‘yours’ between us.”
He Changning coughed awkwardly and rolled his eyes.
Why does he have to drag everything into “ours”? That’s my damn bride price!
Shang Yushang chuckled, amused by the endless expressions flitting across his face. He reached out and took his hand.
“That money means a lot to you, huh?”
“Of course it does. It’s my bride price, after all. I’m gonna need that to survive the rest of my life.”
He smiled bitterly, unable to hide the pain in his heart.
Shang Yushang held his hand tighter, eyes filled with tenderness.
“Changning…”
He Changning grinned carelessly.
“It’s nothing. I’m already this far in. Might as well make a clean break.”
“Whatever you want to do, just go for it. Leave the rest to me.”
This kind of protection and affection… He Changning had only ever felt it from Aunt Qin.
He could tell—this man genuinely cared for him. But it all came on so suddenly, so intensely, that it felt unreal.
As if it could disappear at any moment.
He shook his head. Since when did I start worrying about things like this? Not a good sign.
Shang Yushang noticed the little guy frowning, then shaking his head. He asked gently,
“What’s wrong? Not feeling well?”
“No… I just wanted to ask—why are you being so nice to me?”
That caught Shang Yushang off guard. He thought about his behavior during their last two meetings.
Yeah… he had been a little too forward. No wonder the kid was suspicious.
“I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors. That I’m cold, quiet, not good with people… That’s all true. I’m thirty and never had a real relationship.
When Grandma insisted I marry a man, I did push back. We argued a few times—not because it was a man, but because I didn’t want to get married at all.
Probably because of my mother.”
There wasn’t much expression on his face, but the pain in his eyes—He Changning saw it clearly.
“When I found out it was you, I had someone look into you.”
He met Changning’s gaze directly.
“Are you mad?”
He Changning shook his head.
“I get it. I asked around about you too.”
Shang Yushang patted his hand and continued.
“What they found… surprised me. You did a hell of a job keeping a low profile.
If my people weren’t sharp, I might never have known about your other identity.”
“It’s nothing special,” Changning said quietly.
“You gotta have a way to support yourself.”
“I’ve read all your work. It’s really good.
You have a unique way with words—it draws people in.
A piece of writing might not show everything about an author’s personality, but the way you see people, your sense of dignity, your views… it all comes through.
Your gentleness and careful thoughtfulness really complement my colder, quieter nature.
I think living with someone like you… could be a good thing.”
He paused, then added,
“I’m not doing this to try it out. I’m serious. I’m genuine. So being good to you? It just feels natural.”
That explanation… honestly shocked He Changning.
He hadn’t expected Shang Yushang to be so clear, so open about his feelings.
“You do realize… I’m a man.”
“To me, that doesn’t matter.”
He Changning gaped.
“What kind of logic is that?!
Even if society’s more open-minded now, how many people really accept it?
Your family, your status—have you thought about the trouble this could bring you?
What kind of looks people will give you?
If you were gay, or even bi, I’d get it.
But you don’t even know if you’re into men!
And you just agreed to marry a guy?!
Does that make any damn sense?”
Shang Yushang frowned slightly.
“How do you know I’m not into you?”
“AHHHHH!!!”
What the hell kind of answer was that?!
