Chapter 70

Shen Fengkai, upon hearing this, kept a composed expression, though his eyes kept drifting toward the phone in Shen Ziyang’s small hands, trying to sneak a look at the contact name on the screen.

As Qi Xu’s older brother, he hadn’t even known Qi Xu had a boyfriend—and now this little brat was casually chatting with him.

Shen Fengkai knew Qi Xu hadn’t officially moved out of the dorm yet, but every weekend he was clearly staying off-campus. If he had to guess, it was probably with said boyfriend.

He didn’t see himself as old-fashioned, but Qi Xu was still young and hadn’t met many people—it would be easy for someone to take advantage of that. As the older brother, he felt it was his duty to help screen anyone who got too close.

With that line of reasoning, his nosy curiosity suddenly seemed perfectly justified.

Shen Zhuohong, having spent so many years abroad, wasn’t shocked. He’d seen friends’ sons bring their boyfriends to gatherings—once even caught them passionately kissing in public while shielding a child’s eyes. He’d long come to terms with it.

“You still can’t just go answering your brother’s phone,” Shen Zhuohong scolded his son right away. “What if there was something urgent and I couldn’t reach your brother in time?”

Shen Ziyang lowered his little head, realizing he’d messed up. “Sorry, Daddy. I won’t do it again.”

Just then, Qi Xu came back from the restroom and walked into the lounge, only to find Shen Zhuohong looking unusually serious.

A second later, the little guy walked over holding his phone. “Sorry, Gege—I answered your call.”

Qi Xu took the phone from him and saw it had been Xie Huai calling. He first comforted Shen Ziyang. “It’s okay, not a big deal.” Then he spoke to Xie Huai. “I’ll be home in a bit.”

After hanging up, Shen Fengkai still had no clue who Qi Xu’s boyfriend actually was.

Shen Zhuohong asked the nanny to take Ziyang to wash his face and change his clothes—he’d made quite the mess with the tomato pasta, looking like he’d just come from a crime scene.

Then he personally spoke to Qi Xu. “Thanks for taking care of Ziyang these next couple days.”

Just as he finished, his assistant knocked and entered to let him know he was needed again for socializing.

Once Shen Zhuohong left, only Shen Fengkai and Qi Xu remained in the lounge. But Qi Xu didn’t seem to have anything he wanted to say.

Shen Fengkai didn’t let him off so easily. “Why didn’t you tell us that Qi Guohui had come looking for you?”

Qi Xu gave him a glance. “Anything else?”

Shen Fengkai felt conflicted. Qi Xu was growing colder and more distant toward him, while somehow being more at ease with Shen Zhuohong—his uncle, someone he barely knew.

“The money came from Father,” Shen Fengkai explained. “I told him not to keep indulging Qi Guohui. That man’s a ticking time bomb. But Father still believes that as long as he can protect the Shen family’s reputation, he has a shot at making a comeback.”

Shen Zhuohai had been removed from his position. If he wanted to return to power, maintaining the family’s image was critical. If the truth from 18 years ago—that the babies had been switched—ever got out, everything he’d built would collapse.

So he needed to keep Qi Guohui quiet. Let the secret rot away inside him. After all, the person who was supposed to be found had already been brought back, hadn’t he?

Qi Xu was unmoved. In Shen Zhuohai’s eyes, the family’s name and interests always came before any individual. For that, he was willing to sacrifice anyone.

In their last life, the only one he’d sacrificed was Qi Xu. And Qi Xu had, in turn, protected the Shen family’s spotless reputation.

“Whether the money came from you or him, that’s your problem,” Qi Xu said flatly. “Qi Guohui did come looking for me. So what? I’m not giving him money—”

He paused, his tone calm but chilling.

“—but I will take his life.”

Shen Fengkai quickly said, “I know Qi Guohui wasn’t much of a father to you, but you don’t need to ruin yourself over him. Once Dad calms down, I’ll talk to him again.”

He hesitated, rare uncertainty flickering in his expression. “Now that Dad’s been removed from his position, I’ve been promoted to Vice President. Don’t you really want to be part of Shen Group? I could arrange for you to take over as General Manager.”

If Qi Xu heard that right, Shen Fengkai had just offered him a senior executive role—unprompted. It was hard to believe.

In his past life, Qi Xu spent years working at the bottom before a major scandal involving their uncle shook up the board. Shen Zhuohai promoted him to Executive GM, but Shen Fengkai had fiercely opposed it, saying Qi Xu lacked the experience and credibility to lead. That was the start of their power struggle.

“You on something?” Qi Xu replied flatly. “Why the hell would I want to be some GM at Shen Group?”

He had people from the old man on his side—Shen Fengkai had to know that. It wouldn’t take much digging to find out about Yunrui.

“I’m already a CEO on the outside. Why would I care about your little ‘General Manager’ role?”

Of course, Shen Fengkai had heard of Yunrui. But to him, it was nothing more than a small-time startup—nothing that could compare to an old, established giant like Shen Group.

“What’s your CEO salary, huh? Do you know how much a GM at Shen Group makes? Do you understand the kind of network we can provide? Having ‘Shen Group’ on your résumé—do you realize how valuable that is?”

Qi Xu let out a mocking laugh. “That’s your idea of value. I’ll build my own résumé. I don’t need you trying to dictate my life.”

Suddenly, Shen Fengkai got assertive. “You’re a Shen. Whatever others in the family get, you’ll have too. Shen Group will always have a place for you.”

Qi Xu: “…”

Okay, now he was sure Shen Fengkai had lost it. Must’ve taken the wrong meds.

“Sure,” Qi Xu said with a smirk. “You want me to join Shen Group? Resign your VP post right now and give it to me. Then I’ll think about it.”

Shen Fengkai figured Qi Xu was just being difficult and said gently, “The VP seat won’t be available for a few more years. You wouldn’t be able to handle those old foxes on the board just yet.”

Qi Xu involuntarily shivered. What the hell—was this guy possessed?

Trying to ease the tension between them, Shen Fengkai changed the subject. “Your current boyfriend… it’s still the same one, right? You haven’t switched?”

Qi Xu rolled his eyes. “None of your damn business.”

Shen Fengkai insisted, “I’ve got time tomorrow. Take me to meet him. Just making sure you’re not being played.”

Qi Xu didn’t even want to engage with that nonsense. “I live off him. If anything, I’m the one doing the scamming.”

Just then, the nanny came in with Shen Ziyang. Qi Xu caught Shen Fengkai’s stunned expression but ignored it. He took the child’s hand and walked out without a word.

Once they got in the car, Qi Xu received a transfer notification from Shen Fengkai.

He accepted the money but didn’t respond to the message.

Shen Fengkai: If you’re short on money, talk to me. He’s still an outsider—can’t be trusted.

Qi Xu tossed the phone aside and chatted with Shen Ziyang for a bit. But not even halfway through the thirty-minute drive, he started to regret bringing the kid home.

At this age, kids were basically walking, talking machines of a million questions. And now Qi Xu’s head was full of nothing but “why.”

When they finally arrived downstairs, the nanny and Chen Wei helped bring up Shen Ziyang’s stuff—one small suitcase and two big bags filled with toys and daily necessities.

Two-day stay or full-on relocation?

Inside the apartment, Xie Huai was sitting on the couch going over documents. Hearing the commotion, he got up and headed toward the entryway—only to find Chen Wei holding a suitcase and leading someone inside.

A few seconds later, Qi Xu appeared behind them, holding a little curly-haired kid in his arms.

After the nanny brought the luggage into Qi Xu’s place, she began reminding him about Shen Ziyang’s food allergies.

“Young Master Qi Xu, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading out now. If anything comes up, just call me anytime.”

Qi Xu nodded, and the next second, the nanny left without even looking back—her entire body radiating a sense of freedom.

Qi Xu: “…”

Was she in a bit too much of a rush?

Shen Ziyang climbed down from his arms and squatted to change his shoes, acting like a tiny grown-up.

But as soon as he saw Xie Huai, his face scrunched up in confusion. “Why is my brother’s brother here?”

He had a sharp memory—after all, it was just one “brother,” and this one had even played hide-and-seek with him once.

“We live together,” Xie Huai replied.

Suddenly, Shen Ziyang’s eyes widened. He remembered this face, but the voice—he hadn’t connected it until now. Once Xie Huai spoke, he instantly matched it with the voice from the phone earlier.

“You’re my brother’s boyfriend, aren’t you?”

Qi Xu had just stood up after changing his shoes when he heard that bombshell. He tripped on his own shoe, and Xie Huai reached out to steady him.

Qi Xu asked, “What exactly did you say on the phone just now?”

Xie Huai answered calmly, “I told the truth.”

Then he turned to Shen Ziyang and said, “I’m your brother’s brother—and also his boyfriend.”

That got a loud, amazed “Wow!” from the kid. His blue eyes sparkled with admiration. “Then you must know how to clone yourself! Can you teach me?”

Xie Huai glanced at Qi Xu, who was shooting him a death glare. Leaning in, he whispered near his ear, “I’m his ‘brother’ during the day, and his boyfriend at night. Is that a problem?”

Qi Xu elbowed him. “Get lost. Can you not corrupt a child?”

Xie Huai, completely unrepentant, nodded solemnly. “My bad. Won’t do it next time. You’re too pure for this world, Xu-ge.”

That earned him another smack.

After learning that Xie Huai had “cloning powers,” Shen Ziyang wouldn’t leave him alone. Qi Xu had only eaten a light dinner at the hotel, saving his appetite to eat at home with Xie Huai.

Shen Ziyang joined them at the dinner table, sipping hot cocoa and officially inserting himself into their meal.

“Brother’s boyfriend,” he asked, “if I trade you a Transformer, can you give me the magic spell for cloning?”

Every time Qi Xu heard the kid call Xie Huai “brother’s boyfriend,” it felt like he was being brainwashed—like someone was trying to rewrite his memories to make this relationship sound like a home invasion turned romance.

With a completely straight face, Xie Huai replied, “Kids can’t learn cloning spells. You have to be an adult.”

Shen Ziyang said seriously, “But I’m five now. I’m not that little.”

Xie Huai placed a piece of lobster meat into Qi Xu’s bowl. “You become an adult at eighteen. Do the math—how many years do you have left?”

Xie Huai clearly had a way with kids. Shen Ziyang was already counting on his fingers, deep into his five-year-old mental math journey. Basic addition and subtraction under ten—he’d be working on that all night.

But not long after, it was time for his cartoons. Qi Xu changed the channel for him, then returned to the dinner table.

He let out a long sigh. “Taking care of a kid is exhausting.”

Xie Huai said matter-of-factly, “You’re the one who brought him home.”

“He cried and said he missed me. Who wouldn’t cave?” Qi Xu hadn’t expected his moment of soft-heartedness would lead to this trial-by-chaos.

Xie Huai knew that Qi Xu wasn’t as emotionally detached as he looked. He had his own way of living, one that others might not understand—but Xie Huai didn’t care what outsiders thought. Qi Xu’s inner world was strong enough to stand on its own.

Seeing how frazzled he was, Xie Huai added, “Don’t worry. We’re not going to have kids. So no need to stress about that.”

Qi Xu looked up at him suddenly. Xie Huai raised a brow and asked, “What? Can you give birth?”

Qi Xu let out a cold snort. “Heh.”

Three people in one apartment—two adults and one kid—were bound to end up a little chaotic.

Qi Xu was helping Shen Ziyang take a bath, and barely a few minutes into the bathroom, he came out soaked like a drenched chicken.

Meanwhile, Shen Ziyang was still splashing around in the tub, happily belting out Baby Shark, with soap bubbles floating midair like it was a scene from a cartoon.

Xie Huai walked over with a towel, draped it over Qi Xu’s dripping head, and started drying his hair. “Go shower before you catch a cold.”

Qi Xu gritted his teeth. “I was fooled by that innocent little face. He’s a walking gremlin.”

Xie Huai laughed. “And here I thought there was no one you couldn’t handle.”

Qi Xu wiped his face with the towel. “What, you think I’m a doctor? Supposed to cure everyone? One of you is more than enough.”

That was exactly the kind of person Qi Xu was—he’d never string along someone he didn’t like, but once he fell for someone, he gave everything without holding back.

If Xie Huai’s love burned hot and bright, then Qi Xu’s love was just as fierce and unyielding.

Xie Huai stepped closer, pinning Qi Xu gently against the bathroom door. His heart gave a useless thump from just that one line. “Then I’m yours for life, Dr. Qi.”

In that moment, as their eyes met, both of them had the same thought: I want to kiss him.

Qi Xu’s hands found Xie Huai’s shoulders, and Xie Huai pulled him close by the waist, tossing the towel from his head like he was about to undress him.

Their breaths tangled—until a small voice shouted from inside the bathroom: “Gege, I’m gonna flush now!”

And just like that, the mood evaporated. Xie Huai’s face darkened visibly, clearly annoyed.

Qi Xu couldn’t help bursting into laughter. He handed the little rascal in the bathroom off to Xie Huai and escaped to take his own shower. “He’s all yours.”

But a new issue arose after the shower.

This spacious four-bedroom apartment had:
—Two actual bedrooms,
—One study,
—One hobby room packed with robots and a giant safe.

So now the question was: who was Shen Ziyang going to sleep with?

As expected, he chose Qi Xu. Naturally, he wasn’t familiar enough with his brother’s boyfriend to share a bed with him.

Someone clearly wasn’t happy about that. Xie Huai leaned against the doorframe with arms crossed, watching Qi Xu unpack stuffed animals from the luggage—one by one—along with that mysterious creature named A-Bei-Bei.

Then, Shen Ziyang—still full of enthusiasm—patted the empty space beside him and invited Xie Huai too. “Gege, you can sleep here with us!”

Qi Xu: “…”

And sure enough, someone had no shame. Dressed in black pajamas, Xie Huai made himself comfortable right on the edge of the bed.

Qi Xu shot him a look. “Since when are you afraid of the dark?”

Xie Huai answered smoothly, “Just tonight.”

He had, of course, previously suggested letting Shen Ziyang sleep in his own room while he and Qi Xu shared one.

To which Qi Xu had responded with a sharp, mocking laugh: “Your whole plan revolves around sleeping with me, huh?”

Xie Huai glanced down at the floppy stuffed toy A-Bei-Bei and gave it a slight grimace.

Qi Xu caught that look and couldn’t help chuckling. “Relax, no one’s asking you to cuddle it. Didn’t you have a stuffed toy when you were a kid?”

Xie Huai said calmly, “I didn’t need comfort items when I was a kid.”

Qi Xu glanced at him. “Wow. Mature much.”

“I’ve always been mature,” Xie Huai replied, not missing a beat. “I’m a whole month older than you.”

Qi Xu rolled his eyes. “Right, says the kid who once wanted to keep a tin robot as a pet. That’s what you call ‘mature’?”

Xie Huai had always been curious—how did Qi Xu know he liked AI? That he had a thing for robots? That kind of detail wasn’t something outsiders would know. Only people close to him were aware of it.

But he didn’t ask. Clearly, Qi Xu didn’t feel like he’d slipped up at all.

Instead, Xie Huai said, “I’m done raising robots. I’ll raise you instead.”

Qi Xu didn’t even blink as he shoved him out of the room. “Thanks. You can just wire me the money.”

Xie Huai didn’t even manage to get a goodnight kiss. Banished to the metaphorical cold palace, all he could hear from the bedroom was laughter and Qi Xu’s soft voice telling bedtime stories.