Qisheng was so surprised that he lost his voice and couldn’t help but take a few steps forward. “Lu Mingshen…” An unfamiliar emotion surged in his heart, pounding against it and causing a sweet ache.
Shuai Chang hugged his thin body from behind, resting his chin on Qisheng’s shoulder. “When you’re at home and not working, you can only read books. I was afraid you’d get bored, so I secretly prepared an art studio and a piano room for you, to give you a surprise.”
For the first time, Qisheng turned around and actively embraced Shuai Chang. “Thank you, Lu Mingshen. I’m very happy.”
“Xiaosheng, I love you. I don’t need your gratitude; what I need is your equal feelings for me.” Shuai Chang sighed and gently kissed the corner of Qisheng’s lips.
Qisheng looked up at Shuai Chang’s deep gaze and said seriously, “Lu Mingshen, give me some time.”
**13. Rivalry Approaches**
After returning home from a banquet at the Li Palace, the Wen family parents made a phone call to their son Wen Xuan Yi, who was far away in America.
The phone rang for a long time without being answered. Wen’s mother said, “Could it be Xuan Yi is in class? Are we disturbing him?” The time difference between America and country X was twelve hours. It was currently ten twenty in the evening in country X and ten twenty in the morning in America.
Wen’s father replied, “Shall we wait a bit longer? He will definitely be taking a break around noon.”
Wen’s mother sighed and put down the phone. “This child is so far from us; I’m really worried that if something happens, no one will help him.”
Wen’s father comforted her, “Xuan Yi is focused on his studies and has good relationships with his classmates and teachers; he won’t be without support.”
Wen’s mother replied, “I still want Xuan Yi to return to the country. We’re getting older; who knows when our health might fail? When that happens, if Xuan Yi is in America and we have no one to rely on, we’ll become lonely old folks. What good is raising a son for?”
Wen’s father reminded her, “Now you’re worried he won’t come back, but wasn’t it you who encouraged him to go to America to separate him from Xiaosheng?”
Wen’s mother protested, “But two boys can’t last forever. They can’t even have children, and even if the country allowed it, I wouldn’t want Xuan Yi to marry a boy. Foreign girls are enthusiastic and beautiful; maybe if Xuan Yi mingles with them, he’ll come back straight.”
Wen’s father replied, “And what happened? Did Xuan Yi come back?”
Wen’s mother felt frustrated and sat silently on the sofa.
At that moment, the phone rang, and seeing her son’s number, Wen’s mother quickly answered, “Hello, Xuan Yi, it’s Mom.”
Wen Xuan Yi replied, “Mom, I was just doing an experiment and didn’t hear. How are you and Dad?”
Wen’s mother responded, “We’re all fine; you don’t need to worry. Only…”
Wen Xuan Yi interrupted, “Only what? You must tell me if there’s anything.”
Wen’s mother lowered her voice with concern, “Your dad and I went to Li Chen’s banquet. Guess who we ran into?”
Wen Xuan Yi’s heart stirred, “Shengshang, Mom, did you meet Shengshang?”
Wen’s mother sighed, “I did meet Xiaosheng. You know, Xiaosheng got married.”
Wen Xuan Yi was shocked, “What? How could Shengshang get married? He never told me!”
Wen’s mother said, “It wasn’t easy for Xiaosheng. The Qi family went bankrupt, and that man is wealthy and likes Xiaosheng. Xiaosheng did it for his family; he had no choice…”
Wen Xuan Yi was silent for a moment and then said, “Mom, I want to come back.”
Upon hearing her son’s hopeful words, Wen’s mother was so excited that she didn’t know what to say. Wen’s father took the phone and said, “Xuan Yi, as long as you’ve made up your mind, your mom and I will support your decision.”
Since that day, Shuai Chang and Qisheng’s relationship had been growing warmer.
In the morning, they exchanged a sweet good morning kiss, but Qisheng lazily lay in bed, refusing to get up.
Shuai Chang sat on the edge of the bed and asked, “Aren’t you supposed to be going to work today? Why aren’t you getting up?”
Qisheng hugged the blanket, saying, “It’s cold.”
After the start of winter, leaves turned yellow and began to fall, and the temperature dropped sharply, with many people outside wearing cotton jackets or thin down jackets.
Qisheng was sensitive to the cold; he had always been this way, and when winter arrived, he never wanted to go out. He only wanted to lie in a warm bed and hibernate.
However, before his family went bankrupt, he had the privilege to be indifferent to work; no one would say anything if he chose not to.
Shuai Chang laughed, “Do you need me to warm you up?”
Qisheng buried his head under the blanket and mumbled, “No, thanks.”
Shuai Chang patted the mound of the blanket, “Are you really not going to work? Should I help you take a leave?”
Qisheng suddenly threw off the blanket and sat up. “I’ll get up now.” He realized that he had nothing now; if he didn’t work hard, what would he do in the future? Rely on Lu Mingshen?
He believed Lu Mingshen’s feelings for him were genuine right now, but what about a year from now? Three years? Five years? Ten years? He couldn’t assume that Lu Mingshen would always support him.
He wanted to stand on equal footing with Lu Mingshen and engage in a relationship where neither owed the other.
The spirit group said, “Ding! Qisheng’s heart-throbbing index is seven stars!”
Though unsure of what had happened, hearing that Qisheng’s feelings for him had deepened made Shuai Chang very happy.
He followed Qisheng into the bathroom and stood behind him. “Xiaosheng, how about I help you brush your teeth? That way your hands won’t get cold.”
Qisheng thought Lu Mingshen’s suggestion was good, so he squeezed toothpaste onto a toothbrush and handed it to him. “Brush your teeth first.”
Shuai Chang stood beside him, and as Qisheng opened his mouth, his bright red tongue flashed in and out. Shuai Chang suddenly regretted it; using the toothbrush in Qisheng’s mouth made him think of somewhat inappropriate scenes, stirring little Shuai’s restless heart.
“Cough, you brush your teeth yourself; I’ll help you wash your face.” Shuai Chang returned the toothbrush to Qisheng.
Unaware of Shuai Chang’s yellow thoughts, Qisheng shot him a glare. “You can go out; I’ll do it myself.” Saying that, he started to brush his teeth.
Shuai Chang almost embarrassed himself in front of Qisheng and hurriedly said, “I’ll go make breakfast.”
His cooking skills had improved; he had bought a heart-shaped egg mold online, and every day he made Qisheng heart-shaped fried eggs.
After breakfast, Shuai Chang drove Qisheng to the jewelry store. Just as they exited the villa area, someone suddenly blocked their car. Shuai Chang frowned and stepped on the brakes.
The person wore a long windbreaker, and their curly hair was tied up behind; their movements were gentle, and their warm brown eyes peered through the lenses directly at Qisheng, who was sitting in the passenger seat.