Chapter 21: A Further Advance

Xuan Congnan ran into the residential complex.

On the sixth floor, a hand pulled the curtains shut, leaving no light to leak out, as if the occupants had turned off the lights and left. It was only then that Shen Qian suddenly snapped back to reality, searching for Xuan Congnan’s figure.

He was gone.

Shen Qian looked back up at the window he had been staring at. Was that him? He couldn't have been mistaken. But... how could that be? How could Xuan Congnan have any connection to that person?

For some time, Shen Qian had been physically and mentally exhausted by Xuan Congnan’s insistence on breaking up and his refusal to reconcile. He hadn't paid attention to that person in a long time and had no idea what his current schedule was.

Xuan Congnan was like a clam; when he decided he liked someone, he would proactively open a crack, making Shen Qian feel special. But now, that clam was tightly shut, and Shen Qian, feeling restless and agitated, could find no way back in.

He took out his phone and searched for a name.

The first result on Weibo was the promotion for his latest advertisement endorsement, and the comment section had already fallen into chaos.

"I really don't understand, what has happened to Gu Shi in the last two months? Why did he suddenly lose his drive for his career?"

"Are the paparazzi really this useless? Can they really not capture where he goes when he's not busy working?"

"The facts prove they really can't. Every time he finishes work, there are cars following him in front and behind, but unfortunately, he shakes them off every single time."

"Give it a rest, you all. Tracking people and acting so righteous about it. If he doesn't want to work, let him be. He’s not doing anything illegal or immoral; he can do whatever he wants."

"With all due respect, if Gu Shi isn't dating someone in this state, I’ll livestream myself eating crap."

"????"

"What?! Dating? Who?! Gu Shi is dating?! Ahhhhh, no, don't! Who could possibly capture Gu Shi's heart?!"

"All the fans in the 'Storybook' fandom are about to have their hearts broken. Damn it, I've been a fan of his for over a decade! If this 'sister-in-law' appears, I’m going to scold her to death!"

"Why are anti-fans pretending to be true loves? Just get lost, will you? Even though we don't want Gu Shi to date, he only debuted 8 years ago. He was shelved for a year at 18, so he’s only been a workaholic for 7 years. How have you been a fan for 10 years? You didn't even check your facts before lying... Oh, checking your profile, you're from a rival fandom. Ugh!"

"Wuwuwu, please don't date. I don't want to be heartbroken, wuwuwu."

"Wait, isn't Gu Shi 26? What's wrong with dating? If he were someone who married young, his kid would be three years old by now, okay?"

"Wake up, as an artist, it's impossible for him to marry early. Why should an idol get married?"

"Who told you he's an idol? Gu Shi debuted as an actor, not as part of an idol boy group that relies on fans to climb the charts, thank you!"

"So, I ask again, who exactly is this 'sister-in-law'? Paparazzi, are you all dead?"

"I don't advocate paying too much attention to an artist's private life, but I really want to know about this 'sister-in-law' too. Please, paparazzi, put in some effort, thanks [SmileyFace.jpg]"

"How are you so sure it's a 'sister-in-law'? Could it be a 'brother-in-law'?"

"Gays in the entertainment industry? Are you crazy, or is he crazy?"

"Huh? Huh?! Huh?!! Are you serious about that? Are there so few gay people in the entertainment industry? Same-sex marriage has been legal for a long time; you’re living in the past!"

"..."

The rumors about whether Gu Shi was in a relationship had hit the trending topics a month ago. But Gu Shi hadn't responded, and neither had his studio.

In the past, whenever there was a hint of scandal, Gu Shi would, within half an hour, regardless of anyone's feelings, post on Weibo with a cold, "No publicity stunts." The studio would then directly repost it, ending with, "Please pay more attention to the artist's work."

This time, the dating rumors had been brewing for over two months, and Gu Shi hadn't said a single word.

A few years ago, the Gu family had hosted a grand cocktail party, and the Shen family had been on the guest list. Shen Qian detested such occasions where he had to deal with people superficially, but he had to attend. While drinking alone, he saw someone who, like him, kept a cold face and seemed to despise the party as much as he did. He observed him for a long time.

That year, Gu Shi was 22. It was his first time standing with the Gu couple in an official capacity. At the time, Shen Qian knew he was a celebrity and assumed Gu Shi had only been invited because he was somewhat famous.

He hadn't realized that Gu Shi was actually the eldest son of the Gu family—a status the Shen family couldn't compare to. The thought of approaching him to strike up a conversation cooled instantly. Even if he didn't approach, others did. A middle-aged man brought his daughter over to talk to Mrs. Gu, hoping to introduce her to Gu Shi so the two families could arrange a marriage.

Meng Xiaozhu smiled and said, "As for the children's affairs, Yishang and I don't make the decisions. What matters most is that he likes someone himself. Besides, come to think of it, Gu Shi probably has someone he likes; their hair is very long and very beautiful."

Long hair, a woman... that was the only thought Shen Qian had. He was 24 at the time and knew his own sexual orientation. The fact that Gu Shi liked women dealt him a second blow.

Long hair... After dating Xuan Congnan for a year, it was as if Shen Qian had only just realized he had long hair too.

Men could have long hair as well. He suddenly grinned, his eyes bloodshot. Whether the person inside the house was actually Gu Shi remained to be seen; Shen Qian refused to believe it.

—

"Why were you standing by the balcony window just now?" Xuan Congnan said as soon as he entered. "It's so dangerous. You haven't forgotten our three rules, have you?"

"No," Gu Shi replied, taking his bag and placing it in the corner of the sofa. "It was so far away, he couldn't tell who I was."

Xuan Congnan said, "You can't do that again." He then muttered in a normal tone, "Even if he couldn't tell, you have so many fans; who knows if one of them might have recognized you."

"Mm," Gu Shi accepted the reprimand. "Understood."

He headed to the kitchen. "Come wash your hands and eat."

A small cake sat on the dining table. Xuan Congnan washed his hands and leaned in. "When did you buy this?" he asked.

"In the evening," Gu Shi said.

"Can I open it now?" Xuan Congnan asked.

"Of course," Gu Shi said as he brought out the dishes. "I bought it to be eaten."

The sweet fragrance of the cake hit him, and Xuan Congnan unwrapped the fork and immediately dug in.

"Don't eat too much; you need to eat dinner first," Gu Shi said.

"Mm," Xuan Congnan replied, though he couldn't stop his hand from digging a second and third bite.

Just as he was about to take a fourth, Gu Shi gripped his wrist to stop him, using his other hand to take the cake away and place it on the living room coffee table.

"Did Shen Qian come to see you?" Gu Shi asked casually upon returning.

At the mention of Shen Qian, Xuan Congnan's mood dampened. "Mm. He was downstairs..." He paused, his eyes suddenly sharp. "Did I ever tell you his name was Shen Qian?"

Gu Shi handed Xuan Congnan a pair of chopsticks, his movements pausing for a fraction of a second. "You did," Gu Shi said firmly.

Xuan Congnan was suspicious. "Did I?"

"You did," Gu Shi nodded.

"Alright then," Xuan Congnan said.

"What did you two talk about?" Gu Shi asked. As if to appear polite, he added, "May I ask?"

If the topic had been anything else, he would have told him. But Shen Qian happened to be badmouthing Gu Shi, and Xuan Congnan didn't know how to bring it up.

"You can ask," he stammered. "But there's nothing to tell. He just said a few useless things."

Gu Shi lowered his brows. "Oh," he said, his voice dropping. "I suppose that means I shouldn't ask."

He ate in silence, speaking at a volume intended for himself but clearly meant for Xuan Congnan to hear: "What Congnan's love life is like, or what he says to his ex-boyfriend, has nothing to do with me. A roommate in a shared apartment, of course, can't compare to an ex-boyfriend, even if we are in a contract marriage."

Xuan Congnan: "."

Gu Shi put down his bowl, looking as if he had lost his appetite.

"...Eat," Xuan Congnan said.

"I have no appetite," Gu Shi replied.

Xuan Congnan: "."

"He was badmouthing you. I didn't want to tell you, and you insisted on asking," Xuan Congnan poked the bottom of his bowl, causing a sharp *clink*.

Gu Shi said, "Was he only badmouthing me?"

"Mm," Xuan Congnan replied.

"Nothing else?" Gu Shi pressed.

Xuan Congnan said, feeling puzzled, "I had just started, and then you called."

Gu Shi nodded. "Good call."

"Are you complimenting yourself?" Xuan Congnan found it amusing.

"Yes," Gu Shi said.

"Mm, it was indeed a good call," Xuan Congnan didn't hold back on the praise, "saved me from wasting my breath on him."

Gu Shi picked up his bowl. "Mm."

Xuan Congnan glanced at him, intentionally saying, "I thought you didn't have an appetite?"

"It came back," Gu Shi said. "I'm so hungry. I waited for you at home all day."

Remembering why he had hidden away from home for the day, Xuan Congnan wisely shut his mouth.

After dinner, still feeling hungry, Xuan Congnan ran to eat the cake. "Did you have this delivered? The delivery guy didn't see your face, did he?"

"It wasn't delivery," Gu Shi said, picking up a small fork. "I bought it myself."

Xuan Congnan looked up, confirming, "You went out to buy it?"

Gu Shi’s fork worked over the spots Xuan Congnan had already dug into. "Mm."

"Why go out yourself? What if you were discovered?" Xuan Congnan said, worried. "Were you recognized?"

"No," Gu Shi said. "Using someone else would have seemed insincere. I was afraid you wouldn't forgive me."

"Huh? What's wrong with you?" Xuan Congnan said, feeling strange. "I'm not mad at you; why would I need to forgive you?"

"I hugged you," Gu Shi said.

Xuan Congnan: "..."

Xuan Congnan bit the tip of his fork and looked down unnaturally, but said generously, "That's nothing... we're two grown men, it's fine."

"Mm," Gu Shi asked. "Can I continue to sleep in the same bed as you in the future?"

Xuan Congnan: "..."

Before he had expressed his generosity, he could have said no. But Gu Shi asked this right after he had spoken so magnanimously; if he said no now, wouldn't he be slapping his own face?

Xuan Congnan: "You..."

Gu Shi said, "Gu Jian will surely come over again. Moving things back and forth every time is a hassle."

"..." Xuan Congnan sighed. "Mm."

"I'm someone who fears trouble," Gu Shi said earnestly.

Xuan Congnan replied, empathizing, "Actually, I really hate trouble too."

Gu Shi said, "I know."

He asked one more time, "We can sleep in the same bed, right?"

"..." Xuan Congnan gave up the fight. This time, he was truly generous. "Yes."

Gu Shi polished off the rest of the cake in one go. Xuan Congnan thought he was going to swallow it in one gulp like last time and was about to stop him, when Gu Shi reached out and held the fork toward his mouth.

The gesture was too intimate. Xuan Congnan was dazed and didn't move.

"Since we're sleeping in the same bed anyway," Gu Shi said, holding his hand out and looking intensely into Xuan Congnan's eyes.

Xuan Congnan: "Mm. What is it?"

Gu Shi said, "Let's go get our marriage certificate."