Qin Zhan’s grandfather, kindly and amicably: “Xiao Nan, have you ever had a boyfriend?”
Fang Yuhan’s face suddenly flushed when he heard this long-lost nickname: “No, never been in a relationship.”
When Fang Yuhan was young, he was small and delicate, like a tiny doll. Before he turned three, Fang Yuhan’s mother checked three times to see if he was growing properly. On Qin Zhan’s fourth birthday party, Fang Yuhan was brought to Qin Zhan’s house by his parents. Halfway through the party, they realized the child was missing, and all the security guards were mobilized to search for him.
Four-year-old Qin Zhan liked to raise birds, so his grandfather specially gave him a birdcage over a meter tall as a birthday present. The birdcage was ivory white, lined with soft white fluff, and had a dreamy style. Since the birdcage was so large, it couldn’t be carried, so it had small wheels underneath for pushing.
While everyone was searching anxiously, Qin Zhan’s birthday party continued. Qin Zhan pulled down the curtain of the birdcage, expecting to have a majestic eagle, but instead, he was greeted by a soft and cute little bundle. Fang Yuhan’s chubby little fist grabbed onto the cage’s railing, kneeling inside the cage with his small face pressed against the bars, his round black eyes glistening, and his long eyelashes fluttering gently as if touching everyone’s hearts.
“Big brother… carry me,” Fang Yuhan said as he went inside, but then found he couldn’t get out. He was used to using his smile to please people, so he smiled sweetly at Qin Zhan.
The guests gasped in shock. Did noble families play like this? Sending a child bride at the age of four! And keeping her confined! She’s so adorable, yet her parents are willing to let her go!
Yes, Fang Yuhan was even more beautiful than a little girl when he was young.
Qin Zhan felt the surrounding gazes were a bit too intense: This isn’t what it looks like…
Fang’s mother smiled awkwardly and hurriedly took her son out of the birdcage: “It’s a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding…”
In just that brief moment, Fang Yuhan had entered what he thought was his “pumpkin carriage.” Having heard too many bedtime stories, he was quite fixated on the idea.
Later, when Fang’s mother told the story again, she always emphasized that boys don’t belong in pumpkin carriages, they should be driving them outside.
Both of them forgot about this embarrassing story. But the story of the child bride secretly spread among the wealthy families, causing Qin Zhan’s blind dates to go awry for a while.
…
Qin Zhan looked coldly at Fang Yuhan playing the “innocent” role, his eyes shy, his ears slightly pink, and it seemed quite believable, but he didn’t expose the person’s hobby.
But come to think of it, why was he observing so carefully if he didn’t have that hobby?
Qin’s grandfather, seeing his grandson seemingly indifferent but continuously glancing at Fang’s kid, figured it out and cheerfully said, “We Qin Zhan don’t have anyone either. You guys are always traveling around, so why not make friends and look out for each other?”
The implication was clear – arrange a blind date.
Fang Yuhan turned his head to glance at Qin Zhan, feeling a bit sympathetic. Look, another poor soul forced into marriage.
“Sure.” Fang Yuhan readily agreed, feeling like he was helping Qin Zhan. If they both remained indifferent today, Qin Zhan would probably be asked to continue blind dating. So, by showing some willingness to interact, Qin’s grandfather would see potential, and hopefully stop pushing so hard.
This is just a small act of kindness. Fang Yuhan glanced sideways at Qin Zhan, took a sip of puer tea, and couldn’t hide the cunning look in his eyes: Big brother, I’ve helped you enough.
Qin Zhan thought Fang Yuhan was mocking him for being a virgin, and his face darkened.
…
Fang Yuhan didn’t expect that there would be aftersales for his act of kindness.
Seeing the slow progress between the two families, unsure when they would make any progress, they couldn’t help but jointly step on the accelerator.
Using the excuse of feigning illness and misery to force marriage, the two who had been forced into arranged marriages could only reluctantly agree to give dating a try.
With a nod from one side, the parents on the other side had already planned out the entire dating schedule, including time, location, and participants, all arranged clearly and unambiguously.
Qin Zhan drove over to pick up Fang Yuhan. Just endure these five days until after the Lunar New Year, and then they would each go their separate ways.
Fang Yuhan didn’t recognize Qin Zhan’s car and was still on the phone. The matchmaking platform was taking advantage of the Lunar New Year holiday to aggressively promote their packages, but unfortunately, they were unaware that their biggest client was about to leave.
Thinking that this would be the last time he had to answer the phone, Fang Yuhan was relieved. With Qin Zhan as his excuse, he wouldn’t have to worry about meeting the call quota anymore, so he happily chatted away with the customer service representative.
Having gone through several rounds of customer service representatives, covering all twelve zodiac signs, Fang Yuhan was now back to the initial customer service representative, Mouse.
“Happy New Year. I have a boyfriend, thank you.”
“Do you remember my first ex-boyfriend, the CEO? After careful consideration, I realized that CEOs are wealthier and more cultured.”
“It’s not a reunion. A good horse doesn’t graze on old pastures. Of course, it’s a new CEO!”
“Don’t think about me anymore. Really, it’s over.”
The persistent customer service representative, reluctant to lose a big client, said, “Based on our observation over the past year, you change boyfriends about once a week, so we’ll keep an eye out for good matches for you. Do you want to see a few backup options?”
Fang Yuhan replied, “I’m telling you, all my ex-boyfriends are just that – exes!”
“Contact information? I won’t give it to you. How can they be backup options for me if you take them to blind dates?” Fang Yuhan refused. Non-existent people wouldn’t have contact information.
Qin Zhan, separated by the transparent glass, silently watched his supposed boyfriend emotionally cheating. The spring chill was mild, and Fang Yuhan wore a short goose-yellow down jacket with a beige scarf wrapped around his neck. He stood tall and slender, like a budding flower branch quietly emerging in the spring, every smile and frown capturing the bright spring sunshine, pleasing to the eye.
Of course, provided the soundproofing of the glass was a bit better, so Qin Zhan couldn’t hear the content of his phone call.
Fang Yuhan happily said goodbye to the matchmaking platform after completing the call, a faint dimple hanging from his lips. Turning around, he saw Qin Zhan through the glass, his eyes deep and seemingly unhappy. He thought to himself, Qin Zhan must be annoyed from waiting so long.
“Sorry,” Fang Yuhan apologized.
Qin Zhan gently reminded him, “Although we’re pretending to date, both parties should have a sense of commitment. For the sake of our families and our own reputations, I hope there won’t be any unfavorable rumors.”
Fang Yuhan smiled openly and assured, “You’re the only one for me.”
Sweet words came easily to him, probably because he was used to juggling so many relationships. Qin Zhan didn’t believe Fang Yuhan’s words in the slightest and wanted to cover up his showy dimples with something.
During the five days, every time Fang Yuhan answered a call for work, Qin Zhan felt a little more green with envy.
Fang Yuhan was busy with work, often traveling to various places, and had many friends in his line of work, so his New Year’s greetings never stopped. He didn’t have a good memory for faces, so he added long strings of qualifiers to the contacts in his phone, making it seem like he couldn’t remember his numerous lovers, thus labeling their characteristics.
Qin Zhan always reminded himself of the fact that Fang Yuhan had many boyfriends, but over time, it began to feel like he was trying to cover up something. Qin Zhan knew he had a strong possessive streak, and with Fang Yuhan being so promiscuous, being together would only lead to pain. It was better to let each other go. In a society governed by the rule of law, forced love wasn’t encouraged, and with their families knowing each other, he didn’t want things to end too badly.
Fang Yuhan was completely unaware of Qin Zhan’s internal struggles. He thought that even though their dates were fake, they should still take them seriously out of respect for the good holiday.
In the air thick with the scent of the New Year, various delicious snacks tempted them, and Fang Yuhan ate while looking at the pot, making sure to buy Qin Zhan a portion as well.
He raised his phone to take pictures, like a couple in love, capturing every sweet moment.
Fang Yuhan looked down at the photos and asked Qin Zhan, “Do you want me to email them to you?”
Qin Zhan’s gaze lingered on the exposed bit of Fang Yuhan’s fair neck. A piece of red firecracker paper drifted down and landed on Fang Yuhan’s collar. Qin Zhan’s eyes flickered as he reached out and flicked it away.
Feeling the coolness of Qin Zhan’s fingertips against his skin, Fang Yuhan instinctively shrank his neck. “Do you want them?” He had deliberately chosen different backgrounds and angles for these “dates.” He would send one to his mother every few days, and then he wouldn’t have to go on blind dates for the next year.
They were beautiful.
Fang Yuhan tilted his head back, and Qin Zhan, who had just intended to flick away a firecracker scrap, ended up making extensive physical contact with Fang Yuhan’s skin. It was warm and soft, like solidified cream, and he couldn’t move his hand away.
Qin Zhan restrained himself from pushing his hand further into Fang Yuhan’s back and calmly withdrew it, saying to Fang Yuhan, “No need. You’re going back to work tomorrow, right? Be safe on the road.”
“Ah… Oh.” Fang Yuhan looked at the suddenly departing Qin Zhan, feeling a bit dazed and a bit hurt. He wondered if it was his imagination, but Qin Zhan had just pinched his neck so hard, like a purring little cat.
Qin Zhan looked at the reddened skin on Fang Yuhan’s neck and moved his fingers hanging by his side.
That’s it.
This was the last time he would endure it. Qin Zhan made up his mind that everyone had their own way of life, and forcing a change would only bring pain and selfishness.
The risk and reward of being in a relationship with Fang Yuhan were disproportionate. It was best to withdraw as soon as possible, while he wasn’t irreplaceable.
…
For the next year, they pretended to be in a relationship on the surface, but in reality, they didn’t communicate at all. Fang Yuhan was initially a bit disappointed; he thought they were at least friends. But as soon as he got busy with work, he had no time to think about it.
However, fate had a twisted sense of humor. The following year, Qin Zhan’s grandfather insisted that Qin Zhan take Fang Yuhan to the company’s annual meeting. They had been “dating” for a year, so it was time to show their faces.
Both of them reluctantly agreed. Fang Yuhan dressed up in formal attire, took a photo at the entrance to show his grandfather, then retreated to a small room to play games.
Qin Zhan made a brief speech at the annual meeting, but his mind was filled with thoughts of Fang Yuhan he had just seen, looking dazzling in his shirt, tie, and suit vest.
Since Fang Yuhan had come all the way to his company, it wouldn’t be right to leave him hanging. Qin Zhan picked up a bottle of wine from the shelf and went to find Fang Yuhan in the small room.
The heater had turned the room warm, making Fang Yuhan’s cheeks flush red. When he saw Qin Zhan come in, he immediately put down his game and approached, “Hey, aren’t you busy?”
Qin Zhan loosened his tie. “I didn’t have much to do anyway.”
Fang Yuhan felt that tonight should be considered the “Successful Single Man Forced into Marriage Support Group Meeting.” He drank with genuine feelings.
Both of them had good alcohol tolerance, and halfway through, they had the secretary bring a few more bottles. They drank red and white wine together, and in the end, they ended up in bed, half-pushing and half-pulling.
…
When he woke up sober, Fang Yuhan clutched his severely injured rear end, scurrying into the bathroom and asking his friend for help, “Oh no, is he going to hold me responsible for this?”
His friend was astonished. “You slept with Qin Zhan!”
Fang Yuhan replied, “…No.”
“Then what are you responsible for?”
“It was his first time!” Not just his manhood, even his technique was so inexperienced!
His friend rolled his eyes. “You’re new too.”
Fang Yuhan argued, “I’m different!”
Clearly, Qin Zhan regarded his virginity more seriously than him, otherwise why would he keep hinting that he shouldn’t fool around?
Fang Yuhan thought to himself: Even someone like me, who’s so pure, is being watched like a hawk by Qin Zhan. As the saying goes, treat others with kindness, but be strict with oneself. Oh no, Qin Zhan will definitely be even stricter with me!
His friend asked, “So what’s your plan?”
Fang Yuhan cried, “I don’t want to be responsible!”
Qin Zhan heard every word of Fang Yuhan’s conversation from the bed. Sure enough, there was no hope for Fang Yuhan’s concept of love.
He pressed his forehead. Last night was indeed too chaotic, but since it had come to this… When Fang Yuhan came in, regardless of how many boyfriends he had, Qin Zhan stared at him and said, “People should be responsible for their actions.”
“If the person involved can’t take responsibility, it’s necessary to inform their guardian.”
Acting like a tattle-tale even as an adult, it seemed he took the first time very seriously. Fang Yuhan couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt in his heart.
Wasn’t he responsible enough?
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