ACMS 4

Chapter 4 – Why Not Get Married

After leaving the café, Shen Hechuan had been busy all day. That little episode had already been thrown to the back of his mind.

Being suddenly confronted about it by his elders, the first thing that popped into his head was the image of Qiao Le bowing and saying, “Good people will be rewarded.”

Who would want this kind of reward?

Shen Hechuan felt a mix of amusement and helplessness, but not the slightest irritation.

It was a strange feeling—but his face remained neutral.

He sat down in the nearby armchair and said, “It’s not true. Just a misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding?” his mother, Madam Wu Huilan, looked at him with a peculiar expression. “Jiarong saw it with her own eyes—how could that be a misunderstanding? She said that little boyfriend of yours was clinging to your arm, calling you ‘honey’ all sweet and intimate.”

Shen Hechuan: “…”

‘Honey, say something~’

That coquettish voice full of playful blame suddenly echoed in his ears.

Well? Did he say it or not?

Shen Hechuan found himself unable to argue—because Qiao Le didn’t just say it, he said it several times. It rolled off his tongue like he’d said it a thousand times before.

Cheng Jiarong, the woman at the café earlier today, was the daughter of a family friend. She’d just returned from studying abroad, and their families had been hoping the two would develop something.

Shen Hechuan barely knew her and had no intention of dating or marrying her. Today wasn’t even really a blind date—just a chance encounter.

His original intention had been to use the opportunity to make things clear with Cheng Jiarong. He hadn’t expected Qiao Le to stumble into the situation and inadvertently resolve it for him.

Though the process was a bit hard to describe, the outcome was satisfactory.

Come to think of it, he ought to thank Qiao Le.

He just didn’t know if this “Mr. Huo’s commission” that Qiao Le mentioned had gone as smoothly.

He zoned out a little.

Seeing him remain silent, Wu Huilan assumed it was tacit admission. She anxiously nudged her husband. “Look at that, look! He has nothing to say! I thought he just didn’t want to find a partner or get married, but turns out he already found someone!”

Shen Hechuan: “…”

“Don’t rush.” Shen Zhenghe patted her arm to calm her. “We haven’t gotten the full story yet. No need to get worked up.”

Old Master Shen also chimed in. “That’s right, Huilan, don’t be hasty. Let’s first hear how he plans to talk his way out of this.”

“…”

Shen Hechuan had a headache. “Grandpa, don’t use words like that.”

“Then explain yourself properly,” Shen Zhenghe said gently. “We’ll pass judgment after that.”

Saying the harshest things in the gentlest tone.

Shen Hechuan: “…”

Everyone present was family, so Shen Hechuan had no intention of hiding anything. He gave a brief explanation of how Qiao Le had gone to the wrong place and mistaken him for someone else.

Although Qiao Le had helped him solve a major headache, the two were strangers, and he had no reason to keep using Qiao Le as a shield.

When he finished explaining, the three elders all looked at one another in confusion.

“It really wasn’t?” Wu Huilan asked suspiciously. “Don’t you lie to me! If you really are with that young man, you can’t just pretend otherwise!”

Shen Hechuan: “It’s not.”

Shen Zhenghe pressed, “And he wasn’t kicked out of his home for you?”

Shen Hechuan: “…Of course not.”

Old Master Shen didn’t let it go either. “And you haven’t had a vasectomy?”

Shen Hechuan: “…No.”

The old man let out a breath of relief. “Then I can rest easy. My great-grandsons and great-granddaughters are still possible.”

Shen Hechuan: “…”

The older he got, the more the old man loved children. He often talked about how he wanted to hold great-grandkids. When he went out for tea or chess with old friends, if any of them brought their grandchildren, he’d look on with envy for ages.

Once they learned it was all a misunderstanding, everyone relaxed—especially Wu Huilan.

Earlier today, she’d heard from Cheng Jiarong that the young man was very young, had dropped out of school for Shen Hechuan, and had even been kicked out of his house by his parents. She’d been in a panic ever since.

As a parent, your child is the apple of your eye, but you can’t go ruining someone else’s.

Now that the misunderstanding was cleared, she began worrying about her son’s marriage again. “Since it’s all a misunderstanding, you should explain things to Jiarong. You’re not getting any younger—it’s time you settled down. Jiarong is a good girl, and our families know each other well. You’re a good match.”

Shen Hechuan was thirty-two this year—peak age for a man.

But to parents, it’s always best if their children marry early. His parents were no exception, and neither was his grandfather.

Marriage was the most discussed topic in their household.

Last time it was the Lin family’s daughter, today it was the Cheng family’s daughter. Who knew whose daughter it’d be next time.

But Shen Hechuan had no plans to get married anytime soon. He didn’t want to give his elders false hope, so he said plainly that there was no possibility with Cheng Jiarong, and there was no need to explain anything further.

Wu Huilan was very fond of Cheng Jiarong. Hearing that, she asked, “Why not? Didn’t you say you have nothing going on with that young man?”

What does it have to do with that young man?

Shen Hechuan didn’t want to bring Qiao Le more trouble, so he casually gave a reason. “She’s too young. It’s not a good match.”

Cheng Jiarong had just graduated and had just turned twenty-two—ten years younger than him.

A ten-year gap did indeed create a generational difference.

But Wu Huilan knew the problem wasn’t the age. Last time she introduced someone closer in age, he had used “incompatible personalities” as an excuse.

If the issue wasn’t age or personality, then… it must be Shen Hechuan himself.

Recalling what Cheng Jiarong had said about a vasectomy, a terrifying thought crossed Wu Huilan’s mind—what if her son hadn’t had a vasectomy, but was… impotent?!

The moment that thought surfaced, she couldn’t sit still. She stood up abruptly. “Shen Hechuan, tell me the truth—are you hiding something from us?”

As soon as she said it, both Old Master Shen and Shen Zhenghe turned to look at Shen Hechuan.

“What could I possibly be hiding from you?” Shen Hechuan was baffled. Hadn’t he just explained everything? What else could there be?

“You…” Wu Huilan hesitated, wringing her hands anxiously.

Shen Hechuan didn’t know what she was so worried about, but seeing the heavy look on her face, he got up to help her sit down. “Mom, just say it.”

“My son,” Wu Huilan clutched his hand tightly, speaking earnestly, “You can’t hide from illness just because you’re embarrassed. If you’ve got a health problem, you need to get it treated early. We have money—we can afford it.”

Old Master Shen: ⊙口⊙！

Shen Zhenghe: ⊙▽⊙！

Shen Hechuan: “…”

Realizing what she meant, Shen Hechuan’s eye twitched. The looks of concern from his father and grandfather only gave him a headache.

Old Master Shen had been dreaming about great-grandkids for years. He’d even picked out several names in advance, just waiting for Shen Hechuan to get married and have children so he could choose the perfect one. He’d even thought ahead to which schools the children should attend.

His precious great-grandchildren would go to only the best schools.

Hearing his daughter-in-law say that, the old man clutched his cane, his voice trembling. “W-What kind of problem… can it be treated?”

The old man was over eighty. Shen Zhenghe, afraid the stress might be too much for him, quickly grabbed his shaking hand and reassured him, “Dad, don’t panic. Medicine is advanced nowadays—it can be treated.”

Shen Hechuan: “……”

“Zhenghe, hurry up and get in touch with a specialist. Arrange a proper examination for him tomorrow—”

“Grandpa.” Shen Hechuan interrupted, rubbing his brow and emphasizing once more, “I just don’t plan on getting married right now. I’m in perfect health. You don’t need to worry.”

Grandfather Shen: “Really?”

“Really.”

Only after he gave this assurance again did the three elders finally ease up a little. “As long as there’s nothing wrong, that’s good.”

They exchanged glances. Though the issue wasn’t fully resolved, it was half-settled at least, and the mood lightened considerably.

Grandfather Shen spoke up: “Well, since there’s nothing else, let’s go downstairs for dinner.”

He waved his hand, motioning for Wu Huilan and Shen Zhenghe to go first. Shen Hechuan understood and fell two steps behind to accompany him down.

Grandfather Shen leaned in and said in a low voice, “I thought it over. If you really like that little boy, don’t hide it. Pick a time to bring him home for a meal.”

Shen Hechuan hadn’t expected Grandfather Shen to say that and was a little surprised—especially considering how eager the old man was for great-grandchildren.

Grandfather Shen kept trying to persuade him. Shen Hechuan lightly patted his back and once again emphasized, “It’s really not what you think. I don’t even know him.”

Grandfather Shen let out an “Oh,” sounding a bit disappointed, yet somehow also relieved. It was hard to tell which feeling was stronger.

After dinner, Shen Hechuan stayed overnight at the old house.

He still had some work to finish, so he headed upstairs right after eating.

As soon as he left, Wu Huilan picked up the phone and called her best friend: “That incredible old traditional chinese medicine doctor you mentioned last time—where is his clinic? Send me the address later. No, don’t ask so many questions. I’ll explain everything later…”

Shen Zhenghe, sitting beside her: “……”

Shen Hechuan had no idea what his mother was scheming. Just as he finished his work, he heard a knock at the door.

Aunt Liu stood at the doorway and handed him a blue sticky note. “Young Master Hechuan, I found this in the pocket of your coat just now.”

Shen Hechuan glanced down and took it.

The note had Qiao Le’s name and phone number written on it—it was the one Qiao Le had left earlier that afternoon.

He had absentmindedly shoved it into his jacket pocket. If Aunt Liu hadn’t found it, he would have completely forgotten about it.

Truthfully, he couldn’t think of anything he needed Qiao Le’s help with. But Qiao Le had left the note and left—he hadn’t even gotten the chance to refuse.

The handwriting on the note was a bit rushed, but the characters were graceful and neat, suggesting that Qiao Le had written it in a hurry. Still, it didn’t detract from its beauty.

Just like the writer himself.

…?

Realizing where his thoughts had wandered, Shen Hechuan paused.

He walked over to the dresser, opened the top drawer, and placed the note inside before closing it again.

It was just a chance encounter—nothing worth dwelling on.

——

Qiao Le had no idea what Shen Hechuan was thinking, nor did he have the time or energy to guess.

He delivered takeout during the day and worked nights at a bar. His workdays stretched to fifteen hours or more.

Leaving that note for Shen Hechuan was just to ease his own conscience. If the other man didn’t reach out, it meant he didn’t need him—and that was fine with Qiao Le. He’d rather focus on taking orders and making money.

In the blink of an eye, two weeks had passed since the incident.

At the moment, Qiao Le was on a long-distance bus headed to Jinyang County. He had left early that morning. After arriving in Jinyang, he’d need to transfer to a smaller bus and ride another two hours to Liuhe Town.

He was there to pick up his younger brother, Qiao Man, who had spent summer vacation at their uncle and aunt’s place.

Their aunt, Chen Li, was an elementary school teacher in town. When she went on break, she had Qiao Le bring Qiao Man over to stay and help watch him. Now that kindergarten was starting again, it was time to bring him back.

Once in town, Qiao Le bought some fruit and picked out a fat duck, then hailed a motorcycle taxi to the village where his uncle lived.

Their house was at the entrance of the village. As soon as Qiao Le got off, he saw several kids crouched in the courtyard playing marbles—and among them was his little brother, Qiao Man.

Seeing his brother, Qiao Le smiled and called out, “Xiao Man!”

The little one had his butt sticking out, focused on marbles. Upon hearing the familiar voice, he looked up in surprise—then suddenly dropped the marbles and ran over, hugging Qiao Le’s leg. “Big brother!”

Just as Qiao Le was about to respond, the duck he was carrying upside-down suddenly quacked, “Quack—!”

Qiao Le: “……”

Excuse me, who asked for your opinion?

Can’t you just be a quiet, decent duck?