AAMIBBSBY 24

The last sentence fell within the empty training hall, until it dissipated.

Xia Zhi raised his bright eyes, his brows seeming to carry questions, and also a bit of bewilderment.

He had calculated thousands of answers in his heart, but the only thing he hadn’t expected was that Shen Shixiao would answer like this.

What does it mean that only he can be considered?

A spare tire nail-household?¹A term referring to a household that refuses to move out of an area designated for redevelopment, acting like a stubborn “nail” that can’t be pulled out. Combined with “spare tire,” he is humorously calling himself a “permanent, immovable resident” of the backup plan zone.

Even so, Xia Zhi’s mood was still a bit joyful. It seems that Shen Shixiao did not plan to wait forever for that scummy bai yueguang to return.

Hehe, being spare tire²Internet slang for someone kept around as a “backup plan” in a romantic sense, similar to being a second choice or a rebound. number one and actually feeling proud, Xia Zhi laughed at himself for being unambitious.

At this time, bright and blazing streetlights lit up outside the hall. Xia Zhi sat facing them. The way he pursed his lips and seriously thought about things was a bit cute.

Shen Shixiao sat beside him, feeling that those words just now might have frightened Xia Zhi.

Xia Zhi finally said, “Why am I the only one who will do?”

He had thought for a long time just now. Could it be that he and the bai yueguang look alike? Or perhaps they are equally cute?

So he is a stand-in!

How could Shen Shixiao know the surging dog blood plot in his heart, seriously saying, “You are very cute, and also my legal partner.”

If he praises him for being cute, it means he is attracted to him and producing hormones!

Isn’t producing hormones just love?

Rounding it up, Shen Shixiao loves him!

Xia Zhi instantly perked up.

He is not a licking dog³Slang for a “simp.” Someone who lowers their dignity and constantly flatters or chases after someone who doesn’t like them back.—they are running towards each other in both directions!⁴A poetic romantic phrase describing a mutual, equal effort in a relationship—both people are actively trying to reach each other.

Ah, no.

The gloom in his heart dissipated. Xia Zhi stood up. “My stomach is a bit hungry, let’s go eat.”

Shen Shixiao chuckled. “Okay.”

The scenery of the development zone halfway up the mountain was pleasant, and the air was much fresher than in the city.

“The developer really knows how to choose a place.” Xia Zhi looked around with his hands behind his back. “However, there are only a few people, will they lose money?”

Shen Shixiao: “Phase one here has just been built, it’s not fully open yet.”

“So that’s how it is.”

The live broadcast for this episode has ended, but the program team arranged new training for the trainees tomorrow, so Xia Zhi still needs to stay here for a few more days.

The two did not eat together with the program team, but instead casually found a small restaurant to settle lunch.

While eating, the usually chatty Xia Zhi was rarely well-behaved, burying his head to eat his roast duck rice, only responding with a few words when Shen Shixiao took the initiative to speak to him.

It wasn’t anything else with Xia Zhi, he was just a little shy.

No matter how you put it, the two were legally certified husbands. Currently having said such ambiguous words, how could his heart not be like a little deer running around wildly?

Shen Shixiao didn’t bother him too much. Other than carefully peeling some lobsters for him, he just ate quietly.

Give Xia Zhi a little time first. If it really doesn’t work out, then he will solidify their relationship tomorrow when they leave.

It just continued like this until the afternoon. Xia Zhi planned to return to his room to catch up on sleep.

It was just that Shen Shixiao beside him didn’t seem to feel anything was inappropriate, and naturally followed by his side.

Hey! You just said you could consider dating me, and now you are blatantly entering my room and getting on my bed. Do you think that’s appropriate?

Xia Zhi muttered softly, and pressed the elevator floor button.

Coincidentally, the two just happened to run into the program team’s director.

The director seemed to have drunk some wine, asking with a slight hint of drunkenness, “President Shen, Zhizhi, are you two both staying on this floor?”

Xia Zhi nodded awkwardly. “We checked in relatively late, so only this floor had rooms left.”

The director’s reaction was a bit slow. He chuckled in a low voice. “What about President Shen then? I heard from the waiter that the entire development zone is land bought by Shen’s Real Estate. This hotel should have your exclusive presidential suite, right?”

Shen Shixiao pursed his lips, glanced at Xia Zhi out of the corner of his eye, and indifferently said, “It’s my first time here, they didn’t tell me.”

The director held onto the elevator with blurry drunken eyes. “Then you should quickly talk to the waiter—don’t be neglected.”

The elevator doors opened, and the director staggered away supporting himself on the wall. The two closely following behind him tacitly did not speak, swiped the card, and walked into the room.

Xia Zhi poured himself a cup of coffee, and calmly turned into the small kitchen.

!!!

Did Shen Shixiao really not know he had a presidential suite? The answer was obviously no.

Then why would he lie to him about having nowhere to stay?

It must be because he likes him, and wants to touch, kiss, and hug him.

Wuwuwu, so wretched.

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Xia Zhi desperately calmed his mood.

Shen Shixiao likes him.

He is certain.

Moreover, he also likes him.

Since the feelings are mutual, shouldn’t he express it a bit?

How truly embarrassing!

However, before expressing it, he still has to ask clearly in person.

Going out from the kitchen, Xia Zhi saw Shen Shixiao currently handling company matters. He sat over there quietly and did not disturb him.

What he held in his hand was tomorrow’s training materials. When flipping through page by page, a faint clear fragrance of green wood spread around.

It was the scent on Shen Shixiao’s body.

Working seriously together is a bit romantic.

The winter weather was dry, and throats easily get dry; getting tired from reading materials, Xia Zhi brewed some fruit tea for the two of them to reduce internal heat.

“Thank you,” Shen Shixiao said to him and continued to lower his head to work.

Xia Zhi leaned against the chair, then looked at him attentively.

Shen Shixiao’s side profile had always been very good-looking—delicate but not effeminate. The bonus of his aura was a bit cool.

After a long time, the question in his heart was finally asked out loud, “Did what you meant today in the fencing hall mean, you want to give it a try with me?”

According to Xia Zhi’s understanding, the bai yueguang’s current status is that they won’t come back, so Shen Shixiao could completely accept another relationship.

The fingertips that were typing flyingly paused. Shen Shixiao’s tone seemed as if it had gone through careful consideration.

“Mm.”

Xia Zhi was taken aback at first, then suppressed a smile and muttered, “You didn’t even ask if I’m willing, ang.”

Shen Shixiao chuckled low, turning his body slightly. “Mr. Xia, are you willing then?”

Xia Zhi propped his chin with his left hand, deliberately blocking the slightly upturned corners of his mouth. “Ang, let’s try it, ba.”⁵These are modal particles added to the end of sentences for a cute, colloquial, or slightly whiny tone. “Ang” is a cutesy sound of agreement or emphasis. “Ba” softens the tone, similar to saying “let’s [do something]”. It highlights Xia Zhi’s coquettish/playful attitude.

The two coincidentally laughed out loud.

Shen Shixiao must be very busy, continuing to strike the keyboard to handle company matters.

How could Xia Zhi be in the mood to read materials now. He stared at Shen Shixiao, dawdling and leaning closer, lowering his head towards Shen Shixiao’s legs. He slowly bent his body down.

Wuwuwu, is he being too proactive?

By the time Shen Shixiao noticed, Xia Zhi had already lifted his head and gently drilled into his embrace, pressing against his chest when straightening his back, firmly circled by the arms he used to type on the keyboard.

Xia Zhi was thick-skinned. Although he noticed the surprise in Shen Shixiao’s eyes, he still had red ears, rubbing his back against him. “What are you busy with?”

The two had a height difference of about 10 centimeters, and Xia Zhi’s skeletal frame was small, easily getting circled in Shen Shixiao’s embrace.

Shen Shixiao’s eyes darkened a bit. “Handling some documents.”

Since childhood, Xia Zhi didn’t like doing business. Back then, he wasn’t scolded any less by Xia Huaishan because of this, getting a headache the moment he saw piles of data spreadsheets.

He looked straight ahead, sizing up a pile of report forms on the screen. He couldn’t help but feel anxious for Shen Shixiao.

“Shen’s Series B financing⁶A real-world business and startup term referring to the second round of funding for a business through investment, indicating corporate growth and scaling. last year…”

Xia Zhi sighed gently, resting his head on Shen Shixiao’s shoulder, like a little kitten begging its master for a scratch.

“Can I stay here for a while? Will it disturb your work?”

While speaking, Xia Zhi gently turned his head, those beautiful eyes affectionate and gentle, blooming with a bright smile.

A beautiful, clingy little cutie—who could withstand this.

Shen Shixiao: “Not disturbing, just leaning is fine.”

The sound of the keyboard was crisp and pleasant to hear, but Xia Zhi became increasingly sleepy staring at the screen.

Finally, Shen Shixiao completed the last page, added a red watermark at the bottom, and set a password for the document.

Xia Zhi recognized this kind of symbol. Only confidential documents of general enterprises would be stamped with this kind of watermark. However, Shen Shixiao’s watermark was a bit different.

He had a rather bad premonition. “What does this watermark mean?”

Shen Shixiao: “It represents Shen’s document of the highest degree of confidentiality.”

Xia Zhi: “Then… what would happen if seen by others?”

Shen Shixiao: “If it’s serious, our company will face bankruptcy.”

Xia Zhi: “…”

He was a goner!

If he had known earlier, he wouldn’t have been blindly curious!

If others knew about this matter, would he be silenced?

Xia Zhi lowered his eyes and rolled them around, suddenly formulating a plan in his heart. He plop fell into Shen Shixiao’s embrace and started making soft snoring sounds.

“Am I sleepwalking? What document… I haven’t seen anything.”

Shen Shixiao patted his head and chuckled low. “It’s fine even if you saw it, you have to support me if I go bankrupt.”

Xia Zhi must have been sleepy. His head touched his shoulder, and after not even a few minutes, he actually hooked around his waist and really fell asleep.

It was already close to early morning. Shen Shixiao carried him to bed to sleep.

When Xia Zhi woke up the next day, breakfast was already set on the dining table. Shen Shixiao sat in front of the dining table and said to him, “Good morning.”

Smelling the rich scent of milk, his memory of last night’s events was a bit blurry.

Damn! The first night of confirming their relationship!

He actually fell asleep?

Did any romantic things happen afterwards, nie⁷A trendy internet slang particle put at the end of a sentence. It acts similarly to “呢” (ne), but sounds much cuter, often mimicking a soft, playful, or slightly whiny anime-style tone.?

So frustrating.

The just-woken-up Xia Zhi was a bit delicate, his tone was like acting coquettishly. “When did I fall asleep yesterday?”

Shen Shixiao answered, “While leaning in my embrace. Not even a few minutes passed before you fell asleep.”

Xia Zhi bit into his fried egg.

Was it this embarrassing? Wuwu.

Shen Shixiao had already stayed here for three days, and today he must leave.

In the parking lot, Xia Zhi had his hands in his down jacket pockets, staring eagerly at the car window.

“Go back, don’t you still have training in the afternoon?”

“Mm, then have a safe trip.”

Xia Zhi suddenly felt that at this moment, they were a bit like newlyweds, having just gotten clingy and mushy, only to be forced apart.

The driver started the engine, about to set off.

Right at this time, Xia Zhi actually asked under some strange impulse, “Do you want to hug me before leaving?”

The person in front of him was like a little fox, raising its fluffy tail to show goodwill and taking out two pieces of candy.

“Want to eat candy? Once you eat it, you are my person now.”

Shen Shixiao was startled. Stepping with his long legs, he opened the car door and walked down, standing opposite Xia Zhi, pulling him into a full embrace.

Feeling the arm strength around his waist, Xia Zhi’s head gently rubbed against Shen Shixiao’s chest.

Wu! Is this the taste of falling in love!

So shy!

After Shen Shixiao left, Xia Zhi went back to tidy up a bit, preparing for training.

Meanwhile, Shen Shixiao is on the road. After answering a phone call, the warmth on his face gradually disappeared.

There were some clues over in France again, but the cause of the car accident still lacked sufficient evidence and witnesses.

A few months ago, when Shen Shixiao first found Xia Zhi, seeing him remain completely indifferent facing him, he was angry.

He would always remember the first sentence Xia Zhi said upon seeing him, “Mister, please step aside.”

It was snowing that day. Shen Shixiao stood by the roadside for a long time, unable to recover.

It was as if he had been cheated out of his most precious feelings by someone.

After the anger passed, rationality slowly returned. He sent people to secretly investigate the things that happened to Xia Zhi in recent years, and also found out that the departure without saying goodbye in France, was due to a car accident.

This car accident caused them to be separated for a few years, and the main culprit is still at large⁸An idiom meaning to be free from the law, unpunished, and getting away with a crime. to this day.

The driver died on the spot while Xia Zhi suffered severe head injuries, and was sent back to the country for treatment. When checking the details of the car accident in detail, Shen Shixiao discovered that Xia Huaishan actually did not pursue the cause of the car accident.

This made Shen Shixiao unable to help but suspect whether this car accident was related to Xia Huaishan.

However, the evidence was insufficient. The police over in France stated that if they wanted to know the details of the car accident, they could only go ask the person involved.

Due to that day, Xia Zhi answered a phone call. However, because of this car accident, Xia Zhi had long forgotten all memories related to France.

Shen Shixiao had secretly gone to look for the doctor who operated on Xia Zhi. The doctor told him that awakening a patient’s memory is not the work of a single day. The bits and pieces of the past still needed to be slowly recalled in daily life to help the patient, letting the patient remember it themselves.

Finally, seeing him worried, the doctor even comforted him that there was once a miracle in clinical history—after returning home and living with their lover, a patient who had lost their memory recovered it in just one month.

It goes to show how great the power of love is.

Shen Shixiao nodded. Although he didn’t know if he could help Xia Zhi recover his memory, he wanted to try.

This was a plan he had made in advance, even before his marriage alliance with Xia Zhi.

Spreading rumors of himself being irritable and prone to anger, secretly investigating Xia Huaishan and his company, and knowing his temper and personality like the back of his hand.

Finally arriving at the banquet that day, he took the initiative to strike.

Shen Shixiao was like having woven a long-premeditated large net, quietly awaiting Xia Zhi’s arrival.

Fortunately, everything is going very smoothly now.

Returning to the company, he resumed a simple two-point one-line routine. Such a life had long been common and ordinary in the past, but now, he actually tasted a bit of dullness in it.

Simply because Xia Zhi was not there.

Clicking open Xia Zhi’s WeChat avatar, it was a little Totoro, chubby and very cute.

“Do you like little Totoros?”

Shen Shixiao muttered to himself.

On Xia Zhi’s side, after a full half-day of basketball training, he finally dragged his exhausted body back to the hotel room.

The next episode’s recording would also involve professional career comprehension.

He really wasn’t very good at basketball.

Just after finishing a shower, the sound of knocking rang out from outside the door. Listening to the voice, it was Xiao Pang.

Opening the door, Xiao Pang sneakily poked his head in. “Zhizhi, President Shen has left, right?”

Xia Zhi asked subconsciously, “How did you know he was here with me?”

Xiao Pang’s heart jolted: F*ck! Is this some top secret! Was he not supposed to know?

And so, he told Xia Zhi about delivering the quilt that day.

After listening, Xia Zhi didn’t explain either. He just told Xiao Pang to keep it a secret.

Xiao Pang naturally knew about this kind of thing, promising to keep his mouth shut tight as a bottle.⁹An idiom meaning to keep a secret strictly; literally “to guard one’s mouth like a [sealed] bottle.”

However, before leaving, he still told Xia Zhi the words held back in the bottom of his heart. “Zhizhi, I heard you have a husband. Maybe you and President Shen being like this, have your own helplessness, but it’s very unfair to your husband.”

After listening, Xia Zhi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He hesitatingly opened his mouth wanting to tell him the truth, but in the end, he swallowed the words back down when they reached his lips.

“My husband and I are in a contract marriage. I did not cheat within the marriage, so rest assured.”

After Xiao Pang heard this, only then did he smile foolishly.

When night came, Xia Zhi sat on the bed, hesitating over whether or not to make a video call to Shen Shixiao.

However, they had just separated in the morning. Would doing this be too clingy?

Yet since they said they would try, how could they try without contacting each other?

After tidying his hair, he dialed a video call to Shen Shixiao. Very soon, the other side connected, and Shen Shixiao, who was currently working, appeared on the screen. Looking at the background behind him, he should be at home.

Xia Zhi propped his chin up while lying on his stomach on the bed. “It’s so late, haven’t you rested yet?”

Shen Shixiao lowered his head and glanced at the camera lens. “Mm, been very busy recently.”

“Take care of your health, ya.”

“You too.”

When the two chatted, there weren’t too many words. Most of the time, they were both doing their own things. As long as they saw the other person was there when they lowered their heads, it was fine.

At this time, Shen Shixiao’s side answered a phone call, and Xia Zhi groggily paid attention to his side.

“Shixiao, summer… Bai Yue has returned… Probably living in the sunbelt abroad was uncomfortable, bei…”

Although the voice from the other side couldn’t be heard very clearly, Xia Zhi still caught a few key words.

Someone returned to the country.

Shen Shixiao’s brows furrowed, then he calmly said, “Then let’s schedule a meal as soon as possible tomorrow.” Hanging up the phone, he massaged his tired temples, and gently looked at Xia Zhi. “It’s very late, shall we rest?”

Xia Zhi hummed and hawed a response, and nodded stiffly. “Mm, okay.”

The call hung up, and Xia Zhi’s previous sleepiness completely disappeared without a trace.

The two words ‘summer’ were mentioned in the phone call—isn’t that ‘summer’?

This person Bai Yue, returning to the country from the sunbelt in the southern United States, added together, isn’t that bai yueguang then?

Therefore, Summer’s Chinese name is Bai Yue?

Xia Zhi lay flat on the bed, wanting to cry but having no tears.

Wuwu, his love had only been two days, and it was already gone!

Sleepless all night, the next day, Xia Zhi sported dark circles under his eyes to attend the last half-day of training.

Finally finished, Xia Zhi dragged two suitcases and sprinted like a rabbit. Xiao Pang panted as he followed. “What are you in such a hurry to go do!”

Tonight, Shen Shixiao is going to eat with Bai Yue.

Xia Zhi turned his head. “Any later, and my love will be gone.”

After several twists and turns, Xia Zhi returned to the city. He did not go home, but instead he made a phone call to Shen Shixiao, telling him he was back.

Shen Shixiao told Xia Zhi that he had a dinner party tonight, and asked if he wanted to join.

Xia Zhi was just waiting for this sentence, and hurriedly agreed.

Letting him go see the bai yueguang so blatantly? Has he already decided to lay his cards on the table with him?

Do these two big suitcases still need to be sent home?

Might as well just drag them along and leave, bei!

However, he still took advantage—he got a dryer for free.

Wuwuwu.

After arriving at the restaurant, Xia Zhi was led by the attendant to a private room in the backyard. The private room was very large, divided into inner and outer reception rooms.

Standing in the outer reception room, Xia Zhi was not in a hurry to go in. Instead, he sat on his suitcase with his back facing the main door, falling into deep thought.

He typed rapidly on his phone: The first time meeting a love rival, what should I do?

The answers below were all kinds of strange and varied, giving Xia Zhi a headache.

At this time, the inner private room door gently opened. The dining table directly faced Xia Zhi sitting on the suitcase, and the people inside looked over curiously.

Xia Zhi had his back to them. He took out a throw pillow and gestured vigorously against his stomach.

Xiao-ge and I have already cooked the raw rice into mature rice! I beg you to fulfill us.

I’ll give you a hundred million—leave Shen Shixiao!

• 1
  A term referring to a household that refuses to move out of an area designated for redevelopment, acting like a stubborn “nail” that can’t be pulled out. Combined with “spare tire,” he is humorously calling himself a “permanent, immovable resident” of the backup plan zone.
• 2
  Internet slang for someone kept around as a “backup plan” in a romantic sense, similar to being a second choice or a rebound.
• 3
  Slang for a “simp.” Someone who lowers their dignity and constantly flatters or chases after someone who doesn’t like them back.
• 4
  A poetic romantic phrase describing a mutual, equal effort in a relationship—both people are actively trying to reach each other.
• 5
  These are modal particles added to the end of sentences for a cute, colloquial, or slightly whiny tone. “Ang” is a cutesy sound of agreement or emphasis. “Ba” softens the tone, similar to saying “let’s [do something]”. It highlights Xia Zhi’s coquettish/playful attitude.
• 6
  A real-world business and startup term referring to the second round of funding for a business through investment, indicating corporate growth and scaling.
• 7
  A trendy internet slang particle put at the end of a sentence. It acts similarly to “呢” (ne), but sounds much cuter, often mimicking a soft, playful, or slightly whiny anime-style tone.
• 8
  An idiom meaning to be free from the law, unpunished, and getting away with a crime.
• 9
  An idiom meaning to keep a secret strictly; literally “to guard one’s mouth like a [sealed] bottle.”