ACMS 34

Chapter 34 Engagement Banquet

The next day, Qiao Le and Qiao Man went up the mountain to pay respects at their father’s grave, accompanied by Shen Hechuan and the couple, Chen Li and Liang Jiancheng.

Knowing that this trip included visiting the grave, Chen Li had already prepared everything they would need a day in advance—incense, candles, and paper offerings, all in full.

The countryside was different from the city. Here, people were buried in the ground, the mountain paths were winding and narrow, and trees and weeds grew everywhere. Just the climb itself took considerable effort.

Qiao Le originally wanted Shen Hechuan to wait at home, but Shen Hechuan insisted on going. He said that since he was here, it was only right to offer incense to his elder.

Hearing that, Qiao Le gave him a warning: “The path is really rough. I can only carry Xiao Man. Don’t expect me to carry you.”

“……” Shen Hechuan gave him a speechless look and, in order to prove himself, offered, “I’ll carry Xiao Man.”

Qiao Le pressed his lips into a smile. “Thanks, then.”

Shen Hechuan raised a brow. “You tricked me?”

“I didn’t.” Qiao Le held out his hands. “You volunteered. Xiao Man, come thank Uncle Shen. He’s going to carry you up the mountain later.”

Xiao Man was eating a rice ball. Hearing that, he reluctantly set it down. “Then I’ll eat a little less.”

Shen Hechuan: “……That’s not necessary.”

Since Shen Hechuan was willing to come along, Qiao Le didn’t object. However, his leather shoes were ill-suited for the mountain. Qiao Le’s shoes were two sizes smaller, so they wouldn’t fit.

His uncle, though, wore the same size. Still, it wouldn’t be right to have him wear old shoes. In the end, his uncle went into town and bought him a new pair of green army shoes—non-slip and durable, he said.

In addition, his uncle also got him a matching military-green camouflage jacket, explaining that the mountain was damp and full of thorny plants that could easily snag and dirty his clothes.

Faced with such thoughtfulness, Shen Hechuan couldn’t refuse. He took off his own coat and changed into the camo jacket.

There weren’t any brand-name shops in the small town—just simple stalls and small storefronts. Naturally, one couldn’t expect much from the clothes in terms of style or quality.

When Qiao Le saw Shen Hechuan dressed in camouflage and those army shoes, he nearly laughed until his stomach hurt. Though he still looked good thanks to his face, his uncle had forgotten to buy matching pants, so Shen Hechuan had paired the outfit with his own dress trousers.

The mix-and-match look was truly… unique.

Shen Hechuan glanced at him. “That funny?”

“It’s a bit of a ridiculous combo, but—” Qiao Le bit his lip, trying to suppress the upward curve of his mouth. “But your face really carries it. Besides, it’s a kind gesture from my uncle. Just wear it.”

Shen Hechuan replied, “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It is a compliment,” Qiao Le said mischievously. “Do you want a helmet too? My uncle has a few. What color do you like?”

Shen Hechuan: “……No, thanks.”

Qiao Le covered his mouth, giggling, and stole a few more glances at him.

Once everything was ready, the group set out.

They left early, before the sun had fully risen. The faint light spilled across the mountains and fields, with silence all around.

It had rained just a few days before. The path was muddy, and dew clung to the weeds on either side. Before long, everyone’s pant legs were damp.

While the army shoes weren’t exactly fashionable, they were anti-slip and good for walking. Even carrying Xiao Man on his back, Shen Hechuan managed to walk steadily on the mountain path.

The last time they came was during the Qingming Festival. This time, Shen Hechuan took over the task of taking care of Xiao Man, while Qiao Le followed behind them carrying a hoe.

On the mountainside, mounds of earth dotted the landscape—graves covered in wild grass.

It was Shen Hechuan’s first time visiting a countryside graveyard. He noticed none of the graves had headstones and wondered whether people ever paid respects at the wrong one.

He asked Qiao Le, who confirmed it, saying it happened often. Once, when they went to visit their granduncle’s grave, they’d seen someone sweep the wrong one.

It took over half an hour to reach their father’s grave. The grass on it was taller than Xiao Man, no wonder people mistook it.

Qiao Le and Liang Jiancheng began clearing the grave and the surrounding weeds. Shen Hechuan wanted to help, but he had no experience and couldn’t even handle the hoe properly. Qiao Le sent him to help his aunt fold paper money instead.

Once the weeds were cleared, they lit candles, burned paper offerings, and poured rice wine.

As Liang Jiancheng poured the wine, he mumbled to the grave about Qiao Le returning to school and getting engaged. When he finished pouring, he told the grave, “The kids are doing well, and they’ll only get better. Don’t worry about them.”

Then he couldn’t help muttering, “Not like you ever did.”

Chen Li smacked him. “Don’t talk like that in front of the kids.”

Realizing his mistake, Liang Jiancheng clicked his tongue and called Qiao Le and Qiao Man over to bow.

Qiao Le brought Xiao Man to bow and pay respects. That concluded the tomb-sweeping.

On the way back, the sun had risen fully. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows that seemed to dispel all the gloom.

Once they returned from the mountain, they had breakfast and got ready to leave. The driver had already come from town to pick them up.

As before, Aunt Chen had prepared plenty of things for them to take back—homemade goods as well as local specialties bought specially for Shen Hechuan.

Though these local products couldn’t compare with the gifts Shen Hechuan had brought, they were given with sincerity.

“Don’t mind if it’s not much,” Chen Li told Shen Hechuan. “There’s nothing fancy to send you back with. Please thank your parents and grandfather for me. Lele and Xiao Man really owe you.”

Shen Hechuan responded, “Don’t worry, I will.”

Before they left, Liang Jiancheng asked if Shen Hechuan wanted to take the camo jacket and army shoes back. He’d already cleaned the mud off the soles. He hadn’t washed the jacket yet, worried it might not dry in time.

Qiao Le couldn’t help but laugh again. He found it hard to imagine these shoes sitting next to Shen Hechuan’s high-end handcrafted leather ones.

“Want me to take them back for you?” Qiao Le offered. “You actually looked pretty good in them.”

Pretty funny too.

He didn’t say that last part, but his expression said it all.

Shen Hechuan shot him a look and told his uncle, “Leave them here. I can wear them next time I visit.”

Next time?

Qiao Le’s laughter stopped. He turned to look at Shen Hechuan. Was he planning to come again next year?

He wanted to ask, but the words caught in his throat and never made it out.

By the time they returned from Liuhe Town to the city, it was already afternoon. The two first stopped at the Pengshan No. 1 Residence to drop off the local gifts with Wu Huilan, then returned to their home in the Linjiang Complex.

Qiao Le called Fang Jiaxu to tell him about the engagement at the end of the month and asked if he could come.

“Of course I can,” Fang Jiaxu said. “How could I miss your engagement? Where’s it being held?”

Qiao Le sent him the address and time.

“Pengshan No. 1?” Fang Jiaxu whistled. “My bro’s finally marrying into the upper class. Don’t forget me when you’re rich.”

Qiao Le promised, “I won’t forget.”

They both burst out laughing. After chatting a while, Fang Jiaxu mentioned he’d received his new skateboard, the one he had picked out himself.

“Wishing you and Shen Hechuan a lifetime of happiness,” he said, moved. “Skip the whole having kids part—you two can’t anyway.”

“Thanks.” Qiao Le laughed and cursed at him, then asked how things were at the shop and if he needed help.

“Don’t worry, I’d ask if I needed you. I hired two more people, so I’m managing. You just focus on getting ready for your engagement. Must be busy, right?”

Qiao Le: “……Not really.”

Everything was being handled by Wu Huilan, even the suits were being fitted at home. He hardly had to lift a finger.

If anything—he just felt… a little nervous.

Even knowing it was fake, he couldn’t help feeling anxious.

Holding his phone, he glanced toward the study. The door was open, and he could see Shen Hechuan at the computer.

He didn’t catch what Fang Jiaxu was saying anymore. His full attention was fixed on Shen Hechuan.

Shen Hechuan had already showered and was wearing a dark long-sleeved loungewear set. His posture was relaxed, not quite like someone working, but his expression was deeply focused, as if handling something important.

What was he doing?

Qiao Le was curious. Maybe his gaze was too intense, because Shen Hechuan suddenly looked up, as if sensing it, and met his eyes.

Caught red-handed, Qiao Le was about to look away and pretend nothing happened when Shen Hechuan waved him over.

“I’ve got something to do, let’s talk later.”

Qiao Le ended the call with Fang Jiaxu and walked into the study.

He stopped beside Shen Hechuan. “What did you call me over for? Weren’t you work—”

The final syllable never came out.

Because he saw what was on the screen.

Shen Hechuan wasn’t working.

He was looking at a zoomed-in image of a pair of men’s wedding rings.

Shen Hechuan wasn’t working—he was looking at engagement rings.

Why? Of course, it was for their engagement party.

He slightly shifted the screen and looked up at him. “See any you like?”

“Do we really need rings just for the engagement?” Qiao Le’s gaze fell to the brand name in the bottom right corner of the image—some top luxury line by a major designer. In short: expensive. In two words: insanely expensive.

“No cost involved.” Shen Hechuan stood up and pulled him into the chair. “They’re from Pei Wenjing’s family. Pick whatever you want.”

“Pei Wenjing? That friend from Might Bar the other day?”

“Yeah.” Shen Hechuan rested one hand on the back of the chair and used the other to move the mouse. “He’ll be at the engagement party too. The rings are a wedding gift from him.”

The phrase wedding gift made Qiao Le’s ears flush slightly. He awkwardly touched his earlobe and muttered, “But we’re not actually getting married.”

It sounded like he was reminding Shen Hechuan, but really, he was reminding himself.

He’d been acting a bit strange lately, like he was starting to catch feelings.

That wasn’t good. He prided himself on sticking to contracts.

Shen Hechuan paused at those words and glanced down at Qiao Le, but all he could see was a soft black head of hair with the faint scent of shampoo.

Qiao Le kept his head lowered, unaware of the gaze.

After a few seconds, Shen Hechuan looked away as if nothing had happened and clicked on the next image. His tone was casual as he said, “Yeah, but the others don’t know that. We have to sell the act.”

Sell the act.

Qiao Le thought about it and figured that was fair. He’d been paid—he should be professional.

And the rings were free anyway.

He stopped overthinking and began seriously choosing a ring. All the designs were simple and understated—not flashy or over-the-top. Something you could wear daily without drawing attention.

He picked one and asked Shen Hechuan for his opinion. Shen nodded and sent over a few promising options to Pei Wenjing.

Once he sent the message, Shen Hechuan pulled a soft measuring tape from the drawer and said, “Give me your hand.”

“What for?” Qiao Le held it out.

His fingers were long and pale, his nails tinted faint pink. The pads of his fingers had a thin layer of calluses—likely from hours spent shaking cocktail shakers at the bar.

Shen Hechuan looped the tape around his ring finger slowly and carefully, as if performing some solemn ritual.

The spot the tape touched tickled a bit. Qiao Le instinctively curled his finger. “Done yet?”

“Yeah.” Shen Hechuan let go and handed him the tape. “Your turn.”

Qiao Le took it and mimicked the way Shen had measured his finger, wrapping the tape around his ring finger. It was impossible to avoid touching him in the process.

His hand paused momentarily, then he casually read out the size and let go.

Shen Hechuan sent both their measurements to Pei Wenjing, who replied right away that someone would deliver the rings tomorrow for them to try on.

Rings delivered to their door. Tailors visiting to measure and custom-fit their suits. Qiao Le honestly didn’t have to worry about a thing—just wait for the engagement party.

The day before the party, Shen Hechuan arranged for someone to pick up Chen Li and Liang Jiancheng from Liuhe Town. The two families finally had a formal meeting.

Chen Li and Liang Jiancheng were a bit nervous at first, but after meeting Wu Huilan and the others, they relaxed. The Shen family clearly valued Qiao Le, and by extension, treated his family with great respect.

The engagement party was held at the Shen family’s main residence. Shen Hechuan and Qiao Le returned there the night before to prepare.

__

On the day of the party.

In the walk-in closet on the second floor, Shen Hechuan and Qiao Le were changing clothes.

Qiao Le changed first and stepped out. The stylist approached to straighten his collar.

Just then, Shen Hechuan came out of the other dressing room and saw Qiao Le tilting his head back while the stylist tied his tie.

The stylist’s fingers brushed his neck, and Qiao Le’s slightly prominent Adam’s apple shifted.

Shen Hechuan’s gaze darkened. He walked over and said, “I’ve got it.”

The stylist wisely stepped back. Shen Hechuan deftly took over.

Qiao Le tilted his head down to watch him, and when Shen Hechuan looked up, he quickly looked away.

Once done, Shen handed him his own tie. “Help me?”

“I’m not very good, but I’ll try.”

Eagerly, Qiao Le took it and tried to mimic what he’d just seen. Unfortunately, the result was a lopsided knot.

Shen Hechuan didn’t mind. He adjusted it himself.

Once they had their jackets on, the stylist said with a smile, “President Shen and Mr. Qiao look perfect together. Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness.”

Shen Hechuan nodded. “Thank you.”

“Thanks,” Qiao Le added with a smile. “And I hope life brings you joy and everything goes your way.”

The stylist thanked them and left.

Alone again, Qiao Le glanced at the full-length mirror—and froze.

They were wearing matching suits in black and white. A classic pairing. They really did look like a couple.

“What are you staring at?” Shen Hechuan asked when he noticed his dazed look.

“Just the suits,” Qiao Le replied vaguely.

Shen Hechuan chuckled and tilted his head toward him. “Just the suits?”

“I mean, I look good too.”

“You do.” Shen Hechuan nodded. “Very good.”

Qiao Le had just been trying to joke around, but the straightforward compliment caught him off guard. Feeling embarrassed, he said, “You’re handsome too.”

“Thanks.” Shen Hechuan’s lips curled. “You’re a good person.”

“…You’re giving me a good-person card now?”

“Just returning the favor.”

“….”

Just then, a servant came upstairs to tell Shen Hechuan that the old master wanted to see them.

“Who’s arrived?” Shen asked.

The servant replied, “Old Master Yang and Old Master Su. They’re in the side hall having tea with the old master.”

These two were Old Shen’s comrades from the army. Their bond was tighter than brothers. The old master wanted Qiao Le to meet them.

Qiao Le nodded and asked, “Where’s Xiao Man?”

The servant said Aunt Liu was watching him in the main building with the other kids. He’d be brought over when the ceremony began.

Xiao Man was the flower boy. He’d be presenting their rings.

They went downstairs and followed the servant to the side hall.

While sitting there, Qiao Le got a call from Fang Jiaxu saying he and his uncle and aunt had arrived and were in the parking area near the hall.

“I’ll be right over,” Qiao Le said and turned to whisper to Shen Hechuan.

Shen Hechuan excused himself and followed.

At the parking lot, Qiao Le spotted them chatting and walked over quickly. “Uncle, Aunt, Jiaxu.”

“Looking sharp, groom!” Fang Jiaxu whistled and nodded to Shen Hechuan.

Chen Li and Liang Jiancheng also beamed at the two. “You both look great. So dashing and well-matched.”

“You all look wonderful too,” Qiao Le replied with a grin. “Especially you, Aunt.”

Chen Li was wearing a gown with a white coat, her hair done and makeup delicately applied. Time had left some marks, but she looked graceful and radiant.

“I’m old now,” Chen Li said, touching her curls. “As long as we didn’t embarrass you.”

It was her first time at such a grand event. She’d been nervous on the way, especially after entering the luxurious venue and seeing all the well-dressed guests.

“Don’t say that,” Qiao Le said, hugging her. “You’re the most important people in my life. Having you here makes me the happiest.”

Shen Hechuan added, “Aside from family, everyone here is a close friend. No need to be nervous.”

Chen Li nodded. “We’ll look around on our own. You two go take care of things.”

Shen Hechuan said, “You stay with them.”

Qiao Le hesitated. “But what about the old master—”

“I’ll go.” Shen Hechuan patted his shoulder, nodded to the others, and left.

Fang Jiaxu watched him walk away and clicked his tongue. “Not bad. Thoughtful guy.”

Qiao Le agreed wholeheartedly.

“Where’s Xiao Man?” Chen Li asked.

Qiao Le looked back and said, “In the main building. I’ll take you.”

He brought them over to find Qiao Man, who ran up happily to hug Chen Li and insisted on showing her the garden slide.

Wu Huilan had built a play area in the backyard just for him. He came over every Saturday.

“You go do your thing,” Chen Li waved him off. “We’ll stay here with Xiao Man.”

Qiao Le nodded. After all, he was one of the main leads today—he couldn’t abandon the other.

On the way back, he lowered his head to text Shen Hechuan and ask if he was still in the side hall. Distracted, he bumped into someone in a side path.

“Sorry!” Qiao Le reacted fast and caught the person. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine! Oh—it’s you!”

The girl was wearing a pink princess dress with twin ponytails. Her eyes lit up. “Remember me? I’m Su Qiao! We met at school—you delivered bubble tea to me!”

Qiao Le remembered. “Right, that was you.”

She’d mistaken him for a campus delivery guy. He hadn’t expected to see him here.

Judging by her dress, she was clearly a guest—probably a Shen family friend or relative.

“You remembered me?” Su Qiao beamed. “Are you here for the engagement too?”

“For the engagement?” Qiao Le replied, “Sort of.”

“Great! I was just bored, and now I run into someone I know.” Su Qiao was much more outgoing this time. “Are you heading to the banquet hall? Let’s walk together.”

As they headed over, Su Qiao chattered away. “Your name’s Qiao Le, right? I remember it from the app. You guys use real names, right?”

“Yeah, real name verification,” he said.

“Your name sounds familiar. I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere…” She couldn’t place it and moved on. “Who are you here with? Where are you sitting? Want to sit with me?”

Before Qiao Le could answer, Shen Hechuan appeared ahead.

The party was about to begin. He must have come looking for him. Just as Qiao Le was about to call out, Su Qiao shouted, “Cousin!”

Qiao Le looked at her. “He’s your cousin?”

He was surprised—but not too surprised. Most of the guests were Shen family relatives.

“Yup!”

Su Qiao turned to Shen Hechuan. “Cousin, what are you doing here? Weren’t you having tea with Grandpa?”

“Came to find someone.”

Shen Hechuan glanced at Qiao Le. “You two know each other?”

He was asking Qiao Le, but Su Qiao thought he meant her and answered cheerfully, “Yep!”

“Mm.” Qiao Le gave a vague answer. They weren’t exactly close, but they did know each other’s names.

Shen Hechuan was surprised too, but then again, they both went to Yunjing University—no big coincidence.

He nodded. “What were you talking about?”

“She asked if I wanted to sit at her table.”

Shen Hechuan: “…”

If he sits with you, where do I sit?

Defense against outsiders is easy. Defense against family? That’s the real challenge.