ACMS 53

Chapter 53 – The Second Bouquet of Flowers

Shen Hechuan, I’m pursuing you.

That one sentence hit with devastating force. Shen Hechuan’s heart felt like the fireworks across the river—brilliant, chaotic, and impossible to calm.

Ever since they signed the contract, Shen Hechuan had always taken things slowly, afraid that being too forward might scare Qiao Le away. Even after finding out they were going to have babies, he hadn’t made any rash moves.

When he first learned Qiao Le was pregnant, besides being thrilled, he also felt relieved.

Because this meant they were even more deeply bound. Even when the contract ended, they’d still have a reason to stay connected.

Of course, he knew that kind of thinking wasn’t fair to Qiao Le, but he couldn’t help himself.

But before he could revel in that joy for long, Qiao Le told him he didn’t want to keep the babies.

Just as he’d said, the babies were in Qiao Le’s body—he was the one who’d suffer. Whether to keep them or not was Qiao Le’s decision to make. So even though Shen Hechuan was reluctant, he respected his choice and mentally prepared to let go of the babies.

He never expected things to take a turn—and that the babies would stay after all.

Even more unexpected was hearing Qiao Le say that he was pursuing him.

That statement struck like lightning, leaving Shen Hechuan stunned for a long moment. It took him a while to find his voice again: “What did you say?”

“You didn’t hear me clearly?” Qiao Le said. “I said I’m pursuing you. Flowers, gifts, candlelit dinners, and even singing a love song to you—how much more obvious could I be? Why are you so slow to react?”

Shen Hechuan wanted to say: I’m not slow to react. I just didn’t dare to believe it.

Because I like you too much.

At that moment, Shen Hechuan suddenly felt he was so unworthy.

He was the one who fell first, yet he’d been so cautious, so hesitant—boiling the frog in warm water, trying to use the contract to keep Qiao Le close.

And now he’d been thrown off by Qiao Le’s direct confession.

The person he liked was confessing to him—passionately, sincerely, bravely, and with conviction.

Shen Hechuan felt happier than the time he’d won first prize in a competition as a student, or the time he landed his first major project after starting work.

He couldn’t contain the overwhelming joy rising in his chest. He cupped Qiao Le’s face with both hands, lowered his head, and kissed him. But the kiss only made the pounding of his heart more intense.

His heartbeat was so loud it was deafening.

Then came a whistle from the side. Qiao Le reached out and pinched Shen Hechuan’s waist.

Reluctantly letting him go, Shen Hechuan tucked Qiao Le’s head into his chest and looked toward the sound. It was two foreign passersby giving them a thumbs-up.

Same-sex marriage was now commonplace. Gay and lesbian couples were everywhere. Their display of affection hadn’t drawn much attention.

After the two had passed, Qiao Le looked up from Shen Hechuan’s chest: “You still haven’t answered me. Do you accept my pursuit?”

Shen Hechuan tried to steady his heart. He wanted to say “Of course I accept. I should be the one pursuing you.” But before he could speak, Qiao Le added, “It’s okay if you don’t accept. I’ve got other plans.”

Other plans?

Shen Hechuan swallowed back what he was about to say, curiosity piqued. “What plans?”

“That’s a secret,” Qiao Le teased. “Just wait and see.”

Thinking of Qiao Le’s cringey Moments post, Shen Hechuan coughed and reminded him, “Try not to go too over-the-top. I’m easy to win over.”

The truth was, the moment you opened your mouth, I already wanted to say yes.

“What about watching a movie tomorrow?” Qiao Le asked. “Are you free?”

“I am.” Shen Hechuan didn’t have to report to an office, and most things were handled by department heads. “What do you want to see?”

“That’s my line,” Qiao Le said. “You pick, I’ll book the tickets.”

The night wind was strong, and though they were dressed warmly, it was still chilly by the riverbank.

Shen Hechuan took Qiao Le’s hand and slipped it into his coat pocket as they walked back. “Let’s talk about it at home. Don’t catch a cold.”

“Okay.” Qiao Le used his free hand to pull out his vibrating phone. The screen showed a video call from Aunt Yang.

He answered and saw Qiao Man in the video.

“Brother, when are you coming back?” Qiao Man asked, lying on the couch in his bear pajamas.

“We’re on our way now,” Qiao Le said. “Why aren’t you in bed yet? You’ve got school tomorrow.”

Aunt Yang chuckled beside him. “The school handed out the performance costumes for the end-of-term party today. Qiao Man’s been waiting for you to come home so he can show you.”

There was a kindergarten recital on Saturday, just two days away. Qiao Man had a dance performance.

“I look really good,” Qiao Man said proudly. “I showed Grandpa, Grandma, and Great-grandpa, and they all said I was cute.”

Old Master Shen and Wu Huilan were coming this time too. They’d wanted to come to Qiao Le’s New Year performance but had been tied up at a wedding banquet.

Qiao Man held up his costume to show Qiao Le on video. When Qiao Le praised it, he smiled so wide his eyes curved. “Where’s Uncle Shen? Let him see too!”

Qiao Le tilted the phone toward Shen Hechuan. “He’s right here.”

“Uncle Shen,” Qiao Man called out, holding up his costume. “Isn’t it pretty?”

Shen Hechuan took the phone and motioned for Qiao Le to put his hand back in his pocket. Then he smiled and praised him: “It’s beautiful. You’re going to look so cute in it.”

Clutching his outfit, Qiao Man asked, “When are you and brother coming home? I want to wear it for you guys.”

“We’re heading back now,” Shen Hechuan said. “We’ll be home soon.”

“Okay!”

After hanging up the video call, Qiao Le put his phone away—one hand in his own pocket, the other nestled in Shen Hechuan’s coat pocket, fingers tightly interlaced with his.

The place where they had their date wasn’t far from the complex, so they got home quickly.

Qiao Man had been counting on his fingers while waiting for them, and the moment he heard the door open, he ran over and eagerly helped them fetch their slippers.

All three pairs of slippers were the same little bear design. Qiao Le put his on and patted Qiao Man’s head. “Thanks, sweetheart.”

“You’re welcome!” Qiao Man grinned brightly. “Come look at my new costume!”

Aunt Yang, who had followed behind him, said, “He already tried it on once today and showed it to his grandparents on a video call.”

Qiao Man had even called his uncle and aunt back in their hometown, though Aunt Yang didn’t have them on WeChat.

Qiao Le understood how much kids love to share, and he gave just the emotional response Qiao Man wanted: “I’ve been dying to see it! Is it the little dinosaur one? I bet you’ll look so cute in it!”

As he spoke, he habitually reached out to pick up Qiao Man, hands sliding under his arms—but Shen Hechuan stopped him.

“I’ve got it.”

Shen Hechuan took Qiao Man from him and scooped him up easily. With one hand still holding Qiao Le’s, he carried Qiao Man inside. Only when they reached the living room did he set the little one down.

The moment his feet touched the ground, Qiao Man couldn’t wait to take off his pajamas. Qiao Le reached out to help, but Aunt Yang said, “Let me.”

“I’ve got it,” Qiao Le replied. The house was heated, so there was no worry about Qiao Man catching cold.

“I can do it myself too,” Qiao Man chimed in as he undressed quickly, then skillfully pulled on his dinosaur costume.

Qiao Le helped him get his arms through and zipped him up, then circled around him twice with wide eyes. “Wow! Too cute! Where did this little dinosaur come from—did you escape from the zoo?”

Qiao Man opened his mouth wide and let out a cartoonish dinosaur roar: “Rawr—!”

Qiao Le burst out laughing, pinching the little round face peeking from the costume hood. “So fierce, I’m scared!”

Qiao Man giggled, “Brother, take pictures and show Uncle and Aunt!”

“Of course.”

Qiao Le took out his phone and snapped some photos. Qiao Man struck all kinds of silly and adorable poses, while Aunt Yang filmed it all, smiling fondly.

Watching them, Shen Hechuan couldn’t help the smile that spread across his own face.

In another eight months, this little family of theirs would be welcoming two more babies.

Qiao Le took plenty of photos and short videos. Once Qiao Man had had his fill of showing off, Aunt Yang coaxed him off to bed.

Meanwhile, Shen Hechuan and Qiao Le headed to their room to shower.

While Qiao Le was in the shower, Shen Hechuan went to the dressing room and removed the cufflinks Qiao Le had gifted him.

He didn’t put them away immediately. Instead, he held them up and admired them, replaying every moment of their date like a film reel in his mind.

Qiao Le presenting the cufflinks at dinner. Singing on the roadside. Confessing by the river.

Each scene, every frame, made his heart race all over again.

He wanted nothing more than to say yes on the spot—or even turn around and confess to Qiao Le himself, hoping Qiao Le would agree to be with him.

But a part of him couldn’t resist the curiosity—he wanted to see how else Qiao Le would try to win him over. What other “dates” did Qiao Le have in store?

They’d spent time alone together before, but being officially labeled as a “date” gave the moment a different meaning.

He was already looking forward to tomorrow.

Shen Hechuan lowered his head and let out a soft chuckle, feeling like a lovesick teenager.

But he didn’t mind. He welcomed the feeling.

He placed the cufflinks back in the gift box, snapped a photo of them with his phone—the sapphire stones shimmered under the light, striking and unique, just like Qiao Le’s unpredictable surprises.

Then he picked out one of the photos he’d taken of Qiao Le at the restaurant and posted both to his Moments feed.

[Shen: In Western tradition, cufflinks carry a special meaning. (photo) (photo)]

Normally someone who never posted on social media, Shen Hechuan’s post immediately caused a stir, the comments section lighting up.

[?]

[??]

[Is this an official announcement?!]

[What meaning?]

[Legendary!!!]

Shen Hechuan ignored the comments. He gave his own post a like and went to take a shower when Qiao Le came out.

After drying off, Qiao Le brought out a notebook and pen to plan their upcoming dates. He messaged Chen Hao to ask about his date with Xu Jiayin.

Chen Hao, being the type who loved to share, sent over a string of voice messages. Qiao Le’s head spun at the wall of 59-second clips, so he converted them to text.

[I’m giving her flowers again tomorrow. I really think I’ve got a shot!]

Qiao Le thought for a moment. Shen Hechuan hadn’t given a clear answer yet, but based on his reaction, Qiao Le felt he had a real chance too.

So he made up his mind: just like Chen Hao, he’d send flowers again tomorrow.

And so, the next morning, Shen Hechuan received a second bouquet from Qiao Le.

As soon as he saw the handwritten card attached, he thought of Qiao Le’s corny post from the day before.

His breath caught—he opened up Qiao Le’s Moments and found the latest update.

[Lele: (flowers) May we fall in love across countless mornings and nights.]

Shen Hechuan: “…”

He let out a breath.

Relieved.