Changes

So this man hadn't just thought of him that way—he had even saved him under that name in his contacts. Knowing it would be too abrupt to ask to see his phone right now, Lu Cizhou forcibly swallowed his anger.

It's fine. I'll find a chance to look later, Lu Cizhou reassured himself.

Instead, he asked about something else. "Do you really dislike exercise?"

To him, exercise was good for both physical and mental health. Not only did it strengthen the body, it also offered a way to relieve stress. Lu Cizhou genuinely couldn't understand why anyone would dislike it.

Shen Zeyu hadn't expected Lu Cizhou to bring this up himself. Did that mean there was a little room for negotiation?

At that thought, Shen Zeyu's expression grew even more sincere. "I really don't like exercise."

Watching Shen Zeyu express his dislike with every inch of his body, Lu Cizhou's lips curved upward. "But you know it doesn't do you any harm."

Shen Zeyu immediately wilted. He knew exercise was good for him, but he just didn't like it.

"But..." Hearing that there was more, Shen Zeyu lifted his head again and looked at Lu Cizhou expectantly.

Lu Cizhou continued, "You have to make sure you get up and eat breakfast on time every morning. And your evening exercise stays."

"Ah, I have to eat breakfast every morning?"

Lu Cizhou raised an eyebrow. "Not happy with that?"

Afraid Lu Cizhou would change his mind, Shen Zeyu hurriedly said, "I am, I am."

It was only breakfast. That was better than running in the morning.

Ever since discovering that Shen Zeyu skipped breakfast, Lu Cizhou had wanted to break him of that bad habit. This was the perfect opportunity to bring it up.

"Lastly, and most importantly." Lu Cizhou looked serious. "From now on, if you want to go somewhere or do something, I want you to tell me directly. Don't sneak off like you did this time."

Seeing Lu Cizhou like this, Shen Zeyu nodded earnestly and promised, "I definitely won't do anything like this again."

After their talk, Lu Cizhou went to work, while Shen Zeyu stayed home and lazed around as usual.

The sunshine was lovely. After lunch, Shen Zeyu continued his usual sunbathing routine.

Suddenly, his phone rang. Comfortably basking in the sun, Shen Zeyu answered without checking the caller's name.

"Are you home?" Lu Cizhou's deep, resonant voice came through the phone.

He and Lu Cizhou had never spoken on the phone before. They always discussed things over WeChat or in person, so this was his first time hearing Lu Cizhou's voice over a call.

His voice sounds surprisingly nice. Shen Zeyu's thoughts quietly wandered, and he only came back to himself when Lu Cizhou asked again.

Shen Zeyu nodded, then remembered that Lu Cizhou couldn't see him. "Yes. What's up?"

"Remember the person you helped at the bar yesterday? He wants to meet you and thank you in person."

Shen Zeyu's first instinct was to refuse. After all, he was perfectly comfortable lounging at home. Why go out? As the thought crossed his mind, he said it aloud.

It was just as Lu Cizhou had expected. Unless Shen Zeyu wanted to go out on his own initiative, he generally wouldn't leave the house.

But remembering that Mo Chen had contacted him, Lu Cizhou asked one more question. "If he needs it, can I give him your contact information?"

"Sure." It was just his contact information. There was no harm in sharing it.

After asking on Mo Chen's behalf, they chatted for a little longer before hanging up.

A notification chimed. Sitting beside Mo Chen, Bai Yi hurriedly asked, "Well? Did he agree?"

Mo Chen smiled. "Look how impatient you are." Then he checked the message and continued, "No, but don't overthink it. Lu Cizhou said it wasn't convenient for him to go out."

"Does that mean I won't get to thank him?" Bai Yi asked quietly.

Seeing his expression, Mo Chen added, "But Lu Cizhou sent over his contact information. You can add him."

"Thank you. And thank you for taking me in last night." After what had happened, Bai Yi hadn't planned to return to the company dormitory, but he thought a hotel would be too expensive. Just as he had decided to find somewhere to make do for the night, Mo Chen had driven up and insisted that he could stay at his place.

Bai Yi kept refusing, but Mo Chen was too persuasive. In the end, he had gone home with him.

"No problem." In truth, Mo Chen had simply thought he looked rather pitiful standing there alone, so he had decided to do a good deed.

Not long after hanging up with Lu Cizhou, Shen Zeyu suddenly wondered why Lu Cizhou had been the one to ask him about this.

Curious, Shen Zeyu sent a message to ask, but regretted it the moment he hit send. What if he interrupted Lu Cizhou's work?

He was just about to unsend the message when he saw that Lu Cizhou had already replied.

Heartless Demon King: He's with a friend of mine. My friend contacted me.

Shen Zeyu felt awkward. He hadn't expected Lu Cizhou to actually explain, and now he seemed so petty.

Fortunately, Lu Cizhou sent another message.

Heartless Demon King: I'll introduce you sometime.

An Island Amid the Waters: Okay. Cute cat GIF.

Seeing the reaction image, Lu Cizhou smiled and thought that the little cat suited him quite well.

After sending his message, Shen Zeyu noticed a friend request.

As soon as he accepted it, the other person sent a message.

Yi: Hello, I'm the person you helped at the bar yesterday. Thank you so much for last night. When would you be free? I'd like to treat you to a meal.

An Island Amid the Waters: It was just a small thing. There's no need.

Yi: There is. I heard you're busy today. Whenever you're free, please be sure to let me know. I'll be there whenever you call.

Seeing how sincere he was, Shen Zeyu didn't turn him down outright. He said he would be sure to let him know when he had time.

At the mention of him being busy today, Shen Zeyu immediately realized that Lu Cizhou must have deliberately put it that way. After all, saying outright that he was too lazy to go out wouldn't have sounded very good.

The thought brought another little surge of happiness to Shen Zeyu's heart.

"Sweetheart, did you have fun today and last night?" Shen Zeyu asked as soon as he picked up Lu Yu.

"Daddy, I did! There are so many toys at Xiao An's house, and, and Xiao An's mom makes really yummy food!" Lu Yu chattered on and on.

Hearing that, Shen Zeyu said, "Then how about I cook for you sometime too?"

"Daddy, you can cook?" Lu Yu asked in delighted surprise.

"Yes, though it might not taste as good as what our chef makes."

"If you make it, Daddy, it'll definitely be delicious."

"You haven't even tried it, and you're already saying it's delicious."

Lu Yu said proudly, "I just know. Anything Daddy makes is the best."

"Okay. I'll definitely cook for you when I have time."

Lu Yu kissed Shen Zeyu. "Mm-hmm! Daddy's the best."

Once they finished talking about cooking, Lu Yu continued, "Daddy, our kindergarten's parent-child event is coming up."

"So soon?" Shen Zeyu remembered Lu Yu mentioning it only a little while ago.

"Mm-hmm." Lu Yu nodded.

"Then when we get home, make sure you tell Dad so he can keep that time free."

"Okay!"

They arrived home shortly afterward. To Shen Zeyu's surprise, Lu Cizhou was already there.

"You're home so early today?" Shen Zeyu asked.

Lu Cizhou nodded and said it was because he hadn't had anything important to do today.

Lu Yu was delighted to see Lu Cizhou home so early too. He rushed into his arms and said in his sweet little voice, "Dad, our kindergarten's parent-child event is coming up! Make sure you keep that time free."

"When is it?" Lu Cizhou asked gently.

"Next Monday."

Lu Cizhou thought over his schedule for next Monday. There was nothing important. "Okay, I know."