Only after he heard Lu Cizhou get up and walk away did Shen Zeyu dare to slowly open his eyes. He seriously suspected Lu Cizhou had taken the wrong medication tonight.
His face had finally cooled down a little, only to flush again when he heard water running in the bathroom.
He truly regretted it. He never should have made that request today. If he could turn back time, he would definitely ask for something else.
Listening to the faint sound of running water from the bathroom, Shen Zeyu got out of bed, found his Bluetooth earbuds, and put them on. As music filled his ears, he slowly let out a breath.
"Ah, finally. No more sounds that make my face burn and my heart race."
Some time later, Lu Cizhou finally came out. Shen Zeyu had already fallen asleep listening to music.
Lu Cizhou glanced at the soundly sleeping man, marveling at how carefree he was and how easily he could fall asleep.
He had only meant to scare Shen Zeyu a little today, since the man kept making moves on him, but apparently it hadn't worked. Seeing him brush off his hints and still sleep beside him without the slightest guard up left Lu Cizhou rather annoyed.
The next day.
Shen Zeyu's eyes snapped open. Thanks to Lu Cizhou, he had dreamed all night and woken up earlier than usual.
Feeling something unusual between his legs, Shen Zeyu slowly lifted the covers and was just about to sneak out of bed.
"Where are you going?"
Seriously, why does he wake up every time I try to do anything in the morning?
Keeping his expression calm, he said, "Can't I go to the bathroom?"
Stay calm, stay calm. This is perfectly normal.
Shen Zeyu reassured himself inwardly.
Lu Cizhou said nothing. After a moment's thought, he figured out what was going on, and his gaze gradually drifted downward.
Shen Zeyu bristled at once. "Where do you think you're looking?"
Although he knew it wasn't that early anymore and Lu Cizhou probably couldn't see anything, he still really wanted to curse at him.
That reaction only made Lu Cizhou more certain of his guess. With a perfectly straight face, he said, "This is perfectly normal, isn't it? It's no big deal."
"Even though you didn't help me last night, I'm a generous man. I can help you," Lu Cizhou continued.
Both embarrassed and angry, Shen Zeyu said with complete seriousness, "Stop talking. Otherwise, I really might punch someone."
Seeing Shen Zeyu lash out in embarrassment, Lu Cizhou wisely shut his mouth and merely gestured with his eyes for him to get going.
Shen Zeyu knew he really ought to go, but he didn't want to do it in front of Lu Cizhou. "Close your eyes."
Lu Cizhou found his conflicted expression rather amusing, but obediently closed his eyes anyway.
The moment Lu Cizhou closed his eyes, Shen Zeyu jumped out of bed, raced to the bathroom as fast as he could, and slammed the door shut.
Once he had taken care of everything in the bathroom, Shen Zeyu hurried out of the bedroom without so much as glancing at Lu Cizhou, who was still in bed.
Watching Shen Zeyu leave, Lu Cizhou thought he really did have all the desire and none of the nerve.
Lu Yu was eating breakfast when he spotted Shen Zeyu coming downstairs, something he never normally did at this hour.
He immediately climbed down from his chair and ran toward Shen Zeyu, saying in a bright voice, "Daddy, why are you up so, so early today?"
Remembering why he had woken up early made Shen Zeyu feel embarrassed all over again. "I went to bed too early last night, so I woke up early today."
"Then let's have breakfast together, Daddy." Lu Yu took his hand and pulled him toward the dining table.
Lu Yu had already been nearly finished, and Shen Zeyu only ate a little, so both of them were done before long.
"Yuyu, let me take you to kindergarten this morning." He didn't want to see Lu Cizhou today anyway.
"Yay, yay!" Lu Yu was delighted. This would be the first time Shen Zeyu had taken him to school in the morning.
When Lu Cizhou came downstairs, he looked around but couldn't find him anywhere. Seeing him keep glancing about, the butler volunteered, "Are you looking for Mr. Shen, young master?"
Lu Cizhou nodded. "Uncle Zhang, do you know where he went?"
"Mr. Shen took young master Lu Yu to school."
"Thank you, Uncle Zhang." Once he confirmed that Shen Zeyu was merely avoiding him, Lu Cizhou stopped being in such a hurry to find him. He had to give him some time to adjust.
After dropping Lu Yu off at school, Shen Zeyu realized he had nowhere to go. Lately, he had either been at home or with Lu Cizhou, so he still barely knew the city. Besides, it was early, and plenty of places weren't open yet.
He had already sent the driver back, and getting a car home now wouldn't be worth it. After thinking for a while, Shen Zeyu found a nearby breakfast place, ordered a few things at random, and sat down inside.
Shen Zeyu took his time eating breakfast, planning to find a burger place in a little while. The timing would work out perfectly, and that would take care of the whole morning. He mentally congratulated himself on being so brilliant.
Shen Zeyu managed to while away the entire morning. Just as he was wondering how to spend the afternoon, a WeChat notification chimed.
Yi: Mr. Shen, are you free today? Could I treat you to a meal?
Just when he was getting sleepy, someone handed him a pillow. Wasn't this perfect timing?
Zeyu becomes Cizhou: Sure!
On the other end, Bai Yi was delighted too. He quickly sent over the address of the restaurant he had already picked out and confirmed the time.
By the time Shen Zeyu arrived, Bai Yi was already there.
"Am I late?"
"No, no. I came early. You're right on time."
After they ordered and the server left, Bai Yi said earnestly, "Thank you so much for that night at the bar. If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't have gotten away so easily."
"I just couldn't stand that guy. Don't dwell on it."
Seeing that Bai Yi wanted to keep thanking him, Shen Zeyu quickly stopped him. "We're just having a normal meal together today. Don't overthink it."
Only then did Bai Yi let the subject drop.
The two chatted as they ate, though of course Shen Zeyu did most of the talking.
After chatting for a while, Shen Zeyu went to the restroom, then came back and picked up the conversation again.
The more they talked, the more Shen Zeyu felt that Bai Yi was his kind of person. He was a little shy, but that was no big deal. So, although he had originally planned to go sing by himself, he asked Bai Yi, "Do you have anything to do later? If not, let's go sing karaoke."
"No." Seeing that they had nearly finished eating and Shen Zeyu wanted to go sing, he added, "Then I'll go settle the bill first."
"I already paid," Shen Zeyu said.
"But that won't do. I said I was treating you. How could you..."
"You invited me, and I paid. Perfectly normal."
When Bai Yi still didn't move, Shen Zeyu pushed him toward the exit. "Next time. I'll definitely let you treat me next time."
"It's a promise, then."
"Yes, yes, yes."
On the way, he also sent Lu Cizhou a message telling him to pick up Lu Yu himself. He wouldn't be going with him today.
Having gone so long without singing, Shen Zeyu didn't stop once he arrived at the KTV.
Bai Yi got a little carried away with the company and joined Shen Zeyu in singing.
After school, Lu Yu saw that only Dad had come to pick him up. As soon as he got into the car, he asked, "Where's Daddy?"
Lu Cizhou replied, "Your daddy has something to do. He couldn't make it in time to pick you up today."
Lu Yu studied him for a while before asking, "Dad, you haven't managed to make Daddy happy yet, have you?"
Lu Cizhou answered calmly, "I have."
Lu Yu asked uncertainly, "Really?"
"Really." Lu Cizhou thought that this time, Shen Zeyu had gone into hiding out of embarrassment.
At dinnertime, Lu Yu asked, "Isn't Daddy coming home yet?"
"Eat first. We'll call and ask after dinner." Lu Cizhou figured Shen Zeyu would probably eat out before coming home.
After dinner, Lu Cizhou was just about to call when a voice call from Shen Zeyu came through first.
"Hello." Lu Cizhou answered.
The person on the other end remained silent for a long time before finally asking slowly, "May I ask if this is the Heartless Great Demon King?"
Lu Cizhou: ...
Before you continue