Sharing a bed

Second Aunt and Second Uncle stayed until evening. When they finally left, they actually had the nerve to try to take the skincare gift sets and two bottles of red wine Zheng Ye had brought for Ning Father and Ning Mother.

Ning Shile finally lost his patience. He snatched the gifts from their hands and asked with a frown, "Dad, do you really not see what's going on?"

"From the moment they came in, to dinner, to right now, have they shown you any respect?" Ning Shile held up the gifts. "You're always saying we're family. What a family needs is respect, not endless tolerance!"

Second Uncle glared at Ning Shile, his mouth open but no words coming out. Covering his unreasonable behavior with anger, he pointed at Ning Shile and demanded of Ning Father, "Is this how your Ning Family treats guests?!"

Ning Father slowly furrowed his brows. Ning Shile's words had finally opened his eyes.

He had kept thinking that they were family, so if they wanted the gifts, they could take them. But the truth was exactly as Ning Shile had said: from beginning to end, they hadn't shown him the slightest respect.

"Not quite." Zheng Ye took the gifts from Ning Shile, slipped an arm around his shoulders, and lifted his gaze. "This is how our Zheng Family treats guests."

Ning Shile felt the arm tighten around his shoulders and looked at Zheng Ye.

The man stood tall and composed, a hint of sharpness and coldness entering his otherwise gentle eyes.

Ning Shile lowered his gaze to the hand on his shoulder. An immense warmth welled up in his chest, leaving him dizzy and a little delighted.

With those words, Zheng Ye had both acknowledged Ning Shile's place in his family and taken his side through his actions.

Once Zheng Ye spoke, Second Aunt and Second Uncle no longer dared take the gifts, however much they wanted them.

"Ah, well, we've just never seen such nice things before." Second Uncle waved a hand with an awkward smile. "You carry on. We'll be going."

Second Aunt hooked her arm through Second Uncle's, her eyes lingering on the gifts in Zheng Ye's hands. Only after stepping outside did she say, "But I really wanted that."

Second Uncle's reply wasn't loud, but it reached Ning Shile's ears just the same. "Once that little brat Ning Shile leaves, your husband will come get it for you!"

Ning Shile slammed the door with a bang. Ha! Just try taking anything!

With the two of them gone, Zheng Ye could finally discuss serious matters with Ning Father and Ning Mother.

"I came today to discuss my marriage to Ning Shile." Zheng Ye sat down and got straight to the point.

Here it comes!

He's going to call off the engagement!

Ning Mother sat on the sofa opposite him and replied, "Mm, go ahead."

"As for the marriage arrangement," Zheng Ye said, "what I have in mind is—"

Ning Shile ambled over, chiming in mentally, Calling off the engagement!

"A grand wedding."

"Huh?" Ning Shile froze.

"Mm." Ning Mother nodded in agreement. "That sounds good."

Zheng Ye outlined his plans. The wedding rings, the traditional three pieces of gold jewelry, and the betrothal gifts were all essentials.

There was also the question of whether to register the marriage or hold the wedding first. Zheng Father and Zheng Mother were fine with either, as long as everything followed proper etiquette. Zheng Ye had therefore come to ask Ning Father and Ning Mother what they preferred.

Ning Shile listened in a haze. He didn't know much about the wedding process, so he stayed out of the discussion.

Sitting beside Zheng Ye, he had only one question on his mind: If Zheng Ye really registers our marriage, what happens to Su Jinyu?

Su Jinyu?

That name again.

Zheng Ye frowned slightly. Just who was this Su Jinyu?

Ning Father and Ning Mother discussed everything with Zheng Ye in earnest. As they grew more invested, they even created a group chat. Deciding that Ning Shile was of little use, they left him out. The group included only Ning Father, Ning Mother, Zheng Ye, Zheng Father, and Zheng Mother.

They moved from the marriage arrangement to work, then from work to project planning. Time ticked steadily by.

With nothing to contribute, Ning Shile sat on the sofa yawning incessantly. He was clearly struggling to stay awake, his head bobbing.

Finally, Ning Mother said, "All right, it's getting late. We can discuss the rest tomorrow."

"You drank at dinner, so driving wouldn't be safe," Ning Mother told Zheng Ye. "Sleep in Lele's room tonight."

In the middle of a yawn, Ning Shile instantly snapped awake and protested, "Huh?"

"What do you mean, 'huh'?" Ning Mother rolled her eyes at him. She finally understood what people meant when they said a mother-in-law liked her son-in-law more the longer she looked at him.

Their conversation had practically sent her approval of Zheng Ye through the roof!

Little Ye was handsome, had sound values and a long-term outlook, and showed real maturity in his knowledge and understanding.

Unlike her own son, who only knew how to sit there pretending he didn't exist.

Ning Mother looked at Ning Shile and said irritably, "We only have two bedrooms. Unless you'd rather sleep in the living room?"

"Mom...!" Ning Shile complained. "Am I even your biological son?"

"What do you think?" Ning Mother smiled.

Feeling threatened, Ning Shile pouted and protested inwardly.

Mom never used to talk to me like this. How did Zheng Ye win her over in just a few hours?

He glanced at Zheng Ye, feeling wronged.

Why did fate have to bring Ye into the world when it already had Shile?

Ning Mother straightened her clothes and stood. "All right, you two get ready for bed. Your dad and I still have a few things to settle."

With that, she folded her arms, looked down at Ning Father, and tilted her head. "Let's go," she said coldly.

Ning Father: "..."

He had thought that after all that conversation, Ning Mother would have forgotten about his little incident.

This is why they say women hold grudges. I didn't even say anything at the end. Is this really necessary? Besides, they didn't take anything, did they?

Ning Father sighed. He wanted so badly to escape, but there was no way out. He could only rise with an unbearably heavy heart.

Following Ning Mother, he took each step with the resolve of a man marching to his death.

Ning Shile watched Ning Father leave.

Farewell, Daddy!

Then Ning Shile stood and pointed ahead. "Come on. That's my room."

Zheng Ye acknowledged him.

Ning Shile's room was effectively the master bedroom. It had an en suite bathroom with a shower and a bathtub, making showers and baths convenient.

The furnishings were simple: wardrobes and a clothes rack stood along the sides, with a large bed in the middle.

A pile of game cartridges and figurines sat beside the bed, and Ning Shile's skiing equipment stood in the corner. These were the things he had used to unwind when he was stressed.

"I remember having a new robe somewhere." Ning Shile rummaged through the wardrobe, pulled a robe from the bottom shelf, then took out a box of new underwear and handed both to Zheng Ye. "Here."

Zheng Ye didn't take them. He merely looked over Ning Shile's slight frame, then shifted his gaze to the underwear.

Ning Shile's face instantly flushed. Zheng Ye didn't need to say anything for him to understand.

He tossed the underwear into Zheng Ye's arms. "This size will fit you. I bought them too big before."

Only then did Zheng Ye pick them up for a look.

Ning Shile set out the toiletries for Zheng Ye and pointed at the shower. "Hot water on the left, cold on the right. Shampoo and body wash are here. This bath towel is new, too."

Zheng Ye's gaze followed his movements.

"Go ahead. Be quick, though. I'm getting sleepy." Ning Shile yawned as he left the bathroom.

The rush of water from inside sounded almost hypnotic.

Ning Shile changed into his pajamas and sat on the bed for a while. When he could no longer stay awake, he got up, picked out a game, and started playing.

It had been ages since he last played. He was rusty at first and died to the boss several times. Then he gradually found his rhythm, clearing stage after stage and demolishing everything in his path. Even with a lousy stick, he could fight his way through the boss's entire lair.

Ning Shile was so absorbed that he didn't notice when Zheng Ye finished showering.

Click.

The door opened.

Ning Shile looked up at the sound, and his gaze instantly froze.

The man's robe hung loosely on him. Water dripped from his black hair, ran down his throat, and left damp trails along his collarbones. Droplets clung to his firm chest, tracing the smooth, perfect lines of his muscles. He looked sexy enough to be mesmerizing.

Seeing Ning Shile's stunned expression, Zheng Ye thought he was about to launch into another claim about him being a villain.

Instead, Ning Shile pressed his lips together and marveled inwardly, Zheng Ye's body is actually this good?

Zheng Ye raised his brows.

Those pecs and abs are incredible! Oh, oh, oh, and down there—is that the legendary V-line?

A little awkwardly, Zheng Ye tugged his robe closed and tied the belt at his waist.

Tch. Stingy!

Ning Shile grumbled in displeasure.

Even closing the robe couldn't stop Ning Shile from ogling him. His eyes first roamed over Zheng Ye's upper body, then drifted involuntarily downward...

That looks so... impressive? Can he even fit into those underwear?

Yes. They're a little tight, but it's not a problem... Wait, why am I answering him?

Zheng Ye cleared his throat and reminded him, "I'm done showering."

"Oh, oh, okay." Ning Shile came back to his senses and got up from the floor. As soon as he looked up, he noticed a hint of red at the tips of Zheng Ye's ears.

Huh???

Is Zheng Ye... embarrassed?

Zheng Ye took a deep breath. "..."

Then his entire ear turned scarlet at a visibly rapid pace.

People tended to become strangely busy when nervous. Zheng Ye was a perfect example.

First he touched his nose, then cleared his throat again, before folding his arms and turning sideways.

Now Ning Shile was interested. He had never seen Zheng Ye like this before.

Even a domineering CEO gets embarrassed?

This is so entertaining!

Ning Shile stepped closer and stared at Zheng Ye.

Looking a little awkward, Zheng Ye crossed his hands in front of his chest.

He seemed to be trying to cover his private parts.

Hahahahaha! Why does Zheng Ye look like some poor girl being bullied?

Being able to hear someone's thoughts was usually manageable, but at a time like this, it was downright unfair.

Zheng Ye felt as though he was being teased. Yet the other man hadn't actually done anything—he was only imagining things. Zheng Ye didn't even have the right to stop him.

Wanting to tease Zheng Ye a little, Ning Shile licked his lips. "Brother Ye, why did you come out without putting your robe on properly?"

"No, it's a little small." Zheng Ye stumbled over his words, trying to explain. "We're both men."

He meant that since he and Ning Shile were both men, there was nothing worth hiding.

"That's right." Ning Shile moved a little closer and watched Zheng Ye instinctively retreat half a step.

Hahahahaha, this is way too much fun!

Zheng Ye's so big, but he's actually scared of me!

Zheng Ye: "..."

Is he... doing this on purpose?

"But you're my man." Ning Shile backed Zheng Ye into the corner. "Even if this is only a contractual marriage, you're still my husband in name."

"You just told my parents you wanted to marry me." Ning Shile softened his voice, gazing at Zheng Ye with dewy eyes. He even reached out and held his arm.

The instant their skin touched, Zheng Ye's muscles tensed.

Zheng Ye even turned his head away, refusing to look at Ning Shile.

Hahaha, now he won't even look at me?

These muscles are so firm~

"Am I right?" Ning Shile was getting a little addicted to the game, and the next word slipped easily from his lips. "Hubby?"

But the instant he said it, Zheng Ye suddenly caught his hand.

Zheng Ye's palm was hot, his grip on Ning Shile's hand a little forceful.

The man lowered his eyes, his expression darkening slightly.

Their eyes met.

Now it was Ning Shile's turn to feel uncomfortable.

Did I... take this too far?

Seeing his reaction, Zheng Ye curved his lips and tugged him closer. "You're right."

He leaned down, his voice low. "Say it again."

Warm breath brushed Ning Shile's earlobe. Now he was the one blushing. Pretending not to understand, he asked, "Say what?"

Zheng Ye smiled. "What you just called me."

The amusement in his voice rippled into Ning Shile's ears, making his heart race.

...That's cheating!

Ning Shile hastily averted his gaze and mumbled, "I'm done playing. I'm going to—!"

Before he could finish, Zheng Ye slipped an arm around his waist, exerted a little force, and turned him around to pin him against the wall.

"Mm!" Ning Shile's hands were restrained.

Then the man leaned in, pressing him back.

Their positions had reversed in an instant.

Ning Shile felt dizzy, his mind completely blank. Behind him was the cold wall; before him, a looming shadow.

And Zheng Ye's scent lingered beneath his nose...

Fresh, sweet lemon—the scent of Ning Shile's body wash.

...He smells just like me.

Ning Shile's mind wandered for a moment.

Hearing that thought, Zheng Ye chuckled and added, "The two of us smell the same, head to toe."

Ning Shile startled, his face growing even redder.

His private thought had been struck dead-on, and the man had put it into even more explicit words.

It sounded especially seductive...

Ning Shile finally couldn't take any more. Blushing, he pleaded, "Sorry, bro... I won't do it again."

As he spoke, he pressed his palms together and looked up at Zheng Ye pitifully.

Ning Shile's lashes trembled slightly, his cheeks flushed, and a shimmering haze of moisture veiled his clear black-and-white eyes as he lifted his gaze a little to look at Zheng Ye.

Zheng Ye felt his heart give a sudden thump, and his hands stilled.

Ning Shile immediately slipped out from between Zheng Ye's arms and ran into the bathroom, clutching his bath towel.

Zheng Ye stood there for a long while, only coming back to his senses when he heard the rush of running water.

He walked over to the bed, sat down, and turned their conversation over in his mind.

Zheng Ye had never liked anyone, and his romantic history was a blank slate, as though heaven had deliberately reserved that place for someone.

He had no particular feelings for Ning Shile, and their arranged marriage was simply a matter of each getting what he needed. Yet hearing Ning Shile call him "hubby" just now had stirred something unfamiliar in Zheng Ye's heart, like a little chisel tapping at its very tip.

The cold shell around his heart seemed to have developed a few cracks.

Zheng Ye lay on Ning Shile's bed, listening to the water running in the bathroom, his gaze drifting toward the sound.

For no reason at all, he let out a soft chuckle.