Smooth sailing

Only after they got home did Shi Yuan pull a book out of his tutoring bag and carefully, solemnly take a thin sheet of stationery from between its pages.

"Look!" His voice brimmed with excitement, and he could hardly wait to share the good news with Wei Zelin.

Wei Zelin raised an eyebrow and took the letter. After reading it, he fell silent for a moment.

"What's wrong?" Shi Yuan asked nervously.

Surely there couldn't be anything wrong with a letter of recommendation written by Director Ren? Was there something going on behind the scenes that he didn't know about? Shi Yuan stood there blankly, his imagination running wild.

Without warning, Wei Zelin pulled Shi Yuan onto his lap, interrupting his speculation.

"Do you like S City?" This was the second time he had asked Shi Yuan that question.

Shi Yuan rested one hand on his shoulder and pressed the other against the spot where his heart was pounding. "Why are you asking?"

Wei Zelin caught his wandering hand and stared into his eyes, wanting to catch his reaction immediately. Slowly, he asked, "What if I had to go to S City someday?"

Shi Yuan: "?"

That was it???

Seeing that Wei Zelin genuinely cared about his answer, he said as though it were obvious, "I'd go with you."

Puzzled, he added, "Or is there some reason you can't bring family along?"

Wei Zelin was doing things legally, right? In the book, he'd brought down the Wei Family through legitimate means, hadn't he? He hadn't broken any laws, had he?

Shi Yuan anxiously tried to recall the original novel. There was no helping it; the book had said so little about Wei Zelin. Then he remembered that his butterfly effect had split up the two leads, and who knew where it had blown the second male lead, who should have returned to the country by now. Another wave of guilt washed over him.

Wei Zelin was clearly thinking much further ahead, but even he hadn't expected Shi Yuan to decide to go with him without the slightest hesitation.

"Capital City is where you grew up. I thought..."

Deep down, he thought that if Shi Yuan ever wanted to return to that unknown place, staying in Capital City should theoretically give him a better chance, because this was where he had arrived...

Wei Zelin had expected Shi Yuan to struggle with the decision, or refuse. Instead, he received an unhesitating answer. He hurried to reply, "Of course you can come along as family. Let's buy a big house then, all right? Whatever kind you like, that's what we'll buy. Something bigger and prettier than the Flower House."

Shi Yuan could tell he was speaking with unusual urgency. Beneath his palm, Wei Zelin's heart pounded against his chest, as though desperate to convey his feelings. For someone as guarded and calculating as Wei Zelin, this was exceedingly rare. Shi Yuan had no idea what was making him so uneasy.

He lifted his hand from those firm chest muscles, where the heartbeat had been vibrating against his palm, and wrapped his arms around Wei Zelin's neck instead. Reassuringly, he said, "The Flower House is luxurious and exquisite, but it's far too decadent. I can admire it, but I wouldn't feel comfortable actually living there. Honestly, S City and Capital City are the same to me. You don't need to worry so much. As long as I'm with you, I don't care where I live."

Wei Zelin stared at Shi Yuan in a daze. Once again, he had so casually said something that tugged at his heartstrings, leaving him utterly at a loss. The self-control he took such pride in crumbled in an instant. His gentle facade gradually shattered, leaving only a face contorted with fierce emotion.

Damn it...

Suddenly, Shi Yuan was caught in a crushing embrace, tight enough to make his flesh and bones ache slightly. He tried to lift his head to look at Wei Zelin's face, only to be pressed even closer.

Shi Yuan patted his back. "Mr. Ren's recommendation letter was only to help me get a substitute teaching job. Are you going to S City soon?"

"No," Wei Zelin said, his voice muffled. "After the New Year at the earliest."

Shi Yuan's first thought was that Wei Zelin meant the earliest he could finish dealing with the Wei Family, but after considering it, he dismissed the idea. In the original novel, the Wei Family had fallen two years later. Right now, Wei Zelin and Shen Duo didn't seem to have much contact, and Shen Duo's company hadn't developed enough to take on the Wei Family. Was Wei Zelin planning to give up his revenge and take him to S City for a peaceful life? That didn't seem like him either.

Shi Yuan shook his head and decided to stop thinking about it. He would simply follow the man he had chosen, wherever he went.

"Then should I go to the school tomorrow and give it a try?" he asked tentatively. It was a rare opportunity, and he still didn't want to miss it.

Wei Zelin murmured an assent, burying his face against Shi Yuan's shoulder and nibbling gently. Suggestive little marks began to dot his fair, delicate skin. Those burning lips moved to his Adam's apple and chin, accompanied by increasingly wet sounds. Shi Yuan's finely shaped Adam's apple bobbed, and everything before his eyes dissolved into confusion.

Wei Zelin thrust both hands upward, lifting him into the air before catching him securely in his arms, then hurried into the bedroom.

When Shi Yuan got up early the next morning, Wei Zelin had already made breakfast: millet porridge, boiled eggs, and pickled vegetables. He had also bought two baskets of soup dumplings from the breakfast shop at the entrance to their residential complex.

The shop by the entrance was tiny, and freshness was its main selling point. The young husband got up early to haul pork back from the market and chop the filling with his father, while his wife and mother prepared the dough. Their family had set up a large round table right in the dining area. The father and son kneaded dough and rolled wrappers, while the two women wrapped buns from a large basin of fresh meat filling. Everything was wrapped and steamed on the spot. The locals all loved buying them, so anyone who wanted some had to get up early and queue; arrive late, and the wait would be long.

Shi Yuan picked up a bun and took a bite. The savory fragrance of meat instantly filled his mouth, and he narrowed his eyes in bliss. "This is delicious!"

"If you like them, I'll buy you more tomorrow."

Wei Zelin handed him a bowl of millet porridge, and Shi Yuan gave him two peeled boiled eggs in return.

After breakfast, they left home together for once. Wei Zelin drove Shi Yuan to the elementary school and only drove away after watching him enter the security office.

"Mr. Shi, welcome to Oak Bay Elementary School."

Shi Yuan shook hands with the director. The interview had gone unbelievably smoothly. He even started that very day, becoming an English teacher for fourth graders, with a salary of six thousand and various allowances. Although the benefits were nowhere near those of permanent staff, Shi Yuan was already delighted. The first step of his grand undertaking was complete!

Overjoyed, he messaged everyone in turn, from You Gui to Xiao Ying and Xiao Wen, to share the good news. Then he thought of Ren Zhi, who had appeared out of nowhere, kindly introduced him to a job, and vanished again. He politely sent him a text as well.

Before going to Director Ren's house that evening, Shi Yuan picked out two boxes of premium fruit and some seafood at the fruit shop. He had originally wanted to buy two bottles of good liquor, but considering Director Ren's strict principles, he probably wouldn't accept them. Besides, he hardly needed anything Shi Yuan could buy him. Showing his appreciation should be enough.

Shi Yuan handed the fruit and seafood to the housekeeper. Not daring to accept gifts without permission, she hurried upstairs to fetch Director Ren.

Director Ren came downstairs with the equally tall Ren Zhi. From a distance, they really did look like brothers.

"Oh, you've got a guest."

Director Ren's expression was rather stern. "Have you forgotten Mr. Shi? You were the one who introduced him as Xiao Rong's German tutor."

"Oh, it's you." Ren Zhi had long since forgotten Shi Yuan, and only remembered after his older cousin reminded him.

"Yes. I sent you a message at noon about getting the elementary school job. I still haven't properly thanked you for recommending me as a tutor for the Ren Family," Shi Yuan said awkwardly.

Ren Zhi raised an eyebrow, but didn't take credit. "I only mentioned it in passing. Earning my cousin's approval was down to your own ability."

"Huh? Oh... right, Director Ren, I bought some fruit and seafood. My interview went so smoothly today thanks to you putting in a word for me."

Director Ren was amused by his schoolteacher manner, and the sincerity in Shi Yuan's eyes pleased him. He was a good young man.

"It was hardly any trouble. Since you've brought food, stay for dinner. Zhi, you stay too."

Instead, Shi Yuan felt embarrassed. He hadn't come to mooch a meal...

In the end, Shi Yuan stayed for dinner. Ren Zhi seemed to respect his older cousin a great deal and ate quietly along with them. However curious he was about Shi Yuan, he didn't ask any more questions.

Life gradually settled into a routine. Shi Yuan left for work with Wei Zelin each morning, finished on time in the afternoon, and went to Oak Bay in the evening to earn extra money. His income had actually reached five figures.

The weather grew colder and colder, while Wei Zelin came home later and later. Often, Shi Yuan was already asleep by the time Wei Zelin slipped beneath the covers, still carrying the dampness of his shower. Their residential complex was old, but the heating was decent, keeping the apartment above twenty degrees. They were both young and warm-blooded, and with two of them sharing a bed, a thick quilt was too much, so they used a thin one. Not wanting to disturb Shi Yuan's sleep, Wei Zelin moved very quietly. Most of the time, Shi Yuan had no idea when he came home. Sometimes he got up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night and found Wei Zelin already asleep beside him. When he got up in the morning, breakfast was kept warm in the kitchen, and Wei Zelin had already left at some unknown hour.

They had only just moved in together, when everything should have been sweet and tender, yet they were already living like an old married couple.

"Ah." Shi Yuan propped his chin in his hand and sighed. He missed Wei Zelin a little. Suddenly, he understood the lovesick young wives of old, left alone in their rooms. In less than a year, he had already grown used to seeing Wei Zelin every day.

Sitting across from him, Xiao Ying teased, "What's wrong? Is the meal I'm treating you to that hard to swallow?"

It was Saturday. Shi Yuan had run into Xiao Ying on his way to the supermarket. He never felt particularly motivated to eat on his own, and Xiao Ying had no company today either, so they had immediately agreed to go out for a meal together.

"No, no. I've heard for ages that this place makes great salted duck." Under the proprietress's piercing gaze from diagonally ahead of him, Shi Yuan rushed to salvage the situation.

Xiao Ying turned to look at the proprietress, who was straining her ears, and burst out laughing.

"How's work been lately? Are the little flowers of our nation easy to teach?"

Shi Yuan picked up a piece of duck and ate it, discovering that this local recommendation truly lived up to its reputation. He swallowed, then took a sip of sour plum drink. Good food always had a certain magic that lifted the spirits.

"Pretty good." Oak Bay Elementary School ranked among the top twenty in Capital City, with excellent teachers and a superb learning environment. Although it was an elementary school, the children took their studies seriously and were easy to manage.

"Why didn't Xiao Wen come?"

Xiao Ying heaved an exaggerated sigh. "She's been swept away by love."

"That Lin Yunan guy?" Shi Yuan ventured.

Xiao Ying nodded.

Shi Yuan clicked his tongue in amazement. He never would have guessed. They were both so introverted, yet things had progressed this quickly.

"Lin Yunan came to see us off when we left S City. He confessed right there at the station."

"If you envy her romance, you can date someone too," Shi Yuan teased.

Xiao Ying was cheerful and outgoing, with bright, striking looks. She couldn't lack admirers at school.

"Who? You?"

Shi Yuan's eyes widened. "You might be single, but I'm taken."

"Hahaha!"

They chatted as they ate, until Xiao Ying suddenly said, "Oh, right, you teach English, don't you? Could you do me a small favor?"

They lived close to each other to begin with, but Xiao Ying preferred staying in the university dorms and seldom came home.

Shi Yuan waited downstairs outside his building for a while before Xiao Ying arrived carrying a box.

"It's not like our home is some dangerous lair. Why are you getting all shy?"

Shi Yuan took the box. "I haven't prepared anything this time. It wouldn't be polite to drop in so suddenly. Next time, I'll get everything ready before visiting your mother."

"Pfft. You sound like a little bride about to meet the family."

Xiao Ying went upstairs with him, and Shi Yuan found her a new pair of slippers still in their packaging.

"Your apartment has exactly the same layout as my grandma's. She lives in Building Three." Xiao Ying looked around his home.

Shi Yuan, meanwhile, thought that with her family all nearby, Xiao Ying must have had a very happy childhood.

It had been a long time since Shi Yuan had thought of his own parents. Perhaps because he now had a lover to depend on, recalling his mother and father no longer brought loneliness and pain, only a faint longing.

"This is all equipment I replaced a while ago. I was going to sell it secondhand, but it'll do for you for now." Xiao Ying took the voice-recording equipment out of the box piece by piece and, at Shi Yuan's direction, set it on the small desk on the balcony.

Shi Yuan picked up a rose-pink microphone. "I've never done voice acting before. I can only give it a try."

"Don't worry. At least this is your field. There was only one person from the Foreign Languages College in our group whose spoken English sounded natural, and he had to pull out at the last minute. The rest of us sound way too stiff. It's so embarrassing. You'll be better than us no matter what."

Xiao Ying's dubbing group was preparing to adapt a hugely popular romance novel. They had already assembled the cast, but just as recording was about to begin, the person voicing a mixed-race supporting male character had a family matter come up. The Online Dubbing Community had few people to begin with, and they couldn't find a suitable replacement at short notice. Xiao Ying happened to think of Shi Yuan, which was why she had asked him for help.

Shi Yuan was curious by nature and liked trying new things, so he agreed immediately.

"All done." Xiao Ying finished setting up the equipment and plugged it in.

"Try out the sound in a bit. I'll send you the lines and everything when I get home."

She was decisive and efficient. Once she had finished setting things up, she didn't linger, but bounded downstairs.

After returning home, Xiao Ying sent Shi Yuan both the original novel and their adapted script in one go. His role was a supporting male character with very little screen time and few lines. Reading the lines alone made him feel a little embarrassed, but once he started the original novel, he found it rather interesting. He became so engrossed that he stayed up late without realizing it.

Wei Zelin returned through the darkness that night. The warm yellow light in the entryway dispelled the chill in his eyes. He quietly took off his coat. The bedroom door was open, and a mound rose beneath the covers.

He approached on tiptoe. Shi Yuan's cheeks were rosy and his breathing soft and even. He still had his phone in his hand, but had long since fallen fast asleep.

Wei Zelin stood beside the bed watching him for who knew how long. Only when his phone vibrated did he close the bedroom door and go to the balcony to take the call.

"Mm."

"All right."

"Stick to the original plan. No changes are needed."

"One more thing. After the New Year, put your current work aside for a while and find some of our own people to shadow Shi Yuan discreetly. What happened with Wei Zexuan last time must never happen to him again."

He worried that once the scandal involving the Wei Family broke, the father and son would lash out in a final, desperate counterattack. Wei Zelin wasn't afraid for his own safety, but he was always concerned that someone might find an opening on Shi Yuan's side.

He eased the phone out of Shi Yuan's hand and set it aside, then gently tucked his exposed arm beneath the covers. Wei Zelin crouched beside the bed, gazing at his sleeping lover.