Unfortunately, after hurriedly saying his piece, Yu Qingchuan went to find Lu Shiming, leaving Lu Shiyi in silence again as he waited for the chubby young man to return.
Lu Shiming was tall and walked fast. By the time Yu Qingchuan caught up, he had already reached the elevators. Yu Qingchuan followed him downstairs and happened to receive his Pen Display at the hospital entrance.
Then Lu Shiming drove to his brother's Wedding Home and took Yu Qingchuan upstairs.
Lu Shiming registered Yu Qingchuan's fingerprint in the door lock and told him the passcode, too. With a smile, he said, "Sister-in-law, make yourself at home. My brother will definitely approve of this arrangement."
Yu Qingchuan felt helpless. Lu Shiming was simply too enthusiastic.
Lu Shiming had been here a few times and showed Yu Qingchuan around, explaining everything in turn.
The fully finished home came furnished, with working water, electricity, and gas. Cleaners came regularly, too, so he could move straight in with his bags.
It was a duplex of about 240 square meters in total, with enormous floor-to-ceiling windows on the first floor offering a sweeping, 270-degree river view.
Yu Qingchuan felt a headache coming on. He hadn't expected Lu Shiyi to be so loaded that he could buy such a spacious, comfortably laid-out home in an area where average prices started at a hundred thousand yuan per square meter.
The decor was tasteful as well, in a simple yet refined Nordic style.
There was even a sculpted painting on the entryway wall, depicting a blue-green peacock that looked both magnificent and ethereal.
Yu Qingchuan began to regret coming. He had thought it would just be an apartment, but now he could see how much care had gone into decorating this home. If Lu Shiyi woke up someday and discovered that a liar like him had been living here, would he be even angrier?
But Lu Shiming had already brought him here, so Yu Qingchuan could only follow him around the first floor. He thought he should still go back to Lu Shiyi tonight, then look into renting somewhere nearby.
He really couldn't feel at ease staying here.
As if sensing Yu Qingchuan's unease, Lu Shiming smiled and asked, "Sister-in-law, can you cook?"
Yu Qingchuan paused. "I can. Why?"
He had lived alone for years, so naturally he had picked up those essential life skills. He was a very good cook, too.
"Great!" Lu Shiming grinned. "I'm so sick of takeout. Could you make me something better, sister-in-law? I love red-braised pork and oil-braised shrimp!"
Yu Qingchuan had seen how well Lu Shiming had taken care of him over the past two days. He also understood that he was saying this to help him feel comfortable staying here.
It was as if the brothers had swept away all of Yu Qingchuan's worry, fear, and loneliness.
So much so that he suddenly wished he really were dating Lu Shiyi, that he really were Lu Shiming's sister-in-law.
He would take good care of Lu Shiyi and repay Lu Shiming's kindness.
Let him enjoy a few more days of this happiness. Once Lu Shiyi woke up, he would apologize sincerely to them both. Whatever punishment they chose, he would accept it.
He knew his behavior was despicable, but he... he craved this warmth so desperately.
The mother who had been his only family since childhood had passed away, and none of his relatives had wanted to take him in. He had grown up in an orphanage. Later, he had learned to support himself through drawing, only to suffer a terrible ordeal. In his twenty-odd years of life, almost no one had ever shown him kindness.
So whenever anyone treated him even a little well, he wanted to hold on to it.
After a moment's hesitation, Yu Qingchuan seemed to make up his mind. An extraordinarily gentle smile suddenly bloomed across his round face. "All right. Your sister-in-law will cook for you."
When those beautiful peach blossom eyes crinkled with his smile, it was as if the whole world grew brighter.
Lu Shiming was briefly stunned. His sister-in-law really was pretty!
Once he slims down... man, my brother is one lucky guy.
I'm going to find a wife this pretty someday, too!
"Then get settled in, sister-in-law. I'll go buy groceries. You still need low-calorie food, right? I'll get some of that, too." Lu Shiming waved at him, turned, and ran off, his retreating figure as energetic as ever.
There was a guest room on the first floor with its own bathroom. Yu Qingchuan had no intention of going upstairs and simply settled into the guest room.
Lu Shiming was quick. Yu Qingchuan had only just finished unpacking when he returned with two large bags packed full of supplies.
Everyday seasonings, vegetables, meat, and seafood filled the bags to the brim.
"You can eat seafood, too, sister-in-law. I bought plenty." Lu Shiming helped Yu Qingchuan put the ingredients in the fridge. "I'll be looking forward to your homemade dinner!"
"Sure, no problem," Yu Qingchuan replied with a smile.
"It's getting late, so I'll head out. Get some rest, sister-in-law."
"Bye."
After Lu Shiming left, Yu Qingchuan showered in the guest bathroom and changed his clothes. He was already getting hungry!
Yu Qingchuan hurriedly gathered up his Pen Display and rushed to the hospital.
Fortunately, it was close, only a fifteen-minute walk away. He managed to reach Lu Shiyi's room before hunger made him dizzy.
With the first time out of the way, the second came easily. Yu Qingchuan took Lu Shiyi's large hand and pressed it against his stomach, narrowing his eyes in comfort as he felt the steady flow of warmth.
"Brother Yi, I just admitted to Lu Shiming that I'm his sister-in-law. I'm sorry. I'm being too greedy."
Yu Qingchuan confessed to the sleeping Lu Shiyi. "You know, no one has ever been this kind to me before. Being with you feels good, too. I don't know why, but I always feel like I can rely on you. I really like you both. But when you wake up, my lie will be exposed. How will you punish a liar like me?"
Still, Yu Qingchuan didn't think he would have the courage to face him. He might run away when Lu Shiyi was about to wake up.
Lu Shiyi hadn't expected Yu Qingchuan to change his mind after such a brief time apart. Listening to his rambling, he couldn't help feeling an ache of sympathy.
He quietly kept Yu Qingchuan company, saying inwardly, You're not a liar. I need you very much, too.
Once Yu Qingchuan finished confessing to Lu Shiyi, he turned on his Pen Display and began to draw.
The Pen Display offered excellent value at its price and met all of Yu Qingchuan's needs. Holding his Pressure-Sensitive Pen, he swiftly sketched a character's outline, then deftly pulled up the color palette and began coloring. He was completely absorbed, and soon the beginnings of a character took shape.
He drew until the early hours, finishing two chibi drawings and one stunning character design. He added watermarks and uploaded them to the platform, then made a post on Weibo.
Qinglindu: New artist taking character design commissions at bargain prices. All styles welcome. Please give me a follow, everyone.
After posting, Yu Qingchuan was completely drained, too sleepy to keep his eyes open. He mumbled, "Brother Yi, I'm so tired. Let me sleep here one more night. I've already showered."
Then he set the Pen Display on the bedside table, burrowed comfortably under the covers, and fell asleep snuggled against Lu Shiyi.
Listening to the young man's soft, light breathing, Lu Shiyi's heart softened.
He wanted to see what this young man looked like.
He strained to control his eyes. After who knew how long, miraculously, he actually managed to open them.
But he couldn't move his head. Even with all his effort, he could only see the fluffy crown of a head.
Lu Shiyi: "..."
Before you continue