Chapter 176: Engagement

Chapter 176: The Engagement

As the banquet concluded, Liang Xu and Shi Lv wordlessly went their separate ways. Liang Xu drove off in his own car, while Shi Lv hailed a taxi and slid into the backseat.

Their cars joined the traffic one after another, diverging at the end of the main road, each circling the rotary overpass before reuniting in an inconspicuous alley.

Liang Xu’s phone lit up with a message from Shi Lv: "Continue?"

No explanation, no preamble—yet Liang Xu understood immediately. His Adam’s apple bobbed, his legs tensing slightly. "...Continue."

Both were new to love, their bodies fitting together seamlessly, their skin hungry for contact. The kisses beneath the grapevines had only fueled their desire, leaving them thirsting for more.

Shi Lv: "Still the 29th floor of Zhenhai Hotel?"

Liang Xu: "No, the hotel’s too far. Let’s go to my place."

If it were just a fling, a hotel would suffice. But for someone special, home was the only option.

They parked in the underground garage, took the elevator straight up, and as soon as the door clicked shut behind them, they were locked in an embrace.

The intimacy forcibly interrupted at the banquet hadn’t dulled their desire—instead, the waiting and denial had only made the hunger more intense. Like a long-awaited reward, like a prize after an arduous journey, they kissed from the living room to the bedroom, finally collapsing onto the bed together.

Shi Lv tugged open Liang Xu’s shirt buttons, while Liang Xu gripped his boyfriend’s waist, lips trailing over collarbones, fingers gripping straight legs—then came the blur of pleasure and pain.

By the time their foreheads were damp with sweat, their bodies trembling in the aftermath, contented sighs between kisses escaped their lips, their minds blank and exhausted. Shi Lv finally stilled, drawing his lover close.

When morning came...

It was past midnight when Shi Lv blearily opened his eyes to a soft orange glow.

Blinking, he realized it was a small bedside lamp.

Liang Xu sat on the edge of the bed, back turned to him, wearing only a silk pajama top. He took a pill from the drawer, swallowing it with water.

Then, he slid the blister pack back into its box, locked the drawer, and flipped through a stack of papers inside before turning off the light and settling back beside Shi Lv.

Shi Lv stayed silent, not uttering a word.

He wasn’t the type to pry into his partner’s secrets. Though he cared, if Liang Xu chose not to share, he wouldn’t press.

The mattress dipped as a warm body nestled closer. Shi Lv pretended to shift in his sleep, casually pulling Liang Xu into his arms.

Liang Xu quickly found a comfortable position. Who suffered from mild neurasthenia, he often struggled with insomnia and nightmares, but Shi Lv’s presence—steady and soothing—calmed his restless mind. Before long, his breathing evened out in sleep.

In the darkness, Shi Lv opened his eyes.

His gaze drifted toward the nightstand, where the pills and instructions lay hidden. But he simply held Liang Xu tighter and closed his eyes again.

*

After the banquet, Shi Lv had a stretch of quiet days.

Elder Ye, running low on energy, had no time to meddle, and the company’s busiest period had passed. He and Liang Xu could finally act like any ordinary couple, being openly affectionate.

Shi Lv had originally planned to move out, packing everything and even hiring a cleaning service—all that remained was to grab his bags and go.

He still caught rides with Liang Xu after work every day, slipping away to a spot two blocks away from New Leaf Group like some secret agent. But one day, Liang Xu suddenly asked, "Why don’t you just move in with me?"

Shi Lv turned to look at him. Liang Xu sighed. "I mean, then I could drive you to work too."

Shi Lv: "Hell yes!"

Who would pass up living in a luxury mansion? Especially when the wife was still in that house.

Thus, the well-planned move fell through. Shi Lv carried the cat carrier and moved into Liang Xu’s home.

Liang Xu had installed a smart home system with an AI butler—a high-end freebie from the developer. Liang Xu hadn’t bothered renaming it, keeping the default name: "Little A."

He pulled Shi Lv to the entrance and fiddled with the lock. "It’s a fingerprint scanner. Place your index finger here… Little A, add this person."

Shi Lv obediently pressed his finger to the scanner.

Liang Xu: "Say a couple of sentences so the system can recognize your voiceprint. Later, you can command it to turn on lights, cook, or adjust the AC… Little A, record the voiceprint."

"Got it," the electronic butler replied. "What is this visitor's identity?"

Liang Xu: "The other resident."

"Got it. The system is ready to record the voiceprint of the second 'resident.' Please say a couple of sentences."

Shi Lv stiffly said, "Hello."

Liang Xu chuckled. "Say more. One sentence isn’t enough for recognition."

"..."

Shi Lv continued awkwardly, "Hello, I’m Shi Lv. I’ll be living here from now on. Please take care of me."

Liang Xu had already changed shoes and stepped inside. He shook his head, barely containing his amusement. "It’s just an AI. You don’t need to be so polite."

Shi Lv muttered, "I know, but it feels weird."

For some reason, he felt awkward. Though the butler was just a cold electronic device, no different from *Xiao Du*, *Xiao Ai*, or *Xiao Di* from his past life, Liang Xu’s tone carried a strange familiarity—

It reminded him of period dramas, where a young master from a wealthy family, after falling for a girl, would bring her home as his wife, introducing her to the servants so they could recognize her face and serve her properly.

Shi Lv thought to himself, *Is this what they call moving in for real?*

And so, they officially began living together.

Shi Lv still wondered about the pills and documents in the drawer. Liang Xu never avoided taking calls in front of him, whether with shareholders or others, but occasionally, he would step away alone to the balcony, as if handling something important.

He felt slightly uneasy, though it was soon overshadowed by the excitement of living together.

After twenty years of being single, Shi Lv finally understood what it felt like to share a home with someone he loved.

They ate together, curled up on the couch watching movies, fed the cat together, and even picked out a neutering package for the ever-growing Ginger.

Ginger cat was highly adaptable. It took only three days for the little feline to claim its new territory, strutting around Liang Xu’s house like a conqueror—knocking over porcelain, gnawing on flowers. Within days, this free adoptee had racked up significant damages.

Liang Xu spoiled the little troublemaker and didn’t mind the losses, but Shi Lv still felt guilty. He pulled Liang Xu along to choose a vet clinic, planning to book a neutering appointment for the ever-growing Ginger.

But as he scrolled through his phone, a cinema ad popped up.

He was tempted.

Though this was his first relationship, as a college student, he had often fantasized about dating. Back then, he hadn’t realized he was so completely gay—let alone that his first partner would be Liang Xu, the CEO of New Leaf Group. So, when imagining romance, he’d borrowed from his roommate and his girlfriend’s dynamic. He’d envisioned strolling through night markets with his lover, catching midnight horror films, ideally with his partner getting so scared they’d leap into his arms.

But looking at the proper, dignified Liang Xu before him… that scenario seemed impossible.

Liang Xu would probably just break down the camera work and tell him about failed film investments.

But in the end, Shi Lv still managed to lure Liang Xu out to watch a movie.

They didn’t dare take their own car, sneaking around in glasses and baseball caps like celebrities dodging tabloids.

The main reason was that they knew too many people. Their interactions at the top floor had already raised suspicions, but without direct evidence, the executives (all sharp cookies) wouldn’t risk offending Shi Lv by spreading rumors. Still, if they were spotted by business partners or rival companies, it would be troublesome.

Liang Xu’s wardrobe was full of suits, but given their height and long legs, they were already eye-catching enough. Suits would make this look more like a biz meet—not exactly appropriate.

So Shi Lv generously offered up his own wardrobe: “Here, pick whatever you like.”

Liang Xu glanced at it and immediately made a face.

Due to professional requirements, Shi Lv had also worn suits back at New Leaf Group. This was the first time Liang Xu had seen his personal wardrobe.

Shi Lv was an eternal college kid at heart, and his clothes reflected that—cotton T-shirts with hand-drawn fire-breathing dinosaurs, long coats with simple cat doodles. Perfectly normal for a university student, but on Liang Xu? Total cringe.

Liang Xu looked left and right before reluctantly picking out a black one.

This shirt had been tucked deep in the closet, mostly hidden, appearing plain and simple at first glance. But when Liang Xu pulled it out, he discovered a cartoonish Alaskan malamute snarling on the hem, its teeth gripping the fabric as if trying to drag its owner away, its expression fierce and even its bean-sized angry eyebrows scrunched in effort.

Liang Xu: “…”

He held the shirt at arm’s length, tilting his head to examine it, his expression going sour again.

…College students. Is this what college students are like?

Liang Xu couldn’t help but wonder what breed of boyfriend he’d ended up with. But then he remembered how Shi Lv would secretly dump glasses of wine worth tens of thousands at parties and switch to three-buck soda, how he’d frown at coffee, disdain Liang Xu’s fancy air-freighted beans, yet adore the cheap milk from the convenience store downstairs—and he let it go.

Well, not like he came with a receipt.

“Come on, what are you waiting for?”

Shi Lv had already changed into that ridiculous dinosaur tee Liang Xu side-eyed, paired with dark cargo pants. Leaning against the doorframe with one hand, he tilted his head and grinned at Liang Xu, all bright-eyed and full of pep.

Shi Lv glanced down at the shirt in Liang Xu’s hands and gave a thumbs-up. “Wow, great minds think alike! I love this one too. Spent ages picking it out from the discount section. Isn’t the Alaskan malamute adorable?”

Under his boyfriend’s earnest gaze, Liang Xu froze for three whole seconds before averting his eyes. “…Adorable… I guess.”

The shirt was meh, but the person wearing it was definitely cute.

Shi Lv: “Then it’s settled. It’s pure cotton, mad comfy.”

Unable to refuse, Liang Xu changed into it.

Shi Lv was slightly taller and more muscular, so the T-shirt didn’t fit Liang Xu perfectly.

Shi Lv looked him up and down and muttered, “Now this matches how you feel when I hold you.”

Suits emphasized shoulder lines, and dress suits are cut roomy on purpose. Only after sizing Liang Xu up did Shi Lv truly grasp the contours of his body—balanced, lean, toned from years of fitness, muscular but not exaggerated. In short, just right for hugging.

Liang Xu had no idea what Shi Lv was thinking. He changed quickly but still felt awkward. Before leaving, he yanked his cap down and adjusted his mask until it fit snugly.

And so, the former CEO of New Leaf Group in a cartoon Alaskan malamute shirt and the current CEO in a fire-breathing dinosaur T-shirt strolled hand-in-hand into the swankiest mall in Haicheng.

Liang Xu took a deep breath.

The owner of this mall was an old business contact. Back in their New Leaf days, they’d both worn suits to meetings, with the owner always kissing up to Liang Xu. Who would’ve thought Liang Xu would now be dressed like some sketchy guy, too paranoid to even tilt his brim up?

They snuck into the cinema.

Shi Lv bought a bucket of popcorn—he loved junk food like cola and popcorn. The two squeezed into the back row of the theater and, under the cover of darkness, pulled off their masks and hats.

The movie was a newly released romance, a real tearjerker of an Alpha-Omega love story. A traditional pairing with plenty of angst, the Alpha and Omega kept going in circles with the usual misunderstandings and make-ups.

Shi Lv wasn’t the type for tragic romances. If he liked someone, he went after them directly—he disliked convoluted twists and turns. Losing interest halfway through, he started trying to feed Liang Xu popcorn.

Liang Xu didn’t eat sickly-sweet snacks. To him, popcorn, cola, and fries were all just "junk food."

But Shi Lv couldn’t resist messing with him. Pinching a syrup-coated popcorn kernel between his fingers, he brought it to Liang Xu’s lips. "Try it?"

In the darkness of the theater, Liang Xu adjusted his glasses and saw Shi Lv’s expression clearly—the college student’s eyes sparkled with mischief. He sighed and smiled before leaning in and accepting it.

Shi Lv was surprised. "You’re eating it?"

Liang Xu: "Just one."

True to his word, he only ate one. Shi Lv thought for a moment, then tossed one into his own mouth. Timing it perfectly when the screen went completely dark, he kissed him.

The sweetness of syrup spread across their tongues as the protagonists on screen also embraced in a kiss. Colorful fireworks exploded in the background, the screen flickering between light and dark. Everyone was engrossed in the film—except for Shi Lv and Liang Xu, kissing unnoticed in their corner.

When the movie ended and the lights came on, Liang Xu guiltily adjusted his mask to cover his slightly swollen lips, thinking, *This is absurd.*

A few years ago—no, even a few months ago—if someone had told him he’d be holding hands with an Alpha, hiding in a noisy corner of a cinema to watch a clichéd romance, and actually enjoying it, he would have scoffed.

As for *what* exactly he was enjoying… that was another matter.

Leaving the cinema, Shi Lv and Liang Xu drove to the beach, planning to take a seaside stroll and enjoy the evening breeze. Both were in high spirits, a rush of happiness they’d never felt before filling their chests, making even the roadside greenery seem vibrant.

But just as their car entered the highway, both of their phones buzzed at once.

Liang Xu’s phone rang with an urgent call, while Shi Lv’s phone displayed a single message from Elder Ye:

"The Song family in Nancheng has informed me that they have an Omega of marriageable age—well-mannered and quite beautiful. The Omega’s parents took a liking to you at the banquet. The Songs have long been established in Nancheng, a family just as powerful as ours. The Omega will fly to Haicheng next month. At that time, you are to be engaged to them."