Chapter 61: Chapter 61 “I Do.”

Chapter 61: "I'm Willing."

As everyone knows, the summer after the Gaokao is the perfect time to get a driver's license.

After two days of relaxing at home, Lu Zhishi and Zhao Xiaoxing signed up for driving lessons. Instead of taking the family car, they rode their electric scooters out every day.

Both of them passed the written test on their first try but failed the practical driving test.

Lu Zhishi failed the practical test twice; Zhao Xiaoxing failed it three times.

And it didn’t end there—they failed the road test too, earning themselves new nicknames.

Lu Zhishi failed the road test four times; Zhao Xiaoxing failed it twice.

"You two are potential accident-prone drivers."

Song Qinian looked at their driving test results: "...Promise me you’ll never drive on your own. Always ask a driver to take you out."

Lu Zhishi blushed, feeling quite embarrassed. He didn’t want to fail either, but for some reason, he always got nervous during the tests, and mistakes followed.

In mid-June, while Lu Zhishi and Zhao Xiaoxing were repeatedly failing their driving tests, their early admission letters arrived.

Both were accepted into the Department of Management at University A, the same major. Their families celebrated quietly without much fuss.

A few days after receiving the admission letters, it was Lu Zhishi’s birthday—also his coming-of-age ceremony.

The Lu family didn’t throw a big party, just had lunch and cake with close family and friends and their fathers’ good friends, a simple celebration.

Lu Zhishi received many blessings and gifts.

That evening, Lu Zhishi, along with Song Qinian, Lu Tingan, and Lu Zhiyu, attended an important banquet hosted by the Lu Group, making his formal debut in their social circle.

Amid the clinking of glasses, Lu Zhishi stood with a wine glass beside his father and brother, listening to everyone lavish him with enthusiastic praise. A gentle, polite smile never left his lips.

In reality, Lu Zhishi’s smile was nearly stiff. Watching his father and brother navigate conversations and socialize with ease, he quietly observed and learned while secretly wondering when the banquet would finally end.

By the time they returned home, it was already midnight. Shedding his suit, leather shoes, tie, and cufflinks, Lu Zhishi dozed off in the bathtub.

No wonder Dad and the others rarely attended various banquets—not only boring but also exhausting.

After showering and drying his hair, Lu Zhishi felt wide awake. Unable to sleep, he sat on the carpet and slowly unwrapped his birthday gifts.

Though the birthday party was low-key, the gifts were increasingly extravagant. Lu Zhishi stared at the documents in front of him, motionless for a long time.

Today, as an adult, Song Qinian and Lu Tingan gifted him corporate shares and two tailored suits.

Shirts, suits, ties, leather shoes, watches, cufflinks…

A complete set.

Lu Zhiyu gave him a Rolls-Royce key, a black diamond-studded watch, and a pair of light blue cufflinks.

Besides that, there was also a photo album.

Flipping through it, he saw photos Lu Zhiyu had taken of him growing up—likely sneaked shots from all angles and situations.

Lu Zhishi laughed out loud at a photo of himself around one year old, chewing on his own foot.

Uncle Chi, Uncle Lin, and Auntie Zhao gave him all sorts of things—edible, practical, all heartfelt. The most valuable were a coming-of-age calligraphy painting and an antique vase that could buy two large houses in A City.

Zhao Qiyun gave him a wristwatch, a fishing rod, and a large shovel. It was over a year later that Lu Zhishi realized the fishing rod and shovel were made of gold.

Zhao Xiaoxing generously covered all his university needs—computer, tablet, phone, headphones—a pink-blue electric scooter and a black diamond watch identical to Chubby Xing’s. Lu Zhishi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

His two uncles, though abroad, sent birthday wishes and gifts—a traditional courtyard house.

Judging by the location, it seemed to be right next to the Lu and Song family’s courtyard houses. It must have taken connections to acquire it. Lu Zhishi couldn’t help but swallow hard when he saw the documents.

Is this the world of the wealthy?

His great-aunt and great-uncle gifted him a whole box of presents. When Lu Zhishi opened it, his eyes were dazzled by the glitter of gold, and he nearly drooled. He could’ve woken up laughing in his sleep that night.

Who could refuse a box of gold—especially solid gold meticulously crafted into cheese-shaped pieces? Certainly not Lu Zhishi.

He locked it up and tucked it at the very bottom of his wardrobe, planning to keep this box of golden cheese as a collectible, a future family heirloom.

Chi Chen’s gift was the last one Lu Zhishi opened.

A black suit, a light white tie, leather shoes, a gray-blue wristwatch, a pair of gray-blue cufflinks, a Maybach car key, a villa in the city center, two sweaters, two scarves, two hand-knitted hats…

A sachet, a jade pendant, and a sketchbook.

Setting aside the sketchbook, sachet, and jade pendant, he hung the sweaters, scarves, and hats in the wardrobe. Closing the gift box, he moved all the presents piled in the living room into his room’s small collection space, carefully storing them.

Sitting back on the carpet, Lu Zhishi pinched the sachet—thin and light, it seemed to contain a talisman.

He lowered his head to smell it, detecting a faint sandalwood scent. Holding it up to the ceiling light, he examined it closely.

Blame his lack of knowledge—he couldn’t decipher the patterns on the sachet, but it didn’t affect his fondness for it.

Next, the jade pendant: carved from translucent emerald into a fish shape, unique and exquisite, with a clear, glossy texture.

Above the pendant was a silver carved bead, connected with black thread to red beads and a ring, with red tassels hanging below.

Lu Zhishi picked it up, and a fragment of knowledge flickered in his mind, but he couldn’t grasp it. When he tried to recall, it was already gone.

Setting it carefully aside, Lu Zhishi held the sketchbook, pausing a moment before opening it.

The first drawing depicted a chubby little one lying in an incubator, two small fists pressed against the cheeks, eyes closed, fast asleep.

Lu Zhishi blinked, his lips curling unconsciously. "So this is what I looked like when I was born…"

In the second drawing, the little one had grown a bit, still in the incubator, round eyes wide open, a chubby hand reaching into the air as if grasping for something.

Flipping further.

Drinking from a milk bottle.

Crying loudly with all its might.

Looking wilted from illness.

Dressed in bright red for the hundred-day celebration.

Practicing rolling over but stuck, like a little turtle—pitiful yet adorable.

Somehow developing a love for chewing on feet, lying alone in bed, munching on a plump foot.

The eager little expression while eating rice porridge. Even though it was a sketch, Lu Zhishi could almost see the light in the little one’s eyes.

After learning to crawl, he scurried all over the carpet and even hid under the sofa and refused to come out.

When practicing walking, he slid around with his walker, his chubby little face full of joy.

When sleeping, he had to hold his little plush rabbit, curled up under his small blanket like a plump little cashew.

Slowly starting to walk, toddling unsteadily, with his arms spread out as he stumbled forward, eventually falling on the lawn and whimpering.

Starting to teethe, with two rows of empty gums, a tiny millet-sized tooth appeared out of nowhere, dribbling whenever he grinned.

As he grew older, he got into more mischief. On a hot day, he followed his grandpa to go fishing. At two or three years old, still a small chubby bundle, wearing a little straw hat and carrying a small bucket, he stood obediently under the eaves as punishment, looking both innocent and adorable.

Starting kindergarten, he carried his little backpack, walking around the yard early in the morning, singing in a sweet, childish voice.

In this drawing, Chi Chen had written a lyric next to it: "The sun is shining in the sky, the flowers are smiling at me" — repeated three times.

Chi Chen also wrote that he sang that one line all morning, over and over, always wondering what the next line was.

Lu Zhishi covered his face, his ears turned bright red.

At six years old, he acted bravely but nearly drowned, was scolded for the first time, stood facing the corner in reflection, his back showing defiance as he wiped his eyes.

In first grade, he ran to the sixth-grade classroom, stood at the door holding a bottle of milk in each hand, his big eyes soft as he called out, "Brother~"

Every day after school, he would grow cabbages in the small vegetable garden, loosening the soil, fertilizing, watering, and even removing pests, squatting there with great seriousness.

A bit older, wearing a red scarf and carrying his small backpack, he grinned happily, holding a certificate.

During his tooth-loss phase, he became quiet and withdrawn, keeping his head down with pursed lips.

Chi Chen wrote in the blank space next to it, "Fat Cheese looks just as good even with missing teeth."

Flipping through the sketches one by one.

His elementary school uniform was replaced by a middle school one, his childish features maturing slightly, standing tall on the podium as an outstanding student representative giving a speech.

One sketch showed Lu Zhishi struggling over homework at his desk, scratching his head in frustration; the next showed him fast asleep on the desk, still holding a pen.

Lu Zhishi scared by a movie, Lu Zhishi drinking bubble tea, Lu Zhishi bending over to buy flowers...

The last one was Lu Zhishi in a suit, his eyes curved in a smile, tall and graceful, holding a beautiful bouquet of roses.

Chi Chen wrote at the bottom of this drawing—"Lu Zhishi, happy 18th birthday."

The entire sketchbook was all of Lu Zhishi.

From birth to eighteen years old, a full eighteen years, yet there were far more than eighteen sketches.

Lu Zhishi remained still for a long time. After who knows how long, he slowly lowered his head, resting his forehead against the drawing.

"Chi Chen..."

So really, how could anyone not fall for a Chi Chen so gentle? Lu Zhishi had liked him for many years indeed.

A sleepless night.

The next day was a workday, and the whole family went to the office. Lu Zhishi had only fallen asleep in the morning and woke up around noon.

He thoroughly washed his face with cleanser, applied moisturizer, even went out for a haircut, and back home, spent a long time picking an outfit in the walk-in closet.

He texted saying there was a cultural performance by the river and he wanted to go, asking if Chi Chen was free that evening.

Chi Chen replied after half a minute, saying he was free and asking what Lu Zhishi wanted to eat—he would buy it on his way home.

Lu Zhishi’s fingers trembled slightly as he wiped the sweat from his palms, replying that he couldn’t think of anything.

Chi Chen said okay. He left work early that evening but still bought a box of hawthorn cake and dried bayberries.

"You can eat these if you have no appetite."

Lu Zhishi lowered his head as he took it, eyes downcast, too nervous to meet his gaze, his heart racing, palms sweating unconsciously.

"I’ll go change clothes. Make yourself comfortable—there’s a new flavor of chips in the snack cabinet." Chi Chen loosened his tie with one hand and undid the top two buttons of his shirt.

Lu Zhishi nodded, his voice a bit hoarser than usual. "Okay."

It was only 4:30. After waiting ten minutes, Chi Chen came down the stairs.

Lu Zhishi was wearing a clean, simple white shirt paired with comfortable black pants and white sneakers.

Aside from a red string bracelet with a jade bead, he wore no other jewelry. His hair was cut shorter, revealing his delicate, handsome features—he looked fresh and neat.

It was clear Lu Zhishi had put effort into his appearance for the riverside performance, even sprayed on some cologne. Chi Chen could smell a faint fresh, woody scent as he approached.

Changing out of his formal suit, Chi Chen also wore a crisp, understated luxury shirt, the top button undone, his Adam’s apple and collarbone clearly visible.

Under the shirt were black dress pants, broad shoulders, a narrow waist, long legs, leather shoes on his feet, and a dark watch on his left wrist.

His usual cool and steady demeanor now carried a hint of laziness, and Lu Zhishi couldn’t help stealing a few extra glances.

"Let’s go."

On the way to the river, Lu Zhishi’s heart kept racing. He glanced at the passing scenery outside the window, then couldn’t resist turning to steal glances at the person beside him.

It was rush hour, so traffic was a bit heavy. They didn’t arrive until after 5.

Chi Chen parked the car, and they walked toward the large square by the river. Passing a bakery, they went in and bought a bag of small bread rolls.

By the time they reached the square, the cultural performance had already started. The area was crowded, but Lu Zhishi and Chi Chen found an empty bench at the edge and sat down.

"Have something to fill your stomach." Chi Chen handed him the bag of bread.

The rolls were small, each about half the size of a palm, and there were only ten in the bag.

Lu Zhishi placed the bag between them, took one out, and offered it to Chi Chen. "You have one too."

Chi Chen took it, took a bite—it was very sweet.

He glanced at Lu Zhishi beside him, who was eating one whole roll at a time, cheeks puffed out, chewing quickly like a squirrel he’d seen before.

Noticing Chi Chen’s gaze from the corner of his eye, Lu Zhishi slowed his chewing, turned to look at him slowly, eyes widening unconsciously as if asking what was wrong.

Chi Chen chuckled softly. "It’s nothing, eat up. We can buy more if it’s not enough."

Lu Zhishi turned back, swallowed the bread in his mouth, and picked up another.

This time, he ate more delicately, taking only half a roll per bite, chewing slowly.

Not much different from eating them whole.

Chi Chen tilted his head slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips, a faint trace of amusement flickering in his eyes.

The performances at the talent show were all quite similar. The performers this time were all young college students, and whether it was dance solos or plays or Chinese opera, they all carried the passion and vitality of their age.

Among the performers in the choir performance was a couple. After the performance, the young man knelt on one knee on stage, holding a vibrant bouquet of red roses. His voice trembled, and he could barely hold the microphone steady as he shyly and sincerely poured his heart out to his crush.

The long-haired girl in a white dress smiled sweetly, her cheeks flushed and her eyes glistening with emotion. She accepted the bouquet of roses, helped him up, and stood on her tiptoes to share a kiss with him.

The stage and the audience erupted into enthusiastic applause that went on and on, with everyone laughing and shouting blessings in unison. Lu Zhishi and Chi Chen also smiled and clapped, happy for the young couple.

The talent show ended a little before seven, as the sunset was slowly sinking in the west.

The river surface was bathed in warm golden light, with sunlight shimmering on the ripples like countless dancing little suns.

Lu Zhishi and Chi Chen walked slowly along the riverbank, stepping on the stone path still warm from a full day of sun. The air was filled with the mix of scents of grass and river water.

The evening breeze carried a touch of the summer’s characteristic mugginess, yet it also brought a rare coolness, gently brushing against their cheeks.

Small groups of people walked hand in hand or sat side by side, their laughter and chatter drifting away with the evening breeze—this was the simple pleasures of everyday life.

The sunset in the west was splashed across the sky, shifting from orange-red to rich purple. The river reflected this breathtaking colors, creating a dreamlike scene.

The sunset, the sunset colors, the cool breeze—such a beautiful moment was the perfect setting for a confession.

The path along the river was long, and Lu Zhishi’s heartbeat quickened uncontrollably. His hand, hanging by his side, trembled involuntarily.

He took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweaty palms, then his forehead, which was also beaded with a light sheen of sweat.

Only after wiping did he realize what he had done. Lu Zhishi pursed his lips, a flash of regret in his eyes.

Darn it, his hairstyle was ruined.

Noticing this, Chi Chen bought a handheld fan from a roadside stall, turned it on, and handed it to Lu Zhishi to cool off.

"If you’re hot, we can go eat first and come back later to walk around."

They had planned to walk along the river to the nearby cultural street, browse around, and buy some snacks.

Lu Zhishi shook his head. "I’m fine. Let’s keep going."

Chi Chen looked at his flushed face and the light sweat on his forehead, then stopped to buy a cup of ice. He led Lu Zhishi to a bench by the river and sat down.

He said, "Let’s sit for a while. I’m a bit tired from walking. We can rest."

This suited Lu Zhishi perfectly.

He was too nervous. Although the path along the river was long, it would eventually come to an end.

He had been worrying about finding an excuse to stop or slow down, to give himself more time to mentally prepare.

At the very least, he didn’t want to be so nervous that he couldn’t speak during his confession.

As they stopped and sat on the bench by the river, crunching ice, Zhao Xiaoxing, who was 300 meters behind them, was baffled. Why had they stopped?

Holding his binoculars and continuing to observe, Zhao Xiaoxing scratched a mosquito bite on his arm. Whatever.

His suspicious behavior successfully caught the attention of the Lu family’s bodyguards. Several tall, burly men quietly approached him.

After all, who would be bundled up on a hot summer day, covered from head to toe in a black baseball cap, black mask, and black jacket, hiding even their eyes, while holding binoculars and watching intently at their employer, following them all the way?

By the time Zhao Xiaoxing was caught, Lu Zhishi was still turned toward Chi Chen, crunching on ice and mumbling a bit.

"Xiaochen, what would you like for dinner? My treat."

"What would you like to eat?"

"I’d like to have steak at Cloud Nine."

Chi Chen crunched on the ice in his mouth, nodded calmly, and took out a handkerchief to wipe the corner of his mouth. "Then let’s go to Cloud Nine."

Lu Zhishi nodded and sent a message to Song Qinian’s personal assistant, asking him to help reserve a table at the restaurant.

The evening breeze brushed against their faces as the two sat together in silence.

Lu Zhishi crunched on the ice, he cooled down a bit, though he was still very nervous.

He was mentally rehearsing the confession scene and the words he wanted to say when he was caught off guard by Chi Chen’s question.

"Your brother told me you failed the road test again?"

Lu Zhishi: "…"

The ice in his mouth suddenly didn’t feel cold anymore. Nothing was as cold as his heart.

Lu Zhishi felt his heart turn cold, his face grow hot, and his mind become muddled.

Blabbermouth!

Lu Zhishi silently lowered his head, his originally straight spine slowly slouching. He said softly, "I’ll pass next time for sure…"

"Do you want me to come take a look?"

Both Chi Chen and Lu Zhiyu had passed their driving tests on the first try, getting their licenses in just a month.

Lu Zhishi shook his head and whispered, "It’d be too embarrassing…"

"Alright." Chi Chen pressed his lips together.

After speaking, the air fell silent again.

Lu Zhishi watched the setting sun, put two more pieces of ice in his mouth, and felt his heartbeat quicken once more. He started feeling hot again.

"Xiaochen, let’s go."

"Yeah."

Lu Zhishi threw away the empty cup and walked alongside Chi Chen, slowly making his way along the river.

His right hand was hidden behind his back, waving slightly a few times.

After walking for two minutes, Lu Zhishi waved his hidden hand several more times, but it remained empty. His wingman hadn’t followed.

Lu Zhishi: "?"

Taking advantage of Chi Chen’s inattention, he quickly looked back but couldn’t find Zhao Xiaoxing.

Abruptly, he tugged on the edge of Chi Chen’s shirt and said stiffly, "Xiaochen, the sunset is perfect. I’d like to take a few photos."

Chi Chen glanced at the sunset, now almost completely set. "...Alright."

Lu Zhishi claimed he was replying to his dad's text, but in reality, he was texting Zhao Xiaoxing. After finishing, he raised his phone and made a show of taking a couple of photos of the last rays of the sunset.

Chi Chen stood quietly by his side, seemingly lost in thought. He also took out his phone, snapped a picture, tapped the screen twice, and then put it away.

Out of the corner of his eye, Lu Zhishi noticed a figure dressed all in black rushing toward them from a distance. He quickly put away his phone, grabbed Chi Chen’s hand to pull him along, and started walking forward.

"Chen, let's go. I'm getting a little hungry."

Chi Chen took a couple of steps forward, matching his pace, and remarked casually, "You're acting a bit strange today."

"Am I?"

"Did something happen?"

"Nothing really, I'm just thinking about the driver's test. I'm a bit nervous."

Hearing this, the contemplative look in Chi Chen’s eyes faded, and he comforted gently,

"Don’t be nervous. Third time’s the charm—you’ll pass next time."

"Mhm."

Lu Zhishi responded absentmindedly, his right hand trembling unconsciously behind his back; his heartbeat was pounding so loud he could hear it.

After waiting about half a minute, he barely heard any footsteps, but a large bouquet was suddenly placed in his right hand. He instinctively gripped it tightly.

It felt as if his breath had stopped at that moment. His steps became stiff, and his mind went blank.

With his heart thumping wildly, Lu Zhishi’s hand shook uncontrollably, almost dropping the heavy bouquet of black tea roses.

Ignoring the light sweat on his forehead, he reached out and tugged at the corner of Chi Chen’s shirt.

All his earlier mental preparation vanished the moment he met Chi Chen’s narrow eyes as he turned around.

Holding the bouquet up in front of him, Lu Zhishi realized his palms were sweaty. His face flushed bright red, and he stammered, unable to get the words out: "Chi... Chi Chen, I... I..."

He was too nervous—the words were right on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn’t get them out.

Surprise flickered in Chi Chen’s eyes. This was rather sudden. He had originally planned to pursue Lu Zhishi in a couple of days, not wanting to rush or scare him since he had just turned eighteen yesterday.

He never expected Lu Zhishi to be the first to confess his feelings.

After a brief moment of surprise, Chi Chen took both of Lu Zhishi’s trembling hands, looking intently into his eyes.

Before Lu Zhishi could even finish, Chi Chen responded immediately, not wanting to waste a second, his tone unusually serious and sincere:

"Lu Zhishi, I feel the same way."