Chapter 55 Daughter-in-law

Chapter 55: Daughter-in-Law

After a brief few seconds of a kissing video, Gu Shiying's account exploded in popularity. His previous videos had gained traction because of his hands, but now that the owner of those hands had a face, their account attracted a significant number of fans who started shipping them as a couple.

Gu Shiying had reason to suspect that Fu Huan had this in mind when he negotiated with Yang Shuhang's agent, Sister Cheng. At the time, Gu Shiying had also considered promoting his account, focusing entirely on content rather than marketing himself. But now, not only was the account being promoted, even the account owner's boyfriend was inextricably linked to it.

Having trended on social media, Gu Shiying and Fu Huan received countless calls and WeChat friend requests daily, all inquiring about joining an MCN agency or entering the entertainment industry.

Even attending classes at school didn't shield them from these pervasive inquiries. The school had to enhance security measures as a result. Previously, campus entry and exit were relatively unrestricted, but now students had to present their IDs to pass through.

Gu Shiying only returned to his dorm for classes, having moved most of his belongings to Fu Huan’s place. Fu Huan was ecstatic for several days. During that busy week, Gu Shiying didn't hear Fu Huan's inner thoughts.

To be fair, Fu Huan was easily pleased—it was just that their time spent in bed together was steadily increasing.

Two weeks later, the hype surrounding them subsided, and life regained a semblance of calm. However, they couldn't escape the curious gazes on campus. Still, most people wished them a long and happy relationship, and with winter approaching, wearing scarves and masks made it easier to avoid constant scrutiny, allowing them much more freedom.

After two weeks of being inseparable, Gu Shiying had had enough of Fu Huan’s constant closeness. Every time they returned home, they’d end up in bed within ten minutes. Fu Huan, once he’d had a taste, was insatiable.

It was Wednesday, a day that felt particularly arduous for both working professionals and university students. Fu Huan, having previously enlisted his brother's help, was called into the company today to repay the favor, meaning Gu Shiying couldn't have lunch with him.

Zhang Zhi initially reached out to sling an arm around Gu Shiying’s shoulder to head to the cafeteria, but the moment his hand touched, he pulled it back. A few days prior, he had done the same thing and found himself under Fu Huan’s cold stare for what felt like an eternity. It wasn't until a chill ran down his spine that he belatedly realized his buddy now had a boyfriend.

With Fu Huan absent today, Zhang Zhi felt bold enough to interrogate Gu Shiying: "We agreed that when one of us started dating, they'd treat everyone to a meal. You kept this under wraps pretty well."

Gu Shiying, clutching his textbooks, replied, "Actually, I did treat you."

Zhang Zhi was skeptical: "When? How come I didn't know?"

Gu Shiying: "That private club—it was the day Fu Huan and I got together. You just didn't connect the dots."

Zhang Zhi suddenly understood and slapped his thigh: "Damn, no wonder Fu Huan was acting so distant with us! I'd believe it if Liang Qi treated us, but Fu Huan? It felt so awkward. So he was treating us because he got together with my bro!" Just as Gu Shiying was about to nod, Zhang Zhi's tone shifted as he thought of something else. "Wait, but he's way too generous, right? That private club isn't cheap. How come his family's so well-off? Ying Er, does this mean you've married into wealth?"

Gu Shiying looked at him speechlessly: "..."

Zhang Zhi chuckled and changed the subject: "Now that your account has taken off, what's next? Live-streaming sales?"

Gu Shiying shook his head: "I don't want to do that. I have no interest in being a streamer."

Zhang Zhi: "Fair enough. Otherwise, you could just sign with an MCN agency—they could give you another push, but then your career path would be set."

Gu Shiying: "I prefer working behind the scenes. Actually, I have a nascent idea. Would you be willing to support me?"

Zhang Zhi: "Tell me about it."

Gu Shiying: "I want to start my own company. We could partner up—you handle editing, I'll shoot the footage. We could form a team."

Zhang Zhi was stunned: "You're taking your brother along for the ride?"

Gu Shiying: "However, this might just be a small-scale venture at first. We might not turn a profit early on."

Zhang Zhi grew serious: "That's perfectly fine. I've been worried about what to do after graduation anyway. If you're starting something, I'm in. Besides, we're still young—whether we succeed or fail, it'll be valuable life experience."

Gu Shiying: "But you mentioned before that you wanted to go back home after graduation to be with your mom. I'm planning to stay in Beijing."

Zhang Zhi's expression turned resolute: "My mom isn't that narrow-minded. She wants me to make something of myself out here. It's settled—I'm with you!"

Gu Shiying smiled: "It's a deal."

The two had lunch at the cafeteria. Afterward, Zhang Zhi went to deliver milk tea to a girl, leaving Gu Shiying shaking his head. With Fu Huan away, no one was around to stop him from eating spicy snacks. It was as if Fu Huan could read his mind—the moment he thought about it, a message arrived.

[Fu Huan: Gu Shiying, don't you dare eat spicy snacks behind my back at lunch. You won't be able to handle it.]

[Gu Shiying: Isn't that your fault?]

[Fu Huan: Okay, okay, my fault. But seriously, don't eat them behind my back. I'll check when I get back tonight.]

[Gu Shiying: You're so naggy, like my mom.]

[Fu Huan: Be good.]

Gu Shiying obediently agreed over WeChat, then closed the chat window with Fu Huan and headed to the convenience store to buy snacks.

After all, Fu Huan wouldn't know—he'd eat first and deal with it later.

Before he could even step onto the store’s entrance, a woman of indeterminate age smiled gently at him. She had the soft-spoken grace of a southern woman, her tone gentle and polite.

The woman: "Hello, young man. It's my first time at your university, and I'm a bit lost. Could you point me in the right direction?"

Gu Shiying: "Of course. Where are you trying to go?"

The woman: "Isn't there a historical figures memorial hall here? I'd like to visit, but I've been looking for a while and can't find it."

Gu Shiying: "The historical figures memorial hall is in the Humanities College. It's quite a distance from here."

The woman: "I have a poor sense of direction. Would you mind taking me there? I can pay you for your trouble."

Gu Shiying: "No need for that. I'll take you. Students can take the campus shuttle, but visitors can't. It's about a 15-minute walk."

The woman: "Were you going to buy something at the store? Go ahead and shop first."

Gu Shiying: "It's nothing urgent. I just came to grab some snacks."

The woman: "Please, go ahead and buy them."

Gu Shiying figured guiding her wouldn't interfere with his snack time. He'd been eating too blandly lately, and his taste buds were practically rebelling.

He went into the store and picked out the snacks he wanted. The woman who’d asked for directions also came in and bought a bottle of water. She went to the checkout counter ahead of him, and when the cashier told Gu Shiying he could pay, the woman quickly pulled out her phone and scanned the QR code, paying for his items with a beep.

The woman smiled: "Habit, I suppose."

Her reflexes were incredibly fast.

Oh well, she really did want to pay him for guiding her.

Carrying his snacks, Gu Shiying led the woman to the memorial hall.

Along the way, they made small talk.

The woman: "Young man, where are you from? Your accent sounds a bit southern."

Gu Shiying: "I am from the south, but not too far—about four or five hours by high-speed rail from Beijing." He named his hometown.

The woman: "Then we're practically fellow townsfolk. Did you come here alone to study? Do you plan to stay in Beijing after graduation?"

Gu Shiying: "Yes, I'd like to stay here and start my own company."

The woman: "What year are you in?"

Gu Shiying: "I'm a junior."

The lady smiled and asked, "Mind if I ask if you have a girlfriend?"

Gu Shiying thought about how he was forced to come out and scratched his head with a smile. "Ah, I don’t have a girlfriend. I have a boyfriend."

Seeing that the lady showed no sign of discrimination but instead looked relieved, he added, "Having a boyfriend is great—no family pressure about having children. I feel like we get along. Would you like to swap WeChat info? To be honest, auntie, my son also likes men. If I ever have any questions about him, could I consult you? Is that okay?"

Gu Shiying, thinking the lady looked quite young, assumed her child was only in middle or high school. "Sure, no problem."

They exchanged WeChat contacts. The lady’s WeChat name was quite amusing: Jia Bei Mu Xi (Son Has a Partner Edition) — He Qi.

The fifteen-minute walk was actually only about a kilometer. Gu Shiying walked her to the entrance of the memorial hall.

"The memorial hall is right here."

"Thank you, sweetie."

"You’re welcome."

Just as Gu Shiying was about to turn and leave, the lady suddenly stepped on a raised stone on the ground. Her high heels wobbled, and she stumbled slightly. In her panic, she grabbed Gu Shiying’s hand.

[This daughter-in-law of mine has pretty good character.]

Gu Shiying: ???

His head was spinning, but he politely helped her up with a calm expression.

What did she mean by "daughter-in-law"?!

He hadn’t paid much attention to her attire earlier, but upon closer look, he realized she was perfectly put together from head to toe.

"Ah, I didn’t expect there to be stones on the ground. Thank you."

"You’re welcome."

Gu Shiying was now panicking and freaked out. Could Ms. He’s "daughter-in-law" possibly be referring to him?

She gave him a gentle smile. He really hadn’t noticed before, but now he could see she bore some resemblance to Fu Huan—especially in the eyes and the shape of her face.

Shit, how did he miss that earlier!

"Anyway, be careful. I’ll be going now."

Gu Shiying pulled himself together and quickly left, almost running away in a panic.

Wait, could she be Fu Huan’s mother?

Earlier, she mentioned her son was also gay—was she feeling him out?

Gu Shiying, ignoring how cold his hands were, unlocked his phone and sent the lady’s WeChat ID to Fu Huan.

[Gu Shiying: Do you recognize this WeChat ID?]

Fu Huan replied shortly after.

[Fu Huan: That’s my mother.]

[Fu Huan: How did you add her?]

[Gu Shiying: She came to campus to see me.]

[Fu Huan: What did she say?]

[Gu Shiying: She said she has a gay son and wanted to chat.]

Gu Shiying laughed a little.

[Fu Huan: Sorry, I haven’t had the chance to tell them about us yet. I was planning to bring you to meet them during the New Year.]

[Gu Shiying: Wait, you’re really taking me to meet your parents?]

They haven't been dating that long!

[Fu Huan: Is that okay?]

Gu Shiying thought his mom was actually quite gentle—she even called him "daughter-in-law."

Agh, he hoped he acted okay earlier!

[Gu Shiying: nervous.jpg]

[Fu Huan: Then I’ll take that as a yes. We’ve already made it onto trending topics. After my brother finds out, they’ll definitely know too.]

[Gu Shiying: so_embarrassing.jpg]

After a while, Fu Huan replied again.

[Fu Huan: Mom wants us home for dinner this weekend.]

Gu Shiying: …

Wait, meeting the parents this soon? Isn’t this a little rushed?

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Author’s Note: Here it is, this National Day holiday has been exhausting.

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Next Story: "From the Republic of China to Here" — Please bookmark it and give it a read, dear readers! This is a story about a lead from the Republic of China who time-travels to the modern era and meets the male lead. It features an arranged marriage that turns into love.

--

Jiang Yicen was born into a feudal family in the late Qing Dynasty. He studied the eight-legged essay and the Four Books and Five Classics with his grandfather and was engaged to a young lady from another family since childhood. However, his fiancée, who had studied abroad and embraced progressive ideas, broke off the engagement, politely explaining that he was too strict, old-fashioned, and dull—being with him would surely not bring happiness.

Later, he lived through the chaos of war, using his family’s wealth to save others from suffering.

Later still, he joined the army and died in the chaos of war.

He thought death was the end, but little did he know it was a fresh start—only, he returned to a family that was both feudal and open-minded.

Feudal because he was sent into an arranged marriage by his family; open-minded because his arranged marriage partner was a man.

--

Nan Shuyi was rebellious and free-spirited, did as he pleased, and frequently made headlines for various scandals—one could almost call him a playboy.

To rein in Nan Shuyi’s wild ways, the Nan family forced an arranged marriage upon him.

The day before the wedding, he scoffed and complained to his friends, "Hah, there’s no way in hell I’m ever sleeping with a man."

On the wedding day, his arranged marriage partner sat before him like a young master from the Republic of China, the corners of his lips slightly upturned in a subtle, proper smile.

He softly addressed Nan Shuyi, "Sir."

Nan Shuyi paused, adjusted his tie—which he had pulled crooked in his impatience—and stood straight and proper.

Jiang Yicen thought, having finally arrived in an era without war, where he could live safe and sound, he could endure anything. What harm was there in addressing his arranged marriage partner as "Sir"?

He had traveled a long, long way to get here from the Republic of China.

Many years later, Jiang Yicen realized his former fiancée was wrong—his life wasn’t so boring after all.