Chapter 26 The Protagonist Uke and Four Suitors [End]

Chapter 26: The Protagonist (the Uke) and the Four Suitors — "Fin."

It was already evening by the time they got home. Shu Xian whined playfully, insisting his parents just had to come home.

They weren't used to seeing their son like this, so even though they were out, they rushed back.

"What's wrong, Shushu? Why were you in such a hurry to get us home?" Ms. Qi was worried sick.

"Nothing, really. I just don’t want you to work too hard. Your 25th wedding anniversary is coming up soon."

"I want to give you a gift."

"Ta-da~"

Shu Xian opened the ring box.

Two exquisite rings were displayed before them.

"Aww, thank you, my precious son."

Ms. Qi hugged Shu Xian tightly, deeply moved.

"If you really care about us, come take over the company."

Shu Zhen, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

"You really are something, saying such things at a time like this."

Ms. Qi gave Shu Zhen a light slap to stop him from ruining the mood.

"It’s okay, Mom. Dad just wants me to be more independent."

"But for now, I still want to rely on you both. I want you to spoil me a little longer."

Shu Xian hugged Ms. Qi’s arm and acted spoiled.

"Alright, my good son."

Ms. Qi was overjoyed. Her son had grown up and become sensible.

Even the usually stern Shu Zhen smiled.

His son had truly grown up.

"Call Li Wu and have him come home for dinner."

"Okay."

That evening, the family of four ate dinner together in harmony.

"Let’s take a family photo."

Shu Xian suggested.

"Good idea. We haven’t taken a family photo since Shushu grew up."

"Come, Li Wu, sit next to Shushu."

Ms. Qi hugged both sons, while Shu Zhen put his arm around Ms. Qi.

The nanny clicked the shutter, freezing this moment in time.

It was a beautiful photo.

After dinner, the Shu parents hurried off overseas again on business.

Only Shu Xian and Li Wu were left at home.

"Brother, what have you been up to lately?"

After not seeing his brother for a few days, Li Wu thought he seemed to have matured a bit.

"Eating, drinking, and having fun, that’s all."

_And saying goodbye to you all._

"Take good care of yourself, okay?"

"Brother, are you going somewhere?"

Li Wu felt a pang of inexplicable panic.

"Not going anywhere. I just want you to take care of yourself."

Shu Xian ruffled his hair.

After just a few days apart, he seemed to have grown taller again. Kids these days really shoot up fast.

Shu Xian ruffled his hair even more vigorously, turning it into a bird’s nest.

"Li Wu, if anyone bullies you, you have to fight back, understand?"

He didn’t even get angry when his hair was messed up like that. His temper was too good.

If he left, Li Wu would probably cry his eyes out for days, wouldn’t he?

"Brother, I won’t let anyone bully me, and I’ll protect you too."

"Good, our Li Wu has grown up too, able to protect his brother now."

Shu Xian nodded, pleased.

"Little Li Wu, is there anything you want to do?"

"Brother, I want to go buy a ring with you."

?

A ring?

"Why?"

"I want you to put a ring on for me too."

Li Wu showed him the video Gu Tingyuan had posted on his social media feed.

It would have been better not to look. After seeing it, Shu Xian really wanted to blast him with a cannon.

That shameless Gu Tingyuan even had the nerve to caption it:

Swapping rings with my sweetheart.

And in the comments, he posted:

Thanks everyone for the well-wishes!

...

"Li Wu, don't believe him. They were for our parents, and he was just helping me try them on."

Li Wu knew, of course, that Gu Tingyuan must have coaxed his brother into doing it.

Even though it was fake, he was still jealous out of his mind.

He also wanted to buy matching rings with Shu Xian.

"Brother, I want to buy them."

"Fine, fine, we'll get them."

"Brother, let's go make them ourselves at a DIY place."

He wanted his brother to make something unique just for him.

"Okay, whatever you say."

The next day, Shu Xian was dragged out of bed early by Li Wu.

Maybe because it was his last day here, Shu Xian didn't feel drowsy when he woke up; he was actually feeling pretty awake.

"Brother, I'm so happy."

Li Wu drove, unable to contain his joy. After making the rings, he would confess to his brother.

"You're really easy to please, huh."

Shu Xian pinched his cheek.

"I'm happy doing anything with you, brother."

"Okay."

He's definitely got a brother complex, no doubt about it.

After arriving at the craft studio, the two followed the teacher to learn how to make rings.

To make their pieces perfect, both listened carefully.

A bit of hammering and shaping, and they quickly made a ring.

Shu Xian didn't make a ring for him but instead crafted a pendant for Li Wu.

Li Wu's face fell at first, but his mood lifted when he saw Shu Xian carefully polish and carve it for him.

He loved everything his brother put his heart into making.

There would be plenty of time for rings in the future; he would get his brother to willingly craft one for him with his own hands.

By the afternoon, the two finally finished their pieces.

After all, they made them with their own hands, which gave them a great sense of accomplishment.

Shu Xian took a photo and posted it to his feed, adding a location tag. Tagging his spot made him feel like he wasn't going anywhere.

When Gu Tingyuan saw it, he threw another fit, saying he wanted one too.

Shu Xian replied, "Dream on."

He hadn't even settled the score with him for the previous post yet.

"Host, the time is almost up."

006 reminded him.

"Okay, how will I leave?"

"When the time comes, you'll pass out. At the hospital, they'll diagnose you with a terminal illness and pronounce you dead."

"Alright."

...I'm actually kind of reluctant to go.

"Brother, do you have someone you like?"

"Huh?"

Shu Xian was lost in thought about 006's words and didn't hear what Li Wu said clearly.

"I said, brother, do you like me?"

"I do. You'll always be my brother."

Shu Xian looked at him and smiled.

"I don't want to be your brother. Brother, I'm already nineteen."

"Alright, alright, you've grown up. Then I'll reluctantly let you be my older brother."

He laughed and ran off. This little brat Li Wu, only nineteen and already thinking about love.

He probably hasn't even figured out the difference between a brother complex and love.

"Brother! You know that's not what I meant!"

Li Wu frowned. He refused to believe Shu Xian didn't understand what he was trying to say.

"Host, beginning countdown."

10, 9, 8...

"Okay."

"Li Wu! I hope you find someone who'll really love and take care of you!"

Shu Xian stood not far away, cupping his hands like a megaphone and shouting toward him.

The smile on his face grew even more dazzling.

"Farewell."

Slowly, Shu Xian lowered his hands, closed his eyes, and fell forward, collapsing at his feet.

"Big brother!!!"

Li Wu frantically scrambled forward.

Simultaneously, several figures emerged from their surroundings.

"Shushu!!!"

"Shu Xian!!!"

"Xian!!!"

...