Chapter 84 I Do

Chapter 84: I Do

Interests come and go so fast, faster than Shen Shiyan ever imagined.

When he got home, Shen Ci downloaded every trending entertainment app and found the fictional character that girl was talking about. From the description alone, it really did look like the outfit he'd worn.

The next day, Shen Ci stopped going to the office with Shen Shiyan.

The office suddenly felt so empty. When Shen Shiyan habitually looked up from his papers to glance at the soft sofa, Shen Ci wasn't there anymore, playing on his phone or napping.

There wasn't a single piece of Shen Shiyan's clothing left in the walk-in closet at home. Aside from Shen Ci's everyday clothes, everything else was newly bought cosplay outfits and hair accessories.

Packages piled up like a mountain at the front door almost every day. Shen Ci scurried around like a squirrel stocking up for winter, and soon the table was covered in makeup products.

On New Year's Eve, with Song Qiuchi's guidance, Shen Ci nailed three different eyeliner styles. His hands were steady, and he had a real knack for makeup.

“Um...” That evening, Shen Ci sat at the dining table, his face a little red from taking off his makeup so many times, looking unsure.

“Hmm?” Shen Shiyan took off his apron and put down a plate of chicken wings. “Just say it if something's on your mind.”

After hesitating a few times, Shen Ci seemed to make up his mind and said sheepishly, “Can I have some money?”

Shen Shiyan's hand, reaching out to serve him, paused for a moment.

“I didn't know cosplay would be this expensive. Those costumes cost way more than my regular clothes. It feels like I barely bought anything, but my money's all gone...” Shen Ci's voice got quieter, and he puffed out his cheeks. “And all my New Year's money from before got burned up. I should've just saved it instead of keeping cash around.”

Shen Shiyan couldn't help but let out a couple of chuckles.

Shen Ci looked up at him, sensing a hint of... like he was relieved?

“I thought it was a big deal. After dinner, I'll give you the black card.” Shen Shiyan's usually cold expression softened into something warm and gentle, his sharp edges smoothed out, making him look incredibly tender.

Shen Ci had never been very materialistic and rarely needed to spend money when out. This was the first time he'd ever asked Shen Shiyan for money.

It felt amazing to be needed and chosen.

After dinner, Shen Ci picked up the black card. “I probably won't use this much. How about setting up a family card for me instead? Chen Bufan has one from his sister, and he's bragged about it to me a bunch of times.”

Shen Shiyan frowned slightly, unsure if it was because he didn't know what a family card was or because of the word “family.”

After looking into it a bit, Shen Shiyan put the black card away and checked the “unlimited” option for the family card's spending limit.

Payment notifications came through in real time.

Close to midnight, Shen Shiyan was almost asleep when his phone buzzed a few times by his pillow.

He grabbed it and glanced at the screen, squinting from the light.

“Huayu Bank – Account ending in 7528... debit 3765 yuan, balance...”

“Huayu Bank – Account ending in 7528... debit 1865 yuan, balance...”

“Huayu Bank – Account ending in 7528... debit 564.72 yuan, balance...”

“Huayu Bank – Account ending in 7528... debit 79.9 yuan, balance...”

“Huayu Bank – Account ending in 7528... debit 9.9 yuan, balance...”

He put the phone down and turned over to see Shen Ci on the other bed, still carefully browsing things, the white light from his phone lighting up his delicate features.

...

“Shen Ci.” Shen Shiyan's voice was a little hoarse. “Don't use that cheap makeup.”

“Did I wake you?” Shen Ci looked up, propping himself up a bit. “What cheap makeup are you talking about?”

If he hadn't seen Shen Shiyan's eyes still open, he would've thought Shen Shiyan was talking in his sleep—which almost never happens.

Shen Shiyan closed his eyes. “A 9.9 yuan charge—aren't you buying makeup?”

“...No...” Shen Ci laughed so hard his shoulders shook. “That was a snack I saw a blogger recommend in a video.”

Shen Shiyan: “...”

He turned back, facing away from Shen Ci. “And don't eat that cheap junk food either.”

It didn't snow at all around New Year's this year, and the temperature was slightly higher than usual. Although they had to go back to the Shen residence for the reunion dinner, Shen Ci still decorated their new home festively, even writing the Spring Festival couplets himself.

“Is it straight?” Shen Shiyan, at Shen Ci's request, stood on a small ladder, hanging the last decorative painting on the living room wall.

“A little to the left.” Shen Ci directed from below. “Good, that's it.”

Just as Shen Shiyan came down, the doorbell rang.

“Brother Sicheng!” Shen Ci opened the door and welcomed him in. “You're back late this year.”

“Can't be helped, work's busy. In a few years, when I hand over operations to a second-in-command, I'll come back and just count money.” Shen Sicheng tossed his car keys carelessly onto the entryway cabinet and rubbed Shen Ci's face. “Looks like you've grown a bit taller.”

“One meter seventy-eight.” Shen Ci compared heights with Shen Sicheng.

Shen Shiyan put the ladder back in the storage room and crossed his arms, watching Shen Sicheng lie on the sofa as if he owned the place. “Heading back together later?”

“Yeah, just going for dinner and staying the night, same old routine.” Shen Sicheng sat up and changed positions. “Shen Shiyan, since when did you get so cultured? Writing an ugly couplet to hang on the door for New Year's.”

Shen Shiyan raised an eyebrow with a half-smile.

“...” Shen Ci was silent for a moment, deeply hurt. “Brother Sicheng... I wrote that.”

Shen Sicheng's smile froze.

Their handwriting was almost identical, and he had forgotten that.

“That explains it.” Shen Sicheng let out a dry laugh and clasped his hands toward Shen Ci. “My eyes were blind—Xiao Ci Baby's calligraphy is truly masterful!”

“You flip faster than a book.” Shen Shiyan shot him a glance.

“You two have really fixed this place up.” Shen Sicheng glared back, changing the subject. “What's all this on the coffee table... candied dates with osmanthus, salt-baked peanuts, dried longan... and what's this?”

Shen Sicheng read them off one by one.

Shen Ci picked one up and handed it over with a smile. “Rock sugar lotus seeds. Try one, Brother Sicheng, they're good.”

Shen Sicheng chewed one from Shen Ci's hand—sweet, moist, and pleasant. He stared at the four snacks on the coffee table for a moment, feeling something was off.

He grabbed another and popped it into his mouth. In a flash, it hit him.

“Dates, peanuts, longan, lotus seeds?” Shen Sicheng repeated the phrase with a complicated expression, noting the arrangement matched the four characters. “That's a unique New Year's blessing and symbolism.”

Shen Shiyan: “...Shen Ci picked them. He likes eating them.”

“...” Shen Ci, who hadn’t even thought of that, stuffed another osmanthus date into Shen Sicheng’s mouth. “Then I wish Brother Sicheng—may you have a child soon.”

“Yeah, good luck with that. Better put your hopes on your d-ddy.” Shen Sicheng laughed as he chewed, his teasing laced with a hint of guidance and probing toward Shen Ci.

Shen Shiyan’s expression was a bit off. He walked over and sat down in front of Shen Sicheng, a smile that hid his edge. “Shen Sicheng, with all this time to dodge responsibility, you might as well figure out how to chase Assistant Qi.”

“He’s not gonna get married, Brother Sicheng.” Shen Ci stood while snacking, his tone flat.

“I never said he had to get married... Hey, hey, hey, okay, okay, I’m done.” Shen Sicheng took a punch from Shen Shiyan and gave up on delving deeper into their relationship.

It was almost time to head back to the Shen residence, so Shen Ci went off to change into his going-out clothes.

As soon as he left, Shen Sicheng shot Shen Shiyan a dissatisfied look. “Why do you keep stopping me? I’m doing this for your own good, don’t you get it?”

“He’s not even seventeen yet, and you’re testing him?” Shen Shiyan scooted away, putting some distance between himself and Shen Sicheng. “He threw a tantrum at me for a whole day over that stupid video you sent, crying his eyes out. I barely managed to calm him down, so don’t stir up trouble for me.”

Shen Sicheng scoffed. “I just can’t stand seeing you suffer. You don’t know what’s good for you.”

Shen Shiyan glanced toward the dressing room. “I’m willing to suffer.”