Chapter 130 More Than the Future

Chapter 130: More Than Just What Comes After

The ban on Shen Shiyan attending various summits was lifted.

Mainly because there were too many invitations—after all, he still had to get by in the business world, and he couldn't keep turning everyone down.

Before leaving, Shen Shiyan asked Shen Ci if he wanted to come with him.

Shen Ci said he had a livestream in the evening, and since the reception was on a boat, he was a bit reluctant.

Still, Shen Ci made Shen Shiyan promise he'd be back before midnight.

As he walked out the door, Shen Shiyan gently kissed Shen Ci on the forehead and said he'd be home by ten.

Truth be told, he didn't really enjoy parties. Before, he used to be aloof and didn't like talking to strangers. Now that his husband was at home, he didn't want to go out at all—he just wanted to spend every free moment with Shen Ci.

The sea view at Yunhai was just as good as that at Yitaisi. The lights shimmered on the gently rolling waves, the whole scene was bathed in a romantic, sea-blue glow.

Quite the rising star, President Shen.

...

"What about the next round of energy cooperation, what do you think..."

The flattery around him was starting to get on his nerves.

His phone buzzed every now and then—messages from Shen Ci.

In a lull between toasts, Shen Shiyan couldn't help pulling it out. Already ten messages.

"Shen Ci: Babe! No sooner had you left than Tuanzi started wrecking the house."

"Shen Ci: I got into a fight with him."

"Shen Ci: I totally kicked his butt! [firework]"

"Shen Ci: proud.jpg"

"Shen Ci: picture"

Shen Shiyan tapped to open it—a whisker Tuanzi had shed, picked up by Shen Ci.

"Shen Ci: picture"

This one showed Shen Ci balancing the whisker on Tuanzi's head, the cat glaring with one eye bigger than the other, hilarious and adorable.

"Shen Ci: Sicheng came downstairs to hang out with me."

"Shen Ci: video"

"Shen Ci: hahahahahahahaha"

"Shen Ci: I miss you, babe."

The thumbnail was blocked by something. Shen Shiyan made a habit of saving first, then playing.

The camera was obscured by Shen Ci's clothes for a split second, then cleared. Barefoot Shen Sicheng was running around the living room with Tuanzi.

"..."

Shen Shiyan switched to his gallery, moved the video to the recycle bin, then opened the bin and permanently deleted it.

A smile tugged at his lips as he set down his half-empty champagne glass and typed a reply.

"Shen Shiyan: It wrecks the house every day."

"Shen Shiyan: That's my tough baby."

"Shen Shiyan: [firework]"

"Shen Shiyan: That's the third one that fell off, right?"

"Shen Shiyan: Have some fun. Babe will be back soon."

"Shen Shiyan: Want anything to eat?"

"Shen Shiyan: [quoting video] Take a look at yourself."

"Shen Shiyan: Baby."

"Shen Shiyan: I miss you too."

Just as he sent it, a few executives in their forties clustered around him. One of them—Yin Ming, the owner of the yacht—led a parade of glamorous female companions. Only when they lined up did Shen Shiyan notice the last person, head down, was a young man.

"President Shen, about the cooperation—we can discuss it further. Why don't you stay aboard tonight..."

He shot his companions a look as he spoke.

"President Yin." Shen Shiyan stepped back. "Have some decency."

Yin Ming forced an awkward smile.

Shen Shiyan raised his right hand, turning it to show the back. He wiggled his fingers slightly, the plain band on his ring finger catching the light.

His phone chose that perfect moment to ring.

Shen Shiyan lowered his hand, glanced at the screen, and with a barely perceptible smile, answered the phone in front of everyone.

"I miss you, miss you, miss you, miss you, miss you, miss you, miss you!!!"

Shen Ci's voice was quick and soft, whining playfully on the phone.

"You coming back soon, babe?"

Shen Shiyan's smile grew sweet.

"On my way back now," he said, his voice gentle.

Shen Ci gave a low "oh," then said in a serious tone, "Babe, Tuanzi says it wants pomegranates."

A soft laugh escaped Shen Shiyan's lips. "Okay, I'll bring some back for you."

"For Tuanzi!" Shen Ci said, laughing. "Drive safe, I'll hang up now."

Shen Shiyan hummed in agreement, and a second later the line went dead.

"Apologies. My beloved is being rather insistent. I'm afraid I can't stay any longer." Shen Shiyan's smile faded. "President Yin, business should be done with a little more integrity."

He didn't bother to save Yin Ming's face. As he stepped off the yacht, the sea breeze blew away some of his tipsiness.

He got home at exactly 9:59. "Shen Shiyan! You dared to come back exactly on the dot!!" Shen Ci stood there in his loungewear, hands on his hips, interrogating him with a haughty air.

"Meow meow meow!" Tuanzi sat at his feet and let out two meows.

"Your not allowed to sleep in bed!" Shen Ci crossed his arms and watched Shen Shiyan change his shoes.

"Meow meow meow!" Tuanzi shifted.

Shen Shiyan set the fruit on the counter, walked up to Shen Ci, and opened his arms toward him. His words, softened by alcohol, were tender and affectionate.

"Hug me."

Shen Ci pouted, but soon couldn't hold back a smile and hugged him.

His warm body pressed against Shen Shiyan's chest. Shen Ci stood on tiptoe, his soft hair brushing against Shen Shiyan's neck, and gently patted his back twice.

"Welcome home."

As Shen Ci said this softly, Tuanzi slowly rubbed against their legs, its tail held high.

After hugging for a while, they parted slightly.

"Take off your suit, gege," Shen Ci said, bringing his nose close to the side of his neck and sniffing. "It smells like the blend of scents from the summit."

Shen Shiyan paused for a moment, then laughed, took off his jacket, and hung it on the coat rack.

Shen Ci hugged him again and inhaled deeply several times, breathing near Shen Shiyan's Adam's apple.

Shen Shiyan's large hand, resting on his waist, slid under his clothes and pressed against his waist, asking, "Had enough sniffing?"

Shen Ci nodded, but before he could speak, Shen Shiyan pressed his lips to Shen Ci's.

The lingering trace of alcohol was transferred to Shen Ci. Soon, Shen Ci's peach blossom eyes glistened like a spring pool, as if hazy with intoxication.

"Shen Shiyan."

Shen Ci's body went limp, and he called his name.

Shen Shiyan rested his chin on his shoulder, his breathing ragged. "What do you call me?"

"d-ddy."

"Mmm, so obedient." Shen Shiyan closed his eyes, applying a little pressure with his chin, and tightened his arms as if to meld him into his own bones. "Go wait on the couch for a bit. I'll peel the pomegranate."

The living room had a projector installed. Shen Ci happily went to the bedroom to fetch a blanket, and the sofa turned into a sofa bed, cozily arranged.

He randomly picked an arthouse romance movie.

Close to eleven, the two snuggled under the blanket. Shen Ci held a salad bowl filled with peeled seedless pomegranate, eating it with a spoon; the sweetness was just right.

The movie was beautifully shot; the male and female leads went through breakups and reunions and finally ended up together.

Shen Shiyan watched the male lead's proposal scene, then looked down at Shen Ci, asleep in his arms, having finished the pomegranate.

He reached out and gently pinched Shen Ci's cheeks, making his lips purse slightly.

"Mmm...?" Shen Ci mumbled, a little displeased, still drowsy.

"Let's get married," Shen Shiyan said softly, stroking his hair. "Shen Ci."

Shen Ci was too sleepy to be fully awake; he mumbled a few times before Shen Shiyan carried him to the bedroom and tucked him into bed.

Three days later, Shen Shiyan proposed for the second time. Countless expressions of love and countless "I love you"s were finally witnessed. From then on, Shen Ci was no longer the child Shen Shiyan raised in name only, but his one and only lover and family, by right.

That same year, the sweltering heat of midsummer faded. The sunlight fell gently, with a hint of autumn's dry coolness. Plane trees lined both sides of the road stretching into the distance, with yellowed, curled leaves occasionally breaking free from the branches and drifting down slowly.

The autumn wind blew, rustling the piles of dead leaves and broken twigs.

"Gege, a fan told me in the group that when we go out, we can bring the kitten a little something from outside... kind of like how humans scroll through short videos!"

Shen Ci bent down and picked up a complete fallen leaf. He rubbed the stem between two fingers, and the leaf spun quickly in his hand.

"Tuanzi will eat the leaves." Shen Shiyan smiled lightly and gently wrapped one end of the scarf draped over his arm around Shen Ci's neck, and wrapped the other end around himself.

The scarf wasn't particularly long, so the two were drawn closer together as they strolled home.

Shen Ci laughed and said no wonder Shen Shiyan had only brought one scarf.

Shen Shiyan walked slowly, took Shen Ci's hand and interlaced their fingers, saying softly, "The autumn in Cloud City is windy; sharing one scarf keeps us much warmer when we go out."

Shen Ci froze for a moment, then tilted his head, his beautiful peach blossom eyes reflecting Shen Shiyan's profile.

"We still have many windy Cloud City autumns to spend together."

Fingers are linked to the heart. Shen Ci's hand squeezed back, holding tighter, the lines of their palms intertwining.

Not just Cloud City, not just autumn, not just the future.

——End of the main text——