CH 72

Shen Xingsui felt that he had never been so shocked in his life.

How to describe this feeling? It felt like… he was just a regular guy with a favorite fictional character. Then, one day, his favorite character suddenly came to life, and they immediately said you two would be together forever from then on. It was fate, or something like that. 

Simply put, it was beyond outrageous. 

It was a kind of wonder that ordinary people would hardly even dare to imagine, and to Shen Xingsui, this kind of wonder was no less than the feeling of winning a five million grand prize with a one yuan lottery ticket.

Shen Xingsui’s Adam apple rolled up and down, hesitantly said, “Are you really… aren’t you joking?”

The old woman smiled and patiently said, “Suisui, why would Grandma lie to you about this?” 

Looking at the bracelet in the jade box, Shen Xingsui felt a sense of wonder from the bottom of his heart. This feeling made him feel a little unsteady when he walked.

The old woman asked, “Aren’t you happy, Suisui?”

Shen Xingsui subconsciously said, “I’m happy… no, what I mean is… this kind of relationship needs to be mutual. Before I came back, Fu-ge didn’t know about me at all. So, even if we got married because of this engagement, I don’t think the relationship would be strong or…. Uhm… well.” 

He tried to explain his reason, but even he himself didn’t understand what his point was. 

Somehow, his grandma could understand what he meant. But she still just smiled and continued, “Suisui, you are right, but you are not right either.”

Shen Xingsui looked baffled. 

The old woman came over and shook his hand and said, “Suisui, Grandma wants to tell you that this kind of relationship cannot be forced. It’s all fate. However… you need to know that what you think it’s impossible might not be true. You need to pay attention to the hidden things.” 

“I met your fiance with your Grandpa, and he agreed that Fu Jinxiao was an outstanding man, worthy of entrustment. And we both know that he very much likes you, more than you know, it seems.” The old woman smiled kindly, “Do you understand what I meant?” 

Shen Xingsui froze in place. He could understand each of these words separately, but he couldn’t understand them together.

His grandma was still mysteriously smiling. 

After Shen Xingsui slowly digested the meaning of these words, his ears slowly turned red, he lowered his face shyly, and said softly, “Don’t make fun of me. How is it possible? He is my teacher and senior, and I don’t have any good points. How could he like me?”

“Why is it impossible?” The old woman looked at her grandson, reached out to touch Shen Xingsui’s cheek and said, “My child, you must have heard about the yin-yang concept right? It’s all about balance, the seemingly two opposite things are fit to be together, as a perfect complement. Don’t underestimate yourself. You have worked hard to get to where you are today.”

The soft words seemed to fall on Shen Xingsui’s heart one by one.

He thought it was impossible before, but when grandma said this, he was agitated again. Is it really possible? Will Fu-ge really like him?

“…”

Then, his musings were disrupted by a voice coming from downstairs. 

The old woman came back to her senses, and said with a smile, “Let’s go downstairs, your Grandpa has been talking about your return, and he will give you red envelopes later.”

Shen Xingsui nodded quickly.

They went downstairs, which was very lively as everyone gathered together. Just as his grandmother said, Shen Congsheng really did give out generous red envelopes. Just as Shen Xingsui came downstairs, he waved to him, “Come here.” 

Shen Xingsui walked over with small steps. Everyone else’s red envelopes were packed with thick stacks of money, but Shen Xingsui’s was very thin. He hesitated for a moment, but he didn’t ask further.

Grandpa said with a fond voice, “Open it and have a look.”

Shen Xingsui hesitated for a moment, and when he opened it, he found that it was a check. “Grandpa, this is too expensive, I can’t take it.”

The old man only laughed. “Not much, this is for you.”

Shen Xingsui was stunned.

Shen Xingchen was holding a thick red envelope beside him, flattered: “Grandpa will give us a red envelope every year. You haven’t received yours since forever, so this amount should be correct.”

This year, Shen Xingsui will be 22 years old. So, he was given a 2.2 million yuan check as New Year’s money. 

Shen Xingsui looked at the check in his hand, saw so many zeros on it, and looked at the kind-hearted old man in front of him. He felt moved in his heart. He put the check on the table beside him, then knelt down, and kowtowed to the old man.

After bowing three times, he still continued to bow.

The old man hurriedly stopped him and said, “Suisui, what are you doing?”

“I didn’t come to pay you New Year’s greetings in person before, so I want to make it up for you.” Plus, he really didn’t know what else he could do. 

The old man only stayed silent. He felt… this child was too sensible. This was a sign that he was actually afraid – it was the classic line of thought that unless he’s a good boy, he wouldn’t be liked. 

“Suisui, although you haven’t come all these years, it’s not your fault. And even if you weren’t here, we will always keep your place in our hearts.” The old man’s voice was slow, comforting him. 

The grandma next to him understood, and she smiled and pulled Shen Xingsui up. She took him to the back of the living room to look. There was a complete family portrait, which was taken by them in previous years. Two old people sat in the middle, Xu Enzhen and Shen Yong stood behind them, the two grandchildren were standing on both sides. However, in all these photos, there would be extra empty spots somewhere. 

“And even if you weren’t here, we will always keep your place in our hearts”   

Shen Xingsui skimmed his fingertips over the photos. He couldn’t say anything. 

Then, seeing that his younger brother was about to cry, Shen Xingchen immediately suggested, “Let’s take a photo together?”

Shen Minglang pushed his glasses as he replied, “I agree. We need to take another family portrait, now that we are complete.” 

Shen Xingchen said with a cheeky smile, “It just so happens that I’m wearing new clothes today.”

“I’ll ask the butler to take pictures.” Grandma suggested, “This year, I need a brand new portrait for this wall.” 

Everyone happily discussed the composition. In the end, it was agreed to take the photo in the courtyard. The first snow of the year that had just stopped falling, and the warm afternoon sun slowly cast golden light in the sky.

The butler said to them, “Stand in your position, please.” 

Shen Xingchen was awed with the view, “The sun looked especially dazzling today. It’s a nice winter day, don’t you think?” 

Xu Enzhen took the children to their position, smiling widely. “It must be a sign. This year will be a good year for us.” 

“Yup, I agree!” Shen Xingchen stretched his hand towards the sun, “The past two years, it was cloudy, and the sun was not very good.”

Grandma came from behind and said, “Because this year, our family is finally completed. Suisui is finally back with us. I believe life will be easier for us from now on.” 

Everyone sat down on the benches in the back garden.

When Shen Xingsui was hesitating where to stand, Xu Enzhen waved at him, “Suisui, come here, stand in the middle!” Shen Xingsui hurriedly walked and stood in the middle. Shen Xingchen came over and hooked his shoulders, while Shen Minglang stood by his other side. Next to them were Xu Enzhen and Shen Yong, and as for the grandparents, they were sitting in the front. 

The butler said loudly, “Come on, I’ll count to three, two, one, eggplant!”

The winter sun was warm and genial.

The bright white snow seems to cover all the gloom in the world. The auspicious snow heralds a good year, and the family that had been covered by the haze once again stood in sight. They stood shoulder to shoulder with side smiles on their faces.

Everyone shouted in unison: “Eggplant!”

“Snap!”

This was a new family portrait. The original vacant position has been filled, the snow outside was melting, and the cold wind has subsided. As everyone walked back, Shen Xingsui saw his grandfather’s thin body, he said to him, “Ah, it’s too cold outside. Grandpa, let’s go inside now. Sorry for suggesting taking the photo outside despite this weather…” 

“Ahahaha, it’s fine, it’s fine. This old man is just too happy. It’s not your fault, Suisui.” 

“But…”

“It’s okay Suisui, trust Grandpa,” Shen Minglang said from behind him. 

While Shen Xingsui has always been in awe of his eldest brother, the two of them haven’t chatted much.

But he was not afraid, because he knew how pampering Shen Minglang actually was. He just had an icy exterior. 

Shen Minglang continued, “On the contrary, not only do I not blame you, but also thank you very much.”

Shen Xingsui was confused, “Thank me?

Shem Minglang explained, “Because you are back, this family is much more lively than before. Everyone is much closer than before. I think… this is what a real ‘family’ is like.” 

Shen Xingsui never thought that he would have such a bond.

Feeling bold, Shen Minglang patted his youngest brother’s head. His voice was particularly gentle and comforting, “Again… thank you.” 

“…”

Shen Minglang repeated again in a softer tone, “Thank you for coming home.”

The cold wind was still blowing outside, but Shen Xingsui’s face was a little flushed. He never thought that he could be so close to his eldest brother. He also looked forward to it, but Jian Gu was never around for him, while Jian Zhi only sneered at him. 

In contrast, Shen Minglang might have looked stern, but he was very gentle. 

Shen Xingsui’s voice was very soft, but sincere, “It is my luck to be able to come back here.” 

“So… I will cherish it.” Shen Xingsui added, “Dage, don’t worry, I will not embarrass you or the family.”

Shen Minglang looked at his well-behaved and cute younger brother, and felt that he could never embarrass him. He was much sweeter than the bear child Shen Xingchen. However, he was not worry-free. Sneaking glances on Shen Xingsui’s twin bracelet he was holding now, he thought that his younger brother might marry someone else in the future. 

This was his number one worry. 

The businessman pushed his glasses back to its place as he tried to derail that dangerous train of thoughts. He had more time to worry about Shen Xingsui’s marriage prospects nex time. Instead, he replied, “Suisui, don’t worry about losing face, the Shen family will always be your staunch backing.”

Shen Xingsui looked like he didn’t believe that. 

“So you don’t have to be afraid of any power, and you can make decisions about your marriage in the future.” Shen Minglang pushed his glasses again. “Especially because your status is different now, and you have to be careful of people with ulterior motives, understand? “

Huh?

Shen Xingsui blinked as his thoughts halted. He didn’t understand why he suddenly talked about his marriage. But still, he obediently listened to his eldest brother and smiled, “Okay.” 

Shen Minglang was relieved now. Thinking that Fu Jinxiao also said that he only treated Suisui as a child, so the actor shouldn’t act as a beast and courted him now. He hoped that he was just being paranoid about this fiance thing. 

“Go in first, and have dinner later.”

Shen Xingsui nodded heavily. He went to the bathroom to wash up, when his phone rang. It turned out to be a call from Fu Jinxiao. 

He was surprised at first, and then quickly answered the phone: “Hello, Teacher Fu?”

Fu Jinxiao immediately said, “Comrade Xiao Shen, Happy New Year.”

Hearing his pleasant voice, Shen Xingsui felt an inexplicable joy in his heart, and he also responded, “Teacher Fu, Happy New Year.”

After he finished speaking, he felt strange. So, he added a question, “You called me, what’s the matter?”

Fu Jinxiao said slowly,”Why, can I call you if I have nothing to do? Teacher Shen is so powerful now.”

“!!!” 

Shen Xingsui was thin-skinned and couldn’t stand being teased, so he quickly said, “No, I didn’t mean that, of course, I’m just curious…” 

The corner of Fu Jinxiao’s mouth curled up into a smile, and he only chuckled and asked, “Where are you now?” 

Shen Xingsui answered honestly, “This is the first time I’ve come to meet my grandparents.” 

Fu Jinxiao then said instead, “Ah, I see. Greet them for me, I will visit you another day.” 

As for Shen Xingsui, he immediately remembered about the fiance thing, and he was hesitating on asking Fu Jinxiao about it. 

“Actually, I called you today to ask if you have time recently.” 

This line made Shen Xingsui remember his grandma’s words… about Fu Jinxiao actually liking him more than just a friend. 

In fact, Shen Xingsui didn’t believe it at first, but Fu Jinxiao actually called him and even asked him out. Does this prove that what grandma said may be true?

Shen Xingsui thought a lot for a moment, and was a little nervous, but he still tentatively replied shyly and timidly, “Well… I shouldn’t be busy, are you asking me out?”

But, before Fu Jinxiao could answer this provocative question, a voice came from behind Shen Xingsui.

Shen Minglang stood at the door and looked at him and said, “Suisui, Mom asked me to come over and call you for dinner.”

Shen Xingsui shook his hand holding the phone. Just like a child caught in an illicit puppy love affair, he panicked. He said in a panic, “Oh, oh, okay, I’ll be right away.”

After he finished speaking, he leaned his hands back with a little guilt.

The youth’s thoughts were written clearly on his face. It’s easy for Shen Minglang to read him. 

With sharp eyes, Shen Minglang immediately zeroed in on Shen Xingsui’s phone. 

“Who are you calling?”

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