Chapter 14
“Here’s your bedroom,” Liang Xusheng announced, opening a door. He then showed Lu Xun his own bedroom, their shared walk-in closet, Lu Xun’s study, Lu Xun’s hobby room for Legos and models, Lu Xun’s gym, Liang Xusheng’s studio, and Liang Xusheng’s room for his anime merchandise. Every room was thoughtfully decorated and furnished according to their individual tastes.
In Lu Xun’s eyes, the once-empty apartment had transformed into a cozy and stylish home, perfectly reflecting his aesthetic preferences. He was impressed by Liang Xusheng’s attention to detail. The apartment felt like an extension of his own mind, from the brand of gym equipment to the firmness of his mattress.
“Thank you,” Lu Xun said sincerely.
Liang Xusheng, arranging his figures and plushies, turned around and smiled. “Don’t mention it. You provided the house, I just put in some effort.” He added, “It’s not perfect. I was rushed for time. Given more time, I could have done better.”
“You’ve worked hard,” Lu Xun said, looking around the room.
“Stop being so polite,” Liang Xusheng chuckled.
“I’m not being polite,” Lu Xun said, meaning it. “Is everything done? Anything else you need?”
“Almost. Just need to move our clothes and personal belongings. No rush, we can do it gradually, or hire movers.”
“Are you satisfied?” Liang Xusheng asked, smiling.
“Very satisfied,” Lu Xun replied, genuinely pleased with every detail, even the decorative paintings on the walls. He had known Liang Xusheng understood him, but he hadn’t realized the extent of his understanding until now. He had never been picky about his living environment, but he had to admit, being in a space that resonated with his aesthetic sensibilities was incredibly pleasing. He started imagining himself living there.
He walked around the apartment, taking it all in, even starting to plan what else he wanted to add.
When Liang Xusheng emerged from his room, he saw Lu Xun taking pictures of the living room. He watched him quietly.
“So, is it okay?” Liang Xusheng asked when Lu Xun was done.
“It’s great,” Lu Xun replied, turning to him. “It’s perfect.”
“Of course,” Liang Xusheng said, puffing out his chest. “This is our future home. I had to put in extra effort.” He started envisioning their life together. “We’ll watch movies and play games in the living room, cook in the kitchen, you’ll work out while I watch anime, I’ll run to your room to show you something funny…”
Lu Xun pictured those scenes, a smile playing on his lips.
That night, Liang Xusheng saw Lu Xun’s WeChat Moments post: several photos of the apartment, including a close-up of a Rewind chibi figure from Liang Xusheng’s collection. The caption: New home, with him.
Liang Xusheng smiled, liked the post, and commented: Who’s ‘him’? Not even worthy of a name?
The next morning, he saw Lu Xun’s reply: He’s Liang Xusheng, of course.
Liang Xusheng chuckled and replied: That’s more like it.
He also had several messages from mutual friends:
The apartment’s ready? So fast!
We won’t see your new home until the wedding day?
An idea sparked in Liang Xusheng’s mind. He messaged Lu Xun: Want to have a housewarming party? We should have done it before registering the marriage. We could have had a bachelor party too.
Before the housewarming party, they spent a night alone in the new apartment. Liang Xusheng ordered food and bought beer. They watched a movie, ate, and chatted in the living room.
“To our escape from misery!” Liang Xusheng said, clinking his beer glass against Lu Xun’s. “And to our new home!”
Lu Xun smiled. He rarely smiled, but he found himself smiling constantly around Liang Xusheng. “Thank you for all your hard work on the apartment,” he said, raising his glass.
“Don’t mention it, hubby,” Liang Xusheng said playfully. “Your house is my house. I’m just taking care of our home.” He sighed dramatically. “This is a hundred-million-yuan mansion, after all!”
Lu Xun chuckled.
Later, as Liang Xusheng got drunk, Lu Xun carried him to his bedroom.
“This isn’t my room,” Liang Xusheng mumbled, stirring. “I want to sleep in my own room.”
“Too heavy,” Lu Xun said, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Liang Xusheng sat up, leaning on Lu Xun’s shoulder. “Lu Xun, do you like it? The apartment?”
“Mm,” Lu Xun replied.
Liang Xusheng giggled, his face against Lu Xun’s shoulder. “Good. I put a lot of thought into it. I was worried you wouldn’t like it. I kept changing things around.”
Lu Xun, hearing his honest confession, gently ruffled his hair.
“Lu Xun, I’m dizzy,” Liang Xusheng murmured, closing his eyes. “I think I’m drunk.”
“Go to sleep,” Lu Xun said, helping him lie down. He left the room and returned with a warm towel, gently wiping Liang Xusheng’s face, neck, and hands.
Perhaps slightly drunk himself, he sat there, watching Liang Xusheng sleep. He reached out and caressed his face.
The next morning, Liang Xusheng woke up with a hangover, his limbs sprawled over Lu Xun. “My head… it hurts,” he groaned.
Lu Xun woke up, his neck stiff, Liang Xusheng’s arm and leg draped over him. He didn’t move, letting his mind clear, one hand on his forehead, the other resting on Liang Xusheng’s arm. “Wake up,” he said, patting him gently. “Go take a shower.”
A few days later, the new apartment was filled with people. Liang Xusheng shook a bottle of champagne, the cork popping, and everyone cheered, celebrating the housewarming. Lu Xun stood beside him, smiling.
He didn’t have many friends; they were mostly Liang Xusheng’s friends, who, by extension, had become his friends too. Everyone he had invited to the housewarming party had come, bringing gifts, a testament to Liang Xusheng’s popularity.
The apartment buzzed with laughter and conversation. People came up to Liang Xusheng and Lu Xun, congratulating them.
When asked how they went from best friends to soon-to-be-married couple, Liang Xusheng, without missing a beat, delivered their rehearsed “friends with benefits” story, eliciting hoots and hollers from the crowd.
“So who’s the boss at home?” a friend asked. “Lu Xun? Will Liang Xusheng listen to you?”
“Of course, it’s me,” Liang Xusheng declared. “He’s busy with work, and I’ll be at home. He’ll handle external affairs, I’ll handle internal affairs. What happens outside doesn’t matter; I’m the one in charge at home.”
His friends laughed, calling him shameless.
Liang Xusheng slung his arm around Lu Xun’s shoulder. “Hubby, tell them.”
Lu Xun, smiling, played along. “He’s in charge.”
“Awww!” the crowd cooed.
“Who controls the finances?” another friend asked.
“Me, obviously,” Liang Xusheng said, still clinging to Lu Xun. “He already handed over his salary card.” He gestured to the black card.
“Lu Xun, can’t you control him?” a friend teased. “Look how smug he is.”
“I’m allowed to be smug!” Liang Xusheng retorted.
Everyone laughed, including Lu Xun.
Later that night, after everyone had left, Lu Xun watched as Liang Xusheng sat on the floor, unpacking gifts and deciding where to place them. A thought struck him: Even if this marriage is fake, isn’t Liang Xusheng the best possible choice?
No, not possible. Xusheng is the best choice. A sense of clarity washed over him. He didn’t know why, but he suddenly found Liang Xusheng incredibly appealing. He stared at him, mesmerized.
“What?” Liang Xusheng asked, noticing his gaze.
Lu Xun snapped out of his trance. “Nothing, wifey,” he said without thinking.
Liang Xusheng frowned. Wifey? Seriously?
Lu Xun, ignoring his expression, continued, “Wifey, want some water?”
“Yes!” Liang Xusheng replied, then added playfully, “Thanks, hubby~”
Lu Xun went to get the water, a wide smile spreading across his face.
