Chapter 17
Almost all of Liang Xusheng and Lu Xun’s college friends and roommates attended the wedding and were accommodated in the guest rooms at the estate. It had been five or six years since graduation, and they were scattered across the country, busy with their lives and careers. The wedding was a rare opportunity for a reunion.
They reminisced about their college days, teasing Liang Xusheng and Lu Xun about their close relationship.
“We always knew you two were a couple,” someone said. “Liang Xusheng kept denying it, but look at you now, married.”
“Lu Xun was so aloof back then,” another friend recalled. “He never gave anyone a friendly look. But he would bring Liang Xusheng breakfast every morning.”
Liang Xusheng teased them back. “Lao Qin, you have no right to talk about Lu Xun. You copied his homework for four years. And the rest of you, who did you call for help every time you couldn’t beat a game level?”
They caught up on each other’s lives, sharing their work woes, health scares, and nostalgic memories of their school days.
“I remember playing basketball with Liang Xusheng, Lu Xun, and Lao Zhang,” one friend said. “We’d play from dinner until late at night, even when our feet were killing us.”
“I could eat thirty skewers of grilled lamb at the north gate in one sitting!” another boasted.
“The food at the cafeteria was so cheap back then,” someone sighed. “Now I spend twenty or thirty yuan on a meal, and I can’t help but think how much I could have eaten at the school cafeteria.”
They even played mobile games together, just like old times.
The party continued until past 2 am. As people got drunk, some stumbled off to their rooms, others passed out on the sofa or the bed. One drunk friend clung to Liang Xusheng, rambling, “I’m so envious of you. You don’t have to work, you do whatever you want, no worries about money. And now you’re married to Lu Xun, and he’ll provide for you.”
Liang Xusheng, also tipsy, patted his friend’s shoulder. “Different people, different fates. I’m just lucky.”
“Tell me the truth,” his friend slurred, hiccuping. “You and Lu Xun were together back then, weren’t you? He was always looking for you, and you were always waiting for him under that tree. Remember that tree? The sycamore? Huge, with leaves bigger than our faces.”
“Of course, I remember,” Liang Xusheng replied. “It was hot. I wasn’t going to wait for him in the sun.”
Another drunk friend joined them. “You and Lu Xun were definitely hooking up in college.”
“Sure, we were,” Liang Xusheng said, not bothering to argue. “Not just hooking up, we were inseparable.”
By 3 am, the party had wound down. Those who could walk went back to their rooms; those who couldn’t were scattered around the room. Liang Xusheng, quite drunk, was about to collapse on the bed when Lu Xun, also tipsy, grabbed him and led him away.
As they stumbled down the hallway, Liang Xusheng giggled. “You were so grumpy in college. I never understood why you were always in a bad mood.”
“This way,” Lu Xun said, guiding him.
“Remember that time a girl asked for your WeChat, and you scared her away with your scowling?” Liang Xusheng rambled.
Lu Xun, struggling to keep him upright, had to put his arm around his waist.
Back in their room, they collapsed onto the bed. Liang Xusheng started giggling uncontrollably. “Remember that time a girl had a crush on you, and I helped her ask you out to a movie? You were so grumpy. And remember that amazing sweet and sour pork at the south gate cafeteria? I ate it for a whole month, and you ate it with me, even though you hated it! Hahahaha!”
Liang Xusheng continued recounting their college memories, many of which Lu Xun had forgotten. Lu Xun, still slightly sober, sat up and took off Liang Xusheng’s shoes and socks.
Liang Xusheng, drunk and restless, kept mumbling and groaning. Lu Xun wanted to get him a warm towel, but he was too dizzy to get up. He lay back down beside Liang Xusheng.
“Lu Xun…” Liang Xusheng murmured, snuggling against him, his head on Lu Xun’s arm, his limbs draped over him like a koala. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Lu Xun, feeling dizzy, put his hand on his forehead and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he found himself staring at Liang Xusheng’s lips, pink and soft, inviting a kiss. He had kissed him twice before, once at home to deceive their mothers, and once under the fireworks.
He leaned in and kissed Liang Xusheng softly, twice. Then, unable to resist any longer, he pulled Liang Xusheng closer, wrapping his arms around him, and fell asleep.
Meanwhile, Lulu, wide awake at home, discovered that Rewind had launched a surprise event without any prior announcement. The event offered a free five-star card and a series of character skins and interactive items for sale in the in-game store. The cheapest items were only 1.314 yuan, and the most expensive were 13.14 and 131.4 yuan.
1314! It’s a wedding gift from Lu Xun!, she squealed inwardly. Skins and outfits for only a little over one yuan? I’ll take them all!
Her game groups were buzzing with excitement:
What’s going on with Rewind? A surprise event?
A whole outfit for just over one yuan? Is this real?
A free five-star card?!
Why no announcement?
Lulu quickly replied: Because the CEO of Rewind got married recently.
Seriously?
That’s why it’s 1.314 yuan! It’s a reference to “forever”! I have to buy everything!
Lulu messaged Liang Xusheng: Your husband is the best! A free five-star card, and skins for only 1.314 yuan! He’s totally in love with you!
Liang Xusheng’s phone, lying on the floor beside the bed, lit up briefly, then went dark. He and Lu Xun lay sleeping, entangled in each other’s arms.
The next morning, Fu Shu’s knocking woke Liang Xusheng. He opened his eyes, his head and neck throbbing with a hangover. What time is it?, he wondered, groping for his phone. He found Lu Xun instead, who also stirred, frowning slightly.
“Lu Xun,” Liang Xusheng mumbled, his mind still foggy. He finally found his phone as Fu Shu called out from outside, “Xusheng, your college friends are awake. They’ve had breakfast. Some of them are leaving. Come say goodbye.”
“Okay,” Liang Xusheng said, sitting up with difficulty. He checked his phone; it was past 10 am.
Lu Xun also sat up, rubbing his eyes. “What time is it?”
“Past ten,” Liang Xusheng replied, fully awake now. He got out of bed and went to the bathroom. “Hurry up, Lao Zhang and the others are waiting.”
Soon, they were saying goodbye to their friends at the entrance of the main house.
Lao Zhang, Liang Xusheng’s former roommate, whispered to him before getting into his car, “I forgot to ask you yesterday…”
Liang Xusheng leaned closer, expecting an important question.
“So, between you and Lu Xun, who’s the top and who’s the bottom?” Lao Zhang asked conspiratorially.
Liang Xusheng: “…” He pushed Lao Zhang into the car. “Just go.”
“What’s there to be embarrassed about?” Lao Zhang chuckled, getting into the car. “It’s obvious you’re the bottom.”
“I’m the top!” Liang Xusheng retorted.
“Sure you are,” Lao Zhang scoffed. He leaned out the window, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. “So, did you guys, you know, have a passionate wedding night?”
Liang Xusheng: “…”
Lao Zhang drove off, laughing hysterically.
“What was that about?” Lu Xun asked, watching the car leave.
“We were talking about how handsome you are,” Liang Xusheng lied smoothly.
Chapter 18
After seeing off the last of the guests, it was past noon. Liang Xusheng and Lu Xun grabbed a quick lunch in the small dining room. While eating, Liang Xusheng saw Lulu’s message, checked the game, and discovered the new Rewind event. “Who planned this?” he asked Lu Xun, clicking through the character skins, each costing a little over one yuan.
“The company,” Lu Xun replied.
“1.314 yuan?” Liang Xusheng asked, raising an eyebrow.
“1314. ‘Forever.’ A nice sentiment, isn’t it?” Lu Xun said calmly.
Liang Xusheng chuckled. “Whatever makes you happy.”
“Doesn’t it make you happy?” Lu Xun asked, looking at him.
“Of course,” Liang Xusheng replied, already buying sets of skins. Free five-star cards and cheap new outfits? He was thrilled.
After lunch, Yang Yue and Fu Shu instructed them to bring down the boxes from upstairs. There were many red wooden boxes, all locked. Liang Xusheng hadn’t seen them before and wondered what was inside.
“Money,” Lu Xun’s cousin said, helping them carry the boxes. “Your betrothal gifts and dowry.”
“This much?” Liang Xusheng asked, surprised by the number of boxes.
“Yeah, about ten million yuan in total,” his cousin replied, teasing him. “Count it carefully. Don’t strain your fingers.”
“I don’t mind straining my back for this much money,” Liang Xusheng said, grinning.
“Newlyweds do tend to strain their backs,” his cousin said casually.
Liang Xusheng’s eyes widened as he caught Lu Xun’s gaze. He groaned inwardly.
They carried down a few smaller boxes. “What’s in these?” Liang Xusheng asked.
“Gold and jade,” Yang Yue replied, who was nearby.
“For whom?”
“For you and Lu Xun, of course.”
Liang Xusheng was speechless.
They took the valuables to the new apartment and entertained some relatives, showing them around and offering tea. Lu Xun had to leave for a meeting. “Can you handle this by yourself?” he asked Liang Xusheng at the door.
“Of course,” Liang Xusheng replied. “They’re family, not wolves. They won’t eat me.” He added, “Let’s count the money and the jade when you get back. I should have installed a safe.”
“I’m leaving,” Lu Xun said, touching Liang Xusheng’s arm.
“Bye,” Liang Xusheng said, watching him go.
Liang Xusheng entertained the relatives on his own, effortlessly managing the large group, even finding time to play games on his phone.
Fu Shu noticed two adjacent bedrooms and asked about them. “I tend to sleep late, and Lu Xun sometimes works late. We agreed to have separate rooms so we don’t disturb each other,” Liang Xusheng explained. “Plus, we’ll have space for guests.”
“That makes sense,” Fu Shu said, not suspecting anything.
Before dinner, the relatives left, and Yang Yue, Lu Zhang, Fu Shu, and Liang Jing also departed, reminding Liang Xusheng to take the money to the bank. “Why did you even withdraw it?” Liang Xusheng said. “A check would have sufficed.”
“It’s tradition!” Fu Shu insisted.
Alone at home, Liang Xusheng checked his phone and replied to some messages, then tidied up the living room. Lu Xun messaged him, asking if the relatives had left and if they were having dinner together.
Liang Xusheng replied: [They’re all gone. Our parents too. They have their own dinner plans.] He paused, then asked: [Are you coming home for dinner? What time?]
Lu Xun: [Have a meeting. Will be a bit late. Around 8, I think.]
Liang Xusheng put down his phone and had a sudden inspiration. He had time to cook dinner. It was their first night as a married couple, after all. He wanted to do something special.
He changed into comfortable clothes, rolled up his sleeves, and headed to the kitchen.
Lu Xun, still slightly hungover from the wedding night, returned to the office, the smell of alcohol clinging to his suit.
“Record revenue,” Liu Mo reported as soon as he arrived. “Even free-to-play players bought the cheap skins and outfits. The 131.4 yuan bundles sold like hotcakes.”
Lu Xun was in a visibly good mood, even during the meeting, where Zhao Bin kept complaining about the low prices of the items.
After the meeting, he grabbed his car keys and left. In the parking garage, Liu Mo, ever the sycophant, reminded him, “Shouldn’t you buy flowers for your wife?”
Lu Xun thought it was a good idea. He stopped at a flower shop, unsure what to buy.
“Who are they for?” the florist asked.
Lu Xun almost said “friend,” then corrected himself, “My partner.”
“Roses?” the florist suggested. “This bouquet of white and pink roses is freshly made. Or how about lilies?”
Lu Xun chose a large bouquet of lilies.
As he rode the elevator up to his apartment, he wondered if Liang Xusheng would like them. If not, he would ask him what he preferred and buy those next time.
He opened the door to a warmly lit apartment, clean and tidy, with fresh flowers on the tables and counters. Liang Xusheng, hearing him enter, turned from the kitchen, a smile on his face. “You’re back!” he said. He noticed the lilies. “Are those for me? What a coincidence! I just ordered some flowers too. The apartment felt empty without them.”
Lu Xun was speechless. The scene before him was a perfect image of the domestic bliss he had envisioned in his youth. It was no longer a vague fantasy; it was real, tangible, and overwhelming. He felt like he was back on the stage, nervous and dizzy, but instead of reciting vows, he was experiencing the reality of married life. He felt a tingling sensation in his limbs.
“What’s wrong?” Liang Xusheng asked, smiling. “Why are you just standing there?” He took the lilies and sniffed them. “They smell wonderful. Did you just buy them? Thank you, I love them.”
Lu Xun stared at him, his heart full.
“Come on, let’s eat,” Liang Xusheng said, pulling him towards the dining table. “You’re in for a treat. I rarely cook.”
“Ta-da! Not bad, right?” Liang Xusheng gestured at the table, set with four dishes and a soup, all home-cooked meals, beautifully plated.
Lu Xun, overwhelmed, felt his heart swell.
Liang Xusheng put the lilies in a vase and pulled Lu Xun to the table. “Let’s eat!” he said, sitting down and serving him food. “Try this. My mapo tofu is amazing. I perfected the recipe in my studio’s kitchen. No one’s ever tasted it before.”
Lu Xun took a bite, the spicy and savory flavors exploding in his mouth, a warmth spreading through his chest. He finally understood what married life with Liang Xusheng would be like. It wasn’t just the apartment that resonated with his aesthetic; it was the entire home. Their home.
He came back to his senses, taking in the warm atmosphere, the delicious food, and Liang Xusheng’s cheerful presence.
Fake marriage?, he thought. No. The certificate is real, the wedding is real, and this life is real.
As he loaded the dishwasher after dinner, he realized this was the married life he had always wanted. And he had it. How could it be fake?
Even if it is fake… He glanced at Liang Xusheng, who was checking his phone. It has to be real.
“Want to count the money?” he asked.
Liang Xusheng immediately put down his phone. “Let’s go!”
In the bedroom, they opened the red wooden boxes, revealing stacks of cash. Liang Xusheng, ecstatic, started counting the bundles, humming happily. “We’re rich! We’re rich!”
Lu Xun watched him, not with the detached amusement of a friend participating in a charade, but with the tender affection of a husband. “It’s all yours,” he said. “Put it in your account. Spend it however you want. There’s more where that came from.”
Liang Xusheng, playing along, widened his eyes. “Really, hubby?”
Lu Xun, unable to contain his smile, replied, “Really, wifey.”
