Chapter 39
Liang Xusheng realized Lu Xun was terrible at pursuing someone.
One morning, he stumbled out of his bedroom, still half-asleep, and his jaw dropped. The dining table was laden with food.
“What’s all this?” he asked, staring at the table. “Did you make all this?”
Lu Xun, wearing an apron, stood with his hands on his hips. “Cooking isn’t that hard.”
“Who eats this much for breakfast?” Liang Xusheng exclaimed. “Are we expecting guests?”
On their way to work, Lu Xun opened the car door for him, even shielding the top of the door with his hand.
“Just be normal,” Liang Xusheng said, exasperated. “You’re acting like we’re strangers.”
Lu Xun also tried to fasten his seatbelt for him, but Liang Xusheng snatched it away and buckled it himself.
At the office building, as Liang Xusheng was about to buy coffee, Lu Xun handed him his credit card. The cashier looked at them, confused.
“I have coupons,” Liang Xusheng said, snatching the card back. “I don’t need to pay.”
As they stepped out of the elevator, his colleagues greeted him with a chorus of “Good morning, Boss’s wife!” Startled, he spilled his coffee all over the floor.
Liang Xusheng: “…”
In Lu Xun’s office, the sofa had been replaced with a garish orange one, adorned with Hermès cushions.
“It’s from Da Vinci,” Liu Mo announced, standing proudly beside the sofa, as if presenting a priceless artifact. “Luxury, elegance, prestige! Perfect for our Boss’s wife!”
Liang Xusheng: “…” He turned to Lu Xun. “Are you crazy?”
“I’ll change it if you don’t like it,” Lu Xun said calmly.
Liang Xusheng sighed. Lu Xun clearly had no idea how to pursue someone. If he didn’t stop him, he’d probably rent out the revolving restaurant and the fireworks every night.
“Just take me to dinner, movies, shopping. Normal things,” he instructed.
“We already do those things,” Lu Xun replied.
“Not really,” Liang Xusheng said.
“We used to do them more often, before I got busy with work,” Lu Xun said.
Liang Xusheng realized that, phrased that way, it sounded like they had been dating all along. Had they?, he wondered, looking at Lu Xun, who was smiling at him.
“That was just normal friend stuff,” he said quickly.
“Okay,” Lu Xun replied, his voice full of affection.
That weekend, when Lu Xun asked him to go shopping, Liang Xusheng became incredibly self-conscious. He avoided eye contact, fidgeted, and blushed.
“Knowing this is a ‘date’ is making this awkward,” he finally said to Lu Xun.
“But this is what you wanted,” Lu Xun said, knowing full well he was teasing him.
“No, no, I can’t do this,” Liang Xusheng said, and walked away.
Back at home, there was no escape. If Liang Xusheng went to his study, Lu Xun would knock on the door. If he went to the kitchen, Lu Xun would be there too. If he went to his bedroom, Lu Xun would appear on the balcony, tapping on the glass door.
Liang Xusheng: “…” He finally sat down in front of Lu Xun, his ears red.
“Why are you so shy now?” Lu Xun asked, smiling. “I’m not doing anything extravagant.”
“I’m not shy,” Liang Xusheng insisted. “My ears are just hot. It’s not my fault.” He added, “Why would I be shy? You’re the one pursuing me, not the other way around. You’re the one who likes me.”
“That’s true,” Lu Xun said, his gaze intense.
Liang Xusheng blushed under his gaze, looking away.
“Just looking at you makes you blush,” Lu Xun commented.
“If you stared at a dog like that, it would think you loved it,” Liang Xusheng retorted.
“I’m not looking at a dog, I’m looking at you,” Lu Xun replied, his words implying, I love you.
Liang Xusheng felt his body heat up.
After a few days of awkward “pursuit,” their interactions returned to normal. Lu Xun went to work, Liang Xusheng visited the office when he felt like it, and they spent their evenings together.
“It must be hard to ‘pursue’ someone you’re already so close to,” Lulu commented, when they met.
Liang Xusheng, sipping his milk tea, looked at her, intrigued.
“Normally, when someone pursues someone else, they try to impress them, right?” Lulu continued. “But you and Lu Xun know each other so well. There’s nothing new to discover.” She then said something that resonated with Liang Xusheng: “For friends who become lovers, it’s not about sudden sparks, it’s about the slow burn.”
Soon after, Lu Xun did something that surprised Liang Xusheng.
“I need to talk to you,” he said, calling Liang Xusheng to the living room.
“What is it?” Liang Xusheng asked, sitting down on the sofa.
Lu Xun emerged from the bedroom, carrying several manila envelopes. He took out the contents: real estate deeds, car ownership certificates, and other legal documents.
“What’s all this?” Liang Xusheng asked, confused.
“My parents bought me a few apartments when I graduated, and a few more for the wedding, along with some cars,” Lu Xun explained. “I also have some insurance policies, savings, and trusts…”
“Wait,” Liang Xusheng interrupted. “Why are you telling me this? These are your personal belongings.”
“We’re married,” Lu Xun said seriously. “We should share these things. I didn’t bring them up before because I knew you weren’t interested. But now… now that I’m pursuing you, I want to show you my sincerity.”
“Who pursues someone like this?!” Liang Xusheng exclaimed, jumping up.
“I’m pursuing you, not someone else,” Lu Xun replied. “I wouldn’t do this for anyone else. I don’t like anyone else. I only like you.”
“You’re giving me all your assets just because you like me? Are you crazy?!”
“Consider me crazy,” Lu Xun said, smiling, pushing the documents towards him. “I’ve been thinking about how to pursue you, how to make you like me back. Dinner, movies, shopping… those are too ordinary for us. I’m afraid they won’t be enough to move you. I want you to see my sincerity. I want you to know how much you mean to me. I really like you.”
Liang Xusheng stood there, speechless, his heart pounding. Is this what love is like? To this extent?
Later that night, they were sitting on the balcony, drinking Sprite and looking at the moon. For the first time, Liang Xusheng talked to Lu Xun about feelings.
“How did you feel when you first realized you liked me?” he asked.
Lu Xun, leaning back in his chair, looked out at the night sky. “Surprised. I thought I was crazy.”
“And then? How did you become certain?”
“Remember college?” Lu Xun asked.
“I realized I would get angry whenever I saw you with other girls,” he continued.
“You figured it out by reminiscing about the past?” Liang Xusheng asked, amused.
Lu Xun turned to him. “Do you think normal friends kiss each other?”
Liang Xusheng: “…” He took a sip of his Sprite. “Can’t we just stay friends forever?”
“I wouldn’t have agreed to a fake marriage and a wedding with a friend,” Lu Xun replied. “My hand wouldn’t have trembled while exchanging rings with a friend. And I wouldn’t have kissed a friend under the fireworks.”
“What if I never fall for you?” Liang Xusheng asked suddenly.
“I don’t know,” Lu Xun admitted.
“Do you think you’ll succeed?”
Lu Xun looked at him. “Xusheng, you agreed to let me pursue you not because you like me, but because you’re too kind. You couldn’t bear to see me suffer from unrequited love.”
Liang Xusheng didn’t reply.
“Do you know what I can’t bear?” Lu Xun asked quietly.
“What?” Liang Xusheng asked, looking at him.
“I can’t bear to see you compromise out of pity,” Lu Xun said, his gaze intense. “I want you to be free to choose. So I’ll continue pursuing you, but I won’t pressure you. If you fall for me, great. If not… I’ll let you go.”
Chapter 40
“He actually said he’d divorce me,” Liang Xusheng said, chewing on his straw, his voice full of indignation.
Lulu, sitting across from him, looked touched. “Lu Xun is such a good man. He’s a rare find.”
“He wants to divorce me,” Liang Xusheng repeated.
“He’s too good for this world,” Lulu sighed.
“He actually mentioned divorce!” Liang Xusheng exclaimed.
“I’m buying another six months of Rewind VIP membership,” Lulu declared.
“Divorce,” Liang Xusheng muttered, still fixated on the word.
“Why are you so focused on the divorce part?” Lulu asked, scrolling through her phone. “He didn’t say he wants to divorce you now. He said ‘if necessary.'”
“Hmph, divorce,” Liang Xusheng continued muttering.
Lulu: “…” “Do you hate the word ‘divorce’ that much?”
“We’ve only been married for two months!” Liang Xusheng exclaimed. “How can he even mention divorce?!”
Lulu raised an eyebrow. “So you don’t want a divorce. Do you not want to divorce him now, or do you not want to divorce him ever?”
“Of course, I…” Liang Xusheng stopped, realizing she was trying to trick him. He picked up his milk tea and looked away.
“Feather-sensei,” Lulu said patiently, “Lu Xun has been completely honest with you. What about you?”
“I’m honest too,” Liang Xusheng replied.
“No, you’re avoiding the question,” Lulu said. “Like just now, you wouldn’t tell me if you’re against divorce because of the timing or because of Lu Xun.”
Liang Xusheng paused.
“Regardless of your relationship with Lu Xun, whether you’re married, whether you’re still best friends, whether he’s pursuing you… shouldn’t you figure out your own feelings first?”
My feelings for Lu Xun?, Liang Xusheng thought, as he sat at his desk at home, staring at the roses. What feelings? He’s my best friend. He opened his browser and searched: What does it feel like to like someone?
The internet offered many answers: butterflies in your stomach, constantly thinking about them, infatuation…
Do I feel any of that for Lu Xun?, he wondered, then searched: What does liking someone look like?
More answers: acting like a lovesick puppy, wanting to buy them gifts, always considering their feelings…
Do I do that for Lu Xun?, he asked himself. The answers didn’t seem to fit, but he knew he had always been good to Lu Xun, a true best friend. But was that the same as “liking” someone? He didn’t think he had any special feelings for Lu Xun.
But when he learned Lu Xun would be working overtime on the new game, he made sure he had proper meals and snacks. He even went to the office to see if he could help.
“Go home,” Lu Xun had said. “You don’t have to stay up late with me.”
“This is my company too,” Liang Xusheng had insisted. “I should be here.”
He learned that Lu Xun wasn’t just working overtime; he was preparing for an important 3D gaming summit, where he would be showcasing his new game.
“I’m going too,” Liang Xusheng declared.
“Following your husband everywhere?” his colleagues teased.
“I’m going to broaden my horizons,” Liang Xusheng retorted, but Lu Xun just smiled.
A few days later, they flew to V City for the summit.
The exhibition hall was crowded, filled with game companies showcasing their products. Xunsheng Interactive also had a large booth. Liang Xusheng, after collecting freebies from various booths, returned to Xunsheng’s booth and saw Lu Xun giving a presentation, his confident and professional demeanor making Liang Xusheng smile. He took a picture and sent it to Lulu.
Lulu: [?]
Liang Xusheng: [Isn’t my husband handsome?]
Lulu: […] [Take more pictures now. After the divorce, he’ll be someone else’s husband.]
Liang Xusheng: “…???” He called her, but she hung up and sent him a teasing emoji.
Liang Xusheng: [You’re dead.]
Lulu: [Come and get me. Sticking out tongue emoji.]
Later, when Lu Xun was free, Liang Xusheng approached him. He had wanted to demand that Lu Xun promise not to divorce him, but it seemed childish, so he didn’t say anything.
“What’s wrong?” Lu Xun asked, sensing his hesitation.
“Nothing,” Liang Xusheng said, waving his hand dismissively.
That evening, his annoyance dissipated. After the exhibition, Lu Xun took him to a local restaurant tucked away in an alley, specializing in white water hotpot. They sat on small stools, enjoying the delicious food.
“This is amazing!” Liang Xusheng exclaimed.
“Eat more if you like it,” Lu Xun said, refilling his dipping sauce.
“You made me so much,” he said, smiling, as Liang Xusheng piled food into his bowl.
Liang Xusheng, happily eating, urged him, “Eat, eat! It’s so good!”
Lu Xun chuckled.
After dinner, they walked around the old street, Liang Xusheng buying a candied hawthorn and eating it as they walked. Lu Xun took pictures of him, and Liang Xusheng, seeing him, smiled brightly and made a peace sign.
Later that night, seeing the photos on Lu Xun’s WeChat Moments, he muttered, “He wants a divorce? He’ll be crying when it happens.” He lay down on his bed, kicking the blankets. “Why did he even mention divorce?!”
Two days later, the exhibition ended, and Liang Xusheng attended the summit conference with Lu Xun. He wore a suit, looking surprisingly professional, his name tag dangling from his chest. He looked handsome and confident, attracting attention from other attendees.
He wasn’t sitting with Lu Xun, whose seat was in the front row. He was with some of Lu Xun’s colleagues. He opened the conference gift bag and pulled out a small handheld fan. “Nice,” he commented.
“There’s a notebook too,” a colleague said. “Looks like good quality.”
“Which company are you from?” someone asked.
“Xunsheng Interactive,” Liang Xusheng replied.
“Oh, the Rewind 6066 company.”
The conference began. The host introduced the speakers, and the audience applauded as each speaker stood up. When it was Lu Xun’s turn, Liang Xusheng, sitting in the crowd, clapped, his eyes full of pride.
“Your boss is so young,” someone commented.
“He’s my husband,” Liang Xusheng said, grinning.
“What?!”
Lu Xun messaged him: [Are you bored?]
Liang Xusheng: [Not really.] He sent a picture. [Look how many business cards I got!]
Lu Xun: [Impressive. Smiling emoji.]
Liang Xusheng: [Rolling on the floor laughing emoji.] He looked up, his gaze finding Lu Xun’s, and smiled.
Soon, it was Lu Xun’s turn to present. Liang Xusheng watched him, clapping along with the audience. But as Lu Xun began speaking, his gaze became fixed on him, unable to look away. Lu Xun, in a white t-shirt and a casual suit jacket, looked confident and composed, his voice calm and steady.
Liang Xusheng felt a mix of familiarity and strangeness, a sense that this was the Lu Xun he had always known, the Lu Xun he was meant to be. He had become an exceptional person. Pride and admiration swelled in his chest, his heart pounding.
He’s so handsome, he thought. So incredibly handsome. He suddenly realized, with a jolt, that he was completely and utterly smitten.
Lu Xun, checking his phone, excused himself from the conference. Liang Xusheng had messaged him. He stepped out into the hallway, wondering what Liang Xusheng wanted, when someone grabbed his arm and pulled him aside.
It was Liang Xusheng. He was gripping Lu Xun’s collar, his expression intense.
Then, he leaned in and kissed him. He’s so handsome. I just had to kiss him.
