Final Chapter

[This year wasn't actually as long as imagined; it was merely the sycamore trees turning green once more.]

Zhuang Yihan always remembered what Chen Shu had said back then. If they got along well this year, they could try to continue. If not, they would part on good terms. So, even though Chen Shu was often so busy he was nowhere to be seen, Zhuang Yihan would at most cling to him for a while longer when they met, never pestering him with questions.

After getting along for so long, Zhuang Yihan had a good grasp of Chen Shu's personality. He knew that if he asked, the other would surely tell him, but since the other hadn't taken the initiative to tell him, it meant he didn't want him to know.

Since Chen Shu didn't want him to know, he wouldn't ask.

Although this behavior seemed quite foolish in the eyes of Fang Yiting and the others, especially Zhuang Yifan, who seriously suspected that his older brother had been duped by a scumbag.

"Brother, didn't you say you'd bring him out to introduce us? It's been almost a year, and we haven't even seen a shadow. Don't get tricked."

To make his older brother come to his senses, Zhuang Yifan, who was usually good-for-nothing, even gave a specific example, his words full of implications,

"I was watching TV the other day, there was this guy who wouldn't come home for ten days or half a month at a time. Later, his wife investigated him privately, and guess what? Good heavens, that bastard was actually keeping four girlfriends on the side. No wonder he was so busy every day!"

It was nearly three in the afternoon, and they were in a car heading to Jintao Mansion for a reception. Zhuang Yihan was sitting beside him, taking the time to handle some business on his laptop. Hearing this, he didn't even raise his head, clearly used to his younger brother's occasional antics: "You've been watching too many legal drama shows."

Zhuang Yifan used to be a playboy who loved watching variety shows, talent competitions, and sports car reviews. Recently, perhaps due to attending too many ideological classes, he had been religiously watching those cheesy legal dramas at 8 PM every night. Hearing his brother's comment, he slapped his thigh heavily and said in a tone of exasperation:

"It was a legal drama show! Brother, you don't know, the woman ended up stabbing the guy to death with a knife, and the body was hidden in the house for half a month before it was discovered!"

Snap.

Zhuang Yihan pressed a key heavily, finally stopping his busy work. His self-control had reached a masterful level by now; otherwise, in the past, he would have long since disciplined his unreliable younger brother until he was crying for his parents. His brow furrowed slightly, and after a moment of silence, he said, "Didn't I tell you? He's quite busy this year. If you want to meet, I'll arrange a dinner next week. Stop letting your imagination run wild."

Zhuang Yifan pouted and scoffed, "You said the same thing last month, and the month before that, and last year too. But we still haven't seen a single hair of him."

There was indeed no refuting this.

Although Zhuang Yihan had always wanted to arrange for Chen Shu to properly meet Zhuang Yifan and the others, due to the uncertainty of his schedule, the dinner was postponed again and again. A year had passed, and they still hadn't even met.

Zhuang Yihan closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. His voice was low, repeating the same words: "He's quite busy."

He himself had forgotten how many times he had used this excuse.

The final syllable faded faintly into the air, carrying an imperceptible sense of loss and bewilderment.

The car quietly turned into the courtyard. The trees lining the road were decorated with strings of lights, which glowed with a gentle, brilliant radiance against the darkening sky, like thousands of stars slowly falling. The elegant sound of a cello drifted from the banquet hall, weaving a scene of prosperity.

Today was Old Master Wan of Guoyu Group's seventieth birthday. It is said that living to seventy is a rarity, and since it was a milestone birthday, it had to be celebrated in grand style. When Old Master Zhuang passed away, the Wan Family was one of the few who hadn't taken advantage of their misfortune. Coupled with their numerous collaborations in recent years, it was only right for Zhuang Yihan and his brother to attend and offer their congratulations.

They arrived neither too early nor too late. When they stepped into the banquet hall, some guests had already arrived and were gathered in front of Old Master Wan, chatting in low voices. Bursts of laughter erupted from time to time, and the atmosphere seemed very cheerful.

Among them, the one laughing most heartily was a middle-aged, elegant man. He wore thin, rimless glasses on the bridge of his nose, and his hair was neatly combed. Although there were streaks of silver at his temples, it only enhanced his distinguished aura. He had his arm around a young man's shoulder and was introducing something to Old Master Wan, with only the words "the young are to be held in awe" being faintly audible.

Shengtao Enterprise, He Jianlan.

Zhuang Yihan recognized the man's identity at a glance, and the image of Chen Shu uncontrollably surfaced in his mind. He casually took a glass of wine from a waiter's tray, his slender fingertips unconsciously tapping the glass. Just as he was pondering whether to go forward, He Jianlan happened to turn and spot him. He immediately smiled and bantered with the crowd:

"Look, President Zhuang is here too. What a rare guest. Chairman Wan truly has a lot of pull; I haven't seen President Zhuang attend any receptions in the past two years."

As He Jianlan turned, the young man whose shoulder he was holding was fully revealed in the light. He looked to be in his early twenties, with exceptional looks and bearing. There was nothing about him that wasn't outstanding, nothing that didn't shine. A gentle, faint smile played on his lips, stunningly brilliant under the lights.

Others were secretly marveling at when such a remarkable figure had appeared in their circle. Only Zhuang Yihan was shocked and stunned, standing rooted to the spot, unable to recover for a long time.

For no other reason than that the young man was, to his astonishment, Chen Shu.

Zhuang Yifan didn't notice his brother's lapse in composure and walked straight up to greet them. He was naturally fond of fun and was like a fish in water in such social settings. He first offered a few auspicious birthday wishes to Old Master Wan before turning to He Jianlan with a grin:

"Uncle He, what you just said isn't quite right. What do you mean my brother hasn't attended any receptions in two years? Isn't it just that you haven't hosted any? I've been waiting to drink at He Changpu's wedding banquet."

He Jianlan clapped him on the shoulder and laughed heartily. "He's still a long way from getting married, but you'll definitely get your share of the wedding wine."

Zhuang Yifan had never met Chen Shu in this life. From the moment he entered, he had noticed this stunning man. He stroked his chin in his mind, pondering whether the man was straight or gay. He looked quite compatible with his older brother.

The thought came out of nowhere, and even Zhuang Yifan himself didn't know why. He swirled the wine in his glass with a half-smile and took the initiative to ask, "Uncle He, and this is?"

He Jianlan finally came to his senses, smiling as he gave Chen Shu a gentle push forward. Although his words were full of modesty, his high regard for him was palpable. "This is my son's business partner. They were dabbling in entrepreneurship a while ago and set up some e-commerce platform called Lingchuang. Although it's just a small venture, they've achieved some results. Since it's Old Master Wan's birthday today, I brought these young people along to see the world."

Lingchuang?

Zhuang Yifan found the name somewhat familiar, as if he had seen it frequently in the news recently. After all, the internet boom was approaching, and various industries were feeling the impact. Many business tycoons were exploring the opportunities and changes it brought, but they were still in the exploratory stage. It was at this moment that an obscure "Lingchuang" suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Both its platform system concept and user experience were very mature, causing quite a stir.

Although they were still in the initial stage of gradual expansion and attracting a large number of user registrations, anyone with a discerning eye could see the immense potential behind this project. With He Jianlan helping to connect them with Wan Corporation, it was no exaggeration to say their future was bright.

The people present were all old foxes who had been navigating the business world for decades. They might be pleased by the rise of the younger generation like Old Master Wan, or they might secretly feel disdain, thinking a group of young upstarts couldn't cause much of a stir. But being able to stand at this reception today undoubtedly proved Chen Shu's strength and status. In the future, when discussing the young talents of A City, he would surely have a place.

Zhuang Yifan was inevitably surprised to hear this. Out of courtesy, he proactively shook hands with Chen Shu. "I've heard so much about you. To be praised so highly by Uncle He, you are truly a young talent."

Chen Shu also hadn't expected to run into so many familiar faces at the reception today. His gaze subtly swept over the familiar figure in the distance before finally landing on Zhuang Yifan. He asked with interest, "Has Second Young Master Zhuang heard my name as well?"

Of course he hadn't.

'I was just being polite,' Zhuang Yifan thought, 'why is this guy taking it so seriously?' He gave an awkward cough. "May I ask your surname?"

Chen Shu smiled faintly, shaking his hand briefly before letting go,

"Chen Shu. The Chen with the ear radical, and the Shu composed of 'like' and 'heart'."

Zhuang Yifan nodded repeatedly. "President Chen, your name is quite nice, very Zen-like. In the future, if there's a chance, we can..."

As Zhuang Yifan spoke, he suddenly froze, as if he had finally realized something. He snapped his head up and asked, "What did you say your name was? Chen Shu?!"

Wasn't his brother's always-disappearing boyfriend also named Chen Shu?!?!

However, no one paid any attention to his fuss, because Chen Shu had, at some point, already passed him with a wine glass in hand and was heading towards the back. He finally came to a slow stop in front of Zhuang Yihan. The lights overhead were brilliant and ornate. He lowered his gaze slightly, the tenderness in his eyes almost melting, silently rippling into the color of the wine.

"President Zhuang, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Zhuang Yihan hadn't expected Chen Shu to suddenly appear here. Seeing him suddenly walk towards him, his mind instantly became a tangled mess. He unconsciously tightened his grip on his wine glass, staring blankly at the other man, momentarily unable to react or speak.

His personality in their circle had always been aloof and arrogant. In the eyes of others, this scene looked like Zhuang Yihan, the business titan, was snubbing the friendly advance of this newcomer, Chen Shu. Worried the situation would become awkward, He Jianlan quickly stepped in to smooth things over, asking Chen Shu kindly, "What, you know President Zhuang too?"

Chen Shu smiled. "Of course, I've long admired his reputation."

He Jianlan patted Zhuang Yihan's shoulder. "See? He looks up to you as a role model. You should interact more in the future when you have the chance. These young people have good ideas, but they're definitely lacking in experience. If you're interested, you could give them some pointers on their project. If President Zhuang is willing to help, it could save you ten years of detours."

The last sentence was directed at Chen Shu.

He Jianlan was originally just trying to liven up the atmosphere and didn't expect Zhuang Yihan to actually help. Business was just a matter of exchanging benefits for benefits; why would someone help you for no reason? Even today, in connecting with Wan Corporation, the easygoing Old Master Wan had taken 7% of their shares. What's more, Zhuang Yihan was notoriously difficult to deal with.

But unexpectedly, the silent Zhuang Yihan actually relented and agreed. "Pointers is too strong a word. Let's just communicate more in the future. I've looked into the Lingchuang project, and its prospects are good."

After speaking, he raised his eyes to look at Chen Shu, adding with pointed meaning, "President Chen is so young, with a very promising future."

Chen Shu didn't have much of a reaction to his words, but He Jianlan was overjoyed. After all, he thought very highly of this junior, Chen Shu, and the Lingchuang project was co-managed by him and his own son, He Changpu. If Zhuang Yihan was willing to lend a hand, it would also benefit the He family.

"Then you young people should talk more. Chen Shu, don't neglect President Zhuang. Bank President Lin from Huazhou Bank is also here today. You two chat first, I'll go say hello."

After speaking, He Jianlan offered them a few more words of encouragement with a smile before turning to leave.

Zhuang Yihan and Chen Shu's eyes met. There was a moment of silence in the air, neither of them speaking. Finally, Zhuang Yihan was the first to break the silence. "Why did you come here today? Didn't you say you were visiting a friend who was hospitalized?"

When Zhuang Yihan asked this question, he actually felt a bit pained, not knowing if it was because he suddenly realized Chen Shu had hidden many things from him, or because the other man was lying to him.

Chen Shu also hadn't really expected to attend this reception. "I do have a friend who was injured. You know him too, He Changpu. He was checking on an office building construction site two days ago and accidentally got his leg smashed."

"I went to visit him in the hospital today and happened to run into Uncle He there. He wants to cooperate with Wan Corporation, and he couldn't do it without the project lead. Since He Changpu is stuck in the hospital, he dragged me here to attend the banquet."

As Chen Shu spoke, he adjusted the cufflink of his suit. The shirt underneath, upon closer inspection, didn't seem to fit perfectly. He said with a beaming smile, "See, I even borrowed the clothes from He Changpu at the last minute."

Zhuang Yihan finally felt a little better hearing this, but only a little. He asked in a complicated tone, "You've been busy all year, was it to develop Lingchuang?"

Chen Shu didn't deny it. "It's a small venture with a friend. It was originally just a concept, and I wanted to tell you after I had achieved something."

But Zhuang Yihan looked at him and said, "You have already achieved something, Chen Shu."

Being able to stand at this reception today already proved his strength.

There was no displeasure in Zhuang Yihan's heart for being kept in the dark, only a myriad of complex emotions. The facts before him proved that even without his help in this life, Chen Shu could still shine brilliantly and climb onto a grander stage step by step.

Thinking about it now, if he hadn't held Chen Shu back in the beginning, the other man might have reached these heights long ago.

Zhuang Yihan's lips twitched into a smile of inexplicable self-mockery. "Actually... even without my help back then for your father's illness, you could have lived very well on your own."

Chen Shu looked at him deeply, shook his head, and said in a low voice, "It's not the same."

Zhuang Yihan, it's not the same.

The Chen Shu standing before you now, who seems so successful and glorious, was forged through three entire lifetimes of time and pain. It is precisely because of those past-life experiences that the present him exists.

Chen Shu had never denied the paranoia and confusion of his first life, nor the resolute extremism of his second. It wasn't until his third life that he truly felt at peace, able to find the path he was meant to walk and love the person he was truly meant to love in the right way.

But he still didn't know how to explain all this to Zhuang Yihan.

The other man still thought he had been reborn without his memories.

But Zhuang Yihan couldn't hear him at all. This past year, he had been too anxious about personal gains and losses, constantly hoping that Chen Shu would give him a definite answer that they could continue on together. However, Chen Shu had yet to respond, merely burying himself in his work. This made him suspect that perhaps the other had never loved him at all and was just intentionally stalling. But he was unwilling to give up, so he didn't dare to ask or think too deeply about it.

Now that Chen Shu had his own career, he probably needed his help even less.

This thought left a bitter taste on Zhuang Yihan's tongue, and he couldn't help but frown deeply. He was worried he might lose control, so he took a deep breath and forced a smile. "I'm a bit hungry. I think I'll get something to eat from the buffet area."

Chen Shu looked at his reddened eyes and didn't speak, only saying, "I'll go with you."

Zhuang Yihan nodded absently, not really hearing what Chen Shu said. His usual dignified pride was nowhere to be seen; right now, he just looked utterly dejected. He picked up a plate and haphazardly piled some vegetables and fruits onto it until it was overflowing.

Chen Shu stood to the side and, seeing this, took the plate from him. "I'll mix the salad dressing for you. Go get some main dishes; it's not good to eat cold food."

Zhuang Yihan wasn't actually hungry anyway, so he let go and headed towards the hot food section. As he passed the dessert table, he suddenly noticed some matcha nama chocolate. Remembering that Chen Shu quite liked it, he paused, took a plate, and got a slice of cake.

At that moment, Chen Shu was still carefully mixing salad dressing—one portion for Zhuang Yihan, and one for himself.

After getting the cake, Zhuang Yihan was about to ask Chen Shu if he wanted anything else when his gaze inadvertently fell upon Chen Shu dividing the salad. He froze on the spot—

It wasn't really a special action.

It was just that Zhuang Yihan's plate was too full, so Chen Shu had to get another plate. Besides cherry tomatoes, purple cabbage, and chicken breast, there were also small pieces of cocktail cucumbers.

But for some reason, Chen Shu picked out all the cocktail cucumbers and put them on his own plate.

At that moment, Zhuang Yihan felt a tightness in his chest, and the world seemed to spin. It was as if time had reversed, taking him back to his past life when he and Chen Shu were shopping at the supermarket. The other man had put a box of cocktail cucumbers in the shopping cart, and he had muttered that he didn't like them, causing Chen Shu to shake his head helplessly and finally put them back on the shelf with a smile.

But in this life, he had never told Chen Shu about this preference.

Coupled with the indescribable feeling of familiarity he'd had since his rebirth, Zhuang Yihan wasn't sure if it was a coincidence or something else. He forced himself to calm down, got a few more items, and waited for Chen Shu to finish dividing the food before walking over nonchalantly. "Is this enough for the two of us?"

Chen Shu glanced at the matcha nama chocolate on the plate. "It's enough. I'll just have the cake."

The two of them found a place to sit. Zhuang Yihan casually reached for the plate of salad with the cucumbers, but Chen Shu pressed his hand down and pushed the other plate towards him. "This one is yours."

Zhuang Yihan: "Is there a difference?"

Chen Shu picked up his fork and took a bite of cake. "No difference. I've already eaten from the other plate."

"Oh..."

Zhuang Yihan said nothing more, but in his heart, he already had an answer. He felt a sour tightness in his throat, so much so that he couldn't speak. He could only lower his head and use the motion of eating to hide it, numbly stuffing food into his mouth. The flavors he tasted were sour, bitter, salty, and astringent—everything but sweet.

Plop.

A teardrop fell silently onto the plate.

But because Zhuang Yihan's head was down, no one noticed anything unusual.

Just as Chen Shu was about to finish the entire slice of matcha cake, Zhuang Yihan, sitting opposite him, suddenly spoke in a hoarse voice:

"Chen Shu, it's already July."

Chen Shu hummed in response. "What's wrong?"

Zhuang Yihan raised his eyes to look at him and said blankly, "I think we got together around this time last year."

Hearing this, Chen Shu paused, as if he understood what he was about to say. He slowly put down his fork and wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin. "Mm."

Zhuang Yihan, feeling anxious, couldn't help but clench his fists. "Then I..."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "Can we still continue on together?"

No one knew how terrified Zhuang Yihan was at that moment. His heart felt as if it were on the edge of a cliff, held only by a thin thread, ready to fall into an abyss of no return at any moment.

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

It felt as long as a century, yet also as brief as a fleeting moment.

Chen Shu cleared his throat, which was a little sweet from the cake, and then looked at Zhuang Yihan seriously. He didn't mind the many pairs of eyes watching them from the shadows. He directly took Zhuang Yihan's cold hand, which was resting on the table. His gaze was calm and composed, filled with a focus that seemed to span decades, and even his smile was warm:

"Actually, I never thought that we wouldn't be able to continue."

Zhuang Yihan was taken aback. "Then why did you set a one-year time limit back then?"

Chen Shu slowly tightened his grip on Zhuang Yihan's hand. All around them were fragrant clothes and beautiful figures, the crystal lights thick and gorgeous. In this circle filled with fame and fortune, so many people were currying favor with the powerful and trampling on the weak, but at this moment, it seemed only the two of them were willing to sit at a table and gaze into each other's souls.

"Because it's only now that I feel like I'm living the way I've always wanted to."

A breeze passed by, carrying the fragrance of the trumpet flowers from the courtyard outside. Their weak and dependent branches twined around the iron fence as they grew, rich and fragrant. But it seemed few people liked to plant kapok trees, because their branches were too rigid, always soaring towards the sun, far from being as easily bent as flower branches.

Chen Shu's voice was low, traveling through countless years of time:

"Zhuang Yihan, we will never be separated again..."

The world often delights in love at first sight, little knowing that some people must endure the hardships of years before they can be together.

Chen Shu once resented fate for being unfair and fickle, making him repeatedly gain and lose throughout his life. Later, looking back, he realized that Zhuang Yihan's every appearance was a glimmer of hope left for him by fate. Whenever he fell to his lowest point, the other man would always appear just in time to pull him back from the brink of life and death.

It was Chen Shu's paranoia that turned a blessing into a punishment. Desire was like an unfillable chasm that made him sink deeper and deeper, so heaven took everything back.

But fortunately, in the end, the gods were merciful and returned that period of gentle years to them in its entirety...

Night fell, and the long wind did not cease.

In a trance, a black, shadowy figure seemed to be watching them from a distance. It was a young man. His eyes were lowered, his face indistinct. He idly turned a black snake ring on his index finger and murmured with a faint smile:

"Humans..."

As if a barely audible sigh.

They were clearly so in love they were going mad, yet they stubbornly believed it was hate.

The choice of Host this time was a mistake. Too soft-hearted.

The man pondered with interest, 'Perhaps I should find a truly ruthless one next time?'

[Next story: A scheming and ambitious top x a disabled bottom who has fallen from grace (An interstellar feel-good story)]