Shen Duoyi was carried back by Qi Shi'an on his back, just like that night ten years ago.

The beach was crowded, still lively even as night fell. Qi Shi'an carried Shen Duoyi on his back while holding the shirt and shorts the other had changed out of earlier. His back felt warm, the damp wetsuit heated by their bodies, and his neck was covered in sweat, all because Shen Duoyi was holding him too tightly.

When they reached the hotel entrance, just about to enter the lobby, Shen Duoyi squirmed twice trying to get down, but Qi Shi'an held his thighs firmly, keeping him secure on his back.

"Let me down."

"Didn't you say you had no strength?"

"There are lots of people inside, I need to save face too."

"Then just hide your face."

The doorman helped them open the glass doors, and Qi Shi'an carried Shen Duoyi into the lobby. They hadn't taken two steps before the manager came up to inquire, thinking something had happened to Shen Duoyi while diving, asking if they needed to contact a doctor.

With breath tickling his neck, Shen Duoyi buried his head pretending to be drowning, while Qi Shi'an politely responded: "It's fine, he's just a bit uncomfortable with the water pressure. He'll be better after resting in the room. Please send dinner up."

Shen Duoyi had never done anything so outrageous before. This was his first time diving, first time playing ostrich, first time being carried in public.

And also his first time falling in love.

Once in the elevator, the golden doors acted like a bronze mirror. Qi Shi'an looked at Shen Duoyi's buried face and deliberately teased: "I feel so hot, you haven't set my neck on fire, have you?"

Hearing this, Shen Duoyi finally lifted his head. The bronze mirror reflected his flushed cheeks, and then he started grinning foolishly.

Their floor arrived. At this hour everyone had gone for dinner or yacht rides, leaving the thick-carpeted hallway empty. Qi Shi'an walked to between their two room doors and deliberately asked: "Your room or my room?"

Shen Duoyi jumped down and grabbed his clothes back: "Each to their own room..."

He quickly opened his door and tried to close it rapidly, but Qi Shi'an was even quicker, stepping one long leg in and pushing the door open. Watching the door close, Shen Duoyi found himself an excuse: "When dinner arrives later, you can eat and then go back."

"At least you have a conscience." Qi Shi'an nodded toward the bathroom, "Go shower and change out of the wetsuit, aren't you uncomfortable?"

Shen Duoyi looked down: "Let me treat your wound first."

The blood on his knee had congealed, making the size of the wound unclear. Qi Shi'an sat on the low cabinet in the entryway, watching Shen Duoyi crouch before him to disinfect and apply medicine. "It doesn't hurt, you don't need to be so gentle," he said.

Shen Duoyi leaned in to blow on it: "The wound isn't big, but the seawater must have stung. I'll put a bandage on it."

"Alright, you decide." Qi Shi'an felt mischievous inside and said in a seemingly reproachful tone, "You knew my knee was injured, why didn't you refuse when I offered to carry you?"

Shen Duoyi immediately looked up, apologetically explaining: "I just, I just... I'm sorry, I didn't think it through."

Qi Shi'an pressed on: "Finish the first part, what did you 'just' want?"

"Just..." Shen Duoyi swallowed, "I just remembered the first night I met you, but I was asleep then, so I wanted to know what it felt like to be carried by you."

Qi Shi'an finally stopped pretending to be stern, cupping Shen Duoyi's face in his hands: "Did it feel safe? From now on, my front and back are at your disposal. Don't foolishly say sorry after just two words."

Shen Duoyi went to shower, still feeling the warmth of Qi Shi'an's palms on his face. After finishing, he stood dazed before the mirror. Wasn't he supposed to be on a business trip? How did he end up diving? How did he end up with Qi Shi'an?

He tried to sort it out from the beginning, but even after much effort, his heart remained a tangled mess.

But that heart tangled with chaos was also experiencing unprecedented joy.

Qi Shi'an was already making himself at home, leaning against the headboard reading 《A Discussion on Gann Wave Theory》". He heard the water stop, and moments later the bathroom door opened. He looked up and beckoned to Shen Duoyi: "Come here, I'll dry your hair."

Shen Duoyi hadn't been cared for like this before. He walked over with the towel on his head: "I've been an adult for a long time, I can dry it myself even with one broken arm."

Qi Shi'an sat at the edge of the bed with one foot on the floor and the other folded beneath him. He pulled Shen Duoyi to sit before him and took the towel, responding: "You've also been single for a long time. You don't know how much more comfortable it is when your partner does it."

Shen Duoyi sat sideways in front of Qi Shi'an, slightly bowing his head to let him dry his hair. With nothing for his hands to do, he placed them on his legs, tapping out a rhythm.

A slight glance away revealed several well-defined abs. He raised his hand to touch his own stomach, then took a deep breath, as if trying to create some definition.

"What are you doing?" Qi Shi'an found it amusing. Having finished drying his hair, he grabbed Shen Duoyi's hand and placed it on his own abs, tempting him: "Jealous? Feel them."

Dry fingertips wandered over the slightly damp abs, and Shen Duoyi suddenly felt rather lecherous, so he tried to quickly withdraw his hand. But Qi Shi'an was quick to catch it, not letting go, and guided it up to his chest, saying: "Feel here too, isn't it beating fast?"

The heartbeat beneath his palm was strong and steady. Shen Duoyi froze slightly, then raised his hand to cup half of Qi Shi'an's face.

"Mr. Qi," he called out, then added several times more intimately, in a tone completely different from his usual professional manner.

He solemnly said: "Mr. Qi, I've received this delivery, thank you for coming into my life."

Qi Shi'an bent down to kiss him: "No returns or exchanges, no regrets." The kiss deepened until Shen Duoyi was gasping for air, only stopping when the doorbell rang.

They ate dinner together in the room. The TV showed travel programs and some talk shows, but chatting was more interesting. Having just confirmed their relationship, Shen Duoyi quickly became presumptuous, directly asking a question he'd long been curious about: "Why do you eat so much?"

Qi Shi'an suddenly couldn't taste the sweetness of the grapes anymore, answering: "Because my workload is heavy."

Shen Duoyi wouldn't let it go: "So did your appetite get bigger after you started working?"

"...No." Qi Shi'an didn't want to discuss this at all, so he responded negatively with a dejected face. Seeing this, Shen Duoyi plucked a grape and held it to his mouth, coaxing: "Have a few more, they're quite sweet."

Qi Shi'an opened his mouth to eat it, taking the opportunity to bite Shen Duoyi's fingertip. Shen Duoyi wasn't annoyed, chattering on: "Seems you've had a big appetite since childhood. Actually, I used to eat a lot too, but those crazy years of working ruined my stomach, so I can't eat much anymore."

Qi Shi’an explained, “I was tall as a kid, so naturally, I ate a lot. Later, when I went to military school, there was constant training and physical fitness tests. My appetite was only average. What, are you already picking on me now that we’re dating?”

“No, no! Don’t accuse me.” Shen Duoyi sipped his shaved ice. “I was just thinking, if I cook for you in the future, should I get a larger rice cooker?”

Qi Shi’an seized on the first part of the sentence. “You’re already planning to cook for me?”

Shen Duoyi responded matter-of-factly, “Most of my friends have eaten my cooking. It wouldn’t make sense if you didn’t. And based on how close we are, I owe you two new dishes.”

That settled it — he was the closest. Qi Shi’an gazed at him, his heart swelling with bittersweet affection, unsure how to respond.

Diving had exhausted Shen Duoyi. After eating, he immediately pulled the blanket over himself and lay down, looking serene. He promptly dismissed Qi Shi’an. “You should head home and sleep early. You’ve got work tomorrow.”

“But I’m not that tired.” Qi Shi’an sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at him. “How about I tell you a bedtime story? I’ll leave once you’re asleep.”

Shen Duoyi flailed his arms in mock despair. “Buddy, I’ve told you — I’m twenty-seven!”

Qi Shi’an chuckled at the casual term, patting Shen Duoyi’s stomach before taking his hand. “When you were seven, did anyone tell you bedtime stories?”

Shen Duoyi fell silent. At seven, his parents were gone. No one told him stories. He used to cry quietly before sleep.

“Duoyi,” Qi Shi’an murmured. “You’re almost twenty-eight. I told you that your luck would change this year. I was joking about family fortune, but you will be happy. I want to make up for all the joy you missed before twenty-eight.”

Pretending not to be touched would be a lie. Shen Duoyi stared at the ceiling light. “Go ahead. I want to hear it.”

Qi Shi’an cleared his throat and adopted a professor-like tone. “Continuing from last time, the cyclical high and low points in gold prices fall on the ‘rice’ lines of the Nine-Square Diagram. So, is this spiral expansion an accident or a certainty?”

Shen Duoyi blinked. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Financial theory. You’re twenty-seven, not a kid who listens to fairy tales.” Qi Shi’an continued, “Patterns hide in chaotic markets. If categorized, there are thousands. But cyclical patterns are like natural phenomena — central banks, governments, or any fundamentals can’t change them, only influence them slightly.”

Shen Duoyi’s eyelids grew heavy. He loved learning, but not to the point of listening to lectures before bed. Within minutes, he was half-asleep, mumbling, “Stop talking…”

Qi Shi’an relented, stood up, and kissed his forehead. Only when Shen Duoyi was completely asleep did he turn off the lights and leave.

The follow-up meeting went smoothly, and the contract was signed without a hitch. Supervisor Qin and Xiao Wang listened to Shen Duoyi skillfully navigate the negotiations and admired his technical knowledge.

As they shook hands with the client, Shen Duoyi glanced at Qi Shi’an. Setting aside personal feelings, he was glad to have Qi Shi’an as his superior. Even his bedtime stories were about obscure market cycles, and his clear thinking was an endless source of knowledge.

With personal feelings involved, some things went unspoken, but Qi Shi’an understood anyway.

They released their handshakes and joined the clients for a final lunch. This time, the atmosphere was relaxed, with less talk of business.

“Mission accomplished. I’m taking a nap this afternoon,” Xiao Wang said, leaning against the car window on the way back to the hotel.

Supervisor Qin agreed. “The training wasn’t exhausting, just mentally draining. But their techniques are different — we learned a lot.”

Qi Shi’an nodded. “That’s why overseas talent is in demand. But it doesn’t mean they’re perfect. You two did well — enjoy your free time.”

Back at the hotel, Supervisor Qin and Xiao Wang went off to relax. Qi Shi’an and Shen Duoyi changed into casual clothes and prepared to head out. Same SUV, same wide road.

Shen Duoyi checked the GPS. “Are we going to Miss You’s gallery?”

“Yeah, let’s see what abstract nonsense she has now.” Qi Shi’an turned the wheel. “She took her nephew on a trip. If you see something you like, take it before she overcharges us.”

“Her nephew — is he Mr. You’s son?”

“No, I think he’s a cousin’s kid. Not sure.” Qi Shi’an sped up. “He always stays at their house. Either his parents or You Si takes care of him. Smart kid.”

Shen Duoyi pulled out his phone, scrolling through his album with a smile. “I think your brother is smart too. I still have that photo of him with his hands on his hips. When he becomes a star, it’ll be his blackmail material.”

Qi Shi’an retorted, “He’s not smart. He’s just nosy. That year I took you home, he kept asking who you were and said you were good-looking.”

They both froze, then awkwardly glanced at each other. Shen Duoyi quickly checked the date. “It’s the fourth today. Isn’t his college entrance exam the day we get back?!”

Qi Shi’an groaned. “There goes my military SUV.”

---

Two men accustomed to financial charts visited an art gallery, looking like connoisseurs. Shen Duoyi stopped in front of a painting and eavesdropped on two people discussing it in German.

Qi Shi’an whispered a translation. “This artist is only famous in Australia. Very distinctive style.”

“But the color palette is too monotone. Not my type.”

“And it’s ridiculously expensive — you could buy six months’ worth of bratwurst.”

Shen Duoyi stifled a laugh. “You’re making that up, aren’t you?”

“That’s what he said.” Qi Shi’an examined the painting. “This color would suit my bedroom. Want anything? I’ll let the manager know.”

Shen Duoyi shook his head. “Too expensive — I’d rather have six months of shrimp dumplings.”

After half a day absorbing art knowledge, Qi Shi’an purchased three paintings to ship home. They wandered through shops and markets before buying a square flower vase.

“You still keep flowers?” Shen Duoyi asked.

“I’m practically a flower expert now.” Qi Shi’an sighed. “I order hydrangeas every month, but they wilt in days — like a spoiled princess.”

Shen Duoyi thought, only a princess could handle a young master like you.

---

That evening, they walked along the beach barefoot. When they passed an ice cream truck, Shen Duoyi ran ahead, returning with two cups of shaved ice.

Qi Shi’an took one. “Do you really like this?”

“Yeah, it reminds me of childhood.” Shen Duoyi took a big sip. “Fei Yuan and I used to buy shaved ice after school. He never let me pay — drank half and said the rest was leftovers, so I wouldn’t feel guilty.”

Qi Shi’an said, “If it were me, I’d leave you two-thirds.”

“You’re showing off again.” Shen Duoyi shoved him playfully. They jogged along the sand, feet covered in grains, before finally resting on a bench by the pier.

Qi Shi’an turned to him. “I’m grateful to Fei Yuan. I’d like to meet him someday.”

Shen Duoyi nodded. “I’ll introduce my friends to you. But if they ask you for stock tips, I’m not responsible.”

Bright yacht lights lit up the night. Qi Shi’an checked Annie’s message about their return flight and saw his brother’s photos again.

He looked at Shen Duoyi. “Hey, give me a photo of you.”

Shen Duoyi nearly choked. “I don’t have any. The last one was a headshot for my resume.”

Qi Shi’an stood up, phone ready. “The lighting’s good here. You’re naturally photogenic.”

Shen Duoyi straightened up, ran a hand through his hair. “Okay, go ahead.”

He looked handsome on-screen, but his expression was stiff. Qi Shi’an complained, “Smile! I’m your boyfriend, remember?”

Embarrassed, Shen Duoyi whispered, “I don’t take many photos. I look silly when I smile.”

“Didn’t you take birthday photos as a kid?”

“Not really.” His voice was quiet.

The sea breeze sliced through Qi Shi’an’s heart. He regretted asking, knowing Shen Duoyi didn’t need comforting words — which only made him ache more.

“Still want a photo?” Shen Duoyi asked.

“Yes.” Qi Shi’an’s eyes softened. “Duoyi, is the shaved ice sweet?”

“Sweet!”

Click. Shen Duoyi’s smile was captured perfectly. Qi Shi’an saved the photo, naming it: “Duoduo Eating Shaved Ice in Sydney.”

Time couldn’t be reversed, but he could give him joy in double measure.