TuxedoTranslations

Chapter 58

Someone didn’t know who secretly took a photo of Wen Chenxi and Zhuang Yanyu walking off work hand in hand, fingers interlocked.

Within just one night, the photo spread through every company group chat—large and small—and even circulated outside the company.

They had already known that Weilan Technology’s top boss, Wen Chenxi, was no longer single—and he had announced it himself.

But no one knew who his partner was. In that previous photo of him in ski gear, with helmet, goggles, and mask on, it was impossible to tell whether the person was male or female.

But now, the mysterious partner had a face!

And it was none other than the person who had caused a stir within the company just the day before—Zhuang Yanyu!

Before yesterday, if you asked who Zhuang Yanyu was, aside from the engineering department and the service center, hardly anyone would know what he looked like.

Even within the engineering department, not everyone had met him. They had just heard of him—a young, self-taught genius and the winner of the company’s Talent Incentive Award.

As for what he looked like… sorry, no idea.

But after his new system was implemented, there wasn’t a single person in the company who didn’t know the name Zhuang Yanyu.

Even employees out on business trips, the moment they opened their phones, would see messages in the company chat like:
【Have you heard? That Zhuang Yanyu is seriously amazing…】

Technician Xiao Liao, the only one who had briefly worked with Zhuang Yanyu on a police case, had already gotten used to seeing the name “Zhuang Yanyu” constantly popping up in his social circle.

So when he opened the company group chat that night and saw over a thousand unread messages—and found they were still talking about Zhuang Yanyu—he wasn’t surprised at all.

【Xiao Liao: Why are you still talking about this? Did Boss Zhuang release another awesome system?】

Since many people knew Xiao Liao had worked with Zhuang Yanyu before, the moment he appeared, everyone started tagging him.

【Xiao Liao, you’ve made it! You’re the only one in our department who’s shaken hands with the boss’s wife!】

【Ahhh honestly, Zhuang Yanyu is so handsome! He and the boss are such a perfect match!】

【Not gonna lie, before yesterday, I thought a tech genius like that must be super messy TAT】

【@Xiao Liao Did you wash your hands? Let me touch them tomorrow—I want to see what hands that have touched the boss’s wife feel like】

【One touch and maybe you’ll absorb the boss’s wife’s technical skills—and maybe even some of the big boss’s fortune! Xiao Liao, you’ve really made it!】

Xiao Liao looked confused.
【Who’s the boss’s wife?】

【Zhuang Yanyu!】

【Hand-holding photo.JPG】

【Hand-holding photo.JPG】

More than a dozen people sent the same photo at once—it was clear everyone had saved it.

When Xiao Liao saw the backs of Zhuang Yanyu and the boss, he was instantly dazed.

He never in a million years expected that the big shot would have this kind of identity!

No wonder everyone was still talking about Zhuang Yanyu all day today. He had thought it was still about the system.

It took Xiao Liao a long moment to come back to his senses. Slowly, he typed in the group chat:
【Tech support guys these days are seriously terrifying!】

Who would’ve thought that their boss’s “wife” had originally just been online technical support in the service department?

Everyone in the group immediately asked him what he meant by “tech support guy.” Just as Xiao Liao was about to explain, his phone rang.

It was Brother Yu, their team lead.

There was a hint of envy in Brother Yu’s voice. “Xiao Liao, you’re going out on assignment tomorrow.”

Xiao Liao was confused. “Where to? I still have a program I haven’t finished…”

Brother Yu said gloomily, “The company is going to Ji Group tomorrow to install the firewall. They need someone to assist. That Zhuang Yan—well, that person—said you helped at Ji Group last time and are familiar with their network setup, so he asked if you’d be willing to help. If you’re busy, I just happen to—”

Before he could finish, Xiao Liao cut him off. “Brother Yu! I’m free! I’ll go!”

Brother Yu sounded resentful. “Didn’t you say your program wasn’t finished?”

“I’ll work overtime tonight!”

Are you kidding? This was a chance to learn up close from a big shot!

He’d pull an all-nighter if he had to!

Knowing he had no chance anymore, Brother Yu let out two dry chuckles. “I hope the program you submit tomorrow doesn’t have any bugs. Otherwise, you’re not going.”

Xiao Liao hung up resolutely. Just wait! He was a man who had shaken hands with the big shot—how could there possibly be any bugs!

---

The next morning.

At Ji Group.

Xiao Liao lived close to Ji Group, so he didn’t bother clocking in at the company and came straight here.

He had just arrived when he saw a familiar car pull up in front of the building.

The reason it looked familiar was because most people in the company had seen it before—it was President Wen’s most frequently driven car, often parked in his designated underground spot.

Xiao Liao’s heart jumped. Why was President Wen here?

The next moment, the car door opened, and he saw a tall, slender figure step out.

It was Zhuang Yanyu.

Xiao Liao’s breath caught.

Just after getting out of the car, Zhuang Yanyu seemed to be called back by someone and turned around.

Another familiar figure stepped out from the driver’s seat, helping adjust Zhuang Yanyu’s coat and saying something.

Xiao Liao vaguely caught the words, “It’s a bit cold today. Don’t take your coat off.”

After talking for a while, Wen Chenxi still seemed reluctant to leave. Only when Zhuang Yanyu pushed him lightly toward the car did he finally get back in, albeit unwillingly.

Before getting in, he even glanced in Xiao Liao’s direction—his gaze calm, as if he had long noticed that Xiao Liao had been sneakily watching.

Startled, Xiao Liao quickly looked away, his heart pounding wildly.

Gossiping in the group chat was one thing. Seeing the people involved in that gossip appear right in front of you—and realizing it was almost certainly true—was another.

For the first time, Xiao Liao truly felt that Zhuang Yanyu really was President Wen’s partner.

And he had to admit, the girls in the group chat were right. When those two stood together just now, they really were well matched.

He had always thought that someone like President Wen would overshadow anyone standing next to him.

But unexpectedly, when he was with Zhuang Yanyu, they looked perfectly harmonious.

And somehow—maybe it was just his imagination—he felt like… the clingy one was President Wen, not Zhuang Yanyu.

It almost seemed like the one leading the relationship wasn’t President Wen, but Zhuang Yanyu.

As if President Wen was afraid of losing him, so he stuck close.

President Wen… clingy??

Xiao Liao shuddered and stopped himself from thinking further.

He simply couldn’t imagine such a scene!

He must be overthinking it. Someone like President Wen could have any partner he wanted—why would he worry about that?

After the car drove off, Zhuang Yanyu turned and walked toward Xiao Liao. “Liao Zexin, have you been here long?”

Xiao Liao hurriedly replied, “No, no—just arrived too.”

Zhuang Yanyu gave a small “Mm” and walked toward the building, speaking as he did. “You helped reorganize Ji Group’s network last time.”

“Yes, and I also reset a few gateways.”

Zhuang Yanyu nodded and said nothing more.

Xiao Liao noticed two tall, broad-shouldered men trailing a short distance behind them, looking very much like bodyguards.

He quickly withdrew his gaze.

After checking in at the front desk, Zhuang Yanyu headed toward the elevator. Just then, the elevator doors opened, and someone stepped out—it was Ji Zhiyuan.

Ji Zhiyuan had come down specifically to wait for him. Seeing him, he cheerfully slung an arm around his shoulders. “Didn’t Old Wen come?”

“He went back to work.”

Ji Zhiyuan clicked his tongue in disdain. “Seriously. He was already downstairs at my building—what would it hurt to come up and sit for a bit? Work’s not going anywhere. That workaholic! Let’s both stop being friends with him!”

Zhuang Yanyu calmly removed the arm from his shoulder. “No.”

The unspoken meaning: If you say that, I won’t be friends with you either.

Ji Zhiyuan immediately fell silent.

Suddenly, he remembered something.

“Xiaoyu, do you remember when we first met? You said you wanted to be Old Wen’s best brother.”

Zhuang Yanyu answered at once, “I already am.”

Not only the closest brother—in other ways, the closest too.

Ji Zhiyuan said gloomily, “I never would’ve imagined that to steal my position, you would actually…”

Ji Zhiyuan snorted twice and deliberately demanded, “Tell me! Did you realize you couldn’t steal my title of ‘best brother,’ so you decided to take a different route instead? Hm?”

Zhuang Yanyu’s face felt a little warm. “No.”

“And you still say no! You and Old Wen are practically glued together now! What happened to just wanting to be his good brother?”

Zhuang Yanyu silently thought that he hadn’t expected things to turn out like this in the beginning either.

But there was no way to argue right now, so he pulled Xiao Liao into the conversation instead. “This is Liao Zexin, a technician from Weilan Technology.”

Xiao Liao quickly greeted, “Hello, President Ji.”

Since there was an outsider present, Ji Zhiyuan finally dropped the topic. “I remember you. I’ll have to trouble you and Xiaoyu.”

“Not at all, not at all.”

After a few polite exchanges, Zhuang Yanyu took Xiao Liao to get to work.

Ji Zhiyuan watched for a while at first, but when he realized he couldn’t understand any of it and started feeling drowsy, he gave up and went back to his office.

At noon, he took Zhuang Yanyu out for lunch and even tried to make plans for the evening.

“I’m going with A’Xi tonight to see the new place I bought before,” Zhuang Yanyu said.

“Which new place? Oh, the one at Wutong Junfu?”

“Mm. A’Xi said the renovations are finished.”

“Alright then. Next time.”

Ji Zhiyuan had briefly considered tagging along to take a look, but figured he’d just be a third wheel, so he dropped the idea.

So when Wen Chenxi came to pick Zhuang Yanyu up that afternoon, Ji Zhiyuan only greeted him briefly before bidding them farewell with a slightly sour expression.

---

Although the apartment in the commercial district was registered under Zhuang Yanyu’s name, the payment had been made with Wen Chenxi’s card, and he had also arranged the renovations.

Only the design blueprints had been created by Zhuang Yanyu himself.

To make sure Zhuang Yanyu would live comfortably, Wen Chenxi had handed over the entire design process to him. After receiving the plans, he found the contractors himself, and all the materials used were top quality.

From start to finish, the renovation had taken less than three months. It wasn’t slow, but it wasn’t especially fast either.

Many of Wen Chenxi’s requirements were custom-made, which naturally took time.

Zhuang Yanyu had never been here before. This was his first visit.

“It was all done exactly according to Xiaoyu’s design plans—no difference at all,” Wen Chenxi said with a smile. “Xiaoyu should like it.”

“It’s fine if there are some differences.”

From what he knew, renderings and the real thing often had discrepancies. He had already prepared himself mentally.

But when he pushed the door open, Zhuang Yanyu still froze.

What met his eyes wasn’t a perfectly replicated version of his design—

—but piles upon piles of beautifully wrapped gift boxes.

The gift boxes filled the entire living room. Flowers of various colors stretched from the entrance all the way into the space.

There were so many gift boxes in the living room that the colorful stacks made it feel like stepping into a fairy tale world.

“…What is this?”

Wen Chenxi held his hand and led him inside, walking all the way to the center of the living room before speaking.

“I remembered that Xiaoyu once said you regretted not knowing me when we were kids. I regret it too. If we’d met back then, we definitely would’ve been together much earlier. I would’ve given you all kinds of gifts—maybe whatever was trendy at the time, maybe whatever you wanted… But time can’t turn back. So I can only start now. Everything I think Xiaoyu would like, everything that suits Xiaoyu—I’ll buy it and give it to you.”

Zhuang Yanyu looked at the mountain of gift boxes. “So many…”

He couldn’t even estimate the number. At a glance, there were at least a thousand.

“It’s not that many.”

Zhuang Yanyu pressed his lips together. “But…”

“Mm?”

“It’ll take a very long time to open all of them.”

Wen Chenxi laughed. As expected, Yuyu—who was “allergic to romance”—lived up to the title.

But this was exactly the genuine Zhuang Yanyu he loved.

“Then Xiaoyu can open as many as you want each day. For every few you open, I’ll add a few more. If you get tired, you can ask me to help.”

“You’ll add more? Then I’ll never finish opening them.”

“That’s perfect,” Wen Chenxi said. “That way, Xiaoyu can stay by my side for a lifetime.”

A lifetime of gifts that could never be finished.

Zhuang Yanyu shifted his gaze from the gift boxes to Wen Chenxi. “Why give me all this?”

Wen Chenxi squeezed his fingers. “Because I realized Xiaoyu actually really likes receiving gifts. Whether they’re from Zhiyuan or from Li Xi, you always like them.”

Even the birthday gift Uncle Zhou once gave him—he had carefully stored it away.

Wen Chenxi had observed closely. Zhuang Yanyu didn’t like gifts because of how valuable they were. He simply liked the feeling of receiving them.

He suspected that Zhuang Yanyu himself hadn’t even noticed—whenever he received a gift, he would run his fingers over it several times, eyes sparkling, before opening it.

Zhuang Yanyu fell silent.

The reason he liked them was because, in his previous life as a system, he had never been able to physically touch such tangible things.

He had issued countless missions to his hosts. In the system space, there had been many rewards for hosts to redeem.

Every time a host redeemed a reward from the system space, they would be happy—that feeling of holding the fruits of their hard work in their hands.

Back then, he had been curious: what did those rewards feel like to the touch?

Gifts were different from rewards, yet there was a subtle similarity.

He wasn’t a host and didn’t need to complete missions for rewards. But when others gave him gifts simply because of who he was, it gave him that same faint, indescribable feeling.

Wen Chenxi said, “In the future, Xiaoyu can even choose which ones to open by color. If you’re in a bad mood, open the blue ones. That way I’ll know Xiaoyu isn’t feeling well.”

Zhuang Yanyu tightened his grip on his hand. “…Mm. Thank you, A’Xi.”

Wen Chenxi smiled.

Zhuang Yanyu wanted to look around some more. But just as he turned, he noticed a pile of red envelope–like items on the sofa.

They were larger than normal red envelopes—about the size of a book. Each one was thick, as if stuffed full of something.

“And these?”

“Red envelopes.”

Zhuang Yanyu’s eyes widened slightly. “Red envelopes?”

He picked one up and opened it. Sure enough, inside was a thick stack of cash.

“Last time, when you received a red envelope from a business partner, you mentioned that you’d never gotten one before.”

Wen Chenxi didn’t know what Zhuang Yanyu’s childhood had been like. But in Chinese tradition, all children receive red envelopes during the New Year.

He couldn’t understand why Zhuang Yanyu hadn’t.

Just thinking about how his Yuyu hadn’t even received a single red envelope as a child made his heart ache. He wished he could make up for all of them.

“From now on, Xiaoyu can have as many red envelopes as you want.”

Zhuang Yanyu hadn’t expected him to remember that. The swelling feeling in his chest grew stronger and stronger, like being suddenly infused with a surge of spiritual energy by some great cultivator.

He realized A’Xi remembered every single thing he had ever said.

Unable to help himself, he wrapped his arms around Wen Chenxi and buried his face in his neck.

He really liked this person so much.

Wen Chenxi asked nervously, “Do you like it?”

Without hesitation, Zhuang Yanyu said, “I like it. I really like it.”

But his answer didn’t ease the other man’s tension.

Zhuang Yanyu didn’t understand why A’Xi was still nervous. Just as he was about to say more, Wen Chenxi suddenly took out a small box from his pocket. With slightly trembling hands, he opened it, his voice low and hoarse.

“Then, Xiaoyu… let’s get married, okay?”

Zhuang Yanyu stared at the ring.

He instinctively looked up, his gaze falling first on the colorful flowers by the entrance, then on the mountain of gift boxes and red envelopes, and finally back to the ring.

He seemed to understand.

So A’Xi was proposing.

When Zhuang Yanyu didn’t respond immediately, Wen Chenxi grew even more anxious. “Is it too soon? I know we’ve only been together for less than two months, but—”

Before he could finish, the young man in front of him suddenly lifted his head and kissed him on the lips.

Then he heard Zhuang Yanyu say, “I’m willing.”

How could he not be?

When he agreed to be with A’Xi, it had already been with marriage as the premise.

“A’Xi, I like you very much too.”

He tried hard to think of a metaphor to prove just how much he liked him, and finally said, “If you and my dad both fell into the water, I would save you first.”

Then he secretly added in his heart: Dad can swim, anyway.

But that didn’t need to be said.

A’Xi only needed to know that in his heart, he and Dad were equally important.

No one and nothing in this world—no one other than the two of them—could compare.

---

Early Saturday morning.

Old Zhuang rarely skipped working in the fields.

The last time he hadn’t gone to the fields was the day Little Eleven first arrived.

This was only the second time in decades.

For him to put aside farm work was no small matter.

Uncle Liu from next door had slaughtered two geese and was now over at Old Zhuang’s house helping prepare the meal.

Old Zhuang had killed a chicken and a duck himself, along with a fish someone had caught upstream at the reservoir.

After finishing with the poultry, Old Zhuang couldn’t sit still. He went upstairs to his room, pacing back and forth, holding up several outfits to compare.

After a while, he couldn’t resist stepping out to the railing with a set of clothes in hand. “Brother Liu, how do I look in this?”

Uncle Liu chuckled. “I think you can just wear whatever. Xiao Wen’s seen you before.”

“No, no.” Old Zhuang shook his head repeatedly. “Xiao Wen is Xiao Wen. This time is different. His parents are coming too. I can’t be too casual.”

But Old Zhuang didn’t really own any formal clothes, nor was he used to wearing them. The whole thing was giving him a headache.

Uncle Liu said, “Ah, don’t be so nervous. It’s just the two families sitting down to chat, get to know each other, and discuss the wedding date.”

“I still need to look presentable.”

Seeing him so conflicted, Uncle Liu simply helped choose. “This one then. This set will do.”

Most of Old Zhuang’s clothes were casual, suitable for working in the fields. They all looked about the same.

Uncle Liu picked one that was worn less often and looked a bit newer.

“Alright, alright, this one then.” Old Zhuang hurried back into his room to change.

Aunt Liu looked a little worried. “I heard Xiao Wen’s family is really wealthy—like one of those rich, powerful families. Do you think his parents might look down on Old Zhuang’s background? Especially since the partner is also a man…”

She hadn’t left the countryside much and still wasn’t entirely comfortable with two men being together.

Uncle Liu lowered his voice. “They won’t. You’ve met that child Xiao Wen. He may be rich, but he’s very polite… I just never expected these two to end up together. It shocked me for days.”

As they were talking, Old Zhuang came downstairs dressed.

Uncle Liu quickly praised him. “Good, good. You look energetic.”

Old Zhuang smiled sheepishly.

Aunt Liu gossiped, “Have you ever been to their house? Is it really big? Like one of those huge villas?”

Old Zhuang shook his head. “Xiao Wen did say last time that I should visit, but I couldn’t get away from the fields.”

It was precisely because Old Zhuang couldn’t leave his land for even a moment that Wen Chenxi simply chose Old Zhuang’s hometown as the meeting place for the two families.

That way, it saved Old Zhuang the trouble of making a trip.

Aunt Liu suddenly said, “Come to think of it, I heard Xiao Wen used to be very generous. He even rewarded Xiaoyu with an apartment. Now that his parents are coming, they’re not going to give a house and a car again, are they?”

Aunt Liu was thinking about how Old Zhuang’s house wasn’t in very good condition. She was tactfully reminding him that he could ask for a bit more betrothal money—maybe even request a house or a car.

If nothing else, at least the old family house should be renovated, right?

Since he wasn’t willing to move to the city to live with Xiao Zhuang, this was the only angle they could work from.

Old Zhuang waved his hand. “What would I need that for? It’d be useless to me.”

Aunt Liu smiled. “You’re too easygoing.”

After more than an hour of bustling about, the sound of cars suddenly came from outside.

Uncle Liu looked up and saw a series of expensive sedans slowly driving in. “Whoa, Old Zhuang, hurry and brew the tea—they’re here!”

Old Zhuang immediately stood up nervously. “Okay, okay, I’ll boil the water right now.”

Then Uncle Liu said again, “Huh? Why are there so many small trucks following behind those sedans? What’s on them…?”

When the vehicles reached the yard, some couldn’t fit and had to park over by Uncle Liu’s place.

Wen Chenxi and Zhuang Yanyu got out first. “Uncle Zhuang, Uncle Liu, Aunt Liu—we’re back.”

Old Zhuang and Uncle Liu happily stepped forward. “It’s good you’re back. Must’ve been a tiring trip.”

Getting out of the second car were Zhou Baishu and Zhou Qingcheng.

Zhou Qingcheng quickly greeted them too. “Hello, Uncle Zhuang. Long time no see.”

Old Zhuang’s smile stiffened slightly. “Ah, Cheng’s here too… hehe, long time no see.”

Then he quietly took a few steps back.

The last to get out were Wen Jingzhong and Song Yunyue.

Song Yunyue beamed with a radiant smile, leaving Wen Jingzhong behind as she walked over enthusiastically. “Hello, in-law, hello! Sorry to trouble you today.”

Old Zhuang smiled awkwardly. “Not at all, not at all. Please, come in and sit.”

Uncle Liu looked at the small trucks parked behind the sedans and couldn’t help asking, “Xiao Wen, did you call those trucks?”

Wen Chenxi glanced back and shook his head. “Not me—”

Before he could finish, Wen Jingzhong said, “I did.”

In an instant, everyone’s eyes turned to Wen Jingzhong.

They saw him make a phone call. The drivers of the more than ten small trucks stepped out and opened their cargo doors.

Then one cow… two cows…

A full twenty cows were herded to the front of the Zhuang family home.

Old Zhuang: “??”

Everyone else: “??”

Wen Jingzhong cleared his throat. “It’s our first visit, so of course we had to bring some gifts. I asked Xiaoyu what you liked, and he only said you like farming. I figured digging the fields yourself is hard work, so I bought these cows to help you.”

Old Zhuang: “…Ah, well.”

Everyone: “…………”

Wen Jingzhong was actually quite pleased with his gift.

They say when you give a gift, you should give it properly—hadn’t he done exactly that?

Now focused on health preservation himself, he also hoped Old Zhuang, at his age, could rest a bit more.

He had originally planned to send a harvester or a seeder, but he heard the fields here were all on slopes and such machines couldn’t get in.

So he sent cows instead.

He heard there were several acres of land, so naturally he had to send more than a few.

Wen Jingzhong was still feeling proud when he noticed everyone’s strange expressions. “What’s wrong? Is something not right?”

Zhou Qingcheng covered his face, looking troubled. “What do we do? Brother, sister-in-law—I just got here and already want to leave.”

What kind of social death scene is this?!

Who gives cows as a gift?!

One would’ve been fine—but twenty?!

The Zhuang family doesn’t live on the prairie!

Why is this so embarrassing?!

Wen Chenxi: “…”

Forget Zhou Qingcheng—even he wanted to leave.

Why… did he let Wen Jingzhong come?

Author’s Note:

PS—

Wen Jingzhong: How is this embarrassing?! A cow is very expensive!

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