Encounters - Chapter 1

Translator: Deyonna

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Shen Zhi and Xi Yu have been married for half a year but have only met three times in total.

The first time they met was when they went to the Bureau of Civil Affairs to get a certificate, the second time was their wedding, and the third time is now, the two of them are going to attend the engagement party of Shen Zhi's sister.

To put it accurately, his stepsister's engagement party. Shen Zhi's mother died early, and Father Shen devoted himself to his business, so it was the babysitter who accompanied Shen Zhi when he was a child most of the time. When Shen Zhi was seven years old, Shen Minghua remarried, and Wang Yiling and her two daughters moved into the originally deserted home.

The seven-year-old Shen Zhi was actually happy at first, he was fed up with the everyday desolateness of the big house. Father Shen told him that a new mother, an elder sister, and a younger sister were coming to live with them. He was faintly excited and looking forward to it. His mother left when he was still ignorant of the world, so he did not have deep impressions or feelings toward his mother. He just vaguely felt that emptiness somewhere in his heart.

However, he will soon have a new mother, and even an elder sister and a younger sister to accompany him. He had been looking forward to it, thinking that they would become a happy family like in every photo album.

Wang Yiling is a shrewd woman. After her ex-husband passed away, she was left alone with her two children, struggling to make ends meet. After finally grasping the straws of Shen Minghua with great difficulty, she will naturally not let go so easily. Shen Minghua attaches great importance to his business. He doesn't care much about trivial family matters, and he had a soft ear[1], believing whatever Wang Yiling would say about family matters.

[1] Be credulous; be easily influenced. It figuratively means that one does not have his own ideas, and is liable to believe what others say, especially others' flattering or instigations. Derogatory.

In this reorganized marriage that everyone was satisfied with, only Xiao Shen Zhi felt deceived, because everything was different from what he imagined. Mom didn't tell him stories every night to put him to bed, and his elder sister and younger sister never took him to play. They would even look at him with hostility, tease him with childish but cruel methods, and forcefully snatch or destroy his toys and photo albums. Wang Yiling just kept one eye open and the other closed[2], watching the situation like it was some kind of good show.

[2] Turn a blind eye, pretend not to see.

Everything seems to go down the route of an adapted version of the Cinderella story. But Shen Zhi is Shen Zhi. After he experienced the maliciousness of people for the first time, he built a defensive wall around him, covering himself with armor. He was becoming more and more distant and indifferent to others, watching the two sisters' inferior and cheap tricks with cold eyes and contempt. The more he acted high as if he put no one in his eyes[3], the more they wanted to shred his calm appearance, enrage him, provoke him, wanting to see him frantic and hysterical. But Shen Zhi is stubborn. He ignores them most of the time, but once something is snatched away from him, he will snatch it back.

[3] To consider everyone else beneath one (idiom); so arrogant that no-one else matters / condescending / to go about with one's nose in the air.

Since Shen Zhi was still Shen Minghua's biological son, they didn't dare to go too far. But in Shen Minghua's eyes, Shen Zhi became more and more rebellious. He decided everything by himself, treated the new members of the family with cold eyes, and strayed away from the family. Especially when he became an adult, he turned a deaf ear to all the arrangements and opinions of his family, insisted on applying for an art major, insisted on being a useless so-called illustrator, and refused to go to work in their home company.

In all these years, Shen Zhi listened to Shen Minghua's arrangement only once, and that is to marry Xi Yu. At that time, the market was in chaos. A lot of companies were facing various crises, big and small. Shen Minghua was naturally reluctant to give up the opportunity to rely on a big tree. And Xi Yu had no requirements for love and marriage. Shen Minghua knew early on that Xi Yu was not in charge of these matters. At that time, Xi Yu had just taken over the company, and he needed to hold his position more firmly.

The elder step-sister Shen Huiyuan had been married two years ago, and the younger step-sister Shen Huiyin was in a passionate relationship with her boyfriend, so this matter was naturally pushed to Shen Zhi. Shen Zhi immediately agreed, met with Xi Yu to get a certificate for the wedding, and then moved out of the house.

Xi Yu had a very little impression of Shen Zhi, and his knowledge of him only stayed on "the good-looking and indifferent boy". He's really good-looking, but not the kind of appearance that can take your breath away. His good looks are very quiet, not sharp yet far away. It even makes people think that there was a whole calm and undisturbed lake in front of him and you can never cross that lake. To be able to see his beauty from afar is to grow up on the opposite bank. Especially his dark brown eyes. There's nothing that could possibly ever disturb the calmness in his eyes.

When Xi Yu saw Shen Zhi in the company's lobby, his thoughts remained the same, really good-looking.

Shen Zhi saw a figure that he hadn't seen for nearly half a year. His breathing stopped for a moment and his always calm eyes seemed to waver, but it was quickly hidden.

Without saying a word to each other, the two got into the car together and headed to Shen Huiyin's engagement party.

Even though this engagement party was a testimony of love in Shen Huiyin's eyes, it would inevitably be reduced as a trading ground for connections and profits. Apart from friends and relatives, most of the guests were business associates and partners of Father Shen. After all, he was Xi Yu's father-in-law, who didn't want to be familiar with him?

The two separated soon after they came in. Xi Yu naturally became the center of the crowd. Horn-made wine cups and chopsticks were lying about[4], and a smiling face was greeted by a smiling face. Shen Zhi found an inconspicuous corner to sit down, took a glass of juice and followed the figure of the person closely with his eyes. This is his rare opportunity, an opportunity to look at him unscrupulously.

[4] Describing a joyful dinner party where people are busy enjoying wine.

He seemed to always be so good. Everything about him was shining, so Shen Zhi could easily spot him anywhere in the crowd at a glance. Every single time he raises his glass, nods, and turns around, he is calm and graceful. His face, posture, and voice seemed to be made according to Shen Zhi's liking.

He was always smiling at other people. It doesn't matter whether it was real or fake. But he hardly ever smiled at him. Shen Zhi suddenly felt aggrieved.

He was immersed in Xi Yu's figure wholeheartedly and did not notice Shen Huiyuan who was sitting over. When Shen Huiyuan's perpetually pretentious and sharp voice rang out, Shen Zhi came back to his senses. He withdrew his obsessive eyes and returned to his calm and cold appearance.

Shen Huiyuan was bragging again about her happy life and her younger sister's beautiful love. Shen Zhi was too lazy to pay attention to her and didn't even give her a look. Seeing him like this again, Shen Huiyuan was so angry that her teeth ached. Apparently, she seemed to catch him staring at Xi Yu a moment ago, and blurted out, "Tsk, indeed you're married, but grass widows[5] are not uncommon these days. I've heard that many people are able to climb into President Xi's bed every night." After speaking, she looked at him with a mocking and gloating look.

[5] A woman whose husband is away often or for a prolonged period.

No matter how calm Shen Zhi was on the surface, he instantly felt suffocated in his heart when he heard this. He always pays special attention to things related to Xi Yu, not to mention that this marriage truly exists in name only, and the two of them are still strangers to each other. He hid the sadness in his heart. Glancing at Shen Huiyuan coldly, he smiled and said in a nonchalant voice, "Who doesn't have a few people in their bed?" The subject then changes, "If you have the heart to worry about other people's affairs, you might as well keep an eye on your husband who likes to screw around."

Shen Huiyuan left fuming. Shen Zhi looked up and found that Xi Yu had disappeared. He was about to get up to look for him, but when he turned around, he found that Xi Yu was leaning against the window behind him and was looking at him. He held the half-filled glass of champagne in his sharply articulated hand. His gaze was deep, looking at Shen Zhi like a censor, with a smile that was not a smile.

Shen Zhi suddenly felt guilty. Because of the sentence, he just said, "Who doesn't have a few people in their bed?" Even though they agreed not to interfere with each other at the beginning, he still felt uncomfortable about a possible misunderstanding. He also couldn't explain anything more.

Xi Yu didn't ask anything, took a sip of the wine in his glass, and told him in his usual tone, "I'll take you home later."

The two of them sat in the back seat and remained silent. When asked about the address, Xi Yu was a little surprised. He didn't expect that Shen Zhi had been living in their new house. At that time, after the two of them received the certificates, the new house was just considered a formality. Shen Zhi chose the house and prepared a spare key for him, which was sent by the courier in the same city.

Xi Yu drank a bit of wine. He was watching Shen Zhi look more and more beautiful in the dark. He felt as if he was a little drunk. He kept repeating in his mind the phrase, "who doesn't have a few people in their bed?" So he simply closed his eyes, leaned, and rested against the back of his seat.

Seeing that he was asleep, Shen Zhi finally dared to lay his eyes on the face of the person beside him. They finally saw each other again, so he had to take a closer look. Aside from the wedding day, this is the only day they spent the most time together. Thinking like this, Shen Zhi suddenly wished that Shen Huiyin would be able to get engaged a few more times.

The house is in a very ordinary location, with three bedrooms and one living room, which was just enough for two people to live in. Shen Zhi has always lived here, not only because this house has a special meaning to him but also because he has no other place to live. After he worked, he never asked for Shen Minghua's money again. With his salary, he couldn't afford to buy a house. After moving out from home, he could only live here.

Xi Yu got out of the car with him. Shen Zhi thought he wanted to see the house, but he didn't expect him to say that he would stay the night. He was so nervous and excited that he couldn't say anything.

When Xi Yu saw his expression of wanting to talk but was hesitating to speak, he inexplicably remembered the phrase "who doesn't have a few people in their bed?". Although he's somewhat undermining the essence of the contract, and a bit unreasonable, he was more firm in his decision to stay tonight.

The style of the house is not at all the cold feeling that Shen Zhi usually exudes. On the contrary, it is a little warm and full of life. Not as meticulous and tidy as the dressed-up Shen Zhi. There are many photo albums and manuscript papers in the living room scattered on the coffee table and sofa.

Xi Yu said he wanted to take a bath, so Shen Zhi didn't manage to clean up and just went directly to get him a set of pajamas he had prepared at the beginning, not expecting it to be of use. To prevent misunderstandings, he also intentionally explained, "This is not worn."

The current Shen Zhi is different from the Shen Zhi that Xi Yu usually sees. The sense of distance has disappeared, and he is more vivid, more lovely, and more interesting. Looking at Shen Zhi, who was so nervous that he didn't know where to put his hands and feet, Xi Yu reflected on whether he had gone too far tonight.

Their marriage was based on the principle of not disturbing and interfering with each other. He gave up the idea of continuing to tease him and told him, "I'll sleep in the guest room tonight."

"Oh, okay." Shen Zhi didn't know whether he was more relaxed or disappointed, but no matter what, today will be a day that is worth remembering for him.

Xi Yu entered the room after taking a shower.

Shen Zhi, who had calmed down, was in a good mood. He also took his clothes and went to take a bath. He couldn't look away from the clothes Xi Yu had taken off in the laundry basket.

In the end, Shen Zhi, who secretly took Xi Yu's shirt and tie back to his room, was very ashamed. He felt that he was a little perverted, however, he couldn't help but get excited.

It's just one night. Put it back tomorrow morning so he won't find out.

Turning off the light, Shen Zhi lay on the bed. He wrapped the tie around his wrist in circles, then tightly tied a knot, his heart beating faster and faster, and his face flushed with shame and excitement.

He took the shirt in his arms and buried his whole face in it. Xi Yu rarely wears perfume, but Shen Zhi can smell a distinct and addictive scent on his body. Now he is greedily absorbing this scent, imagining that he's nestling in Xi Yu's arms. His whole body shook slightly in excitement.

Shen Zhi sucked his lower lip unconsciously. His tongue wriggled, and he began to suck. This is Shen Zhi's habit that he's ashamed to talk about. It was unknown whether it was because of the childhood shortcomings that he has kept this habit that other people only have in their childhood until now. Every night, he couldn't sleep peacefully without biting and sucking, and from time to time after falling asleep, he would be sucking his lip. He had thought of correcting this habit, but he didn't succeed. He only had such a little habit that would allow him to sleep peacefully, so he simply stopped demanding himself.

Wrapped in the breath of Xi Yu, he felt content and warm. As if thinking of something, he released his lower lip, and then slowly sucked the corner of the shirt's collar, his face burning hot.

He slept very deeply that night, and it was already late when he woke up. The tie was still wrapped around his wrist, the shirt was held firmly in his arms, and his lower lip was in his mouth as always. Thinking of Xi Yu, he took off the tie and walked out the door anxiously. When he saw Xi Yu, he was relieved, his heart feeling happy in the morning.

Xi Yu had already changed his clothes. Someone should have brought it over. He was sitting at the dining table eating breakfast, and there was a portion for Shen Zhi next to him.

Shen Zhi's hair was a little messy. His pajamas were printed with cartoon characters, and his face has the dazedness and childishness of just being awake. Xi Yu felt a burst of softness in his heart for no reason. So cute.

When Xi Yu woke up in the morning and was completely sobered up, he recalled feeling regretful last night, wondering if he was enchanted, and had to come to sleep because of some words. But now he thinks that it feels good to sleep here for a night and see the different Shen Zhi.

Shen Zhi moved forward a little, and said a little hesitantly, "Your clothes. I'll wash it for you and send them over."

Xi Yu's expression was as usual, "No. I'll just have someone come and get it when the time comes."

Shen Zhi breathed a sigh of relief. He should not have noticed that the clothes were taken away.

However, just now, his face was still normal, even with a bit of gentleness, but suddenly his expression turned cold, looking straight at him.

There was obviously only one trace of life in this house, and Xi Yu had already overturned the idea that there was someone in Shen Zhi's bed last night. But when Shen Zhi moved closer, he saw it clearly. Shen Zhi's mouth was red, and the lower lip was slightly swollen. It was obviously sucked by someone. He couldn't deny that Shen Zhi's appearance was very attractive, but the good mood just now vanished.

When Shen Zhi realized that he had misunderstood something, he wanted to explain, but he couldn't say that he sucked it on his own. He would ice his lower lip every morning when he woke up, but today he was too anxious and forgot about it.

He thought for a while, then stuttered. "I... I'm a little allergic."

Xi Yu stopped looking at him, put down his chopsticks, slowly wiped his mouth, and after a while, he replied lukewarmly, "Is that so?"

Shen Zhi: How could holding your husband's things be called stealing?

Note: "I have hands, but I don't know how to touch you." From Gu Cheng's "I Will Breathe Like Green Grass"

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Translator's Corner: This is my second translation, only consisting of 8 Chapters and 2 extra. My first translation was posted and is now completed in Chrysanthemum Garden check it out here if you're interested. It's a cute and fluffy slice of life modern story.

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