Chapter 50 Kneel Down
Pei Yumin grabbed his hand again and could no longer feel him trembling.
Lu Shangyan kept staring at him, his lips pursed tighter and tighter, eager to get the answer he wanted from Pei Yumin.
Pei Yumin had piqued his interest, but he was no longer willing to talk. He curled his index finger and scratched Lu Shangyan's palm, pretending to be silly and changing his expressions to amuse him.
So Lu Shangyan lowered his voice and said, "Speak."
His voice was still hoarse, sounding like he was pleading to Pei Yumin. Pei Yumin couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Really want to know?"
When Lu Shangyan met his gaze, he felt for a moment that the man was taking revenge on him for not calling him immediately.
He saw Pei Yumin's car parked on the side of the road, turned around and walked over, putting on an indifferent look as he went: "I don't really want to know either."
Pei Yumin chuckled softly and quickly followed. Once in the car, he handed Lu Shangyan a wet wipe and told him to clean his face and hands.
Then she deliberately stretched out her hand in front of him and said, "Ouch, my hand hurts. I wish someone could wipe my hand for me."
Lu Shangyan then noticed that his hands were still stained with blood, unsure whether it was his or Chen Hao's.
His face was already swollen from that punch, and Lu Shangyan felt a little sorry for him, but when he thought about how Pei Yumin was deliberately teasing him, he decided not to help.
But Pei Yumin smiled and leaned against him, saying, "I really need your help."
The voice floated lightly into his ear, the breath brushed against his earlobe, and he felt as if he had been electrocuted. He suddenly became out of control, and by the time he came to his senses, he had already wiped Pei Yumin's hands clean.
Pei Yumin raised his hand in front of him, examined it carefully, and then said, "It's so clean. Since you've helped me, I'll tell you what you want to know."
"Do you remember seeing a homeless man after you finished your college entrance exam? His hair was messy and his clothes were tattered. Nobody dared to approach him, but you gave him thirteen yuan and sixty cents."
A strange feeling suddenly arose in Lu Shangyan's heart.
Sure enough, the next second he heard Pei Yumin say, "That homeless man is me."
Lu Shangyan: "..."
He stared intently at Pei Yumin, thinking Pei Yumin was joking, but Pei Yumin's gaze was firm, and his heart began to waver: "Are you joking?"
If he didn't know Pei Yumin's worth, he might have a tiny bit of a chance to believe it. But now he clearly saw the gap between himself and Pei Yumin. He had been exploited to this extent and he hadn't ended up on the streets, let alone Pei Yumin.
Seeing the doubt in his eyes and his disbelieving look, Pei Yumin quickly sat up straight and explained seriously, "I'm telling the truth. Do you think it's so easy to be a member of a wealthy family? There are so many people outside who covet my identity."
"Haven't you heard of kidnappings of wealthy families? Those people will do anything for money!"
Lu Shangyan was able to process the kidnapping, but asked, "Why did they turn you into a homeless person?"
Pei Yumin raised his head, fanning himself frantically to keep his tears from falling: "Although I have no worries about food and drink and stand at a high position, it's lonely at the top!"
“The situation was complicated at the time. I was also set up. If you hadn’t given me money, I would have starved to death there, let alone wait for someone to come and rescue me.”
Lu Shangyan's mouth opened slightly, he was a little embarrassed: "I didn't expect that even though you're rich, you'd still be living such a hard life."
Pei Yumin seized the opportunity to turn around and throw herself into his arms: "You don't know, I've always compared myself to others since I was a child. You also know what your uncles look like. My relatives have been having children one after another in order to get some shares and more money, just to have a child who is better than me and will replace me in the future!"
Lu Shangyan was even more shocked: "But isn't that your family's company?"
Pei Yumin sniffed and secretly glanced at him, lifting her eyelids: "But after all, my older brothers, sisters, and younger brothers all share the same grandfather or maternal grandfather. What can my parents do if the old folks ask for help?"
"Even if they fight for me, if I really can't compete, what belongs to me will be taken away by them. So my journey has been very difficult!"
"Back then, I was tricked by them and ended up stranded outside. I thought I'd just give up and starve or freeze to death rather than go back. I'd had enough of all that confrontation and backstabbing!"
Lu Shangyan recalled that sometimes when he ate in the school cafeteria, palace dramas would be playing on the TV hanging on the wall.
As expected, wealthy families also have their share of troubles.
Hearing him sigh, Pei Yumin added, "If you hadn't passed by and given me that proper thirteen yuan and sixty cents, which made me feel warmth, I really wouldn't have planned to go back. You were the first person to lend me a helping hand when I was in trouble, and I fell in love with you at first sight!"
"Since then, I have worked hard and come to where I am today, so that when I meet you again, I can pursue you with a completely new look, have a status worthy of you, and protect you when we are together."
Lu Shangyan was filled with shock, his mouth agape. He always felt that this story was strange and awkward, but Pei Yumin spoke with such conviction that it added a lot of authenticity to the story.
Lu Shangyan gasped: "Look at Aunt Yuan's attitude towards you, and your personality. It doesn't seem like you grew up in that kind of environment."
Pei Yumin grabbed his hand and placed it against his heart: "That was all an act! After all, I'm a man, and I'm about to become a father, so of course I have to be strong!"
“Actually, when I’m feeling beautiful late at night, I think about the days I went through before, and it still breaks my heart. I have nightmares and haven’t had a good night’s sleep in a long time. Fortunately, you came into my life and helped me heal those wounds. I’m gradually forgetting those painful memories.”
Lu Shangyan felt embarrassed, his fingers curling up together: "It still seems like something's not right."
Pei Yumin sat back down dejectedly: "I know, after all, I haven't told you any of these things, so it's hard for you to accept right away. I understand."
When Lu Shangyan saw the bruise on his lip, he struggled internally for half a minute before finally reaching out and poking it, saying, "Okay, then if you have nightmares again at night, you can come find me."
Pei Yumin's lips curled up wildly, but fortunately, his acting skills were decent enough that he had completely controlled himself a second before the smile appeared.
He covered his eyes and lowered his head, immersed in "sadness".
Seeing his expression, Lu Shangyan regretted doubting him earlier.
But in reality, he was indeed set up. His designer cousin insisted on becoming a self-media creator and made a bet with him, along with several of his sisters. The loser would have to be an actor for him. Later, he found out that he had been set up, and no matter what he chose, he would lose!
At the time, I thought it would just be a short film shot near my home, in which I would play a homeless person and then be transformed by my cousin to highlight his fashion sense.
Unexpectedly, in order to ensure the authenticity of the video, his cousin drove him for several hours to a small county town!
Then, because he was frustrated, he couldn't get the videos right at first, so he lingered under that tree for a long time. Basically, everyone around him knew he was filming, which made him extremely ashamed and unable to lift his head.
Just then, Lu Shangyan hurriedly passed by, took all the money out of his pocket, and put it on the steps next to him. He didn't even realize what was happening. By the time he looked up, Lu Shangyan had already walked away with his backpack, but his cousin's camera had captured Lu Shangyan's face.
He used to listen to Lao Pei and Ms. Yuan tell their love story, and he didn't believe in love at first sight at all. But it wasn't until that day that he realized that love at first sight can actually be inherited!
Lu Shangyan's profile as he frowned and handed him all the money, his sharp jawline like Cupid's arrow piercing his heart.
This made him unable to forget the kind person who had given everything and remained so kind, and he was unable to extricate himself from that memory.
After that, his cousin struggled to film a video, but before he could release it, he was invited to participate in a competition abroad. They even bought the video, edited it, and released it. His self-media career came to an abrupt end.
As for the rest of what he just said, ninety percent of it is false. He has had a smooth and successful life!
But he could never say these words in front of Lu Shangyan. Since Lu Shangyan wanted to be needed by him, he had to show his tiny wounds to Lu Shangyan as well.
If needed, he wouldn't mind magnifying his small wounds indefinitely, as long as Lu Shangyan felt needed, he would gladly do so.
As he was thinking, he sensed Lu Shangyan's presence getting closer and closer. Then Lu Shangyan raised his arm, put his arm around his shoulder, and patted him repeatedly.
He said softly, "It's okay, you're already very capable. They may not have high hopes for you, but I will support you unconditionally from now on."
Pei Yumin closed his eyes and nodded with emotion, but he didn't shed a single tear.
After returning home, while Lu Shangyan was taking a shower, Pei Yumin took out his phone and sent a message to Ms. Yuan, telling Yuan Qingyu everything that Lu Shangyan had just said.
Finally, it was added that:
[m: Remember, I am currently experiencing extreme grief from my family background. Don't let it slip in front of Shangshang!]
Yuan Qingyu read it several times but still couldn't understand the meaning of his words. Finally, she couldn't help but go upstairs to show it to Pei Yicheng. The two of them pondered it for a long time while looking at the phone.
Pei Yicheng frowned: "How could he plagiarize Shang Yan's character design?"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Qingyu immediately made up her mind: "He probably wants to show off their similarities in front of Shang Yan! He and Shang Yan are only complementary, not similar!"
"Now that both cars are ready, what do you think their next step will be? Could it be that they're getting married?!"
Yuan Qingyu found the argument increasingly reasonable, and finally stood up abruptly: "No, I have to go and get all the gems and other things I've stored away, and make a necklace and bracelet for Shang Yan."
Pei Yicheng's hands were trembling as he held the teacup, but he still pretended to be calm: "What's the rush? What time is it?"
"Aren't you in a hurry?" Yuan Qingyu said, "The baby is about to be born, and the wedding definitely has to be held before the baby is born, or even before the pregnancy shows! That means there are only a few days left, so I have to hurry up and find a reliable designer, and also prepare things like the little gold lock for the baby after the birth!"
"Although Yu Min said that Lu Shangyan should make the decision about the child, we can't just ignore it! At the very least, we can't skip any of the proper etiquette!"
As she spoke, she quickly walked towards the dressing room. When she finished changing her clothes and was about to leave, she found that Pei Yicheng was already sitting in the car waiting for her.
“I’ll go with you. I’ll go see how many tea cakes I’ve won at the auction I have left. I’ll pick out the best one and keep it at home. Since he can’t drink alcohol at the wedding, he can serve tea.”
The elderly couple rushed out the door, while Pei Yumin was frantically rubbing his eyes until they turned red before appearing in front of Lu Shangyan's door, clutching a pillow.
His phone vibrated a few times in his pocket. He took it out and looked at it:
[Green Grassland: Son, the proposal went well!]
[Big Fat Sheep: Son, happy wedding!]
Pei Yumin: An elderly man looking at his phone on the subway.jpg
What is all this nonsense?!
When Lu Shangyan opened the door, he saw him looking like this: "Had a nightmare?"
Pei Yumin's body trembled, but he nodded without changing his expression: "How scary, can I sleep in your room?"
They had slept in the same hotel before in Chong County, and it was Lu Shangyan who took the initiative. So Pei Yumin felt that now that they were in a relationship, it was reasonable for them to sleep in the same room again.
Since there was only one bed in Lu Shangyan's room, he was worried that Lu Shangyan wouldn't be comfortable, so he said, "I'll sleep on the floor tonight, and tomorrow I'll buy a folding bed to put next to your bed. It can be folded up and won't get in the way."
After he went in, he looked around and carefully estimated how big a bed could fit in the empty space.
In fact, Pei Yumin's thinking was very simple. Lu Shangyan had already made great concessions today, so he couldn't be too hasty, otherwise what if he was kicked out?
He's just putting on an act for a few days, hoping to secure a lifetime of sleeping together in the same bed. He's quite shrewd with his calculations.
But to his surprise, Lu Shangyan adjusted the blanket and suddenly said, "You sleep on the bed."
Pei Yumin was both surprised and delighted. He never expected that Lu Shangyan would like him, no, love him to such an extent!
Pei Yumin walked over and asked, "Is it okay if we share a bed?"
Lu Shangyan lowered his head and explained, "There aren't any extra blankets for you to sleep on the floor. Besides, I've been getting up a lot at night lately, and I'm afraid I might accidentally step on you."
Pei Yumin ignored his words, completely immersed in the dreamy pink bubble, and continued to ask on her own, "Then can I hold you when I sleep at night?"
Lu Shangyan looked up at him, and he immediately fell silent.
Pei Yumin rubbed himself several times before climbing onto Lu Shangyan's bed. He lay straight, but Lu Shangyan's bed was small, so even without much movement, he couldn't avoid physical contact with Lu Shangyan.
Every time they met, he was incredibly nervous, afraid that Lu Shangyan would feel uncomfortable and kick him out again. But he managed to restrain himself for half an hour, and finally he dared to touch Lu Shangyan's arm, but Lu Shangyan still didn't react at all.
He gradually relaxed, turned over, and found that Lu Shangyan had fallen asleep at some point.
He had been through so much today, and his physical condition was already special. He continued working while pregnant, so he got tired very easily and slept very soundly.
Pei Yumin raised her hand and slowly placed it on his waist. Seeing that he hadn't opened his eyes, she rested her forehead on his shoulder, touched his toes with hers, and fell asleep in his arms.
When Lu Shangyan woke up the next day, he looked calm and seemed unaffected by the fact that they had found their limbs intertwined when they woke up that morning.
But the usually bold Pei Yumin dared not look him in the eye, because last night he had a dream in which Lu Shangyan took off his pants in front of him, then turned his back and knelt on the bed...
He shook his head. He could savor this dream in private, but he couldn't bring himself to mention it in front of Lu Shangyan!
Because this morning, before the reaction in his lower body had subsided, Lu Shangyan had already woken up. He wasn't sure if Lu Shangyan had felt it, so he felt particularly guilty.
Lu Shangyan stuffed the last bite of bread into his mouth: "Why are you staring at me like that?"
Pei Yumin immediately said, "I have something very important to do right now, and I urgently need your help to make a decision."
Lu Shangyan straightened his back slightly, but still maintained his casual expression: "What is it?"
Pei Yumin said, "They say hair is a couple's shared property. I'd like to get a haircut after get off work today. Do you approve?"
After saying that, he added very seriously, "Getting a haircut is a huge gamble. I might end up looking really ugly, so you should think it over carefully."
It was a very small matter, but because of Pei Yumin, the person in question, Lu Shangyan actually thought about it for a while: "Approved."
"I think you would look good even without hair."
Pei Yumin leaned closer, raised his hand and scratched his chin, then placed his hand on his neck and pinched it twice: "Baby, you're so good at praising people. I'll be happy all day long."
Lu Shangyan touched his hair a little shyly: "Me too."
—
As time went on, Lu Shangyan had become completely accustomed to Pei Yumin asking him "yes or no" about any small matter.
He felt he was busy every day, with work, studies, and helping his boyfriend make decisions. His time was completely filled, and of course, his mind was also completely filled.
It wasn't until their monthly lavish all-you-can-eat barbecue day, when Lu Shangyan was helping him wrap meat with lettuce, that he suddenly heard him say, "My parents want me to go back home."
Lu Shangyan paused, the roasted meat that had been hanging in mid-air spun around and went into his mouth. He asked somewhat blankly, "What's wrong? Are your relatives trying to cause you trouble again?"
Unable to answer the question, Pei Yumin could only continue, "Actually, they've been urging me to take you home for a meal soon."
"After all, we're dating now and will be getting married soon. No matter what, we have to go back to meet the parents and relatives first. They call my mom from time to time to ask when we can get together for a meal."
He sighed, looking very troubled: "Actually, I've gone back many times, but they've been persistent, like they've got me cornered. I had no other choice but to ask you."
Looking at Lu Shangyan's expression, he knew exactly what to say to soften his heart: "Please help me? Help me think of what to do?"
Lu Shangyan chewed the roasted meat in his mouth desperately, unable to swallow it, and could only mumble, "Can't they say we'll meet again after graduation?"
Pei Yumin nodded and said, "I've already told them, but they all know we've been together for a long time. If we drag this out for another year... never mind, I'll think of something."
He kept thinking about the antique jade bracelets and other collectibles that Yuan Qingyu was going to give to Lu Shangyan. If he didn't go back to meet them, Lu Shangyan would have to wait another two years to get them.
Lu Shangyan wasn't in a hurry, but he was!
Lu Shangyan started wrapping lettuce around the grilled meat again. After wrapping it, he didn't eat it, but just placed it on the plate in front of him, arranging it in a row.
He couldn't let it go, so he asked, "When would they like to have dinner together?"
Pei Yumin: "Tonight!"
"That's absolutely impossible."
He gave a forced laugh: "I think it's still up to you to decide, after all, they're the ones who begged to see you. But don't keep them waiting too long, your belly isn't that big yet, if it gets too big, it'll be harder to handle."
Lu Shangyan opened his mouth, about to say something, but was interrupted by him: "Although you can wear clothes when it gets cold, you'll definitely have to take them off when you eat indoors together. It'll be easy to give yourself away. And there will definitely be a lot of children that day. If they run into each other and start chattering, it will be even more difficult to handle."
"If you're really scared, that's fine. I'll just keep dealing with them. They can't really do anything to me anyway, since I'm not the same person I used to be."
While listening to him speak, Lu Shangyan absentmindedly stuffed more than twenty cloves of garlic into the lettuce, then without wrapping a piece of meat, directly shoved it into his mouth: "Okay."
Pei Yumin's face contorted from the spiciness, but he forced himself to suppress it, afraid of disturbing his thoughts.
Lu Shangyan sighed: "Since you asked me to help you, you must really need me."
"Next week, no, the week after next, on Saturday, I'll visit my uncle and aunt."
Pei Yumin finally had a chance to "breathe fire," and with drool dripping down his face, he mumbled, "Okay, I'll tell them in a bit to stop calling my mom so casually."
Lu Shangyan sighed again. Pei Yumin drank three glasses of water before leaning closer and saying, "I don't know what I would have done without you. Luckily you agreed."
As they were talking, someone suddenly patted Lu Shangyan on the shoulder: "Xiao Yan, it really is you! What a coincidence!"
Lu Shangyan stared at him without blinking, clearly startled by his sudden appearance.
The other person, however, acted as if they were old friends, sitting down directly opposite him: "What's with that expression? Didn't you say I was your first love? How come you don't recognize me anymore?"
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Author's Note: Pei Yumin: I knew it! I felt like every tree on the roadside was about to turn into a human and become my rival in love [crying][shrug] (My wife is too attractive, I'm at my wit's end)
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