Chapter 54 Taking Leave to Get Married
When Lu Shangyan returned to the bedroom, Pei Yumin was still asleep, so Lu Shangyan had to move quietly so as not to wake him.
Just as he lay down, Pei Yumin turned over as if disturbed. Lu Shangyan looked at her for a long time before lying down on his side. Just as he closed his eyes, Pei Yumin turned over again and put her hand on his waist.
He mumbled indistinctly, "I want Lu Shangyan to be happy for the rest of his life."
Lu Shangyan slowly opened his eyes. Pei Yumin's eyelashes trembled slightly; he must be dreaming.
The person in his sleep had his hand slide down to his lower abdomen and remained there.
Once his breathing became steady, his cold hands and feet were warmed, and he fell asleep again, Pei Yumin quietly opened his eyes. He held Lu Shangyan's ring finger and slowly brought it closer to his heart.
-
Lu Shangyan took three days off, and Xia Li immediately asked him in the group chat if he was sick.
They all knew about Lu Shangyan's situation; it couldn't be because of family matters.
Jian Guo also asked him if he needed someone to accompany him to the doctor.
Lu Shangyan glanced at the half-accompanied luggage in front of him. He hadn't even received the marriage certificate yet, so he knew he couldn't be too absolute in his words.
So I only said:
[S: I'm fine, just have some things to take care of.]
Xia Li was relieved: [Remember to let us know if you can't resolve this.]
[As a way of repaying you for helping me set up my stall last time, I will definitely do my best to help you solve your problems.]
Lu Shangyan moved his fingers and replied to them:
[s: Baby pufferfish nodding.jpg]
Pei Yumin sent him this set of emojis last night. I added it to my favorites and asked him to send more of them in the future.
Lu Shangyan immediately sent all the emojis to Pei Yumin and asked him, "Have you sent enough now?"
Pei Yumin shook his head and said, "Send it to me every day from now on."
Lu Shangyan immediately refused, saying he didn't want it, but now that he's using it, he finds it incredibly convenient.
Pei Yumin also temporarily stopped going to the company, but Lu Shangyan didn't know what he was busy with. He left early and returned late every day, sometimes even later than when Lu Shangyan worked overtime.
Lu Shangyan's belly is starting to show, so he's hesitant to go out. Pei Yumin took this into consideration and chose a colder country to register their marriage. That way, even if Lu Shangyan wrapped himself up like a ball, no one would find it strange, and no one would notice his belly.
Thinking of this, Lu Shangyan put another down jacket into his suitcase. He had a lot more clothes in his closet than before, all of which Yuan Qingyu had sent over the past few days. The once empty closet was now completely full, so Yuan Qingyu finally gave up.
But she still couldn't resist buying things for Lu Shangyan, so she had to leave them at home for the time being: "Yu Min has a walk-in closet, and I also got you a walk-in closet, right next to him. I'll find a decorator to knock down the two rooms in the next couple of days."
Pei Yicheng also said to her, "If you keep opening up like this, their walk-in closets will take up an entire floor."
Yuan Qingyu said he was an old straight man who didn't understand anything.
Lu Shangyan also thought it was an exaggeration, but seeing that Yuan Qingyu was genuinely happy when she bought him things, he couldn't refuse anymore.
In particular, Yuan Qingyu kept telling him, "We'll be family soon. I said to his mother, isn't it normal for a mother to buy things for her son?"
Lu Shangyan felt very conflicted when he heard this. After Pei Yumin returned, he couldn't help but ask him, "If our child is born without a mother, will he be bullied by others?"
Pei Yumin showed no concern: "Who would dare to bully him? He has two fathers; it's a good thing he doesn't bully others."
Lu Shangyan had always had this concern, and had mentioned it many times, both openly and secretly. Pei Yumin knew that it was due to Lu Shangyan's upbringing; he was afraid that his child would not be happy with him.
Pei Yumin said, "After he is born, many people will be begging to see him."
He was very certain because when he stood next to Pei Yicheng before, he would occasionally be amused by the person who teased him, and that person would go out and brag about it several times.
The same principle applies if it were his child.
The question is whether Lu Shangyan would be willing to let his child acknowledge him as his father in front of outsiders.
Even if he didn't want to, it didn't matter. He would just do his best to be good to the child's father in front of outsiders and also show off how happy he was after having Lu Shangyan.
Lu Shangyan received a reassuring reply once again, and his heart, which had been in his throat, finally settled down.
"I asked you to think of a nickname before, have you thought of one yet?"
Pei Yumin nodded: "I've decided, let's call him Tun Tun, the Tun Tun of slowness."
Lu Shangyan frowned: "Why? What if he really is slower than the other kids?"
Pei Yumin had already skillfully lifted his clothes and kissed his bulging belly a few times before saying, "What a lovely name! As long as it's your child, I'll love it no matter what."
Lu Shangyan had nothing to say. After all, it was his word, and now that Pei Yumin had decided on the name, he couldn't go back on his word.
Pei Yumin squatted down and placed her hand on his stomach: "Tuntun, Lu Tuntun."
After he finished speaking, he felt a light tap on his palm. Although it was quick and easy, Pei Yumin was still pleasantly surprised. He looked up at Lu Shangyan with bright eyes and asked, "Did you feel it just now? He's moving."
Lu Shangyan pursed his lips and nodded, his earlobes turning bright red.
Pei Yumin continued to call out with his head down, "Tuntun, Little Lu Tuntun, move again."
The child was probably a slow and lazy fellow; he only moved a little and then refused to move anymore. Pei Yumin saw that Lu Shangyan's body remained tense, so he stopped touching him.
Lu Shangyan was unusually proactive, telling him, "I'll tell you next time he makes a move."
Isn't this tantamount to inviting him to keep touching her? If he can touch her stomach, what's the difference between that and being able to touch her whole body?
Pei Yumin pressed the tip of her tongue against her cheek, looking at Lu Shangyan with a mischievous expression. After a while, she couldn't help but say, "Never mind, I don't want to touch him."
Lu Shangyan thought he had really changed his ways, that he wouldn't seize such a good opportunity to make a profit.
But the next second, I heard him ask, "I want to lick it, is that okay?"
Lu Shangyan's expression instantly turned speechless: "No."
"Okay, sure." Pei Yumin said to himself, "I'll lick it properly tonight."
Lu Shangyan raised his voice: "I said no!"
Pei Yumin took out a cashmere coat: "Honey, do you think I'll be cold wearing this?"
Forget it, even if he refuses, Pei Yumin will always find a hundred ways to make him compromise, so I'd better not waste my breath.
-
The day before departure, Lu Shangyan finally finished packing all his things, but Pei Yumin was nowhere to be seen early in the morning.
Lu Shangyan was very tired, but he couldn't fall asleep at all. The bed got cold not long after Pei Yumin left, and he would wake up soon.
He lay in bed for a while, picked up the phone from the bedside table, and fiddled with it for a while before realizing that it wasn't the same phone that was about to fall apart.
Lu Shangyan looked at it over and over again. Apart from changing it to the latest model on the market, the phone case, wallpaper, and everything inside were exactly the same. No wonder Pei Yumin squatted in the bathroom for so long last night.
He chuckled, stretched, and rolled over to lie down on Pei Yumin's pillow.
[s: How about you give me a new phone?]
Pei Yumin took a picture of himself wearing a tie.
[m: a return gift.]
[m: Seeing that you've got money but haven't bought yourself a new phone, I guess you're giving me a chance to prove myself.]
[m: Can you feel my deep love for you? So, do you love me even more than before?]
Lu Shangyan looked at his new phone several more times.
[s: The little pufferfish is shy.jpg]
Screenshot by Pei Yumin, saved.
I think Lu Shangyan has become much bolder since he got his own emojis.
[m: I hope my wife will give me more opportunities like this in the future, so I can have a chance to make you love me more.]
[s: Who ever described giving a gift from such a unique angle?]
[m: I don't care about anything else, as long as you love me.]
[s: I don't love it.]
[m: I don't believe it.]
[m: You're lying.]
[m: Are you secretly laughing?]
Upon seeing this message, Lu Shangyan immediately stopped smiling and cautiously looked around. Soon after, Pei Yumin sent another message.
[m: I didn't install a security camera in my bedroom.]
But it didn't say that it wasn't available elsewhere.
Lu Shangyan gave a soft snort.
[s: You're always so narcissistic.]
[m: Little Shark Narcissistic.jpg]
[s: Little pufferfish getting a beating.jpg]
[m: Little shark crying.jpg]
[m: I'll be done soon. My mom said she wants us to come over for lunch before we leave, and she insists on cooking it herself. Are you going back? If you agree, I'll have her prepare lunch now.]
In the past, Lu Shangyan would have considered things much more carefully, afraid of bothering others.
But not anymore. He has almost completely integrated into the Pei family, and his answer was very straightforward.
[s: I'll get up now, and we'll pack two more dishes to take home on our way back, so the housekeeper doesn't prepare too much.]
[m: Please, Lord Lu, have mercy and feed me generously!]
[s: I was just worried that Auntie was too tired.]
[m: I'm unhappy. You're paying for the groceries.]
Even without him saying it, Lu Shangyan would have to pay for it himself, but Pei Yumin making the request always made him feel much more at ease.
-
When Pei Yumin came to pick him up, he was dressed very formally, even more formally than he usually dressed for work.
When Lu Shangyan got into the car, he didn't see his face, but his clothes first. He almost thought he was seeing things. He was about to close the car door and leave when he bent down to apologize, but the word "sorry" got stuck in his throat: "Why are you dressed like this?"
He looked at his loose-fitting suit and hesitated, "Is it really just going home for dinner?"
Pei Yumin nodded, and Lu Shangyan added, "I think you're more like you're going to attend some important banquet."
The weather at the end of October was freezing, with temperatures plummeting. Today's high was only nine degrees Celsius, and Pei Yumin suddenly felt hot: "What's wrong? What's so strange about this? I always dress like this. I'm just a simple, unpretentious, and very gentlemanly rich man."
Although Lu Shangyan was very reluctant to admit it, the man in front of him was indeed the partner he had chosen.
Lu Shangyan thought he hadn't shown off his tie enough and wanted to show it off again when he went out to buy groceries.
But when he got home after buying groceries, he realized that something was very wrong, extremely wrong.
A rose was strangely pinned to a large iron gate.
The flower wasn't very noticeable, like an ant crawling on your palm. When Lu Shangyan first saw Pei Yumin suddenly stop the car, he thought something had happened.
To everyone's surprise, Pei Yumin said in a very affected manner, "That flower is so pitiful. Opening the door from the inside will definitely break it. Can you go down and take it down?"
Something flashed through Lu Shangyan's mind, but he didn't have time to grasp it: "What are you up to now?"
Pei Yumin clutched his chest, still trying to sound tough: "It's really nothing, I'm just a kind-hearted person."
Lu Shangyan stared at him for a long time, but he couldn't hold out against him. In the end, he succumbed to his shameless and exaggerated acting skills.
He now has some difficulty getting out of the car and walking, his posture has changed, his back is starting to ache, and he has slowed down his walking speed considerably.
When Lu Shangyan walked over, Pei Yumin, sitting in the car, was sweating bullets. He didn't even get there, so he was sweating bullets again.
Watching him finally manage to take the roses down.
The next second, fireworks burst into the sky.
Lu Shangyan's heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively reached out to protect his stomach. The colorful fireworks hadn't been burning for long when Pei Yumin got out of the car. He smelled the smoke in the air, reached out to Lu Shangyan, and asked him to smell his scent.
Then she took his hand and led him inside. Petals fell from the sky, along with colorful ribbons. Lu Shangyan saw that there were many people hiding behind the curtains on the second floor.
He grasped at this moment what he hadn't had time to grasp in his mind earlier.
He couldn't help but say, "I've told you so many times, I'll tell you to read less of those domineering CEO/Mary Sue novels."
He said this, but his lips trembled after he finished speaking, and he had to use a lot of strength to keep from sobbing.
Pei Yumin didn't take him to the living room, but followed the petals all the way to the back garden. He pointed to the grape trellis in front of him and said, "I said I secretly took the seed from Chong County. It will take a long time for it to grow to the same size as the one you had when you were a child."
"But it doesn't matter. No matter how long it takes, I won't let it wither this time. Lu Shangyan, do you believe me?"
Lu Shangyan thought of the dirt on his sleeves, forced a smile, and asked him, "What if it doesn't grow well? Or what if the grapes that do grow are sour and astringent and inedible?"
Pei Yumin said, "How do you know how it tastes if you haven't even tasted it yet?"
"Besides, have you forgotten? I am the all-powerful Young Master Pei, I have plenty of ways to make it sweet."
Lu Shangyan remained silent for a while, then reached out his hand to him.
Pei Yumin was taken aback, then burst out laughing: "I haven't even knelt down and begged you yet, how come you've already agreed?"
Lu Shangyan said, "Because I have received a promise that is more precious than kneeling down and making a vow."
He moved his fingers: "I'm willing to marry you."
Pei Yumin knelt down and helped him put the ring on his finger, after which flower petals began to fall again.
He suddenly hugged Lu Shangyan tightly. Lu Shangyan, hearing the commotion upstairs, buried his head in his shoulder and said, "You're not allowed to kiss me."
She paused, then quickly added, "You can't push me away either."
Pei Yumin knew he was shy, so he shouted to the people upstairs, "Turn around! With so many of you watching my wife, he'll be shy, and I won't be able to kiss him!"
Lu Shangyan opened his mouth and bit him, but quickly let go and kissed the bite mark.
Pei Yumin cupped his face, leaving him nowhere to hide.
The kiss didn't last long because Lu Shangyan was burning up and almost fainted from lack of oxygen.
In fact, when they first decided to propose, Pei Yumin, Yuan Qingyu, and Pei Yicheng got together and came up with hundreds of ideas.
He even talked about proposing to someone in a mine, risking his life.
But in the end, Pei Yumin chose the simplest yet extraordinary way.
He knew that Lu Shangyan was always embarrassed to be watched, otherwise he would have bought up all the big screens in the city to continuously and publicly express his love for Lu Shangyan after he won him over.
I also know that when Lu Shangyan was in school, he was subjected to "violence" because of his homosexuality.
He didn't care. Even if others knew his orientation, they wouldn't dare say anything and would even come to congratulate him.
But Lu Shangyan was different. He didn't want to put Lu Shangyan in any difficult position, so he abandoned many grand and elaborate methods.
He knew that no matter what he did, Lu Shangyan would definitely agree to marry him.
-
Lu Shangyan didn't take long leave; he rushed back overnight after getting his marriage certificate.
He didn't have time to visit many of the surrounding attractions, and he himself felt that the arrangement was a bit too rushed.
But Pei Yumin didn't think so: "After the baby is born, we'll leave him at home and make this place our first stop on our honeymoon. It will be more meaningful to revisit this place."
Pei Yumin understood why Lu Shangyan had such a tight schedule. He had decided to apply for postgraduate admission without examination, and this time was crucial for him. Before, when he wanted to focus on his studies, he lacked the opportunity and resources. Now that he no longer had to worry about making a living, he wanted to do his best. Even though there was still some time before the application deadline, he had already begun planning ahead.
I bought a lot of professional books a while ago. The rented house has two bedrooms. Pei Yumin has moved in with him now, and the empty room has been temporarily converted into a study.
-
Before going to school, Lu Shangyan didn't want to wear his wedding ring, but Pei Yumin insisted. He checked it several times along the way, afraid that Lu Shangyan would take it off when he wasn't looking.
"I've already stopped advertising our marriage on national billboards, so you should at least wear your wedding ring properly, right? At least let your friends know you're married, and also let those who have designs on you give up completely!"
"Of course, this also serves as a constant reminder that you already have a husband, and you can't be so seductive all the time!"
The car was well-heated, and Lu Shangyan hadn't zipped up his shirt. His stomach was covered by a thin sweatshirt, which moved with his breathing and looked very soft and pleasant to touch.
Lu Shangyan said, "The baby will be born in four months. Can you please stop saying things like that? He'll hear it."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yumin immediately reached out and tapped him: "If you can hear me, Little Tuntun, remember to keep an eye on your dad for your old man!"
Lu Shangyan immediately covered his stomach, looking as if he didn't want the child to hear.
Pei Yumin added, "You can't take it even when you get to the school; I'll be checking at any time."
Lu Shangyan had a headache, so he nodded perfunctorily and told him to drive carefully.
Lu Shangyan didn't have a chance to properly celebrate his birthday. Pei Yumin only managed to give him a gift on the plane back the night they got their marriage certificate.
He always felt that Lu Shangyan's birthday was celebrated too hastily, and planned to make up for it by celebrating it for him later.
So he called Tang Suichen: "Good brother, I miss you, when are we going to get together?"
Tang Suichen, who had been frequently blacklisted lately: "???"
Looking at the contact list, she rolled her eyes several times: "Who are you?! Who's your brother?! Don't call me, or I'll block you."
Pei Yumin smiled and said, "Then the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Song Yuxin's studio..."
Tang Suichen gritted his teeth: "I give up!"
Song Yuxin and Tang Suichen got married. Now that they are family, it would be strange for them to still have a superior-subordinate relationship.
At first, Song Yuxin didn't think anything of it. He always thought that Tang Suichen's marriage to him was just for fun and that they would break up soon. So he didn't think about quitting his job and waiting for the divorce so that he could stay by Tang Suichen's side as an "employee".
But now Song Yuxin has changed his views on their relationship, so he feels that he can no longer stay by Tang Suichen's side as an assistant. He resigned last month and is determined to set up his own studio.
It's not difficult to quickly establish a foothold. Tang Suichen can say a few words, Pei Yumin can show his face at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and Song Yuxin will have no shortage of supporters.
Tang Suichen struggled to get out of bed, but the thought of it being for Song Yuxin made him feel much better: "Send me the address and time."
-
Lu Shangyan had just sat down in the classroom when Jian Guo slipped over. A little while later, Xia Li, who didn't have class, also came to sit next to him and audit the class.
Lu Shangyan smiled and opened his backpack, distributing the gifts he had bought for them: "I'll keep Zhao Jian's gift with me for now, and I'll put it at the store for him when I go to my part-time job."
Xia Li opened it and saw a very expensive-looking women's coin purse: "You've struck it rich!"
Lu Shangyan smiled and said, "He gave it to you as a thank you for taking such good care of me."
Xia Li held up her coin purse: "President Pei is very generous."
Jian Guo put the gift into her bag: "You really didn't go abroad for medical treatment? Why do I feel like you're thinner than before? And you're always wearing so many thick clothes, like you're afraid of the cold. Last winter, you were wearing a hoodie under your denim jacket, and you didn't seem to feel cold then."
Lu Shangyan shook his head with a smile. At that time, it wasn't that he wasn't afraid of the cold, but he really had no clothes to wear.
But he didn't want to bring up those painful memories again: "Maybe it's just that I'm more sensitive to the cold this year."
Xia Li said, "That's right, I think his complexion is much better than before, his face is rosy, it's obvious that President Pei is taking very good care of him."
Jian Guo whispered, "I bought you off with just a bag."
Xia Li raised her chin: "If you don't want it, you can give it to me. I'll sell it and get money to buy Lu Shangyan a new cotton-padded coat."
Jian Guo shook her head: "I won't give it to him! At worst, I won't say anything about him next time we meet, and we'll talk about it the time after that."
Xia Li shifted her gaze back to Lu Shangyan: "Speaking of which, you wouldn't take leave when you were sick before, but you took leave this time to go on a trip. Is there some secret behind this?"
Lu Shangyan looked embarrassed and slowly extended his hand, pretending to be relaxed as he said, "Yes, there is something. I took leave to get married."
-----------------------
Author's Note: Pei Yumin: My wish has come true, my family! [crying][covering face and peeking]
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