Unmatched Chapter 25

Zhao Shuyi was a “dedicated” partner. When Xie Qi said he had a surprise for him, Zhao Shuyi tried not to overthink it, allowing himself to be completely unprepared for the happy event about to unfold.

It wasn’t far from the company to their home. Xie Qi focused on driving the entire way, while Zhao Shuyi leaned his head against the window, admiring the yellow leaves drifting down the streets in the late autumn.

A sweet Spanish love song was playing in the car. Zhao Shuyi had learned some Spanish from a classmate while studying in Europe and could understand the general meaning.

Today was a very special birthday for him, and he was in a good mood. He hummed a few lines along with the music in his non-standard Spanish, which was so off-key it made him laugh at himself.

Xie Qi played along: “It sounds good, why are you laughing?”

Zhao Shuyi shook his head and asked him, “There are so many flowers in the car, are we going to carry them upstairs ourselves later?”

“No, these are for decorating the car.”

“Ah?”

“There are more at home.”

“…”

Zhao Shuyi didn’t understand what “more” meant, but he soon found out.

They took the elevator upstairs. Xie Qi deliberately walked behind, letting Zhao Shuyi open the door himself.

Their home used an electronic lock compatible with passwords, fingerprints, and smart cards. Zhao Shuyi lightly pressed the button, the door opened, and with a soft pop, a confetti cannon exploded right in front of him.

Zhao Shuyi instinctively closed his eyes and stepped back. Countless colored ribbons and gold paper scraps fluttered down, accompanied by light, cheerful music. “Da-da-da-da,” hundreds of balloons of various sizes floated in the living room, piling up like light clouds against the ceiling.

“Happy Birthday!”

“The birthday boy is back!”

The guests had already arrived. There weren’t many, only Wang Deyang and Xie Yuran.

—The former was the only person Zhao Shuyi had invited after filtering out unnecessary fair-weather friends; the latter was called in by Xie Qi to make up the numbers, considering it would be awkward for Wang Deyang to be the sole third wheel.

In any case, they had all known each other since childhood, so it wouldn’t be awkward.

Zhao Shuyi smiled. “Thank you. When did you two arrive?”

“Noon.”

Zhao Shuyi nodded, brushed the ribbons off his shoulder, and walked past his two friends blocking the way into the living room.

Suddenly, he paused. What registered before his eyes was his nose—a rich floral fragrance washed over him. Zhao Shuyi slowly looked down and saw that the floor was covered in deep red roses.

Not just the living room, but from the entryway to the balcony, everywhere he looked was a sea of flowers. It must have taken tens of thousands of roses, perhaps even more.

“Xie Qi…”

Zhao Shuyi turned around. Xie Qi, Xie Yuran, and Wang Deyang stood together, watching him with smiles.

Had these three coordinated this? Did the guests know what Xie Qi was planning?

Zhao Shuyi’s heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly had a guess: “You’ve gone to all this romantic trouble, are you planning to propose to me using my birthday as an excuse?”

Although they had already registered their marriage, the formal wedding hadn’t taken place yet. Given Xie Qi’s focus on ceremony, it wouldn’t be strange for him to arrange a theoretically unnecessary proposal.

But Xie Qi wouldn’t admit it: “We haven’t reached that part yet, don’t try to find out ahead of time, okay?”

He ushered Zhao Shuyi into the room, guiding him through a narrow path in the flower sea toward the center of the living room.

The living room had an open-plan layout. Near the bedroom was a functional wall, usually adorned with various decorations and artwork. But today—Zhao Shuyi’s gaze stopped—the wall was covered in photos.

He couldn’t help but walk closer to examine them.

They were all photos of him: childhood pictures, teenage photos, college years, after graduation… at least a hundred or so.

“Where did you get these photos?”

“I asked people for them,” Xie Qi answered vaguely. The hand resting on Zhao Shuyi’s shoulder seemed to tighten and then relax, trembling slightly with nervousness.

Zhao Shuyi was curious: “Who did you ask?”

“Uh, whoever had them, I asked them. Your friends, old classmates…”

It sounded like a massive undertaking that required a lot of effort. Zhao Shuyi was touched: “Thank you, you put so much thought into this.”

Xie Qi disliked hearing thanks and awkwardly urged him, “Hurry up and change your clothes, we’ll eat first.”

“…”

So, it was going to be postponed until after dinner.

Zhao Shuyi had no choice but to cooperate with the Master of Ceremonies, Xie, and went to the walk-in closet to change into casual clothes: a black casual shirt, matching trousers, a slightly open collar, and slippers. He returned to the dining room feeling relaxed.

The cake was placed in the center of the dining table. Xie Qi and Xie Yuran were sticking in candles, and Wang Deyang was opening a bottle of red wine. Zhao Shuyi enjoyed the birthday boy privilege, taking his seat directly and waiting for them to serve him.

In fact, there wasn’t much to trouble them with; dinner had been prepared by a chef who came to the house. They could start eating as soon as they blew out the candles.

It wasn’t completely dark yet. Xie Qi turned off the lights, and the lingering sunset cast a hazy glow.

Xie Qi lit the candles on the cake one by one and reminded Zhao Shuyi, “Make a wish first.”

“Let me think…”

Zhao Shuyi’s mind was blank.

To him, praying over a birthday cake was no different from praying to gods and Buddhas—both were seeking vague spiritual solace, and he didn’t believe in it.

But Xie Qi had good intentions, and he didn’t want to be a spoilsport. He closed his eyes and fabricated a wish: “I hope I have fewer worries in the future, eat well, and sleep well.”

Xie Qi pursed his lips. The subtle change in his expression was caught by Xie Yuran, who teased, “Someone looks disappointed!”

Wang Deyang, the straight-laced guy, didn’t understand and looked at her blankly.

Zhao Shuyi realized what was happening and smiled slightly: “Then I’ll change it: I hope I spend my birthday next year with Xie Qi too. How’s that?”

Xie Qi pretended to be nonchalant and kicked his sister under the table: “Don’t listen to her nonsense!”

Since they were close friends, there was no need for formalities. They blew out the candles and started eating. The meal was casual; everyone ate as they pleased, and drinking was entirely based on mood—no one pressured anyone.

Zhao Shuyi rarely had such a relaxed birthday. A few glasses of red wine later, he felt pleasantly tipsy and increasingly cheerful.

He sat next to Xie Qi, with Wang Deyang and Xie Yuran across from them.

The three boys had been classmates back then. Xie Yuran was a year younger, and the four of them attended the same school for primary and middle school. After middle school, Zhao Shuyi and Xie Qi remained at the same high school, while the other two went elsewhere. In college, they all went their separate ways.

But even though they weren’t at the same schools, they were all familiar with each other’s news, though the depth of their relationships varied.

The conversation revolved around shared memories. Wang Deyang said, “You two siblings were so naughty when you were kids, you drove Zhao Shuyi and me crazy.”

Xie Yuran retorted, “I was fine. It was all my brother’s bad ideas.”

Xie Qi kicked her again: “Don’t slander me.”

“What? You dare to do it but not admit it?” Xie Yuran smiled sweetly. “Brother Shuyi won’t hold old grudges against you, what are you afraid of?”

Zhao Shuyi just smiled without speaking, leaning back in his chair and listening quietly.

This kind of sustained, relaxed, and comfortable smile rarely appeared on his face. His good mood was obvious. Xie Qi was initially bickering with the other two, but his gaze inadvertently shifted to Zhao Shuyi and didn’t leave.

Xie Qi’s shamelessness seemed to adjust freely according to his own wishes. He stared intently at Zhao Shuyi for a few seconds, then, ignoring the guests across the table, suddenly leaned in, cupped the back of Zhao Shuyi’s head, and pressed a kiss onto his lips.

“Oh, gross!”

Xie Yuran turned her face away, and Wang Deyang lowered his head and laughed.

Xie Qi acted as if they were alone, deepening the kiss. Zhao Shuyi felt a little embarrassed and pushed him away slightly, changing the subject: “What’s your secret? Why haven’t you told me yet?”

“…”

As soon as this was mentioned, Xie Qi became nervous again. Zhao Shuyi wondered, “Is it a proposal? Just say it.”

Xie Qi cleared his throat: “Let me build up to it a little more, don’t rush me.”

Zhao Shuyi: “…”

The pure-hearted young master was truly a headache.

“Fine, you build up to it. I’m going to have a smoke.” Zhao Shuyi stood up and walked toward the balcony. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Xie Yuran leaning toward Xie Qi, seemingly offering him advice.

Wang Deyang was perceptive. Knowing he would only be in the way if he stayed near the Xie siblings, he decided to join Zhao Shuyi for a smoke.

It was late October, and the night was cool, but there was no wind today, so the temperature was bearable.

Zhao Shuyi and Wang Deyang leaned against the balcony railing side by side, gazing at the city night view and chatting casually.

They certainly had plenty to talk about, but Wang Deyang was currently most curious about the true nature of his relationship with Xie Qi and couldn’t help but ask, “You two are getting along so well now? Are you really together?”

“Yes.” The balcony lights weren’t on, so Zhao Shuyi’s expression wasn’t clear. “It’s pretty good. He’s different from what we used to think.”

“How so?”

“I can’t quite explain it. He’s not a bad person, I guess.”

Zhao Shuyi exhaled a puff of smoke, sounding as if he were giving Xie Qi a “good guy card.” He smiled after saying it, glancing at Wang Deyang. As expected, his friend looked bewildered, completely failing to understand his feelings.

It was normal. Everyone knew Zhao Shuyi and Xie Qi didn’t get along, especially Wang Deyang, who had shared his animosity toward Xie Qi and knew the marriage alliance was forced. How could things suddenly improve?

But this kind of thing couldn’t be explained in detail. Zhao Shuyi thought for a moment and said half-jokingly, “A night of marriage brings a hundred days of kindness. We developed feelings after sleeping together.”

“…” Wang Deyang looked at him as if he were seeing a ghost. “Seriously? I thought someone with your personality would never fall for anyone in your life.”

Even if he did fall in love, it shouldn’t be Xie Qi!

Zhao Shuyi, however, sounded a little helpless: “What are you thinking? I’m celebrating my twenty-seventh birthday today, not my seventeenth.”

Wang Deyang was stunned.

While they were chatting, Xie Qi had “built up” enough courage.

Xie Yuran leaned against the dining chair and yawned. In the time it took her to reply to a message from her boyfriend, her brother was gone.

She looked around and finally spotted Xie Qi—he had emerged from the walk-in closet, carrying a jacket, and was heading toward the balcony.

From a distance, Xie Qi strangely stopped, not walking all the way out for some reason.

By this time, Zhao Shuyi was on his second cigarette. This was the first time he wanted to smoke even when he was in a good mood, enjoying the life-shortening taste, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly.

“Actually, when I was seventeen, my mind wasn’t entirely focused on something as unreliable as ‘liking’ someone,” Zhao Shuyi said. “But it’s not that I’m unwilling. I’m quite willing to be good to Xie Qi, but willingness and the ability to fall in love are two different things. Love is inherently a short-term product of hormonal surges. It metabolizes away after a few years. It’s less reliable than mutual respect.”

Wang Deyang gasped: “Don’t beat around the bush, you’re confusing me. So, do you like him or not?”

“Do I have to be so direct?” Zhao Shuyi looked exasperated. “Why don’t you ask if your dad likes your mom?”

“…”

Wang Deyang’s parents also married through a Marriage Alliance and were considered a rare model couple in the circle, maintaining mutual respect without arguments for years. But it was only mutual respect.

Wang Deyang understood a little: “You don’t like him.”

Zhao Shuyi didn’t refute it.

Wang Deyang said, “The rumors outside are going crazy because he spent hundreds of billions on you. I knew you two couldn’t have such deep feelings. So what’s the real story? Is there some private arrangement?”

Zhao Shuyi said, “No arrangement.”

Wang Deyang was confused again: “Then why is he so willing to go all out? Is he just giving everything away? You don’t like him, but he likes you?”

“…” Zhao Shuyi hesitated. “Lately, it feels a bit like that. But he’s inexperienced in this area, so it might just be a temporary novelty. I’m not sure.”

Zhao Shuyi unconsciously fiddled with his lighter, not wanting to delve too deeply into the topic.

“In short,” he said, “I’ve found the most comfortable way to interact with Xie Qi. If nothing unexpected happens, we won’t separate for the rest of our lives. It’s a good arrangement. He’s good to me, and I’m good to him. Isn’t that perfect?”

“…”

“As for love or not, judge by actions, not intentions.”

Wang Deyang was convinced. It sounded very reasonable, but after a few seconds of deep thought, he felt something was still wrong: “Does Xie Qi think that way too? He went to all this trouble today to give you a proper birthday, maybe he really wants to propose… He won’t be fooled by your feigned affection, will he?”

“Is this considered fooling him?” Zhao Shuyi said. “I won’t refuse. If he proposes, I’ll say yes. I’ll agree to anything he asks.”

Wang Deyang was speechless, filled with admiration.

Zhao Shuyi slowly finished his cigarette, finally feeling the chill on the balcony, and turned to go back inside.

The dining room lights were bright. The leftover food hadn’t been cleared from the table. Xie Qi and Xie Yuran were still in their original seats.

But the atmosphere between the siblings was strange, perhaps due to whatever they had just discussed. The brother sat expressionlessly, while the sister was frantically texting, her phone buzzing non-stop. She didn’t even look up when Zhao Shuyi and Wang Deyang returned, her head practically buried in the screen.

“Are you done building up to it?” Zhao Shuyi walked up to Xie Qi and affectionately touched his chair.

Xie Qi said, “No.”

“It’s taking a long time.”

Zhao Shuyi stood over the seated Xie Qi, leaning slightly and resting a hand on his shoulder, his attitude gentle, almost indulgent: “Stop building up to it. Just say it directly. Whatever it is, whatever you ask, I’ll agree.”

Before Xie Qi could speak, Xie Yuran suddenly jumped up, put on her jacket, grabbed her bag, and in her haste, accidentally stepped on the roses scattered everywhere on the floor.

“I have an urgent matter, I’m leaving now!” Xie Yuran said apologetically. “Bye, Brother Shuyi!”

She even pulled Wang Deyang along: “You can give me a ride, let’s go together.”

“…Huh? So fast?” Wang Deyang was confused but was dragged away by her.

As the door closed, the atmosphere suddenly became quiet.

Under Zhao Shuyi’s gaze, Xie Qi abruptly stood up and walked toward the bedroom without a word.

Zhao Shuyi hesitated for a few seconds and followed him.

He hadn’t been into the bedroom since coming home today. When he reached the doorway, he saw that the bedroom had also been specially decorated. The walls were covered with photos and specially designed posters, but these weren’t solo shots; they were photos of him and Xie Qi together.

In addition, there were banners with slogans written on them.

Zhao Shuyi focused his eyes to read them, but before he could make them out, Xie Qi roughly tore them down, crumpled them up, and threw them into the trash can.

Even if he was slow, Zhao Shuyi realized something was wrong now: “You heard?”

“Heard what?” Xie Qi said coldly. “Are you referring to ‘feigned affection’ or ‘judge by actions, not intentions’?”

“…”