After the Young Master’s Death, He was Kissed by His Mortal Enemy! (BL) - Chapter 10

Oh ho—Cheng Yi actually agreed with him for once?
Shen Ran was stunned. A true miracle!

Before he could process it, Cheng Yi elegantly placed his next bid.
“Twenty million.”

Twenty million… Shen Ran didn’t have that kind of money on hand. And for a bottle of wine that was just for show—it wasn’t worth it.

But who cared!
Sure, he lost the bid, but he’d won the argument.
Cheng Yi had nothing left to say, and best of all, he’d blown a fortune just to win! Ha!

As they left, Shen Ran had practically skipped through the parking lot, grinning ear to ear.
“President Cheng, enjoy that 20-million-dollar bottle!
I’ve got plans—off to my date~!”

…What happened after that?

He’d left so fast, he didn’t see Cheng Yi’s faintly disappointed smile.

Or that a few months later, on Shen Ran’s birthday, that very bottle of wine would be gifted back to him by Cheng Yi.

Cheng Yi had warned him about Chen Xu long ago.

Back then, Shen Ran had been blind to it all. Only now did he realize Cheng Yi’s words held deeper meaning.

If Cheng Yi had only wanted to tease and argue, he wouldn’t have warned him seriously.
He certainly wouldn’t have spent millions on a gift just to make Shen Ran happy.

“Alright, stop spacing out. Get out of the car.
I’m actually hungry now,” Cheng Yi’s voice pulled him back.

When had Cheng Yi gotten out of the car?
He was already at Shen Ran’s door, opening it for him.

“Ah? Oh—right.”

Shen Ran scrambled to get out, only to see Cheng Yi holding out a hand.

“…Huh?” Shen Ran blinked, staring at Cheng Yi’s empty hand. “What?”

Cheng Yi looked at him like he was dense.
“What do you think? Hold my hand. Aren’t I your boyfriend today?
If we’re not a little intimate, your parents won’t buy it.”

Fair point.

“You really think of everything.”
Shen Ran took Cheng Yi’s hand and led him forward.

Cheng Yi’s hand was warm and dry, oddly comforting.

When Cheng Yi squeezed his hand back, Shen Ran’s nerves about facing his parents and his own identity finally eased a little.

Somehow, with Cheng Yi around, he felt… steady.

But then—

“I figured anyone with half a brain would think of that.
Come on, if we’re faking, let’s go all in. That’s basic common sense.”

“…Cheng Yi, shut up.”

Standing at his front door, Shen Ran closed his eyes, took several deep breaths, and finally knocked.

Cheng Yi chuckled.
“You’re funny, Boss Shen.
Why do you need to psych yourself up just to enter your own house? Nervous much?”

Shen Ran wanted to explain—but it was too late.
He sighed, “You wouldn’t understand.”

The door opened. A middle-aged man stood behind it—
Shen Xianming, his father.

“You brat, knocking to come into your own house? Quit acting like a guest.”

He frowned, but his tone was warm, playful—the father Shen Ran had known all his life.

Normally, Shen Ran would’ve joked back immediately.

But today, he could barely smile.

Unsure what to say, Shen Ran quickly pulled Cheng Yi closer.
“Dad, this is my—uh, my boy… cough boyfriend.”

He nearly bit his tongue saying that.

In front of elders, Cheng Yi’s usual smirking, sarcastic self was nowhere to be seen.

He stood tall but relaxed, one hand holding Shen Ran’s, the other at his side.
His smile was polite, warm—charming.

“Hello, sir. I’m Cheng Yi.”

No parent could dislike someone like this.
Shen Xianming smiled broadly, nodding approvingly.

“Aye, good, good—Cheng Yi, what a fine name!
Didn’t know you’d be back so early. Dinner’s not ready yet, but come in, come in!”

“Thank you, sir.”

Cheng Yi thanked him gracefully, then let Shen Ran step in first, following a beat behind.

Shen Xianming was beaming, looking them over with growing satisfaction—
like he couldn’t be prouder.

Shen Ran was rolling his eyes so hard in his head it was a miracle they didn’t fall out.

Cheng Yi really was a master of pretending.
Out in public, he’d always argue over who entered first, jostling Shen Ran like a five-year-old.
But now? Putting on the perfect show.

And it wasn’t just Cheng Yi who was acting.

Shen Ran had noticed Shen Xianming’s reaction earlier.
The man had seemed pleased, smiling broadly—but that smile never reached his eyes.
Instead, there was a hint of something else… scrutiny, almost cold, sizing them up from head to toe.

Had his father always looked at him like that?
Shen Ran couldn’t remember.
Or maybe… he had never bothered to notice.

From the living room, Fu Sijie, his mother, had been watching TV. Hearing the noise, she hurried over.
“Ranran’s home?”

Fu Sijie was a beautiful woman with a gentle demeanor, long wavy hair perfectly styled, makeup flawless.
At first glance, you couldn’t even guess her age.

“Mom.”

“Come here, let me look at you. Have you gotten taller?”
She pulled him into a hug, patting his back with affection.
“Aiya, you have grown taller—so handsome, I’m so happy.”

“…Mom.” Shen Ran felt a little embarrassed.
“There are other people here, you know.”

“Oh, right, right.” Fu Sijie turned to Cheng Yi.
“You didn’t come alone today. This must be Chen Xu, right?”

“Chen Xu? What Chen Xu?” Shen Xianming looked confused.
“His name’s Cheng Yi.”

“Cheng Yi?” Fu Sijie’s brow furrowed.
“That can’t be right. I remember Ranran told us his boyfriend was Chen Xu. His senior, wasn’t it…?”

“Now that you mention it, I think I remember that too.”

In that moment, Shen Ran froze.

It wasn’t a big deal—if his parents completely trusted him.

But he was terrified any slip-up might tip them off, that they might start asking questions.

How could he have forgotten?!
He’d already mentioned Chen Xu’s name to them before!

While Shen Ran stood there, panicked and at a loss for words, Cheng Yi’s voice calmly cut in.

“Uncle, Auntie,” Cheng Yi said gently, “I must have upset Ranran somehow.
When he called you, he probably said someone else’s name just to annoy me.
It’s all my fault.”

He looked genuinely remorseful, like he was really reflecting on his mistakes.
“I’ll make sure to take better care of Ranran’s feelings in the future.
I won’t let him get hurt again—please don’t worry.”

Then—Shen Ran felt something warm brush the side of his face.

…Cheng Yi pulled him close—and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.