T1983 Chapter 65

Chen Kai caught a lot of fish, enough for everyone to eat for two full meals. Cooking has always been the strong point of several “family cooks”. While the men were busy working with sweat on their heads, their wives were only responsible for… Watching from the side.

Maybe occasionally wipe some sweat from a forehead here and there and say a few words of praise… Anyway, all of the “housekeepers” were happy with their work.

Fang Jie learned from their chat that in their respective families, men cooked. She was quite surprised since they were all wealthy people, making her exclaim: “My father has never been in the kitchen! “

Chen Kai flipped the grilled fish skillfully: “That’s normal. There are only a few men who can cook… Those two over there even cook for their wives every day.”

While saying “those two”, he pointed straight at Chen Sen and Xu Shen…

…As if he didn’t realize that what he said was wrong.

Everyone tensed up and glanced at Chen Kai in horror, fearing that his mouth, which could not stay closed, would continue to say something astonishing!

Fang Jie felt the worst kind of pressure. Logically speaking, she should be surprised and ask: “Does Boss Xu also have a wife?! Where is she then?!”

But how weird would it be to ask that kind of question when the atmosphere was like that? And also, how weird would it be to not ask?!

So really, Chen Kai was…

After thinking about it, Fang Jie sighed and weakly said: “Does Boss Xu have a wife? Why haven’t I heard of it…”

“He does.” Shu Ran answered naturally and helpfully. As expected of a veteran, there was no trace of anything strange on his face: “And they’re very loving. Been together for several years, but unable to make it public for the time being, so outsiders just can’t know.”

“…”

Fang Jie couldn’t guess whether the other party had already acquiesced that she knew about it or was blatantly walking a tightrope in front of her. No matter which way it was, it was very admirable so she smiled and said: “I’m so envious!”

“What are you envious of? He hangs around his wife every day…” Chen Kai looked at Xu Shen and mocked him desperately: “He used to be such a majestic person, but now he has turned so bad that I can hardly remember what he was like before.”

“You can do it too…” Xu Shen lowered his eyes and used chopsticks to carefully pick out the fish bones in the meat, continuing slowly: “When you marry a wife in the future, if you have the ability, let her turn you around, otherwise…”

“Otherwise, what?” Chen Kai stared at the piece of cooked fish in Xu Shen’s hand.

“Otherwise.” Xu Shen put the fish meat into the bowl in front of Shu Ran, then looked at Chen Kai and laughed: “Forget it, you don’t even have a wife.”

Everyone snorted and lowered their heads, not daring to laugh. It was truly too damaging!

“You…!!” Chen Kai was too shy to get angry.

…After all, he was the one who laughed at Xu Shen first.

“You must be very happy to be around your wife…” Fang Jie tried to smooth things over, but couldn’t bear to see Chen Kai being embarrassed all by himself so she reluctantly changed the subject: “Is the fish already cooked?”

Chen Kai nodded quickly: “When it’s done, I’ll cut the meat for you to eat.”

Then she saw him holding a chopstick in each hand, deftly separating the fish meat from the bones: “Brush the sauce on it, and be careful about little bones.”

“Thank you.” Fang Jie couldn’t wait to try the fish baked by Chen Kai. The taste was indeed very good since the fish raised in mountain spring water did not have a muddy smell.

As Fang Jie ate, she recalled in her mind the strong forearms of the young fisherman, his focused eyes, and the joyful smile that bloomed in an instant after the successful catch…¹

Everyone chatted separately, paying attention to their lovers and occasionally greeting Fang Jie, but no one talked to Chen Kai. And so, Fang Jie had to keep him company since he was truly alone and completely ignored.

Those who were apt at private communication watched secretly, very happy in their hearts.

After eating and drinking, everyone looked sleepy.

Shu Ran poked Xu Shen’s waist and whispered: “Go and set up the tent, I want to sleep.”

“Well, I’ll go right away.” The responsible man immediately got up and went to set up the tent.

When Chen Sen and the others saw him, they also took action and quickly set up tents for their wives to rest.

“Well, I’ll go and help you…” Chen Kai turned to Fang Jie and said to her, but quickly got up and walked away, without giving anyone a chance to refuse.

Since the open space was very vast, everyone could choose the location they liked as they pleased. Xu Shen even went as far as choosing a corner that was hidden from everyone else’s view.

“So blatant, are you afraid that Miss Fang won’t be able to tell?” Shu Ran saw Xu Shen’s flirtatious behavior from a distance and quickly came over to remind him.

“Are you afraid?” Xu Shen looked over provocatively.

What was wrong was that he was blatantly worried about unnecessary things, but when it was time to come out and play, he still did nothing!

“It’s not that I’m afraid…” Shu Ran looked at the sky with a complicated expression: “I just don’t believe that Brother Kai can catch her.”

What if he couldn’t get her? Their secret was in Chen Kai’s inept hands, making him not feel at ease!

“With so many assists, if he still can’t charm a woman… Haha.” Xu Shen smiled and didn’t say anything further, but his slightly cold eyes said everything.

If Chen Kai really failed to live up to their expectations, he could only lay down and obediently accept a severe beating, keep his mouth shut, and never say another stupid word!

…Shu Ran couldn’t help but tremble, feeling worried about Chen Kai’s future in his heart!

On the surface, Xu Shen still set up two tents. However, one of them was used to store luggage. After all, he didn’t know if it would suddenly rain at night.

Lying down comfortably on the mattresses, the space was very spacious, enough to sleep two people. “Hey…” Climbing a mountain was indeed tiring, but after lying down, Shu Ran felt comfortable all over.

Immediately afterward, Xu Shen also got in, unscrewed the kettle for a drink, then turned to Shu Ran and asked him warmly: “Are you thirsty? Do you want water?”

“I just drank some.” Shu Ran shook his head.

“Okay.” Xu Shen put down the kettle and took off the sweaty top on his back, revealing his strong physique.

“It’s so hot, why don’t you go wash by the river?” Shu Ran asked.

“There are people outside. I’ll go after dark.” Xu Shen smiled nonchalantly while lying down next to Shu Ran. Ever since he promised his wife to never take off his clothes in front of other people, he had always abided by it. He would no longer show his shirtless chest or back to outsiders.

However, others didn’t have that worry. As Shu Ran was lying in the tent, he heard the sound of everyone playing in the water outside, talking and laughing. He wondered, were he and Xu Shen just a little too conservative?

In fact… They could also make exceptions occasionally, just to cool off, right?

“Brother Shen…” Shu Ran was about to make a move, poking Xu Shen’s arm: “I also want to go out and play in the water…”

However, Xu Shen immediately opened his eyes and looked at him with dark eyes.

“I can’t?” Shu Ran snorted.

“We’ll go in the evening.” Xu Shen came over and kissed him. “Aren’t you sleepy? Take a nap first.”

“Okay.” After looking at each other for a moment, Shu Ran obediently put away his anger.

“Be good.” Xu Shen pressed his lips on his forehead, with eyes full of love.

After thinking about it, Shu Ran also took off his shirt and went to sleep next to Xu Shen.

“It’s your fault that I keep sweating…” Xu Shen complained in a low voice but still hugged the baby with delicate and fair skin tightly.

After nightfall, everyone was tired from playing, going back to their tents to change clothes.

At that time, Shu Ran and Xu Shen came out slowly.

“You’re awake?” Chen Sen said. “We have finished washing and are preparing to have a bonfire party, drink and talk. You go and take a shower.”

“Okay.” Xu Shen responded and led Shu Ran to the waterfall.

Those who were sitting by the bonfire could never see all the way to the water. After getting in, Shu Ran’s arms immediately wrapped around Xu Shen’s neck, and Xu Shen’s arms also wrapped around Shu Ran. The two then kissed passionately by the waterfall.

Gradually, not even the cool stream of water would extinguish the burning fire in their hearts.

Xu Shen was so hot, like lava that had just come out of a volcanic crater, and the cold water surrounding them formed a sharp contrast, giving Shu Ran an even stronger feeling.

If there was no comparison while being submerged in cold water, he would never know how terrible his man’s temperature was!

It was so scary that Shu Ran almost thought that something was going to happen between them right there, feeling that everything was just too crazy! Even if Xu Shen really wanted it, he would definitely refuse…

Fortunately, Xu Shen was still sensible. After hugging and kissing for a while, he put Shu Ran to sit next to a stone to rest. Then, he returned to the waterfall and promptly accepted the holy baptism that could wash away the heat.

Shu Ran chuckled, and his two long legs played slowly in the water. Sometimes they came together and surfaced, and sometimes they picked up a handful of water, splashing it with his toes.

Even if the visibility was not high, he could still guess that Xu Shen must be staring straight at him…

…And sure enough, after a while, Xu Shen dragged him into the water and kissed him again.

“You’re seducing me.” Xu Shen breathed and said softly.

“So what?” Shu Ran hummed in a low voice, leaning against the stones behind him. Fortunately, the stones were washed away by water for many years and had smooth surfaces without any unevenness.

“I can’t help it.” Xu Shen swallowed a few times and sighed.

“You have to endure it.” Shu Ran suppressed a smile and kissed Xu Shen’s lips: “We can’t pollute the water.”

“You’re right.” Xu Shen said with difficulty, lowering his head and worrying: “What if I can’t keep it up in such cold water?”

“I’ll get angry, but there’s nothing I can do about it.” Shu Ran said seriously. “After all, my man is already thirty-one.”

The two hugged each other and laughed.

To be able to go ashore and meet people, Xu Shen consciously moved away. The two of them did not make physical contact. Or eye contact. Or any kind of imaginative sound… Really, only that method was effective!

After hanging around for half an hour, they returned to the campfire refreshed.

“Here, have a bowl of fish soup to warm your stomach.” Chen Sen and the others had already finished cooking fish soup, bringing it to them in bowls.

“Thank you.” Shu Ran and Xu Shen each hugged a bowl. They had just taken a cold bath and could now drink a bowl of hot fish soup. The taste was indescribably enjoyable.

“It tastes good.” The two of them glanced at each other with their peripheral vision and smiled secretly.

What else could be said about that fish soup?

It was milky white. Milky white nee~ ²

“Of course the fish your brother Kai caught is delicious!” Chen Kai diligently gave Fang Jie another half a bowl. “Don’t talk about losing weight. Being able to eat is a blessing! Besides, you are not fat at all… And it doesn’t matter how heavy a beautiful woman is! You’ll look good even with twenty more pounds!”

Everyone sighed. Chen Kai, that idiot… Finally said something pleasant!

“Nonsense.” Fang Jie said with a rare embarrassed smile.

“I’m serious.” Chen Kai looked at her seriously.

Fang Jie stopped talking and just smiled.

Everyone sighed in their hearts. Look, there were indeed benefits to being reckless! Chen Kai now had the capital to be confident.

“I haven’t felt so relaxed in many years.” Chen Sen sighed while holding a can of beer.

“You’re always busy.” Shu Ran said. “Getting married, having children, working on your career, and taking care of your family. You’re the busiest out of all of us.”

“Indeed, Brother Sen has more things to worry about than anyone else.” Xu Shen nodded.

“What am I then?! What do you think I’m doing?!” Chen Kai asked. Was it his fault that his brother was always busy?!

“Actually…” Xue Yan said suddenly. “I have always been curious about Brother Sen’s first love.”

Everyone pricked up their ears. Hey, could it be? Did Chen Sen never explain it to his wife after so many years of marriage?!

“I know that!” Chen Kai answered faster than anyone else.

Of course, his brother’s slap also came faster than anyone else’s: “Stop adding jealousy and exaggerating the facts!”

“No, I only told the truth!” Chen Kai pointed at him. “Didn’t she take half of your life, enough for you to think about her for ten years?!”

Shu Ran collapsed on Xu Shen with a smile. Damn! Half of his life was gone… He had been thinking about her for ten years… Chen Kai was really his brother’s good brother!!!

“Half of your life?!” Xue Yan looked at Chen Sen, her almond-shaped eyes widening.

“Don’t listen to his nonsense! It’s not because of heartbreak.” Chen Sen clarified: “It’s obviously because everything else was piled up together. I didn’t have time to think about finding another woman.”

He was very young at that time and had never suffered any setbacks, so of course, falling into despair was an easy thing to do.

“Yes, let me be fair on Brother Sen’s behalf.” Jiang Fan said. “Rather than saying that he has been thinking about her for ten years, it is better to say that Brother Sen has been blaming himself for ten years. The difficulties in his heart have not passed, so how can he develop feelings for someone else?” Then he looked at Xue Yan: “He married sister-in-law because everything else was finally fine. That’s obviously a sign of responsibility… Kaizi, you’re such a pig. You deserve to be unable to find a wife!”

“I also stand by Brother Sen.” Shu Ran sat cross-legged on the ground, took a sip of beer, and continued: “Mature men should understand that when you don’t know your heart yourself, you shouldn’t rashly drag another person to carry it with you. Brother Sen, well done!”

“I’m bad with words, so you all have spoken for me.” Chen Sen grinned, raised his beer, and saluted everyone: “Done.” After finishing the drink, he turned to kiss his wife and said: “You use your own man for fun, ah.”

“You already said you’re bad with words. You just didn’t tell me carefully.” Xue Yan answered with a smile. She actually didn’t care before since it was all in the past anyway. However, she still felt a little bit more comfortable now.

“You all have such big mouths…” Shu Ran wanted to say that it hadn’t all been smooth sailing for his own Brother Shen either, but since Fang Jie was there, he shut his mouth in time.

Xu Shen seemed to know what he wanted to say, turned around, raised his eyebrows, and smiled.

“It’s really nice to be able to confess so openly!” Liang Jia Yi held her face in her hands. “The night Brother Fan confessed to me, I was really surprised! I didn’t expect Mainland boys to be so direct and not very conservative.”

“Maybe birds of a feather flock together?” Shu Ran said in order to be fair: “Actually, most of them are conservative, finding it hard to confess to someone they like.”

He pointed at the circle of men present but excluded Chen Kai. “Everyone here is direct. If you like someone, you just like them… Unlike some coward who never says what he should say but talks the most when he shouldn’t.”

“Hahaha!” Even if he never mentioned someone, every sentence clearly referred directly to someone.

Chen Kai blushed: “…”

Those bastards!

They just knew how to bully him together!

And so, eight people gathered around the campfire that night, looking at the stars and talking a lot. Everyone hoped that they would have the opportunity to hang out together more often in the future.

After all, they were no longer young, and having free time was now a luxury.

Chen Kai’s tent was next to Fang Jie’s. When sleeping at night, everyone stayed in pairs… Only the two of them had a tent to themselves. Chen Kai even went as far as to say to her: “Don’t be afraid, I’m right next door to you. Just call me if you need anything.”

Fang Jie: “Oh, okay.”

The night was peaceful and nothing happened.

The next day, the group of people left the mountain camp and went to the last stop of their trip. It was a place with beautiful scenery, perfect to take many beautiful photos. At that point, the several busy bosses concluded their entire trip with satisfaction, heading back home.

They didn’t know when the next opportunity to hang out together might arrive. And so, the end of the trip concluded just like that. Full of melancholy.

Back in the city, Kaizi, the one who had been severely ridiculed, seemed to have also been enlightened. He expressed his feelings to Fang Jie directly in person and then began to pursue her seriously.

He knew that was the correct way to find a wife!

Everyone hoped that he would be able to hug the beauty as soon as possible… Or at least bring her home…

…Anyway, the Chen family was very happy.

School was also about to start, so Jiang Fan and Liang Jia Yi could no longer stay, having to return to Hong Kong. Based on his own impressions, Shu Ran carefully wrote a list and handed it to Jiang Fan and his wife when they were sent to the airport. He intimately told them: “The black names belong to people who can be used. If you have the chance to sign them, do it. The red names belong to the ones you definitely have to sign… And the rest… Is best to keep some distance away from them.”

“Where… Where did you get this list?!” Jiang Fan was extremely surprised.

“Oh, I sent someone out to inquire.” Shu Ran could only say that.

“The news is reliable, don’t worry.” Xu Shen also said.

Jiang Fan stopped asking questions and said with emotion: “Okay, you’re still careful and consider everything.”

Shu Ran smiled: “You guys are on your own over there, so be careful.”

“Well, take care, everyone!” Jiang Fan said with a serious expression, hugging them goodbye: “It may take more than half a year for us to come back.”

“Okay, take care!”

After hugging each other one by one, Shu Ran and Xu Shen watched them off and turned around to leave. After an unknown amount of time, Xu Shen put his arm around Shu Ran’s shoulders and shook them: “Let’s also go back.”

“It’s strange…” Shu Ran smiled and said. “We don’t see each other very often, and we’re busy with our own affairs, but at this moment, we’re still full of sorrow to separate.”

“Because you care about everyone in your heart.” Xu Shen said softly.

“But I’m actually very happy.” Shu Ran blinked: “Everyone is about to truly start their own lives, and we’ll no longer be led forward by anyone.”

It really made Shu Ran feel very touched and indescribably happy. He was content and satisfied, but he also wanted his friends to find their own happiness and achieve their goals.

“Getting together and falling apart is normal. Only we will always be together.” Xu Shen touched Shu Ran’s hair.

That was it. Shu Ran was indeed very lucky that Xu Shen would always be by his side.

“Well…” He looked at Xu Shen. “Let’s also go back.”

When Jiang Fan and his wife arrived in Hong Kong, they immediately reported to everyone that they were safe. Afterward, Jiang Fan sent his wife back to school, and he officially started working in Hong Kong.

Three months later, the three scripts that Shu Ran and Xu Shen bet on were released in Hong Kong cinemas one after another, and all of them did well at the box office. Unexpectedly, the one with the best results turned out to be one that Xu Shen couldn’t even watch.

That nonsensical ghost movie.

“I won!” Shu Ran laughed and said.

“And I’m willing to admit defeat.” Although Xu Shen couldn’t figure out how that could even happen… But since he lost, then he lost. He asked readily: “Tell me, what kind of reward do you want?”

“This is really difficult for me.” Shu Ran looked at the man who was completely obedient to him, racking his brains: “I need to have something that I lack first before asking you for anything…”

“It’s good that you know.” Xu Shen’s tone sounded quite proud. He responded to Shu Ran’s every request, and Shu Ran certainly couldn’t think of anything that he truly lacked.

“So… It’s no fun to bet against you!” Shu Ran glared at him.

“I’m different.” Xu Shen said. “I think no matter what I do with you, it’s interesting.”

Those three films were soon introduced to Mainland cinemas and also became very popular. Shu Ran and Xu Shen went to see them. After watching for a while, Xu Shen still felt the need to comment: “A fast-food movie with no logic or practical significance… How can it even withstand careful viewing?!”

“That’s what commercial movies are like. It’s not about winning awards.” Shu Ran was used to the Hong Kong movies of that period, pleased to find out that they still had the same flavor he was familiar with.

There were also directors who made films that Xu Shen might call meaningful, but they simply didn’t reach a wide audience.

“You read and study every day… Maybe you should try and direct a movie yourself.” Xu Shen encouraged him.

“Well, I do have this plan.” Shu Ran also felt like chatting.. “When the weather gets warmer, I’ll organize the filming of a public welfare documentary.”

Over the years, they have invested in building many schools and so on. However, he had no idea what those donations turned into… Really, what was the specific situation?

Shu Ran planned to take the team for a walk when the weather warmed up and make a documentary about rural children from that era.

Xu Shen smiled: “Others use short films to practice, and you jump straight to filming documentaries as soon as you get started.”

“Who told me to have such good conditions?” Shu Ran also smiled.

“Who are you going to take with you?” Xu Shen was wondering if he could find time to participate, but he was really busy… Busy making money for his wife, the one who had too many things that he wanted to do, all of them extremely expensive! Good conditions indeed…

“Let’s organize some people with lofty ideals first. Wait for me to send out the news slowly.” Shu Ran said.

Soon after, many people received Shu Ran’s call.

The first was President Wu, who had long retired at home. After all, all the funds for building the schools have gone through his hands. When he received the news, he excitedly agreed: “Hey, okay! Count me in!”

He was not yet seventy years old and still in good health. It was not a problem to follow Shu Ran out in the fields.

Lu Di and other writers who were close friends also received Shu Ran’s sincere invitation, and everyone’s reactions were relatively positive. Soon the newspapers also published about it, letting everyone know that Writer Shu was going to cause trouble again…

They all knew that Writer Shu did not have any big hobbies. His only hobby was to spend money. On poor people, children, old women, and veterans. He could be found everywhere!

Even becoming very famous over the years and responding to hundreds of calls.

Many students also wanted to volunteer to come, but Shu Ran refused them, saying that it would delay their studies since it was not during the winter and summer vacations.

And so, all the rejected students could only regret that they were not graduates who could participate in that meaningful matter. Most of those students were also fans of Shu Ran’s books. Some of them even grew up reading his books and listening to his stories.

They seemed to regard Shu Ran as sort of an idol.

However, Shu Ran always had mixed feelings every time he received letters from those students. Unknowingly, his influence had been immeasurable, and his every move had been imitated by thousands of impressionable children.

It was a lot of pressure…

…After all, one day, he still planned to announce his relationship with Xu Shen. He never expected the public to understand them, only hoping that the impact that news would bring could be sort of positive.

It was March once again. Both Shu Ran and Xu Shen remembered their niece’s birthday, wanting to send her an early gift. Sure enough, the little niece called right after receiving her present, and the call turned into a long conversation.

By the way, they learned from her that Zhang Yunsheng’s company was laying off employees, causing people to panic. It was not just her father’s unit, but also the whole country.

Fortunately, Zhang Yunsheng was now at the department level, so he could not be affected.

After hanging up the phone, Xu Shen sighed in confusion: “Why is the unit laying off employees?”

State-owned enterprises were known as iron rice bowls… That incident was about to shatter many people’s dreams of having job security.

“Times are developing, and state-owned enterprises are also reforming.” Shu Ran said. “No job is guaranteed. The world is changing too fast, so people have to learn to hop around like rabbits. Otherwise, they’ll be caught off guard when something unexpected happens.”

“Be prepared for danger in times of peace.” Xu Shen nodded.

“So I won’t do the same job as you.” Shu Ran smiled wisely. If one day the business failed then he, the famous Writer Shu, could get back on his feet by relying on his fame.

“That’s right.” Xu Shen pinched his face. “Your husband might become worthless.”

“Be prepared for danger in times of peace.” Shu Ran stole Xu Shen’s line.

Shu Ran still remembered the horrific wave of layoffs that was about to happen in the 1990s… So he was thinking, if there was no promotion in sight for his brother-in-law, he might as well resign and come do business with them. It was better than getting laid off as soon as he reached middle age.

But it was fine for now. The small family was still living a peaceful life and there was no need for them to worry.