As Han Shao Zhou returned from the hallway, he noticed Zhao Cheng sitting on the sofa, staring at his phone with a look of utter disbelief, as if he had just seen something incredible. Taking advantage of Zhao Cheng’s distraction, Han Shao Zhou sneaked up and locked his arm around Zhao Cheng’s neck, causing him to yelp in pain.
“Ow, ow, Old Han! My neck’s about to break!” Zhao Cheng howled.
Han Shao Zhou tightened his grip, grinning as he said, “Listen up, Zhao Cheng. As of today, my relationship with Mo Ming has officially upgraded from lovers to boyfriends. What you said about that painting from Wen Zhongchong was my grandfather’s misunderstanding. I’ve already cleared things up with him, so there’s no chance between Wen Ci and me. If you dare to mock my feelings for Mo Ming again, you’d better be ready to become my human punching bag.”
With that, Han Shao Zhou released Zhao Cheng, picked up a glass of wine from the table, and leaned back on the sofa, looking quite satisfied with himself.
Zhao Cheng, rubbing his sore neck, didn’t even have time to protest before he blurted out in surprise, “Damn, you two are moving fast! You’re already official?”
“It’s been three years, and you call that fast?” Han Shao Zhou replied.
“It’s not about the time.” Zhao Cheng said, still shocked. “The first time you mentioned Mo Ming, you said he was just someone to pass the time with. And the last time we were at the restaurant, you seriously emphasized that you two were in a kept relationship. It hasn’t been that long since then.”
Han Shao Zhou took a leisurely sip of his drink. “Did I say that? I don’t remember.”
“…”
“Don’t worry about what I said before. Just know that now, I’m Mo Ming’s boyfriend.”
“So this is a case of the stand-in becoming the real deal, and true feelings emerging from a kept relationship.” Zhao Cheng remarked. Then, as if something had just occurred to him, he glanced down at his phone and then looked back up at Han Shao Zhou with a complex expression. “But Old Han, are you sure Mo Ming really loves you?”
Hearing this, Han Shao Zhou raised an eyebrow. He poured himself another glass of wine and said slowly, “He can’t live without me now. I’m pushing our relationship forward to give him some security. Sometimes I feel bad for him—loving someone so humbly.”
Han Shao Zhou took a sip of his wine, leaning back against the sofa, exhaling softly. “It’s lucky for him that I’m soft-hearted. If he’d ended up with someone else first, he wouldn’t have had this kind of luck. But he’s proven himself, and he’s made me happy these past few years. I don’t mind being in a relationship with him.”
Zhao Cheng frowned slightly. “Old Han, just out of curiosity, what’s your take on that Gao Chen guy now?”
“Gao Chen?” Han Shao Zhou shot a cold glance at Zhao Cheng. “Why bring him up all of a sudden?”
“I’m just asking. I remember you had quite a bit of bad blood with him back in the day—almost got into a fight.”
Recalling that long-buried past, Han Shao Zhou spoke calmly. “Yeah, I didn’t like him back then, but now? I’ve forgotten all about him. He’s nothing to me now, and even mentioning his name is more attention than he deserves.”
Hearing this, Zhao Cheng realized that Han Shao Zhou still harbored some dislike for Gao Chen, even if he no longer saw him as a rival. The deep-seated resentment from those days hadn’t completely faded.
“What’s with you?” Han Shao Zhou noticed Zhao Cheng’s previously lively demeanor had turned into a complex expression as he stared at his phone. “Constipated?”
Zhao Cheng looked at Han Shao Zhou, his eyes filled with a mix of sympathy. “Old Han, your boyfriend was caught on camera having a secret rendezvous with Gao Chen.”
The wine glass froze at Han Shao Zhou’s lips as he stared at Zhao Cheng. “Who?”
Zhao Cheng didn’t mince words. “Your boyfriend—who else? Mo Ming. He was photographed meeting Gao Chen late at night.”
“Bullshit!” Han Shao Zhou slammed the wine glass onto the table. “If you keep this up, I’ll drag you to the crematorium right now, and I’m not kidding!”
“You’re getting all worked up for nothing. See for yourself—there are pictures.” Zhao Cheng said, handing his phone over to Han Shao Zhou. The headline on the news story blared: “Gao Chen Serenades a New Love—Guess Who It Is?!” Below the dense block of text were several photos. The dim streetlights illuminated Mo Ming, sitting on a stone table in a secluded pavilion, gazing into the distance, while Gao Chen, with a guitar in hand, sat on a nearby bench. One of the photos even captured the two seemingly engaged in conversation, with Mo Ming turning to look at Gao Chen and Gao Chen looking back at him. The captured moment, set against the serene night, had a strangely tender and romantic feel to it…
Han Shao Zhou’s fingers froze over the screen. Zhao Cheng reached over to scroll down for him, saying, “There’s even a video. They’re too far away to hear what they’re saying, but Gao Chen’s playing that new song of his… Now do you believe me? Still thinking of dragging me to the crematorium?”
Han Shao Zhou didn’t respond. He squinted at the video, recognizing Mo Ming’s outfit and the familiar pavilion in the background. He instantly realized that this was the same park where he and Mo Ming had gone for a walk the previous night…
So, before he’d gone to meet Mo Ming, Mo Ming had been with Gao Chen?!
“Uh…” Zhao Cheng noticed the frost forming in Han Shao Zhou’s eyes and couldn’t help but offer, “You know how these gossip reporters love to exaggerate. The headline says ‘rendezvous,’ but I didn’t see anything intimate in the video. They could just be regular friends…”
Han Shao Zhou turned his head slowly, staring coldly at Zhao Cheng.
Seeing Han Shao Zhou’s icy expression, Zhao Cheng quickly added, “I swear I didn’t know anything about this. I only saw it online after you went to make that call.”
Han Shao Zhou fixed his gaze on Zhao Cheng, his voice stiff as he asked, “How do they even know each other?”
“…”
“Why is Gao Chen playing his new song for Mo Ming?”
“Uh… Old Han, calm down.” Zhao Cheng said, patting Han Shao Zhou’s shoulder. “You should ask Mo Ming about it when you get home. Don’t just believe what the tabloids say. Mo Ming likes you so much—he’d never do anything to betray you. This has to be some kind of misunderstanding.”
Han Shao Zhou handed the phone back to Zhao Cheng and stormed out of the bar.
“Don’t jump to conclusions. Find out what’s going on first.” Zhao Cheng called after him. “Remember, you’re Mo Ming’s boyfriend now.”
Han Shao Zhou’s figure quickly disappeared through the exit, and Zhao Cheng glanced back down at his phone, shaking his head in disbelief. “Gao Chen really knows how to stir the pot, doesn’t he? He’s always messing with Old Han…”
The video and photos of Mo Ming and Gao Chen’s “secret rendezvous” spread like wildfire, dominating entertainment headlines within half an hour. With Gao Chen already in the spotlight thanks to his viral new song, the rumor of a new relationship only fueled the gossip frenzy.
A former husband of Wen Ci and a former lover of Han Shao Zhou meeting alone at night? The potential implications were enough to make the gossip-hungry masses salivate with excitement.
“So sweet! I love seeing two handsome guys in love!”
“I don’t see anything particularly intimate in the video. Maybe they’re just friends? These clickbait headlines are ridiculous.”
“There’s definitely something going on! Why else would they meet in such a secluded spot at night? One plays, the other listens—if that’s not love, what is?!”
“This is shocking! If Gao Chen is with Mo Ming now, does that mean Han Shao Zhou and Wen Ci are next?”
“Remember when Gao Chen married Wen Ci and said Wen Ci would always be the first to hear his new songs? Who would’ve thought…”
“What’s there to be shocked about? It just shows Gao Chen truly loved Wen Ci back then. Who could have predicted they’d end up divorced? But honestly, I’m dying to know what happened during those three years of marriage.”
“I have a terrifying theory. Could Gao Chen be with Mo Ming because he looks like Wen Ci, just like Han Shao Zhou was back then?”
“Ah, don’t say that! It’s breaking my heart! What did my precious Mo Ming do to deserve such a tragic fate? I already hate Han Shao Zhou for being a jerk, but if Gao Chen’s using Mo Ming as a stand-in too, I’ll tear him apart!”
“By the way, these photos are really artistic—two handsome guys looking perfect together!”
“Not just perfect, but a perfect match!”
…
On the drive back to his apartment, Han Shao Zhou re-watched the video online, nearly crushing his phone in his grip.
He couldn’t fathom how Mo Ming and Gao Chen knew each other—these two were from entirely different worlds.
He knew Mo Ming was hopelessly devoted to him, so it was impossible that anything was going on with Gao Chen. But the fact that Mo Ming had gone behind his back to meet with another man was enough to make his blood boil—especially when that man was Gao Chen, the one who had stolen his first love three years ago!
With that past hanging over him, how could he not be furious and anxious?
The scandal hadn’t been out long before Gao Chen’s studio issued a statement, clarifying that he and Mo Ming were just friends and that Mo Ming had kindly agreed to give feedback on Gao Chen’s new song at his request.
Not long after, Gao Chen’s studio sent legal notices to several media outlets that had falsely reported on the rumored relationship or suggested that Gao Chen had cheated on Wen Ci with Mo Ming during their marriage, stating that they would pursue legal action. The media outlets quickly apologized and retracted their claims.
Unlike in the past, when Gao Chen’s studio had stayed silent during waves of online hate, this time, they acted swiftly and decisively, effectively curbing the spread of negative rumors.
Looking at the lingering malicious comments on various videos, Gao Chen’s expression grew troubled. He knew Mo Ming would likely see these if he went online.
Mo Ming had done him a huge favor, and Gao Chen hadn’t even had the chance to properly thank him, yet now he was caught up in this mess.
“Brother Cheng, I’m going to skip tonight’s dinner.” Gao Chen told his manager. “I just remembered something I need to take care of.”
…
Han Shao Zhou barely restrained himself from calling Mo Ming on the way back, determined to confront him face-to-face instead. When he arrived at the apartment, he burst through the door unexpectedly.
Mo Ming, who had been lounging on the sofa watching a movie, was caught off guard. He instinctively hid a small bottle of soup behind his back, looking up at Han Shao Zhou with a sheepish smile. “You’re back early, Shao Zhou…”
Han Shao Zhou glanced at the two empty bottles on the coffee table and then at the one Mo Ming was hiding behind his back. His expression darkened further.
“Hand it over.”
Mo Ming bit his lip, his voice small as he tried to plead, “Shao Zhou…”
“Do I need to say it twice?”
Mo Ming sniffed and reluctantly handed over the unopened bottle of soup.
“I told you to cut back, and here you are, sneaking in this much behind my back.” Han Shao Zhou said, his anger rising. “What, not worried about getting nosebleeds again?”
Mo Ming hung his head. “I couldn’t help it… I won’t do it again.”
“You—” Han Shao Zhou began, but then remembered the real reason he had come back. He cursed under his breath.
Damn, he almost got sidetracked!
Han Shao Zhou sat down on the sofa and pulled up the scandal on his phone, tossing it into Mo Ming’s lap. “Take a look at this.”
Mo Ming picked up the phone, and after a few moments, he chuckled. “It’s all nonsense. He just asked me to listen to his new song, that’s all.”
Seeing the fury in Han Shao Zhou’s eyes, Mo Ming quickly erased the smile from his face, his voice dropping. “That’s really all it was.”
“How well do you know him?” Han Shao Zhou demanded. “Gao Chen hasn’t even been in Chuanhai for a month, right? How often have you two met?”
Mo Ming shook his head. “We’ve only met twice.”
Han Shao Zhou shot to his feet, his temper flaring like an enraged lion. “Twice? After two meetings, he’s asking you to listen to his song? After two meetings, you’re sneaking off to a secluded park at night with him?!”
Mo Ming hurried to explain, “There’s nothing between us, I swear.”
Han Shao Zhou didn’t doubt that there was nothing going on between them. What infuriated him—and even made him uneasy—was Mo Ming’s complete lack of concern for maintaining boundaries with other men and the unnerving speed at which he had connected with Gao Chen.
“Why do you trust him so much? You’ve only met him twice, and you’re already comfortable enough to go to a place like that with him.”
Mo Ming hesitated, then lowered his head without saying a word.
Seeing Mo Ming’s silence only fueled Han Shao Zhou’s anger.
It was like that night all over again—nothing had really happened, but it still drove him into a state of restless frustration, a feeling of helpless fury…
“And why didn’t you tell me last night? Did you think it wasn’t important, or were you deliberately hiding it from me?”
Mo Ming stared at the carpet, still saying nothing.
“Have you grown bolder now? Do you really think that just because I spoil you, I’ll forgive you no matter what you do?”
As he looked at Mo Ming, who remained silent and downcast, Han Shao Zhou’s anger bubbled over, his fists clenching so tightly they creaked. He barked, “Answer me!”
Mo Ming closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then looked up at Han Shao Zhou, his expression calm. “I understand. I’m sorry. I was wrong. It won’t happen again.”
The robotic, almost perfunctory apology made Han Shao Zhou’s temples throb with frustration.
For a split second, he thought he saw a flicker of irritation in Mo Ming’s eyes…
Mo Ming sighed softly and forced down the discomfort in his heart. He stood up, his expression gentle. “You haven’t had dinner yet, have you? Let me make something for you, okay?”
Seeing the tension still etched on Han Shao Zhou’s face, Mo Ming stepped forward and wrapped his arms around his waist, looking up at him with a warm smile. “I really am sorry, Shao Zhou. It won’t happen again. How about some tomato pasta?”
He stood on his tiptoes and planted a light kiss on Han Shao Zhou’s lips before heading towards the kitchen, murmuring to himself, “Hmm… I think I ran out of tomatoes. But I might have some mushrooms left, so maybe…”
“Let’s break up.”
Han Shao Zhou’s voice was calm and firm, stopping Mo Ming in his tracks. He turned around to see Han Shao Zhou standing there, expressionless.
Straightening his collar, Han Shao Zhou walked towards the door with cold indifference.
As he brushed past Mo Ming, he deliberately bumped his shoulder, leaving him with a final icy remark: “You’ve really disappointed me.”
Mo Ming closed his eyes, and a moment later, the sound of the apartment door slamming shut echoed through the room.
The apartment fell into a sudden, deafening silence.
The hallway was equally still.
In the corridor leading to the elevator, Han Shao Zhou’s steps slowed to a crawl as he mentally counted down, “One, two, three, four… forty-one, forty-two, forty-three…”
Damn it!
Why hadn’t Mo Ming come running after him yet?!
Be my Patron ~ Buy me Ko-Fi
────୨ৎ────
Update Schedule : 1 Chapter every 4 days~
────୨ৎ────
✨Be a part of the story – support my translations✨
✨Buy me some Ko-FI | Paypal to support my effort✨
✨✨Advance chapter at Patreon✨✨
![There’s a Beauty [Ancient Wear Modern]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image_2023-11-22_095131618.png "There’s a Beauty [Ancient Wear Modern]")
