Shan Yu’s ambiguous behavior was like fishing; beneath the delicious bait were all hurtful hooks.

Wan Qiu felt the tug on his finger as if struck by thunder. For a moment, numbness tingled down his spine, and he quickly withdrew his hand and turned around.

“Husband, aren’t you going out to buy New Year’s goods? It’s getting late; just go quickly.”

Shan Yu hesitated for a moment, suddenly feeling left out.

Wan Qiu not only avoided his closeness but had been distant these days—turning away in bed and even abandoning their secret kissing sessions.

Shan Yu didn’t know what troubled Wan Qiu but felt too awkward to ask.

He reached out, slipped his arm around Wan Qiu’s waist from behind, rested his chin on his shoulder, and glanced sideways at the shuanger with furrowed brows. “Are you really not coming with me?”

Wan Qiu shook his head, their ears brushing against each other, cheeks-tinged pink.

“Let’s go then; what’s the point of you staying home alone?” Shan Yu urged gently, his gaze lingering on Wan Qiu’s lips.

Rosy and soft.

Shan Yu’s throat tightened. He recalled those secretive kisses, light or passionate, late at night. His arms around Wan Qiu’s waist tightened involuntarily. Before he knew it, his lips pressed against Wan Qiu’s neck.

White, delicate, warm, with a hint of soap.

“Wan Qiu.” Shan Yu closed his eyes, unable to hold back. He kissed Wan Qiu’s neck, pressing his chest against his back. He whispered, “Come out with me, okay? I don’t want to be alone… too lazy to shop.”

His words were warm, the ambiguity softening Wan Qiu.

“…What about Lian Zhou?” Wan Qiu’s neck tickled from Shan Yu’s kisses. Blushing, he lowered his head and asked softly, “Is he coming?”

“Forget about him.” Shan Yu kissed Wan Qiu’s cheek deeply. “Forget him.”

.

As Chinese New Year approached, streets adorned with lanterns and colorful decorations buzzed with hawkers and laughter, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Shan Yu led Wan Qiu through bustling streets. Stalls lined the roadside, offering tempting treats like fragrant hot wontons, filling the air with their savory aroma, enticing passersby.

“These wontons smell amazing. Want to try some?” Shan Yu asked Wan Qiu. As expected, he shook his head, whispering, “Wontons are expensive here, fifteen cents per bowl. With that money, I could buy plenty…”

“Always worrying,” Shan Yu chuckled, scratching Wan Qiu’s nose. Naturally, he pulled him close to avoid the crowd, smiling, “I want to eat. Let’s indulge first. Forget about costs. Do you want some wontons?”

“Husband, we still need to…”

“Then I’ll eat them myself; you can watch.”

Moments later…

Wan Qiu savored a wonton fed by Shan Yu; cheeks puffed out in delight. “Mmm~ Delicious!”

Shan Yu smiled and signaled the vendor for another bowl.

.

With time-travelers appearing one after another in town, the street market thrived with exceptional liveliness.

Shan Yu felt homesick. Whenever he spotted anything from modern times, he purchased it, regardless of utility, to console himself and ease his longing.

Wan Qiu pondered as they walked, watching Shan Yu spend money like water.

Shan Yu took out a few coins and asked the clerk to help deliver the items to the medical clinic. Wan Qiu had been nagging him so much that he developed a headache, prompting him to take him to a secluded corner for a frank conversation.

“Don’t you like the things I bought for you?”

Wan Qiu didn’t understand why Shan Yu was asking, so he nodded and said he liked them.

“Aren’t you happy then?”

“Yes, I’m happy.”

“Since you like them and you’re happy, why do you keep saying you don’t want me to buy them? If they make you happy, why do you keep objecting?”

Shan Yu couldn’t grasp it and was earnestly seeking understanding from Wan Qiu: “I spend money to make us happy. Since you’re happy, why do you say otherwise?”

Shan Yu’s tone was gentle, but emotionally, he was starting to push back.

Wan Qiu was accustomed to saving and had a fear of poverty. Unlike Shan Yu and Lian Zhou, his view on money was strictly practical.

Seeing Shan Yu’s displeased expression, Wan Qiu knew he was upset. He lowered his head timidly and said, “Husband, I’m sorry…”

“What did you do wrong?”

“I… I shouldn’t always talk about money and make you unhappy…”

“Does it make me unhappy?” Shan Yu frowned. “I’ve told you many times, money is meant to be spent. I opened the clinic to support our family, including you and our child. If you’re not willing to spend on yourself or our child, I will spend it elsewhere. It’ll save you the trouble and give you more free time.”

He was straightforward with low emotional intelligence, a touch of machismo, and a strong sense of responsibility. He believed he should bear the weight for those he cared about and solve all problems on his own, seeing it as a mark of true manliness.

Subconsciously, Shan Yu wanted the best for Wan Qiu. He disliked when he would buy something like candied haws and then say it was a waste of money. He had advised Wan Qiu many times not to always think about money; it was futile.

It left him feeling quite dejected.

Wan Qiu initially felt happy, but after inadvertently making Shan Yu angry by discussing money, he felt defeated and teary-eyed.

While resentful of constantly being disliked, he also feared Shan Yu. He hung his head, staring at his toes, afraid to voice his frustration.

He appeared like a wronged little wife.

Shan Yu glanced at Wan Qiu, unable to hold his head up after hearing what he said. He sighed softly and pulled him into his arms. “Alright, I just want you to not take money so seriously. There’s no other meaning behind it. Don’t do this. When others see it, they might think I’m mistreating you.”

Shan Yu had said a lot, but at least one sentence had struck a chord.

It was because he was unwilling to spend Shan Yu’s money, someone else would. He had seen Lian Zhou with a golden jade forehead. It must worth a lot of money.

From then, when he saw something, he liked and wanted, Wan Qiu didn’t hold back. He tentatively mentioned it to Shan Yu, who got everything except one thing…

“You’re a grown man, why are you buying blush and cosmetics?” Shan Yu was utterly repulsed. The thought of Wan Qiu painting his cheeks, eyes, and lips sent shivers down his spine; he refused to buy them for him.

Wan Qiu couldn’t bear to hear Shan Yu say he was a man. He held a box of rouge and said plaintively, “Other shuangers use these too. I’ve never had the chance to dress up…”

Shan Yu couldn’t accept it. Who would think that a guy would use blush and makeup to modify his appearance?

Wan Qiu was already inferior in appearance. He didn’t have the chance to buy them before, but now that he finally had the money, Shan Yu wouldn’t buy them for him.

He felt unhappy.