The Long Road Ahead: C59

House

This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

_{Upon hearing this, Xiao Ning reflexively looked at Shan Haiming. And as expected, he asked Xiao Ning, "You want to buy a house?"}
After rushing home to get Xiaohei and Tangtang fed, Xiao Ning made his way downstairs and waited with a package in hand. The time he had to wait for wasn't long, as Shan Haiming and Wang Hua soon arrived.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ning reflexively looked at Shan Haiming. And as expected, he asked Xiao Ning, "You want to buy a house?"

_{"Well, you actually don't need to go through the trouble of doing all that." Sun Rouyan covered her mouth and whispered, "President Shan already did that for your Wang-{ge} by adjusting his salary. It seemed to have been doubled."}Xiao Ning returned a smile as he handed over the gift he had brought. "This is for you, sister-in-law. I didn't know what to buy, but I figured something to eat would be more important than anything else, so I got these."

"Well, you actually don't need to go through the trouble of doing all that." Sun Rouyan covered her mouth and whispered, "President Shan already did that for your Wang-ge by adjusting his salary. It seemed to have been doubled."

_{Shan Haiming tilted his head as he stared at Xiao Ning for a moment, seeming as if he didn't know what to say—as if he had something done behind his back. If Shan Haiming asked Xiao Ning right then what was the reason behind it, even the words "just as an investment, that's all" would be an answer he couldn't give.}iana: that smug bastard is going to ride this whispered "I love you" high for eternity:)

Shan Haiming tilted his head as he stared at Xiao Ning for a moment, seeming as if he didn't know what to say—as if he had something done behind his back. If Shan Haiming asked Xiao Ning right then what was the reason behind it, even the words "just as an investment, that's all" would be an answer he couldn't give.

_{Xiao Ning's ability to speak now straight-up faltered.}
Getting into the backseat, he smiled and said, "You guys got here earlier than I thought. Was there no traffic?"

Xiao Ning's ability to speak now straight-up faltered.

_{"Yep. They've already been issued their visas," replied Shan Haiming.}
"There were a lot of cars when we first got to the city, but the traffic situation was still good." Wang Hua chuckled as he spoke, then added, "You don't need to worry about traffic on the way to my house either. It's not far from here."

"Yep. They've already been issued their visas," replied Shan Haiming.

_{Wang Hua was obviously in high spirits as he led the two back to his house, and once there, Sun Rouyan, his wife, opened the door while wearing an apron to greet them. "You guys made it here at the perfect time; all the food's almost done. It's just a bit more until everything's done cooking, so we'll all eat then."}Wu Yi and Shan Yisong had planned a vacation to Greece, so they had agreed to go back the coming weekend for a get-together with everyone. The reason for them deciding to leave at such a point in time was an effort to allow Shan Haihong to take the lead on Rihua's current big project.

Wang Hua was obviously in high spirits as he led the two back to his house, and once there, Sun Rouyan, his wife, opened the door while wearing an apron to greet them. "You guys made it here at the perfect time; all the food's almost done. It's just a bit more until everything's done cooking, so we'll all eat then."

_{"I can sell it to you for the price she bought it for at the time, without accounting for inflation since we know each other. But it has been renovated and the furnishings are brand new, so the price won't be low." In a business-like manner, Shan Haiming went on, "So I'll give it to you for five hundred thousand. Non-negotiable."}Sun Rouyan couldn't help but let out a chuckle, followed by her standing up. "Alright, everything should be done in the kitchen now. Wang Hua will come to help me set the table, and Xiao Ning can help by keeping Yating and President Shan company."

"I can sell it to you for the price she bought it for at the time, without accounting for inflation since we know each other. But it has been renovated and the furnishings are brand new, so the price won't be low." In a business-like manner, Shan Haiming went on, "So I'll give it to you for five hundred thousand. Non-negotiable."

_{When the two walked into the house, they were hit by the aroma of the cooking food that had permeated every inch of the air. Shan Haiming then said politely, "Hello, and pardon the intrusion."}
"It's been so long since I had Sister-in-law's cooking. I'm going to eat something really nice today." As he said this, Xiao Ning was looking at Shan Haiming, who was resting with eyes closed. But as if that man had felt his gaze on him, he raised the brows of his still-shut eyes and asked Xiao Ning, "Are you hungry?"

When the two walked into the house, they were hit by the aroma of the cooking food that had permeated every inch of the air. Shan Haiming then said politely, "Hello, and pardon the intrusion."

_{With one sentence, Xiao Ning, who wanted to tag along and help, was pushed back onto the sofa.}Xiao Ning was both surprised and amused upon hearing that Wang-ge of his reasoning, saying, "I'm already this much of an adult; how could sexuality be the kind of thing I can easily be 'led astray' into doing? He never said anything. If he did, I would've explained to him earlier that I've always liked men."

With one sentence, Xiao Ning, who wanted to tag along and help, was pushed back onto the sofa.

_{Xiao Ning looked at him helplessly, but he had no intention of giving in.}
Xiao Ning smiled and then asked, "Did everything go along smoothly on your end?"

Xiao Ning looked at him helplessly, but he had no intention of giving in.

_{Wu Yi and Shan Yisong had planned a vacation to Greece, so they had agreed to go back the coming weekend for a get-together with everyone. The reason for them deciding to leave at such a point in time was an effort to allow Shan Haihong to take the lead on Rihua's current big project.}"Oh, it's nothing. By the way, did you know that Wang-ge of yours had been beating himself up in the beginning?" Sun Ruoyan said with a sigh. "When he found out about what was going on between you and President Shan, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had done you wrong."

Wu Yi and Shan Yisong had planned a vacation to Greece, so they had agreed to go back the coming weekend for a get-together with everyone. The reason for them deciding to leave at such a point in time was an effort to allow Shan Haihong to take the lead on Rihua's current big project.

_{"Oh, what intrusion? It's just an average homemade dinner, nothing more. It's a pleasure to have you over." Sun Rouyan was also considerably polite to her husband's boss, but to Xiao Ning, she was understandably more affectionate. "It's lovely to see you, too, {Xiao} Ning."}In the beginning, his reason for buying a house stemmed from his wanting to make a change after living with Lu Yan. But now that he was renting an apartment from Shan Haiming, that feeling was no longer as urgent. This does not mean he has given up on the idea of owning his own house, however. But this persistence of his in the eyes of others can be seen as a way for him to leave an out for himself. With a house, he could leave at any time and settle down in his own little nest.

"Oh, what intrusion? It's just an average homemade dinner, nothing more. It's a pleasure to have you over." Sun Rouyan was also considerably polite to her husband's boss, but to Xiao Ning, she was understandably more affectionate. "It's lovely to see you, too, Xiao Ning."

_{Shan Haiming's curled upon hearing those words, and once more that easygoing attitude of his made an appearance, except now it had a hint of even more smugness as he replied, "I know."}While across the room from their interlocked masters, Tangtang lay on his blanket in the corner, comfortably swinging its tail to and fro, while a huddled Xiaohei had fallen into a deep and peaceful sleep beside it.

Shan Haiming's curled upon hearing those words, and once more that easygoing attitude of his made an appearance, except now it had a hint of even more smugness as he replied, "I know."

_{"Oh, what intrusion? It's just an average homemade dinner, nothing more. It's a pleasure to have you over." Sun Rouyan was also considerably polite to her husband's boss, but to Xiao Ning, she was understandably more affectionate. "It's lovely to see you, too, Xiao Ning."}
"Mhm." Shan Haiming hummed in response to his question, then turned his head to look Xiao Ning's way. Like this, he did nothing but stare at Xiao Ning for a moment, not saying a word as he did. But after a while, he reached out and caressed Xiao Ning's cheek before saying, "Let's not go back to my folks' place this weekend."

_{"I just fed her, and now she's inside napping." Sun Rouyan replied with a gentle smile.}"Yeah, we do." Xiao Ning's heart flooded with warmth in an instant, followed by his replying, "Thank you, Saozi." (Sister-in-law)

"I just fed her, and now she's inside napping." Sun Rouyan replied with a gentle smile.

_{Upon seeing her chance, Sun Rouyan pulled Xiao Ning aside and had a one-to-one. "I'm finally able to rest easy."}
Unsure of the reason for this seemingly random caress, Xiao Ning simply nodded and let out an approving hum of his own.

Upon seeing her chance, Sun Rouyan pulled Xiao Ning aside and had a one-to-one. "I'm finally able to rest easy."

_{Getting into the backseat, he smiled and said, "You guys got here earlier than I thought. Was there no traffic?"}Unsure of the reason for this seemingly random caress, Xiao Ning simply nodded and let out an approving hum of his own.

Getting into the backseat, he smiled and said, "You guys got here earlier than I thought. Was there no traffic?"

_{Xiao Ning burst out laughing at this, while Shan Haiming stared right at him with a face that had "Why the heck are you laughing?" written all over it.}Xiao Ning smiled and then asked, "Did everything go along smoothly on your end?"

Xiao Ning burst out laughing at this, while Shan Haiming stared right at him with a face that had "Why the heck are you laughing?" written all over it.

_{Xiao Ning returned a smile as he handed over the gift he had brought. "This is for you, sister-in-law. I didn't know what to buy, but I figured something to eat would be more important than anything else, so I got these."}Babies have very delicate skin, so much so that it feels as though it could break just by a touch. So there was no way it could put up with that big demon king's unruliness.

Xiao Ning returned a smile as he handed over the gift he had brought. "This is for you, sister-in-law. I didn't know what to buy, but I figured something to eat would be more important than anything else, so I got these."

_{"Yeah, we do." Xiao Ning's heart flooded with warmth in an instant, followed by his replying, "Thank you, Saozi." (Sister-in-law)}
It wasn't that often that they visited the Shan family home, usually rounding up to about three or four times a month. Wu Yi wasn't the type to nag about visiting either, but she was still in high spirits whenever they showed up. From the very bottom of his heart, Xiao Ning truly adored this elder. However, there were times when he couldn't consider Wu Yi to be an elder because of how young she looked.

"Yeah, we do." Xiao Ning's heart flooded with warmth in an instant, followed by his replying, "Thank you, Saozi." (Sister-in-law)

_{"I just fed her, and now she's inside napping." Sun Rouyan replied with a gentle smile.}"Yep. They've already been issued their visas," replied Shan Haiming.

"I just fed her, and now she's inside napping." Sun Rouyan replied with a gentle smile.

_{Then, in a half-teasing, half-emotional tone, she added, "I've seen the atmosphere between you two; you guys aren't fooling anyone. You two get along quite well, don't you?"}Wang Hua was obviously in high spirits as he led the two back to his house, and once there, Sun Rouyan, his wife, opened the door while wearing an apron to greet them. "You guys made it here at the perfect time; all the food's almost done. It's just a bit more until everything's done cooking, so we'll all eat then."

Then, in a half-teasing, half-emotional tone, she added, "I've seen the atmosphere between you two; you guys aren't fooling anyone. You two get along quite well, don't you?"

_{As he thought and stared at Shan Haiming, his too-serious expression prompted Shan Haiming to ask, "What are you thinking about?"}
"They're set to leave at the end of the month, right?" Xiao Ning asked.

As he thought and stared at Shan Haiming, his too-serious expression prompted Shan Haiming to ask, "What are you thinking about?"

_{iana: that smug bastard is going to ride this whispered "I love you" high for eternity:)}Then, in a half-teasing, half-emotional tone, she added, "I've seen the atmosphere between you two; you guys aren't fooling anyone. You two get along quite well, don't you?"

iana: that smug bastard is going to ride this whispered "I love you" high for eternity:)

_{Such things for Xiao Ning were nothing that took up more than a fleeting thought and nothing to dig into too deeply. Shan Haihong was just a person he had to deal with for the sake of propriety and nothing more. Well, that was the case as long as the water of the well, which was him, didn't try to force its way into the river.}Wang Hua was obviously in high spirits as he led the two back to his house, and once there, Sun Rouyan, his wife, opened the door while wearing an apron to greet them. "You guys made it here at the perfect time; all the food's almost done. It's just a bit more until everything's done cooking, so we'll all eat then."

Such things for Xiao Ning were nothing that took up more than a fleeting thought and nothing to dig into too deeply. Shan Haihong was just a person he had to deal with for the sake of propriety and nothing more. Well, that was the case as long as the water of the well, which was him, didn't try to force its way into the river.

_{Getting into the backseat, he smiled and said, "You guys got here earlier than I thought. Was there no traffic?"}
"Yep. They've already been issued their visas," replied Shan Haiming.

Getting into the backseat, he smiled and said, "You guys got here earlier than I thought. Was there no traffic?"

_{Then, in a half-teasing, half-emotional tone, she added, "I've seen the atmosphere between you two; you guys aren't fooling anyone. You two get along quite well, don't you?"}
Wu Yi and Shan Yisong had planned a vacation to Greece, so they had agreed to go back the coming weekend for a get-together with everyone. The reason for them deciding to leave at such a point in time was an effort to allow Shan Haihong to take the lead on Rihua's current big project.

Then, in a half-teasing, half-emotional tone, she added, "I've seen the atmosphere between you two; you guys aren't fooling anyone. You two get along quite well, don't you?"

_{"I'll pop in for a look," Wang Hua said before moving to introduce the guests. "President Shan, [Xiao} Ning, please make yourselves at home. I'll be back with you in a minute."}Xiao Ning's ability to speak now straight-up faltered.

"I'll pop in for a look," Wang Hua said before moving to introduce the guests. "President Shan, [Xiao Ning, please make yourselves at home. I'll be back with you in a minute."

"It's just—it's just that this is my first time ever seeing a house trying to be sold like this..." Xiao Ning couldn't hold back his laughter even while he spoke. It was rare to see the guy before him act in a way that seemed closer to that of someone his age. He was not his usual calm and unbothered self, but oddly enough, Xiao Ning rather liked it.

_{iana: that smug bastard is going to ride this whispered "I love you" high for eternity:)}
Such things for Xiao Ning were nothing that took up more than a fleeting thought and nothing to dig into too deeply. Shan Haihong was just a person he had to deal with for the sake of propriety and nothing more. Well, that was the case as long as the water of the well, which was him, didn't try to force its way into the river.

iana: that smug bastard is going to ride this whispered "I love you" high for eternity:)

_{Xiao Ning looked at him helplessly, but he had no intention of giving in.}"We'll be there after one more turn," Xiao Ning replied in Wang Hua's stead. He had been there a good few times in the past and had remembered the way since then.

Xiao Ning looked at him helplessly, but he had no intention of giving in.

_{After the meal was over, both guests and hosts relaxed and enjoyed themselves.}
Shan Haiming then added, "Put in a request for your vacation days."

After the meal was over, both guests and hosts relaxed and enjoyed themselves.

_{After the meal was over, both guests and hosts relaxed and enjoyed themselves.}Xiao Ning's ability to speak now straight-up faltered.

After the meal was over, both guests and hosts relaxed and enjoyed themselves.

Xiao Ning actually never considered this, and it wasn't like he was the type to discriminate between something old and something new. If he came across a previously owned house that met the right price and quality he desired, he would without a doubt buy it in an instant.

_{Unsure of the reason for this seemingly random caress, Xiao Ning simply nodded and let out an approving hum of his own.}
"Okay," Xiao Ning answered before the realisation hit him, causing him to ask, "Are you not busy any more? Where are you planning for us to go?"

Unsure of the reason for this seemingly random caress, Xiao Ning simply nodded and let out an approving hum of his own.

_{Fortunately, Shan Haiming didn't ask. Instead, he let out a yawn and asked lazily, "Are we there yet?"}"We'll be there after one more turn," Xiao Ning replied in Wang Hua's stead. He had been there a good few times in the past and had remembered the way since then.

Fortunately, Shan Haiming didn't ask. Instead, he let out a yawn and asked lazily, "Are we there yet?"

_{Shan Haiming glanced at him. "Really? You want to switch jobs, then?"}
Wang Hua let out a chuckle upfront and was the one to answer his first question, "The property sale portion is outsourced, and construction of the resort has started, so after finishing up the work from earlier, this time now can be used for rest. Oh, I just remembered. You were interested in buying a house before, right? Well, Huating has already gone on the market. You interested?"

Shan Haiming glanced at him. "Really? You want to switch jobs, then?"

_{Fortunately, Shan Haiming didn't ask. Instead, he let out a yawn and asked lazily, "Are we there yet?"}"Oh, it's nothing. By the way, did you know that Wang-ge of yours had been beating himself up in the beginning?" Sun Ruoyan said with a sigh. "When he found out about what was going on between you and President Shan, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had done you wrong."

Fortunately, Shan Haiming didn't ask. Instead, he let out a yawn and asked lazily, "Are we there yet?"

In the beginning, his reason for buying a house stemmed from his wanting to make a change after living with Lu Yan. But now that he was renting an apartment from Shan Haiming, that feeling was no longer as urgent. This does not mean he has given up on the idea of owning his own house, however. But this persistence of his in the eyes of others can be seen as a way for him to leave an out for himself. With a house, he could leave at any time and settle down in his own little nest.

_{"Well, you actually don't need to go through the trouble of doing all that." Sun Rouyan covered her mouth and whispered, "President Shan already did that for your Wang-ge by adjusting his salary. It seemed to have been doubled."}
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ning reflexively looked at Shan Haiming. And as expected, he asked Xiao Ning, "You want to buy a house?"

_{After flashing a pout at being snubbed, Shan Haiming reached out to pinch Xiao Ning's cheeks in compensation, all of which was witnessed by the little ball of pink's parents standing close by. Sun Rouyan's lips curled upwards at the sight of them, and seeing this made Xiao Ning shyly turn himself away.}
In the beginning, his reason for buying a house stemmed from his wanting to make a change after living with Lu Yan. But now that he was renting an apartment from Shan Haiming, that feeling was no longer as urgent. This does not mean he has given up on the idea of owning his own house, however. But this persistence of his in the eyes of others can be seen as a way for him to leave an out for himself. With a house, he could leave at any time and settle down in his own little nest.

After flashing a pout at being snubbed, Shan Haiming reached out to pinch Xiao Ning's cheeks in compensation, all of which was witnessed by the little ball of pink's parents standing close by. Sun Rouyan's lips curled upwards at the sight of them, and seeing this made Xiao Ning shyly turn himself away.

_{Xiao Ning smiled and then asked, "Did everything go along smoothly on your end?"}Even though nothing much could be seen on his face, the more he acted like this, the more Xiao Ning thought he was cute. So, with a chuckle, Xiao Ning replied. "Nope, not a one. I'm just thinking about how great the benefits of your company are."

Xiao Ning smiled and then asked, "Did everything go along smoothly on your end?"

_{Xiao Ning: "..."}With one sentence, Xiao Ning, who wanted to tag along and help, was pushed back onto the sofa.

Xiao Ning: "..."

_{Xiao Ning returned a smile as he handed over the gift he had brought. "This is for you, sister-in-law. I didn't know what to buy, but I figured something to eat would be more important than anything else, so I got these."}
Even though this was all a pretty normal thing for a person to do, and there was nothing to be said against it. To Shan Haiming, who has usually shown no doubts about the future of their relationship, such a move could have a trace of ruthlessness.

_{After rushing home to get Xiaohei and Tangtang fed, Xiao Ning made his way downstairs and waited with a package in hand. The time he had to wait for wasn't long, as Shan Haiming and Wang Hua soon arrived.}It wasn't that often that they visited the Shan family home, usually rounding up to about three or four times a month. Wu Yi wasn't the type to nag about visiting either, but she was still in high spirits whenever they showed up. From the very bottom of his heart, Xiao Ning truly adored this elder. However, there were times when he couldn't consider Wu Yi to be an elder because of how young she looked.

After rushing home to get Xiaohei and Tangtang fed, Xiao Ning made his way downstairs and waited with a package in hand. The time he had to wait for wasn't long, as Shan Haiming and Wang Hua soon arrived.

_{As he thought and stared at Shan Haiming, his too-serious expression prompted Shan Haiming to ask, "What are you thinking about?"}Sun Rouyan was truly an example of a good wife and mother. Even her culinary skills were naturally impeccable, too. The large dining table was lined with a mix of meat and vegetable-based dishes, most of them being the kind without overpowering tastes. They were accompanied by a few spice-based accoutrements, which showed care was taken to account for different personal tastes.

As he thought and stared at Shan Haiming, his too-serious expression prompted Shan Haiming to ask, "What are you thinking about?"

_{"Oh, it's nothing. By the way, did you know that Wang-ge of yours had been beating himself up in the beginning?" Sun Ruoyan said with a sigh. "When he found out about what was going on between you and President Shan, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had done you wrong."}
"Yeah..." Xiao Ning then hesitantly explained, "I always thought that having a house would be better..."

"Oh, it's nothing. By the way, did you know that Wang-ge of yours had been beating himself up in the beginning?" Sun Ruoyan said with a sigh. "When he found out about what was going on between you and President Shan, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had done you wrong."

With one sentence, Xiao Ning, who wanted to tag along and help, was pushed back onto the sofa.

_{"It's been so long since I had Sister-in-law's cooking. I'm going to eat something really nice today." As he said this, Xiao Ning was looking at Shan Haiming, who was resting with eyes closed. But as if that man had felt his gaze on him, he raised the brows of his still-shut eyes and asked Xiao Ning, "Are you hungry?"}Wang Hua let out a chuckle upfront and was the one to answer his first question, "The property sale portion is outsourced, and construction of the resort has started, so after finishing up the work from earlier, this time now can be used for rest. Oh, I just remembered. You were interested in buying a house before, right? Well, Huating has already gone on the market. You interested?"

"It's been so long since I had Sister-in-law's cooking. I'm going to eat something really nice today." As he said this, Xiao Ning was looking at Shan Haiming, who was resting with eyes closed. But as if that man had felt his gaze on him, he raised the brows of his still-shut eyes and asked Xiao Ning, "Are you hungry?"

_{Babies have very delicate skin, so much so that it feels as though it could break just by a touch. So there was no way it could put up with that big demon king's unruliness.}
Shan Haiming tilted his head as he stared at Xiao Ning for a moment, seeming as if he didn't know what to say—as if he had something done behind his back. If Shan Haiming asked Xiao Ning right then what was the reason behind it, even the words "just as an investment, that's all" would be an answer he couldn't give.

Babies have very delicate skin, so much so that it feels as though it could break just by a touch. So there was no way it could put up with that big demon king's unruliness.

_{Xiao Ning was both surprised and amused upon hearing that Wang-{ge} of his reasoning, saying, "I'm already this much of an adult; how could sexuality be the kind of thing I can easily be 'led astray' into doing? He never said anything. If he did, I would've explained to him earlier that I've always liked men."}"Mhm." Shan Haiming hummed in response to his question, then turned his head to look Xiao Ning's way. Like this, he did nothing but stare at Xiao Ning for a moment, not saying a word as he did. But after a while, he reached out and caressed Xiao Ning's cheek before saying, "Let's not go back to my folks' place this weekend."

Xiao Ning was both surprised and amused upon hearing that Wang-ge of his reasoning, saying, "I'm already this much of an adult; how could sexuality be the kind of thing I can easily be 'led astray' into doing? He never said anything. If he did, I would've explained to him earlier that I've always liked men."

_{Xiao Ning smiled and then asked, "Did everything go along smoothly on your end?"}
Fortunately, Shan Haiming didn't ask. Instead, he let out a yawn and asked lazily, "Are we there yet?"

Xiao Ning smiled and then asked, "Did everything go along smoothly on your end?"

_{"Yeah, we do." Xiao Ning's heart flooded with warmth in an instant, followed by his replying, "Thank you, Saozi." (Sister-in-law)}After flashing a pout at being snubbed, Shan Haiming reached out to pinch Xiao Ning's cheeks in compensation, all of which was witnessed by the little ball of pink's parents standing close by. Sun Rouyan's lips curled upwards at the sight of them, and seeing this made Xiao Ning shyly turn himself away.

"Yeah, we do." Xiao Ning's heart flooded with warmth in an instant, followed by his replying, "Thank you, Saozi." (Sister-in-law)

_{"There were a lot of cars when we first got to the city, but the traffic situation was still good." Wang Hua chuckled as he spoke, then added, "You don't need to worry about traffic on the way to my house either. It's not far from here."}
"We'll be there after one more turn," Xiao Ning replied in Wang Hua's stead. He had been there a good few times in the past and had remembered the way since then.

"There were a lot of cars when we first got to the city, but the traffic situation was still good." Wang Hua chuckled as he spoke, then added, "You don't need to worry about traffic on the way to my house either. It's not far from here."

_{"Something cheaper would mean the location wouldn't be that good." After thinking for a moment, Shan Haiming then added, "You could consider buying a previously owned house?"}Xiao Ning burst out laughing at this, while Shan Haiming stared right at him with a face that had "Why the heck are you laughing?" written all over it.

"Something cheaper would mean the location wouldn't be that good." After thinking for a moment, Shan Haiming then added, "You could consider buying a previously owned house?"

_{"Something cheaper would mean the location wouldn't be that good." After thinking for a moment, Shan Haiming then added, "You could consider buying a previously owned house?"}Wu Yi and Shan Yisong had planned a vacation to Greece, so they had agreed to go back the coming weekend for a get-together with everyone. The reason for them deciding to leave at such a point in time was an effort to allow Shan Haihong to take the lead on Rihua's current big project.

"Something cheaper would mean the location wouldn't be that good." After thinking for a moment, Shan Haiming then added, "You could consider buying a previously owned house?"

_{Wu Yi and Shan Yisong had planned a vacation to Greece, so they had agreed to go back the coming weekend for a get-together with everyone. The reason for them deciding to leave at such a point in time was an effort to allow Shan Haihong to take the lead on Rihua's current big project.}Shan Haiming told Tangtang to go find Xiaohei and play with, then turned to Xiao Ning with a face already showing hints of disappointment. "Alright, the market price for his place is over a million, so I'll knock twenty percent off and give it to you for eight hundred thousand, flat."

_{Wang Hua then said, "Xiao Ning, have you ever held a baby before? You seem quite skilled."}
Wang Hua was obviously in high spirits as he led the two back to his house, and once there, Sun Rouyan, his wife, opened the door while wearing an apron to greet them. "You guys made it here at the perfect time; all the food's almost done. It's just a bit more until everything's done cooking, so we'll all eat then."

Wang Hua then said, "Xiao Ning, have you ever held a baby before? You seem quite skilled."

_{"I just fed her, and now she's inside napping." Sun Rouyan replied with a gentle smile.}
"Wow... it smells so good," Wang Hua commented as he kissed his wife on the cheek. "What's Yating up to?"

"I just fed her, and now she's inside napping." Sun Rouyan replied with a gentle smile.

_{Upon hearing this, Xiao Ning reflexively looked at Shan Haiming. And as expected, he asked Xiao Ning, "You want to buy a house?"}Shan Haiming glanced at him. "Really? You want to switch jobs, then?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ning reflexively looked at Shan Haiming. And as expected, he asked Xiao Ning, "You want to buy a house?"

_{"Wang-{ge} has a lot of faith in this real estate project of yours." Xiao Ning hadn't expected that he wanted to give him advice and was a bit surprised, but he went along with the conversation and added, "But I was considering buying something cheaper initially."}"He thinks President Shan is a good person, and he thinks you being with him is a good thing, but... you're both two men after all, and he thought that before all this, you weren't..." Sun Rouyan shook her head. "He believed that because he was the one who asked for your help, he had accidentally caused you to be 'led astray.'"

"Wang-ge has a lot of faith in this real estate project of yours." Xiao Ning hadn't expected that he wanted to give him advice and was a bit surprised, but he went along with the conversation and added, "But I was considering buying something cheaper initially."

_{Xiao Ning had no resistance when it came to little lumps of cuteness like that girl, so with great care, he readied his arms to hold her. Shan Haiming leaned over to get a closer look, but upon noticing a certain expression on his face, Xiao Ning moved the little Yating away.}In the beginning, his reason for buying a house stemmed from his wanting to make a change after living with Lu Yan. But now that he was renting an apartment from Shan Haiming, that feeling was no longer as urgent. This does not mean he has given up on the idea of owning his own house, however. But this persistence of his in the eyes of others can be seen as a way for him to leave an out for himself. With a house, he could leave at any time and settle down in his own little nest.

Xiao Ning had no resistance when it came to little lumps of cuteness like that girl, so with great care, he readied his arms to hold her. Shan Haiming leaned over to get a closer look, but upon noticing a certain expression on his face, Xiao Ning moved the little Yating away.

_{"Yes, I told him as much, too. Whether it be liking a man or woman, an adult is more than capable of discerning and making their own choices." Sun Rouyan then looked Xiao Ning in the eyes. "Then he saw how well President Shan treated you, which made him feel a bit better. As for me, whether it be a man or a woman, the thing that matters most of all is being able to live a good life together."}
"I just fed her, and now she's inside napping." Sun Rouyan replied with a gentle smile.

"Yes, I told him as much, too. Whether it be liking a man or woman, an adult is more than capable of discerning and making their own choices." Sun Rouyan then looked Xiao Ning in the eyes. "Then he saw how well President Shan treated you, which made him feel a bit better. As for me, whether it be a man or a woman, the thing that matters most of all is being able to live a good life together."

_{Getting into the backseat, he smiled and said, "You guys got here earlier than I thought. Was there no traffic?"}The second this question was asked, Xiao Ning could no longer laugh. But just as he was thinking about how to explain it, Shan Haiming continued, "It doesn't have to be Huating. You don't have to consider houses there alone."

Getting into the backseat, he smiled and said, "You guys got here earlier than I thought. Was there no traffic?"

_{Later that evening, Wang Hua drove the two back to their apartment, and Xiao Ning spent the entire time preoccupied with that aforementioned matter after they got home. Seeing that ever-cool and worry-free Shan Haiming would actually do such a thing made him feel a little embarrassed, no matter how he thought about it.}
"I'll pop in for a look," Wang Hua said before moving to introduce the guests. "President Shan, [Xiao Ning, please make yourselves at home. I'll be back with you in a minute."

Later that evening, Wang Hua drove the two back to their apartment, and Xiao Ning spent the entire time preoccupied with that aforementioned matter after they got home. Seeing that ever-cool and worry-free Shan Haiming would actually do such a thing made him feel a little embarrassed, no matter how he thought about it.

_{Then, in a half-teasing, half-emotional tone, she added, "I've seen the atmosphere between you two; you guys aren't fooling anyone. You two get along quite well, don't you?"}Upon seeing her chance, Sun Rouyan pulled Xiao Ning aside and had a one-to-one. "I'm finally able to rest easy."

Then, in a half-teasing, half-emotional tone, she added, "I've seen the atmosphere between you two; you guys aren't fooling anyone. You two get along quite well, don't you?"

_{"It's been so long since I had Sister-in-law's cooking. I'm going to eat something really nice today." As he said this, Xiao Ning was looking at Shan Haiming, who was resting with eyes closed. But as if that man had felt his gaze on him, he raised the brows of his still-shut eyes and asked Xiao Ning, "Are you hungry?"}
When the two walked into the house, they were hit by the aroma of the cooking food that had permeated every inch of the air. Shan Haiming then said politely, "Hello, and pardon the intrusion."

_{Shan Haiming then continued, "My mother bought this house over a decade ago, and the one who currently owns it is me."}Xiao Ning was both surprised and amused upon hearing that Wang-ge of his reasoning, saying, "I'm already this much of an adult; how could sexuality be the kind of thing I can easily be 'led astray' into doing? He never said anything. If he did, I would've explained to him earlier that I've always liked men."

Shan Haiming then continued, "My mother bought this house over a decade ago, and the one who currently owns it is me."

_{Xiao Ning: "..."}
"Oh, what intrusion? It's just an average homemade dinner, nothing more. It's a pleasure to have you over." Sun Rouyan was also considerably polite to her husband's boss, but to Xiao Ning, she was understandably more affectionate. "It's lovely to see you, too, Xiao Ning."

Xiao Ning: "..."

_{The second this question was asked, Xiao Ning could no longer laugh. But just as he was thinking about how to explain it, Shan Haiming continued, "It doesn't have to be Huating. You don't have to consider houses there alone."}
Xiao Ning returned a smile as he handed over the gift he had brought. "This is for you, sister-in-law. I didn't know what to buy, but I figured something to eat would be more important than anything else, so I got these."

The second this question was asked, Xiao Ning could no longer laugh. But just as he was thinking about how to explain it, Shan Haiming continued, "It doesn't have to be Huating. You don't have to consider houses there alone."

_{"I can sell it to you for the price she bought it for at the time, without accounting for inflation since we know each other. But it has been renovated and the furnishings are brand new, so the price won't be low." In a business-like manner, Shan Haiming went on, "So I'll give it to you for five hundred thousand. Non-negotiable."}"I told Wang Hua to ask you guys over today after I heard about your relationship." Sun Rouyan patted Xiao Ning's hand as she said with satisfaction, "I needed to see for myself."

_{Then, while Xiao Ning was still swept up in his laughter, Sha Haiming added, "Have you saved up enough to buy a house?"}House

Then, while Xiao Ning was still swept up in his laughter, Sha Haiming added, "Have you saved up enough to buy a house?"

_HouseXiao Ning was stunned, so much so, he couldn't say anything in response.

House

_{While across the room from their interlocked masters, Tangtang lay on his blanket in the corner, comfortably swinging its tail to and fro, while a huddled Xiaohei had fallen into a deep and peaceful sleep beside it.}
"Oh, you're being too polite. You've already bought enough; thank you." Sun Rouyan accepted the two tins of baby formula and then went to pour the two some tea. Wang Hua came back out with his daughter in his arms. She was already six months old. The little ball of pink didn't fuss at all in her father's arms, and compared to when she was just born, she was even more of a cutie pie now.

While across the room from their interlocked masters, Tangtang lay on his blanket in the corner, comfortably swinging its tail to and fro, while a huddled Xiaohei had fallen into a deep and peaceful sleep beside it.

_{After the meal was over, both guests and hosts relaxed and enjoyed themselves.}"Wang-ge has a lot of faith in this real estate project of yours." Xiao Ning hadn't expected that he wanted to give him advice and was a bit surprised, but he went along with the conversation and added, "But I was considering buying something cheaper initially."

After the meal was over, both guests and hosts relaxed and enjoyed themselves.

_{Xiao Ning was both surprised and amused upon hearing that Wang-{ge} of his reasoning, saying, "I'm already this much of an adult; how could sexuality be the kind of thing I can easily be 'led astray' into doing? He never said anything. If he did, I would've explained to him earlier that I've always liked men."}"There were a lot of cars when we first got to the city, but the traffic situation was still good." Wang Hua chuckled as he spoke, then added, "You don't need to worry about traffic on the way to my house either. It's not far from here."

_{"I told Wang Hua to ask you guys over today after I heard about your relationship." Sun Rouyan patted Xiao Ning's hand as she said with satisfaction, "I needed to see for myself."}"Oh, it's nothing. By the way, did you know that Wang-ge of yours had been beating himself up in the beginning?" Sun Ruoyan said with a sigh. "When he found out about what was going on between you and President Shan, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had done you wrong."

"I told Wang Hua to ask you guys over today after I heard about your relationship." Sun Rouyan patted Xiao Ning's hand as she said with satisfaction, "I needed to see for myself."

_{Xiao Ning's mouth opened slightly.}
Xiao Ning had no resistance when it came to little lumps of cuteness like that girl, so with great care, he readied his arms to hold her. Shan Haiming leaned over to get a closer look, but upon noticing a certain expression on his face, Xiao Ning moved the little Yating away.

Xiao Ning's mouth opened slightly.

_{"They're set to leave at the end of the month, right?" Xiao Ning asked.}
Babies have very delicate skin, so much so that it feels as though it could break just by a touch. So there was no way it could put up with that big demon king's unruliness.

"They're set to leave at the end of the month, right?" Xiao Ning asked.

Upon noticing the man beside him had already considered this option as a possibility, Shan Haiming then casually added, "What about this one? What do you think about this house?"

_{Then, while Xiao Ning was still swept up in his laughter, Sha Haiming added, "Have you saved up enough to buy a house?"}After flashing a pout at being snubbed, Shan Haiming reached out to pinch Xiao Ning's cheeks in compensation, all of which was witnessed by the little ball of pink's parents standing close by. Sun Rouyan's lips curled upwards at the sight of them, and seeing this made Xiao Ning shyly turn himself away.

Then, while Xiao Ning was still swept up in his laughter, Sha Haiming added, "Have you saved up enough to buy a house?"

_{Even though nothing much could be seen on his face, the more he acted like this, the more Xiao Ning thought he was cute. So, with a chuckle, Xiao Ning replied. "Nope, not a one. I'm just thinking about how great the benefits of your company are."}
After flashing a pout at being snubbed, Shan Haiming reached out to pinch Xiao Ning's cheeks in compensation, all of which was witnessed by the little ball of pink's parents standing close by. Sun Rouyan's lips curled upwards at the sight of them, and seeing this made Xiao Ning shyly turn himself away.

Even though nothing much could be seen on his face, the more he acted like this, the more Xiao Ning thought he was cute. So, with a chuckle, Xiao Ning replied. "Nope, not a one. I'm just thinking about how great the benefits of your company are."

_{"Oh, you're being too polite. You've already bought enough; thank you." Sun Rouyan accepted the two tins of baby formula and then went to pour the two some tea. Wang Hua came back out with his daughter in his arms. She was already six months old. The little ball of pink didn't fuss at all in her father's arms, and compared to when she was just born, she was even more of a cutie pie now.}"Wang-ge has a lot of faith in this real estate project of yours." Xiao Ning hadn't expected that he wanted to give him advice and was a bit surprised, but he went along with the conversation and added, "But I was considering buying something cheaper initially."

"Oh, you're being too polite. You've already bought enough; thank you." Sun Rouyan accepted the two tins of baby formula and then went to pour the two some tea. Wang Hua came back out with his daughter in his arms. She was already six months old. The little ball of pink didn't fuss at all in her father's arms, and compared to when she was just born, she was even more of a cutie pie now.

_{"You can't be serious." Xiao Ning shook his head with a laugh. "Five hundred thousand is half the price of this house at best."}Unsure of the reason for this seemingly random caress, Xiao Ning simply nodded and let out an approving hum of his own.

"You can't be serious." Xiao Ning shook his head with a laugh. "Five hundred thousand is half the price of this house at best."

_{"Mhm." Shan Haiming hummed in response to his question, then turned his head to look Xiao Ning's way. Like this, he did nothing but stare at Xiao Ning for a moment, not saying a word as he did. But after a while, he reached out and caressed Xiao Ning's cheek before saying, "Let's not go back to my folks' place this weekend."}When the two walked into the house, they were hit by the aroma of the cooking food that had permeated every inch of the air. Shan Haiming then said politely, "Hello, and pardon the intrusion."

"Mhm." Shan Haiming hummed in response to his question, then turned his head to look Xiao Ning's way. Like this, he did nothing but stare at Xiao Ning for a moment, not saying a word as he did. But after a while, he reached out and caressed Xiao Ning's cheek before saying, "Let's not go back to my folks' place this weekend."

_{Everyone was acquainted, so there was no need to pay too much attention to formalities. Additionally, little Yating had now fallen back asleep on her own, so there was nothing to worry about apart from eating. Shan Haiming wasn't especially enthusiastic amongst the lot, though, but he was quite cooperative regardless.}
"He hugs our cat," Shan Haiming replied bluntly, leaving Xiao Ning speechless beside him.

Everyone was acquainted, so there was no need to pay too much attention to formalities. Additionally, little Yating had now fallen back asleep on her own, so there was nothing to worry about apart from eating. Shan Haiming wasn't especially enthusiastic amongst the lot, though, but he was quite cooperative regardless.

_{Shan Haiming then continued, "My mother bought this house over a decade ago, and the one who currently owns it is me."}Shan Haiming then added, "Put in a request for your vacation days."

Shan Haiming then continued, "My mother bought this house over a decade ago, and the one who currently owns it is me."

_{Shan Haiming told Tangtang to go find Xiaohei and play with, then turned to Xiao Ning with a face already showing hints of disappointment. "Alright, the market price for his place is over a million, so I'll knock twenty percent off and give it to you for eight hundred thousand, flat."}
Sun Rouyan couldn't help but let out a chuckle, followed by her standing up. "Alright, everything should be done in the kitchen now. Wang Hua will come to help me set the table, and Xiao Ning can help by keeping Yating and President Shan company."

Shan Haiming told Tangtang to go find Xiaohei and play with, then turned to Xiao Ning with a face already showing hints of disappointment. "Alright, the market price for his place is over a million, so I'll knock twenty percent off and give it to you for eight hundred thousand, flat."

_{Xiao Ning's mouth opened slightly.}Fortunately, Shan Haiming didn't ask. Instead, he let out a yawn and asked lazily, "Are we there yet?"

Xiao Ning's mouth opened slightly.

_{Xiao Ning was stunned, so much so, he couldn't say anything in response.}
With one sentence, Xiao Ning, who wanted to tag along and help, was pushed back onto the sofa.

Xiao Ning was stunned, so much so, he couldn't say anything in response.

_{Xiao Ning actually never considered this, and it wasn't like he was the type to discriminate between something old and something new. If he came across a previously owned house that met the right price and quality he desired, he would without a doubt buy it in an instant.}
Sun Rouyan was truly an example of a good wife and mother. Even her culinary skills were naturally impeccable, too. The large dining table was lined with a mix of meat and vegetable-based dishes, most of them being the kind without overpowering tastes. They were accompanied by a few spice-based accoutrements, which showed care was taken to account for different personal tastes.

Even though this was all a pretty normal thing for a person to do, and there was nothing to be said against it. To Shan Haiming, who has usually shown no doubts about the future of their relationship, such a move could have a trace of ruthlessness.

_{"Mhm." Shan Haiming hummed in response to his question, then turned his head to look Xiao Ning's way. Like this, he did nothing but stare at Xiao Ning for a moment, not saying a word as he did. But after a while, he reached out and caressed Xiao Ning's cheek before saying, "Let's not go back to my folks' place this weekend."}Xiao Ning burst out laughing at this, while Shan Haiming stared right at him with a face that had "Why the heck are you laughing?" written all over it.

_{"Um, nothing..." Xiao Ning replied initially but couldn't help himself, so he added to sound that guy out, "Sister-in-law asked me to pass along her gratitude for giving Wang-ge a raise."}
Everyone was acquainted, so there was no need to pay too much attention to formalities. Additionally, little Yating had now fallen back asleep on her own, so there was nothing to worry about apart from eating. Shan Haiming wasn't especially enthusiastic amongst the lot, though, but he was quite cooperative regardless.

"Um, nothing..." Xiao Ning replied initially but couldn't help himself, so he added to sound that guy out, "Sister-in-law asked me to pass along her gratitude for giving Wang-ge a raise."

_{Xiao Ning's mouth opened slightly.}"Um, nothing..." Xiao Ning replied initially but couldn't help himself, so he added to sound that guy out, "Sister-in-law asked me to pass along her gratitude for giving Wang-ge a raise."

Xiao Ning's mouth opened slightly.

Sun Rouyan was truly an example of a good wife and mother. Even her culinary skills were naturally impeccable, too. The large dining table was lined with a mix of meat and vegetable-based dishes, most of them being the kind without overpowering tastes. They were accompanied by a few spice-based accoutrements, which showed care was taken to account for different personal tastes.

"Oh, alright." Shan Haiming showed no reaction, not even a twitch. Then, upon noticing Xiao Ning still stealing peeks at his face, he frowned and added, "What's so wrong about that? He did his job well, so I gave him a raise. Do you have any objections?"

_{"Yeah, we do." Xiao Ning's heart flooded with warmth in an instant, followed by his replying, "Thank you, Saozi." (Sister-in-law)}House

"Yeah, we do." Xiao Ning's heart flooded with warmth in an instant, followed by his replying, "Thank you, Saozi." (Sister-in-law)

_{"Oh, you're being too polite. You've already bought enough; thank you." Sun Rouyan accepted the two tins of baby formula and then went to pour the two some tea. Wang Hua came back out with his daughter in his arms. She was already six months old. The little ball of pink didn't fuss at all in her father's arms, and compared to when she was just born, she was even more of a cutie pie now.}
Upon seeing her chance, Sun Rouyan pulled Xiao Ning aside and had a one-to-one. "I'm finally able to rest easy."

"He thinks President Shan is a good person, and he thinks you being with him is a good thing, but... you're both two men after all, and he thought that before all this, you weren't..." Sun Rouyan shook her head. "He believed that because he was the one who asked for your help, he had accidentally caused you to be 'led astray.'"

_{"What? Why would Wang-ge ever think that?" Xiao Ning's eyes widened with shock.}
"I told Wang Hua to ask you guys over today after I heard about your relationship." Sun Rouyan patted Xiao Ning's hand as she said with satisfaction, "I needed to see for myself."

"What? Why would Wang-ge ever think that?" Xiao Ning's eyes widened with shock.

_House
Then, in a half-teasing, half-emotional tone, she added, "I've seen the atmosphere between you two; you guys aren't fooling anyone. You two get along quite well, don't you?"

House

_{Shan Haiming glanced at him after seeing this. To which Xiao Ning replied simply, "No pinching."}Babies have very delicate skin, so much so that it feels as though it could break just by a touch. So there was no way it could put up with that big demon king's unruliness.

Shan Haiming glanced at him after seeing this. To which Xiao Ning replied simply, "No pinching."

_{Xiao Ning was both surprised and amused upon hearing that Wang-{ge} of his reasoning, saying, "I'm already this much of an adult; how could sexuality be the kind of thing I can easily be 'led astray' into doing? He never said anything. If he did, I would've explained to him earlier that I've always liked men."}Xiao Ning had no resistance when it came to little lumps of cuteness like that girl, so with great care, he readied his arms to hold her. Shan Haiming leaned over to get a closer look, but upon noticing a certain expression on his face, Xiao Ning moved the little Yating away.

_{Upon noticing the man beside him had already considered this option as a possibility, Shan Haiming then casually added, "What about this one? What do you think about this house?"}"It's just—it's just that this is my first time ever seeing a house trying to be sold like this..." Xiao Ning couldn't hold back his laughter even while he spoke. It was rare to see the guy before him act in a way that seemed closer to that of someone his age. He was not his usual calm and unbothered self, but oddly enough, Xiao Ning rather liked it.

Upon noticing the man beside him had already considered this option as a possibility, Shan Haiming then casually added, "What about this one? What do you think about this house?"

_{"Wang-ge has a lot of faith in this real estate project of yours." Xiao Ning hadn't expected that he wanted to give him advice and was a bit surprised, but he went along with the conversation and added, "But I was considering buying something cheaper initially."}
"Yeah, we do." Xiao Ning's heart flooded with warmth in an instant, followed by his replying, "Thank you, Saozi." (Sister-in-law)

_{Xiao Ning was both surprised and amused upon hearing that Wang-ge of his reasoning, saying, "I'm already this much of an adult; how could sexuality be the kind of thing I can easily be 'led astray' into doing? He never said anything. If he did, I would've explained to him earlier that I've always liked men."}
"Oh, it's nothing. By the way, did you know that Wang-ge of yours had been beating himself up in the beginning?" Sun Ruoyan said with a sigh. "When he found out about what was going on between you and President Shan, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had done you wrong."

_{Wang Hua then said, "{Xiao} Ning, have you ever held a baby before? You seem quite skilled."}Fortunately, Shan Haiming didn't ask. Instead, he let out a yawn and asked lazily, "Are we there yet?"

Wang Hua then said, "Xiao Ning, have you ever held a baby before? You seem quite skilled."

_{Xiao Ning burst out laughing at this, while Shan Haiming stared right at him with a face that had "Why the heck are you laughing?" written all over it.}"It's been so long since I had Sister-in-law's cooking. I'm going to eat something really nice today." As he said this, Xiao Ning was looking at Shan Haiming, who was resting with eyes closed. But as if that man had felt his gaze on him, he raised the brows of his still-shut eyes and asked Xiao Ning, "Are you hungry?"

Xiao Ning burst out laughing at this, while Shan Haiming stared right at him with a face that had "Why the heck are you laughing?" written all over it.

_{"I can sell it to you for the price she bought it for at the time, without accounting for inflation since we know each other. But it has been renovated and the furnishings are brand new, so the price won't be low." In a business-like manner, Shan Haiming went on, "So I'll give it to you for five hundred thousand. Non-negotiable."}"Oh, it's nothing. By the way, did you know that Wang-ge of yours had been beating himself up in the beginning?" Sun Ruoyan said with a sigh. "When he found out about what was going on between you and President Shan, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had done you wrong."

_{Getting into the backseat, he smiled and said, "You guys got here earlier than I thought. Was there no traffic?"}"There were a lot of cars when we first got to the city, but the traffic situation was still good." Wang Hua chuckled as he spoke, then added, "You don't need to worry about traffic on the way to my house either. It's not far from here."

Getting into the backseat, he smiled and said, "You guys got here earlier than I thought. Was there no traffic?"

_{Wang Hua let out a chuckle upfront and was the one to answer his first question, "The property sale portion is outsourced, and construction of the resort has started, so after finishing up the work from earlier, this time now can be used for rest. Oh, I just remembered. You were interested in buying a house before, right? Well, Huating has already gone on the market. You interested?"}
"He thinks President Shan is a good person, and he thinks you being with him is a good thing, but... you're both two men after all, and he thought that before all this, you weren't..." Sun Rouyan shook her head. "He believed that because he was the one who asked for your help, he had accidentally caused you to be 'led astray.'"

Wang Hua let out a chuckle upfront and was the one to answer his first question, "The property sale portion is outsourced, and construction of the resort has started, so after finishing up the work from earlier, this time now can be used for rest. Oh, I just remembered. You were interested in buying a house before, right? Well, Huating has already gone on the market. You interested?"

_{Shan Haiming glanced at him after seeing this. To which Xiao Ning replied simply, "No pinching."}While across the room from their interlocked masters, Tangtang lay on his blanket in the corner, comfortably swinging its tail to and fro, while a huddled Xiaohei had fallen into a deep and peaceful sleep beside it.

Shan Haiming glanced at him after seeing this. To which Xiao Ning replied simply, "No pinching."

_{iana: that smug bastard is going to ride this whispered "I love you" high for eternity:)}With one sentence, Xiao Ning, who wanted to tag along and help, was pushed back onto the sofa.

iana: that smug bastard is going to ride this whispered "I love you" high for eternity:)

_{In the beginning, his reason for buying a house stemmed from his wanting to make a change after living with Lu Yan. But now that he was renting an apartment from Shan Haiming, that feeling was no longer as urgent.}
Xiao Ning was both surprised and amused upon hearing that Wang-ge of his reasoning, saying, "I'm already this much of an adult; how could sexuality be the kind of thing I can easily be 'led astray' into doing? He never said anything. If he did, I would've explained to him earlier that I've always liked men."

_{"We'll be there after one more turn," Xiao Ning replied in Wang Hua's stead. He had been there a good few times in the past and had remembered the way since then.}Xiao Ning returned a smile as he handed over the gift he had brought. "This is for you, sister-in-law. I didn't know what to buy, but I figured something to eat would be more important than anything else, so I got these."

"We'll be there after one more turn," Xiao Ning replied in Wang Hua's stead. He had been there a good few times in the past and had remembered the way since then.

_{The second this question was asked, Xiao Ning could no longer laugh. But just as he was thinking about how to explain it, Shan Haiming continued, "It doesn't have to be Huating. You don't have to consider houses there alone."}Even though nothing much could be seen on his face, the more he acted like this, the more Xiao Ning thought he was cute. So, with a chuckle, Xiao Ning replied. "Nope, not a one. I'm just thinking about how great the benefits of your company are."

_{"I'll pop in for a look," Wang Hua said before moving to introduce the guests. "President Shan, [Xiao} Ning, please make yourselves at home. I'll be back with you in a minute."}Upon hearing this, Xiao Ning reflexively looked at Shan Haiming. And as expected, he asked Xiao Ning, "You want to buy a house?"

"I'll pop in for a look," Wang Hua said before moving to introduce the guests. "President Shan, [Xiao Ning, please make yourselves at home. I'll be back with you in a minute."

_{Fortunately, Shan Haiming didn't ask. Instead, he let out a yawn and asked lazily, "Are we there yet?"}
"Yes, I told him as much, too. Whether it be liking a man or woman, an adult is more than capable of discerning and making their own choices." Sun Rouyan then looked Xiao Ning in the eyes. "Then he saw how well President Shan treated you, which made him feel a bit better. As for me, whether it be a man or a woman, the thing that matters most of all is being able to live a good life together."

Fortunately, Shan Haiming didn't ask. Instead, he let out a yawn and asked lazily, "Are we there yet?"

_{Shan Haiming glanced at him after seeing this. To which Xiao Ning replied simply, "No pinching."}
Xiao Ning nodded, the look on his face softening all the more. "I think so too. Speaking of which, I should really thank Wang-ge. If not for him, I would've never gotten the chance to meet Haiming."

Shan Haiming glanced at him after seeing this. To which Xiao Ning replied simply, "No pinching."

_{Xiao Ning looked at him helplessly, but he had no intention of giving in.}Everyone was acquainted, so there was no need to pay too much attention to formalities. Additionally, little Yating had now fallen back asleep on her own, so there was nothing to worry about apart from eating. Shan Haiming wasn't especially enthusiastic amongst the lot, though, but he was quite cooperative regardless.

Xiao Ning looked at him helplessly, but he had no intention of giving in.

_{"Um, nothing..." Xiao Ning replied initially but couldn't help himself, so he added to sound that guy out, "Sister-in-law asked me to pass along her gratitude for giving Wang-{ge} a raise."}Fortunately, Shan Haiming didn't ask. Instead, he let out a yawn and asked lazily, "Are we there yet?"

"Um, nothing..." Xiao Ning replied initially but couldn't help himself, so he added to sound that guy out, "Sister-in-law asked me to pass along her gratitude for giving Wang-ge a raise."

_{"Okay," Xiao Ning answered before the realisation hit him, causing him to ask, "Are you not busy any more? Where are you planning for us to go?"}"There were a lot of cars when we first got to the city, but the traffic situation was still good." Wang Hua chuckled as he spoke, then added, "You don't need to worry about traffic on the way to my house either. It's not far from here."

"Okay," Xiao Ning answered before the realisation hit him, causing him to ask, "Are you not busy any more? Where are you planning for us to go?"

_{Xiao Ning burst out laughing at this, while Shan Haiming stared right at him with a face that had "Why the heck are you laughing?" written all over it.}
"Well, you actually don't need to go through the trouble of doing all that." Sun Rouyan covered her mouth and whispered, "President Shan already did that for your Wang-ge by adjusting his salary. It seemed to have been doubled."

Xiao Ning burst out laughing at this, while Shan Haiming stared right at him with a face that had "Why the heck are you laughing?" written all over it.

_{"Yep. They've already been issued their visas," replied Shan Haiming.}With one sentence, Xiao Ning, who wanted to tag along and help, was pushed back onto the sofa.

"Yep. They've already been issued their visas," replied Shan Haiming.

_{Then, while Xiao Ning was still swept up in his laughter, Sha Haiming added, "Have you saved up enough to buy a house?"}
Xiao Ning: "..."

Then, while Xiao Ning was still swept up in his laughter, Sha Haiming added, "Have you saved up enough to buy a house?"

_{The two were sitting on the sofa, side by side, so Shan Haiming turned and leaned on his side before asking, "What's wrong?"}"I told Wang Hua to ask you guys over today after I heard about your relationship." Sun Rouyan patted Xiao Ning's hand as she said with satisfaction, "I needed to see for myself."

The two were sitting on the sofa, side by side, so Shan Haiming turned and leaned on his side before asking, "What's wrong?"

_{Shan Haiming then continued, "My mother bought this house over a decade ago, and the one who currently owns it is me."}
Later that evening, Wang Hua drove the two back to their apartment, and Xiao Ning spent the entire time preoccupied with that aforementioned matter after they got home. Seeing that ever-cool and worry-free Shan Haiming would actually do such a thing made him feel a little embarrassed, no matter how he thought about it.

Shan Haiming then continued, "My mother bought this house over a decade ago, and the one who currently owns it is me."

_{"Yep. They've already been issued their visas," replied Shan Haiming.}"Oh, what intrusion? It's just an average homemade dinner, nothing more. It's a pleasure to have you over." Sun Rouyan was also considerably polite to her husband's boss, but to Xiao Ning, she was understandably more affectionate. "It's lovely to see you, too, Xiao Ning."

"Yep. They've already been issued their visas," replied Shan Haiming.

_{"It's just—it's just that this is my first time ever seeing a house trying to be sold like this..." Xiao Ning couldn't hold back his laughter even while he spoke. It was rare to see the guy before him act in a way that seemed closer to that of someone his age. He was not his usual calm and unbothered self, but oddly enough, Xiao Ning rather liked it.}"It's just—it's just that this is my first time ever seeing a house trying to be sold like this..." Xiao Ning couldn't hold back his laughter even while he spoke. It was rare to see the guy before him act in a way that seemed closer to that of someone his age. He was not his usual calm and unbothered self, but oddly enough, Xiao Ning rather liked it.

_{"Wow... it smells so good," Wang Hua commented as he kissed his wife on the cheek. "What's Yating up to?"}
As he thought and stared at Shan Haiming, his too-serious expression prompted Shan Haiming to ask, "What are you thinking about?"

"Wow... it smells so good," Wang Hua commented as he kissed his wife on the cheek. "What's Yating up to?"

_{"Oh, what intrusion? It's just an average homemade dinner, nothing more. It's a pleasure to have you over." Sun Rouyan was also considerably polite to her husband's boss, but to Xiao Ning, she was understandably more affectionate. "It's lovely to see you, too, {Xiao} Ning."}"Wang-ge has a lot of faith in this real estate project of yours." Xiao Ning hadn't expected that he wanted to give him advice and was a bit surprised, but he went along with the conversation and added, "But I was considering buying something cheaper initially."

_{After flashing a pout at being snubbed, Shan Haiming reached out to pinch Xiao Ning's cheeks in compensation, all of which was witnessed by the little ball of pink's parents standing close by. Sun Rouyan's lips curled upwards at the sight of them, and seeing this made Xiao Ning shyly turn himself away.}It wasn't that often that they visited the Shan family home, usually rounding up to about three or four times a month. Wu Yi wasn't the type to nag about visiting either, but she was still in high spirits whenever they showed up. From the very bottom of his heart, Xiao Ning truly adored this elder. However, there were times when he couldn't consider Wu Yi to be an elder because of how young she looked.

_N/A
"Um, nothing..." Xiao Ning replied initially but couldn't help himself, so he added to sound that guy out, "Sister-in-law asked me to pass along her gratitude for giving Wang-ge a raise."

N/A

_{Fortunately, Shan Haiming didn't ask. Instead, he let out a yawn and asked lazily, "Are we there yet?"}Even though nothing much could be seen on his face, the more he acted like this, the more Xiao Ning thought he was cute. So, with a chuckle, Xiao Ning replied. "Nope, not a one. I'm just thinking about how great the benefits of your company are."

Fortunately, Shan Haiming didn't ask. Instead, he let out a yawn and asked lazily, "Are we there yet?"

_{"You can't be serious." Xiao Ning shook his head with a laugh. "Five hundred thousand is half the price of this house at best."}Even though this was all a pretty normal thing for a person to do, and there was nothing to be said against it. To Shan Haiming, who has usually shown no doubts about the future of their relationship, such a move could have a trace of ruthlessness.

"You can't be serious." Xiao Ning shook his head with a laugh. "Five hundred thousand is half the price of this house at best."

_{"Yeah..." Xiao Ning then hesitantly explained, "I always thought that having a house would be better..."}
"Oh, alright." Shan Haiming showed no reaction, not even a twitch. Then, upon noticing Xiao Ning still stealing peeks at his face, he frowned and added, "What's so wrong about that? He did his job well, so I gave him a raise. Do you have any objections?"

"Yeah..." Xiao Ning then hesitantly explained, "I always thought that having a house would be better..."

_{Shan Haiming's curled upon hearing those words, and once more that easygoing attitude of his made an appearance, except now it had a hint of even more smugness as he replied, "I know."}Even though nothing much could be seen on his face, the more he acted like this, the more Xiao Ning thought he was cute. So, with a chuckle, Xiao Ning replied. "Nope, not a one. I'm just thinking about how great the benefits of your company are."

Shan Haiming's curled upon hearing those words, and once more that easygoing attitude of his made an appearance, except now it had a hint of even more smugness as he replied, "I know."

_{"We'll be there after one more turn," Xiao Ning replied in Wang Hua's stead. He had been there a good few times in the past and had remembered the way since then.}
Even though nothing much could be seen on his face, the more he acted like this, the more Xiao Ning thought he was cute. So, with a chuckle, Xiao Ning replied. "Nope, not a one. I'm just thinking about how great the benefits of your company are."

"We'll be there after one more turn," Xiao Ning replied in Wang Hua's stead. He had been there a good few times in the past and had remembered the way since then.

_{The two were sitting on the sofa, side by side, so Shan Haiming turned and leaned on his side before asking, "What's wrong?"}
Shan Haiming glanced at him. "Really? You want to switch jobs, then?"

The two were sitting on the sofa, side by side, so Shan Haiming turned and leaned on his side before asking, "What's wrong?"

_{"You can't be serious." Xiao Ning shook his head with a laugh. "Five hundred thousand is half the price of this house at best."}
Then, while Xiao Ning was still swept up in his laughter, Sha Haiming added, "Have you saved up enough to buy a house?"

"You can't be serious." Xiao Ning shook his head with a laugh. "Five hundred thousand is half the price of this house at best."

_{The two were sitting on the sofa, side by side, so Shan Haiming turned and leaned on his side before asking, "What's wrong?"}iana: that smug bastard is going to ride this whispered "I love you" high for eternity:)

The two were sitting on the sofa, side by side, so Shan Haiming turned and leaned on his side before asking, "What's wrong?"

_{Sun Rouyan was truly an example of a good wife and mother. Even her culinary skills were naturally impeccable, too. The large dining table was lined with a mix of meat and vegetable-based dishes, most of them being the kind without overpowering tastes. They were accompanied by a few spice-based accoutrements, which showed care was taken to account for different personal tastes.}Xiao Ning returned a smile as he handed over the gift he had brought. "This is for you, sister-in-law. I didn't know what to buy, but I figured something to eat would be more important than anything else, so I got these."

_{Shan Haiming then added, "Put in a request for your vacation days."}
The second this question was asked, Xiao Ning could no longer laugh. But just as he was thinking about how to explain it, Shan Haiming continued, "It doesn't have to be Huating. You don't have to consider houses there alone."

Shan Haiming then added, "Put in a request for your vacation days."

_{It wasn't that often that they visited the Shan family home, usually rounding up to about three or four times a month. Wu Yi wasn't the type to nag about visiting either, but she was still in high spirits whenever they showed up.}Shan Haiming then continued, "My mother bought this house over a decade ago, and the one who currently owns it is me."

It wasn't that often that they visited the Shan family home, usually rounding up to about three or four times a month. Wu Yi wasn't the type to nag about visiting either, but she was still in high spirits whenever they showed up. From the very bottom of his heart, Xiao Ning truly adored this elder. However, there were times when he couldn't consider Wu Yi to be an elder because of how young she looked.

_{"I told Wang Hua to ask you guys over today after I heard about your relationship." Sun Rouyan patted Xiao Ning's hand as she said with satisfaction, "I needed to see for myself."}Everyone was acquainted, so there was no need to pay too much attention to formalities. Additionally, little Yating had now fallen back asleep on her own, so there was nothing to worry about apart from eating. Shan Haiming wasn't especially enthusiastic amongst the lot, though, but he was quite cooperative regardless.

"I told Wang Hua to ask you guys over today after I heard about your relationship." Sun Rouyan patted Xiao Ning's hand as she said with satisfaction, "I needed to see for myself."

_{With the heat from the press against his so near, just turning his head brought their lips together in a kiss.}
"Wang-ge has a lot of faith in this real estate project of yours." Xiao Ning hadn't expected that he wanted to give him advice and was a bit surprised, but he went along with the conversation and added, "But I was considering buying something cheaper initially."

With the heat from the press against his so near, just turning his head brought their lips together in a kiss.

_{"Okay," Xiao Ning answered before the realisation hit him, causing him to ask, "Are you not busy any more? Where are you planning for us to go?"}It wasn't that often that they visited the Shan family home, usually rounding up to about three or four times a month. Wu Yi wasn't the type to nag about visiting either, but she was still in high spirits whenever they showed up. From the very bottom of his heart, Xiao Ning truly adored this elder. However, there were times when he couldn't consider Wu Yi to be an elder because of how young she looked.

"Okay," Xiao Ning answered before the realisation hit him, causing him to ask, "Are you not busy any more? Where are you planning for us to go?"

_{Sun Rouyan was truly an example of a good wife and mother. Even her culinary skills were naturally impeccable, too. The large dining table was lined with a mix of meat and vegetable-based dishes, most of them being the kind without overpowering tastes. They were accompanied by a few spice-based accoutrements, which showed care was taken to account for different personal tastes.}
"Something cheaper would mean the location wouldn't be that good." After thinking for a moment, Shan Haiming then added, "You could consider buying a previously owned house?"

_{Upon noticing the man beside him had already considered this option as a possibility, Shan Haiming then casually added, "What about this one? What do you think about this house?"}After rushing home to get Xiaohei and Tangtang fed, Xiao Ning made his way downstairs and waited with a package in hand. The time he had to wait for wasn't long, as Shan Haiming and Wang Hua soon arrived.

Upon noticing the man beside him had already considered this option as a possibility, Shan Haiming then casually added, "What about this one? What do you think about this house?"

_{Even though nothing much could be seen on his face, the more he acted like this, the more Xiao Ning thought he was cute. So, with a chuckle, Xiao Ning replied. "Nope, not a one. I'm just thinking about how great the benefits of your company are."}"Oh, alright." Shan Haiming showed no reaction, not even a twitch. Then, upon noticing Xiao Ning still stealing peeks at his face, he frowned and added, "What's so wrong about that? He did his job well, so I gave him a raise. Do you have any objections?"

_{"That's now." Shan Haiming waved his hand, beckoning Tangtang over, which happily came running and allowed him to nuzzle its neck. "I don't expect to make a profit off this place, so what's wrong with how it's bought or sold, huh?"}
Xiao Ning actually never considered this, and it wasn't like he was the type to discriminate between something old and something new. If he came across a previously owned house that met the right price and quality he desired, he would without a doubt buy it in an instant.

"That's now." Shan Haiming waved his hand, beckoning Tangtang over, which happily came running and allowed him to nuzzle its neck. "I don't expect to make a profit off this place, so what's wrong with how it's bought or sold, huh?"

_{"I'll pop in for a look," Wang Hua said before moving to introduce the guests. "President Shan, [Xiao} Ning, please make yourselves at home. I'll be back with you in a minute."}"What? Why would Wang-ge ever think that?" Xiao Ning's eyes widened with shock.

"I'll pop in for a look," Wang Hua said before moving to introduce the guests. "President Shan, [Xiao Ning, please make yourselves at home. I'll be back with you in a minute."

_{Xiao Ning burst out laughing at this, while Shan Haiming stared right at him with a face that had "Why the heck are you laughing?" written all over it.}Xiao Ning nodded, the look on his face softening all the more. "I think so too. Speaking of which, I should really thank Wang-ge. If not for him, I would've never gotten the chance to meet Haiming."

Xiao Ning burst out laughing at this, while Shan Haiming stared right at him with a face that had "Why the heck are you laughing?" written all over it.

_{"It's been so long since I had Sister-in-law's cooking. I'm going to eat something really nice today." As he said this, Xiao Ning was looking at Shan Haiming, who was resting with eyes closed. But as if that man had felt his gaze on him, he raised the brows of his still-shut eyes and asked Xiao Ning, "Are you hungry?"}When the two walked into the house, they were hit by the aroma of the cooking food that had permeated every inch of the air. Shan Haiming then said politely, "Hello, and pardon the intrusion."

_{"Mhm." Shan Haiming hummed in response to his question, then turned his head to look Xiao Ning's way. Like this, he did nothing but stare at Xiao Ning for a moment, not saying a word as he did. But after a while, he reached out and caressed Xiao Ning's cheek before saying, "Let's not go back to my folks' place this weekend."}
Upon noticing the man beside him had already considered this option as a possibility, Shan Haiming then casually added, "What about this one? What do you think about this house?"

_{Sun Rouyan couldn't help but let out a chuckle, followed by her standing up. "Alright, everything should be done in the kitchen now. Wang Hua will come to help me set the table, and {Xiao} Ning can help by keeping Yating and President Shan company."}"Wang-ge has a lot of faith in this real estate project of yours." Xiao Ning hadn't expected that he wanted to give him advice and was a bit surprised, but he went along with the conversation and added, "But I was considering buying something cheaper initially."

Sun Rouyan couldn't help but let out a chuckle, followed by her standing up. "Alright, everything should be done in the kitchen now. Wang Hua will come to help me set the table, and Xiao Ning can help by keeping Yating and President Shan company."

_{"We'll be there after one more turn," Xiao Ning replied in Wang Hua's stead. He had been there a good few times in the past and had remembered the way since then.}"He hugs our cat," Shan Haiming replied bluntly, leaving Xiao Ning speechless beside him.

"We'll be there after one more turn," Xiao Ning replied in Wang Hua's stead. He had been there a good few times in the past and had remembered the way since then.

Shan Haiming's curled upon hearing those words, and once more that easygoing attitude of his made an appearance, except now it had a hint of even more smugness as he replied, "I know."

_{Shan Haiming then continued, "My mother bought this house over a decade ago, and the one who currently owns it is me."}After flashing a pout at being snubbed, Shan Haiming reached out to pinch Xiao Ning's cheeks in compensation, all of which was witnessed by the little ball of pink's parents standing close by. Sun Rouyan's lips curled upwards at the sight of them, and seeing this made Xiao Ning shyly turn himself away.

Shan Haiming then continued, "My mother bought this house over a decade ago, and the one who currently owns it is me."

_{Everyone was acquainted, so there was no need to pay too much attention to formalities. Additionally, little Yating had now fallen back asleep on her own, so there was nothing to worry about apart from eating. Shan Haiming wasn't especially enthusiastic amongst the lot, though, but he was quite cooperative regardless.}"We'll be there after one more turn," Xiao Ning replied in Wang Hua's stead. He had been there a good few times in the past and had remembered the way since then.

_{After the meal was over, both guests and hosts relaxed and enjoyed themselves.}Xiao Ning: "..."

After the meal was over, both guests and hosts relaxed and enjoyed themselves.

_{Fortunately, Shan Haiming didn't ask. Instead, he let out a yawn and asked lazily, "Are we there yet?"}The two were sitting on the sofa, side by side, so Shan Haiming turned and leaned on his side before asking, "What's wrong?"

Fortunately, Shan Haiming didn't ask. Instead, he let out a yawn and asked lazily, "Are we there yet?"

_{"He hugs our cat," Shan Haiming replied bluntly, leaving Xiao Ning speechless beside him.}
Xiao Ning's mouth opened slightly.

"He hugs our cat," Shan Haiming replied bluntly, leaving Xiao Ning speechless beside him.

_{"I'll pop in for a look," Wang Hua said before moving to introduce the guests. "President Shan, [Xiao} Ning, please make yourselves at home. I'll be back with you in a minute."}After the meal was over, both guests and hosts relaxed and enjoyed themselves.

"I'll pop in for a look," Wang Hua said before moving to introduce the guests. "President Shan, [Xiao Ning, please make yourselves at home. I'll be back with you in a minute."

_{In the beginning, his reason for buying a house stemmed from his wanting to make a change after living with Lu Yan. But now that he was renting an apartment from Shan Haiming, that feeling was no longer as urgent.}"Yeah, we do." Xiao Ning's heart flooded with warmth in an instant, followed by his replying, "Thank you, Saozi." (Sister-in-law)

_{Xiao Ning nodded, the look on his face softening all the more. "I think so too. Speaking of which, I should really thank Wang-ge. If not for him, I would've never gotten the chance to meet Haiming."}
"I can sell it to you for the price she bought it for at the time, without accounting for inflation since we know each other. But it has been renovated and the furnishings are brand new, so the price won't be low." In a business-like manner, Shan Haiming went on, "So I'll give it to you for five hundred thousand. Non-negotiable."

Xiao Ning nodded, the look on his face softening all the more. "I think so too. Speaking of which, I should really thank Wang-ge. If not for him, I would've never gotten the chance to meet Haiming."

_{Fortunately, Shan Haiming didn't ask. Instead, he let out a yawn and asked lazily, "Are we there yet?"}"Okay," Xiao Ning answered before the realisation hit him, causing him to ask, "Are you not busy any more? Where are you planning for us to go?"

Fortunately, Shan Haiming didn't ask. Instead, he let out a yawn and asked lazily, "Are we there yet?"

_{His heart felt so full that it felt as though if he didn't let it out, it would swell up in him and hurt. He had to do something—he had to say something. So, out of pure impulse and completely disregarding the embarrassment he felt doing such a thing as an adult, Xiao Ning leaned over to Shan Haiming and then went on to whisper three words into his ear.}
Xiao Ning's ability to speak now straight-up faltered.

His heart felt so full that it felt as though if he didn't let it out, it would swell up in him and hurt. He had to do something—he had to say something. So, out of pure impulse and completely disregarding the embarrassment he felt doing such a thing as an adult, Xiao Ning leaned over to Shan Haiming and then went on to whisper three words into his ear.

_{"Oh, alright." Shan Haiming showed no reaction, not even a twitch. Then, upon noticing Xiao Ning still stealing peeks at his face, he frowned and added, "What's so wrong about that? He did his job well, so I gave him a raise. Do you have any objections?"}"It's been so long since I had Sister-in-law's cooking. I'm going to eat something really nice today." As he said this, Xiao Ning was looking at Shan Haiming, who was resting with eyes closed. But as if that man had felt his gaze on him, he raised the brows of his still-shut eyes and asked Xiao Ning, "Are you hungry?"

_{Shan Haiming tilted his head as he stared at Xiao Ning for a moment, seeming as if he didn't know what to say—as if he had something done behind his back. If Shan Haiming asked Xiao Ning right then what was the reason behind it, even the words "just as an investment, that's all" would be an answer he couldn't give.}
The two were sitting on the sofa, side by side, so Shan Haiming turned and leaned on his side before asking, "What's wrong?"

_{"Yeah..." Xiao Ning then hesitantly explained, "I always thought that having a house would be better..."}Confused, Xiao Ning asked, "Pardon?"

"Yeah..." Xiao Ning then hesitantly explained, "I always thought that having a house would be better..."

_{After rushing home to get Xiaohei and Tangtang fed, Xiao Ning made his way downstairs and waited with a package in hand. The time he had to wait for wasn't long, as Shan Haiming and Wang Hua soon arrived.}Even though nothing much could be seen on his face, the more he acted like this, the more Xiao Ning thought he was cute. So, with a chuckle, Xiao Ning replied. "Nope, not a one. I'm just thinking about how great the benefits of your company are."

Upon noticing the man beside him had already considered this option as a possibility, Shan Haiming then casually added, "What about this one? What do you think about this house?"

_{In the beginning, his reason for buying a house stemmed from his wanting to make a change after living with Lu Yan. But now that he was renting an apartment from Shan Haiming, that feeling was no longer as urgent.}Wang Hua let out a chuckle upfront and was the one to answer his first question, "The property sale portion is outsourced, and construction of the resort has started, so after finishing up the work from earlier, this time now can be used for rest. Oh, I just remembered. You were interested in buying a house before, right? Well, Huating has already gone on the market. You interested?"

_{"Well, you actually don't need to go through the trouble of doing all that." Sun Rouyan covered her mouth and whispered, "President Shan already did that for your Wang-{ge} by adjusting his salary. It seemed to have been doubled."}The two were sitting on the sofa, side by side, so Shan Haiming turned and leaned on his side before asking, "What's wrong?"

_{After rushing home to get Xiaohei and Tangtang fed, Xiao Ning made his way downstairs and waited with a package in hand. The time he had to wait for wasn't long, as Shan Haiming and Wang Hua soon arrived.}
"That's now." Shan Haiming waved his hand, beckoning Tangtang over, which happily came running and allowed him to nuzzle its neck. "I don't expect to make a profit off this place, so what's wrong with how it's bought or sold, huh?"

_{"He thinks President Shan is a good person, and he thinks you being with him is a good thing, but... you're both two men after all, and he thought that before all this, you weren't..." Sun Rouyan shook her head. "He believed that because he was the one who asked for your help, he had accidentally caused you to be 'led astray.'"}Everyone was acquainted, so there was no need to pay too much attention to formalities. Additionally, little Yating had now fallen back asleep on her own, so there was nothing to worry about apart from eating. Shan Haiming wasn't especially enthusiastic amongst the lot, though, but he was quite cooperative regardless.

_{Later that evening, Wang Hua drove the two back to their apartment, and Xiao Ning spent the entire time preoccupied with that aforementioned matter after they got home. Seeing that ever-cool and worry-free Shan Haiming would actually do such a thing made him feel a little embarrassed, no matter how he thought about it.}"Okay," Xiao Ning answered before the realisation hit him, causing him to ask, "Are you not busy any more? Where are you planning for us to go?"

_{Confused, Xiao Ning asked, "Pardon?"}
Xiao Ning looked at him helplessly, but he had no intention of giving in.

Confused, Xiao Ning asked, "Pardon?"

_{Confused, Xiao Ning asked, "Pardon?"}"He thinks President Shan is a good person, and he thinks you being with him is a good thing, but... you're both two men after all, and he thought that before all this, you weren't..." Sun Rouyan shook her head. "He believed that because he was the one who asked for your help, he had accidentally caused you to be 'led astray.'"

Confused, Xiao Ning asked, "Pardon?"

_{As he thought and stared at Shan Haiming, his too-serious expression prompted Shan Haiming to ask, "What are you thinking about?"}After flashing a pout at being snubbed, Shan Haiming reached out to pinch Xiao Ning's cheeks in compensation, all of which was witnessed by the little ball of pink's parents standing close by. Sun Rouyan's lips curled upwards at the sight of them, and seeing this made Xiao Ning shyly turn himself away.

As he thought and stared at Shan Haiming, his too-serious expression prompted Shan Haiming to ask, "What are you thinking about?"

_{Wang Hua was obviously in high spirits as he led the two back to his house, and once there, Sun Rouyan, his wife, opened the door while wearing an apron to greet them. "You guys made it here at the perfect time; all the food's almost done. It's just a bit more until everything's done cooking, so we'll all eat then."}Wang Hua let out a chuckle upfront and was the one to answer his first question, "The property sale portion is outsourced, and construction of the resort has started, so after finishing up the work from earlier, this time now can be used for rest. Oh, I just remembered. You were interested in buying a house before, right? Well, Huating has already gone on the market. You interested?"

_{"Okay," Xiao Ning answered before the realisation hit him, causing him to ask, "Are you not busy any more? Where are you planning for us to go?"}
Shan Haiming told Tangtang to go find Xiaohei and play with, then turned to Xiao Ning with a face already showing hints of disappointment. "Alright, the market price for his place is over a million, so I'll knock twenty percent off and give it to you for eight hundred thousand, flat."

"Okay," Xiao Ning answered before the realisation hit him, causing him to ask, "Are you not busy any more? Where are you planning for us to go?"

_{"That's now." Shan Haiming waved his hand, beckoning Tangtang over, which happily came running and allowed him to nuzzle its neck. "I don't expect to make a profit off this place, so what's wrong with how it's bought or sold, huh?"}"Oh, what intrusion? It's just an average homemade dinner, nothing more. It's a pleasure to have you over." Sun Rouyan was also considerably polite to her husband's boss, but to Xiao Ning, she was understandably more affectionate. "It's lovely to see you, too, Xiao Ning."

_{Even though nothing much could be seen on his face, the more he acted like this, the more Xiao Ning thought he was cute. So, with a chuckle, Xiao Ning replied. "Nope, not a one. I'm just thinking about how great the benefits of your company are."}"Yeah..." Xiao Ning then hesitantly explained, "I always thought that having a house would be better..."

_{Shan Haiming glanced at him after seeing this. To which Xiao Ning replied simply, "No pinching."}"I just fed her, and now she's inside napping." Sun Rouyan replied with a gentle smile.

Shan Haiming glanced at him after seeing this. To which Xiao Ning replied simply, "No pinching."

_{"I told Wang Hua to ask you guys over today after I heard about your relationship." Sun Rouyan patted Xiao Ning's hand as she said with satisfaction, "I needed to see for myself."}
Xiao Ning burst out laughing at this, while Shan Haiming stared right at him with a face that had "Why the heck are you laughing?" written all over it.

"I told Wang Hua to ask you guys over today after I heard about your relationship." Sun Rouyan patted Xiao Ning's hand as she said with satisfaction, "I needed to see for myself."

_{"Yep. They've already been issued their visas," replied Shan Haiming.}"Oh, it's nothing. By the way, did you know that Wang-ge of yours had been beating himself up in the beginning?" Sun Ruoyan said with a sigh. "When he found out about what was going on between you and President Shan, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had done you wrong."

"Yep. They've already been issued their visas," replied Shan Haiming.

_HouseXiao Ning's ability to speak now straight-up faltered.

House

_{"I'll pop in for a look," Wang Hua said before moving to introduce the guests. "President Shan, [Xiao Ning, please make yourselves at home. I'll be back with you in a minute."}
"It's just—it's just that this is my first time ever seeing a house trying to be sold like this..." Xiao Ning couldn't hold back his laughter even while he spoke. It was rare to see the guy before him act in a way that seemed closer to that of someone his age. He was not his usual calm and unbothered self, but oddly enough, Xiao Ning rather liked it.

"I'll pop in for a look," Wang Hua said before moving to introduce the guests. "President Shan, [Xiao Ning, please make yourselves at home. I'll be back with you in a minute."

_{Such things for Xiao Ning were nothing that took up more than a fleeting thought and nothing to dig into too deeply. Shan Haihong was just a person he had to deal with for the sake of propriety and nothing more. Well, that was the case as long as the water of the well, which was him, didn't try to force its way into the river.}
His heart felt so full that it felt as though if he didn't let it out, it would swell up in him and hurt. He had to do something—he had to say something. So, out of pure impulse and completely disregarding the embarrassment he felt doing such a thing as an adult, Xiao Ning leaned over to Shan Haiming and then went on to whisper three words into his ear.

_{Shan Haiming's curled upon hearing those words, and once more that easygoing attitude of his made an appearance, except now it had a hint of even more smugness as he replied, "I know."}House

Shan Haiming's curled upon hearing those words, and once more that easygoing attitude of his made an appearance, except now it had a hint of even more smugness as he replied, "I know."

_{"Something cheaper would mean the location wouldn't be that good." After thinking for a moment, Shan Haiming then added, "You could consider buying a previously owned house?"}
Shan Haiming's curled upon hearing those words, and once more that easygoing attitude of his made an appearance, except now it had a hint of even more smugness as he replied, "I know."

"Something cheaper would mean the location wouldn't be that good." After thinking for a moment, Shan Haiming then added, "You could consider buying a previously owned house?"

_{"I can sell it to you for the price she bought it for at the time, without accounting for inflation since we know each other. But it has been renovated and the furnishings are brand new, so the price won't be low." In a business-like manner, Shan Haiming went on, "So I'll give it to you for five hundred thousand. Non-negotiable."}"Oh, you're being too polite. You've already bought enough; thank you." Sun Rouyan accepted the two tins of baby formula and then went to pour the two some tea. Wang Hua came back out with his daughter in his arms. She was already six months old. The little ball of pink didn't fuss at all in her father's arms, and compared to when she was just born, she was even more of a cutie pie now.

_{It wasn't that often that they visited the Shan family home, usually rounding up to about three or four times a month. Wu Yi wasn't the type to nag about visiting either, but she was still in high spirits whenever they showed up.}
With the heat from the press against his so near, just turning his head brought their lips together in a kiss.

_{His heart felt so full that it felt as though if he didn't let it out, it would swell up in him and hurt. He had to do something—he had to say something. So, out of pure impulse and completely disregarding the embarrassment he felt doing such a thing as an adult, Xiao Ning leaned over to Shan Haiming and then went on to whisper three words into his ear.}Upon noticing the man beside him had already considered this option as a possibility, Shan Haiming then casually added, "What about this one? What do you think about this house?"

_{Even though this was all a pretty normal thing for a person to do, and there was nothing to be said against it. To Shan Haiming, who has usually shown no doubts about the future of their relationship, such a move could have a trace of ruthlessness.}
While across the room from their interlocked masters, Tangtang lay on his blanket in the corner, comfortably swinging its tail to and fro, while a huddled Xiaohei had fallen into a deep and peaceful sleep beside it.

Author's Note:

N/A

Notes:

iana: that smug bastard is going to ride this whispered "I love you" high for eternity:)

The Long Road Ahead: C59

House

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