After ending the call with Dr. Shen, Yichen slipped his phone into his pocket and walked back into the bedroom with a mischievous grin on his face.
Zhiyuan was standing in front of the full-length mirror, fastening his watch. He was already dressed in a sharp navy suit, his hair perfectly styled, looking every inch the powerful CEO.
Yichen leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, just watching.
"What?" Zhiyuan asked, catching his reflection's eye.
"Nothing," Yichen said, but his grin widened.
Zhiyuan turned around, narrowing his eyes. "You have that look. The one that means you're about to say something annoying."
"Moi?" Yichen placed a hand on his chest in mock offense. "I would never."
"You would always." Zhiyuan picked up his cufflinks, focusing on putting them on. "Just say it."
Yichen pushed off the doorframe and sauntered closer. "I was just thinking... Dr. Shen asked if he could bring someone."
"Okay?" Zhiyuan clipped the first cufflink in place.
"A 'friend,' he said." Yichen's voice was full of playful implication. "Someone who's been 'staying with him.' Helping around the house."
Zhiyuan paused, looking up. "So?"
Yichen circled around him slowly, like a cat playing with its prey. "Soooo... our dear doctor might have found himself some company. In that tiny village. By the sea."
"Yichen, what are you—"
"Romantic walks on the beach," Yichen continued dramatically. "Quiet dinners for two. Sharing a small house with only one bedroom..." He wiggled his eyebrows.
Zhiyuan's cheeks flushed. "You don't know that. It could be a friend. A old colleague. A—"
"A colleague he wants to bring to a family camping trip?" Yichen leaned in close, his lips brushing Zhiyuan's ear. "Come on, bao bei. Even you're not that innocent."
Zhiyuan swatted at him, but Yichen dodged easily, laughing.
"I'm not saying anything!" Zhiyuan protested, but he was smiling now. "Dr. Shen deserves to be happy. If he found someone..."
"Someone," Yichen repeated, circling back to stand in front of him. "A mysterious someone. Could be anyone. Could be..." He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "A tall, dark, brooding type? Someone with a mysterious past?"
"Now you're just making things up."
"Am I?" Yichen stepped closer, his hands finding Zhiyuan's waist. "You know what else is mysterious?"
Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Yichen leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Zhiyuan's lips. When he pulled back, he was grinning. "How someone as grumpy as you got so lucky with someone as charming as me."
Zhiyuan burst out laughing. "Charming? You? You're a menace."
"A menace who loves you," Yichen said, kissing him again.
Zhiyuan melted into it for a moment before pushing him away gently. "I have to go to work. Some of us have responsibilities."
"Cancel them" Yichen whined, wrapping his arms around him. "Stay home. Be lazy with me."
"Absolutely not." But Zhiyuan was laughing again. "Miss Zhang will kill me. She already had a breakdown yesterday because of us."
Yichen pouted. "One more day won't hurt."
"You're impossible." Zhiyuan fixed his tie, which Yichen had loosened. "Now let me go. I have meetings."
Yichen sighed dramatically but released him. "Fine. But when you come home tonight, I expect an apology for abandoning me all day."
"An apology?" Zhiyuan turned around amused. "For what?"
"For making me miss you." Yichen's voice softened, the playfulness giving way to something real and warm. "I always miss you when you're gone."
Zhiyuan's expression softened too. He walked back over and cupped Yichen's face gently, kissing him slow and sweet.
"I'll be back before dinner," he promised against his lips. "Try not to cause too much trouble while I'm gone."
"No promises."
Zhiyuan shook his head, smiling, and finally headed for the door.
"Oh, bao Bei?" Yichen called out.
Zhiyuan turned.
"Your lipstick is smudged." Yichen pointed to his own lips with a wicked grin.
Zhiyuan's hand flew to his mouth. "I'm not wearing—" He stopped when he saw Yichen laughing. "You're such a brat."
"Your brat," Yichen called as the door closed behind him.
He flopped back onto the bed, smiling at the ceiling, already counting the hours until his CEO came home.
Minutes later
Yichen was sitting at the kitchen table, mindlessly shoving snacks into his mouth, when Zhenlong walked in.
Zhenlong stopped and stared at him. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with Zhiyuan? You're his bodyguard."
Yichen flinched. His hand froze halfway to his mouth. He slowly put the snack down and looked away.
"...He fired me," Yichen mumbled.
Zhenlong raised an eyebrow. He walked over and sat down across from him. "Then what are you doing here? In my house? Eating my snacks?"
Yichen's shoulders drooped. He stared at the table.
Zhenlong watched him for a moment, then sighed. "Don't give me that sad puppy face. You know I'm joking." He rolled his eyes. "Honestly though. Why are you here? Why aren't you with him?"
Yichen scratched the back of his head nervously. "It's just... I feel useless."
"Useless?"
"Yeah." Yichen sighed. "He hired me because he was getting attacked. Now he's safe. The threats are gone. My duty as his bodyguard is... over."
Zhenlong tilted his head, listening.
Yichen continued, his voice quieter. "I want to... earn. You know? Provide. I can't just... hang around him all day doing nothing. I need a purpose. A real job."
Zhenlong's eyes softened. The teasing attitude faded. He leaned forward.
"You can always help him in the company," Zhenlong suggested. "You're smart. You're loyal. You could learn."
Yichen shook his head quickly. "No. No way."
"Why not?"
"Because..." Yichen struggled to explain. "He's the CEO. He's rich. Powerful. If I work in his company, people will think I'm just there because I'm his... because of us. They'll say I'm taking advantage. Using him."
Zhenlong frowned. "Who cares what people think?"
"I care." Yichen looked up, his one good eye serious. "I don't want to be seen as someone who leeches off Zhiyuan. I want to earn things myself. Prove I'm worthy of him. Not just... his kept man."
The words hung in the air.
Zhenlong studied him for a long moment. There was respect in his gaze.
"You really love him," Zhenlong said quietly. It wasn't a question.
"More than anything," Yichen admitted. "That's why I can't just sit around. I need to be someone. On my own. Not just 'Zhiyuan's bodyguard' or 'Zhiyuan's boyfriend.'"
Zhenlong nodded slowly. "So what happened? Why did he fire you?"
Yichen's cheeks flushed. "I... might have annoyed him while he was working."
"Annoyed him how?"
"I was trying to get his attention. He was ignoring me. So I... kept distracting him he told me to go home. Said I was 'fired from boyfriend duty for the day.'"
Zhenlong burst out laughing. "You're an idiot."
Three days later camping Day – Morning at the Mansion
The sun was barely up, but the mansion was already buzzing with activity.
Xiao Xue was the first to arrive, bouncing through the front door with an enormous backpack that looked bigger than her. Miss Zhang followed at a more dignified pace, carrying a reasonable bag and a long-suffering expression.
"We're here!" Xiao Xue announced loudly. "The camping enthusiasts have arrived!"
"You've never been camping in your life," Miss Zhang pointed out.
"Details!" Xiao Xue dropped her massive backpack with a thud. "I watched videos. I'm basically an expert."
Yichen came down the stairs, already dressed in practical hiking clothes. He looked more relaxed than he had in days, a small smile on his face.
"Morning," he greeted. "You're early."
"We're excited!" Xiao Xue beamed. "Where's Zhiyuan? Still sleeping? Lazy CEO."
"Getting ready," Yichen said. "He'll be down."
Zhenlong emerged from his study. He looked around at the growing chaos with mild amusement. "This is already more people than I wanted."
"Too bad," Xiao Xue said cheerfully. "You're stuck with us."
The front door opened again. Everyone turned.
Dr. Shen walked in, dressed casually for once, a small duffel bag over his shoulder. He looked healthy, relaxed, tanned from his time by the sea.
"Uncle Shen!" Xiao Xue rushed to hug him. "You came! I missed you!"
Dr. Shen chuckled, patting her back. "I said I would, didn't I?"
Zhenlong grunted from across the room. "Took you long enough. We almost left without you."
"You would never," Dr. Shen replied smoothly. "You need someone to argue with or you get bored."
Zhenlong opened his mouth to retort, but then his gaze shifted to the doorway. His words died in his throat.
Everyone followed his gaze.
Standing just behind Dr. Shen, half-hidden in the doorway, was Guo Lian. He wore simple clothes dark pants, a plain shirt but there was no mistaking him. His presence, the quiet intensity in his eyes was unmistakable.
The room went completely silent.
Xiao Xue's mouth dropped open. Miss Zhang stiffened. Yichen's relaxed posture went rigid, his hand instinctively moving toward where his weapon used to be.
Guo Lian stood perfectly still under the sudden weight of all their stares. His face was calm, but his jaw was tight.
Dr. Shen stepped slightly in front of him, a protective gesture that shocked everyone even more.
"Everyone," Dr. Shen said quietly, his voice steady. "This is Guo Lian. He's... my guest. My friend. He's here because I invited him."
Silence stretched. Uncomfortable. Shocked.
Then Zhiyuan's voice came from the stairs. "What's everyone staring at?"
He descended, pausing when he saw the frozen tableau. His eyes landed on Guo Lian. For a moment, he looked shocked too. Then something else crossed his face—thoughtfulness. Understanding.
"You're Guo Lian," Zhiyuan said. It wasn't a question.
Guo Lian met his gaze steadily. "Yes."
The silence returned, heavy and tense.
Then Xiao Xue, bless her chaotic heart, broke it completely.
"OH MY GOD!" she shrieked, pointing. "You're the scary henchman! The one with— What are you doing here?!"
Miss Zhang grabbed her arm. "Xiao Xue, be quiet!"
"But he's—!"
"I know who he is." Zhiyuan's voice cut through the chaos, calm and controlled.
Xiao Xue gasped again, but this time it was different. "Wait... you and Dr. Shen... are you two...?"
Dr. Shen's cheeks went pink. He cleared his throat. "We're... friends. Good friends."
The look Guo Lian gave him said very clearly that he hoped for more than friendship. It was written all over his usually unreadable face.
Zhenlong stared at them both, processing. Then, unexpectedly, he let out a long breath and shook his head.
"Unbelievable," he muttered. "First my son falls for a bodyguard. Now my oldest friend is bringing home a former enemy." He took a long sip of his coffee. "This family is insane."
Zhiyuan smiled. "You started it, Dad. With Dad."
Zhenlong had no comeback for that.
Yichen finally relaxed, his hand dropping from his side. He looked at Guo Lian, really looked at him, and saw what Dr. Shen must have seen a man trying to change.
"Welcome," Yichen said simply. "I guess."
Guo Lian nodded, grateful for the small acceptance.
Xiao Xue, unable to contain herself, rushed forward and grabbed Guo Lian's hand. "Okay, okay, I have SO many questions! How did this happen? When did this happen? Are you two dating? Do you hold hands? Has he cooked for you? Dr. Shen is an amazing cook, right?"
"Xiao Xue!" Miss Zhang hissed, mortified.
But Guo Lian's lips twitched almost a smile. "He is," he said quietly. "Amazing cook."
Dr. Shen's face went from pink to red.
And just like that, the tension broke. The impossible, ridiculous, beautiful chaos of this patchwork family had absorbed another lost soul into its ranks.
Zhenlong sighed deeply. "Everyone grab your gear. We're burning daylight."
It wasn't warm. It wasn't a full welcome. But it was acceptance. And in this family, that was enough.
After three hours of driving filled with Xiao Xue's terrible singing, Yichen's questionable navigation, and one wrong turn that added twenty minutes to the trip they finally arrived.
Tianmu Lake stretched out before them, calm and beautiful. Mountains rose in the distance, their peaks touching the clouds. The air was fresh and clean, carrying the scent of pine and water.
"Finally!" Xiao Xue burst out of the car, arms spread wide. "Freedom! Nature! No more car!"
Miss Zhang stepped out more slowly, stretching her back. "My ears are still ringing from your singing."
"That's called appreciation," Xiao Xue said proudly.
Yichen killed the engine and turned to Zhiyuan. "We made it. In one piece."
"Barely," Zhiyuan chuckled. "I think I aged five years watching you navigate."
"I got us here, didn't I?"
The second car pulled up beside them. Guo Lian parked smoothly, cutting the engine. Dr. Shen got out, taking a deep breath of the mountain air.
"Beautiful," Dr. Shen said softly.
Zhenlong emerged from the back seat, stretching dramatically. "Finally. I thought I'd die of boredom in there. You two don't talk enough."
"We were enjoying the silence," Dr. Shen replied.
"Same thing."
Everyone gathered near the cars, looking around at the perfect camping spot. A flat clearing near the lake, surrounded by trees, with a perfect view of the water.
"This is amazing," Zhiyuan said, genuinely impressed. "Good spot, Yichen."
Yichen puffed up with pride. "I have my moments."
Xiao Xue was already running toward the lake. "I'm going swimming!"
"Xiao Xue, no!" Miss Zhang chased after her. "We need to set up camp first!"
"But the water is right there!"
Zhiyuan laughed, shaking his head. "She's going to be exhausting for three days."
"That's her charm," Miss Zhang called back, having caught Xiao Xue by the arm and was now dragging her back.
Zhenlong looked at the pile of equipment in the cars. "Alright. Everyone grab something. We need tents up before dark."
Guo Lian silently moved to the back of the jeep and started unloading the heavier gear without being asked. He carried two large tents toward the clearing like they weighed nothing.
Zhenlong watched him for a moment. "At least he's useful," he muttered.
"He's trying," Dr. Shen said quietly, a hint of protectiveness in his voice.
"I know." Zhenlong's voice softened slightly. "I see it."
Yichen grabbed a tent bag and a cooler. "Zhiyuan, you grab the light stuff. I'll handle the heavy things."
Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow. "I'm not made of glass."
"I know. But let me do this anyway." Yichen smiled, that soft smile reserved only for Zhiyuan.
Zhiyuan's heart melted a little. "Fine. But I'm carrying my own sleeping bag."
"Deal."
Xiao Xue, having been dragged back from the lake, grabbed a bag of marshmallows and held it up triumphantly. "I call dibs on being in charge of snacks!"
"That's not a job," Miss Zhang said.
"It's the MOST important job!"
Everyone laughed as they began unloading, the afternoon sun warm on their backs, the lake glittering nearby. For the first time in a long time, there was no danger, no threats, no secrets.
Just family. Just love. Just a camping trip that would probably descend into beautiful chaos at any moment.