BDBE 32

Chapter 32 The Unfulfilled Bet

Well, if he truly didn’t love him anymore, then the topic Shen Wanchao would have brought up should have been “how to get more property from his ex-husband during the divorce” instead of “how to dispel Zhou Hui’s idea that ‘I don’t love him anymore'”. 

Therefore, Qi Xiao quickly adjusted his emotions, calmly picked up his coffee, and shook his head at his friend who was determined to cling to the grave of marriage. 

Tao Yan, who had been listening without saying a word, pushed up his glasses and finally expressed his thoughts: “Actually, I don’t think whether or not you love someone is that important.” 

Shen Wanchao looked at him.

“Love is a subjective feeling, it can’t be quantified, unlike numbers where 1 is 1 and 0 is 0,” Tao Yan said. “If we keep arguing about whether you love me or not, whether I love you or not, whether you love me more or I love you more, it will go on forever, and we’ll never reach an answer.” 

“Many people in this world don’t marry for love from the start. Xiao Wan, you’re lucky to have married your partner because you love each other. But you’ve been married for almost twenty years, and if you add the time you’ve known each other, it’s been even longer. It’s normal for love to fade. But the absence of love doesn’t mean you can’t continue living together.”

Tao Yan’s voice was gentle: “Marriage is different from dating. After you get married, you become a community of shared interests. You need to manage your marriage together and protect your common interests, not just rely on some vague, ethereal love to maintain it. Besides, you have a child. Whatever decision you make, you should be careful, and not always put love first.” 

“Good heavens!” Qi Xiao rolled his eyes at his long-winded explanation. “That’s why I’m afraid of marriage and children, it’s just too exhausting!”

“And you have to compromise yourself for others.” 

Shen Wanchao didn’t quite understand what Tao [unauthorized copy]Yan was trying to say, so he simply asked, “Then what do you think I should do?” 

“I think you shouldn’t take Zhou Hui’s talk about love too seriously,” Tao Yan said earnestly. “He probably just feels that you’re not at home enough. You two should communicate about this more practical issue and reach a consensus through negotiation.” 

Shen Wanchao fell silent. 

He felt that neither of their opinions were right, and neither was suitable for him. 

In the end, the issue became an unresolved mystery, with each of the three having their own viewpoints, and no conclusion could be reached. 

The three hadn’t gotten together for a long time, and since they hadn’t reached a conclusion, they were reluctant to part immediately, so they continued to chat about their recent situations. 

Qi Xiao was talking about how he was currently working, writing papers, and dating a handsome guy all at the same time, a true master of time management, something he had done for many years. 

Tao Yan had always been the one with the most peaceful life among the three, since his life was almost entirely work. 

But this seemingly unchanging STEM guy told them some big news: 

“I’ve submitted my resignation. After the handover is completed, I can officially leave at the beginning of next month.” 

Shen Wanchao, who was still immersed in his own problems, was immediately brought back to reality: “So sudden?” 

Qi Xiao was also surprised, but he agreed with Tao Yan’s visit our site decision: “He should have resigned a long time ago. We’re not nuclear-powered donkeys. Who can stand working overtime every day? We’re not young anymore.” 

Tao Yan nodded: “That’s exactly what I considered. Besides, I want to get married. I’ll go back to my hometown and find a less demanding job so I can take care of my family.” 

“Going back to your hometown?” Shen Wanchao felt a little reluctant. 

“My hometown isn’t far. I can see you anytime.” 

Tao Yan couldn’t help but pat Shen Wanchao’s head. After all, he still looked like an 18-year-old. 

“No wonder you were giving that long-winded talk about marriage earlier,” Qi Xiao teased. “So you’ve got something going on, huh? Got a lover, right? What do they look like? Male or female? A, B, or O? Show me a picture right now!”

Unexpectedly, Tao Yan smiled sheepishly and said, “I don’t have a lover. I’m planning to go back to my hometown for blind dates, to find a suitable girl.”

“Blind dates…” 

Qi Xiao immediately lost interest and pouted. 

Qi Xiao, a staunch libertine, was disdainful of blind dates. 

Shen Wanchao had never been on a blind date and knew that some people, like Qi Xiao, were averse to them. However, Tao Yan’s series of decisions must have been carefully considered, and as a friend, he could only offer his blessings. 

“Then I wish you find a satisfactory marriage partner in [visit our site]advance,” Shen Wanchao said with a smile. “I’ll give you a big red envelope then.” 

Seeing him discussing marriage with a still-childish face, these two near-forty adults couldn’t help but laugh. Shen Wanchao paused for a moment, then quickly understood why they were laughing. 

He gave a heavy “humph” and deliberately said, “Alright, uncles, go pay the bill. Do you expect me, a minor, to treat you?” 

The rare gathering finally came to an end. 

… 

The first day of Zhou Hui’s business trip. 

After finishing the last word in his English workbook, Zhou Mingchen let out a long sigh, leaned back in his chair for eight seconds, and left the small study. 

“I’m finished, we can start now,” 

Zhou Mingchen called to Shen Wanchao, who was sitting on the sofa watching TV. 

Because Zhou Mingchen’s last monthly exam results were so dismal, Shen Wanchao had been spending over an hour tutoring him every night after he finished his homework. 

At first, Zhou Mingchen resisted. 

But he quickly discovered that Shen Wanchao was very serious; no matter how much he tried to procrastinate, Shen Wanchao would [visit our site]stick with him to the end. 

So Zhou Mingchen gave up resisting and started completing his homework as quickly as possible every day to begin his after-school tutoring as early as possible. This way, occasionally, if he was fast enough, he could sneak into his room to play games for a while. 

However, today Shen Wanchao didn’t rush to get up. Instead, he tilted his head back from the sofa, patted the seat next to him with a smile, and invited, “Great! Now that you’ve finished your homework, let’s relax together. Want to play a game with me?” 

Zhou Mingchen looked at Shen Wanchao in surprise: “What do you mean? No more tutoring?” 

“Yes.” Shen Wanchao smiled, “Didn’t you lose to me in that fighting game last time? Don’t you want revenge?” 

Zhou Mingchen couldn’t be happier. Although he didn’t know what Shen Wanchao was thinking, why should he pry if he didn’t have to go through tutoring? 

“Okay, let’s have a final showdown today. I’ll definitely beat you!” 

Seeing his silly grin, Shen Wanchao felt both happy and helpless. 

After their conversation on Qiongye Hills last time, Shen Wanchao made an important decision: he would never demand excellent grades from Zhou Mingchen again. 

He did like his child to be obedient, well-behaved, and have good grades, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t love Zhou Mingchen if his grades weren’t good. 

Shen Wanchao never expected that his past praise and compliments would cause Zhou Mingchen such a deep misunderstanding. After reflecting on it, he made this decision. 

As long as Zhou Mingchen could grow up happily, safely, and law-abidingly, it didn’t matter if his grades were a little lower; he could do whatever he wanted in the future. 

Anyway, their family didn’t rely on Zhou Mingchen to make money. 

The two of them sat on the sofa and started playing a fighting game.

Since learning how to play the game, Shen Wanchao’s skills had improved by leaps and bounds. He easily won the first few rounds, until about seven or eight, when the game’s dazzling special effects made him a little dizzy, and he lost to Zhou Mingchen. 

“Nice!!” 

Zhou Mingchen excitedly stood up and clenched his fist. 

Shen Wanchao was amused by him, put down the controller, rubbed his temples to relax his optic nerves, and asked, “Can I ask you a question?” 

The young master Zhou was in a good mood and said without hesitation, “Go ahead.” 

“Uncle Zhou and your dad aren’t here.” Shen Wanchao’s eyes gleamed. “Tell me the truth, who do you like more?” 

Zhou Mingchen was stunned for a moment, then gave Shen Wanchao a very strange look. 

Shen Wanchao felt a little uneasy under his gaze, wondering if he had discovered something? 

But at the same time, he hoped that Zhou Mingchen could really figure something out. 

Zhou Mingchen looked annoyed: “Are you sick? Asking such a question? Do you think I’m three?” 

Shen Wanchao: “…” 

The happy days without Zhou Hui at home continued for a week. 

Every morning, the two went to school on time. Aunt Liu would prepare dinner at home on time, wait for them to come back in the afternoon, eat, clean up the dishes, and then clock out, leaving the two of them to rummage around the house until she came back the next morning to make breakfast, watch them go to school, and tidy up the house again. 

Zhou Mingchen was very satisfied with this kind of life. His father wasn’t home, someone cooked, and after finishing his homework, Shen Xiaochao would play with him. 

How wonderful! He could live like this forever. Shen Wanchao, however, couldn’t stand it anymore. 

On the eighth night of Zhou Hui’s business trip, after saying goodnight to Zhou Mingchen, Shen Wanchao quietly slipped into the master bedroom, lay down on the bed, and dialed Zhou Hui’s number. 

However, he was somewhat disappointed as soon as he lay down. 

Aunt Liu was diligent and had changed the sheets and blankets in the master bedroom sometime during the day. 

Therefore, Shen Wanchao could only smell a faint floral scent of laundry detergent, without a trace of the familiar scent he longed for. 

Lost in thought, the call connected. 

“Hello?” 

Zhou Hui’s deep voice, amplified by the phone’s speaker, carried a hint of electricity. 

Shen Wanchao felt a jolt. 

Although the house was well-insulated, Shen Wanchao subconsciously lowered his voice, “Didn’t you say you’d be home in a week?” 

Shen Wanchao heard Zhou Hui chuckle twice; the receiver was so close that his ears felt a little itchy. 

After the laughter, Zhou Hui explained seriously, “I’ve added a new itinerary, so I might not be able to return for another week.” Shen Wanchao was disappointed. 

Not only because Zhou Hui wouldn’t be home for another week, but also because he had suddenly realized that Zhou Hui seemed different from before. 

If it were before, when he called Zhou Hui to ask about his schedule, he would definitely pester him with questions about whether he missed him before giving a proper explanation. 

When he pestered him until he had no choice but to answer yes, he would say a few embarrassing things, like washing up and waiting, or suggesting they find a place to do it for now… After teasing him enough, he would return to seriousness and explain why he was late. 

When did this start? 

Zhou Hui had become a little polite. 

“Okay, then I’ll wait for you to come back.” 

“Shen Xiaotu.” 

Zhou Hui suddenly called out this nickname that only he would use. 

Shen Wanchao’s heart skipped a beat, and he hummed in response. 

“I’m glad you called.” Zhou Hui said. 

Shen Wanchao tried to suppress the upturned corners of his mouth and said, “It’s nothing, I should call you anyway.” 

“There’s no such thing as ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t’.” It sounded like he was smiling, “I’ll try to get home early, goodnight.” 

Zhou Hui was about to hang up, but Shen Wanchao quickly called out to him, “By the way!” 

Zhou Hui asked if he had anything else to say. 

Shen Wanchao spoke quickly: “I’ve decided I won’t pressure Xiao Chen about his grades anymore. As long as he finishes his studies, that’s enough. The rest is up to him.” 

Zhou Hui paused for a while before saying, “That’s fine.” 

“But if that’s the case, I’ll definitely lose that bet.” Shen Wanchao could hear his own heart pounding. 

Zhou Hui said, “It was just a joke. Since you’ve decided, the bet is off…” 

“So!” Shen Wanchao interrupted him abruptly, “So I’m willing to honor my bet. When you get home, I’ll keep my promise to you.” 

After saying this in one breath, Shen Wanchao’s face turned bright red, and as if he was afraid of hearing Zhou Hui’s reply, he abruptly hung up the phone.