TUMZ Chapter 3

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Qui Zheyan had heard Zhuang Hanxue mention his elder brother before, but not in detail. He only vaguely knew that the man was in his forties, lived abroad, used to be in business, and had recently switched to a more relaxed job.

He had no idea what the man was like in person.

Zhuang Hanxue, who couldn’t stay quiet for long, chatted with him in the car, rambling on, "My brother came back this time to bring his child in for a second surgery. The kid he adopted was born with many health issues and needs multiple operations."

"The child was abandoned at birth because of all those health problems. It must have been because of that outdated preference for boys over girls."

"Her biological parents were so irresponsible. If they didn't want to raise a child, they shouldn't have had one in the first place."

"Luckily, her hardships are over. She met my brother, and I know he'll take good care of her."

"My brother even switched to a higher-paying job to support the child."

Qui Zheyan quickly interjected, "So your niece is coming too?"

Zhuang Hanxue nodded, "Yeah."

Qui Zheyan said, "Then I should bring a gift for her. How old is she?"

Zhuang Hanxue thought for a moment. "I think she's about four or five?"

Qui Zheyan glanced at the map.

Adjusting their route slightly, he took a quick detour and rushed into a jewelry store. He swiftly picked out a gold bracelet and instructed the staff, "Engrave something like 'wishing for good health and longevity' on it."

The store clerk brought out three options. He chose one almost instantly, got it packaged, and left.

Zhuang Hanxue checked his phone and clicked his tongue in amazement. "That took less than ten minutes."

Qui Zheyan said, "No time to dawdle."

They hurried to the airport, arriving just in time. As soon as they found a spot, Zhuang Hanxue's elder brother appeared. The man didn’t look like he was already forty-five—he was dignified and well-composed, even taller than Zhuang Hanxue. He carried a little girl in his arms, her small hands wrapped around his neck as she slept on his shoulder, while he pushed a luggage cart with one hand.

Zhuang Hanxue smiled and greeted him, "Big brother."

Zhuang Hanxun looked surprised. "You’re actually on time?"

Zhuang Hanxue remained shameless. "Because the driver is someone who values punctuality."

Qui Zheyan suddenly had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, when Zhuang Hanxun turned to him and asked, "This is your friend? I didn’t know you had such a reliable friend," he realized that Zhuang Hanxue had never even mentioned him to his brother.

Qui Zheyan had always known that their relationship was driven by his own pursuit. To this day, Zhuang Hanxue had never given him any promises. Because of past experiences, Qui Zheyan didn’t dare to demand any commitment too soon.

How should he introduce himself?

He originally thought that since Zhuang Hanxue's elder brother also had a same-sex partner, he wouldn’t have an issue with his younger brother dating a man. But upon closer thought, he couldn’t be sure. There were men who, having brothers to continue the family line, believed they could pursue love freely while still expecting their siblings to shoulder the responsibility of family continuation. What if Zhuang Hanxun was one of those people?

But the most frustrating part of it all was that Zhuang Hanxue had never even mentioned him.

Even though they had slept together countless times, Qui Zheyan had thought they were in a proper relationship.

It was best not to stir the waters.

I’m his friend.—That would be the safest introduction.

Just then—

Zhuang Hanxue scratched his head and casually tossed out a bombshell: "This is my boyfriend."

Everyone froze.

Qui Zheyan's face turned bright red.

The uncertainty in his heart swelled into confidence in an instant.

Zhuang Hanxue tugged at him and introduced him to his still-stunned elder brother, "This is my big brother, Zhuang Hanxun."

Qui Zheyan hurriedly handed over the gift. His stiff posture made him look like a gang member paying respects to a boss as he bowed at a perfect ninety-degree angle. "Big brother, hello! I’m Qui Zheyan, Zhuang Hanxue’s boyfriend! This is a gift I prepared for you."

As he lifted his head, he met Zhuang Hanxun’s sharp, piercing gaze. His heart pounded wildly, and a wave of panic surged in his mind. His brain short-circuited, and before he realized it, he bowed again and blurted out in a loud voice: "I want to marry him!"

At that moment, not only Zhuang Hanxun but even Zhuang Hanxue was dumbfounded.

Zhuang Hanxue burst into laughter. "You woke my niece up!"

Qui Zheyan's ears turned red. "S-Sorry."

Qiu Zheyan's ears turned red. "S-Sorry."

Zhuang Hanchen felt a headache coming on from the chaotic scene. He sighed and said, "Let's go. I've already booked a hotel—take me there."

Once they got in the car, Qiu Zheyan apologized again. "Sorry, big brother, I should have been the one to book the hotel."

Zhuang Hanchen said, "It’s fine. I never expected you to."

He seemed uninterested in dealing with Qiu Zheyan and remained indifferent from start to finish.

Turning to Zhuang Hanxue, he asked, "Why didn’t you tell me earlier that you’re into men now?"

Zhuang Hanxue replied indifferently, "You never asked me."

Zhuang Hanchen frowned. "People usually inform their family when they’re in a relationship."

Zhuang Hanxue countered, "Did you tell me when you were dating Qiming? I only found out after you ran off with him."

Zhuang Hanchen was momentarily at a loss for words. He was indeed guilty of that. "That was different. I couldn't come out so easily back then. I've always liked men, but didn’t you date women all the time in your twenties?"

Zhuang Hanxue immediately retorted, "Not all the time! Just one new girlfriend a week at most."

Zhuang Hanxue added, "Is that really the point here?"

He smirked. "Just think of it as me suddenly waking up to my true self."

Qiu Zheyan anxiously kept checking the rearview mirror, unable to participate in this battlefield between the two brothers.

But soon, the argument ended with Zhuang Hanxue playing the rogue card. "Every time we meet, you start lecturing me. Can’t you stop? I’m in my thirties already. And besides, Nannan is here—it’s not good to argue in front of a child. Just like our parents did."

Zhuang Hanchen said, "You’re in your thirties and still so irresponsible."

Although Zhuang Hanchen didn’t outright say it, it was clear from the argument that he didn’t approve of his brother’s boyfriend. But when Qiu Zheyan tentatively called him "big brother," he didn't reject it.

Qiu Zheyan diligently helped carry the luggage and escorted him to the hotel room. Then, thick-skinned, he asked for his contact information. "Big brother, let me treat you to dinner tonight."

Zhuang Hanchen refused. "I have an appointment to take my kid to the doctor this afternoon. I don’t know how long it’ll take."

Zhuang Hanxue said, "You’ll finish late. I’ll take my brother to dinner instead."

Qiu Zheyan was respectful. "I don’t have much to do today, so I can leave work early. If anything comes up, just call me anytime."

Zhuang Hanxue stayed behind to help his brother at the hospital.

Qiu Zheyan hurried back to work, exceptionally efficient that day, eagerly waiting for Zhuang Hanxue’s call—but it never came. So, he left work early and went out for dinner.

The meal was fairly amicable.

"So, how did you and my brother meet?"

"We met online while gaming. After interacting in real life, we found we got along well."

"How long have you been together?"

"It’s been two months since we officially started dating."

"Looks like you’re already living together."

"Yes…"

"He told me he doesn’t work—he just stays home and plays games all day. You’re fine with that?"

"Whether he works or not, I let him do as he pleases."

"But he’s a man—how can he not have a job?"

"Uh…"

Zhuang Hanxue couldn’t hold back. "Why does a man have to work and be ambitious? Why is a man considered useless and looked down upon if he’s not striving for success? Isn’t that unfair? Why isn’t being a stay-at-home husband considered a valid contribution?"

His brother scoffed. "That’s nonsense. Everyone should have a job—especially someone as lazy as you."

Zhuang Hanxue lifted his chin confidently. "Xiao Qiu can afford to support me. I can live however I want. I’m just that unmotivated."

Seeing Zhuang Hanchen about to get angry, Qiu Zheyan held his breath, anxious about how to smooth things over.

Zhuang Hanchen pressed on. "You talk a good game. Stay-at-home husband? Do you cook, clean, or do any housework?"

Zhuang Hanxue answered firmly, "No. Xiao Qiu hired a housekeeper for that. It’s better to leave such things to professionals."

His brother asked, "So you just stay home all day? Eat, sleep, and play games? You don’t think that’s wasting your life?"

Zhuang Hanxue counted on his fingers. "I play three or four games every day, have lots of dungeons to complete, take the dog for walks, spend time with Xiao Qiu, and go shopping sometimes. I feel fulfilled."

Qiu Zheyan quickly added, "I cherish him very much. I never expected him to take care of chores. I didn’t get into a relationship with him to have a live-in servant."

They echoed each other’s words so seamlessly that Zhuang Hanchen was too furious to respond.

Zhuang Hanxue said, "Why must men always compete and struggle? Can’t we escape from all that? Everyone lives their own way. You have your life, and I have mine. We may be brothers, but let’s mind our own business. I’m happy with my life. There’s nothing wrong with that."

His brother said, "You won’t always be happy. What will you do when things go wrong?"

Zhuang Hanxue, unfazed, grinned. "I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it."

On the way home—

Qiu Zheyan worriedly said, "Your brother doesn’t seem to like me very much."

Zhuang Hanxue reassured him. "I suddenly came out—it’s going to take him time to accept it. My brother is over ten years older than me. Our parents weren’t very involved in raising me, so he was more like a father figure than a brother. Even now, he still acts like he’s responsible for me. It’s just an old habit. Try to be understanding—he means well."

Qiu Zheyan couldn’t help but imagine a tragic backstory—an older brother struggling to raise his neglected little brother, the two of them depending on each other.

Of course, he knew Zhuang Hanchen wasn’t trying to be malicious. It was precisely because he cared about his unreliable younger brother that he was so strict with him.

Zhuang Hanxue said, "He’s just overly suspicious. He even grilled me to make sure you’re not tricking me. I had to explain myself for ages—nearly lost my voice."

Qiu Zheyan’s heart skipped a beat.

Before he could ask—

Zhuang Hanxue’s thoughts had already drifted elsewhere. "Oh, it’s Jiang Ruoyun’s billboard."

"Speaking of which, today you suddenly told my brother you wanted to marry me."

Hearing the word "marriage," Qiu Zheyan’s heart started racing again.

Zhuang Hanxue suddenly chuckled as if recalling something amusing. He straightened his face and imitated his brother’s stern expression. "My brother said, ‘Throwing around the idea of marriage so casually is suspicious. Saying it in public—are you trying to force him into it?’ Hahaha!"

After mimicking him, he returned to his usual self. "I was shocked too."

"Seeing Jiang Ruoyun just reminded me—she once proposed to me."

Qiu Zheyan was amused. "Really? Did Bei Yao propose to you too?" Bei Yao was another popular young actress.

Zhuang Hanxue, as if picking among suitors, said, "No, I never liked her type. When Xiaoyun proposed, I refused, and she slapped me. So we broke up."

Qiu Zheyan chuckled. "Alright, alright. You’ve told me plenty about how popular you were with women."

Zhuang Hanxue sighed dramatically. "I’m getting old now—you’re the only one who still likes me."

Qiu Zheyan teased, "When you were in your twenties, I was still in middle school."

But his mind lingered on one thing—Zhuang Hanxue had refused marriage before.

Was that a hint?

No, that didn’t seem like him.

He was too straightforward for mind games.

Mostly honest, with a touch of embellishment.

Qiu Zheyan, ever impatient, fixed his eyes on the road ahead and decided—he’d ask directly.

Testing the waters, he said, "You think I was joking today. But actually... I was serious about marriage. Ah Xue, what do you think?"

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