Zero-sum game

When Shen Yan returned home that day, Zhou Xingchuan still hadn't come back, but he was in a good mood. After dinner, he went to the pet shop to bring back Coco after taking a bath, and took him for a walk in a nearby small park.

When one person and one dog returned home, Shen Yan saw that there were things in the entrance that had just been put down and hadn't had time to clean up. Shen Yan knew that Zhou Xingchuan was back.

"Have you eaten yet?" Shen Yan sent Coco into the cage, then walked in to find Zhou Xingchuan.

The light in the bedroom was not turned on, but the light in the bathroom was on. Shen Yan asked strangely, "Are you taking a shower?"

Zhou Xingchuan didn't answer, so Shen Yan had no choice but to open the door and go in, only to see that the other party was taking off his shirt, washing his face in front of the sink, some white things were still stained on his hair, and there was a sweet fragrance in the air.

"Is this cream? Did you go to someone's birthday party, painted you like this." Shen Yan was a little dumbfounded.

But Zhou Xingchuan wiped his hair with a paper towel in embarrassment, "No, actually..."

"Don't wipe it, take a shower quickly." Shen Yan closed the door and was about to exit.

Zhou Xingchuan threw the tissue in his hand into the trash can, gave up and said, "...I'm sorry."

"Huh?" Shen Yan was surprised, "Why suddenly apologize?"

Zhou Xingchuan reached out to hug him, but Shen Yan blocked him with disgust.

"Today is your birthday, honey."

"Ah?" Shen Yan completely forgot about this, or it has been a long time since no one celebrated his birthday, which made him completely lose the concept of this day.

"I've been studying at the company for a few days," Zhou Xingchuan said helplessly, "I've already baked the cake embryos, but I didn't expect the cream and mixer to be disobedient when I got home. I wanted to make them before you came back, but it turned out Instead, I made myself whole."

"...Ah," Shen Yan didn't know what to say for a while, "So you've been busy with this these days?"

Zhou Xingchuan was embarrassed by the rhetorical question, "If I had known, I would have bought one. Now the kitchen looks like it just finished a war."

Shen Yan patted his face lightly, "Are you a little silly?"

"Wait for me, I'll take a shower, and then we'll go out and have a big meal to celebrate our birthday again." Zhou Xingchuan said.

"What a big meal, it's so late," Shen Yan said, "You take a shower first, I'll clean up the kitchen."

Zhou Xingchuan became anxious, "No, listen to me, I want to give you a sense of ceremony."

Shen Yan tilted his head and thought for a while, "Forget it, it's okay, I'm not a person who is obsessed with birthday rituals."

Zhou Xingchuan held him helplessly, "Then how should I give my birthday present?"

Shen Yan looked at him, his eyes seemed to ask you what new tricks you can come up with, he stretched out his hand and said, "Just give it like this, what kind of gift is it?"

"Well, it can't be at the bathroom door." Zhou Xingchuan pulled him out and sat down, and felt that there was no sense of suspense in Shen Yan's staring at him, "You close your eyes."

Shen Yan closed his eyes speechlessly, only feeling that his hand was being held by the other party, and then something was put on his ring finger.Originally, he should be able to understand what it is right away, but Shen Yan took a while to understand, oh, it turned out to be a ring.

"Okay, you can open your eyes now." Zhou Xingchuan said.

Shen Yan blinked, and looked down at the ring on his hand.

"Do you think it's a bit vulgar?" Zhou Xingchuan asked, "But I'm afraid you don't like too exaggerated styles, so I chose..."

However, Shen Yan patted him on the shoulder and said: "It's too impertinent for anyone to give a ring shirtless."

Zhou Xingchuan decisively admitted his mistake, "I'm sorry, I came back late today, I should have finished work earlier..."

But at this moment, Shen Yan hugged him, and the sweet smell of butter came from him.

"Thank you." Shen Yan heard himself say.

The museum's private presentations are scheduled to take place.

The exhibition hall was full of visitors. Shen Yan conducted tours and explanations according to his own work arrangement. The side door on the side was the banquet hall, which was obviously more lively, and the sound of laughter and chatter continued to come.

After sending off a group of visitors, Shen Yan sat for a while in the side lounge. There was only one wall away from the banquet hall, and the noisy voice could be heard clearly.

At this time, the door was knocked lightly twice, and Zhou's mother pushed the door open and came in.

Shen Yan hurriedly stood up to say hello, but Zhou's mother signaled him to sit down, holding a tray in her hand with a plate of exquisite Chinese dim sum, two cups and a small teapot.

"We made this snack by ourselves. It's delicious." Mother Zhou put it in front of him.

"Thank you."

"Tea should be served with Chinese dim sum, otherwise it will be too sweet and greasy. I hope you like it." Mother Zhou said.

Shen Yan felt flattered, he had always been a little apprehensive towards Zhou's mother, so he could only say thank you again.

"Is Xiao Chuan living with you now?"

Shen Yan almost choked, and then felt that it was normal for her mother to know who her son lived with, "Yes."

"Last time I told you that I asked you to take him home, did you feel it was very sudden?" Mother Zhou said, "You don't know, he hasn't been home for several months, so close, he They don't want to go home.

She filled Shen Yan's cup with tea, and continued: "He had a bad relationship with his father before, especially after that incident."

"I thought this matter would pass one day, but now that you are together again, I realize that he has never forgotten you in his heart, and he will never turn the page."

Shen Yan held the teacup and remained silent.

Zhou's mother's eyes fell on the ring Shen Yan was wearing, "We are getting older now, no matter what, I just hope he can be happy."

Mother Zhou stood up. She was wearing a dark long dress today. She has a thin figure and her hair is neatly arranged, but there is an irresistible fatigue between her eyebrows and eyes.

She patted Shen Yan's shoulder lightly, and then walked out.

After get off work that day, Shen Yan saw Zhou Xingchuan's car parked at the door, so he must have been waiting for a while.

He hurried over and asked, "Why are you here? Did you come back so early today?"

"Well," Zhou Xingchuan watched him pull up his seat belt, "My mother... did you make things difficult for you today?"

Shen Yan shook his head, and said: "She asked you to go home often and take a look."

"Well," Zhou Xingchuan ended the topic flatly, "What do you want to eat tonight?"

Shen Yan said again: "She said she wants me to go back with you."

"...I see." Zhou Xingchuan said.