Cheng Huanzhen tried multiple times but failed to break through. For a moment, he was disappointed and lowered his rating of his father in his mind.

For a week, the events of that day replayed in his mind countless times. He kept remembering the feeling of his Little Uncle’s toes pressing against his chest, then gently sliding down to his abdomen. This sensation caused a surge of heat to rush downwards countless times, forcing his brain to continuously sink into this vortex named Little Uncle.

He tried to find an answer for all these actions and reactions. He scoured all sorts of related books, and all the conventional knowledge told him that young men would get an erection in response to their object of desire, and this object of desire was often the object of their love.

…Love?

This word was very foreign to Cheng Huanzhen.

He knew that if a man and a woman were in love, they would become lovers and then enter into marriage. But he was male, and so was his Little Uncle. His Little Uncle had also been his Little Uncle, his relative, the most important person in his life, the person he couldn’t live without, the person he wanted to take good care of and support for a lifetime…

…Love?

Was… this… love?

Cheng Huanzhen didn’t know. He only felt that this word, this feeling, was all incredibly unfamiliar.

It was the first time that just thinking of a person, of a name, made his heart pound uncontrollably. It was the first time that just dreaming of a scene, of a face, made him have to get up in the early morning in a mess to wash his underwear.

He tried to have a heart-to-heart talk with his father, hoping his father would use his experience to tell him if this was indeed the case. But after several days, his father refused to give him a definite answer.

…Fine, don’t answer. Since his father wouldn’t tell him what this feeling was, he would go find his Little Uncle.

The books said that when a person saw their object of love, their cheeks would turn red, their brain would slow down, their mood would improve, and the world would become brighter.

Well then, he would go and verify it.

With this thought, Cheng Huanzhen once again set off on the road to visit his Little Uncle.

As soon as he got in the car and the engine hummed to life, Cheng Huanzhen felt his gloomy mood of the past few days instantly become joyful and expectant. The strawberry candies in his pocket felt heavy, the green leaves on both sides of the road had a particularly fresh luster, the early morning sun was bright and dazzling, and the cool breeze flowing in from the side windows was refreshing and cheerful.

When Cheng Huanzhen stopped the car at the first intersection, he suddenly realized how bright the whole world was.

Just like that, two of the four criteria were quietly verified.

But it made sense. He would soon be able to see his Little Uncle, to hug his Little Uncle. Of course, this was a joyous and world-brightening event.

With such anticipation, Cheng Huanzhen arrived at the villa’s entrance. But as he approached, he found a man and a woman and a car parked horizontally, blocking the main gate. Facing them was clearly his Little Uncle.

He had seen Wen Shaozhuo before, and facing Uncle Wen and Auntie Wen, it was impossible for him to stand so straight.

“…What kind of logic is this in the world, can a son give us an attitude? Does he have to paint? For the sake of painting, he’s willing to sever ties with his own parents?…”

“…Little Heng, how about this, you go in and tell Shaozhuo that we’ve hired the most famous art master in the country to teach him. If he really wants to paint, then he can paint. As long as he can do well in his other studies, he can develop some of his own hobbies in his spare time. You’re his closest peer, you go and talk to him, he will definitely…”

Little Uncle’s voice came from a distance: “Dad, Mom, you still don’t understand. What A’Shao wants is not just time to paint… Alright, alright, I know you think I’m young and don’t understand your position. Then you should go ask your peers. I heard you’re talking about a project with Uncle Qi today? You can ask him…”

However, Uncle Wen and Auntie Wen did not leave and seemed to want to pester him further.

Cheng Huanzhen furrowed his brows, parked the car by the roadside in the villa area, and strode forward. “Hello, what are you doing here?”

The sudden voice attracted the attention of Wen Yifeng and Wen Qingtai. Wen Yifeng was surprised to see the newcomer: “Huanzhen?”

Seeing their business partner, Wen Yifeng and Wen Qingtai immediately became reserved and polite.

Wen Qingtai: “Huanzhen, you’re seeing a joke. Sigh, Shaozhuo has been throwing a tantrum with us these days. See, Yifeng and I were just about to coax him. Speaking of which, Huanzhen, why are you here?”

Cheng Huanzhen gave a polite greeting to Wen Siheng, saying: “Siheng, long time no see.”

Then he turned his eyes back to answer the question: “This is my house. I happened to be in the neighborhood for business today and came by to collect rent.”

Wen Yifeng: “? Collect rent?”

Wen Qingtai reacted faster. Her eyes lit up and she said, “This is your house? That’s great! Shaozhuo has been locking himself in his room these days and refuses to open the door. Since this is your house, you should have a spare key to the room lock, right? Can you help us open the door?”

Cheng Huanzhen glanced at his Little Uncle. He saw that his Little Uncle frowned slightly at these words, but said nothing and his expression did not change. He just quietly met his eyes.

Cheng Huanzhen calmly withdrew his gaze. He said calmly to Wen Qingtai: “Sorry, Auntie Wen, this is the house I rented to Siheng and Shaozhuo. They have the final say.”

Wen Qingtai sighed: “That’s the principle, but you don’t know, Shaozhuo likes to go on hunger strikes and self-harm in his room when he has nothing to do… Now that he’s locked himself in, who knows what he’ll do? I’ve been so worried about this that I haven’t been able to eat for days!”

Cheng Huanzhen: “Sorry, Auntie Wen, this is the house I rented to Siheng and Shaozhuo. They have the final say.”

Wen Yifeng: “Huanzhen, we’re not forcing you on this, but think about it…”

Cheng Huanzhen: “Sorry, Uncle Wen, this is the house I rented to…”

When Cheng Huanzhen repeated this sentence for the eighteenth time, Wen Yifeng and Wen Qingtai finally broke down and couldn’t persuade him anymore! Had they encountered some kind of repeating attack??

They left in a huff, deciding to first meet Jingming’s appointment and finish discussing the project before worrying about their headache of a son.

Cheng Huanzhen didn’t know what kind of impression he had made on his uncle and aunt. The moment Father and Mother Wen left, his gaze fell directly and unabashedly on his Little Uncle.

Leaning against the door with his arms crossed, his Little Uncle looked at him with a half-smile and asked, “Here to collect rent?”

It took Cheng Huanzhen a moment to react, remembering this was the excuse he had just given Father and Mother Wen.

Cheng Huanzhen was a little embarrassed: “I don’t have to collect it, Little Uncle.”

Little Uncle laughed: “You did well just now. I bet they won’t forget you today. Come on, come inside, my good landlord.”

Cheng Huanzhen thought that it sounded good when his Little Uncle called him that. His ears felt a little hot. He followed his Little Uncle into the house. As he passed the mirror, he secretly glanced at himself in it.

…He wasn’t as fair as his Little Uncle, so it was hard to tell if his face was red at a glance. But his ears were a little red. Did that count?

He thought about it, then took out his phone from his pocket, and also a piece of paper on which was simply written a three-digit multiplication problem. He started the timer on his phone, stared at the paper for two seconds, stopped the timer, and found that his mental calculation speed was indeed much slower than usual.

…Ears turning red. Brain slowing down.

Even though Cheng Huanzhen had long guessed this result, when it really came to this, his heart still couldn’t help but skip a beat.

His Little Uncle didn’t notice his small actions. He first went to knock on Wen Shaozhuo’s door. The door that had been stubbornly shut in the faces of Father and Mother Wen immediately opened with a simple “A’Shao” from his Little Uncle. The person inside, far from being on a hunger strike or self-harming, looked full of spirit.

When Wen Shaozhuo saw Cheng Huanzhen, he was startled and immediately hid behind his brother: “…Brother Huanzhen!”

Lost in his own thoughts, Cheng Huanzhen put on a polite smile and greeted him: “Hello, Shaozhuo.” He lifted the bag in his hand and handed it to Wen Shaozhuo, saying: “I brought you some gifts. They’re snacks, I don’t know if you like them.”

Wen Shaozhuo was flattered and didn’t know whether to accept. He hesitated and looked at his brother.

Wen Siheng said in surprise: “Oh my, Brother Huanzhen even brought gifts? Brother Huanzhen is too thoughtful, thank you Brother Huanzhen!”

Only then did Wen Shaozhuo say “thank you, thank you” and accept the gift.

Cheng Huanzhen thought that this address sounded even better. His ears felt hotter. He asked his Little Uncle without changing his expression: “I also brought you a gift. It’s in the car. Do you want to go get it with me?”

A smile spread in his Little Uncle’s eyes, as if laughing at him for “not even being able to hide this little thought,” yet he had to put on a surprised expression and even widened his eyes and said, “Eh?”

Then, muttering something about “Brother Huanzhen is too thoughtful” and “renting us the house and helping me find a job,” he first coaxed Wen Shaozhuo to go draw, and then followed him out to the car again.

As soon as the car door closed, Cheng Huanzhen’s eyes lit up and he wanted to hug him. Just as he was about to move, his Little Uncle’s finger pointed at his forehead.

Little Uncle smiled: “In broad daylight, what are you trying to do to me? You tell me, how many times have you come to find me in these two months?”

Cheng Huanzhen said seriously: “Not more than ten times, Little Uncle. I have been trying very hard to restrain myself.”

His Little Uncle was amused by his words, laughing until his shoulders shook. He finally withdrew his hand: “Then find a safer place.”

The morning sun was bright, and the alley was not secluded enough. So Cheng Huanzhen thought about it, found a teahouse nearby, booked a private room, drew the curtains, dismissed the waiter, and then sat down next to his Little Uncle.

Of course, his Little Uncle didn’t wait for him. When he came back after drawing the curtains, his Little Uncle had already finished making tea. One cup for him, one for himself. The smile was retracted back into his body, leaving only gentleness and politeness, asking him: “You seem different today, is something the matter?”

His Little Uncle, in Wen Shaozhuo’s makeup, looked very young, just barely an adult. But Cheng Huanzhen knew that his Little Uncle must be older than that. When he first met his Little Uncle at his home, he thought his Little Uncle was about the same age as him, maybe a year or two older. But whenever they interacted, he would feel that his Little Uncle’s broad horizons and stable temperament were not at all like those of his peers.

Cheng Huanzhen guessed and thought, and felt that the way his Little Uncle sat there made him want to hug him even more.