#57: As Long as She Stands by Him, He Won’t Lose

At the stair landing, Cheng Wanyue posted on social media: Friends at sixteen, still together at twenty-six.

The accompanying pictures were from their senior year New Year’s Eve group photo and the six-person photo taken on the lawn after the wedding. The photographer, Huo Zhi, captured everyone beautifully under stunning lighting.

Side by side, the two photos showed different arrangements but the same people. Time hadn’t taken anything away—it had only added more.

In the comments, she tagged Yanci: You’ve fallen behind. Hurry up and catch up.

Yanci had the highest alcohol tolerance among them. He didn’t stay at the Cheng residence that night but booked a hotel room instead. He might return to Shanghai tomorrow or the day after.

Cheng Wanyue descended the stairs, her damp hair partially dried, with a towel draped over her head. She bit into a green apple, her freshly makeup-free face clean and radiant. She wore no jewelry, and Meiqiu trailed behind her. Timid due to unfamiliarity and short legs, Meiqiu hesitated on the steps. Cheng Wanyue used her foot to support it mid-air until Meiqiu jumped into the living room before she finally looked up.

The living room was full of people, yet eerily quiet. Several pairs of eyes stared at her, their expressions complex. Even Cheng Guo’an, who usually doted on her the most, looked unusually stern.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, genuinely perplexed. “Why is everyone looking at me?”

Yang Huimin, slightly irritated, said, “Come here and stand next to Qing Hang.”

Cheng Wanyue took a couple of steps, her slippers slipping off. She leisurely put them back on and walked over to Qing Hang. As soon as she reached his side, he grabbed her hand.

Cheng Guo’an gulped down some tea, trying to calm himself. His foggy mind had cleared somewhat after Qing Hang’s earlier declaration, but seeing his daughter’s carefree demeanor made his head ache again.

What was going on?

Earlier that morning, Yang Huimin had quietly told him that the musician, Chi Yue, was the boyfriend Cheng Wanyue planned to bring home. He had observed them throughout the day and convinced himself not to overthink it—it was just a relationship; there was no need to dwell on it too much.

Near Cheng Wanyue’s university was a high school, and Cheng Guo’an had once worried he’d catch her with a high schooler during one of his visits.

Though Chi Yue was still a student, he was in university and would graduate next year. Being two years younger wasn’t ideal, but if their personalities matched, that was what mattered.

At first, the family hadn’t been optimistic about Cheng Yanqing and Huo Zhi either, yet their relationship had only grown stronger despite the long-distance challenges.

Young people in love only needed happiness to be together. No one could predict the future.

Having convinced himself, Cheng Guo’an felt at peace. As long as Chi Yue respected and cared for her, he could play the role of a loving father. This era wasn’t one where parents interfered unnecessarily in their children’s relationships.

That evening, during the celebratory banquet, he drank happily, only to have Qing Hang drop a bombshell that left him completely unprepared.

“Let go of her hand first,” Cheng Guo’an frowned, rubbing his temples. In his heart, Qing Hang and Cheng Wanyue were like siblings.

But Qing Hang didn’t loosen his grip—he tightened it instead. “Uncle Cheng, Auntie Yang, Second Uncle, Second Aunt…”

“Call me ‘Brother,’” Cheng Yanqing coughed twice. He was nearly a year younger than Qing Hang.

Men remain boys at heart. Huo Zhi found this amusing, but the atmosphere was tense. She nudged Cheng Yanqing with her elbow. “Don’t interrupt. Let Qing Hang speak.”

Cheng Yanqing quickly asserted his position. With Qing Hang around, he wouldn’t be at the bottom anymore. “I’m also part of this family. Cheng Wanyue is my only sister…”

“Shut up,” Cheng Guo’an glared at him. “Wanyue was with you in Beijing these past few months. Not only did you fail to act like a brother, but you also conspired with her to keep it from us. We’ll deal with you later.”

Cheng Yanqing dramatically protested his innocence. “They only got together on the 1st and are already reporting to everyone today. Regardless of anything else, at least their attitude deserves full marks.”

Cheng Guo’an’s expression softened noticeably.

“Brother, Sister-in-law,” Qing Hang continued where he left off. “I met Wanyue when I was fifteen. It’s been eleven years since then. During these eleven years, she possessed everything I desired: confidence, happiness, bravery, and carefreeness. She also gave me so much that didn’t belong to me.”

“I was just a small pebble, but she picked me up from the river and told me I was gold.”

“And then I began to gain confidence. I can give her a good life, and I won’t make her wait too long.”

“I tried to find reasons not to like her, but every one of them was refuted. So for all these years, I’ve only loved her.”

“My job is stable, and though my income isn’t exceptionally high, buying a house and a car within five years is no problem. I have no bad habits, no messy relationships, and I can handle all household chores. I also exercise regularly to stay healthy and will accompany her year after year.”

The last time Cheng Wanyue heard Qing Hang speak so much was on National Day.

Once, during a meeting at the hospital, he forgot to turn off the video call, and she listened to his entire presentation. He wasn’t bad at expressing himself—in his professional field, he spoke and questioned sharply. He simply struggled to express love, which was why he was often silent in her presence.

For him, saying all this in front of so many people was probably harder than preparing an academic report.

His palms were sweaty—he was nervous, worried that her parents wouldn’t approve.

Foolish man, what was there to be nervous about?

As long as she stood by him, he wouldn’t lose.

“Qing Hang, we don’t dislike your conditions, nor do we think you’re unworthy of Wanyue,” Cheng Guo’an said, his feelings complicated. “But how can you two date?”

“Why not?” Cheng Wanyue’s combative nature flared up. “He’s single, and so am I. We’re not related by blood or distant relatives. Why can’t we date?”

Yang Huimin thought about it and realized it made sense. “True.”

Cheng Yanqing seized the opportunity to help. “Qing Hang doesn’t share our surname. Nowadays, people’s mindsets have evolved. No one will gossip about this kind of thing. Let’s not confine ourselves to outdated frameworks. Dad, weren’t you always worried that Wanyue would be deceived by men of poor character? Look how good Qing Hang is—we know him well.”

“Exactly,” Cheng Wanyue turned to Yang Huimin. “Mom, do you know how many excellent and beautiful girls chase after Qing Hang? The fact that I managed to ‘steal’ him back shows how capable I am. Aren’t you happy?”

“It’s not that we’re unhappy—it’s just so sudden…”

“Not sudden at all. Qing Hang liked me since our second year of high school.”

Qing Hang added, “Even earlier.”

“Oh, oh,” Cheng Wanyue patted his hand. “See? Early romance didn’t stop him from getting into Tsinghua. Love doesn’t hinder ambition. Cheng Yanqing’s poor performance was purely due to his low IQ.”

Cheng Yanqing feigned displeasure. “Why drag innocent handsome guys into this?”

Cheng Wanyue laughed. “Whoever’s handsome gets teased.”

Cheng Guo’an’s brows never unfurrowed. “Alright, alright, give me some peace. Qing Hang, go rest.”

Before heading upstairs, he glanced at Qing Hang again and reminded, “Stay in separate rooms tonight.”

Qing Hang nodded. “Okay.”

Two hours later, he knocked on Cheng Wanyue’s door. He had brought a change of clothes and finished washing up, wearing comfortable pajamas but without his glasses.

Cheng Wanyue peeked out, looked left and right, then quietly pulled him inside.

She hadn’t fallen asleep yet. Meiqiu was still on the bed watching cartoons on her tablet.

While Cheng Wanyue locked the door, Qing Hang instinctively started tidying up her scattered clothes. Mid-bend, his movement paused. His gaze fixed on the small table next to the couch.

Under the light, the earring shimmered faintly.