No One Else Will Do But You - Chapter 76

Drinking for “liquid courage” last night was a bold move, but today, he was the one paying the price.

“Ugh… my waist…” Shu Luo lay sprawled like a starfish on the bed, unable to move. He blamed himself for playing with fire last night; this was the definition of “bringing it upon oneself.”

Turning his head, he saw a sticky note on the nightstand. The handwriting was powerful and bold: Breakfast is on the table. If it’s cold, heat it in the microwave. Business at the company.

He peeled off the note and struggled to get up. A sharp twinge from his lower back made him hiss—it was agonizing. After two years apart, the man had behaved like a beast released from a cage. Thank god for his gym routine, or he wouldn’t have survived.

By the time he finished breakfast, it was 10:30 AM. He contemplated his next move, his eyes landing on the car keys in the hallway.

Soon, a silver Jaguar glided out of the underground garage, its elegant lines reflecting a brilliant metallic sheen under the sunlight.

Weisen Group, located in the east of the city, was a massive international corporation with headquarters in the US. The architecture, designed by American architects, stood out with a grand, modern aesthetic that differed from traditional local styles.

The security guards at the gate moved to intercept the vehicle, but the moment the window rolled down and they saw the driver, they immediately stepped aside. This was the eldest young master of the group; they wouldn’t dare offend him.

After parking, Shu Luo stepped out of the car.

“Hello, do you have—” The receptionist began her professional inquiry, but her jaw dropped as she looked up. “Young Master Shu?!”

Good heavens. She had worked at the company for five years and had only seen Shu Luo three or four times. However, his features were so striking that she recognized him instantly despite the two-year absence. He had grown even more handsome—taller, with a great physique highlighted by his varsity jacket.

Shu Luo slid off his sunglasses and gave her a charming smile. “Don’t recognize me anymore?”

The receptionist’s heart skipped a beat. That playful tone is so… captivating! She took a deep breath to remain professional. “Young Master Shu, are you here to see the Chairman?”

“Yeah. Is my dad free?”

“Yes, the meeting just ended.”

Shu Luo hooked his sunglasses into his chest pocket and headed for the executive elevator. Behind him, the receptionist quickly snapped a photo of his retreating figure. Too handsome! This is definitely going to be my lock screen!

“Playing with your phone during work hours? Want a pay cut?” The manager walked over with a dark expression.

“Manager, Young Master Shu is here!”

The manager’s eyes lit up. “Where?”

“He just took the elevator up.”

The manager hurried after him. If the future owner was here, he had to be greeted properly! Unfortunately, the elevator doors had already closed.

The 33rd floor housed the Chairman’s office, offering a panoramic view of the city skyline.

“Why the sudden visit? I thought you hated coming to the company,” Shu Luo’s father remarked.

Shu Luo found a comfortable spot on the sofa and idly flipped through a magazine. “Can’t a son visit his father without an ulterior motive?”

Mr. Shu didn’t buy it for a second. “I know exactly what kind of kid you are. Speak up. What is it?”

Shu Luo set the magazine down, his gaze turning serious and steady. “I’ve decided to be with Jiang Mu.”

“No!”

Mr. Shu’s reaction was instantaneous. His brow furrowed with displeasure. “Luo Luo, don’t say another word about this.”

Shu Luo sat up straight, his eyes burning with resolve. “This is my only request.”

“Shu Luo, do you realize what you’re saying?” his father said sternly. “You are destroying everything your mother and I envisioned for you. You are the eldest son. You have a younger brother. You are the future pillar of the Shu family; you carry responsibilities. I’ve never demanded anything of you. You wanted to study medicine, I let you. I didn’t force you into management or to inherit the business. But this decision… do you know how much it hurts me? Have you thought about the consequences, child?”

Silence filled the room, heavy and suffocating. Shu Luo knew this wouldn’t be easy. His father hadn’t exploded or raised a hand, which was better than expected, but the rejection was absolute.

Mr. Shu looked at his son’s exquisite face. He was beautiful, yes, but not feminine. He was sunny, handsome, and wealthy—the dream catch for any girl. Why did it have to be Jiang Mu? He acknowledged Jiang Mu’s excellence, but if his son were a daughter, he’d have agreed years ago. But they were both men.

“Luo Luo, do you know what would happen if your mother found out?”

Smash!

The sound of something hitting the floor came from the doorway. Father and son turned at once. Shu Luo’s mother stood there, face pale with shock, her eyes red as she pointed a trembling finger at him.

“Mom, I—”

Slap!

Before he could finish, his mother rushed forward and delivered a sharp blow to his cheek. A red mark bloomed on his pale skin. The stinging pain grounded him in the reality of the situation.

Mr. Shu immediately stepped between them. “Why didn’t you knock before coming in?”

“What? I’m your wife, I can’t come into your office?” she hissed. She turned her fury back to her son. “Shu Luo! Is it true? You and Ah Mu?!”

Gritting his teeth against the pain, Shu Luo replied, “Yes. I’m going to be with him.”

His mother’s chest heaved. She was devastated. Two brilliant boys, both men, choosing to be together? It was impossible. It was a scandal. She couldn’t accept it.

“Shu Luo, listen to me. You can be with anyone, but not Ah Mu! You are both boys! How can you be together?!”

Seeing his mother’s tearful eyes, Shu Luo felt a pang of guilt, but he knew “short-term pain is better than long-term agony.” He suddenly dropped to his knees. His mother gasped in shock.

“He is the one who brought me out of the world I was afraid of,” Shu Luo said, looking up with determination. “He is my salvation. He protected me when I was alone. I cannot betray his love.”

“Love? How can there be love between two men? This is twisted! People will laugh at you!”

“As long as we have your blessing,” Shu Luo countered, “I don’t care about anyone else.”

His mother finally broke down in tears. “How did this happen? How could my Luo Luo be… like that? How am I supposed to accept this?! When did this start?”

“In our sophomore year. But he has loved me for ten years.”

Mr. Shu watched with an aching heart. This was the exact scenario he had hoped to avoid. Seeing Shu Luo’s swollen cheek made him wince with pity. His wife, however, was lost in a haze of shock. She had always thought the two were just inseparable best friends. She never dreamed it was anything more.

She slumped onto the sofa, looking dazed. Shu Luo remained kneeling. He hated hurting her, but this had to be said. Unlike Jiang Mu’s parents, his own were traditional. High education didn’t automatically equate to accepting a same-sex relationship.

After a long silence, his mother spoke with exhaustion. “Stop kneeling. I will never agree.”

Her tone was final. Shu Luo didn’t move, using his silence to show his resolve.

Mr. Shu put an arm around his wife. “Honey, don’t—”

“Shu Yizhi! Did you know about this already?!”

Mr. Shu winced. “I…”

“Heh. Wonderful. Simply wonderful.” Her tone sent a shiver down both their spines. She wasn’t just angry; she was pushed to the brink. “Shu Luo, from today on, don’t even think about stepping foot outside this house.”

“Mom…” He hadn’t expected her to resort to house arrest.

“Either that, or you leave and never come back. I can’t afford this shame, and I won’t have you giving your grandmother a heart attack.”

Those words were a heavy blow. Shu Luo’s knees were numb, and standing would be a struggle. But there was no turning back now.

“Decide for yourself,” she finished.

Shu Luo stared at the floor, his mind racing. There had to be a way—it was just a matter of time. “I’ll go back home,” he whispered eventually.

His mother’s expression softened slightly. “Fine. Go back and think it over. If I catch you contacting Ah Mu, there will be consequences. Give me your phone!”

Shu Luo silently handed it over.

“You stay under my roof for the rest of the break,” she commanded. “The moment the holiday ends, you go straight back to school. I will make sure Ah Mu has zero chance to visit you in Canada. I have my ways. I’m doing this for your own good.”

Dad, did you know Mom could be this ruthless?

Shu Luo tried to stand, but his legs were so numb that Mr. Shu had to help him up.

Brother, I’ve done my part. The rest is up to you.