Chapter 3: Last Words

Chapter 3: Last Words

If not for Lu Yan's earnest tone, Yu Zechuan might have thought he was mocking him. After a brief moment of silence, he couldn't help but respond coldly, "Mr. Lu, perhaps you're joking."

"No, I'm not joking."

Lu Yan turned to face Yu Zechuan directly. Perhaps due to his severe illness, he appeared more frail than others, which contrasted with his handsome features, drawing people into an irresistible vortex:

"Should I have someone like you, I wouldn't bear to let them stand alone in the rain downstairs."

Lu Yan smiled amiably, as if teasing.

Yu Zechuan's lips twitched, but he couldn't even manage a fake smile. Perhaps it was too ironic for him to bear that the only concern he received after years had come from Lu Yan, his so-called "rival" in love, while Jiang Boyun, his legitimate partner, had coldly sent him to prison and never looked back.

Recalling that the person before him was Jiang Boyun's paramour, Yu Zechuan's sarcasm intensified within. "Are you truly without a partner?"

Lu Yan didn't directly answer the question but passed him the dry white towel in his hand instead. "It's easy to evoke melancholy discussing such matters at night. Perhaps I can provide an answer when the sun rises tomorrow."

Therefore, let him live to see the second day without neglect.

Regardless of the reason, Lu Yan's action had temporarily doused the rising flames of Yu Zechuan's murderous intent. Yu Zechuan frowned, concealed the dagger once more, and wordlessly left the bathroom with the white towel, roughly drying his hair.

With his hands in his pockets, Lu Yan walked behind him, expressing concern, "Do you want to change clothes? Your jacket is completely soaked."

Yu Zechuan seemed to dislike someone standing behind him. As Lu Yan approached, his muscles tensed up, and he promptly distanced himself, "Not necessary."

Lu Yan slightly shook his head, "What if you catch a fever?"

Yu Zechuan almost laughed. Lu Yan probably didn't realize that death was knocking at his door, yet he still cared about whether Yu Zechuan might catch a cold, "I've always been in great health, never fallen ill before."

"That's good."

Lu Yan didn't dwell on the matter further. He walked in front of the dressing mirror and began unbuttoning his shirt. By the time Yu Zechuan sensed something amiss, the man's well-proportioned body was already fully exposed to the air.

Yu Zechuan's face darkened. "What are you doing?"

It was as if Lu Yan had just realized there was another person in the room. "Sorry, my clothes are wet and uncomfortable to wear. Could you perhaps sit on the sofa and give me some privacy?"

The original owner had accumulated a mountain of debt, so naturally, this rented room wasn't much better. The so-called living room was merely a sofa placed beside the bed; there was truly no other space to retreat to.

Yu Zechuan glanced at his drenched clothes before silently walking to the window, turning his back to Lu Yan.

Lu Yan witnessed this scene, momentarily lost in thought. Despite Yu Zechuan's extreme actions, the gentlemanly upbringing ingrained in him was still evident. If it weren't for Jiang Boyun, he might still be that refined and charismatic nobleman.

The more Lu Yan pondered, the more absurd it seemed. Shouldn't Yu Zechuan have gone after Jiang Boyun first? Why was he lurking outside his house?

Unaware of Lu Yan's thoughts, Yu Zechuan gazed at the blurred rain outside the window. His focus was drawn by the rustling of clothing behind him, causing an involuntary frown.

Yu Zechuan was indifferent to intimacy, with no interest in physical relations. He had met Jiang Boyun in college and they had been business partners for five years before acknowledging their relationship in the sixth year.

Due to his personality, Yu Zechuan never sought closeness, and Jiang Boyun, for some reason, never initiated any physical contact. They awkwardly carried on their half-year relationship without crossing that line. To Yu Zechuan, they were partners, but to outsiders, they appeared more like business associates.

At that moment, the sound of changing clothes behind him disturbed Yu Zechuan's peace.

"I'm done," Lu Yan's voice pulled Yu Zechuan back from his wandering thoughts. Turning around, he saw that Lu Yan had already changed into a clean, casual outfit - a loose white shirt, gray pants, exuding warmth.

Seeing this, Yu Zechuan suddenly found his own damp clothes unbearable, as if countless ants were crawling over his skin. Gripping the knife hidden in his sleeve, he belatedly realized there was no need to wait for Lu Yan to finish changing, considering his purpose for being here today was to kill him.

Yu Zechuan narrowed his eyes silently, approaching Lu Yan step by step. However, the other man, seemingly searching for something in the wardrobe, suddenly turned to face him. "I have a set of clothes that I haven't worn before. Would you like to change in the bathroom?"

As he spoke, he handed over a set of clothing still attached with tags. The color was similar to what Yu Zechuan was currently wearing, complete with innerwear and outerwear. The meticulousness was impeccable.

Staring into Lu Yan's concerned gaze, Yu Zechuan made no move. The room fell silent, the only sound being the distant and muffled rain outside. Lu Yan didn't retract his hand, maintaining his position.

After an extended silence,

"…No need. I should go."

Yu Zechuan coldly uttered these words and suddenly pushed Lu Yan away. He irritably put away his knife, feeling that today wasn't a suitable day for killing, and wanting to leave quickly. Just as he was about to open the door, the sound of a car engine growing louder from downstairs caught his attention.

Yu Zechuan's steps paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

Lu Yan's expression shifted slightly as he turned to look out the window. A white sedan had appeared at the alley entrance without notice - it was Jiang Boyun, who had returned!

This was an old residential building, and after nightfall, the surroundings were quiet. The noise of the vehicle stood out prominently. Jiang Boyun, seated in the driver's seat, picked up his phone for the eighth time to read the message. The three characters "stupid idiot" leaped out at him, making his veins throb with anger.

Was Lu Yan insane?! Who gave him the audacity to curse at him like that?!

When Jiang Boyun saw the message on his way, he was so furious that he nearly turned the steering wheel around and headed back home. But as the saying goes, patience brings a broader horizon, yet stepping back only fuels the anger. Since he had already driven this far, it wouldn't make sense to turn back now. Eventually, he arrived at Lu Yan's apartment building.

"Lu Yan, what the hell are you playing at?!"

Jiang Boyun got out of the car, muttering a curse under his breath, then stepped into the rain. He took the elevator to the eighth floor, found Lu Yan's apartment by the number plate, and knocked fiercely on the door.

"Knock, knock, knock—!"

The hurried knocks echoed his seething anger.

"Lu Yan, open up! I know you're in there!"

However, all he received in return was an eerie silence. The aged hallway light flickered and buzzed ominously.

Jiang Boyun pounded on the door with full force. "Explain those messages to me right now! What do they mean?!"

There was no response from inside. Through the dark crack of the door, it was clear that the lights were off. Jiang Boyun sneered, "Don't play dumb with me, Lu Yan. If you don't open up, I'll call the police and report you missing!"

On the other side of the door, Lu Yan was held at knife point by Yu Zechuan's cold blade against his throat. Yu Zechuan, with a blank expression, leaned close to Lu Yan's ear, his voice icy and menacing, "Find a way to get him out of here, or I can't guarantee what this knife will do."

Lu Yan: "..."

Lu Yan's patience had been worn thin by Jiang Boyun's antics. He glanced down at the sharp blade pressed against his throat, cleared his throat, and finally spoke through the crack in the door, "Jiang Boyun, go back. I'm going to sleep. We can talk about anything else tomorrow."

Jiang Boyun laughed through his anger, "Lu Yan, are you playing with me?! You texted that you had a stomachache and asked me to come take care of you, and now you want me to leave? Do you really think I can't do anything to you?!"

Lu Yan could sense Yu Zechuan's hidden fury growing, as the pressure on his throat increased, as if the knife would slice into his flesh at any moment.

Yu Zechuan sneered, "He really treats you well."

No, he just wants to sleep with you.

Jiang Boyun's arrival had stirred up Yu Zechuan's previously calm emotions, and Lu Yan, in the darkness, tilted his head away from the blade, pondering how to convince Jiang Boyun to leave, "If you know I'm playing with you, why aren't you leaving? Are you waiting for a holiday? Anyway, you have plenty of people around you, you won't miss me."

Hurry up and leave, find someone else to sleep with.

Jiang Boyun paused at these words, assuming Lu Yan was jealous. They had known each other since their humble beginnings, sharing a bond, so he couldn't help but lower his voice, "Ayan, don't be jealous. We've been through hardships together. Those people outside are just fleeting connections for me."

A sudden jolt went through Lu Yan's heart. Oh no, this familiar line...

Outside the door, Jiang Boyun spoke with deep sentiment, "If it hadn't been for your help back then, how could I have taken over the Yinchuan Group so smoothly? Everything I have now, you have a share in it."

Lu Yan: "?!?!?!?"

Damn it! Shut up! Just shut up, shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!!!!

Desperate to interrupt Jiang Boyun's monologue, Lu Yan found Yu Zechuan already clamping a hand over his mouth in the darkness. For a moment, all that could be heard inside and outside the room was Jiang Boyun's one-sided conversation:

"Ayan, I know you've racked up quite a debt, otherwise you wouldn't be living in a place like this. Come back to me obediently, won't we reconcile and start anew?"

Screw that!

Jiang Boyun: "Listen to me and open the door."

Fine, if I open the door, I'll stab you to death!

Jiang Boyun: "Ayan, if you don't open the door soon, I'm really leaving."

Suddenly, Lu Yan didn't want Jiang Boyun to leave. He believed that everyone in the world should face the consequences of their actions. However, much to his disappointment, Yu Zechuan showed no intention of acting. Their bodies pressed together against the door, they listened to the man outside spouting sweet nothings, each word piercing Yu Zechuan's heart like a blade.

Lu Yan was unsure if Yu Zechuan had shed any tears; all he knew was that the hand holding the knife was trembling.

That heart mirrored the gloomy weather outside, with ceaseless drizzle of emotions.

Perhaps due to Lu Yan's prolonged silence, Jiang Boyun seemed to have grown weary of talking. The air gradually turned quiet, punctuated by a low muttering curse from outside the door, followed by the sound of a man's defeated retreat —

Jiang Boyun had finally left.

Leaving Lu Yan to deal with the aftermath.

Lu Yan's mind raced, contemplating how to smooth over the situation. However, just as he was doing so, Yu Zechuan's hoarse voice rang in his ear, "Considering you shielded me from the rain, do you have any last words?"

Lu Yan's pupils constricted. "?!?"

Yu Zechuan's patience waned, and he coldly counted down, "3..."

The tip of the knife shifted slightly, finding a more conducive angle for piercing.

"2..."

The man's arm flexed with exertion, lifting the dagger high.

"1..."

Lu Yan spoke with palpable tension, "I like you – !!"

"Clang..."

A sudden, soft noise pierced the darkness,

as the knife tip startled to the ground.