Chapter 51: An Unexpected Encounter

Chapter 51: An Unexpected Encounter

Yu Zeguan looked rather disheveled now, drenched to the bone by the rain. Underneath his black collar jacket was a set of pajamas, and he still had on his indoor slippers. In contrast, Lu Yan appeared presentable and neat in his crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, not a hair out of place.

Yu Zeguan was livid, but there was an undeniable hint of joy in his anger. "How did you know where I live?"

Lu Yan's fingers twitched, and the umbrella spun leisurely above his head. "I helped Sister Cathy send a package before, one of which was addressed to your house, so I remembered the address."

He seemed rather pleased with himself, though it was unclear what was so impressive about sneaking a peek at an address.

Seeing that the rain hadn't stopped, Yu Zeguan frowned. "I need to go home and change."

Lu Yan smiled. "Let's go. I'll see you to the door."

Lu Yan knew this was the Yu family's old residence, where the elderly patriarch also lived. His relationship with Yu Zeguan was somewhat complicated—it wasn't quite like being kept as a lover, nor was it exactly like dating. In any case, they weren't at the stage of meeting the parents—

Which domineering CEO would parade their secret lover around for the grandfather to see?

Probably none.

So Lu Yan paused at the doorstep after escorting Yu Zeguan there. He stood under the garden veranda outside, closing the umbrella and shaking off the water droplets. "Go inside and change. I'll wait for you."

Hearing this, Yu Zeguan halted mid-step as he entered the house, turning back to look at him. "It's raining and windy. Why are you standing outside?"

Lu Yan looked puzzled. "Hmm?"

Yu Zeguan said irritably, "Come in."

At this time, the elderly patriarch should still be taking his afternoon nap. But Yu Zeguan still felt uneasy, fearing that if the old man woke up and ran into Lu Yan, he wouldn't be able to explain the situation.

As Yu Zeguan ascended the stairs quickly, he deliberately lightened his footsteps when he reached the second floor, feeling strangely guilty. Lu Yan, however, seemed to enjoy stirring up trouble, quietly approaching his ear and exhaling warm breath onto the back of his neck, causing an unbearable tickle. "Mr. Yu?"

Yu Zeguan turned instinctively. "What?"

Lu Yan's lips curled slightly. "Don't we look like we're having an affair?"

"Wha—?!"

Startled by Lu Yan's words, Yu Zeguan stumbled on the stairs, nearly tumbling down. He turned to glare at Lu Yan, a mix of embarrassment and anger. "What do you mean by 'having an affair'? Are you ashamed or am I?"

Lu Yan secretly raised his eyebrows, as if he had something to hide, but on the surface, he obediently fell silent.

Seeing that he had this fox under control for once, Yu Zechuan couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph. Staring at Lu Yan, his voice deep and serious, he said, "Follow me, and you won't have to be afraid of anyone in the future. Understand?"

Lu Yan nodded with a suppressed smile. "Understood."

Yu Zechuan found Lu Yan's pace too slow, so he simply grabbed him and walked briskly towards the room. Only when they were inside and the door was closed did his tense nerves finally relax.

Good thing they didn't run into the old man.

Yu Zechuan took off his wet coat and threw it into the laundry basket, running a hand through his hair. "Make yourself comfortable. I'm going to take a shower."

Lu Yan casually replied, "Can I sit on the bed?"

At these words, Yu Zechuan paused mid-step, meeting Lu Yan's half-smiling gaze. His ears burned red. "What do you mean by that?"

He felt like Lu Yan was hinting at something, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Lu Yan's tone remained unchanged. "No particular meaning, just a random question."

Yu Zecuan felt it was his imagination again and hastily averted his gaze. "Suit yourself."

He pulled open the door and entered the shower room. Despite the glass door separating him from the outside, the peculiar sensation of having his personal space invaded lingered on. Amidst the rising steam, a faint flush spread across his skin, and no matter what he did, the temperature wouldn't drop.

Lu Yan sat on the sofa, taking a general look around but refrained from rummaging through anything casually, not exploiting their relationship with Yu Zecuan—

Not that there was much to rummage through in Yu Zecuan's room anyway. Apart from computer files, there was only a pile of medicine bottles with English letters on them on the bedside table. His personal belongings were few and pitiful, reflecting his aloof and uninteresting character from the side.

When Yu Zecuan emerged from his shower, he found Lu Yan sitting properly on the sofa. He casually wiped his hair with a towel, his pale, cool profile appearing even more fair, yet his lips were a striking red, exuding a wet allure: "Why don't you sit on the bed?"

Lu Yan raised his eyes with a smile. "I'm waiting for you."

Two men alone in a room could easily lead to awkwardness, especially since Lu Yan had a habit of saying things that could be easily misconstrued. Hearing this, Yu Zecuan paused, but before he could say anything, Lu Yan had already stood up to take the towel from his hand, his voice deep: "Let me help you dry your hair."

For a lover, how could one not be attentive and meticulous? Lu Yan was determined to outshine Jiang Boyun.

In the silent room, no sound could be heard, not even the rain outside, muffled by the glass. Yu Zecuan only felt as if Lu Yan's hands possessed magic. The towel gently brushed against his hair, sending tingles down his spine. His senses were heightened, and being so close, he could even hear the soft breaths of the other person behind him.

Yu Zecuan had short hair, and even without a hairdryer, it was mostly dry after just a towel-drying. He watched as Lu Yan helped him finish drying his hair. The towel silently slipped to the ground, but those clearly defined fingers didn't leave, instead resting on his waist and gradually tightening.

"Mr. Yu..."

He whispered seductively in his ear from behind, his tone bewitching like a vixen spirit.

Yu Zechuan vaguely guessed what he was up to, feeling somewhat nervous as he furrowed his brows and gripped the hand at his waist. "Lu Qian..."

It sounded like a low reprimand, but more than anything, it was panic.

Lu Qian smiled broadly, his eyes gleaming as if holding the moon. "A kiss?"

This time, he was well-behaved, seeking consent from the other party, albeit not very politely. Before Yu Zechuan could think of how to respond, Lu Qian's fervent kisses were already peppering his ear and neck.

"Mmm..."

Yu Zechuan's voice was low and hoarse, emitting a muffled groan. Recalling something, he turned to grasp Lu Qian's cheek, his narrow eyes slightly squinting, a hint of darkness flashing within them. "Have you been in a relationship before?"

Lu Qian turned him around to face him, lying had become routine for him. No, it wasn't really lying; he hadn't been in a relationship with anyone else, his attitude candid. "No."

Yu Zechuan raised an eyebrow, finding it hard to believe. "Are you sure?"

Lu Yan hid his smile, his tone aggrieved. "Mr. Yu, have I done something wrong to upset you? I've really never been in a relationship before. You can have someone investigate if you don't believe me."

Yu Zekuan stared at him with an inscrutable expression. "Of course, I will have someone look into it."

He didn't follow the script, his tone perilous. "If you dare to lie to me, you'll bear the consequences."

Lu Yan looked at him with interest. "And what if it's true?"

Yu Zekuan was speechless.

Pausing for a moment, Yu Zekuan said, "If it's true, you can have anything you want."

A car? A house? Money? Power? For Yu Zekuan, these were mere trifles that could be obtained with a snap of his fingers. Weren't these the very things that ordinary people spent their entire lives chasing?

But Lu Yan suddenly pointed at his face with a smile. "Then how about a kiss?"

Yu Zekuan was taken aback. "Just that?"

When Lu Yan smiled, he had dimples, but they were so faint that they usually went unnoticed. "I'll tell you after you kiss me."

Lu Yan, who had never even held Yu Zekuan's hand since childhood, had managed to make him dizzy with desire. Upon hearing those words, his face flushed, and under some inexplicable impulse, he leaned in for a kiss. His lips brushed against the warmth of Yu Zekuan's cheek, leaving a kiss that was neither too deep nor too shallow, stirring his heart.

Yu Zekuan's lips were tightly pursed; he dared not open his mouth, fearing his heart would leap out of his throat. Just as he was about to pull away, his waist tightened suddenly, and Lu Yan kissed him fully on the lips.

Unlike that night's fleeting kiss, this time, Lu Yan easily parted his lips, their tongues meeting in an intimacy he had never experienced before.

Yu Zekuan's pupils contracted slightly, taken aback. He tried to push Lu Yan away but found himself cornered as the other man advanced, causing him to lose his balance and fall onto the bed.

The bed was too soft, too springy, and Yu Zekuan saw stars for a moment. In his daze, he felt a slightly cool hand slip under his robe's collar, making him shudder involuntarily.

"Lu Yan..."

Yu Zekuan felt uneasy, frowning as he panted, "Let's talk about it tonight."

Lu Yan was somewhat displeased, questioning him by his ear, "Why?"

Yu Zekuan's voice was hoarse, laced with hesitation, "My... my grandfather is staying downstairs..."

In a while, the old man might wake up and drag him along for tea. If he opened the door now, everything would be exposed.

Lu Yan had no intention of doing anything in the first place. He raised his eyebrows slightly, a glint of interest flashing across his eyes. "President Yu, you were just saying that as long as I'm with you, there's nothing to be afraid of? "

Yu Zechuan glanced up indifferently and retorted directly with Lu Yan's own words. "You didn't actually believe that, did you?"

Lu Yan: "…"

Well, even the most cautious can slip up sometimes. He never thought he'd be deceived one day.

Most people wouldn't choose to engage in outdoor activities on a rainy day, but Yu Zechuan preferred watching movies in such weather. The movie ticket Lu Yan bought was for a recently released comedy, unlike the tragic and despairing film five years later. This one ended happily for all, each main character receiving their own perfect conclusion.

"There aren't so many good things in the world; only movies portray it this way."

Sitting in the dark cinema, Yu Zechuan made his comment only as the end credits began to roll. Unable to resist, he glanced at the person beside him. The changing light from the big screen fell upon Lu Yan's sharply defined profile, giving off an odd sensation akin to a carousel lantern, strangely familiar.

As if… once upon a time, he had also been here with the other party.

Yu Zechuan furrowed his brows, dispelling this absurd thought. After all, he had never been to the cinema with anyone before; Lu Yan was the first.

Lu Yan didn't mind. Watching movies was simply a source of joy for him. "That's precisely why we seek solace in movies, because such happiness can't happen in real life. Everyone gets a happy ending; how wonderful."

After the movie, they found a restaurant for dinner. Lu Yan had clearly done his homework meticulously; the ambiance and cuisine were both excellent, his attention to detail earning an impressed glance from Yu Zekuan.

"Do you treat everyone with such thoughtfulness?"

Lu Yan lazily gnawed on a toothpick, his eyes narrowing into a smile at the question. This fox, now sated and drowsy: "Guess?"

Yu Zekuan snorted coldly, falling silent. Perhaps remembering how Lu Yan had secretly settled the bill last time, he suddenly opened his wallet, pulled out a bank card, and tossed it over. "Take it. I'll tell you the password when we get back."

Wow! A bank card!!

Lu Yan's eyes lit up at the sight, but he couldn't show his delight, making the restraint particularly arduous. He demurred, looking down. "President Yu, I'm not after your money."

Yu Zekuan frowned in displeasure. "If you're not after my money, whose money do you intend to pursue?"

Lu Yan spoke sincerely. "I can earn my own living with my own hands."

It had been years since Yu Zekuan had encountered such a fool, but he had to admit, his mood was good. Though his tone carried a hint of impatience, the slight upward curve of his lips betrayed his true feelings. "Just take it when I give it to you. Also, the apartment you're staying in is too far from the company. I'll find you a new place soon."

Unbeknownst to Yu Zekuan, in just a few days, he had become utterly bewitched by Lu Yan. The bank card, the house, the car—it all added up to more than millions.

Indeed, he was wealthy, but even the rich aren't fools, throwing millions around at any small-time lover they come across. Otherwise, even the richest man in the nation couldn't withstand such reckless spending—it all boiled down to matters of the heart.

Lu Yan always knew how to charm people into submission, making Yu Zekuan feel that every penny spent on him was worth it. As they left the restaurant, Lu Yan held an umbrella with one hand, stealing a quick kiss under its cover, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Mr. Yu, you're so good to me~"

Caught off guard in public, Yu Zekuan momentarily panicked before regaining his composure, secretly shooting Lu Yan a glare. "We're outside."

Lu Yan held the umbrella above his head, deliberately asking, "So, it's okay when we get home?"

He took the other's hand beneath the umbrella, gently tickling his palm as if feeling wronged. "You promised today, saying it would be fine tonight."

Yu Zekuan remembered their near slip-up at home earlier, regretting his hasty promise to wait until night. He couldn't possibly take Lu Yan home for a night of passion; his father would surely find out and kill him.

Yu Zekuan also owned a riverside apartment in the city center, but rarely stayed there due to its vast emptiness, preferring to return to the family estate most nights. He shifted his gaze uncomfortably, frowning. "I have another place nearby. Let's go back there and talk."

His voice was so low that it was barely audible without straining to listen.

Was this a yes?

Lu Yan responded with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Alright."

Due to the traffic congestion on the rainy day and the full parking lot, Yu Zeguan parked his car on a nearby street. They walked over with umbrellas, and as they passed a flower bed, they suddenly heard a weak and thin meow from inside:

"Meow~"

Lu Yan was focused on the road conditions, and with the piercing sound of car horns around him, he didn't hear it. It was Yu Zeguan who was closer and noticed something unusual. He signaled Lu Yan to stop, leaned over, and took a look into the flower bed: "Is there a cat in there?"

Lu Yan: "A cat?"

Surprised by what he heard, Lu Yan quickly handed the umbrella to Yu Zeguan, bent down, and parted the grass. Inside, he saw a frail cat curled up, with black and white cow-like markings, a black spot on its nose, looking strangely familiar.

It seemed like... the centenarian cat they had adopted in their previous life?

Lu Yan, recalling something, subconsciously looked around, only to realize that the apartment where he lived in his past life was not far away. So, the cat in the grass really was the centenarian, except that it hadn't yet met with an accident, its limbs were intact, and aside from being skinny, it had no other issues.

The honking of cars mixed with the pitter-patter of rain created a cacophony of noise, but in the midst of it all, Lu Yan felt as if he could hear the sound of fate's gears turning. He thought to himself that even if the story started anew, those destined to meet would always meet again, and what couldn't be held onto would be grasped once more.

In the moment Lu Yan was lost in thought, Yu Zeguan had already discarded the umbrella, bent down, and picked up the stray cat. He took off his coat to wrap the cat, weighed the surprisingly light creature in his hands, and frowned, asking, "Is there a pet hospital nearby? Should we take it there for a check-up?"

The slanting rain soon soaked through his thin clothing.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yan's expression became subtle. He clearly recalled that Yu Zeguan disliked cats in his previous life. "Are you going to take it to the vet?"

Yu Zeguan glanced up at the sky. "It's still raining. What if it dies from the cold?"

Lu Yan wanted to say something but held back, instead bending down to pick up the umbrella on the ground. "Let's go. There's one straight ahead and around the corner."

However, fate had other plans. As they were walking to the hospital with the cat, they unexpectedly ran into someone they least expected.

"Zeguan? Lu Yan?! What are you two doing here?!"

Jiang Boyun saw them approaching under the umbrella, and his mind exploded with confusion.