Chapter 47

Chapter 47

He Yanting had gone missing again.

When Shen Tingzhou received the call from the He family, he was so shocked that he spat out a mouthful of foam.

He quickly rinsed his mouth with water, put down the electric toothbrush, and inquired about what had happened.

He Yanting must have run away in the middle of the night. The nanny who took care of him knocked on his door in the morning to find it empty and cold.

After hanging up the phone, Shen Tingzhou hesitated for a moment before sending a message to Jiang Ji.

Jiang Ji replied promptly: "I haven't seen him."

Shen Tingzhou: "If you see him, contact me."

Jiang Ji: "Yes, I understand, Doctor Shen."

Jiang Ji was preparing for a major exam and was still staying in the capital. During the day, he worked part-time, and at night, he studied for his exams.

This message from Shen Tingzhou made him stand in the narrow living room, lost in thought for a minute.

It was already 7:40, and he still needed to clock in at work. Jiang Ji got up, put on his shoes, opened the door, and a dark figure leaning against the door fell towards him.

Seeing the face that turned around while rubbing its eyes, Jiang Ji's heart suddenly tightened.

He Yanting, turning his head, saw Jiang Ji's shocked expression and instantly became alert, his eyes brightening. "Jiangjiang."

Jiang Ji looked around but didn't see anyone else besides He Yanting. Half surprised and half suspicious, he asked, "How did you get here?"

He Yanting stood up, holding his backpack. "I took a taxi here."

Jiang Ji frowned. "Who told you my current address?"

Even Shen Tingzhou didn't know; Jiang Ji only mentioned that he had moved to a new place without giving specific details.

He Yanting didn't answer this question, instead unzipped his backpack and said in a flattering tone, "This is for you."

Jiang Ji looked down and saw a backpack full of hundred-yuan bills.

He Yanting pushed the backpack into Jiang Ji's arms. "All this money is mine, all for you."

Jiang Ji pushed the backpack back, sternly saying, "Why didn't you tell your family you were coming out?"

He Yanting held the black backpack, looking somewhat helpless. "...They don't want me to see you, but I miss you."

Jiang Ji avoided He Yanting's gaze, pulled out his phone, and said coldly, "You need to go home. I don't have time to take care of you."

He Yanting looked dejected. "I know you hate me. They say I treated you badly before."

Jiang Ji paused slightly, then lowered his eyes and said, "Let Doctor Shen take you back."

He Yanting gently tugged at Jiang Ji, unsure if it was a plea or a request. "Don't be angry with me anymore. I'll behave well from now on."

Jiang Ji remained silent for a few seconds before finally calling Shen Tingzhou.

Hearing Jiang Ji telling him to leave, He Yanting's eyes immediately welled up. "I miss you so much, every day."

This humble attitude was not typical of He Yanting, nor had he ever said such words before.

Most of their time together was filled with arguments, fights, and intimacy, repeating almost daily.

Jiang Ji couldn't accept this kind of relationship, and He Yanting was dissatisfied with his resistance.

In essence, He Yanting paid for services, and when Jiang Ji didn't meet expectations, He Yanting naturally got upset.

Jiang Ji shouldn't project his inner turmoil onto He Yanting in this relationship, and He Yanting shouldn't seek love in such a transactional arrangement.

Both of them had their own faults.

-

When Shen Tingzhou arrived, He Yanting was sitting dejectedly in Jiang Ji's small living room.

"Didn't cause any trouble, right?" Shen Tingzhou asked Jiang Ji, his breath uneven. "Sorry, there was some traffic."

It was rush hour, and traffic was normal. His apology made Jiang Ji feel a bit embarrassed. "No problem."

Shen Tingzhou walked up to He Yanting like a teacher taking a child back. "Let's go."

He Yanting's eyes were red, clearly having faced the consequences of his past behavior with Jiang Ji.

As He Yanting stood up, he couldn't help but glance at Jiang Ji.

Jiang Ji turned his head away, sensing He Yanting's distress, which made his eyes even redder.

Actually, Jiang Ji had already come to terms with his past foolishness and no longer blamed He Yanting, Lin Xueyan, and Lin Xueyan's parents for everything.

But he didn't want to communicate with the current He Yanting, who seemed pure and sincere.

The He Yanting he knew wasn't like this. Jiang Ji didn't want to say harsh words to someone who had forgotten the past and had the mental capacity of a child.

But if one day He Yanting regained his senses, Jiang Ji would sit down and talk with him.

-

When Shen Tingzhou took He Yanting away, Jiang Ji returned the backpack full of cash.

Jiang Ji said, "Take it back. I don't need your money now."

He Yanting's eyes started to water again, so Shen Tingzhou had to take the heavy backpack.

The hopeful He Yanting who came in the middle of the night left just as despondently.

Shen Tingzhou drove the car and glanced at He Yanting, who was slumped in the passenger seat. "Did you eat breakfast this morning?"

He Yanting didn't answer, his eyes downcast.

Shen Tingzhou: "Do you want a burger?"

He Yanting still didn't respond, his eyes remaining lowered.

Shen Tingzhou asked again, "How about ice cream?"

He Yanting lifted his eyelids slightly. "…Yes."

Shen Tingzhou smiled.

Ice cream was indeed a "killer" for kids; no child could resist it, including the domineering CEO who had turned into a kid due to amnesia.

Shen Tingzhou parked the car at a hotel and prepared to take He Yanting across the street to McDonald's for some breakfast.

After getting out of the car, Shen Tingzhou realized that this hotel was actually the Boyue Hotel.

The Boyue Hotel had an endless connection with Shen Tingzhou.

Three months ago, Li Jinghang drank that kind of alcohol, and Song Qingning called him in the middle of the night right here.

Shen Tingzhou attended Ling Yun's engagement banquet with Qin Shiyao on the top floor of the Boyue Hotel.

A few days ago, Li Muye cried out that Song Qingning went into the hotel with his father and brother, and unfortunately, it was this very Boyue Hotel.

As Shen Tingzhou was marveling at how the Boyue Hotel was a place of dramatic events for his second employer, two familiar figures emerged from the hotel, breaking the pattern he had observed.

Seeing Zhou Zitan and Yu Jurong come out of the hotel one after another, Shen Tingzhou's eyes widened instantly.

Ah, how could this be...

Beside him, He Yanting urged, "Ice cream, I want to go eat ice cream."

Shen Tingzhou thought, Your brother is about to turn into ice cream, and you still have the mood to eat ice cream!

Zhou Zitan still had his usual arrogant demeanor as he came out of the hotel first, while Yu Jurong followed behind him leisurely, looking relaxed and content.

Noticing Shen Tingzhou standing stunned beside the car, Yu Jurong's lips curled up, and he greeted him from afar, "Doctor Shen."

Hearing this name, Zhou Zitan immediately reined in his arrogance, shrinking his neck like a thief and looking around nervously.

At the sight of Shen Tingzhou, Zhou Zitan's breath froze.

Oh no, caught red-handed.

Yu Jurong seemed to relish the drama, smiling and saying, "What a coincidence, Doctor Shen. What brings you here? Are you also checking in?"

The words "checking in" struck a nerve in Zhou Zitan, turning him into a vicious dog in a second. He suddenly raised his knee to attack Yu Jurong's ribs.

Yu Jurong reacted swiftly, grabbing Zhou Zitan's knee and blocking his move, but he felt something familiar about these moves. The next step would be...

Yu Jurong's expression turned serious as Zhou Zitan swung his head, his black hair slicing through the air.

With a thud, Yu Jurong's forehead was hit hard, causing him to lose vision for a brief moment.

Taking advantage of Yu Jurong's daze, Zhou Zitan kicked him twice before running towards Shen Tingzhou, like a dog rushing to its owner.

Witnessing the entire scene, Shen Tingzhou was speechless.

This commotion sounded like a good start.

That agile figure suggested he hadn't been injured last night...

He Yanting was blocked by a car, and Zhou Zitan only saw him when he ran over. "Brother?"

Zhou Zitan looked at Shen Tingzhou, then at He Yanting, his eyes immediately darkening. "Why didn't you invite me along when you came out to play?"

Glancing at Yu Jurong, who was holding his forehead with a cold face, Shen Tingzhou sensed trouble brewing.

He whispered to Zhou Zitan, "Why are you and Yu Jurong here?"

"You don't need to change the subject. If you didn't want to bring me along, just say so." With that, Zhou Zitan shifted his body, making sure Shen Tingzhou knew he was upset. "I'm really angry."

Now it was Shen Tingzhou's turn to hold his forehead.

Xiao Zhou, the point isn't that, the point is why you're involved with Yu Jurong again!

Wait a minute!

Looking at Zhou Zitan's new ear accessory, Shen Tingzhou suddenly had a thought—

That day at the resort, could Yu Jurong have...

He Yanting asked unhappily, "When are we going to eat ice cream?"

The gloom in Zhou Zitan's eyes deepened, and he gritted his teeth. "You still want to eat ice cream."

After the pain subsided, Yu Jurong walked over, his peach blossom eyes filled with a smile. "Doctor Shen, I'll leave Zitan to you. I'll be off now."

Shen Tingzhou forced a smile, unsure what to say.

Zhou Zitan suddenly looked up and glared at Yu Jurong.

Unable to tolerate this show-off any longer, he quickly stepped forward and kicked Yu Jurong's back.

Yu Jurong nimbly turned around, grabbing Zhou Zitan's ankle, his lips curling up. "It's best not to make any big movements for the next couple of days."

He put Zhou Zitan's leg back and waved at him before leaving.

Zhou Zitan cursed under his breath, then turned to see Shen Tingzhou staring at him with an indescribable look. Immediately, he said, "I'm still angry."

He Yanting poked Shen Tingzhou's lower back and complained, "Ice cream."

Shen Tingzhou: ...

Shen Tingzhou had no choice but to take the two to McDonald's across the street, ordering three breakfast sets and getting two sundaes for Zhou Zitan and He Yanting.

Zhou Zitan had his own sundae but insisted on sneaking some of He Yanting's, inevitably getting beaten up by the moody He Yanting.

Shen Tingzhou rapped his knuckles on the table. "Eat your own portion properly. No whispering or fighting over food."

The two finally behaved themselves.

Looking at these two troublemakers, Shen Tingzhou felt conflicted. He wanted to ask He Yanting how he knew Jiang Ji's address and also wanted to know what kind of relationship Zhou Zitan had with Yu Jurong now.

After going over the questions several times in his mind, he ended up asking nothing.

He dropped He Yanting off at the He family residence and handed Zhou Zitan over to He Ranjie before driving back.

-

Passing through an intersection, going straight would lead Shen Tingzhou home.

But for some reason, he turned into the left-turn lane instead. With cars already behind him, he couldn't change lanes even if he wanted to.

At the green light, Shen Tingzhou followed the cars ahead and turned left.

This road could lead to Xu Xun's house, but after thinking about it, he continued straight.

Midway, Shen Tingzhou stopped the car and bought a cat treadmill from a pet supply store.

The steward, who was trimming flowers in the front yard, saw Shen Tingzhou and put down his shears. "Young Master went to a meeting at the company today."

Shen Tingzhou felt a bit awkward. "Mr. Xu said he wanted to help the orange cat lose weight, so... I bought a treadmill."

The steward smiled. "I was worried about having lunch alone; he won't be back until this afternoon."

The company is currently managed by a professional manager, and Xu Xun only needs to attend meetings every quarter.

The steward kept Shen Tingzhou for lunch at noon. In the afternoon, when Shen Tingzhou was about to leave, the steward asked him to help move the flowers indoors.

When Xu Xun returned, Shen Tingzhou was fertilizing plants under the steward's guidance.

Hearing the sound of a car pulling into the garage, the steward walked up to Shen Tingzhou and moved the pot he was fertilizing.

Shen Tingzhou looked up in confusion as the steward told him, "Go wash your hands. I'll finish up here."

The steward took off Shen Tingzhou's gloves and ushered him to the living room.

Shen Tingzhou went to the kitchen island to wash his hands while Xu Xun entered through the door that connected directly to the garage.

Xu Xun was wearing a suit, his hair combed back, making his brow bone more prominent, giving him a sharpness he didn't usually have.

Upon seeing Shen Tingzhou, he visibly paused, and the cold demeanor he had outside instantly dissipated.

But the restrained and composed Xu Xun, dressed in a well-tailored suit, still made Shen Tingzhou feel a subtle discomfort.

He stood rooted to the spot and blurted out, "I came to see the cat."

Xu Xun's eyelashes drooped slightly, and he responded flatly, "Oh."

He took off his jacket, and Shen Tingzhou noticed that his shoulders seemed particularly broad today, making him appear mature and reliable.

Recently, Xu Xun had been acting like a cat—petulant and precious. Seeing him like this now created a sense of disorientation, making his heart race.

Shen Tingzhou quickly walked past Xu Xun to wash his hands, trying to hide his unease.

When he returned, Xu Xun had rolled up his sleeves and was holding a cat.

As Shen Tingzhou approached, Xu Xun picked up the other two cats and moved away from him.

Shen Tingzhou: ?

Xu Xun, holding the cats, said, "Since you like cats so much, I figured remote petting wouldn't be too difficult for you."

Shen Tingzhou: ...

The fat orange cat, weighing over ten pounds, kept kicking against Xu Xun, but he held it steadily, showing remarkable arm strength.

Shen Tingzhou couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you tired?"

Xu Xun thought he was referring to work and immediately lowered his eyes. "Tired."

Shen Tingzhou went over to take two cats from him. The orange cat and the tabby didn't want to be held, so Shen Tingzhou let them go.

The tabby cat jumped onto the sofa to groom itself, while the orange cat went to sniff the automatic feeder, then lay down beside it upon finding no food.

Shen Tingzhou chuckled. No wonder it was so fat.

Xu Xun sat on the sofa with the silver tabby in his arms. "A whole day of meetings, I'm exhausted."

Hearing Xu Xun's complaint, Shen Tingzhou's attention returned to him.

Every time he asked Xu Xun if he was tired, the answer was always yes, never a no.

Shen Tingzhou walked over. "I know a good traditional Chinese medicine doctor. Would you like to try some tonics?"

Xu Xun looked at him, disbelief in his eyes. "Why are you learning bad habits from the steward?"

Shen Tingzhou's lips couldn't help but twitch. "If you always say you're tired, there must be something wrong with your body."

Xu Xun let go of the silver shorthair, stood up, and gently smoothed Shen Tingzhou's lips. "That doesn't mean you can mock me."

He leaned down to look into Shen Tingzhou's eyes, two strands of his hair falling down, making him lose much of his mature demeanor. His frowning and pouting expression looked rather childish.

At such a close distance, Shen Tingzhou could even see Xu Xun's tiny eyelashes below his eyes, and his cheeks involuntarily turned warm.