Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Lu Zhao carefully glanced at Hu Chengyu. He wasn’t sure if it was due to the backlight, but he felt that his brother’s face appeared a bit dark.

Shen Yan didn’t lean on the other man’s shoulder for too long and quickly straightened up, murmuring, “Thank you.”

As he turned to leave, his gaze met Shen Lin’s, who was holding two cups of coconut juice.

Shen Lin had not only seen Hu Chengyu and his group but had also overheard what they said.

Shen Lin gave the crowd a cold look, and everyone except the girl who had expressed a desire to hold Shen Yan looked embarrassed.

Shen Lin handed a cup of coconut juice to Shen Yan and, gripping his slender wrist, pressed him back onto the lounge chair. “You’re not thinking of leaving, are you? Didn’t you say you don’t like Young Master Hu anymore?

“Are you feeling guilty if you leave now?” He said, glancing at Hu Chengyu.

The people around Cheng Xu emitted small gasps of surprise, obviously surprised by Shen Lin’s words.

Some even whispered, “Could this be a new tactic to win someone over?”

But their voices were too low, and Shen Yan and the others didn’t hear them.

Lu Zhao scoffed lightly, “Shen Yan hasn’t said anything, yet you’ve come up with all sorts of theories. I reckon all of you have at least eight hundred schemes up your sleeves.”

The group hadn’t expected Lu Zhao to speak up for Shen Yan, and their expressions turned somewhat displeased, but given Lu Zhao’s status, they didn’t dare to express their anger.

Especially since he was standing next to Hu Chengyu—who knew if it was Hu Chengyu’s plan?

When Lu Zhao spoke, it wasn’t actually on Hu Chengyu’s behalf; he just couldn’t stand the group gossiping.

Shen Yan was extremely embarrassed at that moment. If it weren’t for the incident at the birthday party where he scratched the wrong person, Shen Lin’s words wouldn’t have mattered.

But he had scratched the wrong person that day, and now he was saying he didn’t like him. It all looked like a lover’s spat.

Shen Lin, I really thank you!

Clearly, younger brothers are for scolding, not for pampering.

Hu Chengyu, who had remained silent until now, suddenly walked over to Shen Yan, slightly bent down, and placed his hand on Shen Yan’s forehead. “Go back; you’ll get heatstroke if you stay in the sun any longer.”

Hu Chengyu’s touch was brief, but even so, Shen Yan couldn’t help but feel a flutter in his chest.

Shen Yan furrowed his brow tightly.

After his rebirth, all he wanted was a complete family and to recover his health.

He couldn’t afford to be misled by Hu Chengyu’s false kindness again.

Shen Yan: “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Hu.”

As he approached them, Lu Zhao stopped in his tracks upon hearing Shen Yan call him “Mr. Hu.”

What did Shen Yan just call him?

Hu Chengyu also hadn’t expected Shen Yan to address him that way and raised his eyebrows slightly. He didn’t like being addressed that way by Shen Yan.

Hu Chengyu: “Don’t joke with your health.”

Upon hearing Hu Chengyu’s words, Shen Yan’s expression became puzzled. What did Hu Chengyu mean?

Hu Chengyu thought that Shen Yan had come to the resort to pursue him?

Shen Yan's expression turned cold. "I think Mr. Hu has misunderstood. We just happened to meet by chance."

After glancing at the people with Cheng Xu, he added calmly, "These people can vouch for what happened. What Xiao Lin said was right.

"I was impulsive and reckless when I was younger, but I have never told Mr. Hu that I liked him. Not in the past, not now. And I will never use the pretext of 'liking' to pursue Mr. Hu in the future."

Hearing "Mr. Hu" repeated from Shen Yan's light pink lips, Hu Chengyu felt a bit irritated.

He said coldly, "Shut up."

Shen Yan was speechless.

Among the stunned crowd, Shen Lin was the first to react and stood between Shen Yan and Hu Chengyu.

Though Hu Chengyu was still a student, his presence was more overwhelming than Shu Qianfei's.

Shen Lin felt a bit intimidated.

If Hu Chengyu really got angry and hurt Shen Yan, he wouldn't be able to beat him. And who knows how much Shen Yan could endure?

Hu Chengyu's gaze swept over Shen Lin. "Take your brother back."

With that, he quickly left.

As he passed the man who had just hugged Shen Yan, he gave him a cold look.

The man instinctively stepped back.

Lu Zhao looked at Shen Yan, then at Hu Chengyu, and hurriedly followed.

The few people with Cheng Xu only dared to sneer quietly. Once Hu Chengyu and Lu Zhao had left, they didn't dare to stay any longer.

They feared being recognized by Shen Yan or Shen Lin, which could lead to their parents being identified.

The person who had assaulted Shen Yan at the birthday party had parents whose company had received considerable "attention" from Shu Qianfei recently.

Hu Chengyu walked so quickly that Lu Zhao almost had to jog to keep up.

"Hu-hu, brother, why are you walking so quickly?" Lu Zhao supported his knees, breathing heavily.

Hu Chengyu sat in a booth in a rest area, looking out the window, deep in thought.

Lu Zhao sat across from him. "Brother, are you angry? It's a good thing that Shen Yan has given up on chasing you. He won't pester you anymore." In truth, he hadn't really thought Shen Yan was that clingy before.

Although Shen Yan seemed cold and distant, he actually had a gentle temperament.

A few kind words from his brother would make Shen Yan very compliant.

When Shen Yan was still in elementary school, Lu Zhao had treated him like a younger brother. It wasn't until Shen Yan developed feelings for Hu Chengyu that they gradually drifted apart.

Shen Yan had really changed a lot. When he was younger and hanging around them, he was like a delicate, sweet pastry. As he grew up, he transformed into a cold beauty.

Hu Chengyu gave him a cold glance.

Lu Zhao felt like he might have said something wrong. Could it be that his brother really had feelings for Shen Yan?

After all, few could resist Shen Yan's handsome face.

"Bro, if you really like Shen Yan, you should make it clear to him. We can't play the scumbag game." Lu Zhao despised scumbags the most.

Hu Chengyu: "Shen Yan is just a kid, what's there to talk about liking or not liking?"

Lu Zhao: "Then why do you care about him? I’ve never seen you care about anyone."

"Lu Zhao, I’m not heartless."

Lu Zhao: "What does that mean?"

Hu Chengyu toyed with a wilting white flower on the table; it looked much like someone.

"Even if you raise a pet, you’d develop some affection after so many years, not to mention Shen Yan is a person."

Especially when Shen Yan was sick, calling out softly, 'Bro, it hurts,' his defenses would always break down.

Hu Chengyu sneered, "He’s just a kid."

Lu Zhao couldn’t tell what Hu Chengyu was thinking, but he felt his brother’s mood had improved slightly.

His brother’s heart was as unfathomable as the ocean’s depths.

On the beach, after Hu Chengyu left, Shen Yan was forced back to his room by Shen Lin.

*

Shen Yan just felt a bit dizzy, nothing serious.

After taking some medicine and sleeping for a while, he felt much better.

On the other hand, Shen Lin, who had been worrying about Shen Yan’s health, ended up suffering from heatstroke.

Lying on the bed, limp and lifeless.

When Shen Yan came to call him for dinner, Shen Lin couldn’t muster any energy, so they ended up ordering room service and ate something quickly in the room.

Shen Lin, like a fish out of water, said weakly, "There's a bonfire party on the beach, aren't you going to take a look?"

"No interest."

Shen Lin kicked Shen Yan's calf weakly, "You're nineteen, not ninety. Can you show some enthusiasm?"

"Or are you afraid of running into Hu Chengyu and the others?"

Shen Yan: "Reverse psychology won’t work on me."

Shen Lin was a bit helpless. Other than dragging him to the beach once, Shen Yan hardly left his room. Is this even a vacation?

It’s just like sleeping in a different place.

Shen Lin recalled the instructions Shu Qianfei gave him before they left, mentioning the psychologist’s assessment of Shen Yan’s mental state.

Saying that he had experienced emotional wounds, and although it didn’t show on the surface, he was prone to depressive moods and even self-harm or suicidal tendencies.

In this situation, besides medication, the most important thing was for the patient to open up emotionally.

Shen Lin couldn’t just let him stay in the room all the time.

Shen Lin needed to find an excuse, "Shen Yan, I’ve been looking after you for the past two days, haven’t I?"

Shen Yan was puzzled but still nodded.

"The beach bonfire party invited a band, and it's one I really like. Could you help me get an autograph?"

Shen Yan stared at him for a few seconds, and just when Shen Lin thought he had seen through his lie, Shen Yan nodded and said, "Okay."

Despite it being August, Shen Yan's constitution couldn't be ignored.

Shen Lin climbed down from the bed, rummaged through his suitcase for a light jacket, and insisted that Shen Yan wear it.

Shen Yan: ...

Shen Yan took the resort’s sightseeing vehicle to the beach for a faster journey.

Upon arrival, a vehicle was just about to depart. He quickly extended his hand to stop it. "Heading to the beach?"

The driver responded politely.

Shen Yan opened the door and was about to get in when his gaze landed on a pair of long legs.

His gaze moved up, and he saw a familiar face.

Lu Zhao greeted him first. "Hey, Yan Yan."

That single "Yan Yan" left Shen Yan feeling a bit dazed.

Shen Yan wanted to retract the foot he had already stepped in and take the next vehicle.

But just as the thought crossed his mind, a strong hand grabbed his arm, and before he knew it, he was plopped onto the seat like a radish pulled from the ground.

Lu Zhao, mouth agape, looked a bit foolish at Hu Chengyu.

"Yan Yan, how are you feeling?" Lu Zhao tried to break the awkward silence in the car.

"Thanks for your concern, Brother Lu Zhao. I’m fine," Shen Yan replied.

Lu Zhao flinched, sensing a hostile aura.

Lu Zhao felt wronged. It was Shen Yan who was being singled out, not him.

The beach bonfire party was indeed lively, with cheers audible from a distance.

After getting out of the car, Shen Yan didn’t join Hu Chengyu and the others but found a spot to sit casually.

It was a busy time with many people, but perhaps later, when there were fewer people, he could get the autograph.

An unfamiliar voice startled him. Shen Yan looked in the direction of the voice and thought the face seemed familiar.

The man smiled warmly. "I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself earlier. My name is Duan Zhuoyi."

Hearing the mention of earlier, Shen Yan recalled—it was the stranger with the abs.

Shen Yan greeted him briefly. "Mr. Duan, hello."

Duan Zhuoyi, who appeared to be in his mid-twenties, casually sat down opposite Shen Yan. "The view from here is really nice."

Shen Yan didn’t feel like chatting much with a stranger.

Duan Zhuoyi's eyes fell on Shen Yan's face. "Do you like Kip Band?"

After a moment, Shen Yan realized the band he was referring to was the band Shen Lin wanted a signature from.

Shen Yan responded vaguely, "Mm."

"Want a signature? I can get it for you."

Shen Yan felt tempted. With the signature, he could return and rest.

But everything has a price.

"Mr. Duan, what would you want?"

Duan Zhuoyi paused, then smiled. "Relax, kid. I'm not a bad guy."

"Bad guys also claim to be good."

"You're very cautious, but if I may say, your health isn't the best. Even with caution, you can't match absolute power."

Shen Yan said, "I bet Mr. Duan is a gentleman."

Shen Yan could see that Duan Zhuoyi genuinely had no ill intentions.

Duan Zhuoyi chuckled softly in response. "You're quite interesting. Are you an adult yet?"

Not far away, Lu Zhao nudged Huo Chengyu beside him. Huo Chengyu, holding a beer can, glanced at him.

Lu Zhao: "Look over there, who's talking to Shen Yan? Is the kid going to get tricked?"

Huo Chengyu looked up and saw Shen Yan smiling, resembling the melting snow of early springtime.