Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Shen Yan paused mid-swallow, and Hu Chengyu finally realized that he had handed him alcohol.

"Sorry."

Hu Chengyu quickly pulled the cup away and pressed a tissue to Shen Yan's lower lip. "Spit it out."

They were sitting very close, so close that Shen Yan could see his own reflection in Hu Chengyu's pupils.

Somehow, Hu Chengyu's command only fueled Shen Yan's rebellious streak. Upon hearing it, his throat moved slightly, and he swallowed the remaining champagne in his mouth.

The tissue Hu Chengyu held against Shen Yan's lips became useless. His hand behind the tissue then gently but firmly gripped Shen Yan's chin.

Shen Yan involuntarily opened his mouth.

After confirming that Shen Yan had indeed drunk the champagne, Hu Chengyu furrowed his brows and asked, "Are you feeling unwell? Do you have medication with you?"

Although he and Shen Lin had chosen a spot with few guests, it wasn't exactly deserted. If anyone saw them, who knew what rumors would start?

Shen Yan forcefully turned his head away, breaking free from Hu Chengyu's restraining hand, and countered with a question, "What are you doing here?"

Hu Chengyu withdrew his hand, his fingertips seemingly still retaining Shen Yan's temperature.

His mood darkened for reasons he couldn't quite grasp.

Because of this unknown emotion, his already cold face now carried an even more serious expression. "I came to find you."

Shen Yan was rendered speechless and didn't ask anything further.

Hu Chengyu pulled a chair over and sat next to him.

Shen Yan immediately felt uncomfortable, wishing for the first time that Shen Lin would appear quickly.

Where's Lu Zhao? He's usually inseparable from Hu Chengyu, why didn't he come together?

Unaware of the growing redness in the corners of his eyes from the alcohol, Shen Yan's wide, glassy eyes stared at the leftover cake on the table.

Just as he was zoning out, he suddenly felt a movement on his leg. Looking down, he saw a well-defined hand picking up the cake.

Shen Yan's face flushed, and the redness around his eyes intensified.

"I, I can do it myself..."

"What are you two doing...?"

Both Shen Yan and Shen Lin's voices rose simultaneously, but Shen Lin's louder tone not only drowned out Shen Yan's voice but also attracted the attention of a few scattered guests.

Shen Yan: ...

Was Shen Lin trying to drive him out of his mind?

Shen Lin didn't notice Shen Yan's furious gaze at all. He slammed the cake down on the table and then grabbed Hu Chengyu's forearm, attempting to pull him away.

Shen Lin yanked hard, but Hu Chengyu didn't budge.

He pulled with even more force, but Hu Chengyu remained unmoved in the slightest.

Shen Yan took the opportunity while the two were at a stalemate and quickly retreated half a step with his chair, putting some distance between himself and Hu Chengyu.

"I'm going to change my clothes," Shen Yan said, turning to leave.

However, he had overestimated his ability to handle alcohol. He rarely had the chance to drink, and his body wasn't used to it. Before long, the effects of the alcohol started to take hold.

He had barely taken a step when he nearly stumbled over the chair.

Fortunately, Hu Chengyu was quick to grab him, and Shen Yan ended up stumbling into Hu Chengyu's arms.

Shen Lin, who was still holding Hu Chengyu's other arm, wore an embarrassed expression. "I'll take him back to his room," he said.

But Hu Chengyu had no intention of letting Shen Yan go.

Just as they were at a standstill, Aunt Wang rushed over, out of breath. "Xiaolin, Mom is looking for you everywhere. Come with me now."

Only then did she notice Shen Yan leaning against Hu Chengyu, her face showing concern. "What's wrong with Yan Yan?"

Shen Yan rubbed his temple and tried to break free from Hu Chengyu's hold, but his strength was no match. It felt as weak as a kitten's paw swipe in Hu Chengyu's eyes.

"Just had a bit of alcohol, and I feel a little dizzy," Shen Yan said, trying to stay lucid.

"He drank alcohol?" Aunt Wang asked, somewhat worried. "Do you feel like vomiting? I'll take you back to rest."

Hu Chengyu blocked Aunt Wang. "Aunt Shu is waiting for Shen Lin. Why don't you take him there first? I'll see Yan Yan back."

Aunt Wang recognized Hu Chengyu and knew that Shen Yan used to always follow him around.

She didn't think much of it and quickly agreed. "Alright, I'll leave Yan Yan in your care."

Hu Chengyu had some understanding of Shen Yan's preferences and knew that he disliked being stared at. Thus, he changed his posture from half-embracing him to supporting his shoulder.

Shen Yan no longer resisted his touch.

Shen Lin watched the two leave and still felt it was inappropriate. He wanted to follow them.

Aunt Wang gently pulled him aside. "Madam is waiting for you."

Shen Lin said, "I'm worried about them."

Aunt Wang immediately understood his concern and advised, "With so many people around, Mr. Hu won't do anything to Yan Yan."

Reluctantly, Shen Lin let Aunt Wang pull him away.

Shen Yan managed to stay clear-headed while outside, but once he was back in his room, he didn't even have the strength to open his eyes.

Hu Chengyu could feel his body becoming increasingly limp, especially as Shen Yan unconsciously leaned closer. He could feel the warmth of Shen Yan's breath against his skin.

He felt a slight daze coming over him. What kind of alcohol did they serve? He had only smelled it, yet even he felt a slight buzz.

This was the second time he had been in Shen Yan's bedroom, and it hadn't changed much since his last visit, except for a few additional items on the desk.

He supported Shen Yan to sit on the edge of the bed and softly called, "Shen Yan."

In his daze, Shen Yan responded with a soft 'hm' and tightened his arm around Hu Chengyu's neck, his nose even brushing against his neck, nearly touching his Adam's apple.

His soft murmur sent a ripple of warmth across Hu Chengyu's skin.

Even the usually unflappable Hu Chengyu felt a shiver run down his spine.

A low, involuntary groan escaped his throat, and his Adam's apple bobbed rapidly as he tried to suppress the restlessness rising within him.

Hu Chengyu frowned deeply at his own reaction.

What am I doing?

"Shen Yan, let go."

He couldn't stay entangled with Shen Yan like this any longer.

Yet, even as he spoke, his arms remained tightly around Shen Yan's waist, not loosening their grip.

Shen Yan slowly opened his eyes and, seeing Hu Chengyu's furrowed brow, felt a little unhappy.

His slightly cool fingertips gently touched Hu Chengyu's brow. "Why are you always unhappy?"

"I'm not unhappy," Hu Chengyu retorted.

"Then smile?" Shen Yan said, moving his hand to the corner of Hu Chengyu's mouth.

But his aim was off, and his finger ended up poking Hu Chengyu's mouth.

Hu Chengyu was speechless.

Shen Yan persisted, "Why aren't you smiling?"

Hu Chengyu could feel his heartbeat quickening, a sense of danger looming.

But before Hu Chengyu could move Shen Yan's finger, Shen Yan pulled it away on his own, pressing it to his own chest instead, a hint of fear in his voice. "Uh-uh, my heart is beating so fast, is it broken?

"I've been taking good care of my body, how could it still be broken?"

At the sight of Shen Yan's anxious expression, any lingering thoughts in Hu Chengyu's mind instantly faded.

"It's not broken, it's fine."

Hearing Hu Chengyu's reassuring voice, Shen Yan's restlessness gradually calmed.

His eyes widened as he stared at Hu Chengyu.

Hu Chengyu felt uneasy under Shen Yan's intense gaze.

Shen Yan's expression gradually shifted from confusion to seriousness, his eyes becoming more indifferent as they looked at him.

It was as if the little kitten he had raised suddenly didn't recognize him anymore.

Hu Chengyu didn't like the way Shen Yan was looking at him.

Just as he was about to raise his hand to cover Shen Yan's eyes, Shen Yan suddenly grabbed his tie, frowning seriously. "Hu Chengyu, I don't want to like you anymore."

After saying that, Shen Yan closed his eyes, his even breathing indicating he had fallen asleep.

If Shen Yan had been awake at that moment, he would have noticed Hu Chengyu's pupils sharply constrict.

This wasn't the first time Hu Chengyu had heard Shen Yan say he "didn't like him." The first time had been on Hu Chengyu's birthday.

He hadn't taken it to heart back then.

He assumed it was because he hadn't spent much time with Shen Yan lately, thinking it was just a childish tantrum.

It hit him—Shen Yan was being serious, and his repeated avoidance was no joke.

Suddenly, Hu Chengyu felt the air grow heavy, making it hard to breathe.

He glanced at the tie in Shen Yan's hand—it must be too tight.

He gently loosened the tie from Shen Yan’s grip, but the tightness in the air didn’t ease, so he unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt.

When Shen Lin pushed the door open, he saw the two sitting on the bed. Shen Yan was half-leaning on Hu Chengyu's shoulder, while Hu Chengyu was unbuttoning his shirt.

"Hu Chengyu!"

Hu Chengyu's movements paused slightly, and he raised his index finger. "Ssh, keep it down."

Shen Lin, fuming, remembered to close the bedroom door behind him before striding up to Hu Chengyu.

He yanked Shen Yan's arm, pulling him onto his shoulder with a rough motion.

His rough handling made Shen Yan murmur, but he didn’t wake up.

"What the hell are you doing?" Shen Lin demanded.

Hu Chengyu had no intention of explaining. Instead, he stood up and, as if it were second nature, opened the wardrobe to take out a set of pajamas.

"His clothes are dirty."

Shen Lin's eyes widened in surprise. Dirty? How did they get dirty?

Before Shen Lin could explode, Hu Chengyu pointed to Shen Yan’s sapphire-blue trousers. "Cake."

Since he had been standing very close to Shen Yan, his own trousers had inevitably gotten a little stained as well.

After a closer look, Shen Lin relaxed and snatched the pajamas from Hu Chengyu’s hands, glaring.

"Get out."

But Hu Chengyu simply turned around.

Shen Lin clenched his fists. He couldn’t beat Hu Chengyu, and if he angered him, the situation could get out of hand.

As he helped Shen Yan take off his suit jacket, Shen Lin kept an eye on Hu Chengyu from the corner of his eye.

Seeing that Hu Chengyu wasn’t peeking, he finally closed his complaining mouth.

Shen Lin had never done this before, and he nearly woke Shen Yan just trying to change his clothes. Especially with the shirt clip Shen Yan was wearing today.

When Hu Chengyu heard Shen Yan let out a soft moan because of Shen Lin’s fumbling, he asked, "Are you even sure you know how to dress someone?"

Shen Lin, anxious, broke out in a fine sweat on his forehead. "Don’t worry about it."

However, when he undid the shirt clip, he made Shen Yan wince.

This time, Shen Yan whispered, "It hurts," instinctively trying to pull away.

Shen Lin tried to pull him back but was yanked away by a force.

He was ready to explode, but one look at Hu Chengyu’s icy glare made him swallow his anger.

Shen Lin stopped making a fuss, and Hu Chengyu didn't bother with him.

Hu Chengyu gently placed his hand on Shen Yan's forehead. His temperature seemed fine, and he whispered soothingly, "It'll be over soon, and you won't feel any pain."

Shen Lin: ...What kind of crazy talk is that?

Hu Chengyu was definitely better at this kind of thing. After that, Shen Yan didn't cry out in pain anymore.

But when Hu Chengyu undid the third button of Shen Yan's shirt, revealing his pale collarbone, Shen Lin couldn't resist pulling the blanket over Shen Yan.

Hu Chengyu looked back at him.

Shen Lin, feeling flustered, said, "Undoing three buttons is enough; he'll sleep comfortably."

Hu Chengyu, who was changing Shen Yan's clothes, was far less calm than he appeared on the surface, so he didn't argue with Shen Lin anymore.

But the pajamas from the closet hadn't even been put on and were now lying on the floor, having been thrown there when Shen Lin yanked the blanket, piling up with the discarded suit.

It looked like a scene from after something had happened, even though it was all Shen Yan's clothes.

Shen Lin's mind raced with inappropriate thoughts, and he nudged Hu Chengyu away.

Author's Note:

Hu Chengyu (→_→): Thorn in my side

Shen Lin: What the hell...