Chapter 66

Chapter 66

Gu Jia didn't reply to him, but Shen Yan didn’t pay much attention. He had already arrived downstairs; he could go up and find out what was happening.

His only thought was that he hoped he wouldn’t run into Hu Chengyu.

Thinking of the photo he had saved, his face flushed slightly.

Lost in thought, he soon reached the second floor.

From a few steps away, Shen Yan saw that the dorm door was half-closed. Had Gu Jia gone out?

When he pushed the door open and came face-to-face with Hu Chengyu, he froze for a moment.

But it was only for a few seconds. He then turned his gaze to Gu Jia, silently asking, “What’s going on? Why is he here?”

Gu Jia, with his round and cute face, looked like he was about to cry. “He came to find you.”

Shen Yan couldn’t quite figure out the complicated meaning behind Gu Jia’s expression, but he could tell he looked relieved.

Shen Yan stepped into the dorm, set his bag down, and asked, “What are you doing here?”

Hu Chengyu’s expression remained calm. “I have something to ask for your help.”

Shen Yan was surprised. Did Hu Chengyu actually have something to ask of him?

He could keep his distance from Hu Chengyu, but given the family ties, he couldn’t simply turn him away.

Moreover, Hu Chengyu hadn’t done anything to wrong him. On the contrary, Hu Chengyu had been very caring towards him.

If he could help, it wouldn’t be a big deal.

After a moment’s consideration, Shen Yan replied, “Go ahead, but I can’t promise I’ll be able to help.”

If Hu Chengyu couldn’t handle it, it must be a tough situation.

Hu Chengyu didn’t say it directly but glanced at Gu Jia behind him.

Gu Jia looked startled.

“It’s not convenient here. How about next door?” Hu Chengyu might not use tricks, but he did have some tact. He suggested going next door to make it easier for Shen Yan to accept. If he had said ‘come to my dorm,’ Shen Yan would definitely refuse.

Of course, Shen Yan was clear-headed and directly refused, “It’s the same to talk here.”

Hu Chengyu glanced at Gu Jia again. Gu Jia wished he could disappear under the desk and managed only an awkward smile.

Hu Chengyu turned back to Shen Yan, seeing his insistent attitude and serious expression.

Shen Yan had a bad feeling. After getting a second chance at life, during his recovery, he had read many novels. Hu Chengyu’s demeanor made him suspect that he wanted to avoid a marriage arrangement and was looking for someone to help act in a play.

As Hu Chengyu hesitated, Shen Yan’s suspicions grew stronger.

“I won’t agree to whatever you’re planning! But if you need help with something simple, like applying ointment, I can do that.”

The two spoke almost simultaneously, their voices overlapping.

The dorm was so quiet that even the rustling of pages turned by the wind was audible.

The two stood in opposition like this, Gu Jia didn’t dare make a peep, but his curiosity was killing him.

Lu Zhao went to throw away a food container. Did he get lost or something? Why isn’t he back yet?

Gu Jia was anxious.

Hu Chengyu frowned. "You’re already disagreeing before I’ve even finished speaking?"

"Did you even think about agreeing?"

Shen Yan saw Hu Chengyu’s gloomy face and felt uneasy too.

If Shen Yan had heard Hu Chengyu’s request first, he might have thought about it, but probably still wouldn’t have agreed.

But after thinking it over, he realized that agreeing wasn’t completely out of the question.

However, seeing Hu Chengyu’s stern face, Shen Yan felt an urge to push back. "Isn’t there Lu Zhao?"

"Lu Zhao? He’s so clumsy, he makes it worse when he tries to clean it."

Lu Zhao, who had been humming a tune and was now standing behind Shen Yan, froze for a moment.

Shen Yan heard the movement and turned to meet Lu Zhao’s eyes.

Lu Zhao was momentarily confused but quickly came to his senses. "Yan Yan, you're back. Quickly take a look at my brother. I was so clumsy yesterday, and the wound on my brother’s back looks a bit bad."

He emphasized the word 'clumsy' with a tone that sounded almost resentful.

He turned Shen Yan by the shoulder and walked towards the next room.

As he did this, he shot a glare at Hu Chengyu, feeling like he was really putting himself on the line.

Before leaving, he turned to Gu Jia. "Hey, I’m taking Yan Yan to the next room for a bit."

Gu Jia didn’t even have a chance to speak.

Lu Zhao put his arm around Shen Yan, opened the door with his other hand, enduring Hu Chengyu’s sharp gaze as he entered the dorm.

Then he stuffed a bag of medicine into Shen Yan’s arms. "Yan Yan, I’ll leave my brother to you."

He leaned in and whispered, "Don’t be fooled by his size, he’s actually afraid of pain."

Hu Chengyu gave Lu Zhao a side-eye, really not wanting to lose out. Lu Zhao had just said he was clumsy, and now he was telling Shen Yan that he was afraid of pain.

Lu Zhao then pulled Hu Chengyu aside and whispered, "Bro, you should act a bit weaker later. The more Yan Yan pities you, that—"

"Bro, do you really think your voice was quiet?"

Shen Yan was still dazed and hadn’t really heard what Lu Zhao said.

Lu Zhao rubbed the back of his head, which had been slapped by Hu Chengyu, and smiled at Shen Yan. "Yan Yan, I still have some homework to finish. I’ll leave my brother to you."

After saying that, he slipped away and even closed the door behind him.

The moment the two of them were left alone in the dorm, Shen Yan, although feeling both embarrassed and annoyed, remembered the injuries in the photos and decided against throwing anything down and leaving.

"H-Hu..."

Hu Chengyu put a finger to his lips, and Shen Yan, though confused, stayed quiet.

Hu Chengyu walked to the dorm door and suddenly opened it, revealing Lu Zhao and Gu Jia still crouched there, clearly eavesdropping.

Shen Yan: ...

Lu Zhao quickly put his hand on Gu Jia's shoulder and pretended nothing was amiss. "Gu Jia, I heard you bought a new flavor of chips. Let me try?"

The two of them then entered the neighboring Shen Yan's dorm.

Only when they were out of sight did Hu Chengyu close the door.

Shen Yan felt his face heat up. It was supposed to be a simple application of medicine, so how had it become so strange?

He wished he had just agreed right away.

Moreover, this wasn't the first time he had helped Hu Chengyu change the bandages. When Hu Chengyu had injured his arm before, Shen Yan had helped him with the dressing.

Thinking about the dressing, Shen Yan's thoughts drifted. Shouldn't this be an opportunity for Hu Chengyu to improve his relationship with Xie Shiyu? Why was it him applying the medicine?

This situation felt off.

Before Shen Yan could make sense of it, he saw Hu Chengyu's well-proportioned fingers unbuttoning his shirt.

One after another, three buttons had already been undone.

Shen Yan's eyes widened, and his hand involuntarily clenched, causing the plastic bag of medicine in his arms to rustle.

"W-What are you doing?"

Hu Chengyu seemed not to hear him. His eyes were on Shen Yan, and his hands continued to move. The last button of his shirt was undone.

Shen Yan's eyes fell on Hu Chengyu's half-exposed chest, with faintly visible abs, a honey-like color.

They looked... pretty toned.

Shen Yan turned his face away but couldn't help glancing back.

Now, not only was his face hot, but his neck was red too.

When he saw the photos yesterday, he had imagined what was underneath, but he didn't expect to see it so soon.

Shen Yan felt like his mind was a mess; the only thing he could think of was to leave.

He took a step toward the dorm door, but Hu Chengyu was standing right next to it.

As Shen Yan approached, Hu Chengyu had already taken off his shirt. What was once hidden was now fully exposed, the impact leaving Shen Yan stunned for a few seconds.

After a few more looks, Shen Yan finally closed his eyes.

Seeing this, Hu Chengyu laughed. "Closing your eyes now? A little late for that, isn't it?"

Shen Yan could hear his own heartbeat pounding in his ears.

Hu Chengyu reached out to take the bag but brushed against Shen Yan's hand.

Shen Yan jumped back immediately.

Hu Chengyu's hand hovered in mid-air, but his gaze lingered on Shen Yan.

Shen Yan averted his gaze. "P-please put your clothes on first."

Hu Chengyu had found Shen Yan's flushed face adorable, especially his round, delicate earlobes.

However, seeing him flinch made him somewhat displeased.

"How am I supposed to apply the medicine with my clothes on?"

Shen Yan responded slowly, "R-right, right, the medicine."

He had completely forgotten his initial intention to refuse.

Looking at Hu Chengyu's well-built upper body, all he wanted was to get out of there.

But Hu Chengyu was blocking his way, so he was 'forced' to help.

Hu Chengyu turned his back. The noon sunlight was bright, and the bedroom was well-lit.

Shen Yan looked at the wound on his back, his heart tightened, especially at the horrifying sight of the bruised skin. It brought him back to reality.

After a few seconds, he realized something wasn’t right.

He put down the bag of medicines and rummaged through it to find the necessary ones. There were both topical and oral medications.

All of them were brand-new and sealed.

"Lu Zhao, did you apply some medicine yesterday?"

Hu Chengyu turned his head to look back at him. "Yeah, just slapped some on." He then pulled out another tube of medicine from the drawer, the one Shen Yan had given him.

Shen Yan was a bit frustrated. A little bit of medicine won’t do much.

No wonder the injury looked worse than in the photo from yesterday.

He couldn't help but say a few words, "That medicine might work for minor scrapes, but for an injury like this, you should really go to the hospital."

From the severity of the wound, Shen Yan could tell it was caused by a long stick or club. His movements were gentle as he first poured the medicine into his palm before applying it to Hu Chengyu's back.

Hu Chengyu could feel the warmth of Shen Yan's hands.

For a moment, his mind wandered.

Perhaps because of his long-standing illness, Shen Yan's hands were softer compared to other boys his age.

Hu Chengyu said, "It's just a small injury." It was nothing compared to the injuries he had suffered before.

He just wanted an excuse to see Shen Yan.

Otherwise, just based on that photo, Shen Yan might avoid him for a while.

It was better to take the initiative.

Hu Chengyu didn't hear Shen Yan's response and glanced back. Bathed in the backlight, Shen Yan's lips were pressed together, his brows slightly furrowed.

Clearly, he was upset.

*

Using the excuse of applying medicine, Shen Yan didn't avoid Hu Chengyu for several days.

He even took the initiative to visit Hu Chengyu's dorm to help him with the medication.

For Hu Chengyu, those days were pure torture. Who could stay calm when the person you're into is touching your back?

A few times, Hu Chengyu considered opening up to Shen Yan.

But every time he saw Shen Yan's serious, cool expression, Hu Chengyu knew it wasn't the right moment.

Shen Yan had gotten better at applying the medicine, and the swelling on Hu Chengyu's back had already subsided, though the injury was still bruised, with patches of blue and purple.

"All done. Does it still hurt?"

In fact, Hu Chengyu hadn't needed the medicine since yesterday.

"It still hurts, like little needles poking me," Hu Chengyu said without changing his expression.

Shen Yan frowned when he heard this. "Why hasn't it improved yet? Maybe you should check it out at the hospital tomorrow?"

"It's much better, no need to go to the hospital," Hu Chengyu said calmly.

He could put it off for one more day.

Shen Yan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "In that case, I won't come over tomorrow."

Hu Chengyu was silent for a moment before saying, "Okay."

Shen Yan was slightly surprised. He thought Hu Chengyu would refuse and had even prepared many reasons.

It seemed that the reasons he had prepared were wasted since Hu Chengyu agreed so easily.

The reason Hu Chengyu agreed was that he would be away from school tomorrow due to a competition.

"I need to go out of town tomorrow, we can use the remaining medicine later."

Shen Yan felt somewhat helpless. Was this person hoping to get injured again in the future?

Shen Yan chuckled softly, exchanged a greeting, and then left.

Back in his dormitory, he always felt like he had forgotten something.