Chapter 95 End

Chapter 95 End

Shen Yan's mouth opened slightly, and he made a couple of movements, for a moment wondering if he was still dreaming.

"Xie Shiyu, do you know what you're saying?"

Xie Shiyu’s smile remained soft, as if he were a kind older brother.

Facing his gentle eyes, Shen Yan couldn’t bring himself to say anything sharp.

"I do," Xie Shiyu said, reaching out to gently stroke Shen Yan's face.

Shen Yan frowned. Although Xie Shiyu’s expression was still smiling, the fingers that touched his face carried a chill.

He didn’t like this kind of touch, which crossed the boundary of what friends should have.

Shen Yan turned his head away, dodging his fingers.

Xie Shiyu's hand hovered in the air, and the smile on his face gradually froze.

"Yan Yan?"

Shen Yan: "Senior, I have someone I like."

"You're still young, Yan Yan, you can't distinguish between love and gratitude," Xie Shiyu said with unwavering certainty.

Shen Yan didn’t like this reasoning and shot back in a low voice, "I can distinguish between love. I want to hug him, kiss him, even go further..."

Before Shen Yan could finish his sentence, his eyes filled with terror, his breathing grew more labored, and his already pale, sickly face turned a deep shade of red.

"Xie... Xie... cough," Shen Yan couldn’t manage a complete sentence.

Xie Shiyu grabbed Shen Yan's neck with one hand, the other gently stroking his face.

He adjusted the pressure to allow Shen Yan to breathe but prevent him from escaping.

Shen Yan couldn’t understand how Xie Shiyu, who had been warm just moments ago, had turned into this cold-eyed person before him.

It was unfamiliar, making him shiver all over.

In that suffocating moment, Shen Yan feared Xie Shiyu might really kill him.

Yet amidst the unfamiliarity, there was a hint of something familiar, like Hu Chengyu.

But Hu Chengyu had never treated him like this.

Xie Shiyu: "Do you really like Hu Chengyu?"

Shen Yan wasn’t one to back down, but he knew he should say something to placate Xie Shiyu and get him to let go.

But he didn’t want to deny it.

"Yes, I like him, only him."

Xie Shiyu’s grip on his neck tightened.

Shen Yan instinctively closed his eyes.

However, instead of the suffocating pressure, he felt a warm touch and breath on his forehead.

Xie Shiyu: "No problem, I'll wait until you forget him."

Shen Yan realized what Xie Shiyu was up to and fought desperately to break free from his control.

But the more he struggled, the tighter Xie Shiyu held on.

When Shen Yan's eyes met Xie Shiyu's cold gaze again, he froze in shock.

He had only seen this kind of gaze in Hu Chengyu's eyes.

He even wondered if Xie Shiyu's and Hu Chengyu's gazes were very similar.

Xie Shiyu suddenly smiled, the insincere smile he often used.

He scoffed, "Looking at me and thinking of Hu Chengyu?"

Shen Yan averted his gaze, embarrassed by being called out.

"I despise Hu Chengyu."

"We are both sons of Hu Tianhong, yet he is the pampered eldest son of the Hu family, while I was raised in an orphanage."

"Yan Yan, do you know? Hu Tianhong has always known about my background, and not only that, he even funded me."

"It's ironic. To Hu Tianhong, raising a son is just a matter of financial support."

"Yan Yan, do you know why Hu Tianhong secretly shaped me?"

Shen Yan thought that given Hu Tianhong's nature, it certainly wasn't out of guilt.

He suddenly recalled the photo of the small house in Zhu City where Xie Shiyu and his mother depended on each other for survival. The young Xie Shiyu didn't smile much.

Xie Shiyu saw a hint of pity in Shen Yan's eyes, and even though it was just for a moment, he was pleased.

Shen Yan, now being choked by Xie Shiyu, couldn't speak, and Xie Shiyu didn't really expect an answer.

"Because I am the pawn he used to control Hu Chengyu. Hu Tianhong wanted to use my existence to turn Hu Chengyu into an obedient son."

"Or, when he had to give up on Hu Chengyu, he would still have a backup son."

When Shen Yan heard 'backup son,' he couldn't help but wrinkle his brow.

Hu Chengyu and Xie Shiyu are real people, not substitutes for each other.

Xie Shiyu: "When I guessed Hu Tianhong's thoughts, I even thought about ending his life."

As Xie Shiyu spoke, his expression darkened, and Shen Yan's body tensed for a moment.

"However, later I came to terms with it. I can be Hu Chengyu's replacement, so why can't Hu Chengyu be mine?"

Xie Shiyu's tone suddenly changed, and he looked intently at Shen Yan, "Yan Yan, do you know what the most devastating way to destroy someone is?"

Shen Yan didn't know, but he could hear a tremor in Xie Shiyu's voice as he said this—was he excited?

Xie Shiyu: "Take away the one thing they love most."

"And you are what Hu Chengyu cherishes the most."

Shen Yan's eyes widened, a mix of joy and hope flickering in them. He realized Xie Shiyu didn't truly care for him.

Xie Shiyu had been staring into Shen Yan's eyes and naturally didn't miss the subtle changes in them.

He reached out to touch Shen Yan's eyes. "Yan Yan guessed correctly."

"However, Yan Yan is too good, so good that I've also fallen for you."

Xie Shiyu's lips were close to Shen Yan's forehead as he spoke. Despite Shen Yan's efforts, he couldn't pull away.

Xie Shiyu said, "Don't move, or else—"

"I'll do something even worse."

Shen Yan fell silent.

The current Xie Shiyu was unpredictable; one moment he smiled warmly, and the next he could turn icy cold.

Shen Yan had no doubt that he would follow through on his words.

Xie Shiyu said, "This is just one part of it. Hu Tianhong thought he was playing a clever game, but from the start, he was being manipulated by someone else."

"My existence was placed right in front of Hu Tianhong by Meng Yunshan."

Shen Yan was shocked; he never expected Meng Yunshan's involvement in this matter.

"Meng Yunshan was very cautious. He feared nurturing a snake that would eventually turn on him, so for many years I did not know that my existence was his doing."

"It wasn't until Meng Lei's people found me that I began to realize something was off."

Shen Yan had questions, but he could only make muffled sounds, unable to form a complete sentence.

Upon hearing Shen Yan's voice, Xie Shiyu's eyes darkened, but noticing Shen Yan's resistance, he released him.

Once free, Shen Yan instinctively touched his neck and cautiously glanced at Xie Shiyu from the corner of his eye, only to meet Xie Shiyu's gaze head-on.

Shen Yan feared Xie Shiyu might lose control again.

However, Xie Shiyu merely said in a calm tone, "What do you want to ask?"

"How did you know everything was arranged by Meng Yunshan?"

Meng Yunshan was the true strategist behind the Meng Group. Even for someone like Hu Chengyu, getting to the bottom of Meng Yunshan wasn't easy.

Either Xie Shiyu wasn't just a graduate student at University A, or he had other forces backing him.

If it was the latter, his conflict with Hu Chengyu would be even more intense.

Shen Yan instinctively began to worry.

No matter how clever Xie Shiyu was, he couldn't read minds. Nodding, he admitted, "That's right, I am 'Cun'—the one you've heard about."

Shen Yan's eyes first blinked, then widened in shock.

Xie Shiyu frowned. "What? Didn't you guess my true identity?"

Shen Yan's voice was hoarse. "No, I only guessed someone was helping you behind the scenes."

He hadn't considered this possibility.

After the initial shock, Shen Yan's mind raced. How did he find out about 'Cun' in his previous life?

He couldn't remember anymore. After thinking it through, he realized that he and Xie Shiyu had only met a handful of times in his past life.

Xie Shiyu's hidden identity was so secretive, yet he knew about it.

What did this mean?

Someone had deliberately leaked the information to him.

Shen Yan let out a soft laugh. It had to be Hu Chengyu.

In his previous life, he and Xie Shiyu joined forces against the Meng family. If he openly sided with Xie Shiyu, it would only invite more extreme retaliation from Meng Yunshan.

At that time, the only family he had left was his younger brother Shen Lin. He couldn't risk any more 'accidents.'

Xie Shiyu raised an eyebrow, a look of surprise on his face. "You're not entirely wrong."

Snapping out of his reverie, Shen Yan wondered if someone had really been secretly helping Xie Shiyu.

Xie Shiyu said, "After I investigated Meng Yunshan, I started collaborating with Hu Chengyu.

"From stirring up trouble at the company's shareholder meeting, to Meng Lei using Blue Water Bay to trap Hu family's investment, we turned the tables and set up a trap to have the police arrest Meng Lei. All of this was part of our plan."

The only unexpected part was that Meng Lei escaped and even kidnapped Shen Yan.

Shen Yan's shock now was just as intense as when he discovered Xie Shiyu was 'Cun.'

It seemed the key events of the story couldn't be changed. The two of them actually managed to take down the antagonist.

Xie Shiyu said, "Yan Yan, I admit that at first, I approached you with the intention of getting back at Hu Chengyu, but the more I got to know you, the more I lost control over my feelings."

Shen Yan was still absorbed in his thoughts, so the sudden shift in conversation threw him off.

Maybe it wasn't the sudden shift in conversation that threw him off, but the way Xie Shiyu's words felt like a confession.

Xie Shiyu and Hu Chengyu didn't really look alike, but their eyes bore a resemblance, especially when they were cold.

Xie Shiyu suddenly grabbed Shen Yan's hand. "Yan Yan, what if you see me as Hu Chengyu, okay?"

As long as he could be with Yan Yan, he didn't mind being Hu Chengyu's substitute.

By this point, Shen Yan was so stunned that he instinctively pulled his hand away. "You are you, and he is he. I like only Hu Chengyu."

"It's fine if you don't like me," Xie Shiyu said, his expression obsessive. "As long as you let me stay by your side."

Worried that Shen Yan might not understand, he added, "You don't have to worry about Hu Chengyu. I have ways to keep him from knowing."

Shen Yan: ?!

Despite being at a loss for words, Shen Yan spoke honestly. "Xie Shiyu, the person I like is only Hu Chengyu.

"There will be someone who likes you and whom you like in return, but that person isn't me."

Shen Yan could understand how Xie Shiyu's upbringing had influenced him, leading to his current obsession.

But that wasn't an excuse for him to hurt himself.

Xie Shiyu deserved someone who loved him wholeheartedly.

Xie Shiyu’s eyes dropped, and Shen Yan couldn’t read his expression, but the tension in the room began to rise.

Just as Shen Yan wondered if his words had upset him and whether Xie Shiyu might do something extreme again, Xie Shiyu suddenly burst into laughter.

But the laughter wasn’t one of joy—it was tinged with a bitter sadness.

Shen Yan gripped the blanket tightly, feeling both terrified and heartbroken at the sight of Xie Shiyu like this.

It took a long time for Xie Shiyu to stop laughing. He dabbed at the tears in the corners of his eyes and said, "Hu Chengyu, I give up."

"But it’s not to you. If I had met Yan Yan first, you’d be the one losing now."

Shen Yan was left puzzled.

Xie Shiyu pulled out his phone and, right in front of Shen Yan, ended the call with a tap on the red button.

Shen Yan’s face suddenly flushed red. What had he admitted just moments ago?

That he liked Hu Chengyu, and only him.

Shen Yan shot Xie Shiyu a fierce glare, and Xie Shiyu’s expression shifted immediately.

Realizing he couldn’t match Xie Shiyu, Shen Yan yanked the blanket over his head and mumbled, "Just go."

He couldn’t bring himself to say anything harsher to Xie Shiyu.

He didn’t hear Xie Shiyu’s footsteps leaving, but the blanket was suddenly hugged tightly.

Xie Shiyu said, "Yan Yan, it’s been wonderful meeting you."

Meeting you reminded me that I’m still capable of loving—of being more than just a hollow shell or someone else’s pawn.

Shen Yan’s attempt to break free stopped.

Xie Shiyu said, "If one day you stop liking Hu Chengyu, remember to tell me."

"That day will never come."

Hu Chengyu’s cold voice penetrated through the soft blanket into Shen Yan's ears.

Xie Shiyu hadn’t expected Hu Chengyu to arrive so quickly.

Xie Shiyu shot Hu Chengyu a challenging glance, kissed the blanket, and slowly rose to his feet. He then said to Shen Yan, "Yan Yan, I’ll be leaving first."

He didn’t spare Hu Chengyu a single glance.

As soon as Xie Shiyu stepped out of the room, Hu Chengyu forcefully closed the door.

Shen Yan emerged from under the blanket, his forehead and eyes barely showing, looking at Hu Chengyu cautiously and shyly. The previously angry man rarely showed a smile...

Outside the room, Xie Shiyu took out his phone and saw a message in their group of four: "Sorry, boss! Hu Chengyu is slicker than a fox—we’re no match for him."

It was followed by a series of expressive emojis.

Xie Shiyu chuckled lightly. Even though he hadn’t won the heart of the person he loved, he still had his friends, right?

Shen Yan spent the next two weeks in the hospital, with visitors stopping by his room every day.

*

Shen Lin even stayed here during his vacation.

Of course, the ones who spent the most time in the hospital room were Hu Chengyu and Shu Qianfei.

Xie Shiyu also visited frequently, almost as much as they did.

Hu Chengyu was peeling an orange for Shen Yan when Xie Shiyu walked in. Seeing Xie Shiyu, Hu Chengyu let out a cold sneer.

Shen Yan, engrossed in a game, recognized Hu Chengyu's tone and knew Xie Shiyu had arrived.

But Shen Yan was in the middle of a critical team battle and couldn’t pause.

Besides, since Xie Shiyu came almost every day, Shen Yan gradually got used to him. Xie Shiyu kept up his warm and friendly demeanor as a senior, and Shen Yan felt less uncomfortable over time.

It was only from the videos Hu Chengyu sent him that Shen Yan saw Xie Shiyu's cold, ruthless side at work, matching Hu Chengyu's.

The video ended with Hu Chengyu's voice: "Don't be fooled by his act."

Things between him and Xie Shiyu had already been made clear. From the start, Hu Chengyu had been clear that they should keep their distance.

At the time, Xie Shiyu just smiled without saying anything, but the next day, both men appeared with bruised faces.

After that, Xie Shiyu continued as usual, but their relationship stayed strictly platonic.

Shen Yan didn’t know what Xie Shiyu had said to Hu Chengyu, but after that altercation, Hu Chengyu never again said that Xie Shiyu shouldn’t be allowed to see Shen Yan.

Shen Yan didn’t blame Hu Chengyu. After all, Hu Chengyu had personally heard Xie Shiyu say he didn’t mind a three-way setup.

When Hu Chengyu wasn’t in the hospital room, Shen Yan once asked Xie Shiyu whether his cold aloofness or his warmth was the real him.

Shen Yan privately thought that "aloof" didn’t fully capture Xie Shiyu’s cold, calculating side.

In response, Xie Shiyu demonstrated a switch between his two forms right in front of him.

Shen Yan didn’t ask further because he understood that no matter which side was real, it was still Xie Shiyu.

Perhaps at first, it was difficult to hide his true personality, but some masks, when worn for too long, become a habit.

Shen Yan’s gaze held a touch of compassion.

After all, as the elder sister-in-law, it was only natural to feel sorry for a younger brother.

What Shen Yan didn’t expect was that Xie Shiyu would be angered by that look and leave half an hour earlier that day.

No matter how much Hu Chengyu and Xie Shiyu were at odds with each other, the fact remained that they were real brothers.

Especially after they started working together, Hu Chengyu gave Xie Shiyu shares in the Hu family's company, keeping him at Hu family's company.

Lu Zhao had once asked Hu Chengyu in the hospital room: "Why are you keeping Xie Shiyu at Hu family's company?"

Hu Chengyu: "In the future, he'll work for the company while I take Little Yan around on trips. Isn't that good?"

Lu Zhao was stunned. This method of burdening his younger brother was too calculating.

As for Hu Tianhong?

After being angered in Meng Yunshan's hospital room, he suffered a stroke and now couldn’t move half of his body. He no longer had any say in the Hu family.

Back to the present, Hu Chengyu offered the orange to Shen Yan's lips. Without taking his eyes off his phone screen, Shen Yan accurately took the orange into his mouth.

Hu Chengyu: "The PR department doesn't have enough work."

Xie Shiyu, taking his remark as a sarcastic jab, pulled a chair over and sat down next to Shen Yan without a care.

It wasn't until Shen Yan finished the round that he spoke, "Yan Yan, you're being discharged tomorrow. I know a resort with a great view. Want to go with me?"

Shen Yan instinctively glanced at Hu Chengyu, not to seek his opinion, but out of concern that the two might start fighting in the hospital room.

After all, Xie Shiyu's tone was full of provocative challenge, making it hard for Shen Yan to pretend he didn't notice.

At that moment, Xie Shiyu, pretending to be magnanimous, said, "He can join us as well."

Hu Chengyu's expression immediately darkened.

But within a few seconds, Hu Chengyu returned to calm, which surprised Xie Shiyu.

Aside from matters involving Shen Yan, little else could rouse Hu Chengyu's emotions.

On the other hand, anything involving Shen Yan made it difficult for him to remain calm.

Hu Chengyu: "Alright, let me know the location and time. I'll bring Little Yan over."

Xie Shiyu, sincerely inviting Shen Yan to relax, didn't pay much attention to Hu Chengyu's uncharacteristic behavior and mentioned the name of the resort and the specific date.

After seeing Xie Shiyu off, Shen Yan was puzzled. Had he overthought things?

Perhaps Hu Chengyu was also interested in going.

As for school, both Hu Chengyu and Xie Shiyu's coursework wasn't heavy, and now it was even less so, with only a project name attached. They just needed to return for exams.

After being in the hospital for two weeks, Shen Yan felt like a caged bird, eager to escape.

That night, he was unusually restless, tossing and turning in bed without being able to fall asleep.

In the dark, a figure moved swiftly and silently onto the bed, startling Shen Yan.

But the familiar scent instantly reassured him.

Shen Yan gently pushed Hu Chengyu. "Get off, I’m trying to sleep."

Though the hospital bed was small, it could still accommodate both Shen Yan and Hu Chengyu. However, there had been a night when Hu Chengyu held him down and kissed him, causing a commotion. The next day, when Shu Qianfei came to see him, she caught them.

Worse, Hu Chengyu had taken off Shen Yan’s hospital gown, revealing the pink marks on his pale skin, which stood out prominently.

Shen Yan’s face remained flushed throughout the day.

After that incident, Shen Yan forbade Hu Chengyu from getting on the bed.

Hu Chengyu wrapped his arms around Shen Yan and the blanket, and under the faint moonlight, he kissed Shen Yan's ear.

It was warm and ticklish, with a numbing sensation that was addictive.

Shen Yan closed his eyes and let Hu Chengyu have his way.

Gradually, the warm lips by his ear became scorching and slowly moved to the corner of his mouth, finally landing on his lips, trying to pry open the door to play with his little friend.

Shen Yan kept the door tightly shut, but Hu Chengyu knew how to be mischievous. One of his hands had somehow slipped under the blanket and pinched Shen Yan’s side, making him give in right away.

Tonight, Hu Chengyu was even more passionate and intense than the first time in the cabin, and Shen Yan, who had expected just a tender moment, felt a brief surge of panic.

However, the panic lasted only a short while before he embraced Hu Chengyu.

Shen Yan slowly opened his eyes to look at him and saw seriousness in the other's eyes.

"Little Yan, I love you."

Shen Yan's heart raced, but immediately after, Hu Chengyu’s kisses grew more passionate, pulling him in deeper, as if drowning in honey.

Even though Shen Yan's body could now engage in the most intimate acts with Hu Chengyu, he stopped short of going all the way. Instead, after Shen Yan became drowsy, Hu Chengyu gently kissed his forehead and whispered, "Sleep well, my love."

Though confused, Shen Yan was too exhausted to keep his eyes open and drifted off to sleep.

*

He felt himself being moved; the sensation of weightlessness was too obvious, but he was truly too sleepy.

The subtle scent of grass and wood filled the air, lulling him back to sleep.

It wasn't until the familiar sensation of being lifted returned that Shen Yan opened his eyes to find himself held in Hu Chengyu's arms.

"Awake?"

Shen Yan was a bit dazed, looking at the skyline that had just begun to brighten. For a moment, he wondered if he was still dreaming.

But the chilly wind of early winter against his face confirmed that this was no dream.

After a moment, he asked groggily, "Where are we?"

"The airport."

By the time Shen Yan realized Hu Chengyu was carrying him up the stairs, they were already inside the plane.

Now fully awake, Shen Yan looked out at the sky and then back at Hu Chengyu. "Where are we going?"

Hu Chengyu named a tropical island. "We're going on a vacation."

It wasn't until the private plane took off that Shen Yan realized Hu Chengyu hadn’t wanted him to go to the resort with Xie Shiyu.

It was only after the plane landed that Shen Yan received a call from Shu Qianfei. "This is ridiculous. Even though you've been discharged, your body still needs proper care..."

Shu Qianfei lectured him for nearly half an hour before finally letting him go.

As for Hu Chengyu, Shu Qianfei only coldly reminded him, "Take good care of Yan Yan."

The private island was just for him and Hu Chengyu. Compared to the sub-zero temperatures of early winter in Jing City, the temperature here was just right, making it suitable for recovery.

Otherwise, Shu Qianfei would have come to take him back.

It was late afternoon, and since Shen Yan had slept the entire way, he was now feeling quite energetic, taking a leisurely walk around the island with Hu Chengyu.

Noticing their matching floral shirts, Shen Yan playfully pulled Hu Chengyu down to step on each other’s shadows, laughing. "We look like a couple of retired grandpas, don’t we?"

Hu Chengyu laughed along with him. "Little Yan is definitely the best-looking old man."

As he spoke, their noses brushed together, and before he finished, their lips met.

It wasn't until they fell onto the large bed in the master bedroom of the villa that Shen Yan saw the balloons and roses in the room, realizing Hu Chengyu had planned this all along.

Hu Chengyu said, "Little Yan, marry me, will you?"

Shen Yan was feeling emotional when he suddenly heard Hu Chengyu's proposal, not sure whether to laugh or cry. His voice trembled, "Is this how you propose?"

He didn’t want Hu Chengyu to kneel, but he definitely didn’t expect him to be lying on top of him!

But Hu Chengyu just grinned.

Those usually cold eyes now blazed with intensity.

"Little Yan, if you say yes, we’ll take things to the next level."

Shen Yan instinctively asked, "What happens if I say no?"

Hu Chengyu stared at him intensely, and after a long pause, his voice rasped, "I won’t get up until you say yes."

That night, no matter how many times Shen Yan said yes, Hu Chengyu stayed put.

As the morning sun began to light up the sea, in the master bedroom of the villa, on the large bed, two hands clasped together wore matching rings.

With their hands clasped, they were ready to spend the rest of their lives together.