Chapter 73: Lights

Chapter 73: Lights

Cen Xiao rubbed Cen Wu's hair a few times, suddenly feeling a chill down his spine. When he turned around, he noticed Xie Guiluan's eyes were dark and gloomy, like they were shrouded in a cold mist under the night sky.

Cen Xiao: "..."

Alright, cousin, I'm not worthy.

Cen Xiao raised his hands in a surrendering gesture and took a few steps back, signaling that he wouldn't touch Cen Wu again.

Cen's parents didn't notice the undercurrents here. Before Cen Wu could even resist, he was pushed into the car. He sat in the back, sandwiched between Guan Xingxue and Xie Guiluan.

Cen Wu: "..."

Feeling small, pitiful, and helpless.

In the depths of winter, snow was still falling at night. Cen Wu sat with his hands obediently on his knees. Guan Xingxue instructed Cen Xiao to drive to the place where Cen Wu had been staying these past few days to pick up his luggage, and then to get Xie Guiluan's things. They soon found the living conditions worse than expected.

Especially Xie Guiluan's cheap, ramshackle rental apartment, which was practically a condemned building, swaying in the winter night's wind and snow.

A group of thugs hiding in the alley smoking, drunkards reeking of alcohol, and someone dressed provocatively in such cold weather, wearing cheap smoky makeup to attract customers, a cigarette dangling from their red lips, even blowing a suggestive smoke ring in Cen Xiao's direction from afar.

Cen Xiao glanced at the leather skirt, initially thinking it was a woman, but then suddenly noticed the person's Adam's apple.

Cen Xiao: "..."

You've messed with the wrong guy.

The alley was too narrow for the car to enter, so they had to get out and walk. Guan Xingxue's face was pale; she couldn't imagine how anyone could live in such a place.

Filthy, chaotic, and downright revolting.

Cen Junshan wore a dark gray overcoat, his black hair already streaked with silver, but his figure remained tall and upright, exuding a cold and solemn aura, with several bodyguards trailing behind him.

The commotion was too much, so no one dared to approach, but that didn't stop a few thugs from peeking around. When they met Xie Guiluan's dark, cold eyes, they wisely retreated.

Xie Guiluan, a high school student living alone in such a place, was clearly an easy mark. These thugs had been beaten to a pulp several times before finally giving up on this tough nut.

Guan Xingxue's eyes were red with emotion. Cen Wu had once helped Xie Guiluan move goods, and after just one night, his palms were covered in blisters. Yet Xie Guiluan had lived like this for many years.

On snowy nights in Huaijing, they were busy attending various banquets, indulging in luxury and flaunting their status, while Xie Guiluan walked alone through the snow.

Cen Wu glanced at Xie Guiluan, then at Guan Xingxue, and thought, "This is bad." In the original story, Cen's parents had also come, and Guan Xingxue had looked so heartbroken that she reached out to hug Xie Guiluan.

Xie Guiluan hugged her back, but his cold *peach blossom eyes* lowered, filled with nothing but cold, icy disdain.

Disgusting.

Being able to rent this place, no longer having to endure the Xie family's disdain, was the most comforting thing he had experienced in over a decade. Yet in her eyes, it was something pitiful.

Back then, Xie Shangjing had put a dog collar on him and made him kneel outside the banquet hall all night in the depths of winter. Guan Xingxue had walked past him without a flicker of emotion, as if he were less than a dog.

What are you pretending for now?

Xie Guiluan didn't believe Guan Xingxue loved him. Guan Xingxue simply didn't understand him. Moreover, their shock, tenderness, and heartache were all for these trivial matters.

And he kept walking, and walking, realizing that the night had no end. Guan Xingxue and the others had finally found him, but the dark night brought no light. It wasn't exactly hatred, but love was equally unclear.

So he didn't stop either.

Guan Xingxue's tears were about to fall, and Xie Guiluan's thin lips formed a cold, sharp curve. Cen Wu quickly ran forward a few steps, standing in the hallway and jumping up and down energetically.

With each jump, the hallway light flickered on. In the darkness, he looked like a glowing little beacon, his snow-white face flushed red from the effort, looking up eagerly.

"Look at me."

Guan Xingxue: "..."

Tears, held back.

"This... this, this," Cen Wu cringed in embarrassment, feeling awkward and utterly mortified. What could Xie Guiluan possibly owe him for this? He stammered, "This light... it's broken."

Guan Xingxue adjusted her white fur shawl, walking towards Cen Wu with a regal and icy air, her high heels clicking on the steps.

The light bulbs lit up one after another.

Cen Wu: "..."

So powerful.

The ultimate mom.

Truly the mother of the male protagonist, Long Aotian.

Cen Junshan: "..."

Cen Xiao: "..."

Xie Guiluan: "..."

Xie Guiluan's dark eyes lifted, and in the deep, cold snowy night, he looked at Cen Wu. Cen Wu smiled at him, his misty eyes glimmering with the light. Xie Guiluan's lips curved slightly as he walked towards him.

Xie Guiluan, holding the keys, took a few steps forward, walking ahead with Cen Wu, holding his wrist.

Cen Wu didn't dare struggle too much. After all, even Zhang Fei and Guan Yu held wrists—it wasn't a big deal. But if Guan Yu struggled, the situation would feel off immediately.

Cen Wu whispered softly, "What would you do without me?"

He would definitely be unhappy again.

"Hmm," Xie Guiluan's thumb rubbed against Cen Wu's wrist bone, his tone gentle in the darkness, "What would I do without you?"

Cen Xiao: "..."

Cen Xiao, trailing behind them, overheard their conversation. So gross, so sappy.

What would I do with you two around.

Xie Guiluan didn't speak again. He reached out and opened the door. Cen Wu had been worried that the blood on the wall would scare Guan Xingxue, but when he looked up, he noticed that Xie Guiluan had somehow plastered over it.

The drawer that had hidden contraband was also cleared out. A coat hung on the back of a chair, and on the desk were open exercise books and draft papers, with a chipped thermos cup beside them.

The whole place looked like the modest home of a diligent, straight-A student.

Cen Wu: "..."

Bro, you're such a good actor.

Xie Guiluan took off his down jacket, pulled out a suitcase, and started packing. Mostly books and the clothes Cen Wu had bought him before. There wasn't much else to take.

Guan Xingxue and the others were hesitant to touch his belongings, so Cen Wu went to help Xie Guiluan pack. Xie Guiluan rolled up his sweater sleeves, revealing his slender, youthful arms.

He carried a stack of books and passed by Guan Xingxue, who was momentarily stunned. Xie Guiluan had a long, deep bruise on his arm, red to the point of purple, severely swollen.

Guan Xingxue had been looking at a photo. Song Lingwei didn’t have much money and rarely took Xie Guiluan to take pictures.

Only when Xie Guiluan was five years old did she suddenly take him to a local photo studio for a group photo. That photo was framed by Xie Guiluan and placed on his bookshelf.

Little Xie Guiluan was wearing a blue sweater and black corduroy pants, his skin pale to the point of looking cold, but his eyes were dark and deep. Even at such a young age, he already had the handsome contours of what he would grow into.

Guan Xingxue felt a lump in her throat. She would never see Xie Guiluan as a child again, never know how he grew taller bit by bit, never know if he cried a lot as a child, or if he missed his mother when he went to kindergarten.

Xie Guiluan would also never see his young mother again.

These long eighteen years were enough for him to grow up and for her to grow old.

Guan Xingxue’s eyes reddened as she frowned and reached out to check Xie Guiluan’s injury.

Xie Guiluan lifted his cold eyelids, glanced at the photo beside him, but pursed his lips and pulled down his sweater sleeve without saying a word to Guan Xingxue, continuing to pack.

Cen Wu: “…”

Cen Wu was certain that the photo wasn’t there the last time he visited. No wonder Xie Guiluan had been clinging to him like he was afraid he’d run away again after finding him, but then suddenly went out the other day.

He must have come to cover up the bloodstains on the wall, dispose of the poison, and prevent Guan Xingxue from thinking he was a psychopath. Then he developed this photo and placed it there, while also whipping his arm with a belt.

Guan Xingxue was clearly heartbroken and angry, thinking it was Song Lingwei who had done it. Xie Guiluan had post-traumatic stress from seeing her photo, which was why he didn’t speak.

He’s up to his tricks again.

Xie Guiluan wanted Guan Xingxue to deal with Song Lingwei. In truth, if he had just told Guan Xingxue directly that he hated her, she would have helped him, but Xie Guiluan didn’t trust Guan Xingxue.

Even if he played the victim and put himself in a weak position, he would never relinquish control.

Cen Wu pursed his lips as Guan Xingxue turned to wipe her tears, leaving him feeling a bit at a loss. He couldn’t undermine Xie Guiluan, but Guan Xingxue had been kind to him, and he didn’t want her to be upset.

In the original story, Xie Guiluan hadn’t let them upstairs at all. He packed his things and carried his suitcase downstairs by himself. Cen Wu had thought that this time, since Xie Guiluan was more familiar with the Cen family, he would let them come up.

Xie Guiluan’s goal was achieved. He didn’t delay any longer and quickly finished packing, leaving with the Cen family.

This time, they walked at the back. Cen Wu discreetly hooked his finger with Xie Guiluan’s. Xie Guiluan turned his head, and Cen Wu grinned at him, then grabbed his arm to check his injury.

Xie Guiluan had been acting flirtatiously all day. At night, he’d sleep in just pajama pants, holding Cen Wu and claiming it made it easier for him to touch his abs.

But then, starting two days ago, he suddenly started dressing properly. Cen Wu had thought he’d dodged a bullet and didn’t think much of it, but who knew Xie Guiluan had hurt himself again.

Cen Wu touched his arm and said fiercely, “If… if there’s a next time, I’ll ignore you.”

Xie Guiluan’s arm was pale and cold, the purple-red bruise was shocking, and the subcutaneous blood had even turned black. Cen Wu’s heart ached sharply, wanting to tell him, “Don’t do this, she will love you too,” but Xie Guiluan wouldn’t listen.

Cen Wu reached out to rub his face, feeling a bit relieved that he hadn’t run too far. Otherwise, what would Xie Guiluan do, all alone?

Cen Xiao, walking ahead, suddenly heard Xie Guiluan call out “brother” in a low voice. Honestly, his heart trembled for a moment. From the time he got the paternity test until now, Xie Guiluan had never called him “brother.” He had once been so looking forward to his birth.

But it also felt strangely off.

Cen Xiao turned around, sensing something off, only to see Xie Guiluan nuzzling Cen Wu’s face and calling him “brother” in a coquettish tone.

Cen Xiao: “…”

Let's say it again.

That damn hypocrite.

Cen Xiao was completely numb and didn't want to deal with them anymore. If they wanted to date, then let them. He couldn't control it. He was so angry tonight that it felt like he was developing ulcers.

Once they got in the car and were almost home, Cen Wu's palms were sweaty with nervousness. He really wanted to run away, but he didn't know if the servants would talk behind his back. The previous Cen Wu was quite hated.

He had suddenly gone from being the young master of the Cen family to Xie Mingcheng's illegitimate child, his status taking a nosedive, and he didn't know how many people would step on him.

They wouldn't dare to do it in front of Guan Xingxue and the others, but in private, it was a different story.

Guan Xingxue and the others seemed to have considered this and had instructed in advance that once they arrived at the Cen family, they should still call Cen Wu the second young master.

Cen Wu wasn't planning to leave anytime soon, as he was worried about Xie Guiluan, but he felt he should move out. Staying here would make Xie Guiluan's position awkward.

But there was no way to bring it up tonight; no one would agree.

Cen Wu still had some homework left to finish. During evening self-study, Meng Liangping had handed out a form for them to fill out and submit tomorrow. It required parents' names and contact information, along with a parent's signature.

He quickly finished writing at the living room table, had Guan Xingxue sign it, and then went to take a quick look at Xie Guiluan.

Xie Guiluan lowered his eyes. In the mother's column, he first wrote a dot, then Guan Xingxue's name. He should have written it horizontally, but his pen tip dropped downward, as if he instinctively wanted to write Song Lingwei.

Then he paused and changed it to Guan Xingxue.

Guan Xingxue's eyes dimmed a little. She hadn't rested well these past few days and had grown a few white hairs. She managed a weak smile and said, "Xiao Lan, have you finished filling it out? Let mom sign it for you?"

Cen Wu: "..."

Xie Guiluan wouldn't make such a basic mistake. He did it on purpose, stabbing Guan Xingxue's heart again.

He wanted her to deal with Song Lingwei for him.

He didn't want to do it himself, afraid that Cen Wu would hate him, but whether Song Lingwei ended up in jail or dead, she couldn't appear in front of Cen Wu again. He needed a scapegoat.

In the original story, the Cen family didn't resent his cold-bloodedness, but they were indeed very sad.

Cen Wu lay beside him, his soft, pale cheek squeezed into a small lump. Under the table, he hooked Xie Guiluan's hand and shook it, and Xie Guiluan hooked his pinky back.

Cen Wu then moved next to Guan Xingxue, who had been silently looking at the form. Cen Wu suddenly poked his head out, and she reached out to touch his face, her emotions interrupted by him.

Cen Wu: "..."

So tired.

This family would fall apart without him.

Guan Xingxue summoned Dr. Lu to check Xie Guiluan's arm injury. The bruise was purple, and she didn't dare to touch it, afraid of hurting Xie Guiluan.

Lu Yan had been the family doctor for the Cen family for over a decade, and this was the second time he had been called over in the middle of the night.

He was once again experiencing the treatment of a family doctor in an over-the-top CEO drama.

Lu Yan adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and walked steadily into the Cen family estate. He was no longer just an ordinary family doctor!

He was the family doctor in a rich family's true and fake young master novel.

Lu Yan prescribed some ointment for Xie Guiluan, along with anti-inflammatory and blood-activating medicine.

Guan Xingxue thought that Cen Wu and Xie Guiluan had a good relationship and was worried that Xie Guiluan might not adapt well to living here, so she cleaned up the bedroom next to Cen Wu's for him to stay in.

Xie Guiluan, who had been silent all night, suddenly spoke up, lowering his eyes, "I want to stay with the second young master."

Cen Wu: "..."

Cen Wu was nearly scared into a cold sweat, thinking, "Bro, don't do this. I should be calling you the eldest young master."

Guan Xingxue, already feeling sorry for him, was even more heartbroken when she heard this, thinking that Xie Guiluan still hadn't realized he was their child, not some illegitimate child of Xie Mingcheng.

"Xiao Bao," Guan Xingxue touched his head, not making a decision out of pity for Xie Guiluan, but first asked Cen Wu for his opinion, "Would it be okay for you two to stay together first?"

What else could Cen Wu say? He had no choice but to take Xie Guiluan with him, or else the eldest young master would sink back into depression.

Xie Guiluan's final move made Guan Xingxue realize how important Cen Wu was to him. If she truly loved him, she would resolve Song Lingwei's issue for him and find a way to keep Cen Wu.

Once they were in bed, Xie Guiluan wrapped his arms tightly around Cen Wu. He had held that little bear before, took off the bear's gloves, put them on Cen Wu, and then pulled Cen Wu into his arms, holding him tightly.

Cen Wu, wearing the bear gloves, shoved Xie Guiluan's head away, saying, "You... sleep on your own."

"I'm scared," Xie Guiluan buried his nose in Cen Wu's neck, nuzzling, his voice low and lonely, "I can't sleep at night without you."

Cen Wu: "..."

Who are you kidding?

Cen Wu didn't believe it at first, but Xie Guiluan kept saying it, clinging to him, almost crying, and he began to wonder, could it be true?

No one said Xie Guiluan couldn't feel scared while sleeping.

What if he really is scared?

Xie Guiluan's dark eyes darkened even more, hugging Cen Wu's waist, leaning on him dependently. Cen Wu quickly patted his back, feeling a pang of sympathy, "Then... don't touch me randomly."

To be precise, don't force him to touch randomly.

Just the thought of Xie Guiluan's parents and brother being present, while he was tightly held by Xie Guiluan and forced to touch his abs, made him too embarrassed to lift his head.

Xie Guiluan vaguely responded, not saying whether he agreed or not, just hugged Cen Wu and went to sleep.

Cen Wu, exhausted from being held so tightly, quickly fell asleep—or perhaps passed out from the pressure.

Only then did Xie Guiluan open his eyes. He propped himself up in the dark, softly calling Cen Wu, "Wu Wu."

Cen Wu's eyelashes were fluttering in his sleep, his cold, pale cheeks flushed, showing no reaction.

Xie Guiluan pinched his cheek, but Cen Wu felt nothing, sleeping soundly.

A cold, dark light cast shadows over Xie Guiluan's nose bridge. He lowered his head, licking Cen Wu's thin, red lips.

Cen Wu still didn't react.

Xie Guiluan then sucked on them, carefully watching if Cen Wu would wake up, gently prying open his lips and teeth, hooking his tongue, not daring to kiss too fiercely, afraid of being discovered. This kiss was unusually gentle, with a bit of wet sound in the deep night.

Cen Wu seemed to feel his mouth being sucked, in his dream he tried to push Xie Guiluan's tongue away, but being half-asleep, he had no strength, instead it seemed like he was softly licking him.

Xie Guiluan's neck veins bulged, Cen Wu never kissed him actively when awake. He knelt beside Cen Wu, bending like a dog, suppressing low gasps, lowering his head to entangle with Cen Wu's lips and tongue, his dark, cold peach blossom eyes tightly fixed on Cen Wu.

Cen Wu's long, thick eyelashes fluttered as Xie Guiluan's breathing grew heavier. Reaching under the blanket, he touched Cen Wu's hand, the softness of his palm sending a shiver through him.

Xie Guiluan finally bent down, his forehead resting on Cen Wu's shoulder, gripping his hand so tightly that it hurt even himself.

Cen Wu let out a soft hum, kitten-like, sleeping fitfully and a bit discontentedly. He fumbled to pull his hand out from under the blanket, wanting to rub his eyes.

Xie Guiluan's heart skipped a beat, and his ears flushed slightly. He seized Cen Wu's wrist and tenderly wiped his palm clean.

He was losing his mind.

What was he doing to Cen Wu?

But Cen Wu slept so peacefully, as if anything he did would go unnoticed.

He felt like he was truly going insane. Guan Xingxue had done nothing to wrong him, yet he had treated her so harshly. Cen Wu likely loved him deeply, but he still desired to corrupt him.

He couldn't control himself, unsure whether his actions were right or wrong, perpetually in agony. It was only after meeting Cen Wu that the pain eased, yet he feared he might end up hurting him.

"Baby," Xie Guiluan lay down, holding Cen Wu tightly, kissing his ear, and whispering, "Save me."