Chapter 120

Chapter 120

Yu Chuang slept in until nine the next morning, the first time in recent days he had slept this late, even missing his usual alarm.

He glanced at his phone and noticed that Ji Mian hadn’t called, which relieved him.

He sat up, massaging his aching temples, realizing just how tightly wound he had been these past days. After a good night’s sleep, the discomfort in his body started to show.

His roommates were already awake, and now only he and his roommate across the room were left in the dorm. In the first semester of their senior year at Ning University, most students were busy preparing for postgraduate entrance exams or job hunting. Two of Yu Chuang’s roommates were preparing for the exams and had already gone to the library early, while the guy across the room was busy with various interviews for the fall recruitment season, constantly on the move.

"Yu Chuang, you’re awake," Jiang Zixing, the guy across the room, turned his head upon hearing the noise.

"Yeah."

"You’ve been out every day lately, looking for a job?"

"Kind of."

"You’re the top student in our major, with such a strong resume. How come you’re finding it so exhausting?" Jiang Zixing looked at Yu Chuang, who had clearly been in poor shape recently, feeling sorry for him, assuming the job search had worn him out.

Yu Chuang had originally secured a guaranteed spot for postgraduate studies, but he didn’t want to continue his education. After giving up the spot, he planned to find a job.

Yu Chuang didn’t respond.

Barring any unexpected events, he probably wouldn’t be able to find a job before graduation, as he had already signed a one-year commitment.

"It’s a good thing you’re not around. Qiao Jiayang has been coming to the dorm looking for you lately. Tsk..."

"Who?"

"Qiao Jiayang, the one who switched majors last semester."

"Don’t remember him."

"The one who always sits next to you in class this semester?"

Yu Chuang thought about it but still couldn’t recall.

He just focused on the blackboard during class and never paid attention to who was sitting next to him.

"Good thing you’ve been away. Keep your distance from him. He’s... well, you know."

"What?"

"Gay."

Yu Chuang was puzzled. What does it matter if he’s gay? It has nothing to do with him.

"I don’t know him. What does he want with me?"

"Not really." Jiang Zixing frowned. "As long as you’re not into guys, you’re good."

He knew Yu Chuang usually didn’t pay much attention to what was happening in the department. During the most critical period for securing postgraduate spots last semester, Qiao Jiayang was close to the cutoff. In order to secure a spot, he reported his boyfriend, who was ranked higher than him, for having someone else take his PE final in sophomore year due to a sprained ankle.

Having someone else take the exam was indeed a problem, but Qiao Jiayang’s boyfriend never expected to be stabbed in the back by his closest person.

If Yu Chuang hadn’t ultimately given up his spot, Qiao Jiayang’s boyfriend would have lost his spot.

No one expected Yu Chuang, the top student in their department, to give up his spot. Basically, if Qiao Jiayang hadn’t acted, he and his boyfriend would have both made it by now, becoming the couple everyone envied.

They naturally ended up breaking up, and it was a messy, ugly split.

Their breakup caused quite a stir in their department.

At the start of the semester, Qiao Jiayang began sitting next to Yu Chuang in class. Since there weren’t many classes, not many people noticed, but Jiang Zixing did.

He had a rough idea of what Qiao Jiayang was after and found it pretty laughable.

Who was Yu Chuang? Over the years, plenty of beautiful girls had chased him without success, let alone a scumbag like Qiao Jiayang.

"Speaking of which, graduation’s around the corner. Aren’t you going to try dating while you’re still in school?" Jiang Zixing teased. "Once you’re out in the real world and life beats you down, you won’t have time for it."

"A relationship?" Yu Chuang got up and changed his clothes. "Not interested."

"Not interested? You planning to stay single forever?"

"Couldn’t care less."

Yu Chuang had never planned on dating, especially since he was mixed up in something shady. No normal person would accept a partner who’d been kept, right?

Better not drag anyone else into this mess.

With that, he headed to the bathroom.

It was more of a sink on the balcony than a proper bathroom. Morning light streamed in as Yu Chuang caught his reflection in the mirror. The bags under his eyes had lightened up a bit.

With the hospital issue settled, a huge weight was off Yu Chuang’s chest.

He didn’t feel grateful for the deal he’d struck with Ji Mian. A deal was just that—a deal, not a favor.

But Ji Mian giving him a month’s pay upfront had complicated things, since that wasn’t part of the deal. Yu Chuang had to admit Ji Mian had done him a solid.

He stared at his reflection, calm and collected.

He wasn’t one to break a promise. He’d agreed to it, so he wasn’t going to act all high and mighty.

The moment he signed that contract yesterday, he’d sold off his self-respect and shame for a price.

Yu Chuang forced a smile—practicing how to sell it.

*

When Yu Chuang got to the Ji Family’s place again, it was after ten.

Li Song had given him access to the security system the day before, so he could now freely enter and exit the Ji Family’s residential area.

When he arrived, Ji Mian was still asleep.

Li Song explained, "The young master came back late last night. Mr. Yu can wait in his bedroom."

"Won’t he mind if I just go in?"

Li Song smiled, "Normally, we wouldn’t disturb him, but you’re special. I’m sure the young master won’t mind."

"..." To be honest, Yu Chuang wasn’t particularly keen on this special treatment.

Li Song didn’t insist that he had to enter Ji Mian’s bedroom. Yu Chuang could have waited outside, but he went in anyway.

In his view, sleeping with his employer was inevitable.

In that case, whether it happened sooner or later didn’t make much difference.

He quietly opened the bedroom door, stepped in, and gently closed it behind him.

Ji Mian was still asleep, and it was anyone’s guess how late he’d stayed out last night.

As Yu Chuang passed the clothes rack, he caught a faint whiff of alcohol, figuring Ji Mian must’ve gone out drinking again last night.

Ji Mian was sprawled under a thin blanket, curled awkwardly on his side with his limbs tucked in, like he was nestled in someone’s arms.

His loose, thin pajamas had ridden up above his knees, exposing his long, well-defined calves.

Yu Chuang sat on the edge of the bed, his back to Ji Mian.

From what he knew, a typical lover would’ve taken the initiative by now, lying down to give their benefactor a "surprise."

The thought made him shudder.

As Yu Chuang hesitated, Ji Mian opened his eyes.

Seeing someone at his bedside, Ji Mian, still hungover, felt even dizzier.

It took him a moment to process: "Who let you in?"

Yu Chuang turned to face him. "Butler Li said I could come in. If you’d rather, I’ll wait outside next time."

"Perfect."

"Wait outside? Don’t flatter yourself. I’m paying you twenty grand a day to sit around out there?"

"..." Yu Chuang plastered on the practiced, professional smile he’d been rehearsing that morning.

Ji Mian tried to sit up, but a sharp headache sent him collapsing back onto the bed.

"...Headache?" Yu Chuang asked.

Ji Mian coldly replied, "Yes."

This body had a high alcohol tolerance—the first Ji Mian had encountered in his missions that could hold its liquor. Unfortunately, drinking too much inevitably led to headaches.

He’d gone out at noon yesterday, planning just to dye his hair. The original owner’s brown hair had grown out, with uneven black and brown streaks that annoyed Ji Mian, so he decided to change it.

Before he could leave the salon, the original owner’s friend called.

Those so-called friends were always dragging him out, and Ji Mian couldn’t change too much too fast, so he went along with it.

Last night, the group had ended up at some spot where strangers kept hitting on him. He needed a way to turn them down without breaking character.

As Ji Mian thought it over, Yu Chuang scooted closer and started massaging his forehead.

Ji Mian froze for a moment, then relaxed.

He had no clue what mental gymnastics Yu Chuang had done that morning, but he noticed Yu Chuang’s attitude had shifted.

He’d gotten... professional.

Ji Mian had a sudden idea: he’d bring his brother along tonight to make an appearance.

From now on, he could use spending the night with Yu Chuang as an excuse, which fit the original owner’s character.

With that, he grabbed Yu Chuang’s hand, pushed it away from his eyes, and met his gaze. "Busy tonight?"

These words, along with Ji Mian's gesture of brushing Yu Chuang's wrist, felt like a prelude to something illicit.

Yu Chuang hesitated. "No."

"Mm," Ji Mian said with satisfaction, letting go of his hand. "Tonight, don’t go back to school."

Despite Yu Chuang's mental preparation, when the moment arrived, he still felt a pang of despair. "...Mm."

Summoning his composure, he asked, "Does your back hurt too?"

"It hurts," Ji Mian replied, but instead of turning over, he pushed his luck and laid his head on Yu Chuang's thigh, face down.

"..." Yu Chuang managed a smile, his fingers continuing to knead Ji Mian's nape and neck.

Ji Mian had just dyed his hair a bold, almost platinum blonde, with curls. This color would look disastrous on most, but on the pampered young master with his fair skin, it suited him perfectly.

Yu Chuang felt like he was petting a golden retriever, and this one was nuzzling his thigh.

His gaze drifted down Ji Mian's slender, pale neck, appraising his bedmate for the night.

Ji Mian lay on the bed, his body sloping from shoulders to waist, the fabric dipping at his waist before curving up over his hips.

"Your ass is worth more than gold..."

Yu Chuang thought: That phrase should be about him.

He withdrew his gaze and stopped looking.

Twenty minutes passed, and with Ji Mian still silent, Yu Chuang kept going.

Most people's fingers would ache after a few minutes of pressure, but Yu Chuang had been at it for nearly half an hour before his fingers went numb and stiff.

He had to pause for a breather, bracing for the employer's scolding.

After a moment, he realized the employer wasn't responding.

Yu Chuang raised an eyebrow and gently turned the head on his thigh, revealing the employer's sleeping face.

"..."