Chapter 16

Chapter 16

As October drew near, autumn had settled in the neighboring city. The temperature was no longer stifling like summer, nor yet biting like deep autumn. The breeze on the rooftop felt crisp and invigorating against the skin.

Zhang Yu’s moods were fleeting. In no time, the annoyance of being teased vanished, replaced by his focused enjoyment of snacks.

After finishing a bag of chips, his mouth felt a little dry. He smacked his lips, twisted open a bottle of Sprite, and gulped it down. A rush of effervescent bubbles surged from his stomach, culminating in a satisfying burp.

"*Burp~*"

The loud burp, accompanied by a contented sigh, made He Xu, leaning against the railing, narrow his eyes and let out a soft scoff.

Holding a cigarette between his fingers, He Xu flicked the ash and took unhurried drags, his dark eyes fixed on Zhang Yu, whose back was turned as he cheerfully unwrapped another snack.

*Getting so excited over a few packs of snacks—what a little kid.*

One glance.

Another glance.

He Xu took a drag and called out, "Hey, curly-haired."

Zhang Yu turned around, puzzled. "Are you talking to me?"

"Is there anyone else here?"

Zhang Yu swallowed his snack and stated earnestly, "My name isn't curly-haired. It’s Zhang Yu."

He Xu raised an eyebrow. "Oh, got it, curly-haired."

Zhang Yu: "..."

*Damn human!*

He Xu savored the breeze, his earlier gloomy mood completely forgotten. Watching the curly-haired boy puff up like a blowfish, a faint smile touched his lips. He extended a hand. "Give me a bag of chips."

Zhang Yu’s eyes widened. "Why?"

"Why so many questions? Just give it to me."

Zhang Yu clutched the chip bag tightly. "No, I only have one left."

He Xu’s eyebrow arched. "Really not giving it?"

Zhang Yu shook his head vigorously.

"Fine." He Xu lowered his head to flick the ash from his cigarette. "Then after school, I’ll have someone beat up your deskmate."

*What? How could this human be like this?!*

Zhang Yu stared at him in disbelief, hesitating for a long time. Thinking of his ocean space, he finally relented, reluctantly handing over the snack with a pained expression, closing his eyes as he extended it. "...Here."

He Xu paused mid-drag, his gaze shifting between the offered chips and Zhang Yu’s reluctant face, his expression unreadable.

He took the bag, tore it open, and popped a chip into his mouth, chewing slowly as the salty flavor spread.

Watching Zhang Yu munching on his snack with a pout, He Xu narrowed his eyes slightly.

*Is this kid really that attached to his deskmate?*

He had only threatened casually—after all, he’d already promised earlier that he wouldn’t actually go after Xiang Yiming. But he hadn’t expected Zhang Yu to give in for his sake.

For some reason, his mood suddenly soured, and even the stolen chips didn't taste good anymore.

He Xu crushed the cigarette under his foot, crumpled the chip bag into a ball, and tossed it back into Zhang Yu’s arms. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he left the rooftop without a word.

Zhang Yu watched his retreating figure, then looked down at the miraculously returned chips in his arms, utterly baffled.

*What was that about?*

First demanding the chips, then giving them back—he really didn’t understand.

He opened the bag, grabbed a handful of broken chips, and stuffed them into his mouth, his curly hair bouncing happily.

*Well, he already gave them, and if He Xu didn’t want them, that was his problem. More for him.*

...

Just before class, Zhang Yu returned to his seat and stuffed his empty backpack into the desk compartment, where it made a faint sound.

"Huh?" *What was that?*

Curious, he reached in and pulled out a small glass bottle, about the size of his thumb, filled with a pale red liquid. Swirling it, the sunlight refracted through it, casting bright red glimmers.

The sea creature’s eyes lit up instantly. *So pretty!*

He glanced around—some classmates were napping, others chatting in groups—no one seemed to notice.

Zhang Yu shook the bottle again. When no one came forward to claim it, he happily pocketed it.

*If no one wanted it, then it was his now!*

Xiang Yiming, watching from the corner of his eye, relaxed slightly as Zhang Yu pocketed the medicinal oil, his slouched posture straightening a bit.

As the sun dipped westward, the blazing sunset outlined the school building. Amid the teacher’s lecture, the dismissal bell rang on schedule.

Students packed up their things and filed out of the classroom.

Zhang Yu slung his backpack over his shoulder and stood to leave, but before he could take a single step, his collar was yanked from behind.

There was only one person sitting behind him.

Zhang Yu turned his head in confusion.

Sure enough, it was He Xu holding onto his clothes.

He Xu slouched lazily in his chair. Tall and long-limbed, he didn’t even need to sit up straight to reach Zhang Yu’s collar. "Did I say you could leave?"

"Do you need something?" Zhang Yu blinked.

He Xu didn’t answer. Truthfully, he had nothing in particular to say—he’d just seen Zhang Yu about to leave while spacing out, and his hand had moved before his brain caught up.

Glaring subtly at his traitorous hand, He Xu grumbled, "Why so many questions?"

He withdrew his hand and stuffed it into his pocket, standing up. "Follow me."

"Okay." Zhang Yu obediently trailed after him.

Outside, Sun Ran and the others were waiting. Seeing He Xu emerge, they quickly said, "Boss, Yu Ling and the others are already at the spot. They’re asking what we want to eat so they can order ahead. Do you have any preferences?"

"Whatever."

The group left the teaching building, and only after walking some distance did they realize something felt off.

"Why are you following us?" Sun Ran glared at the curly-haired boy beside him.

Zhang Yu pointed at He Xu ahead. "He told me to follow."

"Boss He told you to? No way!" Sun Ran widened his eyes.

"Go ask him yourself if you don’t believe me." Zhang Yu looked innocent—he wasn’t lying.

Sun Ran swallowed his words and glanced at his boss walking ahead with hands in his pockets. In the end, he didn’t dare to ask.

Beside them, Chang Jie looked at Zhang Yu, the corners of his lips curling slightly as he adjusted his glasses, an ambiguous glint flashing across the lenses.

An hour later, the group entered a KTV.

This KTV, like the arcade, was a regular hangout spot for He Xu and his crew. Once inside, they moved through effortlessly.

Walking down the hallway, Zhang Yu curiously eyed the rows of closed doors on either side. The faint singing from inside distracted him, making him unaware the others had slowed. He maintained his speed until his forehead suddenly bumped into a solid back. He froze in surprise.

He looked up at He Xu’s back, unable to see his expression but noticing his tense stance. He Xu stood frozen, staring down the dimly lit corridor ahead, his fingers tightening slightly as if resisting something.

*What’s wrong? Is there something ahead?*

Confused, Zhang Yu leaned forward to look. The empty hallway was swallowed by darkness, with only a dim, hazy light from above. To human eyes, it might have been hard to see, but Zhang Yu could make it out clearly.

Aside from the darkness, there was nothing.

He patted He Xu’s back. "He Xu, what’s wrong?"

Sun Ran and the others also turned to look. "Boss?"

After a moment of silence, He Xu said, "...You guys go ahead."

Sun Ran and the others grunted an "Oh" and walked forward. Zhang Yu, however, studied He Xu for a moment before glancing around at the pitch-black hallway—at least, pitch-black to humans. After a brief pause, it clicked for him.

He Xu clenched his fists.

He fought the urge to look at the dark, lightless corners, his throat tightening slightly.

With a few more figures in his line of sight, the darkness ahead seemed less empty, but goosebumps prickled his neck.

His senses heightened, like a character in a horror movie. Logically, he knew there was nothing behind him, yet he couldn’t shake the paranoia that something might jump at him from the shadows.

He Xu clenched his fists harder, battling the rising panic spreading through him.

Suddenly, a figure slowed down and dropped back to walk with him. A steadying hand patted his clenched fist before gently grasping his wrist.

The contact was warm against his skin, making He Xu freeze. He turned to look.

The curly-haired boy was peering up at him, his dark eyes reflecting the dim light, wide and earnest. When their eyes met, he gave He Xu’s wrist another reassuring pat.

*Oh, right—He Xu is afraid of the dark!*

Zhang Yu congratulated himself inwardly. Glancing at the oblivious Sun Ran and the others ahead, he felt he understood. Leaning closer, he muttered, "Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone you’re scared of the dark."

*Gotta protect the boss’s rep, he got it.*

"..." He Xu looked at Zhang Yu clinging to his arm, then at his earnest, "Trust me, I’ve got this" expression. His eye twitched. "...I’m not scared of the dark."

Zhang Yu blinked, looked down at He Xu’s previously tense muscles—now relaxed since he’d grabbed his wrist—then looked back up with a pitying look. "Okay, you’re not scared of the dark."

He Xu: "..."

He opened his mouth to argue but decided it would only make him look worse. After a long internal struggle, he shut his mouth and gave a half-hearted tug at his wrist. "Let go."

The movement was small, the force weak.

Zhang Yu’s expression grew even more understanding. Instead of releasing him, he tightened his grip.

He Xu’s eyes widened as he shot him a glare, looking like he wanted to curse but, for some reason, held back. In the end, he let Zhang Yu keep holding his wrist all the way to the private room.

At the front, Sun Ran and the others pushed the door open, gesturing for their boss to enter first. "Boss, we’re here."

Seeing them about to turn around, Zhang Yu prepared to let go—only for He Xu to suddenly yank his hand free.

When Zhang Yu looked over, He Xu had already taken a large step away, putting distance between them. He stared off to the side, playing it cool, but his posture seemed uneasy.

The door swung open, and the people inside immediately noticed. The loud music cut off as a wave of hellos rang out. "Boss!"

He Xu grunted stiffly, flicking a glance at Zhang Yu—so quick that only someone staring at him would’ve caught it.

Zhang Yu grinned brightly. He Xu looked away like he’d been stung and quickly made his way to the innermost couch, sitting down.

Zhang Yu followed closely and dropped onto the couch next to him.

He Xu went rigid, turning to glare at him.

Zhang Yu batted his eyes innocently.

After two seconds, He Xu looked away, shifting slightly to the side before crossing his legs and leaning into the couch.

An awkward hush had fallen over the room.

Everyone’s eyes were wide, locked on Zhang Yu as if a flower had suddenly bloomed on his face.

Yu Ling, standing to Sun Ran’s left, elbowed him and teased in a low voice, "Sunny, looks like your spot as the number one lackey is on thin ice."

Sun Ran, gripping a crinkle ball so hard it crinkled loudly, gritted his teeth. "No way! What’s so special about this poodle boy?!"

Chang Jie, on Sun Ran’s right, patted his shoulder and sighed. "Admit it, Brother Ran. Unless... you wanna go sit next to the boss too?"

Sun Ran: "..."

He didn’t dare. He’d probably get punched.

So why was that poodle boy allowed?! Why wasn’t the boss beating him up?!

He Xu rolled his eyes. "What’re you all staring at? Do your thing."

"Come on, let’s sing, let’s sing..." The crowd dispersed, some heading to the song selection screen, others grabbing shakers, the room quickly filling with noise again.

Once his underlings were distracted, He Xu glanced sideways at Zhang Yu—only to find the curly-haired boy studying his wrist as if contemplating grabbing it again.

Flustered, He Xu yanked his hand back. "Stop grabbing me! I’m not scared of the dark!"

With so many underlings watching, if he got caught holding hands again, how’d that look?! Did Boss He have no face to lose?!

Zhang Yu glanced at the twenty or so people in the room, and it made sense now.

Of course, with so many subordinates around, it was normal for He Xu, who cared so much about his pride, to put up a tough front. Besides, the lights here were brighter, and it wasn't so dark anymore.

He reluctantly withdrew his gaze, the firm but smooth feel still lingering in his palm.

Though his original intention was to prevent the expectant mother from being affected by negative emotions, human skin was indeed pleasant to touch—completely different from his own. The more he touched, the more addictive it became.

Recalling the sensation of his tentacles pressing against the human’s skin during their previous two close encounters, Zhang Yu zoned out, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing together.

The subtle movement was caught by He Xu, who widened his eyes slightly, nearly incredulous as he watched the motion, as if Zhang Yu was still savoring the memory.

The skin on his wrist, where he had been gripped, suddenly burned like fire—hot and tingling, its presence overwhelmingly intense.

Sensing the gaze beside him, Zhang Yu looked up and met He Xu’s eyes in confusion.

The moment their eyes locked, the human immediately averted his gaze as if scalded.

In the past, anyone who dared to act so frivolously toward Boss He would have been beaten half to death.

But now, the famously formidable Boss He, who could handle ten guys single-handedly, sat frozen against the sofa, his ears burning red.