Chapter 15

Chapter 15

The sound startled Sheng Jinyu as well. He had merely gotten up in the middle of the night for a drink—how had he stumbled into such a chaotic situation?

"037, lights on," Sheng Jinyu ordered swiftly.

"Right away, Young Master," S037 responded instantly. The living room lights flickered on one by one, gradually adjusting to a brightness comfortable for human eyes.

Sheng Jinyu frowned as he watched Su He crouched on the floor, frantically gathering the fish. "What are you doing running around in the dark in the middle of the night? Did I scare you?"

Though the answer was obvious, Su He had no time to respond. Panicked, he scooped up the goldfish flailing desperately on the floor and scanned the area for a temporary container, turning in frantic circles.

"Su He, the new fish tank is open! Young Master won’t say anything if you put them in there for now!" S037 leaned in and whispered to Su He.

Su He glanced at Sheng Jinyu, but Sheng Jinyu didn’t respond, instead turning to question S037. "Who gave you permission to change the settings without authorization?"

S037 had indeed reactivated its voice after Sheng Jinyu muted it, so it guiltily fell silent.

Watching the little fish weaken by the second, Su He, with no other options, abruptly tossed the goldfish into the fancy pearl fish tank.

Then, with hopeful eyes, he looked at Sheng Jinyu. "Can I borrow this? Just for tonight. I’ll buy a new tank tomorrow."

The moment the goldfish hit the water, they perked right up, zipping excitedly around the massive tank, exploring their new surroundings.

Sheng Jinyu crossed his arms, his face unreadable. "Since you’ve already gone ahead and done it, there’s no point in saying all this now."

Su He took it as approval and grinned. "Thank you!"

As he bent down to clean up the shattered glass, Sheng Jinyu grabbed his wrist. "There’s a cleaning robot for that. Why push yourself?"

S037 quickly summoned several roombas to handle the mess.

The next day, however, Executive Assistant Fang found himself in a dilemma. Tasked with dismantling the fish tank, he discovered the two tiny occupants inside—so small they were barely noticeable. After some deliberation, he decided to postpone the demolition.

Thus, the extravagant pearl fish tank was temporarily spared, and the two goldfish scored a luxury penthouse!

Once Su He made his promise, he was fixated on buying a new tank.

The following day, just as Sheng Jinyu was about to leave, Su He stopped him and hesitantly asked if he could take the day off to purchase one.

Sheng Jinyu’s expression was odd—not impatient, but clearly reluctant, as if he had strong objections to Su He going out to buy a tank.

Yet, after a moment, the young master simply waved his hand dismissively.

"Suit yourself."

Before Sheng Jinyu could change his mind, Su He hurried out. But before he could even leave Xiaoxie Garden, he received an unexpected call...

Lin Jing had texted him from a new number, demanding a meeting.

The original host had met Lin Jing in college. Lin Jing had sought to climb the social ladder through the original host’s family connections, while the original host played the field, attracting admirers left and right. Between the two of them, they were both schemers through and through. Now, after nearly four years together, Lin Jing likely had little genuine affection left—just sore about being dumped.

Su He had nothing to say to him and left it on read.

He took a taxi to the nearby flower and bird market, located near an urban village. As he followed the navigation toward the aquatic section, someone suddenly called his name from behind.

He stiffened, whirling around cautiously.

Before he could even see who it was, someone grabbed his wrist and yanked him into a nearby alley!

Lin Jing, clearly disgusted by the grimy surroundings, was wearing a mask and gloves like a germaphobe. Barring the way, he said, "Ah He, why aren’t you answering my messages?"

Su He jerked his hand free, startled. Frowning, he asked, "How did you know where I was?"

Lin Jing adjusted his glasses and showed him his phone screen—a real-time tracking app pinpointing Su He’s location.

This guy had installed tracking software on the original host’s phone?!

He knew Lin Jing was greedy, but this was next-level stalker behavior!

"It’s over. Let me leave," Su He said, trying to walk away, but Lin Jing blocked him again.

"Come on, baby, we both screwed up that day. I don’t blame you for throwing me under the bus to save yourself, but you can’t just break up with me like this. I won’t accept it." Lin Jing tightened his grip on Su He’s wrist, squeezing harder the more Su He struggled.

His fake, lovey-dovey act made it seem as though his furious phone meltdown had never happened.

Had Su He not read the original story—knowing Lin Jing had not only ratted out the original host but also piled on when he was vulnerable—he might have actually believed this nonsense.

Su He rolled his eyes. Standing his ground, he retorted, "You schemed against me. I did nothing wrong. Don’t twist the facts."

Lin Jing chuckled, putting on a show of resignation. "Fine, my fault."

Then, after a pause, he cut to the chase. "Are you working for the Sheng family now?"

So that was it. Lin Jing hadn’t come to tear into him or gloat—he was here because Su He now had ties to the Sheng family. For a social climber like Lin Jing, the Sheng name was far more enticing than the humble Su family.

Ugh, typical trash.

"None of your business."

Seizing the moment Lin Jing relaxed his grip, Su He put his whole weight into it and shoulder-checked him!

Caught off guard, Lin Jing stumbled back and crashed into a reeking trash heap, sending disgusting sludge splashing everywhere!

Su He couldn’t dodge in time and got splashed too, gagging at the smell. Seeing Lin Jing’s furious expression as he scrambled up, Su He toppled a nearby shelf of junk, sending it crashing down on him.

Then he turned and bolted, not looking back.

After weaving his way out of the market, he didn’t dare return to buy the fish tank and instead hailed a cab straight back to Xiaoxie Garden.

By the time he returned, night had fully fallen. What had been sprinkling earlier had turned into a downpour, raindrops coming down in sideways sheets.

The taxi couldn’t enter the residential area, so Su He had to walk the rest of the way.

At the heaviest point, he stood alone under a pavilion, as the rain poured harder. It showed no signs of stopping anytime soon.

Afraid of being locked out and forced to sleep in the garden, he sucked it up and sprinted into the rain.

Villa A7.

He’d memorized the route before leaving, but the darkness and rain still made finding it tough.

By the time he reached the gate, he was soaked to the bone. His thin shirt clung to his body, hinting at his slim waist.

The security system at the gate ran facial recognition. On the screen, Su He’s porcelain-like face was streaked with grime, his hair a mess, and his clothes stained in spots.

He tugged at his collar and sniffed, flinching at the reek.

Because of his smell, he was rejected by multiple cabs in a row at the market entrance.

Su He felt somewhat uneasy, wondering if Sheng Jinyu was even home. If he saw him in such a disheveled state, would he even be let inside the villa's door?

S037 opened the courtyard gate for Su He. As he passed the garden, he noticed clusters of roses bowing under the pounding rain. Suddenly, a bright flash of headlights illuminated the path, casting his shadow long and gaunt.

He quickly stepped aside to make way.

An unfamiliar car pulled up flush against the steps of the entrance. Several people emerged from the front, and Executive Assistant Fang stepped out with an umbrella, opening the rear door.

Sheng Jinyu, impeccably dressed in a suit and adorned with shimmering jewelry, was ushered into the foyer by his entourage, without a drop touching him.

Just as Su He thought he would be ignored, Sheng Jinyu paused mid-step and shot a brief glance in his direction.

Su He, unable to keep his eyes open under the driving rain, hurried up the steps to the entrance. Sheng Jinyu looked him up and down, his brows furrowing with unmistakable disgust.

"You took leave just to turn yourself into this mess?"

Su He looked downright pathetic—water droplets, whether from rain or tears, streamed down his cheeks, his eyes and nose red as if he'd been crying. Even Executive Assistant Fang gave him a surprised look.

Su He knew how he looked. Thankfully, the rain had washed away most of the grime, making him appear less filthy.

Otherwise, he was sure Sheng Jinyu would've kicked him out immediately...

"There was...a situation. I didn’t manage to buy a new fish tank."

Su He stood with his head lowered, a small puddle forming at his feet. He peeked up at Sheng Jinyu with embarrassment and asked, "Could I borrow it for a few more days?"

"Why should I agree?" Sheng Jinyu countered smoothly.

Su He actually pondered for a moment, trying to come up with a good excuse. "Well, it’s just sitting there collecting dust anyway. Wouldn’t it be a waste otherwise?"

"Who told you there’s nothing in it?"

Sheng Jinyu’s tone was indifferent, not at all joking.

Su He’s eyes widened in realization—was there something invisible living inside?

Curious, he pressed, "What’s in there? A transparent eel? Or jellyfish? Wouldn’t the goldfish eat them? No wonder I couldn’t see anything—I thought it was empty..."

Sheng Jinyu had spoken offhandedly, but seeing Su He genuinely mulling it over seemed ridiculous to him.

He stepped inside, leaving Su He standing there, confused.

Was he allowed in or not?

Only when a voice called from inside—"What are you waiting for? Do you want to sleep outside?"—did Su He shake himself off and follow.

Su He rushed straight to the bathroom, scrubbing himself repeatedly with soap until he smelled only of soap.

Wrapped in his pajamas, he passed through the living room and noticed Sheng Jinyu was still awake.

A few mood lights were on by the bar in the dining area. Sheng Jinyu poured himself a glass of water, he caught sight of Su He emerging from the steamy bathroom in pajamas.

Su He was watching him from a distance, as if wanting to say something.

His eyes were bright, always so expressive. His slightly curly hair, still damp, clung obediently to his forehead—likely naturally wavy. His face was flushed from the steam, smooth and flushed like set gelatin, marred only by a small cut on his cheek, like he'd been mistreated.

A person returning late in the rain, drenched and disheveled, with a downcast expression.

Something had clearly happened...

Whether heartbreak or something else, this was Sheng Jinyu's first glimpse of Su He’s hidden side. He was admittedly curious.

But given Su He’s tendency to ramble endlessly, listening to him would probably last till dawn.

Not that he completely minded...

*Thud!*

Su He, towel-drying his hair, walked straight into his room without so much as another glance in Sheng Jinyu’s direction.

Sheng Jinyu: "..."

He slammed his glass down and headed upstairs without another word.