Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Lu Tingchao had a rare good night's sleep, letting out a big yawn when Su Ningyu woke him the next day.

"Gimme a hug, hubby... I want to brush my teeth while you hold me..."

Rubbing his eyes, Lu Tingchao sleepily reached out on instinct toward the person sitting by his bed.

Then, in the next second, he realized it was Su Ningyu sitting there.

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Lu Tingchao instantly widened his eyes and pulled his hand back, his gaze still hazy with sleep. His voice was sweet and soft.

A flustered mix of embarrassment and shyness: "Ah... sorry, sorry."

Lu Tingchao bolted upright from under the covers, annoyed, and ran his hands through his hair, quickly turning it into a bird's nest.

His tone had already returned to normal, none of that drowsy tenderness from when he was half-asleep. He said to Su Ningyu sincerely and honestly, "Bud, don’t sweat it! I didn’t mean to, I totally spaced out, my bad..."

They were actually really close, but Lu Tingchao didn’t notice.

Su Ningyu looked at Lu Tingchao.

Then he asked, "Who did you mistake me for, Teacher Lu?"

Lu Tingchao: "Ah..."

"Your ex-husband?"

Lu Tingchao thought for a moment, then corrected his wording, "No, it should be a guy I knew like an older brother growing up."

Su Ningyu didn’t call him out: "From childhood... so you drifted apart after growing up?"

Lu Tingchao: "Mmm... let’s just say that’s how it is."

Lu Tingchao slid off the bed, squeezing past Su Ningyu: "Huh, how’d you get my phone?"

Su Ningyu reached over, took the phone, and placed it in Lu Tingchao’s palm. As their fingers touched, he gently let his fingers linger against Lu Tingchao’s palm.

"Zhuang Ji’s mother called while you were asleep."

Su Ningyu didn’t pull his hand back. Instead, he tapped Lu Tingchao’s fingertips lightly. "You were asleep last night, and she kept calling, so I answered."

Lu Tingchao didn’t seem bothered: "What did she say?"

Su Ningyu’s expression flickered slightly, then he said softly, "Nothing much, she just asked about how you’ve been lately."

The change in his expression was pretty obvious, happening right in front of Lu Tingchao, who caught it right away.

Lu Tingchao winced: "Sigh, did she chew me out again?"

Su Ningyu paused, then shook his head: "No."

If an expert in reading expressions were there to observe, they’d surely think Su Ningyu’s reaction was a textbook example.

Unfortunately, Lu Tingchao wasn’t the suspicious type. He took it at face value: "So she did. What did she say?"

Su Ningyu hesitated for several seconds but finally said, "Teacher Lu, we have a shoot today. I don’t want to mess with your head before work."

Lu Tingchao sat on the edge of the bed, his bare legs dangling: "Not telling me puts me in a worse mood. Did she give you grief too? And say I’m blowing off Zhuang Ji?"

Su Ningyu: "..."

Su Ningyu didn’t answer Lu Tingchao’s question directly: "No... There’s lemon water for rinsing on the table. I’ll get you a warm towel so you can clear your head."

"Just tell me!"

Lu Tingchao reached out and grabbed Su Ningyu’s clothes.

He didn’t use much strength, but perhaps Su Ningyu was off-balance to begin with. With that pull, Su Ningyu swayed and started falling backward—

To keep his balance, Su Ningyu had to brace his right leg firmly, while his left hand instinctively reached forward to support himself, landing on Lu Tingchao’s shoulder.

That face, so fitting of a school heartthrob, suddenly appeared right in front of Lu Tingchao.

With his rushed breathing, he carried a faint, sweet scent of gardenias into Lu Tingchao’s nose.

Lu Tingchao: "..."

A look of embarrassment and panic flashed through Su Ningyu’s eyes, which were now right there.

His face quickly turned red: "Teacher Lu, you... you..."

Lu Tingchao hurriedly let go: "I... I didn’t..."

Swear to god!

Chao Chao really didn’t mean to compromise the college kid’s innocence!!

Lu Tingchao was almost ready to cry: "I really didn’t mean it! I didn’t mean it when I woke up, and I didn’t mean it just now either!"

When in doubt, deflect.

Lu Tingchao was a pro at passing the buck. He quickly edged away a little: "It’s because you’re such a lightweight, Su Ningyu. Hey, you even eating enough? You can’t be more fragile than me as my assistant..."

"It’s my fault."

Su Ningyu said softly: "I was wrong, Teacher Lu."

Su Ningyu: "I used to only get two hundred yuan a month for living expenses. From now on, I’ll eat an extra bun. Please don’t be angry, Teacher Lu."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Lu Tingchao never went to college and didn’t know about scholarships or complicated matters.

For a moment, he felt like a monster, like the deer grandmother from that fairy tale.

"Never mind."

Lu Tingchao muttered, "I’m an adult. Adults don’t pick on students."

Lu Tingchao jumped off the bed and pushed open the door to the bathroom. After a moment’s thought, he turned back and said, "Hey, Su Ningyu, I’ll give you some more money. Use it for your campus card."

Su Ningyu: "...Huh?"

Lu Tingchao: "You’re such a good student, you should eat more. Don’t sell yourself short."

Talk about weird logic.

When spoken by Lu Tingchao, it surprisingly fit his persona perfectly.

The morning light streamed in through the window, falling on Lu Tingchao’s face, making him look harmless and innocent.

Like the most pure and wholesome presence.

Su Ningyu asked, "Was it Zhuang Ji who gave you the money?"

Lu Tingchao: "...Ah."

Lu Tingchao, slow on the uptake, didn't pick up on the edge in Su Ningyu’s words.

He thought about it seriously: "Maybe there's someone else too."

Lu Tingchao said sincerely, "To be honest with you, man, the money I earn by myself doesn’t even cover my expenses. I’ve always relied on others to take care of me since I was little."

Su Ningyu: "..."

Lu Tingchao sighed: "I’m just a basic nobody. Maybe we should pray that I blow up starting tomorrow."

Su Ningyu: "..."

Su Ningyu reached out and brushed aside the bangs on Lu Tingchao’s forehead: "It'll happen."

Lu Tingchao’s eyes lit up: "Do you see the future star vibes radiating from me?"

Su Ningyu smoothed Lu Tingchao’s hair: "I mean, I’ll hustle to make money."

Lu Tingchao: "...?"

Su Ningyu: "In the future, if Teacher Lu doesn’t hit it big, I’ll still work hard to provide for you."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Lu Tingchao shot Su Ningyu a disappointed look: "Gee, thanks. I’m outta here."

The almost twenty-six-year-old turned away dejectedly in front of him, shuffling as he walked into the bathroom.

He was nothing like his age; having been pampered growing up, he still behaved like a child.

Extremely gullible, easy to trick, and blindly trusting.

Su Ningyu turned and picked up the socks and shirt Lu Tingchao had left at the foot of the bed, organizing his messy luggage.

After Lu Tingchao finished showering and came out to change, Su Ningyu went into the bathroom to tidy up Lu Tingchao’s towel, bathrobe, and pajamas.

Su Ningyu used to think he wouldn’t cut out to be an assistant.

But now he felt he was killing it.

Lu Tingchao suddenly stuck his head in through the door, looking left and right, seeming a bit embarrassed: "Xiao Su, about all that in the bathroom, maybe—"

"Hm?"

Su Ningyu finished with the last towel and picked up the cover.

Lu Tingchao: "Nooo—!!!"

Lu Tingchao rushed in: "Put that down!!!"

Su Ningyu had discovered a worn pair of briefs that the sneaky Lu Tingchao had hidden under the towel.

Just before Lu Tingchao could lunge for it—

Su Ningyu picked up the underwear.

Silky light blue, soft, and obviously high-end at a glance.

Clean, without any stains—

Lu Tingchao didn't save his dear underwear.

Su Ningyu reached back, and Lu Tingchao bumped into his hard chest, his head ringing from the impact.

"Ow, ow, ow!"

Lu Tingchao’s face flushed completely red, but he still reached out to snatch back his last bit of dignity. "Su Ningyu, are you a brick wall? Give it back—"

Su Ningyu used his other hand to gently rub Lu Tingchao’s forehead in circles: "This is what an assistant should do."

Lu Tingchao: ??

Su Ningyu said calmly: "Including washing Teacher Lu’s underwear, doing his laundry, buying essentials for Teacher Lu—all of that is an assistant’s responsibility."

The Z-list actor who had never had an assistant before: "...Really?"

Su Ningyu: "That’s how it is for other assistants."

Lu Tingchao: "...But what kind of essentials would an assistant need to buy?"

Su Ningyu: "Lots. Like protection."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Lu Tingchao went quiet: "Oh."

A moment later.

Lu Tingchao’s laziness ultimately triumphed over his dignity.

He hovered pathetically against the bathroom door: "Will you really wash my underwear for me?"

Su Ningyu: "Yeah."

Su Ningyu handed Lu Tingchao his change of pajamas: "Go entertain yourself for a bit. I’ll come out when I’m done washing."

Lu Tingchao: "Okay. Su Ningyu, you’re the best."

Having abandoned his dignity, Lu Tingchao happily went out to change and play on his phone.

And that soft pair of underwear remained held in Su Ningyu’s hand.

So small, for him to handle as he pleased.

Through the partly open door.

Su Ningyu could faintly make out Lu Tingchao’s form sprawled on the bed, his toes—which had hooked around him just yesterday—now flexing absently, though their owner remained completely clueless about his teasing as he contentedly scrolled through his phone.

Su Ningyu suddenly heard Lu Tingchao taking a call outside the door.

Then a coquettish voice drifted into his ears.

"So boring, and so hot. I wanna go home."

"I don't want osmanthus lotus root, I want maoxuewang (spicy blood stew), I want something spicy!"

"I don't care... Do you not love me anymore? Am I still your favorite darling?"

"Remember to have those brands send me the latest season's clothes, and also Doudou's toys..."

"I only love you a little~ Depends on how you behave, hmph~"

Lu Tingchao's voice was the most coquettish, most alluring sound he had ever heard.

Su Ningyu took a deep breath.

The full-length mirror in the bathroom reflected his entire self—the unbuttoned muscular lines and the prominently bulging area below, obvious and jarring.

Yet the culprit remained completely unaware.

Focused only on flirting and acting coy with another man.

Clean warm water gushed from the faucet.

The silk underwear in the college guy's hand was just one step away from being soaked—

But in the next second, he withdrew his hand and yanked it back.

That soft bundle was roughly scrunched by a pair of strong, calloused fingers with distinct knuckles.

—No other scent.

—It was the fragrance of rose ice dew, the one Lu Tingchao liked.

Closer now, the scent of rose dew seemed to grow stronger too, making Su Ningyu recall last night again.

And also why Lu Tingchao couldn't just make him alone happy.

Because he couldn't compare to those men.

Couldn't match the Fei family's wealth, couldn't match Zhuang Ji's connections... Who was flirting with Lu Tingchao right now?

Who was keeping him right now?

The sound inside the bathroom was isolated from the outside by the door.

But a cloudy white stain now marred the originally clean, pure silk-blue softness.

Su Ningyu closed his eyes, his peripheral vision catching the figure outside the door who had changed positions again. Slowly, he reached out and applied the soap to the underwear.

Washed it clean.

Su Ningyu walked out of the bathroom and hung it on a hanger in Lu Tingchao's presence.

Just as he was about to speak, Lu Tingchao looked up and shook his head at him, wagging a finger: "Shh—"

The man on the other end wasn't allowed to know the secrets happening here.

His existence, too, was concealed from Lu Tingchao's world.

The doorbell of the bedroom chimed.

The director's voice came from outside: "Teacher Lu, are you ready? You can come out now."

Lu Tingchao glanced outside, then whispered a few more sweet nothings to the man on the phone before reluctantly hanging up.

Su Ningyu quietly watched all his actions, seamlessly helping him put on his jacket as Lu Tingchao got out of bed: "There's a morning breeze, don’t catch a chill."

Lu Tingchao turned and smiled at him: "So thoughtful! Your future girlfriend will be super lucky, little brother. Let's go, let's go!"

"Mm."

Su Ningyu opened the door for Lu Tingchao and looked outside.

There, he saw Fei Xiuqi.

Their eyes met like rival predators.

Fei Xiuqi smirked contemptuously and reached out to Lu Tingchao: "Good morning, BB. What do you want for breakfast? I'll cook it myself."

"I'll have rice noodle rolls, black sesame paste, a black pepper grilled sausage, and for dessert, Mango Pomelo Sago, with extra pomelo."

Lu Tingchao placed his order.

Fei Xiuqi's outstretched hand didn't move—the cameras were right beside them.

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Lu Tingchao had no choice but to place his hand in Fei Xiuqi's, letting Fei Xiuqi lead him. "The rice noodle rolls should be soft, the black sesame paste sugar-free, the sausage crispy outside and soft inside. For the Mango Pomelo Sago, no coconut jelly, no sugar."

He had been spoiled since childhood in the Lu family, and later kept by Zhuang Ji, making him exceptionally picky.

Fei Xiuqi raised an eyebrow: "As you wish, young master."

Lu Tingchao pursed his lips: "You're the young master."

He suddenly remembered he needed to tell Su Ningyu to wait for him in the bedroom, but before he could turn around, Fei Xiuqi tightened his grip on Lu Tingchao's hand: "We're filming, BB. Focus."

Lu Tingchao relented, letting Fei Xiuqi lead him away without a backward glance.

The "Love Cottage" living room and the beach in front were key filming spots for dates, with many camera setups and dense with cameras.

Fei Xiuqi led Lu Tingchao through the front hall toward the kitchen. Just as they were nearing the other guests—

The villa's front door was suddenly pushed open from the outside.

The property manager of the area, accompanied by several bodyguards, stood behind the flawlessly dressed Jiang Rong, who looked as if she had just stepped out of a high-fashion event.

Jiang Rong, who was supporting Mrs. Zhuang, wearing an elegant dress, and the two stood poised at the villa entrance.

Everyone: "…?"

The scene fell into a hushed silence.

When Mr. Zhuang senior was still around, Mrs. Zhuang often accompanied him to various events. Combined with the Zhuang family's status in Beicheng and Jiang Rong standing by her side—

Almost instantly, everyone guessed her identity.

And then they recalled the earlier dispute between Zhuang Ji and Fei Xiuqi on-set...

An immediate, awkward tension filled the room—everyone sensed drama unfolding but didn’t dare get involved.

Jiang Rong seemed to know the director and greeted him: "Director Wang, there's some family matter. I'm accompanying Mrs. Zhuang to find Chao Chao."

Director Wang: "..."

Having experienced something similar before, the director took a sharp step back: "No problem, Mrs. Zhuang, please go ahead! Go ahead."

The director waved his hand: "All cameras off, and no leaking or spreading this."

Meanwhile, Lu Tingchao was sitting on a high stool outside the kitchen, ordering: "Can I have a little bit of chili with the rice noodle rolls? Just a tiny bit..."

"Lu Tingchao!"

Mrs. Zhuang’s previously composed tone finally broke when she saw Lu Tingchao being all chummy with that man. "Come here for a moment."

Only then did Lu Tingchao notice who had arrived.

He glanced at Jiang Rong, then at Mrs. Zhuang, and shook his head innocently: "I’m not coming over. What if you hit me?"

Mrs. Zhuang: "..."

Mrs. Zhuang: "I won’t hit you. Come here now."

Lu Tingchao looked back at Fei Xiuqi, then hopped off the stool: "What is it?"

Mrs. Zhuang, born into an old-money family and caring about saving face, lowered her voice and pulled Lu Tingchao aside: "Didn’t you know Brother Ji is sick? He kept calling your name while unconscious. What exactly happened between you two? Why did the doctor tell me his condition was due to poisoning from medication? Chao Chao, you promised me you’d take good care of him..."

Lu Tingchao said "Oh."

He thought for a moment, released Mrs. Zhuang’s hand, and whispered back: "I can’t take care of him anymore."

Mrs. Zhuang: "?"

Lu Tingchao looked at Mrs. Zhuang earnestly and explained: "When I liked him, I was willing to take care of him. But I don’t like him anymore."

Even in this moment, Lu Tingchao remained polite: "Mrs. Zhuang, Zhuang Ji and I are over. It's over for us."

Mrs. Zhuang was stunned.

It took her a moment to process Lu Tingchao’s words, and her expression instantly changed: "What?"

"How could you two make such a huge decision about marriage so casually?!"

Mrs. Zhuang’s composure vanished completely. She grabbed Lu Tingchao’s arm, "Brother Ji loves you so much! He would never agree to a breakup. Come back with me right now and talk to Brother Ji—"

Lu Tingchao grabbed the table with his free hand: "Auntie, Zhuang Ji doesn’t love me."

Mrs. Zhuang was stumped again.

Lu Tingchao quickly retreated, acting proper: "You don’t like me either, I know that. Now that we’ve broken up, why don’t you let Jiang Rong, who’s always by your side, marry Zhuang Ji quickly?"

Mrs. Zhuang: "...What?"

Jiang Rong, suddenly caught off guard, paused before saying: "Chao Chao, what are you talking about? I’m just here to accompany Auntie. I have no other intentions. How could you misunderstand Auntie and Brother Ji like this?"

Lu Tingchao: "Oh, okay."

His experience arguing with Fei Xiuqi had sharpened Lu Tingchao’s ability to retaliate.

He thought for a moment and said to Jiang Rong: "Then I must have misunderstood. You’re always clinging to Zhuang Ji, singing together and filming variety shows because of your just regular bro stuff. Coming to his and my bedroom early in the morning was to wake your good brother up for martial arts practice. And always pushing the CP narrative with him is also because you’re just bros."

Lu Tingchao sighed: "You’re as full of it as Zhuang Ji."

Jiang Rong: "..."

Mrs. Zhuang was completely bewildered by Lu Tingchao’s words. After a moment, she turned to Jiang Rong: "What entering the bedroom? What shipping CP?"

Lu Tingchao: "It means everyone under the sun thinks Brother Zhuang Ji and Jiang Rong are the perfect match. Mrs. Zhuang, I think you and I should both bless them so the CP fans won’t curse us."

Mrs. Zhuang: "...?"

Mrs. Zhuang had no interest in entertainment gossip and didn’t understand what "CP" (couple pairing) meant.

She was a proper, typical upper-class lady with her own social circle. Aside from occasional shopping, she spent most of her time refining herself and focusing on her hobbies.

Mrs. Zhuang said: "Chao Chao, Brother Ji is really very sick this time. Will you come back with me to see him? If you’ve been wronged in any way, I’ll give him hell for you and have your back, okay?"

Lu Tingchao shook his head.

"No."

Lu Tingchao said: "Auntie, I don’t take disrespect. Whoever dares to wrong me, I’ll abandon them."

As Mrs. Zhuang’s expression darkened,

Lu Tingchao added: "Besides, I don’t have a mother. Auntie, since you like being a mother so much, why not be Jiang Rong’s mother? He’d be ecstatic."

He always had a talent for infuriating people while remaining unshaken.

For instance, now—Mrs. Zhuang was trembling with anger, her face growing increasingly grim. Everyone looked at each other nervously, and Jiang Rong was squirming anxiously, desperate to speak—

Meanwhile, Lu Tingchao happily turned back toward the kitchen: "Fei Xiuqi, are you done yet?"

"All done, babe."

Fei Xiuqi emerged from behind the kitchen island holding a tray, his tone relaxed. "Black pepper sausage, sesame pudding, rice noodle rolls... Want a lemon tea to go with it?"

Mrs. Zhuang: "Lu Tingchao—!"

Lu Tingchao looked up from the table: "Auntie, would you like to eat together?"

Mrs. Zhuang slammed her hand on the table in front of Lu Tingchao.

Her hands were soft and fair, and the imperial green jade bracelet on her wrist clinked as it shook. The ring on her ring finger was a hundred carats easy, exuding flashy wealth and imposing nobility. This was the stage presence and confidence of the renowned Mrs. Zhuang of the North City Zhuang family.

Always superior, always condescending.

Mrs. Zhuang said: "Lu Tingchao, let me make myself clear—"

Amid the silence of everyone present,

The sudden sound of the door lock clicking open was especially conspicuous.

The door of the "Love Cottage" villa was pushed open once again.

Everyone in the room, including those by the kitchen island, looked toward the entrance.

The person who walked in was very tall; even against the sunlight, one could clearly see his exceptionally well-defined features, with sharp, almost mixed-race-like contours.

Yet he was holding onto the doorframe, edging his way inside, step by step.

It seemed as though every step was unsteady, and he even paused several times along the short distance of just thirty feet or so before slowly appearing before everyone.

—It was Zhuang Ji.

Zhuang Ji, dressed in a hospital gown.

As he passed through the patch of sunlight by the door,

Zhuang Ji’s ashen complexion was finally revealed to everyone.

His face was pale as a ghost, but his lips were unnaturally bright red—a classic symptom of insufficient blood supply to the heart, like a vampire long buried underground and suddenly exposed to the light, utterly out of place in this world.

It was unclear how many IV fluids had been administered, but IV ports were left in both his hands, and the blood that had seeped out had already soaked the IV lines, showing an ominous crimson.

Mrs. Zhuang screamed, completely forgetting about Lu Tingchao, and turned to rush over in her high heels: "Xiao Ji—"

But Zhuang Ji was looking at Lu Tingchao.

Across the floating dust motes in the morning air.

Across the others' complicated gazes.

Across time.

Zhuang Ji suddenly said, "Lu Tingchao, I'm sorry."

Lu Tingchao was scooping Fei Xiuqi’s homemade cheung fun with a spoon. He paused, curiously leaning forward: "Huh?"

Zhuang Ji’s voice was very soft, but due to the extreme silence around them, it still reached Lu Tingchao’s ears with unusual clarity: "Chao Chao, I’m sorry."

Lu Tingchao: "…?"

Lu Tingchao’s round, doe-like eyes were beautiful and innocent.

He speared a piece of cheung fun, thought for a moment, and said, "What is Zhuang apologizing to me for?"

"For my mother coming here and disturbing you."

Zhuang Ji said.

Lu Tingchao let out an "oh" and generously replied, "It’s fine."

But Zhuang Ji kept looking at him, staring unblinkingly.

His gaze was like that of some dark, predatory beast, filled with a devouring hunger and longing.

Zhuang Ji said, "For all my past mistakes."

Lu Tingchao looked up: "Ah…"

Zhuang Ji: "For the CP marketing, for leaving you alone at home, for failing to protect you… Lu Tingchao, I apologize for everything."

Lu Tingchao: "…"

Lu Tingchao swallowed that piece of cheung fun, pressed his lips together, and said, "Alright, then I forgive you too."

Lu Tingchao blinked: "So, Zhuang Ji, are you taking your mother and Jiang Rong back now? I still have work to do."

Perhaps because his body was still weak and drained, Zhuang Ji had to reach out and support himself against the nearby console table to barely stand steady.

His whole body shook slightly before he asked, "Chao Chao, do you wish for me not to disturb your work?"

"Ah."

Lu Tingchao was very straightforward, "After all, I’m not like Jiang Rong, who’s always working closely with you. Zhuang Ji, we barely know each other, so there’s no need for this."

The scene was extremely quiet.

None of this was hidden from the production team or the other guests.

So, in everyone’s eyes, the situation had become increasingly confusing and hard to read.

—What exactly is the relationship between Lu Tingchao and Zhuang Ji?

—Didn’t Zhuang say during the fight with Young Master Fei that he and Lu Tingchao were married? Legally married?!

—But it doesn’t look like it! How could legally married spouses end up like this?!

—I feel like Zhuang is acting desperate because he’s been rejected…

No one spoke.

Only Lu Tingchao was totally unbothered.

He pushed the plate away, wiped his mouth, and got down from the table, walked over and held open the villa door for Zhuang Ji: "Zhuang Ji, the exit is here."

Zhuang Ji’s gaze followed Lu Tingchao, finally settling on him.

Zhuang Ji asked, "Chao Chao, do you want me to leave right now?"

Lu Tingchao: "…"

"Leave" was a little rude.

Lu Tingchao said softly, "You can leave with Mrs. Zhuang."

Zhuang Ji nodded.

He slowly walked forward, inch by inch, until he was in front of Lu Tingchao.

Fei Xiuqi frowned, his tone sarcastic: "Zhuang Ji, haven’t you figured it out yet? You’ve lost. Stay away from my Chao Chao, OK?"

Zhuang Ji didn’t spare a single glance at anyone else.

He supported himself against the wall with one hand, taking a few steps closer to Lu Tingchao.

Fei Xiuqi strode through the crowd, pulled Lu Tingchao close, and held him protectively behind himself: "Don’t be afraid, Chao Chao."

Lu Tingchao leaned out from behind Fei Xiuqi, his eyes bright as he looked ahead.

It was a gesture that Zhuang Ji had once been deeply familiar with.

But now, it made him feel a pain that cut straight to the bone.

He was too weak to move as fast as Fei Xiuqi.

He couldn't hold onto Lu Tingchao.

Zhuang Ji braced himself and met Lu Tingchao’s gaze.

That gaze was clear—so clear it was like the first time they met, when Grandpa Lu brought a young Lu Tingchao to visit the Zhuang family.

Back then, Lu Tingchao called out softly, "Brother Zhuang Ji," while getting his hands on all the models in his room, and ended up getting a good scolding from Grandpa Lu.

It was the young Zhuang Ji who couldn't bear it: "Grandpa Lu, just let him play. It's fine."

It was the little Lu Tingchao who hugged Zhuang Ji’s leg and said, "Brother Zhuang Ji, you're so nice! I want to be with you when I grow up!"

Later, they grew up.

Later, they were together.

Later, they separated.

The dull blade piercing his heart seemed to grow sharper with each passing day, making every day more painful than the last, more suffocating, more lethal.

Zhuang Ji said to Lu Tingchao, "Chao Chao, I'd like to apologize one more time."

Lu Tingchao seemed startled and instinctively hid behind Fei Xiuqi before peeking out again, a bit conflicted: "No need… It's okay, I've already forgiven—"

"Lu Tingchao, I'm sorry for loving you."

Zhuang Ji cut him off.

His face had grown even paler than before. The heart rate issues from long-term hypoxia and drug toxicity probably hadn’t been resolved, so every word he spoke now tasted of blood.

His expression was bleak, but the two points of fire in his eyes burned like hellfire itself.

Zhuang Ji said, "Chao Chao, I apologize for my untimely love. Thank you for your forgiveness."

Lu Tingchao: "…"

Lu Tingchao was stunned.

Zhuang Ji, however, seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

His purplish lips even curled slightly, and he smiled at Lu Tingchao.

"Chao Chao, I've loved you since fifteen years ago, and I won't stop until the day I die."

Zhuang Ji’s voice hung in the air like a curse. "Lu Tingchao, we will be together again. We will be together forever."

Zhuang Ji’s voice wasn't loud enough for everyone to hear.

But Lu Tingchao, standing close by, heard every word clearly, and his face instantly turned pale.

"Don't listen to his nonsense. He's insane."

Fei Xiuqi held Lu Tingchao’s hand, turned around, and gently kissed him on the cheek. "Your hands are so cold. Are you scared?"

Lu Tingchao had never seen Zhuang Ji like this before.

He had never seen such an expression on his face, nor heard him speak with such conviction.

Zhuang Ji was the heir meticulously groomed by the Zhuang family.

To outsiders, he was excellent, dignified, and refined, flawless in every way.

But never like this.

Lu Tingchao didn't dare look at Zhuang Ji anymore and ducked completely behind Fei Xiuqi.

Fei Xiuqi turned to comfort him, pulling him into his arms, caressing and kissing him again and again right in front of Zhuang Ji. Finally, he whispered soothingly, "Your face is all scrunched up. Don't be distressed. If you're this scared, baby, how about coming to Hong Kong with me for a while?"

Lu Tingchao bit his lip.

Fei Xiuqi hooked their fingers together and said, "It'll be fun. Devin heard you like jade and messaged me yesterday saying he prepared a jade manor for you, welcoming us to visit anytime. Chao Chao, don't you really want to go?"