Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Shen Muyun was engrossed in his reading when a sudden, deafening "thud" from outside jolted his eardrums.

"Young Master Lu, Young Master Lu, please calm down. You can speak directly. This is the Master's study, and no one usually enters. Second Young Master Shen hasn't returned yet; he's likely at the hospital attending to the Master."

"Get out of my way! I asked Shen Liuyun, and he's back. Move! He's deliberately avoiding me."

The commotion outside grew louder and closer. What was he to do? He even regretted his impulsive decision to block Lu Huainan earlier.

"System, can you teleport me to another room?"

The system blinked. "Host Master, what's my reward?"

Shen Muyun thought for a moment, then patted the system's shoulder. "I promise to complete all tasks diligently, so you can break free from the Time-Space Administration, return to your original world, and be with your family as soon as possible. How does that sound?"

The system paused, then grabbed Shen Muyun's arm, pulled him close, scooped him up, and, stepping onto the window ledge, used the momentum to leap outside. It cautiously surveyed the surroundings, ensuring safety before gently setting Shen Muyun down and bowing respectfully in apology.

"Respected Host Master, I humbly apologize for the offense. As for the Time-Space Administration, that was my voluntary choice. Also, I've already secured Shen Liuyun's adoption agreement. Rest assured, even if they search, they won't find it."

Shen Muyun steadied himself, his feet firmly on the ground, finally feeling a sense of relief.

"System, we've worked together for so long, yet you've never truly opened up. Do you have a name?"

The system pursed its lips, contemplating. "Host, you can call me Xiao Bai. Actually, that's not my real name, it's... beep beep—Lu Huainan's favorability is fluctuating wildly! Host Master, you're on your own!"

The system abruptly vanished. Shen Muyun was about to turn and check when strong arms encircled him, pulling him into an embrace.

The familiar scent of roses—it was Lu Huainan.

Shen Muyun turned, his gaze locking with Lu Huainan's. There was a brutal intensity in his eyes he had never witnessed before. "Who were you talking to just now?"

No, that's not right—how could Lu Huainan have heard the system?

"Um, Huainan, no one. It's just me here. I just came up from the garage. You... did you need something?"

Lu Huainan held Shen Muyun tightly, his eyes fixed on his. The chilling aura emanating from him made Shen Muyun long to escape, but it was futile.

"Brother Yun, don't you owe me an explanation for this?"

Shen Muyun struggled, trying to free his captured wrist. "What is there to explain?"

Lu Huainan gripped Shen Muyun's chin, his warm breath caressing his cheek. "How many messages did I send? How many calls did I make? Brother Yun, are you doing this on purpose?"

"Lu Huainan, we're not right for each other. We can't be together."

"I've considered many possibilities—perhaps you were kidnapped. I asked Officer Zhou, and the recent cases had nothing to do with you. I asked Liuyun, and he stammered. My uncle was hospitalized because of you, wasn't he? I truly, truly want to lock you away somewhere dark, where you belong only to me, only to me. Brother Yun, want to try that?"

Shen Muyun struggled to break free from Lu Huainan's grasp. "Huainan, that's not it, it's not! Calm down."

"Then I suppose I haven't done enough, have I? Brother Yun, where do you think you're running off to?"

Shen Muyun continued to struggle, his wrist reddening from the friction.

Lu Huainan's eyes were bloodshot, as if he had reverted to his state in the warehouse that day. He was not himself.

"Huainan, get a grip! We're not suitable. The Lu and Shen families have been close for generations—we can't do something like this. My father was hospitalized because of those photos of us. Huainan, let me go. Can we talk properly? Huainan!"

Seeing no sign of Lu Huainan relenting, Shen Muyun forcefully raised his hand, intending to strike him.

Lu Huainan tightened his grip on Shen Muyun's hand. "Not suitable? Then who is suitable for you? Shen Muyun, Jiangcheng isn't that big. Think you can escape? No chance. Wherever you go, I'll find you."

Shen Muyun gritted his teeth. "Huainan, please calm down. Will you listen to me?"

Lu Huainan held Shen Muyun's chin, smiling with a hint of amusement. "I'm eager to hear how many excuses you can come up with."

"Huainan, we can't be together, and it's impossible for us to be together. My father was so angry about those photos of you and me that he was hospitalized. I can't... Mmm..."

Lu Huainan lowered his head, cupping the back of Shen Muyun's head with one hand, and kissed him. Shen Muyun struggled, biting Lu Huainan's lip until the metallic taste of blood mingled in their mouths.

Lu Huainan gently wiped his lips. "Brother Yun, you're truly cruel. Are you really that unwilling? Every time before, wasn't I the one who found you first? I thought everything I did showed how much I liked you. In the end, I'm the fool, aren't I?"

Shen Muyun lowered his head, gently rubbing his red and swollen wrist, and let out a long sigh.

"That's right, Huainan. You are a fool."

"You! Shen Muyun, you'd better explain yourself clearly."

Shen Muyun adopted a nonchalant demeanor. "I don't like you. It was all just a game before. Besides, when you were in America, how would I know what you were up to? A playboy? Did you have lovers? How would I know? And besides, it's impossible for you to like only me."

"Fine, go on. What else do you want to say?"

"Lu Huainan, you won't waste away pining for me. We can't be together now, and we won't be able to in the future. Let's end this."

Lu Huainan burst out laughing, tears even welling in his eyes. Absurd—it was utterly absurd.

"So, all of this—everything I did—was just to move myself. Right, Brother Yun, we were just putting on an act. Right, I'm a playboy, frequenting bars in America. You're absolutely right. So, I hope everything goes smoothly for you in the future. Be careful—don't run into me."

His heart... it seemed to ache a little. What was that feeling? How could it be? No, it couldn't be.

"Host, what are you doing? Clearly, you like Lu Huainan. Why is it so hard to admit it?"

Shen Muyun's eyes were already brimming with tears, but he forced down the discomfort in his heart.

"Xiao Bai, you don't understand human emotions."

"How could that be, Host? What you're feeling is love!"

"You're a machine—how could you understand human emotions? He and I can't be together. The Lu and Shen families have been close for generations, but not in that way. Lu Huainan has a better future ahead of him, but I'm not part of it."

Shen Muyun staggered forward a few steps, leaning against the wall. The red marks on his wrist hadn't faded, but Lu Huainan had already vanished into the night.

"Young Master."

The butler saw Shen Muyun but dared not say much.

"Young Master, Master Lu sent over some pig trotter soup earlier, saying it's to help you recover quickly. I don't know what happened—he suddenly left and didn't come back."

Shen Muyun glanced at the food container on the table and gently rubbed his already swollen eyes. "I saw Master Lu earlier. Get rid of the soup. The weather's been hot lately—if we don't drink it, it'll spoil."

"Young Master."

Shen Muyun turned and rushed to his room like he was fleeing disaster, shutting the door behind him. It seemed like there were no tears left to shed, but what was on his face? Cold and wet. He thought of Lu Huainan clumsily stewing the soup, and how he had protected him when they left the warehouse. His heart ached.

He glanced at his phone—all the messages were in the blocked folder, but now they were gone. Shen Muyun didn't want to look again and threw the phone aside.

In the darkness, he hugged his knees, burying his head. The main quest—it was just the main quest. Nothing more than an agreement. Don't get real feelings involved.

Shen Muyun forced himself to lie in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. The entire night passed in a haze; even in his daze, he felt as if someone was by the bedside, muttering something softly. He couldn't make out the words, and no matter how he tried to grasp them, they slipped away.

When he opened his eyes, only the empty house met him. The fox plush toy beside him seemed to smile at him. Could it be that he had truly grown accustomed to having Lu Huainan by his side?

The leaves rustled softly outside. Had Lu Huainan gotten home?

He always used to say something. Shen Muyun kept checking his phone—no intercepted messages from Nan Feng, no blocked calls. But no, he shouldn't be like this. Wasn't this exactly what he wanted?

"Beep, beep, beep..."

The phone vibrated. Shen Muyun quickly picked it up—it was a message from Shen Liuyun. Shen Wenjin had woken up and was doing fairly well.

Shen Muyun immediately got out of bed and looked at himself in the mirror. Dark circles shadowed his eyes; he hadn't slept well, and his spirits were low. A whole night of racing thoughts—what was this feeling? Why did his chest feel so tight?

Shen Muyun dressed neatly and used a bit of concealer to hide his weary appearance. Before the sky had fully brightened, he drove to the hospital.

Shen Wenjin's days were numbered. Battling for the family inheritance demanded his full focus—how could he afford to waste time brooding over his feelings for Lu Huainan?

As Shen Muyun reached the door of the hospital room, he went to knock but heard laughter from inside.

"Uncle, look—this is the calligraphy piece you cherish most. When I heard you were hospitalized, I thought, fruit and such gifts are too common. Since you admire Gu Kaizhi's authentic works, I happen to have one with me."

"Lu Huainan, you always know my tastes. But I remember you appreciate it as well."

"It's nothing, just a painting."

"Then I'll gladly accept it."

Through the small window, Shen Muyun saw Shen Wenjin smiling happily as he carefully placed the painting on a small table nearby.

"Of course. But Uncle, my visit isn't just about this."

"Lu Huainan, I don't interfere in you young people's affairs, but..."

The cold intensity Lu Huainan had shown yesterday had mostly faded, replaced by a smile on his face.

"Don't worry, Uncle. How could something casual be taken seriously? I came today to discuss something else—Luo Zhi mentioned she has feelings for Liuyun. Since she just called off her engagement, she's been in low spirits and didn't know how to bring it up."

"Oh, I thought it was something serious. But I'll have to ask Liuyun for his thoughts."

"With our parents abroad and unable to return anytime soon, as Luo Zhi's brother, I'm taking the initiative to speak for her, Uncle."

Shen Wenjin laughed cheerfully. "This is wonderful news, no trouble at all. I'll ask him. Luo Zhi should put in some effort too—if it works out, it'll be a joyous occasion."

Lu Huainan nodded. "Yes, Uncle, you're right. It would be a happy event."

Shen Muyun stood frozen in place. Hearing Lu Huainan's words, why were tears welling up? Was it all just a game? How long would it last—a lifetime, or... how long?

The door suddenly opened. Lu Huainan happened to step out, wearing his characteristic smile. "So Brother Yun is here. Uncle, I'll take my leave now. There's plenty to handle at Lu Corporation. Brother Yun can keep you company."

Lu Huainan walked straight out of the room without even a goodbye.

"Come, come, Muyun, sit here and chat with me."