Chapter 60

Chapter 60

As the plane taxied to a halt, Lu Huainan immediately rose, scanned the overhead compartment, and retrieved the luggage. The metal suitcase was unexpectedly heavy, far exceeding his imagination. He couldn't fathom what Shen Muyun had packed inside—it was dead weight.

He glanced at Shen Muyun, who remained comfortably seated, eyes half-closed, seemingly oblivious to Lu Huainan's actions. This reassured Lu Huainan; it meant Shen Muyun wasn't entirely angry or ready to give up. That was a good sign.

"Brother Yun, what did you pack in this luggage? Iron blocks, perhaps? It's incredibly heavy. How long do you plan to stay? There's a lot happening at Shen Corporation lately, and your father... Ah, never mind. You're here to relax, right? I'll keep you company. You call the shots, Brother Yun. I have a meeting here too, but I'll finish up quickly and be with you."

Shen Muyun felt a flicker of impatience. Lu Huainan's incessant chatter behind him was grating. He'd planned this trip for himself, confident his system would suffice, only to be ambushed by this persistent, unshakeable nuisance.

Ignoring Lu Huainan's monologue, Shen Muyun looked out the window. It was drizzling, seemingly heavier than in Jiangcheng. He'd initially planned to visit the beach then hike, but a change of itinerary was now in order.

The beach was likely out. And the mountains? The thought of another mudslide, that heart-stopping fear, was something he never wanted to relive.

He pulled out his pre-prepared map. The hotel wasn't far from the airport. Behind him, Lu Huainan, like a diligent bellboy, juggled several bags of various sizes, significantly slowing their pace.

"Brother Yun, slow down! Are you abandoning this luggage? Or did you really pack lead weights just to mess with me?"

Shen Muyun held an umbrella, watching his little shadow. Lu Huainan's clothes were already soaked halfway through, but he'd meticulously wrapped the luggage in a raincoat, keeping it perfectly dry. Despite the weight, he clung to it, following Shen Muyun doggedly.

"Oh? The luggage? It makes no difference whether I have it or not. It's just some clothes—dispensable. As for documents, they're on my phone. At worst, I'll give you my tablet. Clothes can be bought new, and chargers or power banks are ubiquitous. It's irrelevant."

Lu Huainan knew Shen Muyun was still miffed. He followed closely, thinking, *What's the big deal about pursuing your beloved? It's not shameful.*

The pair, one leading and one trailing, drew many glances, though only fleetingly. People either turned away or whispered, seemingly discussing nothing of great importance.

"Brother Yun, then... I won't disrupt your plans. I'll just follow you, be your bag-carrier. It's not easy to come to Haicheng. Work has been tough, so let's treat this as a vacation. I know all the best places to eat and drink here. If you..."

A faint sweetness, though not much, stirred in Shen Muyun's heart at Lu Huainan's words. He stopped abruptly, deliberately adopting a stern expression. They almost collided. If he forgave Lu Huainan so easily, where would his pride go? Impossible.

"Lu Huainan, listen carefully: this is *my* trip. You can follow, but don't interfere with my plans. And your incessant chattering is giving me a headache. Shh, keep your voice down."

"Brother Yun..."

"To put it simply, I'd appreciate some space. Didn't you say yourself it was just for fun? How can something meant for fun be taken seriously? I'm not the clingy type. So, if that's the case, can't we just go our separate ways, Huainan? We're adults."

"Brother Yun, it's not like that..."

"There's no 'it's not like that' or 'it's not this.' Lu Huainan, you're an adult. Adults are accountable for their words and actions. I heard you clearly, and I understand. I was presumptuous and overestimated myself. So, are you satisfied now?"

Lu Huainan watched Shen Muyun's retreating back, fully aware of his own fault. But he steeled himself and continued the chase. "Speak up and persist"—that was a secret tactic his father had taught him, and it was proving invaluable now.

He placed the luggage in a dry spot.

"Brother Yun, then... enjoy your trip. I have a meeting here. If you get bored, I'll send you the address. You can... come find me, or I'll come find you."

"No need."

Seeing Lu Huainan finally set down his luggage, Shen Muyun glanced at it, picked it up, and entered the hotel without a backward glance.

Lu Huainan looked up, casting a knowing glance, then spoke a few words into his phone to someone on the other end. A moment later, he too walked inside.

The resort hotel exuded a unique charm, with an island theme. The centerpiece was a water bed, perfectly conforming to the body's contours.

Beneath his feet was a thick layer of tempered glass, offering a direct view of colorful fish swimming below. The water flowed outwards, and occasionally, a larger fish would glide by.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling window was an outdoor swimming pool. However, due to the inclement weather, the pool water swirled and lapped against the glass edges. Raindrops pattered on the surface, naturally creating a thin mist.

Shen Muyun gazed blankly, a touch of regret in his eyes. Haicheng rarely rained, yet it poured on his arrival. Perhaps it was fate. Still, if he stayed a few days, he might yet see sunshine.

Shen Muyun tossed his luggage in the entryway and casually sprawled on the tatami. Lu Huainan—how could he have followed?

True, the Lu Corporation had recent investments in Haicheng. What if it was just a coincidence? What if they simply happened to cross paths? *Sigh*, overthinking was useless and only added to his worries.

Shen Muyun rolled over on the bed, his feet dangling to the floor. The little fish below, as if cued, gathered around his feet, darting back and forth.

He checked his phone. Lu Huainan's chat was at the bottom, the last message dating back to before the hospital visit. Time flew so quickly. If only he could freeze that moment.

Lu Huainan's words... Shen Muyun rolled over again. The fish followed him to the other side. He sat up, intently watching the fish beneath his feet. They truly mirrored Lu Huainan's persistent nature.

Which of his words were true, and which were false? It was becoming increasingly difficult to discern. And Lu Huainan's temperament seemed different from his outwardly gentle and kind demeanor. This system was a huge, unhelpful scam. He saw through it now.

The flight had been uncomfortable, and with Lu Huainan nearby, sleep was even more elusive. The soft tatami, combined with his physical exhaustion, pulled Shen Muyun's thoughts into a dream.

"Brother Yun, look, look! Those little yellow flowers over there are so beautiful. Do you want them? I'll pick some for you, okay?"

Shen Muyun gently touched a nearby tree, his fingers passing right through it. It was a dream—but whose dream was it? And whose dream had he entered?

The joyful laughter of two children echoed in his ears. Ahead was a hillside covered in small yellow flowers.

One child wore a gray-black traditional jacket, the other, more richly dressed in red with blue trim, played and chased each other.

Brother Yun, Brother Yun—who was it? Shen Muyun walked forward, following the two children.

"I don't want them. Be careful—that's a cliff. If you fall, I can't save you. I still have to practice opera with my master later. I don't have much time. And I can't get hurt. I sneaked out. If my master finds out I'm not focusing on my lessons, I might not be allowed to come play with you anymore."

The boy in red held the hand of the boy in gray-black, his face clearly unhappy.

"Why? Every day, you only spend half an hour with me. Time flies so fast. I want to learn opera with you too. Is your master still taking students?"

The boy in gray-black tapped the red-clad boy's forehead. "Nonsense! I have no parents. My master took me in out of pity. Your family is well-off. You can learn to read and write, and even shoot arrows. You might become a civil official someday, a scholar. You're much better off than me."

Shen Muyun moved closer, wanting to see the red-clad boy's face clearly, but it remained obscured by a white mist, impossible to discern.

He took a few more steps, and suddenly the two children vanished before his eyes. Shen Muyun searched everywhere, carefully scanning his surroundings. How could two children just disappear into thin air?

The mist suddenly dissipated, revealing a well. Beside it stood a tall pine tree, two or three meters high. The scene felt familiar, like Baitou Village, yet not quite.

A man resembling a general caressed the well's edge, staring blankly into its depths. He knelt by the well, pressing against the moss-covered wall, his grief palpable. Even without seeing his face, tears could be seen falling drop by drop.

"Brother Yun, wait for me. Why couldn't you wait just a little longer? The well water is cold. You were always afraid of the cold, afraid of winter. Why did you jump? Why leave me alone, to endure these long, solitary years? Wait for me, wait for me. I'll join you soon."

Shen Muyun stepped forward, wanting to comfort the man, but the figure instantly dissolved into a wisp of smoke, vanishing into the air. The scenery rapidly shifted.

"This stone is so beautiful."

"Indeed! My mother left it to me. Here, I'll give it to you now. You must cherish it. It was my father's token of affection to my mother."

Shen Muyun froze. The object in the children's hands looked so familiar.

A sharp pain shot through his head—likely from the cold floor giving him a chill.

In his daze, he heard knocking outside. The rain hadn't stopped, and the window had somehow blown open a crack, leaving a trail of water on the floor.

"Knock, knock, knock. Room service."

Shen Muyun rubbed his hair, preparing to get up, then suddenly remembered he hadn't ordered any service.

He rose, cautiously peering through the peephole. The person outside wore the correct uniform and had a name tag.

"I didn't call for room service."

"This is A808, Mr. Shen Muyun. You reserved dinner for tonight an hour ago. If there's no issue, your meal is right here at the door. Enjoy your meal."

Shen Muyun was confused, scratching his head. He'd been asleep an hour ago. Could he have sleepwalked and ordered food? That seemed unlikely.

Still uneasy, he called the front desk, who confirmed he had indeed placed the order an hour ago.

Shen Muyun straightened his disheveled clothes from sleeping, then stood up and opened the door. He saw a server with his cap pulled low, pushing a meal cart into the room.

"Hey, didn't you say you'd just leave it at the door? It's fine, you can leave it in the entryway."

Shen Muyun glanced at the food on the cart—it was all exactly to his taste. Had he really sleepwalked and become some ordering expert? He hadn't had an episode in a while; surely it wasn't starting again.

Noticing the server lingering, he pulled a bill from his pocket. "Here's your tip. Thanks for your service."

The server gently lowered his cap further, chuckling softly, then backed away, closing the door with one hand, leaning against it, and deadbolting it.

At the sound of the lock, Shen Muyun tried to open the door, but his wrist was grabbed tightly, leaving him immobilized. Who was it? What was happening? Was the hotel this unsafe?

No—Lu Huainan. Lu Huainan was also in Haicheng. With his free hand, Shen Muyun reached for his phone, but it was pressed down onto the entryway console. Warm breath tickled his ear, and a familiar voice murmured.

"Brother Yun, how can you be so trusting and unguarded? What if it were someone with ill intentions?"

The voice was low, and the scent of red roses filled the air—intense and fragrant. Lu Huainan. Why hadn't he thought of it? Only Lu Huainan would pull something like this.

Taking advantage of Lu Huainan's loosened grip, Shen Muyun broke free with a sharp movement.

*Smack.*

The server's cap fell to the floor, revealing Lu Huainan's strikingly handsome face now marked with five fingerprints. He turned his face away, his expression unclear.

"Lu Huainan, following me to Haicheng is one thing, but pretending to be a server? Who taught you that?"

Lu Huainan smiled at Shen Muyun, rubbing the corner of his mouth with his fingertips, then licking his lips as he closed in like a predator eyeing its prey.

"Brother Yun, does this hotel's logo look familiar?"

Shen Muyun picked up the room card nearby—it clearly read "Lu Group."

"So, as the president of Lu Group, finding out which room you're in is effortless."

"You! Lu Huainan!"

Lu Huainan pinned him against the short console in the entryway. "Brother Yun, if you're going to hit someone, put some force into it. Look, my face isn't even red. Want to try again?"

Shen Muyun turned his face away, refusing to look at him, and pushed against Lu Huainan with all his strength.

Lu Huainan had already anticipated this. He forced Shen Muyun's chin up, his captivating peach-blossom eyes deep and unfathomable, staring straight at him.

"Brother Yun, you were quite harsh with Zhou Shiqing. Why so gentle with me? Can't bear to hurt me?"

Lu Huainan pointed to his cheek. "Here, you need to use a bit more force for me to feel Brother Yun's anger."

"Lunatic! Lu Huainan, you're the real lunatic! Let me go! What do you want, Lu Huainan?!"

Lu Huainan pouted slightly, looking down at Shen Muyun beneath him, then gently kissed his forehead.

"I don't want to do anything, and I don't want to hear anything. I just want to sleep. Brother Yun, for this trip, I've been working overtime for three days straight. There are no stuffed animals in the hotel, none at the front desk, and no Brother Yun by my side. I miss that shipping container, holding Brother Yun..."

Shen Muyun felt a chill run down his spine. Lu Huainan's state was off—how many times had it been now?

Steadying himself, Shen Muyun said firmly, "Lu Huainan, you said it yourself—we're just playing around, nothing serious. How can you take back your own words? Liars have to swallow ten thousand needles, remember?"

Lu Huainan gently poked his cheek, observing their disheveled reflections in the mirror, then rested his chin on Shen Muyun's head. "Brother Yun, don't be afraid. I won't do anything. Even if I wanted something to happen, I'd need your consent. I just miss you. Back then, I spoke without thinking. Your father..."

Lu Huainan turned and kissed his cheek.

Shen Muyun struggled, trying to avoid Lu Huainan's kiss, but was held even tighter.

"Your father said both our families are prominent in Jiangcheng and can't afford scandals. He asked how far our relationship has progressed."

Shen Muyun was completely immobilized, unable to break free. He froze for a moment, then shook his head helplessly.

Lu Huainan grunted softly, uncomfortable from the struggle, but steadied his voice and continued.

"Brother Yun, I know all your concerns. Your father has always doubted our relationship. I looked into it—after you went home that day, your father was so upset he ended up in the hospital. I also found out he has cancer and can't handle stress. So, Brother Yun, I said those things for his ears. I couldn't bear to see him heartbroken."

Shen Muyun struggled fiercely beneath him but couldn't budge an inch. Sensing something was off, he stopped immediately, afraid of provoking Lu Huainan's wrath.

"Then how do you explain what happened at the door? You can't possibly say... you did it on purpose? Huainan, your motives are hard to decipher."

Lu Huainan looked like a wronged puppy, continuously kissing Shen Muyun's hair, wanting to mark him with his scent, even desiring to possess him roughly, but a thread of rationality held him back.

"People were watching inside, and others were outside too. The bodyguards at the door weren't turning a blind eye. I had to play the part fully. I didn't mean to ignore you or act so cold."

Shen Muyun stopped struggling, pondering Lu Huainan's words—which were true and which were false?

How far had the plot of this book progressed? It seemed to be spiraling out of control, veering into uncharted territory. No, the system had already said he'd unlocked a dual male lead storyline.

What did other stories say? When the pursuer doesn't communicate, keeping things bottled up, misunderstandings grow until it leads to a frantic chase to win back the pursued. His script seemed different.

Shen Muyun remained pinned, increasingly uncomfortable. The air in his lungs was compressed, with no fresh oxygen coming in. His brain felt starved for air, teetering on the edge of shutdown.

"Huai... Huainan, could you... stop pressing on me? I can't breathe."

"No. What if you run away the moment I let go?"

Shen Muyun managed to turn slightly and shot Lu Huainan a sharp glare.

Seeing Shen Muyun's fading expression, Lu Huainan finally loosened his grip. Fresh air flooded Shen Muyun's lungs, a relief like a fish returned to water.

"Brother Yun, forgive me, please?"

"Forgive you? How, Lu Huainan? I was devastated by your words—it felt suffocating. You said it was just fun, that our relationship, the trust we built over months, was all a bubble? Who were you putting on a show for? Your family? Or my father?"

Shen Muyun's tone was stern, even harsh.

"Your parents are open-minded, allowing us to be together. But my father would never agree. My brother probably wouldn't either."

"Brother Yun, we can try. There's no harm in trying. They are them. Worst case, we leave—go abroad. Have you felt anything for me?"

Shen Muyun clung to his stubbornness. "No, definitely not."

"Really?"

Shen Muyun averted his eyes, avoiding Lu Huainan's gaze, afraid his feigned indifference would be seen through.

Lu Huainan's eyes sparkled, blinking innocently. "Brother Yun, you won't look at me. Doesn't that mean you have feelings for me? Why can't you admit it?" Shen Muyun pushed Lu Huainan away, turned, and unlocked the door. "Impossible. Absolutely impossible, Lu Huainan. This isn't up for discussion. At most, we're brothers."

Lu Huainan forced out a few tears, gazing into Shen Muyun's eyes, "Brother Yun, is our relationship really just that of brothers? Can brothers kiss? Can they sleep in the same bed, or hold each other while sleeping?"

Shen Muyun retorted defensively, "Why not? Why can't we sleep together? Besides, you're younger than me—I’d just be putting my little brother to sleep. What’s wrong with that? I’ve always wanted a younger brother since I was a child. It wouldn’t be so bad having you as my brother. Besides, you’ve always been the older one—that must be tiring, right?"

Lu Huainan’s heart ached as if it had been torn apart. Tiring—yes, it was indeed tiring. Why did his heart feel so heavy?

He leaned directly against Shen Muyun, "Brother Yun, this is my first time chasing after someone. I've seen other people succeed with just flowers, perfume, or lipstick. Why is it so difficult for me?"

Shen Muyun’s heart tightened abruptly. Was it really that hard for him? Emotions seemed like such a distant thing—he had no interest in them at all.

"Brother Yun, how about we just keep holding each other like this? I love holding you—your body warmth, everything about you, your scent, the fragrance of lemon—it all makes me feel comfortable and safe."