Chapter 111

Chapter 111

Shen Muyun was momentarily stunned, then a sudden, inexplicable joy blossomed in his heart. He hadn’t expected Lu Huainan to say something like that.

"Huainan, what if I told you I don’t belong to this world?"

Lu Huainan set down his bowl. "Brother Yun, what if I’ve known your secret all along?"

Shen Muyun leaped from the bed. "What did you say, Huainan? What do you mean?"

Lu Huainan smiled faintly, lips pursed. "Nothing, just teasing you. Why take it so seriously? Besides, you’re still you, and that’s enough for me to like you."

Shen Muyun let out a sigh of relief. He had thought his OOC behavior was already outrageous enough, but it seemed he still hadn’t aroused any suspicion. That was good, still okay.

"Brother Yun, what are you so lost in thought about? It’s snowing outside—want to build a snowman together? This is our first winter together, though it’s a bit cold, so we’ll need to bundle up."

"Of course, but it’s too cold out, and I get cold easily. Can we go later? Watching a movie at home sounds nice too."

Lu Huainan squinted thoughtfully, glancing at the snow outside. "Yeah, that works. Besides, your health isn’t great. It was thoughtless of me not to consider how you’re feeling."

Shen Muyun tweaked his ear and smiled. "It’s nothing. You’re always the one taking care of me. A little oversight now and then is no big deal."

"Then I’ll go get everything set up. Just leave the finished porridge here; the butler will come by later."

Shen Muyun nodded, watching the heavy snow outside, his heart pounding with a premonition that something would happen soon.

"Ding dong! With a roar from the sky, the system makes a flashy entrance!"

Seeing the system beaming brightly, Shen Muyun couldn’t help but say, "System, what’s going on? Do you have some strange task for me again?"

"Host, that’s not how you should talk. This is my new look—do you think it’s nice?"

Shen Muyun shook his head. "Your look... well, it’s okay, I guess. But nice or not, it’s whatever. Just tell me, did you come here for something?"

"Well, yes. It shows here that Shen Liuyun’s corruption level has reached 100%, but his affection for you is also 100%. What’s going on with you two? Care to share? I’ve got peanuts and sunflower seeds ready."

"If you’ve got nothing better to do, I think you should just focus on being a system. The sooner I can leave here, the sooner you can relax and maybe even return to your original form."

The system immediately turned human. "Host, you mean like this? Actually, well, this is pretty much what I originally looked like. Whether I can go back or not doesn’t matter now. My only wish right now is for you to succeed in leaving this place. You’re the strongest of all the players who’ve come through, and I really, really hope you make it out."

"Leave? Do you think I can still leave? The family assets are already Shen Liuyun’s."

"Um, Host, what if you try to romance Shen Liuyun?"

Shen Muyun threw a pillow straight at the system. "Are you crazy, or am I? Let me tell you, that’s impossible. Huainan and I are getting along great now, really great. Whatever you’re thinking, forget that idea."

"It was just a suggestion, no harm done."

Shen Muyun tilted his head and looked at the system. "Then why did you come this time?"

The system smiled. "Just to see how you’re doing, see how your recovery is going. And also, honestly, Host, the matter of the family assets can’t be delayed any longer. Shen Liuyun is abroad right now, so you’ll have to make another trip."

"You’re just making things difficult! We just got back a day ago, just one day!"

"Host, that was our fault. There was a glitch in the weather system—it was supposed to be winter in the U.S., but we, uh, set it for midsummer. But it’s fine, as long as you had fun."

"Will there be any complications back home this time?"

The system nodded reluctantly. "The main issue this time is that project in White Hair Village. Lu Huainan has been working hard on it these past few days, but for some reason, that project keeps running into one problem after another. But don’t worry, the protagonist’s plot armor is still there."

Lu Huainan gently knocked on the door. "Brother Yun, everything’s ready. Want to come over?"

Shen Muyun got out of bed and pointed at the system.

Understanding, the system disappeared into thin air in an instant.

"I heard voices in the room and thought someone might have come in and done something."

"Don’t worry, there’s no one here. This is the third floor, and your bodyguards are right outside. No matter what, there shouldn’t be any issues."

Lu Huainan nodded. "Yeah, true. I recently hired a new batch of bodyguards, all well-trained and completely trustworthy."

"Really? What if my brother planted people among them?"

"Bodyguards wouldn’t do that. They work for money, reputation, and their families. They go with the highest bidder, so don’t worry."

Shen Muyun nodded. "Then let’s go see what movie you picked."

Lu Huainan scratched his head. "Well, there are just so many movies, and I’m not sure which one’s the best. I looked at a few with decent ratings, but after checking the content, they were... a bit hard to describe."

Shen Muyun sighed and squeezed Lu Huainan’s fingertips. "It’s okay, I’ll pick. What do you like?"

Walking side by side, Shen Muyun couldn’t help but admire the security measures in the villa.

"Whatever Brother Yun likes, whatever Brother Yun watches, I’ll watch."

Shen Muyun blushed under the gaze of the bodyguards, wishing he could disappear.

He approached one of the bodyguards.

"Hello, Little Master Shen!"

Shen Muyun nodded. "You’ve been standing here all this time. You’ve worked hard."

"Not at all. It’s just keeping watch—nothing to it."

Shen Muyun nodded. "Are you new here?"

"No, I’m not. The young master brought me back from the U.S. I’ve been by his side since childhood, so he has full confidence in me."

"Hey, hey, why are you two chatting and ignoring me?"

Shen Muyun covered his mouth and laughed. "Someone’s jealous. Looks like you need a reward."

Shen Muyun stood on his tiptoes and gave a quick kiss on his lips. "Don’t be jealous. In my heart, there is and always has been only you, from start to finish."

The bodyguard nearby looked a bit embarrassed and took a few steps back.

"Brother Yun, is that your way of confessing? But your health is weak right now. If it weren’t for that..."

Shen Muyun tapped his lips. "Enough of that, Huainan. I think this one looks good. Let’s just watch the movie."

Lu Huainan nodded, glancing at the bodyguard as if making a mental note of his face.

"Alright, Huainan, stop looking at others and look at me instead. I’m quite good-looking, aren’t I?"

Shen Muyun tapped Lu Huainan’s forehead. "What ‘good-looking’? You’re handsome, a real catch. Who knows how many people would be heartbroken by your choice?"

"Why would they be heartbroken? I’m just dating and found the right one for me."

"Okay, okay, you're right. Gimme the popcorn, I want some."

Lu Huainan teasingly held up the popcorn box. "Go ahead, try and get it then. Like this, you probably can't reach it."

Shen Muyun, naturally competitive, retorted, "Why not? I could just get a small ladder, wouldn't that work?"

"Ah, Brother Yun, I hadn't thought of that. But you know, that method would probably be much more troublesome, huh?"

Shen Muyun shook his head. "Not at all. I can move it myself."

Lu Huainan put his hand down. "Brother Yun, now that's cheating. Can't you think of me first if something comes up?"

"Think of you? And if I do, so will there be some kind of reward?"

Shen Muyun thought for a moment, lips pursed. "Of course there will."

"What is it? Can I know what it is?"

"Well, probably I'd cook for you. Would you like that?"

Lu Huainan paused, surprised. "Really? I've never tasted Brother Yun's cooking. I'm actually kinda looking forward to it."

"Alright, now I want some. I want some of the popcorn in your hand."

Lu Huainan plucked a piece and gestured for Shen Muyun to take it.

Shen Muyun caught on to his little game. Coincidentally, in their movie, the male and female leads were kissing.

Shen Muyun smiled, slid his arms around Lu Huainan's waist, and gently took the popcorn with his teeth. But before he knew it, Lu Huainan had his head cupped.

"Brother Yun, you can't escape."

A long, tender kiss landed on his lips.

They didn't separate until both were breathless.

"Huainan, we can't indulge too much. We should show some restraint."

"I've been holding back plenty. I haven't done anything these past few days. I just wanted to kiss my Brother Yun. What's wrong with that?"

"Okay, okay, you're right. Look, the movie is almost over, and we barely know what happened in it."

"I know. I saw it. The male and female leads ended up together forever. Brother Yun, we should be together forever too."

Had to admit, Shen Muyun's strange feeling grew stronger. He felt that the two of them might truly part ways in the end.

"Huainan, everyone who comes into your life is just passing through. We should cherish the present. As long as now is good, that's what matters."

Lu Huainan was slightly stunned but then smiled. "We won't be passersby. I've said it before—we're destined, you know—even if it takes a few more years, it's fine. I'll always find Brother Yun."

"What if we drink the Meng Po Soup and lose our memories?"

"Even without memories, there's still instinct."