Chapter 8 Covered in Zhou Yu’s Shirts

Chapter 8 Dusted with Zhou Yu's Shirt

Saturday, 10 a.m.

Lin Yunshu input the password to Zhou Yu's home.

He was someone who felt no sense of belonging toward home, completely opposite to Lin Yunshu.

Lin Yunshu couldn't understand why anyone wouldn't need a home, so he classified Zhou Yu as some kind of supernatural being.

Lin Yunshu had the passwords to every one of Zhou Yu's properties. After waking up early, he first confirmed which of his boss's residences he was at, then drove over.

Last night, Zhou Yu had holed up in a villa in the southern district. After entering, Lin Yunshu went straight to the second floor and successfully found his recently awakened boss in the master bedroom.

Zhou Yu slept in the nude. When the door was knocked, he had just pulled on his pants.

He instinctively reached for his shirt but, halfway through, seemed to change his mind and dropped his hand back down, opening the door for Secretary Lin while shirtless.

Secretary Lin was perfectly put-together even on the weekend, wearing a light-colored shirt buttoned all the way up, showing only a sliver of his slender neck and handsome face.

Compared to Lin Yunshu's reserve, Zhou Yu seemed rather uninhibited.

He scrubbed at his hair somewhat self-consciously and opened the door wider. "You're early."

"I woke up early," Lin Yunshu said. "I hope I'm not disturbing you?"

He remembered Zhou Yu wasn't the type to sleep in; he usually woke up early to exercise. Today was somewhat unusual.

"Not at all, your timing is perfect," Zhou Yu said.

Lin Yunshu nodded. As he stepped inside, his gaze briefly swept over Zhou Yu's bare abdominal muscles.

To be fair, Zhou Yu had a great physique—clearly worked-out, healthy, and powerful but not overdone.

That was why he always looked particularly good in a suit.

Today, his muscles seemed even more defined.

But Lin Yunshu looked a couple times then averted his gaze.

He seemed accustomed to it, without any visible reaction throughout.

Zhou Yu: "?"

He looked down at himself.

Not bad, really good. After training hard late last night, his abs were still intact and prominent. Even though he hadn't exercised this morning, his physique was still looking good.

Yet Lin Yunshu had no reaction?

Could it be that he had usually been too unrestrained, making Lin Yunshu see it so often that it had lost its novelty?

Zhou Yu wouldn't accept that theory.

The master bedroom was spacious. The entrance led first to a sitting area, and further inside was a two-meter-wide bed.

Lin Yunshu discreetly didn't look toward the bed. He placed two copies of the agreement on the coffee table, then turned to see Zhou Yu frowning as he stared at his own abs.

He stared with a complex expression for a while, then rather crestfallenly pulled on his shirt.

Lin Yunshu: "?"

"Have a seat," Zhou Yu said. "Give me two minutes; I'll get myself together."

"There's no rush," Lin Yunshu said considerately.

After Zhou Yu turned and entered the bathroom, Lin Yunshu opened the bedroom curtains and made tea for both of them.

By the time he finished, Zhou Yu came out right then.

He had washed his face, shaved, and styled his hair. Though still in loungewear, he had returned to the familiar look of Lin Yunshu's boss.

He walked straight over and sat opposite Lin Yunshu, motioning for him to sit. "Don't just stand there."

Lin Yunshu complied and sat down and pointed to the table. "This is the agreement drafted by Lawyer Li for your review."

"Lawyer Li?" Zhou Yu picked up the folder.

Lawyer Li was a lawyer with whom Zhou Yu had a good personal friendship. He didn't deal with company business, only Zhou Yu's private affairs.

"Yes," Lin Yunshu said. "I thought the process from drafting to finalizing the agreement would take some time, and then there's the marriage registration. During this period, it's best not to make too much of a fuss about this matter."

Zhou Yu nodded with satisfaction. "You've thought this through very thoroughly."

Zhou Xingde had no proper business to attend to these days, spending all his time watching Zhou Yu's every move. It was best not to reveal the news of his marriage to Lin Yunshu until after they officially registered.

Otherwise, Zhou Xingde might make trouble. Zhou Yu himself didn't care, but he was worried Lin Yunshu might be harmed.

"Keeping it confidential now is right," Zhou Yu said. "But once we register our marriage, I will announce the news to the public. Of course, the wedding will also be a lavish ceremony. Is that acceptable to you?"

"No problem," Lin Yunshu said.

Zhou Yu was getting married precisely to shut others up, so the more high-profile, the better. If they kept it secret, how would it be different from not marrying at all?

Zhou Yu nodded and continued reading.

But gradually, his brows furrowed deeper, and his expression grew more serious.

Lin Yunshu felt slightly nervous. "Is there something wrong?"

Zhou Yu shook his head, then nodded, remaining silent for a moment.

Lin Yunshu became tense, quickly considering what else he could compromise on.

"Secretary Lin," Zhou Yu sighed, placing the agreement back on the table helplessly. "You're being too hard on yourself."

Lin Yunshu was stunned, never expecting those would be Zhou Yu's words.

"I just want to safeguard your interests," he said.

Zhou Yu ignored him, picked up a pen, and tapped on the cover in front of Lin Yunshu. "Open it."

Lin Yunshu complied.

"Page two, first section, second clause: 'The agreement period is one year. If both parties are harmonious after one year, they may continue living as a married couple upon mutual decision. If either party is dissatisfied, the agreement will terminate upon expiration. After termination, all marital joint property shall belong to Party A, and Party B shall leave empty-handed.'"

Zhou Yu frowned hard. "What is this? Why should you leave empty-handed? We built our careers together, so the property after marriage should rightfully include your share."

He stated firmly, "Ten percent of the company's shares, or assets or cash of equivalent value—choose one."

"Boss..."

"And," Zhou Yu interrupted, "change it to two years."

Lin Yunshu was silent.

"Keep reading," Zhou Yu tapped the document. "The second-to-last item on page five: If Party A meets their true love during the agreement period, the agreement can be terminated immediately regardless of the time limit. As compensation, Party A must provide Party B with a five-year supply of concentrated pheromones in a single payment."

Technology had advanced to the point where pheromones could be extracted from the human body and stored in concentrated form, though it required surgery.

Fearing unforeseen circumstances, Lin Yunshu had included this clause in the agreement.

"What are you thinking with all this nonsense?" Zhou Yu clicked the pen cap irritably. "We've known each other for so many years—have you ever seen me come across anyone? Scrap this clause entirely."

"Wait, Boss!" Lin Yunshu quickly grabbed his hand to stop him from crossing it out. "Please reconsider? After all, no one can predict the future."

This term was vital to him.

If Zhou Yu truly met his true love, this would be Lin Yunshu's only means of survival after disappearing from Zhou Yu's life.

"Let go."

Zhou Yu seemed about to get angry.

Lin Yunshu’s heart quivered, but he stubbornly held onto Zhou Yu’s hand, even tightening his grip.

He had only taken half of his suppressant medication yesterday and was already starting to feel unwell, his hands exceptionally cold.

Such a body temperature tended to make others uncomfortable, so Lin Yunshu habitually avoided all physical contact.

Yet, at this moment, he did not let go, his fingers clinging firmly to the prominent veins on the back of Zhou Yu’s hand like a stubborn little snake.

Zhou Yu’s expression darkened as he looked down at Lin Yunshu’s fingers.

He preferred to keep the room temperature very low while sleeping, finding it comfortable, but Lin Yunshu would end up freezing after just a short while in such conditions, his lips even turning pale.

Zhou Yu looked away and took a deep breath.

He did not soften. Instead, he peeled Lin Yunshu’s fingers off his hand one by one.

"There’s no possibility of that."

He turned up the thermostat. "Such a thing won’t happen during our marriage."

Marriage or not, it was impossible.

Suddenly, he turned to Lin Yunshu, his gaze scrutinizing. "Or, if you were to encounter your true love and insist on divorce, I would still provide you with the necessary pheromones."

"That’s not what I meant!" Lin Yunshu hurriedly denied.

"Then there’s even less to discuss." Zhou Yu picked up the pen and crossed out the clause with a large X.

Over the next two hours, Zhou Yu rewrote almost the entire agreement beyond recognition before handing it back to Lin Yunshu.

"Redraft it according to this."

His mood was dark, his brow furrowed deeply, making it almost impossible for Lin Yunshu to discern his emotions.

Zhou Yu was angry again.

Lin Yunshu wasn’t good at comforting others, so he could only make himself as inconspicuous as possible, collecting the folder and placing it in his bag.

"Alright, I’ll draft a new version and bring it for your review."

He stood up, making to leave.

"One more thing," Zhou Yu rubbed his temples firmly. "Stop using formal language from now on. I’m not so old that you need to keep saying 'you' in such a formal way."

Lin Yunshu: "...Okay."

Zhou Yu glanced at his phone and stood up to head out the door. "Come down for lunch."

"Boss..."

Zhou Yu turned and saw Lin Yunshu had also stood up, his hands folded neatly in front of him. Tall and slender, with a graceful posture, he resembled a graceful willow tree.

"I need to go to the bathroom," Lin Yunshu said.

Zhou Yu nodded. "Go ahead."

Only when the sound of footsteps faded down the hallway did a crack appear in Lin Yunshu’s calm facade. He staggered and fell onto the sofa.

Cold sweat instantly drenched his temples. Lin Yunshu bent over, digging his fist deeply into his stomach.

·

Lunch was still prepared according to Lin Yunshu’s preferences.

Zhou Yu sat at the dining table, massaging his forehead as he repeatedly tried to calm the inexplicable anger rising within him.

Looking at the spread of dishes on the table, he couldn’t help but mutter under his breath, "Ungrateful wretch."

Lin Yunshu had been in the bathroom way too long.

Zhou Yu hadn’t intended to rush him at first, but as the food grew cold, he tentatively called out upstairs.

"Lin Yunshu?"

No response.

Zhou Yu gradually felt that something was off and went upstairs.

The restroom was empty, the bedroom was as tidy as usual, and there was no sign of Lin Yunshu in the living area.

Zhou Yu took out his phone to call him again but suddenly caught a faint scent.

A light yet intensely sweet fragrance, so sweet it made Zhou Yu’s head spin almost instantly.

He followed the scent and found it led to the walk-in closet.

The door was partly open. The closer he got, the more distinct the scent became, though it didn’t grow stronger.

In the large full-length mirror, Zhou Yu saw Lin Yunshu’s reflection. He looked down and found Lin Yunshu collapsed in front of the wardrobe not far away.

The wardrobe door was wide open, and he was buried under Zhou Yu's shirts.

This image stabbed at Zhou Yu's eyes like a needle.

A head-spinningly sweet scent continuously emanated from Lin Yunshu, faint yet distinct, as if partially blocked, drifting in delicate wisps around Zhou Yu’s nose.

Zhou Yu had never imagined Lin Yunshu would smell so sweet.

He had always thought Lin Yunshu would be clean and bitter, or perhaps fresh and mild like a stream, calm and lingering.

But he hadn’t expected this, hadn’t expected…

Lin Yunshu looked up at him, completely bewildered.

His eyes were wet, as if he had been crying hard, and his usually calm face showed the humiliation of broken pride.

"Sorry…" he whispered.

Zhou Yu quickly stepped forward to support him.

Up close, he realized Lin Yunshu was in extreme distress. His taut skin spasmed intermittently, and his entire face was damp with cold sweat.

Zhou Yu had initially thought it was his heat cycle, but now it seemed otherwise.

He was simply suffering, his pheromones uncontrollable and highly disordered, driving him to frantically search for Zhou Yu’s clothes in the wardrobe.

"Yun Shu," Zhou Yu tipped his chin up, "did you take your medicine?"

"Half of it," Lin Yunshu lowered his eyes, avoiding his gaze. "Sorry, I thought after signing the agreement today, I could ask you… ask you for some clothes. I misjudged the dosage."

Zhou Yu drew him into an embrace, letting his pheromones envelop him completely.

Lin Yunshu’s scent was too weak; Zhou Yu didn’t dare release too much at once, instead gradually and patiently letting it out, slowly drawing Lin Yunshu into his own territory.

"Why didn’t you come to me?" he asked.

"I just needed a bit of pheromones," Lin Yunshu’s voice was tight with pain, he said lightly. "Clothes would work too."

Zhou Yu’s heart twisted painfully.

"It’s useless!" he said, frustrated. "I don’t have a permanent place to stay, and these clothes haven’t been worn in who knows how long—they hardly carry any scent. No matter how many you take, they won’t be as effective as me!"

"I was right downstairs. Why didn’t you just call me?"

Lin Yunshu fell silent.

After a long while, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice:

"I thought you were angry."

Author's Note:

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