Chapter 26 I Love You

Chapter 26 I Love You

Silence filled the car as it smoothly made its way back.

Zhou Yu leaned against the seatback, his gaze drifting aimlessly out the window. His quiet presence cast an unusually heavy atmosphere.

The driver, eyes fixed straight ahead, feigned ignorance of the strange mood, his sole focus on reaching their destination.

Lin Yunshu’s peripheral vision caught Zhou Yu, and he pondered how to initiate a conversation.

His phone screen lit up, displaying a new message.

[Li Xun: Arrived at the hospital. Everything is normal.]

[Li Xun: Mr. Chen Hongming has alcohol poisoning, and Ms. Lin Fang’s blood pressure remains high. Both have been admitted.]

“From Li Xun?” the man beside him suddenly spoke.

“Yes,” Lin Yunshu confirmed, “He updated me on the hospital situation.”

Zhou Yu’s lips curved slightly. “He already knows to report directly to you.”

Lin Yunshu froze, his heart leaping. His immediate thought was that Zhou Yu’s words carried a hidden meaning.

An assistant bypassing the boss to report to a peer—no matter how one looked at it, it was inappropriate.

Even if the matter wasn't work-related, it was natural for the boss to feel slighted.

“He was just saying everything at the hospital is normal,” Lin Yunshu explained. “It’s just a personal family matter. Assistant Li probably didn’t want to bother you.”

“Family matter?” Zhou Yu retorted. “Am I not your family?”

Lin Yunshu was momentarily speechless, uncharacteristically stumped by the question.

“Of course you are,” he quickly responded, his mind racing. “But family matters can be good or bad. Some trivial things really don’t need to trouble you—”

“I’ve never considered anything related to you trivial,” Zhou Yu’s voice rose.

Cut off mid-sentence, Lin Yunshu’s eyelashes fluttered as he composed himself.

“Yes.”

Zhou Yu closed his eyes and shook his head.

He, too, had consumed a fair amount of alcohol. Though not completely inebriated, the effects were clearly visible.

His collar was slightly undone, his shirt wrinkled. His chest rose and fell rapidly, as if he were struggling to suppress something, his jawline taut.

Outside, the scenery blurred past. The driver gripped the steering wheel tightly, his foot practically flooring the accelerator.

Lin Yunshu couldn’t quite gauge Zhou Yu’s current state and dared not speak immediately.

He waited a few minutes, estimating that Zhou Yu had calmed down sufficiently, then gently tugged at his sleeve.

“Alright, don’t be angry anymore,” he said softly.

Zhou Yu remained silent, his brow deeply furrowed as he stared out the window, not even glancing at Lin Yunshu.

Lin Yunshu sighed. “I know you were standing up for me. I’m really happy. Thank you.”

Zhou Yu’s expression softened slightly, and he slowly turned to look at him. “Then, do you know anything else?”

“I…” Lin Yunshu’s gaze flickered, momentarily failing to grasp the meaning.

Zhou Yu offered a self-deprecating smile.

He took Lin Yunshu’s hand, his grip firm, leaving no room for escape.

Lin Yunshu’s hand wasn't small; his fingers were long and slender, but his hand was lean, with delicate bones.

Zhou Yu easily enveloped his entire hand in his palm, finding it cold and smooth, like jade.

Except for the small scar running from between his fingers to his palm.

“Does it hurt?” he asked, gently caressing it.

“It doesn’t hurt,” Lin Yunshu replied.

“I meant back then.”

Lin Yunshu looked surprised, then offered a gentle smile. “I don’t remember anymore.”

Zhou Yu opened his palm, his gaze fixed on it, lost in thought.

But it pained him deeply.

He had brought back the photo from Lin Yunshu’s tenth birthday.

It was now tucked in his coat pocket.

It was the only solo photograph from Lin Yunshu’s entire childhood.

Zhou Yu remembered the image—Lin Yunshu’s face staring into the camera.

Painfully thin and small.

Even though it was his birthday, he wasn’t smiling.

He stood blankly before the camera, hands at his sides, showing neither joy nor sorrow, his eyes completely empty.

Just thinking about it made Zhou Yu’s heart clench with pain.

He remembered that in college, Lin Yunshu had been relatively healthy, his face had some fullness, and he possessed a lively, cheerful personality.

How could he have been so thin and malnourished-looking as a child?

He started boarding school in high school, began living on his own, and gradually stopped going home much.

So did things improve after he left his family?

It was only after leaving that family that he had the ability and energy to focus on himself.

Though it wasn’t easy, he had worked hard—very hard—to try to take better care of himself.

Zhou Yu took a deep breath, his nose stung, his heart ached, and his eyes burned.

“Zhou Yu?” Lin Yunshu gently touched his shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

His heart jumped.

"How... how could you still..."

Mindful of the driver's presence, he left the last word unspoken, though inwardly he was profoundly shaken.

He had never seen Zhou Yu like this before.

Not just him—Lin Yunshu believed Zhou Yu would never act like this in front of anyone else in his entire life.

Lin Yunshu stood rooted to the spot, at a loss, allowing his hand to be held tightly.

Before he could react, Zhou Yu lowered his head.

Slowly, slowly, he buried his face into Lin Yunshu’s palm.

Lin Yunshu thought his own fingers were trembling, but after a moment he realized it was Zhou Yu’s shaking shoulders and arms making them tremble.

This version of Zhou Yu bore no resemblance to the thoughtful senior or dependable superior Lin Yunshu knew.

He was like a loyal dog witnessing its master being wronged—gone mad tearing the bad guy to shreds wasn't enough; he ended up hurting himself, then shrinking back pitifully beside his master.

Lin Yunshu’s heart softened.

Or perhaps he was never a hard-hearted person to begin with. He even had to consciously work hard to overcome the innate tendency toward indecision ingrained in his nature.

Seeing Zhou Yu—so tall and broad—hunched in the car seat, his wide shoulders pressed against him, Lin Yunshu couldn’t bring himself to push him away harshly.

"Alright."

He couldn’t resist reaching out and gently stroking Zhou Yu’s bristly hair.

"It’s all right," he said softly. "Really, it’s fine."

Zhou Yu was drunk.

Perhaps from crying, but by the time they got out of the car, he was even more intoxicated.

Lin Yunshu helped him into the elevator, with Zhou Yu slumped heavily against him, his hot breath brushing against Lin Yunshu’s ear.

In just those few steps, Lin Yunshu was breathing heavily from the effort.

He leaned against the elevator wall, his mind blank, feeling like a donkey laden with cement on its way to the market.

Zhou Yu was just too heavy.

Soon, he could barely support Zhou Yu’s weight, his lower back aching fiercely.

"Zhou Yu..."

He pushed at Zhou Yu’s chest, biting his lip and supporting his lower back.

"Zhou Yu, you—"

Before he could finish, he suddenly felt the weight lessen.

Lin Yunshu looked up and saw that although Zhou Yu was still heavily drunk, his arm had wrapped around Lin Yunshu’s waist, his warm palm covering the sore spot, alleviating much of the discomfort.

Lin Yunshu was baffled.

Ding!

Before he could think further, the elevator doors opened.

Lin Yunshu quickly helped him out.

He hoisted Zhou Yu’s arm over his shoulder and hauled him like a sack, though it felt easier than when they first got out of the car.

Zhou Yu’s legs seemed wobbly, but he walked quite steadily, not leaning too heavily on Lin Yunshu.

Lin Yunshu shot him a suspicious look.

Once.

Twice.

Again.

They never made eye contact.

Zhou Yu tilted his head, out of it, eyes glazed.

Lin Yunshu lowered his gaze, thoughtful.

He didn’t say anything, but as they reached the door and he freed a hand to type the code, he glanced sideways, and suddenly feigned a stumble.

Zhou Yu grabbed hold of him.

This acclaimed actor, who should have been too drunk to stand, let alone catch someone, held him steadily.

Zhou Yu: "..."

They both paused for a beat.

Zhou Yu continued in a slurred voice: "Can’t even open a lock without falling. What else can you do?"

Then he pulled the door open, weaved into the living room with unsteady steps, and collapsed onto the sofa.

Lin Yunshu: "..."

He closed the door, followed unhurriedly, crossed his arms, and gazed calmly at the sprawled form on the sofa.

"Are you really drunk?"

Zhou Yu didn’t respond immediately. After a while, he furrowed his brows and cracked an eye open slightly: "Huh? ...What did you say?"

"I asked if you’re really drunk," Lin Yunshu repeated patiently.

Only then did Zhou Yu seem to understand: "Oh, a little... a little drunk."

He sighed, pressing his temples and shaking his head.

Lin Yunshu suppressed a smile: "Then can you shower by yourself?"

"Shower?" Zhou Yu’s eyes perked up, then slumped again: "A shower..."

He scrubbed at his face and hedged: "Might be a bit tough. I’m quite drunk, after all. Showering alone would be risky. If you were to help me—"

"Then just sleep on the sofa," Lin Yunshu said with a smile. "I'll get you a blanket."

Zhou Yu stammered, not expecting this response. "No, I mean..."

Lin Yunshu looked apologetic. "Sorry, I don’t want to get the sheets dirty."

He was particular about cleanliness.

"Wait a moment," Lin Yunshu said, smiling. "I'll get some wet wipes to wipe your face."

"Wait, Yun Shu!" Zhou Yu bolted upright.

Lin Yunshu turned back. "?"

"I, uh..." Zhou Yu pressed his temples as if drunk. "I was a bit drunk earlier, but I’m much better now. I can take a shower."

He emphasized, "I also have a cleanliness obsession."

Lin Yunshu couldn’t hold back a laugh.

Zhou Yu stood up, maintaining the unsteady walk of someone drunk, and determinedly headed toward the bathroom.

"I’ll go shower now. Wait for me."

He kept looking back. "Wait for me."

"Don’t lock the bedroom door!"

"Did you hear me?"

Lin Yunshu lowered his head and finally burst out laughing.

·

He returned to the bedroom, showered in the master bathroom, changed into his pajamas, and comfortably lay down on the bed.

Not long after, Zhou Yu returned, still damp from his shower.

He wasn’t wearing a shirt and leaned over to hug Lin Yunshu.

Lin Yunshu was already used to him parading around without a shirt. Growing drowsy, he rubbed his eyes.

"You’re back. Let’s sleep."

"Wait a little."

Zhou Yu gently stroked his hair—soft and cool from the wash, and felt nice to the touch.

Zhou Yu lingered affectionately and kissed the top of his head.

His large hand slid from the back of Lin Yunshu’s head to his neck, clasping the slender nape.

He frowned slightly and peeled off an inhibitor patch from Lin Yunshu’s gland.

"Why are you still wearing this at night?"

"Why did you take it off?"

Lin Yunshu reached out to grab it back, but in their struggle, pheromones began to spill out.

Zhou Yu threw back the covers, jumped onto the bed, and closed the distance until their noses nearly touched.

Lin Yunshu was startled, thinking he was about to...

"Don’t, don’t..."

We had just... a couple of days ago...

Unconsciously, their pheromones began to intertwine.

Zhou Yu seemed particularly stirred today. Lin Yunshu could clearly sense his scent was more aggressive and scorching than usual.

He gazed silently at Lin Yunshu, his thumb gently brushing the corner of Lin Yunshu’s eye.

Lin Yunshu’s heart raced uncontrollably.

He arched his neck, wrapping his arms around Zhou Yu’s shoulders, feeling his own arms tremble with each breath.

To his surprise, Zhou Yu wasn’t as reckless as usual this time. He was more restrained, more patient.

And very gentle.

So gentle that it surprised Lin Yunshu.

He gently cupped Lin Yunshu’s chin and lightly pecked at his lips...

Everything progressed step by step, naturally, all to ensure Lin Yunshu’s enjoyment.

When Lin Yunshu showed discomfort, he would pause to soothe him with kisses on his back, murmuring against his ear.

In the haze of consciousness, Lin Yunshu faintly heard Zhou Yu speaking.

He tried to open his eyes, but tears blurred his vision, and he could only see Zhou Yu’s lips moving.

Zhou Yu’s Adam’s apple was dotted with sweat, his shoulders broad and firm, radiating intense warmth as he held Lin Yunshu.

"I love you," Zhou Yu said hoarsely.

"...What?"

Lin Yunshu wasn’t sure if it was a dream.

Zhou Yu leaned down and pressed a burning kiss to his forehead.

"I’m here, loving you."