Chapter 75 Has Zhou Yu Contacted You?

Chapter 75: Has Zhou Yu Contacted You?

After work, Lin Yunshu had dinner with Chen Shuyang.

Chen Shuyang had chosen the restaurant—a highly private Chinese establishment. Lin Yunshu arrived first, and ten minutes later, Chen Shuyang made a low-key entrance, sporting sunglasses and a long black leather coat that reached his calves.

Lin Yunshu: "..."

His eyebrow twitched uncontrollably.

This guy had grown up with him, practically raised by Lin Yunshu himself.

Having seen the kid in his snot-nosed, goofy days, Lin Yunshu now felt a familiar cringe watching his old acquaintance put on such airs.

Chen Shuyang sat down with a swagger, taking off his sunglasses. "I just threw out a casual invite—didn’t expect you’d actually show up."

"Casual?" Lin Yunshu retorted, displeased. "Does that mean having dinner with me is a burden?"

Chen Shuyang, who had been sitting with his legs crossed, finally yielded under Lin Yunshu’s expressionless gaze, a deference born of their long history.

"Come on, bro!" Chen Shuyang dropped the act. "We’re both adults now—you can’t look at me with the same eyes you used when tutoring my homework!"

"What’s wrong with the way I look at you?"

"It makes me squirm!" Chen Shuyang’s face scrunched up tightly. "When you look at me like that, I feel all itchy and remember all those exams I failed. It gives me nightmares, honestly."

Lin Yunshu found it baffling. "Is it really that exaggerated? I don’t recall ever scolding you—I’ve always used positive reinforcement."

"Oh, please, you and your…" Chen Shuyang seemed to have a thousand things he wanted to say, his lips twitching, but he held back in the end. "Never mind, it’s all in the past."

He sighed and changed the subject. "I’m just surprised I managed to get you to come out today."

"What makes you think I wouldn't come?" Lin Yunshu said leisurely, flipping through the menu. "Haven’t I always joined you whenever you wanted to eat?"

Chen Shuyang insisted, "Plenty of times, actually."

Lin Yunshu shot him a sharp look, and Chen Shuyang had no choice but to fall silent, calling the waiter over to order.

The dishes today were light, and Lin Yunshu picked at them half-heartedly, finding them tasteless.

Chen Shuyang said, "Your father-in-law died, right? I thought you’d be swamped today and wouldn’t have time for me."

"I am busy," Lin Yunshu said, "but not *that* busy."

Busy, yet feeling strangely empty—it was an odd sensation.

"Aren't you helping with the funeral arrangements?" Chen Shuyang asked.

"I can only give instructions, not handle things personally. Leave professional matters to professionals—I don’t know anything about funerals," Lin Yunshu chewed on some vegetables. "Besides, the ashes haven’t even returned yet."

Chen Shuyang found this statement a bit strange. He chewed on his chopsticks thoughtfully, sizing up Lin Yunshu’s listless appearance, and suddenly it clicked.

"Oh~!" He put down his chopsticks. "I get it now!"

Lin Yunshu was startled enough to drop his food. "Get what?"

"You miss him, don’t you?" Chen Shuyang said confidently. "You miss that big oaf!"

"You’re even defending him now," Chen Shuyang said, incredulous. "Never thought I’d see the day. In just a few months, you’ve gotten a taste of love's hardships. I always thought you were destined to be alone forever."

Lin Yunshu’s eyes flickered, and he clenched his fist as if struck by the truth.

"Just eat your food," he said, lowering his head and picking at his plate. "Stop meddling in other people’s business."

Chen Shuyang fell silent, shaking his head and clicking his tongue at Lin Yunshu’s evasiveness.

·

Lin Yunshu also felt that this separation was harder to bear than the last one.

It was strange—clearly, last time he had needed Zhou Yu’s pheromones more, but now, even though the biological bond maintained by pheromones had faded, he felt even more unsettled by Zhou Yu’s absence.

Was it because the weather was colder?

But the heating at home was always on—the temperature hadn’t changed at all. How could it be colder?

In the middle of the night, Lin Yunshu tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.

When dawn arrived, he heard the alarm clock ring.

He had actually stayed awake all night. Dazed, Lin Yunshu turned off the alarm, got out of bed mechanically, washed up, fed the cat, dressed neatly, and headed out.

Today, he was going to Zhou Yu’s family home—the ancestral estate built by Zhou Yu’s grandfather in the suburbs.

Lin Yunshu had only been to that house once, for Zhou Yu’s twenty-second birthday party.

Back then, the old Chairman was still alive, and Zhou Yu would occasionally visit him. After the old Chairman passed away, Zhou Yu hardly ever returned, and Lin Yunshu had no reason to go there either.

In the early morning, the light was faint, the sky pale and still, and the wind carried the dusty smell of poor air quality.

Lin Yunshu’s throat felt dry and scratchy. He tightened his scarf and lowered his head, breaking into a coughing fit.

Guo Shengyao was waiting for him at the entrance of the neighborhood. Seeing him come out, she jogged over and handed him an anti-smog mask.

"Master, put this on quickly," she said, her voice muffled by the mask she was already wearing. "It’s heavily polluted today."

Lin Yunshu took it and thanked her but didn’t put it on. "I’ll be in the car soon anyway."

Guo Shengyao thought for a moment. "Right."

She hurriedly opened the car door, shielding the frame with her hand, still full of energy early in the morning. "Master, after you!"

Lin Yunshu smiled faintly. "Thank you."

The estate was far from the city center—a three- to four-hour drive without traffic. Guo Shengyao had specifically chosen a spacious commercial vehicle to make the long journey more comfortable.

In the car, Lin Yunshu took off his scarf and laid it across his lap. Gazing aimlessly out the window, he began to feel drowsy.

Guo Shengyao stole a few glances at him and noticed his complexion was pale, and he didn’t look too well.

"Master?" Guo Shengyao called out tentatively. "Did you have breakfast?"

Wondering if Lin Yunshu might be feeling weak from waking up too early without eating, she quickly pulled a paper bag from the back seat.

"I packed some food. Would you like some?"

Lin Yunshu’s eyelashes fluttered, and his gaze shifted from the window.

He seemed a bit slow to respond today, and it took him a few seconds to ask Guo Shengyao, "What'd you bring?"

"Just some steamed buns, *youtiao*, soy milk, and porridge," Guo Shengyao opened the bag and held it out to Lin Yunshu. "I just picked up whatever was handy, see if there's anything you'd like to eat."

Lin Yunshu glanced at the full bag and smiled, "So much? That's not 'just whatever.'"

Guo Shengyao waved her hands dismissively, "It's really not that much."

Not wanting to disappoint the young woman's kindness, and feeling a bit dizzy from skipping breakfast, Lin Yunshu took a bowl of vegetable and shredded chicken porridge:

"I'll have this, thanks."

Seeing him willing to eat, Guo Shengyao felt a surge of pride. "Master, why are you being so polite with me?"

The porridge portion was quite generous. Lin Yunshu had always eaten slowly, and today he was a bit distracted. Half an hour later, Guo Shengyao noticed he had only had a little bit.

Lin Yunshu kept glancing at his phone between bites, his attention repeatedly drawn to the small screen.

Guo Shengyao had been observing him for a while and couldn't help but grow curious.

"Master, what are you always looking at?" she asked. "Waiting for someone's message?"

Lin Yunshu paused, looked up from his phone, and smiled awkwardly. "No."

"I'm sure you are," Guo Shengyao teased, winking. "Let me guess—did the boss forget to check in with you today?"

"Nothing like that, stop guessing." Lin Yunshu put down his phone.

Guo Shengyao saw through his denial and grinned even wider. "Oh, come on, alphas need their space too. If you loosen up a bit now, when the boss comes back, won't it be like a mini-honeymoon with even more passion?"

Her words grew increasingly inappropriate. Lin Yunshu noticed the driver's lips quirking up a few pixels and felt his face grow warm.

"Enough," he shot Guo Shengyao a look. "Just eat your breakfast."

Guo Shengyao stuck out her tongue playfully. "I finished ages ago."

Lin Yunshu shook his head and didn't respond.

He was feeling a little off—Zhou Yu hadn't messaged him in a long time.

With a seven-hour time difference, it was 11 p.m. where Zhou Yu was. That meant he hadn't contacted Lin Yunshu all afternoon.

But Zhou Yu was usually obsessive about checking in, reporting every sip of water and bathroom break to Lin Yunshu.

Before, Lin Yunshu had found it annoying, but now, with the notification sounds suddenly silent, he felt weirdly unsettled.

Lin Yunshu stared blankly at the chat window.

A sigh came from beside him. "Tsk!"

Guo Shengyao rested her chin in her hands, blinking her big eyes as she gazed at him.

Lin Yunshu felt uneasy under her stare. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Master," Guo Shengyao said helplessly, "if you miss him so much, just send him a message."

Lin Yunshu fell silent.

Guo Shengyao sighed repeatedly. "Not to criticize, but you're way too stubborn. Even though couples need space, I'm sure the boss doesn't want any space with you!"

Lin Yunshu touched the tip of his nose and stayed silent.

"Just send one," Guo Shengyao persisted. "If you take the initiative, the boss will be thrilled for at least three days and nights!"

That remark struck a chord with Lin Yunshu.

He waved dismissively. "I know, just leave me alone for now."

Guo Shengyao chuckled and turned away.

Lin Yunshu held his phone, hesitating over the chat box for a long time before sending:

"What are you up to?"

After sending it, he cringed at himself and tossed his phone aside.

He rarely initiated messages to Zhou Yu without a reason. If Zhou Yu asked what was wrong, he wouldn't be able to come up with an excuse on the spot.

Lin Yunshu tensed up for a few minutes, but his phone remained silent. His racing heart gradually calmed down.

By the time they arrived, the chat window was still quiet, with no response.

Lin Yunshu held his phone, feeling a sense of loss.

At this hour, Zhou Yu should still be awake...

The car door opened. Guo Shengyao hopped out first and hurried around to his side, holding the door and waving. "We're here, Master! What are you waiting for?"

Lin Yunshu snapped out of it. "...Nothing."

He collected his thoughts and got out. Not far away stood Zhou Yu's ancestral home.

The imposing traditional Chinese architecture loomed faintly through the mountain mist. Behind Lin Yunshu lay a mirror-like lake.

The purpose of today's visit was to discuss funeral arrangements with the elder uncles. Li Xun had already arrived and was waving to him from the vermilion main gate in the distance.

Lin Yunshu quickened his pace.

He was dressed in a somber black suit with a slim black tie. Only the snow-white collar of his shirt stood out like a soft glow in the fog, his face barely visible.

Li Xun took a few steps forward to meet him, noticing Lin Yunshu's dark, mist-dampened eyes.

"What's wrong, Yun Shu? Didn't sleep well last night?"

He led Lin Yunshu inside; he had visited this house more often than Lin Yunshu.

"No," Lin Yunshu denied instinctively, then smiled faintly, thinking of his panda eyes. "Well, maybe a little."

Li Xun reassured him, "Relax. Today is just to hear the elders' opinions on how to hold the funeral. Nothing will go wrong, don't worry."

Lin Yunshu didn't say that wasn't what he was worried about. He pressed his lips together and nodded. "Okay."

The interior of the ancestral home was vast. The aged solid wood structure naturally exuded a solemn, imposing atmosphere.

It was Guo Shengyao's first time here. Following Li Xun and Lin Yunshu through the intricate water-side corridors, she soon lost her sense of direction.

The sky visible in the corners seemed dull gray. The stagnant water of the winter pond was dotted with duckweed, and a chill seeped through the soles of her feet.

Ahead, Lin Yunshu and Li Xun's backs looked like two dark shadows. She quickened her pace to keep up.

"Xun-ge." Lin Yunshu suddenly called out to Li Xun.

Li Xun turned around, "What is it?"

"Has Zhou Yu contacted you today?" Lin Yunshu suddenly asked him.

"Me?" Li Xun was puzzled: "No, the boss usually only contacts me about work arrangements."

"I see..."

Lin Yunshu lowered his gaze, as if pondering something.

"We've arrived," he said to Lin Yunshu: "The elders are already waiting for you inside."