Chapter 6: The Returned White Moonlight (6)

Chapter 6: The Returning White Moonlight (Six)

So Yu Wanqiu mustered all his strength to bolt from Li Su's room and, with his last shred of rationality, knocked on Yun Jinqiu's door. The moment the door opened, he realized he was finally safe. In that sudden wave of relief, the drug surged through his entire body, causing him to act out of character.

"Well, well," Yun Jinqiu clicked his tongue with a complicated expression upon confirming it was indeed Li Su who had drugged him. "He's got a lot of nerve."

"What do you plan to do? Do you need me to call a doctor?" Yun Jinqiu asked.

Yu Wanqiu weakly shook his head. "No need, I should be able to handle it myself. May I use your bathroom?" He looked up.

"Of course," Yun Jinqiu nodded slightly and pointed in the direction of the bathroom.

"Thank you." Yu Wanqiu staggered into the bathroom.

Inside, the scent of the bubble bath hadn’t completely faded. As he breathed in the fragrance, Yu Wanqiu found himself inexplicably thinking of the faint, clean scent he had noticed on Yun Jinqiu that afternoon. His heart raced as he sat on the toilet lid, reaching down to clumsily pleasure himself.

Outside, Yun Jinqiu paced around the living room, pondering how to handle Yu Wanqiu’s situation.

Just then, his door was knocked on again. Yun Jinqiu could guess who it was; he scoffed softly and walked over leisurely to open the door. As expected, it was Li Su.

"What do you want?" Yun Jinqiu asked sharply.

Seeing Yun Jinqiu in a bathrobe, Li Su couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

"Did anyone pass by your room just now?"

Yun Jinqiu crossed his arms. "How would I know? I’ve had the door closed and didn’t hear anything outside."

"Really?" Li Su asked.

"Why would I lie to you?" Yun Jinqiu leaned casually against the doorframe, his devil-may-care attitude making Li Su’s mouth go dry. "No offense, but you’re injured like this—you shouldn’t be stirring up trouble. Focus on recovering."

Li Su could barely process Yun Jinqiu’s words. "I’ll take that as concern."

Yun Jinqiu’s expression darkened instantly; his usually gentle eyes now sharp and icy.

"I’m not concerned about you."

With that, Yun Jinqiu slammed the door in Li Su’s face, adding another bruise to Li Su’s already swollen face.

Yun Jinqiu could hardly recall why he had ever been friends with Li Su. He only remembered how, back in middle school, Li Su had followed him around like a lapdog every day. Over time, they became acquainted. Yun Jinqiu didn’t mind Li Su’s wild lifestyle—that was a personal choice. But drugging someone to assault them? That crossed Yun Jinqiu’s line. If Yu Wanqiu wanted to press charges, he could even report Li Su to the police.

After he was done, Yu Wanqiu emerged from the bathroom and stood awkwardly in the living room.

Yun Jinqiu, seated on the sofa, glanced up at him and then stood to pour Yu Wanqiu a glass of water.

"Have a seat. There are some things I want to ask you."

"...Okay," Yu Wanqiu replied, holding the water glass and sitting opposite Yun Jinqiu.

"What was Li Su offering you to be with him?"

"He said he’d give me two million a month. But I didn’t take it," Yu Wanqiu answered weakly.

"Why not?" Yun Jinqiu asked.

"I don’t want to be with him. I don’t want to sell myself…" Yu Wanqiu trailed off. Even though he had only known Yun Jinqiu for half a day, he inexplicably felt that Yun Jinqiu was someone he could trust.

"I see," Yun Jinqiu nodded slightly. "Then why did you come today?"

"He threatened me. If I didn’t obey him, he’d revoke my scholarship. Everyone knows his father is a school board member," Yu Wanqiu said, his mood sinking.

"His father has invested in a few schools, sure. But how much is a scholarship worth? He used that to pressure you?" Yun Jinqiu frowned.

"No," Yu Wanqiu said urgently. "I earned that scholarship through my own efforts—it’s what I deserve. And that money is very important to me."

"In that case," Yun Jinqiu paused thoughtfully, "I’ll help you with the school board issue. A simple phone call would suffice."

"The scholarship that’s rightfully yours will remain yours."

Yu Wanqiu’s eyes lit up. "Really? Thank you!"

Yun Jinqiu pressed his lips together slightly. "As for Li Su, he probably won’t have a chance to bother you again."

If Li Su’s father found out what he had done, he’d likely break his legs. School board members dread nothing more than scandals that could land them in the news.

"Really?" Yu Wanqiu went from excitement to flustered disbelief. "I... I don’t know how to thank you."

"It’s nothing." Yun Jinqiu waved a hand. "Consider it a small favor; think of it as making a friend."

Yu Wanqiu’s heart skipped a beat at those words. He stared blankly at Yun Jinqiu and nodded dazedly.

"...Okay."

"Where will you sleep tonight? There are plenty of empty rooms in this hotel," Yun Jinqiu shifted positions, leaning back comfortably on the sofa.

"I’m not sure. I’m too scared to go out," Yu Wanqiu sighed.

"If you really don’t dare to leave, then I’m afraid you’ll have to make do with the sofa." His suite was a single room—spacious but with only one bed.

"It’s no hardship, not at all," Yu Wanqiu quickly said. "I’ve slept on park benches before; the sofa is much softer than that."

Yun Jinqiu: "..." It seemed Yu Wanqiu had had a tough life.

"Alright then, the sofa is yours." He was a restless sleeper; sharing a bed could lead to accidents.

"Okay." Yu Wanqiu smiled faintly. "Thank you." Besides thanks, he didn’t know what else to say.

On the TV, the horror movie that had been ignored until now reached its climax. A sudden ghostly face appeared, and screams filled the room.

Yu Wanqiu’s hand trembled, nearly spilling his water, his face pale as he stared at the screen. Clearly, he was badly frightened.

"This…" he stammered, pointing a shaky finger at the TV. Was it haunted?

Yun Jinqiu immediately turned off the TV.

"Uh, just a little bedtime story. Personal preference, don’t mind it."

Yu Wanqiu looked startled. "Bedtime story?" Yun Jinqiu’s tastes were quite unique.

Yu Wanqiu fell silent.

That night, everyone slept restlessly—except for Yun Jinqiu. Yun Jinqiu always slept soundly. Perhaps, as the saying goes, ignorance is bliss.

The next morning, Shang Wenyi woke up early and knocked on Yun Jinqiu’s door. In the suite, Yun Jinqiu was still asleep, but Yu Wanqiu drowsily got up from the sofa. Hearing the knocking, he glanced at the sleeping Yun Jinqiu. Not daring to wake him, Yu Wanqiu hesitated but decided to answer the door himself.

"Hello, can I help you?" Yu Wanqiu asked nervously.

Shang Wenyi hadn't expected the person who answered the door to be Yu Wanqiu. He frowned, surprised, and asked, "Why are you here?"

The moment Shang Wenyi saw Yu Wanqiu, he was reminded of that disgusting Li Su. He could easily imagine Li Su holding Yu Wanqiu while calling him "A-Qiu." So, the similarity in their names was no coincidence. Shang Wenyi loathed Li Su, and he detested Yu Wanqiu by association. In his eyes, the existence of these two was nothing short of a desecration to Yun Jinqiu.

"Why are you here!" Seeing Yu Wanqiu remain silent, Shang Wenyi snapped.

Yu Wanqiu flinched at the shout. He keenly sensed Shang Wenyi's dislike for him. But remembering that Shang Wenyi and Yun Jinqiu were on good terms, he patiently explained, "Something happened last night, and I had no choice but to come here to crash for the night..."

"Crash for the night? Do you think you're Tang Seng?" Shang Wenyi's eyes darkened, his tone icy. "Get out! Get the hell out!"

Yu Wanqiu turned pale, stood there meekly, not daring to move an inch.

"What's all the noise?"

Yun Jinqiu, running a hand through his unruly hair, walked out of the bedroom. His sleepy expression softened Shang Wenyi's mood, but the unwelcome presence remained. Shang Wenyi shoved Yu Wanqiu out and slammed the door.

Yu Wanqiu stared at the closed door, hugging himself and shrinking back. He thought about knocking but hesitated for a long time before giving up. Shang Wenyi and Yun Jinqiu were good friends—what was he, just a nobody? If possible, he wanted to go home early. This was not where he belonged.

Inside the suite, Shang Wenyi advanced on Yun Jinqiu. Yun Jinqiu couldn't help but yawn. He still wanted to get some more sleep.

Seeing Yun Jinqiu like this, Shang Wenyi shook his head helplessly.

"Why was that person in your room just now?" He could probably guess the reason, but he wanted to hear it from Yun Jinqiu.

"Speaking of that, it makes me angry. Li Su went too far—he actually slipped Yu Wanqiu something. If Yu Wanqiu hadn't been clever enough to run to me for help, who knows what would have happened last night."

Shang Wenyi fell silent for a moment. "He came to you for help after being drugged? How did you help him?"

"How else could I help him? I offered to find him a doctor, but he refused. So, I had to let him handle it himself in the bathroom." Yun Jinqiu was still wearing his robe. He wanted to change clothes but paused after loosening the belt, glancing up at Shang Wenyi.

"Go out first. I need to change." He had nothing on underneath, not even underwear. Even though Yun Jinqiu was easygoing, he wasn't an exhibitionist.

Ignoring him, Shang Wenyi stepped forward and grabbed Yun Jinqiu's arm, his eyes sharply scanning the disheveled bed.

"Where did he sleep last night?"

"Ah," Yun Jinqiu shook off Shang Wenyi impatiently. "He slept on the sofa, of course. There are pillows and a blanket there—can't you see?"

Only then did Shang Wenyi relax.

Author's Note: