Chapter 32: The Fastidious White Moonlight in an NP Story (1)

Chapter 32 The Fastidious White Moonlight in an NP Novel (1)

After collecting his thoughts, Yun Jinqiu rose and headed to the bathroom.

His reflection in the mirror was still his original self, though his attire had shifted to match his character. He was clad in a pristine white suit, white gloves adorning his hands, impeccably clean from head to toe—like a feather, a snowflake. Ethereal and gleaming white, his appearance instantly conveyed his mysophobia.

Yun Jinqiu brushed a strand of hair from his ear. Unlike the previous world, he now sported long hair, reaching his lower back. His ink-black tresses cascaded behind him like silk. Were it not for his 185 cm height, one might mistake him for a tall, aloof beauty from behind. This hardly seemed like a top.

Oh, right.

Yun Jinqiu suddenly recalled—he was a top in this world. The White Moonlight Cannon Fodder Top.

Yun Jinqiu cleared his throat softly and turned to descend the stairs. He currently resided in the Yun family’s ancestral home, slated to move out only after encountering the protagonist bottom.

Life in the old Yun mansion wasn't particularly convenient. This wasn't merely due to his father and stepmother, but also his brother, who perpetually seemed to oppose him.

Strictly speaking, it wasn't always opposition; most of the time, they were indifferent to each other, like strangers. Yet, when power and advantage were at stake, their dynamic invariably shifted. They became adversaries. Whatever Yun Jinqiu desired, Yun Yan would seize. Whatever Yun Yan coveted, Yun Jinqiu would claim. Over time, their relationship became utterly irreconcilable.

Recently, Yun Yan had been away on a business trip, granting Yun Jinqiu a rare few days of tranquility. But today, Yun Yan was due to return.

Yun Yan wasn't one for commotion. He never initiated conversation with Yun Jinqiu, nor did Yun Jinqiu seek him out. Still, having such a presence in the house always felt somewhat unsettling. And this discomfort was mutual.

The downstairs hall had been immaculate, but Yun Yan's return meant his suitcase left a tell-tale mark on the floor.

Standing on the stairs, Yun Jinqiu couldn't help but frown.

A servant, noticing this, swiftly wheeled the suitcase away and vigorously scrubbed the floor with a towel.

Yun Yan emerged from the dining room, a glass of red wine in hand. Spotting Yun Jinqiu on the stairs, he let out a cold snort and turned towards the garden.

Yun Jinqiu watched him, his voice low. "You didn't change your shoes."

Yun Yan looked up, scoffing. "What's it to you?"

Yun Jinqiu gazed down at him, his eyes chillingly indifferent. His thick, curled eyelashes, like raven's wings, cast shadows beneath his lids. In the soft gloom, only those eyes sparkled like stars—clear and unnervingly captivating.

Yun Yan was momentarily stunned. Yun Jinqiu seemed different, but he couldn't quite pinpoint how.

Yun Jinqiu lowered his gaze and descended the stairs. He stood in the living room, quietly maintaining his distance from Yun Yan.

"This house isn't yours alone."

"Oh really?" Yun Yan retorted instinctively. "You're the only one here with mysophobia. Do you expect everyone to accommodate you?"

"Shouldn't they?" Yun Jinqiu shot him a glance. His eyes were breathtakingly beautiful, especially when he looked sideways at someone—both haughty and cold. Most people would find such a gaze off-putting, but he was too beautiful. When he looked at someone like that, it actually made them feel excited.

Yun Yan had never felt this way before. But now, he felt his heart was about to leap from his chest.

Yun Jinqiu settled onto the sofa and poured himself a cup of black tea.

"In this household, you and your mother are the outsiders. Deferring to the master of the house is only natural."

This was the nature of Yun Jinqiu and Yun Yan's interactions—no wonder they were like fire and water.

Yun Yan couldn't help but chuckle at this, yet found himself without a retort.

"Alright, if Dad agrees, my mother and I will move out."

Yun Jinqiu glanced at the teacup, ensuring it was his usual one before taking a relieved sip.

"Why pretend? You know perfectly well that Dad won't agree to you moving out."

For Yun Yan and his mother, residing in the Yun family's ancestral home was a validation of their status. Having finally moved in, there was no way they would leave.

"If you know that, then why all the talk?" Yun Yan's tone held a hint of complaint.

Yun Jinqiu ceased responding to Yun Yan. Yet Yun Yan, uncharacteristically, sat opposite him, observing him thoughtfully.

Frowning, Yun Jinqiu set down his teacup and turned to go upstairs.

"Auntie Lin, please bring dinner to my room when it's ready."

"Sure thing," Auntie Lin replied.

Yun Yan watched Yun Jinqiu's retreating figure, his expression complex as he stroked his chin.

He'd known for a while that Yun Jinqiu had germophobia, but it was the first time he realized its severity.

Was no one allowed within three meters of him?

Yun Yan raised an eyebrow.

Yun Jinqiu's bedroom, much like his study, was decorated in cold blacks, whites, and grays, devoid of warmth. Yun Jinqiu favored simple, clear-cut things, ensuring no hidden corners for dirt. He suspected he not only had germophobia but also OCD.

Shortly after Yun Yan's return, his father and stepmother also came back. His stepmother's surname was Song; Yun Jinqiu addressed her as Aunt Song. No one dared correct Yun Jinqiu's form of address—except Yun Zhong. Because Yun Zhong was Yun Jinqiu's father, but even when Yun Zhong spoke, Yun Jinqiu didn't always listen. So it was all in vain.

"Celebration banquet?" Yun Jinqiu frowned slightly; he disliked crowds. But calculating the timing, he would probably run into the protagonist at this celebration banquet, right?

Yun Jinqiu twisted the ring on his thumb. It was a ruby ring, which, paired with his snow-white gloves, created an eerily beautiful effect. Yun Yan's gaze was unconsciously drawn to it.

Lately, he had been paying extra attention to Yun Jinqiu's every move. For example, this ring was probably newly purchased by Yun Jinqiu recently. When Yun Jinqiu was deep in thought, he liked to twist this ring. It was an unconscious little habit of his.

Yun Yan couldn’t help but take a step closer to Yun Jinqiu. Yun Jinqiu keenly noticed and glared at him, taking a reluctant step back. Yun Yan's heart leaped, and he took another step forward.

Yun Jinqiu asked impatiently, "What are you doing?"

Yun Yan: "I want to see just how severe your germophobia is."

To Yun Jinqiu, his words sounded more like a provocation.

"None of your business," Yun Jinqiu said coldly.

Yun Yan hesitated, wanting to say more but holding back.

Yun Jinqiu didn’t understand—Yun Yan seemed to have turned into a misbehaving child overnight. Every day, he found new ways to irritate and repel him, as if it were great fun. Perhaps their relationship had deteriorated again, which was why Yun Yan was being so brazen. Yun Jinqiu didn’t pay it much mind.

Compared to Yun Yan, Yun Jinqiu came from a proper, scholarly family. His every movement seemed to carry a poetic grace, and even his breath was filled with a refreshing, delicate fragrance.

Yun Yan seemed to have discovered something interesting. He would quietly edge closer to Yun Jinqiu, only to be driven back by Yun Jinqiu's glare. But he didn’t feel discouraged; instead, he silently calculated that today he had gotten one centimeter closer to Yun Jinqiu. Sooner or later, he would cross Yun Jinqiu's so-called safe distance.

And after crossing it? A restless energy stirred in Yun Yan's chest.

Two days later, the celebration banquet took place as scheduled.

The grand hall was brilliantly lit, and the champagne tower glittered under the warm golden lights.

Yun Jinqiu held his wine glass, with a continuous stream of people coming up to speak to him, yet all maintained an unspoken social distance. Yun Yan followed at a respectful distance behind him. Dressed in a white suit with a high stand-up collar that framed his slender neck, Yun Jinqiu’s erect posture and striking features made him resemble a prince from ancient Greek mythology. Yun Yan, clad in a well-tailored black suit, stood half-hidden in the shadows, his handsome face appearing somewhat stern.

"Young Master Yun, long time no see," a middle-aged man walked right up and clinked his glass against Yun Jinqiu's.

Yun Jinqiu frowned.

Yun Yan stepped in smoothly, took the glass right out of Yun Jinqiu’s hand, and said with a smile, "Long time no see, Uncle Yang. I hope all is well."

Yun Jinqiu’s frown deepened. He glanced at Yun Yan, then turned away without a word and went to the lounge to change his gloves.

By the time he returned, Yun Yan was already surrounded by a crowd. Yun Jinqiu snorted coldly and disdainfully averted his gaze, only to bump into a waiter. The waiter was surprisingly strong, nearly sent him stumbling. But before he could stumble, a strong arm caught him.

A guest passing by gasped, drawing everyone’s attention.

Yun Yan pushed through the crowd and rushed to Yun Jinqiu’s side.

"What happened?"

Yun Jinqiu’s nose collided with a firm chest, and the scent of soap wafted into his nostrils. Frowning, he looked up and met a handsome, clear-eyed gaze.

Startled, Yun Jinqiu pushed the person away reflexively, bracing for the usual wave of nausea. But to his surprise, he found no such desire. He stood frozen, bewildered.

Yun Yan stepped forward, holding Yun Jinqiu’s arm, and asked worriedly, "Are you okay?"

"..." This time, Yun Jinqiu actually felt sick. He shoved Yun Yan away and stared at the waiter in astonishment. His shock was not feigned—it was real.

Yun Jinqiu never expected the male lead to be so... strapping? He had to be over 190 cm. He had assumed the male lead in this world would be a pretty boy like Yu Wanqiu. Could it be that this waiter wasn’t the male lead? Yet, he felt no aversion to this person’s touch.

After a moment of silence, Yun Jinqiu suddenly reached out and grabbed the waiter’s wrist. The waiter’s heart raced as he looked at Yun Jinqiu anxiously, feeling as if his heart might stop.

Yun Yan stared in shock at Yun Jinqiu’s hand.

"What’s your name?" Yun Jinqiu asked intently, his gaze fixed on the waiter.

"I... I’m He Yuan," the waiter replied softly.

"He Yuan..." Yun Jinqiu confirmed that this person was indeed the male lead. Perhaps there were too many gongs in this world, requiring more stamina, so the male lead’s setting had been strengthened. Otherwise, with such a large harem, the male lead might not be able to handle it.

Lost in thought, Yun Jinqiu released He Yuan and pulled a business card from his wallet, handing it to him.

"My name is Yun Jinqiu. If you ever need anything, you can come to me."

The snow-white, gold-embossed business card gleamed under the lights.

He Yuan stared at the card, his throat inexplicably dry. Like a robot, he accepted it stiffly and gave a stiff bow in thanks. Only after Yun Jinqiu left did he let out a sigh of relief. He had thought the guest was going to complain about him—it seemed he'd been worried over nothing.

He Yuan’s eyes darkened as he unconsciously rubbed his thumb over the name on the business card.

Yun Jinqiu...

Even the name seemed to carry a crisp, cool scent.