Chapter 10 Emotional Anchor

Chapter 10: Emotional Anchor

The Zerg blood on the youth had been completely washed away, and the servants had dressed him in clean, comfortable clothes.

He lay there quietly, occasionally furrowing his brow as if trapped in a nightmare.

Lin Juangui sat beside him, staring at the youth’s face, a grim darkness in his eyes he'd never had before.

Only a nightlight was on in the room, its soft glow making the youth’s cheeks look even more exquisitely defined, yet with a touch of youthful delicacy and leanness compared to his older self.

Lin Juangui looked away, took a deep breath, and glanced at [Lin Juangui] sitting in a chair on the other side, as if silently asking: Didn’t you say he wouldn’t appear until later in the story?

[Lin Juangui] knew there were many of Mu Zhang’s informants in the mansion. Although Lin Juangui spoke without restraint when addressing him, he had overheard servants speculating about Lin Juangui’s mental state.

To protect Lin Juangui’s reputation, [Lin Juangui] felt it necessary to provide an explanation whenever Lin Juangui seemed confused.

"After all, Mu Zhang and I never had this wedding, and Mu Yuanqing didn’t even know I existed. Even if he saved the second male lead around the same time, I wouldn’t have known. But isn’t this better? Weren't you just thinking about how to get the second male lead on your side?"

Indeed, according to [Lin Juangui]’s description, the second male lead in this book would later rise to a status nearly equal to Mu Yuanqing’s. Mu Yuanqing, being older, had grown weary and powerless in many matters, including his emotional tug-of-war with Mu Zhang.

The second male lead could sense Mu Yuanqing’s reluctance and pain regarding this relationship, so he offered to help Mu Yuanqing, only to be targeted by Mu Zhang.

Without the protagonist's plot armor, no matter how hard the second male lead tried, he couldn’t compete with the male lead. Mu Yuanqing even told him not to interfere in his affairs with Mu Zhang.

Disheartened, the second male lead volunteered to exterminate the Zerg, but he never returned.

Another familiar plot-driven death.

Lin Juangui’s initial plan was to support the second male lead mentioned by [Lin Juangui], turning him into a sharp blade driven between Mu Zhang and Mu Yuanqing. He would do everything in his power to help the second male lead and Mu Yuanqing be together.

Once the second male lead became Mu Zhang’s equal, he might just stand a chance against the protagonist's plot armor.

But now, discovering that the second male lead was actually Huo Zeshen, Lin Juangui felt as if fate was playing a cruel joke on him.

Lost at sea during a storm, Huo Zeshen had vanished without a trace.

Exactly like the fate of Huo Zeshen in this book.

Lin Juangui rubbed his forehead, visibly agitated.

He didn't care about his own life—as long as he could drag Mu Zhang down, his mission would be accomplished. Mu Yuanqing would surely be heartbroken, achieving [Lin Juangui]’s goal.

But the second male lead he had intended to use turned out to be the younger self of the boyfriend Lin Juangui had longed for. Lin Juangui couldn’t stand idly by.

The question was, was the youth before him really his little boyfriend?

The obsessive second male lead was destined to fall for the protagonist. Could Lin Juangui bear to watch the person he had loved for years pursue someone else?

Beneath his calm surface, Lin Juangui was in turmoil. Countless thoughts tore at his mind; it had been years since he felt so helpless.

Just as Lin Juangui lowered his gaze in thought, the youth on the bed suddenly sat up, gasping for breath. He looked around the unfamiliar room and at the stunningly beautiful... Omega?

The Omega’s attention snapped to the youth. He approached and asked, “What’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare? Don’t worry, you’re safe now. No more bugs will come.”

“Where is this?” the youth whispered, his forehead dotted with fine sweat from the nightmare.

Lin Juangui took a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped the sweat away. “This is Sailing Star. You and a few other children were rescued. Are you hungry? I’ll have someone bring some food.”

Huo Zeshen’s lips trembled, tears welling in his eyes as he bit his lip, shaking. “Only... a few children survived?”

Lin Juangui didn’t know how to comfort him. He could only step forward and hold Huo Zeshen tightly, patting his back. “You're lucky to be alive. These hardships will make you stronger. The loved ones you’ve lost will watch over you as stars. They all hope you’ll live a better life.”

Huo Zeshen didn’t know who this person was, but the embrace felt warm and reassuring.

He let his emotions pour out, crying with suppressed sobs.

Lin Juangui’s heart ached, his own face reflecting the despair he felt.

When Huo Zeshen had gone missing, Lin Juangui lost his usual composure. Like a madman, he hired divers and body retrievers, but none of the bodies were Huo Zeshen.

Everyone around him insisted Huo Zeshen was dead, urging Lin Juangui to hold a funeral with his belongings. But Lin Juangui stubbornly believed Huo Zeshen couldn’t have died so easily.

Lin Juangui’s condition deteriorated, making him unfit for his corporate role, so he resigned.

However, his resignation letter was tremblingly returned by the HR manager, who said Zhou Yi had heard about it and wanted Lin Juangui to meet him at the Zhou family estate.

Zhou Yi’s grandfather had been Lin Juangui’s benefactor. After Old Master Zhou’s death, he left Lin Juangui some shares, binding him to the Zhou family to prevent Zhou Yi from squandering the family fortune.

Lin Juangui disliked Zhou Yi and had never been kind to him. But remembering the old man’s final wishes and years of kindness, he asked his driver to take him to the Zhou estate.

As soon as he entered, Lin Juangui heard Zhou Yi’s furious shouts. He glanced at the butler, who merely gestured for him to proceed to the main hall without a word.

Zhou Yi, though younger than Lin Juangui, looked haggard from a life of indulgence.

Seeing Lin Juangui, he threw his belt aside and rushed over as if boasting. “I found out who killed Huo Zeshen! Juangui, I made him pay with his life. Please don’t leave the Zhou family, don’t leave me, okay?”

At the mention of Huo Zeshen, Lin Juangui’s eyes shifted. His expressionless face was terrifying. Zhou Yi’s childhood friend, kneeling on the floor, trembled and confessed everything.

Ever since Lin Juangui and Huo Zeshen got together, Zhou Yi had resented it. He felt he had known Lin Juangui longer—why should an outsider take his place?

But no matter how he acted out, Lin Juangui paid him no mind, and his grandfather had warned him not to interfere in Lin Juangui’s personal life.

Frustrated, Zhou Yi could only vent his anger.

After the old man’s death, Zhou Yi’s friend saw an opportunity. Needing a favor from Zhou Yi for his family, he asked Zhou Yi, while drunk, if he wanted Lin Juangui and Huo Zeshen to break up.

“Of course I do... but they’re so inseparable! What can I do? If only Huo Zeshen would disappear...”

His friend’s eyes lit up. “Exactly! If Huo Zeshen disappears, no one will stand in your way. I have a plan—if you trust me.”

“Heh... You have a plan? Then try it. I’m out of ideas...”

Zhou Yi never imagined his drunken words would lead to Lin Juangui losing Huo Zeshen forever. His friend even bragged about it later, claiming he acted on Zhou Yi’s behalf when Lin Juangui fell into despair.

Enraged, Zhou Yi admitted he wanted Huo Zeshen gone but lacked the courage. If Lin Juangui discovered Zhou Yi’s involvement, he would surely sell his shares and cut all ties with the Zhou family.

As Zhou Yi feared, Lin Juangui stomped on his friend’s face, his expression chilling. “Zhou Yi, you’re not a child. You know some responsibilities can’t be shifted onto others. Your grandfather’s kindness is the only reason I’m still rational. We live under the rule of law—even if I want your friend’s life, I’ll follow procedure. As for you...”

Lin Juangui stepped forward and punched Zhou Yi hard in the face.

“For years, I’ve dedicated myself to the Zhou family. The chairman appreciated me and gave me a chance, but that doesn’t mean I sold my life to you. Don’t try to shackle me with morality—it won’t work. I’ve done enough for you, Zhou Yi. I’ll spare your life to repay the debt. But if you ever show your face again, I’ll cut your dick off. I mean it.”

Lin Juangui had practiced boxing for years. Unsurprisingly, he shattered two of Zhou Yi’s teeth.

As Lin Juangui left, Zhou Yi’s friend crawled over, grabbing Zhou Yi’s hand, his face still bearing the imprint of Lin Juangui’s shoe. “Zhou Yi! You have to save me! I did it for you!”

“Get lost!” Zhou Yi shoved him away, kicking him repeatedly. “This is all your fault! You deserve to die! Die!”

After learning the truth, Lin Juangui did not return to the company. After reporting the incident to the police, he bought the fastest ticket and flew abroad.

He wouldn't rest until he found Huo Zeshen.

Guilt and hatred shrouded Lin Juangui. He wondered if Huo Zeshen could have avoided this fate if he had never been with him.

It was his fault—he was the one who'd brought this on Huo Zeshen.

Lin Juangui looked completely broken as he boarded the plane; it was heartbreaking to see. A flight attendant approached and asked if he needed any assistance. Lin Juangui shook his head, saying, "I might... need to sleep."

"Of course. There are earplugs and an eye mask in the armrest compartment. Shall I dim the lights around your seat? I hope you can get some good rest."

"Thank you."

Badly needing sleep, Lin Juangui never expected to wake up in another world—all because of a plane crash.

He truly was cursed with bad luck—how could such a thing happen to him?

Yet, the current situation made Lin Juangui wonder about a certain possibility.

Since he'd been in a plane crash, he must undoubtedly be dead—but what about Huo Zeshen? Could he have also ended up in this world?

However, after crying, Huo Zeshen, the young man in his arms, drifted back into a deep slumber. Seeing him so grief-stricken, Lin Juangui dismissed the thought.

Better to treat him as the second male lead; otherwise, Lin Juangui would get stuck in emotional turmoil he couldn’t escape.

As long as Huo Zeshen was alive, he would remain Lin Juangui’s reason to go on.

Now, just like Huo Zeshen, Lin Juangui needed a reason to keep living.