Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Shen Yue took the initiative, catching Wei Jinchuan off guard. Instead, it was Wei Jinchuan who was thrown off by the question.

The frustration and anxiety from searching for Shen Yue all day suddenly subsided. Wei Jinchuan swallowed his questions and said, "I was there, but I didn’t see you."

He had originally intended to say that he had looked for Shen Yue for a long time but couldn’t find him. At first, he even suspected that Shen Yue was deliberately avoiding him. But now, hearing Shen Yue’s concerned tone, all his doubts vanished, replaced by excuses he made on Shen Yue’s behalf.

Maybe he really was just busy? After all, it was the Shen grandmother’s 70th birthday, and the Shen family had so many guests coming and going. As the host, it was only natural for Shen Yue to be a little busy.

Shen Yue didn’t need to explain himself. As long as he showed the right attitude, Wei Jinchuan would automatically fill in the excuses in his mind. But Wei Jinchuan didn’t let it show; he didn’t want to appear too indulgent. "I thought you were deliberately avoiding me," he said.

"How could that be?"

Shen Yue chuckled, remembering to treat everyone equally as he pinched Zhong Yuan’s pitiful face.

He made a "wait a moment" gesture and effortlessly handled Wei Jinchuan: "I’d love to be with you. How could I possibly avoid you?"

Wei Jinchuan didn’t believe him. "Then when are you coming back?"

He was referring to the small apartment across from his own—the only property where he could keep tabs on Shen Yue’s movements.

Shen Yue apologized, "I’m not coming back tonight. My parents are back for a rare visit, so I’m staying home to spend time with them."

Wei Jinchuan said "oh," and though he tried hard to hide his emotions, Shen Yue could still detect a hint of disappointment in his tone.

Shen Yue soothed him, "I’ll come back to be with you once I’m done here. Be good and do as you’re told while you’re alone, okay?"

"..."

Hearing this doting tone he hadn't heard in a while, Wei Jinchuan felt as if a heavy stone were pressing down on his heart.

He tightened his grip on the phone and asked as casually as possible, "When will you be back?"

"It’s hard to say. My brother and my parents all want me to spend more time with them."

Shen Yue took the water Zhong Yuan handed him and smiled at him. Zhong Yuan was far more understanding than Wei Jinchuan. Even though he knew Shen Yue was dealing with a rival, he didn’t press or get angry. Instead, aware of Shen Yue’s stress, he massaged his temples from behind.

Shen Yue felt relaxed by the massage, which made him more tolerant of Wei Jinchuan. Sensing that Wei Jinchuan wasn’t satisfied with his answer, he teased, "What, are you jealous of my parents now?"

Wei Jinchuan had no problem with Shen Yue’s parents, but Shen Cuo... They had crossed paths twice, and the hostility in that man’s gaze was too obvious. Even if he was Shen Yue’s older brother, Wei Jinchuan didn’t dare let his guard down.

"Well, have a good time then," Wei Jinchuan finally relented, not pressing further. "Give my regards to your parents. I’ll visit them when I get the chance."

After hanging up, Shen Yue felt much more relaxed. But before he could even set his phone down, a tall figure lunged at him, pinning the wrist holding the phone to the sofa.

Shen Yue frowned, but when he looked up, he saw a pair of watery, pitiful eyes. Zhong Yuan buried his face against Shen Yue’s collarbone, his soft hair rubbing against Shen Yue’s chin, tickling him slightly.

Zhong Yuan gently bit his shoulder—it didn’t hurt but felt more like flirting. "...Mr. Shen."

He always knew his place, aware of the vast gap between himself and Shen Yue. Most of the time, he didn’t dare overstep and properly called him "President Shen." But when in the throes of passion, it was always the restrained yet adoring "Mr. Shen."

He never used this title in a proper context, and the term triggered a physical reaction in Shen Yue, making his lower back ache and his voice grow hoarse. "What is it?"

"Was that Young Master Wei?" Wei Jinchuan’s voice was too distinctive; even without putting the call on speaker, Zhong Yuan had recognized it.

Zhong Yuan muttered, "Are you involved with him now?"

Shen Yue looked at the person on top of him and found it amusing. "Are you jealous?"

"No, I’m just envious of him," Zhong Yuan denied. "He can ask about your whereabouts, and you’ll pacify him so gently. But I’m nothing—I don’t even have the right to be jealous."

He nuzzled and nibbled at Shen Yue’s collarbone until it was damp before finally letting go.

He was practically sitting on Shen Yue, their hips pressed together. His eyes hovered three centimeters above Shen Yue’s face. He wasn’t deliberately playing pitiful, but every expression screamed vulnerability.

"I’m a little sad," Zhong Yuan stared straight at him. "Can I kiss you?"

Cunning little puppy.

Shen Yue stared at him and suddenly laughed. He loosened his grip, letting his phone fall into the sofa. "Do you need to ask me?"

A glint flashed in Zhong Yuan’s eyes. He pinned Shen Yue’s hands down, leaving him no room to resist, and kissed him directly.

It was a lingering yet intense kiss.

Having been intimate with Shen Yue for so long, Zhong Yuan knew he preferred a more forceful approach. Someone like himself, who always sought permission before acting, could easily kill the mood. But he couldn’t help it—just seeing Shen Yue made it impossible for him to act disrespectfully.

But if Shen Yue wanted it, he would compensate with forceful action.

The moist sounds of kissing gradually filled the living room. After a while, the air in their mouths grew thin, and the two entangled figures finally separated, the earlier sounds replaced by ragged panting.

Zhong Yuan was already sitting on Shen Yue, and now the latter was left weak and limp, collapsing onto the sofa.

The person beneath him was struggling to breathe, tears welling in his eyes. Shen Yue’s nose was flushed red from friction, and his freshly bitten lips glistened with moisture.

This was a different Shen Yue—one who seemed to be begging to be teased.

A Shen Yue beneath him.

The well-fitted shirt outlined Shen Yue’s excellent physique under the light. The top button was fastened neatly, but the collar was slightly disheveled, and his bangs were tousled beyond recognition.

This Shen Yue... was now his alone—his Mr. Shen.

Zhong Yuan felt a rush of heat surge downward.

He thought he was being greedy. At first, he only wanted a ride from Shen Yue. Then, he wanted to invite him upstairs. Just now, driven by jealousy, he had played pitiful to earn a sweet kiss. But even now, it wasn’t enough. He actually wanted to do... something so indecent to Shen Yue.

Yet, aware of his greed, he still couldn’t bring himself to get up. Zhong Yuan’s gaze was dark and profound. He quietly stared at Shen Yue’s parted lips for several seconds before hoarsely calling out, "Mr. Shen..."

The overhead chandelier was too bright. Shen Yue shielded his eyes with one hand, squinting up at Zhong Yuan silhouetted against the light.

"You said earlier that you were at home with your parents and older brother," Zhong Yuan licked his lips. In moments like this, he was nothing like his usual obedient self—instead, he exuded the wildness of a hunter. "So where are your parents and brother now?"

Shen Yue narrowed his eyes and suddenly reached up to hook his arm around Zhong Yuan’s neck. He pulled him down until their faces were close, then whispered into his ear, nibbling on his earlobe, "Zhong Yuan... gege."

With a roar, all the blood in Zhong Yuan’s body rushed downward. Suddenly, he couldn’t wait any longer. Unconsciously, he tightened his grip on Shen Yue and asked, "Can I... do it with you here?"

Shen Yue was jolted back to his senses by the question. He didn’t speak, as if considering Zhong Yuan’s proposal.

Zhong Yuan’s voice was tinged with indescribable excitement. "But the soundproofing here isn’t great. You’ll have to keep quiet. You can bite my shoulder, scold me, kick me—do whatever you want, just don’t make any noise. Otherwise, the neighbors will hear."

Shen Yue’s eyes reddened at the corners as he glared fiercely at him.

"Can I?" Zhong Yuan persisted, relentlessly seeking Shen Yue’s consent. Part of him felt Shen Yue was too noble to be defiled, yet another part couldn’t help but wish Shen Yue would become like him, narrowing the gap between them. "You might not have done it in such a shabby place before, but it’s all the same. I’ll make you feel good—just don’t make any noise..."

If they made noise, the neighbors would hear. Tomorrow, when Mr. Shen accompanied him to fix the car, they might ask about their relationship. He could claim they were "friends" or "superior and subordinate," but no one would believe him. After all, the sounds they’d make tonight would hardly befit "friends" or "superior and subordinate."

But the neighbors wouldn't call them out. They would pretend to ask curiously, "Is that so?" while scrutinizing them with meaningful glances, thinking to themselves that they were a couple.

In their minds, they would be certain that Shen Yue belonged to him.

The more Zhong Yuan thought about it, the more his thoughts spiraled. He knew his mind was in the gutter, yet he couldn’t stop himself from letting it wander further. He didn’t know how many more "accidental" encounters like today he would have with Shen Yue, but it was clear Shen Yue wouldn’t belong solely to him. Even if it was just an illusion, he couldn’t wait to claim it.

"Can I, Mr. Shen?"

Blinking once, Zhong Yuan put back on his harmless, pitiful act: "Mr. Shen, please, I’m so uncomfortable."

Shen Yue was also struggling. He’d been aroused by Zhong Yuan’s rubbing, and he wasn’t in the habit of holding back. Now, with Zhong Yuan lingering and teasing, every nerve in his body was on fire yet left unresolved—it was maddening.

Waves of sensation washed over him one after another, scorching his will like wildfire, blurring the world until everything seemed hazy and indistinct.

Only the eyes before him remained piercingly clear.

Shen Yue finally regained a sliver of rationality. Tilting his head back to form a graceful line with his throat, he pushed Zhong Yuan’s shoulder: "Go to your room."

Zhong Yuan’s eyes lit up, and without hesitation, he swept Shen Yue into his arms and gently laid him flat on his own bed.

This time, Zhong Yuan was anything but gentle—there was even a hint of deliberate provocation, as if he were trying to prove something.

It was the most passionate, unrestrained, and exhilarating time they had ever shared.

When Shen Yue woke the next day, his mind was still foggy, but his aching body vividly recalled the previous night’s events, leaving him too exhausted to even lift a finger.

The space beside him was empty but still held a hint of warmth. Shen Yue wanted to call out, but as soon as he opened his mouth, his throat felt raw and torn.

"Mr. Shen, are you awake?"

The door suddenly opened, and Zhong Yuan walked in. Seeing his state, he gently helped him sit up: "How are you? Is there anywhere you’re uncomfortable?"

He looked so concerned that, had Shen Yue not remembered clearly, he might have forgotten this was the very person who’d put him in this state.

The night before, he had told him to stop countless times, but Zhong Yuan had persisted, ignoring his pleas and dragging things out until the dead of night.

Suddenly, Shen Yue remembered why he had broken things off with Zhong Yuan in the first place: his jealousy was too intense, his energy too boundless, and whenever he grew jealous, he’d never admit it—instead, he’d take it out on Shen Yue in bed, trying every which way to exhaust him. Shen Yue was getting older and couldn't quite keep up.

Silently making a mental note of this, Shen Yue resolved never to provoke Zhong Yuan again after this. His voice came out hoarse: "...Water."

Zhong Yuan quickly poured him a glass of warm water.

Apologetically, he said, "I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself yesterday. I won't let it happen again."

Shen Yue didn’t want to think about "again": "What time is it? When are we going to pick up your car?"

"It’s 11:30. We can go anytime. The repair shop owner called earlier and said the car is ready."

Zhong Yuan paused before adding, "Your phone kept ringing while you were asleep, Mr. Shen. Should I bring it to you?"

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Author’s Note: Readers say this chapter has nothing in it, yet such an innocent chapter got locked over twenty times. JJ, you’re really doomed.