Chapter 56 I’ll Agree to Anything You Say

Chapter 56: I’ll Agree to Anything

The calm, orderly ripples on the river were disturbed.

Chen Su watched the shimmering surface of the water, his heart aching, as if he had fallen into the river, water flooding his nose and lungs. He couldn’t utter a single sound, his breath even stalling.

Uncle Wen stood in front of Chen Su, blocking him.

In late January, the Huai River was bitterly cold. Jumping in without warming up could easily cause cramps. To make matters worse, a light drizzle began to fall from the sky—light for now, but impossible to tell when it might intensify. The swift current of the river showed no trace of any figure.

Uncle Wen had driven for Zhao Jinzong for a long time, but this was the first time he had seen Zhao Jinzong so beside himself.

What was claimed to be a means of pursuit, of winning favor, seemed more like a gamble. A gamble on himself, betting on Chen Su’s feelings.

Chen Su’s fingertips curled, trembling with the force of his grip. He clenched his jaw, his worry multiplied with every passing second.

In the Huai River, there was no “thing” Chen Su had lost. There was no way Zhao Jinzong could find it.

The reason Chen Su had never told Zhao Jinzong what he had lost was because it was never a physical object to begin with. It was a person, a family.

Chen Su’s father had injured his leg while working, making it hard for him to get around in the fields and work. All the family’s savings had been poured into treatment. After enduring several years in a state of mental decline, watching young Chen Su toil for him, and not wanting to be a burden to his son, he had jumped off the Huaicheng Bridge into the Huai River, taking his own life.

That day, Chen Su’s father had asked a fellow villager to bring him to the county town. He delivered a meal to Chen Su, then stood on the Huaicheng Bridge, gazing in the direction of Chen Su’s school. In the dead of night, in the early hours, he jumped.

Chen Su couldn’t bring himself to lay these matters bare and tell Zhao Jinzong.

Sharing the past and family matters would bring them far too close. Chen Su was also afraid he would break down and cry. He had never even told Xiao Li about his history.

He didn’t want Zhao Jinzong to carry his emotional burden. He didn’t want Zhao Jinzong to pity him, to remember too many of his tragic, pitiful stories.

He only wanted Zhao Jinzong to stay far away from him.

But he seemed utterly unable to do that…

Zhao Jinzong was impossible to push away. Even if Chen Su retreated a hundred steps, Zhao Jinzong would advance a thousand.

Zhao Jinzong had grasped Chen Su in the darkness, caught him, carried him, and pulled him toward the light. Pulling someone along was terribly exhausting, yet Zhao Jinzong had never let go…

Zhao Jinzong still hadn’t surfaced for air. Uncle Wen watched Chen Su, who was stiff all over and silent. He didn’t know whether Zhao Jinzong’s gamble would pay off, and couldn’t help feeling worried. He reminded, “Mr. Chen, the Director has an injured arm. The river water is dirty, and the wound…”

Chen Su stepped forward. “Zhao Jinzong.”

His voice was loud, almost tearing at his throat, and he called out again: “Zhao Jinzong!”

The water’s surface was calm, with no response.

Chen Su’s heart was thrown into turmoil.

He was afraid. Afraid of losing Zhao Jinzong in the Huai River—losing the most important person in his life.

—Brother, you have to think more about yourself.

Xiao Li’s words surfaced in his mind. Now, Xiao Li’s health had improved a lot. The Drug Supervision Bureau wasn’t as inactive as Chen Su had imagined. He and Sheng Beiqing had already divorced; there had never been any real feelings between them…

The weight in Chen Su’s heart was almost lifted. If there was one regret, it was Zhao Jinzong.

He had never dated Zhao Jinzong.

Chen Su had always rebuffed Zhao Jinzong, and it had nothing to do with Sheng Beiqing. He didn’t want to start a relationship built on deception—it would be far too unfair to Zhao Jinzong. He was afraid he would end up hurting Zhao Jinzong.

But now, Chen Su also wanted to be selfish for himself, without any scruples. Even if, in the end, the truth came to light and Zhao Jinzong hated him for it, it didn’t matter.

Chen Su wanted to be Zhao Jinzong’s alpha.

He wanted to go on dates with Zhao Jinzong.

He wanted to wake up every morning and see Zhao Jinzong.

He wanted Zhao Jinzong to come home every night to rest and for the Enigma to heal his stomach.

Chen Su wanted to be a madman, just once.

Uncle Wen’s expression grew more urgent. “The rain is getting heavier…”

Chen Su took off his coat. “Move aside.”

He pushed past Uncle Wen and jumped straight in. He dove into the water, searching for Zhao Jinzong in the pitch-black river.

The water was even colder than Chen Su had imagined. The moment he submerged, a large hand grabbed him and pulled him up. Zhao Jinzong held him with one arm and brought them both to the surface.

“Why did you come down?”

Zhao Jinzong’s tone was accusatory.

The river’s surface was pitch black. Their hair and bodies were drenched, their body temperatures plummeting. Only when they pressed close could they feel a trace of warmth.

The rain grew heavier, lashing against their faces. Chen Su looked at the handsome, frowning Enigma before him and kissed his cold lips fiercely.

He kissed with force, his lips trembling. He took the initiative to enter Zhao Jinzong’s mouth, attacking and conquering. Water streamed down their cheeks and hair, impossible to tell whether it was the salt of the river, the rain, or tears.

The kiss was hard to break apart. When it finally stopped, their breath mingled on each other’s cheeks. Zhao Jinzong looked at Chen Su’s lips. “Come up.”

Chen Su’s breathing was ragged. He called, “Zhao Jinzong.”

“Hm?” Zhao Jinzong replied.

“Stop searching,” Chen Su said, his eyes wet. He caressed the Enigma’s cheek. “Come up with me. I’ll agree to anything.”

Zhao Jinzong didn’t concede. “Is it out of guilt?”

“No.” Chen Su kissed Zhao Jinzong again. “Let’s give it a try.”

“Will you regret it?”

“No.”

“Chen Su, I care very much about the outcome.” When I date, I date to marry.

“Alright.” Chen Su’s vision blurred. “Set three ground rules. Besides that, anything goes.”

“No backing out. Even a hundred rules is fine.”

“Mm.”

Above the Huai River, Chen Su accepted Zhao Jinzong’s pursuit.

It had taken Zhao Jinzong over six months to finally, by something close to coercion, win over the stubborn Chen Su, who would not budge no matter what approach he used.