Chapter 20: In This World, No One Loves Me

Chapter 20: No One in This World Loves Me

The second he was brought up, Sang Yu's face fell instantly.

Oh boy.

So it's a one-sided grudge?

Li Zhiming was on high alert, playing it cool as he said, "I actually talked about you with him today."

"Hm?"

"I told him you live with me, asked if he knew you. He said he'd spotted you in the manor, and that you're good-looking—he wants to get to know you."

Sang Yu stared at Li Zhiming, then replied, "And what does the Young Master think?"

"Think about what?"

Something flickered in Sang Yu's eyes as he stared at him, loaded with meaning: "What does the Young Master think of Sang Yu's appearance?"

Appearance...

Li Zhiming didn't hesitate to give a thumbs up: "No contest—you're the best-looking, most striking man I've ever seen. Even the prettiest women in the world can't hold a candle to you."

He could dish out compliments without even thinking.

Besides, it wasn't a lie.

"I really wonder what kind of woman's gonna marry you someday. She'd definitely be the luckiest person in the world. When you tie the knot, I'll definitely be there."

"Tch."

Like he'd ever get married.

Still, he was genuinely happy. This was the first time someone had flat-out complimented his looks, instead of cursing him for being a seductive fox-spirit, no better than his mother.

So this pretty face of his wasn't just a nightmare after all.

He was happy.

Li Zhiming could tell he was happy and figured he was proud of his looks, so he laid it on thicker, showering him with more praise.

A real smooth talker, that one.

Seizing the moment while he was in a good mood, Li Zhiming asked casually, "Su Yi's got good taste too, huh. What do you think of Su Yi?"

Sang Yu's smile dropped instantly: "He's nothing."

Li Zhiming was caught off guard and paused: "Did you two know each other before? Or have you met somewhere?"

"Nope."

"Then why do you look like you hate him so much?"

"I don't."

"Yes, you do!" It was painfully obvious.

He'd literally wanted to kill the guy, and still had the nerve to deny it.

Li Zhiming spoke seriously, trying to talk some sense into him: "If something's bugging you, just tell me. I've got your back. Now that you're staying at my place, you're under my protection. Don't keep things bottled up, you hear me?"

He felt like a mom patiently talking to her kid.

Too bad his kid wasn't having any of it.

The second he brought up Su Yi, a suffocating pressure and cold aura hit him from across the table, and Li Zhiming shuddered and shut his mouth.

He was scared shitless of getting killed by him.

"Do you like him, Your Highness?"

Sang Yu's icy, eerie voice cut through, and Li Zhiming felt a chill run down his spine.

He felt that if he dared to nod, he'd end up just like those two maids—bleeding out right then and there.

Li Zhiming shook his head like crazy: "No, no, no—I just feel sorry for the guy. He said he got separated from his sister. I'm just too kind-hearted, so I'm helping him out."

Sang Yu's eyes narrowed.

"You wouldn't turn him away, would you? You wouldn't just let him die?"

Li Zhiming stared at Sang Yu, looking genuinely surprised and sincere.

"..."

"Sang Yu's the kindest person around. You'd definitely wanna help him, right? No need to be shy—I'll take care of it. Right?"

Sang Yu stared at him, a complicated look on his face.

Li Zhiming's skin crawled under that stare. He wanted to bolt, but was afraid that if he did, Sang Yu would still lose it. He had to keep tabs on him tonight, no matter what.

"Hey, wanna grab a drink? I'll keep you company. The weather's so nice out."

The pitch-black night: ...

But it wasn't just about keeping an eye on him. If he got drunk enough, maybe he'd spill the real reason. Clearly, Sang Yu had no intention of talking about Su Yi right now.

He needed to know the root cause to fix the problem.

Seeing Li Zhiming being so proactive, Sang Yu figured he must've noticed his bad mood and wanted to cozy up and cheer him up again. A true playboy, always scheming.

He sneered inside, but nodded on the outside.

To go with the drinks, Li Zhiming had some snacks prepared, deliberately picking strong liquor and casually pushing Sang Yu to drink more.

Sang Yu noticed but couldn't be bothered to call him out on it. Feeling restless inside, he didn't need any prompting and just kept drinking.

Soon his cheeks were flushed and his eyes were glazed over.

"You're wasted."

Li Zhiming moved to support him, his voice soft and worried: "I'll stay and look after you, okay?"

Sang Yu smiled, his eyes unfocused, like he was already out of it: "Alright. You're the second person who's ever been willing to stay with me."

That damn curiosity got the better of him—Li Zhiming blurted out, "Who was the first one?"

Who was it, then?

Sang Yu's gaze suddenly went blank, staring at nothing in particular. His expression slowly changed, turning cold and dark little by little.

"She's dead!" He flew into a rage out of nowhere, sending the wine jug and plates crashing to the floor, screaming like a madman: "She's dead, they hounded her until she died!"

Li Zhiming was caught off guard by the sudden outburst and instinctively let go, stumbling back a few steps.

That retreat cut straight through the kid's heart.

His eyes welled up, and he lunged forward to grab his shoulders, staring at him: "Why did you step back? She wouldn't have backed away, she never would..."

Damn it, he really can't hold his booze.

He was completely hammered.

Big regret.

Li Zhiming grabbed his own sleeve nervously and swallowed: "You—you're drunk. How about I help you lie down?"

Sang Yu's heart gave a violent lurch. His hazy brain told him that the person before him was very afraid of him.

Was he really that scary right now?

Had he scared him?

Oh, right. He liked the sweet, obedient type like Su Yi. He'd only snatched him away to toy with him.

Sang Yu gave a pathetic laugh and let go: "I knew it. Nobody in this world loves me."

"?"

He staggered toward his room, unsteady on his feet, smacking into the doorframe with a thud, then walking on like he didn't even notice, stumbling and knocking into things all the way inside.

Li Zhiming's urge to bolt stopped dead.

Damn it, he'd gone soft-hearted again.

Thud.

This time, he didn't know what he'd hit, but Sang Yu slammed headfirst onto the ground with a muffled groan.

Li Zhiming rushed in on reflex: "Are you alright?"

No response.

He patted his back.

No outburst.

Could he have knocked himself out? It was such a hard fall, maybe he was unconscious.

Li Zhiming grabbed his arm, hooked an arm around his neck, and dragged him up with effort, then moved him onto the bed and even took off his shoes.

Like some servant girl.

He reached for the blanket to cover him, but the moment he touched it, someone grabbed his clothes.