Chapter 1080: Gentle Neighbor's Dramatic Sweetheart 08

In the washroom, Zhongyu Yu turned on the faucet; cold water splashed onto his face, and he carefully washed off the fake blood with facial cleanser.

But his heart was still racing.

Zhongyu Yu blinked dazedly; water droplets that hadn't dried slid down his curled lashes, and he raised his hand to touch his chest.

It was beating so fast—why…

Was it because Jin Chen saved him?

Or because he had just been frightened?

Zhongyu Yu didn't know, but in his heart it seemed a seed had been planted, eager to sprout.

After lightly patting on a layer of toner, the cool sensation calmed him a bit, and he walked out of the washroom as if nothing had happened.

He passed through the corridor to the Living Room; Jin Chen sat on the Sofa, studying the pile of bottles and jars on the coffee table used for filming.

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value 5, total 12!】

Jin Chen looked back.

"Thank you today." Zhongyu Yu thanked him again, sitting on the other side of the Sofa, his eyes clear and bright.

"No need to thank me; perhaps if I hadn't come out, you could have handled it yourself."

Jin Chen replied softly, then gave advice.

"But it's indeed dangerous; unrelated people should still not open the door, you can call the police, or… send me a message."

"I know," Zhongyu Yu nodded, curled up on the Sofa playing with his phone, picking at the sofa cover, trying to prove, "I'm usually very careful."

Moreover, he had already prepared a recording; if anything seemed off, he would also call the police, just hadn't had the chance to use it.

"I believe you," Jin Chen said.

As they chatted, Zhongyu Yu saw that Jin Chen seemed completely uninterested in what had just happened; he breathed a sigh of relief, yet inexplicably felt compelled to explain.

"The Zhongdainan they mentioned is my father; he probably owed gambling debts outside and used my name."

When Zhongyu Yu said this, he kept his head low, chin resting on his knees, fingertips picking at the blanket, his tone growing increasingly low.

"I don't owe them money, but every time someone is forced to pay them, it's me…"

It seems only when money is involved does Zhongdainan reluctantly acknowledge they are father and son.

When Zhongyu Yu first entered society, he was repeatedly swindled by Zhongdainan's creditors out of a lot of money; his childhood experience told him that to avoid being beaten, he had to pay.

It's only in recent years that he's improved considerably, whether it's the thoughts no longer bound or the body scarred with wounds.

Although sometimes… he still feels sad.

Lost in thought, Zhongyu Yu caught a whiff of sandalwood approaching; he lifted his eyes, his clear, moist gaze meeting Jin Chen's, like a startled cat.

Jin Chen gently patted his head, the motion light, like comfort.

"You can't choose your family of origin; you are brave and smart."

Zhongyu Yu suddenly fell silent, locking eyes with Jin Chen for a long while.

This time he didn't avert his gaze, sensitively and clearly perceiving the emotions Jin Chen conveyed.

It was not condescending pity; it was genuine admiration for his capability, and also… sympathy.

Zhongyu Yu's heartstrings twitched again; he instinctively gripped the blanket tighter, his voice trembling as he asked a question that even surprised himself.

"Is there still cake…?"

Jin Chen smiled at him, "Yes, I'll go get it for you."

"Okay."

—

Today Zhongyu Yu also got to eat the cake as he wished.

It was very sweet.

Jin Chen needed to go to the club this afternoon; after delivering the cake, he left.

Zhongyu Yu felt that he had picked up the sweat stench of those big men at the door earlier; unable to bear it, he went to take a bath and simply lay back on the bed to rest.

"Ah… even a great fox immortal can't escape worldly troubles."

"But it's fine; today I met a kind, brave hunter who rescued the Fox Immortal Adult from fire and water."

Zhongyu Yu dove into the blankets, feeling very fortunate, and rolled around on the bed.

Already preparing to sleep, he suddenly received a call from Xue Yuanjing.

Before this, they hadn't been in touch for almost a week.

Zhongyu Yu couldn't help recalling the unpleasant emotion from their last video call, and inexplicably felt a sense of rejection.

He stared at the vibrating phone for a while before answering.

"Xiao Yu, you finally answered the phone."

Xue Yuanjing sounded like he was rushing.

Zhongyu Yu covered his face with the blanket, placed the phone on the pillow beside him, his tone completely lacking the earlier excitement.

"Um… I just didn't notice."

"I've arrived at the airport; I originally wanted to go home to surprise you, but I'm a bit hungry now, worried you haven't prepared my lunch."

Zhongyu Yu drooped his eyes, weary, "No, I'm too tired, I don't want to cook."

"Just order takeout."

Xue Yuanjing noticed the oddness in his tone and hurriedly asked what had happened.

Zhongyu Yu pulled himself together and still told him what had just occurred; no matter what, he still wanted comfort from his boyfriend.

But the response he got was…

"Why didn't you call the police? Xiao Yu, I'm not saying this to blame you, but such a childish method is useless; just looking spooky won't scare off thugs."

Zhongyu Yu: "……"

He let out a long sigh, actually not feeling that surprised.

It's so tiring, communicating with Xue Yuanjing is getting more and more tiring.

Xue Yuanjing's "kind advice" is still going on.

"What if they want to do something bad to you? You're alone at home, you wouldn't know what's happening—how could you be so lucky?! You're just too impulsive."

Zhongyu Yu listened slowly, and actually gradually became more and more nervous from what was said, as if they had made a huge mistake.

But just as Zhongyu Yu was about to doubt themselves, the praise Jin Chen had just given flashed in their mind.

No… wrong, even if they hadn't thought it through, those four people were still scared off.

It's useful, his method is useful.

Zhongyu Yu took a deep breath, the anxious heart gradually eased, not wanting to hear Xue Yuanjing's blame any further.

"I'm so sleepy, I'm hanging up."

The beeping sound came through, yet Zhongyu Yu felt utterly relaxed.

This time it was Zhongyu Yu who hung up the phone, and they didn't worry about gains or losses.

Zhongyu Yu again pressed a hand to their chest, hugged the blanket and turned over, the doubt weighing on their heart surging up once more.

Why on earth did they agree to Xue Yuanjing's confession a month ago?

Were they really moved?

It seems… not.

——

At the airport at that time.

Xue Yuanjing gripped the phone that had just been hung up, his eyes flashing with surprise and anger.

Actually dared to take the initiative to hang up the phone.

It seems that after not being home for a week, Zhongyu Yu's previously tamed thoughts have changed quite a bit.

Xue Yuanjing composed his expression, gloomily embracing He Jiao as he strode out, venting his anger thereby, kissing her inseparably in the corner.

Completely unaware of being filmed to death.

The photos sent back were forwarded to Jin Chen's email.

"Tsk, disgusting."

Jin Chen gave his evaluation, then forwarded it via an unfamiliar email to the protagonist, Xu You.

And Xu You themselves happened to be at the club at that moment.