Chapter 1196: Millennium Love Story 01

The villain Chen Zhu, a pastry chef from a town called Southern Willow Town in the south.

No one knew where he came from; all they knew was that one day he was suddenly taken in as an apprentice by Jinlaoxiu, who ran the town's cake shop, and he even transferred his household registration there, after which he settled down in the town.

He was gentle and handsome, tall and sturdy, standing a full 185 cm, but his mind was as delicate and gentle as a young woman's, and many neighbors liked him.

But after townspeople saw him embracing his neighbor Zhaolong, Chen Zhu's reputation began to plummet.

Although the town and several surrounding villages were large, word spread quickly, and many people knew he was gay.

In 2002, it was still a rural district; no one could accept it, and no one would listen to Chen Zhu explain that they had nothing to do with each other.

Soon after the rumor spread, Zhaolong went to work in the city, and those who believed the gossip thought even more that Chen Zhu was pestering him.

The seme protagonist Zhao Weifang is Zhaolong's biological younger brother.

Although he was a notorious local delinquent who fought, binged at bars, and drank just like the rest, he couldn't resist the fact that he had money at home, ran a large supermarket, and collected rent, so people were polite to him.

Zhao Weifang is a closeted gay; he only knows that Chen Zhu is someone his older brother doesn't want, and every so often he goes to harass him—no matter what he does, in everyone's eyes it's always Chen Zhu who seduced him.

The story begins in the summer of 2002.

The uke protagonist Li Shao is a college student who, during this summer vacation, stays at his grandmother's hometown to tutor Zhao Weifang's younger sister upstairs; thus they meet and become acquainted.

In Zhao Weifang's eyes, Li Shao is different from everyone else in town.

He is romantic, fashionable, open-minded, and unrestrained, loving to read Gu Cheng and Wang Xiaobo; even though Zhao Weifang doesn't know who these two people are, his unique literary vibe still attracts this youth who has never left town.

They fell in love out of the blue, riding electric scooters to chase the sunset, weaving through the town's night market streets, and loudly reciting poetry during market days.

But for Chen Zhu, this summer was especially hard to endure.

Zhao Weifang still would come every few days to harass him, snatching the freshly made cakes to give to Li Shao; as the visits increased, Li Shao, knowing the town's rumors, inevitably felt uneasy and went to warn Chen Zhu to be an honest person.

A well-read person's scolding is extremely sharp; Chen Zhu took it to heart, becoming ever more silent and reserved, yet he remained gentle and continued to watch over the cake shop.

Once, when Zhao Weifang came to bother him after getting drunk, Chen Zhu was driving him out when Li Shao walked in; from Li Shao's perspective, Chen Zhu was just a perverted man—how could he tolerate someone like that hitting on his boyfriend?

Li Shao bribed several longtime customers and loudly spread word around town that the cake shop posed safety hazards, urging the Market Bureau to investigate, even threatening to file a formal complaint.

Chen Zhu originally didn't want to quarrel with the kids, but he couldn't bear their intention to destroy the cake shop and his master's hard work; the normally restrained man exploded, slashing the heads of Zhao Weifang and the troublemakers who came to cause a ruckus in the shop, then brandishing his knife to demand of those few customers whether his cakes were dirty or not.

Thus the cake shop's reputation was saved, but just then a severe crackdown on black-market activities was underway; after being slashed, Zhao Weifang fell into a coma, and Chen Zhu was arrested and detained for nearly two years.

Finally, Li Shao waited out the rest of the summer, then had to leave when school started; after waking up, Zhao Weifang inexplicably turned over a new leaf, also went to the city to find someone, and continued their love story.

This summer was Chen Zhu's nightmare, and the summer two years later was no different.

After he got out, the original cake shop premises were gone—reportedly sold by Jinlaoxiu's relatives; the townspeople all cried out against Chen Zhu, so he could only leave, and thereafter he vanished without a trace.

——

【Your identity is Jinlaoxiu's nephew, namely the person who finally sold that shop.】

The current point in time is before the story begins; the original host was a city person and also a carefree spender.

His parents died early, so no one looked after him; before his grandfather passed away, he gave him two choices: one, go abroad and never be restrained again, with family money to squander as he pleased, becoming whatever sort of person he wished; two, return to that small town and seek out Jinlaoxiu.

His grandfather didn't know that his own son had already died of illness, the original host didn't know either, and he didn't want to know.

After the funeral rites, the original host hastily left the country, riding the wave of the times and living lavishly for half a lifetime, yet still couldn't withstand the family's hereditary disease, dying young.

【What disease is it that killed the whole family?】

Jin Chen couldn't help but wonder.

【It's a hereditary genetic disease with a high probability; once it manifests, the mortality rate is ninety percent.】

【... If you want me dead, just say so.】

0731 let out a guilty hehe chuckle, "【Don't worry, host! The medicine left over from the previous world hasn't been used yet! Take the medicine and you'll be fine!】"

Jin Chen opened his eyes, met the portrait of Old Jin, and almost shook his hand and dropped it.

This unlucky kid, what's he doing sleeping while clutching the portrait?

He took 0731's medicine, lay back down to merge his memories, then when he woke up he scratched his head, washed his face, and dialed the landline number Old Jin had left behind.

——

Three days later.

Nanliu Town Bus Station.

Jin Chen sat in the last row, frowning as he waited for everyone to disembark, then slowly rose and left.

He glanced and saw that the uke protagonist Li Shao was also on this bus; relieved, he took off his earphones, the cords dangling loosely over his chest.

This person talks too much.

Even strangers can strike up a conversation with him—sooner or later someone will sell him out.

From the luggage compartment behind the bus he took his own big bag; Jin Chen coolly hoisted it with one hand, his overly flashy appearance and fashion sense that clashed with the surroundings drawing many gazes.

Jin Chen pretended not to notice, his dark eyes scanning the people around him.

Where are the people? Where are the people? Where are the people?

Wasn't someone supposed to come pick him up? Liar!

"Jin Chen?"

Hearing the voice, Jin Chen turned and saw Chen Zhu amidst the bustling crowd, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

His appearance was handsome, with broad shoulders and a sturdy back.

The tear mole under his eyes was striking, his thin lips curled, his demeanor gentle, and his smile now made one feel like basking in a spring breeze.

A simple short-sleeve shirt and long pants couldn't hide his perfect, just-right muscle lines.

Wait… wait a moment.

Jin Chen first averted his gaze from the chest muscles, then subtly compared their heights.

He looks taller than me—must be an illusion!

Don't panic, at most it's just a 3‑centimeter difference; I'm only twenty, I still have room to grow!

Lost in his thoughts, Chen Zhu had already walked over; as he drew near, Jin Chen caught the clean soap scent on him, and in the irritating midsummer afternoon, that fragrance inexplicably soothed some of his agitation.

"You are Chen Zhu." Jin Chen looked at him, his tone flat and straightforward.

Still cool!

"Yes, we talked on the phone three days ago."

Chen Zhu smiled, his voice also gentle.

I never expected that in this lifetime I could still meet my master's relatives.

Seeing this child so frail now, perhaps it's the gratitude at work, Chen Zhu silently thought that he must properly care for his master's last remaining relative.

【Detected villain in this world, triggering Blackening Value, currently Blackening Value: 90!】

Jin Chen froze, 【How much?】

0731: 【!!!! Mom, how come it's already 90 before the story even started!】

Where's the gentle daddy we were promised!

【Mission requirement: Blackening Value to zero, change the villain's tragic ending……Host, keep going!】