Chapter 1212: Millennium Love Story 17

Hey, right Jin Chen, do you know about the recent commotion in the town center? It's said they're opening a new cake shop… no, I heard they call it a Western-style dessert shop, how fancy.

Li Shao was sure Jin Chen wouldn't dodge this topic, and indeed he saw the earnestly packing handsome youth lift his gaze, eyes filled with doubt.

Who's opening it?

How come this wasn't mentioned in the original plot?

【According to the timeline, the Main God in the original plot is troubled by being harassed by the protagonist; no one has the mind to care about it.】0731 answered.

Li Shao once again marveled at the impact of Jin Chen's face, his ears turning slightly red.

Again, as if trying to cover up, he scratched his head, looking puzzled, 'I don't know, but if you want to know, I can go ask.'

No need.

Jin Chen put both paper boxes into plastic bags, pushed them toward Li Shao, his tone indifferent.

I'll speak.

Li Shao: "……"

We've known each other for a while, why are you still so cold?

Li Shao muttered, 'But who made me treat you as a friend?'

He thought he gave Jin Chen a bright smile, patted his chest, 'Rest assured I'll inquire about the cake shop for you; I've got it covered.'

Jin Chen couldn't be bothered to reply; communicating with this person is quite a hassle.

Pay up, take your leave, no seeing off.

But his aloof image leaves a deep impression; right now, this moment's Silence in Li Shao's eyes seems like acquiescence.

Here's the money, see you next time.

Li Shao didn't linger either; Zhao Weifang and Zhao Yuyu were still waiting for him at home.

Jin Chen's smile didn't reach his eyes.

Finally seeing off the plague god, Jin Chen washed his hands and turned toward the back room.

But the soft, fragrant wife had already dressed and sat properly on the Sofa.

The anticipation in Jin Chen's eyebrows and eyes vanished instantly.

Brother, how did you just put on your clothes?

At this moment he no longer retained even a hint of the aloofness he'd had in the front room; he scooted over to Chen Zhu, squeezing in beside him, and for a moment it was truly hard to tell who suffered from skin hunger.

Chen Zhu sat with legs crossed, pushed at Jin Chen's approaching head, 'Bao Bao was just chatting with a new friend.'

I can't just… wait for you.

He deliberately feigned an indifferent tone, yet some words still wouldn't come out.

Ah… I'm jealous.

Jin Chen, struck by inspiration, impulsively embraced Chen Zhu's waist and wouldn't let go.

I ignored him completely; brother, didn't you hear?

If brother doesn't want him coming, we could put up a sign at the shop entrance: 'Li Shao, Zhao Weifang, and dogs mistakenly enter.'

Chen Zhu couldn't hold back, let out a puff of laughter, pinched Jin Chen's earlobe, 'Then I guess this shop won't be opening after all.'

He finally couldn't keep up the pretense, softened his body, leaned into Jin Chen's embrace and sighed, feeling both fulfilled and at a loss, his thoughts in turmoil.

Today like this… having become more intimate, what should we do from now on? Even a tighter embrace might not help.

Chen Zhu lightly rubbed against Jin Chen's shoulder, couldn't help inhaling deeply; various dark thoughts arose one after another, only to be suppressed by his present rational mindset.

It's time for lunch, brother, I'm hungry.

Jin Chen smelled the aroma drifting from the back kitchen of the neighboring snack shop, and his stomach began to growl.

I'll go cook.

Chen Zhu immediately rose, unwilling to let Jin Chen feel even a hint of hunger, stroked his hair to soothe him, 'It'll be ready soon.'

Jin Chen nodded, watched Chen Zhu enter the small kitchen, picked up the small medicine bottle he'd just glimpsed, which had been hidden beneath the sofa.

Chen Zhu has always been cautious; people of this era are reluctant to mention mental and psychological illnesses, let alone someone as special as him, who would rather keep it hidden, wishing the whole world wouldn't discover it.

So this bottle is just a small white vitamin bottle; the medicine inside has been used up, and no one knows what it once contained.

Jin Chen inserted his finger, the pad bringing out some powder, and had 0731 test it.

【Scanning in progress……scan successful～】

0731 perked up, its paws rubbing the toy as it reported in a childish voice.

Jin Chen listened quietly, his face growing darker.

Sure enough, it's for treating anxiety disorder; based on observations over this period, it might be a subtype branch of specific phobia accompanied by panic disorder.

The medicine isn't expensive, but its side effects are too great—conscious dissociation, idiopathic tremors, and insomnia are enough to make one suffer; Chen Zhu doesn't even know how long he's been taking it.

What's worse, Chen Zhu has recently noticeably reduced his medication frequency, perhaps because the medicine ran out, and because of his existence he can't go to the city to get more.

Jin Chen suddenly heard the kitchen door sound, hastily tossed the bottle back, lifted his eyes to see only half of Chen Zhu's back, and then relaxed.

He got up and followed, squeezing into the kitchen.

The shop's kitchen is nothing like home—it's extremely cramped; once Jin Chen entered, he could only stand by pressing close to Chen Zhu.

It's hot in here; Xiao Chen, go out and blow on the fan for a bit, it'll be fine soon.

Chen Zhu patted the hand Jin Chen had wrapped around him, not letting him come in.

Jin Chen insisted, refusing to yield, he forcibly embraced from behind, fingers interlocked locking Chen Zhu's waist, chin resting on his shoulder, surrendering to the rolling heat.

Even without a topic, he forced one, anyway constantly sticking close, not giving Chen Zhu a chance to get sick.

You don't call me Bao Bao anymore; why?

Chen Zhu stared blankly.

How come Xiao Chen seems to quite like this nickname?

He skillfully stir-fried the meat and vegetables in the pot, pursed his lips, and said, "Bao Bao, I'm really hot… you let go quickly."

"Oh."

Jin Chen obediently withdrew his hand, went to the Living Room, fetched an old magazine, and leaned by the doorframe to fan him.

Feeling the coolness, Chen Zhu couldn't suppress his inner joy; such everyday trivialities of their getting along were enough to let green sprout in his impoverished heart.

【Detected Villain Blackening Value -5, cumulative 77!】

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +5, cumulative 55!】

He simply stir-fried three dishes, which made their lunch; in the few days since Jin Chen arrived, Chen Zhu still worried he wouldn't be used to his cooking, so he always went to other shops to buy food and bring it back.

Soon he discovered that, aside from spicy hot pot, Jin Chen didn't like any of those things; he still needed an extra meal, so he simply figured out what Jin Chen liked to eat.

Thinking of spicy hot pot, Chen Zhu bit his chopsticks, a hint of displeasure in his eyes.

The shop Jin Chen often went to wasn't far, just a few storefronts away; coincidentally, the shop owner lived in the building across from their home, very close.

The young girl who had just graduated not long ago stayed in the shop to help, repeatedly asking him about Jin Chen…

As Jin Chen ate, he suddenly felt the atmosphere was off, and also had a sticky feeling of being gazed at by Youyou; he looked up and saw Chen Zhu avert his eyes, still dazed.

How can one even space out while eating…

"... cough cough cough..."

Chen Zhu was brought back to his senses by the sound of him choking from Jin Chen's choke; he instinctively passed the tea cup over, worriedly patting his back, "How did you choke?"

"Cough cough..."

Jin Chen knew his cough was a bit fake, he didn't dare lift his head, and only after gulping down two mouthfuls of water did he set down the teapot larger than his face.