Chapter 16: Saving the Autistic Boy 16

You were just saying this morning that you wanted to eat the egg tart from the corner stall.

Jin Chen handed the packaging bag to Ji Yan, his tone gentle.

Ji Yan suddenly rushed into his embrace, clinging tightly, his body trembling with fear, as if he thought Jin Chen would leave if he let go.

"Be good, don't be scared."

The boy wore a slightly oversized fleece hoodie, making his waist look slimmer; Jin Chen slipped an arm around him, his icy gaze landing on Song Qian.

"Aunt Song, why don't you tell me what this so-called matchmaking gathering is about?"

Song Qian was confronted rudely by this junior, and she angrily lectured him.

"Your father arranged it; why didn't you go?"

"The Jin family's affairs are none of your business to interfere with."

Jin Chen's narrow eyes held a chilling glint, his aura suddenly fierce: "You think sleeping with Jin Tianhua a few times gives you the right to order me around?"

"Jin Chen! I'm your elder!" Song Qian's face flushed red then pale with anger as she slapped the table, "Don't you even listen to your father anymore?"

"Sorry, but I really don't listen."

Feeling the person in his arms flinch at Song Qian's angry shout, Jin Chen's gaze toward her grew even more ruthless; he had no patience left for further words.

"You seduced Jin Tianhua into cheating on his marriage; just wait for him to divorce and come marry you."

He tossed out that last line and left with Ji Yan.

Those two bodyguards were originally Jin Tianhua's men, and they didn't dare to block Jin Chen.

Song Qian was both angry and panicked, quickly grabbing her phone to make a call.

—— -> "——"

After walking out of the café, Ji Yan still hadn't come to his senses, refusing to let go even for a moment.

Jin Chen felt that walking like this was a bit awkward; he was about to tell the boy to let go so they could continue hugging in the car, but seeing his moist, slightly red almond eyes, he suddenly fell silent.

Hug hug hug!

"Is it just that the walking posture is uncomfortable? You can overcome it!"

"A Chen... I can't, don't leave me."

Ji Yan's voice trembled like an insecure kitten, his arms locked around Jin Chen's waist as he practically tried to bury himself in the embrace.

Jin Chen's steps halted.

"What do you call me?"

"... A Chen." Ji Yan repeated.

Last time Jin Chen teased him in the studio, but he was too shy to call him that.

Today, as if stimulated, he just wanted to cling tightly to Jin Chen.

Jin Chen's Adam's apple rolled as he lifted Ji Yan's face, his voice dropping a little.

"Alright, let's call again when we get back."

Ji Yan thought he didn't want to hear it, and a few more tears spilled as he sniffled.

"You call."

Jin Chen immediately said.

By then the driver had already brought Jin Tianhua back; he got out to open the door for Jin Chen and the two, then conscientiously pulled up the partition.

"A Chen..."

Once in the car, Ji Yan clung to Jin Chen even more, showing none of his former shyness; he sat astride Jin Chen's lap, leaning into the embrace, his fair face pressed tightly against the neck.

Jin Chen: "..."

The problem was serious; he couldn't behave like a beast in the car.

The boy's warm body pressed close with no gap, making Jin Chen's breath grow hot as he wrapped his arms around Ji Yan's waist.

"sweetheart, come down and sit."

Hearing that nickname, Ji Yan's heart jolted, his panic easing somewhat; he shook his head, his voice soft and sticky.

"No."

Then he held on even tighter.

【0731, did Song Qian not give Ji Yan any drugs at the café?】

【No drug detected in Little Pitiful One's system, maybe it's just a lack of security! Host, hurry back home****!】

【……】 -> "【……】"

0731 covered his nonexistent mouth in disbelief; the main system even blocked the four words 'love dearly'!

Jin Chen stroked the boy's nape, lightly kissing his lips: "sweetheart, don't be sad; I won't leave, I'll stay with you for a very long time."

At least... I'll spend this whole life with you.

Ji Yan tried to respond to the man, his inner unease gradually fading, replaced by nervousness and a faint shyness.

After the kiss, their foreheads touched, gazing at each other for a long time.

The boy's eyes regained their sparkle, joyfully burying himself once more in Jin Chen's embrace.

【Villain Blackening Value decreased by 5, total 35; Heartbeat Value increased by 10, total 75!】

—— -> "——"

On Jin Tianhua's side, instead of waiting for the so-called meeting Jin Chen, he received a call from Song Qian.

He finally realized he had been played by Jin Chen, and angrily hung up.

"Uncle Jin, since Jin Chen didn't come, he must have his own plans, so I won't disturb you."

The girl across from him stood up, her sweet smile curling, her tone carefree.

"I advise you, Uncle Jin: if you want to regain a foothold in A City, the urgent task is to clear up the black rumors, not to use your children's marriages as a stepping stone."

She politely nodded and left the restaurant.

Jin Tianhua's face grew even darker.

"Expel you from the house, I want to see if you have the ability to do that!"

He angrily stood up and contacted someone.

—

That evening, in the Jin Family study.

Ji Yan leaned in Jin Chen's arms playing with his tablet, suddenly came across a website, and his eyes brightened a bit.

He poked Jin Chen, who was still replying to an email, and handed the tablet screen over for him to see.

"The national oil painting competition finals."

Jin Chen earnestly took the tablet, saw Ji Yan's shortlist ranking, and began to check the competition's specific schedule and procedure.

April 12 to 14, three days total, located in Didu.

He checked his schedule; only the 13th had an international online meeting.

Jin Chen returned the tablet to the boy, saying, "Although it's just submitting the work, the awards ceremony will have many people—can you handle it?"

"With you." Ji Yan leaned in and kissed Jin Chen's cheek, his eyes sparkling.

"What if I don't go with you?" Jin Chen teased.

"……"

Ji Yan's face visibly drooped, his brows lowered, and he suddenly rested his head in the crook of Jin Chen's neck, rubbing against it like a spoiled child.

"Go, go, go—of course I'll go with you."

Jin Chen chuckled, softened by the boy's gesture, "I still want to witness our sweetheart winning an award."

He was delighted, able to see Ji Yan gradually glowing.

【Ding! In the original plot, Ji Yan missed the finals because his injuries were too severe, and Jin Chen wouldn't let him leave; shortly after came the house‑fire storyline.】

【Side quest: Please help Ji Yan participate in the oil painting competition and obtain the medal he deserves.】

Jin Chen lowered his eyes, feeling a pang of heartache.

He embraced the boy in his arms, gently rubbing his thin back back and forth, no longer having the mind to check emails.

"I've fed you some meat these days, why are you still so thin?"

Ji Yan sat up, "I have meat!"

He suddenly lifted the hem of his pajamas to show Jin Chen his belly.

He had eaten plenty at dinner, so his belly was still a bit swollen, but not noticeable.

Jin Chen's breath caught.

He had intended to look away, but was drawn to the boy's soft, white abdominal skin, which rose and fell slightly with his breathing—utterly adorable.

Seeing Jin Chen unmoved, Ji Yan dissatisfiedly took his hand and placed it on his own belly.

"Look, I have meat!"