Chapter 22: Saving the Reclusive Youth 22

After Chen Jiang's interlude, the bidding meeting also concluded smoothly; in the end, Jin Chen chose a company with good reputation and strength.

【Host, just now was absolutely brilliant!】

0731 turned off the protagonist's monitoring and excitedly reported to Jin Chen.

【Let's hear it.】

Jin Chen responded while walking backstage.

【Ji Yu escaped from the villa that confined him, but on the way he was caught by Ji Weixue and Bei Tai; during the struggle, Chen Jiang arrived, thinking Bei Tai and Ji Yu had planned the escape, and in anger he directly rammed his car into them, injuring Ji Yu; ultimately, Ji Yu was taken away by Jin Tianhua and Song Qian.】

【……】

Jin Chen's mouth twitched; it was really melodramatic.

Ji Weixue probably is doing it for the Ji Family, willingly offering Ji Yu to Bei Tai, which is understandable.

But why did Jin Tianhua take Ji Yu away? Could it just be because of Song Qian?

He could be so harsh toward his own son, yet show such concern for an unrelated junior; Jin Chen doesn't believe it—there must be some ulterior motive.

In the midst of thought, Jin Chen had already walked backstage.

Seeing Ji Yan lost in thought, he narrowed his eyes, knowing his plan had taken effect.

Even if he believed Ji Yan only liked him, he still wanted to cut off Chen Jiang's special place in Ji Yan's heart; the best way was to let Ji Yan see exactly what Chen Jiang was like.

The means are despicable, but as long as it works.

"Yanbao."

Ji Yan came to his senses, only then noticing Jin Chen had entered the room; he sprang to his feet, breaking free from his reverie.

"Achen... amazing!"

Looking at the youth's sparkling eyes, Jin Chen curled his lips and drew him into his embrace.

"Yanbao, what were you just thinking about?"

Ji Yan keenly sensed that Jin Chen seemed unhappy, raised his eyes doubtfully, and indeed saw his brows slightly furrowed.

With fingertips on his brow, Ji Yan whispered, "I was thinking about how, when we were kids, Chen Jiang and Ji Yu bullied me."

Feeling the soft fingertip on his face, Jin Chen's heart softened a fraction; he sighed inwardly, realizing he could not harden his heart toward the youth at all.

"Don't think about it anymore; you need to be happier."

Jin Chen took his finger, kissed his lips, his voice low and rich, causing the youth's cheeks to flush slightly as he nodded in response.

He suddenly leaned forward, one hand gripping the youth's finger, the other caressing his soft nape, and sealed his lips—those that seemed to carry a sweet fragrance.

A familiar scent approached; Ji Yan offered no resistance, obediently lifting his chin, the corners of his eyes gradually tinged with crimson, his half-closed eyes growing hazy.

After being together, they had kissed many times, but Ji Yan never learned proper breathing; moments later, feeling slightly short of breath, he twitched his fingertips.

Jin Chen understood, releasing the youth's lips; the air between them was filled with sweet fragrance.

"How come you still haven't learned to breathe properly?"

"... I can't learn it."

Ji Yan's breathing eased, he snuggled into his embrace like a spoiled child, saying, "Home."

"No rush; first I'll take you somewhere."

Jin Chen helped him put on his coat; the warm yellow hue made the youth look especially lively.

Ji Yan merely nodded, obediently following Jin Chen away without asking where they were going.

As long as Achen is with me, anywhere is fine.

Half an hour later, the Jin Family's car steadily stopped at the entrance of an exhibition hall.

The exhibition hall was huge and quiet, the air filled with fragrance, brimming with artistic atmosphere; almost every few steps one could see works by renowned masters.

Thinking Jin Chen had some social engagement, Ji Yan followed along indifferently, his eyes always on the paintings, not listening closely, until Jin Chen asked him to leave contact information with the exhibition hall's person in charge.

Only then did he lift his gaze, his eyes showing clear confusion: "What?"

Seeing that look, Jin Chen immediately understood the youth had zoned out; he smiled and repeated it.

"Here, half a month from now is an open slot; you can bring those paintings from home to exhibit and hold an exhibition exclusively yours."

Ji Yan's almond eyes widened instantly.

Holding an exhibition…

Which painter wouldn't dream of this? Yet after all these years, something he never dared to imagine is actually coming true?

He quickly came to his senses, took out his phone, and added the person in charge as a friend.

"All right, then today the two of you can look around for a suitable hall here; later you can contact me to make arrangements."

The person in charge looked at Jin Chen again, his words full of gratitude.

"Also, thank you again, President Jin, for your charitable donation that allows A City's cultural endeavors to continue developing."

Jin Chen nodded and smiled: "My beloved enjoys oil paintings, so I will naturally support it wholeheartedly."

Ji Yan lowered his head, cheeks flushed, his heart overflowing with sweetness, as if he'd drunk honey.

The person in charge's smile grew a bit teasing: "President Jin and your partner are truly loving, enviable to others—I'll leave you two alone."

He gathered Jin Chen's signed donation documents, left the exhibition hall, and left the space for the two of them.

Ji Yan finally understood: it was Jin Chen's donation to the exhibition hall that gave him the chance to hold this oil painting show.

"Achen..."

"No saying thank you to me."

Jin Chen preempted the youth, pinching his lips: "Between us, we don't need to say thank you."

He lowered his head, kissed Ji Yan's brow: "If you really want to thank me, show it with actions tonight when we go back."

Ji Yan's face grew even redder; he pulled away Jin Chen's hand, turned his back, pretending to focus on the painting, and did not reply.

The continual palpitations and gradually intensifying heartbeat only highlighted the youth's lack of calm.

Jin Chen didn't expose it either, smiling as he kept him company viewing the exhibition for a long time, and later, when they were in the selection hall, he offered many suggestions.

Their afternoon passed just like that, warm and pleasant, and neither of them thought about any worries.

——

Hospital.

Chen Jiang, at least, still had a shred of decency; he didn't strike Ji Yu's vital spot, only breaking his right leg.

He lay on the hospital bed, no longer retaining his former vigor, his whole body much thinner, and his body bore many wounds inflicted by Chen Jiang.

Even his gaze had become numb.

Outside the ward, after the doctor finished telling him to rest, he left.

Jin Tianhua and Song Qian entered the ward; almost instantly, Song Qian burst into tears, giving off a pitiful aura that made Jin Tianhua immediately put his arm around her shoulders to comfort her.

"Little Yu... my little Yu, how did you end up with so many injuries."

A tear slid from Ji Yu's eye corner, and the hand without the IV clenched tightly into a fist.

Song Qian wiped her tears, red-eyed, looking at Jin Tianhua: "Please go out first, let me talk to my son; I'll make him agree to that."

Jin Tianhua glanced at Ji Yu on the bed, already devoid of any color; a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes, and he didn't know if it would help.

Still, he left, giving Song Qian the chance to persuade Ji Yu alone.

As soon as the door closed, Song Qian's tears stopped instantly.

She sighed, sitting on the bedside: "You're also disappointing; you were doing fine keeping Bei Tai on a string, so how did you still get caught by Chen Jiang."