Chapter 2299: Love and Chaos System Showdown 23

The fourth-floor hallway was laid with a thick carpet; stepping on it made no sound.

Just as Jin Chen reached his bedroom door, the door of the room next to it silently opened a crack.

A head topped with light-colored messy hair poked out, looking at him nervously.

You Le'an clung to the door frame, his fingertips unconsciously tugging at the hair behind his ear.

"Brother Chen, what did you just… say to Brother Lin Xi?" His gaze drifted, and he couldn't help but press on, "Can I listen in?"

That little thought was practically written all over his face.

Worried that Jin Chen still had ideas about the male lead.

In this book's world, Jin Chen is a devoted male side character! The little person in You Le'an's heart was frantically beating a drum.

Jin Chen stopped, turned, and faced him squarely.

Afternoon sunlight streamed through the window at the end of the hallway, casting a faint shadow over his deep-set brows and eyes, yet it did nothing to diminish the clear upward curve of his lips; a teasing smile openly spread across his eyes.

He stepped forward, stood before You Le'an, and gently cupped his face.

His cool fingertips touched the warm skin; You Le'an flinched instinctively, but his heart raced.

"Nothing," Jin Chen said, his voice low and pleasant with a hint of lazy magnetism, "I just gave Lin Xi something to do."

His thumb unconsciously rubbed You Le'an's smooth cheek.

So he wouldn't be too idle, daydreaming nonsense all day.

He leaned in slightly, closing the distance between them; warm breath brushed You Le'an's nostrils like a whisper, his dark eyes locked on him, his smile deepening with a teasing, knowing air.

"Any further orders, Young Master You?"

You Le'an, his face held in Jin Chen's hands, felt his ears burn red instantly; the anxiety in his chest settled, replaced by a sense of ease—only to be thrown into turmoil by Jin Chen's overly familiar gesture and teasing gaze.

His gaze darted away; he wanted to pull free, yet he was reluctant to leave the warmth of Jin Chen's palm.

Relief mingled with a slight embarrassment at being seen through, giving him an inexplicable boost of courage.

You Le'an tentatively, with a hint of throwing caution to the wind, raised his arms and lightly hooked them around Jin Chen's neck.

"Well..."

You Le'an's voice turned soft and light, like a kitten's murmur, "Then… will you nap with me?"

Jin Chen's smile instantly blossomed in his eyes, clearly catching the desire and tension hidden in that faint sound.

His arm tightened slightly following the force of You Le'an's pull, drawing him even closer into his embrace.

"I'm happy to provide nap‑accompanying service, Young Master You."

In the bedroom, the central air conditioner silently exhaled cool air, shutting out the afternoon heat.

The heavy blackout curtains were drawn, leaving only a sheer shade; the light became soft and hazy.

On the wide double bed lay a fresh, light‑colored sheet.

You Le'an slipped in first, wrapped himself in a thin AC blanket, and shifted to the edge of the bed, leaving Jin Chen a large space.

Jin Chen lay down leisurely; the space between them was neither far nor near—just enough to sense each other's presence.

A soft off‑white thin blanket was pulled over by Jin Chen and casually laid over their waists.

In the cooled air, the body heat and fresh, clean scent of the person beside him became especially distinct.

You Le'an initially lay stiff and proper, his body a little tense; after his head heated up he realized, really, it was… a bit embarrassing.

He exhaled.

The devoted male side character was a little too tempting.

But Jin Chen's presence was too strong—his steady breathing, the warmth transmitted through the thin fabric, and a faint, cool fragrance.

It was practically a huge magnet, silently pulling him in.

You Le'an first subtly tilted his head toward Jin Chen's pillow.

Hmm, no movement.

He furtively inhaled; only Jin Chen's scent lingered at his nostrils.

His heart beat a little fast.

Then, pretending to turn over, he moved his body extremely slowly toward Jin Chen, like a tiny creature cautiously approaching a heat source.

His eyes were shut tight, but his eyelashes trembled with tension.

Jin Chen remained still, as if truly cultivating sleepiness.

But You Le'an's tiny move, which he thought was covert, was perceived by Jin Chen crystal‑clear.

Watching him inch closer, feeling the bed's depression arc gradually draw near, Jin Chen's closed eyes filled with a silent, spreading smile.

Just as You Le'an shifted to a spot he deemed safe yet close, preparing to stop his feigned sleep,

Jin Chen finally moved.

His arm, which had been lying flat at his side, suddenly shot up, firmly grabbing You Le'an's shoulder; with a slight exertion, he pulled the still‑slowly shifting body entirely into his embrace.

"Oh."

You Le'an gasped, crashing unprepared into the solid, warm chest.

His cheek pressed against the slightly open silk collar of Jin Chen's sleepwear; the warm skin contact made him forget to breathe.

Jin Chen's chin lightly rested on his soft hair; his chest vibrated with a low chuckle, tinged with satisfied pleasure and ample indulgence.

Mm, my wife really is a bit clueless.

His broad, warm palm landed on his back, patting soothingly with gentle motions.

"Don't move around."

Jin Chen's voice, husky from being half‑asleep, rumbled low in his ear, "Just close your eyes obediently."

You Le'an's whole self went dazed, as if his acupoints had been struck.

His face buried in Jin Chen's neck hollow, he could clearly feel the pulse of his carotid artery, and his nostrils were filled solely with the pleasant, reassuring scent emanating from him.

He froze for a few seconds, his body finally relaxed, he secretly rubbed against Jin Chen's neck hollow, obediently closed his eyes, but the corner of his mouth couldn't help but quietly curve into a satisfied arc.

Like!

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +10, total 57!】

The room fell completely silent, leaving only the two people's gradually synchronized, soft and steady breathing sounds.

The cool breeze from the air conditioner, the softness of the blanket, the body heat and breath of the person beside him wove together into an immersive afternoon tranquility.

Jin Chen felt the soft body of the person in his arms completely relax, the corner of his mouth silently curled up, and he also closed his eyes.

——

The return of Jin Xingde and Lin Ying brought more liveliness to the grand Jin Residence, as various exquisitely packaged gifts piled up into a small mountain.

The afternoon sunlight was just right; Jin Xingde and Lin Ying exchanged a knowing glance, and Lin Ying smiled, waving at Lin Xi who was helping tidy the gifts.

"Little Xi, come to the Study for a moment; Mom and Dad have something to ask you."

The heavy Study door closed behind him, shutting out the outside noise.

Jin Xingde adopted a gentle posture, "While we've been away, has the household remained peaceful?"

He chose his words carefully, his gaze landing on Lin Xi's face.

Lin Ying also looked at him, her eyes expectant.

He was practically itching to gossip, it was almost written on his face.

Lin Xi knew what his parents wanted to ask; his fingers unconsciously picked at the sofa fabric, a bit hesitant, "Pretty good."

He paused, seemingly organizing his words, "Brother and Le An get along… not too badly, right?"

"Not too badly?"

Lin Ying caught that subtle hesitation in his tone and pressed, "What do you mean by 'not too badly'? How far have you gotten?"

Lin Xi's mind flashed with several fierce images of Le An.

He opened his mouth; the sentence "He's quite fierce" almost slipped out.

But the words reached his lips and he swallowed them back.

Le An is fierce, but he doesn't seem that… bad?

At least for this period he's not acting as a villain, Lin Xi thought.

"He…" Lin Xi held back for a while, "He's quite distinctive."

Lin Ying: "We know your brother's and Le An's personalities; if they really couldn't get along, we wouldn't force it."

Jin Xingde also said: "There's always a way; we can just make other arrangements."

"Make other arrangements?!"

Lin Xi jerked his head up, surprised: "What arrangements?"

His mind instantly flashed with countless melodramatic plots of wealthy families: "Dad, Mom, you wouldn't be thinking of setting up my brother… with a marriage alliance, would you?"

The way his brother acts—even claiming sovereignty when Su Yu approaches Le An—would he agree to a marriage alliance? Just thinking about it is terrifying!

Lin Ying was amused by her son's exaggerated reaction, covering her mouth: "You child, what are you thinking! Is your brother the type who would obediently go along with a marriage alliance?"

She shook her head with a smile: "Alright, stop guessing wildly, let's go out and play."

Lin Xi left the Study filled with doubts and an indescribable worry.