Chapter 2433: Another Me 02

In the mirror, Li Chi slightly tilted his head, revealing an extremely puzzled expression.

He didn't understand this explanation, lowering his eyes to hide the welling emotions beneath.

Jin Chen said again: "Xiao Chi, don't resist my presence."

Jin Chen's thought stirred slightly, and he took control of the body.

Li Chi relaxed a little, as if falling into a soft cloud layer; he could still see outside through his eyes, but could not control his body.

The boy in the mirror slowly raised his hand; his slender fingers brushed aside the bangs blocking his view, his lips always tightly pressed, showing a stubborn edge, curving upward into an arc.

An unprecedented smile, hinting at carefree laziness, appeared on Li Chi's face.

In those wet, dark eyes in the mirror, a foreign, sharp yet gentle light also appeared.

Li Chi froze, looking at his own face making an expression utterly unlike himself; the feeling was too real, undeniable.

"I..."

Li Chi whispered, "Do I... have a mental illness?"

This was the only explanation he could think of.

The long-repressive environment finally drove his mind to collapse, splitting it?

Jin Chen gently shook his head at the boy in the mirror.

"No, Xiao Chi, you're not, and neither am I."

He smiled faintly, his tone gentle: "Don't be afraid. I will protect you."

This was his first promise to that scarred soul.

Li Chi fell silent.

In the sea of consciousness, all was silent, only his own chaotic heartbeat sounded.

He didn't know how to respond to this sudden presence; the word "protection" felt as distant as a joke to him.

All this time, the only thing he had learned was silence and endurance.

It felt as if a century had passed.

Only then did Jin Chen hear an extremely faint response from the sea of consciousness.

"... Oh."

Hearing it made Jin Chen feel heartbroken.

He no longer forcibly took the lead, gently returning control of the body to Li Chi.

The smile in the mirror vanished, returning to the expression only Li Chi had.

"Xiao Chi, the reins are yours," Jin Chen's voice echoed in the sea of consciousness, softly soothing: "Don't be afraid. I won't force you."

Li Chi's tense shoulders slumped slightly.

He no longer looked at the mirror, walking stiffly to the bedside.

The boy silently lifted the thin blanket, burrowing himself completely inside, even covering his head.

The small blanket bulged, trembling slightly.

Jin Chen: "......?"

He clearly felt the temperature and stuffy air inside the blanket rise instantly, plus the discomfort of the boy's knees pressing against his stomach as he curled up.

"Xiao Chi," Jin Chen said with a hint of helpless smile, "aren't you hot?"

Staying silent would have been fine, but speaking made Li Chi tremble again.

Immediately after, Jin Chen heard Li Chi's slightly muffled nasal voice: "... Can we... not speak for now?"

Ling Gun Gun let out a sound, 【Host, you just scared the hell out of me out of the blue.】

【Who to blame?】

【......】 Ling Gun Gun immediately muted.

【But...】 Jin Chen pondered, 【Li Chi's vocal cords are fine.】

That could only mean something happened later that made him unwilling to speak again.

——

The stuffy heat inside the blanket hadn't dissipated when a banging came from outside the door, strong enough to shake the thin door panels.

Next came Li Qiang's impatient, hoarse shout: "Stupid mute! What the hell are you mumbling about! Get out here quick! My mom told you to take a picture!"

Li Qiang had a short temper, and bossing Li Chi around was everyday fare.

Jin Chen sensed Li Chi's body tensing, with no sense of safety.

"Xiao Chi," Jin Chen's voice sounded steady, "aren't you scared? Let me help you, okay?"

The body inside the blanket seemed to curl up a bit more.

After two seconds, Li Chi's uncertain heartbeat came through, like a tiny paw reaching out tentatively.

"... You, help me?"

"Yeah, I'll help you." Jin Chen said gently.

Outside the door, Li Qiang kept kicking impatiently, "Did you hear me! Mute!"

Li Chi lightly inhaled, lifted the stuffy blanket; the bangs on his forehead were damp with sweat, sticking to his pale forehead.

He sat up, clutching the old pillow washed white.

"Close your eyes, Xiao Chi." Jin Chen said.

Li Chi's long lashes fluttered, and he obediently closed his eyes.

Almost simultaneously, Jin Chen took control of the body.

He felt the residual stiffness in this body, moved his wrist a bit, then stood up and walked over, swishing the door open.

Outside the door, Li Qiang, obviously not expecting the door to suddenly open, had his foot raised for another kick, frozen midair.

He had already grown quite tall, his face bearing arrogance and viciousness; seeing Lai Chi standing expressionless at the doorway, he froze for a moment, then became even more furious.

Get out quickly, you're not deaf!

Jin Chen didn't even lift his eyelids, walking straight past him.

In the dining room, the greasy aroma of the food grew stronger.

The nanny had already placed the dishes on the table; indeed, they were far more lavish than usual, all rare hearty dishes.

Qiu Juan was holding her phone adjusting the angle, Lai Donglai had already sat at the table, eyes fixed on that plate of lobster, Lai Fendou didn't know where he went.

Seeing Lai Chi enter, Qiu Juan was about to order him to stand by the table for a photo, but before she could speak, her Eyeball almost popped out.

Only to see that mute who usually shrinks in the corner actually walked straight to the table, pulled out the chair beside Lai Donglai, and sat down openly.

Then, under Qiu Juan's astonished gaze, he picked up his chopsticks, grabbed the biggest, fullest piece of lobster meat, and shoved it straight into his mouth.

Lai Chi!

Qiu Juan's scream nearly lifted the roof, her face became Distorted from heartache: "Who let you really eat it! Put it down! That's for Donglai and Xiaoqiang to nourish their bodies! You little bastard!"

Jin Chen chewed the fresh, sweet shrimp in his mouth slowly, only after swallowing did he slowly lift his eyes, calmly sweeping over Qiu Juan's angry face.

Why can't I eat it?

Lai Donglai's chopsticks clattered onto the table.

Qiu Juan's scream caught in her throat, incredulous; Lai Qiang, who had followed her in, also stared dumbfounded, pointing at Jin Chen: "The mute spoke!"

Lai Donglai felt that Lai Chi had changed too much today, and for no reason a sense of unease arose in his heart.