Chapter 2996: Taming the Stubborn 13

Jin Chen lowered his hand, opened his eyes and looked at him, "Zhou Cheng handled this matter well; you've met him before—what do you think would be an appropriate bonus for him?"

Chenshu: "?"

So Zhou Cheng hasn't been discovered yet!

That would mean there could be a next time—if Zhou Cheng isn't discovered, he'll keep tampering on Jin Chen's cargo ship, keep smuggling contraband, keep pulling little tricks behind the scenes, while Jin Chen remains in the dark, still thinking Zhou Cheng is a capable subordinate.

Chenshu wanted to speak but held back, fearing that saying more would be wrong and instead draw suspicion on himself.

His position in front of Jin Chen is already not spotless; if he proactively exposes Zhou Cheng, Jin Chen might think he's sowing discord, diverting attention, and then follow the vine to uncover his own affairs.

Yet he also felt the old man trusted those around him far too much; having struggled to this point, it's no easy feat, yet everyone around him is scheming against him, and he remains oblivious.

Chenshu felt a bit uneasy inside, his mind wandering, and he completely missed the subtle shift in Jin Chen's gaze.

Jin Chen lazily lifted his hand, again pinching the back of his neck, his fingertip rubbing the skin, making him go weak from the bones up.

"What are you thinking about again?" Jin Chen asked softly.

Chenshu's body tensed, he came back to himself, pressed his lips, looked at Jin Chen's deep-gray eyes, hesitated a few seconds, then decided, for the sake of those extravagantly expensive gifts, to give this old man a reminder.

"Actually that day," he hesitated, voice low, "I also saw someone."

"What person?" After a moment, Jin Chen asked.

His body gradually drew nearer, closing the distance with Chenshu until he could smell Jin Chen's faint alcohol mixed with agarwood, which oddly had an intoxicating allure.

Chenshu's breathing grew a little hazy, as if he'd drunk himself, his thoughts slowed, his mouth moving faster than his mind.

"It was that Zhou Cheng who was standing beside you that day."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chenshu furtively glanced up to gauge Jin Chen's reaction.

He didn't know whether Jin Chen believed him, nor if he'd said something he shouldn't have; his fingers unconsciously clenched the pocket of his sleepwear.

Jin Chen finally curled his lips; the layers of smile in his eyes rippled like water, spreading across his light-gray irises, giving his usually cold, almost unfeeling eyes a sudden warmth.

Chenshu blinked, then quickly realized what it was.

"You know it's Zhou Cheng… you're testing me?"

A shiver ran down his back, intensely cold.

Once again, he keenly realized how dangerous and cunning the man before him was.

He thought he was warning Jin Chen, but Jin Chen had known all along, merely waiting for him to speak up.

Jin Chen's lax voice sounded near Chenshu's ear, breath brushing over it, tingling: "Zhou Cheng still can't be dealt with openly."

He said it, his fingers sliding from Chenshu's neck to his chin, giving a scratch, "But you can give him up—you did well."

Jin Chen decided he could temporarily not pursue Chenshu's matter of smuggling confidential goods into Yucheng via cargo ship.

It was just some petty squabbling; compared to what Zhou Cheng had done, it hardly mattered at all.

A twenty-year-old kid, just arrived in Yucheng, with no resources or connections—what waves could he possibly make?

Jin Chen scratched Chenshu's slightly fleshy chin again, the alcohol loosening his already unrestrained nature, making him even more casual as he did these things: "Good boy."

Chenshu's ears heated at the praise.

Although the old man was fierce and dangerous, always giving people a chilling look, no one had ever praised him like this before; after all, in the training camp, doing well was expected, and mistakes earned punishment.

Chenshu's eyes shone bright; he leaned into Jin Chen, pushing his luck: "Praise me two more times."

Jin Chen pushed his forehead away, gave a humored chuckle: "Do a good deed, get praised only once."

Chenshu: "……"

"Such a big person, so petty…" he muttered, voice neither loud nor soft, just enough for Jin Chen to hear.

Chenshu rose from beside the sofa, his legs numb from squatting too long, knees weak; he swayed, steadied himself, then turned to leave.

Just as he turned, before he could take a step, his arm was seized; the force swung him half around, unbalancing him, and he pitched forward toward Jin Chen, then was enveloped tightly.

Jin Chen's arm wrapped around his back, palm pressing against his shoulder blade, the other hand resting at his waist.

His broad shoulders enclosed Chenshu snugly, their heartbeats slowly overlapping.

That night's inexplicable sense of danger from sharing a bed rose again, starting from where Jin Chen's arm encircled him, crawling up his spine, leaving Chenshu utterly stiff, his breathing shallow, staring blankly at Jin Chen.

However, the wine‑softened Jin Chen truly wasn't as sharp‑edged as usual.

His brows and eyes retained their usual aloof, superior look, but now held an added laxness, as if his ferocity had been reined in; his eyes were half‑open, lashes drooping slightly, veiling most of the pupil, leaving only a slit of moist light.

"What… what are you doing?" Chenshu said, his voice a little tight.

Jin Chen lowered his gaze slightly, expressionless, looking at the handsome youth shrouded in his shadow, his gaze lingering on the youth's moist, full lips: "Fulfilling my duty."

Chenshu felt a bit at a loss; a subtle sensation wove itself over him, his Adam's apple tensed, realizing it was a kiss—like Jin Chen's character, flavored with drink and a desire to control.

And he could not move in Jin Chen's embrace.