Chapter 8: Saving the Autistic Boy 08

Jin Chen watched the two people holding hands in the art studio, and his motion to enter suddenly paused.

He had a blank expression, his voice low and deep, "Either you leave on your own, or I'll have the bodyguards act."

This afternoon he chatted with Song Kan, and Jin Chen was disgusted with Chen Jiang; now he even came to his house.

Seeing his goal achieved, Chen Jiang no longer cared about Jin Chen's attitude; his demeanor suggested that Uncle Song's side had already succeeded.

He stood up with a smile, feeling pleased, "Then I won't disturb President Jin."

Afterwards, he deliberately reminded Ji Yan, "Remember to come on time."

The door handle that Jin Chen was gripping cracked a bit.

Until Chen Jiang left, the two people in the room also didn't speak.

Ji Yan felt somewhat at a loss, and also looked at Jin Chen with confusion.

Why is his attitude different from when he left……

Could it really have reverted to how it was before?

He pressed his lips together, not knowing what to do, yet at the same time a feeling of helpless desolation welled up in his heart.

"Remember to come downstairs for dinner."

Jin Chen tossed out that line and left without looking back.

Ji Yan stood frozen in place, he seemed…… not to have reverted to his former self.

But why is he ignoring me?

He hasn't even come over to ruffle my hair……

【Host, you seem angry, are you jealous?】0731 asked curiously.

【No.】

Jin Chen strode back to the study, his face still as gloomy as water.

0731 didn't dare to expose it, but understood clearly.

It's definitely jealousy!

【Host, just now Chen Jiang wasn't unilaterally holding Little Pitiful One's hand, right? You can ask what's going on.】

【He didn't refuse.】 Jin Chen's face was cold, and he felt the documents were especially annoying.

【In the original plot, Chen Jiang rescued Little Pitiful One when he was young; that's probably the reason.】

0731 earnestly advised.

【Back then, Little Pitiful One had a high fever, and it was Chen Jiang who couldn't stand it and called an ambulance; otherwise he wouldn't have made it.】

The pen tip paused slightly, and Jin Chen's tone softened a bit.

【Does Chen Jiang know about this?】

【He probably knows; otherwise he wouldn't be so bold.】

Seeing that Jin Chen's mood had improved considerably, 0731 happily let out a sigh of relief.

【Hmm.】

Although Jin Chen didn't look as angry, he still didn't go downstairs; he had Aunt Liu bring up a meal, then continued to handle affairs in silence.

Watching this, 0731 felt his heart pounding with fear.

Night.

After several days of clear weather, A City was suddenly hit by a downpour.

Accompanied by thunder and lightning, this rain came with tremendous force.

Ji Yan curled tightly under the blankets, his face devoid of color, hands over his ears, his mind filled with overlapping blood-colored images.

In his half-open almond eyes lay a thick, almost indissolvable void.

【Host! Something terrible has happened!】

0731 saw Little Pitiful One in the screen and hurriedly notified Jin Chen, who was still processing emails.

【Little Pitiful One is afraid of thunder and is crying under the blankets!】

Jin Chen fell silent for a moment, thinking of the boy's fearful and tearful appearance; his heart couldn't bear it, and he let out a sigh.

I never imagined I would be so longing for the mission target; it's utterly unbelievable.

But since he started the mission, he has always done as he pleased; having taken a liking to…… well, let him like it.

We can't just never see each other again.

Ji Yan heard the sound of the door being turned, his body jerked, and a greater fear swept over him.

He had already immersed himself in his emotions, unable to perceive much outside information; even the sound of the door opening, in his mind at night, automatically turned into a terrifying monster.

That monster bore Ji Weixue's face.

"Ji Yan."

Jin Chen called out, seeing the person make no movement, instead the trembling grew larger; he frowned and walked closer to the bedside.

As the footsteps grew nearer, Ji Yan's heart felt ever more fearful and suffocated; then another thunderclap burst from outside the window, deafening, as if it struck right beside his ear.

Such an agonizing night, when he was in the Ji family, would almost play out every month.

But unlike pain, he could never get used to it, nor could he derive any distorted pleasure from it.

Suddenly embraced by a warm body, Ji Yan shuddered all over.

"Ji Yan, wake up."

Jin Chen lowered his voice, afraid to startle the youth in his arms.

"Is…… Jin Chen?"

Ji Yan's consciousness returned, briefly drawing out from his own chaotic memories, he sensed Jin Chen embracing him.

His nose suddenly tingled with sourness.

The first thing that came to mind was, however, Jin Chen's coldness toward me that evening.

An unstable redemption that could be revoked at any moment—what good is it to me……

It's merely another form of torment on a different level.

But his embrace is really, so warm……

【Villain Blackening Value detected: 10, total 50; Heartbeat Value: 10, total 45.】

Jin Chen: '??'

He thought Ji Yan hadn't woken up yet!

【How can Heartbeat Value and Blackening Value both increase?】

【Maybe Host, you made him both flutter and feel hurt.】0731 said solemnly.

Jin Chen helplessly patted the blanket, 'You're awake but still ignoring me?'

'……' Ji Yan stayed silent, eyes tightly shut.

Then I'll go.

Jin Chen pretended to get up, but actually kept watching the boy's movements.

Sure enough, the next second, Ji Yan suddenly grabbed his hand, fingertips turning white from force.

Jin Chen heard the boy's suppressed sob.

It sounded helpless and heartbroken.

Like a kitten that's been abandoned all along.

A fine pain prickled his heart; Jin Chen ultimately couldn't bear to continue.

Another thunderclap.

He leaned over again, holding the boy in his arms and covering his ears. 'Don't be afraid.'

'Is it because of what happened this evening that you feel I've neglected you?'

Jin Chen brought up the topic himself.

Since he had confirmed his feelings, he needed to explain all misunderstandings clearly.

Ji Yan seemingly hadn't expected Jin Chen to bring this up; his first reaction was: He actually knows?

Sensing the stunned state of the person in his arms, Jin Chen stroked his hair, gently caressing the boy's thin back as comfort, while continuing to explain.

'I came back to find you, and as soon as I entered I saw you holding hands with Chen Jiang.'

No……

Ji Yan stubbornly lifted his head, his almond eyes full of disagreement.

'…… No, it's, the cufflinks.'

'Yeah, he even gave you a set of cufflinks, how nice.' Jin Chen's remark was sour even to himself without him realizing.

Ji Yan: '……'

He seemed not to understand why the more he explained, the more confusing it got; after a few seconds of stunned silence he spoke again.

'He came…… to apologize on behalf of Ji Yu……'

'Yeah, because you could forgive Ji Yu for his sake, even agreeing to attend his birthday banquet.'

'……'

Ji Yan only then realized the man seemed to be teasing himself; both times his words were similar.

He suddenly turned over, his back to Jin Chen.

Now it's Jin Chen's turn to coax him.

He tightened his grip on the boy's waist, his tone shameless: 'If you touch him I get angry; if you stay away from him I won't be angry.'

【……】731 sighed in amazement, what a primary schooler's remark.