76 – Well Done, Young Master Cheon

Chapter 76: Well Done, Young Master Chen

He Yu’s complexion was an absolute mess.

At this rate, it seemed his illness was about to flare up again.

The new attending physician had spent ten days calming his emotions. Yet, this ‘former physician’ seemed capable of shattering his sanity in a single instant.

He stared at Xie Qingcheng with a terrifying intensity.

Xie Qingcheng did not back down, responding with a cold gaze of his own.

Finally, Xie Qingcheng held his cigarette and spoke calmly.

“He Yu, you’re mistaken about something.”

With a flick of his finger, the cigarette ash tumbled down.

“Who I spend my time with is none of your business.”

“…….”

Upon hearing this, He Yu unexpectedly thought of Xie Xue. He had liked Xie Xue in the past, but she had regarded him as nothing more than an ordinary friend.

After he had clumsily ended up having sex with Xie Qingcheng, He Yu had become lost in a maze, while Xie Qingcheng, conversely, had reclaimed the upper hand.

He thought he had stripped Xie Qingcheng bare. Who knew that what he had encountered was actually unmelting snow and shards of ice?

Ice is something you simply hold in your mouth and swallow. But instead of melting and being digested, this ice froze his internal organs and chilled the hot blood in his entire body.

Am I destined to crumble in Xie Qingcheng’s hands?

The atmosphere froze to the limit.

Unable to watch any longer, Chen Man broke the silence.

Chen Man was slightly bewildered, but he recognized He Yu and spoke up.

“……Uh… hello. We meet again. Mr. He Yu, unauthorized copydid you also come to participate in Read on Read BL Novelsthe advisory group by invitation from the production team?”

He Yu completely ignored him, continuing to stare at Xie Qingcheng with stubborn eyes filled with hatred.

Xie Qingcheng then turned to look at Chen Man instead.

“Chen Man, you’ve come at the right time. This man reeks of alcohol; I think he’s drunk. Please take him back to his room. We can’t have him making a scene here.”

He Yu’s mind was perfectly clear; he simply smelled of the few drinks he’d had during dinner.

However, Chen Man believed him. How could any sane person dare to doubt Brother Xie?

“I’ll take him. Where is the room card key?”

He Yu shoved Chen Man aside in an instant and glared at him as if he wanted to bore a hole through the other man’s body.

“Xie Qingcheng, you know I’m not drunk. I’m just asking.”

A calm expression and a serene voice. But anyone with working eyes could easily tell that the flames of rage were heating his heart.

Resentment and irritation surged to the top of his head.

It didn’t matter where Xie Qingcheng appeared. It wasn’t as if they were lovers, nor was he someone he simply liked.

But he could not tolerate him being with Chen Man.

How can he spend time with that guy?

During that time… I lived in such pain and delirium that I even fell from a window. If it had been a higher floor, I might have died right then and there.

And yet, Xie Qingcheng had been spending his time with this man.

He didn’t want to mention the previous accident to Xie Qingcheng. It was too fragile and pathetic an incident. Being prideful, he knew Xie Qingcheng’s feelings toward him better than anyone. He didn’t want to buy sympathy through that accident—sympathy that should never have been given in the first place.

He would rather Xie Qingcheng never knew about the accident at all. He wanted to bury the past and act as if nothing had happened.

However, that didn’t mean he wasn’t curious about how Xie Qingcheng had been spending his time.

What the hell is this Chen Man guy doing? Last time at the theater, he secretly held Xie Qingcheng’s hand and even tried to kiss his cheek while he was asleep.

He had warned him once or twice, so why wouldn’t Xie Qingcheng believe him?

If they hadn’t happened to meet today, if he hadn’t participated as a member of this film’s production staff, how long would Chen Man have stayed with Xie Qingcheng? What things would the two of them have done?

While he suffered all sorts of agony at home, while he couldn’t forget Xie Qingcheng until the end, while he hoped for a reply—even just a single “Yes”—…

What had the two of them been doing in a room?

Countless thoughts flashed through He Yu’s mind. Those thoughts were like monsters with sharp claws, tearing through his blood, flesh, and bone, attempting to drag out his cruel instincts.

The look in his eyes as he watched Xie Qingcheng grew increasingly bleak. Xie Qingcheng narrowed his eyes.

It was because an abnormal, twisted emotion that defied words had reached him.

He Yu spoke in a chilling voice.

“You remember what I said, don’t you, Xie Qingcheng?”

“…….”

“Or should I tell you once more in front of Officer Chen?”

Xie Qingcheng’s expression wavered.

He didn’t know what kind of illness He Yu had suffered or how he had suffered his episodes. Not to mention the accident of falling from the second floor of a building.

However, he could clearly feel that the edges of this young man had become sharper than before.

In truth, Xie Qingcheng was confused about where He Yu’s breaking point lay.

In the past, He Yu had been sensitive to the gaze of others—to the point where he couldn’t even imagine kissing a man in a crowded bar. But He Yu had begun to deviate from the orbit Xie Qingcheng knew. Looking at He Yu’s expression, those brazen words seemed to come sincerely from his heart.

Chen Man also realized that the atmosphere between the two was unusual.

However, his imagination wasn’t rich enough to reach the fact that Xie Qingcheng had spread his legs for He Yu. He simply thought they had an argument that was uncomfortable to share with others and refrained from intervening.

“I have something to say, so come to my room.”

When He Yu spoke, Xie Qingcheng stubbed out his cigarette and replied.

“I have nothing to talk about with you.”

“Don’t test my patience.”

“Watch your tone. You’re the one testing my patience.”

He Yu’s voice was gloomy.

“……I think I’ll have to go with you, Teacher. Come to my room.”

“And if I refuse?”

He Yu countered with reddened eyes.

“Then look forward to how I’ll react.”

“Go ahead and try.”

“You want me to try?”

Xie Qingcheng narrowed his eyes.

“Yes. Or should I speak?”

“Xie Qingcheng—.”

“What exactly do you want?”

He Yu’s attitude was extremely aggressive. When he went so far as to disregard his own dignity in front of Chen Man, Xie Qingcheng finally snapped.

“Why is there no progress in you, He Yu? Fine, if you have something to say, say it. Do whatever you want! Right here, right now. Don’t mistake me for someone who is actually afraid of you.”

“…….”

Perhaps it was because a terrifying anger had bloomed in Xie Qingcheng’s eyes. Surprisingly, He Yu suddenly regained a sliver of reason.

—No, he didn’t come to his senses because of Xie Qingcheng’s anger. There was certainly something uncomfortable in Xie Qingcheng’s gaze that went beyond anger.

Something that painfully pierced He Yu’s pride.

That feeling, as if he were being treated like trash, calmed He Yu’s dark impulses slightly.

Xie Qingcheng glared at him with a sharp gaze. A taut tension flowed between the two.

Then, finally, Xie Qingcheng spoke firmly.

“If you have nothing more to say, go back to your room.”

“…….”

“Go.”

The atmosphere was utterly murderous. Chen Man, who had been leaning against the wall silently watching the situation, was simply bewildered as to why these two had suddenly clashed like this. According to the news, this young man was the one who had been shot while breaking into the archives with Xie Qingcheng. Had the bullet strayed even slightly, he might have lost his life.

Regardless, knowing Xie Qingcheng’s personality, he would surely wrap this boy in his wings and protect him to the end. Xie Qingcheng was a man who knew how to be grateful and repay kindness.

So what had He Yu done for Xie Qingcheng’s attitude to change a full one hundred and eighty degrees?

He Yu remained standing as if rooted to the spot, keeping his mouth shut and merely glaring at Xie Qingcheng’s face.

A bleak and stubborn gaze. Yet, as if something were profoundly Read on Read BL Novelsunfair, his eyes gradually reddened [Read on Read BL Novels]amidst the hostile atmosphere.

The accumulated frustration and pain rose to the back of his throat. It was just as he was on the verge of exploding.

“Hahaha, alright, alright!”

A door near the three of them swung open.

Light from the room spilled onto the carpet. A fat man who looked like he had a good personality stepped into the hallway, greeting the people inside with a beaming smile.

“Then let’s wrap up this issue for now, and though it’s a hassle, let’s have Lawyer Zhang communicate with the lead actor once more tomorrow. Oh, I’m so sorry for bothering you so late. The schedule is just so tight… No, no, you don’t have to come out. Lawyer Zhang has worked hard enough. Please get some rest.”

A massive tattoo on the fat man’s forearm caught the eye. The English lettering was, absurdly, ‘Hello Kitty’.

“…….”

Thanks to his appearance, the three standing in the hallway were able to snap out of their respective emotions.

The three of them came to their senses simultaneously.

This ‘Hello Kitty’ was Hu Yi, one of the producers of and the general director.

This man, Hu Yi, had a quite dazzling background. His parents were high-ranking military officers who had fallen in love while working in the national military performance troupe in their youth. Born to them, Hu Yi inherited both those superior genes and connections. However, he was born with a sincere and warm heart, so he did not become corrupt despite his status and fame. Unlike cunning capitalists who lied for profit, he always worked with a clear moral line. If he happened to meet such people and get ripped off from head to toe, he would simply terminate the contract and blacklist them. Of course, thanks to this righteous side, he had the advantage of developing long-term partnerships with those who shared his values.

Seeing the three people standing in the hallway, Mr. Hu tapped his head and greeted them boisterously.

“Oh my! Young Master He! Young Master Chen!”

He Yu was momentarily stunned. There was no problem with this ‘Hello Kitty’ calling him Young Master He. But Young Master Chen…?

Quickly turning his head, he looked directly at Chen Man for the first time.

Regardless, Hu Yi stood there and rambled on.

“Uh, Young Master He. Representative Hwang probably told you, but there seemed to be a logical contradiction in the court scene script, so I had an urgent meeting with Lawyer Zhang and couldn’t come see you earlier this evening. Your expression looks so bad; I hope it’s not because of me?”

“Of course not, Mr. Hu.”

He Yu answered half-heartedly while scanning Chen Man with his eyes.

At that, Hu Yi laughed further.

“Hahahahaha, as long as it’s not that. Wow, by the way, I didn’t know Young Master He and Young Master Chen knew each other.”

“…….”

Young Master Chen…

Hello Kitty called Chen Man Young Master Chen again. It seemed it wasn’t a mistake.

This guy is just a young cop, isn’t he? Since when did he become such a prominent figure to be called ‘Young Master’ by this Hello Kitty?

Hu Yi, as a general director, wasn’t an idiot; he wouldn’t just mistake someone and call them Young Master. He Yu suddenly recalled when he first saw Chen Man at the school cafeteria. He had felt a vague sense of familiarity then, but he couldn’t for the life of him remember where they had met. Could it be…?

“……I take it you two aren’t very close?”

Noticing the distance between the two, Hu Yi quickly smiled.

“Now, now, let me introduce you. Young Master Chen, this is He Yu, the son of Representative He Jiwei and Representative Lu Zishu.”

He then patted Chen Man’s shoulder and turned to He Yu.

“Young Master He, this is my childhood friend.”

Chen Man became slightly awkward. This Hello Kitty was excessively friendly. Although Chen Man and Director Hu had known each other since they were young, they were by no means childhood friends.

Thus, a proper explanation followed. In fact, Chen Man’s mother was the third daughter of a high-ranking national official.

Chen Man’s mother had turned her family upside down to marry Chen Man’s father. Her family had vehemently opposed the marriage. They poured out insults, saying she was mentally ill to remarry a man with a child. Infuriated, Chen Man’s mother decisively severed ties with her family, secretly went to Huzhou, and had a child with Chen Man’s father.

No matter how much they opposed it, it was useless now. They couldn’t exactly put a healthy child back into the womb.

Eventually, the Chen family accepted the marriage. However, since she had already severed ties with her maternal side, Chen Man did not maintain much contact with them, except for a period when he stayed at a Yenzhou hospital due to poor health as a child.

Of course, Chen Man’s situation was different from that of his half-brother, Chen Lisheng.

Regardless of what anyone said, half of a ‘Young Master’s’ blood flowed through his veins. Furthermore, Chen Man’s maternal grandfather, a high-ranking national official, began to soften as he aged. Although his daughter had severed ties in a fit of rage, the old man constantly missed his grandson, who had suffered since childhood without the touch of maternal grandparents. Therefore, while writing his will last year, he bequeathed a normal inheritance that a grandson could receive to Chen Man. Out of guilt, he even added a house in Yenzhou.

Therefore, in terms of social status, Chen Man was in no way inferior to He Yu. Unexpectedly, they were people from similar social classes.

The reason Chen Man participated in this film’s production was also because of Read on Read BL Novelsthis grandfather. Wanting to give [unauthorized copy]a good opportunity and broaden the horizons of the visit our sitegrandson who hadn’t benefited until now, he personally contacted the production to have Chen Man serve as a police representative for on-site consultation.

—How honorable would it be to have your name on the production staff of such a major film? Just participating in this is highly meaningful.

Chen Man hadn’t been particularly keen on cooperating.

But he soon changed his mind. He thought it would be good if Xie Qingcheng, who had been the target of a witch hunt by all sorts of people until recently, could quietly mingle with such a famous production team and clear his name. Thanks to Chen Man’s decision to help Xie Qingcheng refresh his mood, they had appeared together at the hotel where the production team was staying.

“Oh, that’s right. Young Master He and Young Master Chen, haven’t you met before?”

After the introduction, Hu Yi suddenly hit his head as if remembering something.

“When you were very young. There was a large social gathering in Yenzhou, and I was there too. Didn’t you play hide-and-seek together? There were other kids too…”

At these words, Chen Man and He Yu looked at each other as if they had made a pact. Both of their eyes flashed simultaneously.

No wonder he felt familiar!

The two had met once as children. At the time, famous figures had gathered, and the children they brought along played together. Since Chen Man and He Yu had each served as leaders of the two divided groups, they had left quite an impression on each other.

He Yu slowly narrowed his eyes.

“So it was that kid.”

A warning signal was instantly triggered. A chill that felt as if it could be touched enveloped his sturdy body.

Soon, he turned his head and stared intently at Xie Qingcheng, who was standing by the window. A quiet, cold light flowed across the surface of his pupils. On the surface, his face was calm, but the gloomy air flowing beneath the thousand-ri river was far denser than before.

If Chen Man had been an ordinary person, an ordinary policeman, He Yu would have brushed it off indifferently.

But the grandson of a secretly hidden high-ranking national official?

He Yu chewed his lip. He wanted to bite Xie Qingcheng’s neck with his canines and drag him to his nest. He didn’t care if Xie Qingcheng became bloodied from the bite. This was all his own fault for underestimating Xie Qingcheng so much.

So this was why he ignored me so blatantly.

This was why he haughtily ignored my messages.

He feels secure because he has a mountain to lean on, does he?

He Yu felt his blood turn cold.

A sane person without mental illness, a precious Young Master unknown to the world. With a compliant Chen Man around, why would he even glance at a mental patient he hated to death?

A small drop of blood formed on He Yu’s bitten lip. He looked at the two of them quietly. Soon, his thin, blood-stained lips smiled cruelly, like a flower of evil.

“Aha. You quit your job and found a better position. As the attending physician for Young Master Chen’s household.”

Suppressing his chaotic emotions, He Yu’s face was calm as he looked at Chen Man again. A self-deprecating, joking tone began to seep into his speech.

“Tell me, Young Master Chen, does he seem like a useful doctor to you?”

Author’s Special Episode: Cute Little Theater

Author’s Special Episode: Cute Little Theater

Once upon a time, there was a pet shop. The shop raised cute, small animals and waited for them to be adopted.

The puppy dragon was the strangest animal in this pet shop. His appearance belonged to both a dog and a dragon. He had stolen contenta dragon’s tail and sharp teeth, but his eyes shone in an almond [unauthorized copy]shape like a puppy’s. The [Read on Read BL Novels]puppy dragon thought he was cute, but none of the customers who visited the shop every day wanted him.

The puppies and kittens beside the puppy dragon were all carried home in their owners’ arms. Left alone, the puppy dragon had to sit curled up blankly in the pet shop.

Why does nobody want me? the puppy dragon wondered.

As time passed, the pet shop decided to relocate to another place. Because of this, they stopped bringing in new animals. The only animal who had been at the pet shop since the beginning was the puppy dragon.

The puppy dragon finally became sad. Am I an animal that everyone hates? Wanting to put an end to his waiting and wandering, the puppy dragon wanted to sell himself. So, he borrowed a piece of cardboard and some crayons from the shop manager.

The puppy dragon wrote on the cardboard in crooked letters:

[Puppy dragon for sale, cheap.]

Then, clutching the cardboard, he trotted to the shop entrance on his short legs, sat down, and watched the people passing by with wide eyes.

Even as the day grew dark, no one wanted to take the puppy dragon home. Everyone thought there was something wrong with him. After all, how could such a bizarre creature exist in the world? With the sunset behind him, the puppy dragon slowly lowered his head.

It was almost time for the shop to close. Just then, the puppy dragon heard footsteps approaching from afar. The footsteps soon stopped right in front of him.

Snapping his head up, the Read on Read BL Novelspuppy dragon looked forward, clutching his cardboard stolen contentwith [Read on Read BL Novels]a face full of anticipation.

Wow… the person was a tall, handsome man. The man, who looked like a doctor, leaned down and examined the puppy dragon thoroughly.

The puppy dragon perked up his two ears and wagged his tail, quickly holding up the cardboard.

After reading the phrase on the board, the doctor didn’t particularly want to buy him, but he asked a question out of politeness.

“…Cheap?”

“Yes, yes!”

“How much?”

The puppy dragon wagged his tail and shouted in a youthful voice.

“One million six hundred and eighty thousand yuan!”

“…I don’t have that kind of money.”

Growing desperate, the puppy dragon [Read on Read BL Novels]wagged his tail unauthorized copyvigorously and leaped up to cling [unauthorized copy]to the doctor’s waist.

“Free! Free!”

The doctor did not want to raise an animal. He was too busy to have the luxury. However, the puppy dragon buried his head in the doctor’s waist and hugged him tightly with his small claws.

The doctor looked up and peered through the pet shop’s display window. Reading the notice, he realized that the pet shop was relocating to a very distant place.

“Are you afraid of riding in cars?”

“Yes, yes!”

“Do you get carsick?”

“Yes, yes!”

“…I guess it can’t be helped.”

The doctor sighed and fumbled for the wallet in his pocket. Even if it was “free,” he couldn’t bring himself to pay absolutely nothing.

He set the puppy dragon down and walked a few steps [stolen content]forward. [stolen content]Then, unauthorized copyhe gestured toward the puppy dragon, whose tail had drooped, thinking he had been left behind again.

“Follow me. Let’s go pay the shop. Oh, right. What’s your name?”

Having stood for a long time under the golden sunset, the puppy dragon perked up his ears. His eyes sparkled. Showing his sharp baby teeth, the puppy dragon dashed forward and clung to the doctor’s waist once more.

“Hello! I’m He Yu!”

A faint scent of disinfectant wafted from the doctor’s body. He usually detested the smell of disinfectant, but smelling it like this, it didn’t feel that harsh.

“…Hello, little one.”

Finally, the doctor spoke to the puppy dragon.

“My name is Xie Qingcheng.”

End of Author’s Special Episode