Initially tense and bracing himself mentally to make the call, Jiang Cai’s nerves snapped the moment the call was abruptly disconnected. For a second, Jiang Cai was at a loss for how to react. His mind, however, kept replaying the strange, heavy breathing he had just heard.

It sounded like someone at their limit, unable to contain themselves, letting out breathy gasps. Sweet, soft… with a faint upward lilt at the end.

Although Jiang Cai had never been in a relationship, it didn’t mean he was clueless. That sound… the person who sent Yu Zao home was Chu Xi, and the one with Yu Zao should also be Chu Xi. What were they doing? Could it be… they were in the car…?

Sitting in the passenger seat, Jiang Cai’s face turned to ice. Although he had drunk earlier, he wasn’t flushed. When fighting, he hadn’t been this angry, but now his ears and neck were burning red, and his mood had soured.

Yet at the same time, he was confused. Why was he acting like a jealous husband, wondering if Yu Zao was fooling around with another man? Whatever Yu Zao did, whoever he was with, was none of Jiang Cai’s business.

But Jiang Cai couldn’t stop thinking about what Yu Zao might be doing.

Jiang Cai pulled out his phone, wanting to message Yu Zao, but after Yu Zao had disconnected the call without any explanation, he wasn’t sure if he was simply busy or if it was something else.

In the group chat with over 99 messages:

【Alright, stop arguing, okay? You’ve been at it for half an hour, aren’t you tired?】

【Jiang Cai, what are you thinking? Yu Zao has gone to such lengths for you, you should at least show some sincerity. Don’t just stay silent, or are you stringing him along?】

【Such a scumbag.】

Yuan Jin: 【Scumbag. Yu Zao deserves better. Let me go after him instead.】

Jiang Cai: 【? Did I say I was stringing him along? I’ve been chatting with him already.】

In the chat: 【Whoa.】

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Cai chose not to mention what had just happened. The group continued to stir things up, and he added: 【I won’t let him have me that easily. I’m not the kind of man who gives himself away like that. Men’s purity matters too. Otherwise, what’s the difference between me and trash?】

He didn’t notice the sudden silence in the group and continued typing seriously: 【If I’m too easy to get, I won’t be valued.】

【What are you even saying? Are you speaking Chinese? Can someone translate this for me?】

【… I kind of get it, but I also don’t. So you’re into Yu Zao but afraid of getting played, so you’re playing hard to get?】

Yuan Jin: 【Are you out of your mind?】

【I didn’t add him earlier, someone share Yu Zao’s WeChat with me. I need to talk to him.】

The group fell silent. The person: 【??? Don’t you all have his WeChat? Can’t someone share it?】

【Anyone there??】

At this point, everyone in the group seemed to be in unspoken agreement and simply muted the chat.

Jiang Cai couldn’t help but recall the soft moan he had heard through his headphones. While he found it pleasant to the ear, he couldn’t stop speculating about what Yu Zao might be doing. Was he really with someone else…? Was his first love being toyed with before it even started?

No, it couldn’t be. Yu Zao seemed so pure, such an innocent young man—how could he be doing something so outrageous in a car? No, it must be Chu Xi, who never seemed trustworthy, leading Yu Zao astray.

If something had happened, it would definitely be Chu Xi’s fault for corrupting Yu Zao.

Jiang Cai regretted it deeply. He knew Chu Xi was a manipulative, scheming person, yet he had still let Chu Xi drive Yu Zao home. Even if something had happened, didn’t he have some responsibility? He never should have let Chu Xi take Yu Zao home!

…

Chu Xi, who had long worked part-time and helped his family with manual labor, had calloused hands. For some reason, despite being careful at first, pressing lightly, Chu Xi suddenly pressed hard on Yu Zao’s leg.

Yu Zao, with his tender skin, was on the phone with Jiang Cai when he let out an uncontrollable yelp, accidentally swiping to hang up the call.

He set down the phone, his slightly upturned eyes glistening with tears. “Why did you pinch me so hard?”

Chu Xi calmly replied, “You asked me to massage your leg.”

That was true.

Yu Zao frowned, still showing signs of irritation, though he knew it wasn’t entirely Chu Xi’s fault. But he was used to showing his temper in front of Chu Xi. He could barely lift his head in front of the villain, yet here he was, puffing up with confidence in front of Chu Xi. “But you didn’t have to press so hard. My leg’s all red now.”

As he said, the flawless white skin of Yu Zao’s leg had turned a bit red from the pressure. But Chu Xi swore he hadn’t pressed that hard. It was just that Yu Zao’s skin was so delicate that even a slight touch left a mark.

It wasn’t really Chu Xi’s fault. Yet, seeing the red mark and the teary, fiery look in Yu Zao’s eyes, he hesitated for a moment and softly said, “I’ll be more gentle next time.”

Even after getting out of the car, Yu Zao was still in disbelief.

Did Chu Xi just say “next time”? Wasn’t Chu Xi eager to distance himself, avoiding any involvement with him?

Yu Zao didn’t understand. On the way back to the apartment, he kept sneaking glances at Chu Xi. Once inside, Yu Zao suddenly stood on his tiptoes, his pale face getting close to Chu Xi’s.

“So this is what you like?” Yu Zao spoke in a breathy voice, as if he had figured something out. “Then I’ll wear this for you every day, okay?”

Yu Zao’s hair curled slightly at the ends, his thick black lashes distinct, and the uniform made him look impossibly innocent. Yet his soft, airy voice was filled with a mischievous malice, a contrast to his pure appearance.

It was as if he had discovered some great secret, his beautiful eyes flashing with wicked delight.

Chu Xi certainly didn’t miss the teasing glint in Yu Zao’s eyes.

More than anyone, he knew that beneath this angelic face lurked something much darker. Yet, as Yu Zao’s warm breath tickled his lips, sending an electric tingle through him, Chu Xi found himself confused again.

The height difference between them was striking. Even though Yu Zao stood on tiptoes and tilted his head up, he was still much shorter than Chu Xi. As they got closer, Chu Xi could clearly see the snowy white teeth behind his slightly parted lips and the soft, moist, sweet-scented tip of his tongue.

Too close. So close that… if Chu Xi lowered his head just a bit more, he could catch those plump, rosy lips with his own.

Chu Xi snapped out of it, abruptly turning his head away, showing a restrained and controlled profile.

His expression, which seemed somewhat disdainful, made Yu Zao instantly angry. “Fine, don’t look then!”

Feeling embarrassed and slighted, he added angrily, “I didn’t even want to wear it!”

With a cold expression, Yu Zao stormed into the apartment.

Chu Xi was really hard to deal with.

But it didn’t matter. After all, Quan Lushen didn’t know about his progress, nor did he understand his real relationship with Chu Xi. Even if his “strategy” failed, it didn’t matter. The down payment had already been received, and there was no way he was giving it back.

As soon as they got home, Yu Zao began bossing Chu Xi around.

His clothes hadn’t been washed yet, and he was waiting for Chu Xi to handle it. Sitting leisurely on the couch, sipping through a straw and tapping his toes, Yu Zao revealed his true nature in his tone: “Wash my clothes. Hand wash them.”

Even though there was clearly a washing machine in the house.

“You also need to mop the floor. And take out this trash,” Yu Zao added. “Mop the floor three times, use the mite remover on the carpet, and bring in the clothes from the balcony.”

Without a word, Chu Xi silently started doing the chores.

Yu Zao was surprised.

Why had Chu Xi suddenly become so obedient?

Oh, right.

He still had those “photos” of Chu Xi.

Yu Zao worried, “What if Chu Xi finds out I don’t actually have his photos but still made him do all these things… will he retaliate?”

Like beating him up.

He didn’t feel scared when giving orders, but now, with his anxious little face, he was starting to feel nervous.

0926: [In the original storyline, when your lie was exposed, things ended badly for you.]

0926 didn’t spell out exactly what happened, but Yu Zao knew it must have been something terrible. Best not to hear the details.

[But at this rate, by the time it happens, you’ll probably be long gone.]

Yu Zao breathed a sigh of relief.

He recalled the tasks assigned to him by Quan Lushen and Chi Xingge.

Quan Lushen had asked him to get close to Chu Xi, while Chi Xingge wanted him to ruin the already fragile relationship between the brothers. Greedy as he was, Yu Zao decided to play both sides and take money from both.

Feeling smug, thinking he had the villains wrapped around his finger, Yu Zao grew even more self-satisfied.

He ignored Chi Xingge’s messages. After all, he had already pocketed the money. What could Chi Xingge do?

So what if he’s a big villain? He’s still like a fool being played in the palm of my hand.

Chi Xingge: [Why aren’t you answering?]

Chi Xingge: [Transfer 10,000.00]

Chi Xingge: [Payment received]