Chapter 16: Unexpected

Testing the water temperature, Zhu Yu began scrubbing Liu Bo.

Liu Bo was chubby and had a lot of fur, so giving him a bath was like scrubbing laundry—a massive undertaking. Within minutes, Zhu Yu was panting from exhaustion.

Water splashed all over him, and with the bathroom door closed, the steam from the hot water quickly made his skin flush pink. Even the fine hairs on his body were dampened by the mist, making him look completely soaked.

“Why can’t you bathe yourself?” Zhu Yu dragged over a small stool and plopped down onto it.

Liu Bo let out a soft “meow.”

Outside, Bai Chen’s voice could be faintly heard—his live stream had started.

To be honest, Zhu Yu really wanted to watch it. He decided to finish up quickly so he could sneak into the live stream later.

Fortunately, Liu Bo was well-behaved during his bath, and even when Zhu Yu used the blow dryer on him, nothing unexpected happened.

The blow dryer was quiet, and the bathroom remained peaceful.

Just as Liu Bo’s fur was about halfway dry, Zhu Yu’s phone rang from his pocket.

He turned off the blow dryer and glanced at the screen—it was a WeChat call from Zhu Ting.

He wasn’t planning to answer, but just then, a drop of water dripped from his wet hair and landed directly on the answer button.

The next second, Zhu Ting’s perpetually icy face appeared on the screen.

“Zhu Yu.” Zhu Ting called his name.

Since he had already picked up, there was no point in hanging up now.

“What do you want?” Zhu Yu muttered, his eyelashes drooping slightly. He held the phone in one hand while using the other to smooth out Liu Bo’s messy fur.

Zhu Ting studied him carefully through the screen. Judging by the background, he was in a bathroom. His damp bangs clung to his forehead, but overall, he seemed to be in good spirits.

“What are you doing?” Zhu Ting asked.

“Giving the cat a bath,” Zhu Yu replied.

“How have you been?” Zhu Ting nodded slightly before continuing his questioning.

Since Bai Chen’s live stream was happening just outside, Zhu Yu deliberately lowered his voice. “Thanks to you, the job suits me perfectly. At least I won’t starve to death for now.”

Even though his voice was quiet, Zhu Ting still picked up on his sarcastic tone.

“You’re not at your dorm?” Zhu Ting didn’t seem particularly bothered by his attitude—he was used to his younger brother’s temper.

But as brothers who had come from the same womb, Zhu Ting could more or less guess what was going on just by looking at Zhu Yu’s expression and demeanor.

“I’m in my dorm,” Zhu Yu insisted stubbornly. Worried that Zhu Ting might notice more details, he simply flipped his phone over onto his lap, screen down.

Zhu Ting saw through his lie but didn’t expose him. “How’s the weather in London?”

“It’s alright.”

“How’s school?”

“Also alright.”

Zhu Yu only answered what was asked, nothing more.

“By the way,” Zhu Yu suddenly picked up his phone and turned the camera toward himself.

“What is it?” Zhu Ting asked.

Zhu Yu: “Say hello to Long Aotian.”

He saw Zhu Ting hesitate for a moment. Then, through the phone’s speaker, Zhu Ting’s detached voice came through: “Dog.”

“Dog.” He repeated it with a completely expressionless face.

For some reason, the way he said it felt oddly eerie.

Zhu Yu instantly got mad. His face darkened. “Are you crazy? He has a name! His name is Long Aotian!”

Zhu Ting’s expression remained rigid. “I can’t bring myself to say that.”

He had no idea what kind of novel or drama Zhu Yu had been watching, or if he was just naturally terrible at naming things, but the pets in their family all had bizarre names.

The parrot was called Cui Cui, the turtle was Fu Gui, which weren’t too bad—but this golden retriever being named Long Aotian was just too much for Zhu Ting to accept.

Hearing Zhu Ting’s refusal, Zhu Yu was about to explode again—until the next second, when a very cute golden retriever appeared on screen.

The dog’s tail wagged like a spinning top, its big, watery eyes shining with excitement. Its tongue hung out as it panted, sending out warm breaths. The moment it saw Zhu Yu on the phone, it immediately started barking.

Overwhelmed with excitement.

“Long Aotian! I’m not home—has anyone been bullying you?” Zhu Yu’s voice turned high-pitched with affection.

Long Aotian had thick, and beautiful golden fur that gleamed brilliantly.

At the sound of Zhu Yu’s voice, he couldn’t help but spin in circles, barking happily at the camera, his eyes filled with joy.

“Meow—”

Suddenly, Liu Bo, who had been quietly sitting by Zhu Yu’s feet, let out a low meow.

Zhu Yu: “?”

Then, from the phone, Long Aotian’s barking came through again.

“Woof! Woof! Woof!”

“Meow, meow, meow!” Liu Bo responded.

Were they seriously communicating across species through the phone now?

“Liu Bo, keep your voice down.” Zhu Yu turned his phone volume to the lowest setting, lowering his voice to warn Liu Bo.

But Long Aotian was still barking through the phone, and Liu Bo at his feet kept meowing back.

The commotion was getting out of control—judging by the situation, the conversation had failed, and now they were just arguing.

Zhu Yu hurriedly scooped up Liu Bo. “Shhh! Don’t let them hear you!”

Then, he quickly ended the call.

Zhu Ting stared at his now-black phone screen, falling into deep thought…

“Them?”

Zhu Yu was hiding in the bathroom. Zhu Yu was speaking in a deliberately hushed voice. Zhu Yu had said there were people outside…

Zhu Yu, he—??!!

Without hesitation, he sent a message overseas: 【Look into everyone around Zhu Yu.】

【Zhu Ting: Focus on anyone who might be his partner.】

—

Meanwhile, in the blink of an eye, Liu Bo had already darted to the door. It must have been scared by Long Aotian’s barking, because now it was frantically scratching at the bathroom door, trying to escape.

Its cries were particularly “tragic.”

Zhu Yu scrambled after Liu Bo, but in the chaos, he accidentally knocked the shower handle.

The showerhead at his feet started flailing around like a wild snake, spraying hot water everywhere.

A “hot rain” poured down from the ceiling, drenching Zhu Yu into a soggy mess, his skin turning a flushed pink.

Worried about disturbing Bai Chen’s live stream outside, Zhu Yu didn’t even have time to turn off the water. He focused on calming Liu Bo first, scooping him into his arms.

“Don’t be scared, don’t be scared.” Zhu Yu’s voice had never been this gentle before.

Liu Bo had been bullied by stray dogs when he was still a stray himself—maybe this had triggered him. Zhu Yu knew how to soothe him.

“Long Aotian is a good dog. He’s saved lots of cats before.”

Kneeling on the ground, Zhu Yu hunched forward to shield Liu Bo from the falling water, gently stroking his head.

“Bang.”

The bathroom door swung open.

The rich aroma of mooncakes and the comforting scent of corn and pork rib soup drifted inside, mixing with the fragrance of pet shampoo.

“Did something happen?”

Bai Chen stood at the doorway, an apron tied around his waist—the same blue one he had worn when they first met. As soon as the door opened, the out-of-control showerhead sprayed water onto him as well.

Zhu Yu quickly pressed down on the showerhead with one hand, redirecting the water toward the bathtub.

Then, lowering his voice, he explained, “My brother called me just now. The barking from our family’s dog startled him.”

Zhu Yu was completely drenched, his face flushed from the heat of the water. Droplets trickled from the ends of his wet hair, sliding past his eyebrows, down his thick lashes, and along his jawline.

His soaked clothes clung to his skin, emphasizing his slender figure. His chest rose and fell with each breath, and his waist was so thin that there was barely any flesh on it—lean yet toned. But somehow, the sight was still… alluring.

Bai Chen’s expression darkened slightly, his Adam’s apple shifting involuntarily.

“Senior Brother, help me.”

Zhu Yu’s eyes were wet, his voice softened by the steam, sticky and delicate—he looked utterly pitiful.

“Alright.” Bai Chen responded, his voice inexplicably hoarse.

He stepped forward and turned off the shower, finally silencing the rushing water.

Behind him, Zhu Yu was still coaxing Liu Bo, “It’s okay now, it’s okay.”

Bai Chen grabbed a dry towel and wrapped Liu Bo in it.

Zhu Yu looked at him and asked, “Did you finish your live stream?”

“Just ended,” Bai Chen replied.

Zhu Yu hesitated, his tone cautious and worried. “I didn’t mess up your live stream, did I?”

After all, there had been quite a commotion in the bathroom. He wasn’t sure if it had affected Bai Chen’s stream.

Bai Chen shook his head. “No.”

“Get up first,” he added. “You’re completely soaked. Go change your clothes. I’ll dry Liu Bo’s fur.”

Just as Bai Chen finished speaking, Zhu Yu sneezed.

Earlier, with the bathroom door closed, the heat had been trapped inside, so he hadn’t felt cold. But now that the door was open, the cool air rushed in, making goosebumps rise along his neck.

Bai Chen instinctively grabbed a bathrobe from nearby and draped it over Zhu Yu.

Then, using one arm, he lifted Liu Bo. The cat was actually quite heavy, and with its fur completely soaked, it weighed even more. Zhu Yu could barely hold him for long with one hand, which showed just how strong Bai Chen was.

Zhu Yu found himself momentarily impressed.

With his other hand, Bai Chen helped Zhu Yu up—but before he could steady himself, Zhu Yu suddenly hissed in pain.

“What’s wrong?” Bai Chen’s heart skipped a beat, and he immediately let go.

Zhu Yu turned his wrist over. At some point, Liu Bo, startled earlier, had scratched his forearm.

Both Liu Bo and Zhu Yu were vaccinated, so there was no risk of infection. But the fresh blood mixed with the running water, leaving a patch of red on his arm. The wound looked unexpectedly harsh and jagged.

Bai Chen’s brows instantly furrowed.

“Let me treat your wound first.”

He took Zhu Yu’s uninjured wrist and led him out of the bathroom.

Zhu Yu noticed that the live stream equipment in the kitchen hadn’t even been put away.

So Bai Chen must have come straight to the bathroom the moment his stream ended.

“Achoo!” Zhu Yu shook his head, sending droplets flying.

“Dry Liu Bo first. If he catches a cold, it’ll be expensive to treat.” Zhu Yu grabbed the pet hairdryer.

Bai Chen took it from him without hesitation. “I’ll do it in a bit.”

“Let me bandage your wound first. It won’t take long.” His voice was calm, but for some reason, Zhu Yu felt like he was a little angry.

“Alright.” Zhu Yu didn’t argue.

Bai Chen brought over a first-aid kit and sat down beside him. Since Zhu Yu was completely soaked, Bai Chen turned on the heater to keep him from catching a cold and even draped a blanket over his shoulders.

Zhu Yu had once casually mentioned that he had been in poor health as a child.

Bai Chen had remembered it ever since—though Zhu Yu himself didn’t seem to care much about it.

While Bai Chen bandaged his wound, Zhu Yu used his free hand to dry Liu Bo with a towel.

By now, Liu Bo had finally calmed down. Cats couldn’t stand being wet, so he had been licking his fur so much that his tongue was probably cramping.

“Hiss—” Zhu Yu flinched as his arm tensed up.

Bai Chen’s hand froze. He lifted his gaze to Zhu Yu and asked with guilt, “Sorry, did I hurt you?”

Zhu Yu pressed his lips together in a smile. “Senior, just blow on it, and it won’t hurt anymore.”

He raised his arm slightly, bringing the wound closer to Bai Chen’s lips.

Bai Chen looked at Zhu Yu with an unreadable expression. Zhu Yu tilted his chin up, as if completely justified in his request.

And, as if under some spell, Bai Chen actually lowered his head and gently blew on the wound.

A cool breeze brushed over the cut, sending a strange, tingling sensation through Zhu Yu’s heart.

He didn’t think too much about it—just naturally enjoyed Bai Chen’s tenderness.

“All done.” Bai Chen’s movements were quick and gentle. Zhu Yu turned his wrist over to inspect the bandaged wound and casually praised, “Senior, your skills are amazing.”

Bai Chen took Liu Bo from Zhu Yu’s arms. “Enough talking. Go change your clothes.”

“Got it!” Zhu Yu stood up, flashing a bright smile.

After Zhu Yu left, Bai Chen carried Liu Bo to the entryway, plugged in the hairdryer, and began drying the cat’s fur.

Meanwhile, back at his place, Zhu Yu quickly dug out a set of autumn-winter pajamas from his wardrobe.

They were plush and thick.

A light brown set, with a small white Samoyed dog printed on the chest.

He hurriedly dried his hair, tidied it up in front of the bathroom mirror, and then left the room.