Chapter 24.2

“Isn’t this a bit too much?”

“Boom—”

A massive lightning strike tore through the sky, its harsh glare reflecting ominously on the water’s surface.

At some point, rain had begun to fall outside, pattering against the dormitory windows and streaking the glass with long, winding trails.

—The trails stretched long, their beginnings vanishing into nothingness.

The blinding flash of lightning was mirrored in Lin Yu’s pupils, stark and unsettling.

Chen Shuhua trembled involuntarily. He wanted to argue back like last time, but no words came.

It was all true.

Raindrops mingled with the air, falling in a steady rhythm, trembling in the wind as the air grew colder.

“I—I’m sorry.” A glistening tear slipped from Chen Shuhua’s eye, trailing slowly down his cheek.

The tear hit the floor as he hugged himself helplessly, wiping his face without a care for appearances.

Lin Yu exchanged a glance with Lu Yixing, who understood immediately and obediently stepped out, leaving the two alone.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to…”

“Go on.” Lin Yu walked over and gently pulled a tissue from his desk, handing it to the sobbing figure before him.

Chen Shuhua sniffled as he took the tissue, his voice shaking with disbelief as he continued, “At—at first, it was Li Yide who forced me… forced me to reveal your whereabouts.” The tissue was soon soaked through, and Chen Shuhua struggled to speak between hiccups. “He gave me a lot of money… and threatened to stop my sister from going to school if I didn’t obey.”

Another blinding flash of lightning illuminated their faces, its harsh light underscoring the cruelty and indifference of the moment.

The wind and rain lashed against the treetops outside, the sound crackling through the air.

Both their pupils gleamed in the sudden brightness.

“I’ll handle this for you.” Lin Yu’s gaze was firm, steadying as he looked at Chen Shuhua. “Now, what about the group chat later?”

Chen Shuhua hugged himself tightly, taking a long moment to steady himself before speaking again. “Later… I realized I wasn’t the only one who liked you so much…” His bright eyes, dazed and unfocused, met Lin Yu’s. “I found out… so many people liked you…”

“I made a group… thought that if I was already collecting your information for Li Yide… I might as well share it with others too… I could earn extra money… my sister could stay in school…”

Lin Yu listened without interrupting, silent as a patient listener, occasionally handing Chen Shuhua another tissue.

Chen Shuhua’s eyes were hollow, tears falling in large, unbroken drops like beads from a snapped string.

“Lin Yu… Lin Lin… I didn’t want this either… I really like you too…”

Lin Yu sighed soundlessly and walked to the door. Just before closing it, he turned back—

“I’ll have the butler handle my withdrawal from the dorm and pack the rest of my things.”

He glanced at Chen Shuhua’s lost expression, lowered his lashes, and finally added—

“What’s done is done. Don’t do it again.” With that, he shut the door and strode away.

Chen Shuhua watched Lin Yu’s retreating figure, choking on sobs until no more words could come.

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Lin Yu.

……

[Congratulations, Lin Yu~ The main Counter-courting mission in this Small World has been fully completed.]

[The Final Task is also about to be wrapped up. You can leave soon, Lin Yu.]

……

“In recent years, more and more novels and comics with the themes of ‘Universally Loathed’ and ‘Universally Beloved’ have flooded the market. The original work of this book is one of the best among them in recent years, but…”

001 fluttered its glowing orb, flying around Lin Yu, now landing on his shoulder, then perching on his head.

“But Lin Lin, while the life of the Universally Loathed is indeed despised by everyone, is the Universally Beloved truly envied by all?”

“When countless novel readers see the Universally Beloved, can they imagine how much privacy invasion and threats they endure behind the scenes—”

“001.” Lin Yu held an umbrella, looking up at the sky as droplets fell from its edge.

“Novels always present the most beautiful and exciting parts to the audience—that is their purpose.”

“Fixing bugs in Small Worlds is the duty of our Quick Transmigration Bureau. It has nothing to do with the author, the world, or the readers…”

Lin Yu lowered his eyelids, “…and nothing to do with Chen Shuhua either.”

“It’s our mission.”

Broken raindrops hit the umbrella, staining it with unusual hues. Ink-like water slowly crept over Lin Yu’s feet.

Puddles had already formed in many places. The sky had long darkened, heavy and gloomy, and the maintenance workers had already clocked out.

It seemed the schoolyard’s flooding wouldn’t be dealt with until tomorrow.

Suddenly, a beam of light shot straight toward Lin Yu’s direction as an extravagant car drove over.

It plowed through the murky water and came to a straight stop right in front of Lin Yu.

Zhang Modu inside rolled down the window and smiled gently at Lin Yu. The streetlight cast a glow on his nose bridge, giving him an exceptionally handsome aura.

“Good evening, Ayu.”

Lin Yu couldn’t help but curl his lips into a smile. His deep, pleasant voice mingled with the pitter-patter of raindrops.

“Good evening.”

……

By the time the two returned home, Zhang Modu noticed that despite holding an umbrella, Lin Yu’s hair was slightly damp from the pelting rain.

Lin Yu’s hair was actually matted together by the rain. Fortunately, Zhang Modu was skilled enough at driving to get them home quickly.

Under the light, 001 didn’t hold back its laughter. “So even a fantasy dragon can get drenched, hahahahaha!”

Lin Yu swiftly reached out and muted 001’s voice permissions without hesitation, then locked it in the system space.

“Nooo, don’t do this, Host! What are you going to do behind my back?”

001 was practically sulking, thrashing around awkwardly in Lin Yu’s consciousness as if venting its anger.

Zhang Modu gently took Lin Yu’s hand, and Lin Yu responded by holding it back, but he was being half-pulled and half-dragged, and the two of them walked side by side to the bedroom.

Lin Yu opened the bedroom door, and Zhang Modu patted the small sofa inside before rushing to the bathroom. Lin Yu was a bit confused but obediently sat on the sofa without a word.

When Lin Yu looked up again, he saw Zhang Modu holding a hairdryer, about to plug it in without a word—

Lin Yu yanked the plug out in an instant, his eyes filled with confusion. “Shouldn’t I shower first, then dry my hair?”

Zhang Modu stared straight at Lin Yu, his gaze seemingly always laced with contemplation, yet also as if he were long accustomed to it.

After a moment, he finally spoke. “Who told you that?”

Lin Yu tilted his head in bewilderment, blinking. “Isn’t that how humans do it?”

Zhang Modu snatched the hairdryer back, tapped the end of it with a sidelong glance, then plugged it in without hesitation—

“Whoosh—” The strong gust of wind burst from the hairdryer’s nozzle.

Zhang Modu lowered his eyes, his fingers gently brushing through Lin Yu’s hair, carefully gathering and drying it strand by strand.

His movements were incredibly tender, his expression focused, as though he were sculpting a rare piece of art.

Like a master artisan wielding a chisel to shape plaster with patience and exquisite craftsmanship.

Lin Yu sat stiffly on the sofa, not daring to move.

After a long moment of thought, he finally released 001 from the system space again, poking the glowing orb with slender fingers as he asked, “Do humans really dry their hair first after getting caught in the rain, then shower?”

“Heh.” 001, who wasn’t without a temper, snorted coldly before retreating back into the system space.

Frowning, Lin Yu sent Shen Qian an email suggesting system optimizations. After some thought, he added another line:

[How can a human in a Small World live forever?]

Lin Yu pressed send.

The hum of the hairdryer gradually faded. Lin Yu looked up, meeting Zhang Modu’s probing gaze head-on—

Lin Yu coughed lightly in embarrassment before focusing his eyes on the person before him.

The man’s voice was soft as he leaned closer to Lin Yu’s ear. “All done.”

His fingertips traced the smooth strands of Lin Yu’s hair before lingering near his earlobe, gently nipping it with his teeth, teasing it slowly.

Their mingled breaths occasionally brushed against Lin Yu’s neck, sending tingles down his spine, while the heat from the nibbling on his earlobe grew almost scalding.

Lin Yu was truly restless now.

Zhang Modu wrapped his arms around Lin Yu’s neck, pressing another light kiss to the prominent Adam’s apple before hugging him tightly from behind, refusing to let go.

“Lin Yu…” Zhang Modu leaned further forward, squeezing himself into Lin Yu’s embrace, holding him firmly.

The small sofa wasn’t spacious. Afraid he might fall, Lin Yu quickly moved his hand from the armrest to Zhang Modu’s waist.

—And so, the two held each other, face to face.

Zhang Modu lowered his head, nuzzling against Lin Yu’s shoulder, the friction sending ticklish shivers down Lin Yu’s spine. Only after confirming that the little mark beneath Lin Yu’s collar hadn’t faded did he lift his head again, satisfied, and continue—

“Weren’t you human before?” Warm breath brushed against Lin Yu’s shoulder, the tingling heat making him turn slightly to press a light kiss to Zhang Modu’s cheek.

“I’m Fae.”

“Bullshit! You’re a dragon!” 001 interjected at the worst possible moment.

Zhang Modu peeked his head out, eyes wide with slightly dilated pupils, lying limply in his arms. “What kind of Fae?”  

“Dragon Fae.”  

“Dragon… cat?” Zhang Modu blinked, then leaned in to kiss Lin Yu’s ear again, his eyes fluttering playfully.  

“Pfft—I can’t even. I told you, but you insist on calling yourself a Fae.” 001 sneered, its voice laced with something unsettling, as if its system had been invaded by a bug.  

Lin Yu reached out a long arm and muted 001’s voice system, then lifted Zhang Modu, holding him steadily before gently placing him on the bed.  

His gaze fixed intently on Zhang Modu as he pinched the other’s earlobe between his fingers. Noticing the faint panic in Zhang Modu’s expression, he took his hand, cradling it in his palm and giving it a soft rub.  

“Yes. Dragon,” Lin Yu’s deep voice resonated in the room.  

The sheets had already been changed, but the crumpled folds bore the marks of their earlier tussle, imprinted like territorial claims.  

The curtains were drawn tightly, not a sliver of light seeping through from outside.  

The rain had softened, its once-crisp pattering against the flowerbed now fading into obscurity.  

But neither of the two in the room paid it any mind.  

Lin Yu gripped Zhang Modu’s wrist, halting his subtle retreat, and pulled him forward with a hook of his fingers.  

Zhang Modu’s voice came out hoarse, his eyes still wide with lingering shock. “Dragons… do they even exist in this world?”  

Lin Yu thought for a moment before answering slowly, “My friend said I’m a Fantasy Creature, born from the Aura of Destiny.”  

Zhang Modu’s pupils constricted sharply, but his composure returned almost instantly—so fast it was as if nothing had happened. Suppressing the frantic beating of his heart, he steadied his voice.  

“Oh… I see. That’s amazing.”  

Lin Yu traced circles on his wrist, gradually pulling him into his embrace, a flicker of desire flashing in his eyes.  

This version of Lin Yu—tainted, altered—was different from before. He wanted the man in front of him pressed tightly against him, to feel their shared heat. Gripping his shoulders, he drew him closer.  

He was addicted. Greedy for the warmth of the body before him.  

As if oblivious to the hunger in Lin Yu’s gaze, Zhang Modu mumbled, “So… is your job tough?”  

Lin Yu’s expression turned complicated. After a long pause, he wrapped his entire arm around Zhang Modu’s body, savoring the heat between them before finally murmuring, “Not really. Mostly just fighting before…”  

Zhang Modu looked surprised. “No wonder you’re so good at it.”  

Lin Yu stared at his slightly swollen lips—chafed raw from last night’s exertions—unable to resist leaning in for another kiss.  

Truthfully, they hadn’t done anything last night.  

Just the sound of wet, ambiguous kisses, mingled with ragged breaths and the rustle of fabric.  

His fingers deftly undid the buttons of Zhang Modu’s shirt, one hand sliding downward while the other cupped the back of his head, tongue delving deep in a fervent kiss.  

Tangled. Ambiguous.

Today, Lin Yu seemed to be provoked, his movements growing increasingly intense, as if the possessiveness in his heart was urgently erupting, devouring everything before him like a volcano.  

This was the first time in his long life as a dragon that he had ever wanted to spend a lifetime with a human.  

“Zhang Modu, I…”  

Zhang Modu stretched out his fingertips, anxiously covering the other’s mouth, which carried a dark intensity in his eyes. His pupils trembled slightly. “Don’t say it, Ayu… husband, I’m begging you. I already know. You don’t have to say it.”  

Lin Yu gently nipped Zhang Modu’s fingertip with the sharp fangs at the corner of his lips. Zhang Modu shuddered all over, blinking as he searched the emotions in the other’s gaze.  

Only when the pressure of those teeth loosened did Lin Yu slowly nod.  

As if silently agreeing.  

Zhang Modu, his ears burning red, withdrew his finger and began slowly undoing the buttons on his collar, freeing his hands.  

Lin Yu pulled him in tightly, his waist firmly restrained, as his hand slid downward—  

“Ah, Ayu… did you prepare the tools?” Zhang Modu leaned in to kiss Lin Yu’s lips, trying to bring back some of his rationality.  

His body trembled slightly, unnaturally.  

After all, it was his first time.  

A dark intensity flickered in Lin Yu’s eyes as he gripped Zhang Modu, biting down with slight ferocity on those lips that had offered themselves so willingly, then sucking gently.  

“Yesterday, I… so today, I prepared in advance,” he murmured between kisses, sounding as if he were quite experienced in human affairs.  

“Mmm… husband, do you really know how?”  

Lin Yu exerted force with one hand, pushing Zhang Modu’s body lightly onto the bed before pressing his own solid frame down. Their scorching skin pressed together, reflecting the desire burning in Lin Yu’s eyes.  

“Of course I do.”