The moment Chen Zemian got into the quilt, Lu Zhuonian’s mind went blank for a moment. It wasn’t until he heard the sound of the door being pushed open that Lu Zhuonian came back to his senses, closed his eyes, and continued to pretend to be unconscious.
It was easy to be discovered if someone was hiding under the quilt, so Chen Zemian had no choice but to stick close to Lu Zhuonian. Fortunately, Chen Zemian was thin. Curled up next to Lu Zhuonian, he had almost no sense of presence.
He half-lay on Lu Zhuonian, his head tucked under his arm, so nervous that his heart was racing.
Lu Zhuonian must have been nervous too, because Chen Zemian could hear his heartbeat.
Boom boom boom. Boom boom boom.
Like a drumbeat.
Their heartbeats rose and fell in unison, equally fast.
Soon, Chen Zemian stopped focusing on his own heartbeat and became drawn in by the voices near the door.
A woman spoke first.
“Is he awake?” she asked.
A man lowered his voice and replied, “Nothing happened. I’ll go in and take a look.”
Footsteps came closer, paused by the bed for a few seconds, then moved away.
“Not awake yet,” the man said to the woman. “The dosage was too high. Even if he wakes up, he won’t be able to move for a while. You should go quickly.”
The woman replied, “Wasn’t there supposed to be someone else? Brother Tang said he wanted to film something more exciting so he could get more money.”
The man said, “The other woman changed her mind and didn’t show. I waited for her for ages — otherwise I would’ve finished shooting already. Move fast. This guy has a high status. His phone kept ringing earlier. I don’t know if someone’s been looking for him.”
The woman responded and walked in, took two steps, then stopped again. “Give me the video camera.”
The man laughed. “Take off your clothes first. I’ll set up the camera — save time.”
“You perv,” the woman said angrily, slapping him. “What can you even see in the dark?”
Then the two went quiet. Rustling sounds followed.
So it was a honey trap.
These people had spiked the wine and planned to extort money by filming indecent videos of wealthy young men.
Their methods were skilled — it sounded like they were habitual offenders.
There was only one man and one woman, and three people total including that “Brother Tang.”
Easy to deal with.
Chen Zemian shifted slightly, ready to jump out and fight.
Just as he moved, Lu Zhuonian reached up to hold his head and signaled him to wait.
Although Chen Zemian didn’t know what they were waiting for, if Lu Zhuonian wanted to wait, then he would wait.
After all, from any angle, Lu Zhuonian was more experienced in handling this kind of situation.
After a while, the foot of the bed dipped.
The woman climbed onto the bed and raised her hand to lift the quilt — and saw a human head.
An extremely pale, eerily beautiful head nestled in Lu Zhuonian’s arms, with a beam of pale light shining from below, making the scene even more ghostly and terrifying.
The head turned and said, “Hello.”
“Ahhh!!! There’s a ghost!!!”
The woman screamed, rolling and scrambling off the bed. Trembling all over, she grabbed her clothes to cover herself and ran out in a panic.
“What’s wrong?! Why are you shouting?!”
The man standing guard rushed in, picked the woman up off the floor, and covered her mouth tightly. “Shut up! Do you want to alert everyone?!”
The woman pointed at the bed with a trembling finger. The man looked up and saw something faintly.
In the moonlight, the face looked pale and glowed with an eerie light.
There was no light in the room. Seeing something like that suddenly startled even the boldest man. His hair stood on end and cold sweat broke out instantly.
“What is that?!”
He cursed and flipped the light switch behind him. “Is it a human or a ghost?!”
Chen Zemian turned over and got out of bed neatly. He switched off the flashlight on his phone and looked at the man at the door. “It’s a ghost — the kind of ghost you meet when you walk the wrong path too often.”
The man narrowed his eyes. Just as he was about to make out the speaker’s face, the figure vanished.
Chen Zemian rushed to the door. Using the momentum, he leapt up and kicked the man in the stomach. As the man was kicked out of the room, Chen Zemian suddenly remembered he had promised Xiao Kesong he wouldn’t fight.
He reached out instinctively to pull the man back.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
The man had already flown out.
Amid the woman’s screams and Lu Zhuonian’s sigh, the man flew across the corridor and slammed directly into the door of the opposite room.
Bang!
The dust settled.
*****
“You don’t have to come over,” Lu Zhuonian leaned back in the passenger seat of the Mercedes-Benz, wrapped in Chen Zemian’s cotton coat, and said to Ye Chen on the phone. “It’s been handled.”
Chen Zemian turned the steering wheel as Ye Chen’s voice came through the speaker. “Uncle Lu already knows but hasn’t told Auntie yet.”
Lu Zhuonian said, “I called my dad. The three people were arrested. There’s still one woman who didn’t show. The police are looking for her.”
Xiao Kesong leaned toward the phone. “Why didn’t you go to the hospital first?”
Lu Zhuonian replied, “I had to draw blood for evidence first — we’re heading there now.”
Ye Chen asked, “Do you know what drug it was?”
Lu Zhuonian said, “Not sure yet.”
Hearing this, Chen Zemian quickly mimed sealing his lips and gave a thumbs-up, silently praising Lu Zhuonian’s firm will.
He had stayed hard the whole time, yet he acted like nothing happened — blood drawn, statements taken, calm and articulate. Not a single abnormal reaction.
If Lu Zhuonian hadn’t been wearing his coat…
“What are you staring at?”
Lu Zhuonian suddenly asked, “Are you so reluctant to part with your coat? You keep looking at it.”
Chen Zemian quickly looked back at the road, turned up the seat heater, and said, “I’m a little cold.”
Lu Zhuonian ended the call and tossed his cashmere coat over. “Then why don’t you just turn on the heater?”
Chen Zemian said kindly, “I was afraid you’d get too hot.”
Lu Zhuonian replied flatly, “Too hot? What, did you read that in a novel?”
“That’s how they do it in dramas,” Chen Zemian said, one hand on the wheel, the other reaching to feel Lu Zhuonian’s wrist. “And you do feel hot.”
Lu Zhuonian lowered his gaze to Chen Zemian’s slender white fingers and said with a double meaning, “Then don’t touch it, and it won’t be hot.”
Chen Zemian only caught the surface meaning. “The world doesn’t change according to my will — you’re too idealistic.”
Lu Zhuonian leaned back, rested his head on the headrest, and looked sideways at Chen Zemian. “What if it can?”
Chen Zemian didn’t understand what he meant and turned to look at him.
Lu Zhuonian didn’t continue.
He looked genuinely unwell — his brows furrowed tightly, sweat glistening on his nose and forehead, his neck flushed red. His veins bulged, and his skin looked tense and distorted, as if enduring some invisible torment.
A red light appeared ahead. Chen Zemian brought the car to a stop, took out a tissue, and leaned over to wipe the sweat from Lu Zhuonian’s face.
Lu Zhuonian didn’t open his eyes. His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed, his eyelids fluttered, and his breathing was hot and unsteady.
Chen Zemian glanced around.
It was already late. There were few cars on the road. They hadn’t yet left the elevated highway, and there were no pedestrians nearby.
Chen Zemian took out a few more tissues and stuffed them into Lu Zhuonian’s hand. “If you’re feeling that uncomfortable, why not… I mean, there are clothes to cover it, and there aren’t many people outside.”
If it were any other time, Lu Zhuonian would’ve just ignored Chen Zemian’s nonsense.
But today, he was a little out of it.
It was probably the effect of the drugs — his body felt terrible, and even his nerves seemed affected.
Lu Zhuonian slowly opened his eyes. His dark gaze landed on Chen Zemian’s face.
They looked at each other for a few seconds. For some reason, a chill ran down the back of Chen Zemian’s neck, and his cheeks and ears began to heat up.
Lu Zhuonian’s palm was scorching. The heat seeped through the tissue and into Chen Zemian’s hand.
Feeling hot, Chen Zemian instinctively tried to pull his hand back.
But Lu Zhuonian suddenly curled his fingers, holding onto both the tissues and Chen Zemian’s hand.
Their hands were separated by a thin layer of tissue, but the warmth still passed through.
A sudden thought popped into Chen Zemian’s mind, and he said smugly, “Your hands are so hot… must be a real pleasure to rub them.”
“…”
Lu Zhuonian let go of him, his voice laced with helplessness. “Chen Zemian, can you try speaking like a normal human being?”
Chen Zemian looked innocent. “I was just trying to help you come up with a solution.”
Lu Zhuonian replied, “Well, your solution is terrible. Don’t think about it next time.”
“…Oh.”
Lu Zhuonian clenched the tissues in his hand. “If you’d think less with that brain of yours, I might live a few years longer.”
Chen Zemian was not having it and immediately protested. “If I hadn’t thought things through today, you’d be the main character of a porn film right now!”
“I really should thank you, then,” Lu Zhuonian said, tone dry. “Want something in return?”
Chen Zemian thought for a moment. “Let me think about it first… I’ll ask when I know. Anything goes?”
“Anything.”
“Wow, that generous?”
“Well, it was a life-saving favor.”
Chen Zemian, unable to resist joking, added, “Life-saving favors usually come with the reward of… lifelong companionship.”
Lu Zhuonian didn’t react for a second. Then, expression unreadable, he asked, “Are you sure?”
Realizing that Lu Zhuonian was still suffering from the effects of the drug and that he was, in fact, joking around at the worst time, Chen Zemian quickly waved it off. “No, no! I don’t want anything. Young Master Lu treats me so well — I’d go through fire and water for him!”
Lu Zhuonian’s gaze deepened. He slowly turned to look at Chen Zemian.
His eyes weren’t particularly aggressive, but they were heavy, unreadably deep.
This was the first time Chen Zemian had seen that expression on Lu Zhuonian’s face, and his heart suddenly tightened.
That wasn’t how Lu Zhuonian was supposed to look.
He should be proud, confident, and reserved. Someone who always looked down from above, steady and self-assured. Even in the most dangerous or helpless moments, like when they were trapped in the guest room, Lu Zhuonian had stayed calm — he’d even smiled and told Chen Zemian, “Don’t be nervous. Nothing will happen.”
So, what was wrong now?
Was it embarrassment? Was he ashamed to be seen in a state like this?
Maybe… maybe someone with strong self-esteem just couldn’t accept being seen so vulnerable.
If their roles were reversed, Chen Zemian would probably be just as embarrassed.
So he decided to comfort him. “Lu Shao, don’t overthink it. This is normal. Guys get, y’know, reactions from just a little friction — let alone being drugged. We’re both men. I get it.”
Lu Zhuonian didn’t speak.
There was nothing to say.
He was both annoyed and somewhat relieved that Chen Zemian understood absolutely nothing.
Ever since Chen Zemian appeared, he’d brought contradictions with him. Those contradictions had twisted and changed over time, culminating in the current dilemma.
From start to finish, the dilemma was his alone.
Chen Zemian had always been this frank — so direct that it was infuriating.
Lu Zhuonian looked at him. “You done?”
Chen Zemian nodded. “Yeah.”
“Then shut up and focus on driving.”
“Just one more thing.”
Lu Zhuonian opened one eye. “What?”
Chen Zemian looked at him earnestly. “You’re clearly in pain, but you’d still rather suffer than hurt anyone else. That’s… pretty amazing.”
*****
The last time Chen Zemian came to the hospital with Lu Zhuonian, it had just been early summer.
Now, it was the dead of winter.
Time had passed. A lot had changed.
It was still the Lu family’s private hospital, but this time, Lu Zhuonian was the one undergoing a full examination.
Lu Zizhen, head of the Lu family, was already waiting at the entrance. As soon as Chen Zemian stopped the car, a team of doctors and nurses surrounded them, pushing Lu Zhuonian inside.
Chen Zemian couldn’t do much else, but he was worried and didn’t leave.
While Lu Zhuonian was being examined, Lu Zizhen personally came to thank him and asked for the details of what had happened.
Chen Zemian explained concisely, and in return, received a check from Lu Zizhen.
The Lu family was at the peak of power, and Lu Zizhen — charismatic, composed, and authoritative — was the real CEO-type. Though he appeared to be in his forties, he looked younger: handsome, mature, elegant.
Of course — only a “Big Dragon Aotian” could raise a “Little Dragon Aotian.”
Chen Zemian flicked the check in his hand and decided to use the unexpected funds to upgrade the game, expand the storyline, and build out the second module.
After a while, Xiao Kesong and Ye Chen also arrived.
Chen Zemian had to recount everything again.
Only then did Xiao Kesong understand the message: “Bail me out.”
“You’re insane,” he said. “You climbed from the third floor to the fourth?! What if you had fallen?”
Chen Zemian laughed. “It was just the fourth floor. I could climb to the eighth.”
“The eighth?! Are you serious?” Xiao Kesong was speechless. “Anyway, where’s Zhuonian? Is he okay?”
“They took him in for tests,” Chen Zemian replied, pointing down the corridor.
Ye Chen noticed the cashmere coat draped over Chen Zemian’s shoulders and said, “You’ve had a rough night. Kesong and I are here now. Go home and get some rest.”
Xiao Kesong agreed. “Yeah, you’ve been going nonstop. I even heard you coughing earlier. Still not over the flu?”
Now that things had calmed down, Chen Zemian noticed a chill creeping into his bones. It really did feel like he was coming down with something.
Wearing only a thin suit jacket, he’d spent a long time outside on a freezing terrace. And he hadn’t fully recovered from his earlier flu. No surprise he felt awful.
Seeing his pale face, Xiao Kesong insisted on driving him home. Though Chen Zemian declined, he still walked him to the parking lot.
Ye Chen went to check on Lu Zhuonian.
Inside the clinic, Lu Zhuonian was receiving an IV. But instead of lying in bed, he stood by the window, back turned to the door.
Ye Chen walked over and saw that outside the window, in the cold night, two figures were making their way to the parking lot.
It was Xiao Kesong and Chen Zemian.
There was no doubt about who Lu Zhuonian was looking at.
But it definitely wasn’t Xiao Kesong.
“What do you think?” Ye Chen walked to Lu Zhuonian’s side. “Everything was calm before, so I didn’t ask, but what happened today…”
Lu Zhuonian interrupted, “It has nothing to do with Chen Zemian.”
“Chen Zemian?” Ye Chen raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, Chen Zemian. That’s his name now.”
Ye Chen didn’t bother with irrelevant questions like Why did he change his name? Instead, he got straight to the point. “So, how are things between you two now?”
Lu Zhuonian answered frankly, “A little interested.”
Ye Chen asked bluntly, “How much is a little? Are you serious? Or are you just playing around?”
Lu Zhuonian’s expression didn’t change. “Is there a difference?”
“Of course. When you’re serious, it’s about feelings. When you’re playing around, it’s about interests.”
Lu Zhuonian twisted his fingertips. “Talking about interests sounds easier.”
“If you just want to play, why didn’t you start earlier?” Ye Chen rubbed his temples. “Now Xiao Kesong sees Chen Zhe — Chen Zemian — as a brother. If he finds out you want to sleep with him, he’ll throw a fit.”
“Let him.”
Ye Chen didn’t think it was that simple. “You know how dramatic he can be. I’ll be the one suffering.”
Lu Zhuonian stayed silent until Chen Zemian’s back disappeared into the night. Then he said quietly, “It’s a bit difficult.”
Ye Chen nodded. “Yeah, we both know Xiao Kesong isn’t easy to get past.”
“I meant,” Lu Zhuonian turned around, tone calm, “it’s a bit difficult to sleep with Chen Zemian.”
Ye Chen: “…”
Lu Zhuonian pulled out the IV needle, staring at the blood dripping from the puncture. He was calm, as if it had nothing to do with him. “He’s too good at fighting, and it’s boring to drug him.”
Ye Chen choked. “Are you crazy, Lu Zhuonian?”
Lu Zhuonian wiped the blood off the back of his hand. “Just joking. He’s kind and trusts me. That’s… not good.”
Ye Chen asked again, “Can’t you pick someone else?”
Lu Zhuonian shook his head. “I only have feelings for him.”
Only have feelings for him? Ye Chen didn’t believe it for a second.
Given Lu Zhuonian’s condition — if he wasn’t taking medicine to control it — ‘having feelings’ could mean anything.
The truth was, Lu Zhuonian was just picky.
He’d always been surrounded by beautiful people, but Chen Zemian was different. Not only was he good-looking, he had a likable personality. Most notably, his fighting ability was stunning.
People admire strength — and Lu Zhuonian was no exception.
Ye Chen remembered the first time Lu Zhuonian lost control around Chen Zemian: the night he fought outside Fanlou. The mix of violence and beauty was lethal. Even Ye Chen had seen Chen Zemian in a new light that night.
But Chen Zemian…
Ye Chen still felt uneasy. “He’s straight, right? Any progress? Does he know how you feel?”
“He’s straight. No progress. He doesn’t know.”
Lu Zhuonian was patient and answered every question, then paused. “That’s why I said it’s a bit difficult.”
This is more than “a bit” difficult, Ye Chen thought. It’s practically impossible.
But from childhood to now, Lu Zhuonian rarely complained — certainly not three times in one conversation. The implications were serious.
This isn’t just for fun, Ye Chen thought grimly.
But he also knew Lu Zhuonian wouldn’t listen to anyone. He was stubborn to the core. Once he decided something, there was no turning back.
Ye Chen didn’t know what else to say.
He might as well light a candle for Chen Zemian now and wish him peace.
*****
It was already early morning when Chen Zemian got home.
As soon as he stepped inside, he turned on the air conditioner, the humidifier, and the electric blanket.
Beijing’s air was too dry, and he’d been coughing a lot lately. The humidifier helped ease it a little.
Even though he was so tired he could barely keep his eyes open, he still forced himself to take a hot shower and drink three packets of cold medicine before climbing into bed.
The electric blanket had warmed the sheets, and the comforter was soft and inviting.
He didn’t want to move once he lay down.
Still, he forced himself to check his phone. Xiao Kesong had sent a message asking if he’d gotten home safely. He also said Lu Zhuonian had finished the examination and was fine, so there was no need to worry.
Chen Zemian replied, “I’m fine.”
Xiao Kesong responded with two voice messages:
[Thanks to you today. Uncle Lu praised your looks and courage. I told him I was the one who introduced you to Zhuonian, and Uncle Lu said I had great taste.]
[Ye Chen and I just got home too. Zhuonian is okay, just a bit out of it. The doctor said it’s the meds. He wanted to keep him in for observation, but he insisted on going home.]
Chen Zemian considered messaging Lu Zhuonian to express concern, but couldn’t think of what to say.
Anything he sent now might come off like he was trying to take credit — “Don’t forget I saved you.”
Awkward.
He opened the chat, typed, deleted, retyped… until only two words and a punctuation mark remained.
[Lu Shao,]
Forget it. He deleted the message and was about to close WeChat when he suddenly noticed the header change to:
[The other party is typing…]
Lu Zhuonian is messaging me?
Chen Zemian immediately perked up. He wasn’t sleepy anymore. He stared at the screen, curious what Lu Zhuonian would say.
With his high EQ, whatever he wrote would be worth studying.
After a few moments, three words appeared:
[Chen Zemian.]
He said my name!
Chen Zemian quickly replied:
[Lu Shao]
Oops! I forgot the period.
That tiny dot mattered. Without it, it felt like he hadn’t finished his sentence. What if Lu Zhuonian was still waiting for the rest?
Should I resend? Add the period?
Just as he was hesitating, the signal suddenly cut out, and his phone rang.
Lu Zhuonian was calling.
*****
If you enjoy what we do, consider supporting us on 
! Every little bit means the world!
Author: LazyHermitGal
A Lazy Hermit Gal. A little support goes a long way! If you’d like to help me keep creating, you can do so at https://ko-fi.com/lazyhermitgal
