Shen Ze placed extreme importance on this matter. Once Xiang Han agreed, he began to supervise him strictly, not even letting him off during winter break.
Xiang Han hugged an english dictionary, memorising the word ‘abandon’ out loud while wondering: Where did the rebellious youth from that year disappear to?
Coming back home with a pack of takeaway, Shen Ze frowned on hearing the word being recited. “Why’re you still on the first word?”
Xiang Han, “Uh…”
When Zhu Jing Yi came with Shen Zheng Duo to visit them, she was surprised to see Xiang Han memorising even while having dinner. “What’s this for? Make-up exams?”
Xiang Han immediately said, “I’m preparing for postgraduate studies.” He was a person with an external cheat, why would he need to take make-up examinations?
“Postgraduate studies?” Zhu Jing Yi’s brows dipped. “With your degree, I’m afraid even with a PHD, it won’t be easy finding a job.”
Shen Zheng Duo agreed, “Exactly. Why don’t you hurry up and graduate and come to the company…”
His original plan was to let Xiang Han come to his company after graduation and work his way to the top. However, when he looked at Shen Ze, the words in his throat got caught.
Shen Ze didn’t care for the company but he also didn’t want Xiang Han to return. Therefore, he feigned ignorance and continued to eat his food.
Both of them passed their days in that house until it was finally the new year. On the tenth day of the new year, Gu Hai Sheng was finally released. Shen Ze planned to go pick him up and Xiang Han immediately begged him to bring him along after knowing this.
On the way, Xiang Han couldn’t help sighing, “Time really flies.”
In the original storyline, it was this winter break where Shen Ze chopped the original host and the scum man into pieces before getting caught by Lin Rui Qing in September. As long as they peacefully tided over this winter break and successfully crossed September, there shouldn’t be a problem.
However, for him to be able to do such a thing even after three entire years had passed, he was simply… too good at holding a grudge.
When they arrived, Lin Rui Qing was already there. This time, he wore plain civilian clothing and was leaning against the railings while looking at his phone.
The first person Gu Hai Sheng saw when he came out was Lin Rui Qing, completely glossing over the other two people as he hobbled over.
Lin Rui Qing finally spotted them. He kept his phone while speaking, “The subordinates have come to pick up their boss. Are you intending to go back and squat there for another two years?”
Gu Hai Sheng then saw them and hurriedly explained, “How is that possible? This is my nephew.” Saying so, he patted Shen Ze’s shoulders twice and exclaimed, “Good lad, you’ve grown so tall.”
Now, he no longer mentioned the subject of ‘foster son’. After all, before he went in, he had already called Shen Zheng Duo ‘big bro’.
The corners of Shen Ze’s lips twitched and he simply threw off the hand on his shoulders, saying, “Take my car.”
Before he got on, Shen Ze opened the door of the passenger’s seat and looked towards Xiang Han.
Gu Hai Sheng looked at them and felt something was amiss. Walking over, he deliberately said, “Oh? Why so courteous, we’re all family…”
Shen Ze stopped him before turning to Xiang Han, signalling to him. Xiang Han felt extremely conflicted but he still moved over and Gu Hua Sheng’s expression instantly became complicated.
After dinner, Lin Rui Qing left first while Gu Hai Sheng hinted for Xiang Han to step out before he lit up a cigarette and asked, “You two are together?”
Shen Ze hummed an affirmative, causing Gu Hai Sheng to sigh, “That year, I was simply blindly guessing. I never expected it to come true.”
“How did you find out?” Shen Ze asked.
“From your eyes. When you look at him, you’re like a starving wolf staring at a fat piece of meat.” Gu Hai Sheng couldn’t help spitting and continued, “Old Shen doesn’t know? I don’t want to be the one to say this but you ought to reign it in a little.”
“I know. You aren’t any better either.” Shen Ze’s expression wasn’t pretty. He changed the subject, “What’re you going to do from now on? My old man said he’d left some shares for you.”
“We’ll see.” Gu Hai Sheng said, feeling somewhat melancholic.
When Xiang Han returned, both of them were already wrapping up their conversation.
With Gu Hai Sheng’s reminder, Shen Ze held back for a while at their house, causing Shen Zheng Duo to feel strange. He secretly found Xiang Han and asked, “Did you guys fight? Why is he refusing to look straight at you?”
Shen Ze, who had coincidentally stumbled across this scene, felt speechless.
In the end, Gu Hai Sheng decided to set up a bar. After learning about it, Shen Ze wanted to give him a hand.
Therefore, a few days before school began, he frequently went out. Xiang Han didn’t pay attention to it until he heard that Chang Yu Chi had disappeared. He began to worry and hurriedly gave Shen Ze a call.
The signal on Shen Ze’s side wasn’t too good. After he picked up, Xiang Han answered a couple of times but couldn’t hear anything.
“This… signal… wait….call…” Shen Ze’s broken words came from the other side before the line was cut.
Although he knew that Shen Ze couldn’t possibly be related to Chang Yu Chi’s disappearance, Xiang Han still couldn’t rest easy, thinking of the plot’s armour. He grabbed a jacket and rushed out, trying to reconnect the call.
Shen Ze just left the lift and saw the incoming call. Amusement flashed across his eyes.
Gu Hai Sheng accidentally caught a glimpse of it, “Enough, stop smiling. Hurry back, I already told you to not come…” But you refused to listen, and insisted on coming here, anyway.
After Shen Ze picked up the phone, it didn’t take long before his expression underwent a huge change. When he spoke, his voice seemed to carry a faint tremble, “Where are you now?”
“Along the road… in the neighbourhood.” Xiang Han held the back of his head which was flowing with blood, gritting his teeth from the pain. Beside him, a middle-aged man lay on the ground.
At first, he’d thought the other person was only asking for directions and he wanted to help him. Who knew… the human heart was full of evil! This person was actually scheming against him, sneaking an attack on him from behind. Thankfully, the system responded just in time and suppressed the other person down in a second.
“Are you okay? Have you called the police? Hurry up and go to the hospital, I’ll be there soon.” Shen Ze’s face was filled with panic. He didn’t even inform Gu Hai Sheng and hurriedly left.
Sensing that the situation was strange, he also followed along and helped inform Shen Zheng Duo.
When they arrived at the hospital, Xiang Han’s wound was already bandaged. He was lying on bed, sighing.
Shen Ze walked over and stroked his face, his fingertips quivering, “Does it hurt?”
“It hurts,” Xiang Han spoke weakly, “I think I might have a concussion. I won’t be able to memorise those english words for a while.”
Shen Ze’s heart tensed when he heard this, but towards the end, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, “Who told you to walk in such a secluded area?”
“How would I know he was a bad person?” Xiang Han choked out.
Shen Ze wanted to berate him more, but on seeing his pale face, he couldn’t bear to. In the end, he intended to plant a light kiss on Xiang Han’s face for comfort.
Just as this thought crossed his mind, he leaned forward and suddenly heard Gu Hai Sheng cough lightly, just before their lips touched, “Oh, Brother Shen and sister-in-law, you guys are finally here.”
Shen Ze immediately straightened his back and hurriedly used the back of his hands to rub his face, hoping to turn his expression back to normal.
Zhu Jing Yi had rushed over without rest. Seeing Xiang Han’s current situation, the corners of her eyes reddened as she carefully touched the edges of his gauze and asked, “Does it hurt? What happened? Why did you suddenly get attacked?”
“It doesn’t hurt,” Xiang Han pursed his lips before continuing gloomily, “I’m also not sure. I was just giving him directions.”
After the police took his statement, the attacker was quickly apprehended. He said he’d seen Xiang Han come out from a rich neighbourhood and in a moment of greed, wanted to rob him.
When Xiang Han heard this, he knew that matters weren’t as simple as it sounded. However, without evidence, the police were also helpless and could only conclude the case.
Then, school began. Xiang Han slowly forgot about this matter until summer break when he suddenly recalled Chang Yu Chu’s disappearance. He went to find Zhu Jing Yi to ask, “Mom, I heard that Chang Yu Chi went missing. Have they found him? He’s elder brother’s classmate.”
“The one from the Chang family?” Zhu Jing Yi thought for a moment before she shook her head, “Not yet. Chang Guo Shen places great importance on his few illegitimate sons. He’s probably given up on him.”
Xiang Han instantly grew worried and went to find Shen Ze, “Brother, during the winter break last year, before I was assaulted, did you see Chang Yu Chi?”
Shen Ze thought for a bit. “I don’t remember. Why’re you asking about him?”
“It’s not that… I heard that he’s missing.”
Recalling some old events, Shen Ze couldn’t help but snort. He leaned forward to steal a kiss and said, “You’re not allowed to think of him in the future. You can only think about me.”
Xiang Han’s expression immediately grew dark. He couldn’t understand how he’d gotten jealous again.
At the end of August, Lin Rui Qing came for an interrogation. Xiang Han’s eyelids twitched furiously.
Seeing that Shen Zheng Duo and everyone else was present, Lin Rui Qing hesitated for a moment before speaking, “I’m here to look for Shen Ze.”
Saying so, he turned to look at Shen Ze, “Can we speak somewhere else?”
Shen Ze’s brows furrowed and after a moment of silence, he nodded.
After the two of them left, Shen Zheng Duo asked in doubt, “What is there to talk about? They haven’t even met each other more than a couple of times.”
Meanwhile, Xiang Han was beside himself with anxiety and tried to help him explain, “It probably…has something to do with Mr Gu. They’re familiar with Mr Gu.”
This was logical, but Shen Zheng Duo was still unsure.
Xiang Han wasn’t in the mood to conceal his emotions. After waiting for a while, he followed them.
They didn’t talk for long and so, Xiang Han met them on their way out.
Without waiting for Shen Ze to speak, Xiang Han went forward and asked, his voice laced with worry, “How is it? What did you say?”
A bubble of joy inexplicably rose in Shen Ze’s heart. Pulling Xiang Han into his arms, he kissed him once before explaining, “Don’t worry. It’s just that Chang Yu Chi is dead and the murder weapon looks a lot like the knife I have. It’s just a routine inquiry.”
It’s over. Indeed, it was the plot at work. Xiang Han sucked in a breath… of hot air before asking, “Will they suspect you?”
“Probably not. Five people died consecutively around that time. Lin Rui Qing suspects it’s a serial killer. Apart from Chang Yu Chi’s death, the other murders occured when I was at school.
“That’s good…” Xiang Han finally relaxed. He was afraid the plot would suddenly force Shen Ze back to the original track.
Seeing Xiang Han worried for him, Shen Ze’s heart was filled with warmth and he didn’t hold back his urge to hold him close and shower him with kisses.
Coincidentally, this scene fell into the eyes of Zhu Jing Yi who stood by the window. The air around her chilled and in the next moment, the cup in her hands fell to the ground, and shattered. She couldn’t control the tremble in her hands.
***
The author has something to say: Stating it clear, they’re not real brothers. They have no blood relations…
T/n: game over for Shen Ze
Shen Ze placed extreme importance on this matter. Once Xiang Han agreed, he began to supervise him strictly, not even letting him off during winter break.
Xiang Han hugged an english dictionary, memorising the word ‘abandon’ out loud while wondering: Where did the rebellious youth from that year disappear to?
Coming back home with a pack of takeaway, Shen Ze frowned on hearing the word being recited. “Why’re you still on the first word?”
Xiang Han, “Uh…”
When Zhu Jing Yi came with Shen Zheng Duo to visit them, she was surprised to see Xiang Han memorising even while having dinner. “What’s this for? Make-up exams?”
Xiang Han immediately said, “I’m preparing for postgraduate studies.” He was a person with an external cheat, why would he need to take make-up examinations?
“Postgraduate studies?” Zhu Jing Yi’s brows dipped. “With your degree, I’m afraid even with a PHD, it won’t be easy finding a job.”
Shen Zheng Duo agreed, “Exactly. Why don’t you hurry up and graduate and come to the company…”
His original plan was to let Xiang Han come to his company after graduation and work his way to the top. However, when he looked at Shen Ze, the words in his throat got caught.
Shen Ze didn’t care for the company but he also didn’t want Xiang Han to return. Therefore, he feigned ignorance and continued to eat his food.
Both of them passed their days in that house until it was finally the new year. On the tenth day of the new year, Gu Hai Sheng was finally released. Shen Ze planned to go pick him up and Xiang Han immediately begged him to bring him along after knowing this.
On the way, Xiang Han couldn’t help sighing, “Time really flies.”
In the original storyline, it was this winter break where Shen Ze chopped the original host and the scum man into pieces before getting caught by Lin Rui Qing in September. As long as they peacefully tided over this winter break and successfully crossed September, there shouldn’t be a problem.
However, for him to be able to do such a thing even after three entire years had passed, he was simply… too good at holding a grudge.
When they arrived, Lin Rui Qing was already there. This time, he wore plain civilian clothing and was leaning against the railings while looking at his phone.
The first person Gu Hai Sheng saw when he came out was Lin Rui Qing, completely glossing over the other two people as he hobbled over.
Lin Rui Qing finally spotted them. He kept his phone while speaking, “The subordinates have come to pick up their boss. Are you intending to go back and squat there for another two years?”
Gu Hai Sheng then saw them and hurriedly explained, “How is that possible? This is my nephew.” Saying so, he patted Shen Ze’s shoulders twice and exclaimed, “Good lad, you’ve grown so tall.”
Now, he no longer mentioned the subject of ‘foster son’. After all, before he went in, he had already called Shen Zheng Duo ‘big bro’.
The corners of Shen Ze’s lips twitched and he simply threw off the hand on his shoulders, saying, “Take my car.”
Before he got on, Shen Ze opened the door of the passenger’s seat and looked towards Xiang Han.
Gu Hai Sheng looked at them and felt something was amiss. Walking over, he deliberately said, “Oh? Why so courteous, we’re all family…”
Shen Ze stopped him before turning to Xiang Han, signalling to him. Xiang Han felt extremely conflicted but he still moved over and Gu Hua Sheng’s expression instantly became complicated.
After dinner, Lin Rui Qing left first while Gu Hai Sheng hinted for Xiang Han to step out before he lit up a cigarette and asked, “You two are together?”
Shen Ze hummed an affirmative, causing Gu Hai Sheng to sigh, “That year, I was simply blindly guessing. I never expected it to come true.”
“How did you find out?” Shen Ze asked.
“From your eyes. When you look at him, you’re like a starving wolf staring at a fat piece of meat.” Gu Hai Sheng couldn’t help spitting and continued, “Old Shen doesn’t know? I don’t want to be the one to say this but you ought to reign it in a little.”
“I know. You aren’t any better either.” Shen Ze’s expression wasn’t pretty. He changed the subject, “What’re you going to do from now on? My old man said he’d left some shares for you.”
“We’ll see.” Gu Hai Sheng said, feeling somewhat melancholic.
When Xiang Han returned, both of them were already wrapping up their conversation.
With Gu Hai Sheng’s reminder, Shen Ze held back for a while at their house, causing Shen Zheng Duo to feel strange. He secretly found Xiang Han and asked, “Did you guys fight? Why is he refusing to look straight at you?”
Shen Ze, who had coincidentally stumbled across this scene, felt speechless.
In the end, Gu Hai Sheng decided to set up a bar. After learning about it, Shen Ze wanted to give him a hand.
Therefore, a few days before school began, he frequently went out. Xiang Han didn’t pay attention to it until he heard that Chang Yu Chi had disappeared. He began to worry and hurriedly gave Shen Ze a call.
The signal on Shen Ze’s side wasn’t too good. After he picked up, Xiang Han answered a couple of times but couldn’t hear anything.
“This… signal… wait….call…” Shen Ze’s broken words came from the other side before the line was cut.
Although he knew that Shen Ze couldn’t possibly be related to Chang Yu Chi’s disappearance, Xiang Han still couldn’t rest easy, thinking of the plot’s armour. He grabbed a jacket and rushed out, trying to reconnect the call.
Shen Ze just left the lift and saw the incoming call. Amusement flashed across his eyes.
Gu Hai Sheng accidentally caught a glimpse of it, “Enough, stop smiling. Hurry back, I already told you to not come…” But you refused to listen, and insisted on coming here, anyway.
After Shen Ze picked up the phone, it didn’t take long before his expression underwent a huge change. When he spoke, his voice seemed to carry a faint tremble, “Where are you now?”
“Along the road… in the neighbourhood.” Xiang Han held the back of his head which was flowing with blood, gritting his teeth from the pain. Beside him, a middle-aged man lay on the ground.
At first, he’d thought the other person was only asking for directions and he wanted to help him. Who knew… the human heart was full of evil! This person was actually scheming against him, sneaking an attack on him from behind. Thankfully, the system responded just in time and suppressed the other person down in a second.
“Are you okay? Have you called the police? Hurry up and go to the hospital, I’ll be there soon.” Shen Ze’s face was filled with panic. He didn’t even inform Gu Hai Sheng and hurriedly left.
Sensing that the situation was strange, he also followed along and helped inform Shen Zheng Duo.
When they arrived at the hospital, Xiang Han’s wound was already bandaged. He was lying on bed, sighing.
Shen Ze walked over and stroked his face, his fingertips quivering, “Does it hurt?”
“It hurts,” Xiang Han spoke weakly, “I think I might have a concussion. I won’t be able to memorise those english words for a while.”
Shen Ze’s heart tensed when he heard this, but towards the end, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, “Who told you to walk in such a secluded area?”
“How would I know he was a bad person?” Xiang Han choked out.
Shen Ze wanted to berate him more, but on seeing his pale face, he couldn’t bear to. In the end, he intended to plant a light kiss on Xiang Han’s face for comfort.
Just as this thought crossed his mind, he leaned forward and suddenly heard Gu Hai Sheng cough lightly, just before their lips touched, “Oh, Brother Shen and sister-in-law, you guys are finally here.”
Shen Ze immediately straightened his back and hurriedly used the back of his hands to rub his face, hoping to turn his expression back to normal.
Zhu Jing Yi had rushed over without rest. Seeing Xiang Han’s current situation, the corners of her eyes reddened as she carefully touched the edges of his gauze and asked, “Does it hurt? What happened? Why did you suddenly get attacked?”
“It doesn’t hurt,” Xiang Han pursed his lips before continuing gloomily, “I’m also not sure. I was just giving him directions.”
After the police took his statement, the attacker was quickly apprehended. He said he’d seen Xiang Han come out from a rich neighbourhood and in a moment of greed, wanted to rob him.
When Xiang Han heard this, he knew that matters weren’t as simple as it sounded. However, without evidence, the police were also helpless and could only conclude the case.
Then, school began. Xiang Han slowly forgot about this matter until summer break when he suddenly recalled Chang Yu Chu’s disappearance. He went to find Zhu Jing Yi to ask, “Mom, I heard that Chang Yu Chi went missing. Have they found him? He’s elder brother’s classmate.”
“The one from the Chang family?” Zhu Jing Yi thought for a moment before she shook her head, “Not yet. Chang Guo Shen places great importance on his few illegitimate sons. He’s probably given up on him.”
Xiang Han instantly grew worried and went to find Shen Ze, “Brother, during the winter break last year, before I was assaulted, did you see Chang Yu Chi?”
Shen Ze thought for a bit. “I don’t remember. Why’re you asking about him?”
“It’s not that… I heard that he’s missing.”
Recalling some old events, Shen Ze couldn’t help but snort. He leaned forward to steal a kiss and said, “You’re not allowed to think of him in the future. You can only think about me.”
Xiang Han’s expression immediately grew dark. He couldn’t understand how he’d gotten jealous again.
At the end of August, Lin Rui Qing came for an interrogation. Xiang Han’s eyelids twitched furiously.
Seeing that Shen Zheng Duo and everyone else was present, Lin Rui Qing hesitated for a moment before speaking, “I’m here to look for Shen Ze.”
Saying so, he turned to look at Shen Ze, “Can we speak somewhere else?”
Shen Ze’s brows furrowed and after a moment of silence, he nodded.
After the two of them left, Shen Zheng Duo asked in doubt, “What is there to talk about? They haven’t even met each other more than a couple of times.”
Meanwhile, Xiang Han was beside himself with anxiety and tried to help him explain, “It probably…has something to do with Mr Gu. They’re familiar with Mr Gu.”
This was logical, but Shen Zheng Duo was still unsure.
Xiang Han wasn’t in the mood to conceal his emotions. After waiting for a while, he followed them.
They didn’t talk for long and so, Xiang Han met them on their way out.
Without waiting for Shen Ze to speak, Xiang Han went forward and asked, his voice laced with worry, “How is it? What did you say?”
A bubble of joy inexplicably rose in Shen Ze’s heart. Pulling Xiang Han into his arms, he kissed him once before explaining, “Don’t worry. It’s just that Chang Yu Chi is dead and the murder weapon looks a lot like the knife I have. It’s just a routine inquiry.”
It’s over. Indeed, it was the plot at work. Xiang Han sucked in a breath… of hot air before asking, “Will they suspect you?”
“Probably not. Five people died consecutively around that time. Lin Rui Qing suspects it’s a serial killer. Apart from Chang Yu Chi’s death, the other murders occured when I was at school.
“That’s good…” Xiang Han finally relaxed. He was afraid the plot would suddenly force Shen Ze back to the original track.
Seeing Xiang Han worried for him, Shen Ze’s heart was filled with warmth and he didn’t hold back his urge to hold him close and shower him with kisses.
Coincidentally, this scene fell into the eyes of Zhu Jing Yi who stood by the window. The air around her chilled and in the next moment, the cup in her hands fell to the ground, and shattered. She couldn’t control the tremble in her hands.
***
The author has something to say: Stating it clear, they’re not real brothers. They have no blood relations…
T/n: game over for Shen Ze
