Chapter 37 Part 2

Zhong Nian cursed. “Only you are this shameless.”

It wasn’t for that reason, but because Charles’s hands were too rough, covered in rugged scars—recognizable at a touch.

Charles chuckled lightly, scratching Zhong Nian’s inner wrist with his finger. “There are plenty more shameless than me on this ship.”

Zhong Nian flung his hand away. “What are you here for?”

“Only they get to come, not me?”

“…” Zhong Nian detected a pungent vinegary smell from those words and didn’t respond.

“I brought you something.”

A heavy, round ball appeared in Zhong Nian’s palm. Before he could figure it out, Charles pressed it, and instantly, the room filled with starlight.

Dreamy colors projected from the ball across the room, flowing like a real galaxy laid out before his eyes, dispelling the unsettling darkness.

Zhong Nian was still dazed when Charles pressed it again.

The galaxy shifted, interwoven with ribbon-like, drifting iridescent colors—romantic auroras.

“Pretty?” The mixed-race man looked at him with a smile in his narrow eyes.

Zhong Nian schooled his surprise. “Where did you get this?”

“Scavenged from those Rich Second Generations’ rooms.” Charles smiled. “To please you.”

Zhong Nian said nothing but poked at the Little Light Orb repeatedly, his lips curving up, mist-blue eyes reflecting the starlight—gorgeous and brilliant.

Clearly, he was very pleased.

Charles watched him play quietly, without interrupting.

Once satisfied, Zhong Nian held the Little Light Orb and said, “Thank you.”

“No need to be polite with me.”

Zhong Nian’s gaze drifted aside. “You’re not wearing Gloves anymore?”

Charles raised his scar-covered hands. “After you saw them that time, I suddenly saw things clearly.”

The boy had held his hands and said they were capable and warm. That scene etched itself in his mind, something he often revisited.

From then on, he no longer had phantom pains.

“Wearing Gloves would mean missing out on so many sensations when touching you. What a shame.” Charles raised his hand, crooked fingers brushing Zhong Nian’s cheek. His amber mixed-race eyes appeared exceptionally deep under the dreamlike glow.

“This way, I can get closer to you.”

Zhong Nian looked stunned.

Admittedly, Charles could be quite wicked at times, but… it was hard to dislike him.

It might have been another meticulously planned coaxing tactic, but Zhong Nian still couldn’t bring himself to get mad at the man.

He said softly, “Congratulations, Charles.”

Congratulations on stepping out of the shadows of your past.

–

Evening.

Zhong Nian figured it was nearly time for the Kidnapper Boss to deliver dinner, so he got up from the bed, groped his way to the table, sat down, and waited.

This time, he absolutely wouldn’t let the other feed him; he’d eat himself.

Otherwise, a good bowl of rice would take an hour—what a hassle.

【Who gets it? Baby’s like a kindergarten kid waiting for mealtime.】

【So obedient.】

【Dead Boss still not here to feed? Can he afford starving my Wife?】

【You can tell Little Nian really likes the Little Light Orb; he’s been playing with it half the day.】

Bored, Zhong Nian played with the Little Light Orb while watching the barrage, counting half the stars in starlight mode. The expected visitor still hadn’t arrived.

He grew worried. Had something happened?

They wouldn’t just abandon him, right?

Speak of the devil—the sound of chaotic, noisy footsteps suddenly rang out from above. Just as Zhong Nian stood to listen closely, the entire Cruise Ship emitted a massive boom and rocked violently like hitting a tsunami.

Caught off guard, Zhong Nian lost his footing and fell, his knee smacking the floor with a dull ache.

The Lamp Ball slipped from his hand, smashing on the ground and shattering into pieces.

Ignoring the pain, Zhong Nian steadied himself against the toppled table, rushed to the door, and knocked.

“Is anyone there!”

No response. The noises upstairs grew louder, making Zhong Nian’s heart race erratically.

Zhong Nian hated waiting idly. His intuition told him something major had happened outside, so he tried the door.

But the lock was from the outside. Twisting the handle nearly sparked but wouldn’t budge.

【Finally the key plot?】

【Anyone gonna check on our baby?!!】

【Nothing bigger than our Baby not eating.】

【Knee’s hurt, heart aches. I huff huff.】

【?? Streamer what are you doing!】

In the Live Stream Room, all viewers watched the boy—knee freshly fallen and swelling rapidly—clear space after failing to open the door, then back up into a crouch for a running start.

His expression changed in an instant, those bright round eyes bursting with resolute light. He kicked back and charged forward fiercely.

“Thud!”

The slender boy front-kicked the door panel. The extraordinary power from his leg actually loosened it, causing it to slowly topple forward before crashing “bang” onto the corridor, kicking up dust.

【!!!】

【Wife you…】

【Such a strong Baby.】

【Looks like Wife went easy kicking that dog before; this would’ve crippled them outright.】

【Baby you’re a total little cannonball.】

【Holy super leg kick; that burst of power from those meaty legs looks so good!】

Fortunately, the door to this unoccupied lower cabin room was damp and rotten; otherwise, Zhong Nian couldn’t have kicked it open in one go and would’ve needed more tries.

His overexerted leg went numb. Zhong Nian panted twice, didn’t delay, turned, and ran upstairs.

On the second level, he found chaos outside. Crew from the lower cabins were evacuating under the kidnappers’ orders.

A pretty boy in pajamas, looking dazed amid the crowd, stood out. A crew colleague who recognized him grabbed him and ran outward together.

“Water’s flooding below!”

“W-Wait…” Zhong Nian ran a couple steps before being shoved to the elevator entrance.