Chapter 64: The Hypocritical Senior 06 Part 2

Su Shan dodged nimbly and counterattacked, though he stuck mostly to defense.

He knew a thing or two about fighting.

Yu Sui’s arms were seized. He struggled but couldn’t break free. The baseball cap was pulled low over the man’s eyes, and a mask covered his entire face. Yu Sui couldn’t make out his expression.

Panic surged through him.

When had this guy shown up? Had he been lurking in the second bedroom the whole time, watching Yu Sui walk in?

The thought made his scalp crawl. Next time, he had to check that room first.

Yu Sui wasn’t helpless, though. It didn’t take him long to wrench free.

He bolted for the door without a backward glance.

Su Shan didn’t give chase.

He sauntered over to the open door and closed it, sparing a glance at the medicine scattered on the floor. Then he headed to the master bedroom.

Li Xia really was burning up. His cheeks were flushed crimson, and he looked half-dead.

Su Shan eyed the wall and pieced together Yu Sui’s intentions.

He’d probably meant to torment Li Xia, but the fever had tugged at his conscience.

Tsk.

This man…

Irritation prickled at Su Shan.

Why show pity for Li Xia?

Watching his brother suffer, Su Shan finally went to fetch medicine and water.

Dying this easily? With the man he loved showing concern in his final moments? He couldn’t allow something that perfect.

Su Shan wasn’t gentle about it. He forced the medicine down Li Xia’s throat with rough efficiency, then left the room.

Yu Sui rode the elevator without stopping once.

Only when he was safely in the taxi did he let out a breath.

He rubbed his aching arm, heart still racing. “I seriously suspect he’s one of those psychos from horror stories.”

[His vibe fits the bill perfectly.]

“He’s probably got me in his sights now.” Yu Sui frowned.

[It was bound to happen eventually.]

Back home, Yu Sui showered and stared coldly at the red marks on his arm before applying ointment.

The next day, it still ached.

He pulled himself together and headed to the company.

Li Xia had called in sick.

It made sense—the fever had been brutal. The System hadn’t mentioned any life-threatening danger yesterday, so Su Shan must have dosed him with medicine.

Maybe Yu Sui’s actions had even nudged things forward a bit.

Today, he was filming a solo video, dressed in a luxurious black-and-gold robe that accentuated his sharp brows and starry eyes.

The set bustled with people coming and going. Yu Sui felt eyes on him.

He looked over and spotted a man in work clothes.

Su Shan.

Memories of the previous night made Yu Sui purse his lips as he averted his gaze, worry gnawing at him.

The man had likely figured it out. What would his next move be?

Retaliation was inevitable, but Yu Sui had no intention of just rolling over.

Su Shan blended into the crowd, his eyes narrowing as he watched the man shine under the lights.

Now he understood why Li Xia was so obsessed.

A grin split his face, the sound of his muffled laughter trapped behind his black mask.

Once Yu Sui wrapped up filming, he went to change.

He grimaced as he shed the robe. So many people had worn it before him.

The thought made his skin crawl.

After removing his makeup, he headed to the lounge.

A staff member hurried by, arms full of props. They collided by accident.

“Sorry about that,” Yu Sui said apologetically. He crouched to help gather the scattered items from the floor.

The staffer bent down too. “It’s fine.”

His voice was rough and hoarse, like he didn’t speak often.

Yu Sui handed over the props and paused upon taking in the man’s outfit.

Even without seeing his face, the aura was unmistakable.

Su Shan.

His arm twinged at the reminder.

Yu Sui clenched his fingers. This had to be deliberate.

He passed off the last of the props and turned to leave.

But after one step, a clatter erupted behind him.

The items tumbled from Su Shan’s arms again.

Fortunately, they were made of soft foam—no damage done.

Yu Sui arched a brow and turned back, concern on his face. “Where are you taking all this? Why not grab a box?”

“The box is broken,” the man mumbled, sounding painfully shy, like severe social anxiety.

“Let me help,” Yu Sui said with a mild smile. He scooped up some of the props.

Su Shan blinked. “Thanks.”

“No trouble.” Yu Sui shook his head and followed him to the prop room.

He set the items down neatly. “Next time, use a cart. No need to rush like this.”

“Thanks.”

Yu Sui shook his head. “I’d better get back to work.”

He gave a casual wave as he left.

His smile held until he reached his own lounge.

He locked the door behind him and headed straight for the shower.

Su Shan lingered in the prop room for a long while. On the surface, the man was impeccable.

This was getting more and more intriguing.

Li Xia woke with a pounding head, though the fever had broken.

He massaged his temples and dragged himself upright, bitterness churning inside him.

Yu Sui would never like him. Not ever…

The thought made his throat burn.

Li Xia splashed water on his face.

He emerged looking like death warmed over. He called in sick and collapsed back into bed. His stomach roiled, but he couldn’t be bothered to care.

Dying like this didn’t seem so bad.

He stared blankly at the ceiling, letting his mind drift—until his peripheral vision caught something on the wall.

Li Xia froze. He got up and leaned in close, sniffing. A harsh paint smell hit him, and when he touched it, his fingers came away with fluorescent powder.

He traced the marks, brow furrowing.

Who had done this?

Li Xia moved to his computer and pulled up yesterday’s surveillance footage.

It had all been wiped.

He grabbed his phone and dialed Su Shan.

“You deleted my cameras,” he said with utter certainty. “What happened yesterday?”

“Nothing much.” Su Shan’s tone was airy. “You looked like you were on death’s door, so I fed you some meds. Sounded too brotherly for my taste—made me nauseous, so…”

As if he’d ever reveal Yu Sui’s concern.

“That it?” Li Xia raised a brow. “What about the marks on the wall…”

“What marks?” Su Shan sounded baffled.

Li Xia hung up.

Not Su Shan, then Yu Sui.

The guy hated him. Scaring and harassing him must be his way of…

Making him leave, just like he’d said.

Li Xia coughed again.

But leave?

He wouldn’t.

He licked his dry lips, his eyes darkening.

After Yu Sui finished up and headed home, he sensed someone tailing him.

He glanced back and spotted the figure.

The guy was far more professional than he was. The build didn’t give away the identity, but certain habits did.

Yu Sui halted.

The man had let himself be seen on purpose.

To toy with him.

Just like Yu Sui had toyed with Li Xia before.

Karma, huh?

Yu Sui arched a brow and picked up his pace.

Sure enough, his pursuer matched it, staying just at that teasing distance.

Yu Sui skipped the cab and veered toward a department store.

As he rounded the corner, he shot a look at the shadow.

The figure froze.

All that heavy layering screamed someone who hated crowds and attention.

Yu Sui’s lips curved.

Su Shan caught the smirk. Mockery.

His eyes gleamed.

Interesting.

He broke off the pursuit.

Yu Sui picked up some fruit and wine before taking a cab home.

Ding—

The elevator doors slid open.

A dark silhouette loomed right in front of him. Yu Sui’s heart lurched.

The figure stepped into the elevator as Yu Sui hurried out.

He clutched the plastic bag tightly.

Glancing back, their eyes met.

Yu Sui blinked, stunned.

The doors shut.

[That was…]

“Yeah.”

[He’s toying with you. Trying to scare you.] The System sounded shocked. [Talk about bold.]

Yu Sui spotted an envelope on the shoe rack by his door.

He frowned, snatched it up, changed his shoes, and stepped inside.

He inspected his room first, checking for anything out of place. Satisfied, he opened the letter.

[I’m watching you.]

Identical to the one he’d sent Li Xia.

[He… he…]

“Payback.” Yu Sui arched a brow and sank onto the sofa, eyes thoughtful.

[What are you thinking?]

“Did the plot ever describe the gong’s appearance?” Yu Sui asked curiously.

[That’s all the info we got.] The System replied. [Why?]

“Nothing.”

Yu Sui shook his head.

Coincidence?

Su Shan’s eye shape matched Li Xia’s perfectly—minus the swelling, and the gaze was different…

He kept that to himself.

He washed his hands, arranged a fruit platter, poured some red wine, and queued up a movie.

Half-reclining on the sofa, he ate leisurely.

Su Shan took the elevator downstairs but didn’t leave right away. Instead, he wandered around the neighborhood before slipping out through another exit.

He kept his head down and silenced his phone.

The screen displayed the living room of Yu Sui’s apartment, where the man was currently watching a movie.

After getting my message, you’re still so relaxed?

His eyes narrowed.

He was intrigued by this man. It would be even better if the fellow were colder toward Li Xia.

Yu Sui finished half a glass of wine, then headed off to wash up and go to bed.

Su Shan sauntered back to Li Xia’s place. He unlocked the door and found the young man slumped on the sofa, his face dark with gloom.

“Hey, want to swap identities?” he asked, gazing at his younger brother.

Li Xia looked up at the words. “Where have you been?”

He eyed the man suspiciously.

“The company’s swamped,” Su Shan said, hands shoved in his pockets as he strolled over to the sofa. “Entry-level grunts have all sorts of crap work, so how about we switch?”

“What are you up to?” Li Xia didn’t buy that this was some spur-of-the-moment idea.

The last time they’d swapped, it had been to screw him over. So this time…

He wasn’t ready to ditch the company just yet. Besides…

“Since when are you so polite? Actually saying hi?” Li Xia shot back warily.

“I saw you were in a funk,” Su Shan replied. He pulled off his mask, his identical face beaming with sincerity. “Figured you might do something stupid.”

The more Li Xia heard, the more it smelled like a trap. Still…

“Fine,” he said, staring at Su Shan.

Su Shan’s eyes lit up at the response, and Li Xia sneered to himself. “You want to cozy up to the senior, don’t you?”

“Caught me,” Su Shan said with a grin. “I wanna see just how much more you can piss people off.”

It was clear he’d use Li Xia’s identity to stir up all kinds of trouble.

“Su Shan.” Li Xia’s voice dripped with murderous intent. “Don’t think I won’t lay a hand on you.”

“Fight to the death, huh?” Su Shan didn’t flinch. “But Li Xia, you’ve got a weak spot now.”

“You… you…” Li Xia shot to his feet. “You planning to go after him?”

“He’s no ordinary guy. If he uncovers our secret, that’s a huge headache.” Su Shan’s smile widened. “Aw, you’re freaking out… Hiss…”

A fist slammed into him, and Su Shan saw stars.

“Li Xia, hahahaha—you’re panicked!”

Laughing through the pain, he sprang up and struck back.

The two of them fought without holding back, blows landing with lethal force.

“Li Xia, you had it coming!”

“Su Shan, drop dead!”