Chapter 20 Part 3

Shen Yu turned to the window. The curtains fluttered lightly, revealing endless mountain trees stretching to the horizon, no sign of people.

It looked like a perfect spot for dumping a body.

Shen Yu: “…”

It would be even better if the one getting dumped wasn’t him.

007 comforted him: 【It won’t happen. If Zhou Jinsheng wanted to dump a body, he wouldn’t have treated the Host.】

After lying there long enough, Shen Yu got up from the bed. At that moment, the tightly shut bedroom door opened again. A middle-aged man who looked like a butler entered, elegantly poised and mild-mannered as he led Shen Yu to the study.

Shen Yu paid close attention to the path as he followed the amiably smiling butler to the study.

The room was spacious. One wall held densely packed bookshelves, accented subtly by high-end silver-wire carved plants mimicking fur.

The antique fireplace was unlit, and a massive crystal chandelier scattered light everywhere. In the center stood an exquisite, low-key rosewood conference table that matched the curtains perfectly—grand yet refined.

Shen Yu silently observed the study’s layout. The butler left quietly after escorting him. Clock chimes echoed. Shen Yu waited a bit more, picked up a book, and then heard the door open.

He turned his head.

Zhou Jinsheng had clearly just handled some business, carrying a chilling, murderous aura. He shrugged off his coat onto the rack and strode straight in, crossing his long legs clad in suit pants as he sat on the black leather sofa.

He leaned back, half-closing his eyes in fatigue, his muscles relaxing like a magnificent, lazy lion.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Was this…

Had he not noticed him??

No way—he was a living person!

Shen Yu slammed the book back onto the shelf with a loud thud.

Zhou Jinsheng’s eyes snapped open instantly, his narrow gaze locking onto Shen Yu by the bookshelf like a predator spotting prey—swift, ruthless, precise.

Zhou Jinsheng seemed to pause.

A moment later, the man slightly raised his chin, his voice low and deep. “Sit.”

Seeing this version of Zhou Jinsheng up close again made Shen Yu’s heart race.

Only now did he have time to review his first loop’s interactions with Zhou Jinsheng. Truth be told, they were parallel lines—never intersecting.

A few hasty encounters were all there was.

From start to finish, Zhou Jinsheng might not have even known Shen Yu existed, let alone that the man he’d ordered bagged and sunk in the lake would reappear by his side in a different way.

This time, who knew what changes would come.

The moment he broke the surface from those deep, cold lake depths, he could breathe again.

Across the conference table, Shen Yu sat soundlessly on the sofa opposite Zhou Jinsheng without a word.

Song Shi entered right on time with files in hand. Seeing the two facing off, he paused mid-step. This table was no ordinary one—countless deals swaying all of Shangjing, decisions altering the world, had stemmed from its four sides.

Song Shi lowered his eyes and approached Shen Yu’s side, bowing slightly to place the files on the table.

Seeing the documents set before him, Shen Yu straightened his back and asked warily, “What is this?”

Song Shi pushed up his glasses and glanced at Zhou Jinsheng. Upon receiving BOSS’s permission, he explained to Shen Yu in an official, businesslike tone, “This is a labor contract.”

A labor contract?

Shen Yu was slightly shocked. “Ah?”

Shen Yu: 【Is there such a good thing?】

It was just what he needed, like a pillow arriving when sleepy.

Did Zhou Jinsheng mean to hire him? But based on his understanding of Zhou Jinsheng, it was most likely a ploy to torment him under the guise of legitimate employment, just like what happened to the original protagonist shou at the start.

When Zhou Jinsheng had adopted Yu Tingsi back then, few people knew about it, but those in the know held differing views. Some speculated it was out of consideration for old ties between the two families, while others thought Zhou Jinsheng had taken a liking to Yu Tingsi. The rest were clueless, but Shen Yu—having relived his life once and knowing the story’s outline—understood it all too clearly.

After the incident, the Yu Family had originally countless paths to survival, yet they were inevitably pulled into an irresistible vortex of fate. The moment this colossal entity collapsed in a crash, one whale fell and all things flourished—it was merely a small step for Zhou Jinsheng toward his goal.

In the end, when the dust settled, Yu Xiao had no choice but to bow his head to this man who had indirectly caused his family’s ruin, trading the Yu Corporation’s final shares in exchange for a promise to keep Yu Tingsi safe for life.

But Shen Yu had already been killed once by Zhou Jinsheng, so he felt no fear now.

007 reminded him: 【Host, check the contract contents first.】

Shen Yu opened the document.

During the contract period…

Party B must obtain Party A’s permission when leaving Party A’s residence.

…

Party B must obey and satisfy Party A’s sexual needs.

Sexual… sexual needs…?

The earlier clauses were tolerable—somewhat off-kilter, but reasonable given the overt and covert struggles among great families. Yet the later contents grew stranger the more he read.

Shen Yu’s pupils shook, his fingers trembling slightly.

Song Shi observed his reaction.

Shen Yu came back to his senses. This wasn’t any labor contract—it was more like a kept-man agreement.

Shen Yu tightened his grip on the contract, took a deep breath to rein in his surging anger, lifted his head to refuse—and saw Zhou Jinsheng with hands crossed, leaning forward slightly, his narrow, cold eyes fixed straight on him. “If I’m not mistaken, the Shen Corporation hasn’t been faring well lately?”

Not faring well? What an understatement.

Others might not grasp the Shen Corporation’s current plight, but as its head, Shen Yu knew it inside out.

A massive chunk of usable funds had been frozen by the regulatory commission for investigation. Partners were dropping contracts left and right. Efforts to secure external strategic investors had fallen flat.

Logically, the company’s core business had solid growth prospects; it shouldn’t have been this isolated. Yet no one dared extend a helping hand.

In that moment, calling the Shen Corporation’s situation dire straits was no exaggeration.

Now, beyond essential operating costs, Shen Yu had slashed non-core expenditures to the bone, but cash flow woes persisted.

All those arrows from every direction converged, twisting and turning, to point squarely at the man lounging on the sofa before him.

“The instant this contract takes effect, all those issues will resolve themselves.”

Zhou Jinsheng’s voice was low and detached, laced with unquestionable authority. “Shen Yu, this is the most advantageous deal for you.”

Shen Yu fell silent.

Zhou Jinsheng tossed out the bait lazily, waiting patiently for the prey to bite.

Shen Yu drew a deep breath. Humiliation and outrage welled up anew, just like that night at Blue Sea Bay. These people, raised in luxury from birth, brimmed with innate arrogance and conceit. They were haughty and invincible, scorning others’ feelings, trampling dignity with ease, viewing people as mere specks of dust.

So he yearned to climb.

That bottle of gut-piercing liquor at Blue Sea Bay, those mocking stares and appraisals—they were the seed buried deep in Shen Yu’s heart.

Day after sunless day, it lay dormant. But accumulated resentment and shame became water and fertilizer, pushing the seed through thick soil to sprout, reach sunlight, and grow into a towering tree, branches lush and full.

The ancients ascended to heaven via the Jianmu tree. This was Shen Yu’s Jianmu.

He would seize it all—vile or misguided—clutching that upward trunk with both hands. Thorns might shred his flesh, weight snap his bones, blood might stream; still, he would climb by any means.

In the glittering nightscape of Shang Capital City, there had to be a place for him.

Yet facing this scenario again, this powerlessness and shame, this Zhou Jinsheng once more—Shen Yu struggled to remain calm.

He exhaled deeply, slammed the contract onto the table, anger thick in his voice. “What the hell do you mean?”

Zhou Jinsheng reclined back into the sofa, idly spinning the Authority Ring on his finger—a sign his patience had worn thin. “I believe the contract spells it out clearly enough.”

This show of resistance now?

Amusing.

Zhou Jinsheng said, “Shen Yu, it’s just a mutually beneficial transaction.”

Some “mutually beneficial.”

Shen Yu itched to curse. Shame flared like wildfire, especially at this man’s entitled tone—no different from before.

His humiliation tactics matched Blue Sea Bay exactly. Back then, he’d at least feigned decency to Shen Yu’s face. Now? He didn’t bother.

Stifling his fury, Shen Yu refused. “I’m not signing.”

Zhou Jinsheng’s gaze dropped, a flicker of brutality passing through.

He halted the ring’s spin. His eyes flicked upward minutely, lips curving in an icy smirk. “Fine.”

?

He agreed that easily?

The reply caught Shen Yu off guard. He didn’t process it at first, instinctively scanning Zhou Jinsheng’s face—nothing.

But he’d gotten confirmation, dubious as it was. This man wasn’t known for keeping promises.

Shen Yu rose uncertainly. Song Shi shifted aside to clear a path. Shen Yu shot him a wary glance; the stoic assistant stared straight ahead impassively, making no move to block him.

Shen Yu tested with a step toward the door. No resistance. He bolted in three strides, flung open the study door without a backward glance, and descended the stairs unhindered.

No one in sight the whole way—not even servants. Shen Yu hadn’t known his location at first, but priceless sculptures, masterworks, and art dotted the path elegantly. Beneath soft, refined lighting, every detail screamed perfection: flawless craftsmanship, even the finest pile of the handmade carpets glowing pristine white.

He realized where Zhou Jinsheng had brought him.

The Zhou Family Ancestral Home. The Zhou Mansion.

The sprawling Zhou Mansion resembled a vast, hushed labyrinth of luxury.

No one to ask directions; Shen Yu took several wrong turns.

Through a long, dim corridor, he spotted a familiar figure.

That person spotted him too.

“Shen Yu?”

Behind a standing cabinet bearing the Alice Bubble Rose Vase, Chen Jinyang—back in casual clothes—lounged before sealed doors, posture slouched and roguish.

Finally, the way out.

Chen Jinyang seemed poised to leave as well. Spotting Shen Yu alone, his gaze pierced the floral display to fix on him, confusion dawning on his face.

His look turned odd.

Shen Yu grew uneasy under the stare.

He glanced down—still in pajamas.

Fine, fine. Pajamas outdoors had been odd once, but now? Comfortable and practical—mainstream, right?

He’d woken without his clothes or phone, never expecting Zhou Jinsheng to return them.

So long without calling He Qian—who knew if he’d reported it? Even if he had, useless.

Shen Yu neared Chen Jinyang. Jet-black lashes fluttered up; a flowerlike smile bloomed on his pale, lovely face.

Chen Jinyang recalled their first meeting—this same smile.

Shen Yu played it chummy, grinning. “Chen Jinyang? You here too? Mind lending me your phone?”

“Phones are number-restricted here; mine won’t connect.” Chen Jinyang shook his head, eyes locked on Shen Yu, tone hesitant. “But how’d you get out?”

Restricted? Shen Yu’s brow furrowed, dread stirring. He reached for the door. “Just walked right out. Zhou Jinsheng’s more reasonable than before.”

Reasonable? The words hit Chen Jinyang like a surreal joke. Alarm bells rang; he scowled fiercely, blurting, “Shen Yu, don’t say I didn’t warn you—”

“Ah?”

Shen Yu shoved the door open.

Sunlight cascaded in like a waterfall. Amid blinding rays, a wall of black-suited bodyguards awaited outside, sealing the exit tight.

“You’d better turn back now—”

A glint off gun barrels jolted them rigid.

Shen Yu: “……”