Chapter 28 Part 2

His hot breath sprayed over Shen Yu’s ear and nape, somewhat itchy. He emphasized “attention” heavily, as if referring to the movie Shen Yu obsessed over—or the heat on his skin.

Knowing Zhou Jinsheng was settling scores over the film shoot, Shen Yu stubbornly replied, “Average.”

Zhou Jinsheng narrowed his eyes. “Average?”

Just then, someone fearless asked, “Excuse me, what is your relationship?”

Zhou Jinsheng paused. Song Shi, following behind, shot the asker a glance.

The questioner was a young man, probably new to the industry, with the reckless boldness of youth.

After blurting it out from sheer curiosity, the young reporter suddenly felt space open up around him.

His competitors, who had been shoving him aside moments ago, now uniformly stepped back, centering him with admiring looks.

His mentor, Fat Bro, even retreated three steps to the back.

The young man: “…”

It dawned on him too late.

Had he asked something he shouldn’t have?

Zhou Jinsheng stopped. With their hands cuffed, Shen Yu—who had been walking straight ahead without glancing aside—felt the tug on his wrist and had to stop too.

He turned his head quizzically. Keep going or not?

Countless lenses faithfully captured the moment.

The man behind slightly turned his face. The chill autumn night breeze blew, and even the flashes dared not intrude. Only hazy moonlight draped his chiseled, handsome cheeks—profound contours, sharp lips, no different from usual.

But somehow more. In a corner no one else noticed, Shen Yu sensed the difference.

If he were still just one of the masses in Zhou Jinsheng’s world, he might not have felt it like the others.

Now, though, the hand gripping his inch by inch signaled his uniqueness. But this uniqueness might not mean good—it could herald an even deeper abyss.

The five fingers clamped like iron vices into his skin and bones, the creases of the palm vividly felt.

The pressure of bone against bone, flesh against flesh, was as if they wished to embed themselves into his body through their connected palms, becoming a part of him.

An ominous premonition surged in Shen Yu’s heart.

Sure enough, he heard Zhou Jinsheng’s voice:

“Fiancé—”

Shen Yu frowned and abruptly gripped his hand in return. The shackles clinked lightly as they swayed.

Zhou Jinsheng paused. His voice carried a strange pleasure, utterly unaware of the bombshell he had just dropped.

Amid the shocked gazes of the crowd, the man curled his lips slightly in good spirits, his hoarse and low voice adding:

“Something like this relationship.”

Chi Xianli had just received the message and come to the door to pick them up when he heard this line. The wine he had just taken into his mouth nearly sprayed out.

He barely swallowed the liquor. Through the layer of cold night air, he looked toward the person standing beside Zhou Jinsheng with shock and uncertainty.

In the night and lights, the man stood tall and slender. His black suit was stylishly between formal and casual, trendy. The fabric draped like water and mist, hugging his tall but not thin figure. His pale neck and wrists emerged from the black like fine jade.

The extreme contrast of black and white delivered a strong visual impact.

A little… familiar?

Chi Xianli narrowed his eyes in recollection. He soon remembered and looked at Shen Yu with a scrutinizing gaze.

Chi Xianli walked forward with his wine glass, his gaze lingering leisurely on their shackled wrists.

He withdrew his sharp gaze. The curve of his lips was wide, but since he already harbored resentment toward Shen Yu, his smile held no warmth. He said to Shen Yu, “Fiancé, hello.”

Shen Yu, who had inexplicably gained this identity: “…”

To be honest, he had almost forgotten this person.

“Let’s go. They’re about to cut the cake.”

The banquet was the birthday party for the youngest daughter of the Zheng family. Naturally, it was a grand stage for people from all walks of life to curry favor, test the winds, and seek collaborations.

Sihua Gardens, which had been quiet for a long time, bustled once more. Polite attendants shuttled among the guests in an orderly manner.

The overhead lights blazed brightly. Wine swayed with the light, infinitely brilliant and dazzling, blurring in an instant.

Chi Xianli led the two inside. Someone came forward with a wine glass to chat with Zhou Jinsheng.

At the banquet, some clearly noticed the shackles binding their wrists. Surprise flickered in their eyes, but they did not ask further. Only when touching on sensitive topics did they hesitate slightly and glance obliquely at Shen Yu.

Shen Yu knew they were minding his presence. He held his wine glass with his free hand, silent, openly eavesdropping.

Those bold enough to discuss collaborations with Zhou Jinsheng were all business tycoons. The more intelligence he gleaned, the more money the Shen Corporation could make. Such opportunities were rare.

Shen Yu lowered his eyes, staring at a gleaming dinner knife on the table, feigning indifference. Yet his ears stayed tuned to the conversation, his posture unchanging for a long time.

The banquet lights filtered through the man’s distinctly separated lashes into his eyes, casting sharp shadows.

That patch of shadow was also beautiful and vivid, drawing many overt and covert gazes.

Zhou Jinsheng’s fingers twitched uncontrollably. He gripped the champagne flute tightly with his fingertips, the cold touch finally bringing his reason back.

Though the visitors showed restraint, Zhou Jinsheng gave no clear response. After a pause, they continued speaking.

The carbs from dinner hit him, combined with the subtle effect of the alcohol, and Shen Yu gradually felt sleepy.

Suddenly, the lights in the main hall dimmed, and the view darkened. Though he knew a banquet of this level would never have accidents and it was likely part of the program, the abrupt plunge into darkness still caused discomfort.

Shen Yu straightened slightly. Taking advantage of the sudden darkness, his free hand silently reached the table. His fingers grasped the knife handle and slowly tucked the dinner knife into his sleeve.

The cold blade was sandwiched between his shirt and suit.

After finishing, a heavy warmth suddenly pressed on his shoulder.

Shen Yu’s tense heart skipped a beat. Thinking Zhou Jinsheng had noticed something, he controlled his voice and asked, “What is it?”

Zhou Jinsheng’s jaw rested on his shoulder. The man leaned to his ear, his breath brushing Shen Yu’s neck and ear: “Let’s go.”

The hot breath tickled Shen Yu’s ear. Confirming Zhou Jinsheng hadn’t noticed, he relaxed inwardly and followed up: “Where to?”

“I’ve prepared a gift for you. I’ll take you to see it.”

The magnetic, deep voice echoed in the darkness, ethereal like water.

A gift?

In the hall, lights and moonlight from the windows spilled in. Zheng Keqin and Chen Junyan pushed a tall cake cart from the right side to the center.

Candles flickered on the cake, illuminating the guests’ half-lit faces.

As the cake cart moved, a gentle birthday song played.

Everyone watched tonight’s star of the hour. She stood in the sole light, eyes closed as she blew out the candles. When she opened her eyes, the hall erupted in congratulations and applause.

The lights snapped on in an instant. It was time for the gift-giving.

Many people gave gifts. As the birthday girl’s cousin, Zheng Keqin entertained the guests. Chen Junyan stood by in a white dress, smiling gently. Chi Xianli glanced at the well-matched pair and felt an unusual twinge.

It was sigh-worthy. Previously, neither Zhou Jinsheng nor Zheng Keqin had been close to others. Zheng Keqin was warm on the outside but cold within—seeming approachable but allowing few near. Zhou Jinsheng was cold on the outside and colder inside, a natural dictator who demanded submission.

Now, these two cold-hearted men had people they cared for.

And they were objects he thoroughly disapproved of. Chi Xianli shook his head and walked over with his gift box. Zheng Keqin accepted it and placed it on the special gift table nearby. His sharp eyes spotted a printed card.

Bearing the Zhou Corporation’s gift emblem.

They had seen the gift, but the person was gone.

Ever since he got together with Junyan, the old man had been trying to match Zhou Jinsheng with their little sister, even throwing this grand birthday banquet to build momentum. Yet not only did he shackle himself to a man and show up, he didn’t even want to show his face.

It was a commercial marriage anyway. The old man just hoped the Zheng Corporation could borrow the Zhou Mansion’s influence. Whatever entanglements arose below didn’t matter.

Now, Zhou Jinsheng’s actions had thoroughly dashed the old man’s hopes.

Zheng Keqin rubbed his brow and asked, “Where’s Jinsheng?”

Chi Xianli swept his gaze across the hall, his brows furrowing at once.

Just before the candle-blowing, those two had been stuck together like glue. Where had they gone?

The floor lights spread like stars at one’s feet, stretching through Little Zhou Mountain’s endless night from the noisy crowd to the serene deep lake, tirelessly illuminating the mountain forest’s silence and gloom.

After breaking away from the clamor, moonlight fell on the lake surface, revealing shimmering waves that reflected two figures.

Shen Yu followed behind Zhou Jinsheng. The road back to Zhou Mansion from the quiet lake was very still, filled only with the wind whistling through the trees and the crisp clinking from their shackled wrists.

Clink, clink.

It rippled through his heart like waves on the lake.

Shen Yu followed behind Zhou Jinsheng, his gaze on the man’s broad back. He felt today’s Zhou Jinsheng was off—his emotions soaring high one moment, crashing low the next.

When high, his free will surged like tides; when low, it stilled like a deep lake.

Zhou Jinsheng rarely showed emotions, but now Shen Yu could clearly sense the shape of those ripples. It was clear how unstable—and dangerous—his mood was.

Silence spread from the vast lawn in front of Zhou Mansion’s estate into the interior.

The servants went about their duties, maintaining order in Zhou Mansion.

Shen Yu sensed the servants were especially jittery today. Before, they just avoided speaking to him, but there had been occasional eye contact. Now, anyone meeting his gaze panicked and looked away, heads bowed low.

Following Zhou Jinsheng through the long corridor, it wasn’t the way to the bedroom.

“We’re here.”

Zhou Jinsheng stopped in front of a door.

Shen Yu frowned and halted as well.

Zhou Jinsheng pushed open the door. Brilliant indoor lights spilled out, nearly turning it into daylight. Even more astonishing, above a platform bed level with the floor hung a massive golden cage descending from the ceiling.

The metal gleamed coldly under the lights. Countless lifelike rose blossoms draped from the top like a waterfall, making it almost an artwork.

“Since it was delivered early, it was delayed a bit.”

Zhou Jinsheng turned his head to look at Shen Yu, his voice hoarse as he asked:

“Do you like it?”