Chapter 34 Part 1

007 watched in a daze and couldn’t help saying: 【Host, this smooth little combo of yours—who would believe you’ve never been in a relationship?】

Shen Yu cupped his fists: 【You flatter me. It’s all thanks to the seniors from the Counterattack Division.】

This simple kiss came out of nowhere and ended as quickly as it began.

Zhou Jinsheng felt like his heart had been brushed by the fluffy tail of some small animal. It trembled along with him. He lifted his gaze and stared at Shen Yu.

After the tease, Shen Yu immediately closed his eyes and pretended to sleep.

The moment they got off the plane, Zhou Jinsheng—who had been left burning with desire—hoisted Shen Yu over his shoulder and strode straight toward the bedroom. Shen Yu felt the world spin. He opened his eyes and hurriedly said, “Zhou Jinsheng, what are you doing?”

Zhou Jinsheng: “Not pretending anymore?”

By this time, dawn was breaking. The servants at Zhou Mansion had already gotten up, washed up, and begun their duties. From afar, they saw the master of the house carrying someone back. There was no need to guess who it was.

From the helipad through the courtyard and into the villa, Shen Yu drew countless stares along the way. He felt just like a little wife who’d failed to sneak away and had been caught by the domineering CEO, now facing harsh punishment. He angrily pounded Zhou Jinsheng’s shoulder with his fist, wishing he could burrow into a hole.

At the corridor, an upside-down figure suddenly appeared in his field of vision. Shen Yu looked over and saw Chen Jinyang in a white coat, stroking his chin with a meaningful gaze. When he noticed Shen Yu’s eyes on him, he paused for a moment.

Chen Jinyang extended his hand, made a fist, and popped out his thumb in a “badass” gesture.

Shen Yu squeezed his eyes shut, determined to play dead.

Zhou Jinsheng kicked open the bedroom door, flung the man onto the bed, and bore down on Shen Yu.

Shen Yu was, after all, a grown man over six feet tall. Zhou Jinsheng had carried him the whole way without breaking a sweat, and now he even had the strength to pin him down.

As Shen Yu reeled in shock, his hands were firmly pinned above his head.

Zhou Jinsheng held Shen Yu down with one hand while propping himself up beside him with the other. His gaze fell on Shen Yu, and his eyes darkened involuntarily.

A black tank top paired with leather pants, his waist cinched by a belt as if it could snap with one hand—the standard biker look. On Shen Yu, it wasn’t out of place at all. It was wild, strikingly handsome, bold, and incredibly enticing.

Zhou Jinsheng’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He buried his head and dove in with savage movements, kissing wildly and recklessly. Amid the friction, they shared a hot, wet deep kiss, both left panting.

Zhou Jinsheng bit his trembling Adam’s apple and sucked his way downward. At the same time, his palm slipped under the hem of the tank top, tracing up Shen Yu’s spine to caress his back—like a beast patrolling its territory.

His palm burned hot. Shen Yu arched his waist involuntarily from the touch.

The fitted tank top outlined the contours of his muscles.

Zhou Jinsheng kissed his way down. Licking wasn’t enough; his teeth ground down hard. Even through the fabric, the shape of his teeth was palpable.

Shen Yu’s breath hitched: “I haven’t showered!”

Though he’d been meticulous about hygiene even while living wild in the mountains—always packing full toiletries and finding water sources to bathe daily—for safety, he usually did it during the day. So it had been a full day since his last shower!

“I don’t mind.” Zhou Jinsheng’s eyes surged with dark red. Veins bulged on his hand—he was clearly at the end of his restraint.

Shen Yu protested loudly: “I mind!”

Zhou Jinsheng stared at him darkly for a long moment.

In the end, they stumbled into the bathroom, shedding clothes along the way until they were nearly naked, garments strewn across the floor.

Hot water gushed out with a roar, instantly filling the bathroom with steam. Even the glass door fogged up.

With a “clang,” a veined forearm suddenly slammed hard against the glass.

Then, through the misty haze tinged with water, the glass became like a blue-veiled cloth, revealing the faint outline of a back.

Shen Yu was pressed against the glass by Zhou Jinsheng. His brows furrowed tight, his neck arched in a swan-like curve of dying grace. His water-slicked back muscles clung to the glass, dissipating the fog. The cool-toned back muscles resembled the spine of a snowy ridge.

Zhou Jinsheng’s muscles tensed all over, his mountainous back rippling with sweat that slid into the crevices. His voice was hoarse and low: “Shen Yu, if you run again, I’ll—”

Shen Yu’s fingers clutched his shoulders, his eyes brimming with misty steam. His whole body floated as if adrift in water, even his skin soaked swollen and flushed. Hearing this, he let out a hum from his nose: “Break my legs?”

Zhou Jinsheng narrowed his eyes, his muscles quivering. His dark, misty gaze was icy and profound: “No. I’ll kill you first—rape then murder—”

He was clearly speaking of hate, so why did it sound—

Like “I love you”?

Shen Yu had a nightmare, feeling as if he’d fallen into a beast tide. Every inch of muscle on his body was being torn at, but it didn’t feel like wild beasts. In his daze, he mumbled: “Who?”

“Your husband.”

Not even close yet, but Zhou Jinsheng’s voice was unmistakable. Shen Yu jolted awake at once. Only then did he realize it wasn’t a nightmare—there wasn’t a single untouched spot on his body. Bite marks covered him densely, even at his ankles.

Shen Yu: “…”

After cleaning up, Shen Yu learned that today’s schedule was for custom suit fittings. It coincided with Old Master Chi’s eightieth birthday. Before the formal banquet, there was a cocktail party as an appetizer—geared more toward the younger crowd—set on a private yacht at Clearwater Bay.

Zhou Corporation had a dedicated clothing studio in a serene suburban area. Evergreen trees loomed thickly overhead like a canopy. The black sedan drove down the tree-lined avenue and pulled up outside the flower-bedecked studio.

The studio wasn’t large. Besides the designer, there were only two or three apprentices. The head designer was an elderly tailor, around seventy or eighty, with all-white hair. His features still hinted at the handsome youth he’d once been.

He took Shen Yu’s measurements, then pulled several design drafts from the rack and laid them out on the wooden table for the two to see. Zhou Jinsheng’s gaze swept over them, and his finger slowly landed on the one in the middle. He said, “This one.”

The designer adjusted his glasses and examined it. He let out an “oh,” surprise flickering across his face. He glanced at the two, then smiled kindly as realization dawned: “I thought you’d finally remembered to update your measurements. Turns out there’s good news—you brought someone along. Don’t worry, I’m not like those old fogeys.”

The old man eyed them and sighed: “I designed this wedding suit for you how many years ago? I thought it’d go to waste.”

Zhou Jinsheng and Shen Yu both froze.

Leaning in as if whispering, Shen Yu gritted his teeth: “Zhou Jinsheng, I never would’ve thought—scheming everywhere.”

Zhou Jinsheng shot him a glance and curved his lips. He hadn’t intended that at first, but the designer’s reminder sparked his interest. He immediately dove into discussing details with the man.

They’d come only to order Shen Yu’s outfit for the gala, but when they left, they’d ordered three sets: one wedding suit, one formal suit. The formal one, pressed for time, would be rushed out by the apprentices in two days.

The day before Old Master Chi’s birthday banquet—which was also gala night—the weather was clear and bright. By evening, stars reflected in the unclouded Milky Way, twinkling endlessly.

The city on the sea glittered brilliantly.

The massive private yacht cruised the surface, its hull slicing through the water and splitting the light. Then came an even more dazzling glow—the entire yacht ablaze with lights, like a mobile starry metropolis, generously sharing most of its radiance with the waves.

Inside the yacht, glasses clinked amid a sea of finery. Men and women toasted amid the fragrance of perfume and hair oil. The Chi Family had hired a world-class band; the saxophone’s moving melody even reached the shore.

Chi Xianli had organized the gala single-handedly. As a dance for the younger generation, it had few restrictions. Shen Yu emerged from the restroom and bumped right into Chi Xianli. Both paused.

Their relationship wasn’t great, but not irreparably bad. Running into each other privately made the atmosphere awkward.

After a brief moment of thought, Shen Yu decided on a courteous greeting. Chi Xianli saw through it and backed away repeatedly with a frown: “Save it. Not in front of Zhou Jinsheng, so drop the act. How much sincerity do you really have? Zhou Jinsheng might not know, but I do.”

“Is that so?” Shen Yu smoothed the wrinkles on his sleeve and said, “How about a bet then?”

Chi Xianli raised a brow: “A bet?”

Shen Yu smiled: “Bet on my sincerity. What do you say?”

Chi Xianli perked up: “How?”

“If I win, you help me keep this secret.”

What secret needed hiding? Chi Xianli was skeptical but figured it wouldn’t affect him anyway. Stroking his chin, he said, “Fine. If I win—”

Chi Xianli paused. For some reason, he felt just like a vicious mother-in-law breaking up a loving couple. His mouth twitched. He shoved the thought away and said, “If I win, you leave Zhou Jinsheng—go as far as you can.”

“Deal.”

Shen Yu headed toward the hall. A server in a black-and-white uniform passed by with a tray of drinks, head bowed, stirring a light breeze.

Shen Yu halted and blurted out the man’s name: “Cheng Yitan?”

Shen Yu recalled once more: in the original plot, Zhou Jinsheng died at Cheng Yitan’s hands.

The server’s back stiffened. He said softly, “Sir, you must have the wrong person.” Without waiting for a response, he deftly melted into the crowd with his tray.

Shen Yu frowned. Suddenly, a python-like arm snaked around his waist from behind, enveloping him in dangerous aura. Zhou Jinsheng buried his head in Shen Yu’s shoulder: “What’re you thinking?”

“Thinking about…”

Spotlights from the dance floor suddenly hit them. Everyone turned to look, their gazes shifting to Shen Yu with knowing undertones. Lately, Shangjing had been in turmoil, everyone on edge, thinking some big incident from above. Turns out, the big shot was pursuing love.

It was earth-shaking—and on Zhou Jinsheng, no less. Unbelievable.

While curious about Shen Yu’s identity, they couldn’t help admiring him a bit.

Chen Junyan’s white gown trailed the floor, lights making her radiant. She’d pried plenty of gossip from Zheng Keqin these past days; her curiosity burned bright.

She’d always had a good impression of Shen Yu. Her eager gaze, itching to chat him up, was impossible to ignore.

If Zheng Keqin hadn’t held her back, she’d have gone over already.

Shen Yu curved his lips, suddenly took Zhou Jinsheng’s hand gripping his, and wrapped his other arm around the man’s waist. He smoothly led him into the dance floor. A strange sensation flooded Zhou Jinsheng’s body; he stiffened as Shen Yu spun him.

Seeing Zhou Jinsheng dancing the woman’s part left the onlookers dumbfounded—disbelief was an understatement.

The music shifted abruptly.

Zhou Jinsheng recovered and calmly placed a hand on Shen Yu’s shoulder. Shen Yu was tall, but he was a touch taller. Nestled in Shen Yu’s arms like this, it looked utterly bizarre. Chi Xianli, returning just then, nearly gouged out his own eyes.

But really, it was just Chi Xianli’s imagination.

The two danced beautifully. Zhou Jinsheng deftly switched steps, his movements syncing with the melody as he vied for lead. But Shen Yu’s technique was masterful; each time, he anticipated and guided the spins.

Something occurred to Zhou Jinsheng, and his eyes narrowed slightly: “How many women have you danced with?”

Shen Yu paused, never expecting that to be his concern. He burst out laughing: “Jealous over that?”

Zhou Jinsheng countered: “Can’t I be?”

Shen Yu couldn’t say no. Laughing: “You can.”

The dance wove tight and loose, lights and music flowing like water through the air, scents wafting in waves. They went back and forth, surprisingly in sync.

When the song ended, they left the floor to applause and praise.

In a nearby building by the port, an emaciated man peered through binoculars at the yacht gliding in, chuckling wheezily and oddly from his throat.

Zhou Jinsheng rarely appeared in open public spaces. When he did, sniper spots were preempted. But not this time.

After the revelry, the private yacht docked at the port as guests disembarked.

The harbor swarmed with media. Killers disguised as reporters had long blended in. Tall and burly, they quickly shoved aside the desk-jockey types.

Shen Yu followed beside Zhou Jinsheng and looked toward him. The man’s features were exceedingly handsome. From his forehead to his nose bridge and down to his jawline, every inch curved perfectly, sharp and profound like a knife’s edge, favored by the creator.

Zhou Jinsheng noticed his gaze and turned his head slightly. He gripped Shen Yu’s hand and asked, “What’s up?”

Shen Yu gripped his hand back, shook his head, and smiled. “I’m just thinking.”

Zhou Jinsheng led him across the deck and asked, “Thinking about what?”

“You—”

“Bang—”

A bang rang out abruptly, shattering the night.

The crowd froze as if pressed by an invisible pause button. Then a scream broke the silence, and chaos erupted instantly.

Curses and panicked cries rose everywhere. The media, who had been surging forward like a school of fish, scattered in terror. The bodyguards waiting at the port immediately went on high alert, surrounding the group disembarking from the ship.

“Everyone, stay calm! Fall back to the cruise ship!”

Chi Xianli realized the situation and immediately organized the chaotic crowd to head back.

He had served in the military. Though he usually acted like a rascal, he issued orders with authority and presence. As soon as he gave the command, the people who had just gotten off the ship turned and ran back. But then another “bang” sounded from behind.