When Zhou Heng arrived downstairs, Lin Shuicheng was still tidying up his belongings. The dilapidated residential area was bustling, with a group of children nearby craning their necks to gaze at the luxurious space car parked downstairs from a distance.
Lin Shuicheng had just returned from class, and there were a few streaks of dust on his shirt from the stairs. He struggled to poke his head out from behind a pile of cardboard boxes and apologized softly, “Sorry, I still have some things to fetch.”
At the corner of his eye was a red tear mole, which could make one’s heart skip a beat.
Zhou Heng politely said, “Mr. Fu said you don’t need to bring anything. Just buy whatever you need when you move to Star City.”
Lin Shuicheng insisted, “I’ve thrown away everything I can. These are my books and documents. And my cat.”
He put the boxes in the trunk and went back upstairs. He was very slim, with that delicate and pretty appearance, polite yet stubborn in the way of someone engaged in scientific research.
A more favorable description would be scholarly, while a less favorable one would be rustic, out of touch.
Serving the boss with the boss’s money, Zhou Heng had been assisting Fu Luoyin for so long, dealing with such matters frequently. However, Lin Shuicheng’s incompetence was truly rare in his life.
The data produced by these student laboratories through hard work and toil can easily become project achievements with just a word from Fu Luoyin.
Lin Shuicheng was solely focused on his data and materials, completely unaware of the abundance of opportunities that awaited him. His current institution, the Jiangnan Branch of Alliance’s Star City University, offered the same academic standing, but in terms of geographical location and career resources, it couldn’t compare to the main campus.
Why worry about a lack of new projects? The materials he had here would only gather dust over there.
Lin Shuicheng has been following Fu Luoyin for two years, and he looks just the same to Zhou Heng now as he did the first time he saw him.
Lin Shuicheng would only wear the exquisite and luxurious clothes when they are sent to him. If Fu Luoyin doesn’t call him, he could quietly wait by the dining table for months.
Zhou Heng pondered that this was probably the most common type of maintained relationship – starting for money, then developing feelings, never giving up until hitting a dead end.
In the end, Lin Shuicheng retrieved a circular test tube filled to the brim with a pale blue liquid.
Probably because it was a fragile item, he held it in his hands the whole time. When he went through airport security, he was stopped by the security officer, who asked, “What is this?”
“Copper sulfate aqueous solution,” Lin Shuicheng said. “There’s also some potassium nitrate, ammonium chloride, ethanol, and camphor inside.”
“What’s it used for?”
“It’s a mixed solution. Crystals can precipitate when the temperature changes. It’s also called a storm bottle, quite beautiful.”
They were walking through Fu Luoyin’s exclusive VIP channel. The security officer just went through the motions, asking a few questions before letting them go.
Lin Shuicheng’s cowcat didn’t go through the check-in procedure; it boarded the plane with him. With the cabin pressurized, even this mixed-breed cat enjoyed top-notch treatment. After finishing its foie gras, it nestled on Lin Shuicheng’s lap and fell asleep.
It takes five hours to fly from the Jiangnan Branch to the central area of Star City. Lin Shuicheng didn’t sleep, he lowered his head and opened the text message.
[5 hours ago]
[Fu: Xiao Zhou will come to pick you up in a while to move house.]
[Lin Shuicheng: Okay, will you come back tonight?]
[2 hours ago]
[Lin Shuicheng: I’ll cook. If you’re tired from work, you can come back for dinner.]
[Now]
[Lin Shuicheng: I’m boarding the plane now.]
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
After sending the latest message, he pressed the screen to turn it off.
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“Anyway, I don’t understand it, but your grades must be excellent,” Zhou Heng sighed, “This profession must be quite lucrative.The other day, I heard Mr. Fu say that the salary for quantum analysts at Xiao’s Corporation can reach this figure—enough to cover your younger brother’s ICU expenses for a year, right?” He immediately realized that his words weren’t quite appropriate and added, “But surely it won’t take that long. He’ll be discharged soon!”
He still maintained the hand gesture of comparing numbers with him. The joy of being a working-class commoner is discussing money. Sure enough, hw saw Lin Shuicheng turn his head and quietly smile at him, “Hmm,” his voice very light.
Lin Shuicheng’s younger brother, Lin Deng, is fifteen years old this year. He suffered severe brain damage in a car accident a few years ago and has not woken up since. Having such a patient at home means burning money every moment.
Zhou Heng wasn’t sure how much money Lin Shuicheng could earn for himself, but he had investigated his background for Fu Luoyin before and knew that his family was probably somewhat tight on money. Lin Shuicheng had received four years of financial aid for the impoverished during his undergraduate studies. After graduating, he worked for two months. It was only after meeting Fu Luoyin that allowed him to have the money to continue his postgraduate studies.
After landing, they headed straight to the new residence.
Zhou Heng helped Lin Shuicheng pack up, but there wasn’t much to pack, actually. This was a house Fu Luoyin had acquired a few years ago, although he hadn’t lived here, all the furniture and accessories were complete.
Lin Shuicheng’s several large boxes of books and densely packed handwritten materials were off-limits to anyone else. He went to help organize for the cowcat, setting up its bed and assembling a climbing frame. Soon, someone came to deliver daily necessities and clothes, everything was there, even cat food. Zhou Heng opened a bag, took out a kibble, and tossed it to the cowcat, teasing it, “Do you want to eat? Come over and shake hands.”
The cowcat walked over, placed its paw on his palm, then took the kibble and walked away.
“Very clever. Did you teach it? What’s its name?” praised Zhou Heng.
He didn’t spend much time with Lin Shuicheng, so there wasn’t much else to talk about. He just talked about the cat.
Ordinarily, when people talk about their pets, they can talk endlessly, but Lin Shuicheng hesitated for a moment before gently saying, “Its name is Chief.”
Zhou Heng laughed, “Chief?”
He waited for Lin Shuicheng to say something more, but Lin Shuicheng seemed to consider the conversation over; he went to the refrigerator, picked out some vegetables, and started cooking.
Zhou Heng: “…”
As if just realizing, Lin Shuicheng looked up at him and politely asked, “Would you like to stay for a meal?”
Zhou Heng said, “No, thank you. If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave now. If you need anything, just contact me directly. Your brother’s transfer procedures will be arranged tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” Lin Shuicheng escorted him out.
Before leaving, Zhou Heng glanced back at him. The light from the entrance hall cast down, illuminating the delicate and handsome face of the young man before him.
Lin Shuicheng’s eyes were as warm as a cat’s, yet as pale as if they couldn’t reflect anyone’s image.
……….
When Fu Luoyin pushed open the door, the housekeeper was tidying up the dining table. She smiled awkwardly upon seeing him and said, “Second Young Master is back. Chief Fu said to clear the dishes after mealtime and asked you to go to the study to find him after you return… Or shall I cook some noodles for you separately?”
It was raining outside, and some raindrops had fallen on Fu Luoyin’s coat. He casually hung it on the coat rack by the door and said, “No need, I’ll eat out.”
That’s how things are in the Fu family. Once mealtime is over, even the Emperor of the Heavens Lao Tzu himself couldn’t have a bite to eat. Their schedule is synchronized with the military’s. Among the few influential families in the alliance, the Fu family is the strictest. The two children have never slept in late since they were young,and the reason is simple—if they sleep in, they miss their meal.
The upbringing in such a family has produced two highly-praised sons: the eldest son, Chu Shihan, is engaged in chemical research and has remarkable achievements; the second son, Fu Luoyin, joined the military and at a young age, it seems he’s on the verge of being promoted to the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Division.
If it weren’t for the tragic news two years ago, this would probably be a very happy and perfect family.
“The Young Master being transferred back to Star City this time has made the General and Madam very happy. Especially after the passing of the Eldest Young Master, Madam…” The housekeeper was about to continue when Fu Luoyin interrupted her, “Where’s my mother?”
“Madam underwent a minor fibroid surgery recently. Right now, she’s resting,” the housekeeper said.
“Does she still go on about holding my brother’s photo and staring at it all afternoon?” Fu Luoyin looked up, and saw that the sewing room where Chu Jingshu liked to stay was already dark.
The housekeeper was a little hesitant to answer.
Fu Luoyin didn’t say anything. He handed something over, saying, “This brooch is for her. I won’t go to the study. Tell my father I have another task.”
“Ah? Are you that busy? I haven’t even started cooking the noodles for you…”
“No need,” Fu Luoyin walked back to the door and picked up his rain-soaked coat again.
The driver outside opened an umbrella for him.
……….
Star Fantasy Nightclub, the lights were shimmering.
“No way, Fu’er, you haven’t been home in two years, and this time you’re staying for so long? We all thought you weren’t coming tonight.”
Faced with Fu Luoyin’s composure, Dong Shuoye almost choked to death with a sip of wine. He pragmatically lowered his voice and said, “But this… I can understand. After all, what happened to your brother was a big blow to Uncle and Aunt. Maybe for a while, they couldn’t think of anything else… But, Fu’er, let me tell you, those of us who are left to our own devices have it good. No one bothers us when we’re having fun! What’s so great about going home? The old folks always have rules piled up from east to west. Every time I go back, I get lectured, tsk.”
“That’s true. but I think Fu’er’s carefree days are coming to an end. It’s so much better at the Jiangnan Branch. I am telling you, last time I went to mooch a meal off Fu’er, I saw that little beauty from Star University—do you guys know what happened? That little beauty has a red teardrop mole at the corner of her eye. Red! It’s so damn stunning, just like something out of a novel!”
Beside him, Su Yu clapped his hands and suddenly remembered this topic. He asked Fu Luoyin, “Fu’er, you didn’t bring that little beauty with you? If you don’t want him anymore, just give him to me. I have a bunch of lively and handsome guys here to exchange with you.”
Fu Luoyin glanced at him, his expression indifferent, but his tone was not polite, “Dream on.”
“So he really came over here?” Su Yu suddenly realized, “Oh, Star University’s main campus is nearby, it’s convenient for transfers. Shouldn’t we be calling him sister-in-law next time? Hehe, this is really big news. The last time we called someone sister-in-law was back in high school, when Fu’er and Xia Ran were still… not… broken… up…”
In the last few words, the voice became quieter and quiter, and the atmosphere inside the private room became increasingly tense.
Dong Shuoye looked at Su Yu with pity: “Big brother, you really know how to talk.”
The two words “Xia Ran” were a taboo for Fu Luoyin.
This person spanned Fu Luoyin’s entire childhood and adolescence. They had a passionate romance in junior and senior high school, but eventually, before university, he cleanly broke up with Fu Luoyin. Xia Ran, as the name suggests, was passionate like fire, was a decisive temperament. Among those who grew up naked alongside the Xia family in the Alliance, who didn’t secretly have a crush on Xia Ran in their childhood?
The second taboo that everyone dares not mention is that all the boyfriends and girlfriends Fu Luoyin had after Xia Ran still carried traces of Xia Ran’s shadow.
Passionate, enchanting, radiant, with a small dimple when smiling… Fu Luoyin always found it easy to establish a relationship with such people, but would quickly lose interest and get rid of them. Many even rumored that Fu Luoyin had an indifferent personality. Because, while many people change partners like flowing water, at least for physical intimacy, Fu Luoyin seemed to have a kind of obsession with cleanliness in this regard. There was once a boy who looked remarkably like Xia Ran. After secretly kissing Fu Luoyin while drunk, he was kicked out by Fu Luoyin with one swift kick.
During a break for a smoke, Su Yu secretly told Dong Shuoye, “I think Fu’er is serious this time. I really saw that beauty last time, and he looks nothing like Xia Ran. Honestly, I think he’s even prettier than Xia Ran.”
“Without a picture, you’re speaking nonsense,” Dong Shuoye leaned over and asked, “Do you have a photo?”
Su Yu said, “I secretly took many photos but didn’t dare let Fu’er know.”
Flipping through the phone’s photo album to last autumn, a young man with a red tear mole at the corner of their eye appeared before them.
In the photo, Lin Shuicheng was wearing a white sweater paired with a camel-colored windbreaker, carrying a backpack. He had a scholarly look between his brows, handsome yet restrained. Some of the frames were live shots, and when he moved, it was captivating, making it hard to look away.
“Just this one, even the sister-in-law’s name sounds nice, ‘A journey through the mountains and rivers,'” Su Yu reminisced, almost drooling over the photo. “Damn, you haven’t seen that. This little beauty who’s usually so indifferent to others, when he saw Fu Luoyin, stars practically popped out of her eyes. He couldn’t have been chosen to mimic Xia Ran, right?”
“Man, you should have seen it. This little beauty who is so cold to everyone else, her eyes sparkle when she sees Fu Luoyin. Surely he’s not trying to be another Xia Ran, right?”
“I say, you… Are you seriously out of your mind?” As he scrolled further back, Dong Shuoye’s brow furrowed deeper and deeper. He took a drag of his cigarette and asked, “You really think he doesn’t resemble Xia Ran?”
“Not at all, they just don’t have the same vibe,” Su Yu pondered, also puzzled. “Do you really think they’re alike?”
“Beauty lies in the bones, not the skin. If they were to be alike, they would have to be alike to the bones,” Dong Shuoye reached out to show him. “Look at this person’s expression, gaze, and… tsk, this slight raise and tilt of the head. Take a closer look, then tell me if they look alike or not.”
“Fuck!” Su Yu was stunned. “Now that you mention it, it’s true. This person even has similar little gestures. I was wondering why the sister-in-law felt so familiar to me. I even thought… No, this is too eerie, isn’t it?”
Dong Shuoye gave him a compassionate look. “Make sure to eat more walnuts to boost your brain. Fu’er isn’t as caring towards intellectually disabled children as I am. Next time, he might kick you out too.”
……….
Entering, Fu Luoyin didn’t turn on the lights. Lin Shuicheng was dozing off on the sofa. In his drowsiness, he sensed someone entering, groped to turn on the light, but his fingers were immediately caught and pressed into the soft cushion.
In the darkness, the cowcat meowed a few times.
He was pressed down on the sofa and kissed. Fu Luoyin’s faint scent enveloped him, making him feel a little dizzy. There was a scent of alcohol on him, but there was no hint of it on his lips and tongue, only a faint scent of mint.
Lin Shuicheng slowly regained consciousness.
In the gap when Fu Luoyin released him, he reached out and wrapped his arms around his neck, his voice soft with a nasal tone, “You’re back.”
A faint moonlight streamed in through the French windows, casting a shimmering glow in his eyes, captivating the soul.
Fu Luoyin didn’t respond. He touched his face, his palm brushing against a warm breath, accompanied by a slight sting—
Lin Shuicheng tilted his head and bit him.
Like a cat, it didn’t hurt much. Lin Shuicheng said in a muffled voice, “Don’t move.”
Time seemed to backtrack in that moment.
Fu Luoyin stepped forward, but the fervent and exuberant boy in front of him dodged. “Don’t you move! Fu Luoyin, you stand me up and still want to kiss me? Dream on.”
Xia Ran has fox-like eyes, looking down and slightly tilting his head to look at him, with the corners of his eyes curling upwards, shimmering with a watery light.
“Don’t rush, don’t be so hasty, let’s… let’s eat first, you.” Lin Shuicheng pushed him away, laughing, as he turned on the light.
Lin Shuicheng is very good at cooking.
The dishes on the heated dining table were still rotating: honey-glazed ribs, three-cup chicken, lemon-fried tilapia, several stir-fried side dishes, and even borscht soup. The aroma is tantalizing.
“Waiting for me to eat again?” Seeing him busy in front of him, Fu Luoyin finally spoke up.
“What do you think?” Lin Shuocheng sat down, propping his cheek up with his hand. The cowcat jumped onto the table, only to be chased away by him again.
Late at night.
The sounds emanating from the room were as ambiguous as a dream, and the cowcat darted around the room, its fur bristling with surprise.
This cat has never liked Fu Luoyin, for some reason. Everyone can hold and pet this cowcat, but it only hisses at Fu Luoyin, hissing once after another, as if it shares Lin Shuicheng’s sentiment that there is no room for another creature in his life.
However, it was just a cat and couldn’t express any clear protest to its owner. The commotion on the bed was too loud, and it was worried that Lin Shuicheng might be killed by Fu Luoyin.
Fu Luoyin, as usual, buried Lin Shuicheng’s face with a pillow. Partial suffocation could put Lin Shuicheng in the best state.
He doesn’t look at his face.
Occasionally catching a glimpse, he would be startled by that passionate and entrancing gaze, making his heart sink.
Not that it doesn’t resemble, but because it resembles too much.
Translator’s Rant
“This innocent Second Young Master Zhu of a translator was so shocked to rant.”
P.S. Hi!
This is my second novel in translation. I am open to all type of constructive critcism.
The release schedule will be one chapter per week. All the subsequent chapters will be released on Sunday every week including this one.
trash ml!! scum ml!! doesn’t cherish what he has ml!! sigh i hope lin shuicheng gets his revenge soon 😪🙏
This seems like it will be funny!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING AWESOME!!
Oh, I feel it will not suit my taste… But will see
Thank you for your translation 💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛
…..i have nothing to say but the annoyance, one of those unspeakable feelings- I can tell.. theres just so much to feel. I really want to bang ML’s head in the wall. Even the cat chief doesn’t like him , neither do I.😾😾😾😾