In the room enclosed on all sides with the lights turned on making the room perpetually as bright as day, Su Shiqing sat on the bed, hugging his arms. It was clearly not cold, but was still shivering, his eyes wide open and flickering around in fear.
He thought that he would be rescued soon, but after such a long time, his hope was shattered little by little.
Mr. Zheng would come to see him every day, talk to him, and tell him about the current situation.
Su Shiqing himself didnât know how many times he begged Mr. Zheng. He tried his best to convince Mr. Zheng, promising that Qin Yue and the others would definitely give him benefits after he went out.
But Mr. Zheng was unmoved.
Mr. Zheng persisted in wanting him to fall in love with him.
Su Shiqing was about to collapse mentally.
There were footsteps outside the door again, Su Shiqing buried his head on his knees, weeping silently.
Why was it always him who got hurt?
Since childhood, he had never hurt anyone, and he was willing to treat everyone with a tolerant heart.
Even if others treat him badly, he would not harbor hatred in his heart.
But why, why were there still so many people who didnât like him?
Why? Su Shiqing couldnât figure it out, he clealry wished that everyone would have a good life and everyone would be happy.
The footsteps were getting closer and closer, Su Shiqing sniffed, thinking with despair: He had to gather his energy again to deal with Mr. Zhengâs madness.
âShi Qing!â
âShi Qing! Are you inside?!â
It was the voices of Chu Haoyi and Qin Yue.
Su Shiqing raised his head, with an ecstatic expression on his face: âIâm here! Iâm here! Ah Yue! Hao Yi! Iâm here!â
Mr. Zheng locked the door of this room tightly every time. Although it was a wooden door, Su Shiqing couldnât break it open with only his strength. After trying a few times, he gave up and could only wait for others to rescue him.
There was the sound of colliding on the door from outside, and the door frame was shaking non-stop.
Su Shiqing covered his mouth with his hands, afraid that he would burst into tears.
When Qin Yueâs face appeared within Su Shiqingâs field of vision, he finally couldnât help but rush forward. He threw himself into Qin Yueâs arms, but he didnât see Chu Haoyiâs lonely expression standing beside Qin Yue.
Chu Haoyiâs fists were clenched tightly. As long as Qin Yue was around, no matter what he said or did, Su Shiqing would not be able to see him.
No one cared about his dedication, and no one would feel distress for him.
âDid that surnamed Zheng do anything to you?â Qin Yue held Su Shiqingâs face in his hands, and then touched Su Shiqingâs arms, âAre you injured?â
Su Shiqing wiped his tears and said in a choked up voice, âIâm not hurt, Iâm just scared, I thought you wouldnât come find me, I donât know how I survived this whole timeâŠ..â
Qin Yue gently patted Su Shiqingâs back, and softly comforted him: âItâs okay, you will never encounter such a thing again, I will protect you well.â
Su Shiqing couldnât help but nod.
Standing there, Chu Haoyi felt completely like an outsider.
He didnât even want to look directly at Su Shiqing.
âHao Yi.â Su Shiqing finally noticed him.
Chu Haoyi looked over.
In Qin Yueâs arms, Su Shiqing smiled weakly at Chu Haoyi. He was like a flower blooming in the dust. Although he was so weak, he was still eye-catching, with a kind of abused beauty.
âHao Yi, thank you for coming to save me.â
Chu Haoyiâs voice trembled a little: âItâs nothing.â
Su Shiqing added, âYou are my best friend.â
Chu Haoyi smiled with difficulty: âYeah.â
Best friend.
Chu Haoyi couldnât describe his current emotions.
He only felt that his limbs and internal organs were getting colder and colder.
For so many years, he had accumulated strength, hoping that one day when he returned to China, he could support Su Shiqing and build a world for Su Shiqing that would not let him be hurt or sad. During his most difficult and bitter days, it was thoughts about Su Shiqing that helped get him by.
Though he clearly told himself countless times that as long as Su Shiqing lived happily, he didnât matter.
But at this time, he felt unwilling again.
How was Qin Yue better than him?
Was it because Qin Yue was the heir of the Qin family, but he was only from the Chu family?
But did Su Shiqing know that Qin Yue was no longer the heir of the Qin family?
Chu Haoyi was very conflicted in his heart. He didnât want to watch the scene of Qin Yue and Su Shiqing expressing their love for each other again, so he turned around and said, âIâm going back first.â
Su Shiqing leaned his head on Qin Yueâs shoulder, tightly clutching Qin Yueâs clothes, and did not look at the back of the departing Chu Haoyi.
Qin Yue carried Su Shiqing out and looked straight ahead: âI will deal with surnamed Zheng. You donât have to think about anything, just take care of your health first.â
Su Shiqing tilted his head: âAh Yue, there is something that I donât know whether I should tell you or not.â
Qin Yue looked down at him: âWhat is it?â
âThe reason why I was locked up by Mr. ZhengâŠ..isâŠ..is becauseâŠ..â He seemed to be unable to continue, bowing his head and crying.
Qin Yue hugged him even tighter, as if he could pass on his own strength to him.
Su Shiqing sobbed a few times, and finally continued, âAh Zhen, he, Ah ZhenâŠ..â
âBecause I went to work at Qin Group, Ah Zhen thought I was trying to get close to Uncle Qin, and he hit me before I could even explain myselfâŠ..â Su Shiqing finally couldnât help himself, and burst into tears, saying with difficulty while crying, âI didnât, Iâm wasnât, I never thought of getting close to Uncle Qin, I just want to work in Qin Group, learn more things, and help you in the future.â
âI was beaten unconscious by him, and when I woke up again, I was locked up by Mr. Zheng.â
Su Shiqing wiped his tears: âI donât know why he hates me so much that he wants to treat me like this?â
He never mentioned the real reason why he went to the Qin Group, nor did he mention that it was him who got into contact with Mr. Zheng.
He spoke extremely sincerely, as if what he said was the truth. He kept wiping away his tears, which wet the front of Qin Yueâs shirt.
Qin Yue frowned, his eyes full of anger: âHow could Xiao Zhen treat you like this?!â
Su Shiqing became more and more pitiful: âI, I told him before that if he really canât let you go, Iâm willing to fulfill the two of you.â
âAh Yue, I donât have to fight with him.â Su Shiqing said, âI know that you grew up together, and your relationship is very deep, which is beyond my comparability, but I donât think there is such a thing as a first-come, first-served rule when it comes to relationships. But Xiao Zhen is also my friend, if he must be with you, I can also step back.â
Su Shiqing sobbed, âI just hope that the three of us can return to our original friendship.â
Qin Yue looked at Su Shiqing with complicated eyes: âShi Qing, you donât hate him even though he treats you like this?â
Su Shiqing shook his head: âItâs me, I was the one who failed him, I shouldnât have met you, I shouldnât have talked to you, let aloneâŠ..fall in love with you.â
âYouâre just too kind.â Qin Yueâs thumb brushed against Su Shiqingâs cheek, as if he wanted to wipe away all of Su Shiqingâs tears, as gently as if he was touching a piece of tofu that would crumple when touched.
Su Shiqing bit his lip and leaned weakly against Qin Yueâs chest.
He was brought back by Qin Yue to the house that Qin Yue specially bought for him. This house was a duplex with two floors and had more than 200 square meters. Su Shiqingâs father, Su Yuan, and mother, Ge Lan, both live in this house. They also havenât seen Su Shiqing for a long time.
When encountering each other suddenly, both sides were stunned for a while.
Su Shiqing didnât expect that his parents had never returned to the Su family.
But Su Yuan and Ge Lan did not expect their son to come back in such a state of embarrassment.
Su Yuan also knew about Su Shiqing and Qin Yueâs affairs now, and his attitude was much worse than Gu Lanâs supportive attitude. In his eyes, it was shameless for his son to mix with men, so while enjoying the benefits brought by Su Shiqing with peace of mind, at the same time he hated his son for being gay.
In a way, he and Su Shiqing really deserved to be father and son.
âDad, Mom.â Su Shiqing stood with difficulty and hugged Ge Lan, âMom!â
Both mother and son sobbed together.
Su Yuan was asking Qin Yue to explain himself at this time: âMr. Qin! What happened to Shi Qing?! Why is he in such a bad state? Since you canât take good care of Shi Qing, donât come to see Shi Qing anymore. This family does not welcome you.â
Qin Yue: âUncle Su, it was indeed my negligence before, but I can guarantee that I will not let Shi Qing be in danger again.â
âDad!â Su Shiqing said quickly, âDonât blame Ah Yue, Ah Yue doesnât know anything, if you want to blame someone, blame me, itâs my own problem!â
Seeing that Su Shiqing was still defending him, Qin Yueâs heart softened into a puddle of water. He swore to Su Shiqing, âShi Qing, I will definitely give you justice. I will go find Shen Zhen now.â
This was the first time that Qin Yue had called Shen Zhen by his full name, and Su Shiqing was instantly overjoyed.
He and Qin Yue have been together for so long, but every time Qin Yue mentioned Shen Zhen, he would call him Xiao Zhen, and his tone was very intimate.
Even though he never said anything, it didnât mean he didnât mind.
Su Shiqing persuaded: âXiao Zhen and Uncle Qin have a very good relationship now, donât go to him, lest Uncle Qin wonât even like you anymore too, IâŠ..Iâm fineâŠ..â
âItâs okay for me to be wronged.â Su Shiqing sniffed, âAnyway, Iâm used to it. Isnât it always like this since I was a child?â
Being bullied in the Su family, he could only endure it.
Being kicked out of the Qin family, he could only endure it.
Not being welcomed by the Shen family, and being hated by the Chu family.
He couldnât do anything.
Su Shiqing bit his lower lip, but at least, Qin Yue loved him.
Chu Haoyi loved him.
Even that crazy Mr. Zheng loved him.
Didnât being loved by excellent people mean that he was also an excellent person?
âThere will be a gala tomorrow night.â Qin Yue said to Su Shiqing, âShen Zhen will also go, and I will take you with me when the time comes, and I will definitely give you justice. No matter what, Shen Zhen should apologize to you.â
Su Shiqing looked at Qin Yue, and shook his head with tears in his eyes: âNo, what if Uncle Qin hates you even more? I donât care, I can bear how I am treated, but I cannot accept you being wronged.â
Qin Yue pulled Su Shiqing into his arms, and said softly: âItâs okay, if I canât even protect my lover, what kind of man am I?â
Su Shiqing: âAh YueâŠ..â
The two of them seemed to have completely forgotten that Su Yuan and Ge Lan were watching from the sidelines.
ââ
âTomorrowâs gala.â Shen Zhen straightened his tie and said to his assistant, âCan I not attend?â
The assistant said helplessly: âCEO Shen, itâs a once-a-year gala, so itâs better to go.â
Shen Zhen sighed, and it seemed that he couldnât escape from it: âOkay, you give me the information of the guests who will be attending tomorrow.â
âYou come with me tomorrow.â Shen Zhen said to his assistant, âYou will be reimbursed for all expenses, and your salary will be increased by two points this month.â
The assistant nodded immediately: âOkay!â
Shen Zhen smiled and said, âYou wonât even refuse a bit?â
The assistant also laughed: âThatâs money youâre talking about, anyway, I have nothing to do tomorrow night either.â
On the night of the gala, it was Qin Xingâs driver who came to pick up Shen Zhen.
âMr. Qin told me before he left that if you need to use the car during this time, to call me.â
The driver said: âI donât drink alcohol, and I donât drive while tired. Itâs very safe.â
Shen Zhen felt as if everyone had realized that he paid special attention to safety.
It might be because he died once, so Shen Zhen cherished life very much.
Donât mention drunk driving, he had never even run through a red light once, and even if it was a yellow light, he would stop the car obediently.
The assistantâs surname was Li, Li Xiaolin. This name was very unisex. One couldnât tell whether it was a man or a woman just by listening to the name. She was wearing the evening dress that Lin Yuan had someone prepare for her. Participating in this level of social gathering, and as Shen Zhenâs female companion, she did not sleep at all the night before due to the excitement.
Such that she got up in the middle of the night and read the information of all the guests again, trying her best to be able to match the photos with the people when seeing them in person.
âVery beautiful.â Shen Zhen said to Li Xiaolin, âYou have a very good figure.â
Li Xiaolin blushed a little, and carefully looked at Shen Zhenâs profile. She was sitting next to Shen Zhen, and at this time she felt that the temperature in the car was so high that she couldnât breathe.
The plot of the novel âThe Domineering CEO Falls in Love with Meâ that she had read before suddenly emerged.
This kind of beginning, could it beâŠ..
Li Xiaolin fantasized for a while, and blushed like an apple.
Shen Zhen also noticed it, and he asked, âIs the heat too high?â
The driver also said, âThen Iâll turn it down a little bit.â
Li Xiaolin shook her head vigorously: âNo, no, the heat is not very high.â
Shen Zhen: âYou donât have a cold, do you? If so then donât go tonight, Iâll take you to the hospital first?â
Li Xiaolin said excitedly: âNo, I donât have a cold, Iâm just too nervous!â
Shen Zhen was doubtful: âReally?â
Li Xiaolin: âItâs more real than pearls!â
Shen Zhen: âThen okay, if you feel uncomfortable, tell me earlier, donât bear it.â
Li Xiaolin breathed a sigh of relief: âOkay.â
She calmed down her heartbeat, but still paid attention to Shen Zhen involuntarily.
He had a good figure, good looks, and had a gentlemanly demeanor. As his assistant, she also knew that Shen Zhenâs private life was also very clean.
So young yet he was already a CEO.
Such a man must have many suitors, right?
If one could be with him, one must have a very happy life, right?
Li Xiaolinâs thoughts wandered into the sky.
Donât know who had such luck. If she had such luck, she would really celebrate by setting off firecrackers.
The gala was held in a hotel on the outskirts of the city. This hotel occupied a large area, but it was more of a green environment and was built like a manor. After entering the iron gate, passing through the garden and fountains, one could see the hotelâs true face.
Shen Zhen opened the car door, got out of the car, politely put his hand on the top of the car door, and waited for Li Xiaolin to come out before he withdrew his hand.
The doorman opened the door, and Shen Zhen took off his coat and handed it to the attendant standing on the side.
Li Xiaolin followed behind Shen Zhen, her heart beating non-stop.
âItâs Young Master Shen!â
âItâs rare to see you. I thought you wouldnât come this time.â
âWhat Young Master Shen? Now itâs CEO Shen.â
Many people came to say hello, and Shen Zhen also greeted back politely.
âIs this CEO Shenâs girlfriend?â Someone suddenly asked about Li Xiaolin.
Li Xiaolin quickly said: âNo, I amâŠ..â
Shen Zhen interrupted: âWeâre friends, not boyfriend and girlfriend.â
After Shen Zhen said that, of course the other didnât continue to ask questions tactlessly.
âI seem to have seen Eldest Young Master Qin just now.â Someone said suddenly.
âHeâs over there, does CEO Shen want to go over?â
Most of them know that Shen Zhen and Qin Yue have been playmates since childhood, but they didnât know what happened afterwards.
Shen Zhen waved his hand: âNo need.â
The person who mentioned Qin Yue had an embarrassed expression on his face, but he quickly said, âThatâs right, itâs common to see each other after all.â
After finally chatting with a bunch of people, Shen Zhen finally found a sofa and sat down. He was not hungry, nor did he want to eat snacks, let alone drink alcohol.
Li Xiaolin asked worriedly: âCEO Shen, we will just be sitting here?â
Shen Zhen nodded: âWhat else, anyway, I just came to have a look, and there is no need to establish a good relationship with them.â
When there were benefits, these people would naturally rush forward.
No matter how good the relationship was, if there were no benefits then it was useless.
Li Xiaolin was still a little worried. In her view, all the people attending this gala were big shots.
Shen Zhen: âIf youâre hungry, there are desserts on the table, or you can ask the waiter to order what you want.â
Li Xiaolin shook her head: âNo need, Iâve been trying to lose weight recently.â
Shen Zhen glanced at her: âYou are not fat, just fit.â
Li Xiaolinâs face turned red again. This kind of careless seduction was the most deadly.
Just as Shen Zhen was about to sit here until the gala was over, the light in front of him was suddenly blocked, casting a shadow.
Shen Zhen raised his head, and what he saw was Qin Yueâs angry face.
Qin Yue seemed to be holding his breath, and said through gritted teeth: âShen Zhen, come out with me.â
Shen Zhen asked inexplicably, âWhy?â
Qin Yue: âIf you donât want to fight with me in public and lose face in front of everyone, itâs better to go out with me.â
Li Xiaolin also saw that Qin Yueâs intentions were not friendly, so she plucked up her courage and said: âMr., Mr. Qin, if you have anything to say, you can contact the lawyer. If you do anything to CEO Shen, I will call the police now and sue you for intentional injury.â
Qin Yue glanced at Li Xiaolin with an unkind expression.
Li Xiaolin choked instantly.
Shen Zhen stood up from the sofa and looked at Qin Yue face to face. The distance between them was no more than ten centimeters. Qin Yueâs eyes were full of anger, but Shen Zhenâs eyes were emotionless and still.
The two sides confronted each other, and neither of them moved.
âShi Qing, did you hit him?â Qin Yue asked.
Shen Zhen: âEn, I did.â
Qin Yue: âYou also handed him over to surnamed Zheng?â
Shen Zhen didnât quite understand, he sneered and said, âQin Yue, use your brain when you speak, who is surnamed Zheng?â
Qin Yue lowered his voice: âShen Zhen, donât play dumb.â
The two just looked at each other, and Li Xiaolin was so anxious that she almost cried.
âWhatâs happening between CEO Shen and Eldest Young Master Qin?â
âArgument? Didnât they have a good relationship before?â
âWho knows? Young people have big tempers, so there must be some friction?â
Qin Yue: âYou should give an explanation for what Shi Qing had suffered during this period of time, shouldnât you?â
âWhat explanation?â Shen Zhen looked at Qin Yue expressionlessly, âHe did it to himself, yet I have to give him an explanation?â
Qin Yue clenched his fist tightly, as if he was about to swing it at Shen Zhenâs face in the next second.
Qin Yue: âYou arenât sorry for what you have done even now? Shi Qing never hurt you, but you have always hated him. Arenât you ashamed of your viciousness?â
âAshame?â Shen Zhen tilted his head and smiled at Qin Yue: âThe only thing that makes me feel ashamed is that when he first appeared, I should have made him disappear from my eyes forever.â
âWhy are you so cruel?â Qin Yue was extremely angry, his fists trembling slightly.
Shen Zhen: âLetâs go.â
Qin Yue was taken aback for a moment: âGo where?â
Shen Zhen sneered and said, âArenât you going to take me to a quiet place? Letâs go.â
With so many people watching, it would be difficult for him to beat up Qin Yue.
Originally he thought that Su Shiqing and Qin Yue could stay away from his sight, but since they came out to find fault by themselves, they couldnât blame him.
The two walked towards the corner of the garden in silence.
Shen Zhen saw Su Shiqing sitting by the small fountain almost at a glance.
Su Shiqing lost weight, but not much. His lame leg was well concealed, and if he walked slowly, one wouldnât be able to see it at all.
âAh Yue!â Su Shiqing came over, but stopped when he saw Shen Zhen. His face turned pale, as if he remembered the time when he was pushed down to the ground by Shen Zhen and beaten viciously.
Except for that incident with Shen Li, he was only beaten by Shen Zhen.
His fear of Shen Zhen rose at this moment.
âSu Shiqing.â Shen Zhen didnât even spare Su Shiqing a look, âIsnât the lesson from last time not enough?â
Su Shiqing trembled: âNo, no, I persuaded Ah Yue, but Ah Yue didnât listen to meâŠ..â
âShi Qing!â Qin Yue finally couldnât help but said, âCanât you not be so gentle? Itâs him who did the wrong thing, not you!â
Su Shiqing looked at Qin Yue, and tears fell from the corners of his eyes again.
âThis drama is a bit lame.â Shen Zhen watched from the side with folded arms.
Shen Zhen: âIâm not very interested either.â
Su Shiqing: ââŠ..Xiao Zhen, you should have calmed down now, right? I, I, I can forgive you for treating me like that before, as long as you are no longer like beforeâŠ..â
âForgive?â Shen Zhen seemed to have heard some joke, âYou, forgive, me?â
âWhy should I ask you to forgive me?â
âApart from Qin Yue and Chu Haoyi, what chips do you have?â
Shen Zhen smiled and said: âBy the way, I donât even care about Qin Yue and Chu Haoyi now.â
Shen Zhen turned to look at Qin Yue, the smile on the corner of his mouth turning a bit evil: âAre you sure you want to shed all pretenses of cordiality?â
âIf you decide so, it doesnât matter to me.â