Meng Chengyuan lowered his gaze to look at the person in his arms. Deep inside, an urge suddenly welled up to kiss the crown of his head.
It is just acting, no need to care so much.
Meng Chengyuan used this thought to convince himself, yet as if possessed, he gently touched his lips against Lin Sui’s soft hair.
Feeling reassured, Lin Sui relaxed completely, and before long, his even breathing filled the quiet air.
Meng Chengyuan lightly tapped Lin Sui’s cheek with his finger and called out, “You haven’t finished your porridge yet.”
When Lin Sui did not react at all, Meng Chengyuan had no choice but to let him be, settling him back into the blanket to let him continue resting.
Lin Sui slept exceptionally peacefully this time, a feeling of secure warmth he had not experienced in a very long time.
By the time he woke up, Meng Chengyuan had reheated the pork rib porridge. Lin Sui finished every last bit because he was focused on regaining his strength quickly so he could go out, work, and earn money.
Just as he set down his bowl and spoon, a call from an unfamiliar number rang on Lin Sui’s phone. He pressed the answer key in confusion, only to hear a familiar voice from the other end: “Lin Sui, I am near your place. Come down and meet me.”
It was a call from Zou Yu, speaking in an authoritative tone as if issuing a direct order.
Having long grown accustomed to Zou Yu’s attitude, Lin Sui asked weakly, “Why are you looking for me?”
Zou Yu seemed caught off guard by the counter-question. After a brief pause, he scrambled for an excuse and said, “To settle your wages.”
Lin Sui was paid on a weekly basis, and today was not pay day yet. However, he genuinely lacked money, so upon hearing Zou Yu say this, he decided to go downstairs and check.
Lin Sui informed Meng Chengyuan, “Brother Yuan, I am going downstairs for a moment.”
The words to stop him reached Meng Chengyuan’s lips, but he forced himself to swallow them back down.
He knew he should not care too much about Lin Sui; while acting, he had to prevent himself from getting overly immersed in the role.
Nevertheless, after Lin Sui went downstairs, Meng Chengyuan walked over to the window and looked down. His position allowed him to clearly catch every movement below, and sure enough, he spotted Zou Yu.
Meng Chengyuan recognized him instantly as the man who had pushed Lin Sui down near the bus stop earlier today.
Meng Chengyuan’s gaze locked tightly onto Zou Yu, his eyes welling with emotions undetectable by others.
Seeing Lin Sui come downstairs, Zou Yu’s conflicted expression immediately turned arrogant. He deliberately raised his voice, as if trying to mask his true feelings.
“Why are you so slow? Did you fall that badly? Let me tell you, if something is wrong, you need to go to the hospital for a checkup. Don’t let it turn into a serious illness and try to frame me for it later.” As he spoke, Zou Yu’s eyes never strayed from Lin Sui.
From upstairs, Meng Chengyuan could not decipher the exact emotions in Zou Yu’s eyes, but that unblinking gaze struck him as thoroughly eyesore-inducing.
Lin Sui pursed his dry lips and said, “I am fine, just running a slight fever.”
A subtle change passed over Zou Yu’s expression. He immediately pulled a box of medication from his pocket and said stiffly, “Look at that, I foresaw it. I brought you fever medication.”
In truth, when he pushed Lin Sui down earlier today, he had already noticed that something was off with him.
This gesture of concern caught Lin Sui completely unprepared, leaving him frozen in place without responding for a long moment.
Zou Yu averted his glance and said to himself, “Don’t go getting flatteringly full of yourself thinking I care about you. I am just afraid that if you fall sick, you won’t be able to come help out at the shop.”
Even though Zou Yu phrased it that way, Lin Sui still expressed his thanks and added, “I have already taken fever medication. Don’t worry, it won’t delay my work.”
Zou Yu shoved the fever medicine into Lin Sui’s hand anyway, along with the wages he mentioned. Zou Yu said, “Here are your wages. Take them. If there is nothing else, I am leaving.”
Such a simple and brief interaction took on an entirely different flavor in Meng Chengyuan’s eyes.
Shortly after, Lin Sui carried the fever medication and his wages back upstairs.
Meng Chengyuan remained leaning against the window frame. Hearing Lin Sui enter, he turned around and asked, “What did that person want with you?”
Lin Sui answered truthfully, “He came to bring me fever medication and my wages.” As he spoke, Lin Sui walked slowly toward Meng Chengyuan. His head was still slightly heavy, and when feeling unwell, he always felt a longing to act spoiled.
Stopping right in front of Meng Chengyuan, Lin Sui opened his arms and requested, “Brother Yuan, can you give me a hug?”
A small lamp was lit in the room, its soft light casting gentle waves in the depths of Lin Sui’s eyes, reflecting all the affection contained within his gaze.
Meng Chengyuan felt as if his heart had been lightly scratched by something. His body reacted faster than his thoughts, and by the time he snapped back to reality, he had already reached out to pull Lin Sui into his chest.
Immediately after, he recalled Zou Yu’s disgusting face and spoke low to Lin Sui in his arms: “That man bullies you. Stop going to work at his place.”
Lin Sui paused slightly, slowly raising his head within Meng Chengyuan’s embrace to explain, “Actually, he isn’t bad at heart, he just has a sharp mouth. The boss and his wife treat me well too. Brother Yuan, this job suits me quite well.”
Hearing Lin Sui’s defense, Meng Chengyuan’s brows furrowed, but he quickly suppressed the dissatisfaction rising within his chest and gave in, saying, “Suit yourself.”
Leaning against Meng Chengyuan’s chest, Lin Sui wore a content smile on his lips. The two remained standing by the window in an embrace for a little while.
Afterward, Lin Sui gently pulled himself out of Meng Chengyuan’s arms and asked, “Brother Yuan, have you eaten anything yet? I don’t feel uncomfortable anymore, so I will go cook for you.”
Meng Chengyuan gazed into Lin Sui’s bright eyes and replied, “I already ate. Go get some rest.”
Meng Chengyuan had indeed eaten, but this time, instead of hiding from Lin Sui to enjoy delicacies and expensive feasts, he had merely grabbed a few bites of bread.
Something felt blocked inside his chest, leaving him with little appetite.
Meng Chengyuan urged him once more: “Go rest. Focus on recovering your health first.”
Lin Sui nodded obediently: “Alright.” After saying that, he turned and walked toward the bedroom.
At that exact moment, a text message arrived on Meng Chengyuan’s phone. It was sent by Zhou Bosen, a mutual friend of his and his younger brother, Meng Yan: [Brother Yuan, there is news about Lin Mian. Is it convenient for you to come out and talk in person?]
Zhou Bosen was well aware of Meng Chengyuan’s motive for approaching Lin Sui. Having grown up together with Meng Chengyuan and Meng Yan, he had long viewed them as family, so this revenge plan naturally involved Zhou Bosen’s participation as well.
Meng Chengyuan naturally attached great importance to news about Lin Mian, yet for the first time, he hesitated. He subconsciously glanced in the direction of the bedroom.
Lin Sui was still sick and had not fully recovered; the home should not be left without someone to look after him.
That was the thought that spontaneously sprang from the depths of Meng Chengyuan’s mind.
The moment he realized his thoughts were drifting off course, Meng Chengyuan instantly grew alert. A cold glint swept across his eyes, entirely scattering that tiny speck of what he considered pity.
Meng Chengyuan replied to the message: [Right now.]
Meng Chengyuan and Zhou Bosen agreed to meet at their usual spot, a café located not far from Meng Chengyuan’s private villa.
It was an affluent area, relatively secluded, which helped avoid bumping into any acquaintances from Lin Sui’s side of town.
The moment Meng Chengyuan sat down, Zhou Bosen glanced at him, reading his state, and said helplessly, “Brother Yuan, it really is a grievance for you. Leaving your luxury villa unused just to stoop to living in a cramped rented apartment with that bastard’s younger brother.”
Meng Chengyuan casually cut off Zhou Bosen’s indignation, saying, “Let’s not talk about that. What is the situation with Lin Mian?”
Zhou Bosen collected his thoughts to return to business. He displayed a photo on his phone for Meng Chengyuan, showing a foreign news report that featured a passerby’s side profile strongly resembling Lin Mian.
Zhou Bosen said, “This was news from last week. Unfortunately, I only noticed it today. I have already dispatched people to head to that location.”
Meng Chengyuan let out a cold sneer: “He really is capable, managing to cut off contact with Lin Sui entirely.”
Zhou Bosen put away his phone and said fiercely, “I think we should just kill Lin Sui directly. If his younger brother dies, can Lin Mian still hold his composure?”
Zhou Bosen was so trapped in hatred that he overlooked the flash of ruthless aura across Meng Chengyuan’s expression. He seemed extremely dissatisfied with Zhou Bosen’s suggestion.
When he spoke again, Meng Chengyuan’s tone carried a faint trace of warning: “Without my command, you are not allowed to act recklessly.”
Only then did Zhou Bosen notice Meng Chengyuan’s expression. He shot him a deep, searching look and asked in a meaningful tone: “Brother Yuan, could it be that you have gone soft-hearted?”
Facing Zhou Bosen’s questioning, Meng Chengyuan raised his eyebrows composedly and stated with certainty, “I just don’t want to cause extra trouble. Besides, if the person dies outright, the bargaining chip is gone.”
Zhou Bosen stared at him for a few seconds before shifting his gaze away, half-believing and half-doubting.
Just then, the waiter finally brought over two cups of coffee. Zhou Bosen, having finished discussing business, was about to catch up with Meng Chengyuan.
However, Meng Chengyuan picked up a call. It was from Lin Sui.
Lin Sui had just woken up, his voice slightly raspy: “Brother Yuan, did you go out?”
Meng Chengyuan’s voice softened involuntarily as he said, “Yes, I came outside for a bit. How are you feeling? Are you still uncomfortable?”
Lin Sui rubbed his sleepy eyes and said, “No, it’s just that waking up and not seeing you made me feel a bit unsettled. What time are you coming back? I will go prepare dinner.”
Meng Chengyuan focused entirely on talking to Lin Sui on the phone, seemingly ignoring Zhou Bosen who was sitting right across from him.
After thinking for a few seconds, he said, “Don’t bother. I will pack some food and bring it back later.”
Hearing this, Lin Sui mumbled, “Takeout food is expensive and unhealthy.”
Meng Chengyuan said, “Doing it once in a while is fine.”
Only then did Lin Sui compromise, saying, “Alright then, I will lie down a bit longer. Call me awake when you get back.”
“Alright,” Meng Chengyuan responded.
After hanging up the phone, Meng Chengyuan ignored Zhou Bosen’s reaction, stood up, and said, “I am heading back. Let’s stay in touch.”
Zhou Bosen’s mind remained fixated on Meng Chengyuan’s tone and expression while talking to Lin Sui on the phone just now. Before he could investigate any further, Meng Chengyuan’s figure walked farther and farther out of his sight.
It’s just playing along for the act, right? Zhou Bosen could only think to himself that he was truly starting to look at Meng Chengyuan’s acting skills in a new light.