Jiang Shen drifted in and out of sleep, and during that time, Zhao Louyue changed positions a few times, but Jiang Shen didn’t notice. When he woke up this time, the first thing he saw was Zhao Louyue’s clear jawline, now sporting a layer of blue stubble.
Jiang Shen was momentarily dazed. From this angle, Zhao Louyue’s eyelashes weren’t particularly long, but his features were strikingly defined, with a slightly prominent brow bone, and the shadows on his face accentuated his sharp and fierce aura.
Jiang Shen suddenly became more alert. Was it really necessary to be this close? He was practically enveloped in Zhao Louyue’s embrace. Jiang Shen considered himself tall and well-built among his peers, but compared to Zhao Louyue, he still fell short.
Jiang Shen tried to move, but as soon as he made a larger movement, the arm around his chest tightened. Zhao Louyue’s breathing deepened, and Jiang Shen stopped moving. The next second, the man asked in a hoarse voice, “How did you sleep?”
To be honest, Young Master Jiang thought it was pretty good. In this deep mountain valley, it was quite an experience, almost comparable to a five-star hotel in terms of value.
“Mm, I’m thirsty,” Jiang Shen said.
Zhao Louyue paused for two seconds before releasing him. The campfire had burned down a bit, leaving the remaining wood half-charred and half-struggling to survive, likely lasting until dawn. A water bottle leaned against a stone nearby, and Zhao Louyue had refilled it at some point.
Jiang Shen was genuinely thirsty. He picked it up and drank, finding it still warm. The dryness in his throat was instantly soothed.
Zhao Louyue, with a hint of a smile, said, “Drink it all. You just sweated, and there’s more water.”
Jiang Shen didn’t hold back. “By the way,” Jiang Shen said, “there’s chocolate and bread in the bag. If you’re hungry, eat some.”
“You eat,” Zhao Louyue said, handing it to Jiang Shen. “Replenish your energy.”
Jiang Shen didn’t take it but pointed to several wounds on the man’s body. “You’re the one who’s injured.”
“Not hungry,” Zhao Louyue shook his head.
Not hungry, my foot. A whole day and night without food, who knows if he has internal injuries, but judging by Zhao Louyue’s expression, it seemed like he could take on anyone who came his way, with a spirit that could almost expand the narrow cave. In short, he still seemed very reliable.
Zhao Louyue forcibly stuffed a piece of chocolate into Jiang Shen’s hand, keeping the bread for himself. Fu Cheng’s arrival at dawn was his prediction, and if any unexpected events occurred, the timeline would be pushed back. In such a situation, food and water were crucial.
Jiang Shen, afraid of low blood sugar, thought for a moment, broke off a piece, and stuffed it into his mouth, then broke off another piece.
In the dim light, Zhao Louyue saw the hand in front of him, beautiful like warm jade, slender and strong from the knuckles to the fingertips, but missing something. Zhao Louyue thought about it and leaned in slightly.
Jiang Shen’s hand retracted a bit.
Zhao Louyue snapped back to reality, this time using his hand to take it, muttering a “thank you” as he tossed it into his mouth.
To avoid further awkwardness, Zhao Louyue changed the subject, “Let’s chat about something random, do you mind?”
“I don’t mind.”
“The Jiang family’s adopted son?”
Jiang Mao?
Jiang Shen thought for a moment, “He basically stays home painting every day, not aggressive, very much like my adoptive mother, even his personality.”
“No wonder,” Zhao Louyue sighed, “Usually, people like that would be kicked out.”
“Doesn’t affect me,” Jiang Shen said gently. “What about you? No relatives left?”
“There are, but I don’t acknowledge them.” A quick flash of sarcasm passed through Zhao Louyue’s eyes, and with the “crackle” of the fire, it vanished in an instant.
In some ways, these two were quite similar, with their identities and backgrounds being rather convoluted. When “Ting’an Technology” was just starting, there were people claiming to be Zhao Louyue’s uncle, holding banners outside the company, essentially asking for money. But they were escorted away within five minutes, and there was no more trouble after that.
As for Jiang Shen, wherever he went, people would first marvel at his looks, then start whispering about the Jiang family’s scandals. Since Jiang Mao didn’t return to Yuwei Village, there were even rumors that he was Jiang Wenze’s illegitimate child.
Neither of them liked discussing these matters in front of others, but this night was destined to be different. Outside, the autumn rain had stopped, the cold wind was gentle, and the abundant natural atmosphere freed them from the constraints of human society. Occasionally glancing outside, stars still twinkled in the sky, and with the trust that had developed between them, secrets that were once hard to speak of were all spilled out.
“Your adoptive father was bullied? Doesn’t seem like it,” Zhao Louyue added.
“He has a good temper, just looks a bit odd on the surface,” Jiang Shen explained. “Back then, because of a land dispute, the other party moved the ditch directly to our side, and no matter what we said, it was useless.”
Zhao Louyue added another log to the fire, “How was it resolved in the end?”
Jiang Shen paused for a moment, “I went with a knife to find them.”
Zhao Louyue was taken aback, then let out a muffled laugh from his chest, “Just like me.”
“You’ve done that too?”
“Yes, more than once,” Zhao Louyue said. “Originally, I wanted to coexist peacefully, but later realized this group didn’t know right from wrong, so I had to be tough. I used this skill to get back Zhao Xiangting’s toys, the household appliances, and the house deed my parents left behind.”
Jiang Shen laughed along with him.
The blackness of the sky faded, revealing a line of gray-white, and the ethereal sound of birdsong began.
The campfire finally turned into a pile of black ash.
Zhao Louyue spoke, “If you’re tired, sleep a bit more. I’ll go out to fetch some water.”
Jiang Shen waved his hand, “I’ll go with you.”
The morning air was excessively fresh, and with each breath, it felt like his lungs were being thoroughly cleansed. His nose even felt a bit sore. Jiang Shen followed behind Zhao Louyue, and in less than three minutes, they found a spring.
Covered by palm-sized leaves, the bottom was bubbling up. Zhao Louyue brushed aside the leaves, then extended a mineral water bottle into the spring. Once it was full, he planned to wash his face with Jiang Shen.
But soon, there was a rustling sound.
Jiang Shen heard it too. He exchanged a glance with Zhao Louyue, who was unusually alert, slowly standing up while signaling Jiang Shen to come behind him.
Then, with a “buzz,” a small drone flew overhead, accompanied by Fu Cheng’s lazy voice, “Zhao Louyue, come out, you’re surrounded by me.”
Zhao Louyue: “…”
Jiang Shen: “…”
As soon as they saw the two figures in the forest, someone immediately reported, “Found them, Mr. Fu.”
Fu Cheng breathed a sigh of relief.
In less than five minutes, Fu Cheng brought people to meet Jiang Shen and Zhao Louyue.
Fu Cheng’s sharp gaze swept over Zhao Louyue, “All in one piece?”
Zhao Louyue: “Shouldn’t you be bowing to me?”
Fu Cheng couldn’t be bothered with him, made a gesture, and someone immediately went to pack up the things they had left behind.
“Hurry up, the car is ready, straight to the hospital,” Fu Cheng said.
“I don’t need…” Zhao Louyue didn’t even finish his sentence before Jiang Shen gave him a push from behind.
Zhao Louyue immediately grumbled, “Fine, let’s go, otherwise Zhao Xiangting will nag me again if he finds out.”
Fu Cheng thought to himself, yeah right, Jiang Shen almost pushed your bones to jelly.