The scorching breaths were like a large net, densely covering Shen Mingjin’s collarbone, bringing with them a despairing, subtle tremor.
Shen Mingjin subconsciously lowered his head and saw that the man who had just been so aloof was now looking at him with eyes as red as a rabbit. His long, white neck looked as if it would break at any moment, and he was forcibly holding on to his breath and tilting his head back.
The two were so close that their breaths mingled. The sunlight slanted and cast a golden edge on Xu Duwan’s profile. Shen Mingjin could almost see the fine hairs on the other’s face and the way the other was clenching his back teeth.
Anyone could see that Xu Duwan was on the verge of exploding with rage, like a powder keg ready to explode at any moment.
Shen Mingjin has amnesia, not dementia. If he thinks about it for a moment, he can understand the kind of shock his words had caused Xu Duwan.
Shen Mingjin thought that the man in front of him seemed to have some kind of grudge against him.
He had lost his memory and couldn’t recall when he had offended this important figure, but in order not to add fuel to the fire, Shen Mingjin wisely remained silent, his bright eyes quietly watching Xu Duwan, as if waiting for the other party to calm down.
However, Xu Duwan saw this silence as a sign of guilt.
Xu Duwan waited and waited, but Shen Mingjin’s explanation never came. His anger intensified, his eyes bloodshot, and the veins on his slender wrists bulged from the force. Then, with a sudden burst of strength, he shoved Shen Mingjin aside, his anger turning into a mocking laugh.
“Okay, very good.”
Shen Mingjin, fine, you’re very good. Now you won’t even lie to me one more time.
Xu Duwan felt like he was a worthless wretch. He was unhappy when Shen Mingjin lied to him, but now that Shen Mingjin was no longer willing to lie to him, he felt even more annoyed.
A moment of silence fell, heavy and frosty, broken only by Xu Duwan’s rapid breathing. After a long while, the foreman’s trembling voice finally broke the silence, attempting to make amends:
“Young Master Xu, he’s here to apply for a worker position. If you’re not interested, then I’ll… then…”
The contractor wanted to curry favor with Xu Duwan, but staring into Xu Duwan’s sinister and cold eyes, he suddenly had the illusion of being stared at by a large beast. The hair on the back of his head stood on end, and he stammered for a long time without being able to utter a single word.
“…Shut up.”
Xu Duwan frowned in annoyance, wanting another cigarette. He knew perfectly well what Shen Mingjin was there for, but he didn’t believe a word of it.
Xu Duwan had long ago sworn that he would not believe a single word Shen Mingjin had ever said.
“Yuanlong doesn’t need workers like this.”
Xu Duwan stared at Shen Mingjin, his eyes slightly narrowed, concealing his pale pupils. When he looked directly at Shen Mingjin, he appeared inexplicably docile.
But this fleeting moment of docility, which flashed across Shen Mingjin’s eyes, was quickly replaced by a ruthless glint, and he declared firmly:
“As long as I’m here, he won’t be able to step foot inside Yuanlong!”
Shen Mingjin, who remained silent throughout, was speechless.
Did he mishear? What’s with this childish declaration? He really wants to find a job, but does he really have to be doing manual labor here?
So, it seems like this person in front of him is deliberately trying to get his attention?
Such a thought was as light as a breeze, quickly passing through Shen Mingjin’s mind.
He rubbed his fingertips together, seemingly deep in thought, then looked up and smiled at Xu Duwan, who had been secretly observing him.
“All right.”
He stood up, walked to Xu Duwan, lowered his eyes slightly, and looked at him intently.
Xu Duwan’s heart skipped a beat, thinking that he had gone too far with his harsh words and provoked Shen Mingjin, who always had a strong sense of pride.
He suddenly tensed up, instinctively taking a few steps back. His gaze fell on Shen Mingjin’s exceptionally beautiful face, but after a few seconds, as if he couldn’t bear to look any longer, he quickly looked away, forcing himself to remain calm.
“What do you want?”
Want to hit someone?
“nothing.”
Shen Mingjin watched him panic like a rabbit, baring his teeth and tensing his back, and couldn’t help but find it amusing. He raised his eyebrows leisurely, his hands hanging properly at his sides, seemingly having no intention of making a move.
He smiled gently at the bewildered Xu Duwan, his eyes instantly sparkling with sunlight. Gone was the coldness of a few years ago; instead, he exuded an approachable charm, speaking slowly and deliberately:
“I just want to say, whether it was ten years ago or now…”
He paused, then leaned forward slightly, suddenly getting close to Xu Duwan, whose body was tense. His smiling eyes reflected Xu Duwan’s suddenly dilated pupils.
Xu Duwan froze instantly, as if his pressure points had been frozen, staring blankly at Shen Mingjin, who was only a centimeter away from him: “………”
Shen Mingjin’s pupils were a deep, dark black, concealing emotions that Xu Duwan couldn’t decipher. Yet, despite knowing the danger, one couldn’t help but soften under his gentle exterior. He simply watched silently as others were entangled in that tender web, suffocating, remaining unmoved.
“If I were to meet you, I probably wouldn’t be able to bear lying to you.”
He’s all bark and no bite, like a little white rabbit; his eyes well up with tears at the slightest provocation. How could he possibly lie to him?
After saying that, Shen Mingjin ignored Xu Duwan’s incredulous expression, regained his senses, gave a polite bow to the foreman and President Cheng, then opened the door and walked out on his own.
As soon as he left the comfortable air-conditioned room, the scorching heat crept up from his trouser legs, and sweat instantly streamed down his back. Shen Mingjin looked up at the sun overhead, then down at his phone’s bank balance, realizing he would starve if he couldn’t find a job soon. After thinking for a moment, he turned and saw a bar handing out flyers at the entrance, recruiting waiters. Without a second thought, he went inside.
Making money is the priority.
Meanwhile, Xu Duwan was surprised to see Shen Mingjin run away before he could even say anything, unable to bear the insult.
But, but……
Thinking of the words the other person had said before leaving, Xu Duwan’s heart pounded, his palms were sweating, and his stiff face suddenly turned red uncontrollably for some reason. His eyes darted around, and his eyelashes trembled slightly.
Don’t believe him, don’t believe him, he’s full of lies…
But the more Xu Duwan thought about it, the more he saw Shen Mingjin’s focused face when he looked down at him. His heart pounded like a drum, almost leaping out of his chest.
What to do, what to do……
If it weren’t for someone else being there, Xu Duwan would have loved to slap himself.
Xu Duwan, have some self-respect…
The foreman, seeing that Xu Duwan’s face and neck were completely red, mistakenly thought he was too hot and quickly turned the air conditioner down a few degrees, which made President Cheng, who was standing next to him, look down on him for being tactless and keep rolling his eyes at him.
Duh, didn’t you see that?!
Young Master Xu blushed, not from the heat—
He’s clearly just shy!