Shi Jun walked over to Shi Wen, grinding his heel down onto his brother’s open wounds while staring down at him with a chilling sneer. He remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking, his voice piercingly cold.
“Did you honestly think you would ever have another chance? You’ve run completely out of options, Shi Wen.”
He gave the camera in his hand a light shake. “The video of you being defiled is right here in my possession.”
Hearing this, Shi Wen froze in shock before erupting into a frenzied, animalistic howl. “I’ll kill you!” He scrambled desperately to his feet, lunging forward with a raised foot to stomp on Shi Jun.
However, before he could even connect, Shi Jun slapped him squarely across the face, sending him crashing hard back onto the ground. Sprawled in the dirt, Shi Wen let out a couple of ragged coughs as a thin trail of crimson trickled from the corner of his mouth. He snapped his head up to glare at Shi Jun, his bloodshot eyes ablaze with a fury so intense it looked as though it could spit fire.
Shi Jun looked down at him with profound detachment. “What else can you possibly do now besides lie there like a lamb to the slaughter?”
Shi Wen clenched his fists so tightly that his fingernails dug deep into his palms, the sharp pain causing his muscles to twitch involuntarily.
“You are destined to be ruined by my hand for the rest of your life,” Shi Jun remarked, his tone dripping with mockery.
“Don’t even dream of it!” Shi Wen roared, squeezing out every ounce of his remaining strength. He threw his arm up, blindly reaching for something to hurl at Shi Jun, but his body refused to cooperate, utterly devoid of energy. Sweat poured down his forehead and his eyes were heavily bloodshot; he looked the absolute definition of wretched.
“I refuse to accept this… I refuse to accept this!”
The corners of Shi Jun’s lips curved into a derisive smile. “So what if you refuse to accept it? What can you possibly do about it? You will never be able to defeat me.” With that, he patted Shi Wen lightly on the shoulder and said with a bright, beaming smile, “Make sure to thoroughly enjoy this magnificent life of yours. I’m sure your future will only get better and better.”
His voice sounded incredibly tender and gentle, yet it seeped into the very marrow of Shi Wen’s bones like a demon’s whisper.
“Shi Wen, I truly hope you like the gift I’ve given you. After all, it is entirely one-of-a-kind. Have a wonderful time. Goodbye.”
Watching Shi Jun’s figure dissolve into the shadows of the night, Shi Wen’s pupils dilated as his gaze went completely vacant and stagnant. Shi Jun’s final words echoed relentlessly through his mind.
One-of-a-kind… One-of-a-kind… One-of-a-kind…
Every single phrase Shi Jun had spoken coiled around him like an inescapable nightmare. Squeezing his eyes shut, his lips twitched into a bizarre, twisted smile as he muttered under his breath, “Heh… one-of-a-kind…” Then, his expression hardened into pure malice. “Shi Jun, I will never let you get away with this. Never.”
Early the next morning, the first rays of dawn filtered through the gaps in the curtains, quietly stealing into the room.
Shi Jun’s thick eyelashes fluttered slightly, as if disturbed by the sudden intrusion of sunlight. He slowly blinked his eyes open, his hazy, sleep-filled gaze still shrouded in a thin veil of mist, radiating a pure, lazy reluctance to leave the warmth of the bed. He raised his hand slightly, intending to block out the piercing glare. A few seconds later, once his eyes had adjusted to the morning light, his arm drifted lazily back onto the mattress.
He turned his head gently, fully intending to submerge himself right back into his beautiful dreams.
However, in that exact split second, his entire frame froze as if violently jolted awake by a freezing wave of reality. He snapped upright so fast that the entire bed vibrated under the sudden movement. His eyes widened in absolute disbelief as he stared at the edge of his bed.
A man was sitting right there, his eyes overflowing with deep concern and anxiety.
Shi Jun furrowed his brows and complained, “Gu Xiulin, why do you always do this?”
Gu Xiulin let out a soft, gentle laugh, his tone laced with deep affection. “I was just worried about you. I was afraid you might have nightmares during the night.”
“What could I possibly have a nightmare about?” Shi Jun rolled his eyes, rubbing his sleepy eyes before letting out a wide yawn. “I just stayed up way too late playing video games last night, which is why I woke up late this morning.”
Gu Xiulin’s gaze swept lightly across Shi Jun’s tired face, his tone teasing yet holding a trace of gravity. “You were literally kidnapped just yesterday, and yet you actually had the peace of mind to play video games?”
Shi Jun’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly, the corner of his mouth twitching. He gave a dismissive pout. “I allowed myself to be caught by them on purpose. Did you honestly think a pathetic amateur like him could actually lay a finger on me?” He paused, a smug, triumphant gleam flashing through his eyes. “Besides, didn’t I have the people you sent to protect me anyway?”
Gu Xiulin arched an amused eyebrow but chose not to press the matter any further. Instead, his expression softened into pure attentiveness as he asked softly, “You must be hungry. Let’s get some food.”
Shi Jun offered a quiet murmur of assent. “Mm.”
“Go wash up first,” Gu Xiulin added smoothly. “I’ll ladle out some porridge for you.”
Shi Jun walked over to the bathroom sink and turned on the faucet. Warm water cascaded over his slender fingers, each droplet carrying a pleasant warmth that thoroughly waked his senses.
Gu Xiulin walked back into the room holding the bowls and chopsticks. He handed a steaming bowl over to Shi Jun. “Drink some porridge first to warm your stomach.”
Gu Xiulin lightly gripped the spoon, gently bringing it toward Shi Jun’s lips with a movement so tender it seemed as though he was afraid of shattering the morning quiet. Shi Jun leaned forward slightly to take the spoon, the hot steam from the porridge rising up between them.
Shi Jun raised his eyes. “I can manage by myself.”
Gu Xiulin smiled warmly and didn’t insist, slowly pulling his hand back. Shi Jun blew gently on the hot porridge before taking a bite. The sweet aroma instantly danced across his taste buds, and the soothing warmth flowed straight into his stomach, bringing an indescribable sense of profound satisfaction.
Gu Xiulin sat quietly to the side, his gaze never once straying from Shi Jun as he watched him finish the porridge, bite by bite.
Once he was done, Shi Jun contentedly patted his slightly rounded stomach and let out a soft hiccup, a thoroughly satisfied smile playing on his lips. Gazing at that smile, a profound wave of warmth rushed through Gu Xiulin’s chest, leaving him feeling incredibly grounded and at peace. He thought to himself that a sight like this was absolutely precious like the most breathtaking scenery in the world, something one couldn’t help but want to cherish and lock away forever.
The golden morning sun poured through the windows, illuminating the entire room. Gu Xiulin couldn’t help but chuckle aloud. This was their everyday life now simple, ordinary, yet incredibly cozy.
Sensing his gaze, Shi Jun looked up, thoroughly perplexed. “What are you smiling at me for?”
Gu Xiulin stepped up to him and gently patted his head, laughing with pure indulgence. “Because you’re just too cute. Seeing you look so thoroughly fed and satisfied naturally makes a person feel happy.”
Shi Jun narrowed his eyes slightly, as if tangibly catching the thick scent of affection radiating from Gu Xiulin. The warmth enveloped him, and he couldn’t resist flashing a brilliant smile in return.
Gu Xiulin stared at him, the curve of his lips deepening. “Move into my villa.”
“Huh?” Shi Jun froze entirely for a moment. He blinked his eyes rapidly before asking, “What did you just say?” He seriously suspected he had misheard.
“Move into my home,” Gu Xiulin repeated clearly. Seeing the undisguised shock reflecting deep within Shi Jun’s eyes, he added steadily, “Let’s get married, Shi Jun.”
“Are you absolutely certain you aren’t playing a joke on me?” Shi Jun stared at him blankly. “We aren’t even considered a couple yet, let alone ready for marriage.”
“Regardless of whether you are willing to marry me or not, I am going to make you my spouse,” Gu Xiulin declared with absolute solemnity, as if uttering a sacred vow.
Hearing the gravity in his voice, Shi Jun’s expression turned entirely serious.