Stepping out of Woyun Pavilion, Lin Chen and Parker climbed into Si Ang’s car. His mind replayed the furious yet hesitant expressions of the Lu family father and son.
Only magic could defeat magic. If he had known that borrowing power could solve the problem so quickly, he should have asked Si Ang for help without hesitation.
Sitting next to him, Si Ang seemed to understand his younger brother’s thoughts: “If they bother you again, just tell me.”
Lin Chen blurted out, “It’s getting cold, so you want to bankrupt the Lu family, right?”
“Huh?”
Si Ang was puzzled. What did getting cold have to do with bankruptcy?
But it didn’t matter. Bankrupting the Lu family was a good suggestion. He seriously considered it and said, “Sure, if you want to.”
Lin Chen: “…”
No, he didn’t want to for now.
Lin Chen dropped his playful grin and said sincerely to Si Ang, “Brother Ang, thank you. You’re the first person in this world who’s been so good to me.”
More accurately, the best person he’d met since he transmigrated.
As if possessed, Si Ang reached out and stroked the other’s hair again: “Then remember to repay me, and don’t do anything to disappoint me.”
The scene at the tea room entrance replayed in Lin Chen’s mind. He had initially thought Si Ang’s closeness was just an act between the Lu family father and son, but now it seemed that wasn’t the case?
“Oh.” Without giving it much thought, Lin Chen lowered his head and continued stroking Parker’s mane while admiring it. He wondered how the guy maintained his fur; it was glossy and felt incredibly good.
Parker clearly enjoyed the touch. His usually majestic beastly eyes narrowed involuntarily.
He even nestled his head into Lin Chen’s arms. His slightly damp nose twitched slightly as if trying to absorb the young man’s scent.
Lin Chen readily embraced him: “Parker was very impressive today, thank you, give me a kiss!”
His lips pressed against the lion’s nose.
After a day and a night apart, Parker affectionately nuzzled against Lin Chen, pretending to bite his hand—a game they never tired of.
“Parker, let me tickle you.”
“Roar.”
Parker obediently tilted his head back. It squinted his eyes as he enjoyed Lin Chen’s uniquely skillful tickling, his tail swishing contentedly.
Si Corporation Headquarters, CEO’s Office.
Seeing that Si Ang was busy, Lin Chen stayed in the office with Parker.
Man Di, surprised to see him again, kindly brought him some fruit and snacks.
“Mr. Lin Chen, it’s nice to see you again.”
Lin Chen turned to Man Di and smiled, “It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Man Di.”
“So, has the boss employed you long-term?” Man Di didn’t know about Lin Chen’s arrangements, so he wanted to find out.
“No, not at all…” Lin Chen said, then suddenly realized something very important: after he and Si Ang became friends, taking care of Parker was a voluntary service, and he could no longer accept money.
He needed to expand his business as soon as possible.
Man Di was about to ask more questions when her gaze swept across the room and suddenly fell on the watch on Lin Chen’s wrist.
This seems… to be Mr. Lin’s watch?
Lin Chen followed Man Di’s gaze to the watch and smiled, explaining, “Brother Ang gave it to me temporarily.”
“Temporarily?” Man Di thought to himself. Mr. Lin never took back anything he gave away, and besides, you’re calling him ‘brother’ now.
“Probably,” Lin Chen guessed.
No, not at all. Man Di suddenly felt the fruit and tea on the table weren’t up to par, so he personally went downstairs to buy some nice hot drinks and small cakes to entertain the brother whom Mr. Lin had approved of.
Lin Chen was flattered: “No need to go to such lengths for me, Mr. Man Di, your work is important.”
“It’s alright, it’s alright.” Man Di, who had been fond of Lin Chen and also because he had personally brought Lin Chen to Si Ang’s side, now found Lin Chen particularly pleasing to the eye.
He said, “It’s really no trouble. Boss is quite busy and asked me to take good care of you.”
“Just call me if you need anything.”
Lin Chen smiled and readily complied, “Okay.”
Lin Chen wasn’t bored at all alone in Si Ang’s luxurious office. After playing with Parker, he sat on the sofa and reviewed his university studies.
The original owner was a top student with excellent grades.
Lin Chen glanced at the material; he remembered it all and only needed a quick review.
Si Ang returned and saw the young man sitting on the sofa muttering to himself as if reciting his lessons.
Parker was lying at his feet with its chin resting on its feet, and clinging to him affectionately. When Parker heard its master enter, it merely twitched its ears in welcome before continuing to snuggle against Lin Chen and doze off.
“It’s pressing down on you, aren’t you tired?” The lion’s head was so big; Si Ang felt sorry for Lin Chen just looking at it.
Lin Chen: “It’s okay, I’m not tired.”
Parker likes to rest its head on him, so let it. Fluffy things are meant to be pampered.
“You don’t need to spoil it too much,” Si Ang said.
“I want to.” Lin Chen was straightforward, but meeting Si Ang’s ambiguous gaze, he chickened out and quickly got up to make tea for him: “You’ve been busy all morning, sit down and rest.”
“Sycophant.” Si Ang sat down and casually asked, “Were you doing your homework? How’s your studying?”
Lin Chen said, “Pretty good, top of the class.”
Si Ang complimented, “Not bad.”
Si Ang had once been a top student at Tyron University, but always getting first place didn’t give him any sense of accomplishment. He just took it for granted.
Hearing that Lin Chen’s grades were good, he was genuinely happy for him.
Lin Chen spent the day at the company, and after work, he asked Si Ang, “Brother Ang, do you need me to look after Parker tonight?”
If needed, he could take Parker home.
The new house felt a bit deserted. Although Lin Chen didn’t like living with others, Parker wasn’t human.
Si Ang saw through his thoughts and said regretfully, “Not tonight. I have to take Parker back to the main house to make steamed buns for Grandpa.”
Lin Chen said “Oh,” remembering that, and patted Si Ang’s arm sympathetically, “Good luck, Brother Ang! I’ll bring you dumplings tomorrow.”
For those who enjoy cooking, it’s a pleasure; for those who don’t, it’s torture.
Lin Chen didn’t think Si Ang was pitiful just because he liked cooking. He decided he would never impersonate Si Ang again.
Hearing that Lin Chen was coming again tomorrow, Si Ang hummed in agreement, “Go back now. I’ve had your car brought over; it’s right outside.”
“Okay, goodbye, Brother Ang.” Before running away, Lin Chen suddenly hugged Si Ang. By the time Si Ang came to his senses, he had already slipped away.
Parker and Si Ang stared at each other as if asking: Why did he only hug you and not me?
Si Ang raised an eyebrow, remaining silent.
After leaving the company, Lin Chen drove to the flower and bird market to buy some flower seeds and other necessary supplies.
He had already prepared a list in his office, detailing many flowers with low survival rates; he just needed to buy those.
The flower shop owner was a kind man. He could tell at a glance that Lin Chen was a complete novice and kindly reminded him, “Is this your first time growing flowers?”
“Why not choose some seedlings with a higher survival rate?”
“These are all low-survival-rate varieties. Even experienced gardeners wouldn’t dare guarantee they’ll survive.”
A novice would have even less chance; 100% would die.
“Sister, thank you for reminding me,” Lin Chen said with a smile. “But I’m sure I want these kinds, ten of each.”
“Alright!” The shopkeeper, nearing fifty, was overjoyed by Lin Chen calling her “sister” and quickly helped him pack the goods, even throwing in five extra seedlings: “Good luck!”
“Thank you.”
Lin Chen loaded his pickup truck with goods at the flower and bird market, lingering until nightfall before finally setting off home.
However, his newly bought secondhand pickup truck broke down in a deserted area of the suburbs.
“You get what you pay for, senior, you’re right.”
Lin Chen called a tow truck service, but they said they were busy and the regular fare would be three hours with an extra charge for expedited service.
With such a low cost-performance ratio, Lin Chen definitely wouldn’t choose expedited service. He paid the regular fare and stood by the roadside, ready to flag down a car.
The road to the suburban villa area was really remote. Lin Chen waited for twenty minutes without seeing a single car, then another ten minutes before finally spotting headlights.
Lin Chen quickly waved his light-colored jacket: “Excuse me! Please stop!”
The car was large, and resembled a converted large commercial van.
“Excuse me! My car has broken down! Could you give me a ride?” Lin Chen shouted.
The vehicle didn’t stop, slowing down before turning the corner and continuing on its way.
Lin Chen was disappointed, but not being able to flag down a car was normal. Maybe the other person was having trouble; he could just wait for the next one. He couldn’t be so unlucky as to have to wait for a tow truck.
Lin Chen had already given up, but the massive vehicle seemed to have stopped. He looked around uncertainly, then quickly ran up to check.
He found the car had indeed stopped; it was a huge, black vehicle. Lin Chen politely approached, “Excuse me! My car has broken down. Would you mind giving me a ride?”
The young driver didn’t speak, but the back door opened. Lin Chen quickly thanked him and climbed in, saying, “Maple Forest Villa intersection, thank you.”
After sitting down, Lin Chen realized the lights were off even in the driver’s seat. He immediately tensed up; had he gotten into an unlicensed taxi?
However, unlicensed taxis shouldn’t be this luxurious.
This car was very spacious, the seats felt incredibly comfortable, and a faint scent of wood filled the air—it had a very stylish and sophisticated feel.
Lin Chen suppressed his thoughts of riding in an unlicensed taxi. He crouched in a corner near the door, and secretly glanced at the other passenger in the car.
The other person sat relaxed and natural. Since the lights were off, Lin Chen could only confirm that the person was male, tall, and possessed a powerful presence that made the spacious room feel slightly cramped.
He was wearing a suit, but no tie, and there seemed to be a faint smell of blood in the air. Lin Chen felt a sense of unease and fear at his discovery, wondering if he had gotten into an unlicensed taxi.
In short, this person was probably injured.
Although Lin Chen wasn’t a social butterfly, he wasn’t socially awkward either. In this situation, he didn’t dare to ask anything.
He swallowed hard. Lost in thought, something brushed against his ankle. The sensation was very familiar, which was why he didn’t scream or jump.
Based on Lin Chen’s experience petting furry creatures, he was certain that what had touched his ankle was a tail.
In other words, there was an animal hiding in the car. Lin Chen glanced at the silent driver. Could it be this gentleman’s companion animal?
This person’s aura was so powerful; his companion animal must be a ferocious beast.
Lin Chen, having deduced this outcome, wasn’t afraid; instead, he was extremely curious. He subtly searched around.
However, he saw nothing.
This was illogical. At least among the known abilities of companion beasts, invisibility wasn’t an option.
Lin Chen, afraid of disturbing the driver, didn’t dare search too obviously.
Just as he gave up searching, the elusive tail started teasing his ankle again, sometimes gently brushing against it, causing a ticklish sensation, and sometimes encircling it entirely, full of playful intent.
Lin Chen couldn’t stand it anymore. He bent down and peered again, but saw nothing.
Where was it?
After several attempts, Lin Chen felt he was wasting his time. He looked up sheepishly at the driver. Thankfully, the other person remained silent, seemingly completely ignoring his presence as a passenger.
Just then, the light from a roadside billboard flashed by, abruptly illuminating the lower half of the driver’s face. The phrase “a fleeting glimpse of breathtaking beauty” immediately flashed through Lin Chen’s mind.
He stood there stunned for a while, then snapped back to reality.
This driver was exceptionally handsome. Even just half of his face, barely visible, shattered Lin Chen’s preconceived notions of male beauty.
Moreover, the man’s aura was incredibly mysterious, much like his unseen companion beast.
All shrouded in darkness.
For the rest of the journey, that mysterious tail continued to bother Lin Chen from time to time, but Lin Chen had lost the desire to investigate it. Not that he lacked interest, but he knew that sometimes ignorance was bliss.
This person was clearly no ordinary person. It was best for ordinary folks to stay away and not know too much.
After an unknown amount of time, the car came to a smooth stop. Lin Chen glanced at the landmark stone tablet at the intersection and quickly thanked him, “Thank you!”
Lin Chen got out of the car without wasting a second. He felt guilty for delaying the other person’s treatment if they were truly injured.
Lin Chen watched the mysterious car drive away before heading home. It was still a ten-minute walk from the intersection to the gate, after which a security guard would drive him home.
It was quite late. Lin Chen first went to the kitchen to get rice and start cooking. Then he packed some food for the small animals in a plastic bag and went to check on the garden.
He carried a solar-powered lamp to the spot where he had been that morning. He saw that both food containers were empty, the water was almost gone, and the two chickens were nowhere to be seen.
It seemed there were quite a few wild animals here. Lin Chen busied himself replacing the food with fresh ones.
Then he remembered the mysterious tail. Suddenly, a thought struck him—could it be a black animal?!
Thinking about this, Lin Chen was both amused and exasperated. He had actually been made paranoid by a black animal.
There are quite a few animals with black fur in nature, but Lin Chen could only think of one that matched the car owner’s imposing presence: a black panther.
“!” Lin Chen felt like he had missed out on a fortune when a black panther tried to be friendly with him, and he even lost his appetite for dinner.
Author’s Note:
The main character has arrived, a mysterious and handsome older brother.
Si Ang: What happened to the promise of only me?