Chapter 117
Shen Xili stared at him for a while before saying coldly, ” The past cannot be erased, but I can kill you.”
“Of course.” The man was not afraid; the expression on his face was even twisted with a sense of pleasure. “To die at the hands of the God of War, I have no regrets in this life.”
He closed his eyes, looking as if he would let Shen Xili do whatever he wanted with him.
Shen Xiliās grip on the stick tightened. In the end, however, he lifted his foot and kicked the man aside, tossing the stick away. He left behind only two words: “Madman.”
The man, labeled a madman, slowly crawled up from the ground. Shen Xili was already walking toward the alley’s exit. The man rubbed his chest where he had been stepped on and fished a transparent glass bottle out of his pocket. Smiling, he tapped his finger lightly against the surface of the glass. The insect trapped inside seemed stimulated and began to crawl frantically within the bottle.
Shen Xiliās footsteps faltered. The man laughed loudly and raised his voice to ask, “My dear S, how does the sensation of Gu worms eroding your heart feel?”
[1] Translatorās Note: Gu refers to a venomous insect/poison used in traditional Chinese witchcraft/folklore, often used to control or harm others.
Shen Xili did not answer. He simply continued walking out step by step, his gait steady, revealing nothing amiss.
The man didn’t mind. He just stood there, leisurely shaking the glass bottle, agitating the Gu worm inside into a frenzy.
Shen Xili returned home expressionlessly. Only after locking the door did his strength give out, and he collapsed onto the floor. One hand clutched his chest tightly; his entire body was drenched in cold sweat, and his face was deathly pale. Because he was enduring the pain, he bit his lower lip until it bled.
He pressed his back tightly against the door. Suddenly, he let out a muffled groan, turned his head to the side, and spat out a mouthful of blood. It felt as if his heart had been bitten by something; the pain was so intense he couldn’t make a sound.
Yuanyuan heard the commotion and crawled out of his nest. Although the lights weren’t on, the puppy sensed Shen Xili. Wagging his tail, he ran over, whining anxiously beside Shen Xili as if he sensed something was wrong.
Shen Xili struggled to lift his injured hand and placed it on the puppy’s head. Yuanyuanās head wasn’t even as big as his palm, but unexpectedly, feeling the softness beneath his hand made Shen Xili feel a little better.
He whispered a comfort, “It’s okay.”
It sounded like he was comforting Yuanyuan, but there was a trace of other emotions in his voice.
After feeling the pain subside slightly, Shen Xili rested his head against the door and, in the darkness, let out a heavy sigh.
On Monday, Shen Shuyu received a message from Shen Yisi after returning to school. Shen Yisi said his business trip was in the wrap-up phase; at the earliest, he would be back this week, and at the latest, he would make it back in time for Shen Shuyuās school anniversary event.
Shen Shuyu was naturally happy. Counting the days, he really hadn’t seen Shen Yisi in a long time. Furthermore, before the business trip, due to the sudden onset of the rut, they hadn’t had a chance to sit down and have a proper meal together.
Shen Shuyu replied to Shen Yisi as he walked, telling his brother to let him know before he came back so he could pick him up if he had time.
Shen Yisi sent back a “head pat” emoji.
Shen Shuyu was in a great mood. After taking a few steps, he noticed the person in front seemed to be Shen Xili. After a thought, he quickened his pace, walked over, and patted Shen Xili on the shoulder.
Shen Xili turned his head to look at him. Shen Shuyu had intended to say hello, but his gaze landed on the bruise at the corner of Shen Xili’s mouth. He raised an eyebrow slightly, wearing an “I understand” expression.
Unexpectedly, Shen Xili understood Shen Shuyuās expression. He said, “Don’t think too much.”
Shen Shuyu let out two “Hahas” and said, “No, I didn’t think anything.”
The Reserve Department and the Mecha Department were in the same direction. The two walked side by side toward the department buildings. After a few steps, Shen Shuyu couldn’t help but steal a few glances at Shen Xili.
For some reason, Shen Xili felt very different today. He seemed quite silent.
Just as he was pondering this, Shen Xili suddenly spoke up. “It’s rare for you to take the initiative to greet me today.”
Shen Shuyu snapped back to reality. “Don’t make it sound like I’m usually cold and aloof.”
Shen Xili said “Oh” and added, “Not cold and aloof, but you seem to be hostile toward me.”
“…” Shen Shuyu held it in for a moment before replying guiltily, “I’m not.”
Heaven be his witness, he personally had absolutely no hostility toward Shen Xili. If anyone was to blame, it was the plot and the Main Brain!
Shen Xili curled his lips. Shen Shuyu couldn’t help but glance at him twice more before asking, “But you really are a little strange today.”
“Hmm? Strange how?” Shen Xili asked. “Do tell.”
“Just a feeling,” Shen Shuyu said. “And your complexion is quite bad. If you’re not feeling well, go see a doctor.”
Shen Xili blinked lightly and raised a hand to touch his face. “Thanks for the concern.”
Shen Shuyu shrugged. Shen Xili thought of something and said, “I heard some things in the last two days.”
“What things?” Shen Shuyu asked.
“About Chi Yanxun,” Shen Xili said. “He and Su Mu broke up.”
They broke up just like that?!
Shen Shuyuās knowledge of the gossip was stuck at their compatibility dropping to forty percent. It had been less than two days, and they actually broke up?
Shen Shuyu was shocked. Seeing the shock on his face, Shen Xili said slowly, “They went to recheck their compatibility last week, and the result showed only forty percent. Then, the night before last, someone in the team sent me a message saying Su Mu begged bitterly, but Chi Yanxun still broke up with him.”
It was hard to comment on this.
Shen Shuyuās mood was somewhat complicated. He remembered how Chi Yanxun had talked to him about the ninety percent compatibility rate. He hadn’t expected that after it dropped to forty, the breakup would happen so quickly.
Calling Chi Yanxun a scumbag felt like a compliment at this point.
However, he couldn’t say that out loud. He only asked, “How did your teammate know about this?”
Shen Xili said “Ah” and explained, “He lives in the same residential complex as Chi Yanxun. When they were breaking up, he happened to be out walking his dog and ran into them.”
Shen Xili looked at him. “Do you have anything you want to say?”
Shen Shuyu said honestly, “Still digesting what you said.”
Shen Xili seemed amused. He couldn’t help raising his hand to ruffle Shen Shuyuās head. Shen Shuyu, annoyed by the touching, instinctively reached out and slapped Shen Xiliās forearm to knock his hand away.
“Hiss.” Shen Xili sucked in a breath of cold air.
Shen Shuyu asked doubtfully, “I didn’t use that much strength, did I?”
Shen Xiliās expression instantly returned to natural. “Teasing you.”
He put his hands behind his back and said, “I told you this because I wanted to advise you: don’t waste effort on Chi Yanxun. He will only marry someone useful.”
Shen Shuyu pursed his lips and asked, “Then would you like him?”
“Who?” Shen Xili sounded as if he had heard a joke. “Chi Yanxun?”
Shen Shuyu nodded. “Yeah.”
Shen Xili stopped walking. Shen Shuyu couldn’t help but stop as well. The two stood face to face. Shen Xili looked at Shen Shuyu. Shen Shuyu, finding the stare inexplicable, stared back, unwilling to show weakness.
Suddenly, Shen Xili sighed. He said, “I remember telling you.”
“Told me what?” Shen Shuyuās brain didn’t react immediately. He saw Shen Xili bend down slightly, bringing his face very close.
Shen Shuyu swallowed. He remembered. He remembered what Shen Xili had told him.
His sexual orientation is normal.
“My sexual orientation is normal.”
The words from memory overlapped with reality. Shen Xiliās gaze fell on Shen Shuyuās lips. The Little Young Masterās lips were born beautiful, very full, and possessed a lovely color.
Because Shen Xili was so close, Shen Shuyu could feel his breath.
Just as he wanted to say something, or perhaps do something, a cool voice broke the ambiguous atmosphere.
“Shen Shuyu.”
Shen Shuyu snapped out of it abruptly. He took a step back, not looking at Shen Xili, but at the person who called him.
Wen Jiafei, with his black bag slung over one shoulder, stood about three or four steps away from them, watching them expressionlessly.
Shen Shuyu felt relieved. Fortunately, it was Wen Jiafei. And fortunately, he arrived late today; otherwise, if others had seen that, it would probably have sparked another round of discussions.
Shen Shuyu turned his gaze back to Shen Xili. He couldn’t help swallowing, and he stammered a bit as he spoke, “Y-you, just talk if you want to talk. Why, why get so close?”
Shen Xili shrugged lightly. “Just wanted you to see clearly. do I look like someone who would engage in an AA (Alpha x Alpha) romance?”
As they spoke, Wen Jiafei walked over. His gaze rested on Shen Shuyuās face. Shen Shuyu took a breath. “Even ‘what if’ doesn’t work?”
“Doesn’t work,” Shen Xili said. “Not a single possibility.”
Shen Shuyuās heart felt vaguely uncomfortable again. He didn’t want to stay here any longer. Reaching out to grab Wen Jiafei’s arm, he said quickly, “Not going the same way. We’re leaving first.”
Shen Xili nodded slightly. “See you at noon.”
Shen Shuyu didn’t answer and dragged Wen Jiafei away in a hurry.
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