Chapter 39
The heat from Gu Lin radiated to Lin Zheng’s neck, and his skin, which was already sensitive to his surroundings, felt a slight itch.
More than Gu Lin’s question, Lin Zheng was more concerned about his current situation.
He was pinned down by Gu Lin. At first, he didn’t think much of it, but as Gu Lin’s deep voice resonated, he realized just how dangerous his position was.
Gu Lin had said he would take things slowly with him.
But how slow was “slowly” for Gu Lin?
After all, Gu Lin’s thoughts were always a little faster than the average person’s.
He pushed on Gu Lin’s arm, slightly averting his gaze, and urged him, “Get up.”
Seeing Lin Zheng’s reaction, Gu Lin’s expression became more leisurely and relaxed. “You still haven’t answered my question.”
The question was whether Lin Zheng had gotten bored and was trying to dump him.
Lin Zheng thought about it. To be honest, he had planned to do just that. But then a lot of things happened, and many small forks appeared on his planned path. He had walked so many different ways that he no longer knew which path he was on.
Besides, given the current situation, he had run so far away, yet Gu Lin had still found him. He figured if he actually tried to dump Gu Lin now, with Gu Lin’s current temperament, he might just get torn apart and eaten.
After thinking it over, Lin Zheng told the truth.
He didn’t want to worry about the plot anymore.
“Gu Lin, I wasn’t joking just now.”
Gu Lin’s gaze didn’t change. “So?”
“You are the male lead of this world, but the other protagonist isn’t me. It’s the author of the painting you gave me… Wu Yu.”
The smile in Gu Lin’s eyes slowly faded.
Lin Zheng continued, “According to the plot, you will end up with Wu Yu. And before that,” Lin Zheng looked earnestly into Gu Lin’s eyes, “you will dump me.”
This was the plot of the original world. As a minor character, he had very few scenes, serving only as a tool. The main character, a top, learned what it was like to be loved from him, and then, after meeting the other protagonist, a bottom, he truly understood what love was and let the bottom experience being cherished.
As for him, he was just a cannon fodder who was used and discarded. His sole purpose was to help the top understand what love was. While everyone else got their happy ending, he was left with a tragic one.
A hand rested on top of Lin Zheng’s head.
The large palm ran through his hair, massaging his scalp.
Slowly, gently, again and again.
Lin Zheng felt as though his heart was being held by that hand. With each movement, the rhythm of his own heartbeats began to sync with Gu Lin’s.
His head felt dizzy from the warmth radiating from the palm of the hand.
Suddenly, the fingers that were running through his hair curled slightly and tapped his forehead.
Lin Zheng, who was almost lulled to sleep like a cat being petted, was startled. “?”
Why did Gu Lin flick his forehead?!
“When I hope you’re muddled, you’re like a clever little guy with wheels on his legs, but when I hope you’re smart, you turn into a complete idiot.” Gu Lin said.
Lin Zheng caught on. “You’re just calling me names in a roundabout way!”
Gu Lin smiled. “You’re not an idiot now, are you?”
Lin Zheng: “…”
Gu Lin raised an eyebrow and succinctly repeated Lin Zheng’s previous words, then said, “According to what you’re saying, I’m just a jerk who will casually dump you after I meet my so-called true love?”
Lin Zheng nodded.
Gu Lin’s comprehension was impressive.
“So,” Gu Lin said, looking into Lin Zheng’s eyes, his voice low, “this is why you’ve been avoiding me?”
Lin Zheng whispered, “Well… not entirely. But it’s part of it.”
This time, Gu Lin laughed even more heartily. He hugged Lin Zheng and rolled over, lying on his side on the bed and holding Lin Zheng in his arms. As he laughed, his chest and the person in his arms trembled.
Lin Zheng was forced to press his face against Gu Lin’s chest.
He squinted, displeased but unable to say anything.
He could only lie there dumbly.
Finally, when Gu Lin stopped laughing, Lin Zheng heard his voice, now calm, coming from above him. “I don’t know what your so-called ‘plot’ is like, but I know very well what kind of person I am, who I have in my heart, and how important that person is to me.”
Lin Zheng tried to lift his head to look at Gu Lin, but Gu Lin held his head in place, preventing him from moving.
Gu Lin’s tone became serious. “Listen. The person in front of you is a being of flesh and blood, an individual who knows his own mind and can think for himself. No one can dictate my path, not even the creator.”
Lin Zheng’s breathing stopped for a few seconds.
Gu Lin chuckled. “If you don’t believe me, you can try it. For example, say yes to being with me right now and make a bet. Let’s see whose prediction is more accurate: yours or mine.”
Lin Zheng: “…”
Lin Zheng: “Don’t think I don’t know you’re digging a trap for me to fall into.”
Gu Lin sighed. “What a shame. I’m already at the bottom of the pit, waiting to catch you when you jump.”
Lin Zheng let out a “cheh.”
He realized he couldn’t outplay Yan Yang, let alone Gu Lin.
Gu Lin was like his personal kryptonite.
In every aspect.
Gu Lin wasn’t wrong. Here, Gu Lin was a flesh-and-blood person with independent thoughts.
That was precisely why Lin Zheng was here now.
Lin Zheng took a deep breath.
Forget the plot, he didn’t want to deal with it anymore.
Whatever happens, happens!
It had been several days since Lin Zheng returned, and he hadn’t contacted Zhao Yi yet. At noon, when he thought of it, he called Zhao Yi.
He told Zhao Yi that he had been back for a few days.
Zhao Yi seemed to be silent for a few seconds on the other end of the phone before slowly saying, “Oh, you’re already back?”
Lin Zheng was squatting on the sofa, holding the phone. “Yeah, you took such good care of me a while ago. I haven’t had a chance to thank you yet.”
Zhao Yi said, “Brother Lin Zheng, with you, there’s no need to be so polite.”
“I can’t do that. I still need to thank you.” Lin Zheng thought for a moment. “But you sound a little strange. Are you not feeling well?”
Zhao Yi laughed slightly. “No, you might have misheard.”
“Oh, okay, that’s good then.” Lin Zheng saw Gu Lin bringing the finished dishes out.
After chatting with Zhao Yi for a few more minutes, Lin Zheng ended the call.
City R.
Zhao Yi stared blankly at the hung-up phone, then laughed self-deprecatingly, as if talking to himself, “I still couldn’t stop it…”
The butler came over and asked, “Young Master, the Master is asking when you will return to the country?”
Zhao Yi picked up the red wine on the table, his face looking a little tired. He looked at the red liquid in the glass. “What’s the point of going back now? Tell my father I’ll come back in a while.”
The butler bowed. “Yes, Young Master.”
When Lin Zheng called earlier, Gu Lin had heard that he was talking to Zhao Yi.
Gu Lin didn’t have a great impression of Zhao Yi, but seeing Lin Zheng enjoying the conversation, he didn’t say much.
As long as he could keep Lin Zheng by his side, everything else could be taken care of slowly.
Thinking of this, Gu Lin suddenly remembered the 相思扣 (Xiang Si Kou – A type of love knot) that he still hadn’t given away.
He had to find time to give it to him.
Just in case the person disappears again one day.
Just as Gu Lin was thinking, he saw Lin Zheng across from him suddenly seem to remember something and put down his bowl and chopsticks.
He looked at Lin Zheng.
Lin Zheng said to him, “Oh right, Gu Lin, I forgot to tell you. The agent found some suitable apartments and contacted me. I might be moving out tomorrow.”
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