Chapter 43: He Is Private Property I Bought
“Let go of him!”
Just then, a clear yet threatening male voice suddenly rang out, carrying undisguised rage.
Yu Beikuo was stunned. Just as he was about to turn around and see who dared to ruin his fun, his entire body was shoved to the floor by a powerful force before he could even react.
He let out an “Aiyoh” of pain, his alcohol-numbed nerves snapping into clarity. He looked up at the newcomer, his face darkening instantly as he spat through gritted teeth, “Zhou Xuyan, do you have a death wish?!”
Zhou Xuyan ignored him completely, his tall figure standing protectively in front of the shivering youth.
The little bundle was huddled in the corner of the sofa, arms wrapped tightly around himself and his head hanging low.
His sky-blue collar had been partially torn open, revealing snow-white, delicate skin and exquisite features. His watery eyes were filled with profound terror.
“Sob… don’t… don’t touch me…” The youthâs voice trembled violently, as if he had been severely traumatized.
Zhou Xuyanâs heart felt as if it had been pierced by a thousand needles. An unspeakable pain made it nearly impossible for him to breathe.
He crouched down, bracing one hand against the sofaâs armrest. He wanted to stroke the youthâs head but feared scaring him further, so he settled for resting a hand gently on his shoulder, whispering words of comfort: “Yuanyuan, don’t be afraid. He doesn’t dare do anything to you.”
Hearing that voice he had been pining for day and night, Shen Yuan snapped his head up to look at that face full of sunshine.
“Gui… Guitar Gege…?”
He asked in disbelief, confirming several times as if fearing he was seeing an illusion.
“Iâm here, Yuanyuan.”
The person before him responded for real.
It wasn’t a dream, nor was it a fantasy.
Shen Yuanâs eyes turned beet red. The tears he had been holding back surged forth, blurring the man into a shimmering haze of light.
Unable to suppress his grievances and longing any longer, he threw his arms around the manâs neck, burying his face in the sturdy shoulder. He sobbed in broken, piteous gasps.
Listening to those weak, helpless cries, Zhou Xuyanâs heart melted into a puddle. He patted the boyâs back gently.
“Yuanyuan is the strongest. Don’t cry, don’t cry.”
“Sob… Guitar Gege, Yuanyuan missed… missed you so much… I missed you every day…”
Shen Yuanâs tears fell harder and faster, his small mouth pouting like a bitter melon. His tears soaked into the manâs shoulder.
Zhou Xuyan could feel his own heart being scorched by those scalding tears. He couldn’t help but pull the boy closer. “Gege knows Yuanyuan missed me. I missed Yuanyuan very much too.”
“Please… take Yuanyuan away, okay? Away from Mister Yuâs house. I… I don’t have a good life there at all. They all… they all bully me…”
Shen Yuan sobbed as he begged the man to take him away from the Yu family, his voice so choked it was heart-wrenching.
He didn’t want to stay in that terrifying manor for another second. He would die there!
Hearing the youthâs tearful plea, Zhou Xuyan felt an intense ache in his heart, yet he was also glad they were finally together. He coaxed him softly, “Alright, Iâll take you away. Youâll live with me. Weâll leave that place of sorrow.”
Having said that, he supported Shen Yuan with both hands, picking the small person up with ease, and began to walk toward the exit.
“Stand still! Did I give you permission to leave?!”
Yu Beikuo stood up unsteadily from the floor, rushing over in a rage to grab Zhou Xuyanâs arm.
“This stupid thing belongs to the Yu family! What the hell are you? You actually dare to snatch my brotherâs person in broad daylight!”
Hearing that terrifying male voice near his ear, Shen Yuan instantly feared he would be snatched away. His body shook violently, and his legs wrapped tightly around Zhou Xuyanâs waist.
He buried his face deep into the manâs shoulder, refusing to look up. His hands gripped the manâs neck firmly, hanging onto him like a little koala.
Right now, only Guitar Gege could give him warmth. He would never leave with anyone else again!
Zhou Xuyan clearly felt the little fellow’s terror. He patted him soothingly while fixing a cold, angry gaze on the wide-eyed Young Master.
“Iâm taking Yuanyuan. Don’t you Yu family members dream of bullying him again! Especially your brother, Yu Xiuqing!”
He spat out the last name word by word, carrying a deep-seated hatred and determination.
Even if he were isolated and without a shred of power behind him, he would give his all to take Shen Yuan away!
But in the next second, that iron-clad resolve was shattered by a slow, measured sound of clapping.
“Who wants to take away the item I bought?”
The voice was deep, rich, and magnetic, carrying a hint of laziness but backed by absolute authority.
Seeing the newcomer, Yu Beikuo immediately let go of Zhou Xuyanâs arm, his cowardice surfacing. The greed in his eyes vanished, replaced by a facade of innocence and grievance.
He scurried over, pointing an angry finger at Zhou Xuyan while transforming himself into the victim.
“Brother, itâs this arrogant piece of trash! He didn’t just push me; heâs trying to steal your person!”
Yu Xiuqing, dressed in a sharp black suit, stood perfectly still. He was expressionless, ignoring the verbal drivel spewing from his brotherâs mouth.
However, his obsidian-like eyes were fixed solely on the youth hanging off someone elseâs body. His gaze was thick with gloom and fury, with a faint trace of murderous intent flickering beneath the surface.
Under that death stare, Shen Yuan felt a chill wash over his entire body. He shrank his neck and tried to hide his head, yet he couldn’t escape the gaze that seemed ready to devour him whole.
“Get down.”
He heard the manâs bone-chilling command from nearby. He timidly lifted his pale, soft face, only to shrink back again, terrified by the dark, deep look in the other’s eyes.
Standing there in front of Xiansheng, piteously clinging to another man while looking so weak and limpâthe little fool was overcome with embarrassment, his cheeks burning hot.
That man would surely think he was throwing himself into another’s arms, that he was deliberately seducing someone, that this was a blatant provocation!
He had just been too sad and acted on impulse when he hugged Guitar Gege. He wasn’t seducing anyone!
Seeing Yu Xiuqingâs sharp gaze, Zhou Xuyanâs heart skipped a beat, but he did not put the youth down. Instead, he met the man’s eyes with a balanced posture.
“Young Master Yu, Shen Yuan is having a very bad time with you. He wants to leave. Please let him go.”
“Let him go?”
Yu Xiuqing raised an eyebrow, toying with his signet ring as if admiring the other’s gall. Then, he let out a cold sneer.
“He is private property I bought back. I am his legitimate master. Why should I let him go?”
Zhou Xuyan flew into a rage at those words. “This is unlawful imprisonment! I can sue you!”
Yu Xiuqingâs face remained stern and dismissive. His expression was one of pure contempt, as if he were looking at a jumping clown, mocking the other’s arrogance and ignorance.
“Hahaha! What did I just hear? Sue my brother? Are you telling jokes? I’m dying here, hahaha!”
Instead, it was Yu Beikuo who laughed until he doubled over, sneering at Zhou Xuyanâs impassioned words.
“Do you know who my brother is? Heâs Sanye, the man everyone in Nangang must address with respect. What right does a dead rat like you, fit only for the sewers, have to threaten my brother?”
Having his dignity trampled by such mockery, Zhou Xuyan clenched his fists, but his eyes were filled with deep helplessness and rage.
The other man held absolute power; he was truly powerless!
“Yuanyuan, be good. Come over here.”
Yu Xiuqing didn’t deign to waste words on vermin. Instead, he began to coax the little white rabbit that had run into another manâs arms.
He was doing his best to suppress his internal urge to ruthlessly abuse Shen Yuan. His light tone carried a heavy pressure:
“Disobedient children don’t just lose out on candy; they receive very severe punishments from Xiansheng.”
The manâs voice was deep and gentle, but in this moment, it sounded like a demonâs spell urging one to fall into the abyss.
Shen Yuan was terrified, his entire body shaking. He didn’t dare imagine how Yu Xiuqing would continue to torment him in new ways, making him lose face in public…
The gaze of the crowd just now was already enough to make him collapse. How could his body or spirit endure more?
Yet the warmth Zhou Xuyan had given him made him hesitate, even at the risk of the man’s punishment. He lowered his head in silent conflict.
Sensing the dejection of the person in his arms, Zhou Xuyan feared he was being influenced. His expression turned anxious.
“Yuanyuan, don’t listen to him! We aren’t afraid of him! I will definitely take you away from the Yu family!”
“You will be punished, and your Guitar Gege…”
Yu Xiuqing let out this sentence slowly, a devilish, sinister light flashing in his eyes. A bizarre smile curled his lips as if he had seen through everything. “Your Guitar Gege might die very soon because of you.”
“No! No! Xiansheng, don’t kill Guitar Gege!” Shen Yuan screamed in panic, his fingers clutching his clothes nervously. His eyes were a mixture of pleading and horror.
Then, he released his arms from around Zhou Xuyanâs neck. Instead, he pushed against the manâs chest, crying out:
“Gui… Guitar Gege, you… hurry and put me down. I can’t leave with you now… sob… I have to listen to Xiansheng… or else youâll die!”
He knew that Xiansheng always meant what he said. If he were truly provoked into a madness, the outcome would be a thousand times more tragic!
He couldn’t be the cause of Guitar Gegeâs death!
Zhou Xuyan gazed at the youth with deep affection, reaching out a hand to gently wipe the tears from the corner of his eye.
“Itâs okay. Don’t cry. Iâm not afraid of him. I only want to take you away from here, even if it costs me my life.”
Listening to such a soul-stirring confession, Yu Beikuo laughed until tears came to his eyes. “Damn! Why is this so funny? Even rats are acting in tragedies these days?”
Yu Xiuqing, however, showed not a hint of a smile. His disdain was undisguised. His attention remained fixed on Shen Yuanâs tear-stained face, his heart itching with unbearable restlessness.
If the other showed even a trace of hesitation or was moved, he wouldâdisregarding the hundred pairs of eyes behind himâviolently assault Shen Yuan on the spot, ensuring the little thing could never stand up again!
But to his surprise, Shen Yuan was not persuaded by Zhou Xuyanâs words. Instead, he struggled incessantly, pleading:
“Guitar Gege, I… Iâm begging you… I don’t want to leave with you anymore. Put me down…”
Fearing he would fall, Zhou Xuyan had no choice but to cautiously set him down. He watched with pained eyes as the boy walked toward Yu Xiuqing.
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