Chapter 86: Zhou Yuejun, Don’t Dislike Me
Yu Deng hated He Yuan to death.
Not only because he choked, but also because of the things He Yuan said.
His face and neck were flushed red from choking, yet he kept his head slightly lowered, his gaze glancing upward as he stared resentfully at He Yuan.
Beneath his cute exterior, there was an eerie vibe.
He Yuan always stepped on Yu Deng’s landmines, even telling Zhou Yuejun to take a wife.
If Zhou Yuejun took a wife, how would he pay for his schooling? How would he complete his mission?
The little villain felt that the reason he was so angry was definitely because he was career-driven.
Toward He Yuan, who was hindering his career, he really wanted to whisper pillow talk to Zhou Yuejun, making Zhou Yuejun—
“Alright, say a few words less. Don’t keep hanging ‘wife, wife’ on your lips all day. Just eat.”
Before Yu Deng could even start his pillow talk, He Yuan received criticism from Zhou Yuejun.
He won without a fight, then pouted and glanced at He Yuan with the smugness of a petty villain achieving success. With that arrogant look of his, his bottom was practically pointing up at the sky.
Zhou Yuejun’s heart was on Yu Deng, and naturally, his eyes were too.
When the topic of him getting married was brought up, Yu Deng’s reaction was so massive that the previous gloomy knot in Zhou Yuejun’s heart was instantly swept away.
He was willing to coax Yu Deng.
Turning his head, he didn’t forget to change the subject with He Yuan.
“Once we save enough money, we’ll rent a storefront. Although we have to get permits and pay rent, it will be much more stable.”
But Zhou Yuejun was still leaning toward buying a shop.
Currently, there were commercial properties for sale on the market, but housing prices were rising fast. Buying early might be advantageous.
He Yuan had only drank two bottles of beer and wasn’t drunk. Not only was he energetic, but his eyes were also clear.
“Jun-ge, I’m heading out then. Once you ask around, we’ll go look at trucks.”
He waved to leave. Zhou Yuejun stealthily squeezed Yu Deng’s fingers and followed him out.
“I’ll see him off. Leave the cleaning until I get back.”
Yu Deng had eaten and drank his fill. He looked at the table full of things—bowls, chopsticks, peanut shells, beer bottles, greasy plates, food scraps, and the like. Pausing for a moment, he started to get to work.
If he didn’t do anything at all, would Zhou Yuejun feel tired?
When Zhou Yuejun returned, he heard a sudden crashing sound.
Frightened, he immediately sprinted to the kitchen.
Inside the kitchen, Yu Deng stood in front of the stove, stunned with fright. Catching a glimpse of Zhou Yuejun’s tall, dark shadow from the corner of his eye, he felt awkward and embarrassed. His body stiffened, and he helplessly picked at his fingers.
“I… I stacked the bowls too high. My hand bumped them, and they tumbled down. Several of them broke.”
Seeing that there were no glass shards on the floor and that the bowls had all fallen into the sink, Zhou Yuejun instantly let out a sigh of relief.
He hooked an arm around Yu Deng’s waist, leading the boy out, and noticed oil spots on Yu Deng’s clothes.
“It’s fine. As long as you’re okay, it’s fine. I’ll handle it.”
It was a gentleness that completely contrasted with his rugged appearance.
He had clearly made a mistake, yet Zhou Yuejun not only didn’t pull a long face, he even held a smile.
“Did it scare you?”
“Didn’t I tell you not to mess with these? Your clothes have oil on them now, and you’ve only worn this outfit twice.”
Yu Deng hadn’t been scolded, but looking at the shattered bowls and plates in the sink, he still felt guilty.
“I… I wanted to help you. I didn’t mean to mess it up.”
With Zhou Yuejun around, he hadn’t done any chores in a long time. Usually, he just picked some small cabbages, clipped some garlic chives, or loosened the soil a bit.
It was like playing house.
Zhou Yuejun wiped Yu Deng’s face comfortingly. “I know. I know Dengdeng had good intentions. You don’t need to do these things.”
Why the sudden urge to do chores?
Could it be that he took He Yuan’s words to heart?
Seeing Zhou Yuejun clean up his mess and pick the broken porcelain pieces out of the sink, Yu Deng’s heart was in his throat.
“Be careful, don’t cut your hand.”
Zhou Yuejun actually wanted to cut himself, just so Yu Deng would feel heartache for him.
If his hand was cut, he’d have an excuse to make Yu Deng help him.
Yu Deng wouldn’t refuse him.
But the pots, bowls, and ladles hadn’t been washed yet, and sitting in a pile, they smelled bad.
Forget it.
Yu Deng stood right beside Zhou Yuejun, watching him wash the dishes and wipe the stove, organizing everything methodically.
It was only after Zhou Yuejun finished that Yu Deng finally spoke up uneasily, “Don’t dislike me. Actually, I can do a good job. I can wash dishes, mop the floor, and cook rice.”
He wasn’t that stupid.
His careful attempts to please, his miserable expression, and his pitiful tone completely pierced Zhou Yuejun’s heart.
Zhou Yuejun had washed his hands clean, but they were still a bit damp. He gripped the back of Yu Deng’s neck, gently rubbing the soft, delicate skin.
“I don’t dislike you, and you don’t have to do it. I don’t like you because you can do chores.”
“Alright, let’s go out and watch TV.”
Because Zhou Yuejun was too gentle, Yu Deng felt like he was drowning in it.
His mind completely blank, he stood on his tiptoes and planted a loud “mwah” right on Zhou Yuejun’s face.
Immediately, the darkness vanished in a flash.
What followed was a violent throbbing in his heart.
Yu Deng’s body heated up, the cells inside him becoming abnormally active. He shuffled in his slippers and ran toward the living room.
That kiss was truly big; inevitably, a bit of moisture had been smeared onto the man’s face.
But the man behind him stood there stunned. Not only was there not the slightest trace of disgust, he even looked foolishly infatuated—completely rewarded and displaying an expression of secret delight.
He was savoring the aftertaste.
Zhou Yuejun packed two cans of fruit, along with some dried fruit and pastries, for Yu Deng.
The weather was so hot it killed people’s appetites, so he could only pack some snacks for Yu Deng to keep on hand; otherwise, the boy would go hungry.
“Keep them in your backpack during class, but don’t eat them during lessons.”
When Ning Qian arrived, Zhou Yuejun was busy filling a thermos with iced mung bean soup for Yu Deng.
Qiao Fangyu and Ning Qian didn’t live in the same district, so Ning Qian came alone.
The thermos was filled too full; it was almost overflowing. Yu Deng pouted his lips and took a sip, his cheeks hollowing out as he sucked.
Then, he anxiously and hurriedly shouted, “Ning Qian, wait for me. I’ll be ready in a second.”
His voice was sweet, moist, and soft. Almost every word had a lingering, trailing tone that would make anyone’s heart flutter upon hearing it, naturally granting them enough patience to wait for him.
Ning Qian stood at the door without entering, merely casting a cursory glance at the various furnishings inside the apartment.
The apartment was cramped and old. The concrete walls looked dusty and gray, but the atmosphere of daily life was dense. Yu Deng’s and Zhou Yuejun’s clothes were even hanging out to dry on the balcony.
Such a place was obviously not a fit residence for a precious golden nugget. The prince should live in a magnificent, resplendent castle, drinking nectar and eating dew, being worshipped and served by others.
He hadn’t slept well the past two days, leaving dark circles under his eyes. Yet anyone could tell it wasn’t from overindulgence, but rather from an inescapable, anxious melancholy.
Yu Deng didn’t have anything in his hands; he just wore a backpack. “Alright, alright, I’ve got everything. Let’s go.”
Zhou Yuejun originally wanted to pack bananas for Yu Deng—He Yuan had bought them yesterday—but the bananas were fully ripe and wouldn’t last long, easily attracting bugs.
Ning Qian’s car was parked at the alley entrance.
He wasn’t driving the old car from last time, but a new car. It wasn’t just to deliberately provoke Zhou Yuejun.
How could a battered and broken car be worthy of Yu Deng?
Anything used by Yu Deng naturally had to be the best.
The same went for his men.
Yu Deng got into the passenger seat. Zhou Yuejun stood outside, resting his hand on the car door. He pulled out a hundred yuan and handed it to Yu Deng, giving him earnest instructions.
“Buy meal tickets and eat at the cafeteria. Don’t always eat outside.”
Some restaurants were unclean, while the cafeteria food, no matter what, was at least hygienic.
After speaking, he carelessly shot a glance at Ning Qian, carrying a hidden warning.
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