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Chapter 21 - Chapter 16: Not That Naive

The words Hu Xiaoyu had shared with Ah Jiu soon reached Yu Tan's ears, carried verbatim.

Ah Jiu didn't consider himself a kind man, but he owed the boy. Hu Xiaoyu's sincerity toward the boss, coupled with the fact that his old wrist injury no longer ached on rainy days—thanks, he suspected, to Xiaoyu—was reason enough. He wouldn't dare question Yu Tan's decisions, but dropping the occasional kind word felt permissible.

Yu Tan brushed off Xiaoyu's naive declaration about "only sleeping with him," barely sparing it a thought. No one dictated his choices.

Still, that other line—"As long as Yu Tan's happy, it's fine"—pleased him.

After a quiet moment, his expression softened, ever so slightly. Though his face remained unreadable, the oppressive chill that usually made others' scalps prickle had lifted. Ah Jiu knew then that his words had struck true.

Standing by the window, Yu Tan's profile looked like jade carved in shadow, cold and distant, yet not as ghostly pale as before. A change had begun—ever since Hu Xiaoyu had walked into their lives.

But then Yu Tan turned, dark eyes cutting like blades. "You've been talking a lot lately."

Ah Jiu stiffened under the weight of that gaze.

Yu Tan studied him, tall and sharp-featured. "Did he give you something? Or… do you like him?"

The words were spoken casually, yet laced with bone-deep menace.

A sheen of cold sweat broke across Ah Jiu's back. "No… It's my wrist. It healed. I think it's because of Xiaoyu."

Yu Tan knew of the injury. If not for his intervention years ago, Ah Jiu would've bled out in the underground fighting ring. Since then, the wound has been examined by the best doctors money could buy. All had agreed: it could only be managed, never cured.

So this sudden recovery felt suspicious.

Yet Yu Tan had noticed changes in himself, too. His body—long plagued by weakness—was subtly shifting, like a house under repair. And it had only been a little over a month.

Sometimes, staring in the mirror at a complexion less ghostly than before, unease stirred in his chest. If he weren't such a skeptic, he might have believed Hu Xiaoyu was some kind of spirit—ginseng, perhaps—healing whomever he touched.

He said nothing. Neither did Ah Jiu.

At last, Yu Tan's tone softened. "Where is he?"

Of course, "he" meant Hu Xiaoyu.

The change of tone signaled the danger had passed. Ah Jiu exhaled quietly. "Downstairs, asleep on the sofa."

Yu Tan's men were more than subordinates—they were brothers-in-arms, bound by blood and trust. Encouraged by the softened air, Ah Jiu ventured, "Boss, about this morning… finding someone—"

Yu Tan's expression flickered, then curved into a rare smile. "Guarding the living room like that… already so possessive. Fine. Forget it."

The first part was about Xiaoyu. The second, clearly, about Ah Jiu.

Hu Xiaoyu was dreaming.

In his dream, Yu Tan held him beneath an osmanthus tree, teasing his ears until they tickled—sweet and annoying all at once.

Half-asleep, he pawed weakly at the hand playing with him, muttering, "Sleepy… Yu Tan…"

Following Yu Tan downstairs, Ah Jiu stopped short. This was no place for him. Yet before leaving, he glanced back—and froze.

The cold, ruthless man everyone feared was crouched beside the sofa, gently toying with Hu Xiaoyu's ears, brushing his cheek with the tenderness of a man doting on a beloved pet.

Eventually, Xiaoyu stirred awake—only to find Yu Tan's striking face so close.

For a heartbeat, disappointment flickered. No robes, no breeze, no osmanthus blossoms. Just a dream. But the warmth lingered.

Yu Tan caught that look. His smile dimmed. "Who were you dreaming about?"

He had heard his name whispered, yet still it felt like a knife—as if, even in dreams, the boy wasn't truly his.

Xiaoyu didn't answer. Instead, he tugged Yu Tan down, curled against him, and pressed his face to the man's chest—just like in the dream.

Yu Tan let him. After a while, he rested a hand over the boy's shoulder. "Where'd you learn to be this clingy?" he murmured, then chuckled, startled by his own ease.

Xiaoyu's ears twitched. He looked up, fox-like eyes smiling. "What?"

"You're good-looking when you smile," Yu Tan said.

A moment later, he pulled Xiaoyu into his lap, gripping that narrow waist. Their kiss was slow, deep, consuming.

Xiaoyu melted, breath ragged, eyes misted. Wrapping his arms around Yu Tan's neck, he whispered against his lips, "Want to do it again? It felt nice…"

Yu Tan pressed him back down. "Dream on. Maybe next time."

He wanted more—so much more. But until the boy gave in, he would hold his fire.

After a long moment, Yu Tan asked, "Want to go out?"

Face still buried against him, Xiaoyu mumbled, "Didn't you say you were gonna…"

"Changed my mind. No interest today."

Why chase elsewhere when the rarest delicacy was already in his arms?

"Happy now?" he asked.

"Mm." Xiaoyu craned his neck and kissed his chin—not seductive, just instinctive, the way he'd licked hands when still a fox.

Yu Tan pinched the nape of his neck, smiling faintly. The little fool wasn't so foolish after all—he'd seen a rival appear, and immediately clung tighter. Clever.

When Yu Tan promised to take him out, he meant it. He'd noticed Xiaoyu liked watching others' joy from the sidelines, like a curious little animal.

As it happened, Shi Jingyang was hosting a party. Yu Tan decided they would attend.

Shi Jingyang nearly burst with delight when Yu Tan called. A man of ten thousand invitations, Yu Tan rarely showed up even once.

But when he arrived, hand in hand with Hu Xiaoyu, Shi Jingyang's grin faltered.

The private room held thirty people—half celebrities, half parasites. Conversation stilled as Shi Jingyang rose to greet him.

Those who didn't know Yu Tan stared, awed by his icy aura. And when Shi Jingyang called him "brother" with deference, they realized this was someone beyond their reach.

Then eyes turned to Hu Xiaoyu, still holding Yu Tan's hand. Surprise flickered, envy followed.

Yu Tan, who avoided sitting close to anyone, now had Xiaoyu beside him, even serving him a drink. Rumors were one thing—this was fact.

Xiaoyu, oblivious, fussed with his fruit soda. "Straw," he said. Yu Tan fetched one without hesitation.

Shi Jingyang gawked. Since when did Yu Tan serve anyone? What spell was this?

And then he remembered—Xiaoyu was a man. Things were getting strange.

Meanwhile, Xiaoyu eyed the boy glued to Shi Jingyang's side. Not Jin Bao—he was filming up north. Another one, then. The drink in his hand suddenly tasted flat. But fate was fate; meddling never ended well.

Shi Jingyang partied long into the night. Yu Tan and Xiaoyu, more disciplined, left early.

The corridor was quiet as they walked hand in hand.

"Why the long face?" Yu Tan asked.

Sharp as ever, he saw through him. Xiaoyu, pouty, complained about Shi Jingyang and Jin Bao.

Yu Tan was unmoved. "From what I've heard, Jingyang's just keeping him around. No promises."

"He'll regret it," Xiaoyu muttered, striding ahead—almost colliding with someone around the corner.

Yu Tan yanked him back, face darkening.

Liu Luanzhou.

The memory of that phone call replayed—Xiaoyu's soft voice, his promise. Fury churned in Yu Tan's chest.

Luanzhou froze too, eyes darting to their clasped hands.

The rivalry between the two men was deep, bitter. With Xiaoyu in the middle, sparks flew hotter.

Luanzhou greeted Yu Tan, then looked at Xiaoyu. "What a coincidence. You haven't forgotten your promise, have you?"

"I remember, Brother Luan," Xiaoyu replied softly.

The rich kids behind Luanzhou exchanged uneasy glances. Once, they'd bullied him mercilessly. If not, maybe he'd still be at Luanzhou's side instead of standing proudly with Yu Tan.

But regret meant nothing now. None dared speak in Yu Tan's presence.

As the two groups passed, Xiaoyu reached for Yu Tan's hand. Yu Tan pulled away.

"Hot?" Xiaoyu asked timidly. The AC was cold enough to bite.

"Nothing to say?" Yu Tan's tone was flat, but fury coiled beneath.

He had been waiting for a confession. Even if Xiaoyu didn't, Yu Tan had intended to let him sneak off—so he could crush him afterward.

But now, Luanzhou had dared provoke him face to face.

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