"Zhen Yichen… when will it stop?" Andre's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. The question was quiet but heavy.
"I don't know."
"…"
Andre studied the man's face. Even now, he was impossible to read.
I wonder if Mom knows… it's been going on for two years. I might have tolerated it—if I hadn't found out that thing about him last year.
"Mr. Zhen, are you sure it's just sleeping and nothing else?"
"…"
Zhen Yichen's brows drew together. This formal tone again… I hate when he speaks to me with such distance.
"Mr. Zhen, I'm asking you."
"Yes."
"…Why me?"
"…I don't know. It's just you." His expression flickered—something unreadable, something… lost.
It was the first time Andre had seen that in his eyes. That faint, mysterious shift that told him maybe Zhen Yichen really was clueless about it too.
Seriously? If that's true, then what's wrong with this man? Is he sick or something? Well… technically yes. Ruthless counts as an illness.
"Then… does Mom know?"
"…"
"No. Not yet."
"What do you mean, 'not yet'? Are you planning to tell her?"
"Is something wrong?" His tone was genuinely puzzled.
…Is this man dumb?
"…"
Andre exhaled sharply. "Do you know how she'd feel? Knowing her husband can only sleep when he's beside her son?"
"I told you—it's not what you think."
"And I don't care! Listen, Mr. Zhen. I won't let anyone break my mom. Not even you. So keep your disgusting self to yourself."
Zhen Yichen looked at the boy—so fiercely defensive of his mother—and knew there were things better left unsaid.
"…Okay."
"Then it's settled. We keep things… cool."
"…"
"And don't think I've accepted you. I'm only doing this because I love my mom and want her happy. Unfortunately… she's with you."
Zhen Yichen didn't argue.
Silence fell again, broken only by the soft taps of Andre's fingers on his phone.
"Ani—"
"What?" Andre's reply was sharp, impatient. "Don't call me that."
Ignoring him, Zhen Yichen asked, "Can I hug you? I'm so tired."
Andre blinked. "What?! Zhen Yichen wants a hug?"
Zhen Yichen's gaze was steady, almost hungry. He looked like a man desperate to close his eyes for even a few seconds.
To be honest, he looks worse than usual—ghostly pale, with deep dark circles under his eyes. He's clearly exhausted. But so am I. I have dark circles too, and it's because of him.
"No." The refusal was sharp, unapologetic.
"…"
He kept staring, unfazed.
Seconds passed.
"I—" Andre started to speak, but stumbled when something sudden and heavy hit him.
It was warm. Solid.
He hugged me. He actually hugged me!
Wow… Zhen Yichen, shameless as ever, just hugged me anyway.
I just sat there, letting his arm wrap around me. He held me so tightly, as if desperately clinging to something—something I couldn't quite understand.
A few minutes passed—two? Three?—but it felt longer.
I couldn't figure out why this man would want to hug another male. What was so special? Not going to lie, though—despite how cold and untouchable Zhen Yichen usually seemed, his body was warm. Too warm. It was… unsettling. Repulsive, I told myself. And yet, I couldn't ignore how uncomfortable it made me to be in the embrace of the most powerful man in the state.
"Mr. Zhen," I called softly after a while, hinting for him to let go.
…No reply.
I frowned. Alright, this is getting annoying.
"Mr. Zhen," I tried again.
Still nothing.
"Mr. Zhen!" This time I shoved at him, impatience in my voice.
He loosened his hold easily, slipping down in his chair—and that's when I noticed.
Zhen Yichen… was sleeping?!