Chapter 79
Early in the morning, Yu Chen was woken by the persistent soreness in his lower back. His sleepy eyes struggled for a long while before he finally forced them open, revealing eyelids swollen from crying.
In front of him, a blurry figure was bending over, applying medicine for him.
The touch at that private spot felt cool and icy.
Yu Chen’s delicate brows drew together slightly. When he spoke, his voice was hoarse, like an injured kitten, full of soft, aggrieved complaints.
The tall figure paused, then lowered his gaze toward him. “You’re awake?”
Yu Chen lifted a hand and shoved He Zhen hard, though to He Zhen it felt no stronger than a kitten fooling around.
Knowing he had caused trouble, He Zhen admitted his fault before Yu Chen could even speak. He pressed his cheek into Yu Chen’s palm, his voice gentle as water. “Sorry. You were just too irresistible last night, Chenchen.”
Yu Chen’s face instantly reddened. He buried the side of his face into the pillow, one hand curling into a fist, as if every cell in his body was fiercely expressing its displeasure.
He Zhen adjusted his position and pulled Yu Chen into his arms. “Does it hurt? I applied medicine for you twice during the night. I just checked again. It’s not broken, and it’s not red.”
A flush immediately spread across Yu Chen’s face. He struggled to get away from He Zhen, but no matter how much he squirmed, he could not move even half an inch.
He was upset, his eyes lowered, sullen and silent.
“How about I skip work today and stay with you all day?” He Zhen tucked the blanket around him and leaned over to look at him.
Yu Chen turned his head away, the blush already reaching the tips of his ears.
Below his ears were scattered marks.
Yu Chen’s skin had always been pale and delicate. Those red traces stood out in a shocking way against it, making it impossible not to imagine just how wild last night had been.
He Zhen admitted that dragging Yu Chen along without rest yesterday had partly been because of Xiao Yu’s teasing remark about kidney weakness, and partly because he had been jealous of Li Ye.
But even more than that, it was because once he had tasted such a delicacy, he could no longer stop himself.
He was like a lion that had gotten a taste of meat—once started, impossible to rein in.
The medicine he was applying to Yu Chen had been specially developed and custom-made at his request by the hospital. He had only just received it yesterday. According to the doctor, applying this miracle ointment every night would greatly reduce tissue damage caused by that kind of activity.
“Baby, what do you want to eat? Porridge or milk?”
He Zhen buried his face in the crook of Yu Chen’s neck and coaxed him softly, “I had your favorite auntie from home come over. Let her cook for you these next two days, okay?”
Yu Chen’s ears turned red at once, and he immediately began struggling.
How could he possibly let an outsider see him looking like this?
He Zhen helped him sit up and lowered his head to ask, “What’s wrong?”
Yu Chen spat out two words in shame and anger. “No way.”
Only then did he finally get a clear look at the marks on his body.
Or rather, they could be called suggestive traces.
He Zhen had been an absolute beast last night. He had not even spared Yu Chen’s calves.
Of course, that might also have been because Yu Chen’s legs had been draped near He Zhen’s ears, so close to him.
He felt like a battered little boat, played with by He Zhen until it was riddled with holes.
“Fine. Once the meal is done, I’ll have her leave.”
At a time like this, there was no way He Zhen could argue with him.
Not letting the auntie stay was one thing. Even if Yu Chen said He Zhen himself was not allowed to stay, He Zhen would still have to obediently leave.
Of course, in his heart, He Zhen prayed Yu Chen would not make that decision. Yu Chen needed someone to take care of him right now.
It was already noon.
He Zhen opened the heavy curtains, leaving only a layer of white gauze, then began helping Yu Chen get dressed and washed up.
The bedroom suddenly brightened, the sunlight falling over Yu Chen’s smooth neck.
The moment He Zhen’s gaze landed on it, it wavered slightly.
At this rate, Yu Chen would probably have to wear a high collar.
He Zhen skillfully helped him put on his socks. When it came to the shirt, he carefully observed Yu Chen. Seeing that Yu Chen did not resist the way he had last time, He Zhen helped him out of the robe and changed him into a linen-colored short-sleeved cotton shirt.
Then he carried Yu Chen into the bathroom.
Yu Chen stood there without moving, waiting for He Zhen to squeeze toothpaste onto the brush for him.
Under the bright bathroom light, Yu Chen finally realized just how red his lips were.
They were even a little swollen.
He lowered his head, his eyes full of both anger and embarrassment.
He still had to go to the lab. How was he supposed to face anyone like this?
He Zhen, completely oblivious to Yu Chen’s humiliated glare, methodically helped him wash his face. When it was time to brush his teeth, he leaned half against Yu Chen’s back, his left hand gently kneading Yu Chen’s slim waist, his eyes carrying an unmistakable intimacy. “Want me to brush them for you?”
“I’ll do it myself.” Yu Chen gripped the toothbrush, keenly aware of the way He Zhen kept narrowing the distance between him and the sink, as well as the warm presence radiating from He Zhen’s body.
He Zhen freed both hands and wrapped Yu Chen fully in his arms, his thin lips brushing lightly by Yu Chen’s ear. “Does it hurt? If it does, I’ll have the doctor come take a look.”
He Zhen could not remember the exact number of times last night.
But it had definitely exceeded the number Yu Chen had told Xiao Yu.
The moment Yu Chen heard the word “doctor,” he shook his head like a rattle drum. Taking advantage of He Zhen’s distraction, he secretly edged forward to widen the distance between them.
He Zhen was pressed too close to him, and it made him think of last night all over again…
No matter how Yu Chen pushed at him, they remained tightly pressed together, impossible to separate.
Still, it did not really hurt that much.
His waist was just a little sore. More than anything, he felt humiliated!
“It really doesn’t hurt?” He Zhen tilted his head and looked at him quietly.
“Mhm. Not at all,” Yu Chen replied vaguely.
The moment the words left his mouth, He Zhen’s hand slipped quietly under the hem of Yu Chen’s shirt and came to rest at the edge of his shorts, clearly intending to go further.
Yu Chen’s whole body tensed. He hurriedly dodged away. “He Zhen!”
He Zhen laughed softly and leaned closer, his warm breath brushing Yu Chen’s brow. “Didn’t you say it didn’t hurt?”
“That still doesn’t mean you can!” Yu Chen hastily spat the water from the rinsing cup, his voice edged with annoyance. “I’m going abstinent for a month.”
As Yu Chen moved, He Zhen’s arm bent down with him and effortlessly lifted him into his arms.
Yu Chen panicked, his face growing hot and red. “Hey! I don’t want any more! I want to eat!”
He Zhen raised a brow slightly, his deep voice tinged with amusement. “Baby, did you misunderstand? I’m just carrying you to the dining room.”
Seeing that He Zhen was not tricking him, Yu Chen quieted down. He had just sat in the chair and gotten ready to dig into his meal when He Zhen immediately added, “We’ll continue after we’ve eaten.”
Holding his milk, Yu Chen’s expression turned complicated.
He decided then and there—he was going to run away.
During the meal, He Zhen took even more meticulous care of him than usual, practically wanting to tear the bread into tiny pieces and feed it to him.
Maybe Yu Chen was overthinking it, but he kept feeling like there was something meaningful in the way He Zhen looked at him.
He felt just like a little piglet waiting to be slaughtered—fed full before being sent off.
After the meal, He Zhen carried him to the living room to bask in the sun, staying glued to him every step of the way. But those broad, warm hands were far from well-behaved, lightly roaming over Yu Chen’s body, occasionally rubbing at his sensitive spots. His lips pecked at Yu Chen’s ear, leaving Yu Chen flushed red and with nowhere to hide.
After just one night, He Zhen’s whole demeanor had changed.
He looked very much like a debauched emperor.
And Yu Chen was the poor empress, forced to submit under imperial oppression.
Spinning this little drama in his head, Yu Chen said to He Zhen, “Boss, I want a freshly baked raspberry pie from Pie Bird.”
He Zhen picked up his phone. “Okay. I’ll order it now.”
“They don’t do delivery.” Lying against He Zhen’s chest, Yu Chen’s dark eyes shifted lightly. “Go drive and buy it for me.”
He Zhen lifted a hand and felt Yu Chen’s forehead. “Will you be okay at home by yourself? I can have my assistant go.”
“I’m fine.” Yu Chen pleaded, “I want it right now. Go buy it quickly.”
“Okay.” He Zhen carried him back to the room, then kissed his forehead before leaving. “Wait for me. I’ll be right back.”
Yu Chen nodded guiltily. The moment He Zhen left, he frantically packed his things and called a taxi back to his own little place.
He wanted to rest for a few days.
If he stayed with He Zhen any longer, his backside probably would not survive.
When He Zhen returned and saw the empty room, he frowned. He called Yu Chen, his gaze falling on the walk-in closet where the suitcases were kept.
Sure enough, Yu Chen’s suitcase was gone.
Holding the dessert in one hand, He Zhen sighed and waited for Yu Chen to answer.
A few seconds later, Yu Chen’s hoarse voice came through. “Hello?”
Pretending not to notice what Yu Chen was up to, He Zhen asked, “Baby, where did you go?”
Yu Chen cleared his throat. “I want to be abstinent for a few days. Don’t miss me too much.”
He Zhen smiled helplessly. “If you go back by yourself, who’s going to take care of you?”
Yu Chen huffed lightly. “None of your business. Reflect on your evil deeds from last night first.”
Still patient, He Zhen replied, “Then how about I come reflect beside you?”
“No! Way!” Yu Chen hung up and looked at the housekeeper currently cleaning his home, finally letting out a full breath of relief.
Wrapped in a scarf, he looked completely out of place against the summer streets.
And the culprit behind all of this was He Zhen!
About an hour later, someone knocked on the living room door.
There was no need to guess—Yu Chen already knew who it was.
Keeping a stern face, he stood behind the door and peeked through the peephole. “Boss, what do you want?”
He Zhen lifted the dessert in his hand. “You said you wanted this. I brought it for you.”
Yu Chen cracked the door open just a sliver, snatched the bag away at lightning speed, and hurriedly locked it again.
He Zhen raised a brow and laughed softly. “Chubby baby, are you really going to be this heartless?”
Yu Chen sneaked a glance at the cleaning lady and accused him indignantly, “If you had a boyfriend who was always thinking about your butt, you’d be just like me.”
He Zhen pretended to sound wistful. “Lock your door tonight. Call me if anything happens.”
Yu Chen gave a light snort. “Okay.”
After He Zhen left, Yu Chen ate the raspberry pie in small bites. The house had been thoroughly cleaned, and just looking at it made him feel comfortable. The weather was beautiful that day. Wrapped in a blanket, he leaned lazily against the sofa and gradually fell asleep without realizing it.
By the time he woke up, it was already evening.
Yu Chen opened his eyes groggily. His phone was full of thoughtful messages from He Zhen.
He picked out two to reply to, finished the dinner He Zhen had eagerly brought over, chased He Zhen away again, then went back to sleep.
By the time He Zhen finished delivering dinner, it was already eight o’clock.
He sat alone downstairs from Yu Chen’s building, replying to company documents while occasionally looking up at Yu Chen’s window.
Yu Chen had looked adorable just now when taking the food—like a little mouse on guard against him, those sneaky little glances of his incredibly amusing.
He Zhen smiled to himself, feeling a little regretful about losing control last night.
Yu Chen was probably genuinely scared.
Next time, he would have to restrain himself more.
In a corner easy to overlook, two private detectives sat inside a car with cameras in hand.
They took pictures of the scene in front of them and continued watching He Zhen.
Two more days passed. The marks on Yu Chen’s neck had mostly faded, and he went to work at the lab wearing a high-collared shirt.
Seeing him dressed so tightly, the group leader thought he was sick and ordered plenty of light, nourishing food for lunch.
Yu Chen’s waist still ached a little, and even the way he walked was cautious. Combined with the fact that he had lost two or three pounds recently, everyone assumed he was not feeling well.
There was a senior in the lab group who was one year ahead of Yu Chen in graduate school. He took especially good care of this cute junior. Seeing that Yu Chen seemed low on energy, he took over a lot of his tasks and kept reminding him to rest.
After work, Yu Chen planned to walk home.
The lab was not far from his little place, and the walk would let him get some fresh air.
As soon as he entered the residential complex, a familiar figure appeared in front of him. He Zhen was standing there holding dinner, clearly having waited a long time.
Yu Chen secretly smiled, but his face remained cold and aloof. “President He, what brings you here?”
He Zhen walked over to him. “To invite my runaway little wife back home.”
The smell of food had already drifted into Yu Chen’s nose.
Still pretending to be aloof, he crossed his arms. “Living alone is quite nice. I, your emperor, have no wish to return for now.”
Playing along, He Zhen said, “The nights are long. Without Your Majesty’s company, this humble consort is unbearably lonely.”
Yu Chen kept a straight face. “Consort Zhen, when you make a mistake, you must shut yourself away and reflect. Since when has a concubine in the cold palace ever received the emperor’s favor?”
Seeing him getting more and more into character, He Zhen smiled and cooperated. “This humble consort thought I was the exception. After all, we’ve known each other since youth. Our bond is different.”
Yu Chen snatched the dinner away and jogged off with a wave of his hand. “I am unwell and unfit to enter the harem for now. Consort Zhen, endure it a little longer!”
Watching Yu Chen scamper off, He Zhen smiled and raised a brow, already thinking of a way to put an end to this situation.
It had already been three days. He missed Emperor Yu very much.
Another two days passed, and Yu Chen was lively and energetic again. While doing experiments, he began wondering whether he should pack up and return to He Zhen’s place tonight.
But then he thought it over again. He had to save face.
What kind of look would it be if he dragged his suitcase back there on his own?
He Zhen had to come pick him up.
Besides, He Zhen had been delivering all three meals without fail lately. There had been plenty of chances to hint that he was willing to go back home.
Actually, it was not as though he was making trouble for no reason.
He Zhen had done him nine times that night!
He had honestly suspected he might die from exhaustion!
In his daze, he had practically seen his great-grandmother waving at him!
With his backpack on, Yu Chen cheerfully packed up his things to go home.
Halfway there, a black Maybach business car suddenly stopped in front of him.
Two men in black suits and sunglasses stepped out and bowed to him. “Mr. Yu, we are assistants to General Manager Chen of Hefeng’s Suzhou branch. We’d like to invite you to Ge Wai Shan Shui for a small gathering. There is an important matter to discuss.”
Suspicious, Yu Chen looked inside the car.
Manager Chen waved at him in a friendly manner. “Mr. Yu.”
Yu Chen quietly logged onto Hefeng’s official website. Only after seeing Chen Rui’s ID photo did he finally relax his guard. This did not look like a kidnapping. It was probably something serious.
“I don’t want to go to Ge Wai Shan Shui. If you want to talk to me, let’s go to the café across the street instead.”
Chen Rui hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
Once inside a private room at the café, Chen Rui was very polite. He asked after Yu Chen’s recent situation before getting to the point.
“Mr. Yu, you grew up in the servants’ family housing of the He family. You must have suffered more discrimination and cold looks than most children your age, right?”
Seeing Chen Rui staring intently at him, Yu Chen could not conveniently turn on a recording function. His taut nerves shifted as he quickly assessed the situation.
In dramas, when someone opens with lines like that, it usually means the villain is trying to recruit the good guy.
Was this Chen Rui trying to coax him into doing something bad?
Keeping a calm expression, he nodded. “Mm. Living under someone else’s roof—you should understand.”
Chen Rui signaled to the bodyguard with a glance, his tone still mild. “I heard Chairman He acknowledged you as his god-grandson. You finally have someone to rely on now. Chairman He and Young President He must treat you very well.”
Holding his coffee, Yu Chen felt conflicted inside.
What exactly was this man after?
He had an idea and decided to gamble on it.
“That’s all just surface glamour.”
Sipping his coffee, Yu Chen lowered his eyes slightly, making them look faintly sorrowful.
He stopped there deliberately, waiting to see how the other man would continue.
Chen Rui studied Yu Chen’s expression and tested him further. “How could it just be surface glamour? Privately, they should treat you very well too, shouldn’t they?”
“Heh.” Yu Chen let out a cold laugh and said nothing more.
This time Chen Rui fell into thought, analyzing Yu Chen’s attitude toward He Zhen.
He was only here as Chairman Lin’s puppet.
If he managed to probe Yu Chen’s true attitude, Chairman Lin would appear next. But if Yu Chen could not be bought so easily, Chen Rui would become the scapegoat—kicked out of the company the moment He Zhen found out.
According to Chairman Lin’s intelligence, Yu Chen treated He Zhen poorly, while He Zhen had been eagerly pursuing Yu Chen—showing up at his door three times a day, only to be rejected each time and leave shortly afterward.
“If you have any difficulties, you can talk to me.”
“Why do you want to help me?” Yu Chen stared at Chen Rui. “I don’t think I know you.”
Chen Rui hesitated, then said, “To be honest, last month our branch didn’t meet Young President He’s standards in the annual assessment. Thousands of employees are facing having their year-end bonuses cut in half. I want to ask you to say a few good words for me in front of Young President He—or help me sound out his attitude toward our branch. I’ll pay you as much as I possibly can for your help.”
As he spoke, Chen Rui pushed a check for twenty million toward Yu Chen.
Yu Chen found it strange. If all Chen Rui wanted was for him to say a few good words, why start by bringing up how he had lived under others’ roof as a child? Shouldn’t he have been praising how much He Zhen valued him and trying to flatter him instead?
Yu Chen raised his eyes, his gaze filled with disgust. “I’m afraid I can’t help you. Right now, I don’t even want to look at him!”
Chen Rui lifted a brow. “Did you and Young President He have a fight?”
Yu Chen continued acting. “People outside don’t know my suffering. I hate him to death!”
Chen Rui had not expected Yu Chen’s attitude to be so easy to probe and quickly followed up, “I know he’s wronged you, but if you just leave him like this, wouldn’t that be unfair to yourself? In the end, you’ll get nothing.”
Staring at the check, Yu Chen gently picked it up. “Twenty million is a lot, but it’s not enough to make me curry favor with him. Just seeing his face makes me sick.”
Chen Rui seized the chance to reveal his position. “We are both victims. If you’re willing to cooperate with me, I can guarantee you a life of ease in your next lifetime.”
Yu Chen shook his head. “I may be short on money, but more than a life of ease, I want to make him pay.”
Chen Rui’s eyes lit with delight. “Good. Wait here!”
After Chen Rui left, a layer of cold sweat broke out across Yu Chen’s back.
What exactly was this man trying to do?
The more he cursed He Zhen, the more excited the other man seemed.
To prevent any accidents, Yu Chen sent his location to Li Huan. If he sent it to He Zhen, this whole act would become impossible to finish.
About an hour later, an elderly man in a suit entered the private room.
Yu Chen froze and slowly rose to his feet.
It was actually Chairman Lin.
The moment Chairman Lin saw Yu Chen, he smiled kindly. “Long time no see.”
By now, Yu Chen had already guessed these people’s purpose, but he still pretended to remain calm. “Hello.”
Chairman Lin already knew Yu Chen’s attitude, but was still not fully reassured, so he asked with curiosity, “Xiao Yu, I’ve seen that Young President He usually treats you very well. Why do you hate him so much?”
Yu Chen’s expression turned cold. “What does that have to do with you? That’s between us.”
Chairman Lin raised a hand lightly, and the bodyguards behind him immediately placed ten boxes of U.S. dollars in front of Yu Chen. “As long as you tell the truth, all of this is yours.”
Yu Chen looked over the money and stared blankly for a moment.
Was he really worth this much?
Afraid Chairman Lin was trying to fool him, he poked at the stacks of cash with his finger and flipped through them lightly. Even the bills hidden in the middle were real U.S. dollars, not blank paper stuffed inside like in television dramas.
Yu Chen’s every move fell under Chairman Lin’s close observation.
And this was exactly what Chairman Lin liked to see.
“I’ve never seen so much money before.”
Chairman Lin smiled. “That’s fifty million. If you help me, I’ll pay you five times that amount.”
Yu Chen looked shocked. “What do you want me to do?”
Chairman Lin said, “You still haven’t answered my question.”
Yu Chen paused, thinking that this was an enormous deal.
These people were willing to spend so much—they were trying to ruin He Zhen.
But he had one question. Why come to him?
Was it simply because he was someone close to He Zhen, so if he betrayed him, He Zhen would never suspect a thing?
“Can I ask you one question first?” Yu Chen met Chairman Lin’s gaze. “Why did you come to me?”
Chairman Lin smiled. “I heard from a friend that Young President He has used his power to make you suffer greatly.”
Yu Chen frowned slightly.
Why did those words sound so familiar?
“Why do you hate him?”
Yu Chen worked up his emotions, then poured out his grievance. “From the age of four, I was his servant. When he was in a good mood, he’d reward me with half a piece of cake. When he was in a bad mood, he used me as a pony to ride. If he couldn’t finish his homework, I had to help him do it. I put on his socks and shoes for him, always kneeling. Sometimes I had to endure his morning temper and be punched and kicked by him. If he wouldn’t sleep, then neither could I. Whenever he made a mistake, the blame was pushed onto me. If he got tired, I had to squat down so he could use me as a stool. If he wanted to watch fireworks, he’d sit on my shoulders. Sometimes when he threw a tantrum and refused to eat, I wasn’t allowed to eat either. If his medicine was too bitter, he had to force a mouthful on me so I could suffer the bitterness with him. I suffered humiliation all through my childhood. After growing up, I finally gained some freedom and fell for a sweet, innocent girl. I was ready to start a relationship, but he actually…”
Yu Chen sniffled, unable to continue easily. “He forced himself on me and made me become his secret lover. I can only leave after he gets tired of me.”
Chairman Lin’s expression turned complicated. “That really is quite excessive.”
Yu Chen wiped his tears. “Mm. You also think the way he monopolizes me is too much.”
Chairman Lin shook his head. “The things he did to you when you were young were too much too.”
Yu Chen’s face stiffened, and he lowered his eyes guiltily.
Were the things from childhood really that excessive?
