BTMDY Chapter 110

Lin Wangye didn’t take that kind of talk to heart. He let out a loud “I’m done with this!” and hung up the phone, snorting as he tossed it onto the table.

 

“Take care of your throat,” Shi Yuan reminded him.

 

“Oh, yeah, I know,” Lin Wangye quickly nodded, obediently, stuffing the half-eaten soup dumpling in his hand into his mouth before finishing it. He added, “He’s just joking. If it was something serious, he’d call me. No need to care about it.”

 

“Alright,” Shi Yuan said gently. “Let’s not go out today. Rest a bit, get your strength back.”

 

With how sore his waist and legs felt, Lin Wangye couldn’t even walk a few steps, let alone go out for fun—it would be exhausting.

 

He understood the meaning behind Shi Yuan’s words and felt his face heat up. He sipped his seaweed and egg soup quietly and nodded, keeping it to himself.

 

Shi Yuan found it amusing how this guy could blurt anything without shame yet still get all flustered over the tiniest things. A faint smile lingered at the corners of his eyes the whole time.

 

Sitting next to Lin Wangye while he ate, Shi Yuan casually asked,

 

“So, what’s the plan next?”

 

Blinking, Lin Wangye thought for a moment. “Grandpa and Grandma don’t know you’re coming back yet, right?”

 

“Mm.” Shi Yuan nodded. “I wanted it to be a surprise. I didn’t tell them because I was worried someone would spill the beans.”

 

“Then let’s go home tomorrow.”

 

Lin Wangye’s throat felt a little sore. He chewed slowly, careful not to eat too fast, and while planning in his head, he said, “Grandpa, Grandma, and Suihe must miss you too. Suihe’s in much better health than when you went abroad. We could take her out to have some fun. Let’s go back and stay tomorrow.”

 

Shi Yuan didn’t object to his plan. He just curved his lips slightly. “How’s the soundproofing in the new place?”

 

On the surface, it was a simple question.

 

But the tone carried a certain weight, and Lin Wangye couldn’t help letting his mind wander in the direction Shi Yuan was deliberately hinting at. His face flushed.

 

“I… don’t know…” He quickly glanced at the person beside him, and like a shock running through him, looked away, shaking his head and muttering quietly, “Never tried it. But it should be normal. The door cracks are pretty wide, and the place isn’t that big. You can hear cooking in the kitchen from the bedroom.”

 

“Got it.”

 

Shi Yuan took off his glasses and set them aside—the lenses fogged from the seaweed soup—and glanced at Lin Wangye with a soft laugh.

 

“Then maybe we shouldn’t stay at home overnight. Your voice would be hard to keep quiet.”

 

The same person with and without glasses looked like two completely different people.

 

His nearsightedness hadn’t worsened since going abroad, and for the past two years, he’d been wearing the same pair Lin Wangye gave him back then.

 

Without glasses, Shi Yuan looked like the very picture of a gentle, refined gentleman that most people imagine when they think of Eastern aesthetics—clear eyes, delicate features, perfectly proportioned face, no hint of danger.

 

But with those silver-rimmed glasses, that gentlemanly air carried a different meaning.

 

At first glance, he still seemed gentle and scholarly.

 

But if you looked closer, there was a subtle shift. Especially when those eyes locked onto you, you could immediately sense the threat—like a predator watching its prey.

 

Lin Wangye wasn’t exceptional, but he was the person in this world who felt things the most clearly.

 

Many online commenters from other sites had a spot-on description of him. They said he was like a character in a movie who’s likable at first, earning the audience’s sympathy, only to reveal later that he’s a hidden villain, lying in wait all along, and then striking the hero when least expected.

 

No one even knew who came up with the term ‘gentlemanly scoundrel.’ It sounded contradictory, but somehow, it fit him perfectly.

 

Lin Wangye didn’t need to think hard to get the meaning. He blushed easily again, burying his face in his seaweed soup, too embarrassed to look up, and muttered, “Then… we won’t stay at home overnight. There’s a branch nearby, not far.”

 

Shi Yuan hadn’t planned on teasing him further so soon. He let out a soft laugh and changed the topic back to practical matters: “I think it’s time to buy a house. You’ve been looking at properties, right? We can check some out together in a few days.”

 

“Mm.” Lin Wangye lifted his head. “Buy it now? I was thinking of saving for Suihe’s treatment.”

 

“Always renting isn’t a solution either. Landlords can raise rent anytime or even take the place back. How much do you have in your account now?” Shi Yuan asked.

 

Lin Wangye knew exactly how much he had. Without even checking, he replied confidently, “Quite a lot. I barely spent any of the money you transferred, and with my savings, it’s over 2.8 million.”

 

Shi Yuan nodded, thought for a moment, and said, “Keep a million in your account; that’s more than enough for surgery and treatment. Grandpa and Grandma are old now. They moved around a lot with me and Suihe before; it’s time to have a stable home.”

 

“Alright!”

 

Lin Wangye didn’t question his decision at all and agreed readily.

 

“Brother Lu recommended a few properties to me. We’ll go see them in a couple of days! I always worried about not having enough money and got stuck in my own head. Forgot that a house is also an asset—if we ever really need money, it can be sold.”

 

Shi Yuan cleaned up the finished lunch box and, when he looked at Lin Wangye, a flicker of concern passed through his eyes. He spoke seriously: “Baby, I gave you that money for spending, not for saving. I work hard not for fame or profit, but so you don’t have to worry about money and can live a little easier.”

 

Hearing that, Lin Wangye put down his spoon and noticed his concern. He immediately curved his eyes into a smile and said, “I didn’t even think it was hard work.”

 

“I mean, don’t make yourself suffer financially. Money spent can be earned back. I can take care of you properly now,” Shi Yuan said.

 

“I really haven’t made myself suffer!”

 

Lin Wangye’s eyes sparkled as he cupped Shi Yuan’s face in his hands, rubbing it in circles, speaking lightly: “But now that you said that, I can be more confident asking Old Lin for leave! If this crappy job doesn’t work out, it’s fine—I’ve got someone to take care of me anyway!”

 

The boy’s smile was naturally infectious. Shi Yuan’s tense expression softened instantly. He raised his arm and ran his palm over Lin Wangye’s hand a few times, his lips curling into a smile again.

 

“Keep eating. After you’re done, we’ll watch a movie to digest a bit, and then I’ll massage your waist.”

 

“Okay.”

 

After finishing their meal, Lin Wangye sat at the computer, continuing the comedy movie he had opened earlier for dinner. Shi Yuan logged into the Sigwell designer forum, scrolling through some new design drafts.

 

Lin Wangye didn’t know much about that area, so he didn’t bother him.

 

After being apart for so long, just being in the same space, even while doing separate things, made the air between them feel sweet.

 

Lin Wangye spent an hour finishing the movie, and when the credits and subtitles rolled, he leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed and stretched lazily.

 

At the same time, Shi Yuan closed the unfinished pages on his computer, stood up, and bent down to lift Lin Wangye horizontally into his arms.

 

Barefoot and without shoes, Lin Wangye froze for a moment. As soon as his body was lifted, he instinctively struggled twice, then wrapped his arms around Shi Yuan’s neck to stabilize himself, laughing as he nuzzled against his neck.

 

“Hold me a bit longer. I like being held by you.”

 

Though adults were heavy, Shi Yuan’s arms supported Lin Wangye at his knees and lower back. Plus, Lin Wangye used his own strength to hold onto Shi Yuan’s neck, so it wasn’t strenuous at all.

 

Shi Yuan lived a very disciplined life and exercised regularly; carrying someone slightly smaller than him, like Lin Wangye, was no problem.

 

Following Lin Wangye’s earlier request, Shi Yuan didn’t put him down immediately when he reached the bed. Instead, he carefully lifted him a little higher.

 

Anticipating the move, Lin Wangye pressed his lips to Shi Yuan’s corner of the mouth at the very moment he was lifted, then quickly dodged his attempt to return the kiss, tilting his head back with a string of happy laughter.

 

Seeing him so delighted, the smile on Shi Yuan’s lips deepened.

 

Lin Wangye knew Shi Yuan would get tired eventually, and after a short while, he asked to be put down. Kicking off the blanket, he lay on the bed, enjoying a thoughtful massage. Just as he was drifting toward sleep, his phone rang.

 

Shi Yuan picked up the phone from the desk and handed it to him. When Lin Wangye looked closely, he realized it was his dad calling.

 

Good grief. Surely he’s not calling me for work, right?

 

He was just enjoying a rare moment together, and for a split second, he didn’t want to answer. But worried it might be important, he eventually pressed the speakerphone button.

 

“Hello… you’re not seriously asking me to go to work right now, are you?”

 

Lin Shen could feel his son’s resentment through the line. He chuckled lightly and said kindly, “No, not now. I just got a notice that I need to go on a business trip next Tuesday, which conflicts with the original schedule to inspect the construction site. Can you go in my place?”

 

The commercial street project was huge, and the construction team needed to be assessed. Normally, Lin Shen wouldn’t have needed to go himself, but he was careful with such key steps and felt more comfortable seeing it in person.

 

Apart from Lin Wangye, the only person he trusted was Lu Chengxuan.

 

“Next week, huh…” Lin Wangye realized he was being called because Lu Chengxuan was probably busy or it wasn’t convenient for him. He glanced at Shi Yuan, a little reluctant: “Which day… does it have to be me?”

 

“Tuesday. The time’s set,” Lin Shen explained. “Lu Chengxuan has to go with me on a business trip to negotiate a collaboration. I really can’t find anyone else, Yi-fu.”

 

Lin Wangye sighed but agreed decisively. “Fine, okay.”

 

“I’ll send you the person in charge’s contact. You coordinate with them on my behalf.”

 

“Got it, I know.”

 

“And don’t just focus on love—handle the work too!”

 

“Yeah, yeah, I know.”

 

After finishing the call, Lin Wangye hung up and set his phone aside. He reached for Shi Yuan’s hand along his arm and said, “I’ll go take care of some things next Tuesday. Won’t take long.”

 

“Mm.” Shi Yuan interlaced their fingers. “Xiao Lin, go work properly. I’ll have something good ready for you when you get home.”

 

That title had been long forgotten for Lin Wangye. He grinned and teased, “Don’t forget to get the bath water ready too.”

 

“Consider it done,” Shi Yuan said with a gentle smile.

 

*

 

Since the construction site was busy during the day, with shuttling trucks and other machinery, it was somewhat dangerous inside. That’s why Lin Shen always scheduled inspections toward the end of the day.

 

As the sun began to set, Lin Wangye arrived on time at the construction site to conduct a quality check on the building crew on Lin Shen’s behalf.

 

Basically, he checked whether materials were used properly, if the connections between tasks were handled correctly, and whether the actual progress matched the original project schedule.

 

Lin Wangye was acting in Lin Shen’s name.

 

The person in charge only knew that the visitor was a potential future big client for their company. They had no idea he was merely the boss’s assistant, so they explained the workflow in extreme detail.

 

Lin Wangye was used to this by now. It wasn’t the first time he had pretended to be Lin Shen for inspections.

 

After all, most people didn’t care who they were working for, as long as their salary came on time.

 

Wearing a safety helmet, Lin Wangye followed the person in charge around the site, recording the information they mentioned in his pocket recorder for Lin Shen to review later.

 

By the time the inspection was winding down, the sun had already set.

 

The light was dim, and for someone like Lin Wangye, who wasn’t used to being on a construction site, the risk was higher. The person in charge politely led him out of the work zone back to the roadside and said their goodbyes.

 

The site was located on the outskirts of Ningchang City, a sparsely populated area. But being close to the university district, taxis were still available.

 

By mid-November, the weather had turned cold. Rain was forecast for the next day, and the temperature had dropped sharply tonight. Lin Wangye was grateful that, on his way out of the office, he had grabbed one of Lin Shen’s casual suit jackets. It barely kept him from freezing.

 

He wasn’t in a hurry and patiently waited by the roadside under the thick shade of trees, completely absorbed in the dinner photo Shi Yuan had sent him on WeChat, unaware that someone was approaching from behind.

 

When he noticed movement, Lin Wangye instinctively tried to turn around.

 

But the danger was already too close.

 

By the time he realized it, it was too late.

 

As he twisted his head, footsteps suddenly quickened. Before he could react, someone grabbed him from behind, clamping a hand over his neck. Panicked, he tried to scream.

 

Before any sound came out, a damp towel was pressed over his mouth.

 

“Mmm…”

 

The pungent, suffocating smell hit his nose. Lin Wangye’s eyes widened in terror, and he immediately held his breath, clawing at the arm that held him, trying to break free.

 

After seven or eight seconds, his struggling slowed.

 

Eventually, Lin Wangye lost consciousness. His arms went limp, and he was lifted and stuffed into a car with a fake license plate, disappearing into the night.

 

The street lay empty under the night sky, as if nothing had happened.

 

The phone Lin Wangye had been holding lay on the ground, its cracked screen facing up. The dim screen briefly lit up with a new message notification from the chat window.

 

But the little red dot behind the voice message remained untouched.

 

Thirty seconds later, the screen went completely dark.

 

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