On the bus, gazing out the window at the passing scenery and the bustling crowds getting on and off, Chu Yi felt a profound sense of loneliness despite the apparent liveliness. But now, with Shen Jin by his side, it felt like being in the warmth of spring, his heart filled with joy. Chu Yi’s emotions were almost always written plainly on his face.
Seeing Chu Yi’s mood lift, Shen Jin’s own spirits brightened.
When Shen Jin had watched Chu Yi in the café, an inexplicable heaviness had settled in his chest, as if pricked by a needle. He couldn’t tell if his feelings were accurate; he had almost forgotten what pain felt like.
When Shen Jin and Chu Yi returned to the villa, Butler Wen was tending to the precious orchid. Butler Wen cherished this orchid, meticulously caring for it every day.
Seeing them return together no longer surprised him. Chu Yi had told him earlier that evening he wouldn’t be home for dinner, so it turned out Shen Jin had taken him out.
After exchanging a few words with Uncle Wen, Chu Yi went upstairs.
Fortunately, Uncle Wen was completely focused on his orchids and didn’t notice Chu Yi’s reddened eyes. Although Chu Yi knew Shen Jin’s earlier remark about Uncle Wen scolding him was just teasing, he still didn’t want Uncle Wen to see him like this.
Seeing Chu Yi hurry upstairs, Shen Jin understood that Chu Yi was worried about him being scolded by Uncle Wen. His heart softened at the thought.
Once Chu Yi had gone upstairs, Uncle Wen set down his tools and asked Shen Jin softly, “Chu Yi’s eyes are a little red. Has he been crying? Did something happen?”
Butler Wen, who cared so deeply for Chu Yi, couldn’t possibly have missed the boy’s distress. Of course, he had noticed, but he pretended not to, not wanting to worry Chu Yi.
In recent times, Butler Wen knew Chu Yi wouldn’t cry easily—certainly not just because Shen Jin’s gaze was a little stern. Something serious must have happened.
Shen Jin replied, “This afternoon, people from the Chu Family went to the school to find Chu Yi.”
Butler Wen tensed immediately. “They went to the school? Are they trying to force Chu Yi to do something for them? Did they bully him again?”
“It’s alright,” Shen Jin assured him. “They didn’t dare go too far.”
Butler Wen voiced his concern, “I hope they won’t keep bothering Chu Yi in the future. That family is truly detestable.”
Shen Jin replied, “They won’t. They wouldn’t dare.”
They should be grateful they hadn’t gone too far with Chu Yi. As he spoke, Shen Jin’s eyes turned icy and indifferent, a look Chu Yi had never seen before. But Butler Wen knew exactly what that gaze meant.
Hearing this, Uncle Wen felt reassured. He had watched Shen Jin grow up and understood him well. What Shen Jin promised, he would deliver, and he certainly had the power to do so.
When Butler Wen learned that Chu Yi had been wandering alone outside for so long due to the harassment from Liu Meihan and her son, he was immediately furious.
Butler Wen hadn’t forgotten the day Chu Yi arrived at the villa. Not even the driver had bothered to get out and help him with his luggage. Now they had the audacity to come looking for Chu Yi? Their shamelessness was truly beyond belief.
The more Uncle Wen thought about it, the angrier he became, and the more he disliked the Chu Family.
Back in the warm villa, Chu Yi took a long, relaxing hot bath, which lifted his spirits. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror and noticed his eyes were no longer red.
The eye mask Shen Jin had given him worked wonders. Chu Yi had used one while soaking in the bath earlier, and his eyes felt wonderfully refreshed now.
He had just finished drying his hair when Shen Jin came to find him.
As soon as Chu Yi opened the door, he saw Shen Jin carrying two exquisite porcelain bowls, their sweet aroma filling the air.
“What’s this?” Chu Yi asked.
Shen Jin stepped inside. “Sweet soup Uncle Wen made.”
Upon learning that Chu Yi had been wandering outside alone for so long, Uncle Wen was immediately filled with concern. He rushed to the kitchen to prepare sweet soup for Chu Yi, hoping to comfort him and help him put the day’s troubles behind him.
Chu Yi’s eyes lit up. He had always had a fondness for sweets.
The two sat side by side at the desk, sipping the sweet soup together, the room filled with its fragrant sweetness.
The soup was rich with ingredients: quail eggs, ginkgo nuts, snow fungus, and a few goji berries for garnish, making it look incredibly appetizing. Even the quail eggs had a subtle sweetness. Though sweet, the soup wasn’t cloying at all.
After a few sips, Chu Yi sighed contentedly. “This is really delicious.”
Shen Jin smiled. “It contains blood swallow’s nest. Uncle Wen specially prepared it.”
Chu Yi’s eyes widened in surprise. “Blood swallow’s nest? The red kind? Blood-colored bird’s nest?”
Shen Jin nodded.
Chu Yi’s eyes widened as he murmured in awe, “This is the legendary blood swallow’s nest.”
Seeing the sweet soup’s reddish-orange hue, Chu Yi initially assumed it was due to the goji berries. He had never even tasted ordinary bird’s nest before, let alone the rare blood swallow’s nest. He knew it was incredibly precious, and each spoonful felt like tasting money itself.
Chu Yi slurped down two large mouthfuls, his eyes sparkling. “This sweet soup is absolutely delicious! I don’t know why, but it tastes even better than before.”
Shen Jin chuckled at his enthusiasm. “There’s more downstairs. Would you like another bowl?”
Without hesitation, Chu Yi replied, “Yes!”
A fresh bowl of sweet soup was quickly brought to Chu Yi’s room. Watching him happily savor the soup, Shen Jin finally felt completely at ease.
After finishing both bowls, Chu Yi felt a warm glow spreading through his body, his palms tingling with heat.
“Thank you,” he said. “And thank Uncle Wen too. I’m really fine now.”
He figured Uncle Wen must have heard about what happened today and specially prepared the sweet soup. Feeling cared for and remembered, Chu Yi’s heart warmed with a soft, tender feeling.
As Chu Yi set down his bowl, Shen Jin naturally reached for a tissue and gently wiped Chu Yi’s mouth.
Chu Yi froze for a moment. “I can do it myself.”
Shen Jin grasped Chu Yi’s other hand, his grip surprisingly firm, holding Chu Yi still as he quietly watched Shen Jin wipe his mouth.
Whether it was his imagination or not, Chu Yi felt Shen Jin’s movements were exceptionally careful and gentle. He recalled seeing the villa’s maids cleaning the precious porcelain, handling it with utmost delicacy. Shen Jin’s touch now seemed even more cautious than theirs.
Yet Chu Yi was far from being as precious as that porcelain.
Shen Jin’s gaze was so tender and full of affection that Chu Yi nervously pressed his lips together, the touched area feeling strangely warm.
Chu Yi had been looking at Shen Jin, but his eyes eventually drifted to the computer.
“Chu Yi.” He only turned back when Shen Jin called his name.
Shen Jin said, “Remember what I told you today. If anything happens, you must come to me.”
Chu Yi stared at him steadily. “I will.”
Recalling how Chu Yi had cried in his arms, Shen Jin added, “From now on, I’ll take good care of you.”
Chu Yi smiled. “Okay.”
Seeing his response, Shen Jin sighed inwardly. Chu Yi clearly hadn’t grasped the depth of his meaning. *Well, I’ll teach him gradually later,* he thought.
Shen Jin patted Chu Yi’s head. “Get some sleep.”
Meanwhile, Liu Meihan and Chu Yang returned home.
Chu Chengxu, who had been anxiously waiting at home, rushed forward to ask Liu Meihan, “How did it go? Did Chu Yi agree to help us?”
Liu Meihan wasn’t entirely certain. “I think he’ll come to his senses and help us eventually.”
She had gone to great lengths to persuade Chu Yi, using threats, promises, and intimidation, but he hadn’t budged. However, as he left, Liu Meihan noticed a change in his expression.
*He must be scared now,* she thought. *Once he’s scared, he’ll help us.*
Chu Chengxu urged, “Go see him again tomorrow. No, go see him every day if you have nothing else to do. Get closer to him, scare him some more. Make him understand that the Chu Family is his only real support. If we fall, he’ll suffer too. Make him realize Shen Jin will never truly care about him.”
Liu Meihan replied, “Don’t worry, I’ve already scared him.” It seemed intimidation was still the most effective tactic.
The Chu Family duo believed they could force Chu Yi to help them through fear, but they never anticipated that Shen Jin’s men would come calling the very next day.
At first, Chu Chengxu thought it was good news, but his face paled as he listened to Chen Ye’s warning.
Chen Ye, who had always been by Shen Jin’s side, acted with the same ruthless efficiency as his master.
The Chu Family, thoroughly warned, dared not approach Chu Yi again, nor disturb his life. They genuinely feared Shen Jin and his methods.
