As Shen Jin patted his head, Chu Yi blinked. *This tone, this demeanor—Shen Jin clearly thinks I’m a child.*
*Does Shen Jin think I’m just throwing a childish tantrum because I’m angry?*
*I’m not a child! I genuinely hate it when people talk about Shen Jin like that.*
*Shen Jin hasn’t done anything wrong, yet some people insist on thinking the worst of him, misunderstanding him completely. He’s nothing like what they say. I want everyone to know that Shen Jin is a truly good person.*
*If they misunderstood me, I could tolerate it. But when they misunderstand Shen Jin like this, I feel indignant, wronged on his behalf, and furious.*
Chu Yi looked at Shen Jin earnestly and said, “Because you’re a really, really good person. I don’t want people to talk about you like that.”
Shen Jin: *…Does this feel like Chu Yi just gave me a “good guy” card?*
Even Gu Jin, who was standing nearby, couldn’t suppress his laughter, his shoulders shaking. It was clear Chu Yi had no idea Shen Jin liked him, and he probably didn’t even understand what “liking” someone meant.
Seeing Gu Jin laughing so hard, Chu Yi looked at him in confusion, wondering if he had said something wrong.
Only when Shen Jin cast him a deep, penetrating glance did Gu Jin hastily suppress his grin, adopting a solemn tone. “You’re right. Shen Jin is a truly good person. Those others are just hateful.”
At the banquet, Liu Meihan endured countless cold stares and indifference. Her smile, strained to its limit, felt stiff and unnatural.
Exhausted and bewildered, she couldn’t fathom how the Chu Family had stumbled into such dire straits.
Just a few months ago, at previous gatherings, the ladies had flocked around her, eager to chat and flatter. Now, even a polite nod was a rare courtesy.
The contrast was stark and humiliating.
Liu Meihan drained her champagne in one bitter gulp, set down the empty glass, and reached for another. Her gaze drifted forward, freezing as she spotted Shen Jin and Chu Yi.
Shen Jin picked up a piece of food and held it to Chu Yi’s lips. After a moment of stunned hesitation, Chu Yi opened his mouth. The food must have been delicious, for a radiant smile bloomed on Chu Yi’s face. Seeing his joy, the usually formidable Shen Jin actually smiled too.
Liu Meihan had never seen Chu Yi smile like that before. She was more accustomed to seeing him with red-rimmed eyes, and at one point, she even thought Chu Yi would inevitably irritate Shen Jin.
Liu Meihan glanced again. Shen Jin seemed to be asking Chu Yi something. Chu Yi nodded, and Shen Jin fed him another bite.
Most people, including Chu Chengxu and Liu Meihan, were too intimidated to meet Shen Jin’s gaze for long. Yet Chu Yi showed no fear of him at all.
Beside Chu Yi sat by Young Master Gu Jin of the Gu Clan. Gu Jin, usually aloof and reserved, was now beaming as he spoke to Chu Yi, their rapport appearing remarkably close. *When did Chu Yi become so close to Gu Jin?* Liu Meihan wondered.
What seemed impossible for others, Chu Yi accomplished effortlessly.
The banquet hall buzzed with guests, and Liu Meihan wasn’t the only one who noticed Shen Jin and Chu Yi’s interaction. Many attendees witnessed their interaction.
*Is this the “severe torment” Chu Yi was supposed to endure in the Shen Family? Where’s the torment?*
The guests murmured among themselves.
“So that’s the Chu Family’s child. He’s quite handsome.”
“Didn’t they say Shen Jin treated him badly? It doesn’t seem that way at all.”
“I heard Shen Jin was cold and ruthless, but he doesn’t seem like the rumors at all when he’s with his marriage partner.”
“They actually look quite well-matched together.”
“Do you think Chu Chengxu is regretting everything now?”
When news of Shen Jin’s arranged marriage first broke, everyone eagerly awaited the spectacle, wondering how long it would take for Shen Jin to kick the boy out of his house.
But now, seeing Shen Jin in person, he was nothing like the rumors. As for why he was so different, some clever observers had already guessed the reason.
Chu Chengxu and Liu Meihan were filled with regret. If they had treated Chu Yi better in the past, if they had maintained contact with him after he left, and actively tried to befriend him, they wouldn’t be in such an awkward position now.
But regret was useless now. Shen Jin was so fiercely protective of Chu Yi that they dared not approach him.
The two men who had been gossiping about Shen Jin froze when they saw Chu Yi. Wasn’t this the same boy who had just scolded them? He was Shen Jin’s betrothed! No wonder the boy had said he would tell Shen Jin—they had thought he was just bluffing.
They exchanged nervous glances. Would he really report them to Shen Jin? The two remained on edge throughout the evening, feeling that Shen Jin’s bodyguard had given them several pointed looks. Before the banquet ended, they slunk away in disgrace.
Chu Yi was oblivious to the thoughts swirling around him. All he knew was that the food and wine at the banquet were delicious.
Remembering Chu Yi’s drunken antics from their last encounter, Shen Jin cautioned him, “Drink less. Don’t get drunk.”
Gu Jin couldn’t help but interject, “Seriously? You’re going to control that too? Chu Yi’s an adult, a college student. It’s fine for him to have a drink.”
Gu Jin turned to Chu Yi with a carefree grin. “Don’t worry about it! Drink whatever you want. Let me tell you, your Shen Jin is loaded! The wine at this banquet is top-shelf stuff. It’d be a waste not to try it!”
Chu Yi glanced at Shen Jin in surprise, then smiled. “Okay, I won’t drink too much. Just this glass.”
He was surprised because no one had ever told him to drink less and avoid getting drunk. Someone Chu Yi’s age should have heard countless warnings from adults since childhood, but Chu Yi hadn’t. While his peers grew weary of their elders’ nagging concern, it was something Chu Yi had always longed for, until he met Shen Jin and Uncle Wen.
Gu Jin glanced at Shen Jin, then at Chu Yi, and chuckled. “Oh, my attempt to stir things up failed.” He found Chu Yi genuinely amusing and always enjoyed teasing him.
Shen Jin shot Gu Jin a dismissive look and ignored him, turning to Chu Yi instead. “Are you full?”
Knowing Chu Yi’s appetite, Shen Jin suspected he hadn’t eaten enough and worried he might be starving himself out of shyness.
As expected, Chu Yi replied, “I’d like another piece of cake.”
Shen Jin gestured, and a waiter quickly brought over an exquisite chocolate lava cake.
At the banquet earlier, Chu Yi hadn’t eaten much due to his introverted nature and shyness. But now, with Shen Jin by his side, he felt no such restraint and ate his fill.
During the banquet, Chu Yi had drunk a glass of red wine and a glass of champagne. By the time they returned home, his cheeks were flushed a delicate pink.
Shen Jin looked at him with concern. “Are you dizzy? Feeling unwell?”
Chu Yi shook his head. “I’m fine,” he said, barely feeling anything.
But Shen Jin noticed the faint flush on Chu Yi’s cheeks. *He really can’t handle alcohol,* he thought. *Good thing it was just a glass of wine and a glass of champagne. I shouldn’t have let him have that extra champagne.*
So, when they got home, Shen Jin insisted Chu Yi drink a cup of honey water.
“I don’t need it,” Chu Yi protested. “I’m not drunk.”
Shen Jin held the cup out to him. “Just take a few sips. It’s sweet.”
Hearing it was sweet, Chu Yi accepted the cup and drank a few mouthfuls. Then he asked curiously, “You drank too. Aren’t you having honey water?” After all, Shen Jin had drunk quite a bit.
“My face isn’t red, and I’m not drunk,” Shen Jin replied.
This was true. Shen Jin’s complexion showed no change whatsoever. If not for the faint scent of alcohol on him, you’d never know he’d been drinking.
And in all this time, Chu Yi had never seen Shen Jin drunk. His self-control was truly remarkable. Chu Yi’s gaze couldn’t help but fill with admiration.
Seeing how well the two were getting along, Butler Wen felt reassured.
It was perfect timing, as Butler Wen needed to leave for a while to attend to some personal matters. He had been worried about leaving the two of them alone, but seeing how well they were getting along, he felt reassured about leaving them at home.
“Uncle Wen, where are you going?” Chu Yi asked.
“I’m going back to my hometown,” Butler Wen replied.
Chu Yi was surprised. “But I thought you were from Lanch City?”
Butler Wen smiled. “No, my hometown is in the south.”
After Butler Wen mentioned the name of his hometown, Chu Yi exclaimed, “Wow, that’s a really beautiful city!”
“You should visit sometime,” Butler Wen said. “The scenery there is stunning.”
Chu Yi nodded, promising to go if he ever had the chance. “When are you leaving, Uncle Wen?” he asked.
“Next week,” Butler Wen replied.
Upon learning that Butler Wen was returning to his hometown, Shen Jin said nothing but quietly booked his plane ticket and arranged everything for him there. Someone would be waiting to follow Butler Wen’s instructions upon his arrival.
For years, Butler Wen had remained steadfastly by Shen Jin’s side, making him the most respected, revered, and closest elder in Shen Jin’s life. In turn, Butler Wen genuinely cared for Shen Jin like his own son.
Chu Yi sat nearby, sipping honey water and playing with his phone—or rather, his smartwatch phone.
Butler Wen glanced at Chu Yi, then at Shen Jin, and whispered, “You’re due for your monthly checkup next week. Don’t forget.”
While most people get checkups every six months or a year, Shen Jin required one every month.
Though his wristband could alert him to physical pain, and despite Shen Jin’s robust health, these monthly checkups were non-negotiable.
Next week was the scheduled date, but Butler Wen would be away. Hence, he reminded Shen Jin in advance, even though he knew Shen Jin would never forget such an important matter. Still, Uncle Wen couldn’t help but worry.
Butler Wen glanced at Chu Yi and thought, *Some things are best left for Shen Jin to tell Chu Yi himself.*
Shen Jin looked at Uncle Wen and murmured, “I won’t forget.”
Chu Yi drained his honey water in one gulp. “Uncle Wen, Shen Jin, I’m heading upstairs now.”
Sensing that Butler Wen and Shen Jin needed to talk privately, he decided not to intrude.
