DREB CHAPTER 61

After receiving Zheng Zhi’s “all clear” signal, Lu Lianning used every bit of self-control he had to stop himself from tearing off Li Yan’s clothes right there in the car on their way back.

When they returned from the physical examination that day, there was still time before Li Yan’s curfew. At home, Li Yan was ignorantly preparing to tidy up and head out, but as soon as he walked in, Lu Lianning grabbed him and dragged him upstairs.

Seeing Lu Lianning suddenly act like a madman, Li Yan panicked and started to struggle. Before he could let out even a couple of shouts, Lu Lianning’s touch triggered a swift response from his body.

Li Yan seemed just as shocked, and in that brief moment of confusion, Lu Lianning had already pulled off his pants.

Afterward, Lu Lianning “generously” gave him a day to rest. Even then, Li Yan was still in a daze from the intensity of the stimulation, with the lingering citrus scent in the room making his head spin. He couldn’t even get out of bed the next day.

It felt like Li Yan had returned to fulfilling his only purpose. That evening, when he still couldn’t leave the bed, he trembled as he reached out for the glass of water on the bedside table.

 

Apart from this one time when Lu Lianning had held back for too long, he hadn’t been as rough in bed since. Perhaps it was because Li Yan had become more perceptive and better at reading Lu Lianning’s moods.

In truth, Lu Lianning had been unconsciously restraining his temper, trying not to lash out at Li Yan. That time when Li Yan was completely drained from being played with and refused to go to the hospital, Lu Lianning was furious. However, fearing he might lose control and get physical with him again, he locked himself outside the room and vented by kicking the door instead.

It still terrified Li Yan just the same.

Although Lu Lianning was still controlling and distrustful of Li Yan, always keeping a close watch on him, he would at least sometimes listen to what Li Yan had to say.

In the past, he wouldn’t even let Li Yan make a sound.

Lu Lianning knew that many mistakes had been made between them, but their intertwined lives would be long enough to fix them.

He thought things were gradually improving.

Then Lin Sheng appeared out of nowhere.

A young, energetic man with good looks, a love for basketball and sports, and a far better temperament than Lu Lianning.

That day, Li Yan actually quarreled with him over this person.

It was a clear sign of how much bolder Li Yan had become. In the past, he would never have dared to speak to Lu Lianning like that. He used to keep his head down, too scared to make a sound, always agreeing with whatever Lu Lianning said.

But now, not only was Li Yan throwing a tantrum over this goddamn Lin Sheng, but he was also giving Lu Lianning the cold shoulder, dredging up old grievances, and making sarcastic remarks that left Lu Lianning speechless.

The night they returned from the Lin family’s banquet, Lu Lianning sat in the car, silently cursing Lin Sheng over and over.

When they went to bed, it was clear that Li Yan was deeply hurt by the way Lu Lianning had brought him to the party and humiliated him.

Lu Lianning didn’t feel great either. He couldn’t stop thinking about how Lin Sheng’s last words felt like a blatant provocation and that Li Yan had sided with Lin Sheng.

Why?

Was it just because Lin Sheng could play basketball—the game Li Yan loved to watch?

Jealousy burned inside him, so much so that he felt like he might vomit blood. Because of what happened that night, Li Yan was genuinely heartbroken and said things like, “I owe you. I deserve this.”

Li Yan had turned his back to him, showing only a small part of his shoulder. Unable to hold it in anymore, Lu Lianning spoke coldly from behind him, “What, are you going to give me the silent treatment for another month? Is that the only trick you’ve got, and all because of that goddamn Lin Sheng?”

Li Yan’s body tensed immediately, clearly not planning to respond.

Li Yan always knew how to get under his skin. Unable to bear it, Lu Lianning pulled Li Yan. “Talk to me! Don’t force me to lose my temper.”

Li Yan lowered his eyelids, looking deeply sorrowful. As his gaze fell, the scar on his face remained damn obvious, even in the dim light.

Taking a deep breath, Lu Lianning placed his hands on Li Yan’s shoulders as if he were making a big concession. “The Lu family also owns a hotel with the same star rating. I mean, it’s not like you couldn’t go work there if you wanted to.”

Deep down, Li Yan was still afraid of Lu Lianning. If he didn’t take this step, and Lu Lianning truly got angry, who knew if there were any spare nightlights left in the house.

After a moment, just as Lu Lianning’s expression became increasingly ugly, Li Yan finally broke the silence and asked, “Will I get paid?”

Lu Lianning frowned coldly. “With all the money you owe me, you’re still asking for a salary?”

Seeing the glimmer of hope fade from Li Yan’s eyes, Lu Lianning begrudgingly added, “Fine, fifty a week.” His tone was sharp. “I’ve been meaning to tell you—stop eating so much from that beef ramen place. Do you even think their hygiene is up to standard…”

Before he could finish, Li Yan’s voice trembled, on the verge of tears. “Did you send someone to…”

At this, Lu Lianning gave up, as if the situation was hopeless, fully embracing his role as the ultimate villain in Li Yan’s life. “Yes, I did send someone to follow you! And if you dare eat there more than three times a week, I’ll destroy that place myself!”

 

In the end, Li Yan really did start working.

Lu Lianning personally escorted Li Yan to the Lu family’s hotel and even put his work badge on for him.

After Lu Lianning left, everyone treated Li Yan with the utmost respect. Each day when he arrived, someone had already prepared tea for him. On the first day, he didn’t drink it, likely because it wasn’t to his taste. The next day, they switched to a different tea.

By the time his desk was nearly overflowing with fruit, nuts, and tea snacks, Li Yan decided to skip work.

He wandered through three streets until he spotted Lao Yue sitting under the blazing sun, eating half a watermelon.

Li Yan squatted down beside him, begged for half, and then started gnawing on the watermelon while sitting on the curb.

Halfway through the watermelon rind, Lao Yue spoke slowly, “That young man came looking for you.”

Li Yan paused for a moment, then realized Lao Yue was talking about Lin Sheng.

“What’s going on? Do you owe him money? He’s been here a few times and even gave me money while waiting for you.” Lao Yue tapped the ground in front of Li Yan with his cane.

Li Yan couldn’t believe it. “You didn’t chase him away?”

Lao Yue snorted. “He paid me. I charge by the hour.”

Li Yan glanced down and noticed Lao Yue’s broken bowl had been put away. He had no idea how much Lin Sheng had given him.

Suddenly, Li Yan grew angry. “Why did you take his money!”

Lao Yue jumped at his outburst, almost dropping his watermelon. “What are you shouting for, you little brat? So what if he paid me a bit of money at my stall?”

Li Yan stopped eating, abruptly stood up, and tossed the watermelon rind into the trash.

Lao Yue sputtered, “Did you even finish that! You just threw it away—such a waste! Wasteful! Why don’t you want his money! I’ll even give you half!”

Ignoring him, Li Yan walked away.

He felt too embarrassed to face Lin Sheng. After everything that had happened, he couldn’t understand why Lin Sheng still wanted to see him.

Surely, it wasn’t just to beat him up for hiding things, right?

But Lin Sheng didn’t seem like the impulsive type.

Still, the embarrassment lingered. Li Yan wasn’t sure what Lin Sheng thought of him now.

After all, they had met because of a scam and then that awkward incident happened at the banquet. Did Lin Sheng see him as nothing more than a liar or a Beta being kept by a rich person as a novelty?

On top of that, his friend Lao Yue had swindled money from Lin Sheng.

Given all this, shouldn’t Lin Sheng have distanced himself by now?

Why was he still looking for him?

The shame weighed heavily on Li Yan, leading him to avoid Lin Sheng altogether. He hadn’t even been to the gym recently.

But on a bustling weekend, Lin Sheng still managed to corner him at that remote ramen shop.

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Translator’s note:
Finally, we’ve reached the present timeline 🤩