LNTSWJLY Chapter 6

Feeling the warmth seeping through his skin, Yu Zhi furrowed his brows momentarily before relaxing again. He attempted to move his hand to pull away, but it was held even tighter.

“What are you trying to do?” Yin Xu lowered his gaze to the hand gripping his own, then instinctively looked away.

Feeling the heat rising to his ears and neck, he was thankful for being a head shorter than the man, which allowed him to hide his unease.

The heat in his head from earlier dissipated, and now he realized he might have been somewhat offensive.

Whatever the man’s intentions were, it was not an excuse for his rudeness.

“I’m sorry, sir.” Yin Xu released his hand, ignoring the slight feeling of emptiness in his heart. “I just wanted to say that there’s trouble in the Lin family.”

Yu Zhi glanced at him, knowing immediately what he was thinking. “You want to know if this has anything to do with me?”

Yin Xu nodded, a strand of his unruly hair swaying with the motion.

Yu Zhi fixed his gaze on him, a hint of inquiry in his eyes. “Didn’t you just overhear everything?”

“I didn’t…” Yin Xu’s heart fluttered, instinctively wanting to deny it, but as he looked up into the man’s deep eyes, the words of denial got stuck in his throat, unable to come out no matter how hard he tried.

Yu Zhi rubbed his wrist as if trying to wipe away the warmth that didn’t belong to him just now. “Since you’ve already heard, yet still ask me, what does it mean?”

Yin Xu pursed his lips, silent, his emotions in turmoil, wanting to speak but not knowing what to say.

But Yu Zhi spoke for him. “You want to ask me why I’m so good to you.”

With a weight lifted off his heart, Yin Xu realized that was indeed what he wanted to ask.

Suddenly, he wasn’t nervous anymore, meeting those compelling eyes again. “So… what’s your answer, sir?”

A flicker of amusement crossed Yu Zhi’s mind, a hint of a smile in his eyes. “What if I say it’s because I pity you?”

Yin Xu felt it wasn’t true. “That’s not worth it.”

Yu Zhi nodded solemnly. “Seems like it, doesn’t it?”

Yin Xu choked up, feeling a slight pang in his heart, unable to find the words to say.

After teasing Yin Xu, Yu Zhi began to stroke his hair, lifting his hand to pat Yin Xu’s head gently. “Let’s just say I find you cute.”

With that, he turned and left the study.

Watching the broad back of the man leave, Yin Xu reached up to touch the head that had just been touched by him. It still seemed to retain the warmth of the man’s palm. He muttered to himself, “Whose fault is it if I don’t grow taller from now on?”

From that day on, the two seemed to forget about the Lin family’s affairs and never mentioned it to each other again.

Yu Zhi knew the boy wouldn’t stop him from dealing with the Lin family, so his plans didn’t halt.

Although Yin Xu didn’t mention it, he quietly observed and remembered everything Yu Zhi did.

On the weekend, Xiao Pang’s exam scores finally broke into double digits, rising to two digits. Though he hadn’t passed yet, he felt he had put in a lot of effort. So, he boldly demanded that Yu Zhi take him out to play and increase his pocket money.

Yu Zhi looked at him casually. “Going out to play is fine, but don’t even think about increasing your pocket money.”

Xiao Pang was about to cry from anger. He shouted loudly, “You big meanie! I’ve been following your orders all along, and now you’re going back on your word!”

Yu Zhi raised an eyebrow, leisurely asking, “Hmm? When did I ever say your grades improving would mean more pocket money?”

After some thought, Xiao Pang was dumbfounded to realize that Yu Zhi hadn’t made such promises.

“You… you lied to a kid! You’re a cunning old fox!” he exclaimed.

Yu Zhi chuckled. “You used the idiom quite well.”

Xiao Pang threw his backpack. “I’m not studying anymore! I quit!”

Yu Zhi didn’t stop him, nodding. “You can quit, but you have to repay the money.”

“R-repay what money? I don’t have any!” Xiao Pang instinctively reached for his pocket, finding only the ten yuan he had scrimped and saved.

“I’ve been funding your education since you were little,” Yu Zhi said calmly. “I’ve invested so much in your education over the years, and if you drop out now, all that investment goes to waste. You need to pay it back.”

Xiao Pang was shocked. “B-but I’m your son!”

Yu Zhi nodded, unfazed. “Yes, that’s right. You’re my son. So, I have an obligation to support you. But that obligation doesn’t include sending you to an expensive school, providing the best educational resources, or giving you so much pocket money.”

“All those extra expenses are things I’m not obligated to cover”, Yu Zhi assured him.

Feeling thoroughly hoodwinked, Xiao Pang sighed deeply, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and gloomily retreated to his room. Even the prospect of going out over the weekend didn’t bring him much excitement.

After schooling the little rascal, Yu Zhi turned to Yin Xu. “Do you have any places in mind you’d like to go? I’ll take you out over the weekend.”

Yin Xu, overwhelmed by the gentleness in the man’s eyes, averted his gaze. “Um, I have plans for the weekend, so I won’t be going out with you, Mr. Yu. Have a good time.”

Seeing his sincerity, Yu Zhi could only nod. “Alright, if you need anything, just give me a call. I can have the driver take you wherever you need to go.”

Yin Xu simply nodded in response.

The next day, Yu Zhi fulfilled Xiao Pang’s request and took him to the arcade. Xiao Pang started a bit gloomy but soon got caught up in the games, completely forgetting about his failed rebellion for more allowance.

“Dad, wanna play together?” Xiao Pang boasted, pointing proudly at the high score he had just set. “I bet you can’t beat me!”

He might not be able to out-earn this man at work, but he wasn’t about to let him win at video games either!

Yu Zhi smirked, “Sure.”

A little over ten minutes later, Xiao Pang, with an expressionless face, stared at a score more than double his own and said ruefully, “Dad, I’m sorry for wasting your precious time on this mindless activity. Your intelligence shouldn’t be insulted by such a foolish game.”

Yu Zhi chuckled, “It’s okay, Daddy loves you and is willing to endure this humiliation for you.”

Thus began a period where Xiao Pang was utterly dominated in their one-sided game sessions. Yu Zhi demonstrated through action that smart people excel at everything they do, while dummies get thrashed, motivating Xiao Pang to strive for excellence in his studies.

Xiao Pang acknowledged the lesson learned and vowed never to challenge Dad at the arcade again.

As evening approached, the sky grew increasingly overcast, and before long, rain began to pour.

After Yu Zhi brought his son home, dinner was already on the table.

“The master and young master are back!” The nanny, finished with her kitchen duties, was about to leave for the day.

“Yeah, where’s Yin Xu?” Yu Zhi prompted Xiao Pang to go take a shower while he removed his damp coat and inquired.

“Yin Xu hasn’t come back yet, Mr. Yu. You go ahead and eat. I’ve left his dinner in the pot,” the nanny said.

Yu Zhi nodded, “You can go home now, and be careful on the way.” The nanny didn’t live here; she only cooked and cleaned during the day.

After father and son finished dinner and Yin Xu still hadn’t returned, Xiao Pang, remembering being dominated by the older man all day, teased deliberately, “Maybe he’s off having an affair and eloping with someone? Dad, you’re getting old, can’t keep up anymore!”

Yu Zhi replied, “…Next week, I’ll cut your allowance in half, and I’m confiscating your phones and computers.”

Xiao Pang dashed back to his room, “Dad, you’re fine, I was just kidding!”

Yu Zhi, still concerned, called Yin Xu, who answered.

“Hello… Mr. Yu… I’m still outside… I’ll be back soon!”

Despite the heavy rain in the background and the intermittent sound of his voice, hearing that Yin Xu was safe put Yu Zhi at ease. Yin Xu wasn’t a child who needed constant attention; too much concern might make him feel suffocated.

Half an hour later, Yin Xu indeed returned, but he was soaking wet, clearly caught in the rain.

“Go take a hot shower first. Dinner’s in the pot; just heat it when you’re ready,” Yu Zhi instructed.

Yin Xu glanced at Yu Zhi, his emotions seeming even more complicated.

“Okay, thank you,” he said.

Unconsciously, even though he heard Yu Zhi mention something as sensitive as taking a shower, he no longer felt afraid or repelled.

Seeing him safely back, Yu Zhi went to his study to work. While employees had holidays, bosses didn’t; he had spent the day with Xiao Pang and had a backlog of work. He didn’t like leaving today’s tasks for tomorrow.

His main tasks were responding to emails from subordinates and reviewing and signing documents sent by his assistant.

After spending an hour, he finally finished today’s work. Yu Zhi stretched his body, shut down his computer, and left the study to rest.

But as he passed by, he noticed light coming from Yin Xu’s room, the door still open.

Still not resting at this hour?

Yu Zhi thought so, approaching to help him turn off the light and close the door.

Smash!

The sound of glass breaking came from inside the room.

Yu Zhi walked in. “What’s wrong?”

Yin Xu, lying on the bed, turned his head towards the direction of the door.

At this moment, his eyes were hazy, cheeks flushed, pajamas disheveled, revealing fair and smooth shoulders, delicate and slightly reddened collarbones and chest. He seemed somewhat dry and thirsty, unconsciously licking his lips, sweat beading on his forehead, the scene on the bed alluring.

His beautiful eyes were misted with water vapor, carrying a look of pity and helplessness as he gazed at Yu Zhi.

Yu Zhi subconsciously stepped forward, wanting to shield his eyes.

This child, always testing him intentionally.

His large hand cupped those rippling eyes, his voice deep and clear in the room, reaching Yin Xu’s ears.

“Don’t tempt me.”

……………………………………………..

Author’s Note: 

Yin Xu: I didn’t, do you believe me?

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