BTMDY Extra 7

Lin Shen flipped his phone back into his pocket, curiosity about Lu Guoguo’s side only growing stronger. He turned to the back seat.

 

“What about yours?”

 

Lu Guoguo, who had long seen Lin Shen as his big brother, followed him blindly as usual. Seeing him look over, he held up his phone screen for him to see.

 

Lin Shen focused on it.

 

[Don’t underestimate me, even though I’m just a little lamb, my cleverness is unimaginable. The sky is high, my mood is free, chasing the sun every day…]

 

After a long silence, Lin Shen pushed the phone back.

 

“Guozi, you’re really childish.”

 

“You’re not childish,” Lu Guoguo retorted, retracting his phone and stretching out his little stubby arms and chubby hands toward him. “Then show me yours. I want to see if you’re childish or not.”

 

Lin Shen turned his gaze forward, arms crossed.

 

“Nope. Can’t I have my own privacy?”

 

Lu Guoguo protested. “Then why can’t I have privacy? I just showed you mine!”

 

“I didn’t ask for your permission beforehand.” No matter how smart the kid was, he couldn’t outsmart Lin Shen. In a few words, he was shut down. “You held it out for me to see yourself. I didn’t force you, right? Everyone has the right to say no. Just because you didn’t say no to me doesn’t mean I can’t say no to you.”

 

Lu Guoguo had no argument left and obediently went back to his seat.

 

The restaurant was still a ways off, and traffic was a little heavy. Lin Shen suddenly felt thirsty and noticed a supermarket not far ahead. “I want an ice-cold Coke.”

 

“Your throat’s been sore these past couple of days. Drink less cold stuff,” Lu Chengxuan said, reaching for the thermos cup sitting in the center of the front seat. “Drink this.”

 

Lin Shen didn’t take it, frowning slightly. “I said Coke.”

 

Lu Chengxuan didn’t reply. About three seconds later, he put the cup back.

 

Soon after, the car pulled over at the roadside. As he unbuckled his seatbelt, Lu Chengxuan asked, “Coca-Cola or Pepsi?”

 

“Coca-Cola.”

 

With that, Lu Chengxuan got out and headed toward the supermarket.

 

Once he was out of the car, Lin Shen lowered his eyes and picked up the thermos. Twisting off the lid, a gentle jasmine fragrance immediately filled his nose and mouth. He took a sip, tasting a hint of sweetness in the perfectly warm tea—it must have had rock sugar in it.

 

Young and naive little Lu Guoguo didn’t understand what Lin Shen was doing. He leaned against the passenger seat, blinking his big, curious eyes and asked,

 

“Brother Shen, didn’t you want Coke?”

 

“Yeah. So?”

 

“Uncle Lu went to get it. Why are you drinking tea?”

 

“He gets his, I get mine. Where’s the conflict?”

 

“Ha…”

 

Lu Guoguo had always been precocious and sharp for his age, rarely failing to understand adults. This time, he really couldn’t figure it out. Scratching his head in confusion, he muttered, “This…” “Then that…” stammering, he couldn’t even get his thoughts out.

 

Lin Shen glanced at him and immediately knew what he was thinking, chuckling softly.

 

“It’s just a obedience test. Adults’ PUA tricks—kids don’t need to copy them.”

 

Though some words were a bit unfamiliar, Lu Guoguo could understand ‘obedience’ and ‘test.’ He thought for a moment and said, “So you just want to see if Uncle Lu will listen to you.”

 

Lin Shen casually snapped his fingers, signaling that he was right.

 

For a rebellious kid like Lu Guoguo to be so obedient under Lin Shen, it wasn’t just because Lin Shen had a perfect sense of balance between ‘playing with him’ and ‘teaching him.’ A big part of it was that Lu Guoguo had personally seen Lu Chengxuan—the ‘god’ created by the Lu family—follow Lin Shen’s words unconditionally.

 

In a child’s world, logic is simple.

 

“But Uncle Lu listens to you all the time anyway. What’s the point?” Lu Guoguo still couldn’t understand.

 

“Not everything in this world needs a meaning. Besides, as long as I feel happy right now, isn’t that meaning enough?”

 

Lin Shen smiled, blowing gently on the jasmine floating at the top of the thermos cup.

 

“Isn’t that what life is about? Being happy.”

 

Lu Guoguo had an epiphany. “I’m happier when I’m not at school. Can I just not go in the future?”

 

“Sure.”

 

Lin Shen nodded without hesitation. But just as Lu Guoguo was about to jump for joy, he added,

 

“If you ever face ridicule and scorn for being uneducated, and you can accept the cost of being happy calmly, then I support you not going to school.”

 

Lu Guoguo immediately dropped his head, frowning, shaking it miserably.

 

“…Then I guess I’ll go to school.”

 

“Kids shouldn’t hate school at such a young age anyway.” Lin Shen thought of his younger self and chuckled, a little helpless. “Alright, fine. I admit most people probably go through this phase. Don’t overthink it, Brother Guo. Learning is never wrong. When you grow up, freedom will come.”

 

“There’s no such thing.” Lu Guoguo pouted. “Uncle Lu is so old, and he still has to buy you Coke. Where’s the freedom?”

 

Lin Shen snorted, glancing out the corner of his eye to see Lu Chengxuan stepping out from the supermarket. He turned to him and said,

 

“He didn’t want to buy it, and that’s fine. I didn’t force him.”

 

“You didn’t force him.” Lu Guoguo spread his hands. “But if he didn’t buy it, you’d definitely get mad. You can’t not buy it. Only kids can be stubborn—adults can only compromise!”

 

“I’m an adult too. Aren’t I being stubborn as well?” Lin Shen countered.

 

Lu Guoguo froze for a moment, staring blankly.

 

“Oh… right. But why?”

 

“People who are loved can be stubborn, of course.”

 

Lin Shen smiled faintly, then turned back and settled into the passenger seat, slowly tightening the thermos lid.

 

At the same time, Lu Chengxuan got into the driver’s seat.

 

Both of them placed the Coke can and the thermos in the groove between the seats. One started the engine and drove, while the othis leaned back with eyes closed, resting. No one spoke an extra word.

 

That can of Coca-Cola wasn’t even opened.

 

At the ‘Group Formation Night,’ tens of thousands of fans witnessed the debut of a new girl group in the country.

 

The successfully debuted girls clung to each othis on stage, tears streaming down their faces. After months of intense competition, the event came to a close amidst a shower of confetti and resounding applause.

 

As a guest performer, Lin Qianqian wore a sea-blue custom gown. Because of her high heels, she was helped by staff to leave the stage first. Descending the final step, she was greeted with a bouquet of champagne roses held out to her.

 

“Teacher Lin, these flowers are from Mr. Bai,” a staff member said.

 

“Oh, thank you.”

 

The bouquet wasn’t large, only about twenty or thirty roses. It was light enough to hold comfortably, focused on being delicate rathis than extravagant. Compared to those huge, heavy bouquets, it felt thoughtful and personal.

 

Lin Qianqian lifted her dress slightly to avoid stepping on it and asked the staff, “Is he in the dressing room?”

 

“Uh… no.” The staff member looked apologetic. “Sorry, the liaison over there didn’t know Mr. Bai is your friend, so he wasn’t allowed backstage. By the time I went looking, he had already left.”

 

“Oh, that’s fine.”

 

Since many fans had come today, backstage security was tight to prevent stalkers from sneaking in. Such a situation was understandable.

 

Bai Yanchuan was always discreet, and Lin Qianqian knew he had his own destination. She didn’t worry and returned to the dressing room to change out of her gown, remove her stage makeup, and put on a simple everyday look. Wearing a mask and hat, she slipped out through a quiet, unnoticed exit.

 

As she stepped into the chauffeur-driven car, the black Audi next to them flicked its lights.

 

Lin Qianqian’s eyes were drawn, and she immediately spotted the person in the driver’s seat. She turned to his assistant and said, “I have plans for a while. You go rest.”

 

Normally, agencies wouldn’t allow artists to move around freely, in case photos got out.

 

But Lin Shen had set up a personal studio for Lin Qianqian, freeing her from such restrictions. With Lu Chengxuan’s connections, even if rumors or media attention arose, they could be quickly handled.

 

The assistant obeyed without question. Before getting in the car, they glanced down at the bouquet in their hands.

 

“And this…”

 

Lin Qianqian stared at the small card in the center of the flowers that read, ‘Happy Birthday.’ She took the bouquet, walked to the othis car, opened the door, and slipped into the back seat.

 

“Happy birthday, beautiful lady.”

 

Lin Wangye, long-awaited, handed over a handmade box of chocolates, eyes sparkling like stars. “Wishing you eternal youth, eternal beauty, and eternal happiness!”

 

Lin Qianqian had thought Lin Wangye would be waiting at the restaurant, so seeing him here too was a delightful surprise. She accepted the chocolates and gave him a side hug.

 

“Thank you, babe. Didn’t expect you to be here too.”

 

“Ha!” Lin Wangye exchanged a playful glance with Shi Yuan in the passenger seat, then winked at Bai Yanchuan in the rearview mirror. “Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt anyone’s private little world.”

 

Bai Yanchuan started the car, smirking.

 

“Then you’d better get out.”

 

“No way!” Lin Wangye buckled his seatbelt and made a finger-gun gesture at the windshield. “Let’s go! I’m hungry! Dinner time!”

 

“Alright, let’s go.”

 

Bai Yanchuan smiled and drove toward the restaurant.

 

Originally, Lin Wangye had planned to watch the performance live, but today was the girl group’s debut night, not Lin Qianqian’s main stage. She only performed in the middle and appeared at the very end.

 

If you were coming just for her, most of the time it would probably feel a bit boring.

 

Plus, the crowd was huge and noisy.

 

Considering all sorts of minor annoyances, Lin Wangye ultimately decided to watch the live stream instead of coming in person.

 

He hadn’t expected security to be so strict—he couldn’t even get backstage.

 

At any time, wherever Lin Wangye was, it would never be a dull moment. He rambled on about Lin Qianqian’s performance today for a long while, praising his so enthusiastically that he was positively beaming, his smile never leaving his face.

 

Bai Yanchuan and Shi Yuan mostly played the audience, occasionally chiming in.

 

By around 11 p.m., the roads had cleared up a lot.

 

They soon arrived at their destination. Before getting out, Lin Wangye and the others were a bit puzzled because Bai Yanchuan didn’t drive into the parking lot; he stopped at the restaurant’s main entrance.

 

Seeing Lin Qianqian’s curious look, Bai Yanchuan gave a faint smile.

 

“You guys go ahead and eat. I still have some things to handle. Happy birthday.”

 

Lin Wangye, just opening the car door, asked in confusion, “Ah… you still have work this late?”

 

It was rare for anyone to have work at this hour, though considering the hospital’s nature, it made sense. No one said anything more. After a brief farewell, they watched Bai Yanchuan drive away.

 

Once he was out of sight, Lin Wangye walked over to Lin Qianqian and asked, knowingly, “He was saying he had things to do on purpose, right?”

 

“Most likely.”

 

Lin Qianqian held the bouquet in her hands and didn’t say anything more.

 

This man was always considerate. Probably because everyone present today was genuinely like family, he chose not to participate, even though they were on good terms.

 

Since he had participated in the music competition ‘Sing the Heaven’s Voice’, Lin Qianqian had risen to fame quickly. After years immersed in the entertainment industry—where human nature can be as treacherous as fire and water—she had seen enough people and situations that her mindset had inevitably shifted.

 

Bai Yanchuan had both character and ability, and had chosen carefully whom he cared about.

 

But people grow.

 

After family upheavals and environmental changes, Lin Qianqian now devoted almost all her time and energy to work, seeing romance as the least necessary thing.

 

She hadn’t expected Bai Yanchuan to persist for so many years.

 

Currently, she was still in the upward stage of her career, her life centered on work. To be responsible to each other, she wasn’t planning to consider matters of the heart anytime soon.

 

But…

 

Seeing Lin Qianqian lost in thought, holding the bouquet, Lin Wangye understood instantly. He tilted his head, winked at her, and grinned. “This uncle’s pretty good. I approve! Giving a thumbs-up!”

 

Lin Qianqian pretended to glare at him in mock anger and said,

 

“You smooth talker… following Lin Shen has really spoiled you!”

 

She meant it for Lin Wangye, but just then the elevator doors opened, letting Lin Shen, who had been waiting outside, overhear everything.

 

“What are you talking about? When have I ever been smooth-talking?”

 

Lin Shen couldn’t let himself be framed like that. First, he defended himself, then, seeing the bouquet in Lin Qianqian’s arms, he immediately put on a Sichuan opera-style face-changing act:

 

“Wait a minute! No way Xiao Lin sent herself roses. Let me guess… isn’t it that Bai Yanchuan guy?!”

 

In front of his family, Lin Qianqian completely dropped the celebrity poise she always maintained in public. Without a word, she lifted the bouquet and swung it at Lin Shen.

 

“You dare mess with me? Your wings must be strong now!”

 

“Ouch, ouch, my bad!” Lin Shen knew She really would slap the flowers on his face, so he slid behind Lu Chengxuan, but his mouth didn’t stop:

 

“I’m just saying, the wedding gifts thing? I’m definitely going to make him pay! That Bai guy better start thinking about selling a house!”

 

If it weren’t for Lu Chengxuan standing there, the slap from the ‘celebrity’ would have hit Lin Shen’s face 100%.

 

Lin Wangye only came back from overseas occasionally, and Lin Qianqian was busy with work. The family hadn’t gathered for a long time. Everyone attended various dinners often, and around familiar people, no one liked being too stiff.

 

Though they called it a birthday celebration, it was really just a simple meal together.

 

After blowing out the candles, the table began eating. The conversation flowed easily, mainly revolving around entertainment gossip Lin Qianqian could only share behind the scenes, and Lin Wangye and Shi Yuan’s overseas experiences. From start to finish, the table was never quiet.

 

After the meal, Lin Shen noticed Lu Chengxuan had called Lin Wangye outside.

 

A long while passed with no sign of the two, so Lin Shen’s gaze shifted to Shi Yuan, who was peeling fruit beside him.

 

For a moment, he really wanted to ask how this person had managed to turn Lin Wangye into such a hopelessly love-struck fool.

 

When it came to him, Lu Chengxuan was obedient.

 

Yet he often felt that Lin Wangye was completely uncontrollable.

 

After thinking about it, Lin Shen decided not to ask.

 

First, out of respect and to maintain his image, he couldn’t reveal weaknesses in front of Lin Wangye.

 

Second, Lin Qianqian was right there.

 

If he knew he couldn’t even handle something this small, he would mock him relentlessly.

 

When Lin Wangye and Lu Chengxuan returned, Lin Qianqian said he was tired and wanted to go rest.

 

The driver and car were already waiting downstairs. One car took Lin Wangye, Shi Yuan, and Lin Qianqian back, while Lin Shen and Lu Chengxuan got into the original car.

 

Sitting in the quiet car, the lingering warmth of the red wine began to spread. Normally it could have been ignored, but Lin Shen felt restless, as if a fire were burning inside him.

 

Lu Chengxuan had also drunk a bit, and the car was being driven by someone else. With outsiders present, he couldn’t act freely.

 

Lin Shen held himself back all the way, only letting his forehead rest against Lu Chengxuan’s back in the elevator, sighing ambiguously.

 

Unexpectedly, Lu Chengxuan didn’t react.

 

In the past, he would have at least asked what was going on.

 

For some reason, Lin Shen felt his temper flare again. He straightened up, refusing any contact with the othis person. As soon as the elevator doors opened, he rushed out to unlock the door. One second he stepped inside, the next he was shoved in with what could only be described as fierce force.

 

In the blink of an eye, the door slammed shut with a loud ‘bang’.

 

Before Lin Shen could react, his wrists were grabbed. A ‘click’ sounded near his ears, metallic, familiar.

 

No lights were on in the house; everything around him was pitch black.

 

The slight intoxication from the wine, combined with the sudden situation, left Lin Shen in a dazed state. He tried moving his arms and realized they were restrained.

 

The metal felt cold to the touch.

 

After nearly ten seconds of analysis, he realized he was handcuffed.

 

The moment he reached that conclusion, his scalp tingled.

 

Before he could speak or act, his hands were lifted and pressed above his head, his entire body forced against the door with irresistible strength.

 

As his eyes gradually adjusted to the dim surroundings, Lin Shen looked up—and fell into the gaze of the person in front of him.

 

Lu Chengxuan’s eyes, so close he could see every detail, were like stormy waves, staring at him without blinking in the darkness.

 

Time seemed deliberately slowed.

 

Oxygen thinned, heart and breath syncing to a slower rhythm.

 

Since they’d met, Lin Shen had never appeared so weak, passive, and exposed—completely at someone else’s mercy—before Lu Chengxuan.

 

When he realized, belatedly, that this was all the result of Lu Chengxuan’s unprecedented dominance, adrenaline and blood surged through every vein in his body.

 

His thoughts snapped back clearly. He understood exactly what Lu Chengxuan was doing.

 

Electric currents ran down his spine, and the tightening in his lower abdomen intensified.

 

He could almost feel his body reacting uncontrollably. He wanted to tear at Lu Chengxuan’s clothes immediately, but he couldn’t break free from the restraints at all.

 

His lips barely moved, about to speak, when a hand pressed over his mouth with crushing force.

 

Lin Shen stared at Lu Chengxuan in disbelief, his mind tangled like a knot, unable to think straight for a moment.

 

This deliberate provocation was almost unbearable. His body felt as if it were on fire. If Lu Chengxuan hesitated even a second longer, he was certain he would lose control completely.

 

That worry proved unnecessary.

 

The moment the hand over his mouth lifted, his breath was stolen, his hands pinned above his head, his back pressed against the wall—there was nothing he could do but endure.

 

Lu Chengxuan’s ruthless kiss forced his lips apart, igniting nerve-shaking tremors, leaving no room for resistance.

 

Heat flared across his skin. His central nervous system had never experienced such loss of control.

 

Lin Shen made no effort to stifle the gasps escaping his throat. When a sharp scrape of teeth grazed his neck, he drew a sharp, breathless ‘hiss’:

 

“You’re insane…”

 

Lu Chengxuan didn’t answer. Instead, he freed a hand, opened a drawer in the entryway cabinet, pulled out a piece of clear tape, and in Lin Shen’s stunned gaze, pressed it over his mouth.

 

Then he placed a finger over his own lips, signaling silence.

 

Immediately afterward, Lin Shen’s eyes were covered as well.

 

*

 

Caught between advance and retreat, Lu Chengxuan finally tore open the little ‘secret pouch’ that Lin Wangye, the self-proclaimed genius of bad ideas, had left for him.

 

Inside was a single slip of paper.

 

On it, three bold words were written—

 

‘Wallbound Desire.’

 

---

 

Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters.  (๑>ᴗ<๑)