Chapter 45 A tragic fate is also a fate, a bitter fruit is also a fruit…
Shen Beidao came out of the bathroom, his hair still damp. He pushed open the bedroom door and saw Lin Yi hugging his knees, chin resting on his knees, lost in thought, exuding an indescribable loneliness.
Lin Yi didn't know that Shen Beidao had also gone to that restaurant tonight.
He sat upstairs, taking in the subtle atmosphere of the meal downstairs.
He saw Xie Chun's lateness, the suppressed anger in Lin Yi's eyes as he stood up, and the barely concealed tension beneath Lin Jingzhi's gentle facade when facing her son...
Although he couldn't hear the specific conversation, he knew that the meal was not easy.
He had "seen" another side of Lin Jingzhi, the late night when Lin Yi stayed over, the phone call filled with heart-wrenching sobs and chaotic threats.
Therefore, he understood that Lin Yi's silence concealed a suffocatingly heavy love for his mother.
He walked over quietly, reached out and ruffled Lin Yi's hair, "What are you thinking about, little turtle?"
He spoke in a very soft voice, with a hint of deliberate teasing.
Lin Yi snapped out of her daze, slapped his hand away impatiently, and said in a sharp tone, "Hmph! If I'm a turtle, then you're a female turtle!"
Shen Beidao was taken aback, then laughed, his chest trembling slightly: "You got the gender wrong, didn't you?"
He leaned closer, his breath brushing against Lin Yi's earlobe: "I'm on top now, and you're being suppressed from above."
"You..." Lin Yi instantly bristled. He couldn't accept being on the bottom, so he stood up abruptly and glared down at Shen Beidao. "I'm talking about the issue of male and female!"
"This is my house. You live in my house, so you're living with me! You say I'm a turtle, then aren't you a female turtle?! That's logic! Do you understand logic?"
"Can't I just be a person?" Shen Beidao stopped laughing and became very serious. He knew that Lin Yi might be subconsciously looking for an outlet for his emotions.
"Hey! Turtles and humans are reproductively isolated, right? You don't want to be with me anymore?"
As Shen Beidao watched Lin Yi standing on the bed, gesturing wildly, his worries gradually dissipated. He knelt on one knee by the bed and reached out to pull Lin Yi's wrist. "Okay... I'm sorry, I know I was wrong. I won't joke around anymore. Sit down, you little rascal."
"You're the bastard! Everyone around you is a bastard!"
Lin Yi stumbled slightly from his pull and sat down on the edge of the bed, but he still kept arguing.
He was in such a terrible mood that even his arguments became incredibly childish and thoughtless.
Shen Beidao sat down next to him, put his arm around his shoulder, and gently pulled him into his arms.
Lin Yi was initially stiff, but when he felt the warmth of Shen Beidao's body, his body exhausted all the strength to resist and softened, resting his forehead on Shen Beidao's shoulder.
"Did you enjoy seeing your mother today?" Shen Beidao gently and soothingly stroked his back with his palm.
Lin Yi remained silent in his arms for a while before saying in a muffled voice, "Of course it's fun! My mom is actually very good to me, extremely good, it's just..."
He paused, then said, "Her health has been poor for the past two years, and her mental state has been unstable. I don't want to upset her any further."
Shen Beidao hugged him tighter, gently rubbing his chin against the top of his head: "Actually, your mother's problem is more of a psychological one."
"Mental illness ultimately depends on one's own understanding and overcoming. It cannot be cured by external people changing things to meet one's expectations."
Taking all the blame and trying to be the good son she expects will only make her more immersed in her fantasies and will also make you increasingly exhausted.
Lin Yi raised her head, broke free from his embrace, tilted her head, and stared at him scrutinizingly: "You knew everything?"
"...Who told you that? Li Rui? Or Zhang Zexuan?"
Shen Beidao: Actually, my mother told me that people only stop listening to who is answering the phone when they are on the verge of a breakdown, and just pour out all their pain...
"It's Zhang Zexuan."
"Hey!?" Lin Yi frowned even more, his tone filled with suspicion. "Why have you been in such close contact with him lately?"
He suddenly remembered the message he had secretly seen during the day—[What should I do about my situation?] Zhang Zexuan had sent to Shen Beidao.
“I gave him a letter of forgiveness,” Shen Beidao answered frankly. “So he told me some things about your past.”
"Of course, I'm not sure how much of this is objective fact and how much is his subjective conjecture. I just want to know more about you."
Looking into his clear and honest eyes, Lin Yi's suspicion and jealousy subsided slightly. "About Du Xiaoman... are you really not angry?"
"After all, he extorted so much money from you... and those photos... Actually, I only found out about this later. If I had known earlier..."
"Don't be angry." Shen Beidao interrupted him, his tone completely unforced.
He pulled Lin Yi back into his arms: "He returned all the money, and he was punished by law. This matter did not have any impact on me personally."
Shen Beidao: From another perspective, I should also 'thank' him. If it weren't for his stunt, would my parents have known about my existence so early?
People tend to have a higher acceptance threshold for facts that are already known.
How could a chess player dislike a piece that is advantageous to him?
Lin Yi lifted his head from his embrace, staring into his eyes, trying to find a trace of pretense in that calm, deep pool: "You wouldn't... be faking it in front of me, would you?"
"You clearly care a lot, but you're pretending to be so magnanimous?"
"How could that be?" Shen Beidao lowered his head and gently kissed his slightly pouting lips, a fleeting touch, with a tender gesture. "I always tell you the truth. I would never lie to my beloved."
He silently added to his mind: If there really is such a thing as "deception," it would only be a "white lie" created so that we could be together better.
Yi Yi is so kind; if she ever finds out, she'll definitely understand and forgive me.
"You'd better be," Lin Yi warned.
But her body betrayed her and she snuggled closer to him.
He always felt that there was something he didn't know about Zhang Zexuan, but Shen Beidao's embrace was too warm, making him temporarily unwilling to delve into those uncertain doubts.
"Honey," Shen Beidao's voice was tinged with a subtle excitement, "I went to see an old friend today, didn't I? He gave me a rather special gift, would you like to see it?"
Lin Yi narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of scrutiny in his gaze: "Today? I went out to see my mother, and you went on a date with someone else, and even accepted a gift?"
Seeing his jealous expression, Shen Beidao felt incredibly smug, and his smile deepened: "He's my dad's former colleague. We were mainly discussing work-related matters, such as arrangements for me to take over the domestic company's business after I resign. What are you thinking?"
"You're resigning?!"
"Yes, I have already submitted my resignation."
"Why? It can't be because of me..."
"No, don't overthink it. I just feel that this kind of life is too mundane, just going back and forth between home and work, it's meaningless, and I want to change my lifestyle."
Shen Beidao said seriously, "My father does need my help."
Shen Beidao looked at him with a smile.
"Really?" Lin Yi still felt that Shen Beidao was a bit "seductive" tonight. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but it was just a gut feeling that he was different from his usual calm and gentle self, as if there was something eagerly waiting for him in his eyes.
"What did I give you? Why are you being so secretive? Let me see it."
“He recently traveled abroad, visiting several countries. When he passed through the Czech Republic…” Shen Beidao said, while observing Lin Yi’s reaction.
Lin Yi's eyes lit up: "Czech Republic? I've been to Prague before! Is it some kind of unique, local souvenir?"
Let me see it! I'm working on my graduation project and I really need to collect all sorts of materials and inspiration..."
"Yi Yi is so smart." Shen Beidao smiled, got up and walked to the desk, took out a simple square gift box with a simple line drawing of the Charles Bridge from the drawer, walked back and handed it to Lin Yi, "It is indeed a souvenir."
"This box is well-designed!" Lin Yi took it and felt that it was very light.
He excitedly untied the light gold ribbon and opened the box.
Inside, neatly arranged were colorful, matchbox-sized square boxes, each printed with a stylish English word: Billberry.
The colors are bright and vibrant, arranged like a box of exquisite candies.
"Is it something to eat? Cookies? Or chocolate?" Lin Yi asked curiously, picking up a small light blue box and opening it...
A small, square bag in solid color slipped into his palm; the graphics and text on it made him freeze instantly.
Is this a condom?
Lin Yi, still skeptical, opened the package: ...
The next second, Lin Yi reacted as if he had been burned, throwing the small bag and box back to Shen Beidao: "Shen Beidao! What... what are you doing!"
Is your friend...someone with a proper job? He's almost fifty, and...and he's giving you this kind of thing!
He was both ashamed and angry, and stammered, "Keep it for yourself! I don't want it!"
Shen Beidao caught the "gift" that was thrown back with quick reflexes. Looking at Lin Yi's embarrassed and indignant expression, the smile in his eyes was almost overflowing.
He picked up the small, opened bag that had fallen onto the bed and deliberately held it up in front of Lin Yi.
"Don't waste them, there are only a hundred." He said with a smile, then pointed to the circle of English instructions on the back of the packaging and deliberately read them in a clear and slow tone:
“Polyurethane… Features: Non-latex material, suitable for those with latex allergies. Thinner than latex, with better heat conduction and higher sensitivity.”
Chinese translation:
Polyurethane material.
Features: Non-latex, suitable for people with latex allergies.
It is thinner than latex, has better thermal conductivity, and is more sensitive.
"What, what do you mean? My English isn't good..." Lin Yi blushed, but his ears honestly picked up the key words.
For example: thin?
“It means…” Shen Beidao put down the small bag, leaned closer, placed his hands on the mattress on either side of Lin Yi’s body, and his gaze was so intense it seemed to want to set him on fire. “We’ll try it and see.”
As he spoke, his fingers deftly began to unbutton the top button of Lin Yi's pajamas.
"Hey! Wait a minute!" Lin Yi hurriedly grabbed his messy hand. "I...I'm not better yet! The swelling from last time...it hasn't gone down yet...No, absolutely not today! Don't even think about it!"
Shen Beidao stopped moving, but his body remained pressed close to Lin Yi's. The fire in his eyes did not go out; instead, it burned even brighter because of Lin Yi's resistance and embarrassment.
“I think your baby might be allergic to regular materials.” He said with concern, “This one is made of hypoallergenic material, and I heard the experience is completely different; it won’t cause any discomfort…”
"Ah...get out of here!" Lin Yi was both angry and anxious, shoving him with both hands and feet. "I'm not having an allergic reaction! I'm...I'm injured! I need to rest! You beast! Help me..."
His protests were quickly silenced, disappearing into the mingling breaths and the gradually warming night...
"Help!!! Help me—!! Domestic violence against my employee!!!"
At the same time, on the other side of the city, in the empty chairman's office, a completely different "cry for help" echoed.
The clock hands were pointing close to midnight.
The entire floor was deserted, except for this one office with its lights still on. Outside the heavy floor-to-ceiling windows was a dazzling yet cold city night view.
Xie Chun held a new broom with a plastic handle that he had just bought from the 24-hour convenience store downstairs, his face ashen.
Meanwhile, Zhang Zexuan, the victim of his "abuse," was hiding awkwardly behind a row of tall mahogany bookshelves, peeking out half his head with a mixture of grievance, fear, and a hint of barely concealed...excitement on his face.
Only then did Zhang Zexuan belatedly realize that the lock on Xie Chun's office door was a high-end intelligent system.
The owner can remotely control the door lock status via a mobile app.
It can be forcibly locked from the inside, preventing people from getting in and people from getting out.
Xie Chun had taken advantage of his momentary lapse in attention, operated his phone expressionlessly, and then with a soft "click," they were locked in this enclosed, soundproof space.
"Mr. Xie! Uncle Xie! Boss Xie! I really know I was wrong! I'll never do it again! Please, have mercy on me this time!"
Zhang Zexuan clung to the edge of the bookshelf, his voice slightly breathless from the chase, "Besides... I didn't use any force! I just gave him a light... kiss!"
If you exercise more with me... to speed up your metabolism, those marks will fade away quickly!
It would have been better if he hadn't said "sports," because the moment he uttered those two words, Xie Chun felt a surge of anger rush to his head, leaving the old man completely bewildered.
He had been chasing the kid around the office for almost half an hour with this rather clumsy broom, from the sofa area to the work area, and then behind this row of bookshelves, leaving a mess and chaos.
This kid is something else, full of energy, and his mouth is getting more and more rude!
"Exercise?" Xie Chun's voice was squeezed out through clenched teeth, "...You want to exercise, right? Fine! Then I'll get you some different exercise equipment!"
As he spoke, his gaze swept over the solid wood coffee table next to him, on which sat a heavy crystal ashtray.
He dropped the broom, took two steps over, grabbed the ashtray, weighed it in his hand, turned around, and stared dangerously at the figure behind the bookshelf.
“Come here.” His tone was frighteningly calm. “Let your uncle use this to give you a good workout.”
Zhang Zexuan glanced at the weight of the ashtray and Xie Chun's expression, and his heart skipped a beat.
Oh no, this time we've really angered this guy. Judging from his attitude, it doesn't seem like we're just trying to scare him.
He quickly dropped his playful grin, completely admitting defeat, his voice trembling with tears: "No, no, no! Mr. Xie, I was wrong! I was really wrong! I was just joking! I was talking nonsense!"
"You are a magnanimous person, with a heart as vast as a prime minister's. Please don't hold a grudge against a nobody like me! I promise to behave myself from now on and never again offend... no, I will never offend you again!"
"Come here..."
Xie Chun remained unmoved, still holding the ashtray, "Don't make me say it a third time."
Zhang Zexuan realized there was no way to avoid it now. Xie Chun's eyes clearly showed that he wouldn't give up until he got an "explanation" today.
He slowly and deliberately moved out from behind the bookshelf, inching forward step by step.
"Hurry up!" Xie Chun's anger flared up again at his snail's pace. "Are your legs paralyzed? Do you need me to find someone to treat you?"
Zhang Zexuan was startled by his shout, gritted his teeth, and took two big strides to stand in front of him!
Then, with a "thump," he knelt down decisively, lunged forward, and grabbed Xie Chun's leg, which was covered by expensive trousers.
"Uncle Xie!" He looked up, his playful expression gone, his eyes bright and determined, then filled with a fierce determination:
"You can either kill me today! If you don't, I'll be your good baby forever! I'll cling to you until I die! I'll haunt your office as a ghost! In my next life, I'll specifically go to your ancestral grave!!!"
His voice was loud and resonant, echoing in the empty office, carrying an absurd yet unusually serious declaration.
Xie Chun's hand, which was holding the ashtray, froze in mid-air.
Looking at the young man at his feet, who was hugging his legs, looking up, and saying such outrageous and blunt things, he suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of powerlessness.
Fight? How?
Looking at such a face, such a pair of eyes?
Not fight? Are we just going to swallow this insult?
Won't this kid become even more lawless in the future?
Xie Chun inwardly berated himself with helplessness:
What a damn... ill-fated relationship.
Zhang Zexuan seized upon his slight hesitation, as if he understood his inner monologue, and said, "A karmic entanglement is also a karmic connection, and a bitter fruit is also a fruit!"
The dog rubbed its head against its owner's suit pants: "Please give me a chance, my dear uncle~~~"
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