Chapter 5 - A Scene of b.l.o.o.d.y Slaughter
Translated by Eve
Edited by s.h.i.+rubame
【444：Ding, the capture target’s current Favorability Value is 60.】
【444：It really increased by 10 points! Host dada, I admire you so much! He didn’t even meet you for so long, how could it increase by this much! _(:зゝ∠)_！】
【Xie He：There’s no reason to be afraid of eating something delicious. But only being able to have a taste before never being able to eat it again, now that’s terrible. You’d think about it nonstop. You’d think about it day and night. You’d think about it so much that the taste will henceforth become unimaginably beautiful in your mind. 】
Although it’s only at the most basic level, it’s a Heartthrob’s Pedigree through and through. How could any normal person be allowed to taste such a delicacy?
【444：+_+】He completely did not understand!
【Xie He：Be quiet for now. Don’t disturb my acting. 】
Xie He stared at the man who was seated at the host’s spot. He was rigid from head to toe, frozen in place.
Zhou Yian felt Xie He’s hand suddenly cool. He foolishly stood at the entrance, unmoving. Thinking that the other was just nervous, he smiled, “It’s alright. It’s just my brother, Zhou Yizhe.”
Zhou Yizhe smiled slightly, looking at Xie He like he was seeing a stranger for the first time. He walked towards Xie He and held out his right hand, “h.e.l.lo.”
Xie He remained as still as before, in a daze. That hand that had been stretched out before him had flawless, slender fingers. However, in his eyes, they were like the hands of the demon from a nightmare that had come to life. He instinctively took a step back.
Zhou Yian revealed a puzzled expression. Although Zhao Qing tended to be bit shy, this kind of rude behaviour was rather abnormal.
Just as the mood was turning awkward, Zhou Yizhe naturally retracted his hand. He was not at all offended by this rejection and let out a beautiful, m.u.f.fled laugh, “Don’t stand in the doorway. Come sit.”
This sentence startled Zhou Yian awake and warned Xie He at the same time.
Xie He’s expression changed slightly. He had forgotten himself just now. If he continued on like this, he’d be found out by Zhou Yian! He can’t let Zhou Yian find out……..especially since……..since that man was unexpectedly his brother………If Zhou Yian were to find out the truth, wouldn’t he hate him? He’d end up losing Zhou Yian!
Xie He slowly relaxed his tense body. At this time, he noticed that Zhou Yizhe did not expose him. This made him let out a sigh of relief.
“H-h.e.l.lo……” Xie He whispered, obediently following after Zhou Yian to their seats.
However, Zhou Yizhe’s following actions made all the hair on his body stand on end. He unexpectedly sat right next to him!
Xie He, who was surrounded on either side by the two brothers, felt his palms get clammy.
Xie He had already been trying his best to remain calm. However, his odd behaviour was obvious in the eyes of the two brothers, like searchlights amidst the darkness. Even if they wanted to ignore it, they couldn’t.
The nearly unperceivable smile on Zhou Yizhe’s mouth deepened a bit. He suddenly opened his mouth, “Am I that scary?”
Xie He felt a chill run down his spine and didn’t dare to look at him.
Zhou Yian glanced at his elder brother and smiled, “It’s definitely because you look too scary.”
Zhou Yian squeezed Xie He’s hand lightly and comforted him softly, “It’s really alright. My brother may look a bit too serious, but he’s really not all too bad. Moreover, he definitely won’t dislike you. Right, Ge?”
This last sentence was directed at Zhou Yizhe.
Zhou Yizhe unhurriedly poured a cup of tea for Xie He, “En. I quite like him.”
Zhou Yian was extremely happy to hear this. He spoke with a voice full of pride for Xie He, “What did I say? My brother would definitely like you! From now on, we’ll all be part of the same family so there’s no need to be this nervous.”
Xie He nearly pa.s.sed out. He still had to treat this man as family!
“Ok, that’s enough. The more you speak, the more nervous he’ll get.”
Seeing that Xie He was getting more and more pale, Zhou Yizhe helped him out from the “goodness” of his heart. He then called a server over to begin serving them.
Not long after, all kinds of delicious looking food were carried over.
When Xie He saw these delicious dishes, he didn’t feel hungry at all. The two brothers did not seem to notice this. However, as Zhou Yian attentively picked up food and placed it into his bowl, Zhou Yizhe occasionally inquired whether or not the food was to his liking.
This kind of treatment couldn’t be considered bad, but Xie He felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. His expression became more and more stiff and ugly.
Zhou Yian eventually realized that something was fishy and asked worriedly, “Are you feeling uncomfortable?”
“It’s……..It’s nothing. I have to go to the bathroom!” Xie He stood up abruptly. He could not stay here!
【Xie He：I can’t stay here any longer! There’s so many delicious dishes but I can’t eat any of it. I feel so mistreated today. 】
【444：(⊙o⊙) Eh?】
【Xie He：Last time, I saw in the system store that there was soy sauce braised meat made from the creatures of the Leica Galaxy for sale. It should be worth a try. Although it’s a bit pricey, what’s the point of living if one doesn’t know how to enjoy oneself?】
k3010;444kUU1J;Nod nod nodk3011;
Host dada is the type who enjoys living in the moment!
Xie He obviously did not want to actually use the washroom. He would just stay there for a while and wait for the time to be about right before heading back.
Xie He’s eyes were full of concentration. He then walked out as naturally as he could.
He had just exited when his arm was suddenly grabbed. His back hit the wall. Immediately after, he was enshrouded by a large shadow.
Xie He raised his head in indignation. He saw Zhou Yizhe standing in front of him. The other looked at him while towering above him. There was not even a hint of a smile on that handsome and cold face. He only examined him coldly. It was as if the Zhou Yizhe before him and the Zhou Yizhe from the private room were two completely different people.
“What are you doing?” Xie He glared at him with angry eyes.
“I should be the one asking you this question. What are you doing together with my younger brother?” Zhou Yizhe’s gaze was as sharp as a knife. His oppressive posture made the other party feel extremely pressured. He spoke coldly, “Furthermore, don’t you have anything you want to say to the person who once saved you? It looks like you’re an ungrateful wretch at heart.”
Xie He widened his eyes in astonishment. He did not understand why he was being criticized like this. He spoke through gritted teeth, “If you’re referring to what happened that time……..I…….I had already……..th-thanked you…….”
“It seems…….that I should tell Zhou Yian what happened that day,” Zhou Yizhe enunciated slowly.
Xie He’s pupils contracted. He grabbed Zhou Yizhe by the collar and shouted with feigned ferocity, “You can’t do that!”
It seems that he can even be forced to extend his claws. A glimmer of amus.e.m.e.nt flashed in Zhou Yizhe’s eyes. He glanced at Xie He’s hand that was grasping at his s.h.i.+rt collar and said indifferently, “Why not? As Zhou Yian’s brother, I naturally have the responsibility and obligation to make sure he chooses correctly. I can check for him and make sure that he won’t be cheated by anyone—–This was honestly why I wanted to meet you today. Who would have thought……that it would be you.”
These kind of una.s.sailable words gradually broke through the defenses of Xie He’s heart. His expression slightly changed into one of despair.
Xie He’s eyes reddened. He looked at the callous man before him for a long time before he pleaded quietly, “Please…….Don’t tell him……”
Zhou Yizhe looked at the youth below him. His weak expression tickled his heart. Was he too much just now? Zhou Yizhe’s tone softened a bit, “I haven’t told him yet.”
Xie He stared at him blankly. A hope ignited in his eyes once again, and he looked at Zhou Yizhe expectantly. Those glimmering, wet eyes were so beautiful that it sent ripples through one’s heart. It made people want to take him for their own…….or made them want to wreck him……..
Zhou Yizhe’s eyes darkened. He lowered his head. Just a bit more and his lips would touch the tip of the other’s nose. In a low voice he said, “Only, I’m starting to doubt whether or not I should help you hide this, since you don’t know how to be grateful at all. Moreover, you’re depraved and wanton. If I were to help you conceal the truth, wouldn’t I be acting irresponsible towards Zhou Yian?”
“I-I’m not that kind of person. You’re mistaken…….” Xie He’s appeared indignant, but he had to defend himself.
“Oh? It couldn’t be that the one who was holding onto me, refusing to let go, while yelling and crying at me to please get on top of him wasn’t you?”
Zhou Yizhe’s thin lips curved into a disdaining smirk. He ruthlessly continued to spit out a few words, “Or was it also not you who repeatedly showed a lack of respect towards the person who had helped you?”
With each word uttered, Xie He’s face paled a little more. The light in his eyes slowly dimmed.
The situation wasn’t like that. It wasn’t like that at all…….however……Xie He opened his mouth but couldn’t refute him.
Xie He lowered his eyelashes, lips slightly trembling. In the end, he had no choice but to surrender and say these humiliating words, “I’m sorry…….I didn’t do it on purpose. Thank you for helping me. I beg you…….don’t tell Yian.”
He spoke these words like he was a prisoner on death row. A feeling of defeat was emitted from every part of his body.
After a long time, a deep voice came from above his head, “Raise your head.”
Xie He did not dare resist. He bit his lower lip and slowly raised his head. He unexpectedly fell into the other’s deep and profound black eyes. Those eyes didn’t contain any of the disdain that he was expecting. Instead, there was an emotion that he didn’t quite understand.
【444：Ding, the target’s Favorability Value +5. The current Favorability Value is 65】
“Go back,” Zhou Yizhe spoke slowly, greatly resisting his impulse to kiss those moist eyes.
At first, he had just wanted to see Zhao Qing. However, once he saw him, he could not resist acting inappropriately. Zhou Yizhe realized that he couldn’t continue on like this. It was because he realized that his heart had been moved by this person before him. So, he must stop playing around.
Xie He looked at Zhou Yizhe vacantly as the other retreated. Then Zhou Yizhe turned around and began to walk away. A moment later…….Xie He’s face paled as if he had just received a death sentence.
Zhou Yizhe had rejected him. He was going to tell Zhou Yian the truth…….Th-this cannot happen!
Xie He suddenly dashed to tightly grab hold of Zhou Yizhe’s arm.
“You—–” Zhou Yizhe turned around, startled. He saw Xie He clinging onto him stubbornly with red eyes. The pair of eyes were completely pure, without a trace of l.u.s.t. However, Zhou Yizhe suddenly thought of the youth who had been moaning under him that night. His rationality was once again on the brink of collapsing.
“I beg you……..Don’t tell him…….” Xie He looked at him imploringly. His vocabulary for begging was extremely limited, only repeating these few words over and over again.
But Zhou Yizhe felt that the begging that came out of this pair of pink lips…….was like the most wonderful and effective aphrodisiac…….it was as pitiful as when the youth had been begging him that night……His trembling tone at the end was worth more than a thousand words.
【444：Ding, the target’s Favorability Value +5. The current Favorability Value is 70.】
“Let go of me,” Zhou Yizhe narrowed his eyes and enunciated each word, “I won’t tell him.”
“R-really?” Xie He looked as if he didn’t dare to believe him.
“I’m not like you. I’m true to my word,” Zhou Yizhe said coldly, “Except, if you’re still unwilling to let go of me, then perhaps I might just change my mind.”
“S-sorry!” Xie He suddenly released him, as if Zhou Yizhe was a scorching hot sweet potato.
This behavior that showed no hesitation to release him after achieving his goal made Zhou Yizhe felt a bit sullen, but he couldn’t continue to stay here.
Zhou Yizhe left with a chilly expression.
Xie He sneered in his heart. Child, this way of deliberately deceiving me by telling a false version of what happened isn’t bad at all. I’ll let you feel proud of yourself for a little while.
【444：Host dada, it’s already at 70 points! 70! That’s incredible! 】
【Xie He：Don’t make a fuss out of nothing. 】
【444：But I completely didn’t see this coming! He looks so unhappy! Looking at his expression, I’d believe it if you were to tell me that the Favorability Value had decreased by 10!】
【Xie He：Baby, did you think that everyone would have their feelings written on their faces?】
【Xie He：He wanted to toy with me, but ended up playing himself. According to his character, do you think he’d show this on his face?】
【444：( ⊙o ⊙)】
When Xie He had returned to the private room, Zhou Yizhe had already left. Xie He looked at Zhou Yian with a doubtful and apprehensive expression, “W-where’s your brother?”
“Oh, he just got a call. He said that he has some business to deal with at the company,” Zhou Yian smiled, completely unconcerned.
Xie He suddenly exhaled in relief. Indeed, Zhou Yizhe hadn’t said a word. He asked carefully, “Then, should we head back now?”
Zhou Yian wrapped an arm around Xie He’s shoulder and smiled, “Why go home now? Eat until you’re full, then we’ll go back. That way we don’t waste all of this food.”
Xie He couldn’t change Zhou Yian’s mind. Furthermore, he felt so ashamed that he could only obediently sit down and continue to eat.
………………………………
On the second day, Xie He said to Zhou Yian: “I’ve rested long enough. I should go back to work tomorrow.”
Zhou Yian was a bit reluctant to let Xie He resume work. He was always afraid that something would happen to Xie He. After all, last time’s mishap hadn’t yet been clarified. However, Xie He didn’t want to continue to stay at home. The constant fear of being exposed at any time made the guilt he felt become more and more intense whenever he faced Zhou Yian. It was to the point where he couldn’t sleep soundly at night. Perhaps going out to work would help change the suffocating atmosphere a bit.
Zhou Yian was not a dictator. He thought about it. They really couldn’t continue on like this. So he compromised, “You can go to work, but you don’t have to take on any more odd jobs anymore.”
Xie He hesitated for a moment, “But…….with only my salary…….It’s not quite enough…….”
Zhou Yian smiled and scratched his nose, “Idiot. I, your husband, have money. I’ll take care of you from now on. You can just go to work whenever you’d like.”
Xie He averted his gaze, “This…….isn’t good…….”
Zhou Yian hugged him. Feeling wronged, he said, “You complained that I didn’t tell you about my family circ.u.mstances earlier, right? I’m sorry…….It’s just that my family’s circ.u.mstances……are rather complicated. I had a reason for doing this. From now on, you’ll know. I promise you that, from now on, I’ll never conceal anything from you again.”
Xie He’s breath stopped when he heard those words. He fell silent for a few seconds, then said, “It’s fine.”
I have no right to ask anything of you because right now…….the one who is hiding things is me.
I’m sorry. Xie He hugged Zhou Yian. He felt that what he’s doing now was wrong, very wrong……however, he had no choice.
After seeing Xie He off, Zhou Yian rummaged around for that dusty bank card and then went to withdraw money.
Not long after the money was withdrawn, Zhou Yian received a call from Song Ruyi. His eyebrows furrowed. He had long since known that using his family’s money would be troublesome, so he had never been willing to use it until now. After a while, he finally picked up the call and spoke with a cold tone, “h.e.l.lo.”
“Yian, is that anyway to speak to your mother?” Song Ruyi said.
“If you ever said anything to me other than ‘come home’ or ‘go to work’, then maybe I’d change my att.i.tude.”
Song Ruyi choked, and then said, “It’s for your sake that…….”
“Oh? That’s strange. I had thought that it was because you wanted to consolidate your position,” Zhou Yian said, his voice chilly. He hadn’t understood it when he had been young, but now that he’s grown up, he now understands what the condescending looks around this pair of mother and son meant. If he could, he’d rather be a normal person than the Zhou family’s illegitimate child.
Song Ruyi felt a bit resentful. Her son had grown up and was no longer willing to listen to her. He didn’t sympathize with his mother’s problems at all. Her voice was a bit indifferent, “Today, I really have other matters to talk to you about.”
“Speak,” Zhou Yian said absentmindedly while flagging down a taxi.
“That fellow you treasure so much called Zhao Qing, I met with him a couple days ago,” Song Ruyi said bluntly.
“What did you say?!” Zhou Yian’s steps immediately halted. He knew his mother’s sn.o.bbish att.i.tude clearly. The fact that she had met with Zhao Qing wasn’t a good thing! He instantly thought of Zhao Qing’s earlier disappearance and abnormal behaviour. Could it be that his mother had something to do with it……
“I offered him $100,000 to break up with you. A person of this kind of upbringing, how could he suit you?” Song Ruyi said, “Fu family’s young miss isn’t bad. I let you meet her but you weren’t willing.”
Zhou Yian shouted loudly, “Who said that you could mess with him!”
His heart ached. So it was like this. It was because of him all along! His mother had hurt his beloved, and he hadn’t know anything at all!
Song Ruyi snorted with disdain, “That kind of trash who you treat like treasure, do you know who he’s been cozying up to as of late?”
“I won’t believe your instigations,” Zhou Yian said, his voice cold, “You’d better not think of messing with him again. Otherwise, I won’t forgive you.”
Song Ruyi made a sharp sound of disagreement and screeched, “Who would dare mess with him now! That older brother of yours is protecting him so well! Do you still remember Ding family’s son, Ding Ming? Your older brother sent him off to prison because he had planned to mess with Zhao Qing! It would never occur to you that this seemingly honest person who was refusing your money is actually a hypocrite who fooled around with your brother. He made you crazy for him to the point of confusion…….and he was able to even get a hold of your cold-blooded brother. His strategies also makes me want to praise him endlessly!”
“Ah ah, did you really think that I would believe you?” Zhou Yian sneered.
Yesterday, they all had dinner together. Zhou Yian didn’t recognize Zhao Qing at all.
“You can ask someone else. Zhou Yizhe might even admit that it was him with his own mouth. Who doesn’t know about this within our social circles? It’s only you who’s being kept in the dark,” Song Ruyi said mockingly, “Foolish child, I’ve long since let you fight for the things that you deserve. If you only had half the skills that your brother had, would Zhao Qing throw himself into the arms of other people without even the slightest hesitation? Would he still consider you a fool? Although I’m not a good mother, as I see you facing this kind of thing, there is anger in my heart…….What does he take us mother and son for? Our faces have been hit, pa pa! Fine, don’t argue with me. In any case, you don’t believe my words. I just wanted to let you know of what I’ve heard. You’re on your own. Don’t be so stupid that you end up helping him count the money after getting sold!”
The phone that Zhou Yian squeezed in his hand went “ge ge” in his hand.
T-this was impossible!
Meanwhile, Xie He was bored to death at work.
He was an office worker at a little company. There was nothing much to do every day. He normally just typed some words. It was too easy. Xie He did his work while also browsing the system store in his mind. It was too regretful that he couldn’t eat well yesterday. En, today he would eat before returning! This soy sauce braised alien meat wasn’t bad. The immortal wine brewed with thousand year old Reis.h.i.+ mushrooms was also not bad. There was also this, and this…….Oh. It seems that he still needs to complete his mission to receive experience points. 1 million points could buy a car full of food, but those unique delicacies were usually quite pricey. There was even the longevity peaches of the legendary Queen Mother of the West for sale but he couldn’t afford it…….
After enduring with much difficulty, the time to get off work soon approached. Xie He had just packed up his things when his phone suddenly rang. He casually answered the call, “h.e.l.lo.”
“It’s me,” the voice from the phone was deep.
Immediately, the look in Xie He’s eyes changed and he entered into battle mode! This was Zhou Yizhe’s phone! It couldn’t be that his evaluation of Zhou Yizhe’s character had been wrong?
“What…….What do you want……” Xie He stuttered nervously.
“Yunshang hotel, room 608. Come now.”
“I have to go home at night……” Xie He tried to make one last desperate attempt to refuse him.
Zhou Yizhe’s low voice came through the phone, “So…….I’ll go to your place then. It’s just right that I have something to discuss with Zhou Yian.”
Alarm bells rang in Xie He’s mind. He immediately said, “No! I…….I will come find you right now!”
He hung up and then sent Zhou Yian a text: “Today I have to work overtime. I will return a bit later tonight. You eat first, no need to wait for me ^_^”
After he sent the text, Xie He hastily left the company.
Half an hour later, Xie He stood at the hotel’s entrance. He looked at the hotel’s gla.s.s automatic doors like he was looking at death calmly in the face. It wasn’t until a pa.s.serby began to cast strange looks towards him did he take a step forward and entered the building.
The details determined failure or success! Xie He could not be lax and expose any weaknesses!
Room 608’s door was unlocked, as if it was waiting for him to come in. The suite was a bit dim, giving it a bit of a hazy tint.
Xie He took a step onto the soft carpet and looked helplessly at the man sitting on the sofa.
Zhou Yizhe put down the red wine in his hand. Calm and unruffled, he looked at the youth who was like a desperate little animal who had no way out. The little animal knew that it was step-by-step entering a trap…….It was both pitiful and adorable.
He had originally not wanted to reach out to Xie He. There was no shortage of men and women who threw themselves on him. It was even less worth it to touch his brother’s man.
However……It was as if a spell had been cast onto him. Since that day, he kept recalling the youth’s taste. It was the first time he had ever been concerned about a person. So, he used the excuse of checking up on his brother to see Xie He one more time. Perhaps after seeing him again, he wouldn’t want him anymore.
But once he saw him, not only did his intentions not disperse, on the contrary, his thirst became even more intense.
He was unwavering when he did things. The things that he wants, he would definitely get his hands on them. So, he called the young man over and planned to try once more…….to see whether or not he’d feel tempted.
“Come here,” Zhou Yizhe ordered, voice low and m.u.f.fled.
Xie He bit his lips and approached the man. Although he was standing and Zhou Yizhe was sitting down, when faced with Zhou Yizhe’s oppression, it felt like he had to raise his head to look at the man.
Zhou Yizhe watched the person before him with calm, almost unfeeling eyes and said indifferently, “Strip.”
The author has something to say:
→_→Who likes a scene of b.l.o.o.d.y slaughter the most~