Unexpected Rescuer and a Perilous Offer

Lin Yiting held the gun, backing out of the car. The ominous muzzle remained aimed at Chen Sishi’s head, and with a mere flick of Lin Yiting’s finger on the trigger, Chen Sishi’s life would be forfeit.

Chen Sishi raised her hands, retreating step by step. Seeing this, Bai Zhiyue, who stood nearby, dared not make a move.

“If you don’t want to experience a bullet’s kiss, then let me take him.”

Neither of them dared to act rashly, uncertain whether Lin Yiting’s gun was loaded.

Finally, having scared the two girls into submission, Lin Yiting supported the unconscious Lin Yi and moved towards the roadside.

With Lin Yi still in a coma, there was no way for them to leave on her motorcycle.

Just as Lin Yiting began to fret, a car suddenly pulled up in front of her. The black window slowly lowered, revealing a familiar face.

“Sister Lin, please get in. I’ll have someone bring your motorcycle back.”

Lin Yiting recognized this person; she had encountered her once when Lin Yi was on his way home and again at the company that day.

“Thank you, that would be a great help.”

“It’s no trouble at all. How is Lin Yi doing?”

“They said it’s likely a sleeping aid or something similar.”

Hearing this, Qin Ruoxue turned to look at Lin Yi, then addressed Lin Yiting.

“We’ll take him to my family’s hospital for a check-up later. I don’t think it’s anything serious.”

“Understood. Thank you. The cost of the examination, I…”

Before she could finish, Qin Ruoxue cut her off.

“Hey, how could I possibly charge you? It’s on me.”

Lin Yiting hesitated, still reluctant to accept, but she couldn’t argue with Qin Ruoxue. She could only agree.

“Thank you…”

****

After the car had driven for a while, Lin Yiting received a peculiar phone call.

“Hello? Is this Miss Lin?”

Lin Yiting frowned at the sound of the voice. It was unfamiliar, yet the speaker’s tone suggested a strange intimacy.

“May I ask who this is?”

“Chen Lujun…”

Her pupils constricted. Lin Yiting knew that name all too well. It was unfathomable to her that Chen Lujun, one of New City’s tech giants, would seek out a mere bodyguard like herself.

“I’ve heard about your work before, so I’d like to hire you as my bodyguard for one day. The date is next weekend.”

“Boss Chen, aren’t you overestimating me a bit? While I may be half a mercenary, my two fists can hardly contend with four hands. Surely, the Chen family’s security is already top-notch?”

Chen Lujun on the other end of the line suddenly chuckled.

“Miss Lin is truly forthright. Then I won’t beat around the bush. I actually want to meet your younger brother. For my daughter to be so fixated on him, he must be quite extraordinary, wouldn’t you agree?”

“There’s no need for flattery. I know his character all too well. With my brother’s abilities, he’s far from comparable to your daughter, so please, let’s skip any banquets.”

“What if I offered you two thousand for that day?”

Lin Yiting’s finger, hovering above the ‘hang up’ button, abruptly paused. Two thousand. Two thousand for a single day. She involuntarily swallowed, the sum undeniably tempting.

However, Lin Yiting had to consider Lin Yi’s safety. Dealing with such a prominent company felt like licking blood from a knife’s edge, and Lin Yiting certainly didn’t want Lin Yi to get involved.

“I’m sorry, President Chen…”

“Three thousand…”

“Four thousand…”

“Two thousand an hour.”

“Deal!”

This wasn’t selling Lin Yi out; it was purely due to the immense pressure. Lin Yiting’s personality mirrored Lin Yi’s in some ways—neither of them liked to owe others or cause trouble.

She suspected that if she hadn’t agreed, Chen Lujun would have eventually offered four thousand an hour. No, her judgment wasn’t clouded by money. Definitely not!

****

Back home, Lin Yiting carried the unconscious Lin Yi to his bed and tucked him in. The black and white tuxedo cat tumbled out from under the covers, blinking its eyes sleepily as it surveyed its surroundings.

*Meow?*

The little cat seemed displeased. It rose and walked to Lin Yiting’s feet, sharply flicking her ankle with its tail. Feeling a soft, furry brush, Lin Yiting found the cat rather endearing.

She refilled the tuxedo cat’s food and water bowls. Upon returning to Lin Yi’s side, Lin Yiting noticed beads of sweat on his forehead.

Concerned about his condition, Lin Yiting sent a message to Qin Ruoxue.

[Lin Yiting: Lin Yi is sweating. Is it a side effect of the medication?]

[Qin Ruoxue: It shouldn’t be. Maybe he’s too warm, or perhaps he was frightened. I heard he went to a haunted house today.]

Reassured by Qin Ruoxue’s reply, Lin Yiting took Lin Yi’s wrist. There were no abnormalities, though his pulse occasionally quickened, as if he had been startled.

Looking at the unconscious young man, Lin Yiting sighed helplessly. Her younger brother truly had a knack for attracting a peach blossom disaster.

****

Around him… it was so dark… he couldn’t see the sun… couldn’t see the moon…

‘Am I… imprisoned already?’

The brown-haired youth slowly opened his eyes, a hint of confusion on his sharply defined face.

He couldn’t see anything, and his body felt cold. Especially his ankles and wrists, which felt as though chains were wrapped around them.

With his movements, he could even hear the clinking sound of chains. Lin Yi didn’t know whether to cry or laugh; it felt like being caught by Chen Sishi might be a release. He just hoped she would be gentle when she made her move.

“Lin Yi, how is it? The new chains I got for you are much lighter than before, aren’t they?”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. In a while, Lin Yi won’t need these things anymore.”

The crazed, silver-haired girl gently lifted Lin Yi’s chin. Her face was blurry, impossible to discern. His head throbbed; he felt like he had seen this scene somewhere before, but he couldn’t recall where.

“Chen Sishi?”

He called out tentatively, but the silver-haired girl opposite him didn’t react. Lin Yi called again, yet she remained unresponsive, as if she hadn’t heard him.

“Hmm? Lin Yi wants to go back? Oh, no, we promised to be together forever, you can’t break your word.”

The silver-haired girl’s words seemed directed at Lin Yi, but in reality, they had nothing to do with him.

Understanding this, Lin Yi’s mind cleared considerably. This wasn’t the real world; this was his dream.

The surrounding scenery gradually became ethereal, and the girl before him began to turn transparent. Then, a young man appeared out of thin air. Like the girl, Lin Yi couldn’t make out his face. He walked to Lin Yi’s side and whispered softly in his ear.

“It’s all fake…”

****

His mind a blank, Lin Yi reopened his eyes, finding it was already morning.

He sat up, one hand pressed to his forehead, the other reaching for his phone. His head felt heavy and muddled; Lin Yi had a nagging feeling he had forgotten something.

Glancing at the time on his phone, Lin Yi let out a soft breath. There was still plenty of time before class. He had actually thought he wouldn’t see the sun today.

At that thought, his amber eyes widened, and Lin Yi abruptly lifted his head, scanning his surroundings. The familiar computer desk, the familiar wardrobe, the familiar window…

He hadn’t been captured and ‘re-educated’ by Chen Sishi, nor had he become one half of a pair of doomed lovers with her.

The room door suddenly pushed open, and Lin Yi instinctively looked towards the sound. A weary Lin Yiting stood in the doorway, forcing a strained smile.

She had stayed up all night, worried something might happen to Lin Yi. Now, seeing him hale and hearty, she felt it was worth it.