The Unforeseen Encounter

After hanging up, he placed his phone on the edge of the bed.Su Yan looked up, meeting his icy gaze.Su Yan couldn’t help but shiver, yet the fear welling within him was swiftly overshadowed by a torrent of anger and despair.He stared directly at Lu Lin.”Are you insane?””Do you know what?I thought I had changed you.Now, it seems I was just a self-important fool.””I believed you had at least learned to respect people.I even agreed to be with you, yet you still can’t learn to change, can you?””You spied on me, and I pretended not to know.But in the end, you even learned to harm those close to me.””I hate you!”These final four words pierced Lu Lin’s heart like daggers, causing his blood to cease its flow.”I… I didn’t mean for this to happen,” Lu Lin explained, his face pale.He reached out, intending to wipe away Su Yan’s tears, but his hand was forcefully slapped away, leaving him no choice but to retract it.Su Yan bit down hard on his lip, tears silently tracing paths down his cheeks, his long lashes already wet.He sobbed.”I know, you must have intended it as a small punishment for Qi Nian.””You just didn’t expect it to escalate, and certainly didn’t expect me to find out.”Su Yan’s vision blurred, overwhelmed by feelings of humiliation and misplaced affection, for he had deluded himself into believing he could change Lu Lin.After today’s incident, his mood plummeted, and he couldn’t hold back his sobs.Lu Lin turned his head away, as if trying to escape reality, realizing he had ruined everything.He attempted to rein in his emotions, striving to project the illusion of being a ‘normal person’.Yet, whenever someone was near Su Yan, he would be consumed by jealousy and hatred, losing all reason, and by the time he came to his senses, it was always too late.Su Yan enunciated each of the three words distinctly.”I… hate… you.”‘I hate you for hurting those around me, I hate you for never changing, and I hate you for giving me hope only to snatch it away with disappointment.’Without waiting for Lu Lin’s reaction, he clutched the phone and bolted out the door, only to find himself outside with nowhere to go.Turning left outside their residential complex, a small commercial street appeared.He hadn’t intended to run far; his initial thought was to visit Qi Nian at the hospital, but it was already so late…He walked with his head down, not touching his phone, his mind swirling with a maelstrom of emotions, while the incessant chirping of cicadas on the summer night filled his ears.He wandered aimlessly along the road.This neighborhood was quite a distance from the city center, and its nightlife was far from vibrant.Upon reaching the commercial street, he discovered only one convenience store still open, though it seemed close to closing time.Su Yan was quite the homebody; at this hour, he would typically be playing video games or already fast asleep.Moreover, he maintained a good routine and rarely stayed up late unless absolutely necessary.Tonight, however, thinking about Lu Lin staying at his place, he found himself uncharacteristically sleepless.Late nights, he knew, often led to late-night snacks.With his mind in turmoil, he simply wanted to do something else.Su Yan pursed his lips as his stomach began to send signals of hunger.He couldn’t help but lift his damp eyes towards the convenience store.The convenience store wasn’t open twenty-four hours and was set to close in half an hour.Realizing this, he cast all other thoughts aside.”Ding-dong, welcome—”The store’s automated voice announced.The moment he stepped inside, the cool air enveloped him, instantly dissipating the summer heat from his body.”Welcome~” The clerk stood up, forcing away their drowsiness to greet the final customer.Su Yan had a fondness for prepared foods, so upon entering, he walked with purpose directly towards the onigiri section.As for why he wasn’t buying a bento, he had once tried this store’s bento, and it had been an odd mix of sweet and savory.’Was this what they called “sweet and savory” online?”He couldn’t even fathom how such an unusual flavor profile had been concocted.”The bento was trying to distract him from his dislike for Lu Lin.’If he liked something, he would undoubtedly eat it until he was sick of it, to the point of nausea.So…He picked up a plum onigiri, a flavor he had eaten dozens of times.Fearing one wouldn’t be enough, he took two, though deep down he knew he was merely trying to distract himself.’Deceiving himself.’The convenience store wasn’t large, so he circled to the other side and grabbed a bottle of strawberry milk.The clerk was already preparing to close, just waiting for him to finish his purchase.Su Yan checked the time and quickened his pace.He dumped the items he was carrying onto the counter and, the moment he pulled out his phone, froze in place.It was Lu Lin’s phone.’He had taken the wrong one.”Was there anything more embarrassing than this?If so, it would be the clerk realizing he had no money…’Meeting the clerk’s expectant gaze, Su Yan’s embarrassment reached new heights.’Could they please not stare at him with such bright, eager eyes?’His fingertips quietly hooked the onigiri back.He was mentally scrambling for an explanation: ‘How to explain going to a convenience store in the middle of the night while feeling emotional, only to realize he had no money!’The clerk appeared to be a high school student, with textbooks laid out on the counter.They maintained a smile, their eyes fixed unblinkingly on Su Yan’s hand.Su Yan opened the WeChat interface, agonizing over whether to use Lu Lin’s phone to pay.The moment he looked down at the screen, he froze once again.[Qi Zhiyao: Do I still need to follow him during this period?]A familiar name, unfamiliar words.His mind buzzed, and he could neither hear nor see anything, as all his past memories rushed back like a tide, instantly clarifying everything that had once been vague.However, the current situation afforded him no extra time to ponder the issue.The clerk, noticing his pale face, did not press him.Just as Su Yan considered throwing caution to the wind, a “ding-dong” welcome chime sounded from behind him, and he was subsequently enveloped in a shadow.”I’ll pay,” a clear, gentle voice offered.Su Yan turned to meet the smiling eyes of his “savior.”‘Was this person buying nothing, just coming in to show off?’It wasn’t that Su Yan was maliciously speculating; it was simply that ninety percent of unsolicited help came with ulterior motives.The moment Su Yan turned, a flicker of admiration crossed the other person’s eyes.”Thank you,” Su Yan managed, his spirits low but his manners intact.”It’s nothing.Let’s talk outside, they’re closing soon.”Shen Yichen opened the payment interface, a ‘beep’ confirmed the successful transaction, and he offered Su Yan a smile.’See?There’s no such thing as a free lunch after all.’Yet, even if he hadn’t spoken, Su Yan would have eagerly offered to exchange WeChat contacts; owing money to someone made him restless and uneasy.Shen Yichen led Su Yan to a bench outside the convenience store.”Let’s sit here, Su Yan.”Su Yan’s fingertips felt as if they were burning; he hadn’t asked the clerk to heat the onigiri in his hand.Only after hearing Shen Yichen correctly utter his name did he look up, staring at him with a bewildered expression.”I know you, so don’t be surprised.I’m technically part of your school now, just a transfer student,” Shen Yichen attempted to lighten the awkward atmosphere with a touch of humor.As he spoke, he pulled out his phone, swiped his finger across the screen several times, found the school forum, enlarged it, and handed it to Su Yan.Prominently displayed was a trending post about Shen Yichen’s transfer:[Have you heard?Shen Yichen, the only son of the powerful Shen Group, is transferring to our school!][1F: Is what the OP said true?][2F: Absolutely!My dad works for the Shen Group, this gossip is authentic.][3F: Rumor has it Shen Yichen’s skin is like cream, and his dark eyes can charm the soul right out of you, *swoon*~][4F: Someone please throw that perverted creature out of A University.][5F: I’ve reserved the position of Young Master Shen’s first love boyfriend ^-^][6F: What?!Young Master Shen is gay!!!]…Even though he had seen countless similar posts during high school, seeing this one still made his scalp tingle with embarrassment.Yet, Shen Yichen seemed rather proud of it?He curved his lips, eagerly awaiting Su Yan’s shocked expression, but Su Yan merely gave him a look that spoke volumes, then asked curiously.”Aren’t you embarrassed?”‘Your skin must be incredibly thick, then.’Su Yan truly felt there were countless things to criticize.’Who in college still bothers with such things?The author of this book must not have gone to school, turning it into some Mary Sue novel revolving around the protagonist.’Shen Yichen seemed to realize Su Yan wasn’t impressed.He retrieved his phone and introduced himself.”My name is Shen Yichen.”It was as if Su Yan had only just realized.His pupils dilated, and his heart skipped several beats.”Shen Yichen?!”‘Isn’t this the protagonist submissive from the original novel?According to the plot, shouldn’t he appear in three months?Why has the plot advanced so much?’Shen Yichen automatically overlooked Su Yan’s shocked expression.”Yes, I am Shen Yichen.”All his previous emotions were now buried.The protagonist submissive, whose appearance was crucial to his survival, had arrived.Lu Lin alone had already made his life a living hell; now, the two were about to combine forces.’What am I going to do now!'”Child prodigy, teenage genius, youthful prodigy Shen Yichen?The all-around talent in piano, calligraphy, dance, and Olympiad math, Shen Yichen?”Su Yan rattled off these phrases in a single breath, without pausing.These embarrassing terms weren’t his own invention; they were all from the original novel, which he was merely reciting.Shen Yichen had just taken a sip of water, and upon hearing this, he nearly choked.”Thank you for the compliments.”‘Though it does feel a bit awkward.’Whenever Su Yan felt nervous, he’d pinch himself.”How do you know my name?””There are CP threads about you two on the forum,” Shen Yichen continued.”I’ve been quite keen to meet you.”Su Yan’s original plan was to wait for the protagonist submissive to appear, for Lu Lin to fall in love at first sight, and then for him to voluntarily step aside.He certainly hadn’t anticipated the protagonist submissive arriving so early, before he had even experienced the “imprisonment, coercion, and binding” plotlines.He frantically waved his hands, his words stumbling.”W-we’re not a couple.”‘In the original novel, he had been cruelly tormented by the protagonist submissive upon their very first meeting.’Shen Yichen’s gaze held an assessing quality as he quickly scanned Su Yan, then chuckled.”Haha, is that so?My mistake, then.””Let me add you on WeChat.I’ll transfer the money back to you when I get home.”Su Yan quickly said, then waited for Shen Yichen to hand him his phone, despite knowing Shen Yichen wasn’t short on money.Still, he worried that Shen Yichen might later label him a “deadbeat” or similar, then team up with Lu Lin to deal with him.Su Yan couldn’t help but inwardly grumble.’Liar, he clearly said he only liked me.'”Alright.”The two sat on the bench, not too far, not too close.If Shen Yichen were to move even slightly closer, Su Yan would probably leap up.Su Yan’s fingertips trembled slightly.After finally adding the WeChat contact using Shen Yichen’s phone, he quickly stood up without waiting for Shen Yichen to detain him.”I’m leaving now, bye-bye.”‘Never again.’Unbeknownst to him, the person behind him immediately cooled their expression, slowly watched him, and let out a cold laugh.During Haishi’s plum rain season, the weather fluctuated between hot and cold.Just then, a cold gust swept past, and Su Yan rubbed his arms.He wore a loose white short-sleeved shirt adorned with cute patterns, and baggy ripped jeans that could seemingly fit both his legs.The combination created a stark contrast.Su Yan always loved to pretend to be a cool guy, but the effect was often the exact opposite.Most of the shops on the street had closed, leaving only the shadows of streetlights as his companions.He truly didn’t know where to go.The heavens were not kind; large raindrops began to pelt him.It was raining again, despite having just rained not long ago.This weather was much like Lu Lin’s mood: unpredictable.He found it incredibly difficult to forgive Lu Lin for the orchestrated car accident; this was no longer a simple prank or mischievous act.”Stop raining, it’s so annoying.”Yet, the rain seemed to mock him, showing no sign of lessening; instead, it grew heavier.Su Yan had no choice but to dash into a small alley.He crouched down, hugging his knees, and all his emotions suddenly had nowhere to hide.Lu Lin not only bullied him but also those around him.He was truly heartbroken, desperately wanting to cry, and even Qi Zhiyao had deceived him.He had always been so compliant, yet so many people were taking advantage of him.He had genuinely given his heart to Qi Zhiyao.Only to be betrayed.He suddenly understood why Qi Zhiyao had been unwilling to add him as a contact, and why, during his lonely and helpless high school days, a good friend had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.’It was all deliberate.’His lips downturned, and tears fell with the raindrops, water trickling from his hair onto every part of his body.He no longer had the inclination to seek shelter from the rain; he might as well just be drenched to death.Raindrops continued to pelt the ground, yet none struck him.His eyes, red at the corners and soaked with tears, lifted to gaze directly at the person holding an umbrella over him.Lu Lin was casually dressed in a black hoodie and black shorts that fell just above his knees, his face in the shadows appearing cold and distant.