The Delusional President and the Secret “Love Mark”

Chu Nian experienced an internal seismic shock.

He instinctively slapped away Lu Jinnian’s hand, which was still gripping his waist. A crisp smack echoed through the room, startling the little assistant who had just burst in, freezing her in her tracks.

She widened her eyes, looking at Lu Jinnian, who was clutching his hands on the bed with his features contorted in pain, then at Chu Nian, who had retreated several steps with a look on his face that clearly said, “I feel contaminated.”

Xiao Shu felt like she had witnessed something she shouldn’t have.

In five years of working for him, this was the first time she had seen her boss get hit.

And the person who did it was currently twitching his lips, looking like he was about to unleash a string of curses.

Xiao Shu’s heart thudded. Having been by Lu Jinnian’s side for so many years, she knew exactly what kind of dog-like temper her boss had. In the past, plenty of people had tried to raise a hand against him; usually, their bones were snapped before they could even land a blow.

Upholding the noble virtue of “pitying the beautiful,” she broke into a cold sweat for Chu Nian and quietly walked over to tug at his sleeve. “Mr. Chu, maybe you should…”

Before the words “leave first” could leave her mouth, Lu Jinnian suddenly looked up, his dark pupils fixing on Chu Nian.

Xiao Shu was startled by his icy gaze and began to tremble reflexively. She stole a glance at Chu Nian, but the latter looked perfectly composed.

He acted as if he were a mere bystander, as if the person who had just struck Lu Jinnian wasn’t him at all.

Chu Nian lifted his lashes slightly, locking eyes with Lu Jinnian for a few seconds. This young master was born with a silver spoon in his mouth; perhaps no one had ever laid a finger on him his entire life. Judging by the look he was giving now, Lu Jinnian wasn’t going to let this go easily.

Whether it meant an early termination of the contract or something else, Chu Nian didn’t care anymore.

The ward was silent for a mere few seconds before Lu Jinnian suddenly curled his lips. In a low, husky voice, he spoke: “Not bad…”

“Is this the only little trick you know to get my attention?” Lu Jinnian let go of his hand, revealing the reddened back of his palm.

“…”

Chu Nian’s temple throbbed.

He couldn’t fathom Lu Jinnian’s mental logic.

[So this is a little romantic game between Mr. Chu and President Lu!]

[Looks like I worried for nothing…]

[Mr. Chu and President Lu are so in love!]

That was Xiao Shu’s voice.

Chu Nian felt the corner of his mouth twitch twice. “You’ve misunderstood.”

I definitely intended to hit you just now.

“Misunderstood?” Lu Jinnian narrowed his eyes, leaning back slightly like a cunning fox. “It’s not that simple, is it?”

Those beautiful eyes stayed on Chu Nian, as if trying to see right through his thoughts.

But before he could discern anything, he exposed his own mind instead.

At this moment, Lu Jinnian’s inner thoughts were jumping around Chu Nian’s ears like popping popcorn.

[I see.]

[This is Wife’s mark on me… a mark of love.]

[I knew it, my wife loves me very much. Otherwise, why wouldn’t he hit anyone else, only me?]

“What do you want?” Lu Jinnian asked. “Or rather, what do you want to get from me?”

“My money? My body? Or my heart?”

Chu Nian felt a massive headache coming on.

This Young Master Lu acted as if he had spent twenty-seven years reading romance novels, using every classic “Overbearing CEO” line on him.

He shook his head.

Forget it, just laugh it off.

Chu Nian didn’t speak. He stepped forward, lowered his eyes, and took Lu Jinnian’s hand. His slightly calloused fingers brushed against the reddened skin.

With just that light touch, Chu Nian felt Lu Jinnian visibly shudder. The man quickly yanked his hand back, staring intently at Chu Nian. “…What are you doing?”

“There was a bit of dust on President Lu’s hand; I accidentally used a bit too much force.” Chu Nian blinked, his thick, long lashes fluttering. “Does it hurt much?”

His voice was naturally soft; even when he was angry, he sounded gentle. Softening it on purpose like this gave it an air of acting spoiled.

Lu Jinnian’s Adam’s apple bobbed. His face remained expressionless, but the tips of his ears flushed with heat.

[Wife touched my hand!!!]

[He even cares if I’m in pain… Waaaah, my wife really does love me!]

[Wife’s hand is so soft.]

[I want to touch it a few more times.]

The rowdy voice seemed exceptionally jubilant. Chu Nian glanced at Lu Jinnian’s reddened earlobes, then leaned in and whispered: “Rest assured, President Lu, I will fulfill the contract. I won’t fall for you.”

The voice in his ear vanished instantly. Chu Nian watched Lu Jinnian’s expression; in that second, he felt as if he heard something collapse.

Because they were standing so close, from anyone else’s perspective, it looked as though Chu Nian was leaning against Lu Jinnian’s shoulder.

Standing not far away, Xiao Shu’s eyes went wide.

[Holy crap, is this something I can see for free?!]

Chu Nian was stunned.

Then Xiao Shu pulled out her phone and—click—took a photo. The image of Chu Nian and Lu Jinnian in this intimate pose was promptly sent into their private group chat by Xiao Shu.

As soon as the photo went out, every lurking member jumped into the chat.

A unified wall of “Thanks for the food, I’m shipping it!” immediately flooded the screen.

Within half a minute, every employee in Lansheng had been struck by this photo.

Only the two parties involved, Chu Nian and Lu Jinnian, remained unaware.

Chu Nian straightened his body, looking with satisfaction at the ever-changing expressions on Lu Jinnian’s face.

[Wife…]

After a long while, Lu Jinnian’s aggrieved voice drifted out.

[You’re just speaking out of anger. I don’t believe you.]

Chu Nian rolled his eyes. “Believe it or not.”

He turned to leave. As he passed Xiao Shu, he said softly: “Please take care of him.”

Xiao Shu’s face was flushed as she gripped her phone tightly, nodding frantically. “No… it’s no trouble! Have a safe trip, Mr. Chu!”

Chu Nian gave her a faint smile, but the moment he turned his head, the curve of his lips dropped instantly.

He walked out of the ward and closed the door. Leaning his back against the cold wall, Chu Nian looked up and sighed.

His auditory hallucinations seemed to be getting worse.

Chu Nian turned to look at the window in the hospital corridor. The sun outside had begun to dip in the west, and the orange-red afterglow stained the white corners of the walls. A hot wind swept across the windowsill. He was bathed in the sunset, the grey shadows behind him perfectly split by the diagonal line of the fading sun.

He took out his phone and sent a message to Xu Chi:

[“If you have time, help me find a psychiatrist.”]

The other replied quickly: [Did Lu Jinnian hit his head?]

Chu Nian hesitated over the message for a few seconds. He had forgotten to tell Xu Chi about Lu Jinnian’s actual condition.

[No, he’s fine.]

 [Then who are you finding a psychiatrist for?]

Chu Nian’s fingertips paused: [Me.]

The other side went silent.

After a long while, a message came back:

[It’s set. Tomorrow at 3:00 PM, the hospital in the Central District.]

Chu Nian marveled at Xu Chi’s efficiency, thanked him, and ended the conversation.

****************************************

Inside the ward.

Lu Jinnian was holding his phone, taking photos of the hand that had been hit, while Xiao Shu was forced to hold up a fill light for her boss.

He adjusted the angles repeatedly, never quite satisfied. Finally, just as the red mark was about to disappear completely, he selected the most satisfactory shot out of over a hundred photos.

“How is it?” Lu Jinnian showed the photo to Xiao Shu. His hands were inherently beautiful—long, pale, and well-defined. Any random shot was impressive.

Xiao Shu: “It looks amazing, Boss! Your hands are a masterpiece of the gods!”

Lu Jinnian frowned in dissatisfaction. “I mean, how does this look?”

He pointed at the faint red mark in the photo.

Xiao Shu took a breath. “Boss, I’m illiterate.”

Lu Jinnian gave her a look of utter disdain.

He opened his messaging app and sent the photo to his most recent contact: 【Dating my wife for three years, got hit for the first time. Yay.】

In the next second, the phone in Lu Jinnian’s hand began to vibrate. He looked at the caller ID: “He Xing.”

He answered the call. Before he could speak, the person on the other end shouted at a deafening volume: “Lu Jinnian, are you out of your mind?!”

Lu Jinnian let out a “Tsk” and answered calmly: “What, are you jealous?”

“Jealous of what?!”

Lu Jinnian smiled. “Jealous that I have a wife who loves me so much.”

“…”

“Jealous of your…” He Xing forced himself to swallow the curse words at the tip of his tongue. He changed the subject. “Your contract with Chu Nian is almost up, isn’t it?”

Lu Jinnian propped himself up to sit higher, turning his head to look at the lingering sunset clouds outside the window. His expression became slightly more serious. “Mhm.”

“Once the contract expires, what excuse do you plan to use to keep him by your side?” He Xing asked.

Lu Jinnian didn’t speak. He lowered his eyelids, his long lashes hiding the light in his eyes. He Xing didn’t press for an answer, simply listening to Lu Jinnian’s breathing in silence.

“I’ll find a way when the time comes,” Lu Jinnian finally spoke after a long pause. “Worst case… I’ll just make up a marriage contract. I’ll tell him I have a terminal illness and I’m about to die. Before I go, my parents want me to find a partner, and then…”

“Lu Jinnian.” He Xing sighed. “A stand-in last time, a fake marriage this time. Do you really think Chu Nian won’t see through such low-quality lies?”

Lu Jinnian shut his mouth and swallowed.

“I just don’t understand. You obviously liked him so long ago—”

“He Xing.” Lu Jinnian interrupted him. “Let’s talk next time. Lu Jinchu is calling me.”

“Hey… Lu Jinnian, wait a second! Hey!!”

With a tap of his fingertip, He Xing’s voice was cut short. Lu Jinnian tossed his phone aside and let out a sigh of relief.

His secret, wrapped in lies, had almost been blurted out by He Xing.

He felt his heart thumping wildly. Lu Jinnian leaned against the headboard with his eyes closed. The spot where he had been intentionally hit began to throb with a dull pain.

The ward fell silent for a moment. Outside, the sky was sinking, being devoured bit by bit by the darkness.

Just then, a ringtone broke the silence. Lu Jinnian opened his eyes to see his assistant, Xiao Shu, holding her phone. She said a few words to the person on the other end, then walked to Lu Jinnian’s side with a pale face.

“President Lu, someone is looking for you…” She handed the phone to Lu Jinnian. Lu Jinnian looked at the number, and his eyes darkened.

He took the phone. “Dad.”

“Jinnian.” The voice on the other end was aged. Upon hearing Lu Jinnian’s voice, there was a hint of a smile in the tone. “I heard you had an accident. Dad wanted to ask how you’re feeling now?”

“I’m alright. It’s not very serious.” Lu Jinnian’s tone was devoid of emotion.

“That’s good,” Lu Yanyang said. “Once you’re better, come home. Your mother misses you.”

Lu Jinnian gave an “Mhm.” Beside him, Xiao Shu looked down at Lu Jinnian’s hand resting at his side, his knuckles white from gripping the sheets.

“By the way.” Lu Yanyang remembered something. “Your Uncle Sang wants to meet with you soon. Find some time to contact him. After all, the marriage between you and his daughter needs to be properly discussed.”

Lu Jinnian’s lips trembled. “Dad… there’s no need to be in such a hurry…”

“How can we not be in a hurry?” Lu Yanyang asked. “You’re nearly twenty-seven; it’s time to settle down.”

“I’ve told you before, this is a business marriage. With the Sang family’s support, Lansheng will develop even better.” Lu Yanyang continued. “If you had half your brother’s ability, would I have to resort to such methods?”

“Lu Jinnian, your value only exists here.”

“Don’t be so willful, do you understand?”

Lu Jinnian frowned, wanting to say something more, but he couldn’t open his mouth.

“I understand.”

With that, he waited for Lu Yanyang to hang up.

The line went dead with a dial tone. Lu Jinnian dropped his arm. Seeing his awful complexion, Xiao Shu quickly asked: “President Lu, are you okay?”

Lu Jinnian shook his head. He handed the phone back to her. “Xiao Shu, you go back first. I want to be alone for a bit.”

Xiao Shu stared at him worriedly, but she didn’t dare speak further, so she obediently left the ward.

The door clicked shut, and silence reclaimed the room. Lu Jinnian curled up under the covers, his eyes wide as he stared out the dark window.

After a while, he reached out and grabbed his phone, habitually dialing a string of numbers.

After a few rings.

“Is something the matter?”

Lu Jinnian’s lips were pressed together, his eyes fixed on the screen as if he could see the person on the other end through the phone.

“Lu Jinnian, if you don’t speak, I’m hanging up.”

Chu Nian’s tone sounded a bit impatient.

Lu Jinnian suddenly let out a small laugh.

The person on the other end paused, about to say something, when Lu Jinnian’s low murmur came through:

“…I’ve come back to life.”