“Head-Rub Kill”

Lu Jinnian moved toward him at a snail’s pace.

His tall frame leaned in; even with a fractured leg, he was still a few centimeters taller than Shen Que. Standing right next to Chu Nian like that, he looked incredibly conspicuous.

Chu Nian’s face remained frosty. He spared Lu Jinnian a glance before saying flatly, “Apologize.”

Lu Jinnian froze, staring at Chu Nian in pure disbelief. His brow furrowed and then smoothed out, his expression a kaleidoscope of shifting emotions, before he finally let out a haughty laugh. “Heh. I, Lu Jinnian, never apolo—”

The pitch of his last word suddenly spiked, and his expression turned agonizingly pained. Shen Que, standing in front of him, was startled by the sudden outburst.

Zhou Ze, standing behind them, frowned. He had seen it clearly: the slender man next to his boss had reached behind and pinched the President’s back.

Judging by the sound Lu Jinnian made, the force was significant.

Zhou Ze widened his eyes, feeling as though he had witnessed something he shouldn’t have.

Lu Jinnian bared his teeth in pain, his handsome face turning pale and then flushed. Chu Nian tilted his head to look up at him, his dark pupils reflecting Lu Jinnian’s pathetic state. His thin lips moved, repeating the previous command: “Apologize.”

The man beside him secretly reached behind to massage the pinched spot, blinking as he locked eyes with Chu Nian.

[Why! Wife, I was clearly protecting you!]

[Yet you’re standing on that other guy’s side!]

[I’m hurt… I’m really hurt…]

This time, it wasn’t just his inner voice that sounded aggrieved; his gaze followed suit.

Chu Nian acted as if he heard nothing. He kept his lips pressed tight, his eyes cold and indifferent, looking every bit like he wouldn’t let this go until an apology was issued.

Shen Que’s gaze darted between the two of them. Then, Lu Jinnian closed his eyes, snapped his head toward Shen Que, and spoke through pale pink lips: “My apologies, President Shen. I misunderstood.”

He lowered his lashes, bowing his head slightly.

Lu Jinnian used to comb his bangs back; despite the suits, he always exuded a roguish air. These past few days in the hospital had caused his hair to grow out a bit, making him look unexpectedly submissive.

Shen Que felt he was witnessing a miracle.

Lu Jinnian… apologizing?

His gaze lingered on Lu Jinnian for only a few seconds before shifting back to Chu Nian, his eyes becoming increasingly subtle.

Lu Jinnian looked up, and that submissiveness vanished instantly. Shen Que clearly saw him shoot a glare his way before irritably telling Zhou Ze, “Let’s go.”

Zhou Ze didn’t dare delay, immediately supporting the “Crutch President” as he hobbled toward the door.

Once they had left, Chu Nian lowered his eyes and spoke softly to Shen Que: “President Shen, I’m truly sorry about today. I…”

“It’s fine.” Before Chu Nian could finish, Shen Que interrupted. “I understand.”

Understand?

Chu Nian was stunned.

Understand what?

He suddenly remembered what he had said earlier. Did Shen Que actually believe that Lu Jinnian had “mental issues”?

Chu Nian found himself at a loss for words. Standing face-to-face, he watched a stray droplet of water slide down Shen Que’s chest, disappearing into the wide collar of his bathrobe. The faint outline of muscle underneath was visible; even in such casual attire, Shen Que’s excellent physique was undeniable.

Chu Nian awkwardly looked away. He cleared his throat to break the tension. “Then, President Shen, I’ll be going.”

He turned to leave, but before he could take a single step, Shen Que called out, “Wait.”

Chu Nian paused and turned back in confusion. “Is there something else?”

Shen Que tilted his head. Although his eyes were on Chu Nian, Chu Nian felt that Shen Que was actually looking through him at someone behind him.

The wait for the other to speak felt long and agonizing. Chu Nian nearly buckled under Shen Que’s scrutinizing gaze.

“Are you and Lu Jinnian close?” Shen Que finally asked slowly.

“Not really,” Chu Nian answered quickly. “We’re just acquaintances.”

An ambiguous answer. He didn’t deny knowing Lu Jinnian, but he didn’t confirm they were close either.

Shen Que gave a meaningful “Oh.”

“It’s late. Go back and get some rest.” He stepped back and sat on the bed, propping himself up with his hands and looking up at Chu Nian. “Tomorrow… I’ll give you a day off. No need to rush the proposal. Health comes first, after all.”

Chu Nian licked his lower lip and nodded in agreement.

He left the room, absentmindedly searching for the elevator. When he reached the lobby area, he saw a “Temporary Maintenance” sign in front of the lift.

It seemed to be the only elevator, but since he wasn’t on a high floor, taking the stairs didn’t matter.

Chu Nian found the fire exit. Staring at the descending stairs, his footsteps faltered. He realized that while the stairs were fine for him, what about Lu Jinnian?

With his leg in that condition, walking was a struggle. Even with Zhou Ze’s help, getting a patient with a fractured leg down the stairs… wouldn’t be easy.

Especially such a disobedient patient. How did he even get up here?

Lost in thought, Chu Nian reached the third floor. Just then, a scream from Lu Jinnian echoed from below.

The fire escape was a closed space, and at this hour, the building was silent. Lu Jinnian’s scream resonated through the stairwell like it was coming through an amplifier.

The cry was so wretched that someone unaware might think he was being murdered.

Chu Nian frowned and sprinted down the stairs, quickly finding Lu Jinnian and Zhou Ze.

Lu Jinnian was huddled in a corner, arms wrapped tightly around himself, a lingering look of terror on his face. Zhou Ze was leaping around him; with his nearly 190cm height, every jump looked like he might hit the ceiling light.

He seemed to be catching something, his movements weird and comical. Suddenly, Zhou Ze’s attention snapped to Chu Nian. He stood up and slowly walked toward him, his expression vanishing into the shadows as he moved under the overhead lights.

Zhou Ze’s shadow loomed over Chu Nian. Chu Nian calmly looked up, then reached out—

SMACK.

A moth was successfully flattened against the wall.

Chu Nian’s move was fast and ruthless. Both Zhou Ze and Lu Jinnian were stunned.

Lu Jinnian dragged his injured leg over, staring down at the remains of the moth on the floor. He fell silent.

“Chu Nian.”

After a long moment, Lu Jinnian spoke. He lifted his gaze, his dark eyes meeting Chu Nian’s. “You aren’t some secret organization’s assassin, are you?”

“Tell me, what exactly is your mission?”

“…”

Chu Nian was speechless. When Lu Jinnian was in the hospital, why didn’t the doctors fix his brain?

He looked at Lu Jinnian with pure disdain.

Lu Jinnian stood there for a long time. Chu Nian couldn’t wait any longer and started to walk past him without a word. Suddenly, Lu Jinnian straightened up. “Chu Nian, come here.”

Chu Nian frowned impatiently. “What?”

“Help me.” Lu Jinnian said sternly.

“Don’t you have Zhou Ze?”

“I don’t care.” Lu Jinnian started acting like a child. “I want you to help me.”

Chu Nian ground his teeth. He suppressed his rising irritation and stepped back toward Lu Jinnian, waiting for him to reach out.

One second, two seconds, three seconds.

Chu Nian suddenly felt a weight on the top of his head.

Then it clicked.

Lu Jinnian had placed his hand on Chu Nian’s head!!

Because of the height difference, Chu Nian only reached his shoulder. With this posture, Chu Nian really did look like a human crutch!

Chu Nian closed his eyes.

“Alright, let’s go.” Lu Jinnian’s voice was, unfortunately, laced with amusement.

Chu Nian’s fists were clenched at his sides. He took several deep breaths, afraid he might lose control and kick Lu Jinnian’s injured leg.

He took a step down, but Lu Jinnian’s hand was like glue on his head, moving perfectly in sync.

[Wife would never guess I’d hit him with a “Head-Rub Kill,” hehe…]

[Wife’s hair is so soft, and it smells so good.]

[Like him, like him, like him, like him, like him…]

The thoughts swirled around Chu Nian like a chant.

“Did you run down here?” Lu Jinnian suddenly asked.

Chu Nian pursed his lips and didn’t answer. His hair must have been a mess from the run, and Lu Jinnian had noticed.

He didn’t bother replying; he knew that even if he stayed silent, Lu Jinnian would reach some ridiculous conclusion.

Sure enough, the inner thoughts changed:

[My wife really was worried about me!]

[What am I going to do, Lu Jinnian? Chu Nian must be madly in love with you.]

[But that’s unavoidable. It’s your fault for being so irresistibly charming…]

The three of them walked out of the hotel and got into the car. The moment they entered, Chu Nian shrank into the furthest corner like he’d touched something filthy. Lu Jinnian conscientiously sat on the opposite side.

There was enough space between them to fit two more people. Zhou Ze started the engine, and the car fell into silence.

Chu Nian stared out at the thick, ink-like darkness of the night. The orange streetlights flashed by, occasionally catching his eye. After a while, the exhaustion of the day and the lingering alcohol began to take over. He propped his head on his hand and closed his eyes to nap.

Before long, Chu Nian felt a source of heat near him. Usually, the air conditioning Zhou Ze turned on would prevent that.

He opened his eyes and turned his head. Lu Jinnian had somehow scooted closer to him. The distance between them had vanished; one small movement and their arms would touch.

Caught off guard by Chu Nian suddenly waking up, a flicker of panic crossed Lu Jinnian’s eyes. He snapped his head away and frowned at Zhou Ze. “Why is the AC so low? The cold air is blowing right on me. Trying to freeze me to death?”

Zhou Ze quickly checked the settings and answered innocently, “No, Boss. It’s at the temperature you always like. I haven’t touched it.”

“Is that so?” Lu Jinnian snorted. “Then why do I feel like it’s exceptionally cold tonight?”

Chu Nian glanced at him, wondering what was wrong with him now. He sat up straight, shaking his numbing arm. As the car rocked gently, his head began to cloud over again.

His eyelids felt heavy. Perhaps the hangover was still kicking in; he felt extremely dizzy.

Lu Jinnian sat nervously next to him, desperate to steal a glance at Chu Nian but terrified of being caught. He was absentmindedly rubbing and wrinkling his trouser leg with both hands.

“Zhou Ze,” Lu Jinnian called out. “Play some music.”

Chu Nian’s brow furrowed. He had a bad feeling.

Zhou Ze nodded and immediately hit the play button.

A sweet female voice came through the speakers: “The next song for you is—”

“Brother Has a Wife.”