SVWL Chapter 97

T/L: Since SVWL is close to finishing, I’m going to update 1 chapter everyday (including on Sundays) to speed up the process~ After SVWL is finished, I’ll be picking up 1 (or maybe 2?) series. 

To Paprika: if you have a BL series to recommend for my next project, hit me up on my Discord DM~ you have the privilege to do so 😉 

After holding him for a while, the unpleasant images from his dream gradually faded away from his mind. The room was very quiet, and Shao Ming continued to gently pat his back, showing no sign of curiosity. Zhu Tong couldn’t help but look up and ask, “Aren’t you going to ask me what nightmare I had?”

Shao Ming naturally replied, “If you’re scared, then don’t think about it.”

If he asked, Zhu Tong would have to recall it all over again.

“But if talking about it makes you feel better, you can tell me.”

Zhu Tong thought for a moment and then decisively gave up. “There’s nothing worth mentioning. It’ll soon be forgotten. Dreams are like that.”

Shao Ming indulged him endlessly. “Okay.”

He placed his hand on the back of Zhu Tong’s neck again, gently pressing to help relieve his tension.

Zhu Tong’s neck was very sensitive, and he couldn’t help but shrink away. Once his tension eased, he suddenly realized something and quickly pushed Shao Ming away, saying, “Are you… very tired today?”

Shao Ming raised an eyebrow. “Hmm?”

Zhu Tong had already put his legs off the bed. “Go take a shower and rest quickly. I…”

“Not tired.” Shao Ming held his hand and said, “If I can come back every day to such a warm embrace from my boyfriend, no matter how tired I am, it’s worth it.”

Zhu Tong: “…”

The familiar warmth transmitted through their clasped hands, hotter than usual.

Zhu Tong looked up at Shao Ming’s face. Despite being busy for many days, he didn’t look tired. In his eyes, Zhu Tong saw something he shared — longing and desire.

After returning home for the holidays, they couldn’t be as carefree as they were at the homestay. Shao Ming woke up early and slept late every day, and they barely had time to talk.

At first, it didn’t seem like a big deal, but as time went on, Zhu Tong missed the days when he could sleep and wake up with Shao Ming more and more.

The legs that were about to leave the room retracted. Zhu Tong looked at Shao Ming and asked, “Can I sleep here tonight?”

“…”

Shao Ming squeezed his hand tighter. “Yes.”

He agreed so quickly that Zhu Tong was stunned.

His eyes lit up. “Really?”

Shao Ming laughed. “Why are you so surprised?”

“Because…”

Zhu Tong paused, unable to find a reason.

He felt a bit wronged. “You wouldn’t let me stay here for long the past few days.”

Even when he used questions as an excuse, once the questions were answered, Shao Ming would urge him to go back to sleep.

Shao Ming smiled wryly. “Who asked you to come over every night and tease me? If I let you stay longer, I wouldn’t be able to hold back. I’m only a mortal, after all.”

“…”

This seemed unreasonable.

Zhu Tong instinctively wanted to refute, “When did I tease…”

Suddenly thinking of something, the shorter youth changed his tone. “Aren’t you afraid of losing control now?”

Shao Ming coughed strategically. “Today is a special case. Didn’t you have a nightmare? A boyfriend needs to comfort you when you have a nightmare, right?”

Zhu Tong thought that he had already been comforted just now.

He was fine now.

But he was curious. “How are you going to comfort me?”

Shao Ming asked back, “How do you want me to comfort you?”

Zhu Tong: “…”

How was he supposed to answer that?

Shao Ming reached out and lifted Zhu Tong’s bangs, quickly kissed his forehead, and then got up. “Think about it. I’m going to take a shower.”

Watching him head directly to the bathroom, Zhu Tong touched his forehead, and a smile involuntarily spread across his lips. He took off his shoes again and crawled back into the spot he had just vacated, looking completely satisfied.

When Shao Ming came out after his shower, Zhu Tong was lying flat on the bed, staring at the crystal chandelier on the ceiling.

Only the spot where he lay was raised. His head was sunk into the pillow, and his hands were exposed outside the blanket. He looked adorably silly, almost unfairly so.

Shao Ming slipped under the covers and pulled Zhu Tong into his arms, asking, “Have you figured it out?”

Zhu Tong turned his head and blinked, “No.”

Shao Ming couldn’t help but laugh, “You haven’t, yet you’re so serious?”

Zhu Tong was serious because he was thinking about something else.

As he looked at Shao Ming, Zhu Tong thought that double standards might be a common trait for everyone. No matter what flaws someone might have, there will always be one person who becomes an exception.

Shao Ming was his exception.

He was averse to touching others, but anything he did with Shao Ming or anything Shao Ming did to him never made him uncomfortable. In fact, he found it addictive and irresistible.

He didn’t need to think too hard about what kind of comfort he wanted. Lying together on the same bed, their bodies close, their eyes meeting, sparks flew, hot and intense.

It was hard to tell who initiated it first, but before they knew it, their lips were tightly sealed together.

Zhu Tong was dizzy from the kiss, feeling the changes in both their bodies through the haze.

He shifted his legs uncomfortably, but Shao Ming quickly pinned him down.

“Don’t move. If you keep moving, something will happen.”

Zhu Tong’s throat felt dry. “…Aren’t we going to do it?”

Shao Ming kissed him lightly, not speaking, but his heavy breathing showed he was struggling too.

Suddenly, Zhu Tong remembered something and looked up at Shao Ming. “You said after the exams, we’d… mmph—”

His words were cut off by another kiss.

Shao Ming kissed him hard. “Let’s not talk about that now.”

Zhu Tong asked in confusion, “Why?”

Shao Ming, unable to say why, buried his head in Zhu Tong’s neck. “I might get killed.”

Zhu Tong: “…”

He wasn’t completely clueless. Smiling, he raised his hand to hug Shao Ming. “I won’t let you get hurt.”

Shao Ming lifted his head from Zhu Tong’s neck, his eyes, filled with desire, looked so sexy. Yet, he was helpless.

It seemed keeping Zhu Tong there was just tormenting himself.

They spent quite a while calming down, talking about various topics. Eventually, Zhu Tong started to doze off in Shao Ming’s arms.

Even with his eyes closed, he didn’t stop talking. “Today, Luo Suo contacted me, complaining that you didn’t reply to his messages. You can’t treat friends like that…”

Shao Ming: “…”

It wasn’t that he didn’t reply – he didn’t dare to. Once he replied to Luo Suo, the messages would be endless. He had already called him back on the way home.

But a sleepy person is unreasonable, so Shao Ming conceded, “Okay, I know I was wrong. I won’t do it again.”

Zhu Tong mumbled contentedly, “Good,” and continued, “Tomorrow, Xiao Xin is on vacation. I’ll go to school to pick her up. Xiao Xin… you met her in E City.”

Shao Ming replied, “Yes, she’s very pretty.”

Hearing his sister being praised, Zhu Tong smiled despite his drowsiness. Then he quickly hid his smile and continued, “And… Xia Yang, someone might help him…”

His voice trailed off and became indistinct.

The person in his arms had fallen asleep. Shao Ming tucked the blanket around him, adjusted him to a more comfortable position, and then grabbed his phone from the bedside to check the news online.

In the past few days, the Xia family’s negative news had increased, but the comments about the illegitimate child had almost disappeared. Instead, many sympathetic comments towards the illegitimate child had surfaced.

The sins Xia Weiyi committed had nothing to do with Xia Yang.

However, the internet was a mixed bag, and there were always people looking to feel superior by mentioning “illegitimate children.” It’s not surprising that some righteous people would speak up for the innocent. But for all the negative comments to disappear and be replaced by overwhelmingly sympathetic ones was unusual.

Xia Weiyi was currently overwhelmed, so it’s impossible for him to be behind this.

Moreover, the person helping Xia Yang doesn’t seem to have any intention of assisting Xia Weiyi.

—For instance, their investigation of the Xia Conglomerate has faced no obstacles during this time.

Shao Ming looked down at the person in his arms.

Zhu Tong has a system, and so does Xia Yang. If they have nothing to do with each other, it would be best. He was worried that the things Xia Yang could do with his system might affect Zhu Tong.

Brushing aside the stray hair covering Zhu Tong’s eyes, Shao Ming shared his concerns with Uncle Liu.

Just in case, it was necessary to investigate some matters thoroughly.

Receiving a very formal but assured response from Uncle Liu, Shao Ming smiled, turned off his phone and the bedside lamp, and settled into his “haven of tenderness.”

That night, some slept peacefully while others couldn’t find rest.

Xia Yang had left the Xia family many days ago, and his father hadn’t called him even once.

He knew he had been abandoned. Even if he hadn’t been, watching the ongoing progress of the investigation into his family’s affairs on the internet, he knew there was no going back.

Going back was useless now.

He gripped his phone tightly, almost crushing it, as that was the only way to keep his expression from falling apart.

At that moment, a hand reached over, took the phone from his grip, and sat down beside him. “If it upsets you, don’t look at it. I know you’re worried about your dad, but this is all his doing…”

“Wenhan-ge.” Xia Yang suddenly grasped his hand and said, “Can you help him? Go find Liu Jianbai and beg him to spare our family. If you help me, I’ll do anything you want!”

Jiang Wenhan liked him and had the power to help him.

They had grown up together. Before the Xia family’s troubles, Jiang Wenhan had even invited him out on a date.

Shao Ming wanted to destroy his family and him. He wouldn’t let either of them have their way, nor would he let Zhu Tong succeed.

Looking at Xia Yang’s suggestive hand on his, Jiang Wenhan frowned and sighed, “Yangyang, I know you’re scared right now. Your family is going through a sudden big change, and you don’t know what to do. I’ve already had people clean up the mess online, so you don’t have to worry about people saying anything about you when you go out. I’ll protect and take care of you, but I can’t help your dad. I’ve investigated this, and he must take responsibility for what he did. The person targeting your family is also a victim, just like you. He’s seeking justice for himself. We can’t stop him. Do you understand?”

Jiang Wenhan spoke gently, trying to comfort him.

Xia Yang listened, but his hands clenched tighter and tighter.

He looked at the person trying to reason with him in disbelief.

This person wasn’t like this before. He should be jealous for him, fighting against Shao Ming for him, and agree to any unreasonable request he made.

But now it was different.

The system’s influence on him had weakened, and Jiang Wenhan wasn’t as passionate about him anymore. He couldn’t feel the intense gaze Jiang Wenhan had given him during their last date. Now, there was only sympathy in his eyes — no trace of affection.

Feeling awkward under Xia Yang’s questioning gaze, Jiang Wenhan averted his eyes first. “Stop overthinking. Just rest well.”

Xia Yang lowered his eyes and whispered, “I understand.”

He slowly stood up, refused Jiang Wenhan’s offer to escort him back to his room, and didn’t let anyone see the darkness on his face after he turned around.

Back in his room, Xia Yang threw his phone heavily onto the bed.

The phone bounced from the bed to the floor, miraculously surviving, and a call came through.

Xia Yang picked up the phone again and answered it.

---

The next day, Zhu Tong, for the first time in his life, fulfilled the responsibility of an older brother by picking up his sister from school.

The school, where Zhu Tong had nominally spent a year, didn’t leave him with any pleasant memories, so standing in front of the ornate school gate again left him feeling indifferent.

When Zhu Xin saw Zhu Tong waiting for her at the school gate, she was overjoyed and ran towards him.

If she hadn’t been worried about Zhu Tong’s health, she might have jumped and hugged him tight. 

Most people at the school recognized Zhu Tong, especially the art class students. They also knew about his recovery. Upon hearing that Zhu Tong was at the gate, many came out to see him.

Once away from Shao Ming, Zhu Tong’s social anxiety kicked in. Not knowing how to handle it, he simply kept a cold face, pretending not to see them. As soon as Zhu Xin reached him, they got into the car and left.

“It’s been over two months, and Ge, you’re getting more handsome by the day. The girls in my art class are all smitten with you.”

Zhu Xin closed the car door and affectionately hugged Zhu Tong’s arm.

Having not seen each other for a long time, Zhu Tong was also excited to see her. He smiled and scolded her, “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Zhu Xin said, “I’m not talking nonsense! It’s true. Just now, when I was leaving the school, someone even asked me for your contact information. But I told them you’re already taken.”

Zhu Tong was speechless.

He might not be a great catch, but being taken was indeed true.

On the way here, he had been worrying about how to explain this to Xiao Xin. But it seemed like he didn’t need to explain anything.

Zhu Tong hesitated for a moment, then tentatively asked, “Do you already know everything?”

Zhu Xin looked at him with some helplessness and said, “It’s not your fault for being too high-profile. The whole of A City knows you have a boyfriend. People at school have been asking me about it. Moreover, you brought him home. Even if I didn’t want to know, it would be impossible.”

Zhu Tong’s eyes showed a mix of emotions.

Yes, although A City was large, the rich circles were small. Given his relationship with Xiao Xin, as soon as one person at school knew, the news was bound to reach Xiao Xin’s ears.

But Xiao Xin didn’t show any displeasure, and she even seemed to be trying to tease him to relax.

Feeling warm inside, Zhu Tong asked, “You haven’t been home. How did you know I brought him back?”

Zhu Xin shrugged, “You can find out such things just by asking the butler uncle… And you still have the nerve to ask me? You didn’t tell me about something this important. You’ve been back for so long and haven’t visited me at school. You even denied it when I asked before. Have you forgotten about your sister because of your boyfriend?”

“…”

She even brought up old grievances?

Zhu Tong turned to look at her, seeing her pouting in feigned grievance. Recalling her previous words, he couldn’t help but smile. “Are you a fortune teller or something?”

Zhu Xin immediately hummed proudly, “Of course.”

Zhu Tong didn’t continue the banter. Instead, he looked at her earnestly and hesitated, “You don’t mind, do you?”

Zhu Xin replied, “Mind what? Mind that you found yourself a boyfriend so young?”

“…”

The siblings looked at each other for a moment. Zhu Xin then dropped her playful demeanor and spoke seriously, “I know he treats you well.”

“…”

Zhu Xin smiled again, leaning her head on his shoulder. “I don’t mind who you like. If you’re worried about the gender issue, don’t be. The marriage law recognizes it now. Don’t worry about what others think. I don’t mind. I just want my Ge to be happy.”

As long as he’s happy.

Zhu Tong didn’t know what to say, not even able to utter a “thank you.”

They were twins – such words weren’t necessary between them.

He smiled and patted Xiao Xin’s head.

Suddenly, Xiao Xin shifted and leaned in closer, whispering mysteriously in his ear.

“But, Ge,” Xiao Xin whispered, “can I ask you a question?”

Zhu Tong: “What?”

Xiao Xin asked, “How far have you two gone?”

“…”

Zhu Tong froze, “What do you mean?”

Xiao Xin lowered her voice and pressed him with a few more questions. Seeing Zhu Tong’s cheeks quickly turn red, she was astonished.

Xiao Xin mentally dragged out an “ohhhh.”

Her brother had already confessed without saying a word.