Jiang Wenhan’s words seemed like a muffled thunderbolt dropped between the two, not exploding but causing both of them to tense up instantly.
Zhu Tong instantly thought, ‘You can eat whatever you want, but you can’t talk nonsense!’
Zhu Tong looked up and met Shao Ming’s gaze, feeling his heart skip a beat. He forced himself to stay calm and focused back on his phone. “Jiang-xiansheng, I have never met you before today.”
“… “
Jiang Wenhan suddenly fell silent.
Zhu Tong: “?”
Being looked at like this by Shao Ming, Zhu Tong suddenly felt a bit panicked. Just as he was about to hang up the phone, Jiang Wenhan spoke, “Is your head still hurting?”
Zhu Tong: “…”
That question was better left unsaid!
Shao Ming had already narrowed his eyes.
Zhu Tong, sensing like a mind reader from his seemingly calm eyes, understood something, “Is he this concerned?”
He instinctively responded to the person on the phone, “What does this have to do with you?”
Ask what you should ask!
Unexpectedly, Jiang Wenhan said, “This does concern me.”
Zhu Tong: “…”
He felt like swearing.
Why can’t he hold it back!
He seemed to understand what Jiang Wenhan wanted to say.
Jiang Wenhan hurriedly said, “After my headache, there were things in my mind, like memories that don’t belong to me. What about you?”
Zhu Tong: “I don’t have any.”
He only saw a few incomplete images, but indeed, Jiang Wenhan appeared in a few of them.
“It’s not just Jiang Wenhan, there are a few people I don’t know,” Shao Ming suddenly interjected.
Zhu Tong looked up in surprise, not expecting Shao Ming to ask, and he didn’t interrupt.
On the phone, Jiang Wenhan seemed distracted or impulsive and didn’t realize he was talking to someone else. He muttered, “I pursued you, but you seemed to dislike me… especially dislike me. Whenever I think of this memory now, I get a headache.”
Zhu Tong didn’t dare to speak, because the hand on his waist was tightening continuously.
Seeing him silent, Jiang Wenhan became more anxious, “Do you know something?”
Zhu Tong: “I don’t know.”
“Don’t you want to know?” Jiang Wenhan said over the phone, “Don’t you want to know why your head hurts? Don’t you want to know why I have this memory? Don’t you think Xia Yang’s words are strange?”
How could Zhu Tong not want to know?
But he couldn’t afford to know right now!
Feeling Shao Ming’s gaze on him, Zhu Tong stiffly said, “I…”
Jiang Wenhan didn’t listen to him at all and directly said, “I want to see you.”
Zhu Tong frowned suddenly, “Now?”
What time is it now? It’s almost dawn!
Jiang Wenhan said, “Are the people guarding Xia Yang’s ward arranged by you? I’m going to the hospital now. Let’s meet at the hospital to clarify things with Xia Yang. I’ll wait for you there.”
Without waiting for a reply, he hung up the phone.
Zhu Tong：“……”
People guarding at the hospital… it was his cousin who arranged them.
Jiang Wenhan almost forgot if he hadn’t mentioned it – he did have more questions for Xia Yang.
But… Zhu Tong was a bit afraid to look at Shao Ming’s face.
Why was he feeling guilty? It wasn’t even his fault! Why was he so nervous?
So many people pursued Shao Ming, and Shao Ming never felt guilty in front of him, right?
Zhu Tong did some mental reassurance for himself, put down his phone, and looked up. “I…”
Before he could finish his thought, Shao Ming pressed his lips against Zhu Tong’s.
“?”
Zhu Tong’s first reaction wasm ‘Isn’t he angry?’
He blinked, but soon his eyes were forced shut by the intensity.
Shao Ming’s lips and tongue were hot against his, their fiery warmth seeming to ignite Zhu Tong as well.
“…”
If he wasn’t angry, that would be strange.
Dizzy from the kiss, Zhu Tong vaguely felt a cool sensation on his forehead and face. He struggled to open his eyes and saw Shao Ming’s wet hair.
Before he could feel uncomfortable, Shao Ming released him, breathing heavily. “Wait a moment, I’ll blow dry my hair and change clothes.”
Zhu Tong also felt breathless, staring blankly as Shao Ming went to the closet, grabbed a hairdryer, and disappeared into the dressing room.
Standing there stunned for a moment, Zhu Tong slowly curved his lips.
This was Shao Ming agreeing for him to go.
And he intended to go together.
Zhu Tong obediently waited in the room for a while. When Shao Ming emerged from the dressing room, he fell silent.
Who was this person, dressed even more splendidly than when attending the evening party?
Zhu Tong looked at Shao Ming’s handsome face, cleared his throat, and reluctantly reminded him, “We’re going to the hospital, you don’t need to…”
Shao Ming raised an eyebrow, “Don’t need to?”
Zhu Tong: “…”
Alright, if it makes him happy.
He turned to open the door, but Shao Ming held him back.
Shao Ming looked at him without saying a word.
Zhu Tong felt a bit nervous under his gaze. “Is there anything else?”
Shao Ming held his hand, gently stroking the back of it with his fingertips. “Kiss me once.”
Zhu Tong：“……”
Taking advantage of the opportunity?
Zhu Tong, as adaptable as ever, leaned forward and kissed him on the lips.
Shao Ming’s eyes darkened slightly, smiling mischievously. “Not there.”
Zhu Tong: “…Then where?”
Shao Ming tilted his head slightly, revealing a fair stretch of neck with a perfect jawline and a distinctly sexy Adam’s apple. He lifted his hand and pointed to the side of his neck. “Here.”
Zhu Tong: “…”
Shao Ming said, “Leave a mark here for me.”
Zhu Tong: “!”
Seeing him freeze up, Shao Ming pretended to be disappointed. “Can’t do it?”
Zhu Tong couldn’t quite figure out what scene Shao Ming was setting up and stumbled, “I can’t.”
Shao Ming cupped his face and smiled, “It’s okay, I’ll teach you.”
Their warm lips met again, this kiss softer and less deep, occasionally light nibbling and sucking. Zhu Tong felt his body tingling under Shao Ming’s touch. Then, the taller youth went down, nibbling Zhu Tong’s fair neck, but not leaving any mark.
Shao Ming pulled back again, pressing his forehead against Zhu Tong’s. “You only need to apply more pressure. Got it now?”
Zhu Tong: “…”
Why was he learning this from Shao Ming?
Was Shao Ming teaching him how to plant strawberries on his neck?
Did he remember they were about to leave?
Zhu Tong didn’t dare ask. After reluctantly accepting two lessons, he finally managed to leave a hickey, neither too light nor too deep, on Shao Ming’s neck.
Satisfied, Shao Ming walked out with him.
On the way to the hospital, Zhu Tong’s eyes kept glancing at the red mark on Shao Ming’s neck. Every time he thought about leaving that mark himself, his face blushed and his heart raced, a strangely satisfying feeling.
When they got off the car, Shao Ming wore a scarf, which made Zhu Tong heave a sigh of relief.
Finally, in the hospital corridor, they saw Jiang Wenhan sitting on a medical chair by the wall, one hand supporting his head, lightly pressing, his brows furrowed tightly, clearly suffering from a severe headache.
With an unfamiliar memory in his mind, it was impossible not to think about it, but thinking about it would only worsen his headache… It’s no wonder Jiang Wenhan urgently called him out.
As footsteps approached in the corridor, Jiang Wenhan looked up anxiously. When he saw Zhu Tong appear, he quickly stood up. “Why are you here so late? You…”
Before he could come closer, a taller figure suddenly stood between him and Zhu Tong.
“Sorry, Jiang-xiansheng, your call wasn’t exactly timely.”
Shao Ming apologized while calmly removing the scarf he used for “warmth.”
Zhu Tong instinctively tried to stop him. “You…”
Jiang Wenhan widened his eyes simultaneously. “You two…”
Unable to stop in time, the mark left by someone’s request before leaving the house was now exposed in front of Jiang Wenhan.
It wasn’t that he was sharp-eyed – it was just that certain someone’s actions were too purposeful.
Jiang Wenhan’s headache suddenly disappeared, replaced by embarrassment all over his face. He glanced at Shao Ming, then at Zhu Tong, and finally said sincerely, “Congratulations, it seems your health has truly recovered.”
Zhu Tong：“……”
How did he figure that out?
Jiang Wenhan couldn’t help but glance at Shao Ming’s neck again, and Zhu Tong followed his gaze… and understood.
So Shao Ming’s insistence on teaching him was for this reason?
Jiang Wenhan clearly misunderstood something, hesitating several times, his eyes constantly comparing their heights and body types, unable to hide his surprise at some cognitive overturn.
He didn’t expect Zhu Tong was actually the gong…
Zhu Tong didn’t know what he was thinking. He felt it necessary to explain, “Actually, we…”
“It’s okay, it’s okay,” Jiang Wenhan said. “I understand. Your… hidden depths.”
…Probably because there are others present, Zhu Tong didn’t dare to show too much embarrassment, just unavoidably awkward.
Jiang Wenhan was more embarrassed than him. He quickly looked away, remembered the main business, “Let’s go in first… Hiss.”
Just mentioning it, he immediately got a headache.
He patted himself on the head, opened the door to the hospital ward first.
Zhu Tong waited for him to leave, then dared to turn to Shao Ming, “What are you…”
Shao Ming’s plan succeeded, saying, “This is called winning without fighting.”
“… “
“Little Young Master,” Shao Ming suddenly hugged his shoulders and leaned against him, saying, “You left a mark on me. You must take responsibility.”
Zhu Tong: “…”
He was really amused and exasperated by him.
Looking at the red mark on his neck again, Zhu Tong’s face blushed slightly and he whispered, “Let’s go inside.”
Shao Ming: “Okay.”
Just as they entered the ward, Zhu Tong met the resentful gaze of Xia Yang.
Just a few hours apart, Xia Yang seemed like a different person.
He wasn’t wearing a hospital gown, but the outfit he wore at the party. He had taken off his jacket, his eyes were red, bloodshot veins showing, messy bangs covering his eyes, he didn’t tidy up, just sitting on the bed, staring at the person coming in from the ward door in this state.
When did the heartthrob protagonist, loved by thousands, look so disheveled and messy?
Zhu Tong almost didn’t recognize him.
Xia Yang kept glaring at Zhu Tong until he saw Shao Ming following behind, a glimmer of light appeared in his eyes, but it quickly faded.
As Zhu Tong approached Xia Yang, he felt the headache he had felt in the tea room before, but it wasn’t as unbearable.
Countless scenes rushed into his mind, people he had met, people he hadn’t met, different individuals appearing around him, much like the dream he had before.
The suffocating feeling of disgust surged up again, Zhu Tong furrowed his brows slightly. Suddenly, his palm grew warm, and he turned his head, meeting Shao Ming’s concerned gaze.
The haze surrounding him suddenly dispersed. Zhu Tong tightened his grip on Shao Ming’s hand and shook his head gently. “I’m fine.”
He then looked back at the person on the bed. “Xia Yang, can we talk?”
Xia Yang stared at him without speaking.
Zhu Tong then turned to Jiang Wenhan. “You said you pursued me. Why did you pursue me?”
As expected, when he asked this question, Xia Yang’s pupils instantly dilated in disbelief, looking at Jiang Wenhan with a face full of betrayed anger.
Jiang Wenhan’s headache worsened. He avoided looking at Xia Yang and said in a deep voice, “I don’t know. I just saw you once at the banquet and got obsessed, wanting to be with you. I don’t know why, it’s like…”
He couldn’t help but glance at Xia Yang.
–Like the feelings he had towards Xia Yang not long ago.
Why did he like these two different boys?
His liking for Zhu Tong was just an added memory. Now he could think rationally and felt that everything was surreal.
His liking started inexplicably, his actions had no logic. He wasn’t someone who couldn’t let go and persisted in pestering. Despite being repeatedly rejected by Zhu Tong in his memories, he could clearly feel Zhu Tong’s aversion towards him. Despite this, he still didn’t have any self-respect.
Too undignified.
As for Xia Yang, he did like him a bit, but not to the point of obsession. However, when Xia Yang called him, he inexplicably felt ecstatic. This kind of liking, wanting to bring everything to him, clashed with his usual stable demeanor.
After witnessing Xia Yang’s madness in the tea room, the sympathy, even the affectionate feelings, vanished in an instant.
But the headaches started endlessly.
Zhu Tong frowned. “You said banquet? What banquet?”
Jiang Wenhan frowned. “I don’t remember.”
Zhu Tong asked again, “How old was I in your memory? What did I look like?”
Jiang Wenhan pondered. “Seventeen or eighteen years old, and you looked… similar to how you look now.”
“……”
Zhu Tong fell into silence.
Seventeen or eighteen years old, and now he looks like this…
According to the storyline in the book, at seventeen or eighteen, he was either lying in the hospital or ICU with someone, or he was already dead.
How could he possibly be standing in front of Jiang Wenhan now, looking like this?
If the extra memories in Jiang Wenhan’s mind weren’t events that happened in the original novel…
No, it couldn’t have happened in the original novel, because he had no recollection at all.
He was certain that he hadn’t met Jiang Wenhan before today’s banquet.
According to Jiang Wenhan, his liking for him was too obsessive. When exactly were those memories from?
And the images flooding into his mind, being approached by strangers, pursued by someone, unable to escape those intense gazes no matter where he went…
This was like a carbon copy of Xia Yang’s setting from the book!
Just thinking about it gave Zhu Tong goosebumps all over his body, and subconsciously, he leaned into Shao Ming’s embrace.
Seeing Zhu Tong lost in thought, Shao Ming didn’t interrupt him, just held him tighter.
Zhu Tong then remembered what Xia Yang had said—“You stole my life.”
Could it be true that he had experienced Xia Yang’s life?
But he clearly rejected that kind of life, he detested that lifestyle.
If he had lived such a life for a period, why did he later die?
Whether in the original storyline or after the system appeared, the illnesses and near-death experiences he endured from birth to seventeen were real.
His ability to live until now had nothing to do with Xia Yang, so why accuse him of stealing someone else’s life?
Where did things go wrong?
Zhu Tong looked up at Xia Yang. Whether it was him or Jiang Wenhan, their headaches and the extra things in their minds all appeared after Xia Yang said those words.
Zhu Tong asked, “When you said I stole your life, what did you mean?”
Xia Yang’s eyes darkened, staring at him, repeating a few words, “You should die! You should die!”
“……”
Shao Ming’s face darkened as he stared coldly at them.
Whether it was a trick of the light or not, Xia Yang seemed to shrink slightly under Shao Ming’s gaze. Yet, his expression remained unchanged; he wasn’t afraid of Shao Ming.
‘If it wasn’t fear…’
Zhu Tong suddenly turned his head to look at the person holding him.
Back in the tea room, both he and Jiang Wenhan had experienced headaches. Why did Shao Ming seem completely unaffected?
Why did he feel like he needed to stay alive, with Shao Ming as the only target?
His heart racing, Zhu Tong turned directly to Xia Yang and said, “I know you have a system in you, and I have one too. You say I stole your life, but why me? How did I do it? Don’t you want to question what’s in your mind?”
Xia Yang froze for a moment, then suddenly became agitated. He lunged from the bed towards Zhu Tong, shouting, “It’s really you! It’s you! You thief! Give it back to me! Give it back!”
Zhu Tong replied calmly, “If you want me to give it back, I can, but I don’t know how. Why don’t you tell me?”
Xia Yang’s expression shifted from joy to confusion in an instant.
How could he give it back?
Why was Zhu Tong able to survive? Because of Shao Ming!
He looked abruptly at Shao Ming, pointing excitedly at him while facing Zhu Tong. “You tell him! Tell Shao Ming why you approached him! You don’t really like him, you were just using him to stay alive. Break up with him now!”
Zhu Tong’s eyes darkened slightly as he replied coldly, “You’re right. I approached Shao Ming with a purpose — to survive. Only by his side could I make it this far. But that was before. Not now. I won’t break up with him because I love him.”
“Liar! Liar!”
“You’re just using him! You’re a fraud! Shao Ming, did you hear that? He admitted it. He’s only with you to stay alive. His feelings for you are all lies! He’s deceiving you!”
Xia Yang tried to grab Shao Ming’s hand while Shao Ming stepped back half a step, avoiding him. However, he didn’t let go of Zhu Tong’s hand, remaining unmoved by Xia Yang’s surprised accusations.
Instead, Shao Ming looked at Zhu Tong, not with suspicion but with confusion.
Why was it so difficult to just tell him?
Would he really question Zhu Tong’s motives for getting close to him?
His feelings for Zhu Tong weren’t about Zhu Tong’s feelings for him; he liked Zhu Tong for who he was. Even if Zhu Tong had approached him because he had a huddle purpose, he wouldn’t be disappointed — in fact, he’d be grateful to have a reason for Zhu Tong not to leave him. Besides, love didn’t need validation from others.
Meanwhile, Jiang Wenhan looked utterly bewildered.
What system? What survival?
He couldn’t make sense of what they were talking about at all!
The more they spoke, the more his head hurt.
Xia Yang had frozen completely.
Zhu Tong felt nervous despite believing Shao Ming wouldn’t waver anymore due to this “truth,” and despite the favorability progress bar not decreasing. He was nervous for approaching Shao Ming with a purpose, and nervous for hiding it all along.
Suddenly, a mechanical voice rang in his mind, ‘Congratulations! You gained +1% of the white moonlight’s favorability. The white moonlight’s favorability level has reached maximum.’
‘World setting is being reshaped. Please acknowledge, host.’
‘Warning, the system bound to the heartthrob protagonist is collapsing. Please be aware, host.’
The series of alerts caught Zhu Tong off guard. He hesitated for a moment, feeling something odd. When he turned his head, he met Shao Ming’s slightly shocked gaze.
Not just Shao Ming, but Xia Yang lying on the bed from the headache caused by the system’s collapse, and Jiang Wenhan were all staring at him in disbelief.
Shao Ming asked with uncertainty, “The system is collapsing?”
Zhu Tong hesitated, “Did you hear that?”
Shao Ming nodded, “…mn.”
