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Bonus chapter! Thank you to asdf for the donation! ^^
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The livestream didn’t shut down just because Ruan Qing lost his memory. The audience was speechless when they heard what Xu He said—how could someone’s legs go numb after squatting for just a minute?
[I've never seen such a shameless man. Legs going numb after squatting for a minute? He must be weak, probably kidney deficiency! Ugh, this deceitful, penniless man.]
[This scheme has slapped me in the face. Can’t even afford the electricity bill and still dares to covet my wife? Have you looked in the mirror? My wife is way out of your league! Get lost!]
[Help! My amnesiac wife is so delicate. I want to hug him too. Come into my arms, wife! I swear it would be a pure hug, nothing more.]
[Don’t trust him, wife! He’s not worthy of you! Let’s not play with him!]
Ruan Qing’s eyelashes fluttered slightly after hearing Xu He’s words, then obediently stood up.
Seeing this, Xu He stood up as well and unceremoniously sat down in the chair. He gently pulled Ruan Qing’s hand with a bit of force, drawing him into his arms.
As Ruan Qing fell into his embrace, Xu He’s first reaction wasn’t the softness, but a barely noticeable frown.
So cold.
Not only were the boy’s hands icy, but his entire body was cold—this wasn’t the temperature of a normal person.
It was only early autumn, and even if the temperature difference at night was large, it shouldn’t be cold to this extent.
Could it be... because of illness?
Xu He had only just heard about moyamoya disease and wasn’t quite sure what symptoms it caused.
Without showing any emotion, Xu He pulled Ruan Qing closer into his arms, bringing him nearer to his own warmth.
He held Ruan Qing entirely in his embrace, even clasping his hands around Ruan Qing’s.
Ruan Qing didn’t struggle, allowing Xu He to hold him, and let the warmth surround him.
Xu He’s phone was still lit, and because he was holding Ruan Qing, the phone was naturally in Ruan Qing’s line of sight.
Ruan Qing, seeing the phone so close, reached out to grab it, seemingly curious and wanting to play with it.
However, he didn’t manage to take it.
Clearly, the person holding the phone had no intention of letting it go.
When it came to strength, Ruan Qing was no match.
After trying again and failing, Ruan Qing turned his head to look at Xu He, who was holding him, and innocently said, “Uncle, I want to play with the phone.”
Xu He naturally couldn't hand his phone over to Ruan Qing. He smiled gently and, while holding Ruan Qing, opened a game on his phone.
It was a single-player puzzle game that didn't require an internet connection.
The phone was never actually given to Ruan Qing; Xu He just held it and allowed Ruan Qing to swipe the screen.
Ruan Qing didn't mind. He just swiped the screen and started playing.
Xu He held the boy in his arms, resting his chin on Ruan Qing's shoulder, watching him play the game with lowered eyes.
Occasionally, Xu He would help with the puzzle, though the boy clearly disapproved.
Although Ruan Qing couldn't solve the puzzle after a long time, he clearly had his own ideas. Whenever Xu He moved the puzzle pieces, Ruan Qing would immediately reach out, grab Xu He's hand, and speak with righteous indignation.
"No, no, that's not right."
After saying that, Ruan Qing would swipe the puzzle back to its original state and then think hard about how to solve it.
Probably due to his amnesia, Ruan Qing appeared particularly clumsy, unable to finish the puzzle even after a long time.
Under normal circumstances, Xu He would never have the patience to play such a boring puzzle game with someone who was nearly as clueless as a fool.
But at this moment, Xu He wasn't in any rush. He quietly held the person in his arms, and the two of them just sat in the basement playing the puzzle game.
Even though the basement was still somewhat dark, the fear and unease had completely dissipated. With the cheerful background music from the puzzle game, the atmosphere became rather warm.
And because Xu He was holding him, Ruan Qing's body temperature finally began to rise, at least reaching a normal level.
As Xu He looked at the boy in his arms, who had almost no guard against him, something seemed to stir in his heart and spread throughout his body.
It was a feeling Xu He couldn't quite describe.
It was as if, in the midst of the noisy and chaotic world, he had suddenly heard the sound of water droplets falling in the distance.
He could hear the wind, and he could also hear the sound of his own heartbeat.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
It was as if Xu He had suddenly become aware of the entire world—no longer monotonous, no longer numb.
Xu He inhaled the faint fragrance of orchids, glanced at the teardrop-shaped mole at the corner of Ruan Qing's eye, and his gaze darkened slightly.
Ren Yanqing had owed him three years' worth of wages. So wasn't it only natural for him to compensate by giving up his son?
Xu He looked at the slender, pale neck in front of him and inched slightly closer.
"Creak—" The basement door was pushed open again, interrupting Xu He's actions.
Xu He paused and lifted his head to look toward the doorway.
It was Zhou Jinchen who entered.
Since leaving the basement, Zhou Jinchen had become increasingly irritable, his frustration growing by the minute.
Finally, in a fit of impatience, he grabbed a flashlight and headed back toward the basement.
But as soon as Zhou Jinchen pushed open the door, he noticed there was already light in the basement, prompting him to rush forward instinctively.
Halfway there, Zhou Jinchen saw what was happening clearly.
The person who had been driving him crazy was now sitting defenselessly on another man’s lap.
He hadn’t even realized the danger he was in, leaning so closely into the man’s arms, with a level of intimacy far beyond what ordinary people would have.
Zhou Jinchen watched as the person, deeply absorbed in playing a game, infuriated him instantly. He strode over and roughly yanked Ruan Qing’s hand, pulling him down from the man's lap.
"Who gave you permission to sit on his lap!!!?"
"Ugh..." Zhou Jinchen's strength wasn’t gentle, and Ruan Qing’s wrists, already red and swollen from being tied up earlier, throbbed in pain as Zhou Jinchen pulled him, causing his body to tremble slightly.
Tears immediately welled up in his beautiful eyes.
But Ruan Qing fought back the tears, looking at Zhou Jinchen with a pitiful expression, his voice soft and vulnerable. "Daddy, it hurts."
Zhou Jinchen's grip unconsciously loosened a bit. He let out a cold laugh. "Hmph, I don't think you even know what pain is, daring to sit on another man's lap."
Xu He stood up and spoke gently to Zhou Jinchen, "Don’t misunderstand. I was just..."
Zhou Jinchen interrupted him coldly, "Just what?"
"Admiring his looks? And conveniently, he's also a fool?"
Zhou Jinchen’s tone grew even frostier. "Xu He, stop pretending to be a sheep when you’re a wolf. I’m not a fool."
Xu He wasn’t angry at being interrupted. He smiled at Ruan Qing and finished what he was about to say, "I just noticed he seemed to be a little afraid of the dark and since I didn’t have anything else to do, I came over to keep him company for a while."
Ruan Qing obediently nodded, indicating that what Xu He said was true.
Zhou Jinchen was so angry that he laughed, but his smile carried a hint of sarcasm—not directed at the foolishly nodding Ruan Qing, but at Xu He.
The few of them had worked closely together on the construction site for three years, even sharing the same dormitory. By now, they all had a clear understanding of each other's personalities.
Accompany someone just because they’re afraid of the dark?
Stop joking.
That excuse was less believable than the idea that Xu He resented Ren Yanqing and wanted to vent his anger on this fool.
In the end, it was probably just because this fool was simple and harmless, triggering some lowly thoughts.
Disgusting.
Zhou Jinchen coldly glanced at Xu He, his tone laced with warning and threat. "Xu He, I don't care what you're thinking, but if you dare to act on any improper ideas during this time…"
"You've really misunderstood me," Xu He still smiled gently. "If I had any ideas, I would have acted on them long before you arrived."
Ruan Qing, standing beside them, tilted his head in confusion, as if he couldn't quite understand the conversation between the two.
Zhou Jinchen grew irritated as soon as he noticed Ruan Qing looking at him. He glared at Ruan Qing fiercely and snapped, "What are you looking at?"
"If I catch you sitting on his lap again, I’ll…”
Zhou Jinchen paused mid-sentence, then continued expressionlessly, “I’ll cut ties with you."
Upon hearing this, Ruan Qing panicked. He immediately grabbed Zhou Jinchen's hand and anxiously promised, "I won’t, I won’t. I won’t do it again."
“Daddy, please don’t abandon me.”
Feeling the softness of Ruan Qing’s hand, Zhou Jinchen gave a noncommittal grunt, his tone softening slightly but still firm. "Stay away from them from now on."
Without thinking, Ruan Qing quickly nodded, clearly terrified that Zhou Jinchen might truly abandon him.
Xu He’s eyes darkened, carrying a trace of inexplicable danger.
Zhou Jinchen didn’t notice Xu He’s expression, but even if he had, he likely wouldn’t have cared.
Zhou Jinchen turned on the flashlight and handed it to Ruan Qing before turning once more to walk towards the door.
However, this time, he stopped halfway.
Zhou Jinchen looked back at Xu He, who was still standing in place, and his eyes filled with mockery. "What? Can’t bear to leave?"
Xu He didn’t say anything and followed Zhou Jinchen out of the basement.
About ten minutes had already passed since they had given the half-hour deadline.
In other words, in just over ten minutes, once they had the money, they would release the boy.
Xu He followed behind Zhou Jinchen with a thoughtful expression. In the end, he lowered his eyes, hiding the emotions within them.
Once again, only Ruan Qing was left in the basement, and once again, it plunged into a deathly silence.
A quiet and dark room always bred countless fears and amplified every sound and movement.
That faint rustling sound seemed to be back.
Ruan Qing didn’t turn off the flashlight, but its beam had limited range and couldn’t illuminate the entire room.
Nor could it light up the shadowy corners.
Ruan Qing nervously swept the light back and forth, as if afraid that some monster would crawl out of a dark corner.
When Zhou Jinchen had taken the flashlight earlier, he probably hadn’t noticed that it was running low on power. The light it cast was growing dimmer and dimmer.
So dim that it was hardly illuminating the room, and so dim that it gave off an unsettling feeling.
The sense of unease and fear deepened.
Ruan Qing's beautiful eyes were filled with fear. He bit his lower lip tightly, and his hand holding the flashlight was trembling slightly.
Suddenly, a dark shadow darted across the corner. Ruan Qing's eyes widened in fear, and he let out a sharp, panicked scream. Instinctively, he took a step back, knocking over the chair beside him.
Both he and the chair crashed to the ground, making quite a loud noise.
Zhou Jinchen and Xu He, who had just stepped out of the basement, heard the noise. Their hearts sank, and without thinking, they immediately rushed back.
