“But! Lin Yuhan, I’ve got to tell you!”
Tang Chen, who had been quiet on the sofa, suddenly twitched like a fish gasping one last time.
“Tell… tell me what?”
Lin Yuhan’s gaze drifted, as if he were staring into the stars.
“You… hic! You didn’t use my… butt mask, that’s why you kept your virginity! Well, this time it’s a good thing, but a successful zero must become a plump, tender young man! Only then can you capture the top-notch, ultimate alpha!”
Tang Chen flailed on the sofa as he spoke.
“Come on! Where’s your butt mask? I’ll help you apply it!”
Cringe.
Zong Cheng felt it from the soles of his feet to the top of his head—every nerve screaming embarrassment.
And that wasn’t even the worst part.
Just as he was about to stop them, the doorbell rang outside.
Oh no.
A thought shot through Zong Cheng’s mind.
Even his normally calm self felt completely thrown off balance.
What was he supposed to do?
Just leave these two here and go answer the door?
But what if they really started using the… butt mask on each other?
The mere thought made him suffocate all over again.
This shouldn’t have happened—it shouldn’t!
Before he could decide, a voice came from outside.
“Lin Yuhan? It’s me. Open the door.”
Zong Cheng froze.
Wasn’t that Yin Chen?
Why was he here?
Instinctively, his limbs moved faster than his brain. He went to the door and opened it.
As soon as the door swung open, a mix of annoyance and panic flashed in his mind.
What if Yin Chen saw something he shouldn’t and misunderstood?
He opened the door anyway.
“You’re here too?”
Yin Chen noticed Zong Cheng’s brief hesitation.
Why was Zong Cheng here?
Then he realized.
“Oh right, I remember Tang Chen was joining the team today. You came to send him to the base?”
Zong Cheng nodded, about to explain.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Yin Chen really was clever, he thought.
“Is Lin Yuhan still here? I came to see him.”
No sooner had he spoken than Lin Yuhan shouted from inside.
“No! I don’t want to use a butt mask! I want to advance to Grand Magician! I don’t want to date anymore, dating is too painful!”
Then he started wailing loudly.
Tang Chen joined him, burying his head against Lin Yuhan’s as they “cried” together—though neither had a single tear on their faces.
Yin Chen blinked.
He slowly turned to Zong Cheng, who averted his gaze, his handsome profile showing faint traces of weariness.
“They were already like this when I arrived,” Zong Cheng said.
“Thanks for your trouble,” Yin Chen’s eyes seemed to say.
Zong Cheng buried his face in his hands.
Why did he have to run into Yin Chen now?
Meanwhile, Tang Chen, still “crying,” suddenly perked up.
“No! Even single, the butt mask must be applied! Come on, let me help! Stick out your butt!”
As he said this, he tried to pull down Lin Yuhan’s pants.
Zong Cheng panicked!
He lunged forward, expertly pinning Tang Chen in a restraining hold.
He exhaled sharply, just as Lin Yuhan, dazed, began fumbling at his waistband.
“Oh, okay, sister will help me, I’ll stick it out…”
Zong Cheng broke into a cold sweat, glancing frantically at Yin Chen.
“President Yin, stop him!”
He absolutely did not want to see this scene!
Huh?
Yin Chen’s eyes flickered with a hint of disappointment, and he slowly walked over, holding Lin Yuhan in place.
To be fair, he was curious—what even was a butt mask, and what was it for?
“Phew…”
Zong Cheng exhaled, but Tang Chen suddenly struggled in his arms.
“Who are you? Let me go! Are you Lin Yuhan’s abusive ex-boyfriend? You’re a bad guy! I’ll call my brother to beat you up—he’s really strong!”
Your brother wants to beat you up right now!
Zong Cheng, furious, tightened his grip.
“There’s no abusive ex-boyfriend—it’s me, Tang Chen, wake up!”
Tang Chen, dazed, mumbled,
“Who are you? You’re not that stupid abusive guy? You followed Lin Yuhan last time and now shamelessly come begging to reconcile—ew, you’re disgusting! What’s your name? I’m calling the cops—they’ll arrest you!”
Dongfang Wan had been here earlier?
Zong Cheng’s mind clicked, understanding why they were suddenly so worked up.
“Yes! Call the cops! I’m calling! Dongfang Wan, don’t think just because you’re outside that I’ll reconcile with you. Go away! Your behavior is disgusting! I’m calling the cops!”
Lin Yuhan also struggled, swearing, clearly flustered.
Zong Cheng frowned.
So they meant Dongfang Wan was still around?
“Don’t worry. He’s gone.”
Yin Chen placed a pillow in Lin Yuhan’s arms; surprisingly, Lin Yuhan hugged it quietly.
“Gone?”
Zong Cheng repeated.
“Yes.”
Yin Chen nodded, calm as ever.
“I hired a few paparazzi to snap photos of Dongfang Wan as the ‘desperate ex-boyfriend.’ He probably noticed them, and if he doesn’t want the label ‘Dongfang Group’s heir obsessed with some man,’ leaving is normal.”
He turned and opened the fridge.
Rows of bottles of Leco stared back.
Yin Chen instantly realized why this knockoff drink was almost identical to cola.
Mouth agape.jpg
Learning something new.jpg
A knockoff this extreme?
Unbelievable.jpg
“I see. But I am curious—last time I heard them talking, they should have been lovers, right? If Dongfang Wan really likes men, how did Dongfang Lie still make him the future heir of Dongfang Group?”
Zong Cheng couldn’t understand.
After all, it was common knowledge that Dongfang Lie couldn’t have children.
He couldn’t believe someone like him would willingly leave the empire he built to a nephew who liked men.
For the conservative older generation, it was no different than handing their hard-earned empire to a stranger.
Just then, Yin Chen grabbed a bottle of the knockoff drink.
Zong Cheng panicked. “President Yin, it has alcohol in it!”
Though only 5%, Yin Chen never drank at events—what if he couldn’t handle it?
“I know.”
Yin Chen glanced at him, then started walking over, drinking from the bottle as he spoke.
“So Dongfang Wan had to choose between Lin Yuhan and Dongfang Group. Lin Yuhan messaged me before, so I chose this method. Now it seems Lin Yuhan rejecting him was the right call.”
His tone was cold, but with clear admiration.
Zong Cheng felt a twinge of bittersweetness.
Yin Chen… really did care for Lin Yuhan, didn’t he?
He watched as Yin Chen took another sip and approached. A familiar scent filled Zong Cheng’s nose, making him instinctively recoil.
“President Yin… what are you doing…”
?
Yin Chen looked at him, puzzled.
“What’s wrong?”
He poured the drink into the still-struggling Tang Chen.
A few sips, and Tang Chen became soft and soon started snoring lightly, completely asleep.
Ah, so Yin Chen wasn’t drinking himself—he was knocking out Tang Chen.
Then what was all that earlier self-importance for?
Zong Cheng felt like he was suffocating.
The world was unjust.
He moved Tang Chen to another spot on the sofa, glancing at Yin Chen.
“R-Really? I drank a lot last time. I don’t remember what happened…”
But that sweater…
He lightly touched his flushed ear, lips pressing together unconsciously.
“You don’t remember?”
Yin Chen’s eyes flickered.
“Mm.”
Zong Cheng nodded. “But I heard from my assistant that President Yin personally sent me home?”
He paused slightly. “It’s a pity I don’t remember. Being personally sent home by you is my honor.”
His fingers fidgeted behind him, several times wanting to ask about the sweater, but no words came out.
What if…
The answer was something he didn’t want to hear?
Instinctively, he avoided the question.
Not remembering… that was perfect!
Yin Chen’s inner joy was hidden behind a calm exterior.
“No worries, you drank a lot. It’s understandable.”
Next time, we’ll play again when you drink!
Tricking Zong Cheng was too fun!
Seeing him obey so easily gave Yin Chen a strange sense of satisfaction.
Ah, so it’s really fun when someone does exactly as you say!
He reminisced a bit, feeling nostalgic.
No wonder old Lin Yuhan, though fond of Dongfang Wan, still liked bossing him around most…
Ah, so that’s it!
His gaze quietly fell on Zong Cheng.
Next time, a drink with Zong Cheng?
That would be fun!
Yin Chen’s face brightened, his expression lively.
?
I don’t remember that night, so why does Yin Chen look so happy?
Zong Cheng was bewildered.
And… why did he suddenly feel a chill down his spine?
Could winter come again after winter?