Chapter 48
Su Bin felt uncomfortable with the veteran’s grievances, as if he had used some despicable means. While carrying the menu, he asked, ”
Actually, when Su Bin entered the house, he felt something was off because the ceiling spotlights at the entrance were turned on. However, due to the focused lighting, they only illuminated a small area, leaving the rest of the living room in darkness. Su Bin initially thought that maybe someone forgot to turn off the lights, but he subconsciously sensed the danger in the air. So, after sneaking in, he tried to walk as quietly as possible, mimicking a squirrel’s cautious steps. But as soon as he turned around and lifted his gaze, he saw the silhouette of a person on the sofa in the living room.
In the dim light, he could only make out a dark figure. If it weren’t for those eyes, reflecting a green light in the darkness, much like those of a feline, staring motionlessly in his direction, Su Bin might have missed it entirely.
So, it was clearly Allen sitting there.
Allen, who had been waiting on the sofa for nearly two hours, had a complex mood at the moment. The thing he despised most was “waiting”… There was a saying that perfectly described the mental journey he had experienced countless times, narrowly escaping death – while others idled away today, for him, it was an ardent desire to live for tomorrow.
Having struggled so hard to survive and come this far, Allen possessed a heart stronger than anyone else’s, and he detested wasting life more than anyone else.
“Love” was impossible for him because “love” meant sharing one’s life and time with another person. So, after his health improved, he had been living for himself and maintaining simple relationships with family and friends.
He had never considered entering into a relationship with someone so fundamentally different, or experiencing what people called “love” – entrusting one’s heart to another person was simply inconceivable to him.
He hated waiting, yet now, for the first time in his life, he had given two instances of “waiting” to the same person – one that happened yesterday and the other was happening right now.
Passing time like this, doing nothing, made him incredibly restless. But he had no choice because instinct compelled him.
During this time, Allen also began to gradually unravel his own feelings and what they meant for Su Bin… Perhaps, it could be described with a single word – affection. He admitted that his heart was moved.
However, in medical terms, there was another interpretation for this word, called “disease.” He thought that his feelings towards that person might be a combination of both, something he called “twisted love.”
Because he was well aware that his impulses towards Su Bin were abnormal, leaning more towards a desire for control – just like now, God knows how much he wanted to tie up this person before him, who couldn’t be determined as brave or cowardly, and lock him in his room, tied to the bed for the rest of his life!
If he belonged to me, it wouldn’t be a waste of life anymore… Because everything about him would be mine.
But could I do that now? No, I couldn’t.
Both morally and legally, it would be a crime.
At this moment, Allen despised the human tendency for self-righteous moral constraints and legal norms.
He suppressed his emotions and said in a deep voice to the petrified person at the door, “Michael, come over, let’s talk.”
This was the first time in a month since Allen bit Su Bin’s neck that Su Bin was once again scared out of his wits by him…
But being frightened was one thing, and sensing an impending storm was another… Although they shared a commonality, neither was a good thing.
Of course, Su Bin dared not defy Allen. Even though he didn’t want to face Allen in such a serious and solemn conversation, he felt that there were very few people in this world who could withstand the “conversation” aura of Allen.
Allen turned on the warm light of the floor lamp, slightly easing the tense atmosphere. However, Su Bin became even more nervous after seeing Allen’s expression and posture!
The other person was only wearing a dark gray, three-quarter-sleeve cashmere low-necked blouse, revealing a sexy collarbone. His legs were stretched out and resting on the coffee table, knees slightly bent. The form-fitting black velvet pants outlined his perfect legs… He lazily leaned against the sofa with his arms crossed. His posture seemed relaxed, but it made Su Bin feel extremely uneasy.
The reason was simple: Allen, at this moment, was not as meticulously restrained as usual. This wasn’t a public place, and Allen didn’t need to maintain his gentlemanly demeanor and etiquette. He was very likely to do something like grabbing Su Bin, pinning him down on the sofa, and biting him again, just like a month ago upstairs.
Su Bin was certain of this because he knew that despite Allen’s seemingly decent appearance, he had a nasty personality deep down!
“Sorry…” As soon as the apology slipped out, Su Bin’s courage weakened by three points. Although he didn’t know why he was apologizing, he felt that if he dared to resist now, he would definitely have a bad outcome…
But even though he gave in, Allen didn’t accept it and raised an eyebrow, asking, “Sorry for what?”
Su Bin replied, feeling like he was being set up, “I came back too late…”
Allen squinted his eyes. “Oh? Then tell me, what were you doing?”
Su Bin honestly confessed, “I was working at a Chinese restaurant…”
Allen glanced at the wall clock and said, “It seems like your weekly working hours have already exceeded the part-time limit for international students.”
Su Bin, with a stiff scalp, said, “Um, the work I was doing was illegal…”
Allen’s voice was neither light nor heavy as he said, “I remember I warned you not to engage in irregular jobs as they could be dangerous.”
“…” Hearing this, Su Bin felt nervous, and his forehead was starting to sweat. He did remember that Allen had once talked to him about part-time jobs, giving reasonable advice and warnings, but Su Bin never thought Allen would question him about it… After all, they were just roommates. What right did Allen have to interfere?
Allen didn’t pursue Su Bin’s previous actions, but instead asked, “Are you planning to continue?”
“I still have to go…” Su Bin said, and as soon as he said it, he regretted it a little. Allen’s expression suddenly became terrifying in that instant, shifting from “an impending storm” to “a dark cloud overhead.”
Allen indeed didn’t give him the right to voice his opinions. He commanded, “You’re not allowed to go anymore, and from now on, you can’t come home later than 10 PM,” not even listening to Su Bin’s damned explanations. “Michael, I need your assurance.”
Su Bin was still stuck on the matter of the “last day.” “Just one more day… tomorrow is just one day,” he said to himself. Fine, he would go tomorrow for one more day, and then he wouldn’t go anymore!
Allen didn’t understand why Su Bin was insisting on something. He ordered, one word at a time, “I’ll say it one last time. Quit tomorrow, and if you go again, be prepared for the police in City M to investigate that restaurant. You and all the employees working illegally won’t be able to escape… I can say it, and I can do it.”
“…” QAQ He, he actually threatened… How could he be like this? Did I offend him in some way?
Su Bin realized that when Lily mocked him for having “mental issues” during the day, his mood wasn’t close to collapsing at all. But now, it definitely was!
After a tiring day and a night of frustration due to Chen Xiaotian’s matter, Su Bin was now being forced to make an impossible promise by Allen. His nerves were about to snap.
Being pushed to a dead end, Su Bin became somewhat agitated and thought, “I’m not being too unreasonable, right? I was careful when I came home, I was quiet. Who does Allen think he is? The head of the household or something?”
The more Su Bin thought about it, the angrier he became. Unable to control his emotions, he stood up, thinking that standing might give him more courage. “Who do you think you are to say that…” he said.
Surprisingly, Allen also stood up, his expression becoming more terrifying. Su Bin instinctively took a step back, and his mind heated up as he resisted, “Who do you think you are to control me?” Even his father hadn’t controlled him like this! What does Allen think he is?
Su Bin actually wanted to escape. He didn’t want to continue explaining to this stubborn “foreigner.” He still had to go tomorrow, at least to collect his wages. He turned around, but Allen grabbed his arm. Su Bin didn’t even have time to react before he was thrown onto the sofa… He was stunned, his brain froze for several seconds before he could react — Allen was fucking getting physical!
He heard Allen’s cold snort, “Just because you happened to encounter me when you were looking for a place through the agency.”
Fuck! Is this kind of reason even acceptable? Immediately, Su Bin’s hands were grabbed and pressed against the sides of his head… Fuck! What does Allen want to do? Is he going to abuse me at home or bite me again? At this moment, Su Bin’s inner world was truly collapsing!
Su Bin gasped for breath, wanting to resist, but Allen pressed down on him, forcing him into the soft sofa… He couldn’t move, forced to face Allen, who had a never-before-seen malicious expression… “Since the day you moved in, you belong to me,” Allen said sternly.
Su Bin: “…” Fuck! Do I have no human rights left?
But Allen didn’t bite him or do anything excessive. He simply restrained him, not letting him escape. “I am responsible for your safety, understand?”
Su Bin: “…” Q_Q
What should I do? I want to be angry, but I can’t overpower him; I feel wronged, but I can’t cry. If I cry, I’ll lose the little dignity I have left… It’s so frustrating that it hurts to hold back tears, and Allen, watching him like this, feels even more inclined to continue bullying him… He wants to bite him hard, make him completely submit and obey… Just seeing Su Bin’s humiliated expression makes Allen’s blood boil again…
In this way, one person suppressing the other, they could hear each other’s breathing and heartbeat… They confronted each other for about ten seconds, and the atmosphere was so awkward and ambiguous that if it lasted even a second longer, it would completely collapse. Even Su Bin sensed that the unpredictable feeling was more dangerous than Allen’s threats.
Just when he couldn’t help but want to show his weakness, Allen let out an almost inaudible sigh, loosened his grip, let his palm slide down slowly, and then gently supported Su Bin’s shoulders, pulling the stiff young man into his embrace…
Su Bin: “…” Q-Q
Allen rested his chin on Su Bin’s forehead, closed his eyes, and suppressed his desires… “I… I’m very worried about you,” he murmured hoarsely in Su Bin’s ear, his neck bending as he nuzzled against Su Bin’s temple.
Su Bin: “…”
(Q..Q)… (>..<)… (兀-兀)… The pent-up anger in his heart shattered into pieces from Allen’s sudden comfort. The shift from unreasonable severity to instant tenderness exceeded Su Bin’s expectations and made it unbearable for him. His tears finally poured out… Sobbing, why is it like this? Going from tough to gentle, it’s too unfair… Your sister, still hugging me… Don’t you think this hug position is strange… Sob, sob, sob, TAT… It’s so embarrassing, what should I do…
What is the normal process like?”
Veteran: “At Level 1, you wash dishes and various items. At Level 2, you cut cabbage and fry shrimp chips. At Level 3, you brew tea, close the restaurant, and set up tables…”
When Su Bin heard this, he realized that Lily, who closed the restaurant, was already at Level 3. She was truly impressive!
“The highest level is taking orders and serving dishes, also known as being a ‘runner.’ That’s the ultimate challenge I’ve been looking forward to!” the veteran said with tears streaming down his face. “Because you can unlock the dialogue feature!”
Su Bin: “…” So the veteran’s attribute should be… talkative, right?
In the evening, close to the peak hour, there were fewer customers. Su Bin was called out by the supervisor for “training.” When he appeared in the dining hall, Lily looked at him with surprise, making Su Bin feel like he won unfairly.
Fortunately, Su Bin stumbled through serving a few tables without making any major mistakes, just a bit slow. He carefully observed the supervisor’s expression, but the supervisor didn’t scold him. Instead, he said, “Keep practicing. After dinner, it will get busier, and you won’t be able to handle it. At that time, go help Lily with clearing the tables, and practice when it’s less busy.”
It seemed that the supervisor had the intention of training him, but Su Bin already felt a lot of resentment building up inside him, unsure whether to be happy or worried.
At 5:30 PM, dinner service began, with half an hour for meal breaks. Su Bin noticed that Lily ate two bowls of rice in a row and then leaned back, patting her full stomach and texting on her phone.
“Why did you eat so much today? Giving up on losing weight?” Su Bin smiled and asked.
“I’ve been tired all afternoon. How could I have the energy to lose weight?” Lily replied. She looked at her phone screen and suddenly smiled foolishly.
Su Bin asked, “Who are you texting? You seem so happy.”
“It’s my boyfriend,” Lily said with a gentle expression. “He’s in China.”
Su Bin was surprised, “It’s already one or two in the morning in China, right? Isn’t he sleeping?”
“He’s staying up for me. I told him to go to sleep, but he won’t. Ah…” Lily looked like she was both distressed and sweet. “But if he’s willing, let him be. I’m happy that he’s thinking of me.”
Su Bin felt envious. He also wanted to text Chen Xiaotian all the time, just like Lily did with her boyfriend.
“Your relationship with your boyfriend is really good. My girlfriend doesn’t like it when I call her often. If I were to call her at this hour, she would definitely get angry.”
“Is your girlfriend also in China?” Lily noticed the similarity between Su Bin and herself and became somewhat happy, but she realized that Su Bin’s situation seemed different from hers. “Why would she get angry? Whenever my boyfriend calls me, I’m always happy.”
“That’s why I said you’re really lucky.” Su Bin was gloomy. Lately, his contact with Chen Xiaotian had become less frequent because he couldn’t talk about his job, and Chen Xiaotian didn’t like him constantly complaining. As a result, during their last conversation, Su Bin didn’t know what to say…
“What do you usually talk about?” Su Bin asked Lily.
“We talk about anything. I even mentioned you to him,” Lily said, not avoiding showing Su Bin her latest conversation with her boyfriend:
[Lily: There’s a handsome guy who joined the restaurant today. He looks like a young master.]
[Husband: Handsome guy? Am I handsome?]
[Lily: He’s more handsome than you.]
[Husband: What did you say? Say it again?]
[Lily: But he’s not as silly as you, hahaha. He looks silly.] (Su Bin: …)
[Husband: Ahem, forget it. I forgive you~]
…
[Lily: That handsome guy actually went from washing dishes to being a runner just based on his looks! I never got that treatment >_<~~~] (Su Bin: …)
[Husband: Is your supervisor a man or a woman?]
[Lily: He’s a man…]
[Husband: Then he must be gay! Baby, don’t be upset. You’re the most beautiful woman in the world in my heart.]
[Lily: Honey, I love you >3<] …
Su Bin: “…”
Why is it that even though he’s not single, he still gets tormented by other people’s happiness?
Su Bin compared his relationship with Chen Xiaotian to Lily and her boyfriend’s and sadly realized that Chen Xiaotian would never say the things Lily said. It’s not that Su Bin isn’t worth relying on, but Chen Xiaotian has a strong mental fortitude and a hardened heart. Or rather, Su Bin always felt that he and Chen Xiaotian were not on the same level, so he couldn’t flirt with her at all.
Sigh… They say women become foolish when they’re in love, so why doesn’t Chen Xiaotian become foolish?
“What’s wrong? You look so bitter and resentful,” Lily put away her phone.
Would Su Bin tell Lily about his envy and jealousy? Their happiness only highlighted Su Bin’s loneliness.
Lily glanced at him and for some reason, she offered a suggestion, “Michael, a woman in love would never reject her boyfriend’s calls.”
“…” Su Bin felt like something he was contemplating was being exposed, his palms were sweating, but he insisted on defending Chen Xiaotian, “My girlfriend is different, she’s very rational.”
“Rational is not an excuse, rational people aren’t robots. My boyfriend often says I’m too rational, but in front of him, I like to act cute and spoiled. It’s the instinct of a woman in love. If one day I don’t want my boyfriend to call me often when I’m being rational, then there’s only one possibility…”
Su Bin felt like he knew what Lily was going to say, and he subconsciously hoped that she wouldn’t say it, but he couldn’t stop Lily’s mouth. “I don’t love him anymore,” Lily stated confidently.
“…” Su Bin felt like an arrow pierced his knee. He tried to find evidence to prove Chen Xiaotian’s love and affection for him, but he realized that in the face of Lily’s “Honey, I love you,” everything sweet between him and Chen Xiaotian was nothing. Lily, however, didn’t notice Su Bin’s mental turmoil.
Changing the subject, she said, “Actually, I find it strange why you’re still persisting in working here.”
Perhaps to cover up his own guilt, Su Bin told Lily about secretly earning money to buy a ring for his girlfriend. He thought Lily would react with envy like Casey did, but he didn’t expect Lily to look at him like he was crazy and say, “Is there something wrong with your brain?”
“QAQ…” Su Bin’s heart was on the verge of collapsing at that moment… Lily couldn’t help but chuckle, and although her laughter didn’t carry any mockery, Su Bin felt like he was receiving a critical blow, losing 20% of his health. But it didn’t end there.
Lily unleashed a series of effective combos:
First Strike: “How old are you? Thinking about buying a ring? Can’t you wait until after graduation?”
Second Strike: “If the feelings are deep, what’s wrong with proposing a few years later?”
Third Strike: “Doing something like working to buy a ring is only touching to young girls and women immersed in idol dramas.”
Fourth Strike: “If your girlfriend is as rational as you say, she would definitely not be surprised and would think you’re too impulsive and brainless!”
Finishing Move: “Fortunately, my boyfriend isn’t as childish as you, otherwise, I would have dumped him a long time ago!”
…Su Bin’s health bar hit rock bottom, and he was knocked out!
Looking at the handsome guy’s soul being crushed by being struck in the heart, Lily couldn’t help but lament in her heart:
What a second-year high school syndrome young man~
“Don’t overthink it,” Lily’s tone softened. “Come on, I’ll teach you how to clear the tables…”
Su Bin stood up dazedly. Even when his soul was out of his body, he couldn’t afford to lose focus during work. Reality was just that cruel.
Clearing the tables was a skill, and watching Lily stack four or five heavy plates on her arm, Su Bin was amazed…
“Are those plates not heavy?”
“They’re heavy.”
“…”
“Stop talking nonsense and learn quickly. Do you plan to carry each plate to the kitchen one by one when it’s time to clear the tables? Everyone in the restaurant will be watching you.”
Su Bin learned it after two tries.
As long as his intelligence was intact, he could quickly learn the technique of stacking plates.
However, becoming as skilled as Lily was not easy. Su Bin cleared a few tables, and he always felt that if he continued like this, he would eventually become a martial arts master or a frisbee thrower… It was quite impressive when he thought about it.
At this moment, Su Bin had no idea about the feeling of having both his arms strained the next day.
If he had known, he wouldn’t have thought that way. Although he didn’t wash dishes again in the evening, Su Bin was not any less stressed than the day before.
Due to Lily pointing out that Chen Xiaotian might not love him, Su Bin’s heart was filled with anxiety. Despite his efforts to focus on clearing the tables, he inevitably broke a few plates, and the supervisor caught him and scolded him severely.
Su Bin felt particularly humiliated watching the customers enjoy various delicious dishes in the dining hall while he was being reprimanded on the side. The feeling of humiliation he felt when Allen controlled him a month ago was completely different.
When Allen controlled him, Su Bin keenly felt the huge gap in physical strength and aura between them, and his feeling of inferiority as a man was much greater than the feeling of being insulted.
However, when the supervisor scolded him, Su Bin’s heart resisted strongly. That kind of humiliation stemmed from the inequality between people and the lack of respect from a superior to a subordinate in their speech.
Although he was now working for certain reasons, it didn’t mean he was inferior. Everyone is capable of making mistakes, especially a novice like him.
At that moment, Su Bin felt like giving up. Just as the “veteran” said, he had no way out, but he did. He wasn’t obliged to work there.
Su Bin’s way out came from the sufficient allowance his dad provided, allowing him to avoid suffering and enjoy the best student life abroad. For some reason, Su Bin’s mind was flooded with memories related to his dad.
He remembered when his dad started his own business, he often suffered from insomnia due to the stress. Several times, Su Bin would wake up late and smell smoke throughout the living room, but at that time, Su Bin only knew how to complain.
He recalled that every time he achieved good grades, that man would only say one thing – “If you want something, I’ll give you money. Go buy it yourself.”
At that time, Su Bin thought that men only cared about money, and he deeply misunderstood his father’s intentions. Now he realized that money was perhaps the simplest thing in this world that could maintain a person’s “dignity.”
Thinking about this, Su Bin’s eyes welled up with tears again. He suddenly felt that it was silly to try to prove his ability to “stand on his own” to his father through work…
He wanted to give up, but he was afraid that giving up would mean “being unable to endure hardship,” and he would not only be looked down upon by others but also be unable to approve of himself. He was truly distressed…
After work, Su Bin didn’t know how he ended up at home. When he realized it, he was already standing at his doorstep. He glanced at the time, 1 a.m… Orz..
I won’t take a shower tonight, I’ll go up and sneak back into my room to sleep. It wouldn’t be good if I woke Allen up again. Su Bin thought so and slowly opened the door, tiptoeing in.
He was so careful that he wished he had cat paws under his feet. But when he looked up, he saw Allen sitting on the living room sofa, his dark green eyes coldly staring at every move Su Bin made when he entered…
Su Bin shivered, and in his mind, there were only two words – “It’s over!”
