Chapter 4
Author: Mr. Big Horn
Yan Zhen couldn’t help but laugh.
He squeezed Su Jinxin’s wrist to make him let go, pushed aside his bangs, and kissed his forehead. “Go to sleep. It’s no trouble. You’re mine, so naturally, I’ll take care of you.”
Su Jinxin’s ears turned so red they almost looked transparent. He had nothing to say, so he hid his face under the blanket.
Yan Zhen went to the bathroom to wet a towel, then returned to wipe Su Jinxin’s hands and face. He carefully helped him change into pajamas. Only after hearing Su Jinxin’s breathing become calm and steady did Yan Zhen quietly close the door and leave.
Saying he wasn’t busy would be a lie.
The recent merger was significant and complex, with many intricacies. Even Yan Zhen couldn’t afford to be careless.
When he went downstairs to the living room, the company staff were still there, scattered around the coffee table with their laptops and notebooks. Yan Zhen rubbed his forehead, sincerely apologized for delaying work because of personal matters, and had the butler bring in some late-night snacks for everyone. Only then did he throw himself into the intense work.
He worked straight through until the early morning.
When the meeting finally ended, Yan Zhen had the butler arrange rooms in the adjacent guesthouse for the staff who couldn’t go home. By the time everything was settled, the sky was starting to lighten. Not wanting to disturb Su Jinxin, Yan Zhen found an empty guest room to shower, then dried his hair and went back to his own room.
He expected to see Su Jinxin sleeping like an angel.
But as soon as he opened the door, he heard a hoarse, tearful voice muttering in his sleep:
“Ah Biao, stop… it hurts… Brother Biao… stop, you’re hurting me…”
Yan Zhen’s face darkened.
He quickly approached and saw Su Jinxin lying among the dense pillows and blankets, his small face drenched in cold sweat and as white as paper.
Yan Zhen felt a sudden surge of murderous rage.
His muscles tensed, veins bulging, and his vision turned red.
He stepped out, gripped the staircase railing, took a few deep breaths to calm down, and then went back inside. Su Jinxin had quieted down but was still trapped in a nightmare, clutching the blanket so tightly that his knuckles were white.
Yan Zhen felt his heart being squeezed just as tightly, a sharp and urgent pain.
He hurried over, took Su Jinxin’s hand, and gently called his name.
Su Jinxin flinched but didn’t wake up. He murmured, “It hurts, Ah Lei, stop, it hurts…”
Yan Zhen’s heart ached even more.
Feeling Su Jinxin’s hand cold and clammy, he quickly placed it on his chest to warm it, grabbed a tissue to wipe his forehead, and said, “Jinxin, Jinxin, it’s me. Don’t be scared, it’s me.”
Su Jinxin stirred but didn’t wake up.
Yan Zhen found it strange and checked the bed—sure enough, it was soaked. He quickly pulled Su Jinxin out, wrapped him in a blanket, and carried him to the wardrobe to find fresh clothes.
Su Jinxin seemed accustomed to Yan Zhen’s embrace. Once he felt the hand on his back, he calmed down, his tense body slowly relaxing. His head nestled against Yan Zhen’s neck, letting him dry him off and dress him.
Yan Zhen had been furious.
But seeing Su Jinxin curled up in his arms like a little bird returning to its nest, he couldn’t help but smile. He wanted to put Su Jinxin on the sofa, but felt his shirt being tugged. He tugged back but it didn’t come loose. Su Jinxin muttered and snuggled closer, “Don’t go…”
Yan Zhen’s heart skipped a beat.
He didn’t know whether to feel sweet or sour.
He stood there for a moment, sighed quietly, and called the butler to bring people up to change the bed. Still irritated, he couldn’t help but scold the staff: “So careless. Didn’t I tell you to take good care of him? He’s been sweating so much and no one checked on him.”
Yan Zhen was usually composed and kind, rarely losing his temper with the staff.
But now, everyone was silent and cautious, moving even more quietly than usual. The room was busy but almost silent—no one dared remind him that he had once said, “He’s just a plaything, don’t be too attentive,” or that he had gradually begun to treat Su Jinxin as his own, getting upset if anyone else touched him.
This commotion woke Su Jinxin. Hearing Yan Zhen scolding the staff, he quickly reached out to touch Yan Zhen’s chest, murmuring, “Don’t be angry.” Then, as if realizing Yan Zhen was upset because of him, he added, “I’m fine. It’s not their fault, don’t worry…”
Yan Zhen, still irritated, snapped, “It’s none of your concern, go back to sleep!”
Once the staff finished and left, Yan Zhen tucked Su Jinxin back into bed. Only then did he realize he had spoken too harshly. Looking down, he saw Su Jinxin pretending to sleep, his long eyelashes trembling.
“You…” Yan Zhen couldn’t stay mad at him. He pulled Su Jinxin closer, kissed his forehead gently, and said, “I’m not angry with you, don’t worry.”
Su Jinxin softly hummed in agreement, lifting his face for a kiss. They kissed until they were both breathless. “I know you wouldn’t get upset over such a small thing, you were just worried.”
Saying this, he relaxed even more, wrapping his arms around Yan Zhen’s neck and curling up in his arms.
Even at a time like this, he was still so considerate.
Yan Zhen didn’t know what to say, so he just avoided Su Jinxin’s injuries, gently patting his back through the fabric. “Sleep.”
Su Jinxin usually stayed over on weekends.
He was used to sleeping with Yan Zhen. Soon, he was snoring softly.
But Yan Zhen couldn’t fall asleep.
His mind kept replaying Su Jinxin’s cry of “It hurts,” making his heart ache. Su Jinxin was always very well-behaved when he slept beside him. He never cried, never made a fuss, never had nightmares. However Yan Zhen held him, he stayed, rarely changing his position all night.
Yan Zhen had always thought he slept quietly and obediently.