Translated by Eve

Edited by Karasunofight

Zhou Yian stared at the silhouette of the youth, who was slowly approaching him, in a daze. He appeared to have gotten thinner; his complexion had an abnormal pallor. He looked exhausted—there were deep, dark circles under his eyes, and he wore old, washed-out clothes. There wasn't a single trace of his previous suns.h.i.+ne-like optimism. His whole body was covered in a layer of depression, making people's hearts ache.

At this moment, Zhou Yian completely drowned in his own pain and regret. Just how stupid was he to misunderstand and hurt his former lover to such an extent!

Zhao Qing had not done anything wrong. The one who messed up had always been him.

He hadn't been willing to face his own stupidity and incompetence….He didn't take good care of Zhao Qing and let him meet with such a disastrous event instead. He hadn't protected or understood him. Instead, he pushed him away, because of his own jealousy and misunderstanding….Moreover, after Zhao Qing had endured so much humiliation for his sake, he had abandoned him mercilessly.

Zhou Yian thought about what Zhou Yizhe had told him. A dull pain throbbed in the pit of his stomach. If he could…he would be willing to trade his life away, just to bring back the smile of his most beloved person.

Xie He also saw Zhou Yian. His feet immediately stopped.

On the dark, narrow path, the two people locked eyes on one another. Once, they had been the most intimate lovers. But now, they had already become estranged.

Xie He set his gaze on Zhou Yian. A look of pain flashed through his eyes. Immediately afterward, he unhesitatingly turned around and left!

Zhou Yian was full of words he wanted to say, but he could only stare at the ice-cold view of the youth's departing back. It was as if he had swallowed a mouthful of the most bitter medicine….

He hastily chased after him, grabbing hold of the youth's arm. His lips moved, "Th-There's something that I want to say to you…."

Xie He turned his head back towards Zhou Yian. He looked at him with a desperate gaze, voice trembling, "If you want to humiliate me, don't hesitate to do so. It's me who let you down…it's me who is contemptible. Whatever you want to say, just say it."

"You chased me so that you could see my embarra.s.sed appearance, right? You've seen it now. Are you satisfied?" Xie He closed his eyes.

Zhou Yian's movements stiffened. The youth's appearance deeply stung him. He opened his mouth, discovering his own voice was stiff, and it was arduous to speak, "No. I wanted…wanted to say…sorry…."

An incredulous expression abruptly leaked out of Xie He's eyes. His voice was hoa.r.s.e, "W-what are you saying…."

"I'm sorry," Zhou Yian looked deeply into the youth's eyes and reached out to pull him into his arms. He muttered, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have misunderstood you. I've always loved you."

Xie He fell into a daze as if he had lost the ability to think for a moment.

A long while later, the look in his eyes fell apart and darkened again. He spoke apathetically, "But I don't love you anymore. Leave."

Zhou Yian's complexion immediately became deathly white. This tall man suddenly seemed at a loss for what he should do.

Xie He gently pushed Zhou Yian away. His eyelashes drooped lowly as he said, "You should go. It's enough that the misunderstanding has been cleared. You don't have to come looking for me in the future."

He didn't need this kind of pity and charity at all.

When this moment had finally arrived, he truly and profoundly understood there was already no way to heal the crack between them.

Zhou Yian stood in place like he had lost his soul and mumbled, "Why…."

"There's no 'why'. Leave," Xie He continued with this line.

Zhou Yian looked at the youth. The image of the person in front of him vaguely coincided with the silhouette of the youth from when he had first driven him away. At that time, it had also been here that the youth had used the word 'scram' to sever all relations with him, making him fall headfirst into a dark abyss. He had vowed that he would take back everything that belonged to him and have revenge on the person who betrayed him….

But in the end, he discovered the truth was not at all like what he had thought. The truth had instead hurt him so much that he lost the will to live.

This time, he should protect him, love him.

Zhou Yian exposed a smile, voice soft, "That's fine. I did so many bad things that it's only normal that you blame me…so it's fine. You don't have to love me. It's fine so long as I love you."

This utterance seemed to upset Xie He. His chest violently heaved up and down, and he looked at him with a cold expression, "Is that right? What if I told you I had fallen in love with Zhou Yizhe? Is there still no problem then?"

Zhou Yian said, "There's no way that's possible."

He tightly clenched his fist, tone certain. Who knew if he was really that certain or if he was just trying to convince himself, "If you love him, why would you want to leave him? You've never loved him. I know that he forced you."

"Who said that I left him? He doesn't love me anymore, just as you wished," Xie He's expression was cold.

"No, that's not right," Zhou Yian was extremely obstinate.

Xie He firmly looked at him. It seemed that no matter what he said, Zhou Yian wouldn't pay it any heed and would cling onto him…believe in him…love him in this manner.

If this trust and love had appeared a bit earlier, then perhaps they would not have broken up.

Xie He's face revealed a sarcastic smile, but who knew if it was directed towards Zhou Yian or himself. He spoke slowly, "You're right. I don't love him. Only that doesn't mean that I have to accept you."

"I've had enough of you two brothers. Right now, I want to stay far, far away from you two."

"I have my own life. I don't live for you two. I live only for myself. I don't want to fall into that kind of circ.u.mstance again. I don't want to love you anymore. These are my true thoughts. Can you let me go?"

"I'm begging you."

These merciless words meant to sever their relations.h.i.+p wounded Zhou Yian, cutting and bruising him all over. He staggered back. At this moment, he finally understood just how deeply he had hurt the youth.

He understood that if he really loved him, then he should leave him alone. He shouldn't ever appear before him again…but…he couldn't do it.

He couldn't do it…he loved him more than his own life.

Zhou Yian looked at the youth's expression and spoke in a rough voice, "Are you truly unwilling to give me another chance…?"

Xie He set his eyes onto him. On his pale face, a smile appeared.

Just as Zhou Yian thought he would agree, he heard him speak in a peaceful manner, "We can't go back…."

We can't go back.

This reasoning, it wasn't that Zhou Yian didn't understand it. However, to hear this phrase come out from the youth's mouth seemed to dash the very last remnants of his hopes and dreams. He wanted to take the youth for himself, regardless of everything, just like how Zhou Yizhe did once before. However…he couldn't bear to hurt him, so he couldn't do that….

In the end, Zhou Yian only said, "Can I still come see you?"

"It's just to see you, OK?" Zhou Yian's eyes held a profound sorrowful and pleading expression along with a slight, imperceptible tremble.

Xie He's lips moved, but he didn't respond.

Zhou Yian turned and left.

Xie He watched him leave from behind. For an instant, it was like he had lost all strength, and he leaned against the wall. Only after a long while after could he return home.

Xie He returned home. After he closed the door, his expression changed in an instant.

【Xie He：Help me throw the ma.s.sage bed, game console—everything— into the system's recycling bin! Quickly turn this place back to how it was originally! 】

【444：…Yes!】

【Xie He：En? The recycling bin only gave me 20 experience points after recycling the ma.s.sage bed worth 500 points that's still 99% new. Truly worthy of being called the system store. Buys for a low price, sells for a high price. This kind of exclusive business practice is very unruly. 】

【444：That…】

【Xie He：Anyhow, aside from recycling things I've bought from the system store, can I recycle things I obtain from this world? 】If it's possible, then this would be a shortcut to earn experience points.

【444：You can. However, it has to be something that you have complete owners.h.i.+p of. Moreover, it must have recyclable value. However, with regard to this kind of inferior plane, I would not suggest you waste time collecting goods.】

【Xie He：Oh?】

【444：Take this world for example: The large majority of its goods are trash without any sort of recyclable value. The number of goods with recyclable value is few, and they're typically sold for cheap. For example, 100 kg of gold is worth 100 experience points, a tonne of oil is worth 10 experience points, 1000 kg of diamonds is worth 100 experience points…. 】

【Xie He：I understand. :)】

Xie He muttered to himself. There doesn't seem to be any loopholes with the system at the moment. If he wanted to get a good return, he'd have to pay an appropriate investment. Moreover, in this kind of lower plane, collecting items was not as good nor worth it compared to raising the Favorability Value of the world's inhabitants. However…what if it was a xianxia, fantasy, or sci-fi world? Would there be more items of recyclable value? A glint of interest flashed through Xie He's eyes.

【444 weakly said：Host Dada, actually, what I wanted to warn you of was that you've OOC-ed 2%. I was afraid of influencing your acting, so I didn't say anything at the time….】

【Xie He：No harm. Just remember to warn me once I reach 5% OOC.】

Just now, in order to prevent Zhou Yian from entering, he had indeed said some things that were inconsistent with his character settings. According to Zhao Qing's character and his love for Zhou Yian, even if he was in pain and felt sad, he would not say such sharp words. He had actually been aware of that at the time.

Ultimately, Zhou Yian's sudden appearance had made a mess of his plans. He hadn't had time to prepare beforehand. 

The corner of Xie He's lips raised. He knew that Zhou Yian would sooner or later find out the actual truth. However, he didn't think it would happen so quickly. Zhou Yizhe seemed very determined to help the two of them. These last two Favorability Value points won't be easy to obtain, ah…haha, this is great. You've succeeded in capturing my attention!

Xie He's interest was stirred up upon meeting his match.

Xie He was not anxious. Since the day Zhou Yian had left, he continued to go to work and come back from work as usual.

Sure enough, after a few days, he saw Zhou Yian at the entrance of the staircase.

Xie He's face froze over. He advanced forward, not saying a single word. Just as he was about to pa.s.s him, Zhou Yian suddenly grabbed Xie He's arm and whispered, "I really missed you."

"But I don't want you here bothering me," Xie He looked at him, expressionless.

Zhou Yian stared directly into his eyes and enunciated each word earnestly, "Is that true? If you really don't hold any fondness or feelings for me, then why do you still live here?"

He finally noticed!

Xie He's happy body stiffened, and a flash of panic could be seen in his eyes.

Zhou Yian had been watching Xie He's expression the whole time, so this flash of panic did not escape his eyes. He immediately felt warmth billow within his heart. His voice carried all of his eagerness and scorching heat, "In actuality, you still love me, don't you? You basically can't let me go!

"No…" Xie He gritted his teeth.

Zhou Yian lowered his head, profoundly fixing his eyes on Xie He's face and softly sighed, "I was almost tricked by you…you clearly still love me…."

"I said that's not it…" Xie He pushed Zhou Yian away and quickly opened the door to his home, trying to shut Zhou Yian out.

However, how could Zhou Yian let him have his way? Before Xie He could close the door, he followed after him and forced himself in. His eyes swept a look around and saw this little home imbued with their immeasurable feelings still looked the same….even their two cups remained side by side as if he had never left.

So much had happened—so much time had pa.s.sed, but it seemed as if this place had been frozen in time, in their most beautiful moments.

The panic on Xie He's face could not be concealed. He reached his hands out to push Zhou Yian.

Zhou Yian did not budge a single step. He gazed at the youth in front of him in a daze as if the love that gushed out from within him settled in his heart. At this moment, words were superfluous as no words could describe his mood. They had no way of describing his love and joy…he suddenly lowered his head and kissed those soft lips he had thirsted after for so long, pulling his beloved into his arms.

Xie He suddenly opened his eyes wide and tried to escape. But this time, Zhou Yian did not let go. He hugged the youth in his embrace tightly, with all his strength, seeming as if he wanted to a.s.similate him into his own flesh and blood.

This kiss was so gentle and touching….

Xie He's struggles gradually weakened. Finally, he shut his eyes in defeat.

That's right. He clearly hadn't let go.

He clearly could not let go.

Everything was just like how it was in the beginning. Zhou Yian returned to their home, appearing as if he had never left, as if that period of time had never occurred.

If one had to mention differences, then it would be that Zhou Yian was even gentler and softer than before. Everyday, he would make their meals and wait for Xie He to return home. After eating, he would fight over the right to wash the dishes—he never allowed Xie He to feel tired or hard-pressed. However, he did not interfere with Xie He's career. He only silently supported him. He definitely did not force Xie He to do anything  he didn't want to do, displaying his uncomparable trust and indulgence.

The gaze he used to look upon Xie He was forever gentle and overflowing with deep love.

At first, Xie He was still uncomfortable with this. He felt that he had no way to face Zhou Yian. However, he completely could not resist Zhou Yian's gentle offense. This man was, after all, the person he had once loved regardless of everything.

This love had always been buried within the depths of his heart. And right now, he was still easily swayed by this man.

Except in the end, he could not pretend that nothing had ever happened.

When all was said and done, things were not the same beneath the peaceful exterior.

That night, while Xie He ate dinner, he hesitatingly looked at Zhou Yian and spoke in a m.u.f.fled voice, "Aren't you…going to go home?" Was it really alright for him to continuously live at his place, not going home or to work?

Zhou Yian's expression grew rigid in an instant. Immediately after, he smiled, "My home is right here, ah."

Xie He bit his lips and looked at Zhou Yian with a complicated expression, "You know what I mean."

After falling quiet for a few seconds, Zhou Yian slowly retracted his smile and said resolutely, "I won't go back. From now on, how about the two of us spend the rest of our lives together? I'll work hard and earn money. I'll take good care of you."

He did not want to return to the Zhou family at all. More so, he did not want Xie He to meet with Zhou Yizhe. He wanted to use his own methods to protect him, to give him a steady, simple kind of life.

Xie He did not reply and looked rather absent-minded.

"Don't let your imagination run wild. You will always have me," Zhou Yian smiled while using his chopsticks to place some pork chops into Xie He's bowl, interrupting Xie He's train of thought. His bright expression carried along his warmth, "Eat quickly. You've gotten so skinny, it hurts to hug you."

Xie He came back to himself and fixed his sight onto Zhou Yian. A while later, he lowered his head to eat.

The days pa.s.sed in this ordinary fas.h.i.+on and soon, a month had pa.s.sed. Xie He went to work as usual on this day, but suddenly heard 444 speak to him.

【444：Host Dada, Zhou Yizhe has come!】

Xie He's gaze immediately sharpened. He had indeed specifically spent 100 experience points on futuristic, invisible monitoring equipment, which allowed 444 to monitor his home at all times. Finally, Zhou Yizhe had appeared! He immediately put down the work in his hands and stood up.

Zhou Yian was just making food at home and had not expected an uninvited guest.

He looked at Zhou Yizhe coldly and spoke with an impatient tone, "Why did you come here?"

Zhou Yizhe sized up Zhou Yian with his gaze. His voice was calm, "I've come to ask you about what you plan on doing. The one who wanted to enter the company no matter what was you. Now the one who leaves when he says he wants to leave regardless of everything is you. I think you should grow up a bit."

"Grow up?" Zhou Yian sneered, "And be like you?"

Zhou Yizhe appeared like he hadn't heard the mocking tone in Zhou Yian's voice. His voice was indifferent, "I didn't come here to argue with you. I came here to tell you that if you want to be together with Zhao Qing, then it can't conflict with your work at the company. You don't have to worry about the matters at home. I'll handle it."

"Why are you so good-intentioned now, hoping that I'll go back to the company to work? In the beginning, weren't you the one who was itching to force me out?" Zhou Yian smiled, but his eyes were cold, "Let me guess. The reason why you so generously permit me to return to the company is so that I have enough power to take good care of him, right? You are truly so considerate…."

Zhou Yizhe slightly pursed his lips and didn't say a word.

"Stop pretending to be kind-hearted!" Zhou Yian's voice suddenly intensified. His eyes held a bone-penetrating chill, "If it weren't for you, then no problems would have happened between us!"

"Zhao Qing and I don't need your charity! I naturally have the power to take care of him!" Zhou Yian said in a stern voice, "You should leave!"

A look of pain and struggle flashed through Zhou Yizhe's eyes. His fingers slightly moved, but his expression did not crack in the least. His thin lips raised slightly, and he showed a rare patience as he said, "You can think it over. Whenever you understand, you can come back. You have a share in the Zhou Family. It's what you deserve."

After Zhou Yizhe finished speaking, he did not open his mouth again. To get to this step was already his limit.

To give the person he loved to another man…and he also had to worry about how he was doing by another man's side…Zhou Yizhe's heart stung. It was painful to the point of being almost unable to breathe. He had never thought there would be a day where he would reach this stage–where he would humble himself and give up everything for the person he loved.

He didn't even dare to see Xie He again, in fear that once they met, he would be unable to control himself and would hurt him once more. Thus, he could only silently follow him….

"I'm leaving," Zhou Yizhe whispered. He could not stay for long.

"Safe travels. I won't see you out," Zhou Yian's voice was cold, tone satirizing.

Zhou Yizhe was expressionless, eyes apathetic. He basically did not care about Zhou Yian's att.i.tude towards him at all. He did everything for Xie He's sake, that's all. 

He turned around and pushed the door open. However, in the next instant, his consistently flawless mask abruptly cracked.

The person he deeply missed stood at the entrance with a pale face. He used an indescribable expression to stare at him.

Who knew how long the youth had stood at the door, or how much he had overheard.

The author has something to say:

Chairman Xie: Boy, you've succeeded in capturing my attention!

Zhou Yizhe: One world is almost over. You've finally noticed me. Sneer.

This chapter is quite long! I am an author that writes long chapters!!! Whisper~! (≧▽≦)/