05

 

It seems that the more nervous a person is, the easier it is to get distracted.

When Shang Linchu leaned close, besides being nervous, Song Yu's mind was filled with the intricate patterns carved on the handle of the other man's cane.

It looked like two dragons playing with a pearl.

The man was perceptive and quickly realized that the boy opposite him was lost in thought.

However, he was not annoyed. He

just stared at that face with a half-smile.

Song Yu's eyes were actually very alluring, with upturned corners, thin eyelids, and pinkish eyes. No matter how you looked at them, you wanted to provoke them and see if they would cry in the next second.

But his expression was very pure and dull, which easily aroused his protective instincts.

These two desires from the depths of his heart mixed together, which was enough to make people addicted.

Shang Linchu was very patient with this timid and clumsy rabbit. He took a step back slightly, sat back at the foot of the bed, put the cane aside, and tilted his head back slightly.

It was like dealing with prey that was far superior to himself. He was not worried that the other party would run away, nor was he willing to make a move too early. He preferred to see that terrified and frightened look.

The room was silent for a full half minute before Song Yu's heart eased slightly. His face was tense, his ears flushed red, and he stammered, trying to defend himself, "N-no, it's not mine..."

Perhaps the other person's words were too shameful, or perhaps Song Yu's courage grew when he was unhappy, but the boy lowered his eyes and complained in a drawn-out tone, "You can't go through other people's things."

Only after saying that did he realize that the other person was his creditor.

Twenty million... If the other person wanted to, they could immediately throw paint on him or send him to jail, let alone rummage through his wardrobe.

Song Yu belatedly shuddered and cautiously glanced at Shang Linchu.

Their eyes met.

The man seemed to be staring at him the whole time.

Song Yu's hands and feet stiffened, unsure of what to do, and he waited blankly for the other person to speak.

Finally, Shang Linchu spoke: "Are they yours? Those dresses."

A hint of doubt appeared in Song Yu's light-colored eyes.

Usually, creditors would directly ask the debtor to pay back the money and wouldn't talk about such unimportant things. Shang Linchu seemed quite interested in the dresses in his wardrobe.

Even though Song Yu couldn't discern the man's intentions, he subconsciously felt it wasn't a good thing.

Remembering his mission, he didn't answer: "I'll pay it back... I... I can pay back part of it today."

Shang Linchu hesitated for a moment, then the topic finally returned to normal: "How much do you have?"

Song Yu's ears burned: "About ten thousand..."

He expected contempt, but unexpectedly, Shang Linchu didn't seem to mind the small amount: "What about the rest?"

"..." Song Yu didn't know what to say.

Moreover, he felt there was a hint of amusement in the man's tone, as if he was deliberately teasing him.

Another half-minute of awkward silence ensued.

Song Yu's legs were aching, and he didn't understand why the other man had so much time to waste on him.

With his eyelids drooping, he suddenly heard the other man say, "Those clothes, you can wear them, right?"

...Wh-what?

He looked up at Shang Linchu, but before he could speak, the man spoke again: "You should be able to wear it."

As if burned by those words, Song Yu pursed his lips, his fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of his clothes.

"Wear one, and the debt will be reduced by 100,000."

Song Yu was stunned. He wanted to say something, but Shang Linchu's tone didn't sound like he was discussing it with him.

The tall, composed superior could see the hesitation and panic in the boy's eyes at a glance. He knew very well how cowardly this rabbit was; a few words of intimidation and he'd agree to anything.

So—

"You don't want to?"

"This debt is mainly owed by your younger brother. If you can't pay it back, I'll have to go after him."

"He seems to have run away to another city. We should be able to find out where he's hiding in two days."

Song Yu finally spoke.

"Sir..."

Shang Linchu's heart trembled slightly.

Then he narrowed his eyes and looked across at

the boy. The corners of his eyes were red, and his nose was red too, as if he had been bullied. His thin shoulders trembled for a while before he said in a shameful voice, "I'm willing."

The man was incredibly wicked; he clearly saw every expression on his face, yet he pretended not to notice: "Willing to what?"

"Willing...willing to wear those..." The poor, indebted man's eyes welled up with tears, a thin mist forming on them, even his voice trembling with sobs.

Shang Linchu didn't speak again.

He was afraid that if he opened his mouth, he would reveal his joy. Suddenly,

the voice of "Mission Completed" rang in his mind, and Song Yu was stunned.

He had forgotten about the mission...

But, did this count as completed? Would the creditors stop bothering him for the time being?

Seeing 5000 points credited to his account, Song Yu's mood wasn't so bad anymore. He glanced at Shang Linchu, who was still standing at the foot of the bed, as if waiting for something.

Song Yu realized, his eyes drooping, before he walked to the wardrobe.

He belatedly realized—actually, exchanging a dress for 100,000 points was a rare treat for most indebted people.

Anyway, he was going to see Tan Yue disguised as a girl soon, so he might as well take it as a precaution.

Song Yu breathed a sigh of relief and opened the wardrobe.

On his first day here, 009 had told him that these clothes were specially made for the plot and had been worn by him since.

Song Yu bent down slightly and sniffed them, but he didn't smell the "scent of him" the man had mentioned.

At most, it smelled like laundry detergent.

"That one will do."

The sudden words made Song Yu's fingers twitch. He turned around and saw that Shang Linchu was already standing behind him, his long, slender fingers tapping the handle of his cane from time to time. He

hadn't done anything, but the sense of oppression was strong.

Song Yu immediately turned around and heard a deep voice behind him: "The one on the far right, the white one."

That was the first one Song Yu wore in this world. It was a normal style and not too short.

Pink fingers took off the short skirt.

Should he change now...?

Song Yu glanced at Shang Linchu, who didn't seem to care. He gritted his teeth and pretended to be calm as he took off his shorts.

The boy's short-sleeved shirt was loose today, barely covering his hips.

But it bounced back with the slightest movement, not covering anything at all.

There was only a narrow passage between the bed and the wardrobe. The tall, burly creditor blocked the way completely, leaving only a tiny space for the poor debtor to change clothes.

The room became quiet, with only the sound of fabric rubbing together.

Although the boy was poor, he had the air of someone who had been pampered.

His two slender legs were snow-white and shapely, his skin seemingly devoid of pigment; not only were his knees and ankles white, but even his moles were light brown.

He reluctantly changed his clothes.

Song Yu stood there stiffly, and seeing that Shang Linchu remained silent, he tentatively asked, "...A discount of 100,000?"

Shang Linchu hummed in response after a moment.

Song Yu breathed a sigh of relief and thought for a moment, "Do I need to change again?" As

soon as he finished speaking, he heard a soft chuckle.

The man's voice was low and husky, tinged with a hint of pleasure: "Want to wear something else for me to see?"

That was the meaning, but the way he said it sounded particularly strange.

Song Yu pursed his lips, about to say something, when he heard the other speak again—

"But you haven't finished wearing this one yet."

Shang Linchu's gaze fell on the wardrobe, and Song Yu followed his look. On the hanger where the cake dress had just been removed, there was still a small piece of fabric left.

That was… a leg ring.

"That's not—um…" Before Song Yu could finish speaking, his gaze began to wander. The next second, the man grabbed him by the waist and pulled him to sit on the edge of the bed.

His cane, carelessly tossed against the wall, fell to the floor with a "thud."

Shang Linchu

didn't seem to care. He placed one hand on Song Yu's shoulder and reached into the wardrobe with the other, forcefully tearing a white lace strip from the hanger. The man seemed unaware of what it was, glancing first at the boy's neck before his gaze shifted to his legs.

There was no escaping it.

Song Yu felt a chill run down his spine under his gaze and dared not lie any longer.

He then reached out to the man, resignedly whispering, "I'll put it on myself..."

The boy's palms were snow-white, with shallow lines and soft fingertips.

Shang Linchu stared for two seconds, then suddenly squatted down, grabbing Song Yu's ankle.

Song Yu instinctively tried to pull away, but remembering that the man was his creditor, he obediently let him.

The man studied the lace strip for a while before releasing him, leaving several finger marks. His arm squeezed in, seemingly intending to help him put it on his legs himself.

Song Yu dared not speak, his fingers nervously gripping the sheets.

His skin was delicate; even a thin layer of calluses would feel uncomfortable against it, but he dared not say anything, so he simply lifted his leg slightly.

The leg ring was a very delicate thing; Shang Linchu had never seen one before, and his movements were slow.

The idiot opposite him had been lifting his leg until it ached, and finally, he couldn't hold on any longer, and his leg fell, burying the man's hand in it.

"I-I'm sorry..."

Song Yu was so frightened that he immediately lifted his leg again. The deep emotion in the man's eyes made him panic and helpless, and he tried to explain, "I didn't mean to...my leg is so sore."

The man didn't say anything, lowered his eyes, and only after a moment did he pull his hand away.

He could feel the boy trembling, and a layer of fine sweat appeared on his cheeks.

The originally faint fragrance seemed to have been steamed out by the hot sweat, becoming damp and strong.

He wouldn't tease him anymore.

If he teased him any more, he would probably cry.

“I’ll reduce it by 100,000 for you.” Shang Linchu stood up, picking up his cane. “I’ll contact you again.”

“Rest.”

“Mm…”

Song Yu didn’t notice the man’s voice softening. Seeing that the creditor was no longer making things difficult for her, she obediently got up, ready to see him off.

Suddenly, a voice came from the doorway.

“Who are you? What are you doing here?” The man’s tired voice was concerned. “Xiao Yu! Are you inside?”

Then, there was the sound of bodies bumping against each other, as if someone was blocking her way.

Song Yu recognized Zhao Ran’s voice and, fearing that the bodyguards at the door would attack him, immediately said, “Brother Zhao! I’m inside, it’s okay.”

Perhaps because the boy’s voice had a strong nasal tone, Zhao Ran still refused to leave and stood guard at the door.

Song Yu had no choice but to glance at Shang Linchu.

Her expression and voice were pitiful: “Can I open the door? Just to say a few words to him.”

Shang Linchu narrowed his eyes, then gave a faint smile: “Why are you asking me?”

Did he… agree?

But his voice didn’t sound very happy.

However, creditors don’t usually greet people with a smile when collecting debts. Song Yu completely missed the subtle sourness in the other person's tone. Just as he was about to open the door, he felt a weight on his shoulder—

Shang Linchu took a large coat from the clothes rack and draped it over his shoulders.

Song Yu was stunned for a moment, about to say thank you, when he heard the other person suddenly speak: "Going to see a man dressed like this?"

"..."

It seemed that he really was here to collect a debt, deliberately trying to make things difficult for him and provoke him.

The words "thank you" were immediately swallowed by Song Yu. Although he was afraid, it didn't stop him from keeping his face down.

The coat was a loose gray sun-protective jacket that could completely cover his short skirt, including his leg rings.

After confirming that there was nothing strange about him, Song Yu slowly opened the door a crack, with most of his body hidden by the door.

Zhao Ran's eyes lit up: "Xiao Yu? You...you're alright?"

"I'm fine." Hearing from 009 that Zhao Ran had been injured while helping him drive away creditors, Song Yu didn't want to involve him, so he vaguely said, "A relative came, he...he's a rich man, and these people are all his associates."

Hearing Song Yu say this himself, Zhao Ran felt relieved and handed over the bag in his hand.

Song Yu glanced at it; it was a box full of cherries.

He was stunned: "For me?"

"Yes."

Zhao Ran was afraid he would think he had ulterior motives, "A colleague gave it to me, I don't like these."

Song Yu said "Oh," and took the bag with one hand: "Thank you."

The boy's posture was a little strange; he was hiding in the doorway, only peeking out his head. Zhao Ran became suspicious, afraid that the other party was threatened and that's why he said he was alright, so he remained standing in the doorway, refusing to leave.

Song Yu also started to get nervous, afraid that he would see the creditor: "I'm sleepy, you should go back and rest too."

Zhao Ran: "But—"

Song Yu interrupted him: "Go back now."

The boy looked fierce, although he had no intimidating power at all, but Zhao Ran was afraid of making him angry, so he went back immediately.

Song Yu then closed the door.

He turned around and breathed a sigh of relief, but then he heard Shang Linchu suddenly say behind him: "This outfit suits you very well too."

"..."

Song Yu's expression was a little angry, but he dared not say it, so he could only soften his voice, "I want to rest."

This was a clear order to leave.

Shang Linchu was well dressed, and he was holding a cane in his hand. He slowly walked over.

Song Yu immediately made way and shrank against the wall. However, when the man passed by him, he suddenly stopped: "He listens to you very well."

A familiar sentence.

"His eyes were fixed on you the whole time."

"..."

"You like this kind of man?"

Shang Linchu was bending down to speak to him, so close that his breath brushed against Song Yu's cheek, making it feel hot and itchy.

Song Yu turned his face slightly away: "I don't like men."

Shang Linchu stared at him with interest for a while, then said nothing more.

As soon as the man went down the stairs, Song Yu immediately locked the door and collapsed onto the bed, his limbs weak. He only breathed a sigh of relief after the footsteps completely disappeared.

He was very tired and sleepy, and after struggling to get up and quickly washing up, he went to rest.

Perhaps because he was frightened, Song Yu didn't sleep well that night, waking up several times. Zhao Ran next door, on the other hand, didn't sleep at all.

It was another strange man's voice.

It seemed that only such an outstanding and wealthy man was worthy of Song Yu. Of course,

Zhao Ran didn't dare to hope for anything, but he really couldn't sleep, so he got up to check his bank account.

*

After the creditor came to the door, Song Yu switched shifts with his colleague and stayed indoors.

After 009 was released, he worried: [Host, you need to go out for some fresh air.] After waiting for a while ,

Song Yu finally emerged from under the covers, his voice muffled and damp: "009, I think I've encountered another pervert."

009: "Hmm..."

Song Yu couldn't help but curl his toes, too embarrassed to speak, thinking about the scene where the protagonist helped him put on his leg ring: "How could anyone like watching a boy wear a skirt..."

009 couldn't help but call him a pervert too.

The fragments unanimously agreed.

Seeing its host's lack of energy: "You have completed a very difficult plot, the progress bar has reached 50%, please keep up the good work." "

Moreover, you have triggered a hidden plot—your creditor is the protagonist of this world, your points will double after completing the mission, and you will have 10,000 points credited to your account."

"After recycling this world and upgrading, you can choose a smaller world, and perhaps completing one more S-rank world will allow you to go home."

Reassured like this, Song Yu felt much better.

Actually, most of the time, Song Yu had a good temper and was quite optimistic.

It was just that since starting the missions, these protagonists had all said some strange things to him. This made him start to believe that he was prone to attracting perverts.

009: [This isn't your fault.]

Song Yu thought for a moment: [When will the Main God return?]

009 paused: [Why...why are you suddenly asking this?]

Song Yu lowered his eyelids: [The Main God is so strong, he can probably cure them.]

009: ...

Is it possible that all the perverts I've encountered are Main Gods?

After a few minutes, Song Yu suddenly thought of something and asked in confusion: [Shouldn't the protagonist and I not have met in the first place? Why isn't the progress bar rewinding?]

009: [It's probably because you met him as a creditor and debtor, not as rivals.]

Oh, I see.

Song Yu stopped thinking about it and got up to wash up. He had just stepped out with his washbasin when Zhao Ran also came out of his room.

A fragrant aroma of food wafted over.

Song Yu sniffed.

Zhao Ran: "You haven't eaten yet, have you? I made a lot of dishes today, want to eat together?"

Song Yu nodded: "Thank you, Brother Zhao."

Zhao Ran was indeed a very good cook, making four dishes and a soup. Song Yu ate very contentedly, and the other man didn't ask him to wash the dishes or clean the table.

After washing the dishes, the man washed a box of strawberries and placed it in front of him before running off to collect the laundry.

Song Yu had spent almost the entire three days without work like this, doing nothing at all, and he was becoming quite lazy.

Zhao Ran would even wash his clothes for him, saying that since he was washing his own anyway, he might as well wash them together.

Song Yu had originally wanted to take out his underwear and wash it himself, but seeing that the other man didn't mind, he didn't mention it. He hid in Zhao Ran's room watching a projector. Before going to the bathroom, the other man turned on the air conditioner, washed the fruit, and brought him a fleece blanket.

"I just bought it, I haven't used it

before." The air conditioner was blowing a bit cold, so Song Yu covered his legs with the blanket.

He seemed to be enjoying it quite a bit.

The young man was pampered, and his skin was the best judge of the fineness of the fleece on the blanket. Song

Yu had assumed Zhao Ran, a rough and unrefined man, wouldn't buy a fancy blanket, but this one was surprisingly soft and comfortable.

Song Yu had no idea that this seemingly ordinary blanket was something Zhao Ran had specially bought, costing half a month's salary.

He was comfortably sitting on the sofa watching a movie when his phone suddenly rang.

...Shen Yize?

Song Yu was startled, then immediately paused the call and answered, "Hello."

"I noticed you haven't been here for the past few days, so I wanted to ask what's wrong?" Shen Yize's voice was unsteady, as if he was walking.

"Um..." Song Yu felt a pang of guilt, like someone caught skipping class by their teacher, "I wasn't feeling well, so I switched places with a colleague."

"And now? How are you feeling?"

"Already—"

The door suddenly opened, and Zhao Ran's voice was low and hoarse in the sweltering heat, "Xiao Yu, can't you hand wash this?"

Shen Yize on the other end paused.

He stepped onto the last step and saw the dark-skinned man standing at his door, holding a pair of very small shorts.

Then, a familiar voice came from both the receiver and the room.

"It can be hand-washed."

"Brother Zhao, call me when you're drying it, I'll go with you."

It was sickeningly sweet.

It was like he'd become someone's little wife.

"No need, no need, it's hot outside, you're so fair-skinned, don't get sunburned." Zhao Ran finished speaking, then felt a gaze behind him

. He turned around—it was the man who had brought Song Yu back that day.

The man was handsome and had an outstanding air about him, carrying a bouquet of flowers and fruit.

Clearly, it was for Song Yu.

Zhao Ran's eyes darkened.

In front of Zhao Ran, Shen Yize, unusually, dropped his pretense, his face expressionless: "Hello, is Song Yu here with you?"

He was still polite and refined, but the man's expression and emotions weren't as friendly as usual.

Zhao Ran seemed rough around the edges, but he was quite perceptive in certain ways. He saw Shen Yize's hostility, and before he could speak, he heard footsteps behind him.

Song Yu looked at Shen Yize in surprise: "Boss... why are you here?"

Shen Yize almost instantly composed himself, lifting the bouquet and fruit in his hand: "I thought you were sick, so I came to see you."

"...!"

Song Yu avoided his gaze: "Well... I wasn't feeling well at first, but Brother Zhao has been taking care of me these past few days, and I'm better now."

"You can start work tomorrow."

Perhaps it was his initiative to explain, but Shen Yize smiled, his gaze shifting to Zhao Ran: "Can I come in and sit for a while?"

Zhao Ran, of course, didn't refuse.

He bent down, discreetly placing Song Yu's shorts into the basin and pushing it to a corner. He then got Shen Yize a pair of disposable slippers.

Seeing Song Yu barefoot, he asked with concern, "Why aren't you wearing shoes again?"

Song Yu smiled at him: "I'll put them on right away."

Their tone sounded very familiar. Shen Yize changed into the slippers with a calm expression, and Zhao Ran took the things he was carrying: "There aren't any vases at home... I'll go wash the fruit first."

As the boss, Shen Yize was indeed good to his employees.

But the more he did this, the more uneasy Song Yu became: "Boss, is the shop busy these days?"

"It's alright, we can manage."

Shen Yize's gaze fell on the boy.

It was almost July, and Song Yu was dressed very lightly. His shirt must have been washed many times, so old it was almost see-through, revealing a faint pink tinge.

He wore loose shorts, revealing two slender, white legs.

Sitting on the sofa, with his legs casually bent, everything would be exposed.

Shen Yize's eyes turned cold.

He withdrew his gaze and said slowly, "But that Mr. Shang, he's been here every night these past few days."

Mentioning this man, Song Yu's face clearly fell.

Besides displeasure, there was also a hint of panic.

"...He didn't do anything, did he?"

"No, he probably saw you weren't here, so he sat there waiting."

Song Yu pursed his lips, thankful he hadn't been to work these past few days. But this creditor knew his phone number and address, and if he didn't see him again, he'd probably come looking for him.

"I'll go to work tomorrow night."

Song Yu's voice was very soft, wondering if the other party would directly make him change into women's clothing in the bar.

If that were the case, it would be too perverted and too evil.

Noticing the boy's absent-mindedness, Shen Yize's eyes deepened.

He was having men do his laundry and take care of him, yet he was thinking about the wealthy, generous patrons of the bar?

Was his affection for him merely cheap, superficial admiration?

"Oh, right."

A gentlemanly, gentle voice brought Song Yu back to his senses. The boy looked up, meeting Shen Yize's gaze.

"You said your neighbor has been taking care of you lately, but what about your girlfriend? Hasn't she come?"

Zhao Ran, who had just finished washing fruit in the kitchen, paused.

Does Song Yu have a girlfriend?

And what's with the "husband" on WeChat? (

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