Chapter 20: A Difficult Rescue

Ji Xiao, with a helpless expression, pulled him into his embrace. “A-Zhu,” he murmured, “I have no other choice. He avoids me like the plague, and he can’t continue living like this.”

Zhou Jinzhu let out a soft snort. “I’ll go see him,” he declared.

“Alright.”

****

After Zhou Jinzhu had left, Black Cat suddenly spoke up. “You spent an entire lifetime with Pei Yu, yet now you’re acting as if you’re deeply and irrevocably in love with Zhou Jinzhu,” it observed. “Is the host faking it, or have you truly fallen for him?”

Ji Xiao’s expression remained cold as he lit another cigarette. “Are you sick?” he retorted.

Black Cat stared blankly.

Ji Xiao took a drag from his cigarette, leaning back into the sofa with narrowed eyes. “Didn’t you make me do this mission?”

“I was just curious…” Black Cat began.

“Then put your curiosity away.”

‘How infuriating!’ Black Cat thought. ‘I was going to tell him about the reward for completing the last world’s mission, but now, on second thought, maybe not.’

‘This rotten host!’

Across the hall, at the door opposite.

Zhou Jinzhu didn’t know Sheng Xiao’s passcode, so he politely pressed the doorbell.

After a long while, Mo Lin finally opened the door. “Sheng Xiao isn’t here.”

“I know,” Zhou Jinzhu said with a cheerful smile. “I heard you moved here. I came to see you.”

Mo Lin actually didn’t want to interact with him.

However, under Zhou Jinzhu’s intense gaze, he eventually stepped aside.

Zhou Jinzhu skillfully poured glasses of water for himself and Mo Lin, then invited him to sit together on the living room sofa.

Zhou Jinzhu had only seen Mo Lin once before, at the hospital. At the time, Mo Lin had kept his head bowed, and Zhou Jinzhu hadn’t paid him much attention.

Now, looking closely, Mo Lin’s features struck him as somewhat familiar.

They bore a resemblance to Sheng Lin…

Sheng Lin’s appearance… seemed to be a combination of Mo Lin and Sheng Xiao?

Zhou Jinzhu’s expression instantly became peculiar.

Under his scrutiny, Mo Lin felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles.

Zhou Jinzhu was Sheng Xiao’s current boyfriend…

“You came to see me… Is there something you need?”

Zhou Jinzhu suppressed the confusion in his heart and smiled. “I just came to visit you. Since I’ve been with Brother Xiao, I haven’t met any of his friends. You’re the first one.”

Mo Lin took a sip of water, his eyes dark. “There’s no need. He and I are not friends.”

No friend would do such things to another friend! That agonizing, unbearable, humiliating experience remained an unshakeable shadow deep within his heart.

It had not faded over the years.

Zhou Jinzhu offered a reassuringly gentle smile. “Then shall we be friends?”

Mo Lin’s inner turmoil flared, and he couldn’t hold it back. He abruptly looked up, staring at Zhou Jinzhu. “Do you even know what kind of person your own boyfriend is?”

Zhou Jinzhu’s smile faded. “I don’t know, but I will learn.”

Mo Lin forced a mocking smile.

He desperately wanted to tell Zhou Jinzhu how insane and monstrous Sheng Xiao truly was. Yet, he worried that Sheng Xiao would retaliate against his brother-in-law if he found out, so he ultimately remained silent.

Zhou Jinzhu stood up. “I live directly across the hall. If you need anything, you can find me there.”

Mo Lin offered no reply.

Zhou Jinzhu glanced at him, then turned and left.

****

Seeing him return, Ji Xiao asked, “How was it?”

Zhou Jinzhu shook his head. “It’s a bit tricky.”

“Take your time.”

“We can’t,” Zhou Jinzhu said, settling beside him with a sigh. “When I went to get water, I saw knives on the kitchen counter. And his state… he might try to kill himself.”

Ji Xiao shot to his feet.

In the original plot, Mo Lin had also harbored thoughts of suicide, wishing only to end it all.

Zhou Jinzhu watched Ji Xiao head across to the opposite door, then rubbed his temples. “What a mess.”

He began to wonder if having such a boyfriend was truly worth it. After all, Sheng Xiao was handsome and capable, but he was undeniably a lot of trouble.

Upon opening the door, Ji Xiao went straight to the kitchen.

Mo Lin was indeed standing in the kitchen, his eyes fixed eerily on the knives displayed on the counter. He showed no reaction when Ji Xiao arrived.

Ji Xiao stood at the kitchen doorway, his voice cold. “If you die, your parents, your sister, and her husband’s entire family will suffer eternal damnation.”

Mo Lin didn’t turn to look at him, speaking softly. “This is a society governed by law.”

Ji Xiao stated without hesitation, “I know, but I don’t mind paying the price. I’ll destroy them first, then accept legal retribution.”

Mo Lin let out a low chuckle. “You truly are insane.”

“Does your boyfriend know how crazy you are?”

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