Nine slaps.

Luo Wen cast a lingering, enigmatic gaze toward Lu Mingzhou, his heart filled with both confusion and an indescribable sense of peculiarity.

Lu Mingzhou, oblivious to his internal conflict, felt a wave of immense relief upon seeing him finally wake up. "You're awake?" he asked, his eyes shimmering with unspoken joy. As he spoke, he didn't stop his ministrations, continuing to massage the bruises on Luo Wen’s body.

Luo Wen tried to respond, but Lu Mingzhou’s touch was firm, and caught off guard, he hissed in pain.

Lu Mingzhou paused for a moment before softening his touch, saying with a straight face, "If I don't rub the medicine in to break up the stagnant blood, you'll be in pain for days. Just bear with it."

Luo Wen endured the ache, biting his lip and nodding.

He had been kicked in the chest by Ke Tianyu earlier; looking now, a bruised, dark footprint was clearly visible. Lu Mingzhou hadn't examined it closely before, but seeing it now, he fell silent, a flicker of anger reigniting in his heart. *I went too easy on Ke Tianyu,* he thought.

Ke Tianyu was unaware of these thoughts; if he knew, he would surely be incensed enough to cough up blood.

Driven by the notion that every injury required proper care, Lu Mingzhou had truly meant nothing else. Besides, they had already been candid with each other; what was a bare chest between two grown men? But he had clearly underestimated the situation.

Lu Mingzhou did his best to maintain a calm expression, while his mind drifted to the clouds. He thought with a sense of despair, *Whatever, just let it be. I can't exactly make a patient wrapped like a mummy tend to himself.*

Luo Wen also sensed the change in atmosphere; he pressed his pale lips together, his cheeks flushing slightly. The system, pure and naive, sensed the awkward and ambiguous situation and kept its mouth shut, remaining perfectly still.

Lu Mingzhou pushed away the soft, clinging "Red Bean" and focused his gaze on the hospital’s white walls, not daring to meet the eyes of the man in his arms. Luo Wen held his body rigid. In his embrace, with his neck bowed and his eyes hidden behind wisps of hair, a flush of crimson slowly bloomed at the corners of his eyes.

After a while, the grueling, slow-motion task of massaging the bruises finally came to an end. Though the two were still holding each other, they instinctively avoided eye contact, neither daring to look at the other.

After a long time, Luo Wen finally gathered his wits, his eyes moist, his eyelashes trembling. Lu Mingzhou felt as though the unique sensation of that touch still lingered on his hands, his heart feeling rather strange. He kept his expression bland, feigning composure as he steadied Luo Wen’s waist and gave a light cough. "Don't go to that part-time job for now. Focus on healing."

As they touched upon practical matters, Lu Mingzhou’s awkwardness began to fade. "If you’re really short on money, just tell me," he added. He lowered his head to look at Luo Wen, whose face was still flushed, and fearing a refusal, he quickly said, "Don't worry, consider it a loan. You can pay me back when you're better off."

Truth be told, he was a highly unqualified "sugar daddy." In novels, the kept partners of such men were showered with villas and luxury cars, yet here was Luo Wen, still having to work odd jobs. It was truly a dereliction of duty. He wanted to say more but hesitated, his peach-blossom eyes fixed on Luo Wen, unmoving.

Luo Wen’s eyelids flickered. Finally, he lifted his gaze and nodded. "Mm."

Lu Mingzhou’s lips curled, a sense of relief washing over him, and a smile couldn't help but tug at his face.

When the young nurse entered and saw these two men—both long-limbed and tall—crammed into one bed instead of using the perfectly good one available, she fell into a deep, contemplative silence.

Lu Mingzhou was somewhat innocent in certain respects, yet unusually brazen in front of others. Seeing the nurse sneaking glances, he didn't blush, instead holding Luo Wen with a frank, open expression. *There,* he thought, *surely she can't think I have some strange fetish now?* But as the nurse changed Luo Wen’s IV drip, she looked at him with eyes full of pity and sympathy, while her gaze toward Lu Mingzhou was filled with disdain and contempt.

Lu Mingzhou: "..." Where is the logic in this!

***

After the nurse finished and left, Lu Mingzhou held the beauty in his arms, though his mind began to drift.

Suddenly, the phone on the bedside table vibrated. Lu Mingzhou glanced at the screen, his brows locking as a trace of irritation flickered in his eyes. Luo Wen saw it too and began to move, resting his hands on Lu Mingzhou’s shoulders, but Lu Mingzhou stopped him. He reached for the phone, reluctant to answer, but the screen continued to flash with the caller ID.

With a face full of impatience, Lu Mingzhou finally answered: "What is it?"

He knew exactly what it was about—his incident with Ke Tianyu had come to light. As expected, he heard heavy, ragged breathing on the other end, followed by angry reprimands. Lu Mingzhou, unfazed like a pig that doesn't fear boiling water, didn't change his expression in the slightest, his lips curled in a mocking smile. It wasn't until the voice on the other end issued a cold threat that his composed expression shifted slightly.

"That boy is named Luo, right?" his father said, then added, "When are you coming home?"

*This again?* The old man wouldn't change in any world. Lu Mingzhou felt that familiar sensation of being threatened after so long. Disgust was plain in his eyes; he held back his temper and said coldly, "I'll be back tonight."

Seemingly satisfied with his answer, the man hung up.

Lu Mingzhou tightened his grip on Luo Wen’s waist, his dark head bowed, coming within centimeters of burying his face in the fair crook of Luo Wen’s neck. He had smelled many expensive perfumes, but in the end, it was the clean, soapy scent clinging to Luo Wen that drew him in the most. He couldn't help but lean in closer; the warmth of the skin beneath the fabric and the scent of the man’s body flooded his nose, finally calming the destructive, chaotic emotions within him.

As the distance closed, Luo Wen held his hands against Lu Mingzhou’s chest, hovering indecisively, unsure whether to push him away or continue to indulge him. He hesitated, but seeing the deep frustration in Lu Mingzhou’s brows, he finally pulled his hands back, letting him lean in even closer.

Feigning composure, he looked away, his delicate, pale face showing a hint of unease. After a pause, he turned his head slightly and asked, "...Was the call about what happened before?"

He didn't say it explicitly, but both knew what he meant.

*...I’ve crossed the line again.* Lu Mingzhou pulled himself away from that lingering, nostalgic scent, wishing he could cover his aching head.

"Host! Keep it together!" the system observed silently. Though it didn't understand human emotions, it could feel the undercurrents between the two. As a firm believer that emotions were the grave of any mission, it watched Lu Mingzhou with concern: "Don't forget, you have to go back. Besides, the antagonist despises this arrangement. Nothing good will come of continuing this."

Lu Mingzhou knew this, but he never wanted to think too deeply about it. Now that the system had pointed it out so bluntly, he sighed inwardly and immediately cooled down.

He met Luo Wen’s clear, dark eyes; they seemed to hold a flicker of concern. Was it an illusion? Lu Mingzhou gave a bitter smile, though his face remained bright, the arrogant, dashing air of the young master once again gracing his features: "It’s nothing, at worst I’ll just get scolded by the old man."

He patted the man in his arms, his tone laced with amusement, watching Luo Wen and expecting him to show disgust at his flippancy. "Who told him to touch my treasure?"

Caught off guard by the pat, Luo Wen’s body trembled, his heart skipping a beat, but he didn't show the repulsion or resistance Lu Mingzhou had expected. Lu Mingzhou was waiting for him to push him away, but instead, the other man remained steadily in his arms, looking up at him, his cheeks flushed but his eyes filled with concern.

Lu Mingzhou was stunned. *Wait, why is he more composed than me?*

Lu Mingzhou was baffled, unable to make sense of it. The system, an objective observer, saw the illicit, churning undercurrents between them clearly, but remained silently mute.

"Cough... I’m going now." He cleared his throat and looked down at the person in his arms.

Luo Wen pressed his hands against his chest, intending to pull away, but was stopped by a sharp command. "What are you doing? You’re practically an invalid right now. Behave, understand?" The "Second Young Master Lu" grumbled, yet he carefully picked the man up and placed him gently back onto the bed.

Luo Wen’s original waiter uniform was long since ruined and couldn't be worn in public, but luckily, he was covered by Lu Mingzhou’s jacket. Lu Mingzhou glanced at him, seeing him lying there obediently, his cheeks pale, his expression serene as he watched him.

He hesitated, then reached out to touch his slightly messy dark hair: "Rest well. I'm leaving."

Seeing him nod, he finally felt at ease to leave. Before departing, he ignored Luo Wen’s protests and insisted on hiring a caregiver, only then stepping out into the night.

The hospital was located near an industrial park, and at night, it was exceptionally desolate. Lu Mingzhou had only worn a shirt when he left; he hadn't felt it in the hospital, but standing on the roadside, a chill struck him, and goosebumps rose on his skin. He clicked his tongue, only then realizing his jacket was still on Luo Wen.

Not wanting to return and fight with a patient for his clothes, Lu Mingzhou ducked into his car and started the engine.

The late-night city was still bustling and prosperous, neon lights flickering. Lu Mingzhou wasn't in a hurry, so he drove slowly along the road. His phone rang several times, but Lu Mingzhou glanced at it, scoffed, and ignored it.

After a while, he arrived in front of a brightly lit residence. As soon as the engine cut out, someone approached.

"Second Young Master, the Master has been waiting for you for a long time." The gray-haired old butler smiled, looking at him with the doting eyes one might reserve for a child who had just grown up.

Lu Mingzhou: "...Uncle Ming, it’s the 21st century. 'Master' and 'Young Master'—it sounds so cringeworthy."

The old butler just looked at him and smiled, saying nothing.

After grumbling, he didn't continue to bicker with the butler. With his hands in his pockets, he strode into the courtyard with a swagger.

As soon as he entered, a harsh reprimand greeted him.

"So you finally know how to come home, causing trouble outside all day long." The middle-aged man turned his back to Lu Mingzhou, his eyebrows thick and dark like heavy ink strokes, emanating an air of natural authority. He looked upright and righteous.

Yet, this upright man was the reason Lu Mingzhou’s own mother had cut her wrists in the bathtub.

Lu Mingzhou squinted, not looking him in the eye, his whole demeanor radiating a devil-may-care attitude. He sneered, "Isn't this what you, the great Boss Lu, wanted? What? You don't want to see me? Fine, I’ll leave right now."

Father Lu, seeing his shameless attitude, was instantly incensed. "Stop! Look at what you’ve done to the Ke boy! Why don't you have a shred of remorse?"

Lu Mingzhou planted his feet, standing straight, meeting his gaze directly. His romantic, peach-blossom eyes were now mocking and cold. "Remorse? You heard one side of the story and you're here to interrogate me? Hitting him was what he deserved; I have a clear conscience."

As he spoke, the devil-may-care, flamboyant air vanished completely. Standing under his father’s scrutiny, he didn't shrink; instead, he stood his ground as an equal.

Father Lu was so stung by his righteous words that he felt his head might explode. Relying on years of practiced self-control, he kept his voice calm despite the veins bulging on his forehead. "For the sake of your little lover at school, you’re throwing away your friendship with the Ke boy?" He frowned, his displeased expression mirroring Lu Mingzhou’s own when he was angry. "What medicine did you take to change your nature? Since when did my son become such a romantic fool?"

He was a "cheap father" Lu Mingzhou had inherited in this world. Originally, Lu Mingzhou’s attitude toward him was one of indifference, but perhaps because they were in a parallel world, this man’s self-righteousness was identical to his own father’s, which fueled his growing irritation and disgust.

"I don't believe a cunning old fox like you hasn't seen the surveillance footage. Ke Tianyu was the one who was acting out; I hit him hard because I was upholding justice." Lu Mingzhou’s expression was blank, his tone light, as if he were discussing something trivial.

Father Lu was silent for a long time. "I never realized you were so righteous."

Lu Mingzhou’s words were merciless, piercing straight to the heart of both men: "My conscience finally woke up. Unlike you, who can commit immoral acts and still feel at peace. Does the pain of those years cease to exist just because time has passed?"

Lu Mingzhou was cold-hearted; he dug up the scars buried deep between father and son, leaving them bleeding.

Father Lu stared at him, stunned. Within a moment, rage gathered on his face.

The next second, a crisp, bright red slap landed squarely on Lu Mingzhou’s face.