Chapter 165: Where Should I Hide?
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The cold water jolted Bai Zheng awake, instantly heightening his senses. He scanned the room anxiously but couldn’t spot a suitable hiding spot. He urgently inquired, “Then where should I hide?!”
The curtains, although capable of concealing most people, fell short by about 30 centimeters from the ground. The living room offered no viable hiding place. In a flash of inspiration, Wen Nian recalled the dramatic scenes from television dramas and hastily led Bai Zheng into the bedroom.
While Shen Jun waited outside the door, he inadvertently dozed off. He was abruptly awakened by a phone call from Xu Chang, who informed him that Wen Nian had a filming schedule at 1 p.m. and was supposed to be at the production team by 10 a.m. for makeup. However, it was already past 10:30 a.m., and Wen Nian hadn’t shown up, nor could Xu Chang reach her. Aware of Shen Jun’s relationship with Wen Nian, Xu Chang assumed that the couple had stayed up late celebrating the Lantern Festival and decided to contact Shen Jun directly.
Initially, Shen Jun assumed that Wen Nian had overslept, so he simply knocked on the door. However, as time went by without any response from Wen Nian, a sense of worry enveloped him. Concerned that something might have happened, he resorted to kicking the door open and rushed inside.
Shen Jun became even more worried when he saw the bottles on the floor. He immediately rushed to Wen Nian’s room.
In that moment, Wen Nian was in the midst of pushing Bai Zheng into the wardrobe when she noticed Shen Jun’s sudden presence at the door. Reacting quickly, she instinctively closed the wardrobe door, trying to hide Bai Zheng. She forced an awkward smile and hastily explained, “It’s just a coincidence, everything is just a coincidence. I can explain!”
Shen Jun’s eyes immediately welled up with tears, and he attempted to speak, but it felt as though an invisible hand had clenched around his heart, making it hard for him to breathe.
Shen Jun’s expression frightened Wen Nian, causing her to rush forward and grasp his hand tightly, her eyes filled with anxiety. “Nothing happened between us!”
Shen Jun took a deep breath and revealed a self-deprecating smile. “This is why you broke up with me, right?”
Bai Zheng felt that he was also responsible for causing this scene. At this moment, he had to go out and say something. Hence, he pushed the wardrobe open and revealed his upper body. “I can also explain that everything was a misunderstanding.”
Shen Jun’s hands trembled, and the veins on his clenched fists protruded prominently. With gritted teeth, he took a determined step forward, seizing Bai Zheng by the collar and forcefully pulling him out of the wardrobe. In a fit of anger and frustration, Shen Jun delivered a punch to Bai Zheng’s face.
Bai Zheng, being a frail scholar whose primary physical activity was limited to running, was ill-prepared for the impact of Shen Jun’s powerful blow. He collapsed to the ground, the force of the punch causing his teeth to loosen.
Aware of Shen Jun’s strength and concerned about the escalating situation, Wen Nian hastily positioned herself between Shen Jun and Bai Zheng. She quickly explained, “Shen Jun, we were both intoxicated last night. Bai Zheng only slept in the living room. Nothing inappropriate happened between us!”
Shen Jun struggled to put into words the overwhelming mix of emotions he was experiencing at that moment. The discomfort he felt was unlike anything he had ever felt before. He gazed at Wen Nian and spoke with a heavy tone, saying, “If you step aside right now, I will choose to believe you.”
Realizing that giving in now might provoke a violent reaction from Shen Jun, Wen Nian swiftly approached and wrapped her arms around his waist, attempting to calm him down. “Let’s step outside and have a conversation. I’ll explain everything that happened last night, okay?”
Shen Jun gazed down at Wen Nian, his expression stern. “Your attempts to divert the topic are still so awkward. Step aside.”
As she observed the coldness in Shen Jun’s eyes, Wen Nian clung onto him even tighter, refusing to let go. She then turned her attention to Bai Zheng and spoke with determination, “You should leave now. I will handle the situation and explain everything to him.”
Bai Zheng, fully aware of Shen Jun’s strength and concerned for Wen Nian’s safety, expressed his worries. He refused to leave, emphasizing the role he played in their shared circumstances. “I cannot leave you alone in this situation. If 1 hadn’t invited you to drink last night, none of this would have happened. What if he doesn’t believe you and resorts to violence? I would be inhumane to abandon you now.”
Bai Zheng, consumed by his own infatuation, couldn’t fathom the consequences of following Wen Nian’s suggestion and leaving. By staying and refusing to abandon them, he saw himself as a hero protecting his beloved. However, his presence further provoked the already furious Shen Jun, pushing him to the brink of madness.
Shen Jun’s temples pulsed with prominent veins as he spoke with icy disdain. “Wen Nian, I am still alive and breathing. How dare you flaunt your affection in front of me? Let me make one thing clear: even if it costs me my life, you will never be with another man!”
In a surge of rage, Shen Jun forcefully pulled Wen Nian’s hand away and swiftly landed two punches to Bai Zheng’s stomach. Overwhelmed and lacking the strength to mount any counterattack, Bai Zheng instinctively attempted to shield his vulnerable areas as best he could.
Shen Jun, observing Bai Zheng’s battered state and nearing the brink of realization, gripped him from behind in a forceful embrace. With an intense outburst, he exclaimed, “Shen Jun! You only focus on accusing me, but what about yourself? Last night, you were taking photos with Jin Ting. Our families have been intertwined for so long. Did you ever consider how I felt in that moment?”
Shen Jun’s raised arm gradually dropped, his strength waning. He cast a lingering gaze at Wen Nian, a wistful smile forming on his lips, before he turned away and departed..