CH 48

The next day was Sunday, and Jin Zhou woke up around noon, subconsciously attempting to turn over, only to discover that his whole body was in pain.

“Get up and eat.” Yang Shiyu appeared at the bedroom door wearing an apron. Underneath the apron was plain home clothing, and the gold-framed glasses hanging on his nose adorned his elegant look. However, only Jin Zhou knew that the person in front of him only appeared dignified on the surface but was truly a beast in disguise.

“I won’t get up.” Jin Zhou endured the soreness in his body and turned his back to Yang Shiyu, throwing him a “and you know why” gesture. “I can’t get up.”

Footsteps approached from behind, and Jin Zhou with a panicked expression, turned back cautiously. “I warn you, don’t touch me, or it won’t end well for you.”

The blanket was swiftly lifted by Yang Shiyu, revealing the tormented body from the previous night.

Red marks covered everywhere, with the butt cheeks being the most obvious.

“Yang Shiyu?” Jin Zhou tightened his back, thinking that this beast was about to do something to him again. However, Yang Shiyu threw underwear and clothes on him.

“Get dressed.” Yang Shiyu lowered his gaze, looking at Jin Zhou with a faint expression. “If you don’t want me to loose control again”

The threat was concise yet effective, and Jin Zhou immediately hurriedly put on his underwear, protecting his ass at all costs.

But when it came to putting on other clothes, he didn’t feel like moving again. He grumbled, “My arms hurt, I can’t lift my hands, and my shoulders hurt Yang Shiyu.”

Yang Shiyu sighed softly, feeling helpless and bent down and helped Jin Zhou put on his coat and pants.

Being taken care of felt simply amazing. Jin Zhou had already put on his clothes, but shamelessly crawled back onto the bed. “I can’t walk.”

Veins faintly protruded on Yang Shiyu’s forehead. “I’ll count to three.”

“Three, two, one.” Jin Zhou lazily said, “I’ll count for you.”

The bedroom fell silent for a second, and in the next instant, Yang Shiyu swiftly kneeled on the bed, moving like a hunting cheetah. He held down Jin Zhou’s body with one hand and pulled down the newly worn pants with the other.

Half of Jin Zhou’s butt cheeks were instantly exposed, and he quickly grabbed his pants, enduring the soreness in his waist and hips, and kicked Yang Shiyu’s side with his foot.

Yang Shiyu probably didn’t expect Jin Zhou, who had been ravaged by him all night, to still have the energy to fight him. He was kicked to the floor by Jin Zhou’s foot.

“You think I’m that easy to bully, huh?” Jin Zhou gained momentum. “Yesterday, I just let you have your way. Next time I won’t.”

Yang Shiyu didn’t respond, slowly stood up from the floor, and took off the apron around his waist.

His expression remained calm and unaffected, showing no signs of anger. However, his next action was–

He took off his glasses and neatly placed them on the bedside table, creating a calm atmosphere before the storm.

Recalling the desire in Yang Shiyu’s eyes last night, Jin Zhou suddenly felt a little panicked. He nervously swallowed and said, “I’m sorry, wife. I… I will get up now.”

Even when apologizing, he couldn’t lose his dignity. He had to take advantage of the situation, and he was firm on not changing how he addressed him.

After lunch, Jin Zhou slouched on the couch like a salted fish, trying to digest his food.

Normally, – cooking was done by one, and dishwashing by the other. But that day, Yang Shiyu voluntarily took care of all the household chores.

After a while, Yang Shiyu dried his hands and walked out of the kitchen. He asked Jin Zhou, “When will you show me the video?”

“Huh?” Jin Zhou pretended to be clueless. “What video?”

Still patient, Yang Shiyu said, “The video from the party.”

“Did I promise to show it to you?” Jin Zhou said, with a hint of teasing

“Jin Zhou,” Yang Shiyu’s tone grew heavy, “don’t tease me over such important matters.”

Jin Zhou knew it was not a trivial issue like choosing between noodles and porridge. But he had to get back at Yang Shiyu for last night?

He was all freaky and wild in bed, even more vulgar than Jin Zhou himself. But as soon as they got off the bed, he suddenly became reasonable. That duality confused Jin Zhou

“What do you mean teasing?” Jin Zhou casually replied, “I never agreed to show it to you.”

Yang Shiyu silently looked at Jin Zhou for a while, and in the end, he sighed without anger and sat down next to him. “Zhou Zhou.”

The deep voice struck Jin Zhou’s eardrums, and the affectionate address almost made his knees go weak. He surrendered to Yang Shiyu directly.

“I was wrong last night,” Yang Shiyu held Jin Zhou’s hand, “I apologize ,I’m sorry.”

The warmth of his palm transmitted through Jin Zhou’s skin, but fearing that he would compromise too quickly, he swiftly pulled his hand back and said, “Just speak, but don’t touch me.”

“Alright,” Yang Shiyu said softly, “I won’t touch you, without consent in the future.”

Jin Zhou didn’t like the sound of that.

Actually, he quite enjoyed being dominated by Yang Shiyu.

Especially when he said “no,” he actually hoped that Yang Shiyu would be more forceful with him.

His thoughts abruptly stopped, and Jin Zhou suddenly realized that he was truly a contradictory person.

When Yang Shiyu dominated him, he felt unhappy; when Yang Shiyu didn’t dominate him, he felt even more unhappy.

“Let’s discuss future matters later,” Jin Zhou turned his face away with an unnatural expression

Just then his phone suddenly rang, interrupting them.

“What?” Jin Zhou stood up in a daze. “When did it happen?”

After a while, he hung up the phone and said to Yang Shiyu, “My brother’s mother passed away. I’m going out for a while.”

Tiger didn’t have a father, and his mother’s kidneys were not in good condition, often leading to frequent hospitalizations.

When Tiger was in jail, Jin Zhou used to visit his mother at the hospital frequently.

Everyone knew that Tiger’s mother might not last for many more years, but when the day actually came, Jin Zhou couldn’t help but feel a bit sentimental.

A simple mourning hall was set up in Tiger’s house, with a black and white photo and a few offerings.

The small house couldn’t accommodate too many people, so many of the brothers left after paying their respects, making space for those who would come later.

However, Jin Zhou stayed behind because he was close to Tiger. After paying his respects, he decided to stay.

“Birth, old age, sickness, and death are part of life. There’s no need to be too sad,” Jin Zhou patted Tiger’s shoulder in the narrow hallway, comforting him. “Although Auntie is gone, you still have your brothers by your side.”

“Thank you, Jin Zhou,” Tiger lowered his head, his face devoid of emotion, “I’ll be okay.”

Jin Zhou understood Tiger’s feelings very well. After all, he had experienced such things too, and his experiences were even more miserable than Tiger’s.

He knew that Tiger would be “okay” because he had many people around him, and he had many things to take care of, which would distract him.

But when the night grew quiet, Tiger would surely not feel “okay.”

“Now you need to gather all the necessary documents, including the death certificate and proof of kinship,” Jin Zhou comforted him, briefly saying a few consoling words before focusing on what Tiger needed to do. Jin Zhou counted on his fingers, “The house needs to be transferred with notarization, how much is Auntie’s retirement pension? It might be troublesome to withdraw, so you can entrust me to handle it for you. And there’s closing her bank account…”

“Jin Zhou, Jin Zhou,” Tiger interrupted Jin Zhou’s torrent of instructions, “you don’t have to worry, i don’t want to trouble you.”

“Can you handle it on your own?” Jin Zhou naturally felt worried. “Don’t be polite with me. I am your big brother.”

“I really don’t need help, Jin Zhou,” Tiger pointed to the people inside the house with his chin, “my relatives will take care of it for me.”

“You…” Jin Zhou moved his lips, “you still have relatives?”

“Of course,” Tiger replied. “My mom had several siblings.”

Jin Zhou glanced into the room and indeed saw many unfamiliar faces. He subtly shifted his gaze and said to Tiger, “That’s good then. If there’s anything you need help with, don’t hesitate to ask me.”

In the end, like the other brothers, Jin Zhou left Tiger’s house after paying his respects.

Walking leisurely on the way home, Jin Zhou thought idly to himself. With so many relatives at Tiger’s house, even if there were more than ten people, he still wanted to help handle Tiger’s private affairs.

Even if Tiger didn’t have many relatives, his mother had friends of her own. Compared to Tiger’s friends, naturally, the elders had more authority.

By that calculation, perhaps even with twenty or thirty people, Jin Zhou wouldn’t have to interfere.

Feeling left out, it naturally affected his mood, but Tiger didn’t do anything wrong. It was Jin Zhou who didn’t understand the situation and was presumptuous.

He thought that after Tiger lost his mother, he would be as helpless as him, and as a friend, he would naturally step forward.

In reality, Tiger didn’t need him at all. He took the initiative to get involved, but it turned out that he was being pushy

Walking along, Jin Zhou suddenly recalled some things from the past.

After his parents had an accident, relatives from his family, his parents’ colleagues, and unfamiliar elders all eagerly helped him handle various tedious matters.

His aunt even wanted to take him in and live together, but he politely refused. He was already an adult at that time and didn’t want to trouble others.

During the first few months, the elders were very concerned about him, urging him to find joy in life and do well in the university entrance examination and so on.

Jin Zhou never took the initiative to contact the elders, so gradually, almost everyone forgot about him. Even his aunt, who wanted to take him in, only found out much later that he hadn’t taken the college entrance examination.

Thinking about it, Jin Zhou wasn’t alone at first.

Rather, just like Tiger, he was the center of attention when his parents had an accident. Everyone came to care for him and provided help to varying degrees, and all of these people had a unified identity—elders.

Jin Zhou couldn’t help but recall, what about his friends at that time?

Most of his friends were classmates, and teenagers in their early teens who wouldn’t attend a funeral on their own. It would also be strange for their parents to bring them along, as they weren’t familiar with Jin Zhou’s parents.

So, just like Tiger’s situation, his friends could only say a few comforting words, unable to help in any substantial way.

Wait a minute.

Jin Zhou suddenly stood still in his tracks.

Could it be that Yang Shiyu back then had the same thoughts, thinking that if he insisted on being by Jin Zhou’s side he would come off as pushy?

If that was the case…

Jin Zhou suddenly understood what Yang Shiyu had said before—”You don’t really need me.”

Yeah, Jin Zhou had so many people caring for him, and no matter what, a private tutor wouldn’t have a say in handling his parents’ matters.

Perhaps Yang Shiyu thought the same way?

Jin Zhou continued to walk toward home.

He didn’t mind feeling left out because Tiger had relatives helping him. That was naturally a good thing.

But if Yang Shiyu felt left out before, that introverted person would probably hide the uncomfortable feelings deep inside and silently distance himself.

Coupled with the fact that he knew there were hidden circumstances behind Jin Zhou’s parents’ case and didn’t want Jin Zhou to encounter danger, he silently left Jin Zhou.

Jin Zhou suddenly understood Yang Shiyu’s feelings, but he couldn’t help but make a sarcastic comment. Did that guy have too much inner conflict with himself?

When he arrived home, Yang Shiyu was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, holding a laptop and working.

Jin Zhou tossed his coat onto the sofa, lazily squeezed next to Yang Shiyu, and leaned over to look at the computer screen. “legal document?”

“Yeah,” Yang Shiyu replied. “I have a stack of documents that I haven’t written yet.”

“I can help you write them,” Jin Zhou said, rubbing his chin. “No, I think I should be the subject of your next judgment.”

“huh?” Yang Shiyu paused his fingers.

“Yes, you abandoned me before, and I haven’t settled the score with you yet,” Jin Zhou said.

“Let’s settle it slowly later,” Yang Shiyu continued typing, his elegant fingers dancing on the keyboard. “Here’s a blank document for you. Fill it in however you want.”

“Alright,” Jin Zhou smiled, putting away his smile and looking at the person next to him. “Yang Shiyu.”

“Yes?” Yang Shiyu replied.

“I’ve always needed you.”

Yang Shiyu turned his head and met Jin Zhou’s earnest gaze.

He faintly curled his lips, rubbed Jin Zhou’s head, and said, “I know.”