82: I think it's fine.

At noon, Shen Lian obediently drank two bowls of old duck soup. After eating, he went to sunbathe in the courtyard for a while. Chu Zhumi had a large patch of catnip nearby and buried himself in it, gnawing away.

Shen Lian's discomfort came and went quickly. It was just a moment in his dream where he seemed to instinctively detect danger, a heart-pounding sensation like walking a tightrope, making him unconsciously vigilant.

However, work had indeed been heavy during this period. Shen Lian never refused anything Hu Kailan arranged, cooperating so well that Hu Kailan found other artists under him increasingly displeasing.

He didn't know how Chu Yilan handled it, but he just received a call from Hu Kailan, who spoke in a cautious tone, saying, "You should rest for a while."

Shen Lian smiled, "Thank you, Brother Hu."

Chu Yilan came out with a teacup, and Shen Lian was already asleep in the chair.

The young man's brows and eyes were peaceful, completely unguarded. His slender fingers rested on the blanket covering his waist and abdomen, not at all worried about catching a cold if the wind picked up. Where Chu Yilan was, it was absolutely safe for him.

Chu Yilan casually placed the teacup on the stone table, then stepped forward, wrapped Shen Lian in the blanket, and carried him back to the bedroom.

Shen Lian thought the problem was too simple. He thought everything would be fine as long as he cooperated. But that night, after showering, when he felt like it and pestered Chu Yilan for affection, the man coldly pushed him away.

Shen Lian: "?"

Chu Yilan's face was as firm and calm as ten-thousand-year-old profound ice. No matter how dazzling Shen Lian was tonight, he would not compromise. "Ning Sixian said to be moderate."

Shen Lian raised his voice, "I think it's fine!"

Chu Yilan: "I'm listening to Ning Sixian."

Shen Lian: "..."

Chu Yilan, ever so 'manly virtuous,' pulled his pajamas tight. On the two-meter-wide bed, he only occupied a strip at the edge, and he clearly drew a Chu River-Han Border between himself and Shen Lian. Then, with a 'click,' he turned off the light and said in a deep voice in the darkness, "Sleep."

Leaving Shen Lian maintaining his sitting posture.

"No." Shen Lian looked at the blurry figure. "Not even sleeping while hugging?"

Chu Yilan: "Do I not know you?"

Shen Lian let out a wail and collapsed onto the bed, "Ning Sixian and I are sworn enemies!"

Shen Lian knew Chu Yilan wasn't joking. He took deep breaths to quell his anger, his turning movements filled with frustration. But Master Chu was as unmoving as a mountain, and after only a few restless movements, Shen Lian wilted. He seemed out of sync with his body; he didn't feel tired, but once he quieted down, fatigue quickly swallowed his reason.

"If his breathing isn't heavy, it might be accompanied by drowsiness. Just let him rest well," Ning Sixian had instructed Chu Yilan over the phone.

After a long time, certain that Shen Lian was asleep, Chu Yilan finally turned over and got up.

By the moonlight, he covered Shen Lian's feet with the quilt, then, embracing him from behind, he felt Shen Lian's breathing. It was steady, noticeably softer than the hurried breaths of the night before.

Chu Yilan couldn't help but tighten his arms.

His world had been destroyed and rebuilt, and it was Shen Lian who, brick by brick, climbed a heavenly ladder to enter it. Chu Yilan would not give him to anyone, or anything.

Qudu's summer was short; almost overnight, the autumn wind picked up.

Chu Yilan brought all his work home, practically inseparable from Shen Lian. Usually, when Chu Yilan worked, Shen Lian would put on headphones and watch movies. Films starring veteran actors and winning major awards were his main subjects of study.

When Xu Jingge called, Chu Yilan had just finished putting out canned food for the kitten.

He might verbally complain about its weight, but in reality, even if Aunt Fen had already fed it, as long as Chu Zhumi rubbed against his ankle and meowed a couple of times, Chu Yilan would open another can.

In comparison, Shen Lian, the actual adopter, was not as attentive. He would only smile triumphantly when Chu Yilan's words didn't match his actions.

"The 'blue sea project' business conference is in a few days; I have to go. Treat me to a meal then," Xu Jingge said in a languid tone.

Chu Yilan: "No money."

Xu Jingge laughed, "Can your excuse be any more ridiculous?"

"You want to participate?" Chu Yilan cut straight to the point.

The so-called "blue sea project" was a large bridge connecting Qudu and the neighboring Region Name. It was directly overseen by the government. At the investment promotion banquet, when Chu Yilan sat there, many people remained silent. Hengtai definitely had the financial resources, and there were few who could compete with Chu Yilan. The upper-class circles were strictly hierarchical; even Feng Yueshan, despite his good relationship with Chu Yilan, wouldn't dare claim he could secure much for the Feng family.

In the face of vast family interests, personal connections inevitably had to take a back seat.

Too many people wanted a piece of the pie, and Chu Yilan had to be the mastermind, otherwise, even small cracks would lead to endless trouble.

But Chu Yilan didn't expect Xu Jingge, being in Lin City, to be so interested.

"Do you have business dealings with Region Name?" Chu Yilan asked again.

Xu Jingge admired the man's keenness a bit. "Yes, when the port opens, Qin Family and I in Region Name want to secure priority usage rights."

His words were very gentle.

Chu Yilan, however, snorted softly, "Quite an appetite."

They used to not get along well, with a bit of a 'two tigers cannot share one mountain' dynamic. But now it was different. Lin City faced flood dangers at the time, and they helped each other greatly, not to mention that Shen Lian and Chang Qing were good friends now.

"Lady diplomacy" was sometimes very effective.

Chu Yilan: "Call me when you arrive."

Xu Jingge felt reassured upon hearing this. "Alright!"

Shen Lian didn't participate in these business matters, but when Chu Yilan suggested he attend the business conference with him, Shen Lian didn't hesitate and nodded in agreement.

Behind his back, countless people probably felt Shen Lian wasn't worthy of such an important occasion, but Shen Lian himself didn't think so.

I'm perfectly worthy, Shen Lian thought.

The large sycamore tree in the courtyard began to shed its leaves. Chu Zhumi crouched close to the ground, pouncing on every falling leaf, full of vitality, a stark contrast to the dying, almost-flushed-down-the-sewer poor little thing it once was.

Shen Lian adjusted his tie and came out, seeing Chu Zhumi pounce on a leaf. He couldn't help but turn to Chu Yilan and show off, "Fat, but agile."

Sun Binghe was also there.

Yang Bin had already gone to the conference venue to wait, while Sun Binghe was responsible for memorizing all important information and cooperating with Chu Yilan if needed.

Sun Binghe rarely came to this villa. Before, he occasionally helped retrieve documents. His inherent impression was of the kindly-faced Aunt Fen and the cold living room where sunlight only ever reached halfway, luxurious but lacking in human warmth. Not to mention autumn, even in the vibrant spring, it was like this.

But this time was different. When Sun Binghe came in that morning, he was startled by the colorful and diverse flowers and plants on the balcony.

The living room was bright and clear, and the gray curtains had been replaced with milky white ones at some point.

Aunt Fen noticed his gaze and smiled, "Little Lian bought all of them."

Sun Binghe nodded, guessing as much.

Then, with a "thump-thump-thump" sound coming from upstairs, seeing Chu Zhumi, Sun Binghe felt that this little creature might need a ritual.

Are there no dirty things in the villa?