144: Chapter 144 The Underworld Boss's Benefactor 10

The corners of Lu Zhan's eyes turned red, and a single clear tear slipped down unconsciously. He suddenly felt that he was utterly ridiculous, and immediately burst into loud laughter.

That laughter, laced with a hint of sorrow, reached his ears clearly, instantly clearing Leng Yan's mind. He anxiously cast his gaze toward Lu Zhan.

With just that brief glance, it felt as if thousands of steel needles had pierced Leng Yan's heart all at once, causing it to constrict sharply.

The dark thoughts and base selfishness from just moments ago completely faded away, and worry and self-reproach quickly flooded his heart.

What had happened to him? It was just a slap and a few scoldings from the Young Master. He had endured far worse in the past, so why was he acting so recklessly this time?

"Young Master, are you alright?"

His words were filled with caution, completely devoid of the aggressive intensity from just a moment ago.

Lu Zhan's expression was like a pool of stagnant water, calm without a single ripple. His eyes seemed to have been drained of all color and light, like two dry wells—dead, silent, and dim.

"Leng Yan, now that I've fallen to such a state and can only be at your mercy, are you feeling very smug?"

There was no shouting or cursing, just a very calm tone.

Leng Yan's pupils contracted instantly, and his eyes widened. Even though he had indeed harbored such thoughts in his heart, he dared not admit it now, for that would be like adding fuel to a fire.

Therefore, he simply shook his head vigorously, denying it with all his might, and spoke in a slow yet firm tone.

"Young Master, it's not like that. Please believe me, I have never thought that way. From beginning to end, I have only wanted to take good care of you, protect you, and have you look at me more often."

As he spoke, Leng Yan released his hands and stepped back half a pace, putting some distance between himself and Lu Zhan, before tugging gently on the hem of Lu Zhan's clothes.

His face was full of sincerity, and his eyes revealed love, with a faint hint of grievance as he continued in a coaxing, spoiled tone.

"Young Master, I just lost my reason for a moment because you provoked me, and I remembered that night when you heartlessly drove me away, which is why I spoke so recklessly.

I truly know I was wrong. I shouldn't have brought all this up in such a way, and I shouldn't have said those terrible things to intentionally make you feel bad.

Young Master, you are a magnanimous person; please don't hold it against a madman like me, okay?"

The words that reached his ears were extremely sincere, and his body was also released from the other's restraint.

However, there was no sign of joy on Lu Zhan's handsome face; only when Leng Yan mentioned that night did his eyes flicker with a hint of emotion.

Lu Zhan just remained silent, standing there quietly, his whole being radiating an endless aura of sorrow. His eyes were empty and lost, and his former pride and confidence had completely vanished.

Leng Yan panicked instantly, his eyes full of worry and fear—worry that the Young Master would never recover, and fear that his own impulsive, reckless words would deal a devastating blow to the Young Master.

He only wanted to be with the Young Master. Even though he knew it was a forced demand and his own wishful thinking, he had never intended to truly hurt the Young Master!

The self-reproach and regret in his heart surged in like a tide, as if to drown him.

Leng Yan raised his hand slightly, intending to touch Lu Zhan's face, but stopped in mid-air. Seeming afraid that his actions might provoke the other party again, he quickly withdrew it.

"Young Master, please don't be like this. I am very worried about you. Everything I just said is true, and my feelings for you are sincere.

I just like you too much, I've liked you for a very, very long time!

But you are always rejecting me, loathing me, and even treating me with such disdain and humiliation.

Young Master, do you know? Every time you treat me like that, I feel so miserable; my whole body aches to the bone!

Young Master, could you please be a little softer toward me, and cherish me just a little? I only need a tiny bit, that would be enough."

After finishing these words, Leng Yan's eyes were brimming with tears, the tip of his nose was slightly red, and his lips were trembling.

The slap mark on his face had not yet faded, his once upright back was now hunched, and the hand clutching Lu Zhan's hem was gripping so tightly that the veins stood out, as if he were afraid the other person would disappear.

He looked like a wounded little beast, so pitiful that one couldn't help but feel compassion, or like a withered flower swaying in the wind, lonely and forlorn, making one unable to help but want to protect him.

Lu Zhan was still secretly grieving in his heart, and after hearing these words and seeing the pitiful appearance of the person in front of him, for a moment, he almost couldn't react.

This was only the second time Lu Zhan had seen Leng Yan in such a state; the first time was on the night he had been offended by the other.

In fact, Leng Yan had been even more pathetic back then—pale-faced, tears streaming down constantly, kneeling humbly by his bedside, letting him spew insults and ridicule.

But back then, he hadn't felt anything, only a heart full of rage at being offended.

However, this time, Lu Zhan clearly felt that his state of mind was very different from the first time; a sense of pity and tenderness had unconsciously welled up in his heart!

Perhaps it was because back then he was still the high and mighty Young Master Lu, so he felt that Leng Yan's adoration was merely aimed at his status and position, and was not worth mentioning.

Now that he was alone and had lost those worldly possessions, this sincere love that had remained unchanged for so many years seemed to have become a little more precious at this moment!

Lu Zhan's inner distress had faded quite a bit after this interruption, and his expression softened as he spoke softly.

"Leng Yan, the fault this time is not entirely yours. Just now, I was momentarily over-reactive. Regardless, you saved me, and I shouldn't have hit you like that. Does your face still hurt?"

Gazing softly at the glaring palm print on Leng Yan's cheek, Lu Zhan's right hand lifted unconsciously, wanting to touch the other's cheek, but then, as if suddenly realizing something, he quickly withdrew it.

Leng Yan had finally managed to get the Young Master to soften toward him; how could he let this excellent opportunity slip by?

He quickly raised his hand, tightly gripping Lu Zhan's hand as it tried to pull back, and then guided it to rest on the cheek with the slap mark, speaking in a feigned pitiful tone.

"Young Master, it's not your fault. It was me being pushy and upsetting you; I deserved to be hit. It's just that the Young Master hit a bit hard just now, and this side of my face still hurts a lot."

After finishing, Leng Yan blinked his red eyes at Lu Zhan, the little crystals on his long eyelashes trembling with the movement.

Then, he moved his head slightly, and his cheek rubbed gently against Lu Zhan's warm palm.