17: Chapter 17 The Tragic Young Master's Benefactor 16
"Brother Zhan, your phone... look, I brought it over..."
He half-knelt in front of the sofa as if asking for credit, holding the phone out to Lu Zhan with his beautiful hands; he looked inexplicably pitiful, even a bit wretched.
Seeing Lu Zhan look over, he tried hard to maintain a pleasing, obedient, and cute expression, but the result was a mix of crying and laughing, ending up looking like something neither fish nor fowl.
Lu Zhan: "..."
"Brother Zhan, I was wrong... I really know I was wrong... Brother Zhan... don't ignore me..."
With intermittent sobs tinged with a nasal tone, he repeated those same few phrases over and over.
After a long while, watching the young man's miserable appearance as he wept like a child, Lu Zhan felt a modicum of pity rise in his heart.
"Lin Sicheng, you wanted to lock me away for a lifetime, and I have fulfilled your wish, but I will not give you anything more. My cold, aloof nature does not allow me to be so base, and I would not be myself if I were like that. Do you understand?"
"It's not like that... Brother Zhan, I didn't... how could I... I was just worried... just afraid... I didn't want to be left alone... all by myself in that place..."
Lin Sicheng cautiously and tentatively wrapped his arms around Lu Zhan's waist and abdomen.
Seeing that Lu Zhan was not displeased, he rested his head on Lu Zhan's thigh, looking up at him pitifully.
"Brother Zhan, I'll listen to everything you say... I'll be obedient, please don't have Life Qi, don't ignore me... I'm scared..."
Never having obtained it, versus obtaining it and almost losing it—it was hard to say which was more uncomfortable, or which caused more heartache.
In short, Lin Sicheng seemed truly frightened; he had almost lost him.
Lowering his eyes to look at the insecure young man, Lu Zhan pondered for a moment.
"Lin Sicheng, I don't like this kind of imprisonment. Let's change the method. I'll give you a chance to lock me up openly and honestly. Let's get married. I'm not young anymore, and having someone by my side who knows warmth and cold and suits my heart would be quite nice."
Regarding a lifelong matter, Lu Zhan's tone was as flat as if he were simply talking about the weather.
His words were shocking, and Lin Sicheng was completely stunned.
"Marriage? Brother Zhan and me."
Was this real? He hadn't misheard, right? He and Brother Zhan were getting married? This was something he hadn't even dared to imagine in his dreams.
"What, you aren't willing? Then how about... never mind?"
The corners of Lu Zhan's mouth curled into a wicked smile as he teased, deliberately drawing out the end of his sentence.
"I am, Brother Zhan, I am... I'm so happy, I've never been this happy before..."
Lin Sicheng's face was lit up with a radiant smile, and his eyes shimmered with joy.
The heart beating in his chest had gone from unbearable pain to sweet satisfaction in such a short time; it was as thrilling as riding a roller coaster.
But in the end, he had gotten his wish; he was finally filled to the brim!
"Brother Zhan... Brother Zhan..."
He looked foolish, which Lu Zhan found somewhat amusing. Looking at the little head on his thigh, he inexplicably found it quite cute; it really was quite to his liking.
"Lin Sicheng, come, sit on my lap. Remember to be good in a moment; I'm going to make a call."
The young man responded obediently, then carefully sat on the man's lap, wrapping his arms around his waist and back, burying his head in his chest.
Lu Zhan picked up the phone, checked the missed calls, and called back.
"Beep... beep..."
It was answered after a short moment.
"Third brother?"
The voice was dignified, full of vigor, and carried a hint of uncertainty.
"Big brother, it's me. I was busy earlier and didn't get the call. Is something the matter?"
"Hmm, it's really not easy to find you nowadays. You've been back for so long, and you haven't even come to the old house to pay a visit. I also heard from the second brother that you've been living with that child from the Lin family ever since you returned. Invitations from various families have been sent, but you haven't even stepped out the door. If it weren't for the fact that someone still answers the phone, the second brother and I would have suspected that you were either being held captive or something had happened to you. And the rumors about you and that boy from the Lin family are spreading quite convincingly as well. Tell me honestly, what exactly is going on?"
Having been berated head-on, Lu Zhan felt a bit flushed and embarrassed.
Especially when he heard the mention of being held captive, his old face almost couldn't hold its composure, and his gaze darted toward the young man acting obedient in his arms.
Lin Sicheng, who had been listening the whole time, felt the gaze and knew Lu Zhan was displeased. He didn't dare make a sound, but nuzzled his fluffy head against Lu Zhan's chin in a fawning manner.
His big brother, Lu Chen, had this kind of personality—he said what he meant, was straightforward, and would cut straight to the point without dawdling.
"Big brother, since you've said so, and that's how it's being rumored outside, I won't hide it from you anymore. We are indeed together, and we have plans to hold a wedding. Why don't you and the second brother discuss preparing for it and help us host it?"
One asked directly, and the other replied directly.
Lu Chen on the other end of the phone was rendered speechless.
Lin Sicheng, who was listening, tensed up, his hands holding Lu Zhan tightening involuntarily, his heart jumping into his throat.
They were just one step away from the finish line; if Brother Zhan's family didn't agree and Brother Zhan gave him up, what would he do...
Sensing this, Lu Zhan raised his hand and stroked the young man's stiff back, soothing his anxious emotions.
Lu Zhan didn't speak again, nor did he urge him; he had to give his big brother some time to calm down. That's right, he was just that considerate.
After a while, the person on the other end calmed down.
"Third brother, you are really courting disaster. In terms of seniority, you are a generation older than him; in terms of age, you are nearly ten years older than him. How could you bring yourself to do this? And you want to hold a wedding? That is the only seedling of the Lin family; how could the old man of the Lin family possibly agree?"
"He agrees. My grandfather has known for a long time; he said everything is up to me."
Before Lu Zhan could reply, the person in his arms hurriedly leaned toward the phone to speak. Only after he finished did he realize that Brother Zhan had told him not to speak and to be good.
With an obedient and fawning expression, his slightly red, watery eyes looked at Lu Zhan, and he silently mouthed, "Brother Zhan, I was wrong."
Lu Zhan shook his head to indicate it was fine, then pinched the young man's beautiful cheeks, before sliding his hand down to wrap around his slender waist, pulling him a bit closer.
"Was that the Lin family boy speaking just now? Has he been by your side the whole time?"
"Yes, big brother." Lu Zhan replied in a Divided Soul state.
Lu Chen was momentarily speechless, but felt more happy than anything else.
They had always been worried that their little brother's personality was too cold and indifferent, and that he would end up alone for the rest of his life! Now that there was someone to accompany him, it was quite good.
"Bring the Lin family boy back another day to let the younger generation meet him. You're not young anymore, and it's rare to have a confidant. Your second brother and I are both fine with whatever you want. Find some time to sit down together and discuss holding the wedding."
"I'll bring him back in a couple of days. Thank you, big brother!"
There was a grunt of acknowledgment on the other end, and the call was hung up.
"Lin Sicheng, you heard everything that was just said. Can you rest assured now?"
Then, he moved his ankle, causing a jingling sound to ring out instantly. Lu Zhan looked down at the young man with a meaningful glance, the implication clear without words.