5: Chapter 5 The Tragic Young Master's Benefactor 4

After the two of them got into the car, Lu Zhan had just sat in the passenger seat when Lin Sicheng leaned over to help him fasten his seatbelt. In an instant, the two were extremely close, so close that their breaths seemed to intertwine.

Lu Zhan couldn't tell if it was an illusion or not, but he felt the kid's lips lightly brush against his Adam's apple.

Lu Zhan instantly broke out in goosebumps, feeling incredibly uncomfortable, and quickly pushed Lin Sicheng away.

"Xiao Cheng, why get so close? It's just a seatbelt; it's not like I don't know how to fasten it myself."

Although his expression didn't change much, there was a clear trace of fluster in his voice.

Lin Sicheng looked over with an innocent face, his eyes overflowing with the grievance of being pushed away.

"Sir, why have we become so distant after not seeing each other for a few years? Or is it that you've already started to dislike Xiao Cheng?"

This left Lu Zhan at a loss for words. An elite CEO who looked imposing and full of presence was suddenly acting spoiled and playing the victim.

It made Lu Zhan feel as if the person before him was still that same little kid who had suffered so much, curling up in his arms and silently weeping for comfort.

Lu Zhan used to follow the path of a cannon fodder boss, focusing on seeking death and acting as a proper stumbling block for the protagonist.

This was his first time doing a mission to save a miserable, pitiful male lead.

It felt a bit novel. There was a joy in raising a kid; watching him step-by-step onto the right track often gave Lu Zhan a sense of pride, like a father watching his son grow up. Even though it was just a mission, he had invested some genuine emotion into it.

Lu Zhan thought for a moment—perhaps his reaction had been too extreme. The kid had always been very dependent on him years ago; it was likely just a bit of filial affection. Thus, he shook his head slightly and spoke.

"We aren't distant, and I don't dislike you. Xiao Cheng, I'm just a little tired."

Lin Sicheng stared intently at Lu Zhan. Lu Zhan's eyes were as indifferent as ever and his expression was calm. Lin Sicheng couldn't see anything, so he ultimately didn't speak again and simply turned his head to focus on driving.

Lu Zhan took out his phone and returned a call to his second brother to let him know he was safe and explain the situation. He wouldn't be returning to the old family residence; living alone outside was more free.

Lu Yu didn't say much. His younger brother had been like this since childhood; once he made a decision, it couldn't be changed.

Knowing his brother wouldn't adapt well to the large family at the old residence, he simply told him to find time to come home for a casual meal before hanging up.

Hearing Lu Zhan call Lu Yu, Lin Sicheng maintained a calm exterior, but his hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, the veins on the back of his hands bulging slightly.

Over the years, he had sought out Lu Yu and Lu Chen many times to ask for news of Lu Zhan. Not only were they unwilling to reveal a single detail, but they also actively blocked his investigations.

He truly loathed the Lu family, because they were the capital that allowed Lu Zhan to live so high above others, acting as freely as he pleased without needing to consider anyone.

At the same time, he knew all too well that the Lu family held far more weight in Lu Zhan's heart than a stray cat or dog like himself whom he'd picked up on a whim. Yet, he sank into his obsession with a clear mind; his jealousy could not tolerate anyone else.

His whole body was tense, as if he were about to have another episode... No, he was still by his side. The prey hadn't entered the enclosure yet; he couldn't scare him away now.

Endure a bit longer. Soon, very soon, he would belong to him alone. Slowly, Lin Sicheng's entire body relaxed again.

After that, only the sound of the car moving remained as both of them stayed silent.

Lu Zhan glanced at Lin Sicheng. He couldn't say why, but this meeting felt strange.

Lin Sicheng felt the gaze of the person beside him but said nothing, focusing only on driving.

Lu Zhan didn't know what to say either, so he simply closed his eyes to rest. After two days of traveling, he was indeed a bit exhausted.

Out of the corner of his eye, Lin Sicheng kept his attention on Lu Zhan. Seeing him close his eyes without any guard, the Vicious Beast in his heart wanted to break free, but his reason suppressed it again and again.

By the time they reached their destination, the surrounding light had begun to dim. Lin Sicheng turned off the car and just sat there, quietly watching Lu Zhan.

Lin Sicheng had a deep brow bone and a high bridge to his nose, which gave his features a very three-dimensional look and a smooth jawline. In the faint shadows, his gaze was cold, sharp, and profound.

His expression gradually took on an indescribable eeriness, while the sleeping person remained completely unaware and defenseless.

After an unknown amount of time, Lu Zhan's eyelids twitched slightly as he slowly woke up. Lin Sicheng instantly retracted all his emotions, returning to that calm and gentle appearance. It was as if everything from a moment ago had been an illusion.

"Sir, since you're awake, let's get out. We're home," Lin Sicheng said as he leaned over to unfasten Lu Zhan's seatbelt.

Seeing that Lu Zhan's eyes hadn't yet regained their clarity, he took the opportunity to lightly sniff at Lu Zhan's neck. His warm breath brushed against Lu Zhan's skin, and his nose was filled with the faint, familiar sandalwood fragrance of the man.

Lin Sicheng's eyes instantly turned red with desire. He desperately wanted to kiss him, but he restrained himself. While the man was still dazed and hadn't reacted, he turned away, pushed open the car door, and got out.

Lu Zhan was a bit groggy right after waking up; this was a small habit of his that those close to him knew about.

After a moment, recalling the kid's strange behavior just now, Lu Zhan uncomfortably rubbed his neck. He was such a grown man now; why did he seem even more clingy than before?

He got out of the car and followed Lin Sicheng into the villa. The moment the door opened, the villa's decor—as far as the eye could see—was exactly his taste. Moreover, there was a sense of déjà vu.

"Sir, do you like it? I restored this one-to-one based on the villa you used to live in. Although you've been away for many years, I thought it's better to use familiar things, and an old place feels more like home."

Lin Sicheng's tone was very gentle, and the warm light made his face look even softer, but his eyes flickered with an unutterable light—it was hard to say if it was excitement, tension, agitation, or something else.

"Why would you do something like this?"

They had been out of contact for years; one could even say Lu Zhan had unilaterally abandoned the young man back then. So, Lu Zhan really didn't understand the point of the young man doing this.

"Because, though you may not know it, you are truly very important to me, Sir. I want to cherish everything related to you. I often dream of living with you in this villa I built specifically for you."

Lin Sicheng's tone was slow and sounded very gentle, yet it was laced with a hint of strangeness.

A rare flush appeared on his face, though it was unclear if it was the shyness of revealing his heart or the excitement of finally achieving his goal.

Lu Zhan stared at Lin Sicheng, listening to the young man's sincere words and looking at the familiar villa that seemed identical to the original.

Past memories surfaced bit by bit. His three years with Lin Sicheng—yes, they had lived together in that villa for three years.

He had brought the mud-stained boy back to the villa and told him it would be his home from then on.

Then, after the mission succeeded, despite the boy's bitter pleading, he had left and heartlessly sent the now bright and successful youth to the Lin family.

Thinking of this, Lu Zhan, who had always had a clear conscience and was as indifferent as ice, actually felt a rare pang of guilt.

Note: Auxiliary System 009 only has basic functions, lacking high-tech features; it mainly queries information and transfers memories. Lu Zhan is not heartless; it's just that his childhood experiences led to him being emotionally indifferent and slow to pick up on things.