On the screen was a stalker fan's blog diary.
It recorded everything that happened around Xu Chun each day in meticulous detail, complete with numerous secretly taken photos. It had come to light because the stalker fan's posts had grown increasingly extreme after the "scandal" involving Bai Lingling and Xu Chun was exposed.
The stalker fan had declared that Xu Chun had betrayed their love and would pay the price.
But many people didn't buy such ridiculous, childish talk. Very few believed the words of a lunatic like that; more thought she was just a clown trying to get attention.
Xie Jianyuan kept clicking his mouse. Suddenly, his pupils contracted sharply at something he saw, and his face turned frighteningly cold.
Enlarged photos of Xu Chun's personal belongings filled the screen, from underwear and clothes to toothbrushes and cups.
Lately, Xu Chun had kept feeling that something was off at home.
When Su Li called, he was cooking instant noodles. He tilted his head to hold the phone casually against his shoulder and answered, "What is it?"
She seemed to hesitate before speaking. "Have you lost anything lately?"
Xu Chun had always been absentminded, so he didn't know the answer himself. He only said vaguely, "I don't think so."
Su Li paused, then said outright, "I'll send you a link. Open it and have a look yourself."
Puzzled, Xu Chun opened the link. When he saw what was on the page, goosebumps broke out all over him.
Someone had photographed his personal belongings and posted them online to show them off like trophies.
Remembering how strange he had felt at home lately, Xu Chun couldn't help thinking of something. He searched the house for pinhole cameras, carefully checking even the dolls fans had sent him, but found nothing.
Perhaps he was overthinking it.
After finishing his noodles, Xu Chun felt a little thirsty, so he got a cup of water from the dispenser. As soon as he took a sip, he sensed something was wrong. The bitter taste was faint, but he could still taste it.
Xu Chun's expression changed at once. Someone had been in his home.
He didn't know whether the drug was starting to take effect, but his legs felt weak. He hurriedly dropped the cup and stumbled out of his home, pounding on Xie Jianyuan's door with all his strength.
"...Open the door."
Hurry! Hurry!
That was all Xu Chun could think about. His eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and through the haze, he saw a dark figure appear before him. He only had time to say, "I've been drugged," before losing consciousness completely.
Xie Jianyuan crouched down and looked at Xu Chun, who had collapsed outside his door. Seeing that he had only fallen asleep and was otherwise fine, he frowned and picked him up in his arms, his face dark.
After laying him on the bed in the bedroom, Xie Jianyuan gazed at his peacefully sleeping face. Suddenly, he leaned forward slightly and kissed him hard on the lips.
At first, he was like a raging storm, prying his tightly pressed lips apart with a touch of roughness, as if venting his anger. It was unclear whether that anger was directed at himself or someone else.
Gradually, his movements grew gentler. He lingered over his lips, kissing them tenderly, as though soothing a frightened child.
After some unknown time, Xie Jianyuan finally pulled away from his lips with reluctance. He gave him one last look, then walked out and pulled the door shut.
He stepped out of the room and first checked the surveillance camera in the hallway, his expression so dark it seemed ready to drip.
Then he walked to Xu Chun's door and saw that it was still ajar. Xu Chun had probably forgotten to close it in his panic. The apartment was pitch-dark. Xie Jianyuan turned on the light and saw broken glass scattered across the floor, with a trail of water reaching his feet.
He first looked around the living room, then walked straight to Xu Chun's bedroom.
Xu Chun's bedroom was furnished very simply. A bed stood in the middle, with a wardrobe and bookshelf beside it and a desk by the door. Other than that, there was little else.
Xie Jianyuan opened the wardrobe first. It contained only some clothes and bedding.
Then he looked around the bedroom again, his gaze finally settling on the space beneath the bed.
He crouched down slightly and swept up the hanging bedsheet.
Xie Jianyuan's gaze was sinister, as though steeped in cold. He bared his teeth, his lips curving into a chilly smile.
"Found you."
Chapter 24: Straight Man
When Xu Chun woke up, he found that he wasn't in his own room. His head was still a little foggy, and a light sheen of sweat had formed on his forehead.
His memories gradually returned. He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples, recalling how he had run to Xie Jianyuan's door for help. His memory stopped there.
As he was thinking about it, a deep voice suddenly sounded in front of him. "Brother Chun, does your head hurt?"
Xu Chun opened his eyes and saw Xie Jianyuan crouching in front of him, knees slightly bent, watching him with a serious expression.
"A little." He tried to get up as he spoke, but Xie Jianyuan pressed him back down with measured force. "Brother Chun, lie down for now. The drug hasn't worn off yet."
At the mention of it, Xu Chun's heart sank. He lowered his gaze slightly, seemingly talking to himself. "How did that person sneak in?"
To think someone had slipped into his home without him noticing. Now that he thought about it, it was chilling.
As if he knew what Xu Chun was thinking, Xie Jianyuan curved his lips slightly. His smile was as gentle as a spring breeze, the curve of his lips just right, as though calculated down to the last detail.
"It's all right, Brother Chun. The police have already taken her away."
Xu Chun froze. For a moment, he didn't know whether to ask "Who was it?" or "How did you know?" After hesitating, he chose the former.
"It was that female assistant of yours."
"Her?!" Xu Chun was filled with shock and fear. The image of the girl, always unkempt and timid, surfaced in his mind. His lips moved, but in the end, he said nothing and let out a quiet sigh.
"How did the police know?"
Xie Jianyuan poured him a cup of hot tea and said casually, "I found her lying under your bed."