Moving in with the Big Shot

Jiang Ze had been carried back to the bedroom by Meng Zhiyuan. Watching Han Ke's ever-changing expressions had felt absolutely fantastic.

So fantastic that he had completely missed the man's slightly darkened expression.

Only when he was tossed onto the bed rather roughly did he sense something was wrong.

What's going on? I didn't do anything to upset the big shot!

He braced both hands behind him. As the man suddenly leaned over him, he tilted back slightly, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously as unease stirred inside him.

Mainly, the big shot's presence was so overwhelming that he couldn't help getting nervous.

The man's handsome face drew closer. Forced to tip his head back, Jiang Ze clenched the black sheets beneath him in nervous fingers.

"You said you wanted to move out. Where were you planning to go?"

The man's tone was hard to read. He seemed a little angry.

Jiang Ze blinked. Had he said anything like that?

"I was just... putting on an act for that woman. Besides..."

He snorted, suddenly feeling justified. "You're the one who attracted that unwanted admirer, and somehow it's my fault?"

"Is that all?"

Jiang Ze was baffled. What else could it be?

"Jiang Ze."

A strong arm wrapped around his waist. The voice beside his ear was deep and measured, but carried an unusual seriousness.

"I know you have secrets, but no matter what happens, you cannot leave my side. I'll protect you."

The man caught his chin in one hand, forcing him to meet his gaze.

His eyes seemed bottomless, as though he had already seen straight through Jiang Ze.

Panic stirred in his chest. He swallowed and spoke in a trembling voice.

"What are you talking about, Uncle Zhiyuan...? I... where else could I go...?"

What's going on? Does the big shot know I have a system? Does he know I'm not from this world? Does he know I can eventually leave this world?

Jiang Ze felt the arm around his waist tighten until the grip hurt.

He gave a muffled groan and kissed the man's slightly cool lips, trying to appease him.

"I won't leave, as long as you're willing to let me stay, Uncle Zhiyuan..."

I have no family or friends in this world, and nowhere else to go. Where could I possibly go...?

Jiang Ze caught what seemed like a trace of tenderness and pity in the man's eyes. Then the man kissed him gently.

The kiss was full of reassurance. Jiang Ze felt nothing but warmth-the warmth this man gave him-and he couldn't help wanting more.

Only after Jiang Ze was once again breathless from his kisses did the man reluctantly let him go.

"Don't leave."

The voice beside Jiang Ze's ear was so soft that he couldn't make out the words. He could only sense that the man seemed deeply downcast.

He couldn't help changing the subject.

"That Han Ke... isn't a good person. Do you believe me, Uncle Zhiyuan?"

"I believe you."

The man didn't hesitate at all.

"Then... you have to play along with whatever I do."

Jiang Ze blinked, starting to push his luck.

Meng Zhiyuan chuckled. Seeing the sly gleam in the boy's eyes eased his mood a little, and he answered with a single word.

"Okay."

When they went downstairs, Han Ke was still stubbornly waiting there. Elder Feng seemed to have already taken care of her luggage.

Seeing how long the two of them had taken to come down, her face flushed scarlet. She wanted to say something, but finally managed only one question.

"Where am I staying?"

Meng Zhiyuan glanced at Elder Feng, signaling for him to make arrangements.

Before Elder Feng could move, however, Jiang Ze spoke first.

"Hasn't that room in the middle of the second floor been empty all this time? She can stay there, as long as she doesn't disturb Uncle Zhiyuan and me on the third floor."

As if I'd give her even the slightest chance to seduce the big shot! Besides, I'm supposed to be his boyfriend right now. If we don't sleep together, won't that give us away?

Where Han Ke couldn't see, Jiang Ze frantically winked and made faces at Meng Zhiyuan, urging him to play along and not expose their act.

Meng Zhiyuan raised his eyebrows, unsure whether the boy had underestimated his own charm or overestimated Meng Zhiyuan's self-control.

He really had some nerve, suggesting they live together.

That was what he thought, but aloud, he said,

"Yes, let's do that. Elder Feng, make sure you prepare that room on the second floor properly. We wouldn't want Miss Han having trouble settling in."

Meng Zhiyuan looked at Elder Feng, emphasizing the words "prepare it properly."

Elder Feng understood immediately and went to make the arrangements.

Meng Zhiyuan had rushed home from the office before finishing his work, so he soon hurried off again.

Meanwhile, while Han Ke wasn't paying attention, Jiang Ze had someone move his belongings from the second floor into Meng Zhiyuan's room on the third.

"Oh my god, System, I'm going to live with the big shot! Why am I getting excited just thinking about it?"

"Be honest, Host. Were you just taking advantage of the situation because you've wanted this all along?"

"Nonsense! This is a strategy. You wouldn't understand!"

The system seemed speechless and remained silent for quite a while.

"Oh, right, System. What happened with the message I sent yesterday? Can you check whether it worked?"

The system checked for a moment, then soon spoke excitedly.

"You really are something, Host! The protagonist top has already started getting suspicious of the protagonist bottom~"

It couldn't check the specific details, but it could still investigate the general direction of the plot.

Meanwhile, Meng Zimu had suddenly received an anonymous message the previous night.

Its contents had shocked him, leaving him feeling as though he had been thoroughly cuckolded.

"Shen Yun! Is this what you meant by going to a friend's place?!"

Shen Yun's face went pale. He hadn't expected Jiang Ze to be so underhanded as to take not only photos of what happened that day, but an audio recording too.

Fortunately, both the recording and the photos were somewhat unclear.

Though furious inside, he put on an incredulous expression, as though he had suffered an enormous injustice.

Rather than back down, he turned accusatory.

"Meng Zimu! I never thought this was how you saw me! All these years, I went abroad alone and kept waiting for you. And now, just because of some dubious recording and a few lousy photos, you've decided this is me?!"

Shen Yun pointed at the photo of himself dressed in a stylish, mature outfit, raising his voice even further.

"Don't you know me at all? The person in the photo just has a similar build. Neither his behavior nor his clothes are anything like my style!"

Seeing a flicker of uncertainty on Meng Zimu's face, he suddenly softened his tone.

"Zimu... you know you're the only person I've ever loved. Back then... if that person hadn't been you, I would never have..."

As soon as he said that, he saw the familiar tenderness return to Meng Zimu's face, and the corners of his lips secretly curled upward.

"A Yun... I jumped to conclusions... I'll find out who sent this message right away!"

Anger and guilt crossed Meng Zimu's face as he slowly drew Shen Yun into his arms.

"Zimu... I might know who it was..."

"Who?!"

Shen Yun wiped the tear tracks from his face. Crying had left his delicate face deathly pale, making him the very picture of a frail beauty and softening Meng Zimu's heart once more.

"Jiang Ze ran into me that day. He might have found out I was involved in what happened to his father. He looked furious and said he'd get revenge on me. Maybe this..."

He left the sentence unfinished, but Meng Zimu understood what he meant.

"Fine, Jiang Ze again! That bitch just won't leave us alone. Does he think having my second uncle behind him means he has nothing to fear?"

Meng Zimu's face twisted viciously, though it was unclear whom his jealousy or resentment was directed at.

"Whether it's Jiang Ze or Meng Zhiyuan, sooner or later, both of them will be on their knees begging me! Don't worry, A Yun. The person my father sent has already moved into Meng Zhiyuan's villa."

At this, a sneer appeared on Meng Zimu's face.

"He acts so high and mighty all the time, but in the end, he still can't resist a beauty. Before long, Jiang Ze will lose Meng Zhiyuan's favor, and Meng Zhiyuan's reputation will be ruined!"

"The Meng Corporation will be mine sooner or later!"

Shen Yun's lips curved. In his previous life, he hadn't taken part in Meng Zimu's plans against Meng Zhiyuan. He only knew that Meng Zimu's father had always wanted to bring Meng Zhiyuan down. Apparently, he had already made his move.

He was more than happy to see it happen.

Since neither Meng Zhiyuan nor Jiang Ze had followed the course of their previous lives, they could both be destroyed together in this one.