Lu Shiyi, master of schemes

Brother Yi needed him. He should go.

But before he could get up, Yu Qingchuan remembered all those nights before... He knew about all of them?

Aaah, this was so mortifying!

Yu Qingchuan's face flushed scarlet as he rolled back and forth on the bed, yet he felt more relaxed than ever. Thank goodness. Lu Shiyi didn't blame him.

And he even needed him.

Was Lu Shiyi waiting for his reply right now?

But he really had no idea how to respond.

Just then, a third text arrived.

Lu Shiyi: Qingchuan, the truth is, I feel very embarrassed. At first, I couldn't control my body very well, and I wasn't sure how to face you either. If you've safely found somewhere to stay, you can just send me a smiley face. Sorry, I can't hold on much longer. I'm about to lose control of my body, and I need to know you're safe.

Yu Qingchuan's heart clenched when he read it. He hurriedly sent Lu Shiyi a smiley face. Lu Shiyi replied with the same smiley face, along with a good night and sweet dreams.

He showed no intention of pressuring Yu Qingchuan to come back that night.

But that only left Yu Qingchuan torn. How was Brother Yi doing? Had he fallen unconscious again?

Being in a vegetative state must be awful, lying there all the time, unable to move. How could someone as extraordinary as Brother Yi spend his life confined to bed?

He bit his finger and agonized for a while, then picked up his little bundle again and went downstairs to check out.

Feeling terribly embarrassed, he told the young woman at the front desk that she didn't have to refund his room fee. To his surprise, she refunded most of it and said with a smile, "I wish you all the best. Have a wonderful life."

Yu Qingchuan paused, touched by another little bit of warmth. It seemed that ever since he'd met Lu Shiyi, even his luck had improved.

He made up his mind. From now on, this would be his go-to hotel!

Though he didn't know whether he'd ever have a chance to stay there again.

Yu Qingchuan went outside and hailed a cab. Fifteen minutes later, the little Yu kitty who had briefly "run away from home" was back.

The main light in the master bedroom was on, its warm white glow falling across Lu Shiyi's handsome face. His brows were slightly furrowed, as though something worried him. Yu Qingchuan couldn't help indulging in a presumptuous thought. Was Brother Yi worried about me?

He didn't dare touch Lu Shiyi, afraid he would feel it. Leaning over the bedside, he murmured, "Brother Yi, do you know how to cast spells? How did you lure me back when I'm this mortified?"

He probably held the record for the shortest escape in history. All told, he'd been gone less than an hour.

Yu Qingchuan thought that as long as he didn't touch Lu Shiyi, he wouldn't be heard. What he didn't know was that Lu Shiyi had concealed a crucial piece of information: he could now fully perceive the outside world. His body and consciousness simply hadn't completely synchronized yet.

There was no denying that Lu Shiyi was a master of schemes.

Lu Shiyi's anxious heart finally settled. Thank goodness. He had coaxed him back.

The next step was to build their relationship.

Lu Shiyi wouldn't entertain the possibility of Yu Qingchuan rejecting him. He had both the confidence and the ability to win him over.

Back at Lu Shiyi's side, Yu Qingchuan relaxed and began to feel sleepy. But he was too embarrassed to share Lu Shiyi's bed again, so he went downstairs and made do in a guest room for the night.

Early the next morning, a knock woke Yu Qingchuan. He opened the door to find Lu Shiming outside. Instinctively feeling guilty, Yu Qingchuan barely dared meet his eyes.

At the same time, though, he wondered how the strikingly handsome Lu Shiming would crow like a rooster.

Yu Qingchuan mentally buried his face in his hands in anguish. Brother Yi was a terrible influence. He'd corrupted me already.

"Sister-in-Law, I'll go up and check on my brother first." Lu Shiming didn't dare ask Yu Qingchuan what had happened last night. He needed to compare notes with his brother first. But his heart was on his sister-in-law's side. He absolutely wouldn't collude with his brother!

"Okay, go ahead."

Lu Shiming climbed the stairs and knocked softly at the bedroom door. Only after hearing "Come in" did he poke his head inside. Sure enough, his brother was awake and could even prop himself up against the headboard. He wore his usual composed, refined expression and looked to be doing quite well.

"Brother, what's going on between you and Sister-in-Law? What happened last night? Does he know you're awake?" Lu Shiming was dying of curiosity.

Lu Shiyi glanced at Lu Shiming and gave a slight nod. "I'll explain. And while you're here, you can answer a few questions for me."

"Okay!" Lu Shiming hurriedly pulled up a chair and sat beside Lu Shiyi, ready for the gossip.

Lu Shiyi had no intention of hiding anything from his younger brother. After all, he needed to know why Yu Qingchuan had lied.

So he honestly recounted what he had experienced during this time, explaining that he had developed feelings for Yu Qingchuan as they spent time together and intended to pursue him. He told Lu Shiming to accept it and not question Yu Qingchuan about it again. He also stressed, "As for tricking Qingchuan into cooking for you, I'll settle that score once I've fully recovered."

Lu Shiming pouted, angry but not daring to protest. All you know how to do is bully your little brother. I ought to put obstacles in your way so you can't win Sister-in-Law over!

"But why would Sister-in-Law lie, Brother?" Lu Shiming asked, puzzled. "Even if he'd suddenly changed his mind, he could have just said so. Maybe he fell in love with you at first sight after seeing you?"

It had to be said that Lu Shiming's remark pleased Lu Shiyi considerably. A dark gleam flickered through his long, narrow eyes. "I'll find a way to get to the bottom of that."

"All right!" Lu Shiming said. "Before I got to know him, I never realized Sister-in-Law was such a wonderful person. It's great that you like him!"

Though the relationship had begun with a lie, his brother had awakened and fallen in love with his sister-in-law. To Lu Shiming, that was the happiest possible ending.

Besides, he would definitely have more chances to eat his sister-in-law's cooking. He didn't believe his sister-in-law would never cook again. Whenever he did, Lu Shiming could come over and mooch a meal!

Lu Shiyi, meanwhile, seemed to have been reminded of something, giving him a direction in which to search for answers.

"When you see him in a moment, act a little shocked, but not disapproving, and make it look as though I've persuaded you," Lu Shiyi instructed.

Did his performance need that many layers? Lu Shiming stared blankly. "Why?"

Although he knew Yu Qingchuan had lied to him at first, he had completely accepted it. Besides, before long, Yu Qingchuan would surely become his real sister-in-law. Much as he hated to admit it, with his brother's looks and tactics, his sister-in-law probably didn't stand a chance.

"Qingchuan is rather timid. If you're too enthusiastic, he'll get suspicious instead. Don't ruin this for me."

Lu Shiyi explained with a perfectly straight face. In reality, he was laying the groundwork for beating up Lu Shiming in front of Yu Qingchuan later.

He had promised to make Lu Shiming crow like a rooster for Yu Qingchuan, and he would keep that promise.

Completely taken in by his brother, Lu Shiming kept nodding. "No problem, Brother. I'll deliver a textbook performance!"

"Good boy." Lu Shiyi chuckled softly. "You've done very well lately. I'll transfer you some money in a bit. Go buy whatever you like."

Lu Shiming instantly brightened. "Thanks, Brother!"

After washing up and changing, Yu Qingchuan sat anxiously on the living room sofa. The room upstairs was so well soundproofed that he couldn't hear anything. He didn't know whether Lu Shiyi had woken up or what the brothers would say to each other.

Should he stay here?

Yu Qingchuan unconsciously twisted his fingers together, mirroring the turmoil in his heart.

Just as he was thinking he might as well leave, the upstairs bedroom door opened, and Lu Shiming stepped out.

Yu Qingchuan stared dazedly as Lu Shiming approached. The expression on his face was complicated, a mixture of shock and acceptance.

"Sister-in... Qingchuan." Drawing on every ounce of acting talent he possessed, Lu Shiming perfectly delivered the effect Lu Shiyi wanted. "My brother's awake, and he's explained everything to me. Don't worry. Although I'm very shocked, I'm grateful to you, and I don't blame you. My brother said he was only able to wake up because of you. He wants to thank you again in person and asked whether you'd like to see him."

"I..." Yu Qingchuan felt nervous and timid, but Lu Shiming's reaction reassured him considerably. They really didn't blame him at all for lying.

"Okay, I'll go see him."

"Mm-hmm. Then I'll go buy breakfast." Lu Shiming knew Yu Qingchuan was bound to be in no mood to cook breakfast, so he would buy some.

Lu Shiming congratulated himself. I really am the dependable little brother. This family would fall apart without me.

Yu Qingchuan went upstairs and reached the master bedroom door, intending to mentally prepare himself before knocking. But the door was only ajar, and Lu Shiyi's gentle, low voice drifted out. "Qingchuan? Come in."

He'd actually been heard. Yu Qingchuan took a deep breath and gently pushed the door open.

Then he found himself caught in a pair of deep, tender eyes.

Yu Qingchuan's entire face instantly flushed red again.

He was nervous and ashamed, and utterly bewitched by Lu Shiyi's looks now that he was fully awake.

The curtains were open, letting in the morning sunlight. Lu Shiyi leaned against the headboard, his figure looking a little thin. Yet his perfect proportions did nothing to diminish his presence, even lending him a fragile beauty.

His features were breathtaking too, radiating masculine charm. Sunlight fell beside his bed, yet it seemed as though he had draped it around himself.

He was mesmerizingly handsome.

When Yu Qingchuan had drawn Liang Xingyao as a Nine-Tailed Fox, he'd thought Liang Xingyao looked quite alluring too.

But before a man as devastatingly gorgeous as Lu Shiyi, everyone else paled in comparison.

Yu Qingchuan felt that he had never seen a man more handsome than Lu Shiyi in his entire life.

And this was him worse for wear. If he recovered and returned to his best...

Yu Qingchuan's hands were already itching. I really want to draw him!

Watching Yu Qingchuan's dazed reaction, Lu Shiyi was thoroughly satisfied. His efforts to adjust his posture and angle just now hadn't been wasted. He had made sure he would take this little liar's breath away at first glance.

He quietly studied Yu Qingchuan as well.

Now that he had slimmed down completely, the young man had fair, smooth skin. His beautiful eyes were clear and bright, his nose delicate and straight, and his lips looked as soft and moist as jelly.

But Lu Shiyi's gaze moved to the side of his face... Where was the little heart on his cheek? Why had it disappeared?