When Shang Shujue messaged Han Dong's father, he very politely sent along two additional messages: one to say hello, and one to state the facts.
[Shang Shujue]: Are you there, Uncle Han?
[Shang Shujue]: When Song Yanqing and I came to Nine Colors to discuss a partnership today, I think I saw Han Dong. I accidentally discovered his secret, and it's really serious. Hurry and take a look!
Shang Shujue had deliberately mentioned Song Yanqing because, in this world inside a book, Song Yanqing came from a great family with centuries of history.
No one could shake its foundations. Even Su Youchuan's father had to show them some deference.
So far, had Song Yanqing, this scion of a wealthy family, ever clearly indicated that he was close to any particular family's young master in their circle?
Before Shang Shujue transmigrated, the original owner of his body hadn't had that connection either. It was only because Song Yanqing had also transmigrated that his phone had automatically linked to him and acquired his contact information.
He just hadn't expected the bastard to bring that broken-down, sickly constitution from the world outside the book along with him. Being allergic to all sorts of things was bad enough, but he could even get gastroenteritis from drinking.
He'd only had two glasses of cold beer... Shang Shujue had no words. He even had to go downstairs to buy him stomach medicine. He really owed him, didn't he? There was always so much damned trouble with him.
It had left him with no time to visit his uncle. Still, Yu Zeqi's hair had already been mailed over. Once his uncle read the letter, he should take it seriously.
After all, the head of the Yu Family was his uncle's childhood friend.
More than anyone, he should want his childhood friend to have a son or daughter to inherit the family estate.
They couldn't let those restless, incompetent idiots in the Yu Family reap the benefits, could they?
"Nuomi, thanks for earlier. You sent those surveillance screenshots just in time. Otherwise, I really would've had to stretch my limbs and fight that dumbass."
"I'm scared I might catch something just from touching him. Hurry and disinfect my whole body, please. Thank you~"
After saying this to Nuomi, Shang Shujue quickened his pace and continued toward the suite.
Song Yanqing had better not die from the pain. That dumbass had always had a bad stomach, yet he'd actually dared to challenge him to a drinking contest on an empty stomach today. He was seriously sick in the head!
[Don't worry, host. I've already disinfected you. With me here, I won't let you develop any serious illnesses!]
"Great work. Do I have any points right now? Exchange them for a Body-Strengthening Pill for me. That idiot Song Yanqing is still as weak as before. He can't even handle a little alcohol. I give up."
Nuomi circled around and around inside the space. Listening to his host, his eyes widened, a faint trace of confusion and bewilderment passing through them.
[Didn't you say Song Yanqing was your sworn enemy, and that you wouldn't get close to him to dispel the negative effects of karma even if someone beat you to death? Why are you suddenly so concerned about him?]
Nuomi's words left Shang Shujue feeling a little guilty, but he quickly came up with a reason. He coughed twice and immediately became perfectly self-righteous.
"What would a little bot like you know? I'm beautiful and kindhearted. I can't just watch him get sick and die in pain because of his poor health without helping!"
[Oh~ So that's what you meant. You really are beautiful and kindhearted, host. Just what I'd expect from the good person I carefully selected to earn lots of merit. I'll exchange it for you right away and grind the Body-Strengthening Pill into powder, then apply it directly to the surface of the gastroenteritis medicine~]
"Yes, yes, yes. That works. Very thoughtful!"
Shang Shujue was finally satisfied, but the next second, when he heard the system deduct 100 points and announce that his balance had dropped to zero, his heart broke.
[Fuck! Song Yanqing, that walking disaster, really is my jinx! Those points I worked so hard to earn! All 100 points, gone just like that. I can't take this. Waaaah...]
[˚‧º·(˚ ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ )‧º·˚ Song Yanqing, you bastard!]
Song Yanqing lay curled on the sofa, clutching his stomach, dazed with pain. Hearing those two thoughts explode beside his ears instantly brought him back to his senses.
Song Yanqing: Huh? (๑´0`๑) What's going on? What happened? What did His Highness do now? What points? Why is he cursing me again... ∑(❍ฺд❍ฺlll)
Song Yanqing weakly grabbed a cushion and pressed it against his stomach. Frowning toward the private room's door, he kept his thin lips tightly pressed together, unable to utter a word.
The fine sweat on his forehead gathered into bead after bead, rolling down from above his brows along their furrows, adding another touch of pallor and fragility.
As soon as Shang Shujue entered, he saw him curled on the sofa, frowning in pain as he looked his way. For an instant, he seemed to see a big yellow dog abandoned by its owner after being injured, weak, pitiful, and helpless. The sight made his heart ache and soften.
*[Fuck~ He looks so fragile he can't even take care of himself. That broken look is way too much. Why does this annoying guy have to have a face that's exactly my type?
For that face's sake, I won't hold my points against him. Hopefully, the Body-Strengthening Pill I exchanged them for will make him better soon. He's more fun to tease when he's full of life.]*
Song Yanqing's expression froze. He finally understood why Shang Shujue had been raging helplessly and cursing him in his thoughts earlier. He had used all his points to get him a pill...
Song Yanqing's heart melted completely, and amid that tenderness, inexplicable little threads of pain arose.
That pain tore at his soul and heart, making him unable to take his eyes off the person before him for even a moment, afraid that in the next second, he would see him shattered beyond repair again...
"Serves you right." Shang Shujue looked away and muttered irritably, but still dutifully poured him some warm water and popped the pills out of their packaging with a cold expression.
"Here, take your medicine. I really don't know what goes through your head. You're out of your mind every single day."
"Thank you."
Song Yanqing reined in his emotions and pushed himself up from the sofa, his face showing nothing in particular.
As if he hadn't heard Shang Shujue's muttered words, he took the pills and warm water and swallowed them straight down.
"It's only because I'm beautiful and kindhearted and like doing good deeds to accumulate merit. If you'd been drinking with someone else, nobody would've bought you medicine even if you died from the pain today. You should thank me."
Shang Shujue leaned back against the sofa, pulled out his phone, and found his payment QR code. Propping up his chin, he beamed as he held it out toward Song Yanqing.
He even waved his phone, deliberately maintaining a look of disdain, as though that could conceal the flutter in his heart.
Song Yanqing felt the agony in his abdomen gradually ease. It was as though a warm current bearing healing power flowed through him, gently nourishing his body, until even all his meridians seemed clear.
Song Yanqing knew that the Body-Strengthening Pill Shang Shujue had given him was extraordinarily effective. No wonder it cost 100 points. This was what a good reputation meant.
"What are you looking at?"
Seeing Song Yanqing stare at him without speaking or showing any expression, with that damnably handsome face, Shang Shujue felt his earlobes burn. Unable to help lashing out in embarrassment, he kicked him.
"Quit playing dead. Hurry up and pay!"
[What's this bastard staring at? I know I'm good-looking, but he can't just keep staring. It's kind of embarrassing. Ahem, ahem. ໒꒰ྀིっ˕ -｡꒱ྀི১]
Hearing Shang Shujue's thoughts, Song Yanqing's lips curved into a faint smile. He unconsciously leaned closer and, under Shang Shujue's stunned gaze, scanned his payment code with his phone.
"Beep!"
"What are you spacing out for? You didn't think I was going to kiss you, did you?"
Song Yanqing withdrew his hand and sat back, then taunted him obnoxiously as he entered the amount. Being an ass was his thing~ And he did it more than once~
"..."
Shang Shujue's expression stiffened. Before his mind could catch up, his chest was already heaving, and his face flushed completely red in an instant, whether from anger or something else.