Is This The Right Way To Repay A Favor? Chapter 12

Interaction

The air in the car was suffocatingly still.

Jiang Zhou didn’t dare to make a call, so he sent a text message to Wei Yan.

“Under your private name, prepare some cold-dispelling and warming cold drinks, and send them to Guangyu Studio.”

In truth, Jiang Zhou wanted to send medicine directly, but he was afraid it would seem too deliberate and arouse Shen Zhiyu’s suspicion. He ultimately chose the milder drinks. Moreover, sending them under Wei Yan’s name provided a ready excuse: it could be framed as thanks to Yalan for looking after his relative’s practical training.

Red light. The car stopped.

Yuan Chong’s gaze swept over Jiang Zhou’s left hand. The edge of the bandage on his palm was faintly seeping a dark red.

It was clear what method this person had used again just now to suppress himself.

Only a few days ago, Jiang Zhou had been stimulated to the point of fainting after being recognized by Shen Zhiyu, and just as his body was recovering, he rushed back to see him without any regard for his health.

Truly incorrigible.

Jiang Zhou noticed Yuan Chong’s gaze. He quickly put away his phone and shoved that hand deep into his jacket pocket.

“I really am fine,” Jiang Zhou reiterated, his voice deliberately steady.

His self-control during this meeting with Shen Zhiyu was better than before; he only needed a small, sharp pain to briefly soothe the surging mania.

Yuan Chong looked at him sideways, his tone brooking no refusal, “Fine, I’ll go with you tonight.”

This evening naturally referred to Shen Zhiyu’s brand event at Fangxing Mall tonight.

“I’m not going tonight,” Jiang Zhou immediately said.

Yuan Chong raised an eyebrow, his face clearly saying: Do you think I’d believe that?

Jiang Zhou conceded defeat. He knew Yuan Chong wouldn’t stop until he personally confirmed that Jiang Zhou could control himself when facing Shen Zhiyu.

He nodded helplessly, “Okay.”

—

The event day was Saturday.

Shen Zhiyu’s fans received the news early and flocked to Fangxing Mall during the day to secure spots. By 6:30 PM, the mall had to implement crowd control measures.

Jiang Zhou and Yuan Chong squeezed in with the last wave of people.

The front rows of the event area were completely occupied by fervent fans. Even the circular railings on every floor above were densely packed with people.

The two struggled to find a foothold in a secluded corner on the third floor.

This was not the first time Yuan Chong had accompanied Jiang Zhou to see Shen Zhiyu. In fact, Yuan Chong was the one who first introduced Jiang Zhou to the concept of attending live fan events.

Jiang Zhou would never forget that day.

It was a LUMEN concert held in Macau, and it was the first time Jiang Zhou had seen Shen Zhiyu in person since the public welfare program was cut short.

A massive crystal stage hung in the center, and Shen Zhiyu stood at the core of that halo, like a luminous body stripped from the mundane world by the spotlight, dazzling and spectacular.

After that time, Jiang Zhou began his frenzied path of fan devotion.

—

The mall’s giant atrium had been converted into a temporary stage, with brilliant lights focused on the center.

Shen Zhiyu appeared amidst the deafening screams of his fans.

He had changed his attire to a sharply tailored dark suit, paired with a silk shirt featuring subtle patterns, and his makeup was exquisite.

Jiang Zhou couldn’t help but take out his phone to zoom in and capture a few photos and videos.

Yuan Chong watched from the side but said nothing.

After the host’s enthusiastic opening, Shen Zhiyu introduced the features of Yalan’s new product.

This was followed by a fan Q&A session. The questions mostly revolved around Yalan’s new product and Shen Zhiyu’s daily preferences. He answered gracefully and with a touch of well-measured humor, drawing waves of laughter and screams from the audience.

“Alright, next up is our most exciting segment—Lucky Fan Interaction!” The host drew out the words, hyping up the atmosphere, “Do you see the colorful balloons floating above our heads?”

“We will randomly release the first batch shortly! Whichever lucky fan catches the balloon tied with a gold ribbon will get to go on stage and complete a small game with Teacher Shen!”

As soon as the words fell, the entire venue erupted.

Staff released twenty light, colorful balloons. The balloons drifted leisurely under the mall’s massive dome, descending with the airflow.

Everyone’s eyes followed the balloons, stretching out their arms to reach for them.

Jiang Zhou stood by the railing in the third-floor corner, having no expectation of this luck, feeling somewhat distracted.

He had always known that his connection with Shen Zhiyu was shallow. Although he was fortunate enough to play ball with him at Huanjia Club last time, the luck only lasted for that moment.

The subsequent contract signing was something he had forced.

Jiang Zhou’s gaze remained firmly locked on the dazzling figure in the center of the stage.

The moment the balloons dropped, Shen Zhiyu tilted his head slightly, following the descent of the balloons along with the fans. The upward tilt of his head made his Adam’s apple more prominent, and it subtly rolled with a slight swallow.

The restless feeling subtly surged in his heart again. Jiang Zhou instinctively clenched his fist. Mindful of Yuan Chong beside him, Jiang Zhou quickly released his grip and rested his hand on the corner railing.

Yuan Chong watched Jiang Zhou intently. The moment he made any move to harm himself, Yuan Chong would immediately grab him and leave.

Just then, a blue balloon tied with a conspicuous gold ribbon, as if guided by an invisible thread, swayed gently, passing over the layers of outstretched hands on the upper floors, and drifted straight to the third floor—steadily and lightly, it landed right in Jiang Zhou’s open palm.

The cool, soft touch instantly brought him back to reality.

Jiang Zhou was stunned, looking down at the balloon that had fallen from the sky into his palm.

“Wow! We have a winner! On the third floor! The gentleman wearing the black hat!” The sharp-eyed host spotted Jiang Zhou, and his voice boomed through the microphone across the venue.

The spotlight instantly shone over, enveloping Jiang Zhou and Yuan Chong in the corner in a blinding white light.

Jiang Zhou felt his blood rush to his head with a buzzing sound, and his face under the mask instantly turned pale. He wanted to throw the balloon away, but the lights and attention were already focused on him, leaving him unable to move.

Yuan Chong’s expression instantly darkened, and he warned in a low voice, “Jiang Zhou!”

“Could the lucky fan please come up to the stage quickly? Teacher Shen is waiting for you!” The host urged enthusiastically, and the fans below erupted in a mix of envious and curious cheers.

Shen Zhiyu stood in the center of the stage, squinting slightly, looking against the spotlight at the figure outlined by the strong light on the third floor—black hat, black mask, tall and slender build.

Although he couldn’t see the face clearly, the rigid posture and the blue balloon tightly held in his hand suddenly made the vague guess in his heart much clearer.

What a coincidence, it was him again.

The corner of Shen Zhiyu’s mouth curled into an extremely faint arc. He spoke into the microphone, his voice clearly reaching the third floor.

“Friend, please come up quickly. Don’t keep everyone waiting too long.”

The people around them consciously made way for Jiang Zhou.

If he were to flee now, it would be Shen Zhiyu who would be embarrassed.

Jiang Zhou steeled himself, walked through the dense crowd, reached the ground floor event area, and headed toward the center of the light.

This experience was different from the previous press conference they attended together. This time, the host stood at the edge of the platform, leaving only him and Shen Zhiyu on stage.

Standing beside Shen Zhiyu, Jiang Zhou could distinctly smell the scent of citrus mixed with cedar on him. The skin under his mask uncontrollably flushed hot.

“Welcome, friend!” The host pushed a small cart from the edge of the platform.

“We welcome you and Teacher Shen Zhiyu to try out the color of our Yalan ‘Morning Dew’ lip glaze!”

The host took a lip glaze from the cart and handed it to Shen Zhiyu with a smile.

Shen Zhiyu naturally took it and twisted off the cap. The host turned to Jiang Zhou: “Come, friend, please extend your arm and let Teacher Shen demonstrate this vibrant color for you!”

Jiang Zhou slowly raised his right arm, rolling up his sleeve further to expose a section of his forearm from his wrist to below his elbow.

His arm was slender and pale, so thin that the faint blue veins beneath the skin were almost visible. The bone structure was clearly defined, almost gaunt, revealing an almost sickly thinness. Near the wrist, two brown moles stood out clearly against the cold white skin.

This hand was truly beautiful, like white porcelain. It was a pity it was too thin.

Shen Zhiyu’s gaze lingered on the slender arm for a moment, feeling a touch of regret.

If it had a little more flesh, it would be a perfect work of art.

Shen Zhiyu held Jiang Zhou’s wrist lightly with one hand, supporting it, and with the other, he picked up the lip brush, dipped it in the rich balm, and drew two strokes on the porcelain-like forearm.

The cool brush head, carrying a slick texture, lightly touched the skin on the outer middle section of his forearm.

Jiang Zhou’s arm trembled uncontrollably. A jolt of electricity shot through his body along the path of the lip glaze. He fiercely bit the inside of his lower lip, using all his strength to restrain the impulse to pull his arm back.

Shen Zhiyu seemed not to notice his tremor, his movements remaining calm and elegant. He moved his wrist lightly, and the brush head smoothly applied the color onto Jiang Zhou’s pale, slender forearm, blending into a bright, lively grapefruit shade.

The warm, sweet color created an extremely strong visual contrast with Jiang Zhou’s pale, thin arm.

“This ‘Morning Dew’—” Shen Zhiyu’s deep, slightly husky voice sounded. He leaned in slightly, focusing on the grapefruit color forming on Jiang Zhou’s arm, “is like the first ray of morning sunlight, full of vitality, brightening the complexion.”

As he spoke, his breath subtly brushed the edges of the applied color on Jiang Zhou’s arm.

The slight warmth of his breath made the fine hairs on Jiang Zhou’s arm stand up instantly. That patch of grapefruit color felt like a branding iron scorching his skin. He was barely able to remain standing.

“Wow! The effect is stunning! Teacher Shen’s technique is truly professional!” The host praised at the opportune moment.

“Look at the color payoff of this grapefruit shade on fair skin! Full of vitality! Thank you for your cooperation, friend! Please go to the side to collect your gift!”

Jiang Zhou felt a sense of immense relief. He snatched his arm back as if burned, forcefully pulled down his sleeve, completely covering the scorching grapefruit color along with his bony wrist.

Jiang Zhou grabbed the gift bag handed to him by the staff, not daring to look at Shen Zhiyu again, and rushed off the stage with stumbling steps, head lowered.

Shen Zhiyu’s gaze followed the figure as it hastily disappeared. His fingertips unconsciously rubbed together, as if he could still feel the fragile contour of the slender wrist he had briefly supported.

Not only was it pale and long, but the touch was also excellent—smooth and tender, making one want to put their mouth on it.

Yuan Chong, who followed him down, gradually relaxed when he saw that Jiang Zhou did not faint despite having physical contact with Shen Zhiyu, and he stopped worrying about him.