Is This The Right Way To Repay A Favor? Chapter 67

Grievance

It took the three of them over two hours of combined effort to finally clear the fallen tree blocking the road to the side.

Wang Lin wiped the sweat from his brow, looked at the clear path, and nodded. “That’s done! Thank you both very much!”

The sun had risen higher, and the mist in the forest had completely dispersed.

Wang Lin led them toward another mountain path. He pointed to a faintly visible trail down the mountain. “Follow this path straight down, and you should reach the foot of the mountain in about an hour.”

“This tree still needs to be hauled out. The township people are coming, so I’ll wait here a bit longer.”

The two thanked him solemnly and followed the path Wang Lin indicated.

The descent was much easier. They walked in silence, one following the other.

Just as they were nearing the foot of the mountain, Shen Zhiyu suddenly stopped, looked up at Jiang Zhou, and spoke in a calm voice that carried an undeniable authority.

“Hold out your hand.”

Jiang Zhou was momentarily stunned, but instinctively extended his hand.

His fair palm was covered in scrapes, all left from climbing the rocks the previous night.

Shen Zhiyu’s gaze fell upon the injuries, his eyes seeming to deepen.

His slightly warm fingertips traced the marks gently and slowly.

The touch was light, like a feather brushing past, bringing a slight, ticklish shiver.

Jiang Zhou almost pulled his hand back, yet was held in place by an invisible force.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches, casting fragmented light spots in Shen Zhiyu’s eyes. His movements were focused; his lowered lashes obscured his expression.

Jiang Zhou looked at the reddish-brown mole near his eye, his throat itching slightly, bobbing gently.

The next second, a cool sensation pressed against Jiang Zhou’s wrist.

Jiang Zhou looked down and saw the bracelet he had returned to Shen Zhiyu last night.

The diamond-encrusted moon pendant rested against Jiang Zhou’s wrist bone, carrying the residual heat from Shen Zhiyu’s fingertips.

Jiang Zhou looked at Shen Zhiyu in surprise.

Shen Zhiyu didn’t let go, his fingers still loosely gripping Jiang Zhou’s wrist. The pad of his thumb gently rubbed the cool pendant.

Then, he finally raised his eyes, meeting Jiang Zhou’s astonished gaze.

His eyes were deep, his look tender and lingering, as if holding many unspoken words.

“Wear it properly,” Shen Zhiyu released his hand, his voice flat. “Don’t lose it.”

The mountain wind blew, causing the forest to rustle.

Jiang Zhou stood frozen. “This isn’t what you wanted to give—”

“You found it, so naturally, it’s yours.”

With that, Shen Zhiyu stopped looking at him, turned, and walked down the mountain. His back gradually merged with the light and shadow of the forest, tall and gentle.

Jiang Zhou took a step and followed him.

The dangling star fragments and moon pendant on his wrist tapped lightly against his wrist bone with every step.

—

Time flew to the end of August.

After returning from the mountains, the relationship between the two progressed rapidly. More accurately, it was their relationship in bed that suddenly leaped forward after that movie incident.

After Jiang Zhou took the initiative that one time, whenever Shen Zhiyu came to his house, he would actively offer himself, using a variety of positions and styles.

Sometimes Shen Zhiyu had no such intention, only wanting to see him, but he would be provoked into desire. This gave Shen Zhiyu the illusion that he was a heartless stud, as if his only purpose in seeking out Jiang Zhou was this one thing.

Several times, Shen Zhiyu wanted to have a proper talk with Jiang Zhou, but every time he started, he would be interrupted by the other party’s teasing.

Shen Zhiyu now understood that Jiang Zhou did not want to sit down and seriously discuss their relationship.

Logically, Shen Zhiyu should have been happy about this realization, as it meant he wouldn’t have to deal with any emotional entanglements when he eventually lost interest in Jiang Zhou.

However, Shen Zhiyu was not as happy as he expected; instead, he felt a helpless exasperation.

He even frequently had the illusion that he was Yuan Chong’s substitute.

Shen Zhiyu had never lacked self-confidence. This was the first time he doubted himself, and the first time he yearned for a formal title.

He needed to find an opportunity to be completely honest with Jiang Zhou.

That opportunity arrived quickly.

Languang Media’s team-building trip, as usual, invited all its contracted artists.

Out of courtesy, most artists would attend unless they had conflicting work schedules.

The location for this team-building trip was Sun and Moon Bay in Yushi.

Sun and Moon Bay got its name from the two small islands facing each other on the bay: Sun Island and Moon Island. Legend had it that the two islands were the embodiment of the sun and moon falling to the mortal world, facing each other and watching over one another.

Both islands were independent and managed by a large private hotel, offering integrated dining, entertainment, and leisure services.

Languang Media booked both islands for five days. The artists were mostly concentrated on Sun Island, while other staff stayed on Moon Island.

Languang arranged the best suite on the island for Shen Zhiyu, which also offered the optimal view for watching the sunset.

Jiang Zhou had an important meeting the day before and arrived a day late. As soon as he reached the hotel, he received a message from Shen Zhiyu.

“Come find me.”

The timing was so precise that Jiang Zhou couldn’t help but wonder if Shen Zhiyu had someone monitoring him.

Jiang Zhou dropped off his luggage in his room, quickly washed up, and went to find Shen Zhiyu.

The door to Shen Zhiyu’s room was not closed, only slightly ajar, letting out a faint light.

Why didn’t he close the door?

He actually didn’t lock the door? Jiang Zhou frowned disapprovingly and gently pushed the door open.

Only a circle of hidden warm yellow light strips was on in the room, making the light hazy. The air was thick with a sweet, heavy perfume—a scent imbued with lust, like a silently blooming poppy in the night fog, exuding a dangerous and forbidden temptation amidst the allure.

This was not a scent Shen Zhiyu would use.

Jiang Zhou’s heart sank. His gaze swept past the living room and landed on the figure on the sofa.

Shen Zhiyu was wearing white loungewear, sinking lazily into the sofa. He seemed slightly drunk, his cheeks flushed. His seductive eyes looked deep and hazy in the dim light. When he looked straight at Jiang Zhou, the corner of his mouth curved into a half-smile.

Jiang Zhou’s eyes shifted to the floor near his feet.

Kneeling beside Shen Zhiyu’s feet was a nearly naked young man. His clothes were messily piled around his waist, and his smooth skin glistened under the ambiguous lighting.

Jiang Zhou recognized him: Xu Binbin, a newly signed artist at the company who had just recently come of age.

Seeing someone enter, the young man trembled, frantically grabbing his clothes to cover himself. He pointed sharply at Shen Zhiyu on the sofa, his voice shaking. “President Jiang! President Jiang, you’re here!”

“It was Mr. Shen, he called me here! He said if I agreed to accompany him, he would give me resources and promote me!”

He cried and crawled toward Jiang Zhou’s feet, his acting realistic, looking utterly wronged.

“I—I didn’t dare refuse! President Jiang, you must uphold justice for me!”

The air seemed to freeze instantly.

Shen Zhiyu subtly raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, a hint of mockery and amusement flashing in his eyes. He didn’t rush to defend himself. Instead, he leaned back, watching Jiang Zhou with a composed air, as if enjoying a good show.

Just as Xu Binbin’s hand was about to touch his trousers, Jiang Zhou subtly stepped aside, his tone calm. “Get up and put on your clothes.”

The young man looked up, his face delicate and tear-streaked, pitiful to behold. He deliberately softened his voice and called out again, “President Jiang—”

Jiang Zhou didn’t look at him, but his voice suddenly turned cold. “Speak properly.”

His seduction attempt failed, so Xu Binbin slowly got up, his mind racing for a countermeasure.

In the evening, Languang’s artists had gathered for dinner and drinks, and Shen Zhiyu was present. Rumors in the industry claimed he was a light drinker. Seeing him consume several cups, Xu Binbin suddenly hatched a plan: to take advantage of Shen Zhiyu’s drunkenness and force a situation.

If he could gain resources from it, great. Even if not, sleeping with Shen Zhiyu would be capital for boasting outside.

So, when Xu Binbin saw Shen Zhiyu return to his room, he quietly followed behind. He couldn’t believe his luck; Shen Zhiyu hadn’t locked the door after returning, leaving it slightly ajar.

Xu Binbin slipped into the room, locked the door, and sprayed half a bottle of the seductive perfume in the living room.

The sound of running water came from the bathroom; Shen Zhiyu was showering. Xu Binbin stripped naked and slipped under Shen Zhiyu’s covers.

After a while, the water stopped. But Shen Zhiyu didn’t come to bed; instead, he went to the living room.

The door was locked. Shen Zhiyu thought the wind had blown it shut, so he deliberately opened it again, leaving a gap.

As he walked toward the sofa, he messaged Jiang Zhou. “Why aren’t you here yet?”

Just then, a sound came from the bedroom, and a disheveled young man walked out.

Shen Zhiyu looked up, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, which instantly turned cold when he saw the face clearly.

“Who are you?”

During the dinner, Shen Zhiyu had been humble and approachable. Xu Binbin had even initiated two friendly conversations and received pleasant responses.

He subconsciously thought Shen Zhiyu was easy to get close to.

But under that gaze now, he almost wanted to retreat.

However, the next second, he saw a faint curve on Shen Zhiyu’s lips.

The smile seemed like silent permission. Xu Binbin mustered his courage and lunged forward, only to be stopped by the tip of Shen Zhiyu’s shoe pressing against his vital spot.

He let out a soft cry and fell to the floor, tearfully hooking Shen Zhiyu’s ankle. “Mr. Shen, you’re so naughty…”

Shen Zhiyu glanced at the disheveled, lust-filled young man on the floor, moved his gaze away in disgust, and shook the tip of his shoe where it had touched the other person.

Why wasn’t Jiang Zhou here yet? If he didn’t arrive soon, Shen Zhiyu really wouldn’t be able to resist throwing the person out.

Fortunately, the slightly ajar door was pushed open at that moment.

He had finally waited for the person he wanted to see.

Shen Zhiyu kicked off the shoe that had touched the dirty object, rose from the sofa, and walked toward Jiang Zhou, barefoot on the carpet.

As he passed the young man, he didn’t even spare him a glance.

He stopped beside Jiang Zhou, looking down at the beautiful, fair line of his neck, using it to cleanse his eyes.

“President Jiang—” Shen Zhiyu spoke in a low voice, his tone laced with the grievance of being falsely accused. “What should I do about this?”

“I truly can’t clear my name, even if I jumped into the Yellow River.”

He leaned in slightly, his breath almost brushing Jiang Zhou’s earlobe, and continued in a voice only the two of them could hear, “President Jiang, I specifically left this door open for you. Who knew he would get here first—”

He mimicked the young man’s slightly raised, sticky tone, his voice sounding like a complaint yet also like a spoiled plea, his breath fanning against Jiang Zhou’s ear.