Is This The Right Way To Repay A Favor? Chapter 84

The Gift

Jiang Zhou only saw Shen Zhiyu’s trending topic the next day, on his way to the company.

After fermenting overnight, the related search terms for Shen Zhiyu and Xie Xuan had virtually dominated the charts, occupying most of the front-row spots.

Jiang Zhou clicked on the audio. Amidst the noisy background, Shen Zhiyu’s voice was clearly discernible. Especially the last sentence—the tone and timbre were highly recognizable. Anyone who had paid attention to his voice could immediately confirm it was him.

When Jiang Zhou had previously researched Shen Zhiyu, he had learned about Xie Xuan. Xie Xuan and Shen Zhiyu were trainees in the same cohort at YNK. Both debuted after two years of training, following similar trajectories, but their fates were drastically different.

Shen Zhiyu’s group, LUMEN, debuted at the peak and remained popular ever since, standing firm.

In contrast, Xie Xuan’s group was completely crushed from the start. After six months of activity, they were forced to halt for another six months when a teammate was exposed for campus bullying. The reorganized group remained lukewarm and never made much of a splash. Eventually, Xie Xuan committed suicide, and the group disbanded entirely.

Since the two were from the same company, the same cohort, and were both Chinese and of similar age, they naturally interacted frequently during their trainee days. In many of Xie Xuan’s early public photos, Shen Zhiyu’s figure could often be spotted.

Jiang Zhou didn’t know the original context of their conversation, but he believed the truth was not what Xie Qing had exposed.

He would always unconditionally trust Shen Zhiyu.

As the car slowly approached the company, Wei Yan’s call came through.

“Mr. Jiang.” His voice sounded rushed, and the background noise was chaotic, mixed with sharp curses and shouting. “Xie Qing brought a group of people to the company entrance, live-streaming and causing trouble. The situation is very difficult to control right now. Should you avoid coming in for a while?”

“Where are the security guards?”

“They’ve already blocked them and called the police. We are waiting for the police to handle it.”

“Good.” Jiang Zhou pondered briefly, then commanded in a deep voice, “Tell the PR team to remain silent for now and make no response. Let the bullets fly a little longer.” He changed the subject. “Have you found the background information on the Xie family?”

“I just received it. I’ll send it to you right away.”

After hanging up, Jiang Zhou received the detailed information from Wei Yan.

Xie Xuan’s original family background was decent; both parents were middle school teachers, but they were timid and often suppressed by relatives. Since Xie Xuan’s death, the couple had moved out of their hometown and their whereabouts were unknown.

Xie Qing was Xie Xuan’s cousin, and just like his father, he had bullied Xie Xuan’s family since childhood. Now in his thirties, he had no proper job, idled his days away, was addicted to gambling, and owed a mountain of debt.

This would be a good point of attack. Jiang Zhou made a mental note.

Jiang Zhou put away his phone and looked out the car window with a calm expression. The chaotic scene outside the company gate was vaguely visible. The gathered crowd and flashing phone screens resembled a restless swarm of bees.

“I’m not going to the company. Take me home,” Jiang Zhou instructed the driver.

The car was approaching the last possible U-turn intersection. The driver acknowledged the order and changed lanes. The black sedan executed a U-turn, tracing an arc, and drove in the opposite direction from the company.

Jiang Zhou returned to his residence and noticed an extra pair of women’s high heels by the entrance. He immediately looked toward the living room.

Shen Zhiyu was nestled on the sofa, his long fingers idly teasing the kitten curled up on his lap, looking languid. Hearing the door open, he glanced up, seemingly unsurprised, then lowered his head and continued playing with the cat.

Someone was here?

Just then, the person in the kitchen poked her head out upon hearing the movement. It was Xi Wanyu.

“Azhou is back? Perfect, Auntie just warmed up the soup. I thought you wouldn’t be back until noon. Come quickly and have a bowl while it’s hot.”

Jiang Zhou greeted her and went to the kitchen to help carry the soup.

After the two returned from the grasslands, Shen Zhiyu had introduced Jiang Zhou to Xi Wanyu.

Calling it an introduction was actually a slightly awkward video call.

That day, Shen Zhiyu was video-calling Xi Wanyu. Jiang Zhou was unaware; he had just finished showering and immediately pounced on Shen Zhiyu, nibbling his neck. “Hurry up and finish the remaining seven times.”

Any other time, Shen Zhiyu would have pounced back. But this time, he didn’t move, merely chuckling softly.

Jiang Zhou sensed something was off. He lifted his head from Shen Zhiyu’s neck and saw Xi Wanyu on the screen, smiling gently at him, greeting him softly, “Azhou—”

Jiang Zhou gasped and immediately tried to flee the room.

Shen Zhiyu wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him back to his side, and scolded him in a low voice, “That’s rude. You didn’t even greet my mother.”

Jiang Zhou lowered his head, a blush creeping from his neck all the way to his forehead. He didn’t dare look up, mumbling, “Hello, Auntie.”

“Hello, Azhou—” Xi Wanyu looked at their intimate posture and asked with a smile, “What is this between you two?”

Jiang Zhou had only just made up his mind to adjust his mindset and be with Shen Zhiyu on equal terms. But this was just the beginning. He wasn’t ready for the elders to know about the relationship, and he couldn’t imagine whether Shen Zhiyu’s parents would accept him.

Hearing Xi Wanyu’s question, he panicked and struggled to get out of Shen Zhiyu’s embrace.

Shen Zhiyu held him firmly, introducing him very openly: “I caught him.”

What?

Jiang Zhou froze, suddenly looking up at Shen Zhiyu, his eyes filled with surprise and a hint of unconcealed joy. Like the little stray cat who had wandered for a long time and was suddenly brought home by its owner, happy and moved.

So cute.

Shen Zhiyu couldn’t resist kissing his cheek.

Jiang Zhou glared at him.

Why was this man kissing him regardless of the occasion?

What would his mother think of him?

Especially since he had said such suggestive things earlier…

He was going crazy!

Jiang Zhou wished he could find a hole to crawl into right then and there.

Shen Zhiyu even laughed and explained for him, “He’s shy.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhou’s face grew even hotter. He glared at Shen Zhiyu again, but he couldn’t flare up in front of Xi Wanyu, so he buried his head low, almost touching his chest.

He was very nervous. He didn’t know what Xi Wanyu’s expression would be when she learned they were together. Especially in this chaotic situation.

Perhaps shock, perhaps disappointment, maybe even fury…

In short, he guessed it wouldn’t be a good mood.

Unexpectedly, Xi Wanyu smiled after hearing it, and her tone actually sounded quite pleased. “Azhou is so well-behaved. You got a bargain, kid.”

Huh?

Jiang Zhou looked up in shock at Xi Wanyu on the screen.

Her smile was bright, without the slightest hint of the displeasure he had anticipated, only pure amusement. Seeing the two of them being affectionate, she tactfully said, “I don’t have anything else to say. I won’t interrupt your fun. I’ll hang up now.”

As soon as the video ended, Jiang Zhou complained to Shen Zhiyu, “It’s all your fault for not warning me!”

Shen Zhiyu claimed innocence. “How could I warn you? You pounced on me the moment you came out.”

“It’s a good thing you were wearing clothes. If you were—”

Jiang Zhou’s face reddened further, and he immediately covered Shen Zhiyu’s mouth. “Don’t say it!”

“Fine, I won’t say it.” Shen Zhiyu chuckled softly. “I’ll just do it—”

After that video call, Xi Wanyu had wanted to meet Jiang Zhou. However, it coincided with the issues of the company artist being poached and the sci-fi movie being stalled. Jiang Zhou was swamped, and the meeting was postponed.

Jiang Zhou was still bothered by the previous video call, and his expression was slightly unnatural.

The kitten, which hadn’t seen Jiang Zhou in a while, played with Shen Zhiyu for a bit, then ran over to cling to him.

Jiang Zhou stroked the cat with one hand while sipping his soup.

When Xi Wanyu saw that they had finished most of the soup, she took out a jade pendant she had prepared from her bag and handed it over with a smile. “Azhou, this is Auntie’s gift for our first meeting.”

A first meeting gift?

Jiang Zhou was stunned. He looked at her, then at Shen Zhiyu.

Shen Zhiyu’s gaze was gentle, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Take it.”

She accepted the situation too quickly, even presenting a gift right away.

This was all far beyond Jiang Zhou’s imagination.

Jiang Zhou felt momentarily dazed, his eyes involuntarily stinging with emotion, tears quickly welling up.

Shen Zhiyu simply took the gift for him and immediately put it around Jiang Zhou’s neck.

The cool jade pendant rested against his neck. Jiang Zhou was still somewhat out of it. He wanted to say something, but his throat felt tight and sore. In the end, he could only squeeze out the word “Thank you.”

“Don’t be so polite with Auntie,” Xi Wanyu said softly.

She examined Jiang Zhou and nodded in satisfaction. “This pendant really suits Azhou.”

Jiang Zhou looked down at the jade pendant around his neck. It was a piece of celadon jade, warm and smooth, carved into a small cat holding a jade bead in its mouth. A woven red string passed through the bead.

Xi Wanyu took in his nervousness and emotion, and thoughtfully changed the subject, asking about their trip to the grasslands.

Shen Zhiyu naturally took the lead, talking about the sights and experiences of the journey, occasionally teasing Jiang Zhou, which made him blush. The atmosphere quickly became relaxed and warm.

After chatting for a while, Xi Wanyu took her leave.

As they parted, Xi Wanyu gently hugged Jiang Zhou and whispered softly in his ear, “Azhou, if Zhiyu ever bullies you, tell Auntie anytime. I’ll help you teach him a lesson.”

Jiang Zhou nodded vigorously, his throat catching again. Besides “Thank you, Auntie” and “Okay,” he couldn’t say anything else. But all his nervousness and anxiety quietly dissipated in the warmth brought by this sudden meeting and this jade pendant.

Long after Xi Wanyu left, Jiang Zhou still had his head bowed, his fingertips tracing the contours of the bead-holding kitten on the jade pendant over and over, a faint, sweet smile playing on his lips.

Shen Zhiyu was playing with the cat nearby. Seeing him like this, he couldn’t help but stand up and walk closer. His warm fingertip lightly touched the cool jade pendant, then subtly brushed against Jiang Zhou’s collarbone.

“You like it that much?” he asked in a low voice, a smile in his tone.

“Yes,” Jiang Zhou’s eyelashes curved, his eyes shining. “I like it very much.”

“You’re easily bought,” Shen Zhiyu put down the cat toy, scooped up the small cat circling his feet, and teased, “If I send you something more expensive later, won’t you be happy for a whole day?”

“Having this is enough for me,” Jiang Zhou said, content.

Shen Zhiyu handed the cat to him, and Jiang Zhou took it. The kitten was tired from playing and found a comfortable spot in his arms to curl up and sleep.

Shen Zhiyu reached out and ruffled his hair. “Silly.”