Red Line Resurrection Chapter 16

Chapter 16

◎Very beautiful.◎

At three in the morning, Shen Lingjun took his second shower.

His sleepiness had completely vanished. Fortunately, it was the weekend, and he didn’t have to wake up early for school. Otherwise, when He Wen came to wake him up in a few hours, he would probably be stuck like he was glued to a mouse trap, unable to even open his eyelids.

It was April, and the spring night breeze was intoxicating. Shen Lingjun, covered in steam, pushed open the door to the small balcony and stood outside, spacing out for a while.

The night was silent, and all the streetlights had been extinguished. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust before he could vaguely make out the silhouette of the city. The villas in the city center weren’t tall, but standing there, Shen Lingjun suddenly had the illusion that the entire landscape before him was conquered by him. Instantly, he puffed out his chest, feeling immensely satisfied, believing his current life of comfort and abundance was perfectly complete.

Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t hear the sound of the adjacent balcony door opening. When he snapped back to reality, he found Liang Ji’an had also appeared in his “kingdom.” His eyes widened into perfect circles. “Ge?”

Their rooms were next door to each other, and the two small balconies were separated by less than two meters. Therefore, even in the dim light, Liang Ji’an could clearly see his every move. Seeing him look like a little robot whose pause button had been pressed, Liang Ji’an couldn’t help but chuckle. “Not sleeping in the middle of the night, what are you doing out here?”

Shen Lingjun didn’t answer with a question, whispering, “Aren’t you awake too?”

Liang Ji’an said, “I just finished working overtime.”

“You aren’t going to tell me you were studying until this hour, are you?”

Shen Lingjun remembered what he had just done and immediately felt guilty. He stammered, “No… I just couldn’t sleep.”

He quickly changed the subject, saying, “Ge, you work so hard, staying busy until this time.”

It was obvious his concern was rather dry, but Liang Ji’an appreciated it nonetheless. He casually replied, “I’m used to it.”

He looked at Shen Lingjun and suddenly smiled. “After all, I have an extra little brother to raise, so naturally, I need to earn more money.”

Shen Lingjun realized he was teasing him. He thought, you usually look so serious and unsmiling, yet you can make jokes like this. Besides, according to Zhou Shunan, raising a hundred little brothers wouldn’t be difficult for you.

During his time back at the Liang family, although he had become a little more familiar with Liang Ji’an, he always felt that what he encountered was only a very superficial image of Liang Ji’an. Only the emotions Liang Ji’an exposed when he was being disciplined in the study that day made him seem like a real person.

Shen Lingjun secretly glanced at Liang Ji’an. He thought he was being careful, but he was caught red-handed. He immediately straightened his back, dropping all attempts at familiarity. Reflexively, he said, “I suddenly feel a bit sleepy. I’m going back to bed, Ge.”

“You should sleep early too. Good night!”

He clattered away in his slippers, fleeing in haste. Liang Ji’an watched his retreating figure, feeling an indescribable sensation. Shen Lingjun truly resembled a black cat that appeared in the middle of the night. Just as he was about to reach out and pet the little cat’s head, it immediately ran away upon being discovered.

Shen Lingjun’s sleepiness returned very quickly. Less than three minutes after hitting the bed again, he fell into a deep sleep. Usually, when he slept in on weekends, He Wen wouldn’t specifically wake him up for meals, because Liang Ji’an didn’t mind his inverted schedule. As the Butler, He Wen naturally indulged him, spoiling the Young Master along with everyone else.

But today, there was clearly something else going on.

Shen Lingjun hadn’t slept enough, and he felt dizzy and light-headed. He heard He Wen murmuring in his ear, “Sir is taking you to a private gathering in the evening. It’s not very formal, Young Master, don’t be nervous.”

Liang Ji’an had mentioned this when he took him shopping for clothes last time, but since it hadn’t been brought up again, he hadn’t paid much attention. Now that he was actually going, he couldn’t help but feel a little apprehensive, worried about embarrassing Liang Ji’an.

However, after thinking it over, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks. After all, if Liang Ji’an was taking him out in public, it meant he definitely acknowledged him as his brother. And once so many people knew Liang Ji’an had a brother, it wouldn’t be so easy for him to casually discard him later.

Unless he didn’t mind people gossiping behind his back!

Shen Lingjun changed his clothes, and He Wen leaned down to pin a gemstone brooch on his chest. It was the same color scheme as his suit, complementing it perfectly.

The person in the mirror was still him, but his overall demeanor was clearly different. Usually dressed in a school uniform and carrying a backpack, he looked pretty with a hint of awkward childishness. Now, however, he looked like a carefully dressed doll, exquisite and noble.

He Wen clapped his hands in satisfaction, looking at him with great relief and affection. “This outfit suits the Young Master very well.”

Shen Lingjun reached out and poked the brooch on his clothes. “Uncle, is this very expensive?”

He Wen smiled. “This is a private collectible that Sir acquired years ago. I’m not entirely sure of the exact price. Sir only said to choose one that was suitable for you.”

Shen Lingjun didn’t ask any more questions, only feeling that he needed to be on high alert tonight. If he lost it, he wouldn’t be able to afford to replace it even if he sold himself.

At four in the afternoon, Liang Ji’an left work early to come home and pick him up. He had originally planned to have the driver fetch him, but then he thought that the child might feel timid in an unfamiliar environment. It was better to bring him along personally, lest he wander off again.

He usually wore a stiff and serious black suit for work, but today he finally changed into a less business-like silver-gray suit. Shen Lingjun came down from upstairs, initially feeling a little self-conscious about being dressed up like this. But then he remembered that even the brooch was specially chosen under Liang Ji’an’s instruction, so he naturally had to express his gratitude.

So, he hopped in front of Liang Ji’an like a peacock displaying its feathers, his eyes curved into crescents. “Ge!”

Sometimes he was still afraid of Liang Ji’an, as their relationship wasn’t that close, but he was exceptionally skilled at acting spoiled. His tone was intimate and natural, and he didn’t finish his sentence, just waiting for Liang Ji’an’s praise.

The sun hadn’t set yet, and the light falling on his face clearly showed the fine downy hair on his cheeks. His fair face resembled a tender peach. When his almond eyes widened to look at him, his thick eyelashes formed a charming curve, as if even if the whole world were reflected in his eyes at that moment, his gaze would only be focused on the person in front of him.

Liang Ji’an seemed to be momentarily stunned. A trace of imperceptible amusement was hidden in the eyes behind his glasses. “Very beautiful.”

He reached out and straightened Shen Lingjun’s cuff, his thumb pad brushing lightly across it. It felt as if he wasn’t touching the fabric, but something else entirely.

Having received the compliment, Shen Lingjun’s face flushed completely, and even his ears and neck turned red. Not knowing what to say, he just mumbled a few acknowledgments. His peripheral vision darted around, and then he secretly smiled, pressing his lips together.

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