Chapter 56

Translator: Abo Dammen

Chen Lu turned his head to look at Qin Guchuan, who was messing with his hair, and immediately pounced on him, hands and feet flying, to retaliate against Qin Guchuan’s head. The neighbor auntie watched the two young men’s antics, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, but it did convince her that the two were on good terms. Sighing with emotion about the joys of youth, she slowly closed her door. 

In the end, the two individuals with disheveled hair sat in the dining room and had dinner together. The taste was indeed as Chen Lu had described, very different from the meticulously prepared dishes by the chef at the Qin residence, but it had its own unique flavor.

But watching Chen Lu eat just as happily as he did at the Qin residence, Qin Guchuan inexplicably felt a sense of crisis. He asked Chen Lu, “Are you used to living here?”

“It’s quite good,” Chen Lu replied without much thought. Then, looking at Qin Guchuan’s expression, he probably knew what the other was really asking. “This is already considered good. I used to live in a dorm, four people in a room about this size, and it was fine too.” Chen Lu gestured to the size of the living room and then started chattering to Qin Guchuan about his university experiences.

Even though it was a cramped dorm for four, described through Chen Lu’s words, both the people and the events seemed to become very interesting. Even the creaking beds seemed like they were playing music. 

Or perhaps, in Chen Lu’s eyes, no matter where he was in the world, there always seemed to be its own charm.

Although there’s a saying about how it’s easy to go from frugality to luxury but hard to go back, whether in poverty or wealth seemed to make little difference to Chen Lu.

“That’s good. After the plot is over, you’ll probably be able to go back, right?” Qin Guchuan said with a smile, suppressing the sour, aching feeling welling up inside him as he listened to Chen Lu.

“Maybe?” Chen Lu said uncertainly, poking his own head. After pondering for a moment, he looked somewhat troubled at Qin Guchuan. “I don’t know about you, but I remember when I first came here, the desire to go back was quite strong. But now, I feel that thought has faded a lot.” 

“I don’t know if you can understand that feeling. I feel like… I’m gradually becoming ‘Chen Lu’.” Chen Lu tried to explain his feelings to Qin Guchuan and then asked him, “Do you feel that way?”

Qin Guchuan was taken aback, looking at Chen Lu with a slightly tense tone. “What do you mean, ‘gradually becoming Chen Lu’?”

Seeing Qin Guchuan’s concerned expression, Chen Lu’s eyes curved into smiles, and he waved his hand at Qin Guchuan. “Not ‘becoming Chen Lu’ in the way you’re thinking. It’s more like… being accepted by this world, truly becoming a part of it. I feel like the emotions brought by my memories are fading…”

Chen Lu struggled to describe the complexity, then looked curiously at Qin Guchuan. “You don’t feel that?” 

“I do,” Qin Guchuan, as a native who had awakened, could actually feel that sensation of the emotional intensity from his memories weakening. He described it roughly to Chen Lu. Watching Chen Lu’s expression gradually relax, as if soothed, Qin Guchuan considered his words for a moment and asked Chen Lu, “So… you might not be able to go back?” His tone unconsciously carried a hint of hope.

Chen Lu thought it was highly probable. Because it wasn’t just the fading desire to return, more importantly, as the plot progressed and his identification with the character ‘Chen Lu’ increased, the memory of the moment before his transmigration had instead become clearer. The details weren’t fully complete yet, but he could vaguely infer that he seemed to have been in a car accident.

As someone who often watched anime, Chen Lu certainly knew what that meant.

Probably, in his original world, there was no longer a ‘Chen Lu’. 

Of course, it could also be like common settings in anime, where even if you die, you can resurrect and return by completing tasks or something. But just as his transmigration wasn’t something he could control, whether he could cross back wasn’t up to him either. Ultimately, thinking about this was completely useless except to cause himself distress.

Chen Lu never bothered himself with such unnecessary worries. He always believed in looking forward. After a moment of melancholy, he set the matter aside for now. Instead, he found Qin Guchuan’s nervous follow-up question quite interesting. Propping his chin on his hand, he looked at Qin Guchuan with a slight teasing tone. “Why are you so concerned about whether I can go back or not?”

Without giving Qin Guchuan a chance to answer, Chen Lu immediately started acting affectedly, waving his hand in a tsundere manner at Qin Guchuan. “I know, I know. I’m super important to you, you love me so much, right~” Before he could even finish his own affected performance, Chen Lu himself burst out laughing, unable to hold it in.

Qin Guchuan looked at Chen Lu preemptively saying the words for him and sighed helplessly. But he had already sensed that this topic wasn’t a good one for Chen Lu. Realizing Chen Lu was changing the subject, Qin Guchuan naturally didn’t press further. Looking at his own empty plate, he stood up and started clearing the dishes. “You go rest.” 

Chen Lu said “Oh” and didn’t stand on ceremony. After all, he was the one who heated the food so this was a reasonable division of labor. But watching Qin Guchuan leisurely washing dishes in the kitchen felt quite unusual. He couldn’t help but ask, “Don’t you have any work today?”

Qin Guchuan seriously considered what kind of image he must project in the other’s mind for Chen Lu to ask this question, then said with a rather helpless tone, “I was working until so late last night. I planned to rest early today.”

Although he was busy, as his own boss, it wasn’t like he couldn’t catch a breath.

Chen Lu said “Oh” again and made a gesture to Qin Guchuan. “Got it! Yuan Qin International!” 

This immediately made Qin Guchuan recall the events of this morning, especially Zhou Ji’s later gaze, filled with ‘Boss, you’re just not up to it, huh?’ after discovering Chen Lu wasn’t in the room. The corner of his mouth twitched. “I’d better go back to the Qin residence.”

Seeing Qin Guchuan’s expression, Chen Lu knew there was a story there. He immediately pestered Qin Guchuan with questions until he finally got the whole story out of him. Chen Lu laughed completely without a care, making Qin Guchuan shake his head.

But after laughing, Chen Lu thought about the distance back to the Qin residence and looked at the faint dark circles under Qin Guchuan’s eyes. Still possessing a conscience, he brought up the invitation he hadn’t sent last time.

“Going back to the Qin residence is too much trouble. Why don’t you just stay here tonight?” Chen Lu said to Qin Guchuan. 

Qin Guchuan was momentarily stunned. He was somewhat tempted, but after thinking, he frowned slightly. “But you don’t have any clothes for me here?” He’d still have to have Zhou Ji bring clothes over first thing in the morning.

“Yes, I do,” Chen Lu said, pointing to his wardrobe. “Uncle Sun stuffed them into the car when he sent my things over, don’t know when. There are changes of clothes and pajamas for you.”

Qin Guchuan: “…”

For a moment, he didn’t know whether to say his old butler was thinking a bit too much or that his old butler was being very thoughtful. But since that was the case, Qin Guchuan didn’t see any reason to refuse. Or rather, he was quite happy to stay. 

Putting away the last bowl, Qin Guchuan came out of the kitchen, looked at the rooms in the apartment, and asked Chen Lu, “So, which room do I sleep in tonight?”

Chen Lu gave Qin Guchuan a strange look, as if wondering why he’d ask that. He pointed to the room on the left. “There.”

Qin Guchuan followed Chen Lu’s finger and looked over. Seeing the painting tools placed near the entrance of that room, which undoubtedly indicated the room’s owner, Qin Guchuan’s eyes widened in astonishment. He asked Chen Lu for confirmation, “Isn’t that your room?”

Chen Lu looked at Qin Guchuan puzzled, not understanding why he was reacting so strongly. “Yes, it is.” 

“Then where will you sleep?” Qin Guchuan was bewildered by Chen Lu’s plan.

“Of course, I’ll sleep there too,” Chen Lu answered naturally. But after saying it, he probably understood Qin Guchuan’s meaning and explained, having suddenly realized, “I figured since you’re only staying one night, there’s no need to make another bed. It’s a hassle.”

Chen Lu looked at the complex expression on Qin Guchuan’s face. Remembering their earlier conversation about dorms and how Qin Guchuan had specifically bought an apartment near his school, he fell into thought for a moment, wondering if he was being too casual for a young master like Qin Guchuan. He looked at Qin Guchuan hesitantly and said, “Then… should I sleep on the sofa?”

…Considering the money Qin Guchuan earned from all those overtime hours recently has a share for me. 

After being silent for a few seconds, Qin Guchuan quickly composed himself. As a qualified businessman, he certainly wouldn’t miss any opportunity that came his way. He was absolutely delighted about this, how could he possibly let Chen Lu sleep on the sofa?

“It’s fine. It’s just one night anyway. We can share the bed,” Qin Guchuan said.

After saying this, Qin Guchuan was promptly pushed by a very satisfied Chen Lu to go wash up and rest.

Lying on Chen Lu’s bed, Qin Guchuan couldn’t help but feel excited. He thought he wouldn’t be able to sleep, but listening to the cheerful sounds of Chen Lu’s livestream from the next room, he unconsciously closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep. 

After finishing his day’s livestream work, Chen Lu said goodbye to his fans, turned off the computer, washed up, and tiptoed back to his room. He carefully pushed the door open, his gaze falling on Qin Guchuan’s face. Relieved he hadn’t woken him, he then couldn’t help but start carefully studying Qin Guchuan.

This was the first time he’d seen Qin Guchuan in deep sleep. He didn’t look as gentle as he often did in daily life. In this quiet state, he had a dangerous aura, like a slumbering beast not to be disturbed.

…Does this world not forget to apply the full domineering CEO filter even when someone is asleep?

But if he’s supposed to be a domineering CEO, shouldn’t they at least tidy up that one strand of hair sticking up on his head? 

Chen Lu internally joked, feeling a bit amused. He reached out and gently tried to smooth down that strand of hair.

It didn’t stay down. He smoothed it again.

And again…

“…Stop messing around…” Qin Guchuan murmured in his sleep, one hand weakly catching Chen Lu’s mischievous hand. He brought it to his lips and gently kissed it, whispering coaxingly, “…Be good…” 

Chen Lu blinked. His heartbeat seemed a bit loud in the quiet night. He felt inexplicably soothed, as if he’d really been comforted. Looking at his hand, still held by Qin Guchuan and not released, he thought for a moment and didn’t pull it away. He carefully lay down beside Qin Guchuan.

“Good night,” Chen Lu followed Qin Guchuan’s request and made a very obedient sound.