Chapter 4.28 – One Year Of Separation (2)

The next day, Xiang Han endured a heart full of anxiety as he was pulled into a hotel. He quietly said, "If we're caught, it'll be too embarrassing."

Shen Ze's face went dark and he instantly silenced him, "Don't talk nonsense."

Xiang Han furiously nodded and peeled off his hands, "Why'd you bring your bag along?"

"I have a use for it." The corners of Shen Ze's lips curved.

Xiang Han became suspicious and only understood why after they entered the room. However, it was already too late. He was forced to put on the cat costume and his limbs were bound by the red ropes as his body got caught up within the waves of passion.

Shen Ze held his waist and with every thrust, reached a greater depth, forcing Xiang Han to arch his back and throw his head back. Tears leaked from the corners of his eyes as he gasped for air. After a long time, they changed to a different position and Shen Ze brought out another strange item.

Xiang Han struggled, "Don't…"

"Be good." Shen Ze held his weak hands and meticulously sucked each finger as he spoke with a muffled voice, "We won't see each other for a year. Just treat this as compensation, alright?"

By the time he was done tormenting Xiang Han, it was already 6 pm. Xiang Han couldn't open his eyes from exhaustion but the thought of Zhu Jing Yi waiting for him at home forced him to get to his feet. He threw an accusing glare at Shen Ze.

Shen Ze's heart ached and couldn't bear for Xiang Han to get out of bed. Therefore, he pressed him back into bed and said softly, "Sleep. I'll explain to Aunt Zhu."

When Xiang Han fell asleep once more, he pulled out his cellphone and called Zhu Jing Yi. On connecting, he didn't wait for the person on the other side to speak before he began explaining, "Aunt Zhu, Little Han is sick and currently on a drip. So, he can't go back today."

"Is he really sick? Or is there another reason?" Zhu Jing Yi already knew the matter of Xiang Han taking off school today and thus, her tone was extremely bad.

Shen Ze thickened his skin and said, "…He's sick."

Zhu Jing Yi became speechless for a long time.

When Shen Ze went abroad, Xiang Han, Shen Zheng Duo, and Zhu Jing Yi went to the airport to send him off. Before they parted ways, Shen Ze didn't care about the other two and directly pulled Xiang Han into his arms and kissed him on his forehead, whispering, "Wait for me to come back. You're not allowed to fall for anyone else."

Shen Zheng Duo's face turned green and nearly rushed up to tear them apart.

Watching as Shen Ze left, Xiang Han felt crestfallen. When they were together, he never noticed these feelings. It was only after the separated did he realise.

Since it was a semester break, Xiang Han went with Zhu Jing Yi and Shen Zheng Duo back to the city in low spirits. Seeing this, Zhu Jing Yi felt heartache and momentarily regretted sending Shen Ze away.

The next day, Xiang Han learnt that Shen Ze had safely arrived at his destination from Shen Zheng Duo's phone call with him. His eyes brightened and when Shen Zheng Duo hung up, he lowered his head and continued eating, his mood as dejected as before.

Shen Zheng Duo glanced at Zhu Jing Yi and they both felt a sense of guilt, wondering if they had gone too far.

When the break was over, Lin Rui Qing came by their house once more. Once he came to know Shen Ze had gone overseas, his brows knitted.

Xiang Han guessed it must have had something to do with the cases from before and asked, "Does it have anything to do with the murders before?"

Suspicion rose in Shen Zheng Duo's heart when he heard this and turned to Lin Rui Qing, "Little Lin, we're old pals. You can just tell me if there's anything you want to say."

Lin Qui Qing sat down and began, "It's like this…"

He explained everything that he was permitted to disclose and hesitated before speaking, "We're now suspecting it's the work of a triad organisation. So, there is more than one murderer. As of now, Shen Ze… is still under suspicion especially since he went overseas at such a time."

Shen Zheng Duo's heart leapt, "Impossible. He won't do this sort of thing and moreover, he has always been at home during the time Chang Yu Chi went missing."

"Actually… during winter break before school started, he used to frequently go to a bar with Gu Hai Sheng and coincidentally met Chang Yu Chi…" Seeing Shen Zheng Duo's expression grow more ugly, he explained, "CEO Shen, don't get angry. It's only an investigation and it's to help us clear our suspicions on him."

Shen Zheng Duo's face was red, "I'll be frank, I'm the one who forced him to go abroad. It has nothing to do with the case."

"What do you mean?" Lin Rui Qing was surprised.

"Hmph, I found out that he likes men and even… In a moment of anger, I broke them up." Now that Shen Ze was involved in such a situation, he didn't bother concealing this matter anymore.

Lin Rui Qing instinctively glanced at Xiang Han before he began to persuade Shen Zheng Duo, "That… actually isn't a big deal. Some people are naturally bent, and there's no way to change it."

"Ah, although you're right, the public opinion on this matter is still an issue. Just like what you spoke earlier, the victims were either homosexuals or bisexuals. Who knows if they are deliberately targeting this demographic…"

Shen Zheng Duo's face twisted, leaving Xiang Han to ponder by the side. He abruptly raised his head, recalling something, "I remember now. I'd seen the person who attacked me before, during winter break last year."

The two people turned towards him at the same time. Shen Zheng Duo's expression was strange while Lin Rui Qing frowned as if trying to piece together the information.

Xiang Han paused for a moment before continuing, "At that time, I… was with my older brother. I saw him pass by the car."

"What were you doing at that time?" Lin Rui Qing asked, wanting to continue following this lead.

Xiang Han's face flushed and Lin Rui Qing immediately understood. He let out a low cough, "I understand. Thank you for your cooperation."

The attacker had already been convicted. After Lin Rui Qing finished up the administrative work, he continued to work overtime. Sure enough, that person was one of the criminals and it didn't take long before the officers cracked the case and apprehended the rest of the criminals.

When Xiang Han knew of this, he had already finished his studies.

Zhu Jing Yi was quite shaken as she told him, "I was afraid it would affect your concentration. So, I didn't dare tell you this, earlier. Those people had been deceived previously and thus, developed an extreme aversion to homosexuals. Thankfully, you had fast reflexes or else your mom…"

When she reached this point, she couldn't choke back her sobs any longer. Xiang Han had to console her.

Zhu Jing Yi quickly recovered her calm, "Mom has thought it through, living properly is the most important. Why should we care about what others think? If you want to be with Shen Ze, then call him. His number is 138xxxxxxx, don't let old Shen know."

She rambled on and Xiang Han panicked, "Mom, can you repeat his number? I didn't memorize it."

System faintly spoke up: [I've memorized it.]

When Shen Ze arrived back in the country, Xiang Han had begun his first year of masters' course. The two of them reunited in the airport, staring at each other blankly for a moment before wrapping themselves in a tight embrace. The passers-by couldn't help but throw curious glances in their direction.

Shen Zheng Duo's face reddened and he coughed harshly, muttering, "We're in public, be mindful."

Shen Ze released Xiang Han and intertwined their fingers as they walked, "It's not like we kissed."

Shen Zheng Duo glared at him furiously, "Hurry up and get home!"

Now that matters had reached this stage and even Zhu Jing Yi had 'defected' over to their side, there was nothing more he could say. He only requested that they move back to the capital after graduation.

Xiang Han and Shen Ze worked hard for many years but ultimately, couldn't endure the constant calls from their parents that came in every day. In the end, they returned to the capital. Shen Ze became a doctor while Xiang Han became a lecturer.

A short while after they returned, Zhu Jing Yi was surprised to realise she was pregnant. Shen Zheng Duo became overjoyed.

Shen Ze felt extremely shocked and then earnestly turned to his father, "Dad, you're getting old. Please be mindful of your health."

"Scram!" Shen Zheng Duo kicked him out. If it weren't for these two rascals refusing to find a surrogate or not being eligible to adopt, would he have to work so hard?

Xiang Han became worried, "Mom, this is a…geriatric pregnancy. Will you be alright?"

Although Shen Ze appeared nonchalant, he was rather looking forward to his future brother/sister. From the tests to the hospital Zhu Jing Yi stayed in, they were all top-notch.

Half a year later, Zhu Jing Yi gave birth to a cute baby girl with eyes which resembled Xiang Han's. She was called Shen Ya.

Shen Ze's heart melted, "Dad, why don't you give her to us? We'll help you raise her."

Shen Zheng Duo only had one word for him, "Scram!"

When it came to raising children, Xiang Han was very experienced and thus, he immediately took over this matter. Zhu Jing Yi didn't have the energy and Shen Zheng Duo was often busy at work. With the two of them raising her, it was unsurprising that she grew closer to them instead of her actual parents.

Shen Zheng Duo felt extremely envious and simply put down his company to enjoy a leisure life at home, pampering his daughter to the fullest.

Shen Ze and Xiang Han came home holding their sister. When they got to know this, he said, "You should have done this earlier. What's the point of making so much money?"

Snatching his daughter back, Shen Zheng Duo fumed, "Don't talk as if you didn't spend my money." After he had a baby girl, he couldn't stand looking at his son any longer.

Xiang Han and Shen Ze exchanged a look and they burst out laughing.

As usual, no resonance was established in this world. Before Xiang Han departed from this world, Shen Ze held his hand with a serene smile. Then, he closed his eyes.

Xiang Han didn't know if it was because he'd grown accustomed to it or his feelings had changed, but after returning back to the virtual space, he didn't feel as upset as before. He only rested for a short while before asking, "How did it go?"

"There wasn't any fluctuation during your departure. However, there were frequent fluctuations that year when the two of you were separated."

Xiang Han was stunned, "Don't tell me, it only works if I abuse his heart?"