Pretend to be crazy - Chapter 52

Being held in Warren’s arms, Shen Yan heard his heartfelt words. He didn’t answer, only tightened his grip on Warren’s hand.

But in his head, he was thinking of something else.

Warren’s amnesia wasn’t normal.

He had endured three years of torture in the research institute without losing his memory—how could he just conveniently forget everything after the lab during a nameless underground boxing match?

Let’s blame it on Ruan Zhixian for now.

But why would he do this?

He was already a hopeless romantic.

Ruan Zhixian disliked people who handed over their hearts after just a few sweet words—and Warren was exactly that type of hopeless romantic.

It wasn’t obvious in the original story, and Warren never found his ideal lover by the end.

In the meantime, the “lovers” he forcefully took were killed off not long after for various reasons. His love always felt shallow, performative. He remained calm and detached, entirely unlike a lovesick fool.

But now…

Shen Yan turned and kissed him on the cheek.
“I like you too.”

Warren froze. His tanned skin turned a shade darker, and his breathing quickened. He buried his face in Shen Yan’s neck, muffling,
“Xiao Yan…”

Warren, growing warmer, pressed himself against Shen Yan’s lower back.

Shen Yan closed his eyes and softly said,
“Don’t move. My head hurts. Let me sleep for a bit.”

Warren: “Okay.”

And he really didn’t move at all.

Warren was still burning hot, but he obediently held back his desire at Shen Yan’s words.

The first time Shen Yan had felt Warren against him, he had panicked, afraid he would get too excited and hurt him.

Now, having changed completely, not only did he act like he didn’t notice, but he could continue calmly thinking.

Ruan Zhixian wouldn’t keep someone useless around—especially not an amnesiac Warren whose wild instincts had been nearly erased.

He must possess some special trait that made this “romantic fool” behavior not a liability but a bonus.

Same with Blaze and Falson.

And that special trait was likely the reason Ruan Zhixian formed this team around him, then slowly stepped back into an observational role.

Shen Yan felt he was close to cracking the core of the puzzle.

Closer to Ruan Zhixian than ever before.

Wrapped in Warren’s overly warm embrace, plans began forming in his mind.

He needed to make this team seem loosely connected—hard to control.

Force Ruan Zhixian out of the shadows.

Make him panic.

Only then would there be openings.

Shen Yan had been asleep for quite a while. When he woke up around 6 PM, the first thing he saw was Warren propping his head up, staring at him without blinking.

The gaze was so scorching it felt like it could cook someone. Shen Yan yawned and got up to wash, with Warren tailing him closely.

After spitting out the foam and wiping his lips, he calmly stated:
“Warren, you’re very clingy.”

“I have to stay by your side.”
Warren was much taller than him and had to bend down to hug him from behind.
“Blaze is too cunning. If I’m not careful, I’ll lose my chance to kiss you.”

Shen Yan laughed.
“Still thinking about that?”

“Of course.”

Warren had come to terms with being the third wheel. While Shen Yan slept, he had been planning how to get rid of Blaze without anyone noticing so Shen Yan could be his alone.

The more he thought about it, the more doable it seemed.

He almost took action.

If not for the sight of Shen Yan sleeping adorably in his arms…

Blaze wouldn’t have lived past tonight.

Warren’s scheming was written all over his face. His murderous intent was so strong, anyone could sense it.

Shen Yan elbowed him sharply in the ribs. He didn’t flinch. He restrained his expression and feigned innocence.
“What’s wrong?”

Shen Yan:
“If Blaze dies, I die with him.”

Warren’s breath hitched. He gritted his teeth and said hatefully:
“You like him that much?”

Shen Yan blandly replied:
“Yes.”

At that moment, a little head peeked through the bathroom door, smiling politely.

Warren noticed the movement and shot a cold look over. Little Blaze (the robot) didn’t stop smiling. Behind Shen Yan’s back, it even winked provocatively.

After last night, Warren understood that this little piece of junk was deliberately provoking him. It was just a robot, easily replaceable if damaged. Its goal was to make Shen Yan pity it—and make Warren look like a violent madman.

Warren sneered but still stuck close to Shen Yan, pretending to be aggrieved.
“What about me?”

“You both better stay alive,” Shen Yan replied, then pushed him away a little.
“You’re hot. And heavy. My shoulders hurt.”

Little Blaze immediately chimed in,
“My frame is made of top-tier HDE352 material from Black Star. I can adjust my weight automatically. Shen Yan, would you like to hug me instead?”

Warren, with a dangerous glint:
“Shen Yan, it’s really in the way. Can I get rid of it?”

“No.”

Under Warren’s heartbroken gaze, Shen Yan picked up Little Blaze and patted its head.

“Where’s Blaze? I need to talk to him.”

Little Blaze squinted its eyes.
“Blaze left the base. He said he’s going to rescue Falson and won’t be back for a while.”

Then proudly added:
“I’ve been given full access within the base. If you need anything, just tell me!”

Warren strolled over with hands in pockets, then—surprisingly gently—lifted Little Blaze and placed it on the ground.

Understanding, he said:
“Xiao Yan hasn’t eaten all day. Go fetch some food.”

Little Blaze looked up at him, puzzled.
“Is your name Shen Yan?”

Warren: “……”

It took all his moral fiber not to stomp the thing flat.

To prevent another fight, Shen Yan quickly said:
“Yes, I’m very hungry. Thank you, Little Blaze.”

Little Blaze reluctantly left.

Warren finally relaxed. Knowing his rival wasn’t in the base helped ease his nerves.

He immediately snuggled back up to Shen Yan.
“Tell me again how you fell in love with me.”

Shen Yan: “…Alright.”

That night, Warren wanted more snuggles, but Shen Yan persuaded him to go back to his own room.

The room’s surveillance had been disabled when Little Blaze came to deliver food, and the door lock had also been lifted. Shen Yan wandered outside briefly. Perhaps thanks to Blaze’s arrangements, no one stopped him, even if they didn’t seem too friendly.

Later, both Shen Yan and Warren were invited to a party. Warren got drunk quickly and was sent back to his room.

Desert outposts offered little entertainment. After a few rounds of cards, the party ended by midnight.

Shen Yan drank a lot too. After returning with help and getting assistance from Little Blaze, he barely managed to clean up.

Little Blaze climbed onto the bed, called him softly a few times, then poked his face when there was no response.

Shen Yan’s face was warm from the alcohol. Little Blaze covered it with its hand and patted it.

With no further reaction and steady breathing, Shen Yan seemed deeply asleep.

Little Blaze leaned in, ear to his chest. Its eyes glowed eerily in the dark.

After 15 seconds, it silently crawled down and sent the data to its master.

[Preliminary judgment: Shen Yan has entered deep sleep.]

[Estimated sleep duration: 3–5 standard hours. Deepest sleep at 1:00. Wake-up probability after 3:00: ~50%. Recommend action soon.]

[Alternatively, consider using medication to stabilize Shen Yan’s state.]

[Would you like me to assist with lubrication?]

After receiving no response, it put the prepared drugs away and quietly left.

The room was silent.

Shen Yan, despite being drunk, had kept a shred of clarity. Realizing they were trying to get him drunk, he played along to see what would happen.

Having slept a lot during the day, he wasn’t sleepy—just quietly waiting for the night’s main actor to arrive.

In the dark, every sound was amplified.

The doorknob turned, a soft click echoed. Then another as the door shut.

Boots clicked across the floor, stopping at the bed.

Someone was watching him.

A light, cold scent filled the air.

Shen Yan wasn’t surprised.

It was Blaze.

Little Blaze was working with him. The rescue mission was a cover—Blaze simply didn’t want to appear.

Acting obedient, pretending to comply, pretending everything was fine.

The room’s surveillance and locks were a ruse. There were cameras everywhere. And Little Blaze was watching.

Agitated by Shen Yan’s apparent “death,” Blaze had changed.

The bed dipped beside him. Someone climbed on, lifted the blanket, and straddled Shen Yan’s waist—trapping him in a cage of limbs and shadow.

A soft, cool kiss fell on Shen Yan’s brow.

Light kisses—softer and more invasive—covered his face. On the lips too.

Only two kisses were allowed per activation. As long as lips touched within three minutes, it counted as one.

If separated, even for a second, the next would be counted as a new kiss.

Blaze had done his research.

He lowered his head and kissed Shen Yan.

Tongue pushing past his lips, tasting and coaxing, wrapping around his tongue with practiced ease.

He held back, sucking gently, mind replaying Shen Yan’s dazed reaction last time, eyes growing darker, body heating up.

Losing control.

Three minutes was too short.

He pulled away at the last second. A string of saliva shimmered in the moonlight.

He stared at Shen Yan’s now flushed, soft lips.

He wanted to kiss again—harder, longer, leaving marks to stop Warren from ever having a chance.

But he couldn’t.

He raised his eyes—and saw Shen Yan watching him.

“You’re awake.”
Blaze asked without much hope:
“Can I continue?”