Pretend to be crazy - Chapter 78

City A still preserved many traditional Blue Star Chinese customs. As the New Year approached, red lanterns were hung from the street lamps, giving the streets a festive atmosphere.

Ruan Zhixian, dressed in a black windbreaker, stood beside the greenery near a villa in the neighborhood. He sensed something and looked up.

He and Shen Yan locked eyes.

He didn’t move, simply looking up at Shen Yan without expression.
It was clear he hadn’t figured everything out yet—rushed over just because of Shen Yan’s message.

Afraid he would leave, yet also afraid to see him.
What a coward.

Shen Yan thought he was getting arrogant, daring to call someone like Ruan Zhixian—a man known for his ruthlessness and unpredictable behavior—a coward.
As he opened his cigarette box and pulled one out, he idly played with the lighter Ruan Zhixian had gifted him. It made a crisp click when flipped open, and the weight felt expensive.

After flicking it a couple of times, he casually tossed the lighter down by the window.

He looked back at Ruan Zhixian, the unlit cigarette twitching between his lips.

After a few seconds, Ruan Zhixian quickly walked into the villa. Shen Yan watched his figure disappear before the door was pushed open and the chill of outside air filled the room—Ruan Zhixian entered and walked up to him.

He leaned down slightly to light his cigarette.

Shen Yan’s expression remained calm. “You came all the way here. Why didn’t you just come upstairs?”

“I didn’t know what you wanted to say,” Ruan Zhixian replied, taking a seat across from him.

“So you were mentally preparing yourself—not to choke me out no matter what I say?” Shen Yan quipped.

“Yeah.”

He gave a low laugh. “I figured.”

Ruan Zhixian turned to look at him. “So what? You’ve had enough again? Ready to leave?”

“Who are you planning to run to? Laya? Qi Gusheng? Fu Bo? Or—”

Shen Yan cut him off, “Zhixian, I’m not going to let you keep me locked up for the rest of my life, and I don’t want our situation to involve anyone else.”

Ruan Zhixian scoffed. “So you’re leaving anyway.”

Shen Yan slowly shifted his gaze from the glowing cigarette tip to him. “I want you to leave with me.”

Ruan Zhixian’s expression stayed cold. “Liar.”

“I’m not lying. You won’t need to install surveillance anymore. If I take a shower, I’ll let you join,” Shen Yan replied casually.

That clearly caught Ruan Zhixian off guard. His sharp gaze swept over. “What do you mean?”

“I want you to be my boyfriend.”

Silence fell instantly, thick and complete.

Shen Yan acted like nothing had happened, stubbed out his cigarette, walked over, stood between Ruan Zhixian’s legs, and lifted his chin with one hand. His tone was direct and blunt. “Yes or no?”

Ruan Zhixian said, “You trying to sacrifice yourself again? Hoping I’ll let you go if I think you care, so I won’t hurt your friends? You think I’ll just play along? Don’t be naive.”

Shen Yan didn’t respond. Instead, he adjusted his posture, straddled Ruan Zhixian’s lap, cupped his jaw, and kissed him quickly. “Yes or no?”

This side of Shen Yan—bold, aggressive, affectionate—left Ruan Zhixian unsettled. His expression turned dark. “Shen Yan, that won’t work on me. Get off.”

But Shen Yan gently traced Ruan Zhixian’s face, then leaned in again and kissed him, this time deeper—inviting, intimate.

At first Ruan Zhixian resisted slightly, but just barely. With a little coaxing from Shen Yan, he couldn’t help but give in. He tilted his head and kissed back with increasing fervor.

Breathless, they finally parted.

A thin string of saliva broke as Shen Yan leaned away, taking a moment to catch his breath. Then, he asked once more—this time with clear seriousness, “Ruan Zhixian, I’ll ask one last time. Yes or no?”

Ruan Zhixian’s lips trembled. In the softest voice, he whispered, “Yes.”