Chapter 43: Betrayed
“Miss Su—” Shen Yuxi had just uttered those three words when he saw Su Nian turn her head to look at him, her lovely face as white as jade under the moonlight.
His breath suddenly caught in his throat. “Nian Nian, I’m not ready.”
Her candid words made Su Nian chuckle; her eyes darted around, and seeing no one nearby, she leaned in until she was nearly pressed against him. “It’s fine,” she whispered. “As long as I’m ready, all you need to do is stay silent and accept it.”
Except for Gu Yichen, she had never been this affectionate with a man on her own initiative. Perhaps trying to start a new romance wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
Shen Yuxi’s gaze flickered rapidly as he watched Su Nian reach out, wrap her arms around his neck, rise onto her toes, and envelop him in her breath, faintly sweet and clear.
He felt somewhat at a loss, his entire body stiffening instantly.
A soft, tingling sensation coursed through him, like an electric shock.
Shen Yuhuan stood by the window, gazing calmly downward. His eyesight was sharp enough to clearly make out a couple locked in a passionate embrace and kiss in the garden eighteen floors below.
So beautiful, so warm, so romantic.
—I have a big house; let me take you back to live there.
You won’t abandon me, and we’ll never be separated again, right?
—Yes, we will be together forever.
It’s candy, very clean, and the wrapper is beautiful.
But there’s only one piece, and there are two of us.
We can each take a lick, taking turns.
Alright. From now on, no matter what we have, we’ll always share it with each other.
Shen Yuhuan gazed up at the starry sky, where a full moon hung high and only a few scattered stars twinkled—brilliant yet desolate.
“You abandoned me too,” he whispered softly. “You as well.”
Shen Yuxi’s brows furrowed slightly; he suddenly stepped back, his previously dazed eyes instantly clearing as he scanned the surroundings.
But under the bright moon and sparse stars, the area was empty; no one was in the small garden.
“What’s wrong?” Su Nian asked, slightly bewildered.
It was merely a kiss as light as a dragonfly skimming the water’s surface; she hadn’t felt much, but Shen Yuxi, clearly innocent in matters of the heart, instantly flushed crimson.
Shen Yuxi’s gaze grew heavy. After a brief pause, he spoke. “It’s Huan.”
“Could it be some kind of twin telepathy?” Su Nian’s expression turned peculiar. “Is your connection really that strong? We share a kiss, and he can sense it? Then tell me, what exactly did you sense from him?”
It was hard for her not to overthink it. Since their sensations were shared, wouldn’t Shen Yuhuan also know once she and Shen Yuxi reached the point of sleeping together?
It was utterly devastating!
At the thought of that scene, Su Nian felt her entire worldview shatter.
“Because of the S Serum,” Shen Yuxi replied casually, his gaze still scanning the surroundings. “After three years as test subjects, both Huan and I have undergone physiological changes. Compared to ordinary twins, our connection is far more vivid.”
Su Nian’s eyes darted with curiosity as she asked, “So, what does it feel like for him right now?”
“Bitter, and overwhelmingly…” Shen Yuxi paused, searching for the right words, “…the taste of betrayal.”
Su Nian’s heart skipped a beat. Hesitantly, she asked, “If you and I get involved, will it damage the bond between you brothers?”
Shen Yuhuan’s feelings toward her were complicated; he had already resolved to make her his own. But now, with Shen Yuxi suddenly intervening, she feared they might end up tearing each other apart.
“No.” Shen Yuxi’s gaze darkened slightly, his words crisp and resolute. “We simply hold different beliefs; it won’t create any distance between us emotionally.”
Su Nian nodded unconsciously, her mind drifting elsewhere as she involuntarily recalled every little moment she had shared with Shen Yuhuan.
But that was all there could ever be. Shen Yuhuan, bearing the identity of “Judgment,” ultimately belonged to a world different from hers; their paths were never meant to cross.
Yet, a sense of melancholy settled in Su Nian’s heart, and she let out a sigh heavy with unspoken meaning.
After a moment of hesitation, she took out her phone, turned away from Shen Yuxi, and sent a message: “Yuhuan, are you okay? Even if I start dating Yuxi, it doesn’t mean I’m betraying you.”
Given Shen Yuhuan’s paranoid nature, Su Nian feared that, in a moment of despair, he might lash out against society and end up getting caught again.
Yet, no reply came for a long time.
Uneasy, Su Nian tugged Shen Yuxi upward. “Let’s go back to the ward.”
At the elevator entrance, she pressed the button. Having rushed over, her breathing was slightly erratic when she suddenly heard Shen Yuxi ask softly, “Do you care so much about Huan?”
“Friends, that’s all. He helped me once,” Su Nian replied automatically after a brief pause.
As for Shen Yuhuan, she was torn between fear and concern; she didn’t want him captured, nor did she wish to see him executed by firing squad.
The numbers above the elevator door flickered rapidly until they settled on the first floor. The doors slid open, and two or three people stepped out.
Su Nian entered, pressed the button for the 13th floor, and stood with her back against the wall, watching as the floor indicator slowly climbed upward.
The elevator was silent, making her feel slightly uneasy. She casually brought up a topic to break the tension: “I’m planning to start my own company. At such a critical juncture, will the matter of the S-agent implicate me?”
“The Su family’s assets may be seized, but since your funding sources are independent of the Su family, you won’t be implicated,” Shen Yuxi replied, his tone authoritative and formal.
Su Nian gazed at him, thinking he looked even more endearing when flustered and blushing from being teased.
Just as they approached the ninth floor, the elevator suddenly jolted violently. Accompanied by the grinding sound of machinery, the lights flickered erratically.
Su Nian’s mind went blank for an instant before his deep voice rushed into her ears, speaking rapidly: “Press your head and back firmly against the wall, bend your knees, and rise onto your toes to brace for a fall!”
She nodded, held her breath, and immediately assumed the position.
As he spoke, Shen Yuxi swiftly pressed the buttons for the 10th, 11th, and 12th floors.
The elevator continued its slow ascent. Su Nian stared wide-eyed as the floor indicator changed to 11. After another slight tremor, the doors finally slid open.
Su Nian exhaled deeply, her tension melting away.
Without hesitation, Shen Yuxi carried Su Nian out. Turning back, he placed his hand against the elevator doorframe and looked down at the girl still trembling in his arms, softening his tone. “Nian Nian, could you find the duty staff? This elevator needs maintenance.”
Su Nian took a deep breath, her heart pounding violently. With a hurried glance, she dashed to the left.
By the time she returned with others, Shen Yuxi still stood with his hand outstretched, preventing the elevator doors from closing.
The hospital administrator offered both apologies and thanks, summoning the maintenance department to temporarily halt the elevator’s operation.
“Did it scare you?” Shen Yuxi asked softly.
After the terrifying elevator incident, Su Nian opted for the stairs; after all, she was on the 11th floor, only two flights away from the 13th.
Su Nian answered honestly, “A little.”
She lowered her gaze and saw Shen Yuxi holding her hand, a faint tremor passing across her face.
Shen Yuxi followed her gaze, gently opening her palm to reveal a small packet of sweat. He took hold of the corner of his sleeve and wiped the moisture from her hand before clasping it once more. “Don’t be afraid,” he said softly. “It was just an accident, and it’s over now.”
Su Nian smiled faintly. The two returned to the hospital room, where only Tang Shi remained keeping watch beside the bed; Su Xingye lay still in deep sleep.
Her heart skipped a beat. “Where’s Yuhuan?”
“He left less than two minutes after you did,” Tang Shi said with a shrug.
Su Nian guessed he had probably gone off somewhere to nurse his heartbreak.
Glancing at the time, Su Nian saw it was nearly nine o’clock. “Tang Tang, it’s getting late; you should head home. I’ll stay here to look after my brother. As for Yuxi, he’s on night duty at the hospital tonight.”
As her boyfriend, Shen Yuxi could only bear the burden.
“Rest assured, Miss Tang, I will take care of Nian Nian,” Shen Yuxi interjected at just the right moment.
He went to fetch boiled water, poured two cups of hot water, and handed one to Su Nian. “It’s chilly; drink some hot water to warm yourself.” He placed the other cup on the table in front of Tang Shi.
Su Nian responded with a faint smile, exchanged a few more words with Tang Shi, and then saw her guest out the door.
She sat back down in her chair, holding a cup of hot water, taking occasional small sips. Glancing at Shen Yuxi, who sat upright beside her, she beckoned him over with a wave of her hand. “Come here.”
“Hmm?” Shen Yuxi’s voice rose at the end as he came to a stop beside Su Nian, his tall figure casting a shadow over her.
Afraid of making her feel pressured, he crouched down in front of her. “Nian Nian, what’s wrong?”
Su Nian chuckled softly, lowering her head to press a kiss to his cheek. “A reward.”
Shen Yuxi lowered his gaze; that soft touch seemed to land directly on his heart, sending ripples spreading outward.
He took out his wallet, pulled out a card, and said, “We’re a couple now. Please take my money for your use. You’re starting a company, and funds are tight.”
“Handing over your salary?” Su Nian asked with a suppressed smile.
She handed the card back, playfully ruffling his hair. “It’s too soon. We’re just a couple. If you give me your entire salary now, what will you do if you end up losing both me and your money later?”
Shen Yuxi paused slightly, furrowing his brows as he pondered for a moment. Then, taking her hand, he slipped the card back into it. “It’s alright,” he said softly. “I’ll stay by your side, never giving you the chance to break up with me.”
“Alright, I’ll hold onto it for you first.” Su Nian smiled and tilted her head playfully, then casually asked, “How much is on the card?”
She remembered that police officers didn’t earn high salaries. Including various benefits, their monthly income was probably around five or six thousand yuan. Shen Yuxi had been working for a few years now, so he likely had saved two or three hundred thousand yuan.
“I can’t recall,” Shen Yuxi replied. “I’ve never been particularly interested in financial matters. Tomorrow, when I return, I’ll hand over the online banking credentials to you. Feel free to transfer funds directly whenever you need; there’s no need to ask me.”
He opened WeChat and sent Su Nian the card’s PIN along with all the passwords related to the online banking account.
Witnessing such a generous gesture, Su Nian grew suspicious. “Would Yuhuan really share the Hengfeng Group’s funds with you?”
Seeing Shen Yuxi nod in affirmation, her heart gave a painful jolt. Suddenly, the card in her hand felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.
A police officer’s salary over several years might only amount to a few hundred thousand, but Hengfeng is such a massive conglomerate that if the brothers were to split it evenly, Shen Yuxi’s account would surely hold several billion.
“You should take the card back; it’s far too valuable,” Su Nian said with an awkward smile.
If she used this money, any future attempt to break up would earn her the reputation of being heartless.
Shen Yuxi keenly sensed that Su Nian truly harbored thoughts of ending their relationship, which was hardly surprising given the fragile foundation of their affection.
He fell silent for a few seconds, careful not to pressure her. “You need money urgently. Keep the card; you can use the funds on it. Consider it a loan from me, alright?”
“Okay.” Su Nian’s face lit up with a smile, and she accepted it openly.
She was indeed short on cash. Since they were a couple, there was no need for pretense or hesitation. If they ever broke up in the future, she would repay him the principal plus interest.
Ding-dong!
Su Nian received a reply from Shen Yuhuan: “I’m fine, thank you for your concern.”
Su Nian paused, a strange sensation welling up in her heart.
Shen Yuhuan’s reply felt more formal than usual, distant, polite, and perfunctory.
Su Nian was a bit skeptical: “Is this really you?”
Shen Yuhuan: “Yes.”
Su Nian finally understood. Staring at the chat window between the two of them, she remained frozen, unable to formulate a reply for a long time.
Shen Yuhuan’s shift in attitude toward her was likely tied to her agreement to date Shen Yuxi.
He no longer teased or pursued her; instead, he settled into the role of an ordinary friend.
The bitter taste of betrayal.
Su Nian recalled Shen Yuxi’s description.
Author: Su Xingye: Furious! Flirting right in front of my bed!
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