After Redeeming the Paranoid Villain [Transmigration] - Chapter 5

Gu Chen’s fingertips tightened on the armrest of his wheelchair, digging into the leather edge and leaving a deep indentation.

“Gu Chen.” At that moment, Su Yu stared blankly at Gu Chen, his voice murmuring the man’s name over and over.

Gu Chen drove his wheelchair forward until he reached Su Yu’s side. He hesitated for a moment before extending his hand toward Su Yu, speaking with a hint of awkwardness, “Hold onto me and stand up.”

Su Yu did not react. Instead, he shrank back as if he were deathly afraid of Gu Chen.

Gu Chen felt as if his heart had been pricked by a tiny, nameless thorn. The faint sting left him momentarily at a loss. Feeling helpless, he lowered his gaze and asked, “Su Yu, are you alright?”

Gu Chen was used to being cold and detached, but seeing Su Yu in such a state, he did not know how to offer comfort. His words came out stiff and unnatural.

It seemed Gu Chen’s voice brought back a shred of Su Yu’s reason, or perhaps the steady glow of the lighter in Gu Chen’s hand anchored him to reality. Although he still appeared dazed, Su Yu finally recovered. He looked at Gu Chen and replied, “I am fine.”

Just as Gu Chen was about to speak, the flame on the lighter flickered and died. The elevator was plunged back into total darkness. In that void, Gu Chen felt his extended hand, which he had not yet pulled back, suddenly covered by a wave of warmth. Immediately after, Su Yu leaned against his legs, like a person lost in the dark seeking a source of heat.

Gu Chen’s hand trembled. He wanted to withdraw it, but Su Yu held on with a death grip.

Gu Chen was unaccustomed to such close contact and wanted to pull away, but the warmth from Su Yu’s hand felt as though it were melting him. He tried to move his wheelchair back, only to find himself unable to budge. His legs—the scars he had always deemed untouchable by others—were now being pressed tightly by Su Yu.

Gu Chen knew perfectly well that his legs had no sensation, yet in this darkness, he felt a profound sense of warmth emanating from them. It felt so warm and so real that he could hardly believe his senses. He began to crave this warmth, even while telling himself it was merely an illusion.

While Gu Chen was lost in thought, the elevator jolted, and the lights suddenly flooded the cabin.

The return of the light made Gu Chen squint. He instinctively looked down at Su Yu, who was resting his head on his legs, his eyes slightly red from lingering fear.

Gu Chen’s hand clenched slightly. After a moment of hesitation, he stammered, “Do not cry.”

Gu Chen’s words snapped Su Yu back to reality. He quickly released Gu Chen’s hand and moved away in embarrassment. He stood straight against the wall and muttered sheepishly, “I am sorry.”

Gu Chen withdrew his hand, his fingertips tracing the spot where the warmth had lingered as if savoring the sensation.

With a “ding,” the elevator doors opened. To avoid the awkwardness, Su Yu stepped out first. Inside the elevator, Gu Chen watched Su Yu flee as if he were a poisonous snake. His expression darkened as he controlled the wheelchair to exit.

Outside, the butler looked anxious. He sighed in relief upon seeing Gu Chen safe. “Young Master, I heard the transformer outside burned out. They just finished emergency repairs. It is good that you are safe.”

Gu Chen gave a calm “mm” in response. He looked at Su Yu’s retreating back and called out, “Su Yu.”

Su Yu’s back visibly stiffened, but he ignored the call as if he had heard nothing.

Seeing this, a cold smirk touched Gu Chen’s lips. He repeated Su Yu’s name. This time, Su Yu had no choice but to face him. He turned around with a forced smile, looking quite timid.

Gu Chen tapped the armrest slowly and spoke deliberately, “Very well. You run away as soon as you are finished using someone.”

Su Yu did not understand the underlying meaning. He assumed Gu Chen was simply in a bad mood and looking for trouble. He stared back, his eyes full of innocence.

Gu Chen gave him a look and then drove away. In that single glance, Su Yu felt as though Gu Chen had a thousand things to say but held them back. Su Yu got the feeling that Gu Chen wanted to scold him.

After thinking about it for a long time without an answer, Su Yu sighed helplessly. He pushed Gu Chen’s complex gaze to the back of his mind and ignored the man’s mood.

After that night, the two lived in peace for three or four days. Su Yu decided that Gu Chen’s intense gaze from that day was just his own imagination and continued to ignore the man’s emotions.

In the study, Gu Chen slammed his custom-made, ten-thousand-dollar pen onto the desk. He was a man who kept his feelings bottled up, and this action was a rare outlet for his suppressed emotions.

He crossed his arms, his handsome brow furrowed as his cold eyes drifted toward the door. Su Yu had not sought him out since that night. Didn’t he say he liked him? Didn’t he care if he ate? How could he give up after just one day?

Gu Chen did not believe in love. His life was built on schemes and calculations, so he was certain Su Yu had an ulterior motive. He did not mind playing along with this transparent child, viewing it as a distraction in his dull life.

While Gu Chen was brooding, Su Yu had already taken the Maybach and sped away from the villa.

Su Yu rubbed the steering wheel with a lack of dignity, cursing the evil capitalists while enjoying the perks of their wealth. He had business to attend to and had specifically asked not to be driven by a chauffeur.

Money was essential for survival, so he needed to check how much the original owner actually had. He certainly couldn’t count on Gu Chen. Although he knew Gu Chen would eventually make a comeback, right now the man was stripped of power and “poor,” owning nothing but this palace-like villa. For the time being, Su Yu would have to support him.

Su Yu did not expect much in return, only that Gu Chen would remember him when he eventually regained power. Perhaps some shares to ensure a worry-free life would be nice.

However, when he used his ID to unlock his bank card and saw the balance, he was completely stunned. He knew Su Yu was the pampered youngest son of the Su family, but he had not realized the extent of it.

Su Yu stared at the eight-digit balance and eventually muttered a curse. The book described Su Yu as the son of a chairman, but was an eight-digit allowance normal? Or was money worthless in this world?

With trembling hands, he took back his card, still reeling from the shock of becoming a multi-millionaire. He had forgotten that the world of the book centered on the Su family. Compared to such a titan, any other enterprise was insignificant.

Su Yu remained silent for a while, thinking about his grand goal: to support Gu Chen. If Gu Chen did not go on a spending spree for houses and cars, Su Yu figured his money could support a hundred versions of him.

As he walked out of the bank, the weight of his wealth made him stand taller. Money truly was a source of confidence.

Before he could finish his musings, two large men in black suits blocked his path. “Young Master, the Madam requests your return home.”

“Return home? To which home?” Su Yu stepped back defensively, confused by the situation.

Nearby, the window of a Rolls-Royce Phantom slid down. A woman in sunglasses looked at them and said coldly, “Take him.”

Before Su Yu could react, he was hauled into the Rolls-Royce like a small chick.

The silence in the car was suffocating. Su Yu, who could not stay quiet for long, finally spoke up. “Excuse me…”

“Be quiet,” the woman said coldly, removing her sunglasses.

Su Yu looked at the beautiful but intimidating woman and shrank into the corner of the car, trying to be invisible.

They arrived at another large villa. Su Yu noted that it was not as grand as Gu Chen’s “palace.” He then felt a pang of regret, realizing he had been corrupted by Gu Chen’s capitalist lifestyle.

Su Yu was escorted into the villa. He watched nervously as the woman dismissed the servants. He bit his lip and backed away.

The woman sensed his movement and shot him a sharp look, causing him to stand at attention. Fear welled up inside him.

Wait, could this be Gu Chen’s mother?

In a matter of seconds, his mind filled with scenarios of an overbearing mother-in-law trying to break them apart, or offering him a hundred million to leave her son.