I Snatched the Overbearing President’s Canary [Transmigration] - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: The Choice

“What?” Shenyu didn’t quite understand what Ning Chen meant.

Ning Chen gazed at him, his expression carrying a hint of inexplicable devotion. The jade Buddha pendant slipped out from his collar, swaying gently in the air. For a split second, He Shenyu felt as though Ning Chen was worshipping a deity.

In the next moment, Ning Chen’s voice sounded as if it came from the heavens above. He said, “I want… to do something for you.”

Seeing that He Shenyu still looked confused, Ning Chen sighed. He had to be more direct: “What I mean is, I feel like I haven’t done anything all this time. It makes me feel very uneasy.”

Speaking like this wasn’t usually his style, but Manager Cheng’s lessons had taught him that when raising an issue with a benefactor, one should appropriately display vulnerability. He didn’t know if Manager Cheng was truly a professional, but the man was the most “professional” person Ning Chen had access to.

Shenyu’s gaze was drawn to the swaying jade Buddha; honestly, it looked a lot like a hypnotist’s pocket watch. He reached out and caught the jade piece. Only then did he shift his eyes to Ning Chen’s face. “What? You don’t need to do anything. Isn’t staying here with me already part of the ‘job’?”

Shenyu understood Ning Chen’s point, but it was hard to explain further. Was he supposed to say, ‘I don’t need your physical services’?

Ning Chen’s emotional momentum was interrupted by the touch. He looked down; He Shenyu’s fingers were still stroking the jade Buddha. This made Ning Chen feel a bit awkward. He wanted to tuck the jade back into his shirt, but he couldn’t move.

“Okay, I understand.” Ning Chen wasn’t actually convinced, but in this specific setting, he suddenly lost the heart to continue the discussion.

Seeing him shift to stand up, He Shenyu let go of the jade Buddha and waved him off. “Ning Chen, don’t overthink it.” Shenyu smiled and teased, “You’re so good-looking that just standing there counts as working.”

Ning Chen froze. This was the first time he had heard such a direct compliment about his looks from He Shenyu’s mouth. Then again, if he didn’t fit the man’s aesthetic, why would He Shenyu have “kept” him in the first place?

Seeing Ning Chen dazed, He Shenyu reached out his hand with a grin. “How about you pull me up now? Consider that ‘helping’ me.”

Without hesitation, Ning Chen grasped his hand and pulled him up. Shenyu gave him a smile and said, somewhat lazily, “I really don’t even want to shower…”

Ning Chen hesitated. “It’s just one day; it shouldn’t be a big problem.”

Shenyu used the support to stand, then shook his head. “Better not. I’ll just get lazier and lazier… can’t start that habit.” He looked at Ning Chen. “Have you showered?”

“Yes, I just changed clothes,” Ning Chen paused. “To wait for you.”

“Oh,” He Shenyu turned around casually. “Then you go to sleep. I’m going to wash up.”

“Okay. Actually, I could…” sleep with you…

Before Ning Chen could finish his sentence, He Shenyu had already entered the bathroom. Ning Chen breathed a sigh of relief, realizing his skin wasn’t quite thick enough yet. He was glad he hadn’t finished that thought. Whatever, there’s plenty of time. Shenyu has his own pace…

…

Waking up the next day, He Shenyu finally felt human again. Today was the weekend, but he still had to go give the “Big Boss” a physical exam.

Damn capitalists!

Fortunately, it was scheduled for the evening, so he didn’t have to wake up early. This timing wasn’t due to Fu Hengzhan’s kindness, but rather because as a CEO, Fu Hengzhan was incredibly busy. He could only do the check-up after work hours.

Shenyu left early. He needed to go to the hospital to pick up some equipment and, more importantly, make preparations. Preparations to call Ning Chen over to test the “Plot God.”

Yes, after much deliberation, He Shenyu decided to conduct a small experiment. In any battle, the most important thing is to know the enemy’s information. He had to know for sure whether the “Plot God” actually existed.

To be honest, if this world didn’t possess such a force, he could have completely set Ning Chen free ahead of schedule. He could feel Ning Chen’s unease and awkwardness in the role of a “canary.” If this was a truly new world and Fu Hengzhan didn’t exert some inexplicable attraction over Ning Chen, then everything would be perfect. All his worries would vanish, and he and Ning Chen could live normal lives. Perhaps they could even be real friends instead of starting off with this awkward relationship.

Shenyu sighed and waved to Ning Chen. “I’m heading to the hospital!”

Ning Chen looked up from his computer and nodded. “Okay. Should I wait for you for dinner?”

Since waking up this morning, Ning Chen had moved his laptop to the living room. Perhaps it was because He Shenyu was always hanging out there, and he felt bad staying in his room alone? After yesterday, He Shenyu understood Ning Chen’s mindset a bit better: he wanted to fulfill his “work obligations” by keeping He Shenyu company.

Shenyu didn’t object. Ning Chen typing away at his computer didn’t bother him; he was busy cramming medical knowledge on his tablet anyway. After all, he had to pass the check-up today.

Shenyu looked at Ning Chen, his thoughts returning to the dinner question. He was about to say “no,” but then he remembered his plan to trick Ning Chen into coming over. The dinner issue would be irrelevant by then. He nodded casually. “Sure.”

Ning Chen watched him leave. Shenyu smiled and stole one last glance at the phone on the coffee table. Good, the phone was right near Ning Chen; no fear of him missing the call. Everything was perfectly set.

No matter what, today was a significant day.

Shenyu felt well-prepared. On the drive there, he even used a text-to-speech app to listen to the notes he’d made on the original novel, just to refresh his memory of Fu Hengzhan’s personality. However, the original story was from Ning Chen’s perspective, so there were almost no descriptions of Fu Hengzhan’s internal thoughts. He seemed like a typical silent, overbearing, and dictatorial archetype—the “forced love” trope through and through. Nothing fresh.

Even though He Shenyu rarely read romance novels, he was familiar with these CEO tropes; they had evolved into internet memes by now. Besides, he was just a private doctor. Usually, a CEO’s “madness” wouldn’t be directed at him. As long as he didn’t mess up too badly, Fu Hengzhan probably wouldn’t do anything to him.

Shenyu comforted himself as he drove into the CEO’s villa complex. The novel had described this villa extensively; almost every corner gave him a sense of déjà vu. The feeling was quite different when text became reality.

His biggest takeaway: You damn capitalists! I knew it was big, but I didn’t know it was THIS big!

It took five minutes just to walk to the front door. It was a bit ridiculous. He was half-afraid he’d get lost.

Fortunately, a villa this size was managed with strict order. A man in a butler’s uniform was already standing at the entrance. He looked to be in his forties. Seeing He Shenyu, he reached out to take the medical kit and said softly, “Dr. He, the Master is waiting for you in the study. Please follow me.”

“Okay.” Shenyu felt a bit nervous, terrified of showing any flaws.

When he saw Fu Hengzhan, the man was sitting at his computer, his finger rhythmically tapping the spacebar—likely reviewing a document. The butler knocked lightly and bowed. “Master, Dr. He has arrived.”

Only then did Fu Hengzhan look up, nodding slightly to signal He Shenyu to enter. Shenyu felt awkward in this high-strung atmosphere. He stiffly took the kit from the butler and began the procedure in silence.

In the original novel, Dr. He didn’t have a strong presence. Unless Fu Hengzhan asked a question, he rarely spoke. Shenyu maintained this persona.

Unexpectedly, as he took out the instruments, Fu Hengzhan glanced at him strangely. “Why aren’t you giving me the usual lecture today?”

Crap!

Shenyu’s movements stalled. This wasn’t in the script! Why did he have to transmigrate without the original host’s memories? It was a recipe for exposure. He was sweating internally, but his hands didn’t stop. He didn’t know how to answer. Should he just stay silent?

It wasn’t a multiple-choice question; how was he supposed to know what “the usual lecture” was?

“Hmm?” Shenyu looked up at Fu Hengzhan, pretending he hadn’t heard clearly.

Fu Hengzhan pinched the bridge of his nose, looking weary. “Aren’t you going to try and persuade me to go to the hospital for a full check-up again?”

Ah! So that was it. Shenyu realized that any professional doctor would tell a patient to go to a hospital for specialized tests. You can’t diagnose serious illnesses out of a small medical bag.

Shenyu finally found his footing and sighed. “I say it, but you don’t listen. Is the stomach pain getting worse lately?”

Exactly. Shenyu had seen Fu Hengzhan’s records; he had the “CEO’s disease”—gastritis.

Fu Hengzhan nodded. “A little.”

Shenyu genuinely frowned this time. “It’s best to get a gastroscopy. Dietary adjustments alone aren’t enough.”

Familiar with the routine, Fu Hengzhan held out his hand and said, “After I finish this project.”

Shenyu shook his head. Encountering such a patient, his frustration didn’t need to be faked. Fortunately, aside from that, the rest of the exam went smoothly. He had passed the first hurdle.

Shenyu noted the data in his notebook and pretended to rummage through his kit. Then, he said with a troubled look, “Damn, I forgot to bring your medical history file. President Fu, do you have a copy here?”

Fu Hengzhan shook his head naturally. He never took such things seriously. Besides, if he kept them himself, why would he need a private doctor?

Shenyu took out his phone and looked at Fu Hengzhan. “Wait a moment, President Fu. I’ll have someone bring it over. I’ll explain the data changes once the records arrive.”

Fu Hengzhan waved him off. “Make the call in the next room. Come back when it arrives.”

Shenyu nodded and left the room. As expected of a CEO, even utilizing these few minutes. No wonder he’s rich…

While marveling, he dialed Ning Chen’s number. Ning Chen answered quickly and agreed to deliver the records without hesitation. Shenyu told him to take a taxi, since the villa was far from the subway.

Twenty minutes later, the butler led Ning Chen to the staircase, gesturing for him to go up. Shenyu stood at the top of the stairs, watching Ning Chen climb the steps he had walked countless times in the original novel. His heart began to pound.

He was suddenly very nervous—more nervous than when he was almost caught by Fu Hengzhan. Was I right to do this? Am I really going to let Fu Hengzhan see Ning Chen? What if I’m wrong? Wouldn’t I be the one who caused their first meeting?

It seemed so stupid when he thought about it… but he had to try. He had to know if the power of the original plot existed. This was the critical question.

“Shenyu, is this the one? Take a look.” Ning Chen handed the folder with Fu Hengzhan’s name on it to He Shenyu.

Shenyu took a deep breath. He grabbed Ning Chen’s wrist, his fingers gripping with unconscious force. “Wait for me here, Ning Chen. You MUST wait for me.”