The Male Leads Who Are Becoming Stranger and Stranger [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 18

Chapter 18

“Xiao… Xiao Yan, listen to my explanation…”

She Yi wanted to pry away Jian Yan’s hand that was gripping his wrist—a striking red mark had been pinched into it due to excessive force but toward his weak struggle, Jian Yan appeared exceptionally cold and ruthless.

From the moment they returned to the villa, Jian Yan had dismissed all his subordinates. He personally gripped She Yi’s wrist and, ignoring his resistance, forcibly dragged him toward the villa’s basement.

Bang—

His body was violently thrown onto a bed. His back hit the hard wall, causing an involuntary spasm. Before She Yi could cry out in pain, several pairs of handcuffs shackled his hands and feet.

The dark iron chains reflected a cold metallic luster under the pale light.

The next moment, a hand abruptly pinched She Yi’s chin, forcing it upward hard to face Jian Yan’s icy countenance.

“Why did you betray me!”

She Yi’s eyes welled with tears from the pain. He desperately wanted to say I didn’t betray you!

But Jian Yan didn’t seem to need his answer. His eyes were streaked with bright red blood vessels, yet his pupils were terrifyingly dark.

“It was like this last time, and it’s like this this time too! You want to leave my side that badly, don’t you!”

At this moment, Jian Yan was frighteningly strange in She Yi’s eyes. This icy appearance was almost exactly like a return to the week before the apocalypse; She Yi didn’t like it.

The left side of his face was still burning with pain, but it couldn’t compare to the grievance churning inside him, almost overflowing. Why don’t you believe me? Why won’t you listen to my explanation?

A fanatical kiss descended amidst She Yi’s slightly widened pupils burning, punitive, as if reckless.

In the stinging pain, She Yi subconsciously opened his mouth. A slick tongue abruptly lunged in, sweeping through every corner, sucking ferociously mad, violent, without a trace of tenderness to speak of, nearly devouring the person whole!

It shouldn’t be like this…

It shouldn’t be like this.

His hands, shackled by iron chains, moved to the chest of the person in front of him. She Yi used all his strength to suddenly push the man away—

Crimson blood slid down from his broken lip, dripping along his chin onto his snow-white shirt, blooming into a seductive blood flower. In the dark eyes that were usually brilliant like starlight, physiological tears remained from being forced out. The snow-white skin on the left side of his face was now a swollen red mess.

Jian Yan watched him retreat to the corner of the bed as if avoiding a venomous scorpion, the fire of anger in his eyes almost turning into something physical.

Angry to the extreme, he instead let out a laugh, permeated with a desperate wretchedness.

“You want to leave me that much?”

He asked softly, then suddenly smashed a fist into the adjacent wall. Blood splattered instantly.

” Don’t even think about it.”

The darkness in the depths of his eyes was deep and crazed, gradually twisting.

She Yi stared blankly as the man turned and left coldly. Even though his friend had once again become strange and terrifying, She Yi still harbored a hidden worry for him—that secret he had overheard, the fear that Bai Mu’s conspiracy would succeed.

Jian Yan’s back as he turned and left without mercy made She Yi involuntarily want to chase after him to tell him! To tell him of Bai Mu’s plot!

However, the cold iron chains tightly gripped his hands and feet, firmly restraining his movements…

“Xiao Yan, wait! I have something to tell you…”

Beware of Bai Mu…

The final sounds vanished into the crack of the slowly closing door.

Click.

…

She Yi was imprisoned in the pale, cold basement.

After the man left, She Yi slowly sat upright and rattled the iron chains on his wrists, making a clattering sound. He looked around; in the small fifty-square-meter space, there was only the bed he was sitting on.

This basement was something “She Yi” didn’t know about. And in this massive villa, why did this hidden basement exist?

It seemed the male lead had prepared everything long ago—if “She Yi” wanted to leave him, he would lock “She Yi” by his side for a lifetime!

Xiao Long crawled out of his pocket, wanting to nuzzle She Yi’s swollen half-face, but its movement was stopped by a slender finger.

“Don’t. This injury must stay for now.”

Xiao Long obediently stopped moving and lay quietly on the back of his hand, enjoying She Yi’s stroking.

She Yi didn’t know what Jian Yan’s next move would be, but it wasn’t hard to guess; he was likely planning how to target and suppress Bai Mu’s forces.

His “betrayal” had precisely ignited that fuse. Heaven-turning rage had blinded his eyes, to the point where he wasn’t even willing to listen to an explanation pale and powerless.

For two consecutive days, She Yi did not see Jian Yan appear. Food and supplies were brought by a wooden man in black. She Yi attempted to speak to him, but the other party gave no reaction whatsoever.

Until the afternoon of the third day, after the man in black turned to leave, a commotion came from the door. The head that carefully peeked in brightened instantly upon seeing She Yi.

“Second Young Master!”

The little maid ran in, looking at the shackled She Yi on the bed with a face full of heartache. At the same time, she pulled out a piece of wire and began fiddling with the keyhole of the handcuffs.

Seemingly seeing She Yi’s confusion, Xiao Xia explained with a slightly red face: “I worked as a thief for a while before the apocalypse.” Then, her face filled with anger.

“I truly misjudged the Eldest Young Master!”

“How did you know I was here?”

Hearing She Yi’s question, although Xiao Xia was still full of rage, she replied gently:

“That day I happened to see the Eldest Young Master dragging you into the basement, but I never had a chance to come in. Today happens to be some kind of banquet, there are fewer people outside, so I snuck in…”

“Wait, what banquet did you say?!”

Seemingly startled by She Yi’s suddenly raised tone, Xiao Xia stammered: “It seems to be a cel-celebration or something…”

Clatter—

She Yi tore off the iron chains that had just been unlocked. He didn’t even have time to put on shoes before rushing out the door barefoot. The little maid on the spot only had time to call out “Second Young Master” before seeing that figure quickly disappear outside the door.

Banquet, celebration, chaos, assassination!

Just as She Yi rushed out of the villa, he was stopped by Jian Yan’s subordinates. They seemed to have received some kind of order and didn’t dare to let She Yi leave the villa even half a step.

She Yi’s eyes were wide as he shouted:

“Get out of the way! Someone is going to assassinate Xiao Yan at the banquet! I have to go tell him! Get out of the way!”

The subordinates hesitated for a moment; seeing She Yi’s anxious and terrified appearance, it didn’t seem fake… The subordinates glanced at each other, but the movements of their hands didn’t relax at all; clearly, none of them believed She Yi’s words.

Coincidentally at this time, Yang Yang walked over. He was here to pick up some things according to Jian Yan’s instructions, but unexpectedly encountered this scene.

“What’s going on?”

He looked toward the subordinates on one side.

Before that subordinate could answer, She Yi spoke up impatiently:

“Yang Yang, you came just in time. Quickly tell them to move. I need to find Xiao Yan. Someone wants to assassinate him at the banquet. I must go tell Xiao Yan!”

Hearing the word “assassinate,” Yang Yang’s face tightened.

“What’s going on? What assassination? Speak clearly.”

She Yi pushed away the subordinates in front of him and pulled Yang Yang toward the outside of the villa. With Yang Yang’s presence, the path was clear and unobstructed.

“There’s no time to explain. We’ll go to the banquet location first and I’ll tell you on the way.”

The subordinates nearby seemed to want to say something, but She Yi suddenly turned and threw them a glance, leaving them stunned—when did this soft-natured Second Young Master ever have such sharp eyes?

In that instant, the subordinates felt as if they saw their master, Jian Yan…

“…The assassin is someone sent by Bai Mu. The target is Xiao Yan. I’m not sure exactly how many there are… Don’t ask how I know. I actually overheard the conversation between Bai Mu and his subordinate by accident… Driver, please go faster!”

Yang Yang turned his head to look at the panicked and uneasy young man. His loose black long hair appeared somewhat messy because its owner had rushed out in a hurry. His handsome brows were tightly furrowed, and his eyes were full of fear and dread regarding the unknown outcome.

Yang Yang also noticed that the fingers gripping the seat were turning white at the knuckles, clearly using great strength.

His brows furrowed slightly; it seemed what he said was very likely true. Vaguely, a sliver of faint unease quietly sprouted in his heart…

“A-Yan, speed up.”

…

When they reached the banquet location, the scene had already fallen into chaos clearly, they were late.

Opening the car door, She Yi ran out instantly. Yang Yang wanted to pull him back but couldn’t in time. He could only turn and quickly instruct the driver, A-Yan, to bring some subordinates from the base before rushing out of the car.

She Yi searched continuously through the chaotic crowd, his eyes rimmed with red.

He should have told Xiao Yan sooner…

Breaking into the inner hall, She Yi’s first glance caught Jian Yan standing out from the crowd. Seeing that he didn’t seem to have suffered any injuries, he couldn’t help but sigh in relief. Then he saw several men in black collapsed in the center of the hall, blood staining the floor beneath them.

She Yi’s nerves tightened again instantly.

Walking quickly to Jian Yan, She Yi paused for a second. Amidst the other party’s slightly stunned expression, he suddenly opened his arms and hugged him tightly, burying his head in the other’s shoulder.

To be honest, when he saw this person, Jian Yan’s first reaction was to be stunned. He could never have imagined that the person who should be locked in the villa’s basement at this time would appear here.

Thinking of his betrayal and before Jian Yan’s expression could turn cold he was caught off guard and suddenly embraced by the other party. The force was so great that he couldn’t break free for a moment.

Jian Yan sneered in his heart.

What trick are you trying to play this time?!

However, before he could push the other away, he keenly felt the body pressed against his skin trembling slightly, and a choked voice said:

“…Xiao Yan… I’m very scared…”

Scared that you will die…

Perhaps fearing that his friend would be repulsed by being held too long, She Yi hurriedly pulled away. His eyes held crystalline liquid, but a large, brilliant smile blossomed on his face.

“…It’s so good that you’re okay.”

Jian Yan instantly sensed something was wrong, his brows furrowing slightly: “You know what happened?”

Actually, what he really wanted to ask was How do you know?

Thinking of something, Jian Yan’s gaze gradually became icy.

How would he know?

Heh!

She Yi, completely unaware that his friend had already labeled him an “accomplice” in this assassination event, nodded with a smile. Xiao Yan was finally willing to listen to his explanation.

“Yes! I know. They are all Bai.”

The subsequent words were choked in his throat, unable to be spat out. She Yi saw a flash of light outside the window. Having come into contact with firearms in the apocalypse, he knew in an instant what that was a sniper rifle!

The color drained from his face instantly. Without time to think, She Yi violently pushed the person in front of him to the side. A metal bullet wrapped in a layer of jelly-like gas left a tiny hole in the glass window and unerringly plunged into his chest.

Jian Yan, who had fallen to the side, his pupils dilated slightly, stared blankly at this scene. Having awakened an ability, all aspects of his body had improved; he naturally saw clearly the trace of the bullet and the position where it struck.

The heart.

If She Yi hadn’t pushed him away, the person whose heart was shot at this moment would only have been him.

Why…

The matter was not over. A pitch-black color climbed onto the quietly reddened chest, eroding slowly yet rapidly…

Black liquid flowed from his pale lips. As if no longer able to support the weight of his body, his frame slowly slid down, kneeling on the floor.

As if startled awake in an instant, Jian Yan rushed over. Supporting his body, he roared at the stunned subordinates around him, his eyes nearly splitting.

“What are you standing there for! Doctor!! Get a doctor over here immediately!!!”

Turning back, looking at She Yi’s tightly closed eyes, Jian Yan only felt his hands shaking violently. The terror surging from the depths of his heart nearly submerged him.

“Xiao Yi…”

His voice was trembling.

“Don’t…”

Jian Yan reached out a trembling hand, wanting to wipe away that eyesore of black from the pale lips, but no matter what, that striking color continued to pour out incessantly.

“Don’t leave me.”

He roared hoarsely, like a desperate beast.

“Cough.”

A cough, too low to be heard, was clearly captured by Jian Yan. He looked over in surprise. Eyelashes like butterfly wings fluttered slightly, slowly opening a tiny sliver.

“Xiao… Yan…”

“I’m here, I’ve always been here. Don’t talk. The doctor will be here soon. You will get better, you will definitely get better!”

Jian Yan’s voice was hurried and incoherent, yet exceptionally careful, as if he had recovered some precious treasure.

“Xiao Yan…”

Seemingly understanding his own state, She Yi struggled to open his eyes. He painstakingly raised a hand, seemingly wanting to touch the other’s cheek. He slightly raised the corners of his mouth, trying his best to show a comforting smile.

“…I’ve always wanted to tell you… Be-beware of Bai Mu… But Xiao Yan always… always refused to listen…”

Jian Yan grabbed his hand and pressed it to his own cheek. His nose felt sour and his eyes were terribly dry.

“It’s my fault, it’s Xiao Yan’s fault. Get better quickly, and I’ll let you hit me, I absolutely won’t hit back… Promise me, don’t leave me, okay?”

His voice was hoarse, unlike his own.

She Yi felt his eyelids getting heavy. He struggled to maintain a smile.

“…Fool, I never thought about leaving you… Have I ever told you… I love you too… Xiao Yi… also loves… Yan…”

Jian Yan opened his mouth, only to find that he had suddenly lost his voice; he couldn’t say anything at all.

What else could he say?

The person who doubted was him. The person who didn’t believe was him. He kept saying he loved him and liked him, yet he refused to give him even a little bit of trust, obsessed with the past and unable to see the present.

The scene before his eyes began to blur, and Jian Yan suddenly realized he was crying.

“I’m sorry…”

Three words that came too late.

However, Jian Yan discovered in horror that the eyes of the person before him could no longer open.

“…Xiao Yi?”

Jian Yan’s whole body was stiff, and he continuously called out in low, terrified tones:

“Xiao Yi?”

In a daze, he seemed to remember something. He hurriedly took off the jade ring on his pinky finger and, with careful focus, placed it on She Yi’s hand.

“Look, didn’t you say before that you wanted a ring exactly like this? It looks very good, it suits you very well. So, open your eyes and look at me, okay?”

“…”

“Why won’t you open your eyes?”

Jian Yan buried his head in anguish, tightly hugging the person in his arms who was gradually turning cold. The world seemed to consist of only a blank space; he could hear nothing, and see nothing.