The Protagonist and the Villain Both Kissed Me [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 53.2

He lowered his head. The draft in the hallway made him feel frozen like a popsicle. He stood in silence for a moment, thinking he should just go back.

“Madam.” Ji Zhuo’s bedroom was on the south side of the third floor; people rarely came here. Hearing a sudden knock, he thought it was the wind chimes outside. He was surprised to find Su Xi when he opened the door.

Dressed in only a thin bathrobe, Su Xi was pale with cold, but the tip of his nose was pink. He stood at the door with his arms wrapped around himself, looking at him with red-rimmed eyes. He looked pitiful.

Su Xi was shivering. He’d left in such a hurry he hadn’t put on a coat, and after standing in the hallway so long, he was likely to get sick. He bypassed Ji Zhuo and walked straight into the room.

Ji Zhuo’s bedroom was decorated in black tones. Though there were many items, they were all neatly organized. The most eye-catching feature was a bookshelf covering nearly half a wall, filled with professional books. The room was warm. Su Xi sat down on the sofa.

“The AC in my room is broken; the heater won’t turn on.” Su Xi leaned back lazily against the soft pillows and looked up at him. “Ji Zhuo, you don’t mind me being here, do you?”

“How could I, Madam?” Ji Zhuo smiled slightly, leaning over to pour a glass of warm water for Su Xi. He waited until the other had finished it in small sips before taking back the empty glass.

“It’s just that my bed isn’t as comfortable as the one in the master bedroom. You might not be used to it, Madam. I will arrange for someone to fix the heater tomorrow morning.” Ji Zhuo poured himself a glass of water and sat on the sofa to drink half of it.

They’re all rooms in the Shen house; how bad could it be?

Su Xi didn’t mind. He gave a few vague replies before getting into bed to rest. Ji Zhuo’s bedding had a faint scent of herbs and wood, which was very calming.

Watching Su Xi fall asleep on his bed without any defenses, a few dark glints flashed in Ji Zhuo’s amber eyes. Taking off his glasses, his narrow eyes drooped slightly. He stared at the clock on the wall, frozen at two in the morning.

But there were too many guests tonight. Just as Ji Zhuo was about to turn off the light, another knock came from the door. He stepped softly, opened the door a crack, and stepped out, pulling it shut behind him.

“Ji Zhuo, I saw the light was still on in your room, so I came over.”

Shen Jingye had no interest in spying on people’s rooms. Seeing the man come out, he took a few steps back to create distance. He was still in the same outfit he’d worn out; it seemed he had just returned.

“Does the Young Master need something?” Ji Zhuo’s tone was calm, devoid of any fluctuation.

Shen Jingye’s brow was furrowed. He felt that Ji Zhuo had changed significantly compared to two years ago. But remembering his purpose for coming, he temporarily dismissed the thought. “You and Su Xi—what’s going on? Is he the one seducing you?”

In Shen Jingye’s memory, Ji Zhuo had come to the Shen family when he was in his teens. He was usually cautious and rigorous, rarely making mistakes. He was someone Shen Chengzhou trusted deeply. Otherwise, Shen Jingye wouldn’t have come to ask personally, nor would he have struck Su Xi today upon seeing that scene.

“The Young Master worries too much. There is nothing between Madam and me.” Seeing that Shen Jingye seemed to care deeply about his relationship with Su Xi, Ji Zhuo added: “The Master and Madam were very much in love.”

In love?

Shen Jingye sneered in his heart. But since Ji Zhuo had spoken, he couldn’t push further. He turned to go to his room, but his peripheral vision caught sight of the room through the door crack. Half a leg was sticking out from the covers fair, slender, with round and beautiful toes. However, there were bruises and red marks on the knee. Only prolonged kneeling could produce such marks.

“Ji Zhuo, who did you bring back for the night?” He suddenly turned to Ji Zhuo, his tone laced with a hint of suppressed anger. In the main building of the Shen estate, only a few servants lived on the first floor. If he remembered correctly, he had dismissed those people today.

So now, besides Su Xi, Ji Zhuo, and himself, there shouldn’t be anyone else here.

Just as Ji Zhuo opened his mouth to say something, a hazy voice came from inside the room. It was Su Xi calling his name.

“Ji Zhuo! And you still say he isn’t seducing you? He’s already in your bed!” Shen Jingye was truly furious. He hadn’t expected that before seven days had passed since his father’s death, his most trusted butler would be hooking up with his favorite wife.

He strode forward to enter, but was blocked by Ji Zhuo.

“Young Master, stay calm. I let the Madam stay here.” Ji Zhuo frowned, trying to stop Shen Jingye’s movements, but due to his status, he couldn’t use direct force.

“You!” Shen Jingye looked Ji Zhuo up and down. He had never had a good temper; since the man wouldn’t move, he would have to use force. He swung a fist at him. Ji Zhuo didn’t even dodge, taking the blow full on.

Inside the bedroom, Su Xi had only woken up because he was thirsty. Hearing the commotion outside, he instinctively looked for Ji Zhuo. Failing to find him, he called out twice, but the noise outside only grew louder.

He threw off the covers, threw on his slippers, and headed out. He opened the door and was nearly hit by a flying object. Seeing the scene before him, he froze in shock.

“What are you two doing?” he finally spoke.

The two men stopped immediately. Ji Zhuo had sustained several injuries, and his skin was broken in places. In contrast, Shen Jingye looked as if he had just hit a high and was ready to continue. Su Xi hurriedly stepped between them.

He couldn’t help but curse: “Shen Jingye, you’re crazy! Are you addicted to hitting people in the middle of the night? If something’s wrong with your head, go to a hospital. What are you doing throwing a fit here?”

Shen Jingye’s fist stayed suspended in the air. Suddenly hearing Su Xi’s cursing, his face turned sour as he took several steps back.

【Ding! Congratulations, Host! Target’s Salvation Value has increased by 5. Current total: 15.】

At that exact moment, the system’s announcement rang in his ears.

Shen Jingye looked at Su Xi’s worried face as he supported Ji Zhuo. He sneered in his heart and mocked: “You really are that loose, aren’t you? So eager to climb into Ji Zhuo’s bed, so proactive in begging to be taken. Aren’t you afraid of being worked to death in bed?”

Su Xi turned to look at the battered Ji Zhuo, his brow showing a few hints of irritation. He held the man, his eyes sweeping over his injured face, before landing on Shen Jingye three meters away. He said coldly: “Shen Jingye, you went to see Lawyer Ding today, so you should know your father’s attitude toward me. Do you have to cause a scene with me? Even if you don’t want to admit it, I am your nominal mother the wife your father married into the family. Did no one ever tell you to respect your elders?”

He had originally woken up hazy because of thirst. Now, having spoken so much at once, his throat felt parched and painful.

Su Xi licked his dry lips. He turned and whispered to Ji Zhuo: “Go inside. I have something to say to him.”

Ji Zhuo hesitated for two seconds before nodding and entering the room.

Soon, only Su Xi and Shen Jingye were left facing each other in the empty hallway.

Shen Jingye said nothing, seemingly contemplating what Su Xi had just said.

Seeing that the youth seemed to be listening, Su Xi let out a sigh of relief. However, the thought of having to go back to the master bedroom soon made him feel distressed. At least this farce wasn’t a total loss he had finally confirmed his mission target.

Ji Zhuo is only twenty-six; why is he so willing to stay in the Shen family working for Shen Chengzhou? Based on the novels he’d read, someone like Ji Zhuo was likely the child of an enemy or an illegitimate son, hiding nearby for revenge.

Perhaps Shen Chengzhou’s car accident was also connected to him.

“It’s late. Go back and rest early.” Having said this, he turned to go upstairs.

Shen Jingye, who had been silent, suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Su Xi by the wrist, dragging him downstairs. Su Xi struggled hard to break free, but Shen Jingye’s strength was too great. He could only stumble along passively.

The howling cold wind blew against him, piercing into his body. Su Xi felt that if he didn’t get sick tomorrow, it would be a miracle of his constitution.

“Let go, what are you doing…” Su Xi gasped from the pain. This appearance was incredibly pitiable and most likely to trigger a sense of cruelty in others. Unfortunately, Shen Jingye only gave him an irritated glance before dragging him further without a word.

Su Xi felt dizzy from the cold. It was early winter, and the air in the south was biting. He couldn’t help but shout: “Where are you taking me, Shen Jingye?”

Shen Jingye still didn’t respond, silently pulling him toward the exit. After taking several paths, the swaying wind brought the sound of crisp bells. Large, dark-brown doors were pushed open, and a solemn, dignified setting loomed ahead, accompanied by the scent of incense.

This was the Shen family ancestral hall.

He was forced to his knees. His already injured knees suffered even more. Su Xi didn’t even want to imagine how much he would be crying right now if Xiao Ba hadn’t enabled the pain suppression.

“Tell me everything about your affair with Ji Zhuo. Su Xi, you should repent. My father was so good to you, and this is how you treat him?” Even if Shen Jingye had conflicts with his father before, blood was thicker than water. He was more heartbroken than anyone over his father’s accidental death.

People like Su Xi are just gold-digging, heartless sluts. They’ll do anything for money. He’d seen many such people, and his father was no exception.

But… why was this an exception? Was it because of Su Xi’s truly outstanding and eye-catching appearance?

Su Xi was held down by the shoulders and couldn’t move, like a fish on a chopping block. His face was pale, and his body wouldn’t stop trembling.

Cold floor tiles the chill crawled straight up from the point of contact. He bit his lip and remained silent.

“Speak up! You dare to do it but not admit it?” Shen Jingye yanked his hair, forcing Su Xi to look up at him. Looking into those shimmering eyes, his heart skipped two beats, though the feeling vanished instantly.

The thought that he had actually been lured by the other’s pitiful appearance just now made him feel as disgusted as if he’d eaten a fly.

“There is nothing between Ji Zhuo and me. Today was only because the heater in my room broke, so I went to find him.” Su Xi’s voice trembled as he explained, sounding like a withered, beautiful rose.

“There are so many guest rooms; couldn’t you sleep in one of those? You had to go find Ji Zhuo. Su Xi, if you’re going to lie, find a better excuse. I’m the one in charge of the Shen family now; I’m my father’s son. You’re an outsider.” Shen Jingye let go. Su Xi didn’t even have the strength to stand up; he just hung his head in silence.