Chapter 143: Chapter 126: The Garbage Star Incident Breaks Out
Jun Lin Yuan was so furious he gritted his teeth.
Even though he had successfully secured his position, something about it felt completely wrong.
’Why does this feel so off?’
Especially since Huo Zhanting and the others had somehow taught themselves to act pitiful, monopolizing all of Yu Lan’s time.
The Yu Lan who should have been keeping him company in the hospital... now, he was lucky if he saw her even once a day.
Staring at the empty hospital room, Jun Lin Yuan felt the lonely chill of being at the top for the first time.
He had gained status, but lost Yu Lan’s company.
"Damn it!"
Jun Lin Yuan swore under his breath.
’If I’d known, I would’ve rather just stayed her damn secret lover.’ At least then he could have used her guilt to get kisses and cuddles every day.
’I can’t stand recuperating in this damn hospital anymore.’
Jun Lin Yuan shot out of bed, grabbing his things to go find Yu Lan at the Science Research Institute.
If Yu Lan wouldn’t come to him, he would take the initiative.
*
「Meanwhile, at the Science Research Institute.」
Watching Yu Lan process experimental data from a short distance away, Shen Zueran let out a silent sigh.
Ever since they had agreed to let Jun Lin Yuan join, Yu Lan hadn’t been herself.
Guilty about breaking her promise, she agreed to their every needy request for more of her time.
Admittedly, Shen Zueran had enjoyed it immensely at first.
’Who wouldn’t want to be all lovey-dovey with his beautiful little female?’
But at the same time, Shen Zueran realized something was wrong.
When they quieted down and left her to herself, Yu Lan grew even more withdrawn than before.
At a certain point, Shen Zueran even felt a faint, silent barrier rising between them.
’Absolutely not!’
’Problems have to be solved. The next step after a rift forms is a breakup, then falling for someone new.’ He would never allow that.
Shen Zueran made his move.
Yu Lan was carefully examining the data on a diagnostic instrument.
After a crisp DING! came from the machine, she immediately turned to grab a notebook and record the data.
As she spun around abruptly...
"Oof!"
Yu Lan clutched her nose, tears springing to her eyes.
She had slammed right into Shen Zueran’s chest, her delicate nose colliding with the man’s hard, muscular torso.
’How can someone who looks so gentle and refined, so much like a calm, rational elite in his white coat... turn out to be solid muscle underneath? It really, really hurt to run into him.’
"What are you doing?!"
"Standing behind me without a sound... you scared me to death," Yu Lan complained, annoyed and in pain.
Shen Zueran planted his hands on the counter behind Yu Lan, effectively trapping her in his embrace.
Shen Zueran’s characteristic cool, detached scent washed over her, now tinged with a sharp, commanding intensity.
"Shen Zueran, what are you doing?"
"Th-th-this... this is a laboratory! Don’t do anything rash!"
Yu Lan’s eyes flew wide in alarm, her face a picture of panic.
Shen Zueran’s voice was husky as he spoke.
"Lanlan, we need to talk."
"Talk about what?" Yu Lan tilted her head, confused.
"About the fact that we agreed to let Jun Lin Yuan join."
Shen Zueran had no intention of beating around the bush. He went straight for the jugular, exposing the hidden issue.
Sure enough, Yu Lan’s expression faltered, though she tried to remain stubborn.
"That’s all in the past now, isn’t it? What’s there to talk about?"
"But I can feel your guilt."
Shen Zueran’s dark eyes were fixed on Yu Lan, looking straight into hers as he emphasized his point.
"Lanlan, you feel guilty."
"Even though we agreed to let Jun Lin Yuan join, you know we only did it because we didn’t want to put you in a difficult position."
"You feel like you’ve broken your promise to us, and you can’t bring yourself to calmly accept one more person."
"And so, you feel guilty."
As Shen Zueran’s firm, powerful words landed, Yu Lan’s eyes filled with tears.
A soft sob escaped her.
"I’m sorry."
"I couldn’t help it... I never forgot the promise."
’She knew better than anyone just how possessive these men were. She had made a clear promise, but in the end, she couldn’t keep it. How could she not feel guilty?’
"It’s alright, Lanlan."
Shen Zueran lowered his head and pressed his forehead to hers, his dark eyes filled with an affection so deep it seemed almost tangible.
"Loving you outweighs everything else."
"Having one more powerful male to help protect you... we have no objection to that."
"We’re not afraid of you having more males. We’re only afraid that your heart is no longer with us."
"How could that be? I’m not that ungrateful."
Yu Lan was amused by Shen Zueran’s words.
She burst out laughing.
The next second, the man’s scorching, passionate kiss descended, overwhelming her.
"Mmph~"
Yu Lan let out a low moan, her body going weak from the kiss. She draped her arms around the man’s neck for support.
"Lanlan, breathe," Shen Zueran reminded her, his voice hoarse.
The moment Yu Lan nodded, he was kissing her again, unable to wait.
’The scoundrel. Telling the beautiful female to breathe, but in reality, kissing her so deeply she didn’t have a chance.’
The man’s strong, lean hand wrapped authoritatively around Yu Lan’s waist, savoring her rare, unreserved response.
’As expected. A magnanimous man is more popular with females.’
*
During the lunch break at the Science Research Institute, Yu Lan was in the middle of her meal when her phone suddenly buzzed.
She took it out and saw it was a message from Jun Lin Yuan.
Jun Lin Yuan: [Lanlan, are you on your lunch break?]
Jun Lin Yuan: [I cooked at home and brought it over for you. Can I join you for lunch?]
Jun Lin Yuan: [Image.jpg]
Jun Lin Yuan: [It’s my first time cooking, so it might not be very good.]
Your capable househusband has come online!
Yu Lan’s eyes flew wide.
???
’What on earth did Jun Lin Yuan mean by this? She recognized all the individual words, but put together, she could barely comprehend their meaning.’
’Jun Lin Yuan actually left the hospital?! He went all the way home just to cook for her and bring it over. What kind of love-struck nonsense was this!’
She clicked on the image to get a closer look and saw faint cuts on the fingers of the hand holding the food container.
They were clearly fresh.
’He must have accidentally cut himself while cooking just now.’
If Shen Zueran were to see this picture, he would just mock Jun Lin Yuan for being so manipulative.
But the only one seeing it now was Yu Lan.
Startled, Yu Lan shot up from her seat.
Shen Zueran, who was sitting opposite her and preparing for their intimate lunch, shot her a puzzled look.
Yu Lan hastily explained, "Jun Lin Yuan’s here. He’s at the entrance to the Science Research Institute right now. I have to go meet him."
"He’s still a patient, honestly..."
Yu Lan was beside herself with worry. She turned and ran for the entrance of the Science Research Institute.
This left Shen Zueran sitting alone at the table, a growl escaping from between his clenched teeth as he bit out each syllable.
"Jun—Lin—Yuan!"
*
「Meanwhile.」
At the entrance of the Science Research Institute, Jun Lin Yuan held the food container in one hand. He put his phone away after sending the messages.
He straightened his hair, determined to look his best for Yu Lan.
The man didn’t notice that in a nearby alley just behind him, a ragged, sallow-faced, and emaciated woman, clutching a child who was unconscious with a high fever, was staring fixedly in his direction.
Someone infected with the plague from Garbage Star had arrived.
The hypocritical facade was about to be viciously torn down!
