Chapter 25: Like the Moon

The pleasant lunch passed very quickly.

Yu Wangxiao’s inexplicable bit of displeasure actually disappeared very quickly too.

When Lin Jiangye swiftly handed over all his loose money and revealed an undisguisedly happy expression, the one who became uncomfortable instead was Yu Wangxiao.

He seemed somewhat annoyed, instinctively uncomfortable with the slight loss of control in his emotional management. But very soon, he adjusted back into his warm, spring-breeze-like state.

Chen Ming was away on business, so Yu Wangxiao personally drove Lin Jiangye back to A University, steady and reassuring.

Of course, the reward for handing over his loose money was several times richer than the money itself. Yu Wangxiao did not seem willing to let him suffer even the slightest material loss, as if he had some inexplicable, almost pathological obsession.

Even now, the couple contract they had signed had still not been annulled. He Chen even specially sent him a text notification, saying that next month’s salary would be doubled.

“Actually, I do have a part-time job. You don’t need to give me that much money…” On the way back to A University, Lin Jiangye still said this out of conscience.

His fixed deposit was already beginning to grow substantial. It could pay the down payment for an ordinary residential apartment in A City. Perhaps to those young masters sunk in luxury, it was nothing more than a drop in the bucket, but Lin Jiangye was very satisfied.

When he no longer needed to worry about his own life, his mentality became much more comfortable. Now when he bought food, he did not even need to look at the price!

Hearing this, Yu Wangxiao only smiled. “Is the money you earn from your part-time job enough to acquire the Lin family?”

“…Not enough.”

“Then use my money. I’m not an impulsive person, Tuantuan. Breaking the Lin family’s capital chain is to vent anger for you, and also to force Lin Bingsheng to hand over the industrial chain he has monopolized for many years. He is unwilling to share market profits with more emerging companies and likes to do some illegal little tricks during Yu Corporation’s bidding, so I’ll personally help him see reality clearly.”

“Wait, you mean you don’t want the Lin family to go completely bankrupt right now?” Lin Jiangye listened carefully, seeming to understand. “No wonder when I was called back for dinner before, Chen Ming agreed to drink with Lin Bingsheng…”

Chen Ming appearing at the Lin family home was itself a friendly hint. It was a piece of candy tossed to Lin Bingsheng after a whip had been lashed across him.

So that was why Lin Bingsheng had been in such a good mood recently, even taking the initiative to transfer him two hundred thousand…

Yu Wangxiao parked the car beneath Yude Building and leaned over to help him unfasten his seat belt. They had just finished eating hotpot, and the faint scent of cologne had long since been completely covered.

Lin Jiangye could not smell the familiar woody fragrance, but the distance was still too close. Yu Wangxiao’s breath fell beside his ear, like a light, soft, warm feather brushing over, making him inexplicably thirsty.

Yu Wangxiao seemed completely unaware of this. He personally straightened Lin Jiangye’s collar and continued unhurriedly, “Before I’m completely prepared, if I rashly destroy the suppliers under the company, it won’t benefit Yu Corporation’s prospects at all. No one wants to see ruthless disposal after usefulness has ended.

“So… keep the USB drive Qiu Zhen gave you properly. Some things may look like insignificant minor crimes, but once accumulated, they will become the best leverage when you want to seize power. The Lin family can survive, but only in your hands. If it’s given to someone else, I’ll be uncomfortable.”

“Me?” Lin Jiangye froze.

“Mm.”

“I don’t know how to manage such a big company…”

“Don’t forget, you’re a student of A University’s business school. The number one major in the country. Who would dare say you don’t know how?”

The original owner had indeed gotten in through his own efforts, but what did that have to do with him, Lin Jiangye! Lin Jiangye wanted to argue a little, but Yu Wangxiao interrupted him with a smile.

“Actually, you don’t need to personally handle too many things. You only need to learn how to use people well. Take advantage of now, while you’re studying at A University. There’s gold all over the ground. Fish out a few capable talents and let them willingly, with their families in tow, work for you in the future.”

Outside the car window, a large class seemed to have just ended. Many freshmen poured out of the teaching building, walking past with arms around each other’s shoulders, laughing and joking. Someone tilted their head and noticed Yu Wangxiao’s auspicious consecutive-number license plate, curiously taking a photo.

“Full of youthful vigor,” Yu Wangxiao commented with a curved lip. He took the schoolbag containing Lin Jiangye’s computer from the back seat and handed it to him. “This is how I tricked He Chen into working for me back then.”

Thinking of that assistant who, even on a rest day, had to help his boss steal someone else’s corpse and was forced to participate in a series of suspiciously illegal and criminal acts… Lin Jiangye silently sympathized. “He actually hasn’t resigned even now. How did you manage that? By relying on your personal charm?”

“Coercion and temptation, deception and trickery.”

“…”

After chatting briefly about this and that, Lin Jiangye touched the inconspicuous locator on his cuff and got out of the car under Yu Wangxiao’s gaze, rushing off to class.

Yu Lin was also supposed to be in this class, but Lin Jiangye looked around and found that, sure enough, he had skipped.

According to Li Yushen’s gossip, when Yu Lin heard that Yu Wangxiao had decided to return to A City early, he consciously rolled back to the old residence last night to continue his confinement. Not a trace of his previous arrogance could be seen.

Lin Jiangye did not know whether to laugh or cry. He always felt this had a bit to do with him. He actually still had not dared to say Yu Lin’s shocking “mistress” remarks out loud, to avoid truly causing some family turmoil.

Some topics required careful consideration. After all, Yu Wangxiao only seemed easy to talk to… After getting along for so long, who could still fool who?

But in the end, Yu Lin was completely unimportant in his life. Lin Jiangye still had many challenges to face.

First, the jade pendant fragments, like a time bomb, were currently carried in his schoolbag wherever he went. As long as they were wrapped in cloth, the fragments would not emit that unpleasant discomfort, but precisely because of this, they seemed even more unpredictable.

He did not feel at ease handing them to anyone else, so he could only carry them every day.

Lin Jiangye had tried divination and predicted for both himself and Yu Wangxiao, but he could barely figure out anything.

He could only see that he himself had no life-threatening crisis, and that Yu Wangxiao would soon be able to earn a great deal of money again… mainly because this person was too handsome and would soon have his face captured by a livestream camera at the cruise business banquet, then inexplicably become a little popular.

…In short, Lin Jiangye’s divination ability had not changed at all with the recovery of his divine power. When he calculated matters related to Yu Wangxiao, the results were always excessively clear, practically so clear it made one’s hair stand on end. But when he calculated his own future, it remained completely blurry.

He knew this was an abnormal phenomenon. There was definitely some inexplicable connection between Yu Wangxiao and him, a connection he himself did not know about.

Actually, looking back, when Yu Wangxiao said he was a believer of the god of death, it had almost been an explicit hint already. After all, no matter how unconventional a psychologically normal human was, at most, at most they would go worship Satan or something. But Yu Wangxiao… he really had never seen anyone more extravagant than Yu Wangxiao.

If he wanted to understand this strange matter, he first had to understand the reason for Yu Wangxiao’s rebirth.

After all, rebirth was not exactly rare. Everyone was working, and it was very normal for some unexpected mishap to happen at work. It was like flipping a wok while cooking; if one’s hand trembled, the vegetables by the edge of the pan might be tossed out. At the end of the day, there would always be a few human souls accidentally left behind.

A muddled soul would not possess clear self-awareness. It was already impressive if it did not shatter directly when falling into the void. But someone like Yu Wangxiao, after rebirth, actually retained a slight impression and fondness toward the god of death in his subconscious…

His soul must be super delicious, like A5 wagyu, full, powerful, fresh, and full of vitality.

Lin Jiangye’s thoughts became chaotic. After attending class for most of the day, by evening, what he kept thinking about was still Yu Wangxiao’s flavor.

The second challenge in his life arrived along with it—somehow, he had begun living together with Yu Wangxiao.

Although they had gradually become familiar with each other, living together in the same private space was actually an extremely unusual matter.

There were many people living in the Yu old residence, so the experience did not feel that special. But the top-floor apartment at Longjing Bay belonged solely to Yu Wangxiao.

There was no housekeeper or nanny, no chef living downstairs, no security personnel walking around at night… even He Chen had never been here. This place was Yu Wangxiao’s territory alone.

When night fell, the subtle atmosphere Lin Jiangye had experienced that morning swept over him again, warm and ambiguous.

Lin Jiangye did not think now was a good time for warmth. He was not suitable for drinking too many cold beverages. A City’s first snow was forecasted to arrive in the next few days. Winter was coming soon.

Fortunately, Yu Wangxiao was actually quite busy. Wearing soft home clothes, he cooked while holding a video meeting, looking focused. He did not turn on his camera. After getting Lin Jiangye’s consent, he turned on the speaker, and He Chen’s voice came from the computer from time to time.

Lin Jiangye sat beside him as an assistant, helping peel small potatoes. The skills training from his internship period was perfectly put to use. The sharp little knife flew in his hand like a butterfly. He peeled a small potato bare in two seconds, fast and accurate.

His eyes did not need to watch the potatoes, so naturally, they fell on Yu Wangxiao, staring at his back and side profile, slightly lost in thought.

Yu Wangxiao poured himself a glass of red wine, lightly sliced open a lime, and poured some olive oil into the extremely hot pan. Unhurriedly, he placed a large piece of tuna belly inside, happily listening to the sizzling of fat, his attention already shifting to the other side of the stove.

This terrifying man did not even shed tears when cutting onions!

Lin Jiangye handed him a large bowl of smooth little potatoes, gripped the small knife, and leaned closer to help him cut ham. Thin slices of ham piled layer by layer on the chopping board, like soft pink mountains.

“Your knife skills are very good.” Yu Wangxiao curved his lips and praised him, pouring the chopped ingredients into a clay pot and adding water to stew them. At this time, the tuna belly had already finished pan-frying and was taken out to rest on the side.

The fish belly fat seared at high temperature was golden in color and quietly emitted an enticing aroma.

Lin Jiangye held back from touching it and watched Yu Wangxiao stir the melting butter and flour in the pan, taking a deep breath.

“Hungry? It’ll be ready soon. Give me the milk.”

“Coming!”

The creamy, soft, silky sauce was poured into the clay pot, blending with the properly stewed potatoes and ham. Simmer for three minutes, then serve.

Lin Jiangye was not afraid of heat and personally carried the large pot of thick soup to the dining table. Yu Wangxiao leisurely followed behind him, slicing the fat-rich tuna belly into dozens of pieces, revealing the beautiful pink tender flesh inside.

“Can you eat half-raw meat?”

“Of course. I can eat raw too. I like it.” Lin Jiangye quietly took a wineglass, poured the red wine Yu Wangxiao had barely touched into his own cup, and took a sip.

Just one sip was enough to confirm that drinking this would not make him drunk. It was more like tasting grape juice with a faint wine fragrance.

The video meeting finally ended at this moment. Yu Wangxiao gently gave a brief summary, then swiftly closed the laptop.

He saw Lin Jiangye’s movements, but did not stop him from touching alcohol again. The favorability quietly jumped upward, and he said calmly, “If it isn’t enough, there are still dozens of catties in the fridge. A North City partner sent it to me. It’s very fresh, just caught from the sea.”

“Is this how you usually spend your nights? When you’re not busy.” Lin Jiangye pulled over a chair and sat beside Yu Wangxiao, sticking very close.

He knew humans had dining etiquette about eating face-to-face. But he did not want to.

Thigh against thigh, arm against arm—how warm and cozy. As long as Yu Wangxiao did not object, he even somewhat wanted to sit on his lap… Unfortunately, that would easily trigger another awkward incident.

“Mm. Although I said I don’t like boring things, my own life is also very boring.” Yu Wangxiao served him a bowl of soup and curved his lips softly. “My diet is simple, and I don’t have many recreational activities. The most interesting daily thing I’ve done is probably going swimming in the middle of the night?”

“Don’t belittle yourself! A person whose life is truly boring would absolutely not raise a large group of zombies on their private island… Mm, delicious.” Lin Jiangye was carefully tasting the tuna belly. The rich fish fat that melted in his mouth made him narrow his eyes, almost giving him the joyful feeling that he himself was about to melt.

Yu Wangxiao paused, then laughed despite himself. “That is your island. I’ve already moved them somewhere else. The place prepared for you belongs only to you.”

“…What?”

“I said before, I was giving you an island. Moros Manor was built for you in the first place. Don’t feel burdened.”

Lin Jiangye froze for a moment and realized that this did seem to have happened. Yu Wangxiao had indeed said it before. But that was when they encountered Old Madam Gu at the Gu family… From beginning to end, it had been part of the “acting” segment, and he had not taken it seriously at all.

“Yu Wangxiao, did I save your life in my last life?” He felt genuinely curious.

“No.”

“Did the scythe I used fall to Earth, and you picked it up as a golden finger?”

“Your imagination is good, but unfortunately, also no.”

Lin Jiangye considered for a long while and decided to push his imagination to the limit. “…I ate you?”

“Mm.” Yu Wangxiao’s expression did not change. He answered very softly and quietly placed his hand on Lin Jiangye’s thigh.

Lin Jiangye, who should have noticed this sensitively, knew nothing about it. His brain suddenly crashed.

“So that’s how it is. No wonder I’m especially good at divining your fortune. From the perspective of the rules, your life already belongs to me…” He bit down on a salty, fragrant slice of ham and chewed fiercely. After chewing for a long time, he nearly choked himself. He abruptly lifted his head. “No, that’s impossible…”

“I think I wouldn’t misremember being eaten, nor would I misremember the eater’s appearance.”

“…”

“I died. I stood up from my corpse and saw you when I looked up. You used your scythe to pierce through my spine and gently hooked me in front of you.”

“Ah…”

“That night, you were truly very beautiful. Your eyes had no pupils, and their color was like the moon, right?”

Yu Wangxiao’s voice was very calm, very organized, and very certain.

Lin Jiangye, however, felt a chill run down his spine.

Because these extremely clear, rational responses came from a human so weak that Lin Jiangye could crush him to death casually, a human who had already died once, a human who perhaps had long ago been chewed and swallowed by him.

And Yu Wangxiao’s warm palm was currently pressed against his thigh, like he was touching a soft treasure. The heat baked him through the fabric, making him feel unprecedentedly restless.

He knew Yu Wangxiao liked him, and he liked Yu Wangxiao very much too. This had actually already become something they both tacitly understood. Of course, he had also guessed what type of favorability Yu Wangxiao had toward him, and what reason it might have.

But no matter what, he could not have guessed that the reason Yu Wangxiao liked him was actually so simple and direct… and so unbelievable.

Lin Jiangye suppressed the strange unease in his heart and used his remaining rationality to reason with him. “I believe you, but there is one doubtful point. Yu Wangxiao, you look really delicious. Maybe you don’t understand what I’m saying, but your flavor is very unique. If I ate your soul, I would definitely remember it deeply. I shouldn’t have forgotten you.

“And even if I really did eat you, I would have digested you. You would have become part of my power… So how could you possibly be reborn from my stomach?”

Yu Wangxiao was silent for a long while, then revealed an extremely innocent expression.

Because he really was innocent. “I don’t know. I thought you would know.”