Chapter 181: Chapter 181: Tit for Tat

Xu Qingsui wasn’t an object!

He wanted to keep Xu Qingsui by his side, to make her his own. He couldn’t even explain to himself whether that was his only feeling toward her or if he harbored other intentions. That was why he had subconsciously categorized her as a possession.

Little did he expect Lu Jingyu to care so much about that statement, to the point where his intense emotions ended up affecting Shen Yan as well. And right when he zoned out, Lu Jingyu’s fist landed on his face again.

After two consecutive punches, a trail of blood trickled from the corner of Shen Yan’s mouth.

He stopped his wandering thoughts and moved slightly, tugging at the corner of his mouth, which sent a piercing pain through him. His mouth was filled with the metallic taste of blood. He spat it out, the crimson fluid staining the ground red.

"This is just the interest," Lu Jingyu warned. "If you continue harboring ulterior motives toward Qing Sui, I’ll make you pay it all back—principal and interest."

With that, Lu Jingyu didn’t even spare a glance at the room Shen Yan had arranged for him. He turned on his heel and headed downstairs.

Watching his retreating back, Shen Yan narrowed his eyes. He would remember those two punches. However, he wouldn’t retaliate right now; he would just treat it as a harsh lesson for his slip of the tongue.

But when it came to Xu Qingsui, he absolutely would not let go! Even if he still wasn’t sure what his true motives were, he was certain that she was someone he had to have.

He watched until Lu Jingyu’s figure vanished from sight before finally following after him.

He wanted to see where else Lu Jingyu could possibly go. In the 27th District, aside from the room he had arranged, there was absolutely nowhere else for him to stay. Unless he had the thick skin to go looking for Xu Qingsui. But for someone that proud to do such a thing—Shen Yan would have to re-evaluate him.

Making his way down to the first floor, Lu Jingyu paused briefly as he passed Xu Qingsui’s door. Just as Shen Yan was about to reveal a look of disdain, Lu Jingyu stepped forward again, walking straight out of the dormitory building. He headed directly to his camper van and climbed inside.

Standing in front of his own door, Shen Yan watched Lu Jingyu’s actions with a slight frown. How could he have forgotten about the camper van? It seemed he would have to come up with an excuse to tow the vehicle out of the laboratory compound.

Just as he was plotting, Lu Jingyu rolled down the window, meeting Shen Yan’s gaze once more with a faint smirk. Such petty tricks wouldn’t stump him, and ironically, it placed him perfectly closer to Xu Qingsui.

Sensing the smugness in Lu Jingyu’s expression, Shen Yan decided to act on a whim. With exaggerated movements, he opened his own door. He then glanced at Xu Qingsui’s room next door before finally looking back at Lu Jingyu.

Lu Jingyu’s expression instantly shifted, and as their eyes met again, sparks flew.

"Oh, you’re back? Has everything been sorted out for them?" Xu Qingsui suddenly walked out of her room, noticing Shen Yan beside her first. At the same time, she realized Shen Yan was staring intently at something, and immediately followed his gaze. "Why are you in the van? Didn’t he arrange a room for you?" she asked, spotting Lu Jingyu.

Seeing Lu Jingyu in the camper van, Xu Qingsui quickly guessed what he was up to, unable to help but ask.

Noticing that she had caught on, Shen Yan immediately spoke up. "It might be that—"

"It’s mostly because Boss Shen was far too polite." Having already experienced Shen Yan’s hypocritical, two-faced remarks, Lu Jingyu wasn’t going to give him another chance to show off his acting skills. "He actually offered me the best room here. I was truly flattered, but unfortunately, I’m not really used to staying on upper floors. I could only decline his kindness and make do here."

Shen Yan choked on his words. He had intended to subtly hint that Lu Jingyu was ungrateful for rejecting the room he arranged, but he didn’t expect Lu Jingyu to completely block that narrative. Seeing Xu Qingsui nod and turn to him, he could only play along.

"I wasn’t very familiar with Captain Lu’s living habits, so my earlier arrangements were indeed a bit presumptuous. My good intentions ended up causing an inconvenience. I hope Captain Lu can forgive me."

Xu Qingsui frowned. For some reason, whenever she heard these two converse, it always felt weirdly awkward. Ignoring the strange atmosphere between them, she continued.

"Even though the camper van is fully equipped, it’s still quite cramped and might get uncomfortable. You should let Shen Yan arrange another room for you!

"Shen Yan, there are other rooms available here, right? Could you please help arrange another one?"

Shen Yan nodded. "Since Captain Lu dislikes upper floors, the lowest floor with empty rooms right now is the third floor. I wonder if Captain Lu would mind."

Since Xu Qingsui had asked, he had to offer another arrangement. Fortunately, the bottom two floors were already full. As long as he kept Lu Jingyu away from Xu Qingsui, he considered his goal achieved.

"There’s no need. I appreciate the kind offer, but I prefer keeping my feet firmly on the ground. I’ll just stay in the van," Lu Jingyu replied. How could he not know what Shen Yan was scheming? He would absolutely never allow Shen Yan to guard Xu Qingsui’s room all by himself. Given the circumstances, he was better off staying in the van, which allowed him to be closer to her.

Shen Yan looked at Xu Qingsui with an expression of helpless resignation, signaling that he had tried his best.

Xu Qingsui didn’t try to persuade Lu Jingyu any further. She nodded. "Since you want to stay in the van, then go ahead!"

Lu Jingyu smiled faintly and nodded.

"Shen Yan, you should hurry back and wash up," Xu Qingsui said, a hint of distaste flickering across her face as she looked at the dirt covering him.

Not wanting to be despised by her, Shen Yan had no choice but to head back to his room for now.

After Shen Yan left, Xu Qingsui walked over to the camper van.

"How did you get here so quickly? I thought it would take a while!" she asked, a sliver of joy bubbling up in her heart as she looked at Lu Jingyu. She didn’t know what was wrong with her, but her mood had noticeably improved the moment she saw him.

Hearing the question, Xie Qingling’s figure surfaced in Lu Jingyu’s mind once again. Even though he had warned himself to be cautious of Xie Qingling and not to trust her words entirely, he couldn’t help but panic whenever it involved Xu Qingsui, prompting him to rush over in a hurry.

However, this reason was a bit too embarrassing, especially to say right to Xu Qingsui’s face. Not daring to tell the truth, he made up a casual excuse.

"Yun Fei handled the matters at home very well. Even though he was in a coma for three years, it didn’t have much of a negative impact on him.

"And since Yun Fei is there, I’m no longer needed. So, I brought my men over to scout the area first.

"However, it seems very exclusionary here. I imagine it won’t be easy for me to establish myself."

Xu Qingsui nodded, agreeing with his assessment, and didn’t read too much into it.

"Give it a try first! Given your strength, I’m sure the 27th District would be willing to accept you.

"If it really doesn’t work out, we can think of something else."

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