Become the Sickly Villain in the Novel - Chapter 63

Mo Chuan walked back into the coffee shop alone, feeling completely at ease. It wasn’t that he wanted to do anything to Li Nuo. He simply enjoyed having time alone together, just the two of them.

Sitting down, Mo Chuan said casually, “I just ran into your friend outside. He asked me to tell you that something urgent came up, so he had to leave.”

“Really?” Li Nuo was a bit surprised but didn’t doubt it. After all, Zhang Wanhui had mentioned earlier that he had something to take care of.

“So, we’ve got plenty of time now. Spend the day with me. Is there anywhere you’d like to go?”

“There is, but… you just got back yesterday. Aren’t you tired?”

“I still have enough energy to keep you company. Where do you want to go?”

No matter where he wanted to go, Mo Chuan would go with him. Even if Li Nuo suddenly said he wanted to travel abroad, he would immediately start preparing passports and visas.

“I want to go to the beach.”

Li Nuo finally said what had been on his mind. This city was by the sea, and he had been wanting to visit for a while now.

“The beach? Sounds great. Let’s go.”

“Right now?”

“Of course. You’ve been looking forward to it, haven’t you? It’s just on the outskirts of the city, nothing to worry about.”

With his usual decisive energy, Mo Chuan led Li Nuo out of the coffee shop and ushered him into the front passenger seat.

Seated in the driver’s seat, he reached over, intending to buckle Li Nuo’s seatbelt, only to realize it was already fastened. Clicking his tongue in disappointment, he leaned back.

After setting the GPS destination, he smiled. Finally, just the two of us. Absolutely perfect.

The car started, heading toward the beach.

“What have you been up to lately?”

“I’ve been learning video editing.”

“Hmm? You want to do that?”

“It gives me more flexibility.”

“But you haven’t just been studying. You went out with Director Qin too, didn’t you?”

“Mm…”

Was he talking about that day at the park? That had definitely been an unforgettable day—being forced to move and then unexpectedly learning that Qin Xu liked him. Too many things had happened all at once.

But he hadn’t told anyone about it yet. Especially not Li Yan.

As he drove, Mo Chuan kept stealing glances at Li Nuo.

That face he longed to see… Every time they talked, it only made him want to see Li Nuo in person even more. That was why he had worked extra hard and returned earlier than planned.

“Can you please focus on the road instead of staring at me? Do you realize how dangerous that is?” Unable to bear Mo Chuan’s constant glances, Li Nuo finally spoke up.

Mo Chuan reached out with his right hand and grasped Li Nuo’s hand, which had been resting on his lap. “I’m just jealous. While I was gone, did you miss me?”

“We talked almost every day.”

“That’s not the same. Let me ask it another way. Did you think about me?”

“…Sometimes.”

Even though his response was hesitant, Mo Chuan broke into a delighted smile. His plan had been working. By constantly reinforcing his presence in Li Nuo’s mind, he had gradually made Li Nuo more comfortable around him. Li Nuo no longer rejected everything outright, so Mo Chuan knew he had a chance, and he had every reason to look forward to it.

“I’m really happy to hear that.”

Li Nuo, feeling a bit embarrassed, turned his face away.

Mo Chuan’s hands were warm. The weather had already turned chilly, and ever since they left the coffee shop, Li Nuo’s hands had been cold. But now, Mo Chuan had warmed them up completely.

“You and that friend from earlier seem really close.”

“I already told you. He knew the old me, and he even showed me a group photo…”

Before he could finish, Mo Chuan abruptly cut him off. “What?! There’s even a group photo?!”

He was so shocked that he almost turned his entire head around. Alarmed, Li Nuo quickly pushed his head back toward the road. “Eyes on the road! Eyes on the road!”

Mo Chuan felt like a pufferfish about to explode. Even I don’t have a photo like that, and that guy does?!

“No way. We’re taking a photo together later, too.”

“Fine, fine, just keep your eyes on the road, will you?” Li Nuo sighed helplessly.

Mo Chuan mumbled a few words under his breath, then hesitantly glanced at Li Nuo again.

Ever since they had been apart, he had completely confirmed his feelings. He always wanted to talk to Li Nuo, sometimes even dreaming about him. There was no saving him now.

It had taken so much effort, and now, finally, Li Nuo seemed to care about him a little. He had originally planned to wait a little longer, but with familiar faces from the past showing up again, he was starting to feel impatient.

Maybe… I should just confess today?

……………

At this time of year, the beach was never too crowded. Since today was a weekday, there were even fewer people around.

“Let’s just take a walk, but don’t take off your shoes. The beach hasn’t been cleaned yet, so there might be sharp objects,” Mo Chuan warned as he led Li Nuo toward the sand.

“Mm.”

Li Nuo wasn’t planning on taking them off anyway—getting sick would mean another trip to the hospital and more medicine to take.

After stepping over the railing, a gust of sea breeze made him instinctively shrink back. Mo Chuan immediately took off his coat and draped it over Li Nuo’s shoulders.

But when Li Nuo noticed that Mo Chuan was only wearing a sweater underneath, he shook his head and refused. “It’s just that I’m not used to the wind. I’m already dressed warmer than you.”

Smiling, Mo Chuan still fastened the coat around him. “I’m fine as long as you’re warm.”

He took Li Nuo’s small hand, now bundled in the oversized coat, and they walked along the shoreline.

After a while, Li Nuo began to worry that this guy might actually catch a cold, though Mo Chuan’s hand was still warm.

So he found a wind-sheltered spot and sat down to watch the sea.

Perhaps because the wind was strong today, the waves rolled in quickly, crashing against the rocks with a thunderous roar.

Li Nuo was mesmerized by the sheer power of nature, staring blankly at the vast sea.

Seeing it with his own eyes was different from seeing it on a phone screen, even if the water was a bit murky today.

Speaking of phones—

Li Nuo took his out, planning to snap a few photos. But before he could, Mo Chuan suddenly pulled him close. “Look over here.”

Just as he turned his head, Mo Chuan pressed the camera button.

The camera captured Li Nuo’s utterly bewildered expression.

“…Couldn’t you have at least made sure I looked good?” Li Nuo muttered. Then, recalling something, he asked, “Wait, don’t you already have a picture of me? The one you took when I had that allergy reaction?”

Remembering how Mo Chuan had even teased him back then, Li Nuo narrowed his eyes. “Did you delete it?”

“Haha, well—” Mo Chuan averted his gaze. “Yeah, yeah, I deleted it.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Look for yourself.”

He handed over his phone, and Li Nuo scrolled through it. Seeing that the photo was indeed gone, he finally relaxed.

Mo Chuan let out a quiet sigh of relief.

In truth, that photo was safely stored on his computer.

Li Nuo might have thought it was an ugly picture, but to Mo Chuan, it was adorable.

The two of them sat by the sea, chatting idly. Well, mostly Mo Chuan was talking, while Li Nuo listened attentively.

Watching Li Nuo’s expression of interest, Mo Chuan thought to himself that he had never realized he was such a talkative person.

Even during their phone calls, he was usually the one doing most of the talking. Li Nuo would respond, but he mainly listened because Mo Chuan’s stories were genuinely interesting.

Hearing Mo Chuan talk about sailing on a yacht, Li Nuo couldn’t help but sigh in admiration. “That sounds really fun.”

“We can go together next time.”

“Together? I don’t know if Li Yan will have time…” Li Nuo mumbled. Even if he did, there wouldn’t be extra money for a trip. Paying off debts was the priority.

Although it was a little disappointing, he was already content with things as they were.

Mo Chuan gently held Li Nuo’s hand, shifting his attention back to him.

“Not together. Just  the two of us.”

“…What?”

“I don’t want to bring anyone else. Just you and me, alone.”

Mo Chuan’s sudden words left Li Nuo momentarily stunned.

His first instinct was to pull his hand away, but Mo Chuan held on tightly.

Those deep green eyes locked onto him with unwavering intensity. Though it was already late autumn, in Mo Chuan’s gaze, Li Nuo saw the warmth of a lingering spring.

“Seeing you panic like this, I should be comforting you. But this time, I don’t want to. I’m serious. I just want to go with you.”

Mo Chuan lifted Li Nuo’s hand and kissed his fingertips, reddened by the cold sea breeze.

Li Nuo instinctively shrank back—the kiss tickled his hand a little.

“Don’t feel any pressure, and don’t step away. I’ll take care of everything that troubles you. All you need to do is accept my help and my feelings.”

Mo Chuan’s straightforward confession left Li Nuo’s mind completely blank. His deep gaze was unwavering, filled with sincerity. Li Nuo opened his mouth, wanting to refuse, yet afraid of hurting Mo Chuan.

Mo Chuan had been watching his expression closely. When people were caught off guard and unable to think clearly, their emotions were impossible to hide. At this moment, Li Nuo’s face was an open book—confusion, hesitation, surprise—all laid bare.

But fortunately, there was no disgust.

“Your expressions are so vivid right now.”

“…Sorry, I…”

“I’m not asking you to decide right away. Take your time. I can wait.”

Li Nuo didn’t dislike Mo Chuan. He didn’t quite like him that way either, but another issue loomed before him—he wasn’t sure if he would return to his original world. With no system guiding him, he had no guarantees about anything.

He wanted to refuse, but Mo Chuan’s expression was so sincere that it felt too heavy to reject outright.

Seeing his troubled look, Mo Chuan gently ruffled his hair in reassurance. “Don’t let it weigh on you too much. I didn’t confess to make you feel burdened.”

Although his emotions had been stirred rather impulsively this time, now that he had spoken, there was no room for regret.

Looking back at how his feelings had evolved, it had started with sheer curiosity.

The stark contrast between what he had known and the Li Nuo after amnesia had been impossible to look away from. Then, at some point, every little expression Li Nuo made became imprinted in his mind. He remembered them all. He had never thought of himself as particularly observant, yet with Li Nuo, every subtle movement stood out to him.

His actions, too, had changed. He had never seen himself as someone who would take care of others, but now he was doing just that.

What he was worried about was whether this confession had been too abrupt.

But then, the thought that Li Nuo would be thinking about this from now on made him happy again. As long as he was persistent, the day would come when he succeeded.

Li Nuo shot him a resentful look. How could this not be frustrating?

Mo Chuan pulled him into a tight embrace.

“At least consider it, alright? I’d be a very obedient boyfriend.”

I don’t think the word “obedient” suits you at all.

Li Nuo grumbled inwardly but remained silent, his face buried against Mo Chuan’s chest.

“Do you want to keep walking? The sea breeze is quite strong, so it’s better not to stay out too long. I’ll bring you back next summer.”

Standing up, Mo Chuan extended a hand toward him, and Li Nuo took it, letting him pull him up.

As they walked along the shore, Mo Chuan’s steps were noticeably lighter. Even the way he swung their intertwined hands was full of energy.

Like a child.

Li Nuo glanced at him, feeling something inexplicable.

This excited, carefree expression completely shattered his previous impression of Mo Chuan.

Sensing Li Nuo’s gaze, Mo Chuan turned to look at him.

Li Nuo froze for a moment.

The expression Mo Chuan wore was completely at ease. Anyone could tell at a glance that he was genuinely happy.

Does he really like me that much?

Although doubting someone’s sincerity was impolite, Li Nuo couldn’t help but struggle to break free from his ingrained perceptions.

But looking at Mo Chuan now, he wavered just a little.