Become the Sickly Villain in the Novel - Chapter 86

Li Nuo was startled by his words and, for a moment, didn’t know what to say.

“What’s wrong?” Mo Chuan stared directly at Li Nuo, eyes burning bright. Under his gaze, Li Nuo, who had originally been looking at him, gradually shifted his eyes away.

“Why are you hiding?”

Li Nuo immediately turned his gaze back. Mo Chuan chuckled and pulled him tightly into his arms, satisfied. “Great, you like me too.”

“…Who said that? I never said anything… about liking you…” Li Nuo muttered.

“It’s all written out, right here.” Mo Chuan kissed his forehead.

His eyes curved into crescents. Li Nuo quickly rubbed his forehead with his hand.

“And here,” Mo Chuan mischievously planted a kiss on the tip of his nose, then moved down to his lips.

“You’re doing it again. No more kisses.” Li Nuo covered his lips.

“Why not? Can’t I kiss the person I love?”

“You’ve kissed me enough today. That’s enough.” If it went on, Li Nuo feared his lips would swell.

“Alright then, I’ll listen to you.” His words were obedient, whispered near Li Nuo’s ear. But taking advantage of the moment, Mo Chuan kissed his earlobe again.

“Hey—”

“Alright, alright, I really won’t move anymore.”

Li Nuo calmed down and cautiously asked, “Are you really okay with this?”

Mo Chuan held a significant place in his heart, to the point where he felt it was destined. But since he hadn’t yet sorted everything out, he could only suggest a secret relationship. He couldn’t help feeling that he was wronging him.

Mo Chuan smiled broadly and rubbed Li Nuo’s face. “I really am fine with anything. What matters is that I’m the one by your side now. That’s enough.”

“……”

“Don’t feel guilty. I’m truly okay with it. I’ll work even harder so you’ll like me more.”

Mo Chuan hugged Li Nuo a bit tighter and lowered his head so that Li Nuo’s ear was against his chest.

“Can you hear it?”

“…Mm.”

Li Nuo could hear it clearly. A strong, vigorous heartbeat, quite different from his own slow one. It was so loud, it was almost noisy.

He had always thought his own heart was the one racing, but it turned out Mo Chuan’s was just the same.

When they had been together before, Mo Chuan always seemed calm and in control. But on the day of their first kiss, he had been just as shy. Nothing like his usual self. Just like now.

Li Nuo liked the sound of his heartbeat, just as he liked Mo Chuan’s eyes.

The hand clutching Mo Chuan’s clothes loosened, turning into a tight hug around his waist. A soft laugh came from above his head.

“See? You like me.”

He rested his chin on top of Li Nuo’s head. “So I can wait until the day you’re ready to go public.”

Li Nuo didn’t respond. He simply closed his eyes and listened to the heartbeat beside his ear.

……………

That evening, Li Nuo suddenly seemed to remember something. He nudged Mo Chuan, who was watching a movie with him, with his elbow. “Have you seen Zhang Wanhui or Li Yuzhi lately?”

Mo Chuan let out a soft “Mhm.” “Why are you asking this all of a sudden?”

Mo Chuan glanced at Li Nuo.

Li Nuo was no longer calling Li Yuzhi “Dad,” just using his name directly. It really seemed like Li Nuo was planning to sever their father-son relationship.

That was wonderful.

“Mm,” Li Nuo tilted his head slightly. “Before coming here, Zhang Wanhui said he wanted to take me somewhere. I want to know where. Can you help me?”

Mo Chuan understood what he meant right away. “You want to take the risk yourself?”

“Maybe it’s not even a risk.”

“……”

“Alright, I admit I was being naive. So don’t look at me like I’m an idiot.” Li Nuo turned Mo Chuan’s head away to avoid his gaze.

“I just want to see what he’s going to do. You can have someone follow me. Just make sure they’re not discovered.”

Mo Chuan thought for a moment and figured it was good to settle the matter. “Alright. I’ve been keeping an eye on those two. Once we’re back tomorrow, I’ll make arrangements step by step.”

“Mm.” Li Nuo yawned.

Mo Chuan pulled him into his arms, gently patting his back at intervals. Under his comforting touch, Li Nuo quickly fell asleep.

Mo Chuan carried him to the bed, tucked him in, and planted a soft kiss on his forehead, smiling beautifully. “Good night.”

Today had already brought enough joy. There was no need to think about anything more for now.

“When we get back, where are you going first?”

“Shouldn’t we go home first?”

Li Nuo was texting Li Yan on his phone, letting him know they had already set off. After yesterday, the signal jammer here had been removed. “Li Yan’s been getting anxious waiting.”

“Alright, alright, we’ll go home first then.”

Li Nuo glanced back at the courtyard. His luggage was still the same as what he had brought with him.

“Do I need to pack the clothes I wore here?”

“Hmm? Oh no, don’t worry about that. Someone will take care of it.”

Mo Chuan took his hand. “Let’s go.”

Li Nuo turned back and waved goodbye to Aunt Zheng and the other staff members.

Everyone watched the two figures leave with relief. Aunt Zheng even had tears welling up in her eyes.

What she was feeling now was: Wuwu, the young master who always did as he pleased is finally willing to settle down. I must report this to Master and Madam at once.

As the convoy departed, the remaining staff began cleaning up the villa. They weren’t based here permanently, and now that the person they had been assigned to care for had left, it was time for them to return to their usual posts.

“Time really flies,” Li Nuo said, gazing out the car window at the budding trees. “It was still winter when I arrived. Now, in the blink of an eye, everything’s coming back to life.”

“We met in summer. Time does pass quickly,” Mo Chuan agreed beside him. “If you’re sleepy, get some rest. It’ll still be a few hours before we reach the city.”

“No need. I’m just too excited now.”

That’s what he said, but he still sat obediently in place. It had been a long time since he’d ridden in a car, and he was afraid of getting motion sick.

In the end, he fell asleep leaning on Mo Chuan’s shoulder.

“I told you to rest.” Mo Chuan smiled faintly and adjusted his position to make it more comfortable for him.

When Li Yan saw Mo Chuan carrying his brother out of the car, he froze in place, and his joy instantly turned into murderous intent.

Li Nuo groggily opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Mo Chuan’s chin. Tilting his head slightly, he saw Li Yan standing not far away.

“Mm? We’re here already?”

Once fully awake, he happily leapt out of Mo Chuan’s arms and ran toward Li Yan. “Thanks for waiting. I’m finally back!”

He had almost forgotten what his room looked like here. He hadn’t lived in it for long, after all.

Li Yan caught him in a firm hug. “I’m really sorry, brother. And… welcome back.”

Mo Chuan didn’t interrupt the brothers’ reunion. After all, he’d have plenty of time to spend with Li Nuo in the future. Setting down the luggage, he said, “I’ll take my leave now. I’ll start working on that matter. Wait for my word.”

He winked at Li Nuo.

Li Nuo nodded at him with solemn affirmation.

As Li Yan picked up his brother’s luggage, he watched their exchange with thinly veiled irritation and asked, “What matter needs my brother to be notified?”

Li Nuo pushed him through the door. “I asked him to do it. I’ll explain once we’re inside.”

Once inside the house, he couldn’t wait to push open the door to his room. “As expected, it still feels more reassuring to be somewhere with a bit of life. Humans really are social creatures.”

The air at the villa had been great, but it was far too quiet. Although he had grown familiar with the uncles and aunties there, most of the time, he was still by himself.

Li Yan came in carrying the luggage and began organizing his brother’s belongings. “Brother, take a break and have some water. I’ll take care of tidying up.”

“No need, I’m not thirsty right now. Just let me lie here like this for a bit.”

Li Yan smiled. “I knew you’d be back, so I already washed and aired out your bedding.”

Li Nuo was touched—what a thoughtful and capable little brother. The original Li Nuo really didn’t know how lucky he was.

Once the meticulous Li Yan finished tidying up, he finally had time to turn around and ask, “So, what exactly is this about?”

“Mm, it’s not a big deal. Listen to me…”

After hearing his brother’s plan, Li Yan’s first reaction was to reject it outright. But then, remembering that Mo Chuan had already agreed to it, and knowing he would protect his brother, he reluctantly nodded. “Alright, but I’m going too.”

He had long suffered because of those two and was genuinely curious about their motives.

Naturally, Li Nuo had no objections. After all, the reason he came here might very well have been because of those words: ‘Let me take his place!’

In that case, he couldn’t let Li Yan revolve around him forever. His brother deserved a life of his own.

But first, all the troublesome matters had to be resolved.

That said, there was no rush. For now, he’d just enjoy this rare time with his family.

Li Yan brought over a peeled apple. “Brother, have an apple first. I’ll go make lunch.”

While Li Yan was preparing lunch, Li Nuo was turning over another problem in his mind. Even if he cut ties with Li Yuzhi, the debt still existed. Loan sharks didn’t care about personal relationships. They only wanted repayment.

Of course, if Li Yuzhi was willing to shoulder the debt himself, that would be ideal. But… it didn’t seem likely.

He frowned, feeling somewhat troubled. Ask Mo Chuan for help? That felt a little awkward.

Li Nuo let out a long sigh. This household, vulnerable from all sides, had been held together solely by Li Yan’s hard work.

What an ironic twist of fate. He had never once worried about money in the past, and now it loomed over him like a mountain.

In his mind, he started brainstorming ways to make money. Just relying on a regular job wouldn’t do. With interest compounding, that debt would never be paid off. What could he leverage…?

He reached up and touched his own face. He was fairly good-looking.

But becoming an entertainer wasn’t realistic. The irregular lifestyle would be bad for his health.

If not an entertainer, then maybe an influencer? A streamer?

Those options seemed more feasible.

As long as he didn’t aim to be a top streamer, he should be able to earn some money…

But he didn’t really have any talents to offer. His main asset was his face.

While Li Nuo was pondering the feasibility of the idea, he heard his phone chime.

He looked down, lifting an eyebrow.

Mo Chuan, that guy—he moved fast. So much for “taking it slow.” He was even more eager than he was.

【 Baby, I’ve already let the word out that you’re back. I’m sure once they hear it, they’ll take action. I’ll arrange for someone to protect you, but you also have to be extremely careful. Mwah. 】

Li Nuo automatically ignored the beginning and end, focusing on the core of the message.

Hopefully, those two wouldn’t be able to hold back for long.

And sure enough, he had overestimated their patience.

It wasn’t even the next day yet. That very afternoon, he received a message from Zhang Wanhui.

【 You’re back, right? The place I mentioned before is ready. Come with us tomorrow night. I’ll be waiting for you at the entrance of that coffee shop. Don’t tell anyone. Come alone, and try to arrive after ten o’clock. 】

TL Notes:

Regarding the line, “After all, the reason he came here might very well have been because of those words: ‘Let me take his place!’” — this refers back to Chapter 84, where Li Nuo expressed his desire to replace the novel “Li Nuo.”