Who is Helping Me Win by Lying Down [Transmigration] - Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Zhang Shi stood with his hands at his sides behind Chen Shu, watching the familiar scene replay before his eyes, his face twitching uncontrollably.

Director Yan!

We’re home now!

I know you and Chen Shu have a great relationship, but this is only the first day it’s out in the open. Is it really necessary to be so ostentatious? Is it really necessary to be so stimulating right from the start!

When his gaze fell upon their intertwined hands again, his eyelids twitched violently.

Could it be that Director Yan’s return today wasn’t for a family reunion dinner, but rather to drop a bombshell on the old master?

Unfortunately, there wasn’t much time left for him to ponder further.

Inside, the people who had heard the commotion were already coming out to greet them.

Chen Shu also took Yan Jingchuan’s hand, allowing him to use the support to stand up, then turned with him to walk toward the entrance.

The continuous warmth transmitted through their palms was overwhelming.

Yan Jingchuan’s fingers tightened slightly, then relaxed as he turned his attention forward to introduce everyone to Chen Shu.

Chen Shu listened to his explanations, mentally matching them with the characters from the original text.

Walking at the front from inside was Yan Jingchuan’s grandfather, Yan Jinqing.

Following behind Yan Jinqing were Yan Jingchuan’s parents, Yan Xinli and Wen Jiao.

Beyond them, Chen Shu didn’t pay much attention.

The Yan Corporation was a family business, with the Yan family tree being extensive and complex, their relative relationships intricate and tangled. He didn’t need to understand it too deeply.

Yan Jingchuan’s introductions also ended with his parents – the others weren’t important enough.

As he finished speaking, the approaching group reached them.

“Jingchuan, you’re finally back!” Wen Jiao frowned as she stepped past Yan Jinqing to stand before Yan Jingchuan. “Where have you been these past few months? Not staying properly in the hospital is one thing, but disappearing after being discharged really had us worried!”

After speaking urgently, she finally noticed Chen Shu beside Yan Jingchuan. “And this is?”

Chen Shu responded politely, “Hello, Auntie. I’m Chen Shu.”

“Chen Shu?” Wen Jiao glanced back at her husband, seeing his equally puzzled expression before quickly smiling. “Hello, you must be Jingchuan’s friend. Please come in together.”

Yan Xinli asked, “Dad, since Jingchuan is bringing a friend home for dinner for the first time, why didn’t you mention it to us earlier?”

“Because I just found out myself.”

The voice came as Yan Jinqing finally approached.

He wore a dark gray Tang suit, his hair already graying, but he appeared vigorous and energetic, showing no signs of actually suffering from a serious illness and being in recovery.

In the book, after Yan Jingchuan’s car accident left him in a vegetative state, Yan Jinqing soon passed away from depression.

With both key leaders gone, and Yan Xinli and Wen Jiao being art enthusiasts with no understanding of business and unable to salvage the situation, they could only watch as the corporation fragmented in internal power struggles – the main reason for the Yan empire’s collapse.

“Chen Shu.” Yan Jinqing discreetly looked Chen Shu up and down, his gaze sweeping over their inseparable hands before abruptly pausing, a strange feeling rising in his heart.

Then glancing at the cane in Yan Jingchuan’s left hand, he guessed it was due to difficulty walking, smoothing the furrow between his brows as he smiled at Chen Shu. “Welcome.”

“Why are we chatting at the door? Let’s continue inside.” As Yan Xinli spoke, he took Wen Jiao’s hand and was about to turn back when his peripheral vision caught sight of Chen Shu and Yan Jingchuan’s joined hands, freezing his steps.

Wen Jiao asked, confused, “Xinli?”

Yan Xinli blinked.

He looked at the couple’s hands across from them, then at his and his wife’s hands.

The posture was the same posture.

But the people weren’t the same people.

“Jingchuan…” Yan Xinli pressed a hand to his chest. “Jingchuan, don’t scare me like this…”

Wen Jiao pushed him. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“You didn’t see it—” Yan Xinli started to explain his new discovery when he noticed Yan Jinqing standing behind her.

Yan Jinqing asked, “See what?”

“Huh?” Yan Xinli scratched his hairline, his gaze shifting nervously. “Well, the scenery is quite nice today. I’ll come out to paint after dinner.”

Yan Jinqing snorted, “Wasting time on frivolous pursuits.”

Having long developed thick skin from constant scolding, Yan Xinli remained unfazed. As Yan Jinqing turned and led the others back inside, Yan Xinli deliberately lagged behind with Wen Jiao, walking beside Yan Jingchuan.

After hesitating for a long while, he tentatively asked, “Jingchuan, what have you been busy with these past few months?”

Yan Jingchuan replied, “Work.”

Yan Xinli coughed lightly and asked again, “Have you been alone all this time?”

Yan Jingchuan said, “No.”

Wen Jiao asked curiously, “Then who have you been with?”

Yan Jingchuan answered, “Chen Shu.”

Hearing this name and seeing their still-joined hands, Yan Xinli immediately felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

He looked at Yan Jingchuan’s impassive profile.

Speaking of his only son, he felt ashamed to admit it, but he knew he held no influence over Yan Jingchuan.

In other words, Yan Jingchuan simply didn’t listen to him.

Since childhood, Yan Jingchuan had been raised by his grandfather, developing a deep and aloof personality. He rarely opened up to anyone, let alone his father. This became even more pronounced as he grew older.

Earlier, when he saw Yan Jingchuan actually bringing a friend home, he had been quite happy.

But now, discovering that the two might share a deeper relationship, he couldn’t bring himself to feel pleased.

The fact that Yan Jingchuan would bring someone home was enough to indicate this person’s importance in his heart, and enough to show his determination today.

Yan Xinli was filled with anxiety.

He couldn’t afford to offend the old one.

He couldn’t afford to offend the young one either.

If a fight broke out later, how was he supposed to mediate?

But the gloomy worries churning in the depths of his heart went unnoticed by anyone.

Seeing him fall silent after asking just one question, Wen Jiao pulled him aside directly. “So Chen Shu has been taking care of you all this time? That’s really too much trouble for him.”

Chen Shu said, “It’s no trouble.”

He glanced at Yan Jingchuan, a smile gathering in his eyes. “Taking care of Jingchuan is what I should do.”

A flicker passed through Yan Jingchuan’s gaze, but he remained silent.

After Yan Xinli pulled Wen Jiao a step ahead, Yan Jingchuan finally looked at Chen Shu. “Liar.”

Chen Shu raised an eyebrow. “Lies?”

Yan Jingchuan reminded him, “Taking care of me?”

“Has Director Yan forgotten?” With Yan Xinli glancing back at them, Chen Shu leaned slightly closer and whispered in Yan Jingchuan’s ear, “Does feeding Director Yan his medicine not count as taking care of you?”

Images from the past resurfaced.

Yan Jingchuan’s grip on Chen Shu’s hand tightened abruptly.

Chen Shu chuckled softly. “Does Director Yan remember now?”

Yan Jingchuan looked at Chen Shu, his expression dark. “Don’t mention that matter again.”

Chen Shu suppressed the curve of his lips. “Fine. I won’t mention it.”

—

Ahead of them, Yan Xinli withdrew his gaze, his heart heavy.

These two young people didn’t know the meaning of restraint.

If the old man discovered how obvious they were being, it would be disastrous.

Having heard Yan Xinli’s speculation earlier and witnessing the intimate whispering and shared laughter between the two, Wen Jiao was equally shocked.

She whispered in disbelief, “How come I never knew Jingchuan liked men?”

“Nothing’s confirmed yet,” Yan Xinli sighed. “But judging by the looks of it, it’s almost certainly true.”

However, even counting from Yan Jingchuan’s childhood, they had never seen him so intimate with anyone before. At this moment, whether it was a man or a woman didn’t seem particularly important.

Today’s discovery left them with nothing but complicated feelings.

As the two discussed along the way, they still decided to have a proper talk with Yan Jingchuan after the meal.

Later, the group arrived at the dining room.

Chen Shu and Yan Jingchuan had washed up together and took their seats to the right of Yan Jinqing.

During the meal, Yan Jinqing said to Yan Jingchuan, “Your birthday banquet will be held at home tomorrow. Stay here tonight.”

Yan Jingchuan nodded. “Alright.”

Yan Jinqing then said to the butler, “Prepare a bedroom for the guest as well.”

Just as the butler was about to agree, Yan Jingchuan said, “No need.”

Across from him, Yan Xinli and Wen Jiao, who had been eating a tasteless meal, exchanged a glance upon hearing this, their hearts sinking with a vague sense of foreboding.

Yan Jinqing frowned. “Jingchuan, it’s so late. How can you let Chen Shu go back alone?”

“Chen Shu isn’t going back tonight.”

Without waiting for Yan Jinqing to ask further, Yan Jingchuan said, “He’s staying with me.”

Suddenly.

The previously lively dining table fell into complete silence.

Everyone’s gazes, whether overt or covert, drifted over.

Yan Jinqing’s furrowed brow slowly relaxed as he recalled the scene he had witnessed outside the door earlier, his expression darkening. “Jingchuan, there are plenty of guest rooms at home. There’s no need for you to squeeze in with a guest.”

Yan Jingchuan said, “Chen Shu is more than just a guest.”

Yan Jinqing asked, “What?”

“Haha!” Yan Xinli suddenly let out a dry laugh. “Of course he’s more than a guest—he’s Jingchuan’s friend!”

Wen Jiao also caught on. “Yes, Dad, this is the first time Jingchuan has brought a friend home. It’s normal for them to be close!”

Yan Jinqing’s expression eased slightly, but his suspicion remained.

Having watched Yan Jingchuan grow up, he knew his grandson’s temperament better than anyone.

It was absolutely impossible for Yan Jingchuan to choose to live with someone merely because they were “friends.”

He looked at Chen Shu, who was sitting beside Yan Jingchuan, then back at Yan Jingchuan. “Are you really just friends?”

Yan Jingchuan ignored the desperate signals from the two across the table.

“More than friends.”

After speaking, he remembered what Chen Shu had said when they got out of the car. He set down his dinner knife, paused, and then grasped the back of Chen Shu’s hand, which was resting casually on the table.

Chen Shu allowed the gesture.

Yan Xinli’s eyes were already wide with shock.

“He is also my lover.”

The silence deepened further.

Yan Jinqing stared at their joined hands and slowly straightened up. “Jingchuan, do you have any idea what you’re saying?”

Yan Jingchuan replied, “This is the first thing I wanted to say.”

Yan Jinqing asked coldly, “There’s a second?”

Yan Jingchuan said, “The second is to ask Grandfather not to trouble yourself with my marriage matters anymore.”

Not even the sound of chewing could be heard at the table now.

Everyone watched the confrontation unfold, but no one dared to intervene at this moment.

Yan Jingchuan continued, “Chen Shu and I will attend the banquet tomorrow on time. In the future, there’s no need to hold such events anymore.”

Yan Jinqing was furious. “Are you saying I’m meddling? Fine, Yan Jingchuan, you—”

Halfway through his sentence, he suddenly clutched his chest and began coughing.

Yan Xinli immediately stood up to support him. “Jingchuan, the old man has just recovered from a serious illness! How could you upset him like this!”

Yan Jingchuan said calmly, “Before coming back, I called the hospital.”

The coughing abruptly stopped.

Exposed on the spot, Yan Jinqing could no longer keep up the act. He irritably brushed off Yan Xinli’s hand: “Fine! You’ve grown your wings now—I can’t control you anymore. But let me remind you, the Yan Corporation shares aren’t entirely in your hands yet!”

Yan Jingchuan said, “If Grandfather wants them, the Yan Corporation can be returned to you at any time.”

“…” Yan Jinqing breathed heavily, turning to see Yan Xinli still standing nearby, which only fueled his anger. “Look at the fine son you’ve raised!”

?

Yan Xinli defended himself: “Dad, Jingchuan was raised by you.”

“What does it matter who raised him!” Yan Jinqing slammed the table. “I knew neither of you father and son were any good—you can’t do anything right except talk back!”

???

Yan Xinli wore an expression of utter grievance.

Wen Jiao tried to smooth things over: “Jingchuan, why don’t you try to calm your grandfather down.”

“If I wait for him to calm me down, I’ll probably be dead from anger long before that.” Yan Jinqing snorted coldly. “Alright, you all continue with your meal.”

Having said this, he rose from the table. Before leaving, he added: “Jingchuan, come to my study after you finish eating.”

After his departure, the family banquet ended abruptly. Everyone finished their meals hastily and bid their farewells.

Only after all the outsiders had left did Yan Xinli heave a long sigh: “Jingchuan, why must you be so impulsive?”

Wen Jiao shook her head: “Don’t say anymore. Things have already reached this point—there’s no use discussing it.”

Chen Shu looked at the two of them.

Unexpectedly, Yan Jingchuan’s parents had accepted his “lover” quite quickly.

Perhaps this was thanks to their artistic nature that pursued freedom, showing little resistance towards non-traditional matters.

“You’re right about that.” Yan Xinli sighed again before saying to Yan Jingchuan, “Since the old man asked you to see him earlier, you should still go hear what he has to say.”

Yan Jingchuan responded: “Mm.”

Before going, he first accompanied Chen Shu back to the bedroom.

Chen Shu entered after him: “Your room?”

Yan Jingchuan said: “Yes.”

Having publicly declared Chen Shu’s status, Chen Shu had to stay with him tonight.

This wasn’t the first time sharing a bed with Yan Jingchuan, so Chen Shu didn’t pay it much mind.

He didn’t speak further, and Yan Jingchuan didn’t linger either, turning to head for Yan Jinqing’s study.

Watching his retreating figure disappear behind the door, Chen Shu took out his script from his pocket and began reviewing it.

After a long while, seeing that Yan Jingchuan hadn’t returned, he first fed Wangcai—who had been brought upstairs earlier—before heading to the bathroom for a shower. Finding only a bathrobe in the bathroom, Chen Shu put it on and returned to the bedside just as Yan Jingchuan entered the room.

“You’re back.” Chen Shu glanced at him while drying his damp hair with a towel. “Did the old man believe it?”

Yan Jingchuan closed the door and took a few steps forward. The moment he saw Chen Shu, his footsteps halted.

He noticed how Chen Shu’s movements caused the bathrobe’s front to shift, inadvertently watching as condensed water droplets traced along his musculature before disappearing into shadow.

“Director Yan?”

Yan Jingchuan subconsciously averted his gaze: “He didn’t suspect anything.”

Chen Shu said: “That’s good.”

Having already gathered during dinner that this involved Yan Jingchuan’s personal matters, he didn’t inquire further.

Yan Jingchuan also fell silent.

Continuing forward, his eyes fell on the bed behind Chen Shu. The fingers gripping his cane tightened once more.

This wasn’t the first time he and Chen Shu had shared a room.

But recalling the circumstances of their previous encounter, Yan Jingchuan’s thin lips pressed into a tight line, a slight frown appearing between his brows.