Who is Helping Me Win by Lying Down [Transmigration] - Chapter 88

Chapter 88

Yan Jinqing tapped his cane on the floor. Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve!

Mm, Yan Jingchuan said. It’s not the New Year yet.

Yan Xinli sighed and looked at Yan Jinqing, lowering his voice. Dad, see? I told you to say less, but you wouldn’t listen.

Yan Jinqing snorted coldly and raised his cane as if to strike.

Yan Xinli quickly moved to sit beside Wen Jiao.

Wen Jiao shook her head. Forget it. One day each before the New Year is quite fair. I just don’t know if it’s convenient for Chen Shu’s family. Jingchuan, don’t make things difficult for Chen Shu.

It was good that Chen Shu didn’t avoid mentioning Yan Jingchuan to his family—it showed he was serious. But after all, it was the New Year holiday, and with no prior preparation, such a sudden visit might backfire. A poor impression could easily turn a good thing bad.

Yan Jingchuan also frowned slightly.

It’s fine, Chen Shu said. What needs to be said will have to be said sooner or later. If Jingchuan wants to go, he can go anytime. Let’s make it tomorrow.

Yan Jingchuan turned to look at him.

A faint smile touched Chen Shu’s lips. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.

He wouldn’t go back on his promises.

Even if things didn’t work out in the end, Yan Jingchuan shouldn’t be some secret lover kept in the shadows.

As for his original self’s parents, he would show them due respect. But matters of the heart were his personal affair—he didn’t need others’ opinions.

Yan Jingchuan reached out and took his hand. If it’s difficult, I can postpone. Don’t force yourself. You know I wouldn’t force you.

Chen Shu said, I know.

After speaking, he patted the back of Yan Jingchuan’s hand and said no more.

Yan Jinqing listened to their conversation with a cold expression before soon getting up and going upstairs.

Wen Jiao and Yan Xinli also returned to their rooms with smiles.

The casual chat thus concluded.

Chen Shu then went back to the bedroom with Yan Jingchuan.

After washing up, Yan Jingchuan stayed in the walk-in closet a bit longer.

When Chen Shu entered, he saw him sitting on the soft stool, looking at a velvet box in his hand.

Inside the box were his birthday gift—a pair of sapphire cufflinks.

Seeing Chen Shu, Yan Jingchuan set the cufflinks aside and stood up. Do your parents have anything they particularly like?

Chen Shu walked over to him. Your presence is enough.

Yan Jingchuan frowned, glanced at him, and then asked, What do you think I should wear tomorrow?

Chen Shu chuckled. You look good in anything.

Yan Jingchuan looked at him again.

Chen Shu said, Alright, it’s getting late. You should rest.

Yan Jingchuan’s frown deepened. Tomorrow is my first time meeting your parents.

Seeing this, Chen Shu felt a stir in his heart.

The parents of his original self were essentially just a responsibility he’d inherited—nothing more.

But Yan Jingchuan clearly didn’t see it that way.

Yan Jingchuan cared more about tomorrow’s plans than he had imagined.

Chen Shu lowered his gaze for a moment.

Should he let Yan Jingchuan continue misunderstanding, or tell him the truth?

What are you thinking about?

Chen Shu looked up at him. Nothing.

Never mind. Less trouble was better. It was just as well Yan Jingchuan didn’t know—it saved him from overthinking.

Any other issues can wait until after we’ve slept. With that, he casually took Yan Jingchuan’s hand and led him back to the bed.

But by the next morning, after they had breakfast, they set off without any extra time to prepare their outfits.

Yan Jingchuan wore a suit the butler had prepared in advance, only managing to add a pair of cufflinks before getting in the car with Chen Shu to depart.

On the way, Yan Jingchuan made an impromptu stop at a gift shop.

After returning to the car and arriving at the residential area entrance, he tightened his grip on Chen Shu’s hand. Next time? It was too rushed this time.

Chen Shu said, Don’t worry, they’re good people. They won’t do anything to you.

Yan Jingchuan pressed his thin lips into a straight line.

Chen Shu turned his hand to hold Yan Jingchuan’s. Don’t be nervous.

As he finished speaking, his phone suddenly rang with an incoming call.

It was Hua Yun.

Chen Shu answered the call, spoke briefly, then hung up and turned to Yan Jingchuan. They just finished work too. They’re going out to buy New Year’s supplies and might return in the afternoon.

Only then did Yan Jingchuan slightly relax his grip.

Soon after, the car slowly came to a stop.

Chen Shu brought him upstairs.

After the Chen family went bankrupt, they sold their remaining property to open a shop and had no choice but to live in a rented apartment. Although their financial situation was improving now, Chen Hexuan and Hua Yun still prioritized repaying debts over buying a house.

After entering, the couple was indeed not home.

The apartment was kept very tidy, but because its owners left early and returned late, it felt somewhat cold and empty.

Chen Shu gestured for Yan Jingchuan to put down their things. Have a seat.

Yan Jingchuan stood in the living room. Which one is your room?

Chen Shu looked over.

This was his first time visiting this rented apartment too, and he wasn’t familiar with it. Following the original owner’s memories, he walked toward the secondary bedroom.

Yan Jingchuan followed behind him.

When he opened the bedroom door, everything inside came into view.

Though Chen Shu hadn’t returned for nearly a year, the room remained very clean. Compared to the cold emptiness of the living room, this bedroom was arranged warmly.

Several photo frames were placed on the bookshelf, desk, and bedside table.

Yan Jingchuan walked to the bookshelf and casually picked one up.

In the photo, Chen Shu and Chen Hexuan sat boldly on steps, arms around each other’s shoulders with bright, cheerful smiles.

You’ve changed a lot, Yan Jingchuan said, comparing the photo to Chen Shu. He couldn’t detect even half of the emotion from the photo on the face before him.

Is that so. Chen Shu neither confirmed nor denied it, reaching out to take the photo.

But after one glance at the picture, a dull pain suddenly struck his mind, making him frown.

Yan Jingchuan reached out to support him. Chen Shu?

The dull pain faded quickly. Chen Shu said, I’m fine.

But Yan Jingchuan’s furrowed brow didn’t relax. Are you sure?

Chen Shu said, Sure.

Yan Jingchuan still helped him sit on the edge of the bed.

On the bedside table was a family portrait.

Chen Hexuan and Hua Yun sat on wooden armchairs, while Chen Shu leaned between them with his arms around their shoulders, bending over with hearty laughter, his face full of sunshine.

Looking at this photo and then at the others, Yan Jingchuan felt strangely unsettled.

From this room, he couldn’t find anything that connected to Chen Shu.

The books on the shelf had no relation to the publications Chen Shu usually read; even the room’s color scheme didn’t match Chen Shu’s preferences.

The Chen Shu in the photos was about the same age as now, yet the personality difference was obvious without needing close examination.

Was the Chen family’s bankruptcy too heavy a blow for Chen Shu?

But given Chen Shu’s character, how could mere bankruptcy affect him like this?

Yan Jingchuan turned to Chen Shu. You—

As he started to speak, he saw Chen Shu pressing his forehead with his hand, frowning in pain.

Chen Shu!

Chen Shu closed his eyes.

Entering this bedroom and seeing photo after photo of the original owner, memories that had merely existed suddenly became vivid, flashing through his mind scene by scene.

The sharp, stabbing pain grew increasingly intense—something that had never happened before.

Chen Shu!

Chen Shu finally heard Yan Jingchuan’s voice and opened his eyes to look at him. No need to worry.

Yan Jingchuan’s tone was firm: I’m taking you to the hospital.

Without waiting for Chen Shu’s response, he had already contacted the driver.

Chen Shu had no choice but to go downstairs with him.

On the way, an uncontrollable dizziness erupted along with a sharp pain, and Chen Shu’s hand, which had been held tightly in Yan Jingchuan’s palm, suddenly went slack.

He only heard Yan Jingchuan call his name before sinking into a deep sleep.

At that very moment.

He opened his eyes. The trees outside the car window were flowing backward.

Hey, are you even listening to me?

Chen Shu followed the voice and looked over: Shijie?

Fang Shijie sighed in exasperation: Are you sleepwalking? I knew I was just wasting my breath earlier!

Chen Shu raised a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose and glanced at his watch.

Um—

To the airport, Chen Shu interrupted him.

Fang Shijie let out a long sigh: Alright, alright.

Listening to his endless complaints, Chen Shu closed his eyes and pretended to rest.

Had he forgotten something?

Maybe it wasn’t important.

The car sped along and soon arrived at the airport.

Just as Chen Shu was about to board the plane, Fang Shijie suddenly grabbed him.

Chen Shu, wait!

Chen Shu glanced at his hand and turned to face him: Reason?

Fang Shijie shrugged: Keep me company, it’s not like you’re in a hurry anyway.

Chen Shu suddenly felt something and looked toward the boarding gate.

It was empty, but a face surfaced in his mind.

Chen Shu?

Chen Shu frowned and simply said: No. Next time.

Fang Shijie was taken aback: Why?

Why?

A needle-like sting flashed through his mind, and Chen Shu snapped back to reality.

He looked around, then at Fang Shijie again.

It was the same familiar scene.

So it was just another dream.

Chen Shu brushed off Fang Shijie’s hand and continued forward.

Fang Shijie grabbed him again: Chen Shu, don’t board this flight!

His grip was unusually strong, creating an illusion of reality.

Chen Shu’s brow twitched slightly, but he still exerted a little force to break free from his hand without stopping.

Boarding the plane would wake him from the dream.

Last time, he was unconscious for a week; this time, he hoped it wouldn’t be as long.

Chen Shu!

Footsteps followed closely behind him.

Chen Shu didn’t look back as flight crew members stepped forward to intercept him.

Chen Shu!

Chen Shu walked onto the plane.

The next second, a familiar roar suddenly exploded.

—

Consciousness returned, and Chen Shu first felt his left hand being tightly clenched in a palm.

He slowly opened his eyes and looked to the side.

Yan Jingchuan was sitting by the bed, holding Chen Shu’s left hand with both of his, pressing it against his lips. Deep furrows were etched between his brows, and his usually sharp phoenix eyes were tightly shut, revealing an unmistakable anxiety in his expression.

Jingchuan.

Yan Jingchuan’s eyes snapped open: You’re awake?

Chen Shu glanced out the window.

The sky had been bright when he arrived, but now it was completely dark.

How long was I asleep?

Yan Jingchuan pressed his lips together: Nine hours.

Chen Shu looked at him and said softly, I’m sorry.

Yan Jingchuan tightened his grip: What exactly is going on?

Just like last time, this sudden coma had left the hospital without any clues.

Chen Shu said, It’s nothing—

The dream you had last time, Yan Jingchuan interrupted him, is it related to this?

Chen Shu fell silent, which was rare for him.

Yan Jingchuan pressed further: What was the dream?

Chen Shu said, Just a dream about the past.

Yan Jingchuan said, You know about the connection between me and Wangcai, and you still want to hide it from me?

Chen Shu remained silent for another moment.

Seeing that Yan Jingchuan had no intention of letting it go, he propped himself up on his elbows and sat up halfway.

Yan Jingchuan adjusted the head of the bed, placing two pillows behind him, but didn’t sit back down. Instead, he looked at him and said, Tell me.

Before Chen Shu could speak.

Don’t lie to me. Yan Jingchuan added, You said that no matter what request I make, you would fulfill it.

Chen Shu let out a soft sigh.

Seeing the door tightly closed, he turned his gaze to Yan Jingchuan.

Yan Jingchuan stared deeply at him, not looking away.

Since they were going to have this conversation, Chen Shu decided not to beat around the bush.

Do you know about ‘a soul occupying another’s body’?

A soul occupying another’s body?

Even Yan Jingchuan couldn’t help but freeze momentarily.

Chen Shu no longer concealed the truth: To be precise, I’m a soul from another parallel world. Coming to this world was purely accidental.

Yan Jingchuan instinctively pressed his hand on Chen Shu’s shoulder, only speaking in a deep voice after touching the familiar body: Then what about those two times you fell unconscious?

Chen Shu was surprised by his question: Aren’t you afraid? Hearing that I’m actually a dead person.

Why should I be afraid. Yan Jingchuan gazed into his eyes, his tone carrying undeniable calmness. You are you. The person I love is your soul.