FI CH61: In the dead of night

On the boundless sea, a monstrous wave surged in an instant!

The behemoth-like cruise ship tossed and turned like a small boat, and the ship’s interior descended into chaos.

The control room was a frantic mess:

“What’s going on, a sea storm!?”

“Didn’t we check the weather forecast? This route has always been stable!”

In a room, an oil painting’s frame crashed down on Jin Yongwen’s head! The crystal in the wall cabinet also fell, shattering into pieces.

He let out a miserable scream, “Ah… F*ck!”

The corridors and halls outside were in disarray, with dinner plates sliding to the floor with a clatter. The formation array set up in the dark room was also overturned, a complete wreck.

…

The storm raged for a while before finally stopping.

Only a ship full of terrified people remained.

On the deck, Lin Su let out a breath.

As he withdrew his hand, a wave of dizziness hit him. He stumbled and braced himself on his knees. Xuenima grabbed the back of his collar with a hoof, shocked:

[…You’re stirring up trouble again!]

“Don’t make me sound like a repeat offender.” =u=

Just as he finished speaking, the sound of footsteps approached from behind. Immediately, a hand wrapped around his waist, lifted him up, and pulled him back—

“…!” Lin Su looked up, right into He Zhenling’s lowered face.

A broad palm was clasped around his waist.

He Zhenling’s eyelashes were half-lowered, his gaze deep and intense. “So, the real ‘monstrous wave’ was waiting here.”

“…”

Lin Su presented himself. “I overturned the entire array.”

A very light chuckle came from above, and the arm around him tightened slightly. He Zhenling looked at him for two seconds, then asked, “Can you stand steady?”

Lin Su paused for a moment, then rustled as he turned over.

Then, closing his eyes, he buried his face. “…Ah, I’m so dizzy.”

He Zhenling, “…”

Xuenima: […]Stealing lines?

The person before him didn’t speak, just held him with one arm. Lin Su lay there peacefully, feeling a faint electric current. “Tingly, it’s very reassuring.”

He Zhenling, “…”

He lifted the person up a bit, his eyes fixed downward. “What are your intentions?”

Lin Su said shyly, “Aiya… you’re being too direct.”

The shell of his ear was suddenly rubbed, neither lightly nor heavily, by a thumb. He shivered subconsciously. Before he could react, that hand took the tassel pendant from his lapel and pressed it inward—

“Mm…” Lin Su grunted, his breathing falling into disarray.

The calloused thumb toyed with the soft earlobe.

Under the vast night sky, the sea breeze gradually softened, brushing past their fluttering clothes. With a shattered light in his eyes, He Zhenling pinched for two seconds before letting go. “Flirting around like this… out in the open.”

Lin Su’s face flushed: …Oh my.

A noisy commotion could be faintly heard from the cabins below. He Zhenling turned his head and glanced over.

“Everyone should be out now. Let’s go see.”

Lin Su had recovered a bit by now. He propped himself up slightly and tidied his slightly messy clothes. “Okay.”

The two walked towards the interior, one after the other.

Lin Su quietly pursed his lips. “Xuenima, did you see that? He Zhenling just now…”

A cold voice replied from the depths of his consciousness: [Nope-aca. I only watch skits and children’s channels.]

“…”

Back in the first-floor hall.

They ran right into Jin Yongwen coming out.

The upper-class socialites and students had also gathered, a dense crowd of people.

Jin Yongwen had a large bruise on his forehead and was grimacing in pain, looking somewhat comical. While applying a cold compress, he loudly reassured everyone:

“Everyone, it’s alright! Just a small storm.”

Lin Su’s palm itched, and he narrowed his eyes: …Small?

Xuenima sneered coldly: [Huh?]

Jin Yongwen was still at the front, feigning composure, saying, “It’s fine, it’s fine.” Lin Su suddenly spoke up, his clear and translucent voice ringing through the hall:

“How is it fine? My friend is missing.”

Jin Yongwen’s expression changed slightly, his gaze falling upon him.

Then he smiled as if nothing was wrong. “The ship is big. Who knows where he ran off to? He probably just got separated.”

Lin Su shook his head. “He especially loves to sleep on the deck. Could he have fallen into the sea just now?” He then said seriously, “I demand an immediate search and rescue operation.”

As soon as he said it, an uproar went through the crowd!

Xuenima: [You’re going to blow this up?]

“That’s right. Force him to hand over the person now.”

At the front, Jin Yongwen’s expression stiffened slightly.

The surroundings also broke into quiet discussion, some seemingly in the know, others not. Suspicion, apprehension, and fear mingled as gazes intertwined.

Song Jin’an was also somewhat shocked, yet revealed a hint of relief, ultimately standing silently in the crowd.

Lin Su’s gaze swept past him and returned.

Amidst the noisy voices, someone finally spoke up, “We’re out here to have a good time, let’s not have a death on our hands. Hurry up and find him!”

“Exactly! I don’t want to be under investigation when we get off the ship.”

Jin Yongwen seemed to be triggered by a certain word and relented, “How about this, let’s search the ship first.” As he said this, he turned his head and gave a look, and a crew member nearby went down.

After a short while, the crew member returned and said:

“Mr. Jin, the student has been found. He might have had a bit to drink and fell asleep in the corridor. We’ve settled him in the lounge next door for now.”

Jin Yongwen waved his hand with a smile, “Hah, it’s nothing!”

After a few false alarms, the crowd dispersed.

The students from H University hurried to the next room.

Lin Su glanced lightly at Jin Yongwen, paused, and then followed with He Zhenling.

The hall emptied out.

Jin Yongwen’s smile vanished, his eyes turning vicious: Damn, he’s really tough to kill. He even ran into a storm…! But—

He glanced at Lin Su’s departing back and frowned: Who is that?

…

In the lounge next door.

Zhou Li was lying on the sofa, his brow twitching. He had just groggily woken up to a circle of faces around him. “You’re awake.”

He: “…!”

His head still hurt. He pressed his temple and hissed. Hua Xi and the others fussed over him, “How are you?” “You’re usually strong as an ox, how did you end up passed out in the corridor?”

“Are all your limbs still attached? Check yourself.”

Zhou Li patted himself all over. “I’m fine, everything’s here.”

Hearing this, everyone sighed in relief.

Lin Su stood to one side and narrowed his eyes: Xuenima, some of his luck was siphoned away.

Xuenima: [●`皿’●]Ah!

As they were talking, Zhou Li’s phone suddenly rang.

He took it out, glanced at it, and frowned, his expression turning sour. Hua Xi and the others seemed to understand and said softly:

“You rest first, we’re heading out.”

Lin Su looked at Zhou Li’s phone thoughtfully and didn’t leave. He Zhenling also leaned against the side with his arms crossed.

Hua Xi and the others paused, seeing that the two of them seemed completely oblivious to the atmosphere. They opened their mouths, but in the end, said nothing and left on their own, closing the door behind them.

Fortunately, Zhou Li didn’t mind either and answered the phone. “Hello?”

A furious middle-aged man’s voice came from the other end: “Where are you?”

Zhou Li pursed his lips. “Out.”

“Hmph, out? What out? I’ve heard all about it. Didn’t your school give you a spot on a luxury cruise? You went to enjoy yourself, didn’t you!”

A few more curses came out: “…you little bastard, don’t you know the situation at home? I heard you could even invite a family member, but I didn’t see you invite your old man.”

“You could have sold the spot for money! But no, you just had to enjoy yourself!”

Zhou Li’s head was still aching, and the voice on the other end made his nerves throb. He pressed his forehead and took a deep breath. “I’m not feeling well right now. Let’s talk later.”

“You’re not feeling well? How much more comfortable do you want to be—”

Click. Zhou Li had already hung up the phone.

He took a moment to compose himself, then looked at Lin Su and said embarrassedly, “Sorry you had to see that. Junior, did you need me for something?”

Lin Su glanced over. “A call from home?”

“Yeah,” Zhou Li replied, explaining, “My family’s not well-off. My dad’s in debt.” He then gave a helpless smile. “I can’t choose where I’m born. I can only rely on my own hard work to live a little better.”

He said, “You see, this cruise for the rich, didn’t I get on it too? …Eh, that’s not right.”

Zhou Li realized, “This cruise isn’t that great either.”

Lin Su, “…”

This unlucky kid.

He looked at the person silently for two seconds, then suddenly said, “What if… it wasn’t supposed to be like this?”

Zhou Li was stunned. “What?”

Lin Su looked at him and said slowly, “If you weren’t your current ‘parents” biological child, but were just switched at birth… what would you think?”

Zhou Li’s mouth fell open. After a long moment, “…J-Junior, are you telling me a fantasy story, or are you serious?” He gulped, tasting the meaning. “You’re saying, I’m not their biological son?”

“Do you think you look like them?”

The person before him thought for a moment, then shook his head. “I’m more handsome.”

Lin Su, He Zhenling: “…”

Zhou Li then held his handsome head and took a moment to recover, then looked up. “I… I still find it unbelievable. But if it’s true, all the financial aid and competition prize money I’ve received over the years, I’ve given to the family. To my current parents, I owe nothing.”

He paused. “My biological parents… I’d like to meet them too.”

It was a desire to meet, not to gain anything.

Hearing this, Lin Su nodded. “Got it.” He took out his phone, swiped his finger, and handed it over. “Place an order. I’ll help you fulfill your wish.”

“Huh? What’s placing an order?”

Zhou Li took it, completely bewildered, but his hands didn’t stop. “Wow, junior, this webpage of yours is so cool. Hey, Pei Jin placed an order too. Then I’m relieved, haha.”

Xuenima praised: [He’s never downloaded an anti-fraud app, has he?]

“Shh.”

Ding! A new order was automatically generated.

Lin Su took it back and tapped it.

[Client: Zhou Li]
[Identity: Only son of the Song family, H University sports scholarship student, currently residing with the Zhou family in Ji County.]
[Status: Order Accepted]

After tapping, he put his phone away. “It’s done. Go back and rest, senior.”

Zhou Li asked, “My fainting wasn’t an accident, was it? Will everyone be in danger tonight?”

“The arrays are all destroyed. They won’t touch you guys again.”

“Wow…”

Zhou Li went back, amazed.

As soon as he left, Lin Su took out his bamboo brush.

He Zhenling’s gaze fell on it. “You’re going to use your powers again? You’re changing it back for him now?”

“First, I’ll return the luck that was siphoned away tonight.”

Lin Su said, and with a flick of his brush, it landed.

Golden threads wrapped around the brush tip. A moment later, they dissipated.

He put the brush away. “As for the life-swapping part, we’ll deal with that after he meets his biological parents.”

He Zhenling nodded, about to say something.

Lin Su suddenly took a few small steps and pressed himself against him. “…I’m overdrawn again. So dizzy.”

He, “…”

He Zhenling let out a chuckle and raised a hand to gently wrap around the person. Then he turned to the front, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Let’s go. Back to the room.”

Inside a lavishly decorated room.

Jin Yongwen held the registration book, staring at it with a frown for a long time. “Lin Su. This person is not on H University’s invitation list. And Ling Sheng Group’s He Zhenling is his plus-one.”

His subordinate said, “He took someone else’s spot.”

“Nonsense! Did he sneak on board by himself?”

Jin Yongwen pressed the bump on his forehead. The more he thought about it, the stranger it became. “These two are too sudden. What are they doing here? Could they have found out something…”

The array was destroyed. This trip was a bust.

He said irritably, “Go to their room tonight and see if there’s anything suspicious. Use some knockout gas, the kind of dose that wouldn’t even let an ox wake up.”

The subordinate replied, “Yes.”

“Be careful. Don’t get caught.”

…

After all the commotion tonight.

It was nearly eleven o’clock when Lin Su returned to the room.

He had overdone it today and was feeling drowsy for the first time in a while. He washed up early and climbed into bed, simultaneously pulling the glowing Xuenima back into his consciousness, and said to the person below:

“I’m going to sleep. I’ll be sleeping like a log.”

He Zhenling looked up. “…”

Lin Su let out a small yawn and lay down. “Good night.”

“…Heh. Good night.” A long arm reached out from below and click, turned off the light. The bed frame shook lightly as He Zhenling also lay down on his bed.

Without the night light, the sound of even breathing soon filled the quiet room.

Moonlight spread across the sea, spilling through the window.

The sea, which had been stirred into a frenzy, still had lingering waves, and the ship’s body swayed with the tide from time to time.

Another wave rose, and the ship rocked.

Suddenly, a “thump” sounded in the quiet room!

He Zhenling, in his light sleep, snapped his eyes open and turned his head. By the moonlight, he saw a bundle of Lin Su had landed in front of his bed.

He, “…”

He sat up and got down. “…Lin Su.”

The person on the floor was motionless, his breathing even and long. He Zhenling’s brow twitched. He bent down and gently propped the person up. He pursed his lips and spoke again, “Wake up. Go back up to sleep.”

Lin Su moved, his face brushing against his arm.

Under the bright moonlight, his eyelashes swept against his eyelids.

He Zhenling’s fingertips curled. After a moment of silence, he let out a soft sigh. A long arm wrapped around the person and lifted him up.

He glanced at the top bunk, then at the bottom bunk.

After contemplating for two seconds, he held the person and leaned over the bed—

Just as he touched the warm bedding, a pair of eyes suddenly opened from within his arms! Reflected in the moonlight, Lin Su’s gaze was snow-bright. He Zhenling froze abruptly. “…!”

The two stared at each other in silence for two seconds.

He Zhenling pursed his lips, his voice steady. “I…”

A helpless sigh floated out from his arms:

“I did say I would be sleeping like a log.”

Lin Su clutched the loosened collar of his clothes, slightly embarrassed. “But you’re making such big movements. You’re too bold. What were you trying to do? Didn’t you know to wake me up first?”

__

Author’s Note:

He Zhenling (gaze silent): I did call you. Many times.

Drowsy Su: (simply couldn’t wake up) zzZZ…

Support me on Ko-fi