Life and Death Insurance – CH 032

Chapter 32

The first day after the New Year’s holiday wasn’t busy. Ling Zhengzhong left work on time. He arrived at the parking lot and had just reached his car when he heard someone call out behind him, “Ling Zhengzhong!”

Ling Zhengzhong turned around and saw Yu Shenglin. He hadn’t seen him for several days, but Yu Shenglin hadn’t changed at all. He still had that arrogant demeanor and that haughty air, only now his face showed more anger and disdain.

“Yu Shenglin, with Yang Yiqing by your side, you’ve had a good time these past two days, haven’t you?”

His best friend was a genius when it came to entertainment, a true master of mischief. With him around, Yu Shenglin could be happy even if he was heartbroken or suffering from amnesia.

Unfortunately, the greeting had barely left his lips when Ling Zhengzhong felt a sharp pain on his left cheek. Caught off guard, he was sent flying, landing squarely on the hood of a car.

“Yu Shenglin, are you crazy?”

The intense pain in his back filled Ling Zhengzhong with a mixture of shock and anger. He couldn’t understand what had gotten into Yu Shenglin, but the other ignored his question and charged forward, throwing a second punch. This time, Ling Zhengzhong was prepared. He quickly parried with his fist and kicked back, engaging Yu Shenglin in a grappling match.

The two were about the same height and strength. After a few rounds of fighting, Ling Zhengzhong took several punches to the face, and Yu Shenglin was kicked a few times. Both of them staggered back several steps, panting heavily.

“Yu Shenglin, go vent your anger somewhere else! Don’t think I’m easy to bully just because I always give in to you. If I’d known you were such an ingrate, I should have made you jump into the sea and drowned you, you bastard!”

No wonder Ling Zhengzhong was furious. He’d been worried about Yu Shenglin these past few days, even calling Yang Yiqing, only to have his concern backfire. On his first day back at work, he was unexpectedly beaten up. Even when they had disagreements, it had never escalated to a physical fight. “Is Yu Shenglin acting crazy today because of his breakup, attacking everyone he sees?”

Compared to Ling Zhengzhong’s resentment, Yu Shenglin was even more furious. He pointed at Ling Zhengzhong and sneered, “Ling Zhengzhong, you helped me out that day. I thought you were being kind, but I didn’t expect you to stab me in the back. If you want to deal with me, do it openly. What’s the point of sneaking around?”

“What does that mean?”

Ling Zhengzhong listened for a long time but still didn’t understand what Yu Shenglin was talking about.

“Explain yourself clearly. When did I ever retaliate against you?”

“When? What? You dare to do it but don’t admit it?”

Yu Shenglin sneered, “Now, most people in the company know about Xu Yang and me. I heard them say it was you who told them. I just called Yi Qing, and she said she told you about it too. Are you still trying to deny it? Ling Zhengzhong, even if you want to remove me from my position, you don’t need to be in such a hurry, do you?”

“Ah…”

Ling Zhengzhong was completely stunned.

How could he be so unlucky? Even sitting in the office without leaving, he was framed like this? Was there any justice?

It was only his first day at work! Even if there was some news, it shouldn’t have spread this quickly. Besides, he had been in the office the whole time, even eating lunch at his desk. How could such a bad apple fall on his head?

“Hey, Yu Shenglin, don’t try to frame me! I don’t know anything, hey…”

“Judas!!”

Ignoring Ling Zhengzhong’s explanation, Yu Shenglin spat out these two words angrily, then turned and left, leaving the unlucky Ling Zhengzhong there, so angry he almost vomited blood.

“Ouch, ouch, ouch…”

Xiang Tian gently applied ice to Ling Zhengzhong’s swollen face, using the least amount of pressure possible, but the poor, unfortunate boy kept yelling and screaming, as if trying to vent all his pent-up resentment.

Xiang Tian had been listening to Ling Zhengzhong’s complaints since he arrived home after work, and it had been over half an hour. Seeing that the poor boy showed no sign of stopping, Xiang Tian could only smile and say, “Zhengzhong, I know you’re innocent. You didn’t harm Yu Shenglin. You aren’t Judas; you’re Dou E. But please don’t move around now, okay? If you move, I won’t be able to control my strength, and I’ll hurt you again.”

Xiang Tian’s words only reignited Ling Zhengzhong’s anger.

“Xiang Tian, ​​you absolutely have to come with me to the temple tomorrow to get a peace charm. I must be having a run of bad luck this year; otherwise, why is it snowing so much in June?”

“Zhengzhong, I have to go to work tomorrow…”

“I don’t care anymore! I’ve been beaten up like this!! How did you promise the crazy policeman you’d protect me, and now I’m a complete idiot, and all you care about is going to work…”

Hearing such childish complaints, Xiang Tian could only smile wryly.

When did he ever make a promise? He didn’t seem to have been able to say a word that day, did he? It was just Chu Feng and Ling Zhengzhong talking to themselves the whole time.

“You got beaten up, but Yu Shenglin didn’t seem to get away with it either, did he?”

“Of course! Would I let him hit me willingly? Of course I’d hit him back with interest!… But Xiang Tian, ​​do you think I’m really that unlucky?”

Ling Zhengzhong continued to complain, but Xiang Tian answered him with a faint smile.

For some reason, that relaxed smile lingered in Ling Zhengzhong’s eyes, making him somewhat stunned.

Those long, drooping eyelashes, the slightly upturned lips, and the way Xiang Tian was intently applying a face mask to him—all these features softened Xiang Tian’s already handsome face, making it appear serene and elegant. Ling Zhengzhong stared blankly at that face, involuntarily swallowing.

Because of the ice pack, the two were very close. Ling Zhengzhong could clearly smell Xiang Tian’s faint fragrance, and for a moment, his hand, which had been resting on his lap, felt an urge to embrace him.

Ling Zhengzhong had experience with men, though only once, and it happened when he was half-drunk and half-awake. The excitement and thrill of that time still made his heart flutter. It was a feeling completely different from that with a woman, and it had given him the urge to relive that experience several times afterward. But thinking about the constant comings and goings of people in those places and the risk of catching some disease, he suppressed that thought.

But the little hamster was different. He was so handsome and innocent and a good person. If he were with him…

Damn it, what was he thinking? The little hamster considered him a friend. How could he do that kind of thing to a friend? Even thinking about it was wrong…

However, contrary to his ability to suppress his feelings, smelling the faint fragrance emanating from Xiang Tian, ​​Ling Zhengzhong felt a warm current coursing through his body, his lower abdomen growing increasingly hot. He embarrassingly realized he seemed to be aroused.

“Xiang Tian, ​​rub my lower back!”

Before Xiang Tian noticed the change in his body, Ling Zhengzhong hurriedly pounced on the sofa, adopting a prone position to hide his embarrassment.