Luo An tensed up when Chu Jin knocked over the files, realizing Chu Jin’s intentions and noticing his deliberate attempt to block the camera.
Concerned, Luo An suppressed his curiosity and floated outside the office, keeping watch for people passing by occasionally on Chu Jin’s behalf.
Sure enough, within five minutes, the intruder hurried to the office.
Luo An rushed back into the office. “Chu Jin, someone’s coming!”
Although he was aware that Chu Jin couldn’t hear him, Luo An anxiously circled around, wringing his hands.
Fortunately, Chu Jin had mostly tidied up his desk. The scattered files were still a bit messy, but all picked up. Chu Jin, seemingly oblivious to the camera, restored everything to its original state.
“Knock knock knock—” Less than a minute later, the intruder rapped on the office door.
“Jin-ge—” The intruder began to speak.
Chu Jin opened the door, his eyes dark, holding two painkillers. He appeared tormented by a headache, his temper visibly short.
“What is it?”
The intruder, either relieved or for some other reason, believed the act and plastered on a look of concern. “Headache again?”
Chu Jin was clearly not in a good mood. “If you have something to say, say it.”
“Nothing,” the intruder’s gaze swept into Chu Jin’s office. Chu Jin pretended not to notice, even subtly shifting to allow a clearer view.
The intruder’s suspicions were dispelled, “It’s nothing. I just thought I heard something over here and was worried about you, so I came to check.”
After the intruder left, Chu Jin sat back at his desk. He had memorized the phone number from the note and took out his phone to dial, but hesitated upon seeing the camera.
He’d noticed the camera two days ago but hadn’t mentioned it.
Initially, he didn’t know who planted it, suspecting a rival company’s tactics. But after this test, the culprit was obvious.
If this wasn’t the real Luo An, where was the true Luo An?
The real Luo An… Chu Jin mulled over these words, suddenly realizing he could barely remember the rebellious, willful Luo An from before.
He knew the old Luo An would’ve opposed him, but he couldn’t recall Luo An’s expressions or tone when defiant. Instead, all he could picture was this “Luo An’s” smiles and gestures when trying to please him.
The more Chu Jin tried to remember, the worse his headache became. It felt like a sledgehammer pounding his skull, his temples throbbing so intensely his vision blurred.
His heart felt like it was clenched by an iron fist. Overwhelming panic surged through him as Chu Jin clenched his fists, his chest heaving.
Cold sweat quickly broke out as Chu Jin gasped for air.
“Stop thinking about it, Chu Jin…” Luo An had circled around countless times in distress.
His transparent hands passed through Chu Jin’s body repeatedly. Unable to do anything, he could only watch helplessly as Chu Jin convulsed in pain.
Luo An’s fingertips trembled as he tightly “embraced” the suffering Chu Jin.
But how could an insubstantial hug provide real warmth? The embrace was futile; despite their physical proximity, an insurmountable chasm had opened between them.
Powerless and unable to reach him.
At some point, wind picked up outside. The photo frame had been opened, with their picture on top. Suddenly, the wind caught it, lifting it before it fluttered to the ground.
…
Chu Jin didn’t use his own phone to contact the number on the note. Since “Luo An” had already installed a camera in his office, there might be other measures in place.
Chu Jin made an excuse to go to the hospital. His headache symptoms were genuinely severe today, so the intruder didn’t suspect anything.
At the hospital, Chu Jin used a borrowed phone to dial the number.
“Ring—”
“Ring—”
“Ring—”
The phone rang three times with no answer.
Chu Jin wasn’t impatient. He stood in the hallway, fingers lightly tapping the tiles by the railing.
Time ticked by. Just as Chu Jin thought no one would answer, the call suddenly connected.
The person who answered didn’t speak, but Chu Jin could hear their heavy breathing. He vaguely understood such emotions; when faced with hope, people tend to be both extremely eager and terrified of disappointment.
Chu Jin silently counted to five. Finally, the person spoke, their voice soft, as if afraid of shattering something, cautiously probing:
“Is… is this Xiao Chu?”
Their words carried barely suppressed sobs.
Chu Jin, however, stiffened at the sound of the voice.
He never expected the owner of this phone to be Mrs. Chen.
Or rather, Luo An’s mother.
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