Wen Ruyu’s slender body stiffened instantly.

If it had been before, he would have agreed without hesitation. But Chu Junheng’s gifts always required “reciprocity.”

If he accepted it, it was no different from agreeing to “repay” him.

Wen Ruyu lowered his eyes, glanced at the box in Chu Junheng’s hand, then looked at Fu Qingfeng, who was in a miserable state on the floor.

Fu Qingfeng held his abdomen, breathing slightly unevenly. When he saw Wen Ruyu looking over, he wiped the blood from the corner of his lips and turned his face away, speaking coldly.

"I don’t need your help."

Chu Junheng cast Zhang Yang a faint glance. Zhang Yang immediately understood and stepped forward, kicking the back of Fu Qingfeng’s knee again.

"Did I let you speak?"

Fu Qingfeng let out a muffled groan, unable to control himself as he was forced down onto one knee again. Sweat seeped from his forehead from the pain. He looked utterly disheveled.

Wen Ruyu’s eyes widened at the sight, panic filling them. Tears welled up even more, soaking his lashes and trembling at the corners of his eyes, ready to fall.

But there was nothing he could do.

In the end, he withdrew his gaze, eyes reddened, and with trembling fingers accepted the gift from Chu Junheng’s hand.

That also meant his compromise.

Yet Chu Junheng showed no sign of happiness. If anything, the darkness in his eyes deepened, and the pressure around him grew heavier.

So he could go this far for that person.

He lifted his hand slightly. Everyone present immediately fell silent. Zhang Yang and Jin Duoduo stepped forward, seized Fu Qingfeng, and dragged him out of the room despite his struggle.

The others quickly followed and left as well.

Wen Ruyu’s heart skipped. Instinctively, he tried to leave too. But the moment he moved, his wrist was seized again by Chu Junheng, the grip so strong he could not break free.

The door clicked shut.

In the vast space, only the two of them remained.

Wen Ruyu struggled desperately to pull his hand back, but his strength was like an ant trying to shake a tree in front of Chu Junheng. He could not escape his restraint at all.

Chu Junheng applied slight force and dragged Wen Ruyu down onto the sofa. Then he knelt on one knee on the sofa, trapping Wen Ruyu between himself and the cushions.

His tall figure completely enveloped Wen Ruyu, carrying an overwhelming sense of pressure.

Panic filled Wen Ruyu’s beautiful eyes. He pressed his hand against Chu Junheng’s chest, his voice tense and unsteady.

"W-what are you doing?"

"Reciprocity." Chu Junheng let out a cold laugh. His gaze fell on the box in Wen Ruyu’s hands, his low voice laced with faint mockery.

"You accepted my gift for Fu Qingfeng, didn’t you?"

Wen Ruyu froze again, his thin body sinking into the soft sofa. His long lashes trembled helplessly, making him look pitiful.

Chu Junheng’s eyes darkened further. He braced his hands on either side of the sofa, looking down at him from above.

"You can change your mind if you want."

"But my thirty-million watch is missing, and it just so happens to be on Fu Qingfeng’s wrist. I’m sure the police will give me a perfect explanation."

Wen Ruyu’s eyes widened. He looked at Chu Junheng, his trembling voice filled with disbelief.

"You were the one who gave it to me."

Chu Junheng parted his thin lips, his tone calm.

"Do you have proof?"

Wen Ruyu’s eyes grew even redder with urgency. He hurriedly spoke, his voice flustered.

"Jin Duoduo and Zhang Yang saw it."

Chu Junheng chuckled softly, though the smile did not reach his eyes.

"Do you think they’ll testify for you?"

Wen Ruyu froze once more. His lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

They wouldn’t.

Not to mention they were Chu Junheng’s followers—even an ordinary classmate would hardly dare oppose him.

Perhaps the police would eventually uncover the truth.

But Fu Qingfeng would still be dragged into rumors of accepting a gift worth tens of millions. People would think his aloof persona had collapsed, and he would likely be subjected to endless gossip.

The original host would never allow that to happen.

Wen Ruyu tightened his grip on the box, his palm aching from the force. In the end, his long lashes lowered helplessly, and the resistance in his hand weakened.

He compromised again.

Seeing this, the darkness in Chu Junheng’s eyes deepened further.

Everything Wen Ruyu could think of, he naturally understood as well.

Without pressure from the Chu family, calling the police would never actually get Fu Qingfeng arrested. At most, it would just drag him into scandal over a thirty-million gift.

And yet even that, the person before him refused to allow. He would even compromise for it.

To be precise, as long as it involved Fu Qingfeng, he would give in so easily.

How ridiculous.

A thick gloom churned in Chu Junheng’s eyes. He grabbed Wen Ruyu’s pale chin and, in the next moment, lowered his head and kissed him.

Wen Ruyu’s slender body tensed. He instinctively turned his head to avoid it, but his chin was held firmly in place. He could not even tilt away, only hurting himself instead.

The kiss was forceful, devoid of any gentleness, filled with overwhelming pressure and aggression.

Like marking.

Or declaring ownership.

Wen Ruyu’s fingers clutched at Chu Junheng’s clothes as he instinctively tried to push him away. Tears nearly spilled from his eyes, yet all his resistance was swallowed between their lips.

Their breaths tangled together, dyeing his originally pale cheeks with a faint blush. The moisture in his eyes made his delicate features even more striking.

The more Wen Ruyu struggled, the harder Chu Junheng kissed him, devouring all his resistance bit by bit.

Tears slid from the corners of Wen Ruyu’s eyes. In the end, he could only grip Chu Junheng’s clothes and let him do as he pleased.

After an unknown amount of time, Chu Junheng finally let him go.

Wen Ruyu lay weakly on the sofa, his lips flushed red, like ripe cherries, slightly swollen. His entire being exuded a fragile vulnerability.

So beautiful it was hard to look away.

Chu Junheng looked down at him, his throat moving slightly. He reached out, picked up the box that had rolled onto the sofa, and flicked it open with his fingers.

Inside lay a finely crafted ruby ring.

Its luster was rich and refined, elegant and clearly expensive.

With one hand, Chu Junheng picked up the ring. With the other, he took Wen Ruyu’s hand.

Wen Ruyu’s heart tightened. Almost instinctively, he tried to pull his hand back, his fingers turning pale from the strain.

But Chu Junheng’s grip was overwhelming. His fingers locked around his hand, leaving no room for escape.

Wen Ruyu could only stiffen as he watched Chu Junheng slip the ring onto the middle finger of his left hand.

It fit perfectly.

As if it had been custom-made.

Wen Ruyu’s fingers were already beautiful—slender, pale, and elegant. Against the ruby, they took on an even more striking brilliance.

Like a flawless piece of art.

Chu Junheng’s fingers brushed lightly over the ring. His low, husky voice carried undisguised admiration.

"Beautiful."

The moment Chu Junheng loosened his grip, Wen Ruyu immediately pulled his hand back, instinctively trying to remove the ring.

But the instant his fingers moved, Chu Junheng seemed to anticipate it. He grabbed his wrist again, his strength making escape impossible.

Chu Junheng leaned closer. His fingers brushed aside the loose strands of hair by Wen Ruyu’s temple. His tone carried a trace of obsession and force.

"Don’t take it off."

"Don’t make me angry."

"Otherwise, I can’t guarantee Fu Qingfeng will still be able to stand in front of you intact."

At the mention of Fu Qingfeng, Wen Ruyu immediately looked at Chu Junheng, anger filling his beautiful eyes.

"Chu Junheng."

"Don’t go too far."

Chu Junheng let out a faint, almost mocking laugh. Just as he was about to speak, his phone rang.

He paused, then answered.

After hearing whatever was said on the other end, he fell silent for a moment. When he hung up, he looked at Wen Ruyu.

"I’ll stay in the dorm tonight."

After saying that, he picked up his coat from the side and draped it over Wen Ruyu.

"Do you need someone to take you back?"

Wen Ruyu turned his head away and replied coldly.

"No."

Chu Junheng did not mind his indifference. He stood up and left the room.

Only Wen Ruyu remained.

Wen Ruyu pulled off the ring from his middle finger, then removed Chu Junheng’s coat. After straightening his clothes, he opened the door.

The moment he stepped out, he froze.

In the shadows not far away, Fu Qingfeng was leaning quietly against the wall.

When Wen Ruyu saw him, he instinctively turned his face aside and wiped his lips again with the back of his hand.

As if afraid Fu Qingfeng would notice something.

But even without seeing, two men being alone in a private room for so long—anyone could guess what had happened.

Fu Qingfeng lifted his eyes to look at Wen Ruyu and spoke calmly.

"What is your relationship with him?"

"Nothing. Just friends," Wen Ruyu said, not daring to look at him.

His lips were still slightly swollen, clearly showing signs of being roughly kissed. He shifted his body slightly.

"You should go back first."

"I still have something to do. I’ll return to the dorm later."

"I’m injured," Fu Qingfeng said in the same calm tone, as if stating a simple fact, without any trace of complaint.

Wen Ruyu panicked instantly. Forgetting everything else, he hurried over.

"Where are you hurt?"

From afar, it had not been clear. But up close, Fu Qingfeng immediately noticed Wen Ruyu’s swollen lips.

His gaze darkened uncontrollably.

It was irritating.

So irritating that even his chest felt uncomfortable.

For a moment, that discomfort even surpassed the pain in his body.

But he said nothing. Lowering his eyes, he concealed the darkness and returned to his usual calm expression.

He moved his hand slightly and pressed against his abdomen.

"Here."

Wen Ruyu grew even more anxious. Carefully, he lifted Fu Qingfeng’s clothes.

On the originally clean, pale skin were large, horrifying bruises.

Tears instantly filled Wen Ruyu’s eyes, as if the injuries were on his own body. His voice trembled.

"I’ll take you to the hospital."

Fu Qingfeng looked at his flustered, anxious expression, lowered his eyes calmly, and said lightly,

"Okay."

Chapter 55

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