TCFOTKB 43

Chapter 43: Surveillance

Upon seeing He Yunzhou, Lou Wenjiang’s breath momentarily stopped, and he quickly turned his head to exchange a surprised glance with Qu Shulan.

Lou Wenjiang, focused on He Yunzhou, didn’t notice the expressions of others. He found it strange that He Yunzhou would suddenly come.

He Yunzhou sensed that something was amiss with Lou Ting’s parents, but didn’t say much. He simply pulled a chair next to Lou Ting, sat down, and restrained the smile on his face. “Are you two Lou Ting’s parents?”

Lou Wenjiang nodded, “Hello.”

“Do you have something to discuss with LouTing?” He Yunzhou embraced Lou Ting’s shoulders, effortlessly picked up a glass of ice water, and handed it to him, displaying a familiar gesture.

Lou Ting glanced at him, said nothing, and obediently lowered his head to take a sip from the glass.

“Lou Ting has been busy lately. If there’s anything, you can talk to me directly, no need to bother him.” He Yunzhou’s words were sharp, from the authoritative warning upon entering to every sentence now. Seemingly casual, but in reality, it was like an order from someone long accustomed to a high position—something you had to follow.

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Nsw Mkdt zlyadle ycswv vbl xyaakytl vbl eyu kv byrrldle. Usxckdle okvb bkp ‘sclekldv’ rlapsdyzkvu, bl oswzed’v xyaau ydusdl okvbswv bkp ryaldvp’ rlaxkppksd. Oprlnkyzzu okvb vbkp pweeld xyaakytl vs Tl Zwdgbsw, nsdpkelakdt vbl pktdkqknydv ekqqlaldnl kd vblka cynjtaswdep, Nsw Mkdt oswzed’v byhl ytalle vs vbkp wdksd.

Br wdvkz dso, Nsw Zw bye dlhla eswcvle oblvbla Nsw Mkdt bye vawzu ekhsanle Tl Zwdgbsw.

Jwv dso kv pllxle vbyv Nsw Mkdt bye elhlzsrle psxl alclzzkswp vbswtbvp ycswv vbkp xyvvla.

“Pkhsanl?” Tl Zwdgbsw aykple yd lulcaso. “Ekvbswv xu rlaxkppksd, oswze bl eyal?”

Nsw Mkdt: “…”

Cwkvl csze sq usw.

Gp bl prsjl, Tl Zwdgbsw zsolale bkp blye yde tzydnle yv Nsw Mkdt.

Lou Ting felt somewhat helpless, but he knew what He Yunzhou was thinking.

By highlighting the difference in status, Lou Ting’s parents wouldn’t consider using Lou Ting as a stepping stone to connect with He Yunzhou. It would save them future trouble, and, if Lou Ting’s parents didn’t want to offend He Yunzhou, their contact with Lou Ting might decrease.

After all, for now, Lou Ting seemed to belong to He Yunzhou…

Although there was a marriage registration to show, the inevitable gap was something Lou Ting’s parents could understand.

Lou Ting also didn’t want to be entangled by these people in the future. He chose to go along with it and looked at He Yunzhou obediently.

He Yunzhou was just putting on a show, but in the brief eye contact, he suddenly pressed his thumb against Lou Ting’s lips. The warm and slightly dry touch made his fingertips tremble.

He Yunzhou cleared his throat, still intending to act a bit more exaggerated, but his body was more honest, and continuing might lead to trouble.

He Yunzhou simply let go, saying, “Speak, what’s the matter.”

With He Yunzhou asking, even if they had something, they wouldn’t dare to speak. Lou Wenjiang smirked and lowered his head. Although He Yunzhou’s status was noble, he was younger than them when considering age.

In addition, Lou Ting is now married to He Yunzhou, making He Yunzhou also a junior. Asking for money from juniors is not beyond their means.

Lou Yu  steps forward and says, “My parents are not in good health. They have been recuperating in the hospital, and just recently discharged. The illness has relapsed, and I gave all my pocket money to my father, but it seems to be not enough…”

Speaking, Lou Yu looks down in disappointment, as if feeling guilty for not being able to help.

“Money?” He Yunzhou sneers, “Is this trivial matter worth calling Lou Ting away?”

Before the words are finished, He Yunzhou directly throws out a bank card.

The usage rate of Interstellar Era bank cards is very low, mostly used for identity payments.

But for some wealthy individuals, when the amount is relatively large and the risk is high, they also use bank cards for storage.

In this theoretical understanding, the appearance of this situation implies that the money in this card is probably an astronomical figure that they dare not even think about.

Lou Ting listens to their nonsense, pretending to be ignorant from start to finish. He didn’t expect He Yunzhou to directly give money; that wasn’t his intention.

Lou Ting immediately wants to take back the bank card, and he can just transfer some money to them to shut them up.

Directly giving the card, the amount is too much.

However, He Yunzhou seems to have anticipated his actions early. He changes his sitting posture and quietly presses his hand down.

Lou Ting looks at him suspiciously, his eyes full of questions.

He Yunzhou gestures for him to calm down.

Lou Wenjiang’s eyes are fixed on the bank card, completely unaware of the subtle movements between them.

But he doesn’t rush to take the money—it would seem too utilitarian and not in line with his image as a caring father.

After a while, still under the urging of Qu Shulan, Lou Wenjiang rubs his face and smiles bitterly, “Then, thank you.”

Lou Ting doesn’t answer, feeling that this person is too immersed in the role.

Having given the money, He Yunzhou doesn’t want to stay longer. He stands up directly and says, “It’s getting late. I’ll take my leave. Consider this table on my tab.”

Still maintaining a condescending attitude, this statement is not a question but a notification.

Without even waiting for Lou Wenjiang’s response, he directly pulls Lou Ting away.

Until they were out of the door, Lou Ting finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Lou Ting said, “Really annoying.”

Watching them put on a show made him feel disgusted.

He Yunzhou asked, “Don’t you think there’s something wrong with them?” He Yunzhou had checked information about Lou Ting and knew what he had gone through before.

In this matter, there was actually nothing wrong with the parents. If there was any fault, it was that they shouldn’t have fallen ill. But that was something beyond their control. Moreover, the word “filial piety” could be deadly even in the interstellar era.

When He Yunzhou came, he thought that if money could solve the problem, he would give it to them, as long as it didn’t affect Lou Ting’s future.

However, upon seeing the attitude of the parents, He Yunzhou felt that something was off, and his initial plan was not executed. There was no need for politeness; he just directly criticized them.

Lou Ting said, “They have always had problems.” Having read the original work, Lou Ting naturally knew the true nature of these parents, but they hadn’t revealed their true colors yet, so he couldn’t tell He Yunzhou.

“No, why do you think they approached you this time?”

“Money.”

He Yunzhou nodded and asked again, “How was my attitude when I first came in?”

Lou Ting thought about it. From a one-sided perspective, it seemed like he had lowered his status to blend in.

“In that situation, if I knew your parents needed money, would I hesitate to give it to them?”

Well… he would.

He belonged to the type of person who was easily fooled but genuinely affectionate.

“But they didn’t show any surprise when they saw me. Do you think a couple so eager for money, seeing such an honest money bag in front of them, wouldn’t have any thoughts? And they seem very afraid.”

“Very… afraid.” This was the point that He Yunzhou couldn’t understand the most. If he had issued a warning beforehand, it would have been understandable. But he had just come in and hadn’t done anything, yet they acted so fearful, despite his gentle and approachable demeanor.

Why would they be… afraid?

If it was rumored online that hearing about him would make them afraid when seeing him in person, that could be plausible. However, He Yunzhou believed that this possibility didn’t apply to this couple.

“Are you saying that their persona is not about needing money? In reality…” Lou Ting furrowed his brows, “Then why did they come to me?”

There was no reason.

He Yunzhou lowered his voice and said, “I feel it’s more like surveillance.”

Lou Ting suddenly froze.

Surveillance?

It made sense.

The obedient son suddenly rebelled, removed his disguise, quarreled with his brother, and had been missing for a long time. These parents knew that their care for their son was insufficient, and coming out in this situation to build a relationship with their child seemed unbelievable.

So, asking for money became the most reasonable excuse for coming to see Lou Ting.

This was just too…

He Yunzhou said, “The structure of the human skeleton is different at each age. Although I can’t determine the exact age, I can analyze a rough range. The hospital where Lou Yu was hospitalized is mine. I had someone analyze his skeletal age, which has long exceeded eleven years. However, his medical records state that he’s eleven years old.”

“I found it strange and did a DNA test, which showed that you two are not biologically related.”

He Yunzhou’s brief statements left Lou Ting in silence.

Not… biologically related?

He had thought that Lou Yu was just a malicious younger brother with a different personality from his older brother. But he never expected that this guy wasn’t even his brother?!

Then… what about the parents?

The possibility of Lou Ting, who can transform into a beast, being biologically related to parents who cannot transform into beasts is questionable.

Lou Ting suddenly felt confused.

If, if these people are all fake. Then, what was the point of the original host’s efforts and compromises in the first half of his life?

If He Yunzhou’s speculation is true, then these people put in a lot of effort to monitor him.

They even used such disgusting tactics!

But… Lou Ting furrowed his brows. If the younger brother is fake, combining it with what he knows from the original text, it would mean there’s a bug in the original text.

This probability is so low that Lou Ting can ignore it. But where did the original host’s biological younger brother go?

Lou Ting wondered but couldn’t explain it to He Yunzhou. He had to suppress it for now and bring it up later when there’s an opportunity.

“They are very cautious,” He Yunzhou handed him the wristband, inside of which was a recording of the three of them eating in the private room, “They didn’t say a word after we left. They seriously finished the last bite and even packed the leftover food to take home.”

They even wrapped things up so well.

Lou Ting asked, “Who is monitoring me?”

He Yunzhou couldn’t give a definitive answer, only saying, “It should be related to your amnesia.”

But saying this, he was afraid of causing psychological pressure on Lou Ting, so he added, “Don’t worry, I’ve arranged for someone to investigate. I’m sure we’ll have answers soon. Focus on your work; I’m here for you.”

In an instant, Lou Ting’s heart trembled.

He had struggled to survive in a horror game, became one of the few winners, and emerged from it. He had returned to normal life, climbed up from the bottom step by step, and even won the title of Best Actor on his own.

No one had ever said to him, ‘I’m here for you.’

Used to shouldering everything himself, hearing these words suddenly felt overwhelming.

Lou Ting took a deep breath, turned around, and hugged the man, burying his head in front of him. He whispered, “Thank you.”

He Yunzhou patted his head, wanting to comfort him but not knowing how to express it, so he remained silent, serving as a human-shaped pillow.

‘Buzz, buzz.’

The phone displayed a card-swiping notification.

He Yunzhou expressionlessly took a screenshot of the notification and promptly reported it to the authorities.