After the Young Master’s Death, He was Kissed by His Mortal Enemy! (BL) - Chapter 11

Shen Ran knew exactly why Cheng Yi kissed him.

It was all part of covering up his mistake—a quick reaction, smooth as ever.

But still—still…!

They were just talking, why did it suddenly escalate to kissing?!
He had zero mental preparation for this!

Delayed by shock, Shen Ran clutched his cheek like it had caught fire, jerking his head toward Cheng Yi—
Only to see Cheng Yi smiling innocently, with a look in his eyes that clearly said:

“We’re just playing the part. Gotta commit.”

Aaaaahhhhh!!!

“Ohhh, so you two had a little fight, huh?
I was wondering how our Ranran could mix up Cheng Yi’s name like that.”

Fu Sijie chuckled, covering her mouth, eyes crinkling in amusement.
“You’re already so shy even after dating—blushing from just a little kiss. Ranran’s always been such a shy boy.”

Shen Xianming nodded along in approval, visibly pleased.

Neither of them seemed to question Cheng Yi’s words or his affectionate gesture.

“Ranran is indeed shy—he gets embarrassed easily.”

Cheng Yi gently brushed his fingers against Shen Ran’s cheek, laughing as he chatted with the elders.
“Actually, I was the one begging Ranran to make our relationship official.
I really wanted… a proper title.”

Just like that, with a few casual, heartfelt lines, Cheng Yi painted himself as a devoted, lovesick boyfriend.

“Hahaha, listen to you! Well, the Shen family is your home now too.
Whatever you like to eat, you’re welcome here anytime!”

“Thank you, Uncle, Auntie.”

“Oh right—Ranran only said you’d be coming for dinner, he never told us about you.
Where’s your family from, Cheng Yi? What kind of work do you do?”

The Shen couple were very chatty, and soon they were all settled on the sofa, peppering Cheng Yi with questions.
The topic, unsurprisingly, revolved around him.

Cheng Yi remained gracious and composed.
“I’m from K City, born and raised.
I run a small company in the southern district—actually, it’s right next to Ranran’s gallery.”

“That close? Oh my! So you’re neighbors who got close and fell in love?”

“That’s right.” Cheng Yi lowered his gaze, softening his tone.
“It was love at first sight for me.
I chased Ranran for a long time before he said yes…”

Whatever Cheng Yi and his parents were talking about, Shen Ran… barely heard a word.

Just sitting there, he felt uneasy.
Even though his parents seemed as kind as ever, every question felt loaded, like they were probing Cheng Yi.

Cheng Yi’s answers were half-truths.
Their companies were indeed neighbors—but love at first sight? Not quite…

…No, wait.
That part was true too.

Shen Ran turned to look at Cheng Yi, who was speaking with his usual smirk and teasing gleam in his eyes.

A look that seemed to say,

“I’m making all this up. Don’t take it seriously.”

But Shen Ran couldn’t forget those words Cheng Yi had once said after his death—the raw truth in them, heavy as lead.

Now, Cheng Yi was saying the same things—half-joking, half-serious—but Shen Ran knew, deep down,
they weren’t lies.

If he hadn’t heard those heartfelt words at the sea burial, he might’ve thought Cheng Yi was just playing along.

Suddenly, Shen Ran had the urge to hug him again.

He didn’t even understand what he felt toward Cheng Yi anymore—was it love? Or something else?

He didn’t know.

Forget it.
There was something more important right now.

“Okay, okay, Mom, Dad—stop asking all these random questions.
Dinner’s not ready yet, so I’m going to give Cheng Yi a tour of the house—show him my room!”

Shen Ran sprang up energetically, dragging Cheng Yi along.
“We’ll come back when dinner’s ready, just call us!”

Behind him, his parents laughed.
“This kid, always in such a rush!
Cheng Yi, we’ll chat more later!”

—

Once they were upstairs, after two sharp turns and far from earshot, Shen Ran finally exhaled in relief.

Cheng Yi immediately dropped the act.
“Shen Ran, do you think I’m made of rubber?”

“Huh?”

“Today you’ve been yanking my arm all over the place.
If I were rubber, my arm would be two meters long by now.”

Shen Ran let go of his hand, rolled his eyes, and opened a door.
“Alright, Rubber Man, get in here.”

As soon as the door shut, Cheng Yi cut to the chase.
“I think something’s off about your house.”

“You feel it too?” Shen Ran paused, then frowned.
“Wait, why do you say that?”

“When we first came in—
your mom hugged you, but… her expression wasn’t right.
She didn’t look happy to see you.”

Shen Ran blinked, surprised.
He hadn’t seen Fu Sijie’s face while being hugged, so he hadn’t noticed.

“And another thing…
What kind of normal family has that many security cameras in their house?”

“…Security cameras?” Shen Ran froze, utterly confused.

“This is your family’s study, right? You wouldn’t happen to have a safe hidden somewhere, would you?”

“Of course not.” Shen Ran frowned, confused.
“It’s a study—what else would be in here besides books? Maybe some photo albums or something.”

“Exactly.” Cheng Yi crossed his arms and leaned casually against the doorframe.
He nodded toward a particular spot in the room.
“Then riddle me this—why would a normal study have three security cameras?”

Shen Ran followed his gaze—and was stunned.
Sure enough, in the corners of the room, there were three cameras discreetly mounted on the walls.

Security cameras. Inside the room.

How had he never noticed this before?

“With a family like yours, having a few cameras at home is pretty normal,” Cheng Yi said, tone casual.
“You’re rich. If a thief breaks in, at least there’s footage.
But the surveillance here is way overboard. From the time we came upstairs till now, I counted at least a dozen cameras.”

“A dozen…? That many?”

“Yeah.” Cheng Yi’s tone was light, but his eyes were sharp.
He tapped his fingers rhythmically against the wooden desk, as if organizing his thoughts.
“So tell me—are these cameras meant to protect against outsiders, or are they meant to monitor people inside the house?”

It wasn’t the usual sarcastic jabs Cheng Yi was known for— This time, his words were careful, almost gentle.

But Shen Ran understood the implication immediately.

The cameras…
Were for watching him.

Even though he already knew these weren’t his biological parents, hearing the truth—feeling it—
It still hit him like a punch to the chest.

All those years of family affection—if it was all fake, what did it mean?
What was the point of the memories he’d built in this house?

Cheng Yi seemed to sense his turmoil.
He cleared his throat softly and changed the subject with casual ease.

“So, weren’t you going to show me your room?
Why’d you drag me to the study instead?”

“I’m looking for something.”

Shen Ran gave a side glance at the cameras, trying to seem nonchalant.
Then he turned toward the bookshelf and started searching— until his eyes lit up at the sight of several thick photo albums.

This was why he came back.

If he’d really been adopted, then before a certain age, the photo albums…
Would be empty.

No baby pictures.
No toddler years.
No memories.

Just silence—the kind that answers everything.