After the Young Master’s Death, He was Kissed by His Mortal Enemy! (BL) - Chapter 2

It was a message of concern— The only message of concern Shen Ran had received.

And so, at that moment, he crouched on the floor, staring at the glowing screen, heart aching with a deep, sour sadness.

So… even now, there was still someone who cared about him, right?

But just as that sliver of warmth began to rise in his chest, the phone chimed again—
Ding ding dong dong. Message after message kept coming in.

[—Just kidding. You didn’t seriously think I was trying to comfort you, did you? Your family’s gone bankrupt. Congratulations, really.]

[The Shen family’s deep in debt, aren’t they? That little rundown gallery of yours wouldn’t even cover a fraction of it if you sold everything.]

[If you’d just listened to me back then, spent more effort expanding your business instead of dating that Chen Xu, maybe things wouldn’t be so bad now. Look at you. No money, nothing left. I bet you’re crying your pampered little heart out.]

That familiar sarcastic tone, those cold, snide remarks.

Shen Ran could practically see the smug, gloating grin on Cheng Yi’s face as he typed each word.

Cheng Yi wasn’t his friend—not even close. He was a rival, both in the same industry and the same building.

Calling him a mortal enemy wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

Cheng Yi’s company was right next to his art gallery, in the same high-rise.

The first time they met, Cheng Yi’s attitude had been flippant, and they’d taken an instant dislike to each other.

Shen Ran had no desire to get tangled with him, but their second meeting had lit a powder keg.

Shen Ran still remembered what happened that night.

A friend had dragged him to a bar, and he overheard a group chatting about one of the servers.

The server’s life sounded tragic—a sick mother, a missing father, a little sister to care for, and a boy doing everything he could to survive.

Shen Ran, moved to tears with snot and all, declared, “My god, he’s so strong! I’ll call him over for drinks right now! I’ll sponsor his sister’s education!!”

Filled with righteous resolve to do a good deed, he asked for the server—only to be told the guy had already been snatched up and sent to another private room!

Whether it was the alcohol talking or pure impulse, Shen Ran stormed toward that room without thinking.

He barged in dramatically, eyes sweeping the space, and charged straight toward a man lounging in the main seat, holding a glass of whiskey.

Planting one foot between the man’s legs, Shen Ran yanked his tie forward until they were practically nose to nose.

“You’ve got some nerve stealing my guy! Huh?!”

The man seemed momentarily stunned, his breath catching. “What guy?”

“Don’t play dumb! That Xiao Zhang! He was supposed to be in our room! Who gave you the right to take him?!”

The room was dim, words slurred, and it wasn’t until later that Shen Ran realized—the man looked familiar.

Wasn’t this the sharp-tongued new boss next door, Cheng Yi?

What Shen Ran didn’t know was—Cheng Yi hadn’t stolen anyone. He’d just been sitting there, quietly drinking, saying nothing.

But…

“Sorry, Boss Shen,” Cheng Yi had said with a teasing smile. “First come, first served. He’s mine now.”

“What do you mean ‘he’s yours’?! He doesn’t want to drink with you! He has a little sister to take care of—”

“Oh? Then how about you keep me company for a couple of drinks?”

Flippant. Irresponsible. Loves to tease.

Shen Ran couldn’t even remember how he left that night, but ever since then, he had declared Cheng Yi his sworn enemy.

——

The phone kept chiming, but Shen Ran slumped weakly against the sofa, sliding down like he had no strength left.

Morning light filtered in, but couldn’t pierce the tightly shut curtains.

How many days had passed? Shen Ran couldn’t tell anymore.

As a spirit, even his sense of time had faded—perhaps a week already.

Trapped in the place where he died, unable to leave, all he could do was wander aimlessly, dazed.

The only thing he could do was watch his phone, the one thing he could no longer touch.

The Shen family’s bankruptcy had sent shockwaves through K City.

A week was more than enough for rumors to spread like wildfire. Everyone knew.

Shen Ran had always considered himself to have decent relationships with people—
Except for that one man, the ever-bickering Cheng Yi.

If anyone asked him for a loan, he’d help without hesitation. If someone invited him out for drinks, he’d pay for the whole night and party harder than anyone.

Even though news of his death had been suppressed, the Shen family’s bankruptcy was surely public knowledge by now.

And yet, very few people had reached out to express concern.

In all these days, aside from promotional spam, nearly every time his phone lit up, the messages were from Cheng Yi.

More accurately—
Cheng Yi’s trademark mockery.

[So, now that you’re bankrupt, where do you plan to hide out? Drop me your travel plans. If I have time, I’ll fly over just to laugh in your face.]

[Hey, Shen Ran, it’s been days and you’re still ignoring me? So what if you went bankrupt? No need to feel ashamed.]

[You’ve embarrassed yourself in front of me so many times—this won’t even make a difference.]

[…What’s wrong? Did I hit a nerve with my words? Are you hurt? Is that why you’re not replying?]

Seeing that, Shen Ran snorted softly.

He’d known Cheng Yi for years. He’d heard worse barbs than these—many times over. There was no way he’d be heartbroken over a few offhand jabs.

His gaze flickered.

He wasn’t replying because he was upset?

No.
It was because he was dead, that’s all.

…If Cheng Yi found out he’d died, he’d probably just throw out another sarcastic remark, then forget about him completely, right?

Just as Shen Ran was thinking that, his phone screen lit up again.

[Sorry. Maybe I went too far. It’s not your fault you went bankrupt—things will get better. Don’t be too upset.]

Was he seeing things? Cheng Yi… apologizing?
Cheng Yi, sending a sorry?

[If you really can’t get by, then I guess I could…]

Before Shen Ran could even finish reading the rest of the message, two of them were quickly retracted.

The messages disappeared from the screen, like they’d never existed. As if everything was just his imagination.

——

The phone’s battery was nearly dead. That thin red line in the corner made Shen Ran uneasy just looking at it.

No one liked the low-battery warning, not even a ghost.

In the past few days, he’d received almost no messages—apart from debt collectors, there were only the occasional sarcastic remarks from Cheng Yi.

It seemed the information lockdown was airtight. Cheng Yi clearly had no idea he was dead.

The battery ticked down, little by little.

2%…
1%…

Suddenly, the phone lit up once more.

The sender—still Cheng Yi.

[Wei Hailan says you’re dead. That’s ridiculous, right? You’re tougher than cockroaches—no way someone like you would die that easily.]

[…Forget it. Since you won’t answer, I’ll go check for myself.]

[You’d better not be hiding somewhere, living the good life while I’m here worrying for nothing.]