After the Young Master’s Death, He was Kissed by His Mortal Enemy! (BL) - Chapter 3

The phone finally drained its last bit of battery and shut down on its own.

Shen Ran remained frozen, staring blankly into space.

He had no idea where Cheng Yi had heard that he “might” be dead.

Even though he’d said he didn’t believe it… he still insisted on coming to find him?

Shen Ran’s first reaction was a sigh.

He had to admit, even though they’d always been at each other’s throats, he was still… a little touched.

After all, Cheng Yi was the only person who’d made the effort to reach out and show concern after everything happened—
Even if his mouth was still as poisonous as ever.

But…

Shen Ran looked around at the empty apartment and let out another sigh.

The man in black who’d threatened him that night must have had serious power. Enough to make his adoptive parents abandon him without hesitation and run for their lives.

…He had no idea where his body had been taken—or if it even still existed.

Those people were dangerous. Shen Ran knew that.

And Cheng Yi… was just a small-time CEO. At best, he was only doing slightly better than Shen Ran had been.

After all, their businesses were in the same office building—Cheng Yi’s company was right next door to his gallery. It was easy to compare their sizes.

If Cheng Yi was really going around K City asking about him…
Could those loan sharks have set their sights on Cheng Yi too?
Would they silence him like they did to Shen Ran…?

The mere thought of his own throat being slit sent a chill crawling up Shen Ran’s spine.

A pang of worry struck him.

Just as that anxiety began to rise, a knock suddenly echoed at the door.

It wasn’t loud, even somewhat polite, but it startled Shen Ran so much he let out a yelp: “Ah!”

At a time like this… who would be knocking on his door?

As Shen Ran approached, he hadn’t even looked through the peephole when a lazy-sounding voice called from outside:

“Shen Ran? Are you home? Hey, you in there?”

It was Cheng Yi!

He’d come… so fast.

Peering through the peephole, Shen Ran saw the second living person he’d laid eyes on in days.

Cheng Yi stood at the door, with someone behind him—his secretary, from the looks of it.

Cheng Yi was just like always.

Wearing a casual suit that somehow looked sloppy yet stylish, one hand in his pocket, the other raised mid-knock, palm still hovering near the doorframe.

He tilted his head slightly, as if listening for any noise inside.

“Tch, I knew knocking was pointless. Of course no one’s home.”

Cheng Yi frowned, looking a little annoyed, but then raised his voice:

“Shen Ran! If you don’t open this door, I’m taking that as permission to invite myself in, alright?!”

Suddenly, Shen Ran heard his secretary’s panicked voice outside:
“President Cheng, maybe you should reconsider—please, calm down!”

The next moment, Shen Ran saw Cheng Yi move through the peephole.

Still with one hand in his pocket, Cheng Yi raised a leg, clearly winding up, and his gaze turned sharp in an instant.

BANG—!!!

With a thunderous crash, the door swung open under Cheng Yi’s powerful kick—Smooth as could be.

Cheng Yi stepped confidently into the apartment, casually flicking on the lights.

The living room, the master bedroom, the balcony—All illuminated at once.

Cheng Yi even opened the door to the bathroom and took a quick look inside.

This place had always been Shen Ran’s solo residence, and now that Shen Ran was gone, the apartment felt cold and lifeless—completely devoid of warmth.

“…I knew it. He’s definitely not here.” Cheng Yi narrowed his eyes. “Makes sense. The man’s bankrupt—he should be fleeing the city by now. Hide at home? He’d have to be an idiot to do that.”

Floating nearby, Shen Ran burned with indignation.

What the hell, Cheng Yi! Clearly, you couldn’t stop worrying and came here to find me—so why’s your mouth still so vicious?

“Since no one’s here… Xiao Wang, let’s go. We’ll check the hotels Shen Ran usually stays at.”

…Wait, what?

Hotels I usually stay at?

How the hell did Cheng Yi know which hotels I frequent?

Just as they were about to leave after a fruitless search, Cheng Yi’s eyes caught something shimmering faintly beneath the sofa.

Kneeling down with a frown, Cheng Yi reached under the couch. After a moment, he pulled out a dusty phone.

“…Something definitely happened to Shen Ran.”

Holding the phone, Cheng Yi’s tone was dead serious. The lazy demeanor from earlier was gone, replaced by a tense, grim expression.

“Why do you say that?” Secretary Wang seemed unsure. “It’s just a phone, right? Maybe it’s an old one, or a work phone?”

Cheng Yi turned the phone over, showing the gold-and-diamond-encrusted case to Wang.

“Shen Ran only has one phone—always the latest model every year. And he treats this phone case like a treasure. There’s no way he’d leave without it.”

Shen Ran was speechless. Of course he treasured it—the case cost as much as a small apartment.

He thought Cheng Yi never paid attention to his life, but Cheng Yi had deduced something was wrong just from the phone.

Cheng Yi turned the phone over again, inspecting it carefully. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed.

Along the edge of the phone, he noticed a dark red stain—a smudge of dried bl00d.

At first, Cheng Yi had firmly believed Shen Ran wasn’t dead.

But now… everything was spiraling beyond his control.

Cheng Yi’s expression darkened further. He stood up, and when he spoke again, his voice was ice-cold.

“Secretary Wang. Start now. I want every trace of Shen Ran’s whereabouts dug up—thoroughly.”

“Yes, President Cheng!”

The room still bore traces of Shen Ran’s life. Cheng Yi’s face was expressionless, but a flicker of heaviness passed through his eyes.

He tightened his grip on the diamond-studded phone and turned to leave.

Just as he stepped out of the apartment, Shen Ran’s spirit was suddenly yanked by an unknown force—
And flung straight toward Cheng Yi.