The sky was a heavy, oppressive grey on the day of Lu Yao's surgery.
Lu Chenzhou had been awake since the early hours, staring at the ceiling, his palms damp with cold sweat. Fu Jingshen seemed to sense his disquiet, his arm tightening around him, pulling him closer. "Don't worry. The doctors are the best," he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.
"I want to go to the hospital." Lu Chenzhou's voice was hoarse, laced with a faint, almost imperceptible note of pleading. It was the first time he'd actively made a request.
Fu Jingshen was silent for a few seconds, his fingers tracing a slow pattern on Lu Chenzhou's hip. "No."
Lu Chenzhou's body went rigid instantly, the carefully banked fire of his temper flaring back to life. "Why? She's my sister!"
"The surgery requires a sterile environment. You wouldn't be allowed in the OR anyway," Fu Jingshen's tone was infuriatingly calm. "I'll have updates sent in real-time."
"I don't trust that!" Lu Chenzhou struggled to sit up, but Fu Jingshen held him down effortlessly. "Fu Jingshen, let me see her! Just one look!"
In a swift movement, Fu Jingshen rolled over, pinning him beneath his weight. His gaze was dark, imposing. "Lu Chenzhou. Don't be difficult."
"*I'm* being difficult?" Lu Chenzhou's eyes burned. "You lock me up here, I can't even see my own sister before her surgery, and *I'm* the one being difficult?"
His voice cracked, a raw blend of fury and gut-wrenching anxiety.
Seeing the sheen of tears, something unfamiliar twisted in Fu Jingshen's chest, but his resolve didn't waver. "Be good. When it's over, I'll take you to see her."
"Really?" A sliver of hope.
"Really." Fu Jingshen lowered his head, brushing a light kiss against his lips. "Have I ever lied to you?"
Lu Chenzhou turned his head away, saying nothing, but the fight drained out of him. He knew further pushing was useless.
At eight a.m., Fu Jingshen's phone rang. The hospital. He moved to the window, his back turned, his voice a low murmur.
Lu Chenzhou sat on the bed, his heart clenched in a vice, barely breathing. He watched the line of Fu Jingshen's back, saw the occasional nod, the slight frown.
Fu Jingshen ended the call and turned. His expression was unreadable.
"Well?" Lu Chenzhou demanded, his voice trembling.
"They've begun the anesthesia." Fu Jingshen walked over, picking up his suit jacket. "I have matters at the office. I'll be back at noon."
"You—" Lu Chenzhou wanted to beg him to stay. The words died. He had no right.
Fu Jingshen seemed to read his mind. He ruffled his hair. "I will inform you the moment there is news."
The door closed. The villa was empty. He walked into the living room and sat, his eyes fixed on the spare phone left for hospital updates.
Time crawled. Each minute was agony. He checked his watch constantly. Every time the phone lit up, he'd startle, only to slump back in disappointment.
At noon, the phone chimed. A text, brief and clinical: "Bone marrow transplant initiated. Proceeding smoothly."
Sender: Fu Jingshen's assistant.
Lu Chenzhou let out a long, shaky breath. He slumped against the couch, utterly drained.
At three p.m., a second message: "Transplant complete. Patient's vitals stable."
Lu Chenzhou stared at the words, and tears welled up. Not of sadness, but of overwhelming relief. Yao Yao was okay.
All the humiliation, the fear he'd endured—it all seemed to gain a terrible, necessary meaning.
As evening fell, Fu Jingshen returned. He saw Lu Chenzhou on the sofa, eyes red-rimmed, the phone clutched tightly.
"You're back." Lu Chenzhou looked up. His voice held a faint tremor, but none of the usual defiance.
Fu Jingshen paused, an odd warmth flickering in his chest. He sat beside him, picking up the phone. "The doctors say a few days of observation are needed. If there's no rejection, she'll be out of the woods."
"Mm." Lu Chenzhou nodded, and a small, tentative smile finally touched his lips. It was faint, but like sunlight breaking through clouds, it transformed his face.
Fu Jingshen's gaze lingered. He reached out, fingertips tracing Lu Chenzhou's cheek. "Feel better now?"
A faint heat rose on Lu Chenzhou's cheeks. He flinched, then stopped himself, allowing the touch. "Thank you, Fu Jingshen."
This thanks held no trace of past resentment. It was raw, genuine.
Fu Jingshen smiled, the darkness in his eyes receding, replaced by a warm, possessive light. "I told you. Be good, and you will be rewarded."
He paused, his tone dipping into suggestion. "Do you want to see her now? The doctors have cleared a visit."
Lu Chenzhou's eyes instantly brightened. "Can I?"
"Of course." Fu Jingshen stood. "Change your clothes. I'll take you."
Lu Chenzhou jumped up, heading to the bedroom. He opened the wardrobe full of clothes Fu Jingshen had bought for him. He chose a simple white T-shirt and jeans. Dressed, he looked in the mirror.
The reflection showed a face still sharp, but less harsh, slightly softened. His neck felt strangely bare.
Fu Jingshen entered, seeing him stare. He walked over and wrapped his arms around him from behind, chin resting on his shoulder. "What is it?"
"Nothing." Lu Chenzhou looked at their entangled reflection, his cheeks warm. "Let's just go."
Fu Jingshen didn't move. He lowered his head and nipped lightly at Lu Chenzhou's neck, leaving a faint red mark. "Let's go."
The hospital smelled strongly of antiseptic. Lu Chenzhou's heart hammered as he followed Fu Jingshen into the private room.
Lu Yao was asleep in the bed. Her face was still pale, but her color was better, her breathing even.
Lu Chenzhou approached the bed, carefully taking his sister's cold but living hand in his. Watching her sleep, tears fell again, this time of pure joy.
"She is well," Fu Jingshen said softly from behind him. "The doctors say her recovery is ahead of schedule."
Lu Chenzhou nodded, too choked up to speak.
They stayed for half an hour. Finally, Fu Jingshen placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let her rest. We can come back tomorrow."
Reluctantly, Lu Chenzhou let go of her hand and followed him out.
The elevator ride was silent. Lu Chenzhou leaned against the wall, staring at his feet, his emotions in turmoil.
His debt to Fu Jingshen was growing. Not just money, but this… this gift of his sister's life. This debt felt like an invisible shackle, far stronger than any collar.
Outside, the evening breeze was cool. Fu Jingshen opened the car door for him.
Settling into the passenger seat, watching the city lights blur past, Lu Chenzhou spoke suddenly. "Fu Jingshen. After the year is up…"
Fu Jingshen cut him off, his tone hardening, leaving no room for argument. "There is no 'after the year'."
Lu Chenzhou froze, turning to him. "What do you mean?"
Fu Jingshen looked at him, his gaze dark, all previous warmth gone, replaced by pure, obsessive possession. "I said, there is no 'after the year'."
"Did you think I would let you go?" He let out a low, humorless laugh, edged with cruelty. "Lu Chenzhou, from the moment you agreed, you became mine. For life."
Lu Chenzhou's heart plummeted, a cold dread seeping from his feet upward. Staring at that handsome, twisted face, he realized how foolish his earlier gratitude and relief had been.
The other man had never intended to let him go. The one-year agreement was just bait to lull him into compliance.
"You lied to me!" His voice shook with anger and betrayal.
"I did not lie." Fu Jingshen's voice was calm, chillingly certain. "I will cure your sister. I will give her the best life. But you… you will stay by my side. Permanently."
The car stopped at the villa gates. Fu Jingshen killed the engine, turning to look at Lu Chenzhou, his possessive intent palpable. "Get out."
Lu Chenzhou didn't move, paralyzed.
Fu Jingshen's patience vanished. He unbuckled his seatbelt, leaning over to grip Lu Chenzhou's chin, forcing eye contact. "Lu Chenzhou, don't force me to do something to you right here."
His tone was ice, the threat unmistakable.
Seeing the ruthless promise in those eyes, all of Lu Chenzhou's anger and defiance evaporated, replaced by pure fear. He knew Fu Jingshen meant it.
Finally, he pushed the car door open and got out.
Inside the villa, Lu Chenzhou made straight for the bedroom, wanting to shut himself away.
But Fu Jingshen caught his wrist, yanking him back into a crushing embrace. His kiss descended, punishing and brutal, meant to dominate and consume. Lu Chenzhou struggled, but was held immobile.
"Remember this," Fu Jingshen released his lips, forehead pressed to his, breath hot. "You are mine. For the rest of your life. Forget your year. It doesn't exist."
His finger traced the fresh mark on Lu Chenzhou's neck, his eyes ominous. "If you speak of leaving again, I cannot promise what I might do to Lu Yao."
The words were a cold blade, piercing through Lu Chenzhou's final defenses. He went utterly limp in Fu Jingshen's arms, his eyes empty, all resistance gone.
Fu Jingshen smiled, satisfied by the sight of complete despair. He lowered his head, placing another, softer kiss on Lu Chenzhou's lips, a grotesque parody of tenderness.
"Be good. Don't think about leaving me." His voice was low and dangerous. "We will be just fine."
Lu Chenzhou didn't speak. He just closed his eyes, letting the tears fall.
He knew it then. There was no way out.
The one-year agreement had been a lie from the very beginning. Using his sister's life, using his gratitude, Fu Jingshen had woven a vast, inescapable web around him. He was trapped. Forever.