Until they got home, Cain finally realized that Saphen had been wearing a mask the entire time, revealing only a pair of beautiful eyes that seemed to be smiling even when they weren't.
Cain naturally tugged Saphen's mask down and said softly, "You're always wearing this mask..."
He suddenly remembered that even while working, Saphen never took it off. Thinking of that beautiful face, maybe not showing it was actually a good thing.
Cain lowered his gaze to look at Saphen, his thumb and forefinger rubbing together. He really wanted Saphen to just stay at home—just stay home—and let all the best things in the world come to him on their own...
"I'm almost ready to go back to work," Cain said.
Saphen was drinking water at that moment. Hearing that, he glanced at Cain, smiled, and said, "What's this? You're that eager to pay off your debts? Already bored of staying home with me? You want to leave me so soon?"
Hearing Saphen rattle on like that, Cain couldn't help but stop and answer with absolute certainty, "I'll hand over all my money to you."
Saphen stared at him for a moment, then suddenly laughed, saying nothing as he headed to the bathroom to shower.
Watching Saphen's retreating back, Cain found it impossible to gauge him, impossible to serve him properly. He couldn't understand what Saphen was thinking. He always liked teasing others, yet also seemed wrapped in a tough shell, unable to truly let anyone in.
In the kitchen, Cain stir-fried the vegetables with practiced ease, sleeves rolled up, his biceps tensing with each movement. His veins curled along his arms, carrying a faint, dangerous allure.
It was hard to imagine that not long ago, he didn't even know how to turn on the stove. What else could be said? He was the protagonist—he learned everything fast.
Cain could feel Saphen's gaze on him the entire time.
He poured the vegetables onto a plate and turned around. Sure enough, Saphen was resting his chin in his hand, head tilted as he watched him. The moment Cain met those eyes, he almost felt like he was about to drown.
He gently set the pan down and asked softly, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Saphen still didn't look away and answered just as softly, "Cain, everyone at the store asked me something today."
Cain felt his heart being lifted and squeezed hard, beating so fast it hurt.
He silently took a breath, lowered his eyes, and tried to sound calm as he asked, "Asked what?"
Seeing Cain's reaction, Saphen smiled, his beautiful lips opening and closing, "They asked if you're my boyfriend."
Cain looked up at him immediately, his gaze deep. He heard himself speak: "How did you answer?"
Saphen only smiled, not answering. Instead, he asked, "Why don't you guess? How do you think I should answer?"
Cain stiffly said, "Creditor and debtor?"
Saphen: "..."
"Hahaha—ha ha ha!"
Saphen burst out laughing, completely caught off guard that Cain would answer like that. He slapped the table lightly and gave a thumbs-up. "Amazing. Even I didn't answer that. Hahaha. So that's how you see me—a creditor, huh? You really do have a strong sense of responsibility."
Watching Saphen laugh so hard he nearly doubled over, Cain silently thought that's not it. But now wasn't the time to confess anything. He wasn't foolish enough to walk straight into a trap and be rejected. If one day he were to confess, it would definitely have to be on a romantic and memorable night.
Cain stepped forward to steady Saphen's swaying body, gently ruffling his hair. "Alright, time to eat."
Saphen shrugged, still smiling, wiping away the tears at the corner of his eyes from laughing so hard.
The atmosphere between them remained as calm as always—eating together, going to bed together.
Winter was approaching, and Saphen was always cold. By now, they didn't even bother using separate blankets anymore; the allure of "Cain the walking heater" was simply too irresistible for Saphen to fight.
Whenever they went to sleep, Saphen would try to lie with his back to Cain, but the moment he drifted off, he would immediately roll into Cain's arms. Cain was long used to it. Only recently, another problem had started to arise.
Perhaps it was because the weather was getting colder, and Saphen liked burrowing into him more, rubbing and nuzzling nonstop. Or maybe Cain had fully recovered and begun overflowing with energy. Or maybe—quite simply—Cain was falling for Saphen more and more, to the point he could barely endure it.
In the middle of the night, Cain felt unbearably hot. Lost in a muddled dream, he didn't wake until he realized he had been holding Saphen and rubbing against him for quite a while.
His eyes snapped open, panic flashing through them. He hurriedly checked on Saphen—thankfully, Saphen showed no sign of waking. In fact, because Cain was holding him so tightly, he slept even more peacefully and warmly.
But his clothes had been pushed out of place, and the pale skin around his waist was tinted a faint red.
Cain stared at the flushed marks on that beautiful, firm waist, his breath catching, each exhale growing hotter. That place throbbed painfully.
In the end, he could only wrap Saphen tightly in the blanket and rush to the bathroom to take care of it.
That same night, the city was no longer as bustling as during the day, but bars and night markets were still alive. A group of bodyguards moved quietly, searching everywhere.
Leading them was Mason—Cain's loyal assistant, and the childhood friend who had grown up by his side.
These days, he could hardly eat or sleep, terrified that the old foxes in the company would notice something was wrong.
But Cain's disappearance couldn't be dragged out any longer. After being absent for so long, people had already begun to question Cain's whereabouts.
If the ones who orchestrated Cain's downfall discovered that Cain wasn't testing them but had truly gone missing, the corporation would surely fall into chaos!
"All signs indicate he disappeared in this alley. Keep searching—he has to be somewhere nearby!"
Mason gave the order, though even he was uncertain by now. Almost a month had passed. They had searched everywhere, yet still found no trace of Cain… He had already begun preparing himself for the worst.
…
Cain had managed to find work at a construction site. A job perfectly suited for his current situation—no degree, no identification. It was exhausting, but the pay wasn't bad at all, even higher than Saphen's salary.
Of course, that also meant Cain could no longer take Saphen to and from work. So every morning, he forced himself to wake up early and cook for Saphen, packing his own share to bring to the construction site.
Saphen was almost moved to tears by this hardworking, gentle, dutiful "househusband" version of Cain. He took a sip of milk and sighed. "6677, I really am a terrible person."
6677: "You've finally realized just how perfect our male lead is, right?!"
It paused before continuing excitedly, "And the next part of the script is about to start! The male lead will probably remember everything and leave within this week!"
Hearing that, Saphen narrowed his eyes and spoke softly, "Is that so…"
6677 was practically vibrating with excitement. "By now the male lead must be deeply in love with you! The 'moonlight' sequence has been completed. Once the two male leads get together, our mission will be fully accomplished—hooray!"
Saphen propped his chin up, sounding utterly nonchalant. "In love with me? He hasn't even said he loves me."
"The words in his heart are the most sincere ones! Master, you've done wonderfully. Just get ready to step off the stage!" 6677 cheered.
Thinking about how he was getting closer and closer to the chance of being revived, Saphen lifted his glass of milk as if making a toast and said softly, "Alright then. Congratulations to me—I'm about to leave the stage."