Playing Innocent Is for Fools

Everyone knew that Luo Mingshan was terrified of Zhao Xing.His voice always trembled when he spoke.The slightest accidental touch would leave him pale as a ghost.In his eyes, Zhao Xing was a venomous snake, a ferocious beast.Zhao Xing was well aware, and he relished it. He absolutely adored the way the other man would look at him with eyes brimming with tears, like a dumb little rabbit.It was almost impossible to resist the urge to bully him.Until one day.Zhao Xing woke in the middle of the night.He saw Luo Mingshan leaning by the window, a cigarette held between his slender fingers, his voice lazy and indifferent.“Don’t you fucking talk about Zhao Xing like that. He’s not a pervert.”Seemingly hearing something in response, Luo Mingshan let out a low chuckle.“I just like him fierce and hot-tempered. Like a big cat. Cute as hell.”“Yeah, you try laying a finger on him, and I’ll whittle you down to a stick. One more thing—Zhao Xing is mine. Tell all those worthless scumbags under you to stay the fuck away from him. If I catch them hanging around Zhao Xing again, I’ll chop them up and make soup for him.”Zhao Xing lay frozen, limbs icy cold, staring wide-eyed until dawn.The next morning, the man timidly peeked his head in.“Brother Zhao… I made the soup early today, just like you told me…”Zhao Xing: “You—you don’t need to cook for me anymore!”“…Brother Zhao?”Zhao Xing shuddered all over: “I said stop cooking, are you deaf?! Get out, don’t disturb my rest!”Only after Luo Mingshan finished his profuse, humble apologies and closed the door did Zhao Xing slowly pull the quilt over his head.And burst into tears beneath the covers.Wahh… Officer… There’s a psycho here…Everyone in the upper circles of City C knew that Zhao Xing, the third son of the Zhao family, had been kicked out and exiled to a small county town to become a lowlife thug, all because of his terrible temper and despicable character.Zhao Xing was a laughingstock among his peers and a prime example of failed upbringing.One day, the eldest Zhao brother condescended to visit the small county town, wanting to see just how far this idiot brother of his had fallen.But he witnessed with his own eyes this foolish younger brother corner the legendary head of the Luo family in an alley.And order him to clean his shoes.His expression was arrogant, his words provocative, his actions suicidal.Elder Brother Zhao was horrified, fearing this idiot would get himself killed on the spot and drag the entire Zhao family down into bankruptcy.But before he could rush forward to stop it, he saw the young patriarch take out a handkerchief and kneel down.After meticulously cleaning the shoes, the man looked up.A bright, unmistakable smile on his face:“Brother Ah-Xing, I know I was wrong. Don’t be mad at me, okay?”