Ye He Chapter 24

24. Habit

Ever since Ye He took Shen Yi to the Dark Streets, that unforgettable experience had left an indelible mark on Shen Yi’s mind. Now, whenever the thought of escape crossed his mind, it would involuntarily link to the humiliation of being violated by strangers.

Shen Yi knew this was a psychological suggestion Ye He had planted, yet he had no way to resist. His willpower had long been worn down to a precarious state by prolonged captivity.

While Shen Yi suffered, Ye He was quite satisfied. He no longer even locked Shen Yi’s limbs, because he knew that the current Shen Yi wouldn’t dare defy even a single glance from him.

This situation continued until that day when Ye He opened the perpetually sealed front door right in front of Shen Yi, then went about his own business without a second thought.

Shen Yi stared blankly at the world outside the door for a full hour.

Finally, unable to bear the temptation, he cautiously stepped out, only for Ye He’s calm voice to drift from the room, “Come back early.”

Shen Yi fled in terror.

He walked through the neighborhood, feeling constantly unsettled. He couldn’t help but tremble whenever someone approached, and seeing a security guard made him suspect the man was a witness from that night. Even the cats and dogs strolling around couldn’t help him relax, as if these animals were constantly reminding him that he was no different from them.

Except his chain was invisible and much longer.

He walked a full circle and found himself back beneath Ye He’s apartment building.

It was almost dark now. He numbly climbed the steps, and when he reached the door, he suddenly rushed inside.

Ye He was standing by the window, gazing steadily at him. It was obvious he had watched Shen Yi’s entire walk.

Shen Yi stumbled as he ran over, tripping on something midway and landing miserably on all fours. He scrambled toward Ye He’s feet, sobbing uncontrollably, shaking his head and pleading, “Let me go, let me go, or I’ll go crazy… really…”

Ye He licked the tears rolling down his cheek, and just as Shen Yi was exhausted and about to pass out, he finally said, “Alright.”

The next day, Ye He kept his word. He returned all of Shen Yi’s belongings, including his ID, wallet, and keys, and drove Shen Yi to the outside of his original home.

As Shen Yi stepped out of the car and saw the long-missed surroundings, he almost believed he had merely gone to a kind stranger’s house to change clothes and sleep for a night.

He stood outside the villa in a daze until the regular cleaning lady looked at him in surprise and delight. Only then did he realize that Ye He had truly released him.

When questioned by relatives and friends, Shen Yi lied, claiming he had simply been in a bad mood and gone on a hiking trip. After all, admitting that he had been imprisoned and humiliated by a man was too shameful.

After a few days of wearily dealing with these inquiries, he quickly adjusted, and his life returned to normal. Yet, he felt no joy or excitement at regaining his freedom. Instead, he constantly felt as if a piece was missing from his heart, and he suffered from sleepless nights.

It wasn’t until a week later that he returned home to find Ye He sitting quietly on his sofa, drinking coffee.

“How did you get in?” Shen Yi stared at him in shock, the items in his hands involuntarily dropping to the floor.

“I have a key.” Ye He set the cup down, picked up the fallen items, dusted them off, and put them away, his movements as natural as a wife waiting for her husband to return. “Let’s eat. The food is getting cold.”

Shen Yi numbly ate, showered, and went to bed.

He slept soundly, without a single dream.

The next morning, a refreshed Shen Yi made a decision: he would let Ye He stay.

It was safer to keep such a dangerous lunatic under his watchful eye, he rationalized.

As for calling the police or hiring a killer to eliminate Ye He, Shen Yi didn’t even consider it. Since Ye He could make him vanish without a trace for two years, he certainly had ways to make him disappear forever. As long as things were within a tolerable range, Shen Yi didn’t want to experience what it was like to truly go insane.

Besides… Shen Yi looked at the gentle and handsome man not far away and involuntarily smiled. He had long since grown accustomed to this person’s presence without even realizing it.

“Mr. Ye, our company truly admires your mechanical craft ideas. We hope you can reconsider. The price will absolutely not disappoint you…”

Ye He was tidying the room. Only after all the miscellaneous items were neatly categorized did he pick up the phone on the table and say flatly, “I will not make machines for anyone else.”

“Ah, Mr. Ye, don’t you feel it’s a pity for such a world-shattering creation to be buried? Believe me, the machines you create will absolutely shock the world; they are works ahead of their time. If you are personally inconvenienced, our company can send someone to negotiate with your employer. I believe no one would refuse…”

The familiar sound of the door lock turning came, and Ye He hung up the still-chattering call and walked to the outer room.

Shen Yi pulled open the top two buttons of his shirt and casually asked, “Whose call was that?”

“No one I know,” Ye He replied, but his gaze was drawn to Shen Yi’s exposed, delicate collarbone. Like a docile large dog greeting its returning master, he pressed his head into Shen Yi’s neck and kissed him excitedly.

“Wrong number?” Shen Yi didn’t think much of it. He pushed the head away and sat down on the sofa, squinting his eyes to relieve the fatigue after a long day of work.

Half a minute later, he couldn’t stand it anymore and pushed the man whose behavior was becoming increasingly excessive on his chest. “Get off me. You’re not allowed to touch me today.”

Ye He didn’t answer but kissed more vigorously, even latching onto a nipple that had already hardened and tasting it delicately.

After a long entanglement, it was already evening.

Shen Yi held his waist as he walked into the kitchen and said to the person busy in the apron, “I want crispy skin chicken.”

“Alright,” Ye He responded with a smile, his eyes deep and captivating.