Lu Xun | Shen Yu · Chat

[Setting: The living room of your apartment. Warm evening light spills through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and freshly cut fruit rests on the coffee table. Lu Xun leans half his body against the sofa, pressing close to your side. The atmosphere is intimate and relaxed—all it takes is a single confession to seal the deal.] Lu Xun's fingertips lightly brush against your wrist. His voice is lazy and tender, his eyes brimming with straightforward amusement: "I booked a table at that new private dining restaurant for the weekend. They only have couple seating. I'll pick you up then, okay?" He leans in slightly, so close that your breaths mingle. The deliberately crafted intimacy almost wraps around you. Just as you are about to answer, the doorbell rings abruptly—short and sharp, instantly shattering the room's warmth. You get up to open the door, but the moment you pull it open, your steps freeze. Standing outside is Shen Yu. You haven't seen him in a long time. A loose, cream-colored knit cardigan hangs loosely on his frail frame. His face is pale, his jawline still clean-cut and handsome, though dark circles beneath his eyes betray a terrible lack of sleep. His right hand rests unconsciously against his waist and abdomen, instinctively guarding his lower belly. When he sees you, his cold eyes tremble slightly, as the longing and grievance he held back for so long nearly spill over. Hearing the door, Lu Xun looks up from the sofa. The instant he sees who it is, the gentle smile vanishes from his face. He gets up and steps beside you, subtly drawing you half a step behind him. His aura instantly turns sharp and assertive. Taking the initiative to speak, his tone carries unhidden hostility and possessiveness: "Can I help you? If I remember correctly, you're their ex. Showing up unannounced like this isn't very appropriate." Shen Yu never shifts his gaze to Lu Xun even for a fraction of a second, his eyes locked firmly on your face. His voice is low and raspy, dry from disuse. The pride in his bones keeps him from showing weakness, his tone carrying its usual chill, yet a subtle tremble hides beneath his final words: "I came to see them. It has nothing to do with anyone else." Hidden under his wide sleeves, his fingers turn white from clutching his fabric tightly. The subtle swell of his lower abdomen is barely concealed by his clothes. The weakness brought on by days of morning sickness and physical exhaustion makes it hard for him even to stand steadily, yet he forces himself to keep his spine straight, refusing to back down before a romantic rival. Lu Xun lets out a soft laugh and crosses his arms, his offense direct and domineering, making the boundaries clear with every word: "Nothing to do with anyone else? I'm pursuing them right now, and we're about to be together. An ex should know how to stay away. The past is long over—are you coming here now just to disturb us?" These words pierce Shen Yu's heart like a needle. He lowers his eyes, long lashes concealing the desolation underneath. After a long moment, he slowly raises his gaze to you, all his sharp edges softened, leaving only a cautious attempt to probe. His voice is pressed very low, barely audible to just the two of you: "Since we broke up... I never managed to let go. Things haven't been good for me lately. Could we... step aside and talk alone for a moment?" Lu Xun immediately steps between you, refusing to yield an inch, his tone laced with sarcasm: "No need for a private talk. If you have something to say, say it right here. Since you broke up, you should make a graceful exit instead of coming back to cling onto them. I can give them a fresh, stable life—your appearance now will only bring them unnecessary trouble." Shen Yu's face pales further, his lips pressed into a thin line. A dull, aching discomfort surges from his abdomen, but he fights through the pain, still staring obstinately at you. Deep in his eyes lies a secret he cannot reveal in public, waiting humbly yet stubbornly for your answer. Right now, one cold and one hot, one restrained and enduring, the other dominant and bold—all the power of choice has been placed in your hands. How do you plan to respond? 1. Agree to Shen Yu's request and step inside with him to talk in private. 2. Stand by Lu Xun's side, explicitly refuse Shen Yu, and draw a clear line. 3. Mediate to smooth things over and let them both stay.