Leave Me Alone

Yi Jixun is a famous rich second-generation heir in City A. Arrogant and generous with his money, he has gathered a crowd of fair-weather friends and spends every day partying at various entertainment venues.

His father couldn't stand how wild he was and cut off every source of his income.

Once he fell on hard times, all those supposedly "loyal" friends vanished. Living alone, Yi Jixun could only sit hungry in the stairwell, smoking.

He'd barely taken a couple of puffs when the door next door creaked open.

His new neighbor stepped out in a suit and tie, wearing a pair of Italian custom-made leather shoes.

Yi Jixun: ?

Showing off here now? What a weirdo.

With a cigarette between his lips, he looked up and suddenly met the neighbor's handsome, composed face.

Shen Zhiheng: "The hallway is a shared space. Smoking is prohibited."

Yi Jixun grinned. Did the guy think this was some upscale restaurant?

Still simmering with anger, Yi Jixun rose slowly, then brazenly blew a puff of smoke right into the man's face.

It was a perfectly formed smoke ring, too.

But in the next second, the arrogant young master had his arms twisted behind his back and was slammed against the wall with a thud.

*

Only later did Yi Jixun learn that this annoying, meddlesome neighbor was the new president of his father's company. His dad had probably sent him to keep an eye on him.

When confronted, Shen Zhiheng replied without a flicker of emotion: "Coincidence."

Yi Jixun sneered. "As if I'd believe that."

But after Yi Jixun fell on hard times, one by one, the people he'd once offended came looking for him.

Fortunately, Yi Jixun was a good fighter. Even when outnumbered, he could take on several opponents at once. Still, he didn't come out unscathed, and Shen Zhiheng ended up carrying him home, barely conscious.

The injured "puppy" had lost his usual stubbornness and stared down in silence. As his wounds were treated, he flinched in pain and cursed, "Damn, those bastards really hit hard."

As soon as he said it, someone smacked him on the head. "Don't use foul language."

Yi Jixun had been about to snap back as usual, but remembering he couldn't even afford the medical bills, he swallowed his words.

After that, the people who'd come to settle scores with Yi Jixun mysteriously disappeared, and he didn't see Shen Zhiheng next door for several days.

One day, Shen Zhiheng came home to find Yi Jixun crouched outside his door, soaked to the skin.

Yi Jixun's voice was stiff. "I didn't bring an umbrella or my keys."

He looked up and stared at Shen Zhiheng. "Are you going to let me in?"

After that, things unfolded naturally.

The aggressive Yi Jixun was once again pinned against the door, and all he could do was bite Shen Zhiheng in defiance.

After restraining him, Shen Zhiheng held the back of his neck and called him, "Puppy."

Yi Jixun said awkwardly, "Talk to me properly."

Shen Zhiheng smiled, his warm breath brushing against Yi Jixun's ear. "Yi Jixun."

Yi Jixun: "..."

Forget it. He thought Shen Zhiheng would be better off keeping quiet.

Core theme: Love is not possession. It is respecting the other person's freedom to be themselves.