After comforting his younger brother, Li Yao finally had the mind to notice Lu Hanling, who had approached: “Hanling, what’s up? Is there something you need?” Li Yao and Lu Hanling actually had a good personal relationship, and their interactions in private were much more relaxed and natural.
Lu Hanling coughed twice: “There is something… but I think you’d be more interested in this news.”
“What?” A hint of confusion flashed in Li Yao’s eyes.
Lu Hanling looked left and right before cautiously leaning in: “Well, about that woman just now… apparently, she was brought in by President Wang…”
“What about it—” At first, Li Yao didn’t understand Lu Hanling’s implication, since President Wang wasn’t the type to bring his mistress to formal banquets where such behavior was inappropriate. But before he could finish his sentence, Li Yao grasped the unspoken meaning in Lu Hanling’s words.
President Wang might bow and scrape in front of those with higher status than him, but when it came to those beneath him—especially those far beneath him—his attitude was a different story. Moreover, President Wang had brought Han Siyu in as a trophy mistress, someone to show off and boost his own ego.
Now, if this mistress was secretly flirting with other men behind his back, and if President Wang found out, he wouldn’t dare lay a finger on Lu Hanling. But if Lu Hanling so much as hinted at his annoyance and disgust toward such “advances,” President Wang would undoubtedly make sure that woman paid for humiliating him.
Frankly, Lu Hanling was somewhat “impressed” by the woman’s audacity—to have eyes for one man while still clinging to another. At the same time, he couldn’t help but feel a growing urge to distance himself from her.
Though Lu Hanling had full confidence in his own charm and appeal, that didn’t mean he was interested in a woman who could so easily betray one man and throw herself into another’s arms—especially one who had hurt his precious little darling so deeply.
Now that the little darling’s older brother was furious and likely to take action against that woman, Lu Hanling had no intention of getting involved in the mess. He’d much rather spend that time teasing his little darling and deepening their bond.
Besides, no man would appreciate being cuckolded. Well, women probably didn’t like it either—unless they had some peculiar kinks. Either way, Lu Hanling preferred to keep such women at arm’s length.
Han Siyu, who had gone through “great lengths” and “hardships” to find her beloved Brother Hanling, probably never expected things to turn out this way. Li Hui, who was supposed to be a vegetable in the hospital, was still perfectly fine. Meanwhile, Han Siyu, after “enduring humiliation” to cozy up to the lecherous President Wang and sneak into the banquet to reunite with her long-lost Brother Hanling, had instead been blacklisted by him. Talk about tragic.
In their past life, Han Siyu and Lu Hanling first met when she was already a rising starlet, auditioning for a role in one of his productions. She played a cross-dressing heroine—delicate and frail in appearance, yet resilient and strong-willed, with an elegant, refined demeanor reminiscent of an ink painting.
Having once dated the genuinely noble and refined Li Hui, Han Siyu pulled off the role convincingly. With the backing of her many “brothers,” she not only landed the part but also managed to leave a deep impression on Lu Hanling.
Later, the two flirted shamelessly on set. Han Siyu played the innocent, clueless maiden, while Lu Hanling, unaware that she was already officially dating Qin Ze, gradually fell head over heels for her—eventually becoming yet another conquest in her harem.
But now? Heh.
Li Yao was delighted to learn about Han Siyu and President Wang’s connection. When Lu Hanling mentioned wanting to discuss roles with his younger brother, Li Yao simply waved them off to find a quiet spot to chat while he happily went to stir up trouble for Han Siyu.
How dare she make his brother so heartbroken? As an older brother, how could he just stand by and do nothing?
—
In the company office, Chu Yan stretched and noticed Xu Yi’an looking troubled, as if weighed down by something. Tilting his head, he asked, “Yi’an, what’s wrong? Something bothering you?”
“Ugh, don’t even ask,” Xu Yi’an sighed. “There’s an engagement banquet in a couple of days. The groom is Qin Ze, the young master of the Qin family and future patriarch. The bride is Han Ningyao, the youngest daughter of the Han family. As the second son of the Xu family, I have to attend. So annoying.”
Xu Yi’an truly found it exasperating. He’d much rather spend time with his beloved than engage in the hollow pleasantries of high-society events. Even just watching his beloved work was infinitely more enjoyable than exchanging meaningless niceties with strangers.
Sighing again, Xu Yi’an leaned back against the sofa cushions. “I know, I know. It’s inevitable. I’m just venting to you—not actually planning to skip it.”
“Besides,” he added, “I want to grow into a capable, mature man who can protect and provide for the one I love.” Though accomplished, Xu Yi’an was still young—younger than Chu Yan, at least. To many, he was still just a boy.
Hearing Xu Yi’an’s words, Chu Yan’s heart skipped a beat. But the thought of Xu Yi’an one day showering someone else with affection, smiling brightly for another, made his chest ache with an indescribable bitterness.
The discomfort was so intense that Chu Yan unconsciously bit his lower lip, his mood sinking.
Despite preparing for the upcoming engagement banquet, Xu Yi’an had been keeping an eye on Chu Yan. The moment he noticed something off, he sprang from the sofa and rushed to Chu Yan’s side, pressing the back of his hand to Chu Yan’s forehead.
“What’s wrong, Yan Yan? Not feeling well?”
Seeing the genuine concern in Xu Yi’an’s eyes, Chu Yan felt a rush of shyness and a racing heartbeat. Staring at Xu Yi’an’s handsome, mature face, Chu Yan momentarily lost himself—then, before he could stop himself, he threw himself into Xu Yi’an’s arms, wrapping his arms around his waist.
The moment he did, Chu Yan froze in shock.
Quickly snapping back to reality, he tried to pull away, stammering, “S-sorry! I didn’t—I wasn’t—” His ears burned crimson as he fumbled to escape Xu Yi’an’s warm embrace, though his heart ached at the thought of leaving.
Xu Yi’an chuckled softly, tightening his arms around Chu Yan. “Yan Yan, now that you’re in my arms, do you really think I’ll let you go so easily?”
With that, Xu Yi’an was rewarded with a deliciously flustered “red apple.” Watching the blush deepen on Chu Yan’s face, Xu Yi’an swallowed hard—then, unable to resist, leaned in and gently nipped at it. The “apple” only reddened further, making Xu Yi’an crave even more.
—
With work finally over and overtime done, Chu Yan and Xu Yi’an headed to the underground parking garage to drive back to Chu Yan’s place.
(Oh, by the way—they had already agreed to move in together.)
Still a bit dazed, Chu Yan let Xu Yi’an take the wheel while he sat in the passenger seat.
Honestly, Chu Yan felt like his soul had left his body. As someone who had been single his entire life, falling for someone so quickly and then officially starting a relationship—it was all happening too fast for him to process.
Lost in thought, Chu Yan absentmindedly pinched his earlobe to ground himself. His ears—especially his earlobes—were extremely sensitive, but whenever his mind wandered or he was deep in thought, he’d unconsciously tug at them. Yet, he never let anyone else touch his ears. It was a habit he’d had since childhood.
Xu Yi’an kept glancing at Chu Yan as he drove. Once he saw Chu Yan regaining his composure, he spoke up again: “Yan Yan, once we wrap up our current projects, how about coming home with me to meet my family?”
Well, since they were serious about this, it was only natural to plan for meeting the parents. After all, Xu Yi’an was dead serious—he had absolutely no intention of toying with Chu Yan’s feelings!
Chu Yan was startled once more. “…You’re not joking?”
Xu Yi’an pouted like a petulant child. “Why would I joke about this? My feelings for you are real! Of course I want to take you home, introduce you to my family, and plan our future together!”
Chu Yan pressed his lips together, silent.
Perhaps sensing Chu Yan’s hesitation, Xu Yi’an added softly, “My family already knows about my orientation. I’ve told them all about you—how I fell for you, and how I planned to bring you home once I won you over. So don’t worry, Yan Yan. They’ll love you. They won’t give you a hard time.”
Listening to Xu Yi’an’s deep, soothing voice, Chu Yan gradually relaxed. After a moment, he nodded. “Alright… if that’s the case, then… okay.”
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