Chapter 26
Translator: Aafkee
Proofreader: Superclubs2
Xia Yuanbo is a model example of a corporate entrepreneur. He had been working for a small household electric appliance business before forty years old. After going through arduous hard work and not seeing any hint of the business becoming a success, he entered the materials industry and started up Bo Da Corporation, assuming the posts of Bo Da Materials’ Technology Corporation’s Chairman of the Board and the main shareholder.
Xia Yuanbo’s eldest daughter, Xia Xuanrou is married to a bank president of a sub-branch in a certain region. She is a housewife and has a nine years old daughter; Xia Yuanbo’s younger son, Xia Hao, is a returnee master’s degree holder, he has assumed the post as Bo Da Materials’ general manager.
During lunchtime, Lu Chuiqing is looking through Bo Da Corporation’s information as he is having his lunch in the office cafeteria. Recalling that Xiao Zhan has mentioned that Xia Hao is his acquaintance, Lu Chuiqing paid extra attention to Xia Hao’s age and realised that not only is he the same age as Xiao Zhan, they have also studied in the same university overseas.
Lu Chuiqing bites on the tip of his chopsticks absentmindedly, convincing himself that he is only being curious as he begins to search up on Xia Hao’s second gender. For the sake of privacy, the official data on the internet would often not reveal the search target’s second gender. However, there will always be hearsays from other sources of information, just like how there is initially no evidence of Xiao Zhan being an alpha and yet, there is no one in the company that doesn’t know that he is one.
That is the power of gossip.
As Bo Da Corporation’s boss’s son and Bo Da’s general manager, it is inevitable that Xia Hao would receive media attention from the public. It did not take Lu Chuiqing that long before he found out that Xia Hao should be an alpha from a pile of gossip in a certain forum for stock investors.
Lu Chuiqing lets out a sigh of relief but ends up feeling ashamed and embarrassed of his own thoughts. He is no longer a boy in his adolescence lacking in a sense of security, getting affected merely by a sentence and overthinking things… Who knows how Xiao Zhan would mock him if he knew about this.
That said, it is not like he does not know about all those people who had been with Xiao Zhan before him. They might be unimportant playmates like the one he met during the company’s New Year party, they might even be people who were much more intimate.
Other than being a little jealous whenever he thinks about it, it does not bother Lu Chuiqing too much. Since he has decided to be with Xiao Zhan, their future is what's most important.
One afternoon on Thursday, Lu Chuiqing happens to get off from work early. Xiao Zhan was planning to have dinner with Yuan Ning and his secretary when he received Lu Chuiqing’s call. Xiao Zhan asks Yuan Ning and his secretary to go ahead while he turns back to fetch Lu Chuiqing.
Lu Chuiqing initially thought that it’ll only be the two of them. Upon hearing that Manager Yuan and his secretary would be there as well, Lu Chuiqing becomes momentarily embarrassed.
It is not that Lu Chuiqing is worried about making his relationship with Xiao Zhan public, he knows Manager Yuan isn’t that type of person. As for Xiao Zhan’s secretary, given that he is working in such a position, he definitely would not be someone who would gossip around.
Only, the thought of being introduced to the employees from Xiao Zhan’s company as Xiao Zhan’s lover makes Lu Chuiqing embarrassed for no particular reason.
At this moment, Yuan Ning and Xiao Zhan’s secretary, Xiao-Ye, had already arrived at the restaurant. When Xiao Zhan left, he only said that he was going to fetch someone, without revealing who he was fetching, and asked them to add a seat. The two assume that the other party is most likely going to be some sort of important leader or CEO Xiao’s friend.
Xiao Zhan’s secretary remains at the restaurant entrance to wait for their boss while Yuan Ning goes ahead into the private room to have their drinks ordered, not daring to neglect any small details.
After ten minutes or so, the door to the private room is pushed open by Xiao-Ye and Yuan Ning stands up immediately to welcome them. The moment he lifts his head, his gaze meets with Lu Chuiqing’s, who is currently entering the room.
Not long ago, when Yuan Ning came back from his business trip, Guan Xiaoluo had already mentioned Lu Chuiqing excitedly. Only then did Yuan Ning realise that the researcher from Zhong Ming with the last name Lu on that day is Xiaoluo’s co-renting housemate.
Yuan Ning already had a pretty deep impression of Lu Chuiqing then. On top of that, Guan Xiaoluo has also praised Lu Chuiqing, talking about how kind and outstanding he is, as well as how well he takes care of him, hinting at and grumbling about how Yuan Ning is too busy with his work and not being considerate enough. Upon hearing that, Yuan Ning did not know whether to laugh or cry, he could only apologise again and again.
At that time, Yuan Ning already thought that he should find Lu Chuiqing some other time to express his gratitude towards him.
He did not expect the opportunity to come so soon.
Yuan Ning’s mouth drops slightly in surprise. He was about to address Lu Chuiqing as “Xiao-Lu” subconsciously when, given his many years of experience, excellent adaptability and observation, he immediately swallowed back his words.
For CEO Xiao to fetch Lu Chuiqing himself, Lu Chuiqing is most definitely not here to have a meal with CEO Xiao as a mere employee from Zhong Ming.
Before Lu Chuiqing can open his mouth, Yuan Ning greets him, “Hello, Mr Lu.”
Having Yuan Ning greet him first, Lu Chuiqing becomes slightly ashamed. He feels that no matter what, he should be the one who should greet Manager Yuan first so he replies hurriedly, “Hello, Manager Yuan, I… am only here for a meal shamelessly, please just call me Xiao-Lu.”
Xiao Zhan, who has been standing at the back all this time, lowers his gaze to look at the seemingly ashamed Lu Chuiqing. He knows that Yuan Ning must have noticed the relationship between Lu Chuiqing and him. With that knowledge, there is no way Yuan Ning can address Lu Chuiqing as “Xiao-Lu”. To insist for Yuan Ning to address Lu Chuiqing that way is only making things difficult for him.
Xiao Zhan laughs lightly, “Alright, Xiao-Qing, go ahead and sit down. Don’t make things difficult for Yuan Ning.”
Lu Chuiqing flushes. Before he could utter a single word, he was already pulled along by Xiao Zhan to sit down. Yuan Ning and Xiao Zhan’s secretary Xiao-Ye look at each other momentarily, catching a hint of surprise in each others’ eyes.
From Xiao Zhan’s tone and the way he addresses Lu Chuiqing, it is enough to explain everything.
Both Yuan Ning and Xiao-Ye are considered to be few of the people who have the most contact with Xiao Zhan during work. They have witnessed so many circumstances where Xiao Zhan would show off his abilities or have a prestigious presence without even trying. Although rare, there were times outside of work when he could be considered gentle, but they have never heard Xiao Zhan using such a tone towards anyone, so much so that it is startling.
Yuan Ning and Xiao-Ye have confirmed in an instant that Mr Lu isn’t merely their boss’s friend, but their lady boss.
After being seated, Xiao Zhan accepts the menu from a waiter. After ordering a few dishes, he asks Lu Chuiqing, “What do you want to eat?”
Lu Chuiqing has yet to recover from the subtle sense of awkwardness that has been pervading the air around them. He replies, his tone slightly stiff, “I’m good with anything, you can decide.”
After the initial overcautiousness, the atmosphere for the rest of the meal is rather pleasant. Lu Chuiqing also realises that there is not as much for him to be cautious about as he has initially thought while interacting with Xiao Zhan’s work partners as his lover.
After dinner, Yuan Ning and Xiao-Ye stay behind to send the other two off. Since there are many patrons today, Xiao Zhan’s car is parked some distance away. Therefore, Xiao Zhan asks Lu Chuiqing to wait for him at the entrance while he drives his car over.
While Xiao Zhan is away, Yuan Ning sneakily whispers to Lu Chuiqing, “Mr Lu, please don’t worry. I will not tell others about your relationship with CEO Xiao.”
Lu Chuiqing never thought Yuan Ning would say that in good taste, for his sake so that he would not worry. He lifts his head immediately and replies gratefully, “Thank you, Manager Yuan.”
To think that he is Manager Yuan’s lover’s housemate, it must be some sort of fate as well. Thinking that, being overly punctilious with each other seems to be unnecessary so he smiles and speaks frankly and straightforwardly, “But Xiaoluo is completely fine, please feel free to tell him.”
Yuan Ning smiles knowingly.
When Xiao Zhan arrives in his car, Lu Chuiqing turns back and says his goodbye to the other two before getting into the car.
Xiao Zhan, “Do you want to go back to yours or mine?”
Although they have already done what needs to be done, Lu Chuiqing subconsciously feels that he should not be clinging to Xiao Zhan whenever he has the chance. He assumes Xiao Zhan would need his own personal space as well and he would probably not appreciate an overly attached lover.
Lu Chuiqing lets out a single cough and replies, “I’ll go back to mine… I’ll go over during the weekends.”
On the way back, Lu Chuiqing happens to see an outdoor billboard in between the greenbelt overpass -- an advertisement from Sheng An Insurance Company.
Lu Chuiqing’s heart tightens. He drops his gaze, momentarily silent.
After twenty minutes or so, Xiao Zhan stops his car at the entrance of Lu Chuiqing’s neighbourhood. Lu Chuiqing opens the car door and turns back to look at Xiao Zhan. The latter isn’t rushing to leave either as he returns Lu Chuiqing’s gaze with his own, calm and unruffled.
Lu Chuiqing scratches his cheeks lightly, his eyes seemingly avoiding something. Finally, he keeps his cool, leans forward and places a light kiss on Xiao Zhan’s lips. Slightly embarrassed, Lu Chuiqing says, “Good night, then.”
Lu Chuiqing immediately left the car the moment those words left his mouth.
A moment later, a charming and gentle chuckle resounded in the car.
When Lu Chuiqing arrives home, Xiaoluo has not returned yet, the room is still dark and empty. He turns on the air conditioning in his bedroom, sits down on his chair and stares into blank space pensively. Finally, he picks up his phone and finds Chen Yuan’s contact information.
Lu Chuiqing edits his message unhurriedly, “Good evening, Manager Chen, sorry for disturbing you at this time. I have considered your words from that day but I don’t think we are the most suitable for each other. Please forgive me for rejecting your good intentions, and I deeply apologise. I wish you all the best for your future endeavours.”
A message that isn’t too long, clearly stating his rejection, his gratefulness, and his apology.
Lu Chuiqing takes a deep breath and presses the send button.
And with that message sent, he has completely cut off his connection with those emotions from the past.
Although this has been his decision since the start, for some reason, Lu Chuiqing feels ineffably relaxed after properly rejecting Chen Yuan, as if he just unloaded a heavy burden he didn’t know was there off his shoulder.
Only then, Lu Chuiqing suddenly realises that he has been bearing the chains from his past all this while.
Chen Yuan replies to his message not long later. Lu Chuiqing opens the message and only sees two short and simple sentences, “Can I meet you again this Saturday night? I want to talk to you face to face.”
He has just tacitly admitted that he was single a week ago when he ate out with Chen Yuan. Who would have thought that his relationship with Xiao Zhan would have progressed this far right after he has received Chen Yuan’s confession? This is why Lu Chuiqing did not tell Chen Yuan directly that he has a boyfriend now -- or it would sound like a half-hearted excuse, cruel and hurtful.
Although Chen Yuan is all in the past for him now, Lu Chuiqing still wishes all the best for him.
Lu Chuiqing had expected such a reply from Chen Yuan. Since Chen Yuan wants to meet him, Lu Chuiqing is willing to talk things out properly face to face too. All things related to emotions and relationships should be taken seriously, Lu Chuiqing does not want Chen Yuan to feel as if he is just fobbing him off.
Lu Chuiqing quickly agrees to meet Chen Yuan face to face to talk it out, telling him that he will be waiting for his call.
Lu Chuiqing does not intend to tell Xiao Zhan about this. He is, after all, only going to reject the other party. Besides, they have only been together for a couple of days, there is no need to tell Xiao Zhan things that may potentially affect his mood, nor is there a need for Xiao Zhan to have any unnecessary opinions of Chen Yuan.
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