Chapter 35
Translator: Aafkee
Proofreader: Superclubs2
Lu Chuiqing creaks open his eyes in a daze and turns over, a tired sound of “hmph” leaving his nose as he feels a person’s arm right next to him.
Xiao Zhan is still sleeping beside him, his eyes remaining quietly closed, his chest rising and falling as he breathes in and out at a constant pace.
Only then does Lu Chuiqing recall that it is currently the National Day holiday.
Lu Chuiqing opens his eyes and stares at Xiao Zhan. The more he looks at Xiao Zhan, the more he thinks his appearance is full of characteristics that are worthy of others’ admiration. The outlines of his eyes are especially charming, even his eye sockets seem to be deeper than any other person’s. Such a pair of eyes looks exceptionally deep.
Lu Chuiqing is especially envious of people who own such a pair of eyes. Such people usually look mighty without even trying to. Intimidating, yet liable to attract attention. Unlike himself, a small face and a pair of round eyes, there is not an ounce of intimidation in them. Although it is a good thing to look young, looking too young makes him seem like an easy target for bullying.
Lu Chuiqing glances at the time and realises that it is not even nine. But since he has the habit of waking up early and eating breakfast usually, he feels a bit hungry now.
He lifts up the blanket lightly but even then, his wrist, which he is using to prop himself up from the bed, is caressed suddenly. He was unsure when Xiao Zhan had woken up but the hint of tiredness from having just woken up is still in his expression, “You’re awake?”
“Yeah… I want to eat breakfast.”
When the two finished cleaning themselves, Xiao Zhan’s housekeeper had already prepared breakfast. Lu Chuiqing told her previously not to call him Madam, but the housekeeper auntie began addressing him as Boss Lady instead, resulting in Lu Chuiqing contemplating between leaving it as it is or not. In the end, Lu Chuiqing asked her to address him as Mr Lu, the most normal way.
The breakfast in Xiao Zhan’s house is surprisingly simple. It is probably due to the fact that he has always been living alone so there is no need for any unnecessary drama commonly seen in those big families. The auntie has made some fresh fruit juice and steamed a few custard buns. The buns are even in the shape of a cartoon pig.
Lu Chuiqing sits down at the dining table and watches Xiao Zhan who is currently reading the newspaper while eating a bun. However, the cartoon-shaped custard bun and his usual image are just way too different so Lu Chuiqing cannot help but laugh.
Xiao Zhan lifts his gaze towards him, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Lu Chuiqing takes a mouthful of the juice and asks instead, “Xiao Zhan, are there really no responses from Bo Da Materials’ side?”
“None.”
Lu Chuiqing thinks through it carefully and finally understands. Xiao Zhan’s actions towards Bo Da Materials are indeed unexpected and uncommon. Given that Xiao Zhan himself owns an organisation that specialises in short-selling, the first thought Lu Chuiqing would have if he was a member of Bo Da’s board of directors would probably be suspecting Xiao Zhan of wanting to short-sell.
However, regardless of whether it is for investment or short-selling, the stock prices will remain safe as long as they do not announce to the public. The correct thing to do, and the only thing they can do, is to observe Xiao Zhan’s next step and react accordingly.
But Lu Chuiqing is actually still a bit worried. After all, there is something called the butterfly effect in this world. If by any chance, Bo Da Materials’ stock price does not drop as it did in his previous life, or if it drops later than anticipated, Xiao Zhan will indeed suffer a substantial loss.
Worth 100 million! The thought of that amount alone is scary!
Lu Chuiqing does not have any specific plans for his holiday. Since Xiao Zhan has to settle his work once in a while, Lu Chuiqing decides to stay at home and accompany him.
At night, Lu Chuiqing receives a call from Zhou Ruiyang, whom he has not contacted for a while now, telling him that he will be in City S for holidays with his girlfriend two days later and invites him out for a meal.
Lu Chuqing readily agrees to it. During dinner time that day, he mentions this to Xiao Zhan, “I’ll be going out to meet a classmate from my postgraduate days the day after tomorrow, he…”
Lu Chuiqing suddenly recalls that he used the same excuse when he went to meet Chen Yuan last time. He quickly tries to explain himself, “It’s real this time! A real classmate, from the same class!”
Xiao Zhan, “Hm.”
Seeing that there are barely any changes in Xiao Zhan’s expression, Lu Chuiqing feels a bit puzzled instead. He suddenly realises that Xiao Zhan seems to be excessively reassured when it comes to him.
Although there is nothing wrong with that fundamentally, Lu Chuiqing still feels a tiny sense of speechlessness and dejection, “...Are you that unworried about me?”
“Didn’t you say so yourself?” Xiao Zhan takes a sip of soup, his expression graceful and carefree, “That it’s unreasonable to be unfaithful after having me.”
Lu Chuiqing admits defeat completely.
Uncle Wang drives Lu Chuiqing to the restaurant on the day of his meeting with Zhou Ruiyang. He can see Zhou Ruiyang waving at him from far away the moment he steps into the restaurant.
Zhou Ruiyang has come alone. Judging from his appearance, he seems to be doing well. The two give each other a quick embrace before getting themselves seated. Lu Chuiqing then looks around and asks, “Your girlfriend didn’t come?”
“She went shopping for the whole afternoon and got exhausted so she’s resting in the hotel now. I’ll be taking out food for her when I’m going back.” Zhou Ruiyang teases him after ordering some food, “So, I came alone because my partner is sleeping, but why are you here alone? I didn’t say you can’t bring your family member.”
Lu Chuiqing, “Me…? My partner is resting at home too.”
Zhou Ruiyang lifts his head in surprise. He was merely teasing him and never thought that Lu Chuiqing would really be in a relationship. After all, based on his understanding, his good buddy Lu Chuiqing is not someone who would get into any relationship if it’s merely to play around. His relationship history from his university and postgraduate years is as blank as a white piece of paper. Such a person will definitely be extremely cautious when picking a partner.
Zhou Ruiyang, “You really have a partner? Since when?”
“It’s not even half a year yet.”
“Male or female? How old? How did y’all meet? What do they do for a living?”
“Why are you reacting the exact same way my mum did?” Lu Chuiqing laughs helplessly before he answers, “Male, he’s six years older than me. I met him during my company’s New Year party, he’s a CEO. Does that answer all your questions?”
“Wow, a CEO?” Zhou Ruiyang gasps in admiration, “Is it okay to reveal which company he’s from?”
Lu Chuiqing lets out a cough, “Value Scan.”
“...What? What?!” Zhou Ruiyang’s hand, which is still holding a cup, is frozen in the midair, “Value Scan?! Xiao Zhan?!”
“Yeah…”
Zhou Ruiyang sucks in a breath in shock. The two of them are sitting close together so he reaches out his hand and presses on Lu Chuiqing’s shoulders directly, bringing him closer as he lowers his voice, his anxiousness obvious, “Is he being serious about you?! He’s not just playing around with you, right?!”
Any normal person would have thought the same. Even Lu Chuiqing himself thought the exact same thing, let alone others. Zhou Ruiyang is only asking him this out of concern.
“To be honest… It’s not even half a year yet, I still can’t be 100% certain.” Lu Chuiqing can speak his mind truthfully in front of his good friend of many years, “But my feelings towards him are sincere and I trust him too.”
Zhou Ruiyang feels a little more relieved after he sees Lu Chuiqing’s expression, “I believe you have already thought it through carefully. It’s not that I have a prejudice against him, it’s just that I went to dinner with a big boss not long ago and he’s from a rich family and a CEO of a company, very much like Xiao Zhan. He was drunk and said with his own mouth that there are only two things they like to play with for people with his status; money and omegas… Just listen to that, I guess it’s easy for a person to have such thoughts when they become rich.”
Lu Chuiqing curls his lips. He thinks what Zhou Ruiyang says is true too. He has only just gotten rid of one of Xiao Zhan’s ex-lovers who he had been providing financial support.
Zhou Ruiyang changes the topic suddenly and begins praising his good friend with not much effort, “But if Xiao Zhan is to ditch you, it’s his loss!”
The two continue to chat as they eat, they even drank quite a bit of alcohol. Lu Chuiqing is indeed in a good mood, he has not been drinking that much for a long time now but his capacity for liquor is nowhere near decent to begin so he is already tipsy when it is time to leave the restaurant.
Lu Chuiqing, in a daze, gives Uncle Wang a call to trouble him to come over to fetch him. Zhou Ruiyang called for a taxi too. When Uncle Wang arrives, the two bid each other farewell at the entrance of the restaurant.
Uncle Wang drives Lu Chuiqing all the way to the house entrance. Uncle Wang is about to step forward to lend Lu Chuiqing an arm for support as he walks up the steps unsteadily but the entrance to the house got pushed open at that very moment.
Xiao Zhan is at the entrance. He reaches out to support Lu Chuiqing’s body and pulls him towards his own embrace. He then gives Uncle Wang a nod, indicating that he can go back to rest now.
Xiao Zhan leads Lu Chuiqing into the house, planning to get him seated on the couch so that he can remove his shoes but Lu Chuiqing’s arms, which are around Xiao Zhan’s neck, refusing to budge as he mutters inaudibly. Probably because Lu Chuiqing can smell the wine-scented pheromone that belongs to Xiao Zhan, he begins to stretch out his neck to sniff Xiao Zhan’s nape.
Xiao Zhan gives a pat on Lu Chuiqing’s back, a hint of helplessness in his voice as he calls out to him, “Xiao-Qing, loosen your arms for a bit.”
Lu Chuiqing lifts his head to look at Xiao Zhan, the aftereffects of the alcohol evident as he looks a bit absent-minded when he mumbles, “Xiao Zhan…”
Xiao Zhan knows Lu Chuiqing is drunk and he probably didn’t call him for any particular reason anyway so he decides to carry him just in that position and brings him back into the bedroom.
Lu Chuiqing, “Hm… I want to drink water.”
“I’ll get you some later.”
Xiao Zhan removes Lu Chuiqing’s jacket and shoes before he stands up, wanting to get him some water when he is suddenly grabbed by the wrist by Lu Chuiqing.
Lu Chuiqing widens his eyes to stare at him, his expression is hazy and his voice light, “Xiao Zhan… if only I worked harder in my previous life, I might have met you earlier.”
Xiao Zhan watches Lu Chuiqing’s face carefully before he reaches out to sweep away the loose strands of hair on Lu Chuiqing’s forehead. He knows Xiao-Qing is currently drunk and that his words may not make much sense but he asks anyway, “Why are you talking about this suddenly?”
Lu Chuiqing shakes his head, turns around and wraps himself in the blankets. He curls up his body and mumbles to himself as if he has recalled something, “It was really painful that time… My tummy hurts so much… My whole body hurts… I would not experience such things if I had met you earlier…”
Xiao Zhan stares at him silently for a while before he finally goes downstairs and pours some warm water into a thermal mug. He then returns to the bedroom and places the mug at the bedside table and leans down to place a kiss on Lu Chuiqing’s forehead.
Xiao Zhan helps Lu Chuiqing change into his pyjamas and uses a warm towel to wipe his face.
He returns to the bed after cleaning himself and turns off the bedroom lights. As if Lu Chuiqing feels a source of heat in his dreams, he subconsciously moves closer to Xiao Zhan.
Xiao Zhan reaches out to embrace him, his palm gently caressing Lu Chuiqing’s back.
At first, Xiao Zhan had deliberately avoided thinking about love and relationships since some problems arose in his relationship with Su Weiyu.
At that time, he was busy with his career, starting up a new company, building his network, recruiting talents, there were so many things he had to worry about then, so much so that he had no spare thought for anything else.
Xiao Zhan had not considered what he wanted in his future partner, most of his thoughts and attention were placed in the dynamic, complicated business market and the two-faced nature of interpersonal relationships.
But now, he seems to have met a person who is everything he could wish for.
This person in his embrace is someone whom Xiao Zhan wishes to love properly.
Thank you! This chapter was quite heartwarming.
ReplyDeleteEsto fue... de alguna manera revelador. Amo esto. Los amo a ambos, merecen ser muy felices.
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