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TUMZ Chapter 13

Qiu Zheyan asked his senior, “What’s wrong? Who did you mistake him for?”

His senior hesitated before saying, “Mr. Zhuang looks a bit like someone I met in S City… I encountered him at a business conference… Maybe I’m mistaken though, it was five or six years ago.”

Zhuang Hanxue calmly replied, “I have quite a common face. Haha.”

The more senior brother thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong.

He privately told Qiu Zheyan, “I remember now, I have met Mr. Zhuang before, but he wasn’t like this then. It was at an investment fair, and he seemed quite influential at the time, with many people surrounding him, hoping to secure his investment. I even took a photo. I’ll find it and show you later.”

Qiu Zheyan found it amusing, “You must be mistaken.”

He couldn’t imagine Zhuang Hanxue as a serious investor and chuckled softly, “It’s impossible, really impossible.”

His senior said anxiously, “It’s true! Why would I lie to you? Be honest with me, what’s your boyfriend’s background? I’m in need of some money…”

Qiu Zheyan shook his head, “You’re definitely mistaken. We’ve been together for quite a while, how could I not know? When he moved in with me, he only had five thousand yuan in his account. He worked as an ordinary employee in Y City for three years before that. He’s not some tycoon.”

His senior was skeptical but sighed, “Alright. I’ll think of another way. Do you have any spare cash? Could you lend me some? I’ll pay you back after the New Year when things improve. I’ll write you an IOU.”

Qiu Zheyan nodded, “What’s the situation with your company? How much do you need?”

Huan Hao said, “Two million.”

Qiu Zheyan considered his bank balance and agreed without hesitation, “Okay, I’ll transfer it to you tomorrow.”

Later at home.

Qiu Zheyan jokingly told Zhuang Hanxue about the mistaken identity, “He said he once saw some executive who looked just like you.”

Just as he finished speaking, he received a message from his senior.

Qiu Zheyan opened it to find a group photo from an investment fair, with someone circled in red… who indeed looked remarkably like Zhuang Hanxue.

Zhuang Hanxue laughed, “Haha, that’s hilarious.”

Qiu Zheyan showed him the photo, “Wait… He does look a lot like you, similar height, even the same slightly uneven shoulders when standing.”

Zhuang Hanxue glanced at it and said with difficulty, “Yes… yes… quite similar.”

Qiu Zheyan turned to stare at him, “This is you, isn’t it?”

Zhuang Hanxue’s heart raced. His blissful life as a happy freeloader was in jeopardy. But at that moment, he had a flash of wit and said delicately, “I… I felt embarrassed to tell you…”

Qiu Zheyan furrowed his brow and gasped, “This really is you?”

Zhuang Hanxue replied, “Given my current state, how could I bring up my past?”

Qiu Zheyan pressed, “What exactly happened?”

Zhuang Hanxue vaguely explained, “Well… I used to have some money, but life took an unexpected turn, and I ran out…”

Qiu Zheyan didn’t doubt his words and suddenly realized, “No wonder you dated Jiang Ruoyun, and all your ex-girlfriends were rich beauties.” Thinking further, it made sense why Zhuang Hanxue was so pampered at his age, knew luxury cars inside out, and was familiar with high-end brands without coveting them. If Zhuang Hanxue had been a wealthy young master before, everything could be explained.

Why had Zhuang Hanxue kept this from him? And lied? If not for the irrefutable evidence, Zhuang Hanxue might have still denied it.

Qiu Zheyan frowned and asked discontentedly, “Why did you never tell me?”

Zhuang Hanxue blinked pitifully, “I… I was afraid to tell you.”

Seeing Zhuang Hanxue’s cowering posture, sitting there foolishly like a drenched puppy, Qiu Zheyan couldn’t stay angry.

He felt sorry for Zhuang Hanxue.

No wonder Zhuang Hanxue lacked ambition now. He’d probably lived a privileged life since childhood, only to have it all crumble, falling from heaven to hell. Once a proud golden boy, now reduced to this state. His family bankrupt, possibly deep in debt? It was only natural to be crushed by such a blow.

So despite his good education, Zhuang Hanxue worked mediocre jobs, even giving up on striving, just getting by day to day.

That’s how he’d developed his current personality.

Poor thing, so pitiful.

Qiu Zheyan apologized, “I’m sorry for bringing up painful memories…”

Zhuang Hanxue, completely unaware of Qiu Zheyan’s thoughts but sensing he’d dodged a bullet, shook his head, “It’s fine. It’s all in the past.”

Qiu Zheyan felt a surge of emotion, “I’ll always be good to you!”

Zhuang Hanxue smiled and kissed him, “You’re already so good to me, Qiuqiu. Want to play today? I’ve been using face masks daily, my butt’s super smooth. Want to feel?”

He kissed Zhuang Hanxue with immense tenderness.

Zhuang Hanxue was exceptionally docile today, yielding to him, melting softly.

For a fleeting moment.

Qiu Zheyan felt that Zhuang Hanxue truly loved him.

But it was just a fleeting moment.

Qiu Zheyan suddenly understood why Zhuang Hanxue had become so aloof and indifferent to everything.

When he went bankrupt, all those women must have left him.

A twenty-something Zhuang Hanxue had his heart broken, afraid to trust love again, which is why he refused his proposal.

Without enough security, it was reasonable for Zhuang Hanxue to doubt his promise of lifelong commitment after only two or three months together.

Qiu Zheyan realized profoundly that this man – neither young nor clever, and now impoverished – could only rely on him.

A bittersweet feeling of pity welled up in his heart.

He needed to be even better to Zhuang Hanxue.

However, he hadn’t forgotten about the “Jiujiu Little Master” issue, wondering who this person was and their relationship with Zhuang Hanxue.

Especially lately, with Zhuang Hanxue acting suspiciously, as if hiding something from him.

Qiu Zheyan wanted to wait for Zhuang Hanxue to tell him voluntarily, but he never did, continuing to act carefree as if nothing had happened.

Qiu Zheyan thought: Maybe he was overthinking? Was it just an ordinary online friend? Was there really nothing going on between them?

Was “Jiujiu” a pet name or someone’s actual name?

Come to think of it, “Jiujiu” sounded familiar… like a girl’s nickname.

Zhuang Hanxue sometimes called him “Qiuqiu,” which sounded similar. Surely he wasn’t a substitute? That would be too dramatic.

But judging from the messages, that Jiujiu seemed to have known Zhuang Hanxue longer. He was the newcomer.

Could it be that they had a prior ambiguous relationship, but during Jiujiu’s absence, he had managed to win Zhuang Hanxue over? Now that Jiujiu was back, discovering their love interest taken, they were trying to drive a wedge between them to reclaim Zhuang Hanxue?

Qiu Zheyan knew he could confront Zhuang Hanxue directly and force him to choose.

But he had gradually figured out Zhuang Hanxue’s temperament. Though he appeared tough, he was actually quite sensitive. If pushed too hard, Qiu Zheyan feared Zhuang Hanxue might nonchalantly ask, “Should I move out today?”

He couldn’t illegally detain Zhuang Hanxue, could he?

That would be meaningless.

With just three days until the New Year.

Qiu Zheyan had booked a three-day, two-night trip to Japan, planning to take Zhuang Hanxue on vacation.

Today, he finished work a bit earlier, before midnight, and messaged Zhuang Hanxue that he was coming home early.

As soon as he entered, Qiu Zheyan heard Zhuang Hanxue laughing. “Little Master, Little Master, just let me win once. We’ve been playing all night, and you haven’t let me win a single game. Little Master, you’re the best, I’m begging you.”

Zhuang Hanxue often used this wheedling tone with him when asking for things. Even before they officially started dating, when they played games together, Zhuang Hanxue acted this way, which is why he thought this online friend might have feelings for him.

Just playing a game? Did it require such intimate talk?

So Zhuang Hanxue acted this way with everyone?

Qiu Zheyan felt a surge of hot blood rush to his head, feeling utterly betrayed.

He dashed into the study.

Zhuang Hanxue was wearing headphones, which probably explained why he hadn’t noticed his message or heard him come home.

Qiu Zheyan stood ominously behind him, but Zhuang Hanxue remained oblivious, still laughing and chatting away.

After a few seconds, Zhuang Hanxue sensed a chill and turned around. Seeing Qiu Zheyan, his laughter abruptly ceased as he dumbfoundedly removed his headphones.

Qiu Zheyan yanked him up from the chair.

Zhuang Hanxue was utterly bewildered.

Qiu Zheyan, holding back his anger, questioned, “I’ve been wanting to ask you, who’s Jiujiu?”

“Where did you meet this woman?”

“I’ve noticed you’ve been acting strange lately. What are you hiding from me?”

“They even said they’d lend you money to move out.”

“Do you want to break up? Do you want to move out?”

“What more can I do? What are you unsatisfied with?”

“What exactly am I to you?”

Zhuang Hanxue was stunned by this barrage of accusations, still trying to reach his computer, “I’m… I’m still livestreaming… Let me just tell them…”

Qiu Zheyan, blinded by rage, retorted, “Livestream? Don’t change the subject! Tell me, do you love me or not?”

“I… I…” Zhuang Hanxue looked innocent and wronged, as if unaware of his mistake, stuttering in fear.

This only infuriated Qiu Zheyan more. He grabbed him, “Explain yourself clearly. If you don’t, you won’t be leaving this bed tonight.”

Zhuang Hanxue pleaded, “No, really, I’m livestreaming, it’s a game stream. Tens of thousands of people are watching.”

Qiu Zheyan paused, turning to look at the computer screen. Indeed, there was a small livestreaming window, and now the comments were exploding:

[????????]
[What’s going on?]
[Coming out publicly????]
[The first person to come out as gay in the game streaming area???]
[Didn’t he always say he had a wife? Cheating????]
[This guy’s voice sounds good too…]
[Is it about to get NSFW?]
[Keep streaming! I’m so excited!!!!]

Qiu Zheyan: “…”

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