Zhu Tong still paid great attention to his expressions in front of his sister. After his face heated up, he quickly became serious: “Why are you, a young girl, asking about these things?”
Zhu Xin solemnly reminded him, “We are twins, born on the same day. If I’m a young girl, then what are you? You had a puppy love.”
Zhu Tong: “…”
When not retorting, Zhu Tong probably couldn’t outtalk anyone.
He looked at Zhu Xin helplessly.
“Yes, that expression,” his sister suddenly exclaimed, “And that serious look you had just now, you really look like Grandpa.”
“…”
Zhu Tong was suddenly stunned.
Like Grandpa?
No one had ever told him he looked like someone before.
Not like his parents, but like his Grandpa.
Thinking of Grandpa’s always serious face, Zhu Tong’s expression turned a bit strange, “Do you talk like this in front of Grandpa too?”
Zhu Xin nodded without feeling it was unusual, “Yes, Grandpa always doesn’t talk much, but every time I talk to him, I can feel that he is very happy.”
Zhu Tong’s lips curved up slightly.
Looking at it this way, he indeed resembled Grandpa.
Previously, when he was hospitalized alone, although he pretended not to care, he was actually very happy every time Xiao Xin came to visit him.
Even if there was no other purpose back then, sending Xiao Xin to Grandpa’s side was indeed a correct choice.
Thinking of choices, Zhu Tong inevitably thought of Zhu Shoushan.
His smile slightly faded, and he turned his head to ask softly, “Xiao Xin, do you want to go back?”
Zhu Xin’s face froze slightly, then she shook her head. “Dad… he’s doing quite well now. I heard from the maids that he divorced Aunt Qin and is busier than before. He hasn’t been home for a long time.”
His busyness must be related to Grandpa.
Grandpa didn’t push him to the brink but just made him become what he ideally wanted to be… being able to focus on his work without any ties.
Without Grandpa’s help, how far could he develop on his own would be his own business?
Zhu Tong didn’t want to dwell on it and changed the subject, “Heard? How do you hear about everything?”
Zhu Xin sighed exaggeratedly, “What else can I do? I’m bored at home alone, I have to find someone to talk to.”
Being on good terms with the maids makes it easier to find out things.
Zhu Tong laughed again. “I’ll talk with you from now on.”
Zhu Xin immediately pouted, “I don’t believe that. You have a wife now, how will you have time to talk to me, ah?”
“……”
“Hey, Ge, you haven’t answered me yet! How far have you two gone?”
Zhu Tong was embarrassed and angry, “You’re not allowed to ask about these things.”
Zhu Xin was satisfied to see him blushing and leaned back in the car seat, obediently saying, “Fine, I won’t ask. But Saozi1sister-in-law. Specifically, your older brother’s wife. lives at our place now, right? I hope tonight’s dinner won’t be dog food.”
“……”
“But don’t worry, Ge. Even if you two get all lovey-dovey in front of me, I’ll pretend I didn’t see it. I won’t tattle to Grandpa.”
Zhu Tong: “……”
Where did his obedient and quiet sister go?
Why did he feel like his sister’s demeanor had changed?
Zhu Tong was teased by her all the way and finally said numbly, “Don’t worry, we won’t give you a chance to tattle.”
Because Shao Ming was very busy, extremely busy.
Investigating a group and convicting it was not an easy task. Even if the outcome was certain, the timeline would be long, and there could be no relaxation during this period.
Grandpa intended to train Shao Ming, or perhaps also test his depth, allowing Shao Ming to participate in the whole process.
At the end of the year, Grandpa found time to come back again and had a reunion dinner with the three of them. After that, Shao Ming returned to Gongshui County to spend the New Year with his mother.
It was only after being forced to part that Zhu Tong realized how foresighted Shao Ming’s insistence on taking photos was.
Shao Ming took many unrestrained photos with his phone while they were out.
However, Zhu Tong wasn’t very relaxed at the time, so his phone only had a few photos, and they weren’t very good.
Even after returning to Gongshui County, Shao Ming didn’t have much free time. He was busy every day but still made time to contact Zhu Tong regularly. Despite this, Zhu Tong’s longing for him continued to grow.
The things Shao Ming did every day made Zhu Tong more aware of the gap between them.
Zhu Tong could only add more study tasks for himself every day.
Even if it was just a little bit, he wanted to catch up to Shao Ming as much as possible.
Zhu Xin returned from school and didn’t get to eat any “dog food” but ended up drinking a lot of “chicken soup2like Chicken Soup for the Soul. Mostly motivational stories/speech, but heartwarming stories can be counted as well..”
On New Year’s Eve, no matter how busy people were, they had to take a holiday.
Shao Ming sent Zhu Tong a video. One side showed a familiar guest room, while the other showed a residential room that Zhu Tong didn’t recognize at all.
“Are you at home now?”
Zhu Tong suddenly realized that he had never been to Shao Ming’s home.
Shao Ming responded with a “Hmm,” and seeing the familiar background in the video, he smiled knowingly, “Sleeping there again today?”
Since Shao Ming went back, Zhu Tong had been sleeping in the guest room where Shao Ming had slept. At first, when they video-called, he would deliberately go back to his own room to cover it up. However, after taking a shower yesterday, he forgot and got caught.
Even though he had already been embarrassed once, Zhu Tong still felt awkward when asked again. He pretended to be calm and said, “The bed here is more comfortable to sleep on.”
Shao Ming raised his eyebrows insincerely, “Really?”
Zhu Tong fell silent.
The taller youth obviously knew why he was sleeping there and was teasing him on purpose.
Shao Ming didn’t want to show his concern, but he couldn’t help asking, “Did you sleep well last night?”
Zhu Tong said, “Very well. What about you?”
Shao Ming’s eyes carried a smile, “Not well, I missed you too much.”
Zhu Tong: “…”
He wanted to say “I miss you too,” but he couldn’t bring himself to say it as straightforwardly as the person in the video.
Zhu Tong hesitated for a long time, his ears slightly red, and finally asked, “Can you… send me a few photos?”
Shao Ming paused for a moment, a bit surprised, “Photos?”
Zhu Tong nodded, “The ones you took outside last time.”
Shao Ming asked, “What do you need the photos for?”
Zhu Tong blinked, “Just… to look at.”
Shao Ming pressed, “Look at what?”
Zhu Tong: “…”
Probably seeing that Zhu Tong was determined to get to the bottom of it, Zhu Tong quickly compromised, “To look at you.”
As soon as he said that, his face turned red.
The taller youth in the video immediately chuckled softly, his eyes full of satisfaction.
But he didn’t nod and instead teased, “Just those photos from that day? You don’t want anything else?”
Zhu Tong was confused, “Anything else?”
Shao Ming: “Something a bit more… risqué?”
Zhu Tong：“……”
Zhu Tong’s mind was instantly filled with some inappropriate images, and he felt himself burning up.
He hurriedly shook his head, looking like he was rejecting the idea.
Shao Ming sighed regretfully, “Really don’t want them? Sigh, I guess my recent lack of exercise has made my body lose its appeal to my boyfriend.”
Zhu Tong instinctively said, “No…”
Shao Ming’s body was still very attractive.
Shao Ming tempted him, “So, do you want them?”
Zhu Tong immediately gripped his phone tightly, his face so hot it could cook an egg, “…Yes.”
Shao Ming immediately seized the opportunity, “Alright, then you have to trade yours for mine.”
Zhu Tong: “!”
His hand holding the phone froze.
Seeing his shocked expression, Shao Ming smiled mischievously, “Reciprocity, Little Young Master. Don’t tell me… you want things for free? That’s not very fair for me.”
Zhu Tong: “…”
Can he just refuse?
But he really wanted them.
Torn between reason and desire, Zhu Tong was speechless.
Shao Ming’s eyes darkened, and he lowered his voice, “I imagine you hiding under the covers, secretly looking at me, thinking about me, and then doing naughty things…”
Zhu Tong blurted out in defense, “I wouldn’t…”
Shao Ming shamelessly said, “I would.”
Zhu Tong: “…”
The young master slammed his phone onto the bed… but couldn’t bring himself to hang up.
From the phone came the sound of Shao Ming’s restrained laughter, making Zhu Tong’s heart tremble.
Soon, Shao Ming’s voice, reflecting on and apologizing, came through, “Baby, I was wrong. I won’t talk nonsense anymore. I’ll surrender myself now. Will you be merciful and let me out of the little black screen?”
Zhu Tong: “…”
What was the little black screen?
Zhu Tong couldn’t help but laugh. He picked up the phone again, his face still hot. He tried to keep a serious face but eventually turned away, laughing.
Shao Ming smiled and asked, “Not angry anymore?”
During the New Year, Zhu Tong didn’t want to be angry with him. He turned over, lying on his side on the bed, and looked at Shao Ming’s handsome face in the video. He asked, “Next year, will you bring Auntie to live in A City?”
Knowing Shao Yujie’s personality, it was unrealistic to expect her to spend the New Year at their house.
Seeing Grandpa might frighten her into silence.
But he wanted to spend the New Year with Shao Ming.
The time apart was too hard to bear.
However, he was unsure if Shao Ming would agree, so he felt a bit anxious when he asked.
Shao Ming chuckled softly, “Sure, I’ll do my best to persuade her.”
Zhu Tong immediately felt encouraged, “I’ll help you.”
Shao Ming’s heart softened, and he nodded, “Okay.”
For their future, they would work together.
At midnight, the New Year’s bell in the city rang on time. Zhu Tong, holding his phone, ran to the floor-to-ceiling window. He watched the fireworks blooming at a set point in the distance, illuminating the night sky with dazzling splendor.
Amidst the fireworks filling the sky, he heard the person on the other end of the phone say, “Happy New Year, Boyfriend.”
Zhu Tong, unable to hide his excitement, nodded vigorously and said, “Happy New Year!”
Just after the second day of the New Year, Shao Ming returned to A City.
Xia Weiyi was destined to have a miserable New Year. With the judicial department’s involvement, he even spent New Year’s Day in the company.
After some rumors spread before the New Year, most of the senior management of the group received offers from others. After a night of fear on New Year’s Eve, they decisively betrayed Xia Weiyi, actively cooperating with the investigation team. Some even took the initiative to expose him, resulting in handcuffs being placed on Xia Weiyi’s wrists.
When Xia Weiyi was taken away by the relevant authorities, Shao Ming appeared at the entrance of the Xia Conglomerate headquarters.
The once high-spirited founder of the group walked out of the building in a state of disarray.
Seeing Shao Ming waiting outside, Xia Weiyi’s eyes filled with hatred, as if he wanted to tear him apart.
Xia Weiyi, with a violent expression, cursed him as an unfilial son. The metal handcuffs on his wrists made an incessant, harsh noise.
“Do you think you’re smart? Do you think you’re amazing? You are my son, Xia Weiyi’s son. You carry my blood in your veins. You will never escape me. Do you think Liu Jianbai genuinely wants to help you? He’s just using you! Without me, you will only ever be a slave to others. You will never rise!”
Struggling, Xia Weiyi roared, while Shao Ming always kept a smile on his face. After Xia Weiyi was escorted into the car, Shao Ming even “friendly” waved at him.
At the same time, Zhu Tong finished a chemistry paper and received a system prompt in his mind.
‘Congratulations! You gained +4% of the white moonlight’s favorability. Your current favorability is 99%.’
Zhu Tong: “…”
What does the remaining 1% mean?
The increase in favorability indicated that the matter with the Xia family had been resolved.
Zhu Tong eagerly picked up his phone, wanting to call Shao Ming to ask. But he wasn’t sure if it was truly over and feared disturbing them with his call.
As he hesitated, there was a knock on his door.
Without putting down his phone, Zhu Tong walked over to open the door and saw the person he wanted to contact standing outside.
“You…”
Zhu Tong was both surprised and delighted. Before he could ask, he was pulled inside and hugged tightly.
Shao Ming closed the door behind him and pressed Zhu Tong against it, kissing him fiercely and intensely.
Zhu Tong was bewildered, his mind in a whirl from Shao Ming’s passionate kiss.
Why is he so excited?
When he couldn’t help but ask, Shao Ming just held him tightly without saying a word.
Zhu Tong quickly understood and stopped asking.
It was because they were free.
Zhu Tong hugged Shao Ming back and said, “About the Xiang family, I asked my cousin to leave the remaining assets to Aunt Xiang. Although it’s not as much as before, she won’t have any financial worries.”
Shao Ming’s voice was muffled, “Mm.”
He didn’t feel responsible for the Xiang family’s downfall.
The Xiang family’s failure was due to their foolishness.
A partnership maintained only by mutual interests without trust would eventually break down due to unequal distribution of benefits.
Even if he hadn’t had Jiang Wan relay the message, and even if Xiang Shuyi hadn’t chosen to fight to the death, the Xiang family and Xia Weiyi would have torn each other apart over interests sooner or later, leading to their self-destruction.
He had no feelings for the Xiang family, so he wouldn’t feel guilty.
But he wouldn’t show his cold-blooded side to Zhu Tong.
He loosened his hold on Zhu Tong slightly, deliberately pinching the sensitive spot on his nape. Seeing Zhu Tong reflexively shrink his neck, Shao Ming lowered his head and said, “Why are you so considerate of me? I’m so touched, what should I do?”
His breathing was slightly rapid as he spoke, sounding both excited and urgent.
Seeing Shao Ming happy made Zhu Tong happy as well, and the air around them seemed to be filled with joy.
Zhu Tong smiled, “Then kiss me agai—”
Before he could finish, Shao Ming’s lips pressed against his without hesitation.
Shao Ming’s arm circled his waist, while Zhu Tong’s hands gripped Shao Ming’s shoulders. He tilted his head slightly to meet Shao Ming’s kiss.
