No, why has he already thought about love?! No, no, no! He can’t continue thinking about it, he can’t open that valve of deep contemplation! To forget Li Nian’s words, he just needs to remember the mission of the little chili pepper and focus on diligently cultivating it!
— At least for now, nothing is more important than going back!
Xu Chenghao repeatedly echoed his goal in his mind, trying hard to calm himself down. He knew he was not in the right state, but he dared not delve into it. Just as Li Nian said, he was being cowardly, starting to panic!
He even wondered if it would be better for him to keep his distance from Jing Yicheng. Perhaps this way, all problems would be solved.
Leave him…
Xu Chenghao took a deep breath, suddenly raised his hand, knocked on his own head, forcibly stopped any thoughts, and lowered his head to organize documents, using work to numb himself.
After finally managing to hypnotize himself, he could focus on work seriously. The office door suddenly opened, and Li Nian, who had just caused trouble and run away, came back.
Leaning on the door frame, Li Nian observed him, “How is Mr. Xu’s mood?”
Xu Chenghao replied irritably, “Do you have something to say?”
Li Nian said, “Yes, the first scheduled person has arrived. Do you want to talk to him first?”
Xu Chenghao immediately became serious, “Ruan Chenxuan?”
Li Nian snapped his fingers, “Exactly.”
After contemplating for two seconds, Xu Chenghao nodded, “Since he’s here, let him in.”
Li Nian acknowledged and closed the door. Before long, he led Ruan Chenxuan in. However, this time he didn’t follow him in. He silently informed Xu Chenghao from behind, “He said he wants to talk to you alone!”
Xu Chenghao frowned slightly. After exchanging pleasantries and offering Ruan Chenxuan a seat, he looked at him more vigilantly.
Ruan Chenxuan, with his keen observational skills, naturally noticed something was off, “Mr. Xu, not in a good mood?”
Xu Chenghao replied coldly, “Seeing you, of course not.”
Ruan Chenxuan maintained a smile: “President Xu is just joking.”
Xu Chenghao: “Who’s joking with you?”
Ruan Chenxuan, not only unangered by the comment but with an even more genuine smile in his eyes, spoke gently, “Why is your mood so bad? Did something happen? If Mr. Xu is willing to share, I don’t mind being Mr. Xu’s listener… or perhaps I can help Mr. Xu resolve the matter.”
Xu Chenghao scoffed, leaning back in his chair: “Do you think that even if I had a real problem, I would tell the enemy what it is? Are you naive or am I?”
Ruan Chenxuan remained silent for two seconds, then slowly said, “I’m naive. If I weren’t, I would be the one standing by Mr. Xu’s side right now.”
Xu Chenghao couldn’t tolerate anything related to Jing Yicheng at the moment. With a cold expression, he asked, “What’s the purpose of this meeting? If it’s just for casual conversation, I doubt there will be another one!”
Ruan Chenxuan was accustomed to this attitude and calmly said, “I came this time to apologize for my abrupt and impulsive actions last night. I’m sorry for causing harm to Mr. Xu. In the future, I will try my best to control myself. I hope Mr. Xu can forgive me.”
Xu Chenghao remained indifferent: “Oh, I don’t forgive.”
Ruan Chenxuan chuckled: “Mr. Xu is indeed as straightforward as I guessed.”
Xu Chenghao: “…”
It feels like the male lead has a masochistic tendency, the more you tease him, the more excited he gets, right? He’s such a lunatic! Think about your overseas female lead, please!!
Xu Chenghao forcefully suppressed the urge to sarcastically comment, and said expressionlessly, “Since you know how I’ll react, what’s the point of you saying it?”
Ruan Chenxuan: “I still want to express my own attitude. I hope President Xu doesn’t misunderstand me.”
Xu Chenghao’s patience wore thin: “Alright, you’ve made your point. If there’s nothing else, President Ruan, please head back. You’re not as busy as I am.”
Ruan Chenxuan sat still: “Xu Chenghao!”
Xu Chenghao looked up at him: “?”
Ruan Chenxuan’s expression was unusually serious: “Although our relationship is very unpleasant, at least our circles of life are the same, and we know each other well. But Jing Yicheng is different; the dangerous traits he carries are not to be provoked! Living in the same range with a fierce beast, even if he has retracted his claws now, how can you ensure that you won’t be harmed in the future?”
“I’m not trying to sow discord in your relationship. I’m just pointing out the hidden dangers in your relationship, so you can face the irreversible situation you’re in!”
“You’ve also seen the way Zhuo Meixue looks. I admit I’ve despicably taken advantage of her, but don’t ignore just how ruthless Jing Yicheng’s heart can be!”
Ruan Chenxuan rapidly said these words, let out a deep sigh, and regained composure, “If you still don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do. However, I can promise that from now on, no matter when, you can come to me whenever you’re in trouble.”
“I’m willing to help you.”
Xu Chenghao’s eyes slightly widened. He did not expect that the male protagonist, who had always been an enemy, would make such a promise to him.
Accustomed to his cunning and underhanded image, suddenly facing such a serious and imposing side was also difficult to adapt to. Especially when he spoke with reason, carrying a rational analysis of correctness, perfectly fitting the villain’s character in the original plot.
In Jing Yicheng’s world, there was never such a thing as refusal or retracting one’s word. The phrase “once the bow is drawn, the arrow must be released” was the most apt interpretation of how he handled things. One could see from his attitude towards An Rouyu in the original plot that he was obsessive and fanatical. Once he determined something, he would not give up unless he died.
Although just a moment ago Xu Chenghao warned himself not to overthink, at this moment, he couldn’t control his thoughts from extending, considering what would happen if he really got together with Jing Yicheng. Would they end up in a situation similar to him and the female lead? If he wanted to retract and leave, what kind of bitter consequences would the original host face when returning to deal with the villain?
“Too many uncertainties themselves are a source of pressure, and if you add the unpredictable bomb of a villain, the pressure increases exponentially.
Xu Chenghao took a deep breath, pulled the little yellow duck flowerpot on the table in front of him, and calmly said while touching the flowerpot, “Thank you for your kindness, President Ruan. As for other matters, I will consider.”
Ruan Chenxuan showed a smile again, “I’m glad you are taking it into consideration. I hope the next time we meet, Mr. Xu can make the right choice.”
Xu Chenghao politely smiled, “I hope so!”
…
After seeing off Ruan Chenxuan, the people who came after were not as lethal for Xu Chenghao. Han Haofeng wanted to form an alliance but was directly rejected by Xu Chenghao. An Ruotong was more interesting; using her sister’s name, she hoped Xu Chenghao could help her rise to power. She even said that they could each get what they wanted—she wanted Ruan Chenxuan, and An Rouyu would belong to Xu Chenghao. Xu Chenghao, with a cold expression, also rejected her.
As for Zheng Xiaoxiao, the little girl, she was just looking for trouble for the sake of arguing. Xu Chenghao could easily fend her off using the name of Zheng Yunyun. It was very simple.
After all the matters were dealt with, it was time for Xu Chenghao to get off work. Li Nian came in clamoring for a free meal, and since Xu Chenghao didn’t want to go home, he agreed. He lingered for two hours until it was dark before leisurely driving home.
Jing Yicheng should still be at his home…
This thought flashed by like opening a valve, instantly releasing all the thoughts accumulated throughout the day. The words of Li Nian and Ruan Chenxuan were mixed together, like a snowball rolling, constantly growing and pressing down on his thoughts and emotions, making his mood heavy.
Oh no, he doesn’t even know how to face Jing Yicheng now.
Xu Chenghao helplessly laughed to himself, sat in the car in silence for a while, and finally decided not to face Jing Yicheng temporarily. He would come back when his emotions stabilized and he figured out how to deal with the situation.
Thinking about it, Xu Chenghao restarted the car, turned the corner, ready to leave. Just as he turned on the left turn signal, the phone placed on the side suddenly rang, and it was Jing Yicheng’s call.
Xu Chenghao was already feeling guilty, and seeing the incoming call, he dared not answer. And just like a thief caught stealing, he immediately stepped on the gas to escape!
However, he didn’t run far before being stopped by a group of people in black at the entrance of the residential area. The leader spoke in a gentle tone, “Mr. Xu, please go back. Our boss is waiting for you.”
Xu Chenghao: “…”
He didn’t want to go back, but the people blocking his way were obviously more determined than him, and their steps showed no sign of yielding.
As a law-abiding citizen, Xu Chenghao couldn’t possibly drive his car to hit someone. After a few minutes of standoff without coming up with a good solution, the car window in the driver’s seat was suddenly knocked again.
Xu Chenghao silently turned his head and saw Jing Yicheng standing outside in casual clothes, his expression darkened slightly: “Open the door!”
Xu Chenghao: “…”
When did this guy come down?! Why is he so quick in his actions? And he’s dressed so lightly! It’s the autumn-winter season!
Xu Chenghao was both shocked and speechless. He quickly unlocked the car: “You get in first.”
Jing Yicheng went around to the passenger seat, sat down, and looked grumpy. Before he could say anything, Xu Chenghao had already pulled the coat from the back seat, indicating him to put it on first: “Are you trying to freeze to death in this cold weather?”
Jing Yicheng’s expression softened a bit as he put on the coat. He asked, “Who made me come down? And why were you trying to leave just now?”
Xu Chenghao drove back to the garage and helplessly said, “Can’t I have something to do?”
Jing Yicheng: “Then why didn’t you answer my call?”
Xu Chenghao: “…I was driving. It’s late, and I can’t afford to be distracted.”
Jing Yicheng stared at him, his tone chilly: “Oh, really? I thought since I didn’t go to the company today, you met someone you shouldn’t have and heard some nonsense, so you didn’t want to see me.”
Xu Chenghao laughed dryly and quickly changed the subject, “Get out of the car, and let’s go home. It’s too cold outside.”
Jing Yicheng’s face instantly darkened. He pulled Xu Chenghao back and questioned him, “What’s really going on? I’ve only been absent for a day, and not only do you come back late, but you also want to avoid me, right? What did you hear? Who said it? Ruan Chenxuan, Han Haofeng, An Ruotong, or Zheng Xiaoxiao? If you have something, why don’t you ask me? Answer my questions!”
Xu Chenghao shrank in the driver’s seat, remained silent for a while, and suddenly said, “Why are you so fierce?”
Jing Yicheng was at a loss for words: “Am I fierce?”
Xu Chenghao shook the wrist that was caught: “It hurts.”
Jing Yicheng: “…” silently let go.
Xu Chenghao rubbed his own wrist and suggested, “It’s so cold outside, can we talk at home?”
After a few seconds of silence, Jing Yicheng nodded in agreement.
After the two returned home, Xu Chenghao expressed concern: “Have you eaten?”
Jing Yicheng replied irritably, “I’m full of anger.”
“Even so, you still need to eat. As the saying goes, people are made of iron, and meals are made of steel.1It’s a creative way of saying that people need to consume hearty and substantial meals to stay strong and healthy. I’ll accompany you.” Xu Chenghao coaxed him in a gentle and friendly manner to the dining room. After the meal, he continued, “You must have caught a cold outside just now. Go take a warm bath to warm up.”
Jing Yicheng enjoyed the care and automatically got up to walk towards his room. However, when he pushed the door, he suddenly paused upon hearing the closing sound behind him. Did he forget something???
The author has something to say: Xu Chenghao: It seems I’m pretty clever.
T/N: Who missed me? ✋Anyways you’ve all been missed! To those who were wondering when their love will bloom here you are enjoy~ See you this weekend 😉
