IOLYF Chapter 35

Han ShaoZhou’s lips twitched slightly as he narrowed his eyes, waiting for Mo Ming’s reply. Was this little guy just coincidentally online when he saw the message, or had he been there all along, only responding when he noticed the red envelope? If it was the latter, then he definitely needed some discipline—loving money more than his benefactor? That’s just foolish. After all, he, Han ShaoZhou, was worth far more than that little red envelope.

And besides, that small red envelope didn’t even compare to a fraction of the market value of the antique dagger he had just sent a picture of. If Mo Ming loved money, he should at least do it properly.

Han ShaoZhou pondered for a moment, then decided not to sweat the small stuff. It wasn’t often that he had the chance to flirt with Mo Ming over text.

[Han ShaoZhou]: What are you doing?

He waited a while but received no response, so he continued typing.

[Han ShaoZhou]: Want another red envelope?

Ding, a reply finally came.

[Xiao Gui]: Taking a bath. [Cat wink emoji]

Han ShaoZhou stared at the words “taking a bath” and the innocent cat emoji that followed. His throat felt dry, and his heart itched like it was being scratched by a cat’s paw.

[Han ShaoZhou]: Show me.

[Xiao Gui]: [Photo]

Han ShaoZhou: “…”

The photo was clearly taken in a hurry, showing only a snow-white, smooth right leg resting on the edge of a bathtub, with the rest of the body submerged in foam-covered water. The toes were slightly curled, dripping with a bit of foam, and looked incredibly cute.

Memories of countless nights flashed through Han ShaoZhou’s mind. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and leaned back, draping an arm over his face.

Damn, he was on fire.

“Mr. Han, are you feeling unwell?” the assistant in the front seat asked with concern.

Han ShaoZhou quickly crossed his legs to hide any signs of discomfort and replied casually, “I’m fine.”

He was just burning up inside.

This guy was just… How was he supposed to flirt back when Mo Ming’s tactics were so direct and effective? One hit straight to the heart, and he couldn’t compete!

These moves were getting bolder and bolder.

Han ShaoZhou had been feeling a bit tired and had planned to head straight to bed after getting to the hotel, but now, looking at that photo, he felt a surge of energy as if he’d been injected with a shot of adrenaline.

There was no way he was going to be the only one suffering from this distance-induced frustration. He wanted Mo Ming to experience the agony of being separated by a thousand kilometers, unable to do anything but stare at the photo.

In the VIP suite of the five-star hotel, Han ShaoZhou filled the bathtub with warm water, mimicked the pose from Mo Ming’s photo, and sent a picture back to him.

[Han ShaoZhou]: [Photo]

[Han ShaoZhou]: A little something before bed. [Cool face emoji]

He waited, but the chat remained quiet. Growing impatient, Han ShaoZhou opened his own photo again.

It was a good shot, even if it wasn’t as smooth and pale as Mo Ming’s legs. His legs were long, muscular, with tight, smooth lines—pretty damn sexy… Could Mo Ming have fallen asleep without seeing it?

Based on previous experience, Han ShaoZhou didn’t believe it. So…

[Han ShaoZhou]: {{Red envelope}}

He only put one yuan in it.

Ding.

[Xiao Gui has accepted your red envelope.

Han ShaoZhou: “…”

[Xiao Gui]: [Sad cat emoji]

[Han ShaoZhou]: Not enough? [Smiley face]

[Xiao Gui]: [Cat paws emoji]

[Han ShaoZhou]: Wait till I get back and see what I do to you.

[Xiao Gui]: [Begging cat emoji]

[Xiao Gui]: [Photo]

Seeing the new photo, Han ShaoZhou’s mind buzzed.

This time, both legs were in the shot, seemingly resting against the headboard. The legs were straight and overlapping, and the warm orange glow of a bedside lamp added a sensual sheen to the smooth skin.

The hem of an ice silk pajama top barely covered the upper thighs, leaving one wondering what, if anything, was underneath. It was the kind of picture that made you want to reach through the screen and lift that top away.

Han ShaoZhou couldn’t hold back any longer, quickly slipping a hand under the bathwater.

He really was no match for this guy.

In bed afterward, already having taken care of himself twice, Han ShaoZhou held his phone, staring at the chat with Mo Ming, wanting to say something more.

He missed his little darling right now. Even in his post-release calm, with no lust clouding his thoughts, he found himself simply missing the person—just missing him.

Before, he’d go on business trips and not see Mo Ming for a month or two, and it never really bothered him. But somehow, at some point, things had changed… He barely noticed when he was busy, but in the quiet of the night, that unnameable feeling kept creeping into his heart. Especially when he thought about Mo Ming, far away, also thinking of him, he just wanted to fly back right then and there to hold him.

…

In Chuanhai…

This villa complex, built into the hillside, was filled with three-story standalone homes. The environment was peaceful, but the number of villas was large. While it was considered a residence for the wealthy in Chuanhai, it wasn’t particularly outstanding in a city as prosperous as this.

Shen Peiling didn’t like it here. This place couldn’t compare to her luxury penthouse in Y country’s city center, where the view was wide open, and the huge rooftop terrace overlooked the vast Hyde Park. More importantly, living in that area was a symbol of being part of the elite in Y country.

At the breakfast table, Shen Peiling flipped through a magazine about Chuanhai real estate, her expression somber. Her makeup was immaculate, and her figure and face were well-maintained, making her look as though she was only in her thirties. She wore a black velvet cheongsam with gold threads, and a white cashmere shawl draped over her shoulders…

After a few pages, Shen Peiling’s gaze paused on an image of Champagne Mountain, a familiar estate.

“If I had known we’d be coming back, I wouldn’t have sold the house at Champagne Mountain.” Shen Peiling muttered with a frown as she looked at the familiar scenery in the magazine.

Wen Zhongchong, who was sitting across from her, eating breakfast, nodded thoughtfully. “I heard that the property prices there have doubled in just three or four years.”

Hearing this, Shen Peiling felt like a piece of her heart had been cut out. “That means we lost four or five billion yuan for nothing. That could have covered your business losses over the past few years.”

“Let’s not dwell on it. It’s not like we could afford to buy it back now, and even if we could, we probably couldn’t afford to live there.”

The salaries for the staff, security, drivers, and the upkeep of such a large mansion were all significant expenses, even for a family as well-off as theirs.

“We could absolutely afford to live there.” Shen Peiling retorted sharply. “Back in the day, Wen Wen could earn tens of millions from a single endorsement—more than you and I made in business.”

Wen Zhongchong sipped his hot milk, growing tired of his wife’s constant nostalgia. “Wake up. That was then, this is now.”

Shen Peiling’s expression darkened as she remembered something, stirring her bird’s nest porridge absently. “Anyway, I’m not staying here for long.”

“Good morning, Young Master Wen.” the maid said softly as she served breakfast.

Shen Peiling turned to see Wen Ci coming down the stairs, and her face softened immediately.

Wen Ci walked over to the dining table and greeted his parents.

“You were out until late last night. Why not sleep in a bit more?” Shen Peiling said, noticing the faint shadows under Wen Ci’s eyes. She was worried. “Aren’t you taking the day off?”

“I have work today.” Wen Ci replied as he sat down at the table. “Mom, don’t worry. I’ve just been idle for too long. It’s taking me some time to get used to the pace, but I’ll be fine soon.”

“To make it in the entertainment industry, you have to endure some hardships.” Wen Zhongchong said with fatherly wisdom. “Now that you’ve made up your mind, your mother and I will support you in whatever you do.”

“Mm.”

Shen Peiling flipped through the magazine a few more times before suddenly becoming annoyed and tossing it aside.

“We’ve been back for several days, and that Xiao Han hasn’t even come by to see us. He used to visit all the time, calling me ‘Aunt’ and you ‘Uncle.’ Now, he’s not as attentive as he used to be.”

“Well, Xiao Han isn’t the same as before. You saw him at that party—he’s a busy man now. He probably doesn’t have time to visit.”

“Still, manners are important.”

“Do you think Xiao Han doesn’t care about us as much as he used to?”

“The Han family’s intentions toward Wen Wen couldn’t be clearer. When we said we were coming back to Chuanhai, we just mentioned it to Old Man Han, and he immediately arranged everything for us. And look at my sister’s daughter, Xi Xi—just one word from me, and she’s on her way to becoming a big star. We all know whose help we have to thank for that.”

Wen Zhongchong nodded slightly. “Old Man Han really wants to bring Wen Wen into the Han family.”

“That’s obvious. But now, Xiao Han… oh well. I actually prefer him being more reserved. If he were still as clingy as before, I’d find it less reliable. But the fact that he’s had someone on the side is quite disgusting to me.”

Wen Ci quietly continued eating breakfast, not saying a word.

“It’s normal for a man his age to have someone.” Wen Zhongchong said calmly. “But to be honest, Xiao Han is a sentimental type. Didn’t Xi Xi say that the young actor Xiao Han used to be involved with looks a lot like Wen Wen?”

“Now that I look closely, there is some resemblance, but he’s far from our Wen Wen’s level. I saw him online. He’s been with Xiao Han for so long and hasn’t even landed a leading role. That shows how little Xiao Han cares about him. Look at Wen Wen—he was the male lead in every show right from the start, a true star in the industry…”

“Mom.” Wen Ci suddenly interrupted, his tone cold and detached, “I achieved that success through my own hard work. I never tried to curry favor with Han ShaoZhou, nor did I ever sleep with him. I’m not like that person…”

Shen Peiling and Wen Zhongchong were both taken aback. They rarely saw their usually gentle and understanding son speak so coldly.

“Of course, you’re not to be compared to him.” Shen Peiling said softly. “Someone like him would bend to money and fame, with no dignity or self-respect. We’re not even in the same world. I was just mentioning it in passing.”

Wen Ci didn’t eat much breakfast, and the company car had been waiting outside the villa gates for a while.

Shen Peiling hurried to the front yard to catch up with Wen Ci and draped a cashmere scarf around his neck.

“Even if you’re busy, take care of yourself.” Shen Peiling said softly.

“I will, Mom.”

“I heard from Xi Xi that the man will also be in the show you’re filming.” Shen Peiling said seriously. “I know you don’t want to talk about him, but I have to say this. He’s only with Xiao Han because of you. And now that Xiao Han has dumped him, it’s also because of you. Who knows what kind of resentment he holds? I’ve learned a lot about him from Xi Xi. You and Xi Xi need to be careful around him during the shoot. It’s not that we’re afraid of him, but he has nothing to lose, while we have our reputations to uphold.”

Wen Ci’s expression was complicated. “When I signed up for that show, I didn’t know he’d be a guest on the same episode…”

If he had known, he definitely wouldn’t have joined. He had chosen “Mystery Room” as his comeback show because it showcased high IQ and cleverness, unlike other silly variety shows. But now, he was forced to share the screen with that man, a thought that made him feel physically ill.

Even without his mother’s warning, Wen Ci had already planned to avoid the man at all costs, keeping a close eye on everything from filming to the final edits.

“He’s been with Xiao Han for so long, and who knows if Xiao Han might soften toward him in the future? Didn’t Xi Xi say that Xiao Han got very angry with her over him? Xi Xi told me, and I was furious. Xiao Han needs some proper guidance.”

Wen Ci’s lips tightened. “Mom, Han Ge and I are just friends now.”

“Yes, I know.” Shen Peiling said with a smile… She understood Wen Ci well. His three years with Gao Chen had been a period where he came to realize what he truly wanted.

People grow through hardships, learning to let go of impractical emotions.

Fortunately, everything was still salvageable, for both of them.

“I’m just talking…” Shen Peiling hesitated, then couldn’t help but add, “But Xiao Han really has changed. He’s focused on work now. Even though that means he might not spend as much time on you, it’s a good thing. He’s got to make something of himself for us to take him seriously. We’re not short on money, so your future partner has to have good character and treat you well. We don’t expect him to be a great artist….”

Wen Ci’s ears turned a bit red. “Enough, Mom. I’m going to work.”

As Wen Ci left, Wen Zhongchong came out of the house, having overheard his wife’s last words to their son. He chuckled, “You were basically describing Xiao Han.”

“So what? Wen Wen is my only child, and I’m fully committed to his future.” Shen Peiling said, watching Wen Ci’s figure disappear into the car. “He’s already wasted three years with Gao Chen…”

“Let’s not put it that way. Both kids are exceptional, and neither held the other back. Gao Chen is a steady, thoughtful young man who’s been very considerate toward us over the years…”

“Considerate? Playing a few rounds of chess with you and taking you to the hospital for check-ups counts as considerate?” Shen Peiling snapped, her anger flaring.

Wen Zhongchong’s expression turned sour. “You used to praise Gao Chen to the skies.”

“I was blind, okay?”

With that, Shen Peiling tightened her shawl around her shoulders and stormed off.

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