After getting into the car, Han Shao Zhou noticed a message from Zhao Cheng inviting him out for drinks. It had been a while since he last hung out with Zhao Cheng, so Han Shao Zhou thought about it and decided to call Mo Ming. Over the phone, he invited Mo Ming to join him at Zhao Cheng’s place.
“I’m too full from dinner, and I’m not going anywhere…” Mo Ming’s voice was soft and lazy, still recovering from the soreness that kept him from even standing up straight. The memory of last night made him feel a mix of embarrassment and frustration—Han Shao Zhou had really been shameless.
Hearing the drowsy, slightly whiny tone, Han Shao Zhou could tell his little lover still had some complaints, so he didn’t press the matter. He chuckled and said, “Alright then. I promise I’ll be back by ten to keep you company.”
As soon as he said it, Han Shao Zhou felt something odd. Here he was, out having fun, making sure to promise his little lover he wouldn’t be home too late. It almost felt like he was a husband under the thumb of a strict wife. It was… strange, to say the least.
“You’ve slept all day, so don’t go to bed too early tonight. Wait up for me.” Han Shao Zhou added, “I’ve got a surprise for you when I get back.”
Mo Ming’s voice immediately became more lively, “I don’t want another… ‘fun’ sleepwear.”
“It’s not that, it’s something different.” Han Shao Zhou quickly clarified, coughing lightly. “This time it’s a different kind of surprise.”
Mo Ming’s tone instantly brightened, “Then I’ll wait for you to come back.”
“Good.”
Inside the bar…
As soon as Zhao Cheng saw Han Shao Zhou, he slung an arm around his shoulder, grinning as he said, “Old Han, I’ve found true love!”
“I thought it was something rare. Don’t you find true love every other day?” Han Shao Zhou replied.
“This time it’s different.”
Zhao Cheng eagerly shared with Han Shao Zhou that he had met his true love at the end of last month—a young woman named Xiao Mei, a violinist in an opera orchestra. She was pure and beautiful, with a quiet and elegant demeanor. Listening to Zhao Cheng’s glowing descriptions, Han Shao Zhou couldn’t understand why such an exceptional girl would fall for someone like Zhao Cheng, who was known for being a playboy.
But Zhao Cheng insisted he was serious this time. He confessed that he was completely smitten with Xiao Mei’s innocent and melancholic charm, and after just a few days of dating, he was already head over heels.
“She truly loves me too, I can feel it.” Zhao Cheng said, taking a sip of his drink as he leaned back on the sofa, exhaling softly. “When she looks at my face, her eyes are so full of affection, they could melt into a puddle.”
Han Shao Zhou glanced over at him, responding with a nonchalant “Oh.”
“You don’t believe me, do you, Old Han? I’m telling you, even though I’ve dated many girls, I don’t easily fall for someone. Xiao Mei is truly the first.”
“Why don’t you wait until you’ve been dating her for more than six months before talking about true love?”
Zhao Cheng got up and plopped down next to Han Shao Zhou, leaning in with a sly smile as he asked, “Old Han, you’ve been with Xiao Mo Ming for three years now. Are your feelings true?”
Han Shao Zhou replied calmly, “At least more true than yours, Zhao Cheng.”
“So, now that you’re in Chuanhai, do you spend every night at Xiao Mo Ming’s place?” Zhao Cheng asked, his tone suggestive.
Han Shao Zhou answered matter-of-factly, “I only have one lover. If I don’t spend the night at his place, where else would I go?”
“Old Han, are you keeping Xiao Mo Ming as a backup? Playing the role of the ever-loyal admirer for Wen Ci while having Xiao Mo Ming to take care of those long, lonely nights until you finally win Wen Ci over—” Zhao Cheng started.
“Zhao Cheng.” Han Shao Zhou interrupted, turning to look at him with a blank expression, “Why don’t you come to the boxing gym with me sometime? I’ll help loosen up your muscles a bit.”
Zhao Cheng froze, quickly getting up and retreating to a sofa a little farther away. “Gentlemen use their words, not their fists. We’re past the age where disagreements are settled with punches.”
“I’ve already made my position clear. If you keep running your mouth, next time I won’t take you to the gym—I’ll drag you straight to the crematorium.”
“It’s not my fault.” Zhao Cheng said defensively. “You keep telling me you’re not interested in Wen Ci anymore, but then you go and spend a fortune at Wen Zhongchong’s personal art exhibition. Seven-point-six million! You actually spent that much! If it wasn’t to curry favor with Wen Ci’s family, are you going to tell me it was just for the love of art?”
“Bullshit!” Han Shao Zhou snapped. “Why would I blow that much money on Wen Zhongchong’s art? I didn’t even know he was having an exhibition. That idiot Xiao Yang must’ve been talking nonsense again, and you believed him?”
“Oh, you didn’t buy anything. Right, Xiao Yang’s girlfriend said it was one of your grandfather’s assistants who bought the paintings, using your and your grandfather’s names. They bought three pieces in total. This story wasn’t made up by Xiao Yang’s girlfriend—real money went into Wen’s family pocket. If your grandfather bought them on your behalf, you can’t blame me. No one would think he did it just because he liked Wen Zhongchong’s art. Anyone with a brain could see he was trying to win favor with the Wen family. You know who it’s for, don’t you, Old Han?”
Han Shao Zhou was stunned.
“Xiao Yang said the three paintings cost a total of thirteen million. One of them, ‘Green Mountains and Clear Waters,’ bought in your name, alone cost seven-point-six million, breaking Wen Zhongchong’s record for the highest price for a single painting. Oh, and the previous record was also set by you, Old Han, so you’ve broken your own record.”
“…”
“They say it caused quite a stir. We don’t usually follow the art world, so if Xiao Yang and his girlfriend hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known.” Zhao Cheng watched as Han Shao Zhou suddenly stood up from the sofa and strode toward the hallway. He called out loudly, “Old Han, where are you going?”
Han Shao Zhou walked into a hallway off to the side of the hall and pulled out his phone to call his grandfather.
“Grandpa, don’t tell me you bought Wen Zhongchong’s paintings because of me?” Han Shao Zhou got straight to the point.
Han Changzong was at a high-end social event in another city and responded calmly, “That’s just a minor thing. Winning Wen Ci over is up to you.”
Han Shao Zhou rubbed his forehead. “That was a huge sum of money you spent without even discussing it with me first, even though you were using my name.”
“When you sold the multi-million-dollar house I bought for you as a wedding gift to Wen Ci’s parents for a fraction of the price, did you discuss it with me first? I’m helping you now, and you’re complaining?”
“But I’ve moved on from Wen Ci.”
There was a long silence on the other end of the line before Han Changzong finally responded with a puzzled, “What?”
“Grandpa, I was head over heels for Wen Ci, but that’s in the past.” Han Shao Zhou took a deep breath, his voice steady. “Now, at best, we’re just friends.”
“Shaojin…” Han Changzong’s voice was soft. “You chased after him for six years. Are you sure you’ve let him go?”
Han Shao Zhou’s gaze was complex as he looked down at the black-and-white tiled floor of the hallway. The thought of those “six years” stirred countless emotions, but the fleeting image of another face quickly calmed them all.
“I’m sure.” Han Shao Zhou replied. “If I ever said anything to make you misunderstand, let me clarify now: I won’t pursue Wen Ci anymore. I respect him, but I’ll never love him the way I did before.”
There was another long pause before Han Changzong let out a deep sigh. “Then I suppose I’ve lost my last bit of hope. You promised to bring home a daughter-in-law within six months. Can you do that?”
“…Probably.”
“Probably? I’m not asking you to get married right away, but at least bring someone you’re dating home so I can meet them. You two can take your time. If it doesn’t work out, you can break up, but if it does, then we can start talking about marriage. You can’t keep living like a bachelor with no prospects. Look at Zhao Cheng—he’s much more active in his love life than you.”
“…You used to say he was unreliable.”
“At least he’s in better shape than you. You’re a year older than Zhao Cheng, yet you’re living like a monk. I’m starting to wonder if there’s something wrong with your health…”
“Stop!” Han Shao Zhou interrupted. “Grandpa, if you’re asking, it’s not like I’m single.”
Thinking of Mo Ming waiting for him at home, Han Shao Zhou slowly slid one hand into his pocket, his tone much softer. “I do have someone… I’m seeing.”
If he didn’t bring someone home to appease his grandfather, the nagging would never stop. Since his grandfather had said they could just date first and worry about marriage later, Han Shao Zhou figured he might as well go along with it. In the end, it would be his decision whether the relationship went anywhere.
Mo Ming, always obedient and considerate, would be perfect for the role. It would silence both his grandfather and his maternal grandfather, and he could even bring Mo Ming to live in Champagne Mountain with him. A win-win.
He really was a genius…
“You… you’re seeing someone?” Han Changzong’s voice was filled with urgency. “When did this happen? Why didn’t you mention it? Where is she from? How old is she? What does she do for work? What’s her personality like?”
“Once I get through this busy period, I’ll bring him to meet you.”
“You rascal! Springing such a big surprise on me out of nowhere. If I hadn’t started nagging you today, were you planning on keeping it a secret?”
“Uh, it’s just that… well, we’re not that serious yet.”
“Then marry first, love later. It’s all the same.”
“We agreed you wouldn’t push for marriage. I’ll take your advice and start seeing him, but I can’t promise anything about where it will go.”
“Fine, fine. The fact that you’ve opened up this much already makes me happy.”
Han Changzong’s usually stern and serious face was now beaming with joy. The elite guests around him were astonished at the sight.
Since Han Changzong wouldn’t be returning to Chuanhai for a few days, and with Han Shao Zhou heading out on another business trip soon, while Mo Ming had his variety show to record, they agreed that Han Shao Zhou would bring his boyfriend home for dinner by the end of the month at the latest.
After ending the call, Han Shao Zhou himself was a bit surprised. Introducing Mo Ming to his family as his boyfriend would undoubtedly take their relationship beyond just being lovers.
But it didn’t really matter. Whether they were lovers or partners, they’d still be sharing the same bed. If Mo Ming hadn’t hidden in the closet that night, his grandfather would have met him already, and Han Shao Zhou hadn’t even thought twice about it at the time.
Slipping his phone back into his pocket, Han Shao Zhou’s mood felt like it had taken a dozen twists and turns, only to land on a smooth, light track.
The thought of formally introducing Mo Ming as his boyfriend to his grandfather had seemed unremarkable before, but now that it was happening, Han Shao Zhou found himself looking forward to it.
He was even more eager to see how Mo Ming would react when he learned about it—shocked? Nervous?
Maybe he’d even be moved to tears…
Well, there wouldn’t be any closets for him to hide in this time.
At the party, Han Changzong was still beaming after hanging up the phone. After so many years of waiting, he finally had a daughter-in-law to look forward to!
From a distance, Shen Peiling noticed that Han Changzong seemed to be in a good mood, which gave her some confidence. She turned to Shen Qian and instructed him, “When you approach, don’t call him ‘Mr. Han.’ Call him ‘Grandpa Han,’ and be as sweet as you can. This is a rare chance—Han always attends these kinds of social events, so it’s not easy to run into him.”
These days, Shen Peiling was basking in the attention of her relatives and enjoying the newfound sense of importance. Her mood had improved, and she even helped out some of her relatives from time to time.
“Don’t worry, Auntie. This old man seems easy enough to please.” Shen Qian said with a smile.
“Show some respect. Mr. Han isn’t just anybody.”
“What’s there to worry about, Auntie? The old man wants to be your in-law, so in a roundabout way, that makes me his nephew too.” Shen Qian said, sidling up to Shen Peiling. “Auntie, when I become a big star, I’ll make sure to take good care of you.”
Shen Peiling was pleased and, after exchanging a few more pleasantries, finally took the opportunity to approach Han Changzong during a lull in his conversation.
“Ah, it’s little Shen.” Han Changzong said, his expression calm as he looked at Shen Peiling. He had specifically requested the host to invite the Wen couple to this high-end social event to help them expand their connections in the country.
“Mr. Han, you’re looking younger every day.” Shen Peiling said with a smile. After a few flattering remarks, she casually introduced her nephew, Shen Qian, who was indeed charming and quick-witted. He addressed Han Changzong sweetly as “Grandpa Han.” playing the part of a polite, well-behaved young man.
After some brief small talk, Shen Peiling hinted that her nephew was interested in entering the entertainment industry. Although she didn’t explicitly ask for Han Changzong’s help, the implication was clear.
Han Changzong picked up on her suggestion, glanced at Shen Qian, and nodded. “He seems like a fine young man. Since he’s so ambitious, Grandpa will be rooting for you.”
Shen Peiling was taken aback but quickly forced a smile. “Shen Qian is a talented young man, just like Xixi. It’s a shame he hasn’t had the chance to show his potential.”
“If he’s as talented as you say, opportunities will come. Shen Qian, your aunt might not believe in you, but Grandpa does. Work hard.”
“…”
With that, Han Changzong turned to chat with Old Master Zhao, who had just walked over. When Shen Peiling tried to approach again, a man in a black suit suddenly blocked her path. Tall and stern-faced, Ah De stood there silently, like a cold, imposing mountain.
Seeing his expressionless face, Shen Peiling hesitated, her expression turning sour. She grabbed Shen Qian’s arm and led him away.
Shen Qian, no longer as confident as before, whispered anxiously, “Auntie, why didn’t you just say it directly? All that hinting around, and now he’s gone, and the old man didn’t get it.”
Shen Peiling let go of Shen Qian’s arm, clearly frustrated. “Do you think I don’t have any pride?”
Besides, she thought she had made her intentions quite clear. Who would have guessed the old man would be so obtuse today?
“So what do we do now, Auntie?” Shen Qian was still relying on Shen Peiling’s help, so he softened his tone and pleaded, “You can’t just favor Xixi.”
“Why are you panicking? I’ll help you talk to him again later.” Shen Peiling reassured him.
However, the chance never came. The party ended, and Shen Peiling didn’t get another opportunity to approach Han Changzong. She could only stand by helplessly as his car drove away from the hotel entrance.
Be my Patron ~ Buy me Ko-Fi
────୨ৎ────
Update Schedule : 1 Chapter every 4 days~
────୨ৎ────
✨Be a part of the story – support my translations✨
✨Buy me some Ko-FI | Paypal to support my effort✨
✨✨Advance chapter at Patreon✨✨
![Sorry, I Licked the Wrong Person [BL]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/不好意思，舔错人了.jpeg "Sorry, I Licked the Wrong Person [BL]")
