RCQT Chapter 128

On this day, Chu Qianze lay on the table, chewing on candy, casually handling documents with no particular purpose, discarding them as soon as he finished, making no effort to conceal his disdain.

The phone rang.

“Deputy Officer Shen, answer the phone,” he lazily said.

Shen Zhuofeng stood up from his chair beside him, walked to the phone stand, and picked it up to his ear, “Hello, how can I help you?”

Upon hearing the voice on the other end of the phone, he hesitated, “Brother Hu?”

Chu Qianze paused in his writing.

Upon hearing that it was Shen Zhuofeng answering the phone, Hu Jia understood the situation. “Having Big Boss Chu handle the documents?”

“Yes, he’s currently handling them,” Shen Zhuofeng replied without a change in expression.

“How does it feel working until now? Big Boss Chu hasn’t given you a hard time, has he?” Hu Jia asked.

Shen Zhuofeng glanced at Chu Qianze, “No, he hasn’t.”

“Hahaha, don’t try to hide it. I know very well about our boss’s annoying personality. I get a headache every day from dealing with him.”

“Really, I feel fine,” Shen Zhuofeng chuckled lightly.

For him, Chu Qianze was truly adorable in this way. The boss didn’t shy away from showing his quirks, and only he got to witness them.

This unique feeling was truly captivating.

Hu Jia smiled, understanding from the conversation that Shen Zhuofeng was genuinely content. He became a bit more satisfied with Shen Zhuofeng.

“It seems like you two get along well. That’s quite rare. Big Boss Chu really likes you.”

Like… likes me?

“You’re kidding,” Shen Zhuofeng tightened his grip on the receiver, slightly turning his head to avoid Chu Qianze’s gaze.

Seeing that the two seemed to be enjoying their conversation, Chu Qianze put down his pen and cleared his throat lightly.

Upon hearing Chu Qianze’s cough, Shen Zhuofeng realized and considered asking Hu Jia if he needed to switch to a different person for the conversation.

“What’s there to joke about? It’s true. Big Boss Chu is quite reserved, slow to warm up. If he didn’t like you, how could he let you be his deputy?” Hu Jia laughed heartily from the other end.

Shen Zhuofeng’s thoughts were led astray, and he awkwardly scratched his cheek with his fingertips. “Where… that’s too exaggerated.”

“Hahaha, don’t be shy. I’m telling the truth!”

Is… is that so?

Shen Zhuofeng pursed his lips, about to say something when he sensed someone approaching from the side.

His breath paused for a moment; the proximity was a bit too close.

You little devil… ignoring my hints!

Chu Qianze’s eyes suggested that he was in trouble. Seeing Shen Zhuofeng taking a step back, Chu Qianze pulled him, signaling him not to move.

“Continue,” he silently conveyed.

Shen Zhuofeng’s eyelashes drooped slightly, concealing the emotions that had started to surface. He was preparing to bring the receiver back to his ear, but Chu Qianze stopped him.

Chu Qianze increased the volume of the phone and held onto Shen Zhuofeng’s forearm to keep him in that position. He leaned in next to him, waiting for Hu Jia’s words.

“Really, Big Boss Chu’s temperament… you don’t need to hide it here. He’s never submitted documents on time… So when you mention deadlines, make sure to set them a bit earlier,” Hu Jia said, unable to help but share his bitter experience. He wanted to pass on his wisdom, so that Shen Zhuofeng could avoid some pitfalls.

Listening to the incessant chatter on the other end of the phone, Chu Qianze glanced at Shen Zhuofeng, raising an eyebrow. Are you all ganging up on me like this?

Shen Zhuofeng maintained his facial expression, pretending to be oblivious.

Too lazy to hold the phone, Chu Qianze, in this position, spoke into the receiver, “So, that’s how it is. That person is really despicable.”

Hu Jia’s words got stuck in his throat, “Chu, Big Boss Chu.”

“Heh, when I meet Sister-in-law later, I’ll definitely be honest and tell her all your evaluations of her,” Chu Qianze teased Shen Zhuofeng with a playful look, “Helping you both deepen your understanding of each other.”

Hu Jia couldn’t help but recall what he had said about Chu Qianze. It seemed like every time he got beaten, he couldn’t resist saying a few words. Specifically…

Damn, if she finds out about this, I’ll be done for!

“Big Boss Chu, I was wrong! Please spare me!” Hu Jia quickly admitted defeat.

“What did you do wrong? You didn’t do anything wrong. Oh, the signal is not very good, I’m hanging up,” Chu Qianze chuckled, pretending to leave the receiver.

“Don’t go, Big Boss! I was wrong, can’t you forgive me? My brewed liquor is under the third peach tree to the right of the main entrance. Feel free to have some!”

“Not bad, there’s still inventory,” Chu Qianze clicked his tongue twice, “Enough chit-chat, how have things been lately?”

“Alright, the situation here is basically stable, still wrapping up loose ends,” Hu Jia chuckled, “At the current pace, I should be able to return next month.”

“Good speed. You’ve been quite energetic during this time, huh?”

“That’s for sure,” Hu Jia was about to say a few more words when someone knocked on the door and entered, indicating that there might be something important to discuss.

“I have to go now; I have work. Seeing you two getting along well, I’m relieved,” he said.

“Relieved… do you think you’re arranging a blind date?” Chu Qianze retorted, not in the best mood. However, he noticed Shen Zhuofeng still standing in the same place, acting as if he were a telephone pole, a bit lost in thought.

Chu Qianze blinked and remembered what Hu Jia mentioned on the phone.

“This is much harder than arranging a blind date,” Hu Jia sighed and continued, “Anyway, I’ll talk to you next time.”

“Sure, goodbye.”

Taking the receiver off the hook, Chu Qianze supported the phone base and elongated his tone, “Deputy Officer Shen—”

Shen Zhuofeng instinctively stood at attention.

“As my deputy, what should you do when you hear someone criticizing and mocking me?”

“Well, that doesn’t really count as mocking.” Clearly, both of you seemed quite happy.

“The point is? It’s the latter part of the sentence,” Chu Qianze expressed frustration; this guy’s understanding was a bit off.

“Stop it in time?” Shen Zhuofeng wasn’t entirely sure.

“Wrong!” Chu Qianze raised a finger and flicked it hard against his forehead, “Here’s another chance for you.”

Maintaining his military stance, Shen Zhuofeng pondered Chu Qianze’s words. Considering what he had learned about Chu Qianze during this time, perhaps…

“…Fight back?” He said it with obvious hesitation.

He felt that, given Chu Qianze’s position, he probably wouldn’t do that.

“Bingo, you got it right.”

Chu Qianze rested his head on his hands, sitting back in his chair. “When your dear boss is spoken of like that, as a deputy, you should naturally uphold my image. There are some things I can’t do, so you have to help me. Fight back, and the fiercer, the better.”

After hesitating for a moment, Shen Zhuofeng replied with a reluctant “Yes.”

“Next time that brat Hu Jia calls, no matter what he says, give him a good scolding, got it?” Chu Qianze instructed.

“Scold him? What should I scold him about?” Shen Zhuofeng was a bit puzzled; this was venturing into his knowledge blind spot.

“That’s your business.”

“Yes, Commander Chu…” Shen Zhuofeng said thoughtfully.

Very good, just need to sow internal discord among you and let you fight among yourselves.

Satisfied, Chu Qianze picked up the pen and resumed dealing with the documents.

After a while, Shen Zhuofeng spoke up, “There’s really nothing to scold Hu Jia about.”

“What about me? Is there something you can scold me for?” Chu Qianze wasn’t pleased, finishing the last stroke of his name.

Shen Zhuofeng shook his head without hesitation, “You don’t either.”

Chu Qianze clasped his hands together under his chin, “How about this? The next time he says something negative about me, you praise me. Sing a different tune, frustrate him. You can always find something good to say, right?”

“Report, understood!”

“That’s straightforward,” Chu Qianze tossed the pen onto the desk, reclining backward into the chair. “I’m done writing.”

“You still have one-third left to write,” Shen Zhuofeng reminded.

“After this long, and there’s still one-third left? Let’s save it for later then.” Chu Qianze picked up the candy box, only to find it empty.

“I’ll get some for you,” Shen Zhuofeng understood; the man wanted something sweet.

“Wait,” Chu Qianze stopped him, leaning forward, “Let me ask you a question.”

“Do you know how to make desserts?”

Faced with Chu Qianze’s hopeful eyes, Shen Zhuofeng hesitated, “I know a little.”

Being able to steam frozen pastries… that counts as knowing, right?

“Really?” Chu Qianze perked up, focusing those deep, captivating eyes on Shen Zhuofeng, smiling without saying a word.

“Do you want dessert?”

Seeing no response from Chu Qianze, Shen Zhuofeng rephrased the question, “I’m planning to make some desserts. Would you like to have some?”

The pupil surpasses the teacher.

“Reluctantly, I can try some,” Chu Qianze said with a slightly sour expression.

“But you have to finish these first,” Shen Zhuofeng pointed out.

“No problem,” Chu Qianze agreed readily, resuming his writing enthusiastically, “You’re not needed here. Go do your real job.”

As Shen Zhuofeng prepared to leave, Chu Qianze reminded him, “Remember, it’s something you want to make for me to eat.”

With a hint of resignation in his eyes, Shen Zhuofeng replied, “Got it.”

Exiting the office and closing the door, Shen Zhuofeng made his way to the kitchen, staring at the stove for a while, contemplating how to go about making desserts.

Chu Qianze sat at the table, signing the final document. He stood up, stretched his fingers, pondering when Shen Zhuofeng would bring the sweets up.

“I wonder what it will turn out like.”

He paced back and forth in his room, moving from the bookshelf to the bedroom, and from the sofa to the chair, but there was still no sign of Shen Zhuofeng’s arrival.

“Could he have eaten everything secretly?” Faced with this possibility, Chu Qianze couldn’t wait any longer. He thought about going out to check but restrained the impulse.

So, he started his second round of pacing, eventually sprawling on the sofa.

Finally, the door opened, and Shen Zhuofeng entered from outside, carrying a plate.

“You’re quite fast.” Chu Qianze felt like he was turning into a piece of paper due to hunger.

“There were some unexpected issues along the way,” Shen Zhuofeng’s eyes flickered for a moment as he placed the plate in front of Chu Qianze.

Staring at the plate of oddly shaped and uniquely designed “desserts,” Chu Qianze was plunged into a major life dilemma. Could this stuff really be eaten?

Was he setting himself up for trouble?

Glancing at Shen Zhuofeng, although the expression on his face remained unchanged, every movement hinted at nervousness. Shifting his gaze down to Shen Zhuofeng’s hands, despite Shen Zhuofeng quickly realizing and moving his hand slightly behind him, Chu Qianze still saw it—there were a few fresh wounds.

This guy clearly doesn’t know how to make desserts. Well, it makes sense… as the young master over there, he could just order someone to do it. Who would bother doing it themselves?

Mentally preparing himself, Chu Qianze picked up the chopsticks and poked at the things on the plate. He picked up a piece and tasted it, not hiding his surprise, “Surprisingly good.”

Despite the discouraging appearance, the taste was genuinely good. Achieving this level on the first attempt indicated some natural talent.

Shen Zhuofeng, who was initially a bit nervous, immediately felt at ease. “Really?”

“Why would I lie to you? Did you taste it before bringing it here?” Chu Qianze took another bite. Perhaps he didn’t have high expectations in the first place, making him easily satisfied now.

“I tasted some.” It’s always best to try this kind of thing beforehand to ensure it won’t go wrong. Although Shen Zhuofeng thought it was fine, he couldn’t be sure of Chu Qianze’s standards. Now that he got the affirmation, he breathed a sigh of relief and shifted his focus back to work.

“Commander Chu, are the documents all sorted?”

“Yep, over there.” Chu Qianze picked up the chopsticks and pointed to a spot on the table.

Shen Zhuofeng’s gaze fell on a small corner of the table, and his mouth involuntarily twitched. Even if you don’t like it, there’s no need to use it as a coaster for your cup, right?

Moving the cup away, Shen Zhuofeng picked up the documents to review, ensuring there were no issues. He then said, “Commander Chu, I’ll take my leave.”

“Do you have other matters?” Chu Qianze, sensing a slightly improved mood, held up the plate, unusually asking an additional question.

“No.”

“How much sleep have you gotten these past few days?”

Caught off guard by this question, Shen Zhuofeng hesitated, “Report, sufficient sleep.”

When you say that, could you assess the dark circles under your eyes?

Chu Qianze freed up a hand and patted the empty seat next to the sofa. “Don’t just stand there, come and sit here.”

This was an unprecedented gesture.

Shen Zhuofeng was a bit surprised by the favor. He sat down beside Chu Qianze, hands resting on his thighs, sitting up straight with perfect posture.

Seeing this rigid demeanor, Chu Qianze sighed softly, pulling him to lie down on the sofa with his head on Chu Qianze’s thigh. Seeing Shen Zhuofeng still staring at him blankly, Chu Qianze simply reached out and covered his eyes.

“Take a break,” Chu Qianze said in a soothing tone.

“… Commander Chu, I have training in an hour,” Shen Zhuofeng suddenly mentioned.

“But isn’t everything settled now?”

“The documents are done.” But personal training couldn’t be skipped.

Chu Qianze understood. Why push yourself so hard? It made me look like I have nothing to do.

“Don’t worry, I’ll call you on time.”

Seeing Shen Zhuofeng about to speak again, Chu Qianze narrowed his eyes, “Any other questions?”

“Okay, then get some sleep.”

Nodding, Shen Zhuofeng tried to relax, but he still felt a bit uneasy.

Chu Qianze casually remarked, “You did well with the desserts. Keep it up.”

Was he acknowledged because of the good desserts?

Shen Zhuofeng mumbled a low acknowledgement and secretly made up his mind. He would make time every day to practice his culinary skills.

With his eyes covered, Chu Qianze’s hand, though not smooth due to years of practicing with weapons, gave off a solid and warm feeling.

Gradually, drowsiness filled his mind.

Chu Qianze lowered his hand, watching Shen Zhuofeng sleep. He sighed softly, and his voice dissipated in the air.

 

 

 

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