Qiu Zheyan glowered at Zhuang Hanxue, not uttering a word.
Zhuang Hanxue’s smile faded.
“Go on, keep laughing,” Qiu Zheyan said coldly. “I’d like to see how long you can keep it up.”
Zhuang Hanxue cowered, tugging at Qiu Zheyan’s sleeve. “I was just joking. I only wanted to make you smile.”
Failing to follow Zhuang Hanxue’s train of thought, Qiu Zheyan asked, “What’s so funny about this?”
“I used to jokingly propose to him, and now I’m friends with his son. Don’t you find that fascinating?” Zhuang Hanxue explained.
After a long pause, Qiu Zheyan retorted, “Most men in their thirties don’t befriend elementary school kids or call them ‘master.'”
Zhuang Hanxue laughed heartily. “Why can’t I be friends with an elementary school student at my age? As long as we get along, we can be friends, right?”
“I hope you’re really just joking,” Qiu Zheyan said.
Zhuang Hanxue scratched his head. “I am joking. There’s nothing between Chu Xun and me. He really disliked me back then and even publicly scolded me once.”
A few days later.
Zhuang Hanxue finally met the renowned little master Jiujiu. Indeed, he was an elementary school student with a child-like stature, estimated to be only about 150 centimeters tall, barely reaching their chests. The small boy was beautiful, with light-colored eyes like glass marbles and a hint of baby fat on his face. When not speaking, he looked slightly grumpy. He was a handsome boy who looks very arrogant.
Upon seeing him, Zhuang Hanxue immediately greeted him warmly. “Little Master!”
Little Master clicked his tongue in admiration. “Wow, you dare to call me that in real life. You’re brave.” He was going through voice change, currently sounding like a drake.
At that moment, another man stepped out of the car.
Seeing him, Zhuang Hanxue felt slightly intimidated. “Ah Xun, long time no see.”
Hearing this, Qiu Zheyan shot him a side-eye. What’s with the intimate nickname?
But Zhuang Hanxue didn’t notice.
Chu Xun’s cold gaze swept over him. “You, on the other hand, haven’t changed a bit in ten years.”
“Really?” Zhuang Hanxue rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, smiling. “Hehe, everyone says that. They say I have a bit of a baby face and look young. I think it’s because I have a good mentality, so I appear younger. You look great, too. Can’t tell you’re already forty.”
Chu Xun: “…?”
Qiu Zheyan stepped forward. “Hello, Mr. Chu.”
Chu Xun: “Hello…” He appeared a bit confused, unsure of who this person was.
Little Chu Jue looked up at Qiu Zheyan, then said to Zhuang Hanxue, “You really brought your boyfriend, huh?”
Zhuang Hanxue nodded, replying matter-of-factly, “Of course. I brought him here to meet you, didn’t I?”
Chu Xun: “???”
Chu Xun asked Zhuang Hanxue in surprise, “Boyfriend? You’re dating a guy? I thought you were straight?”
Zhuang Hanxue waved his hand dismissively. “People change, you know.”
Zhuang Hanxue flashed a brilliant smile, revealing a set of perfect white teeth, and enthusiastically ushered them, “Come on, come on. I’m the host here. Let me treat you all to dinner.”
Zhuang Hanxue had reserved a table at a local restaurant that wasn’t particularly famous. He explained, “I’m not taking you to some trendy spot. Those places are overpriced, and the food’s terrible. The place I’m taking you to isn’t too expensive, but it’s clean, hygienic, and delicious. It’s been around for decades. Only locals know about it.”
Chu Xun couldn’t help but quip, “But you’re not even from here, are you?”
Zhuang Hanxue paused for a moment, then smiled. “Oh, right? I’m not local. But I’ve tried most of the good restaurants around here.”
Being the pleasure-seeker he was, besides drinking, smoking, and playing games, his fourth favorite pastime was finding good food and having Qiu Zheyan take him out to eat. He had sampled dishes from restaurants big and small all over the city.
Chu Xun chuckled, “You’re living quite the cushy life now, aren’t you? What are you up to these days?”
Zhuang Hanxue replied shamelessly, “Me? I’m not working now. I’m just having fun at home. My boyfriend supports me.”
Chu Xun: “Heh, that’s just like you.”
Qiu Zheyan remained silent. He knew he should try to flatter and win over Chu Xun. Before coming, he had learned that Chu Xun was a low-key industry bigwig. If he could establish this connection and secure an investment, his career might take off. But he thought about the ambiguous relationship between Zhuang Hanxue and Chu Xun… Moreover, now that he saw Chu Xun in person, despite being older, he was well-maintained, with delicate features and an air of sophistication, exuding the charm of a mature man.
He was jealous.
Last time, it was jealousy that made him unwilling to pursue further cooperation with Jiang Ruoyun.
This time was no different.
Qiu Zheyan quietly observed their interaction, unable to gauge the exact nature of their relationship. It didn’t seem like they had been lovers, more like old enemies. But what if this enmity was born from love?
In Qiu Zheyan’s eyes, their Zhuang Hanxue was so lively, adorable, and charming, with a celebrity ex-girlfriend who still pined for him. So it wouldn’t be surprising if there was also a man who couldn’t forget him, right?
This guy was truly a magnet for admirers, flitting from flower to flower!
Qiu Zheyan asked, “Mr. Chu, I heard you and Zhuang Hanxue used to be colleagues?”
Chu Xun nodded, “Yes, he used to be my superior. Later, I got married and quit my job.”
Qiu Zheyan glanced at Zhuang Hanxue’s expression, seeing no signs of defeat or dejection. But he figured Zhuang Hanxue probably didn’t feel too good inside. Imagine, someone who used to work under you soaring to great heights, while you end up like this ten years later. Any man would feel his pride wounded, right?
Qiu Zheyan went to park the car.
Zhuang Hanxue said to Chu Xun, “Oh, right, Chu Xun, don’t tell Xiao Qiu that my parents are still wealthy. He thinks my family went bankrupt, which is why I’ve ended up like this.”
Chu Xun frowned and asked, “You’re in a relationship with him, yet you haven’t even told him this?”
Zhuang Hanxue put his hands in his pockets. “Our relationship is a bit complicated. I’m basically his kept man now, aren’t I? I don’t want him to know about my family situation.”
Chu Xun: “Fine. It’s none of my business anyway. I won’t say anything.”
Zhuang Hanxue said with a grin, “Mr. Chu, would you like to take a look at the products my Xiao Qiu’s company makes? He’s very talented, and his products are worth investing in. You won’t regret it.”
Chu Xun smiled, “I knew it. You brought your boyfriend along for this reason.”
Zhuang Hanxue said, “Didn’t you once say I could do well if I took things seriously?”
Chu Xun: “Yes, but you’re just too lazy.”
Then, Chu Xun used Zhuang Hanxue as a negative example to educate Chu Jue, “It’s fine to play games with him, but never learn from his attitude towards life. This guy is just a bad influence.”
“I used to think that if he was willing to put in effort, he might turn out differently. But after all these years, he’s still the same old slacker.”
Zhuang Hanxue: “Hahaha.”
Chu Jue said disdainfully, “Of course I know that. Who would learn from him?”
The meal went fairly well. Zhuang Hanxue eloquently promoted Qiu Zheyan to Chu Xun. Probably to save face, Chu Xun exchanged business cards with Qiu Zheyan but didn’t promise any future collaboration.
After so many years, Chu Xun no longer dwelt on past events. Zhuang Hanxue was the type who would slack off at every opportunity if they worked together, truly a 24-karat gold-plated nuisance of a boss who could drive people crazy. But as a friend to joke around with, he was quite good company. His presence alone could brighten the mood of everyone around him.
After returning home.
Qiu Zheyan asked, “By the way, you said Chu Jue is the son of Chu Xun and Lin Yanchen. They are both men. How did they have a son? Is he Chu Xun’s son? But I think he looks like Lin Yanchen, too.”
Zhuang Hanxue coughed lightly and said in a conspiratorial tone, “I’ll tell you a secret, but don’t spread it around. Chu Jue was born to Chu Xun himself! Chu Xun is a man who can give birth!”
Qiu Zheyan: “…” His expression said, “Are you joking?”
Zhuang Hanxue raised his eyebrows at him. “I’m not lying to you! Isn’t it amazing? The world is full of wonders! If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it either.”
Qiu Zheyan stared at him for a while, making Zhuang Hanxue feel a bit uneasy. Then Qiu Zheyan said, “It would be nice if you could have children too.”
Zhuang Hanxue, shameless as ever, grinned and said, “Hehe, if I could have children, I’d have them for you. I’d pop out eight or ten of them.”
Qiu Zheyan laughed, “Let’s not. At your age, wouldn’t you be considered a high-risk pregnancy? I can’t imagine you raising children. It’s too worrying. In my hometown, I’m afraid you’d be reported for child abuse.”
Zhuang Hanxue: “Am I that unreliable?”
Qiu Zheyan: “What do you think?”
Zhuang Hanxue: “I am very unreliable. Hahaha.”
Zhuang Hanxue felt his current lazy lifestyle was absolutely delightful.
His streaming career was also thriving and on the rise. He became even more reluctant to go out, spending all day streaming and getting to know a circle of popular streamers. This month, his donation revenue had already skyrocketed to the top ten on the male streamer rankings.
There were even rumors that he might become the new top streamer. It was truly prosperous.
On this day, Zhuang Hanxue streamed until past midnight.
Someone in the comments said: [Streaming so late today? Not going to sleep? Is your boyfriend not home yet to tell you to go to bed?]
Zhuang Hanxue said mischievously, “While he’s not back yet, I want to play a bit longer! Let’s party!”
Comments: [Wow, be careful. Your man might punish you on the weekend.]
Zhuang Hanxue laughed it off and didn’t take it seriously.
When he came to his senses, it was already past 1 a.m., and Qiu Zheyan still hadn’t returned home. Although Zhuang Hanxue wasn’t sleepy yet, he couldn’t help but worry about Qiu Zheyan.
He checked his phone, but there were no new messages. What was going on? Sometimes, Qiu Zheyan would work overtime until the early hours, but he’d always let him know. Could something have happened?
Zhuang Hanxue called Qiu Zheyan but couldn’t get through.
He then called the bar Qiu Zheyan frequently visited, but the bar owner said he hadn’t been there for drinks tonight.
Zhuang Hanxue thought for a moment, too worried to sleep. He got dressed and went out, searching along the route Qiu Zheyan usually drove home, but found no signs of any car accident.
He walked to the office building where Qiu Zheyan worked, taking over half an hour. The building was completely dark, and the main entrance was locked. Looking up, he couldn’t see any office lights still on.
The night wind was cold and biting.
Zhuang Hanxue wandered outside, thinking, could they have just missed each other, and Xiao Qiu was already home? He walked back again.
The house was still empty.
Zhuang Hanxue couldn’t stay calm at home. He went out again, sitting downstairs, shivering in the wind.
Xiao Qiu couldn’t have just vanished into thin air, could he?
He suddenly felt extremely panicked.
He couldn’t imagine life without Xiao Qiu.
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