That night, neither of them went home, making do with sleeping at the company instead.
The next morning, Qiu Zheyan was surprised to find that Zhuang Hanxue woke up earlier than him and already went out to buy breakfast. There was a basket of xiaolongbao, a basket of shumai, and two bowls of spicy beef soup.
Zhuang Hanxue smiled at him while eating a xiaolongbao and said, “Xiao Qiu, I couldn’t sleep last night. I was thinking, and I’ve found a solution. Don’t agree to the acquisition. I’ll secure some investment for you. This time, it’s sure to work.”
Qiu Zheyan asked curiously, “What investment? Do you know any big shots?”
At this point, even if Zhuang Hanxue claimed to know the president of a country, Qiu Zheyan wouldn’t immediately dismiss it.
Zhuang Hanxue made a Buddhist hand gesture, striking a Buddha-like pose, and said mysteriously, “Ah, for now, I can’t reveal the secrets of heaven. You’ll know when the time comes. My powers are vast and mighty.”
Amused by his antics, Qiu Zheyan laughed and said, “Alright, I’ll hold out a bit longer. After all, Mr. Chu said he’s willing to wait for an answer, considering your little master’s plea. How much investment are you planning to secure for me?”
Zhuang Hanxue’s eyes lit up as he said, “Just you wait and see what I bring back for you. Is one hundred million enough?”
Qiu Zheyan: “???”
The figure was too large for Qiu Zheyan to take seriously. If Zhuang Hanxue had mentioned borrowing tens of millions, he might have believed it, but a hundred million was beyond his imagination. Where would Zhuang Hanxue borrow that from? Qiu Zheyan laughed, “Haha, with that, I could not only resurrect the company but also expand it significantly.”
Zhuang Hanxue nodded, “Exactly!”
Zhuang Hanxue took a moment to contact the livestreaming company, informing them that he couldn’t maintain his streaming schedule anymore. If they couldn’t pause his contract, he’d have to terminate it.
The company sternly warned him that without special circumstances, forcibly terminating the contract would incur a penalty of over a million yuan.
Without batting an eye, Zhuang Hanxue boldly said, “I understand. Let’s terminate it. I’ll pay the penalty.”
Once he returned home, that amount would be pocket change.
Zhuang Hanxue felt that he was not only useless but also a true prodigal. He tried to make money through livestreaming, but he didn’t earn much and now had to pay even more. If he had known, he wouldn’t have started streaming or come out publicly, which even resulted in hurting Jiji1His chicken lol. It really wasn’t worth it.
Zhuang Hanxue opened his streaming room.
He found that the storm was still raging.
Someone in the comments section was writing a lengthy post, claiming that he had been lying all along, that he didn’t have a boyfriend, and there was no economic crisis at his boyfriend’s company. They said his “boyfriend” hadn’t appeared recently because he was just hired, and now he had quit. They accused him of fraud, being greedy, and pretending to be gay.
Zhuang Hanxue calmly read through it all and started his stream.
Due to his recent infrequent appearances, his viewer count had hit a new low, and he hadn’t given prior notice. However, a group of loyal fans still came to watch his stream, and the numbers slowly began to rise.
Zhuang Hanxue collected his thoughts and said:
“This will probably be my last livestream. Due to some changes in my real-life work situation, I no longer have time for streaming.”
“I’m already in talks about terminating my contract.”
“No, I’m not switching platforms. I’m really quitting livestreaming altogether.”
“Ah, it’s not because of cyberbullying. I never took those haters’ words to heart.”
“Please stop sending me gifts. The more you send, the more compensation I’ll have to pay. Really, stop it. I’m begging you.”
“Fine, send gifts if you want. It’s not like I can’t afford the compensation.”
“What will I do after quitting streaming? What else can I do? I’ll go back to working a regular job at a company.”
“To be honest, I really enjoyed being a streamer. I was happy, and you were happy. If I’ve brought you some joy during this time, then I’m satisfied.”
“I like you all.”
“The mountains remain green, the rivers flow on. Perhaps we’ll meet again someday.”
It was already Tuesday.
Zhuang Hanxue promised his mother he would return home by Friday.
He needed to tell Xiao Qiu about going home before then.
In the past, he dared to tell Xiao Qiu everything, but he kept putting off this conversation, afraid to tell Qiu Zheyan.
How should he broach the subject?
He wasn’t even sure what would happen after he went back.
Even as the only obedient youngest son, he couldn’t easily get his hands on that much money. He’d have to return to the company and inherit the family business. Moreover, having escaped once for six or seven years, he might not be able to escape again this time.
To inherit the business, he’d have to obey his family.
His mother said she wouldn’t force him, but he knew it was just a temporary measure. Parents always coaxed children like this, luring them back home first, then manipulating them as they pleased.
He might not be able to continue dating Qiu Zheyan.
His mother would definitely force him to get married.
It was so frustrating.
But if he didn’t go home, there’d be no saving Xiao Qiu’s company.
Even more frustrating.
He’d figure it out later. First, save Qiu Zheyan’s company, then see if he could escape.
If that didn’t work… he’d take it one step at a time.
First, trick them into giving him the money, then find a way to break free and return to Xiao Qiu.
What if he failed?
Zhuang Hanxue thought, well, I’m just a useless guy anyway, not some exceptional partner.
Besides, I’m not Xiao Qiu’s unforgettable first love, Zhuang Hanxue thought sourly. He felt a twinge of jealousy towards Qiu Zheyan’s first love and whoever might spend their life with him in the future.
But he dared say that, at least for now, Xiao Qiu liked him.
Although he couldn’t fathom what Xiao Qiu liked about him.
Sure, his butt was perky, but it wasn’t the most beautiful in the world.
How should he tell Qiu Zheyan?
No matter how Zhuang Hanxue thought about it, he felt that if he told the truth, Qiu Zheyan wouldn’t let him go home.
If he didn’t go home, he couldn’t borrow the money, and without the money, Xiao Qiu’s company would be finished.
He decided to just say he was going back to his hometown.
He wondered if Xiao Qiu would think he was running home out of laziness, though he was indeed work-shy.
He kept putting it off until the last day.
Zhuang Hanxue had planned to tell Qiu Zheyan after he got home, but they ended up working late at the company again. He couldn’t find the right moment to bring up his return to his hometown.
Qiu Zheyan said tiredly, “I’ll sleep on the floor at the company tonight.”
Zhuang Hanxue was stunned, “You’re not going home?”
Qiu Zheyan rubbed his temples, “Too tired. You go back, change your clothes, and bring me a clean set. I’ll pull an all-nighter here, just need to rest my eyes for a bit.”
Zhuang Hanxue anxiously said, “That won’t do.”
Qiu Zheyan asked, “What’s wrong?”
Zhuang Hanxue stared at him, many words stuck in his chest, his face reddening, but he still couldn’t speak.
Qiu Zheyan seemed to realize something, smiled knowingly, pulled him close, and sat him on his lap, “Are you thinking about that? We haven’t been intimate for a while.”
Zhuang Hanxue’s face flushed red. He thought, and thought again, and thought some more… then mumbled, “It has been a long time since we’ve been intimate.”
If he couldn’t come back, wouldn’t this be his last chance to be intimate with Xiao Qiu?
But Zhuang Hanxue was concerned, “You’ve been so busy lately, are you up for it?”
A man can’t say he’s not up for it! At this, Qiu Zheyan perked up, grinning, “Let me show you firsthand if I’m up for it or not.”
Zhuang Hanxue didn’t submit shamelessly as before, but furrowed his brow, showing a hint of confusion.
He removed Qiu Zheyan’s hands from his waist and stood up.
Qiu Zheyan asked, “Are you too tired? You can just lie down.”
Zhuang Hanxue shook his head, moved Qiu Zheyan’s chair to the side, then knelt before him, reaching out his hand.
Qiu Zheyan suddenly realized what Zhuang Hanxue intended to do. His ears turned bright red. Zhuang Hanxue had never done this for him before. He reached out, placing his palm on Zhuang Hanxue’s cheek, asking softly, “Didn’t you say you didn’t like doing this?”
Zhuang Hanxue knelt, looking up, and glanced at him, asking, “Don’t you want it?”
Qiu Zheyan swallowed, speaking honestly, “…I do.”
Zhuang Hanxue nodded, ever eager to learn, “Xiao Qiu, I’ve never done this before. Tell me how you want me to do it. I’ll do whatever you say.”
…
The next day.
When Qiu Zheyan woke up, Zhuang Hanxue was gone.
He found a note left by Zhuang Hanxue on the table, which read: “Xiao Qiu, I’ve gone home. Zhuang Hanxue.”
He must have gone home to shower and change clothes, right?
Qiu Zheyan smiled knowingly. It seemed Zhuang Hanxue still had some shame. He’d thought that after last night’s multiple rounds, Zhuang Hanxue would complain of exhaustion and sleep until noon as usual, yet he had the energy to go home.
Perhaps he hadn’t been vigorous enough.
Work had indeed been too busy and tiring lately.
But even by afternoon, Zhuang Hanxue hadn’t returned to the company.
Qiu Zheyan thought Zhuang Hanxue must be sleeping at home. That lazy bug had been working himself to death recently, and then they’d rolled around on the office desk. Let him rest a bit.
Recalling how Zhuang Hanxue voluntarily serviced him last night, Qiu Zheyan felt overwhelmed with tenderness, loving Zhuang Hanxue more than ever.
He was now more confident that Zhuang Hanxue liked him.
They were now in mutual love!
Just thinking about it made Qiu Zheyan’s lips curl into a smile. His heart felt as sweet as spilled honey, and suddenly his body was filled with inexhaustible energy. He felt he could work for a day without sleep!
He returned to their small rented apartment.
As soon as he entered, he called out, “Lazy bug, still sleeping?”
No one answered.
Qiu Zheyan saw the living room spotlessly clean, the bedroom quilt neatly folded.
But no Zhuang Hanxue.
This lazy guy actually did housework?
Something seemed off.
Did he just go out?
Qiu Zheyan wandered confusedly around the narrow room, belatedly realizing something was wrong.
Zhuang Hanxue’s dog, Doudou, along with its bowl, was also gone.
Qiu Zheyan remembered when he first brought Zhuang Hanxue over, he had only a small suitcase and a dog on a leash.
The first thing he did when unpacking was to take out the dog bowl, saying, “My Doudou really likes this bowl. He won’t eat from any other bowl.”
Qiu Zheyan discovered Zhuang Hanxue’s suitcase was missing too, along with his toothbrush, toothbrush holder, and even his small pillow.
…Where did Zhuang Hanxue go?
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