“Regarding this investment…”
The man in the tailored suit sat upright, his interlaced fingers resting on the table. A diamond-studded Patek Philippe adorned his wrist, complemented by a jeweled tie pin and platinum signet ring. He exuded an aura of polished brilliance, like a finely cut gem, strikingly handsome beyond compare.
His charm extended beyond mere appearances; his demeanor and speech were effortlessly refined, emanating an air of elite professionalism as he discussed business with apparent expertise.
He was worlds apart from the lazy Zhuang Hanxue that Qiu Zheyan had painstakingly raised.
Qiu Zheyan struggled to recognize this man as Zhuang Hanxue.
But the gold-embossed name on the business card read “Zhuang Hanxue.”
He was completely confused.
Was this really the same Zhuang Hanxue who would lie in his arms with a carefree smile, nuzzling him like an affectionate dog, begging for cigarettes and alcohol?
What was going on?
Was he dreaming?
Qiu Zheyan pinched his thigh under the table, wincing at the sharp pain.
No, this wasn’t a dream.
Zhuang Hanxue sat before him.
They met again, and Zhuang Hanxue had transformed into… Mr. Zhuang?
Qiu Zheyan couldn’t make sense of it. Didn’t Zhuang Hanxue say his family went bankrupt? What was happening?
Lost in confusion, Qiu Zheyan was completely out of his element. His subordinate nudged him under the table, whispering, “Mr. Qiu, Mr. Qiu, they’re asking you a question.”
Qiu Zheyan snapped back to reality, dazed. “Oh, oh, what?”
Zhuang Hanxue slid the proposal toward him with a smile. “I was wondering what your thoughts are on our collaboration? We’d like to acquire some shares in exchange.”
Qiu Zheyan composed himself and carefully reviewed the proposal. His frown deepened as he read, not because the terms were harsh, but because they were… too generous. It was practically gifting him a fortune, an enormous sum, while asking for minimal returns.
Had anyone else presented such a proposal, he would have dismissed it outright and suspected the other party of fraud. But this came from Zhuang Hanxue. He was still not sure what Zhuang Hanxue’s intentions were or what his role was in this, so Qiu Zheyan couldn’t immediately agree.
Qiu Zheyan: “Let me take a look…”
Zhuang Hanxue: “Take your time.”
Qiu Zheyan scrutinized the proposal. Upon finishing, he looked up to find Zhuang Hanxue looking at him.
Those eyes remained bright as ever. Zhuang Hanxue blinked, as if urging Qiu Zheyan to accept quickly.
Qiu Zheyan felt as if something feather-light had brushed his heart. He lowered his gaze and said, “Excuse me, I need to consider this further. I drank too much water on the way here. May I use the restroom?”
Zhuang Hanxue replied, “Exit and turn left. At the end of the corridor, turn right. You’ll see the signs.”
Qiu Zheyan nodded. “Thank you.”
He stood up and buttoned the last button of his suit jacket.
Qiu Zheyan entered the men’s restroom. It was indeed a large corporation. Even the restrooms were exceptionally luxurious and clean.
Qiu Zheyan glanced at his watch. Not even two minutes passed before Zhuang Hanxue followed.
Zhuang Hanxue hung an “Out of Order” sign on the outer handle, then locked the door from inside.
Qiu Zheyan froze and belatedly realized what was going on. A flicker of anger sparked within him.
Zhuang Hanxue secured the door and turned around.
As Qiu Zheyan was about to demand an explanation, he witnessed Zhuang Hanxue visibly soften like heated rice cake. His posture relaxed, his face lost its sternness, and his eyes crinkled as he grinned playfully, “Surprise~”
Surprise, my foot! Qiu Zheyan couldn’t help but laugh despite his irritation.
Zhuang Hanxue called his name sweetly, showing off his attire like a preening peacock. “Xiao Qiu, don’t I look handsome today?”
Under Zhuang Hanxue’s radiant smile, Qiu Zheyan’s bad mood melted away.
He’d been so angry moments ago, yet he couldn’t stay mad at this man.
A thousand words condensed into a few, his tone a mix of exasperation and deep affection. “You rascal…”
Zhuang Hanxue embraced him, planting a kiss. “Xiao Qiu, I’ve missed you so much. I’ve been dying to see you.”
Qiu Zheyan hugged him back, confused. “Didn’t you say a wealthy relative was investing? What’s going on? How are you suddenly a General Manager?”
Zhuang Hanxue already anticipated this. He averted his gaze as he replied, “Well, it’s just… you know…”
Qiu Zheyan pinched his waist. “Don’t evade. Explain it to me clearly. I’ve been worried sick. You ran away without telling me where you went, then reappeared as some manager. You almost scared me to death.”
Today’s Zhuang Hanxue was charismatic yet unfamiliar. Qiu Zheyan suddenly realized more clearly that Zhuang Hanxue wasn’t helpless without him.
He overestimated himself and underestimated Zhuang Hanxue.
Qiu Zheyan recalled his mother’s words. “…His manners with chopsticks and cutlery are beautiful. You can tell he’s well-bred.”
His father had added, “This partner of yours speaks excellent Italian. He knows several languages, all with perfect pronunciation.”
Then there were Zhuang Hanxue’s ex-girlfriends, all beautiful and wealthy. He assumed Zhuang Hanxue naturally attracted rich women, but now he wondered. Perhaps there was truth to the saying about matches made in heaven.
Because Zhuang Hanxue himself was the heir of a wealthy family.
All the signs had been there. He simply failed to see them clearly.
To say he wasn’t angry at being deceived by his lover for so long would be a lie. Qiu Zheyan held back his anger. “Tell me, Zhuang Hanxue.”
He rarely used Zhuang’s full name. When he did, it was because he was angry.
Zhuang Hanxue hesitated, then smiled sheepishly, looking somewhat embarrassed. “This company… it belongs to my family. My parents run it. To be honest, they’re quite wealthy…”
Sure enough.
It felt like a weight had been lifted, only to land heavily on Qiu Zheyan’s chest, leaving him breathless.
It was hard to tell why at the moment.
Perhaps it was the vast gap between their backgrounds, making Zhuang Hanxue seem suddenly distant. Qiu Zheyan’s previous suspicions of lies now made him feel narrow-minded, foolish, and presumptuous.
Or maybe it was that Zhuang Hanxue had only now revealed his true background. If not for these circumstances, would Zhuang Hanxue have kept this secret forever? Qiu Zheyan bared his soul to his lover, only to receive partial honesty in return.
But, at least Zhuang Hanxue told him now.
It was always like this. He had to push a step for the other to take a step. If he didn’t ask, the other would not take the initiative to reveal information about him.
Qiu Zheyan sighed. “Alright, I understand. But why did you live like that before? If your family is so wealthy, you could have lived comfortably.”
Zhuang Hanxue replied, “Keeping this from you was wrong. I just… I was afraid to tell you.”
“I ran away from home after a fight with my parents. Although it wasn’t as bad as my brother’s fallout with them.”
Qiu Zheyan asked, “What did you fight about?”
Zhuang Hanxue hesitated, then said, “Promise you’ll believe me.”
Qiu Zheyan nodded. “I will. Tell me.”
Zhuang lowered his voice. “My brother and sister had already left. My parents were pressuring me to take over the company. They even chose a wife for me, insisting I marry. I got scared and ran away…”
Qiu Zheyan chuckled dryly. This was so typical of Zhuang Hanxue. It was exactly the kind of thing he would do.
How could someone like this exist?
Even a fortune couldn’t make him give up his freedom.
Qiu Zheyan asked, “So you returned now because of me?”
Zhuang Hanxue nodded matter-of-factly. “Yes.”
He added mischievously, “But I still don’t want to inherit the business. Just wait. I’ll secure this investment for you and revive your company. Then, I’ll lay some false trails to keep them from suspecting you. After that, I’ll find a chance to escape again. I haven’t told my mother where I’ve been. Then I’ll…” return to you.
Before he could finish—
Qiu Zheyan leaned in, capturing Zhuang Hanxue’s lips in a passionate kiss. Their mouths pressed together fiercely, as if Qiu Zheyan wanted to devour him whole.
Zhuang Hanxue was left breathless.
The kiss was exceptionally dominant and lingering.
When Qiu Zheyan finally released him, he cradled Zhuang Hanxue’s face in his hands.
Flushed, Zhang Hanxue held Qiu Zheyan’s hands and looked at him in confusion. “What’s wrong? Have you been holding it in for too long?”
Qiu Zheyan rested his forehead against Zhuang Hanxue’s, asking softly, “You still plan to come back to me?”
Without hesitation, Zhuang replied, “Of course I will.”
Qiu Zheyan suddenly felt his heart overflow with honeyed affection.
As long as Zhuang Hanxue wanted to return to him, nothing else mattered.
Qiu Zheyan asked, “Your family has so much money. You don’t want any of it?”
Zhuang Hanxue answered, “I don’t want to manage it. It’s fine as long as there’s enough money to spend.”
It really was Zhang Hanxue’s style.
Qiu Zheyan pressed further, “Even if you return to me, I might not always be financially secure. I could go bankrupt again. If you give up everything to be with me, what will you do then?”
Zhuang Hanxue paused, then quickly found an answer. “Then… I’ll get a job too. I’ll save money and help you with my own earnings. For now, I’ll secure some funds from my family for you.”
Qiu Zheyan asked, “But if you’re working, won’t you lose the freedom to enjoy life at home like before?”
Zhuang Hanxue froze. “I suppose so…”
He tilted his chin up, their noses brushing lightly. He kissed Qiu Zheyan’s lips softly. “Can’t be helped. Who told you to be so lovable?”
Money, beautiful women, power.
Everything men typically desire couldn’t make Zhuang Hanxue give up his freedom.
But for Qiu Zheyan, he was willing to give it up.
Qiu Zheyan asked, “Why would you go to such lengths for me?”
This time, Zhuang Hanxue was really stunned. Yes, why indeed?
Was it just because Qiu Zheyan was lovable?
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