(M) Chapter 29 – Smooth Like Butter
Novel Title: 谁把谁当真 (Winner Takes All)
Author：水千丞 (ShuiQianCheng)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists: 黎朔 (Li Shuo -MC), 赵锦辛 (Zhao Jinxin -ML)
*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*
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In the evening, Li Shuo went home to get a change of clothes for his father. This was the first time in two days that he and Guang Shu were alone together.
Guang Shu frequently glanced at Li Shuo through the rearview mirror. At first, Li Shuo pretended not to notice. But eventually, he couldn’t help but laugh. “Guang Shu, if you want to say something, just say it. Is it about Zhao Jinxin?”
Guang Shu cleared his throat. “Yes.”
When Zhao Jinxin kissed him, Guang Shu saw it clearly. But things were too chaotic afterward for anyone to dwell on it.
Li Shuo smiled. “Please don’t tell my parents, okay?”
“What are you talking about?” Guang Shu pouted. “If I really planned to tell them, would I need to wait for you to say it?”
“Guang Shu, you’re the best.” Li Shuo extended his fist.
Guang Shu smiled and bumped fists with him. He then gossiped, “When did you two get together?”
“Not long ago. We’re just getting along for now.”
“Oh. Actually you two are quite a match, although Mr. Zhao does seem a bit like a playboy.”
Li Shuo held back his laughter, thinking that the elderly have a strong intuition.
“He was born in the Year of the Goat…” Guang Shu said seriously. “Maybe he’s the destined one your mother talked about.”
“You’ve been brainwashed by my mom too.”
“Hey, some things are really accurate. Look at you two, you’re well-matched in looks and family background. Mr. Zhao is so brave and handsome. Guang Shu supports you both.”
Li Shuo said helplessly, “Thank you, Guang Shu.” He also used to think that he and Zhao Jinxin were indeed fated. Regardless of why Zhao Jinxin appeared in his life, they were destined to meet, know each other, and even for a while, he felt they were in love. If he could view things dialectically, such a tumultuous relationship could be considered as ‘good things take time’.
As for what the future holds, the future was something he had always been reluctant to think about.
His whole family practised Buddhism. The Buddha said to let go of the past, present, and future. He realised that he should not regret the past, not compete for the present, and not doubt the future. While ordinary people naturally couldn’t reach the highest state of mind, trying to achieve it was why it was called ‘practise’. So he tried to do things that wouldn’t go against his conscience, reduce regret for the past, maintain a proper attitude, not care too much about immediate gains and losses, and not overthink and worry about the future. His father’s sudden accident made him even more convinced that the ‘future is unattainable’. As long as he did his best in the present and made the right decisions now, that was enough.
At this moment, he felt that the best way to get along with Zhao Jinxin was as he proposed. Zhao Jinxin could come and go as he pleased. And he would have a way to advance or retreat.
When he got home, Li Shuo packed clothes and daily necessities. Seeing that it was still early, he sat alone in the garden, watching the koi fish in the pond and reflecting quietly.
The weather was gradually getting hotter. In the blink of an eye, he had been back in the United States for more than three months. Initially, when he returned, he planned to stay for at most two weeks because he was still thinking about someone. In such a short time, everything had changed — his career, life, and emotions had turned upside down. He never expected that his career, which he had worked hard for ten years and thought was very stable, would face a crisis when he was most proud.
Initially, he hated Shao Qun. If it weren’t for Shao Qun’s malicious framing, many things wouldn’t have developed this way. But thinking calmly, the crisis in his career was because he had sown the seeds of evil himself, which external forces then nurtured into the evil fruit. In a moment of weakness, he violated professional ethics and the law by helping a friend with fraudulent loans. He was the one most responsible for this crisis. He was merely reaping what he had sown.
As things developed to this point, Li Shuo felt a sense of relief. No one can commit wrongdoing without paying the price. The cycle of cause and effect transcends time, space, and reincarnation, ultimately settling accounts cleanly. And now, he was paying the price for the most conscience-stricken act of his life.
With such fairness, what was there to complain about?
After thinking it through, he, although extremely distressed, forced himself to call Xiang Ning.
It was as if the other party was waiting for his call. He picked up after less than one ring: “Bro.”
“Xiang Ge.” Li Shuo took a deep breath.
“How is your father? Can you come back?”
“My father has woken up. He’s resting in the hospital. The doctor said he needs a good period of rest to recover his vitality.”
“Oh, it’s good that he’s awake. That’s very good. So you…”
“I,” Li Shuo suddenly felt a lump in his throat, “I won’t be going back for now.”
“…Bro.”
“I’ve decided to keep only 20% of the original shares. I’ll sell the remaining shares to you and Mr. Liang at 70% of the market price. I will no longer participate in the firm’s operations as an apology and compensation for the trouble I’ve caused you during this time.”
“Li Shuo!” Xiang Ning was anxious. “What do you mean by this?! I’m not trying to force you out!”
“Xiang Ge, please listen to me calmly.” Li Shuo thought it was bittersweet and unbelievable that he was ending the career he built with his own hands over the phone. “So much has happened recently. This decision isn’t made in a moment of impulsiveness but after careful consideration. I’ve been away from home for too many years and haven’t had a chance to properly care for my parents. Now that my father is in trouble and needs me the most, I don’t want to go anywhere. My personal reputation has caused such a big impact on the firm. As the boss and a partner, I’m too incompetent. With this decision, I can redeem myself to you and Mr. Liang.”
Xiang Ning sighed heavily. “Bro, this is definitely not our intention.”
Li Shuo forced a smile. “I understand. But I think this is better. I’ll definitely apologise to you in person when I return to China.”
“Don’t say that…” Xiang Ning’s voice sounded very distressed.
“The Ennan contract, I will still sign it in the firm’s name. In the future, I’ll be the advisor and contact person, solely responsible for the Ennan project. This will sound better both internally and externally.”
Xiang Ning heavily agreed with a “Hmm.”
Li Shuo let out a heavy breath and laughed. “Xiang Ge, thank you for all your help over the years. I still need you to keep an eye on Chengxiu’s matter for me, okay?”
“That’s no problem… Li Shuo, if you change your mind, you can tell me anytime in the next few days. I can help you delay a bit longer…”
“Xiang Ge, no need. I initially planned to call Mr. Liang myself. But I feared he might still be angry, and communication might not go well. So I’ll trouble you with it. I’ll have Lawyer Yang draft the contract. Let’s move forward with this.”
After the call, Li Shuo felt like most of his strength had been drained from his body.
He had so quickly and easily sold off his career…
When he first returned to China, he had $2,000 in intern wages in his pocket and worked at a small firm. At that time, $2,000 was quite a lot of money. But he had no concept of money and spent it all in less than a month. He lived in a basement and ate instant noodles by the box. Fortunately, his experience teaching in Africa made him dismissive of such hardships. After working for a year, his salary tripled, and he successfully switched to a foreign company. After accumulating two years of experience, he registered his own firm and climbed higher step by step to achieve everything he had today. And he ended it all with one phone call.
It was both sad and laughable.
This way was also good. He would have enough time to spend with his parents and to quietly think about what he wanted to do in the future.
Li Shuo rubbed his sore and swollen temples and adjusted his mood. He took the clothes and daily necessities, and returned to the hospital.
As soon as he entered the ward, he saw Zhao Jinxin playing Go with his father.
Li Shuo was surprised and said, “How come you’re here?”
“To see Shushu, of course,” Zhao Jinxin said, holding a black piece between his long index and middle fingers. He shook it slightly. “Shushu’s chess skills are quite good.”
Mr. Li laughed, “You’re good too. You’re good too.”
Li Shuo glanced at the chessboard. The black and white pieces were engaged in an intense battle, with the white pieces narrowly gaining the upper hand.
Guang Shu said, “Mr. Li, how about I play with you? Let the young ones have a chat.”
“But this game isn’t finished yet,” Mr. Li objected.
“Playing with me is the same,” Guang Shu said, nudging Zhao Jinxin out of his seat and winking at Li Shuo and Zhao Jinxin.
Li Shuo couldn’t help but feel helpless.
Zhao Jinxin smiled and said, “This hospital has an antique Italian coffee machine. They actually use it here. I brought some Golden Mandheling coffee beans from home. Come, let’s go try it.”
“Sure.”
The two of them went to the break room where they had talked the night before. Zhao Jinxin opened a cabinet and took out a hand-cranked coffee machine. It was clearly an old piece of equipment. Even from a distance, it emitted a rustic coffee bean aroma.
Li Shuo smiled, “How did you discover this?”
“The director told me. Not many people know about it. Have a seat.” Zhao Jinxin poured the coffee beans in and patiently started grinding them.
Li Shuo sat on the sofa, watching Zhao Jinxin’s focused figure as he made coffee. His broad back, strong arms, and long legs became more and more captivating to him. He had met many charming men from various ages and fields. But Zhao Jinxin’s extraordinary charm surpassed them all. Even his changeable personality exuded an undeniable allure.
Such a person, being so young, was inevitably a bit of a playboy. When Li Shuo was about Zhao Jinxin’s age, he too had drifted from one bed to another, enjoying the reckless abandon and freshness of youth, until he met Han Feiye.
Recently, he had indeed been a bit irrational, thinking he could tame Zhao Jinxin. Looking back, he doubted if he truly liked Zhao Jinxin and realised he had been too arrogant.
Soon, the rich aroma of coffee filled the air. Zhao Jinxin asked, “Sugar?”
“One cube.”
Zhao Jinxin handed him a cup of coffee. “Try it.”
Li Shuo blew on it and took a sip. The taste was mellow and rich. It was bitter but not astringent. He praised, “It’s great.”
Leaning against the cabinet, Zhao Jinxin took a sip as well. “Yes, this coffee machine is excellent. I’ll see if I can find another one like it.”
Li Shuo smiled. He stared at the thick liquid in his cup and his thoughts drifted back to the firm.
“What’s wrong?” Zhao Jinxin sat beside him and gently touched his face. “You don’t look well today.”
“Nothing,” Li Shuo said, taking another sip.
“Don’t you want to tell me?” Zhao Jinxin stared into his eyes. “So in this newly restarted…,” he twirled his fingers, his tone mocking, “relationship, we don’t share our troubles and joys?”
Li Shuo looked at him, feeling a mix of resentment and gratitude. The person responsible for forcing him to sell his firm was sitting right in front of him. Yet he was also his father’s lifesaver. What could he say? He put down his coffee cup and said softly, “Some troubles are best not shared.”
Zhao Jinxin looked at him for two seconds before shrugging and turning his head. “Alright.”
Li Shuo rubbed his temples, hoping the coffee would keep him alert through the evening.
“But,” Zhao Jinxin said, tilting his neck, “even if you don’t want to share your troubles with me, I can help you forget them for a while.”
“Oh, really?” Li Shuo smiled faintly. “How?”
Zhao Jinxin leaned in and kissed his lips. “By having sex.”
Li Shuo smirked. “In your eyes, can many things be solved with sex?”
“Of course. Otherwise, why are both humans and animals so enthusiastic about it? And why haven’t they gotten bored of mating after millions of years?” Zhao Jinxin put down his coffee cup. He then stood up from the sofa and began to back towards the door. There was a seductive smile playing on his lips. “Do you know what else the director told me besides the coffee machine?”
Li Shuo narrowed his eyes. “What?”
“He told me the name of the security guard in the hospital’s monitoring room. All it took was a pack of cigarettes, and he temporarily turned off the surveillance in this break room.” Zhao Jinxin backed up to the door and slowly closed it. He then locked it.
Li Shuo’s breathing suddenly grew heavier.
Sex really was an excellent way to relieve stress, especially with Zhao Jinxin. He knew that he would not only forget his troubles but also everything else.
Zhao Jinxin licked his lips and laughed softly, “I treated you to such delicious coffee, how are you going to repay me?”
Li Shuo’s voice unconsciously turned husky. “How would you like me to repay you?”
“I want to watch you undress yourself.”
Li Shuo gently tapped his knee with his finger, then moved his hand to his buttons.
He had only taken off half of his clothes when Zhao Jinxin couldn’t hold back any longer. He pounced, pressing Li Shuo onto the sofa and kissed him fiercely.
At the moment they touched, the desire that had been deliberately suppressed within them exploded. They kissed and caressed each other eagerly.
Li Shuo longed for such madness, especially at this extremely low point in his life. Zhao Jinxin’s strong embrace and fiery body could provide him with the most primal, most reliable comfort.
Zhao Jinxin’s kisses fell like raindrops on Li Shuo’s jaw and chest. His large hands roamed over Li Shuo’s smooth, supple skin, igniting fires wherever they touched. Li Shuo responded passionately.
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In the confined break room, they wantonly unleashed their passion. Yet they tried desperately to stifle their moans. The forbidden thrill of it all amplified the pleasure, pulling them into a boundless abyss…
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*Author’s Note: Didn’t I look particularly beautiful today? -SQC
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*Translator’s Note: Before my proofreading, I always missed the author’s notes. Now, not all notes can be gathered by me but I’ll post whichever that I got my hands on, yeah? I changed the title to that because OMG I can’t stop thinking about that lyrics in BTS’ song! Hahahahaha! -K
*Proofread by 2024.08.04* I’m currently in the middle of the proofreading stage of my first ever translation; ‘Winner Takes All’. Lots of changes will be made especially to titles such as ‘Brother’ will be changed to ‘Ge’ and ‘Uncle’ will be changed to ‘Shushu’. I will proofread these chapters slowly when I’m free so please understand if there are any delays or discrepancies. TQ.
Proofread version of the rest of the novel will only be available on Novels Space.space while Mature Chapters will be released on Wattpad.
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