Xiao Zhan completely ignored the storm raging in Feng Yan’s heart and continued,

“I intend to develop a commercial district on that land. You should be well aware of its current value, Master Feng. If you think I’d just return the assets you pledged without compensation, that’s impossible. However, for Ruiran’s sake, I won’t touch the assets for now, nor will I release any news about it.” 

Feng Yan clenched his fists tighter. But he also knew—this was already the biggest compromise Xiao Zhan was willing to make.

As long as the news didn’t get out and his own people continued managing the pledged assets, he could still keep up appearances for the time being.

Just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Xiao Zhan added, 

“But I can only give you half a month.” 

“Only half a month? President Xiao, that’s far too—” 

Before Feng Yan could finish, Wang Sheng interrupted. 

Pushing up the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, Wang Sheng politely said, 

“Master Feng, granting you half a month is already the most we can do. After all, the Xiao family’s money doesn’t just fall from the sky. The construction on that land has completely halted, and I believe you understand how much we’re losing every single day. I will send you a daily report on the loss figures—those expenses will be your responsibility. I assume Master Feng has no objections to that?” 

Feng Yan nodded stiffly. Seeing that there was no room for negotiation with Xiao Zhan, he turned to leave with Bai Rui.

Just as they were about to step out, Xiao Zhan’s voice stopped them. 

“Leave Ruiran here.” 

Xiao Zhan tapped his fingers twice on the wooden armrest of the sofa. Though his tone remained polite, it was firm and unquestionable.

“For the time being, Ruiran should stay here. After all, with a gambling-addicted matriarch at home, I truly can’t feel at ease leaving him in the Feng household. This time, it was the land contract. Who knows what else she might gamble away next—perhaps even other projects I’ve entrusted to Ruiran.” 

Feng Yan clenched his teeth, but he had no choice but to endure Xiao Zhan’s sharp words. He understood all too well—if this information got out, if the elders of the Feng family discovered that their assets had been taken, his position as head of the family would be finished.

Leaving Xiao Zhan’s apartment with icy hands and feet, Feng Yan sat in the car, his eyes flashing with a cold gleam. 

Those old bastards had controlled the Feng family for far too long. Half a month was tight, but it would be enough. He had to seize full control of the Feng family within that time. 

As he thought of this, the ruthless determination in his expression only deepened.

“This is all because you forced me!” 

After Feng Yan left the apartment, Bai Rui immediately leaped into the man’s arms. Xiao Zhan watched as the lively youth threw himself at him, and in a brief moment, his heart completely softened. He caught Bai Rui steadily, the warmth and softness in his embrace making it feel as if fireworks were bursting inside him.

Bai Rui planted a firm kiss on Xiao Zhan’s face and laughed.

“Husband, you were so imposing just now! I’m completely smitten!” 

A small smile tugged at Xiao Zhan’s lips, clearly pleased by his lover’s enthusiasm.

Off to the side, Wang Sheng coughed twice. Though he was happy to see his boss finally in a relationship, he still felt like he was being force-fed dog food, and it was a little too much to handle.

Xiao Zhan turned and shot Wang Sheng a cold glance. “Why are you still here?” 

Ah, so third-wheeling was a crime. Wang Sheng’s lips twitched in frustration and he sighed.

“Boss, when are you planning to go back? The old master has been pushing hard. Sister in-law, could you help persuade him?” 

Bai Rui choked at the term ‘sister in law’ and turned to look at Xiao Zhan. Caught under Bai Rui’s gaze, Xiao Zhan looked slightly uncomfortable and shot Wang Sheng a warning glare. Wang Sheng immediately shut up, realizing his slip-up, and quickly made his escape.

Bai Rui had always known that Xiao Zhan carried many secrets and waiting for the right time to reveal them. But seeing how Xiao Zhan’s subordinates treated him, Bai Rui also understood that Xiao Zhan wasn’t intentionally hiding things from him—perhaps he was just waiting for the right opportunity to lay everything bare.

Now that they were alone, Bai Rui shifted and perched himself on the sofa, resting his chin on his hand. His gaze, filled with mischief, locked onto Xiao Zhan. The pose was undeniably alluring, but to Xiao Zhan, it carried an undeniable sense of danger.

Xiao Zhan carefully observed Bai Rui’s expression, feeling a twinge of guilt despite himself. Clearing his throat lightly, he sat down beside Bai Rui and spoke in a placating tone, “Xiao Ran, there’s something I want to tell you.”

Bai Rui nodded, looking indifferent. “Go ahead.”

Xiao Zhan took a deep breath and said, “Actually, I already had memories when the Xiao family adopted me. I remembered my original family. But it wasn’t until your mother passed away, when I was in my teens, that my family finally found me. My real surname is Ye, and my family has deep ties with the Montreal family in Country Y.”

Bai Rui’s eyes flickered with thought. The surname Ye wasn’t particularly well-known in Country Z. But the Montreal family—even though Bai Rui wasn’t involved in the underworld, he had certainly heard of them.

The Montreal family was the largest mafia syndicate in Country Y, monopolizing the entire Southeast Asian arms trade. Their influence was nothing short of terrifying.

No wonder Xiao Zhan was able to crush all his opponents at such a young age and rise to the position of family head despite being an outsider. As for these so-called “ties,” Bai Rui highly doubted it was as simple as Xiao Zhan made it seem.

Thanks to Lao Hei, Bai Rui knew that the Ye family actually controlled a significant portion of the nation’s industries—an uncrowned king of the business world. But due to certain deeper, unspeakable reasons, ordinary people remained unaware of their existence.

As for why Xiao Zhan, a child of the Ye family, had ended up abandoned in the first place, Bai Rui wasn’t particularly surprised. After all, he had witnessed firsthand the filth and treachery of powerful families from a young age.

Bai Rui gazed deeply at Xiao Zhan. The man beside him, as usual, maintained his expressionless facade, but Bai Rui could see it—the faint trace of unease and nervousness hidden within his eyes.

He found it amusing. Raising an eyebrow, he gripped the armrest of the sofa and leaned in, draping his entire body over Xiao Zhan.

With their proximity so close, Xiao Zhan could feel his lover’s breath against his skin. Staring into those bright, crystalline eyes, his earlier apprehension gave way to a different kind of restlessness.

“So?” Bai Rui’s lips curled into a half-smile. “Xiao Zhan, are you saying that from now on, I should call you Ye Zhan? Hah—well, I suppose that surname suits you quite well.” 

The youth’s voice was crisp and teasing, making Xiao Zhan momentarily dazed. At this moment, all explanations could go to hell—he only wanted to be with the person he loved.

Lifting his head, he moved in to kiss Bai Rui’s lips.

But before he could succeed, a sharp twist at his waist made him freeze. A second later, Bai Rui kicked him clean off the sofa.

Xiao Zhan landed on the floor with a stunned expression, utterly bewildered.

Bai Rui let out a scoff, looking down at him in amusement.

“You’re sleeping alone tonight! After all, with so many things to deal with in your own family, it’s better for you to conserve your energy.”

With that, Bai Rui turned and walked straight into the bedroom without looking back.

Xiao Zhan watched his retreating figure and let out a bitter chuckle. It seemed Xiao Ran was really upset. He should have been honest with him earlier.

But his background was too complicated. He had originally planned to settle everything first before telling Xiao Ran, sparing him the trouble and worry. Yet in the end, he had still made his beloved angry.

Thinking of the young man’s earlier demeanor, Xiao Zhan’s gaze darkened. He suppressed the stirrings in his heart and sighed. It seemed like he had to coax his little treasure as soon as possible—otherwise, he’d be the one to suffer.

Back in the bedroom, Lao Hei asked worriedly, “Xiao Rui, are you mad?”

Bai Rui casually flipped through the wardrobe while responding nonchalantly, “Nope. Why?”

After browsing for a while, he finally pulled out one of Xiao Zhan’s white dress shirts and slipped it on as a pajama top. His figure was naturally lean and upright, but compared to Xiao Zhan’s towering 190 cm frame, the shirt was clearly oversized.

Wrapped in his lover’s scent, Bai Rui curled up in bed with satisfaction, exhaling a deep breath as his body relaxed. Even though his heart craved the other man, he forced himself to restrain that desire.

“Then why did you act that way toward Xiao Zhan just now?” Lao Hei tilted his head in confusion, waiting for Bai Rui’s answer.

With his eyes closed, Bai Rui idly traced the buttons on the oversized shirt and spoke leisurely.

“He needs to learn his lesson. If we want to be together for a long time, secrecy is the biggest taboo. I’m not some delicate greenhouse flower—I don’t need him to shield me like this. And what Xiao Zhan truly needs is a partner who can stand shoulder to shoulder with him.”