Chu Shangluo was pinned down, allowing Ren Jiaoming to hold the showerhead and rinse his neck. Ren Jiaoming was dressed impeccably in a suit, his gaze icy, as he repeatedly drenched Chu Shangluo in the bathtub. Chu Shangluo choked on the water multiple times, his lungs feeling like they were about to explode. The skin on the back of his neck was now hot and sore from the washing. Just as he was about to curse Ren Jiaoming, he suddenly remembered how Gu Yao had pinched him that morning, right on the same spot, leaving a mark that looked suspiciously like a love bite.

Chu Shangluo scrutinized Ren Jiaoming. His expression was grim, yet there was a flicker of dark fire hidden beneath his cold gaze. At first, he wasn’t sure if Gu Yao’s plan would work, but now it seemed effective. Ren Jiaoming seemed overly concerned about the mark on his neck, washing it once and then again as if determined to scrub his skin raw.

Even if this wasn’t love but mere possessiveness, Chu Shangluo felt the effort with Gu Yao hadn’t been wasted. It was worth it.

“Ren Jiaoming,” Chu Shangluo suddenly grabbed his wrist, his other hand curling around Ren Jiaoming’s neck with a smirk. “Are you jealous?”

Ren Jiaoming frowned, pulling Chu Shangluo’s hand away. “President Chu, you’re overthinking. You’re clean now. I’ll wait for you outside.”

Chu Shangluo’s face darkened. Just a moment ago, Ren Jiaoming had looked jealous, but now he was back to his usual distant demeanor, making him furious. Chu Shangluo let out a cold laugh, stepping out of the bathtub completely bare. As he walked out, he remarked indifferently, “Those two beauties from last night served me well. But you’re so much better, Ren Jiaoming.”

Ren Jiaoming stopped at the door.

Chu Shangluo continued, “Get out. Call those beauties back. I’ll keep playing with them. Aren’t you supposed to be my good secretary? If you won’t help your boss satisfy his desires, at least bring some beauties to do it for me.”

Clenching his fists, Chu Shangluo left the bathroom, testing if Ren Jiaoming had any possessive feelings for him as Gu Yao claimed. He wasn’t sure. Ren Jiaoming was too hard to read, too controlled. Even if he had desires, they were fleeting—snapped back into cold rationality the next moment.

The living room was empty; Gu Yao and the two beauties were nowhere to be seen. Their voices echoed from a nearby bedroom. Chu Shangluo headed toward them, acting carefree but inwardly hoping Ren Jiaoming would stop him.

Halfway there, his heart sank. He felt foolish, almost ready to curse Ren Jiaoming for being so dense.

“President Chu.”

Ren Jiaoming’s voice finally came. Chu Shangluo paused, a flicker of hope rising, but he didn’t turn around.

A bathrobe was draped over his shoulders, and Ren Jiaoming’s calm voice whispered by his ear, “Enjoy yourself.”

The joy he’d built up in mere seconds shattered instantly. Chu Shangluo clenched his fists, swallowing his anger. “Thanks so much for your kindness, damn it.”

Now genuinely furious, Chu Shangluo strode toward Gu Yao’s door, his back filled with defiance.

Ren Jiaoming watched his retreating figure, eyes dark and restrained, before turning to leave.

At Gu Yao’s door, Chu Shangluo banged forcefully. “What are you guys doing? Open up! Let me join! Damn it, you’re hogging both beauties. Share one with your Ge!”

Gu Yao’s muffled voice, hoarse and odd, called back, “Wait…a sec…”

“I can’t wait!” Chu Shangluo snapped, veins bulging at his temples. “Hurry the hell up! I—”

Before he could finish, he was grabbed by the waist and pulled into the next room, slammed against the wall. His bathrobe fell away, leaving him pinned and immobilized. He couldn’t even turn his head.

“Ren Jiaoming, you’re crazy! What do you want?! If you won’t let me sleep with you, you won’t let me find someone else either? You—”

Ren Jiaoming gripped his wrists tightly, pressing his body flush against him, leaving no space between them.

When Gu Yao finally opened his door, Chu Shangluo was already gone. He blinked in confusion, then smirked as he heard strange noises from the next room.

“Seems like Chu Shangluo finally got his beauty after all.”

A few hours later, President Chu, finally held by his “beauty,” lay on the bed with sore waist and aching back, a cigarette loosely hanging from his lips as he smoked without much satisfaction.

It was only the second time in over two months he had been with Ren Jiaoming, and he still wasn’t quite used to it. But it was tolerable—at least it didn’t hurt as much as the first time.

Ren Jiaoming emerged from the bathroom after his shower, picking up his clothes from the floor and putting them on piece by piece. Once dressed, he had once again transformed into the composed and distant Secretary Ren Jiaoming.

Chu Shangluo spoke up: “Come sit here.”

Ren Jiaoming sat at the edge of the bed. Chu Shangluo leaned in and kissed him near the lips, but Ren Jiaoming turned his head away, avoiding him as he caught the scent of smoke lingering on Chu Shangluo’s breath.

Glancing at the cigarette in his hand, Chu Shangluo stubbed it out in the ashtray. He felt a bit complicated after the moment and gently took Ren Jiaoming’s hand, gazing at the ceiling as he spoke unhurriedly:

“I can tell you don’t feel nothing for me. At least you don’t want me to be with someone else, right? So stop tormenting yourself, stop rejecting me. Just open your heart and try to accept me. I’ll treat you well too.”

Ren Jiaoming looked at Chu Shangluo briefly, then withdrew his hand without saying a word.

Feeling physically exhausted and too drained to argue, Chu Shangluo muttered, “I just want us to be okay. If you don’t like doing this, we can stop—I don’t find it all that meaningful anyway. Just don’t keep making me angry. I’m tired… I’m going to sleep.”

With that, Chu Shangluo turned his back to Ren Jiaoming and closed his eyes.

Ren Jiaoming silently watched him for a moment before walking back into the bathroom.

—

When Chu Shangluo woke up again, it was already evening. Apart from the fatigue, he didn’t feel any other discomfort. Mr. Chen’s birthday banquet was about to begin.

At such a grand event filled with influential guests, everyone else was busy networking, while Chu Shangluo had spent the day either fooling around with Gu Yao or tangled up in bed with Ren Jiaoming.

Yawning, he dressed and was just about to call Ren Jiaoming when there was a knock at the door.

“Chu Shangluo, are you done yet?”

When he opened the door, Gu Yao poked his head inside, glancing toward the bed. “Huh? Your beauty’s not here? Impressive! After going at it for so long, you’re still able to head out? Aren’t you being a bit too harsh on your wife?”

Chu Shangluo chuckled, “He’s got great stamina. It’s fine.”

“True,” Gu Yao flopped onto a chair. “He’s definitely a beauty, but you can tell he’s no pushover. That’s a good thing. So, how was it? My plan worked, didn’t it? Holding your beauty in your arms—wasn’t it satisfying?”

“Forget it. I don’t want to do this again. He acted so professional, not even blushing or showing excitement. Honestly, I didn’t feel much pleasure either.”

Still feeling sore and uncomfortable, Chu Shangluo picked up the birthday gift he had prepared for Mr. Chen. “Stop sitting around—let’s go. The banquet’s about to start.”

The two arrived at the birthday banquet venue, presented their gift to Mr. Chen, and then chose a seat by the window.

Outside the window was the vast, deep ocean, with the setting sun casting fragmented golden reflections on the water’s surface.

Chu Shangluo took out his phone, just about to call Ren Jiaoming, when he noticed Ren Jiaoming entering the banquet hall. His cold and noble demeanor was striking, standing out effortlessly in the crowd, drawing the attention of many guests.

Ren Jiaoming noticed Chu Shangluo as well and walked over to sit beside him.

Since there was still a long time before the banquet officially started, Gu Yao, not wanting to sit in awkward silence with them, suggested, “There’s a casino here. How about we play a few rounds?”

“Sure,” Chu Shangluo replied before turning to Ren Jiaoming. “Want to play? I’ll cover your bets—if you lose, it’s on me. If you win, you keep it all.”

Gu Yao clicked his tongue, teasing, “Tsk, tsk, President Chu really knows how to spoil someone.”

Chu Shangluo playfully punched Gu Yao. Seeing that Ren Jiaoming had no objections, the three of them headed downstairs to the casino.

Most of the more lively guests had gathered there. Chu Shangluo noticed several familiar faces, including Wen Yan, Su Ran, and Jiang Jia, who was loudly playing mahjong at a nearby table.

As soon as Su Ran spotted Chu Shangluo, he immediately walked over and extended his hand. “Long time no see, President Chu.”

Chu Shangluo, however, did not extend his hand and simply waited for Su Ran to continue speaking.

Wen Yan also approached with a smile. “How’s business lately, President Chu?”

Chu Shangluo responded with a half-smile, “Thanks to you, the new project is doing quite well.”

Su Ran’s expression darkened as he muttered under his breath, “Damn it, shameless. You stole our business and still have the nerve to smile?”

Chu Shangluo raised an eyebrow. “Well, making money does make me smile. Young Master Su, on the other hand, isn’t smiling. What’s wrong? Took a loss?”

Su Ran gritted his teeth. “Chu Shangluo, dare to play a round?”

It was obvious he was up to something. Gu Yao was about to step in to stop them when a deep voice interrupted.

“What are you playing?”

Mr. Chen had arrived, drawing the attention of the entire casino.

Seizing the moment, Su Ran loudly declared, “Mr. Chen, I was inviting President Chu for a round of gambling. I heard there’s a batch of fine stones here. How about a game of jade betting? What do you say, President Chu?”

He intentionally raised his voice so everyone could hear, even Mr. Chen seemed quite intrigued.

If Chu Shangluo refused, it would ruin the mood. However, he knew nothing about jade betting, while Su Ran appeared quite experienced. It was clearly a trap where losing was inevitable.

Yet, with so many eyes watching and Su Ran pressing him publicly, refusal seemed impossible.

Everyone awaited Chu Shangluo’s response.

Jiang Jia quietly leaned toward him, just about to speak when Chu Shangluo interrupted,

“Alright, I’ll play along with Young Master Su.”