This time, Chu Shangluo still didn’t get a response from Ren Jiaoming.

Chu Shangluo, feeling frustrated, took out a lollipop and popped it into his mouth. He was a bit annoyed and thought about smoking, but since Ren Jiaoming didn’t like it, he reconsidered and didn’t reach for a cigarette. Though Chu Shangluo had gotten used to the silent treatment, he couldn’t help but feel anxious when the feedback was so minimal! He turned his head and glanced at Ren Jiaoming, who was sitting calmly beside him, and he really wanted to ask if it wasn’t uncomfortable to keep everything bottled up. With such a handsome face, shouldn’t he show more expression?

Ren Jiaoming, noticing the intense gaze from the side, turned his head and saw Chu Shangluo, who was resting his chin on his hand and licking the lollipop, looking at him with a troubled expression. The usually imposing President Chu, licking a pink lollipop, created a scene that was strangely charming in a way that was hard to describe. Ren Jiaoming’s gaze lingered on the pink tongue for a few seconds before quickly shifting away.

*

That night, Jiang Jia invited Chu Shangluo and Ren Jiaoming to dinner to thank them. Chu Shangluo didn’t want to go at first, but Jiang Jia pleaded for a long time without success, so he tried a different approach: “There’s good wine tonight, and the main thing is, if you get drunk, it’ll be another opportunity to spend time with Ren Jiaoming, right?”

When Chu Shangluo thought about it that way, he didn’t refuse anymore. When they arrived at the restaurant, it was unclear whether Jiang Jia did it on purpose, but he chose a seating arrangement that separated Chu Shangluo from Ren Jiaoming. But once they sat down, Chu Shangluo didn’t mind these little details about who sat next to whom.

Jiang Jia smiled as he looked at Chu Shangluo, eagerly pouring him wine. While pouring, he couldn’t help but stare at Chu Shangluo, who was taking off his coat. Chu Shangluo had a good build, fair skin, and, most importantly, a handsome face. There were plenty of young and handsome CEOs in the high society, but none of them had Chu Shangluo’s carefree and unrestrained charm.

Ren Jiaoming, seated far away from Chu Shangluo, watched the odd look Jiang Jia gave him as he focused on Chu Shangluo. Coldly, he reminded him, “Young Master Jiang, the glass is full.”

Jiang Jia snapped back to reality, looking at the spilled wine in the glass, stealing glances at Chu Shangluo’s expression. When he noticed Chu Shangluo’s eyes occasionally darting toward Ren Jiaoming, a strange feeling stirred in his heart. He grabbed a napkin and wiped the wine off the table, inadvertently wiping it onto Ren Jiaoming’s clothes.

Jiang Jia apologized awkwardly, “Ah! Ren Jiaoming, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to!” Ren Jiaoming, already aware of Jiang Jia’s bad intentions, glared at him with an icy gaze. Jiang Jia, still intimidated by Ren Jiaoming, stuck his tongue out and mumbled, “Sorry.” Chu Shangluo picked up his glass, not noticing, and looked at him, saying, “How could you be so careless?” He then reached over and grabbed Ren Jiaoming’s arm, noticing a wet spot on his sleeve. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Do you want to go to the bathroom and wipe it off? It must be uncomfortable to leave it wet.” Ren Jiaoming pulled his hand away and shot a cold look at Jiang Jia, standing up and heading for the door.

Once Ren Jiaoming left, Jiang Jia finally breathed a sigh of relief. The cold aura emanating from Ren Jiaoming was so intimidating that it almost suffocated him. By this time, Chu Shangluo had finished his drink, and Jiang Jia quickly refilled his glass. He then raised his own glass and lightly clinked it with Chu Shangluo’s, asking, “Chu Shangluo, what exactly do you like about Ren Jiaoming? I’ve worked with him for so long, and he’s so boring, so annoying—honestly, he’s just not very human.”

Chu Shangluo smiled and looked out the window at the dazzling night view, saying, “Do you know that feeling? When you see someone, and you just know they’re the one. The heart-fluttering moment happens without any reason.” Perhaps because he was drunk, Chu Shangluo spoke candidly about his true feelings to the useless Jiang Shaoye.

Jiang Jia stared at Chu Shangluo’s intoxicated eyes and said, “But that moment of feeling could very well be wrong, right? I don’t think you two are suited for a relationship.” Chu Shangluo glanced at Jiang Jia, raised his hand, and pinched him. “Does it matter what you think about whether Ren Jiaoming and I are suited?”

Jiang Jia winced from the pinch, tears almost coming out. He felt uncomfortable but didn’t say anything more, continuing to pour wine for Chu Shangluo like a sycophant. Chu Shangluo liked to drink, and his home had a wide variety of alcohol, as the alcohol helped him temporarily forget his fatigue. The wine Jiang Jia brought was exactly to his taste, and with Jiang Jia constantly refilling his glass, he drank happily, unknowingly finishing an entire bottle.

Jiang Jia noticed that Chu Shangluo was really drunk, his cheeks flushed and staring vacantly out the window. He didn’t look as threatening as usual, but rather somewhat cute. Jiang Jia was thrilled that Ren Jiaoming hadn’t returned yet. He hurriedly grabbed Chu Shangluo’s coat to help him put it on. “Chu Shangluo, you’re drunk, let me take you home.”

Chu Shangluo lowered his eyes and lightly murmured, “Mhm.” His voice was deep and magnetic, laced with intoxicating drunkenness, slowly flowing into Jiang Jia’s ears and making his heart race. Jiang Jia’s face turned bright red as he helped Chu Shangluo up. Chu Shangluo was heavier and taller than him, and Jiang Jia’s face was pressed against his firm chest. Jiang Jia thought he might start bleeding from his nose. He quickened his pace, and to steady himself, he wrapped his arm around Chu Shangluo’s waist. He hadn’t expected Chu Shangluo’s waist to be so slim and comfortable to hold.

Jiang Jia’s heart raced faster, and his only thought was to get Chu Shangluo home! As for what he would do once they were home, Jiang Jia hadn’t thought that far. After all, he had never realized he liked men before, but after meeting Chu Shangluo, he felt like he had changed. He quickly accepted the fact that he was gay.

Jiang Jia pushed open the door and walked toward the restaurant’s exit, anxiously wondering whether he was the “1”^[1]Top/Gong/Seme or the “0.”^[2]Shou/Bottom/Uke However, the next moment, his hand brushed against Chu Shangluo’s round, firm butt. The soft, elastic sensation flooded Jiang Jia’s mind in an instant, and he made up his mind! He was going to be the “1”! He was going to do it with Chu Shangluo! Even if Chu Shangluo broke his legs in the morning, Jiang Jia was determined to do it with him!

Jiang Jia grew more energized, a look of determination on his pale face, his steps quickening as he walked.

The journey after leaving the building was smooth, and when they reached the parking lot, Jiang Jia led Chu Shangluo to his car. All he needed to do now was get Chu Shangluo into the car, and half of his plan would be complete! Jiang Jia thought smugly, ‘Ren Jiaoming, you deserve to be single! It’s just a bit of spilled wine on his clothes! Why take so long to clean it off?!‘

But the next moment, Jiang Jia felt Chu Shangluo being pulled backward with great force. He didn’t manage to hold on, and when he came to his senses, Chu Shangluo was no longer in his arms! In a panic, Jiang Jia turned around and saw Ren Jiaoming holding Chu Shangluo, glaring coldly at him.

Ren Jiaoming spoke, “Young Master Jiang, let me take Young master Chu home. You’ve been drinking.” Hearing the familiar voice, Chu Shangluo struggled to open his heavy eyelids. When he saw Ren Jiaoming holding him, he drowsily buried his head in his secretary’s shoulder. “I’m tired, let’s go home.”

Ren Jiaoming muttered a response and led Chu Shangluo to his own car.

The duck that was almost in his grasp just flew away like that?! That wouldn’t do! Jiang Jia was furious, rushing over to wrap his arms around Chu Shangluo’s waist and tried pulling him back. “No! You can’t take him! He’s mine!”

Ren Jiaoming’s eyes darkened as he swiftly kicked Jiang Jia to the ground, opening the car door and placing Chu Shangluo inside. After closing the door, he turned and looked down at Jiang Jia, who was sitting on the ground, wiping his tears. Ren Jiaoming spoke coldly, “He’s not someone you should be thinking about.”

Jiang Jia yelled, “But you don’t like him! Why should I not think about pursuing him? You don’t like him, but you won’t let anyone else have him! You’re a scumbag!”

Ren Jiaoming’s voice remained calm as he responded, “I’m just doing my job, taking my drunk boss home.”

“You’re lying! You’re just eating from both the bowl and the pot!^[3]Juggling everything You like Wen Yan, don’t you?!” Jiang Jia backed away, clenching his fists. “I saw it! You clearly didn’t want anyone near him, but you let him go! You’re different with him!”

Ren Jiaoming slowly approached Jiang Jia, his face unreadable. “That has nothing to do with you.”

Jiang Jia took a few steps back, his body trembling in fear, but he still shouted, “You like Wen Yan! I saw it! You let him go and you didn’t let anyone else, you’re obviously different with him!”

Ren Jiaoming had already closed the distance, standing over the trembling Jiang Shaoye. He reached out, grabbing Jiang Jia’s neck with one hand, his eyes flashing with a cold, dangerous gleam. His voice was still calm, though: “You know what happens when you piss me off.”

Jiang Jia struggled, his breath becoming shallow and difficult.

Ren Jiaoming had been his secretary for several years, so he knew Ren Jiaoming’s temper well. On the surface, Ren Jiaoming appeared indifferent, handling matters with a cold, businesslike demeanor, but underneath that was a very volatile personality. He had often beaten classmates into the hospital during his school years, and in the end, his father had to pay money to settle things.

Although Ren Jiaoming had used violence when managing him in the past, this was the first time he had tried to strangle him. Jiang Jia’s face turned redder and redder as he desperately slapped Ren Jiaoming’s arm, but the arm held him in a vice-like grip, leaving him powerless to resist. Just as he was about to suffocate, Ren Jiaoming released his grip. He clapped his hands and his eyes returned to their usual indifferent look.

“Young Master Jiang, it’s getting late. You’ve been drinking, so don’t drive home. Remember to call a driver.”

After saying this, Ren Jiaoming ignored the gasping Jiang Jia lying on the ground, turned around, and returned to the car. Inside the car, Chu Shangluo was feeling a bit hot and sleepily began unbuttoning his shirt. Ren Jiaoming moved closer to him and fastened his seatbelt. As soon as the seatbelt clicked into place, Chu Shangluo slowly opened his eyes.

Ren Jiaoming carried the scent he liked, a cool fragrance, and as he smelled it, Chu Shangluo reached out and hugged Ren Jiaoming, resting his head on his neck, gently rubbing against it like he was being coquettish.

Ren Jiaoming stiffened, but then he heard Chu Shangluo speak. “I asked my dad, he said the jade pendant is at the old house. I’ll bring it to you when I get the chance.”

Ren Jiaoming’s eyelashes trembled slightly as he grabbed Chu Shangluo’s wrist and removed his hand from his shoulder. The two exchanged a brief look, and then Chu Shangluo drifted back into a drowsy state.

On the way back, light snow began to fall in Beijing. Ren Jiaoming stared out the window at the gently falling snow, lost in thought, though it was unclear what he was thinking. Chu Shangluo was sound asleep, his body leaning toward Ren Jiaoming, eventually resting on his shoulder. The warm breath from Chu Shangluo’s face brushed against Ren Jiaoming’s cold neck, as if touched by the tip of a feather. Ren Jiaoming’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.

After a long time, the car slowly stopped in front of Chu Shangluo’s house. Ren Jiaoming looked down at the man leaning against him, his face slightly flushed, and then gently pushed him away. He opened the car door, got out, and moved to the other side, unfastening Chu Shangluo’s seatbelt. Wrapping his arms around Chu Shangluo’s waist, he helped him straighten up and said, “Young Master Chu, we’re home.”

Chu Shangluo slowly opened his eyes. When he saw Ren Jiaoming, he became a little more alert. With the beautiful man right in front of him, and aided by the alcohol, Chu Shangluo cupped Ren Jiaoming’s face and kissed him.