During dinner, Cen Zhisen received a call from Tang Shujie. After a few sentences, Cen Zhisen frowned, “Tonight? Wasn’t it supposed to be tomorrow?”

After a brief conversation, he reluctantly agreed and hung up.

Ning Zhiyuan, while eating, casually asked, “What’s going on?”

“Tang Shujie is hosting an engagement party in Hawaii and invited me to join. We’ll be taking his private jet. Originally, it was scheduled for tomorrow, but it got moved up to tonight,” he explained, glancing at his watch. “We’ll be leaving at 11.”

“Oh, he actually has someone interested,” Ning Zhiyuan said with a smile. “It’s nearly a ten-hour flight from here to Hawaii. You being a busy man; are you willing to take time out for an engagement party?”

“It’s not specifically for the party,” Cen Zhisen explained. “Coincidentally, there’s an acquisition deal to discuss with an investor from New York who happens to be vacationing in Hawaii. I’m going to catch up with him.”

Ning Zhiyuan checked the time. “It’s already 7:30. You should go ahead. Do you need to go back to pack?”

Cen Zhisen wasn’t in a hurry and suggested, “How about joining me for a short trip? It’s Saturday tomorrow, so we can stay for four or five days and come back together.”

Ning Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow. “I am quite busy.”

“Haven’t you had a weekend off in a while?” Cen Zhisen asked.

Ning Zhiyuan thought for a moment and sighed, “Fine, but can the rich Mr. Tang’s private jet accommodate an extra person?”

“No problem,” Cen Zhisen said. “I’ll inform him.”

After finishing their meal, Ning Zhiyuan drove Cen Zhisen back first before returning to his own place. He took a shower, changed clothes, and packed his luggage. At 9:30, Cen Zhisen’s car arrived downstairs, picking him up to head to the airport together.

Rarely on vacation, Cen Zhisen, without his usual suit and tie, wore a casual shirt with a jacket on top and casual pants.

Ning Zhiyuan appraised him and commented, “You look a lot younger like this.”

Cen Zhisen raised an eyebrow, “Are you saying I wasn’t young before?”

“Turning thirty,” Ning Zhiyuan said, “more like middle-aged.”

Cen Zhisen’s gaze paused at Ning Zhiyuan’s smiling lips for a second, reminding him, “Zhiyuan, there’s a term called ‘in the prime of life.'”

Although it was a perfectly normal term, when spoken by Cen Zhisen, it seemed to imply something.

Ning Zhiyuan just smiled without responding.

Cen Zhisen curved his lips and said no more, gesturing for the driver to depart.

By the time they reached the airport, it was already 10:30. They were the last to arrive. When Tang Shujie saw Ning Zhiyuan accompanying Cen Zhisen, his eyes almost popped out. Taking advantage of Ning Zhiyuan greeting Tang Shiqi and her friends, Tang Shujie pulled Cen Zhisen aside and whispered, “Why did you bring your fake little brother?”

Cen Zhisen replied, “What’s the problem? Didn’t I tell you I’d bring someone?”

Tang Shujie said, “I thought…”

Never mind, he decided not to say it.

He was one of the few who knew about Cen Zhisen’s sexual orientation. He thought Cen Zhisen had impulsively decided to bring some young lover along. The result? The person who followed was Ning Zhiyuan?

On the other side, Tang Shiqi also asked Ning Zhiyuan the same question, “You’re actually hanging out with Cen Zhisen? Did you get possessed, Cen Zhiyuan?”

Ning Zhiyuan was indifferent. “Firstly, why can’t I hang out with Cen Zhisen? Secondly, I already told you I changed my last name.”

“It’s just a last name, not a big deal,” Tang Shiqi ignored the second half, “Don’t you dislike your brother? Why are you out with him?”

“Who said I dislike him,” Ning Zhiyuan shook his head, “Cen Zhisen is currently my biggest financial supporter. I have to hold onto his thigh, serve him well, accompany him on trips; it’s just a small gesture.”

Tang Shiqi said, “…You’re insane.”

After a few jokes, Ning Zhiyuan turned around and saw Cen Zhisen standing not far away, chatting with others and occasionally glancing at him.

Ning Zhiyuan didn’t know how much of their conversation Cen Zhisen overheard, but he didn’t feel guilty. He walked over.

Cen Zhisen was acquainted with Tang Shujie’s friends, but not close. He greeted them casually. Others even teased him about not being interested in women, especially bringing his little brother on an external vacation.

Ning Zhiyuan, with a poker face, said, “I’m here to enjoy free food and drinks with my brother.”

Cen Zhisen’s hand rested on Ning Zhiyuan’s shoulder, giving it a gentle pat.

The ground crew came to remind them that they could board. The two of them lagged behind, walking at the back. Cen Zhisen suddenly turned his head and asked in Ning Zhiyuan’s ear, “Benefactor, clinging to thighs, serving, accompanying on outings?”

Ning Zhiyuan remained unchanged, “Any problem?”

Cen Zhisen smiled and didn’t say anything more, “Let’s go.”

The plane on the tarmac was ready for takeoff. The Tang family’s private plane was quite large, accommodating thirty people. This time, it was just an engagement party, so they only invited close friends. Besides Tang Shujie’s friends, Tang Shiqi brought two close friends, and the rest were friends from the bride’s side, totaling around twenty people.

Before boarding the plane, Ning Zhiyuan noticed Tang Shujie’s fiancee, also a wealthy young lady, seemingly indifferent to Tang Shujie. Last month, he even saw Tang Shujie with another female companion, probably each having their own fun.

As they sat down, someone came over to greet Ning Zhiyuan, “Xiao Cen, long time no see. Didn’t expect to run into you here.”

Ning Zhiyuan looked up and saw a young woman, somewhat familiar but not leaving a strong impression. However, she was smiling at him, obviously recognizing him.

Seemingly aware that Ning Zhiyuan didn’t remember her, the woman softly mentioned the name of a vacation hotel. Only then did Ning Zhiyuan recall that she was an occasional companion during his rare vacation a few years ago, a fleeting encounter overseas.

Cen Zhisen, beside him, noticed it without leaving a trace and casually glanced at the woman—tall, beautiful, and with a hot figure, indeed fitting Ning Zhiyuan’s taste. He withdrew his gaze, continuing to flip through a magazine he had just picked up.

Ning Zhiyuan felt no embarrassment at all. After chatting with the woman for a few moments, she returned to her seat. She was a friend from Tang Shujie’s fiancee’s side.

The plane soon took off, and Cen Zhisen continued to flip through the magazine. Just before putting on his eye mask, Ning Zhiyuan suddenly said, “Three years ago, when Dad ordered me to take a vacation, I went on a holiday to Fiji alone and met her.”

Cen Zhisen’s hand, flipping the magazine, paused.

Three years ago, at that time, Ning Zhiyuan was still the director of Cen An’s investment department. His abilities were indeed outstanding, but he was too young. After graduating with a master’s degree at the age of twenty-three, he joined Cen An and went straight into the mid-level of the investment department. In two years, he was promoted to director. There were many doubts within the company’s upper echelons, even though he performed exceptionally well.

During that time, he strongly advocated for an overseas acquisition exceeding $20 billion. Almost no one in the board of directors supported it, but Cen Shengli insisted he go ahead against all odds. Unexpectedly, due to adjustments in national policies midway, the acquisition almost fell through, and the upfront investment was about to go down the drain. Faced with pressure from the board and shareholders, Cen Shengli asked him to take a break and stay out of it.

However, contrary to everyone’s expectations, when Ning Zhiyuan returned from his week-long vacation, he immediately threw himself back into work, took a different approach, and eventually completed the acquisition smoothly using unconventional methods. The positive benefits and value brought by the aftermath of that case had far exceeded expectations. It was only after that incident that Ning Zhiyuan truly established a firm footing in the company.

“That time was indeed a bit frustrating. When I was drinking and chatting with her, she said that if I wanted to take off the hat of ‘little’ in front of my name. I couldn’t just give up like that. I thought she was right. If I had just given up, I might have been the little Mr. Cen for the rest of my life,” Ning Zhiyuan said.

Cen Zhisen looked at him. “Are you very concerned about this title?”

“At first, yes,” Ning Zhiyuan’s tone was casual, jokingly, “But now I don’t have the surname Cen anymore. People still call me Mr. Xiao(little)Cen, it’s just a habit. It doesn’t matter.”

“A few days ago, I chatted with Dad about this matter from back then. Dad told me that he actually didn’t approve of that case at the time, thinking it was too risky. It was you who convinced him,” Ning Zhiyuan continued.

“I didn’t know that before,” he added.

“Yeah,” Cen Zhisen admitted openly, “but I didn’t expect the twists and turns that followed, and that you would find a way to ultimately secure it.”

“Cen Zhisen,” Ning Zhiyuan spoke up, “thank you.”

Cen Zhisen smiled, “Thank you? I didn’t do much. I just helped convince Dad. The rest is your own ability.”

“No, you’ve helped me a lot,” Ning Zhiyuan said seriously. “Without Dad’s intervention, that acquisition case would never have been approved by the board. No matter how capable I am, it would have been in vain.”

Cen Zhisen didn’t think there was much to say about this matter. He didn’t do much. As for why he spoke up for Ning Zhiyuan at that time, on one hand, he indeed thought the acquisition case was feasible, and on the other hand, it was the look in Ning Zhiyuan’s eyes when he argued with reason in front of their father that touched him.

So, many times after that, when Ning Zhiyuan made decisions on his own, he rarely opposed them.

Cen Zhisen gestured to him, “Stop talking, take a rest for a while.”

Ning Zhiyuan put on the eye mask and lay down to sleep. Cen Zhisen turned to the flight attendants to request a blanket and covered him.

Ning Zhiyuan didn’t sleep deeply. He wasn’t used to sleeping on a plane, perhaps only for a few hours. When he heard faint laughter, he opened his eyes again.

The seat next to him was empty, and Cen Zhisen was playing cards with Tang Shujie and others on the front sofa.

Ning Zhiyuan couldn’t be bothered to move, looking at him for a while before turning his head, pushing aside the window shade next to him.

Outside the window was a melancholy night, with darkness settling in all directions.

A trace of daylight leaked out accidentally, then more and more, gradually connecting into a boiling crimson at the end of the horizon, and they were heading towards that dawn.

The plane crossed the night and arrived at daybreak.

When Cen Zhisen came back, Ning Zhiyuan had been looking outside for a long time, and the sky was fully bright.

“Awake?” Hearing Cen Zhisen’s voice, Ning Zhiyuan turned around, meeting his smiling eyes.

“It’s still early, you can sleep a bit more,” Cen Zhisen suggested, leaning on the seat, looking at him.

“Not sleeping anymore,” Ning Zhiyuan asked him, “Aren’t you tired? Have you been awake the whole time?”

“Squinted for a while, couldn’t sleep,” Cen Zhisen sat down, handing a bottle of water over, “Do you want something to eat? I’ll have someone bring it over.”

“Nah,” Ning Zhiyuan said, “i’m okay.”

Cen Zhisen’s gaze fell outside the window. “What were you looking at all the time?”

“Enjoying the scenery,” Ning Zhiyuan said, “The alternation between night and day looks very different from the plane.”

Cen Zhisen nodded. “What’s your impression?”

Ning Zhiyuan thought for a moment and replied, “It’s magnificent, a miracle of nature.”

Cen Zhisen looked at the morning light on his brow, gently smiling.

The plane landed at 3:00 PM local time. The Tang family’s destination was a private island on this side.

Although it was a private island, the resort built on it was open to the public. However, it followed a high-end route, and the hotel room rates were expensive, so there weren’t many people.

Ning Zhiyuan and Cen Zhisen’s rooms were arranged next to each other, both standalone suites connected by a boardwalk, situated amidst lush tropical jungles on one side and the azure sea on the other.

After entering, Ning Zhiyuan slept for over two hours before getting up in the evening and heading to Cen Zhisen’s side.

When Ning Zhiyuan came over, Cen Zhisen was changing clothes. He turned around and saw him, his eyes slightly brightening.

Ning Zhiyuan changed into a bright floral shirt, and he wore loose light-colored capri pants, casually wearing flip-flops, appearing casual and relaxed.

Cen Zhisen had almost never seen him like this. It seemed that after adulthood, Ning Zhiyuan became more adept at disguising himself, especially after returning to China and joining Cen An.

In the eyes of others, Ning Zhiyuan was always either elegant and graceful, or decisive and forceful. Even though Cen Zhisen knew that his younger brother was inherently rebellious and even somewhat cynical, he never thought that he would have such a carefree and relaxed side.

Or perhaps, it was that Ning Zhiyuan was now willing to show this side to him.

Ning Zhiyuan was also assessing him. Cen Zhisen had just taken off his shirt, his upper body bare, and his strong and robust physique visually impacting Ning Zhiyuan.

As his gaze moved over his well-defined chest muscles and abdominal muscles, Ning Zhiyuan recalled the words Cen Zhisen said last night, “In the prime of life,” and was certain that someone like Cen Zhisen was probably skilled in bed.

He was not lacking in that aspect himself, but he wondered who would come out on top in comparison with Cen Zhisen.

Cen Zhisen seemed to sense his gaze, picked up his shirt, and put it on, moving somewhat leisurely, keeping his eyes fixed on him.

Ning Zhiyuan walked over, raised his hand to help him with the buttons, his expression natural.

Allowing him to do as he pleased, Cen Zhisen leaned against the wall behind him, legs casually crossed, assuming the most relaxed posture, looking at Ning Zhiyuan in front of him.

Ning Zhiyuan started from the bottom button, buttoning them one by one. Suddenly, Cen Zhisen asked, “Do you really see me as a moneyed benefactor?”

“If you think so, it’s fine,” Ning Zhiyuan didn’t care at all, jokingly, “It was originally like that.”

“Zhiyuan,” Cen Zhisen reminded him, “If you really want to serve a moneyed benefactor well, accompanying on a drive and outings is far from enough.”

“What else is there?” Ning Zhiyuan asked, his fingertips unconsciously touching Cen Zhisen’s skin under the shirt, slowing down the buttoning process.

Cen Zhisen felt a bit itchy but restrained himself, “Accompanying on outings at most involves accompanying for meals and entertainment. What about accompanying for sleep?”

“Oh,” Ning Zhiyuan responded.

Then they both laughed.

Neither of them spoke again, in an intimate position, their breaths colliding and intertwining.

The atmosphere was broken by the sudden intrusion of Tang Shujie’s voice.

“Cen Zhisen, any plans for the evening? After dinner, do you want to go for a drink—”

He didn’t finish the last word but stopped abruptly. Tang Shujie had a bewildered expression, blurted out, “I entered the wrong room,” and hastily exited, forcefully closing the door.

Cen Zhisen tilted his head, looking at Ning Zhiyuan with a playful expression, “What to do? Someone saw us.”

“That’s your problem; he’s your friend,” Ning Zhiyuan said, and after saying this, he ignored him. Without haste or impatience, he continued to button up Cen Zhisen’s shirt.

After half a minute, Tang Shujie knocked on the door again, and Cen Zhisen lazily responded, “Come in.”

Tang Shujie cautiously pushed open the door, and Ning Zhiyuan stepped back from in front of Cen Zhisen. Whether it was him or Cen Zhisen, there was no hint of discomfort on their faces.

As long as I’m not embarrassed, it’s others who feel awkward.

Tang Shujie somehow recalled this saying, realizing that he was the “others” and fell into a speechless state.

“Are you guys done? Do you want to go eat something?”

Cen Zhisen used his eyes to inquire of Ning Zhiyuan.

Ning Zhiyuan actually wanted to sleep, but adjusting to the time difference, it wasn’t suitable to sleep too much now. He nodded, “Let’s go.”