The results of the photography contest were announced a week later. In addition to public voting, Cen An also invited professional photographers as judges. The winner of the special award turned out to be a junior employee who had joined the company for less than a year.

As for Cen Zhisen’s entry, it received the first prize.

“The professional judges think my photo is a bit lacking in creativity compared to others, but I personally think it’s pretty good,” Cen Zhisen messaged Ning Zhiyuan, explaining the reason.

Ning Zhiyuan didn’t reply immediately; he was browsing a gossip forum he had never visited before.

Originally, this competition was just a staff welfare activity initiated by Cen An. However, after the results were announced and Cen Zhisen won the first prize, his photo became famous within the company. As more people saw it, some began to recognize Ning Zhiyuan in the picture. Subsequently, discussions about this matter increased.

Not only were people inside Cen An surprised by the change in the relationship between the two Cens, but after the winning entries were posted on the official Cen An website, the photo also caused a stir on the internet.

“His world, such a romantic photo, you can truly feel the photographer’s love. He loves him so much!”

Ning Zhiyuan’s gaze lingered on this comment for a moment. He smiled, replied to Cen Zhisen, “I also think it’s pretty good.”

Putting down his phone, he leaned back in his chair, playing with the tail ring between his fingers. Occasionally, he tossed it up and caught it again in his palm, a smile playing on his lips.

Two months later, in Cen An’s CEO office.

Cen Zhisen held a pen and signed on the agreement decisively.

Ning Zhiyuan watched him, his eyes wandering over the pen Cen Zhisen was using – the one he had given him. Then, his gaze slid to the pinkie finger on the hand holding the document. It lingered for a moment, and a subtle arc appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Beside them, the founder of IC Technology, who came with Ning Zhiyuan, rubbed his hands, somewhat excited.

Next, it was Ning Zhiyuan’s turn to sign. Cen Zhisen naturally handed the pen over to him. He took it casually, met Cen Zhisen’s eyes for a second, smiled again, and signed his name gracefully.

When it was the turn of the founder of IC Technology, he reached for the pen. However, Ning Zhiyuan didn’t give it to him. Cen Zhisen casually pushed another black signature pen on the table toward him.

The other party didn’t find it strange, picked up the pen, and quickly signed his name.

After both lawyers confirmed that there were no issues, once the official seals were affixed, the agreement would take effect.

The patent dispute between Cen An and IC Technology had been going on for several months. In the end, it was resolved through negotiation, with Cen An forced to compromise. The final result was that Cen An would make a high-priced investment in IC Technology, providing a series of resources and technical support. IC Technology not only retained its products and company but also gained significant publicity from this event.

Of course, it wasn’t that simple. Over the past few months, both sides had submitted various pieces of evidence to the national patent office. In the end, to invalidate Cen An’s patent, IC Technology found a foreign patent document from several years ago, which denied the originality of Cen An’s patent, changing the result of the patent review.

Ning Zhiyuan found this document, and the process was not easy. Due to differences in terminology and translation, keyword searches were ineffective. Ning Zhiyuan had people meticulously study all products with similar features around the world, listing dozens of different expressions of related technical features in different languages. He patiently searched through various patent literature databases, repeatedly searching to finally find this document.

But in reality, what he found was only similar to Cen An’s patent. To deny the originality of Cen An’s patent, he also studied all similar cases reviewed by the national patent office in recent years. Based on their review logic, he systematically integrated the evidence. In the end, he won over Cen An in this round.

As Cen Zhisen said, these things originally didn’t need him to do, but since the opponent was Cen An, he was particularly motivated.

After signing the agreement and exchanging some formal words, today’s meeting came to an end.

Ning Zhiyuan and the others stood up, bidding farewell with a handshake to Cen Zhisen.

When Cen Zhisen held Ning Zhiyuan’s hand, Ning Zhiyuan’s face remained smiling. Sensing the warmth between their palms, the corner of his mouth rose a bit more. Finally, Cen Zhisen gave his hand a firm shake and let go.

Cen Zhisen’s assistant escorted them to the elevator. Ning Zhiyuan didn’t let him follow further. “Alright, go back to your work. No need to keep escorting us. I know this place better than you.”

The assistant quickly apologized, “Let me accompany you…”

Ning Zhiyuan interrupted, “No need. Stop the nonsense.”

He insisted on not letting the assistant accompany them, so the assistant had to say, “Take care, Xiao Cen.”

Ning Zhiyuan replied with an “Hmm,” pressed the door-close button, and thought about the assistant’s attitude. He always felt that something was off.

After hesitating for a moment, he took out his phone and sent a message: “Why do I feel like Chen Xiangdong is more attentive to me now than before?”

After a moment, Cen Zhisen didn’t reply.

Ning Zhiyuan sneered and put his phone back in his pocket.

In the underground parking lot, everyone else got into their cars and left. However, Ning Zhiyuan didn’t leave. He sat in his car, tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, took out his phone, and sent another message to Cen Zhisen: “Are you coming or not?”

Cen Zhisen finally responded, “You haven’t left yet?”

“Waiting for you, Ge.”

“Give me ten minutes.”

Ning Zhiyuan occasionally checked the time. When ten minutes passed, Cen Zhisen’s figure appeared at the exit of the elevator. The assistant who had followed them saw Ning Zhiyuan’s car and tactfully stopped. Cen Zhisen said a few words to him and walked over, alone.

Just him.

Ning Zhiyuan leaned back in his seat, watching him approach, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

Cen Zhisen opened the car door and got in. Ning Zhiyuan started the car.

“Why didn’t you reply to my message just now?” Ning Zhiyuan asked while reversing the car. Looking at the person beside him, he continued, “Don’t you think your assistant has been acting strange lately?”

“I haven’t figured out how to respond,” Cen Zhisen honestly said, “Aren’t you the best at understanding other people’s thoughts? Really don’t know?”

“What do I know?” Ning Zhiyuan wondered, “He’s your assistant now, Cen CEO.”

“He’s my assistant now. As for why he’s more attentive to you than before,” Cen Zhisen’s voice paused, and he chuckled before continuing, “Dealing with the boss himself and the boss’s significant other might indeed have some differences.”

Ning Zhiyuan instantly laughed, “Okay, next time I see him, I’ll talk to him. Tell him not to care so much.”

“He is self-aware now to avoid disturbing us,” Cen Zhisen said.

Ning Zhiyuan sneered.

The car left the underground parking lot of Cen An’s building. Cen Zhisen glanced at him, changed the topic, and asked, “Are you happy today?”

“Kinda ” he said, “but saying kind of, my voice sounds unusually cheerful. It feels quite satisfying to make Cen An bow down.”

“Is it making Cen An bow down that’s satisfying, or making me bow down that’s satisfying?” Cen Zhisen’s voice was slightly lower, still with a smile.

Ning Zhiyuan turned his head to look at him. Cen Zhisen pointed forward, reminding him to focus on driving.

The car returned to Cen Zhisen’s home. Ning Zhiyuan liked the glass wall in his house. During this period, whenever they had a date, it was mostly here.

When they got out of the car, Ning Zhiyuan went to the trunk and took out something. Cen Zhisen followed to see, and it was a bottle of wine – the Le Huamu Xini he won back at Mr. Qin’s estate.

“Are you really that happy? Planning to open this wine?” Cen Zhisen asked, apparently not expecting him to bring this specific wine.

Ning Zhiyuan had a big smile on his face. “Of course, winning against Cen An, isn’t it worth celebrating?”

“Alright, valid reasons, convincing,” Cen Zhisen played along.

Ning Zhiyuan did more than just winning; he pushed forward at every step. After Cen An’s patent was declared invalid and the court rejected his infringement lawsuit, Ning Zhiyuan immediately counter-sued Cen An. The reason was that Cen An maliciously asserted its rights, used public opinion to defame and engage in unfair competition, forcing Cen An to lower his head and sit down to negotiate concessions.

Of course, although there were some costs, Cen An’s incorporation of IC Technology into his pocket had its benefits. So, the final result of this matter, even if not as good as expected, was not too bad.

Apart from the ultimate decision to settle, Cen Zhisen actually didn’t inquire much about this matter beforehand. When his assistant informed him on the day Cen An was sued, he was in his office reviewing documents. Upon hearing the news, his pen paused on the paper for a while before he burst into laughter – a very hearty laughter that those around him had never heard before.

At that time, the assistant reminded him that Cen An was very passive in this matter, losing face.

After laughing, Cen Zhisen said, “It’s nothing. A setback is a lesson learned. Let everyone reflect on themselves, and it wouldn’t hurt to be a bit less arrogant. People with Ning Zhiyuan’s personality, you should have known he wouldn’t easily admit defeat. Reflect on it well.”

Ning Zhiyuan asked him, “Want to drink?”

Cen Zhisen said, “Certainly.”

Upon entering the house, Ning Zhiyuan took off his suit jacket, casually loosened his tie, and saw a tie clip of his on the cabinet in the foyer. It must have been left behind the last time he visited.

Not only this, but more and more things that belonged to him were being left behind in Cen Zhisen’s life. He even left some spare clothes here, and the basic household items were now duplicated. Although he might only come here once every one or two weeks, it was a pleasant experience to slowly invade Cen Zhisen’s life like this.

“What are you thinking?” Cen Zhisen asked him.

Ning Zhiyuan threw his tie onto the cabinet. “Just recalling when I was here last. Can’t quite remember.”

“Ten days ago,” Cen Zhisen immediately provided an answer.

“Are you sure?” Ning Zhiyuan was somewhat surprised. “Counting the days on your fingers every day?”

“Just a good memory,” Cen Zhisen said.

Ning Zhiyuan checked the calendar on his phone. Indeed, it had been a full ten days. Unfortunately, he had been too busy during this time. “Okay, your memory is really good.”

Cen Zhisen patted his back and took the wine from him. “Let’s go in, have dinner first, and I’ll wake up the wine.”

On the dining table was a freshly made dinner. The chef had already finished work, and no one else would disturb them.

Ning Zhiyuan glanced at the cityscape outside the glass wall, expressing regret. “Still missed it.”

He had been wanting to capture the cityscape from dusk to night for a long time, but it seemed he always came at the wrong time.

“Want to move in together?” Cen Zhisen casually asked as he sat at the dining table. “Living here, you can capture it anytime you want.”

Ning Zhiyuan remained non-committal. “I’ll consider it.”

“When will you decide?”

“Let’s talk about it later.”

Cen Zhisen dropped the matter, not wanting to dwell on the topic.

After dinner, Ning Zhiyuan looked at the night view by the glass wall, and Cen Zhisen poured the wine, handing him a glass.

Ning Zhiyuan took it, swirled the wine glass, brought it to his lips, and took a sip.

The wine had a rich aroma, a velvety smooth texture, as if the first sip already hinted at a slight intoxication.

Of course, it wasn’t because of the alcohol. The last time he drank with someone else, he just felt the wine was good. Tonight, as he savored it here, he sensed more meaning that made him intoxicated.

“The taste is indeed better than the bottle we had at the wine-tasting event last time,” Cen Zhisen commented after tasting it. “More aromatic.”

He tilted his head slightly, took another sip of wine, and Ning Zhiyuan stared at him – the constant movement of his Adam’s apple, his slender fingers holding the wine glass, and the lips moistened by the wine.

When Cen Zhisen put down the glass, Ning Zhiyuan suddenly leaned in, smelling the tempting fragrance of wine and his scent. “Quite fragrant.”

Cen Zhisen didn’t move, his gaze lowered, watching his actions.

“Zhiyuan.”

Ning Zhiyuan softly responded, “Hmm.”

Indeed, there were things that could intoxicate people – such as the scent of perfume, the fragrance of wine, and more.

It was just the top notes, not enough to satisfy him; he wanted to taste more.

Ning Zhiyuan smiled with closed eyes, then leaned back, continuing to drink the wine while admiring the night view outside the window.

Cen Zhisen pondered the intention behind Ning Zhiyuan’s recent actions and his lips curved slightly.

Ning Zhiyuan seemed more relaxed and content than before, even unusually satisfied.

Cen Zhisen watched him, reminiscent of the first time Ning Zhiyuan came back with him. They drank together here, and he still remembered Ning Zhiyuan’s frustration from that time until now.

That was the first time Ning Zhiyuan, in front of him, concealed the sharp thorns that enveloped him layer by layer, allowing Cen Zhisen to glimpse into his inner self.

That night, Ning Zhiyuan said, “He dumped me, and I don’t want to chase him anymore.” It turned out he was the target Ning Zhiyuan spoke of, the one he wanted to pursue.

In reality, Ning Zhiyuan didn’t need to pursue him at all. Regardless of how many challenges and pressures he faced, Ning Zhiyuan always handled them with ease, always finding solutions. This version of Ning Zhiyuan radiated a light that no one could obstruct.

“Zhiyuan.”

Ning Zhiyuan turned his head, and Cen Zhisen raised his glass, lightly tapping it against Ning Zhiyuan’s.

Ning Zhiyuan looked at his smiling eyes, not quite understanding his intention.

Cen Zhisen said, “Indeed, it’s worth celebrating.”

“Celebrating what?”

“Everything.”

Everything – those things that bring joy, their relationship, and more.

Cen Zhisen felt that even tonight’s ordinary cityscape beyond the wall was worth celebrating and praising.

Ning Zhiyuan smiled again and clinked glasses with him. “Alright, let’s celebrate everything.”