A stock exchange official sitting by the door immediately recognized Jiang Quyan and exclaimed, “Hey, welcome, our very own ‘White Magnolia of Hong Kong!’”  

The room erupted in cheers and applause. Under the men’s perverted gazes, Jiang Quyan looked momentarily flustered.  

It wasn’t his first time in such a setting, nor was it the first time Lin Zhifang had sent him to accompany her husband. But no matter how many times he came, he still couldn’t get used to it. He didn’t understand why men found such entertainment enjoyable.  

Guan Zhengying lazily lifted his chin at him. “Come here.”  

Jiang Quyan walked over, and Guan Zhengying pulled him into his lap, effectively blocking the girl who had been about to climb onto him.  

The vice chairman of the stock exchange looked on with envy. “You’re a lucky man—such a generous wife, and such a stunning companion.”  

“Stunning?” Guan Zhengying glanced at Jiang Quyan in his arms, his drunken gaze indifferent. “Look at him long enough, and he’s just the same as anyone else.”  

The vice chairman teased, “You don’t know how lucky you are. Even a fairy from heaven would be ‘just the same’ to you.”  

By now, Jiang Quyan had slipped into his role. With a feigned pout, he started to get up. “Fine, if I’m just ‘the same,’ then go find someone else. I’m leaving.”  

Guan Zhengying, smiling, pulled him back down. “See? Spoiled rotten. I told you not to bring him out in public—he always makes me look bad.” He patted Jiang Quyan’s waist. “Go pour a drink for the chairman.”  

Jiang Quyan picked up a bottle of Rémy Martin from the table, poured a glass, and even lit a cigarette for the vice chairman, flashing a sweet smile as he clinked glasses with him. “I dabble in stocks myself. Chairman, could you give me a tip on which stock will rise tomorrow? I could use some extra pocket money.”  

The vice chairman chuckled. “You mean to tell me that with Guan taking care of you, you still need to make your own money? That’s stingy, Zhengying.”  

Guan Zhengying simply smiled without responding.  

Jiang Quyan sighed dramatically. “His money is controlled by his wife. Do you think I’d dare ask him for any?”  

The vice chairman tapped his own cheek. “How about this? Give me a kiss, and I’ll tell you a stock pick. If you lose money, I’ll cover it. If you win, you keep it all. Don’t worry—I could never let a beauty suffer a loss.”  

Then, he glanced at Guan Zhengying. “You don’t mind, do you? It’s just a little kiss.”  

The whole room fell silent, everyone watching the scene unfold.  

In these circles, such games were commonplace. To these men, lovers were not just people—they were entertainment, toys to be played with. Exchanges, gifting partners to each other, or even sharing a lover were all considered signs of prestige. The more desirable one’s companion, the more respect a man commanded.  

However, few had ever dared to openly flirt with someone belonging to Guan Zhengying. His influence still loomed large in the business world. Moreover, everyone knew that Jiang Quyan wasn’t just some casual fling—Lin Zhifang had personally brought him into the fold. He held a legitimate position in Fuzheng, and even the young Miss Guan addressed him as “Ge.” He wasn’t the type of person to be casually passed around.  

But that night, the one making the request was the vice chairman of the stock exchange, a man with real power over the approval of their public listing.  

Fuzheng’s listing hearing was scheduled for the next day. The entire company had spent over half a year preparing for it. Guan Zhengying had spent enormous sums and endless effort to secure favor with the right people. If things fell apart now, all those costs would go to waste. Worse still, if they offended the vice chairman, future capital operations would become even more difficult.

On one side was his precious little lover, and on the other were the company’s interests and future. Guan Zhengying had to weigh his options carefully.  

Jiang Quyan wasn’t a fool. He knew that if this kiss actually landed, he would likely have to “accompany” the vice chairman of the stock exchange that night. And if he showed even the slightest reluctance or displeasure, ruining the chairman’s mood, by tomorrow, he would become the sinner of the entire Fuzheng. At this moment, sacrificing him in exchange for the company’s smooth sailing was the most cost-effective deal.  

If it weren’t for the dim lighting in the nightclub’s private room, someone might have noticed how pale his face had become.  

He had mentally prepared himself before coming—the night’s battle wouldn’t be easy. But he hadn’t expected this kind of battle.  

Sensing the atmosphere stiffen, Jiang Quyan forced a smile and was about to lean in when the hand on his waist tightened. Guan Zhengying pulled him firmly into his arms.  

“You call me stingy?” Guan Zhengying chuckled. “The capital is ours. If we make a profit, of course, it should be ours. But if we lose, do you think we’d actually have the guts to ask you for compensation? You throw around a few numbers and easily earn a kiss—doesn’t that mean we’re getting the short end of the stick? He’s the top star of Fuzheng, after all. Go ask around about his appearance fee—pay that first before we talk. He’s got a big temper, you know. Even I have to check his mood before I get a kiss, let alone you.”  

Jiang Quyan felt a wave of relief wash over him. He was really going to commit to playing the role of this spoiled top star tonight. “I’m not that expensive,” he said with a grin. “How about this, Chairman? You tell me a number first, and for every time I earn my appearance fee, I’ll give you one kiss. That way, you’re not at a loss either, right?”

The room erupted into laughter.

The vice chairman knew he had been tactfully rejected, but he couldn’t say much. As a government official, he shouldn’t have been here in the first place—engaging in improper dining, entertainment, and gift-taking. Guan Zhengying held plenty of leverage over him. If he got upset and sent a report to the ICAC, even the biggest chairman would end up in prison teaching inmates how to trade stocks. Besides, this was Guan Zhengying’s territory, not a place where anyone could flaunt their authority.  

At the end of the day, it wasn’t worth ruining his relationship with Guan Zhengying over a mere plaything.  

“Xiao Quyan, why don’t you just say outright that you don’t like me? I’d understand, really. I’m not as handsome as your Boss Guan, and I’m not as rich either,” the vice chairman said bitterly. “But let me give you some advice—sometimes, you can’t be too temperamental. We men, in the end, still prefer someone gentle and obedient. Think about why the first wife is always the first wife? She’s virtuous and understanding, isn’t she?”  

Jiang Quyan swallowed his disgust and raised his glass with a smile. “I’ve learned my lesson. Chairman, let me toast you.”  

He offered an easy way out, and the vice chairman took it. “You shouldn’t be toasting me—you should be toasting Boss Guan instead. He really likes you. It’s not easy to find a man who knows how to cherish someone these days.”  

Jiang Quyan’s hand trembled slightly as he held his glass. From the corner of his eye, he caught the fading smile on Guan Zhengying’s face.  

Then, someone in the crowd started chanting: “Kiss! Kiss!” The whole room joined in, clapping and cheering excitedly.  

The atmosphere was heated and suffocating. Later, when Jiang Quyan recalled this moment, he forgot what he had been thinking. He only knew that if he didn’t kiss him this time, the game would truly be up.  

Just then, Guan Zhengying’s arm around him had loosened slightly, as if giving him a chance to back away. His mind blanked. He tilted his head back, downed his drink in one gulp, and grabbed Guan Zhengying’s collar, pulling him into a deep kiss.  

Cheers and applause exploded around them.  

Guan Zhengying’s lips were slightly cool and damp, tinged with the taste of cigarettes and alcohol—not particularly pleasant. But Jiang Quyan wasn’t much better himself. The strong, spicy liquor burned his mouth, spilling past his lips and flowing into Guan Zhengying’s. Guan Zhengying opened his mouth and took it in. Some of the liquid slipped past, trickling down his chin and onto his chest.  

Their breaths mingled, noses brushing against each other. Jiang Quyan’s lips trembled, burning hot. Guan Zhengying remained still—neither responding nor pushing him away. Jiang Quyan could feel his throat move as he swallowed the alcohol.  

When the last drop of liquor was gone, Guan Zhengying suddenly scooped him up and carried him in his arms.  

The private room erupted with playful whistles, laughter, and cheers. Jiang Quyan struggled theatrically, as if truly drunk. “Put me down! Ah! Guan Zhengying, don’t be crazy! People are watching—”  

Boss Guan smiled at the officials. “Apologies, gentlemen. Enjoy yourselves—I’ll be taking my leave.”  

No one dared to interrupt him. As he walked out, the vice chairman called after them, “Xiao Quyan, be good now!”  

…..

“Actually, once we got upstairs, we went our separate ways. He slept in the bed, I slept on the couch. As usual. The next morning, the Madam called me over, as she always does, to ask about what happened. She knew every single detail about our kiss.” Jiang Quyan stopped there.  

Guan Zhanhong was stunned, unable to process the sheer amount of information he had just received.  

Jiang Quyan understood his reaction. “A lot of things—what you see, what you imagine, and the truth—are completely different. It’s like… the relationship between your mom and your dad. It’s far more complicated than you can imagine. The same goes for your whole family. They were never ordinary people, so naturally, they couldn’t have an ordinary family dynamic.”  

“I wasn’t the only one your mother ‘planted’ beside your father. Wiretapping, surveillance—those were common tactics. There are some other things I won’t even mention, in case you think I’m slandering her. She has her reasons. Your dad isn’t a saint—his affairs are real, and he’s not a responsible husband. Even he admits that.”  

Guan Zhanhong’s face turned pale. “So… Ah Xue has known all along…?”  

Jiang Quyan nodded. “The people who knew included your dad’s chief secretary, my assistant, and my close friend. You’re the fifth person to find out.”  

Guan Zhanhong let out a hollow laugh. “So… all of you knew. I was the only one left in the dark, like an idiot.”

Jiang Quyan sighed. “Your mother and father did this for your own good. They didn’t want you to be exposed to too much darkness too soon. No matter what love, hatred, or grudges exist between them, that’s their business—something of the previous generation. There’s no need to burden the next one. They tried their best to show you the best side of being parents. Their intentions were good.”

The most absurd part for Guan Zhanhong was that it took an outsider like Jiang Quyan to tell him this.

“So?” Guan Zhanhong remained wary. “Why are you telling me all this today?”

Jiang Quyan countered, “What do you think?”

Guan Zhanhong knew that Guan Zhengying was disappointed in him. For the past two weeks, he hadn’t even been able to see his father’s face. This had never happened before. He felt that his father had given up on him and no longer wanted to acknowledge him as his son.

“Since my mom is dead, does he think he can just get rid of me too…?” The young master began to sink into self-pity.

Jiang Quyan chuckled. “You’re even dumber than your mom.”

Guan Zhanhong glared at him. “Don’t think I won’t hit you!”

“Go ahead,” Jiang Quyan raised his voice. “If hitting me can get your job back, if it can fix your career, then by all means, do it! I called you stupid, and you’re proving it right now. Look at your situation. Your mother’s gone, and you’ve lost your position. If you don’t start putting in effort, do you really want to end up sleeping on the streets? Right now, you can only rely on yourself!”

It was like being struck by lightning. For the first time, Guan Zhanhong truly grasped what his mother’s death meant.

Jiang Quyan thought Lin Zhifang had really spoiled this son too much. “You’re going to be 25 next year. Look at yourself—what have you even done in the past few years? Wasted your youth. Your father sent you to the subsidiary to prove yourself, not to steal credit and put on airs. If you want people to follow your lead, you need to be capable. Why should they listen to you otherwise?”

Other than his father, no one had ever scolded Guan Zhanhong like this. He felt Jiang Quyan had no right to lecture him. “You—”

“What? What about me?” Jiang Quyan could already guess what he was thinking. “Your mother couldn’t bear to scold you, but I’m not her. You’re not my son. This has nothing to do with me.”

Guan Zhanhong could only glare at him, unable to say a word.

“They call you ‘Crown Prince,’ and you really think that’s a sign of respect?” Jiang Quyan sneered. “They’re mocking you. If you want to be known as the useless ‘Crown Prince’ for the rest of your life, then go ahead and keep being like this. No one’s going to stop you now.”

Guan Zhanhong couldn’t listen anymore. “Then tell me what I should do! Things have already come to this.”

“Don’t ask me.” Jiang Quyan threw his own words back at him. “Didn’t you say before that I was a bad influence? If I ‘corrupted’ the young lady, how could I dare teach the ‘Crown Prince’? If I misguide you, your mother might just send lightning down to strike me.”

Guan Zhanhong hadn’t expected him to hold such a grudge. “I already apologized for that!”

“That was an apology?”

“Then what do you want? I’m not going to kneel and beg you.”

“I never asked you to kneel. I just wanted a simple, sincere ‘I’m sorry.’”

Guan Zhanhong’s face turned green with frustration. He just couldn’t say those two words.

Jiang Quyan’s stomach hurt from holding back laughter, but he still made a regretful expression. “Forget it. Someone like me doesn’t deserve an apology from the great young master. I was misunderstood for fifteen years, called a traitor, a backstabber—that’s all my fault, right? Because the young master can never be wrong. I might as well leave now before I dirty your sight.”

Seeing him actually turn to leave, Guan Zhanhong called out, “Hey!”

Jiang Quyan ignored him and kept walking.

“Jiang Quyan!” Guan Zhanhong called again, his voice shifting. “Vice President!”

Jiang Quyan paused, turning back to glance at him.

Guan Zhanhong took two steps forward, his expression changed. “If I show you my sincerity, will you help me?”

Jiang Quyan smiled. “That depends—will your sincerity be enough?”