Zhou Qing skipped work for another two days until Zheng Gongdong called, telling him to come.

He thought about it and decided to go.

When he arrived at Zheng Gongdong’s office, he was met with a dark, unreadable expression as Zheng Gongdong called him in.

Then the Young Master admitted his mistake.

He spoke clearly to Zhou Qing, assuring him it wouldn’t happen again.

After so many years together, they had been through all kinds of storms, so much so that even their breathing was in sync. Ending things just like that couldn’t happen unless there was no softness left in the heart. In other words, if Zhou Qing weren’t so firm and determined, their separation wouldn’t have been so final.

But Zhou Qing was Zhou Qing, not anyone else.

For him, when it’s over, it’s really over.

He wasn’t blind to Zheng Gongdong’s admirable traits, but when their relationship was good, he had already given everything he could.

Even that version of him couldn’t earn Zheng Gongdong’s wholehearted devotion. As time passed and he grew older, while younger people kept coming, how could Zheng Gongdong not lose interest? By the time they had worn down the love they once had, it would be too ugly to witness.

Zhou Qing wasn’t foolish, and he didn’t want to be too harsh on himself. He had no need to put himself in the most humiliating position.

It wasn’t that he didn’t believe Zheng Gongdong’s sincerity in trying to win him back. He knew better than anyone whether Zheng Gongdong had feelings for him. After all these years, even a stone would be moved by his kindness.

Ending it now would make it easier to keep face when they meet again in the future.

If they truly stayed together, it might end up turning them into enemies.

Zhou Qing didn’t think he had the ability to let Zheng Gongdong mess around as he pleased.

What he couldn’t do, he wouldn’t attempt.

Without saying a word, Zhou Qing left Zheng Gongdong’s office.

As he walked away, there was a hint of sadness.

When you’ve loved someone so deeply, even the hate feels like a pain that spreads through your whole body. But now, it was as if they were strangers to each other. How could there be no sense of loss?

But no matter how much it hurt, he had to leave. They couldn’t be together forever. At least he had to leave something to hold on to for the future, not keep failing with the same person. That would make life too tragic.

With his own sadness, Zhou Qing walked away decisively. Zheng Gongdong, seeing that even lowering his head couldn’t win him back, smashed everything in his office and roared like thunder.

In the end, this man, who was as strong as iron, cried.

He just couldn’t understand it. Why, after making such a small mistake, did the person who once claimed they’d give their life for him leave so cruelly?

—–

A month later, when Zhou Qing heard that Zheng Gongdong had a new lover, his heart was as calm as still water.

No one is irreplaceable. Perhaps, they might even live better lives.

It was said that Zheng Gongdong’s new partner was young, talented, and came from a good family, with a nice personality. It was even rumored that he had managed to silence the old master of the Zheng family.

A man like Zheng Gongdong was always sought after. When one love faded, another would soon take its place.

Of course, Zhou Qing didn’t feel as tragic when he heard his old love had a new partner.

Though he was almost forty, the sharpness in his features was something not everyone could possess. As a free-spirited and lively person, the years had given him their fair share of hard times, but also some pleasant things as a kind of compensation. When a man ages, it’s not about competing with youth, but rather about the stories in his eyes, or his charisma.

He didn’t  really look that old. He took good care of himself, especially with a dog named Zhang constantly by his side, more concerned about his well-being than he was. Now, Zhou Qing didn’t worry much about growing old or getting wrinkles.

As for Zhang Shirui, Zhou Qing didn’t invest too much of his heart. He believed that, as an older man who had eaten a few more years of rice than this younger guy, the best way to show affection to the younger generation was to love them well when he wanted to, and when it was time to part ways, to do so without leaving any trouble behind.

Although Zhou Qing didn’t have the best personality, when he treated someone well, he truly went all out.

Not only did he fully satisfy Zhang Shirui in bed, he also took care of everything else for him.

He’d drive Zhang Shirui to and from work, cook for him when he had time, and if he was in a good mood, even when Zhang Shirui playfully asked him to drive across half the city to buy a small snack, he’d do it without hesitation.

One day, Zhang Shirui asked Zhou Qing to pick him up after work and even had the audacity to request that he be carried all the way from the office to the underground parking lot. Zhou Qing laughed and cursed, “Go to hell,” but still picked up this lazy and heavy dog, who was actually heavier than him, and carried him down.

He didn’t care about the surprised looks or stares from passersby.

That’s just how Zhou Qing was. When he truly cared for someone, it didn’t matter how much effort it took. He would give his all, heart and soul.

Now, Zhang Shirui was flourishing in both his career and love life.

Every day, he couldn’t stop smiling.

While reporting to his father, he often flattered him, asking if he would be willing to set aside some time one day to meet his beloved son’s partner.

Zhang’s father laughed at his son’s childishness. In truth, lately, his son had become considerably more impressive, and this sudden growth left him a bit stunned.

He hadn’t expected his son to mature in such a way.

Regardless of everything, he didn’t feel as opposed to Zhou Qing as he once did.

He had seen Zhou Qing before, and he had never come across such a fearless man. Though there was a certain devilish streak in him, the kind of bravery he possessed was rare.

He was truly a man among men.

Even though his son loved a man and that man was now his partner, Zhang’s father had come to terms with it. It didn’t matter. He already had two grandsons, and in a way, his son had found his path with his partner’s support. As long as they could live well together, he was willing to let them be happy.

If things didn’t work out, there was nothing to worry about. While Zhou Qing could be ruthless, he wasn’t the type to go to extremes with an old lover. His past feelings for that Zheng family kid were proof of that.

When Zhang Shirui saw that his parents didn’t oppose the relationship, he was happy and laughed, but he didn’t suddenly insist that Zhou Qing meet them.

He understood clearly that he and Zhou Qing weren’t quite at that stage yet.

They needed a bit more time.

—-

Zhang Shirui brought his two sons to meet Zhou Qing.

Both boys were actually smarter than him. Their relationship with him wasn’t so much father and sons, but more like buddies.

So, before they set off to meet Zhou Qing, Zhang Shirui had a discussion with his eldest son, whom he referred to as ‘big brother,’ Zhang Shinian. “When you meet Lord Zhou, you have to really like him. Do your best to win him over. Afterward, I’ll send you some money. You can buy whatever you want.”

The big brother, Zhang Shinian, scoffed. “What’s money? That thing is nothing. I have plenty of it. What I want is a gun.”

Zhang Shinian, who aspired to become the most dominant arms dealer of the new generation, didn’t care about money at all.

Zhang Shirui didn’t argue, though. To please Zhou Qing, he was willing to go all out. He immediately agreed, saying, “Fine, I’ll get it for you.”

He didn’t mind that his son was at an age when he should be more obedient.

Next, he spoke with his younger son, Zhang Shihua, who he affectionately called his “little brother”. “So, what do you want?”

Zhang Shihua, feeling some sympathy for his father, who was always joyfully flying around like a carefree fly, sighed and said, “I don’t want anything, Dad. If you really like him, I’ll help you get him.”

Zhang Shirui didn’t notice the sympathy from his little strategist, but he did hear the sincerity in his son’s words. Happily, he lifted his son up, placed him on his shoulder, and called out to his eldest son with enthusiasm, “Let’s go, let’s meet Zhou Qing!”

At that moment, both the eldest and youngest sons simultaneously rolled their eyes to the sky!