I’m Right Here®

Qin Yuanshen was chatting with some seniors when Fu Changtian happened to come over.

“Congratulations on that piece of land in the city center, my dear nephew,” Fu Changtian said, holding a glass of red wine. His tone was kind, but his eyes were cold.

“It was expected,” Qin Yuanshen replied bluntly. His tone was always indifferent, even colder than Fu Changtian’s gaze.

Caught off guard, Fu Changtian was momentarily intimidated by the younger man, his expression briefly stiff and surprised.

“Truly, the younger generation surpasses the old,” Fu Changtian’s face twitched, but as an experienced elder, he quickly shifted to a kindly demeanor.

The people around them laughed it off. They had heard about the issues between the Qin and Fu families, but since it didn’t concern their interests, they didn’t want to get involved.

“This is my son, Fu Zhao. Please take good care of him,” Fu Changtian said, stepping aside as Fu Zhao came forward, greeting everyone with a composed demeanor.

In recent years, Fu Changtian had made several foolish decisions, but this true young master he acknowledged had some real skills. He managed to create a company under difficult circumstances and was doing well in the industry. The older generation appreciated such hardworking and capable young people.

Fu Zhao gained the admiration of the seniors, and even Fu Changtian looked a bit proud.

Except for Qin Yuanshen.

“President Qin, a toast to you,” Fu Zhao said, raising his glass, curious about this brother of Qin Chaochen, the head of the Qin family.

“Mm,” Qin Yuanshen took a sip, neither deep nor shallow.

At that moment, he saw Fu Quezhi extricating himself from a group of seniors. Qin Yuanshen waved him over.

“Big brother,” Fu Quezhi turned his steps and smiled at Qin Yuanshen.

“Come, let me introduce you to some people,” Qin Yuanshen said, placing his hand on Fu Quezhi’s shoulder with a satisfied elder’s demeanor.

“This is President Wang, and this is President Li,” Qin Yuanshen casually introduced. “Over there is Young Master Tan from City B. His family is quite influential there. If your 3D technology gets their support, it could expand your business in City B.”

“Don’t always focus on City A,” Qin Yuanshen advised in a low voice.

Fu Zhao, holding his glass, watched as Qin Yuanshen led Fu Quezhi into a circle of people who could shake the entire business community of City A with a single stomp, including the host of the banquet, Old Master Wang.

His fingers tightened, veins bulging on the back of his hand, his gaze on Fu Quezhi as cold and venomous as a snake.

Why? Fu Quezhi was just a fake young master occupying the nest!

He was the real young master! It was Fu Quezhi who wronged him. The power, status, connections, and husband that Fu Quezhi had should have been his.

Fu Zhao downed his glass of red wine, his face flushed, his eyes cold as ice.

The Gu family was also a prominent family in City A, but compared to the Qin family, they were still lacking. Under Qin Yuanshen’s leadership, the Qin family had reached the pinnacle of several generations.

And as the beloved Qin Chaochen, what Qin Chaochen could achieve was extraordinary.

The Qin family initially disagreed with Qin Chaochen and Fu Quezhi being kicked out of the house. With Qin Chaochen around, the Qin family’s attitude would eventually soften.

All the good things were taken by Fu Quezhi.

…

“You’ve got some guts, hahaha,” He Ze said, slinging an arm around Qin Chaochen’s shoulder. “Wang Yan was speechless with anger.”

“Move aside,” Qin Chaochen said indifferently. “He brought it on himself.”

“By the way, I signed you up for something,” He Ze said with a grin.

“What did you sign me up for?” Qin Chaochen felt a bad premonition.

“The Top Ten Entrepreneurs of City A. I signed up that street,” He Ze said smugly. “You’ve made achievements anyway, let them see.”

He Ze had shares on that street, after all, they were good brothers who grew up together.

Qin Chaochen: “…You’re really something.”

He Ze was quite pleased with himself. He also wanted to show off his good friend. Once, Qin Chaochen was kicked out—

“Young Master He, Old Master He is looking for you,” a waiter smiled.

“Alright, I’ll head over,” He Ze said, walking away with a dignified air.

Qin Chaochen looked outside the venue and saw a garden. He went for a walk in the garden. At this time, most people were networking at the banquet, only idle people or those with intentions would come to the garden.

“Hey, where are you touching?” A woman’s playful laughter, somewhat familiar.

“Can that old man satisfy you? I’ve missed you.”

Old man?

There were many old men at the banquet, most of them big shots in the business world.

Qin Chaochen stood behind a pillar, unsure whether to retreat or advance. He had been leaning against the pillar to relax. This was the inner part of the garden, more secluded, with no streetlights, very dark.

He awkwardly shifted his feet, accidentally stepping on a branch.

The crisp sound was very sensitive to the four people nearby.

“Who’s there?!” The man’s actions paused, footsteps approaching.

Qin Chaochen thought the target was too obvious. He wondered if he could run away without being seen.

A hand suddenly grabbed Qin Chaochen.

The man was furious. His affair with this woman must not be known by others. Whoever it was, they must be his enemy.

The man parted the bushes but saw no one. Hesitant, he circled around, staying in place for a while.

Qin Chaochen looked at the man’s head, feeling he couldn’t hold on much longer.

“…”

He was lying on the wall, slowly sliding down. As he slid, he quickly pressed his limbs against the wall.

Fu Quezhi was also lying on the wall but was doing better than Qin Chaochen.

From his high vantage point, Fu Quezhi saw the faces of the man and woman, a flicker of shock crossing his usually calm face.

Qin Chaochen thought Fu Quezhi had grabbed him because he had a good plan, but it turned out they were both lying on the wall.

Fortunately, the man didn’t look up.

But honestly, who would think someone would be lying on the wall, right above their head?

Qin Chaochen held his breath, one leg almost landing on the man’s head, quickly bending it, brushing past the man’s hair.

“No one’s here, seems like I’m just being paranoid,” the man laughed, holding the woman.

“Get off, I need to get back to the banquet,” Ning Yuan pushed the man away, feeling a bit scared too, adjusting her clothes as she left the garden.

The man also left the garden.

Qin Chaochen exhaled, immediately letting go and landing on the ground.

“Fu Quezhi, you can come down now.”

Fu Quezhi let go and landed too. He had just come to the garden for some fresh air, not expecting to run into such a scene with Qin Chaochen.

“Good thing you were here,” Qin Chaochen said happily, otherwise it would have been so awkward.

“You always seem to encounter these things,” Fu Quezhi said with a slight smile.

“…Always?” Qin Chaochen thought back to his eighteen-year-old self, with no memory, so it must have been his twenty-three-year-old self.

“Let’s go back to the banquet,” Fu Quezhi said, not wanting to say more, believing that the more he said, the more mistakes he might make.

The two returned to the banquet, the opulent event starkly contrasting with the dark garden. Qin Chaochen looked up and saw a man with a scar at the corner of his eye.

He quickly grabbed Fu Quezhi, whispering, “That man.”

“Don’t make it too obvious,” Fu Quezhi followed Qin Chaochen’s gaze to the man, having already recognized him from the garden.

“Big brother wants us to wish Old Master Wang a happy birthday,” Fu Quezhi nodded to Qin Yuanshen, speaking softly.

The two approached Old Master Wang, who was accompanied by a dignified woman in a red cheongsam, looking about twenty years younger than him.

Qin Chaochen immediately recognized the woman beside Old Master Wang as the one from the garden.

He clung tightly to Fu Quezhi’s arm, suppressing his inner shock, maintaining his composure, only casting a sympathetic glance at Old Master Wang’s head.

“Loosen up a bit, Mr. Qin,” Fu Quezhi said with a hint of amusement. His suit outlined his tall figure, his cool demeanor captivating, his well-defined hands casting shadows at the banquet. Qin Chaochen looked up to see Fu Quezhi’s silhouette, flickering in the light, unclear.

His voice was low and cool, making one’s heart skip a beat.

Such a title, “Mr.”…

Qin Chaochen loosened his grip slightly, his heart racing, the corners of his eyes flushed, feeling a bit confused, his knees weak.

This rival, so skilled.

Having sweated a bit from climbing the wall, his slightly damp hair clung to his ears, Qin Chaochen felt hot.

“Chaochen, Quezhi, you’re here,” Old Master Wang said cheerfully.

“Old Master, wishing you happiness as vast as the East Sea and longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountain,” Fu Quezhi offered his blessings.

“Hahaha, good, good,” Old Master Wang laughed kindly.

Qin Chaochen followed Fu Quezhi, trying to slip away to Qin Yuanshen’s side.

“Wait, Chaochen hasn’t given me his blessings yet,” Old Master Wang teased. He already knew his grandson had been kicked into the swimming pool by Qin Chaochen. He didn’t mind the younger generation’s antics, finding Qin Chaochen amusing.

“I’m with Fu Quezhi,” Qin Chaochen said seriously.

Old Master Wang: “…”

“Hahaha, still, give the old man a blessing.”

“Wishing the old master happiness as vast as the East Sea and longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountain.”

“Quezhi already said that, say something new.”

The people around chuckled kindly.

“I can’t think of anything, can I recite a poem instead?” Qin Chaochen suddenly couldn’t come up with anything.

Fu Quezhi suddenly had a bad feeling.

“Sure, no one has recited a poem for the old master yet.”

“Young Master Qin is quite interesting.”

Wang Yan took a sip of red wine.

Qin Chaochen intended to recite “Viewing the Sea,” which includes the line “An old steed in the stable still aspires to gallop a thousand miles.” He hadn’t learned any proper birthday blessings, or perhaps he had forgotten them.

He took a deep breath, most eyes on him, but he wasn’t nervous, having seen the world. However, when he glanced at the woman beside Old Master Wang.

He confidently recited, “Pity the shoe prints on the moss, knocking on the door for a long time without response. The spring scenery can’t be contained, a branch of red apricot blossoms over the wall.”

Wang Yan spat out his wine in disbelief.

Yu Cheng’s expression froze as he watched the scene.

He Ze’s mouth hung open, a pastry falling to the ground.

Fu Quezhi wanted to bang his head against the wall.

“…”

The room fell silent, all eyes on Qin Chaochen. After a while, the silence persisted, as if everyone was still in shock.

Qin Chaochen came to his senses, equally shocked.

He didn’t expect himself to be so bold.

He was so embarrassed he didn’t dare move or speak.

“Ahem, Chaochen’s poem really matches the garden scenery, hahaha,” Qin Yuanshen awkwardly laughed a few times. For him, it was quite an effort, doing his best for Qin Chaochen.

But in the crowd, two people with guilty consciences immediately changed their expressions, their cold gaze falling on Qin Yuanshen.

Qin Chaochen watched the whole process, wearing a pained expression. Big brother, my good brother, please stop talking.

“Old Master, since that’s the case, let’s start the meal,” Fu Quezhi said with a smile.

“???”

People were speechless. At a time like this, still thinking about eating. What did your family come here for?!

“Yes, yes, let’s start the meal, Grandpa,” Wang Yan quickly chimed in.

“Yes, let’s eat first, eating is important, hahaha,” Qin Chaochen also quickly added.

“Let’s eat first, Old Master, don’t waste this feast,” He Ze joined in.

It seemed something significant had slipped in.

“Then let’s eat first,” Old Master Wang forced a smile.

Qin Chaochen sat far away from Old Master Wang.

After Old Master Wang took his seat, everyone else sat down and began eating. Old Master Wang looked at the plate of greens in front of him, his expression changing, losing his appetite.

Then he looked at the culprit, happily eating greens.

“After eating so much meat, it’s good to have some greens for nutrition,” Qin Chaochen muttered.

“Fu Quezhi, do you think he’ll find out?” Qin Chaochen whispered.

“He might have some suspicions,” Fu Quezhi said, eating a shrimp, completely unaffected.

Fu Quezhi wanted to say more but refrained, as there were people around.

Qin Chaochen understood.

Qin Chaochen ate a few more crabs, coincidentally meeting Old Master Wang’s fiery gaze.

Such a stubborn old man.

Did he want some too?

It wasn’t impossible, he was always generous.

Qin Chaochen whispered to a waiter, mumbling.

Old Master Wang was curious.

After a while, the waiter nodded, placing some crabs on a plate and bringing it to Old Master Wang.

“Old Master, these crabs are from Young Master Qin.”

Old Master Wang looked up at Qin Chaochen.

Qin Chaochen made a gesture indicating they were delicious, then buried himself in eating.

Old Master Wang: “…”

Was this family really here just to eat?!

After the meal, Qin Chaochen quickly took Fu Quezhi and slipped away, not giving others a chance to be curious.

“If you want the old master to know, you can tell Wang Yan,” Fu Quezhi said, his eyes downcast. “That way, Wang Yan will owe you a favor.”

Having such leverage over the Wang family, how could it not be used for a favor? Actually, telling the Wang family’s rivals would yield more benefits, but knowing Qin Chaochen’s nature, he probably wouldn’t do that.

“Too smart!” Qin Chaochen happily messaged Wang Yan.

Wang Yan was probably still at the banquet, so he hadn’t seen the message. Qin Chaochen put his phone in his pocket.

Fu Quezhi saw him happy and smiled slightly.

“By the way, I had your ring made at a shop over there. It should be ready soon.”

“A wedding ring?” Qin Chaochen’s gaze fell on Fu Quezhi’s ring. Since meeting Fu Quezhi, he seemed to always wear a ring.

He looked down at his own fingers. Initially, there was a ring mark when he woke up, but now it had disappeared.

Sometimes he couldn’t tell if Fu Quezhi was the nineteen-year-old Fu Quezhi or the twenty-four-year-old Fu Quezhi.

He suddenly wanted to see what Fu Quezhi’s WeChat note for him was.

He sent Fu Quezhi a cute cat sticker.

The phone vibrated.

Fu Quezhi took out his phone.

Seeing the message from Qin Chaochen: “…”

Qin Chaochen leaned over to see the note.

[My Love]

Qin Chaochen: “…”

Qin Chaochen felt shy, thinking it was a bit cheesy.

His hands and feet tingled, his heart skipping a beat.

The phone vibrated again.

[I love you so much.jpg]

Fu Quezhi briefly smiled, his features deep, his eyes calm, speaking slowly, “I’m right here, no need to message.”

Qin Chaochen blinked, hearing his own heartbeat clearly, the wind messing up his hair, his heart in turmoil.

He added, “You can do whatever you want.”

Fu Quezhi looked steadily at Qin Chaochen, suddenly stepping forward, covering his lips.

He held Qin Chaochen’s head, his fingertips white, his cool eyes full of emotion.

Some feelings, once they start, never stop.

Blurry images flashed before his eyes.

The wind rustled the leaves, falling like Qin Chaochen’s heart.

Thump, thump, thump, his blood racing.