Chapter 9

Li Xu stood up from the sofa, a trace of apology on his face. “Sorry, you two. I just remembered there are some matters at the office I need to handle. I’ll step aside to make a call…”

Gu Yu stepped in to stop him. “Mr. Li, last time you used the same excuse. Not even a different line. Your cooperation with me always comes down to short-term gains not meeting your expectations. Give me a little more time, and I guarantee the results will satisfy you.”

Li Xu didn’t show any embarrassment at being called out. His expression remained calm and genial, but his mind was calculating.

Gu Yu’s advertising company was mid-to-lower tier in X City. It had some influence, but its reach was limited—not enough to achieve what Li Xu wanted.

Xingchen was already at the upper tier. His current goal was to cooperate with large conglomerates like Yunmeng; small companies were no longer part of his consideration.

“I’ll consider it.”

Li Xu’s answer was ambiguous—everyone knew it was a polite refusal. His expression stayed warm as he bypassed Gu Yu and walked toward Zhou Xingyu, who had just finished his call.

Xu Zhou listened quietly, lowering his gaze while leaning against the sofa. Clearly, Li Xu was the type who would not change his mind once he made it up. If necessary, he would have to settle for another transport company, far below Xingchen’s level.

Gu Yu’s expression remained neutral. He smiled at Xu Zhou and moved on to find the next potential partner.

Chu Hanyu, who had been observing Gu Yu from afar, clenched his fists. Without the Gu family’s backing, there was no way Gu Yu could negotiate with others using only a mediocre advertising company. Yet Gu Yu refused his help—how could he make him compromise?

His eyes flickered as an idea seemed to form. He picked up a poured wine glass, pulled something from his clothes, shook it slightly, and gestured to a nearby waiter. Placing the glass on a tray, he indicated Gu Yu’s back with a clear hint.

“Mr. Xu? Why are you sitting here alone?” Mu Qingyun approached with a glass of wine, noticing Xu Zhou on the nearby sofa.

Hearing the familiar voice, Xu Zhou lifted his eyes. Had it not been for the company’s recent financial crisis, Mu Qingyun would have been his business partner.

“Mr. Mu, long time no see.”

Mu Qingyun took a glass of wine from a passing waiter. With the waiter hesitating, he came up to Xu Zhou and handed it to him.

Xu Zhou politely accepted it and clinked glasses with him, taking a small sip.

“It seems the crisis in your company has been resolved. If you don’t mind, we can discuss cooperation again.”

Self-interest is human nature. Xu Zhou had no reason or standing to blame him for abandoning Qingchuang previously.

“Of course.”

They chatted casually for a few minutes. Seeing other potential partners, Mu Qingyun excused himself and went to greet them.

A sudden silence came from the doorway. Xu Zhou turned his head and froze.

Shen Yan had arrived.

Dressed in a black suit, his gaze was icy, and he slowly made his way through the crowd. Zhou Xingyu, seeing him, almost couldn’t believe his eyes. He thought Shen Yan wouldn’t come.

Waving to the person still talking in his ear, Zhou Xingyu strode toward Shen Yan.

Whispers spread among the guests.

“Shen Yan rarely shows up at these events.”

“Yunmeng and Lingqi have been partners for years. I heard Zhou Xingyu and Shen Yan are friends… It’s not strange he came to show support.”

Ah, so he was friends with Zhou Xingyu. Xu Zhou lowered his gaze and set down his cup.

Shen Yan scanned the hall. Several sharply dressed men had already gathered around him—people he’d interacted with in business.

Then his gaze landed on Xu Zhou leaning against the sofa. His usually cold features seemed softened.

Zhou Xingyu noticed Shen Yan’s eyes on Xu Zhou. Following the angle, he saw a young man slouched on the sofa, slim and tall, pale skin, refined features, dressed neatly yet formally.

Seeing Shen Yan’s gaze lingering, could this be Shen Yan’s boyfriend? He was stunning, appearing about twenty, with an extraordinary presence.

Zhou Xingyu rubbed his chin, debating whether to approach.

But Xu Zhou suddenly felt a flutter in his chest, a cold sweat forming on his forehead. His face, usually expressionless, furrowed in distress. Perhaps it was the combination of just recovering from illness and having a bit of alcohol. The figure in front of him blurred.

He stood abruptly, rushing out.

Shen Yan noticed immediately. His calm composure tensed, and he strode out of the crowd toward Xu Zhou.

Zhou Xingyu frowned. If he couldn’t tell something was wrong, years in this circle would have been wasted. Shen Yan’s man was in trouble—he had to take responsibility.

Raising a hand, his assistant stepped forward.

“Check the surveillance. See who handed a drink to the man just now.”

“Yes, Mr. Zhou.”

——

Xu Zhou pressed against the cold wall, sweat trickling down his temples and chest, cheeks flushed.

A few passersby glanced curiously, assuming he was drunk, but didn’t interfere.

Shen Yan enveloped him in his arms, face stern, eyes icy, suppressing anger. He felt Xu Zhou’s feverish heat.

Xu Zhou clutched Shen Yan’s back, breathing ragged. “Shen… Yan…”

“I’m here.” Shen Yan lifted him in a swift motion, heading toward the exit.

“I… don’t feel well… want to go to the hospital…”

Shen Yan patted his hand gently, heart aching at his discomfort. “Hold on a little longer. It won’t hurt soon…”

Lin Feng approached from outside. Shen Yan’s expression was frighteningly pale, even more so than Xu Zhou’s.

“Mr. Shen, what’s wrong with Mr. Xu?”

“Drive. Call the doctor to the villa immediately.”

…

“That was Xu Zhou and… Shen Yan?!”

Li Xu’s calm demeanor shattered. Stunned, he stood frozen, watching them disappear toward the door, stammering even as he spoke.

His assistant was equally shocked. Shen Yan’s name was notorious; crossing him was unthinkable.

“It’s them.”

Li Xu took a long moment to regain composure, instructing his assistant to look up Qingchuang Company online.

Indeed, as Xu Zhou said, the financial crisis had been resolved, with an anonymous partner listed for collaboration. In an instant, a thought occurred to him.

“What do you think their relationship is?”

Having seen it clearly, Li Xu knew Shen Yan’s expression had shown worry and concern. The assistant answered truthfully: “Not ordinary friends, not a typical romantic relationship… And Shen Yan rarely attends such gatherings, but if he came specifically for someone…”

Li Xu’s eyes widened. If Lingqi was helping Xu Zhou behind the scenes, it explained how Qingchuang could recover so quickly. “Is Lu Feng still inside?”

“Yes, but he went upstairs to a private room half an hour ago.”

“Have someone ask—let’s go upstairs later…”

——

In the car, Xu Zhou pressed against Shen Yan’s chin, letting out a few soft whimpers. Lin Feng discreetly pulled down the divider.

Xu Zhou straddled Shen Yan’s lap, hands wandering inside his jacket.

Shen Yan grasped his provocative hands, pressing him down while wrapping an arm around his waist. Desire burned in his eyes.

Unable to move his hands, Xu Zhou nuzzled his neck, biting his collarbone. Shen Yan grunted, breathing heavier.

Seeing Xu Zhou’s frustrated, desperate expression, Shen Yan’s heart ached. But first, he had to ensure Xu Zhou underwent a full medical checkup to confirm the medication was safe and free of side effects.