IROAWTMTFL Extra 11

Ke-Luan

The outcome of that conversation wasn’t satisfactory, and he wasn’t sure why. Anyway, when he saw Luan Qing’s hopeful expression, he felt…unhappy.

It was obvious that Luan Qing had never eavesdropped like this before, he was so nervous he was sweating so he handed him his handkerchief to wipe away the sweat. While Luan Qing thought he was being kind, only he knew that he used the usual tactics of pursuing someone on impulse.

His things weren’t cheap. Luan Qing used his handkerchief, and as a person with a modest background, he would surely repay the favor. Returning it meant a new interaction. Ke Mingcheng never boasted about being a gentleman, and most of the rich second generations around him weren’t upright individuals.

Sure enough, a few days later, Luan Qing came knocking. After observing for several days, he chose a time when Ke Mingcheng was working late to visit his office. He didn’t want others to know as it might be misunderstood as reporting beyond his authority.

“Come in.”

Ke Mingcheng was signing documents. When he looked up, it was Luan Qing.

“Vice President Ke.”

He closed the file in his hands and asked, “Dr. Luan, what brings you here?”

Luan Qing took out the washed and ironed handkerchief and neatly placed it on his desk.

“I’m returning this. I’ve cleaned it. Thank you. I wanted to buy you a new one, but I couldn’t find the same…” He seemed uneasy, perhaps because he used the boss’s personal item to wipe sweat or because he couldn’t afford the boss’s consumption level, and he couldn’t even find a replacement. Probably, a combination of both.

“I’m not that wasteful, I just wash and reuse.” Ke Mingcheng picked up the handkerchief and played with it in his hand. A light fragrance emanated, similar to what was on Luan Qing’s clothes.

“We’re of similar age, there’s no need for such formality.”

“You’re the boss, it’s appropriate.” Luan Qing declined without much enthusiasm, clearly not wanting further interactions with Ke Mingcheng.

His confession to Zhuang Yiyun was originally a private matter, but because of his drunken state, he involved his boss and it became embarrassing. Later, he was brought to eavesdrop on their conversation and he didn’t know how to understand this matter anymore.

Initially, hearing that Team leader Zhuang had a contractual marriage should have made him happy, at least, he had some hope. However, after calming down these past few days, he didn’t feel any joy. Team leader Zhuang rejecting him was a fact. Regardless of whether it was true or false that he was married, it was true that he rejected him.

In addition, Vice President Ke was involved in it, and he was so embarrassed that he didn’t even think about Team Leader Zhuang’s matter anymore.

Ke Mingcheng nodded, saying, “I always thought I was an approachable boss, with a good image in the R&D center.” After saying this, he showed a helpless and slightly hurt expression.

Seeing that he had misunderstood, Luan Qing quickly explained, “I didn’t mean that. You are indeed an approachable and good boss.” Approachable to the extent of sending a drunk subordinate home and taking care of him.

“You?”

*(Ke Mingcheng was complaining that Luan Qing was addressing him in a formal way)

“You… Vice President Ke, you’re very nice.”

“Thank you for the‘good person’ card.” Ke Mingcheng tidied up the files, stood up, and asked him, “Have you had dinner?”

“Not yet.”

“Then let’s have something together.” It wasn’t a question; it carried a tone of an order from a superior that couldn’t be refused.

Ke Mingcheng knew that if he asked, this person would definitely refuse. However, he was genuinely interested in him now. Even though he liked old Zhuang, since old Zhuang had rejected him, he wouldn’t turn back. If he could pursue this person successfully, it wouldn’t be considered unethical.

“What do you want to eat?” Ke Mingcheng’s second question came directly.

His attitude was so natural. As expected, Luan Qing didn’t know how to refuse, so he replied, “Whatever you like, I’m not picky.”

Ke Mingcheng didn’t take him to eat near the company, creating a good impression shouldn’t burden the person. He took him to his place, a small private restaurant where the dishes were decent and, since he was the boss, he didn’t need to strictly follow the menu.

“This is my place. If you like the food, come often. You can get a 30% discount if you mention my name.”

Luan Qing was indeed satisfied with the meal. Although it felt a bit awkward facing Vice President Ke, good food tended to lower one’s guard and resistance. He smiled lightly and said, “Isn’t a 30% discount a loss?”

“This place was not opened to make money. It’s mainly a place to entertain friends and important clients.”

Hearing this, Luan Qing raised his gaze, wondering if he counted as a friend. But he didn’t ask; their interactions were limited and a bit awkward, and considering their boss-subordinate relationship, it wasn’t appropriate to ask such questions.

After that dinner, the Chinese New Year arrived quickly, and the company went on holiday. Luan Qing hesitated for a long time but decided not to go back to his hometown for the New Year.

He rarely went back home. Apart from sending money to his parents on time, he almost never goes back if he could. He came from a remote village in Yunnan, where traditions were conservative compared to the coastal areas.

He has been number one since he started school and was the top student in primary school, junior high, and high school. He was admitted to Tsinghua University as the provincial champion, and was undoubtedly the pride of his family. Because he could read and his younger siblings were not good at studying, the only opportunity for the family to study was given to him. The family was poor, so in order to send him to school, his younger siblings went out to work after graduating from junior high school.

He has indeed lived up to his family’s expectations, sacrifices and cultivation. After graduating from Tsinghua with excellent grades, he earned a full scholarship to Cambridge. After graduating from Cambridge, he joined Team leader Zhuang’s team and was now in Senlan. He was doing well in terms of income and social status. But perhaps people couldn’t be perfect without flaws. He was introverted and not articulate, carrying a lingering inferiority complex over the years. Most importantly, he was gay.

After the same-sex marriage law was passed, he gathered courage and came out to his family. Unlike Yan Yan, he didn’t receive understanding and support.

While their identities were legally recognized, it didn’t mean genuine acceptance from society. In a remote mountainous countryside, the Luan family collapsed when this was revealed. At that time, he was kicked out by his father. The beating was so harsh he bled and still has scars on his back to this day.

His father said, “Don’t come back until you change!”

His mother said, “Is it my karma from a past life, so I’m getting retribution through you?”

The looks from his younger siblings also became strange, especially his younger brother, who had already married and had children.

Since then, he rarely went back, just sending money to his family on time. Half of his salary went to his family. He let his parents down; at least, he could compensate materially. As for whether his father and mother used the money to support his younger siblings or saved it, he didn’t care. Once he gave it away, it belonged to them.

The originally a happy and united family was now split into two. The loneliness and solitude of celebrating the New Year alone could only be digested by himself.

The old neighborhood he lived in was particularly lively during the New Year. The children of empty-nesters return home, and every household was bustling with activity, except for him. He was alone.

On New Year’s Eve, he prepared four or five dishes for himself and took out the wine from his hometown. The day Ke Mingcheng brought him home, he had drunk at least one and a half pounds alone. He had good alcohol tolerance, someone who has an almost similar alcohol tolerance is probably trained since childhood. He had two jars of wine left, all brewed by his father. It was the wine his sister sent him after he was kicked out.

He cherished it and only took it out to drink a little during the New Year every year.

When Ke Mingcheng called him, he was just about to start eating. The Spring Festival Gala was playing on the TV, making it at least lively.

He was a bit stunned when he saw the call prompt. Before, he had never had direct contact with the boss- everything stemmed from that drunken incident.

He vaguely felt something, there was no reason for the boss to contact him on such a day. But, probably because he was too lonely during the New Year, with no one contacting him at this time, he didn’t hang up when Ke Mingcheng called.

The call connected.

“Hello.” His voice was soft, tensed, afraid that Ke Mingcheng might say he dialed the wrong number.

Ke Mingcheng certainly didn’t dial the wrong number; he immediately asked, “You didn’t go back to your hometown for the New Year?”

“No. How did you know, Vice President Ke?”

“I saw it on the holiday duty roster for Group Six. You’re on duty online for five days, from New Year’s Eve to the fourth day of the New Year.” Ke Mingcheng put his phone on speaker, placed it on the dashboard, started the car, and asked, “Where are you? Home?”

Luan Qing’s breath fluctuated for a moment, and replied hesitantly, “I’m at home.”

“It’s boring to eat alone. Set another pair of chopsticks for me.”

“Vice President Ke…”

“Yeah?” Ke Mingcheng drove the car, interrupted him and said directly, “I’m driving. I’ll hang up first. We can talk in person.” Then he didn’t give him a chance to refuse and hung up the phone.

Luan Qing remained bewildered until the call ended. What’s going on? How did it suddenly turn into the boss coming to his house for the New Year?

Regardless of what was happening, despite the uneasiness in his heart, he was happy when he met the person. On such a day, he wouldn’t be alone; someone would accompany him.

Suddenly, he didn’t want to ask anymore. Why did he have to ask so clearly?

When he came out to his family, his parents didn’t want him. When he clarified things with Team leader Zhuang, Team leader Zhuang kept his distance. So what if it was stolen happiness now? He decided to enjoy it first and think later.

That day, Ke Mingcheng spent New Year’s with him. Ke Mingcheng praised the authentic Yunnan dishes he made, said his father’s brewed wine was potent, and even watched the Spring Festival Gala with him, laughing heartily at the sketches. He also… gave him New Year blessings, wishing him all the best.

For Luan Qing, this was an unprecedented and rare experience. He was very happy, and by the end, he had clearly let go of his guard against Ke Mingcheng.

After that day, Ke Mingcheng often invited him to dinner, and they chatted. Being in the same profession, one having graduated from Peking University, the other from Tsinghua, and both having studied abroad, Luan Qing found that they had many topics to discuss. Moreover, Ke Mingcheng had a profound family background and extensive knowledge, coupled with his humor, everything he said interesting.

After the New Year, Zhuang Yiyun nolonger concealed his feelings for Yan Yan, and he kept a respectful distance from Luan Qing. Luan Qing thought he would feel upset, but the result was different. On the day Yan Yan was criticized online, he heard it from Zhong Lu in the tearoom and actively participated. He was even led by Zhong Lu to speak up for Yan Yan online. At that moment, he knew he had completely let go.

On that night, he watched Yan Yan’s live stream and felt happy and relieved. When he got home, he took out his father’s wine and decided to have a drink. It was a ritual that belonged to him alone, a kind of celebration.

If it were before, he would have had a drink alone and gone to sleep. However, that day, he didn’t know what happened, he suddenly wanted to pour out his feelings, to share them with someone. He felt that he was probably influenced by Zhong Lu and wanted to express himself.

When he called Ke Mingcheng, he wanted to hang up the moment he dialed the number. After hesitating for a second, he controlled his hand from pressing the disconnect button. Before he could hesitate again, Ke Mingcheng had already answered the call.

“Luan Qing? What happened?”

Ke Mingcheng’s tone was very concerned. It turned out he also knew that he wouldn’t call him without a reason, so subconsciously, he thought something had happened that required help.

At that moment, he seemed to gain great courage and spoke out, “Nothing happened. I’m happy. Can you come and have a drink with me?”

Ke Mingcheng didn’t hesitate and asked, “Where are you?”

“At home.”

“Do you need me to bring some snacks for you?”

Luan Qing chuckled, shook his head, and said, “No need, let’s just have a little drink.”

When Ke Mingcheng heard his laughter, he felt like his heart was being scratched by a hundred claws. He could imagine Luan Qing’s appearance right now, with his light and soft brows and eyes, he probably looked very gentle. But then he thought, no, his current appearance must be even more beautiful and moving than he imagined.

Luan Qing said they’d drink a little, and they indeed drank a little that day. But even with just a little, it made their minds chaotic.

The ambiguous atmosphere between them was thick, and when Ke Mingcheng kissed Luan Qing, his mind went blank. But he subconsciously indulged in this kiss, feeling that the man’s embrace was strong and warm, pulling his vacant heart back and warming it.

Ke Mingcheng felt a sense of accomplishment as if a long-cherished wish had been fulfilled. He didn’t even realize he was so fascinated by this person. If he didn’t smile, he wanted to make him smile; if he smiled, he wanted to tease him until he cried.

This time, it wasn’t because of old Zhuang, nor was it because of any other man, only because of him.

Luan Qing moved slightly in his arms, Ke Mingcheng held his thin waist, suppressed his impatience, and asked him, “You still want to refuse at this time.”

Luan Qing looked at him, for a while, then slowly and firmly shook his head, “I like you holding me.”

Even if there was no future, no tomorrow, no genuine love, it didn’t matter. For now, he wanted to be possessed by this person, to feel this warmth.

Ke Mingcheng carried him into the room. That night, he cried a lot, but the joy of entrusting his soul penetrated his bones. As a blank slate like him was put in front of Ke Mingcheng, a seasoned player in the game of love, and was coaxed into acquiescing whatever the other person wanted.

The next day, Ke Mingcheng prepared breakfast for him and left a note before leaving. He had a meeting he couldn’t skip and seeing that Luan Qing was still asleep, he turned off his alarm clock. He had tired him out yesterday, so today, he’d let him rest. He had it all planned; he would finish the meeting in the morning and come back to have lunch with Luan Qing.

He thought it out well, happily planning alone. However, when he came out of the meeting at the company, he saw Luan Qing walking down the corridor on the other side. He held a stack of documents, discussing with colleagues while walking. His walking posture was obviously a bit stiff, and his eyes were somewhat swollen, but his wholehearted dedication to work was completely different from yesterday.

If he were purely a boss, he would be delighted; an employee who had been tossed around like that yesterday was still working with “injuries” today, truly a model worker.

But he wasn’t just a boss, he was angry.

Without thinking, Ke Mingcheng walked over to him. A colleague who was discussing with Luan Qingzheng saw him and greeted him.

Luan Qing also turned around, and greeted with an indifferent expression and calm tone. “Vice President Ke.”

After that, he acted as if Ke Mingcheng didn’t exist, continuing to discuss with his colleagues and walked away directly.

Ke Mingcheng stood there, feeling like there were two words written all over him—great misunderstanding.

He thought he had won him over, and they were in love and celebrating for their love. Instead… Luan Qing treated him as if he were nothing?

For a moment, Ke Mingcheng felt like he was going crazy. He wanted to go over and pull him away directly, but he restrained himself. But, he felt that if he did that, he and Luan Qing would be done, and Luan Qing would never pay attention to him again.

He had no choice but to calm down, think about it, and decided to explore the path first.

That afternoon, Luan Qing was approached by Zhuang Yiyun’s mother. It was absurd how she knew about his crush on Team leader Zhuang. For a moment, Luan Qing suspected it was something Ke Mingcheng said. But he had no evidence, so he convinced himself to stay calm.

Zhu Xian told him she could help him pursue Team leader Zhuang and even asked him to imitate Yan Yan. He found it ridiculous. He rejected the idea on the spot, and informed Team leader Zhu about it. Because of this, he missed the company cafeteria’s mealtime and returned to the office on an empty stomach.

As soon as he opened the office door, he saw Ke Mingcheng inside.

“How much longer are you going to stand at the door?” Ke Mingcheng saw that he was not moving, so he walked past him, closed the door, and locked it.

“What brings you here?” Luan Qing asked him as calmly as possible.

“Can you still stand?” Ke Mingcheng’s hand rested on his waist and pressed the still sore waist, almost making his legs go weak.

Ke Mingcheng hugged Luan Qing, and his anger dissipated. He held him with distress, sat on the sofa and gently massaged his waist.

“I told you to rest at home today. I applied for leave for you. Why did you have to come here?”

“I still have work. If I don’t come, who will do it? I missed out on things yesterday afternoon.”

“You’re making money for the company, and I won’t blame you for delaying progress. Do you have to care so much about it?” Ke Mingcheng’s tone was gentle. He kissed him on the lips affectionate yet restrained. In fact, it was precisely when the desire was strongest that one felt restless before getting close. And now that the person was finally in his arms, he had to suppress it by force.

Luan Qing wasn’t doing any better either. In just one night, Ke Mingcheng had figured him out and he had to make a considerable effort not to completely collapse into the man’s arms.

“Yeah, I just care,” he answered in a low voice.

“Then when will you be done with your work?”

“I have to work overtime today.”

Ke Mingcheng became angry. It seemed like the person he was talking to was just ignoring his words, not taking care of their own body.

“Looks like Dr. Luan is fine now? I accommodated you specially yesterday, enduring a lot. Since there’s no discomfort, how about making up for it now?” Ke Mingcheng made a move as if to undress him, startling Luan Qing, who panicked and pushed him away.

“Are you crazy? This is the office!”

“So you make up for it outside the office?” Ke Mingcheng’s expression turned colder.

“That’s not what I mean. Let go, Vice President Ke… Let me go.”

“What did you call me?!”

“Vice President Ke, did I say something wrong?”

“You call me Vice President Ke, so I am using my power to pressure a subordinate and harassing him?” Ke Mingcheng felt like he was going to explode.

“You didn’t. I did it willing, but not now, not here. Let go… you wrinkled my clothes, I still have to work in the afternoon.”

Ke Mingcheng was helpless. He thought Luan Qing wanted to distance himself from what happened yesterday, but then he admitted he had done it willingly. This statement left him unable to continue scolding him. He carefully straightened Luan Qing’s clothes, arranged a pillow for him to lean on, and made him comfortable on the sofa.

When he asked if he had eaten, Luan Qing claimed he had been too busy so he arranged for the restaurant to deliver a meal, willingly taking care of him. He could sense some resistance from Luan Qing, but ultimately, he did not refuse his care.

From then on, he truly became a frequent guest in Luan Qing’s home, often staying overnight.

As their bodies became more familiar, Ke Mingcheng felt more in control of Luan Qing’s pleasure, but paradoxically, he felt the person was more elusive.

“Baby, when will you come to my place?” Ke Mingcheng asked him after they took a shower and lay side by side.

Luan Qing answered without much thought, “I’m used to being at home.”

Ke Mingcheng looked at him. If it weren’t for the marks on his shoulder left by his kisses, it would be hard to tell what had just happened between them. Recently, Luan Qing had become more and more open, willing to cooperate with him. The colder someone appeared, the more charming they became when they are compliant. But every time it ended, he reverted to the serious and aloof Dr. Luan.

Ke Mingcheng knew there were issues between them, but every time he asked, Luan Qing answered in a way that left things unclear. He always thought that he could gradually warm him up. Now that he knew he had completely failed, he showed unprecedented patience toward Luan Qing.

However, twists and turns always arrived sooner than people imagined.

When Zhuang Yiyun was recruited to a national secret project, Luan Qing urgently took over as the acting team leader. On that very day, Luan Qing proposed ending their relationship.

Ke Mingcheng was invited to his house, a rare initiative on Luan Qing’s part. He went with great anticipation, only to hear bad news.

“What are you saying?!”

“I’m saying we should just be boss and subordinate from now on. The interests are too intertwined, and continuing this unhealthy relationship is inappropriate. You should have been quite satisfied during this time, Vice President Ke. Besides a few meals, I haven’t taken any valuable gifts from you. You haven’t suffered any losses, so let’s part amicably.”

“Unhealthy relationship? What do you mean?” Ke Mingcheng’s teeth were clenched in anger. He interrogated him, “Are you treating me as a fling?”

“Isn’t it?”

Ke Mingcheng laughed angrily.

“So you never wanted to go out with me, never accepted my gifts, treated me coldly at the office, and acted like you didn’t know me after we left the bed…”

At Ke Mingcheng’s questions and his angry yet pained expression, Luan Qing subconsciously wondered if he had done something wrong.

“Then what, what relationship should we have?”

“I consider you my husband! What about you?!” Ke Mingcheng pressed him down on the sofa, “Luan Qing, do you have no heart? Can’t you see my kindness to you?”

Luan Qing felt wronged. Ke Mingcheng thought he would push him away, but instead, he saw Luan Qing’s eyes turning red.

“But you’ve never said…”

“How haven’t I? I’ve called you ‘baby’ and ‘husband’ so many times, and I said I love you countless times.”

“You only say those things in bed. Can a man’s words in bed be trusted?” Luan Qing asked with red eyes. He pointed it out so graciously that Ke Mingcheng felt deeply heartbroken.

Upon reflection, he realized, damn it, he really hadn’t said those romantic words in a serious non-sexual situation. After so many times together, he thought Luan Qing should know. He didn’t expect his baby to be so concerned about this.

“Then at least you should feel it? When haven’t I come to you?”

“Who knows when you’ll get tired. They say second-generation rich kids are like this. Sleeping with someone doesn’t mean anything. Even having a child doesn’t mean anything. It’s chaotic and unreliable.”

“Who says that?! In my heart, there’s only you. I’m not promiscuous.”

“But I’ve heard a lot of gossip about you. You’ve been rumored to have affairs with celebrities.”

Ke Mingcheng felt like his head was about to explode. If he had known he’d encounter someone like this, he would have kept himself clean until he appeared.

The past couldn’t be changed, so he had no choice but to say, “I promise, after we’re together, I won’t have thoughts for anyone else. Ah Qing, you’re the only one in my heart. I just want to be with you.”

In the end, Luan Qing agreed. Actually, he was unsure. The gap between them, in terms of family background, personality, and various aspects, was significant. Before, these things didn’t matter. But in the position of boyfriends, there are many practical problems.

However, he still agreed. Naturally, he thought of Yan Yan. Because he was brave and optimistic, he grabbed hold of his dreams. So, he could also be brave again, the person in front of him had already reached out to him. Could he also walk to the other side of happiness and never be lonely again?

No one knew and no one could answer. So, he could only wait and see.