“Laogong-ge, why aren’t you saying anything?”
Wang Huanxiu’s face was smothered in thigh flesh…he couldn’t open his mouth at all. Bai Shuijin lowered his head and stared at him for a while, then slightly relaxed his crossed legs.
“You can talk now.”
His tone carried a hint of anticipation, clearly hoping to be praised.
The man let out a low “Mm.”
His heart was pounding wildly in his chest, but the moment he remembered how just over an hour ago Bai Shuijin had been sitting on the neck of that male model in exactly the same way…
Wang Huanxiu’s heart nearly stopped.
Even though Bai Shuijin hadn’t been as intimate then, just properly straddling the male model’s neck without doing anything else, it didn’t stop Wang Huanxiu from being angry.
Anyone seeing the person they liked sitting on another man’s neck would find it hard to laugh it off.
He wasn’t petty, but he wasn’t that generous either. Possessiveness was human instinct.
Wang Huanxiu knew exactly what he wanted. Ever since he was brought back to the old house at fourteen, he knew what his end goal was. He wanted power. He wanted to be the one who made the decisions. No one would manipulate him..not Wang Muguang, not Wang Zhenzhu.
And now, when it came to Bai Shuijin, he also knew what he wanted.
He wanted Bai Shuijin to like him.
But despite hearing the other party say “I like you” so many times, and saying it every day like a mantra, Wang Huanxiu sensed something was wrong.
He also liked Bai Shuijin. He didn’t even know when it started, but somewhere along the way, his eyes just began following Bai Shuijin wherever he went. During work breaks, he stopped reading news or reports and instead looked at the pictures and messages Bai Shuijin occasionally sent him.
Sometimes, he’d even pick up his phone without thinking, checking if the other party had sent something new.
He liked Bai Shuijin with the kind of liking that came with romance. Bai Shuijin’s liking for him, however, showed more in words, and in some other aspects he didn’t quite understand.
That part being: no matter how intimate their interaction, as long as Bai Shuijin initiated it, he never got shy.
Like that time when he had a mosquito bite on his butt Bai Shuijin hesitated for a second, then gave up and wanted to show him. Or more recently, when he straddled him, he was excited and thrilled, but there was no single trace of shyness.
Even though he was a top student with outstanding academic qualifications, Wang Huanxiu couldn’t make sense of Bai Shuijin’s mind. To him, the young man was like a maze overgrown with green vines, there was no way out, but always a path forward.
He didn’t know if Bai Shuijin really liked him as much as he claimed.
He liked him but didn’t get shy. He didn’t like him but still liked physical contact.
Bai Shuijin noticed the lack of response and realized that Wang Huanxiu was in a complicated mood. With what little mental energy he had left, he analyzed the man’s current state.
Unhappy.
How could this be possible? They had been apart for days, and after meeting again abroad, Bai Shuijin was genuinely happy.
He stopped clamping Wang Huanxiu with his legs and instead lifted one up, pressing it against the side of his face, just like when he’d enthusiastically squish his face against the other party’s during their usual “snuggles.”
He twisted his butt on the man’s shoulders and neck. “Laogong-ge, I want to get down.”
Wang Huanxiu steadied him so Bai Shuijin could find a foothold on him. Only when he had one leg safely on the bed did he let go.
Bai Shuijin landed safely. “Laogong-ge, wait for me.”
He didn’t even stay steady on the bed for more than a few seconds before jumping off and rushing toward his suitcase.
The shiny pineapple-yellow suitcase was laid flat on the floor. He unzipped it and rummaged around, finally wrapping his arms around a pile of things and coming back with them.
A few little trinkets even fell along the way.
“Laogong-ge, I bought all of these for you.”
When Wang Muguang had gone off to film, Bai Shuijin had taken the chance to stroll around the area near the hotel. They were staying at a Holiday Inn, which had a good location and service. There was a constant stream of tourists from all over the world staying here, and the nearby commercial area was well-developed, with shopping streets every few steps and vintage shops every few more.
Even while traveling, he hadn’t forgotten to bring gifts back for the people at home.
That’s what family was, right? People you thought of all the time.
Bai Shuijin bought a lot, some for Wang Huanxiu, some for Wang Zhenzhu, even some for Auntie Li, the Butler and the driver.
But most of them… were for Wang Huanxiu.
“Laogong-ge, I bought all of these for you.”
He used them to coax him, basically saying: Don’t be angry anymore.
“I think this one really suits you.”
Bai Shuijin picked up a hat and put it on Wang Huanxiu’s head. It fit perfectly.
After putting it on him, he ran back and grabbed his own, the same style but different colors. One was navy blue, the other one light gray.
Grinning, he waved his hat in front of Wang Huanxiu’s eyes. “They’re the same, you know.”
He was very happy that they had matching hats and he hoped Wang Huanxiu would be happy too.
Looking at the scattered things that almost covered the end of the bed, Wang Huanxiu’s expression softened a bit, although the coldness in his eyes didn’t show any sign of melting.
Bai Shuijin was so sleepy that he yawned and wanted to sleep with someone, but his subconscious told him that his laogong-ge was still angry.
He was concerned about Wang Huanxiu and forced his eyelids to stay open. “Laogong-ge, are you feeling better now?”
Seeing his tired face, Wang Huanxiu’s heart softened uncontrollably. Watching him yawn until tears welled up in his eyes and still refusing to sleep, he suddenly felt his earlier anger was childish and unfit for someone his age.
Bai Shuijin was younger than him. Liking to play around was normal. He was about the same age as Wang Muguang, but much more meticulous.
“Sleep if you’re tired.”
Bai Shuijin lay down beside him and shook his head.
“Are you afraid of me?”
He shook his head again, then nodded. “I’m afraid you’re angry.”
Wang Huanxiu sighed helplessly. “I’m not angry anymore. Just sleep.”
“Then tell me what I have to do so you won’t be angry anymore, then I’ll sleep.”
He’d made Wang Huanxiu’s forgiveness into a kind of obsession.
Wang Huanxiu suddenly thought of the photo Bai Shuijin had sent him. “Tell me who ZJL is?”
Bai Shuijin looked confused. “What ZJL?”
“That temporary tattoo you had at the Lover’s Fountain. You even sent me a picture.”
Bai Shuijin remembered and even drooled like a fool. “Oh, that? It’s zha ji liu.”
Wang Huanxiu was stunned. “Zha ji liu?”
Bai Shuijin nodded. “If I don’t consider people, I want to marry zha ji liu in my next life.”
“…”
Wang Huanxiu put the stuff on the bed back into the suitcase and used the remote to turn off the room lights.
The room returned to silence. Bai Shuijin closed his eyes a few seconds after he finished talking about fried chicken strips. His leg stuck out from under the quilt, lying there completely still and peacefully.
They had watched a dance competition earlier, then had fun all night long. Now he was so tired he didn’t want to move a single finger.
He must’ve already fallen asleep.
Wang Huanxiu quietly walked back to the bed, lifted the covers, and lay down beside him.
Bai Shuijin’s performance on stage tonight was dazzling, like a side of him Wang Huanxiu had never seen before.
Bai Shuijin hadn’t fully opened up in front of him, and that was probably related to how much of a sense of security he gave. If Bai Shuijin trusted and relied on him enough, he would reveal himself without holding anything back.
Wang Huanxiu suddenly regretted warning him the day after bringing him into the house.
He never regretted anything he did except for two things. The first was hoping his parents would come see his game when he was fourteen. The second… was about Bai Shuijin.
As he dwelled on it, the person beside him turned over.
His fingers were gently held, and then there was a head resting on his shoulder. The fluffy head rubbed around like it was trying to find a comfortable spot, then the chin tilted upward, and the head leaned back.
Bai Shuijin’s lips touched near Wang Huanxiu’s chin. Feeling a presence, Bai Shuijin opened his eyes, peeked at him to confirm it was really Wang Huanxiu, then closed his eyes again with peace of mind.
He mumbled subconsciously, “Laogong-ge, I won’t go watch it again next time. If it makes you unhappy, then I won’t go.”
The mosquito-like whisper sounded especially clear in Wang Huanxiu’s ear.
Even as he drifted into sleep, Bai Shuijin still remembered that Wang Huanxiu was in a bad mood tonight.
He cared about Wang Huanxiu, and that’s why he remembered it so clearly. Since it upset him, then he wouldn’t watch it again in the future.
Not watching male models wouldn’t cost him anything anyway, and it could make Wang Huanxiu happy. If Wang Huanxiu was happy, then he would feel better too. Just like dancing, it made him happy because he loved it.
The next morning, Wang Muguang stood outside Room 1608 with half a bag of carefully sorted nuts. It was already ten in the morning, and no one had come out of the room.
He didn’t have the courage to knock either. If he did, he’d probably have to sort another whole bag of nuts.
Chen Ji appeared behind him. “Good morning, Young Master Muguang.”
The moment Wang Muguang saw him, he closed his eyes. Seeing him, he felt like he would never get better.
The shadow of the nuts followed him like a curse. He decided he wouldn’t even use walnuts in Plants vs. Zombies from now on.
“Young Master Muguang, have you finished sorting all the nuts?”
Chen Ji’s timing was impeccable. Wang Muguang stuffed the bag into his hands and said, “When my big brother comes out, give it to him.”
He planned to vanish. The best time to see Wang Huanxiu again would be when this whole incident was completely forgotten.
Chen Ji looked at the bag in his hands, which was half less than last night’s, and asked cautiously, “There’s still half a bag…”
Wang Muguang opened his mouth. “I ate them.”
How long was he supposed to keep sorting? His brother only said to sort the nuts in the bag. He never specified how many or how much.
Fortunately, he was clever. At midnight, he started stuffing nuts into his mouth.
Wang Muguang rubbed his chin and jaw muscles, he almost ate himself into swelling.
He was his brother’s biological brother, but look at how he’d suffered. Who knew what kind of night Bai Shuijin had gone through? He mourned for him silently, hoping the other party could walk out of Room 1608 in one piece.
Just as Wang Muguang spread his wings to fly away, the door to Room 1608 opened.
Wang Huanxiu walked out, looking sharp and well-dressed.
Wang Muguang immediately stood at attention. “Big Brother.”
His eyes kept looking toward the room, hoping to catch a glimpse of Bai Shuijin.
But not even a single strand of hair was in sight.
‘Did he actually get torn apart?!’
Just then, a lazy voice came from the suite. “Laogong-ge, don’t forget to bring me breakfast! Fried eggs, bacon, and five breakfast buns like the ones we have at home, I’ve been eating like this every day!”
Wang Muguang: “…”
Bold! Giving orders first thing in the morning…and to his big brother, no less.
He couldn’t help glancing at Wang Huanxiu’s expression, only to find that everything looked normal. There was no trace of last night’s anger. Just like that, it was over?!
Wang Muguang couldn’t believe it. After Wang Huanxiu left, he teleported straight into Bai Shuijin’s suite.
Sunlight filled the living room, and flocks of pigeons were soaring past the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Bai Shuijin was lounging on the sofa with his legs up, lying there eating fruit with a very domineering posture.
His mouth was still chewing a grape, but his hand was already impatiently reaching for a piece of pineapple.
His skin was like snow, his energy like a raging bull. There wasn’t a single trace of having been tormented the night before.
Thanks to last night’s drinks, Bai Shuijin actually slept more soundly in the second half of the night, so comfortably he didn’t even dream.
Compared to the dark circles on Wang Muguang’s face, they were worlds apart.
Wang Muguang walked over to him. “How was your night?”
He hadn’t expected Bai Shuijin to recover so fast. He would rather believe the other party just had high HP regeneration than accept the idea that he’d been the only one to suffer last night.
He didn’t dare imagine it. He couldn’t even start.
‘Last night?’
Looking at Wang Muguang who suddenly appeared, Bai Shuijin said, “What do you mean how? I slept for ten hours. Didn’t you sleep?”
‘Ten hours!’
Wang Muguang pointed at the dark circles under his eyes. “I only slept for ten minutes!”
Seeing that Bai Shuijin was intact, Wang Muguang was happy…but couldn’t bring himself to smile.
Sorting nuts had made him exhausted. Seeing his friend looking so refreshed only made it worse.
He thought they had suffered together last night, two grasshoppers on the same rope, fighting separately but united in spirit. But it turns out the other party went to sleep early and slept for ten hours.
“I’m very curious how you managed to sleep for ten hours.”
Bai Shuijin swallowed the pineapple and sat up. “I’m also curious how you only slept for ten minutes.”
As he recalled last night, Wang Muguang’s face was full of vicissitudes. “I met countless people last night.”
Bai Shuijin gave him a look of disdain. “Why are you now talking like a smut writer?”
Wang Muguang: “…”
Later, Bai Shuijin stayed in the UK for two more days. Once Wang Huanxiu finished his business trip, the two returned to China together.
Wang Muguang remained abroad for his film shoot. He wasn’t exactly lonely, because he had his work team accompanying him.
Wang Huanxiu’s presence had not only left him with a nut-trauma, it also gave him a taste of “immersive experience”.
While filming a scene about a younger brother getting caught secretly meeting his sister-in-law late at night, Wang Muguang’s acting exploded, earning a round of applause from the crew.
Many staff members were pulled into the scene, and those with younger brothers even called them afterward, telling them to stay away from their wives.
Wang Muguang: “…”
Art came from life, but these foreigners were a little too into it.
.
On the return flight, Bai Shuijin told Wang Huanxiu that he wanted to pursue his dream of dancing again. If there was anything important, he would always choose to tell the other party without hesitation.
In first class, once the turbulence passed, Bai Shuijin unbuckled his seatbelt and walked over to Wang Huanxiu.
“Laogong-ge, do you think I can do it?”
From the moment Bai Shuijin came over to talk, Wang Huanxiu put down his work and listened seriously.
Bai Shuijin spoke with lively gestures, sharing all sorts of dance-related knowledge. Wang Huanxiu didn’t understand it, but he still listened intently.
Right now, Bai Shuijin was both firm and vulnerable. After facing setbacks, getting back on the road to his dream required more determination than before.
No one had been there for him in the first twenty years of his life, and no one had ever really listened to his stories or paid attention to his life. Everyone had their own things going on, but he was a special case, he was either studying or working. He made friends, but had no time to meet up. When his friends made new friends, he didn’t want to intrude. His time was limited.
He was always alone. All the shining moments and key turning points in his life, he had faced them alone.
When he graduated from high school, got into his dream university, and received the award for being an all-around student, he could only talk to the stars in the sky about it.
As Bai Shuijin went on and on, his voice grew dry. Wang Huanxiu handed him a glass of water and Bai Shuijin took a sip directly from his hand.
They were used to feeding each other like this, and he didn’t think anything of it. It felt natural and unawkward. He licked his lips and continued, “Laogong-ge, I don’t want to give up on school or dancing. So when I have classes, I’ll go to class. The rest of the time, I’ll be in the dance studio. Do you think that’s okay?”
Wang Huanxiu had both strong planning and execution skills. He was a big boss, after all. His thinking was sharper and faster than ordinary people, and his opinion carried weight. If the other party said it was fine, then he’d do it that way.
After all, he couldn’t drop out halfway through college. At the very least, he had to get his diploma.
The diploma was practically an obsession for every university student. Before getting it, they could be treated like cattle. But once they had it in hand, nothing else mattered and they could go wild.
Wang Huanxiu tapped the armrest with his finger and asked, “Do you like your current major?”
Bai Shuijin shook his head. “I don’t like it, but I don’t hate it either.”
He could get through it. He just wasn’t interested. It was all mechanical learning.
“Have you ever thought about taking a leave of absence from school or dropping out?”
“Taking a leave of absence…dropping out?”
“You like dancing. If you drop out, you can take the college entrance exam again or send applications and documents to schools abroad.”
Bai Shuijin didn’t know that was even possible.
It was March now. Renowned international art schools usually announce their admission results in December and January.
If Bai Shuijin completed the withdrawal process now and started studying, he could still catch this year’s exam season, but it would be tight and exhausting.
Foreign schools didn’t just look at grades. Besides outstanding professional ability, your life experience was also quite important.
Wang Huanxiu: “If you’re planning to go abroad, I can write you a recommendation letter.”
That was as far as he could help. Anything more, Wang Huanxiu felt Bai Shuijin wouldn’t want him to do it.
Even though Bai Shuijin was usually clingy and liked to act cute and coquettish, he had a very strong character.
The admission requirements for foreign schools were complicated. Not just dance, during this period, Bai Shuijin would also have to study foreign languages, take exams, and do a lot of practical work.
If he wanted to get into a prestigious school, Bai Shuijin would have to give it his all.
But none of the pressure wavered his determination.
“Laogong-ge, I want to go.” Bai Shuijin’s face flushed with excitement, and he clenched his fists, “I want to study at Mr. Hilton’s alma mater.”
Mr. Hilton was his idol. He also wanted to become a dancer like Hilton.
Seeing how nervous he looked, a smile appeared on Wang Huanxiu’s usually cold face. It was the first time Bai Shuijin had ever seen Wang Huanxiu smile at him so genuinely.
It wasn’t a mocking smile, but one full of indulgence and heartfelt support, even a bit of heartache.
“Of course you can.”
Bai Shuijin’s heart skipped two beats. His ears grew hot, and he suddenly felt a little shy.
The airplane meal was about to be served, so Bai Shuijin wanted to return to his seat. Before leaving, he shyly leaned close to Wang Huanxiu’s ear and said, “Laogong-ge, you’re the best.”
Then he flew back to his seat like a little bird.
Why did his head feel warm? Bai Shuijin rubbed his face with his hand. It must be because he hadn’t eaten yet and was hungry.
While eating, Bai Shuijin laughed foolishly from time to time. He was aware of it but he just couldn’t control the smile on his face. Even the broccoli he didn’t like tasted delicious.
After the plane landed, they first sent Bai Shuijin home. Then Wang Huanxiu went to the office.
There was a lot to catch up on after a business trip, and he didn’t have much time to rest.
Inside the car, Chen Ji geared up, ready to play the role of a loyal lapdog.
“Chen Ji.”
“Yes, President Wang!”
His voice was so full of energy it was like his lungs were as big as a football field. Even the driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror.
No one liked working with someone like that. It made others feel like they weren’t being productive enough.
Wang Huanxiu: “You did well this time. Go to finance and turn in your payroll slip.”
“Thank you, President Wang!”
“And also…”
Chen Ji said, “President Wang, go ahead. I’m all ears.”
Wang Huanxiu closed his eyes to rest. “How do you usually get along with your partner?”
‘Get along…partner?’
Chen Ji smiled on the surface, but he was dying inside. He didn’t even have a partner.
But to keep his current position, he didn’t bat an eye. “We stick together all the time after work.”
“Do you feel happy?”
Chen Ji, who didn’t have a partner, only felt miserable.
“Very happy, President Wang.” So happy he could cry.
Ever since he realized that Bai Shuijin hadn’t shown his full self in front of him, Wang Huanxiu had started reflecting on himself and identifying his own issues.
And sure enough, there were a lot.
The way he treated Bai Shuijin was all wrong. He ignored him and didn’t talk to him, just waited for him to make the first move. It was complete rookie behavior.
But he had never been in a relationship. His grandfather had been strict when he was young, and he never paid attention to that kind of thing.
Not to mention, he was always guarded around the people around him. The Wang family’s relatives weren’t really relatives; they were all competitors trying to stop him from rising.
There were even cases of young models and celebrities being sent to seduce people. Wang Huanxiu had kept his mind clear, focused only on climbing up.
Once in power, entering society meant exposure to vanity and indulgence. He hadn’t seen many people in genuinely loving relationships.
Most were business marriages, and they lived a life of debauchery.
He wanted to get along well with Bai Shuijin, like a normal couple. But judging by his current score on the test sheet, he had failed. He needed to study.
Chen Ji: “President Wang, do you want to become closer to Young Master Shuijin?”
“Mm.”
“What does Young Master Shuijin like most about you now?”
“My face and my body.”
Chen Ji blurted out, “How long can you please someone with your beauty?!”
His hands moved faster than his brain, and he slapped his mouth. “President Wang, I meant…”
“Just talk,” Wang Huanxiu opened his eyes. He didn’t hold it against him.
Chen Ji quickly changed his tone. “President Wang, right now we need to achieve a connection with Young Master Shuijin on a spiritual level. After all, appearances can get boring over time. Of course, President Wang, your looks are something I could admire for ten thousand years.”
He didn’t forget to flatter him even now.
“President Wang, I have a few books on love and how to bridge the gap between couples. Would you like to take a look?”
Chen Ji didn’t dare give random advice. He had no relationship experience. If he guessed right, it would be pure luck. If he guessed wrong and caused a rift between President Wang and his God Of Wealth, then everything he’d worked for would go to waste.
It was better to just offer books and let President Wang interpret them himself.
Wang Huanxiu didn’t refuse.
That night, Chen Ji rummaged through his house and dug out a few love manuals from his bookshelf. He had bought them in college, hoping to have a campus romance with his junior sister.
As a result, the trees outside the school went through several winters, but he has never seen spring.
The next morning, when Wang Huanxiu arrived at the office, he saw several books placed next to the globe on his desk.
“The Green Tea Girl’s Guide to Coaxing”
“The White Lotus Handbook”
“How to Make Your Husband Unable to Resist You”
Wang Huanxiu: “…”
