Xiao Kesong had a dangerously quick tongue — just a few words, and he’d spilled Chen Zemian’s entire plan to spend the New Year in Hainan.
Even the part he had just discussed with Chen Zemian.
Lu Zhuonian listened quietly, then suddenly chuckled. The words were directed at Xiao Kesong, but his eyes stayed fixed on Chen Zemian. “You’re going. Ye Chen’s going too. Yan Luo, Liu Yuebo, even Xue Duo might show up. Very good.”
Chen Zemian felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles, inexplicably overwhelmed by a sudden sense of guilt. He stole a glance at Lu Zhuonian’s face and whispered, “It hasn’t been decided yet. Young Master Xiao just mentioned that, and Young Master Ye doesn’t know about it yet. I want to wait until everything is finalized before formally inviting you.”
Lu Zhuonian didn’t comment on this explanation. Instead, he looked at Chen Zemian indifferently. His eyes seemed to hold substance — more than a thousand gold coins — as if he was waiting for something, or perhaps quietly scrutinizing him.
At that moment, Chen Zemian began to understand Lu Zhuonian’s thoughts. He immediately responded, “Lu Shao, are you going?”
Lu Zhuonian’s words were sparse. “Is this a formal invitation?”
“…”
Chen Zemian guessed, “I suppose so.”
Lu Zhuonian looked down, contemplative. “I don’t think it’s formal enough.”
Chen Zemian had an idea. “Then I’ll write you an invitation letter?”
Lu Zhuonian nodded. “Okay.”
Xiao Kesong rolled his eyes, genuinely convinced that Lu Zhuonian was out of his mind.
Seeing Lu Zhuonian’s expression soften, Chen Zemian slowly let out a long breath, feeling that the whole world seemed to conspire against him today.
Since Xiao Qiwu appeared, it was as if he had been thrown into the eye of a storm, constantly watched by the surrounding guests.
No — more accurately, since he had risen this morning, everything had gone wrong. His luck was truly terrible. Perhaps it was best to go home and avoid all this chaos.
Chen Zemian turned to Lu Zhuonian and suggested, “There’s nothing fun here. Why don’t we go home?”
Lu Zhuonian replied, “Wait a moment. I want to take you to see Old Master Tang first.”
As soon as these words left his mouth, the expressions of those nearby shifted subtly, some with envy, others with regret.
The chance to meet someone of that caliber was rare. Many around him longed to ask questions but lacked the opportunity. Why, then, was Chen Zemian asking to leave?
Of course, Chen Zemian understood that this was a rare opportunity. He also recognized that Lu Zhuonian’s introduction came with good intentions.
However, since crossing into this world, he had always maintained a detached attitude toward the protagonists. He believed that connections only mattered if they could be used — he was neither involved in business nor politics, nor adept at maintaining relationships. Moreover, if any trouble arose, he wouldn’t dare to ask for help from “Old Master Tang.” So, whether he met him or not didn’t really matter.
One look at Chen Zemian’s expression, and Lu Zhuonian immediately guessed what he was thinking. “If there’s a chance in the future, I’ll bring you along. See them a few more times — you’ll get used to it.”
Chen Zemian frowned, his brows knitting together. “I don’t want to go.”
Everyone else: “…”
Was that even something a human would say?
The golden ladder to success was right in front of him, and he still refused to take a single step forward!
If he doesn’t want to meet them, then don’t bring him, Lu Shao. Please, look at me instead. I swear I won’t make you worry like that. Just give me a chance—and I’ll give you a miracle in return.
With many people around, Lu Zhuonian didn’t press further. He simply shot Chen Zemian a look and gestured for him to follow. The two then moved into a private reception room.
Once the door closed, the room instantly fell silent, shutting out all external noise.
Chen Zemian relaxed, sinking into the sofa with a tired sigh. He closed his eyes against the softness of the backrest, seeking a moment of respite.
Lu Zhuonian sat down beside him. “Don’t worry about Xiao Qiwu,” he said softly. “I’ll take care of it.”
Chen Zemian shook his head slightly. “I’m not bothered by him.”
Lu Zhuonian paused for a few seconds before speaking again, his tone low and deliberate. “He has a complicated private life.”
Chen Zemian opened his eyes, casting a curious glance at Lu Zhuonian. “What’s the matter?”
Lu Zhuonian’s tone darkened slightly. “Don’t concern yourself with him.”
Chen Zemian couldn’t help but laugh. “Just because I’m not bothered by him doesn’t mean anything’s going to happen between us. I simply think—whatever he does has nothing to do with me.”
Lu Zhuonian said, “He’s very annoying.”
Suddenly, an idea struck Chen Zemian. He looked at Lu Zhuonian with surprise. “Damn, he didn’t bother you either, did he?”
Lu Zhuonian remained silent.
Watching his silence, Chen Zemian’s eyes widened slowly. An idea suddenly blossomed in his mind —
“That’s the character ‘兀’(Wu)!”
The signature on the card wasn’t π after all—it was ‘兀’(Wu)! Wu, as in Xiao Mingwu!
“So those roses…,” Chen Zemian, steadying himself as if afraid to disturb something fragile, asked in a hushed voice laced with overwhelming regret, “They were from him?!”
Lu Zhuonian: “…”
Chen Zemian’s fury surged. “How could he be so shameless!”
If Xiao Qiwu had simply come to him, Chen Zemian wouldn’t mind. But if he’d come to Lu Zhuonian — that was another matter entirely. He couldn’t help feeling angry.
No wonder Lu Zhuonian called him a “strange thing.”
This man was so bold as to covet the male protagonist of a power-fantasy novel!
Had he ever considered the feelings of the hundreds of thousands of readers who followed the story?
The lives of the readers were just as precious.
Following a power-fantasy novel through over seven million words, even if the author wrote 10,000 words a day, it would take more than 700 days and nights. Now, suddenly, the male protagonist was hooking up with his good brother’s uncle — what kind of plot twist was that? Truly terrifying!
“Don’t go and deal with him,” Chen Zemian warned, a shiver running down his spine. “He’s already thinking about you. You’d better not hang around in front of him.”
According to typical plot routines, if the protagonist insisted on fighting at this point, he was most likely to be killed.
It was simply too dangerous.
Lu Zhuonian said speechlessly, “He’s not thinking about me. Chen Zemian, he’s seducing you.”
“???”
Chen Zemian struggled to grasp Lu Zhuonian’s words. “Seducing me? You mean those flowers were… given to me?!”
Lu Zhuonian sighed softly. “Chen Zemian, can you not always be so foolish? Others have put their feelings right in front of you, but you can’t see it at all.”
Chen Zemian finally reacted this time. Having figured out Xiao Qiwu’s feelings, he was flattered and exclaimed, “Wow, it was actually given to me! That person is quite nice. This is the first time I’ve received so many roses!”
Lu Zhuonian remained silent.
Seeing Lu Zhuonian suddenly fall silent, Chen Zemian quickly added, “Don’t worry. Although those flowers are beautiful, no matter how kind he is, I won’t like men.”
Hearing this, Lu Zhuonian was even more speechless, and he could only be unhappy in silence.
After a moment, he unexpectedly called Chen Zemian’s name.
Chen Zemian turned his head. “What’s wrong?”
Lu Zhuonian said calmly, “If giving you flowers is enough to make you drink, then does that mean I can do something even more excessive?”
Chen Zemian was puzzled. He looked at Lu Zhuonian blankly. “Huh?”
Lu Zhuonian stared intently at Chen Zemian, his eyes heavy with meaning. “Xiao Qiwu is not a good person. Don’t think he’s kind just because he sent you flowers.”
Chen Zemian said, “No, it’s nothing like that. I just found it… novel. It’s the first time a guy’s ever given me roses.”
Lu Zhuonian’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he swallowed. “If it’s novelty you’re after…”
“No, no,” Chen Zemian hurriedly interrupted, his ears turning slightly hot with anxiety. “Really not! Don’t say it again!”
Lu Zhuonian’s tone grew slightly hoarse. “I didn’t mean anything else.”
Chen Zemian whispered, “I know.”
Lu Zhuonian chose his words carefully. “You deserve better.”
Chen Zemian responded with an “um.” “Don’t worry. If I liked anyone who gave me flowers, I’d have been married eight hundred times by now.”
Hearing this, Lu Zhuonian’s expression darkened further.
Chen Zemian, unaware of Lu Zhuonian’s displeasure, closed his eyes to rest for a moment. As he sipped water, he noticed a small notepad on the table. Without hesitation, he tore off a piece, quickly sketched an invitation in pencil, and handed it to Lu Zhuonian.
Lu Zhuonian looked down at the paper and asked, “What is this?”
Chen Zemian explained, “An invitation. Sincerely inviting you, Lu Zhuonian, to take some time to go to Hainan and enjoy the sea view of Sanya with me, Chen Zemian.”
Lu Zhuonian took the palm-sized note and examined it with a slight sniff of disdain. “It’s not as formal as the greeting card sent by the property management, and it’s written in pencil.”
Chen Zemian immediately started rambling.
“We must go to the sea when we visit Sanya this time. According to tradition, logbooks are written in pencil because the chemical properties of graphite are stable and resistant to water infiltration. Even if there’s a shipwreck, the message can be preserved. Fountain pens and carbon pens, however, can’t do that.”
“I wrote this with a pencil because I hope this invitation can be like a ship’s logbook — able to withstand wind, rain, and even disaster, and still reach you safely.”
Lu Zhuonian listened carefully and then accepted the note with a slight, deliberate gesture. “So, that’s the story behind it. I thought it was because only pencils were available in the reception room.”
Chen Zemian nodded sincerely. “That’s part of it.”
Lu Zhuonian pondered for a moment. “As expected of a game planner — obviously perfunctory but with a touching backstory. It sounds very thoughtful.”
Chen Zemian responded effortlessly, “What’s touching isn’t the story, but my sincerity in inviting Lu Shao.”
Lu Zhuonian shot him a glance. “I’m willing to believe your nonsense.”
Chen Zemian grinned proudly. “That’s because I know how to convince even the most difficult to please, Mr. Lu.”
Lu Zhuonian chuckled softly. “Am I hard to please?”
Chen Zemian nodded. “You are way too hard to please.”
Lu Zhuonian’s lips curled into a slight smile. “But it’s not hard if it’s you.”
Chen Zemian smiled back. “Then, do you accept my invitation?”
Lu Zhuonian nodded. “Yes.”
With a triumphant cheer, Chen Zemian raised his hand to bump fists with Lu Zhuonian.
Lu Zhuonian shifted the conversation. “Can you come with me to meet Old Master Tang?”
When this was mentioned, Chen Zemian’s face darkened immediately. “But I don’t know how to handle big bosses. I was very nervous when I met your father last time.”
Lu Zhuonian coaxed him patiently. “Don’t be nervous. You’re lively and outspoken—Old Master Tang will like you.”
Chen Zemian muttered under his breath, “What good is his approval to me, anyway?”
Lu Zhuonian raised an eyebrow. “Then whose approval do you want?”
Chen Zemian hesitated, almost wanting to say “you,” but he was aware that it sounded gay to speak about gays like that.
If it hadn’t been for the incident with Xiao Qiwu earlier, he wouldn’t be overthinking this.
Damn Xiao Qiwu — he should be accused of homophobia.
He could only change his words. “You’re my network of contacts. I don’t need to know anyone else.”
Lu Zhuonian’s lips twitched into a slight smile. “It’s always good to have more friends and connections.”
Chen Zemian knew he was right. However, the act of “paving the way” carried a hint of “exit,” much like how, after Xiao Kesong introduced him to Lu Zhuonian, he had less and less time to spend with Xiao Kesong himself.
A truly capable older brother helps his younger sibling move upward, so Xiao Kesong brought him to meet Lu Zhuonian, and Lu Zhuonian in turn introduced him to Old Master Tang.
But Chen Zemian didn’t want to know so many powerful people. He just wanted to play with Xiao Kesong, Lu Zhuonian, and others.
“Even if I meet more people, I’ll still come to you first when I need help.”
Chen Zemian stood his ground. “Before, you said that if someone bullies me, I should come to you. Why are you now introducing me to Old Master Tang? Don’t you want to look out for me?”
Hearing this, Lu Zhuonian’s eyes flickered with a complicated emotion.
Chen Zemian tilted his head in confusion.
Lu Zhuonian was silent for a long moment, then slowly spoke.
“What if one day I’m not here? Or… what if I bully you? There must be someone who can protect you.”
*****
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What? Is it foreshadowing that I smell?