Upon hearing this, Shen Qingwan’s fingers trembled unexpectedly, causing her to play a wrong note in an instant.
Her eyes suddenly lifted, and she looked at Lu Zhuonian in surprise.
Lu Zhuonian glanced at her, his gaze sharp and full of warning.
Immediately, Shen Qingwan lowered her head, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and confusion.
She slowly plucked the strings again. The sound of the piano was calm and steady, yet her heart was in turmoil — unsettled and restless.
So, that’s it.
No wonder she couldn’t get Chen Zemian’s contact information from Lu Zhuonian! No wonder she had been unable to see him at the shooting range several times! And no wonder Chen Zemian had dismissed the first small cake she sent as “not delicious” — it all made sense now.
No wonder, too, that today — despite being the Little New Year — Lu Zhuonian, such a rule-abiding person, left his family behind and insisted on coming to the shooting range to make a pot of tea for Chen Zemian.
When he saw someone else was present, he had casually said, “If I had known someone was with you, I wouldn’t have come.”
What a good tea!
Shen Qingwan couldn’t help but be convinced. It would have been fine if the first man she fell in love with was gay, but she was still trying hard to get rid of her feelings for the second.
In terms of personality and appearance, Lu Zhuonian and Chen Zemian were both top-tier. Shen Qingwan had initially thought that even if she couldn’t catch Lu Zhuonian, she could still pursue Chen Zemian. Both of them were excellent, and she was willing to accept that shift in her pursuit.
However, she had never expected that Lu Zhuonian would be so unexpectedly gay, and that Chen Zemian would also be caught in the same trap.
With Lu Zhuonian’s scheming and means, he was undoubtedly much faster at chasing people than she was.
For a moment, Shen Qingwan couldn’t tell whether it was more difficult to pursue Lu Zhuonian or to snatch a man from him.
It was simply too challenging.
May the world accept heterosexuality, she thought wryly.
She plucked the strings fiercely and played a song titled Cháng Mén Yuàn.
Under the soaring resentment in her music, the guqin broke through its own bottleneck, pouring out a sad, blood-like cry.
Her heart felt colder than the biting winter wind outside.
Suddenly, Lu Zhuonian’s voice broke through the air. “Can you play something festive?” he asked lightly, his tone casual yet pointed. “Today is the Little New Year, after all.”
You asked for it!
Shen Qingwan forced a smile and responded softly, “Okay, President.”
In her mind, she silently declared, I’ll play you a song called [Jīn Shé Kuáng Wǔ] until your head buzzes!
Meanwhile, Chen Zemian remained oblivious to the undercurrent swirling between Lu Zhuonian and Shen Qingwan.
From his perspective, after Lu Zhuonian casually mentioned that ‘Xiao Qiwu was gay’, Shen Qingwan’s reaction was somewhat abnormal. She played another irritating song, then left after a while.
Based on this, Chen Zemian concluded—
“So, Shen Qingwan is homophobic.”
Lu Zhuonian knew that Chen Zemian’s reasoning process was often abstract, but he couldn’t help but ask, “What’s the basis for that?”
Chen Zemian responded reasonably, “After you said Xiao Qiwu was gay, she became restless, and the sound of her piano turned chaotic. Isn’t that exactly a manifestation of homophobia?”
Lu Zhuonian looked at Chen Zemian, his expression unreadable. “And what about you?” he asked slowly.
Chen Zemian’s eyes were as clear as water. He tilted his head and asked, “Me? What about me?”
Lu Zhuonian’s tone grew softer but no less serious. “Are you homophobic?”
Chen Zemian shook his head without hesitation. “No, what’s the matter?”
Lu Zhuonian curled his fingers and looked away, trying to hide his emotions. “Nothing. Just asking.”
Suddenly, an idea struck Chen Zemian. He grinned and asked, “You don’t want to introduce me to a boyfriend, do you?”
Before Lu Zhuonian could lift his lips in a smile, his face suddenly darkened. He uttered four cold words, “How is it possible?”
Chen Zemian’s mind spun again. “Then, you want to introduce me to a girlfriend?”
Lu Zhuonian’s body turned even colder. “Do you really want to find one?”
Chen Zemian chuckled awkwardly. “Not really. It’s just that I haven’t met the right one yet.”
Lu Zhuonian’s tone was serious. “It’s best not to.”
Chen Zemian blinked in curiosity. “Why?”
Lu Zhuonian’s warning was calm but firm. “You’ll regret it.”
Will I regret it? Chen Zemian looked at Lu with confusion.
Lu Zhuonian met his gaze with calmness.
After a few seconds of silence, Chen Zemian suddenly nodded and praised, “Great.”
Lu Zhuonian was briefly stunned. “???”
Chen Zemian, with a playful grin, continued, “It’s said that wise men don’t fall in love. No wonder you excel at everything — because you pour all your love into your career!”
In the ending of the original novel, the male protagonist’s company covered eight emerging industries and nine future technologies, mastering countless core innovations. He broke through technical barriers, resolved the “bottleneck” problems, sparked a new industrial revolution, and secured China’s voice in the global trade war.
He was the real male protagonist!
Initially, Chen Zemian thought the original story left unclear whether the female lead was fully committed, but now he realized — perhaps the male protagonist was too narrow-minded.
Turns out, this was a male protagonist without a romantic partner!
In this way, Lu Zhuonian exemplified integrity and nobility. He had shed vulgar tastes and dedicated himself entirely to his work, making outstanding contributions to national development.
He was truly the male protagonist of the people — the hero of the new era, the champion of communism!
Only doing business, not women!
“A strong country is lucky to have you,” Chen Zemian said admiringly. “You have perseverance. You will succeed in everything you pursue.”
Lu Zhuonian didn’t know what strange thoughts Chen Zemian was thinking again, but he sighed softly and said, “I’m 100% sure that right now, my thoughts have nothing to do with a strong country.”
Chen Zemian stepped closer and asked, “What are you thinking about now?”
“Getting this close all of a sudden…” Lu Zhuonian leaned back slightly, looking into Chen Zemian’s eyes. “It has to be you.”
Chen Zemian immediately frowned. “How can I have nothing to do with a strong country? I have to build one myself! When I get home tonight, I’ll start planning the second game — once it’s done, sell it abroad, drink the blood of capitalism, make money off capitalism, and corrupt their teenage kids!”
Lu Zhuonian remained silent.
Chen Zemian noticed that Lu Zhuonian suddenly stopped talking, so he turned his head to look at him. “What’s wrong?”
Lu Zhuonian raised his hand and roughly rubbed Chen Zemian’s cheek. His skin was tender and delicate, and the rough touch instantly turned Chen Zemian’s face red.
“It hurts!” Caught off guard, Chen Zemian groaned in pain. “Why are you pinching me?”
Lu Zhuonian slowly twisted his fingers, a faint expression of disapproval crossing his face. “Don’t corrupt young people,” he said softly but firmly.
Chen Zemian replied weakly, “I was just talking nonsense.”
Lu Zhuonian regarded him with a stern look, then calmly took out an alcohol wipe and began to wipe his hands at a slow, deliberate pace.
Later, at six o’clock in the evening, Chen Zemian drove Lu Zhuonian back to the old house.
Before leaving, Lu Zhuonian reminded him once more, “During the Chinese New Year, all kinds of strange things have returned. Don’t go out and play if you have nothing to do.”
*****
The strange things Lu Zhuonian mentioned, of course, mainly referred to Xiao Kesong’s uncle, Xiao Qiwu.
Indeed, it had to be said that his judgment of Xiao Qiwu’s appearance and aura was remarkably accurate.
One evening, after a cocktail party had just concluded, Xiao Qiwu accidentally caught a glimpse of Chen Zemian’s profile. Without hesitation, he immediately asked who the young man was.
After learning that he was the younger brother of Xiao Kesong, his eldest nephew, Xiao Qiwu smiled meaningfully, as if he had uncovered something significant.
That very night, Xiao Qiwu handed Xiao Kesong a VIP card to a high-end club — one that was notoriously difficult to obtain — so that he could invite friends to enjoy themselves whenever he pleased.
Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Kesong didn’t hesitate. After receiving the card, the very first person he made an appointment with was his good friend Chen Zemian.
“Lu Zhuonian won’t let me go out to play,” he lamented, speaking into the phone with exaggerated frustration.
Faced with Xiao Kesong’s persistent invitation, Chen Zemian had no choice but to refuse. “He specifically told me not to go out with you,” he explained.
Xiao Kesong wailed loudly, his voice echoing through the receiver as if he had turned on a speaker. “Why?”
Chen Zemian hesitated for a moment, then offered a vague explanation. “Maybe it’s because he’s homophobic.”
Hearing this, Xiao Kesong’s eyes widened as if he’d just been struck by a shocking piece of gossip. He immediately lowered his voice and pressed for details. “What? What? What?”
Chen Zemian’s reasoning was smooth and logical. “He said that during the recent Chinese New Year, all kinds of strange things have returned.”
Xiao Kesong didn’t quite understand. “How can you tell he’s homophobic from that?”
Chen Zemian didn’t directly mention Xiao Qiwu’s identity. Instead, he spoke ambiguously. “Because we were discussing gay issues beforehand.”
Xiao Kesong hesitated again, clearly uncertain. “Huh? No way. He didn’t do that before.”
Chen Zemian, unconcerned, casual as ever, replied, “Anyway, he said not to let me hang out with gays.”
This time, Xiao Kesong was momentarily sober. “He’s afraid you might be harmed by someone,” he guessed.
Chen Zemian burst into loud laughter. “Hahaha! We’re all men — who knows who might harm whom?”
Hearing Chen Zemian’s silly smile, Xiao Kesong suddenly reacted and said, “Forget it. If you don’t want to come, then don’t. Lu Zhuonian is right. It’s better to play less outside recently. Just listen to him.”
Before Chen Zemian could reply, Xiao Kesong hung up the phone abruptly.
Afterward, Xiao Kesong didn’t waste time. He turned upstairs and knocked directly on Xiao Qiwu’s door.
The door swung open, revealing Xiao Qiwu with a cigarette in his mouth. “What’s wrong, nephew?” he asked casually.
“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to!” Xiao Kesong threw a VIP card at Xiao Qiwu. “You’re not allowed to have any bad thoughts about my brother.”
Xiao Qiwu leaned against the doorframe, exhaling a slow puff of smoke. “Why would I have bad thoughts? We’re all young people. What’s wrong with having some fun?”
Xiao Kesong’s face darkened with anger. “Who are you calling a young person? Don’t be disrespectful to the elders. You two are from different generations!”
Xiao Qiwu’s fox-like eyes smiled slyly. “My dear nephew, I’m only twenty-nine. How could I be old?”
Xiao Kesong snapped, “Chen Zemian is only nineteen!”
The more Xiao Qiwu saw Xiao Kesong anxious, the more he relished teasing him. He deliberately counted on his fingers and said, “Oh, that’s perfect. Our zodiac signs line up nicely.”
Xiao Kesong was so anxious he almost bit his tongue. “It doesn’t make sense! It doesn’t make sense!” he exclaimed. “If you dare to mess around, I’ll tell my mother!”
Xiao Qiwu, though unafraid of his elder brother, still held a bit of awe for his sister-in-law. Hearing this, he immediately straightened up, no longer smiling. “Is it that serious?”
Xiao Kesong pointed at Xiao Qiwu and warned him once more.
Xiao Qiwu nodded superficially, then returned to his room, instructing someone to investigate Chen Zemian thoroughly.
The more he dug into it, the more intriguing it became.
Xiao Qiwu didn’t often return to Beijing, but every time he did, he made sure to stir up some trouble for the Xiao family before leaving.
This trip back to Beijing, naturally, couldn’t be in vain. Since he was here, he decided — on behalf of the Xiao family — to offend the little prince of the Lu family.
*****
On the morning of the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month, there were no group activities at the Lu family’s old house. Lu Zhuonian took the opportunity to return to Shengting Huafu, where he lived.
As soon as he parked the car, his eyes were drawn to the front yard — full of flowers and red roses.
Some had been delivered that very day; dew still clung to their petals, shimmering in the cold wind. Others, battered by the night’s frost, had already wilted.
In front of the door, a bouquet of roses was accompanied by a black, gilded greeting card.
[These flowers are beautiful and remind me of you.
— — Wu]
Perhaps because his face was too dull, Lu Zhuonian paused in front of the villa door, scrutinizing his reflection twice before unlocking the electronic lock.
The armored door swung open automatically.
As soon as he stepped inside, the gloom in Lu Zhuonian’s heart eased noticeably — by more than half.
In stark contrast, there was not a single flower in sight.
Chen Zemian’s coat and scarf lay discarded on the entrance cabinet, while two pieces of clothing were piled on the sofa in the living room.
The coffee table was cluttered with snacks — some opened and partially eaten, others with empty wrappers tossed aside.
On the carpet, a tablet lay amidst the mess — full of life, full of energy.
Chen Zemian had obviously stayed up late again, as he had yet to get out of bed.
The lights in the dining area remained on, illuminating the room in a warm glow.
Lu Zhuonian walked upstairs with light steps and entered the second floor.
Chen Zemian rarely closed his bedroom door when sleeping, a habit stemming from earlier days when Lu Zhuonian’s hands weren’t always steady. If both doors were shut, Chen Zemian couldn’t hear Lu Zhuonian calling him.
That habit persisted to this day.
He entered the guest room. The curtains weren’t drawn tightly, letting a ray of morning sunlight spill through the gap, casting a golden glow on the bed.
Chen Zemian lay on his side, only wearing a loose short-sleeved T-shirt. Half of his calves peeked out from under the quilt, his face buried in the bedding.
He hadn’t slept well; his head rested on the edge of the pillow, half-hugging the duvet, with his back exposed to the air.
The hem of his T-shirt slightly rolled up, revealing a slender waist with a graceful curve of the spine.
His waist and hips appeared soft and gentle, as if drawn in one flowing motion — almost inviting the touch.
Lu Zhuonian’s Adam’s apple moved involuntarily as he forced himself to look away.
The dark fire ignited by the sight of the roses and greeting card flickered briefly in his chest, then dimmed — only to be replaced by a quieter, more persistent flame that flowed through his limbs and bones, burning with silent heat.
Chen Zemian took a deep breath, unaware of his surroundings, content to sleep peacefully here.
He was relaxed and unguarded, difficult to rouse.
Lu Zhuonian silently approached the bed, standing still for a long moment.
The morning light moved lazily across his face, gradually tracing from his shoulders to his cheeks.
It was as if this sunlight was a silent timer — marking the passing of time, silently urging him to wake.
And when the light finally swept across Chen Zemian’s eyelashes, Lu Zhuonian leaned over slowly, and, softly, pressed his lips to the light.
*****
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Author: LazyHermitGal
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