When Lu Zhuonian heard Zheng Huaiyu’s laughter, his face darkened.
When he saw the man get out of the passenger seat of the Pagani, his expression darkened again—and then again.
It was one thing for Chen Zemian to use his car to give another man a ride, but he actually drove that man himself?
Who was he?
Lu Zhuonian stood in front of the French window in his office, looking down from above, observing everything the two said and did.
Zheng Huaiyu had a very recognizable face. When he walked beside Chen Zemian—one as gorgeous as a peony, the other as clear as a bright moon—it was truly a sight to behold.
Passersby were stunned. Several people who had been chatting and laughing fell silent, their eyes filled with awe. They stopped speaking mid-sentence, their attention fully captured by the two striking figures. Even after they walked a long distance, people were still turning to look—some nearly walked straight into a tree.
Lu Zhuonian’s eyes grew darker. He said nothing.
How did the eldest son of investor Zheng Dong’s family suddenly appear at Chen Zemian’s side?
Although Chen Zemian had been avoiding Lu Zhuonian, it hadn’t affected their relationship. He still cared about him very much.
After entering the office and seeing Lu Zhuonian’s grim expression, Chen Zemian assumed something was wrong with the shooting range’s accounts. He hurried forward to ask about it in detail.
When Lu Zhuonian heard the concern in his tone, his expression softened slightly. He whispered that everything was fine, then ordered the bodyguard to bring up the seafood porridge simmering in the cafeteria kitchen.
Though it was called just seafood porridge, it came with a selection of fresh, refreshing side dishes, the Lu family’s famous wine-marinated shrimp, and two types of pancakes—salty loofah and sweet corn.
All of Chen Zemian’s favorite dishes were brought out and placed neatly on Lu Zhuonian’s desk.
The company’s balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement, bank flows, and other financial documents were pushed to the corner of the desk—stacked so haphazardly that the financial officer’s eyes went dark the moment she stepped inside.
When she exited the office, reports in hand, she couldn’t help rolling her eyes.
In the past, when Young Master Lu reviewed accounts, he wouldn’t even allow a glass of water on the desk. Now? The table was covered with food and drink, and he didn’t even frown.
Not only did Lu Zhuonian allow the desk to be used for dining, he even gave up his leather boss chair, saying to Chen Zemian, “Sit down and eat slowly.”
Zheng Huaiyu saw this and raised his eyebrows imperceptibly.
Lu Zhuonian treated him like air.
Aside from exchanging greetings upon meeting, Lu Zhuonian hadn’t said a single word to Zheng Huaiyu. Judging by his usual restraint and etiquette, even if he didn’t want to engage, he had plenty of ways to subtly send someone off.
But this time, he didn’t. He simply left Zheng Huaiyu aside—intentionally and clearly.
He didn’t even ask why he had come with Chen Zemian, as if he didn’t care how the two knew each other.
The Lu and Zheng families were old friends. The older generation had even married into each other’s families. In some sense, they were related.
As the eldest son of the Zheng family, Zheng Huaiyu had known Lu Zhuonian for a long time. While they’d never been particularly close, they’d never had a falling out either. The reason for this sudden cold treatment was clear.
Yet Zheng Huaiyu wasn’t offended. In fact, he found it amusing.
He leaned against the cabinet with his arms crossed, watching Chen Zemian sit in the main seat while Young Master Lu personally served him a bowl of porridge.
Zheng Huaiyu’s gaze flickered, and he suddenly stood up.
Lu Zhuonian’s expression remained blank as he watched him walk over.
Chen Zemian pulled his chair inward. “You haven’t eaten either? Want to join us?”
Zheng Huaiyu smiled before replying. He picked up the soup spoon with his jade-like fingers, leaned in, and handed it to Chen Zemian. “I’m not hungry, Mr. Chen. I just remembered that I’m your secretary—I should be serving you.”
Chen Zemian choked. “Ahem—no need.”
Zheng Huaiyu reached for the porridge bowl in Lu Zhuonian’s hand. “It’s fine.”
Lu Zhuonian didn’t let go. Instead, he lowered his gaze toward Chen Zemian and asked, “You’re his secretary?”
Chen Zemian answered quickly, “It was arranged by Director Zheng.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhuonian immediately understood.
From just that short exchange, he easily grasped why Zheng Huaiyu was following Chen Zemian.
So it was another paid job.
His mood lifted slightly. “I see. Then Mr. Zheng, do as you please. You don’t need to follow Chen Zemian around every day.”
Zheng Huaiyu adjusted his collar, graceful and composed, and replied smoothly, “My family asked me to work with Mr. Chen. I dare not disobey my parents.”
Chen Zemian looked at him strangely, unsure why Mr. Zheng was suddenly showing off.
Was he competing with Lu Zhuonian?
A cold light flashed in Lu Zhuonian’s eyes. “How much money did your father invest in him?”
Zheng Huaiyu replied, “A lot.”
Chen Zemian tugged on Lu Zhuonian’s sleeve and whispered, “Really a lot.”
Lu Zhuonian glanced at his hand on his sleeve, and his anger softened. He set the porridge bowl down in front of Chen Zemian. “You’d take any job for money?”
Chen Zemian mumbled, “Because it’s a lot.”
At that, Zheng Huaiyu chuckled. “People say Lu Shao and President Chen are close. Looks like they’re right.”
Lu Zhuonian scooped another spoon into the porridge. “If you know, just say so.”
Zheng Huaiyu blinked. “Signing an investment contract is a big deal. Didn’t Mr. Chen mention it to Mr. Lu?”
Lu Zhuonian’s grip tightened on the spoon. “I don’t interfere in his affairs.”
Zheng Huaiyu tilted his head. “But I seem to remember that before signing the contract, Mr. Chen said he’d send it to a friend to review…”
Chen Zemian: “…”
Zheng Huaiyu’s eyes lit up. “So the friend Mr. Chen mentioned wasn’t Mr. Lu?”
Lu Zhuonian: “…”
Chen Zemian was about to explode. He turned to Zheng Huaiyu with wide eyes, silently asking, Are you trying to get me killed?
Zheng Huaiyu just smiled and said nothing.
Chen Zemian thought he’d finally met his match. He’d dealt with plenty of young masters, but this was the first time one had outmaneuvered him. Karma, indeed.
If Liu Yuebo and Ye Xi found out about this, they’d probably celebrate on the spot.
He’d met his nemesis.
Chen Zemian took a deep breath. “Mr. Zheng, I’ll have someone take you to the shooting range. Maybe there’s something you’d like to try.”
Zheng Huaiyu smiled lightly. “Mr. Chen, no need to be so formal. I’ll just wait here.”
Chen Zemian said, “That would be boring.”
Zheng Huaiyu replied, “My father asked me to stay by your side and not wander around. It’s my first day—I can’t go against his wishes. Once the full investment is transferred to your studio’s account, I’ll let you know.”
His words were logical, and Chen Zemian couldn’t argue. “Then sit tight. I’ll take you out after we eat.”
Zheng Huaiyu, unfazed by tension, nodded sensibly and walked to the reception area outside the office. “Then I’ll wait for you outside, Mr. Chen.”
As he left, Chen Zemian finally relaxed. “You don’t have to be so polite. Just call me by name.”
Zheng Huaiyu turned and smiled. “Alright, Zemian.”
Click. With a muffled crack, Lu Zhuonian snapped the jade sandalwood chopsticks in his hand.
Chen Zemian stood up and escorted Zheng Huaiyu out, half-pushing, half-guiding him—finally sending the storm away.
Just as Lu Zhuonian’s mood had slightly improved, it turned sour again. He asked, “That grown man still needs you to take care of him?”
Chen Zemian replied, “Young Master Zheng’s situation is… special.”
Lu Zhuonian cut straight to the point: “Because Director Zheng gave you special conditions.”
Chen Zemian leaned closer and whispered, “Director Zheng invested a lot in our studio—and even gave us access to the operations team. That kind of benefit? Money can’t buy it.”
Lu Zhuonian said coldly, “Giving you so many benefits just proves how difficult Zheng Huaiyu is.”
Chen Zemian lowered his head, picked up a spoon, and sipped the porridge. He casually brought up what Director Zheng had said about Zheng Huaiyu’s tendency to “attract bees and butterflies.”
“I thought it was an exaggeration,” he said, “but the guy had barely stepped into our studio and the front desk couldn’t take their eyes off him. Don’t you think that’s weird?”
Lu Zhuonian replied indifferently, “Young Master Zheng is romantic and charming. He has quite the reputation. You came late, so you probably haven’t heard the stories.”
Chen Zemian’s curiosity was piqued. “What stories?”
Lu Zhuonian leaned back, his tone relaxed. “Zheng Huaiyu has a peculiar hobby. He only makes friends with beautiful people—men or women, it doesn’t matter. But he never gets involved emotionally. When he’s in a good mood, he’ll pamper people endlessly, indulge their every whim, and drive them crazy with affection—then he’ll walk away without looking back.”
Chen Zemian’s eyes widened. “Huh?”
Lu Zhuonian continued, “Let’s not even talk about the distant past. During the four years he studied in Country F, he didn’t date anyone, but several people still chased him all the way back to China.”
Chen Zemian was astonished. “People chased him from abroad? That’s… insane.”
Lu Zhuonian had to admit, Zheng Huaiyu was indeed unusual. “He does have a stunning face. No wonder Director Zheng used the phrase ‘attracting bees and butterflies.’ It fits.”
Chen Zemian said, “The terms Director Zheng offered are too good to ignore. I’m really interested in the entire operations team. No matter how difficult Mr. Zheng is to manage, it’s less stressful than launching a new game.”
“That’s true,” Lu Zhuonian nodded. Then he asked, “When’s the new game launching?”
Chen Zemian perked up. “It goes live at 8 p.m. next Friday. The pre-download is already available in the app store. We’ve got close to a million reservations.”
Lu Zhuonian smiled faintly. “Congratulations in advance, Chen Zemian.”
Chen Zemian looked up with a shrimp in his mouth. “Why congratulate me now? Say it that night.”
Lu Zhuonian replied, “You’ll be busy when the game launches. I don’t want to call and interrupt you.”
Chen Zemian tilted his head in confusion. “Huh? Are you busy that night?”
Lu Zhuonian calmly began organizing the files on his desk. “No.”
It took Chen Zemian a few seconds to realize—
Lu Zhuonian didn’t mean he’d be busy with something else. He meant that Chen Zemian wouldn’t be going back to Shengfu Huating.
They wouldn’t see each other that Friday night, so he was offering his congratulations now.
Even though that was originally Lu Zhuonian’s home—and even though Chen Zemian hadn’t planned on returning—being “excluded” still stirred up an emotion he couldn’t quite name.
He suddenly felt like something was stuck in his throat. The sweet, tender shrimp in his mouth suddenly tasted bitter.
He was full—just like that.
Noticing that he’d put down his chopsticks, Lu Zhuonian called someone in to clear the dishes. Then he stood up and picked up his coat from the back of the chair.
For some reason, Chen Zemian felt a pang of grievance—but couldn’t explain why.
He’d only eaten a small bowl of porridge today. Didn’t Lu Zhuonian notice?
Last time, he’d thrown up during dinner, and this time Lu Zhuonian hadn’t even asked if he was unwell.
Chen Zemian slumped in his seat, listless and silent, sulking.
What frustrated him most was that he didn’t even know what he was angry about.
His stomach churned. He felt like throwing up again.
Chen Zemian’s face rarely betrayed his thoughts, but when he was upset, it showed. His expressions always gave him away. Naturally, Lu Zhuonian noticed.
He felt a pang of distress—but pretended not to.
Chen Zemian hadn’t been home for nearly a week. Of course Lu Zhuonian noticed he was avoiding him.
His acting was terrible.
Lu Zhuonian wanted to talk, but he hadn’t found the right opportunity. Even with all his skill in reading people, he couldn’t guess everything from afar. He didn’t know why Chen Zemian was suddenly avoiding him. Things had been fine.
Why was he now acting like Lu Zhuonian was poison?
For someone always in control, always the strategist, the uncertainty was unsettling.
Chen Zemian was hard to figure out. His thoughts, his reactions—none of them followed conventional logic. If someone else had acted like this, Lu Zhuonian might’ve assumed they were catching feelings.
But he didn’t dare expect that from Chen Zemian.
He was always hiding, avoiding, dodging. They hadn’t even had a real conversation. Even someone like Lu Zhuonian didn’t know where to begin.
He could have ordered him to come home—but he didn’t want that.
There’s a difference between coercion and guidance.
He wanted to gently lead Chen Zemian back to him. If he could just understand what he was thinking, then he’d know how to fix things.
But problems always came before the solution.
Just as he was about to leave, Chen Zemian suddenly rushed to the bathroom and threw up again.
His stomach spasmed, his eyes reddened, and tears clung to his lashes.
He flushed the toilet, covered his stomach, and moved to the sink with a cold expression. Silently, he rinsed his mouth and washed his face.
Lu Zhuonian knocked on the bathroom door. “Are you feeling any better, Chen Zemian?”
Chen Zemian’s throat burned from the gastric acid. His voice came out hoarse. “You haven’t left yet.”
Lu Zhuonian paused. “…Still holding a grudge, huh?”
“I didn’t know you weren’t feeling well.” He gently pushed the door open and handed him a glass of water. “Why are you vomiting again? Does your stomach hurt?”
Chen Zemian took the water and drank a few sips. Supporting himself on the sink with one hand, he didn’t respond—just glanced up at Lu Zhuonian with red-rimmed eyes.
Lu Zhuonian stepped closer, standing directly in front of him. “Don’t be mad. I’ll take you to the hospital.”
Chen Zemian let out a humorless laugh. “No need. I’m just in a bad mood. Lu Shao is busy—you should get back to work.”
Lu Zhuonian chuckled softly. “I’m busy?”
Chen Zemian turned his face away, jaw tight. Beads of water still clung to his cheeks.
Stubborn, prideful, and incredibly bad-tempered.
He was the one who ran away first, and now he was the one sulking.
Lu Zhuonian hadn’t even done anything—had just tossed out a bait to lure him home—and Chen Zemian was already falling apart.
He really makes a fuss when he’s sick.
With a quiet sigh, Lu Zhuonian pulled out a silk handkerchief and gently wiped the water from his face. “I don’t know who’s been so busy they haven’t come home all week.”
Chen Zemian pursed his lips. “That’s not my home.”
Lu Zhuonian replied calmly, “It can be.”
Chen Zemian’s heart gave a sudden jolt. “What do you mean?”
Lu Zhuonian placed the handkerchief in his hand. “We’ll write a gift agreement and transfer the deed at the real estate bureau. Then it’ll be yours.”
“…”
Chen Zemian lowered his head. His voice was muffled. “I don’t want your house.”
Lu Zhuonian’s voice was soft, almost fragile, as if afraid of shattering something between them. “Then what do you want?”
Chen Zemian’s fingers curled around the handkerchief. “I want it to be like before.”
Lu Zhuonian said gently, “Okay.”
Chen Zemian felt that response was too perfunctory. He lifted his head, eyes flaring. “I haven’t even said what that means yet!”
Lu Zhuonian met his gaze and said, “It’s all right.”
All right…?
Chen Zemian blinked, stunned. The fire in his chest suddenly fizzled out.
Lu Zhuonian’s tone didn’t change, as if he were simply stating a fact—or surrendering something he’d once held tightly.
“You can do whatever you want, Chen Zemian.”
*****
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