“……”
Chi Zhan never stood a chance once Zhou Yanxing got snarky. The man was a master negotiator—words sharp as blades, but never a single curse. In meetings, he routinely dismantled opponents with such finesse they didn’t even realize they’d lost until they were already retreating in defeat.
Chi Zhan had a sinking feeling. It was like he’d boarded a pirate ship—and it was far too late to jump off now.
He tried again.
“He’s a good cook.”
To be honest, Chi Zhan had never seen Zhou Yanxing cook. The man lived like royalty—he wouldn’t set foot in a restaurant that charged less than four figures, and he had a housekeeper at home. Odds were, he’d never even touched a pan.
Zhou Yanxing responded coolly, “If that’s your reason, then you should be dating a chef, not a singer. Can he make a full Manchu-Han banquet?”
“……”
“I’ll give you one last chance,” Zhou Yanxing’s gaze darkened slightly. “If you can’t come up with a good reason, then swapping boyfriends isn’t such a big deal, is it?”
Damn it—Chi Zhan was starting to think he had a point.
No! Snap out of it. This was pure sophistry!
Was there anything Zhou Yanxing lacked compared to Chu Xingxiao?
Chi Zhan’s mind was spinning with one thought: Zhou Yanxing is emotionally repressed.
A kiss meant nothing, really.
Especially considering how ascetic he usually seemed. He was nothing like those overbearing CEOs in romance novels. For all Chi Zhan knew, he might be… underperforming in certain departments?
But saying that aloud felt like tempting fate.
Zhou Yanxing glanced at his watch and reminded him, “Ten seconds left.”
He’s counting down now?!
Chi Zhan couldn’t believe how surreal this whole scene felt. Here he was, in an office, discussing why Zhou Yanxing might not measure up to Chu Xingxiao, and Zhou Yanxing was treating it like a serious business conversation.
Chi Zhan racked his brain, then blurted, “He… he’s younger.”
Age—the ultimate trump card. Everything else could be achieved with effort, but age? No amount of hard work could change that.
As expected, Zhou Yanxing didn’t respond immediately.
“So you like them immature.”
“……”
Seriously, how could Zhou always twist his words like this?
“Young doesn’t equal immature,” he shot back. “He’s energetic, full of life. Being around him feels like being back on a college campus.”
Zhou Yanxing raised an eyebrow.
“Whatever you want to do, I can do with you. As for ‘full of life’…” His voice dropped, teasingly low. “Secretary Chi, would you like to test it for yourself?”
“What?”
“For instance—I could do push-ups on top of you for an hour straight,” Zhou Yanxing said, slow and deliberate, eyes dark and unreadable. “That should give you a pretty good idea of how much stamina I’ve got.”
“……”
“You’ve lost,” Zhou Yanxing leaned in, one hand braced on the back of Chi Zhan’s chair, effectively caging him in. His posture was casual, but it brought him intimately close—like he was ready to pull Chi Zhan into his arms. “Secretary Chi, a bet’s a bet. Now… maybe it’s time you reconsidered your boyfriend, hmm?”
Only then did Chi Zhan realize: this wasn’t some logical debate—it was a no-win trap, a devil’s bargain where every answer led to the same outcome.
He instinctively leaned back, neck and spine curving into a beautifully arched line, doing his best to create space between them. But his voice came out dry and hoarse.
“I don’t want to…”
Zhou Yanxing’s eyes flickered—dangerously so—and Chi Zhan’s heartbeat instantly quickened.
“It’s work hours now, President Zhou. I should get back to my desk,” he said stiffly, latching onto the excuse like a lifeline. He scrambled to his feet, pushed the door open, and fled like his life depended on it.
Zhou Yanxing watched him go, thoroughly amused.
Chi Zhan… do you even realize?
From the very beginning of this game, he’d already won.
Back in their school days, whenever a group went out to karaoke or hung out at parties, they’d often play Truth or Dare. And if there was a couple among them, someone would inevitably ask the classic gossip question: “What do you like about him?”
Everyone would rattle off the usual answers—He’s handsome. He treats me well. He’s really thoughtful.
Just like Chi Zhan, trying his best to come up with reasons.
But only one person, back then, had given a different answer:
“I like him. No reason. I just do.”
Nobody took that reply seriously. They thought it was lazy, even evasive.
Yet years later, of all the people who played that game, only that boy and the person he liked had actually made it.
Zhou Yanxing thought of that moment today, and found it strangely poignant.
If he had to explain why he liked Chi Zhan… there were countless little things. But none of them were the reason.
It was just a spark—some inexplicable feeling that made his heart race whenever he saw him. That lifted his mood. That haunted his mind when they were apart. Like a moth to flame. Even if it killed him, he’d never stop loving this man.
Chi Zhan returned to his desk, mentally reviewing every embarrassing misstep he’d just made.
He hated to admit it, but he could never stay composed around Zhou Yanxing the way he did with other people. Maybe it was the man’s innate authority, the sheer weight of his presence. Or maybe it was something else…
Chi Zhan pressed his lips together.
Zhou Yanxing had kissed him like a man possessed—like he’d never kissed anyone before. His lips still stung a little.
He took a sip of water, trying to soothe them.
Who would’ve thought that the fantasy of an overbearing CEO and an office romance game would end up being played out… between Zhou Yanxing and himself?
Chi Zhan was still tangled in his thoughts when a knock sounded at the door.
“Secretary Chi! Afternoon tea time! The spread’s amazing today!” Xiao Jia called cheerfully. “Everyone’s in shock!”
Chi Zhan blinked.
“This early?”
Their company offered complimentary afternoon tea, always organized in advance with a changing daily menu.
Today’s selection was especially indulgent—pasta, veal steak, desserts, and even fried chicken. The aroma wafted through the air, utterly irresistible.
“Wow, who splurged on this feast today? Must’ve cost President Zhou a fortune!”
