chapter 44

Chapter 44: Eye-candy - Shall I strip then?

As He Guan pushed open the door to his office, his gaze immediately landed on Lou Junduo, who was casually lounging with his legs propped up on He Guan's desk.

Lou, engrossed in fiddling with a designer item on the desk, looked up with a congenial smile and greeted, "Little Guan."

Without missing a beat, He Guan shut the door behind him, nodded, and stated, "Make way, I need to start working."

Lou Junduo feigned innocence, "But I haven't discussed anything with you yet. How will you get updates on the company's ongoing projects?"

He Guan: "I've already reviewed the recent three investment projects."

Lou Junduo: "What's your take on them?"

He Guan: "Get up from the chair."

Only then did Lou Junduo stand.

Settling into his chair, He Guan began, "Father discussed it with me. The project in the Southeast New District is a sure win. The three movies are mediocre; 'The Flower Field' in particular has average production and might face criticism. I heeded his advice and vetoed it. The investment associated with the main group was also withdrawn by my father; I had no say in that matter."

Lou Junduo: "Grandfather?"

He Guan: "Hmm?"

As he sat down, the warmth from Lou Junduo's previous seat lingered, causing a slight frown to form on He Guan's face.

The residual warmth and scent of another person felt intrusive to him.

This was He Guan's territory.

Lou Junduo: "Quite impressive..."

He Guan nodded dismissively, "You don’t need to come here anymore."

Lou Junduo's smile remained impeccable: "I haven't finished asking."

While flipping through today's financial report, He Guan said, "What else? Ask all at once."

Lou Junduo: "Why did you agree to marry Lou Dongzang?"

He Guan's brows furrowed instantly, "Why are you so interested in our marital affairs? Gossiping doesn't suit you."

Distracting Lou Junduo by playing on his good nature was a tactic.

Lou Junduo: "I—"

He Guan shook his head, "It was my fault for not mentioning earlier, but I also overlooked your abruptness that day at the castle. We're even on that. What do you gain from prying further?"

Engrossed in his paperwork, his words seemed cold.

Yet, beneath that apparent indifference, he was subtly absolving Lou Junduo of his anger from that day at the castle.

He Guan was giving Lou Junduo a way out.

Still as gentle as ever...

Lou Junduo wanted to touch his hair but noticed He Guan had applied some gel, obscuring the soft curls he once had.

He took a step back, distressed, "Xiao Guan, you've changed so much."

He Guan: "Who doesn't change? Isn't that normal? Besides, I've been quite happy since marrying him."

Lou Junduo: "Do you truly love him?"

Meanwhile, Lou Junduo tried to touch He Guan's hand.

Flipping a page of the report, He Guan's hand moved upward, avoiding him.

Lou Junduo reluctantly withdrew his hand.

He Guan looked up, his gaze distant, "What does 'love' mean?"

Lou Junduo, seeing an opening, pressed on: "Can an arranged marriage be equated with genuine affection? Just because someone tells you to like someone, you will? Xiao Guan, doesn't it all depend on your heart?"

He Guan: "But I..."

Lou Junduo raised his index finger to He Guan's lips, silencing him.

Reflexively, He Guan leaned back to avoid his touch.

Lou Junduo: "After all these years apart, I still remember your face, your preferences, even the kind of person you'd fall for... How could you possibly like someone cold as Lou Dongzang? It's such a waste."

Lou Junduo: "Would you avoid Lou Dongzang as you're avoiding me now? You'd just grow more resentful of him, wouldn't you?"

Lou Junduo was gambling, betting that Lou Dongzang wasn't treating He Guan well.

Betting their encounter that day was merely an act.

He Guan arched an eyebrow, pointing to himself: "Waste? Are you referring to me?"

Lou Junduo: "You're too hard on yourself."

He Guan shook his head: "You don't understand."

Lou Junduo: "Where's the joy in this? Aren't you busy enough taking care of a blind man every day? Plus, the commute to the old mansion takes two hours. Xiao Guan, look at those dark circles under your eyes."

He Guan fell silent.

Seizing the opportunity, Lou Junduo pressed on: "Was it him who coerced you that day at the castle? Did he tell you Yan Fengqing would be there and asked you to play along? Just how much did he pay you? Do you think I can't match that amount?"

Had Lou Junduo said this before Lou Dongzang confessed his feelings to He Guan, He Guan might've been swayed and questioned Lou Dongzang's intentions.

But now? Well...

It was clearly Lou Dongzang's deliberate scheme.

Indeed, it was.

Yet, He Guan showed no signs of agreement. Instead, he furrowed his brows and set down his pen, seemingly deep in thought.

Seeing his tactic working, Lou Junduo straightened up, awaiting He Guan's response.

As expected, after some contemplation, He Guan hesitantly inquired: "What are you implying...?"

Lou Junduo: "Don't let him manipulate you. He's treating you so poorly. Why are you going out of your way for him? Don't you see that this position grandfather gave you is merely a consolation? He Guan, this role means nothing. If not for you, I wouldn’t even bother with today's handover. Am I right?"

"Xiao Guan, I can help you."

Lou Junduo: "Want to join my side? Haven’t you had enough of the entertainment industry? I've given you half a billion already; are you worried about the current funds? You could remain in showbiz indefinitely. We've known each other for years. My door is always open to you, whenever you wish."

Torn, He Guan contemplated for a while before finally relenting: "Give me some time to think..."

Lou Junduo's face brightened: "No worries, I understand it's a tough decision. Take your time."

He Guan: "If... I mean, if I change my mind, how do I contact you?"

Lou Junduo slid a hotel key card across the table: "Come here and call me once you arrive."

He Guan eyed the card, which read 'Royal Hotel', took it without any change in expression.

Lou Junduo, having achieved his purpose, glanced theatrically at his watch: "Xiao Guan, I have other commitments. It's a pity we can't dine together... I was hoping to spend more time with you."

He Guan, quick on the uptake, said: "I have work to catch up on, and being new, there's so much I don’t know. You can go; your presence is somewhat distracting."

Lou Junduo felt a tug at his heartstrings from the word “distracting” and considered lingering a bit longer. Just then, Yan Xu's voice echoed from outside: "Mr. He, may I come in?"

He Guan replied loudly: "Enter."

Yan Xu's gaze naturally settled on Lou Junduo, appearing slightly vexed: "Mr. Lou, I..."

In high spirits, Lou Junduo interrupted, "I know. I'm leaving, so I won't cause any inconvenience!"

With an exaggerated smile, he said, "Xiao Guan, remember our agreement. I'm off now."

He Guan nodded stoically.

After Lou Junduo left, He Guan immediately contacted security to stream the surveillance feed to his computer.

Once he saw Lou Junduo leave the floor, he covered his mouth and stood abruptly, overwhelmed with disgust that spread from his arms to his forehead, causing goosebumps.

If the story followed its original trajectory, this would be the outcome.

The original He Guan suffered hardships in his early life. The money he swindled in his adulthood was squandered on luxuries.

A slightly unpalatable dish would be discarded; non-branded perfumes, if brought near, would be conspicuously avoided. A janitor's broom brushing against his foot would result in a public outburst, and only five-star hotels were acceptable lodgings.

Living with Lou Dongzang in the Dongzang Garden was practically unbearable for him.

He stayed in the neighboring guest room for a day, tormented by the dust and the decayed scent of wilted flowers, causing him to retch. He left the next morning and never returned.

Back then, he was lured by Lou Jun Duo into Huaiyin's den of opulence, becoming utterly engrossed and unable to extricate himself.

Lou Jun Duo, who had enticed him, quickly grew bored of him. At first, he was granted some resources, but soon after, all contact ceased.

Squandering becomes an addiction. He craved the so-called "high society" life, losing himself in titles and unpronounceable luxury brands. He would promptly appear whenever Lou Jun Duo needed him, becoming a pawn who'd spread his legs for money.

He was trained well. When asked, he would only say, "Lou Jun Duo has given me too much."

Amongst the pretentious crowd, he became "degraded" and "cheap", seemingly losing his human essence, ultimately turning into the drunken fool found by Lou Dong Zang in a rental, still dazedly smiling even in his drunken stupor.

He was oblivious to his impending death till the end.

The root of it all was the conversation between Lou Jun Duo and him right after he married Lou Dong Zang.

He Guan speculated that today's conversation would be eerily similar to that one.

It's as if written on Lou Jun Duo's face: Leave Lou Dong Zang and come to me.

On the surface, Lou Jun Duo appeared impeccable to He Guan, like a long-lost friend inquiring about his marital status.

But He Guan knew, Lou Jun Duo is motivated purely by self-interest.

For those five billion, and to humiliate Lou Dong Zang, Lou Jun Duo would treat him even more ruthlessly than before.

Today, Lou Jun Duo came for precisely these reasons.

Unable to hold back, He Guan retched audibly in the office.

Yan Xu hurriedly brought him water, asking with concern, "Mr. He, are you alright?"

After a few coughs, He Guan took a sip of the water handed to him and said, "Damn it."

It was the first time Yan Xu heard him swear, and he was momentarily stunned.

He Guan continued, "Couldn't help it. Sorry, I didn't get any on you, did I? I just can't stand unclean things."

Yan Xu quickly shook his head, "No, not at all."

Not to mention vomiting, He Guan had merely dry-heaved a few times, even covering his mouth, without a drop touching him.

Coughing slightly, He Guan said, "There aren't many tasks for today. After finishing what needs to be done, I'll leave early. Get a cleaner this afternoon to disinfect and clean the office thoroughly. You can leave early too."

"I need to change my clothes and wash my face now. Keep an eye on the door for me."

Yan Xu tried to hold back a smile, "Understood."

*

On his way home, He Guan regretted asking Lou Jun Duo what he meant by "liking."

Wouldn't he be better off reading a book than asking such an ill-fated question?

To think he was actually expecting a useful answer from Lou Jun Duo, he must've looked like a complete fool.

Thinking about it now still makes him nauseous.

This was the first time He Guan came home at noon. He had worked for less than two hours, and it felt quite leisurely.

It was nearly ten in the morning when he reached home. The sun shone brilliantly outside, and as He Guan strolled from the entrance to the inside, he noticed flowers, which had previously died, starting to regrow in front of the winter garden.

Walking under the radiant sun towards the seventh gate, the sound of his leather shoes on the blue stone bricks echoed loudly.

Someone opened a window on the second floor.

He Guan looked up and kept his gaze fixed on the person who opened the window for quite a while.

The person asked, "Why did you come home so early today? And why are you staring at me? Did I win the lottery?"

With his head tilted back, He Guan retorted, "Saw something dirty at work, came home early to cleanse my eyes with your sight. Are you pleased?"

Lou Dong Zang: "..."

Lou Dong Zang left the window, moving elsewhere.

He Guan didn't hurry inside.

Upon returning to this familiar place, even his breathing slowed down.

The air in the mountains was fresh, and the two-story building was extensively adorned with wooden structures, exuding a faint scent of raw wood.

He squinted in the sunlight, watching the man descend the stairs and head precisely towards the main door.

He had assumed Lou Dong Zang would be upset.

He planned to say this line and then end his irritated mood.

Declining is one thing; conversing normally on a daily basis is another.

Admittedly, after seeing Lou Jun Duo and then looking at Lou Dong Zang, He Guan found the latter to be rather pleasing to the eyes.

No, exceptionally so.

Lou Dong Zang: "He Guan, where are you?"

Standing a few steps away and slightly looking up from the stairs, He Guan watched him approach, "Five steps ahead."

Lou Dong Zang stopped in front of him and asked, "Now?"

He Guan: "What?"

Lou Dong Zang: "I meant your eyes. Still feeling uncomfortable?"

He Guan answered truthfully, "They're still a bit irritated."

Lou Dong Zang gently grasped a strand of He Guan's hair, lightly rubbing it. With a teasing smile, he asked, "Should I undress, then?"

He Guan: "…?"

Lou Dong Zang: "If my face isn't helping soothe your eyes, should I strip?"

He Guan: "...Are you out of your mind?"

Author's note:

Some characters, they're just too much.

Given my diligence, could you please support my work with a pre-order? QAQ

Let me promote a short story of mine that's up for pre-order.

It's a sweet short story to lift the spirit, about ten thousand words or so, set in a modern context titled, "My Arch-Nemesis Turned Into My Cat." Here's a brief overview:

Xie Song Ting's sworn enemy had a car accident and was diagnosed as comatose.

The only thing left of him was a Maine Coon cat.

Since the nemesis's mother was allergic to cat fur but knew Xie Song Ting had a cat and was a popular pet influencer, she comfortably entrusted the cat to him.

Xie Song Ting's inner thoughts: Thanks for the annoyance.

Xie Song Ting verbally: "No need to thank me, Auntie. It's just a cat," he said with a grin.

*

From a young age, Xie Song Ting had a unique ability.

He could hear animals speak.

The day the Maine Coon arrived, he casually set down the carrier, intending to let the cat out and listen to its needs, maybe its hunger.

Maine Coon: "Meow~"

Instantly, a male voice echoed in Xie Song Ting's mind.

"Even though they don't consider me human and threw me away, being in the house of someone I secretly admire isn't bad... Let me act cute. How does a cat meow... Meow?"

Xie Song Ting: "...?"

From that moment on, he chose to be "deaf."

sc1v1he, outwardly a cool beauty but inside, he's constantly reacting, he hears "meows" as sweet nothings and occasionally becomes a cat with a flexible demeanor.

The cat's neutered, but the man isn't.