Chapter 31: The Morning After: An Unexpected Reaction

Chapter 31: The Morning After: An Unexpected Reaction

In the luxurious venue known as "Heaven on Earth," Huo Qilin sat on the sofa with one leg crossed over the other, a cigarette in hand, his gaze fixed on the timid Jiang Fengqiu beside him. He blew out a thick cloud of smoke.

Having met countless people, he often spiced things up for fun, but yesterday was the first time he had been caught off guard.

Unbeknownst to him, someone had slipped him a drug.

Huo Qilin initially suspected Jiang Fengqiu, but his innocent and inexperienced demeanor made it impossible for him to possess such a potent drug.

Nearly twelve hours had passed, and now he felt sore and utterly drained.

Damn.

He had never experienced such a situation before, but Jiang Fengqiu was quite enjoyable, far better than the minor celebrity he had kept for a time. Most importantly, he was untouched, and Huo Qilin liked untouched people.

He loathed anything that had been used by others, and every partner he had been with over the years had been a virgin.

At this thought, Huo Qilin's expression softened slightly.

He took a long drag from his cigarette and slowly exhaled the smoke into Jiang Fengqiu's face.

"So, what do you want?"

Jiang Fengqiu paled. At Huo Qilin's words, he looked up with teary eyes and awkwardly adjusted his tattered clothes.

Huo Qilin was the worst lover he had ever had, completely unskilled and painfully rough. If it hadn’t been for the Huo family’s money, he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to be with Huo Qilin.

Anyone who got involved with Huo Qilin was doomed. Arrogant and self-centered, he never treated people with respect. In his eyes, people were either useful or highly profitable.

"Master Huo, cough cough."

Jiang Fengqiu took a sip of water, and his dry, hoarse throat felt much better.

"Master Huo, this was just an accident. I didn't expect it to happen. I lack nothing and want nothing."

"Hmph."

Huo Qilin played with the lighter. He had heard such words too many times. Everyone who wanted money or resources from him said the same thing.

"But I heard your father is still locked up. Guess why, despite all the connections you've tried to pull, he still hasn't been released."

What else could it be? Huo Zong was exerting pressure, and the connections he had sought weren't strong enough, not daring to offend Huo Zong.

The Jiang family couldn't compare to a single strand of the Huo family's hair. However, it might be better if Jiang Junling remained imprisoned. Jiang Fengqiu had already taken control of most of the Jiang family, and his release would only be a hindrance.

Thinking of his weeping mother, Jiang Fengqiu's expression darkened. She had money to spend and food to eat, and she could have as many men as she wanted. Yet, she was so unambitious, insisting on getting Jiang Junling out.

Letting him out only to beat them up would satisfy her. She was out of her mind.

"Master Huo, please don't tease me. I know it's the Huo family's intention. My brother is a fool, bringing shame to the Huo family, but the marriage alliance was the old master's idea. You know our family's situation; we had no reason to refuse."

Huo Qilin let out an ambiguous hum. He thought that fool was living quite well, and Huo Zong wasn't picky, willing to take anything.

"I am a man of clear distinctions between gratitude and grudges. Don't worry, I'll think of a way regarding your father's situation."

"About today's incident..."

"Don't worry, Huo Zong, I will keep my mouth shut. Only heaven, earth, you, and I will know. No third person will find out."

Jiang Fengqiu tightened his grip on his phone, sneering inwardly. The miniature camera hidden in his phone had captured everything. Huo Qilin, thinking he could just discard me? Not a chance.

"Huo Zong, there's something else I'd like to ask of you. You have extensive experience, and I've just taken over Jiang family. There's a lot I don't understand yet. Regarding the project with the Cultural and Tourism Bureau, I was hoping you could be involved."

"Is there a possibility that Huo Corporation and Jiang family could collaborate on this? Jiang family has a strong marketing team, which would be a great asset to Huo Corporation. Given the relationship between our two families, it would be a win-win cooperation."

Damn it all, Huo Qilin had no idea about any project with the Cultural and Tourism Bureau.

He suddenly remembered the documents those people had asked him to print, which seemed to be related to tourism.

Huo Qilin: "Cooperation can indeed be mutually beneficial. The question is, what can you offer me?"

"Huo Zong, you must have seen the project proposal. Even small teams can participate. If we can't collaborate with Huo Corporation, we can form our own team. Jiang family has already assembled a team of elites, poached from various positions at high prices. You just need to provide some guidance."

Almost instantly, Huo Qilin understood the underlying message. Jiang Fengqiu was hinting at stealing Huo Corporation's ideas.

Huo Qilin rubbed his chin. This might be a good strategy. Huo Zong was most concerned about this project and had assigned him basic tasks, clearly wary of him.

If he could somehow obtain the core information and directly collaborate with Jiang family, he could secure the project in one go, surely impressing the old man.

"I'll need to think about it. I'll contact you if there's any news. You can go now."

Jiang Fengqiu's cheeks flushed instantly. He looked at Huo Qilin embarrassedly, stammering, "Huo Zong, my clothes are... ruined."

Tsk. Huo Qilin discreetly rubbed his waist. Was Jiang Fengqiu blatantly seducing him? If it weren't for his body being completely spent, he would have taught Jiang Fengqiu a lesson.

"Alright, what's your size? I'll have someone bring you a set."

Huo Qilin was familiar with this routine. A set of clothes costing a few thousand dollars was nothing to him.

"Thank you, Huo Zong."

Once the clothes arrived, Jiang Fengqiu changed and left without hesitation, though he limped as he walked, which looked quite unusual.

Damn it, Huo Qilin was an animal. His legs were trembling as he walked.

Wang Hu, who had been keeping watch at the bar all night, saw Jiang Fengqiu emerge and, as if coming back to life, sent a message to Chen Chen.

[Wang Hu: Brother Chen, they finally came out. I was about to die from exhaustion.]

[Chen Chen: Good job. A triple bonus this month, on Huo Zong's orders.]

[Wang Hu: No problem, it's my job. Brother Chen, wait a moment, Huo Qilin is arguing with someone.]

"Huo Zong, the total is indeed this amount. Here's the record."

"Get out of here."

Huo Qilin slapped the tablet out of the bartender's hand. With a crack, the screen flickered and cracked into a web of lines. The bartender crouched to pick it up, upset.

This would be deducted from his salary, but he couldn't afford to provoke Huo Qilin.

"I'm a regular at Heaven and Earth. Do you think I don't know my own spending? I'm drunk, not stupid. Don't try to blame this on me."

He had spent 1.27 million in one night, yet none of the drinks he ordered cost more than 10,000 each. How could the bill be over a million?

Huo Qilin's monthly budget was fixed, and it was already the end of the month. His account didn't have that much money.

The argument escalated, and the bartender, clutching the tablet, dared not speak, nor could he let Huo Qilin leave so easily—he didn’t have that much money to cover the loss.

A few minutes later, the club manager hurried over.

"Hey, Mr. Huo, take it easy. It might be a mistake on our part. Let’s check the surveillance to clear things up."

The manager shot the bartender a glance, who immediately wiped his tears and pulled up the footage.

The drinks ordered and additional services were clearly recorded, and the surveillance audio was quite clear, even picking up the flirtatious banter between him and Jiang Fengqiu.

The surveillance was daring enough to play, but no one dared listen—it was too explicit.

"So, Mr. Huo, what’s your take?"

Huo Qilin’s face turned crimson. No wonder Jiang Fengqiu bolted so fast; he alone had consumed over three hundred thousand.

"Pay up, do I look broke to you?"

Huo Qilin frantically checked his balance, only to find it was 275,000.

He was a million short.

"I left my card in the room; I’ll go grab it."

Amid the whispers and stares, Huo Qilin was mortified but had to play it cool.

"Hey, Dad, can you send me another two million?"

"Two million? What did you do this time? I’ve already given you seven million this month. What more do you want?"

Huo Cong was strapped for cash and even relied on Qi Yan to chip in—he didn’t have that much money.

An ungrateful brat, a wastrel—he might as well drop dead.

"You can just die out there; no money, just take my life."

"Ah Cong, how can you speak to our son that way? Give me the phone; I’ll talk."

Qi Yan, heartbroken for her son, immediately went to find her bank card. If the father didn’t care, she did; she would give.

"Yanyan, we can’t give it. If we do, how will we spend next month?"

The dividends from the Huo Corporation were barely enough for their extravagance, and they certainly weren’t going to work. Giving Huo Qilin two million would leave them strapped for cash next month.

Huo Cong, in a fit of anger, hung up the phone. Their money didn’t fall from the sky, and the spendthrift had already squandered it all.

"Yanyan, if you secretly give it to him, then you shouldn’t spend anything yourself."

Faced with the choice of giving Huo Qilin two million or keeping it for herself, Qi Yan chose the latter. She didn’t believe Huo Qilin couldn’t get money from the old man; there was no need to spend theirs.

The phone rang three times before Huo Qing hung up. No matter how Huo Qilin tried to contact him, it was like a stone sinking into the sea.

Even his usual friends, when they heard he wanted to borrow money, all had something to do—it wasn’t like when he was the one spending on them.

Huo Qilin raised his phone to smash it, but thinking of the cost, he held back, only to kick the coffee table a few times in frustration.

"Manager Wang, I left in a hurry yesterday and didn’t bring my card."

The manager, as if he had anticipated this, calmly said, "No problem, no problem, Mr. Huo, we all know you. Just pay part of it first."

You bastard, just wait till I get my hands on some cash. I’ll make you regret it.

"Alright, I'll give you 270,000 first."

Jing didn’t insist further, and after Huo Qilin paid, he let him leave.

After leaving the upscale club 'Heaven and Earth,' Huo Qilin called Jiufenku again, but the call kept going unanswered. He was clueless about what was happening.

Huo Qilin had given Jiufenku 300,000 to keep an eye on Huo Zong at all times, to report immediately if he was seen. But there was no news at all. Completely useless, a total waste of space.

Hungry, he checked his card balance and could only head back to Huo Corporation, his face stormy.

***

Outside, the morning sunlight was streaming in.

Huo Zong kept glancing at his watch, from the fixed time of 6:30 to now at 8:10. He glanced at it every half hour or so.

Jiang Fengmian was still fast asleep, showing no signs of stirring.

Huo Zong’s arm had gone completely numb, and even the tiniest finger movement made a cracking noise.

He rubbed his tired eyes, having spent the night lost in a jumble of thoughts.

Dr. Wu had gone abroad for an exchange, and his return date was up in the air, but he’d likely be back in a day or two.

Dr. Li kept urging him not to push Jiang Fengmian away. It wasn’t a matter of resistance; he was terrified he might cross a line he couldn’t uncross.

His mind was constantly on edge, and Huo Zong didn’t dare relax, fearing that if he did, he might spiral into something he couldn’t come back from.

He kept turning these thoughts over in his head, also worrying that Jiang Fengmian might feel unwell in the middle of the night, so he barely got a wink of sleep.

Huo Zong couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh, which made Jiang Fengmian stir.

Jiang Fengmian’s fingers twitched, sliding to Huo Zong’s throat and gently pressing against his Adam’s apple, letting out a soft, contented hum without thinking, even curling the corner of his mouth.

A faint, almost imperceptible scent wafted over, and Huo Zong was reminded of that touch that had nearly driven him wild. He cleared his throat and murmured, "Jiang Fengmian."

"Hmm."

"Jiang Fengmian, wake up."

Huo Zong’s hand rested on the back of Jiang Fengmian’s neck, giving a light squeeze. The next moment, he heard Jiang Fengmian let out a muffled groan, a reaction that was entirely new.

"Brother."

Jiang Fengmian turned over, getting even closer to Huo Zong. He blinked his eyes open, still half-asleep, only to see Huo Zong’s complicated gaze.

What’s going on?

Before Jiang Fengmian could react, Huo Zong jumped up from beside him as if electrocuted, his ears and neck flushed a deep red.

Jiang Fengmian sat up in confusion, shifting slightly, and then froze.

In that instant, Jiang Fengmian understood what was happening with Huo Zong.

Help, Huo Zong, believe me, I really don’t know what’s going on.

This is life-threatening. Last time it wasn’t like this, how could it suddenly happen now?

And in Huo Zong’s arms, he probably thinks I’m doing it on purpose, trying to take advantage of him.

After a long silence, no one dared to be the first to speak.

Jiang Fengmian looked up at Huo Zong, his eyes immediately welled up with tears after a whirlwind of thoughts. He said with a pitiful tone, "Huo Zong, what's wrong with me? It's so strange. This never happened before."

"Brother, am I sick? Am I going to die?"

Jiang Fengmian wrapped the blanket around himself, looking at Huo Zong with helplessness. He instinctively tried to wipe his tears with his injured hand, but Huo Zong swiftly caught it.

"Huo Zong, I'm scared."

Jiang Fengmian's voice trembled as he spoke. Huo Zong couldn't bring himself to walk away, so he reluctantly sat down again.

Huo Zong wiped the tears from the little crybaby's face, holding his cheeks and gently squeezing them. "You can't cry anymore. Do you want to ruin your eyes?"

"You're not sick. It's just a normal thing that every man goes through. Were you paying attention when Dr. Li gave the lecture last time? Were you daydreaming?"

"No, Doctor Uncle didn't mention anything like this."

Jiang Fengmian pouted, blurting out something inappropriate and explicit.

"Brother, do you experience it too? I've never seen it."

Jiang Fengmian's curious gaze shifted to a certain spot, his face filled with innocence, as if he was about to reach out and touch.

For the first time, Huo Zong felt a strong urge to cure Jiang Fengmian.

Already suffering from a headache because of lack of sleep, Huo Zong now felt even more distressed.

"Brother, what should I do now? Can you teach me?"

Huo Zong felt numb. He silently kept a little distance from Jiang Fengmian, his mouth feeling as if it was glued shut, tightly shut, unable to utter a word.

"Huo Zong, you're not helping me. I must be seriously ill."

The little crybaby was on the brink of tears again, so Huo Zong could only mumble, "Don't worry about it. It's normal. Just wait a little."

"Okay, then brother, stay with me while we wait. I want to talk to you."

Jiang Fengmian unashamedly wrapped his arms around Huo Zong's waist from behind, nuzzling his cheek against Huo Zong's back. He said pitifully, "Huo Zong, I've been having nightmares all night long."

"I dreamed I drowned, and you weren't there. No matter how loudly I called for you, you couldn't hear me."

"I don't know how I managed to climb out of the water. As soon as I got out, I saw you being hit by a truck and sent flying."

"The one who hit you had a ghostly skull tattoo. Huo Zong, I'm scared."

Huo Zong's gaze sharpened. No wonder Jiang Fengmian had been checking his heartbeat in his sleep last night.

"It won't happen. Nightmares are the opposite of reality. We're both safe and sound. Those who tried to hurt you yesterday have been arrested. Nothing will happen."

"Really? Nothing will happen?"

"Really. I promise, no matter when, if you call for me, I'll be there."

Huo Zong turned his head and looked at Jiang Fengmian seriously, enunciating each word, "Jiang Fengmian, trust me."

"I trust you."

After waiting for a while, Jiang Fengmian no longer complained of discomfort. Huo Zong then helped him up and carefully tended to the wound on his hand.

Jiang Fengmian caught Huo Zong glancing his way and thought to himself, if Huo Zong kept looking at him with such obvious eyes, he might lose his composure again.

"Bro, does your shoulder still hurt?"

"It's okay."

"You should put some medicine on it."

Jiang Fengmian insistently tugged at Huo Zong's sleeve, almost forcing him to sit down. He sprayed the medicine and gently blew on it before feeling a bit relieved.

He wasn’t sure if he was imagining it, but he felt like even the skin on Huo Zong's back was turning red.

So pure.

I just want to kiss him!

Jiang Fengmian's gaze fell on Huo Zong's back, and he thought, maybe he could sneak a kiss without being noticed.

He tried to get up but let out a yelp, tripped by the messy corner of the blanket, and his lips landed on Huo Zong's bruised shoulder.

Jiang Fengmian’s heart raced. He noticed Huo Zong tense up, and his head was dizzy, still immersed in the thrill of the stolen kiss. He stumbled and ended up falling onto the bed.

He faked a few groans, and sure enough, Huo Zong looked over with concern.

"The blanket’s being mean; it’s bullying me."

"Show me your foot."

Huo Zong examined Jiang Fengmian’s pale ankle carefully, making sure there was nothing wrong before feeling relieved.

"It’s fine, the blanket’s the problem. I’ll teach it a lesson. Get up."

"Mmm, you’re the best, Huo Zong."

Thanks to Jiang Fengmian’s diversion, Huo Zong even began to reflect that it was his fault for being too close to Jiang Fengmian, not maintaining a safe distance, and not folding the blanket or putting on clothes immediately after the medicine dried.

It was only a kiss on the back.

In a few moments, Huo Zong had completely let Jiang Fengmian off the hook and even felt sorry for Jiang Fengmian's poor mental state, thinking it was his own fault.

"Jiang Fengmian, come eat after washing up."

"Okay."

Jiang Fengmian felt a twinge of guilt. When he washed his face, he saw his reflection in the mirror, his eyes had a glimmer of mischief, his cheeks flushed red.

Jiang Fengmian was silent. Only Huo Zong saw him through such rose-tinted glasses, worrying about him spraining his ankle.

What sprained ankle? Huo Zong, just come here and let me kiss you. Don’t play hard to get!

Jiang Fengmian sighed and tried to calm himself. How could his brain get better overnight? Maybe it was just a blessing from heaven.

Just as he was thinking, Huo Zong appeared at the door again, already dressed in a shirt and wearing the tie he had given him.

It hadn't been long, but Jiang Fengmian felt like the tie he gave was already a bit old.

Thinking about how often Huo Zong wore that tie made Jiang Fengmian’s heart feel as sweet as honey.

"Jiang Fengmian, stay at home today. Let Aunt Wang make whatever you want for lunch, but no spicy food."

"No, I’m coming to the company with you, brother. I’ll be fine."

Huo Zong couldn’t argue and reluctantly gave in, repeatedly telling him to come back right away if he felt unwell.

***

"Mr. Huo, Huo Qilin has been waiting in the reception room for a while. I didn’t let him into your office."

"Oh, let him wait then."

There’s too much piled-up work to get through; there’s no time to listen to Huo Qilin’s nonsense.

Jiang Fengmian was lounging on the sofa, sketching one-handed. The money in his account had grown to a sizable sum, plus the money Sheng Zhiyi paid for the commission, he could likely afford the upgraded version of that watch.

It cost 288,000 yuan. Jiang Fengmian wondered if Huo Zong would even like it, since he probably never owned such a ‘cheap’ watch in his life.

"Mr. Huo."

Huo Qilin barged in behind him, and Chen Chen couldn’t hold him back, so he looked to Huo Zong for help.

"Chen Chen, you can leave now."

Huo Qilin’s eyes immediately landed on the bandage on Jiang Fengmian’s hand and felt a secret thrill. The nine-point pants plan must have worked, and he probably avoided answering the phone, fearing he’d have to return the extra money.

"Uncle, I’m here to apologize. I know I messed up."

Huo Qilin got closer, and the stench of smoke and alcohol made Jiang Fengmian sneeze in discomfort. He rubbed his nose and hid behind Huo Zong.

Huo Zong subtly leaned back a bit to let Jiang Fengmian rest more comfortably.

Huo Zong already knew about Huo Qilin’s lack of money. He knew Huo Qing, a polished egoist, wouldn’t give Huo Qilin a single extra cent.

"Uncle, I will work hard, I will learn from you, can you let me switch teams? I feel completely useless in the logistics team, like a total failure."

Jiang Fengmian mentally gave Huo Qilin a thumbs-up; he was a self-aware failure.

"Uncle, just think of me as immature in the past, I really want to achieve something to make you and grandpa proud."

Huo Zong glanced at Huo Qilin with a disdainful look, his arrogance practically reaching the heavens. If it weren’t for the money pressing on his back, he wouldn’t even be able to lower his head.

"You will go to the planning team. Huo Qilin, know your place, what’s expected of you, and what’s not—you know the drill. Since you’re here to work, don’t act like a spoiled young master—no one cares."

"Thank you, uncle, I understand."

"Chen Chen, take him to the planning team’s office, the seat by the window."

Chen Chen nodded, relieved Huo Qilin had taken the bait without a fight.

The siege plan was officially underway.

The room quieted down, and after making sure no one would come back, Jiang Fengmian nuzzled Huo Zong’s neck like a cat, letting out a lazy hum.

"Brother, he really stinks."

"Do I smell good?"

Huo Zong blurted out and regretted it the next second.

This conversation felt a bit too suggestive; he was afraid it might end up in some romantic comedy.

"You smell good, I like it."

The word "like" carried a lingering sweetness, as if Jiang Fengmian had held onto it for a long time before finally saying it.

Huo Zong hummed ambiguously, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said softly, "There's a six-foot bed in the partition. If you're bored, go lie down for a while."

Jiang Fengmian: "Huh?"

Jiang Fengmian was so shocked he could barely close his mouth. Huo Zong was someone who kept work and sleep strictly separate. If it weren't for work necessities, his office could even do without a sofa or any leisure facilities.

A cold, hard chair—Huo Zong could work intensely for eighteen hours straight. Suddenly, a bed appeared...

And it wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision; it was likely planned well in advance.

It wasn't that Jiang Fengmian was overthinking, but Huo Zong's partiality was just too obvious.

"Huo Zong, if you keep this up, I'm going to turn into a little lazy pig."

"Hmm, I can handle it."

Jiang Fengmian's eyes curved into a smile as he leaned down to wrap his arms around Huo Zong's neck, exaggeratingly saying, "Wow, then, Huo Zong, can you take care of me forever?"