Chapter 36: Bound as Husband and Wife – What Does It Mean to Be Unable to Get Up?

Chapter 36: Bound as Husband and Wife – What Does It Mean to Be Unable to Get Up?

Jiang Fengmian’s fingertips rested on Huo Zong’s chest, his wide eyes half-lifted, his mesmerizing stare rooting Huo Zong to the chair.

Huo Zong’s knee shifted slightly, and Jiang Fengmian leaned in closer.

"Brother, what would you think if I wanted to dig out your heart and take a look?"

The mood around the person beneath him shifted subtly, and Jiang Fengmian instinctively sensed a hint of danger. Immediately after, Huo Zong lifted his chin, gently rubbing his soft lips as he chuckled.

"Hmm, I’ll dig it out for you to see."

"Brother, maybe I should just try it."

With a forceful tug, Jiang Fengmian ripped open the buttons on Huo Zong’s shirt. With a clatter, a button rolled across the smooth floor and under the table. In an instant, Jiang Fengmian’s fingertips rested on the spot where Huo Zong’s heart was.

"Huo Zong, let me listen to your heart. Is it pounding?"

Jiang Fengmian pressed his cheek against it, his ear brushing against a certain angle. The thumping heartbeat instantly sped up, and Jiang Fengmian flashed a mischievous grin, teasingly squeezing Huo Zong’s Adam’s apple.

"Huo Zong, are you unhappy? Smile for me."

Huo Zong’s intense gaze lowered to meet Jiang Fengmian’s, his throat tightening, the unspoken words turning into a muted response.

Where did this kitten learn so many seductive moves? Was he teasing him for being inexperienced?

"Jiang Fengmian, get down."

Jiang Fengmian’s arms were resting obediently at his sides. If Huo Zong had used even a little force, he would have been outside the study door by now.

"No, Brother, you haven’t told me yet. What is it really?"

Huo Zong’s expression shifted slightly. It was abandoned sincerity.

"It’s nothing, just a doodle. Get out, I still have work to do."

"Brother, you work, and I’ll read. I won’t disturb you."

With such a comforting presence in his arms, Huo Zong had no focus for serious work. He looked distractedly at Jiang Fengmian, tidied his disheveled collar, and absentmindedly shuffled through the documents on the table.

It was said that Huo Qing also had plans to acquire that piece of valuable real estate in the west. After years of accumulating connections and wealth, he still couldn’t get the authorities to budge.

After all, everyone knew that in such a designated development area, land was hard to come by. Months of dragging on, and still no developer had been chosen.

Without the backing of the Huo Corporation, the authorities were hesitant to grant development rights to Huo Qing. Several companies were secretly competing, but no resolution had been reached.

Huo Zong planned to use the cultural tourism bureau’s project to secure that land, integrating it into the capital’s tourism plans. By thoroughly understanding the situation now, he could maximize efficiency later.

Jiang Fengmian glanced casually at the project proposal and noticed a familiar address: No. 37, Changhan Road.

His heart tightened. In the plot, Huo Zong had gone to great lengths to secure this land, only to hand it over to others.

The cultural tourism bureau’s project was ultimately won by the Jiang family in collaboration with Huo Qilin. However, the Jiang family’s financial resources were insufficient for development, so the Huo Corporation stepped in, acquiring it at 1.5 times the market price, despite the pressure.

Two months into development, artifacts were unearthed, and the cultural relics bureau immediately halted the project. Not only was the investment wasted, but it also inadvertently benefited the Jiang family. They seized the opportunity to propose to the cultural tourism bureau that the artifacts could be used to build an on-site museum, integrating it into a new tourism project, and secured additional funding.

Jiang Fengmian gripped his phone, unsure how to bring this up.

He rubbed his head, murmuring plaintively, "Brother, these words give me a headache. Looking at this doesn’t hurt."

Jiang Fengmian's fingertip pointed at No. 37 Changhan Road on the map, then moved to No. 56 Wenhua Road.

No. 56 Wenhua Road, located in the suburbs of South City, is far from the downtown area of the capital. A large shopping mall is planned to be built within ten kilometers of this area in the next two years, connecting with the neighboring city to form a new economic circle. If we develop it for real estate, it’d be a much better bet than the land in West City.

"Jiang Fengmian, why do you get a headache when you look at this?"

"I feel like this place has some weird energy, and it gives me a headache just by reading about it."

A subtle glint of amusement flashed in Huo Zong's eyes. He casually flipped to another page with development ideas for the projects. He kept his eyes on Jiang Fengmian, catching every little expression.

"Bro, are you loaded?"

"Why are you suddenly asking this?"

Jiang Fengmian rubbed his fingers, slightly shy, and hooked onto Huo Zong's shirt, looking innocent. "Brother Su said I should spend more of your money."

"Yeah, I’ve got plenty. Just tell me what you want, and it’s yours."

"Then you should buy this land in South City and build a bunch of big houses."

Jiang Fengmian shared his thoughts, especially emphasizing the need to build more mid-range villas. With future resource allocation, housing will be in high demand, making villas the best investment.

"Alright, I'll buy it."

Jiang Fengmian was speechless. This wasn’t exactly Huo Zong’s first choice. Although the price was half that of the land in West City, the development would still cost a lot. He just wanted to warn Huo Zong, but Huo Zong was so quick to decide.

Jiang Fengmian was terrified of the butterfly effect. Things were already slipping out of his control. If things went south, billions could be lost.

"Brother, are you serious?"

"Yes, if you like it, I'll buy it."

Wow, is this what it’s like to be with a billionaire tycoon?

He buys whatever he likes. This is too much pressure.

"What about the West City land, Huo Zong? I was just rambling."

"We’ll reassess it later, no hurry. But the South City land is more urgent, so we’ll buy that first. If you like it, I’ll build you a custom villa there."

Jiang Fengmian sighed. If Huo Zong lived in ancient times, he’d be a total tyrant. He buys land with no apparent value just because he wants it. How much trust does he have in him?

"Huo Zong, you’re making me feel like some kind of fox spirit."

"No, you’re a kitten spirit, soft and very cute."

Hmph, Jiang Fengmian pinched his belly. Huo Zong had a point.

"Brother, you continue working, I'll read a book."

Jiang Fengmian picked up a nearby book, the cover of which read "Restraining Desires."

The color of the word "restrain" was slightly faded. From the outside, the pages were slightly yellowed, likely a book Huo Zong often read.

With a soft thud.

As he flipped the pages, a small flower fell out from the title page. Jiang Fengmian bent down to pick it up and counted; there were exactly seven flowers.

Under the word "restrain" on the title page was written Jiang Fengmian's name, in Huo Zong's bold and flowing handwriting. The character for "mian" ended with a lingering touch, inexplicably tender.

Jiang Fengmian touched the name, his fingertips lingering slightly. He looked closely and pulled out a strand of hair from the crevice of the page.

Jiang Fengmian felt a pang in his chest. He thought someone as meticulous as Huo Zong wouldn’t overlook even a single strand of his own hair. It must have been placed there deliberately.

It was his hair.

Restraint—restraint from what?

Jiang Fengmian held up the colorful paper with stick figures drawn on it in front of Huo Zong, his voice slightly hoarse, "Brother, is that a flower the stick figure is holding?"

"Yes... it’s the flower you meant to give me."

The flower meant for him the night Huo Zong got drunk—why was it on the title page of *Restraining Desires*? Was it about restraining the desire to give him flowers, or something more?

Jiang Fengmian carefully held seven flowers of different colors in his palm. He lifted them towards the sunlight outside the window, as if words were hidden inside.

"Huo Zong, can I unfold them?"

Jiang Fengmian’s eyes shimmered with tears. He unfolded them carefully along the creases, and the words on the seven flowers formed a sentence.

—Jiang Fengmian, let’s reconcile.

That day, Jiang Fengmian mustered the courage to say to Huo Zong, "Huo Zong, let’s reconcile."

Huo Zong said he wasn’t angry; he was afraid Jiang Fengmian would be. Long before Jiang Fengmian spoke, Huo Zong had already tried to reconcile.

"Brother, why didn’t you say anything?"

Huo Zong folded the little flowers one by one, feigning nonchalance, "That day, I fished the little flowers out of the trash."

He furrowed his brows, his tone flat, but Jiang Fengmian sensed a hint of grievance.

Anyone would feel hurt seeing their peace offering in the trash.

But Huo Zong didn’t. He treated him the same, even better than before. How could he be so foolish? His OCD was severe enough to require medication, yet for his sake, he’d dig through the trash.

"Brother, I didn’t receive the flowers that day; I only saw your stick figure. I don’t know how they ended up in the trash. If I’d seen them, I wouldn’t have thrown them away."

"I swear, I really didn’t know."

Jiang Fengmian was afraid Huo Zong wouldn’t believe him, so anxious he was ready to make another vow.

"If I threw them in, may I be struck by... mmm."

Huo Zong quickly covered Jiang Fengmian’s mouth with his hand, frowning anxiously, "Jiang Fengmian, don’t say things like that, not even in a vow."

Jiang Fengmian licked Huo Zong’s palm, his lips lightly kissing, mumbling, "I won’t say it."

"Mm."

Jiang Fengmian kissed each of the little flowers, his tender gaze making Huo Zong think of the grandfather from *The Seven Gourd Brothers*.

"Huo Zong, I really, really, really like it. Thank you, it’s a late gift for me."

Huo Zong hummed softly, pondered for a moment, and then called Aunt Wang. After a long time, Aunt Wang only had a vague impression, as if she had thrown it away.

"Sir, was it something important?"

"Yes, it’s been found."

It’s not the flowers that matter—it’s Jiang Fengmian.

"Brother, were you upset for a while?"

Huo Zong glanced casually at Jiang Fengmian, pinching his earlobe, and said nonchalantly, "I’m fine."

Hmph, he’s always lying to me.

"Brother, the stick figures need labels—I can’t make sense of them."

Huo Zong felt like he’d been stabbed in the heart. He just can’t draw, and his attempt at humor fell flat.

"Brother, what’s this?"

Huo Zong’s ears flushed a little. He leaned back, trying to grab his hair unnoticed, but Jiang Fengmian was one step ahead.

"Oh, it probably fell out while I was reading."

"No, it’s definitely mine." Jiang Fengmian knelt up on Huo Zong’s lap, straightening his waist, gently pulling Huo Zong’s hair to compare. "Yours is coarse, mine’s soft—it’s mine."

"Maybe it fell out while you were flipping through a picture book."

Hair can float, and it just landed on the book’s title page.

"Jiang Fengmian, hand it over—I’ll take care of it."

Jiang Fengmian shook his head. He winced but pulled out a few more strands of his own hair. Their long hair tangled together on the table, and he reached for Huo Zong’s.

He twisted their hair together, tied it into a knot, and clipped it to the book’s title page.

Bound as one, their love unwavering.

"Huo Zong, I like this."

Twisting strands of hair, weaving endless love, he gave it to Huo Zong.

Huo Zong’s eyes burned with intensity. His worst fears didn’t come true—Jiang Fengmian was even more adorable than he’d imagined.

Does he even realize what it means to tie their hair together?

"Huo Zong, I’ll grab the flowers—you get back to work."

"Okay."

What a little tease, stirring things up and then bolting.

Huo Zong traced the characters of Jiang Fengmian’s name. Thankfully, Jiang Fengmian didn’t press for an explanation, sparing Huo Zong the need to lie.

[Huo Zong: Chen Chen, reach out to the Housing and Construction Bureau to inquire about future plans for the vacant lot on Wenhua Road in the south city.]

[Huo Zong: Put the west city land project on hold and investigate the competing firms—check for any high-level connections.]

[Chen Chen: Okay, Huo Zong.]

[Chen Chen: The competitors in the west city are Liye Group, Jiang family, and Qin family, none of them have that kind of background. Huo Zong, is there a problem?]

[Chen Chen: Should we contact the higher-ups again to see what’s going on?]

[Huo Zong: Not for now, prepare for tomorrow’s board meeting to discuss which project, west city or south city, has more development potential.]

[Chen Chen: Understood, I will contact the Construction Bureau first and prepare the materials needed for tomorrow's meeting.]

***

Jiang Fengmian was playing around with his phone in the room when he suddenly noticed that Yi Huo had sent a link. Jiang Fengmian clicked on it quickly, but Yi Huo had already retracted it. He looked closer and found it was a link from Pinduoduo (a shopping app).

In the real world, Jiang Fengmian had too few friends and was too embarrassed to ask others, so he had never successfully cashed out, only envying others who flaunted it on social media.

In this world, he was still a new user. Just after he clicked for Yi Huo, a question mark popped up in the chat.

[Yi Huo: I sent it to a group, accidentally included you, thought I’d retracted it.]

[Yi Huo: Well, you’re a new user, I just got about ten people, and it worked as soon as you clicked.]

[Yi Huo: I have quite a few friends, everyone clicks it for fun, not really thinking about cashing out.]

[Yi Huo: Here’s a red envelope.]

[Yi Huo: Thank you, thank you, do you need a click too?]

It’s amazing, Yi Huo, who was severely socially anxious in the real world to the point of not being able to go out, is a chatterbox online. Jiang Fengmian was about to reply to the first message when a flood of messages followed.

[Dong Li: Okay, thank you.]

Jiang Fengmian was about to cash out 700 yuan, and besides Yi Huo, he could only send it to Huo Zong.

Hmm, does Huo Zong even know what Pinduoduo is or how cash-out works?

Jiang Fengmian scratched his head and decided to send it to Huo Zong.

[Jiang Fengmian: Brother, could you click this link?]

[Huo Zong: I need to download it—what is this?]

[Jiang Fengmian: Brother, just wait a sec.]

Two minutes later, Jiang Fengmian appeared in the study, sat down on Huo Zong’s lap like it was the most natural thing in the world, and directly registered Huo Zong on Pinduoduo.

"Brother, you can cash this out, I saw the ad on my phone, but it requires many friends, what should I do, brother? I only have you."

Jiang Fengmian’s contact list was practically empty, only containing his and Sheng Zhiyi’s names, and the chat page only had him. Even so, Jiang Fengmian had pinned him at the very top, in the most special position.

Jiang Fengmian's nose lightly brushed his chin in a coquettish gesture, which greatly pleased Huo Zong, who hummed softly and whispered, "Just share it, and they only need to click, right?"

"Yes, yes."

"Okay."

Jiang Fengmian hugged Huo Zong's neck and murmured softly, "Thank you, brother, you’re the best."

[Did Mr. Huo not come today?]

[No, the Young sir didn't come to deliver candies, the candies Mr. Huo bought are really delicious, I thought I didn't like sweets, but later I found out, I just hadn't tasted good candies before.]

[Indeed, indeed, Mr. Huo and the Young sir are really a good match, but is it true that they are secretly married?]

[Probably not, if they had really registered, Mr. Chen would definitely know, probably just in the honeymoon phase.]

[Hehehe, not coming every now and then, must be too worn out to get up.]

[Oh my, what a dirty mind.]

[Oh my god, Huo Zong looks like he could make the young man have eight babies.]

Huo Zong stared at each other with Jiang Fengmian. He scrolled through a few messages, all of which Jiang Fengmian had seen.

The key point was, what kind of group did he accidentally join? Huo Zong glanced at the group name—the Huo Corporation internal chat group.

What on earth were they discussing?

"Huo Zong, what does 'can't get up' mean?"

Huo Zong narrowed his eyes, holding the inquisitive Jiang Fengmian tightly. His arm pressed against his own chest, in a mix of resistance and compliance.

"Kitty, are you really curious?"

Jiang Fengmian quietly swallowed. Huo Zong looked like he was about to devour him. "N-not really."

Huo Zong's hand moved to Jiang Fengmian's lower abdomen, and he chuckled, "Kitty, can you give birth to eight little kittens?"

What nonsense are you saying?

Jiang Fengmian felt like he was about to burst. Why did he have to provoke Huo Zong? He couldn't flirt properly.

"I can't... can I?"

"You can."

Huo Zong was so firm, as if Jiang Fengmian really were a cat spirit, capable of giving birth just by saying so.

Huo Zong seemed to be hallucinating from some Pinduoduo addiction, starting to ramble.

"Brother, my stomach hurts, I have to go."

As soon as Jiang Fengmian stood up, he was pulled back. Huo Zong lightly bit his ear and said in a low voice, "Maybe you're about to give birth to kittens, it's not a big deal."

"Huo Zong—"

Jiang Fengmian puffed out his cheeks and rubbed Huo Zong's face. He was both embarrassed and annoyed, delivering a kitten punch.

"Brother, you should take some medicine."

"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. I'll send you the Pinduoduo link, okay?"

"Hmph."

The proud little kitten ran off with his phone in hand. He was really scared, afraid of seeing something even more outrageous. If Huo Zong flirted with him again, he might not be able to resist forcing Huo Zong, and that wouldn't be good.

[Huo Zong: .]

[Wow, someone is pretending to be Huo Zong? Isn't this a private group with no leaders?]

[Uh, hello, Huo Zong.]

[...]

[Sorry, Huo Zong, sorry.]

The group instantly fell silent. Discussing the boss's private life was one thing, but doing it right in front of him? They were probably going to be fired tomorrow for stepping into the company with their left foot first.

The ones who had been chatting the most were now frantically messaging each other privately, looking as if they were mourning their own deaths, almost crying.

[Huo Zong: Red envelope.]

Huo Zong sent out 99 red envelopes in a row, the phone kept chiming, and from top to bottom, no one dared to open them.

[Huo Zong: I don’t know when I joined the group, but this is my first time here.]

[Huo Zong: Please help Jiang Fengmian on Pinduoduo. It’s his first time playing, and he wants to cash out. Thank you.]

[Huo Zong: Everyone, please grab the red envelopes. If anyone missed a red envelope, type 1, and I’ll send it separately.]

A Pinduoduo link was thrown in, and the whole group went wild.

What kind of new-age husband spoils his wife like this? A billionaire CEO furiously sends out 99 red envelopes, just to get others to help his wife on Pinduoduo.

Such a straightforward expression of love.

[Received.] +10086

The red envelopes were all generous, and everyone in the group was thrilled, happier than getting holiday bonuses.

After making sure all the red envelopes were claimed, Huo Zong left the group. His presence in the group had silenced everyone.

[Oh my God, that was terrifying.]

[Tell me about it, hehe, I snagged 756, more than the 700 Young sir cashed out.]

[Huo Zong is such a doting husband, so jealous!]

Jiang Fengmian was playing around with his phone, and in no time, he successfully cashed out.

"Huo Zong, I succeeded."

Huo Zong caught Jiang Fengmian as he leaped into his arms, holding him by the waist and lifting him slightly.

"Great."

"Huo Zong, it’s all your credit."

Ding dong.

It was a transfer from Jiang Fengmian for 520 yuan.

Huo Zong’s heart skipped a beat as he stared straight at Jiang Fengmian: "You just cashed out 700, giving me 520 seems like a lot."

"Not at all, I enjoy giving you this much."

Huo Zong automatically ignored the words after 'enjoy,' accepted the 520 yuan, took a screenshot to save it, and didn’t forget to show off on his social media.

In just ten minutes, everyone knew that Huo Zong’s little one had cashed out 700 from Pinduoduo, generously sharing 520 with him.

Don’t ask why, it’s all about love.

[Su Yanchu: You’ve really outdone yourself. Come on, help me with Pinduoduo too.]

[Huo Zong: Get lost.]

[Su Yanchu: Hmph, you think you’re the only one with a wife? The people chasing me line up from the south to the west of the city.]

[Huo Zong: Oh, have you found someone who doesn’t care about your money, your family background, or your looks?]

[Su Yanchu: Ahhh, I'm going to kill you!]

[Su Yanchu: Tormenting single people, I hereby declare, Huo Zong, you are under arrest.]

[Huo Zong: Hmph.]

The doorbell rang.

Jiang Fengmian reached the door before Huo Zong and opened it. As he turned around, he was holding a bouquet of flowers.

The flowers, in seven different colors, totaled ninety-nine, a discreet yet obvious declaration of his love.

"Huo Zong, these are for you."

Jiang Fengmian handed the flowers to Huo Zong with a radiant smile, just like he had imagined countless times in his dreams, even though these weren't flowers meant for a confession.

"Even though we've been together for so long, I still wanted to give you these flowers."

"Thank you."

Huo Zong took the flowers, the first bouquet he had ever received in his life, from the person he had always longed for.

He tightened his arms, feeling an indescribable pang in his heart. Compared to these beautiful real flowers, the ones he had folded suddenly paled in comparison.

Huo Zong felt as if he had been in a long, beautiful dream, filled with Jiang Fengmian's enchanting smiles.

"Jiang Fengmian, I love it, I really, really love it."

"I'm glad you like it, Huo Zong. You're the only one I've ever given flowers to."

He wanted to give all his 'onlys' to Huo Zong and no one else.

"Jiang Fengmian, you've always been the one."

Jiang Fengmian curved his lips and quickly snapped a photo of Huo Zong, who was bent over, sniffing the flowers. The brilliant sunlight shone on Huo Zong, highlighting the veins on his hands, yet his posture was softer than ever.

"Kitty, come here, let's take a photo together."

"Okay."

Huo Zong's arm wrapped around Jiang Fengmian's waist, the bouquet held against his chest, his gaze fixed on Jiang Fengmian's cheek, a possessive stance.

The card with the flowers read: To the best Huo Zong in the world—your kitty.

As expected, the photo was posted on Huo Zong's social media again, featuring him and Jiang Fengmian holding the flowers and gazing at each other lovingly, with an outpouring of roses and blessings in the comments.

[Su Yanchu: Huo Zong, just tell me, how many more times are you going to torment us today?]

[Huo Zong: That depends on whether Jiang Fengmian has more surprises up his sleeve.]

[Su Yanchu: Hmph. So, is this your official declaration?]

[Huo Zong: No, he doesn't know I have feelings for him yet. He might not even feel the same way.]

[Su Yanchu: What???]

[Su Yanchu: ...]

[Su Yanchu: You can go to hell as well!!!]

Su Yanchu was completely fed up with Huo Zong and the world.