Chapter 39: Only You Can Handle It?

Chapter 39: Only You Can Handle It?

Zhao Shengge drove to a restaurant on Puye Street, nestled by floor-to-ceiling windows with the night sea outside, the lights dim and serene.

Chen Wan felt it didn’t quite seem like a place for professional gatherings, but for two people without a team, going to a spot for baijiu drinking would indeed feel out of place.

The restaurant was small and not crowded, yet elegant. The small square table, adorned with candles, created a cozy atmosphere, perfect for friendly conversations.

Sitting face to face, Zhao Shengge’s long legs were bent, not touching Chen Wan, but Chen Wan felt his legs encircled under the small table, and he dared not move.

The other man remained unfazed, calm and composed.

It was his own guilty conscience that made him sensitive.

Chen Wan steadied his heartbeat, pretending to gaze out at the night sea through the window, but instead saw deep eyes reflected in the glass—dark, calm, and bottomless.

His heart skipped a beat.

Not like a lion anymore.

Zhao Shengge.

Is a wolf.

The pack leader raised his glass politely: "Happy cooperation."

Chen Wan clinked glasses with him courteously: "Happy cooperation."

Once all the dishes were served, the two chatted while eating, and the familiar, relaxed atmosphere returned.

They weren’t close enough to talk about everything, but Chen Wan wasn’t the type to let the conversation falter.

Zhao Shengge, as usual, listened more and spoke less, but his subtle probing tactics, typically effective at the negotiation table, didn’t work this time.

Chen Wan seemed friendly and talkative, but he rarely initiated conversations about his private life, interests, or daily routines, nor did he inquire much about Zhao Shengge’s personal matters. Instead, he shared attitudes, wishes, and aspirations for the grand blueprint of their collaboration.

"..."

Zhao Shengge acknowledged and discussed some issues regarding the project’s progress, exchanging opinions.

As the lights glowed, they toasted and drank, each with their own hidden agendas, yet everything was proper and seamless.

At the end of the dinner, Chen Wan excused himself to the restroom, and Shen Zongnian called Zhao Shengge, asking him to go to the tea house.

Tan Youming must have been very close to Shen Zongnian’s ear, as his laughter and even his breathing could be heard.

Zhao Shengge didn’t mind the eavesdropping and simply said, "It’s not finished yet."

Shen Zongnian paused, not expecting that signing a relatively straightforward contract would take so long. Though it was a significant order for Kexiang, it was merely a small cog in the larger project.

As an investor, he wasn’t overly concerned or invested, as long as the person was reliable.

Shen Zongnian patted Tan Youming’s shoulder, waiting for him to return to his antics, and asked Zhao Shengge, "How is it?"

Zhao Shengge: "I don’t know."

Shen Zongnian said, "It’s uncertain."

Zhao Shengge was silent for a moment, then added, "He peeled crabs for me once more."

Shen Zongnian: "...Then you're pretty impressive."

Zhao Shengge, not sure if he was genuinely puzzled, tossed the white hot towel he'd used to wipe his hands and leaned back in his chair, insisting on knowing, "Has he always been like this?"

Zhao Shengge hadn't known Chen Wan long enough to judge or analyze his behavior, but Shen Zongnian had known him longer.

"Like what?"

"Just like that."

Totally obedient, giving and taking without a fuss, like he had no temper.

Is he like that with everybody?

Shen Zongnian rarely saw Zhao Shengge act so weird, but he answered truthfully, "Not exactly."

Shen Zongnian had seen Chen Wan politely but firmly turn down others' rude invites and also seen him directly dodge inappropriate advances.

Chen Wan seemed easygoing, but he wasn't a pushover, nor was he weak, which was why Tan Youming thought highly of him.

Zhao Shengge said, "Oh."

Shen Zongnian couldn't miss the smugness in his voice and dampened his spirits: "It could also be that he's afraid of you, and—"

"Right now, you're his boss."

Zhao Shengge went quiet, remembering what Chen Wan had told Song Qingmiao at Jinglian Temple.

Shen Zongnian didn't hold back: "Aren't you afraid he's not?"

Zhao Shengge pointed out carefully: "I'm not either."

Even though rumors in their circle said he didn't discriminate between men and women, Zhao Shengge himself wasn't too sure; his life revolved around work.

Shen Zongnian stayed quiet for a while, then, in a rare moment of conscience, stuck up for someone else: "If he's really not, don't screw around."

Zhao Shengge thought it over and replied politely to Shen Zongnian: "Probably not going to happen."

"..." Shen Zongnian thought of his slightly twisted habits and reminded him as a friend, "He's not just anybody; Tan Youming and Zhuo Zhixuan won't let you have your way."

Zhao Shengge never cared about these things and replied as a friend to Shen Zongnian: "So, he better be willing."

"..."

As dinner ended, Chen Wan didn't plan to let his potential boss see him off again and was about to call his driver, but Zhao Shengge asked before he could speak, "Are you in a hurry to go back?"

Chen Wan thought he wanted to discuss the project while the iron was hot and said, "Not in a hurry."

Zhao Shengge said, "Want to go for a stroll? I still owe you a gift, remember?"

Chen Wan was a bit stunned. He remembered, he always remembered, but he thought Zhao Shengge had forgotten.

"Let's go to Chongguang Department Store, or if there's somewhere you'd like to go."

Chen Wan shook his head; anywhere was fine, he was just worried: "Is it okay for you to go out like this?"

Although domestic security was certainly much better than abroad, Zhao Shengge's identity was special, and Chen Wan had to be cautious. He still couldn't forget the reports of the shooting incident Zhao Shengge encountered in Italy years ago.

Zhao Shengge gave him a faint smile, twirling the car keys as he walked out, "They won't recognize me."

Chen Wan was swayed by a smile—or maybe even enchanted by it.

On the way there, Chen Wan had been too wrapped up in his excitement and nerves to notice, but now he belatedly realized that Zhao Shengge handled the wheel with impressive skill and precision.

Maybe worried the mall would close soon, Zhao Shengge drove a bit... aggressively.

The way he accelerated or overtook felt... familiar. Chen Wan couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Logically, he’d never seen Zhao Shengge drive before, let alone sat in his passenger seat.

Zhao Shengge stopped at a red light, his fingers tapping lightly on the wheel. He turned to ask, "Am I driving too fast?"

Chen Wan snapped back to reality and smiled, saying no.

Zhao Shengge’s gaze lingered on his lips for a moment, then he averted his eyes and reached for the water. The light turned green just then, and Chen Wan quickly offered, "Let me."

Zhao Shengge passed him the water and hit the gas. Only once they’d crossed the intersection and hit the open road did Chen Wan hand him the water, the cap already unscrewed.

Chen Wan made sure to hold the bottom of the bottle, leaving enough space for Zhao Shengge to grab it, thoughtful as ever.

But Zhao Shengge was probably too focused on the road, as their hands still brushed against each other.

Zhao Shengge’s hand, used to holding a gun, was calloused, with distinct knuckles, broad and powerful. The spot where his hand brushed Chen Wan’s felt like it was on fire, the heat shooting up his arm and straight to his brain.

But Zhao Shengge pulled his hand back quickly. The touch lasted barely a second. Whether he hadn’t noticed or just didn’t care, he said naturally, "Thank you."

Chen Wan also replied calmly, "You're welcome."

Even late at night, Times Square’s duty-free shops and boutiques were packed with tourists, but the department store was quieter.

When they passed the watch counter, Chen Wan’s eyes landed on a watch that would look perfect on Zhao Shengge.

It truly was a perfect match. The subtle moon phase dial on his strong, defined wrist could inspire a whole new set of dreams.

Chen Wan almost blurted out, "Forget giving me a gift—let me give you one instead."

But he only thought about it and planned to secretly buy the watch later.

Zhao Shengge followed Chen Wan’s gaze, his expression shifting slightly.

That watch was clearly in the same style as the Wuji series cufflinks from last time.

Zhao Shengge walked over, blocking Chen Wan and the counter's line of sight. Chen Wan looked up.

Zhao Shengge gestured with his chin and said, "Let's go check out over there."

Chen Wan followed him to another section.

The distance between them was neither too close nor too far, as they strolled leisurely, browsing as they went.

Chen Wan wasn’t used to shopping with someone else. Zhao Shengge walked at a moderate pace, examining things carefully, as if choosing a gift for Chen Wan was a matter of great importance.

"Come here."

Chen Wan approached and asked, "Mr. Zhao, are you giving me cufflinks?"

Zhao Shengge raised an eyebrow slightly. "Can only you give them, not me?"

"..." Chen Wan laughed and said, "Of course not." He wondered if Zhao Shengge was still hung up on the pair of cufflinks he had preemptively bought.

He looked down and studied them seriously for a while, then pointed to a pair of cufflinks under the counter and said, "These are nice."

The saleswoman quickly took out the cufflinks for the guest to try on.

Zhao Shengge said, "Give them to me."

Chen Wan hesitated.

The saleswoman handed the cufflinks to Zhao Shengge with a smile, and Zhao Shengge said, "Chen Wan."

"Give me your hand."

Zhao Shengge's expression was calm, and his demeanor was polite and composed, without any hint of ambiguity.

Chen Wan stiffly raised his arm, and Zhao Shengge leaned slightly forward, tilting his head to carefully fasten the cufflinks for him, his fingers inadvertently pressing against the visible veins on Chen Wan's wrist.