Chapter 57: Mount Fuji is Close

Chapter 57: Mount Fuji is Close

The news of Zhao Shengge being attacked on Ting Island spread like wildfire. Late at night, Tan Youming and Shen Zongnian jointly called.

Zhao Shengge said he was safe and would return to Haishi soon. Once he heard Zhao Shengge was fine, Tan Youming went off to play games, while Shen Zongnian remained on the call.

"Is there something else?" Zhao Shengge asked.

Shen Zongnian replied, "Isn’t there something on your mind?"

Zhao Shengge hesitated briefly and said, "I don’t."

"..." Shen Zongnian continued, "I heard Chen Wan locked you in the secret warehouse?"

"You know about it?" Zhao Shengge said, "Chen Wan confessed his feelings to me."

"?"

Zhao Shengge confided in Shen Zongnian, "But we haven’t gotten together yet."

"?"

"He’s courting me now."

Shen Zongnian hung up.

The incident must have left Chen Wan with lingering fear. When Li Shenghui threw a banquet to make amends to their group, Zhao Shengge stepped out to take a work call. When he took longer than expected, Chen Wan walked out with a stiff expression. He now seemed like someone chasing a mirage, every step felt uncertain.

Zhao Shengge watched from afar, not calling out to him, just stood there with his arms crossed, quietly observing.

When Chen Wan wasn’t smiling, he looked truly cold, as if he’d grab his Beretta the moment Zhao Shengge disappeared.

Only when Chen Wan's expression turned very serious did Zhao Shengge walk out from behind and pat his shoulder, "Looking for me?"

Chen Wan, belatedly realizing he might have been too clingy, wondered if Zhao Shengge would find him too needy, so he said, "I came out to clear my head."

Zhao Shengge tilted his chin, "There’s a rooftop right there."

"..." Chen Wan, not wanting Zhao Shengge to think he was being awkward or dishonest, smiled helplessly and admitted, "I came out to find you."

But he quickly added, "I wasn’t trying to follow you, I was just being cautious."

Meeting Zhao Shengge's calm gaze, he said seriously, "If it bothers you—"

"It doesn’t," Zhao Shengge stood close to him, placing a hand on his shoulder, "But,"

"Hmm?"

Perhaps because he had been drinking, Zhao Shengge felt a bit stifled and loosened his tie. Chen Wan's fingers twitched, wanting to help, but he didn’t dare.

"Chen Wan," Zhao Shengge said, "You don’t have to be so formal when courting me."

Chen Wan was perfect in every way—thoughtful, considerate, gentle, and utterly devoted to Zhao Shengge—but he was too polite, always putting Zhao Shengge's feelings first.

But Zhao Shengge didn’t need that.

"Ah?" Chen Wan still felt it was all very unreal.

Zhao Shengge rarely saw such an expression on his face—it was expressive and full of life.

Zhao Shengge gazed at him and said, "I like it when someone makes the first move."

Chen Wan immediately volunteered, "I’m all about taking the lead."

"Is that so?" Zhao Shengge looked at him, questioning, "Doesn’t seem like it to me."

Chen Wan firmly said, "It is."

"Care to share a bit more? What else do you like?"

That intense, determined look made Zhao Shengge's heart both startled and softened, as if no matter how difficult the standards or high the demands Zhao Shengge might set next, Chen Wan would strive to be the first.

Zhao Shengge’s mischievous side kicked in, urging him on.

He looked at Chen Wan for a while, then slightly leaned down, his lips hovering near his ear, almost touching but not quite, brushing lightly before pulling away, his voice deep, "Maybe I like someone real."

Chen Wan paused, his ears turning red.

Zhao Shengge waited for him to process for a moment, but seeing no action, he didn't wait any longer. He pulled Chen Wan into his arms without hesitation, guiding him step by step, "For example, if you want to call me, just call. If you want to send me a message, send it whenever."

"Feel free to ask for what you want."

Chen Wan's shoulders tensed slightly, suddenly enveloped by Zhao Shengge's warm and pleasant scent. He looked dazed and unsure, seemingly surprised that Zhao Shengge, such a rational and composed career-oriented idealist, could be someone who’s clingy and a bit of a handful.

But Zhao Shengge looked down at him with certainty, "I like this."

Chen Wan thought for a moment, then said very seriously, "Okay, got it."

Zhao Shengge found him obedient, so he leaned down and kissed his lips lightly, as a little encouragement.

Chen Wan felt somewhat dazed, feeling a happiness he’d never known before. He didn't even know why he had obtained this happiness.

This dreamlike, uncertain happiness compelled him to ask, "I bet a lot of people chase after you, huh?"

"No," Zhao Shengge glanced at him, "I don’t let people chase me."

"So why me?" Why was it Chen Wan, not particularly special, who got this opportunity? Chen Wan really wanted to know. He was just one of the countless admirers of Mount Fuji, yet he truly touched a handful of snow at the summit. Was it because he was the most persistent, the hardest-working, and the most unafraid of hardship?

Zhao Shengge thought for a moment, then said, "I’ll have to answer that later."

Chen Wan pursed his lips, smiling slightly, and whispered, "It feels like a dream." In fact, even in his dreams, this scene had never appeared.

Zhao Shengge looked at him for a moment, then said, "Then let’s make it real." With that, he kissed Chen Wan deeply.

Chen Wan was somewhat breathless, closing his eyes, tentatively hugging Zhao Shengge back, like holding a handful of snow, held with care and restraint. It was the first time he truly touched snow, unsure of the right strength or posture.

He wanted to hold on tight, after longing for so long; but he didn't dare to hold on too tightly, afraid the snow would melt, leaving only cold water and fading dreams.

But Zhao Shengge's strong kiss seemed to tell him that Mount Fuji was within reach, and the moon could be his.

Chen Wan felt his heart swell with a bittersweet ache. He realized that a dream he never dared to hope for, once realized, was not entirely sweet. It was mixed with sourness, a bit of bitterness, but with a lingering sweetness, turning a thousand times, making one want to cry.

For sixteen years, watching Zhao Shengge from afar, Chen Wan had never felt like crying. On the night Zhao Shengge kissed him, Chen Wan felt a bit of a lump in his throat.

He didn't cry, just carefully and tightly grasped Zhao Shengge's clothes, as if hoping the snow would remain in his palm forever, and the moon would embed itself in his heart.

Zhao Shengge felt Chen Wan's body trembling slightly, his emotions somewhat off. He gently stroked his back, patiently waiting for him to calm down, and asked, "Very uncomfortable?"

Chen Wan pursed his lips, feeling very embarrassed.

Zhao Shengge said, "I’ll give you some time to adjust, but it can’t be like it was before."

"Hmm?"

"Chen Wan," Zhao Shengge looked at him, "Do you treat everyone the same when you like them, never crossing any lines?"

Chen Wan opened his mouth but had no words to defend himself.

Zhao Shengge calmly said, "What you gave me was just an afterthought." Not something leftover from Zhuo Zhixuan, or Tan Youming, or anyone else.

He reached out and lightly touched his cheek, as if puzzled yet slightly accusatory, and murmured, "Your face is so soft, yet your heart is so cold."

"You’re not an afterthought!" Chen Wan frowned, sighed inwardly, but couldn’t find the words to explain. After a moment, he tentatively reached out, gently and carefully grabbing Zhao Shengge's sleeve, offering comfort and a promise, "From now on, I’ll treat you right."

Feeling it wasn’t enough, he added, "Really well, the best I can."

Zhao Shengge remained noncommittal.

The moon hung behind him, and Chen Wan felt like he was facing a god who’d descended from the heavens. The deity said, "Chen Wan, actually."

"I don’t want what you give to everyone else."

He slightly raised his chin, appearing somewhat aloof, "If you’re serious about pursuing me, give me something you’d never give to anyone else."

Chen Wan, entranced, said, "Zhao Shengge, you can have anything you want from me."

Zhao Shengge looked at him, his expression indifferent, then shifted his gaze, "Just empty words."

Chen Wan laughed again, but his eyes were dark with determination.

Li Shenghui sent someone to find Zhao Shengge, who dragged Chen Wan into a corner. Chen Wan turned to block him with his body, and in the shadows, Zhao Shengge kissed him again.

What Zhao Shengge said the night he left the island left Chen Wan wracked with guilt.

Years of pent-up affection erupted like a volcano, but Chen Wan was only good at unrequited love; chasing someone was new territory. He turned to Zhuo Zhixuan for advice, which caught him off guard.

"What did I tell you! What did I tell you! What did I tell you!" He was overwhelmed with emotions, unsure what to express, and after a moment, could only ask, "So, did you make a move?"

"..." Chen Wan explained, "We’re not together yet; I’m still trying to win him over."

"...Oh," after a pause, Zhuo Zhixuan inquired, "Is this some new kind of relationship thing?" He had been through many relationships but had never heard of such a thing.

"..." Chen Wan suddenly said, "Zhuo Zhixuan."

The other end fell silent.

Chen Wan lowered his eyes and softly said, "I want to see Monica to quit."

"I’ll accompany you," Zhuo Zhixuan thought for a moment and asked, "Are you planning to tell him?"

"No," even though it had been several days since leaving the island, Chen Wan still felt somewhat dazed. He had thought countless times, "Do you ever wonder... why me?"

"It had to be you," Zhuo Zhixuan recalled Chen Wan's youth to the present, certain that Zhao Shengge could never find someone who loved him more than Chen Wan.

"Sometimes it feels like it’s all in my head."

"It’s not an illusion," Zhuo Zhixuan immediately refuted, righteous and solemn, "Zhao Shengge is completely head over heels for you."

There was a pause.

"Don’t question it, no matter how unlikely it seems, it’s real. Just go for it and take your chance. Whatever you do, I’ll support you."

"Zhixuan, thanks. Honestly," Chen Wan smiled, looking out at the bright lights of the high-rise buildings outside the office window, his eyes dark, "whether it’s real or not, I’m not letting him go."

"..."

Zhuo Zhixuan, with his experience, suggested all sorts of ways to chase someone.

When the assistant walked in carrying a bouquet, Zhao Shengge looked up from the week's worth of paperwork and raised an eyebrow.

White peonies and pink hydrangeas.

Zhao Shengge looked at them for a moment and said, "Get me a vase."

The scent of peonies and hydrangeas was subtle, reminding Zhao Shengge of Chen Wan's skin.

Chen Wan had this kind of magic. Every day before felt the same to Zhao Shengge, but with Chen Wan, life and time became concrete emotions, heartbeats, and memories—becoming the sunset over Central, the Cantonese opera station during typhoons, and the burning desire in the depths of the night.

Word had gotten out about Zhao Shengge’s injury on Ting Island, sparking all kinds of wild rumors.

Zhao Shengge showed up at a banquet to shut down the gossipers—the young master was doing fine, and no one should try to cause trouble in the confusion.

He’d been out of the public eye for so long that more people than usual came to toast him, as no one knew when they’d see the reclusive Zhao Shengge again.

Zhao Shengge didn’t turn them down, but he only sipped lightly. He was always quiet, and others didn’t dare disturb him too much. Chen Wan had his own things to attend to, but he spent the whole night texting to keep Zhao Shengge company.

Chen Wan: "Still not finished?"

Zhao Shengge replied neither quickly nor slowly: "Just about."

"Still got a headache? You could have some hot soup to sober up."

Zhao Shengge, who hadn’t drunk much: "A little."

"Want me to come get you?"

"It’s too late, don’t bother."

Chen Wan sent a photo of the streetlights outside the car window: "I’m on my way." "Kitten running, JPG"

Chen Wan had been drinking, so the driver took the wheel, and they soon arrived at the underground parking lot, stopping in an inconspicuous corner.

Chen Wan’s car was parked so out of the way that Zhao Shengge had to search for it. He opened the back door, and Chen Wan smiled softly, extending his hand: "Zhao Shengge."

Zhao Shengge's expression was calm, and he stood still. Originally, he had planned to get into Chen Wan's car in front of many people.

But with Chen Wan looking at him with such a warm smile, Zhao Shengge still placed his hand in Chen Wan's.

Chen Wan cherished it, warming it in his hands.

Zhao Shengge loosened his tie and asked softly, "What are you looking at?"

Chen Wan gazed at him with a hint of infatuation, switching to Cantonese to whisper, "Zhao Shengge, you might not know this, but you're really something."

"..."

Zhao Shengge turned his head and chuckled, a kind of helpless laugh.

He wasn't drunk, but his eyes lacked their usual steadiness, carrying a lazy wildness, like a languid beast.

He looked at Chen Wan for a while, then gently lifted him onto his lap, sitting face to face, and studied him intently for a moment.

After returning for a few days, Chen Wan's hair had grown a bit, giving him a timeless kind of beauty.

Zhao Shengge recalled as a child that he had many figurines, but they were all destroyed by Zhao Maozheng.

However, he remembered the appearance of every figure. If Chen Wan could be Zhao Shengge’s figurine, he’d be the most exquisite, the most valuable, and Zhao Shengge’s favorite.

Chen Wan's heart raced under that unreadable gaze, feeling shy but letting him have his way.

Chen Wan didn’t want the driver to see, so he raised the car’s partition. Zhao Shengge held his waist, preventing him from moving, and calmly asked, "You seemed so composed in the secret warehouse—what’s changed?"

"..." Chen Wan's face felt hot.

Zhao Shengge toyed with his hand as if it were a figurine, and Chen Wan obediently let him.

Zhao Shengge slightly spread apart the fingers of his right hand, then closed them, then spread them again.

Chen Wan couldn’t help laughing at the ticklish sensation.

Zhao Shengge pressed his thumb against it, rubbed it for a while, then lowered his eyes and said, "I’ve never noticed this before."

Chen Wan felt like he was playing with some small animal’s paw, so he grabbed his hand and said, "It’s not easy to see here in the first place."

Zhao Shengge hummed and asked, "So no one has noticed?"

Chen Wan felt his strong heartbeat through his palm, caught between laughter and frustration, and said, "Who would stare at my hand?"

Zhao Shengge glanced at him and said nothing.