Chapter 29: You Smell So Good

Chapter 29: You Smell So Good

Fu Hongan only learned of Chu Yan’s latest folly after noticing his assistant’s repeated, hesitant attempts to speak.

"Breaking the contract? Severing ties?"

"He’s lost it. Chu Yan has truly gone off the deep end."

Since the birthday banquet that night, Fu Hongan had belatedly realized that Chu Yan hadn’t proactively contacted him for a long time, nor had he pestered him relentlessly as before. In a daze, Fu Hongan found himself somewhat unaccustomed to this absence. Yet, on the night of the banquet, Chu Yan’s attitude towards him had suddenly done a complete 180.

Chu Yan had dared to call him "used goods," accused him of being unclean, labeled him a scumbag, and even kicked him in the crotch.

Honestly, though days had passed, Fu Hongan still seethed with rage whenever he recalled it—especially late at night when the world was quiet. It had kept him tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

He just couldn’t understand—how could someone who had loved him with all their heart for fifteen years suddenly stop loving him?

Chu Yan had claimed he was "too exhausted to keep loving," but didn’t that mean he still loved him deep down? He was just bitter over Fu Hongan’s lack of response.

And then there was the matter between him and Xiao Yi—Chu Yan had to be jealous.

Come to think of it, Chu Yan’s attitude had shifted after the incident at the Qingxin Club. He had never sought Fu Hongan out again. It must have been because he found out what happened that night—that Fu Hongan and Xiao Yi had slept together. That was why he had been so furious. This was clearly jealousy.

It made sense. Someone who had loved him for so many years would undoubtedly fly into a rage upon learning he had been with someone else.

It all made sense now. Fu Hongan suddenly understood—all of Chu Yan’s erratic behavior could be explained.

So, the grand spectacle of breaking off the engagement was just Chu Yan acting out from jealousy. He was trying to force Fu Hongan to turn back to him, to see if he mattered at all in Fu Hongan’s heart.

Pathetic, really. Chu Yan had no idea that such tactics would just drive Fu Hongan further away.

So not only would Fu Hongan never turn back, but he also wouldn’t give Chu Yan the time of day.

This time, Chu Yan must have been truly enraged. He had unbelievable restraint—he hadn’t contacted Fu Hongan even once since that day. Strangely, Fu Hongan felt unsettled by the lack of Chu Yan’s usual pestering. The longer it went on, the more it ate at him, and the more he couldn’t stop thinking about it. These past few days, Fu Hongan had been acting downright paranoid.

But when he saw Chu Yan’s public meltdown about cutting ties with the Chu family, his first reaction was still anger—anger at Chu Yan’s delusions of grandeur. Not only was he trying to fish for attention from Fu Hongan, but he was also attempting to do the same with the Chu family.

Just because he was jealous of Fu Hongan’s affection for Xiao Yi, jealous of the Chu family’s doting on Xiao Yi, he had resorted to such reckless, kamikaze moves. Had he ever stopped to consider how he could possibly compare to Xiao Yi? Especially since Xiao Yi was the Chu family’s real child—how could a mere stand-in like Chu Yan ever measure up?

At the end of the day, it all boiled down to Chu Yan’s overestimation of himself.

Fu Hongan had initially felt a flicker of guilt over the words Chu Yan had spoken before breaking off the engagement that night. He had even considered giving him another ten million as compensation—after all, Chu Yan had asked for sixty million that night, but the Fu family had only given him fifty. Ten million was nothing to Fu Hongan.

He had wrestled with this for days. But now? With Chu Yan going off the rails like this, there was no way Fu Hongan would be humoring him now.

"It seems he still hasn’t accepted his place."

Whether in Fu Hongan’s eyes or the Chu family’s, he would always be second-best to Xiao Yi.

"I’ll wait for the day he comes begging on his knees."

With his uselessness, those fifty million would probably be blown through in days. Worse still, he was now left with nothing and was being mocked by the entire internet. At this point, Chu Yan was practically blacklisted—yet he had gone and severed ties with the Chu family. What an idiot, as always, shooting himself in the foot. Fu Hongan had never met anyone more foolish than Chu Yan.

"If he calls you, remember not to respond. And absolutely do not help him."

Fu Hongan gave his assistant a stern reminder. After all, Chu Yan had often resorted to begging the assistant in the past.

"Understood, President Fu."

The assistant knew better than anyone. Everyone around Fu Hongan was aware—Young Master Chu’s matters were never to be brought up to the president. The mere mention of him would put Fu Hongan in a bad mood. Like now—the assistant had already slipped up today.

Little did Fu Hongan know, the Chu Yan he imagined would soon come crying and begging for forgiveness was, at this very moment, cheerfully getting his hair dyed and reinventing himself.

***

In the private room of a bar, Fu Junhang finally saw a certain someone.

A tall, burly man with a neat buzz cut, sharp eyes like blades, and a healthy, weathered tan exuding strength.

His appearance was the complete opposite of Fu Junhang’s. While Fu Junhang was heart-stoppingly handsome with refined features and a cold, pale complexion with an edge of menace, this man was rugged, with an unmistakable aura of righteousness about him—clearly someone with a military background.

"Jiang Lvshen, you’re late."

Fu Junhang gave him a lazy once-over. The two were close friends—the kind who had been through life and death together.

The newcomer was none other than Jiang Lvshen, whose family had served in the military for three generations. He had enlisted at fourteen and became a top-tier soldier within a few years, infamous for being ruthless. However, due to certain circumstances, he had retired from active duty some years ago and was now a captain in the major crimes division.

Incidentally, it was because of cleaning up this guy’s mess that Fu Junhang had gotten into that predicament that night—and subsequently met Chu Yan.

"I’ll punish myself with three drinks, how about that?"

Jiang Lvshen couldn’t care less about Fu Junhang’s attitude. After all, he was in the wrong. If he hadn’t been abroad handling a major international case, Fu Junhang would’ve probably beaten him up over the Qingxin Club incident long ago. That said, the guy’s demeanor was oddly milder than expected—had something good happened to him?

"Three drinks? That’s not enough." Fu Junhang tossed an unopened bottle into Jiang Lvshen’s hands. "This. I’ll watch you finish it."

Jiang Lvshen laughed helplessly. "Fine. If I die, remember to call my rebellious little fiancé to collect my body."

The mention of this instantly piqued Fu Junhang’s interest. He snatched the bottle back. "How’s it going with that little fiancé of yours? What’s the progress? Any hand-holding? Kissing?"

In the past, this guy had constantly used this topic to taunt him—even when they were half-dead, surrounded by dozens of mercenaries, Jiang Lvshen had still rambled on about it, rubbing it in that Fu Junhang was a lonely, unwanted bachelor. But now? Things were different. It was time to settle the score.

Jiang Lvshen looked baffled. "What’s gotten into you today? Since when do you care about my little fiancé? You used to snap at me the moment I brought him up."

"Tch." Fu Junhang scoffed. "Times have changed. Just answer the question—how far have you gotten? Held hands? Kissed?"

Fu Junhang leaned in with a grin, bombarding him with questions. To his surprise, the 1.9-meter-tall tough guy actually flushed red.

Jiang Lvshen’s face burned. He nearly choked on his drink but stubbornly lifted his chin with pride. "Of course. We’ve kissed already."

But for some reason, his face turned even redder, his eyes dimming slightly.

Fu Junhang nearly died laughing. "Cut the crap. Don’t think I don’t know—your little fiancé acts like he’s seen a ghost whenever you’re around. Rumor has it he changes boyfriends every other day, collecting them like trading cards, all to avoid marrying you."

Fu Junhang had a knack for hitting where it hurt—every jab landed squarely on his friend’s weak spot.

"He’s young. He’s just playing around."

"Pfft. The only thing hard about you is your mouth, since certain other places don’t get the chance."

Jiang Lvshen: "..." This guy’s tongue was as venomous as ever.

"Don’t act all high and mighty. You’re no better. Compared to me, you’re the eternal bachelor—no one dares to come within five meters of you. People see you and act like they’ve met the King of Hell. With that attitude, you’ll die alone. At least I have a fiancé. What do you have? Tsk, and you have the nerve to mock me."

This was how their exchanges usually went—mutual destruction after a few rounds. But today was different. Despite Jiang Lvshen’s poisoned words, Fu Junhang was still smiling.

"What’s with that smug look?"

Jiang Lvshen was baffled, but Fu Junhang merely shook his head with a chuckle. "You wouldn’t understand."

This old virgin who had never even held a man’s hand couldn’t possibly compare to someone like him, who had already tasted the feast. Out of kindness, Fu Junhang decided not to rub it in. "What’s there to be smug about?"

Jiang Lvshen was utterly baffled. This version of Third Master Fu before him was completely unfamiliar—was this really the same Third Master Fu who even ghosts would kowtow three times before scrambling away?

Just then, Fu Junhang's phone chimed with a notification.

Jiang Lvshen watched as the Living Yama's eyes lit up the moment he read the message, before abruptly abandoning him without another word.

"What's the rush? Something urgent?"

Fu Junhang only tossed back a cryptic reply, "My patron's calling."

Golden pig? What the hell? Did he get a pet?

The absurdity of the statement left Jiang Lvshen completely lost.

"Clean up the trash next door for me."

With that, Fu Junhang vanished. Instead, Zhu Ye entered and filled in Jiang Lvshen on the situation with the men in the neighboring room.

Jiang Lvshen stared at Zhu Ye, wearing an expression of utter disbelief. "Has your Third Master been possessed? And seriously, was this minor issue worth summoning me here?"

Zhu Ye rubbed his nose. "You'll understand later. Anything involving that young master is never a small matter."

Meanwhile, Fu Junhang had bolted off in a frenzy after receiving a single word from Chu Yan:

"Come."

After days of waiting, his little patron had finally summoned him. Fu Junhang couldn't suppress the excitement that surged through him.

On my way—be there in a flash.

Fu Junhang knew the passcode—Chu Yan had told him before. When he entered, Chu Yan had just finished showering and was blow-drying his hair in the bathroom. Only forty minutes had passed since Chu Yan sent the message, completely unaware of the speed at which Fu Junhang had arrived.

Suddenly being embraced from behind startled Chu Yan, but he quickly recognized the male model looming like an eager wolf through the mirror.

"You're here already? That was fast."

"Wouldn’t dream of making my patron wait."

Fu Junhang's voice was deep and smooth, making Chu Yan’s body tingle.

Fu Junhang stood nearly a head taller than Chu Yan, who was freshly showered, dressed in gray silk pajamas, barefoot on the floor—making the man behind him seem even more imposing and solid.

Chu Yan turned off the hairdryer and set it aside, letting Fu Junhang hold him as he admired his newly dyed hair in the mirror.

Truly, better to please yourself than others.

Fu Junhang wrapped his arms tightly around Chu Yan's slender waist, pressing against his back like a hungry wolf.

Chu Yan was nearly engulfed in his embrace. Fu Junhang rested his chin on Chu Yan's shoulder, his warm breath brushing his skin as he buried his face in Chu Yan’s neck, inhaling deeply.

Chu Yan shivered. "That tickles—stop it."

"You're so beautiful." His judgment was flawless, as always.

The silver-white strands of hair were almost dry, tinged pink under the close light, as if Chu Yan were bathed in a soft glow. The moment Fu Junhang had opened the door, he'd been stunned—even though he already knew his little patron was more beautiful than anyone, he still found himself spellbound.

Fresh from the shower, Chu Yan's fair skin was flushed, radiating an irresistible allure. Fu Junhang hardened against him instantly.

The silk pajamas were slippery, sliding against him. The thin fabric allowed him to feel Chu Yan’s warmth through the fabric. Unable to resist, he nuzzled against Chu Yan's shoulder before pressing his nose to the nape of his neck, inhaling his scent.

"Little patron, you smell so good."

With that, Fu Junhang nipped lightly on Chu Yan's neck.

Chu Yan whimpered, trembling as the hard length pressed insistently against him. No matter how many times they did this, the embarrassment never lessened.

"Don't—"

Chu Yan's breathing grew ragged, his voice shaking, unaware that his breathy whimpers only made Fu Junhang hungrier. Fu Junhang dotted kisses along his pale neck.

Each touch left him gasping, especially with the mirror reflecting every reaction—making it all the more flustering.

Desperate, Chu Yan grabbed Fu Junhang's roaming hands. "Let's go out first."

"No," Fu Junhang protested, rutting against him. "I want to stay here. Don’t you want to see how hot you look, little patron?"

"Mmm—you bit me?" Chu Yan yelped when Fu Junhang sucked his earlobe, his legs nearly giving out. "Are you a dog or what?"

"If my patron wants, I can be your dog."

Damn it. Chu Yan completely lost it. How could this man spout such filthy talk?! This man would be the death of him!