Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Xiao Hang held the slender man on his lap. This fishing expedition had failed; he hadn't expected the target to have an accomplice, like Cheng Yaojin appearing out of nowhere.

But having promised Chen Xiu, he would absolutely catch the culprit. Otherwise, he'd lose face. Moreover, he couldn't tolerate anyone harassing his little Xiuxiu.

And let's not forget, that person had even beaten him up once—a score that absolutely had to be settled.

His hand slowly slid down Chen Xiu’s delicate spine: "Do you have anyone in mind you suspect?"

Chen Xiu nestled obediently in his embrace and shook his head. Since the harassment began, he had racked his brain, considering everyone he knew, but none seemed to fit.

Xiao Hang mused: "He knows your situation very well. It's highly probable that it's someone familiar—perhaps even someone you see daily. Among those around you, has anyone seemed particularly strange?"

Prompted by Xiao Hang, Chen Xiu suddenly recalled Jiang Mo, who lived in the same residential complex. His almond eyes widened in surprise as he looked up at Xiao Hang.

"There really is someone like that."

Xiao Hang couldn't resist a light peck on his lips: "Who?"

Chen Xiu blushed shyly: "Jiang Mo. He lives in the same complex as me. I only found out recently. Do you know Jiang Mo?"

Xiao Hang did know. In fact, everyone in his company knew Jiang Mo. After all, the man was incredibly awkward and gloomy, dressing like the Black Impermanence every day. If it weren't for his outstanding skills and the fact that, though odd, he didn't cause trouble, Xiao Hang would have fired him long ago—he somewhat affected the company's image.

If Jiang Mo were capable of such a thing, it seemed highly plausible. He looked like the type to secretly dissect small animal corpses.

"How long has he lived in the same complex as you?"

"I'm not sure. I only found out recently. But our interactions have been minimal. From joining the company until now, we haven't exchanged more than ten sentences in total."

Chen Xiu sounded uncertain: "It probably… isn't him, right?"

Although others saw Jiang Mo as a weirdo, he thought Jiang Mo was just honest.

Xiao Hang: "Don't worry, I have a way to confirm if it's him."

Having a target lifted Xiao Hang’s spirits. He smiled and kissed Chen Xiu’s lips: "Let's take care of business first."

Chen Xiu, though bashful, didn't refuse—he was very much aware of his role as a kept partner.

The next day, Xiao Hang was quite busy. He had to inspect the factory during the day, attend a major meeting in the afternoon, and then there was the celebration banquet with Sheng Sheng Technology in the evening. This collaboration had been a complete success, though a single project hardly warranted such a grand celebration—it was mainly for fostering future collaborations.

All employees involved would attend the banquet.

After a busy day, Xiao Hang drove toward the banquet hotel, though he had to make a detour first. A work photo of Jiang Mo lay tossed in the car.

Xiao Hang went to Wang Fuhai’s place again, knocking on the door with full confidence.

——

Chen Zui wore a custom-made gray Prince of Wales check suit, formal yet stylish, paired with a sea-blue shirt that caught the eye. He had switched to silver-framed glasses, giving the impression of wearing an exquisite face chain at first glance. At the moment, he was upstairs in the banquet hall, looking down through the floor-to-ceiling transparent glass.

The champagne in his tall glass bubbled, emitting a pleasant aroma.

He had noticed Jiang Mo the moment he entered—he was hard to miss. After all, it was a formal occasion, so even if reluctantly, Jiang Mo had to take off his hat and wear formal attire.

Unsurprisingly, he was dressed in black from head to toe, the outfit looking cheap and hastily bought just for show. Yet, his tall stature and long legs somehow lent the clothes an air of elegance. From the moment he appeared, Jiang Mo stood by the Roman column at the far end, holding a glass of wine for appearances but never drinking. No one clinked glasses with him, nor did he initiate toasts—completely detached from the social scene.

Expressionless, like a robot.

Chen Zui took out his phone.

Jiang Mo received a message from ?: "Looking forward to you dressed formally, giving me head."

He quickly turned off his phone and glanced around. No one seemed to be watching him, yet he still felt uneasy, as if eyes were boring into him. How did this pervert even know what he wore every day? Where was he hiding?

As for what ? said, he almost laughed mockingly. The last time was out of necessity—there would never be a second time.

He retorted defiantly: "In your dreams!"

Chen Zui looked at the message, a faint smile in his eyes as he brought the glass to his lips. In his dreams?

We’ll see about that, Xiao Momo—

"Jiang Mo."

Jiang Mo turned and tensed up immediately upon seeing it was Chen Xiu. Why would he suddenly come over to greet him? Still, he nodded stiffly.

Ao Tian: "Oho~ What's this all about~"

Its tone was purely that of someone enjoying the drama.

Chen Xiu studied Jiang Mo’s eyes, trying to detect something, but all he saw was nervousness and unease. Could someone who was this awkward even in ordinary conversations really be capable of stalking, threatening, and voyeuristically watching him?

But still…

He sized up Jiang Mo. His build was very similar to that of the person who had almost been caught. Honestly, aside from Xiao Hang, Jiang Mo was the only one around him with that height. The stalker couldn’t possibly be Xiao Hang—Xiao Hang was direct; he’d just throw money at him.

So the most suspicious person was still Jiang Mo.

"We’d agreed to go to the company together in the morning. Sorry about that—I moved."

"…It’s fine."

"How long have you lived in that complex? I’ve been there for three years."

"…About the same."

Jiang Mo’s grip on his glass tightened nervously. Why was Chen Xiu suddenly saying all this? Had he noticed something?

This was clearly an attempt to fish for information.

That night must have given something away after all.

Chen Xiu looked puzzled: "It’s actually pretty strange. We’ve lived in the same complex for so long but never ran into each other."

He looked up at Jiang Mo: "Even though we’re in the same company, the same department, and often get off work at the same time."

The more Chen Xiu spoke, the stranger it seemed—almost as if it were intentional avoidance.

Jiang Mo could only play along: "Yeah, it is strange."

He forced a slight curl of his lips, pretending to smile.

Chen Xiu pressed on: "Actually, I’ve recently been targeted by a per—"

"Jiang Mo."

Hearing Chen Zui's voice, Jiang Mo finally let out a sigh of relief and turned around excitedly, as if he'd grabbed a lifeline. Was Chen Xiu about to say "pervert" just now? If the other guy brought this up, he really wouldn’t know how to handle it.

"Chen Zui."

The sight of Chen Zui before him made Jiang Mo's eyes widen—he was perfect down to the last hair, with looks and a figure so flawless it seemed like a 3D model.

"Chen Zui," Chen Xiu also called out, his gaze shifting between Chen Zui and Jiang Mo, wondering how this big shot seemed so familiar with Jiang Mo.

"Jiang Mo, I need to trouble you for something," Chen Zui appeared to be not quite himself.

"Please go ahead, Chen Zui," Jiang Mo responded with an expression that said he was willing to do anything for him.

This made Chen Zui smile.

He raised his hand and placed it on Jiang Mo’s shoulder: "Could you take me to the lounge upstairs?"

"Of course."

Seeing that Chen Zui was unwell, Jiang Mo no longer cared about their closeness, forgot about Chen Xiu, and ignored the surprised glances from those around them. He supported Chen Zui and headed toward the elevator.

"What's wrong? Should I take you directly to the hospital?"

Chen Zui leaned against his shoulder, his hot breath puffing against Jiang Mo’s neck: "A hospital wouldn't work. Just take me to the lounge."

On the polished elevator doors, the reflections of two men pressed close together.

Chen Zui’s breathing was rapid yet tightly controlled.

Jiang Mo looked worried but froze up for a moment when he saw their reflections in the elevator—they looked too intimate.

As a self-identified straight guy, Jiang Mo’s reaction upon realizing this wasn’t rejection but rather his ears secretly turning red.

The door to the lounge closed.

Jiang Mo settled Chen Zui onto the sofa: "Chen Zui, where are you feeling unwell? I’ll go buy some medicine for you."

As he spoke, he unscrewed a bottle of water and handed it to Chen Zui.

Chen Zui took it and drank a few sips. His face was flushed an unnatural red, and he seemed out of it: "I..."

He looked as though he was struggling to say it.

But soon, Jiang Mo noticed it himself without needing to be told—Chen Zui was already hard down there.

This...

Chen Zui held his forehead, his tone weary: "Someone drugged my drink. Thank you. You can go now. I’ll be fine once I ride it out."

As he spoke, he let out a pained groan, veins bulging at his temples, clearly in extreme discomfort.

Jiang Mo thought, how could someone be so despicable! How dare they harm Chen Zui!

Watching Chen Zui, who had already reached for himself instinctively, Jiang Mo averted his gaze but could still hear his struggling breaths. Chen Zui might already be half out of it, struggling for a long time to unzip and get himself out.

"Fuck!"

He heard Chen Zui curse.

No, he couldn’t bring himself to leave Chen Zui like this. What if the drug was strong and harmed his body?

Jiang Mo thought it over, torn and conflicted for a while, then moved closer, originally intending to help Chen Zui get him out first.

But once he did, Chen Zui grabbed his hand, not letting him leave.

And guided Jiang Mo's hand...

"Ch-Chen Zui."

Chen Zui seemed to snap back to reality then, his eyes bloodshot and strained as he glanced at Jiang Mo, reluctantly forcing himself to let go.

"Sorry, you should go now."

The man looked utterly miserable, fumbling awkwardly.

Jiang Mo walked toward the door but stopped after a few steps, turning back to look at the sofa. The man on the sofa was drenched in sweat, a worrying sight.

"Chen Zui!"

Gritting his teeth, his face flushed, Jiang Mo walked back and knelt before Chen Zui.

"Let me help you."

Chen Zui opened his eyes, torn between wanting him to stay and wanting him to go, yet trying to push him away: "This... isn't right..."

"Desperate times, Chen Zui. Your health comes first. And I promise no one else will ever know about this."

He raised his hand as if taking an oath: "If I tell anyone, I hope I get hit by a car the moment I step outside."

Seeing his sincerity, Chen Zui finally gave in: "Alright, but I’m in too much pain. Using my hand is just too slow..."

He let out another groan of pain, his teeth clenched tightly.

Jiang Mo bit his lip: "Sorry, Chen Zui."

With that, he closed his eyes, opened his mouth, and took him into his mouth.

——

Xiao Hang arrived at the banquet hall, his eyes scanning the crowd for Jiang Mo.