Chapter 12 Playing Favorites~

Chapter 12: Special Treatment, Huh?

For dinner, Cassi's President Li had specially reserved the table with the best view at a seaside Western restaurant.

Lin Yunshu changed clothes and arrived promptly at six in the evening with Zhou Yu.

The waiter led them upstairs via a spiral staircase. President Li and Director Zhang had already been waiting for some time. The four exchanged handshakes and greetings before taking their seats.

Lin Yunshu had taken a nap in the afternoon, which eased much of his aches. He wore a sapphire-blue silk shirt, and the weariness between his brows had lessened, making him seem even gentler and more approachable.

As it was just a casual meal, Zhou Yu’s attire wasn't overly formal either—he simply wore a comfortable shirt with the sleeves casually rolled up to his elbows.

They sat down one after the other, shoulders touching. For a moment, they didn’t seem like boss and employee but rather oddly well-matched.

Old Li suddenly recalled the recent rumors about Zhou Yu’s need for an arranged marriage. He couldn’t help but feel curious—while Old President Zhou was busy making connections everywhere, how had he overlooked such a stunning individual right by Zhou Yu’s side?

He mused to himself but showed none of it on his face, instead signaling the waiter to serve the wine.

“President Zhou, Secretary Lin,” Director Zhang said with a warm smile, “this red wine was specially brought back by our President Li from his trip to France last year. It’s said to have been aged for over twenty years in the winery’s cellar. Give it a try and see if it suits your taste?”

Zhou Yu smiled. “Then we’re in for a treat.”

“Oh, President Zhou, don't mention it,” President Li said as he poured the wine into a decanter. “I'm sure your family has all kinds of fine wines. We’re just honored you don’t mind ours.”

They stayed away from business at the table. Both President Li and Director Zhang were skilled conversationalists and tactful, occasionally bringing up local customs, anecdotes, and interesting stories. Everyone enjoyed the meal.

Lin Yunshu also drank a little more than usual. He didn’t feel it at the time, but after returning to the hotel, he realized he was flushed and a little tipsy.

He went out to the balcony to let the sea breeze cool him down, then took a shower, which helped sober him up.

When he opened his suitcase, he paused at the sight of a neatly arranged row of inhibitors in the compartment.

Since signing the agreement, Lin Yunshu hadn’t taken any injections, relying solely on medication to stabilize his condition these days.

But with Zhou Yu by his side, his pheromones had remained relatively stable.

The bruise in the crook of his arm had faded slightly, giving Lin Yunshu the illusion that his life was once again flourishing.

He felt warmth in his face. He closed the compartment without disturbing its contents and took his blockers as usual.

It was almost 11 p.m. Lin Yunshu didn’t waste time. After drying his hair and changing into long-sleeved pajamas, he went out and knocked at the door of Zhou Yu’s suite.

Almost the moment he knocked, the door opened from the inside.

Zhou Yu, as if he'd been waiting right by the door, frowned. “So you decided to show up? I was about to knock on your door.”

Lin Yunshu stepped inside and glanced at the time—just past 11 p.m.

For Zhou Yu, this wasn’t late. The man was an expert at staying up late; 11 p.m. merely meant nightlife was just starting for him.

He had timed his arrival perfectly. Lin Yunshu was confused.

But Zhou Yu was eccentric—it wasn’t impossible for him to suddenly decide to sleep early.

“Sorry,” Lin Yunshu said, not making excuses, his eyes apologetic. “Were you going to sleep?”

“How could I sleep without you?” Zhou Yu closed the door and walked over to Lin Yunshu, looking down at his face. “Did you take your blockers?”

“Yes.”

“Has it been over half an hour?”

Lin Yunshu thought for a moment. “It should be about that.”

“Good.” Zhou Yu had him sit on the edge of the bed. “Wait for me a moment.”

Lin Yunshu obeyed, absentmindedly rubbing his temples. Soon, he saw Zhou Yu coming back with a glass of warm water and a few pills. Suddenly he wasn't tired anymore.

“Are you sick?”

Zhou Yu’s eyes showed a hint of helplessness. “They’re for you. You seemed happy tonight, so I didn’t stop you from drinking, but you still need to take stomach medicine.”

His tone was familiar. Out of his work clothes, he once again became the upperclassman Lin Yunshu knew best.

“Swallow slowly.” Zhou Yu waited patiently for him to take the medicine.

Zhou Yu stood while Lin Yunshu sat. From his angle, he could see the secretary’s dark, soft hair, slightly long enough to cover his earlobes, leaving a glimpse of pale earlobe.

Secretary Lin, with his hair washed and quiet demeanor, looked no different from when he had first entered university. His slightly rounded cheeks looked soft, and the slender, beautiful wrists peeking out from his sleeves were just as delicate.

Zhou Yu felt himself soften as he watched.

Lin Yunshu finished the medicine, looked up, and said “thank you” again.

Zhou Yu was speechless. “You and your manners.”

He took the glass. “Wait for me in bed.”

Lin Yunshu got into bed, pulled up the covers, and stared blankly at the bedside lamp.

A faint, elusive scent lingered around him. Zhou Yu always brought his own bedding when traveling, and it carried a subtle trace of his pheromones.

Lin Yunshu couldn’t help but bury his face in it.

The medicine seemed to take effect quickly. He began to grow drowsy, his eyelids growing heavy—so heavy that he couldn’t even wait for Zhou Yu to finish washing the glass.

In his hazy state, he heard footsteps approaching from afar. The bedroom light went out, and the mattress beside him dipped slightly.

Then someone pulled him into an embrace.

That day, he forgot to ask Zhou Yu to leave his bed.

·

The next day, the sky was clear and bright.

Sunlight streamed through the window, abundant and dazzling, rushing in with the sea breeze to greet Lin Yunshu’s face.

He stretched, opened his eyes, and waited for his brain to boot up slowly. The next second, he bolted upright.

The large two-meter bed now held only him, but the sheets and covers were in complete disarray.

Lin Yunshu checked himself over—there was no discomfort, indicating both of them had been very well-behaved and polite the previous night.

But he couldn’t remember whether he had lost control or not.

“Awake?” Zhou Yu pushed the door open.

He had just finished exercising and walked in shirtless, without a hint of shame.

"Boss," Lin Yunshu was feeling somewhat flustered, absentmindedly clutching the bedsheet. "Um... last night, I..."

"What about last night?"

Lin Yunshu struggled to get the words out.

"Was my... sleeping posture okay last night? Did I... do anything to you?"

Like kicking and punching.

Zhou Yu fell strangely silent.

That brief pause said it all.

There were pinch marks on Zhou Yu’s bare arms and abs. Lin Yunshu, after a quick glance, closed his eyes in despair.

"Your sleeping posture was fine," Zhou Yu coughed lightly, covering for him. "At first, I was inexperienced, but once I figured it out, you stopped fussing."

In reality, he had used force, pinning Lin Yunshu tightly in his arms to keep Secretary Lin from thrashing around.

Last night, he had witnessed a completely different side of Secretary Lin—weird, but kind of cute.

He unconsciously smiled, and Zhou Yu quickly suppressed it.

"Alright, don't make such a face. It’s not a big deal," he said, grabbing his clean clothes. "I’m going to take a shower. You should get up and get ready too—we have a lot of work today."

Lin Yunshu nodded meekly. Only after Zhou Yu left the bedroom did he slowly get up.

There was indeed a lot to do today. Zhou Yu had to visit the branch office, while Lin Yunshu had to stay behind to inspect the venue, oversee rehearsals, and ensure all preparations for the celebration were on track.

By the time he finished getting ready and went to the living room, Zhou Yu had already left. Breakfast was waiting, as usual, on the dining table, still warm.

Lin Yunshu had been drinking the night before and woke up dizzy and nauseous, with no appetite.

He packed the breakfast to take to Guo Shengyao later, drank some warm water, sucked on a candy, and headed out.

In the elevator, he automatically checked his phone for unread messages. A notification appeared at the top of the screen.

It was from Chen Shuyang.

That kid rarely ever reached out to him, saying he didn’t want to cause trouble.

Lin Yunshu curiously opened the message and saw a photo.

A sunny, cloudless day by the sea, waves glimmering gently under the breeze, and a fully set-up runway on the beach that looked vaguely familiar.

[Chen Shuyang: I landed a job]

[Chen Shuyang: As a model]

[Chen Shuyang: I’m away on work now, staying at a luxury hotel, wearing expensive clothes]

...

[Chen Shuyang: I told you I'd catch up soon.]

Ding!

The elevator doors opened. Lin Yunshu walked out leisurely, a slight smile on his face, and sent a thumbs-up.

"Master!" Guo Shengyao was already waiting in the lobby, bouncing over excitedly.

She always had boundless energy.

Lin Yunshu handed her the breakfast bag, and she exclaimed with delight, "Wow! Thank you, Master!"

"The boss gave it," Lin Yunshu said. "I’m just passing it along."

"But it’s still you who thought of me!" Guo Shengyao insisted. "You're the best, Master!"

Lin Yunshu smiled and shook his head. "Eat it while it’s hot. The fried egg won’t taste good if it gets cold."

"Okay!"

·

The official celebration was scheduled for the next day—an evening runway show followed by a banquet.

Today was the final rehearsal. Celebrities arrived one after another, each accompanied by a large entourage, making the venue packed to the brim.

Fortunately, the organizers handled the crowd efficiently, keeping things relatively orderly.

The runway was set up on the beach, adorned with star-themed decor in blues and purples, meant to complement the weather.

"Once the sunset hits, with the waves crashing, it’ll be absolutely stunning!" the assistant director enthusiastically explained as he followed Lin Yunshu around.

Lin Yunshu compared the renderings with the actual setup—it looked great.

But the aesthetic was up to the director and planner. Lin Yunshu’s job was to ensure the event proceeded safely and smoothly while sticking to the budget.

After all, it was Cassi’s 50th anniversary celebration. A huge chunk of the entertainment world was there, along with many big names from business and politics. There was no room for error.

The general manager, hearing that Lin Yunshu had arrived, hurried over, still holding a fried dough stick.

"Secretary Lin, you’re here early!" he said, directing workers to smooth out the wrinkles in the red carpet while greeting Lin Yunshu with a smile.

The weather was clear, and by 9 a.m., the sun was already high. Lao Zhang’s dark face was glistening with sweat.

Lin Yunshu handed him a tissue. "Having breakfast, Manager Zhang?"

"Oh, don’t call me ‘Manager’," Lao Zhang waved his hand sheepishly. "Just call me Lao Zhang, like always."

"I can’t do that. I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you on your recent promotion."

Lao Zhang scratched his head even more bashfully, holding his soy milk and fried dough stick. "Secretary Lin, have you eaten? Want some?"

"Thank you, I’ve already eaten," Lin Yunshu declined politely.

Lao Zhang didn’t press further and laughed heartily. "Early this morning, the celebrities started sending over gifts—breakfast, coffee, milk tea. We’ve got so much we can’t even store it all! Ended up giving some to the fans outside."

Lin Yunshu glanced around.

Under the scorching sun, beyond the restricted areas, the beach and behind the trees were crowded with people, many carrying cameras.

"They’re here this early?" Lin Yunshu was surprised. "The event doesn’t start until tomorrow."

"Well, there’s a rehearsal tonight. They probably want to catch a glimpse of their idols from afar," Lao Zhang explained.

Lin Yunshu shook his head, squinting in the bright sun. After just a short while under the heat, he was feeling dizzy.

He had never been interested in celebrities since childhood, and seeing the fans like this only made him feel bad for their hard work—and a bit concerned.

"Send more cooling towels over, and make sure there’s plenty of water," he said. "If anyone shows signs of heatstroke, send them to the hospital immediately. Let's not make a big deal out of it."

"Got it," Lao Zhang replied, promptly calling a few people to keep an eye on the situation.

"The security team should work a bit harder—patrol more and run through the procedures a few extra times. Contact me immediately if anything comes up."

"Understood," Lao Zhang said, moving a box that was in Lin Yunshu’s way.

Lin Yunshu stepped past it with a smile. "Thank you."

"No problem," Lao Zhang said, his dark face flushing even redder. "Don’t worry—I’ll keep an eye on things here. I’ll only call you if it’s really necessary."

Lin Yunshu trusted his capability.

"Then I’ll leave it to you. The boss said if the celebration goes well, everyone from top to bottom will get a bonus," Lin Yunshu winked. "Including me. So let’s work hard together and try to get a little extra from the boss."

"Ah, hahaha!" Lao Zhang was delighted, knowing that Secretary Lin never made empty promises about bonuses. He instantly became more motivated.

"Don’t worry, Secretary Lin—leave it to me! You just wait to enjoy your bonus!"

After inspecting the outer area, Lin Yunshu followed Lao Zhang backstage.

Loads of clothing and accessories were being brought in, and assistant designers carefully arranged the tassels on the gowns—these were for the models to wear later.

Lin Yunshu felt increasingly dizzy, seeing black spots. He almost missed a step while going downstairs.

Guo Shengyao and Lao Zhang quickly caught him. Lao Zhang, who had been discussing the celebration, was startled by the incident.

"What’s wrong, Secretary Lin?"

Guang Shengyao also stared at him in shock. "Shifu..."

"It’s nothing, nothing," Lin Yunshu rubbed his eyes and smiled, dismissing it. "I just wasn’t paying attention to the steps."

Worried that he might have low blood sugar from skipping breakfast, he asked Guo Shengyao to continue working with Lao Zhang while he went to the restroom to wash his face and have a piece of candy.

Once the dizziness subsided and his vision cleared, he straightened his clothes and walked out.

Backstage was even busier than outside. Staff were rushing around everywhere, yet they still greeted him warmly as they passed.

Lin Yunshu patiently responded to each one, reminding them to be careful.

Buzz.

His phone vibrated—a message from Zhou Yu.

Lin Yunshu pushed open the door of the nearest storage room, sat down on a cardboard box, and let out a long sigh as he rubbed the small of his back.

After a busy morning, he could finally sit down.

Rubbing his aching back, he opened his phone.

[Boss: How’s everything on your end?]

[Boss: I’ve always trusted you to handle things. My side is almost finished up too.]

[Lin Yunshu: No major issues, right?]

[Zhou Yu: Just as you said—no big problems. Small issues we can let slide.]

Lin Yunshu pressed his lips together, trying not to laugh.

As if it were just his idea—Zhou Yu clearly thought the same way.

[Lin Yunshu: Still, it’s all thanks to your wisdom, Boss.]

Zhou Yu, pleased by the compliment, immediately called him.

Perhaps because he was by the sea, his voice sounded especially clear, with the sound of wind in the background. "You know it. What do you want to eat? I’ll bring it for you."

Lin Yunshu checked the time—lunch was approaching. After a moment’s thought, he decided to ask for a favor on behalf of everyone.

"Boss, how about treating the backstage staff to lunch?" he said. "They’ve been working all morning without a break."

Zhou Yu laughed. "What, spending my money to make yourself look good?"

"Of course not," Lin Yunshu replied humbly. "I’ll make sure they know it’s from you."

Zhou Yu laughed even louder, as if Lin Yunshu’s playful flattery delighted him, leaving him feeling like he was walking on air.

"Alright, as you say."

Half an hour later, Guo Shengyao marched proudly up the steps, bullhorn in hand. "Lunchtime! The big boss is treating us to lunch! Extra portions today!"

"This is a perk Secretary Lin got for us. Let’s thank the big boss and Secretary Lin!"

The busy backstage broke into cheers. Everyone paused their work and gathered around.

"Thank you, Big Boss! Thank you, Secretary Lin!"

Guo Shengyao turned and winked playfully at Lin Yunshu, who was sitting to the side, trying to stay out of the spotlight. Lin Yunshu shook his head helplessly.

Zhou Yu had particular tastes when it came to food. Though it was still delivered in lunch boxes, the packaging and dishes were far more refined and delicious than usual. Everyone really enjoyed their meal.

"Here, this is yours," Guo Shengyao placed a box in front of Lin Yunshu. "The boss specifically said not to mix it up."

Under her expectant look, Lin Yunshu opened the lunchbox.

While the outer packaging was the same, the contents were entirely different—lighter, more delicate, and tailored precisely to Lin Yunshu’s taste. It was a healthier, tasty meal.

"Wow," Guo Shengyao exaggerated, "Getting special treatment, huh~"

Amused by her animated expression, Lin Yunshu chuckled and changed the subject. "Aren’t you going to eat? What are you waiting for?"

"Shifu," Guo Shengyao propped her chin in her hands, her eyes sparkling. "The boss is really good to you."

Lin Yunshu’s brow twitched slightly.

He lowered his gaze and picked up his chopsticks. "You should eat too."