Chapter 48 Miss You So Much

Chapter 48: I Missed You So Much

Lin Juangui still remembered Huo Zeshen's profound disappointment when he had to cancel their plans for a project.

The man didn't lose his temper. Instead, he offered a strained smile, telling Lin Juangui that work was more important, then ended their video call and headed to the hospital for an overtime shift.

During those few days, Huo Zeshen performed two major surgeries. Fortunately, his emotional state didn't compromise his professional skills; he maintained absolute focus when treating patients.

Upon returning to Huo Zeshen's home after his project, Lin Juangui noticed a thin layer of dust on the coffee table, a clear sign Huo Zeshen hadn't been home for days.

He called Huo Zeshen, asking if he was busy. "I just wrapped up my work. What time will you finish? Should I bring you something to eat?"

Huo Zeshen paused, his voice tinged with resignation. "I’ve been at the hospital these past few days. No need to come by. Get some rest early."

Though the man’s tone sounded no different than usual, Lin Juangui easily detected the underlying restraint.

Lin Juangui blinked, finally recalling his recent actions.

It was his fault for being so engrossed in work that he neglected his boyfriend’s feelings. He needed to reflect on that.

But Lin Juangui wasn't about to indulge Huo Zeshen’s unexplained cold shoulder. Leaning back on the soft sofa, he feigned a weak voice and said, "Alright, then. You focus on your work. I just got off the plane and feel a bit dizzy. What takeout should I get?"

Huo Zeshen cared deeply about Lin Juangui’s health. Hearing this, his breathing immediately quickened as he asked when Lin Juangui last ate, what he had, and whether he’d secretly drunk coffee again.

Lin Juangui suppressed a laugh. "No coffee. Even though I was away, I remembered what you told me. But the airplane food was awful—I only had a few bites before putting it down."

"You must be dizzy from hunger. I’ll have someone send you some mild wonton soup. Don’t take a bath yet—eat first."

It seemed Huo Zeshen would be harder to appease this time. Lin Juangui decided to be direct. "What about you? When will I get to see you?"

Huo Zeshen was a bit flustered. He cleared his throat lightly and simply stated he was a dedicated doctor, telling Lin Juangui not to miss him too much.

Lin Juangui let out an "Oh" followed by a sigh. "What a pity. I rushed back, but it seems we won’t get to see each other for a while. Fine, you focus on your work."

Before Huo Zeshen could respond, Lin Juangui hung up.

Staring at his phone’s home screen, Huo Zeshen was so frustrated he was grinding his teeth. After ordering delivery for Lin Juangui, he began scrutinizing his work schedule.

Why was he working so diligently? Wouldn’t it be better to wait at home for Lin Juangui?

He knew he was in the wrong. He had admitted his mistake, expressed how much he missed Huo Zeshen, and even cleverly shifted the blame for their inability to meet onto Huo Zeshen. But how could Huo Zeshen pass up such a perfect chance by being at work?

He was full of regret.

As dawn broke, Lin Juangui woke up bleary-eyed. His body was flushed and pink as he glared at the instigator before him and made a move to kick him.

Huo Zeshen caught Lin Juangui’s ankle, leaned down, and kissed him behind his ear. "You slept so soundly, Xiao Juan."

Lin Juangui arched his back, his entire body radiating a lazy, blissful languor. His voice was low and indescribably pleasant. "Just finished your night shift? And you still have energy?"

"Of course. I’ve got built-up frustration with nowhere to vent. Thought about how you’ll compensate me?" Huo Zeshen smirked.

"Sigh... you’re insatiable."

Lin Juangui gripped the sheets and turned over, making his invitation unmistakably clear.

Huo Zeshen’s eyes darkened as he took his compensation thoroughly.

Afterward, Huo Zeshen nestled into the crook of Lin Juangui’s neck and took a deep breath. Completely relaxed, he resembled a dozing, content tiger.

Lin Juangui ran his fingers through Huo Zeshen’s hair and asked if he wanted to watch fireworks that evening.

"Let’s take a boat to see them. How does that sound?"

Huo Zeshen’s face was still buried in Lin Juangui’s shoulder, his voice muffled. "Do you still have the energy?"

Lin Juangui smiled tenderly, nuzzling against Huo Zeshen with obvious affection. "I’ll get it back after some sleep. I won’t cancel this time."

"...Alright."

From then on, Lin Juangui became more careful with scheduling his itinerary. To him, Huo Zeshen was more important than work. Even if others called him lovestruck, he accepted it—he knew Huo Zeshen was worth it.

Huo Zeshen’s surgeries continued one after another. Lin Juangui understood that his lover carried social responsibilities on his shoulders and admired Huo Zeshen’s capabilities, so he did his best to support him.

Back then, Huo Zeshen was still a doctor. His resume was impeccable, and he was confident and spirited wherever he went. Whenever Lin Juangui picked him up after work, he often felt incredibly fortunate that someone like Huo Zeshen loved him.

Now, Huo Zeshen was like a dormant water lily seed waiting to awaken. He was about to sprout and grow, and Lin Juangui was the nourishment he could draw from.

If Lin Juangui stood him up now, Huo Zeshen would probably resent him for life.

But the auction wasn’t going to be postponed for Lin Juangui, and he had no intention of choosing between the two.

He was greedy—what he wanted, he would get. This had always been the case since he was young.

Mu Zhang had many matters to attend to and didn’t plan to attend the charity auction. However, he asked Lin Juangui to bid on a few artifacts for him.

He couldn’t obtain the mirror—Barda was still burning. But the artifacts brought from Barda were still very decorative, and having Lin Juangui bid on a few would also count as a charitable act.

"Any that you like?" Lin Juangui asked Mu Zhang.

Mu Zhang shook his head. "Compared to these ornate pieces whose value I can’t discern, I prefer powerful weapons."

Lin Juangui shrugged helplessly. Mu Zhang was truly pragmatic. If it weren’t for the mirror on Barda, he might not have been interested in the planet at all. But even without the mirror, Mu Zhang wouldn’t have let Lin Juangui off the hook.

The charity association’s announcement attracted significant attention, with the first guest list becoming a focal point for many.

After Lin Juangui showcased Barda’s artifacts at the press conference, images were shared on the Star Network. The textiles were exquisite and luxurious, the porcelain vibrant and colorful, and the jewelry was even more impressive—some necklaces featured center stones as large as a baby’s fist.

The auction featured thirty-seven lots, each one exquisite and captivating, drawing countless eyes.

Thus, many people contacted Lin Juangui these past few days, hoping to invite him for a meal—likely to secure an invitation to the auction. Lin Juangui politely declined all such requests, stating that he had just finished his heat and needed time to rest.

However, when Huai Fu called to ask if Lin Juangui could take him to the auction, he agreed out of respect for Huo Zeshen.

After all, Huai Fu was Lin Juangui’s good friend and always radiated warmth and enthusiasm around Lin Juangui, who greatly appreciated Huai Fu’s sunny disposition.

"Brother said he has his eye on two lots, but he’s too busy with work, so he asked me to go instead. But many people want to attend this auction, and the Huai family probably hasn’t qualified yet."

The Huai family used to be in the film and television industry. However, with the rise of AI and the decline of the media sector, coupled with the constant stream of trivial news about misbehaving celebrities, people grew tired of their melodramas and began using AI to replace real stars entirely. Now, viewers could input commands to generate any show they wanted.

Huai Fu and Huai Jun’s mother was the last star of the industry to have no scandals from debut until her passing. Her name was etched into federal history, but her children never appeared in the public eye, which many found regrettable.

Huai Jun had been researching AI algorithms with his team all these years. Although there were no real celebrities anymore, virtual idols still existed on the Star Network. The Huai family maintained a foothold in the entertainment industry through these means, but compared to other prominent families, they might still lack the qualifications.

As the owner of Barda, Lin Juangui would undoubtedly attend the auction. Huai Fu hoped to secure an invitation through him.

"Alright, I’ll have your name added. You’ll receive an electronic invitation, and you can just come with me."

Huai Fu finally relaxed, but at the same time, he felt even more guilty. "Thank you, Lin Juangui. I know this is asking a lot..."

When he first heard Huai Jun's idea, he wasn't very willing, feeling that he shouldn't take advantage of their friendship to ask such a big favor of Lin Juangui.

Moreover, countless people were desperately trying to get into the charity association's auction. Those who could attend were surely from wealthy or noble families. Wouldn't he just be making a fool of himself by going?

But Huai Jun smiled and patted Huai Fu's head. "Interpersonal relationships are about exchanging benefits. You and Lin Juangui are friends, aren't you? There will come a time when he needs your help, and you can just come to me then. Besides, don’t you want to get away from me, baby? You’ll have to prove your independence first to convince me."

Huai Fu knew this was Huai Jun's way of taunting him—he had used this trick on Huai Fu since childhood, and Huai Fu always fell for it.

The Huai family couldn't be supported by Huai Jun alone. Every time Huai Fu saw Huai Jun working until late at night, he felt heartbroken, but then he remembered what Huai Jun had done in the past and thought it served him right.

After much hesitation, Huai Fu finally mustered the courage to ask Lin Juangui for this favor. Otherwise, he would truly seem like a useless burden in Huai Jun's eyes.

Thankfully, Lin Juangui agreed quickly, or else Huai Fu might have been tied up in knots over it for a long time.

Lin Juangui seemed to pick up on Huai Fu's guilt and comforted him, "We've been friends for so many years. Don’t feel like it's a burden—just say whatever’s on your mind."

If it weren’t for Huai Fu, Lin Juangui wouldn’t have adapted to school so quickly. In the end, it was Huai Fu’s kindness that made the difference, so Lin Juangui was willing to return the same goodwill.

Huai Fu couldn’t help but sniffle and murmured, "Thank you."

On the day the charity auction officially began, Lin Juangui texted Huo Zeshen.

He wasn’t one to lie, but he would do everything he could.

Lin Juangui couldn’t miss the auction—it was vitally important for his career. Many media outlets would be there, and his absence would undoubtedly stir up trouble.

But he also didn’t want to let Huo Zeshen down, so he told him, "I have another commitment today, but it should wrap up quickly. I’ll hurry to your side as soon as I can. Please wait for me."

When Huo Zeshen saw the message, a shadow of worry crossed his face, but he reassured himself: since Lin Juangui said he would come, he would keep his word.

He would wait patiently.

The training base’s activity for the day was a trip to the Federal Capital Star’s history museum. Most Alphas spilled blood and sacrificed their lives on the battlefield, so they needed to understand what they were fighting for and never succumb to cowardice.

After the museum visit, they would go to a nearby theme park, a favorite spot for both adults and children.

In a few months, it would be recruitment period for the major military academies, and the training would undoubtedly become more intense. Letting these young men and women have some fun before focusing fully on their goals seemed like the best approach.

Huo Zeshen only showed his vulnerable, gentle demeanor around Lin Juangui. With others, he was always expressionless, his handsome face often giving off an icy, unapproachable air.

While other students sat with their families, Huo Zeshen sat quietly beside his teacher, like a ghost.

The interstellar shuttle’s electronic screen was broadcasting the auction hosted by the Federal Charity Association that day, and Huo Zeshen spotted Lin Juangui.

Lin Juangui looked as good as ever, never seeming out of place in such grand settings, always appearing poised and graceful.

The auction was a star-studded event, attended mostly by prominent figures.

Parents in the cabin were identifying the people on screen to their children, their eyes filled with envy and a sense of ambition—believing they, too, would one day attend such events.

Huo Zeshen watched Lin Juangui on the screen quietly, feeling a wave of inadequacy. This wasn’t the first time he felt the distance between them, a gap that seemed impossible to bridge no matter how hard he tried.

When the camera shifted away from Lin Juangui, Huo Zeshen looked away, opened his text thread with Lin Juangui, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes.

Better to sleep—that way, he wouldn’t overthink things.

Back when he was working, Lin Juangui often wore black or dark blue striped three-piece suits—a practical choice that was both foolproof and stain-resistant, perfect for someone who traveled frequently.

But after Huo Zeshen’s death, Lin Juangui’s wardrobe became only black.

Subconsciously, he felt he was observing mourning for Huo Zeshen, but now that he had reunited with him and could even be part of his youth, that lingering regret was slowly healing.

When Lin Juangui went to see Huo Zeshen, his clothes gradually became brighter and more youthful.

For the auction, Lin Juangui still wore white, but he took a printed shirt from his stylist.

After the auction, he planned to go out with Huo Zeshen, and wearing something too formal would kill the vibe.

He had calculated the timing: the charity banquet started at 11 a.m., and the auction would begin at 1 p.m. He only needed to stay for half an hour before leaving—no one would comment.

It would take just over ten minutes to reach the museum at top speed. If all went well, Lin Juangui might even have time to explore the museum with Huo Zeshen.

He might be late, but it shouldn’t count as breaking his promise—though he wasn’t sure how Huo Zeshen would judge it.

In his younger days, Lin Juangui would have stressed over his plans, worrying things wouldn’t go as expected and devising countless backup options.

But the experienced Lin Juangui knew that no amount of preparation could replace adaptability. He couldn’t control how things unfolded—he just had to do his best.

After arriving at Federal Capital Star, Lin Juangui waited for Huai Fu.

Huai Fu hadn't attended such a large banquet since his parents passed away. This time, he was forced into it by Huai Jun’s taunting—even if he didn't want to appear in the spotlight, he had to go.

The moment Huai Fu arrived, he caused a stir. He looked so much like his mother, though with a hint of boldness in his features. Anyone could tell at a glance that he was the son of the world-famous star from years ago.

Reporters crowded around Huai Fu, asking if his mother was Huai Shao. Huai Fu was terrified by the barrage, his face turning pale.

Lin Juangui hadn’t learned much about Huai Fu from the original Lin Juangui’s memories. After the original Lin Juangui was taken in by Mu Zhang, he lost contact with his best friend, and there were no further mentions of Huai Fu.

So when the reporters bombarded Huai Fu with questions, Lin Juangui was taken aback but quickly stepped in front of him. "Everyone, this is Mr. Huai Fu, my honored guest today. I understand your curiosity, but this is too much for him. Please show some basic respect."

Huai Fu took a deep breath. He knew that once he chose to appear in public, there was no turning back. Copying Lin Juangui’s calm demeanor, he offered a calm smile and said, "I am Huai Shao’s second son, Huai Fu. I know you’re curious about the past, but I’m here today only to see the rare artifacts. I won’t be answering any questions about previous events."

Security promptly surrounded Lin Juangui and Huai Fu, escorting them inside.

The reporters, desperate for a headline, chased after them like hungry jackals. Lin Juangui could hear their questions—about how Huai Shao died and why her Alpha hanged himself three days after her passing.

Since then, the Huai family’s power had been entirely in Huai Jun’s hands. Though the family had kept a low profile, many of the popular virtual idols on the entertainment charts were produced by their company, proving they were far from falling into decline.

Huai Fu had been sheltered since childhood—his parents never brought him into the public eye. Huai Jun had often appeared on family variety shows early on, but after their parents’ deaths, he, too, reduced his public appearances.

As they entered the venue, Lin Juangui could feel Huai Fu’s rapid breathing. Glancing down, he saw Huai Fu clenching his fists, clearly still very nervous.

Lin Juangui gently held Huai Fu’s wrist, easing his fingers open, and smiled reassuringly. "You did great—you didn’t freeze up."

Huai Fu was wearing a water-blue suit adorned with white diamonds on the lapel, highlighting his elegance and handsomeness.

"If you hadn’t been by my side, I might not have escaped their encirclement."

Lin Juangui remembered how, not long ago, he would frown over problems, unsure how to handle them.

In just half a year, Lin Juangui had experienced what might take others five or ten years to go through. His growth was remarkably fast.

Huai Fu admired how Lin Juangui, at his age, could already handle things independently, but facing the reporters still made his heart race.

Lin Juangui smiled and said it was okay. "Back in high school, you never talked about your parents. I only ever met your brother at parent-teacher meetings. If I’d known, I would’ve brought you in through the side entrance to avoid all this trouble. I should’ve been more aware."

Huai Fu quickly shook his head, saying this had nothing to do with Lin Juangui. His smile was slightly bitter. "Every family has its own troubles. How my parents passed away isn't as mysterious as the rumors suggest. My brother and I didn't want them disturbed, so we saw no need to make the cause of death public. But those reporters..."

Lin Juangui patted Huai Fu's hand and said, "Don’t pay too much attention to what outsiders think. Focusing on your own happiness is what matters most."

"Yeah, you're right."

Although Lin Juangui wasn’t the main focus of today’s auction, he still had plenty of socializing to do.

He wouldn’t be staying long, so he needed someone to keep tabs on things for him, ensuring the charity auction concluded smoothly.

After entrusting Huai Fu to Qu Yang and asking her to take good care of him, Lin Juangui went to find Zhuang Xi.

Zhuang Xi was standing with the current chairman of the charity association and several established collectors. When he saw Lin Juangui approaching, Zhuang Xi quickly came over, took his arm, and introduced him to the group: "This is Lin Juangui. Juangui, may I present Chairman Zhao, Mr. Zhou, and Ms. Kang—they’re all well-known collectors in the Federation and are very interested in today’s auction items."

Lin Juangui nodded and smiled at them. "I’m honored these pieces caught your eye. I believe the homeless children will benefit greatly from this."

Lin Juangui had always been good at navigating formal situations. Today’s auction was, after all, for charity. These collectors were here to acquire the artifacts they desired, while Lin Juangui’s intention in donating was solely about giving back.

Given Lin Juangui’s current status and position, nobody would dare question his intentions.

Sure enough, the two collectors immediately added their agreement after hearing his words: "Yes, we’re all here for the future of the Federation. Mr. Lin’s generosity won't be forgotten by countless children."

The banquet soon ended, and the long-awaited auction finally began.

Lin Juangui, Zhuang Xi, and the others sat in the first row of the auction hall, quietly watching the host warm up the crowd. The camera occasionally panned to him, and Lin Juangui kept a slight smile on his lips.

Zhuang Xi’s reputation in the charity association had far surpassed that of the current chairman. He was the first to give the opening speech for the auction, after which he invited Lin Juangui to say a few words on stage.

Lin Juangui raised an eyebrow in surprise, as Zhuang Xi hadn’t mentioned this speaking opportunity beforehand.

Zhuang Xi, however, smiled and waved at him, as if to say, "I know you’re great at thinking on your feet—just say whatever comes to mind."

Lin Juangui could only smile, stand up, and briefly share his original intention for engaging in charity work.

"On the day I married Mu Zhang, an aircraft crashed on the floating island. I saw several children left homeless and, at the time, had no idea what I could do. I stood there crying, feeling helpless, until Mr. Zhuang Xi introduced me to the facilities at the orphanage. That’s how my journey with charity began."

While Lin Juangui was indeed using charity to build up his public image, it wasn’t his initial goal. In the end, it was a case of unexpected benefit—he needed a suitable identity to help Huo Zeshen.

After becoming financially secure, Lin Juangui began paying for girls' education in mountainous areas every year. Fan Meiyi often mentioned coming from a rural background and not getting much schooling. Thinking she regretted this, Lin Juangui tried to make up for it in his own way.

However, all of this was merely Fan Meiyi’s way of hiding who she really was. Looking back, Lin Juangui couldn’t distinguish truth from lies in her words.

So now, Lin Juangui simply told others that he was too soft-hearted to witness people suffering.

"I hope my efforts can help more people, and as I’ve always wished, may the Federation continue to prosper."

To those seasoned socialites, this reason might seem laughable, but it happened to be Lin Juangui’s perfect smokescreen.

Young newcomers often become easy targets, and Lin Juangui needed to keep attention off himself to carry out certain tasks smoothly.

After Lin Juangui’s speech, the audience erupted in applause. It wasn’t necessarily because they found his words inspiring—many were simply waiting for the real action to follow.

A few more people gave speeches before the auction officially began.

Lin Juangui had no interest whatsoever in the artifacts brought back from Barda. During his years working, he had helped the Zhou family collect on numerous debts—some debtors had even built private museums on their estates.

These artifacts, once lost overseas, had been brought back through questionable means and kept hidden for private enjoyment.

The first time Lin Juangui encountered such a situation, he was astonished, but now he was used to it by now.

Half an hour into the auction, the bidding had already reached a staggering 200 million credits.

Zhuang Xi looked thrilled, his eyes lighting up like a kid in a candy store.

Lin Juangui leaned over and whispered to Zhuang Xi, "Brother Zhuang, I’m heading out now. The training base where Xiao Shen is held an event today, and as his guardian, I need to be there. It wouldn’t be good to go back on my word."

Zhuang Xi was surprised. "In such a hurry?"

Lin Juangui nodded with a light smile. "I didn’t expect the schedules to conflict. To avoid disappointing any of you, I’ll have to rush between both."

Zhuang Xi understood Lin Juangui’s perspective—after all, in his eyes, Lin Juangui was the embodiment of kindness. "Be careful on the way. I’ll take care of the young Omega you brought. Don’t worry."

"Thank you, Brother Zhuang."

Lin Juangui slipped away unnoticed, as he left in the direction of the restroom, leading others to believe he would return shortly.

But no one expected Lin Juangui to take a car from a side entrance to the history museum. Before getting out, he changed into a different shirt, shedding the formal demeanor he maintained in front of the camera and adopting a more casual, youthful look.

By the time he arrived at the museum, the children from the training base and their parents had finished their tour and were preparing to leave, so Lin Juangui went straight to the exit.

Lin Juangui hadn’t messaged Huo Zeshen about his arrival, thinking it would spoil the surprise. However, blindly searching for him in the vast museum wasn’t practical, so he decided to wait at the exit.

The parents were initially stunned to see Lin Juangui—it wasn’t every day someone they had just seen on live stream appeared right in front of them.

They approached him with smiles, asking why he was there.

"Have any of you seen a child named Huo Zeshen? I’m his guardian and promised to accompany him to this event. I’m running a bit late and wonder if he’ll be upset with me."

Clearly, no one there knew Huo Zeshen. Lin Juangui smiled regretfully, not in the mood for small talk, and simply said he would go inside to look.

The museum was enormous, and Huo Zeshen couldn’t have left midway. Lin Juangui had to ask staff to check the surveillance footage for him.

Upon learning that Huo Zeshen had returned to the entrance alone after finishing the tour, frequently checking his light brain, Lin Juangui felt his heart ache.

Forget about surprises—this child clearly lacked a sense of security. The usual approaches Lin Juangui usually took for granted would only hurt him.

So, as Lin Juangui hurried to the museum’s main entrance, he made sure to message Huo Zeshen, telling him to turn around.

The moment Huo Zeshen saw Lin Juangui’s message, he felt anxious.

He was almost afraid to open the chat window, worried he would see a message from Lin Juangui saying he might have to break his promise or couldn’t make it.

In his anxiety, Huo Zeshen unconsciously ignored the hurried footsteps behind him.

The teenager took a deep breath, mustered his courage, and opened his light brain.

When Huo Zeshen saw Lin Juangui’s message asking him to turn around, he instinctively turned with a smile. The sight of Lin Juangui, breathless from rushing, made the boy’s eyes light up.

Huo Zeshen quickly stepped forward to support Lin Juangui, calling out "Ge" (Brother) with a smile.

"I..." Huo Zeshen didn’t mention how long he had been waiting. Instead, he said in a small, hurt voice, "I missed you so much."