Chapter 20

Chapter 20

It took Lin Zhuo a long time to reply.

- Understood.

After reading the message, Lin Ze closed his eyes.

If it were anything else, Lin Ze would definitely help him, but this matter...

Even though he had already refused, Lin Ze still couldn't stop worrying about it.

Lin Ze looked up information to understand the specific reasons behind this debt, hoping to find another way to help Lin Zhuo. After studying it for nearly two days, he realized that only Li Xiujin's concession could resolve it; otherwise, the Su Group would face a massive crisis...

After work that day, Lin Ze saw Fu Zhi leaving the house and called out to him. He first chatted about Fu Zhi's wife and children, then subtly inquired about the debt.

Fu Zhi held nothing back from him.

"This debt originated when General Li's father and Su Jingyuan's father were still in their positions. Su Jingyuan wanted to invest in a piece of land, and General Li's father invested a large sum of money into it. Unexpectedly, the land deal was a loss.

General Li's father and Su Jingyuan's father were on good terms, so he never pressed for repayment while in office. However, General Li and Su Jingyuan's relationship isn't particularly close. Moreover, last time at Fei Se..."

"Fei Se?"

"Yes, the owner behind Fei Se is Su Jingyuan. Actually, General Li wasn't planning to pursue this debt so urgently. But after the shooting that targeted you and the General on his turf, the General was furious."

So that's how it was...

If that were the case, he couldn't possibly bring this up with Li Xiujin.

"Colonel Lin, why are you asking about this?"

"Never mind..."

"I remember your brother is at the Su Group, right?"

"Yes."

"Now that you're married to the General, your brother is also the General's brother-in-law. This could be a good opportunity to have your brother leave the Su Group and work for the General. The General could even help you... educate him."

Fu Zhi emphasized the word "educate."

If Lin Zhuo really ended up working under Li Xiujin, Li Xiujin would definitely give that ungrateful brat, who only knew how to cause trouble for his brother, a thorough 'education.'

This suggestion stirred something in Lin Ze's mind. Li Xiujin might appear cold on the outside, but he was actually reliable and kind-hearted.

Lin Zhuo had previously said some radical things, which made Lin Ze uneasy.

If Lin Zhuo could follow Li Xiujin, Lin Ze wouldn't have to worry about him going down the wrong path.

"That sounds good, but... would he agree?"

Fu Zhi smiled slightly, "You could ask the General. I personally think the General will definitely agree."

Lin Ze didn't know why he was so confident, but still said, "...Then I'll ask him tonight."

Fu Zhi nodded approvingly, "You and the General are husband and wife. When facing difficulties, you should be open and honest with each other like this."

Lin Ze felt embarrassed and didn't say anything more.

Because he had something to discuss, Lin Ze tried hard to fight off sleepiness. He used to suffer from insomnia, but since coming here, he had become prone to drowsiness again. He couldn't even notice when the man returned or when he did things to him while he was asleep...

His mind seemed to have lost its vigilance...

When Lin Ze was kissed awake, he saw the man's pitch-black pupils. After his heart skipped a beat, he felt flustered...

He had fallen asleep again...

Li Xiujin covered his eyes, "Open your mouth."

Lin Ze shamefully opened it.

"Wider."

Lin Ze opened wider, feeling the man's intense gaze fixed on his lips and tongue. He trembled slightly.

A rough fingertip rubbed and probed, then delved inside to tease his most tender spot...

Only after it was wet did the tongue enter...

When Li Xiujin had had his fill of kissing, he finally let go.

Lin Ze's lips were swollen and flushed. He whispered, "I have something I'd like to ask for your help with..."

Li Xiujin's gaze turned cold, "Speak."

"Can Lin Zhuo come work by your side..."

There was no answer for a long moment. Thinking he might find it troublesome, Lin Ze anxiously looked at him and found his expression unprecedentedly gentle.

"Is that all?"

"Yes..."

Li Xiujin let out an ambiguous laugh, "It's possible."

"But if I help you, how will you thank me?"

Lin Ze lowered his eyes and shamefully leaned in to kiss him.

After the kiss, Li Xiujin said coldly, "That's not enough."

Not enough...

Lin Ze then unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the place the man suckled every night to fall asleep...

"That's not enough either."

Then only one thing remained...

Lin Ze covered his flushed cheeks, "I will try my best to conceive your child."

*

After Li Xiujin agreed, Lin Ze contacted Lin Zhuo right away. However, Lin Zhuo didn't reply to his messages or answer his calls. Lin Ze had no choice but to go to Lin Zhuo's place. As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, he saw Lin Zhuo lying drunk at his doorstep.

Lin Ze used his fingerprint to open the door and helped him lie down on the sofa.

"Xiao Zhuo..."

Lin Ze tried to talk to him, but Lin Zhuo couldn't even open his eyes. Lin Ze fetched a warm towel to wipe his face, then sat down to wait for him to sober up.

As it was getting dark, Lin Zhuo finally opened his eyes, rubbing his temples. Seeing Lin Ze there, he was a little surprised. "Brother, why are you here?"

"I was worried when I couldn't get ahold of you..." Lin Ze handed him a cup of warm water. "Are you not feeling well? Are you hungry?"

Lin Zhuo finished the water. "My head hurts."

"So why'd you drink so much?"

Lin Zhuo glanced at him. "I don't have an influential husband to ensure I'm well-provided for the rest of my life."

Lin Ze said softly, "Is this because I didn't help you?"

"Too much has happened lately, and the pressure has been overwhelming." Lin Zhuo realized his words were too harsh. "I'm sorry."

"Xiao Zhuo, the long-standing debts at Su Group aren't something you can handle. Go tell Su Jingyuan you want to resign, and Li Xiujin will arrange for you to work under him... I know you're ambitious, and following Li Xiujin will let you use your talents..."

Lin Zhuo gave a short laugh and asked, "Did you beg Li Xiujin?"

"Yes."

"He promised me he would mentor you properly."

Lin Zhuo lowered his head, lost in thought. This Li Xiujin truly adored Lin Ze beyond measure. He also believed Li Xiujin wouldn't do him wrong, but he wasn't at Su Group for money—he was there for power. His goal was Su Wang...

"Brother, first of all, thank you and your husband. But Su Jingyuan has always treated me well. If I leave now, my conscience wouldn't allow it."

Lin Ze grabbed his arm, his expression serious. "Just listen to me on this one."

After their father died, Lin Ze had taken care of him all along. Looking at Lin Ze now, Lin Zhuo suddenly wavered. "Let me finish dealing with this matter first."

"Li Xiujin won't budge. How do you plan to resolve it?"

"By bringing in new investors." He had been drinking himself into a stupor these past few days precisely for this.

"Any prospects?" Lin Ze asked.

"Yes, Hua Yu, the CEO of Hua Ye. We've had business dealings before. If he invests, Su Group can buy some time."

"Is he interested?" Lin Zhuo smiled bitterly. "Who would want to take on such a thankless task?"

"When are you meeting him again?"

"Why?"

"I know him."

"You know him?"

"We exchanged a few words when I was still a colonel." Lin Ze kept it brief.

"He hasn't responded yet."

"When he does, let me know. I'll go with you. Maybe I can put in a word." Lin Ze said.

Seeing how much thinner Lin Zhuo had become, Lin Ze intended to stay longer, but he received a call from Li Xiujin and had to leave.

Li Xiujin came to pick him up and asked, "Did he agree?"

Lin Ze replied, "He said he needs to think about it."

Li Xiujin sneered coldly. Ungrateful brat.

Two days later, Lin Ze received a text from Lin Zhuo.

-Hua Yu says he has time now.

-Good, I'll go with you.

-Brother, it involves drinking. Will Li Xiujin agree?

He wouldn't agree. Lin Ze could only fly under his radar for now. Once this matter was resolved, Lin Zhuo could work under Li Xiujin, and then he wouldn't have to worry about Lin Zhuo anymore...

Just as he was thinking about how to hide it from Li Xiujin, he suddenly learned that the school was sending several teachers for a two-day training session in another city. Lin Ze got an idea.

That night, Li Xiujin burrowed into his arms, sucking on his chest. Lin Ze was growing increasingly sensitive; even this gentle touch made him shiver slightly, and a strange sensation surged in his lower abdomen. When Li Xiujin pulled away, Lin Ze trembled all over...

Li Xiujin asked coldly, "How long does he need to think?"

"Soon, very soon..."

"I... have a business trip on Saturday and Sunday..." Lin Ze waited for the aftershocks to subside before whispering.

"Where to?"

"A neighboring city."

Li Xiujin hummed in acknowledgment and buried his face again, sucking while thrusting his massive cock between Lin Ze's thighs, rubbing back and forth...

It seemed he had pulled it off. Embarrassed as he was, Lin Ze obediently allowed him to continue...