Chapter 60

Chapter 60

After the drama officially aired, it became an unexpected hit.

Not only did the male and female leads gain even more fame, but Song Nian, the immensely popular male supporting actor, also became the biggest beneficiary of the entire show, experiencing a leap in popularity.

With his clean and gentle temperament and acting skills that were in no way inferior, he garnered massive attention from his debut on screen, recently hailed as the standout newcomer.

Besides looks fans, he also saw an increase in career-oriented fans.

Considering his current follower count, he's at least moved up from a nobody to a low-tier celeb, right?

However, as the saying goes, fame brings trouble. With the rise in his recognition, public interest in his private life also increased correspondingly.

Unexpectedly, the relationship between Song Nian and Li Yanchuan was dug up by netizens.

The incident originated from an old photo.

— It was the photo taken on the day Li Yanchuan took office at the subsidiary, where Song Nian crouched down to comfort him face to face.

At that time, the photo had circulated online for a while, but it was quickly taken down. However, the internet has a memory.

A netizen with a good memory suddenly thought of it and took it out for a look, realizing that the person in the photo was indeed Song Nian.

The photo was reposted online, and everyone recognized the other person as Li Yanchuan of the Li Group, who was also in the spotlight at the time.

Combining that with the earlier news about the Li family's arranged marriage, it was easy to piece together that Song Nian and Li Yanchuan were already married.

The vast majority of netizens expressed that the way these two looked at each other was dripping with chemistry, yet you're telling me it's just a marriage of convenience based on money?

No way!

Furthermore, according to fans who had attended the offline pre-broadcast promotional event, after the event ended, Song Nian immediately left and ran to a luxury car parked by the roadside, looking especially expectant.

The person inside the car also seemed eager, pulling him straight into the car.

The action was forceful and urgent, full of possessiveness, major CEO vibes.

As for what they did after getting into the car, that left plenty of room for imagination.

Instantly, fans started shipping them loudly, regardless of whether it was black or white, turning it all into something steamy.

This time, besides looks fans and career-oriented fans, Song Nian suddenly gained a large number of CP fans.

Even if the two had only hugged that day, by the time Song Nian saw the news, fan fiction was already everywhere online, spreading rumors about car sex.

Additionally, this discussion also improved Li Yanchuan's image, improved his reputation, and garnered significant public support. Many netizens said that President Li wasn't as vicious as the rumors suggested.

His taking over the Li Group became a matter of popular will.

If anyone continued to oppose him due to his leg condition, they would probably be drowned by public outcry.

Overall, this unexpected public announcement was a win-win situation for both parties.

It's just that the bold comments online made Song Nian blush.

Imagining doing such things with Li Yanchuan based on online rumors, his face instantly turned bright red, and he shyly buried his face in his lap.

But, well, come to think of it, he hadn't even seen this photo before.

After the heat on his face subsided, he raised his head, carefully opened the photo of them locking eyes, and examined it.

It really was a great shot.

Song Nian, being the last to know, blinked slowly and kept zooming in to look.

Even though no one else was around, he still guiltily glanced around before, feeling very sneaky, doing the same thing Li Yanchuan had done.

— That is, saving the photo.

The same photo lay quietly in two different phones, and both of them, as if by tacit agreement, secretly kept the same little secret.

While Song Nian's career was flourishing, Li Yanchuan was equally busy with work, dealing with the Li family's mess.

Li Wenguang, who had been in the car accident, had woken up. As the doctors predicted, his legs were completely ruined, beyond the point of rehabilitation, and he would never stand again.

Even so, he would still have to face legal punishment, just like Li Yi, who was in custody.

The two would probably get sentences of over ten years or life in prison, but Li Yanchuan no longer cared about their fate.

The Li family's old mansion was also seized, and Qiu Shi, who had lost her backing, wailed and was kicked out, falling overnight from a rich wife to a penniless beggar.

Li Yanchuan had no desire to reclaim that old mansion, for which he felt no attachment, let alone pay attention to Qiu Shi.

When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. The sparrow that had always clung to high branches had finally hit rock bottom.

For now, his main focus was on stabilizing the Li Group and the series of businesses under it.

The arrest of Li Yi and his accomplice was naturally a major blow to the group's stock price, but thanks to Li Yanchuan's intervention, it quickly overcame the crisis and stabilized again.

As for himself, with his equity and ability, he indisputably took over as chairman of the group.

The former President Li became Chairman Li.

Even more powerful, above all others.

"L-Li... Chairman Li, these are all the documents that need your review today."

A new intern in the secretarial department handed over the documents nervously. Whether from nervousness or fear, her hands shook and her voice quivered as she spoke.

She even accidentally knocked over a water glass, nearly spilling water on the documents.

Seeing this, Li Yanchuan frowned almost imperceptibly.

"If there's nothing extremely urgent, leave it all for me to deal with tomorrow."

"Yes."

Checking the time, Song Nian, who had left for a business trip two days ago, should be home around now, so he decided to leave early.

After the secretaries exited the office, he finished up the remaining work and then left to take the elevator.

At the elevator entrance, he heard the intern's voice coming from the breakroom.

She seemed to be on the phone:

"Oh my god, I saw Chairman Li. He's so scary. I'm so scared of him. I feel like his eyes could eat me alive."

"The rumors online about him being ruthless and cold-hearted are probably true."

"I'm getting scared to even be in the secretarial department. Can anyone really stick by his side forever?"

Probably because she was young and inexperienced, she thought Li Yanchuan had left after signing the documents, so she hid in the break room and badmouthed him.

Hearing what that person said, Li Yanchuan narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression darkened.

Just then, the head of the secretarial department walked by. Seeing the boss was still there, he respectfully greeted him.

The private elevator arrived at the floor and slowly opened. Li Yanchuan responded with a soft hum.

"That intern, fire her. Li Corporation doesn't need people like that."

Then, he looked away casually, gave the order, and entered the elevator.

"Yes."

The head bowed slightly in acknowledgment and said, 'Yes, sir.'

————

On the way home, Li Yanchuan stared expressionlessly at the rapidly receding view outside the car window, his expression unreadable.

Even the driver could tell that Chairman Li was in a bad mood today, so he quietly turned down the music.

—"Can anyone really stick by his side forever?"

What that person said still lingered in his ears.

Of course, Li Yanchuan wasn't troubled by such trivial public opinion.

He just thought of Song Nian for no reason.

For a long time, outsiders' evaluations of him had been nothing more than gloomy and ruthless, cold-blooded and cruel, and indifferent and cold.

Especially after he personally sent those two people to prison, the negative evaluations on this front became even more severe.

Some people said he was ruthless in his methods, and others said his cold-bloodedness was ingrained in his bones, that he could even turn on his own flesh and blood.

Having heard it so much, Li Yanchuan never thought it was a big deal.

He wasn't a good person anyway; besides, others' evaluations were just words, with no real impact on him.

But now, he had Song Nian by his side.

Would he also think him so despicable?

Would he also, like others, eventually leave because he couldn't stand it?

Although he had confirmed this question before and received a negative answer, he still couldn't put his mind at ease.

Previously, he worried Song Nian would leave because he couldn't stand up again; now, he worried about his own dark side.

Someone who inherently lacks love and security, even after receiving a promise, needs to confirm it over and over again to feel at ease.

Even if he gets a positive answer now, who can guarantee the answer won't change?

A person who doesn't trust the human heart yet foolishly talks about forever.

To keep a bird by your side forever, you must not give it freedom; instead, you must clip its wings, shackle it, and lock it in a carefully crafted cage.

As it happens, Song Nian's neck is very fair, and his ankles are also slender, perfect for a collar and chains.

He could have a custom golden set made; it would suit him perfectly.

Bind his ankles tightly; with any movement, the chains would clink crisply.

Bind his neck tightly; with one pull, he would be forced to move closer to him.

Make him unable to leave, only stay by his side forever.

Forever, never apart.

The dark thoughts rapidly expanded, occupying his mind, like an approaching storm on the horizon, turning the sky and earth black.

Until a notification ding pulled Li Yanchuan back to reality.

Looking down, the screen displayed the name of the person he was just thinking of:

"Song Nian: I'm already home, when are you coming back?"

The bird that flew far away, after finishing work, would return to his side, never spreading its wings to leave, incredibly docile and obedient.

If he forcibly kept him imprisoned by his side, would that fair face still show a warm and bright smile?

Startled by what he had just thought about doing to him, Li Yanchuan's hand gripping the phone tightened, knuckles white.

He had never had much conscience or moral sense, and he rarely softened his heart easily.

But with Song Nian alone, he could never bring himself to.

Song Nian was always special; he would look at him with a warm smile, gently stroke his cheek with soft hands, and accept everything about him without condition.

To taint him with such vile thoughts was like defiling pure, flawless golden sunlight.

For the first time, Li Yanchuan realized his own baseness.

He couldn't help rubbing his forehead. Without replying, he silently put his phone away.

But he told the driver to hurry home.

————

At this moment, Song Nian was lying on the living room sofa, drowsy.

For the past two days, he'd been flying to various cities for offline promotions, working nonstop without rest. As soon as it finished, he rushed back.

The weather was fine today, with bright sunshine. He had originally planned to go to the garden to bask in the sun and take a nap, but he didn't want to go alone, so he waited for Li Yanchuan to come back, wanting to drag him along to get some sun.

He didn't know when the other would get off work.

He had just yawned when he heard the sound of the courtyard gate being opened.

"Babe, you're back?"

Squinting, Song Nian was still sleepy, like a puppy that hadn't woken up, forcing himself to greet his beloved at the door.

"Come sunbathe with me in the garden?"

He gently shook Li Yanchuan's arm.

Looking at the person who was actively getting close to him, so unguarded, waiting for him to get off work even though he was this sleepy, Li Yanchuan lowered his eyes, his expression darkening.

"Let's go? Come on?"

The drowsy Song Nian could only think about soaking up the sun and sleeping, not noticing that something was wrong with him.

"Song Nian."

After a long silence, Li Yanchuan called out his full name in a hoarse voice; if one listened closely, every word trembled.

"Aren't you afraid of me? Don't you want to get away from me?"

"Someone like me, brooding and suspicious, even paranoid enough to want to lock you up..."

If you knew all the shameful thoughts I have inside, would you still be this close to me?