Chapter 108 Making a Fool of Himself

Chapter 108: A Foolish Display

Chen Su ignored Lu Xun's words entirely.

He poured himself a glass of water. "If you hadn't come to me, I might have thought Zhao Jinzong was about to get married."

Chen Su gave a short, derisive laugh. "But you're too idle..."

Lu Xun licked his molars. "Marrying General Director Zhao is only a matter of time. Our pheromones are highly compatible, and of course, our families are well-matched... Old Master Zhao has already accepted me."

Chen Su's hands rested on the desk. The shirt he'd violently unbuttoned the night before left red chafing marks around his collar. He smiled—a contemptuous smile—and looked at Lu Xun with a casual, dismissive contempt.

Chen Su had once been involved with Zhao Jinzong. He knew better than anyone what Zhao Jinzong was like when he was in a relationship.

If Lu Xun were Zhao Jinzong's beloved, even just a hint of genuine feeling... Lu Xun wouldn't be here now, coming to him and saying such arrogant things.

Chen Su asked in all seriousness, "Do you know that Zhao Jinzong and I used to date?"

"..." Lu Xun knew. Of course he knew.

If Chen Su had died on that yacht, or never came back to the General Bureau, he would have had a chance. But now Chen Su was back... Though Lu Xun wasn't from the Four Bureaus, he'd heard of Zhao Jinzong's "scandal."

Chen Su had originally been Sheng Beiqing's spouse. Before the divorce was finalized, he had gotten together with Zhao Jinzong.

That story had once spread widely through the Four Bureaus.

The Zhao family had strict rules, and Zhao Jinzong himself was disciplined, restrained, and proper in his conduct. The Sheng and Zhao families were old friends. Even if Zhao Jinzong had fallen for Chen Su at first sight, he would never have done something so transgressive, so damaging to his family's reputation. But Zhao Jinzong did it—and he, of all people, understood the consequences best!

He acted despite the great risk.

Such love was probably overflowing.

Such love wouldn't be easily let go.

Lu Xun couldn't help but feel anxious.

Chen Su said, "If he liked you, he would protect you well and put your mind at ease."

Lu Xun was desperate to salvage his pride. "People change."

"Love doesn't."

Chen Su was certain. Zhao Jinzong as a person might change, but love didn't. The way and the capacity to love wouldn't change.

At the door, Tan Zhou strode in, arriving in a hurry, still clutching a folder as if he'd just come back from somewhere.

Tan Zhou called out, "Mr. Lu."

Lu Xun turned stiffly and forced a smile at Tan Zhou. "Sorry, Mr. Tan. I just wanted to have a word with Engineer Chen."

Chen Su said, "I don't think that's necessary, nor do I believe your intention was simply to chat."

Tan Zhou's gaze was icy. "Unauthorized personnel entering the restricted area of the Drug Supervision Bureau are subject to two days of detention. Shall I escort you out, Mr. Lu, or should I have someone come for you?"

"No need." Lu Xun's expression was extremely unpleasant.

Lu Xun left. Tan Zhou looked at Chen Su with concern. "Are you alright?"

Chen Su shook his head.

"What did he say?"

"Said I knew I was the third party and still went ahead."

"... " Tan Zhou paused. "The Drug Supervision Bureau's security does need to be tightened."

The Bureau was full of lab junkies and bookworms who clocked in on time, worked normally, and accepted no external visitors. It was close to the General Bureau and had good security, so they hadn't set up a dedicated registration desk downstairs—just doors with card swipes and facial recognition. Clearly, it needed proper management.

Shortly after Tan Zhou left, Chen Su saw in the group chat that Tan Zhou had issued a rectification notice.

That evening after work, Chen Su was in a good mood. He drove to a jewelry store in the city center and ordered a pair of rings.

He drove to Zhao Jinzong's house.

But Zhao Jinzong wasn't there. The butler said he had gone to the Zhao family's old residence and might not return tonight.

Chen Su said "oh" but didn't leave. He got into the back seat of his car and settled down to rest there.

It wasn't a pity ploy. The truth was, when Chen Su went home, he simply couldn't fall asleep. Only here, close to Zhao Jinzong, could he sleep.

Even though he couldn't smell the soothing pheromones, even though Zhao Jinzong wasn't there, just being at his doorstep let him sleep.

Chen Su fell asleep quickly.

He knew it wasn't just the medicine making him drowsy.

...

At the Zhao family's old residence.

Zhao Jinzong's long legs carried him into the ancestral hall. Today was the death anniversary of his mother, Ning Qiu. He lit incense and stood in the hall for a long time, the scent of incense clinging thickly to his trench coat.

After a while, the butler came to say that the old master requested his presence.

Zhao Jinzong left the ancestral hall and went to the study. Inside, Old Master Zhao was practicing calligraphy. When he saw Jinzong arrive, he put down his brush and began to interrogate him: "You sent that boy from the Lu family to the detention center?"

"Entering the Drug Supervision Bureau without authorization is a violation of regulations. Covering it up would be an accomplice to the same crime."

Old Master Zhao snorted coldly. "That boy has been chasing you for so long! Are you really not the least bit fond of him? A 99% compatibility rate—even if you can't smell pheromones, you'd still feel comfortable by instinct. Jinzong, such sincere young men are rare!"

Zhao Jinzong's tone was cold. "A foolish display."

Old Master Zhao: "...?"

He was silent for a moment. "Even if he's back, you shouldn't have treated Lu Xun like that. A year ago, what did you do? And how did he—"

Zhao Jinzong interrupted, "When are the Shengs coming?"

"Soon." Old Master Zhao asked, "You rarely come to the old house—is it just to see the Sheng family?"

If Zhao Jinzong wanted to see the Shengs, why not have them come to his private residence? Why go through the extra trouble of coming to the old house?

Zhao Jinzong didn't answer. He left the study and went to the tea room, asking the butler to bring hot water.

Ten minutes later, Old Master Sheng arrived with Sheng Beiqing.

Recently, Old Master Sheng had been left out in the cold for some time. After their last meeting, Old Master Zhao had shown some interest, and now he was calling them over—presumably to finalize the deal. As he arrived, Old Master Sheng's face was beaming with good cheer.

The butler led them into the tea room. The moment the door opened, the smile on Old Master Sheng's face froze instantly, and his entire body stiffened.

Old Master Sheng laughed dryly a couple of times. "Jinzong..."

Old Master Sheng had always harbored some resentment toward Zhao Jinzong. The matter between Zhao Jinzong and Chen Su was a great disgrace to the Sheng family. Back then, when Sheng Beiqing kidnapped Chen Su, Zhao Jinzong arrived with his people, and later it was Zhao Jinzong who sent Sheng Beiqing to court, completely disregarding the relationship between the two families.

For a time, Old Master Sheng couldn't sleep at night, and he had to pull all kinds of strings to get Sheng Beiqing out.

Now, seeing Zhao Jinzong again, his greeting seemed to come through gritted teeth.

But held back by business interests and for the sake of the Sheng family's legacy, he could only force himself to endure...