Chapter 67

Chapter 67

Although the two had engaged in intimate acts beyond kissing, Jiang Yicen was still very shy, leaving Nan Shuyi feeling helpless. If it weren't for work filling his time, Nan Shuyi might have started overthinking again.

However, he wasn't joking with Jiang Yicen; he genuinely wanted to nurture him. He was young, charismatic, visionary, and humble, never complacent or arrogant. It was rare for such excellent qualities to be concentrated in one person.

On one hand, Nan Shuyi didn't want others to see him too much, but on the other, he hoped this young sapling wouldn't be limited to his current achievements. He felt Jiang Yicen deserved an even broader horizon. He would nurture him, guiding his growth step by step toward higher accomplishments. Of course, selfishly put, he didn't want Jiang Yicen to be just a decorative vase at home, but a partner who could match him in every way. Moreover, he was worth the effort to cultivate.

However, making this decision also meant facing his partner's frequent overtime and a significant reduction in time spent together.

Nan Shuyi experienced a bittersweet experience.

Two marketing strategies Jiang Yicen wrote at the company showcased his abilities, and his fame within the company soared.

When the Twin Stars racing team gained international fame, it also stirred waves domestically. Nanyuan's stock hit the daily price limit on the first day of trading.

Zhou Yi and Cheng Chen, who had each invested in sponsorships, reaped corresponding returns. Online feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and both companies benefited from the massive exposure.

Normally, sponsoring a racing team had little to do with Zhou Yi's company, but he still jumped in to sponsor. Zhong Zixing was very grateful to them, placing both logos on the race car. Of course, Nanyuan's logo was the largest, while Zhou Yi and Cheng Chen's companies were less prominent—hardly noticeable under normal circumstances.

But Zhong Zixing's team succeeded, and the brand suddenly skyrocketed in popularity. The logos of Zhou Yi and Cheng Chen's companies were unearthed, magnified, and put under scrutiny.

Zhou Yi's company specialized in the entertainment industry's audience engagement strategies. His entertainment company was pushed to the forefront. A boss who supports young entrepreneurs would likely treat his artists well. Brands, when seeking cooperation, could reduce the background checks needed. Major platforms were more willing to stream dramas featuring these actors.

Given the current challenges in the entertainment industry, where major platforms have strict policies and actors with even slightly bad reputations are risky bets, Zhou Yi's sponsorship not only recouped its cost but also turned a significant profit!

He immediately gave Jiang Yicen a huge red envelope of cash and generously offered to give him a horse, leaving the breed choice to Jiang Yicen.

Compared to just giving him money, Zhou Yi's gift resonated with Jiang Yicen. He preferred the thrill of galloping on horseback over driving.

However, Jiang Yicen still asked Nan Shuyi if he could accept Zhou Yi's gift. His husband's opinion mattered to him as well.

Nan Shuyi said: "Of course you should. Pick a more expensive breed—don't let him off easy."

As for Cheng Chen, rather than giving gifts, he took a direct approach and informed his elders about Nan Shuyi's partner's achievements. The family decided to invite the two for a meal.

The Cheng family was different. Cheng Chen came from a family of revolutionary veterans. Everything the Cheng family had today was earned through the struggles of their ancestors.

Cheng Chen's father and grandfather were government officials. The family had many descendants pursuing various careers. Cheng Chen, couldn't handle hardship since childhood, neither joined the military nor politics, choosing instead to go into business. Because of his sponsorship, their family's story was unearthed, and the elderly in the Cheng family felt a swell of pride when playing chess with old men in the courtyard.

In previous years, some families' grandsons either messed around or, due to carelessness about their reputation, were found to be involved in shady dealings, dragging the family down and tarnishing their ancestors' legacy.

In business, connections mattered far more than money.

Nanyuan's stock hit the daily price limit for three consecutive days. Riding this wave, all industries under Nanyuan saw significant performance gains.

Such results came from a young person's decision. Nan Shuyi gained more say in the company. Some opposing veterans reduced their objections by 50% during meetings; others were just holding out.

Nan Anru was extremely satisfied. He wanted to issue a company-wide announcement: he had found a great son-in-law for his son—he's truly a lucky charm.

After a shareholder meeting, Nan Anru asked Nan Shuyi: "Should we promote Jiang Yicen? Being a junior consultant in the marketing department is beneath his talents."

Nan Shuyi: "Don't worry about it. I have my own plans."

Nan Anru was more anxious: "How can I not worry? Your Uncle Cheng keeps urging me to bring you two to their place for a meal. Hurry up and set a date."

Nan Shuyi unusually relented: "Got it."

Nan Anru and Cheng Chen's father were old friends, and the two families were close. When Nan Shuyi's mother was alive, they were even closer because Cheng Chen had a distant marriage connection with her side. But after she passed away, the families grew less close, at most meeting for fishing or golf now and then.

Without wasting words on his father, Nan Shuyi strode quickly toward the elevator before his father could urge him further, leaving the old man far behind.

Nan Anru: "..." Truly, once you have a partner, you forget your father.

Jiang Yicen wasn't familiar with the Cheng family. He had barely exchanged a few words with Cheng Chen. He was closer to Zhou Yi, mainly because Zhou Yi was easygoing and could chat with anyone.

Nan Shuyi, claiming work matters, asked him to wait in his office.

He couldn't bear seeing Jiang Yicen eat the awful cafeteria food every day, so he had the driver bring lunch from home, ensuring a much better nutritional balance.

It wasn't easy for the two to have an undisturbed lunch together.

Ever since the Twin Stars sponsorship came to light, various departments had been openly and covertly trying to poach him from the marketing department. Even branch managers wanted to recruit him.

When Nan Shuyi returned to the office, Jiang Yicen had already set out the tableware and sat waiting obediently, looking up at him with a well-behaved expression.

The weather was warm. After entering the office, Jiang Yicen had taken off his suit jacket, revealing a casual T-shirt that made him look much younger.

Whose good little boy was this? His.

Jiang Yicen was no longer so polite with him: "Why are you staring at me like that? I'm hungry. Come eat."

Seeing him so well-behaved, Nan Shuyi refrained from teasing: "Mm."

He was indeed hungry—both mentally and physically. He'd deal with the physical first.

When they were almost done eating, Nan Shuyi brought up the Cheng family's invitation.

Jiang Yicen handed him a tissue: "They're treating us to a meal?"

Nan Shuyi took it and wiped his mouth: "Yes. Cheng Chen often hangs out with us, which his family saw as a bit unproductive. But now he's saved face, so they want to thank you."

Jiang Yicen: "I didn't do anything. Wasn't it you who convinced them to sponsor? Buying the cars was their own decision. I did nothing."

Nan Shuyi: "Either way, your kind act led to this outcome. His family has a distant connection to my mother's side. Are you willing to go?"

Jiang Yicen thought about the Cheng family. He recalled that among his second brother's friends, there was one surnamed Cheng. He wondered if it was related to this family.

Jiang Yicen: "I have no objections. But can you tell me about the Cheng family?"

Nan Shuyi knew Jiang wasn't familiar with these matters. After the Jiang family abandoned him, he had even less access to such circles. As he cleared the tableware, he explained the Cheng family's story. Jiang Yicen listened intently.

"The Cheng family was originally part of the Nationalist camp. During the war, due to erroneous orders, two of their sons died on the front lines. The family head had long grown disillusioned with the Nationalist government's corruption and inaction. Their third son had early on joined the Communist Party. He returned home and persuaded the family head, who, disheartened by the Nationalists, defected to our side. He served as a deep-cover mole in the Nationalist government for years. During the civil war, the Cheng family preserved a city from destruction. Of course, that exposed his identity as a mole."

Jiang Yicen: "So the family head is long gone."

Nan Shuyi: "Yes, but the Cheng family are founding figures of the country."

Jiang Yicen: "Is Cheng Chen a descendant of that third son?"

Nan Shuyi: "Right. Cheng Chen's great-grandfather is over ninety, but unlike Grandpa Liu, he's a spry old man. He still practices martial arts and Baduanjin every morning, enjoys meat and alcohol, and speaks with a booming voice."

Jiang Yicen sighed: "Truly a veteran."

He felt a bit full after eating. Chatting for a while, he grew sleepy and yawned.

Nan Shuyi asked him: "Want to take a nap?"

"Mm, alright." Jiang Yicen prepared to go back to his workstation. The company dimmed the lights at noon for employees to rest. He usually just closed his eyes in his chair briefly.

Nan Shuyi grabbed his wrist: "Where are you going?"

Jiang Yicen: "To rest."

Nan Shuyi: "It's not good to rest outside. Sleep here—I brought a blanket and a pillow."

It sounded tempting.

Jiang Yicen still hesitated: "But my colleagues will be back from lunch soon."

Nan Shuyi just looked at him: "Jiang Yicen, be good."

Jiang Yicen sighed inwardly: "Alright, then. What about you?"

Nan Shuyi smiled and asked him: "Scared to sleep alone in the middle of the day?"

Jiang Yicen saw he was teasing him again: "No, I'm not. Aren't you tired?"

It was just that he had never slept in Nan Shuyi's office before and was worried about losing face if someone walked in.

"Not sleepy. Don't worry, I'll stay here with you," Nan Shuyi said, then got up to fetch a new pillow and blanket from the cabinet.

The blanket smelled like home, and as drowsiness washed over him, he lay down. Nan Shuyi sat beside his pillow, true to his word, accompanying him as he slept.

Usually, he only closed his eyes for a short rest. But with someone he trusted nearby, Jiang Yicen fell asleep quickly.

When he woke up again, Nan Shuyi was already at his computer working.

Jiang Yicen had never seen Nan Shuyi work from this angle. Usually, when they were together, Nan Shuyi always acted like a goofball. Back when they weren't close, Jiang Yicen thought he was somewhat cold to others, but as they grew familiar, he realized Nan Shuyi was an exceptionally gentle person.

At work, his expression was intensely focused. Whenever he saw something he didn't like, he'd unconsciously tap two fingers on the desk—a small habit he probably didn't even notice.

Jiang Yicen enjoyed the view for a while, until Nan Shuyi caught him. He had been hoping to relieve his irritation by stealing a glance at Jiang Yicen's sleeping face.

Nan Shuyi asked him: "Still want to sleep?"

Busted, Jiang Yicen sat up on the sofa: "No, I'm awake."

Truth be told, he hadn't slept long—only about half an hour.

Nan Shuyi gave up replying to messages and leaned back in his chair, looking at Jiang Yicen: "Then come over here?"

Jiang Yicen folded the blanket, placed it neatly with the pillow, and walked toward Nan Shuyi, thinking he wanted to discuss some work.

He asked softly: "What's up?"

Nan Shuyi asked him to come closer. Jiang Yicen thought he wanted him to look at the computer, but as he approached, Nan Shuyi suddenly wrapped his arms around his waist, resting his cheek against Jiang Yicen's stomach.

In a subdued tone, he said: "Let me hold you for a bit."

It took only a second for Jiang Yicen to go from awkward to completely relaxed. Nan Shuyi had never held him like this before—intimate, yet without any hint of desire.

Assuming it was just a simple hug, he said: "Okay." But a few seconds later, Jiang Yicen realized he was wrong.

Nan Shuyi let go, looked up with a smile, and said: "Mr. Jiang, isn't it tiring for you to stand? How about sitting on my lap?"

Jiang Yicen saw the barely concealed amusement in his eyes. Going from shock to speechlessness, he quickly stepped back two paces, afraid that Nan Shuyi might actually pull him onto his lap. He knew Nan Shuyi's mind wasn't that innocent.

Face flushing, he said: "I'm going out to work."

He should have known Nan Shuyi had no good intentions in mind.

As Jiang Yicen headed for the door, Nan Shuyi called after him: "What's wrong with a hug?"

Jiang Yicen quickly shut the office door. A hug? You were asking me to sit on your lap in your office!

He didn't even dare to dwell on it. This guy was way too... outgoing! So indecent!

Luckily, the lights in the outer office were still off, or else his colleagues would have seen his red face.

But even after the lights came on, the heat on his face hadn't completely subsided.

Jiajia asked him: "Yicen, are you coming down with a fever? Why is your face so red?"

Jiang Yicen: "No, just feeling a bit hot."

Jiajia, wrapped in her nap blanket, said: "Just like a man. I think the air conditioning is pretty strong today—I'm a little cold."

Jiang Yicen forced a polite smile and silently played along with the compliment. Damn that shameless Nan Shuyi.

Near the end of the day, all employees of Nanyuan received a new appointment notice in their email.

"To meet the needs of the company's operational strategy development, after research by the board of directors, the following decision is made:

Effective immediately, Mr. Jiang Yicen is appointed as Deputy Manager of the Marketing Center, fully responsible for marketing strategy planning, market promotion, cross-departmental collaboration, and project execution within the Marketing Center."

Having been with the company for less than four months, Jiang Yicen felt a bit uneasy. Wasn't his position a bit too high?

All at once, every employee at Nanyuan knew who Jiang Yicen was.

He was about to take the elevator to wait for Nan Shuyi downstairs when he saw the man step into the same elevator after him. They were pushed to the back by the crowd.

Taking advantage of the crowd, Nan Shuyi secretly tweaked his pinky and addressed him seriously: "Director Jiang."

Jiang Yicen squeezed his knuckle back and shot him a glare.

Nan Shuyi leaned in and whispered in his ear: "What are we having for dinner? To celebrate Director Jiang's promotion."