Chapter 18

The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.

Lin Yue Hua’s public relations assistant straightforwardly logged out of the group video chat in self-preservation. The person in charge of bangbang also logged out a few seconds later, leaving only Lin Yue Hua on the French window screen.

Before Tong Yan could react, she hurriedly tried to smooth things over:“What are you saying? It’s a good idea right now, what’s the point ofbringing up such a distant matter?”

“Tong Tong, don’t misunderstand, okay? Thisis just how your Brother Xiang Ming usually speaks. He always ruins theatmosphere, but he doesn’t mean anything by it. Don’t take it to heart.”

TongYan said hurriedly: “I know Auntie … I know that brother is just thinkingabout me. He thinks that I’m too young, so he doesn’t want to drag me intothese sorts of messy things.”

Lin Yue Hua stared blankly. Tong Yan had long felt that his sweater andpajama bottoms combo was inappropriate. He couldn’t help but feel that he was beingdisrespectful to his elders, so he was a little embarrassed: “But although it’sjust rumors, I don’t think it’s a good idea to let it run free. After all, if someonestarts a rumor, there’ll always be someone to spread it. That…that photo …”

Pausing,he glanced at the highlighted image on the shared screen again. He was wearingZhuo Xiang Ming’s jacket, and it was even crooked. Zhuo Xiang Ming was carryinghim, and his two arms were looped around Zhuo Xiang Ming’s neck. Looking at itnow, the ambiguousness practically overflowed from the screen, why didn’t henotice it at that time?

Thinking of this photo being released to prove that he and Zhuo XiangMing’s marriage was solid, and that there was no affair taking place, Tong Yan’sface burned even more, stumbling over his words, “I-if it will work, Idon’t have a problem with it. Later, I can explain it to my dad and brother, um… It doesn’t matter what other people think, it has no effect on me.”

“Plus, not everyone will necessarily recognize me. You know, these kinds of photos are just a novelty, they’ll immediately forget my face as soon as they turn around.”

Hewas too caught up in his embarrassment, not noticing the meaningful lookexchanged between Lin Yue Hua and Zhuo Xiang Ming.

“I’ll take care of the next steps, just look out for anything youcan help out with.” Zhuo Xiang Ming said.

Zhuo Xiang Ming ended the call with Lin Yue Hua after that briefstatement. Swiveling the ergonomic office chair, he pulled Tong Yan closeruntil he was next to his knees, then he touched Tong Yan’s face with the backof his hand.

“!” Tong Yan flinched away, resembling a startled cat. “W-whatare you …”

“You’reblushing.” Zhuo Xiang Ming said.

TongYan immediately denied: “I’m not!”

“Oh?” Zhuo Xiang Ming raised an eyebrow, then stretched outhis hand again, this time touching Tong Yan’s cheek with his palm, “So, why isthis so red? It’s even hot to the touch.” He asked earnestly.

TongYan said stubbornly: “It’s only a little red.”

Zhuo Xiang Ming: “It’s very red.”

He was really quite wicked, even stressing theword “very”.

TongYan opened his mouth and attempted to defend himself, but it was futile.

Zhuo Xiang Ming’s expression was as unperturbed as always. When hespoke, his upper body subconsciously leaned forward slightly, and his eyeslooked at Tong Yan very earnestly. It really didn’t look like he was making funof Tong Yan. He has never made fun of Tong Yan, every word he said was earnest,and that made Tong Yan feel even more ashamed and shy.

TongYan felt that he still wasn’t determined enough. Just thinking about that photobeing put up for evaluation on the Internet, he couldn’t help but feel panicked.

——But the hand that was on Tong Yan’s face wasn’t removed, the fingertips were resting against the scalp, and a few strands of Tong Yan’s hair weredraped across the back of the hand.

It was already after nine, the eventful morning was coming to an end.After the video call ended, the French window was restored to its transparentstate, and the morning light poured in, brightening Zhuo Xiang Ming’s workcorner with warmth.

Dustfloated disorderly in the light, and the two moved closer together. Zhuo XiangMing’s ergonomic chair was adjusted to suit his height, so even if he wassitting and Tong Yan was standing, Tong Yan could just barely meet Zhuo XiangMing face to face.

His hair was meticulously arranged, the eyes that looked at Tong Yan wereink dark, and because of his high eyebrow-bridge, his eyes seemed all the more charmingand deep. Together with a straight nose bridge and lovely lip shape, everythingcame together to create a handsome and solemn face. Asceticism and the naturalwarmth of home clothes existed in harmony on Zhuo Xiang Ming’s body. Plus, theywere so close—

Thiswas simply cheating.

TongYan blushed and backed up two steps, rescuing his face, but his wrist was trappedin Zhuo Xiang Ming’s other hand.

Atsome unknown point, the scent of cape jasmine and cedarwood filled the corner,they merged after a short collision, appearing familiar and intimate, not resemblingthe helplessness of the owners—he’d grown too comfortable leaving here withZhuo Xiang Ming, even his habit of putting on his isolation patch beforestepping out of his bedroom had faded away.

Zhuo Xiang Ming also looked away, but instead of simply letting go, hegently placed Tong Yan’s wrist back to his side: “Sorry.”

TongYan shook his head: “No, no, it’s not …”

“It’s my fault.” Zhuo Xiang Ming turned to turn off the sharedscreen, “It’s my fault.”

“It’s because you’re so handsome.” Tong Yan said suddenly. Heblushed deeply, but his eyes were clear, and he looked at Zhuo Xiang Ming earnestly,asking him to believe that every word he spoke was sincere, “Just now,when I was a little absent-minded and a bit shy, it was because you’re toohandsome. But y-you said, that this is normal.”

“Yes, it is.” Zhuo Xiang Ming tidied up the sheets of printer paper on the table while he said, “Go up and change your clothes first, we need to leave soon.”

IfTong Yan had a little bit more experience, he would’ve been able to see throughZhuo Xiang Ming’s clumsy cover up, unfortunately, he really didn’t have it. Heimmediately took Zhuo Xiang Ming’s words as truth, and his embarrassment quicklydisappeared. So, with his hands clasped behind his back, he walked back to ZhuoXiang Ming’s side once more: “Where are we going?”

Zhuo Xiang Ming subconsciously clenched the hand holding the printingpaper, leaving behind finger sized creases.

“There’san interview, you and I have to go.”

“Huh?” Tong Yan was stunned, “Will I be interviewedtoo?”

Zhuo Xiang Ming turned to look at him: “Do you want to beinterviewed? It’s a very famous magazine.”

“Do I want to … I’m not interested.” Tong Yan smiled, “Exceptfor my home’s yearly report, I haven’t seen this sort of spectacle, and I’m nota celebrity … It feels quite strange. But if brother needs me to cooperate,I’ll go with you.”

“Good.”

TongYan: “Then what should I wear? Should I dress formally?”

Before moving in, two of his wardrobes were filled by Lin Yue Hua. Theywere all seasonal clothes, slightly thicker ones were few, but they werestuffed with a lot of formal clothing sets, it’s just that Tong Yan hadn’t gottena chance to wear them yet.

Zhuo Xiang Ming: “No, there’s no photoshoot today.”

Onhis schedule, the secretary unit specifically outlined this. “Saturday at 10o’clock, appointment with The Financial Observer at the company’s office. We onlygave a half hour interview slot, at 11 o’clock, there’s a meeting with seniormanagement, so no pictures are arranged to be taken.”

Tong Yan agreed to go, so Zhuo Xiang Ming didn’thold back, saying: “Immediately forgetting after turning around, that’sunlikely.”

“What?”

ZhuoXiang Ming: “That picture.”

TongYan paused for a moment, before realizing that Zhuo Xiang Ming was referring tohis previous sentence, “These kinds of photos are just a novelty, they’llimmediately forget my face as soon as they turn around.”

Zhuo Xiang Ming had turned his back to him, so he couldn’t see hisexpression–but seeing it would also be in vain, since he always had oneexpression.

Hewas indirectly complimenting him, Tong Yan’s face burned, and his heart raced. Hefelt an inexplicable sweetness, the corners of his mouth pulling up as he skippedupstairs.

Afterhe left, Zhuo Xiang Ming glanced at his cell phone. There was a message fromLin Yue Hua, sent soon after they’d disconnected: Isn’t Tong Yan a good boy?

With a few swipes of his thumb, Zhuo Xiang Ming replied: Yes.

Forget about the others, Zhuo Xiang Ming himselfwas taken aback by the topic of divorce. But how could Tong Yan understand? Indeed,he didn’t draw the worst conclusion, by why didn’t he subconsciously feel thatZhuo Xiang Ming was one-sidedly afraid of getting emotionally attached?

In the past, Zhuo Xiang Ming credited many of Tong Yan’s good behaviorto his upbringing. But as they lived together, he slowly realized that Tong LiQin and Tong Yang really did provide Tong Yan very good material conditions forhis growth, but Tong Yan’s goodness had no source. That was just the way he was.

He would remember a pair of shoes that his older brother bought for him severalyears ago, but he wouldn’t remember their extreme negligence during his most importantperiod of growth.

Thursday night, when Zhuo Xiang Ming was removing the Internet browsing privileges on Tong Yan’s cell phone, Zhuo Xiang Ming misclicked and accidentally saw Tong Yan’s call records. Tong Yan had called Tong Li Qin five times, but it never connected. At that time, Tong Yan was next to him, so he saw the screen. Continuing to fiddle with the Lego pieces in his hand, he explained: “He’s busy. I leave a voice message when I miss him, and he usually calls me back when he sees it.”

ButTong Yan wasn’t simple-minded. He was meticulous and intelligent. He thoroughlyunderstood what to say and at what time to say it. He knew how to read bodylanguage. He seemed to be able to make the people around him comfortablewithout much effort.

Years of life experience taught Zhuo Xiang Ming that this sort of apparenteffortlessness best reflected one’s character.

TongYan was a bright and enthusiastic young man. Easily depressed, but also easilyable to gather up courage. He always loved with 100 percent energy, and likewiseendured pain with that energy.

Atree growing in the barren wilderness would plunder large amounts of nutrientsand water, but Tong Yan’s growth just required some more care from his elders,just a little more would be good.

–

Aweek later.

The financial circle’s authoritative magazine “The FinancialObserver” announced that it was out of stock of its bi-weekly magazine forOctober. In this day and age, where the use rate of paper on the market has longbeen greatly reduced, this news was shocking.

After all, a financial magazine had a small audience. If it was only becausea big shot in the business world like Zhuo Xiang Ming had appeared, althoughthis big shot was particularly handsome, it would probably be difficult to achievesuch a phenomenon.

It was undoubtedly because the discussion that started last week on OUKMabout the big shot and his spouse had not yet cooled down. Because of maliciousguidance by some accounts, opinions about the reason for the two’s marriage differed,and Zhuo Xiang Ming’s affair seemed to be accepted as fact. Tong Yan was viewedin the frame of the “victim”, and received inexplicable sympathy and well-wishes.

Someof the buyers of this monthly issue were genuinely interested, but most werejust looking for entertainment.

While eating instant noodles, they flipped through the pages, wanting tosee just how the two would lie, deceiving others by dressing up a businessmarriage as a loving one.

But shockingly, this financial magazine, which sold for 138, full edition450g premium, full-color printing, so heavy it could be used to smash a pervert,clearly contained no gossip. Throughout the interview with Zhuo Xiang Ming onpages 13-16, the entire article was related to industry.

The“clueless” reporter finally got to the point at the end of the interview:

[Isaw that your wife also came here with you, but he didn’t come in. Did heespecially come to wait for you? Your relationship is really warm.

Itis my shame to write, that after hearing this question, the young chairman whoalready had two independently listed companies in his hands immediately correctedme: My husband.

Itseems to be a common practice for mated omega, male or female, to be referredto as ‘wife’. It’s not an agreement, but many people did it, and few peopleraised objections. But I have to admit, this is indeed outrightly offensive. Atleast from today, this writer will no longer refer to any mated male omega as awife.

Back to the topic. He then touched the coffee cup by his hand, but didn’tpick it up, as if to mask the smile that he couldn’t block in time when thetopic of his partner was brought up: He happened to be free this weekend. He’s waitingfor me to finish my next meeting, then we’ll visit the hospital again.]

Inthe four-page interview, this content accounted for less than one-third of the lastpage. The discussion about the illness was only a couple of sentences. Thereporter thanked Zhuo Xiang Ming, and he left, his assistants helping to cleanup the scene.

The malicious people mocked, ridiculing that this journalist had probablybeen offline for ten years, and that the upper class were “deep in the act.”

Onthe RPS forum, poisonous sugar was once again added to the desk-mate cp,licking and shouting, “Don’t bring it into reality.”

However, along with the sold-out monthly magazine, at exactly 4 o’clock thatafternoon, when office workers weren’t sleepy or hungry, but weren’t in the moodto work. Before the end of the work day, at the peak period of slacking off,OUKM’s official account released an apology: Recently, the account ‘Big DogLet’s Get Wasted Tonight’ caused a controversy, which brought about significantharm to Mr. Zhuo Xiang Ming and his partner Mr. Tong Yan. At the same time, it corruptedthe social app’s environment. OUKM hereto issues a sincere apology to thevictims, and hopes that the users treat this as a warning, and interact withinthe confines of the law from now on.

Shiningbright in the lower right corner was the official seal of OUKM. As soon as thisnews was released, the netizens ridiculing that ‘money can buy everything’didn’t get a chance to fill out a whole comment page when the recently silent“cp stans” came out en masse with a face slapping set meal.

Zhuo Xiang Ming had posted an update on his company’s OUKM account withonly three words: Share these photos.

Atotal of three pictures, a lawyer’s letter: The gossip blogs responsible for repostingmore than 300 unreliable news reports have all been added to the defendant’slist; The verdict: the court found that these accounts were infringing on therights of the client, and have committed varying degrees of privacy violations.The crime of starting and spreading malicious rumors has been punished by proportionateperiods of criminal detention and proportionate amounts of economic penalization.

The last picture was from the most authoritative public hospital, animpossible to fake diagnosis certificate:

Time– 9.28, 3:21 am

Patient – Tong Yan, 18yrs

Diagnosis – Mild pheromone disorder.

Recommendation – Shot of tranquilizer and rest. Keep away frompheromone-dense areas.

==============================================================

T/N:

getting emotionally attached- lit. lotus roots may break, but the fiber remains joined (idiom);lovers part, but still long for one another

RPS- Slangfor ‘Real Person Slash’, the shipping of real-life people, usually BoyxBoy. Ifyou guys don’t remember, CP is slang for ‘Couple’

Another difficult chapter to translate, butit might just be because I was exhausted. Oh well, at least the romance is progressing.