“Shen Yuan… are you dating Qiao Hailou?”
Shen Yuan’s pupils shrank instantly. His face went cold, but then he realized he couldn’t show it too obviously—he had to mask it. What’s going on? Why is Wang Ziqin asking this? Did he see something?
Not knowing how much Wang Ziqin knew, Shen Yuan didn’t know how to answer. Normally, he would have thrown the question back: “Why are you asking?”
Wang Ziqin looked dejected. “Yesterday, when you came to the store, I wanted to find you during your break… but then I saw Qiao Hailou holding you. I… I don’t understand what’s happening. Shen Yuan, are you dating him? He’s not forcing you, is he? Are… are you gay?”
Shen’s reply was sharp, cutting. “That’s voyeurism, isn’t it? Both what you did back then and what you’re asking now are invasions of my privacy. I have no obligation to answer.”
He added, “This isn’t just about me—it involves Qiao Hailou too. If you dare tell anyone about this, I don’t care. But Qiao Hailou… he won’t be so forgiving. Think carefully before you act.”
His words were flawless. Only Qiao Hailou would be able to see that beneath the cool exterior, Shen Yuan was nervous, revealing his claws to intimidate.
Wang Ziqin, stunned, stammered, “You… you…”
Shen Yuan glared at him, then got up to leave.
Wang Ziqin grabbed his arm. “I’m not going to tell anyone. I just… I wanted to make sure you’re willing. I was worried Qiao Hailou might have forced you… You’re always the type to avoid trouble, to endure. I’ve known you for years—you’re not gay, right? If he forced you, I’d definitely help.”
Shen Yuan spun around and shook him off. “What’s it got to do with you?”
“You think I’m not gay? I’m naturally attracted to men. You, Wang Shao, always said gay guys were gross, so I didn’t let you know.”
Shen Yuan scoffed. “Ha! You worry about whether Qiao Hailou used power to force me, and want to help? Do you even have the right to say that? You’re the one who bullied me for years using your family background! You know how I endure things, yet do you even realize how many times I endured your abuse?”
“Among the rich kids I know, you’re the only one who’s so vicious yet dumb. The others may have looked down on me, but at least they treated me like a person. You treated me like an object, like a dog. Did you think I’d be grateful?”
Wang Ziqin went pale, staring at Shen, his heart twisting painfully. He opened his mouth to speak but couldn’t get a word out. Shen’s words were harsh, but every one of them was true. Thinking back on how he had treated Shen, he felt no pride, only shame.
He had thought Shen Yuan might have been forgiving, gentle, and understanding—but that had been wishful thinking.
Shen Yuan really did hate him that much… Wang Ziqin’s throat burned. Any attempt at defense would only make things worse.
Finally, his guilt boiled down to three weak syllables: “I’m… sorry…”
Shen Yuan sneered. “You think an apology will fix everything?”
Wang Ziqin knew Shen Yuan wouldn’t forgive him easily, but hearing that still hurt. He lowered his head, pleading, “I know… I know I was a jerk before. I didn’t deserve your forgiveness. I’m not asking you to forgive me right away. Can… can you give me a chance to make up for what I did?”
Before he could finish, Shen Yuan said firmly, “No.”
“Whether you’ve changed is your business; whether I forgive you is mine. Just because you’ve changed doesn’t mean what you did never happened.”
Wang Ziqin’s lips moved, but he had nothing left to say. Every heartbeat felt like a stab of pain.
Shen Yuan turned to leave.
“Shen Yuan… Shen Yuan! I know I was wrong. You’re so patient, so gentle, and I pushed you to anger like this. I wasn’t a human being back then! I was a jerk! A beast! And yes, I said horrible things about LGBT people, but I didn’t mean to discriminate—I was just disgusting back then. Don’t ignore me… wait!”
Shen Yuan finally stopped, glancing at him. “You’ve got it wrong. I’m not patient. I’m not gentle. I’m not forgiving. That’s all an act I put on in front of you. I’m petty and I hold grudges. Seeing you all pitiful like this, I don’t feel sympathy—I feel satisfaction.”
He added cruelly, “You think I helped you because I’m kind? You said those who kicked others when they’re down aren’t good people. I’m no different from them. Honestly, I just wanted to see you suffer, to see you grovel for me.”
Wang Ziqin’s face went blank, utterly overwhelmed. He was already fragile; Shen’s words made him feel like he could shatter with a light push. Sweat ran down his forehead in the summer heat.
“I… I…” he tried to speak.
Shen Yuan waved him off. “Don’t follow me. I’ve had enough of your pitiful look. You’ve paid back your debt, so don’t come to me anymore. And one last thing—don’t ever tell anyone about me and Qiao Hailou.”
Shen Yuan felt a little like a petty conqueror. Wang Ziqin had done terrible things to him before, but now he was useful no longer. Earlier, he had only been cautious not to offend Wang Ziqin; now, he didn’t care. Uncle Qiao would protect him.
I guess this is what they call ‘a little man rejoicing in his own success,’ Shen Yuan thought, without shame.
Wang Ziqin wavered, watching Shen Yuan walk away, unable to follow.
He had known for some time how useless, excessive, and ridiculous he had been—but now he truly felt the pain of someone he cared about despising him. Shen Yuan really did hate him that much…
Meanwhile, Shen Yuan turned and began scolding Qiao Hailou:
“I told you someone might come! Don’t touch me, yet you groped me!”
“It’s your fault! Now we’ve been seen!”
“By who? Wang Ziqin?! What if others saw too and didn’t say anything? Are there cameras? There must be cameras! If there are, destroy the evidence!”
“Wang Ziqin is not a good guy. If he spreads it, I’m done for.”
Qiao Hailou, unruffled, replied, “Oh? So having an affair with me is that shameful?”
Blushing, Shen Yuan snapped, “Yeah, super shameful!”
Qiao Hailou feigned being crushed: “Oh… my heart is breaking…”
Shen Yuan spat.
After trading a few more words, Shen Yuan finally relaxed.
“Did Wang Ziqin threaten you? Did he really have the nerve to tell someone?” Qiao Hailou asked.
Shen Yuan paused. “No… he said he wouldn’t.”
“And his attitude?”
“He… looked scared, probably of you. Said he didn’t sleep all night, like a panda with dark circles. He even said he wanted to stay friends, but I scolded him… I threatened him that if he told, you’d deal with him. He agreed, but who knows if he’ll keep his word. He’s a liar, worse than you in that regard.”
Qiao Hailou, calm and confident, reassured him: “Don’t worry. He won’t say a word.”
Shen Yuan doubted it. “How do you know? Are you sure?”
Qiao Hailou didn’t hesitate. “I’m sure.”
Shen Yuan froze. “Why? On what basis?”
Qiao Hailou paused, a little oddly, and said, “Hmm… intuition. Just trust me. Don’t worry. And if he does blab, you can pick any unprocessed gemstone from my vault to cut and design, okay?”
Shen Yuan blinked in surprise. Qiao Hailou was raising the stakes high. He’d heard from Director Lan that Qiao Hailou had plenty of top-tier stones, including a huge pink diamond just acquired last month, uncut. Shen Yuan had longed to work with it but never dared ask. For a jewelry designer, matching a piece to a stone like that—without thinking about cost—is pure temptation. For a moment, the lure of gold and gems almost outweighed his fear of being caught with Qiao Hailou.
Damn, that’s tempting.
But if Qiao Hailou said it, it must be secure.
Even though Shen Yuan didn’t trust Wang Ziqin, he trusted Qiao Hailou’s methods.
Qiao Hailou coaxed him gently: “Don’t worry. No matter what happens, I’ll protect you. Stop freaking out—come here, let me calm you down.”
Shen Yuan laughed. “Ugh, you treating me like a cat again?”
“You’re harder to coax than a cat,” Qiao Hailou said.
After comforting Shen Yuan, he hung up, completely unbothered. Wang Ziqin was a mere child; his schemes didn’t compare to Shen Yuan’s. Qiao Hailou saw through him immediately.
Wang Ziqin absolutely wouldn’t spread Shen Yuan’s secret…
Because Wang Ziqin liked Shen Yuan.
Neither Shen Yuan nor Wang Ziqin realized it.