“Old Nie.”
Jing Yi waved subtly at the black car. Nie Luo descended quickly and followed him through the rear entrance into the company.
Inside the private elevator, Nie Luo removed his cap and mask.
“Still at the office this late?”
He glanced at his watch—it was already past eight p.m.
Jing Yi didn’t respond, his eyes darting toward the item in Nie Luo’s hands.
A gift!
This guy actually said he wanted to give Fan Qing a gift!
Goodness, it seemed Fan Qing would spend even more time with him now. How had he missed the development that led to this gift?
“…Looking at what?”
Nie Luo’s forehead veins twitched.
“Huh? Oh, n—nothing, hehe.”
Jing Yi’s “checking what gift you brought for Fan Qing” was right on the tip of his tongue, but seeing Nie Luo’s shark-like gaze, he swallowed it down.
…Tsk.
He quickly changed the subject.
“Why didn’t you go back? Oh, I get it—when you went back, your tiny apartment had already been discovered, paparazzi everywhere.”
He rubbed his nose. “That’s why I asked you to use the back entrance; the front was swarming with them.”
By the time they spoke, the elevator reached their floor.
Outside, Fan Qing raised his eyebrows, smiling warmly.
“You’re here.”
Nie Luo paused, then nodded.
His deep voice carried a slight nighttime rasp.
“Why waiting here?”
“Wanted to see you sooner.”
Fan Qing chuckled softly, also nodding toward Jing Yi.
“Thank you, Second Young Master, for bringing him.”
…Bringing his own brother? Why the formality?
Jing Yi froze. Maybe he should just pretend he’s a stranger?
Fan Qing approached Nie Luo, casually touching his fingers before quickly letting go.
“It’s cold outside. Want to sit in my office?”
He paused, then added, “I think I heard Second Young Master mention paparazzi. Were you being followed?”
The gesture was so natural and brief, Nie Luo barely knew how to react, just shook his head.
“No, I meant… why are you here so late?”
“Ah, that.”
Fan Qing led him to the office and opened the door.
The old vice president’s nameplate still hung due to a minor delay in replacement, but inside, the office had been fully renovated.
Simple, black-white-gray color scheme, neatly arranged—Jing Yi had joked that it wasn’t identical to Fan Qing himself, but practically mirrored.
Nie Luo glanced around, frowning slightly.
“Why not redecorate? This color scheme doesn’t really suit you.”
Jing Yi, trailing behind, tilted his head—what’s unsuitable?
Was Nie Luo suggesting the walls be entirely black?
Fan Qing raised an eyebrow, curious.
“What color do you think it should be?”
Nie Luo hesitated, subtly turning his face, and handed something over, shifting the topic.
“…For you.”
Hmm? No answer?
Now curiosity surged even more.
But the gift mattered more.
Fan Qing took it, the corners of his eyes lighting up.
He glanced at Nie Luo.
“Can we open it now?”
“Yes.”
Nie Luo nodded.
Fan Qing led him to sit on the sofa, eagerly beginning to open the gift.
Jing Yi had somehow crept up behind, craning his neck to watch.
Though he said “opening,” there was no elaborate packaging.
Fan Qing simply took the box from the bag, revealing the image printed on top.
He opened the box, and the gift inside immediately came into view—a thermos.
Fan Qing paused for a moment, then let out a low, amused laugh.
Well… this was certainly something.
Jing Yi was shocked.
Jing Yi couldn’t believe it.
He slowly turned to Nie Luo.
“Wait… this is the gift you were talking about?”
Nie Luo looked at him, puzzled.
“What do you mean?”
Jing Yi: ???
“What do you mean?!”
He tried to hold back, tried to stay calm…
But he couldn’t.
If this continued, the ship he was rooting for might sink!
He couldn’t allow it.
Jing Yi grabbed Nie Luo and dragged him out into the hallway.
“What is it that you want to say?” Nie Luo asked, slightly exasperated but indulging him.
Jing Yi gritted his teeth.
“I mean, seriously, how can you give someone a thermos as a gift?”
Nie Luo blinked, even more confused.
“Why not a thermos?”
Jing Yi felt like the world was spinning.
If he had known this would happen, he would have taken time to “brainwash” Nie Luo earlier!
“Look at how Fan Qing is pursuing you—he calls you ‘bro,’ guides you, even takes you out on his motorcycle! And you… give a thermos? A single thermos!”
If Jing Yi were Fan Qing, he’d have given up on Nie Luo right then for being such a wooden block!
Nie Luo furrowed his perfectly sculpted brows.
Jing Yi thought, “thank goodness this guy still has a chance,” but Nie Luo just looked at him with innocent confusion.
“…How do you know he said all that—‘guide you,’ and stuff?”
Jing Yi froze—he heard that? What about the others in the villa at the time?
Nie Luo, inexplicably irritated, rubbed at an itchy ear.
“???”
Jing Yi was speechless.
“I said so much, and you just focus on this part? The point is… the gift! The gift problem!”
So… did he actually hear him or not?
Nie Luo gazed off slightly, lost in thought.
Jing Yi’s eye twitched in frustration. He suddenly leaned over and wrapped his arm around Nie Luo’s shoulders.
“Here’s what you do—you go back, take the cup, then buy a nice watch. Attach the watch to the thermos and give it to him. That’ll be… barely acceptable!”
Just giving a thermos? Who does that? Jing Yi had never heard of it—let alone a plain thermos. How much could it even be worth?
Nie Luo’s lips twitched.
“…Why would I attach a watch to a thermos?”
“So you honestly don’t think giving someone a thermos as their first gift is… weird?”
Jing Yi’s final question hit like a hammer.
Nie Luo looked at him with mild exasperation.
“There’s nothing wrong. That cup got broken because of me. I’m giving it to him—what’s the problem?”
“…Huh?”
Jing Yi’s jaw dropped.
Wait, what? Fan Qing’s cup broke because of Nie Luo? Did he miss some crucial plot point?
“Are you done talking?”
Fan Qing’s voice came from behind, making both of them turn.
He leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, the cup cradled in his hands.
It was a pink cup—soft, delicate, not the sort of thing a guy would normally use.
Yet as they turned, Fan Qing’s smile made it feel completely natural in his hands, not clashing with him at all.
Jing Yi was momentarily speechless.
Wait… Fan Qing looks genuinely happy?
“Done talking.”
Nie Luo lightly shook his shoulders, freeing himself from Jing Yi’s grip.
He walked over to Fan Qing.
“The cup… okay?”
Fan Qing shook it slightly, smiling.
“Very nice. I’ll cherish it.”
Nie Luo thought for a moment, then shook his head.
“No need to cherish it too much, just use it for tea.”
Fan Qing paused, stunned.
How could someone be this cute even about something so simple?
He smiled softly and replied, “Okay.”
Back in the office, Fan Qing composed himself, then remembered another matter.
He looked at Nie Luo.
“You’re planning to terminate your contract?”
Jing Yi had just returned and quickly sat down, eager to hear the answer.
Nie Luo nodded calmly.
“Yes. I’ve already checked—Jing Yuan taking resources from me went beyond what I expected. But neither the manager nor the company consulted me. At this rate, I wouldn’t be able to develop properly anyway. Terminating the contract was inevitable.”
Jing Yi couldn’t help but interject.
“What will you do after terminating? Want to come work with me?”
He sounded excited.
“Anyway, with Fan Qing managing things at the company, your resources will be safe. He’ll definitely favor you!”
This was perfect! Nie Luo would be fine, Fan Qing’s plan would succeed, and he’d profit!
Wasn’t that ideal?
Unexpectedly, Nie Luo declined firmly.
“No.”
Jing Yi was dumbfounded.
“Why not?”
Nie Luo didn’t look at him, instead fixing his gaze on Fan Qing.
Fan Qing smiled softly.
“Nie Luo wants to start his own studio?”
Nie Luo’s eyes flashed with realization. He nodded.
“I do have that in mind.”
Jing Yi glanced at Nie Luo, then at Fan Qing…
…Tch. He really had no idea whether these two were actually dating or not.
It was strange. Just very strange.
“So, regarding the company… terminating your contract, that can be negotiated?”
Fan Qing thought for a moment, asking the most important question.
Nie Luo’s expression instantly grew cold.
“They’ll agree. Jing Yuan took my resources without permission—the company certainly knows. I have the evidence in hand. If they want to hold me back, they’ll have to be prepared for the consequences of a full-on battle.”
“…Could that put you in danger?”
Fan Qing knew better than anyone the risks of challenging capitalist interests.
A flicker of frustration ran through him. His fingers slowly clenched into a fist at his side—had he acted too slowly? If only he had been a little faster…
“It’s fine.”
A warm hand suddenly landed on the back of Fan Qing’s hand.
He looked up sharply.
Nie Luo’s expression was calm as always, with just a hint of helpless indulgence in his eyes.
He shook his head.
“I made my statement on Weibo in advance to prevent the company from making a move against me. With that step taken, they won’t use any underhanded tactics.”
Fan Qing met his dark, ink-like eyes, and his restless mind instantly calmed.
Indeed.
Nie Luo was right. With his identity and fanbase, as long as the company didn’t want a lawsuit, they could only contend with him openly.
But from the very start, this game was already set—the outcome had been determined.
Understanding that, a smile returned to Fan Qing’s face.
He turned his palm over and gently opened it.
Nie Luo’s fingers soon slipped between his, and with a slight squeeze, their hands could interlock perfectly.
Fan Qing’s eyes curved in a soft arc.
“I really like you more and more, Nie Ge.”
His voice was low and husky, carrying the unique, masculine allure.