Ever since Xia Yuze started working at the Gu Corporation, his life had become much more regular. He no longer had to habitually work overtime for a single case, nor did he have to constantly watch a client’s expression.
He only needed to handle the tasks that belonged to him, and the pressure was much lighter than before.
Although when he had first joined the Gu Corporation, he had indeed been somewhat worried. He was afraid that many people would refuse to accept him sitting in the position of Legal Department Director, which might cause conflicts or friction between him and his colleagues. However, things turned out unexpectedly well. Everyone in the department treated him politely.
During the weekly meetings, everyone would gather together to discuss the legal issues the company had encountered that week. No matter how big or small the matter was, everyone would bring it up and share their opinions. On one hand, it allowed them to exchange perspectives and strengthen their professional knowledge; on the other hand, it gave everyone a chance to understand each other better.
The Gu Corporation was such a large group that its employees naturally had high standards. When Gu Yan first brought up the idea of inviting Xia Yuze to take over the Legal Department, the people in the department had already begun looking through the lawsuits Xia Yuze had handled in the past. Therefore, everyone already had some understanding of their new Legal Director beforehand, and they greatly admired his debating style and ability to handle matters.
In addition, the ages of the colleagues in the department were not very different, so it was easy for them to get along. Thus, Xia Yuze was accepted by everyone the moment he entered the company.
Xia Yuze had always been someone who clearly separated public and private matters. He was approachable, steady, practical, decisive, meticulous, and efficient in his work. For a superior who was both easygoing and capable, his subordinates naturally had no objections and were very willing to work with him.
With more free time available, it became much easier for Xia Zichen to ask him out for meals. If Gu Xu did not have to work overtime, he would come along with Xia Zichen as well.
Seeing that the two children got along well, as a father, Xia Yuze felt greatly relieved.
He himself was gay, so he naturally knew that one’s sexual orientation was something innate. Therefore, he had never thought about forcing Xia Zichen to change. However, he had once worried that because of his own experiences, Xia Zichen might develop a negative view of love. He was also afraid that Xia Zichen might meet someone who did not deserve his love…
Fortunately, Xia Zichen was a child who valued himself. He knew what he was doing and would not do anything reckless that would make him worry. Therefore, even though Xia Zichen had never had a boyfriend, Xia Yuze was still quite at ease.
When Xia Zichen brought Gu Xu home to meet him, and after he had talked with Gu Xu, Xia Yuze became completely reassured.
Actually, when Gu Xu mentioned the Gu family, Xia Yuze had immediately thought of Gu Yan. Since Gu Xu was Gu Yan’s younger brother, he felt even more reassured, though he had not exposed that connection at the time.
Although he had later lost contact with Gu Yan, Xia Yuze still understood Gu Yan’s character very well, so naturally he also had a favorable impression of Gu Xu.
Gu Xu did not disappoint him either. Looking at his son’s rosy complexion and the smile that came from the depths of Xia Zichen’s eyes, Xia Yuze knew that Xia Zichen was living a good life.
Near the end of the workday, Xia Yuze received a call from Gu Yan, asking him to wait for him at the company entrance after work.
Although he found it a little strange, Xia Yuze did not ask further. In the past, whenever Gu Yan wanted to find him at night, he would either arrange to meet him in the underground parking lot or directly come to his office and leave with him.
After work, Xia Yuze stood by the roadside waiting for Gu Yan, occasionally glancing toward the parking lot, waiting for that familiar car to appear.
Because a road near his home was currently under construction and the traffic jams in the morning were severe, Xia Yuze had not driven to work these past few days.
While he was waiting, a black Hummer turned on its right signal and drove out from the inner lane, stopping in front of him.
Xia Yuze was confused for a moment and moved slightly to the side.
The driver’s door opened from inside, and a mixed-race face appeared before Xia Yuze, causing him to freeze completely.
The moment he saw this person, Xia Yuze recognized him.
Although they had only spent about a week together, that period of time had been the most relaxed and happiest days he had experienced since he was born.
And then, this person suddenly disappeared.
He still remembered that after the cup of hot cocoa that night, he had said, “I hope that when I see you tomorrow, you will have already thought things through.”
That person had replied, “Okay.”
But that “tomorrow,” Gu Yan later told him that the person had already left with his father and returned home, without even saying goodbye.
Perhaps if it had been someone else, Xia Yuze would not have cared whether that person said goodbye or not.
But for Qiao Chuqin, he cared.
After Qiao Chuqin left, Xia Yuze suddenly felt that life had become somewhat boring, dull, and even empty…
Looking back now, perhaps it was simply because a part of his heart had become empty, which was why he felt especially lonely.
So he accepted Lei Xin’s pursuit, but he also understood that it was only treating the symptoms, not the root cause.
After parking the car, Qiao Chuqin pulled out the key and said, “I’ll cook for you.”
Xia Yuze widened his eyes in surprise.
A few months after Qiao Chuqin left, Gu Yan had given him a phone, saying that it was a gift from Qiao Chuqin. That phone had been the newest, best, and most expensive model on the market at the time. Xia Yuze originally did not want to accept it, but Gu Yan told him that it was nothing to Qiao Chuqin and then explained the situation of the Qiao family to him.
Originally, he had only thought that Qiao Chuqin was somewhat wealthy, but he had never expected him to be a completely spoiled young master from a prestigious family.
And now, this young master actually wanted to personally cook for him. This made Xia Yuze feel somewhat strange.
However, if it was Western food, this young master should probably be able to handle it…
“What are you thinking about?” Qiao Chuqin asked when he saw Xia Yuze spacing out.
“Nothing.” Xia Yuze smiled and followed him out of the car.
He obviously could not say, “I was wondering whether the food you make will actually be edible.” That would be too rude.
After locking the garage door, Qiao Chuqin brought Xia Yuze upstairs.
The apartment was located on the eighteenth floor, with only one unit on each floor. The size of the apartment went without saying. However, this large space did not make people feel empty. Instead, it gave off a sense of freedom.
After changing his shoes, Qiao Chuqin hung up Xia Yuze’s coat, changed his own clothes, and washed his hands.
“Make yourself comfortable. I only arrived two days ago, and I haven’t really unpacked my luggage yet. It’s a little messy, so don’t mind it.”
“It’s fine.”
Although there were still several boxes in the living room, the place was so spacious that they did not really get in the way.
After changing into home clothes, Qiao Chuqin entered the kitchen and took out ingredients from the refrigerator.
Xia Yuze glanced at the ingredients. No matter how he looked at them, they did not seem like things meant for Western food.
So he asked, “What are you planning to make?”
“You’ll know when you eat it.” Qiao Chuqin deliberately kept him in suspense.
Xia Yuze raised an eyebrow but did not ask further. Instead, he said, “I’ll help you prepare.”
“No need.” Qiao Chuqin refused and pushed him out of the kitchen.
The kitchen was semi-open. Xia Yuze sat to the side and watched Qiao Chuqin skillfully wash and cut the vegetables. He was somewhat surprised.
Judging from his movements, it seemed that the food he made might not necessarily be bad.
“Did you come to N City this time because of work?” Letting Qiao Chuqin busy himself in the kitchen while he just sat there made Xia Yuze feel a little uncomfortable, so he took the initiative to start a conversation.
“Yes.” Qiao Chuqin nodded. “I came once before the New Year to discuss cooperation with Shengchen.”
“Shengchen?”
Hearing him suddenly mention the place where his son worked, Xia Yuze was slightly surprised.
“Yes. I’ve always been working in the online gaming industry. Shengchen’s game concepts and innovations are very good, and they have their own technology as well. Cooperating with them has very promising market prospects. I knew Gu Xu was Gu Yan’s younger brother, but I had never spoken with him before and didn’t have much impression of him. I probably only saw him at banquets.”
“Gu Xu rarely attends banquets. Besides, with Gu Yan around, there was no need for him to do anything.” Although Gu Xu had helped Gu Yan before he started his own company, it was only related to the Gu family business. He rarely participated in private gatherings. Gu Xu had mentioned this to him before.
“You seem to know Gu Xu quite well.”
Xia Yuze smiled and did not intend to elaborate.
After a pause, Qiao Chuqin said, “I met Zichen.”
Xia Yuze froze.
“When I went to Shengchen, I happened to run into him. He told me that his father said drinking hot cocoa would make him feel better whenever he was upset.”
As he said this, a trace of nostalgia appeared in Qiao Chuqin’s eyes.
Xia Yuze smiled faintly. He had not expected that Qiao Chuqin and Xia Zichen would meet in such a way.
“You raised Zichen very well. He’s a polite child, not selfish, and he’s handsome too.”
Qiao Chuqin was not flattering Xia Yuze. He was simply stating what he had observed.
“Chenchen is very well-behaved.”
When it came to this son, Xia Yuze had nothing but praise.
“Mm. According to what you said, he should accept me quite easily.”
Qiao Chuqin placed the chopped vegetables aside and walked over.
“You… what do you mean?”
“Exactly what the words mean. Yuze, you should understand how I feel.”
Qiao Chuqin looked down at the person sitting on the stool, who was looking up at him.
“To be honest, I regret letting you go for so many years. But I had no choice. I couldn’t let you suffer because of me while also making you face threats from my family.”
Qiao Chuqin’s hand, still carrying traces of water, wrapped around Xia Yuze’s slightly cool fingers.
“Now I’m back. I plan to open a branch company here so that I can be closer to you. I also hope you can give me a chance.”
“I…”
Xia Yuze was so shocked by Qiao Chuqin’s words that he did not know what to say.
He had already decided that he would remain single until old age, yet this man was now asking him to give him another chance…
There was surprise, happiness, and emotion. Of course, there was also confusion and helplessness.
He did not know how to describe his current feelings. It seemed that too many emotions were mixed together, and he could not tell which one was stronger.
“You’re very good. In every way, you’re better than me.”
Qiao Chuqin continued what Xia Yuze wanted to say. His fingers gently brushed over Xia Yuze’s eyes.
“Have I ever told you that your eyes are very beautiful? Every time I think of you, every time I think of these eyes of yours, they give me motivation. I always feel that you can take me through the fog and help me see the road ahead clearly.”
Xia Yuze pressed his lips together slightly, and his heart trembled faintly.
How long had it been since he had felt this?
The feeling of being moved by love had nothing to do with age. It was only related to the person he met.
“Yuze, I’m not asking you to give me an answer right now. If you need time to think, I can wait. No matter how long it takes.”
Qiao Chuqin looked into his eyes seriously.
“It’s just that we met so early, yet I waited so many years before I finally had the chance to tell you my feelings. I hope my future will always have you in it, so I really don’t want to waste any more time.”
Xia Yuze did not speak.
It was not that he did not want to say anything. He simply did not know what to say.
Qiao Chuqin pulled him up.
“You can start thinking about it now. The bedroom is over there. If you want somewhere quiet, you can go there. I’ll call you when dinner is ready.”
Xia Yuze said nothing more and turned to enter the bedroom.