He had decided, no matter what, to pay his respects to Huo Zongzhuo—to show sincerity, loyalty—so he could keep basking in the glow of this financial powerhouse.
Xue Zhizhong kept thinking about what to give Huo Zongzhuo that would really win his favor.
Damn… could it really be that department head’s son?
What a headache.
Xue Zhizhong fretted, running his hands through his hair as he thought, trying to figure out what to do.
Huo Zongzhuo drove with an unusually cold expression.
Being observed for his attraction to men, even having it known that Jiang Luo was the object of his affections, didn’t bother him much. He could only admit that Xue Zhizhong was remarkably perceptive, skilled at reading people, sensing their desires, and flattering with finesse.
Huo didn’t worry that Xue would spill his orientation or act against him, causing a scandal. Xue had brought a young man just to please him—he clearly intended to flatter, not cause trouble.
Xue Zhizhong was smart, a businessman. He could mess up tasks, but he wouldn’t blurt out anything damaging. Huo knew Xue treated him like a god of wealth, utterly devoted, and wouldn’t dare cross him.
Huo’s cold expression wasn’t because of Xue’s flattery, but because of himself.
Through the boy Xue brought—who resembled Jiang Luo—Huo realized further that his own feelings were something he couldn’t show, couldn’t let see the light of day. Otherwise, he could have scolded Xue for disrespect, for publicly shaming his feelings for Jiang Luo. Or he could have confessed openly, letting everyone know his heart was taken, so Xue wouldn’t have dared bring a boy like this.
In short, his feelings had to remain hidden. He couldn’t speak them, couldn’t easily admit them. In that moment, Huo felt a quiet helplessness.
His phone rang. Huo reached for it on the passenger seat. “Hello?”
A colleague reported: “Mr. Huo, I went to the Pudong office to deliver documents. I heard that Officer Zhao there suffered a sudden heart attack, was hospitalized, and underwent surgery.”
Zhao Guangyuan? Huo was surprised.
“Okay, I understand.”
He asked further, “Do you know why it happened? Was it at the office?”
Colleague: “I’m not sure. Heard from the Pudong office that it was something at home. He was taken from home to the hospital; the office only just found out.”
Huo: “Is the surgery done?”
Colleague: “Seems so. He was rushed in and rescued.”
Huo: “Alright, got it.”
At the hospital ICU entrance, exhausted Su Lan and guilt-ridden Zhao Shuo met the anxious Zhao Guanggan.
“Su Lan, where’s Guangyuan?” Zhao Guanggan’s usually commanding, calm demeanor was gone.
Su Lan, eyes red and swollen, stood quickly. “Big brother, surgery is over. He’s fine, saved. Don’t worry.”
Zhao Guanggan craned his neck, trying to see inside the ICU, unease gnawing at him.
Frustrated, he asked, “How could a sudden heart attack happen? Too much work stress? Did someone upset him?”
“Dad…” Zhao Shuo, who had been silent, knelt. “It’s my fault.”
Minutes later, Zhao Guanggan’s fury echoed through the corridor: “Didn’t I tell you to get rid of that bastard?!”
“For a bastard, you almost killed your father!”
“You still have the nerve to be here?!”
“Why don’t you just leave the country together? As far as possible!”
Meanwhile, Jiang Luo stayed in Haimen a few extra days, overseeing factory renovations, teaching workers to assemble machines, and transferring the Shengfei system for managing factory workers to Pan Xiao and the others. Busy, busy, busy.
Even so, Yu Dong kept calling, asking to meet, arranging meals.
Jiang Luo, hands and arms smeared with grease, held his phone near a machine. “Ms. Yu, I’m really busy. I already rejected your proposal. Stop calling.”
“No need, I don’t have time for meals either.”
Yu Dong even came to the factory, but the guard turned her away. Pan Xiao contacted Jiang Luo, who refused to see her and had the guard escort her off.
After a long day, Jiang Luo collapsed onto the bed at the guesthouse, too tired even to shower.
Then came a knock.
Hmm?
He lifted his head, peered, then lay back down, thinking: it can’t be Yu Dong again.
Another two knocks. Jiang Luo sat up. “Coming!”
He opened the door to see Huo Zongzhuo.
“Dad!” Jiang Luo leaped up in surprise, almost jumping onto him.
Huo, startled, instinctively caught him as he scrambled up like a little monkey.
Jiang Luo clung to him, laughing: “What are you doing here?”
Huo carried him inside, lifting his legs over the doorway. “Had time, so I came.”
“Ah~ I’m dead tired,” Jiang Luo complained, looking worn out.
“Busy with what?”
Huo set him down gently, careful of his still-healing arm.
Jiang Luo leaned against him like a small dog. “Don’t ask… spent the day assembling machines.”
Huo chuckled at the sight—a little furry thing pressed against him, begging to be patted.
He reached out and stroked Jiang Luo’s hair. “Go lie down, rest a bit.”
Jiang Luo went to the bed, chatting lazily: “Did you drive yourself?”
Soon they were lying on opposite sides of the bed, talking. Jiang Luo nestled his head and shoulder against Huo like a dog, discussing the latest at Hongming.
By 10:30, Jiang Luo was yawning repeatedly. Huo said, “I’ll go, you should shower and sleep.”
Rising, Jiang Luo yawned. “Huh? You’re leaving? Back to Haicheng?”
Huo: “I’ll get a room at the front desk.”
Jiang Luo pointed to the bed. “Why? Sleep here.”
He got up, heading out: “You shower first, I’ll get towels and a toothbrush.”
Huo glanced at him. “You’re sleeping with me?”
“Why not?”
Jiang Luo looked back, matter-of-fact. “Can’t we? You’re not a woman.”
He left the room. Huo mused silently: if only he were female… no current worries, no complicated feelings.
Jiang Luo returned with the towel and toothbrush, flopping onto the bed, waiting for Huo to finish.
Huo emerged wearing only pants, upper body bare, physique on full display.
Jiang Luo glanced and exclaimed, applauding: “Wow! Mr. Huo, still sharp as ever!”
“Old what? What old?”
Huo ignored him. “Go shower.”
He sat at the foot of the bed, drying his hair.
Without warning, Jiang Luo snuck up behind him like a puppy, sniffing his hair. “You smell so good. I used this soap all week… never noticed it smells like this after washing.”
“Go shower.”
Huo ducked, feeling ticklish, both physically and emotionally. He pushed Jiang Luo’s head back gently. “Go.”
Jiang Luo showered, returned, leaping onto the bed, declaring, “Now I smell good too! Smell me!”
He offered his bare arm to Huo, who was already half under the blanket.
Huo turned, noticing Jiang Luo wore only boxer briefs, skin pale and glowing.
“Put some clothes on,” Huo said. “Not summer yet, don’t catch a cold.”
“I want you to smell my arm.”
Jiang Luo leaned closer.
Huo obliged: “Mmm… smells good.”
“Smell it!” Jiang Luo insisted.
Huo bent down, inhaling the clean, slightly musky scent—a unique, intoxicating aroma that nearly sent him flying.