Chapter 150

Wang Chuang went on with his usual comforting words, but Jiang Luo didn’t hear any of it. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t take it in.

His mind was full of one thing: I like Huo Zongzhu, and Huo Zongzhu doesn’t like me.

I like him, but he doesn’t like me.

Wang Chuang had work to do and had left at some point, leaving Jiang Luo alone.

The more he immersed himself in his own emotions, the heavier his heart felt. When he first realized he liked Huo Zongzhu, he had a faint premonition, a small hope that maybe Huo Zongzhu felt something different about him too.

Turns out… not at all.

Jiang Luo thought about it, took a deep breath, and felt the weight in his chest sink lower.

As the heaviness settled, he gradually calmed down and started thinking clearly:

Wang Chuang was right—men who like other men are rare in this world.

His liking men was his own business. How could he demand that Huo Zongzhu feel the same?

Huo Zongzhu was a normal man.

Whether in the last life or this one, Jiang Luo had never seen anything unusual about Huo Zongzhu’s orientation.

If he was a normal man, how could he possibly like another man… let alone like him?

Jiang Luo wiped away the few tears his body had betrayed him with, took a deep breath, and tried to gather himself.

He had been reading too much into it.

But he couldn’t stop his mind from replaying so many images. His emotions were complicated.

He liked Huo Zongzhu, but Huo Zongzhu didn’t like him. What could he do?

Chase him?

Could he? How?

If Huo Zongzhu discovered his orientation and feelings, how would he react?

Would he, like Zhao Guangqian in his last life, find the idea of Jiang Luo liking men disgusting?

Would Huo Zongzhu eventually meet a woman he liked, someone from a compatible family, someone he’d want to marry?

Even though in the last life he was almost 40 and unmarried, this life was uncertain too, right?

If Huo Zongzhu married, they couldn’t live together on Wukang Road anymore.

He’d have a family, kids…

Stop!

Jiang Luo forced himself to halt his spiraling thoughts. He was afraid he’d break down and cry.

Taking another deep breath, he sat up, determined to focus on something productive. He knew who was to blame—himself. He liked men, and he liked Huo Zongzhu.

He couldn’t blame anyone else, not even himself.

He understood clearly: as a gay man, he shouldn’t fall for a normal man, shouldn’t entangle himself in a romance with one.

Even in the last life, the fleeting flings around him were all the same situation.

But… what could he do?

This life, he liked Huo Zongzhu.

Jiang Luo wanted to tell himself: Stop liking him. Huo Zongzhu is a normal man. Nothing will come of this.

But he couldn’t control his feelings.

Once you’ve already fallen in love, how do you reason it away?

Feelings aren’t elastic bands you can stretch or shrink at will.

The most painful part for Jiang Luo now was that he had asked Huo Zongzhu directly, face-to-face, whether he liked men or him, and Huo Zongzhu had given a clear, direct “no.”

He felt like a moth plunging into flames, burning from the inside out.

Figures I’d like men.

Jiang Luo could only mock himself.

Well, that was that.

He picked up the work he needed to do and tried not to think about it, diving into his tasks.

Outside the window, Wang Junqing, holding a large mobile phone to his ear, walked closer, peering through the glass into the office. After looking, he walked away and spoke into the phone: “Mr. Jiang is in the office.”

“Nothing’s happening. He’s alone, probably busy.”

After hearing more from the other end, Wang Junqing said, “No, after returning from the airport today, he went straight back to the factory. Other than the two times he came to you, he hasn’t been anywhere else or met anyone.”

“Alright, got it.”

Before hanging up, he remembered something: “Oh, Mr. Huo, one thing. Zhao Guangyuan has been coming to the factory frequently, always bringing things for Mr. Jiang.

“Mr. Jiang instructed the guards not to accept them, and they didn’t.”

“Yeah, got it.”

In the office, Huo Zongzhu, standing by the window, ended the call.

He still wondered who had told Jiang Luo something—or whether Jiang Luo had figured it out himself.

Neither possibility was desirable.

Seeing Jiang Luo come over twice and ask so directly left him a little worried.

He began to think: if Jiang Luo really discovered the truth, what would he do next?

He wasn’t afraid of much—just that Jiang Luo might feel disgusted.

Huo Zongzhu had originally intended to finish the call and return to work, but he lingered at the window for a long while, his mind full of Jiang Luo and the possible aftermath.

At the factory office, Jiang Luo had been sketching but suddenly tossed down his pencil, slumping in his chair, frustrated, raking his hands through his hair.

Ah! He couldn’t draw. Couldn’t concentrate!

His mind replayed Huo Zongzhu’s denials, saying he didn’t like men or him.

Ah!!

Jiang Luo was unbearably upset.

He planted his feet on the floor, slid back his chair, and stood up.

Frustrated! Time to leave!

He was almost at the office door when it opened from the outside. Zhang Ningfu walked in.

“What’s the matter?”

Jiang Luo stopped.

Zhang Ningfu hesitated.

“Speak, or I’m leaving.”

Clearly, Jiang Luo had no mood today and was about to walk out.

“It’s like this,” Zhang Ningfu said, closing the office door behind him, “I mentioned I was going to divorce, right?”

“You’re not divorcing?”

Jiang Luo’s temper flared.

“No,” Zhang Ningfu hurried to explain. “I’m going to divorce, I definitely am. But the problem now…”

He looked troubled. “She refuses to divorce.

“My son calls me every day to persuade me.

“He says if we divorce, his wife won’t live with him either.

“She wants to take Nan Nan with her. Won’t give her to him.

“This stalemate isn’t a solution, so I came to ask…”

Jiang Luo, heartbroken, thought: I wish the whole world had broken marriages like me.

He reached to open the door, decisively: “Not a problem? Then divorce together.

“Tell your wife that if she won’t, I’ll call the police.

“And your unlucky son, the one trying to persuade you—if he disagrees with the divorce, he won’t get a penny of your money. Let’s see if he still cares for his mom.”

Before leaving, he added: “I’ll find a lawyer for you. Get that divorce done cleanly.

“If you don’t, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

With that, he slammed the door and left.

Zhang Ningfu: ???

Wasn’t he the one divorcing? Why did Mr. Jiang look even angrier?

Jiang Luo was angry because he was thinking: Damn it, this guy has looks, body, brains, and money—how is he any worse than those women?

Why on earth didn’t Huo Zongzhu like him?

Blinded, maybe?!

He walked toward the car, glancing at Lao Si and shooting him a glare.

Lao Si quickly spat out a toothpick, ran to the car, opened the door, and grinned nervously: “Mr. Jiang.”

Jiang Luo’s face was tight, fiery: “Why are you smiling? Happy or what?”

Lao Si: “……”

Jiang Luo got in the car, his mood worsening by the second, slamming his hand against the back of the seat twice in frustration—doesn’t like men, doesn’t like me. He’s blind!

Lao Si had no idea what was wrong, carefully drove the car, and while turning, rolled down the window to signal Lao San and Wang Junqing outside: Call Mr. Huo! Call! Quickly!

Lao San looked at Wang Junqing, who lowered his head and dialed on the big phone.

Juxiang Town was remote, so by the time Jiang Luo returned to Wukang Road, Huo Zongzhu was already home, standing in the front yard waiting.

Jiang Luo’s anger vanished the moment he saw Huo Zongzhu. Who could he blame? Huo Zongzhu?

For lending him ten thousand to bet on stocks without even knowing him?

For silently giving him a factory in Shenzhen?

Or for being too good to him, making him fall in love?

Jiang Luo had no temper left.

Besides, he knew clearly: his being gay didn’t matter if Huo Zongzhu found out. But now, Huo Zongzhu absolutely mustn’t find out.

If he did… who knew what would happen.

Jiang Luo didn’t gamble. He didn’t trust chance, didn’t want to, and wouldn’t risk it.

He wasn’t stupid; he wouldn’t do anything against his own interests.

So he got out of the car. Except for showing some helplessness and fatigue, he showed no other emotion.

Huo Zongzhu walked over: “What’s wrong? Just back from Shenzhen, feeling low?”