Wang Chuang understood immediately and said, “Missing him? Then fly back to see him. Or get him to come over—hasn’t he always spoiled you?”
Jiang Luo shook his head. “Let’s be realistic.”
“So busy, how can you fly? Isn’t he busy too? Work doesn’t wait? Hugging me every day?”
Wang Chuang shrugged helplessly.
Still, the work had to be done. Once finished and with free time, Jiang Luo would call Huo Zongzhuo to ease his longing.
It was the first time he realized what it truly meant to miss someone—uncontrollable thoughts about them, wondering what they’re doing, who they’re with, whether they’re tired. The moment he had free time, his mind was filled entirely with Huo Zongzhuo.
Jiang Luo’s longing nearly overflowed; several times, he almost bought an impromptu train or plane ticket just to rush to him—but each time he restrained himself.
One evening in Changsha, after meeting a few people and socializing, Jiang Luo drank more than he should have.
Back at the hotel, he barely managed to undress, took a hurried shower, and, feeling slightly unwell, lay on the bed for a moment. He didn’t sleep immediately but, while still conscious, picked up his phone and called Huo Zongzhuo.
The call connected quickly. Huo Zongzhuo, hearing Jiang Luo’s voice, immediately recognized that he was drunk.
“You drank a lot?”
Huo Zongzhuo’s voice was gentle. “Wang Chuang was there too, right? Didn’t he help you hold back a bit?”
“Don’t mention it.”
Jiang Luo felt hot and began peeling off his pajamas. “A few local bosses from Hunan… so chatty, I couldn’t keep up. Drink kept coming one after another.”
“I’m fine, the fat one just collapsed after a few drinks,” he added, tossing his pajamas to the floor and sprawling across the bed.
Huo Zongzhuo asked, “Showered? If you’re too tired, don’t bother. Just rest early.”
“Let’s chat a bit.”
Jiang Luo, still flushed, removed his sleep shorts, tossing them aside. They talked for a while, him murmuring randomly, before he admitted, “Dad, recite a poem for me. I’m going to sleep.”
“Wait a moment.”
Then came a steady knocking at the door.
Jiang Luo thought he’d misheard, but the knocking persisted. “Who is it?” he mumbled, trying to get up unsteadily to open the door. “Wait, I’ll open it.”
When he opened it, he was stunned to see Huo Zongzhuo standing there. Eyes wide, he immediately leapt forward, shouting, “You’re here!?”
Huo Zongzhuo set down the phone, looped an arm around him, and guided him inside. “You kept saying you missed me.”
Inside, Huo Zongzhuo noticed the air conditioning was low. Jiang Luo had just showered, hair half-wet, wearing only boxers. Huo Zongzhuo gently helped him onto the bed, tucked a corner of the blanket over him, removed his wristwatch, and went to get a dry towel from the bathroom to dry Jiang Luo’s hair.
Jiang Luo was overjoyed, immediately sitting up to hug him. “Finally, I see you again.”
They hadn’t seen each other for two weeks. Huo Zongzhuo lay down next to him fully clothed, pulled Jiang Luo close, and covered them both with the blanket.
He knew Jiang Luo wouldn’t sleep yet. Holding him, Huo Zongzhuo asked gently, “Want to chat a little?”
Jiang Luo, safe in his arms, mumbled a sleepy “Mhm.” “How did you get here? Where did you come from?”
“Chongqing,” Huo Zongzhuo replied.
Jiang Luo muttered, “Chongqing again? Oh, right, you told me…”
Still tipsy, he instinctively chatted with Huo Zongzhuo. He even sang a Cantonese version of “The Moon’s Fault,” letting the lyrics tumble out while murmuring, “Huo Zongzhuo… you know, I don’t like natural scenery. I like skyscrapers…”
“The only scenery I like is Su City, the gardens we saw together, stone paths, white walls, small bridges, flowing water.”
“I really like Hong Kong… full of tall buildings. Victoria Harbour at night, all the lights on the shore, so beautiful.”
“Hmm,” Huo Zongzhuo replied gently. “Then you’ll like both sides of the Huangpu River in the future.”
“Later there too… very beautiful, skyscrapers, neon lights.”
Resting his head on Huo Zongzhuo’s neck, Jiang Luo whispered, “I heard Manhattan is the same… skyscrapers everywhere… so pretty… but I’ve never been abroad.”
Huo Zongzhuo: “I’ll take you someday.”
“Hmm—Huo Zongzhuo…”
Jiang Luo murmured again, “When you get married, I’ll cry that day.”
Huo Zongzhuo coaxed him, confessing lightly, “I won’t get married. I won’t let you cry.”
Drunk, Jiang Luo didn’t fully realize what he was saying. He mumbled, “Can you postpone marriage for a few years… to stay with me longer?”
After a pause, he corrected himself, “No, you should live a happy life. If you’re happy, I’ll be at ease.”
Huo Zongzhuo, knowing he was drunk, didn’t reply. He leaned down and kissed Jiang Luo’s head.
Jiang Luo, half-asleep, whispered his name.
After leaving Changsha, Jiang Luo went to Nanchang…
Visiting different cities, meeting various people, discussing collaborations, signing contracts, inspecting factories… these two months had been extremely busy. Traveling and flying everywhere domestically, sometimes he couldn’t even reach Huo Zongzhuo’s calls, let alone visit Haicheng or see him.
Still, Jiang Luo wasn’t disheartened. He loved his career and loved Huo Zongzhuo. Doing what he enjoyed, keeping Huo Zongzhuo in his heart, gave him endless energy and strength. He knew Huo Zongzhuo was also busy with his own work.
One day at Haicheng Hongqiao Airport, by coincidence, Jiang Luo and his entourage walked toward the departure hall while Huo Zongzhuo walked the opposite direction. Their eyes met.
Both froze, then smiled.
“Dad~” Jiang Luo called out, running over, arms wide. “Where are you headed?”
“Beijing.”
Huo Zongzhuo joined him. They hugged briefly.
Jiang Luo closed his eyes, savoring the fleeting warmth of the embrace.
Busy and rushing to catch flights, they didn’t talk much. After loosening the hug, Jiang Luo grabbed Huo Zongzhuo’s hand, unclasped his watch, and said with a wink: “Mine now.”
Huo Zongzhuo smiled, letting him do so.
“Time to go.”
Jiang Luo glanced at the watch, slipping it onto his wrist, feeling the residual warmth left by Huo Zongzhuo. Love coursed through him.
That’s my love, Jiang Luo thought.
But sadly, it was a love he could never fully voice.
He thought their relationship would remain as it was—close, intimate, but never progressing further. He never imagined an unexpected twist would come so quickly.
The Haicheng Chamber of Commerce was hosting another evening banquet, gathering elites in a swirl of clinking glasses.
Jiang Luo attended, wearing a white shirt with sequins on the chest, the unbuttoned stand-up collar revealing a metal necklace. A diamond bracelet sparkled under the lights. Combined with his strikingly handsome face, he immediately drew the attention of everyone in the hall.
He was quickly recognized—his “Buy Clothes, Find Shengfei” advertisement had been a hit. Posters featuring Fang Linjun were everywhere in Haicheng.
Locally, it was already common knowledge that Jiang Luo had expanded his business nationwide with just one celebrity and one advertisement.
“Mr. Jiang.”
“Jiang Shao.”
Several people approached him immediately, surrounding him.
Others at the banquet, seeing the commotion, began to comment:
“That ad—anyone who watches TV knows it now.”
“Impressive. One ad, and the brand is everywhere.”
“It’s the ad that’s strong, right?”
“Not just that. If he weren’t capable, how would a factory owner even think of making a downstream brand? Nowadays, how many factory owners can start a brand and advertise it? Only him.”
…
“Eh? Isn’t that Mr. Jiang in the pharmaceutical business? How come he’s here too?”
…
The “Mr. Jiang” they mentioned was Zheng Bin’s sister’s husband and his family.
Jiang Luo connected with them thanks to Zheng Bin.
Since meeting Jiang Luo, Zheng Bin had stopped mingling with questionable local circles and no longer gambled or played cards.
Seeing Zheng Bin change, his sister and brother-in-law were delighted. They had specifically asked Zheng Bin to invite Jiang Luo over, and that’s how they met.