Chapter 7

Ao Yongwang deliberately kept refilling Kong Wenyu’s glass. After a couple of drinks with the group, Ao Qingqing was the first to get annoyed.

“Let’s go check out the fashion show,” she said, reaching to take Kong Wenyu’s hand—only for him to set his glass down and move past her without noticing.

“There are too many people over there, the air’s bad,” Ao Yongwang leaned in, personally trying to pour Kong Wenyu another drink. “It’s quieter here, and easier to leave later.”

He gave Ao Qingqing a meaningful look, signaling her to leave with Kong Wenyu when the time came.

Ao Qingqing shot him a sideways glance, lowered her eyes, and picked up Kong Wenyu’s glass herself.

Ao Yongwang looked at her. She smiled lightly, raising her wrist toward him:
“Brother, I’ll drink this one on Wen Yu’s behalf.”

Ao Yongwang frowned at her.

But Ao Qingqing had already tilted her head back, downing the whole thing. She held up the empty glass to show him before setting it back in front of Kong Wenyu.

Kong Wenyu, who had been staring toward the runway, seemed to only then notice Ao Yongwang standing nearby. He raised his eyes and arched an eyebrow slightly.

Ao Yongwang gave him a thumbs-up, then—right in front of him—picked up his own half-full glass and finished it in one gulp.

Kong Wenyu’s gaze shifted slightly. He turned toward the edge of the hall.

Nie Jun, caught off guard, met his eyes. He froze, about to look away, when he saw Kong Wenyu lift a hand and make a small beckoning gesture.

Nie Jun hesitated, but Hai Ming had already stepped forward quickly, cutting through the crowd and reaching Kong Wenyu within seconds.

Nie Jun followed, just in time to hear Kong Wenyu’s calm instruction:
“Miss Ao is drunk. Take her home.”

“Yes, sir.” Hai Ming responded immediately, moving to make arrangements.

Ao Yongwang looked like he wanted to intervene, but then Kong Wenyu added:
“I’m heading home too.”

Yu Jiaduo made a surprised noise. “Huh?” He glanced at him.

Kong Wenyu said,
“My second aunt is here. With her around, I can leave early.”

Yu Jiaduo turned toward the doorway and, sure enough, spotted Kong Lingru—dressed in a professional suit, smiling warmly as she walked in.

He nodded and stood up.
“I’ll walk you out.”

Ao Qingqing, unsteady on her feet, swayed when she stood. Kong Wenyu reached out to steady her.

His expression looked a little impatient, as if he couldn’t wait to get out of there.

Leaning against him for balance, Ao Qingqing managed a small laugh.
“Thanks.”

Even so, her steps were wobbly—she was definitely drunk. Kong Wenyu kept a steady hold on her. Despite his lean appearance, he stood tall and unshaken, like a poplar that couldn’t be bent by the wind.

The group stepped outside together. Reporters were already waiting, and the moment they appeared, cameras shot up and flashes clicked rapidly.

It wasn’t hard to imagine tomorrow’s headlines would again be about the “Kong family’s nephew-aunt power struggle.”

Before Kong Wenyu could say anything, Hai Ming immediately moved in, clearing the area and forbidding any photos.

Frustrated, the reporters lowered their cameras and dispersed.

The cars were ready. Ao Qingqing let go of Kong Wenyu voluntarily.

Nie Jun stood by the car door. Kong Wenyu lifted his eyes briefly, glancing at him.

Yu Jiaduo stepped closer and said quietly,
“You’ve been drinking—get some rest when you get home. And don’t forget to send Ao Yongwang that contract tomorrow.”

Kong Wenyu’s lips curved slightly—not quite a smile.
“Mm.”

“Don’t just ‘mm.’” Yu Jiaduo pressed. “Did you actually remember?”

“I remembered,” Kong Wenyu replied. “And when you go home, make sure to greet Auntie for me.”

“Don’t worry.”

Ao Qingqing waved goodbye to Kong Wenyu, saying she still wanted to watch the show and would head back later on her own.

Kong Wenyu didn’t respond and simply got into the car. The bodyguard waiting beside Ao Qingqing immediately stepped forward to assist her—it was “Xiao Lang.”

Nie Jun got in as well, turning his gaze to the window.

Just as the car pulled away, leaving the scene behind completely, Nie Jun caught sight of Ao Qingqing lifting her head and smiling as she kissed Xiao Lang on the chin.

Two streets later, Nie Jun withdrew his gaze and stopped watching the blur of scenery outside.

Ao Qingqing was involved with Xiao Lang. Did Kong Wenyu know about this?

When that blows up one day, where would Kong Wenyu’s pride end up?

A team member, Xiao Jin, nudged his arm.
“Jun-ge?”

Nie Jun lifted his eyelids slightly, looking at him.

“Do we still have any tasks tonight?” Xiao Jin asked.

There were six bodyguards in the car, and all of them turned their eyes toward him.

Nie Jun softened his tone.
“Probably not.”

They soon arrived at the Kong residence. Once the car stopped, the bodyguards got out in order, waiting for Kong Wenyu to exit.

He had been drinking; his eyes had been clear before getting in, but the alcohol had since risen to his head. When he stepped out, he looked a bit dazed.

Hai Ming helped him out. On the steps, his footing faltered, and Nie Jun instinctively reached out to steady him.

Kong Wenyu paused for a moment on the stairs, letting the night wind hit his face before letting out a low, almost careless laugh. Then he brushed Nie Jun’s hand away.

In the shadows, his features overlapped perfectly with that night’s memory—even the deep red of his lips was identical.

Ao Qingqing must have something wrong with her eyes. Compared to Xiao Lang, of course Kong Wenyu was the better choice. Xiao Lang couldn’t hold a candle to even a single strand of Kong Wenyu’s hair.

Though Kong Wenyu had been drinking, he wasn’t completely drunk. His half-lidded eyes carried a faint haze.

Nie Jun escorted him into the bedroom. Aunt Zhu approached, intending to take Kong Wenyu from his hands, but he didn’t let go. So Aunt Zhu backed off to prepare some hangover soup.

Once inside, Kong Wenyu pointed toward the bathroom. Nie Jun guided him there, made sure he was steady at the sink, and was about to leave when his arm was suddenly grabbed.

He glanced down. Kong Wenyu asked,
“Who are you?”

“I’m your bodyguard,” Nie Jun replied.

Kong Wenyu’s damp lips moved slightly, almost as if he smiled.

Nie Jun hesitated, then asked cautiously,
“Do you like Ao Qingqing?”

Kong Wenyu didn’t answer. He let go of Nie Jun’s arm and turned his eyes to the mirror.

Nie Jun’s reflection met his gaze. His throat tightened, Adam’s apple shifting once.

Kong Wenyu stared at him and countered,
“Ao Qingqing—what do you think of her?”

The same familiar night. The same kind of scene. A drunken body, Kong Wenyu’s clouded consciousness.

Thanks to the vivid dream from the night before, which had already given Nie Jun an outlet, he was still able to keep calm now.

“She’s… fine,” Nie Jun said.

“What’s fine about her?”

Ao Qingqing had a bad temper, wasn’t particularly gentle or considerate—but her family background was impeccable.

“Good family match,” Nie Jun said, deliberately not mentioning Ao Qingqing and Xiao Lang, worried it might wound Kong Wenyu’s pride. “She can even take drinks for you. That’s… pretty good.”

Kong Wenyu let out a quiet laugh, then turned, leaning against the sink, staring at him.

That look made a chill run down Nie Jun’s spine. Just as his fingers twitched to push the door open and leave, Kong Wenyu said,
“Go get me a set of pajamas.”

Nie Jun glanced around the bathroom but only saw neatly folded towels in a glass cabinet.

Logically, the pajamas should be nearby, but Nie Jun couldn’t stand to remain in there any longer. He didn’t even dare look directly at Kong Wenyu.

“Okay,” Nie Jun answered quickly and almost fled, closing the bathroom door behind him.

The room’s temperature felt higher than before. When he’d first walked in, there had been a hint of coolness, but after a while it felt stiflingly warm.

While the sound of running water continued inside, Nie Jun found the pajamas. Returning to the door, his fingers curled, hesitated for a moment, then lowered.

He said through the door,
“I’ve placed the pajamas by the door.”

The water kept running; there was no response from Kong Wenyu.

Nie Jun started to leave but hesitated, worried Kong Wenyu hadn’t heard—or worse, that he might slip and fall in his drunken state with no one knowing. After a few seconds of internal struggle, he gently knocked.
“I’ve left the pajamas by the door.”

Still no reply.

Nie Jun knocked twice more.
“Kong Wenyu?”

The water abruptly stopped. Nie Jun’s heart nearly stopped with it.

The door swung open, and there stood Kong Wenyu—dripping wet from head to toe, standing just inside the doorway.

The bathroom light was soft and warm, illuminating every detail of his lashes.

Nie Jun turned his head away, taking a deep breath. “Your pajamas are right there. Dry off before you put them on.”

Kong Wenyu stared at him silently.

Nie Jun kept his gaze elsewhere. “I’m leaving.”

Kong Wenyu didn’t reply, but he didn’t stop him either.

Nie Jun turned to go.

He was still in the standard suit issued for the banquet, the black dress shirt unbuttoned at the collar. When he lowered his head, his cold, distant aura made it seem like he was born keeping people at arm’s length.

“Are you coming in to work tomorrow?” Kong Wenyu asked.

Nie Jun paused mid-step. “Group B is on duty tomorrow. If you need to go out, I’ll apply for overtime.”

Kong Wenyu let out a quiet “Mm,” then made no further sound.

He was probably still standing by the door—completely bare.

Nie Jun felt himself heating up.

“Get some rest,” he muttered quickly, lowering his head. “I’m going now.”

Back in the guard room, Hai Ming sat in a chair, stared at him for two seconds, then stretched lazily. “Go back to the dorm.”

Nie Jun didn’t move. “You tired?”

“Not really,” Hai Ming said. “You go sleep.”

Nie Jun continued, “Wanna grab a late-night bite?”

Hai Ming gave him the same look as before, then chuckled. “What if we suddenly get called for a job and don’t make it back in time?”

“Somewhere close,” Nie Jun said.

The Kong family had its own cafeteria; a simple call to the kitchen could get them a cheap, nearly free late-night meal charged to their duty card.

But the food there was only good for filling up—it wasn’t the kind of place for a drink. Alcohol was strictly forbidden for Kong family bodyguards.

Hai Ming hesitated. Nie Jun added, “It’s fine tonight. He’s already asleep.”

“He” clearly meant Kong Wenyu.

After a few seconds of thought, Hai Ming stood up, grabbed his jacket. “What are we eating?”

This street was a villa district—wide roads, heavy greenery, almost no commercial activity.

Just one street over was where Nie Jun lived. After nine, there was still a bustling night market, vendors lined up endlessly, lively until midnight. The two streets couldn’t have been more different—in class, in atmosphere.

Nie Jun grabbed his bike. Hai Ming glanced at the mountain bike, pressed the back seat. “You added this yourself?”

“Yeah,” Nie Jun said. “It’s sturdy. Don’t worry.”

Hai Ming climbed on, and in less than three minutes, Nie Jun had stopped in front of a barbecue stall. One long leg braced against the ground, he asked, “Barbecue?”

“Sure.” Hai Ming hopped off, gave the bike frame another pat, clearly tempted to try riding it himself.

They picked an outdoor table. The waiter rushed over to take their order. Nie Jun ordered skewers, Hai Ming added two plates of cold dishes, then asked for beer.

When the waiter left, Nie Jun asked, “Beer’s okay?”

Hai Ming always had a smile on his face. “Didn’t you just say no missions tonight? We’ll drink a little. No one’s gonna know. Out here, relaxing—these stall owners just turn a blind eye.”

Nie Jun nodded. After a brief pause, Hai Ming asked, “When you escorted the boss just now, why were you in there so long?”

Nie Jun replied casually, “Wasn’t that long.”

“Twenty minutes,” Hai Ming said. “Did he give you a hard time?”

“No,” Nie Jun answered.

“Good then.” Hai Ming nodded. “His temper isn’t great, but when it comes to his own people, he’s actually very lenient. As long as you keep your head down and do your job well, you’ll get your promotions and raises—no doubt about it.”

Thinking of how Kong Wenyu had asked him whether he wanted to be a team leader, Nie Jun couldn’t help but smile slightly.

Hai Ming studied him. “What’s funny?”

“Nothing.” Still carrying that faint smile, Nie Jun moved the napkin holder aside to make room for the cold dishes the waiter brought over. Once the waiter left, he asked, “What’s the Ao family like?”

“What do you mean?” Hai Ming thought for a moment. “They don’t have much momentum now, but their foundation is still there. On their own, they’re not that powerful, but they’ve got connections everywhere—can talk to a lot of people.”

“No wonder they were chosen as a marriage partner.”

“Yeah, that had to have been a calculated decision.”

The beers arrived. Each grabbed a bottle and drank straight from it. Nie Jun lowered his bottle. “This marriage partner—did the boss choose them himself?”

“Probably not.” Hai Ming wasn’t sure; he could only guess. “It was arranged back when Mr. Kong was still alive. But the boss must’ve agreed, right? Otherwise, imagine marrying someone you can’t stand—being stuck together every night. Who could live like that?”

Nie Jun nodded, didn’t touch the food, just picked up another bottle and downed it in a few gulps.

“Whoa, hey,” Hai Ming said, startled. “Why are you drinking so fast? Eat something.”

Nie Jun set the empty bottle aside, one hand pressing it lightly, his lowered eyes giving nothing away. “You’re right.”