Tuesday.
Lunchtime.
Secretary Bai Lu returned to work after lunch and suddenly heard a loud bang from Qiao’s office, like something had been smashed. She followed the sound and saw the blinds in the chairman’s office were drawn and the door closed. That was unusual—she rarely saw Qiao draw the blinds. Even if he was napping, there was a separate area set up with a bed; there was no need to close the office blinds. What on earth was going on?
Bai Lu walked to the door and faintly heard voices inside. It sounded like Qiao was arguing with someone. She caught him saying, “…You’re really getting bolder.”
Then another voice replied, “Uncle Qiao, don’t you like it?”
There was a teasing, flirtatious undertone. Bai Lu’s heart skipped a beat. She knocked on the door.
Immediately, the room fell silent.
Click. The door unlocked, and Shen Yuan stepped out, smiling: “Good afternoon, Sister Lu.”
Bai Lu sized him up without expression. Today, Shen Yuan wore a plaid suit, a casual style—less striking than when they first met but still handsome, impeccably dressed, neat and proper. Nothing amiss.
Then an overwhelmingly strong scent hit her. She wrinkled her nose and held her breath: “Why does it smell so strong?”
Qiao Hailou said inside: “I accidentally broke a bottle of perfume earlier. Let’s have someone clean it up later.”
Bai Lu nodded.
The intense fragrance masked every other scent in the room.
Qiao Hailou said to Shen Yuan: “Xiao… Xiao Yuan, take these files to Director Lan.”
Shen Yuan: “Yes, Uncle Qiao.”
Qiao Hailou remained seated as if nailed to the chair, motionless. Shen Yuan picked up a folder from the desk, turned his back to Bai Lu, and mischievously mouthed to Qiao Hailou: Watch out for your junk.
Qiao Hailou sighed and zipped up his pants discreetly.
Shen Yuan then acted obedient again, deliberately saying: “Thank you for taking the time to guide me, Uncle Qiao. I’ve learned a lot. Next time, if you have the chance, please teach me again.”
Tsk. Qiao Hailou narrowed his eyes, his voice soft to the point of giving goosebumps: “Alright. I’ll teach you properly when I have time. Just don’t complain it’s too tiring.”
Bai Lu glanced at Qiao Hailou, then at Shen Yuan, and finally at the broken perfume bottle and the wet spot on the floor.
Lately, Shen Yuan had become the talk of the company.
He had been transferred directly into the design department through internal recommendation and, in less than three days, was working alongside Director Lan, receiving hands-on guidance. Normally, such connections would draw envy, but Shen Yuan’s work ability and attitude were impeccable. Plus, he had a face that was impossible to dislike.
What could anyone say?
At most, they could nibble at the small cakes he brought after his promotion and mutter: “Some people are just born lucky. Rich, handsome, talented, and on top of that, kind and generous. You can’t even find a flaw to resent.”
Shen Yuan never wasted an opportunity.
Director Lan had years of practical experience in jewelry design, very different from the academic instructors at school. Shen Yuan assisted him daily, absorbing knowledge at a frantic pace.
As a child, Shen Yuan had not been particularly smart. Before age three, he couldn’t speak clearly and was the “slow kid” among the neighborhood children. After his parents’ divorce, living with his father, he couldn’t go out. Sometimes, he would stand on a small stool, peering out the window, envious of other kids playing outside. When they saw him, they’d giggle: “Look, dumb Ah Ben is watching. You’ll be as dumb as him!”
He longed to attend preschool like the other kids. When he went to live with his grandfather, he finally got the chance to go to school, and he cherished it. Not naturally brilliant, he was obedient, absorbing every word his teachers said, slowly catching up and eventually surpassing his peers.
One day, Shen Yuan had a new idea. He buried himself in drawing for over an hour, and his fingers ached by the time he looked up.
The phone’s ringtone interrupted him. Caller: Wang Ziqin.
Shen Yuan had to pause his work to answer.
On the line, Wang Ziqin barked like a spoiled brat: “I’m getting discharged tomorrow. Pick me up.”
Shen Yuan froze, hesitant: “Mr. Wang, I have work tomorrow. You know… I’m interning at a company right now.”
Wang Ziqin was unconcerned: “I know. Can’t you take a day off? You’re always busy, busy, busy. How many times have you actually visited me? If it weren’t for you saying you had exams or work, I would have had you stay as my caretaker. I’m being considerate! All I want is for you to drive me home from the hospital. Why are you hesitating, Shen Yuan? Are you growing wings? Not listening to me now??”
Shen Yuan took a long breath, calming his voice: “No, Mr. Wang… you misunderstood. How about I pick you up tomorrow morning?”
He figured that if he went early, he could still make it to work. Just a quick heads-up to Director Lan, and it shouldn’t be a problem.
Quite frustrating.
Later, Shen Yuan complained to Qiao Hailou: “Wang Ziqin wants me to pick him up tomorrow… so annoying, don’t want to go.”
Qiao Hailou: “Then don’t go.”
Shen Yuan: “You think I’m you? Do whatever you want?”
Qiao Hailou: “I’ve always wondered… why do you listen to him so obediently?”
Shen Yuan: “In high school, Uncle sent me to K Foreign High. I was in the same class as Wang Ziqin. He immediately started picking on me. What could I do? I had to learn to keep my head down. Uncle couldn’t afford to offend the Wang family, and I didn’t have their surname—how could I dare? I just endured. He’s leaving the country soon, so I’ll finally have peace.”
Qiao Hailou: “That’s no long-term solution. If he returns and bullies you again, you’ll keep enduring? You’re usually sharp with me. Why stay silent with him?”
Shen Yuan feigned flattery: “Uncle Qiao, you treat me so well, I know. Teach me how to deal with Wang Ziqin.”
Qiao Hailou: “Just use the same approach you use on me. You’re no longer in school with him, work doesn’t depend on him. You’ve already gotten to know a circle of people he can’t control. His father’s spoiled him less, and whatever leverage you can use, you’ve used it. You could’ve ditched him long ago. If you insult him, I’ve got your back.”
Shen Yuan was dumbfounded. What kind of advice was this? Offend a ‘gentleman’ and Qiao Hailou backs me up? How? They were just secret lovers; publicly, he was miles away from being Qiao Hailou’s nephew or family friend’s son. What authority could he possibly have?
Truly easy for him to talk. He must just want to see me fail!
Damn, I’d have to be out of my mind to trust this old rascal.
The next morning, Shen Yuan went to the hospital.
Since he had to take Wang Ziqin home before work, he wore his business attire.
When he opened the door, Wang Ziqin barely recognized him.
He thought: Who is this stunning man? Then realized it was Shen Yuan.
Wang Ziqin stared, mouth agape: “Y-you… what happened to you?”
Shen Yuan had been changing his look for a while and was used to it, but Wang Ziqin’s strange stare made him self-conscious. He touched his nose: “Work requires dressing formally. I also got a haircut.”
Wang Ziqin looked at him a long time, cheeks suddenly warm, and muttered: “Pretty… good-looking…”
Wang Ziqin’s legs were weak; he refused a wheelchair, only accepting crutches.
Shen Yuan quickly completed the discharge procedure and helped him downstairs.
Wang Ziqin leaned half his body on Shen Yuan’s shoulder, very close.
Tilting his head, he saw the skin at Shen Yuan’s temple and neck—more delicate than many women he’d been with. Pure, clean, no makeup. It made him strangely tempted to touch it…
Wang Ziqin scolded himself internally: Have I been in bed too long? So desperate? Gross.
A wisp of perfume on Shen Yuan reached his nose. Wang Ziqin froze, then asked in a teasing tone: “Shen Yuan, learned to wear perfume now? Been with women and finally figured it out?”
Shen Yuan chuckled: “Work-related…”
Finally, he got Wang Ziqin in the car and drove him home.
Wang Ziqin sat in the back, voice dripping with sarcasm: “Shen Yuan, you haven’t visited me much. Think I’ve lost influence, so no need to flatter me?”
Shen Yuan smiled awkwardly: “Not at all. I’ve just been busy—student council, exams, starting an internship. I come home late every night. Whenever I’m free, I visit you. Didn’t I come as soon as you called?”
Wang Ziqin didn’t seem convinced and snorted: “How much is your internship pay?”
Shen Yuan frowned, diplomatically: “Not much. It’s mainly for learning…”
Wang Ziqin impatiently asked again: “How much?”
Shen Yuan told him the number.
Hearing the amount, Wang Ziqin laughed mockingly: “That’s it? Are you trying to pay off a beggar?”
Shen Yuan’s face darkened. He clenched the steering wheel tightly, lips pressed together. That was too insulting—was he being called a beggar?
Wang Ziqin continued: “Forget work, Shen Yuan. I need someone to take care of me. Quit your job and come look after me. I’ll pay you five times… no, ten times your salary. How about that?”
Shen Yuan fell silent. He really didn’t want to speak. How many times had he told him? Did Wang Ziqin not understand words?
Wang Ziqin pushed him from behind: “Are you mute? Speak up!”
I’m driving; I can’t lose my temper! Shen Yuan forced himself to calm down. “Mr. Wang, I study jewelry design, not nutrition or housekeeping. A professional would take better care of you. I’d just ruin it.”
Wang Ziqin said matter-of-factly: “Then learn.”
Shen Yuan: “I can’t learn it well…”
Wang Ziqin: “You’re so smart. How could you not learn well? I think you’re naturally made for it.”
For some reason, Shen Yuan felt more and more impatient with Wang Ziqin. At times, he didn’t even want to bother pretending.
He thought maybe Qiao Hailou was right. Wang Ziqin had fallen out with his dad and no longer cared about flattery. But if he turned on him directly, it would create an enemy. All those years of keeping his head down, only to earn an enemy—not worth it.
He decided to think about it later.
Finally, they arrived.
It was Wang Ziqin’s flat in the city center, chosen because his leg injury made stairs difficult.
Shen Yuan exhaled, glanced at his watch—still enough time to get to the company. He didn’t waste words: “Mr. Wang, it’s almost time for me to go to work. I have to head to the office.”
Wang Ziqin: “Wait, come here for a moment.”
Patiently, Shen Yuan asked: “What is it?”
As he stepped closer, Wang Ziqin grabbed his wrist and yanked him down onto the sofa.
Shen Yuan’s internal alarm went off—he knew Wang Ziqin was about to cross a line again.
Wang Ziqin shamelessly placed his hand on Shen Yuan’s inner thigh: “Don’t go to that crappy job. I’m bored; stay here with me.”
He added, ridiculously: “I’m really curious what your face looks like during… you know. Just show me right here.”
Shen Yuan stared in disbelief, as if bitten by a snake. He yanked his hand away, stood straight, glaring unblinkingly at Wang Ziqin, chest heaving with anger.
Wang Ziqin, sounding playful like teasing a cat, said: “Hurry up.”
Shen Yuan’s chest burned with rage, but the tiniest bit of clarity remained. He forced a smile, trying to defuse it: “Mr. Wang, stop joking.”
Wang Ziqin arrogantly said: “I’m not joking. I want you to do it. Now.”
Shen Yuan had seen this expression countless times since high school:
“Why don’t you greet me? Look down on me, four-eyes frog?”
“Why are you so slow, can’t even buy something right?”
“Why didn’t you fix your homework mistakes? The teacher can tell instantly.”
“Idiot!”
“Fool!”
“Moron!”
“Asshole!”
Old grudges and new resentments surged, almost uncontrollable.
Wang Ziqin mocked: “You’re not a virgin anymore, what’s there to be shy about? Everyone has it. Honestly, Shen Yuan, isn’t your uncle remarrying? You might not even stay in the Li family. Might as well focus on me. Your uncle failed, picked the leftover, ended up with trash…”
The last thread of reason in Shen Yuan’s mind snapped.
He raised his hand and slapped Wang Ziqin hard. His palm tingled from the impact, but he was still furious.
Wang Ziqin had the audacity to speak ill of his uncle with disgusting words? Forget rewards. This was for the jerk himself!
Wang Ziqin was stunned, head snapping to the side. After a moment, he recovered and shouted: “How dare you hit me?!”
Reaching to strike him, Shen Yuan’s chest burned with determination. If he was already offending him, he might as well continue. With Wang Ziqin limping, he might even have the upper hand.
Shen Yuan said as he struck: “This slap is for bullying me!”
“This slap is for the girl you screwed over! You shameless idiot!”
“This slap is for the teachers you oppressed! Respect for elders, do you even know it?”
“This slap is for your dad! You’ve wasted your twenties like a dog! Spending your father’s money and looking down on him?!”
“You really think you’re somebody! If you weren’t Wang Sui’s son, who’d care about you? What skill do you have to show off?!”
“Paying a beggar? That was all from my own work! Labor is honorable! Have you ever earned a dime yourself?”
“No one dares tell you, but you’re a scumbag! A degenerate! A stallion! A total idiot!”
Wang Ziqin was dumbfounded, staring at Shen Yuan.
Shen Yuan caught his breath, then without another word… ran.
After hitting him, the fear hit.
Even if Wang Ziqin had a bad relationship with his father, he was still the Wang family’s only son. If Wang Ziqin reported him to his dad, Shen Yuan would be helpless. He had seen firsthand how ruthless Wang Ziqin could be.
Shen Yuan tugged his hair, pulled out his phone, flipping to “Uncle Li.” His finger hovered over the call button, but he didn’t press it.
No—he couldn’t trouble his uncle.
He sighed, exited the page, and dialed the “old rascal” instead.
Better—better ask the old rascal first.
Qiao Hailou answered: “Hello?”
Shen Yuan hesitated, then sweetly said: “Uncle Qiao…”
Before he could finish, Qiao Hailou laughed knowingly: “Trouble again? You only call me Uncle Qiao when you need something. What is it? Weren’t you picking up Wang Ziqin from the hospital?”
Shen Yuan admitted guiltily: “I… couldn’t help it. I hit him. Uncle Qiao, you said you’d protect me… does that still count?”
Qiao Hailou wasn’t surprised. He’d expected Shen Yuan to hit Wang Ziqin sooner or later. He wasn’t intimidated, treating it like a minor incident—like Shen Yuan accidentally breaking a cheap teacup: “Counted. I’ve got your back. Wang Ziqin’s the kind of guy—hit him, don’t be afraid. Should’ve done it long ago. Did it feel good?”
Qiao Hailou’s tone wasn’t domineering; it was relaxed. That’s why Shen Yuan felt safe.
He paused, embarrassed: “Y-yes… it felt good…”