Shen Yuan couldn’t hold it in any longer—he called Qiao Hailou and let loose in a torrent of scolding: “Bastard! Why didn’t you tell me your company is sponsoring the contest? Was that on purpose?”
Qiao Hailou sounded completely innocent: “Huh? You didn’t ask me. Our company has been a sponsor since last year; I thought you already knew.”
Shen Yuan was immediately blocked by this logic. Thinking it over, he realized it was true—the sponsor had been announced from the start. Cuican wasn’t a last-minute addition. His own carelessness had caused the misunderstanding, not Qiao Hailou.
He awkwardly asked, “You didn’t purposely let me make the shortlist, did you? No wonder you told me I’d definitely get in before.”
Qiao Hailou smiled, avoiding a direct answer. Instead, he said, “A-Ben, you work so hard, always striving to get ahead—don’t you use every tool at your disposal? I just put one in front of you. Isn’t it natural you’d use it?”
Shen Yuan paused. He wasn’t arrogant, nor was he prideful, but he said, “That’s different. It’s meaningless to win using tricks when I don’t have the skill yet. What about future contests? I can’t rely on connections or favors every time. When I present my so-called ‘successful’ work later, it still might not sell. Customers are practical—if it looks good, it’s good; if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”
Qiao Hailou said calmly, “Exactly. That’s why I didn’t give you any advantage. I only provided the prize money. Don’t worry. When I said you’d definitely make the shortlist, it was based on my years of experience, not to flatter you, and certainly no backdoor deals were involved.”
Shen Yuan hesitated. “Really?”
Qiao Hailou sighed. “Really.”
Shen Yuan warned him: “Don’t try anything sneaky. Don’t think I’ll owe you a favor and repay you—I’ll just feel like I swallowed a fly.”
Qiao Hailou reassured him: “Nothing like that, I promise.”
After getting the answers he wanted, Shen Yuan wanted to hang up, but Qiao Hailou asked, “Babe, have you thought about what I asked you?”
Shen Yuan blushed. “Why are you hurrying me? You think a few casual words can trick me—I’m not that stupid.”
Qiao Hailou didn’t mind, chuckling softly: “Alright, take your time. Your uncle isn’t rushing you. We A-Ben’s are young; there’s no need to rush love.”
Shen Yuan sighed: “Ugh, Qiao Hailou, stop talking to me like that. It’s disgusting, gives me goosebumps. I feel like you’re plotting something. At this rate, you’ll never win me over. I’m off to class now, don’t bother me.”
…
Putting all that aside, since his work had made the shortlist, Shen Yuan had to prepare a detailed PPT introducing it. The competition would involve live judging, critique, and awards for gold, silver, and bronze, testing more than just design skill.
His professor called him over to review weak points, so he could adjust and perform well in the contest. Shen Yuan’s speaking skills were solid, his image excellent—standing there, he would automatically earn full impression points.
Few designers had come out of their school, and the field was tough. Many classmates had switched careers. But Shen Yuan was a promising talent: he chose this department despite high exam scores that could have let him enter more popular majors. His mother had been a renowned designer, he was diligent, resourceful, and presentable. He interned during holidays and took freelance work. Teachers saw him as almost guaranteed to succeed.
Meanwhile, Secretary Bai had suspected that Qiao Hailou had quarreled with Shen Yuan. She hadn’t seen Shen Yuan for days, and seeing Qiao Hailou so upset earlier, she guessed… perhaps Shen Yuan had left him. Without evidence, it was just intuition—but if Qiao Hailou had dumped Shen Yuan, it wouldn’t look like this. Secretly, she felt a bit amused—he had a reputation for being a playboy, and even he could be dumped.
Outwardly, she feigned ignorance: “Boss Qiao, Cen is asking for an appointment—do you want to decline?”
Qiao Hailou wanted to push all non-essential matters aside to focus on winning back his lover. Losing her meant uncertainty he couldn’t afford. Automatically, he said: “Decline it.”
Bai: “Understood.”
Suddenly, Qiao Hailou caught himself: “Wait! Don’t decline—I’ll go reply myself.”
Qiao Hailou wasn’t experienced at coaxing young men. Now, having used every tactic, he realized it would still take time. Shen Yuan had been hurt once, so his guard was stronger. Others—Lin Zhihui, Li Lin—would likely try to prevent Shen Yuan from returning. Time was a risk. He had to get Shen Yuan back quickly… plus, lonely nights were unbearable.
Thinking of Cen Chuan as a model—Shen Yuan had described him as the ideal older man—Qiao Hailou felt a pang of jealousy. He resolved to learn from Cen how to pamper a young partner properly.
When Cen Chuan met him: “I heard you’ve been busy. I wasn’t sure I could catch you. What’s keeping you occupied?”
Qiao Hailou got straight to the point. “Bro, I need your advice.”
Cen raised an eyebrow: “What’s up? Tell me.”
Qiao Hailou hesitated: “I recently started dating a younger guy… we fought, he left home, and won’t reconcile. No matter what I do, he won’t forgive me. How do you… handle your guy?”
Cen looked troubled: “Me? I rarely argue with Xiao Rui. Never to the point of leaving home. What did you fight about?”
Qiao Hailou said vaguely: “He felt I didn’t respect him and got angry.”
Cen nodded, unsurprised, in a tone that basically said, “You asked for it.” “Last time you said you needed to ‘tame him’—I knew that wouldn’t work. You’d end up losing control.”
Reflecting ten years later on marriage, Qiao Hailou was embarrassed at his past foolishness.
Cen gave earnest advice: “I married Xiao Rui after only six months of knowing him.”
Qiao Hailou: “He’s young, isn’t that too soon?”
Cen: “Not him—me. He’s young, can wait two years still in his prime. I can’t. Age isn’t on my side. I gave him everything I could—taught him company management, shared my wealth, gave a grand wedding. Anything I could offer, I did. Second-best wasn’t an option.”
Cen added: “Qiao San, at this age, you have to accept getting older. Anyone good enough for you will have other admirers.”
Recalling Yu Jiamu, a sharp young man, Cen said: “Compared to boys in their teens or early twenties, we don’t have their unrestrained passion. But we have advantages they don’t.”
Qiao Hailou guessed: “Maturity and stability?”
Cen smiled faintly: “Money.”
Qiao Hailou: “…………”
Speechless.
Cen patted his shoulder: “Spend it. Money isn’t love, but giving for someone you love shows your sincerity. Not spending means insufficient love; giving everything? That’s true love. Money can represent heart. Show him you’re sincere, and he’ll trust you again.”
Meanwhile, Shen Yuan received a huge bouquet. Thinking it was Qiao Hailou, he texted: 【Did you deliberately send flowers to my class so my classmates would see? That’s evil! And I don’t like red roses, remember?】
Qiao Hailou replied, conflicted: 【Not me…】
Shen Yuan: 【Then who sent them?】
After school, the sender appeared.
Wang Ziqin, dressed handsomely, went to see Shen Yuan. After considering that Shen Yuan had originally gotten him kicked out of the house, he reflected for several days. Though Shen Yuan hadn’t meant well at first, the end result had set him on the right path. Since Shen Yuan had even taken revenge, past grievances could be considered settled.
Though Shen Yuan wasn’t the same obedient boy as before, Ziqin decided he still wanted to be with him. He felt his previous confession failed because it wasn’t serious or formal enough; this time, he planned a proper, earnest confession.