Chapter 1

The end of junior year summer vacation left Lin Lu feeling lost until he found himself standing in the magnificent banquet hall of the wedding reception. He felt utterly bewildered.

Surrounded by elegantly dressed unfamiliar guests gracefully navigating between tables, some discussing business partnerships, others whispering gossip about the wedding. Yet, Lin Lu felt like a carefully dressed ugly duckling, completely out of place in this atmosphere.

A hand suddenly appeared in front of him, shaking him out of his daze. Lin Lu turned to see his cousin, Qin Chuan, whom he had met not long ago.

Qin Chuan took a sip of red wine and smiled, “What’s wrong with our little groom?”

Lin Lu placed his champagne glass on the white-clothed round table, forcing a faint smile, “Nothing, just a bit bored.”

“In that case, why don’t you go to the balcony and get some fresh air?” Qin Chuan smiled like a cunning fox. He leaned in close to Lin Lu’s ear and deliberately lowered his voice, “Your husband is also over there.”

Lin Lu had been ignored for too long and almost forgot that this reception was actually his and Xue Wensong’s wedding. He hadn’t attended many weddings, but he could tell that this reception was perfunctory. There were no ceremonies, no rings, no different from a social gathering.

Of course, as one of the protagonists, Lin Lu didn’t expect much.

Thinking about it, both he and Xue Wensong were not willing participants in this marriage. The fact that the family held this reception was just to announce to the outside world that Xue Wensong had become a member of their Qin Ge Group.

Lin Lu couldn’t understand the complex interests behind this wedding, nor did he want to think about it. He walked towards the glass door leading to the balcony, intending to ease the atmosphere, but paused as he reached for the door handle.

The semi-circular balcony was occupied by Xue Wensong in a black suit and a tall, thin man. Lin Lu had seen him in the news before; he was the newly appointed CEO of Future Intelligence, Ji Xingye.

If Lin Lu remembered correctly, it was this man who forced Xue Wensong down. He couldn’t help but worry, would these two start quarreling?

Although it didn’t concern him, it wouldn’t look good if they started fighting. He intended to go in and ease the tension, but then he heard Ji Xingye say in a light tone, “Are you serious? Using marriage as a joke to get back at me?”

The atmosphere didn’t seem tense, so Lin Lu relaxed a bit. But then he became curious about what Ji Xingye meant. Why would Xue Wensong use marriage as a joke to get back at Ji Xingye, who took his company?

Lin Lu glanced at the relaxed figure leaning on the railing, and heard him say lazily, “I didn’t get back at you.”

Xue Wensong’s facial features were exquisite and well-defined, as if meticulously sculpted. Coupled with his nearly two-meter height, wherever he stood, he exuded a commanding presence. Lin Lu suddenly understood why there was often gossip about Xue Wensong in the news; he truly had such capital.

Lin Lu didn’t want to eavesdrop on others’ conversation. He was about to leave when Ji Xingye suddenly said, “Come over to my place tonight?”

A question mark appeared over Lin Lu’s head. As he pondered the meaning of this sentence, Xue Wensong sneered, “Are you crazy? My little cutie, who married me, is still waiting to be fucked by me. I don’t have time to bother with you.”

Xue Wensong’s little cutie—Lin Lu’s scalp tingled, and before he knew it, he pressed the glass door, causing it to emit a “creak.” He instinctively wanted to flee from this scene of carnage, but the gaze from the corner of the balcony froze him in place.

At that moment, it was still Xue Wensong who waved at him, calling out softly, “Come over.”

It was as if he was beckoning a small animal.

Lowering his head, Lin Lu obediently walked up to them, and Xue Wensong naturally wrapped his arm around his waist, pulling him close.

Their similar black suits pressed tightly together, and even through the thick fabric, Lin Lu seemed to feel the warmth emanating from Xue Wensong. The arm around his waist was so strong and powerful that he couldn’t help but straighten his back, not daring to let out a breath.

Xue Wensong looked down at the nervous Lin Lu, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes. He raised his chin and said to Lin Lu, “Let me introduce you, Ji Xingye, my former colleague.”

Just a colleague? Turmoil erupted in Lin Lu’s heart, but on the surface, he remained calm, nodding in greeting, “Hello, I’m Lin Lu.”

Ji Xingye raised his eyebrows, looking at the two in a somewhat ironic manner, and asked provocatively, “Is today your first meeting?” His attitude was almost saying, “What are you pretending for?”

Lin Lu wanted to say no, because he had indeed met Xue Wensong up close once before.

Ever since he got admitted to P University’s Computer Science and Technology major, Xue Wensong’s name had frequently appeared in Lin Lu’s ears.

A genius teenager, a national youth outstanding talent, the youngest self-made billionaire in history… Xue Wensong had too many titles, too many for Lin Lu to count. The only one that made him sigh was that Xue Wensong, at his age, had already become an honorary professor hired by P University.

A year and a half ago, Xue Wensong, as a leading figure in the global field of artificial intelligence, came to P University to participate in an artificial intelligence exchange conference, while Lin Lu, as a computer science student, volunteered to assist.

According to the arrangement of the conference, Xue Wensong was the first guest to speak on stage. However, when the conference officially began, the host discovered that there was a problem with the microphone at the lectern. They had to send someone to get a wireless microphone. At that time, all the wireless microphones had been borrowed by the drama club, and Lin Lu, as a member of the drama club, volunteered to take on the task. When he returned with the microphone, Xue Wensong was just about to go on stage.

He remembered tremblingly handing the microphone to Xue Wensong, and this legendary figure glanced at him indifferently, saying, “Thank you.”

That was the only interaction Lin Lu had with Xue Wensong, and now, unexpectedly, they had become the closest individuals in name.

Lin Lu’s drifting thoughts were quickly brought back to reality when he heard Xue Wensong casually reply, “No, we’ve met before.”

Lin Lu looked at Xue Wensong, puzzled.

Xue Wensong gently looked at Lin Lu and said, “You handed me the microphone before.”

Lin Lu’s face changed instantly. Ji Xingye seemed unable to bear the awkward atmosphere and left with his wine glass. As soon as his figure disappeared, Xue Wensong let go of Lin Lu’s waist and returned to his lazy expression.

Lin Lu suddenly realized that Xue Wensong’s flippant words and intimate behavior were actually directed at Ji Xingye.

This realization relieved him, as he and Xue Wensong were not that close to begin with.

The silent atmosphere became awkward. Lin Lu awkwardly said, “You still remember such a small thing?”

Xue Wensong responded calmly, as if it were just a trivial matter, “I have a good memory.”

Lin Lu thought to himself, forgetting that this unruly genius had won the first prize in the World Programming Contest at the age of fourteen. Having an exceptional memory was just part of being a genius, wasn’t it?

Lin Lu still felt a bit distant from such a legendary figure. Moreover, with an eight-year age gap between him and Xue Wensong, he didn’t know what to say to him.

The wedding banquet ended quickly. Lin Lu greeted the unfamiliar family members and then got into the understated black wedding car with Xue Wensong.

As the car door closed, the world finally quieted down. Leaning against the car window, Lin Lu watched the neon signs flashing by outside, and his thoughts drifted back to a month ago.

Ever since his grandmother passed away, Lin Lu had been alone, relying on part-time work to earn tuition and living expenses, living a mundane university life.

Until one day a month ago, a capable woman suddenly appeared in front of him, claiming to be the executive secretary of the Qin Ge Group’s chairman, and told him that he was the chairman’s long-lost son. Since then, Lin Lu’s life had undergone earth-shaking changes.

First, a DNA test was conducted, then he moved his household registration, and then he was given a room of his own in the Qin family mansion.

At first, Lin Lu was overjoyed. His mother had passed away when he was very young, leaving him with only his grandmother as family. Now, suddenly, he had a large family, and they were prominent. Why wouldn’t he be happy?

However, not long after, he found that his family was cold towards him. The only time his father, Qin Zhenguo, smiled at him was at a dinner table, when he told Lin Lu that he had arranged a marriage for him.

At twenty-one, Lin Lu naturally disagreed with the marriage, but his stepmother, Zhao Xiaoqiao, casually said that it was already settled.

It was then that Lin Lu realized that since he moved his household registration, his documents had never been in his hands.

Seeing Lin Lu’s gloomy expression, his half-brother, Qin Zheyao, comforted him, “The person you’re marrying is outstanding. You should know him. His name is Xue Wensong.”

Thinking of this, Lin Lu withdrew his gaze and discreetly observed Xue Wensong sitting beside him.

He remembered seeing a news report not long ago, saying that Xue Wensong had been dismissed from the position of executive director by the shareholders’ meeting of his own company, and the news even used the idiom “alienating friends and family.” This might have something to do with his relationship with Ji Xingye, Lin Lu thought blankly.

Feeling perhaps Lin Lu’s probing gaze, Xue Wensong turned his head slightly and met Lin Lu’s eyes, asking, “What’s wrong?”

Caught peeking, Lin Lu felt a bit embarrassed. He sat up straight and cautiously asked, “Are you… currently unemployed?”

Xue Wensong visibly paused, then chuckled softly, “You could say that.”

Pausing for a moment, Xue Wensong added with a smirk, “Don’t worry, I can afford to support you.”

Lin Lu suddenly felt the weight of his suit too heavy, making his face flush with heat.

 

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