“So, what if the son takes over the operation of Hongming Equity Firm? Xiuyan Estate stands still with our previous argument. With most shares in our hands, he is nothing but a pied piper.” Chen Jinxuan pushed Fang Yaowei away from him and patted his head comfortingly.

“I sent someone to search Tang Yi’s background. He used to mingle with an underground organisation. We should be careful. In addition to that, our finances must stand firm in face of this. Are you sure you want to proceed with your plan?” Chen Zhuoheng continued with the stern voice of a middle-aged man. He was asking a question, but the tone he used allowed no negotiation.

Chen Jinxuan moved his hand down to Fang Yaowei’s cheek and caressed it gently. Their eyes met and Fang Yaowei’s eyes curved, staring at him in adoration.

“Father, I am determined. This decision is not made from impulse. Hongming Equity Firm will not acquire Xiuyan Estate, and we will still be financially sufficient.” Chen Jinxuan responded, smiling at his lover.

Fang Yaowei rubbed his face against Chen Jinxuan’s palm as he smiled coquettishly. He fiddled with Chen Jinxuan’s loose tie, waiting for the call to end so that he could ensue what they were doing. Sometimes, Fang Yaowei wondered when he would be introduced to Director Chen Zhuoheng as a son-in-law candidate. However, he did not want to trouble Chen Jinxuan with unnecessary gossip. Nevertheless, this wish remained in his heart.

“I am not speaking as your father.”

“I understand the risks, Director Chen. I shall bear the responsibility when necessary.”

“I am not questioning your ability, but you are too confident in yourself sometimes. Your older brother could have taken a better precaution.” A sigh came from the phone, but soon the other side hung up.

Right when the call was cut, the lift had reached the top floor. The doors opened. Chen Jinxuan slid his phone into his trouser and walked out of the lift followed by Fang Yaowei.

Seeing how tensed up Chen Jinxuan’s shoulders were, Fang Yaowei did not dare to walk beside him. Everything that had to do with Chen Zhuoheng would make Chen Jinxuan’s mood worsen by five times. Whenever this happened, Chen Jinxuan would turn silent so that he would not implicate irrelevant parties.

But was he, Fang Yaowei, irrelevant? Was he an irrelevant party? An insignificant existence? He wanted Chen Jinxuan to talk to him. He wanted Chen Jinxuan to rely on him or if he could not help, at the very least, he wanted Chen Jinxuan to let him comfort him. Clearly, the older man never allowed his weakness to be seen by Fang Yaowei.

Fang Yaowei contemplated whether to try and comfort Chen Jinxuan, but alas, he decided to make space and let him sort his emotions first.

Reaching the entrance to Fang Yaowei’s condominium, he took out his keys and opened the door, smiling sweetly as he welcomed Chen Jinxuan in.

“This condominium is not bad.” Chen Jinxuan scanned the interior that was minimalistic in design with only black, white, and brown, but the garnish emitted a certain elegance. The sofa was in black, the wooden floor was brown, and the wall was white. There was a mini chandelier hanging above a white bar counter next to the joined kitchen. There were three rooms in total including the master bedroom, a guest room, and a study. 

Working in the property industry, Chen Jinxuan had seen better and more extravagant interior design. However, this condominium emitted a certain cosiness that could only come from a warm family. He recalled Fang Yaowei saying that he was the first to see this unit and he could not help but frown.

“Xuan-ge?” Fang Yaowei turned around, observing Chen Jinxuan’s expression. “What is wrong? Do you not like it?”

“No. This is a rather cosy place. You should have asked your parents to move over.”

“I won’t let them move here. Like what you said, they only want a reason to boast to the neighbours. I want this place to be a place where we can rest after a date or…a place where we can be ourselves without a care.” Fang Yaowei saw his chance and approached Chen Jinxuan. He placed his hand on Chen Jinxuan’s waist and pulled him into an embrace. They were close in height, and as if they were moulded for each other, they could perfectly put their chins on each other’s shoulders.

“You have just bathed…” Chen Jinxuan turned his face away as he used a hand to stop Fang Yaowei’s advance.

By usual circumstances, Fang Yaowei would have obeyed and stopped, but this night, he felt exceptionally bold. Perhaps, he yearned for it or perhaps, it was the ownership of the territory that intensified his bravery.

“I can take another bath after.” Fang Yaowei licked his lips as his eyes glimmered with desire.

Chen Jinxuan pushed him hard and threw him onto the sofa. Despite being exhausted, his strength was indisputable. His hand pressed down on Fang Yaowei’s chest while he leaned down to peck Fang Yaowei’s forehead. “I will go and take a bath. Be good.”

“I will… be good.” Fang Yaowei’s cheeks were flushed as he stared at Chen Jinxuan’s charming face in a daze. He had always been the one to initiate any passionate physical interaction throughout the six years with Chen Jinxuan taking some occasional leads. Seeing such an aggressive move from Chen Jinxuan sparked a fire in him that was wilder than he had felt before.

Fang Yaowei grabbed the necklace that jumped out from under Chen Jinxuan’s office attire due to the impact of their movement. He pulled him down to let their lips meet once again. Traces of alcohol and the scent of cigarette left a bitter taste on his tongue, but it incited him—even though he disliked them.

Oh no… I cannot hold it back anymore.

A thread in Fang Yaowei’s heart seemed to snap. When he saw Chen Jinxuan moving away, he yanked him back and turned their positions upside down.

Chen Jinxuan’s nape hit the sofa’s arm, but the light pain did not bother him. What bothered him was the hungry look in Fang Yaowei’s eyes. As if a beast had been awakened, Fang Yaowei hovered above him, breathing heavily with his chest going up and down.

“Xuan-ge… I want you. I want you now.” Fang Yaowei called out, almost like a whimper of a cub. He slowly placed his head on Chen Jinxuan’s chest while his shoulders trembled slightly. He repeated his words, begging for consent. He could feel his trousers tightened around his crotch and he could feel the surge of love he wanted to fill Chen Jinxuan with.

“I have an important thing to tell you.” Chen Jinxuan set a hand at the back of Fang Yaowei’s head, pressing him against his chest.

Fang Yaowei suppressed a growl as he rubbed his body against Chen Jinxuan.

“We have two signed agreements. One of them is the revenue anticipation note issued by the municipality. They are expanding the train’s railway and subsequently increasing the number of train service availability. I have decided to give them a loan.” Chen Jinxuan said as he untied the knot of Fang Yaowei’s sweatpants.

Fang Yaowei raised his head, licking Chen Jinxuan’s lips in a pleading manner. Then, his hands proceeded to unbutton and unzip Chen Jinxuan’s trousers.

“The interest is not high at 1,5%, but it is a good opportunity to establish a cooperation with the government.”

“Yes, I heard the rumour that the government has a plan to build a hospital after this project. What’s the other one?” Fang Yaowei muttered as he kissed and gnawed at Chen Jinxuan’s chin.

“The other one…” Chen Jinxuan endured a groan as he felt a hand caressing his manhood. Gradually, he could feel it swell with each provocation. It had been a while since he felt such a burning sensation. He vaguely recalled that they had not touched each other for two weeks ever since he accepted the newly signed project. “The other one is an executive apartment…”

“The one you signed today.” Fang Yaowei responded as he moved downward and adorned Chen Jinxuan’s neck and chest with his marks.

“My head is full of you… I cannot process…”

“In total, there are three investors including us.” Chen Jinxuan continued as he gasped in between phrases. “One of them is Director Wang from Yongjian construction company while the other one is Director Xie from Liumin Equity Firm.”

Fang Yaowei continued to stroke Chen Jinxuan’s half-hardened manhood with one hand and with the other hand, he unbuttoned Chen Jinxuan’s shirt. A slender yet toned body was revealed underneath the impeccable cover from a suit. Like a well wrapped present box, it looked elegant outside, but only the owner could open and see how indecent the content truly was.

“I cannot… process…” 

After peeling away the present wrap, Fang Yaowei seized the cold metal necklace once again and pulled Chen Jinxuan up for a deep kiss. Fang Yaowei bit the lip hard and slipped his tongue between his lips. Immediately, their tongues were entangled in an ardent dance.

Chest to chest, waist to waist, and thighs to thighs. The temperature surrounding them rose as they savoured each other’s taste.

“I love you… I love you, Jin-ge.” Fang Yaowei mumbled in between kisses.

As if a pail of cold water was poured on him, Chen Jinxuan flinched backward. With that sudden movement, the chain of his necklace snapped. He stared at Fang Yaowei with disdain. Soon, a scowl appeared on his face. He snarled, “Do not call me that.”

‘I love you, Jin-ge’ 

Chen Jinxuan snatched his severed necklace, pushed Fang Yaowei away, and marched off to the bathroom.