“D-director Chen…” Fear crept up to Fang Yaowei. He had never imagined that their relationship would be discovered in such a manner. He stood up straight immediately and bowed at Chen Zhuoheng. He thought, albeit the timing was terrible, this was his chance to be introduced officially as Chen Jinxuan’s lover. He had to admit that it was terrifying to face Chen Zhuoheng’s wrath, but once they crossed this ordeal, there would be absolutely nothing obstructing them anymore. The joy of being known as Chen Jinxuans’ lover openly prevailed.

“Director Chen, I—"

“—Thank you for delivering the financial plan, Mr. Fang. You are dismissed.”

Fang Yaowei looked at Chen Jinxuan with slight surprise. Since they were caught red-handed, what was there to fear? As frightening as Chen Zhuoheng was, he was still Chen Jinxuan’s father. In addition to that, Chen Jinxuan was the lead of the whole corporate operation. There was no way Chen Zhuoheng would do any harm to him. The one who held the higher risk was him, Fang Yaowei, so why was Chen Jinxuan avoiding this ordeal?

Chen Zhuoheng’s expression darkened as he glared at Fang Yaowei. Feeling shivers down his back, Fang Yaowei could not do anything but leave and take the safest path through obedience. He had his family to feed, after all.

When the heavy door was shut, silence filled the office room. Chen Zhuoheng was still breathing heavily while his son continued reviewing the agreements on his desk. Chen Jinxuan had not raised his eyes to look at Chen Zhuoheng. He looked laxed with no apparent nervousness or fear on his face.

Since everything is ending, what is there to fear? He thought.

“I am afraid I cannot have lunch with you, Director Chen.” Chen Jinxuan gathered his documents and his briefcase. He stood up as he added, “You came at the wrong timing as I have an appointment to meet Director Wang and Director Xie after lunch. I will be having lunch on my way to the constructi—”

The sound of the slap rang loud and crisp in the office where silence loomed. 

Chen Jinxuan’s cheek reddened, followed by a burning sensation. He finally raised his eyes to look at Chen Zhuoheng. It had been a long time since he saw his father fume. It had been more than a decade. Chen Zhuoheng’s face flushed in rage and shame. His chest went up and down in an attempt to control his overwhelming emotions.

Chen Zhuoheng did not want to believe what he had seen. His second son had always shown himself as a competent leader and manager at least to the employees. He had always been so busy with work that Chen Zhuoheng never thought that his son would be in a relationship with a man. To discover it in such a way… it was mud to his face. “You—you let him do that to you… Are you the same kind as him?!”

Chen Jinxuan did not answer his question. He thought there was no need to because everything was laid out plain to Chen Zhuoheng, what was there to confirm? He procured a handkerchief and dabbed his red cheek in a refined manner as if it didn’t hurt.

“—Are you firing him for company or for yourself? What irrefutable evidence do you hold against him? Are you firing him because you cannot even manage a gay man?!” 

“It has nothing to do with the fact that he is gay. It is for the goodness of the company.” Chen Jinxuan was surprised that he could still be as calm as water without ripples. In face of emotional turbulence from his father, he could still consider the profit of the company. “He is capable and there is no doubting that, but he is too confident, isn’t he, Director Chen?”

Chen Zhuoheng stared at his son in disbelief. His eyes grew so large with shock that they seemed as if they were going to pop off. “You—!”

“Apologies, Director Chen. I must leave now, otherwise, I will be late to the appointment. This project will be the largest project for us next year. It is important for our annual growth.” Chen Jinxuan picked his briefcase up and sauntered to the exit, leaving his father with his own boiling ire.

As soon as Chen Jinxuan entered the car, he felt the throbbing pain on his cheek worsen. Without his father and without anyone but his ignorant chauffeur, his defence disassembled itself. He sighed as he shut his eyes. He leaned on his back as he endured the burning sensation he had not felt for more than a decade. When was the last time he was beaten? Ah, it was that day when he came home with little Chen Ling after the whole kidnapping fiasco. Then, it was when he was in the detention centre in front of the father whose son had been crippled in the fight.

Chen Jinxuan could not help but recall his classmates. It had been more than a decade and he had almost forgotten their faces. During his youth, he was too focused on his own turmoil that the moments with his classmates felt like drugs. Their companionship was dreamy and addictive, but he knew what he wanted was not it. What he yearned for was the acknowledgement from his parents. Just one ‘good job’ would have sent him over cloud nine. Alas, he had never earned it. Not then, not now.

“Sir, here is your lunch. Secretary Zhou had prepared it for you in a rush since you suddenly wanted to leave for the meeting. Would you like to have it on the way?” The chauffeur’s voice was like a bell of salvation, waking him up from an illusory spell.

“No. I am not hungry.” Chen Jinxuan was grateful he had an indifferent chauffeur. It was a huge relief to have no one pretending to care. Concern was the last in his list of necessities. He would not pity himself, and he would not allow others to pity him.

A nap was all he wanted for now. A nap to momentarily forget and after he woke from his slumber, he would be himself again.

The journey to the construction site took more or less an hour due to the horrible traffic. Although this annoyed the chauffeur, it was a consolation for Chen Jinxuan. He had more time to rest and sort his mind. By the time he woke up from his nap, his cheek no longer burned, and his mind was set back on track.

A ringtone rang from Chen Jinxuan’s phone. It was Fang Yaowei. “Xuan-ge, I heard from Secretary Zhou that you are meeting the investors for the apartment project.”

“Yes.”

“When will you come back? Let’s have dinner.”

“I’m not sure.”

Fang Yaowei fell silent. No matter how he heard it, it sounded like a deliberate avoidance. Maybe it was because Chen Jinxuan just woke up from his nap that he sounded lethargic. He did mean it, however. He had no idea how long it would take for the discussion to end.

“Alright. I’ll have dinner prepared for you. If you need me to fetch you, call me.”

“Alright.” Chen Jinxuan ended the call and placed his phone back in his pocket. He quickly finished his already-cold lunch before they reached their destination. 

Everything went smoothly with the other two investors. Director Wang and Director Xie were easy to get along with and they were optimistic towards the executive apartment. Naturally, as the investors, each of them could get one of the units for themselves. In any case, because this project was led by Chen Jinxuan, a win-win solution was definite.

They were guided by a manager sent from Yongjian construction. With a copy of the blueprint, they were guided and given an explanation about the manufacturing plans including the materials, scales, and so on.

They exchanged ideas and suggestions to improve the internal and external aspects of the project. From quality control to marketing strategy, they were immediately engrossed in the talk. All in all, there was no problem with the land and the blueprint.

Chen Jinxuan looked at his watch. 5:05 PM. It ended earlier than he had expected. During the early phases, it took days to talk it through with the other two investors, especially Director Xie from Liumin Equity Funds. He was extremely cautious about where he would put his money in. Dealing with him alone took a whole day. One could imagine it was as hard as coaxing a mistress.

Chen Jinxuan saw the two investors off and after that, he rubbed in between his brows. This project that he had been developing for months could finally take off.

Now that Yaowei has his own condominium, I should bring him his clothes that he left at my place. Chen Jinxuan told the driver to drive him to his condominium first. He would then drive his bike to Fang Yaowei’s place.

En route, they went through the central marketplace. A familiar image caught Chen Jinxuan’s eyes. Instinctively, he turned towards the source and there it was, Fang Yaowei. Next to him was a man who was as tall as Fang Yaowei with a slightly more tanned skin. Fang Yaowei and that man entered a supermarket. As they had their backs facing Chen Jinxuan, he could not see that man’s face clearly.

Chen Jinxuan clenched his fists as he shut his eyes, leaning on his seat. He took a deep breath before opening his eyes, returning to his usual stoic self. He had no rights to control Fang Yaowei’s social circle. He had no rights to be jealous when he was the one being occupied by work.

The next event that showed up, however, he had every right to care. Driving through the street, Chen Jinxuan never imagined he would see Chen Ling walking next to… Qiyu. This time, Qiyu wore no medical mask. His dyed brown hair nevertheless looked conspicuous. He had a pair of beautiful peach blossom eyes, a pointed nose, and lips where a smile always hung. Chen Jinxuan did not want to admit it, but they looked great together indeed–all the more it angered him.

However, above all, Chen Ling’s safety came first. Chen Jinxuan told the driver to stop next to the pedestrian road and got out of the car. He stomped towards his sister, pulled Chen Ling by her arm, and put a distance between them and Qiyu.

“What are you doing here?” Chen Jinxuan growled.

“Jin-ge?!” Chen Ling and Qiyu exclaimed in unison.