Chapter 68
Zong Mo opened his phone. Guessing that Ruan Chi had been home for a while, he sent a message to ask: [Did you delete the photos?]
CEO Ruan: [Deleting them now.]
Zong Mo: [How many more photos of me did you take?]
CEO Ruan: [A lot.]
Zong Mo: [Delete all the ones below the collarbone!!]
CEO Ruan: [There are none below the collarbone, except for the set from the magazine shoot.]
Zong Mo wanted to ask Ruan Chi what he was keeping these photos of him for, but the answer seemed obvious.
CEO Ruan: [When you’re not here, I can only look at the photos.]
Zong Mo was almost moved by these words. He suddenly felt something was wrong and asked:
[We used to see each other every day. Why did you still take photos?]
Did Ruan Chi foresee that his golden canary would run away one day?
Ruan Chi replied with three messages in one go.
[No.]
[When I’m at the company, I’ll take a look when I have time.]
[Every time I see you, I feel very happy.]
Zong Mo: …
These words are so cheesy!
Actually, Ruan Chi could keep the photos above the collarbone, as long as he protected his phone and didn’t leak them.
Zong Mo: [You can keep a few.]
Not long after deleting the photos, Ruan Chi, probably wanting to make up for it, sent another message asking Zong Mo if he was short of money.
Zong Mo replied unhappily: [I don’t need your money.]
What’s so great about having a little stinky money? He doesn’t care for it at all!
CEO Ruan: [Then is there anything else that’s inconvenient? Do you want to come back and get some clothes, and take the credit card with you.]
Zong Mo: …
It was quite inconvenient, but he had even gotten a new phone. There was nothing else he couldn’t replace.
As for that unlimited credit card, commonly known as a black card, it was Ruan Chi’s stinky money. Of course, he didn’t care for it either!!
Zong Mo replied with full momentum: [No!]
Besides money, Ruan Chi couldn’t think of any other way. He was quiet for a few days and didn’t bother him again.
Until one night, he suddenly sent a message: [I miss you so much.]
Zong Mo: …
This person is so annoying.
He replied coldly: [You can look at the photos.]
CEO Ruan: [I want to hear your voice.]
Zong Mo sent a message angrily: [Is your mind only filled with those things?]
CEO Ruan: [Then answer the phone and talk to me.]
Zong Mo: …
It turned out that Ruan Chi was not referring to the sound of exercise. He had been thinking dirty.
Zong Mo: [You haven’t even called me.]
The moment this message was sent, Ruan Chi’s call came immediately. He even pushed his luck and made it a video call.
The person on the screen was in a good state, which reminded Zong Mo of how this person had forced him to video chat every day when they were filming Chasing the Light Boy.
It was like they were in a relationship, but he had never heard of anyone being so tyrannical in a relationship.
Because he was clear about his identity as a golden canary, and because of his naturally soft nature, he had never tried to explicitly refuse Ruan Chi before.
Since Ruan Chi had said he liked him, he no longer needed to be so considerate.
After being stared at uncomfortably for a few minutes, Zong Mo said impatiently, “Have you seen enough?”
“No,” Ruan Chi was not angry and even said, “Say a few more words.”
Zong Mo refused at once, “No!”
“Fine,” Ruan Chi had no temper at all and changed his request. “Then bring the phone closer and let me have a good look at you.”
Zong Mo: ?
Why isn’t he angry?
Because of Ruan Chi’s attitude, he didn’t mind satisfying this small request. He moved closer until only an enlarged version of his features was left on the phone screen.
Tsk, he’s really handsome. He himself likes to look at it too.
“Little Mo,” Ruan Chi called out.
He was so close that the voice was almost right by Zong Mo’s ear. With the faint electric current of the phone, it drilled into his ear bone, making it tingle.
Zong Mo almost subconsciously called out “big brother” and quickly swallowed the words back.
Ruan Chi didn’t need his response and said the voiced version again—
“I miss you so much.”
Zong Mo: …
He jumped back as if electrocuted, quickly moved away from the screen, and hung up the video.
He must not be tricked back by Ruan Chi! If he softened and went back, Ruan Chi would definitely show his true colors, and then they would go back to their previous relationship.
Zong Mo was really curious to what extent Ruan Chi could tolerate him.
Ruan Chi was almost responsive to his every request and answered all his questions. After Zong Mo had figured this out, he simply stopped beating around the bush and asked directly.
Zong Mo: [Can you promise me anything?]
CEO Ruan: [Don’t betray me. Don’t leave me.]
Zong Mo: [Besides that, can you promise me anything?]
CEO Ruan: [Mm.]
Zong Mo: [Then can you like me forever?]
CEO Ruan: [I can.]
Zong Mo: [A lifetime thing, you can promise now?]
CEO Ruan: [Mm.]
Zong Mo: …
Isn’t this promise a little too readily made?
It really feels like some kind of conspiracy to trick him back and lock him up!
As expected, Ruan Chi’s next message was: [When are you coming back?]
Zong Mo hesitated as he typed. Good thing it was a text chat, so Ruan Chi couldn’t see his hesitation.
[I don’t want to go back.]
His tone was extremely firm, cold and ruthless!
Ruan Chi did not reply. Unfortunately, it was a text chat. Zong Mo couldn’t hear or see if he was angry.
Zong Mo was too lazy to think about it and put down his phone.
Since he had promised to like him forever, if he stopped talking to him just because he said he didn’t want to go back, then that promise was undoubtedly a lie.
In the dead of night, the phone on the bedside table suddenly vibrated.
Zong Mo picked up the phone and took a look.
CEO Ruan: [I can’t sleep. I miss you so much.]
Zong Mo: …
Even though they were not working and were in the same city, the two of them started to be netizens.
Ruan Chi would ask as if it were a routine: When are you coming back?
Zong Mo: …
If he doesn’t go back, can’t Ruan Chi come and find him?!
But he absolutely could not take the initiative to suggest it. Otherwise, with Ruan Chi’s personality, he would definitely come over immediately. If he saw him in person, he would be even more likely to soften.
This day, Zong Mo bought some daily necessities and was leisurely walking home.
The visibility during the day was excellent. From a distance, he saw a person standing downstairs of his home.
Zong Mo: ?
He doesn’t have a tracking device on him now. Can he just think of a person and they will appear?
He quickly walked forward. Ruan Chi immediately looked over and spoke before him, “I miss you so much.”
Zong Mo: …
He turned a deaf ear, lowered his head to divert his attention, and noticed a suitcase standing beside Ruan Chi. He asked in confusion, “This is…?”
“It’s your things,” Ruan Chi said.
Zong Mo’s face changed slightly. What does this mean?
Because he had been unwilling to go back, Ruan Chi had finally lost his patience?
Didn’t he promise to like him forever?
Ruan Chi didn’t let him think wildly and immediately added, “I’m bankrupt. All my property and real estate have been used to pay off debts. I could only bring your things out.”
Zong Mo thought he had heard wrong and said in shock, “What? Bankrupt?”
This was too sudden, and there was absolutely no such scene in the novel.
“Mm,” Ruan Chi was very calm. “A while ago, my grandfather passed away.”
Zong Mo: …He’s only telling me now!
“I know.”
“How did you know?”
“I saw it online.”
“Mm,” Ruan Chi nodded lightly, not showing any sadness, and continued to say calmly, “They forged my grandfather’s will, snatched all the inheritance, and shorted all the companies under my name. All my private property has been used to pay off debts.”
Zong Mo didn’t know if such a thing of becoming penniless overnight was realistic, but this was a novel world, after all. Nothing was strange.
Moreover, Ruan Chi had never lied to him. How could he lie to him about something related to his dearest relative?
Zong Mo didn’t think it was fake. He didn’t see Ruan Chi’s car nearby, and when he looked at Ruan Chi himself, he found that he was not wearing a watch and was wearing a very ordinary T-shirt and long pants.
So Zong Mo asked, “CEO Ruan, you don’t have a single cent left? Then how did you get here?”
“Taxi,” Ruan Chi said. “I still have a few thousand yuan in my wallet, but I have nowhere else to go.”
To Zong Mo, a few thousand yuan was enough to live on for a few months if he was frugal. But to his CEO Ruan, it was probably just the change from a meal.
Zong Mo asked again, “What about the money I earned from filming and recording variety shows?”
Ruan Chi was not ashamed at all, “It’s all been used to pay off debts.”
Zong Mo: …So why didn’t you pay him his salary earlier? That unlimited credit card is definitely useless now!
But Ruan Chi’s work was much harder than his, and his losses were much greater. To have fallen to this state today was because of his own relatives…
Zong Mo couldn’t get angry and said, “Let’s go upstairs first. We’ll talk upstairs.”
Back at home, Zong Mo continued to ask, “Then do you still have debts to pay?”
Ruan Chi said calmly, “About a few tens of millions.”
“…Is there a time limit?”
“It’s not very urgent.”
Tens of millions was of course an astronomical figure for Zong Mo. Fortunately, both of them were artists now, and making money was not too difficult.
Zong Mo asked with some curiosity, “How much money did I earn during this period?”
“According to the cut, after tax, it’s about three million,” Ruan Chi said. “I’ll owe it to you for now. I’ll give it to you with interest in the future.”
Zong Mo: …
He didn’t need to think to know that this lightly mentioned tax was definitely a heartbreaking figure for him!
However, being owed wages also brought an unexpected joy. Zong Mo said, “Am I your creditor now?”
Could there be such a good thing as turning the tables and becoming the master?
“Hmm~” Ruan Chi smiled and moved closer. “Then what do you want to do to me, creditor?”
Zong Mo thought for a moment and said, “You don’t have to rush to give me the money. Pay off the debts you owe others first.”
After that, he would be the only creditor of the former overbearing CEO!
Then wouldn’t he be able to do whatever he wanted with him?
Ruan Chi: “Okay.”
Zong Mo: “The debts you owe others, shall we pay them off together?”
Ruan Chi was stunned for a moment, then looked at him. After a long while, he finally smiled, “Mm, okay.”
It was the first time he had seen such a smile without any coldness. Those peach blossom eyes finally had the look they should have, full of affection. Zong Mo was slightly stunned and asked, “Can you smile like this in the future?”
Ruan Chi: “Occasionally.”
“Then can you not smile like this at others?”
“Mm, I can.”
Zong Mo also couldn’t help but smile. Ruan Chi had never lied to him. He would never easily promise something he wasn’t sure he could do. And as long as he promised, he would definitely fulfill it.
His current savings were just over five figures. To support the two of them’s food, clothing, and housing, even if he drastically lowered Ruan Chi’s standard of living, it wouldn’t last for a few months.
It was hard to go from luxury to frugality, but Zong Mo felt an indescribable happiness and was full of anticipation for the future.
“I have a little over ten thousand yuan in cash now,” Zong Mo confessed his family’s assets truthfully. “And the fifty thousand yuan New Year’s money you gave me, I’ve put it in a fixed deposit. I can only withdraw it next year.”
Ruan Chi was stunned again. After a long silence, he finally said, “…How old are you? You still deposit your New Year’s money in the bank?”
The New Year’s money Zong Mo had received as a child was only a few dozen or a hundred yuan. For more than ten years after that, he had been the one taking care of others. Who would treat him as a child and give him New Year’s money? This fifty thousand yuan was not just a number to him.
Feeling that his mentality was a bit shabby, Zong Mo just said, “I was afraid I would spend it recklessly, so I saved it.”
“You didn’t spend much,” Ruan Chi said, probably referring to that black card.
When Zong Mo first transmigrated, he had found that he had an unlimited credit card. But firstly, he didn’t want to be a kept man. Secondly, he had guessed that Ruan Chi would check the bills, so he hadn’t spent much recklessly.
Due to his artist status, which was exposed to the public, the things he wore couldn’t be too cheap. Plus the cost of food, he would also spend tens of thousands of yuan a month.
Zong Mo felt that this amount was already a lot, so he was even more afraid to spend recklessly.
And now, he couldn’t spend recklessly even if he wanted to!
He had worked for free for nearly a year and had gotten a bankrupt overbearing CEO in return.
Even so, Zong Mo did not feel any regret and said, “I’ve spent a lot of money.”
Ruan Chi was still in a long silence, his eyes lowered to hide his complicated expression. Only then did he say in a gentle voice, “That fifty thousand yuan won’t be enough for much. You can just keep it.”
Zong Mo nodded, not paying much attention to Ruan Chi’s reaction, but was thinking about his own things.
When he had suddenly become penniless by the lake, he had been panicked. At this moment, he was still poor, and even had an extra mouth to feed and an eight-figure debt, but he was inexplicably happy.
CEO Ruan was no longer CEO Ruan. He was now just an ordinary person like him!
“Then… do I still have to call you CEO Ruan in the future?” Zong Mo thought for a moment and said, “Mm, it might be hard to change the habit for a while.”
Ruan Chi was unconcerned, “You can call me whatever you want.”
“Will no one call you CEO Ruan in the future?” Zong Mo said. “Then I’ll be the only one who calls you that. It feels quite special… mm.”
He hadn’t finished speaking yet. Why the random kiss?
Zong Mo happened to throw Ruan Chi’s words back at him, panting slightly, “CEO Ruan, you’re also very much like a dog!!”
He didn’t believe that Ruan Chi, who was now living under someone else’s roof, would still dare to get angry casually, but…
The moment he finished cursing, Ruan Chi came back with a quick, accurate, and fierce kiss, with the momentum of wanting to swallow him whole.
Zong Mo: ?
Not only is he a dog, he’s a fucking mad dog that bites people randomly!
