I’m Keeping the Overbearing CEO After He Went Bankrupt [Rebirth] 6

Chapter 6: The Overbearing CEO Gives Encouragement

Chu Qing had lived alone for many years and, in truth, couldn’t accept another person barging in and interfering with his life.

But… but Huo Li was always different. And when faced with Huo Li, Chu Qing found he couldn’t refuse.

Huo Li looked down and saw Chu Qing standing by the door, his face flushed and ears red, his voice as quiet as a mosquito’s buzz.

Huo Li took a deep breath and asked in a low voice, “You agree?”

A sour, astringent feeling filled his heart.

Huo Li controlled his emotions with his breathing.

Chu Qing was too good.

In his past life, his indifference had led Chu Qing to step into his own coffin alone. Perhaps even until his death, he had never hated him.

And now, Chu Qing was still the same, trying his best to be good to him, all because of a little charity he had offered back then.

Huo Li thought to himself that perhaps he really was a huge bastard, a complete scoundrel.

“I… I can try,” Chu Qing repeated. “Don’t look for anyone else.”

His tone was a little stubborn.

“Alright, I won’t look for anyone else,” Huo Li said softly. “I’ll only look for you.”

Huo Li reached out and gently pinched the collar of Chu Qing’s white shirt, the emotion in his eyes gradually shifting from tenderness to something darker.

Huo Li felt a little hot, and a twisted desire for possession inexplicably ignited in his heart.

He wanted to possess Chu Qing fiercely, to make it so that Chu Qing only had him…

Just him would be enough.

Chu Qing was his.

“Mr. Huo!” Chu Qing grabbed Huo Li’s wrist and said urgently, “I want to talk to you about something else.”

Huo Li’s fingers paused. He mulled it over for a moment, suppressed his emotions, and said, “Go on.”

“I can keep… I can sponsor you, but you don’t have to do those things with me…”

We shouldn’t cross that line, Chu Qing thought.

He didn’t have that kind of affection for Huo Li, and he believed Huo Li didn’t either. Otherwise, after all these years, was the man a rock before, only to suddenly gain sentience now?

Perhaps… Huo Li just wanted to play around with him because he was broke.

But Chu Qing couldn’t afford to play.

Huo Li had always been a high-and-mighty figure, not from the same world as him.

The two of them had no real connection to begin with; he was just repaying a debt of gratitude. Once Huo Li made a comeback, they would return to their former relationship, each going their separate ways on their own separate paths.

“Then what would I do? Just take your money for free?” Huo Li raised an eyebrow.

“If you’re willing, you can be my assistant, my driver, or something like that.” Just treat it as if I’ve hired someone, Chu Qing thought.

Huo Li: “…”

*It was supposed to be a romantic, pink-hued ‘kept’ relationship. How did it become so… politically correct and proper after Chu Qing’s explanation?*

“Alright,” Huo Li said, his lips curving into a slight smile.

He looked down, his fingers gently toying with the top button of Chu Qing’s shirt. “I can be your driver, your bodyguard, your assistant.”

“Inside and out, from top to bottom.” Huo Li leaned in, his voice dropping to a low whisper. “I’ll cover everything. I’ll do anything. That’s also my duty.”

“You…” Chu Qing’s face instantly flushed red.

“So, can you let me go out now? Boss?”

“…Don’t, don’t call me that,” Chu Qing’s fingers curled.

“Then what should I call you?” Huo Li raised an eyebrow. “Daddy? Big shot?”

“…” Chu Qing chose to shut Huo Li up by turning and walking away.

Huo Li didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

…

Huo Li was out for the entire afternoon and didn’t return until evening.

When he stepped into Chu Qing’s home, he saw the young man playing the piano.

The piano was situated in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, and the afterglow of the setting sun spilled over both the instrument and the person.

Huo Li had always found the evening sunlight to be the most beautiful. The crimson clouds of the setting sun looked gentle yet carried a hint of solemnity, symbolizing a curtain call that was both tragic and incredibly romantic—a beautiful contradiction.

Chu Qing’s ten fingers, covered by gloves, were resting on the piano keys, his expression looking somewhat conflicted and unhappy.

Huo Li walked over and leaned against the piano. “Are you practicing?”

“Mmm,” Chu Qing said, his head lowered.

Huo Li thought that, adding up his past and present lives, he had only seen Chu Qing play the piano in person once, at that company gala years ago.

So Huo Li asked, “Can you play a song for me?”

Chu Qing paused, his head bowing even lower.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t play well.”

Huo Li remembered Chu Qing’s titles: the musical prodigy and genius of the industry. Although his personality and the “kept” rumors were stains on his reputation, his talent had never been denied.

Others were said to have voices kissed by an angel, but Chu Qing was an angel.

His singing voice was beyond question. And while his creative talent and musical accomplishments couldn’t be compared to professional pianists or composers, he was certainly no slouch.

And yet, such a person was saying he didn’t play well, too shy to show his skill.

“How could that be? Why would you think that?” Huo Li said helplessly.

“I don’t know.” Chu Qing turned his head away.

Huo Li pondered for a moment before asking gently, “Are you not in the mood to play?”

“I don’t know.”

Huo Li looked at Chu Qing’s side profile and changed the subject. “I haven’t asked you yet. How did your talk with Starry Sky go? Are you interested in signing with them?”

Chu Qing continued to stare out the window, lost in thought. “I don’t know…”

Huo Li asked with great patience, “What don’t you know?”

Chu Qing paused, then finally said, “I don’t know.”

He then added, “…I’m sorry.”

Huo Li frowned. “You don’t need to apologize.”

“Okay.” Chu Qing lowered his head.

After a long while, Huo Li said, “Qingbao, do you remember where I first saw you?”

“The company’s annual gala.”

“Yes. You were playing the piano then, and I thought you were dazzling.” Huo Li stood by the piano, his hand resting on the keys. “I was captivated by you then. It was the first time I had been captivated by someone, and also the first time I had ever sponsored someone individually.”

Chu Qing was a little surprised. “I thought you sponsored other people individually too.”

“No, you were the only one,” Huo Li said, spreading his hands. “It’s not like I call everyone to my room, do I?”

Speaking of which, both of them simultaneously recalled that past event.

…

Back then, after Chu Qing finished his performance, Huo Li had approached him with praise and said, “If you’re willing, come to my room at eleven tonight.”

Huo Li had glanced with great interest at the collarbone peeking out from under Chu Qing’s collar.

At that time, Chu Qing hadn’t yet experienced the trials of society. He was as pure as a blank sheet of paper and had always regarded Huo Li as an elder.

Upon hearing the invitation, Chu Qing had nodded like a woodpecker.

Then, at eleven that night, Chu Qing showed up at Huo Li’s room carrying a violin.

Huo Li, comfortably lying in bed reading in his pajamas, was waiting. When he saw Chu Qing had even brought an instrument, he was quite surprised.

…Is this some kind of kink?

This kid is so creative?

“Mr. Huo… I, I couldn’t bring the piano in, so I brought my violin! I hope you don’t mind. I can play the violin too.”

Huo Li: “?”

Chu Qing lowered his head, his face red. “I’ll perform well! What would you like to hear, Mr. Huo?”

Huo Li: “…”

The corner of Huo Li’s mouth twitched. “What did you think I called you here for?”

“To listen to me play.” Chu Qing was also confused.

Didn’t Mr. Huo just praise my performance? He praised me and then told me to come to his room. What else could it be but to listen to me play?

Huo Li: “…”

Huo Li felt a little weary. “Then you can begin.”

Damn it.

And so, Mr. Huo listened to a night of classical violin music, cultivating his temperament. And it had to be said, it was quite pleasant to listen to.

…

Thinking back on it now, Chu Qing also felt embarrassed.

He changed the subject. “I thought that with Mr. Huo being so rich and powerful, you wouldn’t be lacking for company.”

Wasn’t it supposed to be a life of nightly revelry, keeping a whole group of people more handsome and talented than him?

“…You have some misunderstanding about me.” Huo Li touched a sore spot and said with a dry laugh, “In my entire life, I’ve only ever called you over once, and you played classical music for me all night.”

If word of this got out, he would probably be laughed to death by all the other sponsors and big bosses.

Huo Li then added, “Also, to reiterate, that night at the hotel was my first time with you, which is why I didn’t control my strength well. I’m very sorry.”

He didn’t forget to score some professional points for himself.

Do I really seem that promiscuous? Huo Li thought.

To be honest, with the sole exception of Chu Qing, the words “feeling” and “love” truly did not exist in Huo Li’s dictionary.

Chu Qing said helplessly, “Let’s not talk about that night anymore. I’ve had a night’s sleep and I feel much better now. It wasn’t actually that serious.”

But…

Chu Qing truly hadn’t expected to be Huo Li’s one and only. Was it just because of their first meeting, because he saw his performance?

For some reason, Chu Qing suddenly felt a surge of confidence.

“Then I’ll play for Mr. Huo again.”

Chu Qing smiled, and his fingers began to move across the keys.

It was as smooth as flowing water.

Crisp notes spilled out from the black and white keys, immediately filling the monotonous room with emotion.

Chu Qing’s musical style had always been gentle and light, with a very smooth melody, lacking strong fluctuations or modulations, yet it still struck a chord deep in one’s heart.

Huo Li looked down at those ten slender, dancing fingers, finding them even more beautiful than the notes themselves.

Chu Qing played a simple piece. When he finished, Huo Li smiled and clapped. “That was wonderful.”

“Although I had ‘improper intentions’ back then, well…” Huo Li tapped his fingers lightly on the keys. “I naturally also hoped, and firmly believed, that you would get better and better, that you would shine. I chose to sponsor you because you would become my pride.”

Chu Qing’s body stiffened.

He looked up at Huo Li. “Mr. Huo… I’m sorry.”

Chu Qing’s eyes turned red.

The mess he had made of his life now was truly too shameful to face anyone.

“It’s not your fault,” Huo Li said gently. “You have always been my pride. It has nothing to do with achievements; it’s about the person you are.”

There must have been a reason for my love at first sight, Huo Li thought. First of all, it wasn’t just lust. I’ve seen far too many people more beautiful than Chu Qing, faces more to my liking. So it must have been because of who Chu Qing is as a person.

It was his excellence that attracted others, just like how Chu Qing had shot to fame on that talent show back then.

Chu Qing stared blankly at Huo Li, his fingers trembling slightly.

“Qingbao.” Huo Li looked back at him and said earnestly, word by word, “If you are willing to walk, you won’t just stop here. You can go very far, to a very high place.”

It wasn’t that a person had to move forward, but Chu Qing’s current state wasn’t good for his mental health either. A person always needs something to do.

“Qingbao, I will also be with you every step of the way.”