I’m Keeping the Overbearing CEO After He Went Bankrupt [Rebirth] 26

Chapter 26: Qingbao’s Kiss

“Qingbao,” Huo Li leaned in close to Chu Qing and said in a low voice, “I’m out of money, Daddy.”

Chu Qing’s whole body stiffened.

“M-Mmm, I know,” Chu Qing said, taking out his phone. “I’ll transfer it to you…”

“How will you pay it back?” Huo Li took Chu Qing’s wrist. “Tell me first, how will you pay it back?”

Having been teased by Chu Qing all night, Huo Li thought, If I don’t get some benefits for myself, I’ll write my name backward.

“How… do you want it back?”

Huo Li smiled. “I’ll give you a kiss, you give me money. Fair, right?”

“…”

“…No.”

“You’re disgusted with me,” Huo Li said, wrapping his arms around Chu Qing’s waist with dissatisfaction. “You have someone else outside.”

“…”

“No wonder you said you were single, that you didn’t have anyone you liked. It turns out you’re disgusted with me,” Huo Li said, full of self-pity. “It hasn’t even been a year of being kept, and you’re already thinking of replacing me, just trying to fob me off with money, and not wanting to deepen our relationship.”

Chu Qing lowered his head, a little troubled.

“Forget it,” Huo Li sighed and leaned against the nearby piano, shaking his head. “Maybe I’m not even as good as a piano. I have the title but no real status.”

Like a jilted wife.

Chu Qing hurriedly waved his hands. “No, no…”

“Oh,” Huo Li said, turning his head away.

Chu Qing took a deep breath and, as if taking the plunge, said, “…You can close your eyes.”

Huo Li was stunned.

Hmm?

“Close your eyes…” Chu Qing’s ears and cheeks were flushed red, his fingers nervously curled up.

Huo Li did as he was told.

After closing his eyes, the world plunged into darkness. Huo Li could hear his own heartbeat, getting faster and louder.

At this moment, the old man Huo Li was like a wet-behind-the-ears young boy experiencing his first love, closing his eyes and waiting with anticipation for a surprise from his beloved.

Chu Qing paused, struggled for a moment, then stood on his tiptoes and quickly planted a kiss on Huo Li’s cheek.

Huo Li could feel Chu Qing’s soft lips press against him, but before he could react, Chu Qing had quickly pulled away, faster than the wind.

Huo Li opened his eyes and could only see Chu Qing’s hastily retreating back.

It was as if the warmth still lingered on his cheek, although in reality, it didn’t.

Huo Li touched his cheek and smiled.

Silly Qingbao.

We’ve already done it, so what’s with all the coyness?

Huo Li was full of disdain, but the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but turn up, his eyes lighting up with happiness.

On the other end, after Chu Qing ran back to his room, he saw that the others were already asleep. He lightly and quietly climbed into his bed.

Curled up in his blanket, he still felt an… indescribable feeling.

Chu Qing suddenly felt that perhaps Huo Li was his “Daddy-Long-Legs.”

[Translator’s Notes:Daddy-Long-Legs: This is a direct reference to the 1912 novel by Jean Webster, which is very well-known in East Asia. The story revolves around an orphan girl whose education is sponsored by an anonymous benefactor she nicknames “Daddy-Long-Legs,” whom she communicates with through letters. ]

Before they had met, Chu Qing had imagined countless images of Huo Li in his mind. Sometimes, Huo Li was an old and steady middle-aged man; sometimes, he was a high-spirited young entrepreneur… After they met, Chu Qing had also developed the habit of writing to Huo Li to report on his life.

Telling him he had participated in a competition, that he had released a song, that he was unhappy, that he was happy…

Of course, the direction of his story had gone off the rails in the end. Daddy-Long-Legs had not turned into a handsome young man and gotten together with him, but rather…

Mmm, had turned into a rogue who loved to ask for money and take advantage of him.

Chu Qing’s lips curved slightly. After taking his medicine, he slowly drifted off to sleep.

…

The next day, Chu Qing set an alarm, forced himself not to stay in bed, and struggled to get up.

His head was still groggy. He sat blankly in his bed, looking at the clock, unable to remember for a moment why he had to get up so early.

“Qingbao,” Huo Li knocked on the door with a grin. “Get up. We’re going to the school.”

“…?” Chu Qing’s eyes widened, thinking he had dreamt he was back in high school.

“Silly Qingbao, come on,” Huo Li said, seeing Chu Qing in such a sleepy state. He took his hand. “Get up, baby.”

Huo Li pulled Chu Qing out of his bed.

Because of his medication and his inability to sleep at night, Chu Qing usually had to sleep until noon to function, so his reactions were very slow now. He went to wash up in a daze, then was pulled away by Huo Li.

They couldn’t use a car here, so Huo Li and Chu Qing walked.

After walking for a while in the morning breeze, Chu Qing was awake by the time they reached the school.

“Ah… we’re here to sing with the children,” Chu Qing said, rubbing his eyes. “A teacher is retiring.”

“That’s right,” Huo Li said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. “You still remember what song you’re going to sing, right?”

“Mmm,” Chu Qing looked listless, but when it came to music, his specialty, he was naturally not careless. “I remember.”

“Brother Qing! Brother Qing!” The teacher brought the children out to greet them and gave Chu Qing a flower wreath, which everyone who was singing today would wear.

“Thank you,” Chu Qing said, taking it with a smile.

The school was overjoyed to hear that a big star was coming to perform. It was a huge event. All the students, teachers, and even the students’ parents came to see, and the school auditorium was packed, with some people even standing outside, trying to squeeze in.

Backstage, Huo Li pinched Chu Qing’s shoulder. “The big star is about to hold a concert.”

“It’s a pity… a pity my hand is injured, and I can’t play the piano,” Chu Qing said with a shy smile, naturally very happy.

Seeing how welcoming everyone was, Chu Qing asked the emcee if he could perform a few more songs. The emcee and the other teachers were, of course, even happier and thanked him repeatedly.

The retiring teacher had a kind face, with wrinkles left by the years. He sat in the VIP seat in the audience, smiling so widely his eyes disappeared.

After the children’s performance, it was Chu Qing’s turn, the finale.

As Chu Qing had said, no matter how tired he was, he could still sing well.

As soon as Chu Qing opened his mouth, the auditorium fell silent. Even the children stared blankly at the big brother on stage, singing.

Chu Qing’s voice was soft, warm, and ethereal. At this moment, he was singing a song of gratitude, the melody warm and slow.

It was truly like an angel singing.

“As expected of a big star from the city… so amazing!”
“The big brother is so amazing!”

He immediately gained countless fans. The retiring teacher was very happy and pushed his wheelchair over to ask for his autograph after he came off stage, holding his hand and praising him as a good child.

“Thank you…” Chu Qing bowed slightly. “I wish you a smooth and happy life in the future, sir, full of leisure and ease.”

“Good, good, good!”

After taking photos, signing autographs, and chatting with everyone, it was already afternoon. Just as Chu Qing was about to leave, a parent said that it was raining outside, and the mountain road back was dirty and wet due to the heavy rain, making it difficult to walk.

So Chu Qing simply stayed to play games with the children.

In any case, the afternoon was for filming, and it didn’t matter if he wasn’t filmed.

That’s what Chu Qing thought, but on Weibo, it was a completely different story.

XXX: Oh my god, Chu Qing is being so obvious about slacking off, isn’t he?? Even though little sister Xiaoge isn’t a contestant, she’s still practicing hard with everyone. What about Chu Qing?? Is he still sleeping?

XXX: What musical genius, he’s clearly a slacking genius. Although he’s amazing, it’s not good to be so arrogant

XXX: Yeah, and everyone came to the mountains to do charity and good deeds, right? Like little sister Xiaoge, who treats people with kindness and gets along so well with the children. Teacher Chu is too gloomy. A warm reminder, life needs a little sunshine

Yuan Xiaoge’s fans and Chu Qing’s anti-fans were ecstatic, taking advantage of Chu Qing’s absence to spread rumors, and there were even several versions of the story.

Until that night… the principal of the Sun Mountain Primary School, who was also the county magistrate, posted on Weibo.

@WangDazhi: Thank you to the big star who came to bring warmth today! Mr. Chu sang and performed to make the old gentleman happy, and was very polite to everyone, and especially kind to the children. Thank you for coming all this way! And thank you to Teacher Zhou for a lifetime of dedication! Keep it up.
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The principal posted a nine-square grid of photos, showing Chu Qing performing at the school, playing with the children, and taking group photos. Teacher Zhou also reposted it and showed off Chu Qing’s autograph. The old gentleman also knew that young people nowadays chase stars and want their idol’s autograph the most. His tone was even a little smug, which was quite cute.

Yuan Xiaoge’s fans: “???”
Anti-fans: “???”

…Huh?

Seeing this, the production team took the opportunity to give him a push, sending Chu Qing to the trending topics. For a time, it was all praise.

XXX: Did Yuan Xiaoge get slapped in the face, hahahaha—I’m dying of laughter, and here she was saying Teacher Chu has no love in his heart, hahahaha

XXX: Ugh, Yuan Xiaoge and the other contestants’ charity is a show for the camera. Teacher Chu is quietly contributing behind the scenes, ok? In the corners we don’t know about, who knows how much he’s done. Look at the way he interacts with the children in the video, so cute 😭😭😭 How can he be so dazed, he’s even being bullied by the children in the game, hahaha—

XXX: Even the county magistrate came out to praise him! Tsk tsk, that group of brain-dead fans of Yuan Xiaoge were still saying Teacher Chu bought the trending topic. Can you buy a state official?

XXX: Teacher Chu is so amazing!! The outside world doesn’t understand him and casually slanders him, but he’s really just a child who is not good at expressing himself

XXX: I’ve turned from a passerby to a fan today. I will protect the kind and introverted Teacher Chu

Chu Qing himself didn’t know about the storm on Weibo. He was forced to stay at the school because of the heavy rain and simply played with the children.

They were playing “Eagle Catches the Chick.”

“Brother Qing! Brother Qing! Ah—!”
“The eagle is coming! It’s coming!”

In the park, Chu Qing was playing the role of the mother hen, fending off the attack from the eagle—Huo Li. A line of children was lined up behind him.

Huo Li looked fierce even with a mask on. Every time he lunged at Chu Qing, the children would scream. Chu Qing blocked left and right, his forehead covered in sweat.

“The eagle is coming…!”

With the children’s screams, they saw Huo Li lunge at Chu Qing and lift him up directly, carrying him on his shoulder like a sack of rice.

“Wow!!”
“The eagle has carried away the mother hen!”

“You… you put me down!” Huo Li’s shoulder was digging into Chu Qing’s stomach. He reached out and pounded on Huo Li’s back, saying urgently, “Put me down!”

“No,” Huo Li said with a grin. “Children, the eagle is going to take the mother hen back to his fortress to be his wife.”

The children were all terrified.

“The eagle is taking the mother hen! The eagle is so bad!”
“The eagle is going to eat the mother hen!”

“You…!” Chu Qing was so embarrassed his face turned bright red.

This Huo Li…!