What to Do When Mistaken for the CEO’s Brother? 46-47

Chapter 46

Despite the already substantial lunch feast, his parents prepared an equally impressive dinner. Perhaps to celebrate their son’s relationship, or perhaps to welcome Murong Yan into their home, Murong Maohua had bought another grouper. The aroma of the freshly steamed fish filled the apartment.

After dinner, Murong Yan offered to wash the dishes.

“Just leave them!” Xing Li rushed to take the dishes from him. Murong Cheng also stood up, trying to stop him.

“Yan-ge, you can watch TV. I’ll do it!”

“It’s fine, we’ll wash them,” Xing Li insisted, blocking Murong Yan’s path to the kitchen. “Isn’t the courtyard house still a mess?”

“We’ve mostly cleaned it,” Murong Yan said, still trying to enter the kitchen. “Auntie, please, let me help. I’m already imposing on you by having dinner here.”

“Don’t be so polite,” Xing Li took the dishes from him. “You must have taken good care of Xiao Cheng. Let us show our appreciation.”

Murong Yan smiled. “Not at all, Auntie. We take care of each other.”

Murong Cheng clung to his mother’s arm. “Mom, how do you know it’s all him taking care of me?”

Xing Li looked at him, her expression saying, Isn’t it obvious?

Murong Cheng: “I’m better at some things!”

Xing Li: “Like what?”

Murong Cheng grinned, clinging to her arm. “Like cleaning and changing bedsheets. I’m much better at those than Yan-ge.”

Xing Li: “…Okay, okay, it’s getting late. You two should go back to the courtyard house and rest.”

Kicked out of their apartment, Murong Cheng and Murong Yan walked hand-in-hand towards the beach.

Although dusk had settled, it was still early, the night just beginning for A City. Office workers were just finishing dinner, preparing for another night of work. Commuters were stuck in traffic. People were queuing outside restaurants, shopping at malls, waiting for bars to open.

But H City was already quiet.

As darkness fell, the city lights dimmed, and the streets emptied.

A slower pace of life allowed for appreciating the simple beauty of the surroundings.

They walked along the beach, the sand still warm beneath their feet, the sea breeze fresh and salty, the waves gently lapping against the shore.

“Want to sit for a while?” Murong Cheng asked, stopping near his grandmother’s house.

Murong Yan nodded.

They sat down on the sand, Murong Cheng leaning back on his hands, looking up at the sky.

The weather in H City was always good, unlike the often overcast skies of A City. With no tall buildings blocking the view, the stars were bright and clear.

“Before my parents started the homestay business, they had a small shop in the city center. I lived with my grandmother,” he said.

He and Chi Yu often came to the beach at night, gazing at the stars.

Murong Yan sat beside him, listening quietly.

“I spent most of my time here, playing on the beach during the day, stargazing at night,” Murong Cheng said, closing his eyes, enjoying the cool breeze. “Time flies.”

He turned to Murong Yan. “Did you grow up in A City? What was it like before?”

Murong Yan thought for a moment. “I grew up in A City. What was it like before…”

A City had always been busy, its inhabitants always rushing. He had seen the sea, in different countries, but he hadn’t experienced the leisurely life of a seaside town, playing on the beach all day.

“I don’t remember,” he finally said, shaking his head.

His childhood memories were mostly of falling off a horse during riding lessons and being scolded by his mother. Then he was sent away to boarding school, with few happy memories to cherish.

“Do you like the beach?” Murong Cheng asked, his eyes sparkling. “I grew up here, so it’s nothing special to me. But Mu Haoqiong and my other roommates were always envious when they heard about my grandmother’s house.”

“I like it,” Murong Yan nodded, closing his eyes, enjoying the breeze. This place, everything about it, and Murong Cheng, made him feel relaxed and happy, a feeling he had rarely experienced.

“What kind of life do you envision for yourself?” Murong Cheng asked, resting his chin on his hand.

Murong Yan: “What do you mean?”

Murong Cheng: “I know you’ll return to A City and regain control of Guangyu, and probably Lingyu as well. But that’s your work. I’m asking about your personal life. What kind of life do you want?”

Murong Yan had never considered this question before. He was usually asked about his business plans, his strategies, his ambitions, or even his marriage prospects, never about his personal aspirations. Murong Cheng wasn’t asking about the CEO of Guangyu or the heir to the Murong family, but about him, Murong Yan, as a person.

“I want a life with you,” he finally said.

Murong Cheng smiled. “I know. I want that too. But besides me, where do you want to live? Do you want pets? Where do you want to travel?”

“I’m fine with anything. I’ll follow your lead,” Murong Yan said gently.

He would live anywhere, as long as Murong Cheng was with him. As for pets… he hadn’t been allowed to have any as a child. His father considered them a distraction. He wasn’t particularly fond of animals anyway, unlike Murong Jing, who had once secretly brought home a small white Bichon Frise. When their father found out, he had thrown the puppy off the balcony in a fit of rage.

He was lost in thought, and Murong Cheng noticed.

“What are you thinking about? You’re zoning out,” he said, snapping his fingers in front of Murong Yan’s face.

Murong Yan caught his hand.

“Nothing.”

Murong Cheng pouted playfully. “Thinking about someone else?”

“No,” Murong Yan’s lips curved into a smile. “I was thinking—”

Murong Cheng: “Thinking what?”

Murong Yan suddenly lifted him into his arms.

“I was thinking, the bed is made. Let’s go home.”

Chapter 47

The old house had no bathtub, only a shower stall with a plastic curtain.

It was a tight squeeze for two.

Murong Cheng’s back brushed against the cold tiles, sending shivers down his spine. Shampoo foam dripped down his hair, stinging his eyes.

Murong Yan’s hands, initially massaging his scalp, slowly slid down his back, then to his waist.

“Mmm…” he gasped as Murong Yan playfully squeezed his backside.

His lips parted in a soft moan, instantly silenced by Murong Yan’s kiss. One arm wrapped around his waist, the other supporting his neck.

Soft whimpers were swallowed by the sound of running water, foam sliding down his skin, clinging to Murong Yan’s fingers. He slid down, almost losing his footing, then caught by Murong Yan, his cheeks flushed in the steamy air.

Murong Yan held him steady, preventing him from slipping. He rinsed off the remaining foam, wrapped him in a large towel, and carried him to the bedroom.

The warm air from the hairdryer soothed his skin as Murong Yan carefully dried his hair. The lingering fog in his eyes gradually cleared.

“Tired?” Murong Yan asked, having mostly dried his own hair as well. He went downstairs, poured a glass of warm water, and brought it back to Murong Cheng.

Murong Cheng, sitting up in bed, took the glass and drank most of it. “Not really.”

Murong Yan finished the rest and refilled the glass. “Ready for bed?” he asked, pausing by the light switch.

Murong Cheng shook his head.

He was tired from cleaning, and their earlier activities, but not sleepy.

“Let’s talk,” he patted the space beside him on the bed.

The old wooden bedframe dug into his back. Noticing his discomfort, Murong Yan placed his pillow behind him.

Murong Cheng smiled and did the same for Murong Yan.

They sat side by side, Murong Yan’s arm around him, pulling him closer.

Murong Yan: “What do you want to talk about?”

Murong Cheng’s eyes glinted mischievously. “Yan-ge, you told my parents you couldn’t return to A City yet. Why?”

Murong Yan: “I still have some things to take care of.”

Murong Cheng: “Did you convince Huaqian Technology to continue the partnership?”

Murong Yan shook his head.

Murong Cheng: “Did you find a new company to provide the intelligent driving assistance systems?”

Murong Yan shook his head again.

Murong Cheng: “Then how did you solve the problem?”

Murong Yan stroked his hair, like petting a small animal. “You’ll find out eventually.”

“Murong Yan!” He pulled away, glaring at him playfully. “Are you keeping secrets from me?”

Murong Yan paused. “No.”

Murong Cheng: “Then you think I’m a nuisance, that I’ll interfere with your plans?”

Murong Yan shook his head. “No.”

Murong Cheng: “Then why won’t you tell me what you’re doing? Where did you go on your business trip? Duan-ge was with you, wasn’t he? He knows everything, and I know nothing.”

His voice rose slightly, his eyes reddening.

Murong Yan pulled him back into his arms. “I didn’t want you to worry.”

Murong Cheng’s voice was thick with mock feeling wronged. “But this makes me even more worried! You’re not at the company, and everyone keeps asking me where you are, assuming I know, but I don’t! I really don’t!”

“Okay, okay, I’ll tell you,” Murong Yan said soothingly, patting his back. “You were half right. I was looking for a new technology partner.”

“Did you find one?” Murong Cheng asked, his head popping out from Murong Yan’s embrace.

“Yes,” Murong Yan nodded.

Murong Cheng: “Then why can’t you return to A City?”

Murong Yan’s expression didn’t change. “The timing isn’t right.”

Murong Cheng didn’t understand. “What do you mean?”

Murong Yan thought for a moment. “My father removed me from Guangyu and had you fired to see how we would react when cornered. I want to see what he does next.”

Murong Cheng: “You want to see if he’ll feel guilty and reinstate you?”

Murong Yan didn’t answer. “He wants to force me to marry Ji Ying’an. I want to see what he’ll do when I refuse. And Guangyu did have some internal issues. Replacing me was also a way to appease the public. Returning now wouldn’t be appropriate. And I want to see if Guangyu can function without me.”

He agreed with everything except the last part.

“Do you want to return to Guangyu, or do you want Guangyu to be able to function without you?”

Murong Yan looked at him. “A company’s core should be its technology, its employees, and its vision. I’ve given Guangyu its vision, and our current technology is sufficient for us to compete in the market. Our employees are all talented individuals. I don’t want them to be overly reliant on me.”

“But if Guangyu can function without you, it will be even harder for you to return,” Murong Cheng said, shifting slightly.

The pillow behind his back helped, but the bed was still uncomfortable. The mattress was thin, and he could feel the wooden frame beneath.

“I’m not easily replaceable,” Murong Yan said confidently. He noticed Murong Cheng’s movement. “What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable?”

“The bed is a bit hard,” Murong Cheng said, pressing down on the mattress.

Murong Yan: “I’ll have someone deliver a new mattress tomorrow. Let’s just make do for tonight. Go to sleep.”

He stood up and turned off the light.

Despite the hard bed, Murong Cheng fell asleep instantly and didn’t wake up until noon the next day.

Murong Yan was already up. The bedroom was empty.

He heard voices downstairs and opened the curtains.

Murong Yan was incredibly efficient. He had mentioned the mattress last night, and it had already been delivered.

He went downstairs and saw Duan Shao, the CEO’s secretary, standing beside the new mattress.

“Duan-ge! Long time no see!” he greeted him cheerfully.

He hadn’t seen Duan Shao since the gala. Although it hadn’t been long, it felt like a lifetime ago.

“Ah Cheng,” Duan Shao nodded, then smiled. “Should I address you differently now? Madam CEO? Little CEO Murong?”

“Duan-ge, don’t tease me,” Murong Cheng waved his hand. “Both Yan-ge and I have been dismissed from Guangyu. By the way, what about you?”

Duan Shao: “Jiang Lan told me to come back to the office. They’re transferring me. But I haven’t been back yet, and she hasn’t pressured me. I even received my salary a few days ago.”

Murong Cheng nodded. “Paid time off. Nice.”

“Hardly,” Duan Shao glanced at Murong Yan, who was working on his laptop. “I haven’t had a day off.”

Duan Shao had not only brought the mattress but also Murong Yan’s laptop and documents. The CEO had arrived empty-handed.

While they were talking, Murong Yan continued working. Murong Cheng sat down beside him on the sofa.

“What are you working on?”

The screen was filled with English text, a perfect privacy shield.

Murong Cheng sighed inwardly and leaned back.

“An online forum invited me to be a guest speaker,” Murong Yan explained.

Murong Cheng: “Are you going?”

Murong Yan frowned slightly and shook his head. “The timing isn’t right. But it’s a good opportunity. I should attend.”

Murong Cheng: “What’s the topic?”

Murong Yan: “Intelligent Technology and Human Development.”

He looked at Duan Shao. “I won’t be able to attend. You register. We’ll just listen in, not participate in the discussions. It starts the day after tomorrow, three days.”

Duan Shao: “Understood, CEO Murong.”

If Murong Yan considered it a valuable forum, it must be important.

Murong Cheng blinked. “Can I listen in too?”

Murong Yan looked at him. “Are you interested?”

He nodded earnestly. “I told you, I want to learn and grow with you.”

Murong Yan: “It’s all in English. The conference is in the US, so it starts late at night here.”

Murong Cheng didn’t hesitate. “No problem! The homestay renovations are almost done. It starts the day after tomorrow, right?”

Murong Yan nodded.

Murong Cheng said firmly, “I’m in! Please give me this opportunity to learn, CEO Murong.”

Murong Yan smiled and nodded. He turned to Duan Shao. “Register both of us. Prepare the relevant materials and brief Ah Cheng in the next two days.”

Murong Cheng: “Are you attending too, online?”

Murong Yan shook his head. “I’ll have you report back to me. Consider it your homework assignment.”