Chapter 27: I Like You, Chaste and Virtuous Man
As soon as the call connected, Yu Rui immediately switched to his lackey mode, always ready. However, his boss was only asking about the progress of a certain project and even considerately wanted to treat him to a meal?
Yu Rui felt as if he had been granted amnesty and flattered, “Mr. Li, Gewu Media is like my home, no matter how hard it is, it’s worth it! I’m already at my rented apartment, can we do it next time?”
In the quiet Japanese-style private room, Chen Shuo listened to Li Ge’s lazy voice and inexplicably thought of the kiss from three days ago.
He couldn’t remember how many times he had rinsed his mouth or brushed his teeth, but he could never completely forget it, and he hadn’t slept well for three consecutive nights. Whenever he thought about it, Li Ge would pop into his mind, with a frivolous smile on his face, provoking him.
“Next time then, goodbye.” Without waiting for his assistant to reply, Li Ge hung up the phone.
Fei Fan, on the side, was completely baffled by his friend’s actions and asked Li Ge, “You’re something else, you’re even going after the grass near the nest?”
Li Ge didn’t answer but chuckled, “Drive, let’s go somewhere else.”
Fei Fan: “Why are you being so secretive now, are you treating me like an outsider?”
Li Ge only said, “You have a dog, you give it a bone and it wags its tail at you, but one day you give it a piece of meat, and it doesn’t wag its tail at you anymore.”
Fei Fan understood in a second and said, “Nonsense, you give it bones every day, and suddenly you give it a piece of meat, how would the dog know what your intentions are?”
Li Ge didn’t know about other dogs, but he knew his own assistant. Yu Rui was greedy for money and stingy, liked to take advantage of loopholes to make a profit. When his boss personally treated him to a meal, he would eat and take as much as he could, even packing a bag full.
Thinking that the little assistant, who even chose cash on delivery for errands, was spending so much money on him, Li Ge felt extremely happy. The cheek that had been aching for three days didn’t hurt as much anymore.
No matter what, Chen Shuo was paying attention to him now. He wanted to see what Chen Shuo was up to.
“I’ve picked up Mr. Li here before.” Yu Rui had long wanted to try what rich people ate and asked Chen Shuo, “You seem so familiar with this place, has CEO He brought you here before?”
Chen Shuo nodded and changed the subject back to Yu Rui, first asking why he hadn’t continued delivering breakfast these past few days, in order to understand Li Ge’s next move.
“I didn’t tell you, the fire-breathing dragon was rejected.” Yu Rui became excited when he talked about this, “Didn’t I deliver it for three days? The insulated boxes were all returned to the company, you didn’t see his face, he acted as if nothing had happened in front of others, but who knows how crazy he was behind the scenes.”
It was just as Chen Shuo had thought. Li Ge had only given Yu Rui the address and nothing else.
And on the day he accompanied Yuan Feng to buy the rings, Li Ge suddenly appeared and targeted him with sarcastic remarks, obviously because he had returned the insulated boxes to Gewu Media, embarrassing Li Ge.
“Will you still deliver them?” Chen Shuo asked.
“He hasn’t instructed me yet.” Yu Rui complained, “I said he would fail sooner or later, he thought everyone liked troublemakers, I wouldn’t do it even if he gave me ten million.”
After the food was served, Yu Rui buried his head in his food. Chen Shuo took the initiative to discuss with him, “Assistant Yu, I happen to be on vacation recently and live not far from the apartment you mentioned. If you need, I can run errands for you.”
Yu Rui: “That would be too much trouble for you.”
Chen Shuo: “It’s no trouble, I’m free anyway.”
Yu Rui: “But…”
Seeing Yu Rui hesitate, Chen Shuo added, “Don’t misunderstand, I’m not trying to make extra money, I just see that you’re working hard, we’re fellow sufferers.”
“Assistant Chen,” Yu Rui was deeply moved, “You’re really my confidant. If you have any problems in the future, just let me know, let’s keep in touch, don’t keep your troubles to yourself.”
Unfortunately, Chen Shuo could only keep his troubles to himself.
After teaching Yuan Feng for two more days, he would be on vacation. He still had to go to Jiangcheng before the New Year, and he had a feeling that this Spring Festival wouldn’t be peaceful either. In fact, every day wasn’t peaceful now.
The unknown danger was like a shadow, making it difficult for Chen Shuo to find peace. Thinking of this, he subtly inquired about Li Ge’s methods of pursuing people from Yu Rui.
Unexpectedly, this inquiry made Yu Rui talk non-stop for almost two hours. Even after leaving the Japanese restaurant, he still held onto him and continued talking.
Yu Rui: “Don’t you think he’s a fool? And he swings both ways, isn’t that disgusting? But all those men and women are devoted to him, and they don’t seem to be after his money. Why? Is it just because he’s taller, more handsome, and richer than me?”
His ears were almost ringing. Chen Shuo endured it and escorted Yu Rui to his car. As he was about to say goodbye, Yu Rui blurted out, “Sigh, actually, Mr. Li is quite amazing, he once had sex in the car for three hours.”
Chen Shuo: “…”
Yu Rui: “I was worried that the man would be fucked to death, homosexuality is really scary.”
“…” Chen Shuo inexplicably thought of Li Ge’s harsh words from three days ago and immediately shut Yu Rui’s mouth, “Assistant Yu, it’s getting late, be careful.”
Yu Rui: “Okay, okay, you too.”
However, from that night on, Chen Shuo didn’t receive any messages from Yu Rui, no more insulated boxes appeared at his doorstep, Li Ge didn’t go to Yuan Feng’s place for lessons, and he didn’t harass him anymore.
Life suddenly became peaceful, and he was on vacation.
In previous years, when he was on vacation at this time, Chen Shuo would be in a better mood. After receiving the year-end bonus from He Yan, he would sit down, take out his account book, and check his savings.
After being at home for half a day, Chen Shuo suddenly felt something was wrong. Li Ge might be planning something big, or he might have discovered his private contact with Yu Rui.
But thinking about it, it shouldn’t be the case. With his current understanding of Li Ge, would that petty person be able to endure it if he found out? Li Ge would definitely come to him and settle the score, and there would be no way for Yu Rui to remain silent.
As if his wish had been granted, a message from Yu Rui came.
Chen Shuo opened WeChat. Yu Rui sent an emoji of envy and jealousy, telling him that the fire-breathing dragon had randomly spent a lot of money again, buying his little lover a Patek Philippe watch worth millions.
Yu Rui: [This is the first time I’ve seen Mr. Li personally pick out a gift. He’s given watches before, but he always had me do it. Is he serious this time? His girlfriend is so pitiful.]
Chen Shuo: [Maybe it’s for his girlfriend.]
Yu Rui: [I saw it when I brought him coffee, it’s a men’s watch. Sigh, rich people spend money like they’re peeing, my watch only costs a few thousand yuan.]
Chen Shuo: [The only purpose of a watch is to tell time, there’s no need to compare.]
“How can you not compare?” Yu Rui typed back, wanting to tell Chen Shuo that he came from a poor rural family and had a hard life.
But just as he typed two words, his phone suddenly disappeared.
“Slacking off right under the boss’s nose, quite happy, aren’t you?”
Turning around, Yu Rui was terrified, not knowing when his boss had entered the break room. He stood up in a panic and stammered, “Mr., Mr. Li.”
Li Ge looked at the chat history in the dialog box, simultaneously scrolling up with his thumb. Gradually, his expression became darker and darker, seriously warning Yu Rui, “I’ve been observing you for two days, you know that?”
“…” Yu Rui immediately knelt down and apologized profusely. What was terrifying was that his phone was in the hands of his thieving boss, filled with unspeakably shameful complaints, he was doomed.
After two days of deliberation, Li Ge finally decided on a birthday gift to make up for Chen Shuo. Knowing that Yuan Feng was on vacation today and Chen Shuo was resting at home, he deliberately showed the watch to his assistant. As expected, the dog immediately hid in the break room to inform Chen Shuo.
But this unexpected gain almost made Li Ge explode with anger. He finally understood why Chen Shuo was so blind and unappreciative, acting like a chaste and virtuous man, never giving him a good face.
Li Ge: “Am I a fire-breathing dragon?”
Yu Rui: “I’m sorry, Mr. Li, I was just kidding, I’m really sorry.”
“Troublemaker?” Li Ge raised an eyebrow, “I was wondering who was badmouthing me outside, so there’s a traitor in the company, always throwing dirt on me.”
“I know I was wrong, Mr. Li, I’m the troublemaker, you can hit me or scold me, just don’t fire me, please? I still have a lot of debt at home…” Yu Rui was on the verge of kneeling, slapping himself twice to show his loyalty.
“Come here.” Li Ge returned the phone to his assistant.
Yu Rui obediently followed. After entering the CEO’s office, he continued to kneel and apologize, swearing to God that he would never gossip again, otherwise, he would be a poor man for the rest of his life.
His assistant’s small flaws weren’t a big deal in Li Ge’s eyes. On the contrary, he admired Yu Rui’s work ability. It was good that he was down-to-earth and capable for the sake of money. And what he didn’t lack was money, only an obedient dog.
“Yu Rui, since you can make such a harsh vow, I’ll let you off this time.” Li Ge tapped the desk, “But you have to clean up the dirt you threw on me.”
“…” Yu Rui had just caught his breath when he was put on the spot again.
Li Ge: “Tell me, how long have you been secretly communicating?”
Yu Rui, having repented, confessed everything from the first time he complained.
Li Ge picked up the watch box on the table and opened it to admire it. The hands on the watch face moved exquisitely. He counted a few seconds before saying, “This is the birthday gift I prepared for Assistant Chen, it took me two days to choose.”
“…” Yu Rui was stunned.
Li Ge: “Put yourself in my shoes, do you think I should let you off?”
Everything connected. Yu Rui apologized profusely, “I’m really, really sorry, I’m sorry, Mr. Li, I didn’t know you and Assistant Chen—”
“Five hundred thousand year-end bonus.” Li Ge put down the watch box, stood up, and asked Yu Rui, “Do you know what to do? If you perform well, I’ll help you clear your debts.”
Yu Rui made a decisive choice and sold out Chen Shuo, promising, “Mr. Li, don’t worry, I’ll go and build a positive image for you, so Assistant Chen will change his opinion of you. No wonder he kept chatting with me before, and even treated me to a high-end Japanese meal a few days ago, saying he would run errands for me.”
“Don’t be too obvious.” Li Ge instructed, “Just chat with him as usual, whenever he contacts you, send me the chat history.”
“Okay, Mr. Li!” Yu Rui nervously touched his nose, not daring to confess the complaints he had made at the Japanese restaurant, it was too scary.
If the fire-breathing dragon found out, not even God could save him.
On this side, Chen Shuo didn’t receive a reply from Yu Rui and gradually became anxious. He never flattered himself, but he was afraid that the watch was really for him, which meant that Li Ge might come over personally, or arrange for Yu Rui to deliver it.
The sky outside darkened, and when it was completely dark, Chen Shuo started making dinner. Just as he poured the shrimp into the pot and was about to stir-fry them, his phone on the counter suddenly lit up. It was a WeChat message from Yu Rui.
Yu Rui: [Sorry, Assistant Chen, I was busy with work just now, and I also accompanied Mr. Li to a flower shop. He spent half an hour just picking flowers, kept asking for my opinion, I suspect he’s serious, I’ve never seen him so attentive before.]
Chen Shuo immediately turned off the fire and asked Yu Rui if he was still at the flower shop.
Yu Rui: [I’m already home, it’s really cold outside, I’m going to soak my feet.]
Chen Shuo slowly put down his phone.
Yu Rui was already home. If the watch was for him, it meant Li Ge was arriving soon. Just as he thought this, a knock came on the door, ringing in his ears.
The kitchen was next to the door. Chen Shuo turned his head and listened to the continuous knocking. Soon, Li Ge’s voice came from outside.
“Chen Shuo, I’m just here to deliver your birthday gift, please open the door.”
Chen Shuo stood still.
“Hurry up.” Looking at the closed door, Li Ge deliberately quickened his pace, “The elevator door seems to have opened, and I’m holding a large bouquet of Juliet roses.”
The next moment, the door opened.
Li Ge promptly presented the Juliet roses. The bouquet was so large that it covered his entire face, leaving Chen Shuo to see the formal attire he had specifically changed into, representing his respect and regard for Chen Shuo.
Then Li Ge said, “Although it’s late, I still want to say, happy birthday.”
“…” Chen Shuo reluctantly took the bouquet and casually placed it on the floor beside him. An exquisitely packaged gift box was then handed to him.
“Birthday gift.” Li Ge said, “Don’t return it to my company anymore, I spent two days picking it out, it suits you very well.”
Chen Shuo didn’t accept it. He had opened the door because he was afraid of his neighbors seeing the strange flowers and Li Ge suddenly acting perverted, knocking on the door and shouting nonsense.
However, Li Ge had become so serious, his actions measured, his speech polite, which left Chen Shuo speechless, unable to utter a single word.
He really didn’t understand what Li Ge was pretending. His true nature had already been so thoroughly exposed, no matter how serious he pretended to be, he couldn’t hide the fact that he was a pervert.
“I’ll leave after you accept it.” Li Ge shook his arm and said with a smile, “If you don’t accept it, I’ll flatter myself and think you don’t want me to leave.”
“I don’t need it, take it back.” Chen Shuo refused and kicked the bouquet at his feet, “I’ll throw the flowers away.”
Looking at the uncooperative little assistant, Li Ge wanted to kill that troublemaker Yu Rui. Some misunderstandings couldn’t be explained directly, it was so troublesome.
He pondered for a moment and said, “I didn’t mean to be harsh on you on the fifth of the New Year, I was being forced to go on a blind date by my family, and I wasn’t in a good mood.”
Chen Shuo wasn’t interested in listening and ordered him to leave, “You can go now.”
Li Ge continued, “Later, my mother forced me to go on another blind date. To pursue you, I found a girl to act as my girlfriend, but you always avoid me.”
Regardless of whether Li Ge was bisexual or not, Chen Shuo couldn’t listen anymore and interrupted, “I told you to leave, don’t you understand?”
Facing an indifferent funeral face, Li Ge couldn’t understand how there could be such a difficult person.
Chen Shuo was cold, so he was warm, smiling gently and purely, “I understand, then you can accept the gift.”
So annoying. Chen Shuo looked at Li Ge’s no longer frivolous smile and inevitably noticed his rosy lips. His lip shape was beautiful, with a slightly upturned peak and naturally curved corners, his smile too dazzling.
Chen Shuo’s brow furrowed unconsciously. Suddenly, he couldn’t bear it anymore and asked Li Ge, “Are you done pretending?” Then he spat out another word.
“Get lost.”
Li Ge paused, then explained, “How is it pretending? This is my other side, I just want you to understand the complete me, to give myself a chance.”
Chen Shuo didn’t like to say harsh words, but Li Ge kept provoking him. He had already said so many harsh words, he didn’t mind saying a few more.
“I don’t want to understand a piece of dog shit.”
“???” Li Ge was stunned for a second, “Fuck, who are you calling dog shit?”
Chen Shuo: “Whoever responds, that’s who I’m talking about.”
Li Ge: “…”
Chen Shuo still had that one word: “Get lost.”
He was speechless. Li Ge was both angry and amused. It was the first time he had seen someone curse so seriously, with a hint of childishness in their stiff and serious demeanor, not as imposing as a punch.
“Do you even know how to curse? Do you need me to teach you a few words?”
Chen Shuo felt like he was crazy, arguing with a piece of dog shit at his doorstep, a waste of time, meaningless, only being led by the nose. He directly grabbed Li Ge’s collar, and just as he was about to push him out, his neighbor passed by his door. In a hurry, he pulled him back in.
Caught off guard, Li Ge bumped into Chen Shuo’s chest, his face touching the firm pectoral muscles, startling him. He couldn’t help but want to touch them, knowing that this pretender had been working out, his physique was so fucking good.
“I’m sorry.” Just as Chen Shuo finished apologizing to his neighbor, his chest was attacked by a salty pig trotter, also startling him, making him retreat instantly.
Li Ge savored the feeling, then scanned the small apartment, his gaze falling on the punching bag hanging on the balcony.
He put down the birthday gift and smiled from the bottom of his heart, looking at Chen Shuo and saying, “I finally know why I’m always thinking about you, because you always surprise me.”
Chen Shuo also looked at Li Ge, not speaking.
Then, he heard Li Ge’s frank and passionate vulgar confession.
“I fucking like you now.”
