Chapter 21: Want to Fuck You, Skills and All
Except for occasional late-night overtime, Chen Shuo’s schedule had always been regular, until he stayed up most of last night.
The new palace drama was somewhat addictive, making him forget about sleep. He didn’t go to bed until almost four o’clock, and because of this, he didn’t miss the text message He Yan sent at past two in the morning.
Chen Shuo woke up on time at seven, first boiling an egg, then making a cup of oatmeal with the pre-boiled water. After eating, he immediately set off for Jinxi Bay.
Seeing the two people getting along harmoniously at the dining table, he felt relieved, knowing that He Yan was a responsible man and would definitely take care of Yuan Feng.
Troubling Chen Shuo to come so early in the morning, Yuan Feng felt bad and waved at him, “Assistant Chen, come and eat with us.”
Seeing Yuan Feng full of energy, Chen Shuo was relieved and refused with an expressionless face, “Thank you, Mr. Yuan, I’ve already eaten.”
“Oh, okay then.” Yuan Feng continued eating.
His little lover was unexpectedly pregnant and insisted on keeping the child despite the risks. He Yan didn’t want to be a father, but he couldn’t resist Yuan Feng’s fuss last night.
He instructed his assistant, “Drive my car back to the garage and choose a suitable one for yourself. The car keys are in the first drawer on the left after you enter.”
“Okay, CEO He.”
His boss was planning to personally accompany his little lover to the hospital for a checkup. Chen Shuo came to deliver the Mercedes he usually drove and take He Yan’s bulky SUV.
He was surprised by He Yan’s thoughtfulness. Yuan Feng wasn’t tall, and it was indeed risky for him to get in and out of the car while pregnant. It seemed he was planning to keep the child.
Considering Yuan Feng’s threatened miscarriage, Chen Shuo was worried about whether he could still work, but he learned at noon that Yuan Feng had already resigned. He Yan then instructed him to handle the handover process for Yuan Feng.
Having not set foot in a workplace for many years, Chen Shuo went to Xiongwei Metal Materials Co., Ltd. that afternoon. Although it was a modestly sized company, it was a proper company with an office building.
Before entering the unfamiliar workplace environment, he felt a bit resistant and uncomfortable, but after entering, he found that Yuan Feng’s working environment was terrible. The office was small and cramped, the desk piled with documents, and the room filled with a pungent smell of smoke.
Chen Shuo didn’t understand how Yuan Feng could adapt to such a place and even value this job so much. If he wasn’t pregnant, he would probably work there until retirement.
Unlike him, he couldn’t do it at all.
“Who are you?”
The man in front of him had thick eyebrows and protruding eyes, his appearance alone making people uncomfortable. Being able to sit in this position, he must be the new business manager.
Chen Shuo kept his distance and stated his purpose, “I’m Manager Yuan’s friend, here to handle the work handover for him.”
The new business manager got the job through connections and usually regarded Yuan Feng as a thorn in his side. Yuan Feng’s sudden resignation, bringing a man over in the morning to show off, had frustrated Fang Yuan, who was looking for an outlet for his anger. Confirming that Chen Shuo wasn’t a client, he stubbed out his cigarette and cursed, “Who the fuck are you? Tell that idiot Yuan Feng to come himself.”
“He can’t come.” Chen Shuo remained polite, “Please let me use the computer, I’ll finish the handover as quickly as possible, it won’t take long.”
Fang Yuan slammed the table, “I said tell that idiot Yuan Feng to come! Wearing a suit and acting all high and mighty? Do you even understand anything about the handover?”
The commotion in the office was loud. Chen Shuo saw two or three salespeople gathering to watch the show from the corner of his eye. He recalled his unpleasant work experience from years ago and wanted to leave.
Chen Meifang had told him that escaping wasn’t wrong, he could refuse if he didn’t like something.
For the past twenty years, Chen Shuo had been doing just that. Because he didn’t like his father, he refused to interact with him; he didn’t like workplace bullying, so he resigned decisively; he didn’t like his bitter childhood, so he treated his adult self well, only living a life that made him comfortable, even if it appeared cowardly and unambitious in the eyes of others.
But Chen Meifang hadn’t told him what to do when he hated something. After he beat up a classmate and sent him to the hospital, she only told him that fighting was wrong, that he shouldn’t resort to violence under any circumstances.
“Acting all high and mighty with me, who do you think you are? Get lost and tell Yuan Feng to come over.” Fang Yuan felt much better after venting his anger, looking very impressive in front of his subordinates.
Chen Shuo recalled the scene from over a decade ago, in the emergency room of the county hospital, where his mother, who had raised him single-handedly, apologized profusely to his homeroom teacher and the parents of his classmate, her posture extremely humble. Then she took out the two thousand yuan she had painstakingly earned from her padded jacket pocket, paying for his impulsive act.
Now he was an adult and could take responsibility for his own impulses.
Seeing his loyal lackey returning from a business trip, Fang Yuan gave him a look and raised his voice, “Yang Wei, come and get this idiot out of here!”
The next moment, a dark shadow loomed over Fang Yuan. Before he could react, a strong hand grabbed him from his chair, his collar tightened, causing a sharp pain in his neck.
“I’m being polite to you, and you’re pushing your luck?”
“You, you…” Fang Yuan couldn’t speak due to the pressure on his throat. He tried to struggle, but the man’s grip was incredibly strong, the muscles under his suit extremely firm, as if trying to strangle him. He instantly became as meek as a lamb, not daring to look directly into the man’s cold eyes.
“Can we do the handover or not, speak.”
“…” You’re fucking choking me, how can I speak! Fang Yuan, disregarding his pride, nodded vigorously, wondering where Yuan Feng had found this monster.
The smell of smoke was unpleasant. Seeing the small fry become obedient, Chen Shuo disdainfully threw him aside and sat down on the chair, feeling even more disgusted after touching the greasy mouse.
“Get out, come back in half an hour.”
“…” Having lost face in front of his subordinates, Fang Yuan was furious. He clenched his fists, momentarily frozen, thinking about what weapon to use to get even.
“Want to fight me?” Chen Shuo looked up, “I’m afraid you won’t be able to leave the hospital.”
Fang Yuan: “You…”
Chen Shuo: “Regarding your insulting remarks just now, which damaged my personal dignity and infringed on my right to reputation, I have recorded the evidence. I’ll leave it to the court to decide the sentence.”
Fang Yuan: “…”
Chen Shuo: “Cooperate, and I’ll drop the charges.”
Fang Yuan: “…” Fuck, he had encountered a lunatic.
Originally thinking he could finish the handover quickly, Chen Shuo didn’t expect Fang Yuan to be an idiot who couldn’t even understand the reports. The handover took three days. Fang Yuan went from initially unconvinced to completely convinced, even wanting to treat him to a meal.
If it weren’t for his gratitude towards Yuan Feng and wanting to help him resolve this matter, Chen Shuo was afraid he would have lost control and beaten him up. Fortunately, he was past the age of impulsiveness.
On the other side of Beicheng, the CEO of Gewu Media, Li Ge, was extremely impulsive now.
The little assistant hadn’t responded to him for a week. Not only did he not reply to his text messages that night, but he also didn’t answer his calls. He found a way to have someone pick up something from the company, but the other party used He Yan’s authority as an excuse to avoid him. How cowardly was he?
Seeing his boss lost in thought, Yu Rui carefully put down the coffee, planning to slip away unnoticed, lest the fire-breathing dragon take his anger out on him.
“Yu Rui.”
“Yes, Mr. Li?”
Li Ge looked at his assistant and asked, “Are you afraid of me?”
“…” Yu Rui was puzzled, taking the opportunity to flatter him, “Mr. Li, you’re very good, you never put on airs, you’re approachable and considerate of your employees, I want to follow you forever!”
Li Ge: “Get lost, what nonsense. I’m asking if I look scary? Have you ever been afraid of me? Tell the truth, I’ll deduct your salary if you flatter me again.”
Yu Rui: “Afraid! Mr. Li, you can be scary sometimes, those girls in the planning department are quite afraid of you, and so is the deputy director of the marketing department. But I know you’re doing it for the company’s development, so I understand, I still want to follow you forever!”
Li Ge’s face darkened. He didn’t understand why he was scary. He had the looks, the physique, the size, the skills, and he was also gentle, romantic, and considerate. So many people were after him, wanting to sleep with him, and only that little assistant with no discerning eye didn’t appreciate him.
“Mr. Li.” Yu Rui dared to ask and flattered, “Did you upset your girlfriend? Maybe I can give you some advice.”
Li Ge glanced at him. His assistant looked like an inexperienced single man. He said suspiciously, “Let’s hear it.”
Although he had zero dating experience, Yu Rui knew the formula. Based on his boss’s image at the company, he suggested, “You have to be gentle and patient. Sometimes you can’t keep chasing after the planning… uh, I mean, you have to give each other space, don’t push too hard, take it slow, try to understand her inner world, and occasionally give her small surprises, reflected in the details. Like that time you asked me to order a bouquet of flowers for you, it wasn’t very appropriate. Whether you put your heart into it or not, girls can sense it.”
Li Ge: “Get out.”
Yu Rui: “…”
Li Ge: “I’ve been playing this game since I was a teenager, do I need you to teach me?”
Yu Rui thought to himself: Scumbag, you’re not even cherishing the beautiful woman you’re with, you’ll get what you deserve sooner or later.
After his assistant left, Li Ge pondered. Perhaps he really had to play this game, be patient and gentle, give the fish more line to take the bait.
Soon, his opportunity came.
As soon as He Yan went on a business trip, Chen Shuo’s vacation ended. He was responsible for taking care of Yuan Feng at Jinxi Bay and accompanying him to the hospital for a checkup. He was actually quite willing to go, just so he could share his favorite TV dramas. Yuan Feng was bored staying at home all day, watching TV dramas would be good for him.
Arriving at Jinxi Bay on time at eight o’clock, Chen Shuo’s phone rang as soon as he got out of the car. Seeing the caller ID, he felt both disgusted and helpless. The playboy’s harassment was intermittent, and it couldn’t go on like this.
He answered, “Mr. Li, is there anything I can help you with?”
“Nothing, I thought I was blocked, just calling to confirm.” The man’s chuckling voice came from the other end of the phone, seemingly in a good mood.
After the incident with Fang Yuan, Chen Shuo gave up trying to deal with Li Ge and avoided him, “I have work to do.”
On the other end of the phone, Li Ge was truly in a good mood. The little assistant finally answered his call. Why hadn’t he noticed how pleasant the little assistant’s voice was before?
He tried to sound gentle, “Isn’t He Yan on a business trip, what is he making you do? Always exploiting you like this, it’s quite heartbreaking.”
“…” Chen Shuo wouldn’t flatter himself, but Li Ge’s intentions were becoming increasingly obvious, so he said directly, “Mr. Li, I’m not gay. Please don’t send me any more messages, thank you.”
Fuck, not gay? All that effort for nothing.
Li Ge didn’t think he would misjudge someone. Then he thought, it was even better if he wasn’t gay. The little assistant could do whatever he wanted, even get married to a woman, as long as he agreed to let him have him once.
“So you do react, you mean I can call you?”
“…” Chen Shuo refused, “No, thank you.”
Li Ge: “Don’t mention it, when are you free?”
“I’m available 24/7.” Chen Shuo no longer wasted his breath, “I’ll hang up now, Mr. Li.”
“Assistant Chen, I’m quite good at judging people.” Li Ge chuckled, teasing Chen Shuo, “With your frigid appearance, I bet you still have your first kiss, right?”
Chen Shuo: “…”
Li Ge: “Did I guess right?”
Chen Shuo immediately hung up the phone, put it back in his pocket, and calmly entered the building.
Seeing Chen Shuo, Yuan Feng was overjoyed. He was bored out of his mind with his idle life and stood up to invite him in, “Assistant Chen, have you eaten yet?”
“I have, you shouldn’t walk around too much.” Chen Shuo was worried.
“It’s okay!” Yuan Feng carefully sat back down, “The doctor said I can walk around a bit, I’ll have to walk downstairs by myself later, won’t I?”
A threatened miscarriage wasn’t a joke. Chen Shuo reminded him, “The less you walk, the better.”
Slurping his noodles, Yuan Feng casually asked Chen Shuo if he knew where to buy primary and secondary school textbooks. Chen Shuo was someone he could confide in, and he explained embarrassedly, “I dropped out of school in second grade and never had the chance to go back. Now I just eat, sleep, and do nothing at home every day, I want to find something to do.”
Roughly guessing the reason for dropping out of school, Chen Shuo took the initiative to take on this task, afraid that Yuan Feng would worry too much. After Yuan Feng finished his breakfast, he drove him to the hospital for a checkup, accompanying him throughout the process.
The blood test results needed time. He Yan had specifically instructed not to tire Yuan Feng out. Just as Chen Shuo helped Yuan Feng settle into the ward to rest, his phone vibrated several times, three harassing text messages.
“I’m going out to make a phone call.”
“Oh.” Yuan Feng was looking up information on anti-radiation clothing and only remembered the silent person outside the door when he heard the voice, “Go ahead if you have something to do, don’t stay with me.”
“I’m not busy, just a few minutes.”
Chen Shuo only gave himself five minutes to resolve the issue. The text messages weren’t ambiguous, the three messages forming a complete sentence: Li Ge was asking him to meet up tonight.
He walked into the fire escape and called back. The call connected almost immediately.
“Oh, taking the initiative to call me?”
“I made it very clear this morning.” Chen Shuo dropped his politeness and asked coldly, “What do you want?” With a chuckle, he heard Li Ge say something vulgar and explicit.
“I want to fuck you.”
“…”
