Chapter 22 Part 2:
Forced Kiss, The Little Assistant’s First Kiss (Part 2/2)
Finally getting through to the little assistant’s phone, Li Ge was relieved that he hadn’t been blocked. But when he called again, he was blocked again. Unbelievable.
“Fuck.”
He had never been so frustrated. In his anger, he thought about giving up. What was a little assistant? What qualifications did he have to be worth his time and effort? How much time and effort had he wasted on him? He even got punched in the face, his face swollen for several days.
That night, Li Ge went out drinking with his old classmate Dong Mo. Through Dong Mo’s connection, he took the male model whose physique was similar to Chen Shuo’s to a hotel and had sex with him, but he still felt frustrated and even aggrieved.
“Who the fuck do you think you are?”
The male model yelped, feeling suffocated, so he removed the blanket covering his head and tried to please his client, “I’m your dog.”
“Who allowed you to show your face? Don’t you know you’re ugly?” Li Ge instantly lost interest and kicked the male model off the bed, “Disgusting, get lost!”
The male model was bewildered and didn’t dare to say anything, quickly getting dressed and running away.
The room became quiet. Li Ge irritably lit a cigarette, smoking and thinking, he was really desperate, it was all because of that Chen guy, making him like this.
Fuck, this couldn’t go on.
The temperature difference between day and night was significant in Beicheng’s autumn, and the room was already getting cold. Chen Shuo put away the thin blanket, changed to a thicker one, and went to bed on time at nine o’clock after showering.
Just as he was starting to feel sleepy, a knock came on the door.
Chen Shuo opened his eyes and sat up vigilantly. The knocking continued. He got up and slowly approached the door, barefoot, and soon heard Li Ge’s voice.
“Chen, open the door.”
“You pretentious bastard, stop pretending, I know you’re home.”
Listening to the slightly slurred voice, Chen Shuo was speechless. This playboy liked to accuse people after drinking.
“Not opening, are you? Believe it or not, I’ll start yelling? I’ll call all your neighbors out to watch the show and tell them how I kissed you senseless last time.”
Chen Shuo: “…”
“Do you think you can hide forever? I’m telling you, there’s nothing I, Li Ge, can’t do, fucking you is more than enough.”
Having underestimated Li Ge’s perversion, Chen Shuo simply played dead, returning to bed only after the knocking stopped and there was no more movement outside the door.
Time passed, and he listened to the ticking of the clock, certain that he couldn’t sleep.
Daylight streamed through the window. Li Ge was awakened by the sunlight, opening his eyes groggily, his head splitting. Last night’s memories slowly returned, and he instantly sobered up. He had done something bad, it seemed he had scolded the little assistant.
Forget it, he thought.
He deserved it.
Despite thinking this, having not eaten anything, Li Ge still went to Hengxin Group at noon, trying to salvage his precarious image, but unexpectedly learned that the little assistant had taken leave and gone out of town.
“What kind of leave did he take?”
“What are you up to?” He Yan scolded his cousin, “You’re always up to no good, I can’t control you, call your mother this afternoon.”
“…” Li Ge was unhappy and said self-deprecatingly, “Go ahead and call her, I’ll come out directly, I can’t do it with women anyway, I’m hopeless.”
When it came to major life events, He Yan and Li Ge were in the same boat. He Yan didn’t have the right to say much, only advising his cousin, “Think carefully before making a decision.”
“I’ve thought it through.” Li Ge said, “I have to win Chen Shuo over.”
He Yan: “…”
Li Ge: “If I don’t succeed, I’ll change my name.”
He Yan: “Find someone else, he’s not gay, don’t bother him.”
Li Ge: “How is he not? He gave me his first kiss.”
He Yan: “…”
Seeing his cousin speechless, Li Ge couldn’t help but inquire, “Whose son is he exactly? Just so I know, if you don’t tell me, I’ll find out myself.”
He Yan had no choice but to briefly tell his cousin. Li Ge was relieved after hearing it. It wasn’t some powerful background. Chen Shuo was just the son of a small entrepreneur in Jiangcheng, and his uncle was the entrepreneur’s benefactor. Four years ago, the entrepreneur happened to learn that his son was working at Hengxin Group and asked He Yan to look after him.
“What a coincidence.” Li Ge chuckled, “His father is from the same place as me.”
He Yan didn’t like talking about other people’s family matters, so he didn’t mention Chen Shuo’s parents’ divorce. As for where Chen Shuo’s father was from, he didn’t care.
He reminded his cousin, “I advise you to find someone else, don’t you know what kind of person you are?”
“What kind of person am I?” Li Ge was unconvinced , “Do you know how much effort I’ve put in for him? I think about him every day, if he’s with me, I’ll definitely treat him well.”
He Yan: “…”
Li Ge: “How long is his leave?”
He Yan: “Until December.”
“What?” Li Ge quickly took out his phone and checked the calendar. Even if it was until the first of December, that was still forty days, and it was only October now…
“He’s really something.” He laughed in exasperation.
Autumn passed, and winter came.
In early December, the first snow fell in Beicheng.
On the day of the NT scan, Yuan Feng woke up early and excitedly put on the winter clothes his baby’s father bought him, wrapping himself up like a dumpling.
The checkup went smoothly. Seeing Chen Shuo at the hospital, he became even more excited, forgetting their formality and calling him by name, “Chen Shuo! You’re back from your vacation, how was it?”
“It was very good.” Chen Shuo timed his return with Yuan Feng’s pregnancy. He hadn’t actually gone anywhere, still staying at the same homestay in the suburbs, giving himself a long vacation, not using his phone at all during that time.
Yu Rui had intermittently complained to him, and the two directors, Liu Dasen and Jin Hu, had also contacted him, inviting him to watch their heavy art film in advance and give them some feedback.
There was also a text message from his biological father, Jing Hai.
From the moment he changed his surname to his mother’s, Chen Shuo’s world only had his mother, Chen Meifang. He only replied to Yu Rui, confirming one piece of news: the playboy had indeed quieted down, his relationship with his girlfriend stable, but he still frequented bars.
He Yan personally escorted Yuan Feng to the car and instructed, “You only have two hours, take care of yourself.”
Yuan Feng nodded, “He’s from my village, we haven’t seen each other for a long time.”
“Okay.” He Yan instructed his assistant, “Stay with him, don’t let him catch a cold.”
“Okay, CEO He.”
Having work as soon as he returned, being responsible for taking Yuan Feng to meet a fellow villager, Chen Shuo was quite proactive.
The car was quiet. Yuan Feng was about to catch up with Chen Shuo when his phone rang. Good news from his hometown, his sister had given birth to a healthy baby boy, he was an uncle now.
However, after the call ended, Yuan Feng sighed, “Assistant Chen, are you going back to your hometown for the New Year?”
“No.” Chen Shuo didn’t treat Yuan Feng as an outsider and said, “I haven’t been back for six years.”
Touching a sensitive topic, Yuan Feng thought Chen Shuo’s father had also passed away and hurriedly apologized, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
Chen Shuo: “It’s okay, no need to apologize.”
Yuan Feng couldn’t help but ask, “Then do you spend New Year’s alone every year?”
Chen Shuo: “Yes.”
So Chen Shuo was the same as him. Yuan Feng understood the feeling of spending New Year’s alone and, afraid that Chen Shuo would be sad, comforted him, “We’re quite similar, I also spend New Year’s alone, it’s actually quite comfortable.”
Chen Shuo: “Yes, I prefer quietness.”
“Oh.” Yuan Feng didn’t like quietness, New Year’s should be lively. He originally wanted to invite Chen Shuo to spend New Year’s with him, but thinking that he already had the little bun in his belly and the baby’s father, he wasn’t sure if he could ask.
Arriving at the auto repair shop owned by Yuan Feng’s fellow villager, Chen Shuo was uncomfortably scrutinized by the man named Xu Hui. Thinking that he was Yuan Feng’s close friend, he reluctantly nodded as a greeting.
Xu Hui: “Who’s that man? Your driver? Don’t tell me you’re being kept by a rich woman.”
Yuan Feng: “No, come on, let’s talk inside.”
Worried about Yuan Feng, Chen Shuo stood at the entrance of the auto repair shop, braving the cold wind. His phone suddenly rang. He took it out of his coat pocket, seeing an unfamiliar number, and didn’t think much of it. Just as he answered, a shout came from inside the shop.
Xu Hui: “Holy shit!! Really?!?”
“…” Yuan Feng’s ears were almost ringing, “Can you be quieter? I’m leaving if you keep this up.”
“What happened? Where are you?” The voice on the phone made Chen Shuo freeze for a moment, confirming Yuan Feng’s situation was important.
He ignored Li Ge and entered the auto repair shop to check on Yuan Feng. After confirming he was fine, he went back outside and asked Li Ge, “Is there something?”
Li Ge: “We’ve already kissed, what’s with this attitude?”
Chen Shuo: “If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up.”
Li Ge: “Wait, I’ll come find you tonight.”
Chen Shuo: “I’m not free.”
Why didn’t he hang up immediately? Because Chen Shuo knew he couldn’t avoid it. Why did he exchange a few meaningless words? Because he subconsciously did so, not knowing how to get rid of this dog shit, even throwing away his shoes wouldn’t work.
He wouldn’t leave Beicheng.
He wouldn’t change his life for anyone. If one day he really left Beicheng, it would be his own choice, not because of anyone else.
“…” Li Ge looked at his phone, figuring he had been blocked again.
He had run out of patience with waiting. He couldn’t stand the thought of waiting at the apartment anymore, but he couldn’t think of a way to approach Chen Shuo. After much deliberation, he still had to ask He Yan for help.
Before getting off work, He Yan received a call from his cousin, not giving him a chance to speak, “I’m not free.”
“I was wondering why I couldn’t get you out recently, so you were rushing home to coax your wife.” Li Ge mentioned the good news he heard a few days ago, “So awesome, becoming a dad quietly, I’m going to be an uncle.”
He Yan: “What do you want?”
Li Ge: “I have good news and bad news, which one do you want to hear first?”
He Yan: “Goodbye.”
“Hey, wait, wait.” Li Ge said, “This matter of yours has stimulated my mother, she’s forcing me to go on blind dates now. Tell me, how are you going to compensate me?”
Yuan Feng was waiting for him at home, and He Yan didn’t have time to waste, saying briefly, “I’ll give you a big red envelope when you get married.”
“…” Li Ge became excited, “Seriously? Where am I supposed to find someone to marry? Come out for drinks tonight as compensation.”
He Yan: “Let’s talk about it later.”
“Whipped?” Li Ge was surprised, “Wait, are you still my big brother?”
He Yan: “He’s not feeling well recently.”
Li Ge: “You really found a treasure, why can’t I find someone like that, so my mother will stop nagging me.”
“…” He Yan felt like he had found an ancestor.
Li Ge: “The good news is that I have a nephew, the bad news is that your little assistant is ignoring me, give me some advice.”
It had been so long, and he still hadn’t given up. He Yan underestimated his cousin’s competitive spirit and said resignedly, “Why are you competing with him? I can’t give you any advice.”
Li Ge: “Who’s competing with him? I really like him, he’s my type now, no one else will do.”
He Yan: “Goodbye.”
Li Ge: “…”
As early as noon, when he heard Chen Shuo’s voice, Li Ge’s heart itched unbearably, imagining what it would be like if that voice was moaning in bed, definitely different from those sluts.
He didn’t know what was going on himself, he found it strange. He hadn’t missed him that much during the days they were out of contact, his mind was on his projects during the day, and he would only occasionally think about him at night, taking care of himself if he did.
If there was no opening with He Yan…
Heaven helps those who help themselves. Just as Li Ge was worried about how to approach Chen Shuo, his cousin He Yan moved, to a large apartment of several hundred square meters, and his never-before-seen brother-in-law also moved in.
He learned from his aunt that the brother-in-law named Yuan Feng was currently studying at home, and the tutor had already been arranged, surnamed Chen, single name Shuo.
“The textbooks have been organized, the study is this way, follow me.” Chen Shuo explained as he walked, “CEO He instructed that you have two hours of study time every day, one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon.”
Yuan Feng was surprised, “He agreed to let me study? He didn’t even tell me in advance.”
Chen Shuo hesitated for two seconds and said, “He probably wanted to surprise you, I’ll come over and teach you starting tomorrow.”
“Ah? You’re going to teach me?” Yuan Feng was shocked, “Assistant Chen, you’re so amazing, you can even teach this.”
Chen Shuo: “I’m not amazing.”
Yuan Feng: “Don’t be so modest.”
Yuan Feng followed Chen Shuo to the study and was shocked again when he saw the environment, asking, “Did we go to the wrong study? Why is it so big?”
“No, it’s yours.” Chen Shuo pointed to one side of the bookshelf and introduced, “This side is for elementary and junior high school, the other side is for high school.”
Yuan Feng: “Even high school textbooks? It must be very difficult.”
Chen Shuo: “For the current you, it probably is.”
“Oh, then—” A ringtone rang. Yuan Feng saw Chen Shuo directly hang up the phone and felt a bit embarrassed, “Assistant Chen, you could have answered it.”
“It was a telemarketer.” Chen Shuo said calmly.
Yuan Feng: “Then you should hang up, don’t bother with them.”
Chen Shuo walked to the desk. Before he could speak, the phone rang again.
“Telemarketers are so annoying.” Yuan Feng noticed Chen Shuo’s troubled expression and offered, “You’re too kind, let me answer it and scold them for you.”
“…” Chen Shuo said helplessly, “Sorry, I’ll go outside to answer it.”
Yuan Feng: “Okay, go ahead, I’ll look around.”
Why hadn’t he blocked Li Ge? Because Chen Shuo knew it was useless. He entered the guest bathroom and closed the door, not answering the call, choosing to hang up, just wanting some peace and quiet.
The third call didn’t come, but a text message did.
“Why didn’t you block me?”
Chen Shuo really wanted to reply: Leave me alone. The servants in palace dramas had also pleaded with their masters like this, but they still ended up dead.
Li Ge only harassed him this once. The next day, he barged into his aunt’s house with his assistant, startling Min Lanying, who was knitting a sweater.
“Xiao Ge, why did you buy so many things?” Min Lanying looked at her nephew and the several large boxes by his feet.
“I came to see you.” Li Ge turned back and instructed his assistant, “Yu Rui, bring all these things inside.”
Yu Rui struggled to carry the boxes inside, seeing the extravagant apartment and feeling envious and jealous again, thinking that he had to chat with Assistant Chen later, comparing himself to others was really infuriating!
“Aunt, these aren’t just for you, they’re also for my brother and his wife. I heard pregnant women like to eat fruit, so I brought some.” Li Ge took the initiative to carry two large boxes, “These two boxes are for the baby, bottles, clothes, toys, and prenatal music.”
“…” Min Lanying scolded, “You shouldn’t have, child.”
“I’m going to be an uncle, I’m so excited.” Li Ge entered the apartment and scanned the layout.
Min Lanying: “Let your assistant rest for a while, I’ll go make some tea.”
“No need, Aunt.” Li Ge waved his hand at his assistant, “Take a taxi back, close the door behind you.”
Yu Rui complied and left reluctantly.
“Aunt,” Li Ge went straight to the point, “My brother is always being secretive, I haven’t even met my brother-in-law yet, I heard he’s starting his lessons today?”
“They’re studying right now.” Min Lanying was surprised, “You haven’t met yet?”
Li Ge: “My brother won’t let me, so I came here.”
They were all family, they had to get acquainted sooner or later. Min Lanying led her nephew to the study door and knocked gently, “Xiao Feng, Auntie is coming in.”
“Okay!”
As the door opened, Li Ge directly ignored the delicate-looking Yuan Feng, his gaze fixed on the man beside him. When the man saw him, a fleeting look of surprise flashed across his eyes, and he smiled with satisfaction.
Min Lanying smiled and introduced, “Xiao Feng, this is Xiao Yan’s cousin. You’ve been studying for more than half an hour, take a break, I’ll go prepare some fruit and snacks for you.”
“Hello.” Yuan Feng, having never met Li Ge, greeted him awkwardly.
Li Ge then looked at the “opening,” who was wearing pajamas and looked a bit thin.
He quickly stepped forward and took Yuan Feng’s hand familiarly, smiling, “Hello, I’m He Yan’s cousin, Li Ge. We’re all family, I’ll call you brother-in-law.”
“Uh…” Yuan Feng chuckled awkwardly, “You can call me Yuan Feng, Yuan as in one yuan, Feng as in harvest.”
Li Ge: “I’ll still call you brother-in-law, it’s more intimate.”
Yuan Feng: “…”
Chen Shuo stood silently aside, his gaze sweeping over Li Ge’s smug smile, which was truly an eyesore, making him unhappy.
