I’m Keeping the Overbearing CEO After He Went Bankrupt [Rebirth] 5

Chapter 5: The Overbearing CEO is Cheating!

“Mr. Huo…” Chu Qing curled up in a corner of the bed, his face flushed. “Not tonight.”

“Why? You’re not willing?”

“Mmm.”

Huo Li’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Chu Qing pulled the blanket tighter. “I’m not willing. I… I want to sleep… by myself.”

Huo Li paused for a moment, then sighed and stood up. “Alright.”

He had been too hasty.

“Good night.”

Huo Li left, turning off the light for Chu Qing and closing the door behind him.

Chu Qing lay huddled in his blanket, dazed.

In the past, Huo Li had been his benefactor, the high-and-mighty CEO of Huiying. Back then, he wouldn’t even dare to speak to Huo Li, only daring to send him carefully worded texts on WeChat.

He never would have imagined that one day he would be bargaining with Huo Li in bed.

Chu Qing felt like he might be dreaming.

It was as if a world that had once been very, very distant was suddenly within his grasp.

But now, he had no idea how to react.

So many things were happening.

Huo Li, Starry Sky, Huo Liao…

Chu Qing began to feel anxious for no reason. His world had always been monotonous and gray. He had never experienced being teased by Huo Li like this; after all, Huo Li had always been cold and indifferent towards him.

Then there was the sudden olive branch from Starry Sky, and Huo Liao’s transgressions…

Chu Qing had been consistently taking medication to manage his depression, but because he had slept with Huo Li, he had missed a dose that day. Now, having stopped his medication, Chu Qing felt even more anxious, as if an invisible hand were throttling him.

He unconsciously picked at his fingers. Whenever he was uneasy, he had a habit of picking at his fingers, tearing at the dead skin around his nails. As a result, his fingers were often covered in small wounds, though it didn’t matter much since he wore gloves for performances or when on camera.

Knock, knock.

Chu Qing froze.

He heard Huo Li’s voice from outside the door, muffled by the wood. “Qingbao, I heard you’re still awake. I brought you some milk.”

Ah…?

How could Huo Li hear me with the door closed? Chu Qing wondered.

After entering the room, Huo Li handed Chu Qing a glass of warm milk.

“This will help you sleep better.”

Chu Qing was a little surprised. He numbly took the glass and obediently drank the milk.

“Thank you…”

Chu Qing paused, then lowered his head. “I like it a lot.”

“Good.”

Huo Li noticed the flicker of happiness in Chu Qing’s eyes and thought to himself that this was probably the only thing he had done today that had pleased his sponsor.

It was somewhat unexpected.

When Chu Qing was happy, Huo Li felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart.

Huo Li glanced at the fingers Chu Qing was deliberately trying to hide, his eyes narrowing slightly.

This Chu Qing…

Huo Li’s heart ached with pity, and his gaze towards Chu Qing couldn’t help but soften several degrees.

It was the first time Huo Li had been in contact with someone so sensitive and delicate. Before this, the circles he moved in were full of… well, it was better not to mention it.

He had a vague idea of what was going on, but he wasn’t willing to expose the young man’s vulnerability.

“By the way,” Huo Li mused for a moment before saying, “you said that Yu Weixi has a friend who is a gay socialite?”

“Mmm, yes. An Yize. He has a lot of fans on Weibo,” Chu Qing said, puzzled. “Why?”

“No reason.”

“Then… good night.”

“Good night.”

After leaving the room, Huo Li called his psychotherapist in the US.

He had to first understand Chu Qing’s condition.

…

The next day, both Huo Li and Chu Qing had to go out.

The assistant from Starry Sky had arranged to meet with Chu Qing for a detailed discussion, and had reportedly even brought a dedicated legal consultant. It was quite a grand affair. Huo Li, meanwhile, said he had some business to take care of.

Huo Li offered to drive, continuing to fulfill his duties. Fortunately, Huo Li had dabbled in racing in the US, so while he wasn’t an expert driver, he was at least competent.

After dropping Chu Qing off at Starry Sky, Huo Li went to Huiying.

Old Master Huo had initially given the entertainment industry branch of the Huiying Group to Huo Liao, while Huo Li had inherited the real estate business.

Now that Huo Li was back, he went to find the agent for the real estate company.

“CEO Huo!”

Besides the agent, one of Huo Li’s friends—Zhang Zhuolan—had also come.

Zhang Zhuolan was the big boss of a domestic real estate chain, but he was a hedonistic playboy, a second-generation rich kid who had directly inherited his father’s business.

In the meeting room, Zhang Zhuolan was slouched in his chair as if he had no bones.

“CEO Huo, you’re back! When are we going for drinks?”

Huo Li said calmly, “I’m bankrupt. I have no money for drinks.”

Zhang Zhuolan thought to himself that while the company in the US had officially filed for bankruptcy, which sounded tragic, he felt that Huo Li had a solid foundation and that making a comeback wouldn’t be difficult at all. Although he didn’t know why, or where exactly Huo Li’s solid foundation lay—all that was too complicated for a wastrel like him.

Perhaps it was because even though Huo Li was in a tragic situation, he didn’t act tragic at all. Wherever he went, he still had that “king of cool” aura.

In any case, Zhang Zhuolan knew that Huo Li was still the boss.

Best not to provoke him.

When the man said he wanted to cooperate, didn’t he come running right over?

Zhang Zhuolan asked, “Is CEO Huo planning to build up this real estate business?”

Previously, Huo Li’s company in the US was separate from Huiying. Zhang Zhuolan wasn’t sure what Huo Li’s plans were now.

“Yes, and it will remain separate from Huiying,” Huo Li said, tapping his finger lightly on the tabletop. “That’s why I need to cooperate.”

…

Meanwhile, Chu Qing finished his discussion with the assistant. After getting a general idea of the situation, he sent a message to Huo Li.

Huo Li’s meeting wasn’t over yet, so Chu Qing simply said he would take a taxi to find him, so as not to trouble Huo Li with driving.

Huo Li didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. This sponsor of his was truly easygoing.

“Texting your little lover? You’re smiling so sweetly.” Zhang Zhuolan propped up his chin, thinking to himself that so, Huo Li could actually smile.

“What little lover? That’s my Sponsor Daddy,” Huo Li said without reservation.

“Pfft—” Zhang Zhuolan nearly spat out a mouthful of water.

“Uh… uh, your current benefactor?” Zhang Zhuolan tried his best to understand.

“Yes.”

“Ah…” Zhang Zhuolan couldn’t help but be curious, wondering what kind of person this was.

“Do me a favor?” Huo Li suddenly asked.

“Name it!” Zhang Zhuolan patted his chest. “If a brother asks, I’ll go through fire and water!”

Huo Li nodded. “When he gets here later, can you yell at me a bit?”

…

Zhang Zhuolan: “?”

Zhang Zhuolan: “Is that ‘yell at’ as in, the ‘yell at’ I’m thinking of?”

“Yes. Please use your most vicious and disgusted tone to demand your debt from me.”

“…”

Zhang Zhuolan’s legs trembled.

“Um… th-that debt from before, I really don’t mind. It’s my old man’s money anyway, it doesn’t stop me from whoring… no, I mean, I don’t mind!”

“I know,” Huo Li said. “But I just hope you can put on an act.”

…

So when Chu Qing arrived and was led by a staff member to the company’s meeting room, he heard a man’s angry shouting coming from behind the half-closed door.

“You bastard, when are you going to pay back the money you owe me?! Do I have to f*ck your mother for you to know who’s your daddy?!”

“Are you trying to make my grandson collect the money from your grandson?!”

Huo Li: “.”

Huo Li looked at Zhang Zhuolan. His mouth had said no, but why did he seem to be enjoying the cursing so much?

…Zhang Zhuolan was indeed enjoying it.

It was a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to curse out the great CEO Huo. He was going to enjoy it while he could.

Bang!

Zhang Zhuolan even slammed his hand on the table angrily.

Huo Li raised an eyebrow slightly.

Don’t be scared, don’t be scared, Zhang Zhuolan thought to himself. Fck it, I’ll enjoy scolding him and deal with it later! This is what he asked for!*

“Heh, Huo Li, you beast. You put on a suit and really think you’re human? A leopard can’t change its spots. A debt is a debt!”

Outside the door, Chu Qing became furious.

“You… how can you talk like that!” Chu Qing stepped forward, stood in front of Huo Li, and frowned. “How much does he owe you?”

Zhang Zhuolan named a figure.

Chu Qing: “…”

Chu Qing took a deep breath. “He… he will pay it back in the future.”

“Oh? You’ll pay it back for him?” Zhang Zhuolan enjoyed stirring up trouble.

So this was the “Sponsor Daddy” Huo Li had mentioned? He looked so gentle and easy to bully. Zhang Zhuolan found it fascinating.

“Can… can we pay in installments?” Chu Qing tried to negotiate.

“Uh… sure?”

Standing behind Chu Qing, Huo Li was a little surprised, and a strange feeling stirred in his heart.

Initially, Huo Li had only asked Zhang Zhuolan to do this to convince Chu Qing that he was really bankrupt. After all, Huo Li had sponsored Chu Qing for half his life, and Chu Qing still found it hard to believe that Huo Li could truly be bankrupt, which was why he was always somewhat reserved with him.

But he hadn’t expected…

This was the first time Chu Qing had seen this shameless, money-grubbing, “please keep me” side of Huo Li.

But today was also the first time Huo Li had seen the normally passive and submissive Chu Qing stand up for him like this.

Huo Li stepped forward and took Chu Qing’s hand. “It’s fine,” he said gently. “I can pay it back myself. Let’s go first.”

Before leaving, Chu Qing shot another look at Zhang Zhuolan, a clear hint of vigilance in his eyes.

Zhang Zhuolan gave a bitter laugh. He was just a tool! He hugged himself pitifully.

After Huo Li got into the car with Chu Qing, he noticed that his expression was still grim.

“You don’t have to worry about that business with Zhang Zhuolan…” Huo Li said as he drove. “I can manage the company’s funds.”

“Mmm, okay,” Chu Qing said, his head lowered.

He was concerned about something else now.

After leaving Starry Sky, he had received a WeChat message from Yu Weixi asking him what was going on. He said that a man had contacted An Yize, asking for help finding “work” and connecting with people.

As for what kind of “work,” it went without saying. An Yize had a large social circle and knew many people in that line, so helping out wasn’t difficult. Moreover, the man had given An Yize his details—although he used a fake name and identity, his other qualifications were excellent. He was a top-quality catch, the kind who could get rich in minutes.

However, after learning that the man had gotten in touch with An Yize through Chu Qing, Yu Weixi decided to let Chu Qing know.

When Chu Qing found out, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

Was this… his way of looking for a new sponsor??

Chu Qing sat in the passenger seat, his head slightly bowed, his fingers restlessly kneading his palms.

The first time he had seen Huo Li was many years ago at a Huiying company gala.

Huo Li had sponsored the orphanage he lived in, so the director held a thank-you ceremony at the annual party and had Chu Qing perform on the piano. Huo Li, who had been talking to someone in the audience, was drawn to him as soon as he went on stage.

Chu Qing sensed Huo Li watching him.

His gaze was scrutinizing, playful, and appreciative.

After he came off stage, Huo Li had said to him, “Not bad. You have a bright future ahead of you.”

At that time, Huo Li was dressed in an expensive suit, holding a wine glass, exuding an air of aloofness and nobility, as if he were born high up in the clouds, looking down on all mortals.

This is someone from a completely different world than me, Chu Qing had thought.

“…Mr. Huo,” Chu Qing couldn’t help but ask, “how much money do you need right now?”

“I don’t need a lot of money, just enough to get by.” Huo Li was a smart man. Seeing Chu Qing’s expression, he had already guessed what he was thinking. A faint, unreadable smile played on his lips. “Didn’t I say? A life of plain water and steamed buns is fine.”

“Oh…”

The car slowly drove back to Chu Qing’s small apartment. After seeing Chu Qing inside, Huo Li turned as if to leave again.

Chu Qing: “Where are you going?”

Huo Li: “Reporting, sir. I still have a partnership to discuss.”

Chu Qing clutched the hem of his shirt. “You’re… you’re not going to find An Yize, or someone he connected you with, are you?”

Huo Li froze.

After a pause, Huo Li deliberately teased him. “What if I am?”

Chu Qing took a deep breath. He had been struggling with this the entire ride and had finally made a momentous decision.

Chu Qing blocked Huo Li’s path, reached out, and tugged on his sleeve. In a tiny voice, he said, “You… don’t look for anyone else.”

“I can keep you…”