Chapter 38
That night, Murong Cheng saw a different side of Murong Yan.
Empty wine bottles littered the living room, most of them consumed by Murong Yan, though Murong Cheng had joined him for a few sips of each.
But that was enough to get him drunk.
A drunk Murong Yan was more talkative, holding him close, whispering sweet nothings, and sharing childhood stories.
Murong Cheng suddenly understood Murong Jing’s resentment.
He was much younger, always at a disadvantage, yet constantly compared to his older brother, even by their parents.
As a child, Murong Jing probably admired his brother, but as he grew older, the admiration had curdled into resentment, fueled by his inability to surpass him and the constant comparisons. He was like the “other kid” everyone’s parents used against their own children. Having never grown up together, he and Murong Yan lacked a close bond, only the constant pressure of competition and the sting of criticism for falling short.
A life of luxury didn’t guarantee happiness, especially when coupled with emotional neglect.
“Do you hate him? Murong Jing?” Murong Cheng asked, his head resting on Murong Yan’s chest.
Murong Yan’s eyes were hazy with alcohol, but he shook his head firmly. “Why would I bother with a child?”
“What about your father? Do you hate him, Chairman Murong?”
Murong Yan closed his eyes, then said after a long pause, “I used to. I hated him.”
“But then I realized feelings are meaningless to him, to me. He doesn’t care about my hate, or my admiration. It doesn’t affect him. So I stopped resenting him.”
He took a deep breath and lowered his head.
“But you still care, don’t you?” Murong Cheng asked softly, his eyes filled with concern.
Murong Yan didn’t answer, taking a large gulp of wine.
After a moment, he murmured, “I won’t let him control me anymore.”
Murong Cheng: “What do you mean?”
Murong Yan looked at him intently. “I won’t agree to the arranged marriage. Ah Cheng, I won’t let him hurt you. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Murong Cheng smiled and hugged him. “Hubby, I trust you.”
The warm shower spray heightened his senses.
The large, square bathtub was big enough for two.
Although Murong Yan had drunk more, Murong Cheng was the one who felt more intoxicated.
The bathroom was filled with steam, the water in the tub clouding slightly.
The alcohol sharpened his senses, and he suddenly remembered the time he had accidentally slept in Murong Yan’s bed after getting drunk at the company’s beach resort. He hadn’t imagined that one day, he would actually be in Murong Yan’s bed, not accidentally, but intentionally.
He chuckled softly.
He dipped his finger in the warm water and traced a pattern on Murong Yan’s chest, a playful tease. Murong Yan’s eyes narrowed, his hand pressing Murong Cheng’s shoulder, pushing him slightly under the water.
The water pressure made his breathing hitch. He struggled to sit up, his mouth and nose just above the surface.
Murong Yan leaned in, their lips meeting, sharing a breath. Murong Cheng wrapped his arms around his neck, wanting more.
The alcohol and warm water dulled the pain, amplifying the pleasure.
He accidentally swallowed some water and coughed, his head resting on the edge of the tub. Murong Yan’s hand moved to his backside, a playful caress.
“Yan-ge… mmm… don’t… hubby…”
His eyes were flushed, his voice a mixture of pleasure and pain.
Murong Yan’s lips silenced his soft moans.
Murong Cheng surrendered, lost in the intensity of the moment.
Exhausted, he drifted off to sleep, not remembering when he lost consciousness. He woke up clean and dry in the bedroom, the previous night’s passion a hazy memory.
“Yan-ge…” he murmured, reaching out blindly. The bed was still warm, but Murong Yan was gone, leaving only a note on the nightstand.
He sat up, reaching for the bedside lamp, a sharp pain shooting through him.
He winced, then focused on the note, understanding why Murong Yan had left a physical note instead of a text message.
[Baby, you were amazing last night. Rest well these next few days.
I have some urgent business, a short trip. Duan Shao is with me. Call me if you need anything, or you can contact Yan Xiaoling.
I applied the ointment before I left. It’s on the nightstand. Apply it a few more times when you wake up.]
The short note made his cheeks burn.
He touched his face, relieved he was alone.
[Cheng: Where are you going?]
He lay back down and messaged Murong Yan.
After an hour with no reply, he sat up again and reached for the ointment.
This was his first time applying it himself.
He was clumsy and awkward, his face red.
The memory of Murong Yan holding him resurfaced. He shook his head, trying to banish the thoughts, and accidentally pressed too hard on the sore spot, wincing in pain.
How could Murong Yan do this to him?
Sharing intimate moments one night, then leaving for a business trip without a word the next morning? Even workaholics needed rest.
He was still suffering the consequences. Murong Yan should have stayed and taken care of him.
He pouted, finished applying the ointment, and sighed.
He already missed him.
Murong Yan must be on a plane. He still hadn’t replied.
He dragged himself out of bed, showered, ate breakfast, and then slept until evening.
His phone finally buzzed. A message from Murong Yan.
He hadn’t answered his question about the business trip.
[Y: Be good and stay home. Wait for me.]
So he wasn’t going to tell him. He pouted.
Another message arrived.
[Y: Apply the ointment diligently. Be better before I get back.]
He threw his phone across the bed.
He was doing this on purpose, wasn’t he?
Chapter 39
Dinner was, again, prepared by the housekeeper.
Murong Yan’s apartment was large and soundproof. He hadn’t even noticed the housekeeper cleaning and cooking while he slept.
But the spacious apartment felt empty without Murong Yan, who was away on a business trip of unknown duration and destination.
He finished his second meal of the day, feeling listless, and scrolled through his Moments.
A new post from Chi Yu appeared at the top of his feed.
A photo of a newly finished painting, with no caption, the colors bright and cheerful. A window, a courtyard outside, bare branches with budding green leaves.
It didn’t look like the view from his studio. Murong Cheng liked the post and messaged him.
[Cheng: How are you doing?]
He had been worried about Chi Yu after their last meeting, intending to visit him again the next morning. But Chi Yu had sent a voice message, saying he was fine and asking him not to come. He had sounded much better than the previous night, and unsure whether Murong Jing was there, Murong Cheng hadn’t gone.
[Yu: Why the sudden concern?]
[Yu: Is your man away on a business trip?]
Murong Cheng touched his nose sheepishly. His neglect had been noticed. But hadn’t Chi Yu done the same, preventing him from visiting?
[Cheng: Yes.]
[Cheng: Where are you? I’ll come over.]
This time, Chi Yu didn’t object.
[Yu: Studio. Come on over.]
He packed a bag, intending to stay the night at Chi Yu’s place since Murong Yan wasn’t home. He stared at Murong Yan’s car keys for a moment, then decided to call a taxi.
Chi Yu’s studio was spotless, back to its usual pristine state.
Several new paintings, the paint still wet, were displayed in the work area.
“You seem to have recovered well,” Murong Cheng observed, noticing Chi Yu’s improved demeanor. “Back together with Murong Jing?”
“What are you talking about?” Chi Yu rolled his eyes. “We broke up. For good.”
He coughed, as if to cover his embarrassment.
“The name Murong Jing no longer exists in my vocabulary.”
“Technically, it’s a lexicon, not a vocabulary,” Murong Cheng teased, seeing his improved mood.
Chi Yu: “…You’re so annoying. Why are you here? Is the Guangyu situation resolved? I saw all the negative news, and the rumors about your man marrying some heiress.”
“The Oriental Group heiress.”
Murong Cheng sat down at the bar, then winced, jumping up from the stool, startling Chi Yu.
Chi Yu: “What’s wrong? Did you get electrocuted?”
Murong Cheng’s ears turned red. “No.”
Chi Yu gave him a knowing look. “Overexertion. Did Murong Yan, before leaving for his business trip—”
Murong Cheng rushed over and covered his mouth. “Okay, okay, enough!”
“What do you want to drink?” Chi Yu asked, removing his hand and walking towards the liquor cabinet. He glanced at Murong Cheng, his hand hovering over the non-alcoholic beverages. Without waiting for a reply, he grabbed two bottles of ginseng drink. “Here, this will be good for you. Why didn’t Murong Yan take you on his business trip? Aren’t you his assistant?”
“He only took Duan Shao. I’m just an assistant in name only,” Murong Cheng said dejectedly. “Duan Shao is his confidant. I’m just…”
Chi Yu: “His boy toy.”
Murong Cheng: “…”
The ginseng drink tasted strange, more like herbal medicine than a beverage. He took a small sip, grimaced, and put it down.
“Seriously though, did Murong Jing contact you after that night?”
Chi Yu choked on his drink.
“Cough, cough… I told you, we broke up.”
Murong Cheng patted his back. “Take it easy. I was just curious.”
Chi Yu raised an eyebrow. “Did you go looking for him?”
Murong Cheng chuckled nervously.
Chi Yu shrugged. “Makes sense. He’s your brother-in-law now.”
Murong Cheng finally asked the question that had been bothering him. “If Murong Jing didn’t contact you, why did you stop me from visiting that morning?”
Chi Yu looked away, his voice strained. “Which morning? I was in the hospital. I wasn’t home.”
Murong Cheng was taken aback. “You were hospitalized?”
Chi Yu nodded, pointing to a painting. “Yes. That one, the one I posted on Moments. It’s the view from my hospital window.”
Murong Cheng’s smile faded. “You were hospitalized, and you didn’t tell me?”
Chi Yu: “I was in the hospital, with doctors and nurses. Why would I need you?”
Murong Cheng glared at him. “Chi Yu!”
Chi Yu patted his shoulder. “Okay, okay, don’t worry. I’m fine now. Don’t you like the ginseng drink? I’ll get you something else. What do you want? Peach juice?”
Murong Cheng looked at him seriously. “You have to tell me next time something like this happens. I’ll be there for you. We’re both in A City. I promised your parents I would take care of you.”
“I know, I know!” Chi Yu handed him a pink bottle of juice. “If you’re worried, you can stay here tonight. I see you brought your luggage.”
Murong Cheng hid the bag behind his back, his ears turning red. “Hehe.”
Not having to work and sleeping in was wonderful.
Even better when you had a similarly unemployed friend to spend time with.
They hadn’t had a proper chat in ages. They talked until late at night and then slept until noon the next day.
With no one to cook at Chi Yu’s place, and impatient with the long delivery times, they decided to go out for lunch.
But Murong Cheng’s peaceful weekend didn’t last long.
They were at a hot pot restaurant, waiting for their food, when he received a call from Yan Xiaoling.
“Hello, Xiaoling-jie.”
The restaurant was noisy. He glanced at Chi Yu and stepped outside to take the call.
“Ah Cheng, do you know where CEO Murong is?” Her voice was urgent, as if something was wrong.
His heart sank. “He’s… he’s on a business trip with Duan-ge.”
Yan Xiaoling: “Do you know where they went, or who they’re meeting?”
Murong Cheng: “…No.”
Yan Xiaoling: “Are you coming to the office this afternoon?”
He hesitated, glancing back at the restaurant. Although the CEO had given him time off, he had a responsibility to the company, especially with both Murong Yan and Duan Shao absent.
Seeing his hesitation, Yan Xiaoling continued, “Lingyu Group has called for an emergency board meeting this afternoon. The company needs someone in charge. I heard… Chairman Murong is coming.”
A board meeting? Murong Yan’s father?
He winced. He should have gone on the business trip with Murong Yan.
He wasn’t ready to represent Guangyu at a board meeting. He had been working there for less than a year. The thought was absurd.
“Doesn’t the company have a vice president?” he asked. He remembered the General Manager of Strategic Research being introduced as the vice president at the tech gala.
Yan Xiaoling: “Mr. Gao is also on a business trip.”
He tried again. “What about the other general managers? Mr. Yuan from HR is quite senior. He used to work at Lingyu Group.”
Yan Xiaoling hesitated. “Mr. Yuan was transferred from Lingyu, but he’s in charge of HR, not business operations. He can’t make decisions regarding business matters raised by the board.”
So there was no one else. She was grasping at straws.
“Okay, I’ll be there soon. Please prepare the meeting materials as requested by the board,” he said.
He apologized to Chi Yu, leaving his untouched hot pot, and rushed back to the SKYLINE building.
The board meeting was scheduled for 2:00 pm.
He reviewed the materials Yan Xiaoling had prepared, his heart pounding with anxiety. After several unsuccessful attempts to reach Murong Yan, he reluctantly joined Yan Xiaoling downstairs to greet the Lingyu executives.
The private elevator from the 28th floor took less than a minute.
His heart raced, his palms sweating.
The elevator reached the ground floor. A fleet of black limousines waited outside.
The security guards opened the doors. The first person to emerge was Murong Zhenguo, followed by several Lingyu executives, including Murong Jing.
The wait had been agonizing, but now, facing them, he felt a strange sense of calm.
Duan Shao was away. He was the only one left in Guangyu directly reporting to Murong Yan. He had a responsibility to represent the CEO and protect the company’s interests.
Murong Zhenguo walked towards the building, his entourage in tow, not even glancing at Murong Cheng. He stepped back, joining Yan Xiaoling at the rear of the group.
The elevator couldn’t fit everyone. He escorted Murong Zhenguo and a few executives in Murong Yan’s private elevator, while Yan Xiaoling took the others in a separate elevator. Murong Zhenguo’s face was grim. Murong Cheng held his breath until they reached the 28th floor.
Entering the conference room, he realized this wasn’t a typical board meeting.
Murong Zhenguo took charge, his authority silencing everyone. His secretary, Yan Wen, directed the proceedings, calling on people to report as instructed by the chairman.
It was a report in name only, but in reality, an interrogation. The previous board meeting had already covered the past year’s performance and the next year’s plans. Murong Zhenguo was here to hold Guangyu accountable for losing Huaqian Technology as a strategic partner.
With Murong Yan absent, the General Manager of R&D and the Deputy General Manager of Strategic Research bore the brunt of his anger.
He indirectly blamed Murong Yan’s leadership for the failed partnership, his accusations veiled but unmistakable. The two general managers exchanged glances but didn’t dare to object, accepting the blame.
After the Huaqian issue, the conversation shifted to the recent car fire. Xu Yayun from Brand Marketing and the General Manager of R&D, once again, were questioned, offering explanations and apologies.
Murong Zhenguo, a seasoned leader, commanded the room with his quiet authority.
Murong Cheng sat beside Murong Yan’s empty chair, the closest to Murong Zhenguo, bearing the full brunt of his displeasure.
He stared ahead attentively, pretending to absorb the criticism, his mind racing with worry. Why wasn’t Murong Yan replying to his messages?
He remembered Murong Yan’s drunken words from the other night.
He had dismissed them as the ramblings of a drunk man.
Would Murong Zhenguo actually remove Murong Yan from his position? Did he have the power? Would he really do that to his own son?
He soon had his answer.
“Given Guangyu’s recent string of negative incidents, on behalf of the board, I propose temporarily suspending CEO Murong Yan and appointing Vice President Lü Zhaowei of Lingyu Group as acting CEO. Secretary Yan, please arrange the vote,” Murong Zhenguo instructed.
Yan Wen nodded and signaled for an assistant to distribute ballots. “Please fill out your ballots.”
The ballots were handed to each board member. Murong Cheng didn’t receive one but could see the pre-printed names on the ballots of the executives nearby. Murong Zhenguo had come prepared.
Some board members objected, supporting Murong Yan, but with the CEO absent, no one dared to openly challenge the chairman of Lingyu Group.
Most of Guangyu’s board members were Lingyu executives, and Murong Zhenguo himself held a significant share of the company. The outcome of the vote was a foregone conclusion.
Murong Cheng’s heart sank.
After counting the votes, Yan Wen announced the result. “The majority has voted in favor of the proposal. CEO Murong Yan is temporarily suspended, and Mr. Lü Zhaowei will assume his duties, effective immediately.”
The room was silent.
Murong Zhenguo nodded in satisfaction, signaling his secretary, who continued, “That concludes today’s board meeting. Thank you for your participation…”
He paused as Murong Zhenguo’s gaze fell upon Murong Cheng, sitting silently beside Murong Yan’s empty chair.
Murong Zhenguo frowned. His secretary, noticing his displeasure, also looked at Murong Cheng, the former CEO’s assistant, a remnant of the old regime.
Yan Wen changed tack. “Finally, let’s welcome our new acting CEO, Mr. Lü Zhaowei, to say a few words.”
He exchanged a look with Lü Zhaowei, subtly gesturing towards Murong Cheng.
Murong Cheng’s heart sank again.
He knew what was coming.
The usual platitudes about working together and striving for success were just a prelude. The real purpose of Lü Zhaowei’s speech was the final sentence.
He looked at Yuan Ziming, the General Manager of HR. “We’ll also be making some adjustments to the CEO’s office staff. The former CEO’s secretary will remain with Mr. Murong, temporarily transferred out of the CEO’s office. And the CEO’s assistant, Murong Cheng, is it? He’ll also be transferred. Mr. Yuan, please find a suitable position for him. If all departments are fully staffed, we’ll follow the standard termination procedures.”
The implication was clear. Yuan Ziming, a Lingyu loyalist who had orchestrated Murong Cheng’s failed review at Murong Jing’s behest, understood perfectly.
The crowd, led by Murong Zhenguo and the other Lingyu executives, left the 28th floor. Lü Zhaowei followed, not lingering.
The floor was silent, only Murong Cheng’s heavy breathing filling the air.
His phone buzzed, startling him.
A message from Jiang Lan, the HR deputy general manager who had handled his onboarding, asking him to come to the HR department on the 23rd floor.
This time, he was truly unemployed.
