Chapter 54
After reviewing past conferences organized by the Science and Technology Development Committee and buying a new outfit with Murong Yan, the conference was just a day away.
It was being held at a five-star hotel, similar to the previous events he had attended with Murong Yan. However, instead of paper invitations, they used electronic QR codes.
“So we still need invitations? I thought I was famous enough to just walk in,” Murong Cheng said, slumping onto the bed dramatically after receiving the email with the QR code.
Murong Yan chuckled. “The organizers probably sent the email to everyone, including Duan Shao.”
Murong Cheng rolled over and looked at him. “But Duan-ge can probably just walk in, right?”
Murong Yan didn’t answer.
“I knew it,” Murong Cheng flopped back down onto the bed. “Wait, did you even register? Did you get the email?”
Murong Yan: “Duan Shao registered for me. I’ll be attending as your plus-one.”
Murong Cheng chuckled. “The renowned CEO Murong as my plus-one?”
Murong Yan: “I came back specifically to attend with you.”
Murong Cheng reread the email. “But it doesn’t say anything about bringing a guest. Can I even bring you in?”
The following evening, he realized his worries were unfounded. Even without registering, Murong Yan was still Murong Yan.
As he queued with the other influencers at the ballroom entrance, waiting to scan their QR codes, a sharp-eyed organizer recognized Murong Yan and rushed over.
“CEO Murong, you’re here! Secretary Duan said you had other plans, so we didn’t send anyone to greet you. Our apologies,” the organizer, a man with a crew cut, said apologetically, gesturing for him to enter.
“It’s fine. I’m here as a guest,” Murong Yan said, taking Murong Cheng’s hand.
The organizer looked at Murong Cheng. “And this is…?”
“Hello, I’m ‘Seaside Homestay Renovation,’ a livestreamer. It’s an honor to be invited,” Murong Cheng said.
The organizer bowed slightly and extended his hand. “Welcome, Mr….?”
“Murong. Murong Cheng.”
The organizer gestured towards the entrance. “Mr. Murong, a pleasure to meet you. Please, come in.”
Murong Cheng held out his phone with the QR code. “I have my invitation…”
“No need,” the organizer smiled. “Please, follow me.”
So they were getting in because of Murong Yan, after all. Murong Cheng felt a mix of gratitude and slight annoyance as he followed the organizer inside. They were led to the front row, but Murong Yan stopped halfway.
“I thought the designated area for influencers was in the back,” he said, looking towards the rear of the ballroom.
The organizer: “Yes, that’s correct.”
“Then we’ll sit there,” Murong Yan said, leading Murong Cheng towards the back.
They found their table with a sign that read “Seaside Homestay Renovation.”
The chairs weren’t as comfortable as the ones in the front row, and the tables were closer together. But it was his designated seat, a sign of recognition. He smiled, wanting to take a photo after the organizer left.
The organizer hesitated, watching them.
The back row seats were indeed more suitable for Murong Cheng, but—
There was no seat for his companion.
Murong Cheng looked at Murong Yan apologetically. “Maybe I should sit with you in the front…”
Murong Yan: “I’ll just have them add a chair.”
The organizer quickly chimed in, “Of course, CEO Murong. Please, have a seat.”
He removed the nameplate from the adjacent table. “We’ll bring you a new one shortly.”
He walked away with the nameplate. The influencer who had been assigned to sit next to Murong Cheng was moved to the front row.
The front row had glass bottles of Evian water; the back row had plastic bottles of generic water.
Murong Cheng took a sip of water. “Is this your first time sitting this far back, CEO Murong?”
Murong Yan raised an eyebrow and also took a sip of water.
Murong Cheng put down his bottle and nodded to himself. “It won’t always be like this. Yan-ge, within a year, I’ll be important enough to sit in the front row.”
“Okay. I’ll be waiting,” Murong Yan said, his eyes filled with affection.
The main focus of the conference was, of course, the scholars and industry leaders in the front row.
The Science and Technology Development Committee had managed to secure the presence of the award-winning research center from Munich. The name was a long string of German words that Murong Cheng couldn’t understand.
“Yan-ge, what does the name of that research center mean in Chinese?” he whispered.
Murong Yan leaned closer and whispered in his ear, “A Future Without Limits.”
A Future Without Limits. A future empowered by technology, filled with endless possibilities. What a beautiful name.
The keynote speaker was the research director of the center, a middle-aged man with blond hair and blue eyes.
The opening remarks were in German, with subtitles on the screen.
After the speeches, a networking reception began.
The influencers had been invited to connect with potential partners in the tech industry. High-tech companies needed publicity, and social media was a powerful tool. And tech influencers rarely had the opportunity to meet so many industry leaders in one place. They all hoped to secure collaborations, product placements, or even advertising deals.
Murong Cheng had also hoped to find potential partners, but he wasn’t sure how to approach these high-powered executives.
The other influencers were busy mingling, introducing themselves and their channels, offering toasts. He had attended similar events before, but always as Murong Yan’s shadow, and Murong Yan, simply by standing there, attracted attention effortlessly. Now, he was on his own, and he didn’t know how to network.
“What’s wrong?” Murong Yan asked, seeing him sitting there, looking lost, as the other influencers flocked to the front.
As if making a decision, Murong Cheng stood up. “I’ll go take a look around.”
Even if he couldn’t secure any deals, collecting business cards would be helpful. And he wanted to speak with the representatives from the Munich research center, perhaps even get a demo of their award-winning technology.
“Okay,” Murong Yan nodded, also standing up. “Want me to come with you?”
He could accompany him, but his presence would inevitably overshadow Murong Cheng, shifting the focus from his livestream to the former CEO of Guangyu.
Murong Cheng, realizing this as well, shook his head. “No, I’ll go myself.”
Murong Yan didn’t insist. “Okay.” He sat back down.
Murong Cheng took a glass of orange juice and navigated the crowd. He had hesitated too long. The executives from the leading smart home companies were already surrounded by people. He looked around, accidentally making eye contact with Liao Tianrui, the chairman of Huaqian Technology.
But Liao Tianrui didn’t seem to recognize him, his gaze quickly moving on as he continued his conversation with a university professor.
The least crowded area seemed to be around the research director of the Munich research center.
Keynote speakers were usually the most sought-after individuals at these events. But perhaps due to the language barrier, people only exchanged brief greetings and business cards with the German director. Murong Cheng had assumed Germans generally spoke good English, but this director seemed reluctant to use it, replying in German even when addressed in English.
This was his chance! His eyes lit up. He hurried back to Murong Yan.
“Yan-ge, can I borrow Duan-ge?”
Both Murong Yan and Duan Shao spoke fluent German. Having Murong Yan as his translator wasn’t an option, but Duan Shao could help.
Murong Yan: “He’s near the front. Go find him.”
“Okay! Thanks, Yan-ge!” he said, putting down his orange juice and rushing towards the front of the ballroom.
Murong Yan picked up his abandoned orange juice and chuckled, shaking his head at the young man’s enthusiasm.
Chapter 55
With Duan Shao’s help, the collaboration went surprisingly smoothly.
The research center seemed to lack connections in China and was eager to find a promotional partner. Murong Cheng, with a slightly embellished account of his livestream’s reach and his enthusiastic praise for their technology, easily secured a trial run of their product and a tentative agreement for a future promotional contract, contingent on his livestream’s performance.
Not only did they agree to send him a sample, but they also offered to send a technician to assist with the smart home installation.
It was like winning the lottery.
Having secured such a valuable partnership, he felt his trip to the conference was already a success. He returned to his seat, satisfied.
“Finished?” Murong Yan asked, seeing his cheerful expression.
Murong Cheng nodded proudly. “Yes! I might be a small-time influencer now, but with this award-winning technology, my smart homestay will be unique. I’ll be a top influencer and run the most popular homestay in H City in no time!”
Murong Yan’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “Then I’ll be your assistant.”
Murong Cheng grinned, finishing his orange juice. “Deal.”
Murong Yan: “Are you hungry?”
The conference had started late, past dinner time. After the networking reception, there were presentations and speeches, with no food provided.
Murong Cheng blinked. “A little.”
He had been too nervous about the conference to eat much earlier.
“Let’s go then. Duan Shao can take notes for the rest of the presentations,” Murong Yan suggested.
Murong Cheng thought for a moment. “Okay.”
They slipped out a side door.
It felt like skipping class in college, his heart pounding slightly as he hurried out of the ballroom and towards the hotel entrance.
“They don’t take attendance at these events,” Murong Yan said, following him, seeming to sense his apprehension.
“I know,” Murong Cheng licked his lips. “But I was invited. Leaving early feels wrong.”
“The focus is on networking. The attendees are all busy people. Many leave after the reception,” Murong Yan explained gently.
“Oh, right,” Murong Cheng said, sticking his tongue out playfully. “I used to do the same when I attended these events with you.”
Murong Yan took his hand as they stepped out of the hotel. “It’s been a while since we’ve been back in A City. What are you in the mood for?”
Auntie Chen’s cooking in H City was light and healthy, which suited Murong Yan’s taste. But after years of living with Mu Haoqiong, he had developed a fondness for Sichuan cuisine.
“How about hot pot?”
Hot pot, with its spicy broth, air conditioning, and icy drinks, was perfect for summer.
Murong Yan readily agreed. “Okay.”
They drove straight to the Sichuan hot pot restaurant near S University.
It was where they had their first date.
Back then, he had been nervous and self-conscious, their relationship feeling surreal. He hadn’t imagined they would still be together, months later.
It wasn’t peak hour, so they didn’t have to wait for a table.
A table in the back corner was available.
They sat down.
“You order,” Murong Cheng handed him the menu and a pen. “I ordered last time. Your turn.”
Murong Yan glanced at him, then took the pen.
He ordered the usual split pot, one side spicy, the other not.
The food arrived quickly.
Beef, pork belly, frozen tofu, potatoes…
Everything Murong Cheng usually ordered.
He realized, with a start, that these were the exact same dishes he had ordered during their first date.
Murong Yan had remembered his preferences, even back then. He had thought their relationship was a sudden impulse, but Murong Yan’s affection had been there all along, subtle and understated.
Murong Yan opened two cartons of soy milk and poured them into glasses, handing one to Murong Cheng.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked, noticing Murong Cheng’s gaze.
Murong Cheng’s lips curved into a shy smile. “I want to hug you,” he murmured, his voice barely audible over the bubbling hot pot.
Murong Yan frowned slightly, not hearing him. “What?”
“I said… I want to hug you,” he repeated, his voice slightly louder.
He didn’t just want to hug him. He wanted to kiss him, to be held in his arms.
“Then come sit next to me,” Murong Yan patted the seat beside him.
He hesitated, his courage failing him. “Maybe not.”
Public displays of affection, especially in a university area, felt inappropriate.
Murong Yan chuckled and didn’t insist. “It’s fine. We can do that when we get home.”
His meaning was clear. Murong Cheng blushed, realizing what he meant.
Lost in thought, he barely registered the food, and soon, they were heading home.
“Your clothes smell of hot pot. Let’s take a shower,” Murong Yan said, his excuse perfectly reasonable. Then he added, “Together.”
The sound of running water filled the bathroom, the warm air quickly filling with steam.
Murong Cheng shivered as Murong Yan undressed him.
He stepped into the bathtub, the warm water soothing his skin. Murong Yan joined him, his arms wrapping around him, his chest warm against his back.
Even though they were intimate, he still blushed easily under Murong Yan’s touch.
Soft kisses trailed across his skin, Murong Yan’s hands leaving their mark, tearing open a small square packet.
Tears welled up in Murong Cheng’s eyes, shimmering in the steamy air.
The warmth of the water and Murong Yan’s gentle touch made the intimacy even more intense.
He met Murong Yan’s gaze, his fingers tracing patterns on his back.
“Does it still… smell of hot pot?” he murmured, his head resting against Murong Yan’s neck.
Murong Yan held him tighter, their bodies pressed close, his voice a husky whisper against his ear.
His lips brushed against his earlobe, his fingers tracing the curve of his spine.
“I’m not sure. Let me check, baby.”
