Qi Mu abruptly turned his face away in embarrassment.
He stopped looking at Jiang Shao.
He should not keep letting this man cloud his judgment, forgetting just how awful Jiang Shao could be whenever the other man happened to show him the slightest trace of tenderness.
Forgetting how many outrageous things Jiang Shao had done to him.
The only thing he could hold on to…
Was making sure that, before Jiang Shao grew tired of this game… he did not let himself fall any deeper.
Qi Mu lowered his eyes and restrained himself. “Thank you.”
Jiang Shao certainly was not going to say you’re welcome.
He merely shrugged indifferently and left before anyone else could come in.
＊
Since Qi Mu had stopped working overtime lately…
Naturally, Jiang Shao no longer worked overtime either.
Whenever Qi Mu left, he left too.
With nothing to do in the evenings and bored out of his mind, he began dropping by Lu Jin Wen’s place.
Lu Jin Wen thought, I have a thousand things to deal with. If you’ve got nothing better to do, can’t you go bother your President Qi instead?
He looked at the man in front of him, who resembled some idle delinquent with nothing productive to occupy his time.
Unable to resist the sarcasm, he said, “If you’re really that bored, why don’t you find yourself a night shift?”
Jiang Shao had been in an excellent mood lately. Ignoring Lu Jin Wen’s mockery, he merely raised an eyebrow lazily. “I really am pretty free. But if you’re so busy, why aren’t you doing any work? Didn’t you say you were going to compensate Qi Mu? Why has there been no movement after all this time? You weren’t just talking, were you?”
Lu Jin Wen snorted. “Of course I’m waiting for the right opportunity. What do you expect me to do, walk straight up to him, throw two orders in front of him, and announce that they’re compensation?”
Hiss.
That really did sound wrong.
Jiang Shao understood that perfectly well. He was merely looking for trouble because he had nothing better to do.
Jiang Shao asked, “So how are you planning to compensate him?”
Lu Jin Wen named two companies. “I’ve already spoken to the presidents of both. They’re quite willing to consider a supplier I recommend.”
Jiang Shao scoffed. “That’s it? You’re too stingy.”
Lu Jin Wen thought, This counts as stingy? These are two major companies. Do you have any idea how hard their orders are to get? Every supplier slot already has someone occupying it.
He had traded favors to secure even this much.
Jiang Shao tapped his fingers against the tea table. After thinking for a moment, he named several more companies. “Get him orders from these companies too.”
Lu Jin Wen sucked in a breath.
These were all major nationally known corporate groups. It was not impossible to secure the orders, but had Jiang Shao considered whether this was appropriate?
Wasn’t he afraid Qi Mu would become suspicious?
Lu Jin Wen mocked, “You sure? You want me to act like some domineering CEO and bury Qi Mu under so many contracts that he passes out? I’m afraid he’ll think I’m trying to keep him as a lover.”
Jiang Shao’s expression immediately darkened. “Then you’ll be dead.”
Lu Jin Wen gave a dry laugh and spread his hands. “In that case, why don’t you go personally? I wouldn’t want to steal the credit.”
Jiang Shao looked irritated.
If he could do it personally, why would he need Lu Jin Wen?
He was afraid that if he did something like this himself, Qi Mu would refuse to accept it. Even if he did accept, he would think he owed Jiang Shao something and regard it as yet another transaction.
Especially since Jiang Shao still could not expose his true identity.
After struggling with it for a long while, Jiang Shao finally compromised.
He pondered for a moment. “Then the two you mentioned, plus one of mine. Find a way to introduce them to him.”
Although Jiang Shao felt that this tiny amount could never make up for what he had done that night, much less constitute proper compensation, it truly was inconvenient for him to give Qi Mu anything more right now.
Lu Jin Wen reluctantly agreed. “Fine.”
Jiang Shao looked Lu Jin Wen up and down. Seeing that he at least looked respectable enough, he stared at him and added solemnly, “One more thing. Whatever you do, don’t let him misunderstand and think you have ulterior motives toward him.”
Lu Jin Wen desperately wanted to tell him, Get lost. I don’t want him misunderstanding me either.
Getting stuck with a menace like you must be punishment for something I did in my last life.
Lu Jin Wen glanced at him and chuckled. “You spend every day talking about Qi Mu now. Have you forgotten something else?”
Jiang Shao said, “Oh?”
Lu Jin Wen put away his joking expression. “The Li family and your father. What are you planning to do about them?”
Jiang Shao scoffed. “Of course I haven’t forgotten.”
The previous acquisition of Hanxing Automotive had already dealt the Li family a serious blow.
They had spent years gathering evidence. With everything currently in their hands, it was enough to bring the enormous Li family crashing down. As for Jiang Zong Chao… dealing with him would require outside help. Jiang Shao had already made discreet contact with Jiang Zong Chao’s political enemies. When the time came, there would naturally be people willing to act for him.
Jiang Shao said lazily, “Let’s give the Li family a New Year’s gift.”
There had been a leap month the previous year, so the Lunar New Year fell relatively late this year. They still had another month, more than enough time to arrange everything.
Lu Jin Wen asked again, “What about Jiang Zong Chao?”
As the saying went, ordinary people did not fight officials. Lu Jin Wen was skilled at business warfare, but he was not equipped to fight Jiang Zong Chao.
Jiang Shao said indifferently, “You don’t need to worry about him. Leave him to me. I guarantee he’ll be spending next spring in prison.”
Lu Jin Wen clicked his tongue inwardly. What a filial son.
The two discussed a few more details.
Before long, Jiang Shao lost interest in talking about any of it.
He stared at his phone with a frown. Qi Mu never sent him messages and never called him of his own initiative.
Jiang Shao badly wanted to call him, but he could not think of an excuse.
It was maddeningly frustrating.
He could not deal with Qi Mu the way he dealt with everyone else.
For the first time, Jiang Shao discovered something he was genuinely bad at. He knew how to press relentlessly forward, step by step, but when it came to dating, he was completely blind.
Lu Jin Wen looked at Jiang Shao, who resembled an inexperienced young man hopelessly in love and utterly clueless about what to do.
A complicated feeling came over him.
Love really did make people lose their heads.
It was just a pity for Qi Mu. He was too kind, which was exactly why this bastard had him completely in his grasp.
Lu Jin Wen sighed. “At least you used to pretend. You’d discuss business first and then start talking about Qi Mu. Now you don’t even bother acting anymore. You only talk about Qi Mu and don’t discuss serious business at all.”
Jiang Shao snorted smugly. “You’re just jealous that I have someone I like.”
Lu Jin Wen landed the killing blow. “But nobody likes you.”
Jiang Shao: …
Seeing Jiang Shao’s face instantly fall into an expression so ugly it was almost magnificent, furious yet completely unable to refute him, Lu Jin Wen finally felt vindicated.
Ever since Qi Mu came along…
He finally had a way to make Jiang Shao suffer.
＊
That weekend evening…
Qi Mu had a business reception to attend.
Jiang Shao drove Qi Mu there. Ever since the paper-thin barrier between them had been torn apart, Jiang Shao had taken on the responsibility of being Qi Mu’s driver. Wherever Qi Mu went, Jiang Shao followed.
The only difference was that Qi Mu used to sit in the back.
Now he sat in the passenger seat.
Jiang Shao parked the business vehicle in the parking lot. He had no interest in attending receptions like this, so he raised his brows at Qi Mu. “I’ll wait for you here.”
Qi Mu knew Jiang Shao disliked joining crowds and was not surprised. He opened the door and was about to get out.
Jiang Shao suddenly leaned over, caught Qi Mu by the chin, and kissed him.
Qi Mu paused and allowed Jiang Shao to kiss him.
Over this period, he had gradually figured out Jiang Shao’s habits. Whether there was a reason or not, Jiang Shao wanted to kiss him. Once in the morning and once at night were fixed, and if other opportunities presented themselves, Jiang Shao never let them pass. Kisses like this happened frequently now, but Qi Mu was no longer as nervous as he had been in the beginning.
He had discovered that Jiang Shao actually knew where to stop. He would usually stop before going too far and had never truly humiliated Qi Mu. Besides, being obedient made Qi Mu’s own life easier.
Jiang Shao would let him go once the kiss was over anyway.
Qi Mu’s eyes gradually lost focus as Jiang Shao parted his lips, their breaths mingling.
He seemed to be growing more and more accustomed to Jiang Shao.
Sure enough, after a while of light kisses and lingering friction, Jiang Shao released him.
He pulled out a tissue.
Holding Qi Mu by the chin, he patiently wiped the moisture from Qi Mu’s lips. Only after examining him for a moment did he glance aside with a smile. “Go.”
Qi Mu took a deep breath.
He opened the door and got out.
＊
As a large, economically developed metropolis, City C held business receptions of every size and variety.
Qi Mu did not attend every one of them; he would never have the time. Tonight’s reception was relatively important, which was why he had come.
Qi Corporation was a manufacturing company, after all. Maintaining relationships with clients inevitably required this kind of business socializing.
Qi Mu walked inside with composure.
He casually took a glass of low-alcohol champagne from a passing waiter and chatted pleasantly with people as he moved through the room.
Qi Mu had recently signed consecutive contracts with Shunxun Technology and Tuoyuan Power, then secured financing from Jinjin Capital. He had become rather prominent in the city’s business circles. People in commerce generally had sharp instincts, and quite a few approached Qi Mu to sound him out, trying to discover what connections he had and how he had managed it.
Some were envious or jealous. Some came with open attacks or hidden barbs. Some probed indirectly. Others sincerely offered congratulations and good wishes.
Qi Mu handled them all smoothly without giving anything away.
As he moved through the banquet hall…
He suddenly spotted Lu Jin Wen.
Qi Mu considered it for a moment before walking over. Regardless of anything else, given the relationship they appeared to have on the surface, he ought to greet Lu Jin Wen.
Qi Mu approached with a smile. “President Lu.”
Lu Jin Wen was speaking with several company presidents whom Qi Mu also recognized. All of them headed well-known major corporate groups.
Lu Jin Wen gave Qi Mu an amiable smile. “President Qi. We meet again.”
The other executives smiled pleasantly as well.
Lu Jin Wen said, “President Qi, perfect timing. Let me introduce you. This is President Zhao from Shengtang, President Xu from Lingfeng, and President Zheng from Qiyuan.”
Qi Mu greeted them politely.
The executives treated Qi Mu warmly out of respect for Lu Jin Wen.
“President Lu has been strongly recommending Qi Corporation to me lately. For a responsible enterprise like Qi Corporation, I hope we’ll have an opportunity to cooperate in the future.”
“Our company has a tender open right now. President Qi, would you be interested in participating?”
“Anyone Old Lu admires can’t be wrong. We happen to need an excellent supplier like Qi Corporation.”
Qi Mu responded with complete outward composure, but inwardly alarm bells had already begun ringing. He had originally intended to greet them and leave, yet now he could not get away.
Exchanging business cards was not the end of it. The executives were all interested in discussing things further with Qi Mu.
Lu Jin Wen merely stood to one side, smiling without saying a word.
They talked for half an hour.
Qi Mu collected a pile of invitations. Growing increasingly uneasy, he could not help looking at Lu Jin Wen.
Lu Jin Wen finally told the others, “All right. You’re not going to negotiate an entire partnership in one evening. Stop monopolizing President Qi. I still have something to discuss with him.”
The executives laughed and teased them as they departed.
Lu Jin Wen and Qi Mu walked into the garden outside the banquet hall.
The more Qi Mu thought back over what had just happened, the more wrong it felt, and his mood grew solemn.
Lu Jin Wen saw his confusion and spoke first. “President Qi is wondering why I’m introducing business to you?”
Qi Mu already had a suspicion, but he still frowned and asked, “Why?”
Lu Jin Wen looked at him sincerely. “If I said I simply wanted to make a friend of you, would you believe me?”
Qi Mu said, “President Lu is joking.”
Lu Jin Wen sighed.
Apparently, telling the truth made people even less willing to believe him.
Lu Jin Wen’s smile disappeared, and his tone became solemn. “President Qi is a smart man, so I’ll speak plainly.”
Seeing him like this, Qi Mu became slightly nervous. Is Lu Jin Wen about to lay all his cards on the table?
Instead, Lu Jin Wen said, “It’s true that I admire President Qi as a person, but what I did tonight is because there is something I may need from you.”
Qi Mu slowly said, “Oh? What could I possibly help President Lu with?”
Lu Jin Wen did not explain. He merely put on an inscrutable air. “When that day comes and I need President Qi’s help, I hope you won’t refuse.”
For businessmen like them, an equal exchange was obviously more reasonable than free gifts falling from the sky. It was also less likely to make the recipient suspicious or wary.
Lu Jin Wen understood perfectly that the more he said, the more mistakes he might make. Better to leave the matter mysterious. Having said his piece, he turned and floated away.
Looking every inch the mysterious expert.
Qi Mu: …
He had talked for ages without saying anything concrete.
But even though Lu Jin Wen had told him practically nothing, Qi Mu had basically guessed the reason.
Because in that dream…
“Lu Jin Wen delivering benefits” could practically be considered a running gag.
In the dream, Jiang Shao had a harem of three thousand.
He distributed benefits equally among every member of his harem, spreading his favor evenly and never showing partiality. But as a mighty Long Aotian, naturally he could not personally handle such matters, so Lu Jin Wen always did it for him.
Apart from helping Jiang Shao face-slap cannon fodder, Lu Jin Wen also had to deliver resources and benefits to Jiang Shao’s harem. Of all Jiang Shao’s lackeys, he was the one who appeared most often and stayed the busiest.
And now Lu Jin Wen was delivering benefits to him.
It was exactly like the dream.
Practically standard equipment for a harem member.
Qi Mu could hardly stop himself from thinking in that direction.
The only difference from the dream was that Lu Jin Wen had not said Jiang Shao ordered him to do it. That surprised Qi Mu slightly. This way, the favor did not technically count toward Jiang Shao.
Without his foreknowledge from the dream, Qi Mu would never have connected any of this to Jiang Shao.
But Lu Jin Wen might be doing it this way because… Jiang Shao’s true identity still had not been exposed.
Qi Mu’s feelings were complicated, and he gave a bitter smile.
So did this mean he now officially counted as a member of the harem?
Although he and Jiang Shao had already had a great deal of intimate contact, Qi Mu still did not possess much awareness of himself as a harem member.
He had simply treated everything as an accident.
Not only was he a man, he had also seriously offended Jiang Shao. Yet even so…
Jiang Shao still had someone deliver benefits to him.
He really was a Long Aotian who treated every member of his harem with equal generosity.