Arc 1 – Chapter 2
Old Dong had power and influence in H City, so figures from both the city's underbelly and upright sides had to show him face. Although he'd retired on the surface, anyone in the know understood that he controlled half of H City's economy in his hands. In any case, he wasn't someone you could offend.
Therefore, his 70th birthday banquet gathered all of H City's famous and elite. The banquet was filled with wine cups and gambling chips lying about in disorder. The well dressed, perfumed figures chatted and laughed late into the night. But what surprised everyone was how the reserved and taciturn Old Dong was actually hitting it off in conversation with another man. Someone had to ask, "Could that guy be the Dong family's heir? Why does Old Dong like him so much?"
Another person replied, "He's not from the Dong family. That's Gu Jing. He's the one in charge of that rapidly rising Jing Xiu Group. I heard he helped Old Dong with a big favor in the past, so the man propped him up in exchange."
"In other words, he's not someone we can offend either?"
"Not only that, you better build a good rapport with him. He's a ruthless guy. I heard he's done nothing but make a mess for the Shen family's branch company."
"Then he's got some skills to boot," the speaker's expression turned odd at the next second. "But why does his companion look so out of place here?"
Naturally, the companion referred to none other than Xu Chenle. He was only a young an inexperienced college student who was seeing so many rich and influential people for the first time. They were all high status figures, so it was already impressive that he wasn't making a fool of himself. How could anyone expect a stellar performance from him here?
Moreover, Gu Jing's presence was a foil that served to push him further into the shadows. Today he was dressed in a black suit that highlighted his aura like some emperor of the night. The hair on his temples was evenly cut, and his dark, jade-like eyes hid a sharp edge within their depths. His high, straight nose and slender lips revealed him to be a fickle man. Still, when he smiled, his phoenix eyes were filled with fragments of ice that made for an alluring sight.
The crowd could judge the attractiveness of this man by how effectively he distracted their female companions. It was an infuriating sight, but they couldn't do anything about it. What was the point of getting mad at Gu Jing just because he looked too handsome? Still, none of them knew that Gu Jing's favor for Old Dong was actually saving his life in the past, or that the two men had a closer relationship than they realized. Currently, the old man was dressed in a of gold embroidered with a pair of twin dragons–one coiling, one resting. The eyes of the dragons were glimmered beneath the crystal lanterns as if alive, daring anyone to gaze upon them closely.
Old Dong picked up his teacup and took a light sip. "I heard you've been working against the Shen Group recently. Of course, Uncle Dong myself doesn't disapprove, but I'd like to remind you not to act rashly."
Gu Jing was loathe to bring up this topic and furrowed his brows. "If Jing Xiu wants to grow, then it'll have to face off against the Shen eventually. Better to come on strong now than delay the inevitable later."
"That's not wrong," Old Dong said as he set down the teacup. "But of all the companies out there, why target Shen Group first?"
His question was food for thought, but Gu Jing only drew his lips into a smirk. "What, they can't be the first?" he retorted.
This brat is still so sly! He knows why I'm asking, but he's still skirting the issue with me. Old Dong simply got straight to the point. "Tell the truth. Jing brat, you still haven't let go of that young son from the Shen family, Shen Qiyu, right?"
Hearing that name gave Gu Jing a moment of distraction. Shen Qiyu, his first love. Of course, one's first love in youth would always be engraved in one's heart and bones, especially when theirs came to such a miserable end. He couldn't even recall what the man looked like now, but hearing his name awokened the same old feelings of helplessness and self-loathing he'd suffered before, as well as memories of how the Shen father had raged and humiliated him. They were emotions that struck him at his heart. Perhaps he never really loved Shen Qiyu that much. Nor did he have to make the man his. But he couldn't accept the fact that his wholehearted sacrifice had only ended with the other leaving without a single goodbye. Shen Qiyu was the one who disappointed him and his devotion.
Gu Jing's eyes drooped as he laughed calmly. "Uncle Dong, you're overthinking things."
"You brat, you're just too gruff," Old Dong patted his shoulder. "If you really can't let that boy go, then Uncle Dong can help you say a few words. That old Shen still owes me a bit of face."
"Uncle Dong, you're overthinking things," Gu Jing stressed. The refusal in his tone was clear. Thus, Old Dong dropped the topic and pointed at Xu Chenle instead.
"If you're asking Uncle Dong, isn't this child a little too tasteless and dull? At least that young master Shen has a passable face. This boy doesn't have looks or skills. Why did you take a fancy to him?"
There was quite a bit of dislike in his tone. Hearing this, Gu Jing only chuckled to himself. An old child, an old child. Uncle Dong's acting more and more like a kid nowadays. He glanced at Xu Chenle and replied, "He has a good personality. Everything else is of secondary importance." Moreover, he hadn't taken a fancy to the man yet.
Old Dong saw that Gu Jing was disheartened talking about love affairs and recalled how the good-looking Shen Qiyu was hopeless when it came to suffering and hard work. He felt relieved at thought. If you want to live with someone, having a good personality is enough! There was no need to coax him more.
At this moment, a confused hubbub rose from the door. It seemed like someone had caused a commotion. Old Dong slowly turned to look and saw a man dressed in a double-breasted white suit with black pinstripes an elegant coattails step into the room. Besides that, his looks and aura were outstanding enough to match his suit. A pair of peach blossom eyes sparkled brightly from his face, while his red lips were graced with the hint of a smile. He was a handsome and light-hearted youth. Old Dong stared at him in astonishment before glancing at Gu Jing beside him.
"Who's that?" he asked, "He's a perfect match for you! If it was up to Uncle Dong, why don't you chase him for a change?"
Gu Jing had only separated from that person for a year, so he still recognized the man. But he didn't understand why his heart would still feel nervous upon seeing him again. He never thought he was a sentimental type. His eyes were fixed on Shen Qiyu as he approached before he gave Old Dong a meaningful smile.
"Him? That's Shen Qiyu."
"……" said Old Dong.
Shen Jiayan easily shouldered Gu Jing's gaze as he arrived in front of them. "Old Dong, happy birthday! Here's a small gift as a token of my respect."
Old Dong felt as if he was on pins and needles. What a delicate atmosphere! Of the two men by his side, one was smiling, while the other was emanating a frosty air. He really was an old man who didn't understand these youngsters. But as a veteran of the world, he was quick to pus Shen Jiayan towards a seat. "This old man's a little tired now. The two of you youngsters should talk!"
So speaking, Old Dong took Shen Jiayan's gift and quickly fled upstairs as if pursued by a beast. Shen Jiayan took a seat and waved at Gu Jing with a grin. "Hello, President Gu."
Gu Jing's lips curved up into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I dare not accept such honor. On what noble errand has young master Shen come for tonight?"
"None, actually," Shen Jiayan slowly withdrew his smile and adopted a serious expression. "But there is something I want to do."
Gu Jing only saw his silhouette reflected in Shen Jiayan's peach blossom eyes as his heart sped up. His throat became dry, so he sipped some tea before asking, "What is it?"
"Woo you," It was a strange statement, but Shen Qiyu meant it in all sincerity.
Gu Jing nearly spat out his tea. He gulped it down with effort and wondered if he had hearing problems. "What did you just say?"
Shen Jiayan cocked his head to one side and smiled, his eyes curving into crescents as he raised his voice. "I said, I'm going to woo you!"
The hall was quiet to begin with as everyone held conversation in low tones. Shen Jiayan's sudden announcement was akin to a bombshell that silenced the crowd until one could hear a pin drop. Everyone turned as one to stare at them. Gu Jing really wanted to gag Shen Jiayan just then. He had never lost face in front of so many people in public.
"Impossible. You should just give up!" Gu Jing rejected instantly. He headed for the restrooms, determined to wash his face and calm down.
But Shen Jiayan remained carefree. Since he'd already said it out loud, he feared nothing now. "Gu Jing, I'll do my best."
Gu Jing staggered midway to the restroom.