Has the Boss Bost His Temper Today? - Chapter 11

“If you’re going to force me…”

Duan Shiming raised an eyebrow and asked with a playful grin, “You don’t want me living right next door to you?”

Seeing that mischievous little expression, Chu Yanzhou knew instinctively that this guy had done it on purpose. There was no point in arguing now, the room was already booked. What else could he do? He couldn’t exactly demand a refund now without looking like he lacked class.

“Tell me the upcoming itinerary.”

The hotel manager, sensing the shift in atmosphere, tactfully ended the service introduction. Duan Shiming curled his lips into a smile and began smoothing out the schedule for him.

As he listened to the arrangements, Chu Yanzhou noted that despite Duan Shiming’s noisy personality, his execution and presentation skills were top-tier. Sometimes, however, the guy gave off the illusion that he was merely playing a game rather than working.

“Watch your step, gentlemen,” the manager said, holding the elevator button with a polite smile.

“Thanks,” Duan Shiming nodded. He instinctively started to step in first but stopped himself instantly, stepping aside to let Chu Yanzhou precede him. “After you, President Chu.”

Once inside, he went right back to describing the hotel’s lunch menu. His energy spiked the moment food was mentioned, it turned out many of the head chef’s signature dishes were his personal favorites.

Standing in the elevator, Chu Yanzhou’s gaze inadvertently fell on Duan Shiming. The guy was speaking with such radiance, his eyes sparkling at the mere mention of food, his striking face seemed to be lit up by his own excitement.

Recalling the small detail from a moment ago, it seemed this guy was actually quite used to being looked after by others.

While lost in thought, Chu Yanzhou noticed the hotel manager stealing several glances at Duan Shiming. He frowned slightly.

The group was escorted to the top floor. The manager personally led them to the presidential suite, introducing new equipment and settings, even confirming the temperature and lighting preferences.

Chu Yanzhou glanced at Duan Shiming, who was listening with great interest. “Secretary Duan, would you like the manager to go to your room and give you an introduction as well?”

“I can?” Duan Shiming looked at him.

Chu Yanzhou felt a bit speechless. Why did he even ask? He couldn’t back down now without appearing petty. Catching the cunning, triumphant glint in the younger man’s eyes, he could only laugh helplessly. “If you like.”

Duan Shiming beamed. His smile was clean and vivid, brimming with a youthful, unpolished energy. This kind of spontaneous charm was hard to dislike. Chu Yanzhou had never had such a young secretary, nor did he usually interact with people a decade younger than him. Are kids this age all like this? he wondered. So direct, so comfortable around their superiors?

“My room looks pretty great too.”

Duan Shiming walked into his own presidential suite, looking around and nodding in satisfaction. Seeing this, Chu Yanzhou signaled the manager and the service staff to leave with a flick of his wrist. Just as they were turning, he remembered something and called the manager back.

“Don’t send any sweets for the evening snacks. Also, nothing containing eggs or nuts should be delivered to this room. Milk is fine.”

“Understood, President Chu,” the manager replied. The staff carefully closed the door as they left.

Outside, one of the staff whispered, “Don’t you think the new secretary with President Chu looks a bit familiar?”

“Really?”

The manager looked thoughtful. “I feel like… I’ve seen him somewhere before.”

“Manager, you probably just think he’s handsome,” a hostess teased.

The manager waved it off. “No, seriously, I really think… ah, never mind.”

Inside, the crystal chandelier overhead reflected their figures in a brilliant glow. A tall shadow moved across the floor, silently looming over the figure leaning down to fiddle with the bedside lamp.

“Have you thought about what we discussed last night?”

Duan Shiming’s fingers brushed against the hanging prisms of the lamp. “Huh? I don’t think it’s a great idea.” He straightened up and turned around, locking eyes with Chu Yanzhou. “I’m not stupid, you know.”

“Aren’t you short on money?” Chu Yanzhou asked with a smile.

“Maybe, but I’m not short on morals,” Duan Shiming replied, recalling what the “Great Beauty” had said. “You’re a man, an Alpha. If you really want to end this relationship, you should tell him clearly to his face.”

“You have a mouth, don’t you? Surely you can speak?”

The air seemed to freeze for a moment. Chu Yanzhou met that clean, fearless gaze. “Do you know who you’re talking to?”

“My boss,” Duan Shiming replied. He felt the other man’s gaze like a branding iron, scanning over him inch by inch.

“I can give you more time to consider,” Chu Yanzhou said. “Money isn’t an issue.”

“Aiyah, Boss…” Duan Shiming shook his head.

“If you’re going to force me to accept this request, I guess there’s nothing I can do,” Duan Shiming said, spreading his hands with an innocent, frank expression.

Chu Yanzhou watched him in silence. This response caused the power dynamic to shift instantly. The atmosphere grew heavy, as if suppressing the ego of someone who wasn’t used to being defied.

Duan Shiming stood tall, meeting the Alpha’s pressure head-on without flinching. He didn’t think he was wrong. This whole “fake boyfriend” scheme was just fundamentally incorrect.

Sensing his own unusual behavior and feeling an odd sense of urgency he couldn’t quite place, Chu Yanzhou forced his emotions down. “Fine. I understand.”

Hearing the dip in Chu Yanzhou’s mood, Duan Shiming stood on his tiptoes and draped an arm over the CEO’s broad shoulders, patting him twice. “Look, if you’re unhappy, you need to handle it rationally. Even if you want to bribe me, using me to get back at him isn’t exactly honorable.”

“It’s a bit of a low blow, honestly.”

The scent of citrus and lime pheromones wafted from the younger man, circling Chu Yanzhou’s body. His frame stiffened for a second. Did he just hug me without permission? What a tactless Beta.

Chu Yanzhou hid his internal reaction, glancing down at the way the guy had to stand on his toes. So short.

“Boss, running away is the most useless thing you can do. Having the ability to solve the problem is where the real skill is.” Duan Shiming kept his arm hooked around the broad shoulders, chin tilted up. “Right?”

Chu Yanzhou looked down at the serious little face. One moment the guy was snapping at his boss, the next he was acting like an advisor. It was like getting a slap followed by a piece of candy.

Duan Shiming found the tiptoeing exhausting and dropped back to his heels with a sigh. He glanced at Chu Yanzhou. “You won’t be petty about this, right? I’m just telling the truth.”

“Then give me some advice.”

Chu Yanzhou checked his watch. Seeing they had time, he walked over to the sofa and sat down. “How can I resolve this relationship quickly and satisfyingly?”

In reality, resolving it wasn’t hard for him. He could simply ruin the other person’s reputation. But that involved family ties, and doing so would mean burning bridges entirely. Yet, doing nothing made him feel “dirty.” He wanted to hear what this guy had to say.

Chu Yanzhou sat with his legs apart, leaning back with an air of effortless control. He rested an elbow on the armrest, chin slightly raised, eyes drifting toward Duan Shiming. Even while asking for advice, he looked like a man in total command.

Duan Shiming rubbed his ear. Gosh, he looks exactly like my dad right before he scolds me.

“In my opinion, the simplest way is to say it to his face. Your fiancé doesn’t seem like the type to cling desperately anyway.”

“If that worked, would I be worried?” Chu Yanzhou countered. “I still think the best way is to take you with me.”

Duan Shiming froze. “Take me for what?”

“He has a man, so I should have one too.”

Duan Shiming’s face practically screamed ‘ridiculous.’ “An eye for an eye makes you no different from him. You might feel better, but I won’t. Don’t drag me into this mess.”

Chu Yanzhou shifted into a more relaxed pose, crossing his long legs. “Do you think ten million isn’t enough?”

Duan Shiming shrugged. “Do I look like I care about ten million?”

Seeing that Duan Shiming truly seemed unfazed by the amount, Chu Yanzhou’s curiosity grew. It wasn’t just about the help anymore, it was a test. What kind of background did this guy have to be so nonchalant about ten million? As a boss, he found himself unable to get a handle on this employee. Instead, he was the one being handled.

Duan Shiming felt his skin crawl under the stare. What’s with that look? Is he going to eat me because I said no? Just as the thought crossed his mind, Chu Yanzhou stood up and walked toward him.

The Alpha’s superior height and build forced Duan Shiming to take a half-step back. “W-what are you doing?”

Chu Yanzhou looked down at the head that barely reached his nose. “Secretary Duan, you should know this room is way over the standard budget. A secretary shouldn’t be in the same tier as the CEO. It’s a hundred thousand a night. Three nights makes it three hundred thousand.”

Duan Shiming knew that, of course. He’d done it on purpose.

Chu Yanzhou leaned in closer. “I haven’t even settled the bill for that multi-million dollar succulent you ruined. Should we add the room fees to your tab now?”

Duan Shiming’s eyes widened. “Hey, hey! You can’t just bring up old grudges like that! I don’t have any money in my card!”

“Maybe I should just deduct it from that ten million?” Chu Yanzhou teased, seeing the younger man start to fume.

Realizing the CEO was messing with him, a flash of mischief crossed Duan Shiming’s eyes. Oh, so that’s how we’re playing?

He raised both hands, buried his face in his palms, and let out a soft, whimpering hum. “If you’re going to force me, then I guess I have no choice…”

As he spoke, he even gave his shoulders a little exaggerated shimmy.

Chu Yanzhou actually felt a literal shiver run down his spine. “…”

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