After Transmigrating as the Northeast CEO's Pampered Little Husband - Chapter 19

A boy of this age still has a very hazy understanding of relationships. They are easily attracted to new things and just as easily discard what they have managed to obtain.

This kind of uncertainty is inherent in their affections.

An “old man” like him probably couldn’t provide the novelty and thrill the boy truly yearned for.

“Mr. Dai… Wuu wuu…” Seeing Dai Gu-can completely stunned by his words, Gu Jiao-yang flung himself straight into Dai Gu-can’s arms. “Is Mr. Dai going to dislike me, too, just like Mum?”

With the little one in his arms sobbing with injustice, Dai Gu-can’s mind cycled through all the messy, complicated thoughts, but ultimately, he couldn’t bring himself to be cruel. He picked up the little one and headed to his own room.

After setting the little boy down on his bed, Dai Gu-can stood by the bedside, unsure of what to do. Finally, he grabbed a towel, dampened it with warm water, and carefully wiped the face of the still sniffling little one.

In the end, it was a momentary wave of compassion that won out over both his reason and his impulse.

Even if the little one had feelings for him, he couldn’t take advantage of the situation not when the boy hadn’t yet confirmed his true feelings or established the nature of their relationship. It would be utterly irresponsible to simply consume him like this.

However, Gu Jiao-yang, who had been held and placed on the bed by Mr. Dai, and had waited so long he nearly drifted off to sleep, touched his little face, now wiped sparkling clean. He couldn’t quite tell if it was disappointment or something else he was feeling.

He could sense that Mr. Dai seemed to have a strong sense of propriety, suppressing his own desires and holding the line not to touch him. In a way, this proved that Mr. Dai possessed the sterling qualities of a good man, someone who would be a responsible husband in the future.

Still, a small sense of dejection was unavoidable.

Gu Jiao-yang simply wrapped himself in the duvet, covering his head out of sight, out of mind.

Hmph! There’s always tomorrow. No matter how straight-laced or puritanical you are, you’ll eventually fall into his hands!

With thoughts racing wildly, Gu Jiao-yang imagined Dai Gu-can as a large wolfdog, which he proceeded to leash, pin to the floor, and thoroughly rough up. He then pinched the dog’s face, pulled it back and forth, and finished by stomping on the big wolfdog’s tail. Only then did he exhale, hug the duvet, and take a deep, satisfying sniff, soaking up all the cedarwood scent from Mr. Dai. Exhausted from his genuinely long crying session, he eventually fell asleep.

A little thoughtless thing, that one.

Dai Gu-can, who had just finished rinsing the towel, sighed softly as he looked at the sleeping Gu Jiao-yang. The little one had fallen asleep without even having dinner.

He returned the towel to the bathroom, where a uniform row of grey towels was arranged neatly on the rack, almost like a sterile hotel standard room. Then, he turned back to look at the little one lying on his bed, curled into a ball, having kicked the sheets into a mess and wrapped himself in the duvet without covering up properly.

He gave a quick tug but found he couldn’t pull the duvet free. The little one truly intended to sleep in that position. Not wanting to force it, he let go, quickly stroking a wisp of Gu Jiao-yang’s slightly curly hair that peeked out from the duvet. His touch was so light that no one would ever notice his small gesture.

Dai Gu-can straightened up, rubbed his eyes, and casually picked up a bottle of wine from the side cabinet. He uncorked it, poured a small glass, and cautiously walked to the side of the bed, sitting down. He took slow, deliberate sips, all while looking at the little figure huddled up next to him.

Getting engaged, then.

Dai Gu-can took a deep gulp of the wine, letting the slightly chilled liquid linger in his mouth for a moment before swallowing it unhurriedly.

The wine, burning as it went down, settled in his stomach, causing a stifling heat in his chest, just like the little boy had done to his heart.

Because he had been somewhat lonely in childhood, his expectations for family had always been high. He genuinely hoped to have a partner at home, someone to keep him company, to chat with, and to embrace. They could discuss business together in the study or sunbathe together in the garden. Perhaps their lovemaking wouldn’t need to be overly passionate it would just happen naturally, and they would then have a little chubby baby.

He had always thought the ideal partner he wished for would be someone gentle and quiet, someone with whom he could immediately settle into the rhythm of married life.

It wasn’t until that night, when he was in a less-than-sober state, that he slept with a young boy, and only then did he discover that he was basely captivated by the scalding heat of youthful passion.

His concept of family was somewhat influenced by his father, who grew up in an older era, making him overly conservative. After such an intimate encounter, he simply could not treat it as a one-night mistake, as a normal person might. Just as his father had said: if you like her, then marry her; but if you have an intimate relationship with her, you must take responsibility for her.

That was a man’s commitment and duty. Perhaps it was too old-fashioned and stubborn, but it was one of the few tenets he could inherit and cherish in memory of his deceased parents.

He wanted to be like his father. Even though his memories with them were few only eight years he still pieced together those cherished habits from memory, striving to grow into the kind of happy man his mother had loved, and his father had been.

That is why, in many ways, he was so rigid, like his father.

Although he had learned and experienced a great deal since coming to Changjing, some things might be impossible to forget.

The engagement contract was probably the only indulgence he would ever allow himself in marriage.

He had indeed changed too much, maturing into an even shrewder businessman than his father. He adhered to those antiquated ideals while simultaneously acting to maximise profit and avoid trouble.

Dai Gu-can continued to drink in silence. The faint scent of alcohol spread into his brain, untangling his thoughts. Sensing the warmth of another person beside him on the bed, he, pathetically, felt his eyes redden.

He admitted that when he heard the “sweet nothings” the little one uttered downstairs, his heart stirred. Such a pure declaration, brimming with fresh vitality, was an overt “benefit” that a businessman could hardly refuse.

This boy was a blank slate. To agree to him, to possess him, and to paint his own colours onto him was undoubtedly tempting. However, this was a risky investment.

Fickleness is a characteristic of youth. After investing his entire self into this, the return might not be a fragrant, blooming fruit, but rather a poisoned apple that lures others away from him.

He lacked the confidence to fetter a vibrant young man who sought out new thrills and excitement.

His work was dull, his time was limited, and his lack of experience could even make this relationship feel barren and forgettable, like a glass of plain water.

Venture capital even though he owned a legendary VC firm in the industry, he dared not make a gamble in this relationship.

Moreover, the little one’s feelings for him might just be based on a virginity complex or a dependency stemming from past trauma.

Dai Gu-can gulped down the last drop of wine, rubbed his eyes, and suppressed the image of his once warm, happy family of three deep into his heart. He clenched his knuckles, grabbed the glass, and poured a second drink.

Just one more glass to calm down. From now on, it will strictly be a contractual relationship.

Four years it will pass quickly.

Dai Gu-can thought to himself, guzzling the wine.

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