Becoming the Scumbag Gong’s Father in a “Switching the Male Lead” Novel [Transmigration] - Chapter 5

The thin lips, which had been pressed tightly together, gradually relaxed under a gaze that held a faint hint of expectation. Huo Xiu’s voice was indifferent as he spoke: “There are many people who, like you, send sexual hints my way, but I do not care for it.”

Xu Qingfeng: ?

We’re both grown men, how can he say something like that? Honestly.

A layer of goosebumps rose on Xu Qingfeng’s arms. He couldn’t deny that he was dazzled by Huo Xiu’s appearance, but he didn’t have a single filthy thought in his head!

Could it be… because he had unconsciously touched Huo Xiu’s hand earlier that this misunderstanding occurred?

Thinking of this, he felt it was even more necessary to have a meal together to clear the air. Little did he know, an invitation to dine together only served to deepen the misunderstanding. His “straight man” mindset had not yet shifted.

Even though he wasn’t entirely sure if Huo Xiu had noticed his behavior while listening to the music, Xu Qingfeng still chose to be proactive and confess: “I think you must have misunderstood. I don’t have those kinds of thoughts.”

After saying this, he wasn’t sure how much Huo Xiu actually believed.

“I am merely deeply apologetic for my extremely rude and disrespectful behavior falling asleep out of exhaustion while listening to your performance. That is why I hoped for a chance to treat you to dinner, as a small way to make amends.” At the beginning, Xu Qingfeng was still watching the young man’s expression, but as he continued, he lowered his head, appearing quite ashamed.

All he left for Huo Xiu to see was the crown of his head.

The air suddenly went silent. Xu Qingfeng didn’t panic; he knew the other man was likely considering the offer.

“You don’t need to take it to heart.” Although Huo Xiu’s words and actions were cold, he did not lack etiquette. “The apology has been delivered. There is no need for such expense.”

This was a rejection.

Xu Qingfeng could naturally hear the intent. While he felt a bit disappointed, he also felt it was within expectations. If it were that easy to close the distance, wouldn’t everyone be able to become friends with the protagonist and bask in his halo?

He wasn’t discouraged. Instead, he smiled, revealing eight brilliant white teeth, with faint fine lines appearing at the corners of his eyes. “Then let’s exchange contact information. Although this was my first time hearing a live piano performance, I already like it very much. If I could occasionally seek a bit of guidance from you, it would be my honor. Rest assured, I certainly won’t disturb you lightly.”

Huo Xiu was nearly ten years younger than him, yet Xu Qingfeng used the formal “You” (Nin) to address him. By putting Huo Xiu on a pedestal, this humble posture made it even harder to refuse. To reject a second time would be too cruel.

Under Xu Qingfeng’s burning gaze, that hand which looked like a sculpted work of art drew out a phone.

The concert ended.

Xu Qingfeng truly didn’t know much about the piano; other than thinking it sounded pleasant and relaxing, he couldn’t perceive much else. Oh, right he could also perceive just how beautiful those hands looked jumping across the keys.

If given the choice, he would rather not have met Huo Xiu under these circumstances; otherwise, he wouldn’t have to work so hard to repair a ruined first impression. Unfortunately, there is no medicine for regret in this world, and he wasn’t the type of person to look back and wallow in the past. Instead, he took action in the present to better grasp the future.

After adding Huo Xiu as a friend, because Xu Qingfeng’s understanding of the piano was indeed too shallow, he couldn’t even judge what kind of questions would be appropriate to ask. To this end, he went as far as signing up for a piano interest class to start learning music from scratch, so he could ask questions that didn’t seem stupid.

But it was precisely because of this that Xu Qingfeng realized he was only suited to be an audience member, not a performer.

The first time he sent a message to Huo Xiu, he harbored a negative suspicion that Huo Xiu wouldn’t bother with him at all that even if he read it, he wouldn’t reply. This trace of anxiety only vanished after receiving a reply nearly eight hours later.

The reply was very brief so brief it was only one word: “Mn.”

Xu Qingfeng didn’t mind. His heart was strong; he wouldn’t be affected by a cold attitude. Instead, every day thereafter, he steadily sent a message over. Most were about the piano, occasionally interspersed with old-fashioned greetings about the weather or general well-being.

As for his previous promise of “not disturbing him lightly,” Xu Qingfeng treated it like passing clouds and paid it no mind. Sometimes he received a reply, sometimes he didn’t, but at least Huo Xiu was still maintaining contact with him.

During this period, Xu Qingfeng maintained excellent living habits. He went to manage the company at fixed times every day, firmly seizing the actual power of the Chairman which had previously been almost hollowed out. He also fired those well-connected “ghost employees” who had no ability but drew a salary.

Such shrewd and capable methods drew dissatisfaction from the Gu family, but Xu Qingfeng didn’t care. in business, his philosophy was that the capable stay and the incompetent leave.

Voices appeared in the company that Xu Qingfeng couldn’t hear, but could guess the content of:

“How did Chairman Xu become a different person? Before, he barely came to the office once every half month; now he’s here every day.”

“Don’t even mention it. He’s turned into a workaholic meetings every day, always working late. But since he’s giving us overtime pay, it’s somewhat acceptable.”

“Chairman Xu is more tired than we are and hasn’t said a word. Now that performance is reaching new heights and income is better than before, isn’t this great?”

Almost everyone agreed with the last sentiment. If they were afraid of being tired, they could choose to leave, but the income at the Gu Group was indeed very generous at least the effort and reward were proportional. Knowing this, Xu Qingfeng optimized the benefits, hoping the employees under him would be a bit happier.

Although he put a lot of energy into the company, he still maintained the habit of fitness training every other day in his spare time. His previous body had been covered in a thin layer of muscle, whereas this current body while the face was the same was excessively soft. This was not something he liked. After disciplined strength training, the results were remarkable, and he became much more solid.

Ever since the day he took An Yan from Gu Tianze’s hands, the foul-faced Gu Tianze hadn’t returned home. Just as the company’s new project was wrapping up, Xu Qingfeng finally shifted the energy he had placed on work toward his “scumbag” son. Letting him run free for this long was enough; it was time to catch him and give him a good education.

Being a man of action, he immediately dialed Gu Tianze’s phone.

Gu Tianze’s extremely impatient voice came from the other end. He hated the “meddling” Xu Qingfeng from last time, so naturally, his attitude was poor.

“What is it? If you have a fart to let out, do it quickly!” His words were stiff, as if the person on the other end wasn’t his stepfather, but someone who owed him money.

Xu Qingfeng pinched the bridge of his nose. He really didn’t understand what was wrong with this kid, using such foul language. He had half a mind to take some disinfectant and give Gu Tianze’s mouth a good rinse. But bad habits aren’t changed in a day. There was no rush; he would take them one by one.

“Call me Dad.”

“Dream on. Who do you think you are? You can’t recognize your own position, can you?” Gu Tianze found this “changed” person very annoying. Clearly, the previous mode of “well water doesn’t mix with river water,” where they treated each other as air, was perfectly fine. But now, Xu Qingfeng was acting as if he’d taken the wrong medicine and was starting to overstep boundaries, which disgusted him.

The reason Xu Qingfeng said this wasn’t because he, a lifelong bachelor, enjoyed being called that or had wholeheartedly accepted such a large son. Rather, he was thinking that the first step of “taming” should be “submission.” Without such a respectful title, Gu Tianze truly wouldn’t know who he was or what his status was.

In his heart, he sneered: Just you wait, brat.

However, his voice was the complete opposite of his mood gentle, revealing not a hint of displeasure, and even ignoring those harsh words.

“Come home for dinner tonight, okay?” The end of his sentence tilted upward, as if he were asking for an opinion.

But Gu Tianze wasn’t the type who could be smoothed over with kindness. Perceiving Xu Qingfeng’s seemingly “cowardly” attitude, his tone became even more arrogant. After a short “tsk,” he said, “You’re a grown-up, do you still need someone to accompany you for a meal? Eat by yourself. It turns my stomach just looking at your face; I’m not coming back.”

This brat really makes me want to kick him to the bottom of a cliff.

Xu Qingfeng was very good at controlling his emotions and remained unaffected. He loosened the tie around his neck and let out a light chuckle from his throat. “I also invited your classmate An Yan to the house. It seems it will just be the two of us dining together. Are you sure you won’t join?”

“…I’m coming.”

Gu Tianze, who had firmly refused just moments ago, agreed instantly. During this time, An Yan had been busy with his thesis project, and they hadn’t seen each other for a long time; several attempts to ask him out had failed. He didn’t know how Xu Qingfeng had managed to invite the person to the house.

At the very least, An Yan’s attraction for him was still very strong. As the saying goes the one you can’t get is the one who keeps your heart in a stir. Gu Tianze wasn’t satisfied with a relationship in name only; this daily feeling of an “itchy heart” was torturing him, making it so he couldn’t even look at other handsome guys. From time to time, An Yan’s figure would pop into his head.

With about an hour left until dinner, Xu Qingfeng was busy in the kitchen. He liked the “scent of fireworks” (the atmosphere of a lived-in home), making this slightly empty mansion feel more like a home. Therefore, whenever he had time, he would go into the kitchen to cook himself.

His culinary skills naturally couldn’t compare to a professional chef’s, but his food wasn’t easy to get tired of, and his flavors were unique.

While preparing the ingredients, Xu Qingfeng took off his suit jacket, wearing only a white shirt and trousers for ease of movement, tied with a pink apron. This apron didn’t quite match his temperament, but there was a touch of cuteness in the contradiction. He rolled up his sleeves, revealing forearms that already showed some definition, and his movements in chopping vegetables were practiced and focused.

He didn’t stop until the doorbell rang. If it were Gu Tianze, who had a key, he certainly wouldn’t ring the bell.

When he opened the door, the person standing there was An Yan, whom he hadn’t seen in a while. Today, An Yan was wearing a khaki pullover knit sweater paired with spotless white casual pants and matching shoes. Standing close, one could even smell the fresh scent of laundry detergent on him.

An Yan’s first reaction upon seeing Xu Qingfeng was to look at the apron. His expression held a few hints of surprise, followed by a somewhat bashful greeting. He looked clean, refreshing, and harmless.

“I’m really imposing. I hope I’m not causing you any trouble…”

“Don’t be a stranger. The concert last time was very exciting. If you hadn’t given me the ticket, I definitely would have missed such a perfect performance.” Xu Qingfeng led him into the living room. “Rest for a bit and watch some TV; Gu Tianze should be back soon.”

An Yan revealed a sense of obedience as he nodded. Those eyes, as bright and moist as black grapes, lit up. “It’s good that you liked it.”

His mood became even more cheerful knowing his idol had gained recognition from Xu Qingfeng.

“Then… then can we go listen together next time?”

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