No One Else Will Do But You - Chapter 80

“Boss, He Zeming is indeed connected to the Green Dragon Gang. Liu Fulong is his uncle by marriage, though they don’t have much contact. Their paths rarely cross.”

Xiao Fang reported this while watching his boss sit expressionlessly in a black leather chair. The silver-grey bespoke suit made Jiang Mu look colder and more elegant than ever. Xiao Fang silently grumbled to himself: Only Shu Luo has the manual on how to open the ‘gentle’ version of Jiang Mu.

“Has the Green Dragon Gang been active lately?”

Xiao Fang wondered why the boss was bringing up that organization again. Wasn’t that whole mess in the past? However, he checked his notes. “Actually, the Green Dragon Gang has been seen frequently with a certain individual lately. I’m not sure who he is exactly, but I know he’s a foreigner.”

Jiang Mu lowered his eyelids, hiding a flicker of resignation. So, they’ve chosen that method after all? But giving up wasn’t in his nature.

“I need you to do something.”

Xiao Fang blinked. Usually, the boss used commands: “Go now,” “Do it immediately,” “I’m telling you to…” He never said “I need.” This change in tone made Xiao Fang feel a sudden sense of worth.

His eyes lit up. “What is it?”

Jiang Mu’s lips curved into a tiny smile—one that carried a hint of… mischief. He looked at Xiao Fang with “trusting” eyes. “Get close to He Zeming.”

“…W-what?” Xiao Fang stuttered. Did I hear that right? Am I supposed to seduce him? Have I spent too much time around the boss and turned crooked?

Jiang Mu’s deep eyes seemed to read his mind. “Approach him. Control him. Tempt him. Obtain useful information.” And keep him away from Shu Luo, he added internally.

“Boss, please don’t use those words so seriously! You’re asking me to sacrifice my body! I’m straight! This is cruel!”

Jiang Mu raised an eyebrow at his delicate-looking assistant. “Hard to say.”

“What do you mean ‘hard to say’!”

“Triple salary,” Jiang Mu listed calmly. “Full attendance bonus even if you’re late. Double paid leave at the end of the year. And a company-funded week-long trip to Europe.”

Xiao Fang’s eyes sparkled. Am I the kind of person who can be bought with money? …Well, the conditions were excellent. “Boss, what if I fail?”

“Then you’re fired.”

So cold! You’re literally forcing me! Shu Luo, I truly mourn for you having this man as a partner.

“I’ll have someone come over tomorrow. Find an opportunity to get close to him.”

“So sudden! I haven’t even prepared! I don’t know how to… seduce people!”

Jiang Mu gave him a cold look. “Is it seduction? It’s official business.”

Xiao Fang sighed. Please stop lying with your eyes open. Was there anyone else in the world sacrificing themselves for their career like this? “But Boss, I’m older than him!”

Jiang Mu looked him up and down. “Are you sure?”

What is that tone supposed to mean?! Xiao Fang took several deep breaths to calm down. “I mean in years!”

“Oh. Only two years difference. It doesn’t matter.”

Of course it doesn’t matter to you—you’re not the one going! Xiao Fang slumped his shoulders and walked back to his desk, burying his face in his hands. Mom, Dad, Grandpa… this is a mission! I’m still straight! I promise!

Jiang Mu turned his chair toward the floor-to-ceiling window, the city lights reflecting in his eyes. The game has truly begun.

“Turning a deaf ear to the world, penniless but fearless.” He thought of his grandfather’s words. That certainly didn’t apply to him.

Shu Luo was now back at his apartment. Surprisingly, his mother had allowed him to stay there, which was a good sign.

“Shu Luo, are you really taking a leave of absence? Next semester is so busy! We have clinical rotations!” Chen Cheng’s voice came through the laptop screen.

Shu Luo leaned back comfortably against his headboard. “I have to. Breaking bones takes time. But I’ll head back as soon as I can; I shouldn’t be out for more than a month.”

Canadian winters were short, with students usually returning right after New Year’s. Because he was in China, Shu Luo had applied for “Lunar New Year leave,” effectively a formal absence. He had about a month to nurse his leg back to health.

Seeing Chen Cheng’s somber expression, Shu Luo felt for him. “Do you want to come back? I can buy you a ticket. Spending the New Year alone abroad is lonely.”

Chen Cheng declined immediately. Shu Luo had already helped him enough. “It’s okay. Christon promised to spend the New Year with me.”

Christon? Since when did they use such intimate names?

Seeing Shu Luo’s inquisitive look, Chen Cheng’s face turned bright red. “Uh, well, actually…”

Shu Luo laughed. “What? You’re making it so obvious. Do you like him?”

Chen Cheng’s face exploded into a deeper scarlet. He was a petite guy, barely 172 cm, and usually quite pale. Seeing him blush like this was refreshing.

He thought of Christon—a silent, serious gentleman, polite and handsome. Though he was a Westerner, his features were somewhat soft, though he usually wore a stern expression.

Wait… he sounds familiar, Shu Luo thought. An image of Christon formed in his mind, though he didn’t actually know the man. “If you like him, go for it!” he teased.

“No, no,” Chen Cheng stammered. “I just helped him walk his dog. He’s grateful, so he invited me for New Year’s.”

“A Westerner celebrating Lunar New Year? How unique.”

“Stop making fun of me or I’m hanging up! And don’t ask me for help with your thesis!”

“Don’t do that! That’s exactly why I called!” Shu Luo dropped the teasing and dove into academic discussion.

They say a man is most handsome when he is focused. Shu Luo’s soft hair swayed slightly as he worked. When he disagreed with a point, he’d habitually brush his bangs back—a casual yet captivating gesture.

Jiang Mu stood by the door, watching a side of Shu Luo he rarely saw. It pulled at his heartstrings. He wanted Shu Luo to succeed, to stand brilliantly by his side and share his glory.

But he also feared the more people Shu Luo attracted, the more he’d have to scheme. His methods weren’t always “bright.”

Su Jingfeng was currently tied up in the US. Over time, that attraction would fade. He was trying to distract He Zeming with Xiao Fang. It was all a matter of time.

He couldn’t live without Shu Luo. Shu Luo was the brick and mortar of the kingdom he was building—every piece laid with love and sincerity, surrounding him, making him willing to fall deeper into this obsession. He would ensure that only he remained by Shu Luo’s side.

“Hey, Brother! You’re back?”

The smile Shu Luo gave him was like the morning sun, melting the shadows in Jiang Mu’s heart.

In the video call, Chen Cheng looked at the man who had just entered the room—Jiang Mu. A flicker of confusion crossed his face. Why… why do they look so much alike?