No One Else Will Do But You - Chapter 82

The standoff with Shu Luo’s mother continued. However, the “suicide” misunderstanding weighed heavily on her conscience. Fearing that her strictness might push her son over the edge again, she began to turn a blind eye to the couple’s relationship. To Shu Luo, this felt like a temporary truce.

Meanwhile, the scene shifts to a very different kind of confrontation.

“Um, Mr. He… our boss is very busy, so I will be signing this document on his behalf today.”

He Zeming frowned, looking at the young man standing before him. “Do you have the authority?”

Xiao Fang (Fang Youxin) forced a professional smile. “Of course. This was directly ordered by my boss.”

He Zeming found this strange. It wasn’t like Jiang Mu to delegate such matters. He narrowed his eyes, studying the delicate young man from head to toe. Xiao Fang felt a wave of anxiety. This is step one of the mission—I have to make a good impression. I can’t screw this up.

Looking at the rugged, towering man before him, Xiao Fang felt even more intimidated. How is this guy supposed to be gay? He’s so… manly. And he’s at least half a head taller than me!

“Pour me a cup of coffee,” He Zeming commanded.

Xiao Fang hurried to comply. He had decided that to make an unforgettable first impression, he needed a “planned accident.” His plan was to “accidentally” spill coffee on He Zeming and then offer to wash his clothes to build rapport.

Unfortunately, he overacted.

As he walked across the room, he actually tripped over the edge of a rug. Splosh! Coffee went everywhere. Xiao Fang sat on the floor, wanting nothing more than to bury himself under the carpet and disappear.

He Zeming watched with amusement as the coffee soaked into the floor. Seeing that the assistant wasn’t getting up, he assumed the boy was stunned and leaned down to help him.

At that exact moment, Xiao Fang looked up.

Their lips accidentally brushed against each other. Both men froze.

Xiao Fang hadn’t expected He Zeming to be crouching right in front of him. He Zeming was the first to recover, pulling the boy to his feet. “Are you alright?” There was a clear glint of laughter in his eyes.

Xiao Fang wanted to cry. So much for a good impression. He’s laughing at me.

“I won’t tell your boss,” He Zeming added playfully.

Xiao Fang’s heart skipped a beat. No! If the boss finds out, he’ll cut my pay! I’m supposed to be approaching him ‘360 degrees without blind spots.’ He quickly put on a perfect smile. “Please don’t! If I did something wrong, please point it out so I can correct it.”

“What did you do right?” He Zeming countered.

Wow! Xiao Fang thought. Is it legal to be that direct? Can’t we just be friends? He wondered if this kid was really Jiang Mu’s assistant. He looked so young—was he actually capable?

The contract involved renewing the security detail. Although such a document didn’t require the heads of both companies, there were matters they needed to discuss.

“Um, Mr. He, Boss said you can just talk to me directly from now on. I’ll be in charge of your account. I’m on call 24/7.”

He Zeming didn’t seem to mind Jiang Mu’s withdrawal. He looked at the youth and smiled. “Fine.”

Xiao Fang gulped as he took in He Zeming’s muscular build. Yeah, if we get into a fight, I’m definitely losing.

After the signing, He Zeming didn’t leave. Instead, he stayed to chat. “Secretary Fang, why don’t you introduce yourself?”

Xiao Fang stood straight. “My name is Fang Youxin. I’m twenty-four, graduated from Q City’s School of Business Administration. Height: 176 cm. Weight: 60 kg. Hobbies: Hiking. No bad habits.”

He Zeming chuckled at his formal tone. “You don’t have to be so detailed. It feels like… a blind date.”

Xiao Fang turned red. Was I too eager? Did he figure out the plan? But he truly had zero experience in this.

“Are you really 176?” He Zeming suddenly stood up and walked toward him.

Awkwardness ensued. Xiao Fang tried to back away, but he was suddenly pulled into a firm embrace. His nose slammed into the man’s chest. He looked up, his eyes watering from the pain, realizing just how tall the man was.

He Zeming had only pulled him because he was about to back into a water dispenser. Seeing the boy’s teary, wide eyes, he was momentarily dazed. Xiao Fang’s eyes were large and incredibly expressive.

“Sorry. Are you okay?”

“What… what are you doing? Are you h-harassing me?!” Xiao Fang stammered.

He Zeming held up his hands innocently. “I was just making sure you didn’t hit the water dispenser.”

Xiao Fang glanced back. Oh. Right. “Ahem… thanks.” So embarrassing!

“You aren’t 176, are you?”

Xiao Fang glared at him. “Yes I am!” I have to be confident about my fake height!

“At most… 173,” He Zeming said, placing a hand on the top of Xiao Fang’s head to measure. “Anyway, I’m leaving. Tell Jiang Mu I said hi.”

Go! Just go! I don’t want to see you! Xiao Fang thought, though he politely said, “Safe travels, Mr. He.”

As soon as the door closed, Xiao Fang’s phone rang. It was Jiang Mu. “Boss! I completed the mission!”

Jiang Mu, who had watched the entire thing via the security feed, smiled. “Good performance. Keep it up.”

“…How do you know it was a good performance? Wait… Boss?!” Xiao Fang looked up at the security camera’s red light and hung his head.

“You were a bit stupid,” Jiang Mu’s voice came back through the phone. “But just be yourself.”

The line went dead. Xiao Fang stood there like a wooden chicken. His image was gone. Damn you, He Zeming!!

Canada

Jiang Mu hung up and turned to the man sitting across from him. The two were remarkably similar in temperament and taste. Both were exceptionally handsome, drawing the eyes of everyone in the cafe.

“It’s been a long time, Nelson,” Christon said, his tone neutral.

“Indeed, Christon.”

When they were children, they didn’t see each other often, but Carlos would occasionally take Jiang Mu to see him. Carlos had always liked Christon more than his own son—at least, that’s how it felt back then.

Christon had piercing blue eyes that held a sense of mystery and indifference. Jiang Mu had dark eyes, having not inherited the Rochechouart blue. However, their facial structures were strikingly similar.

“I believe you’ve met my partner,” Jiang Mu said in French.

Christon nodded. “A very beautiful boy.”

“Do you want to return to France?”

The sudden question made Christon frown. “I’m fine where I am.”

“No, you aren’t. Your files list your father as ‘unknown.’ You use your mother’s surname. Yet, the blood of the Rochechouarts flows through your veins. For thirty years, without my father’s help, I know your life has been difficult.”

Christon listened to this pointed speech with a blank face. “Speak plainly, Nelson. This isn’t your style.”

Jiang Mu smirked. “I will help you become the next heir of the Rochechouart family.”

Christon let out a cold laugh. “That isn’t funny. Everyone knows you are the heir. I am just a forgotten soul.”

“Which is why I will help you reappear before the clan. Based on the files I have, you are much more than just a ‘great teacher,’ aren’t you?”

Christon wasn’t surprised by Jiang Mu’s knowledge. “And you? Why would you give up such power and status?”

“I have my own priorities. If I have to choose between status and my lover… I will choose my lover.”

“You really are like Carlos,” Christon murmured. “It’s in your bones.”

“Thank you for the compliment. Consider my offer.”

A flicker of hesitation crossed Christon’s eyes before vanishing. “I’ll call you.”

“Before that,” Jiang Mu said, “show me around the campus.”

“With pleasure.”