Your Boyfriend is Great! He's Mine Now - Chapter 20

Shortly before the end of the workday, Shen Xubai went to Xu Jun’s office. “President Xu.”

“Sit.”

A faint, refreshing fragrance wafted from the Junshan Silver Needle tea being brewed on the tea table. Xu Jun pushed a cup toward him with a warm smile. “Have a taste.”

“Soft, mellow, and sweet with a lasting aftertaste. It’s a rare find.”

Xu Jun laughed heartily. “You know your tea.”

Shen Xubai smiled faintly. Someone in his family used to love tea, and through that influence, he had picked up a little knowledge.

“Are you and Young Master Gu acquainted?”

Shen Xubai hesitated for a moment before carefully choosing his words. “We were alumni for a short time in the past.”

“I see. That’s quite a coincidence then.” Xu Jun didn’t say whether he believed him or not, but he cautioned, “Gu’s account is very important. You know that his friends are all wealthy and influential. Once you secure this deal, you won’t have to worry about your performance metrics in the future.”

“I understand. I will do my best.”

“That’s the spirit. Even though these rich kids are hard to please and some can even be temperamental, it’s all about making money. You have to swallow your pride sometimes; it’s not shameful.”

He probably heard that Shen Xubai had suddenly left a major client alone to go to the restroom, and given that his expression had looked less than pleasant at the time, there were likely N versions of that story circulating by now.

Shen Xubai nodded. “I understand. Don’t worry, President Xu; I won’t let personal feelings interfere with work.”

Xu Jun liked people who knew how to adapt. After offering a few words of praise, he dismissed him.

Shen Xubai worked overtime to finalize the proposal, and it was already ten o’clock at night when he left the company. Before entering his apartment, he specifically glanced at the door across the hall. No light leaked through the gap; either the occupant was asleep, or he hadn’t returned yet. Regardless of the situation, sending the file now didn’t seem appropriate. Shen Xubai thought for a moment, then decided to just shower and go to bed.

It wasn’t until ten o’clock the next morning that Shen Xubai sent over the completed proposal.

Gu Linyuan, who was usually so “clingy,” didn’t reply immediately. Shen Xubai didn’t think much of it; investment matters were serious and surely required careful study. But the man didn’t reply even by the time he got off work that evening.

If it were any other client, he would have politely sent a follow-up inquiry, but Gu Linyuan held a status that set him apart. He found himself in a difficult position.

After throwing out the trash, he looked across the hall the door gap remained dark. It was already past ten o’clock; Gu Linyuan was likely truly busy.

The “very busy” Gu Linyuan was, at that moment, clutching his laptop and watching a “movie.”

However, this “movie” had only one protagonist. The man had just finished his shower, dressed in apricot-colored loungewear, and was pacing back and forth in his living room, picking up and putting down his phone several times, seemingly struggling with a difficult decision.

Gu Linyuan watched with great interest, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the phone beside him, as if waiting for something. Moments later, the phone finally chimed.

[Older Brother]: President Gu, my apologies for disturbing you so late. [Older Brother]: Have you had a chance to look at the proposal?

Gu Linyuan brought his laptop and phone into the living room, opened a beer with one hand, took a swallow, and began to type slowly.

[G]: Sorry, I’ve been very busy the last two days.

Shen Xubai let out a sigh of relief upon receiving the message and immediately replied: That’s alright, I won’t disturb you further. Please let me know if you have any questions.

[G]: Anything?

Shen Xubai was eager for him to bring up questions so he could revise the proposal and finalize the deal, sparing him from worrying about it every day.

He typed: Of course. Whether it’s stocks or funds, whichever you prefer, all—

[G]: I missed you.

His fingers froze mid-air. Looking at the message that had just popped up, Shen Xubai nearly dropped his phone. He furrowed his brows and deleted his previous response.

[Older Brother]: Apologies, I may not have expressed myself clearly. I was referring to questions regarding the proposal.

[G]: I’m on a temporary business trip.

In the “movie,” the protagonist’s slender fingers were tapping rapidly on the screen. The resolution was clear enough that Gu Linyuan could even see the slight furrow in the man’s brow and his tightly pressed lips. He propped his head up with one hand and smiled. “Senior looks so cute when he’s angry.”

[Older Brother]: I see. Then we can discuss it once you’re not as busy.

Gu Linyuan couldn’t help but laugh out loud. After typing for so long, those were the only words he got. He kept deleting and rewriting; what exactly did he want to say? He was probably cursing him out.

He tapped a finger gently against the face of the protagonist on the screen, then poked the protagonist’s arm. “Senior has to deal with a client’s sexual harassment but can’t vent his anger. What should he do? How pitiful.”

[G]: Senior, I’m only 23; there’s no need for formal titles, right? [G]: Besides, I don’t really like the address “President Gu” either.

On the screen, the man went to the fridge to grab a bottle of mineral water, took two sips, and curled up on the sofa. He typed: Very well, Mr. Gu.

Shen Xubai had already learned to ignore certain remarks. If Gu Linyuan said he didn’t like being called Mr. Gu either, then he would switch to “Young Master Gu.” But unexpectedly, Gu Linyuan sent a voice message instead. It was very short, only two seconds long. He had originally intended to convert it to text, but his hand slipped and he pressed play.

“Senior…”

The voice was clear, bright, and the tail end was drawn out, laced with a hint of helpless amusement.

His ears felt as though they were heating up. Shen Xubai stood up abruptly, tilted his head back, and downed a large gulp of ice water. He stood there for a long while without moving, his hanging fingers curling involuntarily.

Gu Linyuan had long since zoomed in on the man’s expression, clearly seeing him standing there doing nothing, seemingly dazed.

“Senior is so dorky.”

The phone chimed again, pulling Shen Xubai back to his senses. This time, there was no voice message, just two simple words.

Shen Xubai didn’t reply. He pinched the bridge of his nose, stood up, turned off the living room lights, and headed into the bedroom.

The movie reached its end, and the screen went black. Gu Linyuan stared at the dark monitor. Within the reflection, he saw his own eyes identical to the ones he had just been watching unstintingly filled with heat and obsession.

“Goodnight, older brother.”

Shen Xubai didn’t sleep well last night. He dreamed of Xiao Yu. In the dream, they were watching a movie it seemed to be a comedy, as the air was filled with bright laughter. Suddenly, Xiao Yu disappeared. He stood up and realized that everyone in the theater was gone. He looked around everywhere, calling out Xiao Yu’s name, until someone tapped him on the shoulder.

He turned around, and a handsome face with an aggressive edge filled his vision. The man smiled warmly and whispered into his ear, “Senior.”