BF Chapter 42

After Xu Shen was promoted to acting chairman of the company, his office was moved from downstairs to Xu Shiji’s former office on the top floor.

Zhan Shili was the chairman’s assistant, which now effectively made him Xu Shen’s assistant. His office was right next door.

Now, the two of them could openly come and go together every day.

At ten in the morning, Xu Shen had just arrived at the company when Zhan Shili came into his office to report on work and go over his schedule for the day.

Xu Shen told his secretary to leave and close the door behind her, then gestured for Zhan Shili to sit.

Zhan Shili sat down across from him at the desk. Instead of getting straight to business, he studied Xu Shen’s face for a moment and asked, “Didn’t sleep well last night? You don’t look very energetic.”

Xu Shen lounged lazily in his chair: “It’s hard to sleep alone in an empty bed, Nic. I still prefer the bed at your place.”

Unfortunately, ever since he had become acting chairman, Xu Ziren had started having people keep an eye on him around the clock again. He and Zhan Shili had more opportunities than ever to interact at work, but meeting in private had now become impossible.

Zhan Shili’s heart skipped a beat: “Really?”

“Really!” Xu Shen looked into his eyes. “I really want to sleep with you every night.”

“Come to my place tonight.” Whether Xu Shen had merely said it to tease him or not, Zhan Shili chose to believe it. “Go there yourself. I’ll have dinner ready and waiting for you.”

Xu Shen laughed: “Going on a date with you really isn’t easy, Mr. Zhan. It’s like we’re sneaking around committing a crime.”

“If you want a date, then we’ll have one,” Zhan Shili said. “Are you coming or not?”

Xu Shen smiled and said, “You’ve already invited me. How could I possibly say no?”

After going back and forth a bit more, Xu Shen picked up the coffee his secretary had brought in earlier and took a couple of sips: “Let’s talk business.”

Zhan Shili began reporting on work. The shipyard redevelopment project Xu Shen had proposed earlier had already received approval from the Town Planning Board and was originally supposed to begin construction this month, but the initial project funding had yet to come through. Zhan Shili had gone to the Finance Department several times to press them about it, only to be stalled and put off with one excuse after another.

Xu Shen asked, “The initial funding is only four billion. Surely the company has that much money in its accounts?”

Zhan Shili explained, “Originally, we did. But the Second Young Master bypassed the board and signed an acquisition agreement with the Malaysian development authorities to take over their Xingdu Port project.”

Xu Shen’s expression shifted: “Is that so?”

“Absolutely,” Zhan Shili said. “And the contract has already taken effect. The payment has been made as well. The Second Young Master used to be the company’s CFO, and the current CFO is one of his people too. He helped him keep the whole thing hidden from the board.”

It only took Xu Shen a moment to understand: “He proposed investing in Malaysian real estate and energy projects at the meeting before, and even after the proposal was rejected, he still refused to give up?”

“Mn,” Zhan Shili confirmed. “The Xingdu Port project was halted shortly after the first phase of construction began, and it has been abandoned for almost ten years. The Malaysian government has always wanted to sell it. The Second Young Master has taken it over now, originally intending to do the Malaysian government a favor. His goal is to participate in the large-scale new energy eco-city construction project in the central urban area of ​​Kuala Lumpur. This is a lucrative pie, and many people are eyeing it.”

“He certainly has guts. Does he really think Zhaoqi belongs to him alone? Ridiculous.” Xu Shen cursed before asking Zhan Shili, “But Nic, how did you find out about all this? I doubt you had only just gotten wind of this.”

Zhan Shili didn’t bother explaining much: “If I hadn’t let him succeed, where would Young Master Shen get an excuse to impeach him before the board?”

A smile appeared at the corner of Xu Shen’s lips. He sat up straighter in his chair and picked up the internal line to summon the CFO to his office.

Five minutes later, the man arrived. Xu Shen got straight to the point: “When will the initial funding for the shipyard redevelopment project be in place? Give me a definite date.”

The CFO faltered: “The company currently has several major projects running simultaneously. Aside from the Real Estate Development Department, there are also projects under Overseas Investments. We’re nearing the end of the year now, and between interest expenses and debt-servicing costs, there are considerable amounts of money going out in every direction…”

Xu Shen cut him off directly: “What project under Overseas Investments? Xingdu Port?”

The other man stiffened slightly.

Xu Shen showed no mercy: “You and the CEO had better figure out how you’re going to explain yourselves to the board.”

He had deliberately summoned the man here so that the CFO himself would carry the message back to Xu Ziren. This was Xu Shen formally declaring war.

After dismissing him, Zhan Shili asked, “You really plan to declare war on the Second Young Master this soon?”

“What else am I supposed to do?” Xu Shen said. “Sit around waiting for him to keep making moves behind my back and rack his brains for ways to cause me trouble? My father is furious with him right now, so he’s tacitly allowing me to make a move against him. Give it some time and that might not be the case anymore. I need to end this quickly.”

Zhan Shili nodded: “Suit yourself. But you’ll still have to figure out a way to deal with the funding shortfall.”

Xu Shen answered succinctly, “Sell off assets.”

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As the end of the workday approached, Zhan Shili checked the time. For once, he was actually getting off work on time.

He had just packed up his things and was preparing to leave when Xu Zikang sent him a message asking whether he was free to have dinner together.

Zhan Shili picked up his suit jacket and replied: [I’m meeting a business partner from the mainland tonight.]

There was no further reply from the other side. Zhan Shili paid it no more attention either, turned off his phone, and headed downstairs.

Xu Zikang, however, was waiting for him in the parking lot downstairs.

At the sight of Xu Zikang, a trace of impatience appeared in Zhan Shili’s expression, only to be quickly concealed. He walked over: “You haven’t left yet?”

Xu Zikang asked, “You’re going to a business dinner. Could you take me with you? Now that I’m working at the company too, I want to follow you and learn more.”

“Don’t come. There’s nothing worth learning from drinking-table culture.” Zhan Shili refused him outright, with little patience. “Your health isn’t good and you can’t drink. You’re also the Third Young Master of the Xu Family, so people will inevitably toast you when they see you there. If you can’t drink, I’ll have to look after you and drink on your behalf.”

Xu Zikang could hear the displeasure in his tone and knew Zhan Shili simply didn’t want him tagging along. But Zhan Shili’s reasons were too reasonable to argue against. No matter how unwilling Xu Zikang was, he could only accept it—that was, if Zhan Shili really was going to meet a business partner.

“Sorry. I didn’t think that far…”

“Go home,” Zhan Shili told him. “Get some rest early, and stop letting your imagination run so wild.”

Xu Zikang nodded and said, “You should drink less too. Go home early after dinner.”

Zhan Shili said, “Mn.”

A few minutes later, Zhan Shili’s car drove out of the company parking lot. Xu Shen had gone to the hospital that afternoon to play the dutiful son again and wouldn’t be heading over anytime soon, so Zhan Shili planned to stop by a nearby supermarket first to pick up some ingredients.

Xu Zikang watched Zhan Shili’s car disappear. After staring blankly for a moment, he heard the driver ask, “Third Young Master, Mr. Zhan has already left. Shall we head home too?”

Xu Zikang snapped back from his daze. He forced down the turmoil in his mind, let out a soft breath, and said, “Let’s go.”

At the hospital, Xu Shen went to see Xu Shiji. After exchanging the usual greetings, he brought up company matters as he normally did.

He started by telling Xu Shiji about everything Xu Ziren had done behind the board’s back. In any case, Xu Shiji couldn’t stand the sight of Xu Ziren right now, so Xu Shen was free to complain about him however he pleased.

Sure enough, Xu Shiji was furious after hearing it. He sighed repeatedly, regretting how much freedom he had given Xu Ziren in the past, allowing his wolfish ambition to grow unchecked.

Xu Shen didn’t say much in response. Only after Xu Shiji’s emotions had settled somewhat did he say, “Actually, there’s no need to worry too much…”

He went on to explain that the company was currently under financial strain and that he intended to gradually repatriate capital from their overseas investments, particularly the funds invested in Europe, in order to reduce the company’s debt ratio.

Xu Shiji’s long-term vision was actually quite good. Ten years ago, he had already foreseen that Hong Kong’s real estate industry would inevitably decline and had shifted his focus toward overseas markets, investing heavily in European new energy, telecommunications, water, electricity, and other public utilities. Those investments had indeed made a great deal of money. But over the past two years, the euro and pound had depreciated significantly, and changing political circumstances had also taken their toll. Projects that had once been profitable were gradually turning into dead weight dragging Zhaoqi down. Unfortunately, Xu Shiji no longer possessed the same decisiveness and agility he had in his younger years.

After all, selling off assets involved considerable strategy; who to sell to and how to sell them both mattered enormously. Xu Shiji no longer had the energy to handle such things, but Xu Shen was willing to do them now.

“You really intend to do this?” Xu Shiji cautioned him. “Selling assets isn’t as simple as you think. If you sell them too cheaply and the directors aren’t satisfied, you’ll put in all that effort only to earn their resentment.”

“I know,” Xu Shen said confidently. “But why worry so much? If you’re too timid and afraid to move in any direction, you’ll never accomplish anything. If Dad hadn’t had that kind of resolve back then, there wouldn’t be a Zhaoqi as it is today.”

Xu Shiji patted the back of his hand, feeling somewhat comforted: “Very good. As expected, you’re the one with the most guts, and the one most like me.”

Xu Shen remained modest and deferential on the surface, but inwardly he couldn’t help sneering—he was the one most like Xu Shiji, so everything Xu Shiji had would eventually be his. He certainly wouldn’t stand on ceremony.

By the time Xu Shen left the hospital, night had already fallen. He got into his car, glanced at the message Zhan Shili had just sent, and casually replied. In an excellent mood, he started the engine.

But that good mood didn’t last long. He had barely left the hospital when he noticed some pieces of trash tailing him.

Xu Shen stepped on the accelerator, trying to shake them off. The car behind him sped up as well and continued doggedly pursuing him.

Thoroughly fed up, Xu Shen eventually turned onto a one-way street and hit the brakes.

The other car stopped about twenty meters away. Xu Shen got out and strode straight toward it, slamming his palm hard against the driver-side window.

The window rolled down. The man who had been tailing him asked in a low voice, “What do you want?”

“Follow me again and I’ll throw you into the sea to feed the fish. Believe me?”

“What are you talking about—”

“Go back and tell whoever’s paying you,” Xu Shen cut him off directly, “that if he wants to dig up dirt on me, stop using these cheap, amateur tricks. If there’s a next time, I won’t be this courteous.”

Under Xu Shen’s cold stare, the man in the car was ultimately somewhat intimidated. Forced back by the look in his eyes, he hesitated before quickly reversing and driving away.

Xu Shen returned to his car and started the engine again, then called Zhan Shili and told him what had just happened: “There are definitely people staking out your place and watching you too. Let’s go somewhere else, the yacht club. Be careful on your way here. If anyone tails you, find a way to shake them.”

Zhan Shili had no objections: “Then I’ll see you at the yacht club in a bit.”

Xu Shen hung up. Although he was somewhat annoyed, the thought that he would soon be going on a date with Zhan Shili put him in a better mood, and he stopped caring about it. He made a U-turn up ahead and drove toward the yacht club.

At that moment, Xu Zikang was also at the yacht club. His car had been parked in the marina parking lot for almost an hour.

He didn’t know where Zhan Shili lived. He only remembered Xu Shen mentioning before that he sometimes took that “Nicky” out to sea, which was why he had thought to come here.

Even if they weren’t going out to sea, the yacht club was still an ideal place for a date. He desperately hoped he had guessed wrong.

The lights inside the car were off. Xu Zikang sat silently in a daze until the driver in the front spoke up: “Third Young Master, that looks like Young Master Shen’s car up ahead.”

Xu Zikang raised his eyes. Not far ahead, Xu Shen’s car came in through the parking lot entrance and pulled into a space in the row opposite them. A few minutes later, Xu Shen got out and headed toward the marina, alone.

Xu Zikang didn’t feel relieved. For Xu Shen to come to the yacht club after dark, he had to be meeting someone.

After boarding the yacht, Xu Shen opened a bottle of red wine first. Twenty minutes later, just as the wine had finished breathing, Zhan Shili arrived.

“Want a glass of wine first?” Xu Shen turned and gestured to him, swirling the wineglass in his hand.

Zhan Shili walked over and wrapped his arms around Xu Shen’s waist from behind. Xu Shen let him, pouring out the wine so they each had a glass.

Zhan Shili asked him, “Was someone really following you?”

“Yeah. Bored people with nothing better to do,” Xu Shen said. “It’s inconvenient to go to your place, but we can’t keep coming here either. We’ll find somewhere else next time. I’ll have to think about it.”

Zhan Shili whispered, “I thought you weren’t afraid of anything and didn’t care about this sort of thing at all.”

“I’m doing this for your own good,” Xu Shen said, shaking his head. “Forget it. Let’s not talk about these unpleasant things.”

With the wine poured, Xu Shen picked up one of the glasses, turned around, and handed it to Zhan Shili. He clinked his glass against his, staring straight at him as he tilted his head back, wine pouring into his mouth.

Zhan Shili held his glass without moving. His gaze drifted from Xu Shen’s eyes, which held a faint glint of joy, and down to his lips. The red wine had left them moist and glistening, and Zhan Shili’s gaze lingered there involuntarily.

“Aren’t you going to drink? Why do you keep staring at me?” Xu Shen licked his lips and asked with a smile.

Zhan Shili set down his glass and moved even closer, slipping one arm around Xu Shen’s waist. Gently picking him up, he set him on the bar counter behind him before leaning in and kissing him.

The wine’s sharp yet sweet aroma lingered between their tangled lips and tongues. Zhan Shili laced his fingers through Xu Shen’s and kissed him deeply, sucking slowly at his tongue again and again, devouring his breath and taste.

Xu Shen’s back pressed against the cabin window behind him. He met Zhan Shili’s forceful advance with equal passion, eagerly returning the kiss.

Their yacht was moored beside the most remote pier in the marina. Neither of them, lost in their heated kiss, knew that Xu Zikang had already wheeled himself onto the pier and stopped there in the darkness.

From the moment he had seen Zhan Shili appear in the parking lot, Xu Zikang had been trembling. He had insisted that the driver help him out of the car, refused the driver’s offer to accompany him, and followed them here alone. And then he saw the scene before him—

Blurred silhouettes were reflected against the cabin window; the two figures, entwined intimately, were still kissing fervently without a care in the world.

Zhan Shili pressed the electric remote. The blackout curtains slid shut over the cabin windows, completely cutting off the view from outside.

Xu Zikang’s heart pounded wildly. His body was shaking so violently that he could barely sit up straight. He had to bite down hard on the back of his own hand just to suppress the scream that nearly tore its way out of his throat.

Zhan Shili was lying to him, and Xu Shen was lying to him too. There was no Nicky at all. The person Xu Shen had been dating was Nic. They had both treated him like a complete fool, toying with him and deceiving him this whole time!

A moment later, Xu Zikang frantically maneuvered his wheelchair backward and before he could completely break down, he fled in utter panic.

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t/n: Advance chapters up to ch 62 are up on kofi shop~ ^^ There’s a spicy chapter after this btw!

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♡♡♡ if you like my translations, please consider buying me a kofi~! ♡♡♡

Continue Reading Ch. 43-62: click me <3