IBKAWB Chapter 34

**Chapter 34: I Want Him**

Translated by: Lan Baobao

Re-translated/Edited by: Namizaki

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While Father Chi was on the phone with Lu Yuzhou, Chi Zhongqiao stared blankly ahead, half-listening to their conversation.

“…Is the Old Master there? Please send him my regards. Did he return to his hometown?”

Chi Zhongqiao’s ears perked up. His unfocused eyes suddenly sharpened, locking onto Father Chi.

If the Old Master went back to his hometown, why is Yuzhou still at the company? Isn’t he celebrating the New Year with his family?

Chi Zhongqiao frowned briefly.

Father Chi finished the call and turned to look at Chi Zhongqiao, his expression puzzled. “The New Year is tomorrow. Why are you frowning?”

Chi Zhongqiao hesitated. “…Yuzhou doesn’t seem to have gone back with the Old Master for the New Year.”

Father Chi paused, surprised. “Then Young Master Lu is all alone at home?”

Chi Zhongqiao remained uneasy. “Probably… He was still at the company when I called earlier. And I didn’t see the Old Master this morning.”

Father Chi studied him for a moment before saying slowly, “Our Family has always been cared for by the Old Master. From your university days to now, how much have we relied on the Lu Family’s kindness?”

Chi Zhongqiao lowered his head, thought for a moment, then shook his head. “Too many to count.”

Father Chi made a decision. “Call the Old Master later. If Young Master Lu is going to be alone, you won’t be staying home this year. Go keep him company.” If the whole Family left, Young Master Lu would be stuck managing the company and unable to leave. It was better to have Zhongqiao go back.

Chi Zhongqiao slowly looked up. “Really?”

Father Chi replied, “You haven’t come home for New Year’s in years anyway. Missing one more won’t make a difference.”

Just then, Mother Chi emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands. She had overheard most of the conversation. Glancing into Chi Zhongqiao’s bedroom, she exclaimed with delight, “Old Chi! That’s right! Zhongqiao hasn’t opened his suitcase yet. Tell him to go back tomorrow!”

Chi Zhongqiao: “……”

Faced with his beaming parents, Chi Zhongqiao couldn’t help but wonder if he had somehow revealed his true identity as a “fake son” the moment he walked in.

Or perhaps the original story was flawed, and the original Zhongqiao’s relationship with his parents had always been superficial.

Dear Mom and Dad, your Baby Qiao hasn’t been home for two or three years!

**********

Chi Zhongqiao returned home to his family on the 28th, and just three days later, it was New Year’s Eve.

The day before New Year’s Eve, Lu Yuzhou gave the few employees still at the office the day off. He stayed alone until after nine o’clock, until all the lights in the building went out, before finally grabbing his keys and heading downstairs.

But when he got home, the apartment was empty. Lu Yuzhou took off Chi Zhongqiao’s coat.

Facing the pitch-black room, he let out a long sigh and collapsed onto the sofa where Chi Zhongqiao often lay. He’d forgotten to eat dinner and was too exhausted to move. He draped Chi Zhongqiao’s coat over himself, intending only to rest for a moment, but he fell asleep almost immediately after closing his eyes.

Around eleven o’clock, Lu Yuzhou vaguely heard the click of the lock opening, as if someone had quietly entered the room. He struggled briefly in his sleep before snapping his eyes open, grabbing a wrist. Before he could even sit up, his gaze collided with a pair of familiar eyes.

When Chi Zhongqiao first opened the door, he almost thought Lu Yuzhou hadn’t returned at all. But the unlocked door and the keys tossed on the entryway table clearly indicated someone was home.

Is he asleep? Why didn’t he even lock the door?

He tiptoed into the living room, and by the dim moonlight, he immediately spotted a figure on the sofa, covered with a strikingly familiar coat.

During the Lunar New Year, when families across the country were gathered in reunion, Lu Yuzhou was alone in this dark, empty house.

Chi Zhongqiao: “……”

The cold, pitch-black room felt like a bite into Chi Zhongqiao’s heart, causing him unbearable pain.

He approached the sofa. Lu Yuzhou was sound asleep, and Chi Zhongqiao hesitated to wake him, gazing at his face for a moment. He reached out to pull the coat higher over Lu Yuzhou’s shoulders.

But the moment his hand moved, Lu Yuzhou’s long fingers seized his wrist, the grip so tight it made Chi Zhongqiao’s wrist ache.

“It’s me,” Chi Zhongqiao said, curving his lips into a smile.

Lu Yuzhou thought he must still be half-asleep. How else could he be seeing Chi Zhongqiao, who had only returned home yesterday?

The slender, warm wrist in his hand proved that the person before Lu Yuzhou was real, not a figment of his sleep-addled imagination.

Lu Yuzhou hesitated for two seconds, weighing whether to indulge himself for once. But the moment he saw Chi Zhongqiao turn around, his rationality crumbled completely. He rose and wrapped his arms around Chi Zhongqiao from behind. “Where are you going, Brother Qiao?”

Chi Zhongqiao turned to hug him back, patting his tense back. “I’m not going anywhere. Just getting you some water.”

After a few soothing words, seeing Lu Yuzhou showed no sign of letting go, Chi Zhongqiao simply let him hold on. He wrapped his arms around Lu Yuzhou, one hand gently patting his back.

Suddenly, a magnificent burst of fireworks exploded outside the window, filling the living room with vibrant, dazzling light. Chi Zhongqiao squinted at the spectacle for a moment, then smiled softly and whispered, “Happy New Year’s Eve.”

Wrapped in Chi Zhongqiao’s warm embrace, bathed in the room’s radiant glow, Lu Yuzhou felt his heartbeat gradually spiral out of control. Amidst the surging roar of his blood, he heard a clear voice—

I want him.

I want him to belong to me.

He is the greatest obsession of my past and present lives.

After calming himself for a long while, Lu Yuzhou finally released Chi Zhongqiao.

Chi Zhongqiao picked up his coat from the sofa and moved to sit beside Lu Yuzhou.

Lu Yuzhou’s gaze remained fixed on the coat, feeling a little guilty. Sleeping under Brother Qiao’s coat carried an undeniable air of subtle intimacy. If Brother Qiao were more perceptive, he would immediately sense something was amiss…

Lu Yuzhou pressed his lips into a thin line.

Chi Zhongqiao, finding the coat cumbersome, grumbled, “If I’d known it would make you sleep on the sofa, I wouldn’t have given it to you. Next time, I’ll just give you my blanket.”

Lu Yuzhou: “……” He must still be half-asleep. Brother Qiao wasn’t that perceptive after all.

Chi Zhongqiao peeled a Wogan orange¹A “Wogan orange” is actually a specific variety of mandarin orange, known for its sweet flavor, easy-to-peel skin, and low seed count. It is sometimes also called a Taiwan Orange. These fruits are imported from countries like China and are popular for their high Vitamin C content and overall nutritional benefits.. “Tell me, why didn’t you go home for the New Year with the Old Master?”

Lu Yuzhou gave a brief explanation. Chi Zhongqiao nodded. “The Old Man’s as shrewd as ever. He thought everything through, but it still made our Yuzhou suffer.”

Lu Yuzhou: “Why did you come back, Brother Qiao?”

Chi Zhongqiao held out the peeled Wogan orange. “You were still at the office when I left, so I called the Old Master to ask if he’d already left. When he said yes, I guessed you’d be spending the New Year alone.”

He popped a segment of fruit into Lu Yuzhou’s mouth. “Look at you,” he said. “Usually the biggest whiner, but when you really need company, you don’t say a word.”

Chi Zhongqiao’s words seemed to melt Young Master Lu’s usually ramrod-straight spine like sugar candy, making him want to cling to Chi Zhongqiao. “Brother Qiao, I missed you so much.”

“You miss me after just one day?” Chi Zhongqiao asked. “When <Invisible Crime> starts filming on location, I’ll be gone for half a month. What will you do then?”

“I’ll miss you every day you’re gone,” Lu Yuzhou replied. “If you’re gone for two days, I’ll miss you for two days. If you’re gone for a month, I’ll miss you for the whole month—until you come back.”

Chi Zhongqiao was speechless. What did this young master eat growing up? His sweet-talking and whining are lethal.

They ordered takeout and enjoyed a reunion dinner for two.

With Chi Zhongqiao by his side, even sorting through the company’s tangled web of relationships didn’t seem so daunting. One afternoon, they even worked together to draw a massive organizational chart, filling in names and titles one by one.

Overwhelmed by the names and positions from a dozen branch offices and hundreds of employees, Chi Zhongqiao fell asleep in less than half an hour.

Lu Yuzhou was left alone to leisurely refine his business relationship tree under the warm winter sun.

Unfortunately, this leisurely pace lasted only a few days before filming began for <Invisible Crime>.

Because the cast consisted of seasoned veterans who were constantly in demand (except for Chi Zhongqiao), and their schedules were tight (still excluding Chi Zhongqiao), the <Invisible Crime> production team started filming earlier than most.

“I have a meeting today and can’t accompany you, Brother Qiao,” Lu Yuzhou said, fastening Chi Zhongqiao’s hat. “I’ve already contacted your Manager; they should be here by next week at the latest.”

Chi Zhongqiao nodded. “You’ve been focusing more on the Lu Group Headquarters lately. Don’t worry about these small matters at Zhaohui. I can handle things here myself.”

Lu Yuzhou looked up. “When I was young, Grandpa taught me a principle…”

“What was it?” Chi Zhongqiao asked.

Lu Yuzhou replied slowly, “Matters aren’t divided by size, but by urgency and importance. Every task that comes our way must be addressed, just in order of priority.” He simply prioritized Brother Qiao above all else now.

Chi Zhongqiao tilted his head, thought for a few seconds, and nodded in agreement. “Understood. Proceed at your own pace. I’m off.”

“Safe travels, Brother Qiao,” Lu Yuzhou called out. “Tell the driver to take it slow.”

Chi Zhongqiao waved goodbye.

**********

When Chi Zhongqiao arrived on set, the lead actors hadn’t arrived yet. Fu Jingshen was discussing the opening scene with the assistant directors.

“You’re here?” Fu Jingshen greeted Chi Zhongqiao. “Come sit down.”

The two Assistant Directors, meeting Chi Zhongqiao for the first time, nodded politely.

Chi Zhongqiao was a rare breed on set—the only popular young idol, known for his role in a historical romance drama. With only experience as a supporting male lead so far, the Assistant Directors wondered what Fu Jingshen saw in him.

“You don’t have many scenes today,” Fu Jingshen said, picking up Chi Zhongqiao’s script. “Let’s see… just one scene in the morning and two in the afternoon. This schedule isn’t ideal.” He flipped through the script to the day’s scenes. The neatly pressed pages were covered in dense annotations, with some blank spaces filled with Chi Zhongqiao’s notes on the character’s psychology in each scene.

The Assistant Directors, stealing glances, were visibly impressed.

Fu Jingshen smiled knowingly. He hadn’t misjudged Chi Zhongqiao’s potential.

“You don’t have any scenes with Qingbo today. All three are with Fangyu. Make sure to rehearse with Fangyu thoroughly later. Oh, and the actress we cast for your female lead arrives today. Get to know her well—you’ll have a lot of scenes together, so it’s crucial you get along.”

Chi Zhongqiao nodded in acknowledgment.

In the drama, Shang Tang had a biological daughter. While Shang Tang’s face and skin were pale, his heart and lungs²Not literally the organs itself were black, It meant his inner self are twisted/blackened, evil. were utterly black. The only shred of conscience he possessed was reserved for his daughter, and it was ultimately for her sake that he willingly submitted to justice.

Just as ruthless and dark as Shang Tang was in the script, his daughter Shang Lin was equally innocent and kind. The father-daughter dynamic arguably accounted for half the endearing moments in <Invisible Crime>.

Chi Zhongqiao nodded. “Then I’ll go get my makeup done.”

Modern dramas required less elaborate makeup and costumes than historical dramas. Chi Zhongqiao was in and out of the makeup room in no time.

With the cold weather, they were filming autumn and winter scenes.

After finishing his makeup, Chi Zhongqiao changed into a tailored, crisp black overcoat. He adjusted his expression slightly in the mirror, and the moment he narrowed his eyes, he slipped into Shang Tang’s persona.

The makeup artist, startled by his sudden shift in aura, froze in place with her brush in hand.

Chi Zhongqiao’s gaze swept across the room, the cold amusement that had just gathered in his eyes dissipating instantly. He waved to the stunned makeup artist. “Thank you. I’m heading out.”

“Ah? Oh… You’re welcome,” the makeup artist stammered. How terrifying! One moment he’s a sweet, innocent angel, and the next he’s a refined villain!

Outside the makeup room, Ge Fangyu arrived on set with his Assistant.

Having collaborated with Fu Jingshen on numerous projects, they shared a close personal relationship. As soon as Ge Fangyu appeared, Fu Jingshen waved him over with a warm smile.

Ge Fangyu hurried over. “Old Fu!”

He glanced around furtively, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. “Teacher Yan hasn’t arrived yet, has she?”

Fu Jingshen shook his head. “Not yet. It’s still early. Even the crew isn’t fully assembled. Only you and Zhongqiao insist on rushing here at dawn to freeze in the cold. What’s gotten into you two?”

Ge Fangyu retorted, “I’m more curious about what’s gotten into “you”. Why entrust such a crucial role like Shang Tang to a newcomer?”

He had watched <Empress of the World> and acknowledged Chi Zhongqiao’s remarkable talent, but the actor’s inexperience still worried him. Could Chi Zhongqiao maintain a consistent performance?

How many newcomers debut with roles brimming with brilliance, only to lose their focus on the craft after achieving sudden fame?

Moreover, the character of Shang Tang was worlds apart from Mu Yan, its complexity elevated several levels. Even Ge Fangyu himself might struggle to portray it convincingly.

Fu Jingshen didn’t even look up. “What else? Shang Tang is written as a highly intelligent villain in his late twenties. To appeal to the masses, he’s also required to be handsome, with a refined and elegant appearance. How many of your veteran actors fit that description? Or should we have you play younger? Good heavens, that would be like painting an old cucumber green—you’d be asking for trouble.”

Ge Fangyu grumbled, “I don’t get why the writer insisted on this setup. A baddie³internet slang for villain should look like a baddie…”

Fu Jingshen grimaced. “Can you stop using those trendy internet slang terms? It’s cringeworthy coming from a rough-and-tumble guy like you.”

Ge Fangyu bristled. “What? Can’t I have a girly side? Who isn’t a little princess at heart?”

This time, Fu Jingshen didn’t argue. Instead, he nodded toward a direction. “Look, he’s coming out.”

“Huh?” Ge Fangyu asked.

“The panda⁴Panda symbolism includes peace, harmony, and good fortune in Chinese culture  of our production team is finally ready,” Fu Jingshen said. “You can go admire him now. But a word of warning: Look but don’t touch. He’s Young Master Lu’s prized possession.”

Ge Fangyu followed his gaze and turned to see a tall, imposing man standing in the doorway of the makeup room. His black coat accentuated broad shoulders and a slim waist, and he was adjusting his watch, his wrist slender. When he looked up, his lips were a delicate red, and his features were sharp and dark as ink.

His eyes were like two deep, still pools.

• 1
  A “Wogan orange” is actually a specific variety of mandarin orange, known for its sweet flavor, easy-to-peel skin, and low seed count. It is sometimes also called a Taiwan Orange. These fruits are imported from countries like China and are popular for their high Vitamin C content and overall nutritional benefits.
• 2
  Not literally the organs itself were black, It meant his inner self are twisted/blackened, evil.
• 3
  internet slang for villain
• 4
  Panda symbolism includes peace, harmony, and good fortune in Chinese culture