BF Chapter 58

At the dinner table, He Mingzheng exchanged toasts and chatted merrily with several shareholders from Zhaoqi.

 

Someone said, “I heard Lin Bingsheng has already formally refused to invest in Zhaoqi. That Young Master Shen should be out of options now.”

 

“It’s better that he didn’t manage to pull it off,” someone beside him chimed in. “Lin Bingsheng isn’t easy to deal with either, and he only just came back from Europe, so he isn’t familiar with the market here. If he really got into Zhaoqi, who knows what would happen afterward. Boss He, at least you and Brother Ji are old friends. Of course we’d rather cooperate with you.”

 

He Mingzheng laughed: “With Brother Ji in this condition, I only wanted to give Zhaoqi a hand. Unfortunately, some people don’t appreciate the gesture. Third Young Master is much easier to talk to. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be sitting here having this meal with all of you today.”

 

Xu Zikang, who had been named directly, smiled awkwardly: “Uncle He is joking. From now on, we’ll all be in the same boat. I’ll still have to rely on you to help me out.”

 

He Mingzheng waved a hand: “There’s no question of relying on anyone. Since Third Young Master calls me Uncle He, these are all things I should do.”

 

He Mingzheng waved a hand: “There’s no question of relying on anyone. Since Third Young Master calls me Uncle He, these are all things I should do.”

 

The conversation quickly moved away from Xu Zikang, and the others continued drinking, chatting, and laughing together.

 

Although this dinner had been arranged in Xu Zikang’s name, he seemed more like an outsider, keeping his head down and eating, barely able to join the conversation. Even when the others occasionally flattered him with a few words, he seemed more like an auspicious mascot brought along as decoration.

 

Zhan Shili sat beside him, somewhat distracted. He didn’t say much either; there wasn’t really any place for him to speak at this table in the first place.

 

These shareholders had all belonged to Xu Ziren’s faction before. Now they were willing to cooperate with He Mingzheng in pushing Xu Zikang into power, which was still better than letting Xu Shen, that illegitimate son, monopolize all the authority and leave them with no place to stand.

 

As for what He Mingzheng was really planning, of course they all knew perfectly well. It was just that everyone had their own calculations. At least in the present situation, the people around this table could barely be considered aligned in their interests.

 

And so, the meal could be considered enjoyable for both host and guests.

 

Halfway through dinner, Zhan Shili caught sight of the message that had come in on his phone. He frowned instinctively, slid a finger across the screen, and didn’t reply.

 

Beside him, Xu Zikang noticed and asked, “Is something wrong?”

 

Zhan Shili turned off the screen and answered, “No.”

 

But after that, he became increasingly distracted, and a dozen minutes later, Xu Shen sent another message.

 

[You’re not willing?]

 

Zhan Shili stared at those few words for a moment, then put away his phone and said to Xu Zikang, “I have something to take care of, so I’m leaving first. Have the driver take you back later.”

 

Xu Zikang immediately asked, “Where are you going?”

 

Zhan Shili looked at him and repeated: “I have something to take care of.”

 

He offered no explanation whatsoever, but Xu Zikang understood: he was going to see Xu Shen.

 

Xu Zikang tried to stop him: “Aren’t you afraid I’ll change my mind?”

 

Zhan Shili suddenly laughed, borderline contemptuous, lowering his voice: “Third Young Master, now that things have come this far, do you really think you still get to change your mind? You’ve already been pushed onto the stage. Ask the other people at this table, who would agree to let you back out? Your Second Brother in the correctional facility would be the first one not to let you off.”

 

Xu Zikang’s face instantly turned deathly pale. It was as though only at this moment had Zhan Shili truly revealed his nature in front of him. Apart from using him and scheming against him, this man had never cared about him from beginning to end, never.

 

The others were still talking loudly and freely, and no one noticed the small dispute between them. Zhan Shili had already stood, gone over to say something to He Mingzheng, and taken his leave first.

 

There had actually been no need to fall out with Xu Zikang so quickly. He was simply tired of it. Everything in front of him made him feel exceptionally fed up.

 

As he walked out of the restaurant, Zhan Shili dialed Xu Shen’s number: “Where are you?”

 

Xu Shen didn’t answer. Zhan Shili heard the faint rush of wind over the phone and asked, “Outside?”

 

“Driving around,” Xu Shen finally said, his voice somewhat muffled. “You’re willing to talk to me now?”

 

Zhan Shili steadied his breathing and asked once more: “Where are you?”

 

Xu Shen casually gave him a location over the phone. After hanging up, he pulled over by the roadside and sat in the car in a daze.

 

About ten minutes later, the taxi carrying Zhan Shili stopped beside him. The man who got out circled around to the passenger side, tapped the window once, and opened the door.

 

Zhan Shili got into the car, and Xu Shen quickly stepped on the accelerator.

 

As the car drove off, Zhan Shili turned to study him. Seeing no sign of discomfort in his expression, and that he didn’t seem to have any intention of going to the hospital either, his brows knitted together: “Didn’t you say your stomach hurt? Why are you still out driving around? Do you want to go to the hospital?”

 

“No.” Xu Shen kept his eyes on the road as he drove, speaking casually. “I don’t want to.”

 

Zhan Shili was somewhat speechless and simply stopped asking.

 

During this time, he would repeatedly and inadvertently recall what Xu Shen had said about being “disappointed.” He knew very well that he was no good and had no excuse to defend himself.

 

For the first time, he understood what guilt felt like; facing Xu Shen, he actually had no confidence at all.

 

But that emotion wasn’t pure, even a little contradictory—

 

He also resented Xu Shen, resented Xu Shen’s cold heart, resented that he was just a toy to Xu Shen.

 

When the silence in the car had become almost oppressive, Xu Shen spoke: “Who did you meet tonight? Xu Zikang? Did you drink? Why didn’t you drive?”

 

Zhan Shili told the truth: “Not just him. Zhuosheng hosted the dinner and invited several Zhaoqi shareholders.”

 

Xu Shen gave a cold laugh that was hard to read: “Ah, I forgot to congratulate you. I heard you successfully got onto Zhuosheng’s board. Is that the reward for spending eight years lying low in Zhaoqi for He Mingzheng?”

 

Over those eight years, who knew how much Zhan Shili had done for He Mingzheng. For it to amount to only a seat on Zhuosheng’s board, He Mingzheng was actually being very stingy.

 

Zhan Shili ignored the veiled edges in his tone: “Congratulations to you too, for successfully being named one of the Top Ten Outstanding Young Persons.”

 

“That’s just an empty title for outsiders to look at. What use is it?” Xu Shen said. “You don’t seriously think He Mingzheng’s son getting exposed in a scandal was because I had people watching him, do you? I’m not that bored, and I don’t have that kind of time. If something like that could make He Mingzheng stop, I’d gladly do it, but unfortunately things didn’t go as hoped.”

 

He Wenhui had been exposed by gossip paparazzi for grinding against and passionately kissing a married woman at a nightclub. Newly married himself, he was immediately hit by rumors of marital trouble, and the scandal became the talk of the city. Naturally, he was removed from consideration for the Outstanding Young Persons selection, which ended up benefiting Xu Shen. He Mingzheng counted that debt against Xu Shen too and only intensified his attack on Zhaoqi. In the end, it was more like a farce.

 

Zhan Shili’s voice was calm and composed: “I know it wasn’t you.”

 

The car stopped at a red light. Xu Shen turned his head to look at him, seeming to understand something: “Nic, stay with me one more night, okay? I really don’t feel very well.?”

 

Zhan Shili met his eyes and, after a silence, asked, “Are you still not done playing?”

 

“I don’t know.” Xu Shen softened his voice. “Please, just stay with me for one more night.”

 

His eyes were bright, sparkling brilliantly even in the darkness, easily enchanting anyone.

 

Even knowing it was all fake, Zhan Shili still couldn’t refuse him.

 

Xu Shen drove the car to Langting.

 

In the elevator, he closed his eyes and leaned against the wall, tapping the gold coin in his trouser pocket with his fingers as he hummed a song.

 

Zhan Shili stood quietly beside him, his thoughts churning as he recognized the piano piece he had hummed before. A subtle feeling rose within him; he wanted to say something, but the words got caught in his throat.

 

The elevator doors opened. Xu Shen cracked open his eyes and walked out first.

 

Zhan Shili gathered his thoughts and followed him.

 

After entering, Xu Shen went to the wine cabinet and took out a bottle of red wine, but Zhan Shili stopped him.

 

“You said your stomach was hurting, don’t drink.”

 

Xu Shen looked at him and protested, “Nic, I want to. Humor me and have a glass?”

 

Zhan Shili asked, “What if your stomach hurts even more afterward?”

 

“Then we’ll deal with it after we finish drinking,” Xu Shen insisted. “Okay?”

 

Zhan Shili lost to those eyes again and took the wine from him: “I’ll decant it.”

 

The wine Xu Shen had chosen was fairly strong; perhaps it was an intentional choice.

 

They said they would only drink two glasses, but in the end they finished the entire bottle, most of it going into Xu Shen’s stomach. Seeing that he couldn’t stop him, Zhan Shili simply stopped trying.

 

The amount usually wasn’t enough to get Xu Shen drunk, yet somehow, he was drunk anyway, slumped against the sofa with his eyes lowered as though he had fallen asleep.

 

Zhan Shili reached out and touched his face, running his fingers into his hair: “Drunk again?”

 

Xu Shen’s voice was muffled: “A little tired.”

 

Zhan Shili noticed the dark circles beneath his eyes: “Haven’t been sleeping well?”

 

Xu Shen kept his eyes closed and mumbled, “I’ve been pretty busy lately, and thanks to your Zhuosheng, I can barely sleep a few hours a day. Besides, I don’t sleep well alone to begin with.”

 

It wasn’t a complaint, but that lightly spoken sentence was enough to render Zhan Shili speechless.

 

“…If you’re tired, go sleep. I’ll stay with you.”

 

Xu Shen shook his head slightly: “It took me so much effort just to get you to come out. After tonight, who knows when I’ll get another chance. I don’t want to sleep.”

 

He was always like this, saying these deceptive yet enticing things, making it impossible to tell how much was true and how much was false. In truth, Xu Shen was the one who was better at charming others.

 

Zhan Shili’s presence enveloped him as he gripped his wrist: “You really don’t want to sleep?”

 

Xu Shen opened his eyes and saw the complex look in Zhan Shili’s eyes. Catching sight of the unconscious furrow in his brow, he murmured, “Nic, it hurts.”

 

“What do you want from me this time?” Zhan Shili asked. “You came all this way to see me, there must have been some purpose in it.”

 

Xu Shen said, “If I said I just wanted to see you, would you believe me?”

 

Zhan Shili looked at him without speaking.

 

Xu Shen reached up and stroked his face, saying softly, “Nic, I’ve run out of options. If you really drive me out of Zhaoqi, I’ll really, truly, have nothing left. It took me so much effort to get where I am today. You wouldn’t do that to me, would you?”

 

Again, that deliberately submissive tone. Zhan Shili’s gaze traced over his face inch by inch: “Are you begging me?”

 

Xu Shen’s eyes flickered: “Would begging you work?”

 

“No,” Zhan Shili answered frankly. “You know the decision isn’t in my hands. Things have already reached this point, so you can only find a way yourself.”

 

Xu Shen’s hand fell onto his shoulder: “Do you have to make me disappointed in you over and over again?”

 

Zhan Shili said, “You still hold the card that is Xu Shiji. It’s not impossible for you to make a comeback later. He Mingzheng can’t swallow Zhaoqi in one go, and Xu Zikang is useless. You still have a chance.”

 

Xu Shen’s fingers tightened, pressing hard into his shoulder: “If you hadn’t helped He Mingzheng win over Xu Zikang and Xu Ziren, I wouldn’t be in such a passive and pathetic situation. And now you’re telling me I can still make a comeback later? Nic, don’t you think that’s ridiculous?”

 

Zhan Shili said in a low voice, “I wanted to get onto Zhuosheng’s board of directors. That was the condition He Mingzheng promised me in exchange. I have no choice.”

 

Xu Shen seemed drunk but also not quite. His hand slid to Zhan Shili’s chest and tapped it: “You really are a liar. You said you’d put me before everyone else, but apparently ‘everyone else’ didn’t include yourself. Between me and your own interests, you’ll only ever choose to abandon me.”

 

“What about you?” Zhan Shili asked Xu Shen, one question after another: “Where do I rank in your heart? Or do I have no place there at all?”

 

Xu Shen closed his eyes briefly: “Do you really have to calculate every little thing with me like this?”

 

“Is that what this is, calculating every little thing?” Zhan Shili asked him. “You and I are fundamentally the same kind of person. We’re both used to putting our own interests first. What’s wrong with that? If it were you, after waiting all these years and finally getting your chance, would you give it up for a toy?”

 

“You really do say unpleasant things. Now you’re not even willing to coax me anymore…” the corners of Xu Shen’s eyes held a splash of vermillion, probably from the alcohol.

 

Zhan Shili looked at him and brushed a finger over his eye, but failed to wipe the color away. He had once asked Xu Shen whether he would cry if he were deceived. If Zhan Shili hadn’t known Xu Shen’s personality so well, he might have thought his eyes really had reddened from sadness.

 

When forced to choose between Xu Shen and his own interests, Zhan Shili chose the latter.

 

Likewise, from beginning to end, Xu Shen had avoided answering Zhan Shili’s question about where he ranked in his heart.

 

Because he couldn’t provide an answer, he gave none.

 

Zhan Shili pulled back, intending to get up, but Xu Shen suddenly hooked his arms around his neck and pulled him down again.

 

“You promised to stay with me for one more night. Don’t go.”

 

Zhan Shili’s brows were drawn together, the nameless fire in his chest ignited by his words. When Xu Shen’s lips came up to meet his, he pulled him closer, pried open his lips and teeth, and drove his tongue inside, sucking and licking.

 

It had been so long since they last did it that neither of them could hold back, kissing while stripping each other’s clothes off, embracing intimately.

 

Exchanging warmth in the most primal, instinctive way, Xu Shen sat in Zhan Shili’s arms, being taken hard by him again and again, the near-suffocating pleasure leaving him almost unable to breathe.

 

Zhan Shili grunted heavily beside his ear, and combined with the sound of his pounding heartbeat, it was impossible to tell who had lost control first.

 

From the living room to the bathroom and then to the bedroom, they only slept in scattered intervals for a little while in between.

 

As dawn broke, Xu Shen, chest heaving, pushed away Zhan Shili, who still wanted to continue, and said softly, “Nic, it’s morning.”

 

A sliver of the rays of dawn seeped through the gap in the curtains. Zhan Shili lowered his eyes and met his gaze. Xu Shen’s eyes were still bright, still brimming with desire yet already calm: “Let’s end this.”

 

After a long while, Zhan Shili clenched his fist hard and moved away.

 

Xu Shen got up and went to the bathroom for a quick shower. When he came out, he saw Zhan Shili standing by the window smoking and asked, “Don’t you dislike the smell of smoke?”

 

Zhan Shili stubbed out the cigarette, his voice slightly hoarse: “It’s only a little after six. You’re leaving now?”

 

Xu Shen took out a set of clothes and changed, buttoning his shirt one button at a time. Once he was fully dressed, he looked at Zhan Shili and blinked very slowly.

 

“You didn’t understand what I meant just now?”

 

The furrow between Zhan Shili’s brows didn’t ease.

 

Xu Shen said, “Then I’ll put it in a way that’s easier to understand. Didn’t you ask me last night whether I’ve gotten tired of playing? I’m not sure, but I know that I don’t want to play anymore, or to put it another way, I’m done playing with you.”

 

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t/n: Shili, you’re fucked, boy… (wife chasing arc countdown: 2)

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Continue Reading Ch. 59-69: click me <3