TLSOTMTKOGAYWHTDI Chapter 45

Chapter 43: Feigning Innocence While Hiding a Dark Heart

Zhuo Huaimo momentarily thought he had misheard, looking at Qi Yanwang with disbelief.

The night was deep, the room lit only by a dim yellow lamp, casting a soft glow in the corner, enveloping both of their figures.

Qi Yanwang stood in the center of the room, his body swaying slightly, his eyes filled with a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

His right hand was wrapped in a bandage, starkly visible in the lamplight, his left hand unconsciously clutching at his clothes, betraying his inner unease.

“Want to try?”

He asked for the third time, his voice more resolute than before, carrying a hint of desperate courage, exceptionally clear in the silent space.

This suggestion reminded Zhuo Huaimo of their first encounter.

Qi Yanwang had been leaning against his car then, a cigarette dangling from his lips, clearly outlining his silhouette in the mist.

But later, everything was reversed…

Because he couldn’t win against him!

More importantly, he couldn’t bear to!

He was, Qi Yanwang wasn’t originally, he felt sorry for him, afraid he would have trauma….

Forget it, most importantly, he couldn’t win!

But tonight, this man was offering himself up!

Tonight, Qi Yanwang’s eyes were blurred, faintly revealing a trace of fragility, like easily broken glass, making one feel pity and full of anticipation.

Such a display of appeasement did indeed make Zhuo Huaimo’s heart stir.

But seeing his injury, he ultimately couldn’t bear it, eventually returning the initiative back to him.

Qi Yanwang stared intently at him, “I gave you a chance!”

“Too much talk!”

………(1000 words omitted here)

Qi Yanwang tightly embraced Zhuo Huaimo, as if wanting to meld him into his own body, his hand gently stroking Zhuo Huaimo’s sweat-dampened back, the movement carrying a trace of longing.

“Don’t leave me…”

Qi Yanwang murmured softly, his voice carrying an unprecedented vulnerability.

Zhuo Huaimo was slightly stunned, reaching out to rub his fluffy head, perfunctorily saying,

“What’s wrong, suddenly so clingy?!”

Qi Yanwang’s heart plunged into an ice cave once more. After so long, he understood too well that he was being perfunctory, being evasive.

His eyes instantly dimmed, dropping a kiss on the corner of his mouth, his large hand caressing his back.

“Go take a shower!”

The sound of water in the bathroom brought him peace of mind, and also vexed him…

Qi Yanwang leaned against the headboard, a cigarette between his fingers, his gaze fixed on the ceiling in a swirl of smoke.

The room was still filled with an ambiguous atmosphere, but his heart felt like it was weighed down by a heavy stone, so heavy he couldn’t breathe.

Zhuo Huaimo’s phone, placed on the bedside table, suddenly lit up, and a message popped up.

Qi Yanwang glanced at it. It was from a lawyer.

“President Zhuo, as per your instructions, the most favorable conditions have been arranged for Mr. Qi, and the relevant documents are ready for signature at any time.”

Qi Yanwang’s eyes instantly darkened, the ash from his cigarette falling silently onto the sheets.

He let out a self-deprecating laugh. As expected, some things could not be escaped.

He was no exception!

Qi Yanwang took a deep drag of his cigarette, stubbing it out in the ashtray, turned off the phone screen, and tried his best to appear calm.

Zhuo Huaimo came out of the bathroom, his body still carrying moisture, water droplets dripping from his hair. As soon as he stepped out of the bathroom door, he saw Qi Yanwang sitting by the bed, his eyes a little lost.

He paused, a strange feeling welling up in his heart, but he still casually towel-dried his hair as usual, and looked up at Qi Yanwang, asking softly,

“Why aren’t you asleep? Does your wound hurt?”

Qi Yanwang turned to look at him, running his fingers through his wet hair.

“Ah-choo—”

Zhuo Huaimo inadvertently sneezed, and Qi Yanwang’s eyes instantly focused, a trace of concern flashing through his previously dim eyes.

He quickly got up, went to the closet, rummaged for a dry set of pajamas, and then returned to Zhuo Huaimo’s side, helping him put it on without explanation.

“Don’t catch a cold!”

Zhuo Huaimo was slightly stunned. For so long, he seemed to have grown accustomed to his care.

He had to admit, Qi Yanwang took good care of him, making him sometimes feel like he was being too spoiled.

Habit was a terrible thing, arising silently, but excruciatingly painful when torn away, he felt he needed to separate himself beforehand.

The corners of Zhuo Huaimo’s mouth curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile,

“Thanks.”

He responded softly. Their eyes met, and for a moment, a complex emotion that was hard to articulate filled the air, as if both of them were intentionally avoiding the shadow in their hearts.

Qi Yanwang was very sensitive to Zhuo Huaimo’s every detail and subtle change, and this time was no exception.

He sat back on the bed, his eyes becoming complicated again.

Zhuo Huaimo thought he would act like before, snuggling up to him, acting spoiled, and demanding kisses.

But instead, he heard his deep and calm voice,

“Three months, it’s almost here, right?”

Zhuo Huaimo paused in his hair-drying motions, glancing at him.

The corners of Qi Yanwang’s mouth curved into a faint arc,

“I heard, President Zhuo’s every relationship doesn’t last more than three months!”

Zhuo Huaimo was stunned for a moment, then smiled, his smile carrying a few careless waves,

“What’s wrong, are you jealous?”

He smiled frivolously, “Three months is just right, the novelty wears off and I get tired of it.”

Qi Yanwang’s fingers tightened slightly, his knuckles turning white, but his expression remained calm,

“Is that so? Then should I also prepare to receive a breakup gift?”

Zhuo Huaimo raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure,

“What do you want?”

Qi Yanwang looked directly into his eyes, his voice low and certain,

“Shares in Xingyue Media, are you willing to give them?”

Zhuo Huaimo was taken aback, then laughed,

“You have quite the appetite.”

Qi Yanwang curled his lips, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes,

“After following you for three months, I should get something. I also want to try the feeling of being a boss!”

Zhuo Huaimo stared at him for a few seconds, barely hesitating, because it was exactly what he had planned.

In fact, in the documents drafted by the lawyer, besides the shares, he was giving even more.

“10%, how’s that?”

Qi Yanwang licked his lips, walked over, and pinched his chin,

“President Zhuo is so generous? No wonder so many people want to climb into your bed!”

Zhuo Huaimo didn’t like his current tone and expression, knocking away his hand, and said with a faint smile,

“After all… you make me feel pretty good!”

Qi Yanwang felt a stabbing pain in his heart, but remained impassive on the surface.

He suddenly remembered that he had almost forgotten that Zhuo Huaimo was originally this cynical and playful, and that he had been bewitched and attracted to him.

For these three months, he thought he was special and different in each other’s hearts, that they wanted to walk together for a lifetime, but now it seemed that everything was just his illusion, laughable, terribly laughable!

Looking at the man in front of him, he suddenly felt a little lost, not knowing what his efforts were worth.

But the pride in his bones didn’t allow him to show weakness, and he suppressed the surging emotions in his heart. So what if he wasn’t the most special? As long as he kept him, he had plenty of time. He could deal with him for a lifetime. So what if he couldn’t completely win his heart? Then he would just make him look at him, only him, and completely possess him.

Deep down, he didn’t want to hurt him. He preferred Zhuo Huaimo to be willing, like in the beginning, pestering him shamelessly and coveting him.

This was the person he cherished in his heart. He wanted… to give him another chance, maybe…

Qi Yanwang suddenly leaned closer to him, his voice trembling almost imperceptibly,

“So satisfied, then… no breakup?”

Zhuo Huaimo was clearly stunned, trying to see the emotions in Qi Yanwang’s eyes.

Also accompanied by… fear and panic about the curse.

But Qi Yanwang suddenly smiled, “Look how scared you are, so afraid of being pestered by me?”

Looking at his expression, Zhuo Huaimo didn’t know whether to feel fortunate or sad. He didn’t think much about it, but said indifferently,

“Adult games, mutual consent, you’re a smart person, but don’t forget, who said they wanted to be a top-tier idol, don’t waste your energy on these useless efforts!”

Games? Mutual consent? Useless efforts?

Every word from Zhuo Huaimo, every syllable, was like a knife, torturing Qi Yanwang’s heart.

He suppressed his anger, sat down next to Zhuo Huaimo, glanced at the sheets behind him, pinched his waist, and said ambiguously in his ear,

“Sure you won’t regret it?”

With this ambiguous posture and tone, Zhuo Huaimo naturally thought he was talking about their lovemaking, and he laughed,

“So eager to get me on top?”

Qi Yanwang sneered, held the back of his head with one hand, pressed against his nose, and said softly,

“President Zhuo, I gave you a chance tonight, don’t regret it later!”

In that instant, beneath his seemingly joking and calm eyes, was a deep and bottomless undercurrent.

In the following days, both of them tacitly kept silent about the breakup.

They ate, stayed home to watch movies, talked about work, and made love frantically, just like before.

Zhuo Huaimo stood on the deck of a yacht, the sea breeze fluttering the hem of his white shirt.

Qi Yanwang wrapped his arms around his waist from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder,

“Why are you so interested today?”

“I wanted to bring you to see the sunset.” Zhuo Huaimo looked at the horizon where the sea and sky met in the distance,

“I heard this is the best viewing spot.”

The setting sun dyed the sea red, and Qi Yanwang’s kiss landed on the back of Zhuo Huaimo’s neck.

“What are you thinking about?” Zhuo Huaimo looked back at him.

“I’m thinking…”

Qi Yanwang bit his earlobe, “Where should I buy an island for you later?”

Zhuo Huaimo chuckled, not pointing out that he had casually mentioned in the cave that he wanted to buy an island to fish on when he retired, but this little wolfdog remembered it to this day.

He patted his fluffy head with his backhand,

“You should earn the money to buy an island first!”

“It’ll be soon!”

Qi Yanwang tightened his arms, “But it must be one you like, because…”

He paused, dragging out the ending, meaningfully,

“After all, I want to lock you up there, you can’t run away, and no one else can find you!”

Late at night, Qi Yanwang stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows in the room, looking at the boundless stars and sea.

The phone screen lit up—sent by Liu Jinchen,

“The core creative ideas of the “Early Spring” script have been leaked to Gu Chen Zhou!”

He replied with an “Okay” and deleted the dialog box.

Zhuo Huaimo walked up behind him, handed him a glass of red wine, and wrapped his arms around his waist,

“What are you thinking about?”

“I’m thinking about how to make you cry tonight!”