TLSOTMTKOGAYWHTDI Chapter 9
by VolareQi Yanwang’s breath hitched. Zhuo Huaimo’s cold, woody scent mixed with an aggressive aura instantly enveloped him.
He subconsciously moved his shoulders, trying to make his tone sound calm. “What do you mean, President Zhuo?”
Zhuo Huaimo released him, leaning against the desk with his legs crossed. He held a cigarette between his lips, his posture both lazy and dangerous. “Don’t be so nervous!”
*Click-*
The crisp sound of the lighter was especially clear in the silent office.
Zhuo Huaimo lit the cigarette, the scarlet light reflecting in his deep eyes. He slightly parted his thin lips and exhaled a puff of smoke. “I like to make things clear.”
He suddenly reached out, hooking Qi Yanwang’s chin, his voice low and carrying a hint of devilish charm. “I really like this face!”
“You…” Qi Yanwang’s face flushed red. The sudden closeness and blunt words left his mind blank. He abruptly pushed away Zhuo Huaimo’s hand, glaring at him with shame and anger.
Zhuo Huaimo seemed to enjoy his reaction, chuckling softly. “What ‘you’? What’s so surprising? Has no one ever told you they liked your face before?”
Qi Yanwang quickly calmed down, his tone tinged with sarcasm. “What do you mean, President Zhuo? Want to ‘sub rules’ me?” (TN: imply quid pro quo for the role)
“Sub rules?” Zhuo Huaimo couldn’t help but scoff. “I, Zhuo Huaimo, disdain such underhanded methods!”
He took a deep drag from his cigarette, leaned down, and brought it close to Qi Yanwang’s lips, slowly exhaling. “I want you to be willing!”
The faint, minty fragrance of the curling smoke, mixed with Zhuo Huaimo’s unique hormonal scent, sprayed on Qi Yanwang’s face.
He instantly held his breath, his whole body tensing, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably.
If Zhuo Huaimo dared to get any closer, that fist would definitely land squarely on his face!
Zhuo Huaimo smiled, widened the distance between them, and patted his shoulder. “What? Scared?”
He paused, continuing, “I’m telling you all this because I’ve never been one to hide my thoughts. If I like something, I like it, openly, possessively, and madly. Rather than letting you overthink things, it’s better to be direct. As for you, you can take advantage of the fact that I like you and make as many demands as you want. I’ll probably agree to them all. After all, that’s human nature.”
“No need!” Qi Yanwang abruptly stood up, turning to leave.
“Leaving so soon? Not waiting for me to finish?” Zhuo Huaimo’s voice carried a hint of playfulness.
“President Zhuo, thank you for your kindness, but we’re not suitable!” Qi Yanwang’s tone was resolute, without the slightest hesitation.
Zhuo Huaimo chuckled softly, not at all annoyed. “Alright, now that the personal matters are out of the way, it’s time to talk business!”
“Business?” Qi Yanwang’s eyebrows slightly arched, a hint of confusion in his expression as he turned to look at him.
Zhuo Huaimo’s slender fingers pushed the contract in front of him again, his playful demeanor vanishing, replaced with a serious tone. “Aren’t you going to sign the contract?”
“You’re still willing to sign me?” Qi Yanwang’s voice held a trace of disbelief.
“Why wouldn’t I?” Zhuo Huaimo shrugged, palms up. “Me liking you is my business. I told you because I don’t like to hide things. But rest assured, I, Zhuo Huaimo, disdain disgusting tactics like ‘sub rules’ or making things difficult!”
He tapped his well-defined fingers twice on the contract on the desk. “If you sign the contract, you’ll be an artist in my company. Cultivating you, building you up, and making money for the company is only right and proper! No matter how much I like you, I won’t stand in the way of money. So, in the future, all work matters will only be work. My personal feelings will never influence any decisions. You can rest assured about that. If you can believe that, then sign this contract!”
Looking at the contract on the desk, this was an opportunity, an opportunity Qi Yanwang had waited years for.
He couldn’t be sure if Zhuo Huaimo was really able to do as he said, to not use his status or the contract to force him.
Qi Yanwang stared intently at the man before him. Zhuo Huaimo always had the bearing of a king in a high position.
Blunt and passionate, catching people off guard, yet the next moment, he could be calm and frank, inspiring awe.
It was precisely because of this pride and composure that Qi Yanwang was willing to take a gamble.
He sat back down, picked up the pen beside him, and signed his name without hesitation.
Zhuo Huaimo’s lips curved into a satisfied smile, lifting his chin again. “Good-looking and ambitious, I really like it. Sure you don’t want to try dating me?”
“No consideration, I’m straight, and I’m not interested in you!” Having signed the contract, Qi Yanwang’s rejections were even more cutting.
Qi Yanwang raised his eyebrows, released him, and turned to pick up his car keys from the table. “Let’s go?”
“Go where?” Qi Yanwang looked at him warily.
Zhuo Huaimo looked at him with feigned mystery, his tone teasing. “I’m a person who lacks love! I can’t live without a lover!”
Saying that, he casually stretched. “You’ve already rejected me, so I won’t dwell on it! Let’s go, I’ll take you back to the set, and take a look at my ‘prey’!”