Unmatched Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Desire for Control

The last day of November marked a temporary lull in Zhao Shuyi’s busy schedule.

Since returning from Shencheng, he had not mentioned anything that happened there to anyone, except for meeting Zhao Huaicheng on the afternoon of the twenty-fifth.

He was waiting for Bai Fangchun’s reply.

No reply yet was not bad news; it meant Bai Fangchun was genuinely considering it and hadn’t informed Zhao Huaicheng.

However, Zhao Shuyi’s true purpose in going to Shencheng was not hard to guess. The continuous low pressure at the headquarters affected everyone. The Board of Directors, both inside and out, was uneasy, speculating that Zhao Shuyi was about to make another move, and that the public struggle between the uncle and nephew was imminent.

As for whether Qin Zhi and Zhao Huaicheng had communicated privately, Zhao Shuyi didn’t know. He tried not to worry about others, going to work normally every day. The Internal Investigation continued, and reforms proceeded as usual, though the pace had slowed. Even the proposal to cut the Apparel Division was temporarily shelved, making the atmosphere less confrontational than before.

It was as if he already held the winning hand and was in no hurry to deal with anyone, which only made him more inscrutable. As a result, the atmosphere at every meeting was extremely subtle. Except for Zhao Huaicheng, everyone was cautious, afraid to argue loudly for fear of drawing trouble upon themselves.

Xie Qi came to pick up Zhao Shuyi from work every day and was curious about his progress: “Any news?” He was asking about Bai Fangchun.

“No rush,” Zhao Shuyi said. “She should figure it out. She is not my only opportunity, but I am her only opportunity. Otherwise, if my Second Uncle is ever purged, how will she spend the rest of her life? Can she afford to gamble?”

Sometimes they talked about work, sometimes about their relationship.

Zhao Shuyi had developed a habit of discussing every decision with Xie Qi, though it might not count as consultation, but rather a form of venting. He just said it naturally. Xie Qi might not have good advice, but he provided strong emotional support, making the exchange comfortable.

Today, they discussed Zhao Shuyi’s predicament.

“I know,” Xie Qi said. “Your biggest difficulty right now is that the Board of Directors cannot firmly support you.”

Cold wind mixed with snow marked the end of the month. Traffic was congested on the way home, and Xie Qi drove slowly. Zhao Shuyi gazed vaguely out the window. “That’s the surface. The essence is still a lack of money.”

He continued, “They don’t support my Second Uncle because they like him. Everyone is looking out for themselves. They will trust whichever superior makes their lives comfortable. That’s the most basic logic. You should know that if my Second Uncle becomes Chairman, his first move will be to go public and raise capital—solving the money problem. After that, no one will care about R&D anymore.”

“…”

“Those old veterans have wanted to do that for a long time. Unfortunately, I’m in charge now, so they have to tighten their belts and worry about the financial reports.”

“I see,” Xie Qi understood what he was trying to say. “Even if you take down your Second Uncle, this problem still needs to be solved.”

“Yes. My Grandfather had prestige back then and could control the votes during crucial decisions, but it’s difficult for me.”

“So?” Xie Qi glanced at him out of the corner of his eye.

“The Board of Directors needs reform,” Zhao Shuyi stated. “I hate having power divided.”

Under Chaoyang Group’s current system, the Chairman of the Board only has a veto, but if he wants to push a project and faces opposition from the majority, it’s hard to proceed. Both sides check each other.

When the company is thriving, this is a balanced system for stable development, preventing an overbearing leader from making mistakes.

But in times of crisis, he couldn’t blindly pursue stability.

“You want to be a dictator?”

“Shouldn’t I be?” Zhao Shuyi replied flatly. Then he suddenly said, “Once I successfully implement the reform and adjust the equity structure, I will transfer a portion of the shares to you. Consider it repayment.”

“…” Xie Qi choked. “Why are you still thinking about repaying the money?”

“I promised. I can’t go back on my word and let you suffer a loss.”

Xie Qi was displeased but didn’t say much. He drove home with a cold expression, got out of the car first, and strode ahead, deliberately not waiting for Zhao Shuyi.

Ever since Zhao Shuyi said he needed to observe before deciding whether he loved him, Xie Qi had been particularly focused on his performance and hadn’t shown a cold face for days.

Although he occasionally got defensive due to his thin skin, his actions were honest—he was clingy and proactive, completely compliant with Zhao Shuyi, losing his boundaries day by day. Even in bed, he was gentler than before.

Last night, they did it on the sofa, initiated by Zhao Shuyi.

At the time, Xie Qi was on the phone with a friend, discussing trivial matters in their social circle. Zhao Shuyi listened for ten minutes and understood nothing except for a few familiar names of entertainment celebrities.

Xie Qi was two-faced; he could change his demeanor. He had one temper in front of Zhao Shuyi and another in front of outsiders, ensuring no one could see his immaturity and that they feared his overt arrogance.

Zhao Shuyi noticed this, and the feeling was subtle.

He used to be very familiar with the arrogant Xie Qi; they would exchange cold sarcasm the moment they met. But now? Xie Qi seemed like a different person, as if he had been tamed.

“Stop talking,” Zhao Shuyi snatched the phone and hung up. Before Xie Qi could complain, he was pushed onto the sofa and pinned down.

Clothes were hastily stripped off, and Zhao Shuyi started decisively.

There was no time to build up the atmosphere; it was practically forcing the issue. Zhao Shuyi himself wasn’t aroused yet.

What he enjoyed was the desire to control Xie Qi. The more compliant Xie Qi was, the more excessive Zhao Shuyi became, forcing the other party to “cooperate even when they didn’t want to.”

In short, he wanted to be rough and make the other person uncomfortable.

Although he used auxiliary tools, it was very difficult at first, and it took a long time before he felt anything.

Zhao Shuyi held onto the sofa and moved slowly. As his stamina waned, his upper body lowered, and Xie Qi pressed the back of his head down to kiss him. After a while, they switched positions, and he was pressed beneath Xie Qi, held in his arms as he was entered.

Xie Qi was not usually gentle, but gentleness was the best way to please someone.

Before, he would uncontrollably give rough feedback at certain stages, making Zhao Shuyi uncomfortable. But now, he managed to hold back. Even when he was close to losing control, he still prioritized Zhao Shuyi’s feelings, doing his best to take care of him.

“Gege,” Xie Qi was extremely clingy, kissing him repeatedly. “Am I doing well? Do you like it?”

Zhao Shuyi didn’t say anything. His expression clearly showed satisfaction, but he wouldn’t offer a single compliment.

Only when Xie Qi was utterly disappointed, believing that Zhao Shuyi was deliberately tormenting him and would never respond, did he reluctantly say, “A little improvement.”

It was like a delayed reward.

It was always like this. Taming was mutual; Xie Qi had also figured him out.

But what if he was figured out? Zhao Shuyi didn’t even hide it. He was clearly stringing Xie Qi along, in every way, using every method. It didn’t matter if he was seen through. Would Xie Qi dare not cooperate?

Zhao Shuyi didn’t know.

He also wanted to know the answer, and where Xie Qi’s bottom line lay.

—At least for now, the bottom line was nowhere in sight.

They had just arrived home. Because of the mention of repayment, Xie Qi put on a sustained cold face, like an actor waiting to be coaxed. Zhao Shuyi ignored him, changing his clothes and going to shower.

When he came out of the bathroom, Xie Qi was on the phone again.

Lately, Xie Qi had been contacting his friends frequently because his birthday was approaching.

Unlike the low-key Zhao Shuyi, Young Master Xie’s annual birthday banquet was a cultural and entertainment spectacle. Related news would dominate major websites a week in advance, with discussions revolving around who he invited and who he didn’t. Countless celebrities and influencers prided themselves on being invited, subtly hinting on Weibo that they would attend to prove their good relationship and high status with the young master.

Netizens also loved the gossip, making it as lively as guessing the program list before the Spring Festival Gala, an annual event with endless fun.

Zhao Shuyi would certainly be invited, but since graduating from high school, he hadn’t attended Xie Qi’s birthday party. Sending a perfunctory gift was considered showing respect.

He couldn’t be perfunctory this year, but he hadn’t decided what to send.

Speaking of gifts, he suddenly remembered his own birthday. He hadn’t found Xie Qi’s gift. He forgot to ask later—did Xie Qi really throw it away, or did he put it away?

Zhao Shuyi sat down across from Xie Qi. His thoughts circled, but he didn’t speak.

It was dinner time. The housekeeper had prepared four dishes. He tasted a couple of bites of each, his expression normal. Xie Qi glanced at him and said into the phone, “That’s all for now, I’m hanging up.”

Zhao Shuyi deliberately didn’t coax him. How could Xie Qi hold out against him? After a few seconds of silent tension, he couldn’t help but move his chair, inching closer.

“Shuyi Gege,” Xie Qi leaned close to his ear and whispered, “You remember my birthday, right? You can’t forget, or I’ll be sad.”

“I remember.”

This time, Zhao Shuyi didn’t torment him. He smiled and asked, “What gift do you want?”