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Join the ServerJi Xiao took a long moment to compose himself, his wildly thumping heart gradually settling into a steady rhythm.
Black Cat: “…” ‘Oh, what a sense of accomplishment! Even when the host was ‘applauding for love,’ their heart didn’t beat this fast for me.’
Secretary Zhou knocked on the door once more.
“Enter.”
Secretary Zhou glanced at his unruffled expression. “Mr. Xiao, Jiang Huai wishes to see you.”
“No.”
“He’s already at the company and seems intent on causing a scene. I’ve brought him up.”
Ji Xiao lifted his gaze, looking at her. “Let him in.”
“Understood, Mr. Xiao.”
Secretary Zhou breathed a sigh of relief as she turned to leave.
Jiang Huai had been Xiao Chi’s young lover before he and Pei Yu became involved. Though outwardly docile and sweet, he was incredibly seductive in private.
He was like a little enchantress.
It was precisely this quality that allowed Xiao Chi to maintain their relationship for over two months.
The office door creaked open.
Jiang Huai’s face was pale, with dark circles beneath his eyes. His gaze fixed intently on Ji Xiao. “Brother Chi.”
Ji Xiao remained utterly unmoved, asking blandly, “What do you want from me?”
****
At that moment, Pei Yu also arrived at the company.
Artists and employees alike greeted him warmly. Though not the sole Best Actor in the company, Pei Yu commanded immense respect.
He was young, capable, and his acting prowess was exceptional.
Pei Yu greeted them with composure, then stepped into the elevator.
Secretary Zhou was seated at her desk outside the CEO’s office, diligently working through documents. Hearing footsteps, she looked up, startled, and immediately rose.
Just as she was about to speak, Pei Yu raised a finger to his lips.
Secretary Zhou quickly stepped forward. “Mr. Pei, Mr. Xiao is currently with a guest.”
Pei Yu, being a master of acting, naturally saw through her strained attempts to maintain composure.
He replied calmly, “I understand. I’ll wait for him outside.”
Secretary Zhou hesitated. “This might take a while. Mr. Pei, it’s been quite some time since you’ve visited the company, hasn’t it? Perhaps you’d like to look around? Once Mr. Xiao is finished, I can…”
“There’s no need. I’m a little tired. Could I trouble you to make me a cup of coffee?”
Secretary Zhou paused, then, seeing Pei Yu’s calm and unsuspecting expression, she reluctantly nodded and walked away.
Pei Yu quietly approached the CEO’s office.
The soundproofing was excellent; he couldn’t hear any voices from within.
He pressed his palm against the door, slowly pushing it open just a crack.
The scene inside instantly met his eyes, his pupils contracting as a chill swept through his heart.
Ji Xiao was seated sideways, so Pei Yu could only see his profile.
What truly chilled him was another voice.
“Brother Chi, please don’t abandon me…”
“I can’t bear it anymore. I’ve tried so hard to focus on filming these past six months, but I can’t stop thinking about you…”
Ji Xiao subtly raised his eyes, looking at Jiang Huai, who now stood before him. He spoke in a cold tone:
“Are you tired of your career?”
Xiao Chi had always made it unequivocally clear to every lover when they parted ways. If they were obedient, sensible, and didn’t pester him, they would receive resources and money, getting everything they desired.
However, if they disobeyed and foolishly tried to cling to him, they shouldn’t blame him for his ruthless methods.
Jiang Huai’s face was haggard, his eyes brimming with intense affection. “I tried, but I can’t forget you, Brother Chi. I’ve fallen in love with you, I…”
“Jiang Huai,” Ji Xiao interrupted impatiently, “I made your position clear from the very beginning. Don’t take my resources and then talk to me about affection. Do you even qualify?”
Jiang Huai abruptly knelt. “Brother Chi, I don’t ask for anything. My body is excellent, and you enjoyed it, didn’t you? Please, let me try again, just one more time. I’m sure I can satisfy you.”
As Jiang Huai moved to reach between Ji Xiao’s legs, Pei Yu bit his own lower lip so hard it broke, forcing himself to suppress the urge to burst in.
Unseen by him, Secretary Zhou stood behind him, holding a cup of coffee, her expression utterly resigned.
Ji Xiao mercilessly kicked the lunging Jiang Huai away.
Jiang Huai, being physically weak, stumbled backward, collapsing into tears. “Brother Chi, why!”
Ji Xiao stood up, walked to him, and looked down at him from a superior height:
“I’m married.”
“Impossible!”
Jiang Huai’s eyes widened. “How could you be married? That’s impossible! Brother Chi, you…”
“Nothing is impossible. Go back. The company will terminate your contract.”
“No…” Jiang Huai staggered to his feet, looking disheveled. “You can’t. I, I’ll tell the media about us…”
“So what?”
Ji Xiao looked at him expressionlessly, as if watching a mere jester. “What ‘us’? Did I sexually exploit you? Do you have any evidence?”
Jiang Huai’s face turned ashen. “…”
He had none.
Xiao Chi had never left him any evidence. Every meeting was arranged at the Vesper Hotel, and each encounter went straight to the point.
At other times, Xiao Chi had no interaction with him whatsoever.
No dates, no dinners, no movies… only the ‘main event.’ Yet, even under such circumstances, he had inexplicably fallen in love with him.
He had constantly suppressed himself, telling himself he couldn’t seek out Xiao Chi. But after six months, he finally couldn’t hold back anymore.
He choked out, “I’ll tell the media you’re married…”
Ji Xiao chuckled. “And what then? I’m a CEO, not a big celebrity. Is it necessary to inform outsiders whether I’m married or not? Do the media care about this? Or the public?”
Who cared if a CEO was married?
Jiang Huai cried out, “I’ll tell your wife about our relationship…”
“Do you even know who my wife is?” Ji Xiao’s heart was filled with amusement. “Even if you did, who doesn’t have a past? Yes, before I knew him, I had others. But after marrying him, I belong only to him.”
Jiang Huai looked dazed. “That’s impossible. Someone like you, how could you…”
“Why impossible? For this entire life, I will only ever want him.”
Ji Xiao sighed softly. “Jiang Huai, wake up. What we had before was a mutually consensual transaction. I’m giving you one last chance: forget this, stop coming to find me, or terminate your contract and leave the entertainment industry.”
Jiang Huai: “But, I love you…”
Ji Xiao said impatiently, “I love my wife.”
Jiang Huai: “…”
Ji Xiao turned and sat properly at his desk. Just as he was about to press the bell for Secretary Zhou to come and escort Jiang Huai out, he looked up and saw the slightly open door, and the person standing outside.
‘It’s over.’
The bell had already been pressed.
Pei Yu pushed the door open.
Secretary Zhou quickly entered from behind him, pulling the dazed Jiang Huai out of the office.
Ji Xiao’s stern face almost crumbled. [“Stupid Black Cat, why didn’t you tell me Pei Yu was here!”]
Black Cat: “Hehe.” ‘Nothing solidifies your playboy image more than being witnessed firsthand.’
“Darling, what brings you here…”
Pei Yu strode into the office, staring at him without a word.
Ji Xiao nervously rubbed his nose. “Um, how much did you hear?”
Pei Yu slowly walked over, rounded the desk, and stopped beside him, reaching out to turn his chair so that Ji Xiao faced him.
“Darling, let me explain…”
Pei Yu suddenly lowered his head, biting Ji Xiao’s lip fiercely.
Ji Xiao faintly tasted blood, opening his mouth to cooperate in a soothing manner.
He could already feel himself stiffening below.
Pei Yu released him, wiping his lips, and sneered, “Mr. Xiao’s mouth, I wonder how many people have tasted it?”
“Only you.”
“Ha.”
“Truly,” Ji Xiao grabbed his hand, “Before, I never kissed anyone.”
“You just went straight to f*cking?” Pei Yu chuckled. “Mr. Xiao truly shows no mercy to anyone.”
Ji Xiao pulled him into his embrace, holding him tightly:
“Darling, I admit I was foolish before, but after being with you, I haven’t been with anyone else, truly.”
Pei Yu silently buried his face in Ji Xiao’s shoulder.
‘Angry? Of course, I’m furious, practically exploding. But that was before we were together. Even if I’m seething, I can’t unreasonably condemn him for having been with others before me.’
“Darling…”
“How many people have you called that?”
“Only you.”
“Call me by my name.”
Ji Xiao sighed softly. “A’Yu.”
Pei Yu fell silent again.
Ji Xiao leaned back slightly, gently kissing him.
Pei Yu closed his eyes.
****
When Ji Xiao’s hand moved to unbutton his shirt, Pei Yu caught his wrist. “This is the company.”
Ji Xiao picked him up, placing him on the chair. “I’ll go lock the door.”
Pei Yu: “…”
Ji Xiao’s office included a lounge, complete with a bedroom. While he went to lock the door, Pei Yu slipped into the lounge, closed and locked the door in one swift motion.
Ji Xiao: “?”
He finished locking the office door, then went to the lounge door, twisting the handle, but it wouldn’t open.
“A’Yu, open the door.”
Pei Yu leaned against the door, hearing his words, and snorted coldly. “I’m tired. I need to rest.”
Ji Xiao said softly, “Rest after we’re done…”
“No.”
Ji Xiao: “Darling, be good. You’ve already stirred me up; I’m uncomfortable.”
“Then call your old lover back.”
Ji Xiao: “A’Yu…”
Pei Yu ignored him, heading directly into the bathroom for a cold shower before lying down on the bed. He was also aroused, but he simply didn’t want to give Ji Xiao what he wanted. His ex-lover had just shown up; he hadn’t even had a chance to make a fuss, and Ji Xiao already wanted to do *that*? Dream on!
Ji Xiao called out several times, confirming that no one was responding, before sighing and sitting on the sofa. He murmured, “It seems he’s not angry anymore.”
He leaned back on the sofa, spread his legs, and reached a hand between them.
Black Cat: “What are you doing?!”
Ji Xiao’s voice was low and hoarse. “Masturbating.”
Black Cat: “Shameless! My eyes!”
Ji Xiao tilted his head back, his breathing deepening, his hand moving up and down without responding to the cat.
Black Cat observed the stark contrast between his clear, detached eyes and the act he was performing. For some unknown reason, a chill suddenly ran through it. It quickly retreated into the depths of his mind, timidly finding a TV show to watch.
The show began with the female lead slapping the male lead. “You have no heart!”
The male lead grabbed her hand, licked the corner of his lip, and placed her hand over his heart. “No heart? Then how is it beating?”
The female lead, fuming, stomped on his foot. “You don’t love me at all!”
It turned out that while they were ‘applauding for love’ previously, the female lead, lying on the bed as he moved, had accidentally caught sight of his clear, sober eyes. Her heart had instantly turned cold.
To be so clear-headed, so un-immersed, even during such an intimate act. Either he didn’t love her, or he was sexually frigid. The female lead found neither option acceptable.
Black Cat watched the first episode in wide-eyed astonishment. As the female lead dragged her suitcase out of the villa, the ending theme began to play. It cautiously poked its head out. The host had, at some unknown point, slipped into the lounge and was now truly going at it with Pei Yu.
It confirmed that the host’s eyes were indeed clear and restrained. Frightened, it recoiled. ‘Is the host… sexually frigid?’
The second episode of the drama had already begun. Black Cat gradually continued watching, its blue pupils growing heavier. It turned out that the male lead wasn’t sexually frigid, nor did he not love her. The female lead thought he was a pervert; in fact, he was ill.
It turned out that the male lead’s past life experiences were so tragic that he dared not trust anyone, nor indulge in any kind of emotion. Whether it was friendship or love, he forced himself to remain rational and clear-headed.
…
By the end, Black Cat was teary-eyed. ‘Could the host also be ill? Wuwuwu, the host is so pitiful.’
Ji Xiao, driving Pei Yu home in the car, suddenly sneezed.
Pei Yu: “What’s wrong?”
Ji Xiao: “Nothing, perhaps the air conditioning is too low.”
He said, then adjusted the air conditioning higher.
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