He suppressed the amusement in his eyes and asked Sang You with feigned seriousness: “Is this your idea, or theirs? Don’t tell me they didn’t dare come to me themselves, so they had you do it. Sang You, are you sure they haven’t bribed you to rip off your own boyfriend?”
“Huh? I—I…” Sang You panicked the moment he saw Gong Ze getting angry.
He shrank his neck — the word “guilty” might as well have been written on his forehead.
But being loyal, he squeezed his eyes shut, gritted his teeth, and said loudly: “It’s my idea! It has nothing to do with anyone else.”
Finally, he added, “If you’re too stingy to give them the money, I’ll pay for it myself. Hmph.”
Gong Ze watched his timid expression while his gaze swept imperceptibly toward the blinds in his office.
A few dark shadows were crouching there, eavesdropping, apparently convinced they hadn’t been discovered.
When the young master took everything upon himself and even offered to pay out of his own pocket, the clustered shadows grew noticeably anxious. Their whispering became several times louder — loud enough that even Gong Ze could hear them.
“Heh…”
Quite the solidarity.
Gong Ze chuckled softly. Hearing his laugh, Sang You quickly opened his eyes. Seeing that Gong Ze was smiling, his miserable little face instantly lit up with surprised joy.
“Gong Ze!”
Gong Ze lowered his head, his eyes smiling, and kissed Sang You’s nose. He knew perfectly well what Sang You wanted but pretended not to. “Hmm?”
Sang You understood that Gong Ze had given in. Grinning, he leaned in and tangled his tongue with his boyfriend’s. As Gong Ze kissed him back, his thumb unconsciously rubbed against the young master’s neck — a thoughtful, almost longing gesture.
When they parted, Sang You was clearly aroused beyond bearing. His eyes looked up at Gong Ze from below, his wet lower lip caught between his teeth, his hand sliding mischievously toward Gong Ze’s belt.
Gong Ze’s gaze toward him grew dark and intense.
Sang You’s face burned and his heart raced. His fingers, weak and soft, fumbled with Gong Ze’s buttons.
After a moment of silence, Gong Ze leaned close to his ear and said in a low, husky voice: “I’m working late tonight. When you finish work, come to my office. We’ll go home together.”
Sang You shyly murmured, “Mm.”
Then, suddenly remembering why he had come, he quickly hooked his arms around Gong Ze’s shoulders, afraid he might back out, and said: “So do you agree about the holiday time off?”
“I’ve already talked big and everyone’s treating me like a hero. If I don’t deliver, I’ll never be able to show my face again!”
Gong Ze’s long, narrow eyes curved. He said teasingly: “It’s not scarcity that creates inequality, but uneven distribution. If I only give your department benefits, what will the other departments think?”
Hearing this, Sang You grew anxious and tugged at Gong Ze’s clothes. “You already kissed me! You can’t go back on your word.”
The black-hearted man, with his tie being pulled, didn’t get angry. After finishing his teasing, he spoke slowly: “How about this — since our young master has spoken, this holiday the company will give every employee in every department a one-thousand-yuan red envelope. There are about two hundred full-time employees in the company. We’ll also give each person some holiday gifts.”
“As for what to buy, have the secretary run an internal poll in the company group chat. Then your department will handle the purchasing.”
“The adjusted days off are canceled. No work on Saturday or Sunday, plus Monday through Wednesday off — that’s five days total.”
Gong Ze glanced at the young master, whose eyes were wide with uncontrollable joy, and his tone was indulgent. “Is that good enough?”
Sang You: “!!!”
Sang You jumped up in surprise. “Really?! Ah! Thank you, husband!”
He didn’t even pay any more attention to Gong Ze. He couldn’t wait a second longer; he ran out the door.
“I have to tell them the good news!”
Gong Ze knew perfectly well that Sang You wanted to bask in everyone’s praise and enjoy being a little hero. He smiled as he watched the young master run out.
Then, from outside the door, a chorus of “Woo-hoo!” and “Aaaaaah!” erupted in screams of excitement.
The new employees from his own department — who had been waiting outside to see Sang You return victorious — instantly transformed into joyful monkeys, their cries rising one after another.
Seeing them so happy, the old employees were initially filled with dark resentment.
But after hearing what benefits Sang You had secured for them —
What “old employee”? From now on, call me a happy ape!
The news spread from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred. Within ten minutes, the entire company had turned into a sea of joy.
The young employees were waving around printed materials and jumping for joy. Even the old employees and junior managers, who had been maintaining their dignified facades, couldn’t help themselves — they burst into laughter as well.
Sang You was at the very front, surrounded by his little followers, standing tall and proud like a little hero — the only thing missing was a red cape tied around his neck.
Everyone was happy to build a good relationship with the young master, so they played along and shouted:
“Thank you, little boss’s wife!”
“Long live the little boss’s wife —”
Sang You waved his hand, pretending to be calm. “It’s nothing, everyone. Remember to check your phones and don’t forget to claim your holiday red envelopes. If anyone’s traveling, remember to book your tickets in advance.”
The way he spoke was clearly an imitation of Gong Ze.
The crowd cheered.
With his little face flushed pink, Sang You reveled in the attention, like a little peacock spreading its feathers.
Gong Ze opened the door and leaned against the frame of his office, a smile playing on his lips as he quietly watched the scene.
A few employees noticed him and became afraid, not daring to step out of line.
But Gong Ze smiled and waved at them. “It’s fine. The holidays are coming up. Everyone should relax and have a laugh.”
Hearing this, the employees nodded excitedly. After sitting back down, they immediately began whispering to each other. “Did you see the way the boss looked at the little boss’s wife just now? Aaaaah, it was so meltingly sweet!”
“I saw it, I saw it! I’m totally shipping them!”
“The boss is usually this gentle? Before, when the boss first arrived, he was fighting the board of directors left and right, kicking out old shareholders, and hard-nosedly closing several major deals. He was handsome back then, but kind of scary. I kept my head down and didn’t even dare to slack off.”
“That’s all thanks to the boss’s wife. Ever since the little boss’s wife arrived, the boss has turned into putty. Working people’s springtime depends entirely on the boss’s wife!”
“Mm hm!”
System Ni Hao Da fluttered over on its little wings, wearing an expression that said “I’ve got you figured out.”
[You already decided yesterday to cancel the team-building activities. You just hadn’t announced it yet. You deliberately waited for Sang You to come to you — so that everyone would know that these benefits were all things Sang You fought for on their behalf.]
[You’re intentionally helping Sang You find happiness and a sense of achievement at the company, winning people’s loyalty for him and building him up.]
[So? Did I guess right?]
“You’re not wrong.”
Gong Ze watched Sang You, who was as delighted as a little peacock, a trace of unconscious nostalgia flickering across his face. “Someone once told me that to make someone fall in love with something, you need three things: the desire to win, a sense of achievement, and novelty.”
[Who said that?]
“My teacher.”
The system instantly fell silent as a mouse.
Meanwhile, in the distance.
A pair of eyes was fixed on Gong Ze as he gazed at Sang You. The tall figure lowered his head, isolated from all the excitement, like a shadow that wouldn’t leave.
·
Gong Ze returned to his office and closed the door. He had just sat down when he received a call from the front desk saying that Mr. Qin Chuan of Qin’s Pharmaceuticals wanted to see him.
The tenderness on Gong Ze’s face slowly faded. After a moment of silence, he said, “Send him up.”
·
The moment the office door opened, the gentleness on Gong Ze’s face and that lazy, casual air vanished instantly.
An inky darkness spread across his handsome features. His long, narrow black pupils fixed on the visitors like a snake flicking its tongue.
The Gong Ze from the Transmigration Department stepped down.
The villain Gong Ze took the stage.
When Qin Chuan walked in with Yan Zhenzhen, this was the Gong Ze they saw.
The man’s disgust at their arrival was written plainly on his face.
Hearing that they had come on behalf of their fathers to invite Sang You, Gong Ze gave a mocking half-smile. He leaned back in his chair, stared at them, and tossed the document in his hand back onto the desk.
“I know. You can go back now.”
Gong Ze clearly looked down on them. With a derisive laugh, he picked up his teacup and took a sip — the message to leave was written all over his face.
“What’s your problem? Do you have any manners?”
Yan Zhenzhen had never met anyone who dared to act high and mighty in front of her. On top of that, she still held a grudge from last time. She instantly exploded, pointing at Gong Ze and demanding an answer.
“Who do you think you are? This invitation is for that Sang You person, not for you. What claim does a live-in son-in-law like you have?”
Yan Zhenzhen’s eyes rolled so hard they practically disappeared. “You’ve got some nerve!”
‘Gong Ze’ immediately darkened. With a cold laugh, he said, “Heh. Just because you’re stupid, don’t assume everyone else is as stupid as you. Whether the invitation is for Sang You or to see me, the person who sent you knows perfectly well. On my turf, no one dares speak to me like that. I’m warning you — once.”
‘Gong Ze’ fixed Yan Zhenzhen with a dangerous look and pointed at her.
But Yan Zhenzhen was the daughter of Mayor Yan Cheng. Spoiled, young, and fearless, she was like a newborn calf unafraid of tigers.
In response to ‘Gong Ze’s’ warning, she shot back directly: “You wouldn’t dare.”
She lifted her chin. “If you offend me, I’ll have my daddy deal with you!”
‘Gong Ze’ lay back in his leather chair, didn’t even look up, and curled the corner of his mouth. He raised two fingers. “That’s twice.”
Yan Zhenzhen: “Just go ahead and count to three, why don’t you? Ridiculous. Who the hell do you think you are, trying to act tough in front of me?”
‘Gong Ze’ didn’t waste another word. He sat up straight, picked up the phone on his desk, and dialed the front desk: “Send security up. Throw this little brat out.”
Seeing that he was actually calling for someone, Yan Zhenzhen felt humiliated and slammed her hand on Gong Ze’s desk. “You—”
At this point, Qin Chuan — who hadn’t said a word since entering — stopped Yan Zhenzhen.
“Enough. Our fathers sent us to come here. If we get into a fight and make a scene, it won’t just embarrass us — it’ll embarrass my father and Uncle Yan as well.”
Then, turning to Gong Ze with a bright, sunny smile, he said, “Mr. Gong, we meet again. Zhenzhen was out of line just now. Please don’t be angry. Could I have a word with you alone?”
Yan Zhenzhen wasn’t happy.
“Brother Qin, why are you— Last time, he hurt you and humiliated you!”
She really was naive — spoiled silly. What normal man would be happy to hear something that made him lose face being shouted out?
Sure enough, although Qin Chuan was still smiling and placating her, his eyes had gone cold.
Stupid woman!
Qin Chuan cursed inwardly, but said with a smile, “A loss is a loss. Why would a competition be humiliating?”
After saving face for himself, he told her to wait for him in the lounge, saying that he and Gong Ze would leave right after their conversation.
Yan Zhenzhen glared at Gong Ze, muttering under her breath, “What’s there to talk about with someone like him…”
But because she didn’t want to make her crush dislike her, she restrained herself and left.
The moment she was gone, Qin Chuan quickly crossed the room and locked the door. His breathing rapid, he turned around — and met the half-smiling expression of ‘Gong Ze’.
“Gong Ze.”
Qin Chuan spoke the name he had thought of day and night, as if rolling it around on his tongue. His eyes were fixed on the man before him, almost crazed with longing. His tone unconsciously carried a hint of intimacy and complaint.
“You toyed with me last time and then left. I didn’t expect you to be so cold to me when we met again.”
Gong Ze didn’t respond. Instead of his earlier sinister harshness, he had reverted to a lazy, tea-sipping indifference, ignoring Qin Chuan completely.
But this was precisely what Qin Chuan was crazy about — that Gong Ze would only show his true face to him after Yan Zhenzhen left.
Unable to contain himself any longer, Qin Chuan strode quickly to Gong Ze’s desk. His eyes gleamed like those of a beast in heat, thick with sticky, viscous desire. His face flushed, he leaned down close to Gong Ze, cheek to cheek, breathing in the scent of Gong Ze’s hair and hands.
In the face of such a perverse display, Gong Ze didn’t spare him even half a glance.
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