V1C15

Translator: Anne Noh

"Manager Shu, we will go to hot springs this weekend. You don’t want to join? Corporate trip. It will be a waste if you don’t join." Shu Nian was chatting with a female executive from Planning Department that was sitting beside him prior having a meeting.

Shu Nian has a nice personality. He didn’t say anything and just listened attentively to the gossips. Hence he has a very good relationship with female colleagues in the company.

"I won’t join. I have something to do during weekend." Shu Nian rubbed his temple wearily. He was trying to raise his spirit to cooperate with the upcoming lengthy meeting. He was always tired recently, extremely tired. He had sacrificed himself to accompany that brat to play baseball yesterday and he almost broke his bones.

He also wanted to go to relieve his fatigue but…

"You are quite busy lately. Do you have a girlfriend?

"Nope." Shu Nian shook his head with a smile and looked down at the table. He hoped the meeting wouldn’t end late since he still needed some stamina to have dinner with the brat who needed a great care from others.

"Liar," the female executive trying to get more information, "You are busy and have a date every day. You must be in love."

"Nothing likes that…" Shu Nian forced a smile.

Girlfriend? It’s more like an adopted son.

There was no different between his current situations with a real "father". Accompanying Ke Luo to baseball practice, watching almost all Ke Luo’s baseball games, carrying towels and mineral water like a very loving father and accompanying Ke Luo to study at night because he was already a senior in high school. Becoming a guardian to a student who was about to have an exam was wrecking his mind and he nagged ten times more than before.

"Just admit and don’t be petty. You know that we are very concerned about your personal problems…"

"Me?"

"Yes. Aren’t you worried that you are still single now? If you don’t have a girlfriend, I'll help to introduce one to you…"

"Ah, thank you for your kind intention but it is okay." Shu Nian hurriedly turned it down with a smile.

"See! Just admit that you are in a relationship! You are still refusing to admit! I heard you booked a table for two in the restaurant!"

"Ah, that’s…" Shu Nian’s back turned cold just as he was about to explain.

"This is a conference room, not a market. Discuss all those gossips after work."

Xie Yan came without being noticed and stood behind them with a serious expression, an expression when he was in extremely bad mood. Both of them immediately shut up, bowed their heads and became cautious so that they wouldn’t trigger Xie Yan’s anger.

All workers knew CEO Xie was extremely in a bad mood judging from his expression. A few proposals from executives had been dismissed mercilessly. He criticized scathingly as he kept on cursing "scallywag". Everyone was scared and didn’t dare to talk. All eyes were casted down in fear and bewilderment as they were scolded.

The meeting ended up much earlier than expected. Unfortunately the whole company suffered because of someone and Xie Yan howled at them to return to their departments and think about their mistakes. Xie Yan had ordered everyone to work overtime and no one was courageous enough to refuse.

"Don’t know who had angered him." Flocking out in silent, most of the works complained quietly.

"Manager Shu do you know about it?"

"Ah? I don’t know." Shu Nian smiled wryly.

He knew what was in Xie Yan’s mind.

They were getting further apart. Especially since most of his free time were used to accompany Ke Luo. They only saw each other at the breakfast table and at the company.

At first, Xie Yan would nonchalantly inquire about his meeting and would receive repetitious answers about the young man named Ke Luo. Shu Nian was very embarrassed when he saw the strange expression on Xie Yan’s face.

He definitely understood the meaning of Xie Yan’s look, but he wasn’t confident to explain the situation to Xie Yan and to say that; even though he is gay, it didn’t mean that he has improper thought to all man.

It would make himself look even more ridiculous.

Xie Yan was being indifferent to him, and Shu Nian could obviously feet the rapid deterioration of their relationship. Shu Nian was rather at loss. He guessed it was probably because Xie Yan couldn’t accept his sexuality and ended up feeling even more disgusted with him.

But he couldn’t do the same thing.

Xie Yan ignored him and he slowly got used to it. But he couldn’t stand to leave Ke Luo alone.

For a person like him who had time and energy yet couldn’t get a respond from the one he love, it’s would be better to give warmth to others.

Shu Nian didn’t have any choice but to continue working in his office while kept on looking at his watch. He didn’t know he should be in the office until when. Xie Yan’s office door was closed and it looked like he wouldn’t leave early and no one dared to move even an inch.

"Manager Shu…"

"What is it?" Shu Nian looked up and looked the sad accountant from the financial department.

"I was kicked out…" The accountant almost cried, "I run into a bad luck. Today, boss is simply like a tyrannosaurus. He didn’t sign anything… I might get punish if this file doesn’t get sign…"

"Ah…" Shu Nian hurriedly comforting the unlucky accountant, "It’s okay. We are in the same boat. You can try again tomorrow."

"Aish, all of us need to eat but we couldn’t get the money…" The accountant continued to sulk, "Manager Shu, you have a great relationship with the boss. Can you help me?"

"What?" Shu Nian heaved out a breath and felt that it was ridiculous, "Leave it to me. I’m going to bring it with mine later on but I can’t promise you."

It was obvious that Xie Yan was furious just by looking back at the documents that was signed scruffily. When he was happy, the characters "Xie Yan" would be signed beautifully and even an idiot would be able to know that Xie Yan was happy. When he was unhappy, it looked like a twisted black line and it looked like it was signed by a primary student.

Shu Nian braced himself and knocked on Xie Yan’s office door. He only dared to open the door after getting a very rough "come in". He respectfully handed over the proposals and file that was entrusted by the accountant: "Young master, please take a look."

Xie Yan looked at it with a serious face and flipped it twice. The thin lip was set into a straight line and he didn’t say anything. Xie Yan didn’t explode and Shu Nian obviously didn’t dare to trigger his anger. Shu Nian had to maintain his respectful posture.

"You…"

Shu Nian thought Xie Yan would burst out in curse based from his scrunched brows and harsh tone: "Will you go back for dinner tonight?"

"Ah?" It was totally unexpected. Shu Nian was taken aback and replied with a smile, "No, I have something…"

Xie Yan’s face fell in disdain: "With that brat? Having a date with him? Both of you are really passionate with each other. Always go to public places together. Aren’t you afraid that others might know about it?"

Shu Nian smiled awkwardly and was rendered speechless.

"There’s nothing between us."

"Really? Then it’s good." Xie Yan closed the folder and said with a cold expression, "Anyway, be a little bit cautious. Don’t tarnish Xie family’s reputation."

Shu Nian showed a respectful stiffed smile and replied lowly a while later: "Yes, young master."

"It’s good if you understand." Xie Yan paused, lowered his head slightly and glanced at Shu Nian, "Don’t let me hear any strange rumors."

"Yes." Shu Nian replied wearily.

Shu Nian also felt disgusted with his sexuality. That kind of sexuality slowly drifted him apart from Xie Yan's life, farther and farther, more and more he was disgusted by Xie Yan.

If he could choose, he also hoped that he could be "normal" just like the kind that Xie Yan preferred. Then there wouldn’t be any problem and he also didn’t need to be extra cautious.

"Shu Nian!!"

Shu Nian smiled when he saw the young man waving eagerly at him from the restaurant: "I am so sorry for making you waiting for me."

"Really…" Ke Luo bit the straw pitifully, "I have been waiting for you for a long time and thought you have ditch me…"

"How could I." Shu Nian smiled gently and sat down, "Are you hungry? What do you want to eat?"

"I'm afraid that you’ll hate me…Maybe you are tired of me since I keep on wanting to meet you everyday…" Ke Luo pouted. The tall boy showed a pitiful face in front of Shu Nian. It was really pleasing to see.

"Nah," Shu Nian smiled and pat his head, "You are overthinking. Choose anything. It’s not good to stay hungry for a long time. You are going to have an exam soon. You must take care of your body.

"Oh…" Ke Luo hung his head low, biting his lips and still didn’t look at the menu, "Next time…Don’t be late again, okay? I’m always afraid you that will not come…Always worry about it…What I will do if you don’t come…if you suddenly don’t want to see me…"

"How could I." Shu Nian continued to pat him, "I will inform you if I have something to attend to and couldn’t come. I’m late because I have to work overtime today…"

"You will always come, right?"

"Of…course." Shu Nian was rather helpless as if he was looking at a small animal.

"No matter what, you will come to see me?"

"Yes…" Shu Nian touched Ke Luo’s soft hair lovingly, "Of course. I’m sorry. I will not let you wait again in the future."

Ke Luo had told Shu Nian before. When he was sent to the orphanage, the person who brought him led him to the door, and then told him; be a good kid and wait for me obediently. I’m going to buy a candy for you and will come back immediately.

Ke Luo really waited obediently until the day turned black and all the pedestrians on the road disappeared. He was cold and unable to say anything since that person had promised to come back to get him but that person never appeared.

That young man really made Shu Nian felt bad.

"Rest assured." Shu Nian touched Ke Luo’s hand that was resting on the table to comfort him when he saw the anxiety in his eyes, "I won’t lie to you."

Ke Luo suddenly placed his hand over and firmly held Shu Nian’s hand. Shu Nian was slightly startled and didn’t react. Ke Luo quickly interlocked their fingers and refused to let go.

The warmth from the young man’s strong hand made Shu Nian’s heart skipped a beat. Shu Nian usually tried to keep some distance with Ke Luo because of his sexuality. He avoided physical contact so that nothing occurred and they wouldn’t be in awkward situation. Today was the first time they were having a physical contact.

"Hm…" Shu Nian heard a loud noise just as he was about to pull his hand away hence he turned around swiftly.

The person who was standing at a nearby table with a very scary expression was Xie Yan. A waiter rushed over to clean the table that was stained by an overturned red wine.

"Young master…" Shu Nian hurriedly withdrew his hand and greeted Xie Yan who suddenly appeared at the restaurant.

Xie Yan didn’t even look at Shu Nian. He just looked coldly at the woman who was sitting in front of him: "Let’s go to another restaurant." He paused and continued: "Really spoil my appetite."

Shu Nian was stunned and withdrew his hands under the table embarrassedly. He smiled reluctantly when he saw Ke Luo was looking at him intently: "Choose some. Aren’t you hungry?"

Holding hands between the same sexes didn’t really mean anything.

Xie Yan was the only one who was sensitive and disgusted about it. Shu Nian was really tired and in despair.

If he was touching Xie Yan’s hand, his young master, he would definitely push Shu Nian away in disgust.

The time they could freely touch each other had completely gone.

Anne’s Rant:

This chapter marks the end of Volume 1 yayyyyy

Surprisingly I have finished Volume 1 for a while hahah. I'm working on the 3rd chapter of Volume 2

There're reasons why I translate despite my crazy schedule. I have always love reading ever since I'm young but I never feel the need to read Chinese and translate it to English. At first, i did it for fun and to improve my Chinese since my mom is nagging at me hahaha. But once I started, I kinda get addicted and it's like a therapy...it's weird but sometimes I translate in between of my reports or assignments especially when I'm stuck lol

I keep on comparing my Chinese reading speed with English. It's not that good but better than before. Plus I make new friends and I'm really happy to interact with all of you :)

And salute to those that can stand my beyotch self hahaha

Please note that some part might be incorrect as I don’t know how to translate it to English. Mistakes are bound to happen and corrections are very welcome.