Lin Yang continued to live in the apartment across the hall, and Li Chenzhou maintained his nightly, punctual “knock and greet.” However, the excuses for those visits became increasingly varied, ranging from “inquiring about the floor heating temperature” to “the property management sent new greenery, so here is a pot for your balcony.” One evening, he even brought a thick, out-of-print theater theory book that Lin Yang had casually mentioned wanting to find.
Lin Yang accepted the book and offered a low-voiced thanks, but the pool of his heart was stirred even murkier.
He could not see through Li Chenzhou.
Was the real man the one who stood with a cold face to defend him in front of the family, or was it this man before him, finding clumsy excuses to get close? Perhaps both were part of some grand plan.
Before he could figure it out, a new, more direct, and jaw-dropping “offensive” began.
On a bright, sunny morning shortly after Lin Yang woke up, the doorbell rang. Standing outside was no longer Li Chenzhou, but Cheng Wei. He was followed by several staff members dressed in high-end brand uniforms, each carrying large, exquisitely wrapped gift boxes.
“Mr. Lin,” Cheng Wei said with his usual meticulous elite demeanor, bowing slightly. “President Li has instructed us to bring these seasonal new arrivals for your inspection.”
Lin Yang froze, looking at the array of gift boxes that practically blocked the hallway.
“What are these?”
“These are the men’s ready-to-wear, accessories, and some limited-edition items from Brand V’s current season,” Cheng Wei explained calmly, as if reporting a routine task. “President Li mentioned that you might need to add some items to your wardrobe.”
Lin Yang looked at the boxes printed with massive logos. The value of the clothing inside probably equaled several years of income for an average person.
He frowned and refused directly. “I do not need them. Thank you for President Li’s kindness, but please take them back.”
Cheng Wei did not seem surprised. He simply nodded. “Very well, I will convey the message.” He gestured for the staff to move the boxes away, a process that was efficient and without a hint of hesitation.
Lin Yang closed the door, feeling irritable. What did Li Chenzhou mean by this? Was it an upgraded version of the “slap followed by a sweet date” tactic? Did he think he could fill the void with money and material goods?
He thought it was just a passing whim.
However, Cheng Wei returned the next day. This time, he brought a limited-edition watch from a top-tier brand. It was said that only ten were issued globally, making it a piece that money often could not buy.
Looking at the brilliant, precision artwork housed in a bulletproof glass display case, Lin Yang did not even let Cheng Wei enter. He stood at the door with a cold face and refused. “I said I do not need these things. Please stop sending them.”
Cheng Wei repeated the same line. “Very well, understood.” Then he departed composedly with the priceless timepiece.
Over the next few days, luxury goods were delivered to the apartment like a flowing stream. Top-grade cashmere scarves, hand-tailored leather shoes, briefcases made of rare leathers, and even a professional-grade set of painting tools and pigments arrived one afternoon.
Lin Yang went from initial refusal to numbness, and finally to genuine annoyance. What did Li Chenzhou take him for? A display cabinet to be filled with expensive items? These gifts were less like attempts to please and more like a silent declaration: Look, I can give you the best of everything, so you should stay here peacefully.
His refusals became sharper, and his attitude colder.
This continued until that afternoon when he received a phone call from Sister So, whose tone was extremely strange.
“Yang, Yang Yang,” Sister So’s voice carried a dreamlike daze. “I just received a call from the manager of the Qingluan Equestrian Club.”
Lin Yang’s heart sank with a sense of extreme foreboding. “And?”
“He said that President Li, in your name, has subscribed for a thoroughbred foal!” Sister So’s voice rose, filled with disbelief. “They asked what name you would like so they can register it. They also said a team of professional horse trainers and veterinarians is on standby and asked when it would be convenient for you to visit!”
Lin Yang held the phone, completely petrified.
A foal? Li Chenzhou bought him a horse? A living creature that required feeding and care, and was allegedly a priceless thoroughbred? This had moved beyond the realm of luxury goods and into an absurd territory he could not comprehend.
What was he thinking? Did he feel that clothes and watches weren’t enough, so he started sending live animals? Would the next step be a private island?
“Yang Yang? Are you still listening? What is going on? Did President Li… go through some kind of shock?” Sister So asked anxiously.
Lin Yang took several deep breaths to regain his voice, speaking with a deep sense of helplessness. “Sister So, please decline it for me. Just say that I thank him for his kindness, but I cannot ride or care for a horse. Ask him to handle it himself.”
After hanging up, Lin Yang sat in the living room for a long time. Despite the bright sunlight outside, a chill rose from the bottom of his heart. Li Chenzhou’s behavior could no longer be measured by common sense. It was as if he were immersed in a script of his own making, and Lin Yang was merely a character who needed to be constantly fed with gifts.
Meanwhile, at the President’s Office of the Li Group.
Cheng Wei was providing his routine report. Finally, he hesitated before adding, “President Li, the Qingluan Equestrian Club replied. Mr. Lin declined the subscription for ‘Moonlight Dancer’.”
The hand Li Chenzhou used to review documents paused, the tip of his fountain pen leaving a small ink blot on the expensive paper. He looked up, his deep eyes meeting Cheng Wei’s as his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. “Reason?”
“Mr. Lin stated that he does not know how to ride and cannot raise it,” Cheng Wei chose his words carefully.
Li Chenzhou fell silent for a moment. His gaze swept over a designated corner of the office that was now piled with unopened gift boxes. These were the various items Lin Yang had rejected. Cheng Wei, unsure of how to handle them, could only store them there for the time being. From high-end suits to limited watches and today’s foal, every single one had been returned.
Li Chenzhou’s frown deepened. His cold face showed a rare trace of confusion and a flicker of subtle irritation. He set down the fountain pen and leaned back into his large leather chair, his fingers unconsciously tapping a rhythmic beat on the smooth desktop.
The office was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard. Cheng Wei held his breath, not daring to interrupt.
After a long while, Li Chenzhou spoke slowly. His voice was low and carried the serious tone of someone contemplating a difficult business problem as he asked the question that made Cheng Wei doubt his own hearing:
“Is it that he does not like these brands?”