16
Long Live General Jiang, May His Life Be as Long as the Southern Mountains
Chapter 16: Long Live President Jiang, May You Live as Long as the Southern Mountains
…
Early morning, Jiang You and Fu Jing arrived at the company together. The receptionist informed Jiang You that there was a food delivery for him.
Jiang You was surprised—he hadn’t ordered anything.
Just then, he noticed a note on the delivery: “Bro, remember to eat on time.”
Jiang You had no idea he had such a caring sibling in the Jiang family.
He suspected the food was poisoned.
“Feed it to the stray dogs,” Jiang You told the receptionist.
Wait, no—he shouldn’t poison the strays.
“Never mind, just throw it in the trash,” he corrected.
“No, flush it down the toilet,” Jiang You added again.
If a stray dog got hold of it, that would be disastrous. Better to dispose of it safely.
Fu Jing shot him an exasperated look.
As the two walked further into the company, their rare joint appearance caught the employees’ attention, brightening the atmosphere.
Although it was the era of marriage equality, same-sex couples were still uncommon.
A billionaire CEO with a male wife—how intriguing!
So whenever the two appeared together, everyone in the company couldn’t help but steal glances, as if receiving a free treat.
“You’re just wasting your siblings’ filial affection,” Fu Jing remarked, hands in his suit pants pockets, trailing a step behind Jiang You.
“I’m afraid of being poisoned.”
Fu Jing sneered, “The wicked live a thousand years. You’re not dying that easily.”
Jiang You stopped and stared at him.
Fu Jing remembered they were at the company—he had overstepped by speaking to his boss like that.
“Long live President Jiang, may you live as long as the Southern Mountains,” Fu Jing said, curling his lips in feigned deference.
“Come to my office.” Jiang You’s expression remained blank, his CEO aura instantly taking over.
Fu Jing narrowed his eyes slightly.
They entered Jiang You’s office one after the other. The moment Fu Jing closed the door, Jiang You pinned him against it and captured his lips.
Fu Jing thought about pushing him away, then recalled the agreement they had signed the night before.
So he clenched and relaxed his palms, letting Jiang You press him against the door like a lifeless fish, plundering his mouth.
Jiang You’s kissing skills were rather poor—almost nonexistent.
He didn’t kiss him for long before pulling away. “Fu Jing, move your lips a little.”
“You said I had to satisfy your need for kisses and hugs anytime, but you never specified that I had to kiss you back,” Fu Jing tilted his head, a sly grin spreading across his face.
I won’t move, I just won’t, Fu Jing thought to himself.
Jiang You stared at him for two seconds, then sighed softly. “I really don’t know what to do with you.”
“Good, you finally get it.” Fu Jing pushed him away, straightened his collar, and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving.”
“Go ahead.” Jiang You slumped his shoulders and listlessly took a seat at his desk.
Seeing him so deflated lifted Fu Jing’s spirits immensely. He strode back to his own office with a light, cheerful step.
Not long after, Qi Xiaoxi pushed the door open. “President Fu, I brought you coffee.”
“Thank you.” Fu Jing took the coffee from her.
As she handed it over, her long hair brushed against Fu Jing’s hand, carrying a faint, pleasant fragrance.
Suddenly, Fu Jing remembered—Jiang You had smelled rather nice earlier too.
At noon, Jiang You came to ask Fu Jing to lunch. Fu Jing said he was going to the cafeteria with Qi Xiaoxi.
Since Qi Xiaoxi had just joined the company, he thought showing up with her in the cafeteria a couple of times might prevent any senior employees from bullying her.
Jiang You paused for half a second, then said, “How about we take Xiaoxi out to eat instead?”
Just then, Qi Xiaoxi came in looking for Fu Jing. When Fu Jing asked for her opinion, she happily agreed.
She had been thinking about when to treat the two of them to a meal anyway.
The three had just stepped out of the elevator when a boy holding a bouquet of yellow roses bounced over to Jiang You. “Brother~”
Jiang You froze for a moment. “Lan Hai?”
Lan Hai shoved the flowers into his arms. “You were hospitalized with gastroenteritis a couple days ago, but I happened to have a viral cold and was afraid of infecting you, so I didn’t visit.”
Jiang You thought to himself that it was just as well—they weren’t that close.
“Let’s go, Xiaoxi.” Fu Jing took long strides and walked off ahead.
After exchanging a brief greeting with Jiang You, Qi Xiaoxi hurried after Fu Jing.
Left behind, Jiang You could only stare wistfully at their retreating figures.
“Why did you come here?” Jiang You asked Lan Hai.
“To see you, of course.” Lan Hai’s face was full of liveliness and youthful energy.
It’s great to be young and healthy, Jiang You thought with a touch of envy.
“Thank you, but it’s unnecessary. We’re not close.” Jiang You handed the flowers back to him.
Qi Xiaoxi and Fu Jing went to a Hong Kong style tea restaurant near the company.
“President Fu, are you unhappy?” Qi Xiaoxi asked cautiously.
Fu Jing was taken aback. “Unhappy?”
“As soon as that boy showed up, your face turned cold,” Qi Xiaoxi said.
Fu Jing blinked, wondering to himself if he really had looked that way.
Qi Xiaoxi laughed. “In situations like this, you should just assert your claim. Pull our President Jiang close and say, ‘This is my wife.'”
Fu Jing: “…”
Before he could respond, Jiang You appeared at their table with Lan Hai in tow.
“Mind if we join you?” Jiang You asked, glancing between him and Qi Xiaoxi.
Jiang You had seen them heading in this direction and guessed they’d come to this restaurant—and he was right.
“Of course, join us!” Qi Xiaoxi scooted inward to make room on the outside.
Jiang You tilted his chin, signaling for Lan Hai to sit beside Qi Xiaoxi, while he waited for Fu Jing to make space for him.
Fu Jing didn’t move for a while, then reluctantly shifted inward.
Qi Xiaoxi and Lan Hai were both talkative, so the meal wasn’t awkward.
“Brother, there are rumors online that you went to Country R recently to prepare for a new film. Is that true?” Lan Hai asked Jiang You enthusiastically.
“You ask too many questions.” Jiang You frowned, his lips tightening into a stern expression.
Lan Hai wasn’t intimidated or discouraged. “Brother, don’t pretend to be fierce. I know you’re actually very kind and gentle.”
Jiang You’s frown deepened, and he crumpled the napkin in his hand into a ball.
Fu Jing remained quiet, eating his meal like an outsider.
“Kid, you seem to know our President Jiang pretty well,” Qi Xiaoxi said, slinging an arm around Lan Hai’s shoulder.
“Of course! I’m a die-hard fan of Director Jiang You,” Lan Hai declared proudly. “And, sis, I’m not a kid—I’m already of legal marriage age.”
“Alright, alright, you’re a marriageable adult now,” Qi Xiaoxi said, playfully cupping her hands in a salute.
Jiang You rarely had people call him “director” to his face, and he felt his cheeks grow warm.
“Brother, could you give me your phone number?” Lan Hai asked Jiang You. “Or add me as a friend?”
“No.” Jiang You refused instantly.
“Why not?” Lan Hai looked crestfallen.
“We’re not close.” Jiang You took a slow sip of his soup.
Qi Xiaoxi nearly choked, holding back her laughter with effort, while Lan Hai looked utterly dejected.
Qi Xiaoxi patted Lan Hai’s shoulder and gently turned his face toward Fu Jing. “Sweetie, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Fu Jing, our President Jiang’s husband.”
“I know that,” Lan Hai said, his expression clearly asking, “So what?”
Fu Jing glanced at him without any particular expression, his mood unreadable, but there was a distinct chill in the air.
Qi Xiaoxi: Truly, a newborn calf isn’t afraid of tigers.
“President Fu, I presume you wouldn’t mind?” Lan Hai’s smile remained undiminished.
Fu Jing wiped his lips unhurriedly with a napkin. “If you’re a die-hard fan of Director Jiang You, then you should know that we’re in a contract marriage and will be divorcing in five months.”