Wen Ze Li: That is, really thanks to you.
Zhou Yang stepped barefoot on the carpet, mint in his mouth crushed, crunch crunch, he lazily pressed the keyboard.
Zhou Yang: Heroes cannot pass the beauty barrier, Shen He is no different.
His brows still carried the restlessness from suddenly waking. After editing, he placed the phone on the bedside, then got up, casually put on clothes, lifted the curtain to glance outside, turned and went downstairs for a morning run. Over forty minutes later, he returned, sweat rolling down his forehead. He lazily pushed open the iron gate and walked inside.
Housekeeper Aunt Lu came over to clean, saw he had returned, and prepared breakfast while holding cleaning supplies, standing by the cabinet, smiling: “Came back last night?”
“Mm.” Zhou Yang wiped his hair with a towel, brows no longer restless, carrying a faint smile: “What’s for breakfast?”
“Buns you like.” Aunt Lu was introduced to Zhou Yang by a friend. Since Zhou Yang started living alone, she had taken care of his daily life.
“Good.”
Saying this, long legs strode up the stairs, a tall figure disappeared at the end of the staircase.
After a while, Zhou Yang came down wearing a shirt and trousers, shirt collar slightly open. Just as he sat down to eat breakfast, Assistant Lu was already waiting outside in the car.
Aunt Lu brought out milk, said: “Not taking a break today?”
“Still have things to handle.” After breakfast, Zhou Yang wiped milk from the corner of his lips with his fingertip, grabbed a tissue, took his phone, and went out.
Seeing Assistant Lu, Zhou Yang casually tossed him a sealed bag containing breakfast. Assistant Lu took it, grateful: “Thank you, President Zhou.”
After getting in the car, Zhou Yang’s phone kept ringing. He crossed his long legs, answered, eyes sweeping outside, saw the willows by the lake planted by the property, paused.
At this moment, Assistant Lu in the driver seat asked: “President Zhou, go directly to Yaolin?”
The willow branches swayed in the wind, touching the water surface lightly.
Zhou Yang: “Go to Feijie.”
Assistant Lu was stunned. Go to Feijie? Today’s meeting is about military industry matters. What does Feijie have to do with the internet? Or does President Zhou still have unfinished business?
Assistant Lu: “Oh, okay.”
He adjusted the route and drove toward Feijie, hesitated, and said: “Feijie is on holiday today…”
My voice is very low.
The man behind rested his chin, playing with a lighter, discussing the military equipment with Li Yi, probably didn’t hear, didn’t answer.
Assistant Lu didn’t repeat.
The car arrived at Feijie. Zhou Yang’s call happened to finish. He turned and saw the red Feibiao logo, slightly raising an eyebrow.
He looked back at Assistant Lu.
Assistant Lu wiped his hands, seeing Zhou Yang like this, froze, about to speak.
Zhou Yang seemed to remember he had said he wanted to come to Feijie, so he didn’t say anything, pushed open the car door, holding the phone, and went out. Assistant Lu hurried to follow.
Sunday at Feijie was quiet, spacious. Only the fourth floor live marketing department had a few people working; this was not Zhou Yang’s main battlefield.
Under the Zhou Group, the structure was already mature. Unlike the military industry, which needed hands-on attention, Zhou Yang actually came here rarely, going straight to the rooftop.
In the elevator, Assistant Lu quietly asked: “President Zhou, is there still unfinished business here?”
Zhou Yang held the phone.
“Mm.”
Assistant Lu said “oh.”
The elevator doors opened. Assistant Lu followed Zhou Yang’s side. As Zhou Yang walked toward the main office, he passed the finance department. He paused slightly, narrow eyes scanning the closed blinds of the finance department. The door tightly shut, willow branches seemed to float by again. Zhou Yang realized, furrowed his brow.
A moment.
Clicked tongue, a bit incredulous in his eyes.
“President Zhou, are you going into the finance department?” Assistant Lu asked softly.
“Not going.” Zhou Yang said, then turned toward the elevator. Assistant Lu was confused by his inconsistent actions.
“Directly to Yaolin.” Zhou Yang lazily rubbed his brow.
Assistant Lu: “Okay.”
I was already planning to go! You insisted on coming to Feijie, out of the way!
Early in the morning, Su Hao cleaned up, changed the bed sheets. New sheets brought a good mood. After that, she started making xiaolongbao, steamed and let cool, then poured milk and sat down to eat, casually checking her phone for news.
Chen Yu and Lu Mimi arranged a group meal in chat, @Su Hao. Su Hao thought Shen He was coming today, so she declined.
In the six-person chat:
One was from sales, Tang Yu, just returned from a business trip.
Only then did she notice there was a new person in the group. Curious.
Tang Yu: Su Hao? New in your department? Chen Yu
Chen Yu: Yes, such a gentle elder sister.
Lu Mimi: She is gentle, you are silly and innocent.
Chen Yu: Lu Mimi, go away, your turn to speak?
Lu Mimi: Heh, silly and innocent is fine, many men like that.
Tang Yu: [raising brow] What does Su Hao look like? Let me see a photo.
Chen Yu: Tang Yu, you’ll know tomorrow at work. Don’t worry, won’t compete for President Zhou. Su Hao is home-type, President Zhou fears this type most.
Lu Mimi: Instead of worrying about Su Hao, watch your good friend Chen Yu, Tang Yu.
Tang Yu: Oh, then no threat, you two can continue competing.
Chen Yu: What about yourself?
Lu Mimi: What about yourself?
At the crucial moment, Chen Yu and Lu Mimi actually stood on the same side. Su Hao’s gaze swept over “home-type”, the most feared. She stayed silent for a moment, then left the group chat.
Around ten o’clock, Shen He called, just landed, half an hour later called again, saying he was stuck in traffic. Su Hao put down the book, stood, walked to the kitchen balcony to look outside. Traffic was heavy and hot. In this weather, eating outside was troublesome.
Plus today was the weekend. Su Hao hesitated, held the phone, and said: “No problem, take your time in traffic. I’ll buy groceries, eat at home later.”
Shen He, eyebrow raised: “Good.”
“I’m going downstairs.” Su Hao said, hung up, grabbed keys, went down. Markets and supermarkets available nearby. Su Hao went to the market, bought groceries.
Carrying groceries back, I saw Shen He in black top and jeans, a bit disheveled, getting out of the car. Black Mercedes had dropped him off and left. Shen He saw Su Hao, immediately stepped forward: “Let me help you.”
He reached out.
Su Hao handed him the groceries, took out the keys, and said: “Upstairs, too hot.”
“Yes, it’s hotter here than in Kyoto.” Shen He followed behind. She wore gray shorts, black top, and casual clothes. Hair tied up, messy, but face clean, still pretty. Seeing her, even the hot weather felt calmer.
The place looked old, but the corridor had wind, and the upstairs felt cool. Shen He frowned: “Place a bit old.”
Su Hao opened the door: “The house is fine, not old. Most importantly, near my company.”
Shen He knew Feijie nearby, thought: “True.”
Entered house, cleaned by Su Hao, faint fragrance. Shen He didn’t look much, sat on the sofa. Su Hao poured water for him.
“You sit, I cook.”
Shen He drank, stood: “I’ll help.”
Clothes clean, long fingers, rich boy vibe. Su Hao glanced, said: “Forget it.”
“Hey, what do you mean?” Shen He protested.
Su Hao smiled, no answer, and turned into the kitchen.
Shen He, still unsatisfied, followed me to the kitchen doorway, said: “I’ve done chores before too.”
Su Hao nodded, busy in the kitchen. Fast, knew what to do, prep was done immediately. Shen He wanted to say more, saw pointless, entered only to disturb. Su Hao in an apron looked beautiful, he leaned on the doorway, didn’t leave.
Yaolin provides wing manufacturing. Zhou Yang initially didn’t plan to cooperate with Yaolin; the new tech was unclear. Although support for new companies existed, immature tech was troublesome. This time I came to check the R & D room.
After the tour, Zhou Yang had an idea. The vice president led him to the R & D lounge, chatting leaning on the railing. Zhou Yang young, VP forty-something, nearing fifty, still had to take tasks from young Zhou Yang. Zhou Yang suggested a few improvements.
Arm on railing, lighter click open, click close, casual: “Safety first, how important this is, General Qin should know.”
“Yes.”
They chatted more, and the VP asked: “Does the Wen family in Kyoto cooperate with you?”
Zhou Yang closed the lighter with a click.
He turned to General Qin, half-smile: “Oh? Do you want to cooperate with the Wen family?”
“No… just asking. Heard the Wen family is also doing this.”
Assistant Lu aside, noticed General Qin, though info poor, Wen family cooperates with Xu family on AI medical, also shows Wen family secrecy.
Zhou Yang didn’t answer, tilted head, took a cigarette, lit, bit, picked phone, opened WeChat, stayed on Moments.
He scrolled casually.
Shen He: Delicious!
Picture/Picture/Picture
A table full of dishes, also a hallway of the Huahui community. Obviously Su Hao’s home. Zhou Yang glanced, stepped back, and opened the list.
Shen He: Brother Zhou Yang, eat!
Shen He: Picture.
Seconds later, man’s long fingers typing.
Zhou Yang: Eat yourself.
Shen He didn’t really come to Li City for nothing. After lunch, he had to handle tasks, and couldn’t meet Su Hao at night, a bit disappointed.
Su Hao saw him off downstairs: “You still owe me a meal.”
Shen He paused, realized: “Right, you treat today!”
Su Hao brushed hair from cheek: “Yes, how long in Li City?”
“About a week. Once done, I’ll treat you.” Horn honked behind Shen He on steps, watching Su Hao, a serious expression.
Su Hao smiled: “Good, careful if you don’t treat.”
“Mm!”
Beep sound behind Shen He, annoyed, had to say goodbye, turned, Su Hao stood on the stairs, arms folded, watched his lean figure bend into the car, black Mercedes drove off.
Su Hao turned back upstairs. Evening, sudden heavy rain. Su Hao quickly collected sheets, fast as she could, still got wet.
I immediately took a hot shower, felt better. Monday morning I woke with a dry throat, nothing else, didn’t mind. Made breakfast for finance staff. Two-day rest left people tired, Su Hao pulled a chair next to Chen Yu, sniffed, and sorted bills.
9:30.
Zhou Yang walked out of the elevator, talking on the phone, tying a tie. Halfway, lazily gave up, pulled off, tossed to Assistant Lu.
General Zeng came out, approached Zhou Yang: “President Zhou, for this trip to Haishi branch, who will you take?”
Zhou Yang said goodbye to the phone, glanced at the finance office.
Lu Mimi and Chen Yu noticed immediately, and looked at Zhou Yang, hoping to be chosen. Zhou Yang put phone in pocket, hand loosely in pocket, casually nodding at busy Su Hao: “Her.”
“Book the flight.” Zhou Yang glanced at Assistant Lu.
“Okay, immediately.” Assistant Lu took the phone, arranged.
Group left finance department.
Chen Yu and Lu Mimi noticed, exchanged glances, huffed, and left disappointed. Not one of them was chosen, Su Hao called, and felt relieved.
Su Hao learned about the trip after lunch, throat still sore, first trip, asked Zhang Xian.
Zhang Xian going out for accounts, brought Su Hao home for luggage. Rarely teaching her, this time said more: “Haishi accounts, check carefully. Don’t understand, take a photo of Chen Yu. The company there has many factions, complicated.”
“Okay.”
“Also, President Zhou is not handling the Haishi branch, but the military side. If there is any problem, don’t bother him, call us, we’ll handle it.”
“Okay.”
Got luggage, Zhang Xian didn’t delay, and sent her to the airport. Outside, Assistant Lu waited, waved at Su Hao.
Su Hao choked, coughed several times, then followed with luggage.
Checked in luggage, time tight. Assistant Lu accompanied her to security. Zhou Yang wearing sunglasses, listening to girls talking.
A second later, I looked up, smiled, pointed a way.
Girl shy: “Thanks, got it.”
The girl ran off, returned, eyes wandering: “Um, can I add you on WeChat?”
Zhou Yang’s peripheral vision caught Su Hao. Took off sunglasses, looked at her: “Boarding now.”
Then I looked at the girl, raised my brow: “Too young.”
The girl blushed instantly, eyes on Su Hao. Su Hao took a small bag, ticket, and passport from Assistant Lu, and stepped forward: “Sorry.”
“Let’s go.” Zhou Yang glanced at the watch, heard her hoarse voice, paused, and handed passport: “Throat not comfortable?”
“Maybe a bit inflamed?” Su Hao rubbed neck.
It was her turn to pass passport and ticket. They passed security one after another. He is in front, tall, and has stylish eyebrows.
Like a celebrity, very eye-catching.
Passing security, Zhou Yang bought warm water at a store, handed it to Su Hao: “Drink more. Haishi close. Rest after landing.”
“Good, thank you.” Su Hao accepted, drank while walking.
Zhou Yang’s phone rang several times.
Soon, I boarded the plane.
Su Hao drank warm water, stomach warm, sat, drowsy. Business class, seat wider than economy. Covered with blanket, dozed.
I arrived in Haishi, dusk.
At the airport exit, Zhou Yang had to attend a banquet. Before leaving, I glanced at Su Hao, saw she looked tired, and instructed the hotel to give soft dinner.
Su Hao took a sun-protective jacket from luggageand said: “I’m fine.”
Zhou Yang got another car, eyes on her. Moonlight, eyes glimmered, nodded, closed door, car sped off.
Arriving at the hotel, Su Hao ate quickly, lay on bed immediately, very sleepy. Haishi, an international city, transport hub. Zhou Yang came back to the hotel, nearly eleven, tugged a tie, and Jiang Yu chatted in a group.
Held room card, low laugh on voice message:
“Xu Dian now even jumps in the Yellow River and can’t wash clean.”
“Right.”
“Zhou Yang, you single dog, only laugh at others, careful.” Yan Xing couldn’t help, teased Zhou Yang.
When the door opened, Zhou Yang didn’t reply. Inserted card, paused, seconds later called front desk, asked about room 602 arrival tonight. The front desk finished, Zhou Yang furrowed, then asked the front desk to deliver a room card and medicine box for 602.
Hotel managed by Wen Ze Xin.
They all had exclusive rooms. Su Hao’s room too.
Got a room card, medicine box, swiped into 602. Group chat kept buzzing.
Everyone teasing, waiting to see him embarrassed.
Zhou Yang pressed voice, low laugh, with disdain and confidence: “Wait, see if I ever get trapped in love. You all underestimate me.”
Then I saw the master bedroom door open, mattress bulge. Zhou Yang put the phone down, poured water, took fever medicine, and entered the bedroom. At bed, the woman turned back to him, black hair spread on white sheets.
Shoulder slightly exposed, clothes unchanged.
Zhou Yang bent, patted Su Hao’s shoulder, low voice: “Su Hao.”
Thin clothes, skin under palm burning hot. She had a fever. Zhou Yang patted again, but Su Hao moved away, soft side face faintly flushed. Zhou Yang raised brow, followed, and seconds later grabbed shoulder, dragged her over.
Su Hao was very light, soft, and dragged easily. Furrowed brow, still asleep, seemed feverish and confused.
Zhou Yang held her up, fed water, she didn’t swallow, spilled most, Zhou Yang wiped finger, skin hot but soft.
He paused, a second later, fingers with fever medicine to her mouth.
Mouth warm.
Su Hao woke slightly, opened eyes, water glistening, lips cherry-red, weak posture very alluring.
Zhou Yang’s words stuck in throat.
Author’s Note: Half Cabbage: President Zhou, please close your dog’s eyes.
Zhou Yang glanced at Half Cabbage, then faced a group of cuties, smiled: “Happy birthday to WB account Supreme Little Puppy, you’re cute too.”
Half Cabbage, silent for two seconds, stood in front of Zhou Yang, shaking leg: “Happy birthday Little Puppy, throw flowers!!” This chapter continues 100 red packets, any nutrient drinks? Give me some.