The others had finally realized that Lu Qiao, despite appearing obedient, was actually quite shrewd and not someone easily bullied. With that reassurance, they let Chen Deng continue to provoke him.
After chatting for a while, the group dispersed to enjoy themselves. Mo Hanzhou was called away by Qin Shi to discuss work matters, leaving Lu Qiao alone on a corner sofa, engrossed in his game. Before long, Chen Deng sidled up to him again.
“Don’t think just because my brother married you, I’ll ever accept you.”
Was this kid ever going to stop?
Lu Qiao’s pupils contracted slightly. He set down his phone and turned to face Chen Deng. There was no denying that Lu Qiao’s face was genuinely innocent his chubby cheeks, large bright eyes, and glistening dark pupils gave him an air of pure, guileless sweetness that made it hard to dislike him.
Aside from his looks, what else did this person have?
Chen Deng resolved not to be fooled by appearances.
“You’re not worthy of my brother at all! If you hadn’t shown up at just the right time, he would never have married you!”
Lu Qiao wasn’t angered by his words. Instead, he looked at Chen Deng with a kind and tolerant expression, his clear gaze seeming to see right through him for some reason, Chen Deng suddenly felt as though this person had matured significantly. Had his earlier innocence all been an act?
Lu Qiao spoke gently, “What kind of partner do you think Hanzhou needs?”
“Someone gentle and intelligent, with a good background and education, who can understand my brother and share common interests with him!”
“And then discuss work with him at home after office hours too?”
“What’s wrong with that? My brother is so busy with work wouldn’t it be good to have someone to share his burdens and worries?”
Lu Qiao sighed, a gentle, understanding warmth in his eyes, the kind only someone with experience could possess.
Chen Deng wait, he really did seem different from before!
“I know someone similar to your brother.”
Lu Qiao began recounting a story from True Love Unlimited. He likened the male lead to Mo Hanzhou, omitting the character’s messy romantic entanglements, and focused instead on how the female lead, after the male lead returned home each day, provided thoughtful and attentive care, allowing him to shed the pressures of the workplace and deeply feel the warmth of home. This was why, no matter how the second or third female leads schemed against her, the male lead always loved the female lead!
Of course, the real reason was that if the male lead didn’t love the female lead, the drama couldn’t continue.
But regardless, the male lead chose the female lead, didn’t he?
What did that prove?
It proved that a successful man needed emotional nurturing, a harbor called home, and a pair of arms to gently comfort him when he was tired or disheartened!
As for being a strong support or an ideal companion that wasn’t the stuff of melodramas!
Lu Qiao spoke passionately and eloquently. This was the first time he had shared the plot of True Love Unlimited in such detail with anyone, and he found himself deeply immersed in the story.
Just as Lu Qiao was telling Chen Deng how the female lead, despite her humble origins and limited education, earned the respect of senior colleagues through her wisdom and hard work, Mo Hanzhou noticed the two chatting happily in the corner. Puzzled, he walked over with a few others.
Lu Qiao was in the midst of his emotional narration:
“When the senior discovered she had stayed up all night to complete the report, he finally changed his view of this new employee and prepared to teach her all his years of work experience. However.”
Chen Deng was listening intently and couldn’t help but ask, “However what?”
This female lead really had too many misfortunes how did every bad thing end up happening to her?
“A-Qiao, what are you two talking about?”
“Ah, sir!”
Chen Deng was so absorbed in the plot that he didn’t react immediately. Lu Qiao had already turned to look at Mo Hanzhou. Chen Deng grew nervous, worried that Lu Qiao would mention how he had been picking on him. However, Lu Qiao said:
“Sir, I was telling Chen Deng about the plot of the drama ‘True Love Unlimited.’ We were just discussing the female lead’s experiences at work.”
“I never expected Brother Chen Deng to like this drama too. I’m so happy!”
Mo Hanzhou was familiar with “True Love Unlimited.” Sometimes during conversations, Lu Qiao would suddenly mention it. But based on his understanding, it seemed to be a very melodramatic family drama. Mo Hanzhou looked at Chen Deng in surprise, never expecting that his proud and aloof friend’s younger brother would enjoy this kind of TV show. It was truly. unexpected.
Seeing the surprise in Mo Hanzhou’s eyes, Chen Deng’s ears immediately turned red.
“It’s not like that, Brother, it’s not.”
Mo Hanzhou comforted him, “It’s fine, it’s fine.”
Chen Deng: “…”
That damned Lu Qiao he was now his sworn enemy!
Beside them, Pei Jizhi also gritted his teeth secretly. Even someone as proud as Chen Deng liked melodramatic dramas. Did he really have to film an idol drama now?
Each of them had their own thoughts, but on the surface, everything remained harmonious.
After gathering for a while longer, it was already past ten in the evening. Chen Zhanquan said:
“Everyone has work tomorrow, so let’s call it a day for tonight. Lu Qiao, let’s make plans another time. Hanzhou, remember to bring Lu Qiao out to play.”
“Definitely.”
Each of them had their own drivers. After seeing everyone off, Lu Qiao didn’t suggest going home. Instead, he tightened his coat and obediently looked at Mo Hanzhou.
After spending time together, Mo Hanzhou had come to understand that whenever Lu Qiao acted particularly well-behaved, he had something up his sleeve. Pretending not to understand, Mo Hanzhou turned his head and said:
“I’ll have Old Liu take you home.”
“Sir.”
Lu Qiao opened his clear, transparent eyes, his pitch-black pupils reflecting Mo Hanzhou’s figure.
The boy’s voice was as if soaked in honey, dripping with sweetness.
“It’s already very late. It’s not safe for me to go home alone.”
Mo Hanzhou’s lips curved slightly as he held back a smile.
“How could that be? Old Liu has been by my side for many years. How about I arrange for a bodyguard to accompany you home?”
Lu Qiao avoided the question.
“I think going back to your place would be great too. I remember you have many spare rooms at your home. How could you bear to let me go home alone so late at night?”
Alone? There were clearly three people.
Mo Hanzhou tilted his head to the side, pretending to think.
Seeing an opportunity, Lu Qiao immediately began to plead:
“Sir, please, take me back with you, okay?”
“I promise I won’t cause any trouble, okay, sir.”
…
Under the combined influence of a soft heart and Lu Qiao’s charm, Mo Hanzhou really did take him home.
Although this was only Lu Qiao’s second time at the Mo residence, he was already familiar with the place.
The butler was overjoyed to see him. If last time he had to consider that the two young masters hadn’t fully opened up yet and were still a bit reserved, now Lu Qiao was the confirmed future mistress. His delight couldn’t be hidden!
Mo Hanzhou hadn’t informed the butler in advance that he would be bringing someone back. As usual, the butler waited at the entrance to greet the car. When Mo Hanzhou stepped out, the butler hurried forward, about to offer a hand, when a dark-haired young man emerged from the car. His exit was rather unsteady one foot touched the ground first, then the other hopped down in a bouncing motion.
Seeing him, the butler was momentarily stunned before a joyful smile spread across his face.
“Young Master Lu Qiao!”
“Young Master Lu Qiao, you’ve come!”
His tone made it sound as if this were already Lu Qiao’s home. Although the wedding arrangements had been in progress for a long time, this was the first time Lu Qiao truly felt that he was already Mo Hanzhou’s person.
Mo Hanzhou took the elevator upstairs and reached the room door when Lu Qiao suddenly reached out, hooking a finger around Mo Hanzhou’s hand.
Mo Hanzhou turned to look at him, his gaze teasing.
Lu Qiao remained composed. “Goodnight, sir.”
Mo Hanzhou couldn’t help but smile.
“Alright, goodnight.”
Lu Qiao walked into the guest room with his head held high, chest puffed out, like a victorious lion. The servants, too, showed a mix of courtesy, familiarity, and eagerness to please as they prepared the bed and drew the bathwater for him.
He had used the guest bathroom before and was very satisfied with the massage bathtub, having already thought of a hundred ways to make use of it.
Beside the bathtub was a low cabinet made of jade, smooth and cool to the touch, refreshing to the senses. On the cabinet’s surface, a gentle incense was burning, the scent of essential oils and roses seeping into his body along with the warm water, washing away the fatigue accumulated throughout the day.
Lu Qiao soaked in the bathtub for about ten minutes, nearly dozing off. After getting out, he dried himself with a towel and was about to change into a clean set of cotton pajamas when he suddenly paused, a thoughtful expression flashing in his eyes.
In the master bedroom next door, Mo Hanzhou hadn’t yet gone to sleep. He was accustomed to checking his email one last time before bed to ensure he was prepared for the next day’s schedule. After his bath, he was sitting at his desk when a knock came at the door.
At this hour, few would disturb him unless it was important. A flicker of confusion crossed Mo Hanzhou’s brow as he pressed the remote control on the desk to open the door.
A small, mischievous face suddenly peeked in.
“What’s wrong? Did you forget something?”
Lu Qiao pushed the door open and walked in, his cotton slippers sinking into the carpet, muffling all sound.
The boy said softly, “Sir, I accidentally bumped my back while bathing. Could you help me apply some ointment?”
Under the warm orange glow of the lamp, Mo Hanzhou’s gaze held a hint of scrutiny.
Lu Qiao was wearing a loose white T-shirt that hung loosely, revealing most of the round neckline and his shoulders and neck. The hem of the shirt just barely covered his hips, barely concealing the tops of his thighs. As he moved, the high-quality fabric brushed lightly against the sides of his legs.
As if completely unaware, he walked straight toward Mo Hanzhou.
He usually seemed to fear the cold, always bundled up tightly, and with his round face, he didn’t appear particularly small. Only now, wearing just a single layer of clothing, did it become apparent that he was actually quite slender and tall, with long, straight legs, the calves curving into a full arc, and his knees a soft, delicate pink.
Standing before Mo Hanzhou, Lu Qiao’s dark eyelashes fluttered as he spoke in his usual innocent tone, “Sir, do you have a band-aid here?”
Mo Hanzhou looked him up and down, his expression unchanged. “You could ask Uncle Zhuang.”
“But bothering Uncle Zhuang over such a small matter would make me feel uneasy.”
The boy said earnestly, “It’s fine. Sir must have a band-aid here. I’ll just look for it myself.”
With that, he began rummaging through the room.
Mo Hanzhou’s room mirrored Lu Qiao’s own. When Lu Qiao had first moved in, he had thoroughly searched the entire space and knew the first-aid kit was in the middle drawer of the bedside table. But he deliberately avoided the correct option, starting his search from the top of the wardrobe against the wall.
The pretty boy stood on tiptoe, his back, hips, and calves tensing into a graceful curve. As he stretched his arms upward, the hem of his T-shirt naturally rode up. When the white fabric slid past the outer side of his thigh, a hint of pink lace peeked out from underneath.
Ordinary men’s underwear typically lacked any fashionable embellishments. The only possibility was that what he was wearing underneath wasn’t men’s underwear at all.
Mo Hanzhou’s fingers tapped lightly on the surface of the desk, his gaze unapologetically fixed on the boy who moved boldly around his room.
Lu Qiao wandered about the room in his oversized T-shirt, acting as if he owned the place. The warm glow from the wall lamp cast a layer of alluring luster over his jade-like skin.
He finally found the first-aid kit in the bedside table and took out a band-aid, handing it to Mo Hanzhou.
“Sir, it’s right here. I bumped it.”
Lu Qiao pulled down the collar of his T-shirt, revealing a spot near his left shoulder blade.
Mo Hanzhou’s expression shifted slightly.
If he didn’t tend to this “injury” soon, it might just disappear on its own.
“Sir, hurry up. It’s late, and I need to sleep.”
Mo Hanzhou was both amused and exasperated the boy was playing the victim now. He wanted to see just how many tricks Lu Qiao had up his sleeve tonight. A faint smile touched Mo Hanzhou’s lips as he calmly accepted the band-aid.
The next moment, a sudden weight settled on him. Lu Qiao straddled his lap, his bare arms wrapping around Mo Hanzhou’s neck, his slender back arching into a curve as he half-leaned against him.
“Sir, let’s begin.”
“…”
Reaching under the collar to tend to Lu Qiao’s “injury” would have been awkward and unnatural. Instead, Mo Hanzhou’s hand slid up along the boy’s concave waist, slipping beneath the loose-fitting T-shirt to the spot where the “wound” was.
Lu Qiao clung to his neck, his bare arms still damp from his bath, carrying the sweet, intoxicating scent of lavender. It seeped into Mo Hanzhou’s senses, much like the incense burning in the room.
“Sir,” the boy’s voice dripped with honey, “From now on, I’m yours. Will you be good to me?”
“…”
Mo Hanzhou’s pupils darkened, his palm burning where it rested against the boy’s waist.
Mo Hanzhou had never been one to indulge in beauty. Even before the car accident, he had never been in a relationship, and after the incident, he kept himself pure and distant from allure. Only now did he vaguely understand the feeling described in books the warmth, fragrance, and temptation of beauty. It seemed the heroes who had bowed for beauties were not entirely misguided.
The man’s fingertips lightly traced Lu Qiao’s skin, feeling the faint tremors in his palm.
“You are my lawful partner. Of course, I will treat you well.”
Lu Qiao immediately broke into a delighted smile, sweetly saying:
“That’s wonderful. I will always like you, sir.”
Setting aside whether he truly liked him or not, Mo Hanzhou sensed a hint of danger. To avoid any irreversible consequences, he promptly said:
“Get down.”
“Why?”
Could it be that you’re not capable? Lu Qiao frowned. Though he was after wealth, he had also hoped for a fulfilling intimate life after marriage. If you weren’t up to it, you should have told me earlier.
The boy tilted his head, asking with an innocent yet seductive tone:
“Is it not allowed?”
Mo Hanzhou chuckled softly, his finger brushing over Lu Qiao’s lips. “Do you know what day tomorrow is?”
“Mr. Mo’s birthday is June 13th.”
“Clever little thing!”
Mo Hanzhou patted his head, suppressing a laugh as he said:
“Tomorrow is the day we get our marriage certificate. Did you forget?”
Lu Qiao slowly opened his mouth. The previously ambiguous and seductive atmosphere vanished instantly, replaced by an expression of mingled shock and delight, visible to the naked eye.