“Uncle, I’m scared.” He said I was your little lover.
Zhou Li’s critical gaze swept over the youth. The boy wore a gray T-shirt washed nearly to the point of fading, held an ordinary plaid shirt in his arms, and wore old canvas shoes. He looked like the quintessential penniless student.
Combined with the black-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose, the boy appeared utterly rigid and dull. Zhou Li could not understand how someone like this had caught Huo Junnian’s eye.
Jiang Ling, meanwhile, had no idea that his limited-edition designer streetwear looked like a shabby rag to someone else. If he knew what was going through Zhou Li’s mind, he would probably die laughing.
He originally had no intention of dealing with this person, but upon hearing him mention Huo Junnian, his interest was piqued. In a seemingly sincere tone, he asked, “Then what type does he like? Tell me, I’m listening.”
Zhou Li was stunned by the question. He thought about how the youth had acted timidly in front of Huo Junnian just moments ago. It was completely unlike this irreverent attitude he was showing now. He snorted coldly to himself, thinking that the boy was quite the actor.
“You are so young, yet instead of studying hard, you are out here putting on an act to swindle men. Do your parents know?”
Jiang Ling replied composedly, “My family knows. My dad taught me.”
Zhou Li was speechless, and his eyes widened in shock. He could not grasp what the youth was thinking. Logically, shouldn’t he feel angry or ashamed?
“You!”
“What about me?”
Zhou Li had not expected the other party to be so shameless. “You can fool him for a moment, but not for a lifetime. President Huo will see your true colors sooner or later. Do you think he will still like you then?”
Thinking a youth of this age was likely inexperienced in the ways of the world, Zhou Li softened his voice. “If you are short on money, I can help you.”
“Help me?” Hearing this, Jiang Ling quirked an eyebrow, feigning interest. “How much can you help me with?”
Zhou Li did not expect the youth to be swayed so easily. As expected, he was shallow, greedy, and stupid. He felt foolish for even considering him a rival moments ago.
“As long as you promise to leave President Huo’s side immediately, I will make it worth your while.”
Jiang Ling curled his lips into a smirk. “Words carry no weight. Why should I believe you?”
“What do you want, then?”
“Transfer twenty thousand yuan first. Let me see your sincerity.” As Jiang Ling spoke, he pulled up his QR payment code and thrust it directly in front of the man. “Remember to mark it as a voluntary gift. Do not be shameless and try to ask for it back later.”
Zhou Li had never met someone so brazen. He stared at the youth in disbelief, nearly choked with rage. “You! You!”
“I am only giving you ten seconds to hesitate. Ten, nine, eight, three, two, offer expires now.”
Zhou Li had not expected the youth to play so outside the box. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Fine, I agree.”
Twenty thousand yuan was a small sum to him. Even one of his accessories cost more than that. Although he gave it reluctantly, paying twenty thousand to get rid of a potential love rival was a bargain.
Soon, within the elegant and quiet art gallery, the sound of clinking gold coins suddenly rang out, followed by a sweet female voice. “Alipay has received twenty thousand yuan.”
In an instant, the gaze of everyone nearby was drawn to them. Zhou Li had not expected the other’s phone would not be on silent. He was mortified by the stares, feeling as though he had just conducted some shady, illicit transaction, even if the transaction actually was shady.
Jiang Ling, however, was completely unaffected by the crowd. He naturally tucked his phone away, glanced at the received funds, and raised an eyebrow. “Good, I have felt your sincerity.”
With a cold expression, Zhou Li glanced around and lowered his voice. “Do not forget what you promised me.”
Jiang Ling nodded perfunctorily. “Yes, yes, sure. I will leave right away.”
However, if Huo Junnian insisted on chasing after him, that was none of his business. Right then, Huo Junnian walked over, drawn by the commotion.
“Ling, why are you?”
“I am leaving.”
Before Huo Junnian could finish his sentence, the youth who had been standing there turned and walked away the moment he heard his voice. What happened? Huo Junnian looked at Zhou Li, who had been standing opposite Jiang Ling. Was Jiang Ling’s immediate departure related to this person?
“Hello, President Huo, I am.”
Seeing Huo Junnian approach, Zhou Li immediately greeted him with a smile. But before he could get close, he was pinned in place by a sharp gaze. The smile on his face gradually stiffened.
Jiang Ling, who had just turned to leave, was counting the seconds in his head. Before he could even finish his countdown, his wrist was grabbed and he was pulled back.
“Ling, what exactly is going on?”
Jiang Ling remained silent. Even when Huo Junnian asked, he did not utter a word. Just as Huo Junnian thought Jiang Ling would stay quiet forever, the youth suddenly moved. Using the momentum of his captured wrist, Jiang Ling grabbed Huo Junnian’s arm and hid behind him like a fragile victim. He lowered his voice, speaking so only the two of them could hear.
“Uncle, I am scared.”
His current act was strikingly similar to how Bai Mo had hidden behind him the other night. At this moment, he did not need to say much. He did not even need to speak. As long as he played the part, he had already won the game.
Undeniably, he was taking advantage of Huo Junnian’s doting and tolerance. Specifically, it was the affection held for the ten-year-old Jiang Ling from eight years ago. He clung tightly to Huo Junnian’s arm, his body instinctively pressing close. Through the thin summer clothes, he could feel the other man’s tensed, warm physique.
Ignoring the tension, he lowered his head, breathing in the faint scent of cedar on the man. Then, he lifted his eyes to look at the dumbfounded Zhou Li, a hidden smirk playing on his lips as he threw a provocative look at him. “Idiot.”
Zhou Li stared at the scene, mouth agape, unable to process it for a long time.
The moment Jiang Ling grabbed his arm, Huo Junnian was also stunned. The youth’s chest was pressed against his arm, and because summer clothes are thin, they did nothing to block the heat radiating from his skin. He had never been this close to anyone. His first instinct was to pull away, but the moment he felt the youth’s fear, he suppressed the thought.
He spoke comfortingly, “Do not be afraid. What happened? Did someone bully you? Tell Uncle. Uncle will settle it for you.”
Jiang Ling had not felt much at first, but hearing Huo Junnian’s tender words, his eyes suddenly stung with a bit of moisture.
Zhou Li never imagined the other party could be so despicable. Seeing that the youth was about to complain, he rushed to speak first. “President Huo, please do not let him deceive you.”
“He said I was your little lover.”
The two voices rang out almost simultaneously. The difference was that Jiang Ling held the superior position. His mouth was right at Huo Junnian’s ear, so his voice completely drowned out the other’s. Silence instantly fell over the surroundings.
Upon hearing those words, Huo Junnian’s brow furrowed sharply, and his gaze toward Zhou Li turned frigid. Zhou Li was intimidated by Huo Junnian’s aura and took two steps back in fear. He stammered, “President Huo, I.”
At this moment, he truly had no way to defend himself.
“He said I should not be out here swindling men instead of studying. He asked if my family was short on money, and that is why. He even said he would give me money to leave you.”
Jiang Ling’s voice grew smaller and smaller. He was not lying; these were the exact words the man had used.
Huo Junnian turned his head and saw the youth’s tightly pressed lips, looking as though he had suffered a great injustice. This reminded him of Jiang Ling as a child. Back then, whenever he was wronged at home, he would run to him crying, clutching his leg, and saying through red eyes that he was never going home again.
“If you do not go back, what about your dad?”
“I do not want him! All he does is nag me every day. It clearly was not my fault, and he will not listen to my explanation. Only Uncle is good; you believe what I say. How about I just be your son? I will take care of you when I grow up. Please, I beg you.”
The memory softened his heart instantly. Huo Junnian raised his other hand and ruffled the youth’s black hair, saying gently, “Ling, do not be afraid. Uncle is here.”
Jiang Ling nodded obediently. “With Uncle here, I am not afraid.”
Seeing this, Zhou Li was as anxious as an ant on a hot griddle. “President Huo, you must not believe him.”
“If I do not believe him, should I believe you?” Huo Junnian looked over with a piercing gaze and said sternly, “Mr. Zhou, I would like to ask how Ling swindled you. Were those words not spoken by you?”
“No, I.” Zhou Li’s face turned pale instantly. Those words had indeed come from his own mouth.
As the commotion grew, people who had been looking at the art began to gather. Although the onlookers said nothing, their secretive, judgmental stares made Zhou Li feel a deep sense of shame. Today was truly his unlucky day.
Zhou Li did not want to be a spectacle any longer. He looked at Huo Junnian again, knowing in his heart that there was no longer any chance of getting close to the man. The culprit behind all this was the youth hiding behind him, but circumstances forced his hand. He did not want to become the laughingstock of the very exhibition where he was the featured artist. Forcing a strained smile, he took a step forward and said, “President Huo, I think there might be some misunderstanding. Student, I apologize to you. Perhaps I said some inappropriate things just now that caused a misunderstanding. I hope you can forgive me.”
Jiang Ling did not say whether he forgave him or not. He simply tugged gently on Huo Junnian’s arm and said, “Uncle, this exhibition is so boring. I want to go back.”
With the crowd growing, Huo Junnian agreed. “Alright, let us head back first.”
Once they left the gallery and returned to the car, Huo Junnian looked at the silent youth in the passenger seat. To comfort him, he said, “Are you still feeling upset? How about Uncle takes you shopping in a bit? Whatever you want, it is on me today.”
The youth did not answer. He kept his head down, his shoulders shaking as if he were crying. Frowning slightly, Huo Junnian leaned over anxiously to check on him. “Ling, are you crying?”
However, before he could get close, the youth suddenly snapped his head up, startling him. “Hahahaha! You were tricked!”
Jiang Ling’s smile was radiant. There was not a trace of sadness on his face. Seeing Huo Junnian so worried about him felt very rewarding. He took out his phone, gave it a little shake, and winked at the man with a laugh. “How can I let you pay? Someone else is treating today. Let us go. I am taking you out to dinner!”