Part 3
Jian Luojia ate with gusto, like a starving ghost reincarnated. He was so focused on devouring his food that he didn’t notice the strange atmosphere.
After finishing, he pulled out a napkin to wipe his mouth, his bright eyes staring straight ahead. “Bro, can I come over to eat again in the future?”
Jian Huaiyi: “…”
Clutching his round, full belly, Jian Luojia left, completely satisfied. Before leaving, he glanced at his second brother, then at Liang Xun, and grinned, revealing his small canine teeth. “Bro, Brother-in-law, see you next time!”
Jian Huaiyi slammed the door shut.
Liang Xun’s brow relaxed slightly. He spoke to Jian Huaiyi’s back, “Are you going to the office this afternoon? I can drive you.”
Jian Huaiyi closed his eyes and said decisively, “I’m not going.”
He still hadn’t figured out how to deal with Eldest Brother Jian.
But knowing his brother’s temper, it wouldn’t be long before he stormed Liang Xun’s company directly.
He had created this mess; he couldn’t let Liang Xun face it alone.
With his hands in his pockets, Jian Huaiyi asked for Liang Xun’s opinion, “How about I go to work with you?”
“Okay,” Liang Xun said, raising an eyebrow.
It was Jian Huaiyi’s first time at Liang Xun’s company. He followed Liang Xun into a private elevator that went straight to the top floor. The office building was located in the city center, dozens of stories high, all of it belonging to Liang Xun’s company.
Only today did Jian Huaiyi truly understand what people meant when they said Liang Xun was “a world away from who he used to be.”
No wonder his father had tried so desperately, almost selling his own son, to secure a partnership with him.
“Boss…” Assistant Qin, holding a file, ran into Liang Xun. His sharp gaze flickered past Jian Huaiyi, who was behind him, and he quickly amended his words. “The documents are in your office.”
With that, Assistant Qin tactfully retreated.
His phoenix eyes shone brightly behind his glasses.
An excellent assistant must know when to make an appearance.
“Inform all departments that we have a VIP visiting today. Everyone needs to be on their A-game,” Assistant Qin instructed.
The boss’s wife was here for the first time. Their performance reflected on the boss’s reputation.
They couldn’t let the boss lose face.
The office decor was minimalist, dominated by a deep gray color scheme, which fit Jian Huaiyi’s understanding of Liang Xun perfectly.
While Liang Xun worked at his desk, Jian Huaiyi sat quietly on the sofa, reading a book. The two of them existed in their own space without disturbing each other.
About two hours later, Assistant Qin knocked on the office door.
“Come in,” Liang Xun’s voice was cool and deep.
“Boss,” Assistant Qin began, then hesitated, glancing at Jian Huaiyi.
“Just say it.”
“President Jian is here to see you.”
Just as I expected.
Jian Huaiyi put down his book. “My big brother,” he clarified.
Seeing this, Assistant Qin relaxed and left.
Ah, so it’s a family matter.
Eldest Brother Jian, clad in a stern business suit, sat alone in the VIP room, his eyes closed, exuding a profound and intimidating aura.
Jian Huaiyi saw him through the window and couldn’t help but massage his forehead. He gave Liang Xun a heads-up, “Liang Xun, whatever my brother says to you later, don’t take it to heart.”
“Okay,” Liang Xun replied, his tone light.
Inside, however, he was anything but calm. His impression of Eldest Brother Jian was similar to his impression of Jian Luojia. To be honest, he didn’t have a good impression of anyone in the Jian family except for Mrs. Jian and Jian Huaiyi, but he was still grateful for them raising him. He had secretly kept track of everything he received from the Jian family over the years and paid it back manifold after he became successful.
Likewise, the Jian family was probably not satisfied with him either.
He could even guess why Jian Huaiyi’s big brother was here to see him.
But he would not break up with Jian Huaiyi.
Jian Huaiyi was still worried, his brow furrowed, his light brown pupils constricting.
He had originally thought that the fewer people who knew about him playing Liang Xun’s boyfriend, the better. But his clumsy attempt had backfired, and now almost everyone around him knew about his “relationship” with Liang Xun.
He bit his lower lip, a wave of panic rising in his chest, mixed with a guilt toward Liang Xun that he couldn’t quell.
Liang Xun noticed his anxiety. He reached out and touched his face. The pad of his finger was hot as it brushed over the corner of Jian Huaiyi’s creased eye, stimulating the cool, pale skin and leaving a faint red trail.
“Trust me,” Liang Xun said in a deep voice.
Jian Huaiyi’s eyes flickered upward. He didn’t understand what Liang Xun meant by “trust me,” but… did Liang Xun just touch his face?
He pressed his lips together again.
Whatever. Now is not the time to worry about that.
After sufficiently preparing Liang Xun mentally, Jian Huaiyi stuck his hands in his pockets and lifted his chin. “Let’s go. We’ll go in together.”
The worst-case scenario was that he would have to explain everything to his brother afterward. As long as he flatly denied it, his brother couldn’t conclude that he and Liang Xun were actually “dating.”
That’s the plan.
Jian Huaiyi thought it through. Besides, it was perfectly normal for good friends to wear each other’s clothes, right? And hiding… the other’s clothes was just a joke. His big brother was just overreacting.
This was Eldest Brother Jian’s fault.
“Big… Bro.”
Jian Huaiyi pulled his hand from his pocket. Just as he was about to push the door open, his outstretched hand was caught. Liang Xun used the same trick as before, lacing their fingers together. His dark eyes were bright as he looked at Jian Huaiyi and said reassuringly, “We’ll face it together.”
Jian Huaiyi slammed the door shut with a loud bang.
Hearing the noise, Eldest Brother Jian turned to see the door open and then close again. ?
“No, you let go first,” Jian Huaiyi said urgently, trying to pull his hand back from Liang Xun’s grasp.
But it was too late. Eldest Brother Jian yanked the door open, and the first thing he saw was their intertwined hands.
Jian Huaiyi looked up and met his big brother’s unreadable gaze. He smoothly lowered their joined hands to his side and said with forced composure, “I was just handing something to Liang Xun.”
“Heh,” Eldest Brother Jian’s gaze, as tangible as a physical object, landed on their faces. He sneered, “Come on, Second Brother, tell me. What are you handing him that requires you to interlace your fingers?”
Jian Huaiyi: “…”
Liang Xun: “…”
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