Chapter 1: Not Coming Home Tonight
Leaving after his last class, Jiang Su discovered it was snowing outside.
The temperature had plummeted. The distance from the classroom to the teacher’s office wasn’t short, and by the time Jiang Su arrived, his nose was red with cold.
Today was the last day of classes for the semester. Students would have exams in two days before winter break, and the teachers in the office were discussing their holiday plans.
When a teacher saw Jiang Su enter, they asked, “Teacher Jiang, what are your plans for the winter break? If you’re going traveling, we could form a group.”
Jiang Su smiled, his voice clear and melodious, “No travel plans.”
His features were exquisite, and when he smiled, he was like a crescent moon in the silent night, clean and cold.
Having worked together for two years, many couldn’t help but blush secretly at the sight of his smile.
Jiang Su had been teaching at this private elementary school for two years. He was known for being unassuming and easygoing, and was the only male teacher who could make a simple white shirt and suit look elegant and refined.
Anyone with eyes could see that such looks and temperament weren’t something ordinary families could cultivate.
Countless people were attracted to him, but no one made a move.
Because Jiang Su was married.
Two years ago, his retirement from the entertainment industry for love had caused a sensation. In this era where same-sex marriage was no longer unusual, besides curiosity about who had such charm, people also wondered if his spouse was male or female.
For two years, Jiang Su had grown accustomed to the occasional inquiries about his partner. He said softly, “Have a pleasant trip, I’m going home.”
He wasn’t a main subject teacher, and there was nothing else for him to do. He wouldn’t be back at school until the next semester.
The other teachers finally changed the topic, and Jiang Su opened WeChat on his phone.
The top chat, labeled “Huo Qingyan,” remained silent.
He opened the chat interface; it still showed the messages he sent to Huo Qingyan that morning:
[Are you coming back to Qingyang today?]
[What do you want to eat tonight? I’ll cook when I get home.]
[How about squirrel fish?]
There had been no reply all day.
In fact, it wasn’t just today; he hadn’t received a reply since Huo Qingyan went on a business trip a week ago.
The Huo family was immensely wealthy. Even before their marriage, he knew Huo Qingyan was busy, but he hadn’t expected him to be this busy.
Busy to the point of not having time to reply to his WeChat for a whole week.
Jiang Su went to the underground parking garage and got into his car. He called Huo Qingyan again.
“Sorry, the number you dialed is currently unavailable, please try again later…”
The car window wasn’t fully closed, and the cold wind rushed in, chilling Jiang Su to the bone.
Huo Qingyan had said he would be back in a week before leaving. Now, his phone was unreachable and he wasn’t responding to WeChat. His schedule might have changed, but Jiang Su still bought a lot of Huo Qingyan’s favorite groceries from the supermarket.
What if Huo Qingyan came home tonight?
Jiang Su couldn’t help but feel a bit hopeful.
But this hope didn’t last long.
He had just simmered the soup and put it aside when his phone beeped, signaling a new WeChat message.
He couldn’t wash his hands quickly enough; he eagerly opened WeChat. When he saw that it was Huo Qingyan replying, a smile flickered in his eyes.
But when he saw the content of the reply, the smile froze:
[Not coming home tonight.]
Four cold words.
It was Huo Qingyan’s usual style.
Jiang Su pursed his lips, staring at the screen for a long time before slowly typing a reply: “Then take care of yourself, remember to eat on time. I’m on winter break now. Tell me what you want to eat before you come back, and I’ll prepare it for you in advance.”
He waited a while, but there was no reply.
A self-deprecating curve touched Jiang Su’s lips. Shouldn’t he be used to this by now?
He dumped the prepared food into the trash can.
His phone rang.
It was his older cousin, Jiang Ying: “Xiaoqi, have you eaten? There’s something I need your help with.”
Jiang Su was the youngest in his generation of the Jiang family, and everyone called him Xiaoqi.
“I’ve eaten,” Jiang Su glanced at the trash can and turned to leave, “What is it?”
“There’s an auction tonight, and I really can’t make it. Go and bid on a painting for me. No matter how expensive it is, just get it.”
The Jiang siblings were all very close. When Jiang Su had insisted on leaving the entertainment industry to marry Huo Qingyan, it was Jiang Ying and her siblings who had convinced their parents.
Jiang Su naturally agreed: “Okay, send me the address.”
…
He arrived at the auction house just as it was starting.
The hall was full of people, and Jiang Su sat down in the last row.
Soon, it was time for the painting Jiang Ying wanted.
After the auctioneer introduced the painting, bidding began.
“Starting bid, five million!”
People gradually raised their paddles.
“Five million and one hundred thousand!”
“Five million one hundred and ten thousand!”
Jiang Su wanted to wait until the end, but he froze when he heard a deep male voice.
“Six million!”
He looked in the direction of the voice and saw a familiar figure two rows ahead and to the side.
The man had broad shoulders and a neat, short haircut. His posture was impeccable, obviously the result of strict etiquette training from a young age. Even just his back had a commanding presence indicative of someone who held a high position for years.
Why was Huo Qingyan, who was supposed to be on a business trip, here?
Jiang Su’s gaze remained fixed on Huo Qingyan as he bid.
“Seven million!”
Whether he heard Jiang Su’s voice or wanted to see what the person daring to compete with him looked like, Huo Qingyan turned his head towards Jiang Su.
Their eyes met across the space. Huo Qingyan’s expression was his usual indifference; his dark eyes were as deep and unfathomable as a mountain spring, revealing no emotion.
Having lived with him for two years, Jiang Su understood him better than others. He clearly caught a flash of anger in his eyes.
Jiang Su’s heart tightened.
After a week apart, the first thing Huo Qingyan felt upon seeing him was anger.
His phone vibrated in his pocket.
Huo Qingyan sent him a WeChat message: “I need this painting.”
No explanation, no discussion, just a matter-of-fact command.
As if, because he wanted it, Jiang Su should give it to him.
Yes, from the time he met Huo Qingyan at fourteen until now, before and after their marriage, he had always obeyed Huo Qingyan.
Whatever Huo Qingyan wanted, even without saying it, Jiang Su would obediently offer.
Ten years, persistence could wear away even stone, but nothing had changed.
But Huo Qingyan hadn’t changed.
He was an impenetrable rock, unmelting ice.
For the first time, Jiang Su didn’t immediately reply to Huo Qingyan’s WeChat message. Instead, he directly raised his bidding paddle: “Ten million!”
When Jiang Su had bid after Huo Qingyan, the people around had already begun to whisper about who dared to compete with Huo Qingyan.
The Huo family was prominent in Qingyang City; no one dared to provoke them, especially Huo Qingyan, the ruthless head of the family.
Now that Jiang Su was bidding ten million, it was clear he was confronting Huo Qingyan.
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