Chapter 102 – Jealousy
“Yes, CEO Yan. I choose the second option,” Zhang Dianhuai’s voice sounded weary, but it was filled with determination.
He must have been thinking about this over and over during the three hours of silence.
“I didn’t intend to bother you, CEO Yan, but this happened so suddenly. Ganzhi has been pushed into the spotlight, and with my current position in the company, it’s difficult to resolve this completely. That’s why I’m preparing to have a falling out with the company. I will personally cover the contract termination fees for Ganzhi and Que Jin. I promise that in the new studio, no matter what new talent comes along, Ganzhi and Que Jin will always be the company’s most important artists!” Zhang Dianhuai vowed.
Lin Ganzhi was deeply moved. Even though he’d been slacking off so much, Brother Zhang was still thinking of him…
“Brother Zhang, I can cover my own termination fee. You just go for it, I support you!” Lin Ganzhi blurted out, ready to throw money at the problem.
Yan Shengping looked at his husband helplessly and placed a hand on Lin Ganzhi’s forehead, pushing him back slightly. “Calm down. Since when did you need to cover the termination fee?”
“That’s right, Ganzhi, don’t worry about this,” Zhang Dianhuai chimed in from the other end of the line.
“So, what kind of help do you need from me?” Yan Shengping asked.
There was a moment of silence on the other end before the reply came: “Connections.”
Yan Shengping’s expression paused for a moment, then he replied in a deep voice, “Alright. Contact my secretary about what kind of connections you need. However, my help doesn’t come for free. How about this: you just have to agree to one condition of mine.” Yan Shengping’s negotiating tone with others was completely different from how he was with Lin Ganzhi.
With Lin Ganzhi, he could haggle endlessly, and besides being incredibly persistent about kissing, Yan Shengping would give in to Lin Ganzhi on everything else without reservation. But when it came to others, he was like a different person, or rather, he became the Yan Shengping everyone was familiar with.
And honestly, Lin Ganzhi found this version of him a little attractive too.
“CEO Yan, please state your condition.”
Yan Shengping put down his pen and glanced at Lin Ganzhi before speaking. “I need you to build a professional public relations team to serve us. I believe you’re more familiar with this business than I am. For this, I can invest in your new company. As for how much, draw up a contract and discuss it with my secretary.”
“R-really?” Zhang Dianhuai asked, somewhat surprised. In truth, he would have done all this even if Yan Shengping hadn’t mentioned it.
“Yes. My only requirements are that the team has absolute confidentiality and obedience,” Yan Shengping emphasized.
Zhang Dianhuai moved quickly, especially with Yan Shengping’s added condition. He worked as if he’d been injected with adrenaline.
By the time Lin Ganzhi went out the next day, the trending topic had become: #E Yuezhang Recording, Manager Bravely Speaks Out#.
Zhang Dianhuai had posted a statement. It wasn’t overly embellished, but every sentence hit President Shao where it hurt, resonating with countless workers. He had poured his heart and soul into the company, only to be turned on by the company as soon as it started to do well. Zhang Dianhuai also specifically explained the edited part of Lin Ganzhi’s recording from yesterday, stating bluntly that his boss had targeted him and used a distorted version of Lin Ganzhi’s words as a weapon.
In an instant, all those who had been cursing Lin Ganzhi on his Weibo yesterday were slapped in the face. Onlookers even dug up a story about netizens cyberbullying a high school girl who had spoken up for Lin Ganzhi. For a moment, the internet was filled with the sound of faces being slapped.
The messages in Lin Ganzhi’s group chat were also buzzing nonstop.
Lu Xi: [Hahahahaha! Ganzhi, go look at Weibo! The people who were cursing you out before are all deleting their comments now, hahaha! Your manager is so ruthless. He hired a professional team to go after the people who spread rumors yesterday, sending a lawyer’s letter to every single one they catch. Hahaha, I’m dying of laughter!]
Wenren Yi: [Isn’t this normal? Let’s see if they dare to keep spouting nonsense online. I was so angry when I saw those comments yesterday. My grandma wanted to see them, but my grandpa and I stopped her. Ganzhi, let me tell you, my grandma really wants to see you guys now. If she saw yesterday’s comments, she would’ve dropped everything, even the New Year celebrations, and run over!]
Lin Ganzhi: [I miss Grandma too~ Tell her I’ll visit her after the New Year, along with Grandpa Qin and Grandpa Wenren.]
Wenren Yi: [I’ve been saying that every day since I got here. Grandma even wants to join your fan club!]
Lin Ganzhi couldn’t help but laugh as he read.
“What are you looking at? You seem so happy.” After fastening his own seatbelt, Yan Shengping leaned over to fasten Lin Ganzhi’s. Today, they were driving the car Lin Ganzhi had bought. They rarely had a chance to use it, so when they needed to buy New Year’s goods today, Lin Ganzhi had quickly suggested it. Uncle Yan had met some old fishing buddies here, all retirees. With his gregarious personality, Uncle Yan quickly fit in. He was supposed to go shopping with them today, but the old man next door had dragged him off to a hot spring.
Uncle Yan had been about to refuse, but the two younger members of the household had simultaneously turned him down, giving the reason: “You’ve reached the age where you should be enjoying life. Some things can be left to the younger generation.”
Uncle Yan was moved by this for a long time before happily packing his things and heading out with his new friends.
Lin Ganzhi unsuspectingly showed the chat history to Yan Shengping, saying, “It’s Grandma. She misses us a lot and even wants to join my fan club, hahaha!”
Lu Xi: [Ganzhi, should we invite Qi Yushuo to the group? He was so cool yesterday! So many people are shipping you two on his Weibo now. It’s so awesome to have a friend like that!]
Lin Ganzhi watched as Yan Shengping’s expression soured. When he looked down at his phone…
Ganzhi is shocked.jpg
This, this, this!
Before Lin Ganzhi could even try to defend himself, Yan Shengping’s body pressed down on him. The phone in his hand was mercilessly tossed into the glove compartment. While he had previously been mindful of Lin Ganzhi’s injured lower lip, this time Yan Shengping even subconsciously bit it lightly.
Lin Ganzhi frowned in pain, but Yan Shengping took the opportunity to invade his mouth. The last bit of reason and strength Lin Ganzhi had was drained away in that moment.
When Yan Shengping finally pulled away, Lin Ganzhi at last had a chance to speak. He gasped, “Yan Shengping, are you… jealous?”
He hadn’t given any permission at all for such a fierce kiss!
“Aren’t you just friends? What do I have to be jealous about?” Yan Shengping’s smile was subtle, and his tone was several shades colder than usual. One hand still hadn’t released the back of Lin Ganzhi’s neck, his index finger lightly tapping the prominent bone there. Lin Ganzhi was very familiar with this habit.
This old man, Yan Shengping, hadn’t had enough kisses yet!
But this time, Lin Ganzhi was in the wrong. It was all Lu Xi’s fault for saying things that could be so easily misinterpreted!
But if they kept kissing, the fruit at the supermarket wouldn’t be fresh anymore!
At this point, Lin Ganzhi could only rely on acting cute to get by. He composed himself slightly, and his round almond eyes instantly reddened, like cherry blossoms in spring. His lips, reddened from the kiss, pouted slightly. “Well, I’m hungry. The kind of hungry that can only be satisfied by the most expensive cherries in the supermarket~”
Completely unable to resist Lin Ganzhi’s coquettishness, Yan Shengping said, “Let’s go.”
With that, he sat up straight, put his hands on the steering wheel, and started the car.
Having been a young master for decades, Yan Shengping had never driven for anyone, even after falling from grace. Lin Ganzhi was the first, but for Ganzhi, he was willing.
According to Yan Shengping, his new identity could be announced after the New Year, so they had to be even more careful before then to give people the impression that their life was quite ordinary. Lin Ganzhi, of course, cooperated enthusiastically. Although even he didn’t know how much Yan Shengping’s new identity was worth, he didn’t really care. The fact that Yan Shengping’s health had completely recovered was the greatest joy for him.
For this outing, Yan Shengping had even deliberately changed into an oversized coat. With his pale complexion, he looked every bit the sickly beauty. The two wore matching masks, but once they entered the supermarket, Yan Shengping’s graceful and elegant temperament was undeniable, something a mere mask couldn’t hide.
At first, people just looked at them discreetly, without doing anything too drastic.
Lin Ganzhi, long accustomed to being the center of attention, grabbed Yan Shengping and headed straight for the fruit section.
This was the first time Yan Shengping had ever gone grocery shopping with someone. When he saw that the fruit at the stalls was cut up and placed on small plates for people to sample, his surprise was hard for Lin Ganzhi to miss.
“You… have you never been to this kind of supermarket before?”
Yan Shengping thought for a moment and gave an answer: “I was never very concerned with gastronomic pleasures before.” In short, he had never thought of wasting his precious time on grocery shopping.
Lin Ganzhi thought: I almost forgot Yan Shengping is a genuine rich second generation. I don’t resent the rich, not at all!
“Well, try this now.” Lin Ganzhi picked up a washed cherry and held it to Yan Shengping’s lips.
Yan Shengping’s gaze paused for a moment before he opened his mouth and bit into the cherry.
Just as Lin Ganzhi was about to ask if it was sweet, he suddenly remembered that Yan Shengping didn’t like to eat food from unknown sources, as it made him feel insecure.
“I almost forgot! You can spit it out! We’ll just buy a lot later to make up for it,” Lin Ganzhi said, pulling a tissue from his pocket and holding it to Yan Shengping’s mouth.
Yan Shengping chewed without changing his expression, then turned and threw the pit into the trash can. “It’s fine. It’s just one. It’s quite sweet. Let’s buy some.” There was no sign of reluctance on Yan Shengping’s face.
Lin Ganzhi put the tissue away, feeling inexplicably happy. He reached out and picked one for himself, taking off his mask. “Then I’ll try one too. There aren’t many people during the New Year, so five boxes should be about right,” Lin Ganzhi calculated seriously.
Not many people, but the individuals were quite large. Yan Shengping couldn’t help but smile, glad that Lin Ganzhi hadn’t guessed his thoughts at that moment.
After eating that one, Lin Ganzhi led Yan Shengping to other fruit stalls, determined to try everything in the fruit section!
However, this time Lin Ganzhi didn’t let Yan Shengping try any more fruit. He was touched that Yan Shengping was willing to accept it for his sake, but he didn’t want Yan Shengping to change for him. Besides, his family was probably quite wealthy; he could afford to indulge one or two of his partner’s little quirks.
“Young man, look at these rock sugar tangerines over here, they’re especially sweet!”
“The mangosteens here are super fresh, free samples!”
“Young man, how about some cream strawberries!”
Lin Ganzhi’s momentum of trying one and buying one successfully attracted the attention of the sales ladies. The fruit section suddenly turned into a battle for his favor. They all waved him over to try their samples, and some even offered to peel the fruit for him on the spot.
Lin Ganzhi was a soft touch. Whichever auntie called him, he would go over. He would also sweetly say “thank you” while eating, which made the aunties like him even more. Soon, Lin Ganzhi didn’t even have time to put his mask back on.
“Damn! If my eyes aren’t deceiving me, that’s Lin Ganzhi, right? And the one with him is?” In a corner, two girls on winter break were in shock. They had actually run into a celebrity in a regular supermarket!
At that moment, Lin Ganzhi had just taken off his mask to try a piece of pomelo an auntie had personally peeled for him. The pomelo was so juicy that even though Lin Ganzhi tried his best to contain it in his mouth, some juice still trickled out. Yan Shengping, standing beside him, pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped the corner of Lin Ganzhi’s mouth. With his mouth full of pomelo, Lin Ganzhi seemed to have something to say but couldn’t get it out. He could only look up at Yan Shengping with his sparkling eyes.
Yan Shengping was wearing a mask, but the doting smile in his eyes was almost enough to draw a person in.
Damn! My ship has come to life!