Chapter 14 – Lifting a Rock Only to Drop It on His Own Feet

Only after leaving the company did Lin Ganzhi realize his right arm was aching faintly. Before he could rub it, the window of a flashy, dark purple car rolled down, and Tian Nini took off her sunglasses and waved at him.

Lin Ganzhi immediately forgot about his arm and trotted over.

“Ganzhi, leave your clothes shopping to me today. I know the clothing stores around here best!” Tian Nini said confidently.

Lin Ganzhi looked at the light purple shirt Tian Nini was wearing, which, combined with his muscular build, gave off a “tiger gently sniffing a rose” vibe. He felt a growing resistance to the clothing store Tian Nini was about to take him to. However, not wanting to disappoint his friend, Lin Ganzhi ultimately decided to accept with a smile. He wasn’t very picky anyway, and if the clothes really didn’t suit him, he could just say so.

Don’t be fooled by Tian Nini’s sturdy build; he was actually a very steady driver, much like Lin Ganzhi himself. However, while his physical speed was not fast, his words launched Lin Ganzhi on a rocket to the moon.

“Ganzhi, have you and CEO Yan done it yet?”

Cough, cough, cough!

Lin Ganzhi’s cheeks flushed crimson! Yan Shengping was so frail; wouldn’t it be too fake if he said they had?

Ahhh! Who asks someone that right from the start!

But before Lin Ganzhi could come to a conclusion, Tian Nini answered for him. “We’re friends, Ganzhi, you don’t have to lie to me. I’ve known from the beginning what your feelings for CEO Yan are.”

Lin Ganzhi froze. What? He knew?

Lin Ganzhi felt a chill slowly rise from the soles of his feet.

“You must have fallen in love with CEO Yan at first sight, but CEO Yan probably hasn’t fully come to his senses yet,” Tian Nini said, looking like he understood them completely.

The heart that had been hanging in Lin Ganzhi’s throat slowly settled back down. With that understanding, he felt relieved. He said shyly, “Love at first sight is just lust at first sight. My love for him grew over time~ I used to read all the reports and news about Shengping. I’ve long been,” Lin Ganzhi paused, his earlobes turning red, “deeply in love with him!”

It happened to be a red light. Tian Nini stopped the car and made a tsk-tsk sound, looking at Lin Ganzhi with deep meaning. “Ganzhi, I just love a direct and passionate little baby like you. Today, sis is going to give you a push and help you and CEO Yan take that final step!”

!!!

Lin Ganzhi wanted to say, you really don’t have to be this enthusiastic, ahhh!

In the end, Lin Ganzhi found himself in front of a particularly artsy shop. It had white walls and monochromatic yet interesting mannequin displays. The store’s name, however, was very direct: Pure and Seductive Boys.

This, this, this!

He never would have thought Tian Nini would bring him to this kind of store!

He was serious!

“Ganzhi, let me tell you, CEO Yan is actually a very showy person. He doesn’t like flashy things. So many men and women in your circle have dressed up gaudily to try and get his attention at various banquets, but CEO Yan, with his several black belts, remained completely untouched. He said he wasn’t interested in relationships for the time being. Hmph, that’s because none of them understood this man’s true preferences!” Tian Nini said, his face full of pride as if he had Yan Shengping all figured out.

Lin Ganzhi stared blankly into the store, for the first time feeling what it was like to lift a rock only to drop it on his own feet. In other words, he didn’t have the guts to seduce his boss!

But Tian Nini didn’t even look at his expression and pushed him inside.

The shop owner was a clean-looking man with glasses. He had a long tassel earring on his right earlobe and a red birthmark at the corner of his eye, which wasn’t jarring but rather added a touch of androgynous charm.

“Welcome. Nini, long time no see.” The man’s smile was somewhat enchanting. His features weren’t stunning, but his aura was very attractive.

Tian Nini enthusiastically went forward and gave the man a bear hug, which the man returned without batting an eye.

“Ganzhi, this is the owner of this shop, Chi Feibai. He’s a really nice person. All the clothes in his shop are his own designs, and most importantly, they’re not expensive. Feibai is dedicated to making affordable custom clothing!” Tian Nini’s tone was filled with pride.

“Hello~” Lin Ganzhi greeted politely.

Chi Feibai smiled. “You don’t need to wear a mask in our shop. Otherwise, you won’t know what the overall look is like when you try on clothes.”

Lin Ganzhi scratched his head in embarrassment. “It’s mainly because my face tends to attract criticism. I’m afraid you won’t be able to resist.”

…

The atmosphere was tense for two seconds, until Chi Feibai burst out laughing. “I know you. Just for that, I guarantee no one will ever criticize you in my shop again.”

Wow!

Lin Ganzhi’s eyes lit up.

As a designer, Chi Feibai quickly sized up Lin Ganzhi’s proportions and height and swiftly put together two outfits for him to try on.

While Lin Ganzhi was trying on clothes inside, he could still hear the voices outside since it was just a curtain.

“Let’s have Ganzhi try this one later. This little sweater, once Ganzhi puts it on, his collarbones will be completely exposed. No top can resist this kind of temptation!”

“Hmm, not bad, but this shirt is also good. I designed it not long ago, boyfriend size, with a hollow-knit design in the middle. Whoever wears it will know.”

“This one’s great! Feibai, get me one of these later.”

“I’ll probably have to redesign it then. By the way, there’s a black hollow-knit one you can try.”

“Hehe, I’m here with Ganzhi today, I’ll come back for you in a few days. How about this one? The overalls, and this semi-sheer shirt is a set, right?”

…

Lin Ganzhi’s face was covered in dark lines. He regretted it. He regretted ever stepping into this store!

Lin Ganzhi first tried on a few regular outfits. After deciding on them and paying, Tian Nini came over with a delighted expression, holding the sweater they had been excitedly discussing.

“Ganzhi, try it on. If it fits, consider it a gift from me!” Tian Nini said with the face of a great matchmaker.

Lin Ganzhi looked at the blue and white patchwork sweater. This wasn’t just revealing the collarbones; with a little effort, his nipples would be on full display!

“Um,” Lin Ganzhi didn’t know what to say.

“Don’t you like CEO Yan? This outfit is perfectly fine for daily wear, and most importantly, CEO Yan will definitely love it. No one knows the boss better than me! He’s just an old-timer who’s outwardly reserved but inwardly passionate. If you don’t provoke him a little, he’ll never know how sought-after you are! Look at this little face, so endearing!” Tian Nini, a 1.9-meter-tall hunk, was now wearing a doting auntie’s smile and showering him with flattery!

If he didn’t wear it, it would mean he had ulterior motives. If he did wear it, what if Yan Shengping really was into this kind of thing?

“Excuse me, is there a restroom? I, uh, need to use the toilet first!” Lin Ganzhi urgently needed to calm down.

Chi Feibai very enthusiastically pointed to the end of the hall. Lin Ganzhi sprinted off. In the wind, he vaguely heard their discussion:

“The kid is still too shy,” Chi Feibai said with some regret.

“Yeah, that’s why he needs us adults to teach him well!”

Thanks, but no thanks!

Lin Ganzhi sat on the toilet lid, his forehead covered in cold sweat. As long as he wasn’t naked, he didn’t care what he wore. The problem was that Yan Shengping would see this outfit!

After thinking for a long time, Lin Ganzhi took out his phone and made a WeChat call.

Yan Shengping was sitting in the presidential suite of a hotel owned by a friend, his chin propped on one hand as he watched a huge screen. After four months, this was his first formal meeting. He raised his cold eyes to the screen as his confidant gave a hurried report, which was nearing its end.

Just then, Yan Shengping’s phone rang. It was Lin Ganzhi.

Yan Shengping frowned at his phone. After letting it ring for fifteen seconds, he finally raised his hand to pause the meeting. His confidant stopped his report and sat down.

Yan Shengping picked up the phone, turned around, and answered.

“What is it?” Yan Shengping’s voice was low and lazy, completely different from the serious tone he used during the meeting.

Lin Ganzhi swallowed and tried to be direct. “Shengping, if I wore something more revealing—ah, no, pure and seductive, would you feel differently?” Lin Ganzhi looked down at his white sneakers, feeling a bit embarrassed as he spoke. After all, he was a member of the Slang for Gay community, so he understood the gay community to some extent.

Yan Shengping sounded as if he had heard the funniest joke. Although he didn’t know what crazy idea Lin Ganzhi was having, he felt it was necessary to correct this person’s excessive and useless thoughts. “Even if you danced naked in front of me, I wouldn’t feel anything. Does that put your mind at ease?”

The anxiety in Lin Ganzhi’s heart immediately vanished. As expected of the boss, to be able to say something so blunt to the person he was legally married to. If they were a real couple, this level of harshness would surely lead to a beating and a divorce!

But to Lin Ganzhi, it was like finding a treasure. If his boss was this hopelessly unromantic, he could be completely at ease. He wouldn’t have to worry about his identity being revealed, and he could 100% guarantee his meal ticket!

“Mhm! Shengping, I admire you more and more! So, when I get back, can you help me draw a card?” Lin Ganzhi asked with eager anticipation.

Yan Shengping’s expression didn’t change as he slowly uttered a single word: “Scram.”

Alrighty then!

After ending the call, Yan Shengping turned around to continue the meeting, only to find that his confidants on the screen were all looking at him with complicated expressions.

Naked? No feeling? Scram?

What kind of peerless scumbag was their boss?!

Yan Shengping raised his eyes, a chill in them. “What are you staring at? Let’s continue.”

Wuwuwu~ But this peerless scumbag was their boss, and they didn’t have the guts to resist! They should probably go home and have their families give that kid Lin Ganzhi a follow, as a small token of comfort!

After ending the call, Lin Ganzhi left the restroom feeling satisfied, his state of mind completely different from before.

“Ganzhi, shall we try on the clothes?” Tian Nini sidled up with a grin.

Lin Ganzhi waved his hand grandly. “Let’s try them! If one isn’t enough, bring more!”

Tian Nini and Chi Feibai were both astonished. Just a trip to the toilet, and the kid had grown so much. He was truly teachable. They believed that in the near future, the kid would be able to join them in launching rockets!

After trying on the clothes, it was almost eleven o’clock. Tian Nini had originally wanted to treat them to a meal, but Lin Ganzhi’s phone rang. It was Uncle Yan.

“Uncle Yan is here to pick me up. Nini, I can’t go to eat with you guys today,” Lin Ganzhi said with some regret.

“I can give you a ride back later!” Tian Nini said, not minding another trip at all.

“But Shengping is coming with Uncle Yan,” Lin Ganzhi said, blushing appropriately.

The two old pros smiled. “Go on, go on. We can meet up next time!”

Lin Ganzhi nodded, said goodbye to them with five or six sets of new clothes in hand. His right arm ached a little from carrying the bags; he might have really injured it in the elevator. But in Lin Ganzhi’s dictionary, this kind of thing would heal on its own in two or three days.

Uncle Yan would be there in twenty minutes. Lin Ganzhi remembered that this was his first time out and he didn’t know what they liked, so he went to the chain supermarket next door and bought a large bag of hot pot ingredients. The temperature had dropped today, so it was perfect for hot pot at home!

Just as Lin Ganzhi finished shopping, Uncle Yan arrived. Lin Ganzhi deftly put his things away and slipped into the back seat.

Yan Shengping was holding a tablet. He casually looked up at Lin Ganzhi and then froze.

Lin Ganzhi was no longer wearing the sweater vest from this morning. Instead, he had on a light-colored blue and white patchwork sweater. The neckline was a cut-out design, looking fluffy and soft. The opening was large, and when Lin Ganzhi sat down, holding his phone and slightly bent over, a large expanse of his collarbone was visible with just a glance, the shadow leading to his smooth, pink shoulder. It was only then that he realized Lin Ganzhi was actually very thin; it was just his face that looked a bit chubby. The washed-out wide-leg jeans had a slit at the ankle, clearly revealing his protruding ankle bone.

It seemed like he was only revealing some insignificant spots, but these insignificant spots were like fine hairs, stubbornly wrapping around his heart!

“You!” Yan Shengping’s throat suddenly felt a little dry.

Lin Ganzhi looked up. When their eyes met, Yan Shengping suddenly remembered what he had said not long ago.