Why did Brother He look so desperate and sad? If he knew that his second uncle had also been lying...
What will happen to him?
⚹
Zhang Chaohe rushed out of the venue in one breath. He felt a suffocating sensation, like lack of oxygen, silently engulfing him, as if someone was pointing a gun at him and leading him step by step into the sea. The seawater gently but forcefully enveloped him, but he could not turn back.
Why is Ji Boyang... Ji Er?
How could Ji Er possibly be Ji Boyang?
He had imagined countless possibilities. In countless nightmares, he was firmly imprisoned in the middle of the road by an unknown force, and a heavy truck with its headlights flashing was about to crash into him... In the distance stood a man whose face he couldn't see.
He looks like the character Xiao Hei from Detective Conan, who has only pale white eyes and a crescent-shaped mouth.
Now Xiao Hei has a face, but it belongs to his friend Ji Boyang.
Those who will rush to bid on Ms. Zhao's paintings are just easy targets.
The person who brings delicious food to the company.
He would forcibly take away the adorable Duo Lan and the dog-loving Ji Boyang.
Zhang Chaohe squatted beside a car of unknown brand, the sun making the black body scorching hot. He buried his face in his arms, feeling miserable. Everything today felt like a dream, as if from the moment their eyes met, the pointer of fate had quietly begun to turn—
It's saying that you've still lost him.
Zhang Chaohe sniffed sullenly. What should he do now? Should he strike while the iron was hot and try to improve his relationship with Ji Boyang, asking him not to misunderstand?
What is his current attitude towards Cheng Jixue, and why is he approaching me... Is it because he wants to monitor me and his baby up close?
So was everything he did just an act?
But can anyone really act that well? To be able to convey a smile of hidden suspicion so sincerely, and to portray a scrutinizing gaze so clearly and naturally?
Zhang Chaohe's mind was in complete chaos. All he wanted to do was go home and get some sleep. Perhaps the moment he lifted the covers, he would realize that it was all just a dream.
As his mind wandered, he suddenly heard a gentle voice, as soft as a handful of water, sound very close by: "Sir, are you alright?"
Zhang Chaohe looked up blankly. Due to the prolonged self-destructive pressing, his vision was blurry, and he could only make out a slightly bent-over figure. He remained frozen for a while before his vision refocused, and he could finally see the other person's face clearly.
The other person had a pair of beautiful and familiar eyes—although they were single eyelids, the corners of their eyes were upturned, and the corners of their eyes had a clean and sharp curve. Their lips were also thin and had a hint of coral red.
There is also a small, bright red mole above the brow bone.
Zhang Chaohe was already in a state of shock, and in his daze, he almost mistook him for Cheng Jixue.
The young man patiently bent down to look at him, his expression remaining calm and polite, showing no probing but only concern.
Zhang Chaohe remained silent for a moment, then shook his head and stood up—however, he might have twisted his ankle from squatting down casually, and when he suddenly stood up, his legs went weak and he almost fell down again, but luckily the young man caught him in time.
The young man looked even more worried: "Are you really alright?"
When Zhang Chaohe straightened up and looked at him again, he found that the subtle similarities between him and Cheng Jixue were not very obvious. If Cheng Jixue was the red maple in late autumn, vibrant yet with a chill and desolation; then he was the autumn moon in August, cool yet gentle, with a wandering beauty in his eyes and brows.
He quickly suppressed all distracting thoughts and stood as straight as a sword. Zhang Chaohe tried his best to appear dignified and powerful, and politely thanked him, "I'm fine, thank you for your concern."
"That's great." The young man smiled slightly—and as soon as he smiled, Zhang Chaohe's mind was filled with that strange feeling again, as if even the curve of his lips was so similar to Cheng Jixue's.
Zhang Chaohe: I never thought I had such a potential to "see red as green and think of many things".
He composed himself and walked into the venue, but after walking quite a distance, he inexplicably turned back for a glance. The young man seemed to be standing there watching his back, and when he turned around, he was startled for a moment, then waved to him.
Zhang Chaohe has always been unable to resist such gentle and kind gazes. He immediately and decisively turned back to the meeting room. Chairman Zhang looked a little strange and nervously asked Zhang Chaohe, "Where did you go?"
Not wanting his father to worry, Zhang Chaohe casually replied, "I was bored, so I went out for some fresh air."
These were indeed words Zhang Chaohe would say… Chairman Zhang subconsciously let out a sigh of relief. Although Zhang Chaohe didn't seem very happy, his expression remained normal. Chairman Zhang probed again, “Did you just see someone you know?”
This time, Zhang Chaohe finally fell silent. He hesitated for a moment and said, "I saw a friend, and I just felt it was strange that he was here."
Chairman Zhang gently patted his shoulder with his broad hand: "It's Ji Boyang, isn't it?"
Zhang Chaohe looked at Chairman Zhang in surprise. Chairman Zhang said in a gentle voice, "I haven't found a suitable opportunity to tell you. Before, your father and aunt thought you liked this Xiao Ji, so they investigated him privately. They found that although he had fabricated an ordinary identity, your Uncle Ma still found some clues, which were enough to deduce that he was actually from the Ji family in Beijing."
Chairman Zhang first whispered a few names and positions, all of whom were people whose mere presence would make the Standing Committee tremble. Then he shook his head seriously: "Although Dad doesn't want to interfere with your friendships, his family situation is too complicated, Diandian. Dad doesn't know if he has any other motives for befriending our family, but I still hope you can remain vigilant in front of him."
Zhang Chaohe really wanted to tell him that all of this was actually paving the way for the beautiful love between the main characters. Ji Boyang... oh, Second Master Ji, he didn't want to start a business war; he just wanted to keep an eye on his dear wife.
Because he wanted to avenge his beloved, he became known as "Tianliang Zhangpo" and "Truck Creator." In his eyes, other people's life's efforts and lives were just glorious achievements to decorate the facade of love—Ji Boyang, how powerful you are!
Zhang Chaohe suddenly sneered. He didn't say anything, but when he looked around, he saw that Ji Boyang was also looking in his direction.
Its eyes were timid, like those of a helpless and pitiful puppy.
The moment Zhang Chaohe met his gaze, Ji Boyang's eyes suddenly lit up. He stared intently at Zhang Chaohe, even his eyebrows were furrowed in surprise!
Zhang Chaohe stared at him for a while, then suddenly revealed a distant, polite, but emotionless smile.
Ji Boyang's eyes went out in an instant. He lowered his head sadly, his fingers unconsciously fidgeting with his cuffs. The middle-aged man next to him seemed to have said something to him, and then he also looked up at Zhang Chaohe.
His smile was very kind, with a magnanimous quality that seemed to embrace everything. The other person smiled and nodded to Zhang Chaohe, like a kind elder.
The problem is that this old gentleman looks very much like Cheng Jixue... He even looks more like him than the young man from before. He's practically a worn-out version of Cheng Jixue, with a high degree of similarity to Cheng Jixue except for his age, features, and facial features.
It's the kind of paper that can't even pass a plagiarism check.
Zhang Chaohe sighed, "Am I crazy today? It seems like the whole world has suddenly become involved with Cheng Jixue?"
Unbeknownst to him, Ji Boyang was also whispering to his grandfather—Cheng Jixue's biological father: "Look at that incredibly handsome guy, the one from the Zhang family! He's my second uncle's girlfriend!"
Ji Fusheng rubbed his hands together excitedly: "Oh! My youngest son, right? Very good, very good. How long have you been dating?"
Ji Boyang: "..."
"Hmm... Is it possible that we haven't caught up yet?"
Ji Fusheng became even more gloating upon hearing this: "Maybe, maybe, very likely! They probably think he's not handsome enough or manly enough. Oh dear, I've been advising him not to sing female roles and to learn male roles instead, but he wouldn't listen!"
Ji Boyang: Is there another possibility that a delicate and beautiful young woman is captivating, while a delicate and beautiful old man is terrifying?
Ji Fusheng waved away several chairmen who had gathered around and continued to eat melons with his grandson. He had fallen in love with Ji's mother at first sight when he was young, and they had a whirlwind marriage and children. In addition, Ji Da had also married very young, so there didn't seem to be a deep generation gap between him and his grandson. The two had a very good relationship.
Seeing his grandson's disappointed look, he asked, "Why didn't you go over and say hello?"
Ji Boyang felt even more upset upon hearing this. In the instant he made eye contact with Zhang Chaohe, he clearly saw the defensiveness and distance in his second aunt's eyes, as if she had evolved directly from being angry to a realm he couldn't grasp.
Ji Fusheng observed Zhang Chaohe for a while, then suddenly asked, "Your second uncle... isn't he hiding anything from people, is he?"
Ji Boyang fell silent on the spot.
What am I supposed to say?
My second uncle doesn't hide anything from people, does he?!
Especially Zhang Chaohe's reaction just now... he even wondered if there was some deep-seated hatred between them. Ji Boyang felt worried for his second uncle just thinking about it.
what to do.
ah.
Second Uncle, good luck to you.
⚹
Zhang Chaohe attends these summits and forums simply to join in the fun. He always feels a sense of honor to participate in history when he sees the bigwigs making pronouncements and whose words may even have a significant impact on future economic policies.
Of course, he also ran into Chairman Chu, whom he had met before when he was trying to stop Director Lu Xun from attending a banquet. Chairman Zhang greeted his old friend and the two chatted for a bit.
Chairman Chu suddenly recalled the time when Zhang Chaohe led a group to snatch roles, and casually asked, "Did those two young men get the roles?"
Zhang Chaohe paused for a moment.
Not only did I get them, but I almost got one of them arrested.
Chairman Zhang clearly remembered his son's glorious achievements and subtly changed the subject. Just then, Ji Fusheng arrived with Ji Boyang.
The two had met before, and exchanged polite handshakes and warm greetings. Ji Fusheng thought to himself, "How outrageous! This most unfamiliar yet most familiar business rival is actually my future in-law!" Zhang Dong thought to himself, "How outrageous! You're training your grandson and then having the old man keep an eye on him first? Isn't that making a mountain out of a molehill?"
Neither side knew what the other was thinking. They both smiled amicably on the surface, but the two younger ones were awkward and hesitant, like two snails having a tiff.
Although Zhang Chaohe had figured out that he needed to actively improve his relationship with Ji Er, he was furious because this Ji Er was actually Ji Boyang!
Wow, even if you grabbed a stranger on the street and said, "This is Ji Er," he wouldn't feel this heartbroken!
He couldn't quite describe his current state of mind; it was a mix of relaxation and tension... Since Ji Er was Ji Boyang, did that mean he could relax a bit and work harder to avoid being injured to death? But Ji Boyang was watching... all those little things he and Cheng Jixue were doing!
If Ji Er were to act so lovey-dovey with Cheng Jixue right in front of him, he might just throw a huge sack of gifts at him on the spot!
Ji Boyang had just received the highest instructions from the command headquarters to fully clarify the key points of the "Operation to Win Over Second Aunt" and find out why Zhang Chaohe's anger was so far beyond normal.
However, despite his many attempts, and even learning the art of feigning weakness and manipulative tactics from his second uncle, his brother He remained cold and aloof, refusing to listen, look, ask, cooperate, or know anything, firmly adhering to the "five no's" principle.
The real Zhang Chaohe: Why is he twisting his body so strangely? Is there some kind of conspiracy?
Zhang Chaohe also secretly sized up Ji Boyang—judging him entirely from the critical eyes of a love rival, the other party was not tall, had no strong aura, and was not cool-looking, making him arguably the most unsuccessful creation in the history of creating a Mary Sue husband!
Then look at Mr. Zhang, whose height is 1.82 meters, which must be engraved on his tombstone. He has a powerful aura like a central air conditioner, and his appearance is a combination of cool and pure charm. He can be called an absolute perfect husband and a true man who dotes on his wife!
And they're very rich!!
How could such a handsome guy be cannon fodder?
Zhang Chaohe was internally pounding his fist – the world is so unfair!
So, during the next few days of the summit, Ji Boyang used every means to make his presence known to Brother He. He would run around in front of him during the day and send him a sweet goodnight greeting plus a cat emoji at night.
Zhang Chaohe: He's so annoying! (Takes another look)
Ji Boyang: Yay! My second aunt hasn't blocked me on WeChat yet! (Takes another look)
Until the summit closed, Ji Boyang was unable to strike up a conversation with his second aunt again. He stared longingly at Zhang Chaohe from afar, trying to catch his second aunt's glances at him—but Zhang Chaohe didn't even turn his head. Instead, he was talking to a distant cousin of the Ji family.
Ji Boyang secretly took out his phone. Fortunately, his phone was relatively expensive and had a high pixel count, so he could take clear photos that looked like he was there in person.
He pinched his fingers together and then spread them out, enlarging the photo to look at with his grandfather: "His back really does look a bit like my second uncle."
Ji Fusheng glanced at him casually and said, "This child has talent, but his heart is not pure. Send him out to a foreign country in the future."
"What was his name again?" Ji Boyang tried hard to recall: "I think he was the son of some distant aunt..."
“His name is Fu Xuezhu,” Ji Fusheng said casually, “I didn’t even notice he came along.”
Meanwhile, Zhang Chaohe was talking to the young man he had just bumped into. He had been leaving with the crowd when he accidentally knocked over the documents the man was carrying. The young man was startled, and the two looked up at each other, only to realize they had met once before.
"My name is Fu Xuezhu, and I work in venture capital." The young man introduced himself, and when he smiled, the small mole above his eyebrow would move slightly upward, making him look playful and cute.
Zhang Chaohe had a good impression of him and took the initiative to shake hands with Fu Xuezhu: "My name is Zhang Chaohe, and I work in the entertainment industry."