“His surname is Li…” His second uncle calmly took a sip of tea, and Ji Boyang could even hear the crisp sound of his second uncle tapping his leg with the fan ribs.
The sound of the beat suddenly stopped: "Li Ye?"
Ji Boyang had a bad feeling: "Yes."
"Film to the very end." Uncle said succinctly, his tone somewhat cold.
Ji Boyang: What sins have I committed to deserve getting involved in this mess?
Zhang Chaohe is sure to successfully relinquish the top spot of the wronged son today. The atmosphere in the room is heated up by this little-known ancient painting. A few people also raised their bids twice out of curiosity. Anyway, their bids will be quickly overtaken by these two. Even if they really mess up, it will only be a little over ten million.
It also gives Chairman Zhang a favor, so it's not a loss no matter how you look at it.
The woman next to her seized the opportunity to flatter Ms. Zhao: "Mrs. Zhang has donated such valuable antiques; you truly have the heart of a bodhisattva!"
Zhang Chaohe thought to himself, "People these days just blindly exaggerate. Before flattering someone, they should at least do some research on Wikipedia. The auction record from last time is still there!"
Ms. Zhao inexplicably became the center of attention, which infuriated the original wives' group. He Guangyin still had his Bai Chen in his heart, and couldn't help but visit Zhang Chaohe often—which was discovered by Mrs. He, who then gave him a good scolding.
Amidst the chaos, the young master Ji finally lost his patience and raised his sign, shouting, "Twenty million!"
Zhang Chaohe gasped in shock. Twenty million! Also a twenty-fold premium, but this one is even more significant!
He felt inexplicably happy, perhaps because the unusual surname Ji Boyang reminded him of the elusive Second Master Ji, so seeing Ji Boyang repeating his mistakes made him feel a bit smug...
As expected, after the auctioneer called the price three times, Li Ye did not bid again. He shrugged, which earned him a good-natured chuckle from the audience.
Nobody's money comes from thin air. Although no one cares about this string of numbers, it is obviously a bit too much of a waste to spend 20 million yuan of real money just to spite someone.
Because the bidding in this round was so outrageous, Ji Boyang personally went to the finance department to verify his assets, proving that he indeed had the corresponding ability to pay.
After he was respectfully led back to his seat by the staff, the entire audience gave Ji Boyang the most sincere applause of respect—he was truly a victim of injustice, but the money was indeed genuinely used for charity!
Charity newcomer Ji Boyang, with his 20 million yuan donation, triumphed over all others to win the center position in the group photo at the banquet, enjoying the top-level treatment of being flanked by Mr. Zhang on his left and Mr. Li on his right.
Ji Boyang shook hands with Zhang Chaohe earnestly: "I've heard so much about you, Mr. Zhang. You are truly a young hero with great courage!"
Zhang Chaohe gave a businesslike smile, thinking to himself, "You little spendthrift, you look to be no more than twenty, and you dare to praise me as a young hero?" But he still nodded politely to express his mutual appreciation.
Seeing the two holding hands tightly, Li Ye joked, "Are you two about to become sworn brothers? Mr. Zhang, wait a minute—"
He had intended to ask Mr. Zhang to stay a little longer, so that his assistant could take the diamond he had ordered for his aunt after completing the formalities. However, an important phone call came in unexpectedly, so he had to leave his sentence unfinished, give Mr. Zhang an apologetic gesture, and step aside to take the call.
Zhang Chaohe quickly forgot about Li Ye—he looked around and saw Bai Chen exchanging pleasantries with a CEO, his smile just as genuine as it had been just moments before.
He rushed back to his lounge before Bai Chen could, intending to smuggle He Guangyin in. Just as Zhang Chaohe opened the door with his spare key card, He Guangyin, who had been crouching in the stairwell, burst in.
He closed the door, and He Guangyin immediately rushed over. The kid, disregarding everything, rammed into Zhang Chaohe with sheer force, his fingers trembling as he gripped Zhang's tie: "You...you'd better not lie to me."
Zhang Chaohe's gaze was deep: "Let go."
He Guangyin then realized that his arrogant act was tantamount to pulling the tiger's hair out of its head. He withdrew his hand in a trembling manner, looking as pitiful as a wrinkled old steamed bun: "Yes, I'm sorry, President Zhang."
Zhang Chaohe slowly straightened his pulled-out tie. He Guangyin looked at the other man's long, strong fingers and deep, handsome profile with a hint of envy—he was taller and leaner than him, and also had more of that masculine, masculine energy.
In short, he would definitely be the type Xiao Chen likes. As long as the other person's eyes are still intact, he would never choose someone as plain-looking and cowardly as himself.
He Guangyin silently lowered his head, dragged his feet into the room next door, and half-closed the door.
Zhang Chaohe watched his lonely figure for a while, then deliberately rolled up his shirt sleeves to reveal his strong forearms, and turned to the dressing mirror by the door to check if he was perfect.
To be fair, he does seem very valuable, which is why Bai Chen ignored the fish that were being raised well in the pond and instead tried to hitch a ride on Boss Zhang's big ship.
Oh, although he might have kicked over the other person's fishpond.
Zhang Chaohe was about to turn on his recording software to record the whole thing in case of a staged accident when his WeChat call suddenly rang. Cheng Jixue's original profile picture was a very old-fashioned teacup, but a few days ago, for some reason, it suddenly changed to a picture of a melon rind grinning.
At that moment, Cheng Jixue called him on WeChat. Guapi's smiling face kept jumping on Zhang Chaohe's phone screen, as if Guapi was playfully nudging Zhang Chaohe.
Zhang Chaohe simply couldn't resist the adorable melon rind, and after looking at it reluctantly for a while, he answered the phone: "Hello?"
"Is it finished with Mr. Zhang?" Cheng Jixue seemed to hear the sound of water and the clattering of plates and dishes.
It has a very down-to-earth feel.
Zhang Chaohe suddenly felt very hungry. He had really wanted to eat that cake, but he couldn't let go of his pride, so he was a little sullen and didn't eat anything afterwards.
Now, the sound of porcelain clashing instantly overwhelms him with a sense of grievance and hunger.
He gave a soft "hmm".
"Have you eaten yet?" Cheng Jixue's voice was as gentle and considerate as ever.
Zhang Chaohe felt even more aggrieved. How could someone ask someone if they had eaten so late at night!
That's so rude! Do you think I'll get food just because I say I'm hungry?
Taking advantage of the fact that the other person couldn't see him, he gritted his teeth and said defiantly, "I didn't eat."
"Then send me your location. I made boiled fish tonight and will bring it to you."
In that instant, Cheng Jixue's words seemed to echo with holy light from afar: what nonsense about four million, what sucker, Left Protector—
It doesn't matter! None of it matters!!
Zhang Chaohe: I'm sorry, I immediately slid to my knees!
A note from the author:
Zhang and Cheng (lighting cigarettes): Dating is so expensive!
This morning, I don't know which lovely person airdropped me so many Moonstones! Since I can't find out who sent them, I can only express my gratitude here! And another lovely person even drew an adorable little sketch! Thank you so much, everyone!!
Then I realized that the nutrient solution seems to be almost at 1k. I'll try to write more these next two days to see if I can give you guys an extra chapter (scratching my head).
A big kiss to every one of Mr. Zhang's darlings who has accompanied him all the way!
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 29
Cheng Jixue hung up the WeChat call and opened her nephew's chat window—the conversation between the two was still on the line, "He doesn't seem to have eaten anything tonight."
Ji Boyang performed exceptionally well today, so he casually gave his nephew some pocket money.
Cheng Jixue put down her phone, tidied up the tableware that she had been using as a dubbing prop on the coffee table, and then found a clean bag to start putting in the ingredients and seasonings for making boiled fish.
He also slipped two band-aids into his pocket.
After he finished doing all that, he was about to leave when he saw Guapi lying on the small blanket, looking at him sadly and aggrievedly with her wet, dark eyes.
He came over and ruffled the top of the melon rind's head, chuckling softly, "I'll bring you over soon too."
Put on your hat, turn off the lights, and leave.
⚹
Zhang Chaohe was so tempted by the boiled fish that he wished he could fly out and eat right away.
However, at that moment, an electronic notification sound came from the doorway indicating that the magnetic stripe had been unlocked.
Zhang Chaohe glanced quickly at the half-open door to the room next to him—He Guangyin seemed as peaceful as if he were dead, showing no signs of anything amiss.
Bai Chen had already closed the door behind him. He leaned against the door with a seductive air, his eyes scrutinizing Zhang Chaohe. Although his eyes held a hint of allure and desire, they could not conceal the simmering eagerness and greed within him.
Zhang Chaohe was loosening his tie. Seeing that Bai Chen remained silent, he glanced at him casually and asked, "Do I need to invite you over?"
Bai Chen chuckled softly and straightened up from the door. Every movement he made was meticulously planned, probably following the currently popular "pure and sensual" style—the rich floral fragrance seemed to draw closer as he approached.
Zhang Chaohe was mentally pinching his nose frantically!
"Why isn't Mr. Zhang saying anything?" Bai Chen leaned closer, his hands moving as cold and serpentine as he tried to help Mr. Zhang undress.
Zhang Chaohe was really unable to cope—why did this person start hitting him while talking?
He could only move aside by throwing his phone onto the sofa.
Zhang Chaohe leaned back on the single sofa, resting his elbows on his crossed legs, his fingers interlaced: "Tell me, what do you want?"
"Mr. Zhang, there's no need to be so explicit..."
"Resources? Endorsements?" Zhang Chaohe interrupted his overtures: "Or is it simply about money, or... do you want to get married?"
He picked up the wine from the coffee table and poured himself a glass. The wine was a clear and beautiful amber color, and the brand-new, shiny glass reflected a beautiful rainbow of light.
The man held the wine glass with his long, strong fingers, but only examined it with his deep eyes, without bringing it to his lips. After a long while, he put the glass back on the table with little interest.
Bai Chen's mouth went dry for some reason, while Zhang Chaohe said, "What a close call!" He almost overdid it by showing off. If he hadn't just come up with a new level of showing off in a moment of quick thinking, he would have definitely crashed and burned today!
A glint flashed in Bai Chen's eyes.
This is so unexpected. He thought that all Xiao Zhang could give him was status, money, and the best resources... It turns out that Xiao Zhang was even willing to use marriage as bait?
He sighed softly, and walked over considerately and gently, picking up the wine glass and trying to feed Mr. Zhang the wine, but was pushed away by the other party with two fingers.
Mr. Zhang stared at him intently with his deep eyes: "Answer me."
Bai Chen finally realized that if he didn't give an answer today, President Zhang would never take things any further with him—he put down his wine glass and knelt down beside the sofa, resting his head on President Zhang's lap: "I sincerely want to be with President Zhang. Money, resources, I lack nothing, President Zhang... Brother He, I know you've seen many beauties..."
Zhang Chaohe: That's true.
"But please give me a chance to prove that I love you more than they all do."
Those glistening tears welled up in his eyes once again, and his eyes seemed to sparkle as he gazed at Zhang Chaohe with longing.
Zhang Chaohe suppressed a thousand curses he wanted to hurl at him for the money for the clothes, and finally revealed his true intentions, asking in a sarcastic tone, "But I heard that you had a relationship with He Guangyin before."
He pulled his leg back and casually brushed Bai Chen's face away: "You don't think of me and him as just suckers you've hooked up, do you?"
Bai Chen froze, thinking, "Why is this idiot going on and on? I'll tolerate your little tricks because you're handsome, and I'll try to appease you a bit more—"
"Fine, just tell me your attitude towards He Guangyin." Zhang Chaohe, fearing that he might do something surprising again, quietly got up and moved to the French windows.
How stupid! Bai Chen scoffed inwardly. Men in high positions of power often make this mistake. They are arrogant and used to flattery, always thinking that the whole world should love them.
"He's just harassing me." Bai Chen's eyes were filled with tears. "I'm also troubled by this. If it's wrong for someone to like me, I'm willing to apologize."
"Oh?" Zhang Chaohe drew the curtains, blocking out the noisy traffic of the night. Standing in the shadows, he said softly, "So you've never had feelings for him, never liked him, and his existence has even been a source of trouble for you..."
"is that so?"
Bai Chen secretly felt something was wrong—the other person's voice carried a hint of seduction, like a subtle poison mixed into a sweet cake, but he no longer cared about discerning it!
He tilted his head slightly and used the same trick again: "Yes... I hate his humble way of looking at me."