Mu Jianian sneered, his voice sounding as if squeezed from his throat.
“Do you really think that just because you’ve had a few drinks, people will rush to help you?”
“Young Master Jiang is truly pitifully naive.”
Mu Jianian yanked his wrist and pulled him outside.
His steps were too large, and Jiang Luoluo stumbled twice.
Having drunk alcohol, his nerves were dulled, making his movements already clumsy. Now, he struggled to keep up with Mu Jianian’s pace.
Mu Jianian suddenly stopped, and Jiang Luoluo lurched forward, collapsing onto his back.
The door to room 3502 was ajar, and a group of men’s boisterous conversation spilled out.
Fueled by alcohol, their words were laced with undisguised lewdness.
“Old Qian, didn’t you have some connection with President Jiang back in the day? What, are you eyeing his son now?”
“Don’t you feel ashamed?”
The man called Old Qian chuckled. “Pot calling the kettle black.”
“But I have to admit, Old Jiang raised two fine sons. Both are stunning… especially the older one. He’s so delicate, even prettier than the young models at Nightfall Club…”
“That face is so tender, you could squeeze water out of it.”
“If he hadn’t sworn off, I’d be tempted to join you guys and try him out…”
“Don’t you dare try to steal him from me! I saw him first!”
“Saw him? What good does that do? He hasn’t agreed to anything! I saw him first too!”
“He hasn’t agreed?”
A knowing chuckle filled the room. “Get him drunk, drag him to a hotel, and who cares if he agrees or not!”
“Maybe once we get started, he’ll be the one clinging to us…”
Jiang Luoluo felt a chill crawl down his spine, and half his sobriety returned.
Those men who had been so affectionately calling him “uncle” were now plying him with alcohol while pretending to be concerned elders.
They were wolves in sheep’s clothing, utterly repulsive.
Jiang Luoluo’s face paled in waves, his stomach began to convulse, and he felt the urge to vomit.
Stumbling, he continued toward the restroom.
He didn’t see Mu Jianian’s face darken as he overheard the conversation. His expression was even more grim than Jiang Luoluo’s.
A violent rage churned in Mu Jianian’s bottomless eyes, almost taking the form of tangible flames that threatened to consume everyone in the room.
Ignoring the unsteady footsteps retreating from his side, Mu Jianian suppressed his fury and turned to pursue Jiang Luoluo in the direction he had disappeared.
In the restroom, Jiang Luoluo leaned against the sink, one hand gripping the faucet, the other clawing at his throat as he vomited uncontrollably.
When he finally rinsed his mouth and lifted his head, his eyes were completely red-rimmed.
His lashes, soaked and clumped together, made him look like a pathetic little rabbit.
Mu Jianian stood in a dark gray suit, half his face hidden in the shadows of the lamplight, watching Jiang Luoluo.
Jiang Luoluo turned around and called his assistant. “Have Xiao Chen bring the car around—”
His voice was hoarse with unshed tears, but before he could finish speaking, his phone was snatched away.
The person on the other end of the line said “Hello” a few times, but Mu Jianian pressed the hang-up button.
His voice was cold. “What’s this? Abandoning the company and just leaving?”
The person before him’s eyelashes fluttered. He raised his face to look at Mu Jianian. “What else can I do?”
His tone was light. “Should I just go back and keep pretending?”
Mu Jianian cupped Jiang Luoluo’s chin, forcing him to meet his gaze.
Mu Jianian’s phoenix eyes were half-lidded, filled with undisguised malice.
“Oh… I thought someone like Young Master Jiang would offer himself without hesitation to anyone with enough wealth and power…”
Mu Jianian hated himself.
Jiang Luoluo’s face turned pale.
Mu Jianian continued, “Comet Technology won’t survive this.”
Jiang Luoluo furrowed his delicate brows.
Mu Jianian was lying.
Jiang Luoluo had reviewed the company’s data and development reports, and he’d consulted his father.
As things stood, Comet Technology was facing a minor crisis, but it wasn’t nearly as fragile as Mu Jianian claimed.
His thoughts were written plainly on his face, prompting a low chuckle from Mu Jianian.
The gaze fixed on his face felt like the hidden surveillance of a venomous snake. Mu Jianian’s voice was cold and chilling:
“Of course, Comet Technology could have severed its own arms to save itself…”
“But who knew Young Master Jiang would run into me today?”
Jiang Luoluo looked up at him sharply.
Mu Jianian leaned in close, his alcohol-tinged breath brushing against Jiang Luoluo’s face.
“Jiang Luoluo, do you regret that relationship from back then?”
Before Jiang Luoluo could answer, Mu Jianian himself released his grip on Jiang Luoluo’s face.
“I do.”
The man let out a contemptuous laugh, his voice as sharp and icy as a blade piercing Jiang Luoluo’s heart.
“It’s truly a disgusting memory.”
Jiang Luoluo’s body stiffened. “I’m sorry…”
It was he who owed Mu Jianian an apology.
It was he who had caused Mu Jianian to drop out of school and miss his exams.
It was he who had changed Mu Jianian’s life.
“Mu Jianian, I’m sorry…”
Jiang Luoluo’s voice was barely a whisper, his watery eyes filled with pleading.
“You can punish me, but can you spare Comet Technology? It’s my father’s life’s work. His illness is severe, and he needs a lot of money. We can’t afford to lose Comet Technology…”
Mu Jianian’s voice was cold and detached. “Your father’s illness has nothing to do with me.”
Jiang Luoluo bit his lip, tears streaming down his cheeks.
Mu Jianian frowned, watching him.
The man in front of him raised a hand to wipe away his tears.
Mu Jianian said indifferently, “That’s how business works. Interests clash, and knives are wielded everywhere, unseen. Comet Technology’s decline benefits us.”
“Jiang Luoluo, why do you think I’d let you off just because you asked?”
“Do you really think I’m so pathetic as to still love you?”
The man wiping his tears obediently shook his head. “I know you don’t love me anymore.”
“I’m sorry, Mu Jianian, for bothering you today. I’ll find another way to handle Comet Technology’s situation. I won’t trouble you again.”
Jiang Luoluo washed his face again.
He couldn’t bear to meet Mu Jianian’s gaze, filled with loathing. That look was more painful than the vile words he’d overheard at the door.
Thinking of the group at the 3502 banquet hall, Jiang Luoluo patted his pockets, suddenly realizing he’d left the documents behind.
He slumped his hand, his red-rimmed eyes fixed on the hem of Mu Jianian’s suit. “I’m leaving.”
Then he turned and walked toward room 3502.
Mu Jianian watched him run back without looking back, his anger flaring even hotter.
With his height and long legs, he caught up in a few strides, pinning Jiang Luoluo’s shoulder against the wall like a roaring lion, his voice a low growl:
“How dare you go back?”
“Would you sell your ass for such a small company?”
“Desperate times call for desperate measures? Are you just letting yourself sink?”
“Jiang Luoluo, is that all you’re worth?”
The man before him raised his wet eyes, a look of startled panic in his pupils.
The man towering over him was tall and imposing, his dark eyes fixed on Jiang Luoluo, who felt a sudden, inexplicable fear.
“Didn’t you want to save Comet Technology?”
His shoulder was being gripped painfully. Jiang Luoluo heard Mu Jianian say, word by word:
“Jiang Luoluo, sell yourself to me.”
“Consider it atonement.”
As Mu Jianian dragged him out of the Magnificent Villa, Jiang Luoluo still hadn’t recovered.
The large hand gripping his wrist was tight, as if afraid he would escape.
Pushed into the car, the driver asked, “President Mu, going home?”
Mu Jianian paused for a moment. “To the hotel.”
In the five-star hotel, Mu Jianian shrugged off his coat and tossed it onto the sofa.
Jiang Luoluo suddenly snapped back to reality. “Mu Jianian, your girlfriend…”
Mu Jianian paused, turning his head to look at him.
“Jiang Luoluo, remember your place.”
“Don’t ask what you shouldn’t, and don’t meddle where you don’t belong.”
His slender fingers rested on Jiang Luoluo’s shirt button, pulling him closer until their faces were inches apart, his plaid tie brushing against Jiang Luoluo’s collar.
“Fulfill your duties as my secret lover.”
“Once I’m done playing with you, you can leave. Comet Technology will be safe.”
These words, dripping with humiliation, reddened Jiang Luoluo’s eyes. The small face before him turned deathly pale, as white as paper.
He stammered through choked sobs, “Mu Jianian, I don’t need your help anymore…”
He would go back and think again. Perhaps there was another way to save Comet Technology.
He refused to do it this way.
Jiang Luoluo took two steps back, heading for the door.
A hand grabbed his arm, throwing him onto the bed.
Mu Jianian loosened his tie, the long black plaid strip binding Jiang Luoluo’s slender wrists.
The scent of alcohol filled the air as Mu Jianian’s voice turned icy.
“Jiang Luoluo, do you really think I’ll let you go now?”
A shirt button popped open, and Jiang Luoluo’s eyes widened in sudden terror…
When Jiang Luoluo woke up again, it was already noon.
The room was empty, eerily silent.
If it weren’t for the excruciating pain, it would have felt like a dream.
His throat was dry and hoarse, burning like it was on fire.
Jiang Luoluo pulled the blanket aside and reached for the glass of water on the bedside table, sipping it slowly.
The System materialized in his mind. [Host, are you alright?]
Jiang Luoluo shook his head, his long eyelashes drooping.
“Not at all.”
The System sighed. [Mu Jianian used to treat you so well. It’s just that he went dark after he grew up.]
It would have been better if the System hadn’t mentioned the past Mu Jianian. The reminder made Jiang Luoluo’s heart ache again.
“It doesn’t matter,” Jiang Luoluo said, setting down the glass. “After all, he was the one who worked hard last night.”
He put on a brave face for the System, pretending to be magnanimous and unconcerned. But as soon as he tried to sit up, a wave of soreness washed over him, forcing him to collapse back onto the bed with a groan.
Jiang Luoluo’s eyes instantly reddened, and tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.
“You dog of a man!”
“You can’t do anything right, yet you try to keep a mistress like some kind of garlic masher!”
“Who marries him will be cursed for life!”
The System’s voice fluctuated, a mixture of shyness and curiosity: [Villain Boss, is he really that awful?]
Jiang Luoluo carefully slid off the bed, his feet landing on the carpet. He nodded earnestly.
“I sincerely, very sincerely, suggest that men like him should be properly trained before being released into the world!”
Having finished its gossip, the System’s mechanical voice sounded conflicted: [But no one dares train him!]
Just as Jiang Luoluo took a step, a sharp pain shot through his leg, making him tremble. He hadn’t heard the System’s words clearly. “What?”
Realizing it had spoken out of turn, the System fell silent, pretending to have lost connection.
At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.
