Chapter 23 – Paper Man 22
Luo Yuan had come to find Su Tang midway through the event, still needing to manage his business partners. After catching him, he kept Su Tang close at his side, forbidding him from wandering off. His peripheral gaze remained constantly aware of Su Tang’s presence, occasionally drawing him into conversations and having waiters bring over food when he noticed Su Tang looking hungry.
Though Su Tang hadn’t done anything wrong, being caught like a guilty man in Luo Yuan’s dramatic display left him inexplicably self-conscious. He could only lower his eyes and behave obediently. With nothing else to do and no social obligations to fulfill, he found himself drawn to the colorful cocktails carried by the waiters. They looked so appealing and seemed to promise a good taste, so he took one to drink.
During this time, Luo Yuan naturally encountered the male lead as the designated villain. The male lead had been chatting with others, exuding the air of a domineering CEO and boasting about himself. With the protagonist’s halo and his father’s protection, he could indeed impress people. Given enough time and experience, he might even become a major player in the industry. But having only worked at the company for less than two years, he was still too inexperienced. Especially when compared to Luo Yuan, the contrast was stark. Anyone with eyes could see who was the true heir apparent to the Luo family legacy.
But how could a domineering CEO like the male lead possibly think himself inferior to anyone else? Especially Luo Yuan, his half-blood brother who was always being compared to him. He’d longed to crush Luo Yuan underfoot and prove his superiority to everyone.
Luo Chen thought about the documents he’d had Chen Yingying steal for him, and he couldn’t help but imagine how wonderful it would be to successfully secure a major project. He envisioned the board recognizing his achievements while Luo Yuan would be forced to resign in disgrace—the thought brought him immense satisfaction.
As he daydreamed, a hint of smugness naturally crept onto his face. Though clearly shorter than Luo Yuan, he insisted on adopting an air of superiority, looking down on his brother with contempt.
Beside them stood a seasoned industry veteran who had crossed paths with Luo Yuan—that sly fox—on numerous occasions. The man knew all too well how formidable Luo Yuan could be. Watching this scene unfold, the veteran felt a mix of emotions. How could two brothers born of the same father differ so greatly in intelligence and character? he wondered. And their father actually favors the younger, foolish son? Treating a fish eye like a pearl—is he truly blind? If this arrogant, nose-in-the-air brat ever takes over the Luo family, we’ll need to reconsider our partnership. Who wants to do business with someone so conceited yet incompetent?
The saying goes, “Don’t judge the depth of a pond by its surface.” Those who succeed in finance are adept at speaking empty pleasantries. Unfortunately, Luo Chen had been pampered by his parents since childhood. He’d grown accustomed to believing in his own invincibility, failing to recognize these compliments as mere social niceties. Instead, he genuinely believed everyone bowed before his supposed dominance.
After enduring this for some time, the group finally couldn’t take it anymore. Exchanging glances with Luo Yuan, they smiled and excused themselves, claiming to have spotted acquaintances.
Still immersed in his beautiful fantasies, Luo Chen believed he would soon defeat Luo Yuan. Unable to suppress his arrogance, he raised an eyebrow and sneered, “Luo Yuan, just wait and see.”
Unfortunately, Luo Yuan remained indifferent, refusing even to spare him a glance as he led Su Tang away.
What a madman, Luo Yuan thought. If gaining Father’s favor turns one into this fool, I should truly thank his neglect. It allowed me to grow wild and unchecked, constantly honing myself, rather than being pampered in a honey jar, ignorant of the real world.
Never before had Luo Chen been treated with such contempt. His lungs nearly burst from fury, and he resolved to accelerate his plans, determined to watch Luo Yuan fall from his pedestal.
As Su Tang left, he glanced back to see the supposed male lead already engaged in animated conversation with another beauty, their postures intimate. The woman wasn’t even the female lead. Su Tang’s heart sank further—the drama’s portrayal of a devoted tycoon was clearly a lie. This wasn’t a devoted heartthrob, but a cheating octopus king.
The banquet hall’s opulence stretched before them, filled with an array of fine wines and delicacies. Each drink Su Tang tasted offered a unique flavor, and before he knew it, he’d consumed too much.
By the time the event concluded, Su Tang found himself thoroughly intoxicated.
His drunken state differed from others—he didn’t act rowdy or unruly. Instead, he remained quiet and docile, like a porcelain doll. At first glance, one might not even notice he was intoxicated.
Luo Yuan initially failed to detect it too. It wasn’t until they were leaving the banquet hall and heading toward the car that he noticed Su Tang’s sluggish reactions. Every word and movement came with a noticeable delay. Only then did Luo Yuan examine his face more closely, noticing the unusual flush that had settled across his cheeks, as if painted with a delicate blush. His lips glistened with the lingering moisture of wine, reminiscent of dew-kissed petals.
Luo Yuan felt a lump form in his throat, an inexplicable flutter taking root in his chest.
As he gazed into Su Tang’s innocent, bewildered eyes—those wide, trusting orbs that seemed so easily led astray—Luo Yuan couldn’t resist the urge to tease him. He wanted to push until those eyes welled with tears.
Luo Yuan knew this impulse was perverse, but he couldn’t suppress it. He averted his gaze from the vulnerable, intoxicated figure before him, guiding Su Tang into the car first before following himself. Once seated, he maintained a calculated distance from Su Tang—close enough to feel the tension, yet far enough to prevent any impulsive actions.
Yet Luo Yuan’s self-imposed restraint proved futile against the advances of a drunk.
After settling into the car, Su Tang stared at his empty palm, head tilted in confusion. Several seconds passed before realization struck. He began inching closer, wiggling his bottom as he tried to press his hand into Luo Yuan’s grasp.
Luo Yuan felt a tickle in his palm and looked down in confusion. He saw Su Tang wearing a small expression that clearly said, “Why did you stop holding my hand? You were holding it just now!”
Luo Yuan was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled. He firmly took Su Tang’s hand in his own, sharing warmth.
Just like that, Su Tang was easily satisfied. He tilted his head, relaxed, and leaned against Luo Yuan’s shoulder. After wriggling around to find a comfortable position, he fell asleep.
Luo Yuan watched his cute sleeping face, cheeks squishing against his shoulder. Feeling an irresistible urge, he pinched the softness once, then again. Suddenly, his mood lifted.
When they got off the bus, Luo Yuan didn’t want to wake him. He gently picked up Su Tang and carried him all the way to the bedroom. Since they’d just drunk alcohol, bathing wasn’t advisable, so Luo Yuan laid him on the bed and covered him with a quilt.
After washing up, Luo Yuan returned to find Su Tang wrapped into a tight ball, just like in a video game. Amused, he reached in to dig him out, worried about suffocation. But when his hand entered, he nearly yelped in surprise.
The quilt revealed a sleeping creature who had clamped his hand in a firm bite, cheeks bulging as he chewed contentedly.
Luo Yuan was torn between laughter and tears. “Why do you dream of delicious food every day? You’re such a little glutton.”
Every time he slept, Luo Yuan seemed to develop new minor wounds. Having been extremely disciplined since childhood, he’d never read vampire novels or watched vampire movies, so he never considered this possibility. Besides, most people wouldn’t suspect someone was a hungry little vampire just because they dreamed of being bitten.
Luo Yuan felt no sense of danger, instead he found it quite enjoyable.
Author’s Note:
Luo Yuan (proudly): This proves Tangtang likes me!
Mm-hmm, let’s play along with him for now, but we all know… well, never mind, let him keep dreaming OvO
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