It was the first time Grandpa Zhang had ever seen an artificial intelligence robot, and he naturally found it quite a novelty.
He waved a hand at the crowd of juniors gathered around him to curry favor, saying impatiently, "What are you all hovering here for? Go out and toast your uncles and elders." Having said that, he pulled the little robot aside to chat.
Jason was a chatterbox by nature, but unfortunately, neither of his two masters at home cared much for his rambling. Now that he finally had someone to talk to, his tone became several degrees more cheerful.
The man and the machine chatted about everything from ancient texts to NASA's newly discovered planets, and from Wall Street news to whether one should add vinegar to noodles. There simply wasn't a topic Jason couldn't handle.
Seeing that Grandpa Zhang was happily occupied and had no time for him, Jiang Yuan picked up a wine glass and led Xie Chengnan out to meet some people.
Although Jiang Yuan’s surname was Jiang and not Zhang, the high-level executives of the Zhang Group had reached a consensus over the years: setting aside the matter of his surname, this youth was the current chairman’s most beloved grandchild. Consequently, as soon as Jiang Yuan appeared, many people flocked to exchange pleasantries.
Xie Chengnan discovered that Jiang Yuan could actually call out the name of every Zhang Group executive and partner company representative, and he even knew most of their hobbies and interests.
After every greeting, if Jiang Yuan wanted to continue the conversation, he would naturally bring up a topic the other party was interested in, allowing both sides to become acquainted quickly.
When encountering older elders, Jiang Yuan would appropriately reveal a slightly mischievous side, reminding them that he was only nineteen years old—the same age as some of their own unruly grandchildren—which made them feel even more affectionate and tolerant toward him.
Throughout their conversations, Jiang Yuan constantly looked for openings to introduce the research projects of Xie Chengnan’s company. With Jason serving as a living advertisement, it wasn't long before several people interested in such projects stayed behind to discuss details with Xie Chengnan.
Once Jiang Yuan confirmed that Xie Chengnan was tied down for the moment, he secretly squeezed his hand and whispered, "I'm going to take a walk over there."
Xie Chengnan’s dry fingertips rubbed against the back of his hand for a moment. "I'll find you in a bit," he said softly.
"Mm," Jiang Yuan replied softly, then took his glass and headed elsewhere.
By the time Xie Chengnan finished exchanging business cards and spent a long while searching the banquet hall, he finally spotted Jiang Yuan surrounded by a group of tall, foreign executives.
At that moment, Jiang Yuan was chatting with them in a pure London accent about a recently concluded international equestrian competition. Despite being the youngest and least experienced person there—and despite the fact that he didn't speak much, playing the role of a listener most of the time—he subtly controlled the rhythm of the circle's conversation.
For the first time, Xie Chengnan truly realized that the person before him was the Young Master of the Jiang family, the heir to the Jiang Group, who had received the finest elite education and the most rigorous etiquette training since childhood.
He knew how to make others appreciate him, was well-versed in the social rules of the adult world, and understood how to showcase his strengths while also utilizing his weaknesses. As long as he was willing, he could always become the center of any circle.
Xie Chengnan watched the youth in the center of the crowd quietly, recalling a conversation they had shortly after their reunion.
Jiang Yuan had said: *I am not some innocent, naive young master who knows nothing of the world. This is the kind of person I am—someone who toys with hearts and uses any means necessary.*
He had actually always known what kind of person he was. Before he had even come to loathe Jiang Kunbo, the man had already left a deep enough mark on him.
Perhaps he had struggled, or even loathed himself, but he had clearly discovered that he could not escape the influence his father had on him. That was why, back then, he had asked Xie Chengnan with a hint of unease: *This version of Jiang Yuan—do you want him?*
Xie Chengnan let out a slow breath. How could he ever bear not to want him?
Even at this moment, he still felt that his young lover was like a vast treasure trove, and he was the treasure hunter swallowed by that hoard; having seen the dazzling brilliance within, he could no longer bear to look away.
Noticing that Xie Chengnan was looking for him, Jiang Yuan quickly ended the topic and extricated himself from the circle.
"Finished talking?" Jiang Yuan handed his empty glass to a waiter and selected a glass of champagne for himself.
"Mm." Xie Chengnan noticed his slightly flushed face and knit his brows. "How much did you drink?"
"Not much." Jiang Yuan thought about it carefully. "About ten glasses or so."
Xie Chengnan was somewhat dissatisfied. "Was someone forcing drinks on you?"
"This is the Zhang Group's annual gala," Jiang Yuan said, amused. "How could anyone dare to force me?" He then explained, "I just talked too much and got thirsty, and it wouldn't look right to toast people while holding a glass of water."
Xie Chengnan felt a bit helpless. He sensed that Jiang Yuan had been pushing himself very hard lately, like a child suddenly in a hurry to grow up, no longer satisfied with the meager power he held.
Professor Xie belatedly realized that the two of them hadn't been intimate since that day they had fooled around in the walk-in closet.
As long as Jiang Yuan didn't have classes, he basically spent all his time working overtime at the company. Xie Chengnan had followed him into this high-intensity work state, leaving the house together early in the morning and returning late at night; where would they find the energy for anything else?
Jiang Yuan had no idea that in this short span of time, his boyfriend had already linked his current state to the recent lack of certain "deep exchanges" between couples.
He had drunk quite a bit tonight and happened to need the restroom, so he stuffed his glass into Xie Chengnan’s hand and told him to wait there for a moment.
The restrooms were outside the banquet hall. Jiang Yuan walked for a while based on memory but realized he was lost. Just as he was about to find a waiter to ask, he saw a somewhat familiar face approaching.
"President... President Jiang." Du Tingming hadn't expected to run into Jiang Yuan here.
After Jiang Yuan left that day, he had been on edge for several days, constantly worried he would be sent out to curry favor with some financial backer. It wasn't until he saw the livestreaming contract that he realized he had misunderstood, yet he also felt a faint, indescribable sense of loss.
Jiang Yuan squinted and thought for a long time. It was thanks to the fact that Du Tingming’s face was sixty percent similar to Xie Chengnan’s that he finally remembered who the man was.
"Hello." Jiang Yuan nodded. He didn't remember Du Tingming’s name, but he remembered that his company had signed him.
Noticing Jiang Yuan’s slightly dazed look just now, Du Tingming asked, "Is President Jiang... lost?"
Jiang Yuan didn't find it embarrassing and said, "I was looking for the restroom, but I seem to have taken a wrong turn."
Du Tingming nervously ran a hand through his hair. "How about... how about I lead the way for you? I remember where it is."
"Then I'll trouble you." Jiang Yuan didn't refuse. To him, this person was essentially a subordinate employee now; it wasn't strange for him to be a bit attentive.
Along the way, Du Tingming stole glances at Jiang Yuan. He had already learned some information about the other man from Weibo: nineteen years old, a management student at Nanda University, with a very close male lover. What left a deep impression on Du Tingming was that this male lover actually bore some resemblance to himself.
Thinking of this, Du Tingming licked his dry lips, recalling what President Fang had said—*Young Master Jiang’s tastes are quite consistent.*
Consistent tastes... does that refer to appearance? Du Tingming couldn't help but feel curious. When he realized he was actually feeling a faint sense of anticipation, he was startled and quickly looked away, cutting off his train of thought.
Fortunately, they reached the restroom quickly. Jiang Yuan said his thanks and pushed the door open.
Du Tingming stood in a daze outside for a moment until he heard the "thud" of a stall door being hit, at which point he hurriedly followed him in.
Jiang Yuan was leaning one hand against the wall of the stall, vomiting uncontrollably. He hadn't told Xie Chengnan that he had been mixing his drinks tonight; now that the alcohol was hitting him, he felt terribly unwell.
Du Tingming stood aside, unsure of what to do. Seeing Jiang Yuan’s body sliding downward, he finally reached out to support him.
When Xie Chengnan arrived, he saw a man half-supporting, half-holding Jiang Yuan, rubbing his back for him.
"A-Yuan?" Xie Chengnan called out uncertainly. The man looked up, revealing a face that bore some resemblance to his own.
Xie Chengnan was surprised at first, then frowned. Before he could speak, he heard the man say tentatively, "Hello... you must be looking for President Jiang... he seems to have had too much to drink."
Xie Chengnan nodded impassively, walked over to take Jiang Yuan into his own arms, and said politely, "Thank you. Sorry for the trouble."
"No... it's no trouble..." Du Tingming stepped aside.
Hearing the voice, Jiang Yuan knew Xie Chengnan had arrived. His whole body relaxed as he mumbled, "My head is a bit dizzy. Tell Grandpa, let's go back first."
In this state, he clearly couldn't walk back on his own. Xie Chengnan took out his phone and called Zhang Siyi, asking him to inform Grandpa Zhang and to have Jason wait for them at the entrance.
After hanging up, he saw that Du Tingming was still standing there and couldn't help but look at him a few more times.
This man was very young, appearing to be around the same age as Jiang Yuan. Rather than saying he looked like Xie Chengnan now, it was more accurate to say he looked like a younger version of himself. This realization made Xie Chengnan feel a bit bothered.
"Ah... you're still here?" Jiang Yuan noticed Du Tingming hadn't left and smiled. "Go on and get back to what you were doing. Thanks for just now."
Only then did Du Tingming realize that his behavior of waiting there was somewhat inappropriate, as if he were deliberately waiting for Jiang Yuan to thank him. He hurriedly said, "No... you're welcome. I'll be going then. Please get some rest early."
Jiang Yuan nodded, not noticing the other man’s slightly flustered retreating figure.
Xie Chengnan waited until Jiang Yuan had showered and climbed into bed, but he never received an explanation as to who that person was. He couldn't help but probe, "That young man just now called you President Jiang... is he an employee of your company?"
Jiang Yuan shifted closer into his arms and yawned. "A newly signed streamer, a small-time artist from Fangyuan Company..."
Xie Chengnan gave an "oh." "He looks quite young."
"Mm." Jiang Yuan remembered that this batch of signed streamers were all around twenty years old. He said casually, "Not very old."
President Xie, who had been snubbed for being "old" earlier today, felt a bit stifled...
"I noticed that he looks a bit like me," Xie Chengnan tested, wondering if Jiang Yuan had noticed.
Jiang Yuan gave a hum of affirmation. "When I went to pick people that day, I took a liking to him at first sight."
*At first sight... took a liking to him...* Although he knew Jiang Yuan meant "this person looks like you, so I chose to sign him immediately," hearing it gave Xie Chengnan a strange sense of crisis.
President Xie felt he had to do something to demonstrate his indispensability. He lowered his head, kissing the side of his young boyfriend’s neck and leaving a trail of marks, coaxing in a low voice, "Baby... I missed you..."
Jiang Yuan gave a low mumble in his arms but offered no other reaction.
Xie Chengnan pressed on. "Let me help you... hm?"
Jiang Yuan was truly exhausted. He reached out to push the other's face away slightly and muttered, "Not doing it... sleeping..."
Having been heartlessly rejected, President Xie fell into a pit of self-doubt.
*Baby doesn't want to do it... Baby doesn't crave my body anymore... Baby called me old today... Has Baby taken a fancy to that young boy...*
With a head full of messy worries, the older man stared into the dark room and became utterly despondent.
***
