Reluctantly Willing

“Mr. Gu, this is a list of companies which are on friendly terms with Gu Jing. This is really unfavorable to us.”

Flipping through just a few pages, Gu Jun had a rough estimate of how powerful Gu Jing’s influence had become. “Only Nan Qiang is still hesitant.”

“This Nan Qiang is really strange. He’s a real estate tycoon who is usually decisive. This time, he seems to be waiting for something.”

“What’s your take on this?”

Chen Chen handed another form to Gu Jun. “I have carried out an extensive data analysis over the last two days. Our advantage over Mr. Gu Jing is that you have created the Sheng Kong Group on your own, while Mr. Gu Jing relies entirely on the external forces of the Gu family.”

Gu Jun nodded. Electing a new leader was to bring new blood to the enterprise, not more decay and decline.

For the sake of An Xiaoyan, he would seize this opportunity.

If he’s victorious, no one will dare to gossip behind An Xiaoyan’s back and he could go out openly with An Xiaoyan, even holding hands.

“We must seize this opportunity.”

Chen Chen nodded. However, it was easier said than done. There were some people who supported Gu Jun, but they were small enterprises that could not compete with the larger ones.

“Let me say something you may not want to hear. If Nan Qiang had made an offer and we can accept it, our chances will increase.”

“For now, we’re not going to discuss this.”

“What progress have you make in digging up dirt against Gu Jing?”

“Mr. Gu Jing really wants that position, and he’s surely used some questionable means to attain it. We have found some leads. Do you intend to use those things against Mr. Gu Jing?”

“I will only use them if I have no other choice. After all that he has done to me, I will show him that I am not a pushover.”

“Alright, Mr. Gu. If there is nothing else, I’ll go and get busy.”

After Chen Chen left, Gu Jun went to the balcony and lit a cigarette. He took a quick puff and the smoke filled the balcony.

It was the second time he struggled with his thoughts, whether to choose to cooperate with Nan Qiang or to abandon An Xiaoyan.

A long time ago, he had thought about this problem before, but did not think that this day would come so soon.

When interests and feelings were entangled, he really did not know what to do.

Gu Group’s board meeting would be held in mid-April, less than a month from now. How could he turn the tables on Gu Jing in less than 20 days?

…

“Why is the old chap, Nan Qiang, not making any move?”

“There are rumors that he had a personal dispute with Gu Jun, so it is not easy for us to win him over.”

Gu Jing tossed the pen in his hand. Nan Qiang, being a cunning and difficult person, had no issue biding his time. He must be waiting for some incentive from Gu Jun. Forbidden fruit always tastes the sweetest.

“Watch him closely. We can’t miss any chance.”

“Yes sir.” The assistant nodded and went out.

Now that he had the support of about two-thirds of the players in the industry, he wondered if these people would stick to him and vote for him in the end. It seems that he would have to grease their palms until the votes were in.

Gao Shan waited for the assistant to leave before walking into the office. She stood behind Gu Jing and massaged his shoulder.

“How is it?”

“Everything is going according to plan.”

“I heard something today.”

Gu Jing leaned against his chair with his eyes closed his eyes and said, “Tell me about it.”

“I heard that Xiu Yijian has moved out of Gu Jun’s house. I don’t know whether she was asked to leave or moved out on her own initiative. In short, she’s not living in Gu Jun’s house anymore.”

“Didn’t she stay at Gu Jun’s house for only a month? Why did she leave so soon? I thought Old Mr. Gu really liked her?”

“I’m curious too, but it’s rumored that she was angered and left.”

These words might have an alternate meaning.

Gu Jun’s family consisted only of Gu Jun and his half-retard son, and An Xiaoyan too. It would not be Gu Jun or Guo Guo who made Xiu Yijian angry. Since she wanted to marry into the Gu family, she must have gotten along with the two of them, so the one who angered her must be An Xiaoyan.

“How did that An Xiaoyan anger her?”

“It is said that Gu Jun has been protecting An Xiaoyan, always taking An Xiaoyan’s side.”

Women are easily moved to jealousy. Gu Jing thought there was something different about this lady, Xiu Yijian. But it seemed that she was no different from other women; she even became jealous of a man.

“Gu Jun, Gu Jun, I did not expect that you fall into the hands of a man.”

…

An Xiaoyan used to go downstairs or read books when Gu Jun was not at home, but now he spent all day by himself in the room, looking out of the window and thinking.

The cold spell of late spring came again, and the new branches of the sycamore tree were frozen again. The little buds were completely invisible.

Guo Guo came upstairs with Wonton in his arms. He watched Uncle An sitting by the side of the bed and stuffed the kitten into his arms.

“Uncle. Why haven’t come down these past few days? Daddy said you will accompany me to school, but Uncle hasn’t lately.”

An Xiaoyan squatted down and touched Guo Guo’s soft hair. “Guo Guo, it’s Uncle’s fault. Uncle didn’t take care of you. Tomorrow, Uncle will bring you to school, alright?”

“Then Uncle must make your words count.”

“Certainly.”

After getting a promise from An Xiaoyan, Guo Guo happily embraced the ginger cat and brought it downstairs to play, leaving behind lots of cat fur on the floor.

An Xiaoyan carefully cleaned up the floor and sat by the side of the bed again.

He couldn’t concentrate when he had something on his mind, and he couldn’t get anything done.

Gu Jun seemed to be very busy these days and he was hardly seen at home. In fact, this was better for An Xiaoyan as he did not wish to see Gu Jun, as he’d rather avoid the awkwardness.

Why did Gu Jun say that he liked him?

Maybe he had forgiven him? Or had he found a new way to toy with him?

Give hope, and finally destroy everything. Gu Jun is best at it. Everything is but a joke.

As soon as An Xiaoyan was lying in bed and getting ready to sleep, the door of the bedroom suddenly opened. The light from the corridor shone into the bedroom, and a black figure came in while holding the wall for support. What followed was an overwhelming smell of alcohol in the room.

An Xiaoyan quickly got up to support the person. It was Gu Jun. He fell on top of An Xiaoyan, pressing his whole body against him. Smelling the familiar scent, Gu Jun rested on An Xiaoyan’s shoulder at ease.

“Xiaoyan, what do you think I should do?”

A murmuring voice was heard and An Xiaoyan could not understand what Gu Jun meant. He quickly helped Gu Jun up, supporting most of his weight.

“Help me to soak in the bathtub.”

An Xiaoyan turned on the light and dragged Gu Jun’s heavy body to the bathroom. After that, he filled the bathtub with water and dragged Gu Jun into the bathtub.

The warm water soaked Gu Jun’s skin and warmed his heart.

He had never felt so powerless. In the past, he really thought he was somebody; he was the second young master of a big and powerful family. In actual fact, he was only a normal business man with no capital, who could do nothing.

What Nan Qiang said to him at the drinking table would never be forgotten.

“Though you live with a man and it all looks sweet and loving, when Gu Jing becomes the chairman, there is no place for you in A City.”

He understood all that was said. This is what drove him to compete. However, it felt different when being reminded by someone else.

“If you allow me to play with An Xiaoyan for another day, I will not only help you, but we will be good partners in the future. What do you think? Gu Jun, people should always be flexible. You like him to be clean? Be assured as I can’t even perform the act even if I wanted to. This is just to satisfy my selfish desire.”

“Besides, if you become the chairman, glory and wealth will be in your hands. By then, you can be with An Xiaoyan openly. Is this not a win-win situation?”

Each word spoken was like a gem and made Gu Jun feel a little moved. This time he felt powerless again. Just like when An Xiaoyan was mocked by countless people and scolded on the Internet, he could not change this predicament.

“Get up, Mr. Gu. Don’t soak too long.” Gu Jun stayed in the bathroom, and An Xiaoyan dared not sleep. Seeing that more than half an hour had passed, An Xiaoyan stood at the bathroom and attempted to coax him gently.

“Come in and help me get dressed.”

An Xiaoyan hesitated for a moment, took Gu Jun’s clothes from his wardrobe, and went in.

“Um, I won’t make a habit of touching your things.”

Gu Jun waved his hand and stood up from the bathtub. He did not smell of alcohol that much anymore and reached out for a bathrobe to cover his lower body.

“Come here and help me put it on.”

When An Xiaoyan stretched out his hand, Gu Jun held it. An Xiaoyan was not his servant and he did not need to do this. Even though he knew An Xiaoyan would do it without hesitation, he rejected him.

“In future, if I ask you to do this again, remember to reject me.”

Gu Jun took his clothes and quickly them on. By the time Gu Jun walked out of the bathroom, An Xiaoyan was sitting by the side of the bed and looking at him.

“Go and sleep.”

“The bedroom next door is now empty…”

Hearing that, Gu Jun turned his body and pressed against An Xiaoyan’s, then asked, “You really want me to go?”

“… No.”

An Xiaoyan just wanted to remind Gu Jun that if he did not like being here, he could go back to his own bedroom.

“I will stay here in the future.”

“Okay, I won’t say that again.”

The fully tamed animal had long lost its ferocity. An Xiaoyan was like a kitten that had its nails filed, who looked very pitiful.

After a long time, the two of them were still feeling sleepy.

Gu Jun held An Xiaoyan’s hand from under the quilt and buried his head in An Xiaoyan’s collarbone, then he said, “Every time you do it with me, is it painful?”

“No.” No expression could be detected from the soft reply.

“Then do you feel comfortable?”

Never once did An Xiaoyan feel comfortable. His body was so sensitive that every little pain could be felt, and he had been enduring quietly.

“I don’t know what comfort is.”

“Never mind, I’ll help you feel comfortable today.”

“Mr. Gu, don’t do this.”

Gu Jun’s body pressed against An Xiaoyan’s, and a sense of oppression overcame him. He could not help but feel afraid.

Aware of the panic in the eyes of the person under him, Gu Jun went back to lie on his side and embraced An Xiaoyan tightly, his hands were moving uncontrollably under An Xiaoyan’s clothes, and they were creeping downwards.