The next day, a furry head poked out from under the covers as Sui Sui struggled to crawl out of the warm bed.
Stretching, Mao Mao yawned.
Going to work was so hard.
He ran to his room to change clothes, glanced at the time, and saw he was already half an hour later than usual. Hastily packing up, he rushed to the bedroom to wake Shang Xuci. Ever since becoming his assistant, the housekeeper had delegated this job to him—though the man’s own biological clock always woke him on time.
Jian Xun had a slice of toast from Uncle Zhao clamped in his mouth as he used both hands to push back the long hair hanging over his forehead, still tied in a loose, messy bun.
Hurrying with his head down, he bumped into the wall.
Shang Xuci, seeing how careless he was, reached out and grabbed his hand to steady him.
Jian Xun looked up anxiously. “Boss, I’m going to be late.”
Shang Xuci buttoned his shirt at a leisurely pace. “No rush. I’m not going to the company today.”
Jian Xun’s face fell—no ride! The boss didn’t need to clock in, but he did.
His perfect attendance!
He felt like crying, but before the tears could come, Shang Xuci said, “Come with me to Shang Group.”
His sadness vanished instantly, replaced with determination. “Is there anything I need to prepare?”
“Put on your clothes,” Shang Xuci replied calmly.
Jian Xun: ?!
Looking down, he realized he had put his shirt on backwards. His ears flushed red.
“I’ll go back to my room and change!”
But Shang Xuci grabbed him by the collar and tugged him back into his bedroom. “We’re in a hurry. Change here.”
Jian Xun glanced around the room, then at him. “Is that okay?”
Last time he’d come in to help make the bed, he’d been scolded.
Shang Xuci raised an eyebrow. “Hmm?”
“Nothing. I’ll change!” Jian Xun quickly stripped and redressed, muttering under his breath. The last time he’d been here, that sullen, cold expression had left a lasting impression. And now, he was letting him in just like that?
So moody—but he didn’t dare say it aloud.
Shang Ye sat in the president’s office, his desk piled high with messy documents. The lights were dim as he flipped through two reports.
There were two gentle knocks at the door before Jiang Yuanqing slowly entered, tea in hand.
She had been busy with work lately, and the two of them hadn’t spent much time together. Whenever she did see him, it was always about work.
At first, Jiang Yuanqing had been delighted—nothing was better than having a boyfriend who trusted her and was willing to share his work with her. But over time, her excitement faded. She began to feel neglected, as if Shang Ye wasn’t as attentive as before. Recently, this had led to a cold war between them.
Now that she had finished filming her new drama, Jiang Yuanqing had plenty of free time. Thinking about the next acting project Shang Ye had planned for her—and the script he had tailored to her—she decided she needed to take the first step.
In any relationship, someone had to learn to compromise.
Shang Ye’s office was on a separate floor. Aside from the occasional employee who came up to report on work matters, there were hardly any visitors.
The silence broke with the sound of the door opening. Shang Ye looked up and saw Jiang Yuanqing.
“Why don’t you turn on the light?” she asked, placing the tea on his desk. She flicked on the light and turned back toward him—only to pause in surprise.
Dark circles shadowed his eyes, a scruffy beard covered his jaw, and the usual sparkle in his peach blossom eyes was gone. He looked utterly exhausted.
It was a side of him she had never seen before. The tall, handsome image she’d always held in her mind was replaced by a man worn down by fatigue.
Jiang Yuanqing’s gaze shifted to the messy sheets and clothes piled in the lounge next door. Pouring herself a glass of water, she asked casually, “Did you work overtime again last night?”
“Yeah.” Shang Ye took the cup from her, sipped, and asked, “How come you have time to come by today?”
“I’ve finished filming and will be joining the crew next month,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ve been at home this whole time.”
After Jiang Yuanqing and Shang Xuci had broken off their engagement, she had immediately moved into one of Shang Ye’s properties, and they began living together.
Shang Ye nodded. “Okay.”
Knock knock—
“Mr. Shang, the Second Young Master is here. He’s waiting for you in Reception Room 1907.”
“I understand.” Shang Ye rose and said to Jiang Yuanqing, “I have something to discuss today. Please wait here—we’ll have lunch together.”
“Okay,” she replied with a smile, following him into the lounge to help straighten his bow tie.
Once Shang Ye left, Jiang Yuanqing soon followed.
Conference room.
Shang Xuci sat leisurely, legs crossed, holding a cup of tea as he read the newspaper. His demeanor was effortlessly elegant. A young man stood quietly behind him.
Shang Ye approached with a smile. “You’re here?”
Shang Xuci lifted his gaze and asked calmly, “Father’s not here yet?”
Shang Ye glanced at his watch. Just as he was about to sit down on the sofa, his secretary leaned in and whispered something in his ear. His expression darkened. “Didn’t I tell them not to use the front door?”
“I’ll send someone to pick him up now.”
“Hurry.”
As soon as the secretary left, Shang Ye said, “Dad’s downstairs.”
The room instantly fell into an uneasy silence.
Jian Xun, still standing behind them, seemed lost in thought—uncertain how long he would be left standing there.
Shang Ye was the first to break the tension, steering the conversation toward recent events. Shang Xuci, whether intentionally or not, remarked, “The group seems to be in trouble lately. When I came in, I saw Xu Rong sitting at the deputy general manager’s desk… You’re in trouble and need me, aren’t you?”
“Wait until Dad gets here,” Shang Ye replied, his aura dimming noticeably.
Shang Ye was different from Shang Xuci. The latter had been raised under their grandfather’s guidance from a young age. Even if Shang Xuci had never worked at Shangjia later in life, he still had that foundation—and as a member of a major enterprise, he had learned much.
Shang Ye’s upbringing was another story. As a child, he endured a difficult life with Xu Rong. Even after joining Shangjia, he was careful not to overstep, living almost like an ordinary person and showing little interest in business.
That began to change in high school. The private school they attended was filled with the children of the wealthy and powerful, all at the height of their egos and competitiveness. When people learned that Shang Ye was from a rich family, he was constantly surrounded—men calling him “brother,” women vying to be his girlfriend. The thrill of what “money” could bring soon became addictive to him.
He understood perfectly well what those people wanted from him. At the time, he had nothing but the company of wealthy young men. Gradually, he began to grasp the importance of inheriting the family business. When he returned home, he would drop subtle hints to Xu Rong.
It was the perfect time. Shang Xu had resigned and left their grandfather’s house. The youngest son, Shang Yi—whom Xu Rong had pinned her hopes on—had shown no ambition, preferring art and pleasure over corporate power.
Moreover, Shang Ye’s care for his younger brother, coupled with his emerging ambition, convinced Xu Rong to prepare him for Shangshi. She began to whisper in Shang Wei’s ear, paving the way for Shang Ye’s future. Even so, it wasn’t until he started college that he was given the chance to intern at Shangshi Group.
To test him, the old man insisted he start from the grassroots level.
Having finally climbed to the top of the decision-making ranks, Shang Ye was already feeling the pressure—and now this was happening again…
Shang Xuci was a few years younger, and Shang Ye had been relieved when he first heard he was going to Yinfeng Entertainment. But then he joined New Domain, and his career took off. Now, Shang Ye felt hesitant to ask for help—especially since he had stolen his fiancée.
Another silence followed. Shang Ye’s gaze drifted to the newspaper in Shang Xuci’s hand, and his eyes caught a headline about the Shang Group’s stock market decline. He drew in a deep breath.
He was about to speak when the door opened.
Shang Wei entered with a stern expression. His secretary stepped out, pausing just long enough to wink at Jian Xun—who was too stunned to react. By the time he came to his senses, he heard Shang Xuci say, “He’ll stay right here.”
Shang Ye’s secretary left, and for a moment there were only four people in the room. But soon, he returned and whispered something into Shang Ye’s ear. Shang Ye quickly followed him out.
Once they were gone, Shang Xuci turned to Shang Wei. “Dad, did you call me here about the resort?”
Shang Wei was surprised at how directly he got to the point. He took out a document, set it on the desk, and fixed Shang Xuci with a cloudy gaze. “Grandpa doesn’t know about this yet, but in a few days, everyone will.”
He paused before continuing. “It’s no exaggeration to say that if the group keeps being drained like this, it will soon be in the red.”
Shang Xuci picked up the contract and skimmed through it. Having lived through this in his previous life, he knew the situation was far more serious than Shang Wei let on. Over the years, Shang Jue had gradually delegated his authority, and Shang Wei had already lost half the company’s assets—and not just because of the resort.
The contract bound Dabogong and the Shang Group tightly together. With poor management and someone leaking company secrets, if things continued like this, the Shang Group would eventually be acquired.
“So you knew about that too,” Shang Xuci said slowly, taking a sip from his teacup.
“It seems you already understand part of the situation. You and I both know Shang Ye’s capabilities, but he’s still too inexperienced. As for you…” Shang Wei’s gaze sharpened. “I believe you have the ability and the means to lead the group through this crisis.”
Shang Xuci scoffed. “You think too highly of me.”
Shang Wei didn’t flinch. “I know you’re not interested in joining the Shang Group because your grandfather left the company to you. You’ve run New Domain so well. If your company can—”
“That’s enough. I understand what you mean.” Shang Xuci cut him off. “New Domain isn’t solely my responsibility. If you want to resolve the debt crisis, sell me your shares.”
“You want shares?” Shang Wei asked in surprise.
“Yes,” Shang Xuci replied evenly.
“Fine, I’ll give you a portion.” But Shang Wei wasn’t satisfied. He wanted Shang Xuci to offer a plan. “Do you know anything else?”
“That’s a different price,” Shang Xuci said coldly.
Shang Wei’s expression soured instantly. He was the father here, and this time he had swallowed his pride and sent someone to help resolve a difficult situation. He’d already offered shares—what more could Shang Xuci possibly want?
“You tell me first. I want to see if it’s worth it.”
“The company has ended up like this, and there’s someone who can’t be ignored. Go check,” Shang Xuci scoffed. “My dear stepmother.”
“Impossible,” Shang Wei said flatly.
He knew Xu Rong’s abilities—or so he believed. She was a mere figurehead as executive vice president, rarely coming to the company, too busy with her own entertainment business. How could she have the cunning or ability to carry out such a thankless, destructive scheme?
Besides, Xu Rong was part of the Shang family, and Shang Yi was her most beloved son. Even for Shang Yi’s sake, she would never destroy the company.
She was the person he had gone to great lengths to bring into the company, despite fierce opposition. If she was at fault, then so was he.
He could not doubt Xu Rong.
Shang Xuci immediately saw through what the stunned Shang Wei was thinking. “I just told you to investigate her, and you won’t? You know what Xu Rong has done. She’s cuckolded you more than once, hasn’t she? And you’re still defending her?”
He spoke slowly, each word deliberate. “Do you have a cuckold fetish?
“Or is it that you’ve grown old, your body’s been drained, and your mind is starting to go soft?”
Shang Wei’s mind reeled, and fury surged. “You bastard! How dare you curse your father? Is this how Shen Tianlei taught you to speak?”
He forgot the situation entirely, clinging to his battered dignity as a father and unleashing a barrage of curses.
“If I’d known, I’d never have kept you…” Shang Wei spat in rage—then lost control completely.
“When your mother died, you should have died with her!”
Jian Xun, silent until now, widened his eyes in shock. How could a father curse his own son like that?
He couldn’t take it anymore. Ignoring his own status, he stepped forward to defend Shang Xuci. “He’s the best! The best in the world! If you don’t like him, there are others who do!”
“That’s no way to ask for help. You’re just asking to be scolded! I think you’re the bad guy!” Jian Xun grabbed Shang Xuci’s hand angrily. “Shang… Boss, let’s go!”
“Who the hell do you think you are?!” Shang Wei barked, only now noticing the other person in the room. This nobody dared to lecture him? He glared furiously—only for Shang Xuci, who had already stood, to calmly pull Jian Xun behind him and meet Shang Wei’s gaze with a cold, unyielding stare.
Seeing his father’s composure break, his dignity in tatters, Shang Xuci found it almost laughable. He could tolerate being scolded, but not when his grandfather was dragged into it. With one sentence, he shut Shang Wei down.
“In that case, there’s no need to talk. Go ask Grandpa.”
He strode past Shang Wei, pausing briefly before moving on.
“…Lawless!” Shang Wei growled, still fuming.
When the room finally emptied and he was alone, Shang Wei’s anger slowly cooled—replaced by regret.
They had been talking so well, and yet it had ended like this.
…
Inside the car, Jian Xun sat sullenly in the passenger seat.
Seeing him even angrier than himself, Shang Xuci reached into the glove compartment, pulled out a piece of chocolate, and pressed it into his hand.
Jian Xun held the chocolate, looking at him aggrievedly. “He said that about you—aren’t you angry?”
He had been watching Shang Xuci, calm and composed, as if nothing could shake his mood. But Jian Xun was different. Hearing Shang Wei speak of Shang Xuci that way had made his chest ache with anger—and he’d wanted to cry.
The boy’s beautiful eyes were tinged red, his delicate features softening. Meeting those misty, water-bright eyes, Shang Xuci felt his throat go dry. He moved his lips and said, “I’m used to it.”
There had been worse things in his past life; he had endured them all. Back then, he’d long since given up on Shang Wei. But now, things were different—he had found something worth cherishing.
Being angry at those people wasn’t worth it.
The car slowed to a stop at the curb as the green light turned red.
A small white lion cat darted across the road.
Jian Xun spotted it too and exclaimed, “Wow, it’s a lion cat!”
Then he turned toward Shang Xuci, whose hands remained firmly on the steering wheel, his expression unreadable in the dim light.
Shang Xuci’s gaze shifted from the cat to Jian Xun, his deep voice turning hoarse. “I suddenly want to hold Sui Sui right now.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, a warm embrace wrapped around him. The young man’s voice was as soft as spring water, clear and melodious.
“Is this okay?”