The moment Chao Musheng uttered those words, Su Chenzhu found himself unable to tear his gaze away. Countless desires surged in his heart—he wanted to ask, yet feared it might be wishful thinking. But once the thought took root, suppressing it became nearly impossible.
He was like a timid yet greedy moth, equally afraid that the flame before him might be a dream and that he might miss his only chance to embrace the light by hesitating.
"President Su, have you rested well?" The reception staff swarmed forward. Just as Su Chenzhu expected Chao Musheng to step aside to make way for them, he saw the younger man stand firmly by his side—as if they were always meant to be one.
If this was just a dream, it was a beautiful one indeed.
"Want to accompany President Su even more?!"
Assistant Yang didn’t know whether others were shocked, but he certainly was. He stole a glance at Secretary Liu, who remained as composed as ever.
Was it his own mindset that was the problem?
When he saw Chao Musheng walking shoulder-to-shoulder with the boss, making it hard to tell who was the president and who was the assistant, he couldn’t help but whisper to Secretary Liu, "Secretary Liu, what’s wrong with Assistant Chao? Did something happen to him?"
Back at the company, Assistant Chao had always been meticulous in his words and actions, more restrained than even a seasoned office worker like him. How could he now stride side by side with the boss in front of the reception staff? How could he dare? Had he lost his mind?
"Isn’t this nice?" Secretary Liu paused, and Assistant Yang followed suit.
Watching the two figures surrounded by the reception team ahead, Secretary Liu slightly lifted his chin. "It’s fitting. This scene couldn’t be more appropriate."
Assistant Yang: "..."
He felt Secretary Liu had also become a little unhinged. Hanyue County must be cursed.
The reception staff noticed that President Su seemed in an unusually good mood today—there was even a hint of warmth in his gaze.
Perhaps a good rest had lifted his spirits?
"Brother Chao!" Xiaojuan rushed back to the hotel just as Su Chenzhu’s group was heading out. Local media and security personnel had cordoned off the entrance, so she was stopped behind the barrier. She could only wave at Chao Musheng from a distance.
Fortunately, Chao Musheng had sharp eyes and spotted her through the crowd. He gestured for security to let her pass.
"Well, well." Secretary Liu smirked as Xiaojuan approached. "Didn’t expect to see you again so soon, Xiaojuan. What job have you switched to this time?"
Xiaojuan: "..."
Why did he have to twist the knife like that?
"No job, just traveling." She forced a smile and greeted Su Chenzhu and Secretary Liu.
Secretary Liu was surprised. Miss Wang Xiaojuan actually had time off work?
Coming to scorching Hanyue for fun—her tastes were truly unique. Secretary Liu glanced at Chao Musheng, who greeted Xiaojuan warmly and invited her to join them in the car heading to the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
After running into Xiaojuan multiple times in different settings, he had planned to review her internship records. But something always distracted him, and he only managed to check them a few days ago.
Her records were straightforward—a girl from an ordinary family, her parents and younger brother lost in an accident, leaving her the sole survivor.
The drive from the hotel to the ceremony site took only minutes. It wasn’t even ten yet, but the sun was already blazing. Beneath the stage stood groups of sunburned workers. They didn’t recognize the VIPs but clapped along when their foreman did.
"President Su, please say a few words on stage." Someone bent slightly to hand Su Chenzhu a microphone.
Su Chenzhu took it and glanced at Chao Musheng, whose attention was fixed on the workers sweating under the sun.
"It’s too hot today. The workers shouldn’t have to stand here suffering," Su Chenzhu said to the staff member. "Keep the speeches short and move straight to the ribbon-cutting."
"Understood, President Su." The staff member nodded blankly. When Su Chenzhu stepped onto the stage and wrapped up his speech in under two minutes, he realized the president was showing consideration for the workers.
He relayed Su Chenzhu’s instructions, and soon, the workers noticed how unusually concise the speeches were—everyone was quick to step up and down.
Even more surprising, someone handed out heatstroke prevention kits and red envelopes with bonus cash. Since when did Hanyue County have money to spare like this?
The foreman distributed the gifts, and the temporary workers were stunned. "We get them too?"
The foreman sighed. "Not only do you get them, but your red envelopes also contain half again as much as the regular construction workers’."
These temporary workers were local hires. Under normal circumstances, company benefits never reached them. Yet this time, Kunlun Group had explicitly insisted that all perks must include them.
Perhaps this was what corporate social responsibility looked like—caring for those at the very bottom.
The ribbon-cutting began. Su Chenzhu stood at the center, his striking looks making him seem like he belonged in a different frame from everyone else.
Chao Musheng stayed below the stage, snapping photos with his phone, his fair skin flushed from the sun.
"Brother Chao..." Xiaojuan watched his enthusiastic photography. This didn’t look like an employee documenting his boss—it was more like a boyfriend capturing his girlfriend.
She turned to the stage. When Chao Musheng moved left, Su Chenzhu’s gaze followed. When he crouched, Su Chenzhu glanced down. And when the ribbon was cut, Su Chenzhu even paused for two extra seconds, letting Chao Musheng get the perfect shot.
After the ceremony, Su Chenzhu was invited to the construction site. A staff member handed him a shovel tied with a red ribbon. "A prosperous start! Thank you, President Su, for laying the foundation for Hanyue’s development."
Breaking ground with a symbolic first shovel was tradition.
Not just Su Chenzhu—even Professor Zhang, Chao Musheng, and the other technical advisors were given small shovels.
"Chao Chao." Su Chenzhu gripped his shovel and turned to Chao Musheng in the crowd. "Assistant Chao is my right hand. At such an important moment, he should join me."
Professor Zhang and the students gaped at Chao Musheng. In just two months, you’ve climbed this high at Kunlun?
Sharing a shovel with the boss in front of the media at a groundbreaking ceremony—the implications were staggering.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Chao Musheng handed his shovel to a staff member and strode straight to Su Chenzhu without hesitation. He placed his hand over Su Chenzhu’s and whispered in his ear, "This is what ‘together’ means."
"May the project prosper, proceed safely, and succeed smoothly."
Under the media’s lenses, the handsome young man and the dignified executive gripped the same shovel and turned the first clod of earth.
"A prosperous start!"
Firecrackers boomed, and sulfur-scented smoke curled upward, blurring Chao Musheng’s smiling face.
Su Chenzhu wasn’t sure how he managed to loosen his grip and hand the shovel back to the staff. Despite the bustling crowd and the deafening firecrackers, his ears registered nothing, and his eyes saw only Chao Musheng.
This couldn’t be a dream—because in his past dreams, nothing this good had ever happened.
“The smoke is thick here.” Chao Musheng raised a hand and waved it in front of Su Chenzhu’s face, pulling him away from the wind. When a local reporter approached, he released Su Chenzhu’s arm and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him instead.
“President Su, could we have a brief interview with you?” The reporter sounded nervous. Before coming, she had searched extensively but found no interview footage of President Su online.
Secretary Liu and Assistant Yang quickly stepped forward when they noticed the reporter’s camera aimed at their boss.
“Apologies, President Su isn’t fond of media interviews.” Chao Musheng moved faster, blocking the reporter with an outstretched hand. “If you have any questions about Kunlun Corporation, you’re welcome to interview our accompanying staff.”
“Really? Thank you!” The reporter’s face lit up. “Then, may I interview you instead?”
She held the microphone toward Chao Musheng, her gaze flickering briefly to Su Chenzhu’s legs. With legs that long, there was no doubt—those famously tall legs exposed in that livestream had to be his!
“Of course.” Chao Musheng hadn’t expected the reporter to switch targets so effortlessly. He took a few steps aside to keep Su Chenzhu out of the camera frame.
“Mr. Chao, I’m a reporter from the provincial TV station. It’s a pleasure to meet you here.” She asked several professional questions about the project and Kunlun’s investments. After Chao Musheng answered each one, she smiled and added, “The next part of the interview won’t air on TV—it’s just for online entertainment promotion. Would that be alright with you?”
“Sure, as long as you’re not asking for my bank card password.” Chao Musheng teased. “Anything else is fair game.”
“There have been some online rumors recently about you and President Su. Do you find them offensive?”
Even the reporter herself was surprised by her boldness.
Maybe it was Mr. Chao’s easygoing attitude that gave her the courage?
Online rumors?
Assistant Yang, standing nearby, knew exactly what the reporter meant—netizens had been shipping their boss and Chao Musheng as a couple. No one took it seriously.
“As long as the rumors aren’t malicious slander or defamation against President Su, I don’t find them offensive.” Chao Musheng smiled. “Kunlun deeply respects our young consumer base. If people want to joke about us in good fun, it means they hold Kunlun in their hearts. And for consumers to keep us in mind—that’s a blessing for Kunlun.”
“The more attention we receive, the greater our responsibility.” Chao Musheng grinned at the camera. “We’ll continue strictly monitoring the quality of all our products to provide the best for our consumers. Only then can we live up to the goodwill they’ve shown Kunlun.”
Hearing this response, even the reporter—who wasn’t part of the online hype—felt a newfound warmth toward Kunlun.
Modern young people despised pretentiousness and hated being lectured.
No wonder this man had become the boss’s trusted confidant at such a young age. Once this interview went viral, it would undoubtedly give Kunlun a massive boost in consumer appeal.
After the interview, the reporter eagerly forwarded the clip to her station’s entertainment team, who uploaded it to their online platform.
Her instincts were spot-on—the video blew up. Within an hour, the entertainment team’s lead sent her three thank-you red packets.
She pocketed them without guilt, telling the lead over the phone, “Your team’s budget must be huge if you can afford trending promotions.”
“We didn’t buy it,” the lead replied. “It was all enthusiastic netizens.”
A provincial entertainment channel like theirs usually covered local oddities—stuff only locals glanced at when bored. Where would they get the funds for promotions?
Enthusiastic netizens?
The reporter hung up, unconvinced.
What kind of fool would spend their own money to promote someone else’s content for free?
Unless they had money to burn.
[The only thing that offends him is slander against the boss, not himself. If this isn’t real, what is?]
[Kunlun, a powerhouse like this, doesn’t act all high and mighty with netizens. Other brands that love lecturing consumers should take notes—know who’s really in charge.]
[Did you see the news team’s photo? It’s… too real.]
The news team, cautious by nature, didn’t dare stir the pot. But at the end of their report, they sneakily included a side-angle shot of Chao Musheng and Su Chenzhu bending to shovel dirt together.
The photo, taken from Chao Musheng’s side, captured his refined profile, the top of Su Chenzhu’s head, and four hands gripping the shovel handle.
[So dreamy and poetic—tell me you didn’t take this with ulterior motives, reporter.]
[I used to think the boss-employee ship was just netizens being delusional, but after this, I’m starting to believe.]
The social media manager, watching the video’s likes and comments skyrocket, couldn’t help but marvel: So many people!
And someone actually paid to promote this?
Modern netizens were impossible to predict. What was the point of boosting a news interview?
At noon, Hanyue County arranged a reception lunch. The group headed to the hotel by car.
Inside the vehicle, Chao Musheng noticed Su Chenzhu repeatedly opening a video. Curious, he leaned over Su Chenzhu’s shoulder, his chin almost resting on it. “Mr. Su, what are you watching?”
“Nothing.” Su Chenzhu’s hand jerked, and his phone clattered to the floor.
Chao Musheng bent to pick it up. A bank notification flashed on the screen before he returned it to Su Chenzhu’s palm. “Be careful.”
Su Chenzhu couldn’t meet Chao Musheng’s eyes. If Chao Musheng found out he’d paid to promote a video just because netizens praised them as a couple, would he think it pathetic?
He knew it was inappropriate.
But the scenes netizens painted were so beautiful—so vivid that late at night, scrolling through comments and fan art, he couldn’t help but indulge in the fantasy. What if it were all true?
Maybe he’d already been corrupted, his heart tainted with ugly greed.
During lunch, Xiaojuan—thanks to Chao Musheng—got to sit with Assistant Yang. The others at the table showered her with enthusiastic attention.
While politely engaging with them, she kept stealing glances at Chao Musheng and Su Chenzhu.
It had been some time since they last met, and Chao Musheng seemed much closer to President Su now. She couldn't quite describe the feeling, but the way Chao looked at Su was definitely gentler than before.
During the break, she went to the restroom and was surprised to find Chao Musheng standing in the hallway when she came out. "Chao, why are you out here alone? Shouldn’t you be with President Su?"
"Leaders from other regions are discussing investments with him. Right now, I’m just a project support staff from Hanyue, so it’s not appropriate for me to listen in too much. I came out for some air." Chao Musheng noticed the water dripping from Xiaojuan’s hands and handed her two tissues. "You’ve been sneaking glances at me during dinner. Is there something on your mind?"
"You noticed?" Xiaojuan crumpled the tissue in her hands, rolling it back and forth nervously, unsure whether she should ask.
"Just say it." Chao Musheng chuckled at her hesitation. "This coyness doesn’t suit you."
"You and President Su..." The tissue tore under her fidgeting. "Do you... maybe like him a little too?"
"Too?"
Chao Musheng laughed softly. "Even you can tell, yet he still hasn’t realized."
The great CEO of Kunlun, of all people, was somehow this dense when it came to matters of the heart.
"You... he... you two..." Xiaojuan stammered, twisting the hem of her clothes. She hadn’t expected Chao to admit it so straightforwardly. Seeing the tender smile on his face, she didn’t know what else to say.
Chao probably had no idea that President Su wasn’t an ordinary person.
Though she didn’t understand why Su Chenzhu lived among humans as one of them, she still remembered the terrifying aura he exuded when she first met him.
It was something... unimaginable, indescribable.
"He’s the type who gets shy easily." At the mention of Su Chenzhu, warmth filled Chao Musheng’s eyes. "When he looks at me, his eyes shine."
Xiaojuan opened her mouth but couldn’t find any words.
Chao hadn’t uttered a single word about "love," yet his face was overflowing with it.
But really, what did it matter what kind of existence Su Chenzhu was?
Having survived countless trials, Xiaojuan had long learned to take things in stride. As long as they were alive and could love each other, nothing else was worth fretting over.
"Chao, if you decide to be with President Su, you have to treat him well." After struggling for a long time, she realized she couldn’t reveal anything about Su Chenzhu’s true nature, so she settled for a vague warning. "Never do anything to betray him."
I’m afraid you wouldn’t survive the consequences.
"Don’t worry so much." Chao Musheng laughed. "I don’t play games with feelings."
His grandmother had taught him since childhood that sincerity was rare—those who toyed with hearts would swallow a thousand needles.
"Go back and finish your meal." Seeing Xiaojuan’s grave expression, he shook his head in amusement. "I’m just trying to cherish someone’s sincerity, not walking to the execution ground."
Xiaojuan stayed silent, sighing inwardly.
The execution ground would be far easier than the "sincerity" you’re about to embrace.
By the time they returned, the discussions at the table had ended. No one dared to disturb President Su during mealtime for too long. When he glanced at his phone, everyone tactfully focused on their food.
Meanwhile, online comments were growing wilder, some even venturing into risqué territory.
[Imagine a scenario where some random person steals a glance at a stunning beauty on the street, and the big boss, green with jealousy, locks them up in a dark room to have his way...]
[How bold! Where’s the fic? Where’s the art? Let me judge it properly.]
Su Chenzhu pressed his lips together and locked his phone screen.
It was only natural for people to admire beauty. Even if Chao looked at others, it was fine.
He touched his own face. Wasn’t he good-looking enough?
"What’s on your mind?" Chao Musheng returned from outside and noticed Su Chenzhu’s subdued mood. Using serving chopsticks, he placed some food on Su’s plate. "You barely ate earlier. Have some more."
Su Chenzhu quietly accepted the offering. "Any plans for the afternoon?"
"I’ll be joining Professor Zhang’s project team." Chao added two more servings to his plate. "Not sure how long it’ll take, but I’ll hurry back."
Su Chenzhu looked up at him.
"Don’t go back to the county this afternoon. Rest in my room instead." Chao Musheng met his gaze with a smile. "The forecast says thunderstorms tomorrow and the day after. The temperature’s about to drop."
"I’m afraid after tonight, the fireflies in Hanyue might disappear." He set down his chopsticks. "Mr. Su, will you go firefly-watching with me tonight?"
"Okay."
He could never refuse him.
At Professor Zhang’s table, several students stole glances at Chao Musheng and Su Chenzhu.
President Su’s reputation was legendary at their university. Several key research projects were collaborations with Kunlun Group. Seeing how close Chao was with the CEO filled them with both envy and pride.
What did it say that such an influential figure held a student from Jinghua in such high regard?
It proved just how exceptional Jinghua’s people were.
The League Branch Secretary stroked her chin, observing the interactions between Su Chenzhu and Chao Musheng. It reminded her of what she’d witnessed during a hospital visit with classmates some time ago.
A CEO personally tending to his sick assistant—wasn’t that turning the world upside down?
Calling the assistant to his side in front of everyone, just to share the task of shoveling dirt together—how was that any different from declaring outright that this person mattered to him?
If this wasn’t love, what was?
That afternoon, setting up the project’s framework turned out to be far more tedious than Chao Musheng had anticipated.
Professor Zhang was meticulous and eager to complete the work efficiently to save local expenses. They ended up having dinner in the workspace.
By the time they wrapped up the day’s tasks and stepped out, it was nearly 1 a.m. Before the car even came to a full stop, Chao Musheng leaped out and sprinted toward the hotel entrance.
"Chao."
A man in a light-colored shirt stood in the dim glow of the entrance lights. It was impossible to tell how long he’d been waiting there. Beads of condensation covered the cup of milk tea in his hand, blending him into the night.
"Mr. Su." Chao Musheng rushed to his side. "I’m sorry. Phones weren’t allowed in the workspace. Have you been waiting long?"
"Not long." Su Chenzhu handed him the milk tea. "I only came down after getting your message that you were off work. Drink something first."
"Young man, so the one you’ve been waiting for is finally back?" An elderly man walking his dog passed by. "It’s so hot out, yet you stood here for two or three hours without even breaking a sweat?"
A man this striking was a rare sight in their small town. Seeing him wait so patiently, everyone had assumed he was waiting for a sweetheart—only for it to turn out to be a young man.
Well, and what a handsome young man at that!
Satisfied with this discovery, the old man finally headed home with his tired dog in tow.
Tomorrow morning, he’d have quite the story to share with the neighbors.
Now wasn’t that something?
"It's so late, maybe you should go back and rest first." Su Chenzhu noticed the exhaustion on the faces of the others getting off the car and steered the conversation away from the old man's remarks.
"I'm not tired yet. The riverside is quiet now—no one will disturb us." Chao Musheng inserted a straw into the milk tea cup and handed it to Su Chenzhu. "The first sip is for you."
Su Chenzhu didn’t like overly sweet milk tea, but he obediently took a sip anyway.
"It’s delicious." Chao Musheng took the cup back, lowered his head to drink a big gulp from the same straw, and smiled brightly. "It’s just the flavor I like. Thank you, Mr. Su, for preparing this milk tea so thoughtfully."
He tugged lightly at Su Chenzhu’s sleeve. "Let’s go now."
They couldn’t let those two or three hours of waiting go to waste.
The classmates who had just stepped off the car: What were they seeing?!
Chao Musheng and President Su… sharing… the same cup of milk tea?!
The students, who had been so sleepy they could barely keep their eyes open, suddenly sparkled with boundless excitement. Sleep? Who needed sleep? They were now energized enough to wrestle a tiger on a mountain.
Was this really something they could witness for free?
