Fu Yan took the initiative to ask Gu Zhan for a private conversation. Fu Hongping left the young men to themselves and went off to mingle with other guests.

The two moved to a quiet corner. Seeing that Gu Zhan was nearly finished with his drink, Fu Yan took another glass from the champagne tower and handed it to him.

Having been sent to study in London from a young age, years of British rain and culture had left Fu Yan with an unmistakably refined and gentlemanly demeanor.

But being a gentleman did not mean he yielded in everything.

With a courteous smile still on his face, he said rather bluntly:

“President Gu, I hope you'll keep your distance from Jingjing in the future.”

Gu Zhan let out a cold laugh.

“And from what position are you saying that to me, President Fu?”

“As Jingjing’s friend.”

“What kind of friend?”

“An ordinary friend.”

Though momentarily choked by the question, Fu Yan's confidence never wavered.

“We're all civilized people. Speaking as a friend, I hope you stop bothering him.”

Bothering him?

From beginning to end, when had he ever bothered Yao Jing?

Gu Zhan suspected that all those years of London rain had somehow seeped into this gentleman’s brain, making him so self-righteous and eager to accuse people without knowing the facts.

Getting slapped for no reason wasn't enough?

Now this guy actually had the nerve to lecture him as though he were standing for justice?

If that wasn't idiocy, what was?

Anger flared inside Gu Zhan, but President Gu was still President Gu. He would never let emotions take control.

The idiot standing before him happened to be the crown prince of the Fu Group—a company Gu Zhan had long hoped to cooperate with. If he openly got into an argument with Fu Yan now, it would do neither him nor his company any good.

His mind worked quickly.

Suppressing his irritation, he said calmly:

“A reasonable and educated man like President Fu should understand the concept of first come, first served. Yao Jing is exactly my type. If we happen to share the same taste, then please get in line behind me.”

With that, Gu Zhan turned and walked away.

In truth, he had already lost interest in pursuing Yao Jing.

His harsh words were partly driven by male competitiveness—he could lose anything, but not face.

More importantly, the shrewd businessman had noticed something:

The Fu Group's heir seemed very interested in Yao Jing.

Calling him "Jingjing" over and over—how intimate.

Gu Zhan had wanted to partner with the Fu Group for a long time. But his own company, compared to theirs, was relatively small. Though he knew Fu Hongping, they lacked both deep personal ties and a suitable opportunity for cooperation.

Winning over an old veteran like Fu Hongping would be difficult.

But what about his son, newly entering the business world?

Wouldn't that be much easier?

If he could establish a connection with Fu Yan, then whenever the Fu Group got a share of the feast, surely some soup would spill into his bowl.

A wealthy second-generation heir like Fu Yan—educated, refined, and born into privilege—must be surrounded daily by people eager to flatter him.

Someone like that would have exceptionally high standards.

Trying to win him over through constant flattery would never work.

Bootlicking would only annoy him.

Only confidence without arrogance would attract his attention.

The incident at D·Bar still bothered Gu Zhan.

He refused to let himself take that slap for nothing.

Since Fu Yan seemed interested in the same person, Gu Zhan figured he might as well use the situation to his advantage.

After all, he had met Yao Jing first.

He wanted Fu Yan to believe he was stealing someone else's love interest.

To feel guilty.

Men like Fu Yan generally had a bit of a hero complex.

He wouldn't be able to tolerate feeling indebted to someone.

Surely he'd look for ways to make it up to him.

And that would create opportunities for Gu Zhan to work his way closer.

At the time, Gu Zhan's head was entirely filled with business calculations.

What he never realized was that, in Fu Yan's eyes, he had already become a refined-looking scoundrel who bullied innocent people.

━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━

In reality, "London rain" hadn't damaged Fu Yan's brain.

He had simply been influenced by the little "seducer's" story.

After the unpleasant encounter at D·Bar, Yao Jing had been both frightened and alarmed.

Naturally, he had called and messaged Gu Zhan repeatedly to explain himself.

But he also had to explain things to Fu Yan.

Of course, Yao Jing wasn't about to admit he was trying to keep multiple options open.

Instead, the helpless little influencer tearfully told the warm-hearted gentleman that President Gu had taken a liking to him and was forcing him to date him.

If he refused, Gu Zhan would supposedly destroy his livestreaming career.

Yao Jing was just a small nobody trying to survive.

How could someone like him oppose a powerful executive?

How could he dare offend President Gu?

So he had no choice but to obediently agree to "give the relationship a try."

Hearing this story, Fu Yan had been outraged.

His fists clenched tightly.

This is outrageous!

Having received a strong moral education growing up, he hated people who abused power to bully others.

Naturally, he couldn't stand by and do nothing.

Which was exactly why today's private conversation had happened.

Unfortunately, both men had hidden agendas.

Rather than clearing up misunderstandings, the conversation only deepened them.

━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━

The next day, Gu Zhan contacted Yao Jing, intending to reinforce their connection and establish himself as the original suitor.

Unfortunately, he had meetings all day and no time for romance.

The number he'd given Yao Jing happened to be his work phone, so he naturally instructed his secretary, Xiao Chen, to reply to Yao Jing's messages.

Xiao Chen was an enthusiastic young woman.

She admired and respected her boss immensely.

The one thing she couldn't understand was how a man as charming as President Gu had so little luck in serious romance.

Of course, women constantly threw themselves at him.

But he never seemed genuinely interested.

To her, it all looked like superficial socializing.

Xiao Chen had no idea about Gu Zhan's sexual orientation.

First, he was far too busy for much of a private life.

Second, even when he did pursue romance, he kept things discreet and avoided familiar faces.

The name "Yao Jing" was common and gender-neutral.

She never considered that Yao Jing might be male.

She often replied to work-related messages on Gu Zhan's behalf.

But this was the first time she'd handled something that appeared personal.

She couldn't help feeling excited.

At last, it seemed her boss was finally opening up to romance.

Unfortunately, news like this often led to overenthusiasm.

Xiao Chen thought a man like President Gu probably remained single because he was too cold and emotionally clueless.

As a loyal employee, surely she should help him out.

After all, what woman could resist sweet talk?

So while Yao Jing was having afternoon tea with Fu Yan, he received a message:

𓉘 Sweetheart, what are you busy with? Did you miss me today~?♡ 𓉝

At that moment, Yao Jing was selecting desserts at the counter.

His phone had been left unlocked on the table.

The contact name displayed was simply "Gu Zhan."

Fu Yan happened to glance over.

His face immediately stiffened.

Sweetheart?

Who would have guessed that the impeccably dressed and domineering President Gu used such sweet, affectionate terms in private?

Then another message arrived.

Fu Yan glanced again.

This time his face turned green.

He instantly regretted not controlling his eyes.

He practically wanted to gouge them out.

𓉘 I really like how you look in skirts. When are you free to go shopping together? 𓉝

Skirts?!

Gu Zhan truly was a disgraceful hypocrite.

And his father wanted him to learn from this man?

Learn what?

His bizarre preferences?

Though Fu Yan had long accepted his own attraction to men and considered himself open-minded, he still found Gu Zhan's direct encouragement of another man to wear skirts embarrassingly shameless.

At least, he himself could never do such a thing.

When Yao Jing returned to the table smiling, he immediately noticed Fu Yan's expression.

"President Fu, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Since he had only accidentally seen the messages, Fu Yan felt it would be rude to bring them up.

Especially considering how intimate they were.

He merely replied:

"Nothing."

After that, he remained distracted throughout the rest of their conversation.

Yao Jing eventually saw Gu Zhan's messages as well.

To him, this was wonderful news.

The aloof and unattainable President Gu had finally messaged him first.

And with such sweet, suggestive content.

He desperately wanted to reply immediately but felt awkward doing so with Fu Yan present.

Originally, Fu Yan had been very fond of boys like Yao Jing—fair-skinned, youthful, and innocent-looking.

Combined with Yao Jing's tragic tale of being bullied by a powerful executive, it had greatly awakened Fu Yan's protective instincts.

The purpose of today's date had been to talk, connect, and see whether their relationship might develop further.

Instead, Gu Zhan's two messages ruined everything.

Both men ended up distracted.

Before long, they parted ways and went home.

━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━

Meanwhile, Xiao Chen and Yao Jing chatted enthusiastically through messages.

Soon they arranged to go shopping together over the weekend.

When the weekend arrived, Yao Jing spent hours styling himself.

Dressed fashionably and looking much younger than his age, he resembled a college student.

The moment Gu Zhan saw him, he smiled and gently ruffled his hair.

"You look great today."

Delighted by the compliment, Yao Jing instinctively moved to link arms with him.

When he noticed Gu Zhan subtly avoiding the gesture, he wisely stopped.

President Gu must be the reserved type, he thought.

Bold in messages, proper in public.

The two spent the afternoon shopping.

Gu Zhan remained neither especially close nor distant.

But he was certainly generous.

Clothes, accessories, gifts—he bought plenty.

Yao Jing was so happy he felt like floating.

As they prepared to leave and entered the parking garage, a tall figure stepped out from beside Gu Zhan's black coupe.

"President Fu?"

Gu Zhan was clearly surprised.

Fu Yan stared at him coldly.

"Didn't I tell you to stay away from him?"

"Tch."

Gu Zhan couldn't be bothered arguing.

He grabbed Yao Jing's hand and headed toward the car.

Yao Jing obediently followed while secretly turning back to shoot Fu Yan a pitiful look.

The little "seducer" was truly a gifted actor.

His eyes reddened instantly.

He looked heartbreakingly vulnerable.

Honestly, if he had simply focused on deceiving one wealthy executive, he might actually have had a chance at marrying into wealth.

Unfortunately, he was too greedy.

And too dramatic.

Someone had uploaded footage from the D·Bar incident online under the hashtags:

#TwoCEOsFightOverAPrettyBoy

#WhenSoapOperasBecomeReality

The lighting was too dark to identify faces.

The uploader merely wanted attention and didn't dare name the Fu Group or Slungshot directly.

Only Yao Jing was exposed.

The result?

Yao Jing briefly became internet-famous.

His followers skyrocketed.

His livestream views flew through the roof.

The incident benefited him enormously.

And once someone profits from drama, they often want more.

So before today's shopping trip ended, Yao Jing secretly sent Fu Yan his location from the fitting room.

The message claimed that Gu Zhan had forced him on another date.

That he was helpless.

That he desperately needed rescuing.

How could Fu Yan watch such a pitiful victim suffer at the hands of a bully?

Though normally gentle and elegant, Gentleman Fu was never weak when action was required.

He immediately stepped forward and grabbed Gu Zhan's "wandering hand."

With a precise twist, he separated their joined hands.

Gu Zhan wasn't about to submit quietly.

He shook free and shoved Fu Yan hard.

Seeing the "villain" actually fight back, Fu Yan decided there was no reason to hold back either.

One side step.

Along with one quick well-placed movement.

And within seconds he had Gu Zhan pinned against a car door.

Having trained in close-quarters combat as a hobby years earlier, and possessing a naturally large build, Fu Yan was far stronger than the average person.

Now Gu Zhan's lower body was trapped by Fu Yan's leg, while both arms were twisted behind his back.

He couldn't move at all.

Humiliated and furious, Gu Zhan gritted his teeth.

"Fu Yan, are you insane?"

"The insane one is you!"

Fu Yan's voice rang out coldly.

"You're completely out of your mind!"

As he spoke, his grip tightened unconsciously.

Pain shot through Gu Zhan, causing him to hiss sharply.

At that exact moment, Fu Yan's phone rang.

Reluctantly, he released him.

"Hello? Dad?"

Inside the towering headquarters of the Fu Group, Fu Hongping held his phone with obvious irritation.

"We're having a review meeting. Where are you? An entire room of your uncles and elders is waiting for you. Does that seem appropriate?"

A pause.

"What? You're at a shopping mall with Gu Zhan?"

"You two went shopping together?!"

"Dad, could you lower your voice?"

Frowning, Fu Yan held the phone farther from his ear.

The moment Gu Zhan heard it was Fu Hongping calling, his mind immediately started working again.

He suddenly groaned dramatically:

"Ahh—Fu Yan, I think you broke my arm."

On the other end of the line, Fu Hongping exploded.

"What?!"

"You broke his arm?!"

"Dad, it's not what you think."

Fu Yan shot Gu Zhan a glare.

"I don't care what happened," Fu Hongping barked. "I'm ordering you right now—take President Gu to the hospital immediately."

"How did your mother raise you? You're a grown man and still this reckless..."

As his father's endless scolding continued, Fu Yan silently hung up the phone.