Early that morning, Gu Zhan was already furious over a new project.

Leaning back in his executive chair, face dark with irritation, he reprimanded several project managers until none of them dared breathe too loudly.

The project involved securing the domestic distribution rights for a major Australian skincare brand.

Gu Zhan had wanted this deal for a long time.

The agency agreement had been revised countless times, and Slungshot had already made concessions to the point where there was almost nothing left to give.

Yet the deal still hadn’t been finalized.

Staring at the “Executives” he paid seven-figure salaries to, President Gu rubbed his temples and let out a long breath.

Then he pressed the internal line.

“Xiao Chen, book the earliest flight available. I’m going to Australia.”

Three minutes later, Xiao Chen knocked gently and entered.

“President Gu, the earliest flight leaves at 2:00 PM. You’ll arrive at Baiyun Airport for a transfer at 5:05 PM. The layover is—”

Gu Zhan glanced at his watch.

11:40 AM.

“Book two tickets. Richard and me.”

“Then go to my apartment immediately and pack some casual clothes. Enough for one or two weeks.”

“We’ll meet at the airport.”

“Understood.”

Xiao Chen nodded, but hesitated.

“President Gu... there’s someone in the reception room who’s been waiting all morning. Would you like to see him?”

“Who?”

Gu Zhan continued reviewing documents.

“He says his name is... Yao Jing.”

Xiao Chen cautiously observed her boss's reaction.

Normally, she would never bring an uninvited visitor to see him.

But when she heard the name, she remembered it immediately.

Wasn’t this the person Gu Zhan had once instructed her to chat with on WeChat to “develop feelings”?

Well...

Now she knew Yao Jing was a man.

Even though President Gu was currently dating the Fu family’s crown prince, there seemed to be some history here.

She didn’t dare make the decision herself.

“What's he here for?” Gu Zhan asked indifferently.

“I’m not sure. Mr. Yao says it’s important and wants to tell you personally.”

Glancing at his watch again, Gu Zhan replied:

“Bring him in. He has ten minutes.”

A few moments later, Xiao Chen escorted Yao Jing inside and quietly left.

Yao Jing glared at him angrily.

“President Gu, did you remove me from the promotion roster for Slungshot’s in-house brand?”

After successfully acquiring Youfan, Gu Zhan had quickly rebranded its private-label products under the new name Feifan Select.

They had increased marketing efforts and partnered with several livestream sales agencies to rapidly establish the brand in the market.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“If it concerns livestream promotions for Feifan Select, please speak to the relevant people in the publicity department.”

Gu Zhan never even looked up from his documents.

Yao Jing had waited all morning.

Seeing this attitude only fueled his anger.

“I was one of the top three winners in the livestream competition!”

“The other two contestants both received launch opportunities with Feifan Select.”

“Why am I the only one excluded?”

“Are you still holding a grudge over what happened before and taking revenge through business?”

Mentioning the past only irritated Gu Zhan further.

Back then, this little troublemaker had whispered nonsense into Fu Yan’s ear and nearly caused serious conflict between them.

Gu Zhan had originally intended to let bygones be bygones.

Instead, Yao Jing had shown up looking for trouble.

Finally looking up, Gu Zhan fixed him with a sharp stare.

“When Slungshot chooses partners, we evaluate more than commercial value.”

“We also look at character.”

“How can someone with questionable morals build trust among consumers?”

“And what makes such a person qualified to represent Feifan Select?”

“So it really was you!”

Yao Jing exploded.

He rushed forward and slammed both fists onto the desk.

“You rich people are all the same!”

“You act righteous while preaching to everyone else, but your hands are dirtier than anyone’s!”

“I earned my ranking through my own ability!”

“What right do you have to say I'm unqualified?”

“If you don't want me involved, fine!”

“But why play dirty behind the scenes?”

“You had my boss cut my streaming slots!”

“You had my traffic throttled!”

“Don’t you think you've gone too far?”

“You think I’m targeting you?” Gu Zhan sneered.

“You’re not important enough.”

“President Gu, you forced me into this!”

Yao Jing raised his phone.

“I’ve added quite a few of your former close friends on WeChat.”

“I know all sorts of things.”

“You like a bottle of red wine before getting intimate.”

“You have particular preferences in bed.”

“And most importantly...”

“You prefer lovers who keep quiet.”

“Why?”

“What are you afraid of?”

The seemingly innocent and obedient young man had finally revealed his true nature: Cunning, greedy and aggressive.

“I suggest you think carefully before speaking.”

Every word from Gu Zhan carried a clear warning.

“A barefoot man isn't afraid of someone wearing shoes!”

Yao Jing refused to back down.

“Give me the exclusive Feifan Select contract.”

“Otherwise I’ll reveal your sexuality online.”

“As far as I know, no publicly listed company in China has ever had its CEO openly exposed as gay.”

“Security.”

Gu Zhan’s voice turned cold.

“Throw him out.”

Several bodyguards immediately entered.

Yao Jing panicked.

Even while being dragged away, he continued shouting:

“President Gu! You think I won’t do it?!”

“I’m telling you—”

A bodyguard promptly covered his mouth.

Ignoring his struggles, they carried him out.

“Ridiculous.”

Gu Zhan muttered.

He had no time to waste on Yao Jing.

Quickly gathering his laptop and tablet, he headed for the airport.

Even during the drive, he never stopped working.

Holding a tablet, he discussed project strategy with Richard all the way to the terminal.

Richard was also one of Gu Zhan’s assistants, though unlike Xiao Chen, he handled business matters rather than personal affairs.

Fluent in multiple languages, he often accompanied Gu Zhan on overseas trips.

The two had just collected the luggage Xiao Chen delivered and were heading toward security when a familiar figure suddenly rushed over carrying a livestream setup.

Yao Jing.

Smiling sweetly at his audience, he aimed the camera behind him.

“Everyone, take a look! Right behind me is—”

Richard reacted instantly and blocked the camera.

“You may not film others without permission.”

While dealing with Yao Jing, he signaled nearby airport security.

Two guards quickly approached and stopped him, requesting identification and boarding documents.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Gu Zhan passed through security.

“What is wrong with him?”

“How did he follow us all the way to the airport?”

Gu Zhan asked irritably as they headed toward the lounge.

“He probably followed our car,” Richard replied.

“Contact public relations.”

“Don’t let him spread nonsense online.”

“Yes, President Gu.”

After a brief pause, Gu Zhan asked:

“The issue about removing him from Feifan Select promotions—do you know anything about it?”

Richard happened to oversee the livestream sales project.

Carefully choosing his words, he replied:

“His boss, President Zhang, apparently heard rumors that Mr. Yao had somehow offended you.”

“So he suggested removing him from the campaign.”

Gu Zhan frowned.

“What about the streaming slots and traffic restrictions?”

“Probably also President Zhang.”

“He wanted to do you a favor.”

“Mr. Yao hasn’t been doing very well lately.”

“His livestream traffic has practically disappeared.”

Richard cautiously watched his boss's expression.

Gu Zhan loosened his tie.

His eyes darkened.

“Then let him disappear completely.”

“Huh?”

Richard stared in surprise as his boss walked away decisively.

In his experience, Gu Zhan could be ruthless in business, but he was never petty.

Why would he personally destroy a small influencer’s career?

Everything happened in such a rush that Gu Zhan only remembered something important when the flight attendants asked passengers to switch their phones to airplane mode.

He had forgotten to tell Fu Yan he was leaving on a business trip.

Recently, whenever he worked late or wouldn’t be home for dinner, he always informed Fu Yan beforehand.

If he didn’t say otherwise, it usually meant he was free that evening.

Fu Yan would pick him up after work.

Sometimes they cooked together.

Sometimes they tried new restaurants.

Either way, the night belonged to just the two of them.

Today, however, no message had arrived even by five in the afternoon.

Smiling, Fu Yan packed two bottles of expensive wine that a business partner had gifted him earlier that day.

He planned to pick up his boyfriend and cook a French dinner at home.

He waited for quite some time in his reserved parking spot beneath Slungshot headquarters.

Gu Zhan never appeared.

His phone was unreachable.

Eventually, Fu Yan went upstairs to check.

Xiao Chen looked surprised.

“President Gu?”

“He left for Australia this afternoon on a business trip.”

“He didn’t tell you?”

The smile on Fu Yan’s face froze for a brief moment.

Then he smiled again.

“Oh. I see.”

As the only employee in the company who knew about her boss's relationship, Xiao Chen felt obligated to help.

She hurriedly explained:

“He has a transfer through Baiyun Airport, so he should be arriving soon.”

“He was incredibly busy today.”

“Meetings all morning.”

“The trip was arranged very suddenly.”

“I was the one who packed his luggage.”

“Mm.”

Fu Yan nodded and left.

Sure enough, shortly after driving away from Slungshot, Gu Zhan’s call came through.

“Fu Yan, I have an urgent matter and need to go to Australia.”

“Probably one or two weeks.”

His speech was faster than usual, his breathing slightly uneven, as though he were walking quickly.

“Okay. Stay safe.”

Gu Zhan laughed.

“I’m a grown man. What’s unsafe about me?”

Fu Yan deliberately teased him.

“But my boyfriend is dangerously good-looking.”

“When he's out and about, people might get ideas.”

“Nonsense.”

After a stressful day, Gu Zhan found himself grinning foolishly into his phone.

“Are you home already?”

“At this hour, you should be home.”

He checked the time.

His entire day had been so hectic that it never occurred to him that Fu Yan might have gone to pick him up.

“Mm.”

Fu Yan quietly rolled up the car window to block out the wind.

Considering how busy Gu Zhan had been, there was no need to mention the wasted trip.

Gu Zhan seemed to answer someone nearby before returning to the call.

“I can't talk much longer.”

“I have another flight to catch.”

“Okay.”

“Message me when you arrive.”

“Will do.”

After hanging up, the enclosed car suddenly felt very quiet.

Too quiet.

A short while later, another call came in.

It was from Li You.

His loud voice immediately filled the car.

“Fu Yan!”

“Where have you been hiding lately?”

“Feels like you've completely forgotten the brothers you grew up with!”

“How could I?”

In truth, Fu Yan had noticeably reduced the time he spent fooling around with that crowd lately.

Partly because Gu Zhan disliked it.

Partly because he wanted to spend more time with his boyfriend.

“Got time for drinks tonight?”

“Sure.”

“I happen to have two excellent bottles of wine.”

“Then get over here.”

“I’ll send you the address.”

“Sounds good.”

“See you soon.”