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Chapter 37: Alright, I’ll help you gain some popularity too.
“You don’t need to do this.” Chen Wengang smiled in the end. “I have no reason to get angry.”
“Now that things have come to this, what we need to think about is how to resolve it. Do you want to hush her up with money, report her to the police, or do something else? Of course, if you report to the police, it might not be kept secret, and it could be troublesome. But given her money, she may not be willing to negotiate properly.”
Chen Wengang’s reaction to this matter was surprisingly calm. Zheng Yucheng stood with a slightly hunched back, knowing he was in the wrong, and could only remain silent.
Even for this entire trap, Zheng Yucheng could only grit his teeth and swallow it.
After waking up, whether there was any connection, the man knew it himself – nothing happened at all!
He Wanxin confessed to him with a triumphant expression, casually asking if anyone would believe it.
There was no other way.
But in Zheng Yucheng’s state of anxious unease, Chen Wengang’s reaction was the truly fatal blow.
He didn’t even ask if it was true; he just calmly helped Zheng Yucheng think about how to deal with this crisis.
Chen Wengang simply didn’t give a damn.
In Zheng Yucheng’s gaze, he suddenly saw a glaring red mark on his collarbone.
Realizing the sudden tightening of his gaze, Chen Wengang lowered his head, was slightly stunned, and adjusted his collar.
“Since this photo is…”
“On your neck.” Zheng Yucheng gritted his teeth and asked, “Did Huo Niansheng do this?”
Since it was seen, Chen Wengang simply didn’t care. “It’s him. We spent a night together.”
He spoke with a calm and gentle tone.
However, Zheng Yucheng had only now stepped into the abyss and asked, “You and him—at the yacht club?”
Chen Wengang furrowed his brow and said, “Zheng Yucheng.” His expression finally turned cold, “Don’t interrogate me as if I were a criminal.”
Zheng Yucheng’s stomach felt like it was filled with stones. Nightmares piled up one after another on his chest, as if he couldn’t wake up no matter what.
He abruptly grabbed Chen Wengang’s shoulder, his anger making him speak recklessly, “Why? Are you doing this to retaliate against me?”
Chen Wengang looked at him with a satisfied sneer and said word by word, “My feelings for him have nothing to do with you.”
Zheng Yucheng’s mind was actually blank, and he appeared fierce on the outside but weak on the inside, his breathing trembling.
Chen Wengang had already turned and headed upstairs.
Back in the room, the sense of satisfaction in his chest slowly subsided.
Chen Wengang chuckled self-deprecatingly, placed his phone on the table, and slowly sat on the edge of the bed.
The presence left by Huo Niansheng on him had not completely disappeared, and he shifted a bit, changing his posture slightly.
Swearing to an old lover was a childish act, but in a moment of impulsiveness, Chen Wengang couldn’t hold back.
He lowered his head to look at the phone again, opened the calendar, and checked. Although Zheng Yucheng had a scandal with He Wanxin in his previous life, it didn’t happen in Singapore, and this business trip came much later.
Perhaps after his rebirth, different choices made by each person would lead to different butterfly effects.
Just like Huo Meijie’s pregnancy, it was something that didn’t happen in his previous life, and all of these could be understood.
Chen Wengang couldn’t remember exactly how he faced Zheng Yucheng’s first betrayal in his previous life. It was just a memory not worth dwelling on, but when he recalled the past, what he hated the most was not Zheng Yucheng’s betrayal this time.
The time he hated the most was after Huo Niansheng’s death, when Zheng Yucheng learned the truth, divorced He Wanxin, and tried to reconcile:
“Wengang, you should face reality. Huo Niansheng has been dead for so many years… He can’t come back anymore.”
Chen Wengang looked at him expressionlessly, like staring at an enemy: “His matters are not for you to tell me.”
Zheng Yucheng pleaded humbly, “But the living still have to live well. I want to ask you for another chance. I’m willing to spend the rest of my life making up for all the mistakes I made before. I’m actually grateful to Huo Niansheng. He saved you when you were desperate and did what I, a bastard, should have done, giving me a chance to repent.”
If it weren’t for facing Zheng Yucheng just now, he wouldn’t have suddenly remembered these selectively forgotten unpleasant memories.
Chen Wengang himself didn’t know why he still harbored resentment until now.
He wasn’t someone who liked to dredge up old issues. What needed to be said had already been said to Zheng Yucheng in his previous life. There was no need to scold him again.
At that time, he probably said, “You have no right to be grateful to him. Yucheng, don’t take yourself too seriously.”
***
The next morning, Chen Wengang got up and went downstairs. He saw Zheng Yucheng already sitting at the dining table with a gloomy expression.
Chen Wengang smiled faintly, pulled out a chair as if nothing had happened, sat down, picked up a fork, and cut the scrambled eggs on the plate.
He was dressed as usual, wearing a light blue shirt with the top button unbuttoned, revealing his fair neck.
It wasn’t easy to notice the scars inside if one didn’t get too close, but he showed no intention of hiding them.
Moreover, Zheng Yucheng knew that some facts would not change.
Whether it was him or Chen Wengang.
Zheng Bingyi was still at the hospital, and only Zheng Baoqiu and Zheng Maoxun came down one after another for meals.
However, not long after, A-Mei quietly approached, glanced around at the people present, and chose to inform Zheng Baoqiu, “Young Master Huo is here.”
Zheng Maoxun, hearing this, found it strange: “Is he okay? Who comes to someone’s house so early as an uninvited guest?”
“Probably because he heard that Madam is pregnant?” A-Mei also couldn’t understand but speculated with a joyful expression, “He even brought some supplements like blood swallows. Uncle Lin took him to the small living room. After you finish eating, go over and take a look.”
Zheng Maoxun was even more puzzled, asking Zheng Baoqiu, “How did he get such accurate information? When did he become so concerned about our mother?”
Zheng Baoqiu didn’t think much about it: “We have been together these days after all. Wengang-ge, did you inform him before you left?”
Zheng Yucheng pursed his lips, making the effort to maintain a composed appearance.
Chen Wengang nodded, pushed away the plate, and smiled faintly, “I’m done eating. I’ll go take a look first.”
When he walked into the small living room, Uncle Lin had just served tea to Huo Niansheng.
This guest, who lacked manners, sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, and when he saw Chen Wengang, he greeted him with a playful smile.
There was a bit of wickedness and a bit of overall happiness in his demeanor.
Uncle Lin took away the tray, as serving guests was the responsibility of the host.
“Why are you here? Have you eaten?”
“Not yet.”
“There’s still food in the kitchen. I’ll ask them to serve you some. How much do you need?”
Huo Niansheng was genuinely amused by him, “Wengang, do you think I came to the Zheng family’s house so early just to beg for a meal?”
Chen Wengang finally chuckled and sat on the single sofa next to him. Huo Niansheng leaned toward Chen Wengang, propping his arm casually on the armrest, leaning forward, and complaining with his mouth, but his body language sought an intimate posture.
Chen Wengang didn’t dodge, and the two almost touched foreheads and nose tips.
He lowered his eyelids slightly, his gaze falling on Huo Niansheng’s chest, and a faint woody fragrance seemed to cling to him.
Huo Niansheng gradually touched his wrist, whispering, “You woke up nicely, leaving me behind and running away. Why didn’t you wake me up to send you off?”
Chen Wengang reversed his hand to hold his, and a hint of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he asked, “For what reason?”
Huo Niansheng suddenly exerted force, pulling him into his arms, and resentfully said, “What other reason could it be? As a driver.”
Chen Wengang pounced forward, colliding with him.
Chest pressed against chest, the air suddenly became more enchanting.
The sunlight illuminated Chen Wengang’s face; even the fine hairs on his face were highlighted, and his pupils were clear, like transparent amber.
Huo Niansheng’s arm tightened around Chen Wengang, one hand pressing against his lower back, gently massaging. He asked softly in his ear, “Still hurting?”
Chen Wengang’s body relaxed into a soft curve, resting his forehead on Huo Niansheng’s shoulder and shaking his head. His hand felt a cool sensation, touching a tube-like object. From the gap, a line of eyes appeared, seeing that Huo Niansheng had handed him a tube of ointment.
The semi-transparent tube was densely covered with English words. He was focused on identifying the name of the medicine when his earlobe was softly rubbed.
Huo Niansheng teased, “I’m going through all this trouble just to give you something. Remember to use it.”
Chen Wengang realized, and his face suddenly warmed. He responded with a hesitant “Hmm” and quickly stuffed it into his pocket.
Huo Niansheng enjoyed teasing him and was tempted by that nasal tone, “Or take me to your room, and I can teach you?”
Chen Wengang chuckled, patting his back: “Don’t be too presumptuous in someone else’s home.”
When Zheng Baoqiu entered the living room, she was immediately hit by a thrown lipstick.
The two had separated and sat upright, showing no signs of intimacy.
She exclaimed, “I’ve searched for this lipstick so many times. No wonder it’s not in my bag!”
Huo Niansheng playfully complained, “Careless. You left it in the guest room bathroom, and the cleaning staff found it.”
Zheng Baoqiu smiled, “Thanks, cousin. This was a gift from a good friend studying abroad, so it’s meaningful.”
“How is Auntie?”
“She and the baby are fine, but she still feels dizzy. I’m not sure if it’s the morning sickness. They’ll observe for another two days, and if everything is okay, she can be discharged.”
Huo Niansheng had no real interest in the child and responded perfunctorily. After a few brief exchanges, he quickly excused himself.
Zheng Baoqiu and Chen Wengang stood up to see him off at the door.
The hurried visit left Zheng Maoxun puzzled, and he even curiously said, “What on earth was he here for? Just to inquire whether our family is really adding a member? Is he crazy?”
Turning around, he saw Chen Wengang, half-smiling while glancing at him, “A-Xun, when will you ever change that mouth of yours?”
Zheng Maoxun snorted and lazily stretched. The holiday was not over yet today, and his playful mood hadn’t subsided. He was thinking about what to do when he suddenly asked Chen Wengang, “Hey, where are you going today?”
Chen Wengang looked back in the direction of the stairs. Zheng Yucheng had not shown up since breakfast.
Since that was the case, he probably wanted to solve his own troubles.
Chen Wengang turned his head and said, “I’m going to the university library to study.”
Zheng Maoxun smirked, “Really? So diligent?”
Chen Wengang teased, “Yes, so you should learn from me.”
Zheng Maoxun glared at him but changed his mind impulsively: “Alright, I’ll go too. I haven’t been to the library at school a few times.”
He actually wanted to see how diligent students studied.
Obviously, Zheng Maoxun wasn’t exaggerating. At most, he knew the majestic entrance of the university library building.
Chen Wengang took him along, and he even had to ask where to swipe the student card to enter.
The Jin University Library had floor-to-ceiling windows with a renowned, unbeatable mountain view. In the bright azure sky, clouds billowed, creating a spectacular scene.
However, Zheng Maoxun started daydreaming after sitting for just fifteen minutes, his eyes clear but aimlessly wandering.
Chen Wengang sat across from him, flipping through a thick professional book, preparing for his graduation thesis for the next semester.
His profile appeared blurred against the glass, with a focused expression and a straight posture. Not only Zheng Maoxun observed him, but another girl at the same table couldn’t help but glance at him several times. Unable to resist, she stuttered and asked, “Uh, is your surname Chen?”
Chen Wengang looked up and smiled at her, lowering his voice to respond.
She breathed a sigh of relief and also spoke in a hushed tone, “I was worried about mistaking you. Hello, senior, I’m in the same major as you, a direct junior, two grades below you.”
Zheng Maoxun raised an eyebrow, “How do you know him?”
The girl smiled, her eyes forming crescents: “Haven’t you seen the school forum? Senior is a frequent visitor to the confession wall. And our entire major has been voting for him as the Campus Star. Senior, our dormitory just voted for you yesterday.”
Chen Wengang was taken aback and asked, “Why is that?”
She explained, “You represent the face of our entire department, so we naturally want to promote our own people.”
Only Zheng Maoxun had more and more question marks on his forehead, “What is this, and what is ‘Campus Star’?”
The girl, thinking he wasn’t a student of the school, explained, “Ah… it’s an honorary title awarded every semester at our school. Candidates are students recommended by each department for their outstanding performance, from sophomore to senior. The champions are selected from these candidates.”
Chen Wengang only remembered now that his instructor had asked for his resume a while ago, something he had forgotten.
Zheng Maoxun exclaimed loudly, but Chen Wengang turned him away, and he lowered his voice, “… I know, I’m a student of this school! I just haven’t paid attention before. Where can I see this election?”
The voting interface could be accessed through the school’s official website.
With the guidance of the girl, Zheng Maoxun opened it on his phone, and two familiar faces caught his eye.
Apart from Chen Wengang, Mu Qing’s photo was also among the candidates from the School of Arts.
Although the number of votes for Mu Qing was not low, it was far less than Chen Wengang’s.
Zheng Maoxun was surprised, “Not bad, Chen Wengang; you’re unexpectedly popular.”
The girl smiled without saying a word, realizing he was a straightforward guy who probably wouldn’t understand even if she explained.
With tens of thousands of students and faculty in the whole school, it was impossible for everyone to know all the candidates. Besides, each department had students with a strong sense of collective honor spontaneously canvassing for votes, and candidates themselves would campaign. The remaining votes from bystanders were given to whoever they found attractive—ultimately, it was a superficial world.
The students finally selected as Campus Stars were, without exception, those with good looks, intelligence, and impressive resumes.
In a sense, it was like being a campus celebrity.
Zheng Maoxun was still studying it for a while, “Is there a prize for this?”
“No, it’s just an honor,” the girl explained. “But you see, the photos and resumes of previous Campus Stars are always visible. In other words, they are permanently displayed on the school’s official interface, proving that during their studies, they were once the most popular and prominent figures. In a way, it’s a matter of face.”
Using his student ID, Zheng Maoxun logged in and saw that each student had five voting opportunities.
He grumbled about it being boring, absentmindedly giving all five votes to Chen Wengang and bragging, “Alright, I’ll help you gain some popularity too.”
Chen Wengang resisted a smile, “Thanks for that.”
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Why is he so awkward 😭😂