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Chapter 75: I might mistakenly think you are targeting me.
The hot spring area was spacious, with overlapping echoes that made the sounds somewhat blurry yet resonant.
As the water submerged him, the hem of his robe floated up, soaked, and then gradually sank down again.
With his back to the light, Huo Niansheng’s expression was enigmatic.
The water flowed smoothly over his skin, steaming with heat, inducing a thin layer of sweat and accelerating his blood flow, leaving him in a daze.
Despite all this, Huo Niansheng seemed unaware, his attention fully focused on Chen Wengang.
…
An attitude of resignation. Huo Niansheng thought to himself, and when he made up his mind, he never hesitated.
…
“Serves you right.” Huo Niansheng chuckled, slowly speaking up but chiding him, “You deserve it, don’t you? Always getting yourself into trouble. Isn’t Huo Zhenfei enough of a lesson? They’re all cunning foxes who’ve lived for centuries. Why do you insist on dealing with them? Aren’t you just inviting trouble upon yourself?”
Chen Wengang couldn’t respond, grasping his hand and returning a helpless, pleading gaze.
But Huo Niansheng knew that this helplessness and vulnerability were all for his benefit. He had a sense of something slipping away, and certain aggressive tendencies within him surged. In his deepest desires, he wished he could fully control everyone around him, but this was ultimately just a desire, an expectation, not reality. Whose life could have so many certainties? Not even DaLuo JinXian could guarantee that.
…
Chen Wengang’s throat moved a few times, displaying a hint of pity.
However, Huo Niansheng showed no intention of showing mercy, lacking compassion in his gaze. A breath escaped, warm against his teeth, clearly visible in the light, shimmering slightly.
Huo Niansheng placed his hand in front of his eyes, his gaze uncertain. Suddenly, Chen Wengang reached out and grasped his hand.
The dome of the hot spring pavilion soared high, with a transparent glass ceiling revealing the starry sky. Trails of stardust crisscrossed, resembling a net capturing all the suppressed emotions.
Huo Niansheng looked back at him, and Chen Wengang lifted his other hand, wiping his mouth, and then lifted his head to meet his gaze directly.
The skin, after long soaking in the hot spring, was so fair it was almost translucent, as if all the veins, bones, and nerves beneath the surface were fully exposed. His amber-colored pupils were clear and bright, like two glasses of aged wine. The liquor had fermented over the years, silently maturing in the bottle, its taste unknown until it was uncorked.
Huo Niansheng brushed aside his wet hair and couldn’t resist kissing his eyes, tasting the acidity and bitterness of the wine within.
Chen Wengang casually pressed down on Huo Niansheng’s hand, pushing him away, and then he propped himself up with both hands, rising out of the water and sitting by the edge of the pool.
“What time did you rush back?”
“I took the high-speed train around five.”
“Was it crowded on the train?”
“It was okay.”
“By the way, there probably weren’t many business-class seats available. But wouldn’t it be more convenient to take a private plane?”
Huo Niansheng detected a strong hint of teasing in Chen Wengang’s tone. “Wouldn’t that be too extravagant? We still need to be thrifty in our daily lives.”
“I have a biased understanding of the lives of you wealthy people.”
Leaning against the pool wall, Chen Wengang deliberately cast a mischievous glance at him. Huo Niansheng finally chuckled. His hand, previously stroking his hair, slid down to the back of his neck and suddenly pinched it hard. The vertebrae crackled, emitting a sound of overexertion, and Chen Wengang let out a gasp.
Huo Niansheng triumphed, “I told you, sitting for too long during your studies isn’t good.”
Chen Wengang shifted position, moving closer to him. “Give me a massage.”
Huo Niansheng obediently placed his hand on his shoulder and massaged it a few times, but his posture wasn’t quite right. As he pressed down, it wasn’t effective. Chen Wengang wriggled into his embrace, mimicking his movements, and as he traced a line across his back, he said, “It was Huo Zhenfei who pulled me here this time. You shouldn’t blame me.”
“Wasn’t it you who provoked him first?” Huo Niansheng lowered his head to look at the person in his arms.
“You know what I want.” Chen Wengang met his gaze. “This is something we’ll have to face sooner or later.”
Huo Niansheng could only compromise. “Alright, I won’t blame you. But this isn’t the right time. Others might think you and Jiang Wanxia are plotting something together.”
Chen Wengang assumed a proud posture. “That depends on your ability to protect me. Anyway, I’m not worried.”
Huo Niansheng hugged his shoulder. “It’s rare. When did you start having so much confidence in me?”
Chen Wengang splashed some water and then sat up straight. “Dealing with Jiang Wanxia lately, there’s something she said that none of us agree with. She thinks everything she does is for her daughter, but to others, it just seems selfish. But thinking about it carefully, people are often hypocritical. I’ve been wanting to say the same thing—I do everything for you. It sounds a bit ridiculous, do you believe me?”
Huo Niansheng replied, “It sounds touching. Since you put it like that, how can I not believe you?”
“Wasn’t it you who provoked him first?” Huo Niansheng lowered his head to look at the person in his arms.
“You know what I want,” Chen Wengang met his gaze. “This is something we’ll have to face sooner or later.”
Huo Niansheng could only compromise. “Alright, I won’t blame you. But this isn’t the right time. Others might think you and Jiang Wanxia are plotting something together.”
Chen Wengang assumed a proud posture. “That depends on your ability to protect me. Anyway, I’m not worried.”
Huo Niansheng hugged his shoulder. “It’s rare. When did you start having so much confidence in me?”
Chen Wengang splashed some water and then sat up straight. “Dealing with Jiang Wanxia lately, there’s something she said that none of us agree with. She thinks everything she does is for her daughter, but to others, it just seems selfish. But thinking about it carefully, people are often hypocritical. I’ve been wanting to say the same thing—I do everything for you. It sounds a bit ridiculous; do you believe me?”
Huo Niansheng replied, “It sounds touching. Since you put it like that, how can I not believe you?”
Chen Wengang teased him, “You don’t believe me.”
Huo Niansheng paused. He still held a grudge, recalling how just recently he had suspected Chen Wengang of betrayal. “If I really believed you, I wouldn’t need to be reminded.”
Huo Niansheng’s heart skipped a beat, and he surrendered by kissing his forehead. “It’s my fault, I apologize… Can you forgive me? No matter what, I shouldn’t have said that. I lost my senses…”
As he spoke, he lowered his head.
The atmosphere was gentle.
On the rough stones beside the hot spring pool, warmed by the heat and covered by towels, their backs lay comfortably warm.
Until they were interrupted by unexpected guests coming to soak in the hot spring. “Wow, take it easy, guys.”
They both sat up.
Huo Yingfei appeared, his lower body wrapped in a towel, stepping onto the wooden path. “Even if we haven’t encountered any elders, some of the media and guests we invited today haven’t left yet. They’re staying overnight here. Niansheng, don’t make it seem like there’s already leaked footage from our newly opened establishment.”
Huo Niansheng didn’t care at all. He casually discarded his half-soaked bathrobe by the hot spring.
Chen Wengang’s gaze toward Huo Yingfei was equally cold, and he couldn’t be bothered to even make a facial expression.
Huo Yingfei didn’t seem to notice the hostility directed toward him. He approached a bit closer, still wearing a fake smile on his face.
“Sorry to interrupt; it seems like I’ve stumbled upon something private. Not very welcome, I guess.”
Huo Niansheng just gave him a disdainful look.
Huo Yingfei’s throat tightened; he understood the meaning behind that look very well.
In his youth, he considered himself elegant and upright and wished to earn everyone’s praise with his performances. Especially in front of Huo Kaishan, he felt the need to measure every word and avoid any improper behavior, as even a slight misstep felt like tarnishing his gentlemanly image.
…
Later on, he was accused of sexual harassment, and the media mocked his public image, and everyone looked at him differently.
What could Huo Yingfei do? At most, he learned to adopt an indifferent attitude nowadays.
He didn’t care anymore and decided to expose his true colors, no longer bothering to put on a show. Living life with authenticity felt much better. But he couldn’t stand the fact that even Huo Niansheng could mock him for being a male prostitute!
Huo Niansheng lazily raised his head. “With such a large hot spring facility and so many pools, is there no place for you to stay?”
Huo Yingfei, feigning strength, looked down at him from above. “Why are you in such a hurry to chase me away? Today’s opportunity is rare. It’s the first time meeting your friend here. Everyone is curious, not just me. By the way, what’s your name again?”
He turned to Chen Wengang for the last sentence. “Your surname is Wen, quite uncommon.”
Chen Wengang ignored him, leaning against Huo Niansheng’s chest, turning his head away like a delicate canary.
Huo Yingfei thought it was audacious for someone like him to look down on him, but he kept his composure. “He’s not bad-looking, but his temper is quite something. Niansheng, you might need to teach him a bit more. Bringing someone like this home, isn’t it asking for trouble?”
Huo Niansheng said, “You’d better keep your distance.”
Huo Yingfei replied, “What’s this? Is this a forbidden topic?”
Huo Niansheng had already stood up, placing a hand on Huo Yingfei’s shoulder and pushing him back. Before Huo Yingfei could react, he felt a buzzing sensation in his head, then a sudden impact on his abdomen. This caught Chen Wengang off guard as well, and he only heard a loud splash as a huge spray of water erupted from the nearby herbal pool.
***
Back in the room, Chen Wengang remembered to take out his phone. He received a message from Huo Jingsheng: “What’s gotten into Huo Niansheng?”
Through the text, it was unclear if Huo Jingsheng was amused or concerned. The bathroom was bustling with noise, and Chen Wengang glanced up. The figure in the robe was taking a shower inside, while on the hot spring side, Huo Niansheng had clashed with Huo Yingfei, grabbed him, and headed back to the room, leaving Huo Yingfei stomping behind him.
Chen Wengang rubbed his forehead, placed the phone beside him, and didn’t reply. To outsiders, only Huo Niansheng could pull off such absurd actions.
After a while, a message came from an unsaved number: “Can you take a call?”
Chen Wengang replied, “Yes.”
Just as he had saved Huo Yingfei’s name in his contacts, the phone began to ring.
Huo Yingfei’s voice remained steady. “What just happened between you guys? Why did Niansheng resort to violence against me?”
Chen Wengang replied calmly, “There was a little altercation at the hot spring resort.”
“And the reason? Was it because of you?”
“Is that what Huo Yingfei said?”
“He’s the one who got hit, of course, he won’t speak well of you. I’ve covered it up for you, advised him not to stir up trouble, so Dad and Uncle don’t need to know.” Huo Yingfei sighed, earnestly advising, “But, Wengang, I think I don’t need to spell it out. With so many people from the family here this time, they’re not just looking at Jiang Cai, they’re also looking at you… You understand what I mean, right?”
There was no need for him to explain further; it was about seeing what kind of person Huo Niansheng had chosen.
Chen Wengang smiled faintly. “I understand. Sorry, since it’s like this, you should also understand why Niansheng ‘lost his temper’ for me. I know, this phrasing is a bit melodramatic, but you can understand it to mean something similar, right?”
Huo Zhenfei replied lightly, “Yes, I understand what you mean.”
Chen Wengang continued, “What you want to warn me about is that your family members are taking this opportunity to scrutinize me, to see if I’m a man or a woman, if I’m square or round.”
Huo Zhenfei confirmed, “Yes.”
Chen Wengang added, “But if I were given the respect I deserve, I believe Huo Niansheng wouldn’t have needed to resort to violence today.”
Huo Zhenfei hesitated for a moment. “You’re quite clever.”
Huo Niansheng suddenly snatched the phone from Chen Wengang’s hand. “Then stop trying to be clever yourself.”
He quickly dried himself off, his hair still damp. Chen Wengang curled his legs up and shifted towards the bed, making room for him.
Huo Niansheng grasped his hand and kissed it lightly.
Huo Zhenfei heard his voice and changed to a slightly reproachful tone. “Niansheng, I’m just advising you not to act impulsively. What’s the point of hitting Huo Yingfei? Just to show everyone not to mess with you? Otherwise, there won’t be a good outcome like this.”
Huo Niansheng lay with his head on Chen Wengang’s lap, displaying a hint of nonchalance in his smile, though Huo Zhenfei couldn’t see his expression.
Huo Zhenfei continued, “I believe even Wengang wouldn’t approve of your actions.”
Huo Niansheng, speaking through the phone, suddenly called out his full name. “As a shareholder, I signed a unanimous action agreement with Third Uncle, your father, not you. Of course, even with the agreement, it doesn’t mean I’ll necessarily follow you and Uncle in everything.”
Huo Zhenfei paused, remaining silent.
Huo Niansheng said, “Don’t misunderstand. I don’t like to threaten people. It just occurred to me suddenly that this was the case. You’re my cousin, and I actually enjoy maintaining our friendly relationship. Sometimes I worry that we’re too close, and we might lose some boundaries. I’m someone who often lacks boundaries, but you’ve always been better at it. Huo Zhenfei, if you continue to try to step on me, I might mistakenly think you’re targeting me. But you wouldn’t do that, right?”
Huo Zhenfei remained silent for a long while before responding, “Of course not. I’ve been under a lot of pressure lately, and my temper has been a bit impatient. Once things here are settled, I’ll invite you to take Wengang out for a meal.”
Author’s note:
Huo Niansheng hitting Huo Yingfei wasn’t impulsive. He has always portrayed himself as a spoiled individual at home, and doing something absurd like this fits his character. By reacting so dramatically for Wengang right away, it’s a warning to others not to test him, or he might go crazy.
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For every Ko-fi received for a perticular novel, I will release a new chapter!
There’s so many undercurrents I’m getting dizzy. What is CWG actually doing? Why contact HNS’s lil bro? And all this stuff happening in the resort?? 😵💫