Chen Mo could tell from Ye Mu’s expression what he was thinking. His handsome face darkened suddenly. “Fine, you can go now. Don’t bother me unless necessary.”
Ye Mu, indifferent and with a displeased expression, seemed to say, “As if I want to see you,” and turned to leave, slamming the door behind him.
The loud noise made Chen Mo frown. He grabbed a glass of water and took a few sips to calm himself.
In reality, Ye Mu wasn’t to blame for today’s situation. Chen Mo knew his temper had been unpredictable lately. However, seeing Ye Mu chatting and laughing with others made him lose control.
Ever since he realized he had those thoughts he shouldn’t have, he started trying to avoid Ye Mu, keeping his distance and minimizing contact. But it had only been a few days, and now this person was already wandering around, hanging out with friends everywhere. How could he not be angry?
Knock, knock
Someone knocked on the door.
“Who is it!” Chen Mo’s bad mood made his tone harsh.
“Wow, someone’s in a bad mood. Who pissed off President Chen?” A familiar face, with a smile, walked in.
With that greasy tone, Chen Mo could only think of Sun Xiangyang. Maintaining his cold demeanor and without lifting his eyes, he said, “What brings you here?”
“Just missed my buddy and thought I’d come see you,” Sun Xiangyang teased as he sat down, trying to get close.
Sun Xiangyang, Chen Mo’s college classmate, had shared a dorm with him. Despite their different personalities, they had a good relationship and often went out for drinks. However, it was the first time Sun Xiangyang had come to Chen Mo’s office uninvited.
Chen Mo raised an eyebrow, flipping through the documents with indifference. “We just met last week. Your excuse is pretty flimsy.”
Sun Xiangyang chuckled, “You really see through everything.”
Chen Mo glanced at him and asked, “Need money again?”
Sun Xiangyang was a rich second-generation who was loyal but had a gambling problem. Chen Mo had often helped him out during difficult times, though repayment was usually prompt.
Sun Xiangyang, reclining with his legs crossed, said with a playful tone, “Hey, what’s with the attitude? Do I look like the kind of person who borrows money for no reason?”
Chen Mo gave him a disdainful look and replied, “Yes, you do.”
Sun Xiangyang huffed and said, “You’re hurting my feelings.”
Chen Mo, expressionless, said, “Show me your tears.”
Sun Xiangyang, realizing Chen Mo was not in a playful mood, decided to get serious. He tapped the desk and said, “Actually, I came to ask for a favor.”
Chen Mo remained expressionless and said tersely, “Speak.”
Sun Xiangyang cleared his throat, straightened up, and said, “Is your company hiring? If so, give me a chance.”
Chen Mo frowned. Sun Xiangyang had always been idle, and it was surprising to see him wanting to be proactive. “We’re not hiring at the moment. What’s this all about?”
Sun Xiangyang smiled, hands in pockets, and said teasingly, “I’m interested in a girl at your company. Thought I’d try my luck.”
Chen Mo, recalling the earlier meeting, cast a cold glance at him and said bluntly, “Get lost.”
Sun Xiangyang, understanding Chen Mo’s mood, stopped joking. “Don’t be mad. I was just kidding. Actually, my dad’s been nagging me about not being serious, so I thought I’d make a show of it. If there’s a position at your company, I’d appreciate it.”
Chen Mo snorted, pulling a disdainful face. “I know you too well. You’d just drag down the whole company.”
Sun Xiangyang didn’t take offense easily. He grinned and said, “This time it’s different. I’ll work hard.”
Chen Mo sneered, “You only know how to talk nonsense!”
Sun Xiangyang noticed Chen Mo’s extreme frustration and was surprised. During their drinking sessions, even when things got heated, Chen Mo had never been this angry. “What’s got you so worked up today? Is it because your dad is giving you a hard time again?”
Chen Mo, irritated, said, “He doesn’t even care about me.”
Sun Xiangyang raised an eyebrow and guessed, “Is it because of the company’s performance?”
Chen Mo, showing a hint of impatience, replied, “No.”
Men’s troubles usually revolve around three things: family, career, or relationships. Since it wasn’t the first two, it must be the latter. Sun Xiangyang smiled, a hint of ambiguity in his expression. Leaning in, he asked, “Come on, don’t hold back. Is there someone you’ve got your eye on recently?”
Chen Mo frowned, a fleeting image of a face crossing his mind. After a pause, he looked away and said coldly, “It’s nothing.”
Sun Xiangyang, sensing that Chen Mo was holding back, quickly pulled up a chair and sat down. He clapped Chen Mo on the shoulder and said with a smile, “I know you well. Tell me what’s going on so I can help you sort it out.”
After seven or eight years of friendship, Sun Xiangyang knew Chen Mo’s character and that he could easily get stuck in a mental rut. Without someone to guide him, he might just get himself into a mess.
Chen Mo, with a grim expression, brushed off Sun Xiangyang’s hand and said, “It’s not what you think. I just find one person really annoying lately.”
Sun Xiangyang’s curiosity was piqued. “What’s so annoying about them?”
Chen Mo pressed his lips together, remaining silent.
Sun Xiangyang, impatient, nudged him with his shoulder. “Come on, spill it.”
Chen Mo’s eyes, cold and sharp, revealed his irritation. “It’s nothing much. I just can’t stand how he’s always flirting around. It’s annoying.”
Sun Xiangyang hissed, rubbing his chin. “What else?”
Chen Mo frowned, his voice a bit low. “Sometimes, when I close my eyes at night and think of that person, it just makes me angry.”
Sun Xiangyang raised an eyebrow, grinning mischievously. “You can see them when you close your eyes? Don’t tell me you’re even dreaming about them.”
Chen Mo frowned deeply, turning his face away, his tense lips exuding hostility. “Get lost. Don’t think I’m as perverted as you.”
Sun Xiangyang squinted at him. “Tell me, compared to before, have you been watching her more often lately?”
Chen Mo shot him a sideways glance. “What are you getting at?”
Sun Xiangyang met his gaze meaningfully. “I mean, do you find yourself always glancing at her, intentionally or not, just to see what she’s up to?”
Chen Mo’s face darkened as he looked away, his handsome features cold and unreadable. “Occasionally.”
Sun Xiangyang swallowed and continued, “And what about other things? Are there some bad habits she has that you used to find intolerable, but now you don’t really mind?”
Chen Mo didn’t respond. His bangs covered his forehead, obscuring his expression, but it seemed like a silent agreement.
“I see…” Sun Xiangyang drew out his words, full of implication.
Chen Mo turned his head sharply, his icy gaze landing on him. “What do you mean?”
Sun Xiangyang chuckled but didn’t answer directly, playing coy. “Some things are better left unsaid.”
Chen Mo, growing impatient, kicked him hard under the table, his aim precise and merciless.
Sun Xiangyang winced, his face scrunching up in pain as he immediately surrendered. “Alright, alright, I’ll say it.”
Chen Mo glared at him, clearly dissatisfied.
Sun Xiangyang rubbed his leg, casting a teasing glance his way. “What I’m saying is, President Chen, you’ve fallen for her.”
Chen Mo’s expression turned completely dark, his brows furrowing deeply, and a stormy aura instantly enveloped him.
Unaware of the shift in mood, Sun Xiangyang kept grinning. “I’m telling you, you’re only in the early stages now. Give it some time, and you’ll find yourself grinning like an idiot just by looking at her.”
Chen Mo shot him a venomous glare, his teeth grinding audibly as he coldly added, “It’s a man.”
This time, it was Sun Xiangyang’s turn to be stunned. He stood there, dumbfounded for a moment, before quickly saying, “Forget I said anything.”
After all, he knew his friend hated and despised gay men more than anything, and he certainly didn’t want to cross that line.
Chen Mo’s face remained gloomy. He knew Sun Xiangyang loved to talk nonsense, but somehow, he still felt uneasy, like there was a knot in his chest he couldn’t untangle. “Alright, if you’ve got nothing else, just leave. Don’t interrupt my work.”
The spot where Sun Xiangyang had been kicked still throbbed. He chose his words carefully. “About that work matter…”
Chen Mo shot him a sharp look. “Not a chance.”
Sun Xiangyang clicked his tongue, knowing that once his friend made up his mind, there was no changing it. “Fine, it’s like I never came.”
With that, he stood up to leave. At the door, he turned back, still unwilling to give up. “Are you sure you won’t reconsider?”
Chen Mo picked up his cup and took a sip, his face cold and unapproachable, ignoring him entirely.
Though they were brothers, some things had to be handled professionally, and no exceptions could be made.
Seeing there was no hope, Sun Xiangyang didn’t push his luck and left, closing the door behind him.
As soon as he was gone, the office fell into a quiet calm. Chen Mo exhaled slowly and focused back on his work.
The afternoons always seemed long. After working for three hours straight, he started to feel a bit drowsy.
Chen Mo stood up, holding his cup, and walked to the break room. He was planning to make some coffee, but then he saw Ye Mu sitting there, dozing off with one hand propping up his chin.
The man had long eyelashes, lazily drooping down. When he heard the sound of someone approaching, he instinctively moved his eyes, but didn’t open them. He just shifted his position and continued sleeping.
Perhaps because he wasn’t in a proper sleeping posture, a small, transparent droplet slowly slid from the corner of his thin lips, trailing down to his chin.
Drip, drop…
Feeling the wetness, he instinctively opened his eyes. Seeing the puddle on the newspaper, he looked a bit embarrassed. After glancing around to make sure no one saw, he quickly wiped it away with a tissue and then laid his head back down to continue sleeping.
But before long, the drool began to flow again, unabashed.
Chen Mo just stood there, watching as he breathed in and out, the little stream of drool growing with each breath. He found it amusing and entertaining, and before he knew it, he had been standing there for almost five minutes.
When he finally snapped out of it, he realized that the corners of his lips had formed a suspicious curve.
Sun Xiangyang’s words echoed in his mind, “I’m telling you, President Chen, you’ve fallen for her.”
Chen Mo suddenly froze, standing there like a statue.
[Mini Theater]
A long time later, when the brothers met again…
Chen Mo: “As a real man, the thing I can’t stand the most is two men being gay! I even wrote a book about opposing homosexuality.”
Sun Xiangyang: “Oh, really? Where’s the book?”
Chen Mo: “I tore it up myself.”
Sun Xiangyang: “…”
