At the time, Zao Ming was all wrapped up in his head and it was Lee Mu who guided him back to firm ground with much patience and a firm shake.
Back in the present, the role had been reversed. While Zao Ming had second doubts with regards to going through with the so-called expose, he had a confident answer to Lee Mu's question.
"No, we are most definitely not a mistake. Loving you is the best decision I've ever made in my life so how can it be a mistake?" Zao Ming uttered. In the dark, it felt like his voice was a gospel that came from above.
However, it was unclear whether that managed to remove the doubt from Lee Mu's heart or not because the room was too dim for Zao Ming to get a good look at the man's facial expression. This was only made worse when Lee Mu turned his head away.
Zao Ming heard Lee Mu take in a very deep breath before he said in a lighter tone, "By the way, didn't you say some work has come in earlier? What is it about? I hope it can help me take my mind off things."
Zao Ming was silent for a long time, gauging whether Lee Mu's attempt at a topic change was because he agreed with him or he simply did not want to talk about this issue anymore. Lee Mu was such a good actor that Zao Ming could read no information from his face.
In the end, he sighed and said, "Yes, it was from a prestigious real estate company, Lin Corps. The invitation came rather out of nowhere but the pay is great and the exposure will be good after the whole fiasco at the press conference. They are offering you to be their new spokesperson so most likely you'll appear in some commercials and posters. I suppose we'll find out more about the details during the meeting that is scheduled for tomorrow."
"That sounds amazing!" Lee Mu cheered but Zao Ming could not hear the genuine joy in his boyfriend's voice.
A nugget of worry lodged itself in Zao Ming's heart. 'Perhaps this is the wrong thing to do. I definitely do not want this to come between us.'
They had too many things to lose and Zao Ming did not want to risk losing the most important person in his life. He leaned against Lee Mu's strong shoulder and said, "If you're not feeling up for it, I can cancel the meeting. Perhaps both of us need some time to recover and rearrange our emotions."
"What are you talking about? This is such a valuable opportunity. Being the face of Lin Corps will boost my popularity and it will be immensely helpful to both our careers." Lee Mu explained, "Plus, I'm really fine. Like usual, you worry too much."
Lee Mu said with levity but Zao Ming could hear the heaviness in his voice. Zao Ming wanted to say something more but Lee Mu ended the conversation by adding, "I'm sorry for waking you up. Let's get back to sleep. I don't want us to wake up late for the meeting tomorrow."
Before Zao Ming could say anything, Lee Mu moved his body away from him and leaned back into bed.
Zao Ming looked at Lee Mu's sleeping figure and he sighed to himself. There was nothing else he could do but say a silent prayer, hoping that everything will be alright in the end.
Then, he also leaned back down in bed. As Zao Ming drifted off to sleep, he had no idea the man who was lying beside him had his eyes open, staring into the dark like a seer looking into the future. However, only the man knew what he had seen.
…
The next morning, both Lee Mu and Zao Ming arrived at Lin Corps. They were welcomed by Lin Kang's personal secretary, a sharp-looking young man by the name of Yi Nian.
Zao Ming was quite surprised that the CEO's personal secretary was so young and after mentioning that to Yi Nian, the young man explained he was a recent replacement for the previous secretary who was had her personal reasons to leave the company.
The young man was respectable and kind as he led them to the meeting room where Lin Kang sat waiting.
Lee Mu and Zao Ming were surprised at how empty the room was. Before they arrived, they expected a room full of executives and directors. After all, this was going to be a contract that involved millions of dollars, but it was Lin Kang alone who received them.
Lin Kang saw the befuddlement in the men's eyes and he explained that the other negotiators would be joining them later. He was there to go through the basics of the contract with them first.
Zao Ming nodded. After all this was the man's company, he could do whatever he wanted.
This was the first time Lee Mu met Lin Kang. He was impressed by the man's stature. There seemed to be wind that picked up following the man's every step. It was as if the very essence of nature itself had to bow down to this majesty of a man.
For a reason that he could not explain, Lee Mu felt a need to be extra guarded around the man. Even though Lin Kang was all smiles during the negotiation, there was an ease about the man that unsettled Lee Mu. It felt as if they were chess pieces slowly being navigated into a trap that they had no idea was coming for them. Lee Mu hoped he was only being overly cautious.
The discussion soon drew to a close. The conditions that were given to Lee Mu and Zao Ming were so ridiculously good that the two men could not help but be suspicious. Why would a complete stranger be so nice to them? Especially the person they were negotiating with was known to be the most ruthless businessman there ever was.
At the time, Zao Ming was all wrapped up in his head and it was Lee Mu who guided him back to firm ground with much patience and a firm shake.
Back in the present, the role had been reversed. While Zao Ming had second doubts with regards to going through with the so-called expose, he had a confident answer to Lee Mu's question.
"No, we are most definitely not a mistake. Loving you is the best decision I've ever made in my life so how can it be a mistake?" Zao Ming uttered. In the dark, it felt like his voice was a gospel that came from above.
However, it was unclear whether that managed to remove the doubt from Lee Mu's heart or not because the room was too dim for Zao Ming to get a good look at the man's facial expression. This was only made worse when Lee Mu turned his head away.
Zao Ming heard Lee Mu take in a very deep breath before he said in a lighter tone, "By the way, didn't you say some work has come in earlier? What is it about? I hope it can help me take my mind off things."
Zao Ming was silent for a long time, gauging whether Lee Mu's attempt at a topic change was because he agreed with him or he simply did not want to talk about this issue anymore. Lee Mu was such a good actor that Zao Ming could read no information from his face.
In the end, he sighed and said, "Yes, it was from a prestigious real estate company, Lin Corps. The invitation came rather out of nowhere but the pay is great and the exposure will be good after the whole fiasco at the press conference. They are offering you to be their new spokesperson so most likely you'll appear in some commercials and posters. I suppose we'll find out more about the details during the meeting that is scheduled for tomorrow."
"That sounds amazing!" Lee Mu cheered but Zao Ming could not hear the genuine joy in his boyfriend's voice.
A nugget of worry lodged itself in Zao Ming's heart. 'Perhaps this is the wrong thing to do. I definitely do not want this to come between us.'
They had too many things to lose and Zao Ming did not want to risk losing the most important person in his life. He leaned against Lee Mu's strong shoulder and said, "If you're not feeling up for it, I can cancel the meeting. Perhaps both of us need some time to recover and rearrange our emotions."
"What are you talking about? This is such a valuable opportunity. Being the face of Lin Corps will boost my popularity and it will be immensely helpful to both our careers." Lee Mu explained, "Plus, I'm really fine. Like usual, you worry too much."
Lee Mu said with levity but Zao Ming could hear the heaviness in his voice. Zao Ming wanted to say something more but Lee Mu ended the conversation by adding, "I'm sorry for waking you up. Let's get back to sleep. I don't want us to wake up late for the meeting tomorrow."
Before Zao Ming could say anything, Lee Mu moved his body away from him and leaned back into bed.
Zao Ming looked at Lee Mu's sleeping figure and he sighed to himself. There was nothing else he could do but say a silent prayer, hoping that everything will be alright in the end.
Then, he also leaned back down in bed. As Zao Ming drifted off to sleep, he had no idea the man who was lying beside him had his eyes open, staring into the dark like a seer looking into the future. However, only the man knew what he had seen.
…
The next morning, both Lee Mu and Zao Ming arrived at Lin Corps. They were welcomed by Lin Kang's personal secretary, a sharp-looking young man by the name of Yi Nian.
Zao Ming was quite surprised that the CEO's personal secretary was so young and after mentioning that to Yi Nian, the young man explained he was a recent replacement for the previous secretary who was had her personal reasons to leave the company.
The young man was respectable and kind as he led them to the meeting room where Lin Kang sat waiting.
Lee Mu and Zao Ming were surprised at how empty the room was. Before they arrived, they expected a room full of executives and directors. After all, this was going to be a contract that involved millions of dollars, but it was Lin Kang alone who received them.
Lin Kang saw the befuddlement in the men's eyes and he explained that the other negotiators would be joining them later. He was there to go through the basics of the contract with them first.
Zao Ming nodded. After all this was the man's company, he could do whatever he wanted.
This was the first time Lee Mu met Lin Kang. He was impressed by the man's stature. There seemed to be wind that picked up following the man's every step. It was as if the very essence of nature itself had to bow down to this majesty of a man.
For a reason that he could not explain, Lee Mu felt a need to be extra guarded around the man. Even though Lin Kang was all smiles during the negotiation, there was an ease about the man that unsettled Lee Mu. It felt as if they were chess pieces slowly being navigated into a trap that they had no idea was coming for them. Lee Mu hoped he was only being overly cautious.
The discussion soon drew to a close. The conditions that were given to Lee Mu and Zao Ming were so ridiculously good that the two men could not help but be suspicious. Why would a complete stranger be so nice to them? Especially the person they were negotiating with was known to be the most ruthless businessman there ever was.
