Chapter 25

Xi Shi really wanted to go to the richest man's house to see what kind of golden nest it would be. But for some reason, a voice of reason told him not to go. Despite his curiosity peaking, Xi Shi firmly refused.

In the end, the group spent the afternoon playing basketball at the gym, then grabbed a barbecue dinner together before the gathering broke up. That night, after showering, Xi Shi lay on his bed scrolling through short videos, waiting for Jing Chen to video call him. Jing Chen was away on a business trip and had social obligations; to avoid any awkwardness, he would always call Xi Shi when he was free.

Today was the fourth day of Jing Chen’s trip. Even though they usually only saw each other on weekends, the physical distance somehow made Xi Shi miss him intensely. He felt so listless that he couldn't bring himself to do anything; it felt as if something was missing from his chest, leaving a hollow, uncomfortable sensation.

*Sigh.* Other "sugar daddies" had little lovers who were at their beck and call with just a phone call. Meanwhile, look at him—he had spent so much money, yet he was left alone to guard an empty room, waiting for his little lover’s video call. Fortunately, this little lover was quite sensible and called every day.

Moreover, Jing Chen was coming back the day after tomorrow. Xi Shi decided to head straight to the airport to pick him up, take him to the 4S dealership to see the new car, and give him a surprise. Hmm, there was a hot spring resort hotel not far from the dealership. Once Jing Chen received the car, he would surely be touched, and he would definitely be very "energetic" that night...

*Hehe.* *Hehehe.*

Just as Xi Shi was lost in his imagination, his phone rang. It wasn't a WeChat video call, but a standard phone call. Just as Xi Shi was wondering if Jing Chen had run out of data at the end of the month, he saw the caller ID: Xi Chao, his cousin.

Xi Shi had always been close with his cousin, so he answered happily, "Brother."

"Yeah, am I disturbing your rest?"

"No, Brother, what’s up?"

Xi Chao asked, "I heard from Mom and Dad that you’re bringing the richest man’s son to Yueyue’s birthday party?"

"Hmm," Xi Shi said vaguely, thinking of his plan, "I suppose so."

Xi Chao continued, "How do you know the richest man’s son?"

"I... he’s a freshman at Yan University. We’ve played basketball together twice, so we got to know each other."

"School only started a month ago, and you had military training. It sounds like you haven't known each other for long. You shouldn't be that close, so why would he be willing to come to our house? Is he interested in you? Or did Yueyue force you to do it?" Xi Chao asked, hitting the nail on the head.

One had to admit that his cousin had keen insight. When they were younger, if Xi Yue bullied him, Xi Shi would complain to Xi Chao. Xi Chao wasn't one of those blind, doting brothers; he would simply reason with Xi Yue. But then, Xi Yue would turn around and complain to their aunt and uncle, claiming that Xi Shi was stealing her brother and inciting him to bully her. Because of this, his aunt once had a long talk with him, telling him many things he only half-understood. Since then, Xi Shi never complained to his cousin again.

"Brother, where are your thoughts wandering? It’s just that Huo Siyi thinks I look like a friend he had when he was a child, and since we both love basketball, we became friends naturally. It’s a very pure friendship." Xi Shi emphasized the word "pure" to show that he and Huo Siyi were truly just friends.

Xi Chao still felt something was off and asked again, "It’s really not Yueyue forcing you to bring him to put on a show?"

"No, really. Are you coming back for the National Day holiday, Brother? I haven't seen you in a long time; I miss you." Xi Shi steered the conversation away.

"Probably not until the end of the year," Xi Chao’s voice carried a smile. "If you really miss me, come see me yourself." Xi Chao had gone abroad in the second half of the year to develop new business ventures.

Xi Shi bit his lip.

Xi Chao sighed, "Still can't overcome it?"

Xi Shi remained silent. His parents had passed away in a plane crash while on vacation abroad, which left him with a deep fear of flying. Domestic flights were manageable, but transoceanic ones were out of the question.

Xi Chao comforted him, "It’s okay. I’ll come see you when I have time."

"Oh..."

Xi Chao regretted bringing it up. He quickly shared some interesting anecdotes from abroad and, after cheering him up again, hung up the phone. Xi Shi sat on the bed, hugging his legs and resting his head on his knees.

It wasn't long before the phone rang again—this time, it was a video request. Seeing the name "Jing Chen" flashing on the screen, Xi Shi’s mood brightened, and he answered.

His eyes widened immediately. In the video, Jing Chen was wearing a lead-grey double-breasted suit with a perfectly knotted tie in the same color and a pocket square. The suit hugged his waist and abdomen perfectly, accentuating his already powerful aura; he looked like a retro aristocratic gentleman. The cut, the physique—it was perfection.

"Brother," Xi Shi couldn't help but drool, *siss-ah, siss-ah*, "Why are you so handsome today?"

"Company requirements," Jing Chen said, his expression unchanged. "I thought you’d like it, so I decided to show you before I take it off."

"Damn it, I could have taken it off for you! Why are you away on a business trip!" Xi Shi rolled on his bed in frustration. "I can see it, but I can't touch it. I’m going to have a breakdown."

Knowing his obsession with suits, Jing Chen comforted him, "I’ve already bought this one."

Xi Shi was instantly brought back to life: "Then wear it when you come back the day after tomorrow! No, wait, don’t wear it on the plane. Wear it when you get home." He was afraid that if he saw Jing Chen looking this handsome, he wouldn't be able to hold back. He had to give him the car first and get him in a good mood so that Jing Chen would be more "energetic" in return.

Jing Chen coughed slightly and said, "I’ve run into some trouble here. I’m afraid I won't be able to make it back for the National Day holiday."

"..."

Xi Shi, who had already planned out his "intimate" time with Jing Chen for the holiday, felt as if the sky had collapsed.

"Xi Shi?" Jing Chen noticed the screen go black and called out to him.

"I’m not happy," came Xi Shi’s muffled voice.

Before Jing Chen could say anything, the screen flickered, and Xi Shi’s face reappeared. He seemed to have thought of a solution, his eyes sparkling. "How about you quit your job? I’ll support you. I’ll pay you double your current salary."

"..." Jing Chen almost bit his tongue. *What a generous offer of double salary.* He would dare to accept it, but he feared Xi Shi couldn't even pay 0.2 times that amount. Still, hearing the words "I’ll support you" was quite pleasant—enough to brag about to his friends.

Jing Chen’s voice carried a smile: "Even if I resigned now, I would still have to work for a month during the handover. I still can't come back the day after tomorrow."

Xi Shi was completely dejected. He angrily turned his phone face-down on the bed again, letting Jing Chen look at a black screen, and began acting out: "I don't care, you don't miss me at all!"

Jing Chen admitted he found this adorable. He only regretted that, despite being the richest man, he couldn't buy a phone that allowed him to reach through the screen and ruffle Xi Shi’s hair to comfort him. He regretfully twitched his itchy fingertips and said gently, "I miss you very much."

"I don't believe you, unless..."

The camera shook again, and Xi Shi’s face appeared: "Show me 'Little Jing Chen.' Let me see if it’s really true."

Jing Chen: "..."

Jing Chen’s brain short-circuited for a moment as he realized what "Little Jing Chen" referred to. He was always a restrained, serious, and upright person; such things as "video naughtiness" had no place in his life. Absolutely not!

"Only a look, don’t push your luck," Jing Chen said.

Xi Shi agreed readily: "Okay!"

*As if!*

Jing Chen stood his phone on the bed, facing himself, and reached for his belt. He had intended to have no impure thoughts, but there was an inherent, secret thrill to such things. Besides, they already shared the most intimate physical contact.

And so, under Xi Shi’s unblinking gaze, "Little Jing Chen" visibly grew into "Big Jing Chen."

Xi Shi looked innocent: "Brother, didn't we agree on just a look? Why are you being a delinquent!"

"..."

Jing Chen closed his eyes. The composure and reserve he had cultivated for over thirty years peeled away layer by layer, revealing a man’s most primal nature. His voice was low and hoarse: "Be a good boy, let Brother see yours, too."

Xi Shi rubbed his tingling ears, a triumphant smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He had wanted this for a long time, but the dorm wasn't convenient. Now, the time, the place, and the mood were all perfect. *Hehe.*

He pretended to fuss and act shy, but he immediately followed through. Soon