SABA Chapter 72

Jiang Tiao is a very open-minded person. He never makes things too difficult for himself when he can’t resolve something immediately. Instead, he’s more willing to invest his thoughts and energy in his interactions with Huo Shen.

Huo Shen had his research department and Frank’s institute jointly develop an electronic metal bracelet that could monitor pain levels in real-time and provide timely alerts. This was because Jiang Tiao had a history of questionable behavior, making it difficult for him to be trusted again.

Suspicion is the biggest stumbling block in the progress of their relationship. Em… Given that he had indeed failed to live up to Huo Shen’s trust before, he could only agree to let Huo Shen monitor his situation in real-time in a way that Huo Shen felt he could trust. This would allow Huo Shen to gradually relax his mindset and not observe and analyze his micro-expressions changes every day.

After months of research, they gradually found some patterns. It seemed that as long as he didn’t take the initiative, he could slightly avoid the triggers for his headaches and engage in some intimate contact that wasn’t too deep.

“Under the Axiom” had been a highly anticipated dark horse of the year, receiving rave reviews since its broadcast. It won numerous awards at the Magnolia Television Festival, and Jiang Tiao also won Best Supporting Actor for his role as Zhao Heng.

Awards represent recognition in the professional field, and no actor doesn’t want to win an award. Jiang Tiao’s excitement resulted in him accepting every toast at the awards banquet.

On the way back, he caused a scene all the way. Huo Shen, half-supporting and half-carrying him, finally got him back to the hotel.

Jiang Tiao collapsed onto the bed, sprawled out like a starfish. “I’m so happy! Did you see Ye Qinghan’s expression when he lost? Hahaha, that’ll piss him off! Let him try to trip me up at the beginning.”

Seeing Jiang Tiao’s teary eyes, Huo Shen brushed the hair from his forehead, held down his hand, and kissed his eyes.

Whether it was due to budding love or Huo Shen’s overwhelming attraction to him, every intimacy and kiss from Huo Shen ignited his desire, even if it was just a simple hug in bed.

Jiang Tiao felt that this setting for avoiding headaches was even more unbearable than the headaches themselves. After kissing for a while, Huo Shen finally suppressed the urge to do more, slightly leaned up, and released Jiang Tiao.

Was he the only one thinking about it? Jiang Tiao was going crazy!

When others date, it might be a case of conflicting ideologies and irreconcilable grudges. For them, they didn’t have these problems, not even a third party to insert themselves. Yet, they were stuck at the final step! And it felt like there was no end in sight to resolving it.

This situation where they were clearly together, but every close call still required self-resolution in the shower – when would it end?!

“I’m so uncomfortable!” Jiang Tiao grabbed Huo Shen, almost in tears. “Aren’t you uncomfortable holding back?”

Huo Shen’s pupils were deep, with dark, unreadable currents surging in the depths. He looked quietly into Jiang Tiao’s eyes, clasped Jiang Tiao’s wrist, and leaned forward, half-pressing and half-supporting himself.

The sound of the metal buckle separating from the groove was amplified infinitely in the quiet room, like the friction of a wet match striking the phosphorus surface, causing a slight tremor in the heart with its sensuality and moisture.

Jiang Tiao didn’t know if it was a psychological effect or if Huo Shen was simply better at it. He felt as if he were treading on clouds, and all his anxiety and awkwardness seemed to be relieved. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he comfortably nuzzled into Huo Shen’s neck. He reached out, wanting to reciprocate, only to find that his hands had been tied to the bed by Huo Shen at some unknown time.

“Hey!”

Jiang Tiao felt that Huo Shen was perhaps too prepared. He hadn’t intended to do anything just now.

“Shhh,” Huo Shen kissed his ear and applied a little force with his hand.

Jiang Tiao immediately lost the capacity to think about other things. He felt as if he had plunged into a scorching river, tossed and turned by the waves. At the end of the river, heaven and earth turned white. He convulsed in Huo Shen’s arms, his hair damp with sweat, and it took him a long time to calm his heaving chest.

He felt Huo Shen stroking his back, from top to bottom, gently, with a soothing touch.

The extreme pleasure made Jiang Tiao too tired to even move a finger. He laboriously suppressed his drowsiness, raised his damp eyes, and asked, “Aren’t you uncomfortable?”

“I’m alright,” Huo Shen looked deeply into Jiang Tiao’s eyes and brushed his damp hair aside. “Go to sleep.”

Jiang Tiao’s gaze fell on Huo Shen’s quiet eyes, as serene as the night sky. He twisted his wrists, which were tied by the tie, and said, “Untie me.”

A hint of a smile flickered in Huo Shen’s eyes. He knew what Jiang Tiao wanted, but he didn’t want to see Jiang Tiao have a headache.

“Later,” Huo Shen kissed Jiang Tiao’s eyes and soothed him in a bewitching voice, “Be good, I’ll untie you when you fall asleep.”

Jiang Tiao tried hard to lift his eyelids. Although he had many things on his mind, Huo Shen’s words were like a sleeping spell. His eyelids felt as heavy as lead. He tried several times but couldn’t lift them, finally falling into a deep sleep in Huo Shen’s arms.

…

Although he slept well last night, the experience of last night made Jiang Tiao, who hadn’t been in a hurry before, suddenly feel anxious. While, well… it was quite good. But he couldn’t always rely on this method to solve things!

He didn’t care about his headaches, but Huo Shen cared a lot about whether he would get them, and he didn’t want to always let Huo Shen do this… So this matter had fallen into a deadlock.

In fact, he did have a direction that might break the current predicament. However, he was not entirely sure and was afraid of alerting the enemy by acting rashly. Secondly, he wanted to observe more and gather more leverage before negotiating to increase the probability of success.

Huo Shen and Jiang Tiao ate crab roe noodles together. The jade-like celadon bowls holding Suzhou-style glutinous rice cakes looked exceptionally exquisite. “Are you talking about Zhuang Xiang?”

Jiang Tiao: “Yes, I thought he was a bit strange at the time – both in his behavior and his occasional nonsensical remarks – which is why I chose him as my assistant. I wanted to keep him close to observe him.”

He just didn’t expect that his work ability was indeed outstanding, which was an unexpected surprise.

“I remember you hesitated for a moment when I decided to choose Zhuang Xiang as my assistant,” Jiang Tiao said with a smile. “What, you placed him in an administrative position that allows him some access but isn’t too important. Is it for the same reason and purpose?”

Huo Shen smiled.

…

Zhuang Xiang received a message from Jiang Tiao asking him to deliver the quarterly project investment plan and execution tracking table. As Jiang Tiao transitioned from an entertainer to establishing a film and television investment company, his position also rose. Of course, the most important thing was that his salary also increased significantly.

Zhuang Xiang printed the sorted documents and went to the penthouse suite. Before he could press the doorbell, Jiang Tiao opened the door with a smile.

Oh no! Is this a banquet of deception?

Zhuang Xiang maintained his expression and said, “Boss, here is the project investment plan and execution tracking table you requested.”

Jiang Tiao: “No rush, come in and sit for a while, have some tea.”

Although Jiang Tiao was smiling, he used a declarative sentence instead of an interrogative one, clearly giving him no option to refuse.

Seeing Jiang Tiao’s determined look, Zhuang Xiang knew that even using the excuse of needing to use the restroom wouldn’t work. He nervously entered, only to find Huo Shen sitting on the sofa, brewing tea and warming the cups.

This isn’t a banquet of deception; it’s a guillotine!

Zhuang Xiang deeply regretted not running away when he was at the door just now!

“Click—”

He heard Jiang Tiao not only close the door but also double-lock it.

Zhuang Xiang: “…”

No, what’s going on? Are they going to resort to physical force if words don’t work?

“Come, come, sit, sit,” Jiang Tiao pushed his shoulder, making him sit on the sofa.

Why did such a soft sofa feel so prickly?

Huo Shen picked up a warm teacup and poured a cup of tea for Zhuang Xiang, with a faint smile, his palm turned outwards. “Please.”

Zhuang Xiang immediately jumped up from the sofa, not knowing where to put his hands. “No, no, no, Mr. Huo, Chairman Huo…”

No wonder collaborators visiting their company would heave a sigh of relief upon hearing that Huo Shen wouldn’t be attending the meeting. No one wanted to face Huo Shen at the negotiation table; his pressure was too immense. With just this, he felt like the shirt on his back was about to be drenched.

And please don’t smile; you don’t know that everyone likens your rare smiles to the King of Hell smiling!

“Oh! Don’t be nervous,” Jiang Tiao played the good cop while Huo Shen played the bad cop, cooperating perfectly. “It’s actually because I’ve encountered something recently, or rather, I’m in a predicament. I want to hear your opinion, even if it’s just a few pointers or some information, I would be extremely grateful.”

Zhuang Xiang retreated to the corner between the two sofas, as if this would give him some sense of security. His smile was forced. “You overestimate me. I don’t have such abilities. I’m just a small person. If you can’t solve it, how can I?”

Huo Shen: “I remember the first project you participated in after joining Shengyao was a bidding project. You prepared for that project for a long time, but ultimately lost. Lin Shun later discovered the mole. At first, no one suspected him. Lin Shun told me that the reason he investigated him was because of something you casually mentioned to him. But later, when Lin Shun confirmed it, he found that the person did enter the Oasis Ming Shi Club, but only once, and on that day, you were not in Yun Jing City.”

“Can you explain to me how you saw what happened in front of the Oasis Ming Shi Club from thousands of miles away in Hai City?”

Zhuang Xiang: “…”

He knew Lin Shun was meticulous, but he didn’t expect him to be so meticulous. Investigating moles was one thing, but why did he have to investigate his testimony, who hadn’t even seen the bid documents and was as pure as could be?

Zhuang Xiang opened his mouth to fabricate a reason, but it was clear that Huo Shen did not intend to waste time listening to his lies.

Huo Shen: “When you became Jiang Tiao’s assistant, you signed two contracts. Lin Shun should have thoroughly explained the breach of contract clauses and compensation on the last page to you.”

Zhuang Xiang was stunned. He had indeed read those clauses, which mainly stated that he could not disclose Jiang Tiao’s privacy and could not reveal Jiang Tiao’s itinerary to others. He hadn’t leaked anything… Wait, Zhuang Xiang’s heart sank slightly. He realized he had made a grave mistake.

The contract was signed with Lin Shun, so he had never considered whether disclosing Jiang Tiao’s itinerary to Huo Shen would constitute a breach of contract…

Zhuang Xiang hurriedly grabbed the contract on the table and flipped to the end, then took a close look. Good heavens, a nine-digit compensation amount! His entire life could be ruined here!

Isn’t this entrapment?! Zhuang Xiang became angry for a moment because he found that he couldn’t find any evidence to prove they had set a trap! It was all him! He had been too naive and hadn’t expected human hearts to be so wicked!

Jiang Tiao watched Zhuang Xiang go from angry to fluffy, and finally sit on the sofa with a look of utter despair, his face full of the grievance of being let down by this cruel world.

“If you truly have unspeakable difficulties or reasons you cannot disclose, I can understand. Huo Shen was joking just now. Whether you say it or not, you don’t need to pay any compensation.”

Jiang Tiao sat down, took a pen, and wrote a few supplementary explanations on the breach of contract clause page, signing his name in front of Zhuang Xiang. He saw Zhuang Xiang’s eyes move slightly, and the whole person visibly relaxed – this was a sign of his psychological defenses softening. Jiang Tiao said sincerely, trying to press on, “Of course, regardless, I still hope to get a little hint from you. After all, anything you say could determine our fate. I know you have no ill intentions towards us and have always been helping us to the best of your ability. When we were filming the variety show, you reminded me not to go into the water. The first time I met you, your tone was clearly defending Huo Shen.”

Zhuang Xiang’s heart stirred slightly. Alright, he admitted that after a year of getting along, he found that he did quite like Jiang Tiao and hoped to see him and Huo Shen become a couple. But he had leaked the plot once, and it had burned for three days…

Zhuang Xiang rested his elbows on his knees, his ten fingers clasped together into fists. He finally understood what it meant to battle between heaven and man. Time ticked by, and silence permeated the room.

Alas, he was so nervous he was getting thirsty.

“Drink some tea and think slowly,” Jiang Tiao picked up the tea Huo Shen had poured and handed it to him.

Zhuang Xiang chuckled wryly.

In life, one cannot always be purely driven by self-interest and avoidance of harm; one must follow their heart.

“Alright, I don’t know how much I can say. If I have a persistent high fever or any other symptoms, I hope you can arrange a high-class private hospital room with a beautiful environment and a caregiver.”

Jiang Tiao: “Don’t worry, whether you have any symptoms or not, we will ensure your future is secure.”

Zhuang Xiang smiled at Jiang Tiao’s teasing. He took the teacup Jiang Tiao handed him. “You should both know about transmigration novels, right? Oh, Chairman Huo might not have read them, but Boss, you’re in the entertainment industry, so you definitely know.”

Jiang Tiao fell silent. The first time he fell unconscious, he had a dream where he was trapped in a dark, lightless box. He desperately knocked and shouted, but no one responded. He hit the same spot day after day, and after an unknown amount of time, a sliver of light finally appeared, like the outside world. However, he was shocked to discover that although he was trapped, his body could still move freely.

Zhuang Xiang: “Well… how to put it, this doesn’t mean you’re living in a false world, because I’ve lived here for more than twenty years, and I feel that this world is the same as my previous world. It’s just that the rules of operation in your world are largely influenced by the main storyline of the novel. Of course, you can think of it as world rules.”

Jiang Tiao: “Then what kind of novel is this?”

Zhuang Xiang: “Transmigration + Saving the Villain + Wife Chasing Crematorium.”

To be precise, it’s about a transmigrator who doesn’t want to be a cannon fodder. They want to team up with the villain to fight against their own family, fall in love with the villain in the process, but then discover that the villain is only using them and treating them as a substitute for his white moonlight, so he flees to another country. The villain realizes his mistake and chases after the wife in a crematorium-like story.

Jiang Tiao: “…Can I ask, although novels don’t always need to be logical. But using my body to deal with my family, there must be a reason, right?”

Zhuang Xiang: “The transmigrator felt that your family treated you badly. Your brother has been bossy towards you since childhood, and your parents never intended to hand over the company to you. In the end, to resolve the company’s crisis, they packaged you off to a man.”

Jiang Tiao’s mind was full of question marks. Not to mention the previous points, “A man? Who?”

Zhuang Xiang looked at Huo Shen.

Jiang Tiao: “…”

It must be said, this really sounds like something his brother would do.

When a person reaches the peak of anger, they truly become speechless. What does it mean to not see the whole picture and not speak without knowing the facts! His brother being bossy towards him was their brotherly dynamic. As for inheriting the company, it was because his interest was never in that! Who was this outsider to think they understood all the facts after reading a few lines of text? Why did they arrogantly deny the rationality of his actions like a critic? Why did they presumptuously treat his past life as a “mistake to be corrected”?

He transmigrated into his body, casually used his relationships, resources, and even emotions, and stirred his life into a mess, all under the guise of “saving” him?

This was his life, his choice! Why should a transmigrator use his body while disregarding his thoughts and will?!

For the first time, Jiang Tiao hated someone he had never met.

“Then what about Huo Shen?”

Zhuang Xiang: “Of course, he became the new ultimate villain.”

He disrupted the protagonists’ relationship, loved the protagonist he couldn’t have, and constantly tripped up the protagonist gong. In the end, he watched the protagonist receive sacrifice his life to save the protagonist gong, felt disheartened, and left the country. He left his assets to the protagonist, and then watched the last aurora alone in the snowy plains of Northern Europe. In the vast snowy plains, he also became a frozen sculpture.

Jiang Tiao’s expression was grim. He opened his mouth twice but couldn’t make a sound. His throat was tight like rusted gears, and he could even feel a metallic taste of rust surging up.

“But the Chu family is now controlled by Brother Qingchao, and Chu Xu doesn’t have a chance at all.”

Zhuang Xiang: “That’s why I said asking me isn’t very meaningful. The plot has long since gone completely off the rails. However, in the original work, President Chu, as the villain in the early plot, always had the upper hand. Later, it seemed because Chu Yanhao killed someone. I estimate that Chu Qingchao probably made some agreement with Chu Xu to save Chu Yanhao and gave up the Chu family.”

Jiang Tiao’s heart sank. Although Chu Yanhao appeared impulsive, he was definitely not someone who would kill indiscriminately. What situation would make him so angry that he killed someone by mistake?

His brother or Luo Xingwen?

“Luo Xingwen once asked me, his exact words were, ‘Why does your assistant always look at me with sympathy?'”

Zhuang Xiang: “…”

Was he that obvious??

“Perhaps it’s because we’re both cannon fodder, feeling empathy for each other when one suffers?”

Luo Xingwen initially appeared as Chu Xu’s friend. Later, as Chu Xu climbed higher and higher, for some unknown reason, he began to side with the villain. He mocked the protagonist and constantly obstructed him, sometimes even harming himself to hurt the enemy.

Later, he died tragically. It seemed he was drugged or something. Not only did he die miserably, but photos of him being abused and toyed with before death were also exposed, becoming fodder for public discussion.

Protagonist’s halo, whoever resists dies. People like Huo Shen and Chu Qingchao are no exception, let alone small cannon fodder like them.

Jiang Tiao suddenly stood up, his heart plummeting like a freefall. He took out his phone, wanting to call Luo Xingwen. However, before he could even unlock it, the ringing sound came like a death knell.

Jiang Tiao quickly answered. Chu Yanhao’s anxious and hoarse voice echoed on the other end. “The Tingyu Hotel is one of your family’s properties, right? Can you help me check the surveillance footage? Luo Xingwen might be in trouble.”

…