The Ceo Of The Company Next Door Seems To Have A Crush On Me Chapter 28

Don’t be angry, my little rock.

It was cool and refreshing.

Yan Xucheng thought.

Lu Zhijian’s cool fingertips touched his brow, and that coolness radiated out like a spiderweb. It felt as if a summer night breeze had blown into Yan Xucheng’s brain.

Lu Zhijian tapped lightly, softening his voice, which sounded like he was coaxing him. “Don’t be angry, okay?”

Miraculously, Yan Xucheng really wasn’t angry anymore. He thought it might be because of Lu Zhijian’s slight Southern accent; after all, he had always liked the voices of people from the South.

Lu Zhijian pushed the cake away and leaned on the table, mimicking Yan Xucheng, but facing him. He curved his eyes. “He’ll be in prison soon.”

???

Wait, hold on, did you just casually say something incredible?

When I type a question mark, it’s not because I have a problem, but because I think you have a problem, understand!

“Huh?” Yan Xucheng’s mind was more tangled than his hair. Seeing how calm Lu Zhijian looked, he even started to doubt if he had misheard. “You, what did you say?”

Lu Zhijian looked at him with an expression of confusion and strangeness, yet full of tolerance and patience, and repeated what he had just said. “I said I’m going to send him to prison.”

“You don’t need to add ‘okay’ at this point!”

How could he use such a gentle tone to say something so hardcore?

But Lu Zhijian didn’t understand the focus of his struggle and asked in confusion, “Shouldn’t I sue him?”

“You should!” This was a matter of principle. Lu Zhijian’s actions were correct and beyond reproach; those who break the law should be brought to trial. Yan Xucheng couldn’t articulate his thoughts, pitying his eloquent tongue, which was now rendered speechless.

“Oh, right,” Yan Xucheng remembered. “If you’re going to sue him, do you have evidence?”

According to the principle that the claimant must provide proof, Lu Zhijian needed to prepare evidence.

Lu Zhijian said calmly, “I’ve prepared it.”

He listed them off like a treasured collection: “Attempted coercion, embezzlement of public funds, corruption, tax evasion…”

“Alright, alright, stop talking, I don’t need to know the details.” Yan Xucheng quickly called a halt.

He placed the cake plate heavily in front of Lu Zhijian and shoved the spoon back into his hand. “Hurry up and eat! Don’t talk anymore.”

Lu Zhijian gave him a pitiful look and didn’t object. “Okay.”

Yan Xucheng rarely kept his mouth shut so obediently, puffing out his cheeks as he dug into the cake. The filling was peach and matcha yogurt, which was especially delicious. Yan Xucheng dug a perfectly round hole in it.

After finishing the cake, Yan Xucheng turned to look at Lu Zhijian next to him. Lu Zhijian had also finished and was staring intently at the empty plate. A flash of inspiration crossed Yan Xucheng’s mind.

“Hiss—”

He elbowed Lu Zhijian, his delicate eyebrows raised high. “Were you doing that on purpose?”

Lu Zhijian didn’t move, accepting the elbow obediently. His eyes remained fixed on the empty plate, but the curve of his lips grew more pronounced.

Yan Xucheng, who was staring intently at him, didn’t miss this. He pounced and vigorously shook Lu Zhijian’s shoulders. At first, he couldn’t move him, but then Lu Zhijian’s body immediately swayed left and right with the force of Yan Xucheng’s hands, like a willow in the wind.

“Aha, you were doing it on purpose! Lu Zhijian, you’ve learned to be naughty now.”

He didn’t know where he had poked him during the roughhousing, but Lu Zhijian quickly shielded himself with his arm, calling a halt to the play. He sincerely lowered his head and apologized. “I’m sorry, okay?”

He! Said! “Okay”! Ugh!

So what? Even if Yan Xucheng hadn’t guessed it before, he understood now: Lu Zhijian had long known his peculiar weak spot and was now deliberately acting pitiful. As a clear-headed, rational, reliable adult with his own capacity for thought and judgment, he would naturally say—

“It’s fine.”

Damn it! He couldn’t control himself at all!

Lu Zhijian stood up first, looking quite pleased, and proactively suggested, “Let’s clean up the kitchen together.”

Of course he was in a good mood after teasing him for so long!

Yan Xucheng, still feeling indignant, stood up, carrying his cake plate and spoon, and twisted his way into the kitchen. Only a solitary “Bring all the plates in!” floated in the air.

Lu Zhijian lowered his head to hide the upturn of his lips. “Okay.”

Yan Xucheng looked around. Lu Zhijian’s housekeeping skills were quite good; everything was spotless. The cream-colored dining table was now covered with a green cotton and linen tablecloth, looking just like the matcha cake they had just eaten. The vase had been moved from the corner of the table to the center.

He stood with his hands behind his back, looking like a demanding supervisor. “Ahem, not bad. You may leave.”

The poor Mr. Lu had encountered a harsh supervisor in a fit of pique, and it took who knows how much effort to earn a “not bad” evaluation, finally allowing him to leave.

Back home, Mr. Lu opened his phone, ignored a series of messy messages, and accurately found the three sentences the supervisor had sent three hours ago. He read them three times before turning off his phone to take a shower.

The warm water flowed over his collarbone and down, washing away his melancholy. The dark, water-soaked storm clouds in his mind lightened a little.

After that day, they tacitly put aside some slightly subtle actions—like the fingertip on the brow—and officially began their routine of sharing meals.

Of course, Lu Zhijian did most of the cooking. Yan Xucheng would randomly bring fruit, dessert, or wine. After all, Lu Zhijian was the boss and could justifiably arrive late and leave early. Before knowing Lu Zhijian’s profession, Yan Xucheng had worried if his habit of skipping out an hour early every day was inappropriate. Once he knew Lu Zhijian’s real job, he felt completely at ease.

There’s a saying: “If you leave early, your employees can also leave on time with a clear conscience. Isn’t that great? It’s also an act of charity for yourself. Maybe Heaven will see your good behavior and let you be a boss again in your next life.”

This was the obscure assertion of the non-famous sociologist Yan Xucheng.

Lu Zhijian deeply agreed, as if he had found a worthy life creed, and from then on, leaving early became even more justified.

Although he was occasionally asked to work overtime by Mo Huai, the overall situation was good.

They ate and drank together, chatting about the day’s events. Lu Zhijian liked this peaceful life.

Until one evening, Yan Xucheng suddenly said, “Don’t make my portion tomorrow.”

Lu Zhijian’s hand, holding the chopsticks, paused. He picked up the juice next to him instead and asked calmly, “What’s wrong?”

Yan Xucheng didn’t notice his movement; he was still immersed in anticipation. “Because Jiang Mingyi is coming back tomorrow, and I’m going to pick her up, so I won’t be eating with you.”

He pressed his hands together, looking up at Lu Zhijian with a pair of smoky-blue eyes. “I’ll bring you back some delicious cheesecake!”

Lu Zhijian heard his own voice say, “Mhm, have fun.”

He was Yan Xucheng’s friend, and Jiang Mingyi was also Yan Xucheng’s friend. Moreover, Jiang Mingyi had been there first. He had no reason to tell Yan Xucheng not to go.

Jiang Mingyi chose a good time to return. Yan Xucheng happened to have the weekend off, so he could not only pick her up but also spend the whole day with her.

Yan Xucheng bought a small bunch of daisies along the way. He was still waiting blankly when Jiang Mingyi spotted his dazzling red hair instantly. Dragging a heavy suitcase, she dashed toward Yan Xucheng with quick, large strides, shouting, “Yanyan!”

The extremely penetrating voice accurately reached Yan Xucheng’s ears. He exclaimed happily, “Jiangjiang!”

Yan Xucheng handed her the small bunch of daisies. “Did work go smoothly?”

“Very smoothly.” Jiang Mingyi held the bouquet in her left hand and easily carried the suitcase in her right.

Yan Xucheng offered to help. “I’ll help you!”

“Oh, great, great.” Jiang Mingyi easily drifted the suitcase to her left, put her left hand behind her back, extended her right hand, and gave an exaggerated bow. “Please!”

Yan Xucheng stepped forward to pull, but the suitcase didn’t budge. He widened his eyes in surprise. “Did you put rocks in there?!”

Jiang Mingyi said calmly, “Pretty much. There’s a book inside, about the thickness of…”

She gestured. “About as thick as your hand standing up.”

“Eh—!!!”

Yan Xucheng had a clear understanding of his own strength. Professional matters should be left to professionals, so he quite naturally handed the suitcase back to Jiang Mingyi and took back the daisies he had given her. “I’ll take these.”

Yan Xucheng looked at Jiang Mingyi’s suitcase, bewildered. “So why on earth did you bring a huge, thick book?”

Jiang Mingyi corrected his term. “It’s a psychological masterpiece. I’ve fallen in love with psychology and plan to get certified.”

Emmmmm…

Yan Xucheng scratched his head. “Is this one of your ways of starting a new life?”

“Something like that.”

“Alright then.” Yan Xucheng could understand. Studying was one of the powerful ways to quickly move past the shadow of divorce. Plus, she was all alone abroad, without him, her best friend, by her side. Besides work, there was nothing else to do but study.

Thinking this, Yan Xucheng suddenly felt a heavy sense of responsibility and mission. He patted Jiang Mingyi’s shoulder and said seriously, “Don’t worry, I’ll be here for you.”

“Uh… thank you?”

Lu Zhijian followed the attendant’s guidance up the curved staircase covered with a red carpet. The carpet was thick, effectively muffling the footsteps of those around him. Lu Zhijian could only hear the low chatter coming from the audience below, which blended together like white noise.

At the turn, someone’s perfume suddenly invaded his nostrils.

It was cloying, a floral scent. Lu Zhijian slowed his pace, waiting for the person to pass. He didn’t like floral perfumes.

“It’s here, sir.”

“Okay, thank you.”

Lu Zhijian sat down in his seat. There was no one else in this box, only him. He quietly watched the heavy curtain below, waiting for the opera to begin.

On the table beside him lay two ticket stubs—

He had originally intended to invite Yan Xucheng to watch it with him.