Good Morning, President Xuan

When someone liked you, even a wildflower was a treasure. If they did not, presenting them with a golden statue would still amount to a handful of dirt. This was even truer for Xuan Zhe.

Rain drizzled endlessly outside, while the room was comfortably warm. After working for a while, Xuan Zhe looked up at the lily and wondered whether there would be another one in the future.

Wen Shuang was pursuing him. They said the beginning of a pursuit was always full of sweetness. Sending flowers for half a year was not too much, was it?

Cao Nanyu entered with some documents and found Xuan Zhe staring at the lily with a faint smile. After the initial shock came nothing but awe. It was his first time seeing President Xuan like this. How should he put it? It was like he had descended from an unreachable peak and suddenly gained a touch of human warmth.

"President Xuan." Cao Nanyu recalled something, and his expression suddenly changed.

Xuan Zhe raised a brow. "What is it?"

"The partner postponed things by half an hour because of the heavy rain, so Vice President Qian couldn't make it there." Cao Nanyu's words were somewhat disjointed. After a pause, he added, "There was a chain collision on the overpass."

Xuan Zhe froze for a moment, then asked, "When?"

"More than an hour ago." Cao Nanyu's tone was calm, yet it inexplicably sent chills down one's spine. "It was around the time Wen Shuang stopped us." In other words, if they had gotten in the car then, they might be lying in a hospital room now.

Xuan Zhe took out his phone. Sure enough, news of the chain collision was everywhere.

A coincidence? Why had Wen Shuang insisted on stopping them? It was as though... as though he had known in advance.

Cao Nanyu deliberately said in a relaxed tone, "President Xuan, maybe Wen Shuang has that lucky-koi constitution people talk about online."

Xuan Zhe did not answer, his face dark. He did not believe in such things, but the most impossible guess rose in his mind again. As an atheist, he was overcome by rare and profound doubt.

Xuan Zhe did not offer an opinion on the matter, but Cao Nanyu understood. He buried his suspicions deep inside, and both of them acted as though nothing had happened.

"Right. Have Wen Shuang pick me up tonight." Cao Nanyu had reached the office door when Xuan Zhe suddenly said this, making him choke.

"Huh?" Have Wen Shuang pick up whom?

Xuan Zhe looked rather smug. "Wen Shuang is pursuing me. Isn't it normal for him to pick me up after work?"

Cao Nanyu: "..."

Assistant Cao left in a daze and rushed straight to the publicity department. Ignoring everyone's gossiping looks, he lowered his head and whispered something to Wen Shuang. Then, with a grave expression, he gave him a thumbs-up, as if handing over an explosive capable of blowing up the universe.

Wen Shuang: "..."

Even if Cao Nanyu behaved like that, everyone who could stay at Power One was shrewd. Naturally, no one was foolish enough to gossip in front of Wen Shuang. They speculated and made things up in private, and little stories sprang up endlessly on the forum. But as they wrote, everyone suddenly realized something was off: the online pairing of Wen Shuang and Jiang Ning was really rather irritating...

Thus, another voice soon emerged in the fan-topic square. "Wen Shuang has had a boyfriend for a long time," "Wen Shuang's boyfriend is incredibly impressive, he just isn't in the entertainment industry," and "Wen Shuang's boyfriend's face absolutely crushes a whole crowd of male stars." The pairing fans had been happily shipping them when this kind of talk suddenly appeared and ruined the mood. They heard all the extravagant boasting and thought he was some perfect dream man, but after all that, there was not even a picture. What proof were they talking about?

Wen Shuang knew nothing about it. He was simply wondering whether he should treat Xuan Zhe to dinner that night.

To celebrate.

To celebrate his good health and a worry-free life ahead.

Zheng Yuanfei held his phone and sorted through everything that had happened recently from beginning to end. At last, he understood what was going on. Three months ago, he had gone to an uninhabited desert to film. When he left, Wen Shuang's reputation was already in ruins, and he had looked increasingly deranged. Zheng Yuanfei had thought that by the time he returned, this person would have disappeared completely. After all, he had offended too many people. Who would have thought he would transform into a favorite at Xuan Zhe's side?

Had President Xuan gone mad? Zheng Yuanfei could not understand it. With his qualifications, what kind of bed partner could he not have? Why Wen Shuang of all people?

Zheng Yuanfei's assistant brought him a cup of coffee and accidentally caught sight of his phone screen. There was a photo of Wen Shuang on it. Unable to stop himself, he said quietly, "Brother Zheng, Wen Shuang seems to have changed a lot."

"Changed, my ass! He's rotten to the core! Does he think changing his appearance will let him fool everyone?" Zheng Yuanfei snapped.

The assistant shrank his neck and did not dare speak again.

Wen Shuang had changed a great deal. Zheng Yuanfei had almost failed to recognize him at first glance. The worldly greasiness clinging to him had been washed away, revealing a purity beneath. Even against a gloomy sky, he stood there utterly unique. The red mole on his right earlobe was simply bewitching.

But Zheng Yuanfei's prejudice ran eight hundred feet deep. He simply refused to admit it.

Zheng Yuanfei had not expected Wen Shuang to enter the entertainment industry. Though he was an amateur, the overwhelmingly positive comments online made it clear that his rise to fame was only a matter of time. His agent was most likely Zhu Lian. That would not do... Zheng Yuanfei's gaze suddenly turned distant. Lu Li would be back soon. Zhu Lian generally only managed three people. Including him and Chen Zong, if Wen Shuang took the last spot, what would happen to Lu Li?

Zheng Yuanfei looked like an upright gentleman, but when he was unreasonable, he was exceptionally unreasonable. He mulled it over until his assistant knocked on the door, informing him that everything had been taken care of and he could go home now.

Zheng Yuanfei and his assistant took the elevator down and saw Wen Shuang and Xuan Zhe, who had just come out, in the underground parking lot. The two did not know what they were talking about. Xuan Zhe's expression did not look good, but it was only on the surface, as though he might give in the next second. Wen Shuang, meanwhile, backed up as he spoke to him. Growing animated, he gestured excitedly. Unable to see the obstacle behind him, he stumbled, and Xuan Zhe naturally reached out to steady him.

Wen Shuang's body stiffened briefly. Xuan Zhe noticed.

Still pretty innocent, President Xuan thought.

Wen Shuang had no idea that the Great Devil King had flirted with him countless times in his head already. He was still talking about that restaurant. "Really, it's small, but I've been there. The food is delicious! Their spicy duck blood stew is incredible!"

Xuan Zhe casually asked, "Is it better than your cooking?"

For some reason, that question struck a nerve. Wen Shuang's ears reddened. He shifted his gaze away awkwardly and said softly, "You think my cooking is good?"

Cao Nanyu looked up and rolled his eyes dramatically. This sickeningly sweet smell of romance!

Xuan Zhe said, "Would I eat it every day if it weren't good?"

Wen Shuang smoothly replied, "Then I'll make you saliva chicken for lunch on Monday."

The two got into the car while talking. Zheng Yuanfei remained standing where he was until they disappeared from sight.

"Tell me..." Zheng Yuanfei's voice was airy. "Does President Xuan know what kind of person Wen Shuang used to be?"

The assistant did not dare speak. Whenever Brother Zheng used that tone, someone was about to have bad luck.

It was Xuan Zhe's first time visiting this kind of restaurant. The decor was old, and neither the tables nor chairs had any class to speak of. However, the owner was warm and hospitable. Worried that he would not be used to it, Wen Shuang specifically asked for a private room. Having already learned Xuan Zhe's tastes, Wen Shuang rapidly began ordering. Cao Nanyu could also get a free meal because he was driving, but he would rather not have come. Whenever President Xuan's gaze landed on him, it was especially displeased, like a huge light bulb had suddenly crashed a couple's date.

Once the dishes arrived, the food truly tasted good, leaning more toward home-style cooking.

Wen Shuang carefully rinsed Xuan Zhe's utensils with hot water, attending to him with meticulous care.

"Tomorrow is Saturday. Do you have any plans?" Xuan Zhe suddenly asked.

At first, Wen Shuang did not understand. Then it hit him like a revelation, and he pulled out his phone. Even if he had never eaten pork, he had at least seen pigs run. There happened to be several popular films in theaters recently. "Let me see, the highest-rated ones are a sci-fi film and a horror movie. Shall we watch the sci-fi one?"

Cao Nanyu: "..." He might as well cover his ears.

For some reason, Xuan Zhe said calmly, "Let's watch the horror movie."

"Are you sure?" Wen Shuang was doubtful.

Xuan Zhe remained calm. "Of course."

Cao Nanyu wanted to speak but held back. He searched through his memory and indeed could not recall President Xuan being afraid of anything like that, so he relaxed slightly.

After dinner, Xuan Zhe drove Wen Shuang home. As the young man got out of the car, Xuan Zhe suddenly grabbed his wrist. "Don't forget tomorrow."

"How could I?" Wen Shuang grew bolder, and his heart inexplicably felt light. The words slipped out. "I won't. I'm pursuing you, after all."

Xuan Zhe: "..."

Cao Nanyu stared unblinkingly at the rearview mirror. Fuck, fuck, fuck! President Xuan seemed embarrassed? Holy shit! Was he blushing a little?! The moment he met Xuan Zhe's dark eyes, Cao Nanyu felt as though someone had stabbed through the top of his skull and slammed on the gas.

Ran Yao had divorced Xuan Zhe's father early on. Their marriage had been a sacrifice to a business alliance from the beginning, without any love to speak of. It had already been difficult enough to keep it together until Xuan Zhe was old enough to understand. When Xuan Zhong signed the divorce agreement, he had shouted at Ran Yao, "Once you leave, don't ever come back!" Ran Yao was strong-willed, and from then on, she truly never returned. Her thoughts had always been unconventional. Having grown up in an Aristocratic Clan and witnessed endless schemes and strife, she had always been indifferent toward family bonds. She did not see Xuan Zhe even once afterward. When she grew older and her relationship with Xuan Zhong eased somewhat, she contacted Xuan Zhe again only to discover that her son no longer needed her.

Xuan Zhe had achieved what Xuan Zhong could never achieve in a lifetime. He needed no one's favoritism.

Ran Yao worried that excessive concern would only make her son resentful, so she usually only sent the occasional message to ask about his health. Xuan Zhe would reply politely, and mother and son would have nothing else to discuss. This time was the same. "Romance" appearing in Xuan Zhe's life was truly inconceivable, but Ran Yao could think of no other explanation. Yet she did not dare ask directly. Finally, that night, she received another text from Xuan Zhe: [Mom, what do people usually wear to the movies?]

Ran Yao leaped out of bed and typed with trembling hands: [Something casual, not too formal. Absolutely, absolutely do not wear a suit and tie.]

Still unwilling to let it go after sending it, she hesitated for a long while before adding: [Are you dating someone?]

Xuan Zhe replied: [No. Someone is pursuing me.]

Ran Yao stared at those words for a long time before her eyes suddenly reddened. "That brat's finally found love!"

As the standard male protagonist of a power-fantasy novel, Xuan Zhe had everything one could ask for. His enormous wardrobe was filled with neatly pressed custom suits. But hey, strange, wasn't it? There was not a single casual outfit.

Xuan Zhe stood before the closet and carefully tried to remember for ten minutes, but he could not recall the last time he had worn casual clothes. Perhaps it had been his senior year of high school?

Cao Nanyu had already taken off his pants and was about to crawl into bed for a good, hard sleep to soothe his exhausted heart after a full day of gossip. Unexpectedly, he received a call from Xuan Zhe. His boss's tone was grave, as though the company had suddenly lost billions! Cao Nanyu's sleepiness vanished. He got up and drove to Clear Day Manor, only to walk in and see the sofa piled high with brand-new clothes, all sporty and casual styles. Xuan Zhe was holding a gray trench coat against himself. Seeing Cao Nanyu, he seriously asked, "Does it look good?"

The instant he understood what was happening, Assistant Cao's vision went dark. He held the wall and coughed twice, like a martial arts hero whose internal organs had been shattered.

No one would believe it if he told them. The rumored President Xuan, noble and elegant, who would probably remain calm while reviewing documents even during the apocalypse, tried on clothes in his own home until one in the morning!

"Really, President Xuan, trust me. That outfit looks the best. Sporty clothes really don't suit you." Cao Nanyu was parched from talking. It was not that Xuan Zhe looked old-fashioned, but that his temperament was too steady to have anything to do with "sunny vitality." Instead, it felt jarringly out of place.

"Fine." Like an arrogant emperor about to favor a concubine, Xuan Zhe handed Cao Nanyu the final outfit he had chosen. "Wash it for me. I'm wearing it tomorrow morning."

Cao Nanyu swallowed a mouthful of blood and calmly replied, "No problem."

Assistant Cao had nothing to do while waiting in the laundry room, so he opened his phone and browsed the forum to watch people talk nonsense. Night owls were common among young people these days. He was reading a post about Xuan Zhe and Wen Shuang when he suddenly received a private message from Fang Su: [Brother Cao, you're still awake? I saw that you're online.]

The forum was internal to the company. Only mutual followers could see each other's status. Cao Nanyu replied: [Yeah.]

Fang Su clicked her tongue: [I'm so jealous, Brother Cao. You get to ship them up close every day.]

Cao Nanyu thought, Isn't that right? My mouth is practically worn out from shipping them. They aren't even officially dating yet, and President Xuan is already acting crazy. The days ahead will be rough!

Xuan Zhe was very calm inside, truly. It was only a movie. If he wanted, he could rent out the entire theater. A small matter.

President Xuan, who considered it a small matter, lay awake until three-thirty in the morning.

Wen Shuang, on the other hand, slept soundly. The next morning, he texted Xuan Zhe: [Good morning, President Xuan.]

Xuan Zhe hugged his phone and waited five minutes before nobly sending back a single word: [Morning.]

Wen Shuang had spoken with Cao Nanyu about borrowing the car and gotten the keys in advance. After getting ready, he planned to go to the company to pick up the car, then head to Clear Day Manor, take Xuan Zhe out for lunch, and watch a movie afterward. The timing would be perfect.

On the way there, Wen Shuang's heart was filled with a complicated mix of emotions. He had never imagined things would come to this. In a muddle, he had embarked on the long road of pursuing a wife.

Which was to say, no matter how clever and perceptive someone was, they would always be clueless when they lacked self-awareness.

When Wen Shuang arrived at the entrance, he called Xuan Zhe. Before long, President Xuan came out. For once, his hair was not styled, each strand relaxed and tousled. It moved with the wind in an irresistibly alluring way. Khaki casual pants paired with white high-top shoes, a blue undershirt beneath a dark gray trench coat—his hormones were utterly unaffected by the casual look. Wen Shuang stared straight at him.

Xuan Zhe looked calm. To Wen Shuang, that meant: Look at that! As expected of a big shot, not nervous at all. I'll probably be out of a job in a week.

And the admiration on Wen Shuang's face was completely undisguised.

He's very satisfied, Xuan Zhe thought.