Then What Shall We Talk About?

One sentence left Zhong Mohan, who was changing his shoes, completely dumbfounded.

He turned his head to glance at Wen Chengze, but the latter looked utterly calm.

Only when he noticed Zhong Mohan looking at him did Wen Chengze suddenly remember that there was already something ambiguous between them. For him to say that so directly, it would have been strange if Zhong Mohan had not been surprised.

He cleared his throat and added, "You reek of alcohol. I'm not used to it. Go take a shower and sober up while you're at it. Then we can talk business."

With that explanation, the tiny spark of thought that had just risen in Zhong Mohan's mind immediately died out.

Zhong Mohan had to admit that he had felt a little thrilled just now.

Completely unaware of what Zhong Mohan was thinking, Wen Chengze sat on Zhong Mohan's sofa, taking in the apartment's decor.

It suited the style of a man living alone—simple and elegant, very similar to the place Zhong Mohan had lived in abroad.

Half an hour later, Zhong Mohan emerged from the bedroom. The dark blue bathrobe added a few more touches of nobility to him.

Resting his chin on one hand, Wen Chengze thought, Is this what a child raised by a century-old Aristocratic Clan is like?

Every gesture carried an irresistible charm.

Even Zhong Mohan's mother, who had chosen the wrong husband, had to be acknowledged by Wen Chengze as dignified and poised. In terms of bearing, the Zhong Household was indeed beyond reproach.

"Why are you staring at me?" Zhong Mohan poured two cups of warm water and placed them on the coffee table.

Wen Chengze picked up a cup. "Nothing. What did you want to talk to me about?"

The relaxed ease Zhong Mohan had felt vanished at the question, and he suddenly found himself at a loss for words. He did not actually have anything to discuss with the kid. Even his earlier suggestion that Wen Chengze go home with him had been something he blurted out in an alcohol-fueled haze.

Wen Chengze looked at Zhong Mohan, waiting for him to speak.

Seeing no ripple in Wen Chengze's eyes, Zhong Mohan suddenly felt deflated. Had that night truly left no trace in Wen Chengze's heart? Could he still sit with him so calmly now?

When Zhong Mohan remained silent for a long while, Wen Chengze's gaze turned sharp.

"Head of the Zhong Household, don't tell me you brought me to your home this late at night to play a staring game."

That made Zhong Mohan feel even guiltier.

"Xiao Ze, there are things we can talk about besides work."

Now Wen Chengze was certain Zhong Mohan had not sought him out over anything serious. He shifted into a more relaxed position against the sofa, crossed his legs, and gave a soft snort. "Then what shall we talk about? The bed?"

Wen Chengze could not be blamed for speaking so bluntly. It was late, they had shared that kind of experience before, and Zhong Mohan had brought him home in the middle of the night. His intentions were clearly far from innocent.

"I didn't mean that." Perhaps it was the alcohol, or perhaps something else, but Zhong Mohan always felt awkward and tongue-tied around Wen Chengze.

Wen Chengze was genuinely a little angry now.

After the incident at the banquet, he had investigated it afterward. It seemed he had been set up, but since the Zhong Household was involved, Wen Chengze knew Zhong Mohan would resolve the matter. There had been no need for him to interfere.

Despite what had happened, he could still rationally conclude that Zhong Mohan had not been at fault.

Later, Zhong Mohan had partnered with the Wen Household, putting them on the same side. Though Zhong Mohan was suspected of using the Wen Household as a target, Wen Chengze had still been willing to trust his instincts. Zhong Mohan was no good man, but neither was he the sort of villain who casually sacrificed others.

Yet Zhong Mohan had provoked him again and again, making him feel as though all the trust he had given had been fed to the dogs.

The glass struck the coffee table with a heavy thud that landed hard on Zhong Mohan's heart. It seemed he had angered the little guy again.

Wen Chengze stood, and Zhong Mohan thought he was about to leave. He instinctively moved to stop him, only for Wen Chengze to suddenly walk toward him.

With a forceful push of his palm, Wen Chengze shoved Zhong Mohan down onto the sofa.

He straddled Zhong Mohan's legs and lowered his head close to him. They were pressed so near that their breaths tangled.

Wen Chengze's fingers drifted lightly along the side of Zhong Mohan's face.

"Mr. Zhong, the more I think about it, the more I feel you must have developed a taste for that night. That's why you got involved with the Wen Household and kept appearing in front of me again and again, isn't it?" This was the most reasonable explanation Wen Chengze could come up with.

The words seize by force would never appear in a gentleman's dictionary, much less in the dictionary of a man like Zhong Mohan. So he had taken the long way around.

In the end, he had forced Wen Chengze to appear before him. Wen Chengze thought that was probably Zhong Mohan's goal.

If that was the case, then he would grant his wish.

"Mr. Zhong, if you like it, just say so. I can satisfy you. But please end your cooperation with the Wen Household and let the Wen Household go. And once you've grown tired of me, please don't appear before me again. Can you do that?"

Wen Chengze's fingers continued downward.

Wen Chengze was slender, and at that moment, he looked as though Zhong Mohan had wrapped him entirely in his arms. But on closer inspection, Wen Chengze was the one in control, while Zhong Mohan was the one who had gone stiff.

He did not deny that he had been unable to forget that night, but Zhong Mohan also knew that what he craved was definitely not merely physical pleasure. As for what he truly wanted, even he was a little confused.

After all, if all he wanted was simple pleasure, Wen Chengze was teasing him right now, and he should have been happy. Yet everything felt wrong.

Before Wen Chengze's hand could touch the most dangerous place, Zhong Mohan suddenly reached out and held it down.

"Xiao Ze, I didn't bring you back with that intention. And my cooperation with the Wen Household wasn't because of this either. I decided to work with the Wen Household after careful consideration. I can guarantee that nothing will happen to the Wen Household in the future." Zhong Mohan knew the kid was angry with him mainly because he thought Zhong Mohan had dragged the Wen Household into danger. Once that problem was solved, they could continue getting along peacefully, right?

Wen Chengze paused.

He could hardly believe those words had come from Zhong Mohan.

From what he knew, Zhong Mohan was not someone who willingly took a loss. How could he possibly yield on matters involving the Wen Household?

"Then what do you want?"

Zhong Mohan took a deep breath. "I need the Wen Household's support. Or you can take it as my compensation for that night."

Hearing that, Wen Chengze turned over and climbed down, sitting beside Zhong Mohan.

The weight on his legs suddenly vanished. Zhong Mohan pressed his lips together and ignored the discomfort in his heart.

"I don't need your compensation. As long as you can guarantee the Wen Household will be fine, that's enough. So why exactly did you bring me to your home tonight?" They had returned to the original question.

Facing Wen Chengze's simply puzzled eyes, Zhong Mohan thought for a long time before giving a fairly reasonable answer. "Everyone had been drinking, and it was so late. I wasn't comfortable letting you go home by yourself."

Wen Chengze raised an eyebrow but said nothing more. Some things did not need to be laid bare.

"Then I'll sleep here tonight."