The man from last night, give me back my innocence!

3

He had a technology talk to attend at noon and only realized his watch was missing just before it was due to start.

Jiang Kai called the Haiping Hotel to ask, but retrieving it would take time.

The talk was being held on the top floor of the Baoning Hotel, so Bo Lin went to Baoning Street himself to pick out a watch to tide him over.

Who would have thought he would run into that man here again?

Bo Lin had been doing his best to keep himself under control all morning, afraid his subordinates would notice something odd about the way he walked.

Hearing that man's voice again, Bo Lin felt a faint tingling in a certain spot behind him.

"President Bo, please come in. These are all our latest models. I wonder if any catch your eye."

"Mm."

Anyone personally welcomed by the manager had to be an important customer. Ella instinctively lowered her voice and said gently, "Mr. Hua, the color combination on this watch strap really is lovely, and it's a limited collector's edition, too. But especially with the engraving on the back, it would be difficult to sell."

Why would anyone who could afford a million-dollar watch buy someone else's unwanted watch, especially one with an engraving?

Hua Jian knew that, too. He simply couldn't give up without asking again.

"I understand. Thank you, Ella. But could I leave the watch on display here for now? Would that be all right?"

"Well..."

The manager was eagerly helping Bo Lin try on watches when she keenly noticed his gaze flick toward Ella twice.

An idea struck her, and she immediately went over to Ella to ask what had happened.

Bo Lin's profile was turned toward Hua Jian. Hua Jian glanced over casually and discovered that this customer was an aloof, handsome CEO type who stood over 180 centimeters tall.

A flash of admiration crossed his eyes, but he quickly looked away.

As a straight man, Hua Jian only admired bulky muscles and rugged faces.

In his opinion, the CEO beside him had muscles that were too small and a waist that was too slender. His ass was nice, though, exceptionally perky, just like the man from last night...

The manager had just learned what had happened and was about to speak when an earth-shattering fit of coughing erupted in the room.

Bo Lin looked over with a deep frown. Hua Jian was coughing so hard his face had turned red. Amid the flustered voices of the manager and the sales assistant, another male voice rang out.

My eyes are tainted! My body is tainted! I actually checked out the ass of the man next to me! Aaaaah!

Man from last night, give me back my virginity! Give me back my innocence! Aaaaah!

Bo Lin's ears abruptly flushed scarlet. He gritted his teeth, thinking that Hua Jian really was complaining after getting the better end of the deal. As if he hadn't been a virgin, too!

And this bastard had actually been staring at his ass in public.

Right. In the few memories he retained of last night, this bastard's hands hadn't left his ass, forcing him to conceal his discomfort all morning...

"Manager!" Bo Lin was seething.

The manager immediately abandoned Hua Jian's issue and hurried over.

"President Bo, I'm terribly sorry for neglecting you. Has anything caught your eye?"

Bo Lin took a deep breath and said coldly, "Get me this one."

The manager looked down. It was a standard model costing less than a million. She wanted to persuade him to reconsider, but seeing Bo Lin's grim expression, she hastily held her tongue.

Hua Jian never even noticed when the CEO beside him left.

He had choked on his own saliva and only managed to stop coughing after quite a struggle.

Exhausted, he waved at Ella. "Sorry about that. I'll get going. I'll leave the watch here, so please try to sell it for me. If you really can't, I'll come back for it."

After leaving Baoning Street, Hua Jian found somewhere nearby to eat.

A large bowl of noodles cost him 68 yuan. Prices in the Imperial Capital really made his wallet ache.

The contrast between a million and 68 left Hua Jian feeling deeply conflicted.

Even if the real and fake young masters and their suitors didn't get him killed, with only a three-digit balance in his account, he would starve on the streets if he didn't start earning money.

The original owner had actually had a pretty fortunate life. Madam Hua had married into a wealthy family with him in tow, and the Xie Family had even been willing to spend a fortune on his art education.

"Hua Jian" had some talent himself and had gotten into Imperial University on his own merits.

"I'll have to go back to my old line of work," Hua Jian muttered.

Sitting in the noodle shop, he browsed the original owner's phone. No, it should be his phone now.

There were quite a few group chats on WeChat, all with straightforward names.

Below them were plenty of unread messages with red notification badges that Hua Jian couldn't stand leaving there.

He patiently opened them one by one until he saw a message from someone saved as "Senior Qian."

-Hey, have you found a part-time job yet? I'm going on an exchange next semester. The student I tutor really likes your style. Want to give it a try?

Hua Jian's eyes lit up. The message was from two days ago, when the original owner had been frantically preparing Feng Qian's birthday present and hadn't checked his messages at all.

He immediately replied:

-Senior, have you found a tutor yet? I'm really sorry. Something happened these past couple of days, and I didn't check WeChat.

Senior Qian replied very quickly:

-Come to the Egret River Villa District in the southern suburbs. I'm at the student's house right now. I'll meet you at the entrance when you arrive.

The Egret River Villa District was a long way from downtown Imperial Capital.

Hua Jian spent over a hundred yuan on a taxi.

If this tutoring interview didn't work out, he might well have to go back and kneel before Madam Hua to beg forgiveness.

"Hey, junior!"

Hua Jian had barely stepped out of the taxi when he heard a delighted male voice.

He looked up, his expression turning strange.

This Senior Qian actually dressed almost exactly like Hua Jian.

An oversized hoodie, hair hanging over his eyes, and black-framed prescription glasses. Apart from being considerably shorter than Hua Jian, his outfit and style were practically identical.

Hua Jian understood. So that was the "style" he meant?

Senior Qian looked Hua Jian over and was very pleased, too.

"Wonderful. My student will definitely be happy with you like this."

He patted Hua Jian's shoulder and said with a smile, "Do your best in there. This student's parent pays very generously. If I didn't have to go abroad, I really wouldn't want to give this up."

"Thanks, senior."

"Don't mention it."

Senior Qian was very enthusiastic, telling Hua Jian about the student all along the way.

The student was a six-year-old girl. She was old enough to start school, but for certain reasons, she couldn't attend and could only have lessons at home.

She had tutors for many subjects, and art was just one of them.

"I've already told her parent about your situation. I've shown her your academic credentials and even your artwork. She's very happy with you."

"Two lessons a week: Fridays from two to three in the afternoon, and Saturdays from nine thirty to eleven in the morning."

"The girl's name is Qi Fanling. She doesn't like talking, and she doesn't like teachers talking too much, either. Just treat her like an ordinary student. Start and finish your lessons on time, and don't try to get chummy with her."

Senior Qian was blunt, and Hua Jian nodded repeatedly.

"I'll take you to meet the housekeeper first."

The Qi family's villa stood in the innermost part of the Egret River Villa District, in an excellent location with hills behind it and water nearby. As soon as they entered, they heard the gentle sound of flowing water.

A fountain, swings, a rock garden, a small flower garden, and a children's sandcastle-every detail showed how much the owners cared about their child.

The housekeeper was very pleased when she saw Hua Jian.

"The young miss happens to be awake right now. Why don't we take Mr. Hua up for her to meet him?"

"Sorry for the trouble, Housekeeper Chen."

Qi Fanling was on the third floor. Inside a large dance studio were two female teachers in ballet attire and an exquisitely adorable little girl.

The dance lesson happened to end just as they arrived, and Hua Jian's eyes met the little girl's.

But before he could get a better look, the little girl silently lowered her head.

Hua Jian paused.

"Miss Fanling, do you remember? I'm going abroad to study. This is Mr. Hua beside me. He'll be teaching you art starting tomorrow. Would that be all right?"

Senior Qian's voice was very gentle and coaxing. When he bent down closer, the little girl nervously clenched her hands.

Hua Jian thought, Why is that old geezer getting so close to the pretty little girl?

Qi Fanling's lowered eyes flickered. What was that voice she had just heard?

It was unfamiliar. Curious, she lifted her head slightly toward the only man she hadn't met before.

Senior Qian was accustomed to her wary attitude. He turned toward Hua Jian and gave him a meaningful look.

Just as Qi Fanling was wondering why that strange voice had disappeared, the unfamiliar man crouched down and tilted his head, trying to see her face from below.

Qi Fanling panicked a little, her eyelashes fluttering.

Hua Jian said, "Hello, Miss Fanling. My name is Hua Jian. You can call me Mr. Hua."

Why doesn't the little girl dare look at me?

Qi Fanling was now certain that the strange voice came from this man.

Her curiosity overcame her fear. She timidly looked up and said nervously, "Hello, Mr. Hua."

Housekeeper Chen froze. Her young miss had actually spoken to a stranger on their very first meeting.

Ahhh, she's so cute! I want to squish her cheeks!

Qi Fanling felt a little shy. This Mr. Hua could actually speak without opening his mouth. How interesting!

Could he be an alien?

Seeing how much Qi Fanling liked Hua Jian, Senior Qian felt a little jealous, but on second thought, this was for the best.

Soon, he said with relief, "It's wonderful that Miss Fanling likes Mr. Hua."

And just like that, the tutoring interview ended smoothly.

Hua Jian watched Housekeeper Chen hand Senior Qian a bulging red envelope, then silently looked away.

"Mr. Hua, since you aren't familiar with Miss Fanling's coursework yet, please arrive at nine tomorrow morning and sit in on a lesson first. You'll be paid at the usual hourly rate."

Hua Jian perked up and immediately agreed.

Housekeeper Chen soon took down his phone number and added him on WeChat.

He could start earning money tomorrow. Hua Jian was very satisfied.

Meanwhile, not long after Bo Lin finished his talk, he received a video call.

He rubbed the space between his brows, then softened his gaze when he saw who was calling.

"Sweetheart, what brings you calling your uncle?"

"Uncle, a new teacher came today, and he's an alien!" Qi Fanling couldn't wait to share the news with her uncle. "He doesn't need to open his mouth when he talks! He's amazing. I've never seen an alien before!"

Bo Lin smiled. "Really? That does sound interesting. Do you like your new teacher?"

"Yes!"

Wearing a pink tulle dress, Qi Fanling sat beneath a large glass window. The soft light falling over her seemed to cast a ghostly image around her.

For an instant, Bo Lin was dazed, as though he were seeing Bo Xiao as a child.

"Uncle? Are you too tired?" Qi Fanling asked with concern in her sweet little voice. "You need to sleep lots, or you'll get so tired you'll die."

Bo Lin came back to himself and chuckled. "I know. I'll come see you tomorrow and bring you toys and snacks, all right?"

Qi Fanling nodded eagerly.

After he ended the video call with Qi Fanling, Jiang Kai asked, "Mr. Bo, Mr. Lu called me just now. He said he's meeting Xie Zhiwei from Minghua tonight and would like you to come along."

"I'm not going," Bo Lin refused outright.

After what happened last night, Bo Lin had immediately confronted Lu Zexi, but Lu Zexi had loudly protested his innocence and insisted he had never arranged anyone for Bo Lin.

Jiang Kai was Bo Lin's assistant. His strong professional skills had kept him at Bo Lin's side for several years.

As far as he knew, his boss had always kept his private life clean and abstinent, with no women around him.

It wasn't as though Jiang Kai had never suspected that his boss liked men.

But when he had once overheard Mr. Lu joking about finding his boss a few young men to have fun with, his boss hadn't shown the slightest interest.

Yet this morning, when he went to the Haiping Hotel to deliver a suit, the marks on his boss's exposed upper body had been unmistakable...

His boss had asked him to get the hotel's surveillance footage from last night...

Tsk. Wasn't this inexplicably familiar sequence straight out of some melodramatic television show, the kind where someone fled after a one-night stand, pregnant?

Except he remembered the bruised finger marks on his boss's body, along with the marks near the two nipples that had accidentally been exposed. They really didn't look like a woman's handiwork...

At that thought, Jiang Kai shuddered and immediately answered, "Understood, Mr. Bo. I'll call Mr. Lu back right away."

He had just dialed when Bo Lin spoke again. "Where is he meeting him?"

Jiang Kai replied, "The same bar as last night."

Bo Lin paused briefly. Only that idiot Lu Zexi would go to a bar to eat and discuss business.

"What time does the afternoon meeting end?"

"It should be finished by four."

Bo Lin made the decision. "Let him know. Have Xie Zhiwei bring the complete proposal. I'm available at six."