Tao Zhiyan hadn't thought much of it when he bought the cake.
He'd simply figured that, as an employee of the Feng Family, he couldn't afford to offend his employer.
Since Feng Ze had used it as his Moments cover photo, he assumed Feng Ze liked cakes like this and bought one.
"Who told you to buy this?"
The man suddenly spoke, his voice low and his tone stiff, as though he were suppressing some emotion. It sent a chill through anyone who heard it.
Tao Zhiyan snapped wide awake and immediately rose from the sofa.
"Who told you to buy this?" Feng Ze asked again, his tone now frighteningly cold.
I'm screwed.
Tao Zhiyan's expression changed. He immediately realized something was wrong.
Judging by Feng Ze's reaction, he must have bought something he shouldn't have.
At a loss, Tao Zhiyan stepped sideways, trying to shield the cake with his body.
Regret flooded him in an instant.
Obviously, why would Feng Ze use such a cute little cake as his Moments background? With his personality, he probably couldn't even be bothered to change his background!
So, by the conventions of old-school domineering CEO novels, this cake must have meant something extraordinary to Feng Ze.
Tao Zhiyan suddenly remembered that he seemed to have given Feng Ze an unforgettable first love when he'd written the story.
Don't tell me his first love gave him this cake!!!
...Will I get killed for upsetting the main villain???
"S-sorry!"
Apologize first!
Looking embarrassed, Tao Zhiyan held his hands behind his back and stood in front of the cake in a panic, the corners of his eyes reddening. "P-please just pretend you didn't see it, that I never bought it!"
"I'm asking you, who told you to buy this?" Feng Ze repeated once more.
Tao Zhiyan swallowed.
"No one. I wanted to buy it myself..." Tao Zhiyan was too frightened to even look at Feng Ze. His gaze flickered, and he lowered his lashes. "I saw your Moments background and thought you liked it..."
"But don't worry! I'll get rid of it right this second!"
With that, Tao Zhiyan turned to pick up the cake, intending to throw it away.
Feng Ze finally couldn't take it anymore. He strode forward, caught Tao Zhiyan by the wrist, and turned him around.
The distance between them abruptly vanished. The man's dark eyes were right before him, holding nothing but Tao Zhiyan.
"Don't throw it away..."
Feng Ze's voice was a little hoarse, low and deep. When it landed against Tao Zhiyan's heart, it made him inexplicably nervous.
"..." Tao Zhiyan had no idea what Feng Ze was thinking, but since he didn't want him to throw it away, he probably wasn't angry. "...Okay."
Hearing that, Feng Ze tightened his grip slightly, his fingertips accidentally brushing Tao Zhiyan's palm.
A tingling sensation spread through him. It tickled a little, but it wasn't unpleasant.
For some reason, Tao Zhiyan remembered how Tang He had brushed his palm earlier that day.
He'd been irritated then, felt dirty, and had even wanted to replace his hand.
But when Feng Ze brushed against him, he didn't feel that way.
He even wanted Feng Ze to do it a little more...
Seeing him drift off, Feng Ze felt a little helpless. As though he'd finally made up his mind, he asked, "What's your relationship with Gu Min?"
"...Gu Min?" Tao Zhiyan echoed, then looked bewildered. "Who?"
"..." Feng Ze had guessed Tao Zhiyan might refuse to admit it. On a personal level, he hadn't fallen out with Gu Min yet. On a legal level, this sort of thing was against the law.
If he wanted to pursue it, he could easily send Tao Zhiyan to prison for a few years.
Still, Feng Ze offered him a way out. "If you come clean, we can work everything out."
The man asked again, "What's your relationship with Gu Min?"
Tao Zhiyan still looked bewildered. He carefully recalled everyone he'd dealt with recently, but not one of them had the surname Gu.
Tao Zhiyan shook his head and answered honestly, "I don't know him."
Feng Ze's brows slowly drew together, and that irritation swept through him again.
Even after I've said all that, he still won't admit it?
Did Gu Min save Tao Zhiyan's life or something? Why is he so loyal?
The thrill he'd felt when asking Tao Zhiyan was matched by the disappointment he felt now.
He looked at Tao Zhiyan, hoping to hear a different answer.
But none came.
After a long while, Feng Ze seemed to stop expecting anything. His voice grew heavy. "...Forget it."
Tao Zhiyan looked at Feng Ze and answered quietly, "...Oh."
Feng Ze's throat tightened slightly. He could only find his own emotions utterly ridiculous.
What exactly am I hoping for?
In the end, Feng Ze released Tao Zhiyan and turned to leave.
Unexpectedly, Tao Zhiyan tugged at his hand.
He barely used any force, only lightly catching his fingers.
The emotions Feng Ze had finally managed to quiet flared up once more.
Tao Zhiyan genuinely had no idea who Gu Min was. Since transmigrating here, his life had revolved entirely around the Feng Family. But from Feng Ze's tone, this Gu Min seemed to have some connection to him.
"Young master...you might not believe me, but I really don't know who Gu Min is. Did he offend you?" Tao Zhiyan sounded puzzled, his brows drawn together in deep distress.
Feng Ze parted his lips but said nothing.
When no answer came, Tao Zhiyan didn't know what to do either. He could only ask, "Could you give me some time? Give me a few days, then ask me this question again. Okay?"
At those words, it felt as though something soft had poked Feng Ze's heart, then poked it again.
He felt Tao Zhiyan was driving him mad.
His emotions kept soaring and plunging, leaving him hooked and frustrated.
Tao Zhiyan refused to admit he was working for Gu Min, yet asked so earnestly for more time.
What exactly does he want?
Feng Ze remained silent for a while before answering, "Suit yourself."
With that, he tried to pull his hand away and leave.
Tao Zhiyan wasn't someone who liked letting unresolved feelings linger overnight. He preferred to speak plainly.
The moment Feng Ze pulled free, Tao Zhiyan stepped forward, blocked his path, and asked, "Are you angry?"
Feng Ze looked at Tao Zhiyan. "You think I'm angry?"
Tao Zhiyan lifted his eyes to him. "Aren't you?"
They stared at each other in silence for a few seconds before Feng Ze gave in and asked, "Then tell me, why am I angry?"
"...I don't know." Tao Zhiyan shook his head. After thinking for a long time, he answered softly, uncertainly, "If it were me, I'd usually get angry because things were slipping out of my control."
By sheer chance, he'd actually hit the mark.
Feng Ze took half a step forward, lowered his head slightly, and looked at Tao Zhiyan.
They stood so close that it looked as though Tao Zhiyan were enclosed in the man's arms.
"Then can I..." The man lowered his lashes, his gaze dark and intent, his voice dropping. "Keep you under control?"
As he finished speaking, a subtle tension seemed to spread through the air.
The man was a little taller than Tao Zhiyan. As he dipped his head, his warm breath brushed Tao Zhiyan's neck, sending a ticklish tingle straight to his heart.
"Well..." Tao Zhiyan pressed his lips together, biting them a little red.
Feng Ze, who had been staring at Tao Zhiyan, now clearly seemed unsure where to look.
Noticing the man's brief fluster, Tao Zhiyan couldn't resist curling his lips. That mischievous streak in him stirred again.
With smiling eyes and a direct gaze, he said softly, "Young master, I'm usually the one holding the reins."
Feng Ze's throat bobbed. He watched Tao Zhiyan's slightly smug expression, momentarily distracted.
Finally, the man couldn't help letting out a low chuckle, as though conceding defeat. "Then it looks like..."
"I'm the one under your control, little butler."
Those all-too-direct words suddenly reached his ears.
Caught completely off guard, Tao Zhiyan's heart sped up, and his face instantly flushed scarlet.
Tao Zhiyan drew a small breath, then turned his head away, even his ears burning red.
Damn it, he's clearly the one who said I had him under my control.
So why...
Why does it feel like I'm the one who can't take it?
Before you continue