The troublemaker

After his conversation with Ji Mingzhu, Ji Zhian was so furious that his forehead ached. He pulled up those messages and read them again.

But this time, he noticed something a little off.

What had Ji Mingzhu meant by that last remark? Ji Zhian's eyes shifted suspiciously. Considering that Ji Mingzhu and Gu Shang had only just gotten married... could Ji Mingzhu be planning to do something to get attention?

Ji Zhian clapped his hands and paced excitedly, immediately starting to round people up.

Yet once he shared the news, he barely managed to recruit anyone before the conversation went off track, its focus shifting increasingly toward Ji Mingzhu himself.

[Hahaha, people from backwater towns really do think in the weirdest ways. Does he think doing this will touch Gu Shang's heart? If it were me, I'd be so embarrassed I'd want a divorce on the spot.]

[Hey, no need to go that far... How could anyone bear to divorce such a pretty boy before they'd had their fill of him?]

[Give it up. That's your sister-in-law, hahaha.]

[Nothing tastes better than dumplings, and nothing's more fun than...]

[Ahahahaha, this sister-in-law really does look fun. Unlike those sluts who are so good at putting on an act, he's got this simple, unpolished air about him. I bet he'd be fun to tease. And he really is gorgeous... Damn, I went to the wedding banquet with my family that day and caught a glimpse of him from a distance. Seriously, I nearly got hard just looking.]

At that, the smile slipped from Ji Zhian's lips.

Fuck, these useless parasites only ever think with their dicks. What was so attractive about trash like Ji Mingzhu? He was such a hick. How could they even get it up for him?

Suppressing his disgust, Ji Zhian lurked in the group chat until someone said they would send people over to see if there was any fun to be had. Only then did he leave.

A malicious smile spread across his delicate, innocent-looking face.

With mealtime approaching, Ji Mingzhu glanced at the clock, hurriedly changed, and picked up the food carrier the butler had prepared. Then he hailed a taxi to the Gu Corporation on his own.

Ji Mingzhu had wanted to wear the clothes he had bought at the shop before, but the butler had sent all the luggage he had brought to be washed again. He had no choice but to ask Uncle Chen to have an outfit brought over at short notice.

The young man touched the soft, smooth fabric he was wearing. It felt lovely against his skin, though he had no idea what brand it was.

Ji Mingzhu was in a hurry, so he hailed the first taxi he could and got in.

This ride, however, was rather unpleasant. The seat back was hard, and a strong mixture of leather and tobacco smells filled the car, turning his stomach.

The backrest was a little grimy, too. Who knew how many people had leaned against it? Unwilling to do the same, Ji Mingzhu could only hug the large insulated food carrier and huddle in a corner.

He curled into a tiny ball, like a little stray cat.

Ji Mingzhu had never felt this nauseated before. Even riding in a jolting horse-drawn carriage had never made him feel this way.

My husband's car is so much nicer.

It smelled lovely and felt soft, the temperature inside was just right, the seats were spotlessly clean, and there was even a little refrigerator for food.

When he finally arrived, Ji Mingzhu paid the fare and eagerly opened the door to breathe in some fresh air.

He steadied himself and looked up at the imposing behemoth before him. After taking a deep breath and making sure his legs no longer felt weak, he headed through the revolving door.

The moment he entered, the young man drew the attention of almost everyone in the lobby.

Uncle Chen had not known what style of clothing he liked, so he had instructed someone to choose something youthful and lively.

The young man wore a mist-gray sweatshirt with a loose stand collar. Its relaxed cut looked casual and languid, and the slightly drooping neckline even exposed a small stretch of his collarbones. Their contours were clean and defined, his skin fine-textured and smooth.

It was a stark departure from Ji Mingzhu's usual refined, genteel style. He looked relaxed and laid-back, with a touch of the boyishness appropriate to his age.

On his lower half, he wore loose black shorts that ended just above his knees.

His exposed calves were straight and fair, their proportions balanced and their muscle lines beautifully smooth. They looked firm yet supple, as though they would feel wonderful to the touch.

With that sweet yet cool look, all he needed was a large pair of headphones around his neck to complete the melancholy-boy style so popular these days.

The receptionist stared fixedly at the unfamiliar visitor. The young man's gaze drifted lightly toward her, and those shimmering, alluring eyes sent a jolt straight through her, leaving her frozen on the spot.

Th-this boy... Why was his gaze so seductive?!

His clothes looked so cool and cocky, but his face was as fresh as a high schooler's. Hmm... He ought to be the sort of naughty boy who skipped class to go to an internet café and got caught by his teacher.

Yet one look into those tender eyes, and she could not bear to scold him.

He looked like a precious jewel who deserved to be cradled in someone's hands and spoiled rotten.

Ji Mingzhu approached the reception desk and asked the somewhat dazed receptionist, "Hello, which floor is Gu Shang on? I'd like to see him."

The receptionist came back to her senses and asked in surprise, "Who did you say you wanted to see?"

Had she heard that right? Had this person actually addressed their President Gu by his full name?

The young man smiled gently. "I'm here to see Gu Shang."

His smile felt like a warm spring breeze, instantly dispelling the cool, cocky impression his clothes gave. Now he looked like a well-behaved child who had sneaked into his older brother's clothes, sweet and adorable.

Adorable as he was, the receptionist still asked what time his appointment was for. To her surprise, the young man could not give her an answer.

The corners of her mouth turned down.

And here she'd thought he was a good boy. Apparently, he was just another person dreaming of becoming the president's spouse.

Most people like that were pretty young men and women who relied on their looks, hoping to try their luck by playing the innocent little flower from a domineering-CEO romance.

Besides... everyone already knew President Gu had gotten married yesterday. Was someone seriously throwing himself at him to become his side piece? On the very next day after his wedding?

No matter how attractive they were, people with morals like that were contemptible.

At that thought, a hint of disdain crept into the receptionist's expression. "If you don't have an appointment, please make one before coming back."

Her previously gentle tone had turned rather cold.

Ji Mingzhu was a little bewildered. Before he could figure out what to say, a tall figure abruptly stepped in front of him.

The newcomer was a middle-aged man with a balding crown. He looked the young man up and down with a lecherous gaze and said contemptuously, "Which escort club did this one come from? Hurry up and get rid of him. This is a respectable company!"

His words were so vile that everyone present except Ji Mingzhu looked slightly taken aback.

After speaking, the middle-aged man slammed his fist onto the reception counter with a thud, startling the receptionist. Her face went pale. "Manager Wang..."