Gu Zichu did not want his money-draining younger brother to damage their years of brotherhood.
"Brother Huo, I've already told Xiaochuan to apologize. What do you think?"
Huo Chuyun's expression eased slightly, but a cold smile curled his lips as he spoke flatly.
"Zichu, once I return home, have Uncle Gu bring Gu Lingchuan over personally to apologize."
Pei Xuan was bewildered. Why did this seem so serious? Seeing Gu Zichu's stunned expression, he tried to smooth things over.
"Brother Huo, isn't that a bit much? Gu Lingchuan already apologized. What big shot did that brat offend, to be shown so little consideration?"
Huo Chuyun's face betrayed no emotion, and his tone was languid.
"The old man Gu Lingchuan mentioned was me. He even wanted to steal my partner. Oh, and he called my partner an ass-selling whore."
Pei Xuan instinctively tried to soothe him. "Brother, don't be angry. You know what that brat Gu Lingchuan is like..."
A second later, the words registered. Pei Xuan shot to his feet, his eyes nearly falling out of their sockets in shock.
"Brother, what did you say?! That little bastard Gu Lingchuan called our sister-in-law an ass-selling whore? He wanted to steal him from you and called you an old man?"
"Wait, brother, when did you get married? How come none of us heard anything?"
Huo Chuyun gave Pei Xuan an impatient look. "Keep your voice down. And don't call him sister-in-law. He might not like being called that."
Huo Chuyun did not think Lu Xingchen would like people feminizing him. He needed to make sure his friends respected Lu Xingchen.
Pei Xuan continued exclaiming, "Then, brother, what should we call your partner?"
A trace of tenderness flashed through Huo Chuyun's eyes. "His surname is Lu. You can call him Brother Lu, or just use his name, Xingchen."
Seeing this expression so unlike Huo Chuyun's usual self, Pei Xuan leaned closer, itching with curiosity.
"Brother, when can we meet Brother Lu?"
Huo Chuyun raised his brows slightly, a faint smile curling his lips. Even the frightening scar around his brow and eye softened considerably.
"I'll have to ask him when I get back. Once he's ready and willing to meet my friends, I'll arrange for you to meet him."
"Taking him to meet my second aunt last time was too sudden. I don't want to put more pressure on him."
Now Gu Zichu also realized why Huo Chuyun was so angry. He could tell at a glance how much Huo Chuyun valued his partner. Sitting back in his original seat, he spoke in realization.
"No wonder you insisted I go gift shopping with you last night, brother. I thought you were buying something for a client."
Thinking of how Lu Xingchen would excitedly throw himself into his arms and happily kiss him when he received the gifts, Huo Chuyun could not stop his lips from lifting, a measure of pleasure showing on his face.
"I'll pick out a few more tonight. He'll definitely be even happier."
Pei Xuan and Gu Zichu exchanged a look. Seeing Huo Chuyun's sweet smile gave them goosebumps all over.
They thought to themselves, The world really has gone mad.
Why is Brother Huo's smile so creepy?
Something occurred to Huo Chuyun, and he instructed them seriously.
"You two, keep this confidential. Don't go talking nonsense. I haven't proposed to your Brother Lu yet, so don't blab about us being married."
Pei Xuan could not help swallowing and muttered quietly to Gu Zichu.
"Has he gone so crazy wanting a relationship that he dreamed up a person? I thought I'd never see such a tender side of Brother Huo in my lifetime."
Gu Zichu cautiously studied Huo Chuyun, then turned his head and lowered his voice. "He doesn't look like he's lost his mind."
Seeing them huddled together whispering behind his back, Huo Chuyun said speechlessly, "What are you two up to?"
Like children caught red-handed, they turned around with their hands behind their backs and guilty expressions, answering in unison, "Nothing!"
Feeling his phone vibrate slightly, Huo Chuyun ignored them and looked down at Lu Xingchen's messages. His expression instantly relaxed, and his smile grew wider and wider.
Baby: Brother Chu, guess what? I pooped a lot today. It was one poop after another of missing you.
Huo Chuyun: Talking nonsense again.
Baby: Brother Chu, I'm super strong. I can carry sacks of rice and gas cylinders, but I can't bear how much I miss you!
Huo Chuyun: I'll be back the day after tomorrow.
Huo Chuyun: Baby, I miss you a lot too.
Baby: The air is dry, kiss me now.
Huo Chuyun: Kiss.jpg
Baby: An extremely loud "mua" voice message.
Huo Chuyun had intended to say goodbye to the two of them and listen to the voice message back in his hotel room, but his finger accidentally swiped over it.
Lu Xingchen's extremely loud kissing sound rang through the quiet room in 3D surround sound.
It stunned the two men huddled together whispering. A second later, thunderous laughter erupted in the room.
Imitating Lu Xingchen's sweet voice, Pei Xuan stuck out his bottom and flirtatiously batted his eyes, puckering his lips at Huo Chuyun. "Mua~"
Gu Zichu did not imitate it at Huo Chuyun. He tried a few times by himself, as though no one else were there, then gave up. He really could not reproduce that voice.
He watched in amusement as Huo Chuyun kicked Pei Xuan, who was practically begging for a beating.
Pei Xuan yelped as he dodged like a slippery eel. "Brother, brother, I was wrong! Now I really believe Brother Lu exists."
Huo Chuyun's expression froze. He glared at him impassively and said coldly, "What do you mean?"
Annoyed with himself, Pei Xuan slapped his big mouth hard twice, thinking, Tsk, this damned mouth. I just can't keep it under control. See? I let it slip.
Huo Chuyun laughed in anger and pointed at the pair as he scolded them.
"So you two little brats thought I'd gone mad and dreamed up someone to date? No wonder you kept sneaking looks at me!"
Gu Zichu explained to Huo Chuyun.
"Brother, you don't know what people have been saying. They say the president of Huo Group is frigid, impotent, an old man, and all sorts of other rumors. Otherwise, why wouldn't he be interested in any of those handsome men and beautiful women?"
Previously, some company bosses had often sent people and money Lin Yufan's way, hoping he would introduce those people to the president of Huo Corporation.
In the end, without Huo Chuyun even having to say anything, Assistant Lin returned all the people and money.
Lin Yufan was certain that if he dared bring anyone before Huo Chuyun, he would die very quickly.
"Zichu and I did believe a few of the rumors. But the facts have now proved that we were wrong," Pei Xuan readily admitted.
"Brother, we'll toast you with tea instead of wine to apologize," Pei Xuan declared grandly.
Huo Chuyun looked at Pei Xuan with disdain and waved him away. "Get lost, get lost. No wonder your dad gets so angry he beats you every day. It's honestly a miracle he's lived this long."
Pei Xuan chuckled.
"Brother, do you have a photo of Brother Lu? Let Zichu and me get to know his face first. What if we run into him someday and offend him because we don't know he's Brother Lu? Maybe we could even look out for him on your behalf someday."
Huo Chuyun scoffed. "He won't let himself be mistreated. But you might as well have a look first."
Huo Chuyun opened his phone. His wallpaper was a photo of their family of four, taken before he went to Country A.
On the day of the photo, the weather had been as lovely as a carefully polished sapphire, with gentle breezes and bright sunshine. Lu Xingchen and Huo Chuyun had sat intimately close together.
Lu Xingchen held the well-behaved Xiao Huang in his arms. Xiao Huang's round eyes, like dazzling stars in the night sky, had curved into smiling crescents, and Xiao Huang playfully stuck out a tongue, as though showing the world that happiness.
Tofu suddenly darted from Huo Chuyun's arms onto Lu Xingchen's shoulder like lightning. Left all alone, Huo Chuyun helplessly stroked Tofu's silky fur and reached out to gently wrap an arm around Lu Xingchen's shoulders.
In the photo, one of Tofu's soft white, petal-like paws rested on Huo Chuyun's hand, as though deliberately stepping on it.
Lu Xingchen smiled blissfully, while Huo Chuyun did not know whether to laugh or cry.
The photo captured that instant.
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