Chang Yu no longer dared let his hands wander. He raised both hands to show his resolve. "Don't worry. I'll take responsibility for providing for you."
Yan Junye was still immersed in the grief of having lost his innocence, and Chang Yu couldn't give Xiaotu's lost innocence back to him.
He changed the subject. "We'll go buy a computer this afternoon."
The dog in his arms still looked as though he had nothing left to live for.
"I'll take you out for hot pot once a month from now on."
The fluffy tail swished, and Chang Yu caught it out of the corner of his eye.
He sweetened the deal. "Once you're better, I'll take you to try every food you want to eat, and I won't disturb you when you sleep in."
The inner voice that had been complaining nonstop vanished from his mind, and the dejected expression on the dog's face gradually faded too.
Chang Yu knew he was satisfied.
But he wouldn't dare casually squeeze or rub parts of Xiaotu's body again.
Having finally coaxed him out of his sulk, Chang Yu made time that afternoon to take Xiaotu out of the office.
His assistant saw them and came over to ask, "Do you need me to take Xiaotu out?"
During working hours, he was usually the one who took the dog out for activities or bathroom breaks.
Yan Junye circled halfway around Chang Yu to the side away from the assistant, then bit his trouser leg to keep him from leaving. "Woof, woof, woof."
[I don't want him to take me. I want you to go with me.]
He didn't know why either, but he wanted Chang Yu to buy it with him.
If the person buying him a computer were the assistant instead, he wouldn't be nearly as excited.
Chang Yu waved a hand. "No need. I'll take him out myself."
Yan Junye wagged his tail a couple of times.
Watching the dog's tail rub clingily against Mr. Chang, the assistant felt that Xiaotu had the potential to be a fox, making Mr. Chang leave his post during working hours.
Chang Yu drove straight to the computer store. "You can pick whichever one you want."
The last time Yan Junye had heard such a generous offer was the last time.
He wandered around while Chang Yu explained the specs beside him. "If you want to play games, you can get this one. If you just want to type and watch videos, you can get this one."
The sales staff nearby couldn't stop looking at Chang Yu, as though to say, "Even if you explain it to your dog this seriously, the question is, can your dog understand?"
Most importantly, the golden retriever even woofed back, as though the man and dog could communicate without any barriers.
In the end, Yan Junye chose the model Chang Yu liked.
As for how he knew Chang Yu liked it, Chang Yu had clearly explained that model in more detail than the others.
Chang Yu had the salesperson pack it up, then went to pay.
Still, he hadn't expected the two of them to have the same taste.
Chang Yu still had work to do, so they returned to the company after buying it. He worked on his computer while Xiaotu tried out the new computer's operating system.
Chang Yu even stole a glance at Xiaotu. He seemed completely absorbed in studying the computer and had probably forgotten about Chang Yu touching him there.
It was good that he'd forgotten.
Otherwise, it would be awkward for everyone.
Chang Yu looked away and focused on work, but his mind kept going back to irrelevant things.
First and foremost was the sensation of touching that hard lump while massaging Xiaotu at noon.
He really hadn't meant to touch it. He felt as though his hand wasn't even clean anymore.
He was somewhat distracted all afternoon. His assistant knocked and came in. "Mr. Chang, an artist from your father's company says he has something to discuss and needs to see you."
"He still hasn't come back?" Chang Yu's patience with Chang Liao was wearing thin. The last time the Li Family had taken Chang Liao to the hospital, it had apparently only been a sudden fainting spell from low blood sugar.
Whenever he called, Chang Liao would say, "I'm not better yet. You're young. Doing a little more work is always good for you."
Chang Yu was speechless. He really didn't need any more work.
And Chang Liao wouldn't explain exactly how his health was, either. He had simply given up on managing the company.
Chang Yu decided to finish the matters at hand, then head south and personally drag Chang Liao back. Otherwise, he would always be made to intervene in that pile of entertainment industry nonsense.
"Let him in."
As soon as he finished speaking, someone wearing a leather jacket and sporting dyed red hair walked in.
Chang Yu had some impression of him. He was Ni Lejia, the artist Chang Liao's company was heavily promoting. At least he could make money for the company, so Chang Yu couldn't simply ignore him.
"What is it?" Chang Yu asked rather coldly without looking up.
"Mr. Chang, here's the situation. A few days ago, a paparazzo photographed me on a date with my girlfriend. As you know, we publicly claim to be single."
Chang Yu understood without needing to hear the rest. "The paparazzo asked you for money and said he could destroy the photos?"
Ni Lejia nodded. "Yes."
"How much does he want?" For a normal asking price, the company and artist would generally discuss it and simply pay. There would be no need to come see him specifically.
Unless the price wasn't normal.
Ni Lejia's lashes fluttered, and he said with little confidence, "He wants a million."
"Then let him release them." Demanding a million over something as trivial as having a girlfriend? Chang Yu wasn't about to indulge that bad habit.
"Mr. Chang~" Ni Lejia drew the words out with countless lilting turns, adding a pitiful nasal tone.
The sound startled Chang Yu enough to make him feel a little sick.
Yan Junye also looked away from the computer to size Ni Lejia up.
Why does this guy seem so effeminate? Even my voice when I'm acting cute sounds better than yours.
Chang Yu wholeheartedly agreed with Xiaotu's complaint. It really was unpleasant to listen to.
"What are you afraid of? Even if they come out, we can handle the PR. Have your girlfriend explain that you're just friends. The PR department will also work with you to steer public opinion."
Ni Lejia had closed the office door before coming in. Aside from Chang Yu, there was only a dog inside.
He plucked up his courage and walked forward, undoing his shirt buttons as he went and revealing his pale chest.
"What are you doing?"
Chang Yu had really had enough. Ever since he'd said he liked men, women had indeed stopped approaching him, but there had been quite a few men.
He couldn't get a moment's peace.
"Get out."
"Mr. Chang, I've practiced yoga." Ni Lejia bit his red lip, imitating the sort of man other men liked to please the person opposite him.
"I can accept any demands you have, Mr. Chang."
Chang Yu felt as if even his ears had been dirtied. He couldn't stand another moment of this.
"Xiaotu, bite him and drive him out."
Raise a dog for a thousand days, put him to use for a moment.
Yan Junye couldn't stand it any more than Chang Yu could. Though he liked men, that didn't mean he liked every man.
He raised his front legs and mercilessly swatted the other man's back with his paws.
Even after being pushed to the doorway, Ni Lejia clung desperately to the doorframe and refused to leave.
"Mr. Chang, I really won't tell anyone anything. I can be your pet!" Ni Lejia still refused to give up and even looked enviously at the golden retriever.
The corners of Yan Junye's mouth twitched despite himself.
Fuck, can't you see Chang Yu already has me by his side? And don't stuff all that garbage into my head!
One after another, none of them wanted to let his thoughts stay pure.
Chang Yu really didn't have that particular interest. "Don't think you can cling to me as your backer. Once my father returns, I won't have anything to do with his company."
In other words, pleasing him was useless. Their affairs weren't his responsibility.
"I don't need a bed partner, and I have no interest in someone like you."
"If you don't leave now, the paparazzo won't need to expose you. I'll shelve your career myself."
Ni Lejia hadn't expected Chang Yu to be so heartless. He had already taken off his shirt, yet Chang Yu wasn't tempted in the slightest.
He regularly put plenty of work into his muscles. Could Chang Yu prefer weak, boneless men?
Unwilling to give up, he wanted to keep pleading, but the assistant and golden retriever drove him out together.
After reflecting on it, Ni Lejia decided he might have chosen the wrong setting.
It was too conspicuous in the office. Chang Yu might not have been able to let loose. Next time, he would have to invite Chang Yu to a bar.
If Chang Yu really had no reaction to him, he would drug him.
A drugged gong was much more entertaining than a drugged shou.