Xiang Mingzhang has always been cold and serious in the company, with zero affinity. He does not attend any employee gatherings and rarely jokes or chats with his colleagues.
The company does not interfere with the relationships of its employees. Some popular people have romance stories in three or four departments. The sales department is the hardest hit area. Everyone travels a lot, is busy with business, and has high work pressure. It seems that they don't have the energy to seriously manage their relationships.
For these veterans in the workplace, pursuing the client is more important than pursuing a partner. They can break up and get back together with their boyfriends or girlfriends, but they must pursue the project relentlessly.
In this department where gossip is everywhere, Xiang Mingzhang, as the boss, has never had any romantic scandals.
The supervisor looked gossipy: "With Mr. Xiang's conditions, isn't it easy for him to fall in love? I have been working here for more than two years, and I have never heard that Mr. Xiang has a girlfriend. Don't you think it's very strange?"
The sales assistant speculated: "Could it be that Mr. Xiang is having an affair and doesn't want it to be made public?"
Someone commented: "It can't be that there is no movement at all. When people are in love, they can't help but show off a little."
The supervisor said, "So changing your thinking, could it be a boyfriend?"
Chu Shichen tried not to show his shock and said seriously, "How can you make such a joke?"
The manager also joined in: "I really don't want to work hard anymore. If Mr. Xiang needs a boyfriend, do you think I have a chance?"
"You can try to confess your feelings!" Peng Xin said wickedly, "Just in case, prepare a letter of resignation!"
Everyone burst into laughter. Chu Shichen's back was stiff, and a crease was left on the disposable paper cup.
The afternoon tea ended happily, and Chu Shichen walked into the tea room, his heart was in turmoil and he couldn't calm down.
He thought that it was okay for a playboy like Qian Hua to talk about his romantic affairs, but why did his colleagues also talk about these things openly
Besides, how can a man openly say that he has a boyfriend
In the new century and new era, many things and concepts are very different. Could it be that this kind of thing is no longer a secret and does not need to be covered up
Chu Shichen hesitated and took out his mobile phone to edit a few keywords and search on the web. The related titles were straightforward, bold and varied.
I don’t know how long I watched, the electric kettle boiled, Chu Shichen put down his phone and went to make tea.
Boiling water poured into the cup and formed a whirlpool. Chu Shichen stared at it in a daze. He could never have imagined that there would be so much public discussion about homosexuality nowadays, and even novels about gay blind dates.
The mat at the door muffled the sound of footsteps. Xiang Mingzhang walked in holding an empty cup and could not help but pause. His secretary, who was always smart and perceptive, was now in a rare daze. He had forgotten to put the tea bag in the bag and was holding a glass of water to his lips.
The electric kettle flashed a "high temperature" warning light. Xiang Mingzhang caught a glimpse of it and immediately spoke out to stop it: "Chu Shichen!"
Unfortunately, it was too late. The scalding water touched his lips, causing him excruciating pain. Chu Shichen groaned miserably and threw the cup into the pool with a bang.
Xiang Mingzhang strode over and asked in a lecturing tone, "What are you doing?"
Chu Shichen opened his mouth and stammered in pain.
Xiang Mingzhang took out a bottle of ice water from the refrigerator and helped Chu Shichen rinse by the pool.
After finishing a bottle of water, Chu Shichen felt better. He was 1.80 meters tall and felt quite embarrassed lying by the pool, so he stood up. Suddenly, Xiang Mingzhang lifted his chin.
Chu Shichen pursed his lips reflexively, his nose wrinkling slightly in pain.
"Open it, let me see."
Xiang Mingzhang looked at him carefully. Chu Shichen's lips were delicate and usually lighter in color, which matched his clean fair face. But now they were red and swollen, and a layer of skin was burned.
"Does it hurt?"
The lower half of Chu Shichen's face was washed cold, but the fingertips against his cheek were burning warm. He raised his eyes and felt that he was too close to Xiang Mingzhang.
Behind him was the edge of the marble table, with no way to retreat, so he had to turn his head away and said, "It's okay."
His fingertips suddenly fell into empty air. Xiang Mingzhang withdrew his hand, picked up the tea bag and threw it into his cup. The screen of his mobile phone thrown aside was on, and the title was in four big characters: A must-see for gay men.
Xiang Mingzhang asked: "Did you burn your mouth just by looking at this thing?"
This was the first time Chu Shichen was so panicked. He grabbed the phone, his mouth hurt again, and he spoke clearly as if he had an acute stutter: "No, it, it itself."
Xiang Mingzhang said in a broad-minded manner: "How you use your phone is your freedom, you don't need to explain to me."
But Chu Shichen wanted to explain: "No, I..."
Xiang Mingzhang caught Chu Shichen's tongue when he was speaking awkwardly, and said, "Xiang Yue's campus is so big that there are homosexuals in more than one department, both men and women. It's not uncommon."
Chu Shichen stared: "How do you know?"
Xiang Mingzhang replied: "Some people don't hide it. Whether they are homosexual or heterosexual, they are free to fall in love in the company, but promiscuity is prohibited."
Chu Shichen was shocked and suspected that Xiang Mingzhang was playing a trick on him. It was already unacceptable to express this special feeling out loud. Was free love definitely not just a foolish dream
In any case, he found it difficult to discuss publicly, saying, "I have a lot of things piled up these days, so I'm going back to the secretary's office first."
People left in a hurry. Xiang Mingzhang lowered his head to make tea. He didn't care much about the circle of the second-generation rich who spent their money prodigally, but Chu Shichen had been too high-profile in the past, and the rumors about his sexual orientation were no secret among his acquaintances.
But Chu Shichen's evasive reaction just now didn't seem fake.
Besides, does a gay who has been through a lot of sex need to search for homosexuality on the Internet
If a person loses his memory, does that mean he can no longer feel his natural, instinctive desires
Or maybe Chu Shichen has really been reborn and turned over a new leaf
Xiang Mingzhang's mind flashed with various images of Chu Shichen: dignified, outstanding, and at ease. Even when he was tough and suspicious, he still had a scholarly air.
He helplessly realized that this "dandy boy" had completely overturned the impression he had on him.
In the secretary's office, Chu Shichen found peace through work. Fortunately, Xiang Mingzhang did not give any more instructions, so he breathed a sigh of relief when he got off work.
Strangely enough, he would be stunned when listening to his colleagues talking about those extreme topics, but when listening to Xiang Mingzhang, he became inexplicably nervous.
When I returned home at night, the villa was quiet. Chu Shihui refused to go traveling with Li Heng and went camping with Mrs. Chu and Aunt Tang and Sister Xiu.
Chu Shichen had a sore mouth, so he skipped dinner and curled up in bed to read a book. The book was about the history of trade development in eastern Zhejiang in modern times. As he read on, the whole paper was suddenly filled with the word "gay".
It's so scary!
The next morning, while the four golden flowers were away, Chu Shichen invited Lawyer Lei and his assistant to meet him at home.
The second generation of rich people will not do all the party themselves, but usually find a professional team to organize it. The team will screen all the staff needed for the party, including waiters, private chefs, cleaners, etc.
This team is like an intermediary between Party A and Party B. It is familiar with a large number of scattered Party B resources and is flexible in cooperation, but does not have much power to constrain.
To put it bluntly, this is a short-term, temporary employment relationship.
Therefore, neither the intermediary nor other waiters were very clear about the background of "Zhang Kai". After searching for a long time, no other clues were found. It was most likely a fake name and fake identity.
There is also the impostor "Zhang Che". Chu Shichen increasingly feels that there is a connection between these two Zhangs.
Lawyer Lei said, "Should we check the band again? But I heard they disbanded."
Chu Shichen guessed that the models, internet celebrities and rock bands who attended the party should belong to the real "Chu Shichen"'s social circle.
After Lawyer Lei and his assistant left, Chu Shichen went upstairs and walked to the door of the bedroom that had never been occupied.
On the first day he arrived at the Chu family's house, he took a quick tour. When he opened the door, everything in the room remained unchanged, and the huge portrait of a rock youth on the wall was still eye-catching.
The real "Chu Shichen" likes rock music, and the band on that day was most likely invited by him. If there are contact records, perhaps some clues can be found.
But the cell phone number and all accounts have been changed. Mrs. Chu hopes that her son will cut off the past, so she is definitely unwilling to tell him, which might even add to suspicion.
Chu Shichen couldn't help but think of Qian Hua.
The two men's social circles overlap and their personalities are similar, so Qian Hua knows his brother's hobbies very well.
Chu Shichen dialed Qian Hua's number, but no one answered. The second call rang seven or eight times before someone answered it.
Qian Hua yawned: "Are you kidding me? It's just ten o'clock..."
"Sorry." Chu Shichen forgot that the other party was a night owl, "Are you free recently?"
Qian Hua said: "We are so in sync. I was planning to call you this afternoon, but you came to me first. Let's go out tonight!"
Before I could thank him for helping me last time, Chu Shichen said, "Okay, where are we going?"
Qian Hua said slyly, "The first two times were boring. This time I have to decide. I will definitely make you feel comfortable. Let's go to the Black Window Bar."
Chu Shichen was brought to the bar by Xiang Mingzhang last time. The environment was comfortable and even the music was light. It was indeed quite comfortable. He agreed, "Okay, see you tonight."
Chu Shichen took a shower and changed clothes before going out. At 8:30 in the evening, he got off the bus at Lingzhou Road.
There was a single-story red-walled building on the side of the road with black windows, which looked very much like an old Western restaurant. Chu Shichen was led by a waiter through a corridor and went down the stairs.
The real bar was on the second floor underground. Lights of varying brightness were flashing wildly, strongly impacting my irises. A huge speaker was placed on a T-shaped stage more than half a person's height. Before the show began, the area was already crowded with people sticking together and twisting their bodies.
The waiter led Chu Shichen to the reserved VIP booth and asked, "Sir, is the wine Mr. Qian ordered now available?"
Qian Hua sent a message saying that there was a traffic jam and he would be late, so Chu Shichen asked for a glass of water first.
The booth was in a prime location, facing the stage. Suddenly, screams broke out all around, and four muscular men came on stage and began a passionate performance.
Chu Shichen had only seen men singing before, and had seen a few operas and ballets performed by men when he was studying abroad. He sat comfortably on the sofa, his suit tightly wrapped around his body, with the strong light sweeping over him, revealing only his snow-white hands and face.
In less than ten minutes, the waiter brought a cocktail, which was offered by the guest in booth number three.
Chu Shichen turned his head to take a look, but the changing lights made it hard to see clearly.
Soon, a long-haired man from the east asked the waiter to bring a glass of cherry sour beer, the baby-faced boy from the west brought a glass of whiskey, and the foreign man from the south brought a glass of wine.
Chu Shichen hadn't finished his glass of water when five or six cups of goodwill from strangers suddenly appeared on the coffee table.
And he found that the bar was almost entirely filled with men.
Chu Shichen took out his cell phone and wanted to call Qian Hua, but he saw two missed calls, both from Xiang Mingzhang.
The music was too loud, so Chu Shichen avoided the crowd and went to the bathroom. Just as he closed the door, Xiang Mingzhang called for the third time.
Chu Shichen answered: "Mr. Xiang, are you looking for me?"
Wild music came in through the crack in the door and drifted into the phone. Xiang Mingzhang listened for a moment and asked, "Didn't you give me the SDR report?"
Chu Shichen thought for a moment and said, "Because there is a missing attachment."
At this time, a young man came out of the cubicle, and while washing his hands, he blatantly looked at Chu Shichen in the mirror, then walked over and chatted with him: "Are you alone? Let's go out for a drink together?"
On the phone, Xiang Mingzhang asked: "Who is he?"
Chu Shichen just felt upset and refused coldly: "I'm not interested."
The young man thought he was pushing and pulling, so he said, "If you don't want to drink, we can go somewhere else. My car is parked outside."
Chu Shichen opened the door and pushed the other person. In an instant, the noise outside came in. When the door closed, he held up his phone and forgot where to say, "Did you hang up?"
Xiang Mingzhang lowered his voice and asked, "Where are you?"
Chu Shichen said: "Bar."
Xiang Mingzhang asked again: "Are you alone?"
"At the moment." Chu Shichen hesitated, "This place is different from the one you took me to. It's full of male customers."
Xiang Mingzhang asked patiently: "Where is it?"
Chu Shichen said: "Black Window Bar."
The tip of the pen pierced the paper, leaving a black ink mark. Xiang Mingzhang worked overtime all day in the office, facing a table full of documents. He didn't say a word and had no expression.
At this time, he laughed coldly, threw away the pen, opened the drawer to get the car keys, and said, "Chu Shichen, I read the popular science of homosexuality yesterday, so let's go to gay today. You are efficient enough."
(End of this chapter)