At his lowest point, He Nian could barely get by without working three jobs a day. He hustled all over town, dreaming of paying off his old debts, saving enough money, and happily lying flat until retirement.
Then one day, a luxury car pulled up beside a roadside stall. A distinguished figure in a suit approached, his gleaming handmade leather shoes stepping onto the greasy ground without hesitation and stopping right in front of a pair of dirty white sneakers.
"So this is where you are, old classmate." The man in the suit crouched down politely and met his eyes.
He Nian looked up at the black umbrella, the standard accessory of a domineering CEO, and managed to dredge up the man's face from the deepest corner of his memory.
They'd been classmates in elementary and middle school. Back then, the man had often mocked him for being short and called him a weakling. Now he was handsome, rich, and long-legged, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a physique like a double-door fridge.
He Nian swallowed despite himself, then slammed the steamed bun in his hand into his bowl. His temper hadn't changed one bit. "Who are you calling an old classmate? You're three years older and got held back a grade. By age, you're the old one!"
The newly installed head of the Shen family, a man whose name made the world tremble, wasn't offended. A trace of amusement gathered at the corner of his eyes. He took a paper bag from the person behind him and said calmly, "I brought your favorite burger. By the way, Shen Corporation is hiring. Interested? One million a year."
He Nian pulled back the hand that had been inching toward the burger and spat, "Shen Zhou, I'm calling the police. Are you trying to scam me?"
"It's a legitimate company. You'll sign a contract." The man chuckled and pointed to the car parked by the roadside, his expression perfectly serious. "If you're interested, the probation period is paid in full."
A probation period? He had a master's degree from overseas. It was bad enough that he was expected to work for him, but now he had to do a trial run, too?!
He Nian couldn't take it. He dropped the huge metal vat on the spot, then slammed the car door so hard it shook the whole street. "Where's the contract?!" He wanted to see just how this guy planned to humiliate him!
The serious-looking man pulled out a very unserious dating contract, with the word "kept" practically written on the cover.
He Nian: ???
Think I won't beat your head in?
Shen Zhou: "The probation period is six months. If it ends early, I'll pay the penalty."
He Nian glanced at the bodyguards in suits and sunglasses behind the man, slowly unclenched his fists, and put on a mean, roguish grin.
Heh. A bastard who toys with people's feelings! Just wait. He'd drive him to the point of paying that penalty!
But reality didn't seem to match what he'd imagined.
He didn't move back into his old mansion, but someone took care of all his meals, clothes, and daily needs. He didn't get his unlimited black card back, but whenever he was in a bind, someone bailed him out without question. He didn't return to his extravagant life as a spoiled rich kid, but he no longer had to live in fear. Someone indulged him as he sank freely into a world of tenderness.
Was Shen Zhou really dating him?!
He Nian was stunned. He packed his bags in the middle of the night and tried to run, only for the man to catch up and block the doorway, his eyes bloodshot. Frost from the cold outside clung to his shoulders, but when he leaned in and held He Nian, it melted away like snow. His eyes were filled with a deep emotion He Nian couldn't understand. "Niannian, don't go."
The He Nian of the past was a spoiled, short-tempered rich kid. No amount of tenderness from Shen Zhou could overcome the thought that loving him was a delusion. Later, when He Nian fell from the clouds into the mud, even the aloof Shen Zhou would pull him into his arms and warm him with his whole being.
Hot-tempered, roguish, handsome gong x powerful, fiercely devoted shou
[Reading Guide]
1. As always, this is a gong-centric story with both leads sexually inexperienced. Same-sex relationships are accepted. He Nian is the gong and Shen Zhou is the shou. A cozy everyday-life story, with no scum or angst, just a sweet little treat. The sweetness is on a par with a story about being doted on, and probably even sweeter.
2. As always, there's a height difference between the gong and shou. The shou can easily carry the gong bridal-style. He calls him Niannian, baby, or darling, switching between them. The gong isn't a perfect character, but the author still wants to spoil him. As always, the shou pursues the gong at first, and later they dote on each other, with the shou leaning toward the gong.
3. The blurb may be revised later, and I'll keep working on my writing.
4. More to come.
Blurb dated 2024.1.7
Theme: Love life.
