Mr. Qin?

Oh, Qin Zhi.

He touched Qin Zhi's thigh? He himself didn't even know?

Moreover, even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare touch Qin Zhi's thigh in front of Su Zheng... Su Duan thought in a fluster.

Su Duan was dazed for a moment, before slowly recalling that he had just reached into Qin Zhi's pants pocket to take out a tissue, but before he could pull it out, he saw Su Zheng, and then ran over here.

Thinking of this, Su Duan suddenly realized that he seemed to have run to his brother without saying a word to Qin Zhi, leaving him alone there, and couldn't help feeling a little guilty.

Qin Zhi had endured the heat to hold an umbrella for him for half an hour, and he had left Qin Zhi there without a word. Qin Zhi would definitely be unhappy.

It was all because he got too excited and was so rude.

Su Duan wanted to steal a glance at Qin Zhi's reaction from the corner of his eye, but he happened to have his back to Qin Zhi, so he couldn't see without turning his head. He had a feeling that if he turned to look at Qin Zhi now, the atmosphere would definitely become even more awkward, so after hesitating for a moment, Su Duan gave up.

Su Duan blinked and explained to Su Zheng in a low voice, "I wanted to take a tissue from his pocket to wipe my sweat, but brother came out, so I didn't take it out."

Take a tissue?

Hehe, Su Zheng sneered coldly in his heart. Does Qin Zhi not have hands, that he has to let his younger brother take it? They are all adults now, does he really think he doesn't understand what scheme this is?

Although he had been too busy with work to have a proper relationship, mixing in the complex business circles, it was quite common for bosses to keep young celebrities and such. Having seen it many times, Su Zheng was naturally no stranger to certain greasy routines.

Taking a tissue! He could break Qin Zhi's third leg!

Looking at his younger brother's pure eyes, still unaware of anything, Su Zheng forcibly suppressed the anger surging in his heart and showed a kind smile, "Oh, so that's how it is. How long has Duan Duan been standing here?"

Su Duan asked the system and replied, "About twenty minutes."

Su Zheng had just changed into new clothes before leaving the prison and didn't bring any tissues. Seeing the fine beads of sweat on his brother's forehead, he simply reached out and gently wiped them away with his sleeve, scolding him in a low voice, "How can you wait outside in such hot weather? What if you get sick?"

Su Duan had his eyes half-closed as he was wiped, and said softly, "I only waited for a little while."

Why did both brother and Qin Zhi think he would get sick so easily? Although his constitution was a bit weak, it was already autumn now, he wouldn't faint just from standing outside for a bit... right?

Su Zheng said, "Even so, you can't." Then he let go of his cleaned-up brother.

Su Duan could only obediently say, "Oh."

After wiping Su Duan's sweat, Su Zheng rolled up his sweat-stained cuffs so the sweat wouldn't rub off on Su Duan, and only then did he take his hand and say, "Don't stand here anymore, it's hot. Come with your brother to say a few words to Mr. Qin."

Su Duan nodded. Finally, he could justifiably turn his head to look at Qin Zhi.

Qin Zhi was still standing where he was before, holding that deep blue umbrella. The lush tree shadows fell on the umbrella, dyeing it with mottled, swaying traces. His gaze met Qin Zhi's under the umbrella, and Qin Zhi gave him a faint smile.

Qin Zhi wasn't angry with him, but Su Duan felt even more guilty in an instant.

Su Zheng led him and walked to Qin Zhi with an air of ease.

"Mr. Qin, thank you for your help to the Su family and us brothers during this time." Su Zheng said with a modest attitude, showing a faint smile, especially emphasizing the word "brothers".

However, Qin Zhi did not respond, only moved the umbrella towards him and said in a low voice, "It's too hot, Mr. Su, please hold the umbrella for Duan Duan first."

Duan Duan?!!!

Since when could Qin Zhi call him by such an intimate name?!

Su Zheng only felt a surge of black mist before his eyes, and the Qin Zhi in front of him became ugly and obscene, making him really want to bring down a hammer and be done with it once and for all!

But Qin Zhi was right. For the sake of his brother's health, Su Zheng gritted his back molars and still reached out to take the umbrella handle, then steadily covered it over Su Duan's head.

Only then did Qin Zhi withdraw his hand and smile, saying even more modestly than Su Zheng, "Mr. Su, you don't need to be polite. The Su family helped me greatly back then. It's only right for me to do these things."

So, even taking my younger brother is the right thing to do?

Hearing these words that seemed to be hinting at something, Su Zheng almost crushed a mouthful of his teeth in anger. He slowly took a deep breath before maintaining the smile on his face without it shattering into pieces, and said, "Mr. Qin is really loyal."

As for whether he was truly praising Qin Zhi or mocking him, perhaps only the two people conversing knew in their hearts.

Su Duan raised his head and looked at Qin Zhi opposite him, then at his brother beside him.

Although they both had smiles on their faces and the topic of discussion was very normal and harmonious, Su Duan still felt that the atmosphere was a bit indescribably strange, making him not dare to speak. He could only look left and right.

Qin Zhi said even more sincerely than Su Zheng, "Mr. Su is also a good person."

Su Zheng: "..."

It seemed that Qin Zhi's skin was much thicker than he had imagined.

Too lazy to waste more words with Qin Zhi, Su Zheng tightened his grip on his brother's hand and said straightforwardly, "Then Duan Duan and I will go home first. It's busy at home today, so we won't invite Mr. Qin over. We'll visit another day to express our thanks. Goodbye."

As Su Zheng spoke, he waved his hand behind him, and a black sedan parked by the roadside drove over, the door slowly opening.

Seeing that the little prey was about to be taken back by the family, Qin Zhi couldn't help but hold his breath.

But it was only natural for the younger brother to go home with the older brother. He had no standing to stop Su Zheng from taking Su Duan back.

So he could only maintain his smile and lower his eyes to look at Su Duan, "Then goodbye Mr. Su, goodbye Duan Duan."

Go home? Goodbye?

Su Duan blinked, not reacting for a moment. By the time Su Zheng had stuffed him into the back passenger seat, he realized that he had left Qin Zhi alone there for the second time today, without even saying a word of farewell.

Su Duan sat blankly in his seat, the joy of seeing his brother diluted a bit, and an indescribable bitterness welled up.

He poked his head out of the car window, wanting to take a look at Qin Zhi, but as soon as he saw a black figure with the corner of his eye, Su Zheng supported his head and gently but firmly pulled him back in.

"Duan Duan, be good, don't stick your head out, it's too dangerous." Su Zheng said as he closed the window on Su Duan's side.

Su Duan stared at him blankly for a long time before softly making an "en" sound.

Su Zheng patted his head and said to him, "Duan Duan rest for a bit first, it will still be some time before we get home."

Su Duan nodded, his gaze lowering, and saw the umbrella that Su Zheng had thrown by his feet. With a simple dark blue plaid pattern, it lay there like a half-bloomed flower facing upwards.

Su Duan bent over to pick up the umbrella, carefully tying it up with a cable tie, then put it in the small bag on the front seat.

Seeing his younger brother go to pick up the umbrella, only then did Su Zheng realize his carelessness, he had actually forgotten to return the umbrella to Qin Zhi.

Watching Su Duan's earnest actions, he couldn't help frowning slightly.

......

Since Su Zheng who could take charge had returned, Su Duan no longer had to force himself to go to work at Su Group, and Qin Zhi also no longer had to secretly help Su Duan handle affairs under the identity of an assistant. As long as he handed over all the work at hand to Su Zheng, there was nothing much left to do.

The handover was very troublesome, but it was mainly Qin Zhi and Su Zheng who were busy. Su Duan had not gotten involved in the company's affairs in the first place, so of course there was nothing for him to do now. He just rested at home all day.

After a period of going back and forth between home and the company, suddenly having nothing that required him to do, Su Duan instead felt a bit unaccustomed, especially since he hadn't seen Qin Zhi for several days. He always felt that a part of his heart had collapsed, feeling empty.

Although he had already decided that he could not agree to be Qin Zhi's partner, ever since Qin Zhi kissed him that day, Su Duan could never bring himself to refuse Qin Zhi's intimacy.

He didn't know if his feelings for Qin Zhi were really liking him, because except for that time when Qin Zhi's kiss made him bloom, he seemed to have no intense feelings for Qin Zhi. But as soon as he thought about never being able to see him again, he felt a thudding ache in his chest.

The inexperienced Su Duan couldn't figure it out no matter how much he thought about it, so he asked the system: "Have I fallen for Qin Zhi?"

The system replied instantly as always: "Please wait a moment, let the system collect the host's emotional fluctuation data."

Su Duan made an "en" sound, a bit apprehensive, unable to say what kind of result he hoped to get.

After a full half minute, the system weakly spoke: "Sorry, due to rule restrictions, the host's data is all a mosaic in the system's eyes... So the system can't analyze the host's emotional state QAQ"

Su Duan: "...It's okay."

Although he felt a bit disappointed, thinking about it, it was understandable. The rules the system spoke of were the Heavenly Dao. This was his trial, some things he could only figure out on his own.

Su Duan thought in a daze, could this be the legendary most difficult of the three great tribulations to pass - the love tribulation? It really made the spiritual herb very conflicted, he felt that his few remaining leaves were about to fall off.

Reaching out to touch his hair and confirming they were all still there, only then did Su Duan feel slightly relieved.

"Young Master, are you feeling unwell somewhere?" The butler placed a glass of juice in front of Su Duan, worry appearing on his weathered face as he voiced his concerns, "You seem to have lacked energy these past few days."

Su Duan put down the novel he had lost interest in halfway, shaking his head, "No, it's just... suddenly having free time, I don't know what to do."

The butler smiled, the wrinkles on his face becoming more apparent, "Staying cooped up at home all the time is indeed not good. Young Master has grown up, when it's time to go out, you should still go out."

Su Duan nodded in agreement. He hadn't felt it deeply when staying at home before. But in the past month or so of going to Su Group for work every day, although there weren't many things that actually required him to do, just running around a bit every day, he indeed felt much more energetic compared to staying at home.

Su Duan bit the straw and took a sip of the juice in front of him, then said, "I want to go to the company to see Brother tomorrow."

He could pour tea or water for Su Zheng. Anyway, he had done these things for Qin Zhi before and had a little bit of experience, so he shouldn't cause trouble for Su Zheng.

The butler said softly, "Then Young Master will definitely be very happy."

After Father and Mother Su passed away, although Su Zheng didn't say it, he obviously became more concerned about his only relative. Even if Su Duan did nothing, just being by his side would greatly improve Su Zheng's mood.

Su Duan blinked and showed the butler an obedient smile, not daring to say that he had other intentions.

It had only been two days, Qin Zhi shouldn't have finished the handover with his brother so quickly. He wanted to go to the company... to see Qin Zhi.

Su Duan thought for a bit and discussed with the butler, "Butler Uncle, don't tell Brother. Let's go secretly tomorrow and give him a surprise." He was worried that if Su Zheng knew he was going, he would deliberately send Qin Zhi away, then he wouldn't be able to see him again.

Su Duan felt that he had rarely considered things so thoroughly for once, very clever.

The butler paused for a moment, not knowing what he was thinking. He said softly, "Young Master is thoughtful."

Su Duan made two "en" sounds, afraid of revealing his guilty conscience, not daring to make eye contact with the butler. He lowered his head and focused on drinking his juice in small sips.

So he didn't see the trace of complexity revealed in the butler's turbid eyes as he looked at the top of his head.

Young Master was still... as obsessed with a substitute as he was two and a half years ago?

......

Su Duan got up very early the next day. After seeing Su Zheng's car disappear through the main gate of the Su family home, he waited for three hours. After confirming with the system that Qin Zhi was still at Su Group, he and the butler brought lunch and hurried to Su Group.

At Su Group.

Su Zheng was still haggling with Qin Zhi.

He had been away for more than half a year. In the meantime, Su Group had undergone two changes, the changes that occurred were definitely not small, and there was also some internal chaos. So re-sorting out all the affairs was not something that could be done in a day or two, especially since Qin Zhi seemed to be deliberately delaying progress during the handover of affairs. It had been two days, yet he had only handed over less than one-fifth.

President Su was very displeased in his heart. They were both old hands, yet he dared to play this trick with him? Did he really think he wouldn't notice?

Su Zheng felt that things couldn't go on like this, but reality once again showed him how shameless people could be.

He had urged him several times, almost directly telling him to hurry up and get lost once finished, yet Qin Zhi still maintained that slow, elderly pace. His attitude was impeccable, making it impossible to find fault, as if he deliberately wanted to drag out this handover that could have been quickly resolved in five days to half a month.

It was so slow that it made Su Zheng, who had never had any violent tendencies, want to get into a fight with him!

But Su Zheng could only curse in his heart. At this juncture, he absolutely could not fall out with Qin Zhi.

Su Duan had no wariness and the trusted aides he left behind didn't have enough power to restrict Qin Zhi. This led to Qin Zhi gaining an understanding of many of Su Group's core information over a month. If he fell out with Qin Zhi now, and Qin Zhi vindictively leaked that information, it would spell utter disaster for Su Group.

Besides, no matter what, Qin Zhi had helped their family greatly. If he had a falling out with Qin Zhi now, he would inevitably be labeled as an ungrateful wretch. Did they still want to maintain the Su family's reputation?

So even though President Su really wanted to hit someone, he had to forcibly put down his sleeves and reason with Qin Zhi calmly.

Su Zheng took a sip of strong coffee to calm himself down and reasoned with Qin Zhi for the umpteenth time, "President Qin, Qin Group must also be very busy recently. Let's finish things up here as soon as possible so you can return to take charge of Qin Group early and avoid delaying important matters. After all, there is no one in this world who can be absolutely trusted."

One of the behind-the-scenes masterminds who framed him and sent him to prison back then was one of his bosom friends. Although they couldn't be called friends who would die for each other, they had played together since childhood and the relationship between the previous generation was also very good. Their family businesses didn't overlap, so there was no talk of competition. That's why Su Zheng never imagined that bosom friend would collude with others to frame him so viciously.

Qin Zhi was now lingering at Su Group, refusing to leave. He must have found someone else to temporarily manage Qin Group for him. Although Su Zheng's main intention in urging Qin Zhi to return to Qin Group was to ensure his precious younger brother wouldn't be snatched away, he also wanted to remind Qin Zhi not to stumble into the same pitfall as him.

Qin Zhi was unmoved and smiled, "Thank you for your concern, President Su."

Su Zheng: "..." This guy always just says okay okay okay, never directly confronting him. It made him feel like punching cotton, and if this continued, he felt Qin Zhi would annoy him until his hair fell out.

So difficult to deal with. If he had known earlier, he wouldn't have helped Qin Zhi back then. Now that he had made his fortune, he was still obsessing over his younger brother. It was so vexing that it left one speechless.

—No, that's not right. If Qin Zhi hadn't been able to rise up, after he was imprisoned, putting aside whether Su Duan could have single-handedly supported Su Group, the main thing was, without anyone protecting him, who knows how badly bullied he would have been.

Although he was very averse to Qin Zhi trying to lure away his younger brother, Su Zheng couldn't deny Qin Zhi's protection of Su Duan.

That said, looking at this other company's president sticking to Su Group like a fly and refusing to leave, President Su still couldn't control his inner irritation.

However, in reality, Qin Zhi wasn't much better off than him. Although he appeared calm and collected, he wasn't much more composed than Su Zheng.

No matter how much he delayed, he would definitely have to leave Su Group in half a month at the latest. And seeing Su Zheng's completely unyielding attitude, he had reasonable concerns that he might not even get to see Su Duan once in this half a month.

To be honest, he had indeed considered delaying things to make Su Zheng get out of prison a bit later, but quickly abandoned that idea.

Firstly, no matter what, Su Zheng had shown him kindness back then. Since he had the ability to get him out early, deliberately dragging it out and letting him stay cooped up in prison seemed a bit ungracious. Secondly, although Su Duan had never mentioned it to him, he had in fact been eagerly looking forward to Su Zheng's release from prison. He could see that.

Besides, the hurdle of Su Zheng was one that had to be crossed sooner or later. There was no point in constantly avoiding it.

As a result, after Su Zheng came out, things had come to this deadlock.

Of course, if Qin Zhi wanted, there were naturally other ways to see Su Duan. But unless absolutely necessary, Qin Zhi still didn't want to provoke his future brother-in-law too much.

Seeing the undisguisable irritation in Su Zheng's eyes, Qin Zhi maintained his smile on the surface while remaining calm. He then sat back at his assistant's desk and began to slowly organize the documents to be handed over to Su Duan.

Just as the atmosphere in the office was getting strange, there was a sudden knock on the door.

Su Zheng was in a bad mood and said coldly, "Come in."

However, the one who opened the door and walked in was not a subordinate coming to report on work, but Su Duan and the butler.

The expressions in Su Zheng and Qin Zhi's eyes changed at the same time.

Seeing that it was his precious younger brother, Su Zheng's tone instantly softened. He stood up from his office chair and asked while walking, "Why is Duan Duan here?"

Su Duan glanced at the butler behind him—at the lunch boxes in his hands, and said very obediently, "Brought lunch for big brother."

Seeing his obedient younger brother, Su Zheng instantly felt refreshed all over. The depression in his heart from being annoyed by Qin Zhi was swept away in an instant, and even the air he breathed felt much fresher. He gestured for the butler to place the lunch boxes on the coffee table in front of the sofa and walked up to Su Duan, patting his head, "Has Duan Duan eaten at home?"

Su Duan said, "Not yet." As he spoke, his eyes shifted to the side.

Su Zheng followed his line of sight and turned his head to look. He found that Qin Zhi had also left his desk and was standing not far behind him, grinning at his younger brother with a beastly smile on his human face.

Su Zheng: "..." Su Duan's arrival today was too sudden, not giving him time to send Qin Zhi away. This was a problem.

Vigilantly putting an arm around his younger brother's shoulders, Su Zheng brought him to sit on the sofa. "Duan Duan, wait here for a bit first. Big brother will finish discussing the last bit with Mr. Qin."

In fact, there wasn't really anything to discuss. With Qin Zhi's delaying tactics, they didn't need to exchange more than a few words in a day. He was just preparing to find an excuse to send him away.

After casually discussing the morning's project with Qin Zhi for a couple of sentences, Su Zheng naturally threw out his purpose, "You've worked hard. It's lunchtime now, Mr. Qin can go rest." And don't come back.

Out of courtesy, he was originally supposed to invite Qin Zhi to have lunch with them. But when Su Zheng thought about the sight of Qin Zhi and his younger brother eating at the same table, he felt it was an eyesore. So he decisively ignored etiquette and issued an order for the guest to leave.

Unfortunately, Qin Zhi was still as clueless as ever.

Qin Zhi smiled modestly, "President Su, don't mind me. I still have a little something I haven't finished handling on my end."

Su Zheng: "..." I'm listening to your nonsense. Don't you know how much you've done all morning?

Just as the two were bantering with each other, putting on fake smiles, a voice came from behind.

"Um..."

The two turned their heads at the same time and saw that Su Duan had already opened the four-layer lunch box, looking at them with bright eyes: "I brought too much food, let's eat together."

Su Zheng: ?????

Author's note:

Su Zheng: The cabbage at home seems to be a bit disobedient. Domineering CEO frowns.jpg

Su Duan: Secretly peels off its own leaves (:з」∠*)

Qin Zhi: Picks up the leaves and munches on them (～￣▽￣)～