In their line of work, they had to stay in touch with clients at all times. Having his phone service suspended for even half a day was not an option. Jiang Xu had no choice but to add another fifty yuan to his phone bill. Staring at his drastically shrunken balance, the phrase 'heart like dead ashes' couldn't even begin to describe his feelings.

Li Si'ao was willing but unable to help. "Listen to your big brother's advice. Just tough it out and you'll be fine. There's no obstacle in this world that can't be overcome."

Jiang Xu agreed unconditionally, "Right, there are only endless obstacles to overcome."

Li Si'ao: "..."

Life was just like that. Money was a non-issue until you needed it, and then every expense would come knocking at your door. The month had just begun; he couldn't possibly survive on air for the rest of it, could he? Jiang Xu scratched his hair and sat in his chair, pondering for a long time. He unconsciously began to mull over what Gu Qingzhou had said today.

It was just for a few months, not a big deal. He'd get the money first and figure out the rest later. Once he made it through this period, he could just pay it back next month when he got his salary. If he went back on his word and played dumb then, Gu Qingzhou wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

Having been a little hoodlum for so long, Jiang Xu had completely forgotten how to write the characters for 'integrity'. The more he thought about it, the more feasible the plan seemed.

As closing time approached, everyone started packing up to go home. Li Si'ao was slumped in his chair, feeling weak from not having had meat for a long time. "Jiang Xu, a new roast duck place opened up nearby. Let's chip in and buy a duck to eat tomorrow."

'What duck are you eating,' Jiang Xu thought, 'I'm so poor I'm about to become one myself.'

Just then, Gu Qingzhou happened to walk out of his office. His gaze habitually swept across the outer office, lingering on Jiang Xu for a moment before he looked away and walked straight out without any particular expression, as if he hadn't been the one to say those words at noon today.

Gu Qingzhou was trying to find a way to reconcile with his past self.

He couldn't remain trapped in the past, unable to extricate himself. Hatred brought nothing; it would only destroy everything he currently had. And in the end, all the hatred in Gu Qingzhou's heart stemmed from Jiang Xu. It was difficult for him to analyze what was mixed in with this hatred, or what had caused it. He could only simplify a complex problem—

Jiang Xu had dumped him back then, so he would dump Jiang Xu this one time. That way, he would probably feel a little better... right?

Gu Qingzhou didn't know the answer. He could only try. Only by trying would he know. The torment of these past years had been more than enough; he didn't want to continue this endless cycle.

He was somewhat lost in thought, not even noticing when Jiang Xu had started following him. Just as he was about to pull open the car door, his wrist was suddenly grabbed. He looked up subconsciously, only then noticing the other person's presence.

Jiang Xu was dressed in a black casual shirt. The smile on his face as he spoke was extremely at odds with his cool temperament. "I'll take you home."

Hearing this, Gu Qingzhou paused, then raised an eyebrow faintly. "What, have you thought it through?"

He didn't know if it was intentional, but the corner of his lips curled up slightly, his expression a little arrogant. When he looked up at people, there was always an inescapable sense of mockery. Just as Jiang Xu had said, it was not a likable look.

This was where the advantage of being shameless came in. Jiang Xu nodded and admitted it bluntly, "Yeah, I've thought it through."

In this day and age, whoever had money was the boss.

This answer was within Gu Qingzhou's expectations, so he wasn't surprised. He was silent for a moment, then stepped aside to make way, moving to sit in the passenger seat instead. Just as Jiang Xu was about to drive him home, he said, "No rush. Have a meal with me first."

'It's so late at night,' Jiang Xu thought, 'wouldn't it be better to just go home and sleep? Why eat?' He rested his hands on the steering wheel, his fingertips tapping rapidly, but he managed to ask with rare good temper, "Alright, where do you want to eat?"

Gu Qingzhou said, "I don't know."

Jiang Xu glanced at him, feeling for some reason that Gu Qingzhou was being a bit annoying. He didn't ask again and made the decision himself, driving the car to a nearby night market stall. Sometimes, eating at a hotel was nice, but it didn't necessarily have the lively atmosphere of a small place.

As far as the eye could see, the area was filled with barbecue stalls, and the air was saturated with the smell of cumin and chili powder. Gu Qingzhou watched as Jiang Xu casually found a seat at an outdoor table, so he could only follow and sit down beside him. However, he found the table covered in grease stains. His brow furrowed slightly as he pulled out a tissue to wipe it.

Gu Qingzhou had a serious case of the 'young master' sickness. He glanced at Jiang Xu as if to remind him of something. "I don't like to eat greasy things."

While looking at the menu, Jiang Xu said nonchalantly, "It's fine, you can watch me eat."

Gu Qingzhou paused at his words, pursing his lips imperceptibly before retorting with a cold smile, "Then are you paying too?"

Jiang Xu immediately called the owner over and ordered a light three-delicacy soup. He pulled a pair of chopsticks from the holder and handed them to Gu Qingzhou. Clasping his hands together and resting his chin on them, his foxy eyes held a hint of a smile. "I'm a penniless pauper. Of course, Director Gu, you're the one paying."

The food from roadside stalls could sometimes be more delicious than dishes from hotels, possessing a simple, natural, home-cooked feel. Gu Qingzhou didn't say anything, just sipped the soup one mouthful at a time. The flavor was light and savory. Set against the backdrop of the bustling crowd, it was filled with the lively atmosphere of everyday life.

Jiang Xu had starved himself so much recently that his stomach had shrunk. He ordered a serving of grilled rice cakes and was full after eating only half of it. Seeing a vendor selling fruit ice jelly across the way, he bought two bowls and returned, finishing them both cleanly with Gu Qingzhou.

When the owner came over to settle the bill, Jiang Xu directly pointed a hand at Gu Qingzhou, his smile flamboyant. "He's paying."

The owner handed the bill to Gu Qingzhou, who glanced at Jiang Xu expressionlessly before taking out his wallet from his coat and paying.

Having scored a free meal, Jiang Xu was in a rather good mood. He casually slung his jacket over his shoulder and seemed to want a cigarette, but after patting his pocket, he dismissed the thought. He said to Gu Qingzhou, "We've eaten. Let's go, I'll take you home."

Perhaps because of the many barbecue stalls, the air carried a scorching heat from the charcoal fires. Gu Qingzhou reached up to unbutton his collar. A thought seemed to occur to him, and he tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Truly rare, Jiang Xu. It seems only money can make you so obedient in this world."

The treatment he had never received when they were dating was now being fully bestowed upon him. It was, needless to say, a silent irony.

Jiang Xu wagged his index finger in front of him, correcting him, "Think of it from another angle. You have money, so I listen to you."

Of course, Gu Qingzhou couldn't be happy to hear that. Seeing Jiang Xu walking ahead, he quickened his pace to catch up and asked coldly, "Listen to me? If I told you to die, would you?"

Jiang Xu refused decisively and stretched his back. "No, I was just kidding. Did you really take it seriously?"

He could always effortlessly infuriate Gu Qingzhou, not because of his words, but because of that nonchalant attitude, as if he had always regarded him as a plaything to be toyed with at will.

After getting in the car, the two remained silent the entire way, neither speaking to the other. When they arrived downstairs at Gu Qingzhou's home, Jiang Xu unexpectedly recalled the time he had pinned Gu Qingzhou against the car door and forcibly kissed him. He subconsciously touched the tip of his nose.

Gu Qingzhou, perhaps thinking of the same thing, gave him a look with an ambiguous meaning. He then took out that day's bank card from his wallet, holding it between his fingertips and offering it to Jiang Xu. But just as the other was about to take it, he pulled it back.

Jiang Xu felt like Gu Qingzhou was teasing him. He raised an eyebrow and looked at him, his voice low and silently stirring one's heart, "Hm?"

Gu Qingzhou pinched the card as if he were pinching Jiang Xu's lifeline. His eyes were starkly black and white, his tone unreadable. "Nothing in this world can be obtained without paying a price. Jiang Xu, my money is not that easy to take."

Jiang Xu thought that he hadn't really done anything today and had even gotten a free meal; he didn't feel at ease taking the money. But this was his first time taking on this kind of job, and he really had no experience. He rubbed his chin, looked up at Gu Qingzhou, and asked tentatively, "How about I give you a kiss?"

Being a little lover was just about kissing and hugging, right? Jiang Xu thought it was quite simple.

Hearing this, Gu Qingzhou's eyes narrowed silently with a hint of danger. He was about to say something, but before he could open his mouth, Jiang Xu had already leaned over, cupped the back of his head with one hand, and gave him an unexpected, faintly moist kiss.

Unlike the provocative and retaliatory kiss from last time, this one was extremely gentle, like a dense net that silently ensnared a person, leaving no room to breathe. Gu Qingzhou hadn't expected this. His pupils dilated slightly, and he raised a hand to push Jiang Xu away, but instead, Jiang Xu caught his hand and pinned it against the car window, immobilizing him.

Seeing a slight crack appear in Gu Qingzhou's arrogant and icy expression, Jiang Xu smiled and deliberately teased him in a low voice, "What are you afraid of? I won't take Manager Gu's money for free, hm?"

After speaking, he leaned down again and captured his lips, his tongue probing inside, teasing and coaxing. For some reason, Gu Qingzhou's body stiffened at his words, but he didn't struggle anymore. He silently clenched his fists, letting Jiang Xu do as he pleased, pinned against the car window.

They had never kissed like this before. The few times in high school were merely like a dragonfly skimming the water's surface, so fleeting that one couldn't capture it, so faint that one couldn't savor it.

Jiang Xu probably found Gu Qingzhou quite interesting. He was so cold and condescending at the company, yet in matters like this, he was unbelievably obedient, doing whatever he was told. As the air gradually thinned, he finally, slowly, pulled away from Gu Qingzhou's lips, only to see the corners of his cool eyes tinged with red. A strand of his dark hair had fallen, and he was panting weakly, giving off the illusion of having been ravaged.

Very alluring.

Jiang Xu smiled and plucked the bank card from between his fingers. "How was it, Manager Gu? Are you satisfied?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingzhou's dazed eyes finally, slowly, refocused. He silently curled his empty fingers, gave Jiang Xu a cold look, looking somewhat disheveled, then sat up straight, opened the car door, and got out, his steps unsteady.

Seeing this, Jiang Xu also got out of the car. "It's getting late, I'll be going."

Gu Qingzhou didn't speak. He evened out his breathing, but as he turned to leave, he tossed the car keys to him, his eyes withdrawn and calm. "Come pick me up for work tomorrow."