TUMZ Chapter 29
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Zhuang Hanxue was startled. He sat up with a jolt and answered the phone, “Hello, Dad…”
His father asked, “Where did you go? I called you several times, but you didn’t pick up. Your mom told me you’re back at the company working properly. Why did you run off the moment you got a break? You’ve only been back for a few days, and you’re already slipping back into old habits. Do you even want to improve yourself?”
I really don’t. Zhuang Hanxue grumbled internally.
Realizing that his father hadn’t caught on to anything, he relaxed. Acting nonchalant, he said, “I’ll be back in a bit.”
Zhuang Hanxue still felt the lingering warmth on his skin. Qiu Zheyan was hugging him from behind, and he leaned back against his shoulder. Now that he had calmed down, he put on an innocent act and said, “It’s lunchtime, isn’t it? I just went out for a meal. It’s not even work hours yet. I’ll take a walk and head back soon.”
His father urged, “Then hurry up and come back.”
Qiu Zheyan reluctantly kissed his ear. “You’re leaving already?”
Zhuang Hanxue glanced at his watch—it wasn’t even one o’clock yet. He turned around, hugged Qiu Zheyan, and said, “I’m not going back. The company will be just fine without me.”
Qiu Zheyan was also reluctant to part with him, but he still considered the bigger picture. “But didn’t your dad tell you to get back to the office quickly?”
Zhuang Hanxue said, “It’s fine. This way, he’ll know I’m a lost cause.”
Qiu Zheyan teased, “Aren’t you afraid of getting caught?”
Zhuang Hanxue declared confidently, “The more you panic in moments like this, the easier it is to slip up.”
He kissed Qiu Zheyan’s lips and gazed at him intensely. “Come on, let’s keep going. This is when the real fun begins.”
"Ordinary flavors become rich and fragrant, but only when tasted in secret."
“You’re even quoting poetry now?” Qiu Zheyan was both amused and stirred by him. But something felt off, so he leaned in and asked, “You sure know a lot about sneaking around, huh? Where did you learn that? Have you ever cheated with a woman before?”
Zhuang Hanxue chuckled and wrapped his arms around Qiu Zheyan’s neck. “Nope, I only sneak around with you.”
He whispered in Qiu Zheyan’s ear, “Don’t worry, darling. The first time usually goes unnoticed. It’s later that you have to be careful. People are bolder the first time, but they get more cautious after that. Were you always this timid?”
Qiu Zheyan laughed. “I’ll show you just how timid I am.”
Both of them were getting more and more excited, and Zhuang Hanxue delayed leaving for as long as he could.
When he finally did, he held onto Qiu Zheyan like he was hugging a giant dog, kissing him deeply. He felt like a boarding school student sneaking off to an internet café on the weekend—playing in secret, hiding from his parents. He said, “Xiao Qiu, I really don’t want to leave.”
Qiu Zheyan replied, “I don’t want you to leave either. But I have to go back too.”
Zhuang Hanxue promised him, “Once we take care of everything, we’ll be able to live together again.”
Qiu Zheyan nodded, but his eyes showed a hint of worry. Zhuang Hanxue made it sound so simple, but he wasn’t sure things would be that easy. He could only hope for the best.
There was a joke going around online—
A man was obsessed with having a son, and netizens mocked him, saying he acted like he had a throne to inherit.
But in Zhuang Hanxue’s case, his family really did have a billion-dollar inheritance waiting for him.
Zhuang Hanxue really didn’t want to leave.
Being by Xiao Qiu’s side was heaven. Being by his parents’ side was hell. Who would willingly leave heaven for hell?
He dragged it out until the very last second, then hurriedly took a shower, threw on his clothes, and hummed a tune as he rushed back to the office just in time.
What was there to be afraid of? Nothing at all.
Zhuang Hanxue had always been proud of this skill of his. Over the years, he had worked at several different companies, yet he had never once been caught arriving late. He always managed to clock in just before the late mark and avoid any salary deductions.
Impressive!
His father was already waiting for him in the office.
Zhuang Hanxue walked straight in.
Seeing his son looking so rushed, with damp hair still carrying traces of steam, his father paused for a moment. He had a pretty good guess as to where this useless second son of his had been.
He must have been seeing a woman.
Definitely.
After all, he had plenty of experience in that department himself.
He had thought that after wandering outside for so many years without contacting the family, Zhuang Hanxue might have matured a little. Turns out, he was still just as much of a playboy as before.
His father chuckled and said, “Not bad. You just got back and already found yourself a new woman? Or was it an old girlfriend from your time away? I thought you had grown up a little, but you’re still the same.”
If someone else had said this, Zhuang Hanxue might have let it slide. But coming from his father? No way. He refused to accept it. “Dad, do you even have the right to lecture me about this? You’ve got tons of women out there.”
His father, scolding him with the same tone his mother always used, retorted, “And why not? I have my fun, but I never let it interfere with business. I don’t bring them into the company to stir up trouble. Business is business, and personal life is personal life.”
“Besides, I think I have much better taste in women than you do.”
“I remember the ones you used to date—what kind of trash were they? Some third-rate, no-name actresses, and you even spent money trying to boost their careers.”
“I had friends coming up to me, telling me my son was out there getting scammed by women for money. It was embarrassing.”
“If you really want to have fun, next time, I’ll take you out myself.”
Zhuang Hanxue had no interest in that whatsoever. He respectfully declined, saying, “Dad, I appreciate your generosity, but that won’t be necessary. Everyone has their own preferences. I like choosing for myself. I’m not into those pretentious, artsy, sentimental types. I can’t handle them. I prefer something more straightforward.”
His father raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? And what kind of ‘straightforward’ do you like?”
At first, Zhuang Hanxue hesitated to speak, but when he thought of Qiu Zheyan, he felt a strange thrill. Sneaking in his personal feelings, he said, “I like someone who’s efficient in both words and actions, determined, usually gentle but gets jealous sometimes—someone who scolds me but forgives me instantly as long as I coax them. Most importantly, they let me be, even if I don’t want to work or have no ambition. I like that kind of person!”
His description was so specific that it was obvious he had someone in mind. His father chuckled, “So this is the girlfriend you’ve been seeing outside? Not bad, Zhuang Hanxue. Hahaha.”
Seeing his father laugh, Zhuang Hanxue thought he was complimenting his taste and grinned sheepishly. “She’s pretty great, right? I just love this type!”
But after laughing for a while, his father’s smile faded. Zhuang Hanxue then realized that there was no trace of amusement in his father’s eyes. With a serious expression, his father said, “Zhuang Hanxue, if you really have a girlfriend outside and you’re serious about her, you should break up as soon as possible. Give her some money and send her away.”
“If you’re just fooling around, then whatever. Keeping someone on the side is fine.”
“But marrying an ordinary woman will only drag you down. She won’t be any help to you at all.”
“Your future wife—your mother and I will choose her for you personally.”
Zhuang Hanxue muttered under his breath, “Am I livestock or something? Are you arranging a breeding program for me?”
“I mean, I don’t even think I’m that great of a specimen…”
His family was completely messed up from top to bottom.
That said, when it came down to it, his father was indeed more reliable than he was.
He had heard about an uncle who kept mistresses by hiring them into his company, scattering them across different departments. The company basically became his personal harem—whoever pleased him got promoted. No one actually worked, and the whole place was a mess, constantly losing money. Fortunately, that uncle was rich and treated it like maintaining a harem.
Zhuang Hanxue thought it was like raising venomous creatures—wasn’t he afraid they’d end up turning against him?
His father was different. While he had women outside, he never brought them into the company. And if they were just pretty faces, he wouldn’t even consider them. Even Jiang Xueqing, who became the top anchor at their television station, didn’t just rely on connections—she had real talent and means.
Suddenly, Zhuang Hanxue felt guilty. Not only had he sneaked out during work hours to fool around with Qiu Zheyan, but he had also been plotting to fake a project and siphon money from the company to give to him. Looking at it this way, he really was worse than his scumbag old man!
Hearing his self-deprecating remark, his father chuckled. Though he always thought this son of his was unreliable, he actually enjoyed chatting with him—it was entertaining. “What do you mean you’re not a good specimen? If you’re not, then what does that make me?”
Zhuang Hanxue stayed silent. We’re both terrible people, huh?
His father said, “Your mother’s been meddling again. Just throwing you into the company isn’t enough. You should start organizing your office…”
Zhuang Hanxue’s heart skipped a beat. Is he kicking me out?
He wasn’t afraid of being kicked out, but he hadn’t secured the money for Qiu Zheyan yet! Couldn’t his father wait until he got the money? What should he do?
Panicked, he interrupted, “Dad, I—I’ll really work hard! I won’t sneak out during breaks anymore. Don’t kick me out, please! I promise!”
His father scoffed, clearly not believing him. “Yeah, right. Like I’d trust you.”
Zhuang Hanxue was almost scratching his head in desperation. “Dad, I’m begging you!”
His father smirked. “What are you so anxious about? I never said I was kicking you out. I want you to pack up your things and move to the office across from mine. I want you where I can see you at all times. Sitting over there, who’s going to guide you? Who’s going to take you seriously? Move over here, and I’ll teach you myself, step by step.”
It was like a thunderbolt struck him.
Zhuang Hanxue: “Huh???!!!”
He had absolutely no desire to become President Zhuang—he just wanted to sneak a couple billion out to support his adorable Qiu Zheyan!
Standing there like a fish out of water, his dreams and will to live instantly shattered.
His father, having held a high position for years, had an air of authority about him. Even without frowning, the deep furrow between his brows gave him a commanding presence. He shot a glare at his son. “What are you standing around for?”
Zhuang Hanxue dumbly muttered an “Oh” and slowly started moving like a sluggish snail.
“Hurry up.” His father, irritated by his slowness, grabbed a flower from the vase on the table and threw it at him. “What are you dawdling for?”
Zhuang Hanxue lazily asked, “Can I have my secretary pack for me? I don’t have much stuff anyway.”
His father scoffed, “You’re so lazy. Do it yourself. I’ll give you ten minutes.”
Zhuang Hanxue protested, “Dad, I have a lot of stuff. Give me thirty minutes.”
His father frowned. “You’ve only been back for a week. How much could you possibly have?”
“I swear, thirty minutes isn’t enough!” Zhuang Hanxue pleaded.
His father sighed but relented. “Fine, thirty minutes. No more. Move it.”
Zhuang Hanxue had only been back at work for a few days—how much stuff could he possibly have?
Turned out, Old Zhuang was too naive.
About twenty minutes later, Zhuang Hanxue returned with a huge cardboard box, and he even got his secretary to help carry another one. His father glanced over, watching as his son unpacked his desk.
From the boxes, he pulled out a thick stack of manga and novels, a Nintendo Switch, a neck pillow, a lumbar pillow, a hand warmer, a head massager, a waist massager, an eye massager, a tea set, a coffee maker, a mug, a can of coffee beans, several boxes of various juice powders, a massive basket of candy and snacks, and three potted succulents!
What the hell?!
Was he coming to work or setting up a leisure lounge?!
Unbelievable. Now he really believed that this useless son of his had wandered around for years without maturing even a bit.
Could this kid actually be trained into something decent? His father found it more headache-inducing than handling a major project.
Meanwhile, Zhuang Hanxue quickly arranged his new office to be as cozy and comfortable as possible. He nodded in satisfaction. Perfect! Warm, stylish, and inviting!
He sat down, put on a flamingo-shaped neck pillow, rubbed his hands together, then turned to see his father staring at him with a complex expression.
Seeing that face of sheer disbelief, he immediately stood up, beaming brightly, and waved. “Hi, Dad!”
Old Zhuang pressed a hand to his chest, feeling like he was on the verge of a stroke.
T/N: Please give support on my ko-fi for more updates🍊🍊🍊
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