Chapter 11
Author: Mr. Big Horn
Even though Yan Zhen knew that neither of their bodies were in the best condition, he couldn’t resist holding Su Jinxin by the waist, kissing and caressing every uninjured part of his body. Finally, he held Su Jinxin’s hand, and together, they brought themselves to climax.
The next morning, Yan Zhen got up early. The company was far from the villa, over an hour’s drive. Usually, he stayed in an apartment near the office during the week and only returned to the villa on weekends. Su Jinxin, still half-asleep, rubbed his eyes and tried to get up to see him off. Yan Zhen kissed him and tucked him back into bed. “You sleep, it’s still early.”
Su Jinxin mumbled, “If it’s too much trouble, just stay at the apartment tonight.”
“It’s no trouble. I’ve got it under control.” Yan Zhen ruffled his hair and kissed his forehead. “Be good and sleep.”
Downstairs, Yan Zhen told the housekeeper to check on Su Jinxin periodically, to ensure he didn’t have nightmares, before heading out the door.
As soon as he arrived at the office, an assistant discreetly handed him a sealed manila envelope. “Mr. Yan, this is the information you requested a few days ago.”
Yan Zhen knew it contained details about Su Jinxin’s boyfriend. He nodded, “Leave it there.” He then took two pre-sealed envelopes of cash from his drawer and handed them over.
The assistant took the money and left silently.
Yan Zhen was left alone, staring at the unopened envelope. Though ruthless in business, he always maintained boundaries in his private life. This was the first time he had used such methods outside of work, and it felt disrespectful to investigate his lover.
He pushed the envelope away.
Yet, he’d already spent the money. Not even taking a look seemed foolish.
He pulled the envelope closer.
But wouldn’t Su Jinxin be angry if he found out?
He pushed the envelope away again.
But this man had made Su Jinxin cry in his sleep.
He pulled the envelope closer once more.
This back-and-forth continued until the afternoon. It was a rare moment of indecision for the usually resolute Yan Zhen. It wasn’t until the afternoon break that he remembered a key point: When Su Jinxin first arrived, they had agreed that, for safety reasons, Yan Zhen might need access to all information about Su Jinxin and his surroundings, including private matters. Su Jinxin had agreed without hesitation. There had been some monitoring in the early months, but Su Jinxin had been so well-behaved that Yan Zhen had gradually forgotten about it.
So technically, investigating Su Jinxin’s boyfriend wasn’t overstepping.
But their relationship wasn’t exactly “healthy.” Their supposed harmony and sweetness might just be an act by Su Jinxin, driven by financial necessity.
Yan Zhen wanted to keep Su Jinxin. But did Su Jinxin want to stay?
Expecting a genuine love to grow from such a distorted foundation was probably unrealistic…
Yan Zhen held his head in his hands and sighed deeply.
He finally opened the envelope.
The information was thorough.
Yan Zhen skimmed through it; it matched what Su Jinxin had told him. He felt a heaviness in his chest and couldn’t focus on the details. However, several photos caught his attention: a casually dressed young man who appeared just slightly taller than Su Jinxin. He was always in paint-splattered work clothes, with messy long hair, sometimes loose, sometimes tied back haphazardly. He was extremely thin, with prominent bones, deep-set eyes, and dark circles like a smoky eye effect. His face was pale, and his lips were colorless.
…This didn’t look good.
Yan Zhen rubbed his temples.
If this was Su Jinxin’s type… he felt his own six-pack abs and saw a bleak future.
On the bright side, at least the person Su Jinxin constantly sketched in his notebook wasn’t this guy. But if it wasn’t him, then who was it?
This question lingered in Yan Zhen’s mind.
He pondered it often: The model had such a great physique, almost like a professional. But didn’t art classes usually prefer more ordinary, less perfectly proportioned models? So was this a private hire? Those models could be expensive. But given Su Jinxin’s allowance, he could easily afford one. Why always this model? Was there more to it…
If he pressed Su Jinxin, he would eventually get an answer.
After all, in principle, Su Jinxin wasn’t supposed to keep secrets from him.
When Yan Zhen was less concerned, he’d ask casually. If Su Jinxin didn’t answer right away, he’d get a bit annoyed. But he eventually realized that Su Jinxin, despite appearances, did care and didn’t want to push him.
Logically, Yan Zhen knew he should give Su Jinxin some privacy. But the person plastered all over the walls…
…it wasn’t easy to ignore.
This mysterious model bothered him even more than Su Jinxin’s boyfriend.
The boyfriend was far away, and they met at most twice a year. But this model was different. Judging by the dates Su Jinxin scribbled on his sketches, they met at least once a week.
And Su Jinxin had never mentioned this person.
They’d been together for over three years. Their relationship was pleasant, even affectionate. Yan Zhen could feel Su Jinxin’s growing trust and dependence. He would seek Yan Zhen’s advice on studies, daily life, and future career choices. Sometimes, he even mentioned his boyfriend.
But this frequent, intimate model, who had been meticulously drawn in numerous sketches, was never brought up.
Definitely suspicious.
Yan Zhen thought about this, distracted for days.
Su Jinxin, thinking he was too busy, suggested he stay at the apartment near the office. “It’s too far. You get up so early and come back late. You’re not getting enough rest.”
As he said this, Su Jinxin was gently massaging Yan Zhen’s head. Yan Zhen used to get professional massages, but Su Jinxin had gotten a certification in Chinese massage just for him.
Yan Zhen replied casually, “It’s fine. This merger will be over soon, and then I’ll have a break.”