Chapter 1

"Qing Yuan, do you really want to do it?", Chen Yixuan's voice was hoarse as he slowly tucked the sweat drained bangs of Qing Yuan behind his ears.

Qing Yuan hooked his arms around Chen Yixuan's neck as he stuck close to Chen Yixuan's body and let his scent engulf his and stuck close to his ears as he whispered, "Chen Yixuan, do you want to run away now?"

Qing Yuan's eyes were layered with lust, belongingness, need, pain, happiness among various other emotions but there wasn't a single moment of hesitation.

After all, he always wanted it, always wanted him.

......………......

Chen Yixuan got off the bed and watched the curled up Qing Yuan on the bed, his eyes revealing a rare show of gentleness as he slowly leaned closer to the bed and placed a soft kiss at Qing Yuan's hair.

Before he could turn around, his hands were grabbed.

He looked at Qing Yuan in a panic.

Qing Yuan mumbled, "Don't.. Don't go..."

Chen Yixuan's heart shuddered but also felt relieved, Qing Yuan wasn't conscious and still sleepy. After all, a conscious Qing Yuan would never tell him not to go. He tried and he failed. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice.

Chen Yixuan took bath and returned to the spacious bedroom and now, Qing Yuan was also awake, in a daze, fiddling with his cellphone.

"Regret it?", Chen Yixuan asked.

Qing Yuan looked up at him and sneered, "Wasn't like I did it when I wasn't conscious"

"Hmm?", Chen Yixuan sat by his side, "Go take a bath, I heated up the water for you"

"Oh", Qing Yuan looked up at him, still not moving.

Chen Yixuan leaned over, "Want me to carry you?"

"Have my own legs", Qing Yuan said as he stood up and walked towards the bathroom.

Chen Yixuan looked at his long legs which were rather pale but masculine enough. It was a strange combination to say but Qing Yuan was the perfect mix of an alluring beauty mixed with masculine strength.

After a while, Qing Yuan returned after bath and got dressed while Chen Yixuan was heating up tea.

After serving the tea, Chen Yixuan looked up at Qing Yuan and asked earnestly, "Everything alright?"

"What? Am I that weak to not even wake up and walk after having a round or two of s*x last night?", Qing Yuan said jokingly.

"You know I ain't talking about that", Chen Yixuan was serious.

"Mr. Chen, don't worry. I wouldn't let your efforts go to waste", Qing Yuan was sarcastic again.

But by this time, Chen Yixuan was already used to this way of being treated by Qing Yuan, after all, when Qing Yuan was warm and accommodating, it was him who pushed Qing Yuan away.

"Then.. when are we leaving?", Chen Yixuan asked in a low voice.

Qing Yuan looked at Chen Yixuan's drooped shoulders as he appeared to be weak, Qing Yuan of before would buy it, but now, he has seen too many plots and schemes to fall for this, he said in a more serious tone, "Tonight. It seems that N.E groups would launch their new product today in the press conference, we cannot let it succeed"

Chen Yixuan looked up at him from where he was sitting, "What is your intention, even?"

Qing Yuan leaned towards him, "Then how about you say first? You are a share holder at N.E groups, if they fall, you fall. Yet you are so willing to plot against them with me, so, shouldn't I be the one to doubt you, Mr. Chen?"

Chen Yixuan seemed unperturbed as he replied with a question, "My intention, don't you know the best?"

Qing Yuan let out a cold laughter, "Mr. Chen, do you think just because the N.E groups CEO Zhang Wei entrusted the job of handling me to you, means you've gained his trust?"

Chen Yixuan broke out in cold sweat.

"You knew it all the time?", Chen Yixuan asked gritting his teeth.

"Anyone with six senses would notice", Qing Yuan said expressionlessly and continued, "Also, a reminder to you, the reason Zhang Wei entrusted me to you isn't because he trusts you, it's because he knows I once trusted you, and also because, you are the only third person who knows about this project's weakness other than me & him. After you handle me, he'll take care of you"

At this point, Chen Yixuan laughed. Qing Yuan asked, "Is it funny?"

Chen Yixuan shook his head, "Qing Yuan, do you know why exactly Zhang Wei drove you out of the company after you came up with all of his best projects and even put forward the proposal for the latest project?"

"Isn't it exactly because I have brain which he doesn't?", Qing Yuan sneered.

"No", Chen Yixuan shook his head, "It's because you're too self righteous, too disciplined, have so much principles and self less that it scares him. You aren't suited for the corporate"

Qing Yuan looked at him with peering eyes, "So? You are going to be a heartless & emotionless animal that follows all of his orders?"

Chen Yixuan didn't accept but didn't deny either, "I'm but a simple man. I have no family, no one to take care of. I just want to live comfortably in this life, I'll do anything it takes for me to have carefree life. I do not have principles like you do, neither the aimbition like Zhang Wei. As long as it could benefit me, I'll do it. If Zhang Wei wants me to be a heartless and brainless person and doesn't aim his trigger at me, then all is well, I'll work for him. If not, I'd overthrow him"

Hearing this words made Qing Yuan feel furious but Chen Yixuan didn't let him lash out his anger yet as he continued, "You've already lost your name & fame and even the trust and integrity one should possess as a scientific researcher because of your stubbornness of sticking to your principles. Are you sure you want to walk the same way, again?"

Qing Yuan felt humiliated. The humiliation was worse than the humiliation he felt when he was first accused of the mistake he never did and driven out of the N.E research panel. He didn't look at Chen Yixuan as he forcefully managed to get the words out of his mouth, "In the history of scientific research, there has been countless success & failures. Countless scientists being labeled as stupids when they were alive and honored after they were dead. Do you know what's the one thing that kept them all going, Senior?."

Chen Yixuan's heart shook at Qing Yuan's 'Senior'. How long has it been.. But Qing Yuan didn't let him reminisce as he continued, "It's their passion, their heart to contribute to the betterment of science and society. I'm nothing but a lowly person being infatuated with Science, all I wish is for not to bring infamy to those who I respect, not to let down those who believe in me and to follow my heart as long as it continues to beat"

Chen Yixuan sighed. He had nothing left to say. He stood up and changed the topic, "I do not trust Zhang Wei, so I need to leave a way out for myself. I'll help you crash today's event but I cannot let you do it by yourself. I have a plan, if, you are willing to trust me."

The momentary weakness Qing Yuan showed was now nowhere to be seen. "I do not trust you. So, do I have another choice?", Qing Yuan regained his composure.

Chen Yixuan smirked and leaned in, "I guess... you do. Don't you always have the bunch of friends from high school to college running around for you"

"You know about my plan already?", Qing Yuan asked, his expression cool.

"Mhmm", Chen Yixuan nodded.

"Ain't stopping me?"

"Can I ever stop you?", Chen Yixuan looked helpless.

"I guess.. no. Cause I can't stop you either", Qing Yuan said sarcastically.

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