FSGOR Ch35part2

Especially since he’d be attending Beijing University in three months. He really wanted to explore the city in advance.

Still, he doubted he’d actually get the chance.

In Jiang Tian’s eyes, Chu Xuyu was the type to keep personal and professional lines firm.

Sure, he might play around a bit, but something serious? That wasn’t going to happen.

And then—

Ping.

Right at lunchtime, another message arrived.

Afternoon Tea: Come upstairs for lunch.

“…He really doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”

Jiang Tian lied to his coworkers and said he’d brought his own lunch.

He waited until the office emptied out, then grabbed the elevator keycard and rode the private lift upstairs.

It felt sneakier than breaking the rules.

***

CEO’s Office.

Chu Xuyu was already waiting—sitting on the couch, arms folded, legs apart.

He’d been waiting for over half an hour.

Since breakfast was declined, he’d waited all the way until now.

After kissing that cheek, after crossing that line—

Even a man like Chu Xuyu, confident and composed, found himself uncertain for once.

He was afraid of rushing things… afraid Jiang Tian would run.

But thankfully—

The kid still came to see him.

And that… was more than enough.

***

Knock knock—

There was a knock at the door.

Chu Xuyu relaxed his folded arms, casually adjusting his posture on the couch. When Jiang Tian walked in, he had no idea that just seconds ago, Chu Xuyu had been nervously anxious over kissing him.

“Chu-Ge.”

Jiang Tian came over dutifully to report, “Can I go to the cafeteria?”

Chu Xuyu nearly laughed. “What, you still think I’m gonna eat you?”

Jiang Tian: “……”

Seeing the boss getting up to head to the dining area, he reluctantly followed—said he didn’t want to, yet instinctively sat right beside him.

The meal was lavish. Everything looked, smelled, and tasted incredible—top-tier chef quality. Jiang Tian took a sip of the soup and immediately regretted acting aloof earlier. He could finish the whole pot, honestly.

Chu Xuyu noticed and suppressed a smile. “Tastes okay?”

“It’s amazing,” Jiang Tian said, eating slowly and neatly. With that handsome face, even watching him eat was a pleasant experience.

“Chu-Ge, are you going on a business trip this weekend?”

Chu Xuyu raised an eyebrow. “Heard that from the others?”

Jiang Tian nodded.

“I was going to send someone else,” Chu Xuyu said, voice trailing a little. “But since you’re so curious…”

Jiang Tian: “?”

Chu Xuyu gave him a wicked grin. “Don’t forget to pack.”

Jiang Tian: “…………”

What kind of sneaky trap was this?!

His face changed immediately—caught somewhere between resignation and awkwardness. On someone as good-looking as him, it made him look even more boyish and adorable.

Chu Xuyu couldn’t take his eyes off him. The food in front of him remained untouched as he sat there watching Jiang Tian like a curious animal.

Jiang Tian couldn’t not notice something felt off.

But he pretended not to, using his natural poker face and good looks to cover it up. Still, deep inside, he sighed—knowing that this trip meant big trouble.

After all, two grown men, traveling together, staying in the same hotel…

If Chu Xuyu really tried something—even if he politely asked first…

Jiang Tian couldn’t exactly deflect with his “I identify as a super alpha male” line again, could he?

What he didn’t realize was that ever since that kiss, his mind had already boarded an emotional rollercoaster—with no brakes and no turning back.

He thought about it too much, but the reality was that this day would come sooner or later during their three-month contract period.

Still, even if he couldn’t escape right now, Chu Xuyu was a rich second-gen with everything at his fingertips. Sooner or later, he’d get bored of someone like Jiang Tian. No need to worry too much.

***

Preparation for the Trip

Jiang Tian accepted his fate and started prepping for the business trip. He was a well-organized, Type-J kind of guy. He planned everything in advance and usually packed two to three days early, in case there was something last-minute to throw in.

At home, Jiang Jing had been resting due to health issues, but would soon accompany her best friend Lu Yang to film a new show. During this time, she naturally paid more attention to her younger brother.

“You okay flying?” she asked, standing by his bedroom door with a face mask on. “You’ve been afraid of airplane sounds since you were little.”

Jiang Tian was bending over, packing clothes. He’d already checked the weather forecast for Beijing, and moved quickly—but her words made him freeze, forgetting which part of packing he’d just completed.

Jiang Jing sighed. “Bring sunscreen too.”

She crouched down and quietly added her own prepared items into his suitcase. She didn’t say much more, but Jiang Tian understood the concern behind her actions.

Their parents had died in a plane crash.

Back then, Jiang Tian was still in kindergarten. Quiet, shy, big bright eyes—he could sit still and the teacher would think he was holding back tears.

But Jiang Tian wasn’t the type to cry easily.

It wasn’t until the Jiang siblings became small-town tabloid stars—“those poor kids” from the high-profile crash—that the public realized their grief.

From then on, Jiang Tian started crying more.

But teachers noticed: he didn’t cry just anytime. He only got emotional when cartoons showed airplanes or during activities with plane-shaped toys. Those small triggers reminded him of the tragedy—and his trauma would manifest.

Because of that…

Even now, at 18, Jiang Tian had never flown before. Every out-of-province exam? Train or high-speed rail.

He stared blankly at his suitcase and shook his head.

“People have to grow up someday.”

“Jie,” he said, “I’ll be fine.”

He said it calmly—but childhood trauma doesn’t disappear that easily, no matter how grown-up you think you are.

***

The Night Before the Flight

He didn’t suffer from insomnia that night, but several friends were shocked when they found out he’d be gone a few days.

Especially since this week’s anime expo in Beijing was the hottest event nationwide.

Everyone begged him in their group chat to help buy limited merch and collect cosplayer autographs if he had time.