Tit For Tat (Beloved Enemy) - Chap 55
YuanYang woke up before dawn.
He has a habit of getting up early to go running so his body would naturally wake up at this time. But the feeling of holding GuQingPei in his arms felt so good, so warm and so comfortable; his nose is full of GuQingPei’s scent, his cheeks nestle against GuQingPei’s warm skin. This kind of tightly snuggled feeling allowed him to clearly show his ownership of this person. He was reluctant to get up.
He used his nose to nudge GuQingPei’s neck; his hand to gently stroke his back. It would be great if GuQingPei could just continue to sleep in his arms. At least he won’t have to hear the things he don’t want to hear.
With his gentle movements, GuQingPei still woke up. He squinted his eyes and said hoarsely, “You’re awake? What time is it?”
“5.”
“You going running?”
“Nahh.”
GuQingPei strenuously closed his eyes and then opened them, “I… I have to go back to the guest room.”
YuanYang muffled, “Doesn’t matter if you go back or not.”
“What are we going to do if the housekeeper sees us so early in the morning?”
“What is there to do?”
GuQingPei whispered, “Are you drowsily confused? We’re at your family home, your parents can find out any time.”
“So what if they find out?”
Once these words were out, the both of them were stunned. The room became unusually quiet.
No one knew what would happen if they were to be discovered by his parents.
YuanYang could say this sentence with an indifference attitude. But not GuQingPei. He was trembling with fear just thinking of the consequences.
YuanYang was also shocked at himself for saying this sentence. He never thought of letting his parents know of his ambiguous relationship with a man. Not that he was afraid but just thinking of their reaction made him feel troubled.
But if this person was GuQingPei, so what if they found out? Maybe if everyone knew, then GuQingPei won’t be able to go back on his words and willingly be with him forever.
He didn’t know why he would have such an idea. He obviously knew that this kind of thinking is absurd and wrong but he couldn’t control himself from thinking about it.
He swung his head and got off the bed. Wearing his clothes as he uttered, “Get up, I’ll take you back to the guest room.”
GuQingPei led out a sigh of relief as he silently got out of the bed and got dressed.
YuanYang saw through his ‘did not want to get involved with him’ attitude. He quietly tightened his clothes.
The room arranged for GuQingPei was next door to YuanYang’s room. After YuanYang took him back to the guest room, he went to go running.
When GuQingPei returned to the guestroom, even though it was only a little past 5, he still couldn’t go back to sleep no matter how hard he tried. In fact, he is obviously very sleepy, not just from the busy work in the last few days but also the sex from last night was thoroughly exhaustive. He should be able to sleep with his eyes closed, yet he couldn’t sleep at all.
GuQingPei is a person who is especially sensitive to his surroundings; if the environment is unfamiliar, the feeling isn’t right, the mattress too soft and the pillow too high, all of these things would make it difficult for him to sleep. But, the most important thing is that there should be a person next to him and this person isn’t there.
All the sleep conditions that he is familiar with are not here. He realized that he was only able to sleep in YuanYang’s room because YuanYang gave him that familiar environment and he couldn’t sleep in the guest room because…
GuQingPei turned over and looked at the floor lamp with his eyes empty, his mind thinking of YuanYang.
He has this strange feeling that his relationship with YuanYang is stuck on something. There seems to be this layer of frosted glass in between them, where they can see each other’s shadows but can’t see each other’s true colors. What is missing that will make their relationship gradually become worse?
GuQingPei couldn’t figure it out. He felt that his heart is blinded by something. This indistinct and icky feeling is terrible.
Obviously, there is no advantage to being in a state of mutual hostility with YuanYang. But thinking of the words that PengFang inadvertently said, he was not able to let it go and be outwardly friendly and amiable to YuanYang. YuanYang is like an angry rooster who is overbearingly aggressive.
He has encountered many drawbacks but is helpless in amending it, thus making him endlessly exhausted.
GuQingPei closed his eyes and sighed deeply. This suffocation in his chest makes it hard for him to breathe.
Sometime after 6 in the morning, the housekeeper came to wake him up.
When GuQingPei went downstairs after washing up, the Yuan family of three was already situated on the table eating breakfast.
GuQingPei smiled, “My apologies, I got up late.”
WuJingLan looked at her watch and smiled, “It’s not too late. This is the perfect time to be having breakfast before work.”
GuQingPei looked at the family and felt a bit emotional.
He had been in the Beijing for more than ten years, rising from the lowest level assistant to now where he is politely addressed as “Director Gu.” Over the years, he had seen all kinds of people and having met many young masters with numerous siblings. Many of these young masters are bad; most of them are spoiled with many shortcomings. YuanYang also have many shortcomings. But of all the young masters GuQingPei have met, YuanYang is definitely the most hardworking, undemanding and easy going. Even though YuanYang is overbearingly arrogant, GuQingPei had never seen him use his family’s power and authority to oppress anyone, the most he’d do is strike with his own fists.
GuQingPei sometimes felt that YuanYang’s roguishness is shameful; sometimes he feels that this kid really do things as he pleases; simple and direct making people smack their lips in disapproval.
YuanYang looked at him with piercing eyes and then pushed the bowl of porridge toward him, “Hurry up and eat or we’ll be late.”
YuanLiJiang smiled and glanced at them, “YuanYang..not bad, you have the concept of time now.”
YuanYang curled his lips, “My concept of time is a hundred times better than yours. Have you tried disposing a bomb in 15 seconds?”
“Then why were you always late when you first started working?”
YuanYang casually responded, “That also depends on whether the matter is worth for me to be punctual.”
YuanLiJiang snorted, “So it’s worth it now?”
YuanYang glanced at GuQingPei and didn’t say anything else.
GuQingPei glossed over it and uttered, “Right now, YuanYang have the intention to comply with company regulations.”
WuJingLan said with a smile, “This is right. YuanYang, there are rules that needs to be adhered to in every place. On this point, there is no difference between the army and the company. Don’t feel that you can get differential treatment. Director Gu, YuanYang being able to put his mind to his job now is directly related to your indiscriminate guidance. As a mother, I’m especially thankful to you.”
GuQingPei politely responded, “It is YuanYang’s natural talent in this respect. I just played a guiding role at the right time. He’s actually participated in some of the recent lawsuits and several projects and they are all progressing well. Next week, I plan on issuing a document to award him a bonus. YuanYang, this is the first bucket of money that has true significance. You have earned it yourself.”
The corner of YuanYang’s mouth slightly raised, wanting to laugh but felt embarrassed to do so.
What he cared about is not the bonus but GuQingPei praising him in front of his parents. This kind of feelings makes him thrillingly delighted.
YuanLiJiang and WuJingLan are very happy, thanking GuQingPei again and again.
After the meal, YuanYang drove them to work.
Because YuanYang’s family home is far from the company and for whatever reason there was a road blockage, they were more than twenty minutes late to work.
GuQingPei, “We’re both late. Let Zhang Xia record that and deduct the late penalty from our salaries.”
YuanYang responded, “I know.” After he said that he turned the car’s ignition off and turned to look at GuQingPei.
GuQingPei had already opened the car’s door, intending to get out but seeing YuanYang’s expression, he paused, “What’s wrong?”
“Are you really going to give me a bonus?”
“Of course, I mean what I say.”
YuanYang’s eyes looked down, “You really think that I did a good job?”
“A lot better compared to before.”
YuanYang awkwardly said, “Even if you praise me, even if you give me money, I won’t move out of your home.”
GuQingPei’s body stiffened. He pushed the door again, planning on getting out, “As you please.”
YuanYang instantly hugged his waist from behind and whispered, “I like living with you, I don’t want to move out.”
GuQingPei is startled.
YuanYang gritted his teeth, putting on a bold face, “Since you don’t want to kick me out anyway.”
GuQingPei didn’t give him a direct response but just patted his hand, “Let’s go, we’re already late.”
YuanYang stayed in the car and looked at GuQingPei’s back as he walked a few meters away before he disappointingly got out of the car and followed him upstairs.
As soon as they got to the company, Zhang Xia rushed forward. Her expression was a bit strange, “Director Gu, there is a lady looking for you.”
“Oh? Who?”
“She said that her surname is Zhao … is your old friend.”
GuQingPei thought that it might be ZhaoYuan so he ordered Zhang Xia to postpone the meeting and headed toward the meeting room.
YuanYang’s ear was sharp. He heard this clearly. His temper instantly flared up as he blindly followed GuQingPei.
GuQingPei opened the door and saw a woman standing in front of the window looking out, her back facing him with her thick and black hair scattered on her back, looking graceful and elegant.
“YuanYuan.”
ZhaoYuan turned around, her complexion looking pale as she smiled, “QingPei, you’re here. I passed by your company so I just came by to have a look.”
YuanYang also squeezed into the room and looked at ZhaoYuan with hostility. Although he has seen a picture of this woman but the picture in the document was not too clear. She merely looked ordinary. But seeing her in real person, he’s realized that she’s extremely glamorous, her body radiated a mature and intellectual arura. Although her facial features are not considered exquisite and her clothes are not too provocative, but she is still quite sexy and alluring.
ZhaoYuan astonishingly looked at YuanYang, “This is?”
GuQingPei half-heartedly responded, “My assistant.” He noticed that ZhaoYuan’s complexion was not very good. She must be looking for him for some matters so he uttered, “Come with me to my office.”
He led ZhaoYuan to his office. YuanYang still wanted to follow them in but GuQingPei turned his back and closed the door, giving him a warning.
YuanYang was still in a slight daze when GuQingPei closed the door in front of him, making him angry. He desperately resisted the urge to kick the door open, but instead ended up leaning against the door trying to hear what they were saying. However, the solid wood door to the president’s office is so thick that he can vaguely hear the voices coming from inside but can’t clearly hear what they were saying.
YuanYang’s hand is on the door handle, hesitating on whether he should just barge in.
“YuanYuan, you came to see me so early in the morning, there must be something.” GuQingPei poured a glass of water for Zhao Yuan, suggesting for her to sit down.
ZhaoYuan refused to sit but gulped down a mouth of water and grievingly gave him a smile, “I got in a big fight with him. We might break up. I feel horrible so I wanted to come and talk to you.”
GuQingPei sighed, “Because of what?”
“He is too immature, really, can’t you tell? A man already in thirties but not a bit mature at all. Compared to you, it’s such a huge difference, you use to…, “
GuQingPei interrupted her and got straight to the point, “YuanYuan, you can’t always compare others to me.”
ZhaoYuan stared dazedly with tears brimming as she chokingly sobbed, “Then you say, who I should blame?”
GuQingPei somberly responded, “Blame me.”
ZhaoYuan sniffed her nose, “QingPei, after so many years, sometimes when I think about it, I still can’t help but hate you.”
GuQingPei nodded and lowered his eyes, “I know.”
ZhaoYuan kept quiet and whimpered, “I especially hate you. Why can’t you love me?”
GuQingPei reached out and took her into his arms, gently stroking her hair and softly comforting, “YuanYuan, I’m sorry, very sorry.” He raised his head, his face mixed with sorrow and pain.
ZhaoYuan closed her eyes and cried in his arms.
At this time, the door was suddenly opened roughly, exposing YuanYang’s unsightly face as he spitefully uttered, “Director Gu, it’s time for your nine o’clock meeting.” Seeing ZhaoYuan’s pitiful look crying in GuQingPei’s arms, he wanted to throw this woman out of the window.
ZhaoYuan shockingly lifted her head to look at YuanYang
GuQingPei sighed, “It’s been postponed, go out.”
YuanYang gritted his teeth, “Didn’t get the postponement notice, everyone is waiting for you in the conference room.”
Zhang Xia had always been diligent in her duties so GuQingPei did not believe what YuanYang said. He’s obviously trying to pick a fight.
GuQingPei’s face his grim as he coldly responded, “I repeat, get out.”
YuanYang took big strides into the office and slammed the door, “So what if I don’t get out? Are you guys going to continue in front of me?”
ZhaoYuan astonishingly looked back and forth between the two men and then came to a realization. She wiped her tears. Her expression hard to conceal, “QingPei, you and him……… nevermind, I’m going to go back first.”
“YuanYuan, you don’t have to go, let’s talk.”
“No, it’s okay, no need. I’m not being myself today. I am going to go,” ZhaoYuan forcefully wiped her tears, grabbed her purse and ran out.
GuQingPei chased a few steps before suddenly stopping. He glanced at YuanYang and angrily ordered, “Get the fuck out.”
YuanYang glared, “You fucking don’t like women, right? What’s the fucking meaning of hugging your ex-wife!?”
The rage in GuQingPei’s entire body lit up, “This is between the two of us, what the hell does it have to do with you?”
YuanYang rarely saw GuQingPei so enraged. The first time was after he gave GuQingPei that drug. This is the other time. Could it be that in GuQingPei’s heart, offending him (GuQingPei) and offending his ex-wife is similarly intolerable?
That woman, is she that important?!
YuanYang angrily shouted, “Just for a fucking bitch, you get angry like this?”
GuQingPei took two steps forward, lifted his arm and slapped him harshly in the face.
YuanYang is stunned.
GuQingPei pointed at his nose and said coldly, “Don’t speak badly of her in front of me, you’re not worthy.” After saying that, he took big strides out the door.
YuanYang exploded in rage. He suddenly turned around and grabbed GuQingPei’s shoulder, shoving him to the wall and said fiercely, “Say that again, you, you dumb fuck, for a woman, you dare ……”
YuanYang had never felt such extreme agony.
The two men glared at each other infuriatingly for a long time. GuQingPei dropped his shoulder, “Let me go.”
“Let you go? I fucking want to kill you!”
GuQingPei looked at him exhuastively, “YuanYang, I am afraid that even if I were to give you a lifetime, you still won’t be considerate. I owe ZhaoYuan too much. I almost ruined her life. I, GuQingPei, had never done anything that would make me feel guilty in my entire life. The only person I have let down, the one I’m most sorry toward is this woman who have truly loved me. If you can understand, that’s fine. But if you can’t understand, forget it. Right now, just let me go, I don’t want to say anything else to you.”
YuanYang’s lips trembled, unable to say anything else.
GuQingPei pushed him away, opened the door and walked out.
YuanYang fiercely kicked the sofa and sat down tiredly as he grab his head, feeling excruciating pain in his chest.
End of the Chapter
