The Disliked Shou and the Charming Gong : Chapter 30 If Necessary, I Can Become Impotent

Wen Junhe’s palm pressed against the small of He Ning’s back, clearly feeling the protrusion of his spine. He Ning’s pajamas had loosened, the collar sliding to his shoulder, revealing several faint red finger marks at his collarbone. The marks from last night stood out starkly against his pale skin.

Wen Junhe frowned and pulled the person closer into his embrace. He Ning’s weight was light as a feather, as if he might float away from his arms the very next second.

Too thin.

Wen Junhe carried him back to the bedroom and put shoes on him. A slant of sunlight cut in, landing right on He Ning’s ankle.

Last night a silver chain had been fastened there. Now only a faint ring of pressure marks remained.

He Ning’s gaze swept across the room. The villa’s decor still maintained the appearance from when the He family was at its peak. Even the hidden patterns on the wallpaper were exactly the same. The He family had enjoyed decades of glory, yet in just a few short months people had left and the tea had gone cold. The family assets had all become empty shells. This once bustling villa had changed hands several times, and now it was in Wen Junhe’s possession.

Wen Junhe suddenly remembered a long time ago, when He Ning had once twisted his ankle. He had also sat on this bed. Wen Junhe had secretly carried him into his own bedroom behind He Hongxing’s back.

Back then He Ning had no guard against him whatsoever, wearing short sleeves and shorts, looking up pitifully saying it hurt.

He Ning didn’t want a doctor to come in. He only wanted Wen Junhe to bring medicinal wine and rub it for him.

He Ning lay on the bed in a pure cotton white t-shirt. Wen Junhe remembered kneeling on one knee on the carpet at the time, his palm circling against He Ning’s ankle. He Ning’s skin was slightly feverish from the pain. The hem of his sweat-dampened t-shirt had rolled up, revealing a section of waistline. Whenever the painful spot was pressed, he would bite his lower lip, squeezing out animal-like whimpers from his throat.

He Ning’s sharp intakes of breath were especially clear in the quiet bedroom. Every time Wen Junhe’s hand pressed on a bruised spot, he couldn’t help but let out a few whimpers from his throat. His fingers gripped the bedsheet tight, the sheet crumpling into a ball in his palm. The pale blue veins on the back of his hand appeared and disappeared with his breathing.

“Don’t make noise.”

He Ning would make sounds from time to time, sharp intakes of breath when it hurt, and that nasal-toned “a little lighter.”

Wen Junhe told him to be quiet, his mind in turmoil.

He Ning shut his mouth, thinking he had made Wen Junhe angry. He bit his lower lip and swallowed back the remaining cries of pain, not knowing that the other person was staring at his taut calf lines in a daze. That section of skin gleamed under the sunlight, trembling slightly with the kneading motion.

The smell of medicinal wine permeated the air, mixed with the faint scent of body wash on He Ning.

Wen Junhe’s thumb unconsciously lingered a few seconds longer on the inner side of the other person’s ankle. The skin there was especially thin, able to feel the rapid pulsing of the pulse. He Ning’s clothes had ridden up a bit from lying on his stomach, exposing a small section of waistline that rose and fell with his breathing.

“Why did you buy this place?”

Wen Junhe: “…Think about it yourself.”

He Ning looked up at him. Wen Junhe also looked at him, his face showing displeasure, as if dissatisfied with his slowness.

“Get dressed and go down to eat. Remember to sign the divorce agreement Zhou Ji gave you later. After that, you won’t need to worry about anything.”

He Ning and Zhou Ji’s marriage had indeed existed in name only. During his year abroad he had wanted to bring up divorce several times, but after all two people needed to sit down and discuss it slowly.

This marriage had indeed come about hastily and out of spite.

He Ning recalled that time. He had been too eager for stability and wanted to break free from Wen Junhe, like a lost little beast anxiously searching for a way out. Even when Wen Junhe told him the consequences would be more than he could bear alone, he couldn’t think that far. He remembered his last contact with Zhou Ji was two weeks ago. Zhou Ji had told him not to return to the country for now, and after that contact was cut off.

He Ning’s expression changed slightly: “Wen Junhe, what did you do to Zhou Ji?”

Wen Junhe laughed mockingly: “The Zhou brothers fighting over power and scheming against each other is enough to give him a headache. You probably don’t know, but his investment failed. Some people are jointly suing him. Zhou Corporation faces the risk of being acquired by a long-time partner. Zhou Ji simply isn’t suited to be the heir. Management and executive levels are corrupt to that degree, yet he can still tolerate their existence. But now he’s busy cutting ties with you. He really is devoted and loyal to you.”

He Ning looked up in a daze, meeting Wen Junhe’s gaze: “What about you? What role are you playing in all this?”

Wen Junhe said to He Ning: “I’m just taking back what’s mine. You stay here properly. I won’t do anything to him. Otherwise I don’t even know what I might do.”

He said it with such righteous confidence.

After Wen Junhe finished speaking he turned and went downstairs. While He Ning was getting dressed, he glanced at the marks on his body and immediately covered them with clothing, not daring to look another second.

If last night had started with Wen Junhe forcing him, later on he could no longer tell who was actually taking the lead.

Eating in this once familiar place, He Ning suddenly felt it was incredibly strange, with an unreal feeling. He had once lived a life of drunken revelry in luxurious banquet halls, and also wandered the streets quietly watching scattered crowds. Saying he fell from the clouds into the valley wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

“Zhou Ji never mentioned this to me. Why should I believe you?”

Wen Junhe pushed the tablet computer over, saying he had gotten smarter. On the screen, the headline of that financial daily was bolded and in red. He Ning scrolled through the page. The multinational company’s internal network email indeed hadn’t received this announcement. The report’s publication date was also yesterday.

He Ning stared fixedly at the bold headline “Zhou Ji Resigns to Take Responsibility” on the tablet, his fingers tightening unconsciously, pressing fingerprint marks onto the screen.

Wen Junhe: “Believe me now?”

He Ning: “You can’t keep me trapped here. Where’s your phone?”

Wen Junhe: “What are you doing?”

He Ning: “Zhou Ji is in trouble now. I can’t just sit and watch.”

Wen Junhe: “You’re quite good to him. But no need. If you insist on helping him, I’ll harm him. I’ll go add fuel to the fire for their Zhou Corporation. Guess if Zhou Corporation’s stock falls further, whether that pack of old foxes on the board will tear him apart alive.”

“You know I’m never one to talk big. If I say it, I’ll do it.”

He Ning certainly knew.

“If I stay here you won’t touch Zhou Ji? The price is divorcing him?”

Wen Junhe nodded, then spoke as if making an exchange: “Want me to help him?”

He Ning looked at Wen Junhe.

“Marry me.”

He Ning looked at Wen Junhe as if he had taken the wrong medicine. He did care about Zhou Ji, but he wasn’t foolish enough to believe such an unrealistic condition.

He Ning: “What if I insist on leaving?”

Wen Junhe: “The security here definitely won’t disappoint you. Also, you’ve disappeared until now. Has anyone noticed anything unusual?”

Actually no. He Ning’s position itself wasn’t very important. The only family he had in this world was still in prison. If Zhou Ji was overwhelmed with problems during this time, he wouldn’t contact him at all.

Looking at it this way, He Ning really was living a bit pathetically.

On the dining table sat two thick slices of buttered bread, their golden crispy edges still steaming. Beside them, the milk in the glass was full to the point of almost overflowing. He Ning stared at this breakfast enough for two people.

Wen Junhe sat at the other end of the dining table. His tailored suit outlined his straight shoulder line. His long fingers pinched the newspaper, the paper making a light rustling sound in his hands.

Morning light shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto his well-defined profile, making those eyes that revealed no emotion appear even more profound.

He Ning knew that with Wen Junhe’s ability and intelligence, sooner or later he would obtain the status and power he wanted, even reaching heights that He Ning could only look up to.

A year ago He Hongxing’s words had stuck with He Ning. He Hongxing said he was like his mother, easily satisfied and soft-hearted. He Ning knew that someone like him could neither decide his own life nor would he fail to make a mess of other people’s lives.

He Ning fell into silent contemplation.

Wen Junhe’s voice: “Eat first.”

He Ning ate half a slice of bread, drank half a glass of milk, then stared at his plate in a daze. Wen Junhe set down the newspaper, sat beside him, then picked up that half slice of bread, tore it into pieces, and fed it to his mouth.

He Ning opened his eyes wide: “…I’m full.”

Wen Junhe frowned as if having a headache: “Do you know your weight is below healthy standards? Perhaps I should go discuss this with He Hongxing.”

“I’ve wanted to say this for a long time. Don’t act like a child afraid to face things when accepting criticism. What taking good care of yourself, that’s completely self-deception. I’m not asking you to change all at once, but don’t not let people say it.”

He Ning: “……”

Too absurd. Even Wen Junhe’s venomous tongue was no different from back then.

He Ning said indignantly: “…Why didn’t you say it before.”

“Before I was pursuing you, so I held back. And I felt I was bewitched by you during that time, not like myself at all. Although my emotional intelligence is low, what I’m saying is the truth.”

He Ning: “…Who said your emotional intelligence is low.”

Wen Junhe: “Many people. My aunt, my secretary, business partners…”

As Wen Junhe spoke, he suddenly asked curiously: “You think so too, right? Why did you never tell me about my shortcomings.”

He Ning didn’t speak. Wen Junhe said lightly: “You just liked me. Why did you also gild me in gold? In your heart was I that perfect and flawless.”

More than gilded in gold. In the past He Ning had once been Wen Junhe’s only devoted true believer, almost shouting long live Wen Junhe every day.

He Ning turned his head: “No. I already sent you to the executioner’s block long ago.”

Wen Junhe remained calm. It was just that when he brought the bread to He Ning’s mouth again he used a bit more force, with a semi-coercive nature: “Then actually you never had much determination to keep being with me from the start. Two people together will always encounter all kinds of problems. You only know how to run away. You never thought about how to solve the obstacles to us being together.”

He Ning: “This only proves we’re not suited to be together.”

Wen Junhe: “Forget it. Eat it. We can continue discussing your ex-husband’s matters.”

The word “ex-husband” was heavily emphasized.

He Ning: “I haven’t signed the divorce agreement yet.”

After the meal, He Ning indicated he could let bygones be bygones with Wen Junhe about yesterday’s matter, but also asked him not to interfere in his own affairs.

Wen Junhe said: “Sorry, no. My mind is very clear now, so I have many plans that can make you obediently listen to me. You’d best not give me the chance to implement them.”

“…Like last night’s rape? I’ll sue you.”

Wen Junhe thought for a moment: “Domestic criminal law defines rape victims as female, not including males, so that charge doesn’t stand. But if you were injured last night, you can sue me for intentional injury. I prepared very thoroughly. You were somewhat cooperative afterward, so that charge probably won’t stand either. Oh, and there’s also illegal imprisonment, but that’s assuming you can get out.”

He Ning flushed red: “Wen Junhe, don’t be so shameless!”

Truly, the only thing to fear is a hooligan with culture.

Wen Junhe accepted the accusation saying: “My shamelessness is only because I don’t want to lose you.”

Suddenly coming out with soft words, He Ning instead didn’t know how to respond.

“Don’t stay too far away from me from now on. Who told me I can’t leave you.”

“Whatever you want I’ll give you. Not like Zhou Ji who casually gave you some idle overseas position and sent you away. No need to tire yourself working anymore. Your hands can be reserved for drinking afternoon tea, or wearing jewelry. And don’t cook for me. I don’t like it. If you really want to do something, even if it has no business significance, I’ll invest large sums of money for you. Who told me I’m crazy for you. Although realizing this is a bit late, I really don’t want to learn that set of methods that look like barbarians to keep you. A bit stupid. So I’ll be as gentle as possible.”

He Ning: “……”

Wen Junhe saying “who told me I can’t leave you” and “who told me I’m crazy for you” with such a straight face had an indescribable absurdity to it.

Wen Junhe saw He Ning had no reaction: “Although it’s obvious I’m a better choice than Zhou Ji, but since you’ve already chosen wrong once, this time I’ll choose for you. You’re welcome.”

After saying this, before He Ning could react, Wen Junhe wrapped his arm around him and walked outside, showing him: “As you can see, I’ve hired a very comprehensive security system. You have no chance of escaping. The environment here should make you feel relaxed. In a few days that housekeeper who worked at your home for over a decade will appear before you. This is a good opportunity to take care of that worrying body of yours. After your relationship with Zhou Ji is dissolved, I’ll let you resume social activities.”

He Ning was stunned speechless by Wen Junhe’s string of arrangements.

Wen Junhe was truly determined to lock him up.

On the first day, He Ning tried to climb over the wall. Before he even got close, security guards came and escorted him away.

Couldn’t win in a fight, and cursing got no response. He Ning would rather die than sign.

Wen Junhe didn’t force him either. He just said lightly: “No matter. Anyway that certificate of yours doesn’t have much practical meaning in this country. Even if someone comes looking for you, they won’t find you. Besides me, not many people know you’re back. I’ve already asked for extended leave for you.”

The more He Ning heard, the more numb his heart became. Wen Junhe was simply a natural-born bad seed. How had he ever decided he was a good person.

He made a fuss with Wen Junhe, going on a hunger strike and not eating. Wen Junhe said: “Fine.”

Then he pulled him into his embrace, clamping him between his thighs.

Several burly bodyguards came in. He Ning thought Wen Junhe was going to have people hold him down and force-feed him. Who knew the next second Wen Junhe himself took a bite of food, chewing slowly, then they only heard him say slowly: “Won’t force-feed you. In a moment I’ll feed you myself, mouth to mouth. You won’t even need to exert yourself. They’re responsible for holding you down.”

In front of so many people.

Seeing Wen Junhe pressing on the back of his neck, about to lean in.

He Ning: “…I’ll eat.”

Wen Junhe nodded, drank some water, wiped his mouth: “Told you my methods are very gentle.”

Just a bit disgusting.

Wen Junhe did as he said. The next day the housekeeper who had watched him grow up really arrived.

This female housekeeper was already past fifty this year. She was called Marjorie. He Ning always called her Aunt Marjorie. She had taken care of He Ning since he was little. She carried a small suitcase, wearing a suit, but still proper and elegant. She was the professional talent He Hongxing had hired at great expense back then. Meeting again now, both of them couldn’t help but sigh.

Aunt Marjorie looked at He Ning lovingly, wiping tears sentimentally with her handkerchief: “Darling, I never thought I’d see you again in this lifetime. You look like you’ve grown up so much.”

He Ning also reddened at the eyes, embracing her. Aunt Marjorie also greeted Wen Junhe.

Wen Junhe left space for them to catch up.

Aunt Marjorie sat on the sofa, watching Wen Junhe’s retreating figure: “Your little boyfriend has also grown into a gentleman reliable enough to depend on.”

A gentleman?

He Ning simply couldn’t bear to recall the humiliation he had suffered these past few days.

“…He’s long since turned bad.”

Aunt Marjorie smiled saying: “But the way he looks at you hasn’t changed one bit.”

“I still remember when Mr. He invited him to the house back then, it was I who received him. At that time, the display cabinet in the living room held many photos of you as a child. He stood there alone for a very long time. Of all the guests invited to the He residence, some stopped for the exquisite decor, some stopped for the collected antiques and calligraphy paintings. Only he stopped for you, Ningning.” He Ning was stunned hearing this.

Some people lose themselves for money. Some people abandon their true nature for power.

Which kind was Wen Junhe?

Could he be that special one?

“You can tell his underlying nature is a pure and kind child, just like you.”

That night He Ning hugged his quilt and curled into a corner, arming himself fully, not giving Wen Junhe the slightest chance. He had been sleeping like this these past few days.

Wen Junhe had no intention of forcing him either. Both slept clearly separated from each other.

Today Wen Junhe lay beside He Ning with his arms crossed, wearing pajamas, eyes closed, about to fall asleep.

Suddenly He Ning’s voice rang out.

“Wen Junhe, do you love money?”

Wen Junhe opened his eyes, looking at the bulky figure beside him wrapped up like a giant silkworm cocoon, tilting his head looking at him. Then he got up. Not long after he came back with a tablet, handing it before He Ning: “Stocks, bonds, all the large and small projects I’ve invested in these years, everything is here. You can have it if you want. After you sign the divorce with Zhou Ji, it’s all yours.”

He Ning looked at the dense numbers and documents with red headers, then opened his mouth saying: “Then are you lustful?”

Wen Junhe looked at him complicatedly: “…Spare me.”

He Ning alone was already harder to understand than a book from heaven. He’d be crazy to go provoke anyone else.

But he didn’t say this out loud. Wen Junhe said to show his determination: “If necessary, I can become impotent.”