Finally, Xuan Chaya heard the doorbell again, but as he didn't want to make a fool of himself again, he waited and listened attentively to make sure he had heard correctly.

Some seconds pa.s.sed and the doorbell rang again. This time, Xuan Chaya was sure that Cheng Jian had returned. The thought of it lifted his spirits and he found himself smiling.

He hurried to the door. Feigning apathy, he opened the door to let Cheng Jian in; welcoming him with no more than a light nod.

"Hey," Cheng Jian greeted as he walked into the apartment. His voice light and cheery.

"Hey." Xuan Chaya returned his greeting. Cheng Jian had barely sat when he asked. "How was your date?"

Cheng Jian smiled and shook his head. "It wasn't a date."

"It wasn't?" Xuan Chaya asked hopefully.

"No. I only went out to see... An old friend."

"Is that so?" Xuan Chaya asked rhetorically. Smiling.

"Yes. And I have good news for you."

"What news?"

"Have you heard about Shenhua Corporations?"

"Of course, I have. It's only the most popular company in China's entertainment industry." Xuan Chaya replied. "What about it?"

"The friend I went to see. He's the son of the owner of that company."

"You are kidding me." Xuan Chaya said. Immediately wondering how Cheng Jian got to know such a prestigious person.

Cheng Jian continued. "He's actually the president of the company and its only heir."

No longer able to contain his curiosity, Xuan Chaya asked. "And you know him how?"

Cheng Jian stared at Xuan Chaya. He was almost very sure that Xuan Chaya didn't want to know the truth of how he met Hua Zhendan. That was his past that he wanted to keep buried by all means. With a shake of his head, he said. "That isn't important. What's important is that I do know him."

Xuan Chaya was immediately uneasy. Cheng Jian always spoke without filtering his words. Seeing him web his way around a conversation was out of character for him. Still, he didn't feel the need to force information out of Cheng Jian. "What's the good news?" He asked.

"My friend," Cheng Jian continued. "Many people don't know this, but he is adopted."

Xuan Chaya was relieved and confused at the same time. Relieved that Cheng Jian was back to speaking without thinking; this sort of thing is a family secret that shouldn't be spewed to just anybody thoughtlessly. Perhaps, Cheng Jian didn't think of him as 'just anybody.' The thought of that immediately made Xuan Chaya smile. Xuan Chaya was confused because he didn't see how Hua Zhendan's family background could bring him good news. All in all, it was nice gossip; and gossip about other people's lives is always delightful to hear. "Okay?"

"His mother," Cheng Jian said. Gesturing as he spoke. "The owner of the company, I mean. She is an evil, manipulative witch, so he has a love-hate relations.h.i.+p with her."

Xuan Chaya shook his head. Disapproval written all over his face. "I always think of mothers like G.o.ds. I don't have much respect for people who don't love theirs."

"This mother isn't a G.o.d. She is the devil herself. Do you know? The first time Hua Zhendan fell in love, his mother tried to pay his lover to stay away from him. The second time, she did the same thing."

Xuan Chaya's feelings were suddenly divided. He could never find a fault in the things his own mother did. Even when she had wronged him in the past, it was always for his own betterment. Xuan Chaya wanted to believe that all mothers were like that, but no mother should be so protective that she drives away her child's lover. "What could her reasons have been?"

"She is uncomfortable with Hua Zhendan's s.e.xuality, of course."

Xuan Chaya immediately felt bad. Bad for whatever Hua Zhendan has to go through because of his unsupportive mother, bad that Shen Rui didn't match up to his standard of a good mother. Bad that he had a great, supportive mother and he was taking advantage of her goodness. "Is he gay?" He asked.

"Of course." Shaking his head, Cheng Jian continued. "I don't know any straight people."

Xuan Chaya was surprised by that information. "Really?"

Cheng Jian nodded. "Except maybe you." Sighing, he added, "I never get along with straight people. Bis.e.xuals, maybe. It makes me question your s.e.xuality, you know."

Xuan Chaya smiled. Only Cheng Jian could think a person wasn't straight because he got along well with me. Still, looking at his situation, he couldn't question the latter's logic. "I might just be bis.e.xual, after all." He said.

Cheng Jian chuckled. "I wouldn't be surprised."

Xuan Chaya smiled at him, wondering how much longer he would be fascinated by Cheng Jian.

"Anyway," Cheng Jian said, pulling Xuan Chaya out of his thoughts. "Hua Zhendan went in search of his real parents."

Xuan Chaya smiled again. He thought it was adorable that Cheng Jian could maintain his train of thought so flawlessly. Even after divulging so far from his original topic. Shaking his smile off, Xuan Chaya again realized that this trait might not be as fascinating in theory. He was just fascinated by Cheng Jian's person. "Did he find them?" He asked.

Cheng Jian nodded. "Very recently. He has a little sister. Adorable, but kinda s.l.u.tty because she likes a boy at her young age."

Xuan Chaya raised a brow. "That doesn't necessarily mean she's s.l.u.tty."

"It does." Cheng Jian said stubbornly.

Realizing Cheng Jian was firm on his stand, he didn't make an attempt to convince him. In a quick surrender, he said. "Okay."

"His mother is a teacher. Or a trader? I'm not really sure."

Xuan Chaya nodded. He didn't see how any of this information could be useful to him, but he was quite sure that Cheng Jian had a point he was trying to make.

"His father though..." Cheng Jian said. "This is the important part. His father owns a small construction company."

Xuan Chaya sat up. His heart soft and tender for the cheer wonderfulness that was Cheng Jian. "Did you... Did you keep what I told you in mind so strongly that you went out and found a way to solve my problem?"

Cheng Jian was amused by Xuan Chaya. "What are you saying? Of course not."

Xuan Chaya's excitement lessened.

"Hua Zhendan and I were talking. He mentioned the company to me and I immediately thought about you. So, I told him you'll give his dad the project."

"You told him what?" Xuan Chaya asked.

"I told him you'll give his dad the project." Cheng Jian repeated.

Xuan Chaya shook his head. "I'm glad that you put me in mind. I really am. But I can't handover this project to your friend."

Cheng Jian frowned. Confused. "Ah! You said this was bothering you a lot. I thought you'd take this news with a lot more excitement."

Xuan Chaya shook his head. "Like I said before, I'm happy you did this for me, but I'm not sure a 'small' construction company is the direction I want to go."

"Why not? What can a big company do that a small company can't? Nothing. The only difference is that a big company will charge you unreasonably while a small one won't."

"Cheng Jian... This really is a big project that has been entrusted to me. I can't give it to just anyone. It needs to be placed in capable hands." Xuan Chaya explained. Hoping Cheng Jian might understand.

Cheng Jian nodded. "We're saying the same thing. Hua Zhendan is a great businessman and would never do anything to risk the reputation of his business. Plus, a recommendation from you in the future would be really great for their company. He definitely won't pa.s.s on the chance to impress you. He'll handle the project himself so you don't need to worry about anything."

Xuan Chaya sighed. He still wasn't sure about Cheng Jian's proposal. Still, he couldn't bring himself to turn him down.

"Are you still hesitating?" Cheng Jian asked. Clicking his tongue, he said, "Do this one thing for me, won't you? Just think of it as a way to repay me for agreeing to be your fake boyfriend."

Xuan Chaya opened his mouth in surprise. His way of repaying Cheng Jian for agreeing to be his fake boyfriend was by offering him payment. Did Cheng Jian forget that?

Amused, he shook his head and said, "Okay. Fine. I'll give your friend the project." Sarcastically, he added, "As a way of repaying you for agreeing to be my fake boyfriend."

Cheng Jian pulled Xuan Chaya into a tight hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," He quipped excitedly.

Being pressed against Cheng Jian's body, Xuan Chaya felt the world stop turning. In that instant, all that existed for him was that person. And he realized one thing; his feelings weren't going away.