21 2.8

Feng Kuo covered the half-hour distance between their offices within four minutes and urgently locked a tipsy Ren Yijun into the passenger seat. The young man curled up sideways on the passenger seat to better appreciate the handsome, shadowy face in the dark car. A little aroused, Chen Yu licked his lips and loosened his tie. Glimpsing the young man's unconstrained actions out of the corner of his eyes, Feng Kuo almost lost control, desperate to suck on the glistening lips, bite the delicious collarbones peeking through, stroke the beautiful lines.

In an attempt to distract himself, he cleared his throat and asked, "Jun, did you drink by yourself?"

Ren Yijun narrowed his starry eyes at the question, shedding his usual politeness to reveal his short temper. Curling his lip, he scorned, "Don't act like an old fogey, Uncle Kuo."

The pointed reference to his age struck a blow, but it did help Feng Kuo calm down enough to safely arrive at his penthouse. Having parked, he nipped that harsh mouth punishingly then swept the light body up, wrapping the slender legs around his hips.

They both entered his apartment panting, and he skillfully lay the young man down on the black leather couch, ready to eat him up at last. But just when he was about to strip off the irksome shirt, he heard Jun murmur, "Uncle Kuo, will you really help me if I sleep with you? You won't betray me?"

Feng Kuo froze, then a cynical expression crossed his face. What had he expected, that Ren Yijun wouldn't be so cheap?

Sitting up, he grasped the Macallan that Ren Yijun had been holding and took a swig. Once the alcohol's bitterness drowned out his irritation, he smashed his lips onto the other man's and fiercely kissed him. Only when the young man struggled to move away did he pause and agree, "Sure, pet. But let's discuss your price after I find out how much you're worth, okay?" He didn't give him a chance to refuse, rapidly stripping his clothes and exposing the lean muscles and smooth skin.

Chen Yu nearly walked out at the sleazy line, but he suppressed himself for the big picture. Besides, he needed some relief as well. So he gave in to his urges and pulled Feng Kuo closer, thrusting his hips against his hard length.

Because the original Ren Yijun had exercised regularly, his body was fundamentally healthier than the music-obsessed Shao Li's had been. Additionally, after he'd failed to escape from Feng Kuo, Chen Yu had used the system to optimize his physical strength, so that when he finally tossed in bed with Feng Kuo, his style was completely different.

If Shao Li drove Zhao Cui mad with his cute tears and helpless pleas, Ren Yijun incited Feng Kuo's need for dominance through his arrogant attempts to take control. Even when Feng Kuo managed to pin down the flexible waist, he had to grasp the young man's wrists and press his legs open to keep him still. The sex between the two was intense, full of biting, pounding, and teasing taunts to go faster and last longer.

When they finished in the early morning, Feng Kuo leaned against the headboard, pouring the last of the whisky into a shot glass, while Ren Yijun fumblingly dressed himself.

Laughing sardonically, Feng Kuo commented, "What, you want to leave right away? Let's settle things before you go. You were surprisingly better than I expected, why don't we talk terms for...say, a month?"

Actually, Feng Kuo really was satisfied, he'd never had such an explosive partner. It was just that when he recalled that Ren Yijun was a mere toy like the others before him, he forced himself not to reveal how attracted he was.

Ren Yijun was silent for a moment, making Feng Kuo secretly panic. Was he about to say he regretted it, that he wouldn't be bought? Or did he feel that a month was too long? But the young man simply replied, "Uncle Kuo, I need an assistant I can trust, do you have anyone I can use?"

Feng Kuo was surprised and somewhat disappointed. He wasn't sure what he'd hoped for, but he had definitely thought that Ren Yijun would ask for money or help with getting rid of his uncle. Well, whatever he wanted, it wasn't a big deal, he could afford it. Having a person on the inside to keep an eye on Ren Yijun would be useful anyway. So he nodded carelessly and arranged one of his older secretaries to report to work at Ren Development Group's headquarters from tomorrow on.

Seeing that Ren Yijun was about to leave, a cold light flashed across Feng Kuo's eyes. "Pet, remember that you're my property for the next month, don't do anything you shouldn't."

Chen Yu shot a fierce glare at this and stalked off without a word.

"Ren Yijun...don't say I didn't warn you," Feng Kuo muttered to himself, then called a driver to send him back.

---

At the same time in a small flat some distance from Feng Kuo's penthouse, Ren Anjing and Ren Xiang sat across from Xi Heng, who had been released on bail. Both of their expressions were ugly as they looked through the files in front of them.

"Xi Heng, we drove to your house so early for this? None of these documents are worth anything, they're not about Ren Yijun at all!" Ren Xiang shouted.

A disheveled Xi Heng snorted and threw another stack of papers on the coffee table.

The police officers had been civil during the investigation and the lawyer Ren Anjing assigned to him kept assuring him that he wouldn't be punished harshly since he was only being investigated for nonviolent crimes, but Xi Heng wasn't stupid. He was well aware that he was in deep trouble.

As one of the masterminds behind the scheme meant to trap Ren Yijun, he knew best that although he hadn't acted on his own and was even innocent of some charges, he would be the one held responsible. Furthermore, he would have to compensate for money he'd 'embezzled' and the losses Ren Development Group had suffered because of his 'defamation,' in addition to any fines ordered by the court.

Xi Heng had some savings, but it wasn't nearly enough to cover the damages. Nor was he willing to go down alone. Thus, what he was showing Ren Anjing and his son now naturally didn't mention Ren Yijun, since his aim in the first place was to pressure the two into providing the funds.

Ren Anjing had anticipated this the moment Xi Heng called them over, so he merely looked disdainfully at Xiang'er, who still hadn't grasped the situation. Without saying anything, he flipped through the documents.

Indeed, Xi Heng had meticulously saved every incriminating piece of evidence, from recordings to text messages, to show that Ren Anjing had been manipulating things behind the scenes. If the situation wasn't so public, he could arrange for Xi Heng to disappear, but news of what had unfolded at the shareholders meeting had spread far and wide. There would surely be a thorough investigation if anything suspicious happened.

As for coming up with the restitution, Ren Anjing had spent quite a bit of his capital to bribe the investors and employees ever since Ren Daquan became ill, and Ren Xiang had never been the type to save money. If the two of them sold their 7% shares, they would have enough, but there was no way Ren Anjing could lose what little advantage he had.

After combing through their combined finances, the three all agreed. Their only hope was to look for Ren Yijun.

The next morning, Ren Anjing and Ren Xiang walked into the headquarters building as if nothing had happened, hiding their shame at the employees' distrustful stares.

Although his involvement in framing CEO Ren hadn't been proven, many people had already concluded that Ren Anjing must have gambled the Ren Development Group's reputation to gain power over his nephew. Even those who had originally been persuaded to support him had become resentful, because they'd realized that if the company was unstable, so were their jobs.

Ren Anjing's face stung from the humiliation, particularly when he thought of how smugly he'd mocked Ren Yijun yesterday in his mind. Still, he had to deal with this issue as soon as possible, so he stifled his dissatisfaction and went up to the CEO's office by himself, leaving his son behind in case he opened his mouth and ruined the mood.

Unexpectedly, however, the executive secretary's seat that should have been empty had a middle-aged woman in it. Once she noticed him approaching, she showed a professional smile and inquired, "Good morning, do you have an appointment?"

Guessing that this was someone Ren Yijun had hired himself, Ren Anjing restrained his impatience. In a humble voice, he requested, "No, but please tell CEO Ren that his uncle is here to see him."

The woman agreeably called for Ren Yijun's permission then showed him into the inner room.

When the old man shuffled in, Chen Yu barely glanced up from his work and continued to lounge behind the desk. "Uncle," he drawled. "What brings you here?"

Ren Anjing gritted his teeth, cursing, 'This impudent punk, just wait until this is over!' On the outside, he bowed at a right angle and respectfully begged, "Yijun, save your uncle! I'll kneel down if you want me to!"

Saying so, he slightly bent his legs, expecting the young man to stop him. But when nothing happened, he looked up in surprise, only to find that Ren Yijun had turned to watch without any sign of deterring him. Unable to show his reluctance, he plopped down so hard that his knees thudded against the hard marble floors.

Chen Yu grinned, imagining the savage curses in that old chest, and without motioning to let him get up, he hummed, "What could I possibly do for you?"

With genuine tears in his eyes from the pain, Ren Anjing hurried to explain the situation. Finished, he appealed, "I know Secretary Xi was out of line, but he was, after all, someone I recommended. Can you give me some face and let him go?" Sensing the atmosphere turn gloomy, he understood he'd asked for too much. He hesitated, evaluating the best deal he could squeeze out of this brat, and he eventually amended, "No, no, that's not fair to you. How about you lend me the money for restitution and I'll repay you when I can?"

Chen Yu marveled at Ren Anjing's belief in goodness and charity. Did he truly think Ren Yijun would be so kind as to rescue him despite yesterday's meeting? He'd foreseen that they'd solicit him for funds, but to have it be presented as a brazen demand really broadened his views. Regardless, since his precious uncle was so desperate, Chen Yu would of course help.