Chapter 7.07 â He Has Sinned
By the time Xiang Han rushed home, the members of the Meng family had already been sitting around for a while. Father Meng and Father Geng were admiring a painting, their heads bobbing closely. Meanwhile, Meng Ze and his mother sat by the side, occasionally chiming in.
Xiang Han walked into the living room and immediately, everyone turned to look at him, especially Meng Ze. His sharp gaze was full of probing intentions; it was difficult to ignore.
Xiang Han felt his scalp tingle but forced himself to call out a greeting, as if nothing was wrong. âDad, are you looking at the painting?â
Meng Zeâs gaze followed him, scanning him from head to toe, before fixing onto his face. The youth before him was slightly thin, and apart from the lack of chest, there were several degrees of similarity to Secretary Geng. As for his faceâŠ
âYouâre already indoors, why are you still wearing sunglasses? Quick take them off.â
Father Geng immediately hit his sore spot. Meng Ze nodded in agreement, his gaze not straying off Xiang Han.
Xiang Han coughed lightly, his voice hoarse. âNo thanks, I worked overtime last night, so my eyes are a little swollen.â
Hearing this, Father Gengâs tone softened with worry, âIs that so? Let me take a look.:
âYeah.â Xiang Han deliberately turned around, back-facing Meng Ze, as he lifted his sunglasses.
Meng Ze hurriedly turned too, stretching his neck out for a peek. But just as he caught a glimpse of Xiang Hanâs side profile, the sunglasses were back in place. He couldnât help feeling it was a pity.
On the other hand, Meng Zeâs mother had seen it.
âAiya, how could it be so red? You should get it checked at the hospital. Let Xiao Ze take you.â
Startled, Xiang Han hurriedly shook his head. âNo need, Iâll just buy some medicated eye drops from the pharmacy. Itâs from working overtime, itâs not a big deal.â
Mother Meng sighed. âIs your job very tiring? Look at your dark eye circles. And you, why did you have to find a job? Isnât it better to work at your familyâs company? Itâs your field tooâŠâ
Father Meng agreed. âWhere can you find jobs that arenât tiring nowadays? Especially those black-hearted people who wish for their employees to work 24 hours a dayâŠâ
Meng black-hearted Ze: ââŠâ Can you let me look at his face?
Realizing that Meng Ze had been staring at him, Xiang Han was simply anxious. After a few awkward conversations, he was dying to leave.
But Meng Zeâs mother suddenly piped up, âXiao Han, come here. Iâll introduce you guys. This is my son, Meng Ze.â After that, she turned to Meng Ze, âXiao Ze, this is Xiao Han. Isnât he cute and handsome?â
Meng Ze silently went âheheâ in his heart. Half his face was covered, what was there to see? However, the other personâs chin was somewhat similar to Secretary Gengâs, it only looked a little more defined.
He quickly got up and willfully sized Xiang Han up while musing, âNice to meet you, XiaoâHanââ
For some strange reason, Xiang Han trembled and felt that there was something hidden in those words. However, he recalled that the original host hadnât had any contact with Meng Ze before he started cross-dressing, so there shouldnât be any grudges.
Having comforted himself with a few words, Xiang Han finally relaxed and deepened his voice as he spoke. âNice to meet you, Mr Meng.â
They shook hands and Xiang Han keenly felt the other person exert some force. A strange feeling swept across his heart.
Meng Ze thought to himself, how soft, it doesnât seem like a manâs hand. Unfortunately, he hadnât touched Secretary Gengâs hands before, so he couldnât make a comparison.
Seeing their âharmoniousâ interaction, Mother Meng was pleased. âIt sounds so courteous to call him Mr Meng. You two used to play together when you were young. Right, Xiao Han used to call Xiao Ze gege, do you still remember?â
âHeheâŠâ Xiang Han smiled stiffly and pulled his hand back with great difficulty. âI donât quite recall.â
âAh, you were still young. But Xiao Ze should remember, isnât that right?â Mother Meng asked Meng Ze.
Meng Ze actually couldnât recall. He only knew he had a playmate when he was younger, but he had completely forgotten who it was.
Father Geng heard this and said, âXiao Han has a picture. Why donât you get the photo album out for everyone to see?â
Album? Xiang Han was shocked. The first thing that crossed his mind was: Canât let Meng Ze see the original hostâs teenage photos! Canât slip up!
âAlright, Iâll go get it.â He hurried up the stairs and locked the door behind him.
Observing his frantic manner, Meng Zeâs eyes glinted. âIâll go too.â
Meng Zeâs parents smiled and exchanged a look, leaving Father Geng confused.
Xiang Han found the album and only managed to hide two pictures before he heard a knock. His hands shook and he raised his voice. âWho?â
âXiao Han didi, itâs me.â Meng Zeâs voice carried a strange glee, as if he was about to uncover something.
âWait.â Xiang Han sped up his actions.
To be safe, Xiang Han threw the photos into his space before sighing in relief. He picked up the album and opened the door.
âI found it, letâsâŠâ
Xiang Han intended to go down. However, Meng Ze suddenly barged into the room and swiftly shut the door.
âY-You, what do you want?â Xiang Han stared at him, growing anxious.
Meng Ze slowly moved closer. After a moment, he suddenly reached out to take the sunglasses off. HoweverâŠhe pulled at it twice, but failed to get it off.
Xiang Han immediately slapped his hand away calmly. âIâve put on an anti-slip cover.â
Having failed once, Xiang Han was clearly more prepared and did not allow for a second chance. Meng Ze scanned the room once over and calmly asked, âXiao Han didi isnât going to bring me around for a tour?â
âHehe, the room is only so big. Thereâs nothing much to tour.â Xiang Han laughed dryly and reminded him, âEveryoneâs waiting for us.â
When walking past the table, his gaze was attracted by a notebook.
Xiang Han immediately sensed danger and looked over, and saw several huge characters written at the top-most corner: 99 Ways To Conquer The Overbearing CEO!
Shit. Those were the strategies he had summarised earlier. He rushed over and slammed it close with a bang. âThatâs⊠I like reading novels⊠especially those summariesâŠâ
Meng Zeâs gaze grew deeper and quickly made up a story for himself. In City Aâs business district, presidents with some influence were either old or promiscuous. Otherwise, they already had a family. Other than him, who else could cause the Geng Familyâs young master to exert such a great deal of effort to chase him?
Geng Xiao Han was indeed crushing on him. So, he must be Secretary Geng.
Meng Zeâs stare made Xiang Hanâs hair stand on its end. He quickly shoved the notebook into a drawer and grabbed Meng Ze to leave the room.
Surprisingly, Meng Ze didnât put up any resistance and instead, stared at Xiang Hanâs hands pensively. He thought: So white and soft, completely unlike a manâs hand.
Noticing his gaze, Xiang Han quickly released him. âLetâs hurry back down.â
He felt that Meng Ze was acting a little strange and his eyes were full of enquiry, as if he knew something. To avoid revealing any flaws, he hurriedly turned around and went downstairs.
Meng Ze stared at his retreating figure. After a while, he suddenly took out his cell phone and dialed Secretary Gengâs number.
Fortunately, Xiang Han had rushed over too anxiously and accidentally left his mobile phone in his rental apartment.
After calling several times with no one to answer, he called Assistant Fang and asked, âWhere is Secretary Geng?â
After hearing that Secretary Geng had requested for leave, he chuckled lightly and mused, âWhat a coincidence.â
âProbably because he had too much to drink last night.â Assistant Fang explained.
Meng Ze ignored him and hung up the phone. He put his hands in his pockets and went downstairs indifferently.
Seeing him come back down, Mother Meng called him over hurriedly. âXiao Ze, come and take a look. This is a picture of you playing in the mud with Xiao Han when you were young.â
Meng Ze glanced at him and subconsciously said, âHe didnât used to be so pale.â
Mother Meng gave him a look, but Father Geng agreed, âHe has indeed become fairer, especially in recent times, I almost didnât dare to recognise him when he first entered the door.â
Xiang Han awkwardly explained, âIâve been busy with work recently and havenât had time to go out much..â
In fact, it was because he had soaked in the spring water for too long. He originally wanted to relieve some fatigue, but didnât expect that the more he soaked, the fairer his skin would become, so he didnât dare to use it now.
Father Geng was dissatisfied. âWhatâs the point of a man being so fair? Itâs okay to go out more. Look at Xiao Ze, thatâs what you call a healthy complexion.â
Meng Ze was calm on the surface, but in fact, he was quite anxious. He was almost 90% certain that Geng Xiao Han was Secretary Geng. After hearing that Geng Xiao Han didnât used to be so fair, he recalled Secretary Gengâs smooth, white legs with inconspicuous hairs.
A guess flashed through his mind, Geng Xiao Han⊠couldnât have gone for estrogen treatment, right? Just because he said he liked women?
Thinking of this possibility, his gaze suddenly became complicated.
He always thought that Geng Xiao Han was simply a dandy young master, living wantonly and unrestrained. He never expected that the other party would be so affectionate. The reason why he called off the engagement in the beginning was because he didnât like being controlled, and he didnât want to marry someone he had never met before. However, he never expected that something he took for granted would have such a big impact on another person.
Meng Ze felt a little glum. He suddenly remembered that since he arrived, Geng Xiao Han didnât dare look directly at him. Furthermore, he noticed that the palms of his hands were also slightly sweaty when they shook hands. Isnât this the kind of attitude one would have when facing their crush?
At lunch, Meng Ze deliberately sat next to Xiang Han. He sighed internally when he saw the other person instantly stiffen.
After getting closer, he was able to observe more carefully. He saw that Xiang Hanâs skin was smooth and fair, like warm jade. His feelings grew even more complicated.
Probably due to such thoughts, Meng Ze suddenly felt that his Adamâs apple was not as obvious as before.
Xiang Han trembled under his hawk-like gaze, and thought to himself: Whatâs going on with Meng Ze? Did he suddenly become bent, or had Geng Xiao Han offended him before?
On the way back, Mrs. Meng smiled and asked, âHow was it, Xiao Ze? Isnât that kid sensible? You stared at him until your eyes nearly fell out.â
Meng Ze coughed lightly and asked, âMom, did he suddenly turn fairer recently?â
Mother Meng was stunned for a moment, and then muttered to herself, âI didnât think about it until you mentioned it. I saw him once last month, but he didnât seem that fair yet.â
Meng Ze touched his forehead and sighed deeply. He seemed⊠to have sinned greatly.
Xiang Han, who thought he hadnât slipped up, let out a sigh of relief after sending the three members of the Meng family away.
Father Geng glanced at him and asked, âXiao Han, how do you view the Meng Familyâs son?â
Xiang Han, ââŠthrough my sunglasses.â
Father Geng swiped at him with his cane and said sternly, âBe serious.â
âUh, heâs fine. Whatâs the matter?â Xiang Han asked.
Father Geng sighed. âI can tell what the two elders were here for. Iâm afraid they donât intend to dissolve the marriage contract.â
âIsnât it already dissolved ? What about Meng Ze?â Xiang Han was dumbfounded, and he didnât know what to say.
He had struggled for so long as a female secretary, but hadnât made any progress at all. The cancelled engagement that showed no signs of getting better suddenly recovered by itself?
âMeng Zeâs attitude⊠is really hard to say. When he brought up the marriage contract last time, his attitude could be described as resolute and decisive. But today, he didnât say a word, andâŠâ Kept staring at you!
âCould it be because Auntie and the others were here, so heâs embarrassed to say it?â Xiang Han frowned and asked.
âMaybe.â Father Geng sighed. He thought that the Meng family was only here to express their apology, but the reality was a little different from what he thought.
Recalling Meng Zeâs personality in the business world, he couldnât help but persuade his stupid son, âXiao Han, you are not suitable for that kid, I think itâs better for you to give up. There is a good saying, a good horse does not turn back to eat old grass. Since he wanted to cancel the engagement, he must have really not wanted to be with you. Besides, itâs only been some time since the contract was dissolved. Even if he really changed his mind, itâs definitely not because he likes you. You need to grow wiser.â
Xiang Han nodded, but thought in his heart: IÂ want to eat, but the grass wonât let me1.
Chapter 7.07 â He Has Sinned
By the time Xiang Han rushed home, the members of the Meng family had already been sitting around for a while. Father Meng and Father Geng were admiring a painting, their heads bobbing closely. Meanwhile, Meng Ze and his mother sat by the side, occasionally chiming in.
Xiang Han walked into the living room and immediately, everyone turned to look at him, especially Meng Ze. His sharp gaze was full of probing intentions; it was difficult to ignore.
Xiang Han felt his scalp tingle but forced himself to call out a greeting, as if nothing was wrong. âDad, are you looking at the painting?â
Meng Zeâs gaze followed him, scanning him from head to toe, before fixing onto his face. The youth before him was slightly thin, and apart from the lack of chest, there were several degrees of similarity to Secretary Geng. As for his faceâŠ
âYouâre already indoors, why are you still wearing sunglasses? Quick take them off.â
Father Geng immediately hit his sore spot. Meng Ze nodded in agreement, his gaze not straying off Xiang Han.
Xiang Han coughed lightly, his voice hoarse. âNo thanks, I worked overtime last night, so my eyes are a little swollen.â
Hearing this, Father Gengâs tone softened with worry, âIs that so? Let me take a look.:
âYeah.â Xiang Han deliberately turned around, back-facing Meng Ze, as he lifted his sunglasses.
Meng Ze hurriedly turned too, stretching his neck out for a peek. But just as he caught a glimpse of Xiang Hanâs side profile, the sunglasses were back in place. He couldnât help feeling it was a pity.
On the other hand, Meng Zeâs mother had seen it.
âAiya, how could it be so red? You should get it checked at the hospital. Let Xiao Ze take you.â
Startled, Xiang Han hurriedly shook his head. âNo need, Iâll just buy some medicated eye drops from the pharmacy. Itâs from working overtime, itâs not a big deal.â
Mother Meng sighed. âIs your job very tiring? Look at your dark eye circles. And you, why did you have to find a job? Isnât it better to work at your familyâs company? Itâs your field tooâŠâ
Father Meng agreed. âWhere can you find jobs that arenât tiring nowadays? Especially those black-hearted people who wish for their employees to work 24 hours a dayâŠâ
Meng black-hearted Ze: ââŠâ Can you let me look at his face?
Realizing that Meng Ze had been staring at him, Xiang Han was simply anxious. After a few awkward conversations, he was dying to leave.
But Meng Zeâs mother suddenly piped up, âXiao Han, come here. Iâll introduce you guys. This is my son, Meng Ze.â After that, she turned to Meng Ze, âXiao Ze, this is Xiao Han. Isnât he cute and handsome?â
Meng Ze silently went âheheâ in his heart. Half his face was covered, what was there to see? However, the other personâs chin was somewhat similar to Secretary Gengâs, it only looked a little more defined.
He quickly got up and willfully sized Xiang Han up while musing, âNice to meet you, XiaoâHanââ
For some strange reason, Xiang Han trembled and felt that there was something hidden in those words. However, he recalled that the original host hadnât had any contact with Meng Ze before he started cross-dressing, so there shouldnât be any grudges.
Having comforted himself with a few words, Xiang Han finally relaxed and deepened his voice as he spoke. âNice to meet you, Mr Meng.â
They shook hands and Xiang Han keenly felt the other person exert some force. A strange feeling swept across his heart.
Meng Ze thought to himself, how soft, it doesnât seem like a manâs hand. Unfortunately, he hadnât touched Secretary Gengâs hands before, so he couldnât make a comparison.
Seeing their âharmoniousâ interaction, Mother Meng was pleased. âIt sounds so courteous to call him Mr Meng. You two used to play together when you were young. Right, Xiao Han used to call Xiao Ze gege, do you still remember?â
âHeheâŠâ Xiang Han smiled stiffly and pulled his hand back with great difficulty. âI donât quite recall.â
âAh, you were still young. But Xiao Ze should remember, isnât that right?â Mother Meng asked Meng Ze.
Meng Ze actually couldnât recall. He only knew he had a playmate when he was younger, but he had completely forgotten who it was.
Father Geng heard this and said, âXiao Han has a picture. Why donât you get the photo album out for everyone to see?â
Album? Xiang Han was shocked. The first thing that crossed his mind was: Canât let Meng Ze see the original hostâs teenage photos! Canât slip up!
âAlright, Iâll go get it.â He hurried up the stairs and locked the door behind him.
Observing his frantic manner, Meng Zeâs eyes glinted. âIâll go too.â
Meng Zeâs parents smiled and exchanged a look, leaving Father Geng confused.
Xiang Han found the album and only managed to hide two pictures before he heard a knock. His hands shook and he raised his voice. âWho?â
âXiao Han didi, itâs me.â Meng Zeâs voice carried a strange glee, as if he was about to uncover something.
âWait.â Xiang Han sped up his actions.
To be safe, Xiang Han threw the photos into his space before sighing in relief. He picked up the album and opened the door.
âI found it, letâsâŠâ
Xiang Han intended to go down. However, Meng Ze suddenly barged into the room and swiftly shut the door.
âY-You, what do you want?â Xiang Han stared at him, growing anxious.
Meng Ze slowly moved closer. After a moment, he suddenly reached out to take the sunglasses off. HoweverâŠhe pulled at it twice, but failed to get it off.
Xiang Han immediately slapped his hand away calmly. âIâve put on an anti-slip cover.â
Having failed once, Xiang Han was clearly more prepared and did not allow for a second chance. Meng Ze scanned the room once over and calmly asked, âXiao Han didi isnât going to bring me around for a tour?â
âHehe, the room is only so big. Thereâs nothing much to tour.â Xiang Han laughed dryly and reminded him, âEveryoneâs waiting for us.â
When walking past the table, his gaze was attracted by a notebook.
Xiang Han immediately sensed danger and looked over, and saw several huge characters written at the top-most corner: 99 Ways To Conquer The Overbearing CEO!
Shit. Those were the strategies he had summarised earlier. He rushed over and slammed it close with a bang. âThatâs⊠I like reading novels⊠especially those summariesâŠâ
Meng Zeâs gaze grew deeper and quickly made up a story for himself. In City Aâs business district, presidents with some influence were either old or promiscuous. Otherwise, they already had a family. Other than him, who else could cause the Geng Familyâs young master to exert such a great deal of effort to chase him?
Geng Xiao Han was indeed crushing on him. So, he must be Secretary Geng.
Meng Zeâs stare made Xiang Hanâs hair stand on its end. He quickly shoved the notebook into a drawer and grabbed Meng Ze to leave the room.
Surprisingly, Meng Ze didnât put up any resistance and instead, stared at Xiang Hanâs hands pensively. He thought: So white and soft, completely unlike a manâs hand.
Noticing his gaze, Xiang Han quickly released him. âLetâs hurry back down.â
He felt that Meng Ze was acting a little strange and his eyes were full of enquiry, as if he knew something. To avoid revealing any flaws, he hurriedly turned around and went downstairs.
Meng Ze stared at his retreating figure. After a while, he suddenly took out his cell phone and dialed Secretary Gengâs number.
Fortunately, Xiang Han had rushed over too anxiously and accidentally left his mobile phone in his rental apartment.
After calling several times with no one to answer, he called Assistant Fang and asked, âWhere is Secretary Geng?â
After hearing that Secretary Geng had requested for leave, he chuckled lightly and mused, âWhat a coincidence.â
âProbably because he had too much to drink last night.â Assistant Fang explained.
Meng Ze ignored him and hung up the phone. He put his hands in his pockets and went downstairs indifferently.
Seeing him come back down, Mother Meng called him over hurriedly. âXiao Ze, come and take a look. This is a picture of you playing in the mud with Xiao Han when you were young.â
Meng Ze glanced at him and subconsciously said, âHe didnât used to be so pale.â
Mother Meng gave him a look, but Father Geng agreed, âHe has indeed become fairer, especially in recent times, I almost didnât dare to recognise him when he first entered the door.â
Xiang Han awkwardly explained, âIâve been busy with work recently and havenât had time to go out much..â
In fact, it was because he had soaked in the spring water for too long. He originally wanted to relieve some fatigue, but didnât expect that the more he soaked, the fairer his skin would become, so he didnât dare to use it now.
Father Geng was dissatisfied. âWhatâs the point of a man being so fair? Itâs okay to go out more. Look at Xiao Ze, thatâs what you call a healthy complexion.â
Meng Ze was calm on the surface, but in fact, he was quite anxious. He was almost 90% certain that Geng Xiao Han was Secretary Geng. After hearing that Geng Xiao Han didnât used to be so fair, he recalled Secretary Gengâs smooth, white legs with inconspicuous hairs.
A guess flashed through his mind, Geng Xiao Han⊠couldnât have gone for estrogen treatment, right? Just because he said he liked women?
Thinking of this possibility, his gaze suddenly became complicated.
He always thought that Geng Xiao Han was simply a dandy young master, living wantonly and unrestrained. He never expected that the other party would be so affectionate. The reason why he called off the engagement in the beginning was because he didnât like being controlled, and he didnât want to marry someone he had never met before. However, he never expected that something he took for granted would have such a big impact on another person.
Meng Ze felt a little glum. He suddenly remembered that since he arrived, Geng Xiao Han didnât dare look directly at him. Furthermore, he noticed that the palms of his hands were also slightly sweaty when they shook hands. Isnât this the kind of attitude one would have when facing their crush?
At lunch, Meng Ze deliberately sat next to Xiang Han. He sighed internally when he saw the other person instantly stiffen.
After getting closer, he was able to observe more carefully. He saw that Xiang Hanâs skin was smooth and fair, like warm jade. His feelings grew even more complicated.
Probably due to such thoughts, Meng Ze suddenly felt that his Adamâs apple was not as obvious as before.
Xiang Han trembled under his hawk-like gaze, and thought to himself: Whatâs going on with Meng Ze? Did he suddenly become bent, or had Geng Xiao Han offended him before?
On the way back, Mrs. Meng smiled and asked, âHow was it, Xiao Ze? Isnât that kid sensible? You stared at him until your eyes nearly fell out.â
Meng Ze coughed lightly and asked, âMom, did he suddenly turn fairer recently?â
Mother Meng was stunned for a moment, and then muttered to herself, âI didnât think about it until you mentioned it. I saw him once last month, but he didnât seem that fair yet.â
Meng Ze touched his forehead and sighed deeply. He seemed⊠to have sinned greatly.
Xiang Han, who thought he hadnât slipped up, let out a sigh of relief after sending the three members of the Meng family away.
Father Geng glanced at him and asked, âXiao Han, how do you view the Meng Familyâs son?â
Xiang Han, ââŠthrough my sunglasses.â
Father Geng swiped at him with his cane and said sternly, âBe serious.â
âUh, heâs fine. Whatâs the matter?â Xiang Han asked.
Father Geng sighed. âI can tell what the two elders were here for. Iâm afraid they donât intend to dissolve the marriage contract.â
âIsnât it already dissolved ? What about Meng Ze?â Xiang Han was dumbfounded, and he didnât know what to say.
He had struggled for so long as a female secretary, but hadnât made any progress at all. The cancelled engagement that showed no signs of getting better suddenly recovered by itself?
âMeng Zeâs attitude⊠is really hard to say. When he brought up the marriage contract last time, his attitude could be described as resolute and decisive. But today, he didnât say a word, andâŠâ Kept staring at you!
âCould it be because Auntie and the others were here, so heâs embarrassed to say it?â Xiang Han frowned and asked.
âMaybe.â Father Geng sighed. He thought that the Meng family was only here to express their apology, but the reality was a little different from what he thought.
Recalling Meng Zeâs personality in the business world, he couldnât help but persuade his stupid son, âXiao Han, you are not suitable for that kid, I think itâs better for you to give up. There is a good saying, a good horse does not turn back to eat old grass. Since he wanted to cancel the engagement, he must have really not wanted to be with you. Besides, itâs only been some time since the contract was dissolved. Even if he really changed his mind, itâs definitely not because he likes you. You need to grow wiser.â
Xiang Han nodded, but thought in his heart: IÂ want to eat, but the grass wonât let me1.