Chapter 7.07 – 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. “Dad, are you looking at the painting?”

Meng Ze’s 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 face…

“You’re already indoors, why are you still wearing sunglasses? Quick take them off.”

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. “No thanks, I worked overtime last night, so my eyes are a little swollen.”

Hearing this, Father Geng’s tone softened with worry, “Is that so? Let me take a look.:

“Yeah.” 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 Han’s side profile, the sunglasses were back in place. He couldn’t help feeling it was a pity.

On the other hand, Meng Ze’s mother had seen it.

“Aiya, how could it be so red? You should get it checked at the hospital. Let Xiao Ze take you.”

Startled, Xiang Han hurriedly shook his head. “No need, I’ll just buy some medicated eye drops from the pharmacy. It’s from working overtime, it’s not a big deal.”

Mother Meng sighed. “Is your job very tiring? Look at your dark eye circles. And you, why did you have to find a job? Isn’t it better to work at your family’s company? It’s your field too…”

Father Meng agreed. “Where can you find jobs that aren’t tiring nowadays? Especially those black-hearted people who wish for their employees to work 24 hours a day…”

Meng black-hearted Ze: “…” 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 Ze’s mother suddenly piped up, “Xiao Han, come here. I’ll introduce you guys. This is my son, Meng Ze.” After that, she turned to Meng Ze, “Xiao Ze, this is Xiao Han. Isn’t he cute and handsome?”

Meng Ze silently went ‘hehe’ in his heart. Half his face was covered, what was there to see? However, the other person’s chin was somewhat similar to Secretary Geng’s, it only looked a little more defined.

He quickly got up and willfully sized Xiang Han up while musing, “Nice to meet you, Xiao—Han—”

For some strange reason, Xiang Han trembled and felt that there was something hidden in those words. However, he recalled that the original host hadn’t had any contact with Meng Ze before he started cross-dressing, so there shouldn’t be any grudges.

Having comforted himself with a few words, Xiang Han finally relaxed and deepened his voice as he spoke. “Nice to meet you, Mr Meng.”

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 doesn’t seem like a man’s hand. Unfortunately, he hadn’t touched Secretary Geng’s hands before, so he couldn’t make a comparison.

Seeing their ‘harmonious’ interaction, Mother Meng was pleased. “It 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?”

“Hehe…” Xiang Han smiled stiffly and pulled his hand back with great difficulty. “I don’t quite recall.”

“Ah, you were still young. But Xiao Ze should remember, isn’t that right?” Mother Meng asked Meng Ze.

Meng Ze actually couldn’t 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, “Xiao Han has a picture. Why don’t you get the photo album out for everyone to see?”

Album? Xiang Han was shocked. The first thing that crossed his mind was: Can’t let Meng Ze see the original host’s teenage photos! Can’t slip up!

“Alright, I’ll go get it.” He hurried up the stairs and locked the door behind him.

Observing his frantic manner, Meng Ze’s eyes glinted. “I’ll go too.”

Meng Ze’s 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. “Who?”

“Xiao Han didi, it’s me.” Meng Ze’s voice carried a strange glee, as if he was about to uncover something.

“Wait.” 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.

“I found it, let’s…”

Xiang Han intended to go down. However, Meng Ze suddenly barged into the room and swiftly shut the door.

“Y-You, what do you want?” Xiang Han stared at him, growing anxious.

Meng Ze slowly moved closer. After a moment, he suddenly reached out to take the sunglasses off. However…he pulled at it twice, but failed to get it off.

Xiang Han immediately slapped his hand away calmly. “I’ve put on an anti-slip cover.”

Meng Ze: “…”

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, “Xiao Han didi isn’t going to bring me around for a tour?”

“Hehe, the room is only so big. There’s nothing much to tour.” Xiang Han laughed dryly and reminded him, “Everyone’s waiting for us.”

Meng Ze didn’t reply.

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. “That’s… I like reading novels… especially those summaries…”

Meng Ze’s gaze grew deeper and quickly made up a story for himself. In City A’s 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 Family’s 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 Ze’s stare made Xiang Han’s hair stand on its end. He quickly shoved the notebook into a drawer and grabbed Meng Ze to leave the room.

Surprisingly, Meng Ze didn’t put up any resistance and instead, stared at Xiang Han’s hands pensively. He thought: So white and soft, completely unlike a man’s hand.

Noticing his gaze, Xiang Han quickly released him. “Let’s hurry back down.”

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 Geng’s 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, “Where is Secretary Geng?”

After hearing that Secretary Geng had requested for leave, he chuckled lightly and mused, “What a coincidence.”

“Probably because he had too much to drink last night.” 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. “Xiao Ze, come and take a look. This is a picture of you playing in the mud with Xiao Han when you were young.”

Meng Ze glanced at him and subconsciously said, “He didn’t used to be so pale.”

Mother Meng gave him a look, but Father Geng agreed, “He has indeed become fairer, especially in recent times, I almost didn’t dare to recognise him when he first entered the door.”

Xiang Han awkwardly explained, “I’ve been busy with work recently and haven’t had time to go out much..”

In fact, it was because he had soaked in the spring water for too long. He originally wanted to relieve some fatigue, but didn’t expect that the more he soaked, the fairer his skin would become, so he didn’t dare to use it now.

Father Geng was dissatisfied. “What’s the point of a man being so fair? It’s okay to go out more. Look at Xiao Ze, that’s what you call a healthy complexion.”

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 didn’t used to be so fair, he recalled Secretary Geng’s smooth, white legs with inconspicuous hairs.

A guess flashed through his mind, Geng Xiao Han… couldn’t 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 didn’t like being controlled, and he didn’t 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 didn’t dare look directly at him. Furthermore, he noticed that the palms of his hands were also slightly sweaty when they shook hands. Isn’t 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 Han’s 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 Adam’s apple was not as obvious as before.

Xiang Han trembled under his hawk-like gaze, and thought to himself: What’s 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, “How was it, Xiao Ze? Isn’t that kid sensible? You stared at him until your eyes nearly fell out.”

Meng Ze coughed lightly and asked, “Mom, did he suddenly turn fairer recently?”

Mother Meng was stunned for a moment, and then muttered to herself, “I didn’t think about it until you mentioned it. I saw him once last month, but he didn’t seem that fair yet.”

Meng Ze touched his forehead and sighed deeply. He seemed… to have sinned greatly.

Xiang Han, who thought he hadn’t 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, “Xiao Han, how do you view the Meng Family’s son?”

Xiang Han, “…through my sunglasses.”

Father Geng swiped at him with his cane and said sternly, “Be serious.”

“Uh, he’s fine. What’s the matter?” Xiang Han asked.

Father Geng sighed. “I can tell what the two elders were here for. I’m afraid they don’t intend to dissolve the marriage contract.”

“Isn’t it already dissolved ? What about Meng Ze?” Xiang Han was dumbfounded, and he didn’t know what to say.

He had struggled for so long as a female secretary, but hadn’t made any progress at all. The cancelled engagement that showed no signs of getting better suddenly recovered by itself?

“Meng Ze’s 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 didn’t say a word, and…” Kept staring at you!

“Could it be because Auntie and the others were here, so he’s embarrassed to say it?” Xiang Han frowned and asked.

“Maybe.” 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 Ze’s personality in the business world, he couldn’t help but persuade his stupid son, “Xiao Han, you are not suitable for that kid, I think it’s 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, it’s only been some time since the contract was dissolved. Even if he really changed his mind, it’s definitely not because he likes you. You need to grow wiser.”

Xiang Han nodded, but thought in his heart: I want to eat, but the grass won’t let me1.

Chapter 7.07 – 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. “Dad, are you looking at the painting?”

Meng Ze’s 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 face…

“You’re already indoors, why are you still wearing sunglasses? Quick take them off.”

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. “No thanks, I worked overtime last night, so my eyes are a little swollen.”

Hearing this, Father Geng’s tone softened with worry, “Is that so? Let me take a look.:

“Yeah.” 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 Han’s side profile, the sunglasses were back in place. He couldn’t help feeling it was a pity.

On the other hand, Meng Ze’s mother had seen it.

“Aiya, how could it be so red? You should get it checked at the hospital. Let Xiao Ze take you.”

Startled, Xiang Han hurriedly shook his head. “No need, I’ll just buy some medicated eye drops from the pharmacy. It’s from working overtime, it’s not a big deal.”

Mother Meng sighed. “Is your job very tiring? Look at your dark eye circles. And you, why did you have to find a job? Isn’t it better to work at your family’s company? It’s your field too…”

Father Meng agreed. “Where can you find jobs that aren’t tiring nowadays? Especially those black-hearted people who wish for their employees to work 24 hours a day…”

Meng black-hearted Ze: “…” 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 Ze’s mother suddenly piped up, “Xiao Han, come here. I’ll introduce you guys. This is my son, Meng Ze.” After that, she turned to Meng Ze, “Xiao Ze, this is Xiao Han. Isn’t he cute and handsome?”

Meng Ze silently went ‘hehe’ in his heart. Half his face was covered, what was there to see? However, the other person’s chin was somewhat similar to Secretary Geng’s, it only looked a little more defined.

He quickly got up and willfully sized Xiang Han up while musing, “Nice to meet you, Xiao—Han—”

For some strange reason, Xiang Han trembled and felt that there was something hidden in those words. However, he recalled that the original host hadn’t had any contact with Meng Ze before he started cross-dressing, so there shouldn’t be any grudges.

Having comforted himself with a few words, Xiang Han finally relaxed and deepened his voice as he spoke. “Nice to meet you, Mr Meng.”

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 doesn’t seem like a man’s hand. Unfortunately, he hadn’t touched Secretary Geng’s hands before, so he couldn’t make a comparison.

Seeing their ‘harmonious’ interaction, Mother Meng was pleased. “It 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?”

“Hehe…” Xiang Han smiled stiffly and pulled his hand back with great difficulty. “I don’t quite recall.”

“Ah, you were still young. But Xiao Ze should remember, isn’t that right?” Mother Meng asked Meng Ze.

Meng Ze actually couldn’t 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, “Xiao Han has a picture. Why don’t you get the photo album out for everyone to see?”

Album? Xiang Han was shocked. The first thing that crossed his mind was: Can’t let Meng Ze see the original host’s teenage photos! Can’t slip up!

“Alright, I’ll go get it.” He hurried up the stairs and locked the door behind him.

Observing his frantic manner, Meng Ze’s eyes glinted. “I’ll go too.”

Meng Ze’s 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. “Who?”

“Xiao Han didi, it’s me.” Meng Ze’s voice carried a strange glee, as if he was about to uncover something.

“Wait.” 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.

“I found it, let’s…”

Xiang Han intended to go down. However, Meng Ze suddenly barged into the room and swiftly shut the door.

“Y-You, what do you want?” Xiang Han stared at him, growing anxious.

Meng Ze slowly moved closer. After a moment, he suddenly reached out to take the sunglasses off. However…he pulled at it twice, but failed to get it off.

Xiang Han immediately slapped his hand away calmly. “I’ve put on an anti-slip cover.”

Meng Ze: “…”

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, “Xiao Han didi isn’t going to bring me around for a tour?”

“Hehe, the room is only so big. There’s nothing much to tour.” Xiang Han laughed dryly and reminded him, “Everyone’s waiting for us.”

Meng Ze didn’t reply.

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. “That’s… I like reading novels… especially those summaries…”

Meng Ze’s gaze grew deeper and quickly made up a story for himself. In City A’s 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 Family’s 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 Ze’s stare made Xiang Han’s hair stand on its end. He quickly shoved the notebook into a drawer and grabbed Meng Ze to leave the room.

Surprisingly, Meng Ze didn’t put up any resistance and instead, stared at Xiang Han’s hands pensively. He thought: So white and soft, completely unlike a man’s hand.

Noticing his gaze, Xiang Han quickly released him. “Let’s hurry back down.”

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 Geng’s 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, “Where is Secretary Geng?”

After hearing that Secretary Geng had requested for leave, he chuckled lightly and mused, “What a coincidence.”

“Probably because he had too much to drink last night.” 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. “Xiao Ze, come and take a look. This is a picture of you playing in the mud with Xiao Han when you were young.”

Meng Ze glanced at him and subconsciously said, “He didn’t used to be so pale.”

Mother Meng gave him a look, but Father Geng agreed, “He has indeed become fairer, especially in recent times, I almost didn’t dare to recognise him when he first entered the door.”

Xiang Han awkwardly explained, “I’ve been busy with work recently and haven’t had time to go out much..”

In fact, it was because he had soaked in the spring water for too long. He originally wanted to relieve some fatigue, but didn’t expect that the more he soaked, the fairer his skin would become, so he didn’t dare to use it now.

Father Geng was dissatisfied. “What’s the point of a man being so fair? It’s okay to go out more. Look at Xiao Ze, that’s what you call a healthy complexion.”

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 didn’t used to be so fair, he recalled Secretary Geng’s smooth, white legs with inconspicuous hairs.

A guess flashed through his mind, Geng Xiao Han… couldn’t 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 didn’t like being controlled, and he didn’t 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 didn’t dare look directly at him. Furthermore, he noticed that the palms of his hands were also slightly sweaty when they shook hands. Isn’t 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 Han’s 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 Adam’s apple was not as obvious as before.

Xiang Han trembled under his hawk-like gaze, and thought to himself: What’s 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, “How was it, Xiao Ze? Isn’t that kid sensible? You stared at him until your eyes nearly fell out.”

Meng Ze coughed lightly and asked, “Mom, did he suddenly turn fairer recently?”

Mother Meng was stunned for a moment, and then muttered to herself, “I didn’t think about it until you mentioned it. I saw him once last month, but he didn’t seem that fair yet.”

Meng Ze touched his forehead and sighed deeply. He seemed… to have sinned greatly.

Xiang Han, who thought he hadn’t 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, “Xiao Han, how do you view the Meng Family’s son?”

Xiang Han, “…through my sunglasses.”

Father Geng swiped at him with his cane and said sternly, “Be serious.”

“Uh, he’s fine. What’s the matter?” Xiang Han asked.

Father Geng sighed. “I can tell what the two elders were here for. I’m afraid they don’t intend to dissolve the marriage contract.”

“Isn’t it already dissolved ? What about Meng Ze?” Xiang Han was dumbfounded, and he didn’t know what to say.

He had struggled for so long as a female secretary, but hadn’t made any progress at all. The cancelled engagement that showed no signs of getting better suddenly recovered by itself?

“Meng Ze’s 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 didn’t say a word, and…” Kept staring at you!

“Could it be because Auntie and the others were here, so he’s embarrassed to say it?” Xiang Han frowned and asked.

“Maybe.” 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 Ze’s personality in the business world, he couldn’t help but persuade his stupid son, “Xiao Han, you are not suitable for that kid, I think it’s 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, it’s only been some time since the contract was dissolved. Even if he really changed his mind, it’s definitely not because he likes you. You need to grow wiser.”

Xiang Han nodded, but thought in his heart: I want to eat, but the grass won’t let me1.