The other side

Chen Chao returned very early; when he entered the door, Steve was still cooking the last dish.

Chen Chao stood at the kitchen door for a while and suddenly found the sight of this strong man cooking with an apron on him to be quite sexy.

"Boss, you're back. Go sit down for a bit, it'll be ready soon." Steve heard the noise, turned around and glanced back, but didn't stop what he was doing.

"It's okay, I'll just stand here for a while. You look very pleasing to the eye when you cook."

Chen Chao's words startled Steve, and in his daze, he didn't notice an oil droplet exploding onto his hand.

The shredded potatoes cooked quickly, but Steve felt like the time was stretching on endlessly. He knew that Chen Chao was standing behind him watching him, and he could almost picture Chen Chao looking at him.

Chen Chao wore a light gray suit when he went out today, and even at home, Chen Chao is used to standing very straight.

Right now, Chen Chao must be standing straight at the kitchen doorway, scrutinizing him inch by inch with an aggressive gaze, his face expressionless, like a wild beast observing its prey.

The imagery in his mind made Steve feel a change in a part of his body, making him feel uncomfortable and swollen.

Damn it! When did I become so sensitive!

Steve blushed and lowered his head to plate the stir-fried shredded potatoes. As he carried the plate out, he passed by Chen Chao, who didn't say anything but smiled slightly and followed his gaze.

"Boss..." Steve couldn't take it anymore and took off his apron, calling out as if begging for mercy.

"Huh?" Chen Chao pretended not to understand.

“We’re trained to be very sensitive to any gaze, could you please stop staring at me like that?” Steve said helplessly.

“They’re all mine now, so what’s wrong with looking at them?” Chen Chao laughed, walked to the dining table and sat down, waiting for Steve to bring the bowls and chopsticks.

The table was still set with some simple home-style dishes, a four-dish-and-one-soup meal that was enough for two people.

Steve handed the bowl and chopsticks to Chen Chao and sat down on the other side of the table. Not wanting to refute Chen Chao's assessment of "my people," he changed the subject: "I ran into Miss Chen at the mall today."

Chen Chao couldn't help but laugh out loud: "You don't need to call her Miss, just call her Chen Xi. We don't have that many rules in our family."

"Oh." The usually calm and alert top agent was somewhat stunned at this moment. "Big... Chenxi seems to be with her boyfriend, and that man named Kevin doesn't seem to know Chenxi's identity."

Chen Chao picked up a few bites of food, only managing to comment, "The shredded potatoes are too salty." He was clearly not surprised by Chen Xi's boyfriend.

After eating for a while without any rush, Chen Chao leisurely continued:

"Chenxi usually doesn't tell outsiders her identity, and the role she plays depends on her mood. This time, her character seems to be an ordinary working person."

"Would Kevin find it hard to accept if he found out Chenxi's true identity later?"

"That's his business. Let's wait until he's capable enough to reach the point where Chenxi is willing to tell him his identity."

"Oh." Steve suddenly felt sorry for the man named Kevin. "Is Chenxi like this because she's afraid others will approach her because of her identity?"

“Yes.” Chen Chao picked up a piece of braised pork and swallowed it, revealing an expression of enjoyment. “Whether you approach her because she owns a company or because she is a member of the Chen family, it will only bore her. She wants an ordinary life, and my father and I are happy to give her an ordinary life.”

"That's great." Steve took a bite of rice and suddenly felt a little envious of Chenxi.

Of the three children in the Chen family, Chen Xi was the happiest. She grew up surrounded by love, never knowing what hardship was, and could squander her life without any scruples.

Chen Chao glanced at Steve, guessing what Steve was thinking. But he said nothing. Time would prove that what he could give Chen Xi, he could give Steve as well.

"There's a dinner party the day after tomorrow. You'll come with me as my date."

"Huh? Me?" Steve was surprised. He could be a bodyguard, but a male companion?

“It’s an occasion where you need to bring your partner. I’m not used to bringing security, and I’m single, so I always let Trot fill in for me. Now that I have you, of course you’ll come with me.”

"But boss..." I'm a secret agent! An agent who should be hiding in the shadows! What kind of nonsense is it for me to be your date openly and legitimately...?

Furthermore, although Nutag does not prohibit homosexuality and the upper class has a relatively high tolerance for same-sex couples, you are the heir! Is it really okay for a family heir to have a same-sex partner?

Steve didn't say all that aloud; he knew Chen Chao would understand. His boss was the most meticulous person in the world.

"Listen to me." Chen Chao emphasized, without offering any further explanation.

"Your cooking skills are quite good. Does the training camp at Te'an teach this?" Chen Chao asked, then picked up two more bites of food.

"The training camp only teaches basic movements in case a mission requires disguise, but we can't guarantee that the food we make won't kill people. Your brother's cooking skills are questionable."

Chen Chao glanced at Steve, but didn't say anything about Steve's teasing of Chen Jiu.

"I mainly don't like going out during my rest time after leaving camp, and I don't like ordering takeout, so I can only buy groceries and cook for myself. My cooking skills aren't great, but they're edible."

"I'll try my best to come back for meals in the future." Chen Chao put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

“Okay, boss.” Steve smiled happily.

On Tuesday, Steve was still wearing Chenchao's clothes, a loose-fitting suit that he had customized two years ago.

Because it was a loose fit, it actually fit Steve very well, and the casual cut also suited Steve's free-spirited personality perfectly, as if it were tailor-made for him.

Song Canglan's engagement banquet was held at a villa in the suburbs. When Chen Chao's car drove into the front yard, there was quite a commotion in the banquet hall.

Although Song Canglan sent invitations to all six major families out of courtesy, he was merely a minor figure within a branch of the Song family. His engagement banquet was usually attended only by members of the Song family and other close collateral branches. Chen Chao, a legitimate heir to the family, would certainly not lower himself to attend.

But now Chen Chao has come in person. What does that mean?

Upon receiving the report, Song Canglan rushed to the front yard, just in time to see Chen Chao and Steve getting out of the car. The two stood side by side, similar in height and wearing matching outfits; from a distance, they looked like a perfect couple.

"Young Master Chen, why didn't you tell me you were coming? I'm so sorry for not being a good host." Song Canglan greeted Chen Chao with a smile.

"It's only right that I come to congratulate you on your engagement," Chen Chao said as he followed Song Canglan inside.

At this moment, a large number of people had gathered at the entrance of the banquet hall. Everyone was curiously looking at Chen Chao, guessing what his presence here meant, and also guessing who the person with him was.

"Who is this?" Song Canglan looked at Steve, trying to find out Steve's identity so as not to be disrespectful.

“Steve, my boyfriend,” Chen Chao replied simply.

Song Canglan understood the meaning behind it and stopped asking questions.

Walking to the center of the banquet hall, Chen Chao took a small box from Steve and handed it to Song Canglan.

"This is a gift from my father to you and your fiancée."

Chen Chao's voice wasn't loud, but everyone in the banquet hall was focused on him, and the conversations between the guests were barely audible, so even though his voice wasn't loud, it was enough for everyone to hear.

A slight gasp filled the banquet hall, and many eyes turned to Song Zifeng's face. Song Zifeng's face instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

It's one thing for Chen Chao to attend in person, but to also represent Chen Fei to deliver a congratulatory gift? What kind of operation is it for the heads of the six major families to deliver a congratulatory gift to the engagement banquet of a descendant of a branch family?

"Thank you, Uncle." Song Canglan accepted the gift with a smile, his lips almost reaching his eyes.

"Chen Chao, you actually have time to come today? I heard you've been very busy these past few days." Song Zifeng couldn't hold back any longer and took the initiative to greet him.

“Yes, I’m busy. Soka has been dealing with some troubles lately and it’s giving me a headache.” Chen Chao glanced at Song Zifeng meaningfully, “But my father said that Canglan is a rare talent in this generation and told me that I must come and support him.”

"How smoothly has the Soka matter been resolved?" Song Zifeng pressed.

"The matter is quite complicated, and it will take some time to sort it out. If it can be resolved smoothly, I will definitely support you even more next time, Zifeng."

Song Zifeng's eyes darted around, and he understood what Chen Chao meant.

Chen Chao meant that if he behaved himself, the Chen family would still recognize him as the heir of the Song family. But if he did not repent, Song Canglan would be his replacement.

Song Zifeng tightened his grip on the wine glass, but his expression remained unchanged. He turned his gaze to Steve and asked:

"I've never seen you bring a male companion before?"

Chen Chao smiled and said, "The past is the past. I've reached the age where I should have someone by my side."

"Shall I introduce myself?"

“Steve,” Chen Chao said, turning to Steve and gesturing, “Say hello, this is Young Master Song.”

"Hello, Mr. Song, nice to meet you." Steve extended his hand to Song Zifeng, his demeanor and manners were very proper.

Those who come out of the special security training camp can attend state banquets or entertain guests in brothels; there's no situation they can't handle.

"Hello." Song Zifeng shook hands with Steve gently, but his gaze remained fixed on Chen Chao's face.

"Don't you want to give me a proper introduction? Is it that mysterious?"

Chen Chao smiled noncommittally: "I thought it wasn't news that the Chen family had many secrets."

"Then have fun. I'll go help Canglan greet the guests." Song Zifeng wisely stopped asking questions.

"Please go ahead."

Although it was called a banquet, Chen Chao barely had time to eat anything from beginning to end. People kept coming up to chat with him; some wanted to build a relationship, some wanted to get information, and some wanted to gossip.

Chen Chao used different rhetoric to deal with different people, conveying varying degrees of information to each, maintaining politeness while subtly avoiding certain topics. Steve, watching from the sidelines, felt exhausted.

Steve stayed quietly by Chen Chao's side, only exchanging a few polite words with the guests when the topic turned to him. The rest of the time, he would take the opportunity to put some food on Chen Chao's plate so that he could have a bite to eat while he was busy entertaining people.

Chen Chao did not stay until the end of the banquet. After staying long enough that it would not be impolite, he left with Steve.

On the way back, Chen Chao raised the partition between the front and rear seats. He leaned back wearily in the back seat, took Steve's hand, and asked:

Do you know why I brought you here today?

"Boss, you want me to understand you better."

Chen Chao nodded.

The relationship between him and Steve was never equal. He knew everything about Steve, but Steve only knew Chen Chao, the deputy minister of Tean, and didn't know anything about Chen Chao, the heir of the Chen family.

He wanted Steve to see another side of him.

Because he wanted to one day be able to openly introduce his lover, Lin Yu, to everyone.