Chapter 34 Glimmer (3) I'm not at ease.

One week later, the International Architecture Forum.

The dazzling crystal chandelier reflected a mesmerizing halo, and the air was filled with the scent of expensive perfume and insincere small talk.

Wen Chen stood on the podium, with a huge 3D rendering of the "Homecoming" project behind him. He wore a well-tailored dark gray suit, and his gaze behind his gold-rimmed glasses was cool and rational, exuding an aura of asceticism and professional elite.

“Designer Wen, forgive my bluntness.” A jarring voice shattered the previously peaceful Q&A session. In the first row, Chen Xu, a partner at a well-known architectural firm, stood up, a disturbingly forced smile on his face. “‘Returning Home’ design is indeed stunning, but that double-curved, one-piece casting process costs more than three times the conventional amount.”

He glanced around, then raised his voice meaningfully: "Architecture should be a balance between practicality and art, not a way to show off skills without restraint by taking investors' money. Or... does Designer Wen have a sugar daddy behind him, just trying to make you laugh?"

The entire audience erupted in uproar. Countless gazes, like searchlights, focused on Wen Chen's face, a mixture of scrutiny and mockery, while whispers buzzed like mosquitoes.

"I heard that Mosheng Capital has increased its investment by tens of millions..."

"No wonder, so he has powerful backers."

I sat in the shadows at the far corner of the special guest seating area.

Gu Moheng was toying with a pen in his hand, his right hand, wrapped in gauze, extremely conspicuous. Upon hearing this, he stopped what he was doing. His previously languid eyes instantly hardened, like a wild beast whose territory had been invaded, locking onto the oblivious Chen Xu.

Just as Gu Moheng was about to get up.

Wen Chen on stage showed no sign of panic, not even the smile on his lips changed. He stretched out his slender fingers and gently pushed up his glasses. His clear, cool voice carried through the microphone to every corner: "Mr. Chen, if you don't understand fluid mechanics and the refractive index of light, I suggest you take some basic first-year courses."

"Please look at the big screen." He pressed the remote control, and the screen instantly switched to dense data models and wind tunnel test diagrams.

“This curved design is not just for show.” Wen Chen pointed to a striking red curve, his eyes sharp as a blade. “It can increase the natural lighting inside the building by 45% and reduce energy consumption by 30% in the summer through the airflow effect. The electricity savings over three years are enough to cover the additional construction costs.”

He paused, his gaze sharp as a knife, piercing straight at Chen Xu.

"As for the 'sugar daddy' you mentioned," Wen Chen sneered, displaying the absolute arrogance of a top designer, "my work is my strongest asset. I don't need anyone to 'make me laugh'."

The entire room fell silent for two seconds.

Then, thunderous applause erupted.

Gu Moheng sat below the stage, gazing at that radiant figure. His heart pounded in his chest, a mix of pride and bitterness surging within him. His Wen Chen had grown into a towering tree, needing no one's protection.

Even if that person is him.

Chen Xu sat down with a livid face and a venomous look in his eyes.

A celebratory dinner followed the forum.

Wen Chen was surrounded by people toasting him, and those who had been observing him were now showering him with praise and flattery.

"Teacher Wen, that battle you fought just now was brilliant!"

"Yeah, that Chen Xu is just a sour grapes."

Wen Chen responded politely, but her eyes involuntarily searched the crowd.

No.

That figure that was always there, like a shadow, is gone.

Just as he was slightly distracted, a commotion broke out at the entrance of the banquet hall. Chen Xu, who had been so aggressive just moments before, was now being stopped by two men in uniform. "Mr. Chen, someone has reported that your award-winning work from five years ago is suspected of serious plagiarism and involves commercial bribery. Please come with us to assist in the investigation." The voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for everyone around to hear clearly.

Chen Xu's face turned deathly pale instantly, and the wine glass in his hand shattered with a "crack".

"Nonsense! That happened five years ago... How could that be..."

The crowd erupted in an uproar, with phone notifications popping up everywhere.

A well-known financial blogger has just revealed a 30-page chain of evidence, clearly structured and irrefutable, directly accusing Chen Xu of stealing his famous work from an unknown student's graduation project. Even the bank transfer records from that time have been thoroughly investigated.

This swift and decisive approach, this ruthless leaving no way out...

Wen Chen's fingers tightened suddenly around the wine glass, his knuckles turning white. He looked up, his gaze passing through the bustling crowd and landing precisely on the second-floor terrace.

There, Gu Moheng leaned against the railing, one hand in his pocket, an unlit cigarette between his fingers. Across the distance and the dazzling lights, their gazes met in mid-air.

Gu Moheng remained calm, simply raising his glass of soda water in a distant gesture of respect to Wen Chen.

Wen Chen tilted his head back and downed the glass of red wine in one gulp. The spicy liquid burned down his throat, but it couldn't extinguish the nameless fire in his heart. He drank a little too quickly, until the light and shadows before his eyes began to overlap, until his steps began to falter. He pushed away the assistant who tried to help him and stumbled out.

"I'll go back myself."

As soon as I stepped out of the hotel, a gust of cold wind hit me.

Wen Chen shivered, the smell of alcohol rising in his stomach. A black Maybach silently slid up in front of him.

The car window rolled down, revealing Gu Moheng's well-defined profile.

"Get in the car."

Wen Chen squinted at the man in front of him. The alcohol amplified his emotions and tore apart his usual facade. He opened the car door and slumped inside.

The car was well-heated, a temperature Gu Moheng had deliberately set high. A faint scent of cedar filled the air, mixed with the smell of alcohol on Wen Chen.

Gu Moheng didn't let the driver start the car, but instead raised the front and rear partitions.

In the cramped space, only their heavy breathing could be heard.

"You did what Chen Xu did."

Wen Chen leaned back in the leather chair, closed his eyes, and spoke in a slightly muffled but firm voice.

Gu Moheng paused, his hand holding the thermos cup still. "He deserves to die," he said calmly, as if he were crushing an ant.

"You managed to bring up a five-year-old grievance in just half an hour?" Wen Chen turned his head and opened his eyes. His usually clear eyes were now bloodshot, tinged with drunkenness and sharpness. "President Gu's methods are truly astonishing."

Gu Moheng unscrewed the thermos, poured a cup of warm water, and handed over a pill.

"Drink some water; this is a hangover cure."

Wen Chen didn't take it. He suddenly reached out and grabbed Gu Moheng's tie. Gu Moheng was forced to bend down, and their noses almost touched.

"Gu Moheng."

Wen Chen stared into those eyes so close to his own, eyes that held unfathomable darkness and a deep affection carefully concealed. "What exactly do you want?" Fueled by alcohol, Wen Chen's voice trembled, carrying a long-suppressed outburst.

Wen Chen's fingers tightened until they turned white, making it difficult for Gu Moheng to breathe. But he didn't move, letting Wen Chen vent his anger.

"What role are you playing exactly?"

Wen Chen released his hand, but his fingertips slid down Gu Moheng's cheek and finally stopped at his heart, where he poked it twice hard.

"Is he a devoted guardian spirit?"

"Or is he a penitent filled with remorse?"

"Or..."

Wen Chen gave a desolate laugh. "A dictator who wants to regain control of my life?"

Gu Moheng felt as if his heart was being gripped tightly by a large hand, the pain turning his face pale. He grabbed Wen Chen's wildly stabbing hand and held it tightly in his palm. That hand was icy cold and trembling slightly.

"Neither."

Gu Moheng's voice was hoarse, with a hint of pleading. He lowered his head and reverently kissed Wen Chen's fingertips, "I just... want to pick up all the pebbles on the road."

“I used to think that pushing you away was a way of protecting you, but I was wrong.”

Gu Moheng raised his eyes, his usually cold and sharp gaze now filled with shattered light. "Right now, I just want you to have a smoother journey, even if you don't need it."

"Wen Chen, I don't want to control you." Gu Moheng pressed Wen Chen's hand against his cheek, a gesture of complete submission. "I want to give you my life."

Wen Chen looked at him, at this man who was once so proud and arrogant, now as humble as dust. The defenses in her heart, soaked in alcohol, were crumbling.

"Who cares?"

Wen Chen abruptly pulled his hand back and turned to look at the neon lights flashing past the window, but Gu Moheng's tears couldn't be contained and fell onto the back of his hand.

"drive."

Gu Moheng's voice choked with emotion, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes, as he gently tucked Wen Chen's slipped coat under his arm.

The car came to a smooth stop in the shadows below the apartment building, the windshield wipers still swishing tirelessly.

Wen Chen felt his head was very heavy, as if a thousand pounds of cement had been poured into his brain. The dizziness amplified by the alcohol made it difficult for him to even lift his eyelids, but he could still clearly feel the presence of the man next to him.

"arrive."

Gu Moheng's voice was very soft, as if he was afraid of startling something.

The car door was pulled open, and a blast of cold air rushed in.

Wen Chen flinched, instinctively trying to pull his coat tighter. The next second, a warm coat was draped over his shoulders.

Gu Moheng had gotten out of the car at some point and walked around to this side, bending down to shield Wen Chen from the wind. His right hand, wrapped in gauze, flashed before Wen Chen's eyes.

It's extremely bright.

Wen Chen felt inexplicably irritated and slapped away Gu Moheng's outstretched hand.

"Don't touch me." He was more aggressive than usual, fueled by alcohol.

Gu Moheng's hand froze in mid-air, but he wasn't annoyed. He simply pulled it back and put it in his pocket.

"Okay, I won't touch it."

Wen Chen staggered off the car, her feet feeling as if they were walking on cotton, weak and powerless.

Gu Moheng followed closely behind, always keeping a step's distance.

He neither got too close nor too far away. As soon as Wen Chen showed the slightest sign of falling, he would immediately rush forward to cushion his fall.

The mirrored stainless steel in the elevator reflected two disheveled and seemingly estranged figures. Wen Chen leaned against the elevator wall, eyes closed, brows furrowed, and a wave of nausea washing over him.

With a "ding," we arrived at our floor.

Wen Chen skillfully entered the password and unlocked the door with his fingerprint. The door had barely opened a crack when he sensed the person behind him trying to follow him in.

"President Gu."

Wen Chen turned around, placing one hand on the door frame to block his way.

He slightly raised his chin, his eyes unfocused yet sharp.

"That's fine, Mr. Gu. Does your business also include putting someone to sleep?"

Gu Moheng stood in the dim light of the corridor. His deep eyes greedily scanned Wen Chen's face, as if trying to find a trace of reluctance in that indifferent expression. But Wen Chen was truly drunk, so drunk that she forgot this was Gu Moheng's home.

Gu Moheng didn't expose him, but looked at Wen Chen and said softly, "Your stomach isn't good, and you just drank so much alcohol. I'm worried about you."

"Whatever you want." Wen Chen let go of her hand, turned around, and stumbled towards the bedroom.

Gu Moheng watched the retreating figure, then slipped into the house. Soon, the sounds of running water and slicing ginger came from the kitchen. Operating with one hand was somewhat clumsy.

Wen Chen threw herself onto the soft bed without even taking off her shoes. The ceiling was spinning, and her consciousness was repeatedly pulled between wakefulness and drowsiness.

After an unknown amount of time, a warm touch came from her cheek. It was Gu Moheng's fingers, cautious and tentative. "Get up and drink some soup before you sleep, otherwise you'll have a headache tomorrow."

Gu Moheng knelt by the bed, holding a porcelain bowl in his hand.

Wen Chen opened her eyes with difficulty. Backlit, Gu Moheng's features appeared exceptionally gentle, much like that twenty-year-old boy.

“Gu Moheng…”

Wen Chen murmured, reaching out her hand, her fingertips touching Gu Moheng's chin, where the stubble was a bit prickly.

A realistic tactile experience.

Gu Moheng shuddered, his breathing instantly becoming erratic. He grabbed Wen Chen's hand and rubbed his cheek against Wen Chen's palm, saying, "I'm here."

"You look so old..."

Wen Chen mumbled something in a daze, with a hint of disdain.

Gu Moheng: "..."

Before the bitterness in my heart could even spread, it was choked back by those words.

"Drink the soup."

Gu Moheng sighed helplessly and held the spoon to Wen Chen's lips. Wen Chen opened her mouth mechanically and swallowed like a puppet.

After finishing his soup, Gu Moheng put down his bowl and his gaze fell on Wen Chen's feet, which were still wearing leather shoes.

"Lift your foot." Gu Moheng reached out to untie Wen Chen's shoelaces, but his injured hand was not very flexible, so he untied them very slowly.

Wen Chen abruptly pulled her foot back, and the sole of her leather shoe landed lightly on Gu Moheng's shoulder.

A dusty gray shoe print suddenly appeared on the black shirt.

Gu Moheng swayed slightly, but did not dodge.

"Don't touch me." Wen Chen's voice trembled slightly.

"Dirty." Wen Chen uttered a single word, it was unclear whether he meant the shoes were dirty or the person was dirty.

Gu Moheng grasped the ankle that had kicked his shoulder; even through the sock, his palm was burning hot.

"If you think it's dirty, just kick it away." Gu Moheng raised his head, his eyes burning with two dark flames. "As long as you feel better." He forcefully and neatly took off Wen Chen's shoes and socks. Then he got up, took off Wen Chen's coat, pulled the blanket over her, and wrapped her up tightly.

"Go to sleep."

Gu Moheng tucked the blanket around him and gently touched Wen Chen's brow with his fingertip.

Wen Chen truly couldn't hold on any longer. His eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and before darkness descended, he seemed to hear a very soft sigh. "I've given you my life, this little bit of interest isn't too much to ask, is it..."