Caring gentleman
At this moment, Jinnan could not hear anything.
He could no longer hear the traffic outside the window, the boat horns in the Bay of Lucerne, the ding of the coffee machine and printer, or the beeping of his own heart.
He could only stare at Xu Zhiyuan and ask the question that was several years late.
"Is that from you?"
Xu Zhiyuan's financial situation was no secret. He earned the money for his master's degree in the US and the villa, but the money for this gift was his own personal savings, accumulated since childhood. Jin Licheng was generous with his children, and when Jin Nan returned home, his pocket money and clothes totaled one million.
Xu Zhiyuan stayed at home longer, and he did not spend much of the money given by Jin Licheng. He put it all in trust, which would generate money over time.
Jinnan was also curious. The thing Xu Zhiyuan lacked the least was money, so why couldn't he afford to buy a villa in Xuanshan?
Now he understood, because someone spent a lot of money to give him a gift he didn't know about.
Jin Nan always thought that it was a gift that Jin Licheng had dropped from his hand when giving it to a woman, and it was placed in a corner, left to gather dust.
Jinnan was completely soft-hearted. He was almost drunk by Xu Zhiyuan's partiality, not for the money, but for the heart that he had painstakingly designed and accumulated bit by bit.
Why did Xu Zhiyuan do this?
"Why don't you deliver it yourself?"
These words sounded like a reproach, and Jinnan felt a little annoyed. He should have spoken more softly, or at least not asked such rhetorical questions.
"I like it very much. I don't blame you, it's just..."
"I'm afraid you won't accept it." Xu Zhiyuan said.
Jinnan was stunned. He knew Xu Zhiyuan understood him, but he had no idea that Xu Zhiyuan also knew so clearly about his little thoughts, which were supported by his pride.
"You won't accept anything that's too expensive, not even if it's not a holiday gift. I worked hard to buy this," Xu Zhiyuan said. "I don't want it to be returned."
"Jinnan, I want it to be yours, even if it's just gathering dust in your closet."
Jinnan stood up, grabbed his coat and started to leave. Xu Zhiyuan stood in the distance, as if waiting for something.
Lu Yiqing saw Jin Nan coming out and hurriedly followed him: "Where are you going, President Jin? The meeting is about to start, and the directors are waiting."
Jinnan finally stopped.
He took out his cell phone, found a number and dialed it, but no one answered.
"Yiqing, help me make this call. Tell him that I want the things back, no matter the price."
Anything is fine. That is Xu Zhiyuan’s intention, and Jinnan cannot let him down.
It doesn't matter if he didn't know, but now that he knew, there was no reason to let him wander around. He made the mistake, and he had to solve it himself.
In Jinnan's office, Xu Zhiyuan, who was left alone, did not feel lost. He held the documents in his hand and smiled faintly.
In the past, he was so shortsighted that he only thought about not influencing or interfering, completely forgetting that the people he was watching could also be independent.
After Youyi's guidance, Xu Zhiyuan finally began to observe, test and look for evidence.
Jin Nan might love him. As long as Xu Zhiyuan does enough and well enough, Jin Nan will love him.
Xu Zhiyuan began to be grateful for his past self.
Fortunately, he was careful enough to plant many evidences of love when Jin Nan was unaware. As Jin Nan gradually discovered them, would she be moved by him?
They are not on the same household registration book, they are not related by blood, and they are not brothers.
As for Xu Zhiyuan, he is a man. As long as Jinnan does not object, Xu Zhiyuan can bear any pressure from the outside world and make everyone shut up.
As long as Jinnan nods, as long as he is willing.
On the first day of Jinnan's 23rd birthday, someone decided to pursue him silently.
*
Unfortunately, Jinnan couldn't do anything, like the brooch. Ke Zhuo had gone abroad for work, and his belongings were sent with his luggage, so the return trip would take half a year.
Ke Zhuo suggested mailing the jewelry back to China, but Jin Nan was worried about the valuables. He planned to find a business trip to Paname to find Ke Zhuo and pick it up in person. Ke Zhuo agreed without hesitation, not caring about the expensive jewelry.
"I love money, but I love the money I earn even more," Ke Zhuo said with a smile. "Thank you, Mr. Jin, for letting me try it out. I will definitely return it in its original form when the time comes."
Jinnan breathed a sigh of relief. According to Li Hongfang, Ke Zhuo had always been trustworthy and had clean hands. Regardless of his private life, his character was good.
Things have been found, but people have not. Jinnan finally understood why Xu Zhiyuan paid special attention to Ke Zhuo that day. Xu Zhiyuan could endure such a great injustice. If it were Jinnan himself, he would have strangled the person who did this and never had any contact with him again.
He has to compensate Xu Zhiyuan, but how should he do it?
Withdraw the bodyguards and set Xu Zhiyuan free?
Jinnan can't do this.
Even if Xu Zhiyuan bids for another equally expensive item, he may not like it. He has no shortage of gold, silver, and jewelry. Jin Nan doesn't know what he needs for the moment, so he can only test it bit by bit.
"Mr. Xu, I would like to invite you to lunch today."
"knew."
After receiving the news, Xu Zhiyuan looked up from the pile of documents, his fatigue swept away, and he felt particularly refreshed.
He guessed correctly that with a little guilt, he could get whatever he wanted from Jinnan.
Lunch was scheduled at Vermilion. Xu Zhiyuan sat down and looked at the menu, and found that the dishes here were delivered to him by Jin Nan last time, on the day when Jin Nan and Ke Zhuo had their "date".
"Would you like ice cream for dessert?" Jin Nan asked. "If you don't want ice cream, there are other options."
"Ice cream is fine, but alcohol is not," Xu Zhiyuan said. "I have to work in the afternoon."
The waiter replaced the wine with juice. Jin Nan sat opposite Xu Zhiyuan and quietly looked at the man who had been with him for many years.
They are so familiar and close that Xu Zhiyuan's shadow can be seen in everything he does now.
Jinnan, a newcomer to Lido, didn't know how to use a knife and fork. Xu Zhiyuan cut the steak piece by piece and let him eat it with a spoon. Xu Zhiyuan didn't just teach him how to fish; Jinnan later found a "etiquette teacher." Jinnan still remembered the wealthy young lady, who also happened to be surnamed Xu and was a relative of Xu Zhiyuan's within five generations.
He had changed all his embarrassing and inappropriate habits for upper-class society, and today he was sitting opposite Xu Zhiyuan, calmly dividing the meat.
Xu Zhiyuan is the only one in the world who can see through all his disguises and look directly at his not-so-glorious and not-so-easy past.
Fortunately, Xu Zhiyuan is a considerate gentleman.
So much time had passed that Jinnan could still remember Xu Zhiyuan's preferences. He loved Hunan cuisine and disliked frozen food, especially frozen seafood. Fortunately, Lido had Lucerne Bay, otherwise Xu Zhiyuan wouldn't have been able to eat a single fish.
They ate in silence, as if the conflict of interests between them and the months of surveillance and house arrest did not exist. This had been the case since the first day Jin Nan returned home.
Xu Zhiyuan always gave Jinnan an unpredictable feeling, as if if he relaxed for a day, he would leave like the wind, going to the other side of the ocean, to a world without Jinnan.
In the past, Xu Zhiyuan always told him that this should be his world, Jinnan.
What was not said was that Xu Zhiyuan did not belong here.
Maybe he doesn't like finance but likes biology or astronomy, maybe he is not interested in quarterly reports and ocean tankers, and he never has the chance to do what he wants to do.
Is he willing to be imprisoned here like a bird in a cage? Is he willing to be suppressed by Jinnan and be driven by him forever?
Jinnan didn't believe it, but more importantly, he didn't dare.
He didn't dare to test that possibility because Xu Zhiyuan would be gone forever.
He cherished the meal time carefully, as if Xu Zhiyuan was about to put down his napkin and leave at any time, disappearing from Jinnan's world forever.
But Xu Zhiyuan didn't.
He finished his meal quietly, waiting for Jinnan, who was taking his time, to add more vegetables and soup. He placed the bowl in front of Jinnan, mopping up any dripping soup, and even used the back of his finger to test the temperature again.
This action reminded Jinnan of the way Xu Zhiyuan touched his earring this morning. The last time he gave him the pen, Xu Zhiyuan had also done something similarly intimate, but not outrageous. Why did Xu Zhiyuan do this so naturally?
Would Xu Zhiyuan really leave? Were the conclusions he had drawn from observing this person truly accurate?
*
In Jinnan's eyes, Xu Zhiyuan is the Buddha who is unmoved by the eight winds.
Since meeting him for the first time eight years ago, Jinnan had never seen him get angry or get angry with anyone. Xu Zhiyuan always had a smile on his face, no matter if it was to dignitaries or unknown people who provoked him.
At first, Jin Nan wanted to provoke him and wanted this elegant nobleman to be as despicable as he was, but Xu Zhiyuan tolerated all his mistakes.
Xu Zhiyuan didn't care about his indifference or his rejection. If Jinnan didn't communicate, Xu Zhiyuan would disappear temporarily and would not appear until Jinnan needed him.
Whatever Jin Nan wanted, even if it was Xu Zhiyuan's favorite, he would give it up on the spot, and even present it to Jin Nan in person, warning him: "It doesn't suit you, don't wear it often."
Lin Jiaze taught him how to live a rude life as a young master. Jin Nanquan put it into practice on Xu Zhiyuan, and ended up losing everything.
He himself felt that his various rude and unreasonable behaviors were excessive and annoying, but in Xu Zhiyuan's eyes, they were all simple.
If he wants a watch, give it to him. If he wants a house, take it. Jinnan's petty disputes were no match for Xu Zhiyuan.
Later, Jinnan began to compete for Jinlicheng's attention, achievements, fame and fortune.
He thought Xu Zhiyuan would care this time, but what he heard was a private conversation between Xu Zhiyuan and Jin Licheng.
"After Jinnan becomes independent, I will leave."
Leaving? Where is Xu Zhiyuan going?
Was it true that his tolerance towards Jin Nan was just a time-limited compensation?
That day, Xu Zhiyuan planted a seed in Jinnan's heart. Later, when Jinnan understood what love was and realized that she loved Xu Zhiyuan, the seed quietly sprouted.
He must grow up. If he doesn't grow up and stays fifteen forever, he will be too far away from Xu Zhiyuan's world and Xu Zhiyuan will not love him.
But if he grows up and becomes independent and takes root, Xu Zhiyuan will leave him.
Jinnan has long been inseparable from Xu Zhiyuan. He signed for Jinnan at the police station, solved all the problems and brought Jinnan home. He smashed the transcript with his own hands and gave up his undergraduate degree at Stanford to accompany Jinnan. He waited for Jinnan at No. 1 Middle School and Foreign Language School every week and accompanied Jinnan to explore the vast universe of Lido bit by bit. He helped Jinnan hide his ugly transcript and wrote "Xu Zhiyuan"'s name in the parent column again and again.
Jinnan needs to grow up, he can't be worse than Xu Zhiyuan. He can't be worse than the eighteen-year-old Xu Zhiyuan.
He grew up with gritted teeth, and Xu Zhiyuan always looked at him calmly as if he was bathing in the warm sunshine.
Jinnan once asked Xu Zhiyuan: You have done so much for me, what do you want?
Xu Zhiyuan said: Just be happy.
Jin Nan is growing up, he must grow up. He is the only child left in the world by Jin Licheng, and the responsibilities on his shoulders force him to grow up.
"After Jinnan becomes independent, I will leave."
What is independence?
Dependent second-generation rich kids drink and hang out. Dependent young masters squander their money, treating it like water. Dependent Lin Jiaze calls his brother at 1 a.m. to get him. Dependent Li Hongfang plays around with men and women, leaving no trace of his reputation.
What about Jin Nan who is not independent? Or, what about Jin Nan who doesn't want Xu Zhiyuan to leave?
Keep the person under observation and don't let him leave.
Jin Nan was stupid, he would only do this. As he expected, Xu Zhiyuan did not resist at all and accepted it calmly.
He thought Xu Zhiyuan was a peaceful person, but his two drunkennesses and Xu Zhiyuan's two proactive approaches opened a door to the truth for Jinnan.
There is no surveillance camera in his room, but there is one at the door and in the corridor.
When Jinnan returned home, there was no mark on his body at all.
Would a considerate gentleman leave fingerprints on him? Would he scheme against Ke Zhuo to go abroad because of a wrong gift?
Do you keep staring at his lips while eating?
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