Chapter 86: The Look of Love
Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu had no idea that a photo of them had already gone viral online, spreading at hurricane speed. After the traveler returned to his hotel, he posted the photo he had taken on his blog. His blog had many followers, and whether or not they knew Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu, everyone was stunned by the photo.
"Holy crap, isn't this the Century Couple?! What are they doing in the countryside? Never mind, oh my heart, so handsome, so handsome!"
"This is major dog abuse — watching this makes me want to find someone of the same sex to date."
"To the person above, are you handsome? Are you pretty? If not, don't go stepping on landmines. It'll hurt people's eyes."
"Am I the only one who finds this photo warm? The way they lean on each other suddenly makes me think of 'one lifetime, one pair.' If you can find someone like that in your life, then your trip to this world wasn't wasted, right?"
"I want to fall in love."
"I want to get married."
"Want to get married +1."
"Want to get married +2."
"Want to get married..."
The "want to get married" comments flooded the screen.
Before long, a well-known writer published a short essay online titled The Look of Love.
Mr. Guan and Mr. Zhao's union has drawn both praise and criticism. I had no opinion on the matter before, but today a photo online suddenly made me understand what choosing love looks like. Unions between men and women are considered by most people to be the proper path — but why is it the proper path? Thinking carefully, it's nothing more than human reproduction. It's our instinct, just like all lower organisms.
If you're heterosexual, then congratulations — you can complete your human mission as a matter of course in this conventional society. But what about homosexuals? Before this, these minorities lived in dark corners, afraid to reveal their orientation, having to carry a heavy shackle their whole lives and live cautiously. And all of this is only because society won't accept it — and society is made up of conventional people like us.
But after seeing this photo today, Mr. Guan and Mr. Zhao have interpreted the look of love perfectly. You have gentle eyes; I can lean on you with peace of mind. The tremor from the deepest part of the soul makes me cheer for this kind of love.
Should we keep being conventional?
Everyone who saw it couldn't help asking themselves. Reason told them they shouldn't accept this kind of relationship, but deep in their hearts a voice said: "What's wrong with them? They just love someone of the same sex."
Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu never would have imagined that because of one photo and one short essay, they would gain a large number of supporters. The Century Couple forum exploded once again.
The internet was in an uproar over them, but Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu were completely calm. They had originally planned to return to the capital after paying respects to their ancestors, and Guan Yuan was already packing. But Zhao Shenggu said they should stay a while longer.
"What for?"
"There's something I need to do. Do you want to stay home or come with me?"
"I'll come with you. It's boring at home."
Chanchan was playing with his toy car. When he heard they were going out, he scrambled up and pattered over: "I want to go too."
"Alright, alright, you can come too. Like we'd leave you behind. Look at how dirty you are — like a little mud monkey. Come on, let's get you changed." Guan Yuan took Chanchan to change his clothes.
It was lunchtime, and cooking smoke rose from every chimney in Guanjia Village. Everything was peaceful and quiet. Zhao Shenggu narrowed his eyes. Tomorrow, these people probably wouldn't be able to stay calm anymore.
If someone provoked him, he could still tolerate it. But if they slandered Guan Yuan, he wouldn't let it slide even a little.
Guan Yuan and Chanchan were wearing matching parent-child outfits. Zhao Shenggu tugged at his own clothes: "Why didn't you get me clothes like that?"
Guan Yuan shot him a look: "Aren't you going to handle business? Would it be appropriate to wear something like that?"
Zhao Shenggu touched his nose and really wanted to say it would be fine, but seeing how anxious Guan Yuan looked, he swallowed his words. He resignedly opened the car and obediently played chauffeur.
Guan Yuan saw the car heading toward the outskirts of the county: "Are we going to the garment factory?"
"Yeah. The factory here was built but no one was sent to supervise it. Who knows what a mess it's become. Good chance to go take a look. Some people also need to understand whose rice bowl they're holding."
Guan Yuan thought for a moment and understood that Zhao Shenggu was going to vent his anger for him. It would be a lie to say he wasn't moved. He stopped talking. Toward those people who clearly benefited from them yet still slandered them, he definitely felt disgust — he just didn't care before.
Chanchan leaned against the car window looking outside: "Daddy, why aren't there any tall buildings here?" The capital was full of tall buildings. The little guy had been in Yun County for a few days and only saw low residential houses, so he was confused.
"This is the outskirts of a small county. The economy isn't developed here, so of course there are no tall buildings."
"Oh." Who knew if Chanchan understood. After hearing Guan Yuan's explanation, he stretched his little head out to look again.
The Yuangu Garment factory was in the outskirts of Yun County. In recent years it had become the largest enterprise in Yun County and a major taxpayer. The factory had also expanded a lot.
The office building was visible from afar. When the security guard at the gate saw a car approaching, he quickly blocked the way: "Who are you here to see?"
"Your manager. Just tell him Zhao Shenggu is here."
The guard originally wanted to shoo them away, but seeing that Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu had an imposing presence, with several people behind them who clearly looked like trained fighters, he still transferred the call to the front desk.
When the front desk heard it was Zhao Shenggu, they were startled. They had heard that the biggest boss above had returned to his hometown — they hadn't expected it to be true. The front desk quickly called the manager's office.
In the manager's office, Manager Qian was holding his secretary when the ringing phone ruined his fun. He picked up the phone and said angrily: "What is it?"
"Manager, security says President Zhao has arrived!"
Manager Qian was just the manager of a small garment factory in Yun County. Although it operated under the Yuangu Group, there were countless factories like this across the country. They normally only reported to their direct superiors, so when he heard it was "President Zhao," he didn't react for a moment.
He asked in confusion, "Which President Zhao?"
"The biggest boss up there — President Zhao!" the secretary said, her tone slightly anxious.
"Ah—" Manager Qian was so startled that he hung up the phone. He hurriedly straightened his messy clothes. The secretary, seeing this, still pressed herself against him: "You heartless man, is that all you're giving me?"
"Hey, my little ancestor, stop messing around. The big boss from headquarters is here. Quick, tidy up the office and make some tea for them."
"Ah!" The secretary gasped, covering her mouth. The big boss — the one whose name everyone knew but whom no one had ever seen — the richest man in the world? Yuangu wasn't publicly listed. No one could accurately estimate its total assets; all they knew was that it was a terrifying number. Especially now that Yuangu's key focus — internet and electronics — had already conquered the world.
The secretary panicked too, but underneath it all she felt a thrill of excitement. If she could catch the big boss's eye... The more she thought about it, the more excited she got. She quickly tidied the office and rushed to the restroom to do her makeup.
Manager Qian had already led a group of executives hurrying to the factory gate to welcome them.
Despite his potbelly, Manager Qian had sharp eyes. From a distance, he spotted Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu standing together — oh no, it really was the big boss!
Manager Qian practically jogged over. By the time he and the others reached them, they were all slightly out of breath. Flushed and beaming, he said, "Big boss, welcome to inspect the Yun County Garment Factory."
Zhao Shenggu nodded, holding Chanchan in his left arm and taking Guan Yuan's hand with his right as they walked through the factory gate.
As they toured the facility, Zhao Shenggu's expression remained calm, while Manager Qian and the others were on edge, terrified that something might fail to meet Zhao Shenggu's standards.
The group soon arrived at the meeting room. Zhao Shenggu sat in the head seat. Guan Yuan couldn't be bothered to listen to their nonsense, so he sat playing on his phone with Chanchan in his arms.
"Daddy, I want to play the kitty game!"
"Shh, that's rude. Dad is speaking — you can't interrupt, understand?"
Chanchan nodded, pressing a small finger to his lips and shushing too. "Okay. I won't bother Dad."
Some of the sharper ones in the room took note. They knew about Zhao Shenggu and Guan Yuan's marriage — after all, that wedding had dominated the media. There had also been vague reports that Zhao Shenggu had a child. Seeing this now — could this be the group's young master? That would make him a little golden treasure.
Whatever they were thinking, no one let a hint of it show on their faces.
Zhao Shenggu, seated in the head seat, began to speak: "There's no special reason for my visit today — just to meet everyone. Don't be nervous. All of you have made great contributions to Yuangu's development. You're all Yuangu's heroes — I should thank you properly."
Everyone hurriedly said, "Not at all, not at all."
Manager Qian, as the top person here, naturally spoke for them: "Boss, you're too kind. We should be the ones thanking Yuangu for giving us this opportunity — otherwise who knows where we'd be!"
Zhao Shenggu's mouth twitched slightly. He simply said, "Since I'm here, I might as well take a look around the whole factory. Manager Qian, lead the way."
Manager Qian broke out in a cold sweat. He quickly said, "Yes, yes, of course."
"Xiao Yuan, are you tired? Want to come along?" Zhao Shenggu looked at Guan Yuan and asked.
"Sure, let's go. Sitting here is boring anyway." Guan Yuan said as he moved to get up with Chanchan in his arms.
But Zhao Shenggu suddenly said, "Wait a moment." As he spoke, he walked over to Guan Yuan, crouched down, and tied Guan Yuan's loose shoelaces.
"Alright, let's go." Zhao Shenggu took Guan Yuan's hand, carrying Chanchan with his other arm.
Everyone was dumbfounded. This... this really was the big boss's beloved, wasn't it? He didn't even care that so many people were watching. None of them would ever tie their own wife's shoelaces in front of so many people — they wouldn't even do it in private!
The family of three were all exceptionally good-looking. Walking together, they looked like they'd stepped out of a painting. The office staff had already been notified. When they saw the big boss doing his inspection, they all lowered their heads and pretended to be working seriously. But the moment the group left, the whole office erupted.
"Oh my god, the big boss is so handsome! The big boss's wife is so handsome too! And the young master is so cute!"
"The big boss's wife is so handsome — why does that sound so weird?"
"......"
None of them knew that the big boss they spoke of had been working for nothing for Guan Yuan all along. All the group's shares were in Guan Yuan's hands. The real big boss was someone else entirely.
After touring the office, the group went to look at the factory floor.
Back in the meeting room, Zhao Shenggu sat in the head seat and said nothing at first. Everyone below was breaking out in cold sweat. Although Zhao Shenggu's face was calm, everyone felt their hearts tremble.
Just then, Manager Qian's secretary came in to refill the tea. Her eyes were especially bright when she looked at Zhao Shenggu, her chest held high, the slit of her neckline revealing deep collarbones.
As the secretary poured tea for Zhao Shenggu, her hand brushed against his hand resting on the table, her body subtly pressing against his back.
Zhao Shenggu's expression turned cold. Manager Qian had been inwardly praising the secretary for being so clever — as long as the big boss couldn't get past the beauty trap, everything would be fine. But who would have thought Zhao Shenggu's face would turn cold? Manager Qian's heart tightened. Oh no!
Sure enough, Zhao Shenggu set his teacup down on the table and said flatly, "Get a different secretary."
The secretary's face instantly turned pale, her beautiful eyes welling with tears: "President Zhao..."
Zhao Shenggu didn't even glance at her. He simply called out to Manager Qian: "Manager Qian!"
Manager Qian snapped to attention and barked at the secretary: "Get out this instant! This is the company meeting room — non-employees are not allowed inside."
Only then did the secretary truly panic. She couldn't understand — she'd only wanted to snag a rich man. How had she ended up losing her job instead?
After the secretary left, Zhao Shenggu finally spoke: "I hope that from now on, in your work — especially when recruiting new talent for the company — everyone understands that what Yuangu wants is people who can work steadily and reliably."
The moment Zhao Shenggu said this, everyone glanced at Manager Qian. Everyone knew that when Manager Qian hired secretaries, he looked at appearance, not ability. And Manager Qian was also the one who arranged the most nepotism hires in the company.
"I just took a look around and noticed many people weren't at their posts. Manager Qian, can you explain what's going on?"
"This..." Manager Qian was sweating even more now. He wiped his forehead as he answered, "They're all out on business trips — some are out running sales calls."
Zhao Shenggu snorted: "I didn't know warehouse workers needed to run sales calls these days!"
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