LABMY CH20

In recent days, the Wei family has been struggling. A rising, cutting-edge company suddenly emerged and swept through the entire smartphone market. This company bribed a large number of media outlets and launched an overwhelming, all-encompassing promotional campaign.

Even middle-aged and elderly people who rarely go online are aware that a new smartphone has been released, boasting diverse functions and a lightweight, convenient design.

At first, the Wei family viewed this aggressive promotion with a mindset of watching the show unfold. After all, the phone came in two versions: one with a standard design similar to other phones on the market, and another with a unique appearance.

The latter featured two designs—one resembling a mecha and the other resembling a cat. The promotional materials claimed that the phone provided the tactile sensation of touching a miniature mecha or petting a cat. Moreover, the company boldly asserted that this unique design would not increase the phone’s weight, and the device itself was even lighter than any other smartphone on the market.

The claim that the chip was developed with their own cutting-edge technology, offering fast processing speed and excellent heat dissipation without any lag, further heightened skepticism.

Changing a phone’s appearance is something any company can achieve, but doing so without adding weight is unprecedented. In an era where users increasingly prioritize lightweight and convenient devices, no company would be foolish enough to sacrifice functionality for flashy aesthetics.

Under this overwhelming promotional campaign, most netizens mocked the product and treated it as a joke.

However, shortly after the campaign, the phone was piloted in City Z. To everyone’s surprise, the first batch of buyers confirmed that the company’s claims were true—the unique design did not add any weight, and the phone indeed provided the soft and smooth sensation of petting a cat.

There was no fake fur attached to the surface, yet the tactile feel was far from the usual cold, hard texture of electronic devices.

This instantly sparked a frenzy among cat lovers who couldn’t own a cat, with some even traveling by high-speed rail or plane just to purchase the phone. Within a few days, this pilot-release phone became a trending topic multiple times.

In response, the PR department of Zhenge Corporation announced that they had employed advanced tactile simulation technology and would officially introduce the product before its nationwide launch.

Everyone eagerly anticipated the upcoming product launch and the subsequent collaboration between Zhenge Corporation and various telecom stores across the country.

In the meantime, the sales of the Wei family’s smartphones hit a record low, as everyone waited to get their hands on Zhenge’s “Infinite Possibilities” series.

What troubled Wei Chengye the most was that the R&D department of the Wei Corporation had analyzed the “Infinite Possibilities” phone. As industry peers, they could accurately assess the product’s quality. First, the unique design was impossible to replicate. Second, the chip was indeed superior, offering faster and more stable performance.

This was what gave Wei Chengye a headache. A temporary sales slump was not a big deal for the powerful Wei family, but if this phone series officially launched, it would deal a devastating and lasting blow to their business.

Looking at his assistant, who stood beside him, too afraid to make a sound, Wei Chengye did not lose his temper but instead asked, “How did Zhenge manage to secure cooperation with the telecom stores?”

For a newly emerging smartphone company, the biggest challenge was the lack of funds to open physical flagship stores. Yet, Zhenge had quietly secured partnerships with several major telecom operators, allowing them to announce that the phone would be available in telecom stores nationwide after the product launch.

This was something Wei Chengye couldn’t figure out. What he didn’t expect was that the Wei family’s real crisis was just beginning.

Jian Yuanbai aimed to bring down both the Wei and Fu families as quickly as possible. However, considering the scale of these two families—especially the Wei family—it was nearly impossible to cause their downfall through conventional methods.

The relationship between the two families was like that of a big brother and his younger follower. The Wei family ate the meat, while the Fu family drank the soup. This was also why Fu Pengyi deliberately targeted Wei Zhenge to please Wei En.

Since ordinary methods wouldn’t work, Jian Yuanbai resorted to something extraordinary.

In the conference room of Zhenge Corporation, all the CEOs of major and minor companies in the industry—except for the Wei and Fu families—were present. Although Zhenge was a rising company, Jian Yuanbai, dressed in a sharp suit, sat confidently at the head of the table.

“Our appearance technology has already been patented,” Jian Yuanbai said calmly, “but we are willing to share it.”

“We can all make money together. All you need to do is pay us an annual patent usage fee. Whether you choose to pay a fixed annual fee or opt for a revenue-sharing model based on your phone sales is up to you.”

“Of course, the two payment methods come with different pricing. But rest assured, Zhenge is here to pursue a win-win partnership. We won’t charge too much. As for the chip technology, we will be open to sharing it one year later.”

Jian Yuanbai smiled and clasped his hands together. “All we ask is that you do not leak any information to the Wei and Fu families. If you currently have partnerships with them, it would be best to temporarily suspend those collaborations.”

“In return, we will waive part of the patent fee based on the value of your cooperation and offer discounts on the chip technology usage fee.”

At that moment, everyone in the conference room had the same thought:

The downfall of the Wei and Fu families was inevitable.

No one could refuse Jian Yuanbai’s offer. If they rejected it today, they would be abandoned tomorrow. The industry was that cruel—whoever held the technology held the power.

…

Jian Yuanbai never told Wei Zhenge about the schemes and strategies behind the scenes. On the surface, their lives seemed to have returned to the way they used to be—Wei Zhenge spent his days attending classes and studying, while Jian Yuanbai was immersed in his work at the company.

However, unlike before, Jian Yuanbai would now return home at noon, bringing takeout from high-end restaurants.

He felt that studying was already exhausting for Wei Zhenge, and the little free time he had should be spent resting, not cooking. Previously, when Jian was busy establishing the company, he had no time to handle these things. But he also couldn’t bear to let his “Little Pillow” order takeout by himself, as Wei Zhenge never ordered on his own.

Wei Zhenge obediently accepted this kindness and gradually learned to tell Jian Yuanbai what he wanted for lunch in the morning.

Jian Yuanbai was surprised. “I thought you weren’t picky about food. I didn’t expect you to have so many things you don’t eat.”

“Pumpkin, loofah, spinach… you won’t even eat eggplant if it’s too tough,” Jian Yuanbai teased slowly as he watched Wei Zhenge’s face flush with embarrassment. “Being a picky eater is not a good habit, little one.”

The term “little one” was drawn out as if he were savoring the words, his playful tone carrying a hint of indulgence.

Wei Zhenge pressed his lips together, feeling his body heat up under Jian Yuanbai’s gaze. He was not yet the cold and powerful protagonist who could face everything with ease. He was merely an 18-year-old boy, still young and inexperienced.

Uncomfortable, he turned his head and mumbled, “I… I can eat them. I just don’t like them.”

In reality, Wei Zhenge was neither picky nor spoiled. In the Wei family, he had never had the luxury to choose his food. Most of the time, he simply ate whatever was available.

Jian Yuanbai chuckled and rubbed his head. “Alright, no one’s forcing you to eat. Don’t act cute.”

The nutrients missing from these vegetables could be supplemented through other sources. There was no need to force him to eat things he disliked. This was called “scientific parenting.”

However, since Wei Zhenge had explicitly stated that he didn’t want an extra “father figure” in his life, Jian Yuanbai could only silently praise himself in his heart for holding back.

This was also why Wei Zhenge sat still and let Jian Yuanbai ruffle his hair. If Jian had actually voiced his thoughts, the soft and fluffy “Little Pillow” would have instantly turned into a hardened steel block.

Completely unaware of what he had just avoided, Jian Yuanbai said, “I won’t be back for lunch tomorrow. I need to travel to the neighboring city for a business meeting.”

“You can cook for yourself or order takeout.”

A company had decided to terminate its partnership with the Wei family, and there were some issues regarding patent fees and other collaboration details that Jian Yuanbai needed to handle personally.

He handed Wei Zhenge a business card. “This is the number of the restaurant we usually order from. Just call them, and they’ll deliver to the door.”

Wei Zhenge took the card and didn’t say whether he would order or not. “Alright. Take care on the road.”

It wasn’t until late that evening that Wei Zhenge suddenly realized he had forgotten to ask if Jian Yuanbai would be returning that night. Although they didn’t eat dinner together, it had become an unspoken habit for Wei Zhenge to wait for Jian Yuanbai to come home every night.

In the past, he might have hesitated to call, but now he could do it naturally.

The phone rang for a moment before being answered, but an unfamiliar, young female voice came from the other end.

“Hello? Who is this?”

Wei Zhenge froze. “Who are you? Where’s Jian Yuanbai?”

The woman giggled seductively. “Me? I’m the future Mrs. Jian. As for Mr. Jian, he’s currently taking a shower. Do you need him for something?”

Wei Zhenge remained calm. “No, nothing.”

After hanging up the phone, his knuckles turned white from gripping the device too tightly. He stood in the empty room, motionless for a long time.

He walked to the window and quietly shut it. It must be the cold wind that made him feel so chilly.

When Jian Yuanbai stepped out of the bathroom in his bathrobe, he was startled to find a woman dressed in revealing clothes, lying seductively on his hotel bed.

He froze for a moment, then instinctively closed his eyes and mumbled, “Sorry, wrong room.”

Without grabbing his clothes, he turned around and, relying on his excellent sense of balance, navigated the dark room and headed straight for the door.

The woman was stunned for a moment before quickly standing up and calling after him, “Mr. Jian, you’re not in the wrong room!”

But Jian Yuanbai didn’t stop. He opened the door and stepped out without hesitation.

The woman hurriedly threw on a coat and chased after him. Just as Jian Yuanbai frowned and double-checked the room number on the door, she grabbed his arm. “Mr. Jian, why are you running away?”

Jian Yuanbai coldly pushed her hand away. Now that she was dressed, he dared to look at her. With a look of disdain, he asked, “Miss, did you enter the wrong room?”

The woman pouted and pretended to be hurt. “Mr. Jian, I admire you. I just wanted to hear about your entrepreneurial journey.”

Entrepreneurial journey?

Jian Yuanbai’s eyes darkened as he immediately understood what was going on.

The woman saw an opportunity and was delighted. Just as she reached out to tug at Jian Yuanbai’s bathrobe belt, her hand was firmly gripped by him. The strength of his grasp twisted her face in pain. Then, she heard Jian Yuanbai’s cold, unquestionable voice:

“I get it now. You were sent by Wei Chengye to spy on our business secrets, right? Tell me, where did you get my room card?”

The woman was stunned and momentarily forgot the pain. “Mr. Jian, I just wanted to have an in-depth conversation with you…”

“Oh, I understand. You want to dig deep into our company’s confidential information. I’ll take you straight to the police station right now.”

The woman, frustrated by his denseness, finally dropped all pretense. “Mr. Jian, I just want to have an ‘in-depth’ conversation with your most precious asset.”

Jian Yuanbai’s expression changed drastically. “You want to kill me?!”

The woman was completely dumbfounded and nearly cursed out loud. What kind of bizarre logic was this? Since when did “a man’s most precious asset” refer to his life instead of… the part that comes after?

It wasn’t until the CEO of the partner company awkwardly came over to explain the situation that Jian Yuanbai reluctantly let go of the woman. He immediately changed out of his bathrobe and caught a midnight flight home.

Trying to trick him into losing his virginity and making him too ashamed to face his future wife? This was only slightly less severe than an assassination attempt!

Jian Yuanbai boarded the plane with a belly full of anger. If it weren’t for this nonsense, he would have been sound asleep by now!

By the time he arrived home, it was already two in the morning.

He assumed Wei Zhenge would be asleep, but when he opened the door, he saw the boy sitting on the couch, expressionless, lost in thought.

Though Jian Yuanbai was puzzled as to why Wei Zhenge was still awake, his own frustration was boiling over, and he was eager to vent. However, before he could say anything, Wei Zhenge’s voice sounded cold and distant:

“Was it fun sleeping with that woman?”

“She said she’s the future Mrs. Jian. Congratulations, you’re getting married.”

Jian Yuanbai, who had been furious all the way back, felt like he’d been doused with a bucket of cold water. He looked aggrieved. “You don’t believe me?”

Then, he suddenly realized something was off. “Wait… how do you know about this?”

Wei Zhenge replied calmly, “I called you three hours ago. A woman answered.”

“Then, your phone was turned off.”

Jian Yuanbai’s heart sank. He hadn’t checked his phone all evening. When he looked at it now, it really was turned off.

He felt even more wronged. “So you believed a random woman over me?”

In fact, Wei Zhenge did believe him—he had heard the sound of running water in the background. In the middle of the night, a man and a woman in a hotel room, with the phone suspiciously turned off… What could have happened was self-explanatory.

Jian Yuanbai sat down next to Wei Zhenge and vented everything that had happened that night.

Wei Zhenge blinked. “You thought she was there to steal business secrets?”

Jian Yuanbai nodded. “Mhm.”

“And then… you thought she was there to kill you?”

Jian Yuanbai nodded again, completely serious.

Wei Zhenge bit his lip hard to keep from laughing. He’d long known that Jian Yuanbai’s thought process was… unique. But this was the first time he found it so amusing when Jian’s bizarre logic clashed with others.

It was so hard to hold back his laughter that his eyes crinkled with joy.

Seeing this, Jian Yuanbai became even more upset. “You actually think I’d sleep with a random woman?”

Wei Zhenge immediately admitted his mistake. “I was wrong.”

Jian Yuanbai snorted. “I’m going to give you the silent treatment. For a week! No, a whole month!”

Wei Zhenge found his childishness adorable and couldn’t help but smile. “Is it that serious?”

Jian Yuanbai looked deeply wounded. “What do you know? This is about my purity as a man!”

Purity as a man…

Wei Zhenge almost burst out laughing again. He bit his lip to the point of redness, barely managing to suppress his laughter as he sincerely apologized, “I know I was wrong. Please don’t give me the silent treatment.”

Jian Yuanbai ignored him and turned his head away in anger.

Wei Zhenge remembered that last time, when he called Jian “gege” (big brother), it softened him instantly. So, he gently tugged at the corner of Jian Yuanbai’s shirt and called out softly:

“Jian-ge… gege… I shouldn’t have doubted you.”

Neither of them seemed to notice that, given their former guardian-ward relationship, Wei Zhenge shouldn’t have been so affected by the idea of Jian Yuanbai being with another woman in the first place.

Wei Zhenge’s voice softened as he continued, “Gege…”

Jian Yuanbai couldn’t take it anymore. He turned his head in frustration, only to meet Wei Zhenge’s sparkling eyes, which were filled with suppressed laughter.

On that delicate and pale face, the corners of his lips curved slightly upward.

Those lips, which had been bitten red from holding back laughter, stood out vividly against his snow-white skin—like a red plum blooming in the snow.

That night, Jian Yuanbai had a dream.

In the dim and blurry dream world, there was only one thing that remained clear: a pair of eyes filled with starlight, and a soft, smiling voice calling him “gege” over and over again.