Evil Love Appears chapter 20

For the next several days, Fu Xiaoyu was completely absent.

The events on the top floor of the Gemini Tower belonged to the IM Group, but the employees of Lite, the company responsible for the Love app, were unaware of these developments.

For them, the absence of their most fearsome boss should have been an opportunity to catch their breath.

However, reality proved to be different.

The official launch of the Love app was approaching, and the most crucial promotional plan was scheduled for the coming weekend.

During this time, Lite would hold a pre-launch event for the Love app in the central auditorium of B University, welcoming students from various colleges in B City to be the first batch of trial users for the app.

This promotional plan was initially proposed by Wen Ke and Xu Jiale together.

College students were the perfect target audience as they were enthusiastic about love, had a high degree of freedom, and aligned perfectly with the app’s target user group. Moreover, this age group had the greatest influence on internet opinions and dissemination.

Although Wen Ke and Xu Jiale had no formal training in marketing and communications, their promotional plan was well-conceived, driven by their genuine passion for the product.

However, having a plan was one thing; executing and resource integration were the real challenges.

In this regard, everyone knew that when it came to execution, Fu Xiaoyu was the true master.

But, unfortunately, at this crucial moment, Fu Xiaoyu was nowhere to be found.

Wen Ke had started Lite from scratch, and while he had no abundant resources in terms of media channels, he recognized his limitations. So, he took the straightforward approach, listing traditional and new media outlets and personally negotiating with them one by one.

The straightforward approach didn’t rely on resource capabilities but on hard work.

Despite his health issues, Wen Ke continued to come to the company every day. Consequently, everyone else had to work even harder, including Xu Jiale, who was busier than usual.

Fu Xiaoyu was like a thunderstorm, while Wen Ke was the gentle blade. Regardless of the boss’s style, in the end, the employees could not escape working overtime.

Even Xiaoyun, who usually couldn’t stand Fu Xiaoyu, remarked one day, “It would be better if Mr. Fu were here. When he’s around, it feels like all we have to do is work hard and please him. With him in charge, there’s no room for mistakes, and it’s strangely reassuring.”

Li Jingjing scoffed, “I think you’re suffering from Stockholm syndrome. Personally, I prefer Mr. Wen. At least in his eyes, our overtime is ‘hard work,’ and he compensates us with more takeout and bubble tea. In Mr. Fu’s eyes, it’s just a given, isn’t it?”

Sighing, Hu Xia added, “Well, I do miss Mr. Fu a bit. What do you guys think? Where could Mr. Fu have gone?”

…

Fu Xiaoyu had indeed gone off the grid.

In these days, his personal phone was flooded with work-related messages daily. Eventually, he grew tired of it, so he blocked all the managers and directors from the IM Group.

Both Han Jiangque and Wen Ke had tried calling him, but despite knowing that the Love app was at a crucial stage, he didn’t answer or reply to any messages. Later, he simply blocked them on WeChat as well.

He had been extremely dedicated to his work, but now he seemed utterly indifferent.

This was probably something that no one had expected.

Alone at home with nothing to do, Fu Xiaoyu had ordered a lot of salad and red wine, and he had revisited all of Ang Lee’s movies.

During his university years, in pursuit of maintaining a perfect GPA, he had taken a course in Asian film studies. After the exams, he had largely forgotten the works and styles of many directors, except for Ang Lee. He had bought Blu-ray discs of Lee’s films, which he had stored away and hadn’t watched due to being too busy.

Until these past few days when he finally had the time to rewatch these movies. Among them, “Eat Drink Man Woman” was the one he watched three or four times and still enjoyed. There were even nights when he stayed up until three in the morning.

Over the past twenty years, from his college days to now, Fu Xiaoyu couldn’t remember the last time he had been so indulgent.

Perhaps because he was so engrossed, he had a strange dream one night, a dream about Xu Jiale.

When he woke up the next morning, his face felt hot, and he even felt a bit embarrassed, thinking that the sensations from his dream hadn’t completely dissipated. It wasn’t until he sat up and experienced a splitting headache that he realized he was running a fever.

He had always been in good health, but recently, it seemed like he was starting to develop minor illnesses.

During a recent visit to the doctor for a gland examination, the doctor had warned him that A-ranked omegas, as they grew older, had stronger desires compared to lower-ranked omegas. This was due to A-ranked omegas having the most superior pheromones. Therefore, if he continued suppressing his desires during heat cycles with suppressants, his body would resist in other ways.

Fu Xiaoyu was always determined and had been working even when he was sick, ordering medications through delivery services and drinking several glasses of water.

During his drowsy moments, a sense of sadness suddenly overwhelmed him. His heat cycle was approaching, and his body was giving him warnings. However, apart from some strange dreams, he felt utterly helpless.

Strangely, he had blocked so many people, but Xu Jiale was the one person he hadn’t blocked.

However, the one person he hadn’t blocked hadn’t sent him any messages either.

…

After two days of irregular sleep, Fu Xiaoyu finally started to feel better.

On the night before the B University event for the Love app, he suddenly heard the doorbell ring.

Feeling quite warm, he was essentially wearing just his underwear as he lay beneath thick blankets. He sluggishly got up upon hearing the doorbell, hastily putting on a fluffy white bathrobe before making his way downstairs to answer the door.

At the door stood Wen Ke.

They seemed to have never met privately before.

Fu Xiaoyu was a bit surprised, but upon closer thought, it didn’t seem that unexpected. He assumed Wen Ke had come for work-related matters.

“Xiaoyu, are you sick?” Wen Ke was half a head shorter than him, with a pair of seemingly soft eyes that looked very concerned when they met Fu Xiaoyu’s.

“Not really, just a sore throat.”

Fu Xiaoyu had no desire for unnecessary pleasantries and asked bluntly, “Is there something you need?”

However, he still poured Wen Ke a glass of orange juice. He knew about omega physiology, and coming late at night, it must have been taxing on Wen Ke’s body.

“Yes, there is.”

Perhaps it was Fu Xiaoyu’s demeanor that made Wen Ke hesitate for a moment, but after a pause, he took a file from his folder and handed it to Fu Xiaoyu. “Xiaoyu, tomorrow is the pre-launch event. I… I’ve been thinking for a long time… I want to show you all the arrangements and processes I’ve worked on.”

“Am I still a Lite shareholder?”

Fu Xiaoyu couldn’t help but show a somewhat sarcastic smile. “I thought I was fired from this job along with IM.”

“That’s impossible.” Wen Ke didn’t retort with sarcasm despite Fu Xiaoyu’s tone but said hesitantly, “Xiaoyu, I haven’t thought about it that way, and I can’t do that. In fact, we all know that without you, I couldn’t have achieved what we have with the Love app. As for… Han Jiangque’s matter, I don’t know how you see me now, but I genuinely have no ill will towards you.”

Wen ke was always gentle, and his good temper even irritated Xiao Yu a bit.

“It’s boring to hear you say all this, Wen Ke. You were already the winner the moment you appeared.”

Fu Xiaoyu couldn’t hide his irritation and bluntly interrupted Wen Ke.

Wen Ke looked at him and was momentarily taken aback.

Fu Xiaoyu knew he had lost control.

He had always been matter-of-fact and had never spoken such sharp and emotional words before.

Xu Jiale had said that people were like containers, and emotions were like water, the fuller the container, the more painful it became. So, he didn’t mind showing cracks, feeling embarrassed, or saying what he wanted to say since he had already started speaking.

He spoke deliberately, word by word, “Wen Ke, when I was in my sophomore year, I confessed to Han Jiangque, and he flatly rejected me. It was the first time in my life that I confessed to someone, and it was really embarrassing. For a while, I thought we couldn’t even be friends anymore, but gradually, he didn’t care, and I pretended it had never happened. Over the years, I’ve been by his side, co-founded IM with him, and even Han’s family believed that I was destined to be his omega. Our relationship is so close, and sometimes, I can’t help but think that in a few more years, I might still have a chance. But now you’re back, Wen Ke. You don’t have to do anything, and I’m already a total loser.”

He paused, taking a deep breath. “Wen Ke, from a personal perspective, I don’t actually dislike you. You’re not the kind of useless omega who relies on an alpha, as I imagined. You’re not only smart but also hardworking. However, I can’t help but dislike your presence. Han Jiangque’s world is too small, and you’ve already taken it all. He doesn’t need friends anymore, doesn’t need money or a career. Whether you want it or not, your presence has changed him and everything around him. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have to leave IM. So, it’s not that you have ill will towards me; it’s that I have ill will towards you.”

His rapid words left Wen Ke silent for a long time.

For a while, Fu Xiaoyu even thought that his accusations might make Wen Ke turn and leave.

But Wen Ke suddenly stood up and said seriously, “Xiaoyu, you’re wrong; Han Jiangque needs you. Yes, his world is small, and he has few friends, but no matter what, you are the most important one in it. On New Year’s Eve, after you two had a fight, he was so upset he couldn’t sleep almost the entire night. When you’re drinking in the bar, even if I’m with him, he still occasionally looks your way. He worries about you and wants to protect you. Even now, whether you believe it or not, I must tell you, just as no one can interfere with our love, no one can interfere with your friendship. Not even me.”

Wen Ke said this and sighed, “Xiaoyu, actually… why would he not care about you as a friend? You’re outstanding, and even I would like to be your friend. Of course, I know it’s unlikely, but I still hope you can feel my sincerity…”

“I like working with you.” Wen Ke’s light brown eyes looked at him, appearing gentle and sincere. “Not only do I like it, but I also admire you. You said I’m the winner, but for so long, in the workplace, haven’t I been looking up to you? How could you think of yourself as a total loser?”

This time, it was Fu Xiaoyu who was momentarily stunned. “Is that so?”

He looked at the Omega in front of him, feeling puzzled.

Wen Ke blushed slightly and lowered his head before tentatively asking, “Xiaoyu… if you’re feeling well tomorrow, could you consider coming to B University? You don’t need to help with anything, just be in the audience and see our results.”

“…” Fu Xiaoyu didn’t answer right away.

As he escorted Wen Ke to the door, he suddenly said in a low voice, “Wen Ke, the driver assigned to you by Han Jiangque, make sure to keep him with you. Be careful in general, you understand?”

He hadn’t actually managed IM’s affairs personally, but when he resigned earlier, he deliberately left Wang Xiaoshan behind. So he had briefly looked at the information Wang Xiaoshan had sent him.

He was aware of some of the actions Zhuo Yuan had taken to retaliate against IM. Although he wouldn’t intervene or manage it himself, he wanted to take the opportunity to remind Wen Ke.

“Okay.” Wen Ke’s eyes sparkled with happiness because of his concern. He patted Fu Xiaoyu’s shoulder and said, “Xiaoyu, you also need to take care of your health, rest more. Oh, by the way, once we’re done with this busy period, I’ll make the Napa cabbage and tofu soup you used to love and have a delivery driver bring it to you.”

He really was a good Omega. Perhaps Han Jiangque falling in love with him was destiny.

For the first time, Fu Xiaoyu genuinely felt this way. In the dimly lit night, Fu Xiaoyu and Wen Ke locked eyes for a moment. Fu Xiaoyu put his hands in his pajama pockets and casually said, “Fine, I’ll try to find time to pass by the university.”