What To Do When The Boss Takes A Liking To You chapter 55
The Guilty Little Puppy
Although the door to the president’s office was thick and soundproof, leaning against it, Xu Le still felt a sense of awkwardness as if someone might burst in at any moment.
“President Lan, what are you doing?” he stammered, forgetting to use formal language.
Lan Qing didn’t respond. Instead, he raised his hand towards Xu Le’s face. Instinctively, Xu Le turned to dodge, but Lan Qing’s other hand firmly held his shoulder, preventing him from moving.
Cool fingertips brushed against the slightly bluish skin under his eyes before quickly releasing.
“Didn’t get enough rest again?”
Xu Le gave a confused “huh,” first nodding, then quickly shaking his head. “It’s okay, at least I didn’t lose sleep.”
“What did you think I was going to do just now? Did you think I was going to kiss you again?” A hint of amusement flickered in Lan Qing’s deep blue eyes, finding the intern’s reaction quite entertaining.
The word “again” seemed to hint at some unspoken understanding.
Xu Le quickly recalled the previous incident, his stiff expression turning a vivid red.
“But if you want me to kiss you, I will. After all, kissing in the office could be a unique experience.”
Xu Le was dumbfounded.
Was this really the cold and aloof President Lan he knew? How could he say such things so bluntly, almost shamelessly?
No, the one feeling embarrassed was only him. Lan Qing’s expression hadn’t changed at all, remaining calm and indifferent, as if he were discussing something trivial.
Moreover, from what Lan Qing said, it sounded like he was shifting the blame. How did Xu Le give the impression that he wanted to be kissed?
Feeling embarrassed, he wanted to protest but spoke weakly and without confidence, “President Lan, weren’t you the one who called me here?”
“Then why were you dodging?” Lan Qing frowned slightly.
“I wasn’t…”
“Then why are you leaning against the door now?”
“You suddenly walked over, so I dodged,” Xu Le protested internally, feeling innocent.
Lan Qing said nothing, releasing his grip on Xu Le’s shoulder and staring at him for a few seconds before walking back to his desk and sitting down.
Watching him sit back, Xu Le, feeling like a guilty puppy, quietly moved to a spot about a meter in front of the desk, then stood still, waiting for Lan Qing to speak further.
“I’ve temporarily given you the right to use the apartment. You can leave anytime you want; I won’t interfere with your freedom,” Lan Qing said after a moment of contemplation.
Xu Le’s eyes widened slightly, just about to speak when Lan Qing interrupted.
“If you want to move out, I respect that. But to be honest—” Lan Qing paused, looking seriously at him, “since you’re my current romantic pursuit, I would indeed feel uncomfortable if you lived with another man.”
Xu Le was completely taken aback. He didn’t expect Lan Qing to speak so directly. Nervously, he glanced at the door, fearing someone might be eavesdropping outside.
“Without my permission, no one dares to disturb us. It’s just you and me here, don’t worry.”
Xu Le sighed in relief but felt his heart inexplicably tighten again.
It was like an invisible sword of Damocles hung over him, forcing him to face what he had been avoiding.
“Go back and make sure to get some rest,” Lan Qing said calmly.
Lan Qing’s demeanor had shifted so quickly to a businesslike coldness that Xu Le was momentarily stunned, forgetting the playful tone from earlier.
Seeing Xu Le still standing there after a while, Lan Qing looked up, his deep blue eyes serious. “Why are you still standing there? Do you want to set up your workstation here?”
“Huh? Oh…” Xu Le was greatly embarrassed, bowed, and quickly left as if oiling the soles of his feet.
Lan Qing’s hot-and-cold attitude left him confused about what he really meant.
If it was a genuine pursuit, shouldn’t there be more enthusiasm and warmth?
Although Xu Le had never pursued anyone, he had been pursued. In college, he had many experiences of being asked out to eat, watch movies, or attend live house shows. It definitely shouldn’t be such a calm attitude.
Realizing he was actually contemplating Lan Qing’s pursuit, Xu Le was startled by the thought. What was going on? Was he considering the possibility of being with Lan Qing?
For the rest of the day, Xu Le buried himself in work diligently.
Compared to unrealistic fantasies, real money in hand felt more practical.
After work, just as he stepped out of the office building, he saw Li Dongming’s car, double flashing as if waiting for him. He quickly ran over and got in.
“Why are you here?”
“The gym’s busy hours are over, so I came to take you out to dinner and pick you up.”
“Hahaha, so what are we eating?”
Li Dongming thought for a moment. “You pick a place and send me the location.”
Xu Le chose a well-reviewed hotpot restaurant. Li Dongming set the GPS and drove there.
It wasn’t far, and they hadn’t hit the dinner rush yet, so they got a table without waiting.
Soon, the hotpot broth and ingredients were brought to the table. Both of them liked spicy food, so they ordered a red oil spicy broth. The boiling hotpot soup looked enticingly red and smelled mouth-watering.
They chatted while enjoying the hotpot.
Li Dongming showed Xu Le photos of the gym’s interior and equipment.
“Wow, it’s so big, with so much equipment, a café, a lounge, a sauna, and even a pool!” Xu Le was surprised. He had thought it was just a simple gym.
“I came to Hai City to start a business. I’ll give you some membership cards to share with your colleagues at a staff discount.”
“And for me?” Xu Le joked.
“Of course, a VIP treatment with me as your personal trainer!”
“Get lost, hahaha!” Xu Le laughed.
Li Dongming dipped a piece of beef tripe in the sauce and ate it. “By the way, Lele, maybe you shouldn’t move out just yet.”
“What’s the matter?” Xu Le asked.
“I’ve looked at a lot of apartments, but none are as good as the one you’re living in. Either the location isn’t good, or the environment isn’t suitable.”
Xu Le hesitated upon hearing this. He couldn’t just tell Li Dongming that he felt embarrassed to continue living there because his boss liked him.
“Let me think about it some more.”
Just as he was deep in thought, a voice from the next table interrupted him.
“Honey, can you get the meat for me? I just did my nails and don’t want to ruin them!”
If a girl had said this, Xu Le would think she was just a pampered girl, which wasn’t a big deal. But since it was a boy who said it, Xu Le was quite shocked.
Li Dongming also noticed and glanced at the two people at the next table. It was a delicate, androgynous-looking boy with a slightly older man in a suit sitting next to him.
“Wow, I didn’t expect to see this in real life,” Li Dongming said, not repulsed but just intrigued, before turning his attention back.
“What do you mean?” Xu Le asked, puzzled.
“My cousin buys a lot of BL (Boys’ Love) novels and comics at home. BL is about romantic stories between men.”
“Oh, I see,” Xu Le said, feeling a bit nervous as he scratched the back of his neck. “What do you think about it?”
“I don’t think much about it. It has nothing to do with us,” Li Dongming shrugged, then picked up some freshly cooked meat for Xu Le.
Xu Le’s mind was racing, and he continued to ask, “Uh, Li, let me ask you something. If a man hugged you or even… kissed you on the mouth, what would you do?”
Li Dongming shivered and waved his hand in disgust. “No way, I can’t accept that. Hugging might be okay, but if a guy kissed me, I might throw up!”
Xu Le was shaken upon hearing this.
He remembered when he kissed President Lan. He didn’t feel disgusted at all; it just felt awkward, and even a bit… inexplicably comfortable.
“But we’ve hugged before, what’s the difference?” Xu Le asked, unwilling to give up.
Li Dongming frowned, thinking for a moment. “Of course, there’s a difference, a huge difference!”
“Huh?”
“You’re my best buddy. Hugging each other is normal because we never think of it that way. But kissing—” Just thinking about it made Li Dongming’s eyebrows knit into a deep furrow. “That’s absolutely impossible! Any normal straight guy would never accept another man kissing him, right?”
Xu Le asked nervously, “Then… if a man forcibly kissed you, what would your first reaction be?”
Li Dongming slapped the table, startling the couple at the next table.
“Honey, you scared me!” The boy snuggled into his partner’s arms, pouting.
“If any man dared to kiss me forcibly, I would definitely scare him with my fist. If I didn’t beat him until he cried for his mom, I wouldn’t be Li!” Li Dongming said firmly.
Xu Le: “…”
Damn, is this what a normal straight guy thinks?
But when he kissed President Lan that day, he didn’t seem to refuse at all. It was just that he nearly couldn’t breathe from the kiss, so he bit President Lan’s lip…
Xu Le couldn’t help but start doubting his own sexual orientation.