RIVALS OF REBIRTH

Chapter 70 Extra 2

From the very beginning, Alex knew that Zheng Jue wasn’t an ordinary person.

He had given himself two orders. He had dodged a premeditated stock market attack with the first, and with the second, he had brought down one of the city’s oldest families.

At the time, Alex didn’t understand the significance of these orders. But when he eventually grasped the meaning, he realized he had been involved in events that turned the entire commercial landscape upside down.

Zheng Jue’s rise in this city was a marvel, and others tried to imitate him afterward. However, no one could reach Zheng Jue’s heights. Even someone like Alex, who had witnessed it firsthand, didn’t dare claim that he could be a second Zheng Jue.

Alex admired Zheng Jue greatly and, at the same time, feared him. He always felt that this seemingly gentle young man harbored an unknown side of terror. So, he treated Zheng Jue with utmost respect, even though he had become a senior partner at the stock exchange himself.

On this particular day, Alex had initially planned to go to the mall to buy a birthday present for his daughter. She had been reminding him for a week leading up to her birthday, and he didn’t want to mess it up again. He hadn’t forgotten the last time he forgot his daughter’s birthday, which led to a year of hot water.

Coincidentally, as he entered the first floor of the mall, he spotted Zheng Jue in one of the shops. Zheng Jue was holding something and chatting with a salesperson.

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Alex felt a bit apprehensive, but strangely proud at the same time. Zheng Jue was speaking to him as an equal on an unfamiliar topic.

Perhaps Zheng Jue’s day wasn’t too busy. After helping Alex pick out a gift, they even had lunch together. During the meal, Alex finally took the opportunity to voice his curiosity.

“Zheng Jue, which young lady is so lucky? I wonder when I need to prepare a red envelope?” Alex said playfully.

Zheng Jue hesitated for a moment, then smiled. He took out the ring from his pocket, and Alex leaned in curiously to take a look. It was a simple platinum ring, with a perfectly cut square diamond in the center, surrounded by a circle of delicate small diamonds. Surprisingly, it was a men’s ring.

Alex felt a bit awkward for a moment. “This… this is…”

Seeing his reaction, Zheng Jue couldn’t help but laugh. “I bought this for a friend.”

“Oh, I see.” Alex blushed slightly. He knew that Zheng Jue’s explanation couldn’t be true. Who would use such a tender and affectionate look to buy a ring for a friend, especially a men’s ring? The straightforward intention behind it made him instantly consider an alternative conclusion.

He discreetly glanced at Zheng Jue, young and handsome. He couldn’t imagine that someone like him could be…

Suddenly, Alex regretted asking such a nosy and foolish question. He felt quite uncomfortable now, like he was sitting on pins and needles.

Perhaps sensing Alex’s unease, Zheng Jue didn’t engage in much conversation with him this time. After they finished their meal, he made an excuse and left.

As Alex watched Zheng Jue’s departing figure, he couldn’t help but sink into a sense of frustration. How could he have been so foolish? He had probably offended Zheng Jue with his awkward question. He needed to rely on Zheng Jue as a major client, and now he had potentially ruined that relationship.

Although Alex felt like banging his head against a wall in frustration, life had to go on. He returned home with a pile of gifts, wearing a gloomy expression as he reported the outcome of his shopping expedition.

The gifts were well received by his daughter, who even gave him a kiss on the cheek. Since she had entered her teenage years, she hadn’t shown such affection to her dad. Alex found momentary comfort in her happiness.

But after the birthday party ended, his previous frustration returned. He was almost in a panic, waiting for the sword of Damocles to fall on his head. However, a month went by, and Zheng Jue hadn’t taken any action.

Finally, Alex breathed a sigh of relief. He understood Zheng Jue well enough to know that if Zheng Jue wanted to deal with him, it wouldn’t take this long. It seemed that Zheng Jue wasn’t holding his faux pas against him.

With that conclusion, Alex felt more at ease. He knew that he needed to be careful around Zheng Jue, who still remained his stockbroker publicly. He started to cautiously appear around Zheng Jue again. After all, his relationship with Zheng Jue was crucial, and he didn’t want to jeopardize it.

Their relationship gradually returned to normal. Alex even noticed that Zheng Jue seemed to treat him a bit better than before. For some reason, Alex felt a small sense of satisfaction at this discovery. It must be the effect of sharing a secret, he thought.

Still, Alex remained in the dark about who the ring was meant for. Although he had occasionally paid attention to the people around Zheng Jue, he hadn’t been able to deduce who might be involved in that aspect of Zheng Jue’s life. Over time, his curiosity faded.

However, the truth sometimes arrives unexpectedly. One day, when Alex was reporting to Zheng Corporation, he walked into the office and saw Han Shao, Han family’s  son, sitting on the sofa, engrossed in his phone.

Zheng Jue was behind his desk, dealing with a stack of files. When he saw Alex enter, he looked up and said, “Alex, have a seat.” Then he lowered his head to continue working on the documents.

Alex knew that this wasn’t the right time to ask questions. He walked towards the sofa where Han Shao was sitting. He felt somewhat intimidated by Han Shao, who had swiftly taken control of the Han Corporation within a year. Han Shao wasn’t easy to get along with, always wearing a stern expression and a volatile temper. Although Alex knew that Zheng Jue had a good relationship with Han Shao, he had never spoken to him before.

Sitting down carefully, Alex tried not to attract attention. Han Shao didn’t even lift an eyelid as Alex sat down. Alex couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief and stole a glance at Han Shao.

Han Shao was also extremely handsome. Unlike Zheng Jue’s gentleness, there was a sharpness to Han Shao’s good looks. He appeared indifferent as he played a childish game on his phone. Alex couldn’t help but feel that something was off.

But at that moment, Alex suddenly noticed something that made his heart stop. Han Shao was wearing a ring on his ring finger, and if he wasn’t mistaken, it was the same ring that had tormented him for a month—the ring Zheng Jue had bought.

Alex was completely stunned. He stared at Han Shao’s hand in disbelief. He couldn’t fathom that the man who was involved with Zheng Jue was actually Han Shao.

This couldn’t be true!

Perhaps sensing Alex’s unusual gaze, Han Shao finally turned his head and glanced at Alex. His brows slightly furrowed, but when he followed Alex’s gaze to his hand and saw the ring, a strange smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

He lifted his ring finger almost flauntingly, offering a half-smile that seemed to carry hidden meanings, as if he was teasing Alex.

Alex’s face turned red in an instant. He felt embarrassed and lowered his head. He berated himself countless times in his mind. He must have gone crazy.

Offending Zheng Jue was one thing, but now he had apparently managed to offend Han Shao too. Alex couldn’t believe he had been so thoughtless. He had never imagined that these two individuals were actually a couple. While he knew they had a good relationship, Alex had thought that if Zheng Jue wanted a partner, it would be someone as gentle and kind as himself—not someone as cold and ruthless as Han Shao, the scion of the Han family.

Feeling Han Shao’s gaze on him, Alex tentatively looked up, only to lock eyes with Han Shao. Han Shao glared at him fiercely, causing Alex to quickly lower his head again, feeling incredibly uneasy.

Finally, after Zheng Jue finished his work, Alex had a chance to speak with him. The stock market had been quite stable over the past few months, so there wasn’t much to discuss. Alex gave a stuttering report for about ten minutes, feeling restless throughout.

Zheng Jue gave a casual nod and then issued a few important instructions regarding certain stocks. Alex had been feeling so on edge that he could hardly meet Zheng Jue’s eyes. He was afraid that if he did, his complex emotions would be written all over his face. Yet even with his attempts to conceal his feelings, he knew his rigid expression must have seemed odd.

As Alex was about to leave, Zheng Jue couldn’t help but ask, “Are you okay?”

Alex’s nerves got the best of him, and he waved his hand anxiously. “I’m fine, really. I should go now and not keep you from your work.” He managed a stiff smile, though it looked more awkward than cheerful.

Zheng Jue looked at him oddly. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Feeling the weight of Han Shao’s gaze behind him, Alex shook his head quickly.

“Well then, just follow my instructions from now on. You can go.” Zheng Jue sighed.

Alex felt like a prisoner being granted parole. He hastily left Zheng Jue’s office without a second’s hesitation.

Despite Susie’s curious gaze from outside, Alex ignored it and dashed to the elevator. Just as he was about to press the elevator button, he realized he had left the folder he brought in Zheng Jue’s office. He struggled with his decision for a while, but ultimately, he couldn’t leave such an important folder behind. He turned around to retrieve it.

When he once again reached the door of Zheng Jue’s office, Susie wasn’t around. He didn’t think much of it and walked up to the door. Finding it slightly ajar, he was about to knock when he heard a noise from inside.

Alex froze and halted his hand mid-knock. He peered through the crack in the door and saw Han Shao leaning back against Zheng Jue’s desk, while Zheng Jue held him in a tight embrace, kissing his lips.

Alex felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He was utterly stunned. He watched the tenderness on Zheng Jue’s relaxed profile and the focused gaze Han Shao directed at Zheng Jue. In that moment, all of Alex’s previous misconceptions were shattered.

Turning away dazedly, Alex pressed the elevator button and left Masther Zheng’s office. He left the building behind.

As he once again bathed in the sunlight, he suddenly realized that the weather today was truly beautiful.