Broken by the ring of Gu Yuxuan's phone, they jolted backwards and he answered immediately. Followed by a simple, "Hm… okay", he then looked at Zimo whose eyes were focused on the floor and said, "Let him enter."
The call ended and Gu Yuxuan stood up. "Your father is here."
Zimo looked at him in disbelief. "My father?"
Walking to the door, Gu Yuxuan loosened up the top button of his shirt for air with a slightly trembling hand. While Zimo touched his burning cheeks with the back of his hand as a smile tugged at his lips.
They went to stand in front of the elevator until it finally opened and Su Chen walked in.
"What are you doing here?" Zimo asked in a calm voice but a tensed jaw.
"I'm here for Mr Gu, not you." His father answered.
Gu Yuxuan held out a hand to the living room and Su Chen walked in first. Gu Yuxuan and Zimo glanced at each other. Both were not sure what to expect from this meeting but went to sit down anyway.
"Mr Gu, let me get straight to the point. Keeping my son by your side is endangering him. I'm here to ask that you let him go"
"What gives you the right to ask that?" Zimo furiously snapped.
"Mr Gu, Zimo is impulsive and makes decisions that's not good for himself. He still has a lot to learn and your world will not give him that. This is all I ask."
Zimo sprung to his feet. "Leave!"
"Mr Gu, I believe we have no grudges against each other. I just want to protect my son."
"Protect me? Tell me, what have you done that was protecting me!?"
"Su Zimo!" His father yelled, standing up. "You're coming back with me." He pulled Zimo's arm but Zimo swung it back.
"If you don't leave now, I will really hate you." Zimo said through his teeth.
"Just earlier you were surrounded by guns. Do you not care about your life?"
"I do!" Zimo shouted. "But you ruined it."
Silence swept over the room. A cold energy appeared out of nowhere, biting into the two men's flesh. Zimo's eyes widened as rage filled his pupils with a gaze steadfast on his father, while his father returned it with a sharp stare.
"Su Chen, go now." Gu Yuxuan finally spoke up.
"Mr Gu, I don't think you want more enemies. Do as I say."
"I don't take orders from you." Gu Yuxuan replied.
"You're dragging my son into your mess, how can you be so selfish?" Su Chen asked, looking at Gu Yuxuan who was still seated.
"Zimo can make his own decisions. Neither one of us can choose for him."
"Fine", Su Chen said, nodding his head angrily before he sharply turned and walked out.
The beep of the elevator soon went off as the door closed
Zimo turned to Gu Yuxuan. His body trembling within, forcing a smile on his face. "Sorry about that."
"Sit down", Gu Yuxuan said and walked to the kitchen. He took his phone out and made a call. "Continue investigating Su Chen", he instructed before hanging up.
He walked back to Zimo with a glass and handed it to him. "Don't disturb me with your family problems again."
Looking up to him, Zimo stood up. "Gu Yuxuan", he said but paused for a second. "The reason I came to your company is because I need your help. I don't ask for much, just your backing. Can you do that for me?"
"I can't." Gu Yuxuan said and then walked away.
"You don't even know what I need you for. Gu Yuxuan!"
Gu Yuxuan ignored him and went to his study.
Moments after he returned with a blanket, finding Zimo already asleep. He opened the blanket and threw it over him.
"Gu Yuxuan", Zimo said, opening his eyes.
Gu Yuxuan looked for a safe space next to him and sat down. "What?" He asked.
"You won't listen to my father, will you?"
"Why would I listen to anyone? It's not even my business."
Zimo sat up. Face to face with him.
"You're right. It's not your business, it's mine. But are you really not even interested in knowing my business?"
"I'm not."
"Do you really not care about me?" Zimo asked. "You have me followed because you don't trust me. I can understand that. You don't want me to get close to you because you have your own business to deal with. I can also understand that. But you don't even consider me a friend? Not even an employee? Will I remain a stranger to you?"
Gu Yuxuan remained quiet even though Zimo was waiting for an answer.
"Forget it", Zimo said, realising he won't be getting the answer he wanted and laid back down. He turned to his side, facing the opposite direction. "Gu Yuxuan, goodnight", he said.
Gu Yuxuan just sat there quietly while his eyes lingered on Zimo for a long time even though he was done talking.
Feeling how his chest tightened, the only word that came out was "Zimo".
And Zimo instantly looked around. Hoping to finally hear what's on his mind.
But was left with a "Goodnight".
He swung back, disappointed. And a deep sigh escaped his lips.
* * *
"What's wrong?" Lingling asked.
Zimo sat next to her with a long face. Slouching down in the chair. He looked at her with tired eyes, saying, "It's hard to be a man."
"You have the easiest job, what can possibly be so hard?" Lingling asked.
Zimo took a deep breath before saying, "Having emotions."
Lingling tapped his back while looking at him, trying to hide her smile. "You're just having a bad day. It's fine."
Zimo rolled his eyes, knowing she's not taking him seriously.
"Let's go buy drinks so you can cheer up."She said.
He nodded, pulling himself up, feeling heavier than usual.
Lingling placed her card saying, 'BACK IN A MINUTE', and they walked out.
"How long have you been working for Gu Yuxuan?" Zimo asked as they walked down the street.
"Mr Gu gave me a part time job when I was still in university. It's been three years holding a permanent position. So I've been working for him for six years."
"How were you able to cope with his cold face?" Zimo asked.
"What? You don't like your boss?" Lingling asked.
Zimo didn't know how to explain what he was feeling, so he kept quiet.
"Actually, Mr Gu is a really good person." Lingling said and Zimo turned to her, to hear her words better. "He treats everyone with respect and fairness. If ever there's a grievance, he solves it as soon as possible. Only good things are said by his employees. You're the first one I hear complaining."
"Really?"
"Right. He's just very distant, but he does take care of the people around him."
Zimo stopped and picked up a small stone that was lying away from the others, and placed it with them. He stared at it for a while before walking up to Lingling who was waiting for him, feeling how his chest slowly eased with comfort.
"I guess he's not that bad. Maybe I'm just asking for too much."