Chapter 32 - Getting Rid of that Bigshot (9)

translator: baumkuchen editors: serefina, glitterypanda

By the time the stock market closed that day, Zhou Kais companys shares had plummeted all the way to green, dropping to a record low. They had black employees resigning one after another in protest, and amongst them, there were even three young white people and two Asians.

The whereabouts of Simon, the vice head of the department of public relations, were unknown, leaving the department head so busy he practically became a spinning top.

He contacted Zhou Kai and pleaded warily, Mister Zhou, the current situation is very grim. You cant just keep hiding. Your only way out now is to personally appear and publicly apologise.

Zhou Kai instantly blew up. Apologise? What for? For that group of n*****s? Can they keep complaining until their voices reach the heavens? I dont think so!

The department heads face turned the same shade of miserable green as the companys stocks.

Zhou Kai slammed his hand on the table and started cursing in anger, Each and every one of those n*****s are always acting like everybody owes them something! Its not like Im white, Ive never killed their ancestors, Ive never did them any wrong. Whos it hurting if I talk a little about not liking them in private?

The department heads body was drenched in sweat. He didnt at all know what to say.

Zhou Kai of course knew that in the white mans world, political correctness was everything. No matter how much he disliked black people in private, he absolutely could not say that in public.

He had always been cautious, never even toeing that bottom line. Who knew that the one time he did, it would be broadcast to the entire country. He had practically hopped back and forth across that bottom line. No, not just a hop, it was a striding step, a huge leap across.

Zhou Kais skin prickled with that thought, cold and hot sweat mixing as they dripped down his body.

But the more it was like this, the less he was willing to admit his wrongs, and also, the less he could actually admit his wrongs.

The department head, both mentally and physically exhausted, put forward a suggestion, If youre not willing to come forward, I think you could ask Mister Shen for help. After all, Mister Shen is also involved in this matter. If Mister Shen is willing to say some good things on your behalf, perhaps he could divert the publics attention

If the department head hadnt mentioned it, Zhou Kai would really never have thought that this matter also involved Shen Changqing.

When he tried to think about it carefully, he felt his head throb. Carelessly waving his hand, he said, Go contact him then.

After years of observation, he had a lot of faith in Shen Changqing. He knew there

was a door on his mouth

and he wouldnt blindly say just anything.

And so, the department head contacted Shen Changqing.

In the department heads mind, Shen Changqing was a reticent and passive young man, a

dodder flower

raised by Zhou Kai.

So his objective for this phone call was simple: Persuade Shen Changqing to cooperate with him, have him hold a press conference following a script he wrote and express his support and understanding for Zhou Kai.

After the call connected, he skipped over any superfluous conventional greetings and went straight to the point, asking, Mister Shen, have you seen the video being spread around the internet?

The voice from the other end of the call was a little hoarse, En, Ive seen it.

Inwardly, the department head thought, sure enough, hes long since found out.

He asked, What do you think about this matter?

Shen Changqing asked, Which one?

The department heads voice stuttered. He vaguely felt like there was something a little strange, but still replied in a warm voice, Its the matter of Mister Zhous improper conduct. I hope you can offer some assistance. I have here a draft of a speech

Is this matter very important? Shen Changqing sniffed his nose, then asked.

The department head was slightly stunned.

Shen Changqing said worriedly, Compared to this matter of Mister Zhou having an affair, the other issue is probably more important.

These words directly jabbed at the department heads concerns. But he wasnt at all planning on discussing this matter in detail with a dodder flower that wasnt of great use to him. Mister Shen, youll only be responsible for the part you can be responsible for. We are enough to manage everything else, please dont worry.

Shen Changqings voice was slightly hesitant, Really?

The department head hurriedly enforced his point, You may rest assured.

When will the conference be held?

Soon.

Shen Changqing said obediently, Ill listen to you then.

The department head let of a sigh of relief, Then Mister Shen, Ill fax you the rough draft of my speech. Please familiarise yourself with it as soon as possible, as well as the questions that the reporters may ask. Ive prepared everything for you already.

After he hung up, Yi Song went to receive the fax.

As for Chi Xiaochi, who was regarded as a puppet by everyone, he dutifully played the part of a qualified puppet, going off to pick out the clothes he was going to wear, then turning and going to the bathroom to wash up.

Under 061s daily treatment, his fracture had recovered quite well. As long as he didnt press on it, it wouldnt hurt.

He began to remove the brace, then put it to the side before moving to a stool to sit down, so as to not slip and fall.

061, seeing Chi Xiaochi busily setting about on his task alone, couldnt quite bear it, Call Yi Song over to help you wash up.

Every day, Yi Song would help him scrub his body clean. Every time he did so would cause incredible discomfort to Chi Xiaochi, and after just ten minutes of washing, he would need half an hour to recover. It was really miserable.

Chi Xiaochi turned on the tap for hot water. Hot water surged down from the shower head.

He said confidently, Ill do it myself.

Immediately after, he choked, getting water up his nose.

Each cough could be said to be

etched into his bones and inscribed on his heart

.

It was not until energy filled his chest and the pain subsided that Chi Xiaochi was finally able to catch his breath.

Cleaning his body was still alright, it was just that hair was too difficult to manage. No matter whether he used shampoo or just rinsed his hair with water, the action was too difficult for the current Chi Xiaochi.

Noticing the rare frustrated expression on Chi Xiaochis face, 061 let out a helpless laugh, saying, Just wash your body first. Ill help you wash your hair.

After a simple wash, Chi Xiaochi returned to lay the bed according to 061s instructions, closing his eyes to rest.

After all, this body was injured. Even a simple shower would tire it out.

He heard the sound of slowly approaching footsteps. The man locked the door, brought over a stool, put down a basin of warm water and a bottle of shampoo and sat down by the head of the bed.

061 whispered, Dont move.

Chi Xiaochi really didnt move, letting a wave of energy wrap him up and smoothly move him to the side of the bed, just nice exposing a small half of his head.

Shen Changqings hair hadnt been cut in a long time. It felt very soft, and was a little long.

061 gathered up his hair, picked up the comb hed prepared, and after teasing the knots out of his hair little by little, he lifted up the basin of warm water, dampening the dry tips of his hair bit by bit.

As 061 began to massage the shampoo in, Chi Xiaochi, whose scalp was being touched, huddled away uncomfortably for a moment.

061 asked, Whats wrong, did I pull too hard?

Chi Xiaochi instinctively opened his eyes.

The face that appeared in his vision gave Chi Xiaochi a shock. You

Unexpectedly, 061 was wearing Chi Xiaochis own

original

face. He smiled at him.

He asked, Like this, its like youre washing yourself. Does it feel a little better?

Chi Xiaochi stared at that face, and gave his comment, Its even weirder now.

But although he didnt say it, he indeed didnt feel any of the usual resistance or disgust.

061 laughed, Then just close your eyes, and pretend you cant see.

Chi Xiaochi closed his eyes.

Without his sight, he could feel the warm water flowing through his hair even more clearly, as well as how 061 was massaging shampoo through his hair as lightly as possible. He felt like he had fallen into an old dream.

He felt like he had been very fortunate lately.

With 061 around, he would often think of Lou-ge, of that distant, happy time.

It was satisfying just to think about it.

Unexpectedly, Chi Xiaochi, who hated people touching his body the most, fell asleep under 061s slow and careful massage. He woke up to the gentle sound of air blowing out of the hair dryer.

061 looked down and asked, Awake?

Hed unexpectedly slept for a while, how nice.

Chi Xiaochi didnt say anything. 061 also didnt continue asking any more questions.

The warm wind, combined with the feeling of 061s soft, slender fingers, created a sleepy atmosphere in the room. His other senses were magnified by leaps and bounds. The smell of the Yi Songs freshly-mown lawn drifted in through the window. The sunlight shone onto the sheets, relaxing his four limbs and muscles.

One person and one system spent an hour of quiet and peaceful time together.

An hour later, the department head arrived with his assistant outside the villa in his car.

After their experience that day, Yi Song and the rest had already experienced being harassed. Upon receiving the call, they opened the metal gates, allowing the car to directly drive in all the way to the villas doorstep.

The crime of trespassing wasnt a small one. The journalists squatting outside didnt dare to act blindly. They could only stretch out their necks like geese and raise the cameras in their hands, hoping to catch a glimpse of Zhou Kais figure.

The department head entered the villa and saw Shen Changqing.

At first inspection, the department head was extremely satisfied with Shen Changqings condition.

He was a lot slimmer than the last time hed seen him. His slender waist was outlined exceptionally clearly by his suit. The colour of the clothes he was wearing was low-key, making his complexion seem even more pale in contrast. He was the very image of a victim disturbed and tormented by the earth-shattering news.

The department head seated him in the car and directly drove away.

This was Chi Xiaochis very first time leaving that beautiful cage since coming to this world.

Shen Changqing sat upright, the speech draft clenched tightly in both hands, Will it really be okay like this?

The department head comforted him, Dont be nervous.

He also asked a few pre-prepared questions. Shen Changqing answered, stuttering, but in any case, it could still be considered appropriate. Despite this, the department head was a little dissatisfied. However, matters had already reached this point and there wasnt any spokesperson more fit to saving the show than Shen Changqing.

061, looking at Chi Xiaochi whose ears were red from nervousness, said, You really like this kind of plot.

Chi Xiaochi said, I hate it, this one is incredibly nervous, alright?

061 laughed out loud.

He couldnt imagine how Chi Xiaochi could still perfectly maintain the innocent, nervous face of a newbie as he said those kinds of words.

The reporters were all already seated, just waiting for Shen Changqings arrival.

As soon as Shen Changqing took his place on stage, the magnesium lamp lit up in a flash, startling a loud noise out of his throat. He turned a pleading gaze towards the department head.

The department head also knew that even though this Mister Shen had started out as a model, he had already been retired from the circle for many years and it had been a long time since he last faced so many reporters. In addition, the situation he had to face could be said to be very important. Him being a little nervous was only natural.

The department head pulled the microphone over to himself, cleared his throat and gave a simple pre-conference speech.

No one cared at all about what he said. Soon, it was time for the eagerly-awaited section where reporters got to ask questions.

This news conference was being broadcasted live on TV and streamed on the internet. At the beginning, the number of real-time viewers was over two hundred thousand. The moment the segment where reporters could ask questions began, it soared all the way to around the four hundred thousands.

After all, while Shen Changqing hadnt made any racist remarks, he was one of the one of the leads in this sensational news story. People were more concerned about what attitude he was going to take towards Zhou Kai. Would he choose forgiveness, or would he draw a clear line between them?

Sure enough, the first reporters question was rather pointed, Have you seen the sex tape starring Mister Zhou thats been spreading around the internet?

Shen Changqing answered in a soft voice, Yes, I have.

The reporter asked, Did you know Mister Zhou was bisexual?

This question was within the list of questions prepared by the department head.

He looked towards Shen Changqing, his gaze filled with encouragement.

Shen Changqings eyes reddened almost instantaneously. He, he I, I didnt know, hes been really busy as of late and I, Ive been injured, no, sick, so I havent been together with him for a long time now.

The department heads face turned green.

According to his prepared answer, Shen Changqing just needed to say he didnt know.

The latter half on his answer was totally

drawing legs on the snake

!

And the reported immediately caught onto that bit of information from his stammered answer, You mean that, he, while you were injured, engaged in an improper relationship with Miss Lily? How did you become injured?

The author has something to say:

Chairman Chi: Im a cute newbie, I dont know anything, this one is utterly terrified, alright?

sere: freedom of speech means no legal

repercussions

not no repercussions dumbass. ALSO THEY WERE SO CLOSE GDI SO SO SO CLOSE

baum: lmao time to start getting used to this orz The tension

thanks to Nyurr and Kimikat21 for the ko-fis~