18: It’s Easier to Be Bad When You’re With Mr. Sheng
Thanks to some positive news, Shengfang Group’s stock price had finally stopped plummeting like it had after the release of their Q1 financial report.
However, the research on gene editing applications was still stalled—no progress, difficult at every turn. In late May, rumors started spreading throughout the industry that HS Group had launched an unprecedented internal restructuring to investigate corruption within the company. Most of the scrutiny was said to be aimed at HS’s R&D department.
HS’s information control was airtight. Despite the intense rumors of a serious corruption scandal that lasted over two weeks, no one could pinpoint exactly which researchers were involved.
The moment Sheng Shaoyou caught wind of it, he ordered Chen Pinming to immediately compile a list of key corrupt R&D personnel likely to be purged by HS.
He normally despised corrupt leeches. But if those leeches were part of HS’s R&D? That changed everything. This was their chance—while HS’s internal structure was in flux, they could offer a lifeline to those panicked talents, fishing them out just in time.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If they didn’t poach Shen Wenlang’s people now, then when?
Chen Pinming, always his most capable aide, nodded and accepted the task without hesitation.
As he was leaving the office, Sheng Shaoyou called after him, instructing, “Secretary Chen, handle this freely. No need to report anything until there are results. I’ll look at outcomes, not the process—regardless of the cost.”
Facing the sharp expression of his young boss, Chen Pinming solemnly nodded. “Yes, President Sheng.”
The following week, Chen was run off his feet.
Compared to Shengfang, which had dominated Jianghu for over a decade, HS was much younger. Shengfang had a strict hierarchy, but HS valued efficiency above all. Teams with fewer than 50 people often adopted flat management, resulting in a relaxed atmosphere and an unusually strong sense of unity.
Chen Pinming spent considerable effort and only managed to bribe a few peripheral staff. No valuable info surfaced. He was growing anxious when he suddenly recalled a phone call he’d overheard between Sheng Shaoyou and Hua Yong after the morning meeting.
It sounded like Hua Yong had also just finished a meeting with Shen Wenlang and was sweetly asking Sheng what he wanted for dinner.
Sheng didn’t say what he wanted. Instead, he teased: “Didn’t you say you’ve been working overtime for days? How come you’re free to cook today?”
Hua Yong softly explained, “I got off early today. There’s a company team-building event after 2:30. I said I didn’t feel well and slipped home.”
Sheng chuckled. “Since when did you get so naughty? Lying now, are we?”
“It’s because Mr. Sheng led me astray,” Hua Yong replied.
Sheng smiled even more. “I led you astray? You sure it’s not because you’re just a poor student?”
“Being good is hard,” Hua Yong said in a coy tone, lowering his voice until even the ending note was soft. “But it’s easier to be bad when I’m with Mr. Sheng.”
Chen Pinming exited the office, that line echoing in his mind—then a bold and ridiculous idea crossed his mind.
That day, Hua Yong left work early. Sheng didn’t say what he wanted to eat, just told him not to cook—he’d take him out later.
At 3:17 p.m., Hua Yong arrived home. He was just about to pick up the book he hadn’t finished reading when the doorbell rang.
He turned to open it—and found a surprising guest: Chen Pinming.
Secretary Chen greeted him politely. “President Sheng knew you got off work early and thought you might be bored at home. He asked me to bring you some books.”
“Oh,” Hua Yong said. “Thank you, Secretary Chen.”
Chen changed his shoes and entered. The apartment was much tidier than he had imagined. Sheng Shaoyou, born with a silver spoon, wasn’t expected to do housework. But he and Hua Yong had agreed that the latter would do chores in exchange for rent—bringing in a housekeeper might upset the proud, sensitive orchid, so Sheng had instructed that no staff step into this apartment.
But… this clean, shining kitchen counter? The whole place was spotless. Could it be this delicate flower—born with a face that could win him the world—was also this domestic and diligent? What a treasure.
Compared to previous pretty-faced, spoiled Omega lovers, Sheng had really hit the jackpot this time.
“Secretary Chen, would you like tea or coffee?”
Just as Chen’s investigation had suggested, Hua Yong was well-mannered. His tone toward Chen was nearly as polite as toward Sheng Shaoyou—minus the affectionate sweetness. He showed respect, unlike the Omegas who bathed Sheng in sweet words while treating his assistants like servants.
Chen couldn’t help but admire him. The listening device disguised as a pen in his pocket jabbed against his leg, suddenly uncomfortable.
Since he’d said “anything’s fine,” Hua Yong brewed a cup of Darjeeling tea for him, served in elegant Meissen porcelain. The tea’s amber hue shimmered, the brew rich and fragrant.
The bone-china cup looked almost identical to Hua Yong’s pale fingers—so delicate that Chen had to steal another glance.
“What books did you bring?” the beautiful and gentle Omega asked curiously.
Chen handed over the selection he’d prepared.
To his surprise, Hua Yong lit up. “Oh! This one—Renjian Cihua! I was planning to buy it this weekend.” Embarrassed under Chen’s gaze, his joy turned shy. “I loved this one in high school. I’ve always wanted to reread it, just never found the time.”
Chen said courteously, “Looks like you and President Sheng have a strong connection.”
Hua Yong blushed. “Really? You think so, Secretary Chen?”
“Yes,” Chen lied smoothly. “It was the first book he listed. Had you mentioned it to him?”
“No.”
“Then it must be telepathy.” Remembering the joy on Sheng’s face during the call, Chen added naturally, “It’s obvious President Sheng really likes you.”
“Mr. Sheng likes me?” Hua Yong smiled brightly. “Thank you for saying that. Oh, I baked cookies. Would you like some?”
Chen, searching for a way to be alone in the room, nodded quickly. “That sounds great, actually. I am a little hungry. Thank you, Mr. Hua.”
“Not at all.” Hua Yong stood and walked to the kitchen. “I made two flavors. Want to try both?”
As soon as he was out of sight, Chen got up, went to the entryway, and found Hua Yong’s work bag hanging on a hook. He removed a pen with the HS logo and slipped in the identical-looking listening device.
He let out a breath of relief—only to hear Hua Yong’s voice behind him: “Secretary Chen?”
Chen jumped, breaking into a cold sweat. His mind raced to come up with an excuse.
This orchid wasn’t ordinary. He was about to break Sheng’s six-month relationship record, and Sheng’s interest clearly wasn’t fading.
As Chen panicked, he realized this orchid might just be too innocent. Hua Yong tilted his head, completely unbothered. “Are you curious about our company’s pen design? Your company doesn’t issue pens like that?”
Then, kindly: “If you like it, I can give it to you.”
“No, that’s not it,” Chen blurted. “I thought it was President Sheng’s bag. I was just trying to refill his business cards.” He made a distressed face. “Last time he realized his card case was empty and really laid into me.”
Hua Yong smiled kindly. “Mr. Sheng is pretty fierce. He has a bad temper. You must work really hard.”
Chen’s conscience twinged painfully.
But Hua Yong seemed blissfully unaware, even cheerfully sharing some of his personal notes on “how to be a good secretary.”
As it neared Sheng’s return, Chen made up an excuse and left, clutching his guilty conscience and thinking once more—Sheng Shaoyou had truly picked a rare, innocent little white orchid this time.
That evening, Sheng learned that Chen had brought Hua Yong books. He hadn’t expected him to like them so much.
The moment he walked in, the little orchid threw his arms around his neck and gave him two kisses.
Sheng was instantly delighted. He held his neck, trying to deepen the kiss, but the orchid giggled and dodged, waving the book in his hand. “Secretary Chen said you picked these just for me. But how did you know this was the one I wanted most?”
Sheng glanced at the book, then at the brilliant smile on Hua Yong’s face, and thought—Chen really did a good job this time.
He wrapped his arm around Hua Yong’s waist, leaned down to inhale his scent, and murmured with a low voice, “I guessed. But I still hope I can get inside you soon—”
Hua Yong’s ears turned bright red, head lowered shyly.
Chuckling, Sheng finished the sentence. He gently touched his flat belly. “Get inside you, become the bug in your stomach—then I won’t have to guess anymore.”
The orchid’s blush spread from his ears to his neck. Sheng held him tighter, nuzzling his neck. Hua Yong twitched a little at the touch but didn’t push him away, letting Sheng guide him onto the couch.
Only when this little orchid lay on his back did Sheng notice the sharp angle of his jawline, the precise, striking features, the angles that might have looked aggressive—if not for those soft, dewy eyes.
When those eyes looked at him, they were filled with tenderness, with love so abundant that Sheng felt it could never run dry.
On the couch, under his gentle gaze, Sheng leaned down and kissed the lips that smelled faintly of orchids. Hua Yong wrapped his arms around him, one hand lightly climbing up his back, lips parting shyly for a deeper kiss.
This orchid didn’t say “I love you” very often—but Sheng Shaoyou was sure: Hua Yong truly, deeply loved him.