Chu Junyu shook his head, his gaze fixed on Nangong Yehen. His clear, bottomless black eyes were bright and pure, tinged with a hint of curiosity.
"You look like my son."
Huo Luan, standing behind him, couldn't help but purse his lips upon hearing this.
Master, he is your son, after all.
Chu Junyu stared at him in astonishment. "You have a son?"
The media had never reported that he had a son—so he was already married.
Nangong Yehen smiled faintly. "Mm, I have two."
"Heh heh..." Chu Junyu gave a forced smile.
"You're very interesting, very handsome, adorable, and you seem quite well-behaved."
"No choice, my mom taught me well." Chu Junyu smiled at Nangong Yehen. "You're not bad either. You're even more handsome in person than in your photos."
Mom said you have to reciprocate in social interactions—since he complimented him, he should compliment him back.
"Haha..." Nangong Yehen raised an eyebrow first, looking at Chu Junyu with amusement, then broke into a joyful laugh, his laughter as pleasant as a breeze through a bamboo grove, soothing to the ear.
Huo Luan, standing behind him, had a flicker in his eyes. He had never seen the master laugh so heartily.
"How am I like your son?" Chu Junyu suddenly asked.
"In every way," Nangong Yehen replied.
"Then am I your son?"
"Do you want to be my son?"
"No!"
Nangong Yehen's smile suddenly faded as he gazed deeply at Chu Junyu. "Why don't you want to be my son?"
"Your identity is too dangerous." To fight for the position of City King, he could be attacked at any time.
"My powerful influence can protect you."
"I don't need your protection." Chu Junyu's expression abruptly turned cold as he stared at Nangong Yehen. "You've been watching me all along."
"And then?" He waited for him to continue.
"I have a dream." Chu Junyu said darkly, his handsome, youthful face serious.
"What dream?" Nangong Yehen asked.
This kid had him on edge.
"In twenty years, I will defeat you and take your seat as City King."
"Oh?" Nangong Yehen raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, looking at Chu Junyu with a half-smile.
Truly worthy of being his son, Nangong Yehen's—enough courage and boldness.
"..." Huo Luan's eyes twitched. The young master had guts and nerve.
"In twenty years, I'll step down and pass the City King position to my son," Nangong Yehen said with a smile.
"Then I'll defeat your son," Chu Junyu said, looking at Nangong Yehen as if he weren't joking at all.
"Why must you be the City King?"
Chu Junyu curled his lips, his smile faint. "Then tell me, why must you be the City King?"
"To become the pinnacle king."
Chu Junyu smiled elegantly. "My thoughts are the same."
Nangong Yehen raised an eyebrow, gazing deeply at Chu Junyu, his expression unreadable.
"If you were my son, when you grow up, I'd give you everything—wouldn't that be better?" Nangong Yehen said with a smile.
Chu Junyu shook his head. "I don't want a father."
His gaze drifted past Nangong Yehen to the family of three at the table behind him, lost in thought.
Nangong Yehen raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. "Why don't you want a father?"
"He abandoned me and my mom."
Nangong Yehen's expression darkened. "So you hate him?"
Why did the thought of him hating him make his chest feel tight?
Chu Junyu withdrew his gaze, fixing it on Nangong Yehen, and spoke unhurriedly, "No, I don't hate him. I don't hate him."