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Mobei Jun is not a smart man.
Many would like to argue with this statement. The string of teachers who have praised him from elementary until graduate school, the board of executives who liked kissing his ass thinking that would give them an advantage in the company, heirs and heiresses either through bars or nepotism trying to catch his favor etc. Many would dismiss Mobei Jun’s mindset entirely and liken his nonchalant attitude to humility.
Whether this was work, school, business, or negotiations, he could maneuver through it all just fine. He was however incredibly stupid in the aspects of his life which did matter. And where it all matters most lies in a certain Shang Qinghua
The first time he heard of his engagement he was caught off guard…well…at the time he was not engaged yet. He caught the accountant in office break room speaking with the chairman’s husband Shen Yuan. Mobei Jun’s known the chairman his entire life and was subjected to watching Luo Binghe's one-sided pining for his tutor throughout college.
When he finally put a face to the object of his friend's affections it was then that he found out that he and Shang Qinghua were long-time friends, well internet friends from what he gathered from Luo Binghe’s muttering whenever he came into the CEO’s office unannounced to complain once again about their closeness.
“I’d watch anime with Shizun!,” Luo Binghe would wail. Mobei Jun wondered if he could sneak in some type of ear plugs in but sadly he forgot he left his air pods in his car and only had his wired set at hand. “I can watch One Piece with him ! Whatever that is! I can give commentary that can be just as substantial as that accountant!”
Mobei Jun lets him complain but does take note of the few books and shows that Shang Qinghua spoke about with Shen Yuan just in case he himself could strike up a conversation with him. He took his notepad and wrote down “One Piece” just below “Pretty cure”, “Scissor Seven” and “Three days of Happiness.”
He regularly sees Shen Yuan around the company whether to visit his husband or to bother Shang Qinghua between lunch hour. It isn’t uncommon to catch them in the break room like this, but before he could make his presence known he overheard the conversation that they were having.
“I’m gonna propose tomorrow night. I think I’ve gathered enough points with him, I spent so much time on him I’m pretty sure he’s gonna agree.” Shang Qinghua said. Mobei Jun’s eyes widened as he took glimpses from the door to the pair standing a few feet away. Shang Qinghua fidgeted with his mug and Shen Yuan had a phone in one hand. He didn’t look up as he responded back to the other's news.
“Why can’t you max ur likelihood? Grind for enough love to woo him a bit more so that it’s impossible to say no when you do propose.” Why is Shen Yuan unsurprised by this confession? How long has this relationship been going on? When did Shang Qinghua start dating and how was he unaware? He’s kept tabs on him as much as he could, he even knew his favorite instant noodle brand and energy drink ( he didn’t like purchasing the processed sludge but he’d do so on the days he couldn’t convince the smaller man to go out for dinner. In times like this, he’d wait around with him during overtime and they’d eat the noodles together late into the night/almost early morning )
“Remember that team leader who fucked over the budget on booze and brothels? I got tossed into the hellfire to clean up the record and relocate the rest of the missing funds. He hidden them between the rest of his fake receipts and log orders.”
“ Why can't you grind and propose after a week?”
“Bro I can’t! If I neglect him and miss any of our conversations my progress is gonna go down! I spent a month on this relationship I’m not watching it fall apart because of some asshole.” Mobei Jun couldn’t believe what he's heard! How can a man expect so much from Shang Qinghua when he should be the one doted upon! If it was Mobei Jun he’d understand Shang Qinghua ’s schedule, maybe attempt to lighten the load himself like he always attempts to do (abusing his position as CEO has its perks) , and when the accountant is visibly exhausted he’d do everything in his power for extra work or instructions to deflect out of the others way.
“And besides it's worth it! He’s a tsundere and hot and I want him!” Shang Qinghua said with finality. The moment Mobei Jun heard this he turned away and sped walked all the way to the elevator and barged into Luo Binghe’s office, trailing behind him is Sha Hualing. She was the chairman's secretary and very annoying thorn at his side. She’s competent at her job at least but her jabs over his emotional capacity and inability to confess his feelings are starting to dig a bit too deep with every passing time.
“What is the point of the secretarial desk being at the front if you won’t even stop by to acknowledge–”
“Shang Qinghua is getting married.”
Luo Binghe looked up in visible confusion. He put down the papers he was working on, and out of character, he dedicated all his attention to the CEO.
“ What the actual fuck are you talking about?”
“He was talking with Shen Yuan and he speaks of proposing to the man tomorrow night. He’s apparently handsome and that is enough for Shang Qinghua to pursue and marry him, do I not also fit this criterion?”
“Back up here. Shizun never talked about Shang Qinghua dating or interested in anyone! He hasn’t been subtle about his unrequited affections for someone else–”
“Are you telling me he is proposing to a man he is not even formally together with?”
“You’re really jumping the gun here.”
“He’s getting married! I've listened to you for almost a decade in your pathetic pursuits over your husband and now you cannot spare even a tidbit of aid in my time of need–”
“Back up, boys. Yield. Sit.” Sha Hualing came between them. She made them sit on opposite sides of the couch. “ I honestly don’t know what you see in that mousy little– STOP GLARING AT ME. It's possible that Shen Yuan just didn’t tell you about Shang Qinghua’s dating pool. Binghe have you ever held any interest in anything Shang Qinghua ?”
“Fair. But Shizun tells me everything!”
“Yeah well the truth hurts and he doesn’t have a motor mouth to mention every thought he pukes out of his system. Now you Mobei Jun,” She pointed at him. “Are you sure that he’s going to propose?”
“Yes. I heard every word. He plans on proposing tomorrow because he believes it might be too late if he does it any later.”
“Well… he isn’t married yet..” Sha Hualing muttered under her breath with a hand under her chin, but Mobei Jun caught it.
“You’re right Sha Hualing.” He stood up with his arms crossed. “ I can woo him before he ever proposes, I can convince him that I am the better option.”
“He isn’t wrong. Prove your worth, spend your money and capture him.” Luo Binghe spoke up.
“I don’t think chasing after a taken man says anything good about your character.” Sha Hualing tried but she ultimately knew that it went in one ear and left out the other.
“The decision is up to Shang Qinghua, he must see that I am the better provider compared to his other man.”
“In context… are you not the other man here Mobei?”
“Great talk.” he nods his head to both of them and sped walked once again out of Luo Binghe’s office. He practically pushed a few employees aside as he made it a few floors down to reach Shang Qinghua ’s cubicle. He could be panting but he made sure that it wouldn't show.
“Shang Qinghua,” he said behind him.
He jumped and almost knocked down the coffee he completely forgot about. He turned his head immediately and instinctively stood up to bow.
“Sir! What can I do for you? At the moment I’m still working on the mismanagement of Meng Mo’s budget but once I’m finished I can–”
“ Tomorrow afternoon, I’m taking you out for lunch.”
“Is this a work engagement? I might be a bit busy–”
“I cleared your schedule with your superior,” he did not. “ however, this is Shang Qinghua’s decision, but I ask you to accompany me to lunch.”
Mobei Jun’s eyes don’t leave his.
“Please.”
Shang Qinghua ’s gaze softened, he scratched his neck, and Mobei Jun didn’t know if it's gotten hotter but he visibly saw the smaller man’s face redden.
“Of course. I’ll go with you tomorrow.”
Mobei Jun let a smile slip from his lips.
---
He isn’t sure how, but the situation had gotten worse.
After extensive planning the night before, Mobei Jun entered his way into the company that afternoon to take Shang Qinghua out for lunch and ultimately confess. He caught the man he was looking for in another intense conversation with Shen Yuan but this time right in front of his office door. He did tell Shang Qinghua in advance that he would be coming into the building that afternoon just to pick him up and that he should just wait inside. He was about to call out to Shang Qinghua so that they wouldn't miss their reservation, but again he overheard their conversation.
“I proposed last night and I got rejected. But I guess that was on me.” Mobei Jun’s heart dropped.
“It was your fault for rushing the grind bro, why didn’t you just do it tonight?”
“Because! I had an important– SIR?!” Mobei Jun grabbed his arm and pulled him into his office, with the door open and leaving a very confused Shen Yuan behind.
“He was a fool to reject you.”
“Sir what are you–”
“ You are brilliant and deserve nothing less. Pick me. Leave him and pick me.”
“You!?!?”
“ Am I not worthy enough Shang Qinghua?" Mobei Jun asked. He gathered the other's hands in his own as his voice almost pleaded. "Tell me what I lack and I will make it up tenfold. Your lover is spineless, so delicate to reject anything you give him. I would never do that to you. Choose me.”
“Uhm you’re worthy! You are the most worthy! You are way more worthy than this lowly one.” Shang Qinghua panicked. One of Mobei Jun's hands moved to his waist and brought him closer. He leaned near to speak slowly.
“You are not lowly. You are everything I ever wanted. You are mine and what is mine should never be described as lowly. And in the same way that you are mine, I am yours… If you would like to have me Shang Qinghua.”
Immediately Shang Qinghua brought his arms around his neck and hugs the life out of him. He heard a chorus of ‘Yes’, ‘ I can’t believe this’, and ‘ I owe Shen Yuan money, shit’ under his breath. When they finally part Mobei Jun placed a short kiss on his head. After Shang Qinghua got over his daze his face morphed once again into confusion.
“A Lover?! What were you talking about? I am 100% depressingly single since the day I was born.”
“ I heard your conversation with Shen Yuan, you planned to propose tonight” the reminder of the mystery man pissing Mobei Jun off. " you were going to marry him as you worked a month trying to win his favor.”
“Wait, I think we’re having mixed signals here. Are you talking about ND?” Now it's Mobei Jun’s turn to look confused. He watched Shang Qinghua pull out his phone. Shang Qinghua clicked on the app just for the opening credits to flash on the screen and the game's name “Northern Desert: Melt their Hearts of Ice” appears. “It's this otome game I’m playing.”
“Otome game?” None of these words processed in Mobei Jun’s brain.
“It’s like a dating sim game. I was dating this character here,” when Mobei Jun stared at the screen he’s met with a tall ice demon with black hair and a glowing mark on his forehead. “I was grinding for points because I was so close to finally marrying him. That’s what I was stressing over! No real men here besides you.”
“Delete the game.”
“Why?! My progress!”
“ I am here, you do not need any other husband.”
“Come on Mobei! The only reason I started playing was because he looked like you–” Mobei Jun has a hand to his chin. He tilted his face to look up at him. His eyes don’t falter as his lips whisper ghosting the other's.
“I am here. Am I not enough for you?”
“But my progress!” The seduction not working on Shang Qinghua .
“Fine. But I must always be your priority. Not this ice demon.”
“Of course you are! Dawang was always just a WAIT–” Mobei Jun shut him up with a kiss. It started off innocent, slow pecks then eventually Mobei Jun mapped out Shang Qinghua’s lips. He slowly dragged Shang Qinghua into the kiss. Once Shang Qinghua started to respond back, he started to become more aggressive. The taller of the two gathered the accountant's legs and lifted him on top of his desk. Shang Qinghua slipped his tongue in between and the man above him moaned. Hands are suddenly everywhere and just before a piece of clothing is thrown on the floor they heard a door slam.
“Oh god we forgot about Shen Yuan.” Shang Qinghua gasped. He attempted to tear away yet Mobei Jun followed to chase his lips. “ Come on this isn’t appropriate. I’d be totally down for office sex but I’m not mentally prepared right now.”
“Okay.” Mobei Jun placed one more peck on his lips. They make themselves presentable as Mobei Jun grabbed Shang Qinghua’s hand. “We are late to our reservation anyway.”
And just as they were about to leave they run into Shen Yuan, Luo Binghe, and Sha Hualing at the door not saying a word. Their stares alone however made it well known that they knew exactly what they were doing behind those doors. But they didn’t care, it was a long time coming and now they were boyfriends! Shang Qinghua doesn’t have to delete his game progress and Mobei Jun is finally with the love of his life.