Early the next morning, when Julian woke up, he thought he had been reincarnated once again.
His entire body ached everywhere; the slightest movement made his joints crack audibly. Not to mention that specific place, which was not only painful but also felt incredibly bizarre, as if Ethan's member was still inside him and had not yet left.
Julian mumbled a few words, reluctantly opening his eyes to look around. The heavy blackout curtains had been pulled open a crack, allowing rays of sunlight to filter in and shine onto the bed. They were the main reason Julian had woken up.
He let out a few dissatisfied grunts, enduring the pain to lift his arm, pull the blanket over his head, and bury himself back into the warm bedding.
Julian was on the verge of losing control and revealing the temperament of the Director Julian from his past life. He truly wanted to curse Ethan to death. That bastard did not know how to have pity on people. He didn't know how many times Ethan had pressed him down; his last memory was vaguely being carried into the bathroom to be cleaned, only to be pinned down and done for another round!
Beast! Bastard! A man who thinks only with his lower half!
He was so angry he could not fall back asleep!
Julian really wanted to throw off the covers and scold that ringleader to death. But he simply did not have the strength to do it.
Right now, he felt extremely uncomfortable! With this body, there was no hope of going to school.
In reality, Julian had no enthusiasm for attending University X anyway, listening to lecturers drone on endlessly about things he had memorized by heart long ago. It was just that... he wanted to transfer schools next semester!
That was right, a complete transfer, not simply switching to the Art Department of University X. Therefore, he had to ensure his academic record wasn't too terrible, and he also needed to build relationships with the lecturers.
He was not afraid of failing to get into the new school, but rather that his current school would not approve the application, or worse, approve it with some unsightly remarks added.
Argh!
That damn Ethan Caldwell!
"You're awake? Do you want to eat a little something before going back to sleep?" Ethan walked in from outside, seeing the bundle of blankets moving constantly, he knew Julian was up. He smiled, walked over to the bedside, hugged that lump of bedding, and asked gently, "Why are you so unhappy this early in the morning?"
Julian poked his head out of the blanket, his face sullen, his annoyance displayed very clearly. Where was the fragile, sensible appearance from before the wedding? He scowled and said, "Are you sure it is early morning right now? Which morning? Two days later?"
"You really do think highly of my stamina. Someday I will try my best to 'do' you until you have to rest in bed for two full days, alright?"
Julian huffed in anger. This hooligan!
Did he look even the slightest bit like a CEO?
"My darling, don't be angry anymore. I have already asked for leave on your behalf. Now, will you eat something?" Ethan smiled faintly and rubbed Julian's head.
For some reason, Ethan found this pouting, sulky face much more full of life. In truth, Ethan knew perfectly well that the obedient demeanor from the past few days was just an act put on by Julian. He just did not know if Julian being so arrogant and difficult to please now was because he had escaped the Sterling family and was revealing his true nature, or if he was continuing to "act" for him?
Ethan did not care much either. Their future together was long; eventually, he would discover Julian's little secrets. As long as it did not affect the grand scheme of things, Ethan was willing to spoil Julian.
Rarely did anyone satisfy him like this.
Ethan chuckled, coaxed Julian a bit more, and kissed those lips that were pouted high enough to hang a jar of sauce on, before going to get food for him.
The moment the bedroom door closed, Julian's expression hardened immediately. He had significant morning grouchiness; usually, his temper was not very good right after waking up. He was irritable and easily annoyed, not to mention he had been bullied miserably by Ethan yesterday, which was why he had acted out like that this morning.
However, in reality, Julian also wanted to test this newlywed husband of his. He was not stupid enough to believe in so-called "love at first sight" with this young master who held power over a whole region. Obviously, there was no way "sleeping together for one night means loyalty for a lifetime."
He wanted to see the extent of tolerance Ethan had for him.
What he wanted right now was to probe the other party's boundaries, as well as build a way out for himself.
He had no money in hand, no manpower, and no connections. Transferring to the art school in the future might help cut off a few suspicious gazes. But if he wanted to build a company and become the boss behind the scenes, he needed to find people he could trust.
He also needed money.
Manpower? Julian believed he could find it. The world did not lack talented people who simply had not met their time. If he sent charcoal in snowy weather, reaching out to help people when they were in misery, then would he need to fear a lack of loyal subordinates?
As for money? He did not have any, but his husband did.
Julian lay limp on the bed all day long. Aside from eating and personal hygiene, he just burrowed into the blankets and slept endlessly. Having expended his physical stamina all day yesterday, Julian truly could not hold up. He secretly felt fortunate to be at Ethan Caldwell's private residence; otherwise, he would not know how to face the others in the house.
It was not until evening that Julian regained a bit of spirit.
Ethan pulled him into his arms, placed a small cushion under his bottom, and then held him while looking at the laptop to handle work.
Julian pursed his lips, but he did not struggle to break free. Instead, he leaned his back against Ethan's chest, watching the rows of numbers jumping chaotically on the computer.
It was a stock market chart. It seemed the derivatives market was a bit unstable recently; just a glance was enough to see several stock codes had plummeted to the floor price for three or four consecutive sessions. Julian pursed his lips, thought for a moment, then asked Ethan: "Do you invest in stocks too?"
Ethan looked down at the person in his arms. He seemed a bit surprised, not understanding why Julian asked that. Then he suddenly remembered his baby's major. Although Business Administration did not delve deeply into financial investment, any administrator had to understand this issue.
Thus, Ethan rested his chin on the teenager's fluffy hair, smiling as he said: "I'm not interested in this stuff. It is just that recently the company has a project competing with another family, so I am checking the market a bit. If you want to learn this, you can find the Asset Management Director of our group. He specialized in this field and has a very accurate market vision."
Hearing the words "our group," Julian raised his eyebrows. However, he did not question it, but instead teased Ethan: "So it turns out there are things our CEO Caldwell doesn't know?"
"It is not that I don't know." Ethan reached out, rubbing Julian's waist: "But everyone has their own distinct strengths. Compared to him in this field, I really am not as good."
Julian put on an expression that said, "So you also have self-awareness." He used his hand to poke the back of Ethan's hand, pursing his lips for a while, but said nothing.
"What is wrong? Why the long face?"
Julian pouted, saying: "Then tell me, what is my strength? Aaron is smart, good at management, and so obedient that he pleases everyone. Also, Aaron sings very well. As for me, I have nothing; I can't do anything right."
"Why do you think that? It is just that you haven't found what you like yet."
Julian's voice became even more mournful: "I like drawing, don't I? But I don't draw beautifully either."
He lowered his head, his shoulders slumped, his fair hands twisting together, his whole body radiating a sense of gloomy depression.
A moment later, Ethan reached out to rub his head, comforting him gently: "You are still young; nothing is too late yet. If you want it now, you must put in the effort, and you will definitely become good in the future."
"Really?" Julian turned to ask him, his eyes wet, as if he would burst into tears if Ethan said a single word of refusal.
"Really." Ethan laughed, reaching out to pinch Julian's nose.
This kid, acting like he hadn't grown up yet. It made sense; compared to him, Julian was like a different generation. There was a gap of six or seven years, after all.
Julian said nothing, only holding Ethan's hand, his pinkish fingers ceaselessly poking at the firm skin. He pursed his lips for a while, then stammered a moment later: "That... can you teach me... how to invest in this?"
Ethan thought for a moment before understanding. He wanted him to teach investment?
"Do you need me to arrange for you to meet the Asset Management Director?"
"I don't want to." Julian buried his face in Ethan's chest, his voice mournful: "I just want to learn a little bit to try. Meeting some director, I might get scolded for being stupid again."
Ethan laughed upon hearing that. Julian sulkily punched his chest a few times, but it could not stop the other man's laughter.
"Alright, don't be angry. I will teach you, okay?" Ethan bent down, kissed the top of his head, then gently explained bit by bit: "First, you have to know what these indicators represent..."
Julian leaned against him, lazily looking at the data on the screen.
The scene was truly very warm. If anyone were here, they might mistake these two for having genuinely fallen in love before getting married.