ALL NOVEL Chapter 32: Intimidation Won't Work
Chapter 32: Intimidation Won’t Work
Su Mu noticed the thin layer of sweat on Chu Hanting’s forehead, realizing he must have walked into the village since cars couldn’t enter, and had been standing in the hot sun for quite a while.
Seeing they were familiar with each other, Su Nuokang directly offered, “Then President Chu, why not come in for some tea and rest?”
Chu Hanting nodded at Su Nuokang, “Thank you, I hope I’m not intruding.”
“No trouble at all, having President Chu visit my humble home is an honor.”
Su Nuokang went ahead, clearly going to prepare tea.
Su Mu lagged behind, walking slowly, with Chu Hanting beside him. Seeing Su Mu looking down at the ground, Chu Hanting found it amusing. “What’s wrong, not happy to see me?”
Hearing this, Su Mu finally shot him an annoyed glance, his lips curving into a fake smile, “Happy, very happy, how could I not be happy?”
His tone was clearly sarcastic, but Chu Hanting didn’t mind, finding Su Mu unexpectedly cute.
After entering the house, Su Nuokang was still in the kitchen preparing tea, with clattering sounds suggesting he was searching for something.
“Huh? Where’s that premium Guanyin tea? I’m sure I put it right here,” Su Nuokang muttered to himself, scratching his head and frowning as he tried to remember where he’d put it.
In the living room, Su Mu and Chu Hanting had just sat down, facing each other in silence.
Chu Hanting glanced at Su Nuokang busy in the kitchen and asked Su Mu with a smile, “What are you afraid of?”
“I’m not afraid of anything. You’re the one who’s afraid, your whole family’s afraid.” Su Mu glared at Chu Hanting irritably, his fists clenched on the table, cheeks puffed up.
Su Mu didn’t understand why he should feel nervous – this man was his husband, no matter what. He was in his previous life, and he had to be in this life too.
Suddenly, he looked toward Su Nuokang, getting an idea, his eyes gleaming mischievously.
Chu Hanting felt uneasy under Su Mu’s gaze, feeling the young man was plotting something.
But being straightforward himself, he had nothing to fear. If he let a college student intimidate him, his reputation as President Chu would be ruined in Beijing.
“Weren’t you asking if I was afraid?” Su Mu propped his head on one hand, a cunning look in his eyes. “I told you I’m not afraid, so are you?”
Chu Hanting seemed to vaguely guess Su Mu’s intentions, but he was never one to yield to threats.
He was used to intimidating others, not being pressured himself.
“If you’re not afraid, why should I be?” As Chu Hanting said this, his hawk-like eyes shot back sharply, though his lips curved into a smile, giving the impression of a predator toying with its prey.
Su Mu’s challenging gaze was instantly deflected: Damn, was this guy’s aura impenetrable like an iron bell?
But it doesn’t matter. Why should he be the only one showing embarrassment? He wanted to test just how far this man’s composure could go.
Just wait – surely his future father-in-law could shake him!
“So you’re not afraid, huh? That’s good,” Su Mu’s eyes curved like crescent moons, lips turning up in a sly fox-like expression.
“Then when my dad comes out, I’ll tell him about our relationship.”
Su Mu tilted his head, pointing his finger rhythmically as his lips moved: “That. We’re. Dating.”
“Heh,” Chu Hanting chuckled lightly, “Pretty bold. When did I agree to that?”
Suddenly he released his intimidating aura, curious to see Su Mu’s reaction.
The previously calm atmosphere suddenly felt compressed, as if the air was being squeezed away, the pressure intensifying.
Su Mu: …
He could feel this invisible pressure, but Chu Hanting’s aura was all too familiar to him. After all, no matter how unpleasant things got in his previous life – whether during those years of pursuit or later when Chu Hanting cared for him while paralyzed.
This man called Chu Hanting had thoroughly permeated his life – his dominant side, his loving side, his sorrowful side – traces of him existed everywhere in Su Mu’s life.
That soul-deep familiarity and acceptance couldn’t be easily forgotten. It accompanied his previous life’s memories, constantly surrounding Su Mu.
So this tactic wouldn’t work.
No matter how others saw Chu Hanting, Su Mu knew a different version of him, not the objective impression others had of being ruthless and cruel.
Beneath that steel exterior was a tender, sincere heart.
Su Mu let that oppressive aura seep into his body, completely open, like a clear spring accepting falling rain, embracing each impact, calmly waiting for the droplets to merge with the water.
After releasing his pressure, Chu Hanting carefully observed every little reaction from Su Mu.
He watched as Su Mu’s expression changed from initial surprise to acceptance, and finally to what could be called amused acceptance.
This extremely surprised Chu Hanting.
It was like punching cotton – the other party just smiled at him, allowing these harmless punches to land.
Su Mu’s behavior was rather like indulging a mischievous child, turning Chu Hanting’s attempt at intimidation into the actions of a naughty child being tolerated.
Chu Hanting had never experienced anything like this before. His pressure wasn’t from genuine anger at Su Mu’s words, but rather a test, a bit of teasing.
If Su Mu had shown any fear at all, he would have completely left this person afterward.
But Su Mu’s reaction made him very curious.
Not just a fresh-faced college student like Su Mu, but even seasoned executives at his company would tremble under his pressure.
Yet this kid not only wasn’t scared, but actually allowed his aura to envelop him without resistance.
He had to admit, it was interesting – it had truly caught his attention.
Sensing Chu Hanting withdraw his aura, Su Mu, who had been at the center of this metaphorical vortex, felt the air around him suddenly loosen, making it easier to breathe.
“Is that all?” Su Mu looked up to meet his gaze, eyes bright. “Done with the pressure?”
Chu Hanting was amused, offering genuine praise, “Pretty capable.”
He meant it – Su Mu’s performance was truly impressive, even he had to admit.
“Here you are, President Chu, coffee,” Su Nuokang came out carrying two steaming cups of coffee, placing them in front of Chu Hanting and Su Mu.
He sat on Su Mu’s side and politely said, “I’m sorry, President Chu, we’re out of tea, only have coffee.”
Though he knew serving cheap instant coffee to someone of his status wasn’t really appropriate, they had nothing better in the house.
Chu Hanting didn’t mind these things at all, but as he carefully studied Su Nuokang’s features, he finally voiced the question that had been bothering him.
“Mr. Su, were you previously from Beijing? Have we met before?”