The Retired CEO's Guide To Being Spoiled-Chapter 67: Is It Worth It?
It took until evening for the two of them to finally clean up after their raucous commotion. Julian Sterling lay on the bed, utterly exhausted, indifferent to where Ethan Caldwell wanted to carry him or what he wanted to do. His backside had not yet fully recovered; discussing business all afternoon followed by another round of intimacy in the evening left Julian feeling incredibly drained.
A while later, Ethan carried a bowl of food in from outside, serving him with attentive care. They ate and occupied themselves with this and that until nearly ten o’clock at night before finally settling down in bed. The moment Ethan climbed into bed, Julian rolled into his embrace, docile as a child. Ethan held him close, patting his back gently, then planted two kisses on Julian’s cheeks. The atmosphere was both tender and passionate.
"The day for your department transfer is approaching, isn’t it?" Ethan asked.
Julian nodded while resting in his arms: "After finishing the plan with Iris Visuals, I’ll take the transfer exam."
"Then I’ll be back in time." Ethan suddenly said, a statement seemingly out of nowhere. Julian looked up at him. The man gazed back with doting eyes, stroking Julian’s hair as he spoke: "I plan to take a trip to Valkania to discuss technology matters."
Julian fell silent for a moment. He knew Ethan was referring to the technology issues regarding the current project. Although Julian was in contact with Atlas Systems, he dared not guarantee success. Atlas Systems was truly a perfect choice for this project; they possessed advanced technologists and modern machinery.
However, this option carried too many risks. Above all, it was uncertain whether the Caldwell Empire held enough weight to move Atlas Systems. Of course, in the world of capitalism, as long as there was sufficient profit, hiring their technology should be possible. But Julian did not want to concede too many advantages. This might only be the initial contract, and profitability was yet unknown. If they gave Atlas Systems too many benefits now, he feared that in the future, having tasted blood, they would only demand more and more.
Furthermore, for a project of this magnitude, if they wanted to re-establish the domestic gaming empire or even expand to build a new gateway for this sector, the more assistance they could get from technology companies, the better.
"When do you leave?"
"Probably in two days. I need to clear up all the work here first." Ethan tightened his arms, pressing Julian against his chest. "I also need to trouble my baby to quickly provide me with a more complete plan so I can go convince the partners."
Julian smiled but did not answer him. A long while later, he suddenly asked: "Ethan, is it worth it?"
Julian asked himself the same thing: was it worth it? He had no connection to this world; initially, he only wanted to live peacefully and be a normal person. Marrying Ethan Caldwell was fate, forcing him to secretly prepare a way out against his will.
But why was it that as time passed, even though he had clearly merged with this body and the original owner’s consciousness had dissipated, he still hated the Sterling family and Aaron Sterling so much? Was it to snatch the spotlight from Aaron? Was it because he didn’t want Aaron to succeed that he had thrown himself into this terrifying vortex?
Julian was venturing down a path he loathed, and he was dragging the person beside him into the turmoil as well.
"What is this nonsense about worth it or not?" Ethan turned over, positioning Julian to lie prone on top of him, face to face. "To speak in the romantic style of young people these days, you are the one I properly wed. The two of us are family. This is something I should help you with."
"More realistically, I also see the potential of this project. If it succeeds, the status of the Caldwell Empire will reach a new level."
"Moreover, having come this far, there is no longer any question of worth. What you need to do is strive to perfect what you are working on."
Julian took a deep breath, then exhaled gently. He looked straight into the deep eyes of the man before him and nodded slightly.
So be it; they would cross that bridge when they came to it. He could not live off Ethan Caldwell his whole life. There were many marriages built on affection, but after five years, ten years, how many people remained wholeheartedly devoted to their partners? Wasn’t the reason he initially wanted to find a way out precisely because he worried about such a future?
It was better to try and build his own status now. That way, in the future, even if Ethan had a change of heart or found someone new, he would still have to show Julian some respect.
It was just that there was too much to do at present. Tomorrow, he had to draw a picture for Seraphina Cole to see, and then he had to write a more complete plan for Ethan. Especially since this matter concerned the Sterling family, he did not believethey would accept things as they were. Particularly the darling of the heavens in this world - Aaron Sterling - and even the male lead he currently suspected: Gabriel Cole.
If Gabriel Cole really was the other male lead, then he feared this time would be very difficult. Although Julian did not remember the original work clearly, the description of the main lead in it was not very favorable. How could a schemer like Aaron be paired with someone ordinary? 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖
They all had bellies full of schemes. Aaron was still young, so for the time being, Julian could keep the upper hand, but Gabriel Cole was different. Even looking at it broadly, Ethan was still slightly inferior to him.
No! He absolutely had to make this project a reality; he could not let his man lose to Aaron’s man!
Thinking of this, Julian suddenly turned his head to look at Ethan, his eyes sweeping up and down his figure several times. Ethan found it strange and asked what was wrong.
A question slipped out of Julian’s mouth: "Between you and Gabriel Cole, who is more handsome?"
Ethan’s face darkened. He pressed down on Julian, lowering his head to torment the pale neck and chest beneath him. Julian tried to dodge him while wailing: "I was wrong! Ah! Don’t tickle me! I said I was wrong~"
