Demon Consort Runs into the Beijing Crown Prince - Chapter 6

“…Go wash up and come eat breakfast.” Lu Hanzhang arrived with a takeout box, his tone stiff.

The previous night had ended too late. After leaving, he returned to the nearest of his multiple properties in the Capital to rest. Waking up early, he took a half-hour shower to quell the lingering heat from his dream.

Lu Hanzhang was a man with normal physical desires, but he had always maintained his composure, never losing control. Meeting Chu Muyun, however, felt like being bewitched.

He hadn’t realized that while his mind had forgotten, his body still remembered.

“Oh, okay,” Chu Muyun mumbled, rubbing his eyes and darting toward the bathroom.

The young star had just sprung out of bed, not yet having time to tidy himself. His hair was tousled and partially hidden by the hood of his Pikachu pajamas, revealing only fluffy ends. As he ran, the Pikachu ears dangling from the hood bobbed back and forth, making him look like a pale yellow lop-eared rabbit.

Lu Hanzhang stared silently. He had seen the pajamas folded on the bedside table the night before and changed Chu Muyun into them, his mind wandering as he avoided lingering glances.

Now, seeing Chu Muyun in them, he couldn’t help but think his taste in sleepwear was questionable…

But still, it was rather cute.

After washing up, Chu Muyun sat down at the dining table. Breakfast was already laid out: light congee, pickled vegetables, steamed buns, and shumai.

The two men ate breakfast together.

“Thank you for taking me home last night, Crown Prince,” Chu Muyun said, his voice sweet and slightly affected.

“Hmm,” Lu Hanzhang replied, then suddenly added, “Don’t call me Crown Prince anymore.”

“Huh? Why not?”

“Don’t you know how that nickname started?” Lu Hanzhang asked expressionlessly, taking a sip of his congee.

“How did it start? Tell me!” Chu Muyun asked curiously, genuinely unaware.

“…In sixth grade, I declared myself Crown Prince of the class and appointed my classmates as palace maids, eunuchs, generals, and ministers based on their behavior. The homeroom teacher complained to my parents about me forming cliques, and my father beat me when I got home.” Lu Hanzhang’s tone remained detached, perfectly concealing any embarrassment. “The story spread among our acquaintances, and they started calling me that as a joke.”

The joke went further than that. For a while, even his parents were playfully addressed as “Emperor” and “Empress” by their business associates.

Of course, the nickname “Beijing Crown Prince” had stuck, and over time, it carried an undercurrent of genuine awe. After Lu Hanzhang took control of the Lu Group, the company successfully transformed and reached unprecedented heights. He himself became a figure whose every move could shake the foundations of the Capital’s business world.

“…Pfft.” Chu Muyun tried to hold it in, but couldn’t help laughing, even with his fingers pressed against his mouth. “My image of you… has completely shattered…”

He never imagined Lu Hanzhang’s origin story would be so… cringey. Being the “Crown Prince” of an elementary school class?

Chu Muyun had never found it odd that Lu Hanzhang was called “Crown Prince.” The Great King deserved the title. Although in their previous life, the Great King hadn’t been formally designated as heir apparent, instead seizing the throne by killing several of his imperial brothers—a stain on his legitimacy that history books never let him forget.

Lu Hanzhang’s eyes darkened, “Don’t laugh.”

“Right,” Chu Muyun replied, his lips still curled in amusement as he lowered his head to finish his porridge.

After breakfast, Lu Hanzhang produced a paper document. “Take a look at this and sign it.”

“What’s this? A contract to be your kept man? I’m easy to take care of—just food and shelter, and don’t let me starve,” Chu Muyun said, his eyes lighting up.

He’d certainly spent plenty of the Great King’s money in their past life, earning him accusations of extravagance and debauchery from gossiping officials (though the Great King had dealt with every last one of them). But now that Lu Hanzhang had lost his memories of that life, Chu Muyun didn’t need anything else. He only wanted this man, and he’d start by nurturing their relationship properly.

I want to cuddle with the Great King… I miss his abs… I’m dying of thirst.

“…No,” Lu Hanzhang said flatly.

Slightly disappointed, Chu Muyun accepted the pen Lu Hanzhang offered him and read the document.

“Signing… StarJoy… Letter of Intent?”

He looked up, “Which company is StarJoy? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of it.”

It wasn’t one of the major entertainment companies in the Capital, nor even one of the smaller ones Chu Muyun vaguely recognized.

Lu Hanzhang wouldn’t introduce him to some roadside outfit that even stray dogs avoided, would he?

“It’s a subsidiary of the Lu Clan,” Lu Hanzhang explained.

“But the Lu Clan doesn’t operate in the entertainment industry, right?”

“They didn’t used to. Now they do.”

Chu Muyun paused for a moment before understanding.

“Sign it. We’re currently finalizing the acquisition of Huashi and plan to rename it StarJoy. In the meantime, we’ll set up a personal studio for you and poach a senior manager from Huashi to handle your career,” Lu Hanzhang said.

“Okay.” Chu Muyun glanced casually at the terms and signed.

Even though the Great King had lost his memories, Chu Muyun never worried about being taken advantage of.

He suddenly wondered if Lu Hanzhang had acquired an entertainment company specifically to promote him.

After signing, Lu Hanzhang took both copies of the agreement.

“From now on, you’re an artist under the Lu Clan. Protect your reputation. Stay away from nightclubs.”

Lu Hanzhang had already questioned Zhou Wei about the specifics of the previous night. Inside, Zhou Wei was screaming like a panicked groundhog, but he obediently recounted the entire story.

Chu Muyun had indeed only been filling in, not a regular male model at the nightclub. He had spilled alcohol on himself to avoid being pressured into drinking too much. He hadn’t completely fallen from grace, but he also lacked self-respect. Lu Hanzhang maintained a calm facade, but a furious rage burned within him, a rage he felt was unwarranted.

When he confronted Chu Muyun that morning, he ultimately refrained from saying anything harsh.

“Okay,” Chu Muyun said hastily. “I’m being good. Yesterday was just a favor for a friend. I never usually go there.”

“I hope you mean it. If I catch you there again,” Lu Hanzhang’s expression darkened, “you’ll be paying a fortune in breach-of-contract fees.”

“I understand, I understand,” Chu Muyun nodded obediently.

“Good,” Lu Hanzhang glanced at his watch and stood up from the table. “I’m leaving.” It was already half an hour past his usual work start time.

“Wait, Mr… Boss,” Chu Muyun called after him. “Could you lend me a few tens of thousands? I can’t afford next month’s rent. You wouldn’t want to see my son and me evicted and living on the streets, would you?”

If Lu Hanzhang signed him, Chu Muyun’s future resources would undoubtedly surpass those he had during his time at Tiansheng. He had no doubt his luck was about to turn around, making him wealthy. However, paying the rent was a more pressing concern.

He could ask Zhang Chen to transfer half of his commission, but Zhang Chen’s family was struggling enough. Maybe he should just let it go.

It would have been better if he hadn’t mentioned it. Lu Hanzhang’s expression turned cold.

“Your son? Do you know he didn’t come home last night?” He hadn’t seen anyone when he dropped Chu Muyun off.

“Huh? That’s impossible. My son is very well-behaved and wouldn’t wander off.” Chu Muyun glanced around and spotted a small, coffee-colored fluffball peeking out from under the coffee table.

“See? He’s right here.” He reached under the table and pulled out the large rabbit, its tail sticking out. Nuzzling his nose into its soft fur, he cooed, “Crown Prince~ Don’t worry, I’ll feed you right away.”

He had fed the Crown Prince before going to the nightclub last night, so it couldn’t be too hungry.

“…” Lu Hanzhang’s expression was strange. “Your son is a rabbit?”

“Yep. If you want, you can even have him call you ‘Dad.’ Come on, Crown Prince, this is your imperial father~” Chu Muyun teased, shoving the large rabbit into Lu Hanzhang’s arms.

Lu Hanzhang stiffly accepted the rabbit. The moment he held it, he remarked, “It’s heavy.” Despite its long fur, the rabbit was solid and surprisingly heavy.

Ding-ding-ding-ding~ Ding-ding! Lu Hanzhang’s phone suddenly rang. Clutching the rabbit with one arm, he answered with his free hand.

That morning, Assistant Li Weide noticed his boss was unusually late for the meeting and called him.

“…I overslept. Tell everyone to wait a bit,” Lu Hanzhang lied without a flicker of expression.

Chu Muyun stood beside him, watching.

Heh, he’s strong. Chu Muyun struggled to hold the large rabbit, while the Great King could easily tuck it under one arm. But the rabbit looked uncomfortable in that position. Chu Muyun stretched out his hands and said in a deliberately coquettish voice, “Let me hold our son~”

On the other end of the line, Li Weide’s pupils dilated in shock.

Son?! Who’s speaking?! Had his boss become a husband and father overnight?! As expected of the boss, always one step ahead of everyone else… (not).

Lu Hanzhang glared at him, returned the rabbit, gave Li Weide a few more instructions, and hung up.

Having been interrupted, Chu Muyun finally remembered his real purpose.

“Boss, rent… broke… help me…” He cradled the Crown Prince in his arms, blinked his eyes, and put on a pitiful act.

“You’re an artist with the Lu Clan. We’ll arrange housing for you,” Lu Hanzhang said.

“Yay~” Chu Muyun’s face bloomed into a radiant smile. His current rental was an old, run-down apartment with outdated decor. A new place would be nice.

He boldly added, “Somewhere with convenient transportation, since I don’t have a car.”

“Fine.”