Chapter 4 National Husband

After dinner, it was still early, only seven-thirty.

However, winter nights in the South darkened early, and with the snow, it was already nightfall outside at seven-thirty. The snow was falling heavily, as if it intended to blanket the entire world in white.

GrahSpectrum Group wanted to send Adrian back to the hotel, but Adrian refused:

　　"No need, too many eyes around, it''s not good for either of us."

　　Who is GrahSpectrum Group? The nation''s husband on Twitter! Praised by netizens as "naturally trending" top-tier traffic—he became the president of Echo Corporation, one of the top ten companies in the country and a Fortune 500 company globally, at a young age. Handsome, usually serious and stern, rarely giving interviews, he fits the standard male lead in CEO novels. Female netizens, and even some male netizens, call him "husband" on Twitter. Whenever he has an event or goes out, people post about it online, causing fans to go wild.

　　If someone caught him with GrahSpectrum Group, wouldn''t the entire internet explode? How could he continue being an actor?

　　Speaking of which, GrahSpectrum Group is well aware of his "high popularity" on Twitter. But he''s a businessman, and business is business. Although he uses himself for marketing, it''s ultimately for his company''s benefit. As long as it''s not negative news (and he doesn''t get into negative news), it''s not a loss, so he doesn''t interfere with those Twitter matters.

　　Thinking of this, he couldn''t help but turn to look at GrahSpectrum Group—his face was exceptionally handsome, with strong brows, deep eyes, a high nose bridge, and a small, narrow face. Under the indoor lighting, he looked even more noble, almost like a celestial being.

　　This appearance truly lives up to the title of "nation''s husband."

　　Hearing Adrian''s refusal, GrahSpectrum Group also turned to look at him. Seeing his delicate face without much expression, only those dark eyes fixed on him, as if seriously refusing him, he lowered his eyelids and said in a deep voice, "Alright, I''ll have Elijah call a car for you."

　　Adrian politely said, "Thank you," and didn''t forget to show concern, "Are you going back to Noble City tonight?"

　　It looked like it would snow tonight, and who knows if the highway would be closed. If it was, getting back to Noble City might not be easy. But tomorrow is a workday, and someone as busy as GrahSpectrum Group might rush back to work overnight.

　　GrahSpectrum Group thought for a moment, his dark eyes looking at him, "Yes, I have an important schedule tomorrow."

　　"Okay, be careful on the road, don''t rush, the roads are slippery in the snow, stay safe." Adrian said this purely out of politeness, not expecting GrahSpectrum Group''s eyes to suddenly heat up, as if he had something to say but couldn''t. He asked, "What''s wrong?"

　　GrahSpectrum Group didn''t answer immediately, looking at him, his gaze wandering over his face.

　　Finally, he sighed and said, "Nothing, I''ll come see you next time."

　　Adrian: Huh???

　　Coming again next time?? Wasn''t this just a stopover?

　　Seeing his confused expression, GrahSpectrum Group thought he wasn''t very welcoming, turned his head away, and said stiffly, "Whether you welcome me or not, I''ll come."

　　"Huh?" Adrian''s eyes widened even more.

　　He was puzzled but also a bit delighted—why was GrahSpectrum Group so insistent on seeing him? Did he have some feelings for him?

　　Before he could finish his thoughts, Mr. Carnegie awkwardly added:

　　"My mom asked me to take good care of you."

　　Adrian: ...Alright.

　　"Thank you, but you don''t have to come. There''s nothing much here, even my brother isn''t coming."

　　Besides, we''re just in a contract marriage, not a real couple, no need to be so polite, right?

　　GrahSpectrum Group looked at him seriously and said, "I''m not the same as your brother."

"Huh?" Adrian didn''t react in time. Before he could think more, there was a knock on the door, and it was Mr. Brown''s voice:

"President, should we leave now or wait a bit longer?"

Adrian quickly said, "Let''s go now, let''s go now!" As he was about to walk over to open the door, GrahSpectrum Group was a step ahead of him, reaching out to hold the door. Adrian turned back to look at him in confusion, "What''s wrong?"

"Your down jacket isn''t zipped properly," GrahSpectrum Group said seriously, reaching out to zip up Adrian''s jacket to the collar and adjusting the collar for him.

Adrian looked at the handsome face so close to him, feeling his face heat up and his heart race. That well-defined hand was so close, almost touching his lips...

Don''t get excited, don''t get excited, this guy is straight, he''s straight!

Adrian tried to calm himself down.

GrahSpectrum Group looked at him, seeing his face flushed red. That delicate face, backlit, looked as beautiful as a peony blooming in the moonlight. For a moment, he couldn''t take his eyes off him.

Adrian felt a burning gaze on him and turned his head away, reaching out to open the door, "I''ll open the door."

GrahSpectrum Group didn''t say anything.

As soon as the door opened, they saw Elijah and Cody standing outside. Elijah had a formal expression, while Cody looked satisfied, probably having eaten and complained to his heart''s content.

Cody looked Adrian up and down, seeing his clothes intact and his expression natural, feeling a bit disappointed: Nothing happened? That''s not scientific!

"Let''s go, Cody," Adrian said, then turned to GrahSpectrum Group, "No need to see us off, there are too many people outside. We''ll go out with Mr. Brown."

GrahSpectrum Group insisted, "I''ll see you out, let''s go."

He led the way out.

Adrian had no choice but to follow him.

The car was already waiting outside. Adrian and GrahSpectrum Group didn''t exchange many words, just said, "Thanks for the hospitality, I''ll treat you next time, goodbye," and were about to leave when GrahSpectrum Group grabbed him:

"Huh? What''s wrong?"

GrahSpectrum Group glanced at the phone in his hand and said, "Keep in touch with me."

Adrian thought it was another request from his mom and replied politely, "Okay, I''m leaving now."

"Alright, be careful on the road," GrahSpectrum Group nodded, his handsome face expressionless, as if it was routine, but his eyes turned gentle for a moment.

Cody watched their interaction, feeling puzzled, but didn''t say anything because of the driver in front. He held it in all the way until they reached the hotel. As soon as they entered the room, he couldn''t hold back anymore:

"Adrian, what''s going on between you and Mr. Carnegie? The more I look, the more confused I get. Aren''t you two newlyweds? Why does it feel...?" Like you''re not really a couple?

Adrian took off his down jacket, his delicate face looking a bit awkward, "We are a couple, a contractual one."

Since Cody would find out eventually, he might as well tell him now.

"Huh? A contract?"

"Yeah," Adrian said, feeling a bit sour but speaking indifferently, "His grandfather and my grandfather wanted to arrange a marriage between their children when they were young, so they made a will saying that the next generation must marry. My dad and his dad wouldn''t care about their wishes, so I had to be the one to sacrifice."

"Huh?" Cody was even more confused.

GrahSpectrum Group''s grandfather and Adrian''s grandfather had such a relationship?

But thinking about it, it made sense—if it weren''t for this strange connection, with Adrian''s rural background, he wouldn''t have been able to marry into a family like GrahSpectrum Group''s, right?

It''s not that he looked down on Adrian, it''s just the objective reality.

Adrian saw that he finally understood and said, "So, we''re just going through the motions. In fact, I have nothing to do with GrahSpectrum Group, let alone ask him for resources. I don''t want to owe him that favor."

Speaking of this, he felt a bit lost himself.

Such a perfect man like GrahSpectrum Group, why does he have to be straight? Otherwise... with his looks, he wouldn''t be completely indifferent to him.

Although he didn''t want GrahSpectrum Group to give him any resources, he had been single for so many years and really wanted to be in a relationship!

His good friend Ernest Garcia showed off his love life on social media every day, and he was almost blinded by it!

He rested his hand on his thigh and propped his chin, looking dejected. Just as he was about to complain a bit more, he saw Cody sitting on the sofa opposite him, looking guilty and restless. He was stunned for a moment and immediately thought of something, asking cautiously:

"Cody, you didn''t ask Mr. Brown for resources during dinner, did you?"

Cody covered his face in shame, "I didn''t mean to..."

Adrian asked, "What did you say?"

Cody looked at him cautiously, "Uh, not much... really, I swear..."

His confident demeanor made Adrian even more suspicious.

His dark eyes looked like a little fierce kitten''s eyes, staring at him, "I don''t believe you."

"Ah... I just said... that you''re having a hard time and hoped Mr. Carnegie could help you a bit, really!"

In the middle of winter, Cody broke out in a sweat on his back.

He wouldn''t say that he told Mr. Brown how hard Adrian''s life was, but that he was very strong and didn''t want him to tell GrahSpectrum Group, implying that GrahSpectrum Group should help...

He should be a divine assist, not a pig teammate, right?