Chapter 11

Chapter 11

The host of today's gathering was Lu Chengwan, Yao Xianqing's childhood friend and Qi Yuwen's business partner.

As soon as Lu Chengwan spotted Qi Yuwen and You Nan, he immediately called out, "You're finally here! All the dishes are served; we were just waiting for you two."

Qi Yuwen stepped forward with an easy familiarity, opened a bottle of wine, and poured himself a glass. A smile played on his lips as he declared, "I'm late. I'll take a penalty drink!"

He downed it in one gulp. Lu Chengwan, impressed by his straightforwardness, clapped him on the shoulder. "Well done, showing respect."

Lu Chengwan and Yao Xianqing had grown up together, but their personalities were poles apart. Yao Xianqing was gentle, while Lu Chengwan was boisterous and forthright, his emotions always clearly visible.

Lu Chengwan's gaze swept past Qi Yuwen to You Nan, who stood behind him, watching Qi Yuwen drink with a worried expression. "So, this is the wife?"

You Nan was nervous around strangers, but he reacted quickly. Though he hadn't met Lu Chengwan, he'd heard the men mention him yesterday. He promptly replied with polite deference, "Hello, Brother Lu."

Lu Chengwan chuckled heartily. "Good, good. Have a seat."

"We arrived a bit early and weren't sure what you liked, so we just ordered a few random dishes."

Seeing his husband treat Lu Chengwan with such respect, You Nan knew Lu Chengwan must be an important figure. To be suddenly addressed by him left You Nan feeling rather flattered.

The newly married young man, with his fair skin, rosy lips, clear, bright eyes, and serene demeanor, seemed to calm any inner turmoil just by his presence.

You Nan glanced at the dishes on the table; the ones placed near the empty seat were indeed his favorites. Assuming Qi Yuwen had mentioned his preferences, he met everyone's gaze, his eyes curving into a warm smile. "Thank you, Brother Lu."

"Don't thank me—Yao Xianqing picked those out for you." Not taking credit, Lu Chengwan gestured towards Yao Xianqing, who had been mostly quiet. "Among us, Yao Xianqing is the most thoughtful."

You Nan paused, surprised. He'd only shared one meal with Yao Xianqing in the hotel's private room that day. Had Yao Xianqing already noted his preferences back then?

A hand rested on You Nan's waist, bringing him back to the present. Qi Yuwen's breath was close. You Nan immediately recalled Qi Yuwen's words from the previous night. The young man lowered his gaze and nodded subtly at Yao Xianqing, silently conveying his thanks.

Yao Xianqing noticed and curved his lips into a slight smile, seemingly oblivious to You Nan's momentary discomfort.

Shen Zihe's eyes darted between You Nan, Qi Yuwen, and his friend, a look of keen interest on his face.

Lu Chengwan and the others had arrived early and were already seated, leaving only two empty spots between Shen Xinyue and Yao Xianqing.

Qi Yuwen took You Nan's hand and guided him to sit, positioning himself between You Nan and Yao Xianqing. You Nan ended up next to Shen Xinyue.

Shen Xinyue was a woman of few words. Her features were dignified and striking, and she wore a red dress, exuding an air of elegance and grace. She and Lu Chengwan made a well-matched couple.

"Hello," Shen Xinyue said naturally, picking up her phone and opening WeChat. "Shall we exchange contact information?"

This was You Nan's first time being so close to such a radiant beauty. He was shy, and though he hadn't had any alcohol, his face flushed red, followed by his neck.

Flustered, You Nan pulled out his phone and opened the QR scanner. "Let me add you."

The two happily added each other as friends.

Shen Xinyue noticed You Nan's profile picture and let out a surprised "Oh?" "Is this your cat?"

You Nan's profile picture was a selfie of 007; the cat had vainly changed it itself. You Nan had let it have its fun.

"Yes," You Nan replied.

Shen Xinyue also loved cats, and she began discussing them quietly with You Nan. At first, You Nan felt a bit uneasy, but Shen Xinyue was very engaging, and she clearly intended to befriend him. The two quickly grew closer.

Just as he was speaking, a sudden weight settled on his shoulder. You Nan looked up to see Qi Yuwen's handsome face very close. "Let's eat now. Put the phone away."

You Nan obediently put his phone away.

Shen Xinyue chuckled softly at their interaction.

The dishes at Lu Chengwan's dinner cost at least several hundred yuan each, and their taste certainly justified the price. The others at the table discussed their companies, development, and collaborations—topics You Nan couldn't follow, so he kept his head down and focused on eating.

Qi Yuwen took good care of him in front of others, occasionally using serving chopsticks to put food on his plate.

You Nan smiled at him and whispered, "I need to use the restroom."

He'd bought milk tea for Qi Yuwen, but the other man had only taken a few sips; You Nan had ended up drinking the rest, and now his stomach was full of it.

Qi Yuwen nodded, and You Nan quietly slipped out of his seat without disturbing their conversation.

With his wife gone, Qi Yuwen relaxed slightly. He picked up the wine bottle to pour a drink for Yao Xianqing but was stopped by the other's outstretched hand.

Even though Qi Yuwen was married now, things still weren't back to how they used to be with Yao Xianqing.

Yao Xianqing declined his gesture. "No more for me. You have it."

The private room was brilliantly lit, and soft, soothing music played in the background. Qi Yuwen gazed at Yao Xianqing's face, the one he'd longed for day and night, and felt a stir in his heart.

Since Yao Xianqing didn't want it, he finished the remaining half-bottle of wine himself.

Lu Chengwan had also drunk quite a bit that evening. His vision was slightly blurry, and his wife stayed by his side, helping him remove his jacket.

With fewer people at the table, even the subtlest interactions between Qi Yuwen and Yao Xianqing didn't go unnoticed.

Lu Chengwan watched the two of them and suddenly laughed.

Shen Zihe asked, "What's so funny?"

Lu Chengwan pointed at Qi Yuwen and Yao Xianqing. "Look at Qi Yuwen and Xianqing. Don't you think they're very alike?"

Shen Zihe looked closely. "Are they?"

Qi Yuwen and Yao Xianqing weren't the same type.

Qi Yuwen was handsome with sharp features, though his ever-present smile and ingrained professionalism softened the intensity of his appearance.

Yao Xianqing, on the other hand, was refined, with cool, pale skin, gentler features than Qi Yuwen, and superior facial contours—the typical look of a wealthy young master.

Shen Zihe couldn't see any similarities. "I don't feel it."

Hearing the two discussing them, Qi Yuwen and Yao Xianqing remained silent.

One leaned back in his chair, legs crossed, his posture upright even in relaxation.

The other raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued by their comments.

"They're very similar in personality—no, more in the way they speak to people."

Shen Xinyue clarified, "I met Yao Xianqing first and only later got to know Qi Yuwen. But whenever I see him, I'm always reminded of Yao Xianqing. Their vibes are too alike."

Shen Zihe thought it over. "You know what? You're right! But they were classmates before and are friends now. They say the longer you're friends, the more your personalities align…"

Qi Yuwen's pupils flickered, his smile never faltered.

Yao Xianqing, however, didn't want to hear about Qi Yuwen. He stood up, saying, "I'm going to the restroom."

Qi Yuwen's leg shifted, instinctively wanting to follow, but he was sensitive to Yao Xianqing's emotions and sensed that Yao Xianqing was upset because of him.

Qi Yuwen restrained the dark feelings welling up inside him.

Why was he upset?

Was it because of him?

Didn't they say that once he got married, their relationship could go back to how things were?

Yao Xianqing left the private room, turned down the corridor, and bumped into You Nan coming out of the restroom.

You Nan must have washed his face but hadn't fully dried it with a tissue, as there were still droplets of water on his face.

The light from the overhead fixture fell on his face, making even ordinary water droplets glimmer.

You Nan also noticed Yao Xianqing and felt somewhat awkward, not expecting the other to leave the table midway.

He forced a smile, "You... you came out too?"

Yao Xianqing grunted in response, "We haven't exchanged contact information yet, have we?"

You Nan: "What?"

Yao Xianqing's topic shifted too quickly, and You Nan wondered if he had misheard.

Yao Xianqing moved closer, the scent of magnolia on the man wafting over. You Nan hurriedly took out his phone, and as he opened his QR code, he felt a moment of confusion.

The fragrance on Qi Yuwen was somewhat different from Yao Xianqing's.

Yet it was clearly the same white magnolia.

There was a "ding," and a friend request appeared on You Nan's phone.

A new notification also appeared in 007's system.

007 put down the remote control it was holding and opened its panel, "Hey!"

The little kitten's whiskers twitched happily, "Yao Xianqing is so great, giving another ten Energy Points."

007 glanced at Qi Yuwen's column, pouting its furry little mouth—the section for the other was still a stingy salted duck egg. "What's up with this male lead?"

You Nan didn't know that Yao Xianqing had given him Energy Points just by exchanging contact information.

When he snapped out of it, he was already standing in the hotel lobby, holding a warm cup of milk tea. Yao Xianqing stood beside him. With his striking appearance, passersby couldn't help but look at him, and You Nan also received several glances.

You Nan: "..."

You Nan looked at the milk tea in his hand, already opened and partially drunk, then at the man beside him who only held his phone and hadn't bought a cup for himself. His heart felt a little heavy.

"Aren't you going to buy one for yourself?"

You Nan felt awkward drinking alone. He played with the straw, worrying about what to do if he couldn't finish the milk tea.

He couldn't bring it back to the private room, and he had been out for quite a while. If he didn't return soon, Qi Yuwen would become suspicious.

Yao Xianqing said it wasn't necessary, "I don't want any."

You Nan pouted despite himself.

If he couldn't drink it, did that mean You Nan could?

"Oh," You Nan muttered.

Yao Xianqing turned to look at him. They were very close, and You Nan almost ran into Yao Xianqing's chest.

Yao Xianqing watched as the person took a big step back, eyes wide as he looked, "What are you doing?"

You Nan remembered his married status and Qi Yuwen's possessiveness toward Yao Xianqing. He had to stay alert around Yao Xianqing, afraid that Qi Yuwen might freak out.

Yao Xianqing saw You Nan take a small sip, hold the milk tea in his arms, and only take a second small sip after a long while. It was clear there was no room in his stomach.

Yao Xianqing asked him, "You can't drink anymore either?"

You Nan nodded honestly, "Yeah."

He had just finished that big cup from earlier. Moreover, he couldn't understand why Yao Xianqing would want to buy him milk tea.

Yao Xianqing held out his hand, "Still drinking?"

You Nan didn't understand. He looked confused at Yao Xianqing's hand, "What?"

The man said, "If you can't finish it, give it to me."

"Huh?" You Nan didn't know what he intended to do, but he obediently handed over his milk tea cup, "Then what about the milk tea?"

"I'll take care of it," Yao Xianqing said briefly.

You Nan pressed his lips together, "Alright." He needed to find Qi Yuwen and didn't have time to talk with Yao Xianqing, "I'll go then."

Yao Xianqing smiled in response.

An elevator just arrived on the first floor. As soon as the doors opened, You Nan stepped in. Just as the doors closed, another elevator arrived with someone inside.

Qi Yuwen was surprised to see Yao Xianqing drinking milk tea in the lobby, "What made you think of drinking milk tea?"

Yao Xianqing's hand holding the cup paused, and he avoided Qi Yuwen's gaze. "I happened to see it sold in the public dining area and just grabbed one."