Chapter 2: The Returned White Moonlight (2)

Chapter 2: The Returned White Moonlight (Part 2)

Downstairs in the dining room, Yun Jinqiu’s parents were looking through a photo album. They had recently returned from a trip around the world, enjoying some rare time alone together.

“Dad, Mom,” Yun Jinqiu called out.

“Jinqiu, you’re here! Come quick, I brought you a gift,” his mother said.

Yun Jinqiu’s mother was a very gentle woman. Time had left few marks on her face; she was still radiant and lively, like a woman in her twenties. In contrast, Yun Jinqiu’s father appeared somewhat stern and reserved. Yun Jinqiu had hardly ever seen him smile in all the years he had known him. However, in the presence of his wife, his father’s expression gradually softened.

Yun Jinqiu walked over, and his mother handed him a box. Inside was a brooch adorned with a large, sea-blue gemstone. Its color was crystal clear, surreally beautiful.

“This gem is very special—I cut and polished it myself! So, what do you think? Not bad, right?” Yun Jinqiu’s mother asked expectantly.

Yun Jinqiu smiled slightly. “It’s very beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like it,” his mother said, standing on her toes to ruffle his hair. “Let’s eat now. We can’t let my baby boy go hungry.”

His father, standing nearby, commented drily, “How could he possibly go hungry? This house has everything he could want. Spoiling him too much will make him unruly.”

Yun Jinqiu said nothing.

His mother rolled her eyes. “Can you cut it out? It’s been so long since our family has been together. Can’t we just enjoy a nice meal? Save the lecture for another time.”

His father sighed helplessly and nodded.

After a peaceful dinner, Yun Jinqiu received a phone call from Shang Wenyi.

“Hello? What is it? Calling so late—is something wrong?” Yun Jinqiu had just finished showering and walked out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel. His skin, pale as snow, was still damp, glowing with a soft pink hue, giving him an unexpectedly seductive appearance.

Shang Wenyi didn’t speak at first; only heavy breathing could be heard from the other end of the line.

Yun Jinqiu frowned slightly and sat down on the sofa, crossing one leg over the other.

“Hello?”

“…”

Shang Wenyi took a deep breath, his voice slightly hoarse. “What are you doing?”

“Me?” Yun Jinqiu took a sip of hot tea. “I just finished showering.”

“Are you wearing a bathrobe?” Shang Wenyi asked.

Yun Jinqiu chuckled. “Of course I am. Did you think I’d be naked?”

Shang Wenyi: “…”

“What do you want? If there’s nothing important, I’m going to hang up. I’m sleepy.”

As he spoke, Yun Jinqiu raised a hand to rub his temples.

Shang Wenyi was silent for a moment. “There’s no one at home. I’m feeling a little lonely… so I wanted to hear your voice.”

“Oh, I see,” Yun Jinqiu laughed lightly. “I didn’t realize someone your age would be afraid of loneliness. But I guess it's normal. Do you want me to tell you a bedtime story?”

Shang Wenyi seemed to sigh. “Go ahead. I’m all ears.”

“Alright,” Yun Jinqiu thought for a moment, then climbed into bed and enthusiastically spent the entire night telling Shang Wenyi ghost stories.

Shang Wenyi chuckled softly.

“You watch so many ghost stories—aren’t you scared sleeping alone at night?”

“Not at all,” Yun Jinqiu said nonchalantly. “Didn’t you know? One of my biggest hobbies is watching horror movies.”

Shang Wenyi: “I know, but… you’ve been afraid of the dark since we were kids. I don’t understand how someone afraid of the dark could love horror movies.”

“Weren’t you feeling lonely? After hearing ghost stories, you’ll feel like there are people everywhere. How could you possibly still feel lonely?”

Shang Wenyi: “…”

Yun Jinqiu told him a few more ghost stories. As he spoke, he eventually fell asleep himself.

Through the phone, Shang Wenyi listened to Yun Jinqiu’s steady breathing, and his agitated heart gradually calmed.

“Good night,” he whispered. As the sound from the phone faded, he lifted his gaze to the window. The bright moonlight illuminated the dim room, revealing walls covered in photographs. Every single photo was of Yun Jinqiu—sleeping, eating, swimming, attending class, painting, and even being confessed to. Each image was vivid and beautiful.

After returning to the country, Yun Jinqiu’s parents convened a shareholders’ meeting. Their trip abroad wasn’t just for vacation—it was also for field research. The Yun family’s domestic development had reached a bottleneck, but there was still a vast market overseas. Chairman Yun decided to entrust this expansion opportunity to his son. Yun Jinqiu was an adult now, no longer a child. It was time for him to take on responsibilities.

In the meeting room, Yun Jinqiu initially thought he had been summoned as a mere figurehead. To his surprise, Chairman Yun called his name moments later.

“Huh?” Yun Jinqiu looked up, bewildered. “Me?”

Chairman Yun frowned. “In two months, you will go with the team to report to the New York branch.”

Yun Jinqiu was silent for a moment. “Alright. What about my studies?”

Chairman Yun: “Study abroad.”

Yun Jinqiu: “…Okay.”

This trip would last six or seven years. He would have to get together with his friends and say his goodbyes.

That evening, Yun Jinqiu rented out an entire bar and invited all his classmates to join the celebration. Under the dizzying lights, he stood on the stage, more dazzling than any idol.

“Everyone, I have an announcement to make!” Yun Jinqiu held a microphone and gestured for quiet.

The crowd below looked up at him, their eyes filled with warmth and excitement.

“In two months, I’ll be going abroad to study. I’ll miss everyone dearly, so tonight, don’t hold back—have fun! Everything is on me!” Yun Jinqiu declared grandly.

“Study abroad?” Before anyone could cheer, they were stunned into silence by the news.

“Why are you going abroad so suddenly?” asked a handsome young man with a furrowed brow. His name was Tang Fei, one of Yun Jinqiu’s few close friends and the one with the closest relationship to him in the group. Tang Fei also had business collaborations with the Yun family.

“Family arrangements,” Yun Jinqiu said simply.

Tang Fei understood. After a moment’s hesitation, he asked, “Does Shang Wenyi know?”

“Not yet,” Yun Jinqiu chuckled. “But he’ll find out sooner or later. It’s not a secret.”

Tang Fei nodded. “What if he finds out… and disagrees?”

“Why would he have any right to disagree?” Yun Jinqiu looked puzzled. “Even if he’ll miss me, he can always visit me abroad. The same goes for all of you—if you miss me, you can come see me. I’ll cover the flight tickets. Or I can even send a private jet to pick you up.”

“That’s true,” Tang Fei nodded slightly. “It’s just studying abroad, not a life-or-death separation.” But as for Shang Wenyi… Tang Fei pressed his lips together and ultimately let the topic drop.

“But reimbursement won't be necessary. Among our group, we may not have much else, but we do have plenty of money. How could we ask you to cover the expense?” Tang Fei said, raising his glass.

“Then let tonight's gathering be a farewell for you. Wishing you all the best after you go abroad.”

With that, Tang Fei drained his glass.

“Thank you,” Yun Jinqiu replied with a slight smile, also raising his glass.

Seeing this, the others dropped the matter and raised their glasses one after another, reigniting the lively atmosphere.

Yun Jinqiu let himself go completely, partying wildly on the dance floor until well past midnight. By the time the gathering ended, the sky was already light. Yun Jinqiu lay slumped on the sofa, passed out drunk. The others gradually dispersed and left. Tang Fei stepped forward and hoisted Yun Jinqiu up. Yun Jinqiu leaned limply against Tang Fei's shoulder, soft as a rag doll.

Tang Fei let out a soft sigh, slipped an arm around Yun Jinqiu's waist, and draped Yun Jinqiu's arm around his own neck. He then lifted him steadily.

Yun Jinqiu’s driver was waiting at the bar entrance, but Tang Fei wasn’t entirely comfortable, so he decided to take Yun Jinqiu home himself.

Tang Fei went rigid at the sight of him, his expression turning somewhat unnatural.

Shang Wenyi looked up from the morning mist, his gaze dark as he stared toward the bar entrance. The moment he spotted Yun Jinqiu, his eyes lit up. He immediately stubbed out his cigarette and marched over to Yun Jinqiu, ignoring the bystander nearby.

“Give him to me,” Shang Wenyi commanded.

Tang Fei furrowed his brow slightly but still held onto Yun Jinqiu without loosening his grip. He asked coolly, “What brings Young Master Shang here?”

Shang Wenyi glanced up and gave Tang Fei a once-over.

“Who are you?”

Tang Fei: “…” This wasn't his first time meeting Shang Wenyi. Because of Yun Jinqiu, he had initially tried to build a good relationship with Shang Wenyi. But Shang Wenyi clearly never paid him any mind—he didn't even remember his name.

“Oh, I remember now,” Shang Wenyi said, his expression easing slightly. “You're Jinqiu's classmate, right? We met at a mixer before.” But he didn't see Tang Fei as a threat. Tang Fei was too ordinary—whether in looks, family background, or Yun Jinqiu's attitude toward him. It was all too mundane to be any kind of threat. After all, Tang Fei was a man. He didn't think Yun Jinqiu would be interested in another man, including himself.

Yet, at this moment, the sight of the two standing together felt particularly grating to Shang Wenyi.

“What do you think you’re doing here?” Shang Wenyi asked, frowning.

Tang Fei let out a cold laugh.

“We were partying at the bar last night, so of course I'm here. What about you? Why are you here? If I'm not mistaken, you weren't invited.”

“I'm here at the request of his parents to take Jinqiu home.”

Shang Wenyi stepped forward and yanked Yun Jinqiu out of Tang Fei's arms.