Chapter 32: The Banquet

Chapter 32: The Banquet

Shen Mian's breathing was already unsteady, and when the nightgown slipped off, he looked like a startled bird. He instinctively raised his hand to cover himself, a jade-white arm in front of him, the half-hidden gesture only making the sight more tantalizing.

Jiang Yancheng admired the view before him, resting his head on one hand and chuckling lightly: "Baby, why are you covering up... this dress is supposed to be worn like this..."

The most intriguing part of the whole gown was the straps on the shoulders. S City was famous for its silk, and when he had browsed the famous boutiques, he had spotted this nightgown at first sight.

Jiang Yancheng once again marveled at his own good taste—the dress suited his Mianmian perfectly.

But clearly, Shen Mian didn't feel the same way. His face flushed crimson as he glared at him and mumbled in protest: "No... it's supposed to be tied, not untied."

"Is that so?" Jiang Yancheng tilted his head and smiled at him, his hand mischievously giving his waist a light pinch. "But I already accidentally untied it just now."

He wore an utterly unreasonable expression that said, "Yeah, I did something bad, what are you going to do about it?"

"..." What a shameless scoundrel—this was practically flaunting his lechery in broad daylight.

Shen Mian clutched the fabric half-covering himself, cursing him as a pervert in his heart.

"Baby, look at me~" Jiang Yancheng cradled Shen Mian's face in his palm, guiding his gaze toward himself.

The two were pressed close together, so close that Shen Mian could feel Jiang Yancheng's breath. He stared unblinkingly at the man before him, his slender face mostly nestled in Jiang Yancheng's palm, long lashes casting a small shadow over his eyelids.

In the intimate atmosphere, the man leaned down gently and kissed his soft, warm lips.

Shen Mian's hand that had been shielding his front slowly lowered, and before he knew it, he had wrapped his arms around the man's neck. He was squeezed between the sofa and Jiang Yancheng, his lean back tensing as he slowly leaned back onto the couch.

The warm air from the air conditioner blew gently, and the room was filled with an intimate ambiance.

...

Sunday was a bright, sunny day. The warm sunlight streaming through the glass window felt pleasant, and the temperature wasn't as cold as on overcast days.

Jiang Yancheng had originally planned to take Shen Mian out for a drive in the nice weather, but an urgent work matter required his personal attention, so he had to work overtime in the study instead.

Shen Mian had gone to the library the day before, and his bag was full of textbooks, so while Jiang Yancheng was busy with work, he sat across from him doing his major coursework.

The study was quiet, the two of them—one working overtime and one doing homework—creating a surprisingly harmonious and cozy scene.

Occasionally, a breeze slipped through the gap in the window, bringing a hint of late autumn chill.

Jiang Yancheng finally let out a sigh of relief when he finished reviewing the final document. He rose from his desk and glanced at the person across from him.

Shen Mian was looking down at the book before him, the textbook spread open, his right hand holding a pen, his notes filled with dense handwriting. He was so focused on reviewing that he didn't even notice Jiang Yancheng had gotten up and come to stand behind him.

"Why did you choose computer science as your major?" A low male voice sounded from above his head, startling Shen Mian and making him pause mid-motion.

He looked up and met Jiang Yancheng's gaze.

Shen Mian was momentarily dazed, then thought seriously for a long while before speaking: "When I was choosing a major back then, I didn't know what to pick, but I heard people say this one makes it easy to find a job, so I chose it."

After all, he didn't have many people around him who could give him advice. His parents were farmers, and there were many majors they had never even heard of. In their understanding, the best careers were nothing more than civil servants, teachers, and doctors.

Shen Mian had heard from others that studying computer science meant never worrying about finding a job in a big city, and the monthly salary was high—easily over ten thousand—so he decided on this major.

"Do you like this major?" Jiang Yancheng asked again.

Like it? Shen Mian was stunned.

He couldn't exactly say he liked it.

Seeing his silence, Jiang Yancheng asked softly: "Then if you weren't studying this major, is there another major you'd want to study?"

Shen Mian pressed his lips together and finally spoke: "I don't know."

Since he had chosen this course, he focused all his energy on studying it and did exceptionally well, earning scholarships since his freshman year. If he suddenly switched to a different major and started from scratch... he might not be able to get the scholarship anymore.

Jiang Yancheng could see his confusion and reached out to gently ruffle his hair: "Then do you have any hobbies? Things you enjoy doing in your daily life?"

They had known each other for so long, yet he still didn't know what Shen Mian liked to do. In their everyday conversations, Shen Mian mostly talked about part-time jobs and going to the library.

Shen Mian was dazed for a moment, then shook his head again with a blank expression.

The word "hobby" felt too distant for him. From childhood to now, the thing he had done most was studying and learning, so even without any tutoring classes, he had managed to score high on exams through his own efforts. From elementary school to high school, he had grown accustomed to being accompanied by piles of test papers and textbooks, and he hadn't even made many friends, let alone had time to pursue hobbies.

He still remembered that many classmates in school would sign up for interest classes—things like painting, dancing, calligraphy, basketball—but Chen Meijuan said those were useless frills that wouldn't add points to the college entrance exam and would easily distract him. She told him to focus on studying, to put all his heart into academics, and to wait until college to dabble in those things.

But by the time Shen Mian reached college, his free time was filled with various part-time jobs. He spent every day hustling to make ends meet for three meals, and he had to study hard to hold onto his scholarship. Where was the time or mental energy to think about what hobbies he might have?

In high school, people liked to call him a "bookworm," saying he was a boring person with no talents, and the only thing he had to show for himself was his grades. It seemed they weren't wrong.

Thinking about this, he felt a bit dejected.

Would Jiang Yancheng also think he was a boring person? After all, he really couldn't do anything.

"Don't know what your hobbies are?" Jiang Yancheng cradled his cheek and asked softly. "Then let's figure it out together."

"Are you interested in singing or musical instruments?"

Shen Mian pressed his lips together and shook his head gently.

He had never really sung, and he had never even touched a musical instrument. The closest thing to an instrument he had ever encountered might be a melodica in a drawer at home, but no one had taught him, and he couldn't play it.

"What about painting?" Jiang Yancheng looked at him.

Painting... Shen Mian had only painted during art class in elementary school. By middle and high school, art classes had turned into self-study periods for the main subjects.

Shen Mian unconsciously curled his fingers, clutching his clothes in embarrassment, and said in a small voice: "I can't."

Jiang Yancheng nodded and continued: "What about playing games?"

"Not really," Shen Mian said in a muffled tone. "My old phone was very laggy—even offline games would crash."

He paused for a moment: "Actually, I don't really have any hobbies, and there's nothing I'm particularly good at..."

Shen Mian lowered his head, his tone carrying a hint of loss and melancholy that he himself hadn't noticed.

Jiang Yancheng placed his hand on his shoulder and spoke very softly: "Sweetheart, everyone has things they're good at, and everyone has hobbies. You just haven't had the chance to try things out yet—you haven't discovered them."

"Try more things, expose yourself to more, and you'll find out what you like."

Shen Mian listened in a daze. He didn't respond, but a strange emotion stirred in his heart.

He looked down at the notebook filled with dense writing and, for the first time, seriously thought about his hobbies and strengths.

Besides studying and working part-time to earn money, could he also spend some time on other things that weren't about making a living?

Jiang Yancheng didn't disturb his thoughts, standing quietly by Shen Mian's side and waiting. When he seemed to have thought it through, he spoke again: "There's a banquet tonight. Interested in going to have some fun there?"

A banquet... Shen Mian froze for a moment.

"But I've... never been to a banquet before," he mumbled. "I don't know the first thing about any of it..."

A rich people's banquet had to be all fancy and over-the-top like on TV, right? He didn't know a thing, couldn't even hold his liquor. If Jiang Yancheng brought him and he made a fool of himself, wouldn't that just embarrass him?

"You don't need to know a thing. Just stick close behind me," Jiang Yancheng said softly, rubbing his cheek.

He hadn't planned on going, but since Shen Mian had never been to one, he figured he'd bring him along to see what it was like and help him build some confidence.

Shen Mian looked up at him, a little hesitant. "If I go with you, do I need to dress up like a girl?"

Jiang Yancheng let out a low chuckle, his fingers drifting through Shen Mian's hair a couple of times, gentle and full of affection: "No need to dress up like a girl. Just be yourself—you already look amazing, baby."

He paused, then leaned in close to Shen Mian's ear, dropping his voice to a whisper: "But if Sweetheart really wants to wear a little dress, you can only wear it for me at home after we get back tonight..."

Warm breath and that low, magnetic voice brushed against Shen Mian's ear, and the suggestive words were impossibly alluring. Shen Mian's face flushed, the heat creeping all the way to the tips of his ears. His wide, shy doe eyes looked even more captivating—so innocent and easy to tease.

Shen Mian gripped the hem of his shirt, refusing to meet the teasing, affectionate smile in Jiang Yancheng's eyes, so mortified he wished the floor would swallow him whole.

He hadn't even meant anything about wearing women's clothes—Jiang Yancheng had twisted his words on purpose just to mess with him.

Seeing how shy and flustered he was, Jiang Yancheng's heart melted. But knowing Shen Mian was sensitive, he didn't keep teasing him. He pulled out his phone and called his assistant to book a professional styling team for the afternoon.

At four in the afternoon, the styling team showed up. Jiang Yancheng rarely got the full treatment himself, except for super formal galas, but since this was Shen Mian's first time, he wanted him to look his absolute best.

When the stylist pulled out rack after rack of gorgeous little suits, Shen Mian was blown away—he'd thought that kind of stuff only happened in dramas.

Jiang Yancheng had already sent over Shen Mian's measurements, so every suit was his size. Shen Mian was completely overwhelmed, barely able to pick.

"Let's do your makeup and hair first, then pick the outfit to match," Jiang Yancheng said, noticing his nerves and excitement. He took his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

Shen Mian nodded and sat quietly while they worked on him. He was quiet and sweet-natured, polite to everyone, and spoke to the stylists with such gentle courtesy. The stylists were a little intimidated by Jiang Yancheng's cold expression, so they all preferred dealing with Shen Mian directly.

The makeup artist was a soft-spoken young woman. As she applied his base, she kept praising his fair skin and bone structure, saying he was a rare beauty and would absolutely stun everyone once he was done up.

Shen Mian got so flustered by her compliments that he nervously glanced at Jiang Yancheng—only to find him staring back with an intense, burning gaze. It felt like that look burned him, and he quickly looked away.

After about an hour and a half, they were done. When they finished, Shen Mian looked into the full-length mirror and completely froze.

The person in the mirror was wearing a crisp white suit, with a perfect figure—slim waist, long legs. His makeup was so light you couldn't even tell, yet he looked even more striking and beautiful than before. Even his lips looked fuller, and with a light tint, they were like cherry blossoms kissed by rain—impossible not to want to lean in and taste.

Shen Mian stared at the refined, gorgeous young man in the mirror, unable to believe it was actually him.

Jiang Yancheng stood behind him, watching quietly, his eyes full of tenderness and a quiet pride.

His Mianmian deserved to look like this—the center of attention, someone everyone should see.

He walked over, pulled the boy admiring himself in the mirror into his arms, and rested his chin on Shen Mian's head, nuzzling him: "Our sweetheart looks so pretty."

"This outfit suits you so well. You look like a little rich boy just back from studying abroad."

Shen Mian blushed and pushed him away gently. "You're messing with me again."

"No," Jiang Yancheng said seriously. "I'm being serious. If you don't believe me, ask them."

Seeing that he was actually about to drag him over to ask the stylists, Shen Mian, flustered and panicked, yanked him back. "Don't!"

"I believe you!"

"Mm, don't be nervous. Be confident—baby is the prettiest." Jiang Yancheng smiled, cupped his face, and leaned in to press a soft kiss to his forehead.

...

As night fell, the city lit up with neon signs, all glitter and glamour, every skyscraper blazing with light.

A sleek, understated luxury car pulled up in front of a gorgeous manor.

Jiang Yancheng got out first, walked around to Shen Mian's side, opened the door, and bent down to help him out like a gentleman.

No matter how much he'd psyched himself up, Shen Mian was still nervous once he was actually there. Especially when being led by Jiang Yancheng toward the banquet hall.

The unfamiliar, magnificent hall spread out before him, full of ornate decorations he'd never seen before. Dazzling lights illuminated the entire building. Violins played softly in the air, mingling with a faint, elegant scent. Glamorous guests, clinking glasses, and a whole world of glittering, decadent high society.

Shen Mian's heart was pounding. He lowered his head and tightened his grip on Jiang Yancheng's hand, like a drowning man clinging to the only thing keeping him afloat.

"Relax," Jiang Yancheng murmured by his ear.

Shen Mian finally looked up and took in his surroundings. The hall was already full of guests, and whether it was his imagination or not... he could feel countless eyes on him.

Some were subtle, but others were especially obvious.

And it wasn't just his imagination—half the people at the banquet really were staring at him. After all, the Jiang family was considered top-tier aristocracy in the entire city, and as the current head of the Jiang family, Jiang Yancheng naturally had many people watching who would end up by his side.

But everyone also knew that this young President Jiang, though adept at navigating the business world, had never had any romantic interests around him. He had always attended various social events alone, never bringing a date. Yet today, he suddenly brought along a stunningly beautiful young man, treating him with tenderness and care at every turn, their interactions intimate. It was quite a rare sight.

Shen Mian had never been stared at and scrutinized by so many people in public before. He was already nervous about the big occasion, and now he felt even more uncomfortable, instinctively clutching Jiang Yancheng's clothes, his heart uneasy.

He whispered to Jiang Yancheng, "I don't know the rules here... Did I do something wrong and embarrass you?"

Seeing his anxious expression, Jiang Yancheng smiled and refuted, "What are you talking about? Don't overthink it."

"But why do they keep staring at me?" Shen Mian asked, pursing his lips.

He was truly afraid that his manners were lacking or his behavior inappropriate, causing Jiang Yancheng to lose face.

Jiang Yancheng squeezed his palm and whispered by his ear, "That's because you're so handsome—they're all envious of me for finding such a beautiful boyfriend."

"..." Jiang Yancheng's compliments successfully added another layer of blush to Shen Mian's face. He gave Jiang Yancheng a light glare and continued, "But I really don't understand the rules here. You need to remind me."

"It's fine, there are no rules," Jiang Yancheng said with a raised eyebrow and a smile. "You're here with me. No one would dare laugh at you for anything you do."

He said it with arrogance and confidence, yet it was strangely convincing. Shen Mian was momentarily stunned, feeling a bit more at ease: "Okay."

Jiang Yancheng felt the person he was holding finally relax a little, and the corners of his mouth lifted as well.

He actually had another purpose for bringing Shen Mian here today. Recently, his father, Jiang Jianjing, had been acting strangely, desperately trying to push him into marriage. Several prominent families in the circle also had intentions of forming alliances through marriage, which was bothering him.

Declining them one by one was too troublesome, and Jiang Yancheng disdained to deal with them. So he simply brought Shen Mian out in a high-profile manner, telling everyone he already had a desired marriage partner, hoping to make those people back off and give up their ideas of forming connections with him.

But his Mianmian didn't seem too accustomed to the environment here. Though still curious about everything around him, he was more nervous, and it seemed he didn't really enjoy this kind of banquet.

"What's wrong, baby? Tired?" Jiang Yancheng stopped and asked with concern.

Shen Mian shook his head awkwardly: "I'm fine."

They had only just arrived—how could he be tired so quickly.

"Is it because it's too boring here? Not used to it?" Jiang Yancheng probed again.

Shen Mian pursed his lips and fell silent.

It wasn't that he found it boring, exactly—he just felt like he didn't belong in this glittering world of vanity. All around him, guests were clinking champagne glasses and laughing in lively conversation, but he had no idea what he was supposed to do.

"It's fine. If you're not having fun, we can leave in a little while." Jiang Yancheng led him over to a buffet station and poured him a glass of a special orange juice blend. "Want some of this? And grab something to eat."

Shen Mian's eyes brightened at the sight of food. He took the juice Jiang Yancheng offered and took a small sip.

Perhaps it was the food that helped, but Shen Mian finally relaxed a little, and he managed to ignore the subtle looks thrown his way. He looked up, linked arms with Jiang Yancheng, and strolled through the party, curiously taking in everything around him.

As they walked, they came upon a glittering ballroom. The graceful, lilting strains of a waltz filled the air, and guests in formal attire danced in pairs, their flowing movements swaying across the floor in time with the melody.

Shen Mian instinctively stopped in his tracks. He lifted his gaze toward the dance floor, his eyes full of curiosity and yearning.

His reaction didn't escape Jiang Yancheng's notice. Leaning down, he asked softly, "Does sweetheart want to go dance too?"

Startled by his words, Shen Mian fidgeted with his fingers and murmured, "No... I'm just a little curious. I don't know how to dance. I've never learned—I wouldn't be any good..."

"No one is born knowing how." Jiang Yancheng gently took his hand, his gaze impossibly tender. "If you want to try, I can teach you!"

Shen Mian bit his lower lip anxiously, his gaze flickering away.

"Remember what I told you today? Don't be afraid to try anything. Only by trying will you know if it suits you, if you like it."

After a moment of hesitation, his encouragement finally won Shen Mian over. He nodded and whispered a quiet "okay."

Seeing him take that first brave step, a smile crept onto Jiang Yancheng's lips.

He led Shen Mian onto the dance floor and held out his hand with a gentleman's grace. "Baby, give me your hand."

Shen Mian had been a little nervous, but seeing Jiang Yancheng's calm, reassuring smile, his racing heart seemed to settle.

He glanced around, his gaze sweeping over the crowd lost in the music, and finally mustered the courage to place his hand in Jiang Yancheng's outstretched palm.