Xing Lixuan's unilateral decision to join "Top Chef" without discussing it with Yu Antong upset him. When Xing received an invitation to a charity auction gala, he decided to take Yu Antong with him to lighten the mood.

"Honey, which suit should I wear?" Yu Antong held up a burgundy and a black suit in front of the mirror, turning to Xing Lixuan with indecision.

Xing Lixuan felt that Yu Antong looked good in anything. Just wearing casual home clothes now, Yu's charm was evident. In a tailored suit accentuating his physique, it would be irresistibly captivating. Xing didn’t even want to let Yu step outside.

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"What are you thinking about?" Yu Antong nudged Xing Lixuan, who was lost in thought behind him. "Which one looks better? The burgundy one?"

The burgundy suit complemented Yu Antong's personality and would surely stand out. Xing Lixuan, deep in thought, replied, "Go with the black one; it's more dignified and charismatic."

"Really?" Yu Antong was somewhat skeptical.

With firm reassurance, Xing Lixuan responded, "Yes, hurry up and change. We need to leave soon."

Glancing at the clock, Yu Antong was rushed off to get dressed.

"It's a bit tight." After dressing, Yu Antong fastened his buttons, stood before the mirror rubbing his belly, and glanced from left to right. He voiced his concern, "Does it make my belly look noticeable?"

The baby in his belly was growing bigger, and it was becoming evident. His usually flat stomach was now slightly protruding.

Xing Lixuan said, "It's not that. When you turned, you unconsciously pushed out your belly. When you stand straight, it doesn't show."

Xing Lixuan's gaze lingered on Yu Antong. He initially thought the maroon suit might be too flashy for Yu, but now it seemed that regardless of the suit's design, Yu was bound to turn heads.

Yu Antong rarely wore formal suits. Now donning this well-tailored attire, he looked more refined. The laid-back air around him faded slightly, replaced by a hint of aristocratic demeanor. Coupled with the pregnancy, he had put on some weight, appearing every bit the pampered and privileged young master.

Feeling Xing Lixuan's almost tangible stare, Yu Antong turned and asked, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

Xing Lixuan replied calmly, "You look good."

"Flattery will get you everywhere," Yu Antong teased, giving him a quick peck and wrapping his arms around his neck. "Am I that irresistible to you?"

For Xing Lixuan, that brief touch was nowhere near enough. Without uttering a word, he pulled Yu Antong close and passionately kissed him.

"You're so annoying! Why kiss so hard?" Yu Antong, disoriented from the fervent kiss, pouted and complained upon seeing his blushing cheeks and slightly swollen lips in the mirror.

This auction was organized by the Jiang City Business Association. It took place annually, attracting renowned businessmen.

Xing Lixuan and his group arrived neither early nor late. After taking their seats, they listened to the host's opening remarks. Following that, the president of the Jiang City merchants took the stage and said, "Thank you all for taking the time to attend this charity event and for your generous contributions..."

The auctioneer then stepped onto the stage. The first round of items was from the gold, silver, and jade category. A video presentation about the first auction item was displayed.

After the video ended, the auctioneer announced, "This jade piece from the Qing dynasty, crafted by a renowned artisan, starts at 1.89 million. Each bid increment must be no less than 5,000. Bidding starts now!"

"Do you want it?" Xing Lixuan asked Yu Antong.

Yu Antong shook his head. Although the carved clouds and landscape on the jade were beautiful, he didn't wear such things. It would be a waste to buy it.

A while later, Yu Antong took interest in a jade Guanyin pendant encased in gold. This piece, the size of a thumb, was made of the finest mutton-fat jade and carved exquisitely.

Yu Antong suggested, "Honey, bid for this one. We can get it for Xiaonian to wear."

"Alright." Xing Lixuan raised his paddle.

The auctioneer spotted Xing Lixuan's bid and announced, "Increased by two bids, now at 1.6 million! Any higher offers?"

A young man sitting a few rows behind Xing Lixuan quickly raised his paddle.

"1.65 million! The gentleman has bid 1.65 million!" Before the auctioneer could continue, Xing Lixuan raised his paddle again. "1.8 million! 1.8 million for the first call!"

Zhu Yucheng, who kept increasing his bid from behind, leaned forward, trying to identify the persistent bidder in front.

Zhu Yucheng's father, sitting beside him, advised, "Let it go. We'll look for something else later."

"No, I've set my eyes on this. Dad, bid higher, or someone else will get it."

Mr. Zhu reluctantly raised his paddle again. Today was his son's birthday, and he had promised him a gift; he couldn't break his word. After all, he would spare no expense for his own son.

Noting the soaring price, Yu Antong said, "If it reaches two million and still isn’t enough, we should let it go."

Xing Lixuan replied, "It’s alright, consider it a contribution to charity." If his wife wanted something for their son, he'd be less of a man if he couldn’t get it.

Without hesitation, Xing Lixuan informed the bid assistant beside him of his three million bid, who then relayed it to the auctioneer.

The auctioneer announced loudly, "Three million! This gentleman has bid straight to three million! Any more bids?"

Upon hearing the amount, Mr. Zhu turned to his son, Zhu Yucheng, and said, "We can't continue to bid, son. With three million, do you know what kind of jade we could buy? How about I get you a car instead?"

Zhu Yucheng didn't respond, his gaze fixed intently in the direction of Xing Lixuan and Yu Antong.

He had been curious about who had been outbidding him, and a side-glance between the pair ahead provided the answer.

Wasn't that Xing Lixuan?!

His secret crush!

Though "crush" might be overstating it. Zhu Yucheng's feelings for Xing Lixuan weren't quite that deep. As a gay man, he recognized Xing Lixuan's appearance and wealth made him highly sought-after within the Jiang City gay community. His coming out had caused quite a stir.

Every young man fantasized about dating someone like Xing Lixuan. Zhu and his friends had certainly indulged in those fantasies. However, the thought of approaching Xing, with his intimidatingly cold demeanor, was too daunting.

Such an unattainable man was beyond Zhu Yucheng’s wildest dreams.

Though envy might have played a role, learning that Xing Lixuan had married Yu Antong, someone of lesser status and unfamiliar origins, had been hard to swallow.

It felt like being drenched in sour lemon juice from a towering lemon mountain. The bitterness was real!

What was so special about Yu Antong? A slightly prettier face? A more slender waist? A better figure?

What a little enchantress!

Hmph! Just jealousy! He was so bitter!

Thankfully, some within their circle had attended Xing Lixuan's wedding and had reported back that Xing had worn a grim expression throughout. Zhu Yucheng was convinced that Yu Antong had forced the marriage through some shady means.

"I’d bet anything that they'll divorce within six months!" he recalled someone confidently stating.

This belief was further reinforced when Zhu Yucheng tuned into a popular cooking show.

He had been following "The Chef Arrives!" and was surprised to find Yu Antong participating. If Xing Lixuan truly loved Yu, wouldn't he have directly invested in and promoted the restaurant Yu was involved with? Why the need for a TV appearance?

This, to Zhu Yucheng, was clear evidence of a rift between the two. Without Xing’s financial backing, Yu was obviously trying to boost his restaurant’s reputation.

At that moment, Zhu Yucheng's disdain for Yu Antong transformed into a bit of sympathy. What was so great about marrying Xing Lixuan if their relationship was so strained?

As he continued to watch, Zhu Yucheng had to admit, albeit reluctantly, that he was becoming a fan of Yu Antong.

Contrary to the scheming, glamorous trickster he had imagined, Yu Antong turned out to be quite impressive and genuine.

From the very first episode, he was utterly tantalized by the dish "Phoenix's Call at Qishan" prepared by Yu An Tong. It's just that he was hesitant to admit that he had taken a liking to his so-called rival.

Alright, he's not even close to being a rival.

After watching the second episode, he couldn't resist visiting the "Immortal Feast" restaurant and indulging himself. After that meal, his perception of Yu An Tong completely changed.

Ladies, Yu An Tong isn't just a sly enchantress; he's an outright demigod!

Zhu Yucheng wished he could share this with the others, but he feared their mockery. So, he secretly became Yu An Tong's admirer.

He even started to believe that Xing Lixuan lacked taste. To overlook someone as dazzling and talented as Yu An Tong — is he blind? What would satisfy him?

If not for the obvious incompatibility, Zhu Yucheng would have wanted to take Yu An Tong home.

Until today, he held onto these beliefs. However, after witnessing the intimate conversation between Xing Lixuan and Yu An Tong, he began to doubt his assumptions. Was reality different from his imagination?

"Son?" Mr. Zhu patted his son on the shoulder, "Why the daze? Are you that smitten by that jade piece?"

Zhu Yucheng snapped back to reality, "Never mind, I don't want it." He couldn't compete with a goddess, and admittedly, he wouldn't stand a chance.

He didn't pay much attention to the subsequent auction items, focusing entirely on Yu An Tong and Xing Lixuan.

"Honey, I want this too."

Several auction items caught Yu An Tong's eye, and he had Xing Lixuan bid on three of them. Despite promising to refrain after the previous item, a wristwatch appeared, and he was tempted again.

"Who said the last one was the final bid?" Xing Lixuan wasn't concerned about the money; he just wanted a little treat.

Yu An Tong clung to Xing Lixuan's arm, cooing, "Honey, please buy it~"

Xing Lixuan pointed to his cheek, "Kiss me first."

"Mua! I love you, honey." Yu An Tong willingly kissed him, adding a declaration of love.

Satisfied, Xing Lixuan raised his paddle.

Zhu Yucheng was left gaping in disbelief.

Damn! What happened to their supposed discord and imminent divorce in six months?!

Is this what an incompatible relationship looks like? Is this a marriage on the rocks?!!

And to think he once pitied Yu An Tong, assuming he wasn't truly happy with Xing Lixuan!

Woe is him! They are clearly so happy, while he's the miserable one!

How delusional was he to pity them when they're living their best life!

He's envious! He's turned into that sour lemon once again!

When he returned home and saw the latest episode of "Culinary Gods Have Arrived!", his internal lemon tree flourished even more.

It can't get sourer, only ever more sour!

Author's Note:

Zhu Yucheng: Watch me perform magic for you all — turning into a lemon in a second!

Thanks to the angels who cast their sovereign votes or provided nutritional support for me from 2020-02-10 23:34:44 to 2020-02-11 23:45:46~

Thanks to the angels who cast landmines: 1 from Lana;

Thanks to the angels who provided nutritional support: 10 bottles from BenBen; and 1 bottle each from Jiang Feng, Yuhuo Dui Chou Mian, Xin Star x5, and Mo Ying.

I deeply appreciate everyone's support. I'll keep up the effort!

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