Chapter 35: Han Yu Chan - May I kiss you?

“Mr. Lou, why are you angry with a child? He's still young…”

Lou Yingjie snorted coldly, “He’s still young? He's grown! Disregarding hierarchy here is a joke in front of everyone. Do you think nobody knows He Guan is my adopted son and want to broadcast it to all?”

Upon hearing the term "adopted son," Lou Jun Duo's eyebrows immediately furrowed.

Sensing the gazes from around the room, he quickly smoothed his expression, revealing a genuine smile, and pleaded, “Grandpa, it wasn't intentional. He Guan and I... I mean, my uncle and I have been friends for years. Seeing him suddenly today, I just couldn't contain myself.”

Lou Yingjie questioned, “Friends?”

Lou Jun Duo responded, “Yes, he took me in when I was younger, isn't that right, Unc...Uncle?”

He Guan's heart skipped a beat at those last three words.

The statement was ambiguously deliberate, as if hoping to hint at some past intimacy between them.

He Guan scooped up some oxtail soup and brought it to the person next to him, not addressing Lou Jun Duo, and instead asked Lou Dongcang, “Why aren't you trying it? Don't you like it?”

Lou Dongcang took a sip and then whispered something to him.

He Guan's smile widened, his eyes curving like crescents, and he replied, “You can't cheat like this. How could I possibly keep feeding you…”

His voice grew fainter, with the last words murmured as if whispered directly into Lou Dongcang's ear.

Lou Yingjie nodded approvingly.

Throughout this exchange, He Guan felt the unrelenting gaze of Lou Jun Duo.

This was nothing short of a provocation.

Lou Jun Duo was certain that He Guan would pick up on his overt gestures.

First marriage, and now this display of affection...

He needed answers.

Seeing He Guan's cold reception, a discerning onlooker stepped in to defuse the situation.

“Elder Sir, please don't be upset. Today is your birthday, after all. Any casual chatter from the younger generation is unintended.”

“Exactly. Look at you, so spirited and even disciplining your grandson. I couldn't do that…”

The banquet began amidst the efforts to keep the peace.

Servers paraded in, each holding silver platters, placing an array of appetizers before each guest before swiftly exiting.

There were twenty-five people seated at the long table, but two seats across from Lou Yingjie remained conspicuously empty.

Those seats belonged to Lou Dongcang's second elder brother and third elder sister.

Once the appetizers were served, everyone began picking up their forks, preparing to enjoy the braised fish fillet before them.

At that moment, the doors swung open, as the two tardy guests entered simultaneously.

Seizing the moment when all attention was diverted, He Guan clasped Lou Dongcang's hand and placed it on the fish fillet, whispering, “Here.”

Lou Dongcang silently picked up a piece of fish fillet and brought it to his mouth.

His dining etiquette was impeccable. The soft clinking of his fork barely audible. The crystal chandeliers of the banquet hall cast a soft, warm glow onto his face, giving him a more lively appearance.

He looked less like a vampire now.

The second brother and third sister bore a strong family resemblance, much like Lou Yi. In fact, they were the most similar-looking among the four siblings, bearing a strong resemblance to Lou Yingjie.

With high cheekbones and a somewhat square jawline, they both could have easily graced the pages of fashion magazines or strutted down catwalks.

The sister took the seat next to He Guan, while the brother sat beside Lou Yi.

Upon seating, they first presented their gifts to Lou Yingjie before turning their attention to the meal.

The dinner was quite filling. Surprisingly, He Guan observed, apart from the initial buzz of gossip before the banquet started,

Once the festivities began, following the customary birthday toasts, everyone became engrossed in their meals, a far cry from the fierce rivalries one would expect of the elite.

Midway through dinner, someone stood to toast, diverting attention even further from He Guan and his party.

Especially from the third sister beside He Guan.

He Guan knew she was an engineer. She wore a sharp suit jacket and pants, epitomizing the straightforward engineer aesthetic.

Coupled with her tendency to keep to herself, she had a plate for every dish - from caviar to oxtail soup to smoked salmon to roasted lamb shank. Nothing was too much for her, only what she chose not to eat.

Servers frequented her spot, whisking away one empty plate after another.

Dishes were served rapidly. Since Lou Dongcang couldn't distinguish them, He Guan would lean in and softly inform him, their closeness evident.

To onlookers, the pair seemed inseparable throughout the meal, showing no intention to hide their intimacy.

While engrossed in her meal, dipping thin pancakes into curry chicken sauce, the sister overheard their continuous chatter and curiously inquired, “You're the little spouse? What's your family name?”

He Guan almost choked on the term “little spouse”, replying, “It's He Guan. 'He' as in the character for 'congratulate', and 'Guan' as in 'switch'."

The sister nodded, “Oh... quite handsome. Is your eyesight not very good?”

Puzzled, He Guan responded, “What do you mean?”

Just as she was about to answer, Lou Dongcang covered He Guan's ear, stating, “Lou Qiu Shou, can you please keep quiet?”

Lou Qiu Shou rolled her eyes, “I don't even want to talk to you. Seriously, He Guan, is it really not a vision problem? How else could you have fallen for him? I know very well what kind of person my brother is…”

He Guan felt a tighter grip on his ear.

His ear feeling warm from the hold, he tapped on Lou Dongcang's hand, suggesting, “Let me hear what she has to say.”

Lou Qiu Shou exclaimed, “Oh my, what a sweet talker!”

Lou Dongcang let go of the hand, but his posture, with his hand resting on He Guan's shoulder, clearly conveyed his stance.

It was the first time He Guan had experienced such a...conversation with the sibling of a "lover." While it was amusing, he predominantly felt envy.

After Lou Qiu Shou had her fill, she sipped on champagne and spent the rest of the time conversing with He Guan. The conversation topics included, but were not limited to, "If my brother ever bullies you, let me know. I'll fly over to get you," and "Don't let him get too clingy; you'll never shake him off then."

He Guan: "Are you a pilot?"

Lou Qiu Shou: "Yes, I've been flying for several years now. I used to be an aircraft design engineer and worked in civil aviation for a while. During that time, I obtained my pilot's license. One of our private planes was acquired through civil aviation, and I personally planned its routes."

He Guan gave her a thumbs-up.

Throughout their conversation, Lou Qiu Shou had subtly steered the topic towards money, but He Guan skillfully avoided it. From this, she deduced his position on the matter.

Non-interference, non-participation.

From their interaction, Lou Qiu Shou was certain that He Guan's stance also represented Lou Dongcang's.

They wouldn't get involved in the upcoming inheritance dispute.

Hence, she was more talkative with He Guan.

Relieved.

*

After the feast, the older guests bid farewell to Lou Yingjie, while the younger ones left their seats to head for the dance floor below.

He Guan presented his gift to Lou Yingjie, saying, "Dad, a birthday present for you."

Lou Yingjie took it, noticing the small box, he immediately opened it and began, "What's this..."

It was a transparent Han jade cicada, with two holes on its side.

Such items, known as crown cicadas, were worn on hats and weren't the kind placed in the mouths of the deceased in tombs. Although, they could be used for that purpose later.

Lou Yingjie: "...Thank you for your thoughtful gift."

He Guan simply smiled in response.

He had wagered that Lou Yingjie would appreciate it. And he was right.

He remembered reading in a book that Lou Jun Duo had mentioned how close his grandparents were. So, for such a significant birthday... gifting something related to a spouse might be more cherished than something personal.

Since Lou Dongcang never discussed his mother, He Guan had no idea about his mother-in-law, or even if she was alive or not.

It seemed to be a sensitive topic for Lou Dongcang.

Considering that day on the mountain when only Lou Yingjie was present...

He Guan didn't want to make assumptions, so after much contemplation, he finally chose the jade cicada.

In life, they adorn; in death, they bury — both fittingly so.

Lou Yingjie slipped it into his pocket, drawing a glance from his elder brother, Lou Dongcang.

He Guan nodded politely in greeting.

After delivering the gift, He Guan and Lou Dongcang walked out together.

Someone followed silently behind them.

Both knew who it was.

A headache crept over He Guan as he pondered how to handle the situation in front of Lou Dongcang.

He couldn't see, so I mustn't leave his side.

How should they deal with Lou Jun Duo?

If it were just me, it'd be no issue. I could handle it on my own.

We could delay or be confrontational, but...

As the leading male protagonist of this book, Lou Jun Duo possesses all the traits of a domineering CEO, making him hard to deal with.

This includes bipolar disorder.

Now, they were two.

He Guan's main concern was for Lou Dongcang's well-being.

As He Guan reached the corner, he was stopped by someone.

The footsteps of another person grew increasingly closer from behind.

He was pinned against the corner's wall by Lou Dongcang, his back pressing into the ornate raised patterns of the European wallpaper.

He Guan's chin was lifted, forcing him to meet Lou Dongcang's gaze.

Lou Dongcang, slightly lowering his head, blinked. The aqua-blue shimmer in his eyes sparkled brighter, revealing an unusual brilliance.

He Guan heard him speak.

"May I kiss you?"