Ye Bai stared at the message for a while, then typed slowly.

"Sorry, I have plans tonight, let's go another day."

He told about Bai Xingwen's invitation to participate in the activities of the Botanical Research Association and to have dinner with the members of the association in the evening. After sending out the news, Huo Chengyuan replied not long after.

"Okay, have fun and stay safe."

The mood between the lines is very calm, and there seems to be no regrets.

Ye Bai was a little disappointed, he clicked back and forth on the dialog box several times, but in the end he didn't say much, and only replied with an emoji.

"Yeah. ^_^"

At two o'clock in the afternoon, Ye Bai arrived at Mumu Gardening Shop on time. Bai Xingwen's car had already parked at the door of the shop, and Ye Bai and the two set off.

"What kind of activities are you doing at the association this afternoon?" Ye Bai asked.

"Send off event."

Ye Bai: "?"

"There are several senior members in the association who will leave long shepherd star to develop elsewhere soon." Bai Xingwen explained, "Those members have a high reputation in the association and have a good relationship with everyone, so the presidentSuggest holding a farewell party to see them off."

Ye Bai suddenly realized, no wonder there was a dinner party after the event, it turned out to be a farewell to the members who left.

"Then is it inappropriate for me to go?" Ye Bai hesitated, "I don't know anyone in the association, so would it be a bit strange to get involved?"

"I think it's just right for you to go." Bai Xingwen smiled, "The old man leaves, and the new joins. This handover of the old and the new itself symbolizes a kind of inheritance. For those old members who have left, seeing the association continue to haveThey will also be very pleased with the fresh blood flowing in. Oh, yes, this is what the president meant. I told you that he has always wanted to see you. This farewell party is a good opportunity for you to join the association., so don’t worry, everyone is looking forward to the arrival of the newcomers.”

That's it.

Ye Bai nodded and didn't ask any further questions. After driving for more than half an hour, the car stopped in front of a tall building in the east of the city.

When he walked into the building, Ye Bai was very surprised. This corner is in the city center where every inch of land is expensive, and the decoration inside the building is also magnificent. It is obviously a high-end office building, especially when he heard Bai Xingwen say that the Botanical Research Association occupies the placeThere are three whole floors, and it was bought directly. Ye Bai couldn't close his mouth from ear to ear, and he exclaimed after a while.

"Your association is so rich."

He thought that this kind of association was an idle organization similar to a club, and it would be enough to set up a small office at most. Is it so rich and powerful?

"The main reason is that the sponsors are rich." Bai Xingwen smiled, "Long shepherd star has developed very well in the past few years. Many foreign wealthy businessmen have invested here. They are very optimistic about the prospects of the Botanical Research Association and have sponsored us a lot.With less funding, the new varieties of plants researched by members of the association can be adopted by them first, get publicized and promoted, and there will be profit sharing; sponsors can also put forward needs for plant variety improvement, and the members of the entire association will work together to give priority to completing theseThe sponsor's order is mutually beneficial to both parties, and a good cooperation model has been formed so far."

Ye Bai nodded again and again. Although he doesn't know much about business, this model is the "industry-university-research" cooperation model. Moreover, according to Bai Xingwen's description, their system is working very well and has a bright future., no wonder there is enough money to buy a house.

They got into the elevator, Bai Xingwen pressed the floor number, the elevator rose rapidly, and soon arrived at the floor where the venue was located.

The venue on this floor has been set up like a send-off party. Banners are drawn above the venue, refreshments and drinks are provided on site, and there are several rows of exhibition areas next to it, displaying the past achievements and works of those old members.

The farewell party hadn't officially started yet, many people were walking around the venue casually, chatting together, when Bai Xingwen led Ye Bai into the venue, someone immediately noticed them and greeted them with a smile.

"President Bai, long time no see." This man was about the same age as Bai Xingwen, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and he looked pretty good, with the appearance of a well-dressed gentleman.

"Mr. Ulay, I didn't expect you to come here." Bai Xingwen shook hands with him friendly and introduced to Ye Bai.

"This is Mr. Ulay, he is the resident representative of the Utop Consortium in our association. By the way, the Utop Consortium is one of the biggest sponsors of our association."

Ye Bai understood: So it was the representative sent by the big benefactor!

"This is Ye Bai." Bai Xingwen acted as an introducer dutifully, "He is also a new member who is about to join the association."

"Oh, I heard President Feng mention it." Ulay's eyes lit up, and he extended his hand to Ye Bai with a smile, "I heard that your ability is very special. Both President Bai and President Feng value you very much.Joining, the strength of Botanical Research Association will definitely go up to another level."

Ye Bai returned a polite smile and shook the other party's hand: "Thank you, Mr. Ulay, for your compliment. I am also very happy to join the association and become one of you."

The two sides exchanged pleasantries for a while, Bai Xingwen and Ulay said goodbye, and took Ye Bai to meet other people again.

Bai Xingwen is the honorary president of the Botanical Research Association. This is just a vain position, and the power does not grow up as the actual association president, but it is very respected.With Bai Xingwen's introduction, everyone was very friendly to Ye Bai. Many people were amazed at the boy's youth, but no one underestimated or despised him because of this. The atmosphere of communication was always pleasant and harmonious.

Later, Ye Bai finally met the president of the association, President Feng.

This is a hale and hearty white-haired old man. As a new member who is about to join Ye Bai, Bai Xingwen has already disclosed some of his information, especially the situation of his abilities, to President Feng, and Ye Bai knows about it.of.As soon as the two sides met, before Ye Bai had time to speak, President Feng took a big step, held Ye Bai's hand firmly, and shook it a few times excitedly.

"I've heard from Xingwen that his research has suddenly progressed rapidly, all thanks to you!" Although the old man has gray hair, he doesn't look old, and his piercing eyes cast a frenzied light. "My current researchI also need your ability very much, Ye Bai, do you still have free time in your future schedule? When can you come to my laboratory to help for a few days? The salary is easy to negotiate, if you have other requests, feel free to ask, the sooner the better!"

Ye Bai heard from Bai Xingwen that President Feng is a research madman, and his enthusiasm for plant research is beyond the reach of young people in the association. When saw it today, it was indeed so.

"I have time recently." Ye Bai smiled. Bai Xingwen doesn't need him to participate in the research for the time being. Recently, he has plenty of time. "President Feng, if you are in a hurry, you can do it tomorrow."

"Great." President Feng was overjoyed by this answer, he patted Ye Bai's shoulder vigorously, and laughed loudly, "Young man, you have a future!"

In the following time, Ye Bai followed Bai Xingwen to almost the entire venue. Ye Bai recognized most of the members of the association, including representatives of several sponsors, one by one.

The send-off event started on time, and the specific content was similar to that of a sorority meeting. Everyone looked back on the past and looked forward to the future. People on the stage spoke, people in the audience ate melons (really eat melons), old people took turns to go on stage, and the president made a concluding speech, some sentimental ones will shed a few reluctant tears, but most of them are elated—the members of the association who left are going to develop on a better planet and platform, similar to job-hopping, promotion and salary increase, which must be a good thing.

At the end of the event, President Feng also specially held a welcome ceremony for Ye Bai. Ye Bai was quite surprised, which also showed that the association valued and welcomed him. He was a little moved by this.

After the ceremony was over, it was time for dinner. Everyone went to the place where the dinner was held lively, ate and drank to their heart's content, and after drinking and eating, they said goodbye to each other and left one after another.

Ye Bai came with Bai Xingwen, if he left, of course the two would go together.When they walked out of the hotel where they had dinner, it was already dark outside. There was a bustling business district nearby, with colorful neon lights lit up everywhere, vehicles shuttled back and forth, pedestrians came and went, and the colorful nightlife had just begun.

Bai Xingwen's car was parked on the side of the road. When Ye Bai followed him to that side, he suddenly stopped and fell behind Bai Xingwen.

"Master Bai."

Bai Xingwen turned around: "Huh?"

"You go back first." Ye Bai looked at the other side of the street, and the smile on the corner of his mouth gradually enlarged, "I have something to do, and I will take a taxi back later."

Bai Xingwen froze for a moment, and wanted to say something, but the boy turned his head and ran away. His figure was as light as a ray of wind, and he quickly disappeared into the crowd of people coming and going.

Ye Bai ran back to the hotel entrance, and continued to run forward. A few steps away, there was a landscape tree decorated with neon lights. There was a person standing under the tree. Although it was against the light, he couldn't see clearly.Ye Bai turned his head inadvertently just now, but he recognized the figure of that person immediately.

"Ayuan!"

The boy rushed over happily, and the neon light was reflected in his eyes, shining brilliantly, like blossoming fireworks.

"Why are you here?" Ye Bai stopped in front of the man in surprise, running so fast that he was slightly panting, "So, you didn't even tell me!"

"Are you having fun?" Huo Chengyuan gently stroked Ye Bai's back to help him relax, with a smile in his voice, "Congratulations, you have become the youngest member of the long shepherd star Botanical Research Association ever."

Ye Bai's cheeks flushed, "Why did you even investigate this?" His breathing gradually calmed down, his bright eyes kept staring at Huo Chengyuan, and the smile on his face couldn't be hidden at all, "Did you come here specially to pick me up?"

Huo Chengyuan helped the boy smooth out the messy hair, and smiled: "What do you think?"

Ye Bai suddenly thought of the message that the other party sent at noon, he rejected Huo Chengyuan's dinner invitation, but he didn't expect that the other party came to look for him, didn't even say a word, and kept waiting outside silently, which made Ye Bai very embarrassed.

"Sorry, I do have something to do today," he gently tugged on the other party's sleeve, and said softly in a negotiating tone, "Shall we go to Miller's restaurant tomorrow? Are you free tomorrow night?"

"I'm going on a business trip tomorrow." Huo Chengyuan smiled wryly, "I have an interstellar cruise mission, and I have to go to another place to attend an interstellar meeting immediately after the end, and I won't be able to return until about a week later."

In the past, Huo Chengyuan would often travel on business, but the longest time was only three days, but this time he had to go out for a full week, which is considered a very long time.

Seeing the young man's eyes dim in an instant, Huo Chengyuan subconsciously held the other's hand, and his generous palm tightly wrapped the young man's little hand, like a warm embrace.

"When I come back, let's go again?" He said, "As long as there are no special circumstances, I will definitely not miss the appointment."

Ye Bai's eyes fell on the hand being held, and the palms pressed against each other conveyed a faint warmth, and the surrounding air seemed to heat up accordingly, making his cheeks slightly red.

"Okay, okay."

Huo Chengyuan didn't let go of his hand, he adjusted his gesture slightly, and changed to holding the young man's hand: "The moon is beautiful tonight, why don't we go for a walk first?"

Ye Bai's attention was all on the hands of the two of them, he nodded indiscriminately, and let the other party lead him forward.

The commercial street at night was full of traffic, and Huo Chengyuan took Ye Bai away from the main street and walked towards a more secluded place.

They came to a garden in the middle of the street not long after. Although the area was small, the green plants and trees were lush and verdant, which blocked a lot of noise and lights from the street, making it appear quiet and secretive.

"Little Ye," Huo Chengyuan suddenly said while walking in the garden path, "I have something to tell you."

"Ok?"

"When I was video chatting with you at noon today, there were some things I didn't tell you."

Ye Bai's heart skipped a beat, thinking of the memory fragment from last night, he vaguely guessed what Huo Chengyuan was going to say.

really

"Last night, after I carried you back to the bedroom and put you on the bed, a little accident happened." Huo Chengyuan said, "We had a spiritual sympathy."

Ye Bai was stunned: "What is spiritual empathy?"

"It's because your supernatural power has entered my spiritual consciousness sea, and formed a deeper connection with my spiritual power. The consciousness and feelings of both parties have become entangled and resonated. You can also simply understand it as..." He suddenly paused.After a pause, "Spiritual friendship."

The former Ye Bai might not be able to understand, but after reading a lot of Xiaohuang's novels that opened up his mind, he understood it in a second, and his face turned red in an instant.

"This, that's it."

"Not only that," Huo Chengyuan gradually let go of the boy's hand, he stopped, and slightly distanced himself from Ye Bai, "The feeling of consciousness was also transmitted to the body. I couldn't help it at the time, not only did I kissYou, I helped you once, although I didn't do more, but I really want to do more things to you."

Ye Bai didn't expect Huo Chengyuan to speak so bluntly, he simply didn't know how to respond, even the gaze from the other party made his cheeks burn, his heart beat faster, and he didn't even have the courage to look at him.

"Do you feel sick?" Huo Chengyuan asked softly, "Or disgust, resistance, fear, don't want to see me again?"

Ye Bai opened his mouth and muttered for a while.

"No." His voice was very low, as if every word he uttered was curled up in embarrassment, "Because, because this is not your fault, Ayuan, it's all because I was drunk..."

With Huo Chengyuan's personality, Ye Bai knew that the one who took the initiative was definitely not him, but himself. Because of the great progress in his abilities, he felt a little complacent in his heart, and always wanted to enter Huo Chengyuan's sea of spiritual consciousness again to let him see how powerful he is.

Ye Bai could completely imagine how he acted like a baby when he was so drunk, or how the overlord forced himself to break into Huo Chengyuan's spiritual realm with supernatural powers, thus causing that "magic accident".

"Little Ye." Huo Chengyuan interrupted him suddenly, "I've been thinking about a question today, what stage do we belong to now?"

Eh?

Ye Bai raised his head in a daze, under the dim tree shadow, he and Huo Chengyuan looked at each other, and the cool night wind blew between them.

"You said that you want to try to have a real relationship with me." Huo Chengyuan said slowly.

"So we started from the beginning - from the initial encounter, to adding each other's contact information, to chatting every night to get to know each other, and now we have become familiar friends, and even roommates who live together, and then?What will happen next?"

He took a step forward and looked down at the stunned boy.

"Which stage do we belong to now?"

"What is our relationship now?"