TLSOTMTKOGAYWHTDI Chapter 107

Chapter 106: Yu Fengran’s Choice

Chapter 106: Yu Fengran’s Choice

On the clubhouse terrace, Yu Fengran lit a cigarette, the sparks flickering in the night.

The noise from inside the glass doors drifted out—Liu Jinchen was surrounded by the girls from the marketing department, being forced to drink, the flowery arm gleaming a honeyed color under the lights.

“Hiding out here?”

Zhuo Huaimo’s voice came from behind.

He offered a glass of lemonade, his cuff stained with champagne.

Yu Fengran took the glass, the ash from his cigarette falling in a rustle: “Too noisy inside.”

“Is it Liu Jinchen who’s too noisy?”

Zhuo Huaimo leaned against the railing, “That kid’s eyes are practically glued to you.”

The glass door was suddenly pushed open, and Liu Jinchen staggered out: “Fengran! They want me to…”

His words stopped abruptly—he saw Zhuo Huaimo’s warning look and immediately changed his tune: “I, I came to get ice!”

Once Liu Jinchen had fled back to the booth, all arms and legs, Zhuo Huaimo chuckled, “Second-in-command of the Green Dragon Gang, such a wimp.”

Yu Fengran didn’t respond.

The fountain pool downstairs reflected the moonlight, like a shattered mirror.

“Still thinking about Lin Jianhe?” Zhuo Huaimo asked suddenly.

The cigarette flared brightly.

Yu Fengran exhaled a smoke ring: “He came to the company to find me yesterday.”

“And then?”

“Said he wanted to take me away.”

Yu Fengran sneered, “To a place where no one can find us.”

Zhuo Huaimo’s glass paused in mid-air: “Do you believe him?”

“Yes.”

Yu Fengran crushed out the cigarette, “As much as I believe he loves me.”

The night wind carried away the last wisp of smoke.

A burst of laughter erupted from the booth, and Liu Jinchen could be vaguely heard slurring: “I, I really can’t drink anymore…”

“Old Liu is serious.”

Zhuo Huaimo said suddenly, “He even remembers that you don’t put cilantro in your soup.”

Yu Fengran stared at his reflection: “I know.”

“Then what are you hesitating about?”

The fountain suddenly changed lights, and the water turned blood red.

Yu Fengran’s voice was as light as a sigh: “I’m afraid…”

“Afraid of repeating the same mistakes?”

“Afraid I can’t tell the difference.”

Yu Fengran looked up, “When Lin Jianhe was lying to me, I also thought it was love.”

Zhuo Huaimo’s glass reflected his tired eyes: “Old Liu is different.”

“How is he different?”

“He would really stay at home, anxiously waiting for three days, just because you said, ‘Don’t come.'”

Zhuo Huaimo chuckled, “And he would also knock on an old master’s door at three in the morning to learn how to make soup, just because you said the soup was good.”

The glass door opened again.

Liu Jinchen peeked in, holding an ice bucket: “Um… Director Li asked…”

“Asked what?” Zhuo Huaimo raised an eyebrow.

“Asked if Director Yu wants to play Truth or Dare…”

Liu Jinchen’s ears were red, “Of course, it’s okay if you don’t want to!”

Yu Fengran suddenly walked towards him: “Let’s go.”

Liu Jinchen stood there, stunned, not even reacting when the ice bucket slammed into his foot.

Zhuo Huaimo pushed him: “What are you gawking at?”

Whistles immediately rang out in the booth.

The finance director jeered: “Director Liu! Who just said that the loser has to do squats while princess-carrying someone?”

Liu Jinchen flusteredly tried to cover his mouth, the dragon on his flowery arm vividly illuminated by the lights.

Yu Fengran suddenly sat down: “I choose Dare.”

The entire room fell silent.

Liu Jinchen stammered: “O-or maybe we should…”

“Just do what you guys decided.”

Yu Fengran looked directly at him, “I’m waiting for you.”

Cheers almost lifted the roof.

Liu Jinchen walked over, all arms and legs, the muscles in his arms trembling. When Yu Fengran was lifted in his arms, he heard his heart beating like a drum.

“T-three will do…” Liu Jinchen’s voice was unsteady.

First squat.

Yu Fengran smelled a faint scent of sandalwood on his collar, not the cedar that Lin Jianhe usually used.

Second squat. Liu Jinchen’s hands steadily supported him, his palms burning hot.

Third—

“Bang!”

Liu Jinchen’s legs gave way, and he fell onto the sofa, tightly shielding Yu Fengran in his arms.

Amidst the laughter, he hurriedly reached out to feel Yu Fengran’s forehead: “Did you hit yourself?”

Yu Fengran looked into his anxious eyes and suddenly smiled: “Idiot.”

Later, while playing dice, Yu Fengran lost three rounds in a row.

Liu Jinchen snatched the glass: “I’ll drink for him!”

“No way!”

The crowd roared, “He has to answer the Truth question himself!”

Liu Jinchen scratched his head anxiously: “Then, then ask something simple…”

“Director Yu!”

A little girl from the marketing department’s eyes lit up, “Who has a better body, Director Liu or your ex?”

Liu Jinchen knocked over the fruit plate with a crash.

Yu Fengran swirled his glass and suddenly said, “He doesn’t have abs.”

“I do!” Liu Jinchen blurted out, then quickly covered his mouth.

Amidst the laughter, Zhuo Huaimo saw the corners of Yu Fengran’s mouth slightly lift.

It was already late when the party broke up.

Liu Jinchen insisted on giving him a ride, but Yu Fengran waved his hand: “I’ll go back myself.”

“Then, then text me when you get home…” Liu Jinchen looked at him hopefully.

The night wind carried away the last trace of alcohol.

Yu Fengran walked towards the parking lot but was pulled into the shadows at the corner—

Lin Jianhe pinned him against the wall, his tie digging painfully into his wrist: “Having fun?”

“Stalking me?” Yu Fengran sneered.

“I watched the whole thing.”

Lin Jianhe’s voice trembled, “You let him hold you…”

“None of your business.”

“It is my business!”

Lin Jianhe suddenly tightened the tie, “You said you only liked me touching you!”

Yu Fengran felt a sharp pain but smiled even more coldly: “I also said I wanted to marry you.”

Those words were like a knife, causing Lin Jianhe to stagger back.

The moonlight revealed the bloodshot in his eyes: “Give me one more chance…”

“Why should I?”

“Because of this.”

Lin Jianhe took out his phone—the screen showed a surveillance video, Liu Jinchen pouring a white powder into a wine glass in the corner of the booth.

Yu Fengran’s pupils shrank.

“I know what kind of person he is better than you do.”

Lin Jianhe loosened the tie and gently stroked his reddened wrist, “Come home with me, okay?”

The parking lot lights suddenly blazed on. Liu Jinchen’s roar exploded: “Let him go!”

Lin Jianhe was knocked over by a punch.

Liu Jinchen shielded Yu Fengran behind him, the dragon on his flowery arm looking ferocious: “You’re fucking courting death!”

“You’re the one courting death, aren’t you?”

Lin Jianhe wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and raised his phone, “How do you explain the drugged//drink?”

Liu Jinchen’s face changed drastically: “That’s a sobering drug! Zhuo Huaimo can testify!”

“Really?”

Lin Jianhe sneered, “Then why…”

“Enough.” Yu Fengran suddenly spoke.

He walked to Liu Jinchen’s side and gently grasped his hands, which had distinct joints: “I believe him.”

Liu Jinchen’s hands trembled violently.

Lin Jianhe stared at their intertwined fingers and suddenly laughed: “You’ll regret this.”

The roar of an engine faded into the distance, but Liu Jinchen was still frozen in place.

Yu Fengran poked his tense biceps: “Scared silly?”

“You…”

Liu Jinchen’s Adam’s apple bobbed, “You really believe me?”

Yu Fengran didn’t answer, but instead tiptoed closer to his collar and sniffed: “The sandalwood smells nice.”

The bathroom door opened, and the aroma of citrus shower gel wafted out with the steam.

Zhuo Huaimo rubbed his hair and saw Qi Yanwang sitting cross-legged on the bed, grinning foolishly at his phone. The blue light from the screen made him look like a little mouse who had stolen some lamp oil.

“What are you looking at?” Zhuo Huaimo threw the towel over.

Qi Yanwang waved at him, “Honey, come here and I’ll show you something good!”

On the screen was the chat history of a small group of three—

[Liu Jinchen]: [Image] He smelled my collar!!!!

[Liu Jinchen]: Does this mean I have a chance???

[Li Yang]: Holy shit, nice one Old Liu!

[Qi Yanwang]: What were you doing just standing there?! Just kiss him!

The corners of Zhuo Huaimo’s mouth twitched as he continued to scroll down.

[Liu Jinchen]: I didn’t dare!!!

[Liu Jinchen]: His eyelashes are so long, my hands were shaking

[Li Yang]: ??? The second-in-command of the Green Dragon Gang is like this?

[Qi Yanwang]: Wimp! Where’s the aura you had when you beat me up back then?

The latest message was from ten minutes ago—

[Liu Jinchen]: [Voice message 60”]

Zhuo Huaimo tapped to play it, and Liu Jinchen’s suppressed voice carried a crackling static: “He just texted me asking if I got home, how should I reply? Need help ASAP!”

“Hopeless.”

Zhuo Huaimo threw the phone back.

Qi Yanwang did a carp jump and sat up straight, then suddenly widened his eyes as he swiped through the screen.

“Holy shit, Old Liu actually replied!”

The latest message was a screenshot of a chat:

[Yu Fengran]: Got home?

[Liu Jinchen]: Yes, yes! What about you?

[Yu Fengran]: Mm.

[Liu Jinchen]: [Animated sticker] Puppy spinning around.jpg

“What kind of retarded emoji is that!”

Qi Yanwang was distraught, “What happened to the cool and aloof persona I taught him!”

Zhuo Huaimo leaned closer to look and suddenly chuckled: “Yu Fengran replied with ‘Rest early.'”

The group had already exploded—

[Li Yang]: It’s over, conversation killer.

[Qi Yanwang]: Hurry up and find something to talk about, you idiot!

[Liu Jinchen]: What should I say???

[Li Yang]: Ask him what he wants for breakfast tomorrow!

[Liu Jinchen]: Won’t that be too obvious?

[Qi Yanwang]: Are you afraid of being obvious when you’re pursuing someone?

Zhuo Huaimo watched Qi Yanwang’s fingers fly across the keyboard as he typed and sighed:

“What a pity, I was the one who pursued you back then, so I never got to experience being chased by you!”

Qi Yanwang thought for a moment, “Then why don’t we make up for it? That sounds fun!”

The phone suddenly vibrated. Liu Jinchen sent the latest update—

[Liu Jinchen]: I asked! He replied “Whatever”!!!

[Li Yang]: The vocabulary of death has appeared.

[Qi Yanwang]: Initiate Plan B! Send a gym pic!

Three minutes later, a photo popped up in the group: Liu Jinchen was showing off his abs in the bathroom mirror, the dragon on his flowery arm baring its fangs and claws, but his face was as red as a boiled shrimp.

[Liu Jinchen]: [Image] Is this okay?

[Li Yang]: At least show your face, damn it!

[Qi Yanwang]: What about facial expression management! You look like you’re about to go to your death!

Zhuo Huaimo suddenly snatched the phone and pressed the voice button: “Why send an abs pic? Just make a video call!”

“Honey!”

Qi Yanwang wailed, “You’re sending Old Liu to his death!”

As soon as the message was sent, the group fell silent. Thirty seconds later—

[Liu Jinchen]: [Voice message 5”] I-I accidentally dialed!!!

[Li Yang]: ???

[Qi Yanwang]: And then!!!

After three minutes of silence, Liu Jinchen sent a weak voice message: “He… he answered…”

The group exploded with question marks.

Qi Yanwang was about to ask more when a video call request suddenly popped up—it was a group video call initiated by Liu Jinchen.

In the video, Liu Jinchen was slumped on the sofa, his face red enough to fry an egg: “He, he said my abs are well-defined…”

“That’s it?”

Li Yang’s face squeezed into the camera, “Didn’t you ask about breakfast tomorrow?”

“I did!”

Liu Jinchen suddenly sat up straight, “He said there’s a new Cantonese tea restaurant downstairs from the company…”

Qi Yanwang slapped his thigh: “Awesome, Old Liu!”

Zhuo Huaimo suddenly leaned into the camera: “Remember to wear that black shirt, Yu Fengran looked at it a couple of times last time.”

“Really?!”

Liu Jinchen’s eyes lit up, then suddenly dimmed, “But the collar is too low…”

“That’s the point!”

Li Yang roared, “It’s best if you ‘accidentally’ splash some water on it!”

A ding-dong sound came from the video.

Liu Jinchen frantically switched to the chat: “H-he sent another message!”

Thirty seconds later, a screenshot exploded in the group—

[Yu Fengran]: Button up your shirt.

[Yu Fengran]: It’s cold.

“Hahahaha!”

Qi Yanwang laughed and fell into Zhuo Huaimo’s arms, “Old Liu, you’ve got it coming!”

Li Yang wiped the tears from his eyes: “What kind of tea-tasting master is Director Yu!”

Liu Jinchen sent a crying emoji, and the group suddenly fell silent.

[Li Yang]: Speaking of…

[Li Yang]: Are we three the only ones single now?

[Qi Yanwang]: Be confident, you don’t even have a crush

[Liu Jinchen]: [Animated sticker] Puppy patting shoulder.jpg

In the video, Li Yang suddenly grabbed a glass of wine and drank it all in one gulp: “Fuck! I’m going on a blind date tomorrow!”

“Whatever.”

Qi Yanwang hugged Zhuo Huaimo tighter, “With a player like you, it’ll take a top-tier succubus to handle you!”

Li Yang narrowed his eyes: “Qi Yanwang, that red mark on your neck…”

Qi Yanwang immediately cut off the video, but it was too late.

Zhuo Huaimo’s fingers brushed his Adam’s apple: “Oh? A player?”

“Honey, let me explain! That’s from last night when you…”

Before he could finish, a pillow came flying at his face.

A phone call from across the ocean saved Qi Yanwang’s life. He answered the phone,

“Hello—”

“Brother, are you coming back next month? It’s Dad’s birthday! You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

Qi Xiaoman deliberately lowered her voice and said softly.

As soon as Qi Yanwang heard it, he knew that the old man was nearby. This call was clearly to test the waters. He glanced at Zhuo Huaimo and deliberately said loudly,

“Yes, I’m coming back, and I’m bringing someone back with me!”