GLIHBN Chapter 36
by VolareSu Shi worked methodically, went home, and occasionally went out for social engagements.
Xu Chongming went on a business trip with Jiang Hui, and the two kept in touch with three to five messages a day.
Su Shi didn’t feel unaccustomed to it; he had been through this before when Xu Chongming was abroad.
Song Qingyan had been contacting Su Shi more frequently recently, and Su Shi suspected it was because Qiao Yu was too busy.
Today, Song Qingyan had invited Su Shi again, saying that Qiao Yu had given him two seafood buffet vouchers for the Jinxi Lai Hotel. Su Shi asked him why he didn’t go with Qiao Yu, and Song Qingyan said it was a “brothers’ night out,” and boyfriends were secondary.
Su Shi had just met with a client and rushed to Jinxi Lai, throwing his car keys to the valet and running inside.
They were supposed to meet at seven, and he was already half an hour late. Knowing Song Qingyan’s personality, he was probably about to explode.
Suddenly, “Su Shi.”
A voice called him from behind. Su Shi had already pressed the elevator button and turned around to see Song Qingyan.
“What are you doing here? Didn’t you go up?”
“What’s the point of me eating the buffet alone?”
“Alright, alright, you’ve been waiting for a while then. I was seeing off that client. The timing was almost right, but then I got stuck in traffic. Ugh, that client was so chatty, kept me talking.”
“It’s all about serving the sponsors; I understand.”
Song Qingyan patted Su Shi. “Why are you in such a hurry? Being late is just being late.”
“It’s not good, and I was afraid you’d be waiting anxiously.”
“I have plenty of time.”
Su Shi snorted. “Who knows, you might be halfway through eating and get a series of urging calls from Qiao Yu.”
“Hey,” Song Qingyan re-pressed the elevator button and bumped Su Shi’s shoulder, “I’ve never abandoned you for Qiao Yu’s sake, much better than that someone.”
Perhaps it was that true brothers always couldn’t stand their brothers’ partners, Song Qingyan took every opportunity to tease Xu Chongming, which Su Shi was used to.
The two got on the elevator and pressed the floor number. The elevator was resplendent and gilded, with gold mirrors reflecting their figures.
“By the way, when is Xu Chongming coming back? It’s been several days since he left on his business trip, right?”
“He said he’s taking a flight tomorrow.”
“Don’t you miss him?”
“It’s not like we’re teenagers or in our early twenties, a few days apart feels like three years.”
Su Shi and Song Qingyan teased each other, and soon the elevator opened with a “ding.”
The luxurious buffet restaurant was crowded, but not noisy. Every guest spoke in hushed tones, with only the clinking of cutlery.
Suddenly, Su Shi’s gaze froze on a spot near the window on the left. Xu Chongming, who should have still been out of town, was there, sitting across from a woman.
Song Qingyan noticed that Su Shi hadn’t followed and turned back to look for him. “What’s wrong?”
Su Shi didn’t say anything, and Song Qingyan followed his gaze. The moment he saw Xu Chongming, his expression changed. “Holy crap, wasn’t he supposed to come back tomorrow?”
After saying that, Song Qingyan felt it was inappropriate and subconsciously looked at Su Shi’s face.
“Su Shi, let’s just go over and ask him what’s going on. Maybe she’s just a female client.”
What Su Shi cared about wasn’t who the woman was, but that Xu Chongming had lied to him.
Just an hour ago, Su Shi had asked Xu Chongming which day his flight was so he could pick him up, and Xu Chongming said it was tomorrow and that he didn’t need to be picked up because he was with his mom.
Only an hour later, Xu Chongming was here.
Taking a flight from where Xu Chongming was on his business trip to West Hangzhou took two hours, meaning Xu Chongming had already returned before he replied to the message.
That proved there was something fishy between him and the woman across from him; otherwise, why wouldn’t he dare tell him?
Just as Su Shi was having a mental battle, someone bumped into him. It was a middle-aged man who quickly apologized. “Sorry about that.”
Song Qingyan helped Su Shi. “It’s okay.”
The middle-aged man didn’t leave immediately and instead followed their gaze. “Oh, isn’t that Young Master Miao?”
Song Qingyan seized the opportunity and deliberately said, “You know Young Master Miao too?”
As if to prove himself, the middle-aged man said, “Yeah, Young Master Miao from the Miao family, Old Master Miao’s beloved daughter. The person across from her should be her blind date. I think his surname is Xu; Old Master Miao mentioned it to me.”
Su Shi: “Blind date?”
The middle-aged man hiccuped from the alcohol. “Yeah, Old Master Miao said they had one blind date already, and both sides had a good impression. They might be dating; there’s hope they’ll get married by the end of the year.”
Song Qingyan clenched his fists. “Damn it.”
The middle-aged man was startled. “What are you doing? You wouldn’t happen to be Young Master Miao’s suitor, would you?”
Song Qingyan picked up a bottle of wine next to him and was about to charge forward, but Su Shi grabbed him around the waist. “Don’t be impulsive; let me handle it.”
“Su Shi, let me go and crack that scum’s head open.”
“Song Qingyan, I still have some dignity.”
Su Shi rarely called Song Qingyan by his full name; most of the time, he’d call him Qingyan, Yanyan, buddy, or brother randomly.
The middle-aged man thought he had accidentally caused trouble and had already slipped away.
Su Shi was quite strong, preventing Song Qingyan from moving forward even a step. Hearing him say that, he had no choice but to loosen his grip. “Do you think you have any dignity acting like this right now?”
Su Shi felt like he’d been slapped in the face by reality. Just now, in the elevator, he had confidently told Song Qingyan that Xu Chongming was coming back tomorrow.
“If you want to see me make a fool of myself, then keep causing trouble.” Su Shi’s face turned cold, and Song Qingyan put the wine back.
Su Shi straightened Song Qingyan’s ruffled collar and then straightened his own, even asking Song Qingyan, “Is my hair messed up?”
“No, you look handsome.”
Su Shi smiled, but Song Qingyan didn’t sense a trace of happiness in that smile.
Su Shi was like a soldier donning his armor, walking calmly toward his battlefield.
Song Qingyan found a seat nearby, ready to rush over at any moment if Su Shi needed support.
Miao Xinyi was beautiful when she smiled, softening her otherwise aggressive features, making her look gentler.
Xu Chongming raised his glass to toast Miao Xinyi. “Looking forward to a pleasant collaboration.”
“Clink,” the wine glasses met.
Xu Chongming finished his wine first. “This buffet restaurant recommended by my mom is quite good.”
Miao Xinyi looked up while drinking her wine and saw Su Shi walking straight toward them. She said to Xu Chongming, “Do you know that gentleman?”
Xu Chongming’s back stiffened inexplicably. For some reason, the first person that popped into his head was Su Shi.
Just as Xu Chongming was about to turn around, Su Shi had already walked in front of them. “What a coincidence, meeting you here.”
Xu Chongming stood up abruptly. “This is Miss Miao. She’s a younger sister I’ve known since childhood.”
Su Shi curled his lips into a smile. “Why are you so nervous? I’m just coming over to say hello. Qingyan and I are over there.”
Miao Xinyi’s eyes darted back and forth between the two.
Xu Chongming relaxed a little. “I’ll come find you later.”
Su Shi nodded. “Then I wish you a pleasant meal.”