TCBHIWAF Chapter 32

Chapter 32 You are ‘my’ friend

The Ye family villa was festooned with lanterns and colored banners. Colorful balloons floated in the air, and red silk ribbons hung down from the doorway, creating a festive scene.

Lin Yu drove slowly closer. Ye Xingchen rolled down the car window. As soon as the servants saw it was him, they hurriedly opened the gate and stood respectfully on both sides.

The car drove straight in and stopped steadily in the courtyard.

As soon as Ye Xingchen got out of the car, his stepmother (Li Yue) greeted him with a seemingly warm but actually calculating smile.

“Xingchen, today is your birthday. The family has specially arranged a good celebration for you.”

Ye Xingchen’s father (Ye Zhonglan) followed behind Li Yue and said with a guilty expression, “Xingchen, I’m sorry for these years. I hope we father and son can take this opportunity to have a good chat.”

Ye Xingchen just glanced at them coldly and didn’t answer.

The atmosphere became awkward for a moment, and the surrounding air seemed to freeze.

At this moment, a three- or four-year-old, doll-like little girl (Ye Xingchen’s half-sister – Ye Wanying) ran over, calling in a childish voice, “Brother, brother.”

Ye Xingchen turned his head away, not wanting to pay any attention to her.

Seeing this, Lin Yu simply picked up the little girl.

Unexpectedly, Ye Wanying looked at Lin Yu and said, “Are you my brother’s friend? You’re so handsome. Can I marry you in the future?”

As soon as these words came out, Ye Xingchen’s face became even more unsightly. He snorted coldly, “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Lin Yu quickly smoothed things over, “Xingchen, she’s just a child joking.”

“You are ‘my’ friend.” Ye Xingchen emphasized the word “my” heavily.

Seeing this, Li Yue quickly stepped forward and called, “Yingying, come here to Mommy.”

Ye Wanying hugged Lin Yu’s neck and refused to let go, “No, I want this brother to hold me.”

Ye Xingchen frowned tightly, “Don’t indulge her.” Saying that, he directly took her from Lin Yu’s arms and handed her to the nanny.

“I want this brother to hold me…” Ye Wanying pointed at Lin Yu with her little finger.

Ye Xingchen gave Ye Wanying a cold look, and she reluctantly followed the nanny away.

Lin Yu smiled, “Your sister is quite cute.”

“Don’t hug her.” Ye Xingchen said domineeringly.

Lin Yu: “…”

At this time, guests arrived one after another. Li Yue was busy greeting the guests with a smile, and Ye Zhonglan also went over to socialize.

Ye Xingchen pulled Lin Yu into the house, “Don’t bother with them, come in with me.”

Entering the hall, it was decorated splendidly, and the tables were filled with exquisite delicacies.

Ye Xingchen and Lin Yu found a corner to sit down. Only then did Ye Xingchen’s face soften a little.

Not long after they sat down, Lin Yu’s parents also arrived.

“Dad, Mom, over here!” Lin Yu called out.

They smiled and greeted Ye Xingchen before going to chat with their respective friends.

The birthday banquet began, lively and extraordinary.

Ye Xingchen and Lin Yu were standing aside talking when Shen Qianqian walked over with a smile.

“Brother Xingchen, happy birthday!”

Their conversation was interrupted. Ye Xingchen frowned at her, but he couldn’t lose his temper, so he could only reply, “Thank you.”

Shen Qianqian looked at Lin Yu affectionately and said in a low voice, “Brother Yu, I knew you would definitely come.”

Lin Yu turned to look at her and politely replied, “Yes, it’s Xingchen’s birthday, so I will definitely come.”

Shen Qianqian bit her lower lip slightly, and the longing in her eyes grew stronger.

“Brother Yu, long time no see. I have been thinking about you in my heart…”

Hearing this, Lin Yu was stunned, as if he didn’t know how to respond.

He had already clearly rejected her last time, but he didn’t expect her to speak so bluntly.

Ye Xingchen took in this scene completely, feeling a burst of annoyance in his heart. His face instantly darkened, and he couldn’t hold back any longer.

Ye Xingchen pulled Lin Yu aside and said to Shen Qianqian, “Yu and I have something to do. We’ll be back in a bit.”

Shen Qianqian looked displeased, but she couldn’t lose her temper.

Ye Xingchen pulled Lin Yu to a quiet corner and said angrily, “Why is this Shen Qianqian so persistent?”

Lin Yu smiled helplessly, “Don’t be angry.”

Ye Xingchen snorted softly, “I get annoyed just seeing her.”

Lin Yu looked at Ye Xingchen and teased with a smile, “Are you annoyed seeing her, or are you jealous?”

Ye Xingchen turned his head away and said stubbornly, “Who’s jealous? I’m just annoyed by her.”

“Don’t worry, I don’t have any feelings for her. Let’s go back. It’s your birthday today. If you, the main character, aren’t there, then it won’t be fun.”

As soon as the two returned to the banquet hall, they saw four people carefully pushing in a piano covered with cloth.

Seeing this, Lin Yu stepped forward directly and said, “Xingchen, this is my birthday gift to you. Take a look and see if you like it.”

Ye Xingchen curiously uncovered the cloth, and someone exclaimed, “This is a Steinway antique piano? Worth 24 million, and the only one in the world.”

Ye Xingchen looked pleasantly surprised and couldn’t help but sit down, eager to play a piece.

Ye Xingchen sat in front of the antique piano, his slender fingers gently falling on the keys. The prelude to “Song from a Secret Garden” began…

The notes floated out slowly. The melody seemed to be the clear breeze they passed through the mountains and forests in their childhood, the exchange of eyes encouraging each other as teenagers, and the tacit understanding that they had after adulthood but had never spoken.

Implicitly, it was as if he was gently confiding his unique and secret concern and love for Lin Yu. Others might find it difficult to grasp, but Lin Yu could feel the deep and complex emotions in the piano music.

The beautiful melody flowed in the banquet hall, and everyone was intoxicated by it.

Shen Qianqian watched from the side, feeling very uncomfortable. She muttered to herself, “Why is Brother Yu’s mind all on Brother Xingchen?”

Gu Chennan walked to Shen Qianqian’s side and comforted her:

“You should be secretly happy. It’s good that his mind is on Ye Xingchen. If it were on some woman, then you wouldn’t have a chance. They grew up together, so their relationship must be good.”

Shen Qianqian glared at Gu Chennan, “Mind your own business!”

Gu Chennan: “…”

One song ended.

In the banquet hall, there was a burst of enthusiastic applause.

Lin Yu walked forward, his eyes full of admiration and joy, “Xingchen, you played so well.”

Ye Xingchen smiled slightly, “Isn’t it because of this good piano you gave me?”

At this moment, Ye Zhonglan stepped forward, “Xingchen, today is your birthday, so Dad has also prepared a gift for you.” Saying that, he had someone present a delicate box.

Ye Xingchen frowned, but he still reached out and took it.

When he opened the box and saw it was a watch, he sneered inwardly: Who gives a watch or a clock for a birthday? It’s obviously not done with any sincerity. I don’t know if he’s really stupid or pretending.

His expression was unclear. He directly closed the box and remained silent.

Seeing this, Ye Zhonglan’s smile froze, appearing somewhat embarrassed, “Xingchen, Dad just wants…”

Ye Xingchen interrupted him, “Okay, don’t say anything.”

Lin Yu saw at a glance why he was angry and quickly smoothed things over, “Xingchen, Uncle is just doing it with good intentions!”

Ye Xingchen glanced at Lin Yu and said nothing.

At this time, Li Yue walked over, “Xingchen, today is a happy day. Everyone should be happy.”

Ye Xingchen remained silent, and the atmosphere became awkward again.

At this time, Ye Wanying ran over and shook Ye Xingchen’s hand.

“Brother, don’t be unhappy. I’ll give you my favorite toy.” Saying that, she handed a toy bear to Ye Xingchen.

Ye Xingchen looked down at his sister, and his face softened slightly.