TLCBITAR Chapter 15
by VolareZhou Jin was wearing a well-tailored, dark grey suit. The smooth lines accentuated his tall and upright figure, showcasing a mature charm.
He sported a clean and neat buzz cut, his skin tone was fair, and he wore thin-framed glasses over his slightly narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes. A beauty mark resided under the corner of his eye, partially hidden by the glasses.
Hearing the call, he casually stubbed out his cigarette on the ashtray of the trash can, extinguishing it, and then tossed it inside.
He sized up Zhou Zhou, his thick eyebrows slightly raised in amusement, and teased, “Heh, your style is a world apart from before.”
The expression on Zhou Zhou’s face softened a bit. After all, Zhou Jin was more familiar with the original Zhou Zhou, so he couldn’t let him become suspicious.
He curved his lips into a slight smile and chuckled, “New environment, new look, isn’t it good?”
Zhou Jin walked up to him, raised his hand to grab the crooked half-ponytail he was sporting, and quipped, “Have you gotten into art too?”
Zhou Zhou took a step back, naturally dodging his hand, “Didn’t have time to cut it. I’ll get it chopped off tomorrow when I have a day off.”
He hated people touching his head, even if it was the original owner’s older brother.
Zhou Jin’s expression didn’t change, and he headed towards the van, “Let’s get in the car first, I’ll take you to meet some acquaintances later.”
Zhou Zhou sat in the back seat, his eyes wandering over the driver for a moment before shifting to the man in the passenger seat, and asked softly, “Aren’t we going for a feast? Why are we meeting acquaintances?”
Zhou Jin didn’t turn his head, his tone laced with a hint of pleasure, “Just some old classmates.”
He curled his lip and reluctantly said, “You’re bringing me along to see your old classmates?”
Zhou Jin turned his head, his eyes filled with a hint of a smile, and asked with a smile, “Don’t want to come?”
Zhou Zhou leaned back against the car seat and said bluntly, “To be honest, not really.”
“Xiao Zhou, it’s been months since we last met. I mainly just wanted to see you. I know you resent me because…”
Zhou Zhou sat up straight, his pupils widened slightly, his expression tinged with surprise, “Hold on! You know?”
Zhou Jin frowned, his voice low, “Yeah, isn’t it obvious? Every time he comes to the company, you have to follow along.”
Zhou Jin had known for a long time that Zhou Zhou had a crush on his friend. He originally wanted to guide him, but it backfired, making his personality even more withdrawn.
Zhou Zhou’s face was tense as he said, word by word, “That was a momentary lapse in judgment. I won’t do it again.”
Seeing Zhou Jin looking at him with a speechless expression, obviously not believing his words.
His brow furrowed, and a sense of powerlessness welled up inside him.
What should a homophobic person do when they’re perceived to be gay?
Zhou Zhou’s eyes lit up, and he raised the corners of his mouth, saying, “I have a girlfriend now. I’ll bring her for you to see someday.”
Zhou Jin sighed softly and shook his head helplessly, “There’s no need to find someone to pretend to be your girlfriend just to appease me.”
Zhou Zhou: …
Tsk, forget it. In his brother’s eyes, no matter how much he explained, it would just be an attempt to cover up the truth.
He relaxed his body, leaning on the seat as if boneless, and pursed his lips in silence.
Those dark phoenix eyes turned to the car window, no longer looking at Zhou Jin.
Zhou Jin was stunned for a long time before awkwardly touching his nose, turning back around, taking off his glasses, and rubbing his brow.
The car fell silent. Ten minutes later, Zhou Jin couldn’t contain his curiosity and asked, “Are you angry? Do you really have a girlfriend?”
“Yeah, I do.” The voice was light, revealing no emotion.
Zhou Jin still didn’t want to believe it and tentatively asked, “You found a girlfriend just one week into school?”
Could it be that his brother was bisexual?
Zhou Zhou raised his eyes, his gaze falling on the other’s buzz cut, and his thin lips slightly parted, “Brother, are you questioning my charm?”
The lazy voice was tinged with a hint of resentment.
Zhou Jin’s shoulders shook a few times, and a low chuckle echoed in the car.
The driver couldn’t help but turn his head to look at the man in the passenger seat. It was the first time he’d seen President Zhou so approachable.
After Zhou Jin finished laughing, he cleared his throat while covering his mouth and said, “If I had known you had a girlfriend, I would have invited her to dinner with us.”
Zhou Zhou teased in a low voice, “You’re bringing the whole family? You’re not embarrassed to meet your old classmates?”
“It’s fine, I don’t mind.”
“Your old classmates mind.”
“They won’t. They’re all seasoned veterans in the business world. They won’t nitpick like you young people.”
“Oh.”
It wasn’t until they arrived at the luxuriously decorated restaurant that Zhou Zhou fell silent, slowly following behind Zhou Jin.
Why do all the CEOs like to wear suits? Don’t they feel hot?
He lowered his head to examine his own attire: a white t-shirt, light blue jeans, and casual sneakers.
As long as you’re handsome, you can look good even wearing a sack.
Seeing Zhou Jin stop and push open the door to a private room, Zhou Zhou raised his head and walked behind him, following him inside.
His eyes scanned the room, then stopped on the figure wearing a black suit, his entire body instantly stiffening.
[Holy shit! Why is Pei Yanlie here!]
A familiar voice filled with surprise entered his mind, and Pei Yanlie’s hand holding the teacup trembled slightly, warm tea spilling onto his fingers.
He calmly put down the teacup, took a slight breath, and raised his calm, cold eyes to look at the surprised boy. What a persistent ghost; he’s everywhere.
Zhou Zhou forced himself to calm down, his face tense as he walked to Zhou Jin and sat down next to him.
The slightly chubby man sitting across from Zhou Zhou wrinkled his face in a smile and asked curiously, “Jinjin, is this your brother?”
[Pfft~ Could you not be so cheesy.]
Zhou Jin casually replied, “Yeah, biological.”
The corners of Zhou Zhou’s mouth curved into a smile, not quite smiling, “My name is Zhou Zhou.”
[Dear brother, why did you have to call me here for such an awkward scene?]
[This isn’t a feast; it feels like a Hongmen Banquet!]
[Everyone’s wearing a two-piece suit. Are we here to have a meeting or eat?]
[Should I leave?]
He picked up the teacup and took a sip of water, the dryness in his throat instantly disappearing.
There were probably seven or eight people sitting at the table, all under thirty years old, except for the short, fat man who looked a bit older.
Seeing them start chatting, he slightly tilted his head, his gaze falling on Pei Yanlie, who was sitting one seat away.
“President Pei has been busy with the Fengcun land bid lately, hasn’t he?”
“Mm,” Pei Yanlie replied in a low voice.
[Tsk, what a taciturn man.]
Pei Yanlie turned his head to look at Zhou Zhou, his deep, cold eyes meeting the other’s slightly raised phoenix eyes. The other immediately averted his gaze.
[Why are you looking at me for no reason? That look really makes you seem like a murderer!! No wonder Little Wanxing was scared to tears.]
Pei Yanlie’s eyelids twitched slightly, a hint of anger surging in his eyes. His hand clenched tightly into a fist, as if he was holding back, before slowly releasing his fingers.
[Speaking of which, did he really carry me in a princess carry when I was drunk last time?]
[And fucking had me sitting on his lap?!]
[Could Pei Yanlie be bisexual?!]
[I’m done for!]
[Could it be that he has taken a fancy to me?!]
[That’s why he keeps staring at me!]
[Damn it! This pervert!]
With a “crack,” the teacup shattered into several pieces in someone’s hand.
Everyone turned to look, each with a dumbfounded expression.
Only Pei Yanlie’s face was frighteningly gloomy, the veins on his forehead bulging, his dark eyes unfathomable, a terrifying anger roiling in his eyes, his tight lips radiating coldness and murderous intent.
He turned his head to give Zhou Zhou a deep look, his voice low and hoarse, “The cup’s quality is too poor.”
[Why are you looking at me when you say that? I didn’t produce this cup!]
Zhou Zhou lowered his eyelids slightly, his fingertips unconsciously tapping on the table.
Everyone laughed awkwardly, not daring to ask further.
After all, among everyone present, Pei Yanlie was the wealthiest.