Chapter 32 - 1#

It wasn’t that I didn’t know about the kind of business Du Yijie was running. When he said he was taking me to a bar, I immediately let out an awkward laugh—not that this old hand was trying to play innocent, but I was genuinely startled. However, I was already sitting in his car like I’d been roped into a thief’s ride, and no matter what, I couldn’t lose face in front of someone younger.

Luckily, the place looked pretty stylish from the outside. When I stepped through the door, there was no deafening music or roaring laughter crashing over me. I followed Du Yijie to the bar and sat down, pretending to be natural, while actually sneaking nervous glances around—not many people, the music was mellow and flowing, the interior mainly dark blue with dim, hazy lighting, low-key but elegant.

I quietly breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear a soft chuckle.

“You’re just too uptight.” The bartender came over and smiled at Du Yijie. Du Yijie said to him, “The usual, and…”

I cut in quickly: “Juice will be fine.” Then I said to Du Yijie, “I can’t hold my liquor, and I’m a mess when drunk. Boss, you’ve got to let me keep up my image as a good citizen.”

Du Yijie lowered his head and chuckled again.

Just then, more people trickled in. I couldn’t help turning to look. The bar’s music switched to a laid-back blues, and it suddenly hit me—everyone in this bar seemed to be…

“What are you looking at?” Du Yijie leaned in close without my noticing, his warm breath brushing my ear. I immediately sat up straight, tossing all the random thoughts out of my mind. He curled his lips into a smile and said, “This is a gay bar.”

Du Yijie picked up his glass. The colorful liquid made me a bit dizzy. My eyes involuntarily swept the room, and suddenly the atmosphere felt thick with pink, ambiguous vibes. A pair of men walked past me with intimate gestures—the smaller one, who moved rather effeminately, smiled brightly. Du Yijie’s distinctively deep, magnetic voice came from beside me: “Does it bother you?”

“No…” I blurted out. Du Yijie continued casually, “Actually, they’re normal people too. They have their own circles.” His long fingers tapped lightly on the counter to the rhythm of the music. He raised an eyebrow, but his tone turned a bit serious: “Do you remember what I told you before?”

Du Yijie’s eyes looked a little hazy as he gazed at me. “I…” I clearly heard myself swallow. Maybe it was because my expression was too wooden, but Du Yijie chuckled again. Yet looking at him, there was no mockery in his eyes—instead, he seemed utterly serious. Du Yijie’s gaze had always been sharp. If back then his personality was a bit restless, now he seemed reserved and steady. As long as he wasn’t scowling, at first glance he appeared gentle and refined—though still hard to approach.

Honestly, just by looks, Du Yijie was a very fine man.

His voice was especially pleasant, with an irresistible charm. So whenever he spoke to me in that low tone, I couldn’t help blushing and could only cover it with a dry laugh.

“Hey, you finally showed up.” A somewhat frivolous voice came from behind.

I instinctively turned to look. A man with a bright smile approached, holding a handsome young man by his side. He first pecked a kiss on the boy’s nose, then whispered something that made the boy blush and curse playfully before walking off.

This man—handsome features, but with a roguish charm when he smiled—seemed to know Du Yijie well. He sauntered over casually, shrugged, and said, “Yijie, it’s rare for you to come in person. What, tired from counting all that money? Want me to find a little boy to give you a massage?”

Du Yijie wasn’t annoyed. He just smiled and shook his head.

“And this…” The man looked over at me, sizing me up, then laughed. “You wouldn’t happen to be… Yijie’s true—”

The man suddenly went “Oh,” his smile turning suggestive as he draped an arm over my shoulder. “Much better than I imagined. The photo made you look like a big fat guy, but you’re actually a cute little thing, aren’t you?”

Embarrassed, I pressed my hand against his chest. Luckily, Du Yijie pulled me over in time, frowning slightly. “Zuo Chen, don’t mess with him.”

The man named Zuo Chen spread his hands, then turned to me with a friendly look. “I’m Zuo Chen. Everyone here calls me Brother Chen. What’s your name?”

I shook his extended hand. “Ren Qiri. Hello, Brother Chen.”

Zuo Chen suddenly nudged Du Yijie with his elbow and lowered his voice. “I used to think your taste was really unique—everyone around you was like that. Turns out…” He gave a cryptic laugh.

Du Yijie smiled noncommittally, then stood up, glancing at me with a smile. “Excuse me for a moment.” He added to Zuo Chen, “Don’t tease him. Xiao Qi has thin skin.”

Zuo Chen waved him off, ordered a drink from the bartender, and promptly sat down next to me, leaning in eagerly. “So, how far have you and Yijie gotten? I was wondering why he’s been so celibate lately. That guy used to be a starved wolf in bed, you know.”

“Cough.” I nearly spat out my juice. I stared, still shaken, at the mischievous-looking man beside me.

The waiter handed me a napkin just in time. I took it awkwardly.

“Don’t tell me you two haven’t even—”

I quickly cut in, “Me and the boss aren’t what you’re imagining…” That… that… that kind of relationship.

“Really?”

I nodded vigorously.

Zuo Chen snorted. “You’re pretty innocent, aren’t you? You clearly like him, but you won’t admit it. I’ve seen plenty of your type. You like men.”

My eyes widened in horror as I stared at him.

“I don’t know how deep your feelings for Yijie go, but you’ve definitely got a thing for him. Want me to secretly tell you something? Yijie had quite a few lovers before you.” He reached out and tilted my chin, lowering his voice mysteriously. “How does that make you feel? A little uncomfortable, right?”

“Come on, Brother Chen will enlighten you. Actually, you don’t realize it yourself, but the way you look at Yijie is obvious… Especially just now, when I pulled you aside for a few words, you instinctively leaned toward Yijie. Tell me, when a man develops that kind of dependence on another man…”

I shoved him away abruptly. Facing Zuo Chen’s smug grin, I couldn’t find the words to refute him, my face burning red.

Just then, a cheer erupted from the center of the bar. Two people were surrounded by a crowd, being egged on to kiss. Zuo Chen laughed and patted my shoulder. “The first match of the night. I’m going to join in the fun. I’ll be back later.”

I sat back down, a bit bewildered. My heart was pounding hard for some reason. Then a waiter came over and placed a dark blue drink in front of me, along with a blue rose on the tray. “This is from that gentleman over there,” he said, gesturing.

I followed his gaze and saw a man sitting on a red sofa not far away, raising his glass to me with an ambiguous smile.

I shuddered. For a moment, I didn’t know how to react, my mind a mess of jumbled thoughts. Fortunately, Du Yijie returned just then. Following my gaze, he frowned slightly, waved off the waiter, and sat down beside me. Glancing at the couple in the center, he said, “Did that scare you?”

“It’s just a bar’s entertainment. If you find someone you like or meet someone who catches your eye, you can accept a flower they send. Of course, you can also refuse.” Du Yijie smiled. I nodded, still shaken, Zuo Chen’s earlier words flashing through my mind.

“Xiao Qi.”

“Huh?” I turned to look at him. Du Yijie had somehow picked up the blue rose. He leaned forward slightly and tucked it into the pocket of my shirt, saying playfully, “Du’s seal has been stamped. Any poachers will be killed without mercy.”

…

I stared at him blankly.

I felt like I’d been thrown into a steamer.

The bartender placed a glass in front of me. I looked at Du Yijie, who coaxed me like a child, “This has low alcohol content. You can try it.”

“Relax.”

“…”

“Xiao Qi, I’m not going to eat you. No need to be so scared.”

“…”

I was a bit dizzy, still clear-headed but feeling drowsy.

“Xiao Qi, we’re home.”

My ear felt hot. I frowned and waved my hand, then turned my head—oh, it was Du Yijie. I instinctively grabbed the door handle, then patted my head.

“Xiao Qi?”

Right, I forgot to say thank you.

“Thanks, boss.”

Oh, and I should smile when thanking.

I pinched my cheeks and took a few steps, then someone pulled me back. I turned around to see Du Yijie, seemingly smiling, saying, “Let me help you.”

I jumped, wobbling a bit.

“No, no… Hey, I’m not so old I can’t walk.”

Du Yijie chuckled softly. “Don’t worry. If you really were too old to walk…”

He whispered in my ear, “I’d carry you on my back.”

Huh?

So filial. Truly filial.

I patted his shoulder and nodded approvingly.

He helped me walk a few steps, and then I seemed to hear a call from ahead.

“Qiri!”

A woman’s voice…? Who’s that?

I rubbed my eyes.

It was… Li Ling—Li Ling! Li Ling was still fine—

“Li Ling! Li Ling!”

Wasn’t that Li Ling standing at the door? I waved and started to walk over, but found Du Yijie still gripping my arm.

I looked back at him. Strange, why were there so many Du Yijies?

I patted my face, and my vision finally cleared a little.

“Qiri? Hey, what’s wrong with you?” Li Ling—Li Ling…

“He’s drunk.”

“Huh? Qiri drank? His tolerance is terrible. How could you let him drink?” Li Ling seemed to hook my arm and said, “Qiri, you didn’t answer your phone. Turns out you were drinking. Alright, I’ll take it from here.”

“…”

I blinked hard and suddenly grabbed Du Yijie. “Boss, this is Li Ling. She’s my—my most—most important—”

Most important…

Important…

Burp.

When I opened my eyes, it was already broad daylight.

I rubbed my forehead and turned my head to see Li Ling staring at me with wide eyes.

“You, awake?”

I stared blankly at her.

Li Ling put her hands on her hips, clicked her tongue twice, then suddenly grabbed my collar. “Ren Qiri, you’re such a jerk. Who said they were going to spend my birthday with me, huh? And then you didn’t even show up!”

I still hadn’t come to my senses.

After a long moment, I finally pieced things together.

I remembered… I was in the bar with Du Yijie. I only had one drink, and then I…

Before I knew it…

I gave Li Ling a dry laugh and asked, “How did you get into my place?”

Li Ling flipped her hair, looking quite smug. “Of course, I threatened that idiot to hand over your keys. No kidding—” She grabbed my collar again. “Nice one, you. You tricked me into going out with that idiot surnamed Cheng. But it didn’t matter—it was good to get rid of him anyway. Saved me the trouble.”

My mouth twitched. “Cheng Chen…”

Li Ling clicked her tongue, laughed, then patted my shoulder. “Get up, wash up, and have breakfast. I already made it.”

“Uh… okay.”

Maybe it’s true that the children of the poor grow up fast. Li Ling had raised her younger siblings since childhood, and her cooking skills were top-notch. Even though it was just simple stuff, it tasted excellent.

She sat cross-legged on the chair without any decorum, one hand propping her chin, staring at me intently.

After a long while, she finally spoke. “That guy from last night—your friend?”

I looked at her. Li Ling examined her nails, seemingly casual. “That handsome guy—is he your friend?”

I understood and said, “Yeah, we were classmates in middle school.”

Li Ling nodded.

“What’s up?” I asked.

Li Ling frowned slightly, then shook her head. “Nothing…” But she muttered, “The way he looked at you… it was weird.”

“Ah…”

“Forget it. Eat your porridge.”

“Okay…”

“Qiri.”

I looked up at her. Li Ling’s eyes darted around, and she pouted. “What you said last night…”

“What?”

“It’s—that—that thing—”

I put down my spoon and looked at her, puzzled.

Li Ling suddenly stood up with a bang, grinding her teeth. “It’s that thing! I’m your most—”

Her cheeks flushed a deep red.