Chapter 23 - 1#
The rules for shaking dice to compare size were simple. Each person shook three dice. If “small” was called, the one with the smaller sum of the three dice won. If “large” was called, the one with the larger sum won.
When it came to games, Chu Ziyu was the most enthusiastic. He slurred his words and cheered, “Small, small, small!”
“Alright, we’ll compare small.” Lin Fengyi picked up the dice cup, shook it a few times, pressed it on the table, and revealed it: one 2, and two 1s.
Chu Ziyu squatted down, leaned in, and added them up one by one, “2+1+1, 4 points!”
The onlookers got excited. Yan Heqing had to roll three 1s to win, which meant rolling a leopard, a very difficult feat.
It seemed that tonight they would get to see the cold beauty kiss passionately or do a striptease!
Lin Fengyi was even more confident of victory. He glanced at Yan Heqing, “Your turn.”
Yan Heqing was unhurried. He rolled up his cuffs, revealing a section of his slender, pale wrist, then picked up the dice cup. His movements were incredibly skilled and smooth. Before the crowd could react, Yan Heqing dropped the dice cup.
He revealed it.
“Damn!” Chu Ziyu exclaimed with a shriek, “Three 1s, 3, smaller than 4! Xiao Yan wins!”
Lin Fengyi’s face instantly turned ugly.
With a spectacle to watch, Chu Ziyu enthusiastically urged, “Lin Fengyi lost! Quick, find someone to kiss passionately!”
Although they couldn’t see the cold beauty’s sensual scene, watching the second young master of the Lin family was also a pleasure. Others also started to cheer and took out their phones to record.
Lin Fengyi’s face changed several times. Without asking, he gritted his teeth, grabbed the man next to him, and pressed him into the sofa for a fiery, passionate kiss, their tongues intertwined.
The atmosphere in the private room instantly heated up. Countless phones were pointed at their biting lips, filming up close.
Five minutes passed. Lin Fengyi, who had become the butt of the joke, had red eyes from anger. He pushed away the man who had been kissed into a puddle of water, gritted his teeth, and looked at Yan Heqing, “Another round, this time we’ll compare large!”
At the same time, a tall and handsome figure appeared at the door of the private room.
Yan Heqing glanced over from the corner of his eye, his voice as calm as ever.
“Okay.”
Having lost once, Lin Fengyi was very cautious this time. He looked at Yan Heqing, “Let’s shake and reveal at the same time.”
Yan Heqing had no objection.
The two picked up their dice cups, shook them for a moment, and landed them at the same time.
Several pairs of eyes stared at the dice cups. The two revealed them at the same time. Chu Ziyu squatted down and counted Lin Fengyi’s first, “2, 3, 6, 11 points!”
Lin Fengyi immediately looked at Yan Heqing’s dice: 1, 1, 2, 4 points…
Although Yan Heqing lost this round, Lin Fengyi still frowned slightly.
Yan Heqing lost. The private room was briefly quiet. Chu Ziyu licked his lips, not cheering this time.
He always felt that Yan Heqing had an inviolable purity, not suitable for being a joke.
Still, someone in the crowd urged, “Is the bartender going to choose someone to kiss passionately or just do a striptease?”
Under the dim lights, Yan Heqing’s face was very calm. Chu Ziyu touched the tip of his nose, really not wanting to see Yan Heqing embarrassed. He decided to sacrifice his lips and took the initiative to say, “Why don’t you kiss me…”
“May I kiss you?” Suddenly, Yan Heqing looked towards the door.
Everyone followed his gaze to the door.
Outside the door, a tall figure had been standing for a long time. Xie Yunjie came back from the bathroom and saw that Lu Lin hadn’t moved. He asked strangely, “Why don’t you go in?”
Chu Ziyu’s drunkenness was instantly scared away. Damn! The little bartender was really skilled and bold. Who to pick but Lu Lin! This time he was definitely going to be rejected.
And not just rejected. Lu Lin had always looked down on such vulgar games. If he got angry, this wouldn’t end with just a refusal.
Little bartender, you’re in trouble!
Chu Ziyu’s head was about to explode.
Lu Lin slowly walked into the private room. In fact, most people didn’t know him, but Lu Lin’s aura was too powerful, and the room instantly fell silent.
The sound of leather shoes on the floor was clearly audible. Lu Lin walked up to Yan Heqing.
He looked down at the young man. Their eyes met, and the young man’s eyes were clear and frank, unadulterated.
“Hey.” Chu Ziyu was afraid that Lu Lin would get angry and braced himself to smooth things over, “We were just joking…”
Before he could finish, Chu Ziyu was stunned.
He saw Lu Lin raise his hand and wrap it around Yan Heqing’s waist. With a light pull, the young man fell into his arms. Lu Lin lowered his head, his dark eyes staring at those two thin lips, “You may.”
What! Chu Ziyu’s jaw dropped. Did he mishear? Lu Lin said he could?!
Xie Yunjie, who came in later, was also dumbfounded. Damn! After all this time, Lu Lin liked men!
The private room was quiet with a strange atmosphere, and no one dared to raise their phones to record.
Lin Fengyi’s eyes were even more complicated. He knew Lu Lin, but had never had contact with him.
He never expected that Lu Lin would take a fancy to Yan Heqing!
Just as Lu Lin was about to kiss Yan Heqing, he suddenly stopped. His stern face showed no expression, and he said lightly, “Everyone out.”
Three simple and clear words. Chu Ziyu was the first to come to his senses. He immediately started shooing people away, “Quick, quick, quick, everyone out.”
Xie Yunjie also came in to help, “A few more friends have arrived downstairs, everyone go down and play.”
Someone who could make both Xie Yunjie and Chu Ziyu obey must be a big shot. Everyone present was shrewd. How could they dare to stay and watch the show? Without a word, they all rushed out.
The private room gradually emptied. Lin Fengyi frowned and looked at Yan Heqing for a long time before reluctantly getting up and leaving.
Facing the head of the Lu Corporation, he had to restrain his young master’s temper.
Soon, only Xie Yunjie, Chu Ziyu, Lu Lin, and Yan Heqing were left in the private room.
The light fell on the young man’s calm eyes. Lu Lin continued, “You two get out too, and close the door.”
“!!!” Chu Ziyu almost cried out. Why did they have to leave too? Was Lu Lin going to do more than just a passionate kiss?
When an old virgin finally gets some, does it have to be this earth-shattering?
Chu Ziyu was in a complete daze. A few minutes ago, if someone had told him that Lu Lin had descended to the mortal world, he would have slapped them and said, “Don’t believe or spread rumors!”
Xie Yunjie glanced at Lu Lin’s face, took the hint, and dragged Chu Ziyu away quickly, closing the door silently.
The private room had good sound insulation. Closing the door isolated the noise from downstairs, making it extremely quiet.
Only Lu Lin and Yan Heqing were left in the private room.
The young man’s waist was so slender that he could hold it with one hand, so thin it was hard to describe.
Lu Lin let go of his hand and took a step back, his brow slightly furrowed, “If I hadn’t come, what were you planning to do?”
Yan Heqing blinked, for the first time showing a bit of cunning appropriate for his age, “I saw you before I agreed to compete. No matter what I rolled, I was destined not to lose.”
Lu Lin’s brow gradually relaxed. He walked to the sofa and sat down, “How did you know I would help you?”
“You are a good person.” A shallow arc appeared at the corner of Yan Heqing’s mouth.
It was the first time Lu Lin had received a “good person card.” He said lightly, “A good person doesn’t necessarily have to help you.”
“But you did help me.”
Lu Lin was speechless for a moment. Yan Heqing added, “You helped me again today. I am the bartender here. Whatever you want to drink, I will make it for you.”
Lu Lin unbuttoned his cuffs, “Negroni.”
Yan Heqing walked back to the wine cart and quietly mixed the drink. The light in the private room was dim, and his silhouette was very blurry. Lu Lin watched for a while and asked, “How old are you?”
“18.”
Lu Lin asked again, “Not in school?”
“I am, first year of university.” Yan Heqing mixed the drink, his voice as clear as spring water, “I’ve taken a temporary leave of absence for these two months.”
Lu Lin was thoughtful, “Working so many jobs, are you very short of money?”
Yan Heqing finished mixing the drink and brought it to the table in front of Lu Lin, replying generously, “Yes, very short.”
Lu Lin didn’t say anything. He picked up the glass. The taste was as usual. After a few sips, he said, “I’ll rest here. You don’t have to go out tonight either. You’re not suited to work in a bar.”
Lu Lin finished the rest of the drink in one gulp, put down the glass, and indeed unbuttoned his coat, leaning back on the sofa and closing his eyes to rest.
Yan Heqing tiptoed to the other side of the sofa and sat down. He looked at the dim front, his eyes flickering slightly.
He was very good at shaking dice. A girl who promoted alcohol at his previous part-time job at a bar had taught him.
“Bars are a mixed bag. Knowing how to shake dice can sometimes solve a lot of trouble.”
It came in handy today.
After thinking for a while, Yan Heqing also felt a little sleepy. The private room was heated, and the temperature was suitable. He still wrapped his clothes tightly, turned slightly to the side, rested his head on the sofa, closed his eyes, and fell asleep very quietly.
Time passed bit by bit. The private room was so quiet there was no sound. In the darkness, Lu Lin slowly opened his eyes and looked at Yan Heqing not far away.
The young man slept very well, very quietly. His delicate and elegant face was buried in the crook of his neck, and the bangs on his forehead fell, covering his eyes.
His calloused hands rested on his legs, even in sleep, he had the posture of a good student.
“Cough cough.” Suddenly, the young man coughed lowly a few times. It seemed he was a little cold. He pulled his clothes tighter and curled up, leaning sideways on the sofa.
Still not recovered from falling into the ice hole? Lu Lin frowned slightly, got up, found the switch, and turned up the room temperature.
Returning to the sofa, Lu Lin suddenly wanted to smoke. He rarely smoked, only occasionally when he needed to think about something.
He reached into his pocket for a cigarette case. Just as he was about to take one out, he remembered Yan Heqing was also there and put it back.
At this time, downstairs, Chu Ziyu and Xie Yunjie were both staring at the second floor, one with his mouth still open, the other clicking his tongue in admiration.
Xie Yunjie finally understood why Lu Lin had asked for the person’s name last time. It turned out he had taken a fancy to Yan Heqing.
After a while, Chu Ziyu finally closed his mouth. He raised his eyebrows gossipingly, “Guess when Old Lu will come down?”
Xie Yunjie picked up his drink, “I don’t know.”
Chu Ziyu analyzed with great experience, “The first time is always the freshest. With his old house on fire, how can a few hours be enough?”
Then the sky would be bright.
Yan Heqing’s biological clock was very punctual. He woke up at six o’clock on time.
He opened his eyes and first looked at where Lu Lin was resting. Lu Lin seemed to be sleeping very soundly.
Yan Heqing didn’t make a sound, got up quietly, opened the door of the private room, and closed it silently.
As soon as the door closed, Lu Lin opened his eyes. He grabbed the cigarette case he had thrown aside and lit a cigarette.
Yan Heqing went down to the first floor. It was very quiet, with only a few people left. Yan Heqing went back to the changing room, changed his clothes, and left the bar.
At 6 AM, the sky was not yet bright. As soon as he left the bar, someone started following Yan Heqing.
Yan Heqing’s face was calm. He walked unhurriedly, calmly observing his surroundings.
Soon, he found a mobile breakfast stall across the street.
Yan Heqing crossed the crosswalk. Getting closer to the mobile stall, he realized it was selling crepes, both savory and sweet.
Yan Heqing looked at the sign and ordered a crepe with banana and a cup of soy milk.
The owner was a very old woman, but her movements were very nimble. She spread the crepe, rolled it with fried banana, and put it in a paper bag in one go.
“8.50 in total.” The old woman handed the soy milk to Yan Heqing along with it.
“Thank you.” Yan Heqing paid with a 10 yuan note.
The old woman was very happy to see cash. The payment QR code belonged to her son, so scanning the QR code meant the money went into her son’s pocket.
The old woman gave Yan Heqing 1.50 in change.
Yan Heqing took it, put it in his pocket, and turned to continue walking towards the subway station.
The freshly made crepe was steaming hot. Holding it in his hand could also warm his hands. Yan Heqing took a careful bite. It was hot, fragrant, and sweet. Before he could eat a few bites, a person blocked his way.
Lin Fengyi had been waiting for Yan Heqing all night. He followed him all the way from the bar.
Seeing Yan Heqing eating cheap street food with great relish, Lin Fengyi frowned in disgust, “Are you that short of money?”
Yan Heqing ignored him and drank a mouthful of soy milk. His attitude was completely different from last time at the Lin family.
Lin Fengyi even had a very strong feeling that Yan Heqing… looked down on him!
This made Lin Fengyi very angry. He sneered, “You work in a bar. If Zhizhi’s classmates and friends find out, it will be very embarrassing for him.”
Yan Heqing moved the soy milk away and said calmly, “I earn money through my labor, I don’t feel ashamed.”
Lin Fengyi sneered, “Through labor? I think it’s through your body. You stayed in the private room last night, wasn’t it because Lu Lin took a fancy to you?”
He narrowed his eyes slightly. “What do you think will happen if I tell Zhizhi about this? Will he still recognize you as his brother?”
Yan Heqing calmly took out his phone from his pocket, clicked on a video, which was the five-minute video of Lin Fengyi kissing a man passionately last night.
Yan Heqing’s expression was cold, “He probably wouldn’t want to recognize someone like you even more.”
Lin Fengyi’s eyes widened when he saw the video, “If you dare to send it, I will never let you off!”
“That depends on you.” Yan Heqing put away his phone, “Whether we go our separate ways, or we all perish together.”
Lin Fengyi gritted his teeth. He stared at Yan Heqing, his face twitching, “You’re ruthless!”
He turned and walked away angrily.
Having solved a small problem, Yan Heqing took another bite of the crepe.
He had to finish his breakfast before entering the subway.
At the same time, Xie Yunjie went up to the private room on the second floor. He knocked on the door, “Old Lu?”
“Come in.”
Xie Yunjie pushed the door open. The lights in the private room were on, as bright as day. Only Lu Lin was there. The sofa was very tidy, not looking like it had been through a fierce “battle.”
Xie Yunjie asked strangely, “Where’s Xiao Yan?”
Lu Lin put on his coat, “Left.”
Xie Yunjie’s expression was very colorful, “…You two didn’t do anything?”
“No.”
Xie Yunjie didn’t understand, “Then last night you were?”
Lu Lin was no kind philanthropist. Although the Lu Corporation was on the charity list every year, he didn’t believe that Lu Lin’s abnormal behavior in helping that little bartender last night had no other meaning.
Lu Lin was noncommittal. He straightened his cuffs and walked out of the private room, “I’m leaving first.”
The first subway was already crowded with office workers, and the air was thin.
Yan Heqing stood in the corner, quietly listening to the Russian words in his earphones.
He had to ride for more than 20 stops, then transfer to another line. By the time he got to the coffee shop, it was almost 8 o’clock.
He was the first to arrive at the shop. He wiped the counter clean and swept the floor again. It was still early, so he took out his cytology book and stood at the cashier’s counter, reading intently.
At 9 o’clock, Zhang Qing rushed into the shop at the last second. On a cold day, her forehead was sweating.
Successfully clocking in, Zhang Qing let out a heavy sigh of relief. She glanced at the book Yan Heqing was reading, completely unable to understand it.
She clicked her tongue, “Xiao Yan, do you have 48 hours in a day? Working and studying, it’s too tiring!”
When it was time for work, Yan Heqing put away his book and smiled faintly, “It’s okay.”
Zhang Qing shook her head, “You are the most diligent person I have ever seen.” She grinned, “Wasn’t there a popular saying before? You can obviously rely on your looks to eat, but you insist on relying on your strength. I think it fits you very well.”
Yan Heqing didn’t reply. Zhang Qing smiled and didn’t chat anymore, going to the back kitchen to get busy.
Seeing that it was about time, Yan Heqing took out his phone and sent a text message to Lin Fengzhi.
[Are you coming to get your things today? I’m at work, I’ll be home around 7 PM.]
Lin Fengzhi was still sleeping. The phone on the bedside table vibrated. He groggily fumbled for the phone. Seeing Yan Heqing’s name, he woke up in a second and got up to open the text message.
Seeing the content, Lin Fengzhi breathed a sigh of relief.
So it was about this.
He quickly replied, “I played ice hockey all day yesterday, I’m exhausted. I’m going to rest today. Can I pick it up tomorrow? You’re not working tomorrow, right?”
“Not working.”
After replying, Yan Heqing put down his phone. Seeing Lin Fengzhi’s reaction, Lin Fengyi indeed didn’t mention last night’s incident.
There was not much business on Saturday. Less than ten cups of coffee were sold in the morning.
The shop didn’t provide lunch. Zhang Qing brought her own bento and heated it in the microwave for a few minutes. The aroma was overflowing. She turned to find Yan Heqing, “Xiao Yan, I brought egg dumplings, do you want…”
A call came in at the shop. Yan Heqing gestured for Zhang Qing to wait and answered the phone, “Two caramel lattes, one mocha, three cappuccinos, three tiramisus, 56th floor? Okay.”
Hanging up the phone, Yan Heqing said to Zhang Qing, “You eat, I’ll go deliver the takeout.”
Zhang Qing pouted. After Yan Heqing came, the number of takeout orders increased sharply. It was all about the ulterior motives.
After packing, Yan Heqing took the things to the building next door.
The lobby was much deserted on Saturday, with only one receptionist. The receptionist was already familiar with Yan Heqing’s face and familiarly came out to help him swipe the elevator.
Yan Heqing smiled and thanked her, and entered the elevator.
The ride was smooth. He soon reached the 56th floor. The huge office was very deserted. Only a few people were having a meeting in the conference room. Yan Heqing contacted the person who ordered the food and waited quietly at the elevator entrance.
After a while, a woman trotted over. She smiled and took the things, “Thank you!”
“You’re welcome.” Yan Heqing nodded slightly and entered the elevator.
The elevator descended slowly and stopped at the 40th floor. The elevator door opened. Yan Heqing blinked, “Mr. Lu?”
Lu Lin didn’t expect to see Yan Heqing again so soon. His gaze swept over Yan Heqing’s coffee shop uniform.
Just worked all night, and now back at work?
Lu Lin walked into the elevator, “Morning.”
Yan Heqing smiled, “Morning.”
The elevator door closed, and the elevator became quiet again. The young man stood at the very back, his thin and tall figure reflected in the bronze mirror of the elevator door.
Lu Lin watched openly.
Compared to the time in the lake, he had gained some weight, but he was still too thin.
“Still not recovered?” Lu Lin suddenly asked.
Yan Heqing reacted for a moment. He smiled gracefully, “Almost, just occasionally still cough.”
Lu Lin asked again, “Like fishing?”
“Yes.” Yan Heqing nodded, “At first it was just for fun, but then I discovered the charm of fishing, and I couldn’t stop.”
Lu Lin’s brow moved slightly.
“Before fishing, you don’t know what you will catch, but you believe you will return with a full load.”
Yan Heqing’s eyes curved slightly, “I like this feeling. Believing in yourself, there are infinite possibilities.”
Believing in himself, he could definitely change his predetermined destiny.
He refused to die at 21. He wanted to enjoy all the flowers of spring, listen to all the rain of summer, taste all the fruits of autumn, and see all the snow of winter.
This was the life he should have.
Ding.
The elevator reached the first floor.
The elevator door opened. Yan Heqing politely said goodbye to Lu Lin, “See you next time, Mr. Lu.”
Returning to the coffee shop, the business was still slow in the afternoon. There were no customers until closing time.
After closing the shop, Yan Heqing and Zhang Qing walked towards the subway.