Chapter 87: Whose Phone Call?
Song Xingmian was still immersed in the joy of their reunion. When Wen Yuhuai got up to leave after only a few words, he was naturally unwilling. He put down his coffee and moved to follow. “What business? Can I come with you…?”
Wen Yuhuai looked back at him and curled his lips into a lazy smile. His tone was like he was coaxing a child. “Adults are doing business; children shouldn’t meddle. Iâll see you another time when Iâm free.”
Song Xingmian was frozen in place by that smile. He stared blankly at Wen Yuhuaiâs departing back for a long time before finally looking down at a certain part of his body that had clearly undergone a change.
The leather jacket he was wearing today was a short style. It really wasn’t suitable to go out now; it would be quite embarrassing, like some green, inexperienced boy who got worked up just by having a cup of coffee together.
Song Xingmian obediently sat back down. He picked up his coffee and sipped it slowly, savoring Wen Yuhuaiâs smile from moments ago.
He really hadn’t seen him smile like that before. Previously, Wen Yuhuai was straightforward, wearing his emotions on his sleeve. His smiles were the sameârefreshing and handsome. But now?
He couldn’t quite name the change, but in short, it was different from before. When Yuhuai smiled now, there was an inexplicable, alluring charm to it.
It took him half an hour to finish the coffee. Once the heat finally subsided, Song Xingmian stood up with a normal expression and walked out in a very good mood.
Being in Haishi was naturally not as comfortable as Beijing, but Song Xingmian took it in stride. He stood by the road and hailed a taxiâsomething he would never ride in Beijingâand gave the name of the five-star hotel where he was currently staying.
He decided to change hotels and stop staying with Gu Yanxiu. He just had some essentials at the hotel to pack before leaving.
Although Wen Yuhuai had only mentioned it briefly today, Song Xingmian keenly felt his unhappiness. Wen Yuhuai currently disliked Fu Xingjian and Gu Yanxiu.
But fortunately, Yuhuai hadn’t started hating him yet. He had to draw a clear line between himself and the others as soon as possible so he wouldn’t be distanced by his brother.
When he returned to the hotel, Gu Yanxiu was still sitting on the sofa by the window, though the tea he had been sipping had been replaced by wine.
Song Xingmian only gave him a glance before looking away. He had no time to deal with him; he had to hurry and move out. It wouldn’t be good if Brother misunderstood.
Entering his room, Song Xingmian roughly packed his thingsâjust a satchel and he was done. After packing, he began looking for hotels.
Haishi was also an international metropolis, not much different from Beijing. In fact, it had more of a decadent, luxurious feel compared to the relatively serious political and cultural atmosphere of Beijing. In such a place, there was no shortage of five-star hotels. Before long, he had scouted one. He called to book a presidential suite in advance and then headed out with his bag slung across his shoulder.
Gu Yanxiu called out from behind him, “Where to?”
Song Xingmianâs delicate eyebrows furrowed. He turned back and gave him a look. “Out.”
Gu Yanxiu held a wine glass, the reddish liquid rippling with the gentle swirling motion of his hand. “Planning to move?”
Song Xingmian didn’t speak, but his silence was a clear admission.
Gu Yanxiu let out a laugh. He slowly put down the glass and looked at him leisurely. “What did Wen Yuhuai say to you today that made you so quick to draw a line with me?”
Song Xingmianâs brow furrowed again, his voice turning cold. “Brother didn’t say anything. I just don’t want to live here anymore.”
Gu Yanxiu nodded noncommittally. “I can guess even if you don’t say it. Go if you want.”
A fledgling bird whose wings haven’t even maturedâI doubt he can cause much of a stir.
The door opened and closed. A hint of gloom finally appeared between Gu Yanxiuâs handsome brows. He looked down at his phone as if waiting for a call, but from dawn to dusk, the phone remained silent.
After getting the answer he wanted from Song Xingmian, Wen Yuhuai was in no hurry to find Gu Yanxiu.
That old fox Gu Yanxiu wasn’t like the naive Song Xingmian, who could be coaxed with a few words. With Gu, one had to offer substantial benefits for him to take the bait.
But for now, Yuhuai didn’t want to see him, nor did he want to have any real involvement with him. Unless absolutely necessary, he likely wouldn’t seek him out for the time being.
“What do you want to eat tonight? At home or out?” Lin Shiyu checked the time, his hands resting lightly on the back of the sofa where Wen Yuhuai was sitting.
Wen Yuhuai wasn’t picky about food now, so he said, “Either is fine. Up to you.”
Lin Shiyu stood behind him, unbuttoning his cufflinks and rolling up his sleeves, revealing forearms with slightly bulging veins. “How about we eat at home? I just learned a Southern dish. Want to try my cooking?”
Wen Yuhuai didn’t seem to expect that he would specifically learn to cook. He turned back with a look of surprise, but having no intention of dampening his spirits, he nodded in agreement. “Sure, let’s eat at home then.”
Lin Shiyu quickly went to the kitchen to get busy. Wen Yuhuai continued to curl up on the sofa playing with his phone. It wasn’t really playing; he was switching between several apps but didn’t stay on any for long.
Before long, his phone rang. Seeing the familiar number, Wen Yuhuai raised an eyebrow without surprise. He waited for the ringing to persist for a while before answering leisurely.
“Hello.”
Song Xingmianâs voice came through, sounding like he was acting spoiled. “Brother, is your business finished? Do you want to come out for dinner tonight?”
Wen Yuhuai raised his eyes to look at Lin Shiyu, who was busy in the open kitchen nearby. His chopping was clean and efficient, and the entire cooking process was effortless, as if he cooked often. He didn’t look at all like a young master who had never touched chores.
“No. I have plans.”
Song Xingmian was clearly disappointed but still feigned a sensible tone. “Okay then. I wish Brother a good meal and a good time. Iâll just find something to eat myself.”
Wen Yuhuai moved the phone slightly further away, his brow arching again. The kid was calling to play the pity card.
He knew Song Xingmian had changed hotels this afternoon. Right now, he was likely alone in a suite in a new hotel, in an unfamiliar place. For someone used to being the center of attention wherever he went, this sudden drop in status probably felt quite miserable.
Even though he knew the kid had designs on him, seeing as he hadn’t done anything out of line yet, Wen Yuhuai showed a rare bit of kindness and coaxed him. “Go to sleep early tonight. Iâll take you out tomorrow.”
The voice on the phone, which had been a bit low, instantly perked up. “Itâs a deal then. Brother isn’t allowed to lie to me.”
Just then, Lin Shiyu walked out from behind the kitchen island as if looking for something. Wen Yuhuai said, “Iâm not lying,” and hung up. He looked at Lin Shiyu. “Need something? Iâll help you find it.”
Lin Shiyu just stared at him fixedly. The dusk light outside made the inkiness in his eyes seem deeper. “Whose phone call was that?”
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