Chapter 45: The Incompetent and Malicious Ex-Boyfriend (45)
The news of Ye Qi’s return to the Qi family was known only within the upper social circles; due to its private nature, it hadn’t leaked onto the internet.
However, when Ming Yanzhou and Jiang Ningyuan learned that Ye Qi was actually a member of the Qi family, their expressions turned sour.
Wu Mu made an appointment to have dinner with Shen Ci the following day.
Shen Ci had originally intended to refuse, but Wu Mu had told him: “Didn’t you say you were going to break up with your boyfriend? Are you just humoring me by refusing to even have a meal with me?”
Shen Ci felt completely defeated.
…
The Sky Restaurant.
Wu Mu pushed a plate of sliced steak toward Shen Ci. “The steak at this restaurant is quite good. Give it a try.”
“I can cut it myself.”
A smile curled the corner of Wu Mu’s lips. “It was no trouble.”
After speaking, he poured a glass of floral wine for him. “The floral wine here is also excellent—low alcohol content but very rich in flavor.”
Shen Ci: …
Wu Mu’s enthusiasm was making him feel a bit out of his depth. He offered a dry “Thank you” before looking at Wu Mu.
“Did you have a reason for asking me to dinner today?”
Wu Mu’s hand holding the fork paused for a moment.
A moment later, he looked up at Shen Ci with a gentlemanly smile. “Can’t I just ask you to dinner for no reason?”
Shen Ci: …
That question—
Felt a bit like a trap.
“Hehe, of… of course you can.” After saying that, Shen Ci picked up the floral wine and took a sip.
Wu Mu knew Shen Ci was just humoring him, but he didn’t mind.
At least Shen Ci was still willing to humor him, wasn’t he?
“Baby, when are you going to confess to your boyfriend?”
Shen Ci nearly sprayed the wine right out of his mouth.
He managed to force it down.
But he still choked, turning his head aside and coughing uncontrollably.
Wu Mu quickly stood up, grabbed two tissues, walked to Shen Ci, and handed them to him, gently patting his back with his right hand. “Are you okay?”
Shen Ci was definitely not okay.
He grabbed the tissues, covered his mouth, and coughed a few more times before finally catching his breath.
He couldn’t help but glare at Wu Mu. Couldn’t he have waited until I finished drinking to say that?
His eyes were watery from the coughing, and the corners were slightly red, carrying a damp, vivid color.
That glint of shimmering red was like a small hook.
It made Wu Mu’s breath hitch.
His Adam’s apple rolled as his gaze settled on Shen Ci’s lips.
He really wanted to take a bite…
He really wanted to have a “round” with him in bed!
He sat back in his seat and took a sip of water, only then feeling a bit better.
Due to this little interlude, the previous topic was dropped.
Halfway through the meal, Wu Mu spoke again in a tentative tone. “Shen Ci, have you ever met your boyfriend’s family?”
“I have. I used to visit his grandmother in the hospital quite often before she passed away. Why do you ask?”
Wu Mu lowered his eyes, his long lashes hiding the darkness in his gaze.
A moment later, he looked up and smiled. “Nothing. Just asking.”
Shen Ci didn’t think much of it. He stood up. “I’m going to the restroom.”
Wu Mu watched Shen Ci’s retreating back, hesitated for a second, and then followed him.
When Wu Mu pushed the door open and entered, Shen Ci was in the middle of pulling up his trousers in a flustered hurry.
“Why are you here?”
Wu Mu glanced at Shen Ci’s [Censored].
He wore an innocent expression. “I’m here to use the restroom, of course.”
Shen Ci: …
“Oh. Then go ahead.”
Shen Ci walked quickly to the sink to wash his hands. As soon as he finished and was about to make a break for it, he was pulled into Wu Mu’s arms.
Wu Mu had been thinking about it all night, and he finally had Shen Ci in his arms.
He lowered his head, buried his face in the crook of Shen Ci’s neck, and whispered in a low, husky voice, “Baby.”
Shen Ci’s body went stiff for an instant. “Are you crazy? This is a public place.”
He tried to push Wu Mu away, but Wu Mu’s grip was far too tight.
Shen Ci suspected this kid was a trained fighter; his strength was incredible.
But he had no proof.
“Baby, I wanted to hug you so badly.”
Just as the words left his mouth,
The restroom door was pushed open.
Shen Ci turned his head at the sound and saw Jiang Ningyuan standing there, looking absolutely dumbstruck.
Shen Ci: …
Fantastic.
He had successfully “joyfully received” another metaphorical three-bedroom apartment in the Capital.
Wu Mu hadn’t expected anyone to walk in either, let alone an acquaintance…
The grip on Shen Ci loosened.
Shen Ci easily pushed him away this time.
Jiang Ningyuan snapped back to his senses, his expression still full of shock.
“Brother Wu, you and Brother Shen are…”
Wu Mu and Jiang Ningyuan knew each other; their elders were friends within the same circle. However, since Wu Mu was several years older than Jiang Ningyuan and the others, they were only nodding acquaintances.
Wu Mu straightened his clothes and spoke in a calm tone. “Haven’t you ever seen people in a relationship before?”
Jiang Ningyuan: …
He’d seen people in relationships.
He’d seen men hugging each other before…
But didn’t Shen Ci already have a partner?
His gaze fell on Wu Mu’s cold, handsome face.
His mind was filled with the question: What does an old man like Wu Mu have that made Shen Ci look at him differently, and even… even date him?
On what basis?
Does Shen Ci like older men? Is that why he rejected both me and Zhou-zai?
In that instant, a thousand thoughts swirled through Jiang Ningyuan’s mind.
Ultimately, he looked at Shen Ci. “Brother Shen, are you and Brother Wu really in a relationship?”
Shen Ci: …
Wu Mu took Shen Ci’s hand, his thumb gently rubbing the skin on the back of his hand.
He looked at him with a half-smile. “Baby, tell him…”
Shen Ci: …
Being caught cheating by an acquaintance is just my rotten luck!
The moment that thought surfaced, Shen Ci was shocked by his own internal wording.
Pah, pah, pah!
What ‘cheating’?
I’m in a pure relationship between men!
But now wasn’t the time to dwell on that. Until his mission was complete and he could leave this small world,
Shen Ci had to keep Wu Mu stabilized.
After all, he felt that while Wu Mu was a nice person, he also felt a bit like a mob boss.
What if he flew into a rage and did “this” and then “that” to him? What would he do then?
“Ah, yes. We are in a relationship.”
The smile on the corner of Wu Mu’s lips deepened.
Jiang Ningyuan stepped forward, still looking shocked. “Brother Shen, have you broken up with Ye Qi?”
Wu Mu’s brow furrowed slightly. He hadn’t expected Jiang Ningyuan to know so much. He narrowed his narrow eyes, looking at Jiang Ningyuan with a scrutinizing gaze.
Shen Ci: …
Is this guy playing with a ‘Flash’ [gaming teleport] to hunt me down?
Before he could think of a way to lie,
Wu Mu spoke flatly. “Xiao Jiang, weren’t you here to use the restroom? Baby and I won’t disturb you any further.”
Baby…
Jiang Ningyuan mentally let out a “yue” [sound of gagging].
Calling someone ‘Baby’ at his age—how shameless!
“I suddenly don’t need the toilet anymore,” he said, before looking at Wu Mu. “Brother Wu, I’m here for dinner with Zhou-zai and the others. Meeting here is fate; let’s chat for a bit.”
Wu Mu looked at Jiang Ningyuan, his expression momentarily dark.
A moment later, he slowly withdrew his gaze and asked Shen Ci, “Do you want to chat with them?”
Shen Ci absolutely did not!
Both Jiang Ningyuan and Ming Yanzhou knew Ye Qi.
He couldn’t exactly tell them he was cheating, could he?
“It’s late. I have to go back.” After saying that, he pulled his hand out of Wu Mu’s palm. “You chat with them. I’ll head out first.”
Wu Mu felt his palm go empty.
His expression turned cold instantly.
———
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