Chapter 124: IF—Zhou Shuli (Extra 1)
When Shen Tangqing and the others arrived at the villa, the setting sun had dyed the distant mountains a bright orange-red.
A cast-iron grill had been set up on the lawn in advance, and the charcoal was crackling.
Nearby stood a long table and chairs for plates.
The service staff had already laid out various skewers of fresh meat, washed lettuce, and a variety of seasonings on the long table.
On the other long table, there were also washed fresh fruits, cakes of different flavors, and some alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
The presentation was very beautiful, and the colorful palette looked very appetizing.
There were five of them in total.
In this new life, Shen Tangqing didn’t sell the gift Zhou Geng gave him; instead, he chose return gifts of roughly the same value every time.
Lin Mu wasn’t like his “previous life” self who disliked Shen Tangqing at the beginning.
In fact, his attitude toward Shen Tangqing was quite good.
However, given that this kid had gay tendencies, Shen Tangqing deliberately avoided meeting with Lin Mu whenever possible.
This self-service barbecue at the villa was organized by Zhou Geng. He had said Lin Mu was busy and couldn’t come, which was why Shen Tangqing agreed to come.
As it turned out, once he got into the car, Lin Mu was sitting boldly in the passenger seat.
Shen Tangqing: “…”
Zhou Geng explained that Lin Mu had called him at the last minute saying he wanted to go along.
Shen Tangqing couldn’t really say anything; he couldn’t exactly say he wasn’t going anymore, right?
That would be too awkward.
———
After the group put their things away, they quickly divided the tasks.
Zhou Geng, Lin Mu, and Little Yellow Hair were in charge of grilling the skewers.
The pork belly on the iron skewers was sizzled until the fat ran out, the edges emitting a charred aroma.
After Zhou Geng brushed on a layer of oil, he busied himself brushing oil onto the beef skewers nearby.
His posture looked very practiced, and he seemed quite adept.
Shen Tangqing stood next to him holding a plate and asked with a smile,
“Brother Geng, looking at your posture, have you practiced this?”
“Of course. There was a period when A-Mu and I liked camping. we would bring our own skewers to grill while drinking… After grilling a lot, I got the hang of it.”
Just as Zhou Geng finished speaking, Lin Mu suddenly spoke up.
“What you grill isn’t as good as what I grill.”
“Bullsh*t…” Zhou Geng rolled his eyes at him. “You didn’t even mix the seasoning. How do you have the face to take credit for yourself?”
“You always burn them. I always master the heat perfectly.”
Zhou Geng: “…”
———
After Shen Tangqing brought the grilled skewers to the dining table, he went over to watch Little A mix drinks.
It was like a witch mixing poison.
A whole bunch of colorful things were piled into the ice bucket as if they cost nothing.
Could this stuff really be drunk?
“Little A, what exactly are you mixing?”
Little A gave a “hehe” laugh. “A secret recipe. You’ll know once you taste it later.”
Shen Tangqing: “…”
A secret recipe or a “poison” recipe?
But seeing his confident look, it should be fine, right?
———
The curtain of night slowly fell.
Various colored lights lit up on the lawn.
It was both tacky and trendy, but the atmosphere was indeed quite good.
The five of them sat around the long table.
The table was full of grilled skewers, and a few waiters brought over cold dishes to go with the alcohol.
Several people chatted while drinking.
Shen Tangqing picked up the drink Little A had mixed and took a sip.
He couldn’t describe the taste, but his taste buds told him this thing was delicious.
The more he drank, the more it went to his head.
…
As the night deepened, the charcoal in the grill had weakened to dots of red light. A small pile of skewers had accumulated on the table, and Little A’s mixed drink was half gone.
Shen Tangqing leaned against the back of his chair, a half-finished cigarette between his fingers.
His cheeks were flushed a shallow red from the alcohol. He was listening to Little Yellow Hair tell embarrassing stories from their department, the corners of his mouth curled up.
Little A nudged Zhou Geng’s arm and tilted his chin toward the entrance of the villa.
“Brother Geng, your brother is here.”
Zhou Geng looked up, and it really was him.
He stood up and looked at the approaching Zhou Shuli with some confusion.
“Brother? What are you doing here?”
Shen Tangqing lifted his eyelids and looked toward the entrance of the back garden lawn.
Zhou Shuli walked over slowly.
He was wearing a sharply tailored dark gray suit, his tie neatly fastened to his collar, though his sleeves were rolled up two folds, revealing a simple watch on his wrist.
He was still wearing gloves on his hands.
He looked as if he had come directly from some formal occasion, not even having had time to change his clothes.
As he approached, his gaze swept over the people at the table. When it finally fell on Shen Tangqing, it paused for an imperceptible half-second before quickly moving away. His voice betrayed no emotion.
“I just landed. I was passing by, so I came to take a look.”
Zhou Geng raised an eyebrow, the smile on his face growing even brighter as he mercilessly poked a hole in Zhou Shuli’s excuse.
“This place isn’t even on the way from the airport. Brother, you just want to eat grilled skewers, right? I’ll have the waiter add some charcoal. Go grab whatever you want to eat; there are still plenty of ingredients over there.”
Because Zhou Geng and the others were drinking and chatting, no waiters had been arranged to stay in the back garden.
Zhou Shuli gave Zhou Geng a faint glance but didn’t speak to refute him.
His gaze swept lightly over Shen Tangqing again, this time carrying a very slight warmth.
“I can call the waiter myself. You guys continue…”
After he spoke, Shen Tangqing was the only one who still greeted Zhou Shuli with a smile.
Zhou Shuli responded politely.
His fingertips curled slightly and unconsciously, as if he were restraining something.
Only he himself knew that he was originally supposed to return tomorrow. But when Zhou Geng told him they were having an outdoor barbecue at Qiwu Villa today and that Shen Tangqing would be there, he had changed his itinerary at the last minute and returned to the capital tonight ahead of schedule.
…
After Zhou Shuli casually picked out a few skewers and gave them to the waiter, he hesitated for a moment. Still unable to resist the temptation, he was just about to sit in the empty seat next to Shen Tangqing when Zhou Geng spoke with a smile.
“Brother, come sit here with me.” After saying that, he very thoughtfully pulled out the empty chair next to him.
Zhou Shuli: “…”
Shen Tangqing looked at Zhou Shuli’s lowered brows and couldn’t help but curl his lips. His beautiful eyes sparkled with fragmented light.
He spoke jokingly,
“Brother Zhou, come sit by me. Brother Geng’s spot isn’t good; the light is behind you…”
Zhou Shuli’s body stiffened for an instant.
His lowered brows relaxed into softness. Looking at Shen Tangqing’s smiling face, his Adam’s apple bobbed.
A moment later, he dryly uttered a single word: “Okay.”
Zhou Geng had originally wanted to refute Shen Tangqing, but when his gaze fell upon his face full of smiles, he was momentarily speechless.
Even Lin Mu, who was sitting to his right, was dazed.
Little Yellow Hair, oblivious to the undercurrents, shook the dice in his hand. “Come on, come on, let’s keep guessing.”
They were playing a game of guessing the dice total; whoever guessed wrong had to drink.
His voice called back the thoughts of the several people.
Zhou Geng withdrew his eyes and uncomfortably rubbed his nose.
He only felt that his heart had skipped two beats.
He was a bit confused.
Just now, looking at Shen Tangqing’s smiling face, why was his mind full of the thought that he was so well-behaved???
Refusing to believe it, he took another look.
Shen Tangqing was no longer smiling. He was leaning lazily against the back of the chair, playing with the lighter he had given him.
Probably because of the alcohol, his fair cheeks were flushed with a shallow pink. The corners of his narrow eyes were slightly upturned, carrying a hint of nonchalance, yet he was exceptionally eye-catching.
Zhou Geng reached the conclusion once again.
He really was just very beautiful.
———!
Translator’s Note: Zhou Shuli is definitely a victim of the “Butterfly Effect”! Even though Tangtang reset the world, the attraction is still there. Poor Zhou Geng doesn’t even realize he’s competing with his own brother for the “Best Friend” (or more) spot! And Little A’s “Poison” drinks? Tangtang, please be careful with what you drink! We don’t want another “tongue-numbing” incident! See you in the next extra!
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