Chapter 86: I Miss You So Much
A pure black silk shirt with the top two buttons undone revealed a slender neck and deep collarbones. A sapphire necklace hung between those collarbones, and over it all, he wore a caramel-colored leather jacket. It was a slightly flamboyant outfit, but it looked just right on Song Xingmian, accentuating his youthful spirit.
He stood before the mirror, fussing with his hair. Most of it was swept up to reveal his fair, smooth forehead, with a single lock curled just right to partially shade his eyebrow.
Finally, after repeatedly choosing between several colognes, he picked one he was satisfied with and sprayed it on his wrists and behind his ears.
He and his brother hadn’t seen each other in so long. Since his brother had taken the initiative to invite him out today, he had to dress to impress. He wanted to make his brotherâs eyes light up.
In a great mood, he pushed open the door of the presidential suite and walked out, humming a little tune. Gu Yanxiu, who was drinking tea in the living room, narrowed his eyes at the sight of Song Xingmian looking like a peacock with its tail spread. “Where are you going?”
Song Xingmian turned back and gave him a smug, highly provocative smile. “Brother asked to meet me.”
They had come to Haishi together. His brother knew he was here and surely knew Gu Yanxiu was here too, yet he had only invited Song Xingmian. This proved that he was special in his brotherâs heart.
With that thought, Song Xingmianâs mood soared even higher. He pushed open the main door and left, leaving Gu Yanxiu sitting there, staring blankly at the door in contemplation.
He knows we came to Haishi together, yet he only asked to see Song Xingmian. What does this mean?
As if realizing something, Gu Yanxiu picked up his teacup and drained it. Ripples began to stir in his usually calm eyes.
Is it what I think it is? Is he dragging us all into the water, wanting us to tear each other apart while he sits on the mountain and watches the tigers fight?
A curve slowly formed at the corners of Gu Yanxiuâs lips, and a hint of an excited smile appeared on his habitually gentle and composed face.
Will he look for me then? Will he ask to see me alone, just like he did with Song Xingmian today?
Even though he knew Yuhuai was likely only using them, he still couldn’t restrain the emotions in his heart. The mere thought of meeting him made him uncontrollably excited.
Gu Yanxiu watched clearly as his heart sank bit by bit, falling headlong into the trap named Wen Yuhuai until he no longer had the ability to climb out.
He couldn’t help it. After all, it was Wen Yuhuai.
Who could help but love Wen Yuhuai?
When Song Xingmian arrived at the designated location, Wen Yuhuai was already there. He was looking down at his phone while sipping coffee, appearing quite casual.
Taking a deep breath, Song Xingmian walked toward the square table. When the person sitting there belatedly looked up, Song Xingmian offered a radiant smile. “Brother, I missed you so much.”
After Song Xingmian took his seat, Wen Yuhuai gestured for the waiter to bring another cup of coffee before finally fixing his gaze on the younger man.
It was obvious that he had dressed up specially. He looked like a peacock displaying its feathersâvibrant and bright without being gaudy.
“When did you return to the country?”
Song Xingmian spoke truthfully. “The day before yesterday.”
Wen Yuhuai nodded and asked further, “Why did you think of coming to Haishi instead of staying home for the New Year?”
At this, Song Xingmian looked a bit unhappy, his eyes darkening with a hint of gloom. “Itâs because Brother ignored me for so long. I went to Beijing to find you and found no one home. Thatâs how I found out you came to Haishi.”
Wen Yuhuaiâs movement to pick up his coffee paused. He said somewhat perfunctorily, “Sorry. I got a new number and forgot to tell you.”
Song Xingmian was instantly mollified. Despite his earlier thoughts about not forgiving Yuhuai easily, the moment he saw the man, he threw everything to the back of his mind.
“Itâs okay, as long as Brother still remembers me. You have no idea how worried I was when I couldn’t reach you. I wanted to come back, but someone withheld my passport. I had to steal it to return this time.”
Wen Yuhuai continued his perfunctory tone. “Hard work.”
Song Xingmianâs eyes crinkled into crescents. “As long as I can see Brother, itâs not hard at all.”
“You haven’t graduated yet, right? When do you plan to go back?”
Mentioning this made Song Xingmian uncontrollably irritable. “I don’t graduate until June. No rush. I just need to be back by May. Once the thesis is submitted, thereâs nothing much to do.”
Wen Yuhuai didn’t pursue the topic. He drank his coffee in silence until the cup was empty. Only then did he say, “Fu Xingjian is also in Haishi. Did you know?”
Thinking of the culprit who had trapped him abroad, Song Xingmianâs expression turned uncontrollably gloomy. He nodded. “I know.”
“Have you seen him?”
Song Xingmian pressed his lips together and shook his head, letting out a huff. “I don’t want to see him. Brother, you shouldn’t see him either. Heâs not a good person.”
A faint, mocking smile touched the corners of Wen Yuhuaiâs mouth. As if any of you are good people. Youâre all cut from the same cloth at your core.
Seeing that he didn’t speak, Song Xingmian asked subtly, “What about Brother? Why did you come to Haishi out of the blue?”
Wen Yuhuai gave him a meaningful look, speaking a bit more bluntly. “You came with Gu Yanxiu; you don’t know why I came to Haishi?”
Song Xingmian had come with Gu Yanxiu. If Wen Yuhuai came to Haishi, it was highly likely he had been forced here by them. If Song Xingmian said he knew, wouldn’t that prove he was in league with them?
He didn’t want his brother to hate him because of the other two, so he continued to play dumb. He grabbed the hand Wen Yuhuai had placed on the table and acted spoiled. “I really don’t know. I went to find you at the Wen house the moment I got off the plane, but the house was empty. I had no choice but to contact Gu Yanxiu. He said you were in Haishi, so I came with him to find you.”
It was unclear if Wen Yuhuai believed him. He drummed his knuckles carelessly on the table twice. “I see.”
Song Xingmian nodded, looking at him with total sincerity.
Wen Yuhuai raised his eyes, meeting his gaze directly. He said half-earnestly, “If I said I only came to Haishi because I became enemies with Fu Xingjian, would you believe me?”
Song Xingmianâs expression changed instantly, filled with righteous indignation. “I knew it. Brother wouldn’t come here for no reason. So it was because of him.”
Wen Yuhuai casually crossed his hands. “Since Iâm enemies with him, you still dare to meet me? Aren’t you afraid heâll retaliate against you?”
Song Xingmian instinctively sat up straight, his face serious. “How is that possible? No matter how powerful his family is, Iâm on Brotherâs side. Besides, Brother wouldn’t make enemies for no reason. He must have done something wrong…”
Wen Yuhuai finally showed his first heartfelt smile of the day. He picked up his coffee, drained the last bit, and stood up, propping his hands on the table as if ready to leave.
He had learned what he needed to know, and it was indeed time to go. Glancing at the barely touched coffee in Song Xingmianâs cup, he said slowly, “I have some business today, so Iâll head out first. Take your time drinking. Iâve already settled the bill.”
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