Hearing this answer, Jin Yu instantly flew into a rage. “Do you have any idea what kind of place this is? How can you work here? That man who came for you the other day looked so well-off. How can he let you come to a place like this?”
Although he did not recognize the man, he looked young and wore designer brands. Even the car he drove was so expensive that a single spare part would be enough to feed Yan Qingming for half a year. Why was Yan Qingming’s life so miserable, working at both a Taekwondo dojo and this sleazy bar?
Yan Qingming did not want to entertain him. “It is a personal hobby.”
With that, he went to hail a taxi. Just as he raised his hand, Jin Yu pressed it back down, asking persistently, “What is that man to you?”
Although he already had an answer in his heart, he still wanted to hear Yan Qingming say it himself. He stared at Yan Qingming, hoping to hear a denial from his lips.
However, the result disappointed him. Yan Qingming’s voice was as flat and detached as if he were talking about the most trivial matter.
“He is the one who keeps me.”
Jin Yu stared intently at Yan Qingming, his teeth clenched. A surge of frustration churned in his chest, making him feel physically suffocated. It was a mixture of resentment and heartache.
Unable to hold back any longer, he blurted out what had been weighing on his mind. “Why do you do this? Are you that desperate for money? If you need money, I have plenty. That guy looks like he has a bad temper and is stingy with you anyway. Don’t stay with him anymore. Give it a try with me.”
If that man treated Yan Qingming well, Yan Qingming would not have to look for work everywhere.
As soon as the words left his mouth, Jin Yu felt a rare sense of shyness. He had been swimming in the world of romance since he was young, so why was he acting like this now?
Yan Qingming frowned, looking at him in confusion. “Try what with you?”
He was approaching thirty and had little experience in such matters. Even his first time had been forced upon him by Qi Xiaolin, who had drugged him and pinned him to a balcony. He could not understand what Jin Yu was implying and certainly had not thought in that direction.
When he asked that, Jin Yu felt too embarrassed to repeat himself, thinking his words must sound dirty and filthy in front of Yan Qingming. He scratched his head and said irritably, “Anyway, that guy is no good. Don’t keep that kind of relationship with him. If you are short on money, just tell me. I will give it to you.”
Yan Qingming watched him for a while, then nodded earnestly. “Thank you, you are a very good person.”
Upon hearing this, Jin Yu flushed to the tips of his ears in shame. Before he could say anything else, he saw Yan Qingming trying to hail a taxi again.
He pressed Yan Qingming’s hand down once more and shouted, “Where are you going!”
“Going home,” Yan Qingming answered honestly.
Jin Yu paused. Is he really planning to run off after handing me a good person card?
“You have to stay a while longer.”
“I have an emergency at home.”
“What emergency?”
“The water on my stove is still boiling.”
Jin Yu looked at him and acted like a delinquent, saying, “You are not allowed to leave. You promised to take me for a drive to make it up to me. Take me now!”
He did not know if he would be able to see Yan Qingming working here tomorrow. He simply did not want to let him go. As long as he could spend more time with Yan Qingming, he would do anything.
Yan Qingming looked at him helplessly. “Next time.”
He was in a hurry to get back; he did not want Qi Xiaolin to know he had snuck out of the villa.
Hearing Yan Qingming refuse again, Jin Yu lost his temper, his voice rising sharply. “Yan Qingming! You are going back on your word!”
The outburst drew the attention of the surrounding crowd. Yan Qingming was startled and quickly covered Jin Yu’s mouth, whispering a warning, “Do not call my name in public!”
This establishment was high-end, and the name Yan Qingming was well-known among the upper echelons. He did not want to bring any more trouble upon himself.
Jin Yu blinked. Their faces were extremely close. The cool temperature of Yan Qingming’s palm pressed against his lips felt comfortable. Even before, he had noticed a faint, pleasant scent on Yan Qingming that made him feel calm and relaxed. Now, being this close, it was even more distinct. If I were to get even closer, would the scent be clearer?
Random images flooded his mind, and his cheeks burned.
Sensing the unusual heat under his hand, Yan Qingming quickly pulled his palm away, asking in surprise, “Do you have a fever?”
Jin Yu stammered, “You! Stop asking!”
“If you do not take me for a drive today, I will make a scene right here at the bar entrance. I will let everyone know that you are a liar who breaks promises and refuses to take responsibility after hurting me!”
Yan Qingming gritted his teeth, checked the time ticking away on his watch, and realized how persistent Jin Yu was. Continuing to struggle on the street would only waste more of his time.
He sighed in resignation. “Let’s go.”
Jin Yu’s face bloomed into a smile. “Alright, let’s go.”
Like an innocent youth, he followed the calculating Yan Qingming step by step, leaving the bustling streets behind and arriving at an unassuming supermarket in a corner of the city.
The brilliant, sun-like smile on his face gradually faded.
Loud, high-pitched music blared, and passersby glanced over frequently.
“What do you call your father’s father!”
“My father’s father is Grandpa!”
“What do you call your father’s mother!”
“My father’s mother is…”
Jin Yu’s hands were shaking as he covered his face, terrified that onlookers might recognize the person sitting in the childish children’s carousel.
Yan Qingming fished a one-yuan coin from his pocket and asked generously, “Do you need extra time?”
Jin Yu squeezed the words out through his teeth, “Yan Qingming, go to hell!”