“Are you leaving?”
He Xihuan was still gripping the racket handle with one hand while using the other to undo his wrist buttons, rolling his shirt sleeves up.
“What a hassle. No need.”
As soon as He Xihuan finished those four words, Xu Yiwen also let go of the hand that had been grasping He Xihuan’s shirt.
Following that, he helplessly transitioned from a sports participant into a spectator, sitting on a chair to watch the two of them play badminton.
To say he couldn’t play would be a lie; He Xihuan’s posture for holding and serving the shuttlecock was completely standard. Dressed in a white shirt, black dress trousers, and black leather shoes, it didn’t hinder his performance in the slightest. His smashes were so fierce that Xu Yiwen couldn’t help but feel anxious for his own racket.
Wen Yuhang on the opposite side was not to be outdone either, playing neck-and-neck with He Xihuan.
Despite the green rubber flooring, it made Xu Yiwen feel as though the world was spinning.
After watching for a short while, he went back to the locker room by himself to change his clothes.
He had to find a way to drag He Xihuan away quickly.
Who would have thought that after showering, changing, and coming back, not only were He Xihuan and Wen Yuhang still playing, but Duan Shuye had also changed into a new outfit and was playing a match against someone else.
Catching sight of Xu Yiwen in changed clothes, Wen Yuhang didn’t return He Xihuan’s shot. Wiping away his sweat, he jogged over to Xu Yiwen. “Xiao Wen, you’re not playing anymore?”
“No,” Xu Yiwen shook his head. “I’m tired today. Let’s schedule another time.”
He Xihuan also walked over, holding his racket.
“I bought you new clothes and shoes,” Xu Yiwen scanned He Xihuan up and down, trying his best to mask his emotions. “I’ll drive you back to headquarters. Don’t you still have work today?”
At those words, He Xihuan was abruptly pulled away from this battle and called out to Duan Shuye.
Duan Shuye and the man he had been playing against jogged over together.
“President He, it’s a little past four in the afternoon.”
After reporting the time, Duan Shuye provided ample reason for He Xihuan to continue staying here. “Old President He just called, saying to let you and Mr. Xu have a good time here; he’ll handle the group’s affairs.”
He narrowed his eyes with an awkward smile. “I saw you were playing too intently and didn’t find the chance to tell you.”
He Jing’s call had been received while he and Xu Yiwen were sitting on the lounge chairs watching the match.
Liang Li had seen Xu Yiwen at the wedding, and after He Xihuan went downstairs, he understood the reason for He Xihuan’s anxiousness. Thus, he dialed the phone to express his deep envy to his good friend He Jing, praising He Xihuan for being devoted and family-oriented, and Xu Yiwen for being educated and elegant.
To avoid disturbing the newlywed couple who were playing badminton, He Jing had called Duan Shuye instead.
The man who had been playing with Duan Shuye quietly moved to Wen Yuhang’s side. “Since that’s the case, let’s play a bit longer! I’ll treat everyone to dinner afterwards!”
The man stared straight at Wen Yuhang. “Brother Xihuan, let’s switch partners.”
“And this is?” Xu Yiwen frowned slightly, not expecting this person to know He Xihuan.
Oddly enough, Liang Ang had been hiding away in the crowd so well that even Liang Li had been fooled. But after getting hit by a stray shot deflected by Wen Yuhang, he suddenly saw stars, exposed his own identity, and declared he wanted to play with them.
“Liang Ang, Uncle Liang Li’s son,” He Xihuan explained first.
Xu Yiwen had heard Liang Li’s name mentioned within the He family.
Word had it that his Alpha younger son, who was a year younger than the 24-year-old He Xihuan, spent his days indulging in debauchery, luxury, and hedonism, causing the Liang family a great deal of distress.
“Sister-in-law, hello,” Liang Ang greeted Xu Yiwen proactively, following He Xihuan’s introduction.
The Liang Ang standing before him had neat, soft hair and a smile on his face, revealing no sign of how rebellious he supposedly was.
“Hello, Mr. Liang.” After exchanging greetings, Xu Yiwen looked back at He Xihuan, insisting on leaving. “We should still go. There are matters we haven’t finished discussing.”
The matters that weren’t finished. Wasn’t that the divorce agreement mentioned this morning?
He Xihuan’s expression soured instantly.
As the atmosphere chilled, Duan Shuye shivered, quickly realizing that these two were on the verge of arguing again.
He hurriedly smoothed things over. “Mr. Xu, it’s rare to come out for some relaxation, so don’t be in such a rush to go home. Whatever business you and President He have to discuss can wait until you get home tonight.”
As the saying goes, arguments at the head of the bed are resolved by the foot of the bed. Judging by how He Xihuan had leaned in to kiss Xu Yiwen right upon seeing him earlier, they probably wouldn’t even be able to start a fight tonight.
However, letting the two of them leave right now would likely spark an argument.
Therefore, this dinner truly had to be eaten together.
Just as Xu Yiwen was thinking of an excuse to politely decline, he heard Wen Yuhang say he wanted to leave as well. “Xiao Wen, since none of them want to leave, let’s go together. Didn’t your car break down? I’ll give you a ride.”
No sooner had the words fallen than He Xihuan dropped his racket, his brows furrowing tightly as he grabbed Xu Yiwen’s wrist. With exceptional tension, he pressed down on Xu Yiwen’s shoulders and scanned him up and down.
The two of them had engaged in a fierce argument that morning, leaving both of their emotions affected. Hearing that Xu Yiwen’s car had broken down, He Xihuan couldn’t help but connect these two events.
“How did the car break down? With time to come here and play badminton, why didn’t you know to go to the hospital?” He Xihuan’s words dragged out a heavy, labored breath.
“The car.” Xu Yiwen was baffled, his tone pausing for a moment. “It’s just that the car behind was driven by a novice, followed too closely, and rear-ended me. It’s already been handled.”
“I wasn’t hurt, I don’t need to go to the hospital.” Xu Yiwen ducked away from He Xihuan’s fierce gaze, bending down to pick up the racket that had fallen to the ground. Lowering his gaze to inspect the racket, he asked, “Are we leaving?”
He Xihuan didn’t seem to have recovered from his rapid breathing yet; his lips moved slightly, but no sound came out.
Liang Ang on the side understood the situation clearly.
As it turned out, all three of these people listened to Xu Yiwen.
To keep this Wen Yuhang here, he had to make Xu Yiwen stay.
He gave Xu Yiwen a brief appraisal: cold, aloof, and noble, with eyebrows full of melancholy.
His looks and figure were top-tier, but someone who wore such indifference on their face must be terribly boring. He had no idea why He Xihuan would like that type.
This fellow named Wen Yuhang, however, suited his tastes. Even though a ball had hit him, a pair of peach-blossom eyes made it impossible for him to hold a grudge.
Unfortunately, Wen Yuhang also seemed to fancy Xu Yiwen.
That made it all the more reason not to let Xu Yiwen leave.
“Looks like everyone’s tired. How about this, I’ll treat everyone to dinner. It’s a newly opened restaurant, and I happen to be the boss.”
He took a few steps forward, tilting his head to wedge himself between Xu Yiwen and Wen Yuhang. “Sister-in-law, it’s our first time meeting, you can’t reject my hospitality. Come give me your feedback.”
Duan Shuye chimed in tactfully, “Then I’ll go help President He prepare a change of clothes.”
He tapped his head again, pretending to remember something. “Right, Madam bought President He new clothes and shoes. I’ll go fetch them for him from the locker room.”
“They’re at the front desk.” Xu Yiwen finally relented. Duan Shuye acknowledged the instruction and headed toward the front desk.
Seeing Xu Yiwen agree, Wen Yuhang also reluctantly agreed to Liang Ang, who had been hovering and nagging him with invitations the whole time.
Impatiently, Wen Yuhang pushed Liang Ang away. “Mr. Liang, I’m heading to the Beta locker room. Our paths don’t cross.”
He deliberately emphasized the word Beta, only to see a surging spark of interest rise in Liang Ang’s eyes.
“Damn it!” Wen Yuhang cursed inwardly and quickened his pace.
In this day and age, do all Alphas like people older than them?
He had already lost Xu Yiwen to this junior named He Xihuan. He absolutely wouldn’t get entangled with another stinky kid who called He Xihuan a brother.