Are you… Teacher Min?
Ji Subai stared intently at Min Zhuozhou without blinking for a moment. Then, with a flawless, pleasantly surprised smile, he broke the silence first:
It really is you! I’ve seen many of your works abroad!
Hearing his voice, Min Zhuozhou recovered from his brief lapse of focus. His expression remained completely composed as he subtly cast a glance at Pei Che. He then raised a hand to greet Ji Subai with refined, reserved politeness:
Thank you. The album Teacher Ji released was also of very high quality.
You praise me too much. I was just singing casually.
Vibrant innocence and bashfulness flickered in Ji Subai’s eyes, like a young boy embarrassed after being praised by an idol he had always admired. His brows and eyes were filled with proud charm, though he put up a rather unpracticed pretension of hiding it.
He stepped closer and quite naturally grabbed hold of Pei Che’s sleeve. With bright, glittering eyes and a soft voice that sounded like a whisper to a lover, he said, A-Che, did you hear that? Teacher Min praised me.
Pei Che’s brows knit together slightly, feeling an urge to pull his arm away from Ji Subai’s grip. He looked toward Min Zhuozhou, only to find that his expression hadn’t changed in the slightest, he remained at ease in a lightly playful manner, unhurried and full of easy grace.
He acted as if he completely didn’t care.
An indescribable feeling surged in Pei Che’s heart. Driven by a thought he couldn’t even explain to himself, he allowed Ji Subai to hold onto him while his gaze fell undisguisedly upon Min Zhuozhou, uttering a rather cold, Mm.
Min Zhuozhou kept his smile. Having lived a free and easy life for many years, he could delicately dissect the subtle emotional layers behind any small expression or movement from others, let alone a reaction like Ji Subai’s, which practically had ambiguity written all over his face.
It was a bit of an eyesore.
Min Zhuozhou narrowed the corners of his eyes slightly, thinking to himself that the look this so-called old friend of Pei Che gave him was hardly innocent. That almost overflowing innocence and purity made him feel quite uncomfortable.
The river breeze, wrapped in the chill of autumn, brushed past him, making him belatedly realize he was dressed a bit too thinly.
Oh, right, Teacher Min, Ji Subai said as if suddenly remembering something, biting his lip awkwardly, I’ve already contacted a PR agency to delete those untrue comments online… I don’t know why it turned out like that either. That vlog was filmed that way because the show’s production team arranged it.
Min Zhuozhou knew clearly that it was just a hype tactic used by the production team to increase exposure, but he remained skeptical of Ji Subai’s claim of being completely unaware.
Holding a smile, he first replied with great generosity, It’s fine, and then said:
Teacher Ji just returned to the country, so you probably don’t know much about how things work here. Simply deleting comments can easily trigger a backlash from netizens. It would still be better to trouble you to personally issue a statement.
Min Zhuozhou paused subtly, appreciating the flash of reluctance that crossed Ji Subai’s face, before continuing lightly, I wonder if it’s convenient for Teacher Ji?
It’s convenient, of course it’s convenient…
Although Min Zhuozhou spoke in a gentle, inquiring tone, his stance was already explicitly clear. Having no reason to refuse, Ji Subai had no choice but to agree very obediently.
Pei Che, who had never paid attention to the entertainment industry, stood to the side listening in utter confusion. He looked at Ji Subai, then turned his gaze back to Min Zhuozhou and asked, What untrue comments?
Min Zhuozhou never talked to Pei Che about his work, partly because he felt it was unnecessary, and partly because he didn’t want to create an illusion for himself that he had a wealthy house to rely on. He raised his eyes to meet Pei Che’s and answered nonchalantly, It’s nothing major.
Right, it’s just people online saying that we look a bit alike…
Ji Subai clearly intended to blur the main point. He curved the corners of his beautiful eyes and said softly, Especially our eyes.
Min Zhuozhou raised an eyebrow, a glint of playfulness flashing in his eyes, feeling somewhat curious about how Pei Che would react.
Pei Che froze for a second, followed immediately by a trace of displeasure crossing his brow.
Ji Subai hastily added, They are all baseless posts, and I’ve already contacted the PR agency to delete them.
Pei Che offered no opinion on whether they looked alike or not. He turned to Min Zhuozhou and asked, Why didn’t you tell me when something happened?
Min Zhuozhou answered in a calm tone, It really isn’t a big deal.
He didn’t want to discuss the boundaries between himself and Pei Che in front of a stranger. Checking the time, he pursed his lips with a slight sense of apology: My friend is still waiting for me. If you’ll excuse me.
Ji Subai uttered an Ah, his gaze shifting back and forth between the two of them as he softly tried to keep him: It looks like… Teacher Min and A-Che know each other too, right? Why don’t we all go together?
No, I generally don’t drink with people I’m not familiar with.
Min Zhuozhou rejected the offer calmly. He raised his eyes, his gaze flickering with that signature charm that made it impossible for anyone to feel resentment even when being turned down.
However, I’m still very glad to meet a new friend.
Min Zhuozhou’s conversations usually followed the art of leaving room. After refusing Ji Subai, he also left him a bit of leeway, saying with a smile, Next time when there’s a chance, let me treat Teacher Ji to a meal.
With that, Min Zhuozhou didn’t give Ji Subai a chance to agree or decline before stepping away to leave.
Wait. Pei Che called out to stop him.
Min Zhuozhou turned his head, giving him a questioning look.
Pei Che looked at him in silence for a moment, walked over to Min Zhuozhou’s side, took off his suit jacket, and draped it over Min Zhuozhou’s shoulders. He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to a range where only the two of them could hear: Your injuries haven’t fully healed yet. Why are you wearing so little?
Min Zhuozhou was about to say that it wasn’t cold at all inside the tavern, but then, as if suddenly understanding something, he beamed a bright smile and said in a half-joking, ambiguous tone:
Mr. Pei, are you trying to ‘mark your territory’ on me with a piece of clothing… Is it only allowed for you to meet your old flame at night, but not for me to hook up with someone new?
He isn’t. Pei Che gave Min Zhuozhou a cold look.
Fine, Min Zhuozhou changed his words submissively, if you say he isn’t, then he isn’t.
Pei Che nodded and said in an unquestionable tone, I’ll come pick you up when you’re done. Don’t drink too much.
The corners of Min Zhuozhou’s lips curled slightly as he leaned into his ear and whispered, Thank you. I’m honored to trouble your grand presence.
Min Zhuozhou walked away wearing the jacket. Pei Che stood where he was, watching him turn the corner into a tavern before faintly withdrawing his gaze.
Not far away, the river waves were vast and boundless. The sound of singing had not yet ceased, having switched at some point to a melodious and gentle tune carrying a touch of poetic sorrow.
Ji Subai quietly stared at, or rather, admired, Pei Che’s back, just as Pei Che’s gaze had followed Min Zhuozhou.
The young man was deep in thought. A trace of distorted emotion flickered in his beautiful pupils, a cold smile failing to reach his eyes before quickly dissipating into the hazy tail end of the song.
When Min Zhuozhou entered the tavern, he happened to come face-to-face with Fu Zhen, who had been craning his neck in anticipation.
An Shu was no longer in her seat. Only Fu Zhen was left guarding a table full of custom cocktail mixes, looking exceptionally miserable, like an honest man who had been stood up by some unknown bastard.
Min Zhuozhou exchanged wide-eyed stares with the huffy Fu Zhen for a moment before letting out a soft laugh, realizing he probably couldn’t escape the fate of penalizing himself with three drinks along with a full confession for leniency.
Fu Zhen glared straight at him for a long while, successfully triggering his great logical mind of a top student skill. His eyes landed precisely on the jacket of unknown identity, seizing the primary aspect of the main contradiction, and let out a loud howl of accusation:
You fucking went out to hook up with a man, didn’t you!
I didn’t.
Min Zhuozhou placed both hands in front of his chest and made a natural downward pressing gesture, smiling as he signaled Fu Zhen to lower his volume.
He walked over to his seat and sat down, noticing that Fu Zhen had ordered a plate of piping hot German sausages. Back then, Fu Zhen’s study abroad location was in West Germany, and he had a special fondness for this imported food seasoned with marjoram.
Having just been blown by the cold wind outside, Min Zhuozhou felt chilly inside and out. If he drank alcohol like this, his stomach would surely feel uncomfortable, so he used a small fork to pick up a piece of sausage, intending to warm his stomach with some hot food.
With a clack, Min Zhuozhou’s fork was tapped by another fork extending over. He raised his head and happened to meet Fu Zhen’s gaze, which was filled with scrutiny.
Min Zhuozhou tried to passively resist with his fork but failed to succeed, so he had no choice but to put down his innocent utensil and carefully weigh his words: I just ran into an acquaintance.
An acquaintance? Fu Zhen raised an eyebrow, clearly not intending to let him brush it off so easily.
Min Zhuozhou gave an Mm, and then half-truly, half-falsely clutched his stomach as he stooped over slightly. His eyes turned watery, revealing an expression that would make anyone feel heart-pained: Pity me a little, my stomach hurts from the wind.
Convinced he was faking it, Fu Zhen not only watched with a cold eye but also mocked sarcastically, Oh my, you went out and fooled around too much, spraining your waist?
Min Zhuozhou corrected him good-naturedly, It’s my stomach.
Fu Zhen snorted coldly and reluctantly removed his fork that was pressing down on Min Zhuozhou’s, asking, Confess then, what kind of romantic encounter did you run into outside that made you so entranced with pleasure that you heartlessly abandoned me here to guard a cold hut alone?
Min Zhuozhou answered quietly, I ran into Pei Che.
Fu Zhen dragged out his tone with an Oh, mocking him with a serious facade:
Look at you, you even asked for his name. Did he already slip his room key into your shirt pocket too? Tell me, what’s the room number? I’ll call Pei Che right now to catch, Fu Zhen suddenly paused in shock, widening his eyes as he looked at Min Zhuozhou. Wait, who did you say you ran into?
Pei Che. Min Zhuozhou repeated with clear articulation.
He appeared extremely calm, his eyes even revealing a bit of innocence: By the way, he and I share a legal cohabitation residence. Except under special circumstances, we generally don’t need to get a hotel room.
Fu Zhen, an older single male youth, was forced to bitterly swallow this handful of dog food.
No, Fu Zhen took half a day just to squeeze out a sentence; this is too much of a coincidence. What is this, two minds thinking alike?
Mm, it is quite a coincidence, but not with Pei Che.
Min Zhuozhou lowered his eyes, his long, curved eyelashes casting a fan of shadow over his clear eyes. The emotion at the bottom of his eyes was quite subtle, seemingly finding this matter rather interesting.
Fu Zhen was puzzled: Then with whom?
Min Zhuozhou repeatedly toyed with the small silver dining fork in his hand. For a brief moment, he didn’t seem as indifferent as he portrayed himself to be.
Ji Subai.
He raised his eyes to look at Fu Zhen.