On a rainy night at Victoria Harbour, in the 36th-floor revolving restaurant, the crystal chandeliers sparkled brilliantly. The luxurious private room was filled with guests, all notable figures in the entertainment industry. Glasses were filled with wine, yet no one dared to take a sip.
As the clock struck seven, the heavy door of the private room finally opened. A man in his thirties entered, dressed in a suit with gold-rimmed glasses, exuding an air of elegance and nobility.
“Mr. Jiang!” Everyone stood up to greet their boss, a mix of respect and a hint of nervousness in their voices.
“Please, sit down. We were the ones who were late. Yanlin’s car broke down halfway here. Next time, get a new car, Fu the superstar,” Jiang Ji said with a gentle smile, teasing the man who followed him in.
“Sorry for being late. I’ll take the blame for both Mr. Jiang and myself, and drink six glasses as a penalty,” Fu Yanlin said with a humble and humorous tone. Under the crystal lights, his handsome face appeared even more chiseled and striking. He bent slightly, revealing a slender waist under his shirt. He poured wine for Jiang Ji before sitting down beside him.
No one spoke. Everyone knew that Fu Yanlin’s status had skyrocketed. The media exaggeratedly called him “King Liu’s successor.” His company, Hope Entertainment, was one of the leading entertainment companies in Hong Kong, with countless popular artists under its wing. Everyone knew he was Jiang Ji’s favored artist, having been pulled out of a near career-ending slump by Jiang Ji himself.
“Oh, it’s only right for us to wait for Mr. Jiang and Brother Lin,” someone said, changing their tune to flatter the boss and the leading star. No one dared to actually make Fu Yanlin drink as a penalty.
“Relax, everyone. I called you here because you’re the core employees of the company. Today is just a casual meal to get closer and maybe chat about work,” Jiang Ji said, pausing to look around. “Tomorrow, a newcomer named Leo will join us. You might have heard of him. Unfortunately, his flight was delayed, or he would have joined us today. Let’s eat and talk. By the way, the owner of this restaurant is a friend of mine, so you’re in for a treat.”
The atmosphere lightened, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
“That newcomer has quite an impressive resume. At nineteen, he already earned a master’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley. A Lin, you better work hard,” Jiang Ji joked, patting Fu Yanlin’s shoulder.
Fu Yanlin smiled smoothly, “The company needs fresh blood. Young and talented newcomers getting Mr. Jiang’s support and such a great platform is a win-win for both him and the company.”
“Brother Lin, I heard you just returned from a concert tour in Korea. Congratulations on breaking records with sold-out shows. You were trending for days,” someone flattered.
“Indeed, it was like a showdown with He Kai. The headlines were all about the two kings competing. I wonder who will win this year’s Golden Record Award,” another added, but the room fell silent, with some exchanging glances and sneaking looks at Fu Yanlin.
Everyone knew that Fu Yanlin and King He from Asia Entertainment were fierce rivals, their competition reaching a boiling point.
“The media, especially those marketing accounts, love to write exaggerated headlines. He Kai and I were once under the same mentor, and we’re old acquaintances. Fair competition is good,” Fu Yanlin said, downing his drink in one go, his expression unchanged, though the smile in his eyes faded.
The name He Kai was a thorn in his heart, one he couldn’t remove or swallow, leaving his career in tatters. Yet, because of this person, he met a man he could never forget, though they were now worlds apart, unsure if they’d ever meet again.
“Table service!” A crisp bell interrupted Fu Yanlin’s wandering thoughts. Wait, why did this voice sound so familiar? He turned abruptly—
A young man wearing a mask entered, pushing a cart. He wore a linen chef’s uniform with a black apron tied at his waist, looking neat and highlighting his slim waist and long legs.
He demonstrated tableside cooking for the guests, pouring white wine into a pan, which flared up dramatically. He calmly continued cooking, basting the dish with butter and orange juice. Finally, he plated the duck, slicing it evenly, the meat perfectly cooked with a hint of pink, garnished with sweet orange and rosemary.
The man’s movements were fluid and mesmerizing. He smiled slightly, his eyes bright as stars, exuding a sense of pride and passion for his profession.
Fu Yanlin froze, recognizing the man even with the mask. No, he would recognize him even if he were reduced to ashes. Mo Xiaobei! The man he had longed to see for over three years.
“Fire Roasted Orange Duck, please enjoy,” Mo Xiaobei said politely, serving each guest. When he reached Fu Yanlin, their eyes met, both momentarily stunned. Mo Xiaobei’s hands began to tremble, almost dropping the warm plate. If not for the mask, his expression would have been as colorful as the duck marinated and roasted with various spices.
“Please enjoy,” Mo Xiaobei said, taking a deep breath and placing the plate steadily in front of Fu Yanlin.
He had a feeling he would run into Fu Yanlin in Hong Kong, but he hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. Unprepared, he hadn’t reached out beforehand. After all, their relationship was in the past, and he hadn’t decided whether to try again. Given Fu Yanlin’s current status, he likely wasn’t lacking company. Someone like him wasn’t worth mentioning.
“Do you know each other? Chef Mo was specially recruited from Kempinski by the owner of Yun Zhou, my friend. We both like to poach talent. I got A Lin, and he got Chef Mo,” Jiang Ji joked, his gaze curious and playful as it flitted between Mo Xiaobei and Fu Yanlin.
“We know each other… we…” Fu Yanlin hesitated, trying to explain, but Mo Xiaobei interrupted, “Not well!”
Fu Yanlin was taken aback, gripping his fork tightly.
Realizing his words were too abrupt, Mo Xiaobei smiled to smooth things over. “We met a long time ago while traveling. It’s quite a coincidence to meet here.”
“Oh, that’s quite the coincidence. Aren’t Brother Lin’s photos taken by Mr. Mo? I didn’t expect the chef to be a professional photographer too,” someone chimed in, trying to lighten the mood.
“Yes, I’m glad to see you again. You came to Hong Kong and didn’t say a word. Didn’t consider me a friend?” Fu Yanlin’s eyes glinted with a faint fire as he stared at Mo Xiaobei, forcing him to meet his gaze.
“It’s been so long since we last spoke. I thought you were too busy for me to bother. Besides, I’ve only been here a month, and the new job keeps me busy. Let’s catch up another time, Brother Lin. You all continue, I won’t disturb you,” Mo Xiaobei said, pushing the cart away, almost fleeing the room.
Jiang Ji leisurely cut a piece of duck and tasted it, his face showing amazement. He looked at Fu Yanlin meaningfully. “Yun Zhou indeed has a keen eye, making a perfect match.”
Fu Yanlin’s brow twitched. He reached for his wine glass, and as he lifted his hand, a faint pink scar across his palm became visible. Perhaps because of the rainy weather, it itched and ached more than usual today.
Fu Yanlin’s hands were pale, slender, and well-suited for playing the piano, but the long scar on his right palm marred their beauty. His manager had suggested several times that cosmetic surgery could easily remove it, and a fortune teller once lamented that it obscured his love line, making his future unclear.
Yet Fu Yanlin always found excuses to avoid it. When he was stubborn, no one could persuade him.
He took a sip of wine and then slowly ate the duck. It had been a long time since he had tasted such delicious food. In his memory, Mo Xiaobei had never made such exquisite dishes for him. He excelled at turning ordinary ingredients into top-tier delicacies. They had once roamed bustling alleys, eating skewers at food stalls, laughing and singing without restraint…
Accidentally choosing the wrong wine, Fu Yanlin found the last bite unbearably salty and bitter.
As the gathering ended, Fu Yanlin called a driver for Jiang Ji, who waved him off. Jiang Ji turned back, winking at him with a rare hint of youthful mischief. “Someone’s picking me up. If you don’t go after him, the cooked duck will really fly away.”
“I…” Fu Yanlin stared blankly at his boss.
Jiang Ji pushed him lightly. “You’re not an idol. The company doesn’t forbid you from dating. I’m not playing with you youngsters anymore. If I don’t leave, my wife’s jealousy will explode.”
Jiang Ji grabbed the umbrella from Fu Yanlin, opened it, and dashed into the rain. A Bentley was parked by the street, with a tall man inside. As Jiang Ji got in, they shared a kiss… The car started, splashing water joyfully as it sped away.
Fu Yanlin knew that man was Liang Baixi, an investor in Hope Entertainment, the elusive big boss behind the scenes, and Jiang Ji’s legal partner. Standing under the restaurant’s eaves, he lit a cigarette, feeling a twinge of envy for the couple.
In that moment, Fu Yanlin had only one thought: he had to see Mo Xiaobei. He rushed back into the restaurant and directly approached a server. “I need to see Chef Mo.”
“Chef just left. He went downstairs. Didn’t you see him?” The waitress was a bit surprised. She was used to serving dignitaries and was immune to the likes of Fu Yanlin.
Fu Yanlin rushed to the window and caught a glimpse of Mo Xiaobei. He dashed downstairs, intending to catch up, only to see a man suddenly appear beside Mo Xiaobei.
No, he was more of a boy, too young, with lake-blue dyed curls and a ruby earring. He wore a hip-hop style T-shirt and smiled attentively at Mo Xiaobei, tilting the umbrella towards him. “Bei, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”
Mo Xiaobei smiled. “Leo, I told you I was working late. You didn’t have to come pick me up after just getting off the plane.”
Feeling something, he turned and met Fu Yanlin’s gaze. Fu Yanlin, having rushed over, had forgotten an umbrella, and the rain had soaked him completely.
Leo tilted his head slightly, his deep, beautiful eyes curious as he subtly shielded Mo Xiaobei. “Are you Bei’s friend? Do you need something?”
His Chinese was a bit unpolished, and he was an exceptionally handsome, doll-like mixed-race man. Fu Yanlin immediately knew who he was—the newcomer arriving tomorrow. He seemed familiar, but with his mind in chaos, Fu Yanlin couldn’t place him.
Fu Yanlin hadn’t felt so disheveled in a long time. He instinctively reached for Mo Xiaobei’s sleeve but grasped only air.
“Mr. Fu, let’s talk another time. Today really isn’t suitable,” Mo Xiaobei said politely but firmly.
“I…” Fu Yanlin couldn’t utter a word. He was part of the past, with no reason to stop them. He could only watch as the bright red sports car roared into the night, leaving him with nothing but exhaust fumes.
Fu Yanlin stood there, stunned, suddenly realizing that this reunion might truly mean losing him forever.
He and Mo Xiaobei could never return to three years ago. Fu Yanlin clenched his fist tightly, the scar throbbing painfully, itching unbearably. He walked home alone, head down, unable to stop the memories from playing in his mind like a film reel. But this old movie’s other viewer had already left the theater.
[📢Author’s Note]
Starting a new story~ Please save, comment, and roll around~