“I was wondering who it was? Turns out it’s Shen He.” A delicate voice, accompanied by the clack-clack-clack of high heels, interrupted, sounding somewhat abrupt in the music-playing private room.
Su Hao and Shen He both looked up in unison, and saw Miss Li wearing a short cropped top exposing her waist and jeans, hands on her waist, smiling at them.
She was quite tall, casting a shadow over them, but still, the feeling of thorns was visible. Rather than looking at them, it seemed she was observing Su Hao, unobtrusively measuring her up.
Behind her, there were two more men. Su Hao’s gaze shifted and landed on Zhou Yang. He frowned, and a few seconds later, he called out, “Li Xiu, come out.”
“I just came in to say hello.” Li Xiu replied coquettishly. That voice could soften a man’s heart when she called out.
Li Yi said, “What are you doing, ruining their date?” His tone was also unfriendly.
Shen He shot Li Xiu a sharp glance, then shouted, “Zhou Yang-ge, Li Yi-ge, you guys are here to play ball too?”
“Yes, I just came to have some fun.” Zhou Yang walked in, went to the coffee table, bent down, flicked some ash into the ashtray, then stood up, biting his cigarette, squinting at Li Xiu.
Li Xiu seemed to realize he wasn’t joking when he called her out. Her back stiffened.
For a moment, the atmosphere was a bit tense.
Until Shen He had a flash of inspiration: “Zhou Yang-ge, why don’t you guys stay and play together?”
Zhou Yang lifted his gaze to Shen He, after a moment, smiled faintly, “Really?”
He could see through Shen He’s trick immediately.
Shen laughed heartily, patted the billiard table, and the previous displeasure vanished, saying, “Yes, stay and play together. Oh, this is Su Hao.”
He introduced her to Li Yi. Li Yi walked over while opening a drink, smoking, and said, “Su Hao, hello.”
He looked at Su Hao.
Su Hao nodded at him, “Hello.”
This man had a buzz cut, and because his shirt buttons weren’t fully fastened, a scar along his collarbone was faintly visible. The whole person looked very cold and rigid.
They all belonged to Zhou Yang’s circle.
Su Hao withdrew her gaze, standing quietly beside Shen He. Zhou Yang extinguished his cigarette, rolled up his sleeves, walked over, and picked up a cue stick.
Li Xiu excitedly said, “I’ll help you rack the balls.”
After saying that, she glanced at Zhou Yang, seemingly asking for approval. Zhou Yang leaned on the table, glanced at her, then smiled, “Rack them, watch what I do.”
Li Xiu breathed a sigh of relief, immediately obediently racking the balls with precise movements. Her legs were long and straight like a model’s. After finishing, she looked at Zhou Yang, seeking praise.
Zhou Yang scoffed but didn’t praise her.
Shen He tilted his head to Su Hao and said, “See, Zhou Yang-ge is like this, wherever he goes, women want to be with him, and one by one they jump at him. Even little hot peppers become like mallow flowers, gentle.”
Su Hao smiled faintly but didn’t reply.
Not sure how to respond. This man had a way of making women throw themselves into fire.
“Alright, alright, are you cold?”
Because they were close, Shen He noticed some tiny bumps appear on Su Hao’s exposed skin. Su Hao shook her head, “Not cold. The game is starting, good luck.”
“Mm, will do!” Shen He’s eyebrows lifted, gripping the cue, “Then you have to cheer for me.”
Su Hao nodded, “Okay.”
Her voice was very gentle, in the private room, soft and melodious like a warbler’s song, impossible to ignore.
At her “Okay,”
Bang! Zhou Yang started the game, sinking two balls. Li Xiu on the side, eyes sparkling: “So amazing!”
Zhou Yang stood, walked over. Su Hao was at the corner of the table, holding a cue, stepping back. Zhou Yang glanced at her unintentionally. Orange light flickered, the gentle expression on her brow hadn’t faded, her eyes seemed wet, almost shimmering. Their eyes met briefly.
He stood there, holding chalk, rubbed the cue, then bent down, took a shot.
Bang! Another ball sank.
Li Xiu clapped excitedly again, “Zhou Yang, you’re so amazing.”
Her voice was delicate, genuinely proud.
Shen He clicked his tongue, cue resting on the table, “Zhou Yang-ge, play carefully, don’t give me a chance. Watch your footing.”
“Right, Su Hao?” He looked at her like a little wolf pup needing encouragement.
Su Hao smiled, generously praising, “Yes, you played very well just now.”
Zhou Yang walked to the other side, cue in hand, swung, and sank two more balls. Then he cleared the table. Li Xiu’s eyes stayed sparkling, full of admiration.
Shen leaned against the screen, talking to Su Hao, Zhou Yang didn’t hold back, nor did he mind.
Anyway, Su Hao would comfort him.
As long as Su Hao thought he played well, that was enough.
This “everything is fine as long as Su Hao is satisfied” attitude amused Li Yi. He sat on the coffee table, drinking, and said, “Shen He, you’re really just showing off to us, huh?”
Shen took a moment, responded to Li Yi, “Yes, you guessed it!”
“Oh, impressive.” Li Yi laughed back.
He looked at Zhou Yang. Zhou Yang held the cue, paused, didn’t play, cue against the table, head down, lighting a cigarette. Li Yi said, “Zhou Yang, you’re just feeding Mr. Shen’s vanity.”
When Shen invited them in to play, that was the plan. Zhou Yang saw it at once, but still came in. Must say, Zhou Yang really favors Shen He, or maybe it was his first time playing matchmaker, hoping for a perfect ending. But if so, why not let him win easily? Why play every ball to the end?
Zhou Yang lifted his head, leaned on the billiard table, fingers tapped the white ball.
Thud.
The ball sank.
Zhou Yang looked at Shen He, who had been chatting with Su Hao, smiling lazily: “Come on, your turn. Best if you clear the table in one shot.”
“Huh?” Shen He froze, immediately took the cue, instinctively grabbed Su Hao’s wrist. Su Hao froze, didn’t resist, and followed him to the table. Shen smiled at Su Hao, “Cheer for me, like Li Xiu does.”
Su Hao instinctively glanced at Li Xiu beside Zhou Yang. Li Xiu raised her brows, eyes provocative, confident like the car she drives, constantly flirting with Zhou Yang, full of girlish gestures. Totally different from her. Su Hao smiled slightly, whispered to Shen He, “I can’t. I can only quietly cheer for you.”
Her hair smelled fragrant. She lowered her head to speak, hair cascading down. She smelled it, hand trembling, whispered back, “I like your quiet cheering, really great.”
Su Hao froze.
Then smiled.
“Mm.”
Her “Mm” sounded content.
The men present all heard it.
Gentle. Different from the coquettish voice, soft as water, like a little paw scratching then retracting.
With Su Hao’s nod, Shen He resolved to finish all the balls on the table. Although his skill wasn’t as good as Zhou Yang’s, it wasn’t far off.
With a little effort, it could be done.
Zhou Yang leaned against the cabinet, smoking. Beside him, Li Xiu chattered non-stop, flirting. He took the wine cup, sipped, red liquid, seemingly reflecting those shimmering eyes.
Leaving the Starry Sky Club was a bit late. Su Hao bent to get in the car. The door closed, windows rolling. She checked the time on her phone.
The driver’s door opened. Shen He got in, head down, pressing voice message, said, “Zhou Yang-ge, thank you.”
Sincere thanks.
Su Hao looked out the window.
After one night, she understood Shen He’s gratitude. Zhou Yang intentionally went easy, letting Shen He perform greatly. He was playing matchmaker for the first time, trying to make a good impression.
In the past, she wouldn’t have imagined a man she liked introducing her to a boyfriend, so deliberately.
She glanced at Shen He.
Althought: I also have to thank Zhou Yang, so thoughtful.
The car drove on the road. A bit of music played softly. The moon was bright tonight, street lights angled, occasionally lighting her face briefly, then returning to darkness. Shen He glanced at Su Hao’s profile, and felt her gentleness like silk.
Heart unwilling to part.
“Su Hao, my flight is tomorrow.”
Su Hao returned to reality, looked at him, then smiled, “Mm, let’s keep in touch on WeChat.”
“Okay.”
Their relationship is uncertain. Shen tapped the steering wheel nervously, but thought, it’s fine, first friends, no rush.
The car reached Huahui Community. Parking wasn’t allowed, so Su Hao got out, bent slightly, and said goodbye to Shen He. Shen turned, reached the back seat, pulled out a bouquet of roses, and handed it to her. Su Hao froze for a second, then took it. She rested her chin on the roses like a flower sprite, “Thank you.”
What a gentle woman.
Shen He cleared his throat several times, said, “Anyway, remember WeChat contact. I’ll come to Li City when I’m done.”
“Okay. You still owe me a meal.”
“Yes, I still owe you one.” Shen He was overjoyed. She left a chance for repayment, his heart lightened, faint melancholy gone.
From behind came the beep of the car.
Su Hao straightened, watched the black Mercedes leave, then turned toward the stairs. Upstairs, she placed the roses, then took pajamas to shower.
After the shower, she poured a glass of milk, sat on the sofa, picked up her phone, and looked.
Shen He: I arrived.
Su Hao: Okay, good night.
Shen He: Good night.
About to exit, WeChat had a new message.
She paused.
T: Heard you went to Li City?
Su Hao: Yes. Is France okay?
T: Very well, keep it up.
Su Hao: Keep it up.
The black Mercedes disappeared into the night. Zhou Yang, Li Yi, and Li Xiu finally came out. Zhou Yang loosened his collar, glanced at the valet. The valet immediately went to drive the car over. Li Xiu looked at the direction the black sedan left, then at the lazy, flirtatious man beside her, “Zhou Yang, this Su Hao… who is she? Did she come to your company too, arranged by you?”
Zhou Yang glanced at her, smiled, “What do you think?”
Once again, no answer. Li Xiu stomped, “I’m just asking, always not answering me.”
She completely looked like Zhou Yang’s type: outgoing, bold personality, flashy, thorny, delicate. Over the past six months, many chased Zhou Yang, only she got little response. She felt she could still persist.
Zhou Yang saw her test in words, smiled leisurely.
Li Xiu blushed from his smile.
She was nervous here, that Su Hao wasn’t Zhou Yang’s type at all.
A black Hummer drove over, stopped at the entrance. The three got off the steps. Zhou Yang went around to drive. Opening the car door, his phone buzzed.
He picked it up, glanced.
Two messages.
Shen He: “Zhou Yang-ge, thank you.”
Shen He: “Oh my, Su Hao smells so good, soft and fragrant!!”
Seconds later.
Zhou Yang: “Oh?”
A second later.
Zhou Yang: “You hugged her?”
Author’s Note: This chapter continues with 100 red envelopes. Thanks to the angels who voted or poured nutrient fluids between 20200513 16:29:41–20200515 16:14:41.
[Followed by the list of thanks and supporters, omitted here for clarity in translation]