At that moment, only one thought was echoing in my heart: when fate arrives, there really is no blocking it.
I was just thinking of a certain someone, and that certain someone appeared before me completely off-guard even if the current scene was a little bit awkward.
I could swear on my life, it really was only a little bit awkward…
My foot! It was super awkward, okay?
The water glass I had been holding unconsciously had just accidentally emptied itself onto someone else’s back.
Because that person turned around, gave me a faint glance, and then pulled out a small square pocket square from his suit jacket to wipe the water off his back.
Needless to say, I must look as stupid as stupid can be right now.
The expression of pleasant surprise hadn’t fully manifested before I discovered this embarrassing scene, so the look on my face was teetering on the edge of “surprise” and “fright.”
It looked neither here nor there, without a shred of handsomeness.
Whatever, what “face” do I have left to speak of in front of him anyway? More embarrassing things have already happened.
He’s seen every inch of me from top to bottom; do I still care about this bit of awkwardness?
No, I don’t care at all…
So, I couldn’t stand watching him twist his body, struggling to wipe his back; besides, I was the one who caused the trouble, so I should be the one to take responsibility.
“How about… I do it?”
The person didn’t even look at me and simply said indifferently, “No need.”
I, You Quan, have been a responsible student since I was a kid; how could I not take responsibility for something I caused?
I moved a bit closer to him, attempting to take the pocket square from his hand to help him resolve the water stains on his back first, and then have a good chat.
It’s not easy to find a handsome older brother who is so pleasing to the eye; I might as well get to know him properly.
And maybe salvage my dignity, which had previously been shattered into who-knows-how-many pieces.
However, just as I moved closer, he had already turned his body and taken a large step back.
That way he avoided me like I was a venomous snake or scorpion was exactly how I avoid my little stepmom.
As if I were some kind of unclean person.
Just how big of a misunderstanding does he have about me? Although our first meeting wasn’t very pleasant and was a bit frivolous, those were unavoidable circumstances in an emergency.
I don’t go around streaking naked every day; I haven’t gone that wild yet.
Even though I just didn’t let him… no, if I had known that Mercedes behind me was his, I wouldn’t have blocked him…
You can’t blame me for that either…
Just as I was about to rub my nose and say something to smooth things over, the man looked up and gave me a faint glance. He spoke, still in that unhurried tone, but so light it seemed like it would scatter with a puff of wind.
“No need.”
Holy cow. My mouth full of words meant for catching up and the joy of seeing him again were just stuck in my throat.
I couldn’t say them, and I couldn’t swallow them; it was as uncomfortable as it could be.
And then, before I could say anything, the man walked away.
As if I were an insignificant passerby and the kind of passerby that brings bad luck with just one glance.
What’s the situation?
What happened to the “everyone-loves-him little prince”?
What happened to the “friend of the same generation”?
What happened to the “best candidate for a good brother”?
What happened to the “candidate for a sugar daddy”?
Did this person not receive the signal that I wanted to be friends with him?
Even though he drives a Mercedes, my little sports car is more expensive, okay?
Does he have to be this cold and heartless?
I must have failed to check the almanac before leaving this morning; not a single thing is going smoothly…
My gloom lasted until the wedding began.
Perhaps my expression was too heartbroken; the brothers who usually mess around with me were all staying far away from me today.
Yeah, that’s right everyone around me knows I like Su Xiaoxiao.
Back when I was young and reckless, I did quite a few outrageous things.
Things like carrying water bottles or buying stuff for the girl were minor.
I also did my fair share of holding a guitar and singing love songs under her building.
All the alumni at school knew that the school bully, You Quan, liked that cold and beautiful school bell.
It was just destined to be a play of “falling flowers have feelings, but the flowing water has none.”
I still used countless failed confessions to prove the truth that “chasing a woman is like crossing a mountain.”
Although my social circle is quite broad, everyone knows I’m not that easy to get along with.
Even though I always have a nonchalant, smiling appearance, ever since I once sent a guy to the hospital, rumors spread that although I was still “me,” I wasn’t the “me” they originally thought.
When I heard this conclusion, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. These people even have to get poetic when they criticize me; what’s the deal?
You couldn’t blame me for that incident either. I’m not a hoodlum myself, but my dad is. Even though I received an education, there’s still a bit of “hoodlum factor” in my bones.
And that guy was blind enough to corner Su Xiaoxiao in the girls’ restroom to act like a creep…
If this can be endured, what can’t? I believe no one can stand their goddess being harassed by someone who is clearly less of a “thug” than themselves.
Isn’t that just looking down on people?
Just as I wanted to make a sentimental, self-pitying remark like, “Sigh, people really do like to reminisce about the past once they get old…”
My neck was pulled into someone’s arm.
“Brother Quan, don’t be sad. Even though the goddess is getting married, there’s still a whole forest out there waiting for you…”
Hearing that familiar voice, I knew my best partner in the country, Liu Quandong, had arrived with the nickname “Da Peng” (Great Roc).
Why the nickname Da Peng? Because this idiot, when participating in the high jump at the tenth-grade sports meet, failed his first jump. Despite that, he still contributed three standard “Great Roc Spreads Its Wings” poses on the field.
From then on, Liu Quandong was stuck with this joke of a nickname.
Most importantly, this guy is extremely long-winded. If I don’t stop him, according to his nature, he can casually whip up a three-hundred-word essay to lament my heartbroken state after being heartlessly abandoned by my goddess.
To be honest, regarding Su Xiaoxiao getting married, I was more surprised than sad.
I just saw her husband; how should I put it?
An honest-looking man, seems to be an engineer, the kind of type I never imagined for her.
He’s not even as good-looking as me. I don’t know how the high-and-mighty Su Xiaoxiao decided to marry him.
But since the goddess has made her decision, even if the chosen one isn’t me, I can only maintain an attitude of congratulations.
This is my final bit of dignity, and also my respect for my goddess.
While I was dazed, Da Peng had already talked for another long stretch, until he said, “Today, your bro will take you out to find beauty and try something new? No, no, no, one isn’t enough…”
“Stop…” I pulled his hand off me, then turned to look at him. “Speak human.”
Da Peng sat down beside me and looked at me quite aggrievedly.
“Quanquan, you’re disgusted by me?”
What the f***. The logic of a “god-tier” person is always so incomprehensible. How was I “disgusted” by him?
Okay, I was disgusted by him…
Who told him to talk so much and keep rubbing salt in the wound? He knows about the incident where my dad caught me at the hotel date, and now he still dares to bring it up?
Needless to say, the fact that I was caught naked by my dad at the hotel and taken back must have spread through my circle of friends.
When I turned on my phone last night, I was bombarded with greetings and “concern” from all sides.
The more I read, the more my anger rose…
Finally, I posted a status and quickly turned off the phone to sleep.
The text was: “I am still well, do not worry…” accompanied by a picture of the Buddha…
Thinking of how Da Peng had followed behind me for so many years acting silly and playing the fool he’d be the first one in a fight and the last one when skipping class, looking like he’d follow me to the ends of the earth.
My heart softened for a moment. “Stop acting; it doesn’t work on me.”
The pitiful look on Da Peng’s face vanished instantly, replaced quickly by a cheeky grin as he leaned toward me.
“When did you get out?”
“This morning.”
“Your dad is really ruthless, catching you and taking you back like that.”
I frowned and turned to give him an “eye-dagger.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Da Peng is a sensible person. His usual cheeky grin is just his habitual attitude; knowing my trigger points, he immediately made a gesture of zipping his lips.
But from the angle of my glance at him, I saw that handsome older brother.
Holy s***. This, this, this…
He was following closely behind the best man. What’s the deal?
A groomsman?
My expression was perhaps too focused and surprised; Da Peng immediately leaned in.
“That guy is your Xiaoxiao goddess’s senior. He currently works in software development for a big company. He looks okay and comes from a middle-class family. Not as handsome as you, not as rich as you, your goddess doesn’t have great taste, choosing him over you.”
Only then did I realize that Da Peng thought I was dazed because I was looking at the groom.
Are you kidding me? Isn’t it obvious the groom is inferior to me? What’s there to be surprised about?
What I was curious about was the situation with the handsome guy behind the groom who looked like a groomsman.
Perhaps my silence gave Da Peng the courage to continue; his long-winded speech started again.
“Back in the day, your heart for Su Xiaoxiao was like ‘a sincere heart reflecting the bright moon’ known to everyone, far and wide. The number of girls moved by it was countless, yet you didn’t fancy a single one, being loyal only to her. That ‘loyal dog’ appearance made even a close friend like me unable to believe it. I thought she’d end up picking someone amazing, but this is so unexpected.”
I was thinking about something and didn’t really mind him rambling in my ear, but since every sentence he said was disparaging of my goddess, I still felt it was a bit much to listen to.
“Hey, say a few words less.”
Da Peng pulled my arm and spoke like a “hand-warmer” meant to warm one’s heart and lungs: “Don’t be sad, brother. Out with the old, in with the new.”
“I’m not sad.”
Da Peng probably thought I was just brushing him off and not telling the truth, so he said very earnestly, “Really, brother, what is yours will eventually be yours.”
I finally withdrew my gaze and looked at his worried face; a sliver of touched emotion actually welled up in my heart.
I reached out, cupped his somewhat large face, and said very seriously and solemnly: “I’m really not that sad. I’m just curious about who he is.”
My gesture made Da Peng’s mouth pucker, making his speech a bit slurred: “Isn’t he just Hao Jian, your goddess’s husband?”
I knew Da Peng hadn’t gotten my point. I had no choice but to cup his face and turn it in another direction.
Aimed right at that person, I was just short of pointing my finger as I finally spoke: “I’m saying, who is that handsome guy behind Hao Jian? See him? That one…”