On August twenty third, it had been exactly twenty days since the online store opened. With the livestream serving as steady promotion, along with the personal connections of Yan Yi and Bai Yunchi, they had not only recovered their initial investment but even made a modest profit.
That evening, after the stream ended, Yan Yi suggested they hold a proper celebration dinner to reward themselves. Bai Yunchi was returning to school the next day and from then on, he would not have nearly as much free time to help out.
Yang Jiayang immediately voiced his agreement. “I’m in! We’ve been busy for so many days, it’s about time we treated our own stomachs properly. Lately we’ve been so tied up with the online shop that we haven’t even eaten decent meals.”
Su Yi’an had no objections either. After changing clothes, the group headed into the city together.
Yan Yi didn’t go with the three of them at first. He drove separately to a tutoring center to pick up his young boyfriend before joining them.
Over the past few weeks, Song Xiangchen had occasionally come by to help. He was about the same age as Su Yi’an and Yang Jiayang and the three of them had quickly become close friends. When they had free time, they even played mahjong online together, chatting endlessly and getting along extremely well.
“Xiangchen, over here!” The moment Song Xiangchen stepped into the private dining room, Yang Jiayang enthusiastically waved at him.
Song Xiangchen’s eyes lit up but instead of walking over immediately, he turned his head to look at Yan Yi.
Yan Yi reached out and ruffled his hair affectionately. “Go on.”
Only then did Song Xiangchen make his way over with lively, eager steps.
Yang Jiayang pulled him closer and asked, “Has school been that busy? You haven’t come for several days. Yi’an and I couldn’t even get enough people together to play mahjong.”
Su Yi’an nodded in agreement beside him.
Song Xiangchen clutched the hem of his shirt, his face filled with guilt. “I didn’t mean to stay away. My mom found out I’ve been skipping classes to hang out with Brother Yi and she wasn’t very happy. I don’t want to make her upset, so these past few days I’ve been staying at school and attending classes with my teachers.”
Seeing the anxious look on his face, Su Yi’an quickly reassured him. “We’re not blaming you. We just haven’t seen you for a few days, so Jiayang and I kind of missed you.”
Song Xiangchen had a simple, earnest nature. Hearing that, his mood immediately brightened again.
“I missed you guys too! I even brought you gifts.”
He pulled two small ribbon tied boxes from his backpack and handed one to each of them.
Su Yi’an and Yang Jiayang accepted the boxes. When they opened them, they found two small bear brooches inside. The craftsmanship was exquisite and on each little bear’s scarf was a tiny diamond that sparkled brilliantly under the light.
The two exchanged a glance. After confirming that the diamonds were real, hesitation flickered across both their faces.
Su Yi’an gently set the box down on the table. “Xiao Chen, these brooches look very expensive.”
Song Xiangchen straightened his back, flustered. “They’re not expensive at all. I designed and made them myself. The materials were just leftover scraps, nothing worth much.”
Both of them stared at him in shock. Yang Jiayang’s eyes widened even further.
After spending so much time together, they naturally knew what kind of business Song Xiangchen’s family ran. They also knew that he was majoring in jewelry design.
What they hadn’t known was that his craftsmanship was this impressive. The brooches he had made were in no way inferior to those sold on the market.
“That’s incredible. You’re only eighteen and you can already create something like this. In the future, you’ll definitely become a master jewelry designer!”
Su Yi’an chimed in with a smile, offering his own praise. “With skills like this, I’m sure it won’t be long before we see a design brand on the market that belongs entirely to you.”
Song Xiangchen’s cheeks flushed faintly at the compliments. His bright eyes sparkled as he looked at the two of them, a little shy as he replied, “Thank you. I’ll keep working hard.”
The three of them sat close together, as though they had endless things to talk about. Yan Yi found himself unable to get a word in edgewise. He could only sit off to the side and chat idly with Bai Yunchi, his gaze drifting back toward the trio from time to time.
Ten minutes later, the dishes were served one after another until the table was full. At last, Yan Yi seized the opportunity to pull Song Xiangchen to his side. He peeled shrimp for him, carefully removed fish bones and placed food into his bowl, attending to him with meticulous care and unmistakable tenderness.
Su Yi’an liked shrimp as well but he disliked peeling the shells. He reached out with his chopsticks only twice before giving up. When he lifted his head and saw the small half plate of neatly peeled shrimp sitting in front of Song Xiangchen, he felt a sharp pang of envy.
Lowering his gaze, he noticed there was also a peeled shrimp sitting in his own dish. He froze.
At first, he assumed Yang Jiayang had peeled it for him. He turned to look at his friend, only to see Yang Jiayang staring back at him with equal confusion. That was when he realized he had guessed wrong.
He turned his head the other way.
Bai Yunchi was peeling shrimp.
After removing the shell, he placed it naturally and without comment onto the small plate in front of Su Yi’an.
Su Yi’an blinked, momentarily stunned once again.
Bai Yunchi did not seem to notice. He continued chatting with Yan Yi as if nothing were unusual. When the conversation grew lively, Yan Yi called over a waiter and ordered a bottle of wine. Seeing the anticipation on the faces of the younger men, he poured half a small glass for himself and half for Su Yi’an as well.
Song Xiangchen could not drink alcohol, so he held up a glass of juice to clink with the others. With his simple and cheerful temperament, he was enjoying himself thoroughly all the same.
After a round of drinks, the three younger ones huddled together again, lowering their voices to whisper among themselves.
“Xiao Chen, does your family know about you and Brother Yan?” Yang Jiayang asked curiously.
Song Xiangchen nodded. “Brother Yi and I met a year ago. At that time, I wasn’t in good health and fainted by the roadside. He was the one who saved me. My grandfather Yan and I were hospitalized in the same hospital. Every time Brother Yi came to visit Grandfather Yan, he would bring me lots of snacks and little gifts on the way. After a while, I started to like him a little.”
As he spoke, embarrassment crept into his expression. A rosy blush spread across his delicate features.
“Later, I told my older brother and my mom. My dad didn’t agree at first. He even locked me at home and wouldn’t let me see Brother Yi but he also felt sorry for me and was afraid that if I got too upset, my health would worsen. So he talked with Brother Yi all night. I don’t know what they discussed but the next day, my dad agreed to let us be together.”
“But Grandfather Yan has never agreed. He seems to dislike me very much.”
The boy lowered his head dejectedly. The corners of his mouth drooped and a faint redness gathered around his eyes.
Su Yi’an did not know the full story and had no real advice to offer. He could only comfort him gently. “Maybe it’s because you’re still young. Perhaps Grandfather Yan feels that your relationship won’t last long. If that’s the case, then let time prove it.”
“An’an’s right. If you truly care about Brother Yan and can’t bear to be without him, then you should lift your spirits even more. Right now, the old master has even cut off Brother Yan’s credit card. He’s waiting for you to become a great designer and support him,” Yang Jiayang added, half joking but sincere in intent.
Their words had the desired effect. Song Xiangchen rubbed his eyes, his tone firm and resolute. “Thank you. I’ll pull myself together.”
“It’s a good thing Xiao Su and Xiao Yang are here,” Yan Yi said quietly. “Aunt Zhang mentioned that Chenchen hasn’t been in a good mood these past few days. He hasn’t been sleeping well and he hasn’t been eating properly either. With the two of them keeping him company and chatting with him, he’s smiling a lot more now.”
Yan Yi had been watching Song Xiangchen in silence the entire time. When he saw that the boy’s emotions had finally steadied, the faint trace of worry hidden between his brows completely faded away.
Bai Yunchi looked toward the three young men who were laughing and talking together. His eyes were filled with warmth.
“It’s not often they get to see each other. Let them talk a little longer.”
The phone lying face down on the table suddenly vibrated. Yan Yi glanced at the screen and his expression shifted subtly. Slipping the phone into his hand, he took out a cigarette beneath the table and asked in a low voice, “Want to step out for some air?”
“Alright.”
“Brother Yi, where are you going?” Song Xiangchen noticed Yan Yi rising from his seat and immediately reached out to tug at the hem of his clothes, preparing to stand as well.
Yan Yi gently pressed him back down, smiling. “I’m not leaving. I’m just stepping out for a bit of fresh air with your Brother Bai. You three keep chatting.”
Song Xiangchen nodded softly and released his grip.
Once the two older men left, the remaining three became even more uninhibited in their conversation.
After Yang Jiayang had thoroughly reported on his recent romantic situation, he lifted his chin and turned his attention to Su Yi’an.
“An’an, what’s going on between you and Teacher Bai? Spill it honestly.”
“What do you mean what’s going on? There’s absolutely nothing between Teacher Bai and me, okay?”
“Who would believe that? I just saw Teacher Bai peeling shrimp for you!”
Song Xiangchen raised his hand. “I saw it too.”
Su Yi’an cradled his wine glass and took small sips.
“Maybe it’s because I usually help him walk Nuomici. Anyway, it’s not what you’re thinking. Teacher Bai has someone he likes. The way he treats me is just concern from an elder, that’s all.”
Yang Jiayang wasn’t convinced. “I don’t think so. The way Teacher Bai looks at you, it’s not exactly clear cut. Based on my many years of romantic experience, I’m telling you, he definitely has feelings for you.”
“You’re seeing things.” Su Yi’an tilted his empty glass slightly. “It’s gone.” As he spoke, he reached out and poured himself another half glass.
Yang Jiayang knew his alcohol tolerance wasn’t good but he didn’t stop him. Instead, he even helped pour a little more.
By the time Bai Yunchi and Yan Yi returned to the private room, Su Yi’an was already sprawled drunkenly across the sofa.
“Teacher Bai, An’an’s drunk. I’ll have to trouble you to send him home,” Yang Jiayang said, pointing at the figure collapsed against the cushions.
Su Yi’an’s eyes were half open, his fair skin flushed with a faint rosy hue. As if determined to prove he wasn’t drunk, he braced his hands against the back of the sofa and tried to stand but his arms felt weak and boneless, utterly devoid of strength.
He raised a hand and gestured vaguely, his tongue thick and clumsy as he spoke. “Just… a little. Only a little bit drunk. Let… Let sober up and I can go home by myself.”
Yang Jiayang immediately chimed in, “What do you mean just a little? You had three full glasses.”
He stole a glance at Bai Yunchi and added, “You know perfectly well that drinking gives you a headache and you still drank that much. I tried to stop you but you wouldn’t listen.”
Su Yi’an kept bracing himself against the sofa, stubbornly trying to get up on his own.
Bai Yunchi frowned faintly. He walked over and, with gentle movements, helped the unsteady young man to his feet.
With one arm around Su Yi’an’s shoulders, he turned to the others and said, “It’s getting late. You send Xiao Song and Xiao Yang home. I’ll take care of Xiao Su.”
Yang Jiayang replied, “No need to trouble Brother Yan. I’ve already called a car.”
“Brother Bai, you have to take good care of An’an,” Song Xiangchen reminded softly, leaning against the car window before they parted.
Bai Yunchi nodded. “Travel safely.”
After calling for a designated driver, Bai Yunchi guided Su Yi’an into the back seat. As he leaned in to fasten the seatbelt, Su Yi’an suddenly frowned and began tugging at it with force, mumbling, “Uncomfortable… I want…”
Before he could finish, Bai Yunchi quickly helped him out of the car.
Su Yi’an crouched by the roadside, retching for quite some time. Nothing came up. Finally, he lifted his head, his dark eyes glistening with unshed tears and looked pitifully at Bai Yunchi.
“I feel sick… I don’t want to sit in the car.”
Bai Yunchi’s heart tightened at the sight. His voice softened even further.
He extended his hand toward the young man. “Alright. The neighborhood isn’t far from here. We’ll just treat it as a walk.”
Su Yi’an stared at the broad palm offered before him and blinked slowly.
His mind was a muddled haze; he had neither the clarity nor the will to think about anything. Following his instincts, he placed his own hand into Bai Yunchi’s.
Using the steady support, he rose to his feet. He pressed his lips together, assuming that once he was upright, Teacher Bai would let go. Instead, the other man’s grip tightened around his hand.
A small curve lifted at the corner of Su Yi’an’s mouth. Lowering his gaze, he noticed the two shadows cast beneath the streetlights, walking side by side. A faint sweetness stirred quietly within his chest.
In the very next second, the thought struck him that Teacher Bai already had someone he liked. The smile froze at his lips and his mood plummeted abruptly to the bottom.
The following day, Su Yi’an slept until late morning. Rubbing at his faintly throbbing temples, he shuffled into the kitchen, intending to heat himself a cup of warm milk. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a note stuck to the refrigerator and his heart skipped.
【There’s sobering soup in the fridge. Heat it in the microwave before drinking — Bai】
✦ ✧ ✦
Fleurveil
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ COFFEE OFFERING
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · New neighborsChapter 2 · Let’s just wash it.Chapter 3 · Pretty little girlChapter 4 · It’s impossible for us.Chapter 5 · Not as handsome as Teacher BaiChapter 6 · Happy cooperationChapter 7 · Making breakfastChapter 8 · LostChapter 9 · He’s hopelessly in love.Chapter 10 · Three CloudChapter 11 · Am I Old?Chapter 12 · Victory celebration banquetChapter 13 · Power outrageChapter 14 · Online dating meetupChapter 15 · Am I really that bad?Chapter 16 · Boyfriend?Chapter 17 · ConcertChapter 18 · Use Privileges.Chapter 19 · A night AloneChapter 20 · Do You Like me?Chapter 21 · The End