"Who is this guy? So arrogant?" Yuan Xiang squinted his somewhat swollen eyes as he stared in Ye Qiu's direction.
"Exactly. I wonder if that fool Zheng Junyu has figured out who he really is."
"No wonder Zheng Junyu, that pretty boy, is popular. He sure knows how to get into character—hahaha—"
Han Youling sipped lightly from his teacup, barely wetting his lips. Growing up in the humid and rainy South, he found it hard to adjust to the dry weather of Yanjing. Glancing at Yuan Xiang, he said, "You're acting like only the officials can set fires, but the common folk can't light a lamp. You're allowed to splash alcohol on someone, but they're not allowed to offer you a drink?"
Yuan Xiang, internally worried, wondered if Han Youling was upset about him instructing Zheng Junyu to spill alcohol on the other guy. He had done it to curry favor with Han, after all. No matter how composed a man is, seeing the woman he likes with another man would surely sting.
"Heh, daring to cause trouble in Yanjing's turf, there's no way we'll let him off easily," Yuan Xiang sneered, his face turning slightly purple like a spoiled, brainless rich kid. Sometimes, such an act is also a disguise—a facade that's easy to maintain and that easily gains others' trust.
"Yuan Xiang, let it go. Now that they know our intentions, if we don't greet them, we'll look petty." Han Youling smiled as he stood up.
Seeing that Han Youling didn't seem upset, Yuan Xiang relaxed and asked eagerly, "Shall we go together with you, Brother?"
"No need. I'll go by myself. Too many people, and Dong'er won't like it." Han Youling waved dismissively.
"Ye Qiu, I'm sorry. It's all my fault for bringing you to a place like this. I just wanted to show you the place my sister designed." Ran Dongye looked at Ye Qiu pitifully, her tall, straight nose slightly wrinkled. "Even though my sister built this place, I really like it too and often come here when I have time. I didn't expect to run into such annoying people today. Shall we leave?"
Men and women alike have this instinct—when facing someone they like or admire, they can't help but want to show them what they consider the best. Ran Dongye liked this club her sister Ran Xingchen created, so she had wanted to bring Ye Qiu here to show him. She hoped he would like it too. But a fly had ruined the mood, and worse, it was a fly being manipulated.
Ye Qiu cut a piece of steak and popped it into his mouth, savoring the tender, juicy meat. "Why should we leave? Just ignore those we don't like. If life allowed us to turn away from everyone we didn't like, that would be a great luxury."
Seeing the man approaching them, Ye Qiu chewed harder on the steak in his mouth. "But most of the time, we don't get that luxury."
"Dong'er, I heard you hadn't been here in a while. Didn't expect to catch you just as I'm about to return to Suhang." Han Youling, impeccably dressed, stood beside Ran Dongye, smiling as he greeted her, his expression gentle but his gaze intense.
"I've been busy with some ad shoots lately." Ran Dongye lightly brushed the hair off her forehead as she stood up. "Let me introduce you. This is Ye Qiu, a friend of mine. Ye Qiu, this is—my sister's classmate, Han Youling."
Ran Dongye was still upset about what Han Youling had done earlier, even though she'd only heard Ye Qiu's side of the story. But somehow, she believed him. Seeing Han Youling act as if nothing had happened made her even less inclined to show him any kindness.
But without proof that it was Han Youling who had done it, she had no grounds to accuse him. For someone of his status, basic etiquette had to be maintained. Ran Dongye had long outgrown the age where she'd wear her emotions on her sleeve. No one had to teach her that; after spending enough time in this circle, one naturally learned.
Hearing Ran Dongye introduce him as just her sister's classmate, Han Youling felt a bit uncomfortable. Was that all he was to her? But if he fussed over such trivial things, he wouldn't get to the real substance of matters. Han Youling understood this well.
Han Youling extended his hand to Ye Qiu. "A pleasure to meet you. I'm Han Youling, from Suhang."
"Ye Qiu." Ye Qiu extended his hand for a brief shake. The other didn't use any hidden strength to try and show off, which left Ye Qiu feeling a bit disappointed.
Han Youling's face darkened. This guy was too indifferent, as if he didn't even consider him worthy of attention. When introducing himself, Han Youling had mentioned where he was from, essentially offering a calling card. But Ye Qiu had simply replied with two words, leaving Han Youling no closer to understanding who he was.
Han Youling didn't seem to have any intention of leaving after just greeting them, but since Ran Dongye was sitting on the outer side of the couch and didn't invite him to sit, he didn't want to squeeze in next to Ye Qiu. Instead, he called over a waiter to add a wooden chair next to their table.
What followed was a conversation between Han Youling and Ran Dongye, with Han skillfully steering the discussion toward her elders and sister. Ran Dongye, though unwilling, had no choice but to answer these dull questions. Meanwhile, Ye Qiu continued to eat his steak, not feeling left out at all. In fact, whenever Ran Dongye glanced at him apologetically, he would smile back, reassuring her. She must be more uncomfortable than him, he thought.
Ran Dongye felt frustrated. She had wanted to show Ye Qiu around Xingchen Club, where her sister had a room filled with collectibles like 90% authentic Qin Terracotta Warriors, red wine from the Bosch family, and calligraphy by Zheng Banqiao. But now, all her interest was gone. She just wanted to find an excuse to leave quickly before she could no longer maintain her composed facade.
At that moment, Han Youling's phone rang. Apologizing, he quickly stepped outside to take the call.
"Sometimes, dealing with a gentleman is harder than dealing with a scoundrel." Ran Dongye took a big gulp of water and let out a long sigh.
"Which is why I've always aimed to be a scoundrel," Ye Qiu nodded in agreement.
"Are you full? Let's get out of here before he comes back." Ran Dongye noticed Ye Qiu's plate was empty, and since she no longer had any appetite, she was eager to leave this place of trouble. She had seen Ye Qiu's skills and knew Han Youling's methods. She didn't want to cause a conflict between the two because of her.
"Let's go. I guess I've repaid my debt now?" Ye Qiu asked.
"You wish. You think just having a meal counts as repaying a debt? Besides, it was you who ate, not me. I haven't even touched my steak." Ran Dongye grabbed her bag and headed out with Ye Qiu.
Unexpectedly, they ran into Han Youling again as they exited the restaurant. Seeing that Ran Dongye was leaving, the smile on Han Youling's face froze. "Why don't you stay a bit longer? Leaving so soon?"
"Ye Qiu has something urgent to deal with, so I need to take him back," Ran Dongye said with a smile.
"Ah, big brother, you're here too?" A crisp voice sounded. Ye Qiu looked over and saw Han Shuang running out from behind Han Youling, her face full of surprise.
"What brings you here?" Ye Qiu was equally surprised. Could it be that Han Shuang knew Han Youling? That would mean Han Shuang wasn't simple either. But what puzzled him was why they shared the same surname, Han, yet one was from Suhang and the other from Yanjing.
"Cousin said the 'Lazi Crab' here is delicious, so I came to try it out." Han Shuang grinned, feeling a sense of closeness upon seeing Ye Qiu. "Big brother, have you eaten yet? Why don't we all have a meal together?"
"I've already eaten. You guys enjoy." Ye Qiu smiled and shook his head. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Han Youling's displeasure. He thought, your cousin definitely doesn't like this suggestion.
"Alright then. Big brother, when are you free? Come over to my house for a meal. I told Grandpa about you studying at Shuimu, and he insisted that I must invite you over for a meal. If I fail to bring you, he said he'd come to invite you himself."
Hearing this, Han Youling was stunned. Who exactly was this guy, that even the old man would personally extend an invitation?
"Alright. I'll visit Han Lao when I get the chance," Ye Qiu nodded. After all, they had invited him several times; refusing again would seem insincere.
"Haha, great. Thank you, big brother. I'll tell Grandpa the good news." Han Shuang beamed, her young face full of joy.
After Ye Qiu and Ran Dongye walked away, Han You
ling quietly asked Han Shuang, "Sis, why does the old man want to invite him to dinner?"
"Because he saved Grandpa's life," Han Shuang said reverently.
Saved his life? The old man was in danger? And someone actually saved him? Han Youling felt his heart sink.
Once outside the club, Ran Dongye kept glancing at Ye Qiu, her thoughts seemingly elsewhere.
"If you have something to ask, just ask," Ye Qiu said.
"Do you know Han Lao?" Ran Dongye blushed, thinking she was being too nosy.
"I guess you could say that," Ye Qiu replied. To be precise, Ye Qiu was Han Lao's savior, so it wasn't an exaggeration to say they knew each other.
"There's always something surprising about you," Ran Dongye remarked as she opened the car door. "I need to apologize to you. I brought you all the way here, couldn't even have a peaceful meal, and now we're leaving. We didn't get to tour the club, so I'll take you another time. Where to now?"
"I'm afraid I need to head back," Ye Qiu said, pulling out his phone as it rang.
"This is Ye Qiu," he answered.
"Ye Qiu, it's Bao'er. Where are you right now? Tang Guo needs your help urgently," Lin Bao'er's sweet voice came through the phone.
"I'm outside. What's up?" Ye Qiu felt a sense of unease. What had happened to the young lady now?
"Hurry back. I'll explain when you get here. It's really urgent." With that, she hung up.
Ye Qiu closed his phone and said, "I need to head back."
"I'll drive you," Ran Dongye offered, though her eyes revealed a hint of disappointment.
"Here, you drive," Ye Qiu said, tossing the keys to Ran Dongye as he opened the backseat door and climbed in.
"Why?"
"I don't know how to drive."
"Didn't you just—" Ran Dongye started to argue but then quickly caught on. She smiled, "This will be our little secret."
After bidding farewell to Ran Dongye, Ye Qiu hurried back to Blue Apartment. There were two cars parked in the yard, and Shen Monong's silver BMW was gone, meaning she wasn't home. Tang Guo, weakened by food poisoning, had been receiving treatment from Tang Buyi's private doctor, who had given her two IV drips the night before to replenish nutrients, so she definitely wouldn't be leaving the house today. Lin Ding'er, Tang Guo's close companion, would be wherever Tang Guo was.
Ye Qiu entered the hall, finding no one on the first floor. He quickly headed upstairs. Despite the numerous strict rules Tang Guo had imposed when he first moved into Blue Apartment, Ye Qiu adhered to very few of them.
As he reached the second-floor hallway, Lin Bao'er's head peeked out of Tang Guo's room. She waved him over, saying, "Come quickly."
"What's wrong with Tang Guo?" Ye Qiu asked, concerned.
"Is Monong Jie back yet?" Lin Bao'er asked, her face tense.
"No."
"Oh, good." Lin Bao'er's face lit up with a smile. "Then let's begin."
Begin? Begin what?
To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8