After resting at home for several days, a pile of work had accumulated at the company.
The moment Jian Suiying returned to the office, he worked nonstop for days. Even so, he still kept thinking about inviting Li Xuan to dinner.
Li Xuan was indeed a very busy man. Jian Suiying had tried to arrange a meeting with him for two consecutive days, but he was unavailable both times.
Not wanting to seem too eager, Jian Suiying stopped calling and decided to wait for another opportunity.
He had assumed he wouldn't get to see Li Xuan before his departure, but unexpectedly, a few days later in the afternoon, he received a call from Li Yu.
Seeing the caller ID made Jian Suiying's heart skip a beat—this was the first time Li Yu had ever called him.
"Hello? Li Yu?"
"Brother Jian."
"Oh, what brings you to me?"
"I'm with my older brother right now. He's free tonight and wanted to ask if you're available."
"Sure. Your brother's about to head back to Guangxi. I'll drop everything to see him off."
Li Yu said, "Where should we meet tonight?" "I'll send you the address. How about seven o'clock?" "Alright, see you at seven."
Jian Suiying had just arrived home. She'd already ordered takeout but quickly called to cancel it.
He took a quick shower, changed clothes, and worried about traffic. For a twenty-minute trip, he set off fifty minutes early.
Around 6:40, his phone rang. The caller ID showed it was Li Xuan.
"Hello, Li Xuan?"
"Sui Ying, where are you?"
"I got here early. I thought there'd be traffic today, but it wasn't bad." "Huh? You're already here?"
"Don't rush, take your time. It's not even seven yet. I'll start ordering."
"...Suiying, I'm so sorry. Something unexpected came up on my end. I won't be able to make it." "Huh?"
Jian Suiying instantly felt upset.
After two failed attempts to meet, he understood the other person was busy and had made an effort to come. But now that they'd finally made plans, to just cancel like this
. That would upset anyone. Besides, all his life, people had fawned over him and curried favor with him. If it weren't for Li Xuan, he'd have given the other person a piece of his mind.
Li Xuan apologized profusely, filled with regret. "Suiying, this really is an unexpected emergency. I absolutely have to go. I'm so sorry."
Jian Suiying's expression finally eased. "That works. But I've already ordered a few dishes. How about this—since you're
rushed and didn't have time to eat. If it's convenient, I can pack it up and bring it over to you." "No, no, that's too much trouble."
"It's no trouble. I can't finish all this myself anyway—it'd just go to waste."
"I'll just grab something quick in the car. How about this—I'll send Li Yu over to keep you company during lunch."
Jian Suiying's eyes lit up. She quickly replied: "That's great! It's better than eating alone. Have him come over."
Though Li Xuan hadn't been invited, she unexpectedly gained a chance for a private date with Li Yu. Delighted, Jian Suiying
Closing the menu, she called to the waiter, "Get these dishes started first."
Seeing she still had time, Jian Suiying returned to her car and spent a long while combing her hair in the mirror.
Li Yu arrived punctually.
His eyes practically followed her every step as she walked into the restaurant.
Jian Suiying ran his fingers through his hair, adjusted his posture, and pretended to look at his phone.
The waiter ushered Li Yu inside. Jian Suiying looked up with a smile. "Little Leo, you're here."
Li Yu nodded at him. "Brother Jian, my brother couldn't make it. I'm here to apologize on his behalf."
Li Yu tilted his head and asked, "Brother Jian, isn't Sui Lin coming?" Jian Suiying paused slightly, wondering why he would need to come.
Li Yu's eyes flickered briefly before he sat down, head bowed. "No thanks, just tea."
"No alcohol?" Jian Suiying, accustomed to the business world, always felt something was missing when dining with others without alcohol.
something was missing.
Li Yu shook his head decisively.
"I don't drink."
Jian Suiying shot the waitress an awkward glance. "Bring the cold appetizers first." The girl paused to pour Li Yu some tea before leaving, but Jian Suiying waved her off.
After the waitress left, Jian Suiying personally poured tea for Li Yu. "Here, wet your whistle. It's pretty dry today."
Li Yu politely declined: "Brother Jian, I'll manage."
Li Yu smiled faintly. "Brother Jian, let's just stick with this. It's just the two of us—we can't eat too much." As she spoke, her gaze drifted.
Suddenly, Jian Suiying noticed his distracted look and frowned. He tapped the table with his fingers.
"Li Yu, what have you been doing at home these past few days? Just sleeping all the time?"
Li Yu turned his face toward him and smiled. "Yeah, I haven't been going out much." "Any plans for summer break? Anywhere you want to go?"
"Speaking of that..." Li Yu finally turned his body toward him,
"I heard from Sui Lin that he's going to intern at your company?"
"Yeah, my old man arranged it."
Mentioning this still annoyed Jian Suiying, though he tried not to show it.
Li Yu propped her chin on her hand and smiled faintly. "Brother Jian, can you count me in too?"
Jian Suiying paused, taken aback.
"I want to go too. I know I'm not qualified yet—there's so much I need to learn, and I don't know how much trouble I'd cause you. But I pick things up quickly. Could you give me a chance?"
But as a seasoned veteran of the business world, Jian Daishao understood a simple truth: the harder the fruit to reach, the sweeter it tasted.
Li Yu hastily thanked him.
Li Yu chuckled, "Not a chance."
Jian Suiying was delighted inside. He recalled an upcoming business trip and decided to bring Li Yu along—what a perfect opportunity.
Soon, the dishes were nearly all served. Young Master Jian was in high spirits. Even though Li Yu didn't drink, he opened a bottle of beer himself
to liven things up.
During the meal, Jian Suiying teased him casually, "You and Xiao Lin are quite the inseparable pair, aren't you? You take each other everywhere."
Li Yu paused mid-bite, then casually replied, "We've known each other for over ten years." "When did you meet?"
"When we were five or six, at some gathering or other."
"It's great that you two can play together at such a young age. You'll be able to look out for each other in the future."
At that moment, Sui Ying truly didn't think much of it. When he was Li Yu's age, he too had a bunch of brothers and friends,
hanging out together.
In his view, a teenager choosing to spend time with friends who could help his future instead of chasing after girls was clearly a sign of greater promise.
Jian Suiying gave Li Yu a broad overview of what his real estate investment company did, its current major projects, and what kind of work he could do there.
Li Yu listened intently.
After dinner, Jian Suiying wanted to take Li Yu out for some fun. "My buddy just opened a new bar, and I haven't had a chance to show it off yet.
Yet it seems like the perfect chance to take you there today."
Li Yu thought about it and couldn't find a reason to refuse.
Jian Suiying showed no remorse whatsoever about bringing a minor to such a place. Any man who wanted to get something done
wouldn't miss the chance.
On the way, he called his buddy, saying he was bringing a friend along. As soon as they got out of the car, his buddy was waiting at the entrance.
"Suiying, what the hell have you been up to lately? Haven't seen you in days. You didn't even come to support me when I opened this place."
The man who came forward tossed his cigarette butt into the trash can, grinning as he walked over and slapped Jian Suiying on the back.
"I twisted my ankle a few days ago and've been resting at home. Now that it's better, I rushed right over. Not bad, Xiao Tang. You've only been open
a few days, and the parking lot's already almost full."
"Of course, great location." Xiao Tang led them inside while shooting Li yu a suggestive glance.
Li Yu met his gaze impassively.
Xiao Tang exclaimed in surprise, "Which Li family? Li Xuan's younger brother?" "There are several Li families, but yes, he's Li Xuan's younger brother."
Li Yu gave him a nod and offered a lukewarm greeting: "Hello."
The three entered the bar one after another. Jian Suiying glanced up and inwardly cursed. That little bastard Xiao Tang—why hadn’t he warned him this was a gay bar?
He whipped his head around and glared at Xiao Tang. Xiao Tang, confused, gave him a puzzled look.
Li Yu scanned the room, seeing nothing but men clinging to other men, and suddenly understood everything.
Jian Suiying was utterly embarrassed. He genuinely hadn't known—this wasn't some deliberate ploy to bring Li Yu here. Now that he'd dragged him into this place, he was afraid he'd tip off the target.
Li Yu stared at Jian Suiying with questioning and scrutinizing eyes. Jian Suiying gave a nervous laugh: "Well, this is my first time here. I had no idea it was like this..."
The noise inside drowned out their conversation. Xiao Tang, still tugging at Jian Suiying's arm, shouted into his ear:
"Come on. There are some friends in the private room—some you know. Let's go in and hang out?"
Jian Suiying shook off his grip and yelled back: "Why the hell didn't you tell me this place was gay?" Xiao Tang looked at him in surprise. "You didn't know? I thought you did."
"I didn't come to your opening. How the hell was I supposed to know... Forget it, I'm not going in."
Jian Suiying whispered into Li Yu's ear: "I had no idea this place was a gay bar. Scared you, didn't I? Maybe we shouldn't go in."
Li Yu frowned slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "What's there to be scared of? We're already here. Let's go in." Jian Suiying looked at him with surprise.
Jian Suiying cautiously asked, "You think it's interesting?" Li Yu nodded. "A little interesting."
"Alright, let's go inside."
Jian Suiying just wanted to spend time with Li Yu today, so they skipped the private room and had Xiao Tang reserve a corner booth instead.
While Li Yu wasn't looking, Xiao Tang winked at him.
Jian Suiying scolded him with a laugh, "What are you thinking? I just brought a friend out to have fun. You can't even let the kid be good-looking?"
Xiao Tang whispered in his ear: "You really don't have those feelings for him?"
"Not at all. Stop imagining things. Go do what you need to do. No need to wait on us. We'll be leaving soon. Don't tell
them that I came."
Xiao Tang clearly didn't believe him, walking away with a sly grin.
Li Yu sat in the corner of the sofa, a glass of soda in hand. His face flickered in the light as he quietly observed the tables of people.
Jian Suiying clinked glasses with him and slid closer to sit beside him.
The bar's raucous volume forced them to press their faces close to speak, their proximity so intimate they could feel each other's breath on their skin.
After downing a drink, Jian Suiying grew bolder, leaning close to whisper in his ear, "What are you looking at? What do you find so interesting?"
Li Yu didn't respond, merely shaking his head with a faint smile.
Li Yu glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "Brother Jian, do you often bring Sui Lin along too?" "Him? Why would I bring him? It's boring."
Li Yu's intensely sober and slightly cold gaze sobered Jian Suiying considerably. He glanced at his own hand—
hand, unsure whether to pull away or keep holding it. He could only offer an awkward laugh: "Um, I'll go too. I'm having trouble getting up
Li Yu frowned slightly, then hooked his arm around Jian Suiying and helped him up.
As Jian Suiying stood, he thought he heard a whisper: "Is that all you can handle?" He wondered if he'd misheard, staring at Li Yu, who was watching him with narrowed eyes.
Li Yu laughed bitterly. "So it's my fault? If you can't hold your liquor, just drink less."
"My tolerance is poor?" Jian Suiying scoffed, lightly flicking Li Yu's cheek. "Just wait—I'll show you what a bottomless pit looks like."
Li Yu turned his face slightly, but still let Jian Suiying get away with a little flirtatious touch. He didn't take it seriously, releasing his hand and saying, "
As long as you can stand, you should go yourself."
With that, he turned and headed for the restroom. Jian Suiying followed behind.
When he emerged from the restroom, he immediately spotted Li Yu's retreating figure. He thought, Is this kid actually waiting for me? That's a bit too flattering.
But he quickly sensed something was off. Li Yu had been blocked by several people.
How could Jian Suiying not understand what was happening?
With his back to Li Yu, he couldn't see the man's expression, but he hurried over anyway.
He watched as the big fat man slung his arm over Li Yu's shoulder, leaning in as if to speak. Li Yu flicked his wrist, knocking the arm away.
The fat man glared, looking defiant, and tried to put his arm around Li Yu again.
This time, before it even touched him, Li Yu swatted it away.
The fat man seemed to get angry. He slammed the beer bottle in his hand onto the ground and reached out toward Li Yu again.
Jian Suiying froze, and so did the fat man.
The fat man's friends immediately rushed forward to rescue him.
Jian Suiying darted out from behind Li Yu and kicked one of the attackers—a bespectacled man—far away.
The onlookers instantly scattered, forming a circle around them, watching with keen interest.
The commotion caught the attention of security. Several tall, burly black guards quickly moved toward the scene.
Li Yu released his grip.
Jian Suiying grabbed his arm. "Leo, are you okay?" Li Yu gave him a faint glance. "I'm fine."
After all this commotion, Jian Suiying lost interest in playing around. He nodded quickly. "Alright, alright. I'll drive you back." He
shouted at Xiao Tang, "Just toss him out and be done with it."
Xiao Tang waved his hand. "As Young Master Jian says, toss them out."
Xiao Tang escorted the two to the parking lot, grinning apologetically at Li Yu. "Young Master Li, sorry for the trouble today."
Li Yu gave him a slight nod, saving face. "It's fine. I'm sorry for the trouble." "I'll treat you and your brother to dinner sometime soon."
Li Yu smiled, neither confirming nor denying.
Jian Suiying carefully studied his expression, convinced their first date had been a complete failure.