196: Take you to celebrate your birthday

That night, the barbecue lasted until late. Feng Yueshan ate while reading the online criticisms of Zheng Ge and Zhou Tangsi. He devoured mutton and beef, stuffing skewers of large shrimp into his mouth.

Shen Lian fell asleep in his chair at some point. The "crackle" of smokeless charcoal burning was in his ears. The cold wind couldn't blow into this area, only howling long and low on the periphery. Shen Lian felt comfortable and snuggled further into the blanket. He could vaguely hear Zhou Yuanlin's drunken voice admitting his mistakes: "Assistant Sun! Bodhisattva! Let me go!"

"Don't," Sun Binghe's voice was cold. "Young Master Zhou, keep drinking."

Then, his body felt light. Shen Lian didn't panic, subconsciously leaning closer to the source of heat.

Chu Yilan leaned down to kiss his forehead and carried him upstairs.

It snowed through the second half of the night. At dawn, the outside returned to quiet, and the snow was even deeper.

Feng Yueshan drank a lot last night, but when it came to playing, he could crawl up no matter how much effort it took.

Basically everyone in this group could ski. Since the area wasn't open to the public yet, their range of activity was very wide.

Shen Lian was fully dressed with all his protective gear. Before he could snap on his goggles, Feng Yueshan rushed past him. "Shen Lian, watch my movements. If you like it, you can have Yilan teach you~~~"

Before the words even landed, Shen Lian pushed his ski poles against the ground and suddenly charged out.

Feng Yueshan: "?"

Chu Yilan didn't join. Right now, he was sitting on a chair with his legs crossed, talking business with Xu Jingge on the phone.

Once business was over, Xu Jingge's mouth became exceptionally talkative. "Tsk tsk tsk, Zheng Ge is really miserable. It has to be CEO Chu. Speaking of which, your Shen Lian seems to attract trouble."

"Trouble attracts him," Chu Yilan corrected. "Shen Lian is very well-behaved. Don't talk nonsense if you don't understand."

He looked up after speaking. There was a height difference of five or six meters between the upper and lower ski slopes. It wasn't dangerous for an expert, but in Chu Yilan's eyes, this was Shen Lian's first time skiing.

"Whoo-hoo~~~" A joyous and long howl. No matter how much Shen Lian was wrapped up, Chu Yilan could recognize him at a glance.

He leaped from the upper slope, then performed a smooth turn and maneuver, two 360-degree rotations in the air, landing in the blink of an eye and kicking up flying snow. He didn't stop there, using the momentum to show off his skills on the spot. One leg bent and the other straightened, his whole body pressing down in a posture that almost kissed the ground. After rushing for about ten meters, Shen Lian stood up and skied slowly, incredibly steady.

Above, Feng Yueshan stood at the gap, a ski pole hitting the ground with a "clack."

At the same moment, Chu Yilan's teacup also hit the ground with a "clack."

Xu Jingge: "Hello? Hello??"

"Don't be stubborn," Xu Jingge said.

Chu Yilan: "Mhm."

Xu Jingge: "Holy shit, brother?"

"Hanging up."

"Come down!" Shen Lian shouted.

Feng Yueshan didn't come down, only pointing a finger to his side.

An ominous premonition welled up in Shen Lian's heart. He turned his head and saw Chu Yilan walking over with a dark face.

Wait, didn't this guy say it would take another hour to finish his official business?

With Assistant Sun's help, time was naturally saved.

"Chu..."

Shen Lian had just started when Chu Yilan took off his goggles.

"What are you doing?" Chu Yilan's voice sounded chillingly cold.

Shen Lian: "Just playing once in a while! I need happiness too!"

Chu Yilan leaned in: "Fine, I'll give you happiness!"

When Shen Lian was tucked under Chu Yilan's arm and dragged away, Sun Binghe happened to come over with coffee. Teacher Shen reached out his hand, and Assistant Sun gave him a sympathetic look that said, "Have a safe journey."

Chu Yilan had suspected long ago: with Shen Lian's background, how did he learn things he shouldn't have access to? For example, warming wine and brewing tea, jewelry appraisal, and today's high-difficulty skiing. The Shen Lian he loved was like a completely different person from the Shen Lian before he opened his eyes at that night's banquet.

But did it matter?

Chu Yilan's "lesson" ended in failure again. With just a couple of soft words from this person, his brain felt like it had been emptied. When he came back to his senses, he only saw the soft and intoxicating spring colors beneath him.

It didn't matter.

As long as it was his Shen Lian.

The group played at Mount Fuqing for four days before returning home satisfied.

Within two days of returning home, Shen Lian began to get busy.

Thinking he was busy with work, as long as it was within their agreed rules, Chu Yilan could turn a blind eye.

Qudu was getting colder and colder. Occasionally, Chu Yilan would look out the window during his busy work, his eyes filled with a hint of hesitation.

He hadn't celebrated in previous years, nor did he last year. At that time, his temperament was still very extreme and arbitrary, so no one persisted.

Would it be too deliberate to tell Shen Lian? It would make it seem like he really wanted to celebrate his birthday.

After some back-and-forth hesitation, the day arrived in the blink of an eye.

Then Chu Yilan gave up. How old was he anyway?

Today was the usual general meeting at Hengtai. Kuang Chenghai was now a "celebrity" in the meeting room, not only because of his good performance but also because Assistant Sun, who was so picky, could actually forgive him for some detailed mistakes. Everyone was busy seeking advice, while CEO Kuang was busy talking nonsense.

Chu Yilan finished instructing Sun Binghe on some matters and was about to return to his office when he heard the young man's low voice, "Boss, happy birthday."

Yang Bin, who was nearby, followed up and said, "Happy birthday, CEO Chu."

They said it every year, regardless of Chu Yilan's attitude. Without surprise, Chu Yilan had ignored it in previous years, but this year was destined to be different.

Chu Yilan looked at the two of them sideways, his gaze gentle. "Thank you."

Sun Binghe was a little surprised at first, then looked regretful. "If I had known, I should have prepared a gift."

Chu Yilan: "I've already received it."

Five minutes later, Chu Yilan sat at his desk, unable to settle his mind.

People are indeed greedy; once they get some, they want more.

Chu Yilan suddenly stood up, took his car keys, and strode away.

At the entrance of the Hengtai Building, Kuang Chenghai was surrounded by various CEOs like a male star. He truly lived up to his background in the entertainment industry; if he quit his job, he could definitely be an actor.

When Chu Yilan came out, they were still chatting in a group.

Vroom vroom vroom!

A burst of engine noise cut through the wind and snow. The sound, which seemed like it wanted to explode the exhaust pipe, instantly pierced their eardrums. If this were a residential area, the charge would be "disturbing the peace."

"Who is it?" Kuang Chenghai was very annoyed by the noise.

Everyone looked up and saw a pure black motorcycle speeding from a distance. Air waves almost formed on both sides, and white snow dotted it, making it look very cool. Although the person sitting on it wore a helmet and their face couldn't be seen, their body proportions were visibly superior. They parked casually, propped a long leg on the ground, and their coolness factor was maxed out.

Kuang Chenghai narrowed his eyes. This person is... "Chu Yilan!" the other party shouted in an earth-shattering voice.

Everyone was horrified. No, buddy, CEO Chu's office is on the thirty-something floor. Why the hell are you shouting?

"What are you doing?" Chu Yilan said in a deep voice.

Everyone turned back in horror and saw CEO Chu standing on the steps.

The person on the motorcycle had a pleasant voice, and when they smiled, it carried warmth. "Let's go! This brother is taking you to celebrate your birthday!"

Everyone: "..."

Kuang Chenghai knew who it was and couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"Old Kuang?! Did some hidden ailment of yours flare up?"

A cold wind swept past them. Before everyone could think about how that reckless person on the motorcycle was going to die, CEO Chu stepped forward with firm strides, took the helmet and put it on, then straddled the motorcycle and hugged the person in front's waist without hesitation.

"Goodbye, CEO Kuang!" Shen Lian saw Kuang Chenghai, joined two fingers, and waved them forward from his temple in a goodbye gesture. Finally, he took Chu Yilan and left everyone's sight in a dashing manner.