21: This is a reward.
Feng Yueshan couldn't understand the undercurrents between the two; he just kept teasing, "Oh, you've raised this one well. He's looking so fresh and radiant."
"Where is he raised by me?" Chu Yilan thought. Shen Lian knew very well how to enjoy himself. He charmed Aunt Fen so much she was all smiles every day. The fridge, which used to be cleared once a week, had been emptied every three days lately. He hadn't missed a single beat with his supplements, tonics, and dietary nourishment.
Two other men stood behind Chu Yilan, both with extraordinary auras. They were Ning Sixian and Zhou Yuanlin—one a reserved gentleman, the other a flamboyant playboy. Both were old friends who got along well with Chu Yilan.
Shen Lian's gaze followed Chu Yilan discreetly, and then he confirmed one thing: the man hadn't noticed Zheng Ge.
This realization put Shen Lian in a very good mood.
The only thing about Zheng Ge that could bother Shen Lian was Chu Yilan's attitude toward him.
After spending some time together, Shen Lian felt that Chu Yilan wasn't the type to be so blind.
So, a more reasonable explanation was that Zheng Ge just happened to appear when Chu Yilan was at his most vulnerable. In fact, it wouldn't have mattered who appeared during that period; Chu Yilan simply needed a rope to climb upward.
Zheng Ge became the physical manifestation of that thought, and thus had the fortune of being looked after by Chu Yilan.
But it wasn't liking, much less love.
However, everyone had misunderstood, including Zheng Ge himself.
Almost as soon as Chu Yilan appeared, he subconsciously hid behind Zhou Tangsi, looking as if he desperately wanted to draw a clear line between them.
Even more ridiculous was that poser Zhou Tangsi, who played along by protecting Zheng Ge. With a look of being on high alert, he said, "I'm here."
Feng Yueshan couldn't hear what they were saying, but he saw that loathsome display from start to finish. He immediately cursed, "Who's even paying attention to them?"
Don't expect Feng Yueshan and the others to have any good impression of Zheng Ge. This guy was just so damn heartless. From the time Yilan was disfigured until now, how many times had he even asked? It was as if his brother was some kind of vicious beast that could devour people.
Chu Yilan's brow twitched slightly. Lately... he had hardly thought of Zheng Ge at all.
Shen Lian occupied too much of his mind and time. Even when they weren't together, the fresh flowers he saw whenever he looked up served as a reminder of such a person's existence.
Passionate, bold.
Meanwhile, Zheng Ge's face was gradually becoming blurred.
It wasn't a matter of loving the new and loathing the old, but rather that after reducing his focus, Chu Yilan recognized more clearly that what he felt for Zheng Ge was mostly gratitude for that sentence years ago: "I'll stay with you."
Who would believe that the aloof and cold-blooded Chu Yilan also had times when he feared loneliness?
He yearned for light, and Zheng Ge just happened to bring a beam of it. But ultimately, what Chu Yilan wanted was that beam of light, not Zheng Ge himself.
He was just unwilling to let go—why could something given to him be taken back? Unlike Shen Lian... Chu Yilan gave a soft "tsk." Why was he thinking of Shen Lian again?
Feng Yueshan and the other two glanced at each other, seeing Chu Yilan's complex and ever-changing expression.
He's actually not gloomy... Feng Yueshan couldn't help but admire Shen Lian. How did he coax him? Anyway, in the past, Chu Yilan's mood would drop whenever he saw Zheng Ge, especially seeing Zheng Ge with Zhou Tangsi; the atmosphere would become so oppressive.
Zhou Yuanlin clapped his hands. "Come on, let's play something fun."
The so-called "fun" was the person in charge bringing over several good-looking young people, both male and female. Most were relying on their looks, hoping to take a shortcut.
Ning Sixian spoke up, "I don't want any."
Zhou Yuanlin: "You're the most boring person. Every time we come to these places, it's always 'I don't want this' and 'I don't want that'."
"Exactly." Feng Yueshan held his wine glass, scanned the group, and pointed at a clean-looking young boy. "You, come over and have a few drinks with our Master Chu."
The boy immediately picked up a glass and stepped forward lightly, standing before Chu Yilan. "Master Chu..."
Chu Yilan felt a chill run through him.
He suddenly looked up and saw that Shen Lian had already retracted his smile, his gaze as cold as snow-soaked ice.
"Don't let me smell anyone else's scent."
That was the warning Shen Lian had once given.
Without even a second thought, Chu Yilan pushed the young boy toward Feng Yueshan.
Feng Yueshan: "?"
"Not cool, man, I like women!"
"No," Chu Yilan said succinctly.
Chu Yilan didn't doubt for a second that if his glass dared to clink with the boy's, Shen Lian would immediately charge over and drive a knee into his crotch.
Ning Sixian looked over with a half-smile. "Are you keeping yourself pure for Zheng Ge?"
Chu Yilan frowned. "What does this have to do with Zheng Ge?"
Ning Sixian was stunned. The way he said that made it sound as if he didn't have much feeling for Zheng Ge at all.
Zhou Yuanlin took a man and a woman; the others were sent away by Feng Yueshan.
Once their surroundings were clear, Feng Yueshan leaned in and asked Chu Yilan, "No, what's going on? Why can't I understand this anymore?"
What the hell could you understand? Chu Yilan thought. You've never even been in a proper relationship. Has anyone ever sent you flowers, waited for you to come home, or watched over and managed you?
Shen Lian meant what he said; Chu Yilan knew the streak of madness in that man's bones.
But he wasn't repulsed at all. On the contrary, after a glass of strong liquor, thinking of Shen Lian's possessive gaze just now made Chu Yilan's blood begin to burn.
To have eyes only for him and absolutely refuse to let anyone else covet him—Shen Lian's attitude pleased Chu Yilan to a great extent and gave him an unspeakable sense of security.
Chu Yilan drained his glass in one gulp and leaned back against the sofa. Through the flickering lights and the crowd, he looked toward Shen Lian with a deep, dark gaze.
I didn't touch them.
Shen Lian curled his lips into a faint smile. Then, under Chu Yilan's watchful eye, he gave the rim of his glass a light kiss.
In an instant, the sensation of those thin lips pressed against his scar surged up again.
This is a reward.
Shen Lian chuckled softly.
Now, not just Feng Yueshan, but Ning Sixian and Zhou Yuanlin were all staring at Chu Yilan curiously. What happened? Why the hell are you blushing?!
Refusing to believe it, Feng Yueshan grabbed Chu Yilan's glass and tasted the remaining drops. It was the same one they usually drank; he shouldn't be drunk, right?
The next second, Chu Yilan's cold gaze swept over. "Change the glass."
Feng Yueshan: "?"
"You motherf—" Feng Yueshan was full of questions. "We've been friends for all these years, and we basically grew up sleeping in the same bed. Now you're disgusted by me?"
"It's not disgust," Chu Yilan said indifferently.
Forget it, Feng Yueshan wouldn't understand even if he told him. Looking at how this guy was jumping up and down in frustration, Chu Yilan suddenly felt he was a bit pitiful.
"The girls Mrs. Feng introduced to you—wasn't there anyone you liked?"
Feng Yueshan couldn't keep up with this train of thought at all and could only answer dully, "I want to play for another couple of years."
Chu Yilan gave a light laugh. "Ah, that's normal."
Feng Yueshan: "???"
For the first time, Feng Yueshan wanted to pick up a wine bottle and crack Chu Yilan's head open. What are you acting so smug for? Are you discriminating against me now?
Ning Sixian shook his head. "I don't understand."
Zhou Yuanlin: "Looks like I really am an academic failure."
"Shen Lian?" A staff member walked up and said politely, "Our boss would like to see you."
Shen Lian nodded politely.
He and Chu Yilan seemed to be busy with their own things, but in reality, where the other was and what they were doing could be locked onto with just a glance from the corner of their eye.