25: Small gathering

Shen Lian certainly wouldn't refuse. In fact, when he woke up the next day, after showering, he simply tousled his hair, put on black pants and white shoes, a light gray inner layer, and topped it off with a flashy wine-red trench coat.

In his past life as a top celebrity, Shen Lian was once obsessed with all sorts of bizarre color schemes; red and green combinations were a common occurrence. On an ordinary person, these would be considered "dark history," but because he had a good foundation and a strong aura, in the words of his fans, "My living daddy is leading the forefront of fashion again."

"Oh my, Little Shen truly looks good in anything he wears." Aunt Fen praised.

Chu Yilan: "..."

"You don't like it?" Shen Lian said. "I think it's pretty good."

Chu Yilan: "It's fine as it is."

After driving for a dozen minutes, Chu Yilan brought Shen Lian to a private club.

Upon entering, there was an open-air layout, square and spacious, with winding stone bridges, emerald bamboos, and pine trees, all with a distinct style. When they pushed open a private room door, Feng Yueshan's voice was the first to pop out: "Pay up!"

Shen Lian poked his head in to look; a bunch of people were playing mahjong.

Feng Yueshan had a cigarette tucked behind his ear and looked like he had finally won a round after losing his shirt; he was very excited. Hearing the commotion, Feng Yueshan turned his head and immediately beamed, "Finally! Hurry up, take over."

Chu Yilan chuckled and actually stepped forward to sit in the seat Feng Yueshan vacated.

Ning Sixian and Zhou Yuanlin were both there, and the rest were all unfamiliar faces, but seeing how relaxed Chu Yilan was, they must be on good terms.

Feng Yueshan was familiar with Shen Lian, so starting with Ning Sixian, he conscientiously introduced them one by one.

Shen Lian also greeted them one by one, silently noting down some important information about each of them.

His attitude was gentle and polite, with not a hint of sycophancy or timidity. A casual glance from him, along with his fair profile and beautiful jawline, made it impossible for anyone to feel aversion toward him.

What Shen Lian cared about more was Ning Sixian. This person was born into a medical family; his family really ran hospitals and had many channels for medicinal herbs and medical equipment.

Chu Yilan won a round and pushed the money on the table toward himself with a clatter.

Shen Lian sat down beside Ning Sixian.

Ning Sixian: "?"

Ning Sixian subconsciously glanced at Chu Yilan, as if to prove his innocence.

"Mr. Ning." Shen Lian said in a low voice, "I want to ask you something."

Ning Sixian: "Go ahead."

"Regarding the scar on Master Chu's face, according to current medical standards, is it possible to remove it without issues?"

"Are you disgusted by it?"

"Not at all." Shen Lian said. "It's just that I see Master Chu cares about it quite a bit."

"You're overthinking it." Ning Sixian continued. "The scar on Yilan's face is the result of four reconstructive surgeries we had experts perform. At the time, it was slashed from his temple down to the corner of his mouth; you could even see the bone."

Shen Lian's smile faded.

"Take it slow." Ning Sixian said. "Whether it's medication or laser treatment, there's a tolerance period. The plan at the time was to look at the specific recovery progress after half a year."

Shen Lian asked earnestly, "Are there any taboos?"

Ning Sixian pointed at Chu Yilan: "Cigarettes, smoke less."

At that moment, Chu Yilan had just put one in his mouth and was about to lower his head to light it with the flame offered by Zhou Yuanlin.

Shen Lian stood up and strode forward.

Wow! Ning Sixian exclaimed in his heart.

Shen Lian actually snatched the cigarette away.

The mahjong table immediately fell silent.

Shen Lian didn't seem to mind and said to Chu Yilan, "Can you not smoke? If you're really itching for it, I can buy a pack of gum for you to chew?"

Zhou Yuanlin was dumbfounded: "What? Is smoking a cigarette a crime against heaven?"

"Mr. Ning said that for the scar to heal quickly, you'd best smoke less."

Chu Yilan turned his head to look at Ning Sixian, who had half his face covered in his jacket and was shaking all over with laughter.

It was true that he shouldn't smoke; Ning Sixian just found the scene of Chu Yilan being bossed around quite interesting.

Chu Yilan was deep in thought. Occasionally, when he couldn't process his emotions, he did need a cigarette to calm down. Because his addiction wasn't strong, he usually let Ning Sixian's medical advice go in one ear and out the other, but unfortunately, Shen Lian treated it as an imperial decree.

"Yilan." Zhou Yuanlin said meaningfully, "You haven't learned your lesson?"

Just a little bird, yet he controls so much; no manners.

Who knew that Chu Yilan paused, touched a mahjong tile, and said, "Continue."

Zhou Yuanlin: "???"

Feng Yueshan sighed, saying that if you're an idiot, just admit it; didn't you see that someone is willing to be controlled?

Shen Lian was sitting on the side finishing a cup of tea when he suddenly heard Chu Yilan say, "Shen Lian, come over and play a round."

Shen Lian blinked.

Chu Yilan looked at him: "If you lose, I'll pay."

Shen Lian wasn't having that. "I'm very good at playing this."

Zhou Yuanlin scoffed, "I'll let you play with one hand."

Twenty minutes later—

Shen Lian: "Pay up, pay up!"

"President Zhou, don't be a sore loser, pay up!"

The smile on the corner of Chu Yilan's mouth had risen to a distinct curve before anyone noticed.

Shen Lian won four rounds in a row and was in high spirits. Just as he was planning to play another, his wrist was pressed down by Chu Yilan, "That's enough, let's stop here."

Shen Lian nodded: "Alright."

Chu Yilan took Shen Lian to the room next door, which was quite quiet and elegant. He said a few words to the waiter at the door, and before long, some Hunan dishes were served.

"Master Chu?"

"Eat your food." Chu Yilan said, "It's time, lest you get low blood sugar again."

Shen Lian's heart felt warm. He sat down at the table with a bold posture and muttered under his breath, "If you care about me, just say so; why act so high and mighty."

Chu Yilan: "..."

There was a rustling sound at the door. Shen Lian was surprised: "Are there mice?"

Chu Yilan went straight up and pulled the door open.

Feng Yueshan almost fell in.

Ning Sixian coughed lightly and turned to leave. The remaining people looked at each other, feeling awkward while not forgetting to peek inside the room. As a result, the scene they expected wasn't there; Shen Lian was just eating!

"Damn it..." Feng Yueshan steadied himself, "You are really biased, opening a separate table. I'm hungry too."

Shen Lian patted the seat next to him, "President Feng, come join us."

Feng Yueshan was thick-skinned; he pushed aside Chu Yilan's hand and went in. Several other people followed. Seeing that there wasn't enough food, Feng Yueshan told the waiter to hurry up and bring more.

Feng Yueshan started to like Shen Lian a little bit now. You have to say, this "simp" awakening had quite a contrast. Compared to the previous pitiful, fawning trash who was obsessed with Zhou Tangsi, the current Shen Lian had a generous personality, knew how to have fun, and said things that hit home. More importantly, he had Chu Yilan in his eyes.

Could it be that he was targeting Zheng Ge on purpose just for Yilan before? Was liking Zhou Tangsi just a smokescreen?

Feng Yueshan felt it was all so complicated.

"Did you notice?" Ning Sixian whispered to Zhou Yuanlin, "Usually when we have a gathering, Yilan leaves after two hours at most. Today he stayed for the whole day."

Zhou Yuanlin: "That's because he has a good relationship with us brothers."

Ning Sixian: "...That's because Shen Lian is having fun."

Shen Lian really hadn't played like this for a long time. If he had met Feng Yueshan in his past life, they would definitely have been best buddies and sworn brothers. Of course, this life wasn't bad either; in fact, before they left, the two even exchanged contact information.