As the end of August approached, Gu Wenxi made plans to meet up with some old friends again, this time at Xiao Shao’s restaurant. There was karaoke equipment in the private room, but after not seeing each other for a long time, everyone focused more on eating and chatting.

“Let’s get a few bottles of Osmanthus beer!” Gu Wenxi had grown tired of drinking Western alcohol at previous gatherings and was afraid of getting drunk, so this time he opted for beer.

“Alright, beer it is!”

The room was filled with lively chatter. Zeng Bo Nian was still the most excited one besides Gu Wenxi. Normally, Jiang Chen also liked to be lively at such gatherings, but now he mostly sat quietly all night, only speaking when spoken to. Gu Wenxi had mostly put aside the embarrassment from a few months ago, but he couldn’t restore the intimate friendship. It was more like a polite nodding acquaintance.

Zeng Bo Nian, one of the former “iron triangle”, couldn’t understand these two, especially Jiang Chen. If he had issues, he could just refuse to come to these gatherings, but he insisted on coming and couldn’t be as relaxed as Gu Wenxi, showing his displeasure to everyone. And besides, no matter whose fault it was in the past, Gu Wenxi had moved on, but he was still brooding?

Zeng Bo Nian shook his head, there was no other way, he could only try to liven up the atmosphere as much as possible.

Yue Ling was still thinking about what Gu Wenxi had said about pursuing someone before. After a couple of drinks, her gossip spirit was ignited, “Wenxi, did that person you liked last time reciprocate?”

The room quieted down slightly, waiting for everyone’s curious expressions. Gu Wenxi laughed heartily, “Of course, otherwise, would I be this happy?”

After exchanging glances with Yue Ling, Zeng Bo Nian turned to face Gu Wenxi and slapped the table, “Alright, why didn’t you say so earlier!”

“Where’s she?” Yue Ling asked cheerfully.

“Not… not here right now.” Gu Wenxi took a sip of Osmanthus wine.

The wheat fragrance blended with the floral scent, intertwining in the mouth, sweet and refreshing.

“Where’s the photo?”

“Don’t,” Gu Wenxi didn’t intend to open his phone, “you’ll see it sooner or later anyway.”

“That’s not like you, Wenxi, to hide things,” Zeng Bo Nian said, “Are you trying to deceive us?”

“Why would I lie to you?” If he showed them Du Yunyan’s photo now, it would be considered fake. It would be too troublesome to explain. He would wait until everyone arrived before saying anything.

Fortunately, Yu Luo joked, “This shows that Gu ge is sincere. He cherishes the photo as a treasure.” Everyone laughed, tacitly accepting it.

“When will you introduce us?”

“Alright, alright,” Gu Wenxi poured the wine, “Don’t forget who the main character is. Let’s celebrate the end of your singlehood together.” He clinked glasses with Zeng Bo Nian and Yue Ling. The two of them were about to get married, and the ceremony wouldn’t be long now. They had come out today because of Zeng Bo Nian’s idea, “Let’s have one last gathering with the guys before saying goodbye to being single.”

“Even if they don’t get married, they’re torturing the single dogs every day. What’s the difference?” Xiao Shao poured more wine, “Come on, Yue Ling, drink as much as you want, drink up Zeng Ge!”

“You think I’ll get drunk with just this? Am I that weak?”

“That depends on how many bottles you drink…”

Although it was beer and the atmosphere was lively with many people, they drank without restraint and were somewhat intoxicated. Most of the food on the table was still untouched.

“Let’s take a group photo?” Yu Luo suggested.

“Sure, let’s take one quickly and finish the rest of the food,” Zeng Bo Nian looked around, “Let’s use Wenxi’s phone; his camera is the best!”

Gu Wenxi handed over his phone, and Xiao Shao said, “I’ll call a waiter over.”

---

“Where to, handsome?”

“Huiyuan Building.” As soon as Du Yunyan got off the train station, he took a taxi directly to Gu Wenxi’s apartment.

The distance from the station to there was relatively far, requiring a highway drive. After getting in the car, he looked out of the window with boredom, watching the flowing colorful night scenes pass by. He had been back to this place only a few times over the years. The city’s changes were rapid, and it no longer matched the silhouette he remembered from his childhood.

He lowered his head and glanced at his WeChat Moments. Du Yunyan never posted on Moments himself, but Gu Wenxi loved to post all sorts of things and often liked to show him. Over time, he would often go check to see what the other had posted.

As he refreshed, he happened to see a group photo uploaded by Gu Wenxi two minutes ago. Nearly ten people were sitting around in a circle, with most of the food on the table untouched.

Du Yunyan thought that by this time, even if he had social engagements, he should be home by now. He didn’t expect him to still be out and it didn’t seem like it would end soon. The WeChat post had a location attached to it, indicating a high-end restaurant. Du Yunyan immediately changed his mind and said to the driver in front, “Sorry, can you take me to ‘Blue Bliss Restaurant’ now? Can you take me there?”

“Hey, you should have said earlier. I have to get off the highway ahead.”

“Alright, thank you.”

---

Gu Wenxi came out of the restroom, and Jiang Chen leaned against the wall outside, neither returning to the private room nor seeming to have any plans to go to the restroom. When he saw Gu Wenxi, he raised his head slightly, his eyes still listless. “Wenxi, you—”

“Let’s go.” Gu Wenxi took two steps forward.

“Wenxi,” Jiang Chen still didn’t move from his spot, but stood up straight, “Are you… with your lover… okay?”

Gu Wenxi looked at him sideways, “Of course, we’ve been together during this time.”

Perhaps Jiang Chen had come to terms with it, or perhaps he was just helpless. He said lightly, “Oh, as long as you are okay, it’s fine.”

“Let’s go,” Gu Wenxi reminded him again, “It’s time to go back.”

He didn’t wait for Jiang Chen deliberately and walked towards the private room first.

Several people took the elevator downstairs together because they knew they would be drinking that day and none of them had driven.

Gu Wenxi had just opened the taxi-hailing app when Zeng Bo Nian patted him on the shoulder and pointed to the taxi slowly stopping by the roadside. “Wenxi, a car has just arrived. You get in first.”

“What about you guys?”

“We’ll call another one. Your place is the farthest.”

Gu Wenxi didn’t bother to be polite with them, “Then I’ll go first.” As he descended the steps, he waved to the driver and then saw Du Yunyan in the back seat.

He was suddenly stunned, his hand still hanging in the air, forgetting that he was descending the stairs. He stepped into the air, stumbled a few steps, and almost fell to the ground. Du Yunyan stepped forward to help him.

Gu Wenxi thought he was having a hallucination from drinking. The figure of Du Yunyan in front of him seemed like an illusion. “I’ve only been drinking beer today, why am I so drunk?”

Du Yunyan grabbed his arm and smiled, “Take a closer look.”

The feeling of his arm was too real, and Gu Wenxi’s mind cleared up like an electric shock. “You… why are you here?”

“Why can’t I come?” Du Yunyan never let go of his hand, “Okay, let’s talk about it later.”

“Wenxi, who is this?” Zeng Bo Nian and the others saw a stranger holding Gu Wenxi and curiously surrounded them.

Gu Wenxi remembered Yue Ling’s question at the dinner table and smiled lightly, brushing off Du Yunyan’s hand and instead putting his arm around his shoulder, introducing him to his friends, “Didn’t you want to meet who i’ve been pursuing? Here he is!”

“What?!” Everyone looked at each other in astonishment.

Du Yunyan smelled the alcohol on Gu Wenxi’s breath but didn’t admit it or refute it. He just blushed and patted his back.

Zeng Bo Nian’s mouth formed an “o” shape, half surprised by Gu Wenxi’s words and half wondering when Gu Wenxi had met such a person. Their social circles had almost completely overlapped over the years. If it was a friend from S City, they should all be familiar.

The stranger had a restrained classical beauty in his facial features and temperament, but it couldn’t change the fact that he was male. How could this be? Zeng Bo Nian thought Gu Wenxi was talking nonsense because he was drunk. The handsome man had a good temper, not getting angry even though Gu Wenxi was taking advantage of him verbally. The two of them must know each other. “Excuse me—are you a friend of Wenxi’s?”

Du Yunyan nodded, “Yes, I’m just taking him home.” He didn’t say anything more. He wasn’t afraid of coming out, but he didn’t know how much Gu Wenxi had confided in these friends. He didn’t want to speak out of turn.

When he got out of the car just now, Du Yunyan had asked the driver to wait for a moment, so they both got into the car together.

“Guys, don’t say I didn’t introduce him!” Gu Wenxi leaned into the car and shouted to his friends before leaving, waving proudly.

“That—was a man, right?” Yue Ling was equally puzzled and confused, “Did Wenxi make a mistake or is he joking?”

“Damn, he must be really drunk,” Zeng Bo Nian cursed under his breath. “That poor man…”

Several people treated Du Yunyan as Gu Wenxi’s ordinary friend, laughing and joking around, except Jiang Chen, who silently lowered his eyelids as he watched them leave.

---

Gu Wenxi wasn’t too drunk. After arriving at the apartment and entering the door, he was completely sober. Du Yunyan came to pick him up as soon as he got off the train, which was obviously exciting.

“You didn’t tell me. I just sent you a letter a few days ago.”

“I told Aunt Liu to collect my mail for me.”

Gu Wenxi relaxed after hearing that. He had intended to help Du Yunyan prepare some daily necessities, but Du Yunyan spread open his travel suitcase and said to him, “I’ve brought most of what I need. No need to prepare anything.”

Gu Wenxi glanced into the suitcase. There were more and finer things than what he had brought when he helped pack his luggage last time. Even things like drinking cups and pajamas were packed. If you didn’t know, you’d think he was moving.

“Why did you bring so much? Do I not have things you can use here? If not, we can buy them now.”

“It’s okay, I’m used to being well-prepared.” Du Yunyan took out a sealed can of preserved plums. “Want some? I made them.”

Gu Wenxi’s throat was dry and he wanted some snacks. He happily took it, “Why did you come at this time?” Even if Yun was coming over, it would be after the peak season. “What about the inn?”

“We’ll temporarily close it for a week.”

“How much less will you earn then? Business must be booming right now.” Gu Wenxi teased with a smile.

After taking out some items, Du Yunyan closed the suitcase and stood up, walking over to him with a deep gaze, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. “I don’t need to earn money anymore, I’ve hitched onto a big shot.”

Gu Wenxi, thinking about the little tricks he had done behind Du Yunyan’s back, stuttered, “Wh-which big shot?”

A smirk played on Du Yunyan’s lips. “The young master of the Gu Group.”

Gu Wenxi blinked. “You… knew about that?”

“Just found out,” Du Yunyan lightly brushed aside his bangs, “How long were you planning to hide it from me?”

Du Yunyan’s expression no longer serious, carrying a hint of teasing, Gu Wenxi also breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried that Du Yunyan would feel awkward once he found out.

“I wanted to wait until everything was settled before telling you,” his smile faded, and he changed the subject, “Yunyan, is there something you haven’t told me?”

Gu Wenxi learned about Lu Changming’s secret through assistant Zhou, and he hoped to communicate directly with Du Yunyan to resolve his inner conflicts.

“Wenxi,” Du Yunyan also understood what he wanted to ask, “I didn’t tell you that the man came to see me.” He could never call Lu Changming “dad”.

“And then?”

“He’s not important,” Du Yunyan regained his composure, “Actually, I’ve come to terms with it. That day, I realized that all the money my mom and I used to start the inn was left by him. He wanted me to understand that everything I have today is because of him. But he didn’t expect that the more he did that, the less I would care about it.”

“He actually used this to threaten you?”

Guessing that Lu Changming was shameless, but never expected him to be this shameless.

“Wenxi, you don’t need to stand up for me. Like I said, it made me let go of my psychological burden. I can have nothing, I can start over on my own, and that feeling is very liberating,” Du Yunyan looked into his eyes, “I didn’t tell you because he’s not worth it. Actually, you don’t need to stand up for me, or involve your family for someone like him—”

“Stop,” Gu Wenxi understood now, but he wasn’t someone who took things lightly, “This isn’t about standing up for you. Isn’t Pingliang Village also my home? I’ve lived there for so long, why should I give it to someone else? Who knows what his intentions are!” After a rant, he glanced at Du Yunyan, “I took matters into my own hands. Are you angry with me?”

Du Yunyan shook his head. “How could I be angry with you?”

Gu Wenxi’s actions were too much of a gift to him, and he did feel a slight sense of guilt and hesitation, but he knew the reason why Gu Wenxi did this. If he imposed his own unease on him, it would be a betrayal of his feelings. Over the years, they had developed an unspoken understanding, and there was no need to question each other’s intentions due to some petty pride or sense of superiority.

“But in doing so, won’t your company bear an additional burden?”

“Do you think my dad is the kind of person who would make a loss-making deal?” Gu Wenxi put his arm around him, “I just whispered in his ear, the decision was his own, and the board had no objections. Let me tell you another secret,” he paused slightly, “My dad plans to hand over this project to me completely.”

“You?”

“Yeah,” he said excitedly, “We’ll set up a subsidiary company, and then I can go back to work.”

“Really?” Du Yunyan was delighted but also had new doubts, “Wenxi, about us… does your dad know?” He hadn’t heard him mention coming out, but now his attitude seemed as if he had already discussed it with his family.

“What do you think?” Gu Wenxi’s eyes lifted at the corners, not waiting for his answer, he continued, “Yunyan, do you want to go home with me tomorrow?”