Ning Zhiyuan’s eyes showed confusion, as if he hadn’t understood what Cen Zhisen said.

“Going solo,” Cen Zhisen said again, “Don’t you want to work for others? Going abroad is still working for someone else. It’s better to do it yourself; what others can do, you can do too.”

Ning Zhiyuan’s grip on the drink bottle tightened slightly, and he thought for a moment. “I don’t have the capital. The money in my pocket might not even make a sound if I throw it into the water.”

“As long as you have a brain,” Cen Zhisen reminded him, “a good brain is worth a fortune.”

Ning Zhiyuan laughed at his metaphor. “Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Mr. Cen.”

“I’m serious,” Cen Zhisen said sincerely. “Your investment insights are accurate. If you lack the capital, I can help you with it, or I can contribute myself. You just focus on making money for me.”

Ning Zhiyuan questioned, “Why? Do you really need money, or do you want to help me because you think I’m in an awkward situation? Is this your idea or your dad’s?”

“Do you have to ask so directly?”

Across the long table, Cen Zhisen looked into his eyes. Ning Zhiyuan didn’t flinch, as if there was some sort of confrontation. He insisted on getting an answer.

That day at the Cen family, he told Cen Shengli about resigning and changing his surname. Cen Shengli also asked about his future plans and suggested giving him a significant amount of money, an offer he had declined. Moreover, he had already started the process of returning all the fixed assets registered under his name. Materially, he did benefit from the Cen family, and if he continued taking what he shouldn’t, he might have to lower himself in front of Cen Zhisen for the rest of his life.

“It’s both dad’s idea and mine,” Cen Zhisen finally said helplessly. “Dad said you didn’t want what he gave you, worrying about your life outside. This suggestion was mine. I know you don’t want to attract gossip. So, let’s forget about Dad’s money. As I said earlier, I can provide the money. I believe in your ability and trust my own judgment. This is less about helping you and more about my willingness to invest in you.”

His gaze was sincere, and Ning Zhiyuan couldn’t help but believe, “…Let me think about it.”

Cen Zhisen reassured, “No rush. Take your time.”

Ning Zhiyuan didn’t say more. He opened the bottle and took a couple of sips of juice, the sweet taste diluting his slightly complex emotions.

Cen Zhisen walked over. “It’s time for dinner. How about grabbing a meal together?”

Ning Zhiyuan licked his lips. “Sure.”

Cen Zhisen’s eyes caught the glistening juice on his lips. He smiled a little but didn’t mention it.

There was a restaurant upstairs, part of the club. Not wanting to be disturbed, they chose the western restaurant and booked a private room.

Perhaps because Christmas and New Year were approaching, the restaurant was decorated festively, with scented candles on the tables creating a holiday atmosphere. Sitting down, Ning Zhiyuan glanced around and joked, “Oh, a candlelight dinner.”

Cen Zhisen flipped through the menu. “We can skip it if you don’t want.”

“Why skip it?” Ning Zhiyuan said. “I think it’s nice.”

Cen Zhisen raised his eyes, noticing Ning Zhiyuan seemed quite interested. He said, “Then let’s keep it.”

He ordered the dishes first and handed the menu to Ning Zhiyuan, who didn’t bother to look at it. He said to the waiter, “Same as him.”

The waiter repeated their orders, left after confirming, and left them to enjoy their space.

“Are you okay eating the same as me?” Cen Zhisen asked him.

“No problem, I can eat what you eat,” Ning Zhiyuan casually replied.

Cen Zhisen seemed to have a thought after hearing this but chose not to ask. Ning Zhiyuan guessed what he was thinking from his expression, but he didn’t say anything either. He lowered his head and lightly smoothed the wrinkles on his sweater cuff.

Cen Zhisen knew that Ning Zhiyuan liked sweets, and he was equally aware of Cen Zhisen’s taste. The difference was that Cen Zhisen only remembered embarrassing stories from his childhood, while Ning Zhiyuan was accustomed to observing Cen Zhisen.

The atmosphere became somewhat subtle. Cen Zhisen leaned his elbow on the table, hands clasped in front of his chin, and his gaze at Ning Zhiyuan carried a hint of scrutiny.

Ning Zhiyuan lazily reclined into the sofa behind him, legs crossed, and even his demeanor seemed nonchalant. “Why are you staring at me like this?”

“How many people have you brought to this kind of place for a date?” Cen Zhisen asked, an unexpectedly direct question, at least unexpected for Ning Zhiyuan.

Raising his eyebrows, Ning Zhiyuan said halfway, “You’re curious?”

“Just asking casually,” Cen Zhisen said.

“Too many,” Ning Zhiyuan said, laughing again, “Sorry, it’s a personal matter, can’t disclose.”

Cen Zhisen stared at him for a moment, then lowered his eyes, picked up the glass of lemon water in front of him, lightly shook it, and smiled too.

“Alright, forget it.”

“This is the first time with you, though,” Ning Zhiyuan said, automatically ignoring the term “date,” “Brother, it’s been a long time since we sat down for a meal together, hasn’t it?”

Cen Zhisen fell silent for a moment due to the way Ning Zhiyuan addressed him, then nodded, “It has been a while.”

Ning Zhiyuan chuckled, “Well, today is indeed rare.”

As they dined, they chatted. Cen Zhisen talked about Cen Shengli’s recent physical examination and inquired about Ning Zhiyuan’s relationship with his biological parents.

In fact, it was just finding something to talk about, and he was still trying to find the balance in getting along with Ning Zhiyuan.

Ning Zhiyuan didn’t use the phrase “no comment” again. He answered whatever Cen Zhisen asked, “They are easy to get along with, just a bit reserved. Every time they invite me to their house for a meal, they have to tell me that Ning Zhe is not at home first, afraid I would mind. But I really don’t mind.”

“Ning Zhe probably doesn’t mind either. You should come home more often to see Dad when you have time,” Cen Zhisen suggested.

“How do you know? Did you ask him? Or do you know your own younger brother so well? You haven’t known each other for long, right?” Ning Zhiyuan’s tone carried a teasing meaning, but he didn’t realize that his words were a bit sour.

Cen Zhisen said, “One learns from experience.”

Ning Zhiyuan asked, “Hmm?”

“In the past, I didn’t get along well with my younger brother. Summing up experiences, learning lessons, and striving to have a good relationship with the new younger brother.” Cen Zhisen explained, sounding like he was joking.

“Alright, I’m the one who fell into the pit.”

This time, it was genuinely sour.

Cen Zhisen raised the corners of his lips, and Ning Zhiyuan regained his composure, “You seem to have forgotten. If you really want to be a good brother who cares for his younger brother, there’s that little guy, Cen Cong. You can discipline him well.”

Mentioning that mischievous little devil, Cen Zhisen frowned and gave up, “Forget it.”

Then they both laughed.

Later, Cen Zhisen mentioned some matters in the company. Since Ning Zhiyuan had already resigned, he only chose to talk about things that could be discussed, “I plan to let Mr. Zhang take over your position. He is indeed quite capable; no wonder you value him. Also, your assistant, last week, I transferred him to be my second assistant. After he adapts for some time, my previous assistant will be promoted to be the general manager of a branch, and I’ll let him be with me.”

Ning Zhiyuan was somewhat surprised. Mr. Zhang was one thing, as the previous alignment disputes were just temporary. But Cen Zhisen could easily transfer his assistant without any reservations, Ning Zhiyuan thought that even he might not be so generous.

“He is indeed clever, quick at picking up work, and also—” Cen Zhisen’s voice paused.

Ning Zhiyuan asked, “And what?”

“And I want to learn and reference the previous working style of Mr. Xiao Cen,” Cen Zhisen added.

“Oh,” Ning Zhiyuan didn’t bother to comment; whatever, anyway, Cen Zhisen himself didn’t mind.

Outside the restaurant was a large terrace. After dark, they held an evening music concert. They came out of the restaurant, stopped for a moment to listen as they passed by.

On stage, a girl was singing a gentle and cheerful English song. Cen Zhisen casually listened, not showing much interest.

However, Ning Zhiyuan seemed quite fascinated. Hands in his pockets, he stood casually, lightly tapping his toes to the beat. During the climax, he even hummed along.

I don’t wanna look at anything else now that I saw you

I don’t wanna think of anything else now that I thought of you

Very standard American pronunciation, his voice was clear and carried a hint of magnetism, quite unique.

Cen Zhisen listened, feeling like someone had scratched his heart twice.

The night wind blew, and golden and silver sequins rained down on the stage, falling onto the audience below.

Standing behind the crowd, they were also affected. Ning Zhiyuan turned around, glimpsed the sequins falling on Cen Zhisen’s coat, leaned over, and naturally raised his hand to brush them away.

Cen Zhisen turned his head and saw his knuckles brushing over his shoulder. His gaze then moved to his face, and his eyes flickered, “You have them on your face too.”

Ning Zhiyuan casually wiped his face, and Cen Zhisen’s eyes carried a hint of a smile, “Still there.”

The golden sequins stopped at the tip of Ning Zhiyuan’s lips, accentuating his already rosy lips. In the night lights, there was even a touch of enchanting allure.

Ning Zhiyuan frowned slightly, and Cen Zhisen’s hand suddenly reached over, and the pad of his thumb gently wiped over his lip.

Ning Zhiyuan’s surprise lasted only a moment. Cen Zhisen calmly withdrew his hand, and the warm touch had already dissipated from his fingertips, leaving behind a small sparkling gold.

Glancing at it, he looked up and said to Ning Zhiyuan, “Now it’s gone.”

Ning Zhiyuan didn’t say anything. “Let’s go back.”

Before going into their respective cars in the parking lot, Cen Zhisen stopped Ning Zhiyuan once again, “Zhiyuan, seriously consider my proposal. Stay.”

Ning Zhiyuan was momentarily lost due to this address but nodded.

The cars left the parking lot one after another, parting ways in the night.

As they left, Cen Zhisen’s parting words were still the same: “See you next time.”