Chapter 90: You’re Getting Married

After just one glance, Lin Hexi shifted his gaze away.

You Chong wasn’t the type of person who would casually use online photos as wallpapers, so the person in the lock screen picture must be him.

Lin Hexi had already taken a step forward, but at this moment, he quietly returned to where he had started.

He stood up from the sofa, only to find that You Chong was still looking at him.

Rather than just looking at him, it was more like You Chong was observing the changes in Lin Hexi’s expression.

Unable to understand the other’s intentions, Lin Hexi bypassed him and walked toward the suitcase placed by the wall, missing the faint trace of disappointment that flickered across You Chong’s face behind him.

He found a watch from the suitcase and stood up to hand it to You Chong.

Upon seeing the watch, a trace of displeasure appeared between You Chong’s brows. This obvious emotion disappeared in an instant, and after suppressing his fluctuating feelings, You Chong spoke clearly to confirm: “Is this the watch?”

Lin Hexi replied, “Yes, this is the one.”

You Chong was silent for a moment. “How did it break?”

Lin Hexi answered, “It got damaged after being soaked in water.”

You Chong almost laughed in exasperation at his words. “It broke today after falling into the fountain?”

Following his lead, Lin Hexi lied without changing his expression, “Yes.”

You Chong was genuinely a bit angry, but he didn’t press further. However, the grip on the watch in his hand tightened unconsciously. After calming down, he said, “I’ll find someone to help you fix the watch. How can I contact you?”

“Thank you.” After expressing his thanks, Lin Hexi gave him his new domestic number.

You Chong opened his phone to make a note of it, his tone slightly casual as he asked, “You changed your number?”

Since returning to the country, having a domestic number was, of course, more convenient. Lin Hexi didn’t quite understand his question but still nodded under his gaze.

Worried that if he stayed any longer, he would be rendered speechless by Lin Hexi’s attitude, You Chong didn’t linger. He grabbed his belongings and left.

After escorting him to the elevator, Lin Hexi returned to his room. He retrieved the watch he had fished out of the fountain from his suitcase and stared at the watch face for two minutes before picking up his phone to search for a reliable watch repair shop.

Halfway through his search, he suddenly realized he had forgotten to ask You Chong about the wedding.

Turning his gaze to the sportswear draped over the chair, he picked up the room’s landline and called the front desk.

The hotel service was highly efficient. The clothes were taken by the staff in the evening, and by the next morning, they were returned.

Lin Hexi had originally planned to go to You Chong that afternoon to exchange the clothes, but he received a call from a friend.

The friend, who had been handling business out of town, had finally returned and invited him to meet at a bar he owned that evening.

Lin Hexi agreed, rearranged his work schedule by moving his evening tasks to the afternoon, and postponed going to see You Chong to exchange the clothes until tomorrow.

He had met Zhao Mingliu two years ago in the United States.

That year, Zhao Mingliu was on a road trip in the U.S. with a group of friends when their car broke down on the roadside. Lin Hexi happened to pass by with an American friend. Coincidentally, the American friend walking with Lin Hexi had worked at a repair shop before and was able to help them out significantly.

That’s how the two got to know each other.

During the following week, it was school vacation. Zhao Mingliu and his group drove along the West Coast of the U.S., and since they had an extra seat in the car, Lin Hexi joined them for a week of fun.

While traveling the highways with them, Lin Hexi could tell that Zhao Mingliu and his friends were all wealthy and extravagant. So, when he later learned that Zhao Mingliu had opened a bar in a pricey downtown area, he wasn’t too surprised.

However, when Lin Hexi actually arrived at the bar that evening, he realized he had somewhat underestimated Zhao Mingliu’s family background.

This wasn’t the type of bar that people could casually walk into. Even on an ordinary night without any special events, there were staff stationed at the entrance, holding tablets to verify each guest’s registered VIP information.

Just from the scene outside, it was clear what kind of clientele frequented this bar every night.

While standing outside, Lin Hexi called Zhao Mingliu.

Two minutes after the call ended, a bar staff member came out to guide Lin Hexi inside.

Zhao Mingliu was sitting at the bar waiting for him, along with the same friends who had gone on the road trip with him in the U.S. 

When Lin Hexi made his way through the crowd, Zhao Mingliu was the first to get off his high stool, opening his arms to hug him.

The other friends followed suit, each stepping up to hug him, then leaving the seat next to Zhao Mingliu for him.

After exchanging pleasantries and teasing each other, Zhao Mingliu asked him how long he would be staying in the country.

Thinking of the work his company had suddenly assigned him, Lin Hexi said, “I’m not sure yet.”

“Just tell me straight,” Zhao Mingliu responded decisively, “Will you be around next weekend?”

Lin Hexi replied, “Yes, I will.”

“Then that’s settled.” Zhao Mingliu placed a hand on his shoulder and pulled an invitation from his pocket, slipping it into Lin Hexi’s hand. “There’s a Halloween party at the bar next weekend. Make sure you come.”

Lin Hexi smiled and agreed, “Alright.”

Zhao Mingliu instructed the waiter to bring over drinks and glasses, casually slinging an arm around Lin Hexi as he said, “Back in the U.S., there were so many of us, but none of us could outdrink you. Now I have to settle that score.”

Taking the empty glass from the waiter, Lin Hexi leisurely asked, “Still playing finger-guessing?”

Zhao Mingliu quickly waved his hand, cautious, “Games like that and I don’t get along. Let’s switch it up this time.”

Lin Hexi remained calm, “Switch to what?”

Zhao Mingliu didn’t say anything at first, but his gaze slowly swept across the dimly lit bar, eventually settling on the entrance where guests were coming and going. Satisfied, he finally spoke, “Let’s bet on the guests coming through the door tonight. Whoever loses drinks.”

Lin Hexi followed his gaze, narrowing his eyes toward the entrance. “How do we bet?”

“Anything goes.” Zhao Mingliu gave an example, “Gender, outfit, age—your choice.”

A smile spread across Lin Hexi’s lips as he calmly replied, “Alright, let’s start with gender. I bet the next person to come in will be a man.”

Zhao Mingliu responded, “Then I’ll bet on a woman.”

Both of them stared at the entrance. As if that wasn’t enough, worried that the bar’s dim lighting might make it hard to see clearly, Zhao Mingliu even called over a waiter to help keep an eye on the door.

A moment later, a wealthy-looking middle-aged man walked into their line of sight.

Lin Hexi spoke with a hint of amusement in his tone, “A good start.”

Zhao Mingliu sighed lightly and, with great sportsmanship, downed the drink in his glass.

As the empty glass clinked on the table, he was the first to speak, “The next person to come in will be wearing a watch on their left hand.”

Lin Hexi tilted his head slightly, his tone resigned, “The guests at this bar are all rich or influential. The chances of someone not wearing a watch are slim.”

“Then I’ll add another condition,” Zhao Mingliu thought for a moment before saying, “The watch is a Vacheron Constantin.”

Lin Hexi turned his gaze back to the entrance.

When the next guest arrived, the waiter, having received instructions through his earpiece, approached the guest and took a glance at their wrist.

From the bar’s end, the radio crackled, “Vacheron Constantin.”

Lin Hexi drank the contents of his glass.

After about ten rounds of guessing the guests entering the bar, Zhao Mingliu finally started to lose interest. He suggested, “How about we switch to a new bet?”

Lin Hexi looked at him.

Zhao Mingliu said, “Let’s guess ages for the next round. The loser has to agree to do something for the winner.”

Lin Hexi nodded, “Alright.”

Zhao Mingliu bet that the next guest’s age would be between twenty and thirty, while Lin Hexi wagered that the person would be between thirty and forty.

Both kept their eyes fixed on the entrance.

For about five minutes, no new guests came in.

Just as they were about to give up, two tall figures finally began to come into focus at the far end of their view.

Zhao Mingliu declared decisively, “It’s a man.”

Lin Hexi asked, “If both of them fall within our guessed age ranges, how should we count it?”

Zhao Mingliu replied, “Then it’s a tie.”

As they spoke, the two figures entered the bar. Just then, the lights dimmed, and the features of the two individuals faded into the shadows.

But even in the low light, Lin Hexi immediately felt a strong sense of familiarity wash over him.

Lin Hexi withdrew his gaze, momentarily lost in thought.

Zhao Mingliu turned to urge the nearby waiter, “Go quickly and ask about their ages.”

Hearing this, Lin Hexi snapped back to reality and let out a soft laugh, “No need to ask. I lost.”

The music in the bar was a bit loud, and Zhao Mingliu didn’t catch what he said. Still, he reached out to stop the waiter next to him from notifying the others over the radio.

By now, the features of the two individuals had fully emerged in the light.

Zhao Mingliu raised his arm and happily called out to them, “Brother Xuan!”

Zhou Xuan and You Chong made their way through the crowd toward the bar.

“The last time I came over, the bar staff told me you were out of town,” Zhou Xuan said, turning to introduce Zhao Mingliu to You Chong. “This is Zhao Mingliu.”

Zhao Mingliu glanced at You Chong and, with a knowing smile, asked, “Are you Brother Chong?”

You Chong withdrew his gaze from the person next to Zhao Mingliu, his expression calm as he gave a slight nod. Then, unexpectedly, he asked, “Do you two know each other?”

Zhao Mingliu was puzzled, “Who?”

Lin Hexi spoke up to explain, “We met in the U.S.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Mingliu’s face lit up with realization, and he raised his arm to drape it over Lin Hexi’s shoulder. “This is my friend. You two know each other too?”

You Chong’s gaze fell on Zhao Mingliu’s arm, his expression gradually darkening. “Yes, we know each other.”

Feeling a sudden chill down his back, Zhao Mingliu instinctively let go of Lin Hexi, though still full of surprise, he exclaimed, “Well, that’s quite a coincidence!”

Zhou Xuan smiled with mixed emotions and smoothly changed the topic.

They had plans to meet others at the bar, so after exchanging a few words with Zhao Mingliu, they left the bar area.

Having lost the game, Lin Hexi owed Zhao Mingliu a favor.

Zhao Mingliu, unable to think of an interesting idea himself, called over the rest of his friends to brainstorm together.

Five minutes later, Zhao Mingliu returned to the bar, holding back laughter as he raised an eyebrow at Lin Hexi and asked, “Ready to pay up?”

Lin Hexi remained calm and composed. “I accept the bet.”

Zhao Mingliu’s smile widened as he pulled Lin Hexi closer and whispered something in his ear.

Lin Hexi’s expression shifted subtly.

Zhao Mingliu, feigning surprise, teased, “Not willing? Didn’t you just say you’d accept the bet?”

Lin Hexi was still deep in thought, considering his options.

Zhao Mingliu reassured him, “Everyone will be wearing masks on Halloween, so no one will recognize you.”

Lin Hexi glanced at him, and after a moment of thought, he slowly replied, “Alright.”

“Then it’s settled.” Zhao Mingliu, in a cheerful mood, snapped his fingers.

The game didn’t continue after that, but Lin Hexi couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that You Chong was also there. He drank a few more glasses.

When he started feeling a slight warmth on his face, he excused himself, saying he needed to use the restroom. Using the alcohol to fuel his courage, he wove through the crowd, searching for You Chong’s whereabouts.

Finally, Lin Hexi spotted You Chong’s back in the booth area opposite the stage. The seat across from You Chong was empty, as Zhou Xuan was nowhere to be seen.

With a clear goal in mind, Lin Hexi walked directly toward him and sat down across the table.

Hearing the sound, You Chong lifted his eyelids, his expression unreadable as he glanced at Lin Hexi. “You’ve been drinking?”

Lin Hexi froze for a moment, then subtly narrowed his eyes, pretending to be slightly tipsy. After thinking it over for a while, he replied, “I’ve had a few.”

Taking in his appearance, You Chong frowned slightly, though without making it obvious. “How much did you drink?”

Lin Hexi lowered his eyes. “I drank a lot.”

“If you’re here to ask about the watch,” You Chong paused, “I’ve already sent it for repairs.”

“Thank you.” As if returning the courtesy, Lin Hexi informed him, “The clothes have been cleaned. I’ll bring them to you tomorrow.”

You Chong’s eyes darkened, and a wave of irritation surged within him.

He suddenly realized that even after all this time apart, he didn’t want to hear Lin Hexi speak to him in such a distant and detached tone.

What made it even worse was that in the years they had grown distant, Lin Hexi had gradually formed closer bonds with others.

People like Zhao Mingliu, who was here in the same bar, and those unknown friends far away in the U.S.

You Chong had never doubted Lin Hexi’s ability to make friends. In the past, Lin Hexi had few friends only because, when rumors were flying everywhere, he consciously kept everyone out of his life.

But now, You Chong found himself worried.

He worried that Lin Hexi had found new friends, formed new social circles, and that their lives were now running parallel, perhaps never to intersect again.

You Chong had never wanted to admit it, but the truth was that Lin Hexi had changed a lot since he came back.

While You Chong remained unaware, Lin Hexi had met many new people, and his English had become fluent.

He had grown more mature than he was three years ago and might no longer remember the memories they once shared together.

He also had a new watch now, and perhaps it had been a long time since he’d worn the old one You Chong had given him.

Maybe he had painted many pictures for others, perhaps even given someone else cufflinks, or gone to see the sea and snow with someone else.

Suppressing those spiraling, unpleasant thoughts, You Chong’s expression darkened as he stood up from the table, turning to leave.

But suddenly, Lin Hexi reached out and grabbed his hand.

Lin Hexi couldn’t see You Chong’s expression, nor could he guess what was going on in his mind. He had no way of knowing why You Chong had suddenly stood up—perhaps he had something urgent to attend to, or maybe he simply no longer wanted to sit face-to-face with him.

He only knew that, after missing the chance a few times before, if he didn’t ask now, the words he had been preparing for so long might never come out—at least not tonight.

His hand remained firmly on You Chong’s arm as he looked up at him. “I heard from Fang Qingning that you’re getting married.”

Even in the loud and noisy bar, Lin Hexi’s words cut through all the background noise and landed clearly in You Chong’s ears.

You Chong froze in place, lowering his gaze to meet Lin Hexi’s.

Catching his look, Lin Hexi pressed on, “When are you getting married?”

You Chong’s eyes were locked onto Lin Hexi’s face. He didn’t pull his hand away, nor did he respond immediately.

In the next second, Zhou Xuan’s familiar voice suddenly rang out from behind, “You Chong’s getting married?”

Zhou Xuan leisurely stepped forward, his face full of teasing as he looked at You Chong. “You’re getting married? How come I didn’t know?”