When they left the art gallery, it was already close to noon. The temperature had risen compared to the morning, and though the sun was a bit warm on the skin, it was still a comfortable level of heat.

After Yun Pei had been dropped off by his driver in the morning, he had asked him to come back around noon. However, the driver hadn’t arrived yet.

Yun Pei was looking down at his phone, contacting the driver, when a shadow fell over him. He looked up to meet the cold, handsome face of Qin Mingyuan, his expression filled with confusion.

“As a gesture of reciprocity, you invited me to the art exhibition, so let me treat you to lunch.” Qin Mingyuan looked down at the frail youth in the wheelchair, who was completely shrouded by his shadow. He tapped his wristwatch, “It’s almost twelve.”

Yun Pei hesitated for a moment but then thought about how going back home meant running into Huo Lijuan, which would surely ruin his appetite. It would be better to eat out and return home afterward. With this thought in mind, he nodded. “I’ll wait for my driver then.”

Qin Mingyuan gestured to his phone. “Tell him to come later. You can ride with me.”

It did seem a bit strange for two people going out to lunch to take separate cars, but remembering the awkwardness of riding in Qin Mingyuan’s car last time, Yun Pei hesitated and gripped his phone tightly.

“What’s the matter?” Qin Mingyuan tilted his head. “Afraid I’ll sell you off?”

“…No.” Yun Pei shook off his concerns and lowered his head to message his driver.

Qin Mingyuan led him back to his car and thoughtfully opened the passenger door. He bent down to lift Yun Pei, skillfully placing him into the seat, the action more practiced than the last time.

In the two seconds they were so close, Yun Pei could smell the faint scent of men’s cologne on him. As he adjusted himself in the seat, he lowered his gaze calmly. “Thank you.”

Pretending not to notice the redness in Yun Pei’s ears, Qin Mingyuan folded the wheelchair and placed it in the trunk before getting into the driver’s seat.

As he buckled his seatbelt, he glanced at Yun Pei, who was fastening his own. Remembering the lunch where Yun Pei had ordered something non-spicy, Qin Mingyuan assumed he wasn’t fond of spicy food. He thought of a Hangzhou cuisine restaurant near his place that he had tried twice before—it was quite good.

With that in mind, he asked, “How about Hangzhou cuisine?”

Yun Pei didn’t have much preference when it came to food. Due to his health, he usually ate light meals, so he had no objections and nodded.

With the decision made, Qin Mingyuan fastened his seatbelt and started the car. The noon sun was harsher than in the morning, a bit glaring. He squinted slightly and said without turning his head, “Can you grab my sunglasses?”

Hearing this, Yun Pei leaned forward, opened the glove compartment, and found the glasses case. He glanced at Qin Mingyuan, who was focused on driving, before carefully taking out the sunglasses and even unfolding the arms before handing them over.

Their fingertips brushed briefly as Qin Mingyuan accepted the sunglasses. He noticed Yun Pei’s fingers felt a bit cold. After putting on the sunglasses, he asked, “Are you cold?”

Yun Pei, who had just put the glasses case back, was slightly stunned. After closing the compartment, he replied, “No, it’s just because of my health. My hands and feet tend to be cold all year round—it’s not from the weather.”

Qin Mingyuan nodded. Whether Yun Pei saw it or not, he didn’t say anything more.

The car ride was quiet, with both of them sitting in silence. The sunlight and the comfortable seats of the luxury car made Yun Pei feel drowsy. After fighting it for a while, he finally gave in and leaned his head against the seatback, drifting off.

When Qin Mingyuan glanced back casually, he saw Yun Pei peacefully asleep, like a delicate mimosa plant. Truly unbothered—he wasn’t afraid that Qin Mingyuan might actually sell him off.

Despite the thought, Qin Mingyuan’s hand reached out to lower the sun visor in front of the passenger seat.

Yun Pei’s face was now bathed in the shadow, and the slight furrow in his brows gradually smoothed out as he fell into a deeper sleep.

…

They arrived at the restaurant quietly, and Qin Mingyuan noticed that Yun Pei was still asleep. After getting out of the car, he went to retrieve the wheelchair.

The sound of the car door closing wasn’t loud, but it still startled Yun Pei awake. As he blinked, disoriented, his eyes darted around before he remembered he was in Qin Mingyuan’s car. He quickly straightened up.

How did I fall asleep? He turned his head to look at the driver’s seat, only to find it empty. Before he could wonder where Qin Mingyuan had gone, his car door opened.

Qin Mingyuan bent down, resting his hand on the door. Seeing Yun Pei sitting there looking dazed, he said, “If you’re awake, get out of the car.”

Only then did Yun Pei fully regain his senses. He hurriedly unbuckled his seatbelt, but before he could move, Qin Mingyuan’s hands reached under his arms, lifting him out and settling him into the wheelchair. The next second, he found himself seated without having had the chance to protest.

Looking up at the man who had already withdrawn his hands, Yun Pei wanted to thank him, but the way Qin Mingyuan glanced at his small frame made it impossible to say the words.

Qin Mingyuan didn’t know what Yun Pei was thinking. All he could confirm was that the young man was far too thin—so light, like picking up a kitten.

The restaurant Qin Mingyuan chose wasn’t large, but the decor was elegant, and it was quite popular, with all the tables occupied. Fortunately, he had called ahead to reserve a private room.

“Take a look at what you’d like to eat.” Qin Mingyuan handed over the menu.

Yun Pei waved it off, indicating that Qin Mingyuan should order. “I’m fine with anything.”

Without pushing back, Qin Mingyuan quickly selected a few dishes and handed the menu back to the server.

Yun Pei cupped the warm glass of water in front of him, letting the heat seep into his palms. He took a small sip to moisten his lips.

Qin Mingyuan glanced at him and noticed the faint red marks on his face from sleeping and a few strands of hair sticking up.

Just as Yun Pei put down his cup, he met Qin Mingyuan’s gaze and gave him a puzzled look. Seeing his somewhat clueless expression, Qin Mingyuan calmly shook his head and, with a mischievous glint, didn’t point it out. Instead, he changed the subject. “Hungry?”

“Not really.” Yun Pei didn’t usually eat much, and since he was often in a wheelchair, he didn’t burn many calories. As a result, he didn’t get hungry quickly.

He glanced at the tall, well-built man sitting casually beside him, who seemed indifferent. He figured someone of Qin Mingyuan’s size would probably have a larger appetite. “But you must be hungry by now, right?”

Qin Mingyuan shook his head. His work schedule was often so hectic that he frequently forgot to eat, and it wasn’t unusual for him to go one or two hours past mealtimes. Eating irregularly had become his norm.

“You can just call me by my name,” Qin Mingyuan said, meeting Yun Pei’s gaze. Since they had no work-related relationship and Yun Pei wasn’t his subordinate, there was no need for such formality.

Yun Pei paused. They had met several times, and after spending the morning at the exhibition together, they had developed a bit of a rapport. Nodding, he said, “Qin Mingyuan.”

After saying it aloud, he found it a little surreal. In the past, he had mostly heard that name from Yun Yuexian’s mouth, and he had never imagined that he would one day be sitting across from the man, having a calm meal together. Though, admittedly, it was now a “former” relationship.

Despite the restaurant being full, the food arrived quickly. Qin Mingyuan hadn’t ordered too many dishes, as there were only two of them: West Lake Vinegar Fish, Longjing Shrimp, Bamboo Shoot Duck Soup, and Eight Treasures Tofu. The presentation looked quite appetizing.

Even though he hadn’t been hungry before, the aroma of the food made Yun Pei feel a bit peckish. Without any formality, they both started eating.

After a few bites, Qin Mingyuan glanced at Yun Pei, who was sipping the duck soup, and casually asked, “Do you like painting because of your mother’s influence?”

Yun Pei paused mid-scoop and nodded. He took another sip of the soup before replying, “When I was little, she often took me to paint with her. Even when it was just childish doodles, she would praise me.”

His early exposure to painting had indeed come from his mother, and over time, it became something he truly loved.

“I didn’t expect your mother to be such a renowned artist.” In the novel, there wasn’t much written about Yun Pei, and even less about his mother, the late Mrs. Yun. Qin Mingyuan naturally didn’t know much.

“Most people didn’t know,” Yun Pei explained without much surprise. “She rarely showed herself publicly. All of her transactions and exhibitions were handled by professionals, so no one knew she and ‘Sunny Day’ were the same person.”

At first, Yun Pei didn’t understand why, but later he learned that it was because Yun Haowei didn’t like her being in the spotlight. He wanted her to stay home and be the perfect wife, managing relationships with other wealthy families when needed.

To avoid unnecessary conflict, his mother often kept her activities private. Yun Haowei was usually too busy to notice, assuming she was just painting at home for fun.

Later on, he became so infatuated with Huo Lijuan likely because she was obedient, never challenging him, and thoroughly enjoyed being a wealthy wife. The two of them were a perfect match.

Recalling these things darkened Yun Pei’s mood a little. He closed his eyes briefly to suppress the emotions and ate a shrimp.

Seeing his expression, Qin Mingyuan tactfully avoided continuing the topic. Instead, he ladled out some duck soup. “Do you like the food?”

After swallowing the shrimp, Yun Pei nodded. “Yes, it’s quite close to my usual preferences.”

“That’s good.” Qin Mingyuan sipped the soup. The flavor was rich and fresh, clearly simmered for a long time.

Yun Pei glanced at him and waited until he had finished his soup before asking, “I’m curious about something. May I ask you a question?”

“Go ahead,” Qin Mingyuan replied generously.

Setting down his chopsticks, Yun Pei straightforwardly asked, “Why did you suddenly stop liking Yun Yuexian?”

Qin Mingyuan wasn’t surprised by the question. To those unfamiliar with the truth or with him, it might seem like he had simply lost interest. But people close to him, like Zhou Yang, remained suspicious, knowing that Qin Mingyuan’s previous actions were not those of someone merely toying around.

Before Qin Mingyuan could answer, Yun Pei added, “Or rather, why did you like him in the first place?”

Someone as perceptive as Qin Mingyuan couldn’t have failed to see through Yun Yuexian’s facade.

At first, Yun Pei thought maybe he had been temporarily blinded by infatuation. But after getting to know him better, Yun Pei found it hard to believe that someone as proper—yet sly as a fox—like Qin Mingyuan would be swayed by someone like Yun Yuexian.

“I never liked him.” Qin Mingyuan’s answer was without any hesitation. The one who liked Yun Yuexian was the original soul, not him. “I didn’t like him before, and I never will.”

He didn’t offer any further explanation. Whatever Yun Pei speculated after that wasn’t his concern. He was confident Yun Pei wouldn’t dig too deeply.

And he was right. Yun Pei wasn’t someone who liked prying into others’ privacy. He had only asked to clarify things and ensure he wouldn’t have unnecessary interactions with someone still holding feelings for Yun Yuexian.

Now that things were clear, he could relax more in future encounters.

With a small, gentle smile, Yun Pei said, “I understand.”

Qin Mingyuan could sense that Yun Pei had let down some of his invisible guard. Internally, he thought to himself that this delicate mimosa was still too naive. How could he know that Qin Mingyuan hadn’t been lying? What if Qin Mingyuan’s interest in him was still tied to Yun Yuexian?

Once he fully trusted Qin Mingyuan, only to be betrayed in the end, it would hurt far more.

However… Qin Mingyuan’s lips curled into a faint smile. The truth was, he was indeed on Yun Pei’s side.