Chapter 3

The two of them were led into the restaurant by a hostess.

No wonder this was the top restaurant in X City. Those who knew, knew they were here for a meal; those who didn’t might think they were attending a royal banquet.

Elegant chandeliers hung from the ceiling, illuminating every corner of the restaurant. Every decoration and design detail exuded taste and sophistication.

Xu Zhou could only think of four words:

Being rich is amazing.

“Please, right this way, President Shen,” the hostess gestured, leading them to a luxurious private room on the top floor.

Xu Zhou looked around. The room was even larger than his office. One side featured a large floor-to-ceiling window, and a gilded chandelier hung above. Every detail radiated nobility and elegance; dining here was an experience in itself.

Not wanting to be overly formal, Xu Zhou picked a seat close by and sat down.

The tableware in front of him was pure gold, and everything around him was equally rare and exquisite.

So luxurious.

He couldn’t imagine the kind of life these wealthy people lived day in and day out.

Shen Yan spoke calmly, “Bring the food.”

The waiter responded respectfully, “Yes, President Shen.”

Shen Yan took the seat closest to Xu Zhou.

Xu Zhou felt a little awkward and turned his head, trying to calm himself by staring at a nearby painting.

But with little artistic sense, he ended up just zoning out.

Suddenly, Shen Yan turned to him. “Did I… hurt you last night?”

Xu Zhou’s expression stiffened for a moment. He forced a small smile and quickly replied, “No.”

He didn’t know how to face the man in front of him, so he instinctively avoided eye contact.

Counting carefully, it had been six years since they’d last met. Since graduating high school, Xu Zhou had only seen Shen Yan’s name on TV or in financial papers.

Seeing Xu Zhou avoid him, Shen Yan’s eyes darkened slightly.

He pushed a dish toward Xu Zhou and spoke slowly, “Can you come over to my place tonight? I bought some medicine…”

He admitted that he had gone a little overboard last night, leaving marks on Xu Zhou that wouldn’t heal quickly without treatment.

Xu Zhou tightened his grip on his chopsticks, misinterpreting the words and imagining something strange.

He lifted his eyelashes, countless thoughts racing through his mind, and clenched his fist.

“President Shen… what do you mean by that? Tonight…”

Shouldn’t they just move on? Pretend nothing happened and forget it altogether?

Seeing the look on Xu Zhou’s face, Shen Yan knew he was misunderstanding, but he didn’t want to explain. In fact, he asked knowingly, “Thinking what?”

“You…”

“Mm?”

Xu Zhou’s heart skipped a beat. His expression tightened, his mood suddenly heavy.

“You mean… you want me to be your casual fling?”

Six years apart, the man in front of him was nothing like the one in his memory.

Truly, things had changed.

Shen Yan’s handsome face darkened.

With a slight grit of his teeth, he looked at Xu Zhou, “Did you forget what I said last night?”

Xu Zhou’s mind went blank. He put down his chopsticks, lips pressed tightly together, struggling to suppress the thoughts rising from deep within.

His mind drifted back to last night…

Yesterday, 8:00 PM.

Nightfall Bar.

Xu Zhou collapsed onto a sofa, half-drunk. Qingchuang was on the verge of collapse, and he had no idea what to do.

The weight of his frustration felt like a heavy stone pressing on his chest, making it hard to breathe.

All he wanted was a place to vent and drink alone.

But of course, at that exact moment, a man came over to flirt with him.

Xu Zhou threw down his empty bottle and shouted, “Go away!”

His tone was full of annoyance and indifference.

Yet the man was persistent, not giving up despite the refusal.

“You’re so beautiful… your eyes, your lips… they make my heart skip a beat…” The man reached out to touch him.

Suddenly, a black shadow appeared beside them, grabbing the man’s arm and forcefully throwing him to the ground. The man, unprepared, hit the floor hard with a loud thud.

“Didn’t you hear him say ‘go away’?” The voice was sharp and icy.

Xu Zhou had been ready to fight, and this person had arrived just in time.

The man, intimidated by the expression, got up quietly and left without further words.

“You okay?”

Dazed, Xu Zhou looked up. The voice sounded familiar, though the dim bar lights and his drunken state made recognition slow. After a few seconds, he finally realized who it was.

“What are you doing here?”

The man in front of him wore a black casual jacket, his dark eyes fixed on him, sending a shiver down his spine.

“Looking for someone.”

Xu Zhou instinctively asked, “Who?”

Shen Yan didn’t answer. Instead, he frowned, “Don’t you know your limits?”

Xu Zhou froze. Still lecturing me… some things never change.

He leaned closer, scrutinizing Shen Yan. He hadn’t changed much—still striking, even more impressive than on TV or in newspapers.

“Doesn’t matter if I can’t hold my drink… what’s it to you?”

“Why are you here?” Shen Yan asked, voice deep.

“None of your business…”

“We’ve known each other since we were kids. I’ve never wronged you, so consider me a friend. Can’t friends just look out for each other?”

Xu Zhou was taken aback. It made sense—after all, they had been desk mates for so many years. His own attitude seemed unreasonable. He lowered his head and muttered, “Just in a bad mood…”

Shen Yan stared at him. “Why?”

Xu Zhou’s lips moved slightly. Thousands of words seemed to be trapped in his chest, but in the end, he quietly closed them.

After a long pause, he whispered three words:

“I don’t know.”

He stood to reach for the bottle on the table but, rising too quickly and feeling dizzy, he lost his balance. Shen Yan caught him instinctively. Xu Zhou grabbed onto his sleeve for support.

“Xu Zhou, tell me. I’ll help you.”

Xu Zhou tilted his head slightly, dazed, breathing warm against Shen Yan’s chest. There was a patience and familiarity with this old friend that he didn’t show to anyone else. He smirked faintly, “What can you help me with?”

Shen Yan replied, “Anything.”

“Even cooperating with Ling Qi?” Xu Zhou blinked, a teasing gleam in his eye, anticipating refusal.

Shen Yan lowered his gaze, thin lips parting slightly. “Yes.”

Then he leaned closer, his breath grazing Xu Zhou’s cheek, making his heart skip.

“But there’s one condition.”

“What?” Xu Zhou was still stunned by the agreement, not expecting this.

“I want you.”

Xu Zhou, still processing, blurted, “Want me… how?”

Shen Yan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He looked at Xu Zhou’s flushed face and leaned in, brushing his lips against his in a light, teasing touch.

Even nine-tenths drunk, Xu Zhou maintained a fraction of clarity. Shocked, he weighed the logic: if this allowed him to cooperate with Ling Qi… and it was Shen Yan…

In that charged moment, heart racing, Xu Zhou lifted a hand, hooked it around Shen Yan’s neck, and kissed him. Clumsy, but it made Shen Yan’s heartbeat quicken, eyes burning like the sun.

Both were carried away in the kiss. Xu Zhou had no idea how he ended up at Shen Yan’s villa from the bar, until Shen Yan placed a signed contract in front of him, and he briefly snapped back to reality…

The rest of the memory was hazy. He only vaguely remembered being carried into the bathroom, laid on the bed, and his clothes being removed…