Chapter 14: Approached

In the lively atmosphere, Xie Jing’s “Wow” seemed solitary.

It didn’t even have punctuation.

“…” Jian Mingzhou fell into silence.

He Yu was still surprised. “Huh? Brother Xie Jing even joined the chat!”

She said this and looked at Jian Mingzhou, who didn’t respond. Her eyes blinked, and then she smiled with deep meaning.

“Oh~ Brother Xie Jing isn’t getting jealous, is he?”

Jian Mingzhou almost choked. “No.”

He could tell that He Yu was starting to gossip again.

But Xie Jing definitely wasn’t jealous. He had just told someone that he had work and couldn’t go for a meal, and now he was eating snacks with his sister.

No matter how you looked at it, it was a bit…

Jian Mingzhou looked at the group chat again and felt that the “Wow” seemed to point to something vaguely.

He picked up his phone and said, “I’ll send a message to Xiaojing first.”

When He Yu heard this, her mouth flew up!

But she was considerate and asked teasingly, “Should I retract the previous messages for you?”

Jian Mingzhou held her down and said, “…No need.”

He was contemplating how to explain the current situation naturally to Xie Jing, then heard a series of cracking sounds from beside him.

He turned his head and saw He Yu cracking open a pack of melon seeds, her eyes gleaming. While cracking seeds, she said, “Don’t mind me, Brother Mingzhou. I’ll just enjoy these myself…”

She added, “Melon seeds~”

Jian Mingzhou took a deep breath and chose not to think deeply. He then replied to Xie Jing—

【Mingzhou】: I’m still at the book signing event; I happened to run into He Yi’s little sister. It will take about an hour to finish. If you’re not hungry…

【Jing】: I’m not hungry. What’s up, Uncle? Are you making plans?

【Mingzhou】: Just wait for me a bit, okay? -^0^-

The response on the other side was “Sure.”

After about ten seconds, a [big dog squatting] emoji was sent.

With an emoji, it seemed like he was in a good mood.

He Yu looked at his expression, her smile sly. “Oh, oh, Brother Mingzhou, the corners of your mouth are lifted~ Did Brother Xie Jing get easily pacified?”

“…” Jian Mingzhou couldn’t help but tap her head with the paper tube. “I’ve said it’s not like that…” He added, “And Xiaojing has always had a good temper.”

“Ah yo! Oh hoho…”

With about half an hour left until the end of the book signing event, He Yu left as well.

Before leaving, she solemnly bowed to Jian Mingzhou, “Thank you, Mi; I ate very well.”

“…” Who is Mi?

Jian Mingzhou waved his hand, dismissing her.

At five o’clock, the book signing event officially ended.

After spending half an hour coordinating with the staff to wrap up and arrange the cleanup, Jian Mingzhou took a taxi at the entrance of the venue.

By now, the sunlight was gradually weakening, and the sky was azure.

Outside the venue, the verdant shrubs swayed in the wind, creating a rustling sound, and the view was clear.

He was checking the time, about to be photographed.

“Hey, Editor Editor!” Xiao Lu jumped out from behind. “What are you doing standing here, attracting bees and butterflies?”

Jian Mingzhou looked gently at her and said, “Speak properly.”

“…”

“How was the book signing event?”

“It was great! It turns out there are more people who like me than I imagined.”

Xiao Lu suddenly blushed and covered her face. “And they all praised me for speaking very gently… Ah~ I’m really shy! Hahaha—!!!”

The laughter instantly pierced his eardrums, creating echoes.

Jian Mingzhou closed his eyes gently and asked, “Is that so?”

During the conversation, the taxi he called happened to arrive.

He opened the door and got in. While raising his head, he advised Xiao Lu, “Go back, wash your face, and get a good night’s sleep.”

“Are you not urging me to submit my manuscript?”

“First return to reality quickly, then immerse yourself in work,” Jian Mingzhou softly said, closing the car door, and the taxi disappeared on the horizon.

Xiao Lu: .

—

The car stopped outside the pedestrian street.

After getting out of the car, Jian Mingzhou went straight to the burger shop while sending a WeChat message: Xiaojing, I’m almost there; how about you?

【Jing】: I’m already inside the store.

He lowered his head to continue typing: Then you wait for me a moment…

Just as he took a few steps, he almost bumped into someone. Jian Mingzhou abruptly stopped, and at the same time, a hand grabbed his arm.

“Uncle.” Xie Jing looked down, the corners of his lips curling. “No need to hurry; I’m not rushing you.”

Jian Mingzhou looked at his expression, completely unconcerned. His mood lightened.

“Why aren’t you waiting for me inside?”

“It’s all the same.”

While they were talking, the two walked into the store.

There were quite a few people sitting inside, and there were still many vacant seats.

Jian Mingzhou headed towards a spot, with Xie Jing following beside him. Then he looked at him for a few seconds and suddenly said,

“Uncle, you seem different today.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Jian Mingzhou happened to pull out a seat, directly facing the mirrored wall inside the restaurant.

His gaze dropped, and suddenly a sentence popped into his mind:

Today, Xie Jing took me to a handmade burger shop. I’m wearing a shirt and suit pants. Looking at the reflection in the mirror, I don’t even know who that boy inside is…

“Uncle, what’s wrong with you?”

Jian Mingzhou came to his senses and asked, “What?”

Xie Jing whispered, “For a moment, it seemed like you entered someone else’s life.”

“…” Jian Mingzhou shook his head. “Maybe I’m just tired.”

The two sat down at the table, and the waiter brought the menu.

Jian Mingzhou looked at the various set meals and asked Xie Jing, “What do you want to order?”

“Set meal B.” Xie Jing didn’t hesitate much. He extended his long arm and pointed at the menu in front of Jian Mingzhou. “This one, and this one. They should be what you like.”

Jian Mingzhou looked along, and indeed they were.

He praised, “You know me well.”

Xie Jing casually said, “Hmm, I saw them on my phone that day.”

Jian Mingzhou paused for a moment, then looked up at him.

The other still had a careless look, but from what he said, it seemed like he had planned to come with him from the beginning.

So, he didn’t make plans with anyone else today…

Jian Mingzhou felt a slight bump in his heart and suddenly felt fortunate. He pressed the menu and said softly,

“Fortunately, you came with me today.”

Xie Jing paused for a moment and then jokingly said, “Uncle, there’s no second half-price offer here.”

“Not that,” Jian Mingzhou clarified. “I…”

The waiter wiping the table next to them suddenly turned around and said, “But we have a 20-yuan voucher for every 50 yuan spent!”

Xie Jing, “…”

Jian Mingzhou, “…”

—

After finishing the meal, Xie Jing stood up to go to the cashier.

“Uncle, I’ll take care of this meal.”

Jian Mingzhou grabbed him and said, “Let me do it. How can I let you pay?”

The other raised an eyebrow and easily pulled his hand away, pressing it back onto the seat. “No, I got it.”

Saying that, he turned and went to the other side of the cashier.

Jian Mingzhou could only wait in the seat.

There was still a long line at the cashier at this time. He waited while looking at his phone. Just as he was looking, someone beside him asked,

“Excuse me, is this seat taken?”

Jian Mingzhou looked up and saw a man in his thirties standing in front of him. Thinking that they would leave as soon as Xie Jing returned, he said,

“You can sit; I’ll be leaving soon.”

The man hesitated, “Ah… you’ll be leaving soon.”

“…” Jian Mingzhou felt inexplicable and awkward, repeating, “Yes, I’ll be leaving soon.”

The man paused for a moment and sat down opposite him.

Jian Mingzhou didn’t think too much and was about to continue looking at his phone when he heard the person across from him tentatively asking, “Are you working nearby too?”

He looked up and said, “No.”

“Oh… are you alone?”

“…”

Wait a minute, could this be…

Jian Mingzhou looked at him warily, and sure enough, the person spoke again, “Can we exchange WeChat?”

His fingertips trembled a bit. With a bit of luck, he refused, “Sorry, I don’t buy insurance, don’t use apps, and don’t redeem coupons.”

The person across immediately waved his hand and said, “No, no, no, I just want to get to know you.”

…Get to know what? Isn’t this just a pickup line?

He really got hit on! Jian Mingzhou tried to maintain a calm expression. “I don’t add strangers.”

“I won’t disturb you too much.”

“No, I still…”

While he was dealing with this pulling and tugging, a hand suddenly rested on his shoulder. The large palm almost enveloped his shoulder, and the familiar warmth came through the shirt.

Jian Mingzhou’s heart skipped a beat, and he looked up.

Xie Jing didn’t know when he came back, extending his long arm as if to pull him in front of him.

“I’ve paid. Shall we go home?”

He didn’t call him “uncle” or “brother.” After speaking, he casually glanced over to the other side.

The voice on the opposite side immediately stopped.

Jian Mingzhou didn’t know if Xie Jing had noticed, but he stood up without paying attention to the person on the opposite side and said, “Let’s go.”

All the way out, Xie Jing’s hand stayed on his shoulder.

It wasn’t until they left the fast-food restaurant that he let go of his hand.

Fresh air rushed in, and Jian Mingzhou exhaled. Turning his head, he said, “Xiao Jing, thank you.”

It was the first time he had been hit on by a man, and it was a bit embarrassing.

And Xie Jing helped him out of the situation.

Xie Jing looked at him and spoke after a moment: “Next time you encounter such a strange person, you can refuse more directly.”

Hearing Xie Jing say “strange person,” Jian Mingzhou thought Xie Jing probably found it strange for a man to approach another man.

He asked for advice, “How to refuse more directly?”

Xie Jing taught him, “Just tell them to get lost.”

“…” Jian Mingzhou said, “That’s not very polite.”

Xie Jing pursed his lips and was about to say something when Jian Mingzhou continued to contemplate, “‘Trouble you to get lost,’ or ‘You may get lost, please’?”

A light laugh suddenly fell in the air.

—

When they returned home, Jian Mingzhou’s shirt was already sweaty. The thin fabric was almost transparent.

He asked, “Are you taking a shower, Xiao Jing?”

Xie Jing glanced at him and then turned away. “You go first, Uncle.”

Jian Mingzhou nodded and took the clothes to the bathroom.

After he finished washing and came out, it was Xie Jing’s turn. Jian Mingzhou wiped his hair and looked at his phone. He saw several messages on WeChat.

【Verification message: He Yi invites you to join the group chat】

【Happy Xiao Yu】: Brother Mingzhou, come into the group quickly! It’s the 12-person group from today. We’ll be 13 when you join!

“…” Jian Mingzhou stared at the 13 that looked like a B with a blink of an eye. After a few seconds, he clicked on ‘approve.’

The next moment, he was pulled into the group.

【He Yi】: Welcome, Brother Mingzhou!

【Zhou Xuyang】: [Armstrong’s spinning salute!]

【nini】: Brother Mingzhou is in the group now; we can play together in the future! [Cheers]

The group was lively for a moment, with fireworks and firecrackers going off. Only He Luchen lightly tapped a “?” but was quickly drowned out by the welcoming cheers.

Jian Mingzhou had just replied to two messages when a private chat from He Yu suddenly popped up in the dialogue box.

【Happy Xiao Yu】: By the way, Brother Mingzhou, bring your sister in too!

【Happy Xiao Yu】: [Excitedly running around]

Jian Mingzhou, “…”

His eyes sank, falling into deep contemplation.

Not long after, the bathroom door banged open.

Xie Jing walked out from inside and saw another head quietly leaning against the sofa.

“Uncle?” He walked over.

Only to see Jian Mingzhou leaning back on the sofa, quietly closing his eyes, concentrating as if in deep meditation.

Xie Jing paused. “…What are you doing?”

“I’m brainstorming plot and character settings.”

“For your subordinate authors?”

“No.” Jian Mingzhou brewed. “It’s about me and my’sister’ breaking up.”