Chapter 16: Banquet

Jian Mingzhou’s blood surged, and he felt dizzy.

—How did he end up as an ‘O’?

Why not an ‘A’? Even a ‘B’ would do!

…No, what ‘B’!

He might be getting light-headed from anger.

Xie Chi was still questioning, “Do you know what that ‘circle’ means? Hey, should I just ask in the comments?”

Damn it! Jian Mingzhou instinctively raised his hand.

The blade grazed his finger, “…Ah!”

Ignoring Xie Chi, he threw the knife. The blade, stained with green pepper, instantly ignited a fiery pain in the cut.

The next moment, his hand was pulled over—

Xie Jing turned on the tap. “Rinse it first; where’s the first aid kit?”

Jian Mingzhou gasped, “Under the coffee table in the living room.”

“Hey? What happened, Mingzhou… Wait a minute.”

Xie Chi suddenly realized something, “Xie Jing? Are you there? Weren’t you supposed to be out?”

“…” It’s over; the cat’s out of the bag.

Jian Mingzhou glanced at Xie Jing, who seemed unbothered, rinsed his hand for a few seconds, and then said,

“I’ll get the first aid kit.”

“Hey? Xie Jing—”

“Uncle.” Xie Jing paused as he passed the kitchen island, facing the noisy Xie Chi on the phone. “Your voice is too loud, and Uncle cut his hand.”

Crash! The noise abruptly stopped.

Xie Chi’s momentum weakened instantly. “…Mingzhou, you cut your hand? Was it because I scared you?”

Jian Mingzhou, with water still running, mumbled, “Yeah.”

In a way, that was completely true.

Xie Chi apologized, “Sorry, sorry, attend to your wound first…”

The call ended, and the previous topic was forcibly terminated. Jian Mingzhou sighed in relief.

He almost got exposed again.

“Uncle, come over; I’ll bandage your wound.”

Xie Jing called out from the other side, finding the first-aid kit. Jian Mingzhou exhaled and walked over, “Okay.”

The two sat on the sofa. Xie Jing took his hand and bent down to apply the ointment. The cotton swab, soaked in iodine, gently swept over the wound, taking away a bit of the burning sensation.

“Uncle, why so careless?”

Jian Mingzhou felt a bit dizzy. “Blame Xie Chi…” He stopped abruptly. “Too loud.”

Xie Jing smiled, lowering his eyes. “Oh.”

The living room fell silent for a moment.

Xie Jing’s actions were meticulous. Jian Mingzhou stared for a few seconds, then looked at Xie Jing in front of him. The overhead light cast a shadow on the latter’s eyelids, making his eyes seem even deeper.

Just as he was looking, Xie Jing, as if casually chatting, spoke up:

“So, what’s that ‘circle,’ Uncle?”

“…!”

With hands intertwined, even the slightest movement could be clearly transmitted. Jian Mingzhou’s fingertips moved slightly, and his heart warmed. “I don’t know.”

“Is that so?” Xie Jing paused, lifting his head softly. “I’m curious. Shall we look it up?”

Jian Mingzhou stared at him, thinking, What should I look up?

ABO, a bombshell in the BL world! Just a search would bring up things like pheromones, heat cycles, marking as mates, etc.

“No need.”

Jian Mingzhou steadied his emotions, calmly saying, “Think of it as some kind of punctuation mark.”

“…” Xie Jing paused, looking up with a soft voice. “Putting a punctuation mark behind you, doesn’t that seem impolite?”

Jian Mingzhou remained firm, “It’s fine.”

In any case, it’s already rude enough.

–

After treating the wound, Xie Jing went back to cooking.

Jian Mingzhou took out his phone, opened the video Xie Chi sent him, and went through the comments, filing complaints one by one.

Reason: spreading false information.

After filing a few, he saw another message from Xie Chi. It seemed like he wasn’t fixated on the ‘immortal O’ issue anymore; instead, he inquired about Jian Mingzhou’s injury.

【Xie Chi】: Is it serious? Can you still use your fingers?

【Mingzhou】: … I used a kitchen knife, not an axe. ^_^ It’s just a minor cut.

The other side breathed a sigh of relief and changed the topic:

【Xie Chi】: By the way! Where’s Xie Jing? Did he make you say he’s not at home?

Jian Mingzhou decided to cover for him completely. I thought he wasn’t home.

“…”

Xie Chi seemed to choke a bit, and it took a while before he replied.

【Xie Chi】: Mingzhou, this banquet is quite important. At least, you should show up. Ah, I know my sister and brother-in-law might not care much about Xie Jing’s daily life, so he resists these family arrangements.

【Xie Chi】: But if he stubbornly refuses to go this time, won’t the conflict deepen? [Little kitten sighs]

【Xie Chi】: And my sister and brother-in-law will be there too; consider it a family gathering.

【Xie Chi】: Help persuade him, please.

After earnestly expressing his concerns, Xie Chi looked for a response: … Are you there? Did you hear what I said?

Jian Mingzhou exited the video: Mm-hmm.

He swiftly retaliated, and those unchecked comments sprouted like mushrooms.

“Uncle, it’s time to eat,” Xie Jing called from the other side.

“Mm, coming.”

Jian Mingzhou glanced at the chat on his phone, turned it off, and sat at the table. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke up.

“Just now, your uncle asked me to persuade you.”

Xie Jing paused, looking over. “What, Uncle, are you also asking me to go?”

Jian Mingzhou picked up some green pepper and potato shreds, munching, “No… if you really don’t like it, then don’t go.”

Xie Jing’s knuckles moved slightly, but he remained silent.

Jian Mingzhou finished the potato shreds and looked at the table—all very home-cooked dishes. Xie Jing cooked well, and the warm atmosphere made it feel cozy.

He remembered what Xie Chi said about Xie Jing’s relationship with the family.

After a pause, he smiled gently again.

“But if you don’t dislike it too much, go back and take a look.”

–

The next day, Jian Mingzhou went to the editorial department to work.

A small wound instantly attracted a crowd of onlookers.

Colleagues came one after another, pretending to care.

“How did you get injured like this?”

“Your body isn’t meant to be abused!”

Jian Mingzhou succinctly replied, “Work injury.”

Any injury caused by work was considered a work injury.

Xia Ye, holding a manuscript, gave him a glance and said, “Report it quickly, or it’ll heal on its own.”

Jian Mingzhou, “…”

“Don’t gather here; it’s not a crime scene.”

Xia Ye dispersed the group of editors who were fishing for information, walked over, and put documents on Jian Mingzhou’s desk:

“The venue for the original fan exhibition is unavailable; we’ve changed it. I need to coordinate with the person in charge of the new venue next week. There are a lot of tasks; come with me.”

Jian Mingzhou looked at him with insight.

Why should he go? Wasn’t this Xia Ye’s job?

Xia Ye said, “Stay positive; you’re contributing to the career you love.”

Jian Mingzhou, “Don’t make helping you with work sound so passionate.”

“…!” Xia Ye was exposed, calmly pushing his glasses. “Anyway, come with me.”

With this additional arrangement, the original work was moved up to today.

Jian Mingzhou finished work after six o’clock.

He sent a message to Xie Jing and prepared to go to the convenience store downstairs to grab a quick dinner.

There were boxed meals and snacks on the shelves.

Jian Mingzhou picked up a box and went to the counter to ask the clerk to heat it for him. While waiting, he heard someone calling his name:

“Oh, Brother Mingzhou.”

Turning around, Zhou Xuyang was holding two rice balls behind him.

Jian Mingzhou asked, “Are you alone?”

“Yeah, He Yi is going to his family tonight.”

Zhou Xuyang handed the rice balls to the clerk.

During the wait, he asked, “Brother Mingzhou, is Xie Jing going to the banquet tomorrow night?”

Jian Mingzhou was surprised. “You also know about the banquet?”

Zhou Xuyang said, “He Yi is going too.”

“I see.” Jian Mingzhou asked, “What kind of banquet is it? I heard it’s quite important.”

“Because of its large scale, the older generation in the upper-class circle, parents, and our generation are all going. Anyway, it’s a social event, full of socializing.”

Zhou Xuyang added, “There are a lot of young people, and it also includes some matchmaking.”

Jian Mingzhou blinked. There’s that aspect too.

Xie Jing should be quite popular inside; he should be tall, handsome, and have a good personality. But someone as sunny as He Yi should do well too.

Unable to resist, he glanced at Zhou Xuyang, suppressing a smile. “So, if He Yi is going, what about you?”

Zhou Xuyang suddenly looked pained. “Yeah, my gaming partner is gone!”

Jian Mingzhou, “…”

–

The next day, Xie Jing took a day off for training.

When he woke up, Jian Mingzhou had already left. On the table was a note:

I left you some rice balls. Eat if you’re hungry -^O^-

There was also a WeChat message from Xie Xiyun.

【Mom】: If you’re coming back, I’ll be waiting at home.

Xie Jing picked up the rice balls, recalling Jian Mingzhou’s words from yesterday: “If you don’t dislike it too much, go back and take a look.”

Not attending the banquet, but going back to take a look.

He paused and finished the rice balls, leaving a reply on the note, then picked up his backpack and left.

…

He arrived home in the afternoon.

Entering the villa, the servant exclaimed in surprise, “Ah, Young Master Jing is back!”

Sitting in the living room, Xie Xiyun raised her head, slightly stunned.

“I thought you definitely wouldn’t come.”

Xie Jing glanced at her and asked, “Where’s Dad?”

“Delayed flight; he’ll be here later,” Xie Xiyun said. “Go upstairs, change your clothes, and freshen up first.”

Xie Jing nodded and went upstairs.

The banquet started at six in the evening.

Dressed in high-end fashion and tall and handsome, Xie Jing walked into the banquet hall with the equally tall and heroic Xie Xiyun.

The lavishly decorated venue sparkled with crystal glass lights.

Flowers, wine, pearls, and lights.

The shining floor reflected the passing figures, and as soon as they entered, people came forward to greet them. Xie Jing took a glass of wine and calmly responded to the welcoming crowd. Each face wore a similar expression, and the conversations were repetitive.

Only halfway through, He Yi came over with a big laugh.

“Wow! Xie Jing, this outfit really makes you look mature! Wow—don’t look at me, people will be heartstruck.”

“…” Xie Jing asked, “Where are your parents?”

“Do you want to go say hello to them?”

“No, I want them to keep an eye on you.”

He Yi hummed heavily and walked away, like a small tornado, immersing himself back into the social scene, appearing to enjoy it.

 Xie Jing picked up some food, avoiding the crowd he intended to mingle with, and walked to the side of the venue with a sense of boredom. There wasn’t much…

Buzz’s phone suddenly vibrated.

Xie Jing took it out and saw a message from Jian Mingzhou.

【Mingzhou】: Xiaojing, are you at the banquet?

The tranquil and dull heart rippled slightly. Xie Jing’s lips curled slightly as he typed a reply with one hand.

【Jing】: Yes.

【Mingzhou】: Could you please take a few pictures? I happen to need some material from the banquet.

【Mingzhou】: If it’s inconvenient, never mind. ���

A bit of light reflected on the profound pupils as Xie Jing lowered his eyelashes, and he replied with a slight curve on his lips.

【Jing】: Does Youth Comics also need material from banquets?

After half a minute, the phone vibrated.

【Mingzhou】: … Hot-blooded business battle ^▽^

Xie Jing chuckled, picked up his phone, took a few pictures of the venue, and also snapped a shot of his food tray, sending them over.

【Jing】: [Images] [Images] And the dishes.

“…”

A couple of steps away, two elegant young ladies who came to strike up a conversation hesitated and exchanged glances in a low voice.

“Eating and taking pictures to send on WeChat, he must have a significant other, right?”

“Let it be; let it be; let’s go.”

After sending the pictures, Jian Mingzhou happily sent several emoji expressions and then enthusiastically said that he was going to organize the material.

Xie Jing scrolled through the chat log, smiled gently, and put away his phone.

The food had cooled down while he was taking pictures.

Xie Jing turned to go back to the buffet table to get more.

As he walked over, he saw He Yi also holding a phone, happily taking pictures and sending WeChat messages.

“…”

He paused for a moment. “What are you taking pictures of?”

He Yi saw that it was Xie Jing and immediately shared, “Oh! Brother Mingzhou asked me to help take some material. He really thinks about work all the time, talking about some hot-blooded business battle—”

He Yi burst into laughter. “What is a hot-blooded business battle, hahaha?”

After laughing, he turned his head, and, seeing Xie Jing looking at him with no expression, he suddenly stopped, cautiously asking,

“…Why aren’t you laughing?”