Chapter 17: Truly Elegant

Xie Jing just looked at him, a slight smile playing on his lips.

He Yì shivered. “You better not laugh. I’m all jittery inside.” He placed a hand over his heart.

Xie Jing chuckled again. “Is that so?”

“…”

While He Yì pondered whether he had touched upon any sensitive topics or punctuated incorrectly in their conversation, a clear and pleasant voice from the side rescued him.

“Xiao Jing, come over here.”

Turning his head, Xie Jing saw Xie Xīyún standing not far away, accompanied by an elderly gentleman and a graceful young lady.

Xie Jing raised an eyebrow and ignored He Yì, walking over.

Upon reaching them, Xie Xīyún introduced, “This is Lord Lù, and Miss Lù.”

Xie Jing nodded and greeted them.

His appearance and background were outstanding in every aspect, and a sense of maturity beyond his age exuded from his composed demeanor.

Lord Lù’s eyes revealed satisfaction, and Miss Lù, beside him, was also visibly impressed, followed by a hint of shyness.

Xie Jing gave her a faint glance.

The discussion about the next dinner outing had already begun in front of them, encouraging more interaction among the young people.

He remained silent, lips pursed.

Just then, his phone vibrated again.

“Sorry,” Xie Jing suddenly said, taking out his phone and glancing at the message, and then a smile appeared as he replied.

This smile, on his otherwise cold and indifferent face, could be considered gentle.

The people across from him seemed stunned, looking speechless.

Even Xie Xīyún was momentarily surprised, her gaze dropping.

A few seconds later, Xie Jing put down his phone and smiled, “Replying to a message from my significant other.”

Miss Lù’s eyes dimmed, and Lord Lù’s expression changed momentarily, but he quickly adjusted.

“Oh, young people should have significant others.”

The topic of dinner was not brought up again, and after a few words, they left.

Once they were gone, Xie Xīyún took a deep breath, lowered her voice, and looked at Xie Jing, “What significant other? Wasn’t that a text from the evening news?”

Xie Jing nonchalantly replied, “Was it?”

Xie Xīyún insisted, “I saw you reply with a thumbs down.”

Xie Jing casually smiled. “It’s good. Rejecting politely saves faces for both parties.”

Having said that, he pocketed his phone and turned, “I’m going back; there’s training tomorrow morning.”

Xie Xīyún called after him, “Your dad hasn’t arrived yet.”

Xie Jing stopped. “…Where is he?”

Xie Xīyún raised her hand, brushing her chestnut-wavy hair with a practiced and calm demeanor. “Car tires burst. He’s climbing up from halfway down the mountain.”

The banquet venue was at the top of the mountain, with a fantastic view.

Xie Jing fell into silence for a while. “Then let’s meet next time.”

In the apartment, after summarizing the materials and sending them to Xiaolu, they reciprocated with a set of comics.

[CC Xiaolu]: It’s a reversal; your experience points [wink].

Jiǎn Míngzhōu: …

What experience points of his! He just liked the contrast.

But he had been busy and hadn’t read comics for a while. Jiǎn Míngzhōu’s heart stirred, so he moved his computer to the lazy sofa.

Today, Xie Jing isn’t at home!

Sofa, cola, and comics!

The computer screen emitted a faint white light.

He opened the comic, seeing finely drawn figures entangled in impactful lines above—

[Thud, a strong arm pressed someone against a dim alley, carrying an intoxicating scent of alcohol: Supervisor…]

[You’re drunk; let go.]

[I’m not drunk; I recognize the face that always orders me around.]

[What are you saying… mmm!]

Mmm! Jiǎn Míngzhōu’s fingertips pressed against his lips, his face heating up.

He’s drunk at the alley entrance, and it’s a power struggle!

He focused on the screen, sliding the mouse. Just as he saw a segment where a belt fell to the ground, he heard the doorbell ring.

He immediately closed the computer, walked over, and asked, “Who is it?”

“Uncle, I forgot my keys.”

Xie Jing’s voice came through the door, and Jian Mingzhou was momentarily stunned. He thought Xie Jing would stay at his place tonight.

He reached out and opened the door.

As the door opened, the light from the room spilled into the night outside. The figure in front of him caught his eye, and Jian Mingzhou subconsciously took a light breath.

Xie Jing hadn’t changed out of his suit and shirt.

He exuded a dignified and noble aura in the high-end outfit, lifting half of his bangs to remove the youthful touch. His eyes, lowered due to alcohol, carried a hint of intoxication, deep and bewitching.

On the other hand, Jian Mingzhou was dressed casually, with his bangs resting on his eyebrows.

In the brief eye contact at the open door, there was a moment when it felt like their positions had reversed.

He withdrew his hand from the door.

Xie Jing walked in. “What’s wrong, Uncle? Do you not recognize me anymore?”

Jian Mingzhou was a bit dazed. “Did you also go to METERSBONWE?”

“…” Xie Jing lowered his eyes. “?”

Ka, the sound of the closing door brought back some thoughts.

Jian Mingzhou regained his senses and stood aside to watch Xie Jing change his shoes. The scent of alcohol mixed with a faint fragrance lingered. In the narrow hallway, a scene from a recently read comic flashed in his mind: drunkenness, alley entrance, and a power struggle.

He instinctively took a half-step back.

Xie Jing noticed. “Sorry, Uncle, is the alcohol too strong?”

“None at all,” Jian Mingzhou suppressed his emotions.

Xie Jing nodded and walked towards the living room after loosening his tie. “I’m going to take a shower.”

“…” No, I already said it’s fine.

As they both came out after showering, Jian Mingzhou watched as Xie Jing put down his bangs and changed back into a T-shirt, returning to his usual appearance.

The oppressive feeling of being on the verge of a breakthrough disappeared, as if a wolf had turned back into a dog.

Xie Jing opened the fridge. “Uncle, can I have a bottle of Oolong tea?”

“Sure, help yourself.”

As he watched Xie Jing drink, Jian Mingzhou heard him speak, “Are the photos okay?”

“They’re good, thank you.”

“Oh, did I take too few, not enough?”

Jian Mingzhou said, “You took plenty; it’s enough.”

Xie Jing looked at him playfully. “Is that so?”

Jian Mingzhou felt that there was something meaningful in his eyes.

After speaking, Xie Jing casually closed the bottle and walked past to the living room. “I think it’s enough, and He Yì also took quite a few.”

“…”

Jian Mingzhou: !!!

So, that’s what he meant!

He looked at Xie Jing in shock. Wasn’t Xie Jing the kind of person who wouldn’t care about such things? Didn’t he just ask two people to take material for him? Wasn’t that something worth caring about?

In his chaotic mind, he tried to find reasons.

Could it be that taking pictures was actually inconvenient?

Xie Jing went through all the difficulties to take pictures for him, only to find out he wasn’t that essential. Jian Mingzhou imagined being disappointed.

Just as he was about to go back to the bedroom, he stood up immediately. “Xiao Jing—”

Xie Jing stopped and looked over.

Jian Mingzhou said, “I just asked He Yì to take some casual shots; it’s you who did it seriously.”

After saying this, he felt a sudden shock: …that sounds so bad!

The living room fell silent for a moment.

After a while, Xie Jing considerately added, “Did you just want to give each set of materials a home?”

“…” Jian Mingzhou lowered his eyes. “Yes.”

–

The next day was the weekend, and Xie Jing went for training.

Jian Mingzhou stayed at home, continuing to enjoy the comics sent by Xiaolu.

In the afternoon, the group chat on his phone suddenly became lively. He paused the comic to check:

[He Yì]: Training is over!

[Happiness Xiao Yu]: Party? I don’t have any extra classes this week. Shall we have a bash at your big villa? [Bird twisting its head]

[He Yì]: Let’s go to Big Cousin’s house this week! Agree deducts 1 point!

Below quickly came an unscrupulous string of: 1111…

[Lusen]:?

[Lusen]: Well, I can’t do anything about you guys. [Share location]

Jian Mingzhou, “…”

Since when did He Lucheng change his English name to Lusen? Lusen, isn’t that just a transliteration?

Just as he was awkwardly accepting He Lucheng’s new name, he was mentioned in the group chat:

“Brother Mingzhou, are you coming too?”

“Xie Jing is also joining us; just directly come to my cousin’s place to meet us!”

Seeing that Xie Jing was going too, Jian Mingzhou thought there was nothing to do at home anyway and agreed: Okay.

He tidied up a bit, grabbed some fruits as a gift, and went out. On the way, he sent a message to Xia Ye.

[Mingzhou]: I’m going to He Lucheng’s house now; do you need a ride?

After a few seconds, his phone vibrated fiercely!

[Editor-in-chief]: Hehehehe, don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking.

Put away those shameful thoughts of yours.

[Editor-in-chief]: Also, why are you getting along better and better with him? Don’t forget you’re in the BL manga department! [Pen warning]

“…” Why did he make a new expression again?

[Mingzhou]: Although my body has infiltrated the literature department, my heart is still in the BL manga department.

[Editor-in-chief]: That’s about right. [Pen eraser]

Jian Mingzhou, looking like a subway handsome guy, checked his phone:

…Pen eraser, what kind of cancellation symbol is this???

During the exchange of emoji warfare, they quickly reached their destination.

He Lucheng’s house was in Qiuyuan, a western city district. It looked quite wealthy—a high-end apartment building.

The compound had shaded gravel roads, giving it a chic and serene ambiance.

Jian Mingzhou got off the car and took the elevator to the 12th floor, where he was greeted by He Yu.

He said, “Excuse me.”

“Wow!” He Yu’s eyes lit up. She turned and shouted inside, “Brother Mingzhou is here!”

Inside, there was immediately a lively commotion.

“Brother Mingzhou, come in!” “We’ve been waiting for you!”

Jian Mingzhou walked in and saw a spacious living room with a coffee table in the middle. A group of people was gathered around, playing games.

The living room faced a full-length window.

In front, there was a small sofa, a table with a tablecloth, and a record player.

He Lucheng swayed a cup of Earl Grey tea on the small sofa, his figure gracefully enveloped in the shallow sunset behind him.

“Welcome; please sit wherever you like.”

Jian Mingzhou: …

This is too exquisite; it’s like a moving mural.

He turned his head away and walked towards the living room.

Xie Jing, He Yì, and the others were sitting in front of the coffee table at the moment. He Yì patted the seat next to him and called out to Jian Mingzhou, “Brother Mingzhou, come sit here!”

As he said, he got kicked by Zhou Xuyang. “Oh.”

Zhou Xuyang looked deeply at him and said, Be more careful.

Jian Mingzhou stored this little action in his mind and felt a surge of affectionate satisfaction.

It’s okay; you’re the only one by my side.

He walked to Xie Jing’s side. “I’ll sit next to Xiao Jing.”

With that, He Yu behind him expressed her affectionate satisfaction: You’re the only one by his side.

Jian Mingzhou didn’t notice the similar gaze behind him.

He sat down next to Xie Jing, and Xie Jing handed him a bottle of juice. “Want to drink this?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

Jian Mingzhou took it and saw the exquisite teapot and coffee cups on the table. In the midst of all the snacks and fried chicken, the style was quite different, but it seemed like no one had touched them.

He sipped the juice. “Is no one drinking that?”

Xie Jing glanced at it. “Yeah, it feels like drinking it will turn us into an oil painting.”

Jian Mingzhou side-eyed him: …

So, you also think He Lucheng is like a wall painting!

Dinner was still some time away. Ni Ran suggested playing board games, but Zhou Xuyang dismissed her idea. “Such low-class things won’t appear in Cousin’s house.”

“…”

“What should we play then?”

The living room became noisy with chatter. Suddenly, He Yì turned and shouted, “Cousin, let’s watch a DVD!”

“Wait a moment.”

He Lucheng stood up and walked to the coffee table. With considerable elegance, he pulled out a DVD from underneath and said in a gentle and smooth tone:

“Hey, small yi~”

“Coffee, tea, or DVD?”

As he said, a BL manga was dragged out between the two discs.

The entire room fell silent: …