"Looks like something really is going on." Everyone immediately joined in the teasing.
Xie Jianyuan couldn't be bothered with them. He lowered his head and tested the feel of his club, then focused on the golf ball and raised the club, ready to strike.
Then he happened to glimpse the figures talking behind a glass wall not far away, and his movement froze.
"What's wrong, Young Master Xie?" Someone had been about to ask why he'd stopped, but when he saw Xie Jianyuan's expression, he fell silent, too frightened to say more.
Xie Jianyuan involuntarily tightened his grip on the club, the corners of his mouth slowly curving into a cold smile.
Inside the café, Xu Chun suddenly felt a little cold. He couldn't help sneezing, then frowned and rubbed his nose.
Why do I suddenly feel so creeped out?
As he was wondering, a loud bang suddenly rang out beside him, startling him so badly that he spilled more than half his coffee.
What happened?
Xu Chun turned to look, puzzled. To his surprise, Xie Jianyuan was standing outside the glass wall, picking up a golf ball. There was a faint ball mark on the glass; apparently, the ball had hit it just now.
"Sorry, the ball came over this way."
After picking up the ball, Xie Jianyuan straightened up slightly. When he saw the two people staring dumbfounded inside the café, he paused, as if he'd only just noticed them.
"What a coincidence. I didn't expect to run into you here."
Xie Jianyuan wore an innocent, harmless smile, Xu Chun's astonished face reflected in his long, dark eyes.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Wei Jiahe and the rest of their group of good-for-nothings had witnessed the whole thing. They looked at the distant hole, then at the glass wall in the opposite direction, nowhere near it, and stood rooted to the spot.
In the end, Wei Jiahe couldn't help roaring in his head.
The hole's in the opposite direction, bro!
Chapter 21: Protecting His Wife
Xu Chun looked at the golf ball in Xie Jianyuan's hand and forced a stiff smile.
Xie Jianyuan readily pushed the door open and walked in, all smiles, looking very interested in their conversation.
"What are you two talking about?"
Xie Jianyuan sat down beside Xu Chun. He interlaced his fingers on the table and turned to stare at him without blinking.
Seeing that Xie Jianyuan had addressed Xu Chun directly without so much as glancing at him, Jiang Xiuyan's expression dimmed.
"Nothing." Xu Chun looked away a little awkwardly. Feeling unbearably embarrassed, he could only deny it gently.
"Long time no see." Xie Jianyuan crossed his long legs naturally and leaned back slightly, nodding to Jiang Xiuyan with a casual smile.
Xie Jianyuan finally looked at him, but there was a chill in his gaze.
Jiang Xiuyan involuntarily clenched his hands and forced a pale smile.
"It has been a while. How's Zora?"
Xie Jianyuan said, "Pretty good, but her appetite hasn't been good lately."
Xu Chun frowned and glanced at Xie Jianyuan. Xie Jianyuan seemed to notice his gaze immediately and looked back at him with a smile, but Xu Chun saw no trace of amusement in his unfathomably dark eyes.
Is he in a bad mood?
Xu Chun fell into thought, trying to figure out whether he'd said or done something to make him angry. Just as he was struggling to make sense of it, an idea flashed through his mind, and he felt as if understanding had come to him in an instant.
He got it.
He only knew that Jiang Xiuyan liked Xie Jianyuan; he didn't know how Xie Jianyuan felt about Jiang Xiuyan. Although Xie Jianyuan was a straight man, the two of them had been friends for so many years.
And Xie Jianyuan had seen him meeting Jiang Xiuyan in private, while both he and Jiang Xiuyan were tight-lipped about what they'd discussed. Naturally, it looked a little suggestive.
And judging by the fact that Xie Jianyuan was angry, perhaps he had some hard-to-define feelings for Jiang Xiuyan too.
The more Xu Chun thought about it, the more sense it made. His analysis was perfectly logical. Although he didn't have much experience with romance, he'd seen pigs run even if he hadn't eaten pork. Having acted in so many romance dramas, he thought he was quite savvy about these things.
When Xu Chun looked at the two of them again, he felt as if even the atmosphere was a little different, though he wasn't sure if it was just his imagination.
"...I have something to do, so I need to head back first." Xu Chun cleared his throat, thinking it was better not to get in the way.
"Are you heading back, Brother Chun?" Xie Jianyuan smiled at him. "As it happens, I'm heading back too."
Xu Chun hesitated. "Didn't you come with friends?"
Without a change in expression, Xie Jianyuan smiled and replied, "I came alone."
Outside, Wei Jiahe sneezed.
Xu Chun hesitated for a moment, but ultimately let him come along.
Once they were outside, Xie Jianyuan offered to take the bag from Xu Chun. Xu Chun had already had the bag before getting into Jiang Xiuyan's car, and Jiang Xiuyan's expression had been complicated when he'd seen what was inside.
Xie Jianyuan took the bag and paused when he saw a few tomatoes inside. Then he smiled. "Are you making something delicious tonight, Brother Chun?"
Xu Chun scratched his chin awkwardly. "...Tomato and egg noodles."
Xie Jianyuan looked straight at him, hinting furiously. "That sounds delicious."
Xu Chun said, a little awkwardly, "Do you... want some?"
"Thanks, Brother Chun." Xie Jianyuan immediately accepted, answering at once.
Aside from his family and manager, Xu Chun rarely let anyone into his home.
His home was furnished very simply, with all the furniture in a fresh, natural wood style and countless potted plants, making it look very
cozy
But it was also... a complete mess!
A little embarrassed, Xu Chun pushed aside the clothes strewn across the sofa, then bent down to pick up the newspaper from the floor and gave a few awkward laughs.
"Haha... how did the wind blow the newspaper onto the floor?"
Xie Jianyuan held back a laugh and played along, nodding with a perfectly serious expression. "Looks like the wind was a bit strong."
Unable to keep up the act, Xu Chun sprawled on the sofa, spreading his arms and legs in resignation, and slowly said a proper piece of fandom slang.