How will you know unless you try?

It was Tang Yun's first time drinking at a Bar with a group of strangers, too. He sat awkwardly beside Yan Wen, holding his glass and taking tiny sips.

Xiao Qi said, "Host, that pink-haired guy will come over to strike up a conversation in a moment and slip something into Mu Xu Ye's drink."

Yan Wen acknowledged that, then turned to Tang Yun. "Are you bored? How about I take you to watch some drama?"

Tang Yun perked up. "Yes, yes, yes! Where?"

"Come with me."

The two quietly slipped out of the booth while the others weren't looking, but Mu Xu Ye heard Yan Wen's thoughts loud and clear.

"Host, are you really going to let Mu Xu Ye get drugged?"

"If I don't, how are Qi Shu Yu and my Eldest Brother supposed to make any progress? Look, it's been an hour, and they haven't even said twenty words to each other."

"But what if Mu Xu Ye finds out about this and ends up hating Qi Shu Yu? Host, not everyone can accept something like that."

"You've got a point. What if things still follow the future's course, and my Eldest Brother ends up hating Qi Shu Yu after he finds out? No, no, that won't do. Forget it, forget it. Looks like they still need us when it counts. You can't force a romance!"

Yan Wen pulled Tang Yun back to the booth. Wang Li asked, "Where did you two run off to? I almost thought you'd gotten lost."

Yan Wen smiled apologetically. "We went to the restroom. Sorry."

Tang Yun asked quietly, "Weren't we going to watch some drama?"

Yan Wen made an okay sign. "It's coming right up."

Tang Yun followed Yan Wen's gaze. The pink-haired guy in a cropped top and shorts was walking toward them, carrying two glasses of liquor. He stopped beside Mu Xu Ye and offered him one. "Hey, handsome~ Want a drink?"

Mu Xu Ye ignored him. The guy pouted. "So cold, handsome. You won't even have one drink with me?"

Yan Wen exclaimed silently, "Holy shit! Look at that pitiful little face. My Eldest Brother still isn't reacting. Don't tell me he can't get it up?"

Xiao Qi replied, "Mu Xu Ye is very capable in that department. He probably isn't reacting because he isn't interested in him."

"Oh~ Looks like my Eldest Brother still loves Qi Shu Yu."

Mu Xu Ye sighed silently. He hadn't even said anything himself yet.

Annoyed by the pink-haired guy's pestering, Mu Xu Ye took the glass and drained it. Seeing that, the guy walked away with a satisfied smile.

Yan Wen secretly slipped Mu Xu Ye a pill. "Eldest Brother, take this. It'll sober you up."

Mu Xu Ye put the pill in his mouth, and a faint bitterness spread over his tongue. The warmth of his mouth melted it into liquid the moment it went in, and he swallowed it.

Still uneasy, Yan Wen asked, "Does this pill really work?"

Xiao Qi's voice was firm. "Don't worry, host. This antidote pill cost a hundred points. Its effectiveness is guaranteed."

"Your new upgrade is pretty great. No wonder you wouldn't tell me about it before. You were waiting for a chance to show off."

"They can't just keep sitting there without saying a word. Watch me."

Yan Wen poked Qi Shu Yu and asked softly, "Big Brother Qi, your phone wallpaper looks awfully familiar. Is that my Eldest Brother?"

Qi Shu Yu's earlobes instantly turned red. "Y-you saw it? Then, should I delete it? Is this inappropriate?"

"Yes, your screen lit up just now, and I happened to see it. So it really is my Eldest Brother?"

Qi Shu Yu nodded bashfully. "But could you keep it a secret for me? I'm afraid he'll hate me if he finds out."

Yan Wen feigned confusion. "If you like him, why not let my Eldest Brother know?"

Qi Shu Yu looked at the liquor left in his half-full glass. "I don't know if Xu Ye can accept it. I don't dare take that risk."

"How will you know unless you try? Go ahead and pursue him, Shu Yu. I've already asked around. My Eldest Brother is still single and isn't interested in anyone. Maybe you really have a chance!"

Yan Wen's eyes shone as he gave a series of quick, little nods, adding an encouraging gesture for good measure.

After saying that, Yan Wen poured himself a glass of fruit wine and sipped it leisurely. "I was so nervous. Now all that's left is my Eldest Brother's side. What's his sexual orientation? He isn't homophobic, is he?"

"Mu Xu Ye has always had very little interest in romance or sex. In his twenty-six years, never mind dating, he's barely even done that by himself. It's hard to say what his sexual orientation is. It probably depends on who he falls for first."

Qi Shu Yu was waging an internal battle. Perhaps he knew he could try and bravely take that first step, but what if Mu Xu Ye distanced himself from him because of it? Yet how would he know whether it would work unless he tried? But if trying damaged their relationship, wouldn't the loss outweigh the gain?

Mu Xu Ye had been secretly watching Qi Shu Yu. Seeing eight hundred expressions flit across his face in a single second, he couldn't help letting the corners of his mouth lift slightly.

Qi Shu Yu took a deep breath, then slowly let it out.

Xiao Wen was right. How would he know unless he tried? Even if the outcome wasn't what he hoped for, he would accept it.

"Mu Xu Ye." Qi Shu Yu asked nervously, "Can we go outside and talk?"

Mu Xu Ye set down his glass. "Sure. Let's go."

Once the two went outside, Yan Wen pulled Tang Yun along after them and found a corner to hide in, watching the drama unfold firsthand.

The others had long since drunk themselves into a stupor and had no idea what was happening.

Qi Shu Yu opened and closed his mouth before finally managing a question. "How have you been these past few years? Have you been doing well?"

Mu Xu Ye's face betrayed no emotion. "Same as always. Busy with work. Qi Shu Yu, did you call me out here just to ask that?"

"I..."

"I saw everything you were doing just now. You kept looking at me. After you spoke to my little brother, you started looking at me even more often."

"I... I... S-sorry."

"Why are you apologizing? Qi Shu Yu, back in college, you never struggled this much to get a sentence out. I remember you even won first place in a debate competition."

Qi Shu Yu's mind went blank. He couldn't think of a single thing to say, and Mu Xu Ye had already moved closer. "Qi Shu Yu, answer me. When did you start liking me?"

Qi Shu Yu felt as though a bullet had struck his heart. Everything around him seemed to freeze, leaving only Mu Xu Ye's eyes, holding a hint of a smile, to fill his entire world.

"In our third year of college... If you don't like it, I can..."

"Who said I don't?"

Qi Shu Yu saw the smile on Mu Xu Ye's face grow more pronounced. "But I really don't know whether I like you. Qi Shu Yu, could you help me figure out whether I do?"

"Yes! Then, you're agreeing to let me pursue you?"

Yan Wen tilted his head. "Why is Shu Yu pursuing my Eldest Brother? Does that mean my Eldest Brother is the bottom now?"

Xiao Qi laughed. "Host, Mu Xu Ye is such a blockhead. If he were the one doing the pursuing, who knows how many years it would take?"

"True enough. Now I'll just wait for my Eldest Brother to bring Shu Yu home to meet the parents."