Absolutely Not This One

Qi Sijing threw an arm around William's shoulders and yanked him back.

Lin Xingye tilted his head in confusion.

[What's wrong? Are you upset because no handsome guy kissed you?]

William seemed not to have noticed anything and even gave him a gentle smile.

He cheerfully smiled back.

[Definitely dreaming about this one tonight~]

[I wonder if the male model club has this type. He seems pretty nice too.]

The others' expressions soured even further.

Lin Xingmo wished he could cover his brother's brain. Couldn't he see how... those people looked?

William chatted with him as though they were old friends, without the slightest reserve. "I know you. You saved Qi. That was very cool. I'd love to have a friend like you too."

Lin Xingye was a little embarrassed by the praise. "It was nothing. I think I'm pretty cool too."

[I'd love to have a handsome friend like you too~]

Lin Xingmo silently continued sipping his drink.

Well, he was beyond saving.

Qi Sijing gave two loud laughs and draped an arm around William's shoulders, gritting his teeth. "Glad you've met. So glad you've met! William, let's get a drink over there. The dancing's about to start."

William looked surprised. "Wow, there's dancing too? Can I ask Lin to dance, then?"

Qi Sijing: I should've kept my mouth shut.

Lin Xingye nodded.

[Absolutely saying yes~]

Bo Xi couldn't sit still any longer. He patted William's shoulder, signaling for him to step outside for a chat.

Cheng Yu indignantly squeezed between the two of them. "Star, you can't dance with him!"

Xu Chen, who had been shoved aside again: Do you absolutely have to sit here?

Lin Xingye popped little cakes into his mouth, pretending not to hear.

[Not listening, not listening. Just a turtle chanting scriptures~]

An Shi quietly took a sip of tea. "Star, that man is dangerous. Don't get too involved with him."

Cheng Yu nodded repeatedly. "Exactly, exactly! He's not a good person!"

Lin Xingmo: *?*

If I remember right, aren't both your families planning to work with him too?

Still, An Shi wasn't wrong. William had interests in a wide range of industries, including some fairly dangerous ones.

Besides, competition abroad was fierce. Anyone who could hold firmly onto the top spot was certainly no ordinary man.

Lin Xingye patted Cheng Yu's shoulder. "Relax. I'm not an idiot. I know all that."

He didn't understand these people. They seemed to treat him like a child.

The men went out onto the second-floor deck, where there was an outdoor bar.

Bo Xi remained as composed and unhurried as ever. "William, you know I like him."

Qi Sijing: *?*

Qi Sijing said, "William, I'm the one who likes him."

Seeing the two of them at each other's throats, William raised an eyebrow and teased, "I know. I was just curious."

"But it looks like neither of you has had any success yet."

William ordered a strong drink and raised his hands in surrender. "All right, my friends. Relax. I never make a move on someone a friend has feelings for."

"That's not my thing. Besides, Lin isn't my type."

Bo Xi recalled what he had seen abroad before. "Don't you like older women?"

William put on a wounded expression. "Bo, you really don't care about me at all. My type is clearly the cool, aloof sort."

"The less attention they pay me, the better."

Bo Xi sneered, condemning him. "So you lose interest once you get them. You certainly move on fast."

William accepted the glass the bartender handed him. "Thank you~"

He turned and raised his glass to the two of them. "That hurts my feelings, you know. Those people only liked my looks, after all."

"They didn't like the real me."

Qi Sijing ordered a drink too. "Are you sure? You're a beast. It's already a miracle if they aren't scared of you. Like you? They'd have to be out of their minds."

He waved a hand helplessly. "Fine, then. Add one more requirement: I like the brave ones."

Qi Sijing took his drink, and they clinked glasses. He gave it a little thought. "If that's how you describe your type, the only person I know who fits is..."

"An Shi?"

William raised an eyebrow. "An Shi? Who's that?"

Qi Sijing hastily waved his hands. "Not him. Absolutely not him!"

"Did you call me?"

An Shi had approached without them noticing. The cool sea breeze lifted his bangs, revealing his handsome features. His indifferent expression didn't seem off-putting in the slightest.

It was simply alluring.

William let out a "Wow" and turned to ask Qi Sijing, "That's An Shi?"

Qi Sijing's face went cold. "He's off-limits. He's a doctor, not part of this circle. Don't drag him into it."

Qi Sijing knew why William was such a womanizer. He had heard that when William was young, there had been someone he liked very much.

That person had been killed by his rivals on the way to celebrate his birthday.

Perhaps William hadn't even liked that person all that much, but they had died at eighteen, in the prime of their life.

Because of him.

After that, William had never truly liked anyone again.

An Shi walked over to Bo Xi, who lowered his head to listen. No one knew what they said, but afterward, An Shi left.

William watched his retreating figure curiously and asked, "Is he special? Don't you two already have someone you like?"

Bo Xi leaned against the side and chuckled softly. "He's the youngest, but he's our most dependable little brother."

As he spoke, he poked William, his tone carrying a warning. "You're not allowed to hit on my little brother."

William waved a hand. He hadn't expected these two to be so protective of their little brother.

He was honestly a little envious. His own brothers were nothing like that; every last one of them thought only about how to kill him.

A while later, Lin Xingye and the others came outside too, walking off their meal.

When Lin Xingye saw them, he greeted them excitedly.

[Hi, handsome!]

Cheng Yu unhappily pushed his hand down.

They gathered around the bar and each ordered a drink.

Lin Xingye was still nagging Lin Xingmo. "How can you drink alcohol?"

He reached out and tugged his brother's ear. "I started drinking ages ago, okay!"

Lin Xingye protested indignantly, "Who's going to take me back if you get drunk?"

Lin Xingmo stumbled. Oh, great. So that's what he was getting at.

Qi Sijing volunteered. "Star, you've got me. The room I arranged for you is right next to mine. I'll take you back."

Bo Xi: *?*

Cheng Yu: You bastard!

With an impassive expression, An Shi discreetly gave Qi Sijing the middle finger.

Lin Xingye really hadn't known about the room arrangements. He had only picked up his key card and hadn't even been to his room yet.

Xu Chen frowned, not at all pleased with this arrangement. Mother Lin had entrusted him with making sure their Star was well looked after.

He couldn't let certain people take advantage of him.

He leaned close to Lin Xingye's ear and suggested, "Xingye, how about we swap rooms?"

Lin Xingye waved a hand to say it was fine.

What was the big deal?

[I can drink anyone under the table. No way anyone's taking advantage of me.]

"Urgh..."

This alcohol really packed a delayed punch.

Lin Xingye leaned against something in a daze. What had just happened again?

The dancing seemed to have started, and someone had asked Momo to dance.

Then he had chased that person away, and Momo had scolded him, and then...

Then everyone had gone off to dance?

He couldn't remember. He was too muddled.

Come to think of it, what was he leaning against?

It was firm and warm, like...

[The big pecs I love?]

"You awake?"

A low male voice sounded above his head. It sounded so familiar.

The man swiped the key card, opened the door, and carried him straight inside, then gently laid him on the bed.

Then he turned and went into the bathroom to run the water.

Who was it?

Still dazed, he climbed to his feet. He hadn't taken two steps before tripping over his own feet and falling flat on his face.

Hearing the noise, the man inside hurried out to help him up. As he drew close, a faint smell of cigarette smoke drifted over.

Lin Xingye leaned against his warm chest. The man supported his bottom with one hand and lifted him up. "Why did you get out of bed? Did you hurt yourself?"

Lin Xingye shook his dizzy head and looked up at him. "Cheng... Cheng Yu?"