This was a reward

Feng Yueshan couldn't make sense of the undercurrents between the two of them and just kept teasing. "Oh, look at how well you've been keeping him. He's positively glowing."

As if I'm the one keeping him, Chu Yilan thought. Shen Lian knew how to enjoy himself. He kept Aunt Fen smiling all day long, and the fridge, which used to empty out once a week, had lately been cleared out every three days. He nourished himself every way imaginable, with food and everything else.

Two other men stood behind Chu Yilan, both with an impressive presence. Their names were Ning Sixian and Zhou Yuanlin. One was gentlemanly and reserved, the other flamboyant and rakish. Both were old friends of Chu Yilan's.

Shen Lian's gaze had been discreetly following Chu Yilan, and he confirmed one thing: the man hadn't noticed Zheng Ge.

That realization put Shen Lian in a very good mood.

The only thing about Zheng Ge that could bother Shen Lian was Chu Yilan's attitude toward him.

After spending some time with Chu Yilan, Shen Lian didn't think he was that blind.

The more reasonable explanation was that Zheng Ge had happened to appear when Chu Yilan was at his most vulnerable. In fact, whoever had appeared during that time would have made no difference to Chu Yilan. He had simply needed a rope to climb out.

Zheng Ge had become the embodiment of that need, and only then had he been fortunate enough to receive Chu Yilan's care.

But that wasn't affection, much less love.

Everyone had misunderstood, though, including Zheng Ge himself.

Almost the instant Chu Yilan appeared, Zheng Ge instinctively hid behind Zhou Tangsi, looking desperate to draw a clear line between them.

Even more ridiculous was that asshole Zhou Tangsi, who played along by shielding Zheng Ge, putting on a battle-ready expression and saying, "I'm here."

Feng Yueshan couldn't hear what they were saying, but he saw their whole infuriating performance and immediately snapped, "Who's even paying attention to them?"

There was no way Feng Yueshan or the others would have a good impression of Zheng Ge. The guy had no fucking conscience. Since Yilan's disfigurement, how many times had he even asked about him? He acted as if their friend were some man-eating monster.

Chu Yilan's brow shifted slightly. Lately... he had barely thought about Zheng Ge at all.

Shen Lian occupied far too much of his attention and time. Even when they didn't see each other, the fresh flowers he could see just by looking up reminded him that such a person existed.

Passionate and bold.

Meanwhile, Zheng Ge's face was gradually growing indistinct.

It wasn't a matter of casting aside the old for the new. Rather, once he paid less attention to Zheng Ge, Chu Yilan recognized more clearly that what he felt for him was mostly gratitude for those words from years ago: "I'll stay with you."

Who would believe that the aloof, cold-blooded Chu Yilan had moments when he feared loneliness too?

He had longed for light, and Zheng Ge had happened to bring him a ray of it. But ultimately, what Chu Yilan wanted was that light, not Zheng Ge himself.

He simply couldn't accept it. Why could something given to him be taken back? Unlike Shen Lian...

Chu Yilan clicked his tongue softly. Why am I thinking about Shen Lian again?

Feng Yueshan exchanged glances with the other two as they watched Chu Yilan's complex, shifting expression.

He's actually not brooding... Feng Yueshan had to admire Shen Lian. How had he soothed him? In the past, seeing Zheng Ge had always left Chu Yilan in low spirits, especially when Zheng Ge was with Zhou Tangsi. The atmosphere around him would turn downright oppressive.

Zhou Yuanlin clapped his hands. "Come on, let's have some fun."

That fun consisted of the person in charge bringing over several attractive young people, both men and women. Most were hoping to use their good looks to take a shortcut.

Ning Sixian spoke up. "None for me."

"You're the most boring person," Zhou Yuanlin said. "Every time we come somewhere like this, you don't want this, you don't want that."

"Exactly." Holding his wineglass, Feng Yueshan looked them over, then pointed at a delicate-looking young man. "You. Come have a couple of drinks with Mr. Chu."

The young man immediately picked up his glass and approached with light, careful steps, stopping in front of Chu Yilan. "Mr. Chu..."

A chill swept through Chu Yilan.

He abruptly raised his eyes and saw that Shen Lian's smile had already vanished. His gaze was as cold as if steeped in snow.

"Don't let me smell anyone else on you."

That was a warning Shen Lian had once given him.

Before he could even think it through, Chu Yilan pushed the young man toward Feng Yueshan.

Feng Yueshan: "?"

Come on, man. I like women!

"No," Chu Yilan said succinctly.

Chu Yilan had no doubt whatsoever that if he dared clink glasses with the young man, Shen Lian would immediately charge over and drive a knee into his crotch.

Ning Sixian looked over with a faint, ambiguous smile. "Keeping yourself pure for Zheng Ge?"

Chu Yilan frowned. "What does Zheng Ge have to do with it?"

Ning Sixian froze. The way he said that made it sound as if he didn't have much feeling for Zheng Ge at all.

Zhou Yuanlin kept a man and a woman, while Feng Yueshan sent the rest away.

Once things quieted down around them, Feng Yueshan leaned closer to Chu Yilan and asked, "Wait, what's going on? Why can't I make sense of this?"

Like hell you could, Chu Yilan thought. You've never even been in a proper relationship. Does anyone send you flowers? Wait for you to come home? Keep an eye on you and rein you in?

Shen Lian meant what he said. Chu Yilan knew the madness in his bones.

Yet he didn't dislike it in the slightest. On the contrary, after downing a glass of strong liquor, the thought of Shen Lian's possessive look just now made the blood throughout his body begin to burn.

Shen Lian could only have eyes for him, and he would never allow anyone else to covet him. That attitude pleased Chu Yilan immensely and gave him a sense of security he couldn't put into words.

Chu Yilan drained his glass and leaned back against the sofa, looking at Shen Lian with a deep, dark gaze through the flashing lights and the crowd.

I didn't touch him.

Shen Lian's lips curved in a slight smile. Then, under Chu Yilan's gaze, he pressed a gentle kiss to the rim of his glass.

In an instant, the sensation of those thin lips against his scar surged back.

This was a reward.

Shen Lian chuckled softly.

Now it wasn't just Feng Yueshan. Ning Sixian and Zhou Yuanlin were staring curiously at Chu Yilan too. What's going on? Wait, why are you blushing?!

Refusing to believe it, Feng Yueshan grabbed Chu Yilan's glass and tasted the few drops left inside. It was the same drink they always had. Surely he couldn't be drunk?

The next second, Chu Yilan's icy gaze swept toward him. "Get me another glass."

Feng Yueshan: "?"

"You fucking..." Feng Yueshan was utterly bewildered. "We've been friends all these years. We practically grew up sleeping under the same blanket, and now you're grossed out by me?"

"I'm not grossed out," Chu Yilan said evenly.

Never mind. Feng Yueshan wouldn't understand even if he explained. Watching him jump around in outrage, Chu Yilan suddenly found him a little pitiful.

"Don't you like any of the girls your mother introduced you to?"

Feng Yueshan couldn't keep up with this train of thought at all and could only answer haltingly, "I still want to have fun for another couple of years."

Chu Yilan chuckled. "Ah. That makes sense, then."

Feng Yueshan: "???"

For the first time, Feng Yueshan wanted to grab a bottle and crack Chu Yilan's head open. What the hell are you so smug about? Are you looking down on me now?

Ning Sixian shook his head. "I don't get it."

Zhou Yuanlin said, "Looks like I really am a dunce."

"Shen Lian?" A staff member approached and said politely, "Our boss would like to see you."

Shen Lian nodded courteously.

He and Chu Yilan seemed to be busy with their own affairs, but in reality, one glance out of the corner of an eye was enough to pinpoint where the other was and what he was doing.