Pan Ying

Wei Zelin knew which mall Shi Yuan was eating at. S City was, if anything, more familiar and comfortable to him than Capital City. As he stepped onto the escalator on the first floor, a large crowd on the second floor was about to head down.

Wei Zelin picked out his own sweetheart with perfect accuracy. There was no shortage of handsome men and beautiful women in the group, all young and radiant, but only Shi Yuan could make him reluctant to look away after one glance, eager to follow for another.

"A handsome guy is smiling at me!"

"He's not looking your way, is he? If he's looking at anyone, it's Zhenzhen and the others."

The girls ahead of Shi Yuan giggled as they talked.

The boys were all bringing up the rear behind the girls. Meng Zhenzhen had deliberately lingered at the very back with Gu Chengwang. At those words, his gaze drifted casually toward the escalator going up beside them.

There really was a tall, straight-backed figure turned slightly toward him. He wore an expensive bespoke suit, his black hair swept back to reveal a handsome, sharply defined profile. Gold-rimmed glasses rested on his high nose, and the faintest smile curved his lips. His bearing was so refined that even the most oblivious person could tell he came from an extraordinary background.

Meng Zhenzhen's breathing quickened. He discreetly sized up Gu Chengwang beside him. Compared with that tall figure, the man who had been his top target just seconds ago had absolutely nothing to offer!

He swallowed nervously. He really seems to be smiling at me... Damn it! I haven't touched up my makeup since we finished the barbecue. My lips look a little pale.

Meng Zhenzhen lightly ran his tongue around his lips, trying to give them a little more color. He subtly lifted his chin to make his jawline look smoother.

The escalator ride took less than a minute. Once Wei Zelin reached the top, he immediately turned around to head down. Meng Zhenzhen, who had been secretly watching him all along, grew even more excited.

Is he coming after me?

He's following us. He really is coming after me!

Shi Yuan was absorbed in tapping away at his phone, while Xiao Ying and Xiao Wen talked quietly. It was You Gui who noticed the stir around them. Following the crowd's gaze, she looked back and saw Wei Zelin trailing them at an unhurried pace.

He seemed to be waiting for Shi Yuan to notice him on his own.

Ah, is this the little game normal couples play?

You Gui nudged Shi Yuan with her elbow. "Look behind you."

"Huh?" Shi Yuan turned around blankly and saw the man who had not been replying to his WeChat messages just a short distance behind him. Wei Zelin's smile deepened when he looked back.

You Gui said with a smile, "Go on. I'm heading home too."

Shi Yuan scratched his head bashfully, his steps growing faster and faster until he rushed to Wei Zelin's side. Wei Zelin put an arm around him and nodded to You Gui. One tall and upright, the other slender, they looked especially well matched leaning into each other.

For You Gui, things were even simpler. The moment Shi Yuan left, she stepped out of the group and headed toward the mall entrance to find her ride.

The remaining group erupted. "That gorgeous guy came for Xiao Ying's brother? No wonder he was following us."

"Xiao Ying, what's the relationship between your brother and him?"

"Wow, wow, wow! Do you even need to ask? They're obviously a couple. Look at his eyes! They couldn't be more loving."

"You can see his eyes from all the way over here? What, did you evolve behind my back?"

Xiao Ying had never met Wei Zelin, but she knew Shi Yuan had a boyfriend. She was ninety percent certain this was him. She clicked her tongue inwardly. Bro, no shame in losing to him.

"I already told you he's not my actual brother. He's a pretty good friend. I don't know about his relationships, okay? Don't ask me."

"Aw, I thought he was looking at me. Turns out he's taken."

"I wasn't that confident, but he was looking toward the boys, and Zhenzhen was at the back. I thought he was looking at Zhenzhen."

Meng Zhenzhen's face stiffened. His heart clenched, anger rushed to his head, and he could not speak for a long moment.

Gu Chengwang was exceptionally good at reading people. Inwardly scornful, he nevertheless asked with concern, "You don't look too well. Are you okay?"

The gap between Meng Zhenzhen's hopes and reality was too great. He also felt an unspoken ache of bitterness and jealousy. Gu Chengwang's words drifted past his ears without drawing any response. By the time he came to his senses, everyone had gone, and Gu Chengwang had long since left.

"Was the barbecue good?" Wei Zelin held Shi Yuan's hand as they strolled nearby.

"It was okay, but there was this really annoying person buzzing around beside me like a fly." Shi Yuan waved his hand beside his ear to show just how much that person had annoyed him.

How could liking someone make him feel this way? Even such a childish little gesture seemed adorable and charming. Utterly captivated, Wei Zelin watched Shi Yuan without blinking.

The moment Shi Yuan looked up, he met that intent gaze. He rubbed his bright red earlobe and said shyly, "Why are you just staring at me without saying anything? Am I talking too much?"

"Oh, right, you must be tired. Why don't you go back and rest first? We can go out tomorrow."

Wei Zelin curled his fingers around Shi Yuan's hand and drew him closer. "Then come back to the hotel and rest with me."

"N-no." Shi Yuan stumbled over his words. Even exchanging a look could set something off between them. Going to a hotel might well ignite an inferno.

"You need to come to the banquet with me tonight. We'll rest at the hotel now. Someone will bring our clothes at six, and we'll go in at eight."

"All right, then." Shi Yuan was persuaded. Wei Zelin had rushed over to see him that morning, then gone straight off to a business engagement at noon. Who knew how late he would be busy tonight? He ought to let him rest more now.

Wei Zelin was staying at one of the five-star hotels in the last row behind the venue. That evening's banquet was being held there too.

The business partners and celebrities coming from various places had all been accommodated in the hotels here. Wei Zelin was staying on the fourth floor.

The moment they entered, Wei Zelin pulled him straight onto the bed, giving him a fright.

"Let me hold you while I sleep for a bit." Wei Zelin ruffled his hair, then really did close his eyes with him in his arms.

Shi Yuan's heart pounded nervously. Sleeping was out of the question, but having his back pressed against Wei Zelin's broad, warm chest felt surprisingly comfortable and reassuring. His heartbeat gradually settled.

With small, careful movements, he took out his phone to read German lesson plans online. They were far too sleep-inducing. He had not intended to sleep, yet drifted off without realizing it.

"Yuanyuan, time to get up."

Warmth brushed Shi Yuan's ear as Wei Zelin's low voice sounded beside it. He opened his eyes groggily. It was already dark outside.

"What time is it?" Shi Yuan's already soft, slightly husky voice was even quieter now. Luckily, Wei Zelin was right beside him and could hear clearly.

"Six twenty. Your clothes have arrived. Try them on and see if they fit."

Shi Yuan rubbed his eyes and sat up. Through the gap in the door, he could hear what sounded like people whispering in the living room.

He washed his face in the bathroom and felt much more awake when he came out.

Only after opening the bedroom door did he discover that not only were there people in the living room, there were quite a few. Some were hanging up clothes, some ironing, and others moving things. Everyone worked in an orderly manner.

Shi Yuan stood there at a loss. Wei Zelin came out in a fresh shirt and drew him to his side. In an even tone, loud enough for everyone in the room to hear, he introduced him. "This is my partner. Please help him get ready first."

Everyone paused in their work. A woman in a business suit approached first and said respectfully, "Mr. Shi, please come with me."

Wei Zelin gave Shi Yuan a gentle nudge with the hand resting on his shoulder. "Go on. Sister Ying will guide you."

Something stirred in Shi Yuan's mind. Sister Ying must already know about him. Wei Zelin also seemed to trust her deeply.

Sister Ying first put together an outfit for Shi Yuan. He offered no objections throughout. He really knew little about this sort of thing, so he might as well listen to a professional.

The clothes were ready-to-wear, and a few small alterations were needed for a better fit. A man with a needle and thread finished them in no time.

After choosing suitable shoes, they styled his hair. He had only recently had it cut, but it was still longer than Wei Zelin's. After the stylist worked on it for a while, Shi Yuan felt as though he had become a different person.

"Do I look like a business executive now too?" Standing before the full-length mirror, Shi Yuan tugged at his bow tie.

"No, you look like a little prince." Wei Zelin sat on the sofa, smiling at him. He had changed into a royal-blue suit that made him look even more mature and composed.

"Mr. Shi has fair skin and handsome features. Light-colored formalwear really does give him an elegant, luxurious air," Sister Ying said appreciatively.

Being praised made Shi Yuan feel bashful instead. He sat beside Wei Zelin, leaned partly against his shoulder, and yawned.

Wei Zelin took Shi Yuan's hand in his own and gently played with it.

"Sister Ying, bring all the watches over."

Pan Ying personally brought over a natural wood-colored tray lined with red velvet. She opened eight jewelry boxes of varying shapes and sizes in turn. Every one held an expensive luxury watch.

Wei Zelin pointed at them one after another, stopping at a slightly smaller watch with a jade-green dial. He picked it up and fastened it around Shi Yuan's left wrist, his movements gentle and careful.

Watching him, Shi Yuan leaned toward his ear and whispered, "Maybe I shouldn't wear it. If I break it, I can't afford to pay for it."

Subconsciously, he assumed all these trappings had been lent to Wei Zelin by that old fellow Wei Ming.

Wei Zelin straightened his cuff. "Wear it without worrying. It was free."

"He's being this generous this time?" After speaking, Shi Yuan could not suppress another yawn.

Wei Zelin was, at most, a temporary pawn for Wei Ming. The earnings of the Wei Family Group did not even rank among the top fifty nationwide. Their true reserves were things ordinary people could never imagine, and Wei Wanwan held those firmly in her grasp. Even if the company went bankrupt, her wealth would remain beyond counting. Wei Ming himself did not control many assets, so why would he be so generous to Wei Zelin?

Wei Zelin had instructed Pan Ying to prepare all of this beforehand. It was his own wealth. The returns Magic Cube Technology had brought him over the past ten years had long since become strings of incalculable numbers. Their owner had left them in S City and various investments to keep generating more money. Never mind these watches with seven-figure price tags-even if Shi Yuan wanted a star in the sky, Wei Zelin could have one named after him.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Shi Yuan looked at Wei Zelin's odd expression. He resembled an old mother doting on her child.

Wei Zelin did not answer. He wiped away the little trace of moisture that had gathered at the corner of Shi Yuan's eye from drowsiness and asked, "Still sleepy?"

Shi Yuan leaned trustingly against his shoulder, half enclosed in his arms, his voice soft and languid. "Not really. My body feels a little tired. I can't seem to muster any energy."

Seeing him so sweet and docile filled Wei Zelin with affection. Unable to help himself, he pecked his pale lips. Shi Yuan swatted the back of his hand in mock annoyance. "No kissing."

Wei Zelin asked, "Why?"

Shi Yuan said, "In broad daylight, out in the open, you can't do that."

Wei Zelin said, "There's no sun."

Shi Yuan said, "..."

You'd better really mean the sun.

Shi Yuan said, "Anyway, there are so many people here. You can't do that."

"Do what?"

Wei Zelin smiled mildly at Pan Ying, his intention obvious. Pan Ying nearly failed to maintain her serious expression. She composed her face and led everyone out of the living room.