Eight male models doing the boom-cha-cha

In the original owner's memories, Shao Yang had been like an angel descending to earth, radiating golden light, a savior of humanity.

Yan Ningke chewed the macaron in his mouth, his left hand resting on the wheelchair's backrest. Looking at the man surrounded by admirers at the entrance, he curled his lip almost imperceptibly.

Shao Yang was certainly handsome, with finely sculpted features, a profile like jade, and a perfectly measured smile that made him look especially elegant.

But perhaps because Yan Ningke knew his true face beneath that gentle smile, even as he stood at the center of that glittering crowd,

Yan Ningke still thought he looked ugly, no matter how he looked at him.

"Even the courtesans of old couldn't smile as well as he does."

"What?"

Ever since Shao Yang and Ji Wensheng had entered, Shao Ke's gaze had remained fixed on them.

He seemed expressionless, but the darkness in his eyes had flooded his entire body like a tide, binding him, body and mind, bit by bit like creeping vines.

Until a not particularly quiet mutter suddenly came from behind him.

Shao Ke was momentarily bewildered. He asked again, "What?"

Yan Ningke picked up his cocktail and washed down the dessert in his mouth, then bent down to whisper into his ear. "Your cousin. Smiling like that, he looks even cheaper than the handsome little rent boys at a bar!"

Handsome little rent boys? What the hell!

Shao Ke had been feeling awkward about the hot breath brushing his ear.

Then he registered what Yan Ningke had said, and his face instantly darkened. "You've hired them before?"

"Hm?" Yan Ningke blinked and said regretfully, "Oh, I'd love to. Too bad not a single good friend is willing to hire eight male models to do the boom-cha-cha for me."

By the end, his yearning was practically spilling out of him.

Shao Ke had no room left for dark thoughts. He turned to look at the person beside him, still absorbed in soothing and entertaining himself, displeasure written all over his face.

"Eight?"

"Heh. Want me to hire them for you?"

No exaggeration: Yan Ningke's wandering eyes instantly lit up, and his supposedly unbending spine swiftly folded. He crouched down and clutched the wheelchair's armrest, his voice excited. "Really? Really? My dearest provider!"

Watching his impatient expression, Shao Ke slowly curled his lips into an evil smile and spat out two words. "Dream. On!"

A beautiful dream, shattered!

Yan Ningke forced the corners of his mouth up and poked a forefinger at the edge. Excuse me, where are your manners?

Shao Ke gave him a cold, merciless look.

On the surface, neither of them seemed to be doing anything, but their eyes were locked in a clash of flashing blades.

"Cousin! You're here too?"

Someone broke the "harmonious" atmosphere. The voice alone told them who it was.

Shao Ke and Yan Ningke ceased hostilities at the same time and exchanged a look for several seconds.

Shao Ke was the first to raise his eyes toward the two approaching men. He offered no response, quietly watching them stop a short distance away.

"Sorry, cousin. Uncle Liu and the others pulled me away to socialize as soon as I came in, so I didn't notice you right away. That was my fault. Please accept your little cousin's apology."

Shao Yang apologized politely, with a touch of warmth, like a good younger cousin who respected his elder.

Without even turning around, Yan Ningke could already imagine the affected, utterly fake smile on his face.

Hypocrite.

He rolled his eyes without the slightest attempt to hide it, stood up, and stepped behind the wheelchair.

His movement drew both men's attention.

This was Yan Ningke's first time meeting Ji Wensheng. The original owner probably hadn't met him either; there was no trace of him in his memories.

He was around five feet ten, with snow-white skin, a high nose, and a textbook pair of round, grape-like eyes that seemed to hold countless stars.

With a faint smile, his whole presence spoke of gentleness.

Honestly, he really was beautiful.

Ji Wensheng lowered his watery eyes, looking at Shao Ke in the wheelchair as though he wanted to speak but held back.

He said nothing, yet seemed to have said everything.

Yan Ningke sighed almost imperceptibly. Who wouldn't lose their head over this?

If he hadn't been so certain of his own sexual orientation, even he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't be utterly bewitched.

Shao Ke's lack of response did nothing to deter Shao Yang's shamelessness. He kept fussing over Shao Ke's well-being all on his own.

Yan Ningke allowed himself to become absorbed in the pretty young man's beauty.

Who didn't love beautiful things!

Especially someone so... well-equipped with a nose and eyes.

Little beauty, hehehe ＞3＜~

"Ningke?"

Handsome boy, hohoho ^O^~

"Ningke?"

"Mm... huh?"

Yan Ningke came back to himself to find all three of the others looking at him, each with a different expression.

Shao Yang asked with concern, "Ningke, are you all right? Are you feeling unwell?"

Yan Ningke tugged awkwardly at the corners of his mouth. "I'm fine, I'm fine."

"That's good."

Shao Yang's voice was full of gentleness. "It looks like you're getting along well. Now I can rest easy."

That Shao Yang had introduced Yan Ningke to Shao Ke had always been something they tacitly understood.

They just hadn't expected him to be so open about it, as though he had simply found his cousin a suitable caregiver.

Yet what he considered his own boundless affection and generosity received no response.

Shao Ke sat upright, solemn from head to toe, his eyes lowered, his thoughts unknown.

Yan Ningke was looking at him, but there was a little more inscrutable emotion in his eyes and none of their former adoration.

Shao Yang lowered his eyelids to conceal the displeasure and confusion in his eyes, put his smile back on, and excused himself.

But the moment he turned away, his expression changed.

Had that useless idiot been won over in just a few days?

He left, but the other man stayed.

Ji Wensheng took a small step forward, clasped his hands tightly against his chest, and called mournfully, "Brother Shao..."

Ugh!

The fake innocence hit him right in the face!

Yan Ningke wrinkled his nose.

Charm gone. Completely gone!

Ji Wensheng noticed his little movement and shot him a disgusted glare, then lowered his head and continued speaking to Shao Ke. "Brother Shao, could we talk alone?"

Ding!

Yan Ningke instantly went on alert. Here it comes, here it comes! Was the plot about to begin?

He instinctively tightened his grip on the handles and pulled the wheelchair back closer to himself. "Young Master Ji, aren't you Second Young Master Shao's date? Surely whispering with another man in full view of everyone isn't appropriate?"

"That's nonsense! I just wanted to talk to Brother Shao!"

Ji Wensheng was furious. He pointed at Yan Ningke and rebuked him arrogantly. "Besides, who do you think you are? You're just a nanny. What right do you have to interfere between me and Brother Shao?"

Brother, brother, brother-what, are you clucking out an egg?

Do you even have the equipment for that?

Yan Ningke rolled his eyes in exasperation and made no attempt to hide his disdain. "Young Master Ji, since you've already got someone in your bowl, stop eyeing the one in the pot. Weighing the pros and cons is human nature."

"But once you've made your choice, follow that road to the bitter end. Whatever you do, don't turn back!"

"Otherwise, you'll only make yourself look utterly cheap."