Chen Jinxuan knew that sons of conglomerates had this norm of concealing their family background. Their pride stopped them from being proud of their family and it made them pursue their own definition of success. He figured that it was the same for Han Qiyu.

This was only their second meeting, but Chen Jinxuan could feel as if that pair of peach blossom eyes could see through him just like Chen Ling’s obsidian eyes. The reflected light in their eyes made him feel unsettled. He indeed had his own turbulence in his mind and heart, but he did not feel it was appropriate to share it.

Chen Jinxuan gave no answer to Han Qiyu’s question. He had no idea how to answer. Inside his heart was a scrambled mess of which he could not describe.

Was Fang Yaowei a good lover? Of course. He was a perfect lover. Did Fang Yaowei mistreat him? Absolutely not. So what made his resolve waver that he found it suffocating to be with that man who always smiled at the sight of himself?

Lies. Chen Jinxuan thought. He admitted that he was not the most honest man and he had committed trickery in order to achieve his motives in business, but he was true to his words. He had always been true to his words. He would never take risks that he could not shoulder. He would never work on a project without a high success rate. Against Fang Yaowei, however… he must have been blinded by his heart that he fell for the blooming rose, overlooking the surrounding pricks.

“Jin-ge?” Han Qiyu called out a few times but received no response. He thought he must have accidentally hit the bull's eye. He waved his hand in front of the unresponsive Chen Jinxuan. Suddenly, Chen Jinxuan grasped his hand. The grasp was swift and abrupt, Chen Jinxuan did not hold back his strength and his movement made Han Qiyu jolt.

“Jin-ge, Jin-ge! It hurts!” Han Qiyu raised his eyes to look at Chen Jinxuan pleadingly.

Chen Jinxuan released him. Obviously, he had lost his appetite. He pushed his plate of steak aside and crossed his fingers, placing his elbows on the table. His expression darkened as he looked at the brown-haired man. “I do not wish to converse with you about my private affairs.”

Han Qiyu rubbed his wrist as he remarked. “Jin-ge, are you happy?” 

Without waiting for Chen Jinxuan's reply, he answered his own question. “You don’t look happy.”

Chen Jinxuan was silenced yet again. Was he that obvious? If he was so obvious, Fang Yaowei could not have missed it. What if he turned a blind eye? What if he was too focused on something else that he did not notice Chen Jinxuan’s declining temperament? What was more startling was…  Did he want Fang Yaowei to notice?

Chen Jinxuan contemplated whether to tell Han Qiyu. At times, telling a stranger was safer than confiding in the closest people. However, he told himself he had it under control and there was absolutely no need to involve an irrelevant party, especially when that irrelevant party was after his younger sister…

“I do not wish to converse about my private affairs with someone I barely know.” Chen Jinxuan replied politely in contrast to his hawk-like eyes.

“If you are unwilling to tell your story, then let me tell you mine!” Han Qiyu grinned as his eyes curved, an image which reminded Chen Jinxuan of a certain animal in the forest. He could almost imagine a long fluffy tail swaying in a fixed rhythm behind Han Qiyu.

Chen Jinxuan looked away in disinterest.

“I’m just kidding! You don’t look well today. You should go home early and rest. You must be overworking yourself, Jin-ge. I am certain Chen Ling noticed it too, she just did not want to hurt your pride.” Han Qiyu took out Chen Jinxuan’s phone and returned it to the owner.

Chen Jinxuan was relieved to know that Han Qiyu could at least read the atmosphere, otherwise another ten minutes would have been his limit. He was truly exhausted, and he wanted nothing but a good night's sleep to fix his mood.

“You know, Jin-ge, you and my older brother give the same aura.”

“What are you up to again?” Chen Jinxuan crossed his arms in front of his chest, staring at Han Qiyu interrogatively.

Han Qiyu chuckled as he shrugged. “I’m just speaking the truth. My older brother… He… He is just like you. Whenever I made a mess, he would be the first to scold me, but at the same time, he would be the first to help me.”

His eyes dimmed as he cast his eyes downward. He smiled solemnly as he continued, “Both of you are too independent that you have no one to rely on. You don’t even think of relying on your siblings. So, I can understand how conflicted Chen Ling must have felt when she saw your troubled face. You can rely on us too. We want to help you the way you help us.”

Chen Jinxuan could not help but recall the worried look that Chen Ling made. His lips pulled into a thin smile while a bitter-sweet taste spread within his bosom. Han Qiyu was right, Chen Ling was no longer a child.

“Jin-ge, about Chen Ling—”

“From my understanding, she has zero interest in you.”

“Jin-ge, don’t crush my hope so easily. I must try! I saved her once, I must have left an impression on her at least.” Han Qiyu leaned forward closer, expecting some hints from his potential brother-in-law. “A hero who saved a beauty!”

Chen Jinxuan tilted his head, looking down on Han Qiyu. “You think girls are interested in heroes nowadays? Just a few days ago she squealed at a white-haired villain of an animation show who manipulates people into doing crimes and aims to destroy a futuristic system that sets everyone’s future path.”

A confused look surfaced on Han Qiyu’s face. It was out of his comprehension capability. “V-villain?”

“She said there is no point in watching if the villains are poor-looking. Clearly, your heroic act backfired.” Chen Jinxuan scoffed sarcastically before sipping his drink. Although he had no intention of giving his blessing to Han Qiyu, he thought it would be funny to see Han Qiyu being turned down by his sister. 

Chen Jinxuan turned his phone on and immediately, thirteen notifications popped up. They were all missed calls from Fang Yaowei. Among them was a text message.

Han Qiyu cupped his chin, pondering. “I still can be friends with her, and it is still an advancement. So she likes watching animation… What else does she like?”

Chen Jinxuan turned a deaf ear on Han Qiyu and clicked the text message open.

‘I don’t know where to find you. Please come home. -Fang Yaowei’

Home? 

As if there was something blocking his airway, Chen Jinxuan's breathing ceased. He wondered. Since when did Fang Yaowei become so detestable that even a desperate and loving text message from him could smother him? No matter what, he owed him an explanation.

“Jin-ge, what else does Chen Ling like?” Han Qiyu wanted to continue digging for information from Chen Jinxuan, but clearly Chen Jinxuan was not in the mood to become a cupid.

Han Qiyu sighed as he snatched Chen Jinxuan’s phone again. “Jin-ge, why are you with him if you are not happy? If he is not treating you well, leave him.”

Chen Jinxuan rose from his seat and was about to snatch back his phone when he heard Han Qiyu. The words ‘leave him’ seemed to linger in his ears, looping in his mind. Shortly after, Chen Jinxuan sat back in his seat.

Afraid that he might have gone too far for a newly acquainted person, Han Qiyu attempted his best to read Chen Jinxuan’s stoic expression. Was he annoyed? Was he angry? Was he livid?

Chen Jinxuan calmly took his phone from Han Qiyu’s hand as he muttered. “Soon enough, he will leave the company.”

“He will? Does that mean there is a vacancy in your esteemed company now?” Han Qiyu suddenly got up, leaning closer to Chen Jinxuan from across the table. His eyes glimmered but who knew what he was thinking.

“Didn’t you hear that Chen Ling has no interest in property?”

“Well… She is still your sister, and she will meet you more often than I do.” Han Qiyu pouted as he dropped himself back to his seat.

Chen Jinxuan must admit that Han Qiyu’s persistence was remarkable. He did not expect the day Chen Ling being courted would come this fast. Finding Han Qiyu annoying, he decided to pack his stuff and leave.

“Jin-ge, I’ll pay!” Clearly misunderstanding things, Han Qiyu rushed to get his wallet out of his pockets.

Chen Jinxuan’s movement halted as he watched Han Qiyu making a bee line to the cashier. For a moment the image of Han Qiyu overlapped with Fang Yaowei and even Chen Jinxuan was astonished by his own thoughts. Soon, he could not help but laugh at himself. He recalled the way Fang Yaowei pursued him back then was exactly like how Han Qiyu pursued Chen Ling.

Chen Jinxuan followed Han Qiyu to the cashier and after paying their bills, they parted ways by the entrance.

Chen Jinxuan took a few deep breaths as the autumn's night wind seeped into his skin. Passing people and passing vehicles, but he stood amidst alone. It was only him and the blowing wind. It had always been the wind that provided him solace. It had always been the coldness that calmed his mind.

A thought occurred to him out of the blue. If he could go back and see Fang Yaowei and his younger self, would he still cheer for them even though he knew the impending outcome?

Perhaps, yes. Perhaps, no. He had no answer to that. Ultimately, there was nothing wrong with loving somebody.

Chen Jinxuan got a cab and went back to his condominium. He packed up Fang Yaowei’s clothes and rode to Fang Yaowei’s condominium.

Reaching Fang Yaowei’s door, Chen Jinxuan’s steps stopped. He could faintly hear the clinking of cutleries and the gibberish sound from the TV. He glanced at his watch. 8:40 PM.

Chen Jinxuan pressed on the bell and right away, he heard running footsteps approaching. Next moment, the door opened and Fang Yaowei showed up. Not as usual, Fang Yaowei smiled diffidently as he let Chen Jinxuan in.

Fang Yaowei rushed to the dining table, “I was waiting for you. I made some of your favourite dishes. Come, let’s eat.”

“I… had dinner already.”

“…O-oh." Fang Yaowei lowered his head, looking at a table of feast he had prepared. He bit the inner part of his lower lip, tasting blood. "T-that’s right, you were with Chen Ling and… that man from the phone.”

Recalling what had happened in the office, he shook unnecessary thoughts away and turned his gaze to Chen Jinxuan. Fang Yaowei wanted to ask, but he was afraid that the answer was not what he wanted. Furthermore, he did not want to risk angering his lover.

"He is Han Qiyu. He is after Chen Ling." Chen Jinxuan removed his shoes and stepped in, carrying a bag into the master bedroom.

"I…See." Fang Yaowei pressed his lips together. "How did you two meet?"

"He saved Chen Ling from a delinquent." Chen Jinxuan explained briefly as he entered the dark bedroom.

“I see… Of course, you must thank him or treat him to a meal." Fang Yaowei followed in. "Xuan-ge? What is that?”

“Most of your office suits are with me, so I went back to get it for you. Otherwise, what will you wear to the office?” Chen Jinxuan set the bag on the bed and walked towards Fang Yaowei.

Fang Yaowei encircled his arms around Chen Jinxuan’s waist, leaning his head on Chen Jinxuan’s shoulder. “I shouldn’t have left you alone in the office. Xuan-ge, are you alright?”

At the mention of that, Chen Jinxuan’s breathing stopped for a moment before reaching a hand to Fang Yaowei’s head. He patted the smooth hair and the man that clung to him tightened his embrace.

Amidst the darkness in the bedroom, they exchanged warmth and felt each other’s beating hearts. Through the glass wall of the room, lights from the surrounding buildings were seen illuminating the night. While the sound of busy night resonated outside in Rallentando, two silhouettes remained attached in Tacet.

“I am fine.”