Chapter 85: Ye Zeqian
Blue Coast No. 103, a seaside villa under He Yunkai’s name. Known in A City as a “model killer,” he had wide connections in the entertainment circle.
To set the mood tonight, he had also invited a crowd of female models and second or third-tier actresses.
After all, in He Yunkai’s eyes, his childhood friend was a staunch heterosexual.
Back in high school, he’d already dated a few sweet, innocent girlfriends. Chances were, after all those years abroad, he hadn’t gone easy on the blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauties either.
But in truth, he hadn’t. In the original novel, Xu Chaoyan had always exuded a natural air of gentleness and refinement. If Ye Zeqian hadn’t hurt him with that affair after their marriage, he never would’ve become a spiteful supporting character.
“Chaoyan, are you here yet?” He Yunkai had just finished arranging the venue when he noticed the crowd was already buzzing with laughter, yet his main guest, the star of the night, was still nowhere to be seen.
He immediately called him.
“On the way, almost there.” Li Dong sat in the back of a stretched luxury car, the driver’s steady hands keeping the ride smooth even on the winding coastal road.
“Good, I’ll be waiting.” He Yunkai hung up, then turned to step back into the brightly lit hall full of beautiful women. Groups of people chatted in small circles; others were flirting with models in the corners.
Some had brought partners along like Gao Zhen.
“Isn’t this Zeqian?” Gao Zhen spotted Ye Zeqian standing alone and, with Qiao Fei in his arms, walked straight over. “Did I remember wrong? Isn’t tonight supposed to be your boyfriend’s big night?”
Ye Zeqian had just taken a sip of champagne. The moment he heard that voice, he nearly spat it right back out. “Gao Zhen, have some shame. Stop buzzing around like a damn fly.”
He lifted his glass, intending to leave.
“Stop right there.” Gao Zhen couldn’t stand that superior attitude. They were equals, yet Ye Zeqian acted like he was some deity. “What, hit a sore spot, did I?”
Ye Zeqian ignored him and kept walking.
“Well, look who it is, He Yunkai.” Gao Zhen let go of Qiao Fei and went to greet him, grabbing Ye Zeqian by the arm in the same motion. “Come here, I’ll introduce you to someone.” His words were aimed at He Yunkai.
Considering He Yunkai was the host tonight and close to Xu Chaoyan, anyone could guess who he meant.
Ye Zeqian’s face darkened. He yanked his arm free. “Gao Zhen, show some respect.”
“Relax, it’s just Xu Chaoyan’s friend,” Gao Zhen said lightly. “If that’s the case, then Yunkai here should know you, right?”
If he didn’t, it’d mean someone was lying.
“Well, Gao Zhen?” He Yunkai was the easygoing type who could chat with anyone. He knew Gao Zhen and had heard the gossip that he and Ye Zeqian used to be a couple. “What’s with the secret talk between you two lovebirds?”
The man wasn’t blind, he could tell Ye Zeqian’s expression had soured, but that was their personal business.
“What lovebirds? We’ve been over for ages.” Gao Zhen threw a glance toward the crowd and smirked shamelessly.
Ye Zeqian could see right through him and let out a short laugh. “He-shao, I’ll leave you two to talk. I’m going to find Buzhuo.”
That laugh left He Yunkai momentarily dazed. No wonder people called Ye Zeqian the “high-mountain flower.” For playboys like him, someone like that was far beyond reach.
“Young Master He, stunned?” Gao Zhen asked bitterly. Seeing another man look at his ex that way made his stomach churn, though he’d never admit it.
“How’d you two even break up?” He Yunkai recovered quickly, clinking glasses with him. “He seemed like a good catch. I heard it took you years to win him over.”
“Don’t remind me.” Gao Zhen put on a careless grin. “After all the effort I put in, one little ‘meal out’ ruined everything.”
He Yunkai froze for a beat, then laughed and patted him on the shoulder with a look of mock sympathy.
“He’s with your buddy Xu Chaoyan now,” Gao Zhen said suddenly.
“…” He Yunkai blinked in shock. “With Chaoyan? Since when?” How had he missed that?
“You didn’t know?” Gao Zhen narrowed his eyes, feeling smug. Clearly Ye Zeqian had been bluffing.
“I’ll ask him later,” He Yunkai muttered awkwardly, putting down his drink. “Chaoyan should be here any minute. I’ll go wait outside.”
Meanwhile, Ye Zeqian had already wandered to the doorway. He stood there with his glass, savoring the quiet for once, finally able to breathe.
But moments later, a car pulled up nearby.
He instinctively turned to leave, only to glance back again after a few steps.
The first thing he saw was a pair of long legs beneath tailored black trousers. They naturally drew the eye upward to the man they belonged to.
“Young Master.”
“Park the car and grab something to eat in the lounge,” a low, pleasant voice instructed. “I’ll probably leave around eleven.”
“Got it. Have fun tonight.” The driver’s tone was easy and familiar.
Ye Zeqian froze on the spot, unable to move until that dazzling man, Xu Chaoyan, noticed him.
“Zeqian?” Li Dong called out.
“Good evening, Mr. Xu.” Ye Zeqian greeted him. His handsome face looked almost unreal beneath the seaside lights.
Li Dong nodded, eyes flicking to the glass in Ye Zeqian’s hand. “Drinking alone out here?” Then he noticed how thin his clothes were, clinging to his body in the cold sea breeze. “Come inside, it’s chilly.”
Ye Zeqian hugged his arms. Only after the reminder did he feel the cold. “I’ll stay out for a bit longer…” He was already regretting showing up at all.
“Did something happen?” Li Dong asked, unbuttoning his coat. “Did your ex bother you again?”
“…” The gesture of him undressing made Ye Zeqian’s heart skip. For a second, he couldn’t help but think stupidly that the coat was for him. “Yes…”
“Do you want me to help you again?” Li Dong looked him in the eye.
Ye Zeqian’s breath hitched. He looked away, flustered. “If it’s not too much trouble.” Otherwise, he’d probably end up as the evening’s biggest joke.
“I don’t mind at all,” Li Dong said.
Ye Zeqian watched him shrug off his coat and step closer, then gently drape it over his shoulders. Warmth instantly spread through his body.
“Come on.” Li Dong headed toward the entrance.
“Thank you.” Ye Zeqian followed, expression tangled and unreadable.
“Chaoyan?” He Yunkai spotted him from afar and grinned as he strode over. “Finally! I’ve been waiting all night!”
“Sorry I’m late.” The two hugged briefly, friendly and familiar.
“Late? Please. We’re family,” He Yunkai said, patting him on the back. Then his gaze slid to the man beside him. “Wait, Ye Zeqian?” His eyes widened. Was that his coat on Ye Zeqian’s shoulders? Could Gao Zhen have been right?
“You know Zeqian too?” Li Dong asked.
“You two… aren’t you…” He Yunkai stammered.
“Zeqian, come here.” Li Dong caught Ye Zeqian’s wrist and said, under He Yunkai’s astonished stare, “Do me a favor and keep an eye on him for me, will you?” He didn’t explain further.
He Yunkai took it as discretion; only Ye Zeqian knew the gesture was purely for his sake. Every word, every action, so effortlessly considerate it made his heart flutter in disbelief.
“Of course, of course. We’re all friends here.” He Yunkai held out his hand. “I’ve known him for ages but never got to talk properly. I’m He Yunkai. If you ever need anything, just say the word.”
“Thank you. Call me Zeqian.” He hesitated before taking the offered hand.
“Come on, no need to be so polite.” Li Dong jumped in first, shaking He Yunkai’s hand for him, smoothly breaking the tension.
That move alone made Ye Zeqian’s heart leap like a startled fawn.
“Tsk, didn’t know you were such a jealous guy,” He Yunkai teased.
The three of them walked back into the party together. The combination of long legs, good looks, and subtle intimacy instantly drew every gaze in the room.
“Xu Chaoyan…”
“So that’s him…”
Whispers spread quickly, especially about the man at his side. Everyone knew Ye Zeqian was Gao Zhen’s ex, the famously untouchable one.
“Where’s Gao Zhen?”
A few onlookers glanced his way. His face had gone completely dark. “F**k…”
Li Dong, still holding Ye Zeqian’s hand, mingled with the crowd and exchanged greetings with several acquaintances. “Do I need to go up and say a few words?”
“Of course you do.” He Yunkai grabbed the microphone and bounded up onto the small stage. “Everyone, quiet down! Our guest of honor, Mr. Xu Chaoyan, has arrived! Let’s have him say a few words!”
That was typical He Yunkai, boisterous and friendly, the kind of man who made an easy friend.
“Zeqian,” Li Dong said, releasing his hand. “I’ll step up there for a moment. Wait here for me.”
All eyes were on them. They saw Ye Zeqian nod gracefully, his fingers lingering before letting go, so unlike the aloof man who once refused even to hold Gao Zhen’s hand in public.
Tsk, tsk. Those two sounds were for Gao Zhen.
Look at that, when a man like Xu Chaoyan pursues someone, even the “high-mountain flower” melts without a fight.
Back when Gao Zhen chased him, it had practically been on his knees. Everyone remembered how it took him two full years to finally win him over.
“Good evening, everyone,” Li Dong said. “I’m very glad to see you all here tonight. This is my first social event since returning to China. I hope we’ll look out for each other in the days to come.”
A brief pause and then thunderous applause. That was the power of influence.
“My thanks to my friend He Yunkai for organizing tonight’s party, and to all of you here for giving me this honor.”
The applause grew even louder; they knew exactly whose favor was worth currying.
“Mr. Ye Zeqian,” Li Dong said next, “would you do me the honor of a dance?”
Every gaze turned at once toward Ye Zeqian.
That was when they noticed, the man was wearing another man’s jacket. Anyone with half a brain could guess whose it was.
“I’d be delighted.” Ye Zeqian tightened the coat around himself. For once, the ever-composed man felt like he was standing in the middle of a fire.
Author’s Note:
【The princess meets her prince, click click.】
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