CH 24

“You…don’t say that.”

The words were too much, but Yu Youzhi’s expression was very serious. Yu Le wasn’t sure whether he was sincere or fake for a moment and didn’t know how to respond.

Seeing his hesitation, the other man grabbed his wrist tightly, “Let’s go. It’s so dark and isolated over here, come with me.”

Before he could refuse, Yu Le was pulled out of the back hallway and was half dragged towards the centre of the lit-up banquet hall.

“Do you want to eat?” As soon as the superstar appeared, the eyes of the guests immediately focused on them. Still, he turned a blind eye to it and stared at Yu Le eagerly, “Shall I help you get something?”

“Don’t do this,” stares from so many people around him were stressing Yu Le out, “you are such a popular idol, pay more attention to how you act in public.”

“What’s the matter?” The light grey pupils glanced around, not caring, “I’m just doing what I want to do.” He bent down under the watchful stares of his audience to kiss the back of Yu Le’s hand, “Of course, if my fan orders me, I would be happy to oblige with any of your wishes.”

Yu Le could physically feel the gossip around them growing with each of Yu Youzhi’s actions.

He was angry.

“Are you doing this on purpose?” He pulled his hand away and roughly wiped it on his clothes, “Let me be clear, I don’t mind whatever you do in public. Your image is yours after all, but please don’t involve me. I’m just your fan, I don’t want to be your gossip.”

The handsome man seemed unable to understand and looked at him passionately, “Honey, even when you’re so cold you’re still fascinating.”

Listening to these disgusting words, Yu Le thought that Yu Youzhi, who spoke such words with ease, was really playing tricks on him.

Coincidentally, his phone vibrated.

Taking it out, he saw another message from An An.

[the finest old lady in the world: Ahhhhhh! Guess what I just saw!!!]

[the finest old lady in the world: Brother! At a charity dinner! He even kissed the back of a man’s hand!]

[the finest old lady in the world: picture picture]

[the finest old lady in the world: This is the person! It’s the handsome guy I told you I mistook as you earlier!]

[the finest old lady in the world: Manman, tell me, what is happening?! What is going on?! My brother doesn’t like men, does he? Could it be that he’s in love with the man?! What if they’re already engaged? Is their wedding soon?! Manman!!!!!!!]

Clicking on the picture, Yu Le fell deep into thought.

Fortunately, the picture was rather blurry; only a faint profile of his face was photographed.

He considered his reply carefully.

[Yu Beiman: …Probably not? I think you might be jumping to conclusions…]

[Yu Beiman: Sister An An, why don’t we delete this photo first?]

[Yu Beiman: If it spreads out, it won’t have a good influence on our brother. Especially online.]

[the finest old lady in the world: Of course, I know. Don’t worry, I’ll delete it immediately!]

[the finest old lady in the world: But Manman, I’m a little worried…]

[Yu Beiman: Don’t worry Sister An An, we have to trust Yu Bao! He is not the type of person to mess around!]

[the finest old lady in the world: …I’m not worried about this.]

[the finest old lady in the world: Forget it, forget it, my little heart really can’t stand this stimulation. I’ll just keep an eye on him in private!]

Yu Le looked at his phone with a crinkled brow, suddenly a little uncertain about An An’s thoughts.

He raised his eyes and scanned the surrounding area but didn’t see her figure anywhere near.

He’d just be a bit more careful.

“Yu Le, who are you chatting with?”

“Someone you don’t know,” he put away his phone and warned Yu Youzhi with a low voice, “Can you really follow me around like this? What if someone took a picture and spread rumours?”

At this time, a familiar man was standing by the food a few steps away from the pair.

When his iconic sharp eyes saw Yu Le chatting familiarly beside Yu Youzhi, there was a hint of surprise in them.

Perhaps feeling the gaze on him, Yu Youzhi waved enthusiastically to the man in the distance, “Ah! Annong, long time no see!”

Yu Le was shocked and looked at Yu Youzhi in a panic, “What are you doing?!”

Patting him on the shoulder, Yu Youzhi whispered comfortingly in his ear, “Don’t you want to know why I’m here? Let me introduce you to my childhood friend.”

Huo Annong had already seen him.

He could only bite the bullet and stand where he was.

Huo Annong quickly walked over and looked at Yu Le with deep eyes, “This is?”

Yu Youzhi smiled easily and pushed the frozen Yu Le forwards with an intimate gesture, “This is my fan, a very interesting person.”

Nodding meaningfully, Huo Annong agreed, “A fan…It seems your relationship is not that simple?”

Yu Le retorted subconsciously, “No…”

Yu Youzhi pulled him back over, almost into his arms, “Well, it is quite good.”

There was inquiry in his eyes as Huo Annong stared at them, and he added jokingly, “Hmmm. It’s quite a coincidence, but I also know your fan.” He stretched out a hand as if wanting to pinch Yu Le’s chin, “Looking at him carefully, he doesn’t seem as unsightly this time.”

As a result, before Huo Annong could touch Yu Le, Yu Youzhi mercilessly slapped away his hand.

“Slap!”

The crisp sound caused the guests to look sideways and stare at the three of them.

Yu Youzhi narrowed his eyes lazily, “Mr. Huo, don’t harass my fans in public, he’s such a little sweetie, he won’t know how to say no.”

Huo Annong’s eyes turned cold, and he snorted coldly.

He disdained to quarrel with Yu Youzhi in public, but the way he speaks always seems to rub him in just the wrong ways. Retorting, he said, “Then you must take care of your cute little fan, don’t let this ignorant little slut appear in front of me again—regardless of time or occasion.”

The tone was contemptuous as if to say: Keep your dog on a tight leash and stop letting it go into heat anywhere it wants.

Yu Youzhi was stunned as he heard what Huo Annong was implying.

He blinked, his expression unchanged, and first looked at the silent young man beside him, “Yu Le, what’s going on?”

Yu Le frowned.

He realised he was getting involved in the war between Huo Annong and Yu Youzhi.

In the original novel, Yu Youzhi and Huo Annong were about the same age, and they hated each other horribly.

Since they grew up together and lived in the same circle, they always kept a superficial appearance of peace, but with one wrong move, it could shatter irreparably.

And so, it was no surprise that Huo Annong understood Yu Youzhi’s flawed nature very well, and Yu Youzhi understood Huo Annong’s domineering and rude character.

As long as they met, cynicism was indispensable, and every word of criticism was common. Still, in the eyes of outsiders, their relationship does not seem half bad.

Yu Le was well aware of the differences between them.

Getting involved with either of them was troublesome, let alone in between the two.

The verbal sword between the two of them seemed to be revolving around him, but in fact, this was just a way for them to take out their feelings on the other without arousing the judgement of those around them.

He was just a tool.

Even the bodhisattva was imperfect at times, let alone him, so he frowned, and his eyes sparkled as he began to lie, “Mr. Huo, you may have misunderstood me. The last time I rashly asked about you at the concert, you were understandably offended. Now I want to clarify in front of both you and your friend that I have never thought of climbing into your bed.” He pursed his lips, revealing some impatience, “I know that I am vulgar, ignorant, and have no dreams. I live in a completely different world from Mr. Huo. I am nowhere near good enough to stand besides you, so you don’t have to worry about me thinking about you in that sort of way.”

Huo Annong looked at him but did not respond, still maintaining a haughty attitude.

Seeing that Yu Le was turning around and trying to leave, Yu Youzhi grabbed him by the arm, “Yu Le, are you angry? Don’t argue with such a barbarian like Huo Annong, it’s not worth getting angry at him!”

His patience finally ran out, “Yu Youzhi! Let go of me!”

Although Huo Annong and Yu Youzhi hate each other, they are very similar people. They both have the habit of looking down on everyone else.

However, Huo Annong dared to act as he felt towards society, while Yu Youzhi immersed himself in a mask that almost never was taken off.

He wanted to get away from them both immediately.

It’s a pity that wishes seldom come true, and the dispute between the three of them finally attracted someone’s attention.

“A Yu!” A familiar voice came from behind him, pulling at his heartstrings, “I’ve been looking everywhere for you, where did you go earlier?”

It was over; Zhu Luo had arrived.

Yu Le felt his heart sinking.

The boredom and impatience from just now was turning into panic faster than he would like to admit.

As Zhu Luo walked over, he was panting, and his cheeks were slightly flushed from the heat.

His eyes stopped on Yu Youzhi affectionately holding Yu Le’s arms before he smiled, nodded at Huo Annong, and addressed his silent friend, “A Yu, you are…what are you doing?”

The author has something to say:

Dangdangdang! Zhu Luo has joined the battlefield!