CH 43

Back at the crowd, Pei You gazed at Zhou Qingbo’s figure drawing closer as he emerged from the stage. Zhou Qingbo leaned against the bar counter, playfully asking, “How did I do just now? Did I look good up there?”

Pei You knew Zhou Qingbo’s playful ways by now. He might act like a spoiled child, but he was easily pleased. As long as Pei You played along and said a few nice things, he’d be satisfied.

For Pei You, dealing with him was tricky because he wasn’t good at pleasing others. However, it was simple in the sense that he knew that being honest with Zhou Qingbo usually made him happy.

“Maybe ,” Pei You reached out to wipe away the beads of sweat on Zhou Qingbo’s forehead. “You did well. I couldn’t stop watching you.”

Somehow, that sentence seemed to touch Zhou Qingbo’s heart. He smiled like a cat, his lips uncontrollably lifting upwards. Without a word, he turned and continued smiling to himself with his head lowered. He felt as if he was on cloud 9..

Pei You found himself inexplicably infected by his happiness. A sense of joy surged from deep within him, and he couldn’t help but smile as well. They then went up the stairs on their way out of the bar.

“Oh, by the way.” Finally taking a step forward and walking alongside Zhou Qingbo, Pei You recalled a question he had been meaning to ask since earlier. “Do you still play the guitar?”

“I learned it casually.” Zhou Qingbo turned his head to look at him and smiled, making a three-finger gesture. “Actually, I can play only three songs – ‘Castle in the Sky,’ ‘Seven-Colored Sweet,’ and this one.”

He had started playing the guitar during his rebellious phase in high school. He learned a few tricks from a bartender and used it to impress strangers at times.

“It’s been several years since I last played,” Zhou Qingbo shrugged and said with a smile, “Seeing the guitar today made me nostalgic.”

“Do you ever get nervous to perform on stage?” Pei You asked.

“What’s there to be nervous about?” Zhou Qingbo raised an eyebrow and said, “Nobody here knows me. What’s the worst that can happen? Besides, I can always throw the guitar aside and sing acapella.”

Zhou Qingbo seemed to have a natural sense of carefree attitude. He never worried about such insignificant things and appeared free-spirited and charming.

Pei You was someone who liked to plan his life, from studies to his personal life and the small details in between. He preferred to have his own plans and preparations and seldom ventured into the unexpected.

So, when he met Zhou Qingbo, who was unpredictable in everything, he couldn’t help but develop a slight fondness for his audacity and carefree spirit.

That night , Zhou Qingbo was somewhat inexplicably excited. After walking around for a while, he didn’t want to go back to the hotel to sleep right away. Instead, he took Pei You on another detour, planning to return to the hotel from the other side of the main street.

Pei You had a good sense of direction, but when he saw what Zhou Qingbo was up to, he didn’t say anything and continued chatting with him half-heartedly.

As they crossed a street corner, Zhou Qingbo’s phone suddenly vibrated madly in his pocket. At first, he thought it was a friend trying to get in touch, but when he checked his phone, he saw an unexpected note on the screen.

“Liu Xin?” Pei You frowned. “Why is he calling you at this hour?”

The timing was odd, not suitable for discussing business matters. Zhou Qingbo considered for a moment and decided to answer the call in front of Pei You.

“Hello?” Zhou Qingbo lazily drew out the word, saying, “Mr. Liu.”

Having been in the bartending business for many years, Zhou Qingbo was good at handling his alcohol. He could easily get tipsy but also sober up quickly. In just a short while, he had returned to his usual state of mind and nonchalant attitude.

“It’s so late, what’s up?” Zhou Qingbo continued while raising the call volume, turning the phone toward Pei You so that he could also listen.

“Oh, it’s nothing.” Liu Xin laughed on the other end of the phone. “You’ve been here for several days, and I haven’t hosted you properly. Tomorrow night, Fu Yuan Lou will serve a new top-grade ham, so why don’t we have dinner together and sing some songs to relax?”

From the time Zhou Qingbo and Pei You arrived in Weinan, Liu Xin had been constantly inviting them to dinner – either to try new dishes at a restaurant or to taste some fresh seafood.

Zhou Qingbo wasn’t interested in entertaining him at first because they were too busy with their work. They were running around, checking accounts and gathering evidence like spinning tops. Naturally, Zhou Qingbo didn’t feel like dealing with him.

But after repeatedly declining Liu Xin’s invitations, it had become a bit awkward between them. Declining again this time might not be easy to justify.

“Well, about tomorrow…” Zhou Qingbo hesitated, then smiled and said, “We don’t want to trouble you”

He lightly dodged the invitation, but Liu Xin, being experienced in social interactions, understood. He followed along and insisted.

“You are being too polite,” Liu Xin said in a more relaxed tone. “It’s only appropriate to host you since you are important individuals from the headquarters. It won’t be anything too extravagant. Let’s meet tomorrow evening at 7:30 in Fu Yuan Lou, and I’ll book a table. After dinner, we can go to the neighboring lounge to sing and relax.”