Zhang Yuxuan was so excited that he didn't even notice how awkward and twisted the expressions of the other three people in the room had become.
The four of them sat around the dining room table.
Liu Cheng looked down in silence.
Qiu Yanzhi ate in silence.
Zhang Yuxuan was the only one excitedly chatting to Jing Zeyu, bringing food to him with hands jittering from nerves.
Jing Zeyu only deigned to respond once in a while, but Zhang Yuxuan didn’t hold it against him. He peeked at his senior shyly from time to time, a faint flush blooming across his wheat-coloured cheeks. He was as happy as a little pug.
"Senior, try this egg roll! I remember you used to love those. Plus the ones Chengcheng makes are especially good!”
Jing Zeyu's hand paused for a moment before he picked up an egg roll. He tasted it and said, "Mmm, it's delicious. Very well made."
Then Jing Zeyu asked with feigned indifference, "Zhang Yuxuan, do the three of you live together? I don’t remember you mentioning it before."
Liu Cheng's hand paused for a moment.
Zhang Yuxuan shook his head. "We don’t. Yanyan lives in the flat next door. Only Chengcheng lives with me but he only moved in yesterday."
"Are you two renting together?" Jing Zeyu asked.
Zhang Yuxuan saw that Jing Zeyu was interested so he immediately tried his best to explain. "No, no. I only met Chengcheng by accident yesterday. He was in trouble and had no place to go, so I let him stay here."
Jing Zeyu said indifferently, "Letting a person you just met a day ago stay at your house...how very hospitable of you."
Zhang Yuxuan didn't dare to let Jing Zeyu know that Liu Cheng was going to help him pursue him, so he whispered a little sheepishly, "Well he seemed to be in trouble, so..."
Liu Cheng was pretty scared when he saw Jing Zeyu come in, but it was mainly because he was afraid that Jing Zeyu would expose him and have Zhang Yuxuan kick him out.
But judging by the current situation, it seemed like Jing Zeyu was even more reluctant than he was to let Zhang Yuxuan know about their relationship.
Liu Cheng didn’t really care that Jing Zeyu was pretending to not know him, but this guy was even implying to Zhang Yuxuan that he shouldn't have let him stay here.
Liu Cheng wasn’t as afraid anymore. He put down his chopsticks and laughed, "Actually, I didn't want to intrude and stay here either, but I had no choice. I’ve offended a very troublesome person. Laugh at me if you want, but I got into this situation because I slept with my rich client’s wife and got caught. Even though it was my fault for not controlling my lower half in the end, I still can’t let go how a certain someone used me to further their own agenda.”
"Used you?" Zhang Yuxuan's eyes widened. His face was full of confusion. "Who did you get used by?"
"By the rich client's wife." Liu Cheng gave Jing Zeyu a meaningful glance as he spoke, "He deliberately arranged for the rich client to find the two of us in bed.”
"Huh? Why would that man do that?"
Liu Cheng: "I heard that my rich client pursued that person diligently for a long time before they got together. Actually, my rich client really does have feelings for him. They wouldn’t have gotten married otherwise. But my client’s not one for fidelity and marriage did nothing to change that.”
“When that person found out about his husband’s true colours later on, he could only fume on the inside because his family’s finances were at stake. Since he couldn’t divorce my client, he used me as a tool to get back at the man.”
“In the end, he succeeded in infuriating my client and relieving his frustrations. At my expense, of course. But he couldn’t care less about that."
Qiu Yanzhi didn’t know what to say to that.
…Seems like you guys have a really complicated relationship.
The game planning team must’ve worked hard.
But Zhang Yuxuan shouted indignantly, "How can that person be like that! He was way too excessive! Although he could also be considered a victim, how could he involve an innocent person, ah!!”
...Liu Cheng and innocent didn’t belong in the same sentence.
Zhang Yuxuan, all three of these people are scumbags, okay?!
Stop rashly taking sides. Just look at how dark your senior’s expression is now...
Zhang Yuxuan had what was pretty much a one-track mind. He found it difficult to process right and wrong in complicated situations. Additionally, his criteria for choosing a side was very simple: whoever he liked was right.
If he knew that the senior across from him, who was turning paler with every word out of his mouth, was the ‘excessive person’ he was talking about, he would have been heartbroken.
At that moment, Zhang Yuxuan got a phone call. He said after hanging up, “I just got a package, but the new doorman isn’t letting the courier enter. I'm going down to pick it up."
Jing Zeyu looked at Liu Cheng and then at Qiu Yanzhi, then hung his head and wiped his mouth with a tissue. He stood up and said to Liu Cheng, "Come over here for a moment."
"Nah, let's talk right here." Liu Cheng glanced at Qiu Yanzhi and said, "He knows all about it anyway."
Jing Zeyu also looked towards Qiu Yanzhi.
Qiu Yanzhi shrugged and continued to silently eat his meal.
Jing Zeyu looked at Liu Cheng and said, "I'll give you money if you move out."
Liu Cheng: "Why?"
Jing Zeyu frowned, "Zhang Yuxuan doesn't have any money for you to leech off of, and he has a simple personality. You should stay away from him."
...Seems this senior doesn’t know about Zhang Yuxuan's family background.
How could he have not taken advantage of this silly guy with ample qualifications otherwise?
Liu Cheng winked at Jing Zeyu, his tone ambiguous. “I'm not interested in his money, I just think he's a nice guy. What, do you want me to stay away because you like him? Are you afraid I'll seduce him?"
Jing Zeyu's tone was cold: "No. Zhang Yuxuan deserves someone better than you."
He paused for a moment and said, "Neither of us are worthy of him.”
Jing Zeyu took out a credit card and handed it to Liu Cheng. "It's best for you to move out today."
Liu Cheng didn't take it. "I'm not moving, I'm fine right here. If I live alone, I might get killed by Ye Hongyuan's men in the middle of the night someday."
"You'll bring trouble to Zhang Yuxuan like this."
Liu Cheng blinked. "As long as you can convince Ye Hongyuan to let me go, Zhang Yuxuan won't be in trouble."
Jing Zeyu's face was calm as he put the card away again.
"I'll be leaving first then." After saying this, Jing Zeyu stood up and prepared to leave.
As he was about to step out of the house, he turned around again, expressionless. "Please tell Zhang Yuxuan that I enjoyed the meal today."
The door slammed shut, leaving Liu Cheng and Qiu Yanzhi alone in the room.
Liu Cheng smiled at Qiu Yanzhi. "So Zhang Yuxuan’s little crush isn't hopeless after all. His senior still cares for him a bit."
Qiu Yanzhi had almost finished his meal so he put his chopsticks down. "Did you say you were interested in Zhang Yuxuan just to test him?"
Liu Cheng shrugged. "Of course! Since I promised to help Zhang Yuxuan pursue his senior, I intend to keep my word."
Qiu Yanzhi looked at him expressionlessly.
After a while, he suddenly said:
"Liu Cheng, I don't care if you just want to use Zhang Yuxuan to stay out of trouble or if you really intend to help him with his relationship problems, but don’t you dare hurt him.”
Liu Cheng pouted at Qiu Yanzhi. "I don't want to hurt him."
"You'd better keep it that way."
Liu Cheng suddenly smiled. "I didn't expect you to be so protective of him."
"He's the only friend I have." Qiu Yanzhi said.
Zhang Yuxuan's never changing identity in the game was Qiu Yanzhi's best friend.
He was forever kind and passionate. His NPC friend that would never betray him or abandon him.
Suddenly, the sound of the combination lock being opened could be heard.
Zhang Yuxuan had returned.
Liu Cheng turned to look at him and said. "Your senior left first. He told me to tell you that he enjoyed the meal."
“En, I ran into him on my way back."
Zhang Yuxuan looked at the package in his hand and pressed his lips into a thin line. "I shouldn’t have gone to pick this up. I could’ve spent a few more minutes with my senior…”
“By the way, did he mention me when he was with you guys earlier?"
Qiu Yanzhi: "Yes, he complimented you on your simplicity and kindness."
Zhang Yuxuan was a little happy to hear that, but then he thought of something. He tentatively asked, "Is he saying I’m dumb…?"
Qiu Yanzhi laughed and ruffled his hair. "Don't worry, it's just a compliment! He thinks that you're cute."
Hearing this, Zhang Yuxuan's face flushed red again.
Then he asked Liu Cheng somewhat shyly, "Liu Cheng, you've also seen my senior in person. How do you think I should pursue him, ah…?"
Qiu Yanzhi's phone chose that moment to ring. He looked at the caller ID and left the table to take the call on the balcony.
Yang Fengcheng was calling him. He told Qiu Yanzhi that the company he was working for recently started working with three German companies, so they needed to hire more translators. He invited Qiu Yanzhi to be part of their team.
In the past, Qiu Yanzhi would have definitely rejected him. Why would he go to work in a dating simulator?
But now that he’s decided to stay in this world, he couldn't keep doing nothing for the rest of his life, right?
Moreover, he set his character to be a German major the first time he played the game.
Just like in real life.
Seemed like that would come in handy right now.
But even so, Qiu Yanzhi was not ready to jump in blind to work at a company at the moment.
"I'll think about it.” he said.
"Alright, think about it first. But hurry, okay? Our company needs more people ASAP. You would need to take part in many rounds of written tests and interviews normally, but just one interview with the boss tomorrow could land you the job if you agree today.”
Wait a minute--
Yang Fengcheng works at He Zhou's company, so wouldn't his boss be...
Qiu Yanzhi said, "Forget it, I don't even need to think about it..."
Yang Fengcheng: "Are you sure? Our company has some great benefits. Don’t regret this later…”
“I mean that I’m going.” Qiu Yanzhi paused for a moment, then asked, "What time tomorrow morning?"
"Eight o'clock."
After they hung up Qiu Yanzhi stared at the phone for a while. Then he dialed He Zhou's number.
He Zhou quickly answered the phone, his voice a melodious rumble: "Qiu Yanzhi?"
Even Qiu Yanzhi himself didn't realise that the corners of his mouth curved up the second he heard He Zhou's voice.
"En. What are you doing right now?" Qiu Yanzhi kept his head down and walked forward along the line of tiles. He eventually came to the sofa.
"I just got off work and I was about to go have dinner. Have you eaten yet?"
Qiu Yanzhi said, "Yes, I ate already."
"Alone?"
"No, with Zhang Yuxuan and his new roommate. He’s a pretty good cook."
Qiu Yanzhi's whole body was huddled on the sofa. The blanket he brought over two days ago also happened to be here, so Qiu Yanzhi covered himself with it.
"I'm calling to tell you that I have a surprise for you tomorrow morning."
He Zhou: "What kind of surprise?"
"It wouldn’t be a surprise if I tell you now, would it?"
He Zhou couldn’t help but laugh. "Then what did you tell me in advance for?"
"Wu, to make sure you’re looking forward to it."
On the other end, He Zhou looked down, his eyes tinged deeply with humour.
"I'm looking forward to it. Very much so."
Ending the call with Qiu Yanzhi, He Zhou looked at the now dark screen of his phone. Reflected in it was his own smiling face.
Ahem...he looked a bit silly.
He Zhou put his phone face down on the desk.
Then he pressed a button on the phone next to him, "Secretary Xu, call Yang Fengcheng over."
Yang Fengcheng quickly arrived. "President He, what can I do for you?"
He Zhou said, "I asked you before to find German translators. How is that going?”
Yang Fengcheng: "I’ve already found five candidates that all agreed to come in tomorrow morning for interviews. I was just about to call the sixth…”
He Zhou: "Five is enough."
"President He, I think it would be easier for you to find talents if we find more people.”
"No need." He Zhou smiled. A warm current of tenderness filled his brows.
“I’ve already found the best person for the job."
Yang Fengcheng’s legs were a little weak as he walked out of the office.
Fuck.
So President He really does have feelings for me!
Yang Fengcheng heard that President He had personally picked him out of the unsuccessful list of candidates and appointed him as his translator.
President He was usually so strict with his subordinates that he would tell them to get lost if their pronunciation wasn’t up to par. Yang Fengcheng's made so many mistakes because he was a novice, but his boss had been nothing but patient with him.
The task he had been given today was to supplement the company’s workforce on the surface, but Yang Fengcheng could tell that it was actually President He giving him a chance to recruit his family and friends here and build his network.
And the most damning piece of evidence: President He just smiled at him, teased him, and said that he was the best talent of them all!!!
Was he going to forcefully confess next?!
What should he do?
He's not gay!
Zhang Yuxuan was so excited that he didn't even notice how awkward and twisted the expressions of the other three people in the room had become.
The four of them sat around the dining room table.
Liu Cheng looked down in silence.
Qiu Yanzhi ate in silence.
Zhang Yuxuan was the only one excitedly chatting to Jing Zeyu, bringing food to him with hands jittering from nerves.
Jing Zeyu only deigned to respond once in a while, but Zhang Yuxuan didn’t hold it against him. He peeked at his senior shyly from time to time, a faint flush blooming across his wheat-coloured cheeks. He was as happy as a little pug.
"Senior, try this egg roll! I remember you used to love those. Plus the ones Chengcheng makes are especially good!”
Jing Zeyu's hand paused for a moment before he picked up an egg roll. He tasted it and said, "Mmm, it's delicious. Very well made."
Then Jing Zeyu asked with feigned indifference, "Zhang Yuxuan, do the three of you live together? I don’t remember you mentioning it before."
Liu Cheng's hand paused for a moment.
Zhang Yuxuan shook his head. "We don’t. Yanyan lives in the flat next door. Only Chengcheng lives with me but he only moved in yesterday."
"Are you two renting together?" Jing Zeyu asked.
Zhang Yuxuan saw that Jing Zeyu was interested so he immediately tried his best to explain. "No, no. I only met Chengcheng by accident yesterday. He was in trouble and had no place to go, so I let him stay here."
Jing Zeyu said indifferently, "Letting a person you just met a day ago stay at your house...how very hospitable of you."
Zhang Yuxuan didn't dare to let Jing Zeyu know that Liu Cheng was going to help him pursue him, so he whispered a little sheepishly, "Well he seemed to be in trouble, so..."
Liu Cheng was pretty scared when he saw Jing Zeyu come in, but it was mainly because he was afraid that Jing Zeyu would expose him and have Zhang Yuxuan kick him out.
But judging by the current situation, it seemed like Jing Zeyu was even more reluctant than he was to let Zhang Yuxuan know about their relationship.
Liu Cheng didn’t really care that Jing Zeyu was pretending to not know him, but this guy was even implying to Zhang Yuxuan that he shouldn't have let him stay here.
Liu Cheng wasn’t as afraid anymore. He put down his chopsticks and laughed, "Actually, I didn't want to intrude and stay here either, but I had no choice. I’ve offended a very troublesome person. Laugh at me if you want, but I got into this situation because I slept with my rich client’s wife and got caught. Even though it was my fault for not controlling my lower half in the end, I still can’t let go how a certain someone used me to further their own agenda.”
"Used you?" Zhang Yuxuan's eyes widened. His face was full of confusion. "Who did you get used by?"
"By the rich client's wife." Liu Cheng gave Jing Zeyu a meaningful glance as he spoke, "He deliberately arranged for the rich client to find the two of us in bed.”
"Huh? Why would that man do that?"
Liu Cheng: "I heard that my rich client pursued that person diligently for a long time before they got together. Actually, my rich client really does have feelings for him. They wouldn’t have gotten married otherwise. But my client’s not one for fidelity and marriage did nothing to change that.”
“When that person found out about his husband’s true colours later on, he could only fume on the inside because his family’s finances were at stake. Since he couldn’t divorce my client, he used me as a tool to get back at the man.”
“In the end, he succeeded in infuriating my client and relieving his frustrations. At my expense, of course. But he couldn’t care less about that."
Qiu Yanzhi didn’t know what to say to that.
…Seems like you guys have a really complicated relationship.
The game planning team must’ve worked hard.
But Zhang Yuxuan shouted indignantly, "How can that person be like that! He was way too excessive! Although he could also be considered a victim, how could he involve an innocent person, ah!!”
...Liu Cheng and innocent didn’t belong in the same sentence.
Zhang Yuxuan, all three of these people are scumbags, okay?!
Stop rashly taking sides. Just look at how dark your senior’s expression is now...
Zhang Yuxuan had what was pretty much a one-track mind. He found it difficult to process right and wrong in complicated situations. Additionally, his criteria for choosing a side was very simple: whoever he liked was right.
If he knew that the senior across from him, who was turning paler with every word out of his mouth, was the ‘excessive person’ he was talking about, he would have been heartbroken.
At that moment, Zhang Yuxuan got a phone call. He said after hanging up, “I just got a package, but the new doorman isn’t letting the courier enter. I'm going down to pick it up."
Jing Zeyu looked at Liu Cheng and then at Qiu Yanzhi, then hung his head and wiped his mouth with a tissue. He stood up and said to Liu Cheng, "Come over here for a moment."
"Nah, let's talk right here." Liu Cheng glanced at Qiu Yanzhi and said, "He knows all about it anyway."
Jing Zeyu also looked towards Qiu Yanzhi.
Qiu Yanzhi shrugged and continued to silently eat his meal.
Jing Zeyu looked at Liu Cheng and said, "I'll give you money if you move out."
Liu Cheng: "Why?"
Jing Zeyu frowned, "Zhang Yuxuan doesn't have any money for you to leech off of, and he has a simple personality. You should stay away from him."
...Seems this senior doesn’t know about Zhang Yuxuan's family background.
How could he have not taken advantage of this silly guy with ample qualifications otherwise?
Liu Cheng winked at Jing Zeyu, his tone ambiguous. “I'm not interested in his money, I just think he's a nice guy. What, do you want me to stay away because you like him? Are you afraid I'll seduce him?"
Jing Zeyu's tone was cold: "No. Zhang Yuxuan deserves someone better than you."
He paused for a moment and said, "Neither of us are worthy of him.”
Jing Zeyu took out a credit card and handed it to Liu Cheng. "It's best for you to move out today."
Liu Cheng didn't take it. "I'm not moving, I'm fine right here. If I live alone, I might get killed by Ye Hongyuan's men in the middle of the night someday."
"You'll bring trouble to Zhang Yuxuan like this."
Liu Cheng blinked. "As long as you can convince Ye Hongyuan to let me go, Zhang Yuxuan won't be in trouble."
Jing Zeyu's face was calm as he put the card away again.
"I'll be leaving first then." After saying this, Jing Zeyu stood up and prepared to leave.
As he was about to step out of the house, he turned around again, expressionless. "Please tell Zhang Yuxuan that I enjoyed the meal today."
The door slammed shut, leaving Liu Cheng and Qiu Yanzhi alone in the room.
Liu Cheng smiled at Qiu Yanzhi. "So Zhang Yuxuan’s little crush isn't hopeless after all. His senior still cares for him a bit."
Qiu Yanzhi had almost finished his meal so he put his chopsticks down. "Did you say you were interested in Zhang Yuxuan just to test him?"
Liu Cheng shrugged. "Of course! Since I promised to help Zhang Yuxuan pursue his senior, I intend to keep my word."
Qiu Yanzhi looked at him expressionlessly.
After a while, he suddenly said:
"Liu Cheng, I don't care if you just want to use Zhang Yuxuan to stay out of trouble or if you really intend to help him with his relationship problems, but don’t you dare hurt him.”
Liu Cheng pouted at Qiu Yanzhi. "I don't want to hurt him."
"You'd better keep it that way."
Liu Cheng suddenly smiled. "I didn't expect you to be so protective of him."
"He's the only friend I have." Qiu Yanzhi said.
Zhang Yuxuan's never changing identity in the game was Qiu Yanzhi's best friend.
He was forever kind and passionate. His NPC friend that would never betray him or abandon him.
Suddenly, the sound of the combination lock being opened could be heard.
Zhang Yuxuan had returned.
Liu Cheng turned to look at him and said. "Your senior left first. He told me to tell you that he enjoyed the meal."
“En, I ran into him on my way back."
Zhang Yuxuan looked at the package in his hand and pressed his lips into a thin line. "I shouldn’t have gone to pick this up. I could’ve spent a few more minutes with my senior…”
“By the way, did he mention me when he was with you guys earlier?"
Qiu Yanzhi: "Yes, he complimented you on your simplicity and kindness."
Zhang Yuxuan was a little happy to hear that, but then he thought of something. He tentatively asked, "Is he saying I’m dumb…?"
Qiu Yanzhi laughed and ruffled his hair. "Don't worry, it's just a compliment! He thinks that you're cute."
Hearing this, Zhang Yuxuan's face flushed red again.
Then he asked Liu Cheng somewhat shyly, "Liu Cheng, you've also seen my senior in person. How do you think I should pursue him, ah…?"
Qiu Yanzhi's phone chose that moment to ring. He looked at the caller ID and left the table to take the call on the balcony.
Yang Fengcheng was calling him. He told Qiu Yanzhi that the company he was working for recently started working with three German companies, so they needed to hire more translators. He invited Qiu Yanzhi to be part of their team.
In the past, Qiu Yanzhi would have definitely rejected him. Why would he go to work in a dating simulator?
But now that he’s decided to stay in this world, he couldn't keep doing nothing for the rest of his life, right?
Moreover, he set his character to be a German major the first time he played the game.
Just like in real life.
Seemed like that would come in handy right now.
But even so, Qiu Yanzhi was not ready to jump in blind to work at a company at the moment.
"I'll think about it.” he said.
"Alright, think about it first. But hurry, okay? Our company needs more people ASAP. You would need to take part in many rounds of written tests and interviews normally, but just one interview with the boss tomorrow could land you the job if you agree today.”
Wait a minute--
Yang Fengcheng works at He Zhou's company, so wouldn't his boss be...
Qiu Yanzhi said, "Forget it, I don't even need to think about it..."
Yang Fengcheng: "Are you sure? Our company has some great benefits. Don’t regret this later…”
“I mean that I’m going.” Qiu Yanzhi paused for a moment, then asked, "What time tomorrow morning?"
"Eight o'clock."
After they hung up Qiu Yanzhi stared at the phone for a while. Then he dialed He Zhou's number.
He Zhou quickly answered the phone, his voice a melodious rumble: "Qiu Yanzhi?"
Even Qiu Yanzhi himself didn't realise that the corners of his mouth curved up the second he heard He Zhou's voice.
"En. What are you doing right now?" Qiu Yanzhi kept his head down and walked forward along the line of tiles. He eventually came to the sofa.
"I just got off work and I was about to go have dinner. Have you eaten yet?"
Qiu Yanzhi said, "Yes, I ate already."
"Alone?"
"No, with Zhang Yuxuan and his new roommate. He’s a pretty good cook."
Qiu Yanzhi's whole body was huddled on the sofa. The blanket he brought over two days ago also happened to be here, so Qiu Yanzhi covered himself with it.
"I'm calling to tell you that I have a surprise for you tomorrow morning."
He Zhou: "What kind of surprise?"
"It wouldn’t be a surprise if I tell you now, would it?"
He Zhou couldn’t help but laugh. "Then what did you tell me in advance for?"
"Wu, to make sure you’re looking forward to it."
On the other end, He Zhou looked down, his eyes tinged deeply with humour.
"I'm looking forward to it. Very much so."
Ending the call with Qiu Yanzhi, He Zhou looked at the now dark screen of his phone. Reflected in it was his own smiling face.
Ahem...he looked a bit silly.
He Zhou put his phone face down on the desk.
Then he pressed a button on the phone next to him, "Secretary Xu, call Yang Fengcheng over."
Yang Fengcheng quickly arrived. "President He, what can I do for you?"
He Zhou said, "I asked you before to find German translators. How is that going?”
Yang Fengcheng: "I’ve already found five candidates that all agreed to come in tomorrow morning for interviews. I was just about to call the sixth…”
He Zhou: "Five is enough."
"President He, I think it would be easier for you to find talents if we find more people.”
"No need." He Zhou smiled. A warm current of tenderness filled his brows.
“I’ve already found the best person for the job."
Yang Fengcheng’s legs were a little weak as he walked out of the office.
Fuck.
So President He really does have feelings for me!
Yang Fengcheng heard that President He had personally picked him out of the unsuccessful list of candidates and appointed him as his translator.
President He was usually so strict with his subordinates that he would tell them to get lost if their pronunciation wasn’t up to par. Yang Fengcheng's made so many mistakes because he was a novice, but his boss had been nothing but patient with him.
The task he had been given today was to supplement the company’s workforce on the surface, but Yang Fengcheng could tell that it was actually President He giving him a chance to recruit his family and friends here and build his network.
And the most damning piece of evidence: President He just smiled at him, teased him, and said that he was the best talent of them all!!!
Was he going to forcefully confess next?!
What should he do?
He's not gay!
