Chapter 32
The atmosphere was a little stiff.
Lu Zhiyue’s casual remark about working in housekeeping nearly knocked all his old classmates unconscious at the barbecue table.
The drastic shift from a well-known big boss to a down-and-out housekeeper was too much for them to process.
For a long while, no one knew what to say.
This time, when Lu Zhiyue wanted to leave, no one stopped him.
“Housekeeping? You actually said that out loud,” Chi Suinian commented leisurely after they had walked some distance. “Those people were probably scared stiff by you.”
Lu Zhiyue paused for a moment. “It’s not a lie. That’s my goal.”
Chi Suinian was momentarily speechless. Who the hell includes housekeeping in their career plan?
Lu Zhiyue was truly unlike anyone else.
“What,” Chi Suinian said, “is President Lu planning to start a housekeeping company and train himself into the star employee?”
Lu Zhiyue replied, “Running a company is too much trouble. Besides, I only take on one client.”
Chi Suinian was in the middle of identifying the restaurant when he instinctively asked, “Who?”
The moment the words left his mouth, he suddenly realized something and snapped his lips shut.
Noticing his reaction, Lu Zhiyue smiled. “I wonder if Young Master Chi would be willing to give me a chance?”
“Are you sure you want the kind of ‘chance’ I’d give you?” Chi Suinian sneered. “I’m not exactly an easygoing employer.”
“That’s fine,” Lu Zhiyue said. “I like a challenging job.”
“…You’re insane.”
Finally, they arrived at the lakeside barbecue. It was an open-air setup, with Tang Jin and the others sitting around a bonfire, roasting a leg of lamb that filled the air with its delicious aroma.
Seeing Chi Suinian, Lu Heng’s smile deepened. “You’re finally here. Any later, and the meat would’ve burned.”
Chi Suinian yawned and sat down by the bonfire. “Took a nap. Didn’t hear my phone.”
Lu Heng looked surprised. His friend had never been one for afternoon naps. “No wonder you’ve got such dark circles today. What were you up to last night? Didn’t sleep well?”
Chi Suinian’s movement froze for a second. He coughed lightly and changed the subject. “…Nothing. Got anything to drink?”
“Yeah, Tang Jin’s got it.”
Tang Jin was sprinkling cumin on the lamb leg. Hearing this, he clapped his hands together. “What do you want to drink?”
Barbecue always goes best with beer. Chi Suinian said, “Beer.”
“Got it.” Tang Jin reached into the crate behind him.
Chi Suinian nudged the person beside him. “What about you?”
“The same as you.”
Chi Suinian glanced at him.
“What?” Lu Zhiyue asked.
“Nothing.”
“Suinian, catch!” Tang Jin tossed over two bottles of beer.
Chi Suinian caught them and saw they were 500ml each. He hesitated for a moment before placing both in front of himself. “Got smaller ones?”
Tang Jin glanced at the crate. “There are, but…”
Hearing this, Lu Heng turned his head back. “Come on, we’ve got nothing going on tomorrow. Worst case, we just sleep in till the afternoon. Dodging drinks is disgraceful, you know?”
“I’m not dodging drinks,” Chi Suinian said, then turned to Tang Jin. “Just give me one.”
Taking the beer, Chi Suinian placed the smaller can in front of Lu Zhiyue, his tone firm. “You drink this.”
Lu Zhiyue raised an eyebrow. He had almost forgotten—he still had the ‘one-drink knockout’ reputation in front of Chi Suinian.
“You still remember? Thanks.”
“With that kind of alcohol tolerance, you dare ask for beer?” Chi Suinian scoffed. “I just don’t want to have to take care of a drunk. Don’t flatter yourself.”
“Mm,” Lu Zhiyue responded. “Thanks.”
“…”
Chi Suinian popped open his beer, took a sip, and turned away, avoiding looking at him. “Where’s Xu Qing?”
“Ran into an old classmate earlier, won’t be joining us tonight,” Lu Heng said, slicing the lamb into small pieces and serving them up.
“Old classmate?” Chi Suinian asked. “He went to Affiliated High too?”
Tang Jin wheeled his chair up to the table. “Not a class reunion—just ran into his old deskmate and got stuck in endless chatter. If he actually ends up buddying up with Ye Xu, I’m blocking him immediately.”
Chi Suinian smiled noncommittally; he had only asked casually.
“Ah Heng!”
A golden sports car pulled up by the lake, its door swung open, and a man in an army-green T-shirt stepped out.
As soon as he got out, he gave Lu Heng a hug, patting his back so hard that it echoed.
“What are you doing here?” Lu Heng laughed.
“You came to my place to have fun—how could I not personally welcome you?” The man smiled and looked at the people behind him. “Are these all your friends?”
“Yeah.”
“Chi Suinian!” The man suddenly ran excitedly toward the bonfire. “It really is you!”
Lu Zhiyue lifted his eyes slightly and glanced at the man.
Chi Suinian was stunned for a moment. “Who are you?”
“He’s Lin Weixing,” Lu Heng explained.
Chi Suinian recalled that before moving to Jincheng, this man had been his neighbor. But in his memory, Lin Weixing had always been a chubby little kid who cried a lot—he looked completely different now.
“I remember now,” Chi Suinian said. “You’ve lost quite a bit of weight.”
“After a few years of rock climbing, yeah,” Lin Weixing grinned mischievously. “But I can’t compare to you. You were all over my group chat today.”
Chi Suinian was taken aback. “What do you mean, all over your group chat?”
“You guys played the live-action battle game, right?” Lin Weixing said. “I hired a bunch of players, and today, the girls in the group chat wouldn’t stop talking about the handsome guy they saw. They posted a lot of pictures of you.”
Hearing this, Chi Suinian paused. “What pictures?”
Lin Weixing gave him a friendly once-over. “At first, I thought they had edited the photos, but now I see you’re actually even better-looking in real life.”
“You’re too kind.” Chi Suinian raised his glass.
“Hahaha,” Lin Weixing laughed and sat down next to him. “I don’t know if you’d be interested in modeling, but my live-action battle arena isn’t well-known. If I had you on a few posters, I bet I’d attract a lot more customers.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a gaze on him.
Following the direction of the look, he saw a man merely smiling faintly at him. The man leaned back slightly, draping one arm casually over the back of the chair.
From his angle, Chi Suinian looked like he was encircled within the man’s embrace.
As a fellow man, Lin Weixing instantly recognized what this posture meant—the guy was marking his territory.
And he had clearly included Chi Suinian within his domain.
Realizing this, Lin Weixing frowned slightly.
His impression of Chi Suinian was still stuck ten years in the past. Back then, Chi Suinian had been a boy who always kept a stiff face, was cold and guarded, and didn’t like physical contact.
…So how did he end up sitting this close to this man?
Could it be…
A certain possibility crossed Lin Weixing’s mind, making his chest feel hot for a second.
“I’m not interested in modeling,” Chi Suinian, unaware of Lu Zhiyue’s actions, rejected the offer without hesitation. “You should find a professional.”
“Come on, old friend, do me a favor,” Lin Weixing insisted. “I’ve already got all the equipment and settings ready. It wouldn’t take up much of your time, and I wouldn’t let you do it for free—whenever you visit, you can play for free.”
Chi Suinian remained unmoved. He bluntly replied, “Not happening.”
Lin Weixing hadn’t expected his personality to remain just as stubborn and straightforward as before. He paused for a moment before laughing. “Haha, what a shame. I’ll find someone else, then.”
After a brief silence, he couldn’t help but ask, “By the way, where are you staying? I’ll have the guest services send some food to your room tonight.”
“No need,” Chi Suinian found an excuse to refuse. “I don’t eat before bed.”
“Ah…” Lin Weixing was at a loss.
“Hey, stop chatting with Suinian all night! Come on, let’s have a drink.” Lu Heng hooked an arm around Lin Weixing’s neck and pulled him aside. “Back then, you couldn’t outdrink me—let’s see if you can do it today!”
“Alright,” Lin Weixing glanced at Chi Suinian before turning to clink glasses with Lu Heng. “Let’s see if I can drink you under the table tonight.”
“Beer alone is boring,” Tang Jin pulled out two bottles of soju. “This stuff has a real kick—let’s go.”
Chi Suinian had no interest in drinking contests. He turned back, intending to grab some lamb skewers, but as he moved, he noticed a hand resting on the back of his chair.
“Move your hand,” he frowned, finding the position uncomfortable.
Lu Zhiyue withdrew his arm, his gaze flicking toward Lin Weixing. “An old friend of yours?”
“…Sort of,” Chi Suinian said. “A neighbor.”
“Sort of?”
Chi Suinian grew impatient. “We met a few times. Why are you asking so many questions? Are you changing careers to be a census taker?”
Lu Zhiyue’s expression relaxed instantly. “Just curious. You want lamb? I’ll cut some fresh pieces for you—these ones are getting cold.”
Chi Suinian had already reached for the skewers, but after hearing that, he pulled his hand back. “Hurry up.”
Lu Zhiyue chuckled. “Alright.”
The barbecue gathering lasted until eleven. By the end, Lu Heng and Lin Weixing were a bit drunk, and though Tang Jin hadn’t had much, he was leaning against his wheelchair, looking a little dazed.
“It was really great seeing you all today,” Lin Weixing spoke slowly. “That’s it for tonight—tomorrow, dinner’s on me.”
Lu Heng waved him off. “No need, bro—we’ll support your business.”
“That won’t do,” Lin Weixing frowned. “It’s been years, and you’re in my territory. I have to treat you.”
He hiccupped and added, “I’ll head back for now—see you tomorrow.”
Chi Suinian returned to his room and immediately went to take a shower.
The barbecue smell was too strong—his clothes were covered in it. There was no way he could sleep without washing up first.
When he came out, freshly showered, he saw Lu Zhiyue making the bed. The man grinned at him. “Which side should I sleep on?”
“You sleep on the floor,” Chi Suinian said coldly.
Lu Zhiyue glanced at the floor. “Cold. And hard.”
Chi Suinian sneered. “That’s your problem. Don’t act like you’re suffering after getting your way.”
“Fine.” Lu Zhiyue sighed and moved aside, making room on the bed.
Chi Suinian lay down without a word, while Lu Zhiyue contacted the front desk to request an extra blanket.
Hearing this, Chi Suinian curled his lips.
So, he had a solution all along—he was just playing the victim earlier.
Lu Zhiyue sat on the carpet beside the bed, running his fingers over its texture. “It’s pretty thin. I wonder if I’ll catch a cold after sleeping on it all night.”
Chi Suinian closed his eyes.
“If I get sick tomorrow, will you call an ambulance for me?”
Chi Suinian pulled the blanket over his head.
“Do you think there are bugs on the floor?”
Chi Suinian started grinding his teeth.
“Will you get up to use the bathroom at night? I’m sleeping right by the bed—what if you step on me…”
Before he could finish, the young man on the bed abruptly sat up, grabbed a pillow, and threw it at him. “Shut up!”
Lu Zhiyue caught the pillow and looked up with an innocent expression. “I’m just preparing for emergencies.”
“…” Chi Suinian grabbed his discarded clothes and messily piled them on the bed. “If you dare cross the line, I’ll strangle you tomorrow!”
Lu Zhiyue stood by the bed, looking at the messy, twisted boundary line on the blanket.
He couldn’t help but tilt his head and smile.
Chi Suinian was almost twenty-five, yet he was still this adorable.
Lu Zhiyue finally managed to get onto the bed, intending to have a private late-night chat to bond with Chi Suinian.
However, when he came out of the bathroom after showering, Chi Suinian was already fast asleep.
His arm was stretched out, and one leg was resting on top of the blanket.
The same person who had just insisted on keeping a boundary was now lying all over it.
The hotel mattress was soft, and when Lu Zhiyue got onto the bed, the movement made Chi Suinian stir slightly.
He squinted at his position, frowned, and shrank back to the other side of the bed.
Afraid of crossing the boundary, he even scooted further away.
Lu Zhiyue nearly laughed out of frustration.
He lowered his gaze to turn off the light, but his eyes landed on the air conditioning remote.
After a moment, the soft beeping of the remote filled the room.
The temperature on the air conditioner display dropped from 23°C down to 16°C.
Cold air began to spread through the room.
Lu Zhiyue lay on his side and waited. Half an hour later, Chi Suinian had burrowed half his face into the blanket, subconsciously rolling toward the only heat source nearby.
Lu Zhiyue wrapped his arms around him, satisfied, and closed his eyes.
—
Early in the morning, most of the guests at the villa were still asleep, but the front desk staff on duty was suddenly called up.
“Boss?” The young woman at the front desk instantly sobered up when she saw the person in front of her.
Although she was on the night shift, she usually dozed off when there were no guest requests.
Did she miss a call while sleeping?
She asked cautiously, “Is there something you need?”
“Check which room a guest named Chi Suinian is staying in.” Lin Weixing tapped his fingers on the counter.
He hadn’t slept all night, his mind occupied with thoughts of Chi Suinian.
Images of Lu Zhiyue’s possessive behavior kept replaying in his head.
Lin Weixing had always been attracted to men, but he realized it late. By the time he developed feelings, Chi Suinian had already moved away, leaving him regretful for years.
He hadn’t expected fate to bring them together again.
This time, no matter what, he wouldn’t let go.
“Boss,” the front desk girl hesitated, “isn’t it against policy to look up a guest’s room number?”
“He’s a friend. I’m just bringing him breakfast.” Lin Weixing lifted his hand, shaking the food container. “I drank too much last night and forgot to ask for his room number.”
“Oh.” The receptionist checked the records. “He’s on the top floor, Room 8015.”
“Got it.”
Lin Weixing strode away. Waiting for the elevator felt excruciatingly long.
The breakfast was still warm, radiating heat through the container.
He held it carefully, afraid of spilling anything.
The elevator chimed as it reached the top floor.
He quickly walked toward Room 8015. After making sure he looked presentable, he lightly knocked on the door.
Silence. Chi Suinian was probably still asleep.
But Lin Weixing couldn’t wait any longer. After enduring a night of turmoil, he couldn’t bear another minute.
He knocked again.
After a few tries, a faint sound came from inside. Lin Weixing’s heart leaped, and he immediately straightened his posture.
The door creaked open.
“Suinian, I brought you—” Lin Weixing’s smile froze.
Lu Zhiyue, looking half-asleep, opened the door. The moment he saw Lin Weixing, he woke up completely.
His gaze swept over the food container in Lin Weixing’s hand, and his eyes instantly sharpened.
Confirmed. Another one trying to get close to Chi Suinian.
Was there no end to these love rivals?
“You… live here?” Lin Weixing asked.
“What do you think?” Lu Zhiyue stretched his neck, his sleepwear wrinkled and messy, clearly just out of bed.
“Sorry, I must have the wrong room.” Lin Weixing chuckled awkwardly and took a step back, ready to return to the front desk to double-check.
“You didn’t.” Lu Zhiyue said.
“Huh?”
“You’re looking for Chi Suinian, right?”
Lin Weixing froze, his eyes widening in realization. “You—”
Just then, a sound came from inside the room—something soft hitting the floor.
“Lu Zhiyue, if you don’t shut up, I’m kicking you out!”
The voice was husky with sleep, carrying a mix of annoyance and drowsiness. Familiar and unmistakable.
Lin Weixing: “…”
Lu Zhiyue responded, “Got it.” Then he turned back to Lin Weixing, saying calmly, “Sorry, he didn’t sleep well last night. Not seeing guests right now.”
With that, he shut the door.
Lin Weixing stared at the closed door.
Lin Weixing: “…”
Lin Weixing: “???”
What the hell did that mean?!
he’s really an old fox haha. thanks for the update