MTY chapter 33

Seeing Lu Ziqing’s expression turn increasingly grim, Lin Yu finally sensed that something was wrong. “What’s the matter?”

Lu Ziqing stared at him for a moment, then said, “You really like meddling in other people’s business.”

Lin Yu immediately shut his mouth.

He was confused.

At first, he had simply treated Lu Ziqing like a client, but after spending so much time together, he had developed a genuine friendship.

Whether it was concern or flattery, he had truly been thinking about Lu Ziqing’s future when he said all that.

But now, Lu Ziqing’s words poured cold water over his enthusiasm.

Lin Yu awkwardly said, “I was just worried about your future…”

Lu Ziqing: “Who are you to me? Do you think my marriage is any of your business?”

That single sentence completely shut Lin Yu down.

Looking at Lu Ziqing’s cold expression, Lin Yu finally realized something—he had been overestimating their relationship.

He had mistaken Lu Ziqing’s gradual warmth as a sign that they had become friends.

But maybe Lu Ziqing had just gotten used to him and was being a little less distant.

His attempt to care about Lu Ziqing’s life had crossed a line.

After all, he was just a lowly assistant. Lu Ziqing’s future marriage was none of his concern.

Even though his brain understood this, Lin Yu still felt a little hurt.

Logic never quite wins against emotion.

It was like back in elementary school, when his pet chick pecked his finger. He had told himself that pecking was just a chick’s instinct—it had sharp little beaks for a reason—but he had still been sad about it for a whole month.

Lu Ziqing wasn’t a chick. But he was much scarier. He could give cold looks and say things that really hurt.

Lin Yu lowered his head and whispered, “Sorry, I overstepped.”

Lu Ziqing held back his frustration. “That’s not what I meant.”

Not what he meant? Then what did he mean?

Lin Yu patiently looked at him, waiting for an explanation.

But Lu Ziqing’s face went from pale to pink, then from pink to deep red, and after a long silence, all he could say was—

“Shit.”

“I always knew you were an idiot,” Lu Ziqing said angrily. “No wonder your last name is Lin—two wooden sticks leaning on each other. Your brain is made of wood too.”

Lin Yu felt even worse.

He could take being insulted, but why drag his last name into it?

His parents had carefully chosen his name, filled with love and meaning—”Qionglin Yushu, Anran Wuyu” (a refined and fortunate life). No one had ever insulted his name before.

Even with his good temper, Lin Yu couldn’t help but get angry.

He snapped back, “And your name is any better? Lu Ziqing—sounds like an overgrown man-child. You’ll be seventy or eighty and still act like a reckless brat.”

Lu Ziqing froze.

Lin Yu also froze.

Wait. Did he just say that out loud?!

Okay, fine. He had always thought Lu Ziqing was a bit of a man-child—just idling around in the family business, with no ambition and no ability to endure hardship. If he hadn’t been born rich, he’d probably be working in an electronics factory by now, assembling screws.

But even though he thought that, he had never dared to say it.

And now, in the heat of the moment, it had just slipped out.

He was screwed.

Lin Yu’s first thought was—was this the end of his career?

One moment he’s just made a big achievement, the next he’s about to be kicked out of the company.

Lu Ziqing stared at him. “What did you just say?”

Lin Yu, having worked in the corporate world for years, immediately played it off. “Nothing. I was saying that your name, Lu Ziqing, sounds like a talented young man. Even when you’re seventy or eighty, you’ll still be vigorous and full of energy.”

Lu Ziqing: “That’s not what I heard.”

“You misheard,” Lin Yu insisted. “I’ve always thought it was admirable that a young master like you could humble yourself and work diligently in a grassroots position. Truly worthy of being President Lu’s son.”

Lu Ziqing: “Then I should thank you for the compliment.”

Lin Yu: “You’re welcome. It’s straight from the heart.”

…

After fooling Lu Ziqing, Lin Yu appeared calm on the surface but was actually quite frustrated inside.

Suddenly, a shout came from behind.

“Lin Yu!”

Liu Yuwen ran up, panting, and hooked an arm around Lin Yu’s neck. “Why didn’t you wait for me?”

Lin Yu turned around and was startled to see the young man from earlier following closely behind Liu Yuwen. “Ah, I thought you had something to do…”

“What could possibly keep me busy? It’s all taken care of.” Liu Yuwen grinned. “Come on, drinks on me.”

Despite the smile, Liu Yuwen looked furious.

His collar was disheveled, his neck flushed red, and his voice was tight with restrained anger, as if he were forcing himself to stay calm.

Compared to Liu Yuwen’s obvious rage, the young man seemed much calmer now, even carrying a faint smile.

Lin Yu eyed Liu Yuwen suspiciously.

He vaguely sensed something different—a subtle scent, like the faint aroma of tea, seemingly coming from the back of Liu Yuwen’s neck…

The young man tugged at Liu Yuwen’s sleeve apologetically. “Where are you going for drinks? Let me pay—”

“Get lost,” Liu Yuwen gritted his teeth. “Xiao Zhu, if I had a gun right now, I’d shoot you on the spot.”

Faced with Liu Yuwen’s strong rejection, the young man had to stop in his tracks and watch from a distance.

“Let’s go.”

After saying that, Liu Yuwen ushered Lin Yu and Lu Ziqing into his car and started the engine with a loud roar.

The young man stood in the middle of the swirling dust, getting smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror until he disappeared entirely.

……

“Drink!”

In a dimly lit bar corner, bottles were scattered haphazardly across the table.

Liu Yuwen was dead drunk.

Lin Yu, worried, took the glass from his hand and softly tried to persuade him to stop.

Lu Ziqing sat with his arms crossed, watching indifferently as if the situation had nothing to do with him.

Lin Yu whispered, “You could at least help stop him.”

“What’s there to stop?” Lu Ziqing replied. “He’s an adult. He’s responsible for his own actions.”

Lin Yu was surprised by his cold attitude but, recalling what he had said at the amusement park, fell silent.

Lu Ziqing was probably just this indifferent by nature. Lin Yu had misjudged, thinking they could become good friends.

“You should head back,” Lin Yu said. “I’ll take care of him. You can leave… go do your own thing.”

Lu Ziqing: “I don’t have anything to do.”

Lin Yu calmly replied, “But this has nothing to do with you. You don’t need to wait for me. After all, we’re just… acquaintances.”

Lu Ziqing grew agitated. “I already said that’s not what I meant!”

Lin Yu quietly asked, “Then what did you mean? I’ve asked you so many times, but you still haven’t told me.”

Lu Ziqing was at a loss for words.

What could he even say?

Lin Yu had made it clear he wasn’t interested—talking about returning to headquarters, setting him up with someone else. If Lu Ziqing suddenly blurted out, ‘I think I really like you,’ wouldn’t that make him look like a pathetic, lovesick fool?

Even if Lin Yu didn’t see him that way, he’d probably think he had lost his mind.

Young Master Lu had always been admired and pursued. When had he ever been this desperate?

The words caught in his throat—saying them felt wrong, not saying them felt even worse.

Like a duck being choked by the neck, unable to make a sound.

While he hesitated, Lin Yu sighed softly.

“Forget it, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “I understand…”

He reached for the glass on the table, intending to pour himself a drink to drown his thoughts.

Before his fingers could touch it, someone grabbed his wrist forcefully.

Lin Yu looked up, confused, meeting Lu Ziqing’s gaze.

“You can’t.” Lu Ziqing said.

Lin Yu: “…? Why?”

He was truly getting annoyed.

Lu Ziqing had been acting strangely lately—short-tempered, unreasonable, always bossing him around. Even if he considered their professional ties and Lu Ziqing’s father, his patience was wearing thin.

Lu Ziqing was silent for a long time.

Finally, he spoke, stiffly. “That glass—Liu Yuwen’s lips touched it just now. So, you can’t.”

 

[mfn]

Author’s Note

How many times do I have to say it? Tsunderes are out of style. (Lights a cigarette.)

[/mfn]