Chapter 47 has 3 parts; 47.2 and 47.3 will be uploaded today at 02:00 and 03:00 EST.
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Chapter 47.1 – Keeping An Appointment
The next morning, Song Zhixu got up and immediately began getting himself ready, even taking special care to style his hair.
He flicked his hair narcissistically in the mirror, then turned and saw Shen Ju peeking out with just his eyes, startling him. “Dude, what are you doing? You look like some jealous housewife or something.”
Shen Ju ignored him—dark circles were under his eyes after a sleepless night of pondering.
What kind of thing could Song Zhixu be allowed to know… but not me?
At that thought, Shen Ju shot another resentful glare in Song Zhixu’s direction.
After finishing his hair, Song Zhixu went back to tease him. “What, you want to go? Want me to ask the captain to take you?”
Shen Ju threw a pillow at his face. “Get lost.”
“Damn, I just finished fixing my hair.”
Once Song Zhixu was done primping, the sound of a door opening came from next door, along with Lin Jiang’s voice.
Shen Ju immediately scrambled up, cracking the door open just enough to peek outside. He saw Lin Jiang standing at the entrance, talking to Song Zhixu.
“You’re all ready?”
“All set, Captain. Should we take a cab or drive?”
“Let’s drive. It’s more convenient.”
Lin Jiang stood there, casual as ever, yet his gentle aura was impossible to ignore. Even though Song Zhixu, standing next to him, was taller, it didn’t diminish Lin Jiang’s presence.
Watching through the crack in the door, Shen Ju felt a pang of bitterness at the thought of Song Zhixu riding in his car.
Why did the captain seem to fit so effortlessly with anyone? Did he look this compatible with everyone?
Why was he equally gentle with everyone? Is there no difference between me and others in his heart?
Shen Ju was practically drowning in his own jealousy. Just as Lin Jiang outside happened to glance over, he quickly shut the door, afraid of being discovered.
Lin Jiang: “?”
What’s that puppy doing?
Lin Jiang adjusted his clothes and followed Song Zhixu downstairs. Subconsciously recalling Shen Ju’s pitiful expression earlier, he paused for a moment.
Suddenly, it dawned on him. “Let’s just take a taxi. Parking might be difficult over there.”
“Sure, a taxi’s fine too—convenient either way.”
Meanwhile, Shen Ju was sulking in his room, unable to figure out what it was that he wasn’t allowed to know.
He picked up his phone and instinctively searched for information on Yu Ming, but nothing seemed particularly noteworthy.
Refusing to give up, he scrolled further down and checked every piece of information he could find. Suddenly, his finger stopped on a video. It was an early interview of Yu Ming with his teammates.
He didn’t know what they were talking about but at some point in the conversation, a teammate teased Yu Ming.
“What’s wrong? Still thinking about Captain Lin? Last time during Truth or Dare, you—”
Yu Ming’s face and neck instantly turned red as he lunged to cover his teammate’s mouth. “What nonsense are you spouting?”
Shen Ju—the undisputed number-one Lin Jiang enthusiast—immediately sat up straighter. He already sensed something was off. He searched for videos from the same period and the more he watched, the more he felt Yu Ming’s gaze toward Lin Jiang was anything but innocent.
Shen Ju scrolled through his contacts and found the number of an old industry senior who he hadn’t spoken to in ages. Without hesitation, he fired off a message: [Hello, can I ask you something?]
Meanwhile, Lin Jiang and Song Zhixu arrived at the restaurant, only to realize how upscale the place Yu Ming had chosen was.
Song Zhixu couldn’t help but mutter as they entered, “Captain, did we come to the wrong place? Why would he invite us to a restaurant like this?”
Lin Jiang coughed lightly. “It’s fine. Seems normal to me.”
But Song Zhixu wasn’t convinced. When they reached the reserved private room, he saw Yu Ming dressed sharply and his hair was styled with obvious care.
The private room was set for two, and the entire restaurant’s atmosphere carried an indescribable hint of ambiguity.
Song Zhixu suddenly fell silent.
Yu Ming had matured a lot in the past two years, but traces of nervousness still surfaced.
The moment he looked up and saw Lin Jiang, his eyes lit up. “Lin Jiang, you’re here.”
During the last promotional shoot, Lin Jiang had already sensed that Yu Ming hadn’t given up. Seeing him today made him think he was right.
Thankfully, he’d brought Song Zhixu along, otherwise the situation would’ve been unbearably awkward.
Lin Jiang smiled politely. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Yu Ming stood up. “Not at all, I just arrived too.”
After he finished speaking, he noticed Song Zhixu behind Lin Jiang and visibly faltered. He quickly signaled a waiter “Add another seat, please.”
Song Zhixu pretended to know nothing and warmly greeted the other person, “Hello, Captain Yu. I’m Song Zhixu. Oh, by the way, where’s my cousin? I thought he was coming too.”
Yu Ming felt even more awkward. He glanced at Lin Jiang and immediately understood—Lin Jiang brought someone along to avoid any misunderstandings.
He suppressed his own inappropriate thoughts. “Xiaoshan had something come up last minute, so he couldn’t make it.”
Song Zhixu made a show of sudden realization, then quickly pulled out a chair for Lin Jiang. “Captain, please sit down.”
Lin Jiang sat down, and the waiter brought a chair for Song Zhixu, who sat next to Lin Jiang without any hesitation.
This only made Yu Ming feel even more awkward.
He handed the menu to Lin Jiang, but Song Zhixu intercepted it, looking completely serious.
“What would the two captains like to eat? I’ll help you order.”
Yu Ming glanced at Lin Jiang and suggested, “How about steak? And a bottle of red wine. The rest can be whatever.”
He still remembered Lin Jiang preferred lighter flavors—back when they used to hang out, Lin Jiang only ordered steak.
Yu Ming hadn’t expected it. Even after all this time, he could still remember the sound of Lin Jiang’s voice that day, gently smoothing over his embarrassment like a breeze slipping through summer leaves.
Thinking of this, Yu Ming’s gaze softened. He proactively arranged the cutlery for Lin Jiang. When the appetizers came, he offered them to Lin Jiang first, and even poured him wine.
Wasn’t this a bit too obvious?
Lin Jiang glanced at Song Zhixu beside him. Thankfully, he was a bit dense.
Song Zhixu was still busy serving him food. “Captain, have some of this first—just to cushion your stomach.”
Lin Jiang coughed lightly and steered the conversation. “Has Song Zhixu’s cousin caused any trouble for you, Captain Yu?”
Yu Ming was much more composed compared to two years ago. He smiled and said, “Not at all. It’s just a tryout for promotion. I only provided an opportunity, but I didn’t really help much beyond that.”
“Captain Yu, just allowing him a tryout is already a huge favor.” Lin Jiang then turned to Song Zhixu. “Aren’t you going to thank Captain Yu?”
Song Zhixu quickly put down his fork and poured wine for Yu Ming. “Thank you, Captain Yu. Let me toast to you.”
Yu Ming accepted graciously.
As soon as the toast was done, Song Zhixu stood up again and poured him another half-glass. “Captain Yu, you hold your liquor so well. Here’s another one. Thank you for the treat!”
After two glasses, Yu Ming’s face was slightly flushed.
Yu Ming rose from his seat with polite grace. “Excuse me for a moment,” he said, disappearing toward the restroom.
As soon as he left, the steaks were served.
Lin Jiang was cutting his steak when Song Zhixu suddenly asked, “Captain, does Yu Ming like you?”
The knife in Lin Jiang’s hand paused mid-slice. He turned slightly, visibly surprised. “How did you know?”
Song Zhixu lowered his head to cut his steak, the soft light falling on his face—it was rare for him to be so serious.
Although he seemed naive and easy to fool, he actually saw things clearly. “I sensed it as soon as we entered the restaurant. Who invites a friend to a place like this and book such a private room? If it was just a normal friendly meal, he would’ve brought Xiaoshan along, right? Just like how you brought me.”
Lin Jiang realized Song Zhixu wasn’t clueless at all. He set down his glass, still wondering how to respond.
Song Zhixu continued talking to himself, “I know you only agreed because of Xiaoshan and didn’t want to refuse. Don’t worry, Captain, I won’t make things awkward for you.”
Yet somehow…
Lin Jiang felt even more awkward now.
He pretended not to care and took a sip of wine, thinking he had miscalculated. He’d thought he’d brought along someone oblivious, but it turned out he’d been seen through at a glance.
Song Zhixu even comforted him, “Don’t worry, Captain. I can keep secrets.”
After saying that, he swapped the steak he had cut for Lin Jiang’s. “Here, Captain. Eat the one I already cut for you.”
Just as he was sliding the dish across the table, Yu Ming walked back into the room, and their eyes met briefly.
Instantly, Song Zhixu’s expression turned enthusiastic as he stood up proactively. “Captain Yu, let me cut your steak for you! Don’t be shy, we’re all family here. I’m really fast at cutting steak, come on…”
Lin Jiang looked down at the steak on his plate and chuckled softly.
So Song Zhixu wasn’t as simple-minded as he appeared.
Under Song Zhixu’s relentless efforts, Yu Ming ended up drinking half a bottle of red wine in no time.
Once the alcohol kicked in, his gaze toward Lin Jiang became even more hesitant, as if he had much to say. “Lin Jiang, actually I…”
He had just reached out his hand—only to be held back by Song Zhixu. “Captain Yu, you’re unsteady on your feet. Let me take you back.”
Yu Ming: “No, no…”
Song Zhixu: “No need to be polite. I’ll take you back. I can also go check on my cousin while I’m at it.”
With that, he hailed a cab and bundled Yu Ming inside. He then leaned out to wave at Lin Jiang, mouthing the words: “Leave it to me, Captain. Could you grab my jacket for me?”
Yu Ming wanted to stick his head out to look at Lin Jiang, but Song Zhixu blocked him with his hand. “Captain Yu, sit properly. We’re about to leave.”
Soon after, Lin Jiang received a message from Song Zhixu.
[Song Zhixu: Captain, you go ahead first. I’ll return after dropping him off.]
[Lin Jiang: Okay.]
Lin Jiang sent off his brief reply, then cast a soft glance over the empty table and sighed.
Young love truly was beautiful. After all these years… who would have thought Yu Ming still harbored feelings for him?
Then what about someone as stubborn as Shen Ju? Would his feelings last even longer?
As Lin Jiang returned to his seat to retrieve his jacket, a familiar figure suddenly passed by. He didn’t pay it much mind until an assistant called out, “Young Master He, isn’t that Lin Jiang over there?”
The mysterious man stopped in his tracks, abruptly turned around, and looked back.
Lin Jiang froze mid-motion while picking up Zhixu’s jacket, lifting his gaze to meet He Gu’s eyes. The other man’s attention also landed on the recently vacated dining table.
Along with He Gu, his assistants and business associates who were carrying briefcases, all turned in unison, their collective gaze locking onto Lin Jiang.
An awkward silence hung in the air as Lin Jiang wondered what to say.
He Gu broke it first. “Alone?”
Lin Jiang glanced at the table. “Yeah.”
He Gu chuckled lightly. “Three steaks for one person?”
With a gesture, he signaled his assistants to go ahead while he approached Lin Jiang. He looked at the coat in Lin Jiang’s hand, and also at the clothes he was wearing.
A person couldn’t possibly wear two coats when going out. He Gu’s gaze gradually dimmed as he looked at Lin Jiang. “On a date?”
Lin Jiang let out a noncommittal “Hmm,” casting a quick look around the area—it was obvious he wanted to make a quick exit.
He Gu steadied his voice. “Had enough to eat? If not, keep me company for a bit more?”
Lin Jiang replied, “I’m full. Had three servings.”
He Gu chuckled again. Sometimes he felt Lin Jiang really was like a hedgehog—docile enough to pet when calm, but bristling with spines when angered.
He took a deep breath, resisting the urge to ask who had accompanied Lin Jiang for the meal. He could tell it had likely been a gathering of three, with the other two having left first.
He took the lead, inviting him, “If you’re not hungry, how about keeping me company? Consider it a little post-dinner relaxation.”
Lin Jiang had initially wanted to refuse, but after a moment’s hesitation, he nodded in agreement.
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