He Found Out Too Late

He thought about turning off the screen and putting the phone away, but almost every incoming message mentioned his name.

Leaning casually against the doorframe, drinking water, he opened the chat app and tapped on the “367 new messages” in the upper right corner.

Scrolling to the top, he immediately saw his own photo.

His long eyebrows lifted almost imperceptibly.

Qin Jianhe scrolled down without making a sound.

After a moment, one corner of his mouth lifted slightly, curving into a faint arc.

If Ye Zhiqiu were here, he’d notice that this arc wasn’t just sexy—it carried a hint of “murderous intent.”

Messages continued flooding the group.

Qin Jianhe quickly scanned the front chat log.

He and Ye Zhiqiu had only met twice. Strictly speaking, they didn’t even real know each other.

Yet in half an hour, over three hundred messages, their wedding, honeymoon, even children’s names were already settled.

Now, Yu Renzhi and Wang Qitang were already at the Western restaurant across the street, waiting to “catch them in the act.”

How absurd.

But then again, he’d truly never encountered anyone who dared mess with him like this.

[Yu Renzhi: Not done yet? Hurry up and bring sister-in-law. I’ve admired her from afar @Qin Jianhe]

Qin Jianhe calmly finished his water and typed a reply.

[Qin Jianhe: Just finished. Showering, then heading down.]

Yu Renzhi replied instantly.

[Yu Renzhi: Ooooh, with little cutie?]

With? What with?

Qin Jianhe was momentarily confused before realizing he was asking if they were showering together.

Ignoring him, Qin Jianhe took his gym bag to the fifth floor.

After showering and changing, he took the elevator down as usual.

“So handsome, so handsome!” Watching his tall figure push through the door, the front desk girl swooned for the umpteenth time, cupping her face.

But soon, that figure descended the steps and disappeared from view.

The girl withdrew her gaze, then eagerly turned to the reading room.

“So handsome!” She rested her chin on her hand, enchanted.

* * * *

Ye Zhiqiu had already read half the book.

He unlocked his phone and sent a message to the group.

“Almost here?” he asked.

“Almost.” Li Shaojun’s cool voice came through. “Almost here, but traffic again. Bro and I had to detour. Five minutes tops.”

“Okay. I’ll grab a table first.” Ye Zhiqiu stood, went to the break room for hot water, then returned, dressed, and headed out.

In the distance, he saw the Western restaurant’s door open and close.

Assuming the two had arrived, he quickened his pace.

* * * *

Inside the Western restaurant, in a window-side booth, Yu Renzhi had finally awaited Qin Jianhe.

Like a monkey, he shot up, both eyes searching behind Qin Jianhe.

“What are you looking for?” Qin Jianhe casually tossed his gym bag aside and sat on the empty loveseat.

“What’s going on?”
“Where’s little cutie?”

Yu Renzhi and Wang Qitang spoke simultaneously.

Before Qin Jianhe could respond, Yu Renzhi squawked.

“No way? After all we’ve been through, you’re still hiding little cutie?”

Wang Qitang glanced at him helplessly. “Still calling him little cutie?”

“Sister-in-law.” Yu Renzhi immediately corrected himself.

Yu Renzhi was actually a year older than Qin Jianhe. But with his innocent nature and Qin Jianhe’s since childhood strong presence, he’d always called him “brother” smoothly.

Now, “sister-in-law” came out even more smoothly—as if he’d said it a thousand times.

Qin Jianhe glanced at him speechlessly, wondering how someone could be so shameless.

“Not calling her sister-in-law?” Yu Renzhi hesitated, then asked, “Brother-in-law?”

Pfft…

Across from him, Wang Qitang accidentally spat out his coffee, spotting Yu Renzhi’s light gray cashmere sweater.

Seeing this, Qin Jianhe actually laughed.

“Serves you right,” he said.

Wang Qitang quickly handed over napkins, suppressing a laugh. “Brother will buy you a dozen to make up for it.”

“What do I need a dozen for?” Yu Renzhi frantically wiped the coffee stains, then looked up and froze.

Outside the glass window, a tall, slender figure was approaching the restaurant.

As he froze, the door’s wind chimes tinkled.

“Holy crap! Little cutie.” Yu Renzhi immediately stood, muttering to Qin Jianhe, “You two really know how to play, arriving separately.”

Then he waved at the door. “Little cu… sis… Xiao Ye, over here.”

Ye Zhiqiu was scanning for Li Shaojun and Jin Baobao.

He didn’t see them, but a strangeness young man waved at him.

He paused, then remembered this guy had come to Bull Mountain to watch him race.

Because he’d claimed to be Qin Jianhe’s friend, Ye Zhiqiu had looked him up afterward.

Only son of a domestic shipping giant—completely different league.

Ye Zhiqiu had noted it and moved on.

People from such different circles—he hadn’t thought to pursue acquaintance. Too exhausting, and also, that night at Bull Mountain, this guy had witnessed his shame.

He didn’t expect such a coincide.

Since the guy initiative greeted him, he couldn’t ignore it.

Ye Zhiqiu nodded slightly and approached.

The restaurant’s booths were very private, with high backs—sitting down created a separate zone.

So only when Ye Zhiqiu reached them and smiled in greeting did he see Qin Jianhe and Wang Qitang seated on the other sides.

“Mr. Yu…” He stumbled over the last word.

Having secretly photographed the guy’s photo just this afternoon and used it as ammunition, Ye Zhiqiu felt somewhat guilty seeing Qin Jianhe.

He smiled awkwardly and managed to get out, “Hello.”

“Sit down!” Seeing Ye Zhiqiu had no intention of sitting, Yu Renzhi hurriedly gestured toward Qin Jianhe’s side.

Ye Zhiqiu: “…”

This is too enthusiastic, isn’t it?

Greeting was enough—now he had to sit?

“Sorry, I’m meeting…”

“Sit.” Before he could finish, Qin Jianhe suddenly looked up, those dark phoenix eyes fixed on him, brooking no refusal.

He’d changed out of his training gear.

Now, in a white shirt and black sweater, tailored trousers outlining his crossed long legs, polished leather shoes.

Very much the picture of elegance.

Ye Zhiqiu: “…”

Bewildered, but also inexplicably guilty.

“Go on, sit.” Wang Qitang also smiled at him, his gaze warm.

Looking at Wang Qitang and Yu Renzhi, Ye Zhiqiu suddenly realized he’d made a conventional mistake.

His counterattack against Jiang Nan was based on the past life knowledge that Jiang Nan yearned for Qin Jianhe but couldn’t have him, even resorting to drugging him to achieve his goal.

That kind of relationship obviously meant Jiang Nan had no right and no way to confront Qin Jianhe or confirm anything based on a photo.

The post was visible only to Jiang Nan. Jiang Nan couldn’t contact Qin Jianhe. So he’d naturally assumed no third party would know.

But he’d overlooked one point: since Jiang Nan could hang out with them at the club, he naturally knew Qin Jianhe’s friends.

Even more guilty—what now?

Qin Jianhe’s presence was originally strong, and Ye Zhiqiu felt incomparable guilty right now.

He pressed his lips together and had no choice but to sit beside Qin Jianhe.

“Xiao Ye.” Yu Renzhi beamed seeing him sit. “With conditions this good, why go to VIA?”

“Gold shines anywhere.” Qin Jianhe turned to look at Ye Zhiqiu, his tone calm. “VIA’s recent website updates are all excellent.”

Ye Zhiqiu: “Ha… haha…”

Truth be told, this was the most passive moment since his rebirth.

How ironic—in his past life, Jiang Nan tortured him for years and got away with it. He’d only posted an hour ago and was already dragged out for public execution.

Future collaborations on various fronts, and he was indeed in the wrong first—he couldn’t afford to offend Qin Jianhe too much.

He could only hope Li Shaojun and Jin Baobao would arrive soon and save him.

But those “five minutes tops” guys—who knew where they’d detoured to?

Ye Zhiqiu waited anxiously, but they remained nowhere in sight.

Meanwhile, Qin Jianhe had already summoned the waiter, taken the menu, and handed it to Ye Zhiqiu.

“Order whatever you like.” Every movement was gentlemanly and gentle, making Yu Renzhi stare. “Go ahead.”

Ye Zhiqiu: “I’ll wait for…”

“I know you’re meeting other friends.” Qin Jianhe interrupted, his deep eyes holding a faint smile. “They can order when they arrive.”

Fine.

Ye Zhiqiu accepted this silent defeat.

He’d find a way to get even eventually.

He looked down at the menu, listening to Wang Qitang ask, “I heard Uncle Qin is hospitalized again?”

“Mm.” Qin Jianhe’s voice was very calm. “Same old problem.”

“Have you visited yet?” Yu Renzhi asked. “This time Uncle Qin will nag you about finding someone again. You can finally give him a perfect answer.”

He turned to Ye Zhiqiu. “Did you know, Xiao Ye? Our Xiaoyu has never dated anyone in his entire life.”

“Isn’t that right? Taking Xiaoqiu to see him tomorrow?” Qin Jianhe snorted. “The man’s dying and still obsessed with carrying on the family line.”

Ye Zhiqiu: “…”

Wait—what did Qin Jianhe just say? Take who to see his father?

And how could anyone talk about their own father dying so casually?

He despised Ye Hongxian, but he’d never been this rebellious.

Was Qin Jianhe taking him to visit a patient, or to see someone off on their final journey?

And since when could he carry on anyone’s family line?

What kind of person could pack so many make complaints points into one sentence?

The wind chimes tinkled.

Ye Zhiqiu quickly looked over.

Jin Baobao and Li Shaojun had finally pushed through the door.

Except for the day he’d just been reborn, never had seeing these two made him so excited.

He stood and waved them over.

“Bao.” Jin Baobao rushed over urgently. “We had the craziest luck today—kept hitting traffic even after detouring.”

As he spoke, he stopped short.

“Hey?”

“Xiao Jin.” Yu Renzhi waved happily. “So Xiao Ye was meeting you today?”

“Yu Renzhi.” Jin Baobao grinned. “Fancy meeting again.”

“Let me introduce you.” Yu Renzhi gestured them to the only empty sofa. “This is my friend Wang Qitang. And this one…”

He looked at Qin Jianhe, beaming. “Need an introduction?”

Jin Baobao: “…”

Li Shaojun: “…”

Wait.

Were they supposed to be familiar with that intimidating-looking guy?

And why was Ye Zhiqiu squeezed onto the same sofa with him?

Clearly their sofa was bigger, and empty when they arrived.

Glancing around, Yu Renzhi and Wang Qitang each had their own sofa.

Li Shaojun frowned slightly.

“Hey.” Li Shaojun looked at Ye Zhiqiu. “This sofa’s bigger. Come here.”

“Don’t you get it, kid?” Yu Renzhi had found Li Shaojun difficult at the racetrack that day. “Newlyweds are all lovey-dovey. What would he want over there for?”

Li Shaojun: “…”

Jin Baobao: “…”

“Wait.” Jin Baobao turned to Li Shaojun. “Did you understand what he said?”

“No.” Li Shaojun shook his head and gestured to Ye Zhiqiu. “Master Ye. Come here.”

Pfft. Wang Qitang laughed again.

Ye Zhiqiu pressed his lips together and glanced at Qin Jianhe.

Qin Jianhe was looking at him with that ambiguous smile, those dark eyes full of amusement.

Ye Zhiqiu: “Ha… haha…”

“Here’s the thing.” He straightened. “Today Qin Jianhe and I are sitting together.”

Qin Jianhe kept a low profile and rarely appeared publicly. Jin Baobao and Li Shaojun didn’t recognize him.

But in fashion school, even if they hadn’t met him, they’d heard his name more than once.

Hearing this, Jin Baobao’s eyes widened.

“Oh.” Li Shaojun said.

“Xiaoqiu.” Jin Baobao was bewildered. “So, you’re dating?”

“Cough.” Ye Zhiqiu cleared his throat lightly. “I’ll explain later.”

“With such a great boyfriend, why wait?” Jin Baobao was happier than if he’d won the lottery himself. “You even gave that bastard Qi Xin a chance.”

“Exactly.” Yu Renzhi agreed.

Jin Baobao’s words were perfectly in line with his own thoughts.

“From now on, sister-in-law can bring you along. We can hang out often.” Yu Renzhi happily told Jin Baobao, the word “sister-in-law” slipping out naturally.

Ye Zhiqiu gave up struggling.

Having died once, he knew all too well that face and dignity could be regained.

He glanced sideways at the hand holding Qin Jianhe’s fork.

He’d noticed it at the factory last time—a plain silver ring on Qin Jianhe’s left pinky, antique, softly gleaming.

Jiang Nan would recognize this hand, right?

Even if not the hand, surely he’d recognize the ring?

Since he was already being publicly executed, he might as well get some benefit.

Ye Zhiqiu unlocked his phone again and openly photographed that hand.

Qin Jianhe’s hands were beautiful—long fingers, defined knuckles, holding the knife and fork with an elegant casualness.

After taking it, Ye Zhiqiu admired it for a moment.

Just as he was about to post another moments visible only to Jiang Nan, his hand was suddenly seized.

Qin Jianhe pulled his hand into his own palm and smiled at him.

“How about taking one like this instead?”