Everyone Thought He Liked Him

For a moment, the distance between the two became exceptionally close, so close they could almost feel each other’s breath. Qi Xin could clearly see Ye Zhiqiu’s dense, long eyelashes, each one distinct.

It felt like his heart skipped a beat. Qi Xin unconsciously held his breath.

Ye Zhiqiu looked at him with a smile, a faint trace of teasing and slight regret in his eyes.

At this moment, there was not a single trace of Jiang Nan left on him.
Yet Qi Xin’s heart still beat faster and faster uncontrollably.
Thump, thump, thump, thump…

“I can,” he heard his own voice, carrying a slight tremor. “Give me a chance.”
“Is that so?” Ye Zhiqiu chuckled. “Weren’t you quite fiery-tempered just now?”
“I…” Qi Xin was momentarily speechless. After a long pause, he repeated, “I can.”

Surrounding noises rose one after another.

“This little brother is spicy enough, pant, pant…”
“Give him a chance, give him a chance…”
“Quite the wild approach, I wonder if I can get a chance too?”
“…”

Qi Xin: “…”

Having lived over twenty years, he had always been rather conventional. Under the public gaze at this moment, whether it was excitement, nervousness, or helpless confusion…
It felt like all the blood in his body rushed uncontrollably to his head. A vague buzzing filled his mind.

But Ye Zhiqiu didn’t care in the slightest. He leisurely withdrew the hand that had been pinching his chin, his gaze sweeping over the bouquet of roses that had long been swept to the floor.

In their most beautiful season, yet mercilessly swept into the dust…
Just like his former self, clearly vibrant and radiant, yet ultimately worn down to withered and scattered.

“Fine,” he said, no longer looking at Qi Xin, his voice also very calm and indifferent. “I can give you a chance to ‘pursue’ me.”

Overjoyed, Qi Xin looked up, his entire person instantly perked up.

But the next moment, Ye Zhiqiu looked at him again. Those beautiful eyes held that same half-smiling, unreadable expression. “Now, you can leave, right?”

Qi Xin: “…”

Qi Xin opened his mouth, but no words came out.
The joy from moments ago hadn’t even had time to be fully savored before a basin of cold water was dumped over his head, leaving him momentarily at a loss for how to react.

Yet Ye Zhiqiu only looked at him with such indifference, half-smiling, as if teasing a homeless dog.

The burning heart slowly turned cold. Qi Xin’s overheated, muddled brain finally completely woke up.
Kicked from heaven into hell, anger and humiliation rebounded simultaneously. Qi Xin’s chest heaved incessantly.

“What?” Ye Zhiqiu looked at him amusedly. “Didn’t you just say you could?”

Tao Ruoqing’s repeated advice, reviewed many times, rang in his ears once more.

“He doesn’t have many strengths,” Tao Ruoqing had said slowly while sipping tea. “His personality is especially arrogant and self-centered, so at the beginning, you’ll need to endure a lot.”
“To tame him might take longer than you imagine,” Tao Ruoqing had added. “You’ll need a bit more patience.”

Taking a deep breath, Qi Xin forcibly suppressed the chaotic emotions in his heart.
Even when Li Shaojun picked up the roses from the floor and threw them into his arms, he just gritted his teeth and endured it.

“I can,” he reaffirmed.

Having with great difficulty advanced this small step, Qi Xin didn’t dare to provoke Ye Zhiqiu’s dislike at this moment.
After all, whether it was Ye Zhiqiu’s talent or the investment promised by Tao Ruoqing, all were related to the rise and fall of his Qi family and determined his future fate.

Compromising, he took two steps back and steadied himself.
“I know a good restaurant. Have dinner together tomorrow?” he said. “I’ll pick you up from home.”
“Tomorrow I have other arrangements,” Ye Zhiqiu jumped down from the table. “Go back and wait for my message.”
“Then…” Qi Xin rummaged in his pocket for a moment, pulled out a business card, and offered it to Ye Zhiqiu. “All my contact information is on it.”

Ye Zhiqiu glanced down at it.

Just like in his past life, probably afraid of raising his guard, Qi Xin’s business card bore no titles or positions, simply printed with his name and phone number.

In his past life, it was only later, as Ye Zhiqiu gradually fell deeper in love, that Qi Xin told him his family had a small clothing processing factory.
He had even registered his own small brand: Qi Yun.
He described his grand dreams, lofty ideals and future to him…
Ambitious and full of towering aspirations.

To help him, Ye Zhiqiu declined invitations from major brands, investing all his time and energy into that small factory and Qi Yun.

After marriage, he even studied and learned on one hand, while working day and night on the other, drawing sketches, designing, running to factories…

Given Ye Zhiqiu’s talent, Qi Yun quickly gained consumer favor with its novel designs and bold color schemes.
Among them were quite a few celebrities and influencers at the forefront of fashion.
Consequently, Qi Yun’s national recognition began to climb rapidly.

In their third year of marriage, Qi Yun began to emerge prominently in the fashion circle.
Simultaneously, Qi Xin’s reputation grew increasingly larger.
Yet the once astonishingly talented Ye Zhiqiu vanished without a trace like a brief flash of brilliance.

The reason was none other than this: those years of designs Ye Zhiqiu poured his heart and soul into, whether eventually made into finished products for sale or published as creative works, were all credited under Qi Xin’s name.

Because back then, Qi Xin had said many, many things to him.

He said it was very hard for him; with his capabilities, he could never establish himself in the fashion circle in a lifetime.

He said Ye Zhiqiu was young and talented. Even without works for a few years, it wouldn’t affect him later effortlessly breaking through the competition.

He said if he could gain fame, then together with Ye Zhiqiu, Qi Yun would have two top-tier designers, increasing its influence in the industry and its appeal to outstanding designers.

He said he wanted to gain Ye Hongxian’s approval, wanted their marriage to receive blessings from family members.

He also said…

The business card felt as heavy as a thousand jin. Qi Xin held it out for a long time, until he felt awkward and humiliated, before Ye Zhiqiu finally chuckled. “Doesn’t my mother already have your contact information?”
“Then,” Qi Xin had to put the card back, “I’ll contact you later.”

This time, Ye Zhiqiu didn’t speak again, only those beautiful eyes still half-smiling as they looked at him.

Reluctantly, Qi Xin had to pick up the already messy and battered bouquet of roses and return the way he came under everyone’s side glances.

“You really fancy that bastard?” As soon as Qi Xin left, Li Shaojun immediately asked with a cold face.
“In the past, there were plenty better than him, and we never saw you give them the time of day,” Jin Baobao also said.
“He’s not that bad either,” Tang Le smiled. “Feels quite sincere, different from Xiaoqiu’s other pursuers.”

Ye Zhiqiu smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying.
“Just playing around,” he said. “If he’s willing to pursue, give him a chance. It’s not like we’ve confirmed a relationship yet.”
“Scumbag,” Jin Baobao said.
“Scumbag,” Li Shaojun’s expression finally softened.
“Scumbag,” Tang Le also echoed with a smile.
Ye Zhiqiu shrugged indifferently, raising his wine glass. “Then let me be the scumbag first, bottoms up.”
“…”

While they were talking, several waves of people had already come asking for Ye Zhiqiu’s contact information. Not only that, there seemed to be plenty more in the back eager and ready to try.
“I think we should call it a day today,” Jin Baobao said somewhat amusedly. “We’ll have you treat us another day.”

Today’s task was already completed. Ye Zhiqiu no longer insisted. “I’ll find a quiet place to treat you guys later.”
“Whenever you call, we’ll come,” Li Shaojun was the first to stand up, calling a waiter to seal and store the remaining wine.
Tang Le also took out his phone. “I’ll call a designated driver for you.”

The group left together. Under the massive corridor pillars of the outdoor walkway, Ye Zhiqiu paused his steps.
“Shao Jun,” he said, “hold on a moment, I want to talk.”

Li Shaojun’s expression immediately turned serious, knowing Ye Zhiqiu had heard what he said earlier.
“Don’t be scared,” Jin Baobao comfortingly patted his back, whispering, “He just looks imposing, but actually he’s very soft-hearted.”
He then straightened up. “My route is on the way. I’ll send Lele back first. You two remember to check in safely in the group when you get home later.”

“Mm,” Ye Zhiqiu acknowledged. Seeing Jin Baobao about to leave, he called out to him again.

“What is it?” Jin Baobao said. “So reluctant to part with me?”
“Be careful on the road,” Ye Zhiqiu said.
“Did you forget?” Jin Baobao laughed. “Didn’t Lele just call a designated driver?”
“I mean for the future, every time,” Ye Zhiqiu said, his expression serious.

Jin Baobao was stunned for a moment before stepping forward to hug Ye Zhiqiu. “Got it.”
“Remember,” Ye Zhiqiu added. “No matter when, safety comes first.”

Jin Baobao studied dance; his legs were his life.
Ye Zhiqiu had never dared to imagine how much pain he must have been in after losing a leg in his past life.
The one who made the mistake wasn’t him, wasn’t them. None of them should have paid such a heavy price.

Ye Zhiqiu rarely acted so overly fussy, but Jin Baobao didn’t think much of it.
He subconsciously reinforced Ye Zhiqiu’s reminder in his mind, then nodded. “Remembered.”
He then playfully waved. “Leaving now.”

Jin Baobao and Tang Le left. The air instantly became quiet.

The early winter weather in the north was already quite cold, but the stars and moon were exceptionally bright. Ye Zhiqiu leaned against the corridor pillar, looking up at the night sky, silent for a while.

“I know you heard,” Li Shaojun spoke first, his face stubborn. “Hit me, scold me, whatever. But good is good, bad is bad. I won’t change my opinion.”
“Why would I hit or scold you?” Ye Zhiqiu withdrew his gaze. After a moment, he suddenly said, “I’ll take your words to heart.”
“Ah?” Li Shaojun had already prepared for the storm, and was momentarily confused. “What did you say?”
“I’ll take them to heart,” Ye Zhiqiu repeated, his expression serious.

Li Shaojun froze in place, staring at him blankly.
Ye Zhiqiu smiled, reaching out to give his shoulder a firm punch.
“Thanks,” he said.

This thanks came somewhat late — a whole lifetime late.
Today, Ye Zhiqiu finally said it — formally, and for the first time, giving a response to Li Shaojun, who had worried about him both then and now.

.

“Amazing, absolutely amazing,” at the same time, upstairs in Room 201, Yu Renzhi finally couldn’t help but let out a howl after a long silence. “Who the hell could resist that?”

Jiang Nan rolled his eyes inwardly.

“Someone like him,” he smiled, “clearly used to playing around outside. Ordinary people really can’t handle it.”

As he spoke, he secretly glanced at Qin Jianhe.

The glass of wine he had poured was still in its place; Qin Jianhe hadn’t touched it.
At this moment, he held a glass of ice water. The crystal-clear ice cubes in the transparent glass made his pitch-black eyes appear especially deep and cold.
It seemed the little interlude downstairs hadn’t affected him in the slightest.

Jiang Nan secretly let out a breath, his heart settling somewhat.
He was good-looking and always took pride in it. Yet today, in front of Qin Jianhe, he had been completely overshadowed so brutally. He felt uneasy, uncomfortable, and deeply threatened.

“Young people, after all, loving to play is normal,” Yu Renzhi didn’t see anything wrong. He looked at Qin Jianhe. “Isn’t your company trying to recruit him? I don’t care — when he joins in the future, I, your bro, will definitely take advantage of proximity.”

“If anyone’s ‘near,’ it’s Xiao Yu. What’s it got to do with you?” Wang Qitang said amusedly.
“He might not necessarily look favorably on Q.L.,” Qin Jianhe said indifferently.
“Q.L. is a giant in the fashion industry. How could anyone possibly not look up to it?” Yu Renzhi refused to believe it. “Tell Old Meng to hurry up. As a dignified head of the design department, if he can’t even snag this kind of talent, he can retire and go home.”

Qin Jianhe didn’t speak, only giving him a light glance.

“His reputation doesn’t seem very good,” Jiang Nan said with apparent hesitation, reminding him. “Brother Renzhi, you’d better find someone well-matched in status, simple and pure, so you don’t suffer losses.”

“What?” Before Yu Renzhi could speak, Meng Qingyan spoke coolly instead.
“Didn’t you just say you didn’t know him?”
Unlike Yu Renzhi, he most despised this kind of self-serving little trick.

“I really don’t know him,” Jiang Nan smiled and explained. “But my mother occasionally meets his stepmother at social events. In the circle of wealthy ladies, there aren’t many secrets — you just have to ask around.”

“Is that so?” Unexpectedly, Qin Jianhe coldly raised his eyes. “If your mother could reach an even higher-tier circle of ladies, then you would probably also know that in my stepmother’s words, my reputation is just as bad.”

Throughout the entire night, Qin Jianhe had been especially cold toward Jiang Nan, to the point of almost completely ignoring him.
Jiang Nan had always hoped Qin Jianhe would look at him — even just one glance.
Or that he would take the initiative to say a single sentence to him — even just one.

Now his wish had come true, but he became even more anxious, more insecure, his heart plunging straight into an icy abyss.

Because Qin Jianhe’s gaze toward him was sharp and merciless, so cold that he didn’t dare meet it at all.

And the meaning behind his words made it even harder for him to breathe.

He was telling him that they were not from the same social circle at all.
And by using Jiang Nan’s own advice to Yu Renzhi about being “well-matched in status,” he completely blocked his path.

He regretted even more that, in his haste and lack of restraint, he had mentioned Ye Zhiqiu’s stepmother.
Clearly, Qin Jianhe hadn’t said a single word all night — yet because of that one sentence, he now stepped forward, without the slightest hesitation, to speak on Ye Zhiqiu’s behalf.

Jiang Nan felt both regretful and jealous. His lips trembled as he wanted to explain a few words, but under Qin Jianhe’s icy gaze, he couldn’t utter a single sound.