translated_Chapter 7

07: Bickering

07: Bickering

In the evening, the two left the school together, discussing what to eat for dinner while walking.

They didn’t notice someone waiting at the entrance of the residential area.

Su Yuyang’s silver short hair was dyed a gold-pink color, which is why he wasn’t recognized at first glance.

“Qiu Ci, Brother Qiu, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.” When greeting Qiu Ci, he saw Jing Yueming next to him, and a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Qiu Ci didn’t show his displeasure on his face: “What’s the matter?”

“Brother Qiu, I’ll never mess around like that again. Don’t be angry. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival.” It turned out he was apologizing for what happened at the bar last time.

Jing Yueming observed their relationship. Qiu Ci was clearly the dominant one. Maybe this guy wanted to sleep with him but didn’t expect Qiu Ci was also a Bottom, so he switched to being his friend.

“I’m not angry.” Qiu Ci’s smile was still so fake.

“Then why don’t you reply to my texts or answer my calls? Brother Qiu, don’t ignore me.” The little boy’s roundabout way of speaking suggested that if Jing Yueming wasn’t there, Su Yuyang would probably be rolling into Qiu Ci’s arms.

“Busy.”

Sure enough, Qiu Ci was good at using the silent treatment.

Su Yuyang was extremely unwilling: “If you’re sure you’re not angry, call me back tonight.”

Qiu Ci just nodded in agreement: “Okay.”

“Be sure to call me back, okay?” He said as he took three steps back, looking reluctant.

Jing Yueming muttered, “Okay, okay, just go already.”

Su Yuyang gave him one last mocking look.

In Jing Yueming’s eyes, this seemed like a lovers’ quarrel.

After he drove away.

Jing Yueming couldn’t help but ask: “Do you really think this guy is just being friendly?”

“We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Playing ambiguous games with you, lying in your arms, and flirting with you in front of your boyfriend? You call that a friend?”

“You could have said all that to his face just now. If you mind, he won’t do it again next time.” Qiu Ci’s light green eyes swept over him: “Why didn’t you say it just now?”

“I was afraid you’d lose face in front of your friend. After all, you’re a big boss.” The adopted son of the founder of Global Wealth, and currently the chief executive officer of the China region.

Qiu Ci smiled helplessly: “So, even at the bar, you waited for me to go to the restroom before questioning me.”

“Yeah.” Being afraid of inconveniencing Qiu Ci was one thing, but on the other hand, he felt that Qiu Ci was still treating him as a lover, not a partner.

What could he say? After all, Qiu Ci wasn’t even angry that he was being used as a substitute for his ex-girlfriend. How could he get angry with this excellent protagonist with such skillful acting?

If he was really just Qiu Ci’s lover, then Qiu Ci was already good enough to him, giving him his body, money, and emotional effort in response.

The two were in a delicate balance, even though they were strangers just a few days ago.

Because of Qiu Ci’s deliberate seduction after getting drunk, Jing Yueming was given the opportunity to sleep with him.

Since Qiu Ci hadn’t pursued the matter, Jing Yueming should have stepped down early.

Qiu Ci didn’t accompany him for four years like Ai La did, four years of acquaintance and understanding, four years of heartfelt letters, four years of bosom buddies.

Qiu Ci seemed to have been prepared early in his life to inherit the love he had left for Ai La.

Jing Yueming often lamented about the cycle of yin and yang, and how fortune compensates for misfortune.

After experiencing setbacks, there are always good things waiting ahead.

That year, during the college entrance exam, Jing Yueming did poorly in the mock exams and missed the art school entrance exam, but he scored more than a hundred points higher than usual in the college entrance exam and got into this top-tier university by luck.

His parents divorced and neither of them cared about him, but he met Ai La at a young age, who was willing to support and accompany him.

After Ai La left, Qiu Ci appeared again.

The best arrangement, perhaps.

On the Mid-Autumn Festival, the two bought fish and meat at the fresh produce supermarket downstairs.

It was also Qiu Ci’s first time helping him in the kitchen.

There were a lot of ingredients today.

The fish was already prepped, so it only needed to be blanched before steaming it in a pot.

The mooncakes were some gifts prepared by Qiu Ci’s company.

The packaging was exquisite, and the taste also had a luxurious feel.

After dinner was served, Qiu Ci took a lot of the steamed fish.

Jing Yueming poured him juice: “Do you like eating fish?”

“I like everything you make.” At least there was a dish that wasn’t sweet.

Jing Yueming silently noted that Qiu Ci liked eating fish.

For the next two days of the holiday, Qiu Ci would wake up in the daytime and come to Jing Yueming’s place for food, and return to his own home after finishing work at night.

As for whether he had called Su Yuyang, Jing Yueming had no way of knowing.

After the holiday ended, everything went back to normal.

A few days later, Tsukimi Rin suddenly messaged him to ask: “Are you dating Qiu Ci?”

Jing Yueming replied with a “?”

It wasn’t uncommon for people in their circle to know each other, but the fact that she was paying attention was a bit of a problem.

Tsukimi Rin didn’t reply until half a day later: “Why are you with Qiu Ci?”

Jing Yueming thought for a while, perhaps Tsukimi Rin had seen Ai La, so like Zhang Kaizhe, she was connecting Qiu Ci with Ai La: “There’s no reason, it’s just a normal relationship, don’t worry about it.”

“Qiu Ci is a pretty boring person. If you’re in it for the money, do it quickly. This guy is hard to please emotionally.” She spoke as if she were a friend.

Were they some kind of Ai La ex-lovers mutual aid society?

But Jing Yueming still thanked her gently for the reminder: “Thank you, I’ll handle it carefully.”

After the simple conversation ended.

Jing Yueming looked at his painting and suddenly felt bored. He had been painting this one for over a month.

He wanted to rest today. He looked at the time and figured Qiu Ci should have just woken up from his afternoon nap. Jing Yueming sent him a message: “I miss you. Can I come see you?”

About a dozen minutes later, Qiu Ci sent a location.

It was the company’s office building.

Jing Yueming left the school gate and took a taxi to the foot of this tall building.

He was thinking about how to get in. His clothes didn’t have any brand names. Would he be stopped by security?

While he was hesitating, his phone vibrated.

It was a call from Qiu Ci.

Jing Yueming quickly answered: “Hello, baby, how do I get in?”

“The assistant will be down soon.”

Soon, a woman in business attire came and greeted him politely.

“Please, come with me, Mr. Jing.”

After Qiu Ci confirmed that the assistant had arrived, he said to him on the phone: “Okay, I’ll be waiting for you upstairs.”

With Little Liu’s help, no one stopped him along the way, and he even had a private elevator.

“Mr. Jing, I know about your relationship, but I hope that in the company, you can be Mr. Qiu’s younger brother. It’ll be easier that way.” Little Liu’s words were concise and clear.

Jing Yueming still had this understanding: “Okay.”

After getting off the elevator, it was just a few steps to that spacious office.

The pink-haired Su Yuyang stood out brightly among the suits and ties.

Su Yuyang spoke first: “Ah? Why are you here?”

Little Liu, acting as his spokesperson, didn’t give Jing Yueming a chance to answer: “Mr. Qiu asked him to come. Mr. Su, please don’t mind.”