Qiao Guangyu felt like he was falling in love with the development zone.

Although it seemed a bit backward, with uneven yellow mud roads, the air was fresh, there weren't many tourists, and the seafood was both fresh and exceptionally cheap. Initially, Qiao Guangyu was a bit reserved, but later he let loose and ate heartily until he was full, then burped with satisfaction as he followed Quan Quan back to the resort.

The description of being "full" wasn't an exaggeration at all; after fastening the button on his tight-fitting jeans, the small bulge of flesh on his belly became particularly noticeable.

He lifted his shirt to check his belly, and met Quan Quan's familiar disdainful gaze, feeling embarrassed involuntarily. "Actually, I'm not really fat... it's just that the pants are too tight..."

"No need to explain; explanations are just disguises." Quan Quan looked away, hiding the amusement in his eyes. "Luckily, the boss isn't coming back today."

Qiao Guangyu's attention was solely on the latter part of his sentence. He widened his eyes suddenly. "Really? Is he planning to spend the night with the White Moonlight?" Such rapid progress, truly a delightful sight!

Feeling suddenly cheerful, walking on the soft sand by the beach, blowing the slightly salty night breeze, with the moon in the distance as big and round as a duck egg, and the person he liked walking beside him, Qiao Guangyu felt very content. Life couldn't get any better than this.

However, for Huo Zhou, this round and tranquil night wasn't as pleasant as imagined.

He hadn't seen Wu Yu for three years, and Huo Zhou still remembered Wu Yu's habits—like not eating seafood and enjoying good vintage wine.

In the upscale restaurant of the resort, Huo Zhou casually ordered a few dishes, and upon putting down the menu, he saw Wu Yu opposite him showing a surprised and nostalgic expression. "I didn't expect you to remember my taste. The dishes you ordered are all my favorites. However, it seems you haven't ordered many dishes that you like?"

After saying this, Wu Yu stopped a waiter who hadn't left yet and added a few dishes according to Huo Zhou's taste, with an unmistakable caring and gentle smile on his face.

That was the true appearance of someone who genuinely cared... Huo Zhou recalled how Qiao Guangyu looked at the seafood dishes on the menu a few seconds longer, his eyes full of longing. He remembered how Qiao Guangyu, after taking a sip of wine and earnestly declaring it "good", despite not being a connoisseur, had a serious expression.

In fact, apart from this, Qiao Guangyu was a very good stand-in. From his posture to the way he held his knife and fork, it was almost identical to Wu Yu's. Yet, there wasn't much trace of awkward imitation. Wu Yu sitting opposite him now was composed and serene.

This was a demeanor that Qiao Guangyu could never imitate. Simply put, Qiao Guangyu was just an ordinary young man who had recently graduated from college, with a hint of childishness in his character.

Wu Yu elegantly cut a small piece of steak and glanced at Huo Zhou, "Why aren't you eating? Is it not to your taste? The chefs here are indeed mediocre. After we go back, I'll take you to a newly opened restaurant that's even better than the 'Black Rose'."

"I don't really mind," Huo Zhou chuckled, "Over the years, I've often eaten Western food just because you like it. In the past, I used to eat Northern cuisine more often when I accompanied my old man (NT: his father) at home."

Wu Yu lightly frowned, with a hint of apology in his tone, "I'm really sorry. If you had told me earlier that you liked Northern cuisine, I would have booked a Northeastern restaurant."

Huo Zhou shook his head slightly, "Being with you, it doesn't matter what we eat." He saw the clear and genuine gratitude in Wu Yu's eyes, suddenly feeling a bit tired and self-deprecating, "—At that time, I really thought so."

Wu Yu put down his knife and fork, staring at him seriously, "It was indeed my fault to go abroad without discussing it with you, but during these years in a foreign land, my heart hasn't changed from before. I love you, Huo Zhou."

He reached across the table, grasping Huo Zhou's hand, "I don't believe you can easily let go of this feeling. We've loved each other since university, spanning a whole decade... Even if there's someone else by your side, I can tell, does he... resemble me a bit?"

This sentence seemed to touch on a taboo in Huo Zhou's heart. He leaned back, awkwardly stood up, unable to meet Wu Yu's eyes, "I... I need to go to the restroom."

Wu Yu slowly withdrew his hand, maintaining a dignified and proud posture, nodding slightly to him, "Alright."

Even his smile remained perfect.

But as soon as Huo Zhou left, Wu Yu's mouth drooped.

*

"I told you, you can't rely on someone surnamed Huo."

Several days had passed, and Wu Yu's complexion still hadn't calmed down. Even Wu Jun, his brother, didn't have a good expression when talking about Huo Zhou, "I heard two years ago that he had someone by his side, but Huo Zhou protected him so well, never bringing that person to public events, so no one knew what his new love looked like."

Wu Yu said calmly, "I saw him."

"What? You saw him?" Wu Jun looked at him in surprise, "Where did you see him?"

Wu Yu described the dramatic scene of his first encounter with Qiao Guangyu to Wu Jun, then he had a somewhat amused expression, "He's quite an honest and enthusiastic kid. I wonder how he can tolerate Huo Zhou's temper."

Wu Jun's face was full of disgust, "Finding a kid who looks like you, hiding him away like a treasure in a golden house, who is Huo Zhou trying to disgust?"

Wu Yu sighed softly, looking out at the calm sea, "I don't know."

Wu Jun cautioned him, "You should have less contact with him in the future. There are plenty of good men out there, not just Huo Zhou!"

"I really only want him," Wu Yu shook his head, saying bitterly, "At that time, I was too self-conscious. He was acclaimed as a business genius by the outside world, the future leader of the financial world, while I was just a 'piano prince' given a fancy title by the media for the sake of family prestige. I wish I could have become an artist, my level was just enough to fool the layman. If I disregard my family background, there's no way I can support myself with it."

Even during his most passionate moments with Huo Zhou, Wu Yu remained concerned about his own wealth. He couldn't bear the thought of being a mediocre presence next to an outstanding partner. Therefore, he took the initiative to leave his comfort zone and pursue studies in finance abroad for three years. He also learned to mingle with businessmen.

In the past, Wu Yu didn't hesitate to leave abruptly, whether it was because his sleeves were stained with red wine or due to a slightly unpleasant conversation. If he hadn't been compelled to learn social skills for the sake of Huo Zhou, Qiao Guangyu would never have had the opportunity to see Wu Yu in such circumstances.

The only mistake he made was leaving without telling Huo Zhou.

He was too naive and too confident at the time, thinking that all true love could withstand the test, even after ten or eight years wouldn't change. He and Huo Zhou had been in love since they were young, enduring the scrutiny of others, passing the test of their parents, and even the seven-year itch.

Wu Yu thought that after three years, he would bring Huo Zhou a surprise, and after a long separation, they would cherish each other even more.

But he never expected that men were so easily inconsistent creatures; those who could control their lower bodies were few.

After the candlelight dinner with Huo Zhou ended unpleasantly, Wu Yu felt drained.

Wu Jun couldn't bear to see him in such a half-dead state and forcefully took him out to play, taking a speedboat to the island to relax for a few days. These islands were only in the initial stages of development, retaining the original scenery without many artificial traces, hoping that his younger brother's mood could improve soon.

The Wu brothers from the Wu family never expected that while trying to relax, they would still encounter Huo Zhou.

The little affair by Huo Zhou's side actually looked a bit like his younger brother...

What rotten luck!

 

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The author has something to say:

High energy alert ahead!

 

Translator : DarNan