✿✾❀✿✾❀✿✾❀✿✾❀✿✾❀✿✾❀✿✾
Ye Tingtong walked away happily with his second cup of milk.
Yu Mo watched his retreating figure with amusement, "Where on earth did you find this adorable guy?"
His acting was so bad it was obvious, yet he was still smug when they played along, with his thoughts practically plastered on his face.
Maybe because he's so good-looking, he seemed to enjoy it all, even thinking the other guy was way too cute.
Shen Jin took a sip of his wine, "You're the one who invited him over."
Yu Mo was at a loss for words; he was the one who started talking to Ye Tingtong, "But he just walked off like that?"
He even looked down at his own clothes, puzzled. All designer, clearly showing he's loaded. Shouldn't Ye Tingtong have tried to cozy up to him?
"Are you sure he's the Ye family's illegitimate kid?" Yu Mo stroked his chin, "The report didn't mention he was being shunned and struggling?"
Shen Jin paused his drinking, narrowing his eyes, his gaze at Yu Mo somewhat dangerous, "You snooped through my files?"
Yu Mo immediately raised his hands in surrender, "Bro, I didn't. I just happened to see it last week when I was in your office."
Shen Jin must've just looked it over—the file was right there on the table, with a blue ID photo in the top corner. He just glanced at it but something seemed off.
This wasn't a formal file.
The guy in the photo was stunning—even the ID photo couldn't hide it.
He remembered it and recognized Ye Tingtong the moment he walked up.
Yu Mo assured repeatedly, "Trust me, I'd never cross that line."
They were close personally, but in business, they kept their distance. After all, Shen Jin wasn't easy to deal with, and if pushed, he wouldn't hold back.
Shen Jin spoke indifferently, "Don't do it again."
Yu Mo laughed and put his arm around Shen Jin's shoulder, "Don't try to change the subject, what's going on? Even if I hadn't seen that file, I've heard a bit about this person."
"Last week, you had him stay overnight at your villa, right?"
Shen Jin poured himself a glass of wine, "You're really in the know."
"Brother, this matter has spread, okay?" Yu Mo clicked his tongue, "That kid posted on his social media that night, with the location set at the Shen family villa."
Coincidentally, Shen Jin was in the area for business that day, and it was no secret that he returned to that villa to rest.
Shen Jin slowly said, "I left that same night."
"I know." Yu Mo took a sip of his wine and wiped his mouth, "Otherwise, the Ye family would probably have washed him up and sent him straight to your bed."
Shen Jin, having reached his current position, had many people trying to find loopholes, the simplest and most direct way being to send people to his bed. However, Shen Jin was extremely cautious, and no one had succeeded so far.
Moreover, Shen Jin detested such tactics, and upon discovering the mastermind behind them, he would immediately cut off all cooperation and contact.
Therefore, everyone was very cautious, and the news of Ye Tingtong staying overnight that day seemed to become their breakthrough.
Yu Mo analyzed thoroughly, but Shen Jin remained unmoved, so he could only guess wildly based on tonight's events, "Thinking of keeping him for fun?"
The Ye family had been inquiring about buyers everywhere recently, even he had received the news.
"The Ye family asked me to check in with you," Yu Mo's peach blossom eyes narrowed into a smile. "I wasn't planning to get involved, but since you seem interested, I thought I should let you know."
The Ye family's little crisis was no big deal in front of Shen Jin.
While the two were talking, a group of young people at a nearby table were really letting loose, the vibe was electric, with cheers and whistles one after another.
Shen Jin was watching, and Yu Mo followed his gaze.
It was Ye Tingtong's table, all young people, tipsy and getting rowdy.
In such an atmosphere, the person huddled in the corner stood out like a sore thumb.
However, the person involved looked perfectly at ease, holding a goblet of milk, occasionally taking a sip.
Yu Mo remembered that the last cup of milk was poured by Ye Tingtong himself, a full cup, now nearly empty, savoring every last drop.
At this moment, Yu Mo heard Shen Jin's response to his previous question.
"Tell them to screw off."
——
On the other side, Ye Tingtong was completely unaware of the conversation between the two. He had just finished his cup of milk when Shen Minghuai returned, smelling strongly of cigarettes.
Shen Minghuai wasn't a heavy smoker, only lighting up when he's really stressed. After finishing the call, he said he had something to do, snatched his coat, and bolted.
In the time Ye Tingtong was stunned, Shen Minghuai had already disappeared from the bar.
Without Shen Minghuai, there was no reason to stick around, so he found an excuse to leave.
Before leaving, he glanced at the booth where Shen Jin was, but it was already empty.
After that day, the messages he sent to Shen Jin still went unanswered, Shen Minghuai also disappeared from time to time, his social media updates became sparse, and his father Ye Guodong started reaching out more frequently.
He would call to ask if he was feeling unwell, if his studies were stressful, when he would be free, and so on.
Ye Tingtong weighed his words carefully every time, using the excuse of nearing the end of the semester, with a packed schedule, and both he and Shen Minghuai were preparing for exams, with no time to go out.
Ye Guodong responded with a knowing chuckle, but didn't expose him, just asked him to come home when he had time, saying there was something to discuss.
Even if Ye Tingtong wasn't the sharpest, he could sense something was off and kept putting it off.
One day, while having a meal with Yu Huanhuan, he received another call from Ye Guodong, after a few words, Ye Guodong finally snapped and threatened him over the phone, "I don't want to drag you back like last time."
Ye Tingtong went quiet.
When he was first recognized by the Ye family, he was only filled with gratitude, just having food and clothes felt like a luxury for him before, let alone the Ye family being wealthy, even if they tossed him leftovers, he thought it was delicious.
But nothing good ever comes for free, when he was 16, he was almost sent away, he threw a fit and sobbed, even resorting to self-harm and hunger strikes.
He also tried his best to escape and call the police, but it ended with him being labeled as a rebellious child.
That time he was tied up tightly with ropes and thrown into his own little dark room upon returning home, the ropes dug into his wrists and ankles, leaving marks.
It was painful, but he couldn't even cry.
Fortunately, he was covered in wounds and had become skin and bones, so the deal naturally fell through.
After that, he met Shen Minghuai.
Ye Tingtong didn't linger on past memories for too long and replied to Ye Guodong, "I do have something coming up recently. The Shen family matriarch's 80th birthday celebration, they invited me."
Ye Guodong was somewhat surprised, "Really?"
"I can't make this up," Ye Tingtong said calmly. "Next Friday, a three-day yacht party. The Ye family will have someone there too, right?"
Although the Ye family wasn't quite in the same league, getting a spot shouldn't be an issue.
Ye Guodong reluctantly said, "Alright, we'll talk after the Shen family's big bash."
After hanging up, Yu Huanhuan, who was nearby, caught part of the conversation and frowned, "Are they starting to put pressure on you?"
"It's alright, I've got it under control," Ye Tingtong seemed unburdened, his eyes curving into a smile. "Sister Huanhuan, thanks for getting me into the Shen family's birthday banquet."
He knew it couldn't have been easy for Yu Huanhuan to get this spot.
"You call me sister, so of course I'd do this for you," Yu Huanhuan ruffled his hair. "But, it would mean more if Shen Minghuai took you. Have you asked him?"
Ye Tingtong shook his head, "He said it wouldn't be right."
The Shen family had strict rules. Even though Shen Minghuai played around, it was all on the down-low. He had asked Shen Minghuai many times before to introduce him to the Shen family, hoping to build some connections, but Shen Minghuai always refused.
Though he was disappointed, he didn't push it.
Shen Minghuai's aloofness wasn't without its perks, at least it proved he had no intention of getting into a serious relationship.
This time, he'd stick close to Shen Minghuai at the party, preferably bringing Shen Minghuai before the Ye family to make a statement, after all, Shen Minghuai had said he would take care of it.
Time flew by, and on the day of the banquet, Ye Tingtong and Yu Huanhuan drove to the seaside.
When they boarded the yacht, even though he was prepared, Ye Tingtong was still amazed.
The luxurious, grand double-decker restaurant with an open design, the spacious hall and performance area, the indoor heated swimming pool, bars, cinema, game rooms...
Ye Tingtong wandered around, nearly getting lost, until a waiter led him to the restaurant.
He stayed on the upper level of the restaurant and noticed most people were in the main hall, surrounding the Shen family, holding wine glasses and greeting them one by one.
Ye Tingtong glanced and then looked away. This was a circle he couldn't force his way into.
He wasn't rushing to find Shen Minghuai either. At this time, Shen Minghuai wouldn't have time for him.
Ye Tingtong wandered around the dessert area, his plate full, and just as he was about to find a spot to eat, he saw a familiar figure.
It was Shen Minghuai.
Next to Shen Minghuai stood a girl in a light green cheongsam, radiant and elegant, making Ye Tingtong couldn't help but take a few more glances.
Perhaps his gaze was too noticeable, Shen Minghuai also looked over, his expression faltering for a moment. He whispered a few words to the girl and then walked towards him.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming in advance?" Shen Minghuai flicked his forehead with a bent finger. "Always thinking about eating."
Ye Tingtong winced and covered his forehead, "You're just blaming me first. Isn't it because you've been disappearing lately?"
Seeing his aggrieved expression, Shen Minghuai's face suddenly relaxed a lot, "But you should have been anxiously looking for me, you know?"
Ye Tingtong pouted, "I know, I know."
The two chatted happily, as if the unpleasantness from the bar that night was just an illusion.
"I need to entertain some guests, so go ahead and have fun. Call me if you need anything." Shen Minghuai instructed, took a few steps, then turned back and pulled a gift box from his pocket. "Here, take this as my apology."
Ye Tingtong opened it to find a men's watch.
Shen Minghuai must have put some thought into it; the watch was delicate and compact, just the right size for Ye Tingtong's slender build.
Ye Tingtong didn't put it on right away but carefully placed the box in his pocket and zipped it up tightly.
Later, he planned to find a spot with good lighting and a nice backdrop to take a photo and post it on his social media.
As he ate his dessert, he watched Shen Minghuai chatting with a girl not far away, thinking to himself, no wonder Shen Minghuai was a hit with the ladies—he was indeed generous.
He didn't give the bar incident a second thought. If every time could end with such compensation, he wished Shen Minghuai would get angry at him every day.
After daydreaming like that, he turned around and suddenly ran into Shen Jin, who was coming down from the second floor.
Ye Tingtong quickly covered his face with his hand, trying to mask his greedy look, and sneaked a glance at Shen Jin.
Shen Jin's suit seemed more impressive than the last two times, a deep black that even made the ship look classier.
Just as he was about to greet him, he noticed Shen Jin glancing at his plate.
It was loaded with the priciest picks.
Ye Tingtong coughed, "Well, I was just really hungry."
Shen Jin paused and reminded him, "Lunch is in half an hour."
Ye Tingtong understood and said reservedly, "Then I'll just have a bit."
After Shen Jin left, Ye Tingtong grabbed his dessert and dashed off to the quieter deck.
Ten minutes later, Shen Jin's phone vibrated in his pocket.
Opening WeChat, he saw Ye Tingtong's latest social media post.
"Blue skies, white clouds, and a hint of salty sea breeze—perfect combo~"
The accompanying photo showed Ye Tingtong's fingers making a peace sign.
Ye Tingtong's fingers were slender and white, with rounded tips and a hint of pink.
Shen Jin's eyes drifted to the familiar plate in the bottom right corner of the picture—now empty.
✿✾❀✿✾❀✿✾❀✿✾❀✿✾❀✿✾❀✿✾