When Yi Changqing pulled open the car door, Pei Zhen had one hand clutching his phone and the other holding a cup of hot coffee.
So much so that he couldn’t free a hand to yank the car door shut again. Truly helpless.
“…”
Pei Zhen glanced at him. The amber-eyed man still radiated his usual chill indifference, hair combed meticulously neat, only a bit of glitter powder fallen on his shoulders and the chest of his suit jacket. He looked like he’d finished recording his segment but hadn’t had time to change before running over.
Just like this, holding the car door open, staring at him with a face full of dark clouds, and not speaking.
Pei Zhen: “…”
Probably hadn’t opened the wrong car door by random chance. He’d come specifically looking for him.
But, why? What did the two of them still have to say to each other?
From the past until now, though he’d once liked him with absolute genuineness, Pei Zhen had never considered that he “understood” Yi Changqing.
But however little he understood him, at least the Yi Changqing of before still had some basic patterns—for instance, being overly concerned with saving face, or speaking little when shy, or that after lies were exposed, visibly falling into fluster and spiteful rage.
Not like now.
Every move and action utterly unpredictable, an absolute unsolved riddle.
Yi Changqing: “Just now, I saw your secretary.”
Pei Zhen originally hadn’t even planned to acknowledge his persistent haunting, but upon hearing this, he instantly looked up: “You saw him? When did you see him? Where did you see him? Is he alright?!”
Yi Changqing’s face stiffened slightly, seeming to forcibly suppress something, then an expression emerged that was hard to tell if it was more “sympathy” or closer to “mockery.”
“You care about him that much.”
Pei Zhen felt a bit pissed off by that look, so he didn’t bother being polite in the moment: “My man, if I don’t care, who should care? Care about you instead?”
His wrist was seized.
His phone dropped with a “smack” into the car. The coffee in his other hand nearly spilled. Yi Changqing’s strength was considerable, carrying a hint of suppressed fury, forcing him to look at him.
“Young Master Pei, that man of yours, have you ever investigated his background?”
“Do you know exactly what his origins are, what his intentions are for coming to your side? I’m telling you, just now I passed by that deserted hallway near the break room and overheard your man making some kind of shady deal with someone else!”
“He called that person ‘Manager Du.’ I don’t know who that is, but their conversation…”
Pei Zhen: “Heh.”
If there weren’t a pre-existing cause and effect, if he hadn’t watched Han Fu go chase that bastard, he might have even believed your nonsense!
His numb, unimpressed reaction made a flash of suspicion and sharpness pass through Yi Changqing’s eyes: “You think I’m lying to you?”
“You think I’m making up stories, trying to drive a wedge between you and him?”
“Am I really that bored and pathetic in your eyes, so idle as to do something like that? Young Master Pei, think it over yourself. Don’t you think this guy named Han Fu is strange? Looking so… looking like that, and ‘just happening’ to know fragrance blending, and dead set on targeting you, willing to die just to be your secretary, utterly devoted. Do you think that’s normal?”
“Young Master Pei, wake up a bit! That person never had good intentions from the start. He might be someone sent by others to scheme against you. Don’t get deceived by him!”
Once again, Pei Zhen felt that Yi Changqing this man was truly something else.
Just like always, possessing the ability to completely infuriate him within two seconds.
…Who did he even provoke?
His hand trembling slightly, he restrained the impulse to splash a full cup of Nescafe all over him.
“Yes, someone like me, I just don’t deserve a good-looking, talented man to be so blind as to want to be with me. That’s exactly what you mean, right?”
So utterly furious he laughed instead, which actually made him look somewhat leisurely: “Don’t worry, I heard you clearly. And thanks for your ‘concern.’ But it’s fine, if he has ulterior motives, let him. Anyway, I’ve long~ been used to people deceiving me. One more time or two doesn’t make a difference.”
Yi Changqing’s expression instantly turned terrible.
The corners of his mouth twitched, but he held it in for over ten seconds. All sorts of emotions seemed to shift rapidly, yet in the end, it condensed merely into a cold sneer.
“Young Master Pei, I know you blame me for what happened back then.”
“But what could I do? By then, the two of us had already clashed to that extent. I had to find a way out for myself too.”
The hot coffee was directly flung at him.
Coffee cup included, fiercely striking Yi Changqing. Staining his light-colored suit into a complete mess.
Pei Zhen: “Get lost.”
Yi Changqing didn’t get lost, still standing there like a sea-calming pillar, staring straight at him and asking: “Young Master Pei, honestly, weren’t you even a little bit in the wrong? For the two of us to end up like that, don’t you bear any responsibility at all?”
“…” Pei Zhen seriously regretted it. Regretted throwing his coffee too early.
He did actually have a cola, but that cola was bought for his good little doggo to drink. Wasting it on someone else, he couldn’t bear to.
The thought of doggo warmed his heart, and he somehow smiled.
“How could I not be at fault?” He nodded. “I was wrong from start to finish. It was all damn well my fault.”
“Changqing.”
After so many years, he spoke those two words again, so foreign yet so familiar. Yi Changqing’s body jolted. That ice-cold face seemed to flicker with a momentary crack.
But the next second, Pei Zhen smiled slightly, lowering his eyes: “I was wrong. It was all my fault. I shouldn’t have liked you back then.”
“But the two of us, actually, it never really went anywhere between us, did it? If I had done something to you that you found particularly disgusting, then it would be understandable for you to hold a grudge. But what did I actually do? Never even touched you. Just some one-sided emotional attachment. After all these years, was it really worth it for you?”
“You thought I affected your reputation, got you covered in filth. I’ve already suffered my retribution. My retribution was severe enough, wasn’t it? Still not enough for you?”
“It’s already enough. We’ve long since broken even. Just let me go, and let yourself go too. With great prospects like yours ahead, we each just live our own good lives. Is that not okay?”
Pei Zhen truly felt he had been sincere enough.
Really… couldn’t be more sincere.
Yet Yi Changqing seemed unsatisfied. The fingers gripping his arm dug in deep, and with one violent move, he dragged Pei Zhen out of the car.
“Pei Zhen!”
His voice was low and hoarse, bloodshot red in his eyes, as if forcibly suppressing some surging emotion, wanting nothing more than to devour him.
Pei Zhen’s expression didn’t change.
He felt relieved. Because behind Yi Changqing, he saw that familiar figure charging over.
…
Once Doggo appeared, none could contend.
Han Fu, with a face full of immense displeasure, charged over trailing sparks and lightning. But given that he’d already been lectured last time and forbidden from assaulting judges, this time all he could do was grab the collar, shove him against the wall, plus a full suite of verbal threats.
He was genuinely furious. How could the guy, with just one glance missed, seize the opportunity to pester his family’s precious treasure?
How could he have the gall? Why was his face so thick!
His brain was a murky cloud of anger, and his mouth consequently went into turbo-engine mode. The verbal assault went all out with flowery, vicious mockery and personal attacks. After a massive tirade, the old routine: hoist the nearby Pei Zhen over his shoulder, stuff him into the car: “Zhenzhen, we’re leaving!”
Pei Zhen: “…”
What do you mean ‘Zhenzhen, we’re leaving’? I’m not your damn Pikachu!
…
A whole lot of satisfying unloading in the parking lot. The result was, letting loose too wildly actually split the corner of his mouth. His various knuckles were also scraped and peeling.
Pei Zhen worked on the sofa applying medicinal tincture to Han Fu, feeling rather pained seeing him hiss sharply from the sting of alcohol, lowering his head to blow puff puff gently.
“From now on, you’re a perfumer. Issues that can be resolved without violence, try not to resort to violence. Take good care of your hands.”
Han Fu nodded. Thought for a moment, then frowned again.
“Senior Fu Yao only has one hand, yet on the competition stage, she still dominates in every direction?”
Pei Zhen: “…”
Pei Zhen: “Why can’t you compare yourself to others for good things? You, kid, lately you really…”
Just as he was about to launch into a long-winded lecture, transforming into his “Idealized Father” persona, Han Fu decisively activated self-preservation mode: “Zhenzhen, have you not gone for a haircut lately? Your hair’s grown so long!”
Pei Zhen: “…”
“Actually, growing it out a bit looks nice too. It’s just that you’re good-looking, so your hair looks fine no matter what. Short is neat, long is handsome.”
Pei Zhen thought, I’ve eaten six or seven years more salt than you, you think your petty tricks? Thinking that just because you suddenly flatter me, I won’t be able to nag you? Dream on.
“Also~” Just as he thought this, his arm was pulled over by Han Fu for a squeeze, “Have you been secretly working out at the company lately? Your arms are getting more and more satisfying to squeeze, your waist too. Ah~ already this handsome, and still so disciplined. Zhenzhen, how are you just this perfect?”
“But Zhenzhen, there’s one thing I do have to lecture you about.”
“I think you, as a person, are great in other respects, it’s just that your vigilance is sometimes really too low. Next time that Yi guy looks for you, just close the car door and ignore him, okay? Don’t talk to him, okay?”
“Your charm is so huge, yet you’re not even aware of it yourself. This makes me so worried! Next time you’re alone, don’t talk to him, hm? Can you promise me?”
Pei Zhen: “…”
Why, did he sense such a profound gap?
He’d lived thirty years, always being direct, addressing things as they were. Occasionally felt a bit embarrassed when praising people, but was always blunt and straightforward when criticizing them, leading many to dislike him, saying he was nitpicky and had a venomous tongue.
Today, he’d finally witnessed it.
The other party merely a twenty-three-year-old young man.
To express a tiny dissatisfaction, he’d actually beat around the bush with a whole masterful round of “suppressing before praising”!
But what could he do? The fact was, it truly was effective!
Human nature, in the end, whoever dislikes being praised? Sweet words, no matter how many, never tire the ears. After being praised ten sentences into floating on air, faintly hearing a small complaint, the other person then immediately continued sparing no effort with more praise.
Under such an art of speech, Pei Zhen, as the recipient of the information, had an acceptance rate of 100%!
Not only did he agree to strict defensive measures against Yi Changqing in the future, he even began seriously considering whether he ought to learn a bit of this art of speech from the little wolfdog.
If he could learn it, maybe he’d be much more well-liked than now.
Then he reconsidered, No!
Things that could be solved by sending red envelopes, learn what? Learn what!
He’d already been holding back for so many years. Suddenly becoming easy to get along with, others probably wouldn’t be used to it either. Don’t end up making himself into some nondescript mess. Better to just throw money. Easy!
…
The next day was Sunday again. In the morning, the old routine: after eating, the two nestled together on the sofa for Saturday’s match review.
The process was exceptionally arduous.
Pei Zhen truly felt that watching videos with Doggo had a difficulty coefficient similar to holding down an actual dog with attention deficit disorder trying to watch a video.
Absolutely impossible to study earnestly. After watching for just a short while, the guy would desperately cling and snuggle all over him, no matter what. In vain, he was still analyzing each contestant seriously, while Doggo only knew to sniff and snuffle around his neck: “Zhenzhen smells so good.”
Waking up in the afternoon, slightly past two, Fatty and Yu Wenzhe arrived.
Since September, Grasse had resumed classes. Yu Wenzhe, besides his fixed Saturday competition attendance, spent the rest of his time at school continuing to retake his Class 5 courses.
The same for Fatty. Although already one of PA’s hottest contestants, he hadn’t become cocky and abandoned his studies. Weekdays, he still returned to school for the advanced Class 7 curriculum.
Today was the weekend, the school not open.
The two had nowhere to go, so they’d arranged to again borrow the perfumer’s workstation at their house.
…
Before meeting Han Fu, Pei Zhen had always thought his life was pretty much set by now.
Basically predictable from age thirty onwards — he’d likely smoothly transition into the type of “weird old man” who lives alone, keeps his door tightly shut, selfish and reclusive, whispered about by neighbors, eventually dying at home with no one knowing, half his face eaten by his cat.
But ever since he got his doggo, he’d gradually begun to believe he probably wouldn’t die alone in old age.
Not only that, many “old issues” had also healed on their own.
He used to be a bit of a neat freak, now… completely accustomed to Han Fu blissfully wriggling and drooling on the pillow next to him. He used to startle awake at night, then suffer insomnia until dawn. Now, a little fur-stroking and he quickly fell back asleep.
Faced with a young man constantly radiating cute charm, he simply couldn’t get genuinely angry. Even his notoriously criticized venomous tongue and bad temper had vanished without a trace.
Furthermore, Pei Zhen previously really wasn’t the warm and hospitable type, yet now he was practically “My home’s door is always open wide.” Knowing guests were coming in the afternoon, he’d even bought a refrigerator full of little cookies, small cakes, and fruit ahead of time.
That Fatty and Yu Wenzhe could come over, in Pei Zhen’s view, was absolutely tremendously beneficial for Han Fu.
Those two, one also a PA contestant, the other a “good student” constantly in Lanrui’s A-2 position madly recording notes, observing from the sidelines with neutral clarity.
With the three of them blending fragrances together, exchanging views, the perspectives and insights were definitely more objective and comprehensive than just Han Fu and him huddled together blindly brainstorming, far better at providing valuable information and experience.
Taking fruit from the fridge, going to the kitchen to wash, cut, and plate.
Han Xiaohua’s friends couldn’t possibly know he was the “sugar daddy.” As the “boyfriend,” of course, he had to play the virtuous role and give his guy some serious face.
And, essentially… he was already basically the boyfriend now anyway.
Although they still hadn’t very formally addressed this issue between them. But, kissed, yes. Sleeping together every day, yes. Every day’s gazes overflowing with so much love. What else needed to be said?
Pei Zhen was a thirty-year-old man. He could distinguish certain things and didn’t need those verbal little reassurances.
From the kitchen window hung with a little wind chime, he could just see into the courtyard.
In the glasshouse, one chubby guy, two handsome guys. Little Orange also went to join the fun. That scene was indescribably harmonious and cheerful.
Pei Zhen continued washing, washing, watching, watching. Suddenly felt, eh, why did the combination of these three give off… a familiar sense of deja vu?
One adorably cute and dopey, one black-haired and tall, maxed out in both combat strength and looks, plus a nimble fat guy.
Just missing giving one of them a Luoyang Shovel, and they could group-cosplay that super-famous iron triangle.
Seriously, the more he looked, the more it resembled. Couldn’t help but laugh to himself right there. Felt like he was raising an incredibly awesome legendary team at home. Truly incredible, incredible!
Right as he was happily amused, the phone rang. It was actually that rare-encounter big star, Lei Yao.
Pei Zhen honestly was a bit surprised.
Lei Yao, before he got famous when he was especially idle, used to love dropping by Mai Zixi’s tea house to chat and crack sunflower seeds. At the time, he’d also once wanted to get himself invited over to Pei Zhen’s house. But Pei Zhen, being relatively tightly wound back then, wasn’t terribly welcoming of friends coming over to play.
Later, after Lei Yao suddenly got famous, his days were filled with endless matters, running domestically all over the country and abroad.
Rarely a few days a year spent in S City. It counted as bittersweet — one moment posting earnings in the three-person WeChat group, the next complaining about his manager and fellow industry peers, then suddenly howling with the full set of emojis: crying loudly, hungry, exhausted, about to collapse, wanting to die.
In this era, many people habitually lurked in group chats when idle.
But as long as nothing major had gone wrong, rarely would anyone still make a point to call directly.
